A New Hope
The raccoon was aggressive, unable to be touched and certainly not able to be handled. At least, that's what staffers with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) told Maxine Baird, founder and director of A New Hope, an animal sanctuary in Georgia, when they asked if Baird would keep a former captive raccoon earlier this week. For legal reasons, the DNR didn't provide many details about where the rescued raccoon came from, but Baird was told that she'd been kept in "horrific conditions." A New Hope The raccoon had albinism with stark white fur and a pink nose and ears. She was about 4 years old, and according to the DNR, she'd spent the majority of her life locked up in a tiny, suspended wire cage. While the details of the raccoon's rescue have remained vague, Baird knew that the DNR had worked for months to rescue this raccoon and other animals from the previous owners, including a tiger and a coatimundi. Baird doesn't know for certain, but, according to the DNR, the animal's original owner intended to use the raccoon for taxidermy. A New Hope "[The DNR officer] initially just asked us to watch her temporarily while he found placement for her," Baird told The Dodo. "We only have one raccoon enclosure [at A New Hope], which has another raccoon in it. But since she was described as so aggressive, I assumed that they probably wouldn't get along, so we were just going to hold her for a couple of days." Dodo Shows Comeback Kids Family Stops At Nothing To Help Their Great Dane Run A New Hope When the raccoon arrived at A New Hope, she was pretty scared and standoffish, and didn't want anything to do with people. But she didn't seem "aggressive" to Baird. A New Hope The main thing Baird noticed was the raccoon's poor physical condition. "She smelled horrific," Baird said. "I mean, she smelled so bad. She was covered in feces, urine - so much to the point that she had urine burns all over her rear and stomach. She's got a lot of hair loss. She's also very obese. She weighs 22 and a half pounds when, based on her size, she should probably weigh around 16 pounds." The raccoon also had sores all over the pads of her feet, which are the most sensitive parts of a raccoon's body. "The officer who delivered her said he doubted she'd ever had her feet on solid ground before," Baird said. "This was especially sad because raccoons are sensitive in their hands - it's one of their most dominant senses. Her sores must be pretty excruciating." Despite everything she'd heard about the raccoon's "aggression," Baird decided to go sit with her in the raccoon enclosure ... A New Hope ... and something magical happened. A New Hope "I don't know - we just had a really good connection," Baird said. "I'd been going through some stuff in my personal life, and I was kind of having a sad day, so I went out there, and I sat by her and she came right up to me. And it was interesting because she hadn't come up to anyone yet, and she came up and sniffed me, and put her little hands in my hand. Ever since then, she's been honestly the sweetest raccoon I've ever met in my life, and I've raised probably 200 raccoons." A New Hope Baird named her Isis after the Egyptian goddess who was known for her kindness and compassion. "Since this little raccoon has been through so much and is still so sweet, we found it fitting," Baird said. A vet examined Isis and advised Baird to keep her inside Baird's house while her sores healed. Isis didn't seem to mind at all. A New Hope "She's so gentle, she's so loving," Baird said. "She spent the last couple days glued to my side, sleeping on my lap, having me carry her around, cuddling, giving me little kisses. I just saw a complete 180-degree flip in her personality the minute she was exposed to some kindness. All it took was a couple scratches on the head and she completely attached herself to me." A New Hope Isis loves going through Baird's pockets, finding things like keys and cell phones. She also likes play-wrestling with Baird and climbing anything she can. "I don't think that's something she's had the opportunity to climb before," Baird said. "You can tell by her overall clumsiness that moving is a totally new experience." She also made her first raccoon friend - another rescue raccoon named Ghost - during a supervised play date. A New Hope But what Isis loves more than anything is hanging out with Baird ... and cuddling. A New Hope As cute and cuddly as Isis the raccoon is, Baird is quick to point out that people should NOT keep raccoons as pets. "Raccoons can be incredibly destructive, and they can get very aggressive, and they really, really don't make good pets," Baird said. "A lot of the animals we have at the sanctuary are relinquished pets." Baird also explains that while Isis is living inside with her now, she'll eventually go back outside to live in an enclosure with other raccoons. A New Hope "She is a pretty incredible animal, and it's pretty amazing to see her cuddling and giving kisses and being sweet, but that is not normal, not natural, and it's really not that good," Baird said. "If she hadn't been in an abusive captive situation, then she'd be out in the wild, and that's what we would really want for her it's just not going to be a possibility because of what she's been through." A New Hope When rescuers walked Thong Kam and her 4-year-old daughter Bai Fern out of an elephant riding camp and into the forest, they had no idea they were actually rescuing three elephants. Thong Kam was pregnant. Mahouts Elephant Foundation "Beautiful Sunti - which means 'peace' in Thai - was born on the 28th November last year in the depths of the forest and has lived there since then with his family," Sarah Blaine, of the Mahouts Elephant Foundation, told The Dodo. The Mahouts Elephant Foundation works with the Karen hill tribe families who live in a remote village in the hills of northern Thailand and own elephants. The Foundation is trying to encourage the mahouts to shift from trekking camps to more sustainable models of tourism, where visitors can walk through the forest to see elephants like Thong Kam, Bai Fern and Sunti, rather than forcing them to give rides. "Our aim is to return many more elephants to this vast area of protected forest," Blaine said. Dodo Shows Faith = Restored Rescued Wild Horse Loves To Play With A Little Donkey Peter Yuen/Mahouts Elephant Foundation Elephants in Thailand who were once used for logging were shifted over to the growing tourism industry after a ban on logging in the 1980s. "They have no choice but to send their elephants to work in tourism in the cities and a mahout with them," Blaine explained. "It's a terrible life for both elephant and man." But Thong Kam's mahout tried to give her a better life by choosing a riding camp that didn't use heavy carts, which can cause sores and stress on the elephant's back. "Thong Kam was in a neck riding facility, so tourists would ride on her neck and learn to be a mahout for the day," Blaine explained. Meanwhile, Bai Fern "would just wander around being bored and not able to get attention from her mom." When given the opportunity to free Thong Kam and her family from the riding camp, her mahout embraced the idea. Peter Yuen/Mahouts Elephant Foundation "There is now a real desire within the village and the mahout community here to return the elephants back to the forest," the Foundation explains. "The community wants to let the elephants just live in as natural way as possible, deep in the conservation forest." Thong Kam and her family are some of the first elephants to be freed from working - and they seem to be enjoying themselves so far. Sunti enjoying a banana snack | Peter Yuen/Mahouts Elephant Foundation "They live deep in the forest and they pretty much do as they please all day," Blaine said. "They eat hundreds of different plants, trees, bark and soil. They live in a family group and are healthy and strong and our guests come in small groups to just watch them." The Mahouts Elephant Foundation hopes to help other elephants like Thong Kam and her family. Learn how you can support the group here. For nearly 10 years, Sally the rabbit only knew two places - her wire-bottomed cage and the exam table. Sally and a male rabbit named Dutch had been used as teaching aids at a veterinary technician school in the United States. When the rabbits became too old, the school relinquished them to Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary in Wyoming, a sanctuary that provides refuge to former research animals. Sally shortly after she arrived at the sanctuary. | Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary A confidentiality agreement between the school and Kindness Ranch prohibited the sanctuary from telling The Dodo which school Sally and Dutch had come from. However, Maranda Weathermon, the executive director of Kindness Ranch, explained that students used the rabbits to learn how to restrain them for veterinary exams, and to practice drawing blood. Students also performed injections on the rabbits, regularly shooting saline solution under the rabbits' skin. Dodo Shows Foster Diaries This Pregnant Pittie Foster Story Is The Happiest Thing Ever Dutch, the other rabbit | Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary Besides being taken out of their cage for exams, Sally and Dutch (who were kept in separate wire-bottomed cages, which can cause injuries to rabbits' feet, at the school) had little to no stimulation. "They had chew sticks, but they didn't actually have toys," Weathermon said. "The school would take them outside a couple times a year, but they didn't have any consistent playtime." Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary Then, four months ago, the rabbits' lives took a turn for the better. The rabbits got to retire at Kindness Ranch. After everything these two rabbits had been through, the sanctuary staff decided to spoil them rotten. They custom-built the rabbits "bunny condos" with multiple levels, and filled their enclosures with soft things to snuggle into. They also gave them a constant supply of fresh hay and vegetables. Since neither Sally nor Dutch were desexed (and too old to safely have the operation), they continued to live in separate enclosures. Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary "One of my staff members noticed that they looked kind of lonely," Weathermon said. "She had some leftover dog toys that their dogs weren't playing with, so she decided to give Dutch and Sally some babies. Dutch pretty much ignored his teddy bear. He was more of a person bunny he wanted to hang out with us and run around the office and be at our feet. But Sally was always interested in her babies. Craig, our ranch manager, would move them, and she'd run after them in her cage and try and bite him." Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary Two weeks ago, Dutch passed away. Even though the two rabbits had never directly interacted, they'd bonded through their cage walls, and Sally seemed devastated when her friend disappeared. "She went to go look for him the day he went to the veterinarian [for his last trip], and then we decided to give her his teddy bear because it still had his scent on it, and she groomed it for probably 30 minutes," Weathermon said. Sally became totally, over-the-top obsessed with Dutch's teddy. This browser does not support the video tag. Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary According to Weathermon, she grooms Dutch's teddy, cuddles him, and even "plays" by dragging the teddy around by the arms. "When we clean her cage every day, we need to put all of her toys into a pile, and she guards that pile of toys," Weathermon said. "She won't let us come near them until she's back in her cage and we can put her babies back in with her." Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary "It's so rewarding to see her be a real bunny," Weathermon said. "When she came, she was really tentative about being held, and she's being a lot more social. She's hilarious to watch in the office. If we're not paying attention to her, she sits there and stares at us until we do. So she's the most demanding rabbit I have ever met in my entire life. But she's such a joy to have around." Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary On the website for Petland Kennesaw in Georgia, an unusual looking puppy is for sale - a Boston terrier with stark white fur and blue-pink eyes. When reached by phone at the store, the salesperson "Alex" said that the dog is albino, which is "something very, very rare to find." A photo of the albino terrier on the Petland Kennesaw website. | Petland Kennesaw Alex didn't want to discuss the puppy's price over the phone. Instead he suggested visiting the store and meeting the dog, and also wanted to discuss Petland's "financing plans" in person. When pushed for an estimate, he said, "You're looking around the $5,000 mark." Dodo Shows Odd Couples Dog Is So Gentle And Patient With Her Foster Kittens Shut down Petland in Kennesaw, Ga Shut down Petland in Kennesaw, Ga There's a lot that Petland isn't telling consumers about the puppies they have for sale. According to a 2008 investigation conducted by the Humane Society, Petland (which is a large chain with over 70 retail stores across the U.S.), has a long history of funnelling sick and injured dogs from puppy mills to consumers. When the Humane Society visited Petland stores in Georgia in 2015, they found that they were still buying dogs from some of the worst puppy mills in the country, notorious for keeping dogs in cramped, filthy cages and depriving them of medical care. This has resulted in over 490 complaints against Petland on the Consumer Affairs website. Dogs being kept in tiny wire cages at a Tennessee puppy mill. | HSUS An anonymous customer who spoke with The Dodo after visiting the Kennesaw store learned from the store (after asking to see the dog's paperwork) that the puppy came from a company called Choice Puppies, a distributor in Missouri that's part of Hunte Corporation. This customer took photos of the paperwork, confirming where this puppy came from - and showing a $5,500 price tag. The paperwork for the albino Boston terrier for sale at Petland | Shut down Petland in Kennesaw, Ga As John Goodwin, the senior director of the Stop Puppy Mills Campaign at the Humane Society, explains, Hunte Corporation is a broker who buys dogs from puppy mills and sells them to pet stores. "It's very convenient," Goodwin tells The Dodo. "When a consumer Googles 'Choice Puppies,' they don't find the same awful things as when they Google 'Hunte.'" (When you do Google "Hunte Corporation," you find page after page of information about their puppy mill history and cruelty towards animals. For instance, one page provides a link to an investigative video that shows dogs with matted, yellow-stained fur in tiny wire cages.) A dog in a dirty cage at a Mississippi puppy mill. | HSUS An operations manager reached at Petland's headquarters confirmed that Petland works with Choice Puppies, although he was unable to say exactly where the white puppy came from. He told The Dodo that Petland does not associate with any puppy mills, saying, "We got all USDA reports on all the breeders that the stores use." In fact, being licensed by the USDA means nothing - puppy mills must be licensed in order to sell dogs to stores. USDA standards require only that dogs' cages be 6 inches longer than the dog, and allow puppy mills to keep dogs in those tiny cages, stacked on top of each other, their entire lives. Dogs who come from puppy mills often end up having health issues like giardia, distemper, parvovirus, respiratory infections and intestinal parasites, Gina Moraz, manager of the ASPCA Puppy Mills campaign, explained to The Dodo. The mother dogs are forced to give birth to litter after litter, only to have their puppies taken away from them shortly after birth. When the mothers can no longer produce, they're usually deposed of or euthanized. Some people online have also expressed concern that this particular terrier has another health issue - splayed feet. When you consider all this puppy and his family have been through, this puppy shouldn't be sold at all - he should be adopted by a loving family. "Puppy mills often fail to screen breeding dogs for hereditary disorders and this results in generations of dogs with defects that can lead to painful lives and sometimes even early deaths," Goodwin says. "This is a problem that afflicts many breeds, not just Boston terriers. The fact is that most of the puppies sold in pet stores, or over the internet sight unseen, come from puppy mills, and it is quite clear that puppy mills are more interested in pumping out as many puppies as possible with little regard for the love and care that the dogs need." A photo of the albino terrier on the Petland Kennesaw website. | Petland Kennesaw The world's saddest polar bear still hasn't tasted freedom. Pizza the polar bear first came to the world's attention back in January, when China's Grandview Aquarium opened its doors. The shoddy zoo, which houses 500 species inside a shopping mall, keeps the polar bear inside a stark concrete room painted a garish shade of blue. Animals Asia Pizza never sees the sun or smells fresh air, and he's surrounded all day by tourists and camera flashes. It's unclear if he has any other bears to interact with. And now, he might be going crazy. Dodo Shows Faith = Restored Couple Meets A Beach Dog In Mexico Who Changes Their Life Animals Asia Recent footage shows the bear displaying clear signs of stereotypic behavior - mindless, repetitive patterns animals develop to cope with the psychological stress of captivity. In one clip, he can be seen pacing back and forth before the window of his tiny room, swinging his head almost violently with each turn. In another, he lies on the floor facing the wall, mouthing obsessively at a grate. "This polar bear is showing classic stereotypical behaviour, including head swaying and repetitive pacing, induced by frustration and poor welfare," Alastair Macmillan, a veterinary adviser for Humane Society International (HSI), which released the footage, said in a statement. "This is the animal's attempts to cope with stressful, aversive situations such as barren enclosures, boredom and constant disturbance by visitors." Animals Asia "The conditions in which he is being kept are completely unsuitable, vastly removed from anything approaching his natural habitat, and if something is not done then he will likely slip further and further into mental decline," Macmillan added. While an outraged public and several prominent welfare groups have been campaigning for months to pressure Grandview into freeing Pizza - more than one million people cumulatively have signed petitions against Grandview - the aquarium has yet to formally respond. This summer, Grandview met with representatives from Animals Asia to discuss improvement to the animals' welfare, though the the aquarium made no indication that it was reconsidering keeping the bear. More recently, Yorkshire Wildlife Park, a facility in Doncaster, England, offered a new home to Pizza in September if Grandview would agree to give him up. However, the aquarium and authorities are believed to have refused the offer, stating that Pizza would not be allowed to leave the country. But now, dozens of new welfare groups from inside China are adding their voices to the chorus. On Tuesday, HSI announced an open letter signed by 50 Chinese animal groups calling on Zhu Xiaodan, the governor of Guangzhou, the province where Grandview is located, to help close the aquarium. The signatories are also asking that the hundreds of other animals at Grandview - including belugas, walruses and Arctic foxes, all of whom are held in similarly poor conditions - be released to sanctuaries or better facilities. "The appallingly inadequate way that this polar bear is being kept at the Grandview is a shameful stain on China that must be swiftly corrected," Mdm Qn, of China's Capital Animal Welfare Association, said in a statement. "A shopping centre is no place to be keeping any wild animal ... If it has been decided that he will not leave China, then let's find him the best new home inside China, but we cannot stand idly by and let this once magnificent bear languish in this depressing state." "We too care passionately about these animals and want to give them a better life," Hongmei Yu, president of China's Vshine Animal Protection Association, said in a statement. "There are no more excuses left for not taking action." Yu noted that while Pizza's plight has attracted worldwide attention, his story points to a much bigger picture - that of the thousands of other animals like him who are kept in similar conditions across China. Animals Asia "There is a worrying trend in China of wild animal exhibits in shopping centres, with another one reportedly being considered right now in Shijiazhuang, Hebei," Yu said. "It shows a complete lack of regard for their welfare." But for now, activists are hoping that, by keeping the international community focused on Pizza's plight, they'll finally be able to give him what he's been missing for so long: the chance to be a bear. Animals Asia SAN FRANCISCOApple predicts that strong sales of its new iPhones will soon pull the company out of a year-long slump. And the misfortunes of its archrival, Samsung, probably deserve a bit of the credit. On Tuesday, Apple said it expects sales to start growing again in the upcoming holiday quarter, driven largely by consumer purchases of the new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, which went on sale in September. The new iPhones hit the market with remarkably good timing. This month, Samsung was forced to recall its Galaxy Note 7, the South Korean companys answer to the iPhone, because the devices were catching fire. That vaporized Apples toughest competition for the most profitable part of the smartphone market. Theres more demand we can supply right now, Apples chief financial officer, Luca Maestri, said in an interview. Interest in the iPhone 7 Plus, Apples largest model and the most direct rival to Samsungs Galaxy Note 7, is so intense that Apple said production could still lag demand even by December. If the companys forecast is accurate, it will mark a turnaround from what has been a disappointing year for the Silicon Valley giant. In April, Apple announced that sales in the first three calendar months of 2016 shrank for the first time in 13 years. The poor performance continued through the quarter that ended Sept. 24, the company reported Tuesday. For the most recent three-month period, Apple said, revenue fell 9 per cent to $46.9 billion (U.S.). Net income fell 19 per cent to $9 billion. One bright spot for Apple was the accelerating growth of its services businesses essentially its cut of iPhone app sales as well as subscriptions to Apple Music and other services such as cloud storage. Revenue from services was up 24 per cent as the company squeezed more value from the one billion or so Apple devices that it estimates are in active use. The next big product is the App Store, said Ben Schachter, an analyst with Macquarie Research, who sees services as an underappreciated part of Apples business. Maestri said that revenue from Apple Music, the companys streaming service, grew 22 per cent in the quarter and more than offset the decline in music downloads from the iTunes store. Based primarily on the robust demand for the iPhone 7, Apple raised its financial projections for the quarter that will end in December, when crucial holiday sales occur. The company said it expects revenue of $76 billion to $78 billion, compared to $75.9 billion in the same quarter last year. China, a key market for Apple where sales have fallen sharply, appears to be stabilizing. In the September quarter, sales in greater China were about flat compared to the June quarter. Sales were still down 30 per cent compared to the previous year, but Apples chief executive, Tim Cook, said he was optimistic about an improvement. We are very bullish on China, he said. There might be a new normal there, but the new normal is a good growth rate. While phones account for the majority of Apples business, its Mac laptop and desktop personal computers remain significant contributors to the companys bottom line. On Thursday, Apple is expected to announce several major updates to its Mac lineup, including the first major overhaul of its MacBook Pro laptop in four years. Kevin Walkush, a portfolio manager at the Jensen Quality Growth Fund, said that Apples phones are gradually becoming commoditized, yielding lower profit margins. Services, which are far more profitable, will drive the companys future growth. Apps and services have higher margins, said Walkush, whose mutual fund has been building its stake in Apple stock. It makes it more annuity-like. Cook got a bit prickly when asked about artificial intelligence technology found in devices made by competitors such as Amazons Echo and Googles Home. Those gadgets rely on amassing a large amount of information about users to deliver personalized information. He said Apple could deliver similar personalized services through its Siri technology without compromising privacy. Its a false trade-off that people want you to believe, that you have to give up privacy to have AI to do something for you. We dont believe that, Cook said. As for new areas of focus for the company, he said Apple remains very interested in television content. I think its a great opportunity for us both from a creation point of view and an ownership point of view, Cook said. Read more about: SHARE: Billionaire Sumner Redstone sued two of his former girlfriends to claw back the millions of dollars he lavished on them, claiming they committed elder abuse. The lawsuit opens a new front in the legal brawl over the 93-year-old media moguls mental capacity that kicked off after he evicted the two women from his mansion last year. The board fight that followed for control of his media holdings ended up costing Viacom Inc. chief executive officer Philippe Dauman his job. There are now two lawsuits in California after Redstone, Dauman and others resolved battles in Delaware and Massachusetts over control of Viacom and the trust that will oversee the billionaires holdings. In the case filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, Redstone, who now communicates through an iPad programmed with his voice using excerpts of past speeches and interviews, is seeking more than $150 million (U.S.) in damages from Manuela Herzer and Sydney Holland. They manipulated and emotionally abused Redstone to get what they wanted jewelry, designer clothing, real estate in Beverly Hills, New York and Paris, and money, lots of it, lawyers for Redstone said in the complaint. Herzer, 53, lived with Redstone from April 2013 until October 2015, for much of that time along with his then-girlfriend Holland. Redstone threw out Holland in August 2015 after he found out she was having a relationship with another man, and Herzer was ejected six weeks later. That prompted Herzer to file a probate court petition to have Redstone declared mentally incapacitated. When Herzers case was dismissed in May, she sued Redstones daughter Shari, accusing her of manipulating her father. At the time, Sumner Redstones lawyers promised to sue Herzer and Holland. By the time Redstone threw Herzer and Holland out of his home, and out his life, last fall, they had taken him for more than $150 million and left him in debt on account of the immense tax obligations triggered by those gifts, according to Tuesdays complaint. Ronald Richards, Herzers lawyer, said the allegations were an attempt by Shari Redstone to distract from a lawsuit by Herzer over her removal from Redstones estate. She was to receive $50 million and his $20-million mansion upon his death, but was taken out of his will after her eviction. Mr. Redstone had many checks and balances between attorneys, doctors and accounting staff, Richards said in an emailed statement. All of the gifts Mr. Redstone made to my client and to Sydney Holland were made with his full knowledge and blessing. Holland said the lawsuit is fictional revisionist history. Doctors have testified twice in recent months that Sumner Redstone was of sound mind and, most recently, that he was mentally competent to make such critical and complex business decisions as orchestrating the departure of his long-serving chief executive at Viacom, Holland said in an emailed statement. This is directly contradicted by the claims in this lawsuit that state that Mr. Redstones physical and mental state were so impaired that he could be easily manipulated. In the spring of 2014, Holland and Herzer were in near-total control of Redstones life, according to the complaint. They had bags of cash delivered to his mansion almost daily, typically bundled in stacks of $100 bills. They had carte blanche with his credit cards, regularly charging thousands of dollars a day. Herzer sued Shari Redstone, her two sons and members of Redstones household staff for interfering with her expected inheritance. That case was filed in May, minutes after the probate court judge dismissed her petition to be reinstated as Redstones health-care agent. In a videotaped deposition showed in closed court, Redstone used expletives to describe his former lover and confidante and said he wanted her out of his life. According to the lawsuit, in May 2014, Redstone sold all his vested Viacom and CBS stock options, restricted stock and performance stock at the behest of Herzer and Holland. From the proceeds, he gave them both $45 million. When Redstone threatened to cut Holland off, she told him that his family hated him and that she and Herzer were the only ones who loved and cared for him, and that if they left, he would die alone, according to the complaint. SHARE: Mass transit, the lifeblood of cities worldwide, is under threat from the biggest innovation in automotive technology since Henry Fords assembly line first flooded streets with cars. The self-driving vehicles being pioneered by Tesla Motors Inc., Alphabet Inc.s Google and others are poised to dramatically lower the cost of taxis, potentially making them cheaper than buses or subways, according to a joint report by Bloomberg New Energy Finance and McKinsey & Co. Having no driver to pay could reduce taxi prices to 67 cents a mile by 2025, less than a quarter of the cost in Manhattan today, the report found. Its a change with the potential to reshape commuting patterns, transforming urban life. As prices fall, the challenge for cities is that the cars may become too popular. Instead of complementing public transit, they may lure commuters away from buses and trains, inundating streets with drone cars. If we dont manage this properly, the most dense cities in the world will be pretty unpleasant places to live, said Colin McKerracher, an analyst with Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Automakers have significant hurdles to overcome before cars can effectively drive themselves; the technology now is more like an autopilot that must be constantly monitored. While driverless cars have already shown the ability to handle highways, companies are pushing to perfect them for city streets, using GPS to navigate and sophisticated sensors to detect vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists and pets. Its an astounding development in the transportation world, said Lucius Riccio, a professor at Columbia University and former New York City transportation commissioner. This is the first major change in 100 years. Taxi, No Driver The arrival of driverless taxis comes as the industry is upended by ridesharing services offered by Uber Technologies Inc., Lyft Inc. and others. The prospect of computers at the wheel will dwarf those controversies, imperilling an entire profession immortalized by Robert De Niro in the film Taxi Driver. More than 150,000 people earn their living driving taxis and limousines in New York City, accounting for 4 per cent of employment. The possibility of self-driving cars in New York is not around the corner, but it is in the future, said New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission chair, Meera Joshi. Elon Musk has pledged to have a Tesla drive itself to New York City from Los Angeles next year. Uber is piloting autonomous vehicles in Pittsburgh. General Motors Co. in March acquired Cruise Automation Inc., which is testing self-driving vehicles in San Francisco. And by 2021, Ford Motor Co. expects to offer a fully autonomous car devoid of steering wheels and brake pedals for ride-hailing services. Once companies work out the kinks, they say driverless technology may make traffic accidents nearly nonexistent. Computers dont fall asleep at the wheel, get drunk or text while driving. Electric automated vehicles could reduce smog and greenhouse gases. Lower-priced taxis, meanwhile could make bus and train stations more accessible for suburban commuters, boosting mass transit ridership. Cities are grappling with how to respond. Los Angeles is exploring how driverless vehicles might fill mass-transit gaps. And Boston is working with the World Economic Forum to test whether driverless electric vehicles will reduce pollution and improve safety on the citys twisting streets. We know that humans arent very good at driving vehicles, and this is maybe a way to start eliminating those roadway fatalities, said Kris Carter, co-chair of Bostons Office of New Urban Mechanics. Not all cities are embracing the technology. On the same September day Uber began testing Ford Fusions in Pittsburgh, two Chicago lawmakers introduced legislation to ban automated vehicles. We do not want the streets of Chicago to be used as an experiment, said Alderman Edward Burke, one of the sponsors of the bill that would impose $500 fines for deploying driverless cars on city streets. Cabbies are unlikely to vanish all at once. The automated taxis Uber is testing in Pittsburgh have drivers in the front seat, ready to grab the wheel if needed, and initially, theyll stick to certain neighbourhoods. As the technology advances, companies say the cars will start to roam throughout cities, just as mobile phone services gradually blanketed regions years ago. Urban driving is the most difficult piece of this, said Carol Reiley, president and co-founder of Drive.ai, a Mountain View, Calif., company that develops software for self-driving vehicles. But that is where we are heading. The shift could dramatically recreate streetscapes. Entire lanes may be dedicated to driverless cars. Traffic signals, highway signs and parking lots may become obsolete. Even curbs, designed in part to prevent vehicles from careening onto sidewalks, may go the way of the horse-drawn buggy. At the same time, we need to remember that cities are for people, said Seleta Reynolds, general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Transportation. We cant let the arrival of driverless cars change that. Read more about: SHARE: Jimmy Kimmel got earnest with Barack Obama on his show last night, when he asked the president whether he ever laughs at Donald Trumps campaign. Most of the time, Obama said with a laugh. The president appeared on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" during the middle of his three-day visit to Nevada and California, where he is campaigning and raising money for presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and other Democratic candidates. The segment contained a mix of humour and serious talk about the current election. Obama used the spotlight to take shots at the Republican presidential nominee, joking about Trumps claims that the election is rigged and about his late-night tweeting sprees. I dont tweet at 3 a.m. about people who insult me, laughed Obama, as he explained that hes woken up at 3 a.m. every now and then for calls on foreign emergencies. Obama entertained Jimmy Kimmel's audience with some of the mean tweets sent his way, beginning with one sent by Donald Trump in August when he said "President Obama will go down as perhaps the worst president in the history of the United States." Obama's reply: "Really? Well, @realDonaldTrump, at least I will go down as a president." Kimmel routinely has celebrities read some of the mean tweets sent their way. Another person asked: "Barack Obama, bro do you even lift?" It wasnt all jokes during the interview though. Topics ranged from the Chicago Cubs advancing to the World Series to confronting why theres an air of mistrust around Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. This just has to do with the fact that she has been in the trenches, in the arena for 30 years, said Obama on the more serious topic of Clintons trustworthiness. When you have been in the public eye that long in politics, folks go after you, and theyre trying to find a weak spot, and any mistake that you make ends up being magnified. A long, and at times controversial, U.S. presidential election campaign between Clinton and Trump is winding down now, as early voting is already underway in some states. Obama urged citizens to use their power to vote. He also used his appearance on Kimmel to warn citizens on some of Trumps rhetoric. What we havent seen before is somebody questioning the integrity of elections and the role of the people, he said. What we havent seen before is a politics based on putting down in very explicit terms Muslim Americans who are patriots or describing women, not in terms of their intellect and character but on a one to ten score. With files from CP. Read more about: SHARE: By India Today Web Desk: Political leaders cutting across party lines were in attendance to watch actor-danseuse-BJP leader Hema Malini perform dance drama Draupadi in Patna. However, in no time, the focus shifted from the dance drama to the political drama that played out between BJP leaders and Lalu Prasad Yadav and his sons on Tuesday evening. SHOT GUN FIRES AT TEJASWI advertisement BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha took a dig at Lalu's son Tejaswi and said, "So far, only 50,000 proposals for marriage have come for him on WhatsApp... I feel he will receive five lakh marriage proposals in no time". ALSO READ: Lalu Prasad takes a dig at BJP, says after Bihar, it is UP's turn to defeat Modi's party Tejaswi, the deputy chief minister in the Nitish Kumar-led government, was recently the talk of the town for getting 44,000 proposals for marriage on WhatsApp. The minister had provided his number to receive citizens' complaint on bad roads. ALSO READ: BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha backs Akhilesh Yadav, says his heart goes out to him TEJASWI TARGETS SUSHIL MODI Tejaswi, who was present among the audience, did not take the compliment lightly. He, however, chose to target BJP leader and former deputy chief minister of Bihar Sushil Kumar Modi. Tejaswi said Modi must let everyone know if his son is marrying as per the Hindu tradition or the Christian. The BJP leader is married to a Roman catholic. ALSO READ: RSS pants: Lalu cuts long story short, says Rabri Devi forced them to cover up The jibe comes close on the heels of the war of words between Modi and Tej Pratap, Tejaswi's brother and a minister in the Bihar government. Sushil Modi, referring to the Samajwadi Party feud, had spoken about the marriage of Lalu's sons. At this, Tej Pratap had retorted and said that Modi should instead worry about the marriage of his son and asked if his son was "impotent". ALSO READ: Tej Pratap call's Sushil Modi's son impotent, triggers controversy LALU's LOVE FOR HEMA Between the political match, Lalu chose to play the referee and spoke about his fondness for Hema Malini. "If doesn't look like that she has aged a bit. I love her so much that I have even named one of my daughters after her," the RJD supremo said. Lalu had earlier promised to make the roads in Bihar as smooth as the cheeks of Hema Malini. ALSO WATCH ALSO READ: Tejaswi lashes out at Sushil Modi for raising questions on his advisor ALSO READ: Sushil Modi is acting like a dictator, sidelining leaders in his party: Tejaswi Yadav --- ENDS --- advertisement For writers, few days get bigger than this. On Tuesday, Madeleine Thien awaited the announcement on whether she was the winner of not one but two prestigious literary awards for her novel Do Not Say We Have Nothing. Early in the day she took home the 2016 Governor Generals Literary Award for fiction, worth $25,000. Later, the Montreal-based writer attended the Man Booker Prize ceremony in London as one of six finalists and one of two Canadians vying for the 50,000 ($81,000) award. She was in pole position to end a 14-year Man Booker drought for Canada, and a favourite to win with 2:1 odds, according to some U.K. bookies. Instead, Paul Beatty, author of The Sellout, a satirical novel about modern slavery and a race trial, made history as the first American to win the award since the U.S. became eligible two years ago. Thien was not disappointed. Things work out the way they do, she told the Star Tuesday evening. I was so happy to be there to hear Paul Beattys acceptance speech. Its one of those moments Ill remember for the rest of my life. Besides, she added, the Governor Generals award is very close to my heart. That was a joy. It was a bit unexpected. Ive known for a couple of weeks now, but its still sinking in. Its special. Beatty also beat out the other Canadian in this years race, Montreal-born David Szalay for All That Man Is. Like Thien, Szalay has a Montreal connection he was born there, but moved to England when he was a year old and now lives in Hungary. The last Canadian to win both the GG and the Booker prize in the same year was Toronto-Sri Lankan writer Michael Ondaatje for The English Patient in 1992. Since then, two other Canadians have won: Margaret Atwood in 2000 for The Blind Assassin and Yann Martel in 2002 for The Life of Pi. The three authors are the only Canadians ever to win the prize, which was established in 1969 and is awarded for the best novel of the year written in English and printed in the U.K. For Thien, 42, who had never seen her name on a major Canadian prize list before this year, the impact of Do Not Say We Have Nothing, her fourth book, is astonishing; along with the GG and Booker prizes, its also been shortlisted for the $100,000 Scotiabank Giller Prize, which will be awarded on Nov. 7, and the Quebec Writers Federation Literary Award. I think I might be at the limit of excitement, she said in September, the week she found out she was on the Giller and Booker shortlists. Even if she didnt win, she noted, the prize nominations raise the profile of her work. Im happy the book will find its readers. The story begins in Canada where a Chinese family takes in a young woman who fled China after the Tiananmen Square protests, but is mostly set in China, and follows the lives of two generations, musicians whose lives were affected by Maos Cultural Revolution. Do Not Say We Have Nothing, said a Toronto Star reviewer registers an intense and lingering emotional impression. While it has launched the Canadian writers reputation both at home and internationally to dizzying heights, its not a book Thien thought would garner the kind of reaction it has. It felt like it was taking a lot of risks for me, the Vancouver-born writer told the Star in an earlier interview. Shed never tackled an epic scale in her previous books, the kind of the whole-hearted, no-holds-barred immersion into China, Chinese culture, language, revolution and a kind of almost Dickensian storytelling evident in her latest book. She has, though, told stories informed by war, by violence. Her last book, Dogs at the Perimeter, was about Cambodia during the war and the horrors of the Khmer Rouge. She doesnt feel, she says, as if shes choosing to focus on catastrophe but on history and the human aspiration to create a utopia, even through violent means. I always think that Im writing the story of my generation. I think some people might say the story of our generation is a very different one, maybe a more self-involved one, maybe a more North American one but I dont believe that. I think the story of this generation is very much defined by places like China, by Cambodia, by India, by all these places that are still experiencing, as we all are, the ongoing turbulence of the 20th century and the 21st now. Governor Generals Literary Award winners Tuesdays Governor Generals awards marked the prizes 80th anniversary. Other winners: Saskatoons Bill Waiser received the non-fiction prize for A World We Have Lost: Saskatchewan Before 1905 Montreal-based Lazer Lederhendler won the translation award for his French-to-English translation of the Giller-nominated The Party Wall by Catherine Leroux Steven Heighton of Kingston won the poetry prize for The Waking Comes Late Torontos Colleen Murphy took the drama award for Pig Girl Calvin by Martine Leavitt of High River, Alta., won the award for young peoples literature (text); and Tokyo Digs a Garden by Jon-Erik Lappano of Guelph and Kellen Hatanaka of Stratford were awarded for young peoples literature (illustrated books). With files from the Stars wire services SHARE: OTTAWAPhotos have emerged that apparently show Canadian special forces soldiers near front-line action in northern Iraq, even as Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan stays mum about their involvement in the ongoing offensive against Daesh extremists. One photo shows Canadians in what appear to be heavily-armed Humvees. Another shows soldiers setting up a heavy anti-armour weapon atop an armoured vehicle, a Canadian flag is clearly visible on the uniform of one of them. The Star could not independently verify the photos or when they were taken. The defence department said it does not comment on ongoing operations but did not dispute the authenticity of the pictures. The Canadian military has become more guarded in recent months about the work of some 200 soldiers deployed in northern Iraq to help train and advise Kurdish peshmerga forces, a mission that is supposed be non-combat. Its believed the photos show troops operating in an area east of Mosul, where peshmerga forces have been reclaiming territory that had been held by Daesh, also known as ISIS or ISIL. In a conference call with reporters Tuesday, Sajjan was asked about the photos, including one that shows Canadian soldiers setting up the heavy weapon. Sajjan also did not question the photos, but said any weapons the Canadians have would be for their own self-defence and protection of the Kurdish peshmerga troops they are advising. Our troops have all the necessary equipment to be able to apply the rules of engagement if necessary, Sajjan said, adding that their arsenal now includes anti-armour weapons. I want to make sure that our troops have the necessary equipment in place to mitigate any threat, Sajjan said. Earlier this month, Iraqi and Kurdish security forces, backed by coalition militaries, launched a long-awaited offensive against Daesh fighters holed up in Mosul. Yet Sajjan and the military have refused to provide any details about the role Canadian forces are playing as the Kurdish forces they are mentoring try to clear territory around Mosul. Sajjan offered few clues Tuesday during a conference call with reporters from Paris, where he had attended a meeting of nations involved in the fight against Daesh. In terms of their role and exactly whats happening, for operational security and force protection reason, I cant give you the details, Sajjan said. When the time is right I will be providing details . . . but right now these are the absolute early stages of the operation, the minister said. Absolutely, Canadians deserve to know how the mission is going, what our troops are doing, he said. In the Commons Tuesday, the Conservatives ridiculed the secrecy and questioned why Canadians are being kept in the dark. Images of Canadian troops operating Iraqi vehicles, sighting targets with sniper rifles, and painting targets near Mosul have emerged on social media, Conservative MP James Bezan said. Why should Canadians have to learn on Twitter what our troops are doing to defeat ISIS rather than from the government, he said. In an interview later, Bezan, who served as parliamentary secretary to the defence minister in the previous government, accused the Liberals of hiding behind a curtain of secrecy. Even allowing for security concerns, he said there is ample room for more transparency about military operations. He said the photos show Canadian soldiers painting targets using a laser to mark targets for air strikes by coalition aircraft. This is definitely part of the support for combat operations and the offensive that is taking place to liberate Mosul, Bezan said. Theyre right at the front line and we know that, he said. Meanwhile, Sajjan revealed that a Canada-led hospital meant to be ready to treat casualties from the Mosul fight is still not up and running. There was some delays from the Iraqi government side in terms of getting all the resources. . . . That has been dealt with and things are moving along, Sajjan said. The hospital will have two operating rooms staffed by some 50 personnel doctors, nurses, medics and support staff. According to the armed forces, it will be able to provide triage, resuscitation and emergency surgery. Given that the Mosul offensive is still in its early stages, Sajjan said the hospital will still be timely and needed. In a statement, the defence department said the hospital should be operating within several weeks. In the meantime, the department said it was working with its partners to ensure that there were no gaps in medical care because of the delay. Read more about: SHARE: A 49-year-old nurse from Woodstock, Ont., Elizabeth Tracey Mae Wettlaufer has been charged with eight counts of murder, provincial police said. Here is what the Star has learned about the eight people police allege Wettlaufer killed. James Silcox Police say James Lancing Jim Silcox died at Caressant Care home in Woodstock on Aug. 17, 2007, at the age of 84. Silcox was survived by Agnes, his wife of 63 years, six children, 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, according to a published obituary. He was a World War II veteran who served with the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps in Italy, Holland and Belgium, the obituary said, and spent over 30 years of his life working at the Standard Tube manufacturing company. Citing Silcoxs love of dogs, his obituary asked for memorial donations to be made to the SPCA. Silcox was also longtime member of Old St. Pauls Anglican Church in Woodstock. It was there, in 1997, that Silcox met Rev. David Joyce, a retired priest assisting at Old St. Pauls. Jim was (at church) every Sunday, Joyce said. Whether he was well or he wasnt well, he and his wife would be there. Just one really wonderful, wonderful guy. Joyce would visit the Silcoxes from time to time, and saw them regularly at church functions. He also officiated Silcoxs funeral in 2007. He said he was saddened for the family and those who were close to the family upon hearing of Wettlaufers arrest. They have to live that all over again, he said. And it wont go away. It will be lived day by day for a while. Silcoxs son, Daniel, of Pontypool Ont. said he didnt want his father to be the poster boy of this tragedy but that he did want the story to be told. He described his father as a wonderful man and the best father in the world. Maurice Granat Maurice Moe Granat died at Caressant Care on Dec. 23, 2007 at age 84. A longtime auto mechanic in from in Tillsonburg, Ont., Granat had two daughters, five grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, according to his obituary. His son, Patrick Dreyer, passed away before him, the obituary said. Sam Lamb, 89, was described in the obituary as a special friend of Granats. The pair met through mutual friends about 10 years before Granats death, and they bonded over a shared interest in fixing up cars. He was a body work man on cars and (worked on) engines and I did the same thing as a sideline, Lamb said of Granat. I used to go to him for help and him and I would work together on my car He was a great guy. He was slow, easy-going, nothing to worry about. Lamb said he heard the news of Wettlaufers arrest over the radio Tuesday. Im very sorry for him, Lamb said. And now Im very sorry thats the way he had to pass away. Gladys Millard Gladys Jean Millard died Oct. 14, 2011 at Caressant Care at the age of 87. Her obituary said she was born in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia and later lived on Broadway St. in Woodstock. She had lost her husband Henry Millard, the obituary said, but was survived by her son, Stanley Millard, and daughter, Sandy Millard as well as a sister and sister-in-law. Millard was a longtime member of Knox Presbyterian Church and the Rose Rebekah Lodge in Woodstock, Ont. Her obituary suggested memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer Society. Helen Matheson Helen Muriel Matheson died Oct. 27, 2011, at Caressant Care at the age of 95. She spent most of her life in Innerkip, Ont., where she was a member of the Innerkip United Church, her obituary said. Donalda Osmond, who grew up down the street from Mathesons home, said Matheson was a school teacher in Innerkip and surrounding districts. Shes always been a part of this community, Osmond said. She described Matheson and kind and smart, but fairly private. Matheson was survived by her a son, three grandchildren and four great grandchildren, according to her obituary. Her husband Carl Matheson died in 1998 and her son Neil died in 2001, the obituary said. She had also lost a grandson and two sisters. Mary Zurawinski Mary Zurawinski died at Carressant Care in Woodstock, Ont., on Nov. 7th 2011, she was 96 years old. Helen Young Helen Young died at Carressant Care in Woodstock, Ont. on July 14, 2013, at the age of 90. An online obituary for Young says she was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. Young came to Canada with her late husband Peter in 1949, who she had married in London, the obituary said. The obituary said the couple first moved to Alberta and then ended up in Ontario about a decade later, eventually settling down in Woodstock, Ont. Both Helen and her husband had enjoyed travelling, camping and had been active in the humane society and Lions Club in town, the obituary said, also noting that they had had several pets who they loved dearly. Maureen Pickering Maureen Pickering died at Carressant Care in Woodstock, Ont. on March 28, 2014 at the age of 79. She was from Tillsonburg, Ont. and was the widow of Hubert Pickering, an online obituary said. Arpad Horvath Arpad Horvath died at Victoria Hospital in London, Ont. on Aug. 31, 2014 at the age of 75. For decades, Horvath ran Central Tool & Die Limited out of London, an online obituary said. The obituary for Horvath says he headed the Hungarian Club of London for almost 30 years and that hed been a big-game hunter. Maggie Szecsei said she was a long-time friend of Horvath. He and her husband, Joseph used to go hunting together, she said. They hunted together for, oh, at least 40 years. They went everywhere, even to Africa one time, she said. Szecsei described Horvath as a pretty normal guy, but not one to be quiet. Oh, he wasnt quiet. He was always expressing his opinion, she said. Married to Lana Horvath, he had two children Susan and Arpad and three grandchildren; Travis, Katrina and Isabella, the obituary said. Anthony Cuzzocrea said he had been a friend of Horvaths for decades a man he remembers to have been kind and giving. He recalls that his friend loved travelling, playing poker and game hunting. It really saddens me to hear, Cuzzorcrea said. Someone as good as him, generous as him. As the old saying goes, bad things happen to good people. I was kind of shocked with the way it took place. With files from The Canadian Press More on thestar.com: Ontario nursing home murder suspect talked God and sobriety on social media SHARE: Justin Trudeaus impromptu humility tour continues. In Hamilton the other day, he visited the mayor and a bystander threw pumpkin seeds him. In Medicine Hat, he visited byelection voters and they threw a Conservative at him. In Ottawa, he spoke to young members of the Canadian Labour Congress and dozens turned their backs. At this writing hes still planning to visit Brussels on Thursday. The way his month is going he shouldnt hope for much more than french fries. The prime ministers ambitions are higher: to save CETA, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and the European Union. That treaty, one of the most ambitious Canada has ever negotiated, hit a brick Walloon the other day in the person of Paul Magnette, the minister-president of the francophone Belgian region wed say province, before collapsing into the traditional hysterical crying jag that befalls anyone attempting to compare Belgian institutions with anyone elses of Wallonia. Magnette is ruggedly handsome, only six months older than Trudeau, and uh-oh a political science professor whose doctoral thesis carried the ominous title Citizenship and European Construction. Surely if theres one iron rule of politics, its Dont get an academic started on his thesis topic. CETA was doing well enough until Belgiums national parliament sought to vote its approval of the thing. The Walloons said no. Chrystia Freeland, Trudeaus trade minister, left a Brussels meeting in tears, telling reporters the EU isnt capable now of having an international treaty . . . even with a country so nice as Canada. Freeland stayed overnight in Brussels, flew home, and by Monday was feeling much more chipper, as people who leave Brussels often do. The last few days have consisted of anxious Europeans from other parts of the continent asking the Walloons, Are you sure? and the Walloons answering, Pretty sure. A clue to their stubbornness can be found in Magnettes other day job. Hes the mayor of Charleroi, an hours drive south of Brussels. The readers of the Dutch newspaper Die Volkskrant once voted Charleroi the ugliest city in Europe. It comes by the designation honestly, and hard. For 200 years after the 1750s Charleroi was a centre of heavy industry, mostly glass, steel and coal. From this everything follows. Strong labour unions. Deep ties with resource regions around the world: miners from the Charleroi region emigrated in the 19th century to Alberta and Cape Breton. And, as heavy industry declined in the late 20th century, economic collapse and intractable misery. These days you can book a Charleroi city safari to see factories that have been abandoned for 30 years but never torn down. You can climb to the top of a waste coal pile, see where Rene Magrittes mother lived before she committed suicide, visit a subway station that was built but never used because the city ran out of money. Chrystia Freeland has been a figure of sport in some circles for her tearful exit from Brussels. I disagree. I didnt know her well before she came to Ottawa but Ive almost never seen a harder-working cabinet minister in any government in my 22 years here. She has gone the extra mile for this treaty a dozen times. But there are reasons for this impasse, and one is that she is a certain type. She lived for decades in world capitals, London, Moscow, New York, Toronto. Shes a regular on CNN. She knows half the Harvard faculty by their first names. She earned her entrees fair and square, through study and hard work. But Charleroi has heard from people like Chrystia Freeland before. It never did them much good. The benefits of free trade and of guarantees in law for international investors are deep and broad. The costs are concentrated and deep too, like a cut, and they fall in places like Charleroi. Places like Charleroi voted for Brexit. They voted for a Greek government that also stood, for a time, in defiance against the towers of Brussels. Places like Charleroi will vote for Donald Trump no matter what you think. I think getting CETA as far as he got it was some of the best work Stephen Harper ever did. Getting it further has marked Freeland as a star in the Trudeau cabinet. Now its stuck. Trudeau is right to try to get it out of the mud. But the people who stuck it there had their reasons. Fate and a rule-book a mile thick gave them a chance to say no. They wont change their minds. If this treaty passes it will be despite them, and it will be a familiar feeling. Charleroi has lost fights before. It knows how that feels. Paul Wells is a national affairs writer. His column appears Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. SHARE: An Ontario inmate in solitary confinement for four years, awaiting trial on a charge he killed a fellow prisoner, has been moved to a better cell without lights shining 24 hours a day. The announcement from Correctional Services Minister David Orazietti followed criticisms that Adam Capay had been forgotten and was an example of how the jail system relies too much on segregation. Hes in a different cell and he does not have a cell mate. Hes in a standard cell, Orazietti said of Capay, a 23-year-old aboriginal man in the Thunder Bay, Ont., jail. We understand that Mr. Capay would rather be in this cell than be moved to another location or another institution. As reported by the Star last week, Capay had been in a cell at the end of a windowless range. There was Plexiglas lining the outside of the bars, and a small hole through which he spoke to Renu Mandhane, Ontarios chief human rights commissioner during a visit earlier this month. Capay told Mandhane that he couldnt distinguish night from day because of the lights shining constantly, and was having difficulty speaking because of the lack of human contact. Orazietti said those conditions have now improved. Theres no Plexiglas. The lights can be dimmed. Theres access to a day room, showers, phone, TV as well, he told reporters after opposition parties raised Capays case in the legislature. Obviously, were concerned about his safety and the safety of everyone else in the institution, added Orazietti, who held a news conference last week saying Ontario is cutting in half the number of days an inmate can spend in segregation to 15 from 30. New Democrat MPP Jennifer French (Oshawa) said the delay in Capays trial for first-degree murder is a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Supreme Court of Canada has deemed a reasonable delay to be not more than 30 months. Adam Capay has waited twice that long. Attorney General Yasir Naqvi told MPPs that the case against Capay is proceeding. I have been advised that the Crown has and will continue to work to bring these charges to trial as quickly as possible, Naqvi said. This is a very serious and challenging matter. I very much recognize that people have questions and concerns. Progressive Conservative MPP Randy Hillier (Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington) said Ontario has a terrible track record of getting cases to trial or withdrawing charges in a timely matter, leaving people languishing in jail. An estimated 7 per cent of Ontarios 8,000 jail inmates are held in segregation for safety or disciplinary reasons, and sometimes over medical concerns. The Ontario Human Rights Commission has found alarming and systemic overuse of segregation, with many inmates placed in solitary having mental health issues. Mandane called earlier this year for an end to segregation. SHARE: An Ontario medical student alleged to have forced two American teenage sisters to engage in sexual acts while he watched via Skype has been ordered extradited to the United States. A lawyer for Marco (Mark) Viscomi says a Superior Court judge in Toronto issued the extradition order on Tuesday. But Viscomi can appeal the latest order he staved off another attempt in 2015 to remove him from the country and his lawyer, Julianna Greenspan, says he intends to do so. The case involving Viscomi arose in January 2012, when someone had a webcam chat with a 17-year old girl in Virginia Beach, Va. According to court documents, the person allegedly used threats to force the girl to expose her breasts, and then to engage in explicit sexual and sexually violent activities with her 13-year-old sister. American police tracked the communications through the Internet Protocol (IP) address and information from an Internet service provider to a home in Stouffville, Ont., about 50 kilometres north of Toronto. Viscomi was living there with his parents. Ontario police arrested and charged Viscomi in March 2012, and released him on bail. Five months later, they rearrested him at the request of American authorities. They then withdrew the Canadian charges in favour of extradition proceedings to the U.S., where he faced allegations of Internet child luring and child exploitation. In May 2013, Ontario Superior Court Justice Ken Campbell ordered Viscomi sent to the United States for trial on the American equivalent of the Canadian crime of child luring. But Ontarios Court of Appeal found several problems with the evidence on which Campbell relied and quashed his extradition order. For one thing, the court said, there was no definitive proof that it was in fact Viscomi using the computer identified by the IP address. Nor was there evidence proving that an IP address combined with other subscriber information allows police to compile an unassailable history of a persons activity on the Internet, the court ruled. Everyone acknowledges that Internet child luring and exploitation occurred, the appeal court said in its ruling last year. However, the lynch-pin issue concerning the Viscomi proceedings is whether he is the someone who was on the other end of the video call. There are three key stages to Canadas extradition process the justice minister must decide whether to authorize the start of extradition proceedings in Canadian courts, then the courts must decide if theres sufficient evidence to justify the persons committal for extradition, and if a person is committed for extradition, the justice minister must personally decide whether to order the persons surrender to a foreign state. A person can appeal their committal and can also seek judicial review of the ministers surrender order. SHARE: When Wanda Wloch moved into her Rexdale home in 1983, it became her cozy refuge after a busy day working as a bank administrator. At the time, the area, near Humber College Boulevard and Highway 27, was like other Toronto subdivisions filled with single-family homes lining a winding maze of streets. But over the years, dozens of neighbouring homes were sold to profit-minded investors who divided them into multi-residential units and rented the rooms to students attending nearby Humber Colleges North Campus, Wloch says. With limited low-cost housing options, similar student enclaves close to other post-secondary institutions in the city are reshaping the suburban landscape, experts say. In North Etobicoke, that has turned a once quiet community into one disrupted by wild drunken parties, drugs, loud music, vandalism, cars blocking street access and abusive language, says Wloch. City hall needs to take appropriate action to prevent these deplorable conditions from continuing, says Wloch. City staff say legal, licensed rooming houses are the answer. A licensing bylaw provides the city with additional tools to protect the health and safety of tenants in multi-tenant houses, as well as mitigate the impact on the surrounding community, says a staff report that Mayor John Torys executive committee will consider Wednesday. Staff is recommending public consultations on a proposed zoning and licensing regime for rooming houses across Toronto, including Wlochs Etobicoke neighbourhood, and Scarborough where they havent been allowed. Wloch and several neighbours who didnt want to be identified fearing reprisals have a different solution. Do not legalize rooming houses, they said loudly and in unison last Sunday sitting in Wlochs living room, where she recapped her decade-long battle to shut the rooming houses down. Wloch has circulated petitions, badgered city councillors and officers and taken photographs and videos of broken bottles, garbage, unkempt lawns and evidence of peeing on my property. She also provided licensing staff with a list of properties she believes are illegal rooming houses, but feels ignored. Mark Sraga, the citys director of investigation services in the licensing division, says thats not the case. We have in fact laid charges against one of those properties, and were continuing our investigations into other ones. He adds that sometimes residents mistakenly believe a dwelling is being used as an illegal rooming house. A bunch of students living together and sharing a house does not make it necessarily a rooming house, he says. Thats what were trying to do with this report. Weve identified better and clearer definitions and descriptions of what is and what is not a rooming house and the enforcement regulations to go with it. Last spring, the 70-year-old Wloch says she could take it no more. With her walls shaking and dog barking, due to the music pumping out of speakers set up in a parking lot at Humber, Wloch says she marched across the street and confronted a DJ with a broken bottle in her hand. Police laid criminal charges. My nerves, I guess, got the better of me, she says. Im usually pretty good at controlling stuff and I have for the past ten years. Councillor Vincent Crisanti, who represents the area in his Ward 1 (Etobicoke North), bristles at the suggestion that he has not responded to resident complaints, citing various public meetings and visits to constituents. Its been an ongoing and growing frustration in that community, and I feel for them, says Crisanti, one of four deputy mayors. But he also feels the problem could be made better with regulation, even if its an unpopular position for some. The tools that we have right now just arent adequate for our municipal licensing people to go out there and do the enforcement that they need to do, he says. They dont have the right-of-entry. Anybody answering the door can just say sorry and close the door. Its very difficult to control. He suggests rooming houses be regulated in a similar manner to restaurants, subject to random inspections. Crisanti would also like to see the number of renters limited to four or five. I see the light at the end of the tunnel here. I see that there will be solutions. Will everybody be happy with that? Absolutely not. How do you keep everyone happy in anything in government and in life? Will the majority be happy, absolutely. SHARE: For the first time, Mayor John Torys executive has overruled him on a key issue, voting in favour of redrawing ward boundaries to add three new councillors. We dont need any more politicians at city hall, Tory said ahead of the vote Wednesday. He rejected a suggestion his position was purely political. I think my view on this is a view with the utmost of substance to it, which is that we should not focus, whether were talking four councillors, 44 or 444 councillors, on how many people are here. We should focus on how we can make this government work better, how we can serve the people better and how we can make sure they can have adequate representation. Torys preference for 44 wards goes against what the consultants hired by the city recommended. Though they were asked to go back and revise other options, the group still recommended 47 wards, saying it not only achieved voter parity but manages to keep communities of interest together and has coherent ward boundaries. Torys executive agreed with the consultants, breaking with Tory in a close 7-6 vote. Councillors Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailao, Michelle Holland, Frank Di Giorgio, Mary-Margaret McMahon, James Pasternak and David Shiner were in favour of the 47-ward option. Tory along with Councillors Gary Crawford, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Cesar Palacio, Jaye Robinson and Michael Thompson were against. The final decision is up to council, which meets starting Nov. 8. After Tory delayed the decision on new wards in May a decision supported by his executive city staff now say regardless of what council decides next month, the new boundaries are unlikely to be in place in time for the 2018 election. That leaves the city vulnerable to the Ontario Municipal Board, the provincial body that deals with land, planning and other issues, imposing new boundaries on the city without consultation if an appeal is filed alleging unequal representation. The current inequity in ward populations is great, the consultants noted in their report to council. In 2014, the largest ward contained 94,600 residents while the smallest ward was less than half that at 45,440. The delay in redrawing the lines could have benefits for Tory who has said he will seek re-election. The 47-ward option would create new downtown wards where growth is concentrated, which could see new left-leaning voices elected who are likely to challenge Tory and his agenda. Residents groups who came to speak to the executive committee were not unanimous in their support of an option, but none defended a 44-ward system. David Harrison, chair of the Annex Residents Association said the 47-ward option would result in far greater equity for public representation in downtown wards that are more heavily affected by increasing development and population. He noted his own councillor, Joe Cressy, faces unprecedented demands as a result of that development in Ward 20 (Trinity-Spadina). Executive members, several who transparently noted their opinions were coloured by self-preservation, were split on what they thought was the best option. A 26-ward option that follows federal riding boundaries, the 44-ward option and 47-ward option were all tabled. Veteran councillor David Shiner, who represents Ward 24 (Willowdale) and chairs the planning and growth committee said with the 44-ward option, Scarborough and Etobicoke wards remain mostly intact. So most of my colleagues are able to maintain their wards and may not understand what the pressure is on our other colleagues that are really finding the impacts of intensification, those new populations very demanding on them, he said. Pasternak, who noted his Ward 10 (York Centre) essentially disappears with the 44-ward option, argued it would make government less responsive, not better and would confusingly split established neighbourhoods across boundaries. At least one councillor, Robinson, noted incumbent councillors shouldnt be the ones making this decision. I think its outrageous that were really voting on our own jobs, she said. There should be another body . . . making these types of the decisions because it clearly speaks to in my mind, incumbent advantage. It appears unlikely the 44-ward option will prevail at council, where Tory is still expected to vote against 47 wards. Tory said he will take responsibility for sending the report back for further review but said he is unapologetic about the delay. I think what you want to do is get the right decision made as opposed to get a decision made on a particular time table, Tory said. He correctly pointed out that staff at that time did not publicly warn that the timeline would be difficult to achieve. Read more about: SHARE: Retired lieutenant-general Romeo Dallaire is welcoming Canadas military commitment to peacekeeping missions in Africa. They should have never left, said Dallaire, who was commander of UN forces in Rwanda in 1994 when more than 800,000 people, most of them members the Tutsi ethnic minority, were murdered by ethnic Hutu extremists. The idea to start earning our spurs again in Africa, in a deliberate fashion to build capacity, to me, is probably one of the wisest decisions, he said. The Liberal government has pledged up to 600 troops and $450 million to UN peacekeeping missions, likely in Mali, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo or the Central African Republic. Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan has said Canadian forces will use force on these missions if necessary. Dallaire, who served as a Liberal senator from 2005 to 2014, said Canada has an important role to play in bringing peace to foreign countries, but that it will require far more than blunt military might. Theres no such thing as simply bringing in a military solution to any conflict anymore. Thats over, Dallaire said. Were into imploding nations and failing states, and, because of that, you concurrently have got to bring in a security sector, a development sector, a humanitarian sector, a nation-building sector, and all these disciplines have got to learn how to work together. Dallaires new memoir, Waiting for First Light: My Ongoing Battle With PTSD, released Tuesday, deals primarily with the mental and emotional anguish he experienced in the years after leaving Rwanda, a path that led him to alcohol abuse, overeating and many suicide attempts. In portions of the book, Dallaire rebukes the UN for not allowing him to intervene in Rwanda as tensions rose. And he criticizes Canadian government and military leaders for sending soldiers on increasingly complex missions in the 1990s with outdated strategies and inadequate preparation. We had stumbled unprepared into a series of missions in . . . Iraq, Kuwait, Cambodia, Yugoslavia, Somalia, Rwanda, each with racial, ethnic and religious complexities we had no concept of, wrote Dallaire. Our troops had witnessed were still witnessing previously unimagined, massive abuses of human rights . . . . We had trained them for none of it. Dallaire told the Star that the Canadian Armed Forces have gained plenty of experience since then, due, in large part, to deployment in Afghanistan, but that UN peacekeeping will be different than the NATO-commanded mission in Afghanistan. NATO is not UN, Dallaire said. Getting (soldiers) to adapt to a whole different chain of command, to a different modus operandi, to mandates that are far more complex and ambiguous that is a learning curve that still has to be worked on. Since the 1990s, Canadian forces personnel have served in advisory, training and logistics capacities and contributed equipment to UN and African Union missions in Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Rwanda, Darfur, South Sudan and others. Missions recently announced represent a significant renewal of Canadas role in UN peacekeeping Dallaire said it was a cop-out for Canada to downshift its peacekeeping commitments during the war in Afghanistan. It was a limitation that has been created by budget cuts and deliberate reduction of the capability of the forces, he said. I truly believe that returning to these missions means returning to forces that use all its assets, including reservists, to be prepared to deploy reasonable numbers of troops. The Canadian Armed Forces have the capacity and experience to make a significant contribution in Africa, Dallaire said. As for what that contribution could look like, the general spoke of a broad scope. I see not only troops, but equipment. I see development (workers) linking in to places that may be falling into conflict, he said. Theres a whole spectrum of stuff to be done. SHARE: An Ontario court judge has dismissed an attempt to quash charges in the Radiohead stage collapse trial, allowing the long-running case on the deadly incident to continue. Justice Shaun Nakatsuru rejected arguments that charges against concert organizer Live Nation and Dominic Cugliari, an engineer from Brampton, should be dropped because their rights to a fair trial were compromised by an unreasonable delay. Charges were laid in June 2013, and the trial isnt scheduled to finish until January 2017 a period of 44 months. Nakatsuru deemed the lumbering pace acceptable because of the high technicality of the evidence in the trial, with several expert witnesses, engineering reports and multiple defendants. The issue of how the stage collapsed, and who is responsible for that, is complex, Nakatsuru said Wednesday as he read his decision. In the back row of the courtroom, Ken Johnsons eyes welled with tears. His only child, a 33-year-old drum technician named Scott Johnson, was crushed to death when the stage collapsed at Downsview Park in June 2012, hours before British art rock group Radiohead was slated to play. Just last weekend, he decided to travel from his home near Doncaster, England to represent his son at what could have been the last day of the trial. Im pleased that thats not the case, said Ken, 64, his voice wavering with emotion. Whatever happens, it wont bring Scott back, he went on. Well get to know. And Scott gets to know. One year after the stage collapse, the provincial labour ministry laid 13 charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act against Live Nation, a contractor called Optex Staging and Cugliari, the engineer who designed and signed off on the stage construction. The ministry alleges Live Nation failed to make sure the structure could support all likely loads and forces, and that it was adequately braced. Cugliari, meanwhile, is charged with endangering a worker because his advice or certification was made negligently or incompetently. Earlier this month, Cugliari and Live Nation applied to have their charges dropped. Their lawyers, Scott Thompson and Jack Segal, argued that the 18-month ceiling for delays in provincial court trials, which was outlined in a precedent-setting Supreme Court ruling this summer, should apply to this case. Thompson, Segal and Cugliari declined to comment after their applications were dismissed on Wednesday. Optex did not take part in the proceedings and does not have any legal representation at the trial. Outside the courtroom, Ken Johnson stood in a dark suit and red tie, with a smile on his bearded face. He said that, not knowing the justice system in Canada, he was afraid a company like Live Nation could buy the best lawyers and get the trial shut down before there is a fulsome explanation of what happened to his sonespecially since the defendants are yet to present their evidence in court. But Nakatsurus ruling dispelled that fear, he said. It was quite impressive how hes analyzed all that Without the trial being completed, nothing would have been learned. Ken only arrived in Toronto on a flight from London Tuesday night, and after some Christmas shopping, he said he would return home on a red-eye Thursday evening. Following the trial from across the Atlantic has been tricky, given the length of time thats passed and the middling media coverage it has received, but Ken said hes been able to understand the proceedings when hes attended. He works as a scaffolding safety consultant in the United Kingdom. I would really like to speak with Live Nation and tell them to get on with it, he said. I think theyre starting to damage their reputation Now theres an opportunity for Live Nation and Mr. Cugliari to present their defence. The trial is scheduled to resume Dec. 5 at Old City Hall. If convicted, the maximum fine against a corporation is $500,000 per charge, while an individual can be fined $25,000 per charge and face up to a year in prison. SHARE: Prankster F&B campus in Gurgaon offers their take on your favourite canteen meals with something called 'progressive nostalgia'. Enter the chemistry lab at Prankster, and indulge in some revamped goodies from your college life. Photo: Prankster By Ursila Ali: We've heard of progressive cooking, even 'progressive Indian' cooking--a term made famous by culinary maestro, Chef Gaggan Anand. But 'progressive nostalgia', well that's a first. In Gurgaon's Sector 29, folks at Prankster F&B campus are up to something novel, serving this progressive nostalgia on a platter. We weren't sure what we were in for when we entered the 'campus'. A bizarre metallic horse hanging upside down at the entrance didn't really give much clarity either. But then we realised that we were walking back in time, back to school, back to college, a time most cherished for the friendships we built. This area of Prankster looks like a library, with a light fixture made from discarded books. Photo: Prankster advertisement A Library, a chem laboratory, a classroom, a canteen and even a hostel room, this school (with a microbrewery) is built over 10,000 sq.ft.and is equipped with every school memory sans the academics. We were particularly drawn to a whimsical light fixture made from discarded books in the Library, a Chinese food truck parked in the balcony with a live food station and a cozy little hostel room with bunk beds for a private dine in with your friends. These Masala Teriyaki Lamb Chops will evoke all the college-time nostalgia in your mind and palate. Photo: Prankster The menu is extensive, only to incorporate all your favourite canteen meals. There is Kick-ass Honey Chilli Potato, made with mashed potatoes and served with pepper slaw, Lotus Root Fritters, an excellent alternative to potato chips and even Good Old Pineapple pastry, just like the creamy cake you were served at birthday parties when you were a kid. Is it a classroom? Is it a restaurant? Well, it's Prankster. Photo: Prankster But if you are looking for more than just college snacks, then try these three absolutely drool worthy dishes--the Nitro Cooked Dahi Bhalla, essentially an ice cream textured dahi bhalla that was a surprise to our tastebuds; the Fattirs, the flakkiest pastry that doubles up as a pizza base (an interesting new way to try the good old Italian bread); and Litchi Tikka, who knew you could char grill the fruit? This Nitro Cooked Dahi Bhalla is the stuff made of foodies' dreams. Photo: Prankster Also read: 5 outdoor restaurants in Delhi that are perfect for this breezy weather The drinks menu is equally intriguing with quirky names like Beer wali Maggi (no, there are no noodles inside your beer, but the humble beer given a desi tadka wih Maggi masala), Baba ji ki Booti (a refreshing cucumber cocktail ideal for a scorching hot summer day) and Garmi Mein Sardi Ka Ehsas (a simple ginger, honey and lime concoction). If you are feeling adventurous, try the Paan Pasand Mojito (White rum and infused with Paan Pasand syrup). This amphitheater is the best place to sit and enjoy a glass of cold Beer wali Maggi. Photo: Prankster We are yet to find out why the campus has been named Prankster, but something tells us its an ode to those back benchers, the mischief makers, the kids who always had the time of their lives in school. We will definitely be going back for a serving or two of nostalgia on a plate again. Meal for two:Rs.1,500 At:Site 8-10, Sector 29, Gurgaon Tel: 01133107913 --- ENDS --- advertisement The last time a Democrat won Texas in a presidential election was 1976, when voters chose Jimmy Carter over Gerald R. Ford. Carey Georgas was 22 back then, a disillusioned Democrat who voted for Eugene McCarthy, the independent candidate, and who was working at Cravens Insurance in this East Texas town. Forty years later, Georgas, 62, is still a Democrat, but not so disillusioned. He says he is voting for Hillary Clinton and has been following the polls showing Donald Trump with a narrow lead over her in Texas, one so slim that it fell within the margin of error in some surveys. Yet, like many Democrats in a state that has voted to send Republicans to the White House in nine consecutive presidential races spanning four decades, he is equal parts optimist, realist and pessimist. Many of his friends and neighbours are Republicans who are supporting Trump. Im bumfuzzled by the whole thing, said Georgas, now president of Cravens. I dont think shell win the state. But I think shell close the margin closer than anybody has. It is a question being asked by Democrats and Republicans alike: Can Clinton win Texas? Democrats in the state call it a long shot, but some say they believe she has a chance; Republicans say it will be close but are confident Trump will triumph. Political consultants who have both Republican and Democratic clients, and people who study Texas politics, say regardless of Trumps narrow lead, he will take the state. This year, it appears anything is possible, but a Clinton victory in Texas remains extremely unlikely, said Mark P. Jones, a political science fellow at the Baker Institute of Rice University in Houston. But some Democrats, pointing to the recent polls, see it differently. They predict a large turnout by black and Latino voters. And they have become energized as the Clinton campaign has opened offices and run TV ads in Texas and as local Republican-to-Democrat defections have made the news. Lauren Parish, a Republican judge in East Texas, said Friday that she was leaving the party and becoming a Democrat because she saw no way of reconciling my Christian beliefs with the manner in which the Republican Party is conducting itself. Gilberto Hinojosa, the chairman of the Texas Democratic Party, said of Clinton, I think she can carry Texas. Were looking at this clear-eyed, but we have never been this close in a presidential election, at least for many years, he said. This election may be different because Republicans irresponsibly nominated someone who is just so far out there in every aspect. Lionel Sosa, 77, a Republican media consultant in San Antonio who created ads for Ronald Reagan and other Republicans, said he would vote for Clinton, calling it a protest vote. State Rep. Richard Pena Raymond, a Laredo Democrat who is the Texas political director for the Clinton campaign, said that as Trump has angered women, Mexican-Americans and moderate Republicans, he has helped Clinton gain support. The longer this campaign keeps going, the less support Trump has in Texas and the more support Hillary has in Texas, he said. Each day is a good day for Hillary and it almost appears like each day is a bad day for Trump. I dont think its specific to Texas. Republicans equate the Democratic enthusiasm with Wendy Davis much-hyped but unsuccessful bid to become governor, and they accuse Democrats of creating a false perception that Clinton can win Texas to raise money for down-ballot races. Texas Democrats have not won a governors race since 1990 and have not won even one statewide elected office since 1994. There is widespread disenchantment with Trump among Texas Republicans, but Clinton remains unpopular in parts of the state. She is seen as an establishment politician and regarded as an anti-gun, abortion rights supporter in an anti-establishment, anti-abortion and pro-gun state. And she is tied to President Barack Obama, who lost Texas in 2012 by nearly 1.3-million votes. In Silsbee, a working-class town of 6,700 in a wooded region known as the Big Thicket, Georgas and his support for Clinton is uncommon. Hardin County, which includes Silsbee, is dominated by Republicans, but its Democratic past was not so long ago. As recently as 2004 and 2008, Hardin County voters were electing some Democrats for local offices, while supporting Republicans for president. Many of the older Republicans in Hardin County spent much of their lives as Democrats including voting for Carter in 1976 but they switched parties in the past several elections as the state tilted right. This was not a Trump county during the primary, said Kent Batman, who is the chairman of the county Republican Party and who voted for Cruz in March. But were 100 per cent Trump now. And its because we absolutely cant stand Hillary Clinton. Janis Holt, 56, who is the president of the Hardin County Republican Women and owns an air-quality systems company with her husband, voted for Sen. Marco Rubio in the primary. Trump will get her vote in November. He was not my first choice, she said. This is not about a person. Its about a platform and an ideology. Mr. Trump will earn my vote because he represents my party. His personal life doesnt represent me at all. Read more about: SHARE: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIAAustralian police flew to Rome to interview a top Vatican cardinal about allegations of sexual assault dating back decades, officials said Wednesday. Cardinal George Pell, Pope Francis top financial adviser and one of his most trusted aides, has long been dogged by allegations he mishandled cases of clergy abuse when he was archbishop of Melbourne and later Sydney. In recent months, Pell has faced accusations of child abuse himself when he was a young priest in the 1970s. On Wednesday, police in Australias Victoria state confirmed that they had interviewed Pell over the allegations. Three members of Victoria police travelled to Rome last week where Cardinal George Pell voluntarily participated in an interview regarding allegations of sexual assault, police spokeswoman Amara Bostock said. As a result of the interview, further investigations are continuing. We are not prepared to comment further at this time. The allegations involve two men, now in their 40s, who say Pell touched them inappropriately at a swimming pool in the late 1970s. Separately, a man told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that he saw Pell exposing himself to three young boys in a surf club changing room in the late 1980s. Pell was at the time a senior priest in Melbourne. Pell has repeatedly denied the allegations and did so again on Wednesday. The Cardinal repeats his previous rejection of all and every allegation of sexual abuse and will continue to co-operate with Victoria Police until the investigation is finalized, Pells office said in a statement. In August, Pope Francis declined to address the accusations against Pell, saying he wanted to wait until the investigation was complete before commenting. We must wait for justice and not make judgments ahead of time, the pope said in response to an Associated Press reporter aboard the papal plane. SHARE: In 1981, the New York Times published one of the first articles describing a mysterious new disease. Doctors investigating the outbreak believe that many cases have gone undetected, the story read. By the following year, health officials had given the disease a name: AIDS. Thirty-five years later, the full extent of the HIV viruss early spread remains unknown. But in a new study published Wednesday, researchers used an innovative new technique to decode the oldest HIV genomes found outside of Africa, allowing them to write a crucial chapter in the pandemics early history when and where HIV emerged in the United States. According to the study, published in Nature, the HIV virus had already spread from the Caribbean to New York City by around 1970 a full decade before doctors first noticed the signs of AIDS. From there, the pandemic strain spread to California and beyond. The paper also provides clear scientific evidence that Gaetan Dugas the French-Canadian flight attendant vilified as North Americas patient zero was simply one of thousands infected before HIV/AIDS was recognized, co-author Richard McKay said Tuesday. For veterans of the field, this new study offers a new gene sequencing technique that can be used to study not just HIV but everything from Zika to cancer. And as the paper demonstrates, the ability to peer into DNA is powerful capable of illuminating dark chapters in history, tracing a pandemics evolution, and telling human stories that cross space and time. I think this paper will be kind of a landmark in understanding HIVs history, said John Coffin, a professor of molecular biology at Tufts University who helped name the Human Immunodeficiency Virus in 1986. He was not involved with the study. The power of these kinds of analyses is just astonishing. Back in the 80s, I would have considered this (type of research) to be pure science fiction. The study is also, in itself, the latest chapter in another story: The scientific search for the origin of HIV/AIDS. The studys first author, Canadian scientist Michael Worobey with the University of Arizona, has been tracking the virus since the late 90s. In January 2000, he and the evolutionary biologist William Hamilton travelled to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where they collected fecal and urine samples from chimpanzees to search for the virus that spawned the HIV pandemic. Eight years later, Worobey published a paper analyzing a biopsy specimen, which was fortuitously found in a pantry at the back of a university laboratory in Kinshasa. A genetic analysis showed that HIV was already present in the DRC by 1960 and may have jumped into humans as early as 1908. Another paper published by Worobey in 2007 also found that HIV likely spread from Africa to Haiti in or around 1966. In the Caribbean, it then circulated for years before a single migration of the virus out of Haiti in or around 1969. Worobeys latest paper picks up the story from there. Scientists had never uncovered any North American HIV genomes from earlier than 1980 but Worobey managed to track down old blood samples from 1978 and 1979. They were collected from gay men in New York City and San Francisco as part of a Hepatitis B study, and preliminary tests showed that some samples had signs of HIV infection. Unfortunately, the samples were degraded and Worobey had to spend several years developing the jackhammering technique that ultimately allowed him to retrieve the full genomes. He wound up reconstructing HIV genomes from eight patients the oldest ever sequenced from North America. By comparing the genomes both with each other and with more recent HIV sequences researchers could build an evolutionary tree, showing where each genome was located in HIVs viral lineage. When you step back in time, you see a very interesting pattern, Worobey told reporters in news conference Tuesday. Its sort of direct evidence of many years of circulation of this virus in the United States before HIV and AIDS were finally recognized we can date the jump into the United States at about 1970 or 71. A key hub for the outbreak was New York City, where the virus encountered a population that was like dry tinder, causing the epidemic to burn hotter and faster and infecting enough people that it grabs the worlds attention for the first time, Worobey explained in a press release. And while AIDS was first reported by a doctor in California, the study found that the bulk of San Franciscos HIV infections in 1978 traced back to a single introduction from NYC in 1976. The study also corrects another story from HIVs early history: That of Gaetan Dugas, the gay French-Canadian flight attendant who died from AIDS in 1984. Dugas, who was hired by Air Canada in 1974, was one of 40 men in a sexual network identified by researchers with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who initially described him as Patient O, for outside-of-California a label that was ultimately misinterpreted as Patient 0. The Canadians patient zero status was further cemented by the bestselling book And the Band Played On. The patient zero myth has been widely debunked, but it has managed to persist over the years. So in their study, Worobey manages to finally sequence an HIV genome from Dugas and found no evidence that Patient 0 was the first person infected by this lineage, according to the paper. One of the dangers of focusing on a single patient zero when discussing the early phases of an epidemic is that we risk obscuring important structural factors that might contribute to its development: poverty, legal and cultural inequalities, barriers to health care and education, said co-author McKay, a historian with the University of Cambridge who is now writing a book about Dugas and the early days of AIDS. For Coffin, research that illuminates the early history of the HIV pandemic is more relevant than ever. New viruses are emerging all the time and understanding the past will prepare us for future pandemics, he said. For Dan Allman, acting director of the HIV Studies Unit at U of Ts Dalla Lana School of Public Health, the story of Dugas also serves as a cautionary tale. Narratives can be a powerful tool for understanding a terrifying new disease; they can also be misleading and destructive. Its one thing for an epidemiologist to look for an index case; its another thing for society to look for a patient zero because that patient can become the scapegoat for a whole array of social ills, he said. One does have to wonder what the impact was not only on Gaetan, but also on his family and his friends. SHARE: MOGADISHU, SOMALIAResidents say fighters linked to Daesh, also known as ISIS or ISIL, have seized an ancient port town in Somalias semi-autonomous northeastern state of Puntland. Hassan Adan, an elder in Qandala, said up to 50 armed militants captured the town Wednesday after security forces withdrew. The town is 75 kilometres east of Puntlands commercial hub, Bossaso. Adan says the attackers raised their black banner in the town. The development marks the first victory for the fighters, who are expanding the areas under their control amid a rivalry with the al-Shabab extremist group. The fighters broke away from al-Shabab and declared allegiance to Daesh last year. Al-Shabab sees the splinter group as a threat to its operations in the Horn of Africa nation. Read more about: SHARE: Newt Gingrich, the former speaker of the House, slammed Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly on Tuesday night for the way she has covered the sexual assault and harassment accusations against Donald Trump. You are fascinated with sex, he said during a televised tangle on Kellys show, and you dont care about public policy. The charge came after Gingrich, a prominent Trump surrogate, blasted news media outlets for devoting more airtime to the Republican presidential candidates remarks on women than the recently leaked transcripts of Hillary Clintons paid speeches. So, so its worth 23 minutes of the three networks to cover that story, Gingrich said, and Hillary Clinton had a secret speech in Brazil to a bank that pays her $225,000 (U.S.) ... thats not worth covering That is worth covering, Kelly replied. And we did. After the Washington Post published a 2005 tape Oct. 7 showing Trump bragging about sexually touching women without their permission, 10 women accused him of making unwanted moves on them. You know what Mr. Speaker, Im not fascinated by sex, but I am fascinated by the protection of women, Kelly said, and understanding what were getting in the Oval Office. The interview was destined to go viral. But its easy to miss a more nuanced reality amid the heated sparring: Sexual violence is, actually, part of the public policy discussion. The Justice Department defines sexual assault as any type of sexual contact or behaviour that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient. The White House said Trumps description of his behaviour fits that mould though Trump denies committing any of the actions he bragged about on the tape. State laws vary on what constitutes sexual violence and how it should be punished. In New York, for example, groping could qualify as forcible touching, a Class A misdemeanour that carries a sentence of up to a year behind bars or three years probation, according to The New York Times. In Florida, grabbing a woman sexually and without consent could be seen as battery, a first-degree misdemeanour, which could also result in a year of jail time. More broadly, the quest to end sexual violence against women has attracted unprecedented attention from lawmakers in recent years, said Rebecca OConnor, the vice president of public policy at the Rape Abuse Incest National Network. The high-profile downfall of Bill Cosby, she said, motivated lawmakers nationwide to examine how their states were handling sexual assault: Were rape kits, the forensic evidence collected after an attack, getting tested in a timely fashion? (Often, no. Oregon, for example, passed a measure this year to speed up the process.) Were the statutes of limitations, the deadlines to pursue criminal charges, impeding justice? (Over the last two years, four states have opted to extend their windows.) OConnor said she hopes the attention around Trumps remarks will better educate Americans about predatory behaviour, in general. Comments like that, she said, glorify or support behaviour that could be considered under the law sexual violence. Trump praised Gingrich during a stop at his hotel in downtown Washington on Wednesday morning. That was an amazing interview, Trump said. We dont play games, Newt, right? We dont play games. Republican strategist Katie Packer, who served as Mitt Romneys deputy campaign manager in 2012, said Gingrich came off as hypocritical and dismissive of sexual assault and harassment. He is viewed as the guy that led the charge to disqualify Bill Clinton for immoral and potentially criminal behaviour, she said. And the GOP had his back. We all charged up the Hill with him. He doesnt get to say no big deal when its about his guy. Gingrich did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Packer, who specializes in helping Republican candidates connect with female voters, said women in particular wont appreciate Gingrich conflating inquiries into Trumps treatment with women as fascination with sex. The candidates support among women dipped after the 2005 footage hit the Internet. In an Oct. 16 Washington Post/ABC News poll, 68 per cent of respondents say they believe he has made unwanted advances toward women. Talking about it and forcing accountability for it, Packer said, is not a fascination with sex. Read more about: SHARE: Snakes have a well-earned reputation as silent and deadly killers. But theres another predator that quietly hunts in the wild. Its called snake fungal disease and they appear to be no match for it. If the fungus known as SFD continues to devastate snake populations in the United States, the eastern massasauga rattlesnake could soon be a goner, according to a study announced Monday by the U.S. Geological Survey. So could the Louisiana pine snake. Some snake populations in the eastern and Midwestern U.S. could eventually face extinction as a result of SFD, Jeff Lorch, a USGS scientist and the lead author of the report, said in a statement released by the agency. Our new findings increase our understanding of the geographic extent, species susceptibility and manner of development of this disease. These results will offer important clues regarding how to manage SFD. The entire timber rattlesnake species found in the coastal southeastern plain isnt as threatened as the other two, but populations in certain areas of the South could disappear, Lorch said. Its not that the disease is lethal enough to take out an entire species of snake; it just helps finish the job that humans have started by expanding into the animals habitat, squeezing it out of its home, and killing it outright. This is more a contributor to habitat destruction and purposefully killing snakes. People dont like them, Lorch explained. Its true that people generally dont like snakes. Its also true that they dont know how snakes help people. Without them, there would likely be more mice inside homes. They prey on pests insects and other creatures that hurt farm crops. Diseased rodents disappear into their mouths. Snakes in turn are food for other serpents that specialize in eating their kind. Because of SFD, there are fewer of them. Its symptoms thickened skin, ulcers, blisters, lumps, emaciation and disfigured bodies first gained attention in 2006, according to the USGS. It was added to a list of mass killer diseases afflicting reptiles: Pseudogymnoascus destructans, a bat killer, had a lot in common with Chytridiomycosis, a mass killer of frogs and other amphibians. Ophidiomyces is the proper name of the snake slayer. Scientists dont know if the fungus is spreading because they dont know where it started or how it expanded. They only know that they keep finding it wherever they look for it. Three years ago they detected it at nine sites. That number has more than doubled. Between 2009 and last year, scientists examined samples from 82 wild snakes submitted to the USGS National Wildlife Health Center in Wisconsin and found that 76 per cent had skin abnormalities and were positive for the fungus. It really likes keratin that makes up skin, Lorch said, and its specialized to snakes. The study is published in the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B. With the help of state natural resources departments in Wisconsin and Minnesota, USGS scientists also captured 206 snakes from those states for two years ending in 2015 as they emerged from hibernation in late April to late May. Forty-one per cent of the captured snakes had skin lesions similar to those associated with SFD, and almost all of the lesions were relatively mild. Over half of the samples tested from these snakes were positive for the O. ophiodiicola fungus, the USGS said. Lorch said he cant estimate how long it takes for the fungus to kill a snake because their resistance is different. Likewise, he has no idea how long it could take for a species like the eastern massasauga rattlesnake to disappear. SHARE: MOSCOWA group of Ukrainian hackers has released thousands of emails from an account used by a senior Kremlin official that appear to show close financial and political ties between Moscow and separatist rebels in Eastern Ukraine. The cache published by the Ukrainian group CyberHunta reveals contacts between President Vladimir Putins adviser Vladislav Surkov and the pro-Russia rebels fighting Ukrainian forces. Ukraines National Security Service said Wednesday the emails were real, although they added the files may have been tampered with. Putins spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the published emails as a sham, saying Wednesday that Surkov doesnt use email. Russian journalist Svetlana Babaeva told The Associated Press emails from her in the cache were genuine. I sent those emails, Babaeva said, referring to three emails in the leak discussing arrangements for an off-the-record meeting between Surkov and editors at her publication. Russian businessmen Evgeny Chichivarkin, who lives in London, said in a Facebook post Wednesday that emails attributed to him in the cache were genuine too. An AP check has also proven that at least some of the phone numbers and email addresses from the cache are genuine. The email address for Surkov that was hacked into does not appear to be a personal account, but an address used by Surkovs office and managed by his assistants. One email sent from the account includes scans of passports belonging to Surkov, his wife and children. Analyst Aric Toler from the Atlantic Councils Digital Forensic Research Lab also authenticated some material in the email dump by matching drafts sent to the account with almost identical articles that subsequently appeared in the Russian press. The large quantity of routine messages included in the 2,337 emails indicated much of it was genuine, Toler said. The email cache includes messages sent to Surkov by separatist leader Denis Pushilin with rebel casualty lists and expenses for the operation of a press centre in the rebel capital, Donetsk. Another email from the office of Russian billionaire Konstantin Malofeev, who reportedly has ties to the rebels, contains a list of ministers in the separatist government prior to their official announcement. A series of 2014 emails from Georgy Bryusov, deputy head of Russias Wrestling Federation, includes a suggestion to create a nationalist group ready to fight and defeat the Maidan, the Kyiv square where pro-European protesters gathered before driving the nations former Russia-friendly president from office. It is unclear if Surkov responded. Bryusov hung up the phone when asked by the AP if he wrote the messages. Surkov, who is under Western sanctions for his role in the Ukraine crisis, has conducted negotiations with high-ranking U.S. officials over Ukraine and, earlier this month, accompanied Putin to Berlin for talks with European leaders. Read more about: SHARE: PARISUNESCOs World Heritage Committee on Wednesday approved a new resolution on the status of conservation of the Old City of Jerusalem that drew angry accusations from Israel that the document denies Judaisms deep ties to the site. The United States decried the resolution as inflammatory. In Wednesdays secret ballot, the UN cultural body agreed to retain the walled area, home to key Jewish, Christian and Muslim holy sites, on the list of endangered world heritage. It also criticized Israel for its continuous refusal to let the bodys experts access Jerusalems holy sites to determine their conservation status. More controversially, the document refers to the Jerusalem site that Jews call the Temple Mount only by its Arab name a significant semantic decision also adopted by UNESCOs Executive Board last week, when it was condemned byIsraeland its allies. The site is revered by Jews and Muslims. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the absurdity of Wednesdays decision and said he would recall his ambassador to UNESCO for consultations on how to proceed. What needs to be understood, and it will take time, is that this absurdity, which harms not only the historical truth and the truth of the present, but also harms in my opinion the UN itself, he said. Education Minister Naftali Bennett said Israel will not co-operate with an organization denying the Jewish Peoples connection to Jerusalem. Israel suspended ties with UNESCO earlier this month over a similar resolution. U.S. Ambassador Crystal Nix Hines said the UNESCO resolutions on Jerusalem were continuously one-sided and inflammatory. This item should have been defeated . . . These politicized and one-sided resolutions are damaging the credibility of UNESCO, Nix Hines said in a statement to The Associated Press. But Palestinian official Saeb Erekat said Wednesdays UNESCO vote aimed to reaffirm the importance of Jerusalem for Christianity, Judaism and Islam. It calls for respecting the status quo of its religious sites, including the Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound that continues to be threatened by the systematic incitement and provocative actions of the Israeli government and extremist Jewish groups, Erekat said. The Old City, home to sensitive holy sites, lies at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is situated in East Jerusalem the area of the holy city captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as their capital, while Israel has annexed the area and made it part of its capital. While Israel controls the area, its annexation is not internationally recognized. Although Israel says it protects sites holy to all religions, the Palestinians have accused Israel of trying to Judaize the Old City through archaeological digs and tourism projects. Jews refer to the hilltop compound in Jerusalems Old City as the Temple Mount, the site where the ancient Temples were located. Muslims refer to it as al-Haram al-Sharif, Arabic for the Noble Sanctuary, and it includes the Al-Aqsa mosque and the golden Dome of the Rock. It is the holiest site in Judaism and the third holiest in Islam, after Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia. The resolution was passed by the World Heritage Committees 21 member countries. Ten countries voted for, two against, eight abstained and one was absent. Neither Israel, the U.S. nor Palestine is on the World Heritage Committee. Makram Queisi, Jordans ambassador to UNESCO, said the heritage committee was trying to tackle the issue from a technical point of view even as many parties were politicizing it. Jerusalem is a site listed on the World Heritage List, and this is the place where this site has to be discussed because the Israeli government after the occupation has changed many aspects on the ground, he said. The resolution is the latest of several measures at UNESCO over decades that Israelis see as evidence of ingrained anti-Israel bias within the United Nations, where Israel and its allies are far outnumbered by Arab countries and their supporters. UNESCOs World Heritage Site list is known throughout the world for its work in highlighting sites of historic and cultural significance, and endangered global heritage. Israel had already suspended its funding to UNESCO when Palestinian membership was approved, along with the United States, which used to provide 22 per cent of the agencys budget. Read more about: SHARE: NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Italian lender Monte dei Paschi di Siena released a restructuring plan on Tuesday in which the struggling bank is seeking a $5.4 billion capital increase (5 billion euro) by the end of the year. Monte Paschi will also cut 2,600 jobs by 2019, close 500 branches and get rid of 28 billion euros of bad loans. Company chief executive Marco Morelli has also promised to begin talks with potential new investors for Italy's third largest bank. BloombergTV hosted its bureau chief in Milan Dan Liefgreen on "Bloomberg Markets: Americas" this morning. Liefgreen discussed Monte Paschi's restructuring plan and began by answering Vonnie Quinn's question as to who these new investors might be. "Mr. Morelli didn't disclose the names of these potential investors. He said that he was planning on starting talks with these institutions," Liefgreen said. "The Italian press has speculated for a couple of weeks they could be sovereign wealth funds based in the Middle East, in China perhaps. But he did not name names today." Quinn asked about the possibility of Italian investors, but at the moment it doesn't appear that there are any interested parties. The Italian banks don't seem to want to get involved with M&A right now. Liefgreen believes the best bet for Monte Paschi would be funds from outside of Italy. "What you need to remember though is that there's a huge execution risk surrounding this whole plan. This 5 billion euros Morelli is trying to raise it has three legs to it, one of which is finding these so-called anchor investors. The other is doing this debt for equity swap and then potentially having to deal with cleaning up the balance sheet, getting rid of 28 billion euros of non performing loans," Liefgreen said. If just one part of the plan doesn't work out the entire idea will fall apart. CEO Morelli has a lot of work to do if he wants to get this done by the end of 2016 as he has stated, Liefgreen said. The U.K.'s GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) announced strong third-quarter earnings on Wednesday, with sales of 7.54 billion ($9.2 billion), up 8% on the previous year and well ahead of expectations. Core earnings per share rose 12% to 32 pence Analysts' had expected sales of about 7.26 billion and core earnings per share of 29 pence, according to FactSet. The drug maker's total earnings per share - - which are calculated differently from core EPS - were down 1% at 16.6 pence, impacted by charges related to changed valuations in its consumer healthcare and HIV businesses. The beat didn't prevent the market cutting its price. After an initial surge following the announcement, the shares were recently trading below Tuesday's close, down 0.31% at 1,624.50 pence. "Our third quarter results reflect strong performances across the group and the sustained progress we have made over the course of 2016 to deliver sales growth of new products, maintain effective cost control and execute on our restructuring and integration plans. With this positive momentum, we are confident in achieving our earnings guidance for the year for core EPS growth of 11-12% on a constant exchange rate basis," said CEO Andrew Witty, in a statement. The results come shortly after GSK announced that long-serving Witty will step down as CEO next March to be replaced by Emma Walmsley, the current chief executive of GSK's consumer healthcare division. GS, said it registered continued growth across all it three businesses. Pharmaceuticals revenue was up 6% at 4.1 billion, including 32% growth in HIV drug sales; vaccines were up 20% at 1.6 billion and consumer healthcare sales rose 5% at 1.9 billion. Sales from the HIV medicines division rose to 940 million, with the U.S. up 37% and Europe up 28%, GSK said. The growth was driven primarily by continued strong performances from both Triumeq and Tivicay, with sales of 468 million and 250 million, respectively. Epzicom/Kivexa sales declined 30% to 143 million, reflecting the start of generic competition. The results come less than a year after GSK completed a deal with Novartis (NVS) in which it sold its oncology unit to its Swiss rival for up to $16 billion. At the same time, GSK bought most of Novartis' vaccines business for an initial $5.25 billion and the companies forged a consumer healthcare joint venture. Separately, Britain's biggest drug maker opted retain its HIV unit, whose co-shareholders include Pfizer (PFE) , instead of spinning it off and listing the business separately. In the first nine months, pharmaceuticals sales totaled 11.52 billion, up 2% on last year, but up 4% on a pro-forma basis. Vaccines sales were 3.46 billion, up 18% in actual terms but 16% pro-forma and consumer healthcare sales came in at 5.32 billion, up 12% but just 5% higher on a pro-forma basis. Earlier this week GSK submitted its Shingrix anti-shingles vaccine for FDA approval and expects to follow up with submissions in Europe and Canada by the end of the year and in Japan during 2017. The company declared a dividend of 19 pence for the quarter and expects to pay a full-year dividend of 80 pence for both 2016 and 2017. The company maintained its guidance for the full year of core EPS growth of between 11% and 12% at constant exchange rates. A minor disagreement over a parking violation escalated to a xenophobic racist attack in a border town in British Columbia, Canada where a White supremacist hurled abuses at an Indian-origin Canadian man. The Canadian White supremacist who hurled abuse on Indian-origin Canadian over minor parking violation. Photo: Screengrab from video By India Today Web Desk: Racism and White supremacy exist in real and this new video from Canada is proof enough. A disagreement over parking of a truck escalated to a serious racist attack on an Indian-origin Canadian man in Abbotsford, a border town in Canada's British Columbia. A White supremacist hurled abuses and racial slurs at the man who was filming the entire episode using his mobile phone camera. The White man could be heard saying, "You ****ing Paki, go back to ****ing India. You ****ing Hindu, you camel riding mother******, White power mother******!" advertisement Here's the video that was tweeted by Twitter user @bilalspeaks. DISCLAIMER: VIDEO CONTAINS ABUSIVE LANGUAGE. VIEWER'S DISCRETION ADVISED This happened in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada... In case people think racism doesn't happen in Canada pic.twitter.com/havZSB7UXE Beelawl (@BilalSpeaks) October 24, 2016 The incident happened on October 21, but the video was tweeted on October 24. The Twitter user who shared the video said in subsequent tweets that it was not him who filmed it and he got the video from his friends. A report in the CBC News said that Abbotsford police confirmed they are investigating the case. A Global News report said that the police are not releasing the identity of the White man. However, the victim, Ravi Duhra, chose to come forward and speak about the incident. The Carobnated TV quoted him as saying, "This isn't my first bout of racism, and it probably won't be the last either." Ravi Duhra. Photo: Twitter (@Report24CA) In the video, the White man could be heard asking Duhra where he was born and could be seen a bit taken aback when Duhra calmly responds saying "Canada". The CBC News quoted Abbotsford Sgt. Judy Bird as saying, "These types of comments and this retaliation to our community are very concerning to us." Twitter user Bilal was also seen telling others that incidents of racism and xenophobia in Canada are much lesser than that in the United States of America. --- ENDS --- Hyundai (HYMLF) once appeared to be an unstoppable force, challenging the likes of Toyota (TM) and Volkswagen (VLKAY) for top-tier status. But now, the South Korean automaker appears to be stuck in a financial tailspin again after announcing disappointing earnings. Hyundai on Wednesday reported the 11th straight quarter of lower earnings, missing analysts' already pessimistic forecasts. With its affiliate Kia Motors, the company ranks No. 5 among global automakers. Its profit fell 10% in the third quarter to 1.06 trillion won or $935 million. A long strike by the union representing Hyundai workers in South Korea this summer led to lost production of 140,000 vehicles. The automaker settled the work stoppage with the union earlier this month, while replacing the executives in charge of operations in its home country and China. This week, a thousand top executives at the automaker agreed to take a 10% pay cut. In the U.S., sales of Hyundai and Kia models are running 1.8% ahead for the year. The automaker's lineup relies heavily on sedans such as Elantra and Sonata at a time when U.S. consumers prefer crossovers, SUVs and pickups. The average transaction price for Hyundai models sold in September was $24,129, more than $10,000 less than the average price of all models sold. Vehicles sold by General Motors (GM) , the market leader in the U.S., sold for an average transaction price of nearly $41,000, reflecting a model lineup full of larger -- and more profitable -- pickups and crossovers. GM posted earnings of $2.8 billion on Tuesday, about double that of a year ago. Hyundai, which builds vehicles at two factories in the U.S., has juggled production to build more of its crossovers, such as the Santa Fe and Santa Fe sport. The automaker recently introduced a Genesis luxury model, the G90, for North America. The automaker this week said it will increase production of its Tucson crossover at plants in the U.S. and China. But Hyundai may not be able to meet earlier sales forecasts for the year. "We expect it would not be easy to achieve our sales target planned for this year," Executive Vice President Choi Byung-chul said during a conference call with analysts and journalists on Wednesday. Compounding troubles, sales of Hyundai and Kia vehicles have flagged due to economic weakness in emerging nations such as Brazil and Russia. Hyundai has shown a remarkable ability to rebound from difficulties and adapt to changing market conditions, having ditched a low-price strategy to upgrade the design, quality and appeal of its vehicles. Given its country's competitive stance toward global manufacturing, a turnaround for the automotive group wouldn't be surprising. Doron Levin is the host of "In the Driver Seat," broadcast on SiriusXM Insight 121, Saturday at noon, encore Sunday at 9 a.m. This article is commentary by an independent contributor. At the time of publication, the author held no positions in the stocks mentioned. UPDATE: This article originally stated that the government would no longer be funding Sounds Australia, including cutting off funding from the Australia Council. However, the Council will still proceed with funding Sounds Australia with $300,000 per year between 2017 and 2020. Last week we reported on the devastating blow that has been dealt to Australias independent musicians after the government revealed they would no longer fund Sounds Australia, the market development initiative aimed at helping young musos spread their music overseas. It followed on from events in May, when the governments Catalyst program spent up to half of its four-year funding allocation in less than a week, doling out more than $20 million in grants to already cashed-up organisations like The Australian Ballet, but not Sounds Australia. As The Music Network reported at the time, the Australia Council, the countrys premier governing body for doling out arts grants, eventually confirmed that they would be giving $300,000 in funding to Sounds Australia each year between 2017 and 2020. But whilst the Australia Council funding is secure, it was confirmed last week that the federal governments Ministry of Arts would no longer provide funding for Sounds Australia as of the end of this year. The confirmation came via a statement from Tony Burke, the Shadow Minister for the Arts. Whats fascinating and frankly disheartening is that the confirmation comes as news outlets are reporting on the result of the governments long-awaited National Opera Review, an examination of artistic vibrancy, engagement with audiences and financial positions of opera in Australia. Opera, as The Music notes, is responsible for less than a tenth of the ticketing revenue generated by contemporary live music in Australia, which doesnt include music festivals. Opera brings in just $42 million compared to more than $600 million by the rest of the sector. Yet somehow the governments review still recommended Australias four major opera companies receive more than $24 million in extra federal funding over the next four years. Thats considerably more than the $300,000 Sounds Australia was hoping for. As The Guardian reports, the $24.14 million sum would be put towards core funding for Australias four major opera companies, as well as $1.2 million to be allocated towards an annual innovation fund to support the creation of new works. The only bright spot in the whole review was the recommendation that Opera Australia no longer be funded for commercial enterprises such as the many prominent musicals it puts on as they are, yknow, commercial pursuits which already make money for the organisation. Seemingly, the government considers exporting Australias vibrant contemporary music scene overseas to be a needless expense, even as Australias homegrown artists become more and more prominent on the world stage, but theres enough spare coin to go funnelling it into opera. A hand conversion to HTML of the original MacWord (or Word for Mac?) document written in March 1989 and later redistributed unchanged apart from the date added in May 1990. Provided for historical interest only. The diagrams are a bit dotty, but available in versioins linked below. The text has not been changed, even to correct errors such as misnumbered figures or unfinished references. This document was an attempt to persuade CERN management that a global hypertext system was in CERN's interests. Note that the only name I had for it at this time was "Mesh" -- I decided on "World Wide Web" when writing the code in 1990. Other versions which are available are: Tim Berners-Lee 1989, 1990, 1996, 1998. All rights reserved. Information Management: A Proposal Tim Berners-Lee, CERN March 1989, May 1990 This proposal concerns the management of general information about accelerators and experiments at CERN. It discusses the problems of loss of information about complex evolving systems and derives a solution based on a distributed hypertext system. Overview Many of the discussions of the future at CERN and the LHC era end with the question - Yes, but how will we ever keep track of such a large project? This proposal provides an answer to such questions. Firstly, it discusses the problem of information access at CERN. Then, it introduces the idea of linked information systems, and compares them with less flexible ways of finding information. It then summarises my short experience with non-linear text systems known as hypertext, describes what CERN needs from such a system, and what industry may provide. Finally, it suggests steps we should take to involve ourselves with hypertext now, so that individually and collectively we may understand what we are creating. Losing Information at CERN CERN is a wonderful organisation. It involves several thousand people, many of them very creative, all working toward common goals. Although they are nominally organised into a hierarchical management structure,this does not constrain the way people will communicate, and share information, equipment and software across groups. The actual observed working structure of the organisation is a multiply connected "web" whose interconnections evolve with time. In this environment, a new person arriving, or someone taking on a new task, is normally given a few hints as to who would be useful people to talk to. Information about what facilities exist and how to find out about them travels in the corridor gossip and occasional newsletters, and the details about what is required to be done spread in a similar way. All things considered, the result is remarkably successful, despite occasional misunderstandings and duplicated effort. A problem, however, is the high turnover of people. When two years is a typical length of stay, information is constantly being lost. The introduction of the new people demands a fair amount of their time and that of others before they have any idea of what goes on. The technical details of past projects are sometimes lost forever, or only recovered after a detective investigation in an emergency. Often, the information has been recorded, it just cannot be found. If a CERN experiment were a static once-only development, all the information could be written in a big book. As it is, CERN is constantly changing as new ideas are produced, as new technology becomes available, and in order to get around unforeseen technical problems. When a change is necessary, it normally affects only a small part of the organisation. A local reason arises for changing a part of the experiment or detector. At this point, one has to dig around to find out what other parts and people will be affected. Keeping a book up to date becomes impractical, and the structure of the book needs to be constantly revised. The sort of information we are discussing answers, for example, questions like Where is this module used? Who wrote this code? Where does he work? What documents exist about that concept? Which laboratories are included in that project? Which systems depend on this device? What documents refer to this one? The problems of information loss may be particularly acute at CERN, but in this case (as in certain others), CERN is a model in miniature of the rest of world in a few years time. CERN meets now some problems which the rest of the world will have to face soon. In 10 years, there may be many commercial solutions to the problems above, while today we need something to allow us to continue. Linked information systems In providing a system for manipulating this sort of information, the hope would be to allow a pool of information to develop which could grow and evolve with the organisation and the projects it describes. For this to be possible, the method of storage must not place its own restraints on the information. This is why a "web" of notes with links (like references) between them is far more useful than a fixed hierarchical system. When describing a complex system, many people resort to diagrams with circles and arrows. Circles and arrows leave one free to describe the interrelationships between things in a way that tables, for example, do not. The system we need is like a diagram of circles and arrows, where circles and arrows can stand for anything. We can call the circles nodes, and the arrows links. Suppose each node is like a small note, summary article, or comment. I'm not over concerned here with whether it has text or graphics or both. Ideally, it represents or describes one particular person or object. Examples of nodes can be People Software modules Groups of people Projects Concepts Documents Types of hardware Specific hardware objects The arrows which links circle A to circle B can mean, for example, that A... depends on B is part of B made B refers to B uses B is an example of B These circles and arrows, nodes and links, have different significance in various sorts of conventional diagrams: Diagram Nodes are Arrows mean Family tree People "Is parent of" Dataflow diagram Software modules" Passes data to" Dependency Module "Depends on" PERT chart Tasks "Must be done before" Organisational chart People "Reports to" The system must allow any sort of information to be entered. Another person must be able to find the information, sometimes without knowing what he is looking for. In practice, it is useful for the system to be aware of the generic types of the links between items (dependences, for example), and the types of nodes (people, things, documents..) without imposing any limitations. The problem with trees Many systems are organised hierarchically. The CERNDOC documentation system is an example, as is the Unix file system, and the VMS/HELP system. A tree has the practical advantage of giving every node a unique name. However, it does not allow the system to model the real world. For example, in a hierarchical HELP system such as VMS/HELP, one often gets to a leaf on a tree such as HELP COMPILER SOURCE_FORMAT PRAGMAS DEFAULTS only to find a reference to another leaf: "Please see HELP COMPILER COMMAND OPTIONS DEFAULTS PRAGMAS" and it is necessary to leave the system and re-enter it. What was needed was a link from one node to another, because in this case the information was not naturally organised into a tree. Another example of a tree-structured system is the uucp News system (try 'rn' under Unix). This is a hierarchical system of discussions ("newsgroups") each containing articles contributed by many people. It is a very useful method of pooling expertise, but suffers from the inflexibility of a tree. Typically, a discussion under one newsgroup will develop into a different topic, at which point it ought to be in a different part of the tree. (See Fig 1). From mcvax!uunet!pyrdc!pyrnj!rutgers!bellcore!geppetto!duncan Thu Mar... Article 93 of alt.hypertext: Path: cernvax!mcvax!uunet!pyrdc!pyrnj!rutgers!bellcore!geppetto!duncan >From: duncan@geppetto.ctt.bellcore.com (Scott Duncan) Newsgroups: alt.hypertext Subject: Re: Threat to free information networks Message-ID: <14646@bellcore.bellcore.com> Date: 10 Mar 89 21:00:44 GMT References: <1784.2416BB47@isishq.FIDONET.ORG> <3437@uhccux.uhcc... Sender: news@bellcore.bellcore.com Reply-To: duncan@ctt.bellcore.com (Scott Duncan) Organization: Computer Technology Transfer, Bellcore Lines: 18 Doug Thompson has written what I felt was a thoughtful article on censorship -- my acceptance or rejection of its points is not particularly germane to this posting, however. In reply Greg Lee has somewhat tersely objected. My question (and reason for this posting) is to ask where we might logically take this subject for more discussion. Somehow alt.hypertext does not seem to be the proper place. Would people feel it appropriate to move to alt.individualism or even one of the soc groups. I am not so much concerned with the specific issue of censorship of rec.humor.funny, but the views presented in Greg's article. Speaking only for myself, of course, I am... Scott P. Duncan (duncan@ctt.bellcore.com OR ...!bellcore!ctt!duncan) (Bellcore, 444 Hoes Lane RRC 1H-210, Piscataway, NJ...) (201-699-3910 (w) 201-463-3683 (h)) Fig 1. An article in the UUCP News scheme. The Subject field allows notes on the same topic to be linked together within a "newsgroup". The name of the newsgroup (alt.hypertext) is a hierarchical name. This particular note is expresses a problem with the strict tree structure of the scheme: this discussion is related to several areas. Note that the "References", "From" and "Subject" fields can all be used to generate links. The problem with keywords Keywords are a common method of accessing data for which one does not have the exact coordinates. The usual problem with keywords, however, is that two people never chose the same keywords. The keywords then become useful only to people who already know the application well. Practical keyword systems (such as that of VAX/NOTES for example) require keywords to be registered. This is already a step in the right direction. A linked system takes this to the next logical step. Keywords can be nodes which stand for a concept. A keyword node is then no different from any other node. One can link documents, etc., to keywords. One can then find keywords by finding any node to which they are related. In this way, documents on similar topics are indirectly linked, through their key concepts. A keyword search then becomes a search starting from a small number of named nodes, and finding nodes which are close to all of them. It was for these reasons that I first made a small linked information system, not realising that a term had already been coined for the idea: "hypertext". A solution: Hypertext Personal Experience with Hypertext In 1980, I wrote a program for keeping track of software with which I was involved in the PS control system. Called Enquire, it allowed one to store snippets of information, and to link related pieces together in any way. To find information, one progressed via the links from one sheet to another, rather like in the old computer game "adventure". I used this for my personal record of people and modules. It was similar to the application Hypercard produced more recently by Apple for the Macintosh. A difference was that Enquire, although lacking the fancy graphics, ran on a multiuser system, and allowed many people to access the same data. Documentation of the RPC project (concept) Most of the documentation is available on VMS, with the two principle manuals being stored in the CERNDOC system. 1) includes: The VAX/NOTES conference VXCERN::RPC 2) includes: Test and Example suite 3) includes: RPC BUG LISTS 4) includes: RPC System: Implementation Guide Information for maintenance, porting, etc. 5) includes: Suggested Development Strategy for RPC Applications 6) includes: "Notes on RPC", Draft 1, 20 feb 86 7) includes: "Notes on Proposed RPC Development" 18 Feb 86 8) includes: RPC User Manual How to build and run a distributed system. 9) includes: Draft Specifications and Implementation Notes 10) includes: The RPC HELP facility 11) describes: THE REMOTE PROCEDURE CALL PROJECT in DD/OC Help Display Select Back Quit Mark Goto_mark Link Add Edit Fig 2. A screen in an Enquire scheme. This example is basically a list, so the list of links is more important than the text on the node itself. Note that each link has a type ("includes" for example) and may also have comment associated with it. (The bottom line is a menu bar.) Soon after my re-arrival at CERN in the DD division, I found that the environment was similar to that in PS, and I missed Enquire. I therefore produced a version for the VMS, and have used it to keep track of projects, people, groups, experiments, software modules and hardware devices with which I have worked. I have found it personally very useful. I have made no effort to make it suitable for general consumption, but have found that a few people have successfully used it to browse through the projects and find out all sorts of things of their own accord. Hot spots Meanwhile, several programs have been made exploring these ideas, both commercially and academically. Most of them use "hot spots" in documents, like icons, or highlighted phrases, as sensitive areas. touching a hot spot with a mouse brings up the relevant information, or expands the text on the screen to include it. Imagine, then, the references in this document, all being associated with the network address of the thing to which they referred, so that while reading this document you could skip to them with a click of the mouse. "Hypertext" is a term coined in the 1950s by Ted Nelson [...], which has become popular for these systems, although it is used to embrace two different ideas. One idea (which is relevant to this problem) is the concept: "Hypertext": Human-readable information linked together in an unconstrained way. The other idea, which is independent and largely a question of technology and time, is of multimedia documents which include graphics, speech and video. I will not discuss this latter aspect further here, although I will use the word "Hypermedia" to indicate that one is not bound to text. It has been difficult to assess the effect of a large hypermedia system on an organisation, often because these systems never had seriously large-scale use. For this reason, we require large amounts of existing information should be accessible using any new information management system. CERN Requirements To be a practical system in the CERN environment, there are a number of clear practical requirements. Remote access across networks. CERN is distributed, and access from remote machines is essential. Heterogeneity Access is required to the same data from different types of system (VM/CMS, Macintosh, VAX/VMS, Unix) Non-Centralisation Information systems start small and grow. They also start isolated and then merge. A new system must allow existing systems to be linked together without requiring any central control or coordination. Access to existing data If we provide access to existing databases as though they were in hypertext form, the system will get off the ground quicker. This is discussed further below. Private links One must be able to add one's own private links to and from public information. One must also be able to annotate links, as well as nodes, privately. Bells and Whistles Storage of ASCII text, and display on 24x80 screens, is in the short term sufficient, and essential. Addition of graphics would be an optional extra with very much less penetration for the moment. Data analysis An intriguing possibility, given a large hypertext database with typed links, is that it allows some degree of automatic analysis. It is possible to search, for example, for anomalies such as undocumented software or divisions which contain no people. It is possible to generate lists of people or devices for other purposes, such as mailing lists of people to be informed of changes. It is also possible to look at the topology of an organisation or a project, and draw conclusions about how it should be managed, and how it could evolve. This is particularly useful when the database becomes very large, and groups of projects, for example, so interwoven as to make it difficult to see the wood for the trees. In a complex place like CERN, it's not always obvious how to divide people into groups. Imagine making a large three-dimensional model, with people represented by little spheres, and strings between people who have something in common at work. Now imagine picking up the structure and shaking it, until you make some sense of the tangle: perhaps, you see tightly knit groups in some places, and in some places weak areas of communication spanned by only a few people. Perhaps a linked information system will allow us to see the real structure of the organisation in which we work. Live links The data to which a link (or a hot spot) refers may be very static, or it may be temporary. In many cases at CERN information about the state of systems is changing all the time. Hypertext allows documents to be linked into "live" data so that every time the link is followed, the information is retrieved. If one sacrifices portability, it is possible so make following a link fire up a special application, so that diagnostic programs, for example, could be linked directly into the maintenance guide. Non requirements Discussions on Hypertext have sometimes tackled the problem of copyright enforcement and data security. These are of secondary importance at CERN, where information exchange is still more important than secrecy. Authorisation and accounting systems for hypertext could conceivably be designed which are very sophisticated, but they are not proposed here. In cases where reference must be made to data which is in fact protected, existing file protection systems should be sufficient. Specific Applications The following are three examples of specific places in which the proposed system would be immediately useful. There are many others. Development Project Documentation. The Remote procedure Call project has a skeleton description using Enquire. Although limited, it is very useful for recording who did what, where they are, what documents exist, etc. Also, one can keep track of users, and can easily append any extra little bits of information which come to hand and have nowhere else to be put. Cross-links to other projects, and to databases which contain information on people and documents would be very useful, and save duplication of information. Document retrieval. The CERNDOC system provides the mechanics of storing and printing documents. A linked system would allow one to browse through concepts, documents, systems and authors, also allowing references between documents to be stored. (Once a document had been found, the existing machinery could be invoked to print it or display it). The "Personal Skills Inventory". Personal skills and experience are just the sort of thing which need hypertext flexibility. People can be linked to projects they have worked on, which in turn can be linked to particular machines, programming languages, etc. The State of the Art in Hypermedia An increasing amount of work is being done into hypermedia research at universities and commercial research labs, and some commercial systems have resulted. There have been two conferences, Hypertext '87 and '88, and in Washington DC, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NST) hosted a workshop on standardisation in hypertext, a followup of which will occur during 1990. The Communications of the ACM special issue on Hypertext contains many references to hypertext papers. A bibliography on hypertext is given in [NIST90], and a uucp newsgroup alt.hypertext exists. I do not, therefore, give a list here. Browsing techniques Much of the academic research is into the human interface side of browsing through a complex information space. Problems addressed are those of making navigation easy, and avoiding a feeling of being "lost in hyperspace". Whilst the results of the research are interesting, many users at CERN will be accessing the system using primitive terminals, and so advanced window styles are not so important for us now. Interconnection or publication? Most systems available today use a single database. This is accessed by many users by using a distributed file system. There are few products which take Ted Nelson's idea of a wide "docuverse" literally by allowing links between nodes in different databases. In order to do this, some standardisation would be necessary. However, at the standardisation workshop, the emphasis was on standardisation of the format for exchangeable media, nor for networking. This is prompted by the strong push toward publishing of hypermedia information, for example on optical disk. There seems to be a general consensus about the abstract data model which a hypertext system should use. Many systems have been put together with little or no regard for portability, unfortunately. Some others, although published, are proprietary software which is not for external release. However, there are several interesting projects and more are appearing all the time. Digital's "Compound Document Architecture" (CDA) , for example, is a data model which may be extendible into a hypermedia model, and there are rumours that this is a way Digital would like to go. Incentives and CALS The US Department of Defence has given a big incentive to hypermedia research by, in effect, specifying hypermedia documentation for future procurement. This means that all manuals for parts for defence equipment must be provided in hypermedia form. The acronym CALS stands for Computer-aided Acquisition and Logistic Support). There is also much support from the publishing industry, and from librarians whose job it is to organise information. What will the system look like? Let us see what components a hypertext system at CERN must have. The only way in which sufficient flexibility can be incorporated is to separate the information storage software from the information display software, with a well defined interface between them. Given the requirement for network access, it is natural to let this clean interface coincide with the physical division between the user and the remote database machine. This division also is important in order to allow the heterogeneity which is required at CERN (and would be a boon for the world in general). Fig 2. A client/server model for a distributed hypertext system. Therefore, an important phase in the design of the system is to define this interface. After that, the development of various forms of display program and of database server can proceed in parallel. This will have been done well if many different information sources, past, present and future, can be mapped onto the definition, and if many different human interface programs can be written over the years to take advantage of new technology and standards. Accessing Existing Data The system must achieve a critical usefulness early on. Existing hypertext systems have had to justify themselves solely on new data. If, however, there was an existing base of data of personnel, for example, to which new data could be linked, the value of each new piece of data would be greater. What is required is a gateway program which will map an existing structure onto the hypertext model, and allow limited (perhaps read-only) access to it. This takes the form of a hypertext server written to provide existing information in a form matching the standard interface. One would not imagine the server actually generating a hypertext database from and existing one: rather, it would generate a hypertext view of an existing database. Fig 3. A hypertext gateway allows existing data to be seen in hypertext form by a hypertext browser. Some examples of systems which could be connected in this way are uucp News This is a Unix electronic conferencing system. A server for uucp news could makes links between notes on the same subject, as well as showing the structure of the conferences. VAX/Notes This is Digital's electronic conferencing system. It has a fairly wide following in FermiLab, but much less in CERN. The topology of a conference is quite restricting. CERNDOC This is a document registration and distribution system running on CERN's VM machine. As well as documents, categories and projects, keywords and authors lend themselves to representation as hypertext nodes. File systems This would allow any file to be linked to from other hypertext documents. The Telephone Book Even this could even be viewed as hypertext, with links between people and sections, sections and groups, people and floors of buildings, etc. The unix manual This is a large body of computer-readable text, currently organised in a flat way, but which also contains link information in a standard format ("See also.."). Databases A generic tool could perhaps be made to allow any database which uses a commercial DBMS to be displayed as a hypertext view. In some cases, writing these servers would mean unscrambling or obtaining details of the existing protocols and/or file formats. It may not be practical to provide the full functionality of the original system through hypertext. In general, it will be more important to allow read access to the general public: it may be that there is a limited number of people who are providing the information, and that they are content to use the existing facilities. It is sometimes possible to enhance an existing storage system by coding hypertext information in, if one knows that a server will be generating a hypertext representation. In 'news' articles, for example, one could use (in the text) a standard format for a reference to another article. This would be picked out by the hypertext gateway and used to generate a link to that note. This sort of enhancement will allow greater integration between old and new systems. There will always be a large number of information management systems - we get a lot of added usefulness from being able to cross-link them. However, we will lose out if we try to constrain them, as we will exclude systems and hamper the evolution of hypertext in general. Conclusion We should work toward a universal linked information system, in which generality and portability are more important than fancy graphics techniques and complex extra facilities. The aim would be to allow a place to be found for any information or reference which one felt was important, and a way of finding it afterwards. The result should be sufficiently attractive to use that it the information contained would grow past a critical threshold, so that the usefulness the scheme would in turn encourage its increased use. The passing of this threshold accelerated by allowing large existing databases to be linked together and with new ones. A Practical Project Here I suggest the practical steps to go to in order to find a real solution at CERN. After a preliminary discussion of the requirements listed above, a survey of what is available from industry is obviously required. At this stage, we will be looking for a systems which are future-proof: portable, or supported on many platforms, Extendible to new data formats. We may find that with a little adaptation, pars of the system we need can be combined from various sources: for example, a browser from one source with a database from another. I imagine that two people for 6 to 12 months would be sufficient for this phase of the project. A second phase would almost certainly involve some programming in order to set up a real system at CERN on many machines. An important part of this, discussed below, is the integration of a hypertext system with existing data, so as to provide a universal system, and to achieve critical usefulness at an early stage. (... and yes, this would provide an excellent project with which to try our new object oriented programming techniques!) TBL March 1989, May 1990 References LivingSocial, the D.C.-based online deals site once valued at $6 billion, said that it is selling itself to rival Groupon for an undisclosed sum. (Cindy Ord/Getty Images For Nycwff) ONLINE RETAIL Groupon purchases rival LivingSocial LivingSocial, the D.C.-based online deals site once valued at $6 billion, announced Wednesday that it is selling itself to rival Groupon for an undisclosed sum. Both companies run Internet-based daily deals businesses that offer discounts and other offers for local businesses, helping consumers save money and storefronts drive traffic. For LivingSocial, the sale is the latest turn for a company once heralded as the harbinger of Washingtons tech-centric future. LivingSocial was a rare consumer-facing company in a town better known for government. So rapid was its growth in its early days that it was wooed by counties and towns alike looking to bring new energy to their local economies. Then-D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray (D) fought hard to keep the company from leaving the city, engineering a $32.5 million tax break linked to delivering jobs. The jobs never quite materialized as the daily deals business sputtered. Earlier this year, LivingSocial announced plans to lay off 160 employees, more than half of a workforce that once numbered in the thousands. In 2014, the company said it would lay off 400 as part of the restructuring. Groupon, long considered LivingSocials closest rival in the daily deals space, has also been struggling. On Wednesday, the company reported a loss of nearly $38 million on revenue of $720.5 million in the quarter ending Sept. 30. Last year, Groupon said it would lay off more than 1,000 employees as it shuttered offices in six countries. A Tesla Model S charges at a Tesla Supercharger station in Cabazon, Calif. (Sam Mircovich/Reuters) Groupon disclosed the acquisition Wednesday in a terse couple sentences in its earnings report, which did not offer details about the price, saying only that the amount was not material to its own financial balance sheet. Groupon said it expected to close the deal in early November. Representatives from both companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Aaron Gregg AUTO INDUSTRY Ford and Subaru announce recalls Two automakers have announced vehicle recalls because of the risk of fire. Ford is recalling nearly 412,000 older SUVs worldwide to fix fuel leaks that could cause fires. The recall covers certain 2010 to 2012 Ford Escapes and 2010 to 2011 Mercury Mariners with 3-liter flex-fuel V6 engines. Meanwhile, Subaru is recalling more than 100,000 of its top-selling models in the United States. A turbocharger air pump can run continuously and overheat and could cause fires. The recall covers certain 2007 to 2009 Legacy and Outback vehicles, some 2008 to 2014 Imprezas and certain 2009 to 2013 Foresters. Associated Press Also in Business From news services Coming Today From news services It hadnt happened in a while, so I guess it was time. My credit card got compromised. Some crook tried to charge $153.83, first with a $6.71 purchase at an inn and then a $147.12 transaction with a European airline Id never heard of. The charges were denied and triggered a fraud alert. I closed the account. Even if the card company hadnt blocked the charges, I would have known about them just as quickly. Ive set up alerts to ping me whenever any purchase is made. Still, even with the protections in place, Im disturbed. I feel violated and vulnerable. I have no idea how the breach happened. Arriving in my mail this month was the new issue of Consumer Reports. And coincidentally, the November cover story is How to Protect Your Privacy. Consumer Reports is always my go-to source before I make a big purchase. The latest issue marks some major changes. Theres a new logo and the magazine has updated its rating charts. No more red and black circles, which confused some readers. (Previously, red meant excellent, although the color is typically a signal of danger. Now red means poor and green means great.) The buying guides have also been revamped, and the Consumer Reports website now features interactive 360-degree videos, which are so cool. See a rundown of all the updates at consumerreports.org/changes. Okay, back to the cover package about protecting your privacy. Consumer Reports begins by taking you on a journey with a piece by Julia Angwin, a senior investigative reporter at ProPublica. In Angwins quest to lock down personal information, she uncovered leaks in her own life. The shift toward data as currency began somewhat innocuously, she writes. At first we simply accepted ads targeted to our search queries. But now, the trade-offs have become more extreme. We implicitly agree to have our movements followed both virtually, as we browse the web, and physically, as our phones transmit our locations. That observation made me think immediately of Kim Kardashian West, who was recently robbed at gunpoint in Paris. The thieves took millions of dollars worth of jewelry. During a 60 Minutes interview before the incident, the reality star said this about how social media can rob you pun intended of your privacy: There are pitfalls lack of privacy, loss of privacy and that might not be for everyone. For me, I can handle it. Even if you arent flaunting your affluence online as the Kardashians do, youre still likely posting things that leave you exposed. Police have warned folks against posting about vacations online while youre away or even before you leave. Youre broadcasting that no one will be home. Angwin points out research that made me rethink something that I do often. Youve all gotten that screen with privacy-policy information and, like me, you probably just click Accept without reading through it. Researchers at two universities found that 74 percent of people who joined what was actually a staged social media network either didnt read the privacy policy or didnt read it carefully because, in accepting the terms, users literally agreed to give up their firstborn child. Even if we read all those policies, we still couldnt accurately weigh our privacy trade-offs, Angwin writes. We dont know what the data will cost us in the future. For a year, Angwin decided to stay connected online but in a limited capacity that disconnected some of her data. It wasnt as hard as she had thought. She started where we all should: updating all her software. Come on, you all get legitimate security-update reminders or notifications as opposed to phishing attempts. And how long does it take you before you give in and do it? Ill be honest. I procrastinate, partly because they can take a long time and I dont want my online work to be interrupted. You may not want to go as far as Angwin did she stopped using LinkedIn and Facebook but you can remove some of your personal information. I dont answer all the personal questions that some sites and apps encourage me to, such as where I went to high school or my birth date. Get the new Consumer Reports and follow the many steps Angwin took. The issue also offers 66 ways to take control over your data. The first is to check if your data is on sale on the Web. Go to haveibeenpwned.com. I got weary just reading through all the steps. But go through them anyway and do try some of the things Consumer Reports suggests. Resistance is not futile. Readers may write to Michelle Singletary at The Washington Post, 1301 K St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071 or michelle.singletary@washpost.com. To read previous Color of Money columns, go to http://wapo.st/michelle-singletary. Always pay attention to subtitles. Something in the Blood isnt a biography of the Dublin-born Bram Stoker, author of a dozen novels and several works of nonfiction. Its a biography of the man who wrote Dracula. Horror scholar David J. Skal interprets virtually every aspect of Stokers life as an influence on, or source for, his celebrated vampire classic. In effect, the first half of this book tracks what Skal calls the growing storehouse of images that would fuel the nascent dream ultimately given form as Dracula. In the second and better half, he then describes the writing of that novel and deepens its links to fin-de-siecle anxieties about syphilis, moral corruption and homosexuality all of them neatly tied together in the downfall of Stokers secret sharer, Oscar Wilde. Skal then concludes with an excellent overview of the Counts afterlife in literature, art and film. Something in the Blood: The Untold Story of Bram Stoker, the Man Who Wrote Dracula, by David J. Skal (Nan A. Talese) Though clearly aiming to be a major work, Something in the Blood nonetheless comes across as part psychosexual case study and part loose and baggy monster. Its text interpolates entire short biographies of Wilde and actor Sir Henry Irving, for whom Stoker worked as manager of the Lyceum Theatre. It discusses the curious Icelandic version of Dracula that Valdimar Asmundsson titled Powers of Darkness (and which Overlook will publish in English in December) and spends pages on the great book artist Harry Clarkes vain dream of illustrating Dracula. Striking factoids abound. That Stoker married Florence Balcombe, who had previously been engaged to Wilde, is widely known, but were you aware that Owen Wister author of the cowboy classic The Virginian wanted to write an American epic of the undead as early as 1902? (He never did.) Skal particularly shines in his treatment of Hollywood Gothic to borrow the title of one of his own earlier books and he produces insightful pages about the silent film masterpiece Nosferatu, and the differing interpretations of Dracula in productions starring Bela Lugosi, Christopher Lee, Frank Langella, Gary Oldman and others. Certainly, no one could object to such scholarly largesse or to the books scores of magnificent illustrations. Nonetheless, in his core narrative, Skal does seem to use Stokers vampire classic to determine what biographical and historical material he emphasizes and how it is interpreted. In fact, he can be quite shameless with winks and nudges, poking us to notice how this or that detail prefigures some aspect of Dracula. [Michael Dirdas Halloween book picks] The suggestive cultural elements Skal stresses include the practice of bloodletting with leeches, the skeletal appearance of potato famine victims, coffin ships taking the Irish to America, the telltale marks of cholera infection, Gaelic legends about changelings, the demon kings of Christmas pantomimes, the 19th-century vogue for mesmerism, Stokers youthful fascination with theatrical stagecraft and for plays like the eerie Macbeth and ghost-haunted Hamlet, and, not least, the manly love of comrades celebrated by Walt Whitman. Skal later adds the notorious night when the poet Dante Gabriel Rossetti exhumed his dead wife and, crowning them all, the Whitechapel murders of the night-monster Jack the Ripper. He points out, too, that the once-popular novelist Hall Caine Stokers best friend and the dedicatee of Dracula was virtually the disciple of an American quack doctor named Francis Tumblety, who was widely suspected of being the Ripper. While all this information is clearly welcome, theres still the matter of the books overall character. Look again at Skals subtitle and note the phrase Untold Story. These words suggest that the biography draws on new material, but they also act as code for scandalous, probably sexually scandalous, revelations. In fact, Something in the Blood consistently represents Stoker as essentially a masochistic homosexual and Dracula as a book packed with homosexual frissons. The evidence for both claims is certainly there, most notably in Stokers Renfield-like submission to his charismatic boss, Irving, and in the Counts declaration, when shooing the vampire brides away from Jonathan Harker, that this man belongs to me. But Skal truly belabors the psychosexual: Henry Irving was the master he had been searching for all his life . . . Was there a way to achieve middle-class marriage and domesticity while fulfilling his deep yearning for an ecstatic connection to another man? A little of this goes a long way. [Two perfect gifts for Halloween: The Shining and Young Frankenstein] All in all, Something in the Blood simply feels overly speculative. Partly, this is due to a relative paucity of autobiographical material in the Stoker archives. Such gaps naturally encourage a biographer to slide into armchair analysis. Nonetheless, too much guesswork about motivations and feelings invites disputation rather than assent, especially from Stoker devotees. Even more irritating, though, may be Skals weak attempts at humor. For instance, he writes that Wilde could have quipped that a vampires mouth was such an ambiguous orifice! So soft and sensual, yet so hard and penetrating. Thats just plain embarrassing. Elsewhere, Skal lets his fancy run free as he imagines Wilde slipping a homosexual emblem a green carnation into Stokers coat pocket to be discovered later when he undressed. Can we please just stick to the facts? Because of its sheer abundance of material, Something in the Blood can still be strongly recommended as a biography. Some readers may even view its psychosexual suppositions as cogent and appropriate. After all, Skal, being the co-editor of the Norton Critical edition of Dracula, as well as the author of a cultural history of horror called The Monster Show, obviously knows his stuff. This year, Dover Books has even reissued his seasonally appropriate Halloween: The History of Americas Darkest Holiday. Along with ghosts and princesses, Im sure that pint-size Draculas will soon be knocking on my door. Michael Dirda reviews books on Thursdays in Style. By PTI: Beijing, Oct 26 (PTI) Over 200 swans were found dead in Chinas Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, prompting police to offer a cash reward for a tip-off leading to the arrest of poachers suspected of poisoning them. The swans were found dead in a lake in Zhenglan Banner, Xilingol League, and tests disclosed that they were poisoned with Carbofuran, a type of pesticide, which was detected on the dead birds, according to the Zhenglan Banner government information office. advertisement The local public has offered 100,000 yuan (about USD 14,770) to anyone who provides information on the identity of the suspected poachers. In addition to the swans, 26 mallards were also found dead in the lake, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. Photos of the dead birds, which were removed from the water by local herdsmen, were shared across social networks on Sunday. Local patrols in areas frequented by migratory birds have been increased and more stringent rules for poultry markets have been introduced. The lake, about 300 km from Beijing, is a migratory stop for swans. PTI KJV NSA --- ENDS --- Chouquette election-themed chocolates. (Goran Kosanovic/For The Washington Post) SWEET POLITICS: For your Election Night watch parties, we recommend Chouquettes Donald J. Trump and Hillz chocolates from chocolatier Sarah Dwyer, owner of the Maryland-based company. Dwyer, 44, has been making Republican elephant and Democratic donkey chocolates for a while, and she created the face confections screen-printed with cocoa butter in August, shortly after the conventions. Graphic designer Christina Headrick of Indigo Envelope in Arlington designed the Trump and Clinton images. (She had a hard time with Donalds hair, said Dwyer.) Its whats on the inside that counts, though: Both designs are filled with a vanilla bean caramel with fleur de sel crystals; each box contains either milk or dark chocolate (or a mix). The most popular option, says Dwyer, is a combination box filled with both faces. The mixed box is the only place where the two of them can be in the same place, she jokes. Although no customer has asked about a Jill Stein design, some did wonder why there was no Gary Johnson. But, said Dwyer, As soon as I seriously considered it, he forgot what Aleppo was! For those suffering from election fatigue, Dwyer, who founded Chouquette in 2010, designs other chocolates, as well. Cherry blossoms or beach themes could invoke a relaxing escape. Kara Elder Box of five chocolates, $15; box of nine, $27. chouquette.us. Also available in the District at Periwinkle Gifts ($2.50 each or $12.95 for box of five); in Alexandria at Red Barn Mercantile ($16 for box of five); and in Bethesda at the Blue House ($16 for box of five). The Julia Child kitchen display at the National Museum of American History. The museum hosts the Smithsonian Food History Festival this weekend. (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post) THURSDAY ANTHONY BOURDAIN TOUR: The author and television host talks about diverse culture, street cuisine and his travels. VIP package and book packages available. 7:30 p.m. $61-$81. DAR Constitution Hall, 18th and C streets NW. anthonybourdainontour.com. COOKING CLASS: Chef Mark Haskell teaches how to make sausages from around the world. 7 p.m. $49. Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. 202-549-4172. hillcenterdc.org/home/programs/2678. COOKING DEMO: Chef Johanna Hellrigl shows how to make autumnal favorites. Three-course dinner follows. 7 p.m. $75. Via Umbria, 1525 Wisconsin Ave. NW. 202-333-3904. viaumbria.com/october-27-dinner-and-demo-fall-flavors.html. WINE DINNER: Five autumnal courses paired with wine. 6:30 p.m. $89.95, not including tax and gratuity. Russia House Restaurant, 724 Pine St., Herndon. 703-787-8880. russiahouserestaurant.com. FRIDAY DINE OUT FOR SMITHSONIAN FOOD HISTORY: Area restaurants, including Centrolina, Iron Gate and Trummers on Main, feature a special dish inspired by Julia Child as part of the Smithsonian Food History Weekend. Proceeds from this dish will support the programs, research and collections of Smithsonian Food History. 5 p.m. Price varies. Various restaurants in the District and Virginiabit.ly/FoodWeekend. FOOD HISTORY ROUND TABLES: Discussions on issues surrounding food and innovation in America. 5 p.m. Free, registration required. National Museum of American History, Warner Bros. Theater, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. 202-633-1000. bit.ly/FoodWeekend. WINE DINNER: Special menu paired with Fontezoppa wine. 7:30 p.m. $110. Via Umbria, 1525 Wisconsin Ave. NW. 202-333-3904. viaumbria.com/october-28-wine-dinner-fontezoppa.html. SATURDAY AMERICAN HISTORY AFTER HOURS: Learn about beer brewing and policy in different eras of American history, then taste historically inspired beer. 6:30-9 p.m. $40. National Museum of American History, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. 202-633-1000. bit.ly/FoodWeekend. FOOD HISTORY FESTIVAL: Activities include live cooking demonstrations, modern and historic agriculture vehicles on display, film screenings and more. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. National Museum of American History, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. 202-633-1000. americanhistory.si.edu. OYSTERFEST: Live music, an oyster stew competition, local food and more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $5 to $18. Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, 213 N. Talbot St., St. Michaels, Md. 410-745-2916. cbmm.org. APPLE FESTIVAL: Apple pie contest, heirloom apple tasting and more. 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free admission; pie slices available to purchase. Adams Morgan Farmers Market. Columbia Road and 18th Street NW. 301-587-1739. lickingcreekbendfarm.com. WHISKEY DINNER: A Southern menu paired with rare and limited-edition Pappy Van Winkle whiskeys. 6:30-10 p.m. $250. Acadiana, 901 New York Ave. NW. bit.ly/2etWafe. SUNDAY COOKING CLASS: Mimi Clark demonstrates meatless makeovers of various recipes. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $55 for one, $100 for two. Veggie Gourmet, 9302 Hallston Ct., Fairfax Station. 703-643-2713. veggourmet.wordpress.com. COOKING DEMO: Chef Erik Bruner-Yang demonstrates various dishes, with sampling to follow. 11 a.m. Free. Olney Farmers and Artists Market, 2801 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd., Olney. 202-257-5326. olneyfarmersmarket.org. TUESDAY A TASTE OF JAPAN: Rudy Maxa and Daisuke Utagawa, hosts of the upcoming public television series Taste of Japan, discuss Japanese cuisine. 6:45-8:45 p.m. $45. S. Dillon Ripley Center, 1100 Jefferson Dr. SW. 202-633-3030. bit.ly/2ekzrSI. RESERVE NOW NOV. 3 PROGRAM AND BOOK SIGNING: Food writer Sheri Castle discusses the history and heritage of the Mountain South foodways. 6:45-8:45 p.m. $50. S. Dillon Ripley Center, 1100 Jefferson Dr. SW. 202-633-3030. bit.ly/2esqpSF. NOV. 4 ETHNIC FOOD FESTIVAL & BAZAAR: Three -day event features Russian and Eastern European foods and more. Nov. 4 and Nov. 5, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Nov. 6, noon-4 p.m. Free admission; food and drink available to purchase. St. Mark Orthodox Church, 7124 River Rd., Bethesda. 301-229-6300. stmarkoca.org. Kara Elder Send event listings to food@washpost.com with CALENDAR in the subject line. Megyn Kelly, seen here in January, engaged Newt Gingrich, a surrogate for Donald Trump, in a verbal throwdown on her Fox News show Tuesday night. (Chris Carlson/AP) More magazines final issue in March showed a lovely and quite serious face with a memorable headline: Lessons From Americas Most Beautiful Badass. The face belonged to Megyn Kelly, perhaps the hottest property in TV news and the host of Fox Newss The Kelly File. Kelly hasnt always lived up to her steel-spined reputation. Her much-touted special with Donald Trump in May was an exercise in mutual promotion that featured softball questions and cutesy laughs with the candidate and ended in a cringe-worthy preview of her soon-to-be-published book. But Tuesday night, Kelly once again showed what she can do in her best moments. Her interview with former House speaker and current Trump ally Newt Gingrich offered a rarely seen mic-drop. They sparred, mesmerizingly, over the allegations of Trumps sexual misconduct. Gingrich tried to dismiss the topic and dis the interviewer: You are fascinated with sex, and you dont care about public policy. Newt Gingrich engaged in a vicious show-down with Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly on Oct. 24 over the sexual assault allegations against Trump. "You are fascinated with sex, and you dont care about public policy," Gingrich said on-air after weeks of lukewarm defenses of Trump. (Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post) Quite a claim and Kelly wasnt having it. Gingrich had conflated the violence of sexual assault with consensual sex. She fired back, citing polls that show that most women actually do care about the issue of sexual harassment. And, as Gingrich proceeded to repeatedly label former president Bill Clinton a predator, she asserted the obvious: Fox has given plenty of coverage to Clintons checkered past with women. (And lets not forget that while the House speaker was championing Clintons impeachment, he was carrying on an adulterous affair with one of his staffers.) Then Kelly, a lawyer, ended the interview on a startling note: Were going to leave it at that, and you can take your anger issues and spend some time working on them, Mr. Speaker. Startled, Gingrich managed this much: You, too. The interview immediately blew up on social media, with the general reaction being something as simple as Wow. (Trumps own reaction on Wednesday was affirming: We dont play games, Newt, right?) [Megyn Kelly, Fox Newss (quickly) budding star] Trumps social media adviser, Dan Scavino, took the E-ZPass lane to the low road with a threatening tweet worthy of his boss: Megyn Kelly made a total fool out of herself tonight attacking Donald Trump. Watch what happens to her after this election is over. 1 of 28 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad Here are some of the Republicans who cut ties with Trump after lewd remarks View Photos Following a Friday report by The Washington Post on a 2005 video of the GOP presidential nominee, various Republicans have said they no longer plan to vote for him and some call for him to drop out. Caption Following a Friday report by The Washington Post on a 2005 video of the GOP presidential nominee, various Republicans have said they no longer plan to vote for him and some call for him to drop out. Sen. John McCain Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) joined the cavalcade of Republicans withdrawing their support for Trump. There are no excuses for Donald Trumps offensive and demeaning comments in the just released video; no woman should ever be victimized by this kind of inappropriate behavior. He alone bears the burden of his conduct and alone should suffer the consequences, McCain said in a statement. Susan Walsh/AP Wait 1 second to continue. Im not sure what that means whether it was meant to evoke the need for a bodyguard or a defense lawyer but I doubt that Kelly is losing sleep over it, any more than the New York Times is losing sleep over Trumps recent threats to sue the paper. Theres more than a whiff of desperation in that misguided silliness. The Kelly-Gingrich dust-up made for riveting TV and it was good to see her taking no prisoners but it wasnt Kellys top moment. That remains her stunning question to Trump in the first Republican primary debate last year. Youve called women you dont like fat pigs, dogs, slobs, and disgusting animals. Does that sound to you like the temperament of a man we should elect as president? Trumps immediate answer carried a hint of yet another threat: Ive been very nice to you, although I could probably maybe not be, based on the way you have treated me. And in fact, he shunned her show for many weeks afterward until a much-touted summit meeting at Trump Tower, which resulted in the aforementioned special in May. Kelly is tough, talented and smart. She did the right thing when she told internal investigators that she, too, had been sexually harassed by her former boss Roger Ailes a move that might have been the final blow for him at Fox, where he was fired in August. She is also often occupied with burnishing her brand and enhancing her career, which includes the matter of the expiration of her Fox contract in 2017. Meanwhile, her autobiographical book, Settle for More, comes out next month and is expected to detail her feud with Trump and the toll it took. Lets not equate Kellys iron-fist-velvet-glove interviews some interviews, that is with journalistic idealism. Neither is it crusading feminism. Theres a hefty measure of calculated self-promotion in all of this. But it serves a good purpose: Kelly, with her stratospheric profile, has provided a consistent voice for womens issues during this campaign. If that also helps her sell books and get a fatter contract, Im all for it. For more by Margaret Sullivan, visit wapo.st/sullivan Anne Arundel County The following incidents were reported by the Anne Arundel County police. For information, call 410-222-8050. PASADENA AREA ROBBERIES Mountain Rd., 2800 block, 5:22 a.m. Oct. 20. An armed man stole cash from a convenience store clerk and fled on foot. A Pasadena man, 21, was charged with armed robbery and related charges. Annapolis These were among incidents reported by the Annapolis Police Department. For information, call 410-268-9000. ROBBERIES Ashton Ct., 1200 block, 1:30 a.m. Oct. 17. Two masked men pulled a man out of his vehicle, sprayed him with mace, punched and kicked him and stole keys from his pocket. Later in the day, the victims 2014 Ford Focus was stolen. Janwall St. at Marda Lane, 9:10 p.m. Oct. 18. Three male passengers in a vehicle robbed a male driver at knifepoint, choked him and punched him in the head. Two Annapolis men, both 18, and a male Annapolis youth, 17, were charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and second-degree assault. One of the Annapolis men also was charged with armed robbery, reckless endangerment, concealing a deadly weapon and first-degree assault. THEFTS/BREAK-INS Tyler Ave., 8 p.m. Oct. 12 to 6 a.m. Oct. 13. Cash and electronics, including a cellphone, were stolen from a home. Virginia St., 1000 block, 6-10:40 p.m. Oct. 12. Jewelry and miscellaneous items were stolen from a home. West St., 1900 block, 7:20-7:25 p.m. Oct. 17. A red scooter with its engine running was stolen from a parking lot Woods Dr., 9 p.m. Oct. 12 to 8 a.m. Oct. 13. A wallet was stolen from a vehicle. WEAPONS Copeland St., 1900 block, 12:02 a.m. Oct. 20. A group of people refused to leave the area when a private security officer instructed them to do so. Officers arrived, and one man was seen throwing a gun over a fence. A Trappe man, 34, was charged with four counts related to illegal possession of a handgun. Newtowne Dr. and Juliana Cir., 10 a.m. Oct. 19. A male was seen shooting a gun in the area. No reports of property damage or injury. Howard County These were among incidents reported by the Howard County Police Department. For information, call 410-313-2236. COLUMBIA AREA ROBBERIES Little Patuxent Pkwy., 10300 block, 7 p.m. Oct. 14. Four males assaulted a man and a family member, and stole cash. Owen Brown footpath, 3:41 p.m. Oct. 14. A man was assaulted and robbed of his cellphone by several unknown assailants. THEFTS/BREAK-INS Eden Brook Dr., 7200 block, 10:55 a.m. Oct. 13. Several teens were seen leaving an apartment, but nothing was reported stolen. Eden Brook Dr., 7200 block, 9:02 p.m. Oct. 15. Three males broke into a vacant apartment, but nothing was reported stolen. Reader Lane, 9300 block, 2:51 a.m. Oct. 14. Electronics were stolen from an apartment. MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS Hickory Log Cir., 7300 block, 7:29 p.m. Oct. 13. A 2015 maroon Honda Pilot was stolen. Monarch Mills Way, 7600 block, 2:05 p.m. Oct. 16. A black Toyota Corolla was stolen. Quiet Hours, 6500 block, 9:25 a.m. Oct. 17. A 2011 Chevy Malibu was stolen. ELKRIDGE AREA THEFTS/BREAK-INS Woodburn Ave., 6300 block, 4:15 p.m. Oct. 16. Someone broke into a home; nothing was reported stolen. ELLICOTT CITY AREA ROBBERIES Sonia Trail, 300 block, 7:52 p.m. Oct. 13. Two males robbed a male and fled. Town & Country Blvd., 8700 block, 1:19 a.m. Oct. 19. Two males robbed a male of his cellphone and cash at knifepoint. MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS Joycin Ct., 3600 block, 10:58 p.m. Oct. 14. A green Honda Accord was stolen. Jessup AREA THEFTS/BREAK-INS Stayton Dr., 8200 block, 4:10 a.m. Oct. 16. A cash box was stolen from a business. While many focus attention on student absences and their effect on academic achievement, experts say teacher absences also can have a negative effect. (Getty Images/iStockphoto) More than 1 in 4 of the nations full-time teachers are considered chronically absent from school, according to federal data, missing the equivalent of more than two weeks of classes each academic year in what some districts say has become an educational crisis. The U.S. Education Departments Office for Civil Rights estimated this summer that 27 percent of the nations teachers are out of school for more than 10 days of regular classes some missing far more than 10 days based on self-reported numbers from the nations school districts. But some school systems, especially those in poor, rural areas and in some major cities, saw chronic absenteeism among teachers rise above 75 percent in 2014, the last year for which data is available. [High-poverty schools often staffed by rotating cast of substitutes] In the Alamance-Burlington School System, located between Greensboro and Chapel Hill, N.C., 80 percent of its 1,500 teachers missed more than 10 days of school in the 2013-2014 school year. Cleveland reported that about 84 percent of its 2,700 teachers had excessive absences. Nevadas Clark County School District, which includes Las Vegas, reported that more than half of its 17,000 teachers were chronically absent missing a total of at least 85,000 work days, or the equivalent number of hours that nearly 500 teachers would work during an entire 180-day school year. Although much attention focuses on the 6 million students who miss more than 15 days of school each year, making them much more likely to see low achievement and increasing the chances of not graduating, , teacher absences could be having a similarly negative effect on scholastic success. Superintendents and education policymakers say students need consistency in the classroom and high-quality instruction, noting that a parade of substitutes can seriously set back academic progress. In this April 18, 2014 photo, students listen to a substitute teacher during a world studies class in Olympia, Wash. (Ted S. Warren/AP) [American schools have a chronic absentee problem] Most teachers are there all the time, as they should be, because they want to be in the classroom, said Nithya Joseph, director for state policy at the National Council on Teacher Quality. But those who arent there all the time could be hurting their students. When the teacher of record is not in the classroom, it has an impact on student achievement, Joseph said. The National Bureau of Economic Research has found that when teachers are absent for at least 10 days, there is a significant decrease in student outcomes. The decrease, according to one study, is equivalent to the difference between having a new teacher and one with two or three years of experience. [Chronic absenteeism is contributing to academic gaps] School district administrators do not know what exactly is causing excessive teacher absenteeism. Some point to teachers taking sick leave, maternity leave and personal days to which they are entitled, and others attribute part of the problem to school climate. When teachers dont feel motivated to go to school and teach, some of them just dont show up. Thats what happened with Sean McGrath, a former social studies teacher in the Districts Stuart-Hobson Middle School. During his first seven years as a teacher, McGrath said he missed a total of 17 days. McGrath then accumulated seven absences since the beginning of September, although he said he was only sick for one of those days. He quit his job last month, saying he felt he did not have his principals support and that he thought the school didnt have enough support staff to control behavior in the building. I would wake up in a panic and feeling like there was a pit in my stomach, McGrath said. It was a feeling of dread and despair. Three other teachers at Hobson echoed McGraths sentiments, saying in interviews that they feel stressed out about going to school; one other teacher told The Washington Post that she has quit her job because of the school environment. [From the archives: Truancy, absenteeism a chronic problem in D.C. schools] Stuart-Hobson, on Capitol Hill, reported that 58 percent of its teachers missed more than 10 school days in the 2014 school year, one of the highest rates in D.C. Public Schools. Michelle Lerner, a D.C. Public Schools spokeswoman, said chronic teacher absenteeism in the school system is in line with the national average, at about 30 percent. Lerner said 80 percent of the school systems teachers report that they are in a good place to teach, a number that has increased since 2014. She said Hobsons principal was not available to speak about her schools climate, and the principal did not respond to requests for comment. In the Washington area, Fairfax County schools are in line with the national average while Arlington and Prince William County schools were both slightly above the national average. Montgomery County reported that just 14 percent of its teachers are chronically absent, about half the average. The estimates from the Education Department indicated that 58 school districts with more than 1,000 full-time teachers had chronic absentee rates above 50 percent. Although the federal absentee data was self-reported, several school districts told The Post that their numbers appeared to be incorrect, and sometimes wildly so. Although school districts were not supposed to include professional development days in their tallies, some did. And some of the data was erroneous: The Onslow County, N.C., school district, for example, was shown to have 99 percent of its teachers chronically absent but said its number is actually 19 percent. Many school districts confirmed that their number of teachers chronically absent was still far higher than the national average. School officials with the Alamance-Burlington school district in North Carolina said they are alarmed by high teacher absenteeism, which was approximately 80 percent in 2014. The district began conducting regular surveys about teacher morale and increased teacher pay slightly. The efforts have yielded results, bringing the number of teachers who missed more than 10 days down to about 50 percent last school year. But Superintendent Bill Harrison still considers that rate unfortunate. We still have too many days that our students dont have that quality teacher in front of them, Harrison said. North Carolina ranks above the national average in teacher absences, and school district leaders there say state laws that grant personal leave and sick days are a contributor. Others say the states large military population has an impact. In Onslow County, a district that surrounds the Marine Corps Camp Lejeune, school officials said their teachers are mostly young military wives, many of whom take maternity leave or take days off when spouses return from deployments. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, said the federal data doesnt paint a fair, complete or accurate picture because it only reports when teachers are out of their classrooms, not why they are out, such as for illnesses or family deaths. She also said teachers face unusual workplace stress, and that women, who make up amajority of teachers, are often primary caregivers for their families and are more likely to miss work because of it. The data also doesnt address some other basic conditions faced by teachers the stress, the need to work beyond the school day and the juggling of work and home that interferes more with their family life than most professions, Weingarten said. To better address absenteeism, we need to understand root causes. Beth Howard was absent from her classroom for 19 days last school year, leaving her students at Onslows Dixon Elementary with a substitute teacher. The art teacher, at the same school for 34 years, said she rarely misses a day of instruction, but last year was different she had to care for her ailing mother, who died. Howard prepared detailed lesson plans for her substitute teacher, and she said she worried about her students the entire time. We wouldnt have gone into this job if we werent dedicated, Howard said. Teachers want to be with our kids. If not, we would quit or move on. The Guilford County School District, North Carolinas third-largest, began researching why its students were missing so many days of school. Thats when administrators discovered that teachers also were piling up absences. Federal data show Guilford reported that half of its 4,700 teachers missed more than 10 days of school in 2014. It hits you in the face that maybe what you are dealing with is much more basic, said Nora Carr, the school districts chief of staff. No matter whats going on, if you dont have a great teacher in the classroom, kids aren't going to learn as much as they would otherwise. The district has considered financial incentives for teachers who dont take a lot of days off. Nevadas Clark County School District also is exploring financial incentives after it saw more than half of its nearly 18,000 teachers miss more than 10 days of school in 2014. Mike Barton, the school systems chief student achievement officer, said replacing thousands of absent teachers is a significant burden, and the replacements are never as good for students. I dont want for one minute for people to think that we are ignoring this, Barton said. This is something that we want to make sure improves. The vice president of the Maryland State Board of Education has resigned, slamming Gov. Larry Hogans recent executive orders that set the opening of school after Labor Day as not respecting the boards independence and potentially putting students at academic risk. S. James Gates Jr., a highly recognized physicist and professor at the University of Maryland in College Park who has served on the board since 2009, submitted his letter of resignation to Hogan during a state board meeting Tuesday night. It is effective immediately, a spokesman for the state department of education said. [Read Gatess resignation letter] I do not now confidently work in an environment I perceive as supportive of education nor respects the independence of the board, Gates wrote. When I accepted to serve, it was my understanding the laws of Maryland were very clear about the independence and the authority of the State Board of Education with regard to policy in this domain. I agreed to serve under those conditions. Gates departs amid a period of turmoil for the board, which has been grappling with Hogans recent order that the states public schools must start after Labor Day and end by June 15. School districts opposed the action, saying it usurped local control of a quintessentially local matter: the school calendar. Educators said they worried that the new calendar decree could eat into academic preparation for students, and others said it flew in the face of efforts across the country to expand not contract the academic school year amid fears of summer learning loss. Hogan (R) issued his order with a provision for school systems to seek waivers from the state. But when the state board appeared to be clearing a path for systems to get waivers and circumvent the edict, Hogan revised the order, significantly narrowing the kinds of circumstances that might qualify for an exception to his mandate. [Maryland state education board moves on Hogans Labor Day executive order] Tuesdays meeting of the state board was the first since Hogan revised his order. Gates wrote in his resignation letter that Hogans order lacked any justification of its educational benefit to students and that the change could stem some students aspirations, such as those who are involved in dual-enrollment programs at two-year and four-year colleges. This executive order will likely put some of those dreams in jeopardy, Gates wrote, noting that bad winter weather could lead to students not getting the full duration of their educational experience and thereby hurting subject mastery. Students in the most at risk environments will likely suffer just as much, if not more debilitating effects from receiving reduced opportunity for learning. . . . Your executive order has the remarkable potential to damage both the most at risk and the most ambitious students in Maryland. Gates, who was appointed to the board by Gov. Martin OMalley (D), has been a faculty member at U-Md. since 1984 and a teacher for 44 years. His son and daughter attended schools in Prince Georges and Montgomery counties and went to U-Md.; both are pursuing PhDs, one at Duke and one at Harvard. He wrote that their experiences have driven his work on the board: I have continuously thought about the thousands of Maryland students who were not born into positions similar to that of my twins. All children, independent of the wealth of their parents, deserve a fair chance to achieve their maximum potential and develop their talents. [Could a late school start mean an end to spring break? Md. move could have consequences] Gates declined to speak further Wednesday, but there was some hint of his dissatisfaction in the weeks before his resignation. At the boards September meeting, he expressed great distress that the independent board was being directed directly from the governors office. He said he recognized the governor as an important citizen, but added that doesnt mean that we simply have to become a rubber-stamp. After Gates resigned, his colleagues at the board meeting praised his service one by one, many with emotion, commending his character and integrity. Board member Madhu Sidhu thanked him at length, calling Hogans order a real encroachment on our psyche and our purpose and saying she was almost where you are. Michelle J. Guyton, a Hogan appointee who joined the board last year, said afterward that Gates was an amazing board member and said he would be missed. Big shoes to fill, she said. Board president Andy Smarick noted Gatess intellect and kindness. He brings great experience and an enormous brain to this work, and he always treated every single person as well as you could imagine, Smarick said. He is a thoroughly decent man. Doug Mayer, a spokesman for Hogan, thanked Gates for his terrific work over the years and wished him the best of luck on all his future endeavors. Mayer said the governor looks forward to appointing a new school board member in his place. [Hogan sets narrow terms for school districts seeking waivers from after-Labor Day start] Asked to respond to Gatess criticism of Hogans executive order, Mayer said: Mr. Gates and all board members are entitled to their own opinions, misguided as they are, but that wont prevent or hinder the governor from doing what is clearly right and what the vast majority of Marylanders want to see done. Several Democratic lawmakers have argued that the governor is developing bad policy based on opinion polls. State Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp (D) called the Labor Day start order an abuse of executive authority. And the states Attorney General issued an opinion that said a court might rule that the governor overreached. Mayer said Hogan was within his authority to order schools to start after Labor Day. Under the Constitution, he has the power to issue executive orders. Its as simple as that, Mayer said. At Tuesdays meeting, the board passed a resolution pointing out that, under constitutional, statutory and judicial precedent, it is invested with the last word on any matter concerning educational policy or the administration of the system of public education. We wanted to go on record saying that the state board has had this authority for a long time and its important that the state board retains that authority, Smarick said in an interview. State Sen. Paul Pinsky (D-Prince Georges), vice chairman of the Senate education committee, said Wednesday that the motion shows that Gatess view is shared by probably all of the board members, who are feeling dissed or dismissed by Hogans order. Its not just about the calendar, Pinsky said. Its someone without education experience going to interfere in education policy for what appear to be political reasons. Thats the bigger concern. . . . Whos to say the next [executive order] wont be about what can be taught in school? Board Member Chester E. Finn Jr. said Gatess departure is a loss and that the board wanted to emphasize its independence, but that it is also moving forward. I have no reason to believe there is a continuing conflict with the governor, he said, and I hope we can work together on other issues facing Maryland education. Jennifer Jenkins contributed to this report. These were among incidents reported by the Loudoun County Sheriffs Office and the Leesburg, Middleburg and Purcellville police departments. For information, contact your police or sheriffs department. ALDIE AREA ASSAULTS Twitter Sq., 22600 block, 4:45 p.m. Oct. 18. Deputies responded to a reported domestic assault at a residence. An adult male was charged with misdemeanor domestic assault and battery against a family member. THEFTS/BREAK-INS Barrington Grove Ct., 24800 block, 5 p.m. Oct. 14 to 8:30 a.m. Oct. 18. Building materials were stolen from a construction site. Blue Oat Ct., 41100 block, 5 p.m. Oct. 14 to 8 a.m. Oct. 17. Building materials were stolen from a construction site. ASHBURN AREA THEFTS/BREAK-INS Dewberry Ct., 20700 block, 10 p.m. Oct. 17 to 6:30 a.m. Oct. 18. Cash and other items were stolen from a vehicle. Yukon Dr., 43400 block, 1:18 a.m. Oct. 19. Cash was stolen from a restaurant entered through a rear door. There was no sign of forced entry. Waysie Cir., 43100 block, 5 p.m. Oct. 17 to 6 a.m. Oct. 18. Coins were stolen from a vehicle. CHANTILLY AREA MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS Pleasant Valley Rd., 25000 block, 11 p.m. Oct. 2 to 3 p.m. Oct. 20. A 2016 Range Rover was stolen. Keys had been left inside. LEESBURG AREA ASSAULTS Adams Dr., unit block, 6:01 p.m. Oct. 14. A domestic assault was reported. Catoctin Cir., 800 block, 10:28 p.m. Oct. 17. A domestic assault was reported. Edwards Ferry Rd., 800 block, 10:16 p.m. Oct. 16. A domestic assault was reported. Hancock Pl., 100 block, 1:23 a.m. Oct. 18. A domestic assault was reported. Hancock Pl., unit block, 4:42 p.m. Oct. 18. A domestic assault was reported. King St. S., unit block, 12:57 a.m. Oct. 16. An assault was reported. Market St. E., 1500 block, 2:32 p.m. Oct. 14. An assault was reported. Morrissett Ct., 500 block, 8:01 a.m. Oct. 17. A domestic assault was reported. North St., 900 block, 1:40 p.m. Oct. 14. A domestic assault was reported. Plaza St. and Principal Drummond Way, 7:44 p.m. Oct. 17. A domestic assault was reported. Potomac Station Dr., 600 block, 12:55 p.m. Oct. 15. An assault was reported. Somerset Park Dr., 700 block, 9:04 p.m. Oct. 16. A domestic assault was reported. Sunset View Terr., 500 block, 9:34 a.m. Oct. 18. Assault threats were reported. ROBBERIES Hancock Pl., unit block, 10:17 p.m. Oct. 13. A robbery was reported. THEFTS/BREAK-INS Ayr St., unit block, 8:38 p.m. Oct. 13. A theft was reported. Chickasaw Pl., 1600 block, 4:29 p.m. Oct. 16. Fraud was reported. Edwards Ferry Rd., 1200 block, 3:39 p.m. Oct. 14. Shoplifting was reported. Edwards Ferry Rd., 900 block, 3:08 p.m. Oct. 15. A theft was reported. Evans Ridge Terr., 400 block, 7:54 p.m. Fraud was reported. Fort Evans Rd., 100 block, 10:50 a.m. Oct. 14. A theft was reported. Fort Evans Rd., 500 block, 11:49 a.m. Oct. 14. Embezzlement was reported. Fort Evans Rd., 200 block, 12:33 p.m. Oct. 15. Shoplifting was reported. Fort Evans Rd., 200 block, 7:48 p.m. Oct. 17. Embezzlement was reported. Foxridge Dr., 400 block, 11:11 a.m. Oct. 14. Fraud was reported. Huntmaster Terr., 1100 block, 5:31 p.m. Oct. 17. Fraud was reported. Invermere Dr., 700 block, 11:11 a.m. Oct. 17. A theft was reported. King St. S., unit block, 11:29 a.m. Oct. 16. A theft was reported. Loudoun St., unit block, 3:39 p.m. Oct. 17. A theft was reported. Market St. E., 700 block, 9:04 p.m. Oct. 16. A theft was reported. Plaza St., 300 block, 3:16 p.m. Oct. 15. A theft was reported. Washington St., 100 block, 10:18 a.m. Oct. 18. A theft was reported. Washington St., 100 block, 10:59 a.m. Oct. 18. Fraud was reported. LOVETTSVILLE AREA THEFTS/BREAK-INS Berlin Tpk., 13000 block, 7 p.m. Oct. 19 to 8 a.m. Oct. 20. Two campaign signs were stolen. PURCELLVILLE AREA THEFTS/BREAK-INS Browning Ct., 400 block, 12:34 p.m. Oct. 14. Fraud was reported at a business. Main St. W., 600 block, 9:28 p.m. Oct. 13. Shoplifting was reported. Main St. E., 800 block, 4:19 p.m. Oct. 17. Embezzlement was reported at a business. STERLING AREA ASSAULTS Ocean Ct., 45000 block, Oct. 13. Employees at a business reported that a former coworker had poured a cleaning agent into an office coffee maker over several weeks, causing several employees to become ill. A Sterling woman, 32, was arrested Oct. 21 and charged with felony assault (adulteration of food and drug with intent). She was being held at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center without bond. THEFTS/BREAK-INS Heritage Trail Sq., 45400 block, 1:21 p.m. Oct. 13 to 1:13 p.m. Oct. 14. A purse was stolen from an unlocked vehicle. Matador Terr., 45000 block, Oct. 18 to Oct. 20. A vehicles interior was ransacked and items were stolen. Primavera Cir., 200 block, Oct. 20. A vehicles interior was ransacked and items were stolen. VANDALISM Cascades Pkwy. and Church Rd., 8 p.m. Oct. 17. A campaign sign was spray-painted. Fielding Terr., 46000 block, 12:01 to 6 a.m. Oct. 17. Four vehicle tires were slashed. Whitfield Pl., 21000 block, 9:20 to 10:40 a.m. Oct. 20. Two vehicle windows were damaged. The presidential race took center stage in a televised debate Wednesday as Marylands two Senate candidates sparred over health care, the economy and whether a woman should succeed retiring Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.). U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D) and state Del. Kathy Szeliga (R-Baltimore County) each excoriated the presidential nominees of their opponents party, with Van Hollen calling Donald Trump unprepared and unqualified and Szeliga slamming Hillary Clintons use of personal emails, her unflattering description of Trump supporters and her management of donations to the Clinton Foundation. A separate round of fireworks erupted before the barbs from the major-party candidates, when Green Party nominee Margaret Flowers planted herself on stage and demanded to be included in the event. Police hustled Flowers out of the University of Baltimore auditorium by her arm, but her supporters in the crowd continued to shout at debate organizers and participants, delaying the start time by about 20 minutes. When the action got underway, Szeliga and Van Hollen struck starkly different tones. Szeliga, the minority whip of the Maryland House of Delegates, peppered her answers with personal details, including her moms beehive hairdo and cat eye glasses. Van Hollen, a state lawmaker from Montgomery County before being elected to the U.S. House in 2002, demonstrated the dispassionate demeanor of a sitting congressman well-versed in public policy. Van Hollen is heavily favored in the majority-Democratic state. Recent polls show him ahead of Szeliga by about 30 points, and Clinton leading Trump by a similar margin. The Senate candidates exchanged sharp words when asked if voters should worry that the election could produce Maryland's first all-male congressional delegation since 1973. Van Hollen, who said he supports pay equity and abortion rights, touted endorsements from the Womens Chamber of Commerce, the National Organization for Women and Planned Parenthood. Senator Mikulski, I can assure you, would not have supported me if she didnt think that I would be continuing that fight, he said. Szeliga shot back: I can tell you what women love, and thats when people man-splain things to us about what women want and need, she said. Then she quoted a line from outgoing U.S. Rep. Donna F. Edwards (D), who lost to Van Hollen in last springs bitter Democratic primary: What a shame it would be if Marylands delegation did not have a women representing them. The debate at the University of Baltimore was co-sponsored by WJZ-TV, the CBS affiliate in Baltimore, and was scheduled to be broadcast by the station Wednesday evening. Szeliga tried to play up her deep Maryland ties, calling herself a Baltimore hon and an independent voice, and saying that she has criticized Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, on many occasions. My opponent has failed to call out his partys nominee, she said. Van Hollen said Clinton was one of the most prepared and qualified candidates to be president, while Trump was one of the least. The congressman said he broke with Clinton over her support for the war in Iraq and opposed her decision on emails. But, he said, unlike Trump, Clinton knows how to apologize for her mistakes. Donald Trump has run a campaign trying to pit Americans against one other based on race and religion and ethnicity and gender, Van Hollen said. Szeliga, who supported Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and then former Hewlett-Packard chief executive Carly Fiorina in the GOP primary, has said she will vote for Trump but has also condemned his lewd remarks about women. When she noted during the debate that Gov. Larry Hogan (R) had endorsed her Senate bid, Van Hollen quickly reminded the crowd that, unlike Szeliga, Hogan is not supporting Trump. On the Affordable Care Act, Van Hollen a chief pitchman for President Obamas plans in the House echoed Democrats message that the health-care system is not perfect but should be amended, rather than discarded: Fix it? Yes. Throw it out? No. He noted most Americans get health care through private insurers where he said premiums have gone down compared with plans offered on HealthCare.gov, where premiums for the most popular plans have jumped an average of 25 percent. Szeliga said she agreed with former president Bill Clinton, who gave Republicans an instant talking point earlier this month when he critiqued Obamacare as the craziest thing in the world, before walking back the comment. Van Hollen countered that Trump blundered this week when he said his employees were facing the huge premiums associated with the ACA, even though his workers do not participate in the health insurance exchanges. Before the debate, when Flowers demanded to participate, both Van Hollen and Szeliga said they would be fine having her on stage. I add a lot to the discussion, Flowers said. How does this serve the public when Im on the ballot? But officials said the debate rules did not allow Flowers to participate, because polls show she does not have the minimum required support of 15 percent of likely voters. Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu made a pun saying that 'dynasty in democracy is nasty, but tasty to some people', but added that the BJP would like to steer clear from the family dispute as it was an 'internal matter'. By Ashish Pandey: The Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today said the ongoing family feud in the ruling Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh is the result of "dynasty" politics and Bhartiya Janta Party does not believe in "fishing in troubled waters". Taking a jibe at Samjwadi Party Naidu said, "Dynasty in democracy is nasty, but tasty to some people." advertisement Reacting to the allegation that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is fuelling the family feud, Naidu said that the BJP is very much clear that it is a family dispute and an internal matter of Samajwadi Party and the national party is no where connected to it. READ: Samajwadi Party crisis continues? Akhilesh meets UP Governor, Shivpal expels his minister "SP is suffering from its own infighting and not able to control their own party and their own leaders. They are alleging BJP hand behind it, which is completely false," said Naidu while addressing to the media in Hyderabad. When asked if in future Akhilesh Yadav, who claims a clean and corruption free governance, comes out from Samajwadi Party whether BJP will support or form alliance with him, Naidu said, "Samajwadi Party means corruption and BJP is going to fight alone in UP and there is no if and but in politics." Targeting both the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party, the minister said, "SP and BSP not only are jittery but are also using false propaganda against BJP. BSP is thriving on caste, religion and communal politics. The Bahujan Samajwadi party had given slogan of Tilak Taraju Talwar and now they are accusing BJP for it." Exclusive: Can't worry about things beyond my control, says Akhilesh Reacting on uniform civil code and tripal talak issue Naidu said, "The issue was raised by some women organisation and they took it to Supreme Court and when the apex court asked government's stand it informed that it's discriminatory and even Prime Minister publically said that it's not good for the society. "I want to ask BSP whether they are in favour of discrimination with woman or against the discrimination. What is their stand on triple talak," added Naidu. Also read: Samajwadi Party crisis: All is well, Akhilesh remains CM, says Mulayam 10 things Mulayam Singh said to put rebel son Akhilesh Yadav in place --- ENDS --- Weeks after federal prosecutors arrested 80 people in a widespread bribery and drug conspiracy inside a Maryland prison, two senior Corrections Department employees who helped in the probe say they have been fired. Steven F. Geppi, the agencys director of investigation, intelligence and fugitive apprehension, and Debra Gonzalez Morin, the chief of intelligence, said they were told on Tuesday that their services were no longer needed. They said the state Department of Corrections is also investigating several other employees who work in their former division. Gerard M. Shields, a Department of Corrections spokesman, confirmed Wednesday that Geppi and Gonzalez Morin are no longer working for the department. Shields said their departures were not connected to the three-year investigation at Eastern Correctional Institution, in which prison guards were accused of smuggling drugs, cellphones and tobacco into the prison in exchange for money and sex. Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Secretary Stephen T. Moyer. (Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post) [Guards, inmates charged in widespread bribery and smuggling operation] Corrections Secretary Stephen T. Moyer received a complaint involving Geppi and Gonzalez about two weeks ago, Shields said, and the two were placed on administrative leave. Shields would not elaborate on the nature of the complaint, only describing it as misconduct. The Maryland State Police internal affairs division investigated, he said. [Moyer] was disturbed by the allegations, and as a result he took swift action, Shields said. The investigation is ongoing. Geppi said in an interview Wednesday that he was told a couple of weeks ago that someone filed a complaint against him, but he was not told what the complaint was about. Im not sure about the circumstances, because I wasnt given a reason, Geppi said. Geppi said he has since learned that about a half-dozen other employees who worked in his division have been suspended. Geppi and Gonzalez Morin said they think that their investigative work, which has resulted in more than 200 guards and correctional officers losing their jobs in the past couple of years, led to the allegations against them. Its my opinion we made an awful lot of enemies, Geppi said. Gonzalez Morin, who has worked for the department for 16 years, said the complaint, investigation and dismissal came as a surprise. Two weeks ago, we were shining stars. They loved us, Gonzalez Morin said. They wanted to give us citations. It was just amazing. And now this . . . It is just ludicrous. Also on Tuesday, John Spiroff, who led the corrections departments internal and investigative division, left his position. Shields said Spiroffs departure was not related to the investigation that involves Geppi and Gonzalez Morin. Geppi, who worked for the department for the past 20 months, was the supervisor for both Spiroff and Gonzalez Morin. Spiroff could not immediately be reached for comment. I dont know what they are going to do now, Gonzalez Morin said of the corrections agency. They are taking out all the people who fought corruption. All the skill set has been let go or is under investigation. The two D.C. teens had a series of run-ins over months. But after a September argument on a Southeast street, the younger of the two, only 15 years old, left. When he returned a half-hour later, he brought a gun. The 10th-grader fired three or four times, prosecutors said. One bullet struck his foe, 17-year-old Kevin Anthony Jackson II, in the back of the head. The 15-year-old, who initially had been charged with first-degree murder in Jacksons death, pleaded guilty Wednesday in D.C. Superior Court to involuntary manslaughter and a firearms charge. The Washington Post generally does not identify suspects charged in juvenile court. Court officials allowed The Post to attend the hearing such proceedings usually are closed to the public on the condition that the charged teen not be named. [A 15-year-old charged in fatal shooting of another teen] A surveillance video captured images of the younger teen in the area at the time of the Sept. 1 shooting. After he was arrested, 12 days later, authorities said the youth admitted to police that he fired the weapon two to four times. Prosecutors did not say why the two youths had been feuding, but at an earlier hearing a detective testified they were members of rival neighborhood gangs. A witness had told police that Jackson and some other teens had jumped the 15-year-old in April, according to testimony. In court Wednesday, a prosecutor said that just before 2 p.m. on the day of the shooting, the teens got into an argument in the 1900 block of 16th St. SE. Jackson and his friends stayed in the area, while the 15-year-old left. He returned about a half-hour later, pulled out a handgun and began firing. As prosecutor Kimberly Berry outlined the details of the shooting for Judge Jennifer Anderson, Anderson asked the teen if the prosecutors narrative was accurate. Yes maam, the teen said, standing next to his public defender and in front of his parents and grandmother. Prosecutors did not disclose if the teen revealed where he obtained the gun. Anderson ordered a mental health evaluation to be performed on the youth before determining a date for sentencing. The youth, who is in custody of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services, could face a maximum of six years of detainment or supervision with the agency until he turns 21. Jacksons family members, who were permitted by the judge to attend the hearing, said they were disappointed that the maximum the teen could face was six years. Its a slap on the wrist, said Jacksons older sister, Martina Brooks. Hes facing the same amount of time for killing someone as if he was arrested for shoplifting. This boy left and then came back with a gun and shot my brother. Thats premeditation. This is not fair. Jacksons family said they wanted the youth to be charged as an adult and potentially face decades in prison. But prosecutors in the Office of the Attorney General choose to keep the case in juvenile court. The system let us down, said Jacksons aunt, Sheryl Arrington. He could be back out on the streets in a year, despite what the judge orders, because he is a juvenile. In an email, Robert Marus, a spokesman for the Office of the Attorney General, declined to comment on the case, but said it was very rare for his office to seek to have 15-year-olds tried as adults. The office considers the seriousness of the crime, a youths prior offenses and whether the teen has potential for rehabilitation within the juvenile system. D.C. Police Officer Robert Parker Jr., 28, says he was unfairly detained and struck on the right side of his face by officers from Prince Georges County. The officers were searching for a gunman. (Courtesy of Robert Parker Jr.) An off-duty D.C. police officer dressed in civilian clothes said he was inappropriately searched, tackled and hit in the face by Prince Georges County Police officers who were looking for a gunman near the Iverson Mall on Tuesday afternoon. Officer Robert Parker Jr., a five-year veteran assigned to the Districts Harbor Patrol dive team, said the Prince Georges County Police sergeant who initially detained him patted him down without warning and without proper justification. He said that the sergeant acted too quick and that he didnt have a chance to identify himself as an officer until the sergeant felt his weapon and took him to the ground. Prince Georges County Police defended the officers, noting that Parker fit the description of a man who had just shot and wounded someone in the mall parking lot. County police said Parker did not identify himself as an officer until after he was restrained. They said they have reviewed audio of the incident. Parker, 28, said he yelled he was an officer just as the sergeant found the gun under his shirt and black hoodie. By then, Parker, who is black, said that two other officers rushed in and that one or both hit him in the right side of his face, causing swelling. He said his leg and left hand also were injured. The sergeant and one officer are black; the other officer is white. Parker said he has hired an attorney and plans to file a formal complaint. I kept my hands out and to the mid-side of my body, Parker says of the police stop. My hands were visible. (Courtesy of Robert Parker Jr.) Asked whether he thought the stop was handled the way it was because he was black, Parker said: I never want to be the person to say that. But unfortunately, thats what it was. . . . I thought, if I were in another neighborhood, if I were someone else, if the lookout was for a white guy in a hoodie and I was white, I dont think I would have been approached like that. I think I would have been given a lot more courtesy. Police stopped Parker around 1 p.m., moments after the shooting outside the mall that prompted the lockdown of two nearby schools. Prince Georges police on Wednesday afternoon said they were looking for Nicco Rashaad Young, 20, of Temple Hills. Young was involved in a dispute with the shooting victim, police said. Lt. Dave Coleman, a spokesman for Prince Georges County Police, said officials have conducted a preliminary review of the encounter with Parker. We believe our officer acted professionally and with restraint, he said. This encounter took place within several minutes of the shooting being reported at Iverson Mall and occurred three blocks from the shooting scene. Parker matched the description of the suspect, broadcast over the radio as a black man in blue jeans with a black top, Coleman said. Parker said he was wearing blue jeans and a black jacket over a black hoodie. Given the similar descriptions of the two men, Parkers proximity to the scene and the timing of the shooting, a Prince Georges sergeant who spotted Parker conducted an investigatory stop, which allows officers to act quickly to protect the community, Coleman said. Were in an active search for a shooter, Coleman said. Every second is of the essence. During a pat-down, Coleman said, the officer discovered that Parker had a gun in his waistband. At that point, our officer took the man to the ground during a brief struggle. It was only after the man was restrained by the original officer and backup officers did he identify himself as a police officer. Coleman couldnt detail exactly how much time elapsed between the start of Parkers encounter with Prince Georges police and when he was taken to the ground, but he had plenty of time to identify himself as a police officer. Coleman said the department made several attempts to speak with Parker after the encounter and eventually spoke with him later that afternoon at his home. Coleman said the department is conducting a standard use-of-force review. Any allegation of excessive force would be reviewed after the department received an official complaint. Parker, whose father recently retired from the D.C. force after 30 years, 20 as a homicide detective, said he had dropped his car off at a repair shop and was stopped by the officers at Iverson Road and 25th Avenue, two blocks from his home. Parker said he had seen county police cruisers and suspected something had happened. He also said the sergeant passed him once and slowed, then returned and stopped him. I kept my hands out and to the mid-side of my body, Parker said. My hands were visible, out to my side. He said the sergeant told him: Ive seen you out here walking earlier. Were looking for somebody, and we want to make sure youre good. Parker said the sergeant immediately walked up to me and started patting me down. I was in disbelief, Parker said. He didnt tell me what for. He feels my gun, and I said, Im a police officer. At that moment, he took me to the ground. An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the sergeant as white. He is black. Cheryl W. Thompson also contributed to this report. The fugitives killed by police on a Maryland hotel balcony Tuesday were shot after 10 officers fired their weapons, officials said Wednesday. The couple, wanted on gun and drug charges, pointed what appeared to be regular handguns at the officers, according to the Maryland State Police. As it turned out, the couple had BB guns. They refused directions to surrender and both pointed guns, a state police spokesman said in a statement Wednesday. The shootings unfolded at about 10 a.m. at the New Eastern Inn, a two-story motel in Elkton, near the Delaware border. The fugitives Brandon Jones, 25, and his girlfriend, Chelsea M. Porter, 25, both from Dover, Delaware died at the scene. Law enforcement had been on the hunt for Jones and Porter since last week. On Friday, in Dover, they searched Joness home, and found 2,094 bags of heroin, 1 kilogram of marijuana, $2,700 cash, three handguns and a rifle, according to the Delaware State Police. Neither Jones nor Porter were home, officials said. Officials say this gun was used by one of the fugitives. (Maryland State Police photo.) On Monday, Delaware authorities asked the Maryland State Police to help find the couple, said Greg Shipley, a Maryland State Police spokesman. By Tuesday morning, an apprehension team comprising officers from the Maryland State Police and the Cecil County Sheriffs Office had tracked the pair to the room of the motel, which has a landing outside the upper rooms. Officers from the Elkton Police Department also were on the scene. Two officers went to the landing while others stayed at ground level. They knocked and announced their presence as police, Shipley said, saying the officers had badges and were wearing ballistic vests that said police. According to updated information Wednesday from the Maryland State Police, Brandon Jones pulled back the curtain, pointed a gun at them and said he had a gun. The police officers retreated from the door and continued to order the suspects to surrender, until they came out and pointed the guns at police. Investigators have determined that one Maryland state trooper fired his weapon, as did three deputies from the Cecil County Sheriffs Office and six officers from the Elkton Police Department. Investigators found two replica handguns next to the suspects. Shipley said neither gun had an orange tip signifying it wasnt a regular weapon. He said one of the guns was believed to be a BB pistol and the other a compressed air-powered pellet or BB gun. Officials released a photo of one of the guns. Shipley said the State Police internal affairs division also will investigate the shootings. Chelsea M. Porter (Delaware State Police photo) Officials said that Jones and Porter had been wanted on warrants for four counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession with intent to deliver heroin, possession of heroin, possession with intent to deliver marijuana, three counts of possession of a deadly weapon by a person prohibited, receiving a stolen firearm, conspiracy second, possession of marijuana other than personal use quantity, and possession of drug paraphernalia. This file has been updated. After years of contention over how to improve transit along Columbia Pike, the Arlington County Board Tuesday night unanimously agreed to move ahead with the design and construction of 23 new stops along Virginias busiest bus route. The transit stops are expected to look similar to the notorious $1 million bus stop at the Pike near Walter Reed Drive, but the roof will be flatter and the windscreen will be taller, to keep rain and snow off passengers waiting for the bus. Most importantly, the cost of the shelters and platforms will be about half what the first one cost. County manager Mark Schwartz recommended that the board authorize the shelters to be built from a kit of parts using high-quality materials which will provide the most durable option with the least required maintenance. It was the same basic advice he gave the board in late May, but board members at that time asked the county staff to investigate whether less costly options, such as pre-fabricated shelters, would be the better choice. [Higher-cost Columbia Pike transit stops spook board members] Using prefabricated shelters would lower the initial costs, officials said, but they are more easily damaged, have a much shorter life, require multiple shelters at each stop and take up more room on crowded sidewalks. Over the shelters projected 50-year life span, the prefabricated stops would cost nearly the same as the factory-assembled kit, county transportation officials said. The board previously authorized spending $13.3 million, but allowing the shelters to be assembled at the factory would drop that cost to $11.5 million, said Dennis Leach, the countys director of transportation. Giving a contractor design and performance specifications and giving the contractor more latitude about how to meet those goals could save more money, he said. The county will retain oversight of the project. This is a no-brainer as to what is practical for what we need to do, said board member Christian Dorsey (D). The first Columbia Pike transit stop, originally labeled a super stop, was intended to serve both modern buses and streetcars. But in March 2013, when the $1 million price tag became known, Arlingtons project became the butt of international ridicule. County officials promised the following year that they would trim subsequent costs by 40 percent, but it was too late; a political uproar had already begun and it concluded with the abandonment of the long-planned streetcar project in November 2014. Columbia Pike residents have been waiting ever since for the board to live up to its promise of improving mass transit along the road. The county has spent more than $50 million putting utilities underground and rebuilding portions of Columbia Pike and will spend another $100 million by the time all the work is done, Leach told the board. The county has a complex transit plan that will institute limited-stop Metrobuses, the local ART bus routes and a connector Metrobus that will come every six minutes, stopping at each stop along the five mile route from Fairfax Countys Skyline neighborhood to the Pentagon. The 23 new transit stops costs could average $500,000 if the project comes in at $11.5 million. About 65 percent of the cost will be paid for by state and federal grants. The rest of the money comes from a local commercial real estate tax. About half the cost of each stop is attributed to the 90- to 100-foot-long platform, and below-grade utility connections needed. The stops, spaced an average of 1,200 feet apart, will be within a quarter-mile distance of most residents of the Columbia Pike neighborhoods. It will still be several years before any new stops appear. Design specifications need to be written and bids go out before construction could start in the spring of 2018, officials said. Khizr Khan, a Virginia Gold Star father whose son Army Captain Humayun Khan was killed in Iraq, campaigns for Hillary Clinton at Croaker's Spot, a restaurant in Norfolk, Va. (Julia Rendleman/The Washington Post) Khizr Khan, the slain soldiers father whose criticism of GOP nominee Donald Trump at the Democratic National Convention became a turning point in the 2016 campaign, said Wednesday that he was motivated to speak out by questions he was hearing from Muslim American children. After anti-Muslim statements by Trump, Khan said, at gatherings, little children would ask You are an attorney, are we going to be thrown out of the country? The courage [to speak out] wasnt ours, Khan told about 30 members and guests at a mosque in Norfolk, where he was campaigning on behalf of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. The courage was given to us. Khan said he and his wife had privately grieved the war death in Iraq of their son, Army Capt. Humayun Khan, for a dozen years before deciding to become public figures. On Wednesday, he appeared at Masjid William Salaam in this city, home to the worlds largest naval base, and then at Croakers Spot restaurant and at a Democratic Party campaign office. A Pakistani American lawyer who lives in Charlottesville, Khan also stars in an emotional television advertisement for Clinton, and has made numerous appearances on television and in the news media. But it was the convention speech and Trumps denunciation of him and his wife afterward that brought the most attention. Donald Trump, youre asking Americans to trust you with their future. Let me ask you, have you even read the United States Constitution? I will gladly lend you my copy, Khan said at the convention. Have you ever been to Arlington Cemetery? Go look at the graves of brave patriots who died defending the United States of America. You will see all faiths, genders and ethnicities. You have sacrificed nothing and no one. After that speech, Humayun Khans grave at Arlington National Cemetery became a pilgrimage site of sorts, decorated with flowers, flags and notes from visiting strangers. The Khans have become one of the nations best-known Gold Star military families, a designation given to those whose sons or daughters have been killed in war. Khan said Wednesday that he has been overwhelmed by the love and affection from all corners of this country since he began urging Trump to cease his divisive rhetoric. People ask would I do it again, he said at the mosque, where a man dressed in military fatigues chanted the Muslim call to prayer but there were no other obvious service members present. A million times, again and again and again, up until hatred and political bigotry is wiped out of this United States, we will continue to speak. The crowd that came to meet Khan at Croakers Spot restaurant did not include a lot of military veterans. But those who were there greeted him with enthusiasm. He is such a humble and dedicated man and such a fine human being, said Ellis W. James, who served in the Army in Germany during the Korean War and is supporting Clinton in the presidential race. Tom Bazar, a Navy veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who also is voting for Clinton, said it was an honor to meet Khan. When you meet families of people who were lost, its such an honor, Bazar said. Its great that he stood up and said what he believed. Thats what America is all about. Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova (D) is in favor of the creation of a civilian review board that would examine police investigations into misconduct. (Tom Jackman/The Washington Post) Virginias largest jurisdiction has moved closer to creating a civilian review panel for cases of alleged police abuse, part of an ongoing series of police reforms in Fairfax County being launched at a time when such cases have stirred concerns nationwide. During a committee meeting Tuesday, the countys Board of Supervisors hashed out details for what would be an independent body that would scrutinize cases involving police abuse or misconduct, joining the District and a handful of major cities across the country that have added civilian oversight of police. [Why a Detroit grandmas Halloween display depicts police shootings and terrorist attacks] The effort in Fairfax is part of about $35 million in proposed changes that officials are considering in response to a community backlash over how the county handled the investigation into the 2013 fatal shooting of John B. Geer, who was unarmed when he was gunned down by a county police officer outside his home. [Panel recommends broad changes to police practices in Fairfax County] Last month, the board also moved to hire an independent police auditor who will review investigations into cases where force is used by a police officer to apprehend a suspect. Board chair Sharon Bulova (D) said both reforms will help restore trust in the countys department of about 1,700 sworn officers. An independent panel will be extremely helpful in providing people with an independent portal through which theyre able to bring their grievances and issues, said Bulova, who appointed a police advisory commission last year that recommended 202 total reforms. I think that would be good for Fairfax County. A civilian review panel would consist of nine members, who would examine police department investigations into claims of abuse or misconduct including harassment, sexual abuse, discrimination and recklessly endangering a person in custody. The panel would be able to hold public meetings during its review and compel county police officials and members of the Internal Affairs Bureau to explain their findings during those sessions. Amid a rash of police shootings that have generated protests across the country, Fairfax has tried to walk a fine line in implementing its own forms of police accountability. That was apparent Tuesday, when county supervisors wrestled with how to implement a new form of oversight that rank-and-file police officers have largely opposed, arguing that a civilian review panel would be biased against them. Board members debated whether the new panel should have investigative authority, such as taking in testimony from the person who alleged police abuse or misconduct. Supervisor John C. Cook (R-Braddock), who chairs the boards public safety committee, argued against it, saying that it would be unfair to the accused police officer who is protected under state law from having to testify outside the Internal Affairs Bureau process in cases involving allegations of misconduct. You cant have a hearing or a meeting where one side gets to give additional evidence and the other side doesnt, said Cook, who along with several other supervisors pushed for the panel to be restricted to reviewing investigative case files. Given that the panel would have access to those files, the board also deliberated over whether panel members should undergo criminal background checks before they are appointed to two-year terms. That question remained unresolved after several supervisors argued against excluding people with past felony convictions from participating in a process that is designed to give a voice to everyone in the community. The statement that we want is that this body will be independent and fair, said Supervisor Linda Q. Smyth (D-Providence). Thats the underlying basis of it. County police officers at the meeting were visibly frustrated by the likely creation of the panel, which they consider unnecessary oversight on top of internal controls designed to root out misconduct. Most police officers do feel that this is being rammed down their throats, Officer Rich Barron, lodge secretary of the countys chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police, told the board. There are a host of citizens who arent going to satisfied by any investigation thats conducted until they are able to see an entire case file, including information that shouldnt be public. Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill) said the panel is necessary to move Fairfax past the frustrations brought by the Geer controversy. I don't think we have an alternative, she said. Because we dont want to go through another upsetting experience like we had in the past. The lawyer told the court that it had verified the Maharashtra government's proposal but were not satisfied with the material submitted by it and had hence asked the state government to submit further material in support of its proposal. By Vidya : While the Bombay High Court was hearing a petition filed by Vijay Rokade, a resident of Khopoli, seeking a ban on the right wing group Sanatan Sanstha, members of which are alleged to have carried out terror activities in Panvel and Thane, central government today told the court that till date it has not found any satisfactory material to declare right wing organisation Sanatan Sanstha as a terror outfit. advertisement The lawyer told the court that it had verified the Maharashtra government's proposal but were not satisfied with the material submitted by it and had hence asked the state government to submit further material in support of its proposal. DETAILS OF THE CASE Division bench of Justices NH Patil and PD Naik were hearing the case. The petitioner informed the court that Maharashtra government based on a report and material submitted by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), forwarded a proposal to the union government in 2012 recommending ban on the group. However, the government at the Centre, has till date not taken any decision on the proposal. The petitioner's advocate said that under the provisions of the UAPA, the union government can recommend ban on any organisation or group. DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED IN 4 WEEKS The bench then directed the government pleader to show the communication between the union and state government. The bench asked to submit all the letters sent and received by the union and state government within four weeks. The court also sought to know under which law or provision can the union government ban an organisation or trust that is governed by a state government act. In April 2012, the state government filed an affidavit in the case claiming that the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) had addressed a letter to the Director of Union Home Ministry informing it that three cases regarding bomb blasts had been registered against Sanatan Sanstha. --- ENDS --- TURKEY Co-mayors detained in mainly Kurdish city Turkish police on Tuesday detained the co-mayors of the mainly Kurdish southeasts biggest city on charges they aided militants, part of a government crackdown after more than a year of violence in the region. Gultan Kisanak, a former member of parliament before her election as mayor in Diyarbakir, and Firat Anli, her co-mayor, were taken into custody as part of an investigation into terrorism links, the local prosecutor said. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that the removal of elected officials and civil servants who are accused of links to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union, is a key part of the fight against the armed group. Kisanak, 55, is a well-known Kurdish political figure and became Diyarbakirs first female mayor in 2014. Earlier Tuesday, she testified upon the invitation of lawmakers at a parliamentary commission in Ankara looking into a July 15 coup attempt by elements in the military. Reuters THE VATICAN Guidelines published for Catholic cremations The Vatican on Tuesday published guidelines for Catholics who want to be cremated, saying their remains cannot be scattered, divvied up or kept at home but rather should be stored in a sacred, church-approved place. The instructions were released just in time for All Souls Day on Nov. 2, when the faithful are supposed to pray for and remember the dead. For most of its 2,000-year history, the Catholic Church permitted only burial. But in 1963, the Vatican explicitly allowed cremation. The new document repeats that burial remains preferred. But it lays out guidelines for conserving ashes for the increasing numbers of Catholics who choose cremation for economic, ecological or other reasons. The Vatican said ashes and bone fragments cannot be kept at home. The document said remains cannot be divided among relatives or put in lockets or other mementos. Nor can the ashes be scattered in the air, on land or at sea. Associated Press Venezuelas congress opens trial against Maduro: Venezuelas opposition-controlled congress has opened a political trial against President Nicolas Maduro for allegedly violating democracy. The move was widely expected after the suspension last week of an opposition push for a referendum on Maduros removal. But it is unlikely to have any legal effect as the Maduro-allied Supreme Court has already invalidated all measures emerging from the National Assembly. From news services IT IS rarely remembered that the Virginia antiabortion lobbys long, wasteful and ultimately failed effort to regulate state abortion clinics out of business started as a humdrum bit of legislative housekeeping a harmless bill to update standards for infection prevention, disaster preparedness and facility security at hospitals and nursing homes. A few days before Richmond lawmakers adjourned their annual session in February 2011, antiabortion Republicans, having tried fruitlessly to subvert Roe v. Wade for years, amended the bill to sweep in abortion clinics. The states then-lieutenant governor, a Republican, broke a tie in the state Senate to turn the irrational proposal into law. There followed 5 years of skirmishes a wasteful expenditure of time, money and effort in service to a patently unconstitutional effort to do precisely what the Supreme Court, in 1992, explicitly forbade states to do: impose unnecessary health regulations to erect a substantial obstacle to a woman seeking an abortion. This summer, the Supreme Court settled the question (again), ruling that a Texas statute similar to Virginias was an affront to reproductive freedom. The fact that the laws in both states did nothing to safeguard or enhance womens health, and were transparently intended simply to limit abortion rights, was not lost on the high court. From now on, the justices ruled, states should stop using legislative gimcrackery, such as applying regulations intended for full-service hospitals to outpatient abortion clinics, as a means to impede a womans right to make her own reproductive-health decisions. The courts ruling sealed the fate of Virginias law, which already was being dismantled by Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Attorney General Mark R. Herring, both Democrats. On Monday, the state Board of Health voted to exempt abortion clinics from the law. It would be nice if the boards decision put paid to the abortion wars in the commonwealth. But antiabortion lawmakers and lobbyists have little regard for court precedent and are sure to continue their attacks. Following the failure to eradicate abortion clinics by regulating their hallways, closets, parking lots, ventilation, plumbing, heating and record-keeping, they are sure to try other ways. Already, the damage has been substantial. Just 14 clinics provide abortion services in Virginia, down from about 20 when the legislature passed its bill. Not all of them were killed off by that measure, but some were. Along the way, a respected state commissioner of health resigned after then-Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli II (R) bullied the Board of Health into going after the clinics. Now the stringent construction and design standards may no longer be imposed, but other onerous regulations apply and go far beyond those faced by similar-sized outpatient health facilities providing colonoscopies, cosmetic surgery and other procedures more dangerous to patient health than abortions. There is no evidence that the 25,000 first-trimester abortions performed annually in the states clinics are unsafe or unhygienic. The rule of law has prevailed and abortion services remain available in Virginia. Sadly, they also remain vulnerable. The Oct. 23 front-page article Chinas plan to rate citizens instills fear and loathing, about Chinas authoritarian plan to amass huge amounts of data on its citizens and assign each a score indicating how trustworthy they are, reminded me how much more advanced we are in the United States. Weve been doing this for years, and were so much better at it. But, because we are not as authoritarian as China, we have shared this massive undertaking fairly among the National Security Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. I wonder whether China will adopt our advanced concept of not allowing citizens to contest their scores in court. Alex Hershaft, Bethesda Stock exchanges sought clarification from many of the groups listed companies on the purported disclosure by ousted Chairman Cyrus Mistry about Rs 1.18 lakh crore possible writedown at the group firms. By India Today Web Desk: Markets regulator SEBI has begun looking into the high profile Tata-Mistry case for any possible breach of corporate governance norms and listing regulations at various listed companies of the over USD 100 billion conglomerate. Besides, stock exchanges sought clarification from many of the groups listed companies on the purported disclosure by ousted Chairman Cyrus Mistry about Rs 1.18 lakh crore possible writedown at the group firms. advertisement "We (SEBI) are taking note of each and every development and will act immediately on any hint of possible violation of corporate governance and listing norms or any other regulation under our jurisdiction," a senior official said. Click here to read the full letter In a strongly-worded letter to the directors of Tata Sons, Cyrus Mistry stated the company's action to suddenly remove him as Chairman without enough explanation had not only damaged his reputation, it has also caused "immeasureable harm" to the group's goodwill. Mistry also said that he was pushed to a position of a "lame duck" chairman. The letter was sent to the directors and trustees from Mistry's Tata mail id a day after he was removed from the post. Hear the letter (sound file) Also read: 'Lame duck chairman' Mistry attacks Ratan Tata directly in explosive letter Why did Mistry stop being blue-eyed boy of Ratan Tata? All you need to know in 10 points The Securities and Exchange Board of India is looking into the alleged disclosure made in the purported letter written by Mistry to Tata Sons board members including about financial and other irregularities as also lapses on the corporate governance front, sources said. The stock exchanges and the regulator are also keeping a close watch on the price movement and trading activities of over two dozen listed companies of Tata group, which have seen an erosion in value in last two trading sessions after the surprise ouster of Mistry in less than four years of being made chairman of Tata Sons, the main holding company of the group. The price movement and trading volumes for few days prior to the surprise announcement will also be looked into. The exchanges have asked these companies, including Tata Motors, Tata Steel, Indian Hotels, Tata Teleservices and Tata Power, to provide full details about these issues. Watch video The notices from the stock exchanges followed reports about Cyrus Mistry, who was ousted as the chairman of the groups main holding company Tata Sons, disclosing possible writedown to the tune of USD 18 billion faced by the conglomerate. advertisement Also read: Ratan Tata-Cyrus Mistry boardroom war enters the courtroom, Tatas file multiple caveats The exchanges have asked the companies to provide "clarification/confirmation on the news item in detail". The companies have also been asked to explain "whether such event/negotiations/article stated in published news were taking place? "If so, you are advised to provide the said information along with the sequence of events in chronological order and the material impact of this article on the company," the exchanges said. Also read: No Cyrus mystery: All you need to know about sacked Tata chairman The companies have also been asked about "any information that has not been announced to the exchanges" as required under the Listing Regulations. The companies were yet to respond to the exchanges. In an explosive confidential email to Tata Sons board members, Mistry warned that the salt-to-software giant may face Rs 1.18 lakh crore in writedowns because of five unprofitable businesses he inherited. Mistry said he inherited a debt-laden enterprise saddled with losses and went on to single out Indian Hotels Co, passenger-vehicle operations of Tata Motors, European operations of Tata Steel and part of the groups power unit and its telecommunications subsidiary as "legacy hotspots." advertisement Also read: Cyrus Mistry sacked as Tata Sons chairman, Ratan Tata to head for 4 months --- ENDS --- Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) may not support Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, but he is certainly starting to sound like him [Hogan rule on school start date gets stricter, Metro, Oct. 17]. The governor is clearly annoyed that anyone would have the audacity to challenge his recent directive delaying the start of the Maryland public school year, so he has taken a page from the Trump playbook by referring to those who disagree with him as whining people [Hogan has open mind on sales tax for Metro, Metro, Oct. 22]. For the record, those opposing the governors meddlesome directive include elected school board members, widely respected educators, parent-teacher organization leaders and parents, all of whom are deeply committed to public education and justly concerned about the adverse effect the governors directive will have on our children. These are not whiners, and they should not be so disrespectfully termed by the governor. They oppose the directive because they see it for what it is: a grandstanding political ploy that will shortchange our children by compressing an already overcrowded academic year in favor of vague alleged economic benefits for private interests and the states budget. Mr. Hogan may not appreciate views in opposition to his own, but I hope in the future he will avoid the temptation to simply trump them. Thomas Murphy, Rockville ECONOMIC DESTITUTION and horrific drug violence in Central America, combined with a broken-down immigration system, are creating the conditions for a new migrant crisis. Illegal crossings have spiked for children and families from the Northern Triangle Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala reawakening fears of an emergency similar to the one that rattled Americans two years ago. In such a situation, messaging matters. And the messages on immigration being received by desperate Central American families are counterproductive in the extreme. Despite some effective U.S. programs aimed at gangs and drug crime, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala remain three of the worlds bloodiest nations, each with stratospheric homicide rates. That helped drive the spike in unaccompanied minors who flooded through Mexico and into the United States in 2014. The Obama administration dampened that flow mainly by jawboning it, cautioning migrants about the danger they faced from smugglers and the likelihood of deportation, while pressing Mexico to interdict Central Americans as they headed north. Barely a year later, that policy was in shreds after federal courts rejected the administrations attempt to deter underage border-crossers by detaining them, and Mexico proved an ineffective buffer. Worse, the logjam in U.S. immigration courts made a mockery of President Obamas warning that migrants would be sent back. In fact, relatively few are. Cases are pending for more than half the 117,000 minors sent to immigration courts over the past nearly three years. Of that total, just 23,000 underage migrants were ordered deported most of them no-shows at their hearings and just a fraction have been located and removed. The effect has been to signal Central American youths, who often arrive with their mothers, that if they can make it across the border they will be able to stay in the United States for at least a few years. Hillary Clinton, who initially joined Mr. Obama in advising underage migrants to stay home, hasnt helped by switching positions. In March, she promised not to deport migrant children or their family members. Its no excuse that she flip-flopped under pressure from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who favored an open door for Central American youths. She has through her remarks contributed to the spike in illegal border crossings by minors, which have already reached 2014 levels. Some measures to address the problem over the long term are underway: Congress has appropriated $750 million to help lift Central America from its misery. More immediately, however, U.S. officials should be unclogging immigration courts by hiring more judges and implementing a rocket docket to hasten minors through the system, not just to a preliminary hearing. Terrible conditions in Central America cannot mean a suspension of border security. If images of thousands of migrants pouring northward become common, so will centrist support for mass deportations. That would be the worst outcome, and the end of any hope for an overhaul of the immigration system. WHAT HAPPENED last Friday on the Internet might be remembered as the Day of the Zombie Baby Monitors. Tens of millions of electronic devices that are online, such as baby monitors, security webcams and digital video recorders, all of them infected with malware, were given a mysterious order to attack, and they obeyed, sending out mindless waves of traffic. The target was Dyn, a New Hampshire company that provides domain name services, allowing people to reach the correct website. This is a sort of telephone book of the Internet, but on Friday morning at about 7, the telephone book on the East Coast was paralyzed by junk traffic. Popular websites such as Twitter, Spotify, PayPal and many others suffered outages. Another wave came at noon. The attack appears to be an unprecedented exploitation of the Internet of Things, a term that includes more and more devices that offer user convenience control your home thermostat from your smartphone but also are vulnerable to mischief. In general, the benign household devices connected to the Internet are not very sophisticated. Many have factory-wired default passwords that are easy to defeat. This makes them attractive to hackers, who can implant a tiny bot that will awaken them on command. Cybersecurity specialist Brian Krebs reports that the attack used malware known as Mirai, which scans the Internet for devices that have the 60 or so default usernames and passwords. It then infects them, and when ordered, they hurl torrents of junk traffic at a designated target. When executed by tens of millions of the tiny bots, the result is a crushing blow, known as a distributed denial-of-service attack. In the case of Fridays onslaught, the senders were mostly digital video recorders and webcams with internal components made by a Chinese company. According to Mr. Krebs, last month the hacker responsible for creating the Mirai malware released the source code for it, effectively letting anyone build their own attack army using Mirai. The shadowy hand behind Fridays attack was not immediately evident. It may be distinct from the infiltration and theft of emails from the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clintons presidential campaign that the U.S. intelligence community has attributed to Russia. But such hacking episodes serve as a reminder that the United States is under siege in the digital world and must respond forcefully, either with aboveground tools, such as economic sanctions, protests and legal prosecution, or, where appropriate, with offensive cyberweapons. Sure, it will be hard to identify the perpetrators and important to calibrate the response, but given how destructive the onslaughts are becoming, it would be a mistake to do nothing. Next time, the zombie may be more than a baby monitor. The system is rigged and the polls are phony. As E-Day draws nigh, Donald Trump and his spokesvolken have contrived every possible excuse for the Republican nominees likely defeat. Unless, of course, lying has caught on big league and voters have followed their leaders cue and given pollsters incorrect answers. Multiple poll results released in the final days, most of which indicate a consistent trend of Hillary Clinton winning, are suddenly suspect, in Trumps mind. Obviously, everyone has a favorite polling group, usually corresponding to ones preference at the top. But enough reputable polls show similar results to lend heft to mere probability. Even so, it aint over till it is, one is wise to say. Trump may be spinning polls for other reasons, too. Knowing how malleable people can be, he may hope to shift perceptions lest potential supporters be swayed by polls tilting Clinton-ward. If Trump hates losers, his comrades in arms (and thats no joke) probably do, too. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump called polls that show him lagging behind Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton "rigged" because, he said, the polls sample too many Democrats. The sampling Trump referred to is considered standard methodology for political polling. (The Washington Post) Perhaps the strongest indicator that Trump will lose is his own premature distribution of blame. As far as he is concerned, defeat couldnt be his fault. [The GOP civil war is coming, and Trump will continue to destroy the party] The obvious truth is that Trump never should have been the Republican nominee, as even Trump probably would admit. When he descended the escalator to announce his candidacy, he was at just 1 percent a barely perceptible speck on the continuum of Republican candidates. He was ignored or at least not taken seriously by nearly everyone for good reason. And when he started spouting hot rhetoric, few in the GOP leadership worried much since hed surely be moving along any day. This was not to be, in part because, as Trump commented laughing to a friend, who told me: I had no idea it would be so easy. Translation: Once he realized he was dealing with a bunch of suckers, he continued to play them. What fun and, voila. The suckers of whom he was speaking are the party leadership, specifically: Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus and RNC communications director Sean Spicer. If these names dont ring a bell, congratulations, you dont watch TV. Because Priebus, when not jetting around with Trump on his gold-plated private plane, and Spicer are on one talk show or another nearly every time you look at a cable news screen. Theyve worn more makeup the past year than most women do in a lifetime. Theyre having the time of their lives, as one tenured Washington Republican put it. 1 of 13 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad These GOP heavyweights endorse Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump View Photos Business executives, a former treasury secretary and John McCains biographer are among those who have opted to support the presumptive Democratic nominee. Caption Business executives, a former treasury secretary and John McCains biographer are among those who have opted to support the presumptive Democratic nominee. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell General Powell said at a meeting of the Long Island Association that he would be voting for Hillary Clinton, spokeswoman Peggy Cifrino confirmed on Oct. 25. Yuri Gripas/AFP/Getty Images Wait 1 second to continue. Theyre the elephants in the green room, in other words. Everyone sees them clearly but manages to avoid speaking openly of the obvious that Priebus has presided over the ruin of the Republican Party. Why isnt he being held accountable? Why isnt he being called to the mat for allowing Trumps rise, which might not have been possible had the party chair done his job? Why was everyone willing to stand by and watch this reality-TV character take charge? Because [Priebus] is their boy, a disgruntled top Republican told me. Hes given them what they wanted. Hes kept the money flowing. Where the money flows, the love goes. In politics, it seems, principle really means principal. [Baby boomers have been a disaster for America, and Trump is their biggest mistake yet] The RNC gang sold out. When Trump launched his campaign by ranting about undocumented Mexicans as murderers and rapists, the party leadership should have shouted him down. Priebus should have summoned Trump to Washington and explained how things were going to go. He might have handed Trump the GOPs autopsy report from the 2012 election and referred him to the Hispanics section of the chapter on cultivating Demographic Partners, saying: This is what youre going to do from now on. Would Trump have agreed? Probably not. But then Priebus should have said: Well, then, Ill have to break you down during the primaries. At every opportunity, Priebus should have made the case that Trump, who eventually alienated not just Hispanics but also African Americans and women, doesnt represent the Republican Party. Instead, Priebus and others feared a base that hadnt formed around Trump yet and, by their inaction, contributed to Trumps success. By letting Trump rise to the top, as oil slicks tend to, Priebus has left the party in such a gelatinous mess Republicans will need a hazmat team to clean it up. And for this, hed like to serve a third term? Once youve seen the lights, smelled the greasepaint and been the celebritys apprentice, it must be hard to go back to Jersey. Read more from Kathleen Parkers archive, follow her on Twitter or find her on Facebook. In their Oct. 23 op-ed, Time for U.S. action in Syria, John Allen and Charles R. Lister made the same critical mistake the Obama administration has: They offered no realistic plan for what would happen in Syria after the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad. There must be a means to protect all the confessional groups in Syria, including the Alawites. Such a means does not exist in anything the United States and others who want peace propose to do. Without that, Mr. Assad and his people will fight on, and Russia will continue to exploit the opportunities that we created for it, with Moscow profiting all the more so if we escalate militarily without a viable political framework. The simple Assad must go stance also would align the United States with Sunni states geopolitical objectives and keeps us enmeshed in the Sunni-Shiite regional civil war. There may still be time for serious U.S.-led diplomacy. But it must begin with so-far-absent strategic analysis that includes keeping us from being a cats-paw for others ambitions. Robert E. Hunter, Washington The writer, a former U.S. ambassador to NATO and former National Security Council official for the Middle East and Europe, is a senior fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. John Allen and Charles R. Lister outlined a series of steps the United States could take to stop the Assad regimes war crimes and bring Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to the negotiating table. Most of the options they recommend have been considered in Washington policy circles for years: more advanced weapons to vetted opposition units, targeted strikes against Syrian military facilities and stronger sanctions on the regimes external partners. Curiously, Mr. Allen and Mr. Lister left out any risks that would be associated with this strategy. They seem to play down the possibility of Moscow escalating the war in response to U.S. military strikes on its Syrian client. While they mentioned possible commingling between Russian and Syrian forces, they ignore the likelihood that Russia would retaliate if some of its personnel were killed in the course of U.S. airstrikes. Mr. Allen and Mr. Lister also did not make a convincing enough case that sending more powerful weapons to moderate opposition forces would improve the situation, particularly when extremists on the ground seem to outnumber moderates. Can the United States be confident that these weapons wont simply be taken by extremist factions on the battlefield? Their argument should be considered as worthwhile suggestions to right a horrible conflict. But we shouldnt be blind to the costs either. Daniel R. DePetris, New York The writer is a fellow at Defense Priorities. John Allen and Charles R. Lister warned of a future, inevitable U.S. intervention if we do not quickly adopt a series of lethal and nonlethal measures. The authors should be reminded that Russia, with its presence in Syria, has created what we established for the defense of Western Europe during the Cold War years: a tripwire that if crossed leads automatically to war, and in the nuclear age with possible terminal consequences. The authors measures cannot avoid tripping the Russian wire. Benjamin Hoge, Alexandria When the United States fights its wars in the Middle East, it has a nasty habit of recruiting local forces as proxies and then jettisoning them when the going gets tough or regional politics intervene. This pattern of seduction and abandonment is one of our least endearing characteristics. Its one reason the United States is mistrusted in the Middle East. We dont stick by the people who take risks on our behalf in Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon and elsewhere. And now, I fear, this syndrome is happening again in Syria, as a Kurdish militia group known as the YPG, which has been the United States best ally against the Islamic State, gets pounded by the Turkish military. The YPG is a special case for me because I had a chance to meet some of their fighters in May at a secret U.S. Special Operations forces training camp in northern Syria. They described battling to the last man and sometimes woman as they drove the Islamic State from its strongholds. Special Ops officers embedded with the YPG recounted their battlefield exploits with deep respect, expressing what one called the brotherhood of the close fight. Unfortunately, allying with the United States can be a dangerous proposition in the Middle East. Last Thursday, Turkey said its warplanes shot 18 targets in YPG-controlled areas of northern Syria. The Turks want to block the YPG from linking up with its fighters in a pocket known as Afrin, northwest of Aleppo. The Turks also want to prevent the YPG from playing a leading role in the liberation of Raqqa, the Islamic States capital, as the United States had planned. If it doesnt stop, it could preempt all plans for Raqqa, warns a Pentagon official about the Turkish onslaught. Kurdish sources tell me that because the United States isnt responding to pleas about Afrin, the YPG is appealing to Russia. The U.S. alliance with the YPG was forged during the liberation of Kobane from the Islamic State in late 2014. The Kurds were down to a few hundred fighters when U.S. Special Operations forces intervened. The assistance was brokered by Lahur Talabani, the intelligence chief of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, or PUK. He sent several of his operatives into Kobane with GPS devices to call in U.S. close air support, via an operations center in the PUKs headquarters in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. It was the right thing to do, Talabani told me Tuesday in an interview in Washington. He explained that the YPGs success against the Islamic State has saved Kurdish lives in Syria and taken pressure off Kurdish forces in Iraq, who are now fighting to liberate Mosul from the extremists. The Obama administration embraced the YPG because the Kobane victory was the first major battlefield success against the Islamic State. At last, the United States had a partner that could fight. But this alliance was built atop an ethnic fault line. That ruptured in August, when a YPG-dominated force captured Manbij, just south of the Turkish border. A few weeks later, the Turks invaded Syria and began their barrage against YPG targets. The United States has tried, unsuccessfully, to finesse the Turkish-Kurdish animosity. Before the Manbij offensive began in May, the United States brought to Incirlik Air Base in Turkey a delegation from the Syrian Democratic Forces, a coalition that nominally oversees the YPG. But this effort to paper over Turkish-Kurdish differences crumpled after the attempted coup in Turkey in July. Some of the Turkish generals who met the SDF are now said to be in prison as coup suspects. Turkeys regional ambitions have swollen as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan consolidated power after the coup attempt. Even as Turkish forces harass the YPG and consolidate a border strip in Syria, theyre also advancing in Iraq, seeking a role in the liberation of Mosul despite warnings from Iraq and the United States to stay out. Erdogan speaks of Aleppo and Mosul as former Ottoman regional capitals. One wild card is how to manage the role of Turkey in both theaters, says a senior U.S. official. Maybe the Kurds should have known better than to ally with the United States, or to trust Turkey to stay out. Kurdish history is a story of betrayal. Fortunately for the United States, some goodwill remains from Operation Provide Comfort, the no-fly zone over northern Iraq that the United States imposed after the 1991 Gulf War, which helped create a thriving Kurdish regional government in Iraq. More than 40 airstrikes hit opposition-held areas in Aleppo, Syria, Oct. 16, killing at least 49 people. (Aleppo Media Center via Storyful) But people in the Middle East have learned to be wary of American promises. One Iraqi Christian leader recently rejected the suggestion of new American help, post-Islamic State. Youll walk away, said the priest. Thats what you do. Read more from David Ignatiuss archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook. Newt Gingrich engaged in a vicious show-down with Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly on Oct. 24 over the sexual assault allegations against Trump. "You are fascinated with sex, and you dont care about public policy," Gingrich said on-air after weeks of lukewarm defenses of Trump. (Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post) Newt Gingrich engaged in a vicious show-down with Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly on Oct. 24 over the sexual assault allegations against Trump. "You are fascinated with sex, and you dont care about public policy," Gingrich said on-air after weeks of lukewarm defenses of Trump. (Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post) A growing number of prominent Republican women are worried that as members of their male-dominated party step up to defend Donald Trump against accusations of sexual assault, they are causing irreparable damage to the GOPs deteriorating relationship with female voters. Trump has faced questions throughout his campaign about his crass comments about women, but concern escalated this month following the release of a 2005 video in which Trump boasted that he had sexually assaulted women and subsequent allegations by 11 women that Trump had inappropriately touched or kissed them. A series of mostly male Republicans have come to Trumps defense dismissing the accusers as liars and, some worry, further alienating the female voters that the party desperately needs to survive. For next-generation professional women, the party is going to have to do something very, very drastic to change the course of where this candidate has taken us, said Katie Packer, a deputy campaign manager for Mitt Romney in 2012. I think the leaders in our party are going to have to aggressively reject this. Come November 9, they better be prepared to make very strong statements condemning all of Trumps behavior. This division within the Republican Party comes as polls suggest the nation is on the verge of electing its first female president even as misogyny remains a part of American life and culture. Ironically, it is Trumps candidacy rather than Hillary Clintons that has brought sexism to the forefront of political debate. [The difference between talking about Donald Trumps accusers and being fascinated by sex] Conservative commentator Amanda Carpenters vocal criticism of Donald Trump has made her a target online. She talks about her experience, and her anger at Trump's supporters within the Republican party. (Deirdra O'Regan/The Washington Post) The controversy also comes as the Republican Party continues to struggle to attract women, who make up a majority of the electorate and who have supported the Democratic presidential candidate in every election going back to 1992. President Obama won women by 11 points in 2012, and several polls show Clinton leading among women by an even bigger margin this year. A growing number of well-known female Republican strategists and politicians have had it with Trump. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) said earlier this month she cannot and will not support a candidate for president who brags about degrading and assaulting women. Former presidential candidate Carly Fiorina, whose looks Trump once mocked, said Donald Trump does not represent me or my party. And former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice wrote on Facebook earlier this month: Enough! Donald Trump should not be President. The latest flare-up came Tuesday night, when former House speaker Newt Gingrich (R) exploded at Fox News Megyn Kelly during an interview, repeatedly shaking his finger at her and accusing her of being fascinated with sex because she brought up allegations of sexual assault against Trump. In a scolding tone, Gingrich tried to tell Kelly which words she could or could not use. Gingrich once had a fascination of his own with Bill Clintons sex life, as he was a driving force behind the movement to impeach Clinton following a consensual sexual relationship he had with a young former intern. Clinton became the second president in American history to be impeached by the House, but he was acquitted by the Senate. Voters, meanwhile, punished the Republicans for what they saw as an overreach: The GOP lost five House seats in the 1998 midterm elections, which led to Gingrichs resignation as speaker. Trump and his supporters deemed Gingrichs interview a victory, with the campaigns director of social media tweeting that Kelly is not very smart and telling his followers: Watch what happens to her after this election is over. Congratulations, Newt, on last night. That was an amazing interview, Trump said at a ribbon-cutting at his new hotel in Washington on Wednesday. We dont play games, Newt, right? [Trump lauds Gingrich for Megyn Kelly interview: We dont play games, Newt, right?] 1 of 28 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad Here are some of the Republicans who cut ties with Trump after lewd remarks View Photos Following a Friday report by The Washington Post on a 2005 video of the GOP presidential nominee, various Republicans have said they no longer plan to vote for him and some call for him to drop out. Caption Following a Friday report by The Washington Post on a 2005 video of the GOP presidential nominee, various Republicans have said they no longer plan to vote for him and some call for him to drop out. Sen. John McCain Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) joined the cavalcade of Republicans withdrawing their support for Trump. There are no excuses for Donald Trumps offensive and demeaning comments in the just released video; no woman should ever be victimized by this kind of inappropriate behavior. He alone bears the burden of his conduct and alone should suffer the consequences, McCain said in a statement. Susan Walsh/AP Wait 1 second to continue. Two of the women who have accused Bill Clinton of sexual misconduct piled on. Juanita Broaddrick tweeted: Beauty is only skin deep. Megyn Kelly is ugly as hell on the inside. Paula Jones wrote in a tweet that has since been deleted: Woohoo, he slammed this nasty heifer! But many other Republican women have concluded in recent weeks that this is not the party they know. Looks like Newt Gingrich just proved my point again, tweeted Amanda Carpenter, a conservative commentator and former communications director for Sen. Ted Cruzs presidential campaign. Carpenter wrote this week in The Washington Post about how her party has left women like her behind by ignoring Trumps chauvinism that was well-documented in decades worth of publicly available smutty television, radio and print interviews long before he became the nominee. If the GOP has truly convinced itself that openly engaging in sexual assault fantasies is something normal that men do among one another, I have a suggestion. Relocate the Republican National Committee headquarters into a mens-only locker room, Carpenter wrote. Eliminate all pretenses of wanting to let women in. Christine Matthews, a Republican pollster, said in an interview that Democrats no longer have to push a war on women narrative because its playing out on its own thanks to Trump and comments like those that Gingrich made on Tuesday. Its just one more clueless middle-age-to-older white guy taking to task a woman, Matthews said. Its so unhelpful on every level. [One GOP woman wonders why the men in her party wont defend her] Nicolle Wallace, former communications chief for George W. Bush who is now a political commentator, tweeted that Republicans are now engaged in a hot war against women that will end badly for the party. Men like @newtgingrich are a big reason the GOP has lost women, Packer wrote in another tweet. Men like him dont make women like me want to share a tent w/them. Earlier this week, Kellyanne Conway, Trumps campaign manager and the first woman to lead a GOP presidential nominees campaign, seemed to struggle when asked by CNNs Dana Bash if she believes the women who have accused Trump of sexual assault. I believe Donald Trump has told me and his family, and the rest of America now, that none of this is true, Conway said. These are lies and fabrications. Theyre all made up. And I think that its not for me to judge what those women believe. Ive not talked to them, Ive talked to him. Trump has repeatedly denied allegations of abuse or sexism and has bragged about empowering female employees in his businesses. Nobody has more respect for women than I do, Trump said during the last presidential debate when asked about his accusers, prompting laughter from the crowd in Las Vegas. Carrie Almond, president of the National Federation of Republican Women, has traveled to 39 states in an RV this year, talking with thousands of women who enthusiastically support Trump and believe the party speaks for them. Its very important to not put all women into the same basket because not everyone sees everything the same way, said Almond, who is from Missouri. When confronted with criticism, Trump tends to go after women in much more personal and demeaning ways than men, even though he insists he is an equal-opportunity counterpuncher. Trumps attacks on female journalists, accusers and rivals over the past year have been heavy with criticism of their looks, their intelligence and their mental health. After the first debate during the Republican primary which featured three moderators, two men and one woman, who all peppered him with uncomfortable questions Trump zeroed in on the woman, Kelly, for asking him about comments he makes about women. After the debate, Trump said that Kelly had blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever. [Donald Trump calls her Crooked Hillary, but his fans just say b----] When the Muslim American parents of a soldier killed in Iraq in 2004 appeared at the Democratic National Convention in July in opposition to Trumps candidacy, Trump zeroed in on the mother, Ghazala Khan, saying in an ABC News interview: She had nothing to say. She probably maybe she wasnt allowed to have anything to say. Khan later said it is still too difficult for her to talk about her sons death. In early September, when the hosts of MSNBCs Morning Joe were critical of Trump, he zeroed in on the female host, Mika Brzezinski, tweeting: Just heard that crazy and very dumb @morningmika had a mental breakdown while talking about me on the low ratings @Morning_Joe. Joe a mess! Trump has told NBCs Katy Tur to be quiet when she pressed him during a news conference, and snapped at CNNs Dana Bash on Wednesday that she was rude to ask about the propriety of holding an event boosting his new Washington hotel. He urged his millions of Twitter followers to search for a seemingly nonexistent sex tape of a former Miss Universe whom he had criticized as fat. And he has accused Hillary Clinton of lacking a presidential look. When Trump made a similar critique of Fiorina during the primaries, she responded: I think women all over this country heard very clearly what Mr. Trump said. Trumps rallies have also been hotbeds of incendiary rhetoric around gender, including popular anti-Clinton T-shirts in many locales proclaiming, Trump that b----! John Weaver, a GOP consultant who worked on the presidential campaigns of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz) and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, said he is stunned by the misogyny, the lack of understanding of where this country is now coming from Trumps campaign. If you have a gender gap the size of the Snake River Canyon, why do you trot out Newt Gingrich, and [former New York mayor] Rudy Giuliani and your nominee to talk about it and further make it worse? said Weaver, noting that all three men have been married three times. The only ones I can see who seem to be obsessed about sex in this campaign are those three people. Weaver continued: Hes going to lose the general election, and the credit goes to the women of America who are saving us from this guy. Emily Guskin contributed to this report. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, right, prepares to address and meet voters at a rally on Tuesday at Broward College in Coconut Creek, Fla. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post) Donald Trumps campaign said Tuesday that it has scheduled no more big-money fundraising events to benefit the Republican Party, another sign of the GOP nominees struggling campaign and a serious blow to the partys get-out-the-vote operations with less than two weeks to go until Election Day. The consequences of halting major fundraisers will compound the challenges facing a candidate and a party already straining to match Democratic nominee Hillary Clintons much larger and better- financed operation. Unlike Clinton, who has an extensive turnout operation of her own, Trump and many other GOP candidates down the ballot are relying heavily on the Republican National Committee to bring voters to the polls. In another sign of unexpected weakness, Trump also announced that Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, the GOP vice-presidential nominee, will pay a visit Wednesday to Utah, where polls show Trump is at risk of losing what has been a reliably Republican state. The developments came as both Clinton and Trump campaigned in Florida on Tuesday, underscoring the states importance on Nov. 8, particularly for Trump, who acknowledged that he probably cannot win the White House without carrying the state. Steven Mnuchin, Trumps national finance chairman, said in an interview with The Washington Post on Tuesday that Trump Victory, a joint fundraising committee between the party and the campaign, held its last formal fundraiser on Oct. 19. The Washington Posts Matea Gold explains why Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has no plans to hold any more high-dollar fundraisers before Election Day. (Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post) Weve kind of wound down, Mnuchin said, referring to formal fundraisers. But the online fundraising continues to be strong. While Clinton is headlining her last fundraiser Tuesday night, outside Miami, her campaign has scheduled 41 other events between now and Nov. 3 featuring high-profile surrogates such as her daughter, Chelsea, running mate Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and the entertainer Cher, according to a schedule sent to donors over the weekend. Mnuchin said the Trump campaign is continuing to help bring in funds for the party, but decided to keep the candidates final weeks focused on taking his message to the voters in person rather than on raising money. [Trump stops holding high-dollar fundraisers that were boosting the GOP] During three events in Florida on Tuesday, Trump sought to focus his message on spikes in health-insurance premiums for Affordable Care Act plans, arguing that the law was blowing up and vowing to introduce legislation on his first day in office to replace it. Repealing Obamacare and stopping Hillarys health-care takeover is one of the single most important reasons that we must win on November 8, Trump declared at an evening rally here in Tallahassee. But Trump, who has not focused much on the health-care law during his campaign, bungled his argument earlier in the day during an event at his luxe Trump National Doral Miami resort, where he suggested that all my employees are having a tremendous problem with Obamacare. He acknowledged minutes later that the resort as required by law offers health-care plans to its employees; Dorals director said 95 percent of workers were covered. 1 of 13 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad These GOP heavyweights endorse Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump View Photos Business executives, a former treasury secretary and John McCains biographer are among those who have opted to support the presumptive Democratic nominee. Caption Business executives, a former treasury secretary and John McCains biographer are among those who have opted to support the presumptive Democratic nominee. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell General Powell said at a meeting of the Long Island Association that he would be voting for Hillary Clinton, spokeswoman Peggy Cifrino confirmed on Oct. 25. Yuri Gripas/AFP/Getty Images Wait 1 second to continue. Trump also reminded reporters that he is scheduled to leave the campaign trail on Wednesday to attend the official grand opening of his new Trump-branded hotel on Washingtons Pennsylvania Avenue. I always said Im getting to Pennsylvania Avenue one way or another, he quipped as employees behind him laughed. During a radio interview Tuesday, Clinton touted the ACA as a major step forward and vowed, as she has before, to fix problems with the law. Im sure you noticed, predominantly working people, African American, Latino people now have access to insurance, but the costs have gone up too much, Clinton told WHQT-FM in Miami. So were going to really tackle that. Were going to get copays and premiums and deductibles down. Were going to tackle prescription drug costs. And we can do that without ripping away the insurance that people now have. On the first of a two-day swing through Florida, Clinton told an enthusiastic crowd in Coconut Creek that she is optimistic about the election but warned her supporters about becoming complacent. I feel good, but boy, Im not taking anything for granted, Clinton said at Broward Colleges North Campus. As she has in recent days in other states, Clinton urged the audience to take advantage of early voting opportunities. She noted that her staff was available to escort people to a nearby location. You can go across the street right now, Clinton said. Clinton also took several jabs at Trump, including mocking his proposed deportation force to remove undocumented immigrants from the country. Speaking in a state with a sizable Latino population, Clinton called the idea so unimaginable. I think it is so wrong, and it is not going to happen in America, she said. [With two weeks left, Trump is promoting his hotels and complicating his candidacy] Clinton also picked up the endorsement Tuesday of Colin L. Powell, a retired four-star general who also served as secretary of state. In a brief interview, Powell said he had made the announcement during an appearance before the Long Island Association. I said that I would be voting for her, Powell said. Asked why, he said: Because I think shes qualified, and the other gentleman is not qualified. Powell joins a growing list of Republican national security figures who have endorsed Clinton. While Trump claims a long list of military endorsers, no former secretary of state has publicly backed his bid. During an afternoon rally in Sanford, Trump declared that were going to win Florida and opened another line of attack on President Obama. The GOP nominee claimed that hacked emails released by WikiLeaks show that Obama knew about Clintons private use of an email server while she was secretary of state. President Obama claimed to have no knowledge whatsoever of Clintons illegal email server, Trump said, later adding, but newly public emails WikiLeaks prove otherwise. The White House declined to comment on Trumps allegations. Press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters earlier on Tuesday that while the president had Clintons personal email address, he did not know where her server was located. Trump also used the rally to continue his argument that the media has conspired to rig the election in Clintons favor. He called reporters at the event a bunch of phony lowlifes and said that coverage of the race suggesting that Clinton is ahead amounted to voter suppression because people give up. Pences plans to visit Utah show again the increasingly perilous position that Trump faces in assembling the 270 votes needed to prevail in the electoral college. During an interview Tuesday night with MSNBCs Brian Williams, Pence said he was headed West anyway and the campaign wants to leave no stone unturned in this election. The opportunity to stop into Utah and and to rally our support in that state is a great opportunity for us, Pence said. The Beehive State has voted for a Republican presidential nominee in every election since 1968, but recent polls give Trump only a slight lead or lock him in a three-way tie with Clinton and conservative independent presidential candidate Evan McMullin. [What independent candidate Evan McMullin is attempting is kind of unprecedented] McMullin is a former Republican congressional aide who is a Mormon and went to college in Utah, his base of support. Some projections show he could become the first third-party presidential candidate to win a state since American Independent Party candidate George Wallace won five Southern states in 1968. The Clinton campaign has no current plans to send the nominee or running mate Kaine to Utah, according to campaign aides, who said they are relying for now on regional surrogates. Trumps campaign is continuing to bring in donations that will boost the party, but the lack of a formal fundraising schedule effectively turns off one of the main spigots to the RNC. The national party collected $40 million through Trump Victory as of Sept. 30. The RNC has relied on the funds to help pay for hundreds of field staffers deployed across the country as part of its national ground operation, which is working to turn out voters to support the entire Republican ticket. RNC officials said that party leaders, including Chairman Reince Priebus, are continuing to bring in resources for the party. The RNC continues to fundraise for the entire GOP ticket, said spokeswoman Lindsay Walters. New York financier Lew Eisenberg, the top fundraiser for the RNC and chairman of Trump Victory, said that he has been working in a united effort with Mnuchin to continue to raise money from major donors through phone calls and impromptu events. Unlike the period from June 1 to today, we have no organized calendar of events for the next 14 days, Eisenberg said. Rather, when the opportunity presents itself, we will have ad hoc fundraisers with Trump and running mate Pence. In addition, he said, our state finance chairs will continuing to be raising major donor money for the foreseeable future. The GOP candidate held a small Trump Victory event in Florida this week, and there may be a handful of more high-dollar fundraisers in coming days featuring Trump surrogates, including his son Donald Jr., according to people familiar with the internal discussions. But Mnuchin said there is virtually nothing planned. We have minimized his fundraising schedule over the last month to emphasize his focus on political [events], Mnuchin said. Unlike Hillary, who has been fundraising and not out and about, he has constantly been out and about. Mnuchin noted that the Trump campaign continues to help bring in donations for the party from individual donors who are writing big checks, as well as through online contributions. We continue to do fundraising with the party, he said. Gold and Wagner reported from Washington. Anne Gearan in Coconut Creek, Fla., and Ed OKeefe, Karen DeYoung and Susan Levine in Washington contributed to this report. KOKOMO, Ind. Evan Bayh is the first to acknowledge things have really changed since his last competitive election. I think its gotten a lot nastier than it used to be, thats for sure, the former Democratic senator said recently. You know, back in the day, candidates at least made some effort to say what theyre for. Bayh, 60, is fond of saying that politics aint beanbag but what hes endured has been more akin to getting hit by a steady stream of 50-pound sacks of corn. Republicans have hammered Bayh for how many homes he now owns (four, two in Washington and one in Florida, with just a condominium in Indiana); how many millions he has made since leaving the Senate (more than $6 million in 2015 and 2016 alone); and how many different corporate entities have employed him (at least seven). All that came before portions of Bayhs schedule from his last years in the Senate were leaked, showing him spending considerable time meeting with Wall Street and corporate executives who would later employ him. Those blows make Republican candidate Todd Youngs message resonate in his bid to defeat Bayh: He left us to work for them. Evan Bayhs (D) Indianapolis condo, on the second floor, on Oct. 13, 2016. Bayh says it has long been home. But a copy of his schedule provided to The Associated Press shows he didnt stay overnight there once during 2010. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) (Michael Conroy/AP) Within weeks of his January 2011 retirement Bayh became an adviser to private equity firm in Manhattan and a partner in the Washington office of a global law and lobbying firm, among other corporate ties. That resume isnt an asset in a populist election cycle when Wall Street has been demonized by everyone from Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump to the Democratic runner-up, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). Republicans may have ripped the bark off Bayh but they havent chopped him down entirely in a race that will help decide whether Democrats regain the Senate majority. [Buoyed by rising poll numbers, Clinton turns to House and Senate] Bayh, whose last tough race was for governor in 1988, is still standing and he heads into the homestretch at least a 50-50 bet. After a plunging from his lead of nearly 20 points in July, Bayh is statistically tied with Young, according to public and private polling. And Republicans now confront a cash crunch. In the Indianapolis media market, home to nearly 50 percent of all voters, Bayh reserved about $1.4 million worth of ads over the last four weeks, while the little-known Young has about $400,000 reserved in that crucial market, according to a Republican breakdown of ad reservations provided to The Washington Post. Its a disparity similar to other media markets. Conservative groups have rushed in to help, and according to another Republican tracking media buys, statewide Republican spending on radio and TV will be about $7.4 million compared to $7 million on behalf of Bayh in the final two weeks of the campaign. Republican Todd Young participates in a debate on Oct. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, pool) (Michael Conroy/AP) But Bayhs more than 3-to-1 edge on ad spending goes much farther, because the outside groups pay much higher rates than individual candidates. If Bayh can win, Democrats will have stolen a seat that Republicans took for granted after Young won the primary and Democrats lacked a strong candidate. It would be a near fatal blow to GOP chances of holding their majority, as two races, Illinois and Wisconsin, have already broken against them. Republicans can only afford to lose three seats to stay in charge if Hillary Clinton wins the presidency, and that Midwestern trio of Democratic pickups would force them to sweep almost every one of the remaining competitive seats. Trump is not a big drag in a state thats voted for all but one Republican for president in 55 years. Mitt Romney defeated President Obama by 10 points here in 2012, and this fall Hillary Clinton has not invested real resources here to try to defeat Trump. With no other chance at victory, Bayhs July entrance into the race and his traditional bipartisan appeal made him a recruiting coup for incoming Sen. Charles E. Schumer (N.Y.), the incoming Democratic leader. The duo have been friends since they both won their first Senate races in 1998. The family name gave him the early edge, particularly with Republicans nominating a relative newcomer, Young, 44, who has served in the House less than six years. His father, Birch, first won this Senate seat in 1962 but lost to Dan Quayle, the future vice president, in the 1980 GOP landslide. A decade after that first difficult governors race, Evan Bayh coasted into his fathers old Senate seat. His next 12 years were marked by an ambition never fulfilled. Twice on the short list for vice presidential nominee, in 2004 and 2008, he never got the nod. No major legislation from that period bears his name and in early 2010, he stunned the political world with his public proclamation that the Senate was beset by strident partisanship [and] unyielding ideology, leading to his retirement. Sen. Dan Coats (R-Ind.), whose retirement in 1998 opened the seat for Bayh in the first place, won that race but is now retiring again. [Inside Democrats narrow path to a House majority] Coatss successor will likely be determined by whether the last few undecided voters view the race as a referendum on Bayhs first 24 years in public service or his six years since. Youngs pitch is that Bayh transformed from the states favorite son, a centrist who broke from his party on key issues, into a supporter of President Obamas agenda on health care and banking issues, and those positions helped land post-Senate business. You name it, Evan Bayh was for it, and then he took the money and ran, Young said in a recent interview after touring a medical device plant southwest of Indianapolis. Financial disclosure forms show that Bayhs wealth grew from a range of about $2 million to $8 million when he left office, to between $13 million and $48 million now. Bayhs campaign said that his 2010 meeting schedule with potential employers was riddled with errors but declined to specifically reject key elements of the Associated Press reports on the issue. Young is channeling an anti-Washington fervor, and Bayhs stump speech includes a populist pitch on issues like trade and the auto bailout meant to empathize with angst among white working-class voters. The attacks on Bayhs wealth are particularly acute in Indiana, which has a Midwestern culture that is so parochial that politicians insert Hoosier into almost every sentence possible. Young invoked Hoosier 31 times in a 34-minute interview, and Bayh isnt much different. This election is about the people of Indiana and the fact that Ive always fought for the best interest of Hoosier families and the fact that Congressman Young has consistently voted to hurt Hoosier families, Bayh said. [Inside Burrs North Carolina duel to keep Senate GOP majority] Instead, Bayh wants the race to be about Sheila Haworth, 65, who he met for the first time at the Howard County Democratic Party Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in this town 60 miles north of Indianapolis. Her daughter went to college on the Evan Bayh 21st Century Scholars Program in which low-income students receive state funds for higher education if they stay out of trouble, a program the Democrat started as governor. Hes a good man. If it hadnt been for him, Im sure my daughter would have gone to college but she would probably be $75,000 in debt, Haworth said. Bayh laments that voters like Haworth are seeing an average of 70 commercials a week for the Senate race, much of it from outside groups who were empowered by a six-year-old Supreme Court ruling to create a world in which Bayh has never operated. It's gotten so unrelentingly negative now, it makes governing hard when its all over, he said. Police suspect the officer, identified as Wing Commander RK Tiwari, committed suicide. By India Today Web Desk: A senior officer of the Indian Air Force was found dead today with a gunshot wound at Sirsa air base in Haryana. Police suspect the officer, identified as Wing Commander RK Tiwari, committed suicide. Tiwari was in-charge of the air base. More details are awaited. --- ENDS --- Jason Chaffetz, the Utah congressman wrapping up his first term atop the powerful House Oversight Committee, unendorsed Donald Trump weeks ago. That freed him up to prepare for something else: spending years, come January, probing the record of a President Hillary Clinton. Its a target-rich environment, the Republican said in an interview in Salt Lake Citys suburbs. Even before we get to Day One, weve got two years worth of material already lined up. She has four years of history at the State Department, and it aint good. In a tweet Wednesday night, Chaffetz reaffirmed his distaste for Clinton and his refusal to endorse Trump but reversed his plans not to vote for the Republican nominee. If Republicans retain control of the House, something that GOP-friendly maps make possible even in the event of a Trump loss, Clinton will become the first president since George H.W. Bush to immediately face a House Oversight Committee controlled by the opposition party. (Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama lost Congress later in their presidencies.) [House wave still looking more like a ripple for Democrats] Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton testifies before the House Select Committee on Benghazi in October 2015. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post) And other Republican leaders say they support Chaffetzs efforts raising the specter of more partisan acrimony between them and the White House for the next four years. The rigorous oversight conducted by House Republicans has already brought to light troubling developments in the [Hillary] Clinton email scandal, the office of House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) said in a statement to The Washington Post. The speaker supports [Oversights] investigative efforts following where the evidence leads, especially where it shows the need for changes in the law. And the Oversight Committee may not be the only House panel ready for partisan battle. While the Select Committee on Benghazi appears to have finished its work, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), a committee member who says Clinton might have perjured herself on questions about her email, said recently that he wants the committee to continue. On the campaign trail, Republicans running for every office confidently talk about Clinton facing criminal charges one day. Lady Justice doesnt see black or white, Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) said Wednesday at a rally in Loveland. She doesnt see male or female. She doest see rich or poor. But soon, lady Justice will see Hillary Clinton. If she wins, Clinton would enter office with low favorability ratings and only one-third of voters considering her honest and trustworthy. As a result, Republicans are not inclined to give her a political honeymoon. To many of them, a Clinton victory would mean that Trump threw away an election that anyone else could have won. This should have been a slam dunk for the GOP, party consultant Frank Luntz said Sunday on CBS Newss Face the Nation. House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) told Republican lawmakers on Oct. 10 that he would no longer support presidential nominee Donald Trumpthe start of a messy breakup that will go on through Election Day. (Peter Stevenson/The Washington Post) That analysis stems from the investigations Republicans have led or asked for into Clintons tenure at the State Department. Clinton has been dogged by investigations into the terrorist attacks in Benghazi, and for the better part of two years, shes reeled from questions about the private email server she used while secretary of state. Chaffetz, too, views Clinton as a lucky candidate whose past will catch up with her after the polls close. Shes not getting a clean slate, he said. Its not like the State Department was bending over backwards to help us understand what was going on. Weve got document destruction. Weve got their own rogue system. Weve got classified information out the door. Weve got their foundation doing who knows what. I mean, it took them four years just to release her schedule. Several Clinton allies recoiled when asked about Chaffetzs plans for 2017. Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon said Chaffetz threatened to ignore the publics clear desire for the two parties to work together, and he and others accused Chaffetz of wasting taxpayer money chasing old stories. Its clear Congressman Chaffetz is ready to spend resources on additional worthless political investigations that will, again, come up with nothing, said David Brock, a former Clinton foe who now runs the pro-Clinton political action committee American Bridge and its affiliates. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (Md.), the ranking Democrat on the Oversight Committee and the Select Committee on Benghazi, said that new Clinton investigations based on the scandals vetted since 2013 would amount to waste. Republicans are pretending like they havent been investigating Secretary Clinton for years ever since she announced that she was running for president, including everything from Benghazi to emails to the Clinton Foundation, Cummings said in a statement. Its no exaggeration to say that on the first day Secretary Clinton walks into the White House, Republicans will have already investigated her more than any other president in history. Chaffetz, elected in 2008 after beating a congressman in a primary, rose quickly in the House. After John A. Boehners surprise retirement, Chaffetz briefly ran for speaker of the House. Today, he says hes supportive of Ryan and has no plan to chase his job though he does not rule out supporting someone else. Oversight, he explained, is where the action is. Chaffetz emphasized that the questions raised since he took over the committee in 2015 have not all been answered. We still have tens of thousands of missing documents, he said. That ranges from everything from the missing boxes [of subpoenaed emails] to the David Petraeus emails, to [State Department Undersecretary] Patrick Kennedys communications. Chaffetz also suggested that coming Clinton hearings would touch on issues that had not been vetted. He had sent the committees investigators a weekend article from the Wall Street Journal that asked whether Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) had slanted the FBIs probe of Clinton by helping outside groups put $467,500 into the campaign of Virginia senate candidate Jill McCabe, whose husband, Andrew, later became deputy director of the FBI. It seems like an obscene amount of money for a losing race, Chaffetz said. The ties between the governor and the Clintons are well-known. He raises money for a lot of people, but why so much for this one person? In addition, Chaffetz previously said in an interview with CNN, an FBI agents suggestion that Kennedy had tried to get Clintons emails declassified deserved a hard look. I honestly dont believe they act in the best interests of our country, he said of the State Department. Future Oversight Committee investigations, he said, might depend on whether Clinton tries to put people ensnared by previous probes into her administration. It depends on who stays and who goes, Chaffetz said. If Hillary Clinton brings in the same gang Loretta Lynch, Cheryl Mills, Huma Abedin, Jake Sullivan she has her cast of characters. If they put on the same play, shes not going to get good reviews from the critics. Every single time we turn around, this puzzle gets more complicated with more pieces to it. That story about the $12 million from Morocco to the Clinton Foundation? You could take any one of these stories and have a years worth of investigations. But the Morocco story also points to a potential problem for Chaffetz. The embarrassing 2015 emails from Clinton staffers, debating whether the future candidate should go to Morocco to collect a large charitable donation, came from hacked exchanges published by WikiLeaks. Chaffetz was inclined to steer away from them and had told Oversight Committee investigators to avoid poking through the websites cache. You dont want to be dealing with stolen documents, he said. [WikiLeaks reveals fears and frustrations inside Clinton world] Few Republicans share that caution. At his rallies, Trump has cited several WikiLeaks-based stories and accused the media of covering them up sometimes before leading chants of lock her up, directed at Clinton. He has also drawn attention to women who have accused Bill Clinton of unwanted sexual advances, and to videos produced by conservative sting artist James OKeefe that purport to show Democratic strategists plotting violence at Trump rallies. Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.), who chairs the investigative subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, tweeted that he was stunned by the OKeefe videos. Chaffetz did not mention them. While Democrats blanch at what he might investigate, Clintons longtime critics worry that the Oversight Committee will not go far enough. In the past, Republicans have used scandal investigations to keep their political opponents off kilter, as opposed to using them for serious accountability, said Tom Fitton, the president of Judicial Watch, which has filed dozens of ongoing Clinton suits. They made noise about Clinton lying to Congress, when, if they were really concerned about it, they could have passed a contempt resolution. The negative feelings toward Clinton the certainty, in conservative media, that she is crooked could put pressure on Republicans from the first moments of Clintons presidency. Asked whether investigations could lead to extended political crises, with echoes of Watergate, Chaffetz said it would depend on Clinton and her team. It depends on how cooperative they are, how seriously they take it, Chaffetz said. If they continue to erect walls and shore up the turrets, then, yeah, its going to be a battle. But if they act like theyre supposed to, if they comply with subpoenas and actually respond to requests from Congress, well, our republic requires that. The one thing Chaffetz will not consider is an election that goes badly against the GOP. He sees the Oversight Committee as the tip of the spear, with a valuable role to play in challenging the executive. If Republicans lose the majority, Chaffetz has no Plan B. Heaven help us! said Chaffetz, laughing. Please, no! Im not even going to think about that one. I cant even utter the sentence out loud. Donald Trump on Wednesday pledged what he called a new deal for black America as he attempted to make late inroads with a voting bloc that polling shows favors Democrat Hillary Clinton by a vast margin. I will be your greatest champion, Trump said during an campaign rally here. I will never ever take the African American community for granted. Never, ever. In a scripted speech heavy on policy specifics, the Republican presidential nominee laid out a plan that he said is built on setting up better schools, lowering crime in inner cities and creating more high-paying jobs. He told the largely white audience that massive numbers of black Americans have been ignored and left behind, and he blamed Democrats and Clinton for the crippling crime and total violence in the nations inner cities. Trump was speaking in a city that was rocked by protests last month after police killed an unarmed black man. In his speech, he accused Clinton of waging a war on police that he said puts black lives at risk, and he called for police and residents to work together. 1 of 29 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad Trump International Hotel holds grand opening in D.C. View Photos Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump officially christened his new hotel in Washington as protesters gathered outside. Caption Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump officially christened his new hotel in Washington as protesters gathered outside. Oct. 26, 2016 Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, accompanied by his wife, Melania, and his children, from left, Donald Jr., Eric, Tiffany and Ivanka, cut a ribbon during the grand opening ceremony for the Trump International Hotel in Washington. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue. The GOP nominee pledged to remove gang members from inner cities and continued to falsely assert that the national murder rate is the highest it has been in 45 years. Some of our inner cities are more dangerous than the war zones were reading about and seeing about every night, Trump said. The real estate mogul said he wants to allow cities and states to declare disaster areas in blighted communities and give microloans to black entrepreneurs to help spur jobs. He championed school choice, which he called the great civil rights issue of our time, and increased funding for historically black colleges and universities. He proposed tax holidays for inner-city investment and incentives for foreign companies to invest in blighted American neighborhoods, though Trump did not say what they were. [Some blacks agree with Trump on Democrats but cant stand the rest of his message] Trump later campaigned in Kinston, N.C., rallying an overwhelmingly white audience in a city that is about 68 percent black. Trumps candidacy is barely registering with African American voters. He had 3 percent support among African Americans in an ABC News tracking poll released Sunday, compared with Clintons 82 percent. Romney had 6 percent support among African Americans in 2012. At a speech in Charlotte on Oct. 26, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump focused on policies he says will help African Americans, including "tax holidays for inner city investment," increased law enforcement and "converting poverty assistance into forgivable and repayable micro-loans." (Gillian Brockell/The Washington Post) Toward the end of his speech, Trump also took a shot at a long-vanquished Republican rival as he slammed Clinton. She has less energy than Jeb Bush, Trump said, saying he had brought up Bush because he didnt live up to his pledge to support the eventual Republican nominee. During the primary, Trump had disparagingly called Bush low energy. A Bush spokeswoman said Trump continues to be fixated on the former Florida governor. Donald Trumps unending obsession with Governor Bush is very sad. Donald Trump should be focused on his current race he certainly needs all the help he can get, Kristy Campbell said in an email. [Rebounding economy sounds like good news. Maybe not for next president.] Earlier in the day, Trump made a detour to Washington to officially christen a downtown hotel bearing his name, even as his campaign sets its sights on Florida as its make-or-break battleground state less than two weeks before Election Day. Aides insisted it was a non-campaign event, but when Trump took the stage, he railed against bloated military hospital construction projects, blasted Obamacare price spikes and congratulated former House speaker Newt Gingrich for sparring Tuesday night with Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly in a contentious prime-time interview. That was an amazing interview, Trump said as he pointed at Gingrich, sitting in the front of the room. We dont play games, Newt, right? We dont play games. Gingrich and Kelly had tussled over whether news coverage of sexual assault allegations against Trump compares fairly with stories about the ongoing release of hacked emails from top aides to Clinton. Clinton marked her 69th birthday by making campaign stops in Florida. Her campaign also released two new television commercials it described as closing arguments to viewers in several battleground states. Speaking to reporters aboard her campaign plane, where staffers surprised her with a chocolate birthday cake, Clinton expressed worry about creeping complacency among Democratic voters. Were not taking anything for granted, she said. I feel good, but I am really determined that nobody is going to rest or stop or in any way think this election is over before its actually over. The Democratic nominee said Trump is paying more attention to his business than to the campaign by stopping at his Washington hotel. Trump stood on a ballroom stage alongside three of his children at what was billed as the official grand opening of Trump International Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue, just blocks from the White House. Trumps co-mingling of his business interests and presidential aspirations were on clear display in and around the glitzy ballroom where he spoke. [Rebounding economy sounds like good news. Maybe not for next president.] It was one of many instances in which he has simultaneously promoted his business and political interests. The last time Trump held a major public event at his hotel in the District was last month, when he acknowledged for the first time that President Obama was born in the United States. He has also met privately there with hotel employees and used it for interviews and meetings with his foreign policy team. On Tuesday, Trump staged a photo op with employees of his Trump National Doral golf resort near Miami and sought to speak about both campaign themes and his company. He raised money at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach on Monday. [Trump: Make America great again (and stay at my hotel!)] Over the summer, after he effectively clinched the GOP nomination, Trump flew to Scotland to promote his golf courses there. He announced his campaign last year in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York. He even put Trump-branded products on display at an event in March. Trumps reference to Gingrichs Fox interview came after one of his top campaign aides made an apparent threat against Kelly via Twitter on Tuesday night. Dan Scavino tweeted that Kelly made a total fool out of herself tonight attacking @realDonaldTrump. Watch what happens to her after this election is over. When Gingrich raised objections in the interview to the level of coverage of the hacking of Clinton campaign emails, Kelly shot back: That is worth covering. And we did. Gingrich persisted: I mean, you want to go back through the tapes of your show recently. You are fascinated with sex, and you dont care about public policy. Gingrich dismissed the allegations against Trump during the interview but repeatedly referred to former president Bill Clinton as a sexual predator citing allegations by several women against the 42nd president dating to the 1970s. Gingrich led Republican congressional investigations of Bill Clinton in the 1990s that resulted in his impeachment. But the Clinton inquests also brought subsequent GOP congressional losses that forced Gingrich to step down as speaker. [The difference between talking about Donald Trumps accusers and being fascinated by sex] Trump said again on Wednesday that he will put $100 million of his own money in the campaign, adding that he is willing to spend much more than that. Ill have over $100 million in the campaign, he told CNN. Hillary Clinton has nothing in the campaign. Shes all special interests and donors, and they give her the money and then she will do whatever they tell her to do. But I will have over $100 million in the campaign, and I am prepared to go much more than that. However, the real estate mogul has put only $56 million in so far, according to Federal Election Commission filings. [You are fascinated with sex: Kelly-Gingrich showdown was one for the ages] Campaigning in Lake Worth, Fla., Clinton acknowledged the opening of Trumps new hotel by noting that she was traveling Wednesday with Jose Andres, the Washington-based celebrity chef who backed out of plans to build a restaurant at the site. While the hotel may be new, its the same old story, Clinton told supporters. He relied on undocumented workers to make his project cheaper. Most of the products in the rooms were made overseas, and he even sued to get his taxes lowered. We know hes used undocumented workers. And thats one of the things hes run his campaign on, about deporting undocumented workers. At his rally in Kinston, Trump denied that he used undocumented workers to help build the hotel. I didnt hire one illegal immigrant to build Trump International hotel, he said. Last year, some workers on the project quietly acknowledged to The Washington Post that they are in the country illegally. Abby Phillip in Lake Worth and Scott Clement, Matea Gold, Jonathan OConnell and Elise Viebeck in Washington contributed to this report. Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, the Republican vice-presidential nominee, during a September visit to Utah. He returned to Salt Lake City for a campaign event on Oct. 26 (Rick Bowmer/AP) With just 13 days to go until the election, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence touched down in an unusual location for a Republican vice-presidential candidate: Utah, a deeply conservative state that hasnt voted for a Democrat for president since 1964. That Pence came here reflected a growing worry that one of the most reliably Republican-voting states, with six electoral votes, has turned into a three-way dogfight involving Republican Donald Trump, Democrat Hillary Clinton and independent conservative candidate Evan McMullin. We are all knotted up in Utah, we are all knotted up in America and were going to drive it all the way to the finish, Pence told a rowdy crowd at the Infinity Event Center here. Since early October, after the release of tapes showing Trump talking crudely about women, influential Republicans from this heavily Mormon state, including Sen. Mike Lee and Rep. Jason Chaffetz, have denounced the nominee and said theyd support someone else. Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee and a Mormon who now lives in Utah, did so months ago. Neither Lee nor Chaffetz has said who that would be, but McMullin is bidding for the chance. A clutch of recent statewide polls have found Trumps lead shrinking to single digits, and an internal Democratic poll taken this week in the states most competitive congressional district found Trump falling to third place there. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) reacted to revelations that Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump bragged about groping women in a 2005 video. (Mike Lee for U.S. Senate) Im not helping Donald Trump get elected, McMullin told MSNBC on Monday during a campaign swing through Wyoming. Donald Trump is a terrible candidate. Of course, hes going to have a hard time winning. Still, few Republican officeholders have endorsed McMullin. Those who have bolted the ticket have courted backlash from the majority of Republican voters who back it. The people who un-endorsed Trump look, you created this narrative, James Evans, Utahs GOP chairman, said in the partys downtown office. As he spoke, a young volunteer wearing a Mike Lee shirt placed a massive Trump-Pence sign in a window then, realizing that a reporter was watching, joked about turning the shirt inside out. On Monday night, in advance of Pences visit, dozens of Trump supporters packed a meeting room at Provos main library for a town hall on the state of the campaign. It had been organized by Easton Brady, Trumps state campaign director, not yet 20, and it gave pro-Trump Republicans space to vent about the media and the McMullin candidacy. Its Mitt Romneys fault! growled Lyman Momeny, a local activist, who said he would be writing in Evanss name in place of Republicans who un-endorsed Trump. He wants people to vote for his puppet! Nathan Herbert, the son of Utah Gov. Gary R. Herbert (R) who is on the ballot this year led some of the discussion and tried to calm nerves about party division. His father, he suggested, was not going to pile on Trump. There was, he insisted, a moral case to make for Trump, and no reason for religious voters to be ashamed. In these books, and in our scriptures, were men of sin, said Kimberly Lee, a local activist. And what did God do? He takes imperfect men, and he helps them to create his will and his way. After a series of motivational speakers made the case for Trump, Cheryl Eager, an activist who would be one of Trumps electors if he won the state, warned Republican voters that stories of Trump treating women badly were manufactured. These are coming from Gloria Allred, Eager said. Shes a vicious, extreme feminist who uses the Violence Against Women Act and abuses it in court. She drags men into that courtroom; the women are driven to victimhood and blubbering. A big pity party. Then she builds up these very minuscule events into something dramatic. Guess what, men? You get screwed in the court. [House Republicans are already preparing for years of investigations of Clinton] But few Republicans argued that Pence, more than Trump, was the right man to send to Utah. Hes a man of God, Brady said. If he was LDS, hed be a leader in the church. He evens out all of Donald Trumps well, you know what I mean. Indeed, in his appearance here, Pence made a clear bid for Utahs religious conservatives, promising that a Trump administration would pass a federal law that mirrors first-in-the nation legislation passed here requiring women seeking an abortion after 20 weeks gestation to be given painkillers or anesthesia for the fetus. Many doctors have said that a fetus at 20 weeks is not fully developed enough to feel pain. The Indiana governor also pledged to repeal the Johnson Amendment, which prohibits faith-based and other nonprofit organizations from endorsing political candidates, and he argued that Trump would appoint conservative, pro-life justices to the Supreme Court. He urged people to vote early and bring friends, going so far as to read off the address of the Salt Lake County clerk and let people know its a 2.2 mile walk from the venue. Lets get it done Utah, lets bring it home, he said at the rally, which was attended by only one elected Utah GOP leader, Speaker of the House Greg Hughes. Pence also took a shot at McMullin. Theres only two people on the ballot that youre going to cast here in Utah that have any chance of being president, he said, referring to the two major-party nominees, Trump and Clinton. The Pence visit did not put the vice-presidential nominee far from more traditional swing states. The Utah stop was just an hour in the air between Reno, Nev., where he started the day, and Colorado Springs, where he was scheduled to end it. Democrats, happily startled by the opportunity that McMullins candidacy has given them, were almost as happy to see Pence. On Tuesday, several leaders of a Mormons for Hillary group gathered at the partys office near the state capitol, explaining why Trump was driving people of faith from the GOP. The Republican Party owns Donald Trump as the nominee, said David Irvine, a retired Republican state legislator who would be voting for Clinton. They can send Pence. They can try all the shape-shifting they want to try. But they nominated a candidate who has no business being president. Katie Zezima in Washington contributed to this report. Composite satellite images taken on Oct. 15 and Oct. 20 show Panghyon Air Base in North Korea after missile tests were conducted. (Planet Labs) North Korea has made no secret of its goal to produce an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of hitting the United States mainland, giving it the means to send a nuclear warhead to its archenemy. Kim Jong Uns rocket scientists are thought to be several years from being able to do this, instead concentrating on intermediate-range missiles that can reach only as far as Guam. But now some analysts are asking: Did North Korea just try to launch two long-range missiles? We think it is important that people consider the possibility that this was a KN-08 test, said Jeffrey Lewis, director of the East Asia nonproliferation program at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey in California, referring to the intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, by its technical name. North Korea conducted two missile tests earlier this month, on Oct. 9 and 19. Both took place at an air base in Kusong on North Koreas west coast, on the other side of the country from the usual Musudan test site near Wonsan, on the east coast. The United States Strategic Command said Wednesday that both tests are presumed to be of Musudan missiles, and South Korean military officials have said the same. The Musudan is technically capable of flying as far as 2,400 miles, putting Guam within range and almost reaching Alaska. These would mark the seventh and eighth Musudan tests this year. Only one, in June, was a success, flying about 250 miles and reaching a surprisingly high altitude. [North Korean missile launches are adding up to something very troubling] But after poring over satellite photos enhanced with a near infrared band of light, Lewis and his fellow experts at MIIS think theres an even chance that the launches were of ICBMs. Were not fully persuaded that it was a Musudan, Lewis said, noting that Strategic Command, known as StratCom, twice misidentified three missiles that North Korea launched in September. We still think people are being too quick to jump to the conclusion that this was a Musudan. Even if its only 50/50, being shocked half of the time is still bad, he said. Looking at before-and-after satellite imagery from Planet Labs, a San Francisco-based imaging company, Lewis and his colleagues found burn scars after each missile firing, showing where the hot exhaust scorched the pavement and grass. Near infrared light can discriminate between burned and untouched parts of vegetation. Non-proliferation analysts say that the burn scars suggest a huge explosion.(Planet Labs) The first scar is really big. That is consistent with a catastrophic failure, he said, noting that it was possible that the explosion damaged the launch vehicle on which it was mounted. The second burn scar is small, like the missile flew some distance before whatever went wrong. These big burn scars are much bigger than what had been seen after Musudan tests, and the fact that they happened on the other side of the country added to suspicions about the kind of missile being tested. Other analysts said it is possible, if not probable, that the tests were of ICBMs. While this was most likely a Musudan test, the possibility of a KN-08 cannot be ruled out, said John Schilling, an aerospace engineer who frequently writes about the Norths missiles. Schilling expects North Koreas road-mobile ICBMs to reach operational status early in the next decade perhaps within five years. It seems most likely that the latest test was an attempt to test the Musudan from an operational launch facility rather than a test facility, he said, explaining the difference in test location. Although noting that StratCom should be able to distinguish between a Musudan and a much larger ICBM, he also pointed out that the U.S. agency had misidentified the three missiles launched last month. StratCom first called them short-range Rodongs, then medium-range Musudans. They turned out to be extended-range Scud missiles. I do not place high confidence in their ability to distinguish a KN-08 from a Musudan, Schilling said. And I do not think anyone should have high confidence in their ability to predict North Korean behavior regarding missile testing. [North Koreas nuclear program is targeting U.S., Japanese lawmaker says] Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., chief analytics officer at AllSource Analysis, a Denver-based consultancy, also said the likelihood was that the missiles were medium-range Musudans. Given their concentration on perfecting the Musudan, I would think they were testing a Musudan, he said, saying that the test site could have been moved simply to make it harder for intelligence agencies to monitor the activity. Although all but one Musudan test has failed, North Korea has shown rapid advances with its missile program this year. It successfully launched a ballistic missile from a submarine in August and launched what it said was a satellite in February. That launch was widely considered a cover for an ICBM test. Japans Asahi television network, citing an unnamed North Korean military source, reported earlier this month that Kim had ordered ICBM development to be finished by the end of this year. A spokesman for North Koreas space agency last week pledged that the state would continue working on its peaceful satellite program. Regardless of whether this latest test was of medium- or long-range missiles, analysts agree that they are cause for concern. Whats more concerning is not an individual test or two individual tests, its that theyre approaching their missile development in a very pragmatic way, Bermudez said. What theyre doing is exactly right. They are testing, and they are testing often, he said. This is the way you really learn how to develop a ballistic missile, and thats what worries me. [North Korea fires three missiles as G-20 continues in China] In the United States, there is growing recognition of the increased threat posed by North Korea. James R. Clapper Jr., the director of national intelligence, said Tuesday that the United States had to assume that North Korea would be able to mount a nuclear warhead on a missile capable of reaching the West Coast of the United States. We ascribe to them the capability to launch a missile that would have a weapon on it to reach parts of the United States, certainly including Alaska and Hawaii, he said in a discussion at the Council on Foreign Relations. They could do it. We have to make the worst-case assumption here, he said. Clapper also said that trying to persuade North Korea to give up its weapons was now probably a lost cause, given that the program was its ticket to survival. Earlier this month, Jami Miscik, previously a top analyst at the CIA, warned against underestimating North Koreas capabilities. The fact these rocket launches are failing shouldnt give anyone comfort, she said at Fortunes Most Powerful Women summit, according to the magazine. They fail and they fix that thing, and it might fail for another reason, but theyre advancing in terms of their capability. Read more North Korea hails greatest success of submarine-launched ballistic missile North Korean missile lands perilously close to Japan North Korean missile test a failure, Seoul says Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news Shinta Ratri, a leader of an Islamic school for transgender people, at her house in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Authorities closed down the school and have been taking a hard line on homosexuality. (Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images) Indonesias highest court is deliberating whether sex outside marriage should be made illegal in the worlds third-largest democracy, in the latest push by conservative Islamist organizations to restructure the countrys relatively secular legal code. If the court revises the law to forbid casual sex, gay sexual relations would become illegal for the first time in Indonesian history, and straight unmarried couples could face prosecution. The Family Love Alliance, a conservative Islamist advocacy organization, petitioned the Constitutional Court to broaden existing Indonesian law, which makes adultery illegal but does not ban sexual relations between unmarried people. A decision is expected in December or early next year, after the court hearings are completed. Human rights organizations say the situation is very dangerous for Indonesia, which has a larger Muslim population than any other country. This [petition] consists of discrimination towards all Indonesians: women as well as men, and those of diverse sexual orientations, Bahrain, who goes by one name and is the director of advocacy at the Legal Aid Center, told the court at a hearing in early October. The center is one of several progressive advocacy organizations arguing against revising the constitution to ban sex outside marriage. A ban would criminalize consensual sex outside of marriage, said Naila Rizqi, head of legal affairs at the National Commission on Women. The current law punishes adultery with up to nine months in prison, and if the law is revised, that penalty could carry over to unmarried sexual partners who have been prosecuted and convicted. The case is the latest battle in the struggle over Indonesias social culture, which features a small band of progressives battling to maintain this Muslim-majority democracys relatively secular legal system against Islamist forces. Activists fear that Indonesias highly conservative court will be unable to resist the opportunity to strike a blow for traditional morality. In an early court hearing, one conservative judge, Patrialis Akbar, appeared to affirm arguments made by conservative plaintiffs, saying, Our freedom is limited by moral values as well as religious values. . . . Were not a secular country this country acknowledges religion. Although Indonesia, a rare example of a vibrant Muslim-majority democracy, does not maintain Islamic law at the national level, Indonesian conservatives interpret their countrys constitution to support loosely defined religious values. Over the past 1 years, gays have become a particular target of these religious values, with state officials and Islamic scholars repeatedly declaring that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people represent an unprecedented danger to the health of Indonesian society. Over the past few weeks, expert witnesses have given emotion-laded testimony on the danger gays pose to Indonesia. Can LGBT refrain from . . . free sex with constantly changing partners? They cannot. LGBT represents sex, sex, sex, Dewi Inong Irana, a doctor, told the court, citing her experience with gay and transgender patients. Dewi also warned the court about the dangers of the gay hookup app Grindr, which has since been banned by the government. We have to protect this nation, ladies and gentlemen. Grindr is already here, she said. One witness, a Muslim scholar and anti-LGBT activist named Adian Husaini, suggested that the spread of gay rights is the result of a Jewish conspiracy. Those who conducted the movement to legalize [same-sex marriage] were a small group of Jews in America, he told the court. He cited a speech that Vice President Biden gave to Jewish leaders thanking them for their support for gay equality. A lesbian activist, Lini Zurlia, sat outside the courtroom one recent day because of the overflowing crowd, wearily observing the hearing on a screen. We can only laugh, she said. They dont understand us and dont want to understand us. But she worried that the Islamists would prevail. Of the nine judges, only two judges have a solid perspective on the law. Seven of them ask questions that arent about legality or constitutionality but instead about religion or moral perspectives, she said. Nor is the LGBT community the only one at risk in this battle in Indonesias culture wars. Womens advocates worry that a ban on sex outside marriage would be used disproportionately to prosecute women, in part because unmarried pregnant women would be an easy target. Its obvious this law will be a disaster, and women will be most affected, said Tunggal Pawestri, a womens rights activist. Another worry about the court case, according to Santi Kusumaningrum, co-director of the Center on Child Protection at the University of Indonesia, is that only about half of Indonesian couples have been legally married, meaning that millions of couples with informal and ceremonial marriages will no longer be legally able to have sex. This law, when enforced, will immediately exclude the poor, the marginalized, people who live in remote places in the margins of public service, she said. While a ban on extramarital sex would be difficult, if not impossible, for the government to enforce, progressive activists fear it would empower local vigilantes to expose and extort cohabiting unmarried couples. This is already a fairly common practice in parts of Indonesia, although it lacks legal basis in much of the country. In interviews, members of Indonesias conservative Islamist leadership say their side is ascendant. Hidayat Nur Wahid, former vice speaker of Indonesias parliament and a founder of the Prosperous Justice Party, an influential Islamist party, said he was confident that the law would be revised. He said that those who are not happy with such a decision should accept that the move would be democracy at work. Whats important is that decisions are made peacefully, in a way that isnt forceful, in a way thats rational, he said. This is democracy. Progressive activists see the court case as the latest sign that the democracy they fought for 18 years ago, after the fall of the authoritarian Suharto regime, will be used to impose a conservative vision of Islam on society. The progressive groups at some point were successful at providing the space for democracy, but we really could not make benefit from the open space, said Tunggal, the womens rights activist, who said uneven economic growth is leading Indonesians to embrace religious conservatism. All the institutions that support democracy are there, she said, citing state commissions to protect the rights of women and to uphold human rights. But on the ground, its kind of the opposite. Theres a gap a kind of lack in skill and knowledge on how to reach out to the grass roots. Ulil Abshar Abdalla, founder of the Liberal Islam Network, is one of the very rare Indonesian Islamic scholars to support gay rights. He said he is worried about the current legal case as well as the overall direction in which his country is headed. Conservatism is becoming stronger and stronger, he said. The kind of Islam we are seeing today in Indonesia is changing a lot. Read more: In the face of Zika, Southeast Asia sees grounds for cautious hope Why the worlds Muslim population is growing so very, very quickly A new crisis in the Muslim world: Is it too young? Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Gambian President Yahya Jammeh addresses the United Nations in 2014. Gamibia announced its plans to leave the International Criminal Court on Tuesday. (Frank Franklin II/AP) Gambia has announced that it will withdraw from the International Criminal Court, the third African country to declare its departure in just two weeks. Explaining the countrys decision, Information Minister Sheriff Bojang said on state television late Tuesday that the global judicial body was really an International Caucasian Court for the persecution and humiliation of people of color, especially Africans. Last week, Burundi announced its intention to leave the court, and on Friday South Africa did the same. There are worries that this could be the beginning of an African exodus from the court, a dwindling membership on a continent with a long list of conflicts and human rights abuses. Experts believe Kenya, Namibia and Uganda could be among the next countries to leave the court. For years, many African nations have claimed that the ICC, which was established in 2002, is biased against the continents leaders. Nine of its 10 current investigations involve African countries. The decision of three successive countries to leave the court could mark a watershed moment for an institution whose legitimacy is derived largely from its members consent. No country had previously withdrawn from the ICC. The ICC has denied any allegations of bias, explaining that it undertakes many of its investigations at the request of the U.N. Security Council and countries in which alleged crimes have occurred. Gambia's own human rights record has frequently come under scrutiny, particularly the governments decision this year to crack down on some political opponents of President Yahya Jammeh, who has ruled the country since taking over in a coup in 1994. In July, opposition leader Ousainou Darboe and 18 others were sentenced to three years in prison for taking part in an unauthorized demonstration. In April, another opposition leader, Solo Sandeng, was allegedly beaten to death by members of the Gambian security services after being arrested for leading a demonstration in favor of electoral reform. Fatou Bensouda, the ICCs prosecutor, is herself from Gambia, where she once served as attorney general and minister of justice. At a conference in Ghana in March, she explained that the international court was pursuing cases without regard to geography, but highlighted the problems in Africa that warranted its attention. The African continent still suffers from too many wars and conflicts, all of which result in too many atrocities, she said. Accountability for those who commit these atrocities is yet to be fully and effectively implemented. Read more Is this the end of the International Criminal Court? South Africa says it will quit the International Criminal Court Tiny Gambia has a big export: migrants desperate to reach Europe Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news Actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha visited his alma mater FTII today to share his experiences with the present batch of students enrolled at the institute. By Pankaj P. Khelkar: Renowned actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha, who is also a BJP MP, visited his alma mater FTII today to share his experiences with the present batch of students enrolled at the institute. Once popular in the Mumbai film industry as Shotgun, Shatrughan shared his memories and also suggested the present batch of students on how to make a mark in the film industry. BEST OF THE BEST OR DIFFERENT FROM THE REST advertisement For a little over 2 hours, Sinha interacted with FTII students of the 2013 and 2016 batches. Sinha reminisced about the time when he was a student of acting and how he created a niche for himself after passing out of the institute in 1967. Along with Shatrughan Sinha, veteran actor Tom Alter was also at FTII to share his experiences as a student. Sinha recalled that he had been invited to FTII as a guest lecturer in 1972. He said during his first few years in the film industry, he achieved success as an actor who had his own distinct style - one that made him stand out from the rest. In 1972 when Shatrughan was invited as a guest lecturer at FTII, Tom Alter was a student at the institute. Also read: BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha backs Akhilesh Yadav, says his heart goes out to him Sinha has visited FTII even earlier, but this is the first time in all these years that he interacted with students at the institute in a classroom environment. Giving a piece of advice to students, he said, "You be the best of the best. If one feels that one cannot be best of the best as there are too many artists around, one should try to be different from the rest. This is the way Shatrughan carved a niche for himself. BE PASSIONATE ABOUT ACTING While addressing acting students, Shotgun said, "If you want to be like Lata Mangeshkar or Kishore Kumar, you ought to have thorough knowledge of singing and surs. And for this, you have to learn the techniques of that art if you want to be remebered as a renowned artist." Sinha indirectly asked students not to waste two years at FTII on unwanted things. He told them to be very passionate about learning the skills of acting and make full use of the two years that they have to learn this skill. Also read: Shatrughan Sinha stages his play Pati, Patni aur Main for Nitish, Lalu advertisement All the diploma films in which Shatrughan Sinha acted during his two years at FTII were screened on the special request of the actor. FTII has a tradition of inviting renowned film personalities to the institute. The purpose is to guide the budding actors and give them an overall idea of what the film industry is all about. Before this, many acting legends have come to FTII to share their experiences with acting students. --- ENDS --- For the first time in a quarter-century, the United States abstained Wednesday in the annual United Nations vote condemning the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba. Samantha Power, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said that the embargo was fully within international law but that it was a perfect example of why the U.S. policy of isolation toward Cuba was not working. She said that instead of isolating Cuba . . . our policy isolated the United States, including here at the United Nations. Each year, the U.N. General Assembly votes overwhelmingly to urge the United States to end its economic embargo of the island. In 2015, the vote was 191 to 2, with only Israel joining in a vote against the measure. Israel joined the United States in abstaining this year, making the final vote 191 in favor, with no votes in opposition. [Obama administration to further ease travel, business restrictions with Cuba] Last year, after its reestablishment of U.S. diplomatic relations with Cuba, the Obama administration said it was prepared, for the first time, to abstain in the vote, provided Cuba agreed to minor changes to soften the harsh wording of the resolution. The administration argued that President Obama had used his executive authority to chip away at many of the restrictions but that only Congress could fully repeal the embargo, first adopted in 1962 and strengthened in 1992 and 1996. Cuba refused, saying that as long as the embargo remained U.S. law, there was no point in softening the wording of condemnation. In her speech to the General Assembly announcing the abstention, Power said it does not mean that the United States agrees with all of the policies and practices of the Cuban government. We do not. At the same time, she acknowledged, as our Cuban counterparts often point out, the United States has work to do in fulfilling these rights for our own citizens. But the United States and Cuba, she said, must continue to find ways to engage, even as our differences persist. Today, we have taken another small step to be able to do that. May there be many more including, we hope, finally ending the U.S. embargo. Obama has repeatedly called on lawmakers to lift the sanctions. But while a number of bills have been introduced to do that, and public opinion polls indicate that the American public favors removal of the embargo, Congress has not acted. Some members have objected that despite increasing normalization of U.S.-Cuba relations, the islands government continues to violate the human rights of its citizens with political arrests and other restrictions. [U.S. officials are frustrated by lack of progress in trade with Cuba] Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, attending the U.N. session, joined widespread applause for Powers remarks. But in his own address to the General Assembly, he said that despite the steps Obama has taken, most of the executive regulations, as well as the laws that established the blockade . . . are still in force and are fully implemented today by U.S. government agencies. Cuba claims that the embargo has caused nearly $764 billion in damages to the island and is what Rodriguez called a flagrant violation of international law. The General Assembly vote is not legally binding. But since it was first introduced by Cuba in 1992, the resolution has provided an annual opportunity for other countries to publicly criticize U.S. policy. It describes the embargo as a violation of various international laws and principles and calls on all states to refrain from unilateral interference with the internal affairs and trade freedoms of other nations. It has never garnered more than three votes in opposition: the United States, Israel and the occasional Eastern European or Pacific island nation. Read more: Graphic: A difficult history between U.S. and Cuba Secret U.S.-Cuba diplomacy ended in landmark deal on prisoners, future ties These Marines took down the U.S. flag in Cuba in 1961. Then they watched it rise again. The Iranian government in recent weeks has handed down a string of lengthy prison sentences to American citizens born in Iran, a move that experts say could signal the countrys interest in a prisoner swap or payoff. A San Diego man received an 18-year sentence on Monday, according to his girlfriend, who spoke over the phone with him after he was convicted of collaboration with a hostile government the United States and blasphemy. Reza Robin Shahinis conviction, first reported by Vice News, comes one week after two U.S. citizens, Siamak Namazi and his 80-year-old father, Baquer Namazi, each got 10 years in prison on the same charge of collaborating with the U.S. government. [Another American has been detained in Iran] The sentences underscore a power struggle within Iran in advance of March elections, with the countrys hard-liners angling for leverage to get some kind of deal, said several Iran scholars. Theyre bargaining peoples lives as if theyre trading Persian carpets, said Karim Sadjadpour, a Middle East analyst at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Oftentimes, these almost comically harsh sentences are simply meant to increase the value of these prisoners in the event of any quid pro quo with the United States. Meanwhile, other parts of Irans government are enjoying international acclaim for their cooperation with the United States on the historic nuclear agreement reached last year. Only days before Shahinis sentencing, Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif were named winners of Britains Chatham House Prize for successfully negotiating the nuclear accord with Iran and six world powers. The day it was implemented, Iran freed four U.S. citizens in a prisoner swap, including Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, and received a down payment on a $1.7 billion settlement in a long-standing legal dispute. Shahini emigrated to the United States in 2000 and settled in San Diego. He ran a pizzeria that failed during the recession and a car-repair shop that he sold to become a full-time student. He earned his bachelors degree in international conflict resolution at San Diego State University and was about to enter graduate school there when he was arrested in July on a visit to see his mother. He became a naturalized citizen in 2009. The Iranian governments only evidence against him consisted of photocopies of postings Shahini made on Facebook and a blog, said his girlfriend, who agreed to a telephone interview only if her name was not published because she fears for her family in Iran. [Family fears that imprisonment in Iran is a death sentence] Arrests of other dual nationals, a status Iran does not recognize, have also fueled perceptions that Iranian hard-liners are setting the stage for a deal and trying to deter contact with Westerners. Last month, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British American woman, was sentenced to five years a day before London upgraded its diplomatic relations with Tehran. In the case of Nizar Zakka, a legal resident of the United States who was arrested by the Iranian government last year, captors told him that he would be freed only if a ransom was paid, according to his lawyer. Zakka, a citizen of Lebanon whom Iranian state media have called a spy for the United States, was sentenced last month to 10 years. Just last month, Nizar was then told he was spared the death penalty but would remain in captivity for 10 years and until $4 million is paid to Iran, said Jason Poblete, Zakkas lawyer. Haleh Esfandiari, a Wilson Center scholar who was herself imprisoned in Iran for more than three months in 2007, said the escalating length of the recent sentences suggest that the price tag will continue to rise. There is definitely no end to it, she said. Depending on who the next person is, they might get 25 years. State Department spokesman John Kirby said the United States is sticking with its policy of not paying ransom for prisoners. The administration came under fire from Republican lawmakers after paying the first installment on the $1.7 billion settlement in January. Officials note that the January payment gave Iran its own money, which had been held in the United States after the 1979 revolution. Critics said the timing and the fact that it was an all-cash payment made it look like ransom nevertheless. We havent changed our policy, Kirby said Tuesday when asked whether Iranians might believe ransoms would be paid. Were not going to change it going forward. If someone in Iran thinks thats our policy, they are patently wrong. In Iran, the argument that the U.S. government is trying to subvert the Iranian revolution has been building since the nuclear agreement was signed last year. Hadi Ghaemi, head of the New York-based International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, linked actions by Irans security apparatus to several speeches over the past year by the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warning that Americans are trying to infiltrate society and influence the upcoming elections. President Hassan Rouhani, the relative pragmatist who negotiated the nuclear deal, is seeking reelection. They have no evidence, but theyre building a case that the agents of infiltration are here, he said of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is aligned with the hard-liners and works closely with prosecutors and judges. The idea is to show Rouhani cannot succeed, and contribute to the disillusionment with him. Im concerned this could be the unraveling of Rouhanis presidency if the pattern continues. Barbara Slavin, acting director of the Future of Iran Initiative at the Atlantic Council, compares Iran to a porcupine, using its sharp, pointed policies to ward off domestic danger from economic openings that come with the nuclear deal. They want to present this fearsome appearance to the outside world, she said. They do it in a variety of ways. Through chanting Death to America, death to Israel. Through support for groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. And they do it with provocative actions in the Persian Gulf, and arresting people on absurd charges. Its part of the strategy to keep everybody on their toes to make sure people going to Iran on business deals dont get involved in politics. Shahinis sentence has not been officially announced, not even on Iranian media sites linked to the judiciary. News of his fate came Monday, Tehran time, when he called his girlfriend in California from a public phone in the prison in the northern Iranian city of Gorgon to tell her of his sentence. The girlfriend said she patched the call through to a reporter from Vice News, which aired its interview Monday night. Shahini told Vice that he just laughed after hearing his sentence, and vowed to go on a hunger strike. Hes crushed and shocked, said the girlfriend. We expected prison, but not 18 years. Read more: A year after the nuclear deal, Iranian optimism turns sour Assessing the Iran nuclear deal after one year Irans for-profit imprisonment of U.S. citizens The Pentagon has secretly expanded its global network of drone bases to North Africa, deploying unmanned aircraft and U.S. military personnel to a facility in Tunisia to conduct spy missions in neighboring Libya. The Air Force Reaper drones began flying out of the Tunisian base in late June and have played a key role in an extended U.S. air offensive against an Islamic State stronghold in neighboring Libya. The Obama administration pressed for access to the Tunisian base as part of a security strategy for the broader Middle East that calls for placing drones and small Special Operations teams at a number of facilities within striking distance of militants who could pose a threat to the West. U.S. officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss an operation that has not been acknowledged, said the drones being flown out of Tunisia were unarmed and were principally being used to collect intelligence on Islamic State targets in Sirte, Libya, where the United States has conducted more than 300 airstrikes since August. U.S. officials said they sought access to the air base in Tunisia to close a critical blind spot for U.S. and Western intelligence services in North Africa, which has become the Islamic States largest base of operations outside of Syria and Iraq. The region is also home to al-Qaeda-linked fighters. Obama administration officials say they have tried to shore up Tunisias fledgling democracy and position the country as a key counterterrorism partner in the region. Although the drones operating out of Tunisia conduct only surveillance missions, U.S. officials said they could be armed in the future if Tunisia gives the United States permission. The Tunisian Embassy in Washington declined to comment. The U.S. military has other drone bases on the African continent, from Niger to Djibouti. But officials said they were too far from populous areas on the Libyan coast to be useful in day-to-day counterterrorism operations there. The longer drones have to travel to reach their destinations, the less time they have to loiter over their targets. For lethal strikes in Libya, the U.S. military has relied on manned U.S. aircraft based in Europe and armed drones flown out of Naval Air Station Sigonella on the Italian island of Sicily. Sigonella is relatively close to Sirte, but flights from the base are routinely canceled because of cloud cover over the Mediterranean and other weather-related issues, officials said. U.S. logistical concerns about using Sigonella and other bases in Europe for operations in North Africa prompted the Pentagons push for a facility on Tunisian soil. [How U.S. Special Operations troops secretly help foreign forces target terrorists] The Obama administration has kept its negotiations over access to the base secret for more than a year because of concerns that Tunisias young democracy, worried about being closely associated with an outside military power, would pull out of the talks, or that militants would step up attacks in the North African country. The Islamic State has already claimed a number of attacks in Tunisia over the past two years, including the killing of dozens of foreign tourists at a beach resort in 2015. Defense officials said the Pentagon has deployed about 70 military personnel to Tunisia to oversee drone operations there. Tunisia was the Obama administrations first choice of countries in North Africa to host U.S. drones because of its proximity to Libya and Washingtons interest in rapidly expanding security ties with the government. But U.S. officials said the negotiations came at a particularly delicate time. Five years after their uprising against dictator Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, Tunisians have grown increasingly frustrated with many of their post-revolution leaders. In the summer, disaffection over the economy and security boiled over, leading to the premiers ouster. Tunisian officials negotiating the drone deal were particularly concerned about a public backlash over cooperation with a foreign power and wanted to avoid the appearance that they were a party to U.S. military operations in a neighboring country. At the same time, Tunisian officials were eager to secure additional U.S. support for their counterterrorism fight at home. Tunisian officials were especially worried that an eventual assault on Islamic State hideouts in Libya could send militants streaming across the border into Tunisia. The United States was already conducting manned surveillance flights over Tunisia, providing the countrys security forces with intelligence about extremist threats. That program helped smooth the way in Tunis for Washingtons request to base drones there. [Why its taking so long for the U.S. and its allies to finish off the Islamic State in Libya] U.S. military officials in Washington and Stuttgart, Germany, where Africa Command is based, grew increasingly eager to strike a deal with Tunisia this past spring. Opening a drone base there would help clear the way for the long-awaited Sirte operation, they said. A brazen attack in March on a town near the Libyan border provided proof for some Tunisian officials of why more U.S. help might be required. Under the memorandum of understanding giving the Pentagon access to the base, the Americans committed to helping build up Tunisias intelligence-collection capabilities. While Tunisia is racing to grow its own aerial surveillance program, with U.S.-manufactured ScanEagles and other light manned surveillance aircraft, the country remains reliant on the United States and other allies for intelligence about militants. As part of the new arrangements, the Obama administration agreed to share intelligence from the Reapers with Tunisian security forces to help them improve border security. But so far, the United States has made drone flights inside Libya the priority and officials said that is unlikely to change at least until the campaign in Sirte winds down. The battle in Sirte has already lasted far longer than U.S. officials had expected, as effective Islamic State defenses and repercussions from Libyas political crisis slow the advance of local forces backed by U.S. air power. The United States second military intervention in Libya in five years has underscored the challenge that the Obama administration has faced getting even close NATO allies such as Italy to open their bases to armed U.S. drones. While U.S. surveillance drones have been based in Sigonella since 2011, the Italian government refused to give the U.S. military permission to fly armed drones out of the base until earlier this year, citing concerns about sparking an antiwar backlash at home. Desperate to fill the intelligence void over Libya, the United States briefly had to use drones based in faraway Jordan. The Obama administration had considered opening backup talks with Egypt about putting a drone base there to support operations in Libya. But U.S. officials said those talks were never initiated. Read more: Why its taking so long for the U.S. and its allies to finish off the Islamic State in Libya Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Wednesday he wanted U.S. troops out of his country, perhaps in the next two years, underlining his intention to press ahead with a major realignment of his countrys foreign and security policies. It is not the first time Duterte has made this kind of threat, but his two-year timetable for a U.S. military exit appeared designed to reinforce his break-the-mold message to Washington and neighbors in Asia, particularly powerhouse China. So far, however, his administration has failed to follow through on previous pledges to remove a small contingent of U.S. counterterrorism troops from the southern island of Mindanao or to notify Washington of an end to military exercises. The United States has received no formal communication from the government of the Philippines expressing a desire to make specific changes to our relationship or alliance, White House press secretary Josh Earnest said Wednesday at a news briefing in Washington. The United States remains committed to our pursuit of shared objectives in keeping with the seven-decade alliance between our two countries, he said. Earnest said Dutertes comments appear to be rhetoric at this point, although they do contribute to some uncertainty. He said there were no plans yet for President Obama to meet with Duterte at an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Peru next month, but he did not rule it out. 1 of 26 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad Who is Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte? View Photos He made headlines recently with comments about a rape victim. Caption He made headlines recently after saying he wanted U.S. troops out of his country. Dec. 14, 2016 Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte arrives for a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Heng Sinith/AP Wait 1 second to continue. [Gallery: Philippines firebrand president] The Philippines is one of the oldest U.S. allies in Asia and hosted permanent U.S. military bases until they were evicted in 1992. It is also an important Pentagon counterweight to China, whose expansion plans into the South China Sea have dismayed the Philippines and other nations. I want to be friends to China, Duterte told an audience of business representatives in Tokyo, the Associated Press reported. I do not need the arms. I do not want missiles established in my country. I do not need to have the airports to host the bombers. Dutertes brash style and off-the-cuff remarks have confused and confounded many other countries, with his own cabinet often in the dark about what he will say next and forced to play damage control. Last week in Beijing, Duterte announced his separation from the United States, only to later row back his comments and say he did not want to sever economic or military ties with Washington. But this week he has gone on the attack again, threatening Tuesday to end a defense cooperation agreement with the United States that allowed U.S. forces regular access to Philippine military bases. On Wednesday, he was even more specific. I have declared that I will pursue an independent foreign policy, he said, according to Reuters. I want, maybe in the next two years, my country free of the presence of foreign military troops. I want them out. U.S. Marines conduct military exercises with their Philippine marine counterparts on Oct. 7 in Zambales province, Philippines. (Dondi Tawatao/Getty Images) [Dutertes divide: His country remains fond of America] Cutting military ties with the United States entirely would be a giant step for Duterte. The Philippine military is deeply entwined with its U.S. counterpart and overwhelmingly uses U.S. equipment. But he has the executive power to abrogate the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, a 10-year deal signed in 2014, which allowed the United States to deploy conventional forces in the Philippines for the first time in decades, rotating through five bases. The deal was heralded as a key element of Obamas strategic rebalance to Asia. He could also end annual joint military exercises with the United States and cancel plans to hold joint patrols in the disputed waters of the South China Sea. These are dangerous signals to send to allies, said Paul Haenle, director of the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center in Beijing. The question is, will his words be followed by actions? China, although delighted to have Duterte disparage the U.S. alliance system in Asia, also recognizes that Duterte may be an unreliable partner and that an explicitly anti-U.S. alliance is not in Chinas interests. [The puzzle of Dutertes separation from Washington] But many experts say it would be wrong to write off Dutertes comments as pure bluster, given his history of resentment toward the U.S. troop presence in his country. I may have ruffled the feelings of some, but that is how it is, Duterte said, according to AP. We will survive, without the assistance of America, maybe a lesser quality of life, but as I said, we will survive. But Duterte can even be confusing and contradictory during the course of the same day. On Wednesday, he also said he had only been in Beijing the week before to talk about economics, not arms or alliances, and said he would stand on Japans side in the South China Sea. Japan does not have a claim in those waters, although it does have a separate dispute with China in the East China Sea. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had been hoping to play a mediating role between Duterte and Washington during this visit, but the Philippine presidents latest remarks show just how difficult that will be. The Philippines is one of several nations locked in a maritime territorial dispute with China over the South China Sea. After China took control of the Scarborough Shoal, an area of rich fishing grounds off the Philippine coast, in 2012, Manila took Beijing to an international tribunal in The Hague. It won an important victory in July after the tribunal ruled that Chinas expansive claims to the disputed waters have no legal basis. But, to the frustration of other claimants, Duterte has since agreed not to raise the tribunals ruling in international meetings and instead start bilateral talks with China over the issue. In return, he secured a Chinese pledge to step up investment and lending to the Philippines, especially for infrastructure. But it is far from clear that he has secured any concession in the maritime dispute. David Nakamura and William Branigin in Washington contributed to this report. Read more Philippine president creating uncertainty, causing distress, U.S. diplomat says China is the big winner as Clinton, Trump disavow hard-fought Asia-Pacific trade deal Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news A member of a NATO-led mission in Afghanistan watches an airstrike during training on the outskirts of Logar province in Afghanistan on Oct. 25. (Wakil Kohsar/Agence France-Presse via Getty Images) Taliban fighters blocked a major highway Wednesday linking Kabul to the southern city of Kandahar, as militants pressed an offensive against government forces near the Afghan capital. The attack on Maidan Shahr, about 25 miles southwest of Kabul was the latest in a series of assaults by Taliban insurgents on provincial centers. The militants also have threatened cities in the north, northwest and south. Any break in Afghanistans main highway is a serious blow, as it carries nearly all commerce and supplies, and alternative routes are extremely difficult. Ghulam Hussaid Nasiri, a lawmaker from Wardak province, where Maidan Shahr is located, said militants also blocked the road from Kabul to Bamian, a province in the central part of the country. It is the first time that the two highways were cut simultaneously because of Taliban attacks, he said. The government and the Taliban are trading heavy and small-arms fire. There was fighting in several areas, he said. [An eroding stalemate in Afghanistan as Taliban widens its offensive] In a text message sent to reporters, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said the attack was launched on military installations and led to the closure of key roads and destruction of four tanks. It was unclear whether any people were killed. The clashes in Wardak come as militants in nearby Ghowr province are accused of massacring 26 civilians. The United Nations said the hostages were abducted Tuesday while collecting firewood in the Feroz Koh district. The gunmen had demanded that the government agree to a prisoner exchange, but then took revenge against the hostages when one of their commanders was killed. The assailants deliberately shot and killed the male civilians, the U.N. mission in Afghanistan said in a statement. This is an atrocity, and the perpetrators must be held accountable, said Pernille Kardel, the head of the U.N. mission here. Abdul Haid Khatebi, the Ghowr governors spokesman, said the gunmen belonged to a local Islamic State affiliate. But most of that groups activity has been confined to another eastern province, Nangahar. The Taliban also distanced itself from Tuesdays incident and called the massacre a crime. Roqiya Nayel, a lawmaker from Ghowr, described the attackers as irresponsible armed men. They sometimes operate under the name of the Taliban and sometimes under the name of Daesh, she said, using an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State. Fugitives, criminals and former Taliban are among them, Nayel said of the gunmen, adding that the attackers also stole cattle and sheep. Read more Afghanistan has many problems. Its president may be one of them. Attack on Hazaras raises fears of Sunni-Shiite violence in Afghanistan In Afghanistan, the Taliban isnt the only group battling for land Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news With the US presidential campaign entering its final days, there is mounting commentary in the American and international media arguing that the Obama administrations pivot to Asia, aimed at containing and subordinating China, is failing. Far from making any retreat from the region, Washingtons response will be to escalate its diplomatic intrigues and provocative military build-up in the Asia Pacific. The abrupt turn towards China by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, exemplified by his state visit to Beijing last week, is undoubtedly a blow to US strategy in Asia. Financial Times foreign affairs columnist Gideon Rachman highlighted Dutertes announcement in Beijing of a separation from the United States and a new special relationship with China, characterising the shift as a significant strategic reverse. Since assuming office in June, Duterte has lashed out at President Obama as the son of a whore, called for the removal of US special forces from the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, ended joint US-Philippine exercises in the South China Sea, and proposed a review of the countrys military basing agreement with the US. His decision to play down the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in favour of Manila and against Beijings territorial claims has disrupted US plans to exploit the decision to ramp up pressure on China in the South China Sea. Rachman noted that the US was facing other reversals, with Thailand, an American ally, turning to China to purchase submarines, and Malaysia turning towards Beijing for support as Prime Minister Najib Razak attempts to fend off corruption allegations pushed in the West. Writing in Rupert Murdochs Australian yesterday, foreign editor Greg Sheridan claimed that Dutertes dramatic pivot to China is the most serious setback to the USs position in Southeast Asia since the fall of Saigon. He declared that the shift gravely weakened the US alliance system in Asia, and he branded Obamas foreign policy a near total failure, saying it had allowed China, Russia and Iran to dangerously extend their spheres of influence. The Obama administrations pivot is a comprehensive diplomatic, economic and military strategy aimed at ensuring American supremacy in Asia. US allies and partners throughout the region, however, have increasingly questioned Washingtons commitment to Asia, not least because its central economic initiativethe Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)is now in doubt in the face of opposition from the two US presidential contenders, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, and legislators from both the Republican and Democratic parties. The centrality of the TPP to the pivot was underscored last year by US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter, who drew the connection between the economic pact and the Pentagons war planning, declaring that the deal was as important to me as another aircraft carrier. In August, Singapores prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong, urged the US to stay engaged in Asia and warned that the TPPs ratification was a test for your credibility and seriousness of purpose. Concerns among the ruling elites in the Asia Pacific have only been compounded by the mounting signs of a profound political crisis in the United States, exemplified by the tawdry and debased spectacle of the US presidential election, and the lack of clarity surrounding the foreign policy of the next administration. As secretary of state, Clinton was the chief architect of the pivot and the proponent of a more militarist strategy against China. Among her speeches to Wall Street released by WikiLeaks was one in 2013 in which she declared: Were going to ring China with missile defence. Were going to put more of our fleet in the area. Trumps policy towards Asia is far from clear, but his Make America Great sloganeering suggests an even more aggressive stance towards China. Moreover, it is one in which Washington would insist that allies such as Japan and South Korea bear a heavier burden. The uncertainties generated by the US election along with heightened geo-political tensions and a worsening global economic outlook are encouraging the ruling classes of the Asia Pacific to hedge their bets. The two central pillars of the US pivotJapan and Australiaare both pursuing policies that are at odds with the US. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has just announced plans for settling Japans post-World War II dispute with Russia over the Kurile Islands in a bid to forge ties with a country increasingly branded in Washington as an outlaw state. Despite insistent pressure from the US, the Australian government has not agreed to mount a freedom of navigation operation to challenge Chinese territorial claims in the South China Sea, reflecting an ongoing debate within the Australian ruling elite over the risks of confronting the countrys largest trading partner. Washingtons foreign policy disarray in Asia flows from the insanity of its underlying aimthe impossible task of achieving global hegemony. Unable to dictate to the world economically, as demonstrated by the crisis surrounding the TPP, US imperialism is compelled to resort to increasingly reckless military provocations and interventions that threaten to plunge the globe into a conflict between nuclear-armed powers. Even as Duterte was in China last week, the US navy sent a guided-missile destroyer to carry out a fourth freedom of navigation operation to provocatively challenge Chinese territorial claims in the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. The operation not only demonstrated Washingtons willingness to risk a naval clash with China, but signalled the entry of the US navys Third Fleetwith its 100 warships and four aircraft carriersinto the military build-up in the Western Pacific against China. The response underscores the dangerous dynamic driving towards war: the more Washington confronts resistance and obstacles to its global ambitions, the more reckless and militaristic its actions. In the US election campaign, only the Socialist Equality Party and its presidential and vice presidential candidatesJerry White and Niles Niemuthare warning of the dangers of war. The November 5 conference, Socialism vs Capitalism & War, being held in Detroit by the SEP and its youth movement, the International Youth and Students for Socialist Equality, will discuss the political basis for building an international movement against war based on the working class and the fight for socialism. All those opposed to imperialist war and seeking a way to fight it should register to attend. Prince Harry the island hopper! The royal is heading to the Caribbean from November 20 to December 4 to represent his grandmother Queen Elizabeth in seven countries, including the Realms of Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada and Barbados, his office at Kensington Palace announced Tuesday. He will also visit Guyana on behalf of the Foreign Office. Harry will begin his two-week tour in Antigua and Barbuda, which is one of three countries he will visit that is marking a significant independence anniversary in 2016 the 35th anniversary of independence. He will also be in Barbados and Guyana as they mark 50 years of independence. The prince last toured the Caribbean in 2012 during the Queens Diamond Jubilee of her reign. And he took a vacation there with late mom Princess Diana when he was 8 and got into some mischievous fun! Want to keep up with the latest royals coverage? Click here to subscribe to the Royals Newsletter. In a statement, a press spokesman for the prince said, Prince Harry is honored to be representing The Queen, in the year of her 90th birthday, particularly as Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados and Guyana mark their own important anniversaries of independence. Prince Harry holds special memories of his last visit to the Caribbean, and of the warmth, friendliness and sense of fun that comes so naturally to this region. His Royal Highness is greatly looking forward to meeting more of the people who call it home, and for the opportunity during this tour to be visiting some countries for the first time. This visit will allow Prince Harry to experience more of the unique and individual cultures and traditions of these special Commonwealth Realms and countries. His Royal Highness is grateful to have the chance to visit nations that play such important roles in the Commonwealth, and have extended such warmth to his family for many years. From Antigua and Barbuda, Harry is set to take some day trips to nearby countries to learn about local projects, including those focusing on conservation, youth empowerment, and sport for social development. Story continues In Barbados, amid the anniversary celebrations, he will also visit a number of charities and organizations which carry out important work to address social issues that affect the region. In Guyana, Harry will take in some of the natural sights of the Hinterland, as well as witnessing how eco-tourism and a focus on conservation have changed the lives of the people, his office says. Join lively fetes and spine-tingling tours at these decked-out hotels. While they may not be as scary as a scene out of "American Horror Story: Hotel," these properties are still giving guests a thrill this Halloween with some incredibly fun events. With scary surroundings, some with reputed real spooks to boot, frightening activities and masquerade balls, these haunted retreats offer elaborate holiday-themed traditions. So, if you're ready to celebrate Halloween with ornate costumes and freaky festivities, head to these spots this All Hallows' Eve. The Stanley Hotel Estes Park, Colorado If you want a spine-chilling scare, you'll likely find it at The Stanley Hotel, known as one of the most haunted hotels in the nation and the inspiration behind Stephen King's "The Shining." Close to Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, Colorado, The Stanley opened in 1909 and boasts haunted activities, along with its own resident psychic, Madame Vera. The hotel hosts a variety of events throughout October, including the Boo Bash, Masquerade Party and The Shining Ball -- all with live music and costumes. Don't miss the RedRum Mystery Dinner theatrical presentation of a murder mystery accompanied by a four-course gourmet meal. Great Wolf Lodge Resorts Halloween doesn't get much more fun than the festivities at Great Wolf Lodge Resort properties around the U.S. The resort chain goes all out for this fall holiday, hosting its annual Howl-O-Ween celebration throughout October. Kids can join in a costume parade with Great Wolf Lodge mascots Wiley and Violet, paint pumpkins, participate in other crafts and attend a monster-themed dance party at the end of the night followed by some spooky bedtime stories. The Halloween decor includes giant balloon creations of spiders, dragons, skeletons and more inside the grand lobby, as well as festively decorated Howl-O-Ween houses for trick-or-treaters to collect gobs of goodies. Story continues Hotel del Coronado Coronado, California This classic property on Coronado Island, just across the bay from San Diego, lays claim to a resident ghost for some real-life spooks and puts on a grand party for guests. The 128-year-old hotel, which is known for its iconic red roof, is haunted by a 24-year-old woman named Kate Morgan who in 1892 took her own life inside the property after a gentlemen never arrived to meet her. Even if you don't encounter some "spirited" activity, you can enjoy the annual Hallo-wine & Spirits Party, a lively fete with adult trick-or-treating at food and wine stations. The costume contest champion wins a stay in Kate's room. The Hay-Adams Washington, District of Columbia The Hay-Adams will let guests spend Halloween night in a ghoulishly decorated room they have renamed the Transylvania Suite, overlooking Lafayette Park. A spooky butler will escort guests to the room, where inside they will find cobwebs, skulls, spiders and skeletons, along with a gift collection of horror movies to watch late into the evening. The package also includes cocktails for two and a three-course dinner paired with wines followed by a spidery-inspired dessert served in the suite's dining room. In the morning, enjoy breakfast in bed with a flavorful "Bloody Scary" to wash it all down. Sandos Caracol Eco Resort Playa del Carmen, Mexico After Halloween, Mexico rings in its own 48-hour celebration of the deceased with a festive Day of the Dead celebration. Sandos Caracol Eco Resort shows guests how this traditional holiday to honor the dead is celebrated by hosting a variety of activities. Lavishly decorated ceremonial altars are placed throughout the resort, along with a recreation of a Mexican cemetery with candles burning to light the way for the dead. At nightfall, guests can gather for a candle tribute before setting their candles in the water while making a wish or remembering loved ones who have passed. Parades, bright costumes, poetry readings and traditional mock obituaries round out the festivities. Tropicana Casino & Resort Atlantic City Atlantic City, New Jersey Michael Jackson fans will want to gather along the Atlantic City boardwalk for a "Thriller"-themed Halloween at Tropicana Casino & Resort Atlantic City. On the evening of Oct. 29, the "Boogie Nights" cast will take to the boardwalk to reenact the famous dance from Jackson's video for "Thriller," complete with zombies and all. Join in if you dare, as the first 100 dancers to register will receive a trick-or-treat bag from Tropicana. Afterward, the party will continue with a Halloween-themed light and sound show, giveaways, costume contests, drink specials and more mysterious surprises. Mohonk Mountain House New Paltz, New York Mohonk Mountain House, set in the heart of New York's Hudson Valley, has something for everyone this Halloween, whether you like a good thrill or collecting candy. Take a stroll through the on-site haunted house, which is themed around childhood memories such as "Things that go bump in the night," or see if you can solve the puzzle to work your way out of Escape Room: "The Missing Blueprints." On the lighter side, kids are welcome to trick-or-treat around the Mountain House and check out some creepy creatures such as a tarantula, snake and scorpion, while adults can dress up for the Gala Halloween Costume Ball with a costume contest. Woodloch Resort Hawley, Pennsylvania For some thrills and chills, Woodloch Resort in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains has plenty of scares in store. The Haunted Hayride is sure to spook guests riding on a truck-pulled wagon along the resort's nature trail, which weaves past spectacular fall foliage and elaborate sets with live actors, special effects and music. There's also some less horrifying Halloween fun with the spirited Family Olympics, a seasonal take on the Olympics, along with pumpkin painting and trick-or-treating, as well as the party in the resort's nightclub to entertain adults. Seaport Boston Hotel Boston The Seaport Boston Hotel puts an adult twist on trick-or-treating, letting Halloween enthusiasts collect treats by Duck boat at bars and restaurants along the waterfront as part of Halloween on the Harbor event on Oct. 31. The night kicks off at the hotel's TAMO Bistro & Bar, where trick-or-treaters ages 21 and up can participate in costume competitions. Throughout the night, local establishments will offer cocktails, appetizers and goodies, stamping everyone's passport as they make the rounds. The High Line Hotel New York City Want to see a parade of pooches dressed in decked-out costumes? Sure, there's nothing scary about this hotel, but for Halloween enthusiasts more interested in elaborate costumes than thrills, the High Line Hotel's annual Pup Costume Parade celebrates in style with pet lovers along with furry friends and neighbors. Four-legged friends don their best costumes and strut their stuff through New York City's trendy Chelsea neighborhood. Each pooch gets to show off his costume on an elevated platform for the judges, with one pup named as the top dog. Last year's prize went to a dog dressed as Frida Kahlo. After the parade, kids can enjoy face-painting and other festivities. The teaser of much-awaited actioner Singam 3, which stars Suriya in the lead will be out on Diwali, the makers confirm. By India Today Web Desk: Suriya is currently wrapping up the remaining portions of Singam 3, which is the third part of the Singam franchise. While the film was initially planner for a Diwali release, reports said that Suriya pushed the release of the film for his brother Karthi, whose fantasy thriller Kaashmora is hitting the screens on Diwali. ALSO READ: Kaashmora actor Karthi exclusive- I want to make films I want to watch, not store them in my library advertisement ALSO READ: Rana Daggubati- Baahubali 2 will rake in more than Rs 600 crore Now, as a treat to Suriya's fans, the makers have confirmed in a statement that the teaser of Singam 3 will be out for Diwali. Directed by Hari, the film will mark the return of Suriya donning Khaki and will see him on an international mission this time. Popular television actor Thakur Anoop Singh, has been roped in to play the antagonist, while Shruti Haasan and Anushka Shetty are playing the leading ladies. The film has music by Harris Jayaraj, who recently composed the title track of the film Oh Sone Sone Super Sonic. Bankrolled by Gnanavel Raja, the film is slated to release on December 16. Meanwhile, Suriya has a plethora of projects lined up. He has signed his next with director Vignesh Shivan titled Thana Serntha Kootam. According to Kollywood grapevine, Suriya has also signed a film with director Raju Murugan, who is basking in the success of Joker. --- ENDS --- Royal double take! A vintage photo of Prince Philip on the cover of Paris Match in 1957 is giving major Prince Harry vibes! Philip, who was around 36 years old at the time of the photo, is the spitting image of his grandson in the striking cover shot, which was posted on Instagram by Getty Images Royal Photographer Chris Jackson. With their matching pale blue eyes, red beards and mischievous smiles, theres no denying the family resemblance between the two royals. Want to keep up with the latest royals coverage? Click here to subscribe to the Royals Newsletter. And the similarities dont stop at their good looks. They both share a sense of duty. Prince Philip joined the Royal Navy in 1939 and served during WWII. Prince Harry served in the Army for 10 years and was deployed twice to Afghanistan. He has since been a vocal champion for active and veteran military members through a variety of efforts, including his Paralympic-style Invictus Games. The duo also shares a wicked sense of humor. Prince Harrys playful personality is always on display. And Prince Philip whose tongue is sharp as ever! is known for cracking jokes. Beirut (AFP) - Air strikes that hit a school in rebel-held Idlib province in northwest Syria killed 22 children and six teachers, the UN children's agency UNICEF said Wednesday. "This is a tragedy. It is an outrage. And if deliberate, it is a war crime," said UNICEF director Anthony Lake. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said "warplanes -- either Russia or Syrian -- carried out six strikes" in the village of Hass, including on a school complex, killing at least 35 civilians including 11 schoolchildren. Lake said the school compound was "repeatedly attacked," adding that it may be the deadliest attack on a school since the war began more than five years ago. "When will the world's revulsion at such barbarity be matched by insistence that this must stop?" added the UNICEF director. Asked about the attack, Russia's UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin responded: "It's horrible, horrible. I hope we were not involved." Syrian government forces and their Russian ally have been accused by rights groups of carrying out indiscriminate attacks on civilian infrastructure. The White Helmets civil defence group released pictures of four rescue workers clambering over a mound of rubble in search of survivors after what it said was a "double-tap" strike on the school. The raids hit Hass around 11:30 am (0830 GMT), an activist with the opposition Idlib Media Centre told AFP. "One rocket hit the entrance of the school as students were leaving to go home, after the school administration decided to end classes for the day because of the raids," the activist said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Other activists from the province circulated a photograph on social media of a child's arm, seared off above the elbow, still clutching the strap of a dusty black rucksack. Shaky video footage depicted rescue workers sprinting towards the site of the raids and pulling a frail, elderly man out of a collapsed building. Story continues The authenticity of the pictures and footage could not be independently verified. The latest attacks took to 89 the number of civilians killed in air strikes on Idlib province in the past seven days, said the Observatory. - 'Intentional' attack - A leading opposition group condemned the raids. The Istanbul-based National Coalition said Russian and regime warplanes "targeted children in their schools, deliberately and intentionally hitting civilians with high-explosive material". Idlib province is controlled by the Army of Conquest, an alliance of rebel groups and jihadists including the Fateh al-Sham Front, which changed its name from Al-Nusra Front after breaking off ties with Al-Qaeda earlier this year. Syrian and Russian warplanes regularly bomb Idlib, but air strikes have intensified in recent weeks, according to the Observatory. Russia is facing pressure at the United Nations to rein in its Syrian ally and halt air raids in rebel-held east Aleppo, where 250,000 civilians have been living under siege since July. UN aid chief Stephen O'Brien said he was "incandescent with rage" over the Security Council's failure to take action, deploring that "nothing is actually happening to stop the war, stop the suffering." With food growing scarce, "civilians are being bombed by Syrian and Russian forces, and if they survive that, they will starve tomorrow," said O'Brien. "Aleppo has essentially become a kill zone." Russian ambassador Churkin shot back, accusing O'Brien of making "arrogant remarks" and failing to recognise that Russia had declared a humanitarian pause that he maintained had been holding for eight days. "If we needed to be preached to, we would go to a church," Churkin quipped. The ambassador blamed opposition rebels and Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists for the failure at the weekend of a UN plan to evacuate the wounded from Aleppo and charged that the UN official was not objectively presenting the facts. US ambassador Samantha Power criticised Russia, saying it had never worked cooperatively with the United Nations during the pauses to ensure humanitarian relief. "You don't get congratulations and credit for not committing war crimes for a day or a week," said Power. The bitter exchange came as the latest attempt to revive a ceasefire fell flat. Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and his British counterpart Michael Fallon said an offensive to drive IS out of its Syrian stronghold of Raqa, 160 kilometres (100 miles) east of Aleppo, would begin in the next few weeks. The US-led coalition is currently supporting a 10-day-old assault by Iraqi and Kurdish forces on the jihadists' main Iraqi bastion of Mosul. Syria's conflict erupted in March 2011 with protests calling for the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad. But it has since evolved into a multi-front war, pitting jihadists, rebels, government forces and Kurdish militia against each other. More than 300,000 people have been killed and millions forced to flee their homes. Its been nearly eight years since Kiefer Sutherlands Jack Bauer kept the world safe for democracy in 24 and more than two since he returned for 24: Live Another Day. Well, this is 2016, and a new man is on the case for the revived Counter Terrorist Unit in Washington. That guy is Eric Carter (Straight Outta Comptons Corey Hawkins), and hes got some bad-guy dodging, butt-kicking and score settling to do in 24: Legacy. Heres the new trailer for Foxs upcoming franchise reboot, which premiered tonight during the networks coverage of Game 1 of the World Series. It follows U.S. government officials crowing about how a Special Forces unit neutralized a vicious terrorist who was planning an attack on America. But six months later, the dead mans people have found the Army Rangers who offed their leader. The vengeance is swift and nearly complete. But they failed to do one key thing: get Carter. Mistake. Miranda Otto and Jimmy Smits also star in 24: Legacy, which again will take place in real time. The franchise reboot launches with a two-night premiere on February 5-6, starting after the end of Super Bowl LI. Check out the trailer above, and tell us what you think. The clock is ticking Related stories '24: Legacy' Adds Raphael Acloque & Themo Melikidze '24' alum Carlos Bernard To Reprise His Role In Reboot '24: Legacy'--NY Comic-Con '24 Legacy': Tiffany Hines & Bailey Chase Cast As Recurring You dont know Jack about 24: Legacys leading man. At least thats what Corey Hawkins character asserts in the Fox dramas latest trailer, which made its on-air debut Tuesday during Game 1 of the World Series. RELATED24: Legacy Exclusive: Carlos Bernard to Reprise His Role as Tony Almeida in Fox Reboot Hawkins stars as Eric Carter, a former Army Ranger who also happens to be the governments only hope at stopping a devastating terrorist attack on U.S. soil. Additional stars include Miranda Otto (Homeland) as former CTU head Rebecca Ingram, and Jimmy Smits (NYPD Blue) as Rebeccas senator husband with presidential aspirations. RELATED24: Legacy EPs Hint at a Role for Chloe in Season 1: We Have Plans Though Kiefer Sutherland (aka 24s Jack Bauer) currently has no plans to appear on Legacy, the Designated Survivor star hasnt ruled out the possibility of a cameo. 24: Legacys two-night premiere event begins Sunday, Feb. 5 after Super Bowl LI, and continues Monday, Feb. 6. Hit PLAY on the full trailer above, then drop a comment with your thoughts below. Launch Gallery: Fall TV 2016: How to Improve 14 New Shows Related stories Simon Cowell, Diablo Cody Dive Into Fox's Synchronized-Swimming Comedy Bones Final Season: Fox Announces Premiere Date, Teases Wedding Kaitlin Olson's Fox Comedy The Mick Sets Post-NFL January Premiere Donald Trump needs to smile more and gripe less. In the few days that remain, he needs to give Americans solid reasons to vote for him, and not just against Hillary Clinton. Here are three issues that could sway undecided voters in the two short weeks that remain: Obamacare, education and job creation. For a normal candidate, this would be easy. But Trump, easily distracted by petty grievances, has repeatedly proved incapable of staying on message. And, he is remarkably inarticulate. So, here are three critical messages translated into Trump-speak. Related: Obamacares Huge Premium Hikes Give Down Ballot Republicans a Boost Obamacare is blowing up, and everybody knows it. President Obama has likened his legacy healthcare program to a starter house in need of repair, but it is more like a Potamkin village a pretend facade with no substance. In 2014, as the rising premiums and narrowing choices became more obvious, Obamacares popularity plummeted. In the same year, voters discovered that their president had lied to them. When Obama said, If you like your health plan, you can keep it, he knew better. In that midterm election, Democrats declined to campaign with the president, so toxic was the fallout from his Affordable Care Act. What a difference two years makes. Obama has recovered his popularity, in spite of the continued unraveling of Obamacare. Soaring premiums, impossible deductibles and the near-collapse of the private insurance exchanges has Hillary Clinton proposing a full federal takeover of our insurance system. Her pitch: because the government has shown it cant manage part of the healthcare system lets turn over the entire enterprise. Trump should be all over that. He should talk about reducing the government mandates that make Obamacare expensive and unwieldy, increasing private market competition and making it easier for low-cost clinics offered by the likes of Walmart and CVS to reduce the burdens on our hospitals. At the same time, he must promise to keep those parts of Obamacare that are popular, like guaranteeing coverage for those with pre-existing conditions. Story continues Related: Get Ready for Huge Obamacare Premium Hikes in 2017 Because Trump is Trump, those ideas need to be boiled down into: Even Bill Clinton agrees - Obamacare is broken; President Obama lied about it; Im going to fix it, while Hillary wants to make it bigger, and worse; We have common-sense ideas like not requiring insurers to provide maternity coverage to men in their sixties. Second, Trump should talk about making our public schools better. This is very popular with women and minorities, just the groups Trump needs to win over. The data is staggering. In New York City, for instance, 80 percent of public high school kids graduate unable to read, write or do math at a level necessary to enroll in community college. Incredibly, only 13 percent of New York black and Hispanic children graduate with the bare minimum of those necessary skills. How can anyone defend the status quo? Hillary Clinton, her conscience eased by the millions she has hauled in from the countrys largest teachers union, has totally abandoned the call for reform. Addressing members of the NEA, the countrys largest teachers union, she vowed to end the education wars and called for leaders to stop focusing only on quote failing schools. Related: Heres One Big Reason Voters Are Angry and Turning to Trump Trump should have made education an essential platform for his campaign from the start, but its not too late. Heres school reform in Trump-talk: Our schools, once the envy of the world, are broken. Even though we spend more per student than almost any other country, the U.S. ranks 29th in math and education achievement behind Vietnam and Slovenia. We need to get rid of tenure rules that prevent our best teachers from being rewarded and that keep even our worst teachers in the classroom. Making the American dream a reality for our children requires taking on the teachers unions, and not just taking from them as Hillary has done. Lastly, Trump needs to pound away at the shortcomings of the Obama economy. The U.S. is expected to grow only about 1.5 percent this year, down from 2.5 percent last year. Business investment continues to be weak, and there are almost 95 million Americans not working. The main reason so many are idle is that we have not created enough good jobs in the past decade. That is partly because of the recession, but it is also because the Obama White House has stifled innovation and business start-ups with increased regulations and higher taxes embodied in Obamacare and numerous other initiatives. Related: Clinton Ups the Ante on the Estate Tax with Her Tax-the-Rich Plan Starting in 2008, and for the first time in 35 years, business deaths outnumber births, Gallup reports. And its not all because of the financial crisis. The number of people starting small businesses dropped in 2015, after a four-year climb. Why? Entrepreneurs are not optimistic. They are worried that the government will throw some new roadblock in their path just as New York State recently did when it effectively shut down Airbnb. Andrew Cuomo, in a sop to the hotel workers unions, issued new rules that will make it all but impossible for people to rent their apartments an essential source of income for many hard-pressed New Yorkers. Hillary Clinton wants to raise taxes on U.S. corporations, already the most highly taxed in the world, and to stifle the gig economy, which many millennials see as their meal ticket. Trump should win on this issue. Heres a strong Trumpist economic pitch: Our economy is not working for average Americans who have not seen a raise in 20 years. We need to create more jobs and to encourage companies to invest in the U.S. With the right energy policies, we will promise cheap and plentiful power as well as a sensible regulatory environment. We will encourage hiring in every way possible, reduce taxes, and, unlike Hillary, we will not declare war on innovation and the gig economy. Trump is behind in the polls, but not because voters like Hillary or what she has to say. Hes behind because he is not single-mindedly flogging the ideas that could lead him to victory. Its now or never, and he could start with these. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: The Q3 earnings season is in full swing and with each passing day, analysts are becoming more hopeful about the quarter being the first to show positive earnings growth after five quarters of back-to-back declines. So far, with the bullish performance of 116 S&P 500 members representing 23.2% of the indexs total market capitalization as per the last Earnings Trends report, the growth has already reached the bullish territory with aggregate growth expectation of 0.1% for the index. This growth pace is expected to improve further with the rest of the third-quarter earnings releases. With nearly all the Medical device majors slated to report their results over the next two weeks, we have some good predictions for investors keen on this space as well. Per the report, medical is one of the 9 broader sectors among all the 16 Zacks sectors which are expected to report positive year-over-year earnings growth in the third quarter projected 3.7% earnings growth on 7.4% higher revenues. While the global economic hullabaloo continues to hit the economy hard, leaving the conventional heavyweights like Oil/Energy, Auto or Transportation in a position to pull the industry-wide average expectation down, the expected positive third-quarter performance by the broader Medical sector is something investors definitely need to muse on. Beaming Medical Device Space A recent EvaluateMedTech World Preview claims that the medical device space is poised for impressive growth in the near term. At a glance, worldwide, medical device sales are expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.1% to $477.5 billion by 2020. Needless to say that factors like the recent exemption of the Medical Device Excise tax for the next two years has come in as a much-needed breather for these Medical instrument stocks. We believe this exemption, albeit temporary, has boosted the positive sentiment in the medical device investment world, as most analysts believe it to be adequate for companies to address pressing issues such as a lack of opportunity for R&D, innovation, pipeline development, and to make investments needed to accelerate patient and provider access to innovative health care products. Apart from this catalyst, other remarkable breakthroughs include information technology, utilization of smart devices cloud connectivity and personalized medicine, which remain major growth drivers in the medical instrument subsector. Also, worth mentioning is the strong trend of strategic mega consolidations, which continue to give birth to unprecedented leaders in several niche markets. In fact, going by the last available EvaluateGroup data, 2015 alone saw 86 mergers and acquisitions, totaling $83 billion, just in the first half of the year a rise of 166% from the year-ago period. Although the next report is yet to be released, the unofficial talk is that the full-year target of $100 billion of M&A valuation was effortlessly reached with the legacy continuing into 2016. In fact, per a recent report on ey.com, the billion-dollar deal pipeline indicates that many such mega consolidations are lined up, with a strong outlook over the short term. Making the Right Choice With numerous stocks in the medical device sector that almost always muddle up ones stock-picking prowess, the Zacks methodology could offer some relief. One can narrow down choices by focusing specifically on the medical instruments stocks (a specialized chunk under the medical device subcategory), that sport the desirable combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a favorable Zacks Rank Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Earnings ESP is our proprietary methodology for identifying stocks that have high chances of surprising with their next earnings announcement. It shows the percentage difference between the Most Accurate estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Our research shows that for stocks with this combination, the chance of a positive earnings surprise is as high as 70%. Please check our Earnings ESP Filter that enables you to find stocks that are expected to come out with earnings surprises. Going by this criterion, we hereby present four medical instrument stocks that are poised to beat estimates this quarter. Luminex Corporation (LMNX) Luminex develops, manufactures, and sells proprietary biological testing technologies and products for the diagnostics, pharmaceutical and life sciences industries worldwide. Its proprietary instruments and assays utilizing xMAP open-architecture, multi-analyte platform and MultiCode real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and multiplex PCR-based technologies deliver cost-effective and rapid results to clinicians and researchers. Luminex will report its third-quarter 2016 results on Oct 31 after the market closes. We believe the company is poised to beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate given its Zacks Rank #3 and an Earnings ESP of +33.33%. ICU Medical, Inc. (ICUI) ICU Medical is a popular name in the field of infusion therapy, oncology, and critical care applications worldwide. It offers infusion therapy products comprising a tube running from a bottle or plastic bag containing a solution to a catheter inserted in a patients vein for use in hospitals and ambulatory clinics. Of late, the company is in the limelight due to its decision of a colossal $1 billion takeover of Pfizers global infusion therapy business, Hospira Infusion Systems. For the third quarter of 2016, ICU Medical expects to report revenue of approximately $96 million and adjusted earnings per share of $1.20. The stock boasts an Earnings ESP of +6.32%, coupled with a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Opko Health, Inc. (OPK) This is a biopharmaceutical and diagnostics company focused on the development of novel and proprietary technologies. Its diagnostics business includes Bio-Reference Laboratories, the nation's third-largest clinical laboratory with a core genetic testing business and a 420-person sales force. Its pharmaceutical business features RAYALDEE, an FDA-approved treatment for SHPT in stage 3-4 CKD patients with vitamin D insufficiency, and VARUBI for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Opko Health is scheduled to report its third-quarter 2016 numbers on Nov 14. We expect the company to beat our third-quarter earnings estimates as it has a favorable combination of a Zacks Rank #3 and an Earnings ESP of +20%. EndoChoice Holdings, Inc. (GI) This medical device company develops products for gastrointestinal (GI) caregivers in the U.S. and internationally. Recently, the company announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Boston Scientific (BSX). EndoChoice is slated to report its third-quarter 2016 numbers on Nov 3. We expect the company to beat our third-quarter earnings estimates as it has a favorable combination of a Zacks Rank #3 and an Earnings ESP of +5.77%. Zacks' Best Investment Ideas for Long-Term Profit Today you can gain access to long-term trades with double and triple-digit profit potential rarely available to the public. Starting now, you can look inside our stocks under $10, home run and value stock portfolios, plus more. Want a peek at this private information? Click here >> 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 LUMINEX CORP (LMNX): Free Stock Analysis Report ICU MEDICAL INC (ICUI): Free Stock Analysis Report OPKO HEALTH INC (OPK): Free Stock Analysis Report ENDOCHOICE HLDG (GI): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research A mystery gunman known as the 'Sniper of Mosul' is being hailed after reports that he shot down an ISIS militant moments before he could behead a young boy. By India Today Web Desk: People are hailing a mystery gunman as their 'hero' after reports that he shot down an ISIS militant moments before he could behead a young boy. Dubbed the "Sniper of Mosul", the mystery man reportedly shot the ISIS militant as he took aim to behead a boy accused of supporting anti-ISIS movements in the city, according to multiple reports. advertisement Other terrorists who had gathered for the execution retaliated by opening fire 'in all directions', according to a report in the Daily Star. They eventually took off, but reportedly shot the teenager before he could escape. Legend or urban legend? Reports of a lone gunslinger taking out ISIS militants have been widespread over the last few months. Multiple reports in Iraqi media claim that ISIS has been 'living in fear' of the sniper who has shot down 'a number of' Iraqi fighters. He is believed to be behind shootings in at least four neighborhoods in the second largest city in Iraq, according to Al Sumaria News. "The emergence of the Sniper of Mosul increased the pace of the popular resistance against the ISIS," said the report. Some outlets even speculated that this could be the work of 'various snipers' and not just one. Many 'death squads' have reportedly targetted ISIS militants, some of whom are speculated to be part of special forces like the SAS or Navy SEALs. There is, however, no concrete evidence to support any of these narratives. While some believe the stories may be a case of propoganda, it is difficult to validate either arguments considering the circumstances in the city. The fight for Mosul Iraqi forces, with help from the US, are on their 'final' crusade to free Mosul from ISIS control. Through the course of their assault, many such stories have emerged from the troubled city, including those of burqa clad men and women shooting down ISIS militants. Even Mosul residents have reportedly taken to arms, with a group of armed residents attacking six patrols and an ISIS headquarter in less than five hours in the city last week. The fight to regaining Mosul, however, is expected to stay criticial amid speculation that ISIS will resort to the use of chemical weapons to defend its base of power. --- ENDS --- Apart from tumultuous seas and the possibility of giant sea creatures lurking beneath the waves, there is another frightening phenomenon that haunts the wide open seas: pirates. Yes, a pirates life never ends, and pirates are still a significant presence on the high seas. The recently released Operation Mekong follows the narrative of a real-life massacre that occurred in 2011, where 13 sailors were killed by gunfire aboard two Chinese commercial vessels travelling across the Mekong River. However they didnt just face pirates, but something much more dangerous (no spoilers from us here!): piracy as an organised crime network. Piracy is hard to crack down upon and a critical problem most particularly in Southeast Asia. TIME reported that 41 per cent of all pirate attacks between 1995 and 2013 occurred within Southeast Asia. In 2013, there were a total of 125 pirate attacks (actual and attempted) in the waters of the Singapore Straits alone. Pirates in Southeast Asia work stealthily, boarding ships and stealing cargo or spare parts which are then sold to pre-arranged buyers on the black market. Pirates have been around for a long time - Asian history and folklore is rife with tales of pirates, scheming groups of bandits who prey on innocent sea folk. Here are some of the most prominent and terrifying pirates in Asian history. Tuanku Abbas Photo: Getty Images Tuanku Abbas was one of Southeast Asias most active pirates in the 1840s, but little is known about his life, the extent of his attacks and the strength of his crew. What we do know, however, is that he was born with royal blood, the very brother of an Indonesian rajah. But it seems like royal living just wasnt enough for Tuanku Abbas, because he soon turned to a life of crime on the high seas. Abbas gained notoriety for sponsoring and heading pirate raids in the South China Sea. His most famous raid was that of an Indian ship, the Fattal Khair, which Abbas captured and ransacked. The crew managed to escape and reported the incident to the British authorities, who swiftly delivered justice by burning Abbas entire village down. Story continues Ching Shih Photo: Wikipedia This particular pirate was the biggest and baddest of them all, and embodied the very definition of a femme fatale. The beautiful Ching Shih, otherwise known as Cheng I Sao or Madame Ching, terrorised the South China Sea in the early 19th century. She started her life as a lowly prostitute, but her marriage to Cheng I was what turned her life around. Cheng I was a successful pirate and leader of the Red Flag Fleet. Ching Shih fully participated in his life of crime, and their fleet grew exponentially over the years. After her husband died in Vietnam in 1807, then 32-year-old Ching Shih swiftly gained control of all her husbands pirate fleets. At the height of her power, Ching Shih commanded more than 1,500 ships and 80,000 sailors - more than any pirate captain in the history of the world. With her massive naval army, Ching Shih plundered her way through the South China Sea, robbing entire towns. Fun fact: Ching Shih was also portrayed in Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End as the Chinese pirate lord, Mistress Ching. Cheung Po Tsai Photo: Wikipedia Cheung Po Tsai, a Hong Kong pirate, is often portrayed as a Robin Hood of sorts in modern movies and television shows. Cheung, the son of a fisherman, was captured by a pirate and wife when he was 15 years old. They adopted Cheung and taught him their ways, and he rose to become one of the most notorious pirates in Chinese history. The adoptive pirate couple were none other than Cheng I and Ching Shih themselves. After taking over the family business, Cheung carved a name for himself by marauding the Guangdong coastline, using his army of over 20,000 men and several hundred ships. During his seafaring days, Cheung amassed great treasures, which he kept hidden in several caves across the South China Sea. One such cave (in his namesake) was on Hong Kongs Cheung Chau Island. It has long been cleared of any treasure, but stands today as a testament to the notorious pirate that once besieged the South China Sea. The Bugis Tribe Photo: Getty Images Ever wondered how the name Boogeyman came about? For Western folk today, the Boogeyman is a nightmarish fiend, but the name purportedly originates from the Bugis Tribe of South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The Bugis tribespeople were infamous pirates who during colonial times often pillaged the English and Dutch trading ships from the British East India Company. The Bugis were expert seafarers, travelling as far as Australia and New Guinea just to trade. Some even work as mercenaries, at one point serving the Dutch and other European armies in their colonial pursuits. The expression the Boogeyman is coming to get you is believed to have arisen from the deeply rooted fear that European mariners from centuries past had for the bugi men. Even today, the Bugis people are still associated with piracy attacks, on land and sea, in and around Indonesia. There's a lot of confusion about who is and who isn't a fiduciary, and what the term really means for investors. "I come across many advisors that use this term quite loosely," Stephen Rischall, a fiduciary financial adviser and co-founder at 1080 Financial Group in Sherman Oaks, California. "The only way you are going to know is by directly asking how an advisor is being compensated." Almost half -- 46 percent -- of all Americans mistakenly believe that all financial advisors are already required to put their clients' interests first when it comes to retirement, according to a recent report by Financial Engines. Next April, when the Department of Labor's fiduciary rule is implemented, many investors are likely to be more confused than ever thanks to loopholes and verbiage that is proliferating the industry. [See: High-Tech Investing: 7 Sectors to Watch.] "Big brokerage firms are training their brokers on how to use the term without crossing the line," Rischall says. "Technically anyone that works in the capacity of a fiduciary (has a series 65 or 66 license and provides financial advice for a fee) can call themselves this. Unfortunately many brokers are hybrids, in the sense that they can provide some level of fiduciary service but also collect commissions and predominantly function off the suitability standard." This double-dipping has blurred the lines for investors. "Very few clients ask the right questions," says Ashley Bleckner, a financial advisor for RS Crum, a fee-only independent registered investment advisor firm. "You've got to ask the tough questions, but you've got to know what those questions are." To become a more informed investor, here are five questions to ask your financial advisor. Are you a fiduciary 100 percent of the time? Fiduciary standards were established as a part of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940. That meant advisors had a fiduciary obligation to do what was in the best interest of their clients and had to disclose any potential conflicts of interest to put investors' interest ahead of theirs. Story continues But that's not the case with brokers -- an individual or firm that charges a fee or commission for buying or selling investments. They only have to do what is "suitable" for the investor. That means they can suggest buying a mutual fund or other investments that have higher fees and more commission for themselves, over lower-cost options that might be more advantageous to the investor. Although well intended, the new fiduciary rule allows advisors to be hybrids, to be fiduciaries part of the time and collect fees and commissions depending on the situation. "It's not enough to ask if an advisor is a fiduciary," Rischall says. "Investors need to ask if the advisor is a fiduciary all of the time." How are you compensated? The ultimate litmus test comes down to how an advisor is compensated, fee-only or fee-based or some type of combination. Be aware, there's a drastic difference between fee-only and fee-based. Fee-only advisors are fiduciaries and ensure that conflicts of interest are disclose to investors. "Everything is transparent and it's clear the financial advisor isn't receiving any type of kickback for suggesting any type of investment," Bleckner says. These types of financial planners charge a flat fee, hourly fee, or a percentage of the assets under management. As for fee-based or commission-based, William Lee, a portfolio manager at Ironwood Investment Counsel in Scottsdale, Arizona, says "generically speaking commission-based sales, are just that, a sale." Adds Rischall, "commissions inherently present a conflict of interest because the product company pays the financial advisor as a sales person." [See: 9 Blue-Chip Powerhouse ETFs to Buy.] Fee-based means advisors can typically charge per transaction, receive commissions based on the products they sell and direct fees from investors. "There is an incentive for those advisors to recommend more expensive products with bigger commissions," Bleckner says. Some financial advisors do a combination of fee-based commissions while operating as investment advisors. This means they can say they are fiduciaries, but in some situations they are also acting like brokers and receiving a mix of commission fees, coupled with an advisory fee. "If they receive a commission, then they are not a fiduciary in that transaction, because fiduciaries don't receive commissions," Rischall says. Regardless of how you ask, financial experts say make sure to ask your financial advisor how they get paid. "Most investors don't realize how much they are paying commissions, fees and expenses," Rischall says. "It's buried in the prospectus and disclosures, which very few people actually read." Do you want to sign a best interest contract exemption? Also called BICE, this exemption, which will apply to transactions made on or after April 10, 2017, allows advisors to sell commission-based products while receiving compensation and commissions from outside sources. Investors should be aware that the rule allows "level fee fiduciaries," also known as fee-based advisors, to use the exemption without a delivering a best interest contract if the compensation they receive is a "level fee that is disclosed in advance to the retirement investor." Although the Department of Labor hasn't provided exact details of what will qualify as a exemption, Rischall says if investors sign a BICE, the assumption is that they are waiving their rights of what is potentially in their best interest because the disclosure will likely inform them about the cost of doing business with a broker. Have you ever been cited by a professional or regularity governing body for disciplinary reasons? Then look up a financial advisor's records on FINRA's BrokerCheck, to find out if they have any complaints, Lee says. Fee-only financial advisors won't be listed there, but can be reviewed at the Securities and Exchange Commission's investment adviser public disclosure. On both sites, review the disclosure information that can range from criminal charges and convictions to formal investigations and disciplinary actions. "It shows all kinds of things that are going to surprise a lot of investors," Bleckner says. "You've got to know a financial advisor's disciplinary background." Bleckner also suggests using National Association of Personal Financial Advisors' website, which lists fee-only financial advisors. Do you sell insurance or annuities? Insurance is commission-only, which presents a conflict of interest, therefore an investment advisor can't be a fiduciary in that transaction, Rischall says. [Read: How to Invest in Fine Wine.] "It's important to read the fine print," Bleckner says. "Annuities are sold with sales incentives, and they can get huge bonuses. The riders can have hidden fees and can change and returns can be capped." More From US News & World Report Kesha??hasn't held back from divulging details about her legal battle with Dr. Luke since 2014, but she disclosed even more information in a new interview with the??New York Times Magazine released Wednesday (Oct. 26). Discussing everything from the lawsuit to the troubled beginnings of her career, Kesha??left us with seven details??that give a little more understanding of the struggle she's still dealing with years later. [Editor's note: Dr. Luke's camp refutes much of what Kesha said in the profile; see his lawyer's response here.] Her fans are under the impression that??she's a free woman. Kesha has recently performed some shows around the country to keep her career alive amid the court battle --??but what fans don't realize is that it's actually her way of making money to fund the lawsuit. After encountering some fans (known as her "Animals") following one of her shows, she discussed the confusion with NYT Mag. "They were like, 'Oh, my gosh, you're free,'??and I was like, 'No, sweetheart, I love you, but no, I am not, and I don't know where you got that information.'" She has 22 songs in her portfolio??ready to be worked on. Amid the legal battle, Kesha??has written and recorded??22 songs at her own expense, including songs called "Hunt You Down," "Rainbows," "Learn to Let It Go," and "Ros??," all of??which the article briefly??previewed.??She said she submitted the songs to Sony earlier this summer, but her representatives told the writer that Sony never gave any true feedback for the songs. It was her choice to not record music during the lawsuit. Dr. Luke has already responded to the New York Times Magazine article in a statement??via lawyer Christine Lepera, which claims the songs "were not in compliance with her contract" and were "in various stages of development." Prior to mentioning the 22 songs, though, Lepera insists that it was "entirely [Kesha's] choice" to not provide the label with any music, adding that she "exiled herself" in this situation. Story continues Kesha might??actually be allowed to??release music after all. The article said Sony informed the writer they had provided Kesha with outside producers to move forward with some of the in-progress songs, with??Kesha??and??Kemosabe Records??agreeing to work on around a dozen of them. Sony added that it "has made it possible for??Kesha??to record without any connection, involvement or interaction with Luke whatsoever" -- but??Kesha's camp said that wasn't the case. She says Luke put pressure on her to get skinnier,??which??led to her eating disorder. As stated??in her legal filings, Kesha??said that around the time of the release of her album Animal (January 2010), Luke became verbally abusive to her, constantly criticizing her weight in public settings.??He even once called her a??"fat [expletive] refrigerator." "I was under immense pressure to starve myself," she told NYT Magazine. "And I tried to and almost killed myself in the process." This pressure only got worse in the following years, Kesha??said, with her self-consciousness spiraling into helplessness, and she ultimately decided to check herself into rehab in 2014.?? It was Luke who pushed her to create the party-girl persona she once had. While writing??her hit "Tik Tok," Kesha??and Dr. Luke faced some disagreements in the styling of her music. Kesha??told NYT Mag that she specifically remembers Dr. Luke saying, "'Make it more dumb. Make it more stupid. Make it more simple, just dumb.''" After she suggested the "Boys try to touch my junk" lyric as a joke, he said it was "perfect." She's eager to release a ballad. Unfortunately, as long as??Kesha??is under the contract she's currently fighting, there's a clause that declares she must remain??"reasonably consistent in concept and style to the artistic concept and style" of the music she originally made.??If Kesha does get the opportunity to record and release music the way she's pushing, she'd love to show the world the artist she's wanted to be this whole time. "To this day, I've never released a single that's a true ballad, and I feel like those are the songs that balance out the perception of you, because you??can??be a fun girl," she said. "You??can??go and have a crazy night out, but you also, as a human being, have vulnerable emotions. You have love." It has been little more than two weeks since the daddy of 8-year-old Vanessa Vega went off to work like any other day. But he didnt come home that night. And he never will. Read: Cops Save 1-Year-Old's Life While on Patrol When They Spot Mom Screaming for Help Palm Springs Police officer Jose Gil Vega was shot to death, along with colleague Lesley Zerebny, on Oct. 8. Since then, there have been funerals, memorials, media tributes, long lines of families and friends and little time to face hard facts in solitude. Then came Monday - time for Vanessa to go back to fourth grade, where everyone knew her father was dead and probably everyone wondered what to say to the little girl. But the Palm Springs Police Department wasnt about to let Vanessa walk those hall alone. Unbeknownst to her, a group of officers lined up outside her house that morning and proceeded to escort her to school. They ran the lights on their patrol cars. They walked her all the way to her classroom, then posed for photos and met the other kids. She smiled the whole time. She has 50 uncles for the rest of her life who probably wont let her date until she is about the age of 50, department spokesman Sgt. William Hutchinson told InsideEdition.com Tuesday night. Its kind of sinking in now, her loss Shes in a really tough time right now, Hutchinson said. The desert community of Palm Springs, and especially the police department, were riven by the killings of Vega, 63, and Zerebny, 27, who had just returned from maternity leave and had a 4-month-old daughter. The blue family is tight, said Hutchinson. And all 96 members of the PSPD are dedicated to being surrogate dads and moms to Vanessa and to baby Cora, Zerebnys infant girl. But its Vanessa who needs their attention most. She has to know that we are going to do our best to make sure she has support. We want her to know, You know what, kiddo? Were standing proud with you. We know this is tough, Hutchinson said. Story continues Vanessa is the youngest of eight children, and the only one still living at home, he said. Fellow officers have been spending part of every day with both families. We try not to be intrusive, Hutchinson said. Mostly, colleagues offer to run errands, do some yard work, whatever they can do to help. For Vanessa, the offer is a 24-hour line of support. Read: Moms Donate Breast Milk to 4-Month-Old Baby After Police Officer Mom is Slain in Line of Duty We want her to feel like shes our daughter, Hutchinson said. She can call on any of us at any time. The veteran cop calls Vanessa a very smart little girl with lots of character. She was proud to walk among men in blue Monday, he said. She hugged everybody. They wont be taking her to school every day, he said. But they are there when needed. If there are any bullies on the way, you just let us know, Hutchinson said. Watch: Mom Just Returning from Maternity Leave is One of Two Officers Killed on Duty Related Articles: This 93-year-old gay man powerfully explains why he doesnt want a pardon from the U.K. government The success of the 2014 film, The Imitation Game, has brought much-needed awareness to the U.K.s historical anti-equality laws in regards to sexuality. Alan Turing, computer scientist, mathematician, and focus of the film, was convicted under these anti-gay laws. Now, the U.K. is pardoning the men who were convicted under that same law many of whom have already passed away. The Gross Indecency Law resulted in the unlawful convictions of thousands of gay, bisexual, and queer men across the U.K. before homosexuality was decriminalized in 1967. One of those men is George Montague, and his conviction caused him to lose his job at a camp for boys struggling with disabilities. Now 93 years old, Montague is still vocal about the consequences of criminalizing homosexuality in the U.K. In fact, hes been one of the most vocal activists in pushing not for a pardon but for a public apology from the government. He even started an online petition to put more public pressure on the British government. He writes on his Twitter page: Born able only to be "in love" with another man , for that a criminal conviction an apology please before I die sign my petition thankyou George Montague (@GeorgeMontague2) June 14, 2016 As Montague explains, a pardon still suggests that these men did something wrong in the first place. He told BBC: To accept a pardon means you accept that you were guilty. I was not guilty of anything I think it was wrong to give Alan Turing one of the heroes of my life a pardon. What was he guilty of? He was guilty of the same as what they called me guilty of being born only able to fall in love with another man. A pardon is a step in the right direction, but without a commitment to treat homosexual and queer residents better in the future, the U.K. is vulnerable to repeating these tragedies and injustices. The post This 93-year-old gay man powerfully explains why he doesnt want a pardon from the U.K. government appeared first on HelloGiggles. By A. Ananthalakshmi KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Aboriginal and environmental groups plan to file lawsuits on Thursday against the government of Canada to overturn the permit for a controversial $27 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in British Columbia, representatives of the groups said. The planned lawsuits will name Malaysian state oil firm Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) [PETR.UL], which owns a majority stake in the project, as an associated party, the groups told Reuters this week. In September, Canada gave the green light for the Pacific NorthWest LNG project in northern British Columbia with 190 conditions, despite concerns it would destroy a critical salmon habitat and produce a large amount of greenhouse gases. The decision was a major test for Canada's Liberal Party, juggling the needs of an energy industry sustaining job losses and the concerns of environmentalists, who were courted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in last year's election campaign. A statement from the groups on Wednesday said they would be launching "multiple legal actions" against the project on Thursday at the Federal Court in Vancouver. A legal challenge puts the future of the project at risk after it has already been hit with a three-year delay in getting its environmental permit and as Asian LNG prices have dropped by about two-thirds since 2014. The Canadian government said it stood behind the decision to allow the plant to go ahead. "This project underwent a three-year rigorous and thorough science-based process that evaluated and incorporated mitigation measures that will minimize the environmental impacts," said Caitlin Workman, a spokeswoman for Environment Minister Catherine McKenna. Petronas did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "We believe there are serious flaws in the environment assessment process," said Greg Knox, executive director of SkeenaWild, an environmental group filing one of the lawsuits. Besides the defects in the environmental review, SkeenaWild also alleges that Canada failed to review the project's climate impact. Knox said the project would be one of the largest sources of climate pollution in Canada, even if it met the conditions imposed by the government. The Gitanyow and Gitwilgoots aboriginal communities have expressed similar concerns and said they would sue Canada for failing to meaningfully engage with the groups before granting the approval. "They totally ignored whatever we put forward to them," on salmon destruction and climate change, Glen Williams, chief of the Gitanyow, told Reuters. The Petronas-led project plans to liquefy natural gas at a facility in the district of Port Edward, British Columbia, about 1,600 km (1,000 miles) northwest of Vancouver. It would then export about 12 million tonnes a year of LNG to consumers in Asia. Companies in China, India, Japan and Brunei are minority stakeholders in the project. ENBRIDGE PRECEDENT Both groups said they were confident of a decision in their favor, especially after the approval for Enbridge Inc's Northern Gateway oil pipeline was overturned in June. The Federal Court of Appeal said the government failed in its duty to consult with aboriginal groups. Canada's former Conservative government in 2014 approved Northern Gateway, but after the approval lawsuits were filed seeking to overturn the decision. Aboriginal group leader Williams said they were relying on the Enbridge case for a positive ruling. "(The lawsuits) put the project at extreme risk," he said. Petronas is weighing its options given soft LNG prices and a weakening economic basis for the project, Reuters reported last month. Sources said it was considering selling its majority stake, though Petronas denied it was mulling such an action. Dwight Newman, Canada Research Chair of Indigenous Rights at the University of Saskatchewan, said that while the case was before the court, Petronas would need to consider whether it wanted to proceed with the project if there was a decision against them. "The indigenous claims are tending to see more success (than the environmental claims) but in part that's because the law is less defined and because indigenous communities have constitutional rights," he said. (Reporting by A. Ananthalakshmi; Additional reporting by Nia Williams in CALGARY and David Ljunggren in OTTAWA; Editing by Christian Schmollinger, Toni Reinhold) An Arizona man is accused of killing his roommate and then hosting a barbecue while the victims body sat in a closet, according to police. Keith Allen White, 50, was arrested Monday and charged in the death of roommate Brian Cook, police in Sierra Vista, Arizona, tell PEOPLE. White was charged with second-degree murder and tampering with evidence. Authorities say White allegedly confessed to strangling Cook after a fight early Saturday and hiding his body in a bedroom closet before hosting a barbecue for some friends, one of whom was a family member of the victim, according to local media. The relative came over for the barbecue, not knowing where was, Sgt. Sean Brownson told the Sierra Vista Herald. The whole time, he was dead in the closet with the door closed. Brownson said police responded to a call from the relative Monday night alleging White had confessed to the killing, the Herald reports. The relative told police that after the barbecue, White allegedly asked the relative if he could be trusted and told him how he strangled Cook. Brawnson, who interviewed White, told the Herald that during questioning White allegedly confessed to killing Cook and hiding his body in the closet repeatedly calling the killing a faux pas. 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 Guy Wouldnt Quit Running His Mouth White allegedly told police that on Saturday night, he and his roommate were drunk and arguing, according to local reports. After several hours, White allegedly got upset and strangled Cook, who was sitting on the couch. He said the victim didnt offer any resistance. They were both very intoxicated because they had been drinking a lot of vodka. He said the guy wouldnt quit running his mouth, Brownson told the Herald. White allegedly told police he tried to revive Cook but it was too late, Brownson said. Story continues When they arrived at Whites apartment days later, police noticed he had allegedly set up a fan to blow the smell of the decomposing body out of a window, the Herald reports. Police said the apartment was allegedly littered with empty liquor bottles and evidence of methamphetamine use. Police also allege they found a trail of blood running from the bedroom, where Cooks body was originally kept, to a suitcase by the door, according to Brownson leading police to believe White had been allegedly preparing to dispose of Cooks body. According to the Herald, White allegedly told the relative he was planning on burying the body in the desert. White also allegedly mentioned to police that he believed Cook was stealing things from him, such as batteries and flashlights, the Herald reports. White remains in Cochise County Jail in Arizona, officials tell PEOPLE. He made his first court appearance on Tuesday. It is unclear whether he has an attorney or has entered a plea. (KABUL, Afghanistan) Taliban insurgents have killed at least 20 Afghan civilians after abducting them in the remote central province of Ghor the previous day, officials said Wednesday. The slain civilians were from a group of 33 taken by the militants near the provincial capital of Ferozkoh, according to Ziauddin Saqib, the deputy provincial police chief. The abductions took place while battles were underway between the Taliban and Afghan security forces on Tuesday that saw two militant commanders killed, he added. Both commanders were infamous figures in Ghor and were involved in many anti-government activities, Saqib also said, adding that the cowardly insurgents killed innocent civilians in revenge for their commanders killed by security forces. There was no immediate statement from the Taliban on the incident in the largely lawless Ghor. However, Abdul Hai Khateby, the spokesman for the provincial governor, said he is convinced the militants behind the attacks and abductions were a renegade Taliban group that had sworn allegiance last year to Afghanistans Islamic State affiliate. The group is former Taliban who just a year ago announced their support to their Islamic State group and changed their white flag to black, Khateby told The Associated Press, speaking over the telephone from Ghor. The two different statements could not immediately be reconciled. Khateby also said he believed the abductions and killings were in revenge for the deaths of the two commanders. The civilians who were abducted are all poor people from the area, mainly villagers and shepherds, and there were even children among those taken, said Khateby. Ghor is one of Afghanistans poorest and least developed provinces, with many areas outside Ferozkoh, the provincial capital, believed to be under Taliban control. In a report from eastern Paktika province, 17 people, including two children, were wounded when a bomb went off on Wednesday at a marketplace in the provincial capital of Sharan, according to local officials. Story continues Dr. Wali Gul Kharoti, head of the public health department, said there were also two military personals among the wounded. He said all of the wounded were ins table condition. Abdul Raouf Massoud, deputy police chief in Paktika, said the explosive was placed inside a shop at the city market in an attack obviously meant to target civilians. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. The Taliban have in recent months stepped up attacks across Afghanistan, taking advantage of the warm weather to wage war against the Kabul government. Many civilians have been caught in the cross-fire and also targeted by roadside bombs, which are among the insurgents weapons of choice. Recently, the Taliban have attacked Afghan security forces in northern Kunduz province, briefly taking control of a district headquarters. The militants have also overrun a district in northern Baghlan province and in eastern Paktia province. Meanwhile, in eastern Nangarhar province, Taliban militants have fought pitched battles with security forces. Afghanistans Ministry of Defense says its forces are waging operations in 15 provinces. In July, Kabul was shaken by a massive suicide bombing that struck a peaceful rally by Afghanistans minority ethnic Hazara community, killing more than 80 people and wounding hundreds. That attack was claimed by the Islamic State group, which emerged last year in Afghanistan as an affiliate of the militant group fighting in Iraq and Syria. Analysts believe the Islamic State affiliate in the country is mostly made up of disenfranchised Taliban fighters. The Hazara attack was the IS Afghan branchs first assault in the countrys capital and the deadliest attack in Kabul since the U.S.-led invasion to oust the Taliban regime in 2001. In her new song, Any Good News, Kodaikanal Won't-famed rapper Sofia Ashraf gives a bang-on response to society's pressure on women to bear children. By Pramod Madhav: Sofia Ashraf, the young Indian rebel rapper who made the Corporate giant Unilever bow down through her Kodaikanal Won't song has now taken a dig into a much prevalent social issue through her new song, Any Good News. In her 3.15 minute song, she explains what are the issues a woman faces in the contemporary world and yet what seems important to her elderly relative preferably from the South with a bit of pleasant sarcasm. advertisement Her concerned mom asks 'Moley (Dearest) is there any good news?' prompting young Sophia to explain what pleasant news she's got, starting from having a good hair day, no acne to unlocking more levels on Candy Crush. Happy Sofia goes on to explain, that its definitely a good day, for a good news and she has 'no blues' only to see her mom sigh and ask her again, 'Moley, is there any good news!' Sofia goes on to explain that she accomplished great tasks like saving a baby from a fire, got selected for NASA mission, solved the Syrian crisis and single-handedly crushed the ISIS, got a solution to end poverty and got Tibet liberty and yet her mom is not pleased with her accomplishment and asks Sofia again, 'Moley, is there any good news?' Sofia sighs and says, 'No'. The underlying statement is made clear in the end that no matter what a woman accomplishes in this neo-world, to her mother and other relatives, it is only important that she gets married bears a child. ''I personally had this experience where my grand mother was happy about my brother's promotion and when I excitedly revealed that even I got a promotion, she abruptly said that 'a woman's promotion is when she gets married and gives birth to a child'', said Sofia Ashraf. Sofia Ashraf, through her 'Sista from the South' alter ego, wishes to sensitize people about the important role women play in the society and how bearing a child is not the only important thing a woman is capable of. --- ENDS --- XingTea and Bucha Live Kombucha are now distributed within the fast growing chain, expanding their "better-for-you" offerings XingTea, the number one-ranked tasting tea in North America, now expanding to all 144 outlets with 9 consumer preferred flavors DENVER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / October 26, 2016 / New Age Beverages Corporation (NBEV), the Colorado-based owner of the XingTea, XingEnergy, Aspen Pure, and the Bucha Live Kombucha brands, today announced that it has agreed to expand its distribution of XingTea with Natural Grocers/Vitamin Cottage in their 19 state market area across Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. The chain-wide expansion represents a major win for XingTea while consumers begin to discover the brand as it expands beyond its Colorado origins. The new distribution with Natural Grocers/Vitamin Cottage includes 9 of XingTea's leading flavors: Mango, Peach, Pomegranate, Blueberry, Green Tea with Ginseng, Half and Half, Lemon, Just Plain Tea, and Raspberry. XingTea is a perfect fit for Natural Grocers as a "better-for-you" option for consumers because XingTea is all-natural, has no GMO's, no HFCS, and no preservatives. XingTea also won first place in the North American Tea Competition, so it is not just a healthier alternative, it is actually a preferred product by consumers. Natural Grocers also recently began distribution of the Bucha Live Kombucha brand. Bucha is one of the fastest growing brands in the rapidly expanding Kombucha category and the only one with 9 months of shelf life. Bucha was originally distributed throughout the West, but has been rapidly expanding distribution nationally. Since the combination with New Age at the end of the second quarter, the group has been increasing retail penetration utilizing the Company's extensive DSD network. Tom LeBon, President of New Age Beverages North American Division commented, "Natural Grocers/Vitamin Cottage is a fast-growing chain in the grocery industry and an outstanding retailer. We are very pleased to be part of their offerings and feel our healthier brands are a perfect fit for Natural Grocers. All of our brands have strength in the West where we started, but this expansion deeper into the 19 states where they operate will further our purpose to provide healthier and better-for-you alternatives to all consumers." Story continues About New Age Beverages Corporation New Age Beverages Corporation is a Colorado-based, healthy functional beverage company originally founded in 2003 and re-created via the combination of XingTea, Aspen Pure Artesian Water, Bucha Live Kombucha, and New Age Beverages in June 2016. The Company trades under the newly issued symbol NBEV on the OTC exchange. The Company competes in the fast growing healthy functional beverage segments including Ready to Drink (RTD) Tea, Kombucha, Energy Drinks and Functional Waters with the Brands XingTea, Bucha Live Kombucha, XingEnergy, and Aspen Pure. The brands are sold in 46 states within the US and in more than 10 countries internationally across all channels via direct and store door distribution systems. The company operates the websites www.mybucha.com, www.xingtea.com and www.aspenpure.com. Safe Harbor Disclosure This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions 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. Forward-looking statements are any statement reflecting management's current expectations regarding future results of operations, economic performance, financial condition and achievements of the Company including statements regarding New Age Beverage's expectation to see continued growth. The forward-looking statements are based on the assumption that operating performance and results will continue in line with historical results. Management believes these assumptions to be reasonable but there is no assurance that they will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements, specifically those concerning future performance are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. New Age Beverages competes in a rapidly growing and transforming industry, and other factors disclosed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission might affect the Company's operations. Unless required by applicable law, New Age Beverages undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. For investor inquiries about New Age Beverages Corporation please contact: Amato and Partners Investor Relations Counsel admin@amatoandpartners.com Websites: www.mybucha.com www.xingtea.com www.aspenpure.com SOURCE: New Age Beverages Corporation Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f260573%2fca7766fc39874766b30995dc0df57ea3 To Richard Burns, New York City in the 1980s felt like a war zone. When he wasn't caring for friends stricken with AIDS or mourning their death, Burns was protesting in the streets, urging public officials to confront this mysterious disease afflicting the gay community. "It felt at the time like we were in a war, and the enemy was not only AIDS; the enemy was our own government," said Burns, who headed New York's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) Community Center from 1986 to 2009. SEE ALSO: Scientists see early progress on potential HIV cure "You were living with fear and constant dying and caregiving and shell shock," he told Mashable. "There was a lot of anger and anguish in our community." Researchers say they now have answers about the early years of North America's outbreak of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). What they found is surprising: the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) the virus that causes AIDS first "jumped" from the Caribbean to New York City in 1970 or 1971, roughly a decade before AIDS began claiming hundreds of thousands of U.S. lives. From New York, the virus then spread across the country. About 100 demonstrators protested on the steps of New York's City Hall on Nov. 15, 1985, as a City Council committee considered legislation to bar pupils and teachers with the AIDS virus from public schools. Image: AP Photo/Rick Maiman The study, published Wednesday in the journal Nature, may also finally debunk the myth that Gaetan Dugas, a male flight attendant referred to as the so-called "Patient Zero," first brought HIV out of Africa and into the Western gay community in the early 1980s. Dugas died of complications from AIDS in 1984. Though earlier studies had cast doubt on the "Patient Zero" narrative, the Nature study proves there is no biological or historical data to support the story, said Richard McKay, a co-author of this week's study and a scholar specializing in the history of public health at the University of Cambridge in England. People magazine featured Gaetan Dugas as Patient Zero in 1987. This marked up copy, anonymously mailed to the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, exemplifies negative reactions. Image: National Library of medicine "This individual was simply one of the thousands infected before HIV was recognized," he said on a Tuesday conference call with reporters. Story continues According to the new research, once HIV arrived in the city, New York then became a "crucial hub" from which the virus spread across the continent, the researchers found based on an examination of genetic and historical data. Tracing the virus HIV is mainly transmitted through sexual contact or by using infected needles, although tainted blood transfusions can spread the virus and women infected with HIV can pass it to their children. HIV weakens a person's immune system by destroying important T-cells that fight disease and infection. If left untreated, HIV can lead to the development of AIDS, which leaves people extremely vulnerable to other types of infections without treatment. Around 36.7 million people worldwide had HIV/AIDS at the end of 2015, including 1.8 million children, according to UNAIDS. Decades later, U.S. cases of AIDS have drastically declined as drug therapies and prevention education improved. But questions had remained about how this deadly condition first arrived on America's doorstep. A woman draws a red AIDS ribbon on Castro Street in San Francisco for World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, 2015. Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images For the Nature study, the researchers began by screening more than 2,000 blood serum samples collected in New York and San Francisco between 1978 and 1979. The samples belonged to men who had sex with men, and who had participated in a vaccine study for Hepatitis B, another sexually transmitted virus, said Michael Worobey, a co-author of the study and an expert on virus evolution at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Abbreviation: MSM, men who have sex with men. Image: CDC Since many clinics and research facilities toss out old samples over time, Worobey said it was "miraculous" they were able to find these 2,000 samples. Yet all of the nearly 40-year-old samples had degraded over time. So Worobey said he borrowed ideas from the field of ancient DNA research and developed a technique to "stitch together" complete genomes. Using this technique, the researchers recovered eight viral RNA genome sequences of the strain of HIV that started the North American outbreak. These sequences are now considered the oldest HIV genomes in North America. "It's direct evidence of many years of circulation of this virus in the United States before HIV and AIDS were finally recognized," Worobey told reporters on a press call. The researchers found extensive genetic diversity in the earliest HIV genomes they recovered from New York, which indicated the start of the outbreak. This particular strain of HIV likely first emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the early 20th century. At some point, a chimpanzee first spread the virus to a human, who later spread it to other humans. Subtype B endured for decades, and by the 1960s, it crossed the Atlantic and took hold in Haiti and the Caribbean. The early patterns of HIV-1 subtype B spread in the Americas. Image: michael worobey/nature From there, the strain arrived in New York, then traveled to San Francisco, South America, Western Europe, Australia and parts of Asia, Worobey said. The methods used in this study also have implications beyond the field of HIV/AIDS, experts said. These new molecular techniques to restore genetic material from aging tissue samples could help scientists study the outbreaks of other infectious diseases, such as the Ebola and Zika viruses, said John Coffin, a professor of molecular biology and microbiology at Tufts University in Massachusetts. "The study really tells us what we need to know, in a sense, about how epidemics spread, how they develop," said Coffin, who was not involved in Wednesday's study. "It resets our understanding of the very early days [of AIDS] in a very useful way," he told Mashable. Tracing Patient Zero narrative While the study proves when HIV arrived in North America, it doesn't reveal who or what first brought the virus. An individual of any nationality may have brought the virus from the Caribbean, or the virus could've traveled in blood products imported from Haiti. "How the virus moved from the Caribbean to the United States and New York City in the 1970s is an open question," Worobey told reporters. What is certain, however, is that Dugas, or "Patient Zero," was not to blame for spreading the virus to North America. A thousand of the newest blocks of The Aids Memorial Quilt are displayed June 26, 2004, in Washington, D.C. Image: Shaun Heasley/Getty Images Researchers studied the HIV genome of this man and found it appeared typical of U.S. strains that were already circulating in the 1980s. They also traced the historical origins of the Patient Zero myth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had interviewed him for a 1984 cluster study. Investigators first identified him as Case 057, and then "Patient O," because he came from "Out(side)-of-California." Through a typographical error, the number "0" replaced the letter "O," hence "Patient Zero." Dugas, who was born in 1952, was a flight attendant for Air Canada in the 1970s and 80s. He said he had about 250 different partners a year between 1979 and 1981, close to the average of 227 partners reported by other patients. The man gave CDC the names of 72 sexual partners, eight of whom had developed AIDS. Four of those men were in southern California, and four were in New York City. At the time, the investigators thought he matched the profile of someone who may have helped spread the disease quickly among men who have sex with men. But researchers never insinuated that Patient Zero was the source of the North American epidemic, and they never publicly identified him. Instead, the journalist Randy Shilts named the individual in his 1987 book And The Band Played On and highlighted the man's "unique role" in the HIV epidemic. That book later became a movie starring Alan Alda and Matthew Modine (the latter of Stranger Things fame). Protesters carry signs, including one showing President Ronald Reagan, during a demonstration outside the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. ,on Sept. 9, 1987, the year "And the Band Played On" was published. Image: AP Photo/Dennis Cook Shilts, who was gay and died of AIDS-related complications in 1994, had sought to highlight the epidemic's heroes and victims and shift the tone of the national public debate. Media coverage later reinforced Shilts' suggestions. Richard Burns, the activist in New York, said the narrative around Patient Zero was largely irrelevant to him and his peers as they struggled through the AIDS epidemic. Burns is now interim executive director of North Star Fund and is on the board of the NYC AIDS Memorial, which will open in Manhattan's West Village neighborhood on Dec. 1 on World AIDS Day. "We really didn't care about so-called Patient Zero at all," Burns recalled. "People were getting sick, the government didn't care, drug companies were not responding appropriately, the media was homophobic and AIDS-phobic," he said. "We were living in a world where the larger culture seemed to not care about us." (Reuters) - American International Group Inc (AIG.N) said on Wednesday that it has quadrupled its global capacity to cover "terrorist attacks" on property to $1 billion. A string of deadly attacks in developed countries over the past two years has increased demand for specialist cover known as "terrorism insurance", which came about after the 9/11 attacks in New York in 2001. "Demand from our clients for better protection against this risk has been strong," said George Stratts, who heads AIG's property and special risks team. Insurers and brokers have said attacks in Brussels, Paris, Istanbul and San Bernardino had made company boards increasingly concerned about safety, sparking demand from businesses including event organizers, hotels and catering firms. AIG said multinational companies in particular were looking for protection against the broad spectrum of risks they face worldwide, including "terrorism". The news comes less than a month after Lloyd's of London's Iberia office launched a new terrorism reinsurance product for Spanish multinational companies. (Reporting by Richa Naidu in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva) Paris (AFP) - Airbus Group on Wednesday posted a five percent fall in January-September net profit to 1.81 billion euros ($2 billion) as it revealed it intends to deliver more planes than initially forecast this year. Citing stable overall sales of 43 billion euros for the period, the company said it would seek to raise deliveries to 670 planes, a jump of 20 aircraft, in order to hit its annual earnings targets. "As expected, the nine-month performance reflects the heavily back-loaded aircraft delivery schedule, ongoing production ramp-up and transition to new versions of our A320 and A330 aircraft," said CEO Tom Enders. "For the remaining months of the year we remain totally focused on deliveries" to hit our earnings and cash targets, he added. Financial director Harald Wilhelm indicated Airbus was targeting delivery of "more than 670 planes" to meet full-year earnings targets. Wilhelm conceded that, with 462 deliveries to end September, there remained much still to do but that the firm was counting on suppliers to help them hit the revised total. January-September orders netted Airbus 73.2 billion euros -- down from 111.9 billion for the same period of 2015. At the end of September, Airbus said it had 986 billion euros of orders booked. Airbus last month said it would carry out restructuring to cut costs without indicating the scale of potential job cuts amid slow sales for the A380 super jumbo. The company has been ramping up deliveries of its A350 widebody and single aisle A320 models but has seen pricing pressures on its A330 widebody plane ahead of the scheduled introduction next year of the updated A330neo. Citing 11 A400M military transport planes delivered to end September Airbus said that was evidence of "notable progress" in the sector. Airbus said receipts from its helicopters division had slid 3.0 percent even though overall deliveries had risen to 258 units from 237 last year. Story continues This comes amid a trend towards smaller models as the helicopter sector struggles with the effect of lower investment from oil firms hit by lower crude prices. The group's helicopters division Wednesday announced a voluntary redundancy plan for implementation by 2018 for 582 jobs. Earlier this month, Airbus blasted the Polish government's handling of a failed helicopter deal worth some three billion euros which has caused diplomatic tensions between Paris and Warsaw. Warsaw blamed Airbus for the breakdown in talks but has since invited the company to join a new tender process. By Rory Carroll Oct 25 (Reuters) - Alaska Governor Bill Walker has called off the planned sale of up to $3.3 billion in state pension obligation bonds due to a lack of support from members of the state senate, he said on Tuesday. Low oil prices have contributed to a multibillion budget deficit for the current fiscal year and the sale of the bonds was seen by Walker's administration as a way to help shore up the state's Public Employee and Teachers' Retirement System. "While we believe the financial benefits of issuing state pension obligation bonds significantly outweigh the financial risks, we recognize the need for legislative input," Walker said in a statement. Walker met with Senate Finance Committee members this week where they warned against proceeding with the sale out of concern about taking on more debt. "Given their lack of support, I have decided not to proceed with the issuance at this time," he said. Credit ratings agency S&P Global Ratings had warned that Alaska could face a credit downgrade if it proceeded with the bond transaction. "Not selling them now may delay the downward pressure on the rating, but absent fiscal reforms, many of the same fiscal pressures remain," S&P's Gabriel Petek told Reuters on Tuesday. (Reporting by Rory Carroll in San Francisco; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) Top 10 Merchant Acquirers This story was delivered to BI Intelligence "Payments Briefing" subscribers. To learn more and subscribe, please click here. Alibaba-affiliated mobile wallet Alipay partnered with point-of-sale (POS) terminal vendors and processors First Data and Verifone, as it expands its reach into the US, according to Fortune. The partnership will give Alipay's 450 million active users the ability to use the wallet to pay at select US retailers that offer First Data's Clover mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) and US and European merchants offering Verifone's e355 terminal. This move, which is Alipay's first major foray into the North American market, will ultimately connect Chinese tourists to international merchants. Alipay can increase transaction volume and customer loyalty with these partnerships. Chinese tourists like to travel and spend in the US. In 2015, more than 2.5 million Chinese tourists visited the US, and these tourists are expected to spend $40 billion in 2017. Alipay could capture a share of this large market as it offers its users a much more convenient and familiar payment option, rather than having to carry large sums of cash or using high-fee international credit cards when shopping. Giving users more options is likely to keep them loyal. China's mobile payments market is heating up as more payment options, such as Apple Pay and Samsung Pay, become available in the country. Alipay is likely to keep a strong hold on its large user base by offering international payment capabilities, especially in the US. An international presence keeps users loyal to Alipay rather than giving them a reason to adopt other mobile wallets. These new partnerships could spur adoption of Alipay-capable POS terminals. As more merchants realize that accepting Alipay could increase revenue by attracting the large number of Chinese tourists who would be familiar with Alipay and like to spend, they may look to upgrade their POS systems. This would result in increased customer acquisition for both Verifone and First Data as these merchants leverage this value add. Story continues Mobile payments are becoming more popular thanks to services such as Alipay, but they still face some high barriers, such as consumers' continued loyalty to traditional payment methods and fragmented acceptance among merchants. But as loyalty programs are integrated and more consumers rely on their mobile wallets for other features like in-app payments, adoption and usage will surge over the next few years. Evan Bakker, senior research analyst for BI Intelligence, Business Insider's premium research service, has compiled a detailed report on mobile payments that forecasts the growth of in-store mobile payments in the U.S., analyzes the performance of major mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Android Pay, and Samsung Pay, and addresses the barriers holding mobile payments back as well as the benefits that will propel adoption. Here are some key takeaways from the report: In our latest US in-store mobile payments forecast, we find that volume will reach $75 billion this year. We expect volume to pick up significantly by 2020, reaching $503 billion. This reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 80% between 2015 and 2020. Consumer interest is the primary barrier to mobile payments adoption. Surveys indicate that the issue is less the mobile wallet itself and more that people remain loyal to traditional payment methods and show little enthusiasm for picking up new habits. Integrated loyalty programs and other add-on features will be key to mobile wallets taking off. Consumers are showing interest in wallets with integrated loyalty programs. Other potential add-ons, like in-app, in-browser, and P2P payments, will also start fueling adoption. This strategy has been proved successful in China with platforms like WeChat and Alipay. In full, the report: Forecasts the growth of US in-store mobile payments volume and users through 2020. Measures mobile wallet user engagement by forecasting mobile payments' share of their annual retail spending. Reviews the performance of major mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Samsung Pay. Addresses the key barriers that are preventing mobile in-store payments from taking off. Identifies the growth drivers that will ultimately carve a path for mainstream adoption. To get your copy of this invaluable guide, choose one of these options: Subscribe to an ALL-ACCESS Membership with BI Intelligence and gain immediate access to this report AND over 100 other expertly researched deep-dive reports, subscriptions to all of our daily newsletters, and much more. >> START A MEMBERSHIP Purchase the report and download it immediately from our research store. >> BUY THE REPORT The choice is yours. But however you decide to acquire this report, youve given yourself a powerful advantage in your understanding of how mobile payments are rapidly evolving. More From Business Insider Thursday markets one of the years busiest day for earnings reports, and will be dominated by news out of tech majors Alphabet, Amazon, and Twitter. Before the market open well also get the latest weekly report on initial jobless claims, which economists expect will show initial filings for unemployment insurance remained below 300,000 for the 86th straight week. Pending home sales and durable goods orders for September will round out the days economic data. Earnings Overview Alphabet, the parent company of Google, grabbed headlines late Tuesday when Bloomberg reported the company would cut 9% of its Google Fiber unit and that its head, Craig Barratt, would depart. Wall Street is looking for Alphabet to report earnings per share of $8.63 on revenue of $22.1 billion, according to estimates from Yahoo finance. Retail giant Amazon, notorious in some circles for being light on profit despite massive revenues, is expected to turn a profit of $0.80 per share in the third quarter on revenue of $32.7 billion. In focus will Amazons Web Services business, which brought in revenue of $2.6 billion in the second quarter, up 64% year-over-year. Twitter, the social media network loved by journalists and shrugged off by most others, will also report after the bell Thursday. Bloomberg reported this week Twitter is planning to lay off 8% of its staff. Earnings expected before the market open on Thursday include Bristol-Myers Squibb, UPS, and ConocoPhillips. Wednesdays Movers Akami Technologies (+14%) Western Digital (+5%) Boeing (+4.7%) Northrop Grumman (+4%) Edwards Lifesciences (-17%) Chipotle (-9%) Southwest Airlines (-8.5%) Apple (-2.6%) Further Reading Amazon is failing to steal Costcos customers (Yahoo Finance) Canadas national housing agency issues its strongest warning yet on the frothy state of the real estate market (WSJ) Apples biggest problem? Apple. (Yahoo Finance) What a Hillary Clinton presidency could mean for stocks (Yahoo Finance) The margin pressure felt by restaurants is set to hit the rest of the economy (Bloomberg View) Story continues JP Morgan bankers have been barred from reading the Financial Times at work (Business Insider) East Asias aggregate 2015 external surplus was only a bit smaller, relative to the GDP of its trading partners, than it was prior to the global crisis. (Council on Foreign Relations) Tom Lee is still bullish (CNBC) Uber launches an Uber for trucking marketplace (Business Insider) Myles Udland is a writer at Yahoo Finance. Amber Tamblyn is going to be a mama. The actress on Wednesday revealed the news via a guest column for Glamour.com. "Motherhood has been heavily on my mind because I am going to be a mother soon. I'm pregnant, with a daughter on the way.??I think constantly about the world I am bringing her into," she wrote in her essay. This will be the first child for Tamblyn, 33, and her husband, actor David Cross, 52. The couple got engaged in August 2011 before tying the knot in October 2012. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants star also penned her support for Hillary Clinton, the presidential candidate she believes is most qualified to be the country's next leader. Read more: Hillary Clinton's Patriotism Comes Full Circle in Red, White and Blue Pantsuits "Hillary Clinton is a mom. She's also a daughter. She's also a grandmother," Tamblyn continued. "I have wondered what kind of conversations she's had to have with her daughter about men, or what conversations Hillary's mother had to have with her about boys?" She concluded: "After I'm done writing this, I'll go back to my desk and fill out my absentee ballot. I'll be voting for more than just a woman; I'll be voting for a revolutionary idea. I'll be voting for a future for my daughter where conversations about our bodies and our lives are broader than what value they have for men." Earlier this month, Tamblyn??opened up about being sexually assaulted by her ex-boyfriend. She went public following Donald Trump's leaked tape controversy, in which the Republican candidate could be heard making tasteless remarks about women to former Access Hollywood host Billy Bush. Read more: Rihanna Wears Her Support for Hillary Clinton Police have arrested four persons including two active members of a militant organisation who had got money from Pakistan for fuelling unrest in Sopore. By Ashraf Wani: Police have arrested four persons including two active members of a militant organisation who had got money from Pakistan for fuelling and sustaining the present unrest in Sopore area. Sopore Police arrested two persons, namely, Gowhar Ahmed Bhat, resident of Mir Sahib, Baramulla and Hilal Ahmed Gojri, a resident of Syed Karim, Baramulla who are active members of militant organisation Tehreek-i-Jehad-i-Islami (TJI) based in Pakistan. advertisement DETAILS OF THE CASE They had visited Pakistan during the ongoing unrest. During their questioning, names of two more persons Showkat Ali Gazi, resident of Sidiq Colony, Sopore and Zahoor Ahmed Shagoo, resident of Tawheed Bagh, Sopore surfaced. Certain documents were recovered from their possession. During questioning, the duo revealed that during their visit to Pakistan they received Rs 50,000 each and were promised more funds for fuelling the current unrest. Both of them have been arrested. A case has been registered and investigation is on. Also read: Mehbooba Mufti to Kashmir police: Take bullet instead of using pellet guns on protesters Removal of AFSPA necessary for peace in Kashmir: Mehbooba Mufti --- ENDS --- Company Acquires Property from Boston Beer Company, Maker of Sam Adams Beer, for $4,475,000; Expects to Begin Construction in Early 2017 and Commence Operations by the End of 2017 DENVER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / October 26, 2016 / AmeriCann, Inc. (ACAN), a company that plans to develop sustainable, state-of-the-art medical cannabis cultivation properties, has completed its acquisition of a nearly 53-acre property from Boston Beer Company (NYSE:SAM) for $4,475,000. The Company plans to develop the property as the Massachusetts Medical Cannabis Center (the "MMCC"), one of the largest and most technologically advanced cannabis cultivation facilities in the nation. MMCC Rendering: Designs for the MMCC include the construction of sustainable greenhouse cultivation, processing, and infused product facilities that will be leased or sold to Registered Marijuana Dispensaries under the Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Program. The Company has received unanimous approval from the Town of Freetown Planning Board for the development of 977,000 square feet of cannabis cultivation and processing infrastructure on the property. In addition, AmeriCann has signed definitive agreements with a provisionally licensed organization to become the initial tenant in the planned MMCC. As part of the closing transaction, AmeriCann transferred the property to a real estate investment group, Massachusetts Medical Properties, LLC and entered into a 50-year lease with options to extend for an additional 40 years. The sale-leaseback transaction allows AmeriCann to focus on raising capital to build revenue-generating infrastructure on the property. When fully developed, the MMCC is projected to create over 300 jobs with an annual projected payroll of over $14 million to the local community. Construction is expected to commence in early 2017 with first cannabis produced by late 2017. AmeriCann and Freetown officials have been engaged in the approval process for over a year and the town has provided strong support for the MMCC. The Freetown planning board gave unanimous approval to the development plans in a public forum. Planning Board Chairman Kevin Desmarais closed the meeting by saying, "This has been one of the better public processes with which I've been involved." Story continues Twenty-five states and the District of Columbia have regulated the use of cannabis. Additionally, nine states with over 30% of the United States population will be voting on November 8th regulating the sale of cannabis for medicinal or recreational use. Most ballot measures favoring cannabis are polling favorably. The respected Wall Street firm of Cowen & Co recently released a research report projecting dramatic growth for the regulated cannabis industry from the current $7 billion nationally to over $50 billion in ten years. The Massachusetts Medical Use of Marijuana Program, which was approved by voters in 2012 by a wide margin, continues to be one of the highest regarded medical cannabis programs in the nation by industry experts even with the first dispensaries having only recently opened. The first phase plans for MMCC are based on demand from the existing medical market. AmeriCann will monitor the vote in Massachusetts on adult use and may modify the planned capacity accordingly. "The state [Massachusetts] could become one of the biggest regulated cannabis markets in the country; bigger than Colorado and Washington State," according to Marijuana Business Daily. The Boston Globe recently reported the regulated cannabis market in Massachusetts may exceed $1 billion by 2020. "There is a lack of existing and planned cultivation infrastructure in the Massachusetts market which creates the opportunity for developing MMCC," stated Tim Keogh, CEO of AmeriCann. He went on to say, "in addition, the size of the project, as well as the design of the facility using our Cannopy System, will produce sun-grown cannabis in a more cost effective manner than traditional indoor facilities creating a significant competitive advantage." The Boston Globe, in reporting on the Freetown property acquisition stated, "Advocates have repeatedly complained that Massachusetts has too few medical marijuana dispensaries and growing facilities, and the legal marijuana available is too expensive - problems Keogh hopes the Freetown complex will help solve." According to Matt Karnes, Founder and Managing Partner of the respected NY-based cannabis industry research firm GreenWave Advisors, "We believe that the future of the cannabis industry is large-scale, energy efficient greenhouse cultivation and processing. AmeriCann is well positioned at the forefront of this development." About AmeriCann AmeriCann is a publicly traded company that plans to develop and lease sustainable, state-of-the-art medical cannabis cultivation properties. The Company has over 1,000,000 square feet of facilities in the planning and design stages of development. The Company has designed a proprietary line of cannabis infused products which will be branded and licensed to companies in regulated markets. AmeriCann, Inc. is a Certified B Corp, an acknowledgment of the company's commitment to social and environmental ethics, transparency and accountability. AmeriCann became the first public cannabis company to earn this respected accreditation. More information about the Company is available at: www.americann.co. About Massachusetts Medical Cannabis Center The Massachusetts Medical Cannabis Center is approved for nearly 1,000,000 square feet of medical cannabis cultivation and processing in Freetown, Massachusetts. The state-of-the-art, sustainable, greenhouse project will consist of multiple planned phases for tenants in the Massachusetts medical marijuana market. AmeriCann's Cannopy System uniquely combines expertise from traditional horticulture, lean manufacturing, regulatory compliance and cannabis cultivation to create superior facilities and procedures. The first phase of the project consists of 130,000 sq. ft. of cultivation and processing infrastructure. AmeriCann can expand the first phase to approximately 600,000 sq. ft., based on patient demand. Forward-Looking 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 (the "Exchange Act") (which Sections were adopted as part of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "project," "prospects," "outlook," and similar words or expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "should," "would," "may," and "could" are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any anticipated results, performance or achievements. The Company disclaims any intention to, and undertakes no obligation to, revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, a future event, or otherwise. For additional uncertainties that could impact the Company's forward-looking statements, please see the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2015, which the Company has filed with the SEC and which may be viewed at http://www.sec.gov. Contact Information: Corporate: AmeriCann, Inc. 3200 Brighton Blvd. Unit 114 Denver, CO 80216 (303) 862-9000 info@americann.co www.americann.co Investors: Hayden IR hart@haydenir.com (917) 658-7878 SOURCE: AmeriCann, Inc. With less than two weeks to go before the election, the Democrats appear on the cusp of regaining control of the Senate, riding a crest of growing anti-Trump sentiment across the country. Beleaguered Republican incumbents have done the best they can to distance themselves from Donald Trump, the GOPs increasingly toxic presidential candidate. But even the few who have openly broken with Trump have had trouble eluding Democrat efforts to link them to their partys standard bearer, who most polls indicate will be soundly defeated by Democrat Hillary Clinton on Nov. 8. Related: Trumps Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Electoral Map Democrats have been out of power in the Senate for the past two years, and Clinton desperately needs them back in the majority in order to approve her Supreme Court nominations and to advance her major domestic initiatives and tax policies in the face of almost certain opposition from the Republican-controlled House. Republicans currently hold a 54 to 46 seat majority in the Senate and must defend 24 of those seats in next months election, while Democrats must protect just 10 seats. Assuming Clinton beats Trump for the presidency and her vice president, Tim Kaine, formally presides over the Senate and can break any ties, the Democrats need a net pickup of four Republican seats to claim the majority and make Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York the next Majority Leader. If Trump were to pull out a victory, then the Democrats would need a five-seat pickup to regain the majority. While nothing is set in stone until all the votes are counted, many political analysts are beginning to forecast a Democratic takeover of the Senate as well as a strong Democratic showing in House races that would chip away at the Republicans currently overwhelming 30-seat advantage. The Cook Political Report this week projected that the Democrats will pick up five to seven Republican seats a forecast certain to provide Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky with heartburn. University of Virginia political scientist Larry J. Sabatos Crystal Ball blog is signaling that the Democrats will capture at least five Republican seats. Story continues Related: Many Senate Republicans Are Ready to Drop Trump Like a Hot Rock Although most analysts hesitate to predict which of the current Republican-held seats will fall to the Democrats, there is agreement that GOP Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois will lose handily to Democratic Rep. Tammy Duckworth and that Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin will fall to former Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold. The other projected three to five Democratic pickups will likely come in North Carolina, Indiana, Missouri, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and possibly Florida. Of course Trump is hurting them, Sabato said in an email on Wednesday. But theres a different calculus in each state a result of candidates, funding issues specific to each race and so on. Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), a veteran lawmaker, is a political insider in a year when voters have shown a preference for outsiders. He admits that Im in the race of my life against former state legislator Deborah Ross, despite Burrs relentless attacks on Ross for her liberal record running the state American Civil Liberties Union chapter. In the battle for an open seat in Indiana, former Democratic senator and governor Evan Bayh has been bludgeoned by Republican Rep. Todd Young for the millions of dollars he earned through Washington connections, and yet Bayh continues to hold a modest lead in most polls. Related: Do the Sexual Assault Allegations Against Trump Matter to Voters? Republican Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri is viewed by many voters as too closely allied with his familys lobbying interests. His youthful Democratic challenger, Jason Kander, an Army veteran, dazzled voters with an ad in which he explained his support for background checks for gun purchasers while assembling an AR-15 assault rifle blindfolded. In New Hampshire, Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte is locked in a bitter battle with Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan. Ayotte stumbled badly during a debate by declaring that Trump was a good role model for children, but later saying that she misspoke. Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) has declined to either endorse or disavow Trump and seemingly hopes to hang onto his seat by appealing to conservatives and suburban moderates. But Democratic challenger Katie McGinty has been backed by President Obama and a well-financed media campaign, and threatens to topple Toomey if Clinton does well in the presidential contest in the Keystone State. Finally, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, the unsuccessful candidate for the Republican presidential nomination who decided belatedly to seek another term in the Senate, holds a 3.6 point lead on average over Democratic Rep. Patrick Murphy and is expected to win reelection. Yet Rubio, who boasts of his Cuban heritage, got booed off a stage in Orlando on Sunday by a crowd that was predominantly Latino. Rubios policies are too conservative for many Hispanic voters. And many are disgusted with Rubio for endorsing Trump after denouncing the billionaire businessman during the primaries as a con-artist who spent years sticking it to the working people. Related: Why Now Is the Perfect Time for Trump TV to Take Down Fox News A few months ago, the Republicans appeared in good shape to win a Nevada Senate seat held for years by Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid. But Republican Rep. Joe Hecks repudiation of Trump backfired on him among conservatives in the state, while Reids hand-picked Democratic successor, Catherine Cortez Masto, appears to be in much better shape than earlier in the campaign. Jennifer Duffy of The Cook Political Report, an expert on Senate politics, said in an interview on Wednesday that Republican Senate candidates for months had done a good job of navigating the political problems posed by Trump despite his attacks on Hispanics, women, Muslims, immigrants, free-traders and others. She said the turning point came with the revelation of the 11-year-old NBC Access Hollywood tape in which Trump boasted of exploiting his star power as a billionaire and reality TV host to grope women. That was followed by more than a dozen women coming forward with stories about how they had been sexually abused and humiliated by Trump. After the tape was revealed by The Washington Post in early October, Trump started to slide in a lot of these competitive states and Republicans saw a dip as well, Duffy said. Related: If Trump Loses, Will He Keep the Nation Divided? And what it comes down to, really, is that marginal or casual Republicans who dont always vote sort of lost interest in the election, she said. They no longer thought they needed to vote Until this tape, Republican Senate candidates had been managing it well. For a lot of people, the tape turned out to be the last straw. Whats more, many of these GOP Senate campaigns lack an organizational ground game that can turn out supporters on Nov. 8 or encourage them to vote early. Theres nobody out there appealing to these casual Republicans, reminding them that there are other reasons to go to the polls apart from voting for president, Duffy said. The Trump campaign didnt do that. Many fear that with little hope of overtaking Clinton, Trump is running a scorched earth campaign against the media, the political establishment and other perceived enemies who he claims are conspiring to rig the election and bring him down. As for Trumps concern about down-ballot Republican candidates in Senate and House races, The Washington Post reported Tuesday that Trumps campaign has decided against holding any more big-money fundraising events to benefit the Republican Party. That will damage the partys get-out-the-vote effort, according to the newspaper. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: By Jeffrey Dastin and Anya George Tharakan (Reuters) - Apple Inc posted its third successive quarter of declining iPhone sales on Tuesday and forecast slimmer-than-expected profit margins over the upcoming holiday season even as it projected record sales, sending its shares down. The world's most valuable publicly traded company said improved sales from China were around the corner, despite revenue falling almost 30 percent from the country in the latest quarter. It said sales so far to India have only scratched the surface. But a slight miss on fiscal fourth-quarter revenue and a projection of gross profit margins a touch behind analyst targets reflected broader concerns that Apple may have lost its tech superiority, even with the refreshed iPhone 7. "In essence, in China and elsewhere, while Apples products are still seen favourably, the distance between Apple and its competitors is nowhere near as great as it once was," Neil Saunders, head of retail research firm Conlumino, wrote in a note. Apple shares fell 2.8 percent to $114.99 in after-hours trading. Chief Financial Officer Luca Maestri said in a phone interview with Reuters it was "impossible to know" if there was any effect yet from rival Samsung Electronics Co Ltd halting production of its fire-prone Galaxy Note 7 phones earlier this month. He also said that Apple was "supply constrained" and selling all the smartphones it could make. "It's clear that Apple is bullish about growth in the iPhone, but there's little evidence of that growth in the actual results announced today," said analyst Jan Dawson of Jackdaw Research. "Given that the iPhone 7 and especially the iPhone 7 Plus is in short supply, Apple is going to be a little constrained in its ability to take full advantage of the strong demand we're seeing," he added. NATURAL PAUSE Apple said it sold 45.51 million iPhones in the three months ended Sept. 24. That beat the average analysts' estimate of 44.8 million, according to research firm FactSet StreetAccount. Story continues Revenue fell 9 percent to $46.85 billion (38.51 billion pounds), a touch behind Wall Street targets, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Apple forecast revenue of $76 billion to $78 billion for the current, holiday-dominated quarter, ahead of the consensus estimate of $75.08 billion. If it hits that estimate, this quarter would be Apple's biggest on record by sales, ahead of the $75.9 billion revenue it posted in the year-ago period. However, Apple offered a conservative outlook on profit margins, 38 to 38.5 percent, versus expectations of nearly 39 percent, said Mariann Montagne, senior investment analyst and portfolio manager at Gradient Investments. "I think people were a bit surprised," said Montagne, whose firm holds Apple shares. Apple shares have outperformed the market over the last three months, and Edward Jones analyst Bill Kreher said the shares were taking a "natural pause" even though results were positive. The stock hit a 12-month low of $89.47 in May and has marched up since as investor confidence returned. HOPES FOR CHINA Apple is still optimistic about its business in China, CFO Maestri said. While gross domestic product growth in the country has slowed, the economy is still growing, the middle class is expanding and smartphone ownership remains low, he said. Maestri said high demand for Apple's newest iPhones made the company confident about results in the first quarter. The company's net income fell to $9.01 billion, or $1.67 per share in the quarter from $11.12 billion, or $1.96 per share, a year earlier. That beat the average estimate of $1.66 per share. Apple's fortunes are strongly tied to the success of the iPhone, which accounts for two-thirds of its revenue. Chief Executive Tim Cook also said on a call with analysts that India was poised to boom in smartphone sales as a more powerful 4G cellular network was put in place this year and next. He also hinted at potential future areas of business, commenting that media content creation and ownership was a great opportunity. Cook declined to say whether Apple was working on a car, as has been widely reported, but he called the industry "interesting." (Additional reporting by Anya George Tharakan in Bengaluru; Writing by Peter Henderson; Editing by Ted Kerr and Bill Rigby) Fantasy Football Struggling with injuries throughout most of the 2016 season, Arian Foster made the shocking but correct decision to hang up his pads for good. I applaud him for two things, putting his health first in this situation and for helping the Miami Dolphins in the long run with his decision. AROUND COVER32 Winners and Losers Ajayi stars again and Bradford finally stumbles Sunday Moments: The best plays from Week 7 of NFL football Mock Draft Monday: Cornerbacks for the Dolphins to consider Dolphins News: Miami still has things to work on Follow us on Twitter here Why does the loss of a running back help the Miami Dolphins? Arian Foster was becoming a bit of ball and chain on the teams backfield. They were trying to use him, hoping they could get some of the old Pro Bowler out of him. Unfortunately, every time Foster went out on the field and failed to get the job done, it hurt the rest of the offense and the other running backs who lost out on that opportunity. Between the teams three current running backs, their average age is 23. The younger generation is alive and well in Miami. What do these young running backs need most? Reps. With the constantly injured Foster taking up those reps, the young players were beginning to suffer for almost no fault of their own. While Jay Ajayi has been dominating opponents as the starter, Fosters retirement basically clears the way for rookie Kenyan Drake and third year back Damien Williams to get more reps in the offense. With the three young men now leading the way, Miami may have their first clear sign at the position since the days of Ronnie and Rickie. Jay Ajayi is the all-purpose runner. He can pound it up the middle and cut it to the outside. Kenyan Drake is that speedster that can be a game-changer given the opportunity. Damien Williams is the check down passing option. Give him space after the pass and Williams can get you that first down. Before that, Arian Foster was just taking up those players reps. Taking opportunities from the younger players, Fosters mere presence on the offense was hurting both himself and the rest of the Miami Dolphins. It wasnt his fault. Was it though? Story continues Either way, the news of Fosters retirement is something I think we should celebrate. The career of a former Pro Bowl player is now over. He decided to put his body and family over his career, something I think we can all applaud. In the end, this move is not only the right one for him but also for the Miami Dolphins. READ MORE: Dolphins beginning to turn corner The post Arian Fosters retirement will aid the Miami Dolphins in the long run appeared first on Cover32. Arrival, Hacksaw Ridge and Moonlight play in the main competition at Camerimage, the cinematography-centric film festival that holds its 24th edition in Bydgoszcz, Poland, from Nov. 12-19. At Camerimage, the aim of the main competition is to present films with unique visual appeal, emphasizing the contribution of the cinematographer to the final work. An international jury will choose and award the authors of the best cinematography. The films are: Afterimage, directed by Andrzej Wajda, with cinematography by Pawel Edelman. The film shows the final years of painter Wadysaw Strzeminski, who was persecuted by the communist regime even as he promoted socialist realism. Arrival, directed by Dennis Villeneuve, with cinematography by Bradford Young. The sci-fi pic stars Amy Adams as a linguist who tries to make contact with aliens who have landed on earth. Blood and Glory, directed by Sean Else, lensed by Adam Bentel. The film tells an inspiring story of survival under harsh conditions in the aftermath of the second AngloBoer War. Hacksaw Ridge, directed by Mel Gibson, with DP work by Simon Duggan. This true story follows a young patriotic pacifist played by Andrew Garfield who proves his mettle during World War II. Lion, directed by Garth Davis, shot by Greig Fraser. The movie tells the bittersweet story of a five-year-old Indian boy separated from his family, raised in Australia, who searches for his roots. Marie Curie, directed by Marie Noelle, with cinematography by Michal Englert. This film explores the life of the greatest female Polish scientist, Maria Skodowska-Curie, who won the Nobel Prize in two categories: physics and chemistry. A Monster Calls, directed by Juan Antonio Bayona, shot by Oscar Faura. A bullied boy whose mother is dying of cancer seeks solace in his boundless imagination. Moonlight, directed by Barry Jenkins, with cinematography by James Laxton. The film explores three stages in the life of a black boy in Miami as he grows into manhood and unpeels secrets about himself and the world around him. Story continues Oscuro Animal, directed by Felipe Guerrero and lensed by Fernando Lockett. This dialogue-free tale is set in Colombia and focuses on the lives of three women in the midst of a brutal civil war Past Life, directed by Avi Nesher, shot by Michel Abramowicz. This story focuses on young Israeli soprano and her family, exposing dark secrets and asking ambivalent questions about the holocaust and the nature of evil. Remember, directed by Atom Egoyan, lensed by Paul Sarossy. This film, rooted in World War II, is a morally ambiguous tale of human frailty, deceptive memory, and the different faces of truth, which does not always set one free. Snowden, directed by Oliver Stone, with cinematography by Anthony Dod Mantle. This is the movie version of story of Edward Snowden, the former CIA and NSA contractor responsible for the greatest leak of confidential data in the history of the United States. Tanna, directed by Martin Butler and Bentley Dean, with DP work by Dean. This Romeo and Juliet-style drama thriller is set on the scenic islands of Vanuatu in the South Pacific. (Pictured above: Andrew Garfield in Hacksaw Ridge) Related stories 'Arrival': 5 Reasons the Brainy Sci-Fi Thriller Scored Box Office: 'Doctor Strange' Stays on Top With $43 Million, 'Arrival' Impresses Andrzej Wajda's Heartfelt Final Film, 'Afterimage,' Opens Camerimage Fest TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Asahi Mutual Life Insurance plans to start investing in overseas infrastructure for the first time through its newly established funds, a senior executive told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday. Japan's life insurers have been shifting away from Japanese government bonds, which had been the mainstay of their portfolios, because of the recent decline in bond yields under the Bank of Japan's extensive monetary easing. Infrastructure funds target 'greenfield' or 'brownfield' projects during their primary stage of investment. While 'greenfield' projects are associated with assets yet to be constructed and carry higher investment risks, 'brownfield' projects have more stable cashflows and involve established assets in need of improvement. Asahi will invest in the latter, said Masaru Tsuruoka, head of the asset allocation and planning department. "We will mostly focus on infrastructure projects such as water projects and airport works in developed countries. We can expect 4-5 percent yields through those projects," he said. Asahi will invest in open-ended funds, which are liquid and allow investors to redeem their investment at any time, he added. Tsuruoka said the insurer is also considering to invest in such foreign assets as corporate debt and sovereign debt through its asset management arm. Asahi has allocated about 15 billion yen (117,887,101.63 pounds) to spend on this category and on infrastructure investment, he said. Asahi also plans to increase its foreign government bond holdings by another 10 billion yen in the second half, after investing 100 billion yen in the April-Sept period, Tsuruoka said. During the first half, most of Asahi's investment in foreign government bonds was currency-hedged. But it will consider investing in foreign debt without currency-hedging in the second half as the risk of a strong yen is seen receding, he said. Tsuruoka said Asahi's domestic bond investment was expected to fall by 40 billion yen in the second half, while its loan investment would likely drop by 30 billion yen. Story continues The BOJ surprised markets by introducing measures to control the yield curve in its policy meeting last month and said it would aim to keep the 10-year government bond yields at about zero percent. But the 10-year Japanese government bond yield has been in the negative territory, and stood at minus 0.065 percent on Wednesday. "Super long bonds' yields have risen, so the monetary action gave a somewhat positive effect. But yields are overall low, so we will not invest in JGBs," Tsuruoka said. (Reporting by Hirotoshi Sugiyama; Writing by Ayai Tomisawa, editing by Chris Gallagher and Sherry Jacob-Phillips) By Laila Bassam BEIRUT (Reuters) - Forces allied to President Bashar al-Assad in Syria warned Turkey on Wednesday against any advance towards their positions to the north and east of Aleppo, saying any such move would be met "decisively and with force". The field commander of the forces allied to Damascus made the comments during a tour of frontlines to the north of Aleppo in a written statement sent to Reuters by an official from the same alliance. The commander, who was not identified by name, nationality or affiliation, said any such advance would be seen as a breach of "the red lines". "We will not let anyone use the excuse of fighting Daesh (Islamic State) to advance and attempt to draw near to the defenses of the allies forces," he said. The alliance fighting in support of Assad includes the Lebanese group Hezbollah, Iraqi militias, and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. (Reporting by Laila Bassam; Editing by Angus MacSwan) Former External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha led a five-member delegation to Geelani's residence where he is under house arrest, insisting that they are well-wishers of Kashmiris. By Naseer Ganai: After snubbing the 'all-party delegation' comprising Opposition parties last month, separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani met former External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha at his residence on Tuesday. Sinha led a five-member delegation to Geelani's residence where he is under house arrest, insisting that they are well-wishers of Kashmiris. THE 'CORDIAL TALK' After emerging from the meeting, which lasted for an hour, Sinha said that the talks were held in a 'cordial atmosphere'. The delegation later called on other separatist leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Abdul Gani Bhat. Mirwaiz was released from jail on Monday night and remains under house arrest. The other members of the delegation were Wajahat Habibullah, former chairman of the National Commission for Minorities; Kapil Kak, former Air Vice-Marshal; journalist Bharat Bhushan and Sushoba Barve of Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation. advertisement On September 4, Geelani had refused to meet CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI leader D Raja, JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav and RJD's Jay Prakash Narayan. The delegation was met with pro-freedom and anti-India slogans from demonstrators who had gathered outside Geelani's residence. Also read: Kashmir unrest: All-party delegation greeted with slogans outside Geelani's house, forced to leave Also read: NIA calls Syed Ali Geelani's son for questioning over suspicious financial transactions, Hurriyat cries foul GEELANI DEMANDS On Tuesday, the Sinha-led delegation too was met with anti-India slogans. In the evening, the Geelani-led All Parties Hurriyat Conference issued a statement saying, "A high-level delegation headed by former external affairs minister Yashwant Sinha dropped at the residence-cum office of chairman Syed Ali Geelani at 11:30 am." "Geelani reminded the delegation of the historical perspective of the Kashmir issue, pending for its final resolution since 1947," the statement further said. As Kashmir entered into its 110th day of unrest on Wednesday, the Hurriyat demanded that all arrested people should be released and cases against them withdrawn. Police have so far arrested more than 6,000 youths involved in stone-throwing. More than 400 political activists and separatist leaders have also been booked under the Public Safety Act. Also read: Curfew reimposed in Srinagar, separatist leader Geelani detained Watch the video here --- ENDS --- National Australia Bank posted better-than-expected cash earnings Thursday after "a milestone year" in which writedowns for loss-making assets contributed to a 94.4 percent fall in annual net profit. Cash profit in the year to September 30, the financial industry's preferred measure which strips out volatile items, rose 4.2 percent to Aus$6.48 billion (US$4.95 billion), higher than expectations. But the lender's net profit dived to Aus$352 million following the spinning off of troubled British asset Clydesdale and most of its life insurance business to Japan's Nippon. NAB said net profit excluding these expected losses only decreased 5.6 percent to Aus$6.42 billion. It maintained its dividend at 99 Aus cents, contrary to many analyst expectations that it would slice the payout to shareholders to bolster capital. The market welcomed the result with the company's shares 1.86 percent higher at Aus$27.97 in morning trade. Chief executive Andrew Thorburn said the divestments over the year meant the bank was a leaner business moving forward. "This has been a milestone year for the group with the completion of major divestments including our exit from Clydesdale and the sale of 80 percent of our life insurance business to Nippon Life," he said. "NAB moves into 2017 a reshaped business - stronger, simpler and focused on helping our customers in Australia and New Zealand. "These changes have been achieved while delivering an improved operating performance and maintaining a strong balance sheet, sound asset quality and tight control of costs." The bank spun off Clydesdale earlier this year, which involved a one-off Aus$4.22 billion hit from the demerger and float, with its insurance arm offloaded to Nippon Life soon after. "Cash earnings came in 2.0 percent ahead of expectations on a full year basis and 3.0 percent ahead in the second half," said Watermark Funds Management analyst Omkar Joshi. Story continues "Overall, the result was a beat, driven largely by lower bad debts and expenses which benefitted from charges taken in previous periods." NAB said its charge for bad loans rose 7.0 percent to Aus$800 million over the year, which was below expectations. ANZ and Westpac banks also report annual results over the next two weeks with all of them battling higher funding costs, lower interest margins and rising bad-debt charges. Assurant, Inc. AIZ reported third-quarter 2016 net operating income of $1.00 per share that missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 12.3%. Moreover, the bottom line plunged 34.6% from $1.53 per share earned in the year-ago quarter. Higher reportable catastrophe losses, ongoing normalization of lender-placed insurance business, and declines in mobile and legacy extended service contracts and credit insurance led to the year-over-year deterioration. However, lower Corporate net operating loss partially offset the downside. Total revenue plunged 33.2% year over year to $1.68 billion due to lower premiums earned and a decline in net investment income. However, it surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.64 billion by 2.7%. Net investment income, excluding Assurant Health runoff operations, declined 16.1% year over year to $124.8 million. Total benefits, losses and expenses decreased 37.1% to $1.6 billion mainly due to a significant decline in policyholder benefits and selling, underwriting, general and administrative expenses. Segmental Performance Net earned premiums, fees and others at Assurant Solutions inched up 3.3% year over year to $971 million on increase in mobile subscribers as well as vehicle protection contracts. However, the effect of foreign exchange volatility as well as decline in legacy retail clients and credit insurance partially offset the improvement. Net operating income declined 18.5% year over year to $42.7 million. Lower contributions from mobile, legacy extended service contracts and credit insurance led to the downside. Net earned premiums, fees and others at Assurant Specialty Property declined 3.1% year over year to $579.1 million. The deterioration was primarily attributable to the ongoing normalization of lender-placed insurance business. Growth in mortgage solutions, which includes fee income from the recently acquired title and valuation business, and multi-family housing businesses partially offset the downside. Net operating income of $44.6 million plunged 48.9% year over year. The downside was attributable to higher weather-related claims and the ongoing normalization of the lender-placed insurance business. Financial Position Assurants financial position remains strong with around $875 million in corporate capital as of Sep 30, 2016. Total assets dipped 0.8% year over year and amounted to $30.3 billion as of Sep 30, 2016. Share Repurchase and Dividends Update The companys total share buybacks and dividends amounted to $266 million in the third quarter. Also, Assurant bought back around 2.7 million shares worth $236 million over the same period. From Oct 1, 2016, through Oct 21, 2016, the company spent about $66 million to repurchase an additional 0.7 million shares and has $199 million remaining in the current repurchase authorization. Moreover, the company paid dividends worth $30 million to its shareholders. Business Update In the third quarter, Assurant completed the previously announced acquisition of a title and valuation business. In addition, the company invested an amount of $11 million for the capabilities in targeted growth areas. 2016 Outlook The company expects Assurant Solutions to witness a modest decline in its operating income from the level in 2015. Growth registered from new and existing mobile programs in 2016 is not anticipated to offset the declines in legacy extended service contract, credit insurance and the loss of the tablet program. Nonetheless, the company expects net earned premiums, and fees to increase owing to growth in mobile subscribers and vehicle service contracts. However, lower service contract revenues from legacy North American retail clients as well as continued declines in credit insurance are likely to adversely impact results. Assurant Specialty Propertys net earned premiums and net operating income are likely to decline due to the ongoing normalization of lender-placed insurance business. However, increased efficiencies and expense-saving initiatives will somewhat mitigate the deterioration. The company envisions expansion in multi-family housing and mortgage solutions businesses through gain in market shares. However, overall results are likely to be affected by catastrophe losses, including claims from Hurricane Matthew. Assurant Health is anticipated to substantially complete the process to fully exit the health insurance market in 2016. During the remainder of the period before exit, the company is likely to incur $13$20 million pre-tax of extra exit-related charges and overhead expenses, which had been excluded from the premium deficiency reserve calculation. Dividends from this segment are expected to be around $475 million for the full year, of which $338 million was received in the first nine months of 2016. Story continues ASSURANT INC Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise ASSURANT INC Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | ASSURANT INC Quote Zacks Rank Currently, Assurant carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Performance of Other Insurers Among the other players from the insurance industry that have reported their third-quarter earnings so far, the bottom line at Progressive Corp.PGR and The Travelers Companies Inc. TRV beat their respective Zacks Consensus Estimate, while RLI Corp. RLI missed the same. Confidential from Zacks Beyond this Analyst Blog, would you like to see Zacks' best recommendations that are not available to the public? Our Executive VP, Steve Reitmeister, knows when key trades are about to be triggered and which of our experts has the hottest hand. Click to see them now>> 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 ASSURANT INC (AIZ): Free Stock Analysis Report RLI CORP (RLI): Free Stock Analysis Report TRAVELERS COS (TRV): Free Stock Analysis Report PROGRESSIVE COR (PGR): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Astronauts may have no trouble moving heavy objects in the weightlessness of space, but that doesn't mean that the experience isn't hard on their backs. Astronauts on long-duration spaceflights routinely report back pain, both during and after the flight. Now doctors think they know what's causing this. In a new study, researchers used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to observe the spines of six NASA astronauts before they landed, at the time of landing and about two months after they had spent upward of seven months on the International Space Station. The researchers found that the prolonged exposure to weightlessness weakened the muscles supporting the astronauts' spines. The discovery runs counter to the theory that the astronauts' back pain is caused by the swelling of their spinal disks, the shock-absorbing cushions between the vertebrae, the researchers said. The findings, which were published today (Oct. 25) in the journal Spine, suggest that special back-strengthening exercises, including yoga, could help astronauts minimize or avoid back pain, the researchers said. [The Best Back Exercises for Preventing Injury and Reducing Pain] Astronauts face numerous health hazards in space, from cosmic radiation to the effects of weightlessness on just about every bodily function. NASA and its partners have used the International Space Station as a laboratory to study the health of astronauts, who may live on the ISS for months at a time. NASA said that understanding the health risks of being in space is crucial to the agency's efforts to protect astronauts during far-longer forays into the solar system, such as a three-year mission to Mars. Previous studies have found that more than half of U.S. astronauts report back pain during their mission. Upward of a quarter of those astronauts describe the pain as moderate to severe, and the majority said that the pain is in the lower back. Studies have also shown that astronauts have a 4.3-time higher risk of a herniated disk, compared to military aviators and the general population. Story continues This pain had been attributed to swelling of the intervertebral disks, which are pads of fibrous tissue that lie between the vertebrae in the spine. After all, the human body is about 60 percent water, and those water molecules will float off in all directions without the constraint of gravity. Weightlessness causes swelling in other parts of the body, from the feet to the eyes. However, the MRI scans of the six astronauts revealed no disk swelling. What was apparent, though, was a nearly 20 percent loss of mass in the paraspinal muscles, which help support and prevent misalignment of the spine and enable twisting movements. "These findings run counter to the current scientific thinking about the effects of microgravity on disk swelling," said Dr. Douglas Chang, chief of physical medicine and rehabilitation service at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and first author of the study. Chang said that core-strengthening exercises, such as those recommended for "regular" patients with back pain, might be a useful addition to the astronaut exercise training program while they are in space. He also said that yoga might be a promising approach, especially for addressing spinal stiffness and reduced mobility. [7 Everyday Things that Happen Strangely In Space] The astronauts in the study regained some of their paraspinal muscle mass after they were back on Earth for several months, the study found. Astronauts can grow 2 to 3 inches taller during long spaceflights, and the reason remains a mystery, Chang told Live Science. "Given the fact we observe no disk height [or swelling] change, we speculate the change is due to loss of normal spinal curvature in an unloaded environment," he said. In other words, it could be that weightlessness allows the components of the spine to relax and float slightly apart without gravity squishing them together, Chang said. [The Human Body in Space: 6 Weird Facts] Astronauts slowly lose the height they gained in space once they're back on Earth, but on a journey to Mars, the spine lengthening has implications for the design of spacesuits, seats and compartments, Chang said. "Further studies will be needed to clarify the effects on disk height and determine whether they contribute to the increase in body height during space missions and to the increased risk of herniated disks," Chang said. "However, it's information like this that could provide helpful information needed to support longer space missions, such as a manned mission to Mars." Follow Christopher Wanjek @wanjek for daily tweets on health and science with a humorous edge. Wanjek is the author of "Food at Work" and "Bad Medicine." His column, Bad Medicine, appears regularly on Live Science. Editor's Recommendations An Australian man was on Wednesday sentenced to life behind bars for the rape and murder of a young French woman in Brisbane, with a judge blasting his "cowardly" actions. Benjamin Milward pleaded guilty earlier this month to the charges, more than two years after the naked body of business student Sophie Collombet, 21, was found in a park near her apartment in the city's south in March 2014. Police said she was beaten to death. Milward, who was 25 when the murder was committed, was jailed for a minimum 20 years. He was also given 15 years for rape to be served concurrently. "You attacked a defenceless woman, you showed her no respect," the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported Justice Ann Lyons of the Supreme Court of Queensland as saying. "You treated her appallingly and then left her -- you abandoned a severely injured woman... Your actions simply defy belief." At his committal hearing in 2015, the court heard Milward had smoked the drug ice -- crystal methamphetamine -- and drunk alcohol on the day of the killing, the ABC said. Collombet was going home after a night class at Griffith University when she was subjected to the random and fatal attack. Lyons said Collombet had killed a "young woman with a life ahead of her, a life full of hopes and dream". "You allowed your sexual desires to overwhelm you, your actions were cowardly." Collombet's family, who travelled from France and were in court for the sentencing, reportedly cried as the impact statements about their struggles after her death were read out. "We have lost sleep, the enjoyment of life and the desire to move forward... We are in a state of physical and moral exhaustion," said the impact statement, read in court by Collombet's brother Guillaume, the Brisbane Times reported. Paris (AFP) - A year-long training programme to help parents communicate with their very young autistic children reduced symptoms of the disorder up to six years later, according to a follow-up analysis released Wednesday. Children were less impaired in their ability to communicate, and less likely to show repetitive behaviour, one of the telltale signs of the disorder. They did not, however, show improvements in language skills or reduced anxiety, researchers reported in The Lancet, a leading medical journal. Autism is a complex disorder of brain development characterised, to varying degrees, by troubled social interactions, difficulty in communicating and repetitive actions or speech. It affects about one in 100 people. The findings -- praised by outside experts as a "remarkably positive" and a "major contribution" to autism research -- came as something of a surprise because the 2010 clinical trials they were based upon showed limited benefits at the time. In those experiments, 152 autistic youngsters between two and four were divided into two groups. Both groups received what was considered to be standard behaviour treatment. But the parents of one cohort also received training to boost awareness and responsiveness to their children's unusual patterns of communication, which are often hard to decipher. Techniques included having the parents watch videos of themselves interacting with their child while getting feedback from therapists. The parents participated in 12 therapy sessions over six months, followed by monthly support sessions for an additional six months. "Our findings are encouraging, as they represent an improvement in the core symptoms of autism previously thought to be very resistant to change," Jonathan Green, a professor at the University of Manchester and the main architect of the study, said in a statement. - Not a cure - "This is not a 'cure'," he cautioned. "But it does suggest that working with parents to interact with their children in this way can lead to improvements in symptoms over the long-term." Story continues For the follow-up analysis six years later, the researchers were able to assess 80 percent of the original participants, with roughly the same number in each group. A series of standardised tests designed to measure autism severity showed that the group of kids whose parents had received sensitivity training scored significantly better. Jeff Jigaboos and Hannah Waddington of Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand, described the study and its follow-up as a "major contribution to autism research". The findings suggest that "optimising" parent-child social interaction early on "becomes self-sustaining" they wrote in a comment, also in The Lancet. Evidence that early intervention can make a long-term difference in autism "is a hugely cheering message for families", said Max Davie of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, in London. "It means that up until early school years, a modest improvement in outcomes for children is possible." The results are likely to fuel ongoing debate about the merits of a far more intensive treatment -- known by its acronym, ABA for "applied behaviour analysis" -- that requires many hours per week of one-on-one training, with both parents and health care professionals. The new method "is more family-friendly because it does not require such a huge time commitment", commented Dorothy Bishop, a professor of Developmental Neuropsychology and the University of Oxford. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte speaks during a news conference in Davao city, southern Philippines August 21, 2016. Picture taken August 21, 2016. REUTERS/Lean Daval Jr The campaign against drugs and drug users promoted by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte since before his election has caused more than 2,000 deaths and elicited international backlash. The violence has also raised suspicions that state security forces are involved and that innocent Filipinos have been targeted for reasons other than drugs. In recent weeks, reports by international news outlets have cast doubt on both the reasoning undergirding Duterte's anti-drug policies and the criteria under which Philippine police are enforcing them. These reports have cited Philippine law-enforcement officials anonymously, and this in particular has drawn the ire of the country's top police official. "Tell our men and women, the officers who say this," Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said on October 25, according to Philippine news site Rappler. "If they have balls, they should talk to me." Dela Rosa was responding to an October 18 Reuters report titled "As death toll rises, Duterte deploys dubious data in 'war on drugs.'" Philippines drug war vigilante extrajudicial violence Duterte In its story, Reuters quoted a senior Philippine law-enforcement officer as calling the numbers about drug use that Duterte had cited "arbitrary," and saying those numbers had put pressure on Philippine security forces and government officials. Duterte said during his first state of the nationa address in July that the Philippines had 3.7 million drug addicts. But the Philippines' main drug-research office found only 1.8 million drug users, one-third of whom had only consumed illegal drugs once in the past 13 months, Reuters reported. Story continues According to the anonymous officer, Duterte's statements had put pressure on police to apprehend a number of drug users in line with the elevated figure he cited. Top anti-drug officials also told Reuters that government policy relied on incomplete or misleading data about drug use. "The problem is, every time the president says something, its already some sort of a policy statement," the officer told Reuters on condition of anonymity. "We have to toe the line." Philippines police troops security forces Manila Rodrigo Duterte war on drugs crime violence A top Philippine drug-enforcement official waved away those concerns. Duterte "just exaggerates it so we will know that the problem is very big," Wilkins Villanueva, the Metro Manila regional director for the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, told Reuters. "The implication is that we have to work hard to solve the problem and we have to work hard so that . . . occasional drug users do not turn into regular drug users." Dela Rosa, the Philippine police chief, was more forceful. "If they are dissatisfied with that's happening, be open to the PNP chief," he said during a press conference, according to Rappler. "If they don't want to talk to their regional director, talk to me. But don't go to the media to talk about those things." "That's not just conduct unbecoming [of an officer]" he went on, "but it's akin to insubordination." Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald Dela Rosa takes the oath during the start of a hearing investigating drug-related killings at the Senate headquarters in Pasay city, metro Manila, Philippines August 22, 2016. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco The PNP chief also singled out media outlets that have used anonymous sources to report on drug-related violence in the Philippines. "That's the problem with you," he said. "You report on things but you don't want to say who the source is. What if what you're saying isn't true and you just made that up?" Official figures put the number of drug-related killings between when Duterte took office on June 30 and mid-October at nearly 2,300, 1,566 of whom were drug suspects killed by police. That figure was down from earlier reports of 3,600 drug-related killings. Those slayings come after the first half of the year saw just 68 drug suspects killed by Philippine security forces. Duterte swung into office promising to eradicate the country's drug and crime problems within six months. In September, he said he would need another six months to achieve that goal. Dela Rosa's comments are neither the first nor the most sinister comments a Philippine official has directed at the press. During an address at the end of May in his home city of Davao, Duterte himself said: "Most of you are clean, but do not ever say all journalists are clean ... Just because you are a journalist, you are not exempted from assassination if you are a son of a bitch." The comments sparked immediate anger in the Philippines, where more than 130 journalists or media workers have been killed since 1992. NOW WATCH: 'America has lost': The Philippines president just announced that he's allying with China, wants to talk to Putin More From Business Insider (Reuters) - The Bank of England (BoE) has asked major lenders in Britain to detail their exposure to Deutsche Bank (DBKGn.DE) and the biggest Italian banks, including Monte dei Paschi (BMPS.MI), the Financial Times reported on Wednesday. The BoE's Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) made the request in recent weeks, as investors sold off Deutsche and Monte Paschi stock amid scrutiny of their capital levels, the FT said, without saying where it got the information from. The PRA declined to comment. Deutsche Bank and Monte dei Paschi could not be immediately reached for comment outside regular business hours. Deutsche Bank face a potential fine of $14 billion from the U.S. Department of Justice over mis-selling of mortgage securities. [nL8N1CG1BT] Monte dei Paschi said this month it planned to lay off a tenth of its staff, shut branches and sell assets in a bid to win investor backing for a 5 billion euros ($5.4 billion) cash call. [nL4N1CV2E1] ($1 = 0.9169 euros) (Reporting by Sangameswaran S in Bengaluru; Editing by Mark Potter) Just under two weeks from Election Day on Nov. 8, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are making their closing arguments, with the same sharp contrast in style that has marked their matchup. The Republican nominee has continued to wage his increasingly lonely battle against the media and the mainstream GOP, insisting the election and polls are rigged by the elites. Trump also is peppering foreign policy critiques into his broadsides, from slamming the ongoing offensive against the Islamic State to take back Mosul, Iraqs second-largest city, to predicting the Democratic former secretary of states strategy for Syria would lead to World War III. Hes seized on rising Obamacare premiums to rally his base, but it wont change his dismal odds: Clinton has a 93 percent chance of winning the White House, according to the New York Times. Even in Trumps continued defiance on Tuesday night, the Washington Post reported he isnt doing any more high-dollar fundraisers, crippling Republican Party financing recognition of a looming loss seems to be creeping in. As Clintons campaign goes in for the kill, dumping dollars into down-ballot races and dispatching her most powerful surrogates to help Democrats take back the Senate and make other gains, Trumps campaign has spent more on hats than polling. On Tuesday, he held yet another event touting his hotel in Washington. That may be as close as he ever gets to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Sign up for FPs Editors Picks newsletter here to receive Battleground 16, our take on the presidential race, each Wednesday through November. This Moment, This America This election is revealing not only the greatness of democracy but the greatness of the American people. Now go vote. Obama wanted to show what a tough guy he is before the election. Trumps latest theory on the Mosul offensive Story continues The One-Star General, the Latina Prosecutor, and the Race That Could Define U.S. Politics What happens in battleground Nevada on Nov. 8 could forecast Americas political future. LAS VEGAS Even as the presidential campaign has polarized battleground Nevada, the states 2016 race for the U.S. Senate may hold far more importance for the nation. Rep. Joe Heck, the highest ranking soldier in Congress, is battling Catherine Cortez Masto, who would become the first Latina senator in U.S. history, for the seat being vacated by retiring Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid. Democrats Will Have Trump to Thank for Getting a Political Pass on the Iran Nuclear Deal The Iran nuclear accord was supposed to be political kryptonite for Democrats in Congress. But Trumps toxic candidacy helped sideline the issue. Last year, Democrats in Congress found themselves squeezed in a political vise over the Iran nuclear deal. President Barack Obama leaned heavily on fellow Democrats to back the agreement in the biggest lobbying effort of his administration. And pro-Israel groups launched a full-court press against the deal, spending tens of millions of dollars on ads warning lawmakers they would have blood on their hands if they endorsed the accord. 93% Clintons chances of winning the presidency, according to The New York Times The Great Myth About U.S. Intervention in Syria Americas standing in the world has not and will not be weakened by staying out of other countries humanitarian crises. Sign up for FPs Editors Picks newsletter here to receive Battleground 16, our take on the presidential race, each Wednesday through November. Photo credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images In clear indications that not all was well between him and Tata, Mistry in his letter to Tata Sons board members said for the group's automotive venture Tata Motors to make a turn around the company needed to shut down the Nano -- a pet project of his predecessor. By PTI: Tata Motors has been unable to shut down the loss making small car Nano due to "emotional reasons" and doing so would also stop the supply of "gliders" to an entity that makes electric cars in which Ratan Tata has a stake, Tata Sons' ousted Chairman Cyrus Mistry has alleged. Also read: Cyrus Mistry sacking from Tata: Tale of family discord since 1930s advertisement Hear the letter (sound file) In clear indications that not all was well between him and Tata, Mistry in his letter to Tata Sons board members said for the group's automotive venture Tata Motors to make a turn around the company needed to shut down the Nano -- a pet project of his predecessor. "The Nano product development required concept called for a car below Rs 1 lakh but the cost were always above this. This product has consistently lost money, peaking at Rs 1,000 crore," Mistry said in his letter written a day after he was ousted as the Chairman of India's largest conglomerate. Click here to read the full letter ALSO READ: Tata Nano XTA: The Automatic choice He further said, "As there is no line of profitability for the Nano, any turnaround strategy for the company (Tata Motors) requires to shut it down. Emotional reasons alone have kept us away from this crucial decision." ALSO READ: 18,380 feet to glory: To Khardung La in a Tata Nano Moreover, raising issues of conflict of interest, Mistry said, "Another challenge in shutting down Nano is that it would stop the supply of the Nano gliders to an entity that makes electric cars and in which Mr Tata has a stake." ALSO READ: Tata launches GenX Nano at a price of Rs 1.99 lakh Tata's dream project Nano came alive in January 2008 when it was launched at a 'promised' price tag of Rs 1 lakh, which was then the cheapest car in the world. However, the car faced setbacks one after another. Tata Motors had to shift the manufacturing plant of the car from its original site at Singur in West Bengal due to farmers' opposition led by Trinamool Congress to Sanand in Gujarat. ALSO READ: Mad about Auto: Alto K10 AMT vs Nano XTA Although the company had managed to roll out the car from its new location, initial instances of the car catching fire raised many safety issues. It could never live up to its potential, with Tata even admitting that Tata Motors had made a mistake of marketing Nano as the cheapest car. Ratan Tata (L), chairman of the Tata Group, and the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi wave as they stand beside the Tata Nano car during the inauguration ceremony of a new plant for the Tata Nano at Sanand in the western Indian state of Gujarat. Ratan Tata (L), chairman of the Tata Group, and the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi wave as they stand beside the Tata Nano car during the inauguration ceremony of a new plant for the Tata Nano at Sanand in the western Indian state of Gujarat. advertisement He had insisted that that "Nano should have been marketed towards the owner of a two-wheeler because it was conceived giving the people who rode on two-wheels with the whole family an all-weather safe form of affordable transportation, not the cheapest". ALSO READ: TLC time for the Nano Highlighting problems faced by Tata Motors, Mistry said in his letter that an even more challenging situation arose for the company on the commercial and vehicles front. "Before 2013, in order to shore up sales and market share, Tata Motors Finance extended credit with lax risk assessment. As a result the NPAs mounted to being in excess of Rs 4,000 crore," he said. ALSO READ: Renault Kwid vs Hyundai Eon vs Tata Nano vs Maruti Suzuki Alto800 Besides, historically, the company had employed aggressive accounting to capitalise substantial proportion of the product development expenses creating a future liability, he added. advertisement Watch the video here --- ENDS --- Baylor Preview Capsule By The Associated Press= Baylor Last season: 22-12. Nickname: Bears. Coach: Scott Drew. Conference: Big 12. Who's gone: G Lester Medford, F Taurean Prince, F Rico Gathers. Who's back: F Johnathan Motley, a preseason All-Big 12 pick who will be looked upon for a bigger role with the departures of Prince and Gathers; G Al Freeman, the top returning scorer with 11.3 points a game; F Ishmail Wainright, who started every game last season; G King McClure. Who's new: G Manu Lecomte, a transfer from Miami, where he played all 38 games as a sophomore in 2014-15; F Jo Lual-Acuil Jr., a 7-foot junior college transfer with shot-blocking ability. Missed last season for medical reasons, but granted sixth-year waiver from NCAA that gives him two seasons left at Baylor. The Skinny: After losing their NCAA Tournament opener for the second year in a row, the Bears are still considered an upper-half team in the Big 12. They have several talented guards, and some options to fill the big holes in the frontcourt. Drew has another team capable of getting the school's seventh NCAA bid in 10 years. Over the summer, we introduced you to Frederik the Great, the Worlds Most Beautiful Horse. Now, wed like you to meet the Worlds Prettiest Dog. Her name is Tea. Tea is a highly-decorated Afghan Hound and well-known in dog-show circles, though shed never found a wider audience until her pictures started circulating on social media. Teas owner, Luke Kavanagh, maintains her Facebook page, which is populated with the kind of beautiful images youd expect from a world-class dog model. Tea apparently did some modeling for dog food and dog shampoo brands, though shes going into retirement, largely because the constant burden of managing that silken gown was a little too much for Kavanagh. Her retirement is due to no other reason than I reached a point where showing (grooming and show day) was taking me away from spending time with my family, he told NewsLocal, and I want to prioritize them over campaigning my dog. Of course, what would a post about a beautiful animal be without a sort-of weird quote to close the whole thing out: Whether shes naked or draped in the finest of silk gowns, Tea will always be my queen. Hey New Hampshire, Let's Vote! with Ben Affleck from Ben Affleck Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have been pulling out all the stops during the last weeks of their presidential campaigns, especially to win the 11 swing states. And in a new, potty-mouthed PSA for NextGen Climate & Funny or Dies Everyone Votes! Campaign, Ben Affleck, aka Benny The Sweet One OCallaghan, is doing his part to make sure Americans cast their vote on Nov. 8, specifically his fellow New Englanders in New Hampshire. (The clip contains some NSFW language.) Im from Boston, and Boston is in New England which means that New Hampshire is just like my kid brother. You know what I mean? The Accountant star, 44, says in his hometown accent. Though the actor, whose name is actually Benjamin Geza Affleck-Boldt, is a proud Bostonian, it appears he has a soft spot for New Hampshirites. I love New Hampshire. Have you ever been to New Hampshire? Its f beautiful, guys, he shares. You can hike Mount Monadnock. You can go for a drive with your buddies, and just get romantic and watch the fall leaves change color. You can go to town halls and debates, and get political, and you can register to vote in your presidential election. Affleck also highlighted some important election issues such as womens rights, climate change and bathroom politics, adding, Guess whos got your back in this election? Thats right. My basically home state New Hampshire. Honestly, normally, Id say the great people in New Hampshire are too good for this f election. While the father of three kept reiterating his love for N.H., he couldnt help but laugh when talking about the election cycle, calling it the bigger disaster than the New York Knicks. He concluded, The people from New Hampshire are going to have to register and vote. Otherwise this whole damn nation is going to be cursed. And for future reference, dont make any mentions of the curse word to Affleck or itll bring bad Boston memories of the Curse of the Bambino. Ben Affleck has a message for New Hampshire residents: go f-cking vote. In a new parody PSA for NextGen Climate and Funny or Dies Everyone Votes! campaign, the Boston-raised actor urges New Hampshire residents to vote in Novembers presidential election. So if you give a sh-t about womens rights, [if] you care about keeping the environment safe for future generations ever hear of it if you care about people getting to piss in the f-cking bathroom of their choice, then guess whose got your back in this election? asks Affleck in an exaggerated Bostonian accent. Thats right my basically home state New Hampshire. As part of NextGen Climates campaign, the PSA aims to highlight the important role New Hampshire voters play in determining the outcome of this election. Affleck, positioned in front of alternating stock footage of the state in question, reiterates that the process begins by first registering to vote. The people from New Hampshire are going to have to register and vote, the actor/director says. Otherwise this whole damn nation is going to be cursed. NextGen Climate focuses to spread to word to millennial voters, and educate them about where the candidates stand on the issues that are important to them. Register to vote, New Hampshire, ends Affleck. All of New England is counting on you. Watch the hilarious PSA below. Related stories YouTube: Final Clinton-Trump Debate Notches Record 140 Million Video Views Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump Will Share the Stage Again Tonight -- and It Might Get Awkward TV Ratings: Final Debate Rules, ABC's Halloween Scares Up a Win This week on Ben & Lauren: Happily Ever After?, the couple goes on a camping trip with former Bachelor contestants Chris Soules, Grant, Lace, the twins (Haley and Emily), and the infamous Chad. (Because that is a totally normal thing Ben and Lauren would do if they had no cameras following them. Just go with it.) Upon arriving at the campsite, the twins seem unimpressed by nature, because if they wanted to look at trees they can go Google it on Instagram. (Side note: The twins have had a fairly prominent role on Ben & Lauren; with luck, this is a sign that the two most entertaining characters on the show might get their own spinoffs.) Ben and Laurens first order of business is to go for a romantic walk. [Cue the music.] The two bond as Ben teaches Lauren how to fish. Things get pretty mushy as Ben thanks Lauren for being a part of his world. They also decide that they should wait to tell Grant and Lace that theyve invited Chad to join them because things have started out on such a fun and carefree note. Meanwhile at the campsite, Lace and the twins are working on setting up the tent. One exclaims, Its like a stripper pole! Finally the guys take over, and the girls work on starting a fire for the group. They attempt to do so by rubbing sticks together but realize theyre using a small handmade bow and arrow. Never mind: Its time for Lace to show the twins how to go to the bathroom outside, using wide-leg squats. Related: The Bachelor #TBT: Watch the First-Ever Rose Ceremony Ben finally tells Lace that he and Lauren ran into Chad recently and invited him to join their camping trip. Ben and Lauren feel there is more to Chad than is seen on the surface, and they had originally thought that Grant and Lace wouldnt be able to make the trip because of a conflict. Lauren explains that they felt a weird calling to reach out to Chad. I think that call might have been from the shows producers, but lets not quibble. Chad is just lost, hes sad, he needs people that can relate to him, explains Ben. People like Grants and Robbys ex-girlfriends, whom Chad apparently went out of his way to hook up with after The Bachelorette. Story continues The group is then distracted as a large bear approaches on a nearby hill. The men all try to assert their dominance and start yelling at the animal to scare it away. I always thought that the appropriate reaction to a bear was to be quiet and back away slowly, but yelling seemed to work. The men then push their luck further and attempt to run after the bear, which upsets Lauren. Ben asks why shes angry and tries to defend himself by saying, Im a boy, I do crazy stuff! Im 100 percent testosterone. [Pause for laughter.] Lauren explains that shes allowed to worry, as theyre now a married unit, and the two quickly reconcile. Photo: Freeform After a short clip of Grant teaching the men how to put out a fire while shirtless, we cut to the group whitewater rafting. Everyone has a great time, but as one twin says, It was fun, but Ill never do it again. Chris Soules replies that he said the same thing about The Bachelor. For his part, Ben loves rafting because you dont have to worry about wedding planning; you dont have to worry about whats going on at home. Clearly Ben is still feeling pressured about that whole televised-wedding thing. The group is just starting to unwind at the campfire when we hear the dreaded sound of whistling Chads here! Naturally, Lace is crying before he even arrives, so things escalate quickly. Ben tries to act as a mediator and pushes Chad to make a formal apology to everyone. Chad explains that he was just trying to make people laugh when he blasted people on Twitter. When the group asks Chad why he went after Robbys and Grants ex-girlfriends, he mumbles, Sometimes we do things, and then those things become things. He has such a way with words. Things get out of hand when Grant asks Chad if his mother, who passed away last year, would be proud if she saw his Bachelor-related antics. Ben insists that the cameramen put down their equipment so they can finish the conversation. In the end, Chad simply leaves so the group can enjoy themselves without him. Ben is disappointed that Chad chose to exit the situation rather than apologize, but it does seem like Chad has matured a teeny bit since we saw him last after all, he didnt threaten to murder anyone. Ben and Lauren return to their home in Denver and are relieved to be sleeping in their own bed again. Of course, when Lauren proceeds to check her phone she has 17 messages from their wedding planner. Back to reality. Ben & Lauren: Happily Ever After? airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Freeform. The Daily Beast STRINGER/ReutersVideo footage shows pedestrians attempting to sway an Indian suspension bridge in the moments before it catastrophically collapsed, leaving at least 141 people dead as of Monday.Rescuers expect the death toll to continue to rise after the bridge fell apart in the western state of Gujarat on Sunday. The majority of those killed were women, children, or elderly people, a local official told the BBC. Almost 180 people were successfully rescued, however, in an overnight operation inv A rash of controversial drug price hikes has triggered protests and sparked calls by Hillary Clinton, lawmakers and consumer groups for regulatory action as early as next year. But the first important test will come on Nov. 8 when Californians vote on a controversial ballot initiative that would impose limits on drug prices for the first time. Related: Clinton Calls for Crackdown on Drug Price-Gouging The California Drug Price Relief Act, or Proposition 61, would limit the price that any state agency or health care program pays for prescription drugs to what the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs pays for the same pharmaceuticals. Congress prohibits Medicare and most other agencies from negotiating prescription drug prices, with the notable exception of the VA, a behemoth of an agency which purchases drugs for an estimated 6.6 million patients. Federal law insures that VA medical facilities across the country obtain a discount of at least 24 percent off prescription drugs list prices, and in many cases officials obtain much larger rebates. If Proposition 61 were approved, the VA price list would apply when the state directly purchases drugs, as it does for its prison system, or when it is deemed the ultimate payer for drugs provided to certain state health care programs, including Medicaid. The stakes couldnt be higher for the two sides. Advocates of state agencies and health care programs are seeking to limit their exposure to future prescription drug price hikes that will further drain state resources. Meanwhile, major pharmaceutical companies could lose billions of dollars a year in profits if their price lists are tethered to the VA drug formulary. Related: Will Mylans $300 Generic EpiPen Packs Quell Pricing Firestorm? The pharmaceutical industry, fearing a setback at the polls, has pumped more than $100 million into the campaign to defeat Proposition 61. That is the largest war chest ever assembled to battle a referendum issue in the state. Story continues The vote will also test the political clout of Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, an ardent supporter of the ballot initiative who has vowed to curb unscrupulous drug price increases as part of his revolutionary political agenda. Recent polls suggest that more than half of Californians support the measure, and Sanders intervention may well seal a victory for Proposition 61. California, with its long history of ballot initiatives, has frequently served as a bellwether of major changes in the nation, dating back to the anti-tax rebellion in the late 1970s. With the pharmaceutical industry engendering so much hostility over its marketing strategies, a victory for Prop 61 could well trigger similar action by other states and the next Congress and president. Sanders said last week during a rally in Los Angeles that the drug companies are getting nervous because they understand that if we win here in California, other states in the country will be following very, very quickly. Related: Two Big Reasons Prescription Drug Prices Are So Much Higher in the US Sanders and other critics of Big Pharmas pricing practices have had much to complain about during the past year and a half. Notable examples include Turing Pharmaceuticals 5,000 percent increase in the price of the anti-parasitic drug Daraprim, Gilead Sciences massive markups of drugs that treat the hepatitis-C virus, and Mylans gradual six-fold price increase on EpiPen sets used to treat life-threating allergic reactions in kids. Last week, Ariad Pharmaceuticals prompted renewed public outrage after it raised the price for the fourth time this year of Iclusig, a drug used in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia, to $199,000 for a years treatment. Sanders and Rep. Elijah B. Cummings of Maryland complained in a letter to the companys CEO recently about outrageous sales tactics. The drive for passage of Proposition 61 is pitting the seniors group AARP, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and other health advocacy groups reeling from soaring drug costs against Pfizer, Gilead, Amgen and other major drug companies that have poured huge sums into the campaign. The network of proponents and opponents in this battle is complex and diverse with some veterans groups, AIDS activists, physicians and leading newspaper editorial pages siding with the drug industry against the proponents. And there is considerable conflicting analysis over how many Californians would actually benefit from the new measure and precisely how much in savings the state would gain. Related: How Big Pharma Lobbyists Keep Medicare Drug Prices High Polling in recent months shows that more than half of voters are inclined to support the ballot initiative. Jamie Court, president of the liberal non-profit Consumer Watchdog, predicted that it would be approved next month especially with Sanders, the democratic socialist who unsuccessfully challenged Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination, championing the measure. The polls are very good, the public is ready for this and the drug companies that have spent up to $109 million havent really been able to make a dent in the support, Court said in an interview Tuesday. So I think this is going to pass and I think its going to be the first shot in a revolution led by Bernie Sanders against the drug companies that sweeps across America to control the pharmaceutical prices, he said. Kathy Fairbanks, the chief spokesperson for the drug industry in California, said in an interview that there are strong arguments against the measure, including the possibility it would actually lead to higher prices in the long-term. Related: The Feds Finally Make a Move on Soaring Drug Prices Industry experts have argued that the proposed caps are impractical to implement, could cut into revenues essential to drug research and development, and might even inadvertently lead to higher prices for Californians. For example, some drug companies might balk and refuse to sell their drugs to California state agencies at dramatically reduced prices. State agencies then would have their backs to the wall to find replacement sources of drugs that might not include generous rebates. Another problem: The VA purchases a relatively narrow roster of drugs, as few as a third of the more than 4,000 drugs available to Medicare patients in 2006. Figuring out discounted prices of those thousands of other drugs not used by the VA could be a nightmare for California officials. Also, the VAs pricing information is proprietary, which could make it difficult for the state to obtain that information. Related: Extreme Rise in Some Drug Prices Reaches a Tipping Point It is far from clear how many Californians would actually benefit from the proposed new law: Opponents say no more than 12 percent, or 4.4 million people, would be covered, while supporters say it is closer to five million to seven million. Moreover, there are no reliable numbers on the actual cost savings to California. The state spends more than $4 billion annually on the purchase of prescription drugs, according to the Legislative Analysts Office, which is Californias equivalent of the Congressional Budget Office. Proposition 61 potentially could save state taxpayers up to $5.7 billion over 10 years, according to proponents. However, the Legislative Analysts Office said in a detailed report that the financial impact of Proposition 61 was highly uncertain. While many low income Medicaid beneficiaries, prison inmates, state employees and retirees would be favorably affected, the proposed new law would not affect those with private health insurance or the 10.4 million people covered by Californias biggest health care program, Medi-Cal managed care, according to a recent Los Angeles Times analysis. The editorial board of the Los Angeles Times earlier this month urged voters to reject Proposition 61, saying that "the underlying problem of fast-rising drug prices needs to be addressed comprehensively and nationally, so that relief for some doesn't come at the expense of others." Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: On Thursday, October, 27th, Google (GOOGL) will release its third quarter earnings results after the bell. The company is a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), and have a Value, Growth, and Momentum score of C. Dave will look at Googles past earnings, take a look at what is currently going on with the company, and give us his thoughts on their upcoming earnings announcement. Furthermore, Dave will uncover some potential options trades for investors looking to make a play on Google ahead of earnings. Google in Focus Google Inc. is engaged in technology business. The Company provides web-based search, advertisements, maps, software applications, mobile operating systems, consumer content, enterprise solutions, commerce, and hardware products through its subsidiaries. Alphabet Inc., formerly known as Google Inc., is headquartered in Mountain View, California. Google is expected to report earnings at $6.64 per share according to the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Last quarter they beat earnings expectations by 8.19% at $7.00 per share, beating estimates by $0.53 per share. ALPHABET INC-A Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise ALPHABET INC-A Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | ALPHABET INC-A Quote Google is trading around $823 a share, and their 52-week high is $838.50 per share. Their average EPS surprise is 1.66%. Bottom Line How should investors play Google ahead of their earnings report? For insights on the best options trades, make sure you are subscribe to Live Trader to see Dave Bartosiak at 1:30pm on Wednesday. We classify Google as a part of the internet-services industry, and their industry is ranked bottom 42% according to the Zacks Industry Rank. Historically Google has been known as the top search engine going against competitors such as Yahoo (YHOO) and Microsofts Bing (MSFT). That said, Google in recent years have grown beyond a search engine by investing into various services and technology from cloud services to offering internet service in select markets. Itll be interesting to see where Google goes in the foreseeable future. The Best & Worst of Zacks Today you are invited to download the full, up-to-the-minute list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" free of charge. From 1988 through 2015 this list has averaged a stellar gain of +26% per year. Plus, you may download 220 Zacks Rank #5 "Strong Sells." Even though this list holds many stocks that seem to be solid, it has historically performed 11X worse than the market. See these critical buys and sells 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 YAHOO! INC (YHOO): Free Stock Analysis Report MICROSOFT CORP (MSFT): Free Stock Analysis Report ALPHABET INC-A (GOOGL): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research London (AFP) - US billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates urged Britain on Wednesday to step up investment in science and research as it prepares to leave the EU. "The world needs innovative leadership now more than ever," the Microsoft co-founder told the Grand Challenges conference in London attended by more than 1,000 scientists from around the world. "The complexity of our most urgent global problems -- extreme poverty, the persistence and spread of disease, feeding a growing world -- requires that we invest in science and put our best minds to work on finding solutions." Gates pledged to continue his own investment in British research and innovation, despite economic uncertainties surrounding Brexit, but said government support was vital to fight global pandemics such as the Zika virus. "As the UK seeks to negotiate its exit from the EU, it is critical that the government steps up its investments in science and innovation if we are to meet the challenges of tomorrow -- and grow the UK's economy," he said. His comments come amid fears that British science may suffer if projects lose European funding after Britain leaves the European Union. - Pledge to increase spending - The calls were met with a pledge by Britain's International Development Minister Priti Patel to increase spending on research into global challenges including infectious diseases, humanitarian crises, and climate change. The 390 million-a-year ($477 million, 437 million euro) research package over four years will also focus on migration and human trafficking. Addressing concerns about the impact of Brexit, Patel told the conference: "We are leaders when it comes to research and development... we will continue to be so". Virgin founder Richard Branson, also speaking at the event, echoed the call for investment to drive innovation. "British scientists, engineers and innovators have been responsible for some truly transformative developments in health and poverty alleviation over the years but these changes are not possible without sustained investment," he said. Story continues Calling philanthropists, government and business to play their part, he added: "These investments benefit British businesses as well as the most vulnerable people in the world." Gates was also backing an $18 million international funding programme to combat Zika and other mosquito-borne viruses in Colombia and Brazil. The funding, from the governments of the United States, Britain, Brazil and Colombia, as well as the Wellcome Trust and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will finance trials of an innovative mosquito control method using the Wolbachia bacteria. Wolbachia is a naturally-occurring bacteria found in around 60 percent of insect species, but not the Aedes aegypti mosquito which carries dengue and Zika. Research has shown the bacteria can prevent mosquitoes transmitting viruses to humans. Trials will be carried out in urban areas of Rio de Janeiro and Antioquia, Colombia, with researchers hoping to demonstrate a significant reduction in new cases of Zika, dengue and chikungunya. Any given film year is bound to reflect the zeitgeist. In 2016, with a critical presidential election on the horizon Stateside and instability rampant in all corners of the globe from a Brexit-reeling United Kingdom to the bombed-out streets of Aleppo to a soft coup in Brazil there is seemingly more fodder than ever for cinema to wrangle with the socio-political dynamics of the day. That quality is readily apparent across the spectrum of this years awards contenders, films that present a striking cross-section of our lives and times. Disneys Zootopia, with its examination of implicit bias and discrimination within an animated animal kingdom, began the conversation upon release in March just a week after the Oscars put a bow on last years season. But animated projects have a long incubation period, so the current climate developed organically around the film as it came together. Directors Rich Moore and Byron Howard initially set out to tell a story about predators and prey, and the dynamic that might sprout from placing them together in a community. That led to introducing concepts of diversity when it has become such a buzzword, not just in the larger conversation but within the film industry as well. We werent looking at tea leaves, but there was something in the ether, Moore says. Art and current events and reality somehow have this invisible bond that influence one another. Its almost like the world was becoming the world of Zootopia while we were making the film. NOMA BAR for Variety In David Mackenzies Hell or High Water, Chris Pine and Ben Foster star as low-level Texas robbers ripping off area banks to ensure that their familys property isnt seized. Banks been robbing me for 30 years, an eyewitness says in the film at one point. 3 tours in Iraq, but no bailout for people like us, local graffito reads. The movie could not be more timely: less than a month after its Aug. 12 release, Wells Fargo Bank was rocked by a scandal involving the covert opening of some 2 million deposit and credit card accounts without customer approval, purely to boost sales figures with transfer fees and charges. Story continues Producer Carla Hacken notes that the themes of Hell or High Water blend perfectly with the western genre, the trappings of which Mackenzie exploits in a modern context, eight years removed from the 2008 economic crisis that inspired screenwriter Taylor Sheridan (Sicario) to write the film. Its a very intimate genre: landscape and characters struggling, Hacken says. The movie takes that incredibly relatable distrust and abuse of institutions and boils it down to these tiny little towns. And I think theres an aspect of the movie where red states think it speaks to them, and blue states think it speaks to them. Embattled though Nate Parkers slavery epic The Birth of a Nation may be, that film has something to say about boiling points when race relations remain at a fever pitch. Images of Nat Turner leading a violent rebellion against systemic oppression in 1831 are striking in the context of contemporary black communities feeling underserved and, indeed, under siege by the law enforcement status quo. If Nat Turner had Facebook, it would have been a different revolution, Parker says. This was his attempt to throw a wrench in a system that would not only decimate him, but his childrens children. In the Bible it says a good man leaves an inheritance for his childrens children, so the question is, at what point will you break a system that not only oppresses you, but is sure to oppress generations to come? Stretching out globally, Garth Davis Lion tells the true story of Saroo Brierley, who, as an Indian youth in the mid-1980s, was displaced from his home and family by some 900 miles. Twenty years later, after being adopted and raised by an Australian family, Brierley finally tracked down his home town, which he was unable to pronounce correctly as a 5-year-old. The closing credits of the film present a staggering statistic: more than 80,000 children go missing in India each year. Though Lion came together first and foremost in service of Brierleys powerful story, it has evolved into a call to action. Our hope is that through the film and the plans we have, we can avoid Saroos story in its tragic first instance, which is losing his mother and not being able to communicate who he was and where he was from, producer Iain Canning says. Were looking at specific initiatives around how the film and the audience can participate in a way that can make that something of the past. And Jeff Nichols Loving is so timely it tells the story of a Supreme Court case that was itself recently referenced in the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision that guaranteed marriage as a fundamental right for same-sex couples. The film recounts the struggles of Richard and Mildred Loving, who, in 1967, won their own landmark decision invalidating laws prohibiting interracial marriage. For Nichols, shifting the focus away from big courtroom movie moments and prestige cinema trappings to a simple couple struggling to live their lives together was the way into making the story connect. We are having, and need to be having, complex conversations about race in this country, and about equality in general, Nichols says. The Lovings remain this constant example of humanity at the center of that very complex, difficult discussion. Other examples of timely cinema abound: the indictment of the fossil-fuels industry in Deepwater Horizon; the exposure of government overreach in Snowden; the scrutinization of the welfare state in Palme dOr winner I, Daniel Blake. They all join a long tradition of interrogating the zeitgeist with art. Cinema can provide a platform to debate ideas about how things have been problematic in the past and how they can change in the future, Canning says. As long as there continues to be inequality or there continues to be suffering, there will be a responsibility to reflect that world. And thats whats happening this year. Related stories Motherhood Plays a Prominent Role in Oscar Actress Races 'Captain America: Civil War,' 'Finding Dory' Push Disney to International Box Office Record Hamptons International Film Festival Earns Rep as 'Telluride East' By PTI: Kolkata, Oct 26 (PTI) Terming it as an "attack on secular fabric of the country", the ruling Trinamool Congress today said it would oppose the proposed amendment to the Citizenship Act 1955 tooth and nail in Parliament. "We have decided that we will oppose the amendment on the floor of the Parliament. This amendment is an attack on the secular fabric of our country. How can there be discrimination on the basis of religion? advertisement "If you are Hindu, you will be eligible and if you are Muslim, you will be kept out? Our constitution does not allow this. The West Bengal government will also oppose it," TMC MP Saugato Roy told PTI. The proposed 2016 Amendment Bill of the Citizenship Act 1955 is currently under consideration of the Joint Select Committee of the Parliament of which Roy is a member. TMC Rajya Sabha M P, Derek OBrien who is also a member of the select committee, said, "We are strongly opposing the proposed amendments". OBrien, also the TMCs national spokesperson said, "The Parliament select committee is discussing this. We are strongly opposing the proposed amendments for at least half-a-dozen reasons. It goes against the spirit of the constitution," he said. Except BJP, all other parties, intellectuals, student bodies and social organisations in Assam have opposed the proposed Amendment Bill. Even Asom Gana Parishad, NDA member and part of the ruling coalition in Assam, has opposed the Bill and said any deviation from the Assam Accord will not be acceptable. The Citizenship Act, passed in 1955, defines the concept of Indian citizenship, and lists out ways to acquire the same, explicitly denying citizenship to all undocumented migrants. The Central government had introduced a Bill in Parliament in July last to amend the Act so that Hindus, Sikhs and minorities of other nations (Pakistan, Bangladesh) could be granted citizenship even if they do not provide required documents. PTI PNT SUN SUS SRY --- ENDS --- Youve heard of propaganda films the devastating Men Against Fire episode of Black Mirror is an anti-propaganda film. The fifth episode of the Netflix series third season joins Full Metal Jacket and All Quiet on the Western Front as one of the most powerful visual accounts of how war actually works. It powerfully makes the case that its much easier to kill enemies we dont consider human. Its a phenomenon weve seen many times, in wars where we dehumanized our enemies by calling them racial slurs or accusing them of atrocities they may not have actually committed. In Men Against Fire the enemies are called Roaches, and soldiers are given implants that make these enemies who are actually scared, fragile humans appear to be vampiric monsters. Also Read: 'Black Mirror': Where Was 'San Junipero' Filmed? Late in the episode, a military psychologist played by Michael Kelly explains to a soldier nicknamed Stripe, played by Malachi Kirby, that one of the biggest problem in war is that so many combatants see their enemies humanity. Here is his monologue: Humans. You know we give ourselves a bad rap, but were generally empathetic as a species. I mean, we dont actually really want to kill each other. Which is a good thing. Until your future depends on wiping out the enemy I dont how much history you studied in school. Many years ago, Im talking early 20th century, most soldiers didnt even fire their weapons. Or if they did they would just aim over the heads of the enemies. They did it on purpose. British Army, World War I the brigadier, hed walk the line with a stick and hed whack his men in order to get em to shoot. Even in World War II, in a firefight, only 15, 20 percent of the men would pull the trigger. Fate of the world at stake, and only 15 percent open fire. Now what does that tell you? It tells me that that war would have been over a whole lot quicker if the military got its shit together. So we adapted. Better training, better conditioning. Then comes the Vietnam War, and the shooting percentage goes up t0 85. Lot of bullets flying. The kills are still low. Plus the guys who did get a kill, most of them came back messed up in the head. Story continues Also Read: Why 'Black Mirror' Star Michael Kelly Won't Let His Daughter Have a Cellphone (Video) Kelly is kind of the perfect actor to deliver this ends-justify-the-means speech, because his House of Cards character, Doug Stamper, is the ultimate ends-justify-the-means kind of guy. Though he doesnt cite any source for his numbers, the source for the episodes title does. Men Against Fire: The Problem of Battle Command, is an influential book by Samuel Lyman Marshall, nicknamed Slam, a World War I veteran, newspaper reporter and military historian who said that in combat, no more than one in four men will generally fire their weapons. He said that this contention was based on interviews he conducted with soldiers immediately after combat in World War II. Marshall proposed changes to increase the amount of shooting and killing, and according to a summary of his book, the ratio of fire more than doubled from World War II to the Korean War, just a few years later. Marshall later traveled to Israel, Beirut, the Congo, Vietnam and Nicaragua to write about war. He died in 1977, a legend among those who sought to understand men in battle, says the introduction to the 2000 edition of Men Against Fire. But others have cast doubt on the one-in-four statistic. The strongest case against it appears in a lengthy 1989 American Heritage article by Fredric Smoler that you can read in its entirety here. That article reads, in part: Unfortunately, the fruit of Marshalls interviews, the astonishing insight, turns out to be a little too good to be true. In fact, it just may be that Samuel Lyman Marshall made the whole thing up. Also Read: 'Black Mirror' Fact Check: Can Hackers Watch You Through Your Camera? Smoler said that Marshall was inconsistent in reporting the number of interviews he conducted, with them ranging from approximately 400 group interviews with infantry rifle companies, to exactly 603 interviews. Smoler also cites an argument that in a by-the-book divisional assault he offers a very in-the-weeds account of how such assaults are carried out it might be entirely possible that the vast majority of soldiers might have no orders or reason to fire. (Before you say, Of course they would fire! Its war!, its worth clicking on the link to see why that may not be the case.) Whatever the facts, what makes Men Against Fire the book and the episode so frightening is the idea that someone would make a cold calculation that war would be better if it were more ruthless, not less. The argument, in essence, is that the longer a war drags on, the more painful it is. So better to rip off the Band-Aid or in this case, kill more people quickly than to let the misery persist. Theres a utilitarian argument you may have heard it in a philosophy class that it was more ethical for President Truman to order the U.S. bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end World War II than it would have been to invade Japan. Truman heard estimates that put the [invasion] death toll in the range of 500,000 to 1,000,000 Allied casualties. Truman was also aware of the continuing slaughter of Japanese from ongoing non-nuclear bombing, which had already cost the Japanese some 100,000 lives, says a PhilosophyNow post. In this framing of the argument, the simple question is whether more people died in the bombing than would have died in an invasion. (The number of people who died by bomb and atomic fallout has been conservatively estimated at 225,000, but could be far higher.) Were supposed to solve a hellish crisis with a math problem: Whichever approach results in the fewest total deaths is the most ethical approach. One of the many upsetting things about these kinds of arguments is that we have no way of knowing who, if anyone, is right. Were horrified and repulsed by the idea of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but have no alternate history we can cite to prove the bombings caused more death and anguish than might have resulted from an invasion, or some other course of action. The whole discussion feels disgusting. I feel gross even glancing toward the moral rabbit hole of counting actual lost lives against hypothetical deaths. Part of what feels so sickening about the utilitarian framing is that the by-the-numbers approach ignores almost everything but numbers, and fails to assign a numerical value to the concept of humanity. Using an atomic bomb doesnt just kill actual people. It also creates a reality in which humans have dropped atomic bombs on each other, and the possibility that we might use an atomic bomb again. It makes us a people who have had and continue to have numbers-based debates about snuffing out human life on a mass scale. What makes the Black Mirror episode so terrifying is that the technology that turns adversaries into roaches clearly isnt being used for the first time. The technology serves as a symbol for almost any kind of weapon, from guns to atomic bombs to missiles to drones, that allow us to kill from greater physical and emotional distance. It may have been introduced long before the episode takes place, to defeat opponents who struck first. It may have been used to end a war more quickly. There may have been sane, logical reasons for the technology to exist. Its possible. But its obvious that the roaches in the episode arent people who need to be killed. Theyre largely unarmed and defenseless. The soldiers we meet on Black Mirror have slipped far, far down the slippery slope, and now theyre killing people they shouldnt, enemies they dont see as human, and becoming less human themselves. The episode makes a powerful case that soldiers should be able to see the real faces of their supposed enemies, and make their own decisions about who deserves to die. Related stories from TheWrap: 'Black Mirror': Where Was 'San Junipero' Filmed? Why 'Black Mirror' Star Michael Kelly Won't Let His Daughter Have a Cellphone (Video) 'Black Mirror' Fact Check: Can Hackers Watch You Through Your Camera? Blake Lively proved why she and Ryan Reynolds are the best couple with this perfect birthday message Ryan Reynolds celebrated a big birthday over the weekend with the help of his lovely wife Blake Lively. The actor turned 40, and to celebrate, Lively planned a super festive party for their friends at the Japanese restaurant O Ya and it looks like it was the best time ever. You know, based on all the balloons, party hats, party masks, glitter and wine. Lively, being the doting wife she is, posted an adorable picture of the two of them embracing in front of massive 40 balloons. She accompanied the picture with the sweetest caption. @_o_ya_ We fell in love at your restaurant in Boston, she wrote. We stay in love at your restaurant in NY. Thank you for the BEST food and memories! You are our FAVORITE!! Another happy birthday with @vancityreynolds . Hey, Reynolds, I like you a whle lot. Just sayin A photo posted by Blake Lively (@blakelively) on Oct 25, 2016 at 3:05pm PDT Reynolds 35th birthday celebration took place at O Yas Boston location, while his 40th took place at the New York spot. The birthday boy posted an even CUTER photo of the couple sporting full birthday celebration gear. Best. Birthday. Everrrrr, he wrote. Courtesy of my wife, buddy, and international spy, @blakelively. With huge thanks to my favorite restaurant in NYC, @_o_ya_ and a special shout out to our children for not ruining everything like they planned. A photo posted by Ryan Reynolds (@vancityreynolds) on Oct 25, 2016 at 7:51pm PDT AH-DORABLE. If youve stalked Reynolds Instagram like we have, you know that he rarely posts pics of his wife. So when he does, we know hes really feeling the love. Happy Birthday, Ryan! We love you lots (not as much as Blake, but still a lot). The post Blake Lively proved why she and Ryan Reynolds are the best couple with this perfect birthday message appeared first on HelloGiggles. Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds returned to their special place where it was love at first bite. The couple celebrated Reynolds 40th birthday recently at Japanese restaurant O Ya in New York City as seen in Livelys Instagram on Tuesday. @_o_ya_ We fell in love at your restaurant in Boston. We stay in love at your restaurant in NY. Thank you for the BEST food and memories! You are our FAVORITE!! Another happy birthday with @vancityreynolds . Hey, Reynolds, I like you a whole lot. Just sayin, the actress captioned a cute photo of her and the birthday boy. Inside the high-end eatery, which boasts four dollar signs on Yelp, Lively, 29, decorated with ribbons and two gold mylar balloons that spelled out her husbands age. Also around the room were pictures from their relationship. Reynolds held onto a photo from his 35th birthday party around the time they first started dating that documented the couples tradition of capturing candid cuddly moments together. Missing from the pairs romantic photo were their children: 22-month-old James and their second child, who is three-weeks-old. The parents of two, who married in 2012, have yet to reveal the babys sex or name. But Reynolds may have recently disclosed that they welcomed another daughter. The actor had fans freaking out when he made a joke on Twitter about his daughters crib. The mobile above my daughters crib is just a whole bunch of NuvaRings. So she remembers how lucky she is, he tweeted. One thing that is for sure: this couple knows how to wish each other a happy birthday. Flames ripped through the Jungle in Calais on Wednesday, October 26, the third day of a government operation to clear the makeshift refugee camp. It was unclear who started the blaze, which destroyed tents, shelters and small shops in the sprawling French camp. Save the Children reported that hundreds of children, confused and distressed, remained at the camp as it burned. The Help Refugees charity, which shared footage of the scene with Storyful, said there were approximately 300 children sheltering under a bridge next to the camp, still waiting to be registered so that they could be taken to the United Kingdom. The first group of minors, under age 13, were boarded onto a bus to the UK on Tuesday, as officials began demolition of the camp, Sky News reported. According to Help Refugees, registration for minors halted on Wednesday morning. More than 4,000 people have been bused from the camp, which has been home to over 6,000 people for months, to asylum centers across France since Monday, Reuters reported. Credit: Facebook/Valerio Cataldi Oct 26 (Reuters) - The Bank of England (BoE) has asked major lenders in Britain to detail their exposure to Deutsche Bank and the biggest Italian banks, including Monte dei Paschi, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday. The BoE's Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) made the request in recent weeks, as investors sold off Deutsche and Monte Paschi stock amid scrutiny of their capital levels, the FT said, without saying where it got the information from. The PRA declined to comment. Deutsche Bank and Monte dei Paschi could not be immediately reached for comment outside regular business hours. Deutsche Bank face a potential fine of $14 billion from the U.S. Department of Justice over mis-selling of mortgage securities. Monte dei Paschi said this month it planned to lay off a tenth of its staff, shut branches and sell assets in a bid to win investor backing for a 5 billion euros ($5.4 billion) cash call. ($1 = 0.9169 euros) (Reporting by Sangameswaran S in Bengaluru; Editing by Mark Potter) The Boeing Co. BA is a premier jet aircraft manufacturer and is also one of the largest defense contractors in the U.S. Its revenue exposure is spread across more than 90 countries around the globe. In the race for supremacy in the commercial skies, the North American jet plane maker Boeing has surpassed its European rival Airbus in 2015 for the fourth consecutive year. Competition between Airbus and Boeing has been characterized as a duopoly in the large jet airliner market since the 1990s. Estimates Revision & Earnings Surprise Trend Boeings earnings estimates revision for the third quarter has mostly been to the upside. The company witnessed 3 upward revisions over the past 7 days. Yet, it does have an impressive history in earnings season, reporting positive earnings surprises in the last three of the four quarters with an average beat of 19.54%. BOEING CO Price and EPS Surprise BOEING CO Price and EPS Surprise | BOEING CO Quote Zacks Rank: Currently, Boeing has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. However, since the latest earnings performance is yet to be reflected in the estimate revisions, the rank is subject to change. We have mentioned below some of the vital information from this just-revealed announcement: Earnings: Our consensus called for earnings of $2.62 and the company reported adjusted earnings per share of $3.51. Revenue: Revenues surpassed the expectations. Boeing posted revenues of $23.90 billion, compared to our consensus estimate of $23.47 billion. Key Stats to Note: Boeing ended the third quarter of 2016 with total backlog of $462 billion, down from $472 billion at second-quarter end. Boeing raised its 2016 outlook with its core earnings is now expected in the range of $6.80-$7.00 versus $6.10-$6.30 per share expected earlier. It also raised its revenue forecast of $93.5-$95.5 billion versus $93-$95 billion expected earlier. Market Reaction: Shares were up about 1.57% in pre-market trading following the release, at the time of this write-up. Check back later for our full write up on this Boeing earnings report later! Confidential from Zacks Beyond this Tale of the Tape, would you like to see Zacks' best recommendations that are not available to the public? Our Executive VP, Steve Reitmeister, knows when key trades are about to be triggered and which of our experts has the hottest hand. Click to see them now>> 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 BOEING CO (BA): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Aerospace giant The Boeing Company BA reported adjusted earnings of $3.51 per share for third-quarter 2016, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.62 by a wide 34%. Reported earnings were also up 39.3% from the year-ago figure of $2.52. The quarterly number reflects solid overall execution of production programs and services, favorable tax items (98 cents) and timing of aircraft deliveries. On a GAAP basis, Boeing reported earnings of $3.60 per share, compared to earnings of $2.47 per share in the year-ago quarter. Revenues The company's revenues amounted to $23.90 billion in the reported quarter, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $23.46 billion by 1.8%. The reported figure, however, declined 7.5% year over year. Total Backlog Backlog at the end of the third quarter was down to $462.0 billion from $489.3 billion at 2015 end. Reported backlog included $15 billion of net orders during the quarter. Quarterly Segment Results Commercial Airplane Segment: The segment saw a 4.1% decline in revenues to $16.97 billion on lower planned delivery volumes. Operating margin contracted 60 basis points (bps) year over year to 9.4%, reflecting delivery volume and mix, partially offset by lower period costs. Boeings commercial airplane deliveries decreased 5.5% to 188 in the third quarter due to low demand for the 737, 777 and 787 Dreamliners. Sequentially, deliveries registered a 5.5% drop. Deliveries of the single-aisle 737 slipped to 120 in the third quarter from 126 a year ago, as the company was busy with the production of a newer version of its most popular plane, the 737 MAX. Shipments of the 777 and 787 Dreamliners were 22 and 36, compared with 27 and 37 in the year-ago period, respectively. For the 747 and 767 jets, the company clocked deliveries of 5 each, compared with 4 units of 747 and 5 units of 767 in the year-ago quarter. Boeing won net orders for 107 planes during the quarter, with its backlog reaching 5,600 worth a total $409 billion. Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS): The segment witnessed an approximate 10.1% year-over-year decrease in quarterly revenues to $7.51 billion. Revenues at two of the three sub-segments Boeing Military Aircraft (BMA) and Network & Space Systems (N&SS) recorded year-over-year deterioration of 19.2% and 20%, respectively. Global Services & Support (GS&S) witnessed 16.5% year-over-year growth in revenues. Quarterly operating margin contracted 180 bps to 10.4%. Backlog at BDS was $53 billion, 38% of which comprised orders from international clients. In the defense and space business, Boeings deliveries totaled 50 in the third quarter of 2016, up from 48 a year ago and 45 in the preceding quarter. Total deliveries consisted of 19 AH-64 Apache helicopters (both new and remanufactured) and 14 Chinook helicopters (new and renewed). The company also delivered 6 F/A-18 jets, 4 P-8 models, 4 F-15s, 1 Military Satellite, and 2 Commercial and Civil Satellites. Boeing Capital Corporation (BCC): Boeing Capital reported quarterly revenues of $63 million, compared with $114 million in the year-ago quarter. The segments earnings were $13 million compared with $10 million a year ago. At the end of the third quarter, BCC's portfolio balance was $3.7 billion, up from the beginning of the quarter. Story continues BOEING CO Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise BOEING CO Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | BOEING CO Quote Financial Condition Boeing exited the third quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $8.99 billion and short-term investments of $682 million. At year-end 2015, the company had $11.30 billion of cash and cash equivalents and $750 million of short-term investments. Long-term debt was $9.82 billion in the third quarter, up from $8.73 billion at 2015 end. Boeing generated $3.20 billion of operating cash flow in the quarter, up 12% year over year. Free cash flow was $2.61 billion in the quarter compared with free cash of $2.30 billion a year back. Guidance Boeing raised its adjusted or core earnings per share expectation for 2016 to the range of $6.80$7.00 from $6.10$6.30 expected earlier. GAAP earnings are now expected in the range of $7.10$7.30 per share, compared with $6.40$6.60 projected earlier. The company also raised its 2016 revenue guidance to the range of $93.5$95.5 billion from the prior guidance of $93$95 billion. Commercial Airplanes' 2016 delivery expectations are in the band of 745750 airplanes with revenues projected in the $64.5$65.5 billion range, compared to the previous expectation of 740745 airplanes with revenues in the $64.0$65.0 billion band. Operating margin is still expected in the 4.55.0% range. The company maintained 2016 defense revenues guidance in the $28.5$29.5 billion range with operating margin of approximately 10%. Boeing Capital Corp. expects the aircraft finance portfolio to remain stable. The company reiterated its segment revenue expectation of approximately $0.3 billion. Boeing's 2016 R&D forecast has been maintained at approximately $4.8 billion. Capital expenditures for 2016 are still expected to be $2.8 billion. Zacks Rank Boeing currently holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here. At Its Peers Pentagons prime contractor, Lockheed Martin Corp. LMT reported third-quarter 2016 earnings of $3.61 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.86 by 26.2%. Earnings also increased 49.2% from the year-ago level, courtesy of strong revenue and operating margin growth. Northrop Grumman Corporation NOC reported third-quarter 2016 adjusted earnings of $3.35 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.81 by 19.2%. Reported earnings were also up 22% from $2.75 recorded in the year-ago quarter. General Dynamics Corporation GD announced third-quarter 2016 earnings from continuing operations of $2.48 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.37 by 4.6%. Reported earnings were also up 8.8% from $2.28 recorded in the year-ago quarter. Confidential from Zacks Beyond this Analyst Blog, would you like to see Zacks' best recommendations that are not available to the public? Our Executive VP, Steve Reitmeister, knows when key trades are about to be triggered and which of our experts has the hottest hand. Click to see them now>> 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 NORTHROP GRUMMN (NOC): Free Stock Analysis Report BOEING CO (BA): Free Stock Analysis Report GENL DYNAMICS (GD): Free Stock Analysis Report LOCKHEED MARTIN (LMT): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research LONDON (Reuters) - A key element of new bank rules, widely criticised by the finance industry for unnecessarily bumping up capital requirements, will be radically cut back, Bank of England Governor Mark Carney said on Tuesday. This new capital requirement covers so-called operational risk, such as big fines for misconduct that could eat into a bank's main capital reserves. "One of core recommendations had the effect of substantially increasing the capital for so-called operational risk," Carney told a committee in Britain's House of Lords. Operational risk was very difficult to model and is best addressed by supervisors using their discretion to require a specific bank to hold more capital, as the BoE was already doing, Carney said. "We don't need a model coming out of Basel to tell us how to do it," Carney said, referring to the Basel Committee of global banking regulators. "What we expect to happen is that element of the original package ... will be substantially reduced, so that the supervisory discretion is back with the home supervisor," Carney said. Global banking regulators, who aim to complete the rules by year-end, have come under heavy pressure from banks and policymakers to dilute them. They worry that banks will have to come up with large amounts of fresh capital at expense of lending. European Union policymakers have threatened to boycott the Basel rules if they mean big increases in capital. The Basel Committee has said there will be no major overall increase in capital across the banking system from rules that will not come into effect for years. (Reporting by Huw Jones. Editing by Jane Merriman) Indian police on Wednesday charged controversial Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's bodyguard for illegal possession of a firearm and assaulting a waiter at a pub, an officer said. Gurmeet Singh Jolly, who goes by the name Shera, allegedly hit the waiter with the butt of a pistol during a verbal tiff at a bar in India's financial capital, Mumbai. Police charged Shera with assault after receiving a complaint from the victim who sustained injuries, police said. "Shera has been charged... for possession of weapons and hitting the victim with a baton and the butt of a pistol before fleeing the spot," Mumbai Police spokesperson Ashok Dudhe told AFP. Shera has worked with Khan for nearly 20 years and is known to be a close confidante of the superstar, who is himself embroiled in a string of legal cases. Although Khan was cleared last year of killing a homeless man in a late-night hit-and-run crash in 2002, that decision is now being challenged in the Supreme Court. By PTI: From Lalit K Jha Washington, Oct 26 (PTI) Donald Trump is attacking everything that has set the US apart for 240 years and after spending his entire campaign targeting various groups of Americans his final target is democracy itself, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has said. "There is a reason why America is the greatest and longest lasting democracy the world has ever known, because we believe that no matter what you look like or where your parents were born or who you love, you have the right to be treated equally and fairly in the United States," Clinton said at an election rally in Florida. advertisement "(Republican presidential candidate) Donald Trump is attacking everything that has set our country apart for 240 years. Now, after spending his entire campaign attacking one group of Americans after another -- immigrants, African Americans, Latinos, women, POWs, Muslims, people with disabilities -- now his final target is democracy itself," she alleged. Clinton promised her countrymen to strengthen the democratic values. "Heres what I want you to know, in the four years, we are going to change some things in America, right? I do want to get the economy working for everyone, not just those at the top," the 69-year-old former secretary of state said. Clinton promised that her administration would do that and bring about other positive changes but asserted that they are not going to change the fundamental values that made America the greatest nation in the history of the world. "I think it all started when George Washington refused to become a king. Right? Now, Donald Trump probably would have called him a loser," Clinton said. "Instead, that was one of the most important decisions any president has ever made. Eight years, its time to move on. We fought a revolution so that we would not have a king. We would not be subjects, we would be independent citizens. I cherish that idea," she said. But the good news is that Americans are coming together, Clinton asserted. "At the very moment when Donald Trump is making an unprecedented attack on our democracy, millions of people are registering, voting early and volunteering in this campaign," she said, adding that more than six million people have already voted. Observing that people should honour the men and women in uniform who fight for the country, Clinton said she was appalled when Trump tweeted that the new effort underway to push the terrorists out of the key city of Mosul is already...I quote him, a total disaster and that our country is, again a quote, looking dumb." PTI LKJ ASK ASK --- ENDS --- When Boston Scientific Corp. (BSX) reported its third-quarter earnings results before the markets opened on Wednesday, it said that it had $0.27 in earnings per share (EPS) and $2.11 billion in revenue. The consensus estimates from Thomson Reuters had called for $0.27 in EPS and revenue of $2.07 billion. The same period of last year reportedly had EPS of $0.24 and $1.89 billion in revenue. During this quarter, Boston Scientific entered into a definitive agreement and commenced a cash tender offer to acquire EndoChoice Holdings, which offers physicians a broad portfolio of products to treat gastrointestinal conditions, for roughly $210 million. Also in the quarter, the company received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the Emblem MRI Subcutaneous Implantable Defibrillator (S-ICD) System, as well as magnetic resonance conditional labeling for all previously implanted Emblem S-ICD Systems. ALSO READ: The Most Dangerous Cities in America In terms of its segment revenues, Boston Scientific reported: MedSurg revenues grew 15% (14% operational and 10% organic). Cardiovascular revenues increased 13% (12% operational and organic). Rhythm Management revenues increased 4% (3% operational and organic). As for fourth-quarter guidance, the company expects to see EPS in the range of $0.27 to $0.29 and revenues between $2.14 billion and $2.19 billion. The consensus estimates call for $0.29 in EPS and $2.15 billion in revenue. Mike Mahoney, board chair and chief executive of Boston Scientific, commented: Our differentiated products and services continue to make a meaningful impact for our customers and the patients they treat, as shown by very strong revenue growth in the third quarter and year to date. Our global team is delivering excellent performance across our various business units and geographies. ALSO READ: 50 Worst Cities to Live In On the books, Boston Scientific cash and cash equivalents totaled $237 million at the end of the quarter, down from $319 million at the end of 2015. Story continues Shares of Boston Scientific were trading at $22.44 on Wednesday, with a consensus analyst price target of $27.55 and a 52-week trading range of $15.67 to $24.79. Related Articles Grace Connor is the 17-year-old founder of Little G Ice Cream Co. and a culinary sensation in Boston. The high school senior is churning away at a professional kitchen in Boston in between classes creating a dozen different varieties of her rich ice cream chock full of unique mix-ins she bakes from scratch. She started the company in April 2015 and is already in two Boston-area Whole Foods as well as six other groceries in Massachusetts and Connecticut. A contract with Amazon Fresh is in the works and she ships products nationwide from her website littlegicecreamco.com. Her products are flying off freezer shelves. Her product was unique, says Brian Levin, a Whole Foods buyer and 21-year veteran of the company. I have never personally encountered a producer that young, I was astounded when I learned that Grace was the owner. She is one incredible young woman. Even more incredible and what Levin doesnt yet know is the story Grace is revealing for the first time to PEOPLE. The teen founded Little Gs as a form of therapy following life-threatening complications caused by the removal of a tumor on the base of her brain in March 2015. While significantly better, Grace continues to require daily medications to replace the hormones the tumor had prevented her body from producing. Creating Little Gs was key to her recovery, something she has to move forward for, Graces mom, Melissa Schneider, tells PEOPLE. A driving force, like, I will be better. Adds Grace, Its given me a drive to do something I am proud of, its given me new energy. By the end of 8th grade, Grace once a nationally-ranked squash player had mysteriously lost significant amounts of weight, her hair was falling out and her skin was gray. Even in 9th grade, says Grace, I had the body of a 10-year-old. Doctors thought she was anorexic, as her weight dipped below 80 pounds on her 5-foot-3 frame, despite Grace eating meals (and taste-testing the hundreds of iterations of her original cake and cookie recipes). Story continues Classmates, she says, never bullied her. They thought I was anorexic, she recalls. Meanwhile, Melissa, a physician, was jumping up and down saying something is wrong, the devoted mom recalls. It was difficult to diagnose. Finally, in 2014, doctors discovered Grace had a tumor on the base of her brain, called a Rathke cleft cyst that pushed on her pituitary gland and affected all of Graces hormones. Medication didnt help. The teen was wasting away due to adrenal failure, Melissa says. Grace had a lot of muscle loss. She said, My whole body stopped working.' Despite all this, Grace never told anyone at school or her baking clients about her condition. Five days after Graces April 2015 surgery to remove the tumor at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston, she was clamoring to be discharged to fulfill an order. I said, Mom, I am getting out of there, I have a cake to deliver, says Grace. She left the hospital at 2 that afternoon, made the cake and delivered it by 6. My mom wanted me to rest, Grace says, but I hate sitting. A few days later, Grace began bleeding heavily from her nose and mouth, requiring a rushed trip to the emergency room and an emergency procedure to stop the bleeding that doctors found had originated from the base of her brain. If we stayed at home she would have died, says Melissa. After a one-night hospital stay, and more complications requiring a visit to her neurosurgeon, Grace was ordered to rest. As the days on the sofa at home unfolded she was not able to return to school for six weeks the restless teen decided to focus on making ice cream, a passion shes had along with baking since early childhood, she says. She eventually got herself into the well-known CommonWealth Kitchen a collaborative for start-up food companies the youngest business owner ever there. In addition to making all the ice cream, Grace handles all the particulars on the business side, too: hiring an attorney, creating her own packaging and labeling, spending $10,000 on a professional ice cream machine that she snagged for a significant discount. She pays for everything with the money she saved from her baking business. Her only help is her father, who serves as a deliveryman, and her mom, who helps out in the kitchen on weekends. I was so impressed with her ambition, says Levin. Grace, meanwhile, continues to digest all thats happened since her brain surgery just 18 months ago. Its kinda surreal for me, she says. Its so much hard work and time and years of testing recipes have gone into this. I ask, Did I actually do this? You dont know what youre jumping into. She adds, And Im not going to be satisfied until I am next to every Ben and Jerrys in the world. LONDON (Reuters) - Health authorities in Colombia and Brazil will launch large-scale mosquito-control campaigns using a using naturally occurring bacteria known as Wolbachia to fight the spread of dengue and Zika viruses among people. Small-scale trials of the technique, which involves infecting mosquitoes with Wolbachia to prevent them from spreading the viruses, have shown a significant reduction in their ability to transmit Zika and dengue, prompting donors to back scale-up plans. "The use of Wolbachia is a potential ground-breaking sustainable solution to reduce the impact of these outbreaks around the globe and particularly on the worlds poorest people," said Britain's international development secretary Priti Patel as the larger project was announced in London. The control campaigns, scheduled to begin early next year in Colombia's Antioquia and Brazil's Rio de Janeiro, will be funded with $18 million from the British and United States governments, the Wellcome Trust global health charity and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Zika has been linked to the birth defect microcephaly, characterized by an abnormally small head, that has been sweeping through South and Central America and the Caribbean and making its way north to the United States. In February, the World Health Organization declared Zika a global health emergency. The connection between Zika and microcephaly came to light last year in Brazil. Brazil has now confirmed more than 1,800 cases of babies with microcephaly that it considers are linked to Zika infections in the mothers. The Wolbachia bacteria is occurs naturally in many insect species worldwide, and research has shown that it can significantly reduce the capacity of mosquitoes to transmit viruses to humans. But it doesn't occur naturally in Aedes aegypti, the mosquito species largely responsible for transmitting a range of diseases including Zika, dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. Over the past decade, international researchers working with the Australian-led non-profit Eliminate Dengue Program (EDP) have found a way to transfer Wolbachia into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and get them to pass it on to their offspring. When mosquitoes with Wolbachia are released into an area, they breed with local mosquitoes and pass the bacteria on to future generations. Within a few months, the majority of mosquitoes carry Wolbachia and the effect is then self-sustaining. Since 2011, field trials using this method have been carried out in five countries and show that when a high proportion of mosquitoes in an area carry Wolbachia, local transmission of viruses is halted. Trevor Mundel, head of the Gates Foundation's global health division, said he hoped the large-scale campaigns had the potential to show Wolbachia as a "revolutionary form of protection against mosquito-borne disease". "It's affordable, sustainable, and appears to provide protection against Zika, dengue, and a host of other viruses," he said in a statement. "We're eager to study its impact and how it can help countries." (Reporting by Kate Kelland; Editing by Tom Heneghan) SAO PAULO/BRASILIA, Oct 26 (Reuters) - The share of loans delinquent for at least 90 days in Brazil was unchanged at a record high in September, a signal that efforts by commercial banks to refinance looming debt maturities are yet to help ease the country's worst credit crunch in two decades. The so-called default ratio, a benchmark for delinquencies, came in at the equivalent of 5.9 percent of outstanding non-earmarked loans, unaltered from a revised figure in August, the central bank said in a report on Wednesday. Outstanding loans totaled 3.11 trillion real ($998 billion), down 0.2 percent from August, the report showed. ($1 = 3.1166 reais) (Reporting by Guillermo Parra-Bernal and Marcela Ayres) Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - The worst land grab in decades in the Brazilian Amazon is threatening the survival of isolated tribes that have no contact with the outside world, a rights group said Wednesday. Ranchers and settlers in the remotest reaches of northwestern Brazil are voraciously cutting down rainforest to farm crops, encroaching on the ancestral lands of three uncontacted groups, said Survival International. The land grab is also threatening another tribe, the Uru Eu Wau Wau, or "Harpy Eagle" people, that has only limited contact with the outside world, said the London-based group. Warning the groups face "annihilation," it accused local politicians in the state of Rondonia of backing the deforestation, even though the area is officially designated as an indigenous reserve and sits within a national park, Pacaas Novas. Because isolated peoples' immune systems have never been exposed to the outside world's diseases, the land grab risks causing devastating outbreaks, Survival said. "Around the world, industrialized society is stealing tribal lands in the pursuit of profit. What's happening in Brazil is simply a continuation of the invasion and genocide which characterized the European colonization of the Americas," said the group's director, Stephen Corry. The organization quoted a letter the Harpy Eagle tribe sent to Brazilian police, in which they call the land grab "extremely serious." "We are very worried because the invasions are close to our villages and putting the lives of women, old people, children and men at risk," said the letter. Experts estimate between 50 and 90 percent of the populations of Brazil's isolated tribes were wiped out when the government initiated contact with them in the 1970s and 80s -- official policy at the time. Today, the government tries to avoid any contact with isolated peoples, in order to protect them. Brazil is home to some 900,000 indigenous people from 305 different ethnic groups. LONDON (Reuters) - Britain cannot have it all as it exits the European Union and cannot leave behind the bloc's problems while benefiting from its advantages, French agriculture minister Stephane Le Foll said on Wednesday. "You cannot say when exiting the EU you will keep all the advantages but leave behind anything that doesn't suit you," Le Foll said at a briefing in London before a bilateral meeting with his British counterpart Andrea Leadsom. "It's a choice which results in losing certain advantages which could be taken for granted," said Le Foll, who is also the spokesman for France's Socialist government. The EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) regulates farm policy across the bloc, providing subsidies to farmers in member states - including Britain - that contribute to its budget. Britain's vote to leave the European Union spells uncertainty not only for British farmers as subsidies dry up, but also for the CAP's budget because of the looming end to Britain's contributions. Britain's National Farming Union supported Britain remaining in the EU. Le Foll, who was a vocal opponent of Brexit prior to the referendum, emphasised the importance of continued cooperation with Britain on agricultural issues as well as security, alluding to the problem of migrants who flocked to Calais in the hope of crossing the Channel to Britain. "We have agricultural and agroindustrial relations around which we must, of course, continue to share and discuss," he said. "The question of Calais must compel us to continue relations that are productive enough to be able to solve the problems concerning both France and Great Britain," he added. Le Foll said he would not speak to Leadsom about the CAP, which is to be debated ahead of new guidelines in 2020. He said Britain's exit should precede the new agricultural policy, citing French President Francois Hollande's demand that the formal exit occur before the EU elections in 2019. The French minister hosted 19 other European agriculture ministers in France's Loire valley in September to discuss the future of the CAP after Brexit, pointedly not inviting Britain. Prime Minister Theresa May, at her first European Council meeting in Brussels, said Britain would continue to play a full role in the EU until it leaves, and would be a strong and dependable partner after it left. (Reporting by Helen Reid; Editing by Tom Heneghan) London (AFP) - Britain's media regulator on Wednesday said it had fined telecoms giant Vodafone A4.6 million ($5.6 million, 5.2 million euros) for breaching rules designed to protect customers. Ofcom revealed in a statement that it had uncovered evidence of "mis-selling, inaccurate billing and poor complaints handling processes" for British customers of Vodafone, the world's second-largest mobile operator. Ofcom said it had conducted two investigations which found Vodafone had failed to credit the accounts of 10,452 pay-as-you-go mobile customers in Britain -- and then mishandled their complaints. The breaches took place over a 17-month period up to April 2015. During that time, the affected customers lost a combined A150,000. "Vodafone's failings were serious and unacceptable, and these fines send a clear warning to all telecoms companies," said Ofcom consumer group director Lindsey Fussell. The London-listed mobile phone company expressed "profound apologies" over the matter. "We deeply regret these system and process failures. We are completely focused on serving our customers: everyone who works for us is expected to do their utmost to meet our customers' needs, day after day, and act quickly and efficiently if something goes wrong," it said. "It is clear from Ofcom's findings that we did not do that often enough or well enough on a number of occasions. We offer our profound apologies to anyone affected by these errors." Britain's Vodafone is second only to China Mobile in terms of subscriber numbers. Five persons were killed and more than half-a-dozen injured in an explosion in Varanasi. By Indo-Asian News Service: Five persons were killed and more than half-a-dozen injured in an explosion in Varanasi, police said on Wednesday. "Prima facie, the explosion appears to have been triggered by a fire in a stockpile of illegal firecrackers, ahead of Diwali," senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nitin Tiwari said. Two of the dead were identified as Aamna and Sarfaraz, while others are yet to be identified. advertisement A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team was at the spot and a search was on to rescue those feared buried under the debris, an officer said. The incident took place around midnight on Tuesday in a two-storey building on a deep inside lane near the Pitarkund trisection, here. Rescue and relief operations were underway and at least two persons were still feared buried under the debris. The condition of one woman rescued is said to be critical. Senior officials including the divisional commissioner, district magistrate, senior superintendent of police and additional security forces were at the spot, a state Home Department official told IANS. The house, where the explosion took place, belonged to Mohammed Haneef that is adjacent to a grave yard. Haneef lived with his sons - Rasheed, Hameed and Habeed, along with more than 20 tenants. The explosion was so massive that one of roofs was blown away, the police said. --- ENDS --- By Robin Emmott and Phil Stewart BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Britain said on Wednesday it will send fighter jets to Romania next year and the United States promised troops, tanks and artillery to Poland in NATO's biggest military build-up on Russia's borders since the Cold War. Germany, Canada and other NATO allies also pledged forces at a defense ministers meeting in Brussels on the same day two Russian warships armed with cruise missiles entered the Baltic Sea between Sweden and Denmark, underscoring East-West tensions. In Madrid, the foreign ministry said Russia had withdrawn a request to refuel three warships in Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta after NATO allies said they could be used to target civilians in Syria. The ships were part of an eight-ship carrier battle group - including Russia's sole aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov - that is expected to join around 10 other Russian vessels already off the Syrian coast, diplomats said. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the troop contributions to a new 4,000-strong force in the Baltics and eastern Europe were a measured response to what the alliance believes are some 330,000 Russian troops stationed on Russia's western flank near Moscow. "This month alone, Russia has deployed nuclear-capable Iskander missiles to Kaliningrad and suspended a weapons-grade plutonium agreement with the United States," Stoltenberg said, also accusing Russia of continued support for rebels in Ukraine. Those ballistic missiles can hit targets across Poland and the Baltics, although NATO officials declined to say if Russia had moved nuclear warheads to Kaliningrad. NATO's aim is to make good on a July promise by NATO leaders to deter Russia in Europe's ex-Soviet states, after Moscow orchestrated the annexation of the Crimea peninsula in 2014. NATO's plan is to set up four battle groups with a total of some 4,000 troops from early next year, backed by a 40,000-strong rapid-reaction force, and if need be, follow-on forces. As part of that, U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced a "battle-ready battalion task force" of about 900 soldiers would be sent to eastern Poland, as well as another, separate force equipped with tanks and other heavy equipment to move across eastern Europe. "It's a major sign of the U.S. commitment to strengthening deterrence here," Carter said. Britain's Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said Britain would send an 800-strong battalion to Estonia, supported by French and Danish troops, starting from May. The United States wants its troops in position by June. London is also sending Typhoon fighter aircraft to Romania to patrol around the Black Sea, partly in support of Turkey. "Although we are leaving the European Union, we will be doing more to help secure the eastern and southern flanks of NATO," Fallon said. SYRIAN SHADOW Others NATO allies joined the four battle groups led by the United States, Germany, Britain and Canada to go to Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia. Canada said it was sending 450 troops to Latvia, joined by 140 military personnel from Italy. Germany said it was sending between 400 and 600 troops to Lithuania, with additional forces from the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, Croatia and Luxembourg. Stoltenberg said allies' commitments would be "a clear demonstration of our transatlantic bond." Diplomats said it would also send a message to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who has complained that European allies do not pay their way in the alliance. For the Kremlin, the U.S.-led alliance's plans are already too much given Russia's grievances at NATO's expansion eastwards, although Stoltenberg denied going too far. But NATO's troop announcements in the Baltic states and Poland were partly overshadowed by the dispute about whether Spain should refuel the Russian warships, which was later resolved by Moscow's decision to withdraw its request. NATO's tensions with Russia have been building since Crimea and the West's decision to impose retaliatory sanctions. But the breakdown of a U.S-Russia brokered ceasefire in Syria on Oct. 3, followed by U.S. accusations that Russia has used cyber attacks to disrupt the presidential election, have signaled a worsening of ties. Even before the break down of the Syrian ceasefire, Russian President Vladimir Putin suspended a treaty with Washington on cleaning up weapons-grade plutonium, signaling he was willing to use nuclear disarmament as a new bargaining chip in disputes with the United States over Ukraine and Syria. (Additional reporting by Sabine Siebold; Editing by Tom Heneghan) * Jutting details cocaine, alcohol, sex binge prior to killings * Cordial, jovial and at times emotional in video interviews * Says he resigned from Bank of America after first killing By Farah Master HONG KONG, Oct 26 (Reuters) - British banker Rurik Jutting calmly detailed to police his cocaine-fuelled descent into a torture and killing binge that ended in the deaths of two Indonesian women in his luxury Hong Kong apartment, according to videos shown in court on Wednesday. The 31-year-old Cambridge graduate told police that six weeks after he started buying cocaine directly from a dealer, he was vastly indulging in the drug, as well as alcohol and paid sex. On the third day of his murder trial, the prosecution said Jutting was consuming 10 grams of 30-percent pure cocaine a day, an unbelievably high dosage. An expert toxicologist said in the courtroom around three grams could be fatal. Jutting has admitted killing Sumarti Ningsih, a 23-year-old single mother, and another Indonesian woman, Seneng Mujiasih, 26, in his apartment two years ago. But he has pleaded not guilty to murder on grounds of diminished responsibility, while pleading guilty to the lesser crime of manslaughter. He explained in the video how cocaine made him feel sexually charged and led to him fantasising for long periods of time. He had tried cocaine previously but only fleetingly, he said. Later in the interviews, when describing the first killing, Jutting bent over to show how he slit the throat of first victim, Ningsih, whom he previously met through a classifieds website. "Initially I didn't cut deeply enough, I cut the windpipe but only a vein ... she was bleeding on the floor. Then I pulled her into my shower and used the knife to cut as deeply as I could and then she died within a few minutes," he said in the video that was viewed by a packed court room. Jutting filmed himself torturing and killing one of his victims, part of mobile phone footage taken from four hours of recordings in which he veered between boasting, remorse and describing the pleasure he derived from sexually brutalizing the women. Story continues When describing the second killing in a video, Jutting explained how he met Mujiasih in a bar near his home and agreed to pay her HK$12,000 ($1,550) to go back to his apartment, just a few minutes walk from the city's red-light district. He said he killed her within 20 minutes of her entering his apartment. Again motioning to the two officers present in one police video, he showed how he used his right hand to cut her throat and his left to hold her head. "I don't recall how long it took her to die. I think at one point, while she was still alive, I went out onto the balcony ... I was naked and covered in her blood and lay on the balcony for some point of time," he said. "SHE WAS PREY" Jutting said he didn't sleep in between the two killings, which was a period of around five days. He instead took copious amounts of cocaine and read and watched extreme pornography which included violence and rape. He detailed how he met his second victim in a bar called New Makati, a place where he said it was known that sex workers were available. "She was prey - I was in a mode I can only describe as hunting," Jutting said. In the police interviews conducted on November 2, 2014, a day after Jutting was arrested, he went into great detail over what had happened, politely relaying the course of events and appearing jovial at times. Jutting, who also studied at Winchester, one of Britain's most famous and oldest private schools, worked at Bank of America Corp in Hong Kong prior to his arrest. During the police interviews he said he resigned shortly after killing Ningsih, sending an email to notify the bank, before later attempting to "clean the bathroom" where his first victim died. Bank of America declined to comment when contacted by Reuters on Wednesday. Dressed in a navy blue shirt, Jutting appeared attentive during the court session on Wednesday as he listened to the videos. In one video, he said he had "mutual sexual relations" with Ningsih at a hotel near his flat during a six-day period when he had a string of "sex workers" visit him. The second time he met her he agreed to pay HK$8,000-HK$10,000 for her to spend the night with him, an encounter that ultimately turned into three days of torture. Jutting, a former vice president and head of Structured Equity Finance & Trading (Asia) at Bank of America, had expressed "job depression" in his series of monologues that he termed the "narcissistic ramblings of Rurik Jutting." Jutting was accused of murder in October 2014. Police said they received a call from the then 29-year-old, requesting officers to come to his apartment, where they found the bodies of the two women. Ningsih, who had a son in Indonesia, was visiting Hong Kong on a tourist visa. Her mutilated body was discovered inside a suitcase on Jutting's balcony, while Mujiasih, a domestic helper, was found lying inside with wounds to her neck and buttocks, forensic pathologist Dr Poon Wai-ming testified in court. The defence and prosecution were largely in agreement over the physical evidence, Judge Michael Stuart-Moore had advised the jurors on the first day of the trial. He told them the verdict could rest on psychiatric and psychological testimony. Murder carries a mandatory life sentence, while manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of life. The case continues. (Reporting by Farah Master; additional reporting by Anne Marie Roantree; Editing by Anne Marie Roantree and Nick Macfie) * Parallel trade in drugs in decline since Brexit vote * Trade may end altogether depending on exit terms -GSK CEO By Ben Hirschler LONDON, Oct 26 (Reuters) - The supply of cut-price branded prescription drugs into Britain is drying up as a sharp fall in sterling erodes profit margins for wholesalers engaged in the so-called parallel trade. Drugs, like other goods, can be freely traded across Europe's single market and Britain, along with Germany, has long been a profitable destination market for parallel traders who buy supplies in countries where prices are lower, like Greece. That import business is now being disrupted by the pound's big fall since Britons voted to leave the European Union in June, the head of the country's biggest drugmaker said on Wednesday. "What we are seeing is a deceleration of parallel trade," Andrew Witty, chief executive of GlaxoSmithKline, told reporters in a post-results call. "If the pound remains suppressed or at these new lower levels, you would expect to see less import, more export." Parallel imports from lower-cost European countries can result in savings for Britain's National Health Service, since the trade may account for 25 to 30 percent of supplies of some popular medicines. There is a debate, however, as to how much of the price arbitrage benefit goes to the state-run health system in terms of lower costs and how much ends up being pocketed as profit by wholesalers. In the long run Britain's intention to leave the EU could shut down this parallel trade altogether - something Witty said GSK was considering in its long-term supply chain planning. "Depending on what happens in terms of the ultimate Brexit negotiations between the UK and the European Union, under various circumstances parallel trade may have to cease in entirety because parallel trade is a function of free movement of goods and services," he said. "Therefore, we have to at least consider the possibility that, if within certain scenarios that didn't happen, parallel trade between the UK and the European Union presumably would no longer be legal." (Editing by Greg Mahlich) By Esha Vaish (Reuters) - Flybe Group Plc (FLYB.L) said Chief Executive Saad Hammad would step down immediately, ending a more than three-year stint that marked the airline's return to profitability. The company's shares tumbled 14.8 percent to 34.80 pence at 1143 GMT on Wednesday. Flybe, which connects British regional airports to London and other European cities, said Hammad's resignation was by "mutual agreement". The departure of Hammad, a former executive at rival easyJet (EZJ.L) and Air Berlin (AB1.DE), leaves Flybe rudderless at a time when European airlines are grappling with increased economic uncertainty after Britain's vote to leave the European Union. Several airlines in the region have issued profit warnings as they navigate slow demand and fierce competition in fares. Although Flybe reported a 5 percent rise in first-quarter passenger revenue in July, it warned that Brexit and a string of deadly attacks across Europe could have a "materially adverse impact". Under Hammad's leadership, Flybe has returned to profitability by drastically cutting jobs and wages, selling airport slots and exiting unprofitable routes. Hammad was brought on board in 2013 to help Flybe counteract soaring fuel costs, falling passenger counts and higher airport charges. The turnaround, most notably, involved the airline quitting its main London hub at Gatwick airport. Analysts said Hammad's surprise departure could allow Flybe to set out clearer goals as it heads into another bout of turbulence. "The company needs to set out more clearly how they're going to grow the business and where they can get to in terms of margins and cash generation over the medium term ... I think it probably needs a fresh set of eyes just to take a look," Cantor Fitzgerald Europe analyst Robin Byde told Reuters. Simon Laffin, Flybe's non-executive chairman, will step up as executive chairman as the airline scouts for a new boss. Laffin said Flybe remained "well placed" as the aviation industry faces a "challenging market environment". Story continues In Flybe's statement on Wednesday, Hammad said, "Now is the right time for me to move on to a fresh challenge." Hammad did not respond to an email seeking comments, while a Flybe spokesman declined to comment beyond the statement. (Reporting by Esha Vaish in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty) (Reuters) - The Buenos Aires Herald published its last daily edition after 140 years on Wednesday, blaming tough economic conditions and a broad shift among readers to digital media. The Herald, which was founded in 1876 by a Scottish resident of Argentina just as waves of European immigrants arrived to settle in the country, will switch to a weekly edition. The paper had called itself the only English language daily newspaper in print in Latin America, "The Herald has been facing difficulties for a while now," the newspaper said in its editorial on Wednesday. "Though our future incarnation has been painted as a new challenge and an exciting offering to the market, it would be foolish to deny that such a dramatic change comes at a huge cost, or that it also reflects a media industry in crisis." It referred to both international trends of readers migrating toward digital media, and local economic conditions as contributing to the move. Most of its journalists will lose their jobs, it said, with 14 staff leaving on Wednesday. The Buenos Aires Herald, closely associated with Argentina's British and, in later years, U.S. community, won plaudits for its coverage of the "disappeared" - people who were forcibly abducted, tortured and often murdered by the state - during the 1976-1983 military dictatorship. Much of the rest of Argentina's media stayed silent, fearing repercussions, and Herald staff themselves faced threats that led some to leave the country. The Herald is majority-owned by the Indalo Group conglomerate and belongs to the same stable as local financial paper Ambito Financiero. (Writing by Rosalba O'Brien; Editing by Frances Kerry) A pair of burglars looted a home on Matthew Drive in Rockledge, Florida, all while the homeowners slept on couches just feet away from the intruders. This footage, released by the Brevard County Sheriffs Office, shows the robbery, which occurred at 1:30 am on October 22. One of the suspects can be seen rummaging through shelves as two people, described as children, doze on couches. According to a description provided by the Sheriffs Office, the suspect was a black male, early 20s, black hair, between 510-60" tall and wearing a light colored shirt with stripes, fingerless gloves, light colored pants and slight facial hair." He was assisted by a white male wearing a light colored beanie cap, dark colored jacket and light colored pants who waited outside with a .38 handgun which had been stolen from the vehicle of the houses residents. Police are also searching for a white SUV that was seen in the area around the time of the robbery. Credit: Facebook/Brevard County Sheriffs Office, Florida OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) - Burkina Faso lost nearly a billion dollars to corruption and mismanagement in the mining sector in the decade leading up to the fall of Blaise Compaore and the year after he was forced out, according to a parliamentary inquiry. The committee announced its findings late on Tuesday after a three-month investigation and called for charges to be brought against three ex-ministers as well as the former president's brother, Francois Compaore. None of the ex-officials named in the report, who are living in exile in neighboring Ivory Coast, could be reached for comment. The committee's head Ousseni Tamboura said about 551 billion CFA francs ($920 million) was lost between 2005 and 2015. Former president Blaise Compaore ruled the West African nation for nearly 30 years before being forced out of power in 2014 when protesters took to the streets to demand he step down. After his fall, Burkina Faso's new authorities vowed to battle corruption and arrested several former ministers in 2015, but graft has proved difficult to stamp out. "The losses are essentially due to bad governance of the sector, bad management, and the appropriation of the mining economy for self-serving interests," Tamboura said. The commission said Francois Compaore, who served as an advisor during his brother's rule, collected bribes of 5 billion CFA francs ($8.33 million) linked to the awarding of a mining contract in 2014, he said. Compaore could not be reached for comment. The commission also recommended legal action against three former ministers, without giving specific information about their alleged crimes. "There are documents that establish criminal acts. It is up to the government to bring these to the judiciary," said president of the national assembly Salif Diallo. A government spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment. According to the report, fraud in the gold industry worsened after the state-owned buying office which had a monopoly was liquidated in 2006, opening the door to private buyers. Gold leapfrogged cotton to become Burkina Faso's main export in 2009 and now accounts for roughly a fifth of economic output. ($1 = 600.4700 CFA francs) (Reporting by Mathieu Bonkoungou; Additional reporting by Loucoumane Coulibaly in Abidjan; Writing by Nellie Peyton; Editing by Tim Cocks and Toby Chopra) NAIROBI (Reuters) - Burundi has informed U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon of its decision to quit the International Criminal Court, it said on Wednesday, adding momentum to mounting African opposition to the Hague-based tribunal. African states have long complained the ICC is biased, prosecuting Africans while ignoring others, but they had until recently resisted withdrawing. Burundi now says it has joined South Africa in taking such a step. Gambia said on Tuesday it would withdraw, saying the court had ignored war crimes by Western nations. However, the United Nations said it had not received official notification from Burundi. "An official document announcing Burundis move to quit the International Criminal Court was sent to Ban Ki-moon, Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Joseph Bangurambona, told Reuters. Another ministry source said the withdrawal document was dated Oct. 19, a day after President Pierre Nkurunziza signed a decree to that effect. South Africa's letter informing the U.N. chief of its decision to withdraw was also dated Oct. 19, although it was not clear if there was any coordination involved. South Africa argued that the ICC's Rome Statutes were at odds with its laws granting leaders diplomatic immunity. Other African countries see the tribunal as an instrument of colonial justice that unfairly targets the continent. Burundi lawmaker Gabriel Ntisezerana said this month when parliament voted to quit the ICC that the court was "a political tool used by powers to remove whoever they want from power on the African continent." The ICC said in April it would investigate outbreaks of violence in Burundi, which has been mired in a political crisis for more than a year. The United Nations, Western powers and rights groups have criticized the government for the way it has handled the unrest and have accused it of rights abuses. The government denies this. (Additional reporting by Michelle Nichols in New York; Writing by Edmund Blair; Editing by Robin Pomeroy) By Matthias Blamont CALAIS, France (Reuters) - French authorities said on Wednesday they had finished clearing the "Jungle", a shanty town outside Calais built by migrants who had hoped to cross to Britain but who are now mostly being dispersed around France. The operation passed off peacefully for the most part, though some migrants torched tents and shelters in a last act of defiance as their hopes of a new life in Britain evaporated. "This is the end of the 'Jungle'," Calais regional prefect Fabienne Buccio said. "Mission accomplished." A total of 5,596 adults and children have been brought from the cold and damp of the Jungle for resettlement, the interior and housing ministries said in a joint statement. That figure includes 234 minors taken to the United Kingdom since last week, the ministries said. The transit center on site remained open on Wednesday night for migrants wishing to be resettled in one of 450 reception centers scattered across France. Earlier in the day, riot police spread out around the camp, and fire trucks moved in to put out blazes that sent plumes of smoke into the sky. Migrants fleeing poverty and war in the Middle East, Asia and Africa had gathered in Calais hoping to cross the short stretch of sea to Britain by leaping on trucks and trains, or even walking through the tunnel under the Channel. Britain refused to accept the vast majority. High fences were built to keep them away from the port traffic, but still they came. Local opposition to the sprawling slum, along with growing criticism from right-wing politicians, finally stung the French government into action. IMMIGRATION AND BREXIT "We need to be vigilant and provide guarantees so that the camp does not reappear," Calais Mayor Natacha Bouchart told journalists at the Jungle camp entrance, according to French radio Europe 1. The numbers of irregular migrants reaching Europe are sharply down on the 1.3 million who arrived in 2015. But more than 300,000 have made the hazardous Mediterranean crossing in 2016 so far, and many are likely to head for Britain. The British referendum vote this year to quit the European Union was in large part driven by worries over immigration, and stoked by scenes of the Calais migrants trying to force their way in. Now that Britain is leaving the EU, right-wing French politicians want to tear up the agreement under which Britain's border controls are conducted in France. Many arriving in Europe see Britain as their best hope of making a new life due to its plentiful jobs and English language. Hamid, 30, from Afghanistan, said he had been among those setting fire to shelters in the Jungle, and still hoped to cross the Channel to Britain. "We don't care about problems that are to come after this. We did it because we don't want to stay in France," he said. "We want to go to England and England only. It doesn't matter if I go to jail here." France has repeatedly urged Britain to take in all the unaccompanied minors at the camp, while Britain has said it expects to accept about half of them. (Additional reporting by Pierre Savary and Mathieu Rosemain; Writing by Andrew Callus; Editing by Andrew Roche) VJ Bani's steamy picture has been going viral on the internet. By India Today Web Desk: Bigg Boss 10 celeb contestant VJ Bani might be keeping quiet in the house, but despite her silence, the reality TV personality has not stopped making headlines. Confused? Well, a picture of a topless Bani Judge has started doing rounds on the internet lately. And people just can't have enough of the star's fit physique. Also read:Bigg Boss 10: Commoner Priyanka Jagga pees in her pants; asks VJ Bani to wash the same clothes In the said picture, Bani Judge is seen doing a yoga pose wearing nothing but a long blue skirt and a piece of funky jewellery around her neck. VJ Bani. Picture courtesy: YouTube advertisement Before entering the house, Bani Judge had been in the news for her to-die-for abs and super-toned legs. In fact, the reality TV personality keeps posting pictures of her amazing self on social media sites like Instagram and Twitter. Well, not anymore, since she is 'locked' inside the Bigg Boss house. A photo posted by ?Lady RocknRolla ? (@banij) on Aug 18, 2016 at 10:32pm PDT The Bigg Boss 10 celeb contestant was earlier not too keen about joining the extremely popular reality show, but was convinced after close friend and former Bigg Boss contestant (and winner) Gauahar Khan gave her details about the Salman Khan-hosted reality show. --- ENDS --- In 2015, wildfires in the U.S. burned more than 10 million acres, the highest total ever recorded. Fires consumed over 4 million acres more than the average acreage burned over the past 20 years. There are 893,333 homes in the 13 western states that face "extreme" risk from wildfires, according to a new report from CoreLogic. The estimated reconstruction value of all those homes totals nearly $219 billion. Another 919,392 homes face "high" risk, and their reconstruction value tops $281 billion. Including homes in areas where fire risk is identified as "moderate" or "low," the total reconstruction value tops $7 trillion, with the majority ($6.63 trillion) in the "low" range. ALSO READ: The Most Dangerous Cities in America Looking only at homes with "extreme" or "high" risk in the four regions assigned by CoreLogic, the Southern Rockies/South Central region (Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas) has nearly 800,000 homes at risk, and the Desert/Pacific Southwest (California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona) has more than 731,000 homes at risk. The Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon) has more than 126,000 homes at risk, and the Northern Rockies has nearly 165,000 homes at risk. The following list shows the five states with the most homes at "extreme" and "high" risk along with the reconstruction value of those homes. California > Homes with extreme risk and reconstruction value: 263,152; $90.26 billion > Homes with high risk and reconstruction value: 382,293; $163.42 billion Texas > Homes with extreme risk and reconstruction value: 261,595; $41.44 billion > Homes with high risk and reconstruction value: 270,722; $52.42 billion Colorado > Homes with extreme risk and reconstruction value: 117,832; $32.65 billion > Homes with high risk and reconstruction value: 77,769; $21.57 billion Idaho > Homes with extreme risk and reconstruction value: 41,230; $9.66 billion > Homes with high risk and reconstruction value: 26,647; $5.77 billion Story continues New Mexico > Homes with extreme risk and reconstruction value: 38,911; $9.16 billion > Homes with high risk and reconstruction value: 24,318; $5.54 billion The number of fires in any year has fluctuated, but the trend has been down over the past 10 years. Unfortunately the number of acres burned has been trending up. CoreLogic notes: ALSO READ: 50 Worst Cities to Live In Fewer wildfires with more acres burned appears to be the trajectory of wildfires in the U.S. The obvious result is that larger fires, which are often more difficult to contain, can threaten larger numbers of properties. See the full CoreLogic report for more data and the methodology used to evaluate wildfire risk. Related Articles Ottawa (AFP) - Canada's parliament adopted Tuesday an opposition motion to resettle Yazidi refugees within four months, while declaring IS group's persecution of Yazidis near the Syrian border in northern Iraq a genocide. Iraqi activist Nadia Murad was on hand for the unanimous vote in the House of Commons. The government said it is still sorting out a plan for the airlift and does not yet know how many Yazidi refugees Canada will take in over the 120-day period. But Immigration Minister John McCallum reminded that Canada had managed to resettle more than 25,000 Syrian refugees in just a few months at the start of the year. "It is important to emphasize that Canada will always be an open country willing to step up and support people in need from all around the world," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in the Commons. "I am pleased to see Nadia (Murad) again today and reassure her that in the coming months we are committed to bringing in vulnerable Yazidi refugees," he said. Murad was taken by the Islamic State group from her home village of Kocho near Iraq's northern town of Sinjar in August 2014 and brought to the city of Mosul. Among the first things IS forced on her was to disavow her Yazidi faith, an ancient religion with more than half a million adherents in Iraq. As a captive of the reviled extremist group, Murad, who today is 23, said she was tortured and raped for three months until she managed to escape and flee to Germany. Since then, she has become a human rights activist, bringing the plight of the Yazidi community, especially the forced sexual enslavement and human trafficking of women and children captured by IS to the forefront of international attention. Speaking in Ottawa through an interpreter, Murad said: "I would like to tell every single member of parliament that when they were standing I felt at that very critical moment IS was losing something, because IS never thought their slaves would one day come out and speak against them." Tory MP Michelle Rempel, who brought the asylum motion for a vote, also called for safe zones to be established in Iraq for persecuted minorities such as the Yazidis. "Canada stands with Nadia and her people," she said. TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Canon Inc cut its full-year operating profit forecast on Wednesday as the yen's strength in the wake of Britain's vote to leave the European Union slashed third-quarter income by almost half. The world's biggest maker of cameras and printers lowered its operating profit forecast for the year through December to 235 billion yen ($2.25 billion) from a 265 billion yen estimate in July. In the three months ended Sept. 30 operating profit declined 48 percent to 40 billion yen from 77.3 billion yen a year earlier. Five analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters had estimated an average third-quarter operating profit of 58.3 billion yen. The increase in the value of the yen against the U.S. dollar and the euro "had a negative impact on net sales of 103.9 billion and on operating profit of 36.4 billion" for the quarter, Canon said in its earnings release. Canon's Chief Executive Fujio Mitarai had said in June he was "very dismayed", after the Britain voted to exit the EU. Foreign sales account for four fifths of Canon's revenue, with Europe, its biggest market, making up almost a third of the total. Beyond unfavourable currency rate changes, the company, also faces a longer term issue of nurturing new businesses that can sustain profit growth as demand for its mainstay cameras and printers wanes. In the most recent quarter Canon said demand for its cameras, laser printers and home-use ink jet printers waned, while it saw more robust sales of manufacturing equipment used to make flat panel displays. ($1 = 104.2300 yen) (Reporting by Tim Kelly; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman) MUMBAI Televisions golden boys Cary Fukunaga and Gideon Raff discussed the evolution of television writing at a panel at the ongoing Mumbai Film Festival. Speaking about his new Netflix series Maniac, starring Emma Stone and Jonah Hill, based on the Norwegian series of the same name created by Espen Petrus Andersen Lervaag and Hakon Bast Mossige, and being written by Patrick Somerville (The Bridge), Fukunaga said, Its a new story, new characters and a new tone. Weve just taken the seed from the Norwegian series. Patrick is not adapting it, hes creating it. The genesis of Maniac was a casual affair. I really wanted to work with Emma. And she wanted to work with Jonah. So we went to his house, had a glass of wine, and we agreed to do a show, Fukunaga said. The panel was preceded by the world premiere of the pilot of P.O.W.: Bandi Yuddh Ke, the Indian adaptation of Raffs Israeli drama Hatufim (Prisoners of War) that was remade in the U.S. as Homeland. Bollywood filmmaker Nikkhil Advani (D-Day) is directing all 126 episodes that will air on Rupert Murdochs Star TV from Nov. 7, six days a week. Its a drug, people will keep coming back for their fix, said Advani about the show. The Indian adaptation will cover both seasons of Hatufim and the beginning of the as-yet unproduced third season. Im happy that Ill get to see Season 3 in India before I do it, said Raff. Fukunaga consistently deflected questions about the much-derided second season of True Detective. If Rust and Marty were to become homosexual lovers and open a detective agency, thats a whole new arc to explore, Fukunaga quipped when first asked the question. When asked the question again, Fukunaga said, Let me deflect this by asking, how about an Indian version of True Detective? Raff said, Ill watch it, Advani said, Ill make it, and Star TV general manager Gaurav Banerjee added, Ill broadcast it. Related stories Bollywood Big Names Bolster Mumbai Festival Opening Story continues Mumbai Festival Opens New Spotlight Category With 'Trapped' Mumbai Festival to Honor China's Jia Zhangke, India's Sai Paranjpye By Laila Kearney NEW YORK (Reuters) - A New York judge on Wednesday threw out all charges against a limousine driver accused of negligent homicide in a crash that killed four women on a Long Island wine-tasting tour last year. Suffolk County Court Judge Fernando Camacho ruled the criminal indictment issued against Carlos Pino in March was based on an improper grand jury presentation, and dismissed the case. Prosecutors' instructions to the grand jury, and their question-and-answer period with the group, during the indictment process prejudiced the jurors against Pino, Camacho wrote in his decision to dismiss. Brendan Ahern, Pino's attorney, said the defendant and his family "remain deeply heartbroken over the horrific tragedy," but that they were relieved by Camacho's ruling. "This indictment should never have been obtained," Ahern said. The Suffolk County District Attorney's office, which prosecuted the case, was not available for comment. Pino, while driving a group of eight women on July 18, 2015, was making a U-turn with his limousine when the vehicle was slammed into by a pickup truck. Passengers Lauren Baruch, 24, Brittney Schulman, 23, Amy Grabina, 23, and Stephanie Belli, 23 were killed and four others were injured in the incident on Long Island's East End, where the friends were visiting wineries. Pino was charged with four counts each of negligent homicide and assault, as well as failure to yield the right of way, reckless driving and other traffic violations. The truck driver, Steven Romeo, of Peconic, was charged with driving while intoxicated on the day of the crash. Romeo's case is ongoing. (Reporting by Laila Kearney; Editing by Bernard Orr) Twitter user Sarah Bryant found a letter on a car, addressed to its owner, for parking the car in a wrong way. Amused by the way the person who wrote the letter chose to make his point, Sarah tweeted a photo of the letter and it went viral on the internet. By India Today Web Desk: Twitter user Sarah Bryant found a letter addressed to a wrongly parked car's owner on the car. Titled "To whoever owns this car," the letter was quite long and it described how the writer's grandfather died of cancer due to his smoking habit, and how his mother made him promise he would never smoke. Bryant would have rolled on the floor and laughed after reading the full letter. Why? advertisement Because whoever wrote the letter, narrated the story of his grandfather to make a simple point. Amused by this person's humour sense, Sarah tweeted the photo of the letter yesterday and within a day, the tweet has got over 40,000 retweets and over 77,000 likes. Read the whole letter here: "To whoever owns this car My grandfather smoked his whole life. I was about 10 years old when my mother said to him, "If you ever want to see your grandchildren graduate, you need to stop immediately." Tears welled up in his eyes when he realised exactly what was at stake. He quit cold-turkey that very day. Three years later he died of lung cancer. We were very close, and his death destroyed me. My mother said to me, "Please never smoke, don't put your family through what your grandfather put us through." I agreed. At 18, I have never touched a cigarette. I must say, I feel a very slight sense of regret for never having done it..." The writer this made the point he was meaning to make. Read on. *scroll down* *a bit more?* "...for never having done it because your parking job was so s**tty it gave me cancer anyway. Jesus f***, please learn how to park." *cannot stop laughing* --- ENDS --- * Czech bond yields drop ahead of auction, deep below Bunds * Expectation for crown strengthening has fuelled demand for bonds * Hungarian central bank accepts less deposits than planned * Forint touches weakest levels vs euro this month * Leu continues to recover (Adds Czech bond auction, Hungarian central bank tender) By Sandor Peto and Robert Muller BUDAPEST/PRAGUE, Oct 26 (Reuters) - The Czech two-year government bond yield dropped further into the negative on Wednesday, trading well below safe-haven Bund yields. Demand for short-term Czech debt has been boosted by strengthening expectations that the crown will surge once the central bank removes its cap. The cap, introduced in 2013 to help the economy recover, keeps the crown weaker than 27 against the euro. The bank plans to end it in the middle of 2017. The bank's foreign assets jumped by 2.1 billion euros in the 10 days to Oct. 20, indicating that it heavily bought euros in the market for crowns to defend the cap. The government sold slightly less 3-year bonds than planned at an auction on Wednesday. Weekly bond auctions may be too frequent, but the price at the auction "was reasonably high", one dealer said. The bonds were sold at an average yield of -0.608 percent, down from -0.558 percent a week ago. While Hungarian short-term bond yields rebounded from record lows, the Czech two-year yield dropped by 3 basis points to -0.88 percent. The gap with Bunds, which were bid at -0.63 percent, widened by 4 basis points. Elsewhere in the region, the Hungarian central bank accepted 3-month deposits worth only 100 billion forints at its monthly tender, 50 billion forints less than planned. That was the latest in a series of measures to boost liquidity in forint markets so as to push borrowing costs lower and lift demand from local banks for government debt. The central bank surprised on Tuesday by cutting its short-term lending rates and commercial banks' reserve rate. Earlier the central bank announced a cap on the 3-week deposits which is effective from Wednesday's tender. Story continues The measures and comments weakened the forint further against the euro after a slide from 17-month highs set early this month. It dipped to this month's weakest level at 309.6, and traded at 309.22 at 1248 GMT, weaker by 0.1 percent from Tuesday. Some analysts expect the gradually rising liquidity and possible further easing measures to weaken the forint more, but others are more optimistic after Hungary's two credit rating upgrades to investment grade level this year. "The current flood of liquidity should limit its near-term upside, yet the strong Hungarian current account dynamics and the less stretched short-term valuation suggest that the eventual appreciation trend should be reinstated," ING analysts said in a note. A mysterious Celtic cross appeared in the middle of a Donegal forest during October, and was first noticed by airline passengers flying into Derry. According to reporting by the Irish Post, the cross at Bogay Hill was planted by forester Liam Emmery, who created the effect using two different types of trees. Emmery died six years before the cross was discovered, and his wife told UTV that she had forgotten about the plantation. If he was here, we would have all heard about it because he would have been so proud, Mrs Emmery said. He just loved things to be perfect, she said, And I think the Celtic Cross is perfect for him. Credit: Darren Sheaffer Around 2.9m sq ft of spaces will be available for tenants in 2017. There has been a big disparity between the demand and the supply in Singapore's office market, with the amount of spaces outpacing the number of people actually looking for a place to set up shop. According to a study by Colliers International, Premium and Grade A office supply in Central Business District (CBD) is slated to grow 5.6% this year and another 12.1% in 2017 due to succeeding completions. Based on the figures, almost 1.9 million sq ft. of office spaces, majority of which are in CDB, are available for would-be tenants this year. In 2017, office spaces are expected to rise up to 2.9 million sq ft., with supply in CBD almost doubling. By 2018, majority of the 2.7 million sq ft. office spaces available will be located outside CBD. This oversupply has pressured overall office rentals across the city-state. In fact, the market saw its fifth consecutive QoQ decline in the past quarter. More From Singapore Business Review Chicago Meds Dr. Sarah Reese comes to the aid of sex-trafficking victim Danny in this Thursdays episode (NBC, 9/8c), but Reese may need to be rescued herself when she gets overly invested in her patient. It seems like a common mistake for a rookie to make, to not know where to set the boundary line, especially when youre delving into another persons mind to help [them], star Rachel DiPillo says. RELATEDChicago Med Season 2 Premiere Recap: Its Not Personal Except It Totally Is Feeling sympathetic to Dannys plight, Dr. Reese enlists the support of Dr. Charles, who has strong feelings about his mentees course of treatment. Its a very complicated thing, because a psychiatrists job is to create what they call transference or, really, professional intimacy, co-star Oliver Platt notes. But then where do you draw the line? I cant imagine how complicated that would be, especially for someone whos sort of thrown in the deep end and [is as] soulful as Sarah Reese. Its [Dr. Charles] job not just to teach her, but protect her, too. RELATEDChicago Med Preview: Connors Tough Boss, Sarahs Learning Curve, Wills New Rivalry and More Season 2 Scoop So for the first time, he issues a direct order to his student. And she better listen up, because the psychiatrists opposition to her attachment comes from personal experience, executive producers Andrew Schneider and Diane Frolov reveal below. The EPs also preview what Dannys presence means for Dr. Reeses relationship and which Chicago P.D. detective gets involved. TVLINE | Whats in store with Dannys return? ANDREW SCHNEIDER | When you have a person whos been victimized in sex trafficking, its very hard to extricate them from this life. There are so many psychological and even physical pressures on these people. Its a complex situation. DIANE FROLOV | Very often, thats all theyve known for a long time, and their sense of self-worth is so diminished that its hard for them to re-enter into normal life. Story continues TVLINE | What is Dr. Reeses stake in all of this? SCHNEIDER | Shes emotionally involved. Its a young man close to her in age. She sympathizes with him. She sees the desperate situation that hes in, and it brings out her soul. Its really an emotional connection, as well as a medical connection. FROLOV | I think its also a feeling of being helpless in this situation. TVLINE | Does it cause any problems for Dr. Reese and her boyfriend? As you said, hes a young guy, and not an unattractive one. SCHNEIDER | No, it doesnt cause those kind of problems. It causes issues with Dr. Charles, who has issues with the way that shes treating this patient. So thats where the conflict is generated. FROLOV | [Well find out] why it affects Dr. Charles, this case. Chicago Med Spoilers TVLINE | Does Dr. Charles have a personal connection to the case, as well? DIANE FROLOV | He has a personal connection to the idea of getting involved deeply with a patient. TVLINE | Does the case involve SVUs Benson? ANDREW SCHNEIDER | No. But [Chicago P.D.s] Detective Lindsay comes in, and she actually does two episodes crossing over, dealing with this boy and his situation. DIANE FROLOV | Because she has personal experience with this. Save Related stories Jennifer Lopez to Star in NBC's Bye Bye Birdie Live! Musical, Airing in 2017 Will & Grace Revival Eyed at NBC Timberlake and Fallon Sing Alanis Morissette, Talk Gilmore Girls (Video) CHICAGO, Oct 26 (Reuters) - The Chicago Board of Education gave final approval on Wednesday to the sale of up to $1 billion of new and refunding bonds for the junk-rated district. The third-largest public school system in the United States will sell up to $840 million of general obligation bonds through Barclays and JP Morgan Securities to fund capital improvements using a $45 million property tax hike approved by the Chicago City Council last year. The district will also restructure up to $160 million of variable-rate bonds into a fixed-rate mode through a yet-to-be-announced underwriting team. Emily Bittner, a Chicago Public Schools (CPS) spokeswoman, said earlier this week that market conditions will dictate when the deals will be priced. CPS is struggling with pension payments that will jump to about $720 million this fiscal year from $676 million in fiscal 2016, as well as drained reserves and debt dependency. As a result, the district's credit ratings have fallen deeper into the junk category, most recently with a downgrade from Moody's Investors Service. The muni market has demanded fat yields for CPS debt. Even a private sale of $150 million of 30-year GO bonds by CPS in July to J.P. Morgan came at a 7.25 percent yield, which was 513 basis points over the yield for AAA-rated bonds on Municipal Market Data's (MMD) benchmark scale. Meanwhile, uncertainties lurk for CPS. A proposed four-year contract that averted a teachers' strike earlier this month is scheduled for a ratification vote by Chicago Teachers Union members next week. New money for classrooms under the tentative deal will flow from a nonrecurring revenue source - surplus property taxes generated by city economic development districts. The school district's $5.46 billion operating budget includes a one-time, $215 million state of Illinois pension contribution that is contingent on the legislature's passage of major state-wide pension reforms by January. (Reporting By Karen Pierog; editing by Grant McCool) CHICAGO (Reuters) - The Chicago Board of Education gave final approval on Wednesday to the sale of up to $1 billion of new and refunding bonds for the junk-rated district. The third-largest public school system in the United States will sell up to $840 million of general obligation bonds through Barclays and JP Morgan Securities to fund capital improvements using a $45 million property tax hike approved by the Chicago City Council last year. The district will also restructure up to $160 million of variable-rate bonds into a fixed-rate mode through a yet-to-be-announced underwriting team. Emily Bittner, a Chicago Public Schools (CPS) spokeswoman, said earlier this week that market conditions will dictate when the deals will be priced. CPS is struggling with pension payments that will jump to about $720 million this fiscal year from $676 million in fiscal 2016, as well as drained reserves and debt dependency. As a result, the district's credit ratings have fallen deeper into the junk category, most recently with a downgrade from Moody's Investors Service. The muni market has demanded fat yields for CPS debt. Even a private sale of $150 million of 30-year GO bonds by CPS in July to J.P. Morgan came at a 7.25 percent yield, which was 513 basis points over the yield for AAA-rated bonds on Municipal Market Data's (MMD) benchmark scale. Meanwhile, uncertainties lurk for CPS. A proposed four-year contract that averted a teachers' strike earlier this month is scheduled for a ratification vote by Chicago Teachers Union members next week. New money for classrooms under the tentative deal will flow from a nonrecurring revenue source - surplus property taxes generated by city economic development districts. The school district's $5.46 billion operating budget includes a one-time, $215 million state of Illinois pension contribution that is contingent on the legislature's passage of major state-wide pension reforms by January. (Reporting By Karen Pierog; editing by Grant McCool) Airstrikes hit a school compound in the opposition-held town of Hass in Idlib province on October 26, leaving at least 18 dead, most of them were children, according to a local media in Idlib. Other opposition sources put the number of victims to 20. Pro-regime media said that Syrian warplanes hit rebel positions in in Hass and other towns in Idlib province. These videos were shared by a local activist in Idlib province. The first video shows a dramatic scene of a child cowering near a wall and crying for his mother as a bomb falls. The second video is described as showing the destruction that the airstrikes caused in Hass. The activist told Storyful said that the day was terrifying for people and children. Credit: Facebook/Hamod Jnaid By PTI: Los Angeles, Oct 26 (PTI) Yoga may help fight spinal stiffness and reduced mobility suffered by astronauts during prolonged spaceflight, a new study on NASA crew members suggests. While astronauts on long space missions do not experience a change in spinal disc height, the muscles supporting the spine weaken. The study by researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine in the US provides new insights into the elevated rates of back pain and disc disease associated with prolonged spaceflight. advertisement "These findings run counter to the current scientific thinking about the effects of microgravity on disc swelling," said Douglas Chang, associate professor at UC San Diego Health, and first author of the study. The findings suggest possible preventive steps to reduce the spinal effects of spaceflight. Core-strengthening exercises, like those recommended for patients with back pain on Earth, might be a useful addition to the astronaut exercise training programme, Chang said. He also said yoga might be another promising approach, especially for addressing spinal stiffness and reduced mobility. "It is information like this that could provide helpful information needed to support longer space missions, such as a manned mission to Mars," said Chang. Six NASA crew members were studied before and after spending four to seven months in microgravity on the International Space Station (ISS). Each astronaut had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of their spines before their mission, immediately after their return to Earth and again one to two months later. The researchers goal was to understand factors affecting lumbar spine strength and low back pain during long-duration spaceflight, as well as the spines response after returning to Earth gravity. Back pain is common during prolonged missions, with more than half of crew members reporting spinal pain. Astronauts are also at increased risk of spinal disc herniation in the months after returning from spaceflight - about four times higher than in matched controls. Back issues in astronauts are accompanied by a roughly two-inch increase in body height, thought to result from spinal unloading (lack of weight carried by the lower back) and other body changes related to microgravity. The MRI scans showed significant weakening of paraspinal lean muscle mass during the astronauts time in space. The functional, cross-sectional area of the paraspinal muscles decreased by an average of 19 per cent from preflight to immediate post-flight scans. A month or two later, only about two-thirds of the reduction had recovered. There was an even more dramatic reduction in the functional cross-sectional area of the paraspinal muscles relative to total paraspinal cross-sectional area. advertisement The ratio of lean muscle decreased from 86 per cent preflight to 72 per cent immediately post-flight. The study was published in the journal Spine. PTI SAR SAR --- ENDS --- By Catherine Cadell BEIJING, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Some Chinese iPhone owners are giving their old models a makeover to look like the latest iPhone 7, rather than buying new - a trend that could dent Apple Inc's efforts to boost sales in what has been its biggest growth driver. Online sites offer shoppers makeover kits, false cameras and even dust plugs to hide the removed headphone jack to give their iPhone 6 or 6S the appearance of the iPhone 7 - Apple's latest flagship product which launched last month. The makeover quirk mirrors a broader view among some Chinese users that the iPhone 7 doesn't have enough new features to convince them to trade up. "I don't have the money to upgrade, and the (iPhone) 7 is just so-so," said a Beijing-based sales worker, who said he was getting a Shenzhen firm to replace his iPhone 6 back casing with a fake iPhone 7 shell. "I'm changing it to show off," he said, giving only his surname Gao as he wasn't sure that what he was doing was legal. Searches on platforms including Alibaba's Taobao showed a range of products to transform older phones to an iPhone 7 - from stickers and engraving services to replacing the outer casing and even some of the hardware. "Now people have money and the Internet, these are very convenient to do," said Hu Benshu, who owns an electronics retail outlet in Beijing's popular Zhongguancun technology hub. He added that at his store, Apple's iPhone 4 - launched six years ago - is still the best-seller because of its durability. Apple did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The U.S. firm posted a third straight quarter of declining iPhone sales globally on Tuesday, and said Greater China revenue slipped 30 percent to $8.79 billion in July-September - despite the partial impact of the new iPhone launch. The company said any bump from iPhone 7 sales would not be seen fully until the current quarter, and a jump in sales was just around the corner. "I think Q4 looks promising for Apple in China as long as they ensure supply of the larger 7 Plus," said Canalys analyst Nicole Peng. Story continues Apple has struggled with supply issues, causing some demand gaps in China, particularly for the large screen iPhone 7 Plus and the coveted jet black model. The world's most valuable listed firm has seen its China market share slip to 8.4 percent, lagging local smartphone makers Huawei, Oppo and Vivo, which have won over shoppers with similar features at lower prices, according to research firm Counterpoint. "The iPhone 7 series should help Apple regain lost (China) market share as demand is tracking better than for the iPhone 6s series," said Counterpoint analyst Neil Shah. "(But) Apple needs to offer something cutting-edge to appeal to maturing Chinese smartphone users who are warming to local brands." STRUGGLING FOR CONVERTS Apple has something of an opportunity in China as its traditional rival, South Korea's Samsung Electronics , had to yank its large-screen Galaxy Note 7 off the market this month as some phones were catching fire. But consumers and retailers said the iPhone maker faces an uphill task to convert Samsung fans. One Samsung user wrote online that "an exploding Note 7 is still better than an un-innovative iPhone 7." Apple Chief Financial Officer Luca Maestri told Reuters on Tuesday it was "impossible to know" if there was any effect yet from Samsung halting production of its Note 7 phones. Of six ex-Samsung smartphone users Reuters spoke to in China, only one said he would consider switching to the iPhone 7, which was seen lacking ground-breaking features. "The iPhone 7 design was ... not much of an upgrade," said Zhao Bo, a 26-year-old student from Jilin province, who plans to buy a Samsung C9 Pro after returning his Note 7. "There's no headphone jack and the price is so much higher," he said, noting also that Samsung is offering subsidies to users who trade in their Note 7 for another Samsung phone. Some carriers have made a marketing push on the iPhone 7 to fill the Note 7 vacuum, but the effect is limited partly due to Samsung's own declining market share and to shoppers possibly holding off until Apple launches a new model, expected next year. "I'm waiting for a big upgrade," said Gao, the Beijing salesman, adding he'd only buy the next new phone if there were significant changes. "I'm going to see what it's like; it really depends." (Reporting by Catherine Cadell, with additional reporting by BEIJING and SHANGHAI newsrooms; Editing by Adam Jourdan and Ian Geoghegan) The White House and the Pentagon have long accepted that drone warfare is here to stay, and both President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama embraced the technology that allows the United States to project military force -- usually in the form of a Hellfire missile -- to remote parts of the world cheaply and with little risk to American personnel. But even as the Pentagon embraced drone technology for U.S. forces, lawmakers have created strict rules against exporting certain unmanned aerial vehicle technologies to other countries. The export ban was generally in place to preserve the United States technological advantage over competitors, but also to prevent cheap and lethal weapons from falling into the hands of unreliable foreign governments or terrorist groups. Related: ISIS Is Arming Drones You Can Buy on Amazon However, the market will always find a way, and now, as the Financial Times reports, a Chinese company that has been selling what appears to be a knock-off version of the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper unmanned combat aerial vehicle is taking the first steps toward going public. The unit of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation that manufactures the Caihong line of combat drones, as well as the missiles they fire, is expected to go public on the Shenzhen stock exchange, though the date is unclear. The company held a rare press briefing, in which it revealed that its products are generally sold to foreign governments, for use against anti-government forces and terrorist groups. In fact, as Adam Rawnsley reported in Foreign Policy earlier this year, Chinese drones, and the Caihong in particular, are fast becoming the Kalashnikovs of the drone world entry-level alternatives for countries eager to achieve a basic unmanned strike capability quickly and cheaply. Related: The 10 Most Expensive Weapons in the Pentagons Arsenal They have turned up on battlefields in Africa and the Middle East in increasing numbers in recent years, serving as a substitute for air power in countries that dont have the means to field a modern air force. As an engineer at CAST told the FT, We mainly sell to poor and middle-income developing countries. Story continues The Caihong drones are not believed to be as technically advanced or as capable as their U.S.-made relatives, and the decision to take the company making them public is not expected to change that. It does, however, probably speed up what most defense experts view as inevitable -- drones becoming available, by theft or official corruption, to terrorist groups. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: nosedive black mirror season 3 Warning: This post contains slight spoilers for the first episode of "Black Mirror" season 3. In the third season of popular British television series "Black Mirror," the first episode features an eye-embedded app that lets people rate their interactions with one another and share status updates. It's like Facebook, Instagram, and Yelp combined with serious stakes. Characters who act nice and don't appear smarmy can get five stars. But if they act negatively, they'll face one-star reviews. If someone drops too low, they become a kind of second-class citizen they're socially shunned, shuttered out of workplaces, forced to pay a premium on leases, and penalized in myriad other ways. Like many "Black Mirror" episodes, this one takes a present tech-related paranoia to its extreme. But in China, a similar system could soon become a reality. The Chinese government is planning on implementing a system that connects citizens' financial, social, political, and legal credit ratings into one big social trustability score. The idea would be that if someone breaks trust in one area, they'd be adversely affected everywhere. Proponents of the plan, like Chinese blogger Wenquan Xin, say the system is needed because many of China's 1.3 billion citizens don't own a credit card, and the country lacks an equivalent system to the US' FICO credit score. That means bankers and loan providers don't have much to go on. According to the Washington Post, eight private companies have created pilot "credit databases" that compile information about individuals. Sesame Credit, a subsidiary of e-commerce giant Alibaba, is already running a social credit system. According to the BBC, the company determines people's scores by incorporating a number of factors into its algorithms, including whether someone has gotten traffic tickets, if they've paid their taxes, and what they buy online. If you're constantly buying video games, for instance, you'll be seen as idle. If you're buying diapers, you could be considered a responsible parent. Story continues Those with high rankings can rent bikes or cars without leaving a deposit, and skip lines at hospitals by paying after they leave, according to the Post. 15% of users on Chinese dating site Baihe choose to display their Sesame Credit score, and that some weed out potential dates based on that measure of trustability. This preferential treatment for higher-rated people is very similar to the scenario depicted on "Black Mirror." blackmirror_ep3_nosedive_0262r The Chinese plan for a more widespread scoring system has been in the works since 2015. But in September, the government released bullet points of proposed penalties for those who "breaks social trust" (which could be done by defaulting on a loan, for example, or voicing a dissenting opinion against the government online). According to the policy documents, here's what could happen if you're a low scorer: You won't be considered for public office You'll lose access to social security and welfare You'll be frisked more thoroughly when passing through Chinese customs You'll be shut out of senior level positions in the food and drug sector You won't get a bed in overnight trains You'll be shut out higher-starred hotels and restaurants and will be rejected by travel agents Your children won't be allowed into more expensive private schools In the "Black Mirror" episode, titled "Nosedive," the purpose of a universal ratings system is ostensibly to incentivize untrustworthy individuals in a society to shape up to what other members consider good. But the irony in the episode is that the system ends up creating a culture of disingenuity a "numbers game" where people kiss up to popular folks to raise their social standing, rather than simply striving to be a better person. Even though the technology in "Nosedive" isn't here yet, China's social credit scores could one day contribute to the sort of culture we saw in "Black Mirror." And if the episode's finale is any good predictor of the outcome, the system might not end happily for those who step out of line with popular opinion. NOW WATCH: The richest village in China is one of the most mysterious places on earth More From Business Insider BEIJING (Reuters) - A blast that killed 14 people in a block of prefabricated houses in China on Monday was caused by "illegal production and storage of explosives", the state news agency Xinhua reported. The explosion in the northwestern town of Xinmin in Shaanxi province injured 147 people and damaged dozens of buildings, including a hospital. "Three suspects were arrested early Tuesday morning. All three confessed their guilt," Xinhua said late on Tuesday, adding that authorities had launched a province-wide investigation into the production and storage of explosives. The five houses where the blast occurred were rental properties and their owner had been taken into police custody, the news agency said. It was unclear what type of explosives caused the blast or what their intended use was, but Shaanxi is a coal-mining province and explosives are widely used in the industry. China has a poor record of industrial accidents. Previous blasts have been blamed on improperly stored chemicals or industrial explosives. Explosions at fireworks factories are also not uncommon. A series of powerful blasts last year at a chemicals warehouse in the northern port city of Tianjin killed 165 people. There have also been cases of people deliberately setting off blasts to settle grievances such as land disputes. (Reporting by Michael Martina; Editing by Robert Birsel) Chinese sailing star Guo Chuan has gone missing in the Pacific Ocean during an attempt to set a new solo world record, state media said on Wednesday. "Guo was last heard just after 15:00 Tuesday Beijing time (0700 GMT) when his trimaran sailed 900 nautical miles off the west of Hawaii," the official Xinhua news agency said, citing his team. "All attempts to contact the sailor have failed," it said, adding that a search aircraft from Honolulu had found Guo's boat -- with the sail broken off -- but did not find the yachtsman on deck. Guo, 51, was aiming to set a new solo non-stop trans-Pacific world record from San Francisco to Shanghai, setting sail on October 19. In 2013 the former scientist became the first sailor from China to complete a non-stop solo circumnavigation of the globe. By Chen Aizhu BEIJING (Reuters) - China's plans to build large hydropower stations in Tibet are designed to meet growing domestic demand for electricity and will not have a major impact on the ecosystem or on downstream water supplies, a senior government official said. Tibet could become China's biggest hydropower generator, with its rivers capable of carrying a total capacity of 140 gigawatts, around a quarter of the national total potential capacity, according to government estimates. China last year started commercial operations of the Zangmu hydropower facility, the largest so far built in Tibet, and began building another plant in Shigatse earlier this year, also on the river Yarlung Zangbo, the upstream section of the transboundary Brahmaputra. "Our hydropower development in Tibet falls under the country's broad sector planning and meets strict standards. They will not have much impact on the environment, or any impact on downstream water supplies," Wang Haizhou, vice chairman of the Tibetan Automous Region told reporters on Wednesday. India and other downstream countries such as Vietnam have long expressed concern that China's upstream dams could disrupt their water supplies. Fresh concerns arose at the beginning of October when China's official news agency Xinhua reported that a tributary of the Yarlung Zangbo had been blocked to facilitate the construction of the 4.95 billion yuan ($731 million) Laiho hydropower project, due to go into full operation in 2019. The 2,900-km Brahmaputra flows southeast from Tibet through the Himalayas into northeast India's Arunachal Pradesh state before entering Bangladesh and merging with the lower section of the Ganges, before it empties into the Bay of Bengal. "The amount of water dammed is tiny compared to the total net river flows (in Tibet)," said Wang. China hopes to make Tibet a key part of its cross-country "West-East Power Transmission" project designed to deliver electricity generated in the remote west to markets on the eastern coast through ultra-high voltage power lines. So far the grid infrastructure connecting remote western regions with the rest of China remains deficient, forcing delays to large-scale projects like the one planned to be built on the Nu River in Yunnan province, developers have said. China's hydropower generators already have a surplus of capacity, and utilization rates at plants in the southwestern provinces of Sichuan and Yunnan have plunged as a result of slowing local demand and grid bottlenecks. Researchers from China's Academy of Science involved in ecological protection work in Tibet said on Wednesday that the region should curb small hydropower plants and promote more solar and wind power, echoing a policy that's already in place in neighbouring hydropower-rich Sichuan province. Tibet's existing two major hydropower plants, the Zangmu and the Guoduo project on the upper reaches of the Lancang (Mekong) river, have a combined installed capacity of 657 megawatts, 0.2 percent of China's total hydropower capacity. China's total hydropower capacity stood at more than 300 gigawatts last year following the completion of several large-scale dams in southwest China, raising concerns from environmental groups that water supplies in downstream countries such as Vietnam will be disrupted. (Refiles to correct official's name in 4th and 8th paragraph.) (Reporting by Chen Aizhu in BEIJING; Additional reporting by David Stanway in SHANGHAI; Editing by Tom Hogue) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton will hold her election night rally in New York City, the campaign said on Wednesday. The Clinton campaign is headquartered in New York's Brooklyn borough, and Clinton served two terms as a U.S. senator for the state, from 2001 to 2009. She lives in the New York City suburb of Chappaqua. Her opponent in the Nov. 8 election, Republican Donald Trump, is also from New York. (Reporting by Alana Wise; Editing by Jonathan Oatis) New York (AFP) - The slow global economy and the health-driven turn against sweet sodas dented Coca-Cola sales for the sixth straight quarter, delivering a 28 percent hit to net income, the company reported Thursday. Coca-Cola said worldwide revenues fell in the quarter to September 30 by 7.0 percent from a year ago to $10.6 billion, with sharp declines in its Latin America and Europe-Africa-Middle East regions. Growth in North America was strong but Asia, another key market, only registered slight gains, the company said. Net profits for the quarter came in at $1.05 billion, a big drop from $1.45 billion a year ago. Earnings per share were down 27 percent at 24 cents, but on an adjusted basis came in at 49 cents, just beating analyst forecasts. The company said that operating margins gained 50 basis points, helped by restructuring and other initiatives. "We continued to see solid revenue results in our developed markets with two percent unit case volume growth and a continued focus on price realization. The United States, Japan and Western Europe delivered standout performance underpinned by innovation and world-class marketing," chairman and chief executive Muhtar Kent said in a statement. A University of Wisconsin student who is accused of stalking and sexually assaulting dozens of women had at least one journal in his apartment that contained names of potential victims, authorities said. Alec Cook, 20, was first arrested after an attack on Oct. 12, but dozens of women who had previously been silent came forward to say he sexually assaulted them at school and inside his off-campus Madison apartment after his mugshot began to circulate on social media, police said. That generated and has been generating additional responses from other women, Joel DeSpain, spokesman for City of Madison Police Department, told TIME. We quickly started to have our phones ring with more women calling. Madison police say they have built four solid cases of sexual assault against Cook and are investigating multiple other complaints. The accusers in the four cases say the attacks took place from 2015 up until this month. The UW-Madison Police Department, which handles incidents that take place on its campus, said it has referred 15 counts of sexual assault to the local district attorneys office from one case. Authorities said a female student has claimed that Cook touched her inappropriately at least 15 different times while the two were taking a ballroom dance class together this year. Detectives believe Cook could be responsible for more unreported attacks after they obtained a search warrant and found a journal containing names of potential victims in his apartment, which is a couple of blocks away from UWs campus. The journal contained a series of womens names and detailed how he met each woman and what he liked about them, according to WKOW, which cited a police detectives affidavit. Some entries described what he wanted to do with each woman, the news outlet reported. Disturbingly enough there were statements of kill and statements of sexual desires, the affidavit said. Story continues Cook is expected to be charged on Thursday with 30 criminal countsincluding felony sexual assault, false imprisonment, and strangulationin connection to the alleged sexual assaults of four women, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. He turned himself in after the first allegation and has since been banned from campus. Chris Van Wagner, a lawyer for Cook, urged people not to rush to conclusions. Once we have the charges, we will review and respond appropriately, he said in a statement to TIME. For now, we ask people to keep in mind that while many words may have been spoken, published, shared, and posted, no facts have yet been proven. On behalf of Alec, we will have plenty to say, at the proper time and in the proper forum. But keep in mind that not everything you hear is true, and that in the past few years, several grave accusations in similar cases were later proven groundless. Cooks first accuser, an unidentified 20-year-old student, had told police that Cook attacked her at his home. The second woman to accuse Cook of assault told police she was inspired by the courage of the first victim. I saw the news story and was empowered by another girl being able to tell what happened to her, that I thought I could now finally tell, she said, according to a Madison police incident report. The string of accusations prompted Dean of Students Lori Berquam to issue a statement Friday, decrying sexual violence. This is a serious case and the university is responding, Berquam said. Bogota (AFP) - Colombia's government hopes to open a new front Thursday in efforts to bury a half-century armed conflict, starting talks with the country's second-biggest rebel force. An accord with the leftist National Liberation Army (ELN) was meant to be the icing on the cake of a historic agreement signed last month with Colombia's biggest rebel group, the FARC. That was until voters surprised the government by rejecting the FARC accord in a referendum on October 2. Now, President Juan Manuel Santos is trying to salvage the FARC accord while also talking with the ELN. His government plans to formally establish negotiations Thursday in the Ecuadoran capital Quito with the ELN, Colombia's second-biggest insurgent group. Like the FARC, the ELN formed in 1964 and is blamed for killings and kidnappings during a multi-sided 52-year civil war. - Hostage dispute - A dispute over the last hostage held by the ELN, former congressman Odin Sanchez, has threatened to delay the start of talks, however. The government insisted the ELN free all its hostages before talks could begin -- just as it had at the start of negotiations with the FARC in 2012. The ELN bristled this week after the government's lead negotiator Juan Camilo Restrepo issued an ultimatum for Sanchez's release But a Catholic Church spokesman close to the negotiations said on Tuesday that moves were under way to free him in time. "All the protocol is being observed and the proceedings are on track," said Dario de Jesus Monsalve, archbishop of the city of Cali. "The operation is under way and I hope they will make an effort to hand him over before October 27," he said on Caracol Radio. The rebel force said on Twitter late Monday: "Overcoming difficulties, the ELN delegation for the peace talks is getting ready to be in Quito." - ELN 'getting ready' - Analyst Camilo Echandia of Colombia's Externado University said the ELN was reluctant to accept the release of hostages as a condition for talks, even though that would show a "will for peace." Story continues "That is the big difference between the ELN and the FARC," he told AFP. "These negotiations are going to be very complicated." Incidents involving ELN forces have kept tensions high over recent months. The Colombian army blamed the ELN for a non-fatal explosion at an oil pipeline near the Venezuelan border on Sunday. "The ELN guerrilla group comes strengthened to the negotiations with the government. Over the past three years this group has increased its level of violence," Colombia's Conflict Analysis Resource Center (CERAC) said in a report this month. "This public phase of negotiations comes in the midst of the conflict, so the ELN will probably maintain a high level of violent action." - Drugs and violence - Colombian authorities estimate the ELN currently has some 1,500 members. The army says hundreds have deserted or been captured over recent months. Its activities are restricted mainly to parts of the north and west of the country, according to CERAC. It said it has seized tonnes of cocaine and marijuana from the ELN and destroyed drug laboratories under its control. Colombia's territorial and ideological conflict has drawn in various guerrilla and paramilitary groups, drug gangs and state forces over the decades. The conflict has killed more than 260,000 people and left 45,000 missing, according to Colombian authorities. Screen Shot 2016 10 26 at 4.26.54 PM Tesla shares rose Wednesday after the electric-car and battery maker reported better than expected sales and said it is on track to meet its delivery targets for the year. Revenue in the third-quarter was $2.3 billion, well above the $1.9 billion analysts expected. The company reported a profit of $111 million, or $0.71 on an adjusted per share basis. That's its first quarterly profit since early 2013. Analysts polled by Bloomberg had expected a loss of $0.54, though that estimate may not be comparable, because the company has changed the way it accounts for some adjustments to its earnings. Tesla said it expects to remain profitable in the final quarter of the year. The shares rose as much as 7% after the results, which cap off a period during which the company struck a multi-billion takeover and reported a substantial ramp-up in deliveries. Investors are focusing on Tesla's cash-burn and potential need for additional funds, as it expands production and absorbs solar-power company SolarCity, which it agreed to buy in August. Tesla said it delivered 24,821, vehicles in the third quarter (300 more than it initially reported), and maintained its second-half estimate of 50,000 deliveries, at the low end of its full-year guidance of 80-90,000. The company is spending to ramp up Model X SUV production and bring its Nevada battery factory online. The company's third-quarter capital expenditure was $247.6 million, well short of analysts' estimate of $763 million. The company ended the quarter with $3.1 billion in cash and lowered its outlook for capital expenditures for the year to $1.8 billion from the $2.25 billion it had targeted earlier. During the third quarter, Tesla said it would acquire struggling solar-panel installer SolarCity for $2.6 billion in stock. It will also assume Solar City's net debt of about $2.8 billion, bringing the total deal value to nearly $5.4 billion. Investors will vote on that deal in mid-November. SolarCity also rose after Tesla's report. Story continues Screen Shot 2016 10 26 at 4.29.13 PM NOW WATCH: A 13-year-old kid explains why Tesla is the best car More From Business Insider Common household chemicals found in a wide range of products from carpets to cleaning products can alter hormones and contribute to type-2 diabeteslikely costing Europeans billions of dollars annually, according to new research. Scientists behind the study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, looked at data from seniors in the Swedish city of Uppsala on how exposure to chemicals known to disrupt the endocrine system, like phthalates, PCBs, pesticides and perfluoroalkyls, contributes to obesity and diabetes. Researchers used those findings to study the effects of chemical exposure on Europeans more broadly. A 25% reduction in exposure to the chemicals studied would result in a 13% drop in cases of diabetes among seniors, according to the research. That would mean 150,000 fewer cases of diabetes and a savings of nearly $5 billion dollars annually. Read More: That Plastic Container You Microwave In Could Be Super-Toxic The study, led by New York University researcher Leonardo Trasande, joins a growing list of research demonstrating the devastating effects of chemicals humans are exposed to on a daily basis. Endocrine disrupting chemicals are found in a wide array of everyday products including furniture, receipts and canned food, to name a few, and can disrupt many different bodily functions. Read More: You Asked: Can My Couch Give Me Cancer? Another paper published by Trasande last week suggests that household chemicals lead to $340 billion annually in treatment and lost productivity in the U.S. That figure is more than $100 billion lower in Europe, in large part to a different regulatory scheme, but significant problems remain. Finding your footing after release from a psychiatric unit, rehab facility or even prison because of mental illness and related fallout isn't easy. Rejoining family, locating treatment, connecting to the community and reentering the workforce can be high hurdles. Too often, people with fragile mental health fall by the wayside without secure, stable housing and a strong, caring support system. For those people, one option is residence in a supervised group home -- a licensed facility with 24/7 staffing and therapeutic services. [See: How Social Workers Help Your Health.] Running a group home is a vocation for the good-hearted, but not the faint of heart. For Mark Mayle, who runs four group homes in Ohio, it all began about 25 years ago as a personal mission. "We got our first referral -- a lady with traumatic brain injury -- and she's still with us today," Mayle says. "Within six months we had five beds full. I got the bright idea of building nine more rooms onto a house, and it just grew from there." Today, residents have a variety of mental health diagnoses, including bipolar disorder, depression and schizophrenia. Trained staff members help residents meet their needs, from daily living skills to medication and treatment management. Residents mingle in the living area and watch TV or relax in their own rooms, which are usually individual but sometimes shared. Most of the time they eat together in the common dining room. "It's really a family environment," Mayle says. While Mayle has attended numerous trainings, educated himself with extensive reading and communicated with multiple physicians, psychiatrists and other therapists, he says no discussion or paperwork can convey the day-to-day reality of dealing with residents. "My staff spent most of last night with a client in psychosis," Mayle says. "And, of course, sometimes that behavior can become combative." More often, it's about helping people get through difficult times, like a person struggling with depression. "Especially during the holidays, it gets kind of tough," he says, recalling one Christmas he spent directing traffic around a suicidal client experiencing a crisis in the middle of the road. Story continues [See: Coping With Depression at Work.] Terry Russell, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Ohio, is appalled by the lack of appropriate living arrangements for people with serious mental illness. One tragedy, he says, is the incarceration of mentally ill people for misdemeanors and low-level felonies, despite relatively recent innovations like mental health courts. Ideally, people with mental illness who want to live independently and find work can do so, Russell says. However, "Wanting to live on your own and your ability with your illness are two different things," he adds. "These illnesses can be so mean that the person is disabled. This is a public health issue. These are biologically based brain disorders." Thirty percent of people released from state psychiatric hospitals go to homeless shelters, Russell says, and "that's just unacceptable." In many cases, families want to help but are overwhelmed. "Fifty-seven percent of all caregivers of the mentally ill are family members who are ill-equipped to deal with their loved one," Russell says. To find a good treatment program, Russell advises, families can contact their local NAMI chapter or mental health agency. "Call your local mental health center," he says. "And don't take no for an answer." In the overburdened mental health field, he says, squeaky wheels get the grease. Community mental health centers and day programs help people socialize in the face of what can be a lonely illness, Russell says. Unlike a medical episode like gallbladder surgery, where visitors check in on patients and keep them company, mental illness is not a "bring-a-casserole" condition. People can easily become isolated. Most people with mental illness make their way back into the community with independent living or supportive housing. For those who struggle, a group home can provide the support and structure they need, Russell says. In Ohio, about 520 group homes exist for people with severe mental illness, with five residents on average. Reimbursement up to $1,110 comes from residents' Social Security income, with the state making up the balance. In his work with the Ohio Adult Care Facilities Association, Russell has advocated for better group home reimbursement, which leads to improved quality for residents. Criminal Justice Crisis Mental illness is far overrepresented in U.S. jails, says Dr. Fred Osher, director of health systems and services policy for The Council of State Governments. While serious mental illness exists in 5 percent of the general population, that figure rises to 17 percent in the jail population, Osher told journalists attending a National Press Foundation conference in September. And among those with mental illness in jail, 72 percent have a co-occurring substance use disorder. Disproportionately high arrest rates, longer prison and jail stays, limited access to health care and higher recidivism rates are among the factors driving this imbalance, Osher explained. And once people are released into the community, continuity of mental health care is dangerously lacking. Reducing the number of people with mental illness admitted to U.S. jails is the goal of Stepping Up, a national initiative of the CSG Justice Center, with which Osher is involved. With scarce resources available, it's important to identify which individuals have the greatest need for mental health treatment and the highest likelihood of committing crimes, Osher says in an interview. Supportive housing, halfway houses and group housing facilities get high-risk people into safe, comfortable places that assist with needs such as medication compliance to keep them in recovery and healthy. [See: 7 Health Risks of Binge Drinking You Can't Ignore.] Community Members Eventually, some group home residents are ready to move on. "If a client gets to a place where we feel they can do better -- and they feel they can do better -- in the community with the supports that we provide on a daily basis, then we can transition them into supportive housing," Mayle says. Sometimes that means living with a roommate and peer who also has a mental health diagnosis. For others, the group home is their permanent home. Mayle says one of his favorite clients has been with them for about 15 years following a lengthy prison term. His schizophrenia symptoms are such that he cannot work. "But he gets out," Mayle says. "We take him shopping; we have an activity center, and he does well." Many residents participate fully in the outside world. They may get their driver's license and work full-time, Mayle says. Some earn GEDs or take online college courses in the small computer center. Those with dual diagnoses -- a mental illness plus a substance use disorder -- may attend outside groups like Alcoholics Anonymous in addition to group and individual therapy within their home. Lisa Esposito is a Patient Advice reporter at U.S. News. You can follow her on Twitter, connect with her on LinkedIn or email her at lesposito@usnews.com. Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f260143%2fde531d1a9d4c45309ac7d4c847453efc The Advertising Standards Board of Australia has officially refuted complaints that an advertisement celebrating diversity was discriminatory towards "white males." Several complaints were made to the ad watchdog, calling the Meat and Livestock Association (MLA) commercial "You Never Lamb Alone" inspired vilification towards white men. SEE ALSO: Lamb ad moves away from controversy with cheeky message about diversity The ad's cheeky dialogue was the cause of most complaints, with actor Luke Jacobz saying "I'm here to address concerns that too many perky white males are contributing to a lack of diversity on our screens." In response, one formal complaint stated "He [Jacobz] was racist in his comments about to [sic] many white people on TV and it was racist and offended me." MLA offered their own commentary, saying "The tongue-in-cheek comment by no means treats white males unfavourably or seeks to ridicule such members of society. We submit that the reasonable viewer would not perceive this statement or the Advertisements as a whole to be racist or sexist. The advertisements promote acceptance and tolerance not bigotry or the incitement of hatred towards white Australian males." So perky. So white. So persecuted. Image: YOUTUBE/screenshot The industry watchdog says they "noted that there is discourse in the media about the predominance of white men on Australian television and considered that while this advertisement acknowledges and plays on this discourse in the Boards view, it does so in a manner which draws attention to the issue in a humorous manner but does not discriminate against or vilify the demographic it is talking about." Well, duh. Now let's all go back to enjoying the video. Even "perky white young males." KINSHASA (Reuters) - Police in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo arrested at least 17 democracy activists this week for campaigning against the postponement of the presidential election, fellow activists said, though 11 had been freed by Wednesday evening. President Joseph Kabila has ruled Congo since 2001 and is required by the constitution to step down in December. But the ruling coalition and part of the opposition agreed this month to delay the vote to pick his successor from this November to April 2018, citing problems enrolling millions of voters. Eight members of youth activist group Struggle for Change (Lucha) were arrested in the eastern city of Goma on Wednesday as they prepared to hold a sit-in near the headquarters of the U.N. peacekeeping mission, Lucha said in a statement. Six other Lucha members were arrested in Goma on Monday for distributing tracts on a university campus calling for peaceful protests and three more who went to check on them on Tuesday were detained as well, the statement added. A police spokesman confirmed the arrests, which he said were either for troubling public order or spying on police. He said the public prosecutor would bring charges against some of them on Thursday. Georges Kapiamba, a lawyer for the Lucha members, said later that the 11 arrested on Tuesday and Wednesday had been freed. Still, the United Nations said it was alarmed by the new crackdown. "We are very worried about the hardening of repression against civil society activities," Jose Maria Aranaz, director of the U.N. Joint Human Rights Office in Congo, told Reuters. "They were detained while raising awareness." The government denies the arrests are politically motivated. It released more than a dozen activists, including several Lucha members, in July and August in an attempt to appease the opposition and ease negotiations over the election timetable. But the main opposition bloc boycotted the talks and violent demonstrations in the capital Kinshasa last month killed dozens of people. A U.N. report last week said security forces killed at least 48 civilians. In its own report, the government denied that security forces were responsible for the deaths, which it blamed on the protesters themselves, private security guards and accidents. (Reporting by Aaron Ross; Editing by Tim Cocks/Mark Heinrich) (Adds details of results, outlook, company comment, stock price) By Nick Carey CHICAGO, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Norfolk Southern Corp, the No. 4 U.S. railroad, on Wednesday reported a better-than-expected profit as a continuing cost-cutting drive offset a revenue drop of more than 7 percent and said it expected fourth-quarter freight volumes would be flat to slightly up after five consecutive quarters of declines. Overall freight volumes at the Norfolk, Virginia-based company were down 4 percent in the third quarter from the previous year, lead by a 15 percent decline in coal. Like other major U.S. railroads, Norfolk Southern has been struggling since early 2015 with a precipitous fall in coal freight as utilities have switched to burning cheaper natural gas. Coal exports also have been hurt by the strong U.S. dollar. The railroad saw revenue decline in most of its businesses, with the exceptions of agriculture, which was flat, and metals and construction, which were up 2 percent. Norfolk Southern reported net income of $460 million, or $1.55 per share, up 1.7 percent from $452 million, or $1.49 per share a year earlier. Analysts, on average, expected earnings per share of $1.45. Revenue fell to $2.52 billion from $2.71 billion. Analysts expected revenue of $2.53 billion. Norfolk Southern managed to offset freight declines in the quarter with a 10 percent reduction in costs, to $1.7 billion from $1.9 billion. It also benefited from a lower tax rate. The railroad saw its operating ratio - or operating expenses as a percentage of revenue, a key metric for rail analysts and investors - improve to 67.5 percent from 69.7 percent a year earlier. "As we move forward, we are well positioned for growth opportunities longer term and confident in our ability to drive shareholder value," Chief Executive James Squires said in a statement. In morning trade on the New York Stock Exchange, Norfolk Southern shares were off 1.2 percent at $92.10. (Reporting by Nick Carey; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe and Bill Trott) Cris Cyborg Justino has dominated the women's 145-pound division since 2009. She's the former Strikeforce titleholder and the current Invicta FC featherweight champion. She's fought twice in the UFC in 140-pound catchweight fights because the organization doesn't have a women's 145-pound division. UFC president Dana White recently said that the organization has done everything for Justino, as far as promoting her, as they have for Ronda Rousey. Cyborg strongly disagrees. People ask me, What did Dana White do for Ronda that he didnt do for Cyborg? Well, hes lied. He also never said Ronda looks like Wanderlei (Silva) with a dress. He never said that about her even though he said that about me. For almost six years, Ive had to see him control the media. Hear Ronda say I have a (penis) and that I have to cut my (penis) off to make 135. Ive had to deal with this, Justino told mixedmartialarts.com. Before, I didnt even speak English. I couldnt defend myself. I didnt have any opportunity to defend myself. I was in one place, I didnt even speak English, she said. I do MMA just for sport. Ive been doing this 10 years. I havent lost in 10 years and they dont respect me, she added. Tell me, if there was an American girl who went 10 years, undefeated, you dont think theyd make something special? Cyborg echoes the sentiments of the American political scene in asserting that the UFC controls what the media reports. (Dana White) knows he can control the media. Anything he says that I dont have opponents, that I dont have a division, that they cant make a division people will believe what he says, she alleged. He knows he can manipulate everybody. I think everything Dana says, he is trying to manipulate everybody. TRENDING > Cris Cyborg No Longer Believes Ronda Rousey Fight Will Ever Happen Justino headlined UFC Fight Night 95 in Brasilia, Brazil, on Sept. 24, and decimated Lina Lansberg, as she has most of her opponents. She's been under UFC contract since early 2015, but doesn't believe the organization respects her. Story continues Im the world champ at 145 pounds, and they wanted me to fight at 140. They dont want to show everybody that Im world champ, she said. When I had to do some videos for them, I couldnt use my belt. This is ridiculous. Im world champion, they cannot delete this. They cannot delete this in my career. Im still world champion. Nobody has beaten me in my division. They dont respect me. Im still world champ and they dont respect me. It doesnt matter if you have a UFC belt because they could give one to me the same way they gave one to Ronda. But, I dont need another belt. I have two belts in my house. I really dont need another, she continued. They cannot lie. Im still world champ. They cannot change this. If they want to change this, put someone against me in my division and have them beat me. But, dont try and kill me because you control the media. Follow MMAWeekly.com on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram EXCLUSIVE: Cross Creek Pictures has acquired the upcoming sci-fi adventure novel Unearthed, and is plotting it for Doug Liman to develop as a directing vehicle. This comes after the production company and Liman teamed on American Made, the Tom Cruise-starrer which Universal releases September 29, 2017. Unearthed is the first of a two-book series to be published next year by Disneys Hyperion. Its written by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner, the bestselling authors of These Broken Stars, This Shattered World, and Their Fractured Light. Cross Creeks Tyler Thompson will produce. Novel is a YA thriller described as Lara Croft Meets Indiana Jones, set in deep space. Jules Addison and Amelia Radcliffe join forces in a tomb-raiding race on a newly discovered planet to unravel the secrets of an ancient, long- extinct civilization only to uncover a revelation that could spell the end of the human race. The authors, who were willing to sell pre-publication because they are big fans of Liman, are repped by Stephen Moore of Paul Kohner Agency. Related stories YouTube Red Orders Drama Pilot From Doug Liman, Sci-Fi Action Series From Dwayne Johnson - Mipcom Sony Pictures Near Deal For Denzel Washington-Dan Gilroy Spec Package 'Inner City' Doug Liman Will Direct DC Title 'Justice League Dark' For Warner Bros VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 26, 2016 / Cruz Capital Corp (CUZ.V) (OTC Pink: BKTPF) (BRO2.F) is pleased to announce that company representatives will be presenting at the New Orleans Investment Conference held at the Hilton New Orleans October 26-29th. The New Orleans Conference has had a long tradition of gathering some of the most influential people in the investment community, and brings together many high net worth investors and fund managers. This year "O'Rourke, Grant, Krauthammer, Faber, Schiff, Moore, Altucher, Larson, Gartman, Casey, Rule" will be speaking at the show as well. Management is excited to be afforded the opportunity to present at this prestigious show. Cruz recently increased the size of its Bucke Cobalt Prospect in the Larder Lake mining division of Ontario. According to Province of Ontario Mineral file MDl31M05NE00117, the property returned assays grading 13% COBALT and 240 g/t SILVER on this cobalt-focused prospect. Management expects to commence exploration on this property shortly, utilizing the flow through funds already on hand to fully assess this property. The Bucke Cobalt Prospect is one of 4 cobalt prospects in Ontario currently held by Cruz. Cruz President, James Nelson, stated, "We are very pleased to be presenting at the New Orleans Show. We are extremely optimistic about the future of cobalt and feel that Cruz is at the forefront of this pending boom. Cruz currently has 8 cobalt projects across North America as we only look to work in politically stable and ethical jurisdictions. We also plan to FORWARD split the shares in mid-November. Cruz is coming into a very active time on our projects while cobalt prices are making 6 month highs. With cobalt being a key mineral in lithium-ion batteries, and world demand rising for this market, we anticipate cobalt prices to increase given no new cobalt mines have come into production in the last 45 years in North America, thus giving Cruz a distinct advantage being a first mover into the space." Cruz is also proposing a Forward Split subject to acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange. The ratio being proposed will be 3:1. For example, this means that if you are shareholder of record of 10,000 shares you would then hold 30,000 shares upon completion and approval of the split. Subject to such approval, the Company anticipates the record date to be approximately November 14. An announcement will be made once the final date has been confirmed by the exchange. Management feels that this split will be a positive event for the company as this will create greater liquidity for the shareholders, thus enabling a more transparent and consistent market. Cruz is actively engaged in acquiring and developing Cobalt assets globally and has already acquired several high-grade cobalt projects across North America. Seven cobalt projects are located in Canada and one in Idaho. The goal of the company is to make Cruz the foremost cobalt project generator and developer on the TSX Venture Exchange. Management feels that cobalt is at the early stages of a significant bull market and we are pleased to be positioning Cruz at the forefront of this cycle. The technical contents of this release were approved by Greg Thomson, PGeo, a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. The property has not been the subject of a National Instrument 43-101 report. Cruz has also granted 50,000 incentive stock options to directors, officers and consultants at an exercise price of .63 cents per share for six months. The options have been granted in accordance with the company's stock option plan. If you would like to be added to Cruz's email list please send an email to info@cruzcapitalcorp.com or twitter @CruzCapitalCorp James Nelson President 604.899.9150 Toll free 1.885.599.9150 www.cruzcapitalcorp.com twitter @CruzCapitalCorp SOURCE: Cruz Capital Corp Donald Trump has said he would love to fight Joe Biden, after the Vice President suggested last week that he would rough up the Republican nominee. Did you see where Biden wants to take me to the back of the barn? Me. He wants to. Id love that. Id love that. Mr. Tough Guy, Trump told supporters at the Tallahassee Automobile Museum on Tuesday, according to Politico. While campaigning for Hillary Clinton on Friday, Biden suggested he would take Trump behind the gym if given the chance. The press always asks me: Dont I wish I were debating him? Biden said in Pennsylvania last week. No, I wish I were in high school, I could take him behind the gym. Thats what I wish. Biden clarified the remark on Monday during an appearance in Toledo, Ohio. If I were in high school I want to make it clear I understand what assault is. Im not in high school. If I were in high school, Biden said before punching one fist into the other palm, according to CNN. Trump responded Tuesday by saying if it were him that made the same remarks, he would have faced harsher criticism. If I said that, theyd say: Hes violent. How could he have done that, he said. [Politico] You're still trying to figure out your Halloween costume, but it's time to start preparing for the first parties of next year. Groove Cruise just announced a super stacked Phase 1 lineup for its 2017 festivities. Headliners include Cosmic Gate, Dash Berlin, Lee Foss, Markus Schulz, Umek and more. Rounding out the lineup are Darude, Grum, Nora En Pure and tons of sounds representing a variety of house, trance, and techno. Plus, the 13-year-old floating party is breaking out a new destination. "Grand Turk is the best location of any cruise port in the Caribbean for a beach party, as the powdered sugar beach is literally a five-minute walk from the docked ship,"??Groove Cruise and Whet Travel founder Jason??Buekema??says in an emailed statement.??"The music will not stop for four??straight days and the aural journey will be navigated by some of the hottest trance, progressive, and underground artists. We are also creating a new culinary experience that will take the overall experience to new heights. Every cruise we produce we keep it new and exciting, create new ways for lasting relationships and memories to be formed, and take every aspect up a notch. At its core, that is what 'Whet' is all about." Once again, the 3,400-passenger Carnival Victory will embark from the Port of Miami and coast through the Caribbean packed to the gills with lasers, beats, and babe-a-licious bods. Groove Cruise Miami 2017??sets sail Monday,??Jan. 23, through Friday, Jan.??27. Check online for more information on how to book your trip, and peep the full phase 1 lineup below. Beckham boys night out! David Beckham had a blast with his three sons on Tuesday night, attending an L.A. Kings game. "Boys night at the Kings," the proud dad captioned a pic with kids. Boys night at the Kings A photo posted by David Beckham (@davidbeckham) on Oct 25, 2016 at 9:25pm PDT WATCH: Victoria and David Beckham's Adorable Son Cruz Channels Justin Bieber Again His eldest son, Brooklyn, posted a funny black and white video of the Kings' lion mascot doing the dab. It was a good night for the Kings who defeated the Columbus, Ohio Blue Jackets 3 to 2. While the Beckham boys were having a blast on the ice, their famous mom, Victoria Beckham, had a girls night with pal, Eva Longoria. Dab....... A video posted by bb (@brooklynbeckham) on Oct 25, 2016 at 9:08pm PDT "Fun Tuesday!!! X Love @evalongoria @kenpaves XVB X kisses from Los Angeles," the fashion designer captioned a funny video of her and Longoria. The pair goofed off using an evil demon dog Snapchat filter. "It's wine-o-clock!" Longoria declared while her dog stuck its tongue out. Fun Tuesday!!! X Love @evalongoroia @kenpaves XVB X kisses from Los Angeles A video posted by Victoria Beckham (@victoriabeckham) on Oct 25, 2016 at 9:22pm PDT MORE: Victoria Beckham and Target Team Up for New Spring Collection The former Spice Girl also likes to proudly post snaps of her kids. Just last week, she shared a photo of her 11-year-old son Cruz playing the guitar, writing, "My babies turn X kisses from Hollywood." For more from Cruz, watch the video below! Related Articles First, he played a Game of Silence; now he has Seven Seconds left. David Lyons has signed on to star in the Netflix cop dramaSeven Seconds, our sister site Deadline is reporting. Lyons will play Jersey City cop Mike Diangelo, who heads up the departments narcotics squad; hes joined by Beau Knapp (The Nice Guys), who co-stars as a newbie cop who signs up for Diangelos squad. RELATEDNetflixs Anne of Green Gables Series Adaptation Casts the Title Role Seven Seconds, from The Killing creator Veena Sud, focuses on a standoff between Jersey City cops and the citys African-American community after a black teen is critically injured by a police officer. The shows first season is set for ten episodes; no premiere date has been set. Besides Game of Silence, which was cancelled in May after just one season, Lyons has had starring roles in two other NBC dramas: Revolution, as General Sebastian Bass Monroe, and The Cape, as titular hero Vince Faraday. He also played CBS producer Josh Howard in last years Dan Rather docudrama Truth. Related stories TVLine Items: Eichner Joins Netflix's Friends, Viola Davis Comedy and More Gilmore Girls Trailer: Sad Lorelai, Rory's Guys, Emily's Jeans and 30-ish Other Things (The Pig?) We Need to Discuss Gilmore Girls Revival: The Official Trailer Is Finally Here -- Watch On October 26, 1774, the First Continental Congress ended its initial session in Philadelphia with a list of rights belonging to Colonists and threats of an economic boycott. Within six months, however, armed conflict broke out on American soil. The Rev Jacob Duche offers the first prayer for the Continental Congress In all, 56 delegates from 12 colonies (excluding Georgia) came to the meeting to address the Coercive or Intolerable Acts. The laws were meant as punishment for the activities of the Boston Tea Party, but they affected all of the 13 colonies. Relations between the colonists and the government back in Great Britain had steadily deteriorated over the nine years since the Stamp Act was passed in 1765. Violence related to the Tea Act and the Boston Tea Party in 1773 led to the imposition of the Coercive Acts a year later in April 1774. The Coercive Acts closed the port of Boston until the destroyed tea was paid for; they also took away home rule from Massachusetts and banned most public meetings there. They also allowed for the trial of royal officials back in Great Britain accused of crimes committed in Massachusetts. And for all of the colonies, the Acts forced Americans to board British troops in unoccupied buildings. Benjamin Franklin wrote a public letter in London, under an assumed name, that made it clear how he felt about the Acts and the Parliament that issued them, who appear to be no better acquainted with their History or Constitution than they are with the Inhabitants of the Moon. The legislatures of 12 colonies agreed to the meeting, to discuss an economic response to the Acts, and chose their representatives. The attendees didnt include Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, but in addition to John Adams the delegates included his cousin Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, Roger Sherman, John Jay, John Dickinson, Richard Henry Lee, and George Washington. The delegates gathered on the morning of September 5 at Philadelphias City Tavern, near Benjamin Franklins home before they went to Carpenters Hall, which had just been constructed. The Pennsylvania State House (which we now call Independence Hall) was already occupied by the Pennsylvania provincial assembly. Franklin had remained in England and he would deliver a petition from the First Congress to King George III in late 1774. Story continues Thomas Jeffersons cousin, Peyton Randolph, was named as the first president of the Continental Congress. Randolph was another prominent Virginia leader and Washingtons close friend. During their session in Philadelphia, which ended after about seven weeks of debates, the group agreed to a boycott of British goods within the colonies as a sign of protest, spelled out in the Articles of Association. The Articles also called for an end of exports to Great Britain in the following year if the Coercive Acts werent repealed. And the first Continental Congress made plans to convene a Second Continental Congress in May 1775 to continue the work started in Philadelphia, if the Intolerable Acts remained in force. A separate document, now called the Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress, stated the groups objections to the Coercive Acts, listed the rights of the colonists, and itemized objections to British rule beyond the Intolerable Acts. The list of rights insisted that Colonists were entitled to life, liberty, and property and that foundation of English liberty, and of all free government, is a right in the people to participate in their legislative council. Also, the formal petition to King George III was approved on October 26, the last day of the Congress. It outlined the grievances of the colonies to the King, but it also didnt assign blame to him. On the same day the First Continental Congress ended in Philadelphia, the Massachusetts provincial Congress reorganized its militia into a force called the Minutemen. Next May, when the Second Continental Congress came back to Philadelphia, it met in the Pennsylvania State House. Violence had broken out in Boston with the battles of Lexington and Concord. Georgia joined the Second Continental Congress, as did Franklin and John Hancock. Jefferson then arrived to replace Randolph, who was called back to Virginia on political business. The new Congress became focused on the war effort, just seven months after it had left Carpenters Hall hoping for a constructive response from the King and the British government. Historical Stories on Constitution Daily Peyton Randolph: The forgotten revolutionary president The Louisiana Purchase: Jeffersons constitutional gamble Remembering another important Lincoln in American history Calais (France) (AFP) - Huddled under blankets, migrants in the Calais "Jungle" recounted Wednesday how they fled a fire that ripped through tents and shacks in the night after the death knell had sounded for the notorious camp. A French spokesman said desperate migrants had started the blaze, which occurred just hours after the authorities began to demolish the settlement on Tuesday, although camp residents denied the claim. Siddiq, a 16-year-old Afghan who said he arrived in the camp in northern France 10 months ago, sat on the icy tarmac with two friends, sheltering under a blanket, after spending the night under a bridge. "Our tents were burning. Someone set fire to them, though I don't know who," he said. "I have seen many fires before but not like this. First there was a gas canister that exploded, boom! Like a bomb," he said. "Then in the middle of the night my neighbour's tent caught fire. I ran out," said Siddiq. The trio queued outside a registration centre where they hoped to be interviewed later to make their case for being allowed into Britain. The fire ravaged one of the Jungle's main alleyways, leaving an apocalyptic scene of blackened shrubs and electricity poles, broken glass and a scattering of pathetic belongings. - 'Fires all over' - The only structures that remained were the metal skeletons of the avenue's makeshift restaurants, some of the many businesses that sprang up during the Jungle's years-old existence. Those made wood were burned to the ground. "There were several fires overnight. Every time one fire was put out, another would erupt. There were fires all over the Jungle," said Mahmoud al-Saleh, a 22-year-old Syrian. "It was clearly intentional. The firefighters came late. For a long time it was just us, migrants and volunteers, fighting the fires." A spokesman for the prefecture -- the representative of the state -- said firefighters had intervened immediately. Story continues "The fires were apparently started deliberately. They were mainly Afghans who set fire to their tents before leaving. They say the Jungle is finished, and not a scrap should be left behind." - 'Only the clothes on my back' - At another spot in the queue by the registration office, Arman Khan, 17-year-old Afghan, stood wearing a black hooded jacket and bright orange trainers, his hands in his jeans pockets. "We had to run out in the middle of the night. I left all my things behind, I have nothing now, only the clothes on my back. I have no tent. No other clothes. "I hope we will be interviewed today so we can sleep in the containers. Otherwise we will be forced to sleep on the street again. And I didn't really sleep. I am exhausted." Gathering in the charred remains of a cafe at the camp exit, a group of Afghan migrants prepared to leave. "I was asleep when the fires broke out. It is not true we Afghans started them. No one really knows what happened," said Khan, a 32-year-old who wore a scarf around his head to try to stay warm. Deeper into the Jungle, demolition work resumed in an eerie quiet as a thick early-morning fog shrouded the camp. Workers dressed in bright orange jumpsuits dismantled each tent manually, while machinery cleared the area afterwards. Riot police cordoned off the area where the demolition was under way while aid workers and government officials checked tents to ensure they were empty before demolition work could begin there. The Jungle sprang up as a makeshift home for migrants -- many of them young men from the Middle East, Afghanistan and sub-Saharan Africa -- who saw it as a staging post in their dream to reach Britain. Lawless and squalid, the camp became detested locally and a deep political embarrassment. The operation to clear it began on Monday, with its residents being resettled in centres elsewhere that will place them in safer conditions but leave them even farther from Britain, their coveted destination. Saddiq said that until the fire, he had been unsure about joining the exodus. "Now I am decided: I will take the bus. What choice do we have? There's no way we can stay here." Are meditation and yoga the secrets to managing troubled children and teens at school? The Doctors examine how some mindfulness time might work better than sending kids to detention. Many schools across the country are starting to teach kids yoga and meditation as a way to prevent behavior issues. Ali Smith, co-founder of the Holistic Life Foundation in Madison, Wisconsin has found that local schools using the mindfulness techniques have had great success. One school now has a suspension rate of zero and at a Madison high school attendance rates have improved along with GPAs. Watch: Plus-Size Yogi Gets Fat-Shamed? The Doctors love this idea and note that a recent study from UCLA found that that 2nd and 3rd graders who practiced meditation for 30 minutes twice a week for 8 weeks had improved behavior, scored higher on tests requiring memory and better attention and focus compared to students who did not meditate. Ali explains his local schools engage in mindfulness work for 15 minutes at the beginning and end of each day and all students participate. In more difficult cases, kids have the opportunity to work with a staff member for 20 minutes and then return to class refreshed and with a clear mind. He says that students, staff and parents all love it and many kids have begun teaching their parents the mindfulness techniques. Watch: Hottest New Meditation Trend! Should your childrens school start using daily mindfulness techniques? Tells us what you think! Disney Studios is teaming up with Ice Cube and Tommy Kail, the Tony-winning director of Hamilton, for a modern and musical take on Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist. Marc Platt, the veteran movie producer who was also behind Broadway's hit musical Wicked, and Jeff Kwatinetz are producing. Cube will also produce via his CubeVision banner. Twist is one of Dickens' most famous works and tells of an orphan boy who moves from a life as an exploited child laborer to being under the wings of Fagin, a leader of a gang of London pickpockets. Hardship, murders and secrets waiting-to-be-revealed follow the boy. The popular story was already adapted by Disney as an animated movie, 1988's Oliver and Company. But perhaps the biggest impact on popular culture has been through the never-ending iterations of the stage musical Oliver! The new Oliver will be a modern musical with sources describing it as crossing many genres, including hip-hop. Cube and Kwatinetz are writing the treatment with Cube attached to play Fagin. The project is in able hands with Cube, the former co-founder of seminal rap group N.W.A now turned actor and producer. Cube next stars in Fist Fight, the New Line comedy that opens Feb. 17, 2017. Kail is known for collaborating with Lin-Manuel Miranda on the rapper-composer's musicals In the Heights and Hamilton. He also directed Grease Live!, Fox Television's live take on the classic movie musical that starred Julianne Hough and Vanessa Hudgens. Cube is repped by UTA, the Firm and Ziffren Brittenham. Kail is repped by WME. This article originally appeared in The Hollywood Reporter. Donald Glover stopped by??Ellen??for the first time to discuss his new Star Wars gig an in an episode that aired Wednesday. On Friday, StarWars.com announced that the Atlanta star would be taking on the role of Lando Calrissian in Disney and Lucasfilm's??upcoming young Han Solo spinoff. "It's really crazy. I'm very honored," Glover said about being cast as Cloud City's suave administrator, a part first played by Billy Dee Williams in the original franchise. "It's a very big deal." The rapper-actor told DeGeneres he'd been a major fan of the franchise from childhood (and even rocked Star Wars t-shirts in high school).?? "That was the first toy I had - Lando. That was the very first. I remember it like yesterday," he added. "My dad gave it to me. I had a Darth Vader one, too." Glover shared that he called his parents immediately after the news broke, and his mom, an avid fan of Williams, offered wise words of advice: "Don't mess it up." The untitled Han Solo project, directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, is slated for a 2018 release. Read more: A 7-Year-Old's Endearing, Emotional Review of 'Return of the Jedi' The Sunshine State was treated to twin apocalyptic visions on Tuesday, when Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton both warned Florida voters in dark terms that the other candidate threatens the fabric of the nation. As the tone of the presidential campaign has become increasingly contentious, both candidates have raised the stakes, claiming that democracy itself may be in danger. Clintons and Trumps dire pitches, unrecognizable next to the happy-warrior optimism of recent presidential elections, arrived on a muggy Florida afternoon two weeks before the election. The criminal conduct of Hillary Clinton threatens the foundations of democracy. I mean that, Trump said Tuesday at an airport rally in Sanford, Fla., wearing a camouflage Make America Great Again hat. Trump said that Clintons handling of a private email server was a crime that made her ineligible to be President. (The FBI found that Clintons actions did not warrant criminal prosecution, and even if she had been convicted of a crime, she could still run for President under the Constitution.) This is our last chance, Trump continued. This is bigger than me or any of us. Its about our country. This is about restoring our Constitution. Two hundred miles away, Clinton told a crowd in Coconut Creek that Trump could destroy American democratic traditions, pointing to his controversial argument that the election is rigged. Donald Trump is attacking everything that has set our country apart for 240 years, Clinton said. After spending his entire campaign attacking one group of Americans after another immigrants, African Americans, women, POWs, Muslims, people with disabilities now his final target is democracy itself. Clinton said Trumps refusal during the presidential debate to say whether he would accept the results of the Nov. 8 election broke with hundreds of years of precedence. Story continues This all started with George Washington refusing to become a king. Now Donald Trump probably would have called him a loser, Clinton quipped. We have free and fair elections and the peaceful transfer of power, she continued. That is one thing that makes America great and makes America who we are. In a presidential campaign that is meaner and more divisive than any in recent memory, the Republican and Democratic nominees and their supporters are both painting the choice as an existential one. Crowds at Trump rallies often break into chants of Lock her up! about Clinton, and Trump surrogate and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani said Tuesday that when he sees her, I see her in an orange jumpsuit. Candidates have a long-standing habit of saying that their election is the most important, but rarely has the rhetoric so matched the claim. Barack Obama has exhorted audiences to go vote. Everything we stand for is at stake, the President said in September. Democracy is on the ballot. Trumps and Clintons arguments that the opposing candidate would doom American democracy have, like many other attacks this election, a familiar I know you are but what am I quality. Both have notched up the rhetoric to match the other, a tendency most recognizable during the presidential debate. After Clinton said Trump was a puppet of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, he snapped, Youre the puppet! But the argument that the countrys institutions are in danger has darker undertones that could have a lasting effect. At an Augustine, Fla., rally Monday, Trump warned of a dystopian, Orwellian future if the Clintons win back the White House. When the people who control the political power in our society can rig investigations, can rig polls, you see these phony polls, and rig the media, they can wield absolute power over your life, your economy and your country, and benefit big time by it, he said. Its another notch in Trumps campaign conspiracy theory, that the Clintons, the media and the Establishment are all working to undermine his candidacy. Trumps repeated assertions that the system is rigged have raised concerns among his supporters. A recent Public Religion Research Institute poll found that 55% of Democrats have a great deal of confidence that their votes will be counted accurately, while just 44% of Republicans and 41% of Trump supporters feel the same way. Still, as Trump and Clinton wrapped up their time in Florida, they each also injected some optimism into their speeches, at least about their own prospects. They both predicted wins for their supporters, and their campaigns claimed that early voting will favor their candidacy. The lines at the voting booths are record, and I noticed that a lot of people on line, theyre wearing the red hat Theyre wearing buttons all over the place. I think those are people that are inclined to vote for us, Trump said Tuesday, predicting that he will win Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. Its gonna be a little early to tell you what those numbers are, but its a big, big vote in the state of Florida. Clintons campaign said Tuesday morning that early voting in Florida was up 99% from 2012 among Latinos, a demographic that overwhelmingly supports Clinton. A Real Clear Politics poll average currently shows Clinton leading Trump by 3 points overall in Florida. But that doesnt mean Clinton is toning down her pitch. Im asking you to vote for me, Clinton told the crowd in Coconut Creek. More importantly, to vote for yourselves, because that is whats at stake. While Donald Trump was busy campaigning to be the next president, his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was taking some hits. According to several reports, a man dressed as a construction worker used a sledgehammer and a pickax early Wednesday morning to vandalize and smash the star on Hollywood Boulevard -- which the former Celebrity Apprentice host received in January 2007. Another man was reportedly present to record the incident on a cell phone. Associated Press A spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department told The New York Times that someone called in and reported the crime around 6 a.m., and a tent was later placed over the sidewalk symbol to secure it. WATCH: Barack Obama Slams Donald Trump in Celebrity Mean Tweets on Jimmy Kimmel Live Dominic Patten, a senior editor at Deadline Hollywood, told the Times that he witnessed the vandalism, and recalled that the man "suddenly picked up the sledgehammer and started smashing the bejeezus out of the Trump star." "Then he took the pickax and was trying to pry one of the points of the star," he said, adding that "shrapnel was flying everywhere." MORE: Donald Trump, Jr. Says His Father's 'Locker Room' Remarks Are Just 'a Fact of Life' Patten also said the man -- who identified himself to Deadline as Jamie Otis -- told him that he was attempting to auction off the symbol in an effort to raise money for the women who have accused Trump of sexual abuse. This isn't the first time the star has been vandalized. In July, a wall constructed by the artist known as Plastic Jesus was placed around the symbol to represent the presidential hopeful's plan to build a wall between the U.S. and Mexico if elected. It was quickly removed. The star has also been spray-painted with a backward swastika and a mute symbol, both of which have been washed off. WATCH: Stephen Baldwin Is Not Amused by Brother Alec's Impersonation of Donald Trump Story continues Related Articles Donald Trump's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame will be completely replaced after it was destroyed by a vandal who took a pickax to it Tuesday night, according to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. A felony vandalism investigation is now underway, police said. The Chamber is working with the police and "intends to prosecute to the full extent of the law," Leron Gubler, president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement. "The star will be repaired immediately, but requires several days of seasoning before it is polished. During that time, it will be covered to protect it." Someone put a Trump campaign sticker on the star after it was destroyed. Any star that was as severely damaged as Trump's would be replaced, according to the Chamber. This is far from the first time Trump's star has been vandalized, but the damage has never been so severe. A request for comment from the Trump campaign was not immediately returned. In a video posted to YouTube, the suspect appears to identify himself and says why he destroyed the star. Almost three quarters of Singaporeans who took a career break found themselves worse off, survey finds. A surevy from the banking giant on Singaporeans found that several work-related events stand out as having a negative financial impact. Nine in ten (93%) people who were made redundant said this had a financially negative impact. Almost three-quarters (74%) of those who took a career break said this had a negative impact on their finances, as did three in five (59%) of those who started a business. Other work-related events stand out as having a positive financial impact. Starting a first job is almost universally perceived as a financially positive event (91%) as is starting a new job (89%) and changing career (65%). Having friends around when a job goes south was also important, the survey found. People had relatively low levels of financial support for work-related life events. Only 12% received financial support when made redundant (while 35% received emotional support) and similarly 13% received financial support when changing career (compared with 32% who received emotional support). Financial support was greatest for those who retired (21%), although even here emotional support was more common (27%). More From Singapore Business Review From ELLE On a cool but sunny October day when I was 25 years old, with everything outside still damp from a torrential rainstorm the night before, I stood at the altar of a beautiful stone church in Connecticut-the same one that a young Jacqueline Bouvier had attended as a young woman-and pledged in front of all of my family and friends my love and commitment to a man I had known for less than three years. Even now, a decade and a divorce later, I recall that everything about the day and the ceremony was stunning. Even the priest had leaned in to tell us that it was-truly, he said-one of the most beautiful ceremonies he had ever officiated. But later that night, when the last of our guests had driven away and we were finally alone in bed as my new husband shared his thoughts about marriage and growing up, I realized immediately that I had made a mistake. It is easy when one has made a mistake with enormous consequences to convince one's self otherwise. Surely it was only newlywed nerves, I told myself. Surely every new bride felt this way. I was in a new place, a new situation, of course there would be new feelings too. But the feeling was less like nerves than horror, the first dawning realization that I did not know the person next to me as well as I had thought, as well as I needed to. The feeling was less like nerves than horror, the first dawning realization that I did not know the person next to me as well as I had thought, as well as I needed to. As if to confirm what I already knew-in much the same way that a soundtrack reflects the mood of a movie-everything, it seemed, was going wrong. Our name had been spelled wrong on the marriage certificate, and our honeymoon, a week spent at home in a new condo, had none of the characteristics of a honeymoon at all. Worse still, it played like a scene from The Money Pit, with everything in our new home regularly leaking and flooding, busting or breaking. When a relentless stream of water began gushing from the new dishwasher onto the floor, we ripped the brand new wedding gift towels from their boxes and stuffed them on the floor. We banged up our knees and shins dragging a broken and muddied screen door into our dining room because a neighbor had left a note demanding that it not be left outside overnight (even if a truck was coming in the morning to haul it away). Story continues Each day was a small repeated lesson in what could go wrong. The night before the ceremony had been no different. Intense rain drenched all of our guests on their way to the rehearsal dinner; the room was too small and shaped so that half the guests could not see one another, and no one remembered to give a toast. I feared that I might perish on the spot from what was without question one of the worst headaches of my life. And yet nothing in this collection of misfortunes was the problem; it was simply the proper backdrop for a tragedy just beginning to unfold. After all, these were the kind of problems that one can easily endure when one has made the right choice-that one can even laugh about and which become hilarious stories told over and over again throughout the course of a lifetime together-but already, I knew that something was missing: the part where the couple laughed knowingly or gave each other looks and comprehended each other without saying a word. The part where all of the small disasters didn't matter because the bride and groom knew they had been correct in choosing to face all disasters together, the part where the couple was just that-a couple-together: decidedly, undeniably in love, and certain of one another. I knew that something was missing: the part where the couple laughed knowingly or gave each other looks and comprehended each other without saying a word. Things grew strange. We hardly spoke. We didn't make any real memories together. When others noticed too and asked me what was going on, I couldn't answer because I didn't know. He had changed, hadn't he?-betrayed me by changing-or otherwise failed to let me know his true self. No, not failed to let me know it, but kept it from me. I had been deceived! We began to argue more and more often. My husband disappeared more and more frequently and stayed away for longer and longer periods of time. And then one day, instead of miserably trying to understand something that was not comprehensible, I decided to move on. Our divorce hearing took place in a courtroom with a broken clock, giving the sensation-quite appropriately, I thought-that time had altogether stopped. We said an awkward goodbye on the sidewalk outside and walked off in opposite directions. When a relationship we care deeply about begins to break down, our first step is often to relentlessly review what we thought we had known, as if by reviewing "the facts" we could prove some point that would restore things to the place we wish them to be. We compare the experience in front of our eyes to the past as if the two were interchangeable. We apply nostalgia. We ask ourselves how what we feel or they feel can be so different from what we felt or they felt then. When none of that works, we look for the clues that we missed, and when we can't find the answers that would make everything clear, we conclude: That person was not who I thought. And how unbelievably easy it is to tell ourselves this story! All one has to do is reach for the nearest magazine to find an article about someone else who has been shocked-shocked!-by the true identity of their partner. And isn't that the point? Not the shocking singularity of this kind of occurrence, but rather the unspoken understanding that it is a problem to which many-maybe even most-readers can relate. The instantly gratifying myth of the stranger and his unavoidable deceit are there for the plucking whenever we are too weak to wait for the healing insights that come only with time. [contentlinks align="center" textonly="false" numbered="false" headline="Related%20Stories" customtitles="Is%20Everyone%20Having%20Casual%20Sex%20Without%20Me?%7CLosing%20the%20Scarf%20Helped%20Me%20Let%20Go%20of%20the%20Marriage%7CWe%20Used%20Science%20to%20Trick%20Ourselves%20Into%20Love" customimages="||" content="article.39945|article.39465|article.28195"] Undaunted, perhaps unreasonably, I met someone new and fell in love again-we always fall in love again-but, despite a feeling this time of intense connection where in my previous relationship there had only been disconnect, I eventually had the same slow, sinking feeling that I was in love with someone I didn't really know. I began to fear that all relationships would turn out the same: love growing and growing and unstoppable until it reached a tipping point when a kind of unraveling began of knowing a person less and less well until they became a complete stranger. When it happened for the third time with a man to whom I was engaged-the same not-who-I-thought-he-was feeling leading to an inevitable conclusion-it became impossible not to consider what all of these instances had in common: me. And the questions I had for myself that gathered around my sadness at having failed to know other people well enough-or my anger at not having been allowed to know other people well enough-was replaced with a much more important question: How well had I known myself? After all, in explaining to those who care about me how I had allowed each relationship to run the course that it had, how many times had I proposed in my own defense that in each instance I was "different then, not quite myself yet"? What if instead of pointing a finger that says 'You are not who I thought,' we could accept how little we had known ourselves? While with each heartbreak we can distract ourselves with articles about people who have been deceived or misled and say, "Yes, yes! This happened to me too!" But where are the stories that ask us to consider how well we have known ourselves? Could it be that the commiserating narrative we have chosen is mis-serving us? If we discarded the tropes that allow us to reduce our pain momentarily by reveling in some shared sense of victimhood, what would happen? What if instead of pointing a finger that says You are not who I thought, we could accept how little we had known ourselves? On the eve of my 30th birthday and just a few weeks before my divorce would be finalized, I received an invitation to travel to Provincetown for an informal writing residency at the newly established Norman Mailer Writer's Colony. I had just written for Esquire and my editor had sent the director a letter recommending me, but I had only recently begun to gather the confidence to call myself a Writer. I froze when I received the call, unsure if I could handle going to a place I didn't know during a time I felt so lost. But ultimately, as I made the drive alone, it felt right to be going to a place I didn't know at the very end of the earth. I remember stepping into the small empty house that was mine. I remember walking down the street and weaving in and out silently between strangers. I remember climbing down a set of steep steps in the night to sit at the ocean's edge in the dark, so dark that the water was only a sound. I remember passing through a small crowd gathered in Mailer's living room and reaching his deck, standing quietly on the deck and looking out towards the ocean. I had been on this deck before. My husband had been with me. I had stood on that deck before the world had turned upside down, before I was a writer, before I was myself. When I stood there now my first thought was of how alone I had felt standing there in the night, in the dark, some years before with him by my side. I remember the utter loneliness of our too-quiet walk home down empty winter streets. And now, years later, when the water had receded farther than I even knew was possible, I crossed the deck and walked out onto the sand where ocean should be and I kept walking until I turned and the house was a tiny box, my belongings on the deck too small to be seen. I stood still. A long stretch of earth, a row of tiny boxes, an enormous swathe of sand separating land and sea. A feeling I had never had before-and have never forgotten- came over me. How to describe it? Unfamiliarity. The overwhelming and complete and gorgeous sensation of being lost and discovered at the same time, of feeling the past and the future bump up against each other like the crash of wave against land. What was this life? How had it become so unrecognizable? How had I ended up standing in this spot at this very moment? What would happen to me? Who would I become? When I begin to fear those unknowable parts of someone new that I love, it's this image that I see: a woman on her own looking back at what she has left behind, looking forward to a version of herself and her life that won't become familiar for several more heartbreaks, several more surprises, several more years. You Might Also Like A disturbing rape case at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has turned into a much larger investigation as reports say a number of additional women have come forward with accusations of sexual misconduct. Student Alec Cook now faces 15 counts of sexual assault stemming from his alleged inappropriate touching of a classmate who made the claims after his initial arrest earlier this month, campus police said. Read: 3 Boys Arrested for Trying to Rape 12-Year-Old Schoolmate in Basement Stairwell This first accuser told police that Cook, 20, sexually assaulted her for hours and choked her to the point of near unconsciousness, according to a criminal complaint. According to a campus police report, a second accuser came forward after news of the first emerged. "I saw the news story and was empowered by another girl being able to tell what happened to her, that I thought I could now finally tell," the accuser told police. In the second case, the suspect was arrested for two counts of second degree sexual assault and one count of third degree sexual assault. A third victim, a 20-year-old Madison woman, has since reported being sexually assaulted by the suspect in a downtown apartment last year, in 2015. According to the Star-Tribune, Madison police say "dozens" of other women have contacted them with claims about Cook. Madison police Detective Grant Humerickhouse said investigators found a black leather book during a search of Cook's apartment in which the suspect allegedly wrote women's names followed by descriptions of what he liked about them. "The entries went on to document what he wanted to do with the females," Humerickhouse told the Star-Tribune. "Disturbingly enough, there were statements of kill and statements of sexual desires." As the investigation continues, Cook has been suspended from the university and is banned from setting foot on campus. Story continues Cook has denied the allegations, his attorney, Christopher Van Wagner, said following the women's claims in court this week. Cooks attorney, Christopher Van Wagner, cast doubt on the women's claims in court this week. Read: Why Stanford University Students Showed Solidarity to Rape Victim at Graduation "Much of what has been on Facebook has been character assassination of my client," said Van Wagner said. "Hes been accused of serious crimes, but the media firestorm has prompted a lot of people to apparently go back and re-examine their relationships with him." Cook remains in Dane County Jail and is due in court Thursday for a bond hearing. Watch: UVA Dean Speaks Out on Infamous Rape Article: I Was Afraid of Being Fired Related Articles: Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd. RDY reported second-quarter fiscal 2017 earnings per American Depositary Share (ADS) of 27 cents, down 57.1% year over year. Moreover, quarterly revenues declined 10% year over year to $539 million primarily due to lower contribution from all its segments. Nevertheless, reported revenues were up on a sequential basis Quarter in Detail Dr. Reddys reports revenues under three segments Global Generics, Pharmaceutical Services & Active Ingredients (PSAI), and Proprietary Products and Others. Global Generics revenues fell almost 12% year over year to $435 million, due to lower contribution from North America and loss of sales in Venezuela. Like the previous quarters, the company recorded negligible revenues in Venezuela. On a sequential basis, however, revenues were up 9%. Revenues in North America declined 13% (in local currency) due to increased competition for Valcyte, Vidaza and the injectable franchise, pricing pressure, and moderation in volume uptake. In the Emerging Markets, the company recorded a 27% (in local currency) decline in revenues. However, India continued to perform well. Revenues from the region grew 14% year over year on the back of the integration of the portfolio acquired from UCB S.A. UCBJF in the companys supply chain. Meanwhile, sales in Europe declined 16% in local currency. PSAI revenues were down 2% to $87 million. However, revenues were surged 23% from the prior quarter on the back of improved order flow and supply situations. Revenues at the Proprietary Products and Others segment came in at $16 million, down 10% year over year but up 6% sequentially. The sequential upside was driven by the addition of two new brands Zembrace (acute migraine) and Sernivo (mild to moderate plaque). In the reported quarter, the company launched four new products omeprazole sodium bi-carbonate, nitroglycerin SLT, paricalcitol injection and bupropion SR - in the U.S. Story continues Research and development expenses increased 16.4% year over year to $78 million. This increase was due to expenses associated with the IPR&D assets in-licensed from Xenoport and Eisai. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $177 million, up 6.6%, primarily due to higher employee costs and marketing expenses for events in the quarter. As of Sep 30, the company has 85 generic filings pending FDA approval (83 abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDAs) and 2 NDAs filed under the 505(b)(2) route), of which 56 were Para IV filings and 19 had first-to-file status. Our Take Dr. Reddys witnessed year-over-year declines in both the top line and the bottom line in the second quarter of fiscal 2017. However all its segments recorded a sequential improvement, which is encouraging. The year-over-year deterioration was primarily due to competitive dynamics of the U.S. business and negligible contribution from Venezuela. Higher expenses related to product launches at Proprietary Products and Others, along with reduced remediation costs, would put pressure on profits, going forward. Nevertheless, we remain positive on the companys efforts to expand its biosimilar portfolio, particularly in the emerging markets over the next few years. DOCTOR REDDYS Price DOCTOR REDDYS Price | DOCTOR REDDYS Quote Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider Dr Reddy currently has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). A couple of better-ranked stocks in the healthcare sector include Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. INFI and BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. BMRN. Both the stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Infinitys loss estimates narrowed from $3.84 to $3.79 for 2016 and remained stable for 2017 over the last 60 days. The company has posted a positive surprise in all of the four trailing quarters with an average beat of 67.62%. BioMarins loss estimates narrowed from 28 cents to 25 cents for 2016 and from $1.16 to $1.11 for 2017 over the last 60 days. Confidential from Zacks Beyond this Analyst Blog, would you like to see Zacks' best recommendations that are not available to the public? Our Executive VP, Steve Reitmeister, knows when key trades are about to be triggered and which of our experts has the hottest hand. Click to see them now>> 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 BIOMARIN PHARMA (BMRN): Free Stock Analysis Report UCB SA (UCBJF): Free Stock Analysis Report INFINITY PHARMA (INFI): Free Stock Analysis Report DOCTOR REDDYS (RDY): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research This is how to dress like your favorite horror movie scream queen for Halloween or any other day of the year Sometimes we just want to throw on an outfit that accurately conveys the horror that we have deep inside of our hearts, or at least, something Halloween-themed that doesnt involve bunny ears or a ghost sheet. This is where we take cues from the heroes and anti-heroes in some of our favorite horror movies, because if Hollywood has anything down to an art, its creating fashion-forward slasher victims. If youre feeling at a loss for where to mine your horror-chic looks, have no fear! We are here to tenderly take your hand and guide you through the canon of finely-threaded haunting victims, and how you can best achieve their style! Carries Prom Dress collage When her prom dress wasnt drenched in blood, the original 1976 Carrie aka Sissy Spacek looked fabulous in her light pink slip dress. While you may not want to claim the abusive parents and satanic menstruation, you can channel the Carrie look by purchasing this mini slip dress from Urban Oufitters for $54. Trash from Return of the Living Dead collage2 There are few movies that depict a group of teen punks encountering the bloodthirsty undead as ideally and stylishly as The Return of the Living Dead, and Linnea Quigleys character Trash took the bloody cake when it came to fashion wed want to cop. If you want to channel the free-spirited undead battling spirit of Trash, you can purchase a mesh leopard print croptop from Ami Club Wear for $25, and even grab a leather mini skirt from the same site for $33. Helen from I Still Know What You Did Last Summer collage3 When Sarah Michelle Gellar starred as the tragically murdered Helen in I Still Know What You Did Last Summer the 90s were coming to an end, and spaghetti straps were king. While none of us want to claim her fate, the classic olive green strappy 90s look is a look we can still get on board. Luckily, you can buy a Helen-inspired dress from Lulu for just $13. Laurie Strode from Halloween collage4 The original 1978 release of Halloween gifted the world with an immediate cult-classic and a booming slasher franchise, but most importantly, it gifted us with a young Jamie Lee Curtis navigating horrors while dressed like a preppy boarding school R.A. If you want to channel a horror movie look that can also be worn to a job interview, you can snatch up a Jamie Strode-inspired mock layer sweater from Kohls for $30. Story continues Jay from It Follows collage5 Few films have made one-night stands as terrifying as the sexually transmitted haunting featured in It Follows, however, despite her fall into terror, the character Jay manages to bring back the lace camisole style throughout the film. For just $25, you can wear a similar pink camisole from H&M while transmitting ghosts to your newest sexual partner. Now you can go forth into the world armed with five new fear-inspiring outfit options, all of which hearken to different decades, different styles, and ultimately, different fears. The post This is how to dress like your favorite horror movie scream queen for Halloween or any other day of the year appeared first on HelloGiggles. The Q3 earnings season has so far seen encouraging reports, with 116 S&P 500 companies having already released results as of Oct 21. Of the total, 80.2% surpassed earnings estimates while 62.9% trumped revenue expectations. The Q3 earnings cycle is on track to be the first quarter to see positive earnings growth after five quarters of decline. This week, a number of major pharma and biotech companies are slated to reveal quarterly numbers. The Q3 earnings season has so far been a mixed bag for the Medical sector. While Johnson & Johnson JNJ, Novartis AG NVS, Abbott Laboratories and Merck & Co., Inc. surpassed earnings expectations, Roche Holding AGs quarterly sales fell marginally short of expectations. However, Eli Lilly and Company missed estimates on both the counts. With this in the backdrop, lets take a look at five companies in the Medical sector that will report earnings on Oct 27. What Await these Drug Stocks? Large-cap pharma stock, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company BMY has an impressive track record with the company consistently beating earnings expectations. Will this pharma giant be able to keep its earnings streak alive? This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock, which has an Earnings ESP of +3.08%, appears poised to beat expectations in the to-be-reported quarter as well. BRISTOL-MYERS Price and EPS Surprise BRISTOL-MYERS Price and EPS Surprise | BRISTOL-MYERS Quote Focus will be on the performance of key products including high-profile immuno-oncology drug, Opdivo. The HIV and HCV franchises are expected to remain under competitive pressure. With the company actively pursuing deals/acquisitions across different therapeutic areas, business development plans for the remainder of the year should also be something to keep an eye on. (Read more: Bristol-Myers Squibb Q3 Earnings: What's in Store?) Our previous article showed that Bristol-Myers was unlikely to beat earnings this quarter. However, the Zacks Rank has changed since then and now, we are reasonably confident of an earnings beat this season. Story continues Biotech major, Amgen Inc. AMGN has an encouraging record as well, having surpassed earnings expectations in each of the last four quarters with an average positive surprise of 11.55%. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. A favorable Zacks Rank, when combined with its +1.08% ESP, makes us reasonably confident of an earnings beat this season. AMGEN INC Price and EPS Surprise AMGEN INC Price and EPS Surprise | AMGEN INC Quote Growth products like Enbrel, Xgeva, Vectibix, Sensipar, Prolia and Nplate should continue driving top-line growth. Focus will also be on the performance of the companys PCSK9 inhibitor, Repatha. Meanwhile, cost-cutting efforts and share buyback should boost the bottom line. (Read more: Will Amgen Sustain its Earnings Beat Trend in Q3?) Biotech company, Celgene Corporations CELG key drug, Revlimid, will continue to act as the key growth driver, contributing significantly to the companys top line. Apart from Revlimid, performance of other drugs Pomalyst/Imnovid, Otezla and Abraxane will also be in focus. Meanwhile, the companys share buyback program is expected to boost the bottom line. Investors will also await updates on Celgenes label expansion efforts and pipeline development. CELGENE CORP Price and EPS Surprise CELGENE CORP Price and EPS Surprise | CELGENE CORP Quote Celgenes track record has been pretty good with the company beating earnings estimates on three occasions and missing the same once. This Zacks Rank #3 stock currently has an ESP of -0.76% for Q3, thereby making it difficult to predict a positive surprise. (Read more: Celgene Q3 Earnings: What's in Store for the Stock?) Developer of treatments targeting ultra-rare disorders, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ALXN has a mixed track record. In the four trailing quarters, the company has missed expectations on two occasions while beating the same twice. This biotech stocks Zacks Rank #3, when combined with an ESP of 0.00%, makes it difficult to predict an earnings surprise. Please check our Earnings ESP Filter that enables you to find stocks that are expected to come out with earnings surprises. ALEXION PHARMA Price and EPS Surprise ALEXION PHARMA Price and EPS Surprise | ALEXION PHARMA Quote The company had provided its Q3 earnings and revenue guidance at the time of releasing Q2 results. While focus will be on the sales ramp-up of newly launched products Strensiq and Kanuma, an update on the impact of macroeconomic issues on Soliris is also keenly awaited. Investors are also expected to await updates on the companys pipeline. (Read more: Alexion Q3 Earnings: Can the Stock Pull a Surprise?) Bothell, WA-based biotech company Seattle Genetics, Inc. SGEN is focused on the development and commercialization of treatments targeting cancer. Its sole marketed product, Adcetris remains the key growth engine for the companys revenues. Label expansion efforts for Adcetris and pipeline progress will be the key areas of focus. SEATTLE GENETIC Price and EPS Surprise SEATTLE GENETIC Price and EPS Surprise | SEATTLE GENETIC Quote However, Seattle Genetics track record has been far from encouraging with the company missing estimates in three of the trailing four quarters, bringing the average negative surprise to 4.24%. This Zacks Rank #3 stock has an ESP of 0.00% for Q3, which makes it difficult to predict a surprise. Zacks' Best Investment Ideas for Long-Term Profit Today you can gain access to long-term trades with double and triple-digit profit potential rarely available to the public. Starting now, you can look inside our stocks under $10, home run and value stock portfolios, plus more. Want a peek at this private information? Click here >> 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 BRISTOL-MYERS (BMY): Free Stock Analysis Report NOVARTIS AG-ADR (NVS): Free Stock Analysis Report JOHNSON & JOHNS (JNJ): Free Stock Analysis Report ALEXION PHARMA (ALXN): Free Stock Analysis Report CELGENE CORP (CELG): Free Stock Analysis Report AMGEN INC (AMGN): Free Stock Analysis Report SEATTLE GENETIC (SGEN): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. London (AFP) - British drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline said Wednesday that net profits soared 50 percent in the group's third quarter, buoyed by a bright performance at its vaccines division. Earnings after tax rallied to 808 million (906.4 million euros, $987.5 million) in the three months to the end of September, compared with a year earlier, GSK said in a result statement. Revenues jumped 23 percent to 7.542 billion over the same period. "Our third quarter results reflect strong performances across the group and the sustained progress we have made over the course of 2016 to deliver sales growth of new products, maintain effective cost control and execute on our restructuring and integration plans," said chief executive Andrew Witty. In September, GSK promoted its consumer healthcare head Emma Walmsley to chief executive, a move which will make her the most powerful woman on the FTSE 100. Walmsley, who joined from French cosmetics giant L'Oreal six years ago and has a background in marketing, will take up her new post in late March. Even before the world knew him, Mavericks owners would say Everybody Loves Mav! Hes the best dog in the world, owner Joey Maxwell tells PEOPLE. Theres just something special about him. Even people that dont like dogs love him, including my mother-in-law. Now everyone is getting to know and love the nine -year-old golden retriever thanks to his sweet smile, the wagon he gets around in, and the Facebook page documenting what was supposed to be his last great adventure. Two weeks ago, a veterinarian told Allison and Joey Maxwell of DeLand, Florida, to take Maverick home to die. He was fighting through his second round of cancer, couldnt move his hind legs and couldnt lift his head off the bed. Ever since rescuing him from a kill shelter when he was a puppy, the Maxwells have spoiled Maverick. They were inconsolable at the thought of losing him. He spent two nights in the ICU and they told us we only had a couple of days left. It was devastating. My wife and I were in tears but we decided we didnt want his last few days to have been in the hospital. We wanted him to have the best day ever, Joey shares. But Maverick couldnt move his back legs, so his owners had to get creative to help him get around. Joey ran to Lowes in search of some sort of cart but having just gone through Hurricane Matthew a few days before, the store was wiped out. The store manager, John Miller, heard their story though and went to work finding a wagon. He started making calls and told me to come back in an hour, Maxwell remembers. Joey was shocked when he got back to the store. I was floored. Not only did he have the wagon, but hed had his team put it together. And then Miller did something that brought Joey to tears. The Maxwells had spent all of their money on Mavericks chemo and ICU bills. They had just about $130 left in their bank account, but hadnt told anyone. It would barely cover the cost of the wagon and they were prepared to spend it. Story continues When the cashier rang it up, the manager gave us a 50%-off discount. I didnt tell anyone at Lowes what we had left. He just did that out of the kindness of his heart. I broke down. I was a blubbering mess. Miller says, You never know what a customer is coming into the store to buy. Every customers a different situation. If we go out of our way to make a difference in their lives, then this is Lowes living our core values. The Maxwells left the home improvement store and immediately put Maverick on the wagon, pulling him through downtown DeLand. A 100-pound golden retriever rolling through our small downtown is quite a sight so everyone came up to us! People treated Mav to hamburgers and ice cream and kept posing for pics with him and his stuffed giraffe (named Goose after the other Top Gun pilot of course). It was wonderful! Incredibly, the next day Maverick seemed to feel a little better. And each day since then hes perked up a little bit more. His dad says, I think its the cart. It sounds crazy, but I think the fresh air has helped. Hes been getting a ton of love and attention from everyone and I think thats made the difference. The Maxwells have been posting pictures of Maverick on his Facebook page and getting love from around the world. Ive been using Google translate to send messages back to people in their native language that say Maverick loves you! The response has been amazing from every country on the planet. To see so much love for Maverick is incredible! The dogs back legs are still not in great shape, so friends have donated a doggie wheelchair to help Maverick get around. Its a little small for him, so the Maxwells have set up a GoFundMe account to help buy a new one. His prognosis is really good now. Hes in remission! We found out the leg issue is not related to the cancer. Hes eating again and smiling. I scratch his belly and he kicks his legs again, Maxwell says. Its just been so wonderful to see all this love for Maverick! What Were Following A Bridge Too Far: As Donald Trumps campaign crumbles in the foreground of U.S. politics, his longtime ally Chris Christies career is collapsing in the background. Two of the governors aides are on trial for Bridgegate, in which Christies office in 2013 allegedly scheduled lane closures on the George Washington Bridgecausing traffic delays that stranded thousands of motorists in order to punish a mayor who hadnt endorsed Christies reelection. The revelations emerging from the trial paint Christie as a petty, vindictive bully with little regard for the truth or for the norms of democracy. Sound Familiar? Yep, that description applies to Trump; it also applies to another demagogue, President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines. On a trip to China last week, Duterte claimed he was cutting ties with the U.S.his countrys longtime allybefore backpedaling once he returned home. Is it just another wild statement, or is it something more threatening? This is a politician, after all, who once compared himself to Hitler. Trump has also drawn such comparisons from critics, but a Hitler biographer cautions against doing so. Instead, some Atlantic readers have undertaken a more precise analysis of Trumps fascistic traits. Recommended: Election 2016: The Latest Updates Where Democracy Is Working: Improbably in northern Syria, where Kurds have established Rojava: an autonomous experimental state thats serving as a refuge for people displaced by civil wars in Iraq and Syria. In its radically decentralized government, power is carefully balanced among ethnic groups and between men and women, and its future looks promisingbut its also isolated, which endangers its democratic vision. Snapshot Families attend church services in Birmingham, Alabama, on May 22, 2016, (L) and in Washington, D.C., on May 8, 2016 (R). See more photos from a divided America here. (Brynn Anderson / AP / Jacquelyn Martin / AP) Quoted Trump also means, especially in British English, to, erm, break wind. Eleanor Maier, a dictionary editor, on the etymology of the verb trump Story continues Recommended: Living in an Extreme Meritocracy Is Exhausting We rushed to it so quickly that security was largely left behindin part because it was so awesome. Who doesnt need a refrigerator that can reorder milk for you on demand? Edward McAndrew, a former cybercrime prosecutor, on the Internet of Things The process of dating inherently sucks. I literally am trying to call my dissertation Why Dating Sucks, because I want to explain that. But I cant, because they wont let me. Holly Wood, a Harvard PhD candidate. Read more on why dating sucks here, and check out a reader discussion on online dating here. Evening Read Megan Garber on celebrity chef Ina Gartens latest book, Cooking for Jeffrey: You could look, overall, at the show and the books and the general Jeffreycentrism that permeates the [Barefoot] Contessa empire and argue that, far from smashing the patriarchy, Garten has instead chosen to serve it some perfectly seasoned smashed potatoes. But Gartens feminism is more complicated than thatand it is complicated, in large part, by the presence and the person of Jeffrey. The male Garten may be the direct recipient of his wifes labors, emotional and otherwise; he may well be, as she has suggested so many times before, the central force in her life. But fame is a tricky currency. And when it comes to Gartens celebrityif you set aside any Marxist readings of this self-styled American contessawhat becomes clear is that Jeffrey, Quintessential Husband, is, as a celebrity, playing the role of the wife. Keep reading here, as Megan unpacks what the Gartens old-fashioned-yet-uniquely-modern marriage means for their fans. Recommended: Chris Christie's Implosion What Do You Know? 1. The Hochschulzugangsberechtigung, or HZB, is the German equivalent of Americans ____________. Scroll down for the answer, or find it here. 2. In 2015, almost ____________ percent of U.S. high school seniors enrolled in college after graduation. Scroll down for the answer, or find it here. 3. In a recent study, March Madness upset victories increased approval of ____________ by 2.3 points among the winning teams fans. Scroll down for the answer, or find it here. Reader Response How long can you wait to have a baby? One reader writes: The real problem is that, after 37, and then after 40, and then after 45, there is a very increased risk of miscarriages. I conceived four times in two years, for example, but I had four miscarriages. First time I was 38. So I dont think it is wise to wait if you really want to have babies. I was aware of that and I suffered a lot through my miscarriages. I am not willing to give up, yet, but I know that there is a high possibility of not becoming a mom. And I will accept it. But since most women are not able to accept it and end up being depressed, obsessing with forums, doctors, drugs, fertility treatments, and going on for years, I strongly suggest to begin early IF you have this big desire to become a parent. My experience in forums and with other women taught me that. Act fast or be prepared to accept the consequences. Yet for many people, the desire to become a parent isnt clear right away. For others, as this reader mentions, its prevented by infertility or other health problems. In our Notes section, weve sparked two reader discussions about the decisions and obstacles of becoming a parent. Have you been on the fence about whether to have kids or remain childless? Have you struggled with infertility? Wed like to hear your stories: hello@theatlantic.com. Verbs Sasquatch surveyed, memories reconstructed, Siberian Tea Party held, Millennial women drink up. The Atlantic Daily is written by Rosa Inocencio Smith. To contact us, email hello@theatlantic.com. Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. Emma Watson may not be eligible to vote on Nov. 8, but that doesn't mean she doesn't have an opinion. The British actress -- who is an outspoken feminist and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador -- took to Twitter on Tuesday to share her thoughts on the upcoming U.S. presidential election and encourage those able to vote to use their power. WATCH: Emma Watson Gets Into Character as Belle in New 'Beauty and the Beast' Sneak Peek "At times, politics may seem disillusioning, filled with rhetoric and smokescreens," Watson began her essay. "However, regardless of our personal beliefs, it can't be denied that the result of the upcoming US presidential election will have ripple effects around the world and impact, in one way or another, the lives of millions and millions of people." "It has been excruciating to sit on the sidelines in the months leading up to this election," she continued, adding that America has been her "second home." "Goodness, I wish I could cast a vote." "The next president will be able to make decisions about women, about their bodies, about how they are treated at work, on university campuses and at school, about how men treat women and about their rights as citizens," she wrote. "These decisions affect how young people form their ideas of gender. These decisions will affect whether we believe equality is an idea that matters." RELATED: Emma Watson Doesn't Care If You Label Her a 'Feminazi,' Calls Out Paparazzi Who Tried to Take Upskirt Photos The Harry Potter star goes on to urge women to head to the polls, mentioning that 70 million women cast ballots in the last American election, as compared to 60 million men. "You have real power to decide the future of generations to come," she stated. RELATED: Emma Watson Explains Why She's Taking a Year Off From Acting Story continues This isn't the first time the actress has spoken out on gender equality. In fact, Watson name dropped Hillary Clinton for her support of the UN Women's HeForShe initiative last year. "It is my belief that there is a greater understanding than ever that women need to be equal participants in our homes, in our societies, in our governments and in our work places," Watson said during her speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January 2015. "And they know that the world is being held back in every way because they are not." See more in the video below. Related Articles Emmy Rossums gorgeous New York City apartment oozes European chic think fireplace mantels picked up at the Paris flea and gilded antique tables with cool girl touches like a bar cart and modern art. And while its perfectly enjoyable to ogle her out-of-reach decor in the pages of this months Elle Decor, we figured why not get the man who created the original to tell us how to mimic the look for a steal. RELATED: Emmy Rossum Wants Her Apartment to Look Like a Modern Girl Inherited her Grandmothers Stuff Interior designer Antonino Buzzetta worked with Rossum to curate super high-end furnishings and one-of-a-kind antiques for her Manhattan pied-a-terre. So we asked the New Yorkbased talent to share some much more affordable (were talking half the price) pieces to steal a bit of A-list style for our own homes. Instead of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams London sofa (price upon request) he chose the Rose sofa by The Everygirl for Interior Define for $1,500. In place of the exceptional (and pricey) antique Persian carpet Emmy selected, Buzzetta suggests Unique Looms Heriz area rug, starting at $32.99 from Wayfair. RELATED: At Home in L.A. with Reese Witherspoons Interior Designer, Mark D. Sikes The pillows on the actresss sofa were custom made from fabric available only to interior designers. A cute solution for amateur decorators? Joss & Mains Sonja and Francine throw pillows, coming in at $18.95 and $48.95, respectively. The beautiful gold French side table was sourced from an antiques dealer in Houston, Texas. Buzzettas affordable alternative is a comparative steal: Mercer 41s Wendover end table, found on Wayfair for $179.99. To see more of Emmy Rossums Manhattan home, pick up the November issue of Elle Decor, out now. Stockholm (AFP) - Struggling Swedish telecoms equipment maker Ericsson on Wednesday appointed Borje Ekholm as new CEO, betting on continuity with an executive coming from its board of directors and its main shareholder. Ericsson, which announced it would cut up to 4,000 jobs in Sweden earlier this month, was seeking a new head following the ousting of Hans Vesterberg in July after seven years. From 2000 to 2015, Ekholm served as president of the Swedish firm Investor, controlled by the wealthy Wallenberg dynasty. "He has a solid understanding of both the technology and business implications of the ongoing convergence of telecoms, IT and media," said chairman of the board at Ericsson, Leif Johansson. "Having served on Ericsson's Board of Directors for the past ten years, Borje Ekholm has full understanding of the challenges and the opportunities Ericsson currently faces," Johansson said. In July, the daily Svenska Dagbladet cited sources close to the matter in reporting that Investor, which controls 21.4 percent of Ericsson's voting rights, was accused of slowing the restructuring by the other major shareholder, the bank Handelsbanken. Through its pension fund and the fund Industrivarden, Handelsbanken controls 20.1 percent. The purpose was, according to the sources, to lower the share price and encourage Handelsbanken to sell its shares and attract Cisco as a buyer. "It's really, really surprising. Ekholm was a central figure in the Ericsson Board of Directors and thereby supported the strategy that led to the current crisis," Handelsbanken analyst Daniel Djurberg told TT news agency. Ekholm is set to take office on January 16. He is expected to improve the company's earnings which suffered a net loss of 233 million kronor (24 million euros, $26 million) in the third quarter as operators slowed investments into mobile networks. Essex Property Trust, Inc. ESS is slated to report third-quarter 2016 results on Oct 27, after the market closes. This residential real estate investment trust (REIT) has a decent earnings surprise history. It reported a positive surprise of 1.48% in the prior quarter and has, in fact, beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with an average positive surprise of 1.94%. The company projects core FFO per share in the range of $2.73$2.79 for the third quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the same is currently pegged at $2.76. ESSEX PPTY TR Price and EPS Surprise ESSEX PPTY TR Price and EPS Surprise | ESSEX PPTY TR Quote Is the company poised for a winning quarter? Lets see how things are shaping up prior to this announcement. Factors to Consider Essex has a strong property base and a sturdy balance sheet. In fact, it also enjoys a solid scale in the West Coast market. Moreover, demographic growth continues to be robust in the young adult age cohort, which has a higher propensity to rent. These are expected to drive demand for apartments in the companys markets in the to-be-reported quarter. Further, apartments in regions of technology and innovation are expected to produce above average rent growth. However, per an Axiometrics study, the national apartment market has been experiencing moderation over the past few quarters, after posting robust results in 2014 and 2015, thanks to the new supply in the high-rent metros. Essex, too, witnessed lower-than-expected revenue growth in the second quarter, mainly in the San Jose and San Francisco metro areas, resulting from high-apartment deliveries in 2016. This trend is expected to persist in the quarter under review also. As such, this high supply is anticipated to restrict the companys growth and hinder increase in rent and occupancies in the to-be-reported quarter. Earnings Whispers Our proven model does not conclusively show that Essex Property will beat on earnings this season. This is because a stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), #2 (Buy) or #3 (Hold) for this to happen. However, that is not the case here as you will see below. Zacks ESP: The Earnings ESP, which represents the percentage difference between the Most Accurate estimate of $2.75 and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.76, is -0.36%. Zacks Rank: Essex Property currently has a Zacks Rank #3. Though a favorable Zacks Rank increases the predictive power of ESP, the companys negative ESP makes our surprise prediction difficult. We caution against stocks with a Zacks Rank #4 or 5 (Sell rated) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions. Please check our Earnings ESP Filter that enables you to find stocks that are expected to come out with earnings surprises. Stocks That Warrant a Look Here are a few other stocks in the REIT sector that you may want to consider, as our model shows that they have the right combination of elements to report a positive surprise this quarter: CubeSmart CUBE has an Earnings ESP of +2.78% and a Zacks Rank #2. The company will release results on Oct 27. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. MAA has an Earnings ESP of +0.67% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company will report results on Oct 27. Post Properties Inc. PPS has an Earnings ESP of +1.24% and a Zacks Rank #2. The company will declare results on Oct 31. Note: FFO, a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs, is obtained after adding depreciation and amortization and other non-cash expenses to net income. All earnings per share numbers presented in this write up represent FFO per share. Confidential from Zacks Beyond this Analyst Blog, would you like to see Zacks' best recommendations that are not available to the public? Our Executive VP, Steve Reitmeister, knows when key trades are about to be triggered and which of our experts has the hottest hand. Click to see them now>> 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 POST PPTYS INC (PPS): Free Stock Analysis Report MID-AMER APT CM (MAA): Free Stock Analysis Report ESSEX PPTY TR (ESS): Free Stock Analysis Report CUBESMART (CUBE): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research STRASBOURG (Reuters) - French police will look into a scuffle in the European Parliament between two members from the UK Independence Party, which left one in hospital with a head injury, the speaker of the EU legislature said on Wednesday. President Martin Schulz said an internal inquiry he commissioned had been unable to reconcile the accounts of Mike Hookem, UKIP's defense spokesman, and Steven Woolfe, who collapsed after the incident. No witnesses had come forward. "Given the seriousness of the reported facts and their possible criminal implications, further evidence is needed to clarify this matter," Schulz told the chamber. "Therefore ... I have referred this matter to the competent French authorities." Last week, Woolfe, who suffered seizures and spent several days in a Strasbourg hospital, pulled out of the race to succeed fellow MEP Nigel Farage as UKIP leader and quit the party. He said it had become "ungovernable" since it secured its goal of taking Britain out of the EU in a June referendum.[nL8N1CN57V] Hookem, 62, denied punching Woolfe, 49, outside a party meeting in the Strasbourg parliament building on Oct. 6. The former soldier said it had been "handbags at dawn".[nL5N1CD2OQ] Schulz said that depending on the outcome of investigations he would consider sanctions, which can include suspensions from voting and a fine of up to about 3,000 euros [nL5N1CD2GF]. ($1 = 0.9154 euros) (Reporting by Alastair Macdonald; Editing by Angus MacSwan) By Julia Fioretti BRUSSELS (Reuters) - EU states agreed a preliminary compromise on Wednesday on lowering the caps for how much mobile telecoms operators can charge each other to keep their customers connected while abroad, easing concerns that a flagship EU policy to end retail roaming fees could backfire. Anxious to revive support for the European Union amid a surge in nationalism of the kind that saw Britain vote to quit the bloc, the EU has trumpeted a scheme that will end the unpopular practice of operators charging additional fees when people make calls or use the Internet in other EU countries. But the looming end to retail roaming fees next June was accompanied by concerns that, without an agreement to lower the cap on the wholesale charges operators impose on each other to make the roaming system work, some firms might stop offering the service or recoup lost revenue by jacking up prices at home. Wholesale charges for data had been the main sticking point. EU envoys backed a proposal by Slovakia, which holds the rotating EU presidency, to set a glide path for wholesale roaming data charges that will see them capped at 1 euro cent per megabyte -- 10 euros per gigabyte -- in June and decreasing to 0.5 euro cent per megabyte from June 2021, a spokeswoman for Slovakia said. The average over five years is 0.73 euro cent per megabyte, lower than the cap originally proposed by the executive European Commission, 0.85 euro cent per megabyte. Sending a holiday snap can consume about a megabyte. They also backed a Spanish proposal that would let operators hosting EU tourists on their networks charge more than the wholesale cap in exceptional circumstances if they are unable to recover their costs, she said. Breaching the cap will need prior approval from regulators. However the surcharge will be limited so that the final amount a foreign operator will have to pay will not exceed 8.50 euros per gigabyte, meaning that operators would only have an incentive to levy a surcharge from 2019 onwards, when the wholesale cap dips below that level. Wednesday's agreement still needs to be confirmed by ministers in December and be approved by the European Parliament before becoming law. The parliament is pushing for lower caps on wholesale charges, meaning the final cap is likely to be lower than that agreed on Wednesday. Big differences in domestic prices make an EU-wide wholesale cap that suits all 28 member states elusive. Countries in northern and eastern Europe with low domestic prices and generous packages favor lower wholesale caps than those in the tourist-magnet south. "There are no magic numbers," said a diplomat. (Editing by Alastair Macdonald) By Gabriela Baczynska TEHRAN (Reuters) - Promises of more help for Afghan refugees made by the European Union aid chief on his visit to Iran this month were not enough to dissuade Mariam Haidari from wanting to head to Europe. She plans to go to Germany to join her husband and three of their children who were among a million-strong wave of irregular migrants to arrive in Europe last year, causing a rift among the bloc's members who struggled to agree on how to deal with them. "Life was very difficult here and my husband was the only breadwinner for the family ... We couldn't afford the living expenses," said Haidari, who was at a refugee administration center in Tehran when EU humanitarian affairs commissioner, Christos Stylianides visited the facility. To help stem the influx, the bloc is increasing aid to certain countries on migrant routes in the hope of persuading people there to stay put. So far these have included Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and some African countries. Now the EU is trying this strategy in Iran, which sits on the main transit route for Afghan refugees -- the second-largest group after Syrians to have reached Europe by sea last year. In Tehran, Stylianides announced the doubling of EU humanitarian aid to Iran to 12.5 million euros this year, with a special focus on education and health services for Afghan refugee children. "It's better to be close to your home and move back when the situation gets better than to be far away," Stylianides said. "It's better for Afghan refugees to integrate in this society than in Europe. Here it's the same religion, similar mentality, culture. It's much harder in, let's say, Germany." IRAN TIES Iran has only recently become more accessible to such EU diplomacy, enabled by a tentative rapprochement after a landmark agreement last year for Tehran to scale down its nuclear program and the West to ease its hard-hitting sanctions. The EU hopes humanitarian aid could help re-establish ties with Iran, an Islamic republic of some 78 million people, which has a high number of executions and ranks second in the world on the highest number of imprisoned journalists. Freedom of expression, rights of ethnic and religious minorities and women there all are a major concern for the bloc. But during his visit Stylianides carefully avoided criticizing Iran on that, instead playing up the need to rebuild ties with Tehran to be able to engage more on the ground. EDUCATION Nevertheless, EU's aid to Iran fades compared to 3 billion euros the bloc promised to Turkey for its help in managing migration. Iranian officials said foreign aid covers only about 6 percent of the cost of hosting the Afghan refugee community and said the EU should do more. "I would call it an investment for the European Union, any kind of support to the education system," said Hamid Shamsaldili at Iran's Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants Affairs. "Any kind of support to this country will prevent these people from going to European countries." The situation of Afghan refugees in Iran is often dire. Iran has hosted the large refugee community for more than 30 years now as Afghans first fled the Soviet invasion, then the long Taliban insurgency and now Islamic State attacks. A third of them have a formal refugee status with some limited benefits. But the other two millions are "undocumented", meaning that for generations they have had no access to education, jobs or healthcare. Last year, as its ties with the West started to improve slowly, Tehran allowed children of the "undocumented" Afghan refugees to attend public primary schools. Aid groups on the ground say some 48,000 such children enrolled in 2015. It was the first time Western aid agencies could reach out to this large and extremely vulnerable group. "There has been quite a lot of hope, from the Iranian authorities as well as from our side, that this political opening will create more funding options," said Olivier Vandecasteele, the Norwegian Refugee Council's head in Iran. "So far it has raised interest but it hasn't translated into any additional huge funding decisions." At the time of Stylianides' visit, Swedish officials were in Tehran to pick 157 Afghans for resettlement, a tiny share of the large numbers of such requests. It is mostly the younger Afghans who want to go to Europe but EU's asylum acceptance rates for them are low. And they face dangers along the way: For those crossing the Mediterranean, as most Afghan refugees do, the UNHCR said 2016 is shaping up to be the deadliest year yet. (Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky) By Robert-Jan Bartunek and Philip Blenkinsop BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgian politicians failed to break their deadlock over a planned EU-Canada free trade agreement on Wednesday, but agreed to resume talks on Thursday in a sign they may be nearing a consensus that would keep the deal alive. The news prompted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to call off plans to fly to Brussels on Wednesday night. He had been due to sign the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) at a summit on Thursday. CETA, seven years in the making, is backed by all 27 other EU governments but rejected by the French-speaking south of Belgium, meaning Belgium as a whole cannot sign it. Prime Minister Charles Michel worked with the heads of Belgium's regions and linguistic communities to produce a common text to allay concerns about agricultural imports and a dispute settlement system that critics say could be abused by multi nationals to dictate public policy. "We made a lot of progress, but we are not there yet. We will continue tomorrow, but we are close to an agreement," Oliver Paasch, the head of Belgium's 76,000-strong German-speaking community, told reporters after a third joint meeting on Wednesday. Trudeau has been ramping up pressure on the EU in recent weeks, saying the bloc would show it was on the wrong path if it could not sign a deal with a progressive nation like Canada. "The Canadian delegation will not be travelling to Europe tonight. Canada remains ready to sign this important agreement when Europe is ready," said Alex Lawrence, spokesman for Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland. Lawrence, speaking by phone, said Canada would not be making any further comment until Thursday. The resumption of talks in Belgium is set for 1000 CET (0800 GMT). Foreign Minister Didier Reynders said a meeting of ambassadors from other EU countries was set for an hour later. "We will see if it is possible to go to that meeting with a joint Belgian position," he said. Story continues European Council President Donald Tusk said earlier that the chances of the EU-Canada summit taking place on Thursday were waning. Belgium's centre-right government backs CETA as it stands, but its stance is only shared by the Dutch-speaking Flanders region, where a majority of Belgians live. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told the European Parliament he was optimistic there would be a deal. Paul Magnette, Socialist premier of the Walloon region, which has led opposition to a deal, said he was not looking for Ottawa to relaunch negotiations. "We still have some problems in Europe and Belgium and we're doing our best to solve them," he told reporters. Tusk said there would be consequences for Europe's global position if it failed to strike a deal with Canada, "the most European country outside Europe and a close friend and ally." British trade minister Liam Fox said the CETA difficulties showed the importance of Britain reaching an agreement over its future relationship with the EU before it leaves the bloc. Canada hopes the trade agreement will reduce its reliance on the United States as an export market. John Manley, the head of the Business Council of Canada, which represents the country's largest companies, said CETA should not be confused with a trade deal being negotiated between the EU and the United States, the larger and even more contentious Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. "CETA is not TTIP. It is not a stalking horse for TTIP," he said. (Additional reporting by David Ljunggren in Ottawa and Kylie MacLellan in London; Editing by Robin Pomeroy, James Dalgleish and Lisa Shumaker) microsoft surface studio It's an obvious comparison: Microsoft's new Surface Studio all-in-one PC is the company's answer to Apple's iMac. But it's wrong. Yes, it's also a big ol' sharp screen attached to a base, but the Surface Studio is designed to do much more than let you type and point and click around. While the iMac makes a great desktop for casual consumer, the Surface Studio is targeted more for pros who want to create. The entire screen folds down so you can work and draw on it, whether you're composing music or drawing 3D models. Plus it has that clever Surface Dial, a unique physical scroll wheel (see below), for even more control over your work. The Studio isn't a computer. It's an entirely new computing category, a sort of desktop-tablet hybrid that already has people excited. And it's new proof that Microsoft, once derided as boring and out of touch, has become one of the most innovative companies in tech. dial1 More From Business Insider Former Rep. Joe Walsh, R-Ill., in 2012. (Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP) Former Illinois Rep. Joe Walsh started a firestorm on Wednesday afternoon when he tweeted that he would be grabbing a musket if Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump loses the election to Democrat Hillary Clinton on Nov. 8. On November 8th, I'm voting for Trump. On November 9th, if Trump loses, I'm grabbing my musket. You in? Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) October 26, 2016 But in a conversation with Yahoo News as an avalanche of responses to his post began rolling in, Walsh explained that he merely was talking metaphorically and not about actual violence. Im not talking about inciting violence. Im saying, If Trump loses, man, game on, grab your musket. Were going to protest. Were going to boycott. Were going to picket. Were going to march on Washington. Were going to stop paying taxes. Were going to practice civil disobedience. Whatever it takes, Walsh explained. Walsh, who became a conservative talk-radio host after he left office in 2013, said his reference to a musket, an outdated Revolutionary War-era weapon, should have made it obvious that he wasnt seriously advocating an armed response to the election. What the heck! A musket! For the life of me, its like the left has no sense of humor, Walsh said. I mean, a musket, what damage could a musket do? What if i had said grab your slingshot? Walsh continued to argue that a musket was benign compared with modern weaponry. If I wanted to get booted off Twitter or Facebook I would have said, Grab your gun and follow me to D.C.! But grab your musket? Im talking metaphorically, said Walsh. We have to do what we have to do. We have to practice civil disobedience to get this country back. Walsh predicted all hells going to break out if Trump loses. With Trump far behind in the polls, Walsh conceded there are even odds Clinton might win. Story continues Im not going to be a Sean Hannity, Walsh said referencing the pro-Trump Fox News host. Ill give you the straight truth. I think its 50-50, maybe a little less. I think Hillarys got a lead right now. Predictive models based on the polls peg her chances at closer to 90 percent. Though Walsh insisted he is not encouraging violence, he vowed to take action if Clinton is elected. As a former congressman, I dont mind telling you that Im going to grab my musket, and I am going to implore the millions of people who dont want Hillary in the White House to do things weve never done: civil disobedience, stop paying taxes, whatever its going to take, Walsh said. Yahoo News also asked Walsh who would be the first up against the hypothetical wall when and if his postelection revolution comes. He said the anger would first likely be directed at members of his own party. Well, Ill give you a hint. It probably wouldnt be a Democrat. It would probably be somebody in the Republican Party establishment who sold out, because part of what Im saying too is grab a musket means its time for another party, explained Walsh. The Republican Party of [House Speaker] Paul Ryan and these squishballs. The Republican Party thats let us down, they would have to be replaced. Walsh previously sparked controversy with militant tweets. In July, after police officers were killed by a sniper at a protest against the killings of African-American men by law enforcement, Walsh tweeted a warning to President Obama. This is now war. Watch out Obama. Watch out black lives matter punks. Real America is coming after you, Walsh wrote. Walsh subsequently told CNN he wasnt trying to incite violence against Barack Obama and was just expressing anger at the presidents comments that minorities are more likely to be shot or searched by police. The tweet about Obama motivated some critics to report Walsh to the Secret Service. However, Walsh told Yahoo he never heard boo from law enforcement about the post. He said the uproar over his more recent tweet is a similar situation. Already here we go again with all this hate, Walsh said of his critics. I think the Secret Service or the FBI would look at that and theyd say, Are you serious? A musket? Come on.' Walsh does not currently own a musket and doesnt know what you could do with a musket these days. He is interested in purchasing one, however. Im in the market for one. Wouldnt it be kind of cool to have a musket? Walsh asked. By Lauren Hirsch (Reuters) - Dr Pepper Snapple Group Incwill@cvradio.com LOGAN Police have released the identity of the Logan man who was killed in a single vehicle accident Tuesday night near 1400 North 1000 West. Logan City Police Capt. Curtis Hooley said 33-year-old Ryan J. Udy was pronounced dead at the scene after the car he was driving struck a traffic light pole. He was reportedly driving southbound. The accident occurred around 8:20 p.m. Witnesses told officers the car Udy was driving went through the intersection and drove straight into the pole. They stated it did not appear he braked and there was no other vehicles involved. When officers arrived on the scene they found Udy unresponsive and pinned inside the car. Paramedics and fire personnel extricated him while attempting life saving measures unsuccessfully. Hooley said toxicology tests were conducted to determine if Udy was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The results will not be available for weeks. The road was partially blocked while crews cleared the accident. The crash remains under investigation. Funeral services are being arranged.
will@cvradio.com Montana State University Billings will add more than $1 million to its scholarship endowments, thanks to a gift from the Haynes Foundation. MSUB Foundation President Bill Kennedy announced the endowment on Wednesday. The Haynes Foundation endowment of $1,165,749 will add to MSUB's scholarship bank in perpetuity. "It keeps on building our endowment to help more Montana students," Kennedy said. The Haynes Foundation has previously awarded scholarships to MSUB students in the past. Kennedy said that 965 students have received them since 1983. But the endowment will keep that scholarship at the Billings university. The scholarship will go to undergraduate students who were previously at Montana high schools. The Haynes Foundation is named for Jack and Isabel Haynes, who owned and operated The Haynes Picture Shop in Yellowstone National Park. The family photographs were well-known to park visitors. The foundation was formed in 1958. The gift will add to the MSUB Foundation's nearly $22 million in endowments. That foundation is the main fundraising and scholarship arm of MSUB. Police in Minot, N.D., are asking for help to locate a missing person who authorities believe may be in Billings. The family of Stuart Robert Bothwell, 63, has been unable to reach him, according to the Billings Police Department. He recently retired and has been seen in the downtown area in Billings, as well as the West End. | BY Ricki Green | Creative independent agency YOLO has won the Campos Coffee account in a non-competitive pitch. YOLOs work with Campos Coffee will include brand essence development, integrated campaigns, content strategy and development, outdoor, internal communications and culture development, as well as elements of in-store design. The YOLO team has already travelled to Costa Rica, El Salvador, and they will soon travel to Kenya, to shoot campaigns and short films that bring the Campos Coffee brand, and its origins in supporting the farmers and communities that produce its coffee, to life. Says Justine Metcalfe, creative partner at YOLO, on the Campos Coffee win: Its invigorating to work with a company and leader (founder Will Young) that is genuinely making the world a better place. Ive seen firsthand the work Campos is doing; its incredible. It makes every cup of Campos coffee I drink taste that little bit better knowing the back story. Were really proud of the work we are doing with Campos, and we look forward to working together for a very long time. Says Will Young, president and founder of Campos Coffee: For more than 10 years Ive been trying to express our brand, and YOLO have helped us do this. In regards to the brand work they have already produced what they have developed, I couldnt have expressed it better myself. The team at YOLO are true partners theyre invested in every aspect of our business constantly thinking about what we can do and how we can grow. Were very happy to be working with them. The first of YOLOs brand work for Campos Coffee launched earlier this month on the Campos Coffee website. | BY Ricki Green | Carat Brisbane has recruited UMs former head of partnerships, Emma Weston, to lead the charge on one of the agencys biggest clients, appointing her the new group business director on Tatts Group. Westons considerable talent and experience make her an exciting acquisition for the agency, with her appointment the result of a comprehensive recruitment process. A Brisbane-native, Weston is well-respected in market, having spent 10+ years working on both media owner and agency side, including successfully leading the McDonalds account at UM since 2013. Carat Brisbane managing director, Gab Merrick, emphasised Westons client service and stakeholder management skills as a key factor in her selection. Says Merrick: Im very excited about Emmas addition to the Carat team. She is an outstanding individual with an exceptional work ethic and a proven ability to challenge long held beliefs in a sensitive and articulate manner. I have no doubt she will be a hands on GBD, supporting the team internally and leading our overall offering for Tatts Group. Says Weston of her appointment: I am passionate about the dynamic industry we find ourselves in and impressed with the direction Carat is evolving its offering in the Brisbane market. I am confident that together we will navigate this complex landscape for the benefit of our clients and team. Im excited about the future; the possibilities are endless and I am thrilled to be joining such a strong, established team. The latest addition to the team wraps up an exciting time for Carat Brisbane, with a series of senior hires and promotions now complete, creating a strong offering across client service and planning, strategy and investment. | BY Ricki Green | By Fysh Rutherford, founder, The Yellow Collective Thirty years ago I was invited by Mimmo Cozzolino to assist him on the production of Symbols of Australia, the definitive history of Australian trademarks and branding. At the time Mimmo was heading up All Australian Graffiti a design studio consisting of an Italian, Greek, Pole, Englishman and an Australian. I was writing Iron Outlaw a social satirical comic strip for the National Review. Both of us were concerned with counteracting the Americanisation of Australia. Our television was being flooded with American sitcoms. We were buying American fads of hula-hoops and yoyos by the truckload. And most importantly, we were sending our young blokes off to an American war in Vietnam. All Australian Graffiti explored Australian imagery in a contemporary environment and Iron Outlaw aimed to give Australia its own super hero to battle the Marvel Comics invasion. Symbols of Australia became the perfect vehicle to resuscitate the Australian visual identity. And now 30 years later and in its fifth incarnation, it is still going strong. Thousands of logos and products were collected, photographed and categorised. Brand stories were researched. People were interviewed and corporate archives were raided. When it was all finished, Symbols had started my love affair with branding and allowed me to go on and enjoy a rewarding career in marketing, branding and advertising. Symbols of Australia taught me some valuable lessons. The main one is that a brand is not just a logo. A brand is a relationship between a product and a customer. Branding is the creation of that relationship. It is all about the building of a brand personality and communication language that flags the would-be target and demands their attention. Big successful brands are not just luck. They need planning and consideration to bring them to life. They only grow on a solid brand strategy built on insights about consumer needs. Then they stand the test of time and reward their masters with healthy profits. We can all name our favourite beer, car and restaurant. We go to one hairdresser. We wear a certain brand of jeans. All these brands are badges for who we are. Chesty Bond, Vegemite, Aspro, Redhead matches, Vic Bitter, Jaffas are all great Australian brands that live in our hearts. This is the real power of brands. But are things changing? We are now moving into a period where Brand Awareness is dictating the brand name and look. Search terms used as URLs are becoming the new brand leaders carsales.com.au, realestate.com.au, carloans.com.au. That is it, the brand name, brand logo and brand itself. The brand name is one-dimensional. It is aimed at getting a high search optimisation and that is the only desired outcome. Brand personality and identity recall are non-existent. All they want is for you to pragmatically go to a website and they will lead you on the pathway to purchase from there. With the increased emergence of Artificial Intelligence, the next stage of branding will be using brand algorithms to have the brand talk to your intelligent phone. It will then decide whether you need to know about that brand offering, editing out anything that doesnt suit your desired profile. For the moment, however, we are still leaving it up to the consumer to decide what brands they like and who they want to be associated with. One of the modern spins on branding is that the Brand is the promise you make and The Customer Experience is the promise you keep. Im reminded of the Brilliantine Cream and Shampoo Company in Sydney who in 1938 labelled their brand as Bonza Sheen and their customer promise as The sheen that dazzles. We may think we have come a long way with the science of branding, but have we? The engaging idea has never gone out of fashion. People will either love your product or they will not. A logo with a backstory and an idea will go a long way to generating that love. At the end of the day we all like branding that has a bonza sheen. For a copy of Symbols of Australia, click here. Fysh Rutherford is currently transitioning out of the T20 Group, where he has been a partner and creative director for the last 14 years. He is now focused on offering his expertise through his own brand consultancy the Yellow Collective Pty Ltd. | BY Ricki Green | IAB Australia has established a Viewabilty Taskforce to provide guidance and education around Viewability for the Australian market. The Taskforce members, who come from a range of digital industry organisations, was set up several months ago to develop a consistent definition and understanding of viewability which will enable publishers, agencies and advertiser to have more informed conversations about what they are buying or selling. The Taskforce is currently working on a whitepaper which will be released in November and it has flagged its intention to extend its focus beyond viewability and into a broader range of ad effectiveness measures over the coming months. IAB Australia has been working closely with industry on the topic of viewability, providing industry guidance more than a year ago around the use of MRC accredited vendors and the value of premium placements. It supports the IAB US viewability measures which were announced in 2014 and have since been refined and extended to cover video, mobile web and mobile in-app. Viewability, which is about the opportunity to see rather than engagement or ad effectiveness, sets the baseline for measuring advertising effectiveness. As a result defining and understanding viewability it is essential for all other aspects of campaign success. Says Vijay Solanki, CEO, IAB Australia: Thanks to the broad range of participants our Taskforce will provide the industry with a diverse and robust perspective on viewability and associated metrics. In late 2015 IAB Australia issued the following guidance to the advertising industry on tracking viewable impressions across digital devices. Viewability is about the opportunity to see. It is not about engagement or ad effectiveness. Non-measured impressions do not equal impressions that are not viewable. Non-measured impressions do not equal fraudulent impressions. Buyer and Seller should agree on a single measurement vendor ahead of time If employing viewability measurement it is highly recommended that a MRC accredited vendor is used. The basics of the minimum viewability standards recognised across desktop and mobile are; Display has 50% of the pixels in view for 1 second Display video has 50% of the pixels in view for 2 seconds | BY Ricki Green | A scholarship of one copywriting subject at the Miami Ad School, Sydney, has been awarded to top performing Copy School student Robert Boddington (left). He will learn the craft of writing news and advertising in a 10-week subject headed by Storyations head of content, Lauren Quaintance. Boddginton was one of 19 budding copywriters who last week attended Copy School, a five-day course hosted by NewsMediaWorks, where creative advertising veterans share their knowledge and experience. Tutors at the latest Copy School included founder of Big Red Ted Horton, editor of The Spectator Australia Rowan Dean, senior M&C Saatchi copywriter Curt McDonald and creative consultant Mark Sharman. Boddington said he was excited to win the scholarship and keen to build upon his education at Copy School. Says Boddington: The journalistic aspects and the years of experience the Copy School tutors have is really beneficial towards copywriters. Copy School encompassed both the ideas and writing process. Boddington is interested in working at a hands-on, smaller agency and currently runs his own theatre company. Copy School is held several times a year in Melbourne and Sydney. The next Copy School will be held in March next year in Melbourne. | BY Lynchy | DigitasLBi Boston has lured Gary Lim out of BBH Asia Pacific in Singapore to take up the role of VP, Creative Director at the agency. Lim (left) will report to ECD Doug Schiff, who joined DigitasLBi from OgilvyOne China in March this year, after 12 years of working in Beijing. Lim, who was among Creativitys Top Ten Art Directors in 2014, joined BBH from BBDO Singapore in February 2015. At BBDO in both Malaysia and Singapore he worked under ECD Ronald Ng, who is now Chief Creative Officer of DigitasLBi North America. Lim brings a breadth of experience and award-winning work with him. Notable accolades include his work with Jeep for the Two Worlds campaign, which was inducted into the 2014 CLIO Awards Hall of Fame. This Jeep campaign and his 2014 Guinness Draught in a Bottle work were both ranked No.1 most awarded campaigns globally in the Gunn Report. Lim was also instrumental in the creation and development of World Under Water the 2014 FWA Web Project of the Year. During the span of his career, Lim has worked with clients such as IKEA, Nike, Google, Tiger Beer, Guinness, Mercedes-Benz, KFC, MINI, Pepsi and the United Nations. The decision on light rail had been made and the Liberals should "now frame their policy for Canberra that will have light rail and they need to work out what the rest of the vision for the city will look like", he said. "There are so many other critical issues. The debate about this city should not be about light rail, it should be about our economic growth and development." The ACT has ranked top of the nation in a report on community values - but the charity sector has warned the territory not to rest on its laurels with plenty of work still to be done. I felt it important to write in support of Don Roberts, Republican candidate for Senate District 26. Roberts will not vote to sell off public land or take away your health care as those fliers have said. I can assure you that he will represent his constituency, as he did when I served with him in the House of Representatives in 2011. Don takes his marching orders from the people he serves. He will work for jobs and improving the economy by making Montana a place where it is easier to do business. Passage of the industrial relations bills would be a significant political victory for the Turnbull government. Senator Day's vote will be crucial because the government needs nine out of 11 crossbenchers to support the legislation. If he is not present for the votes, he could seek a pair with Labor. New Mexico licenses approved as Real IDs until October 2017 New Mexico drivers licenses and IDs will continue to be accepted as a valid form of identification for entrance to Cannon Air Force Base until Oct. 10, 2017, according to a recent update to the Department of Homeland Security website. Besides state identification, the DoD/military-issued Common Access Card remains a valid form of identification for access to the base. Alternate forms, such as a valid U.S. or foreign passport with a Social Security card or birth certificate also remain accepted. The DHS website explains which state-issued driver's licenses and IDs are Real ID non-compliant at federal facilities, including Air Force installations. For a summary of Real ID Act rules and information, to include compliance, extensions, limited extensions, rules under review, and an up-to-date list of non-compliant states and territories, please visit https://www.dhs.gov/current-status-states-territories. For more information concerning access to Cannon, please contact the Visitors Center at 575-784-2400. The company has signed deals with three companies Huawei, Nokia and Wuhan FiberHome that will provide different elements of the project, which will see Globe move to a flexible cloud-based network infrastructure. Globe president and CEO Ernest Cu said: Globe is deeply committed to give a wonderful experience to our customers by continuing to build and invest on our network. We are confident that our collaboration with Huawei, Nokia and Wuhan FiberHome will translate into a more robust Globe network that will meet the countrys future digital demands. Huawei and Nokia will split the project regionally. Chen Yuhua, the head of Nokia international business, said the company would be responsible for the areas of Visayas and Mindanao. Huawei CEO Kevin Gao signed an agreement covering Luzon. Globe signed another deal with Huawei and Wuhan FiberHome relating to the companys plan to build a fibre infrastructure to support the rollout of fixed broadband lines. With a robust fixed broadband network, more customers will be better served by high speed internet connections. Nokia said that it will provide its 5G-ready AirScale radio access and IP, optical and carrier SDN technology solutions to consumers consumers and enterprise customers as the operator prepares for IoT and 5G. The Globe network will also allow it to support the Philippine governments initiative to further expand the availability of broadband services in the country. Mike Wang, president of Nokia Networks Greater China, said: This is a significant agreement with a longstanding collaborator. It strengthens Nokias position as Globe Telecoms premier end-to-end solution provider. We are committed to delivering technologies that allow operators to smoothly transit to intelligent, virtual networks and seamless connectivity, to change how people communicate and connect. Huaweis Gao said the company hopes to provide high quality products and professional services and work with our Philippine partners to bring a better connected service to this country. Wuhan FiberHome president Zhiqiang Fan said: We believe that FiberHomes expertise in telecommunications over the last 40 years will be of great value to Globe Telecoms infrastructure build. We are proud to contribute to a vision of building a fibre network that will benefit Filipinos nationwide and we look forward to further enhancing our partnership with Globe. In a second frame agreement, Nokia will deliver its integrated IP and optical networking and carrier SDN technologies across the Philippines to enhance the agility, quality, performance, coverage and capacity of Globes enterprise data services network. Globe will use Nokias carrier SDN platform to provide flexible data services such as bandwidth-on-demand nationwide, and expand its offer to enterprise customers, global service providers and local government agencies. A man suspected of assaulting a person with a knife denied federal charges in Billings on Monday. Anthony Youngbear Jr., 20 of Colstrip, pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging him with assault resulting in serious bodily injury and with assault with a dangerous weapon. The indictment, filed on Dec. 21, 2015, accuses Youngbear of assaulting a person identified as K.P. with a knife and causing serious injury on Oct. 2, 2014 at Lame Deer. If convicted Youngbear faces a maximum 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich said authorities had been actively seeking Youngbear but he had been out of state and returned recently. U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn Ostby ordered Youngbear to remain in custody pending a detention hearing. The case will be heard by U.S. District Judge Susan Watters. 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. CI: In context with the recent EU referendum, David Cameron says, "Curbing the number of new arrivals to the UK is the only way Europe can continue strong trade links with the world's fifth-largest economy". What is your take on this? Dr Bali: Cameron is responding to the high levels of immigration currently happening in the UK (in the year to May there was 330,000 net migration), as well as to the popular disquiet with such high levels. The problem for Cameron and the UK is that being in the EU free trade zone(being part of the EU tariff free market) and free movement of people go hand in hand. So far, no country has been able to enjoy free trade without accepting free movement. It is precisely this question that will need to be settled as Britain negotiates its way out of the EU post the referendum. Given that it is unlikely (in the absence of similar feeling being expressed by a number of other countries) that Britain will get a free trade deal while not allowing free movement of people, the country is likely to prioritize stopping free movement over the desire to maintain tariff free trade. That would also reflect the will of the people as expressed in the referendum. CI: How do you think Brexit will affect the relationship of India with the EU? Dr Bali: The effect of Brexit will be mainly felt by Indian companies who have made deep investments in Britain because they saw it as a route into the European market. So companies like Jaguar Land Rover may have to rethink future investment plans in the UK. Also, inasmuch as UK helped commonwealth countries like India within the context of the EU, that help, social, economic, political and cultural will no longer be forthcoming. But India should not have too much difficulty maintaining a good relationship with the EU without Britain, and with Britain independently. There are significant mutual interests on all sides to ensure this happens. CI: Will Brexit from the EU affect higher education opportunities for Indian students? Dr Bali: No, except in the sense that Brexit affects the British University system, making it less collaborative on research with EU, and having less European students coming into it and the possible end of exchange schemes with European Universities like the Erasmus scheme. However, I am sure a new version of Erasmus will arise, as students from Europe will continue to want to study in Britain, as will British students want to do so in Europe, as part of their degree courses. CI: The online programmes provided are interesting, however, on taking up these online courses, where can a candidate be hired? Dr Bali: Many of our distance learning students have taken up jobs in International Organizations and companies and in the governments and armed services of their own countries. Many have jobs in such institutions when they commence study with us, and use the degrees as professional development and career enhancement opportunities, achieving jobs, transfers or promotions as a result of their study. Several students have gone on to PhD programmes in other Universities and have also, in the case of international History students taken up high school teaching. International institutions have no difficulty recognizing distance learning study as a legitimate form of study and treat the degrees thus achieved as they would treat any other degrees. Indian employers also need to recognize such qualifications, if they do not do so already. CI: What are the job opportunities if a student does this course? Dr Bali: BA in Crime, Terrorism and Deviance enables an individual to have critical understanding of crime, terrorism and deviance at both national and international levels and the key issues raised by them. Hence an individual pursuing this programme will be well prepared for a diverse range of thrilling careers, especially those associated with the police, probation and community/social work. Individuals could work with young or adult offenders, drug users or homeless people. They can also enter professions such as teaching, the police, the criminal justice system, the probation service or social services. It also opens options for further postgraduate study. CI: Provide us brief details about the online PGT programmes and the UG course - BA in Crime, Terrorism and Deviance. Dr Bali: Our University offers a huge array of online PGT courses. Some of the relevant ones are described below: MA International Policy and Diplomacy - This three year part time course by the School of Journalism, Humanities and Social Sciences focuses on key issues associated with the way countries of the world survive and co-exist, especially in this era of rapid global changes. Globalization has increased the importance of global governance and policy making and its implementation in a wide range of universal and regional organizations, as well as between states. This course focuses on diplomacy in its complex and wide-range for the purpose of official communication and in the context of the many types of intergovernmental organizations and their links with a growing transnational environment of international non-governmental organizations. MA International Relations- This three year distance learning course focuses on key issues associated with the way countries of the world co-exist in the face of rapid change. The 20th Century underwent innumerable changes in terms of world wars, cold wars, technological changes, changes in the field of communications, trade and culture. It witnessed the mass movement of people and the growth of global economic networks. Thus this course also studies the causes due to which these changes occurred as well as the events that shaped the current society. This courses also focuses on the theoretical tools available to scholars of International Relations, to help them understand and explain the way the world works today. MA International History-This three year distance programme aims to provide a deep insight into historical developments in the twentieth and emerging twenty-first centuries at an international level. It offers a global outlook on relationships between and amongst states over time and the events that occurred in their midst, as well as ways of combining national or regional approaches with respect to world history. MA Terrorism, Crime and Global Security -This three year distance learning course provides students with the opportunity to have a deep insight, understanding and advanced study on terrorism, transnational crime and global security as well as the current problems associated with them. MA Transnational Organized Crime-This three year part time course gives awareness about rapidly changing current issues such as drug trafficking, terrorism, human trafficking, illegal arms trading and financial crime that are major areas of concern for politicians and policy makers. It has also become an important area of research. This course allows learners to study the growth of global anxiety arising as a result of these issues and its new global forms. It enables them to study this phenomenon, its emergence, development and history at a global level, its typical forms, law enforcement responses and the way in which these crimes are represented by news and broadcasting media. BA in Crime, Terrorism and Deviance -This three year full time course enables an individual to have a deep understanding of crime, terrorism and deviance at both national and international levels, especially in context of current day society. Apart from that a student also gains knowledge about the key issues raised by these concepts, explores the relationship between them and the manner in which government and the judicial system respond to them. CI: Who can apply for the above programmes? What are the basic requirements? Dr Bali: For the BA in Crime, Terrorism and Deviance programme the entry requirements are good results (preferably first class) in class 12th. For enrolling into the above mentioned MA programmes, applicants require a good undergraduate degree preferably in a cognate discipline. Language requirements include at least IELTS 6-6.5 or equivalent. CI: Give us a brief description about the scholarship for meritorious students. Dr Bali: Staffordshire University has an extensive scholarship scheme which covers both undergraduate and postgraduate taught international tuition fee-payers. In March 2015 the University introduced a competitive scholarship package of which Indian students can avail. Scholarships offered by Staffordshire University are merit scholarships and as such there is no separate application for the scholarships; students are automatically considered for a scholarship once they apply to Staffordshire. The available scholarships are as follows: Undergraduate Entry Scholarship: As long as students meet the published entry criteria they will receive a 1,000 scholarship for the first year of study. Undergraduate Progression Scholarship: For each subsequent year a student studies at Staffordshire University they will receive a scholarship based on their end-of-year grades: First Class: 2,000 Upper Second: 1,500 Lower Second: 1,000 Once a student holds an unconditional offer to study at Staffordshire University and has paid the tuition fee deposit of 3,500, the University will issue a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) which the student will use to make their visa application. Staffordshire University employs an India Desk Officer, based in Mumbai, who is able to help students through the visa application process. CI: Do tell us about your current research projects? Dr Bali: My research interests lie in a wide spectrum of topics, focusing particularly on the politics of South Asia especially that of India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The politics of international migration, refugee movements and its consequences, as well as security studies particularly in the area of migration and security also interest me. HELENA A southwestern Montana credit union has notified 135 of its members that some of their personal information could have been publicly accessible through its website between April 15 and June 30. Rocky Mountain Credit Union President and CEO Ed Stofko says the information technology staff found a security issue with the website customers used to upload documents while applying for a mortgage. An outside investigation determined it was unlikely that the documents were accessed by an unauthorized person, but the credit union is offering affected members a free one-year membership to credit monitoring and identity theft protection services. The credit union says the security flaw has been repaired. The credit union says the potentially accessible information included an applicant's Social Security number, bank account numbers and driver's license number. Rocky Mountain Credit Union has branches in Helena, Bozeman, Belgrade and Butte. How many times have you rebuked your child to stop using internet and concentrate on studies? Now, it's time for you to rethink your advice and let them be their way for good. Here are some of the latest ways where internet is used to study: Birds of same feather flock together Facebook and whatsapp groups are ways to get connected over a common interest and share your knowledge with one another. While you can update your work and check on your friends in a whatsapp group, one can connect with strangers and share more knowledge in a facebook group. This exchange is like a transfer of knowledge and creates a virtual group studying environment. After google, real people are relied upon to get their doubts cleared through such social media. Sharing is fairing Gone are the days when studying required slogging to write and carrying a stack of papers burdening your back to refer to textual material. At the click of a mobile, a screenshot of the text can be taken and shared across students via messaging apps. Other related links and files can also be shared through this medium that makes reading easy and saves time and energy taken to write and carry the material. You can share documents such as word, PDF, excel sheets and pictures. Voice notes are also used for this purpose Visual treat If your visual aesthetics is active, it is time to use videos for learning. There are umpteen tutorials and teaching material on youtube that explain concepts the practical way. Don't be surprised if you found new interest in your subjects after watching those videos. Science experiments are wonders when visually seen how it is used in practical life. Interactive User Interfaces Technical and difficult terms can be googled and hands on practicals can be experienced through interactive softwares. For instance, there are websites like w3schools.com that allows one to program just with few words in an already written template. This lets you understand the concept of programming and how an output looks. An app a day keeps doubts away Apart from messaging apps, there are interactive and informative apps that keep you updated with latest news about a subject through constant notifications. There are some apps that let the users post their queries and let other users answer them. This makes learning fun and interesting. You can download the apps for free from Google Play or use paid apps if you find them better. The 'No detention' policy implemented by the central government may soon be changed as educationists call for a review of the policy. In a recent meeting conducted by Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) yesterday, the top education advisory granted states the volition to take a decision on the policy in the current school education environment. Chaired by HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar the meeting included discussions on making CBSE Class X board examination compulsory and reviewing the 'no detention' policy. "It was agreed that the Central Government may bring in suitable amendment which will give states the freedom to review the 'No Detention Policy," the minister said and promised to take further discussions about it to the cabinet. "Learning outcomes would be defined and made a part of the Right to Education (RTE) rules," he added, briefing reporters about the crux of the meeting. Union Ministers Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Vijay Goel, Mahendra Nath Pandey and Upendra Kushwaha, besides representatives of all states and union territories including education ministers of 21 states also took part in the meeting. According to Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia who earlier was in support of the 'ND' policy, the policy could be withdrawn in the current scenario and re-introduced later when teachers are given sufficient freedom in teaching. Sisodia also requested Javadekar that the name of HRD Ministry must be changed to Education Ministry and that the budget allocated for this sector must be increased to meet out the current needs. Training untrained teachers within the next five years, accountability of all stakeholders including teachers for improving learning outcomes, comprising a sub-committee under Deputy CM and Education minister of Telangana Kadiyam Srihari to look into issues of girl's education were the other key points dicsussed, it is learnt. Maharashtra government incorporates changes in schools Science is an inevitable part of our life. Even though we hardly give it a though, science makes its presence felt by making extraordinary things possible. It plays a vital role in shaping our life now and in the coming days. The biggest challenge for researchers from all age groups, across the world is to describing science in an easy and comprehensible manner to the people who have no knowledge of science. Communicating the activities of science or wonders of science helps the ordinary individuals understand a researcher and also attract funds for the research he/she need to carry out. FameLab India's Science Competition If you are good at explaining a scientific concept in just three minutes, and you are keen on developing your presentation and communication skills, FameLab is providing you a platform through its Science Competition 2017. Winners of the competition will have chance to travel to Cheltenham Science Festival in the United Kingdom, where they will represent India at the FameLab International grand finale! Eligibility Criteria to apply for the competition: Anyone between the age of 20 and 40 years as of 1 June 2016 and should be: A student of science, mathematics or engineering A scientist or researcher A lecturer in science, mathematics and engineering subjects Applying science, mathematics and engineering in Industry or Government Who is not eligible for the competition? Press of PR officers even for science-related organisations Artists working on science-related themes Performers whose shows depict science or engineering Science centre staff who work exclusively or mainly in public Journalists and broadcasters Non-specialist school teachers How to register for FameLab India's Science Competition? Candidates should read the eligibility criteria before registering for the competition Candidates need to fill in an application form and submit a 3 minute video of their 'science talk' Last date of registration: 30 Oct 2016 Check out this link for more information: https://www.britishcouncil.in/programmes/higher-education/famelab What is the procedure followed? Candidates need to upload a video of their talk on www.britishcouncil.org/famelab Based on the content, clarity and charisma, the judges will select top 30 applicants Shortlisted candidates need to make a 3 minute presentation on a scientific topic with no powerpoint or visual presentations Candidates can carry props if required Top 3 contestants will be selected for the International Finals at Cheltenham, UK. Sometimes its good to be reminded of just how good a car is by giving it go once more. In the case of the Mitsubishi Xpander, its the smal... BISMARCK, N.D. A small two-year college in northwestern North Dakota that offers free tuition to high school graduates in the area is expanding the effort to Montana. Williston State College began the program two years ago in Williams County to increase the number of professionals such as nurses and accountants in the booming oil patch. This year the effort was expanded to the North Dakota counties of Burke, Divide, McKenzie and Mountrail through a related but separate program. Beginning next fall, free tuition will also be offered in Montana's Daniels, Richland, Roosevelt, Sheridan and Valley counties, opening the effort to an additional 600 high school seniors, according to John Miller, the college's acting president. "Eastern Montana is a great service area for WSC, and we have a strong alumni base there," WSC Foundation Executive Director Terry Olson said in a statement. "The time was right to include them." Tuition and fees at the school cost about $170 per credit hour for both North Dakota and Montana residents, according to data from school spokeswoman Natalie Boese. The program in Williams County is funded mainly by the Alva J. Field Memorial Trust, which has contributed $1.8 million, and $900,000 through the North Dakota Higher Education Challenge Fund. The trust is named for a man who was a teacher and community leader in Williston in the early 1900s. The Legislature created the matching grant fund in 2013 to spur philanthropic giving to higher education. The effort in the surrounding North Dakota and Montana counties is funded through local donors, according to Boese. The Williams County Graduate Scholarship and Regional County Scholarship programs so far have awarded about $800,000 to 428 students. The effort has led to record fall enrollments at the college the past two years. More than 40 percent of the 1,039 students enrolled this fall are students who qualify for the program. Students must maintain full-time status, enroll for four consecutive semesters and keep a minimum grade-point average of 2.0. They also must enroll in at least one on-campus course each semester. North Dakota University System Chancellor Mark Hagerott praised the effort in a statement, calling it "innovative" and saying the expansion will give more students "opportunities for success." The U.S. government on Tuesday told banks to include details about cyber attacks when filing mandatory reports on fraud and money laundering, saying that will help battle digital crimes that pose a significant threat to the U.S. financial system. The U.S. government has long required banks to submit confidential reports known as suspicious activity reports, or SARs, in fraud cases involving at least $5,000. The Treasury Departments office of Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, or FinCEN, released an advisory that specifies what details banks should include in SARs when there is a cyber element in the case. The bank should include all available information, FinCEN said in the advisory. That includes describing how the system was breached, IP addresses of computers used by hackers and device identifiers. It is the latest attempt by governments around the world to crack down on cybercrime after $81 million was stolen from Bangladesh Banks account at the New York Federal Reserve Bank. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Mary Jo White earlier this year warned that cyber security shortcomings present the biggest risk to the nations financial system. Valerie Abend, head of the U.S. cybersecurity practice with consulting firm Promontory Financial Group, said the advisory gives banks a clear list of what they need to include in SARs and the purpose. The advisory says what specific pieces of information should be provided to help law enforcement, said Abend, a former Treasury official FinCEN said in it hopes increased that broadening the disclosure requirements will help authorities crack down on financial cyber crimes. Financial institutions can play an important role in safeguarding customers and the financial system from these threats through timely and thorough reporting ofcyber-events and cyber-related information in SARs, FinCEN said in the advisory. (Reporting by Jim Finkle in Boston; Additional reporting by Joel Schectman in Washington.) Most Wyomingites will vote for Republican White House contender Donald Trump, according to a newly released survey conducted by the University of Wyoming. The survey found 58 percent of likely voters preferred Trump, while 20 percent preferred Clinton. Nine percent of respondents said they liked Libertarian Gary Johnson and 2 percent backed Jill Stein, a Green Party candidate who will appear on Wyoming ballots as an independent. In Wyomings race for U.S. House, Republican Liz Cheney holds a 16-point lead over Democrat Ryan Greene, 53 percent to 37 percent. The survey is the only independent scientific poll of the 2016 presidential race in Wyoming. Researchers at the Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center talked to 722 randomly selected Wyoming residents on the telephone Oct. 5-11. The surveys margin of error is plus or minus 3.6 percent. Cheney's campaign manager, Bill Novotny, said the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney will stay focused through Nov. 8. He said a vote for Greene will be a vote for U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California as his party's leader. Pelosi is considered too liberal in some Republican circles. From day one, our campaign has worked hard every day to earn every vote, never taken a single issue or vote for granted and never been outworked," he said. "Liz Cheney outlined that strategy when she launched the campaign in February and we havent deviated from it. That is why she is continuing to travel to communities in every corner of our state to talk directly with voters about their concerns and the changes they want to see in Washington." Greene's campaign manager Max Weiss said many Republicans are backing Greene, a welder, over Cheney, who he said has never worked in Wyoming. "It's discouraging that some survey respondents are supporting a candidate that has never worked in Wyoming, and tried to unseat Sen. (Mike) Enzi," he said. UW political science professor Jim King, who directed the survey, said in a statement that the polls results for president and U.S. House reflect historical trends. Republican candidates have had margins over their Democratic challengers of between 32 percent and 40 percent in the past four presidential elections, he said. This years election appears to fit neatly with this history. Different this year in responses for the presidential race is that most voters are basing their decisions not on support for a particular candidate but on opposition to another candidate, King said. Forty percent of respondents said their vote was in support of a candidate and 59 percent said it was in opposition to another candidate. This pattern appears consistently across Trump, Clinton, Johnson and Stein voters," he said. Three-fourths of the respondents were dissatisfied with the choices between the Republican and Democratic presidential nominees, with 47 percent saying they were very dissatisfied and 27 percent somewhat dissatisfied. UW researchers asked respondents how well specific words or phrases described the two major party candidates. A majority of people thought "intelligent" described both Trump and Clinton. But "has the temperament to be president" didn't describe either. Nearly two-thirds of people polled believed the phrase "can make tough decisions" described Trump well. Roughly the same proportion thought it did not describe Clinton. Bonnie Foster, Trump's campaign director in Wyoming, said she's seen polling showing Trump ahead in the Cowboy State by a similar margin. I am not surprised at those statistics," she said. "Because people are voting for him for the economy. Hes pro-coal and all those things that make us work." The Star-Tribune reached out to a Denver-based spokeswoman in Clinton's campaign for comment. She did not reply. The newspaper also wrote to a woman who works in Clinton's Wyoming office. She did not reply. Bruce Palmer, Wyoming Democratic Party vice president, said he's not surprised that most of Wyoming is backing Trump. I think people should vote for Hillary Clinton because shes the most qualified person," he said. "Former secretary of state, former U.S. senator, and shes running against a guy who is a bigot and seems happy putting it out there. ITASCA STATE PARK, Minn. Teresa Head dreamed the buck before she shot him. The dream came to her the night before the mother of three shot a trophy buck Oct. 15 as part of a Becoming an Outdoors Woman program, she said. She was hunting with a mentor at Itasca State Park near Bemidji, Minn. I told my mentor, I had a dream the night before about a huge buck, said Head, 38, of Duluth, Minn. I said, No he was really big. That evening, Head shot a beautiful 17-point buck that field-dressed at 235 pounds. She had never fired a rifle until a few weeks ago as part of the Becoming an Outdoors Woman class sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. She had signed up for the class because she wanted to start hunting. The reason I wanted to hunt is that I want good food for our family, without antibiotics, Head said in an interview on Tuesday. The hunt was conducted in conjunction with a special youth firearms deer hunt being held in the park last weekend. Women participating in the hunt were permitted to take a deer with a firearm. The buck appears Head was sitting in a ground blind with her mentor in the hunt, Naomi Walker of St. Louis Park, Minn., when Walker caught the bucks movement about 125 yards away. The sun had set about 15 minutes earlier, and the end of legal shooting time was about 15 minutes away. Head and Walker had been sitting back-to-back in the blind, and they quickly traded places so Head could see the buck. It kept moving toward her until it was about 40 yards away, she said. It looked directly at the blind, but because the buck was upwind, it couldnt catch any scent that might have spooked it. At that point, we were having a stare-off, Head said. He went down to eat. I found him in my scope. He moved a little and gave me a broadside shot. I just went for it. The copper bullet from Heads Browning .30-06 rifle passed through both of the bucks lungs and nicked its heart, she would learn later. Other mentors and Heads BOW classmates helped track the buck 150 yards, where they found it lying dead. I think I was a little bit in shock, Head said. All of the women were like, Hes huge. I think I had a moment where I was excited but coming to terms with the fact that this was a beautiful animal, and I took his life. The bucks rack is wide, with a 21-inch antler spread, and the tines are long and symmetrical. Several of the women in the BOW class teamed up to drag the buck from the woods before it was field-dressed. The field-dressing was delayed so that the other women who were hunting as part of the BOW outing could watch, Head said. Head was the only woman in the Becoming an Outdoors Woman class to shoot a buck during the hunt. She and other women in the class taught by Walker had attended three classroom sessions near Forest Lake, Minn., and had practiced shooting their rifles at a shooting range. Head was an excellent shot, Walker said. There was nothing left of the bulls-eye when she was finished, Walker said. She was quite the natural at it. Cool mom Heads children ages 7, 9 and 11 think its cool that she shot her first buck, Head said. Im excited to become a hunting family and teach them, she said. Head and her husband, Michael Head, moved to Duluth from Alaska almost two years ago. Michael works long hours as an electrician, Head said, so when the couple decided they wanted to begin eating their own game, Teresa figured she would become a hunter. I thought, I have the time. I can do it, said Head, who grew up in Florida as the daughter of a single mom. She hopes to become an archery hunter and take part in Duluths city bowhunt. We have six acres. We can hunt on our property, Head said. This is the second year that the Becoming an Outdoors Woman program has held a deer hunt for first-time women hunters, said Linda Bylander, BOW coordinator for the Minnesota DNR. Another BOW hunt will be held this fall at St. Croix State Park near Hinckley. An important part of the BOW program is the social support piece, Bylander said. Our program is all about training them in the skills in a safe, supportive environment. Head says the family has decided to have the buck mounted. I had no indication that Id ever have a mounted deer in the house, which is hilarious, she said. We have a small house. We try to live small. Photo: Thinkstock.com Secondary suites will now be legal in all but two Kelowna neighbourhoods. City council began the process Monday of bringing the remaining neighbourhoods into the fold. The exceptions are Gallagher's Canyon and Eastwood, where wastewater disposal systems can't handle additional residents. Suites were made legal in most single-family areas of the city in 2012, but a number of comprehensive development zones were not included. "There were a couple of zoning applications in 2014 and 2015 in Quail Ridge that precipitated this request from council," said planner Ryan Smith. Along with making construction of secondary suites legal, the city is also doing away with the requirement for a business licence. "If you were to own a duplex and rent out both sides of the duplex, you wouldn't need a business licence. If you rent out a condo, you don't need a business licence. "But, for some reason if you rent out a secondary suite or a carriage house, you do need a business licence. This was not being consistently applied." "The nicest outcome of this is we know there are many illegal suites in the CD zones. It will provide an opportunity for them to become legal, and safe," said Coun. Luke Stack. The zoning change comes as the city finds itself in a rental crunch. The vacancy rate is below one per cent. "From a neighbourhood impact perspective, there was some concern over the years as to how secondary suites would change a neighbourhood," said Smith. "There really isn't any impact, other than providing another housing type." The issue will now go to public hearing. Photo: Heather Wines - CBS Poppy Montgomery - from TV series Unforgettable Kelowna will serve as the backdrop for another made-for-TV movie. Film crews began shooting this week on A Surrogate's Nightmare the latest film from Sepia Films. Crews were set up at Sun City Cherries parking lot on Lakeshore Road, Tuesday. It's the latest in a movie series that included A Mother's Nightmare, A Daughter's Nightmare and A Sister's Nightmare. The Lifetime Network is a project partner on the production. The latest film stars Poppy Montgomery (Unforgettable, Without A Trace); Ty Olsson (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, The 100); Emily Tennant (Juno, I.ROBOT); and Steven Krueger (The Originals, Goosebumps). We are doing things right when production companies are returning year after year with multiple productions," said Okanagan Film commissioner Jon Summerland. The producers describe the movie this way: Following her mother's mysterious death, Angela returns to her hometown after decades away to find her grieving younger sister, Shelley, unable to have a child of her own. Determined to reconnect and make up for lost time, Angela offers to act as a surrogate for Shelley and her husband David, a workaholic who never seems to be home. As her pregnancy advances, Angela is courted by Curt, an old friend with whom she shares a secret past. Meanwhile, cracks begin to form in Shelley and David's marriage, making Angela wonder what kind of family she's saving. As tensions rise and everyone's motives come into question, the secret Angela has been keeping becomes a threat to the baby she is carrying as well as to her own life. Photo: Contributed A Kelowna company is going all-in on the rebuilding of Fort McMurray. BigSteelBox has opened a permanent, new office in the wildfire-ravaged Alberta city. After sending initial relief supplies to Fort Mac in the wake of last summer's devastating wildfire, BigSteelBox saw a need for its storage containers as the city gets back on its feet. The fire destroyed more than 2,400 buildings, and according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada is the costliest insured natural disaster in Canadian history, with $3.5 billion in claims. The sheer number of claims is delaying reconstruction, meaning many people have need for storage units, from property owners to construction crews. This is expected to be the highest new home construction activity Fort McMurray has seen in 20 years, market analyst Tim Gensey wrote in a CMHC report. BigSteelBox lent containers to ship donations and other goods to Fort McMurray in the fire's aftermath. With the extensive rebuilding required, there is an immediate need, but the company says it plans to stay for the long haul. "BigSteelBox will be there to continue provide moving and storage services for residential and commercial customers who are looking for an alternative to traditional moving companies, truck rentals and mini-storage," the company said in a press release. With 17 locations in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario, BigSteelBox is the fastest-growing moving and storage company in Canada. Photo: Contributed The province will be installing free wifi at several rest stops in the province, but not in the Okanagan. Free public Wi-Fi will soon be installed at select rest areas, thanks to a partnership between the Province, Telus and ICBC said Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone. "Our rest areas are critical to the tourism industry, as well as the commercial trucking sector by allowing drivers to rest and access washroom facilities," Stone said. "Earlier this month my ministry committed $9 million in funding over three years to improve the safety, comfort and convenience of rest areas. These improvements, along with the addition of Wi-Fi will be a key part of ensuring we deliver a competitive, world-class travel experience to visitors." Some 25 rest areas throughout the province will eventually have Wi-Fi installed. The following rest areas will have Wi-Fi installed by the spring of 2017, with the additional 20 sites being delivered in the coming years. The first rest stops to go online will be: Britton Creek Highway 5 - 67 kilometres south of Merritt Mt. Terry Fox Highway 16 - 6km east of Tete Jaune Galena Bay Highway 23 - 49km north of Nakusp Glacier View Highway 16 - 7km north of Smithers Taylor River Highway 4 - 37km west of Port Alberni "Expanding our free Wi-Fi network to rest stops along remote highways will complement our ever expanding 4G wireless network, helping travellers stay connected with loved ones, check the weather or traffic, and instantly share great road-trip photos in social media," said Tim Draper, Telus vice-president of sales. Travellers will be able to identify which rest areas have wi-fi by the wi-fi graphic on the rest-area sign. I have written many articles dealing with the connection between poverty and health. Countless studies have shown direct links between all sorts of physical and mental health issues and poverty. Among those living in poverty, we see higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, depression, addiction and stress. Many times, when impoverished patients visit a doctor for a specific health complaint, they dont seem to improve much even when they get the appropriate treatment. Without improvement in the socio-economic areas of life, it is a lot harder to get healthy. A family doctor in Toronto, Gary Bloch, developed a strategy and tool when faced with this problem and now it is helping doctors across the country prescribe income to their patients. Dr. Bloch asked the question, what can doctors do to actually treat our patients income? As a result, he developed a system to use in his own daily practice based on four steps. First, he says, doctors should ask and listen. Doctors need to take time to ask their patients for their stories. Often, the patient will guide the doctor to root causes of surface health issues and this will help the doctor learn what really needs to be addressed. Doctors need to take time to ask their patients for their stories. Often, the patient will guide the doctor to root causes of surface health issues and this will help the doctor learn what really needs to be addressed. Next, he says doctors should prescribe income . For him, this means that based on the individual needs of the patient, the doctor can help address issues such as inadequate housing, income or social supports. . For him, this means that based on the individual needs of the patient, the doctor can help address issues such as inadequate housing, income or social supports. This might mean assisting the patient to access social programs, getting them in touch with an appropriate social worker or agency, helping them fill out necessary forms for disability supports, or other poverty related supports. Third, he suggests doctors actively work to build a poverty team . Building relationships with social workers, nurses and community agencies so the various arms can cooperate to help patients with income-related issues. . Building relationships with social workers, nurses and community agencies so the various arms can cooperate to help patients with income-related issues. Meanwhile, it is very helpful to continue to build skills and stay up to date with available supports, program and legislation in the region. Finally, doctors can add their voices to a demand for social change. Poverty is a leading determinant of health and it must be addressed on a systemic level as well as on an individual basis. Poverty is a leading determinant of health and it must be addressed on a systemic level as well as on an individual basis. Doctors and citizens of all professions and backgrounds can work for change by engaging politically and advocating on behalf of some of our most vulnerable neighbours. I think these four steps are excellent and to complement them, Dr. Bloch also worked to create a poverty screening tool now being widely used by medical associations in our country. It is a four-page brochure offering steps for doctors to use to address poverty in their practices. It is very encouraging to see a cultural shift taking place in Canada with regard to our view of poverty and treatment of it. I hope governments at all levels will take up the challenge to fight poverty and ensure all Canadians can live healthy lives with dignity. This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet. More than 30 staff members from local bars gathered at Hanna's Lounge and Grill Tuesday afternoon to learn a thing or two about saving a life. The Standard, a local association of nightclubs and pubs, in collaboration with Living Positive Resource Centre, organized their second workshop on combating opiate overdoses. Naloxone, a medicine used to block the effects of opiates, can stop overdoses, including those caused by fentanyl. Sheila Kerr, with Living Positive Resource Centre, spent an hour Tuesday explaining to bartenders, servers, and bar managers how to recognize the signs of an opiate overdose, and how to administer the life-saving naloxone through an intramuscular injection. Opiates slow down the central nervous system and can hinder breathing. Those experiencing an overdose may nod off mid-sentence, and exhibit signs of troubled breathing. It's not just affecting people who use substances regularly, it's something that people need to be aware of even if they are doing a little bit of coke recreationally maybe once a month, maybe once a year, Kerr said. This is something that could impact them and could kill them. The dangers of an opiate overdose has moved from mainly heavy opiate users to more casual party drug users in recent months, thanks to fentanyl showing up in recreational drugs like cocaine. A Kamloops man was killed in Kelowna in September after using cocaine, suspected to be laced with fentanyl, with friends after a wedding. Kerr says there have been multiple cases of fentanyl showing up in cocaine locally in recent months. These kinds of things can certainly happen in licensed establishments now, more so than ever previously, she said. David Habib, owner of the Liquid Zoo and chair of The Standard, said it's important to have staff in a position to save someone's life. Being in the industry, we're a little concerned that it's not if it's going to happen, it's just where and when, Habib said. It was exciting to see that many people partaking in this educational program to bring that sort of awareness in the community. Habib said the Liquid Zoo is currently carrying naloxone kits and every other bar and nightclub in town either has the kits or is in the process of getting some. Anyone of any age age can purchase naloxone from most pharmacies. Additionally, RCMP officers are carrying the potentially life-saving substance. B.C. is in the midst of an overdose crisis, with 555 overdose deaths in the first nine months of 2016, compared to 508 in all of 2015. Roughly 61 per cent of overdose deaths in 2016 involved fentanyl. I've been involved with the organization since 1999, so just over 17 years, and I have never seen things at this level, Kerr said. This year I've lost more clients than any year combined. Photo: Contributed The Southeast Kelowna Irrigation District has issued a boil-water notice for some of its customers. The notice is for those users on the surface water system. It's in effect until further notice. The notice was issued after a property owner ruptured a 16-inch water main on an easement running through his property. The contractor hired by the property owner proceeded with the excavation without obtaining the location of the water main from the district. Increased flow from the water main break overwhelmed the chlorine system at the district intake, requiring a boil-water notice be issued. The break has been isolated, and the chlorine system will be reactivated shortly. However, untreated water has entered the distribution system and it will take a few days to insure it is flushed and chlorine levels are back up to standards. During a boil-water notice, tap water used for drinking, brushing teeth or rinsing ready-to-eat-foods should be brought to a rolling boil for one minute. Owners of all public facilities must post boil-water notices at all sinks or drinking water fountains accessible to the public (alternatively, public fountains and taps may be turned off). Photo: Contributed A teenager who was beaten, sexually assaulted and forced into a Winnipeg river told her attacker Tuesday she continues to suffer the physical and emotional pain of an attack that almost claimed her life. The girl, who cannot be identified under a court order, wrote a one-page victim impact statement for the sentencing hearing of Justin Hudson, 22, who pleaded guilty last December to two counts of aggravated sexual assault. "I remember only parts of it. Dark. Cold. Pain," the statement reads. "I am a real person. A human being. And you hurt me terribly, an injustice for which you are now paying the consequence." The girl ended up in the Assiniboine River, but managed to drag herself from the water 100 metres downstream only to be beaten unconscious with a hammer and left for dead. A teenage boy was also charged in the attack. His case remains before the courts. The victim, who was 16 at the time of the November 2014 attack, almost froze to death on the banks of the river. She was found the next morning by a passerby. She was taken to hospital and her heart stopped for 45 minutes. She went on to become an advocate for a national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women. "When I regained consciousness, my entire body was screaming with pain. More pain than I have ever known or thought possible. It was you who did that to me, through your wilful actions and decisions," her statements reads. "I feel sad. Angry, confused. It's more than those words can possibly convey. The pain is a heavy weight for me to carry." Hudson is also to be sentenced for another attack later that night on a 23-year-old woman. She was also sexually assaulted and severely beaten, and spent three days in hospital with a concussion and severe facial injuries. "I don't like to be out after dark anymore. When I am, I have to be on the phone talking with someone until I am safe at home," the woman's statement reads. Crown attorney Debbie Buors told court she will seek a life sentence with no parole eligibility for at least seven years when the hearing continues in December. Hudson has been in custody since his arrest, so with credit for time served, he could be on parole in as little as four years under Buors's recommendation. The defence has yet to reveal what sentence it will seek. Buors produced a report from a psychologist who examined Hudson and found him to display very anti-social traits and to be a high risk for further violence. The two victims were strangers to Hudson not unusual for Hudson, the psychologist report states Photo: Getty Images The three Canadian cruise ship passengers charged in Australia with drug smuggling are scheduled to appear in a Sydney courtroom Wednesday. Andre Tamine, 64, Isabelle Lagace, 28, and Melina Roberge, 23, were arrested in late August after the MS Sea Princess, operated by California-based Princess Cruises, berthed in the Australian metropolis. A spokesperson for the New South Wales Department of Justice says the court appearance is an opportunity for the accused to indicate whether they intend to enter a plea. Detection dogs helped police allegedly find 95 kilograms of cocaine in their suitcases, according to Australian Border Force commander Tim Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald alleged at the end of August that 35 kilograms of cocaine were found in suitcases in a cabin the women shared and 60 kilograms were discovered in the man's luggage in a separate cabin. The drugs were worth an estimated $30.5 million. The three face potential life sentences if convicted. Photo: CTV The B.C. SPCA says it has launched an investigation into the death of a sturgeon that was controversially being kept at a new mega mall in Tsawwassen. Spokeswoman Lorie Chortyk says the agency opened a file after the 1.5-metre-long fish, which lived in a giant fresh water tank at a newly-opened sporting goods store, was euthanized. Bass Pro Shops says in a statement that the sturgeon was euthanized after it was examined by veterinarians, who determined it had "internal complications." The statement does not say what the complications were, but it does say the condition likely developed before the fish was brought to the store at Tsawasseen Mills outlet mall. An online petition had previously been created, calling for the fish to be removed from the store. Chortyk says the SPCA investigates any time it receives a complaint of animal cruelty, and the agency gathers evidence that could be turned over to Crown counsel if it is determined charges could potentially be laid. Drastic budget cuts are coming at North Dakota State University. The schools new president said in a campus-wide email Tuesday that significant reductions will be necessary due to decreasing enrollments over the past several years. David Cook describes the cuts as incredibly difficult. The north Fargo campus is facing a $10.5 budget shortfall for the next biennium. Cook says he has asked the school's deans to help with rightsizing and reorganizing the academic enterprise and creating new programs to meet workforce needs. The email does not mention layoffs. Cook says most of the NDSUs money comes from tuition and state revenue, both of which are dependent on student numbers. Enrollment at the university is at a 15-year low. Photo: CTV - File photo The City of Vancouver says outreach workers are helping about two dozen people move into a shelter after the homeless camp they were staying at was deemed unsafe. City spokesman Tobin Postma says the camp where up to 70 tents were erected in July will be dismantled over the next few days as residents are transferred to a Salvation Army shelter a few blocks away. Postma says people will be provided with a mat to sleep on, but anyone who wants to move to another shelter on Nov. 1 would have a bed. A release from the city says that since the camp started last summer, over 65 calls have been made to police, an ambulance has been called out about 20 times, and the fire chief has twice issued orders for campers to remove hazardous material. Postma says a social housing project slated to be built at the site will provide about 250 units along with an integrated health centre, though construction is not set to begin for four or five years. Maria Wallstam of the Carnegie Community Action Project says Vancouver urgently needs more housing now because up to 1,000 people are sleeping outside every night in the city's downtown core. Photo: The Canadian Press The international trade minister is pushing back at her Conservative rival's accusations in the House of Commons that she's in need of "adult supervision." Chrystia Freeland first heard the remark Monday during question period, when Tory trade critic Gerry Ritz levelled a withering broadside over her failure to seal the contentious Canada-EU trade deal. On Tuesday, she heard something similar but this time, she was prepared. Freeland, 48, says it's a privilege for her to represent her country in trade negotiations, saying she's "all in" for Canada. She says she's proud of the things she's done in her life, from being raised in northern Alberta to being the mother of three children in Toronto, as well as the work she's done as a member of the Liberal government in representing her constituents. Freeland says everyone in the House of Commons is an adult, and it undermines the institution to suggest otherwise. "I am 48 years old I think I have the wrinkles and the grey hair to prove it and I'm proud of the things I've accomplished in my life," Freeland said later outside the Commons. "It was surprising to me to hear a member question whether another member of the House was an adult. We're all adults in the House of Commons, and I think it diminishes us all to suggest otherwise." On Monday, Ritz a Saskatchewan MP and former agriculture minister accused Freeland of having a "meltdown" and "throwing in the towel" last week when she walked out on trade talks in Brussels, frustrated over persistent opposition from a holdout region of Belgium. "Since the trade minister is incapable or unwilling to do her job and ratify this vital trade deal, will the prime minister grab some adult supervision, get on a plane, and go back over to Brussels and get this job done?" he demanded. The remark touched off a minor flurry of reaction on Twitter and elsewhere on the social media plane, with some observers suggesting there was a sexist subtext to Ritz's attack. Then on Tuesday, the Conservative MP appeared to double down. "When the now-trade minister was in opposition as trade critic, she said, 'Mr. Speaker, on CETA, we in the Liberal party are adults'," he said. "Unfortunately, she was unable to follow her own advice last week as she stormed out of the room during important talks. Photo: The Canadian Press More than 90,000 litres of diesel have yet to be accounted for after a group overseeing cleanup of a spill from a submerged tug on British Columbia's central coast said the tanks aboard the Nathan E. Stewart have been pumped out. Heiltsuk Nation Chief Marilyn Slett said members of her First Nation were on local beaches Tuesday trying to limit pollution after fuel soiled the shoreline along the renowned Great Bear Rainforest on B.C.'s central coast. "The crews have been raking the beaches physically with a rake to try and bring up the diesel that's trapped. We understand the diesel's trapped up to eight inches below the surface and then they flush it out with water and then they repeat that," she said. A joint report issued by the American tug owner and federal, provincial and First Nations representatives said 110,131 litres of an oil-water mixture have been recovered. An estimate of the amount of diesel that leaked from the tug is not expected for several days, said an information officer at the joint unit command. Officials said the tug was loaded with 226,840 litres of when it ran aground just west of Bella Bella on Oct. 13, and nearly 25,000 litres were removed before the vessel settled under nine metres of water in Seaforth Channel. A shellfish harvesting closure was imposed the next day, and an oily sheen and oiled shorelines along sections of Seaforth Channel were reported soon after. The joint report said one oiled bird was also observed. "There's oil that's been discovered in at least three coves in Seaforth Channel," said Slett. "We're really concerned about the amount of oil we've been discovering on the beaches." Slett said she took a tour by helicopter of the spill area and noticed oily sheens in the water. She said she also saw a humpback whale near the spill site. Orcas and sea otters were also reported near the sunken tug. Kirby Offshore Marine, which owns the 30-metre tug, hoped to use a crane to lift the vessel onto a barge once its tanks were pumped out, but a timeline for the salvage effort has not been set. The salvage vessel Resolve Pioneer arrived in Bella Bella Tuesday, but it could be three weeks before the tug is removed from the area. Photo: CTV UPDATE: 10:45 p.m. Crews with CN Rail have made good progress repairing tracks following a derailment in the Fraser Canyon. An email from CN spokesman Brent Kossey says crews worked through the night and expect to have tracks five kilometres north of Yale reopened before noon Wednesday. Two locomotives and several cars of a train carrying grain derailed late Tuesday morning, possibly after hitting rocks on the track. Kossey says the locomotives were lifted back onto the rails overnight and have been removed. He says the nine cars and their spilled contents will be removed in the days ahead. No one was hurt, and a boom was set up on the Fraser River below the derailment, but no oil or fuel spill was reported. The train was originally reported as belonging to CP Rail. ORIGINAL: 6:20 a.m. A freight train derailed north of Hope in the Fraser Canyon on Tuesday, spilling grain into the river. Eleven rail cars and two locomotives derailed near Yale, sending at least five cars crashing down onto the river bank. The Canadian National train left the tracks about 11 a.m. There was a small rock slide in the area that left debris on the tracks before the crash, but it is yet to be determined if that caused the incident. Equipment has been brought in to clean up the mess. Two CN staff were on board the train at the time of the derailment. Neither was hurt. with files from CTV Vancouver Photo: Twitter - CTV UPDATE: 2:30 p.m. Police say a shooting in Burnaby is believed to be targeted. Just after 1 a.m. Wednesday, Burnaby RCMP fielded numerous calls about a shooting on Broadway. Police found a vehicle crashed into a home. The occupant was taken to hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries. Investigators say the 44-year-old shooting victim is well known to police and is affiliated with an organized crime group. No arrests have been made yet. Police say no one in the home was hurt, but they were "severely shaken." "We are satisfied with the progress we are making on this investigation thus far," said Sgt. Annie Linteau. "A number of police resources will continue to look at a possible motive for this incident and look at who could potentially be involved." The Burnaby RCMP Serious Crime Unit is continuing its investigation and are "mindful of other violent incidents that have recently taken place in the Lower Mainland." Police say they will look for connections to other incidents. Anyone who may have any information can contact the Burnaby RCMP at 604-294-7922. ORIGINAL: 6:30 a.m. A man was shot and a car crashed into a home overnight in Burnaby. CTV reports the shooting led to the crash on Loughheed Highway. The compact sedan slammed into a basement window of the home, rear end first. Police say a large gun was seized from the scene. One man was seen being taken away in an ambulance. with files from CTV Vancouver Photo: Contributed An internal federal analysis shows the government has studied the pros and cons of the nickel but Ottawa insists it has no plans to force the five-cent coin into retirement, as it did the penny. When the Royal Canadian Mint yanked the penny from circulation in 2013, the nickel became the country's smallest circulating denomination of pocket change. Since then, many people have expected it would only be a matter of time before Ottawa also eliminated the nickel. Earlier this year, a Finance Department memo to senior officials examined the nickel's purchasing power, usage and production costs. Much of the April document, obtained by The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act, was blacked out, including the "assessment" portion that likely discussed the coin's future. The uncensored portions of the memo explored the significance of the nickel in a post-penny era. "As there are virtually no goods or services that can be purchased for a nickel, or several multiples thereof, the coin is generally used only to make change as part of larger transactions," said the memo, prepared for deputy finance minister Paul Rochon. "The purchasing power of the nickel has eroded over time, relative both to prices and incomes." The nickel's purchasing power has tumbled 40 per cent over the last 25 years, the study said. Over a century ago in 1914 the nickel was worth more than a loonie in today's terms, the document added. The memo says all G8 countries have a coin denomination equal to the Canadian nickel, but notes that New Zealand and South Africa have jettisoned their nickels over the past decade. Still, Ottawa "has no plans to discontinue the nickel," Finance spokesman David Barnabe wrote in an email. The cost of manufacturing the coin remains well below its face value," a spokesman said. Photo: CTV UPDATE: 5:10 p.m. Police say their investigation into dismembered body parts found in Langley points to a targeted gang hit. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has not yet said how the person died, and police believe the man was killed somewhere else. "This is a gruesome event that took place," said Cpl. Meghan Foster at a news conference. She wouldn't say whether all the body parts were found. "Police strongly encourage anyone with information about this homicide to step forward," she said. with files from CTV Vancouver ORIGINAL: 12 p.m. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has been called to a remote area of Langley, as RCMP probe the discovery of dismembered body parts. The detachment confirms the call came in about 8 a.m. Wednesday. Police are focused on a rural area of the municipality, in the area of Robertson Crescent, between 240th and 244th streets. A tweet from Langley RCMP says the site will remain behind police tape throughout the day. The B.C. Coroners Service confirms it has been notified of a death in Langley that is "potentially suspicious." No other details have been released. Photo: The Canadian Press Belgium Minister of Foreign Affairs, Didier Reynders, speaks with the media. In a race against the clock, the European Union edged closer Wednesday to being able to sign a free trade deal with Canada the next day after Belgium made progress in lifting the veto of one of its regions. But whether Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would be able fly to Brussels for the official signature ceremony Thursday, seven years after the negotiations started, remained unclear to everyone. EU President Donald Tusk told EU legislators Wednesday that "the summit tomorrow is still possible" after days of talks in Brussels between the national government and its regions seemed to be heading for a breakthrough. Belgium needs all its regions to sign on and the EU, in turn, needs unanimity among all its 28 states. Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders said during a break in talks on Wednesday that "all necessary documents" could be sent to EU officials later Wednesday for a final vetting among member states. Rudy Demotte, leader of the Wallonia-Brussels federation, which is closely aligned with the francophone Wallonia region in Belgium's byzantine constitutional structure, said that "we still need a bit of time for some verification and political contacts to see if the conditions are respected and if the texts match legally what we want to express politically." Paul Magnette, the leader of Belgium's holdout region Wallonia, said that some details still need to be clarified, notably in the agriculture sector where he wants his farmers better protected. If the regional leaders agree, the deal would likely still have to go back to the regional francophone legislatures for approval. It makes the deadline for signature ever tighter, making it more likely by the hour that Thursday's EU-Canada summit could be scrapped. Politicians in Wallonia, which has a population of 3.6 million compared to over 500 million for the whole EU, argue that the proposed accord would undermine labour, environment and consumer standards. Proponents say it would yield billions in added trade through customs and tariff cuts and other measures to lower barriers to commerce. At the same time, the EU says it will keep in place the region's strong safeguards on social, environmental and labour issues. He said Wallonia's insistence on a better deal would bolster EU standards and set a strong precedent for other trade talks between Europe and trading partners like the United States or Japan. Photo: CTV Four fired members of the Vancouver School Board are demanding a retraction and an apology from British Columbia's education minister, saying he made defamatory statements about them. Mike Bernier dismissed all nine board members on Oct. 17 after months of allegations of bullying cited by six senior managers who went on medical leave at the end of September. The four trustees alleging defamation are with the reigning Vision Vancouver party, while another four are members of the Non-Partisan Association, and one is from the Green party. The Vision trustees say in a statement that they've hired a defamation lawyer because the minister accused them of creating a toxic work environment. Bernier was not immediately available for comment but has said he fired the entire board because of the result of an audit that deepened his concerns over the lack of a balanced budget. The statement says the Vision trustees are also seeking an apology from BC School Superintendents Association president Sherry Elwood, saying she was the source of the bullying and intimidation allegations. Photo: The Canadian Press Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the government's clampdown on information about Canada's mission in Iraq is necessary to protect Canadian soldiers on the ground. But interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose says the government is trying to hide the fact the troops are engaged in combat with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. The heated exchange in the House of Commons came after military officers revealed recently that Canadian soldiers are spending more time on the front lines and engaging in more firefights with ISIL. But neither the officers nor the government would provide specific details. Speaking in question period, Ambrose said the military held more briefings and provided more information about Canada's role in the fight against ISIL under the previous government. She also said Canadians shouldn't have to learn about the mission from Twitter. But Trudeau accused the Conservatives of putting Canadian soldiers in harm's way with their openness while they were in power. He said that unlike the previous government, the Liberals would not endanger soldiers for a communications exercise. An anti-discrimination resolution discouraging biased employment, rental/housing and service practices based on sexual orientation or gender identity was approved without fanfare Tuesday by the Bismarck City Commission. "The city commission doesn't condone discrimination in any shape or form," said Mayor Mike Seminary. Supporters of the local LGBT community called the city resolution a quiet victory especially as it follows the Legislature's defeat last year of SB2279, which was seeking the same rights statewide. "It's a promising start," said Kevin Tengesdal, who served on a roundtable on the issue in Bismarck. "We see this as a promising first step for the city and, hopefully, for a state nondiscriminatory effort. The city resolution recommends not discriminating based on orientation or gender expression." Tengesdal said future sponsorship of legislative action for LGBT rights hinges on the outcome of the Nov. 8 elections, but he is confident such bills will be introduced again. While the resolution does not include enforcement options, it "is a good step" for possible future city ordinances, according to Tengesdal. "I have friends who are harassed by other co-workers, and people (who were) refused services at a store. They feel looked down upon," he said. "They just want the same rights and freedom to do as any other citizen of North Dakota without fear of repercussion." "I'm thrilled they took the time to pass the language and make things more fair in Bismarck," said Caitlin McDonald, program assistant at the North Dakota Women's Network, an advocacy group. "This moves the issue and conversation forward where sometime it will go statewide. Bismarck stands with protecting LGBT, and discrimination is not part of its values." Mathew Leidholm, a board member of Dakota Outright, an LGBT advocacy group, said this is one of the most important steps a home-rule city could have taken in protecting its citizens and creating a culture of acceptance. "It's an important step, but it does not replace enforceable legislation at the state level," he said. Barry Nelson, a board member of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition, said with the state failing to protect rights of the LGBT community, individual entities are taking action into their own hands. He said his organization is pleased the city resolution went through so quickly after the long efforts of a local work group. Photo: The Canadian Press There was once a galaxy of sunflower sea stars in the Salish Sea off the B.C. and Washington state coasts, but a new study says the animal's near disappearance from the ocean floor should be of special concern. The study from researchers at the University of California, Davis, says the wasting disease that impacted many star fish from Alaska to Mexico, was devastating for the sunflower sea star. Joseph Gaydose, one of the report's authors and the chief scientist with the SeaDoc Society, says the sunflower once covered the ocean floor in many areas off southern Vancouver Island and Washington state, but they've been virtually wiped out. Gaydose says the large, colourful star fish are voracious predators and losing them could throw the area's ecosystem off kilter, allowing animals like sea urchins to thrive, which in turn can wipe out sea kelp. He says scientists have been in discussion with the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service to have the sunflower listed as a species of concern, an informal term referring to a species that may be in need of conservation. The wasting disease has been linked to a virus and the study published in the scientific online journal PLOS ONE says it's the largest such disease epidemic known in the marine world. A vote for Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump, the Clinton campaign has suggested in broad ways and subtle ones, isnt just a vote for a Democrat over a Republican: Its a vote for safety over risk, steady competence over boastful recklessness, psychological stability in the White House over ungovernable passions. This theme has been a winning one for Hillary, in her debates and in the wider campaign, and for good reason. The perils of a Trump presidency are as distinctive as the candidate himself, and a vote for Trump makes a long list of worst cases the Western alliance systems unraveling, a cycle of domestic radicalization, an accidental economic meltdown, a civilian-military crisis more likely than with any normal administration. Indeed, Trump and his supporters almost admit as much. Weve tried sane, now lets try crazy, is basically his campaigns working motto. The promise to be a bull in a china shop is part of his demagogues appeal. Some of his more eloquent supporters have analogized a vote for Trump to storming the cockpit of a hijacked plane, with the likelihood of a plane crash entirely factored in. But passing on the plane-crash candidate doesnt mean ignoring the dangers of his rival. The dangers of a Hillary Clinton presidency are more familiar than Trumps authoritarian unknowns, because we live with them in our politics already. Theyre the dangers of elite groupthink, of Beltway power worship, of a cult of presidential action in the service of dubious ideals. Theyre the dangers of a recklessness and radicalism that doesnt recognize itself as either, because its convinced that if an idea is mainstream and commonplace among the great and good then it cannot possibly be folly. Almost every crisis that has come upon the West in the last 15 years has its roots in this establishmentarian type of folly. The Iraq War, which liberals prefer to remember as a conflict conjured by a neoconservative cabal, was actually the work of a bipartisan interventionist consensus, pushed hard by George W. Bush but embraced as well by a large slice of center-left opinion that included Tony Blair and more than half of Senate Democrats. Likewise the financial crisis: Whether you blame financial-services deregulation or happy-go-lucky housing policy (or both), the policies that helped inflate and pop the bubble were embraced by both wings of the political establishment. Likewise with the euro, the European common currency, a terrible idea that only cranks and Little Englanders dared oppose until the Great Recession exposed it as a potentially economy-sinking folly. Likewise with Angela Merkels grand and reckless open-borders gesture just last year: She was the heroine of a thousand profiles even as she delivered her continent to polarization and violence. This record of elite folly which doesnt even include lesser case studies like our splendid little war in Libya is a big part of why the United States has a lets try crazy candidate in this election, and why there are so many Trumpian parties thriving on European soil. One can look at Trump himself and see too much danger of still-deeper disaster, too much temperamental risk and moral turpitude, to be an acceptable alternative to this blunder-ridden status quo ... while also looking at Hillary Clinton and seeing a woman whose record embodies the tendencies that gave rise to Trumpism in the first place. Indeed what is distinctive about Clinton, more even than Bush or Barack Obama, is how few examples there are of her ever breaking with the elite consensus on matters of statecraft. She was for the Iraq War when everyone was for it, against the surge when everyone had given up on Iraq, and then an unchastened liberal hawk again in Libya just a few short years later. She was a Russia dove when the media mocked Mitt Romney for being a Russia hawk; now shes a Russia hawk along with everyone else in Washington in a moment that might require de-escalation. She cites Merkel as a model leader, shes surrounded by a bipartisan foreign policy cadre thats eager for a Details To Be Determined escalation in Syria, and she seems like her Goldman Sachs audiences intent on sailing serenely above the storm of nationalism rather than reconsidering any of the assumptions of her class. The good news is that she is not a utopian; she is or has become, across a long and grinding career temperamentally pragmatic, self-consciously hardheaded. So she is unlikely to do anything that the cosmopolitan capitals of Europe and America would consider obviously radical or dangerous or dumb. But in those cases where the cosmopolitan position isnt necessarily reasonable or safe, in those instances where the Western elite can go half-mad without realizing it, Hillary Clinton shows every sign of being just as ready to march into folly as her peers. If voters approve Measure 5, North Dakota will be the 26th state enacting a compassionate, workable medical marijuana law. Half the U.S. population lives where medical marijuana is legal so there is significant data about the impact. No states medical marijuana laws have been repealed. Well crafted programs such as Measure 5, help suffering patients without creating problems. And they do so at either no cost to the state or even result in a surplus. Deputy Health Officer Arvy Smith claimed Measure 5 start up costs would be $1 million to $2.4 million and $7.35 million over the next two years. This estimate makes several inaccurate assumptions. Smith claims to need 32 new employees and 15 new full time BCI officers. There is no evidence any other state hired additional officers for medical marijuana programs. Rhode Island has 500,000 more people than North Dakota, No additional staffers were hired. Existing health department employees absorbed the extra work. Michigan is 10 times larger and hired 16 full time and seven part-time employees. Far less than the North Dakota estimate. Smith concedes that the fees would raise about $4.85 million, covering the cost of the program. In 2014, New Mexicos program, (twice North Dakota's population) cost $780,000 but revenue was $1.45 million. States that have implemented regulated medical marijuana programs find it pays for itself and usually results in a surplus. Medical cannabis programs actually save states money by reducing law enforcement resources used arresting patients. They can lower a states healthcare costs by replacing/reducing expensive prescriptions, helping reduce opioid addiction costs and overdose deaths. Measure 5 can help thousands of North Dakota patients, including my son who suffers from severe epilepsy. Patients should be the focus of this debate. Measure 5 is a vote for compassion. The American Heart Association urges North Dakota voters to vote yes on Initiated Measure 4, and increase the states tobacco tax. Measure 4 is the opportunity for voters to move this issue forward, and in doing so, significantly impact the number of North Dakota youth starting to use nicotine products in our state. Our support of Measure 4 is based on the long overdue needed change in taxing base and tax levels. The rationale is simple higher price will mean more North Dakota kids wont become addicted to nicotine. Its about lives saved. Big tobaccos interest, and why they have bombarded North Dakota with a $3 million opposition campaign, is to replace their dying smokers with new recruits addicting our youth. That is not the North Dakota way. Many North Dakota legislators are committed to upholding their campaign pledge of no new taxes. We respect their work to serve their constituents and the state. Unfortunately those pledges were never presented with check box options all taxes whether good or bad are lumped together. North Dakota voters would do well to vote yes on Measure 4, making a long overdue tobacco tax increase possible. Then legislators and stakeholders can work together during the upcoming session to address funding needs and oversight, with respect for the voters support to do more for our veterans and for compelling health needs in our state. This is a crucial election which will determine the direction and future of our nation. We the citizens are at a very important cross road. For the good of our nation we must diminish the power of the Washington, D.C., establishment and bring back citizen power as the founders of our great nation intended when our Constitution was drafted and approved. Years ago my wife and I traveled extensively behind the Communist Iron Curtain. In one of the Soviet satellites a young guide explained in my country everyone is equal. A moment later all traffic was halted as high ranking Communist officials drove down from an exclusive residential area, the guide then said of course some are more equal. The D.C. area more equals are not Communists but the public officials, ex-public officials and the powerful lobbying forces that are excessively controlling national policy to protect their self serving interests which most often are not for the public good. In our history our government properly took action to break up private enterprise monopolies. Now we are facing a more insidious danger to our nations future. The D.C. area more equals are not going to willingly diminish their power and control. Only the citizens can act to protect and further the noble promise of the United States of America. We must do this! We owe the future generations the promise and greatness of their nation. Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem is reviewing a justification by Dakota Access LLC for its recent purchase of Cannonball Ranch, where it is advancing pipeline construction toward the Missouri River in the face of protests. Stenehjem had asked the company to explain how its Sept. 22 purchase of the 6,000-acre Cannonball Ranch from David Meyer fits with the states anti-corporate farming law, which prohibits corporations from owning agricultural land, except under very narrow restrictions. Attorney Lawrence Bender says the company purchased the land to provide for the safety of its workers and to manage people going on and off the pipeline right of way. He said the attorney generals office has interpreted a corporations right to own agricultural land when its necessary for commercial or industrial purposes to mean "needed to achieve its business or industrial purposes on a case-by-case basis. Bender told the attorney generals office that after the pipeline is complete, Dakota Access will transfer ownership of the property or use it for some purpose that complies with North Dakota law. Stenehjem spokeswoman Liz Brocker said the office has no comment on the company's response while the case is under review. Former Agriculture Department commissioner Sarah Vogel, a defender of the anti-corporate farming law, says the purchase violates the law, since Dakota Access already had the necessary easement for pipeline construction. Stenehjem could take the matter to court if he finds the company in violation. MORTON COUNTY As actor Mark Ruffalo arrived to support their cause, protesters camping in the path of the Dakota Access Pipeline braced Tuesday for action by a growing police and military force to the north after the pipeline company issued a foreboding statement saying trespassers will be prosecuted and removed from the land. We believe they are going to try to take us, Vanessa Dundon of White Cone, Ariz., said as she manned a traffic checkpoint near the new front-line camp established Sunday to stop pipeline construction from crossing N.D. Highway 1806 and reaching the Missouri River. About five miles away, a law enforcement staging area had grown considerably from the day before, with several buses and National Guard Humvees parked among military-style tents and emergency trailers. Officers from at least six states have answered Morton Countys call for help in dealing with protest activities that started 11 weeks ago. Morton County Sheriffs Department spokesman Rob Keller said Highway 1806 remains closed indefinitely to southbound traffic at Fort Rice. He wouldnt say whether authorities plan to evict and arrest the roughly 100 protesters entrenched in teepees, tents and campers in the pipelines path. Those are tactical questions and we dont release any of that information, Keller said. Pipeline developer Dakota Access LLC released a statement encouraging trespassers to vacate the land immediately. Alternatively and in coordination with local law enforcement and county/state officials, all trespassers will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and removed from the land, the company said. Lawless behavior will not be tolerated." The subsidiary of Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners explained to the North Dakota attorney generals office this week that it purchased the land from a local rancher last month to enhance the safety of its workers and better manage access to the pipeline right-of-way. Pipeline opponents say they have reclaimed the land under the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851, noting the Sioux never ceded that territory. The new camp lies across Highway 1806 from bulldozed ground that was the site of a Sept. 3 clash between protesters and pipeline security guards armed with guard dogs and pepper spray. On Tuesday afternoon, Sam Wounded Knee from South Dakotas Crow Creek Sioux Reservation peered through binoculars and raised a defiant fist at two ATVs conducting surveillance of the frontline camp from atop a hill that shielded the pipeline construction from view. He and other pipeline opponents voiced hopes that the pipeline would be stopped by President Barack Obama, who met with Cheyenne River (S.D.) Sioux Tribe Chairman Harold Frazier on Tuesday in Los Angeles. Frazier was expected to ask Obama to order an environmental impact statement on the pipeline, a more thorough review than the environment assessment already conducted, the tribe said in a news release. He told us if we all came together, he would help us, said Wounded Knee, recalling Obamas visit to the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in June 2014. Well, were all together. Ben B.J. Kidder of Fort Yates said police action against the protesters would only add to a long history of U.S. government mistreatment of indigenous peoples. Its going to be a big clash, he said. Its sad. A few hundred yards north of the front-line camp, Dundon, a member of the Dine Navajo, and others were letting traffic through on Highway 1806 but were ready to quickly reassemble a roadblock of hay bales, barbed wire and logs lying in the ditch. Were very prepared, she said. Actor Ruffalo arrives to support protesters Pipeline opponents called for a "national day of action" Tuesday by asking supporters to share prayers and songs for 127 people arrested during protests this past weekend, which brought the total number of arrests to 269 since Aug. 10. As part of the day, Ruffalo planned to take part in a panel discussion Tuesday night at Prairie Knights Casino on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. During a quick stop at the state Capitol in Bismarck, Ruffalo told Forum News Service the pipeline doesnt need to cross the Missouri River, which provides drinking water to millions. Theres another route this could take, he said, adding, What theyre doing is theyre putting money above the health of a whole group of people. The actor-director, activist and co-founder of The Solutions Project, which promotes clean and renewable energy, plans to deliver solar trailers today to the Oceti Sakowin Camp, the main protest camp situated on Corps land just north of the reservation. More than 300 tribes have been represented at the camp, which currently supports an estimated 1,200 people. Fed intervention sought Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chairman Dave Archambault II wrote a letter Monday to Attorney General Loretta Lynch seeking a Department of Justice investigation into potential civil rights violations by state and local government, citing the militarization of police, arrests of journalists and other First Amendment infringements, constant surveillance and police checkpoints. "Too often these kinds of investigations take place only after some event regarding excessive force by the police has led to a well-publicized tragedy," Archambault wrote. "I hope and pray that you will see the wisdom of acting now in an effort to prevent such a tragedy here." Former Vice President Al Gore also issued a statement saying he hopes Archambaults request is honored, calling the pipeline project a dangerous project in blatant disregard of obvious risks to the Missouri River and with disrespect to the Standing Rock Sioux. The Justice Department on Monday reiterated its call for Dakota Access to voluntarily stop construction within 20 miles of Lake Oahe until the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers authorizes construction on roughly 1,000 feet of Corps land under and along the lake. Craig Stevens, a spokesman for the pro-pipeline Midwest Alliance for Infrastructure Now Coalition, said the federal government has no authority to require an EIS on the entire 1,172-mile pipeline, which is largely completed and will move 470,000 barrels of Bakken crude per day to a hub in Illinois. We are seeing obstructionists call in every political favor and do everything in their power to thwart the lawful completion of the Dakota Access pipeline, Stevens said in a statement. In Minneapolis, the Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light planned a rally for noon Tuesday, stating faith leaders and residents were "outraged" by Hennepin County Sheriff's Department sending personnel to North Dakota for "the hyper-militarized repression of peaceful demonstrations" opposing the $3.8 billion pipeline. The dog handlers who provided security for Dakota Access LLC during a Sept. 3 clash with protesters were not properly licensed to provide security in North Dakota, a Morton County investigation found. Names of the unlicensed security officers have been forwarded to prosecutors for possible charges, but investigators were only able to identify two of the seven dog handlers, said Capt. Jay Gruebele of the Morton County Sheriffs Department. Providing private security services without a license is a Class B misdemeanor in North Dakota. Six pipeline opponents were bitten by the guard dogs and a dozen or more people were pepper-sprayed when the group clashed with security officers in a pipeline construction zone on Sept. 3, according to a protest organizer with the Red Warrior Camp. Morton County led an investigation into whether the security officers were properly licensed and forwarded results to both the states attorney and the North Dakota Private Investigation and Security Board, which regulates the private security industry and can issue civil penalties. The seven dog handlers were with Frost Kennels of Ohio, which was not licensed to provide security in North Dakota as required by state law, the investigation found. Frost Kennels was working under Silverton, a private security company working for Dakota Access, Gruebele said. Silverton is no longer working for Dakota Access, he said. Frost Kennels did not cooperate with investigators, who were able to identify only two of the seven dog handlers through social media, Gruebele said. However, Forum News Service identified three additional private security officers working Sept. 3 who are named in a Bureau of Criminal Investigation affidavit made public last week and are not licensed in the state. The two dog handlers names that have been forwarded to prosecutors include Ashley Welch, who appears in video captured by reporters with the independent news program Democracy Now with a dog that has blood on its mouth and nose. Prosecutors attempted to charge Democracy Now journalist Amy Goodman with rioting, in part basing their affidavit on statements from Welch that said Goodman was actively protesting and trying to get the protesters riled. A judge refused to sign the complaint. Gruebele said the security officers had no intention of using the dogs or the handlers for security work on Sept. 3, but because of the protest events the dogs were deployed to try to keep protesters under control. Security company 10-Code also worked for Dakota Access on Sept. 3 but was not involved with the use of dogs, Gruebele said. The investigation does not have any information about how many protesters were reported to be injured. To date, there have been no victims, no protesters that have ever come forward to the sheriffs department or to any other organization to file a report that they were injured or bitten by a dog on Sept. 3 during the incident, Gruebele said. The Bureau of Criminal Investigation is running a parallel investigation regarding the incident, including looking into reports that security guards were assaulted, Gruebele said. In addition, the Private Investigation and Security Board is conducting its own investigation after receiving complaints, including investigating the use of guard dogs, said Monte Rogneby, an attorney for the board. The boards investigation is expected to be completed in seven to 10 days, Rogneby said. A summary by the sheriffs department said there is no way of confirming whether lists of employees provided by security firms are accurate or if names were purposely withheld. Many of the initial security officers have come and gone, and there is no way to prove who was doing security work, Gruebele wrote in the summary. A spokeswoman for Dakota Access said all security firms working for the pipeline company are properly licensed. As of Oct. 18, several security companies were working for Dakota Access. According to the Morton County investigation, TigerSwan Security is in charge of Dakota Access intelligence and supervises the overall security. Leighton Security and HE Security are in charge of equipment security at worksites. The firms 10-Code and Russle Group Security are in charge of drilling operations, and SRG Security is in charge of filming operations, according to the Morton County investigation. The Sept. 3 clash occurred after pipeline opponents rushed a Morton County construction area west of Highway 1806 where crews were bulldozing land the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe had identified the day before as containing sacred sites. Civil rights activist and Rainbow PUSH Coalition founder, Rev. Jesse Jackson, is joining the effort to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline project south of Mandan. The news of Jacksons arrival comes hours after the Federal Aviation Administration issued a no-fly order above the contested land where protesters have gathered to block the pipeline crossing beneath the Missouri River, just north of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. The FAA issued the flight restriction late Tuesday, Oct. 25. It prohibits pilots from operating an aircraft in a 7-mile radius, including the camps set up by protesters, through Nov. 4. A news release issued Wednesday, Oct. 26, said Jackson will join tribes and protectors of sacred lands and water, and meet with the press. He also is planning a tour of camps, where opponents have gathered to block the $3.8 billion, 1,172-mile project, and the pipeline route. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe council is expected to join him at the Cannon Ball campsite. The tribes of this country have sacrificed a lot so that this great country could be built, Jackson said in the release. With promises broken, land stolen, and sacred lands desecrated, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is standing up for their right to clean water. They have lost land for settlers to farm, more land for gold in the Black Hills, and then again even more land for the damn (sic) that was built for flood control and hydro power. When will the taking stop? When we start treating the first peoples of this lands with the respect and honor they deserve? The decision to change the pipeline route from north of Bismarck to its current route is the ripest case of environmental racism Ive seen in a long time, Jackson said. Bismarck residents dont want their water threatened, so why is it OK for North Dakota to react with guns and tanks when Native Americans ask for the same right? The pipeline is largely completed and will move 470,000 barrels of Bakken crude per day to a hub in Illinois. Actor Mark Ruffalo participated in a panel discussion Tuesday night at Prairie Knights Casino on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. During a quick stop at the state Capitol in Bismarck, Ruffalo told Forum News Service the pipeline doesnt need to cross the Missouri River, which provides drinking water to millions. Theres another route this could take, he said, adding, What theyre doing is theyre putting money above the health of a whole group of people. The actor-director, activist and co-founder of The Solutions Project, which promotes clean and renewable energy, planned to deliver solar trailers Wednesday to the Oceti Sakowin Camp, the main protest camp situated on Corps land just north of the reservation. More than 300 tribes have been represented at the camp, which currently supports an estimated 1,200 people. A former government official of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation accused of accepting bribes and kickbacks from a construction contractor has pleaded guilty to federal charges in North Dakota. Randall Phelan was an elected representative of the governing body of the Three Affiliated Tribes from the end of 2012 to the middle of 2020. Investigators say Phelan used his official position to help the contractors business by awarding contracts, fabricating bids and managing fraudulent invoices. His trial had been scheduled to begin Tuesday. Phelan and two others were originally charged with receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars from the bribery scheme on the oil-rich Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. The contractor has pleaded guilty to bribery. 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 Negotiations between protesters and law enforcement broke down Wednesday, Oct. 26, with protesters holding their ground at a frontline camp to block the Dakota Access Pipeline. Cass County Sheriff Paul Laney was among a contingent of law enforcement who met with camp representatives Wednesday on Highway 1806 on the other side of a roadblock established by protesters. Laney told the protesters officers dont want a confrontation, but they have to enforce the rule of law. Mekasi Camp-Horinek, one of the camp coordinators, told officers the protesters planned to stand their ground, saying Do what youve got to do. Laney told the camp representatives that they are forcing law enforcements hand. The frontline camp had grown to 200 on Wednesday, with the addition of a trailer surrounded by hay bales that was to be used by camp security volunteers for strategic planning. If theres a confrontation, theyve chosen to have it because weve tried everything we can over the last 2 months not to have it, Laney said as he left the negotiations. Earlier Wednesday, Camp-Horinek said in an interview the group would continue protesting with prayer and song and children had been relocated from the frontline camp back to the Oceti Sakowin camp. This is a last stand right here, he said Were not going to move. About 100 people had formed a human barricade across Highway 1806 around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier said law enforcement will continue to do everything they can to resolve the situation peacefully, but he said discussions with camp leaders Wednesday reached an impasse. Law enforcement would like the protesters to stop blocking the highway and relocate from the frontline camp, which is on private property owned by Energy Transfer Partners, back to the main camp. At this time, we are going to continue to try to work with them and see what we can do to resolve this, but they were also advised that they cant be blocking state highways, they cant be trespassing on private land and they cannot continue to block off county roads, Kirchmeier said. Kirchmeier emphasized that the last thing we want to do is do it forcefully. If we have the chance for open dialog, thats what we want to continue, he said. Pipeline opponents say theyve reclaimed land under the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851, noting the Sioux never ceded that territory. But Kirchmeier said Morton County authorities have to enforce existing laws and treaty issues would need to be resolved by the federal government. He added that currently the protesters are infringing on other residents rights by blocking the highway. In a press conference, Laney said law enforcement, which includes officers from at least six states, have the resources and the manpower to go down and end this right now but they dont want a confrontation. Laney said officers are being portrayed as jack-booted thugs but he said they are trying to avoid a confrontation. We could go down there at any time, and we are trying not to, Laney said. David Red Bear Jr., 30, from the South Dakota side of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, was among those from the main camp two miles south when there was a call for help at the roadblock. Red Bear said he was willing to get arrested, if necessary, though he also was concerned about his 4-year-old son at the main camp. The protesters were just trying to keep law enforcement from preventing their efforts to stop the pipeline, Red Bear said. "If we don't stop them here, they're going to cut us off closer to the pipeline. We can't let that happen, he said. "We're not trying to force anybody's hand. We're just trying to stand up for what we believe in." Meanwhile, civil rights activist and Rainbow PUSH Coalition founder, Rev. Jesse Jackson, joined the effort to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline project south of Mandan. "We must call upon the full weight of our government to honor the treaties and stop the abuse of eminent domain, to protect the land," Jesse Jackson told the protesters, encouraging them to chant along with him. "We'll hold out for one day longer, one day longer, one day longer! A news release issued prior to Jacksons said he would join tribes and protectors of sacred lands and water, and meet with the press. He planned a tour of camps, where opponents have gathered to block the $3.8 billion, 1,172-mile project, and the pipeline route. The tribes of this country have sacrificed a lot so that this great country could be built, Jackson said in the release. With promises broken, land stolen, and sacred lands desecrated, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is standing up for their right to clean water. They have lost land for settlers to farm, more land for gold in the Black Hills, and then again even more land for the damn (sic) that was built for flood control and hydro power. When will the taking stop? When we start treating the first peoples of this lands with the respect and honor they deserve? The decision to change the pipeline route from north of Bismarck to its current route is the ripest case of environmental racism Ive seen in a long time, Jackson said. Bismarck residents dont want their water threatened, so why is it OK for North Dakota to react with guns and tanks when Native Americans ask for the same right? The news of Jacksons arrival came just hours after the Federal Aviation Administration issued a no-fly order above the contested land where protesters have gathered to block the pipeline crossing beneath the Missouri River, just north of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. The FAA issued the flight restriction late Tuesday, Oct. 25. It prohibits pilots from operating an aircraft in a 7-mile radius, including the camps set up by protesters, through Nov. 4. The pipeline is largely completed and will move 470,000 barrels of Bakken crude per day to a hub in Illinois. Actor Mark Ruffalo participated in a panel discussion Tuesday night at Prairie Knights Casino on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. During a quick stop at the state Capitol in Bismarck, Ruffalo told Forum News Service the pipeline doesnt need to cross the Missouri River, which provides drinking water to millions. Theres another route this could take, he said, adding, What theyre doing is theyre putting money above the health of a whole group of people. The actor-director, activist and co-founder of The Solutions Project, which promotes clean and renewable energy, planned to deliver solar trailers Wednesday to the Oceti Sakowin Camp, the main protest camp situated on Corps land just north of the reservation. More than 300 tribes have been represented at the camp, which currently supports an estimated 1,200 people. GRAND FORKS -- North Dakota corn growers have to put up with a lot of uncertainty in their harvests each year. But this fall, they have reason to be optimistic with record yields throughout the state. The unusual amount of rainfall and its timing has worked in the farmers favor, said Dale Ihry, executive director of the North Dakota Corn Growers Association. Corn thrives with a lot of water and heat. According to the North Dakota National Agricultural Statistics Service, the state averages about 17 inches of rain during the crop growing season, though Ihry said some farmers north of Grand Forks have reported upward of 30 inches of rain this year. He estimated this years harvest for the state at an average of 137 bushels per acre, for a total of more than 452 million bushels of corn harvested. Weve had a phenomenal growing season, with the exception of a scant few areas, Ihry said. In a year with a normal amount of rain, he explained, North Dakotas average corn yield falls between 120 and 140 bushels per acre. He said farmers in some areas have seen harvests near 160 bushels per acre. The corn planting season in North Dakota begins in May, and the farmers harvest their crops in October and November. Most corn farmers in the state do not irrigate their fields due to limited access to underground water and the expense, which puts them at the mercy of unpredictable weather. As of Tuesday, the market value for a bushel of corn in North Dakota was between $2.59 and $2.64 per bushel. Farmers are great optimists, Ihry said. They put a crop in the ground in the spring and make the assumption that they will be treated right with weather and prices. Though farmers have a lot of reason to be optimistic about their corn crops this year, Ihry said taking the unpredictability in stride can be a difficult mentality to adapt to. Many of us humans cant do what farmers do. Fans who thought that Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was a blast might want to start bracing themselves for this years DC Extended Universe (DCEU) film, namely Justice League. Justice League essentially picks up the story threads from Batman v Superman, with Batman and Wonder Woman assembling a team of heroes to take on the dark forces (i.e., Darkseid and his minions) en route to annihilate the Earth. Longtime DC fans know, of course, that Zack Snyders upcoming Justice League film is far from the first feature-length adventure for the team. It is, however, the most expensive to date and could potentially kick off a big-screen superhero team as popular as Marvels Avengers. While Justice League still has a few months before its November 17 release date, a number of news items centered on the film have hit in recent weeks, offering us a glimpse into what we can expect to see. Here are a few of the highlights. 1. Production may have completely wrapped Jason Momoa took to social media in celebration of the films wrap party in Iceland. While its unclear if this occasion merely marks the end of filming in this particular location, a number of news outlets are indicating that Justice League could in fact be done with principal photography altogether. Granted, a production with as massive a scope as this film is almost certainly going to involve some reshoots, but its exciting to think that the bulk of shooting is already in the can for the hotly anticipated project. 2. Our first glimpse of Amber Heard as Mera Weve known for a while that Amber Heard (The Danish Girl) would be featured in Justice League as Atlantean queen, Mera. However, we only recently received our first glimpse at what the actress will look like when she takes the throne alongside Momoas Aquaman. Fans were likely relieved to see that Heards costume is certainly in keeping with the scaly green look from the comics, implying both Meras regal status as well as her prowess as a powerful warrior. 3. A star of Superman: The Movie may appear In the many television series based on DC Comics, the company has long tipped its hat to previous incarnations of its epic mythology. The most notable example of this is probably the appearance of the late Christopher Reeve on Smallville, but word is that another star of Superman: The Movie may pop up in Justice League. Marc McClure who played aw-shucks photographer Jimmy Olsen in Richard Donners classic revealed in a recent interview that he will be featured in a late 2017 release, a hint that nicely lines up with the November 2017 release of Justice League. If thats the case, theres no telling who McClure could be playing, but judging by the characters fate in Batman v Superman, were betting the role is unrelated to Jimmy Olsen. 4. More of Cyborgs origin Lex Luthors video files of future Justice League members like Aquaman and the Flash were among the most criticized elements of Batman v Superman, seeing as they were essentially shoehorned in the film to set up upcoming releases. Yet, the one centering on Ray Fishers Cyborg is perhaps the most visually striking. Luckily, fans will be able to catch more details on how Victor Stone winds up becoming a man/machine hybrid in Justice League. A recent on-set highlight reel hinted that S.T.A.R. Labs could play a significant role in the film, indicating that perhaps the experiment behind the birth of Cyborg will be featured in some sort of flashback. The casting of Terminator 2 actor Joe Morton as the characters father certainly indicates that theres more to explore there. [Update, 1/9/17: Speaking of Cyborg, actor Ray Fisher recently shared a new photo (see tweet above) from the set of Justice League that features the entire team, with the notable exception of Superman.] 5. Batman needs a new suit for this mission One of the most successful elements of the DCEU thus far has been Ben Afflecks beefed-up take on Batman. Weve learned that the Dark Knight will be donning an impressive new tactical suit in Justice League, and now Affleck himself has revealed that this costume change is a direct result of the as-yet-unrevealed mission the team unites to face. No word yet on what that is, but we still have to admit, were loving the tech-heavy look Bats is sporting here. Follow Robert Yaniz Jr. on Twitter @CrookedTable Check out Entertainment Cheat Sheet on Facebook! LLNL researchers were part of a team that demonstrated a bi-material microlattice structure, 3D printed from polymer and a polymer/copper composite material, that can flex inward, causing the structure to contract when exposed to heat over a range of tens to hundreds of degrees. Members of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's Additive Manufacturing Initiative are among a group of researchers who have developed 3D printed materials with a unique property -- instead of expanding when heated, they shrink. In a study LLNL engineers, along with scientists from the University of Southern California , MIT and the University of California, Los Angeles , describe the 3D printing of lightweight metamaterials with negative thermal expansion that can be "tuned" to shrink over a large range of temperatures. "This is a new version of a printing method we have developed and used in the past. We used it to create a thermomechanical metamaterial that may enable applications not possible before," said principal investigator Chris Spadaccini, director of LLNL's Center for Engineered Materials and Manufacturing . "It has thermomechanical properties not achievable in conventional bulk materials." In the paper, the researchers demonstrate a bi-material microlattice structure, printed from polymer and a polymer/copper composite material that can flex inward, causing the structure to contract when exposed to heat over a range of tens to hundreds of degrees. Researchers note the study may be the first experimental demonstration showing large tunability of negative thermal expansion (NTE) in three Cartesian directions of microlattice structures. Possible applications for the metamaterials, the researchers concluded, could come in securing parts that tend to move out of alignment under varying heat loads, including microchips and high precision optical mounts. "Traditionally, the way you compensate for (thermal mismatches) is with active control or heating and cooling," Spadaccini said. "But what if you could design a material that would hold the object and passively adjust to local temperature changes?" Jonathan Hopkins, a former LLNL postdoctoral researcher who is now an assistant professor of mechanical aerospace & engineering at UCLA, designed similar structures in a separate paper using a human interaction-based approach rather than computer-driven. Hopkins, who joined the UCLA faculty in 2013, won a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) in February for research directly tied to the latest paper. "The interesting thing (about the structure) is it's made of two different materials, beams and void space," Hopkins explained. "When you heat it, as long as one of the beams expands more than the others, then the connecting points between each unit cell pulls inward and makes the overall lattice pull inward. It's an immediate thermal contraction, which is the unique thing about it." The thermal expansion also can be zero or positive depending on how the geometry and topology of the structure are engineered, Hopkins said. A team at MIT, led by Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Nicholas Fang, 3D-printed the microlattice structures using a projection microstereolithograpy process. USC Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Qiming Wang, the paper's lead author, worked for Fang as a postdoc. "Here we take advantage of projection microstereolithography 3D printing, but this time we expanded the system to be able to fabricate multimaterials; after you print out one material you switch to another," Wang said. "The challenge is you have to eliminate contamination between materials. If you don't wash out the residue after every layer, two materials will be mixed up." Wang said the microstructured metamaterial could be used in dental fillings, which tend to move or crack when a person eats something hot, to fill in small gaps in bridges or buildings that are normally left open to account for thermal expansion, or in precision devices such as atomic-force microscopes. "The problem we're treating is a thermal mismatch problem," Wang said. "These materials have different thermal expansion coefficients, so once we increase the temperature, they interact with each other and pull inward, so the overall structure's volume decreases. The next step is to fabricate zero thermal expansion materials that could also solve these problems." Celebrating jailhouse recovery Audio Article Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle Sears paid a visit to the Chesterfield County Jail last week, meeting with over 50 of the men and women participating in the HARP (Helping Addicts... An icons legacy memorialized Audio Article Enon Library was dedicated in memory of the Rev. Wyatt Tee Walker on Friday, Oct. 21. Board of Supervisors Chair Chris Winslow, right, was joined by Walkers daughter, Patrice Walker... Supporting markets as the economic arrangements most likely to help promote human flourishing doesnt necessarily mean you accept libertarian philosophical premises says Acton Institute Director of Research Samuel Gregg in an essay published today at Public Discourse. This comes in response to Koch Brothers Latest Target: Pope Francis, an Oct. 14 article written by John Gehring at the American Prospect that claims the Acton Institute is part of a larger network of organizations behind a decidedly different message than Pope Francis does when it comes to the economy and climate change. Gehring, Catholic program director at Faith in Public Life, labels various free-market organizations as libertarian and asserts that libertarian thought is the exact opposite of Catholic teaching. Gregg begins his response by noting some of the contributions that great libertarian thinkers such as Hayek and Mises have made to economics: Libertarianisms great strength lies in economics. Prominent twentieth-century libertarian economists, such as Ludwig von Mises and Friedrich von Hayek, made major contributions to the critique of socialist economics. While ridiculed by some at the time, their criticisms turned out to be spot-on. In Socialism (1922), for example, Mises illustrated that socialist economies cant replicate the market price systems ability to signal the supply and demand status for countless goods and services to consumers and producers at any one point in time. However intelligent and statistically equipped the top-down planners might be (whether they take the form of a Communist politburo, a Fascist dictator, or a 1970s British government), they simply cannot know the optimal price for any good or service at any point in time. Any attempt to dictate prices from the top-down will lead, paradoxically, to economic disorder and dysfunction. Gregg goes on to show how the philosophical views of Hayek and Mises are characteristic of many self-described libertarians and that they are also difficult to reconcile with Catholic or natural law accounts of man and human flourishing. (Catholicism and natural law theory reject, for example, the Epicurean notion that happiness consists in pleasure, Gregg adds.) He even uses the example of Adam Smith saying that tensions in Smiths ethical theory which he draws out in his book Theory of Moral Sentiments, dont invalidate the key economic insights expressed in his Wealth of Nations. Gregg makes his point clear: you dont have to accept someones philosophical view in order to agree with their economic views. Gregg makes this connection to Pope Francis: If the foregoing analysis is accurate, it suggests that criticizing aspects of Pope Franciss statements about economic questions doesnt necessarily mean that youre trying to promote libertarianism. Certainly, Catholics should be respectful of any popes observations about political and economic subjects. But theyre not required to remain silent when a pope (or any Catholic bishop) makes statements about the economy reasonably judged to be prudential or empirical claims and thus potentially disputable on grounds of logic or fact. Take, for instance, the Popes statement in Evangelli Gaudium (2013) that Inequality is the root of social ills. We will leave aside the Catholic teaching that original sin and peoples free choices to sin are at the root of all ills, social or otherwise. Instead, lets consider that not all forms of inequalityincluding economic inequalityare necessarily unjust. Toward the end of his article, Gregg clears up one more problem in the phony war between Catholicism and libertarianism. How can the economic technique be integrated into more robust accounts of human flourishing than those offered by libertarianism? Gregg answers this way: Here, Id argue, new natural law theory has much promise. Germain Grisezs 1978 article Against Consequentialism, for example, discusses the economic methods benefits and limits in detail. He illustrates how cost-benefit analysis is a valid way of determining how to make practical non-moral judgments. Economics, John Finnis states, constantly reminds us that to spend on one thing is to use up what might have been spent (time and labor, money, other resources) on other purposes. New natural laws advantage is its particular attention to the difference between (1) ends that are intended and freely chosen, and (2) the side-effects (what might be called the invisible hand writ large) of those very same choices. The economists emphasis upon unintended consequences relies implicitly upon this distinction. As Finnis observes in his Aquinas (1998), Modern economics gets going with Adam Smiths proposal that it be undertaken as a science of side-effects. That, he writes elsewhere, is its true utility as a help-mate for ethics and political theory and thus for jurisprudence. Economic analysis, Finnis continues in another place, brings to light the complexity of the impact which ones choices have, beyond their purpose or intention. You can read the entire article Markets, Catholicism and Libertarianism by Samuel Gregg at Public Discourse here. Over the past two decades, lobster has become plentiful and popular. But the combination of increased demand and this years slight decline in lobster catch has caused a spike in prices that hasnt been seen for at least 10 years and customers are paying for it. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune) (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune) The Happy Lobster Truck has built up quite a following in its 1-1/2 years in business, schlepping to different parts of the city and selling its fare. But customers lining up at lunchtime to grab a lobster roll are having to dig a little deeper to satisfy their crustacean craving. The wholesale price of new shell 1-1/4-pound lobsters, the type caught off the coast of Maine and Canada, is $5.38 per pound, according to Toms River, N.J.-based commodity market news service Urner Barry. Advertisement Lobster is typically the cheapest in August and September, when tourists quit flocking to seafood shacks on the East Coast. But prices didn't drop this year, and remain at or near their 10-year highs, said John Sackton, editor and founder of Lexington, Mass.-based industry publication Seafood News. Restaurants and food trucks are left with a hard choice: Increase prices for customers, absorb the cost or take the items off the menu. For some lobster-focused restaurants that sprang up a couple of years ago, when lobster was cheap, taking lobster off the menu isn't an option. Advertisement Lobster Gram Founder and chairman Dan Zawacki packages live lobsters at the company's warehouse on Chicago's North side on October 25, 2016. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune) "There was just this explosion in the number of new restaurants or new restaurant chains who started using lobster in different ways," Sackton said. The Happy Lobster Truck, which opened in June 2015, recently increased the price of its lobster roll $2, to $17. It was a difficult call for a budding business, Robinson said Tuesday, leaning out of the food truck's window as it was parked outside the NBC Tower in downtown Chicago. Customers noticed the price hike and demanded explanations. Robinson looked for other distributors to try to offset the costs, but in the end went with "quality over price," Robinson said. He has other menu items, like $12 lobster grilled cheese and lobster mac and cheese bits (two for $5), to assuage the budget conscious. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 13 Lobster as they look before hitting the pot at the Quoddy Bay Lobster restaurant. (Steve Dolinsky/For Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune) Luke's Lobster, an East Coast lobster shack that opened its only Chicago location in the Loop in 2015, charges $16.50 for a lobster roll, a price that hasn't climbed because it gets its lobster from sister company Cape Seafood, a crab and lobster processing company in Maine. Da Lobsta charges $14 for a roll at its River North and West Loop restaurants and food truck, a price owner J. Wolf recently nudged up from $12.95 because he felt he had no choice. "I never expected (the price of lobster) to get that high," he said. "I'm really at a point where I should be charging more, but I'm riding that fine line of keeping my product approachable, so we're taking a hit." Other lobster-based businesses are feeling the pinch too. Lobster Gram, in Chicago's Albany Park neighborhood, has shipped lobsters as gifts for 30 years, but stopped offering its lobster rolls for three months this summer. Advertisement Lobster Gram Founder and Chairman Dan Zawacki pulls a live lobster out of a tank at the company's warehouse on Chicago's North side on Oct. 25, 2016. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune) "We use fresh lobster meat for our lobster rolls, and that was so expensive it practically doubled," said founder Dan Zawacki. "That was a big bummer, because that's when everybody is wanting lobster rolls." China is partly to blame for lobster's record prices, said Bob Bayer, executive director of the Lobster Institute at the University of Maine. China used to turn to Australia and New Zealand for its lobster a typically more expensive, clawless version of the crustacean. But lobster from Canada and the U.S. is cheaper, and the Chinese are developing a taste for it, he said. The good news for lobster lovers is the price spike likely won't last forever. "(The prices) will probably settle at some point," Bayer said. In the meantime, "it's great for the fishermen, because catches are good." An earlier version of this story misspelled Da Lobsta. Advertisement amarotti@chicagotribune.com Twitter @allymarotti Health insurance shoppers beware: Not all of the information on the state's Obamacare exchange is accurate or complete. Details about health plans offered on the exchange for next year were posted online Monday, giving shoppers a chance to study their options ahead of Nov. 1, when they can start to buy plans. Advertisement But at least a couple of problems have surfaced since then. In Chicago and the greater Chicago area, many of Advocate Health Care's hospitals were incorrectly appearing as out-of-network in Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois' BlueCare Direct and Blue Precision plans as of Wednesday. Also, farther south, insurer Health Alliance Medical Plans' offerings weren't showing up at all. Advertisement Health Alliance spokeswoman Laura Mabry said in an email Wednesday the insurers' plans weren't appearing because of "technical reasons." She said, however, that Health Alliance's plans will be online and available for purchase by Tuesday, Nov. 1. Health Alliance is offering plans in Kankakee County and most of central and southern Illinois. Jonathan Gold, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said in an email Wednesday that, "a very small number of plans are currently suppressed because inaccurate data was submitted" to the federal government. He also said he expects those plans to appear soon. "We work to make sure consumers in the marketplace have access to accurate provider network information," Gold said in an email. "If inaccuracies are identified, we work with issuers to make the necessary corrections." Mabry said Health Alliance submitted everything correctly. Advocate spokeswoman Lisa Lesniak said Wednesday in an email that Advocate is working with Blue Cross and Blue Shield to correct the issue as soon as possible. She said the issue appears to have stemmed from how the network information was entered into the HealthCare.gov system. Consumers who want to search provider and network information can also use the provider finder at www.bcbsil.com, said Blue Cross spokeswoman Colleen Miller. Most Illinoisans get their insurance through employers or government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. But this year, more than 300,000 bought insurance on the exchange, and still others bought individual plans outside the exchange through brokers or insurers directly. About 75 percent of Illinois residents who bought exchange plans this year got tax credits to help offset the costs of their plans. Robert Slayton, past president of the Illinois State Association of Health Underwriters, said Wednesday he wasn't surprised to hear about the problems. He said he's never found the information on the online exchange to be totally reliable. "It's a starting point, but you can't take it as gospel," said Slayton, who runs a brokerage agency in Naperville. Advertisement He recommends consumers shopping on the exchange go directly to insurers' websites to get a better sense of their networks. If consumers must have certain doctors or hospitals in-network, he also recommends calling those doctors or hospitals to ask if they're in-network on particular exchange plans. This latest confusion follows disappointment among many Illinois residents with this year's exchange offerings, which on average, cost more and represent fewer choices than last year. Obamacare advocates, however, say coverage will still be affordable for most Illinois consumers, and that the Affordable Care Act has meant more choices for people who might not otherwise have been able to gain coverage. lschencker@chicagotribune.com Twitter @lschencker Ulta Beauty's growth streak is bringing another touch of glamour to Michigan Avenue. The Bolingbrook-based beauty retailer will move into an 11,500-square-foot store at 430 N. Michigan Ave. that has been vacant since Walgreens moved into the nearby Wrigley Building. The store is expected to open in summer 2017, Ulta said Wednesday. Advertisement "Chicago is our hometown and remains a very important market to us," Scott Settersten, Ulta's chief financial officer, said in a statement. Ulta, which sells both mass-market and "prestige" skin and hair care products and salon services, will be just two blocks from competitor Sephora's Michigan Avenue flagship, which opened in August. Advertisement The Michigan Avenue store is one of hundreds Ulta expects to open in the next several years, topping out at around 1,400 to 1,700 U.S. stores, company officials said earlier this month. That's up from the 1,200 locations Ulta previously had projected. Ulta, which had 928 stores as of Oct. 1, has been adding about 100 each year. Ulta also announced a better-than-expected sales outlook earlier this month, projecting that sales at stores open at least a year will be up 12 to 14 percent this year, 1 percent higher than the range it had previously given. lzumbach@chicagotribune.com Twitter @laurenzumbach Technical Programs Lead to Win-Win Results for Students & Industries-Bishop State's technical programs are first rate offering students new opportunities to excel and succeed. The student's success comes from external partnerships with industries and internal programs to teach the skills needed at Bishop. Now is the time for the community to take advantage of the alliances formed to create a skilled workforce ready to "Go To Work." One of the upcoming December graduates from Bishop's welding program seeks to do just that. While still a student at Vigor High School, Napoleon Bracy from Austal USA visited the high school and encouraged her to consider a career in welding. Bracy was the Workforce Coordinator for the company at that time and is now the Manager of Diversity Inclusion and Affirmative Action at Austal USA. The student graduated on May 17, 2016 from Vigor and started Bishop's welding program the very next day. She recently attended a maritime job fair held at Bishop State where Dr. Reginald Sykes, acting president of Bishop, introduced her to Fitzgerald Washington, Alabama's Secretary of Labor. The student also met Sandra Koblas, Human Resources for Austal USA. The upcoming graduate plans to apply for a job with Austal after graduating from Bishop. Austal USA encourages females to pursue careers in the welding field due to a shortage of women working in that area. Bishop offers students the foundation needed to pursue a high demand career in a growing industry. Partnerships formed with industries like Austal USA can provide that foundation. Dr. Reginald Sykes addressed students at Bishop's recent Convocation Ceremony. He told them that the number 1 secret to achieve success is to "Go to Class, Ask for Help, and Stay Involved." That also holds true for those entering the workplace. They must go to work, ask for help, and stay involved at their jobs. It is never too late to learn at Bishop State. Let's Get to Work Mobile! ATLANTA, Ga. (October 26, 2016) -- Crossman & Company, one of the Southeast's largest retail leasing, property management and investment sales firms, has completed the sale of two retail properties in Alabama, East Side Plaza in Gadsden and Valley Market Place in Valley. "Alabama's retail market is rebounding, producing an appetite for opportunities around the state, especially in emerging markets," explains Crossman & Company Chief Operating Officer John Zielinski, CCIM. "Our marketing process produces interest from a variety of qualified public and private investors as well as owners and landlords. We understand a center's demographics, curbside appeal and growth potential." Valley Market Place, located at 3701-3799 20th Ave., was sold to a private investor in Atlanta, Ga. The 28,000 square foot Valley Market Place is 44 percent leased and is situated on 3.6 acres. Crossman & Company Director Brian Carolan, Zielinski and Senior Managing Director Bruce Lyons represented the seller, a special servicer located in South Florida, in the $850,500 transaction. "The center has excellent visibility and signage in front of the closest Walmart within 20 miles and is located on the growth corridor from Atlanta to Auburn-Opelika area," noted Carolan. "It is also within seven miles from the $1 Billion Kia Manufacturing Plant that employs over 2,500 people." East Side Plaza is located at 3000 Meighan Blvd. and was sold to America's Realty LLC of Pikesville, Md. America's Realty owns and operates more than 200 shopping centers nationwide. Crossman & Company Senior Associate Sherri Mann, Carolan and Zielinski represented the seller RCG Ventures of Atlanta, Ga. in the nearly $3 million deal. The 85,323 square foot East Side Plaza is 85 percent leased. "East Side Plaza is located on 12 acres in the Etowah County seat and centrally located in Northeast Alabama," added Mann. "The shopping destination is well located and East Side is a stable asset with a lineup of national tenants." Tom Kallenbach of Tom Kallenbach Real Estate Investments represented America's Realty, LLC. Serving Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia with offices in Atlanta, Boca Raton, Tampa, Miami and Orlando, Crossman & Company has experience selling shopping centers, triple-net assets, as well as mixed-use and lifestyle properties. About Crossman & Company Crossman & Company is the premier real estate firm focused on serving retail landlords exclusively throughout the Southeast - with offices in Atlanta, Boca Raton, Tampa, Miami and Orlando - representing more than 340 shopping centers and 27 million square feet in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina. The company was founded in 1990 with the goal of providing exemplary service to our clients around four core values: Maintain enthusiastically satisfied clients; Demonstrate servant leadership; Practice kindness, openness and humility; and Develop new talent. For more information, visit the company's website at www.crossmanco.com. All eyes are on the USA in the coming month as the country is embroiled in one of the most controversial US elections in history. The outcome of the November 2016 Presidential election will have global repercussions, given the USAs status as the largest economy in the world, accounting for a quarter of global GDP in US$ terms in 2015. The Economies team turn the spotlight on the USA, from the Business Dynamics, Cities, Economy, Industrial and Natural Resources angles. At the time of writing, Clinton remains ahead of Trump in national polls but our analysis features examples of a potential Trump Downturn scenario, should the Republican candidate win, based on Euromonitors Macro Model. Insights include the USA facing greater competition for high skilled jobs generally; potential trade wars across US trade-dependent cities such as Houston as a result of a Trump victory, especially in light of rising protectionist rhetoric; while Mexico and Ireland are set to be the worst-hit economies should Trump win. We expect all the industries where Trump is active in his businesses to see a downturn in the event of a Republican victory, while the US position as a leader of renewable energy would also face a setback. Business Dynamics: The USA faces greater competition for high skilled jobs One of the key challenges facing the US economy is growing competition for high skilled jobs, from countries such as India. Trump has reassured his potential voters that he would put a stop to job migration, but this may come at a cost to US businesses. India offers a combination of high skills, English language ability and lower labour costs. The population aged 15+ with higher education in the USA equalled 86.9 million (34.4% of the total population) compared to 56.4 million (6.2% of the total population) in India in 2015, but the minimum wage in India was US$46.6 in 2015 compared to US$1,257 in the USA, which gives an indication of the wage differences across all economic segments. The growing penetration of internet in India, with 80.0% of businesses reporting to have online access in 2015, is making it possible for countries far across the borders, such as the USA, to take advantage of Indias lucrative labour market as they are now able to manage their operations remotely through technologies such as Cloud services and Skype. Unemployment rates in the USA and India, at 5.3% and 5.1% respectively, were similar in 2015, but the percentage of the unemployed population with higher education in the USA was 47.3%, compared to 15.0% in India in 2015, indicating businesses increasingly taking advantage of Indias relatively lower labour cost for high skilled jobs. The USAs population with higher skills is projected a period growth of 11.2% between 2015 and 2020, compared to 14.6% for India. India will continue to be a low skilled economy in general, but the competitive wage rates for higher skilled workers still make India a threat to the USA. Population by Higher Education and Minimum Wage in the USA vs India: 2015 Source: Euromonitor International from national statistics/UN/ILO Cities: A Trump win could signal trade wars across US trade-dependent cities Donald Trumps position on international trade, which includes his sceptical views of NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership, as well as his intention to place significant tariffs on goods from Mexico and China, are generally well known. What is less understood are the trade war ramifications which could be triggered across export-dependent US metropolitans such as Houston, Miami and Los Angeles. In the case of Houston, for instance, Mexico and China are the metropolitans largest trading partners, with US$15.9 billion and US$6.7 billion in exports in 2015 to Mexico and China, respectively. Houstons signature export industries in petroleum, coal products and chemicals will likely feel the brunt of the effect unless alternative deals are struck with other countries. Similar conclusions can be drawn for other US cities as less export demand will raise unemployment, reduce consumption and curtail investment. Exports as a Percentage of Total GDP in Major US cities: 2015 Economy, Finance and Trade: Mexico and Ireland will be the worst-hit economies as a result of a Trump victory Euromonitors Macro Model has assigned a 5-15% probability of a Trump victory. Our Trump Downturn scenario assumes a Trump win in the Presidential election but with the government blocking his most extreme proposals and moderating his tax cuts. While we expect a sharp slowdown in the US economy, in the event of a Trump win in Q4 2016, with a forecast real GDP growth of just 0.2% in 2017 (compared to our baseline forecast of 2.1%), outside of the USA, our Macro Model shows that Mexico and Ireland would be the most affected economies, although all countries in our Macro Model will display a negative impact on economic growth. We predict that Mexican and Irish real GDP growth rates will be 0.8 percentage points lower than our baseline forecasts in 2017 (with the Trump Downturn scenario set to Q4 2016). This is of no surprise given the dependence of Mexico on US demand for its exports (81.0% of Mexican exports went to the USA in 2015), while many Mexicans are also reliant on remittances from the USA, to fuel consumer spending at home. Similarly, the USA is a major trade and investment partner for Ireland, partly fuelled by geographic proximity and also the fact there are a large number of US multinational companies based in Ireland. The USA is also Irelands single largest export destination accounting for 23.7% of total exports in 2015. Both countries are set to benefit from trade deals such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership or the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership so the outcome of the US elections will determine not just the future direction of US trade but also it trade-dependent partners. Source: Euromonitor Macro Model Industrial: How would Trump industries weather Trump downturn? Due to increased instability, lower consumer expenditure and anti-immigrant policies that would raise costs for businesses, we expect the majority of US industries to record slower growth in the event of Donald Trump being elected President. If we evaluate the effect of a Trump Downturn on the main industries Donald Trump does business in, he might not want to win himself. Using Euromonitors Trump Downturn scenario to assess the impact on different industries, the US real estate industry would potentially lose close to US$400 billion in revenue until 2020, as the industrys value growth would decelerate to CAGR 4.0%, instead of 6.5% forecast in the baseline scenario. Financial services would also decelerate by over two percentage points to 4.7% CAGR until 2020, losing US$245 billion in potential revenue. The picture is similarly gloomy for the hotels sector with US$70 billion potential revenue loss if Trump is elected. Natural Resources: Renewable energy will get a setback from a Trump win The USA is one of the leading generators of energy from renewable sources and is well on track to lower greenhouse gas emissions, which is particularly important being the largest contributor in the world. The USs effort to promote cleaner energy, however, could be jeopardised in the event that Donald Trump is elected since he believes that substituting fossil fuels with renewable energy has negative economic and social implications, including putting people out of jobs and diverting public funds from more needed public services. The global supply of renewable energy from solar, wind and water was 110.3 million tonnes of oil equivalent in 2015, out of which 18.3% was produced in the USA, partly due to corporate efforts encouraged by government incentives including tax credit and rebates. Walmart is now said to be the largest generator of solar power in the USA, reported to be enough to power 200,000 homes, while Google is a leader in wind power said to buy enough to power 1 million homes in the country. Initiatives such as these are contributing towards the US governments target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025, but repealing government incentives to promote clean energy could be a major setback to the countrys environmental goals. Primary Energy Supply of Solar, Wind and Other Energy: 2015 Read more in Pre-Election Spotlight on the USA: Impact on Consumers To commemorate Black History Month in the United Kingdom, today we remember one of the Africans to live in Anglo-Saxon England. The man in question was Hadrian (d. 709), the abbot of St Peters and St Pauls at Canterbury, who played a pivotal role in the development of church structures in what is now England. Bedes description of Hadrian, beginning column 2 line 18, from his Ecclesiastical History of the English People, England (Canterbury?), c. 825: Cotton MS Tiberius C II, f. 94r. According to Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People (completed in 731), Hadrian was vir natione Afir (translated as 'a man of African race' by Bertram Colgrave and R.A.B. Mynors), who spoke both Greek and Latin. Some scholars have suggested that Hadrian was Amazigh, and that he came from the area that is now Libya. There are a series of Biblical commentaries (surviving in a manuscript in Milan) that were derived from notes on Hadrians teaching at his school at Canterbury, and these include references and vocabulary that were specific to north Africa. For example, there are notes on a beautiful bird called a porphyrio, 'said to be found in Libya' ('in Libia sit'). Detail of North Africa, from a world map in a scientific collection, England, mid-11th century: Cotton MS Tiberius B V/1, f. 56v. Hadrian may have been forced to flee the Arab invasions of North Africa. At any rate he arrived in Italy as young man. In Europe, he had a remarkable career as the emperors translator, diplomat and abbot of a monastery near Naples. He was then sent by Pope Vitalian to accompany Theodore of Tarsus, the newly-appointed archbishop of Canterbury, to Kent. They arrived in 668. The two men immediately set about touring the archdiocese, restructuring the Church in what is now England by dividing large dioceses into smaller ones, and legislating through regular synods. They also created an internationally renowned school at Canterbury where they may have introduced the study of Greek to Anglo-Saxons. Among the students of that school was Aldhelm, later bishop of Sherborne, who was considered a pre-eminent scholar by many of his contemporaries. Aldhelm praised the school in his letters, including one to Hadrian himself, in which he described Hadrian as his 'revered father and respected teacher' and himself as a 'humble pupil of your holiness'. In another letter, Aldhelm scolded his young correspondent for going to study in Ireland when Hadrian and Theodore offered better educational opportunities in Kent. Manuscripts of Aldhelms letters have recently been digitised by the British Library and are now available online (Royal MS 6 A VI and Cotton MS Domitian A IX). Passage from Aldhelm's letter to Heahfrith where he praises Hadrian as 'endowed with ineffably pure urbanity', the moon to Archbishop Theodore's sun, England (Canterbury?), 1st half of the 11th century: Royal MS 6 A VI, f. 8v. Judging from commentaries from his school and his students' writings, Hadrian can be credited with introducing Anglo-Saxons to a whole range of ideas, from astronomical thought inherited from Plato and Aristotle to the commemoration of Neapolitan saints venerated at his old monastery in Italy. He may even have influenced Anglo-Saxon literature through types of riddles: Aldhelm also wrote a book of riddles explicitly inspired by the North African writer Symphosius, whose enigmas may have been brought by Hadrian to England. Aldhelm's prologue invoking Symphosius, from Aldhelm's Riddles, England (Canterbury?), c. 1000: Royal MS 12 C XXIII, f. 79v. One of the earliest books known to have been owned in post-Roman Britain also came from Africa, perhaps from Carthage. This book contains a 4th-century copy of letters by another North African, Cyprian. Although this manuscript is now fragmentary, it was once an impressive codex, in fine uncial script and with the Biblical passages picked out in red. This book had come to England by the 8th century, because someone writing in early English script annotated, expanded and added to some of the words. These letters undoubtedly influenced 8th-century Anglo-Saxon writers, including Bede, who quoted from them. Some scholars have suggested that Hadrian himself may have brought this African manuscript to the British Isles. Detail of one of the earliest books known to have been owned in Anglo-Saxon England, containing the letters of Cyprian, North Africa, 4th century: Add MS 40165 A, f. 2r. Details of the letters vr added to the manuscript in England by the 8th century: Add MS 40165 A, f. 2v. According to Bede, Hadrian had been reluctant to come to Kent, so much so that he turned down an offer to be made archbishop of Canterbury and instead nominated several others for that office, including his eventual companion, Theodore. Nevertheless, Hadrian stayed in England for 41 years, and his influence has lasted much longer. He was remembered in saints' Lives at Canterbury later in the Middle Ages, and he helped to shape religious structures and literary traditions which remain in England today. Beginning of Goscelin's Life of Hadrian, England (Canterbury), 1st quarter of the 12th century: Cotton MS Vespasian B XX, f. 233r. Alison Hudson @BLMedieval The U.S. Department of Education doled out $427 million for the very last round of School Improvement Grant funds Tuesday. The program, which has gotten more than $7 billion over the course of the Obama administration, yielded decidedly mixed results when it comes to student achievement , was eliminated under the Every Student Succeeds Act. So what will replace it? And how school improvement under ESSA be similar to or look different from SIG? The key similarity: Under ESSA, states are still supposed to identify their bottom 5 percent of performers. And they still get . They key differences: Instead of having a dedicated pot of money, states instead are called on to set aside 7 percent of their Title I funding for school improvement, up from 4 percent under the previous version of the law. Most of that money has to go out to school districts. But its up to states whether they want to run a competition, or send it out by a formula, to everyone. One of the biggest knocks on SIG was that it was too prescriptive and forced states to choose from a menu of turnaround options that didnt make sense for them . Under ESSA, states and districts can come up with whatever fixes they want for their lowest performing schools, as long as there is some evidence behind the idea . The feds are explicitly barred from telling them what to do. . Under ESSA, states and districts can come up with whatever fixes they want for their lowest performing schools, as long as there is some evidence behind the idea . The feds are explicitly barred from telling them what to do. In the past, states were in charge of finding fixes for their lowest-performing schools. Under ESSA, districts are in charge of coming up with the plan. The state is supposed to monitor their efforts. If the school isnt getting better after a state-determined number of years (no more than four), the state is supposed to step in with its own plan. So what does it mean for an idea to have evidence behind it? Were still figuring that out. ESSA lays out four different levels of evidence. If a state or district decides to pay for an intervention using Title I money thats been set aside for school improvement, it needs to choose from one of the top three tiers. Districts that want to try out an intervention without using that money can pick something from one of the top tiers, too, or they come up with some rationale, based in research, for using the strategy. (My colleague, Sarah Sparks of Inside School Research fame, has a great breakdown of the different levels of evidence in this post. ) Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 . New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, approved a budget this week that spared several of her key education initiatives, according to the Associated Press. The state has faced severe budget cuts in recent years due to the dip in oil prices. The legislature in recent months has been meeting in a special session to come up with a budget for the current fiscal year that decreases the gap between the amount of money the state collects and the amount of money it spends. In all, the states school system would have suffered a $70 million cut from this years budget. But, before signing the budget, Martinez vetoed $22 million worth of line items from the list, including cuts to the states teacher pay incentive program, state funding for students to take AP exams for free, and a program that places social workers in middle schools. To make cuts as deep as the legislature proposed, she wrote, according to the AP, would be to abandon our goals in education as our schools and students as they strive to meet them. Earlier this year, I wrote about states whose school funding is closely tied to oil revenue. 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. Juvenile Carjacker Arrested Twice in 48 Hours Last week, a juvenile carjacker in New Jersey made headlines for being arrested twice within 48 hours for two separate carjacking incidents. Police released the minor into the custody of a relative after his arrest on a Friday for carjacking, and on Sunday, the teen was rearrested for another carjacking. The juvenile carjacker, surprisingly, is only 13 years old. Fortunately, there were no injuries as a result of his actions, however, police have linked an additional two to three car thefts from surrounding communities to the young suspect. Penalties for Juvenile Carjacking While criminal laws vary from state to state, juveniles can face very serious penalties for carjacking. The penalties can become exponentially worse if a weapon, or gun, is involved. Additionally, older juveniles may be charged as adults. While some juvenile offenses may be summarily dealt with if they are minor, or offenses that relate to the minor's age (such as possession of alcohol or tobacco), carjacking, especially when a weapon is involved, is not one of these. Unlike a joyriding charge, which can be charged as a misdemeanor in some jurisdictions, when a carjacker physically removes the driver of a vehicle by force and takes the keys and car, the likelihood is that even a juvenile will be charged with a felony. When a carjacker does not intend to permanently deprive the vehicle owner of possession, a joyriding charge may still apply, however, the act of stealing the car directly from the victim's possession will likely impose additional charges. Recent Trends Over the past few months, there have been several news stories across the country involving juvenile carjackings. The story out of New Jersey comes after a brutal story out of Oakland, California, where four juveniles punched an old lady and stole her vehicle. A month prior to that, a nearby city saw not only a juvenile carjacking, but it led to a high-speed pursuit, ending in a crash and arrest. In Denver, a juvenile carjacker that was fleeing from police was shot in the leg. Carjacking is a serious criminal offense that can land a juvenile in adult prison. Due to the fact that it involves more than simply taking the car, but potentially assault and/or battery (with or without a weapon), the charges tend to more serious than simply joyriding. Related Resources: Shooting at George Zimmerman Illegal, Florida Man Learns George Zimmerman, the garbage human infamously acquitted in the homicide of Trayvon Martin, became the victim of a shooting himself last year, in an apparent road rage incident. The man who shot at Zimmerman, Matthew Apperson, was convicted of attempted second-degree murder last month, and last week was sentenced to 20 years in prison. The irony is that Zimmerman himself was charged with second-degree murder in Martin's death, and was perhaps fortunate his victim wasn't around to testify at his trial. Road Rage For his part, Zimmerman testified that Apperson was following him in May 2015, flashing his lights and honking his horn. Apperson then pulled up alongside Zimmerman's car and opened fire, bullet shattering his window and narrowly missing its intended victim. Apperson disputed that account, saying it was Zimmerman who threatened him, and he was acting in self-defense. "Mr. Apperson pulled that trigger and didn't care. In fact, he joyfully bragged about killing me and said, 'I got him. I shot George Zimmerman,'" Zimmerman told the jury during sentencing. "He thought he had killed me, and he was happy about it." Zimmerman thanked jurors for convicting Apperson, adding, he "showed absolutely no care for human life." Outrage It's not hard to see why someone might have wanted to take a shot at Zimmerman. Aside from the Martin shooting, Zimmerman was charged with resisting arrest and battering a police officer, accused of domestic violence by an ex-fiance, accused of molesting his cousin, pulled over speeding through Texas with a firearm, accused of domestic violence by his then wife, charged with aggravated assault for pointing a shotgun at his then girlfriend, and arrested and charged with aggravated assault for throwing a bottle at his then girlfriend. He has had multiple restraining orders issued against him, and had a defamation suit he filed against NBC thrown out. His latest brush with the law may have others believing that justice takes many forms. Related Resources: Lawsuit: Heart Devices Are Vulnerable to Hackers St. Jude Medical filed a lawsuit last month against the investment firm and research agency that issued a report in August claiming their cardiac implants were vulnerable to hacking. St. Jude filed suit against Muddy Waters (an investment firm) and MedSec (a security consultant) after it was discovered that Muddy Waters was shorting St. Jude stock, and that they have a deal with MedSec to split the profits made by shorting. This information calls the report's truthfulness into question due to the fact that Muddy Waters and MedSec both have a strong financial incentive to make claims against St. Jude to cause the stock price to fall. Most recently, Muddy Waters filed a third party research firm's report in court validating MedSec's initial report's findings. The report, by BishopFox, states that the initial report's findings are accurate. BishopFox also claims to have been able to repeat the cyber attacks on the devices that the initial report described. Follow the Money While the two reports' findings are disturbing, there are still many doubts surrounding the claims. When a University of Michigan researcher was unable to verify the claims, Muddy Waters dismissed the researcher by explaining that they did not release the full details in their report for security reasons. The U of M researcher however did explain that the one piece of photographic evidence in the report was indicative only of a device that was not connected to an actual person. Following the money should logically cause a person to doubt the claims of Muddy Waters, MedSec, and even BishopFox. When an investment company is shorting a stock, like Muddy Waters is doing with St. Jude, they are betting against the stock. If the stock price goes down, they will make money. The report they released in conjunction with the fact they were shorting St. Jude, especially by having an agreement with the research firm that authored the report to split profits from the stock short, really calls the research firm and investment firm's motives into question. Is This Insider Trading? There is a big difference between short-selling and insider trading. Although Muddy Waters appeared to have confidential information that the St. Jude devices were vulnerable, that information was not from St. Jude, but rather from independent research firms, and thus not from inside St. Jude. While insider trading is not legal, there is nothing illegal about playing the market based on information that you have gained through careful research. However, manipulating a stock price as Muddy Waters did has limits. If it is discovered that Muddy Waters, or MedSec, released false information to manipulate the stock price, then there can be severe legal penalties. The current lawsuit against the investment and research firm by St. Jude Medical asserts that the reports are false and were done for the purpose of manipulating the market so the firms could have a more profitable short sale of St. Jude's stock. Related Resources: The latest issue of China Briefing Magazine, titled China Investment Roadmap: the Food & Beverage Industry, is out now and available to subscribers as a free download in the Asia Briefing Publication Store. Contents Key Takeaways from Chinas Food & Beverage Industry Navigating Chinas Licensing and Certifications for Food & Beverage Evaluating Chinas Food Safety Laws A cursory glance at a few key statistics will quickly reveal the size and potential of Chinas food & beverage industry. In 2011, the Middle Kingdom overtook the U.S. as the worlds largest consumer market for food & beverage products. Driven by a string of food scandals, a preference for foreign goods that are perceived to be safer shows no sign of abating, with 71 percent of Chinese people considering food safety a concern in 2015. And the country increasingly has the means to purchase foreign products average disposable income levels continue to rise at an exponential rate, doubling from RMB 15,000 in 2008 to RMB 31,000 in 2015. But the vast opportunities and still nascent potential of the Chinese food market should not be viewed without their caveats. Competition is stiff, both from other international companies and growing domestic ones, and the regulatory environment is complicated, often inconsistent, and still very much a work in progress for the several government agencies tasked with managing it. In the last two years alone, there have been numerous new laws introduced with the intention of either simplifying or expanding the legal framework of the industry. The limited scope of this magazine doesnt allow us to tackle all of these issues. Instead, in this edition of China Briefing, we examine two areas of Chinese food regulations most pertinent for foreign investors today licensing and certification, and food safety standards. Both have undergone significant change in recent years, altering the way in which foreign companies must engage with the food & beverage industry, and must be thoroughly understood prior to market entry As Chinas food & beverage industry continues to develop and diversify, having a handle on the key market trends and regulatory hurdles will be essential for foreign businesses. We hope that this issue of China Briefing equips your company with some of the tools that it will need to compete in the market. 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. Establishing & Operating a Business in China 2016 Establishing & Operating a Business in China 2016, produced in collaboration with the experts at Dezan Shira & Associates, explores the establishment procedures and related considerations of the Representative Office (RO), and two types of Limited Liability Companies: the Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprise (WFOE) and the Sino-foreign Joint Venture (JV). The guide also includes issues specific to Hong Kong and Singapore holding companies, and details how foreign investors can close a foreign-invested enterprise smoothly in China. Understanding Mergers & Acquisitions in China In this issue of China Briefing magazine, we set out to guide foreign investors through the mergers and acquisitions process, from initial market research, to set-up procedures and regulatory hurdles, and finally through important due diligence considerations. With experience in Chinas M&A market since 1992, Dezan Shira & Associates is perfectly positioned to ensure that the M&A is the right investment vehicle for your companys venture into China. China Investment Roadmap: the Education Sector In this issue of China Briefing, we navigate through Chinas regulatory framework for investment into education, presenting a roadmap for best practices in the industry. We examine the key market information that has driven the industrys growth, analyze the different investment models that are available for foreign companies, and finally discuss the effect that Chinas recently released NGO law will have on foreign investment into education. Gitmo Conviction Upheld Against Osama bin Laden's Media Secretary While Osama bin Laden is dead, his media secretary, Ali Hamza Ahmad Suliman al-Bahlul, who made propaganda videos, as well as filmed the wills for 9/11 hijackers, just had his 2008 conviction upheld in the DC Appeals Court. Although he had been detained in Guantanamo Bay, then tried and convicted in a military court for conspiracy years ago, his attorney is still fighting the conviction. Although it is not disputed that the media secretary helped Osama bin Laden and Al-Qaeda, what is disputed is the propriety of the conspiracy charge brought against him. The media secretary was convicted of conspiracy, which technically is not a war crime, which arguably means that the enemy combatant should have been tried in a regular federal court rather than by a military court. The DC Court of Appeals disagreed and upheld the conviction. Judges Concur but Don't Agree Although a majority of the judges sitting on the Federal DC Appeals Court concurred in the result, they each had different reasons. At the end of the day, it seems that most of the judges agreed that the military court does have the authority to try enemy combatants for non-war-crime crimes that are still related to the war. The judges did not arrive at this decision rashly. The appeal was argued nearly a year ago, and the decision was just reached this past Thursday. The DC Appeals Court has had to wrestle with the issue of how far the military courts can reach before, however, this decision is rather unique. Part of the uniqueness comes from the emotional component that the judges are surely grappling with: the defendant was part of the 9/11 terror plot which caused so much grief throughout the nation. Another unique aspect is that the challenge is procedural, or technical, in nature. Uncertain Appellate Decision Ripe for SCOTUS When a defendant doesn't agree with the ruling of a Federal Appeals Court, the next step is asking for the Supreme Court to review the case, which is surely the next step in this case as the appeals court's decision here is wrought with indecisiveness. The Supreme Court will likely be asked to weigh in about whether there are clear boundaries between what a military court can prosecute and what should be left for the federal courts. Whether the Supreme Court will actually take the matter up is wholly different question, however, as the appeals court's decision allows the military courts to have more power to prosecute by allowing conspiracy and other non-war-crime charges to be brought against detainees. Related Resources: British rock band Radiohead will headline the NorthSide music festival in the Danish city of Aarhus in June next year, the festival organizer announced on Tuesday. "We are proud and honored that Radiohead has agreed to play NorthSide this summer. It is a dream come true for us and we look forward to sharing it with our audience this summer," festival spokesman John Fogde said in a statement. Fogde also revealed that the band will play the closing show on Sunday night at the three-day event from June 9 to 11. Founded in 2010 as a one-day music event, NorthSide has gained more and more popularity over the years and now it has grown to a three-day festival over the past three years in Denmark's second largest city on the east coast of the Jutland peninsula. "It will be fantastic end to NorthSide 2017 with such a large international act as Radiohead," Aarhus mayor Jacob Bundsgaard said in a statement. According to Bundsgaard, Aarhus will stage an array of cultural programs next year when the city will celebrate its title as the European Capital of Culture. He said the music event with the combination of renowned bands like Radiohead is a strong contribution to strengthening the city's international music profile and helping support the city's growth, development and tourism. Formed in 1985, Radiohead have sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. In 2005, they were ranked 73rd in Rolling Stone's list of "The Greatest Artists of All Time". A Chinese delegation on Tuesday wrapped up its three-day trip to Ireland, where they visited a government department, a university and a think tank to enhance exchanges on Tibetan culture. The delegation visited the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Dublin Institute of Technology, and the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA), where they talked with government officials, teachers, students and researchers on issues ranging from Tibet's development and religious freedom, to Tibet's history and preservation of its splendid culture. Zhang Yun, head of the delegation and also director of the Institute of History Studies of the China Tibetology Research Center, denounced the idea of "Greater Tibet", long advocated by the Dalai Lama, saying that the idea of "Greater Tibet" -- which includes Tibet, Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu, Qinghai and other areas inhabited by Tibetans -- has never existed and the autonomy put forward by the Dalai Lama denies the leadership of the central government, and Tibet's present social and political system. The Chinese Tibetologist said Tibet has undergone sweeping changes over the past several decades. He said the fine traditional Tibetan culture has been inherited and developed and that big strides have been made in education, science and other undertakings. Patrick English, a teacher from Dublin Institute of Technology, said he was amazed and happy with the inheritance and preservation of Tibet's ethnic culture. IIEA Chairman Brendan Halligan spoke highly of China's policy on Tibetan religion and culture, saying that the Chinese policy seems carefully designed to respect Tibet's unique and distinctive features. Ireland is the last leg of the delegation's three-nation visit, which also took the delegation to Belgium and Britain. A staff member demonstrates mobile-payment process at Alipay's headquarters in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 10, 2014. [Xinhua] Ant Financial Services Group, the operator of China's most used mobile payment service Alipay, will soon enable its hundreds of millions of Chinese users to enjoy data-driven in-store payments in the United Statesthe latest effort made by the digital financial service giant in its moves to go global. Ant Financial, which is controlled by Chinese billionaire Jack Ma, announced on Tuesday its partnerships with US payment technology providers First Data Corp and Verifone, an initiative that is expected to help the Chinese company rapidly expand its presence in the country via the two partners' strong merchant networks. Douglas Feagin, senior vice-president of Ant Financial and head of Alipay International, said in a keynote speech at Money 2020 in Las Vegas that the US market was vital for Alipay not only because it is a popular destination of Chinese visitors and tourists. "We aim to have at least 1 million merchants outside the Chinese mainland accepting Alipay worldwide in three years. Working with our network of global partners like First Data and Verifone will help us achieve the goal." Since late 2014, Alipay has worked closely with local retailers at popular destinations for mainland visitors and tourists, including South Korea and Hong Kong. By having First Data and Verifone join Ant Financial's network, combining with many other partners worldwide, Chinese visitors and tourists will be able to pay and receive interactive information from global merchants from Europe to North America, Japan to Southeast Asia. The move in the US is part of Ant Financial's broad global expansion plan of serving 2 billion customers in the next 10 years, about 60 percent of them coming from outside China. Li Chao, an analyst with iResearch Consulting Group, said that the rising number of Chinese outbound travelers and their increasing spending were part of the emerging "going global" trend fueled by China's mobile payment service providers. "Fierce competition has dragged down the profits of digital payment services in China," he said. "Looking abroad is in line with their internationalization strategy and the goal to be more profitable. And the best way to start is with Chinese outbound travelers." Outbound tourism has become increasingly popular among Chinese middle-class consumers in recent years. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, China has been the world's biggest outbound tourism consumer since 2012, accounting for more than 13 percent of global tourism revenue. In 2015, China saw 117 million tourists traveling overseas and they spent $104.5 billion overseas. Chinese and US judicial authorities have been speeding up negotiations on returning five most-wanted corrupt Chinese officials, who are still on the run in the United States, to face trial at home. A senior official from the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said that "achievements have been made" on some major cases through judicial and diplomatic channels, although no bilateral extradition treaty was signed between the two countries. The official, who declined to reveal his name, said Chinese law enforcement officers are seeking assistance from their US counterparts to return the five key corruption suspects, including Yang Xiuzhu, former deputy head of the Zhejiang Provincial Construction Bureau, and Xu Chaofan, former director of Bank of China's Kaiping branch in Guangdong province. Yang is suspected of illegal gains totaling 250 million yuan ($37 million) and illegal immigration, and has applied to the US to cancel her political asylum in the US to facilitate her return, according to the CCDI. Xu, suspected of the theft of bank assets worth $483 million, is willing to come back to confess his crime, the source said. "We will offer relevant evidence to our US counterparts in a timely manner and leave for the US at a proper time to conduct a joint investigation with our counterparts," the CCDI official said. "We are in advanced negotiations with the US to speed up the process for the fugitives' return." In recent years, the US, Canada, Australia and Singapore have become popular destinations for corrupt Chinese officials who flee, due to lack of bilateral extradition treaties and differences in laws, according to the Ministry of Public Security. Meanwhile, a large number of corrupt officials have transferred billions of yuan in illegal funds to their foreign accounts either through money laundering or underground banks, the ministry said. Since April last year, when Interpol issued red notices to track down 100 major Chinese corrupt officials who fled, four have returned from the US to face trial, including 58-year-old Yang Jinjun, brother of Yang Xiuzhu, who is suspected of bribery and corruption. He was forcefully repatriated to China from the US in September last year after spending 14 years on the run. Although progress has been made, some obstacles still hinder the efforts between China and US in nabbing fugitives and confiscating their illegal funds. Zhang Xiaoming, deputy director-general of the judicial assistance and foreign affairs department of the Ministry of Justice, said it is necessary to offer solid evidence to US judicial officials and to make sure Chinese law enforcement officials are well-versed in US and international law. With every passing meeting of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), a chart of China's future, designed by the nation's top leaders, unfolds. Deepening reform, advancing rule of law, and building an all-round moderately prosperous society were the focus of the third, fourth and fifth plenary sessions of the 18th CPC Central Committee. Strict Party governance is the focus of the sixth plenary session, which started Monday. This focus, known as one part of the "Four Comprehensives," is widely viewed as the strategic outline and key governance thought of the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping as general secretary. Tasked with studying and implementing the top-level designs for strict Party governance, the sixth plenary session will take the strategic vision of the "Four Comprehensives" to new heights. Yet, strict Party governance is not new. Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the CPC leadership has pledged to unswervingly implement comprehensive and strict Party governance. This included an "eight-point" guideline against bureaucracy and extravagance, and a "mass line" campaign to bring officials closer to the public. The leadership has also taken great pains to address corruption, which it believes could threaten the very survival of the Party and the state. It is natural that people may wonder why Party governance has been elevated to such a height that it is an integral part of the overall strategy. For the CPC - with more than 88 million members, larger than Germany's population - staying true to its mission and keeping constantly invigorated is a tough challenge. To many observers, the CPC is Asia and even the world's most vigorous political Party. This can be attributed to a serious and meticulous approach to political life taken by the 95-year-old CPC, a fine tradition and political advantage of the CPC. Strict governance must begin within the Party itself. Over the years, the CPC has formulated basic norms of intra-Party political life, featuring principles such as to "seek truth from facts," linking theory with reality and maintaining close links to the people. Historical lessons from the former Soviet Union and the CPC's own history highlight the importance of intra-Party political life. Paralysis through bureaucracy, abandoning democratic centralism and no longer following Marxism as its guiding theory, brought the communist party in the Soviet Union to its end. Abnormal intra-Party political life also led to political mistakes in the CPC's history, such as the Cultural Revolution. New circumstances call for new criteria in the political life of the Party. By the end of 2015, CPC membership exceeded 88 million, and over 70 percent members had joined after the reform and opening up. Drastic and profound social transition subjected CPC members to negative influences such as money worshipping, hedonism and extreme individualism. The sixth plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee seeks to stipulate norms for intra-Party political life under new circumstances, revise documents on intra-Party supervision and solidify the political foundations of strict Party governance. Designing the overall strategy, the meeting will consolidate the CPC's leadership, upgrade the CPC's governance capacity, and lay the institutional foundations to complete the overall tasks, blueprints and objectives set at the 18th National Congress of the CPC. Desalinated seawater has become an important source of water in China, according to an international meeting in Hangzhou, capital of eastern China's Zhejiang Province. Yang Shangbao, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission, said at the meeting on Tuesday that China has built 112 water desalination facilities with a combined daily treatment capacity of 1.08 million cubic meters. "Seawater desalination has provided an important supplementing water source and provided a strategic reserve in China," Yang said. He said an industry had taken shape to make comprehensive use of seawater. About half of current desalination facilities are used for providing water for public use, such as for water used in urban landscaping. "Membrane technology has already made it feasible to recycle polluted water for drinking. With the technology, several water desalination plants in northern China have started to process seawater to ease acute water shortages," said Xing Weihong, deputy principal of Nanjing University of Industry, who is attending the three-day meeting. The 4th China (West Lake) International Seawater Desalination and Water Reutilization Meeting is sponsored by the China Water Desalination Association in partnership with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the International Desalination Association. Nine of the 10 Chinese sailors released from captivity by Somali pirates arrived in Guangzhou on Tuesday morning, looking exhausted but happy. Nine Chinese sailors released by pirates arrive at Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou on Oct 25, 2016. [Photo/provided to China Daily] The group, including eight from the Chinese mainland and one from Taiwan, were on their way back to their hometowns, according to China Central Television. "We got very excited as soon as the pirates released us. This equals a rebirth," said a sailor surnamed Fan, from Sichuan province. The sailors are expected to need time to recover from ailments like malnourishment as well as from the ordeal of captivity. They took a picture in the airport with a banner reading: "The home country welcomes you back." Yang Hsiu-hui, the wife of Shen Jui-chang from Taiwan, said she felt "very happy" to learn her husband was returning. She traveled to Guangzhou to pick him up. Yang said that when she learned years ago that her husband had been kidnapped, she hugged her two daughters and cried, and the children would cry when they saw a photo of their father. Yang thanked the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits for their help. Reports say the couple will return to Taiwan on Wednesday. A total of 26 sailors, including the 10 Chinese, were released by Somali pirates on Saturday and arrived in Kenya on Sunday. One Chinese sailor remained in Kenya for medical treatment, and will return to China after his condition improves, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in a daily news conference on Tuesday. The pirates originally captured 29 sailors, including 12 Chinese, when they hijacked the Omani-flagged fishing vessel Naham 3 in March 2012. Three sailors died - including one from the mainland and one from Taiwan. One was killed during the hijacking and two died from illnesses. On Oct. 24, adult giant pandas Aoyun and Yunyun arrived in Shennongjia, Hubei province, marking the first time giant pandas have resided in Shennongjia in more than a century. Adult giant pandas Aoyun and Yunyun arrive in Shennongjia, Hubei province on October 24,2016. [Photo: Chinanews.com] That morning, escorted by researchers from a Shennongjia Nature Reserve and Chinas Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas, Aoyun and Yunyun left Chengdu by air, arriving at their new residence by evening. The pandas were in good health and boasted stable moods at their time of arrival. Born in 2008, Aoyun and Yunyun are in their physical prime. A researcher from the nature reserve explained that Aoyun and Yunyun still need some time to get accustomed to their new environment after the long trip. Researchers will look after them carefully to help them adapt. They are expected to available for public viewing after a period of segregation and quarantine. The newly built panda residence occupies over 7,000 square meters. Its supporting facilities and surrounding natural environment ensure the pandas comfort and security, as well as fulfilling the requirements for public showings and scientific research. Historical records show that Shennongjia used to be a paradise for giant pandas. However, the animals gradually disappeared from the area due to human activities and a changing climate. In September, experts pointed out that Shennongjia shared a similar ecological character to Wolong Nature Reserve in Sichuan province. Additionally, Shennongjia has a solid track record in the conservation and protection of golden monkeys, which are considered another national treasure of China. The biological diversity of Shennongjia, a UNESCO world heritage site, is acknowledged all over the world. AARP Sues EEOC Over Employee Wellness Program Rules Employee wellness is a good thing. Employee wellness programs can be a good thing, so encouraging employees to participate in employee wellness programs can be a good thing. But forcing employees to participate in employee wellness programs lest they be charged for their health care insurance? That can be a bad thing, especially when employee wellness programs require employees to submit a significant amount of personal medical details in the process. In an effort to protect employees who'd rather not divulge that kind of information, AARP is suing the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission over the rules governing what employers can do regarding employee wellness programs. The Context While it used to be known as the American Association of Retired Persons, AARP changed its name in 1999, and no longer requires members to be retired. Instead, AARP is more like a consumer advocacy group representing those over the age of 50, many of whom remain in the workforce. The EEOC is the federal agency in charge of handling workplace discrimination claims, and in this case is also in charge of setting the rules for employee wellness programs under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The EEOC issued new rules in May regarding the definitions of "voluntary" and "health program" in regards to employee wellness programs, and attempted to clear up the extent to which employers may offer incentives to employees to participate in wellness programs that ask them to answer disability-related questions or undergo medical examinations. The Conflict The New York Times is reporting that under the EEOC's new rule, employers are permitted to set incentives to join wellness programs and divulge personal medical information as high as 30 percent of the employee's annual health insurance costs. The Times cites the Kaiser Family Foundation as putting the average annual individual coverage cost around $6,435, meaning opting out of a wellness program could cost an employee $2,000 per year. Beyond that, the lawsuit claims personal medical information could be used to discriminate against participating employees. While most can agree that voluntary wellness programs can help keep employees healthy and reduce overall health insurance costs, the extent to which employers can require employee participation and request employee medical information are still being sorted out. Before implementing your own employee wellness program, you may want to consult with an attorney. Related Resources: "And are gone to praise God and His Priest and King, Who make up a Heaven of our misery." - The Chimney Sweeper : William Blake The news of two Chinese disabled beggars on a street of Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur published on CRIENGLISH.com on October 18, 2016 brought tears to my eyes. The image of the wailing Chinese maimed child beggar on a street in China with the mentioned report filled my heart with an overwhelming feeling of sadness for him. The report surely raises question marks to 'modern' China's economic boom in very lurid colours. As per the news reports, transnational gangs are maiming and disfiguring Chinese children, keeping them captive for a number of years before sending them to Malaysia on tourist visas for begging in hot tourist spots. This is extremely shocking! I am sure that these Chinese children like other victims also suffered excruciating torture by the hands of beggar rackets. While chopping off their limbs, perhaps these little kids helplessly screamed in agony: "Don't beat me, please; don't cut my leg, please. Save me, please." But the so-called modern society turns a deaf ear to the rosary of their painful life. In every religion, a child is treated as the shadow of God. But the harsh reality of this cruel world on child beggars is depressing. The child trafficking is not just the problem of China only; it's a very real problem all over the world. The horror of children begging is in India as much as in China also. Hundreds of thousands of innocent children fall into the clutches of the beggar gangs and are exploited commercially by global criminal groups within or across international borders every year. The child begging is troublingly common sight in nearly every country in the world, developing or developed countries. The problem of maimed child beggary has become a colossal one in south Asian countries, particularly India, Bangladesh Pakistan and Sri Lanka. No doubt the Child beggars are the '21st-century version of Oliver Twists' - the Charles Dickens novel in which the villain Fagin forces a group of young children to extract cash from rich Londoners for him. The Child begging is modern-day slavery. However not all children beg for themselves and their own survival, some are forced by others into doing it. Children are trafficked into begging by organized criminal gangs which have syndicated links with other cross -border counterparts. The traffickers profit from child beggars. The money they earn is usually paid to the gangsters. The brutal ways of the 'Beggar Mafia' have no limits. They kidnap or entice children away from the possession of their parents, as well as steal new-born babies from hospitals and then commit inhuman cruelties on them. These criminals are so dangerous and amoral that they do not hesitate to hack the limbs off children. The abducted children are fed very little food and water and are hidden in large vessels for months and suffer from nutrition deficiency .They use the children as begging 'props' to maximize their earnings from sympathetic passers-by in public places. The gangs also pour acid on to the children's bodies, leaving them with suppurating wounds. Some other unfortunate young children are bought by the 'Beggar Mafia' from relatives or custodians who cannot afford to keep them or simply do not want them. These children are first brutally beaten, burnt and starved for days in order to make them look miserable and then sent to the streets to beg. The gangs also keep the children addicted to opium or other drugs in order to control them. The gang leaders including women also, keep a check on the beggars so that they could not steal the money. Or if children are found doing so they are beaten black and blue for that. The mafia gangs also kill children and throw their bodies into the river. Not all the abducted children are maimed for begging; some are forced into child pornography and prostitution. We cannot imagine that the girl who at her tender age, changes every night from hand to hand, to the fact, there is nothing in her life. And the modern society is moving forward bearing the curse of little "Eve". The shocking story of two Chinese beggars- Xiu Yuan and Du Feng on a street of Kuala Lumpur isn't the first time it has been reported about, but such type of news always ends up with nothing definite being done, because there's a godfather behind the trafficking. According to the Chinese media, child trafficking has become big business in China for many years. There are no statistics for the black industry of child-trafficking in China. But it has been estimated that as many as 70,000 children are sold by unscrupulous gangs each year. The Beijing Youth Daily said that Chinese children becoming beggars or vagrants have been a problem for a long time. According to China's Social Welfare and Social Affairs Department of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, China has approximately 1 to 1.5 million homeless children and a large number of homeless children are forced to beg to make money. Child beggars are mainly from China's poverty-stricken areas such as Henan, Guizhou and Gansu provinces. Some are kidnapped or bought by traffickers. Some are rented by child beggar organizers from their parents. The business of forcing children into begging by human traffickers as a means of getting rich has become ever more rampant in China's rural areas. According to a news report of CRIENGLISH.com in 2011, "the traffickers tortured children into absolute obedience to their orderings, and usually handicapped them into a physical disability or mutilated their bodies so the children would fetch more sympathy when begging The children were taken to begging on the streets of major Chinese cities under the watchful eyes of traffickers". Hopefully, the Government of China has been helping beggars out of dire situations. In 2003, the central government implemented the Management of Street Beggars in Cities plan, with stations that provide food and shelter for the homeless in major cities. A micro blog, set up by Yu Jiangrong, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, has been conducting a nationwide child beggar rescue campaign since 2011. In another report of CRIENGLISH.com in 2015, it is revealed that child beggars on Beijing's Subways have seen marked increases during China's school summer vacation. Beijing subway authorities imposed a ban on begging in May, 2015. According to Xinhua news reports, currently street children have access to food and accommodation at relief stations, which also provide help for adult vagrants. According to CRIENGLISH.com reports, by the end of 2015, China had 502,000 orphans, of which 92,000 were up for adoption. As regards to the reported Chinese disabled beggars on the streets of Malaysia, thanks to God, the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia has started to investigate the case of Chinese children with severe physical deformities found begging in Malaysia. The beggar mafia is a huge industry on the shoulder of disabled children and poor people and the perpetrators get away scot-free every time. The mafia of human trafficking and begging industry does not allow the child to enjoy his or her life. There is collusion between the lawmakers and lawbreakers in everywhere of the world. It is important for law enforcement to arrest the traffickers and award them the death penalty in order to make an example to the others in this dirty business. According to a CRIENGLISH.com report, the current criminal law of China, human traffickers can be sentenced to a maximum ten years in prison. The Supreme People's Court of China punished 13,000 people for involvement in trafficking, more than half got punishment ranging from five years in prison to death during 2010-2014. I think the child traffickers deserve the death penalty as they could go to the extreme and, in desperation, hurt or even kill a child. Without specialized human trafficking laws, victims are subjected to greater uncertainties while traffickers face reduced risks and penalties. These little beggars are helpless and seek public support. Child beggars all over the world deserve a bright future. They want to be loved, and they need to be loved. Humanity is finding its way out from humans. I want to quote the words of the 40th U.S. President Ronald Reagan: "We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone." And I believe that we must help the child beggars to make our world more beautiful. The Author: Rabi Sankar Bosu, Secretary of New Horizon Radio Listeners' Club, West Bengal, India Journalists work at the media center before the Final Presidential Debate at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) in Las Vegas, Nevada, the United States, Oct. 19, 2016. The third and also the final presidential debate between the Democratic and Republican nominees, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, will be held here on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) Often, it's too easy for Americans to absolve their country from its problems. We are, after all, infamous for being proud of our nation. Yet, the current presidential election campaign has complicated that element of blind pride. As an American living abroad, the 2016 election has been, well, embarrassing, to say the least. Donald Trump's success so far betrays some awful truths about the United States. As Americans, we all recognize Trump and his supporters. We've been exposed to the poisonous attitudes they're now displaying for our entire lives. We watch it on TV. We see it reflected in casual acquaintances. We may have even grown up hearing it from the dinner table. We cringe at the blatant racism and misogyny, in part, because it's so painfully familiar. At the same time, we've gone about our lives trying not to acknowledge it. Unfortunately, that is no longer a viable option anymore. Trump has lit the touch-paper on destructive ideas that were once buried deep in the psyche, and made them part of his platform. His rhetoric empowers the worst of America and rewards the ignorance of potential voters. Now the rest of the world can clearly see our distinct brand of bigotry. Trump takes the worst of American ideals and launches them for broadcast on an international level. Our dirty laundry is being aired for the entire world to see, and it's not a pretty sight. Even though Trump is set to lose against Hillary Clinton in November, this election has still been sobering for the American people. We can no longer ignore the ugliness that has lived in our country since its very founding. All one can say is that, maybe, this public loss of face is a necessary process through which Americans have to pass in order to admit we need to change. Gene Wang is a college student in Syracuse University, New York. He is currently on a study abroad program in Tsinghua University in Beijing. Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn Flash Secretary of Ministry of Tourism Ukus Kuswara gives interview to Xinhuanet on Oct. 21, 2016. He talked about the development of tourism in Indonesia and prospect of cooperation in tourism between China and Indonesia. (Xinhuanet/Chen Yante) Indonesia is keen to attract more Chinese tourists, with the government adopting new measures to facilitate the process, said Ukus Kuswara, Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia. In an interview recently with Xinhuanet, the official said tourists from China to Indonesia has reached significant growth, reaching 1.12 million people in 2015. In July and August 2016, the number of Chinese tourists in Indonesia consecutively top the list. "We hope that the number could hit 1.7 million in 2016", he said. To achieve this, the government pushed forward a number of new measures. For example, Indonesia will open direct flights between the major cities of China and the major tourist destinations in Indonesia. Some Chinese provinces have opened direct flights to Bali, and in the future flights to other destinations can be expected, he said. The Indonesian government is also improving marketing and promotion of cooperation with China. The "go digital" program, hand in hand with China's largest searching engine company Baidu, aims to create a program further promoting tourism destinations in Indonesia, he added. The fast growing number of Chinese tourists to Indonesia has positive impact on Indonesia. For example, the need for guides who understand the Chinese language becomes higher. Therefore, a potential cooperation area is the training for tour guides and other tourism businesses, said Ukus Kuswara. He also hoped that China and Indonesia could cooperate in tourism investment. As Indonesia is accelerating the development of 10 new Bali destinations, investment in public facilities such as highways, flight access, water and electricity is much needed. The Indonesian government has recently issued a visa-free policy for 169 countries, including China. Tourism is a major foreign exchange earner and contributor to Indonesia's national GDP, as well as a big creator of employment opportunities. Flash China made a fresh pledge Tuesday to support the United Nations in playing a central role in international affairs 45 years after the restoration of its lawful seat in the UN. Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi (C) addresses a reception to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the restoration of the lawful seat of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 25, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua] State Councilor Yang Jiechi, speaking at a reception to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the epoch-making event, said China will continue to work with the UN and all other countries to advance peace and development for mankind. In 1971, the 26th Session of the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 with an overwhelming majority and decided to restore the lawful seat of the People's Republic of China in the UN. "This historic decision signified a notable enhancement of the universality, representativeness and authority of the UN and forces for peace and development, marking a new stage in China's diplomatic engagement with the world," Yang said. For 45 years, China has contributed to world peace, been a facilitator of global development, a proponent of the international order and a supporter of the UN cause, he said. Yang reaffirmed that China will stick to the path of peaceful and common development and multilateralism. "China will continue to support the UN in playing a central role in international affairs and take an active part in UN activities in the various fields of security, development, human rights, social affairs, legal affairs, arms control and disarmament," Yang said. Earlier Tuesday, at a commemoration symposium in Beijing, UN Under-Secretary-General Jeffrey Feltman said he appreciated China's support for the work of the UN, adding that the implementation of decisions by the UN requires robust political leadership, which China has already shown. Thanks to China, sustainable development was incorporated into the G20 growth agenda for the first time in 2016, and the Belt and Road Initiative will aid south-south cooperation on the UN agenda, Feltman said. Flash Six people were killed by Turkish artillery shelling in northern Syria on Tuesday, a military source told Xinhua. A couple and their four children were killed when the Turkish artillery targeted the town of Burj in the city of al-Bab, which is held by the Islamic State (IS) group in the northern countryside of Aleppo province, the source said on condition of anonymity. This comes as the Turkey-backed rebels of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) were advancing against the IS in northern Syria, as part of a military campaign dubbed the "Euphrates Shield." Earlier this week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the Syrian rebels, which are backed by his country, will soon take over al-Bab, as part of Ankara's declared goal of establishing an area "free of terrorists" in northern Syria. Last Saturday, 20 Turkish tanks crossed the Syrian borders to back the FSA in their push against the Kurdish-led groups of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the People's Protection Units (YPG). Following the entry of the tanks, the general-command of the Syrian army released a statement, condemning the Turkish infiltration. It said the Turkish government continues to provide direct support to the terrorists by backing them with artillery fire and tanks "to continue their crimes against the civilians" in the northern countryside of Aleppo. The statement further warned that "any presence of the Turkish army inside the Syrian borders will be dealt with as an occupation power and we will respond to it by all possible means." You are here: Home Flash At least 12 people were killed and several others injured after the Somali militant group Al-Shabaab raided a guest house in northeast Kenya early Tuesday, according to Kenyan authorities. Relatives of victims during the attack in Mandera Mortuary lose their hold of emotion at Chiromo Mortuary in Nairobi, Kenya, Oct. 25, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua] Four of the injured are in serious condition after the bloodshed at Bisharo Lodge in Mandera town, said Ezekiel Singoe, Mandera East divisional police commander. The death toll could rise as there are people trapped under the rubble of the building which was badly damaged in the attack. Bomb experts have been sent there to try to rescue those trapped underneath. Al-Shabaab used grenades and improvised explosive devices to carry out the attack, Singoe said. "Search and rescue operations are underway," he added. Some ten people have so far been rescued, he said. Mandera County Police Commander Job Boronjo said more security officers have been deployed to join the rescue operations. "We are monitoring the situation. My officers are on the ground," Boronjo said. This is the second such attack targeting non-locals within less than a month. On Oct. 5, six people were killed in a suspected Al-Shabaab attack on a residential plot in Bulla public works in Mandera. The East African nation has previously witnessed increased terror attacks during the holy month of Ramadan and urged Kenyans to report any suspicious activities to security agencies for action. The police said they are concerned that most public facilities have lowered their security alertness. Flash A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called on the international community to pay high attention to combating sexual violence in conflicts and protect women's legitimate rights. Wu Haitao, China's deputy representative to the UN, made the appeal at a Security Council debate on women, peace and security. Wu said the international community should combat the heinous actions by terrorist and extremist forces of violating women's rights and respond to terrorist threats by advancing counter-terrorism cooperation. He highlighted the need to promote political settlement of regional hotspot issues to create a favorable environment for protection of women's rights. "In all stages in peace process, it is necessary to ensure the full participation of women in decision making so that they can leverage their unique advantages and become a positive force in peace making," said Wu. Wu also called on the international community to help countries concerned in carrying out post-conflict reconstruction to support them in promoting economic and social development and to better protect women's rights and interests. "China is willing to work with the rest of the international community to continue to push for the implementation of the goals in women, peace and security and making tireless efforts for the further progress of global women' s cause," he said. Flash The U.S. State Department reiterated Tuesday that Washington' s policy objective is to obtain a verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. "Nothing has changed about our policy with respect to the North (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) and that we want to continue to see a verifiable denuclearization of the peninsula," State Department spokesperson John Kirby told a regular press briefing. Kirby' s remarks came after comments on Tuesday by U.S. National Intelligence director James Clapper that getting the DPRK to give up its nuclear weapons "is probably a lost cause." "I think the notion of getting the North Koreans (DPRK) to denuclearize is probably a lost cause," Clapper said at an event at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, adding that the best hope is a cap on the country's nuclear capability. At Tuesday's briefing, Kirby also called on the DPRK to stop its "provocative activities" and return to the six-party talks. "We want to see a return to the six-party talk process, and that means we need to see the North (DPRK) show a willingness and an ability to return to that process which they haven't done yet," Kirby said. Sandy Hook Victims' Families' Lawsuit Dismissed Against Gun Maker Recently, a Connecticut judge dismissed the lawsuit brought by the families of the victims of the Sandy Hook massacre against the gun manufacturer of the weapon used for the killings. Pursuant to a 2005 act signed into law by George W. Bush, the Protection of Lawful Commerce of Arms Act (PLCAA), the case was dismissed as the judge ruled the gun manufacturer could not be held liable. Under the PLCAA, a gun manufacturer or dealer cannot be held liable for how a gun is used if the gun was sold legally. The families of the victims based their lawsuit on a theory of negligent entrustment, which is one of the few exceptions to the PLCAA. Gun Manufacturers and Dealers Are Immune The PLCAA protects gun manufacturers and dealers from liability for how their guns are used so long as the sale of the weapon was lawful. In the Sandy Hook case, the shooter did not purchase the weapon, but rather obtained it from his mother, whom he killed. As such, making the argument that the dealer was negligent by entrusting the weapon to the killer just does not work as neither dealer, nor manufacturer, had any interaction with the actual killer. The judge in the matter also explained that the 2005 PLCAA intended to give gun dealers and manufacturers broad immunity. A Never-Ending Battle The attorney for the families has pledged to file an appeal and continue fighting. While the fight may seem futile, especially given the PLCAA broad protections for gun dealers and manufacturers, the attorneys and victims' families believe very strongly that the gun manufacturer should be held liable. As part of their negligent entrustment theory, they claimed that the manufacturer and dealer were negligent by entrusting anyone with the weapon as it is designed to kill people. The manufacturer denies that claim, and convinced a court that the PLCAA prevents them from being liable at all. As a counterpoint, gun groups view this lawsuit very differently. They point out that the AR-15 rifle, which was the one used in Sandy Hook, is one of the most common rifles sold in America, and that it is not an automatic assault rifle, despite the aggressive, militarized look. Additionally, pro-gun groups argue that the PLCAA protections are reasonable, and that the person who pulls the trigger, not the company that makes the trigger, should be liable. Related Resources: Flash The long-running saga of extra air capacity for Britain's capital city was settled Tuesday when Theresa May's government backed a third runway at Heathrow Airport. British Prime Minister Theresa May attends a press conference after the second-day's meeting of EU Summit in Brussels, Belgium, Oct. 21, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua] Business leaders and major airlines welcomed the decision which came decades after a major expansion at Europe's busiest airport was first put forward. Opponents immediately said they will fight to make sure the 20 billion U.S. dollar project never gets off the ground. After the Brexit referendum, Heathrow is the next big issue for the British government, with some commentators saying Tuesday is likely to be a big issue in the 2020 general election. The Conservatives hold power with a narrow working majority of just 16 seats, with a number of MPs belonging to the party already vowing to oppose the Heathrow plan. That could drop to 15 with the cheerleader among the Conservative critics, Zac Goldsmith, one of the party's rising stars, planning to resign. He plans to stand in a by-election in Richmond Park hoping to win back his Commons seat as an anti-Heathrow candidate. Foreign Secretary, the former mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has also said he will oppose the expansion of Heathrow. The man who succeeded Johnson as mayor of London, Labour's Sadiq Khan, also emerged as another big opponent of the government decision. Khan accused Theresa May's government of "running roughshod over Londoners' views". The mayor described it the wrong decision for London and the whole of Britain. Just weeks after issuing a report saying air pollution prematurely kills thousands of Londoners every year, Khan said: "A new runway at Heathrow will be devastating for air quality across London. Air pollution around the airport is already above legal levels of NO2." "Heathrow already exposes more people to aircraft noise than Paris CDG, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Munich and Madrid combined. A third runway would mean an extra 200,000 people impacted, exposing 124 more schools and 43,200 more schoolchildren to an unacceptable level of noise," he added. Khan, who favored an expansion at London Gatwick said he would continue to challenge the Heathrow decision. Labour's shadow chancellor John McDonnell also attacked the decision, saying: "4,000 homes face the prospect of either being demolished or rendered unliveable by air pollution and noise. This means 8,000 to 10,000 people being forcibly removed from their homes." Shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald said the main opposition Labour party welcomed any decision that will finally give certainty on airport expansion, much needed in terms of investment and growth in the country. Although government support for a third runway at Heathrow had been trailed, its official announcement was greeted with dismay in towns and villages that will be affected. One village will be completely wiped off the map while at least another three will be reduced in size. In one of the worst villages to be hit, Harmondsworth, people openly wept at hearing the news. Half of the ancient village will be demolished, with villagers saying they feel betrayed and determined to fight the plans. Earlier Prime Minister Theresa May gave her official backing to the Heathrow scheme, one of three options put to the government. May said:"Airport expansion is vital for the economic future of the whole of the UK and today also provides certainty to Londoners. Businesses will know that we are building the infrastructure they need to access global markets." Transport Secretary Chris Grayling broke the news Tuesday that after years of uncertainty, the government was throwing its weight behind Heathrow. In the House of Commons Tuesday afternoon, Grayling, describing the decision as momentous for the country, announced what he said was a long overdue decision. He told MPs: "The UK currently has the third-largest aviation network in the world, second only to the U.S. and China and contributing over 22 billion pounds (26.81 billion U.S.dollars) to British GDP. "Heathrow is the busiest two-runway airport in the world and Gatwick the busiest single runway airport. The London system will be almost entirely full by 2030, with the exception of a small amount of capacity at Luton, and that will be taken up soon afterwards. "If we do nothing, the cost to our nation is significant, amounting to more than 20 billion pounds over 60 years through delays, fewer flights and passengers having to fly from airports elsewhere." Grayling said Heathrow will deliver the greatest economic and strategic benefits to the country's economy. It strengthens connectivity for passengers right across Britain. The issue of runway capacity in the south-east is one that has challenged successive administrations for decades. MPs will next year vote in a national policy statement, and if that hurdle is cleared Heathrow will put forward detailed plans. Flash At least 17 civilians were wounded after a blast ripped through a district in Sharan, capital of the Afghan eastern province of Paktika on Wednesday, a local official said. "An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted in a stall was detonated along a road in first police district of the city. The blast which occurred in the morning caused 17 civilians injured," Bakhatyar Gul Zadran, head of the provincial council, told Xinhua. The injured were shifted to hospitals in the city, 155 km south of the Afghan capital Kabul and none of the wounded received life-threatening injuries, according to local officials. Security forces have cordoned off the area for precautionary measures. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. The official blamed the Taliban militants for attacking civilians as no military installation was located near the blast site. The Afghan civilians continue to bear the brunt of conflicts and war as more than 2,560 civilians were killed and over 5,830 injured in the first nine months of the year across Afghanistan, according to the latest figures released by UN mission in the country. Ground engagements have remained the largest cause of civilian casualties, followed by suicide attacks and IED explosions. You are here: Home Flash French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault will pay an official visit to China from October 29 to November 1, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson announced Wednesday. Lu Kang said Chinese leaders will meet with Ayrault, who was invited by his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi. This is Ayrault's second time in China this year. His anticipated destinations include Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu, where he will attend the opening ceremony of the fifth Sino-French regional cooperation forum. With frequent high-level exchanges and deeper political mutual trust, China-France relations have witnessed healthy and steady development, and increasingly active people-to-people exchanges have laid a solid foundation for the bilateral friendship, Lu said. "Pragmatic cooperation in traditional areas such as nuclear energy and aviation is progressing steadily," Lu said, adding that the two countries' cooperation in industries such as finance and sustainable development also achieved new breakthroughs. Maintaining good communication and coordination in major international and regional hotspot issues, China and France play a leading role in dealing with climate change and improving global economic governance, Lu said. Lu said China believes Ayrault's upcoming visit will further nurture the China-French comprehensive strategic partnership. The election's basically over now and everyone's just having "fun". Millionaire presidential candidate Donald Trump has accepted Vice President Joe Biden's challenge to a fistfight. "I'd love that. I'd love that. Mr. Tough Guy. You know, he's Mr. Tough Guy. You know when he's Mr. Tough Guy? When he's standing behind a microphone by himself," Trump said. "Some things in life you could really love doing," Trump added. Trump's response to the vice president came after Biden said last week he wished he could "take him behind the gym" during a stump speech Friday as he slammed Trump's 2005 comments that resurfaced earlier this month in which Trump bragged about being able to grope and kiss women without their consent, which Biden called "the textbook definition of sexual assault." The Newark Public Library is the scene of Philip Roth's novella Goodbye, Columbus. Now, Roth is donating his personal book collection to that same library. From the New York Times: Mr. Roth's library, some 4,000 volumes, is now stored mostly at his house in northwest Connecticut, where it has more or less taken over the premises. A room at the back of the house has been given over to nonfiction. It has library shelves, library lighting everything except a librarian, Mr. Roth said recently on the phone from his New York apartment. Fiction starts in the living room, takes up all the walls in a front study, and has also colonized a guest bedroom upstairs. Copies of Mr. Roth's own books and their many translations are stuffed in closets and piled in the attic. The books that were helpful to Mr. Roth in his research for his novel "The Plot Against America" are all grouped together, as are those he consulted for "Operation Shylock." The books will be shelved in Newark exactly as they are in Connecticut not a window into Mr. Roth's mind exactly, but physical evidence of the eclectic writers who helped shape it: Salinger, Bellow, Malamud, Kafka, Bruno Schulz. Many of the volumes are heavily underlined and annotated "I'm 83, and I don't have any heirs," Mr. Roth said, explaining why he decided to give the library away. "If I had children it might be a different story. It's not a huge library, but it's special to me, and I wanted it preserved as it was, if only for historical interest: What was an American writer reading in the second half of the 20th century." 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. License for publishing multimedia online 0108263 Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Dominic Patten reports that Donald Trump's Hollywood Walk of Fame star was destroyed early Wednesday morning by a man dressed as a city construction worker. The vandal smashed it up with a sledgehammer and pickaxeand was filmed doing so. Police didn't arrive in time to save it or arrest the culprit. [h/t Gina Loukareas] The man, who told Deadline his name was Jamie Otis, said he was trying to extract the star to auction it off and raise funds for the women who have come forward to accuse Trump of sexually assaulting them over the decades. The incident occurred around 5:45 AM with a few bystanders stopping to watch. An LAPD police cruiser showed up around 6:15, but Otis already had left the scene. A worker checks the quality of stainless steel wire at a steel company in Dalian, Liaoning province. [Photo by Liu Debin/For China Daily] Baosteel Group, the largest steel smelter in China by output, has predicted yearly profit growth of six to eight fold this year. The company registered 8.1 billion yuan ($1.2 billion) of profits in the first three quarters, up 174.6 percent from the same period last year, according to its profit statement released on Monday. It attributed the huge growth to its strong efforts in cost reduction, market expansion and portfolio optimization. Yet, it also warned that capacity reduction still had a long way to go for the whole industry. In the first eight months, China's steel industry achieved 21.5 billion yuan in net profit, up 39.4 billion yuan from net losses last year, during the same period. The average price of the four major iron and steel products (wire, deformed steel bars, medium plates and cold-rolled sheets) was 2,931 yuan per ton, up 685 yuan, or 30.5 percent, from the beginning of this year. The booming real estate business and rising fuel costs were the main reasons for the steel price increase, said Liu Xinwei, steel analyst with Shandong-based bulk commodity information company Sublime China Information Group Co Ltd. "Steel prices are mainly affected by costs. The coke prices have been rising, driving up the steel prices. Moreover, the fast developing real estate and a shortage of steel stocks have further driven up the prices," said Liu. The profit outlook of Ansteel Group Corp, based in Liaoning province, shows that the company is expected to achieve earnings of 977 million yuan, turning around from total losses of 888 million yuan in the same period last year. The publicity office of Ansteel said that the company has not been assigned any goals of capacity reduction because its productivity has been very good. Baosteel saw its stock price at Shanghai Stock Exchange up 0.12 percent to 5.69 yuan per share on Tuesday. Ansteel's shares rose to 4.63 yuan per share, up 0.07 percent, on Tuesday. Liu said that there won't be a significant increase in steel prices for the rest of the year. Contact the writers through yangziman@chinadaily.com.cn Jim Rogers, co-founder of Quantum Fund. [Photo provided to China Daily] Jim Rogers, renowned US investor and co-founder of Quantum Fund, said he has deep concerns about the global economy's health in the next three years. Chinese companies should control both their exposure to Western markets and internal debt, he said in an interview with China Daily in Hong Kong last week. The next year will see "problems and surprises" as the economies of Japan, Russia, Brazil, the United States and Europe will likely get worse, affecting Chinese companies, he said. Major Western countries are already suffering from a partial recession. Uncertainty will deepen next year, he said. China is the largest trading country, and will be next great economy in the world. But as the rest of the world has problems, China may not be able to avoid a setback on the global front, Rogers said. China will have to take the challenge of managing its debt levels at the same time, he cautioned, adding that a major fundamental change in the Chinese economy is the increasing debt of individuals, companies and provincial governments, a far cry from the past. "There is nothing wrong with debt if you manage it properly," Rogers said. "If you borrowed the money for productive reasons to build factories, improve efficiency, earn sales, make profits and pay off the debts, it's great. But if you didn't or make mistakes, such as to seek too much expansion, you will suffer." Rogers said he prefers investing in companies in the business of pollution control, healthcare, agriculture, along with those aligned with the government program to strengthen ties with countries on the old Silk Road. "I think those companies will do well, no matter what happens. "I am bullish on agriculture everywhere, especially in China, as it has been depressed for 30 years globally." He said the property market in China appears overpriced and a bubble may have formed. "If you want to buy property, go to the farm, the rural areas and countryside." He believes technology is becoming a great driver of the economy. Two decades ago, it was the US and Europe that led technology. But now, China is set to produce 10 times as many engineers as the US had. And, in the next couple of decades, it will become a leader in technology, he said. As for his investment preferences, Rogers said: "I am not buying equities and bonds anywhere, but may invest in agriculture commodities. I own gold but am not buying gold and waiting for its price to fall down to buy a lot more." China's diversified major HNA Group is seeking to expand its portfolio of hotels and strengthen the synergy between its aviation and hospitality businesses, by exploiting the boom in overseas travels of the Chinese. To this end, HNA Group picked up a 25 percent stake in Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc on Monday. In the first half of this year, Chinese made 59.03 million trips abroad, up 4.3 percent year-on-year, according to the China National Tourism Administration data. That represents a tremendous opportunity for HNA, industry observers said. The parent of Hainan Airlines Co Ltd, China's largest private airline, also has interests in shipping. Hilton said in a statement on Monday that HNA bought the stake from its biggest shareholder Blackstone Group LP for $6.5 billion, or $26.25 per share, in cash. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2017. Post-deal, Blackstone's stake will likely fall to around 21 percent, which could make HNA the single largest shareholder in Hilton. The Hilton deal would boost the value of HNA's overseas assets, which is currently estimated to be more than 600 billion yuan ($90 billion). HNA has stakes in, or operates, nearly 2,000 hotels globally, including various brands of luxury and business hotels. The investment in Hilton is expected to help it to increase its control over high-end hotel brands and luxury properties. "By investing in Hilton, HNA can utilize the overseas networks of the hotel chain, and launch some high-end travel packages bundling flight tickets and hotel rooms. It can also bring a large number of customers to Hilton and help it to expand in the China market," said Lin Zhijie, an aviation industry analyst and columnist at Carnoc.com, one of China's largest civil aviation web portals. In April, HNA agreed to acquire Minnesota-based Carlson Hotel Group, a global giant and the owner of the Radisson and Country Inns & Suites chains. HNA is also the biggest shareholder in Spanish hotelier NH Hotel Group SA. Lin said HNA hopes its string of overseas acquisitions will connect the aviation and tourism industry chains. Besides, it plans to enhance its appeal as a one-stop travel service by offering air transport, travel agency services, hotels, finance, payment systems and related technologies. HNA's Hilton stake deal, experts said, also appears to be part of its ongoing effort to expand in both domestic and overseas markets. An investor checks stock information on his mobile phone in front of an electronic board showing stock information at a brokerage house in Beijing, February 16, 2016.[Photo/Agencies] The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security said pension funds investment operation will be launched soon, and experts predict that 400 billion yuan ($60 billion) could be invested in the stock market in the first batch itself, the China Securities Journal reported. Entrusted investment contracts formulated together with the Ministry of Finance and the National Council for Social Security Funds have been released, Li Zhong, spokesperson of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, said on Tuesday. The first batch of pension fund management institutions will be chosen by the end of this year, launching investment operation officially, Li added. In addition, the government will speed up the formulation of related policies, such as the review method of custodian institutions and investment management institutions, said the spokesman. Based on cumulative balance, investment limit and entrusted proportion, the first batch of pension fund is expected to be 400 billion yuan, equivalent to 1.1 percent of total circulation market value, the newspaper quoted Zhang Jing, an analyst of Huatai Securities, as saying. China's pension fund, which accounts for approximately 90 percent of the country's total social security fund pool, had net assets of 3.98 trillion yuan by the end of 2015, according to data from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. For years, China's pension funds were parked with banks in the form of deposits, or were invested in treasury bonds with low yields. On May 1, the national guideline to regulate the management of the pension funds took effect. It is the first of its kind issued by the central government. The guideline allows the country's pension funds to invest in riskier products, including fixed-income products, stocks and private equity funds. Fujian Grand Chip Investment Fund LP said on Tuesday that the German government's move to withdraw approval of its takeover of German chip equipment maker Aixtron SE did not necessarily mean it would scrap its bid. "The bidder is currently examining the legal implications of the letter in which the Economy Ministry withdrew the clearance certificate," said Grand Chip Investment GmbH, the takeover vehicle of the Chinese investment fund controlled by businessman Liu Zhendong. Aixtron said on Monday that Berlin had withdrawn its approval and would review the deal, throwing up an unexpected hurdle for the 670-million-euro ($728 million) deal on the home stretch. According to FGC, the German ministry cited information indicating that Aixtron had technology that was relevant to security, especially to the defense sector, which could be exposed in a takeover. It did not provide further details. Aixtron makes machines used in the production of red, blue, green and white light emitting diodes, but also makes products for the manufacture of memory chips, power management and nanomaterials. The government's move comes as protectionist noises from Berlin grow louder and just a week before Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel is due to travel to China with a business delegation. The German government cleared the deal on Sept 8. The decision to rescind the approval was based on "previously unknown security-related information", Germany's Deputy Economy Minister Matthias Machnig told German daily newspaper Die Welt, without being more specific. There is rising concern over whether the government should do more to protect strategic technologies following a series of bids for German companies by Chinese investors this year. In the 4.5-billion-euro takeover of German industrial robot maker Kuka AG by Chinese household appliance maker Midea Group earlier this year, Berlin initially sought a deal to limit Midea's stake to 49 percent. It had wanted to curb the Chinese company's influence on what it viewed as a national champion in its push to digitalize German industry, but eventually allowed the takeover after major German shareholders in Kuka sold their stakes to Midea. Under German law, the government can block takeovers only if they jeopardize energy security, defense or financial stability. REUTERS Students learning to taste wine at WSET in London. [Photo provided to China Daily] The United Kingdom's largest institution for teaching skills in the wine and spirits field has announced it is setting up its first ever international branch in Hong Kong to support China's surging demand for wine knowledge. Industry analysts said the move comes as China's interest in wine and spirits is moving from social drinking toward connoisseurship. The London-based Wine and Spirit Education Trust said on Tuesday its Hong Kong office, which opens in November, would allow Chinese students to have their exams marked locally. WSET currently offers classes to Chinese students through accredited schools in China. In the 2015/16 academic year, a total of 13,141 candidates took its exams in China, a 38 percent year-on-year growth. WSET already has 135 accredited course providers in China, including the China subsidiary of Berry Bros & Rudd, a high-end London wine merchant. China's total bottled wine imports value in 2015 grew by 37 percent year-on-year to reach $1.9 billion, according to customs data. Meanwhile, wine merchants say Chinese buyers are increasingly educated and sophisticated in their tastes. "Wine drinking in China is no longer about Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Chinese consumers are now more knowledgeable about exciting niche market wines," said Tobias Gorn, managing director of the London-based wine and whiskey agency Campbell and Gorn. Gorn, who has sold wines and whiskeys to Chinese customers for 10 years, said Chinese buyers "have a thirst for knowledge", adding the WSET qualification's British brand appeal boosts its popularity in China. Gorn's views are echoed by Charles MacLean, a consultant for several whiskey brands in China. "Chinese consumers now understand wine and whiskey is not about ganbei (toasting). They now take time to smell and taste the drink, to appreciate it." Ganbei is the Chinese for "cheers", translated literally as "empty the glass". MacLean said China's fast wine market growth is creating a huge number of jobs for wine merchants and sommeliers, of whom many look to WSET for qualifications. WSET had 72,171 students in the 2015/16 academic year, with China overtaking the United States to become the second-largest group, just behind the UK. WSET's courses first became available to Chinese students in 2006. Nightview of Tianhe district in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] Guangzhou's Tianhe district will focus on expanding its financial industry, and will continue to improve the business environment to attract companies to set up headquarters there in the next five years. It aims to increase its gross domestic product (GDP) to 500 billion yuan ($73.84 billion)by 2020, the district government work report said on last Tuesday . Tianhe district is the top economic area in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. Last year, the district's GDP reached 343.3 billion yuan. The financial services industry is dominant in Tianhe district. According to the district government work report, Tianhe will continue to improve the modern financial service system and optimize financial development environment. By the end of 2020, the added value of the Tianhe financial sector hopes to reach 24 percent of GDP. The district will set up high-level, high-quality, and high-tech industrial cluster. The new generation information technology industries including mobile internet, cloud computing and big data will gather in Tianhe's smart city area. The district also has built a "Internet Plus" town. Currently, more than 400 internet companies are operating in this area, generating 50 billion yuan annual revenue in 2015. In the next three years, the district government will deeply integrate the information technology into modern service industry and high-end manufacturing industry to create a 100 billion yuan "internet" industrial cluster in the town. Tianhe's CBD area contributes 70 percent of its economic aggregate. The district government will improve the area's environment and adjust industry structure to build a park-like CBD in Zhujiang new town during the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) period. In the next five years, the government will also sharpen its competitiveness in its investing environment by upgrading its management and service level. It plans to attract no fewer than 225 Global Fortune 500 companies to locate in its CBD area by 2020. Tianhe district's other goals are to becoming a more livable area for people, and to build incubators for young people to start businesses. Actor Tony Leung Chiu Wai (left) and Lei Jun, founder and CEO of Xiaomi Corp, show Mi Note 2 smartphones with curved OLED screen in Beijing on Tuesday. [Photo by Feng Yongbin/China Daily] Xiaomi Corp unveiled its first lineup of above-3,000 yuan ($440) handsets on Tuesday, targeting business people and tech-savvy consumers, as the smartphone maker moves to crack the premium segment, suddenly full of opportunity in the wake of Samsung Electronics Co's smartphone recall crisis. The Mi Note 2 comes with a 5.7-inch curvy display, a feature usually seen in Samsung's flagship handsets. It signals an important shift in the company's strategy of offering young consumers affordable smartphones. The handset is equipped with a 22.56 million pixel rear camera, better than many rival products. The phone starts from 2,799 yuan with 64-gigabyte storage. But for versions with bigger capacity, prices go beyond 3,200 yuan. "We have already reshaped the smartphone industry by offering qualify smartphones at affordable prices," said Lei Jun, founder and CEO of Xiaomi. "In the future, we will revolutionize the industry by pushing the envelope of technologies," he added. The move came after Samsung recalled its newly launched Galaxy Note 7 to prevent further battery explosions, giving Chinese firms a good opportunity to enter into the high-end sector. At the product launch in Beijing, Xiaomi also unveiled a concept phone called MIX, whose display features a 91.3 percent screen-to-body ratio, arguably the highest on any smartphone. An analyst said the signs were good for the product. "MIX is quite impressive and demonstrates that Xiaomi is in a leading position to experiment with new technologies," said Jin Di, research manager at International Data Corp China. "But it takes long time for a company to really enter into the high-end market." To rebrand its corporate image, Xiaomi also hired Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu Wai to endorse the flagship handset Note 2. Xiaomi is working hard to revive tumbling smartphone sales as the Beijing-based firm faces mounting competition from rivals such as Huawei Technologies Co and Oppo Electronics Corp. James Yan, research director at Counterpoint Technology Market Research, said the two new handsets were beyond his expectations. "Xiaomi has been at a low for a year. The two models can give a big boost to its brand image and rekindle many consumers' love for Xiaomi," Yan said. An app of Alipay, China's biggest third-party payments platform, on a mobile phone. [Photo/VCG] Ant Financial Services Group, the operator of China's most used mobile payment service Alipay, will soon enable its hundreds of millions of Chinese users to enjoy data-driven in-store payments in the United Statesthe latest effort made by the digital financial service giant in its moves to go global. Ant Financial, which is controlled by Chinese billionaire Jack Ma, announced on Tuesday its partnerships with US payment technology providers First Data Corp and Verifone, an initiative that is expected to help the Chinese company rapidly expand its presence in the country via the two partners' strong merchant networks. Douglas Feagin, senior vice-president of Ant Financial and head of Alipay International, said in a keynote speech at Money 2020 in Las Vegas that the US market was vital for Alipay not only because it is a popular destination of Chinese visitors and tourists. "We aim to have at least 1 million merchants outside the Chinese mainland accepting Alipay worldwide in three years. Working with our network of global partners like First Data and Verifone will help us achieve the goal." Since late 2014, Alipay has worked closely with local retailers at popular destinations for mainland visitors and tourists, including South Korea and Hong Kong. By having First Data and Verifone join Ant Financial's network, combining with many other partners worldwide, Chinese visitors and tourists will be able to pay and receive interactive information from global merchants from Europe to North America, Japan to Southeast Asia. The move in the US is part of Ant Financial's broad global expansion plan of serving 2 billion customers in the next 10 years, about 60 percent of them coming from outside China. Li Chao, an analyst with iResearch Consulting Group, said that the rising number of Chinese outbound travelers and their increasing spending were part of the emerging "going global" trend fueled by China's mobile payment service providers. "Fierce competition has dragged down the profits of digital payment services in China," he said. "Looking abroad is in line with their internationalization strategy and the goal to be more profitable. And the best way to start is with Chinese outbound travelers." Outbound tourism has become increasingly popular among Chinese middle-class consumers in recent years. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, China has been the world's biggest outbound tourism consumer since 2012, accounting for more than 13 percent of global tourism revenue. In 2015, China saw 117 million tourists traveling overseas and they spent $104.5 billion overseas. A sign displays the Twitter logo on the front of the New York Stock Exchange ahead of the company's IPO in New York, November 7, 2013. [Photo/Agencies] Twitter Inc is planning widespread job cuts, to be announced as soon as this week, according to people familiar with the matter. The company may cut about 8 percent of the workforce, or about 300 people, the same percentage it did last year when co-founder Jack Dorsey took over as chief executive officer, the people said. Planning for the cuts is still fluid and the number could change, they added. The people asked not to be identified talking about private company plans. An announcement about the job reductions may come before Twitter releases third-quarter earnings on Thursday, one of the people said. A Twitter representative declined to comment. Twitter, which has been losing money, is trying to control spending as sales growth slows. The company recently hired bankers to explore a sale, but the companies that had expressed interest in biddingSalesforce.com Inc, The Walt Disney Co and Alphabet Inclater backed out from the process. Twitter's losses and 40 percent fall in its share price the past 12 months have made it more difficult for the company to pay its engineers with stock. That has made it harder for Twitter to compete for talent with giant rivals like Alphabet Inc's Google and Facebook Inc. Reducing employee numbers would relieve some of this pressure. BLOOMBERG An advertisement for OPPO R9 smartphone displayed at a metro station in Beijing, April 2, 2016. [Photo/IC] One of the world's most fiercely competitive markets for smartphones welcomes a new leader in the quarter to September. Oppo Electronics Corp has overtaken Huawei Technologies, which along with Xiaomi Corp used to be the leader, to become the top smartphone vendor in the country in the third quarter of this year. Statistics unveiled on Tuesday by industry consulting company Counterpoint Technology Market Research showed that Oppo cornered a 16.6 percent share of the overall shipments on the Chinese mainland in the quarter, up from 9.9 year-on-year. Another domestic brand Vivo Mobile Communication Technology was close behind with a 16.2 percent share, compared with 8.2 percent previously. James Yan, Counterpoint research director, said that shipments for Oppo grew 82 percent year-on-year while Vivo recorded the highest growth in China during the quarter as demand rose 114 percent. Yan said Oppo's flagship R9 smartphone became the top-selling model in China for the period. Counterpoint reckoned that total smartphone shipments on the Chinese mainland crossed 120 million units in the quarter. According to earlier reports in China Daily, vendors such as Xiaomi and Huawei are following the trend set by Oppo and Vivo: expanding their offline retail presence by forming brick-and-mortar partnerships in small cities, as online sales of smartphones plateau, signaling an important change in their efforts to wrestle with the slowing demand in the country. A Chinese electronics components firm said it will recall some of its products that were allegedly used to launch a cyber-attack in the United States last Friday, but refused to take the main responsibility, thepaper.cn reports. Hackers unleashed a complex attack on the internet through common devices like webcams and digital recorders, and cut access in large areas in the US to some of the world's most popular websites including Twitter, Spotify and Reddit. Hangzhou Xiongmai Technology, a Chinese company which makes parts for surveillance cameras, rejected suggestions that its webcams made up the bulk of the devices used in the attack. Despite this, the company said in a statement that it would recall some of its earlier products sold in the US, strengthen password functions, and send users a patch for products made before April of last year since they are potentially vulnerable. The main products to be recalled are all webcam models, said the statement. The company emphasized that its products were well protected from cyber security breaches and urged users to update their firmware and change their default usernames and passwords. Friday's attack targeted internet service company Dyn, a provider of Domain Name System services, using tens of millions of malware-infected devices connected to the internet to bombard the websites with requests for information, overloading them and effectively shutting them down. Experts said internet-connected home devices still have deficiencies in security, which make them vulnerable to hackers. A woman looks at her mobile phone as she rides an escalator past an advertisement for Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 device at a Samsung store in the Gangnam district of Seoul. [Photo/Agencies] SEOUL - Amid its ongoing Galaxy Note 7 smartphone safety crisis, mobile industry giant Samsung said it will release its next flagship Galaxy S8 on schedule in late February. "Currently we do not have any plans to release Galaxy S8 early," reported South Korean media ETNews on Tuesday quoting an unnamed high-ranking official of Samsung. The official described a widely speculated early release of its next generation smartphone Galaxy S8 "realistically impossible" even after the company stopped selling its current flagship Galaxy Note 7 over safety concern. Galaxy S8 is expected to be launched on Feb 26, 2017, one day ahead of the opening of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. In the past couple of years, the South Korean conglomerate kept the "routine" of releasing its new devices right before the world's largest mobile industry exhibition. But market began to cast doubt on Galaxy S8's release date as the company has been dealing with an unprecedented consumer safety crisis caused by the Galaxy Note 7, its most advanced phone ever. After multiple reports of phones overheating or catching fire, Samsung recalled around 2.5 million Note 7 smartphones in September. Earlier this month, the firm had to recall the replacement devices after finding them also prone to catch fire. Samsung later announced its decision to scrap the whole model less than two months after the flagship smartphone's debut. While an early release of Galaxy S8 has been ruled out, talk of a possible delayed launch remains. Quoting a Galaxy S8 development team member, the Wall Street Journal said on Sunday that the development of the new smartphone has been delayed by two weeks as engineers are working to dig out the cause of Note 7's overheating problem. Journalists follow the presentation of Huawei's smartphone, the Mate S, ahead of the IFA Electronics show in Berlin, Germany, in this file picture taken September 2, 2015. [Photo/Agencies] BEIJING - Huawei, like Apple, is one of the only phone brands that makes its own processors. Its newly-unveiled gizmo Kirin 960 processor has caught the eye of many. According to reports from Android Central, the Huawei device powered by Kirin 960 outperformed iPhone 7 and a Samsung Galaxy Note 7 in the launch speeds of 13 out of the 14 most popular apps in China during test. The mobile processor is the heart of any smart device. It is designed to support the running of applications, including graphics processing, memory management and multimedia decoding. Currently the more popular processors on the market include Qualcomm's Snapdragon (used in phones like the Samsung Galaxy S7) series as well as Apple's A-series chipsets used in iPhones. Huawei's arch-rival in China, Xiaomi Inc, currently relies heavily on Qualcomm's processors. Faced by the competition, Xiaomi is also looking to produce its own in-house processor so as to lower production costs, according to news circulated online. The Kirin 960 will most likely power Huawei's upcoming, long-rumored Mate 9. The People's Liberation Army has harnessed the power of massive open online courses as part of efforts to educate and train its troops. Dream Class, an intranet platform developed and operated by the National University of Defense Technology, has registered more than 320,000 officers and soldiers since its launch three years ago. The service offers about 170 online courses that are designed by the college and 13 PLA institutes. They cover a wide range of subjects, from military equipment and operational tactics to ballistic missile research and combat maneuvers. Around 400 PLA teachers and researchers are involved in the program, said Wang Huaimin, deputy head of education at the university, which is in Changsha, Hunan province. "We initiated this program in response to President Xi Jinping's request that the university use special measures to train professionals badly needed by the military," Wang said. "It has proved successful in fostering officers who have interdisciplinary knowledge and are able to carry out joint operations." He said all the courses combined last more than 1,000 hours and feature a total of nearly 10,000 videos and 30,000 test questions. Wang said the operation team for the massive open online courses has handled more than 100 million pieces of data, including 420,000 questions from students and 190,000 answers from teachers. The two largest user groups are from the Western Theater Command and the Central Theater Command, he said. The massive open online courses concept was created in 2008 by two Canadian researchers who designed an online platform on which people can register for free and gain access to courses provided by universities. The open online course concept became popular in 2012, when many top universities in the United States launched such platforms. Like an offline course, online courses have assessments and examinations. Users can participate in video discussions, submit assignments and take a final exam. Once a course is completed, users receive an electronic certificate or a paper copy. Dream Class, which enables PLA personnel to obtain knowledge and skills anywhere and anytime, was launched in August 2013, becoming the first massive open online courses program on the Chinese mainland. In June 2014, the number of users reached 100,000, and by August that year the number had doubled. Soldiers with an unidentified combat unit in the Southern Theater Command adopted knowledge they learned from Dream Class to improve drone reconnaissance tactics, according to Lei Yongjun, an officer at the university who oversees training affairs. Another example, he said, was that technicians from a communication regiment in the Western Theater Command used methods learned from Dream Class to upgrade their signal equipment vehicle, resulting in better efficiency. Fu Qiang, a professor with the university's School of Electronic Science and Engineering, said one of his Dream Class students is a staff officer from a missile brigade who asked Fu to help solve a problem affecting a type of missile. The professor visited the brigade and investigated the problem. He then worked out a solution that helped the unit clear up the difficulty. The problem and its solution were included in his Dream Class course so that other users having similar issues can learn to handle them, Fu said. Wu Yi, a senior communication engineer from the Western Theater Command, said he has registered for almost all of the Dream Class courses because "they will significantly expand my horizons and knowledge and will be very useful to my work". Nine Chinese sailors released by pirates arrive at Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou on Oct 25, 2016. [Photo/provided to China Daily] Nine of the 10 Chinese sailors released from captivity by Somali pirates arrived in Guangzhou on Tuesday morning, looking exhausted but happy. The group, including eight from the Chinese mainland and one from Taiwan, were on their way back to their hometowns, according to China Central Television. "We got very excited as soon as the pirates released us. This equals a rebirth," said a sailor surnamed Fan, from Sichuan province. The sailors are expected to need time to recover from ailments like malnourishment as well as from the ordeal of captivity. They took a picture in the airport with a banner reading: "The home country welcomes you back." Yang Hsiu-hui, the wife of Shen Jui-chang from Taiwan, said she felt "very happy" to learn her husband was returning. She traveled to Guangzhou to pick him up. Yang said that when she learned years ago that her husband had been kidnapped, she hugged her two daughters and cried, and the children would cry when they saw a photo of their father. Yang thanked the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits for their help. Reports say the couple will return to Taiwan on Wednesday. A total of 26 sailors, including the 10 Chinese, were released by Somali pirates on Saturday and arrived in Kenya on Sunday. One Chinese sailor remained in Kenya for medical treatment, and will return to China after his condition improves, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in a daily news conference on Tuesday. The pirates originally captured 29 sailors, including 12 Chinese, when they hijacked the Omani-flagged fishing vessel Naham 3 in March 2012. Three sailors died - including one from the mainland and one from Taiwan. One was killed during the hijacking and two died from illnesses. Over 2 million apply to sit civil service exam, with applicants preferring jobs in big cities The government is loosening the requirements for people applying for civil service positions in remote and underdeveloped areas to attract more applicants, according to a human resources official. The amendment means that some of these posts set fewer limits related to the applicants' working experience and educational backgrounds, including their education level and major, said Li Zhong, a spokesman for the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. For some positions in big cities or those open to people from a wider range of backgrounds - for example one at the Central Committee of the China Democratic League's reception office - almost 10,000 people competed for one vacancy, while there were still hundreds of positions in remote or poor areas receiving very few or even no applications. According to the ministry, 2.11 million people registered for the public servants' exams this year. As of Tuesday, the day after applications closed, 1.36 million had been approved to sit the exam. Li said this figure would keep growing before the approval procedure ends. Yang Xiaojun, a professor of administrative law at the Chinese Academy of Governance, said people's main concerns in picking government jobs are location, benefits and working conditions. "People prefer jobs in big cities, with a decent salary, safe working conditions and prestige. This is why jobs in customs and central government agencies are more popular than those in rural and remote areas," he said. To reverse the imbalance, Li said that the process this year encourages young people to take jobs at the grassroots level, particularly in remote and poor areas. Dai Youqing, a master's graduate from Peking University's School of Journalism and Communication, applied for a post at the press office of the Service Industry Research Center under the State's Administration of Taxation. Dai estimated that 70 percent of the students from her class applied for the exam and she already had more than 200 competitors for the job she applied for. "My chance of getting in is slim, but at least it's an option," Dai said. Rescuers search for people after an explosion hit five prefabricated houses on Oct 25, 2016. The explosion happened late Oct 24. [Photo/Xinhua] The death toll from a blast in a residential apartment block in Fugu county, Shaanxi province, on Monday has increased to 14, local authorities said. The local police said after a preliminary investigation that the cause of the accident was explosives. According to the county government, 106 people were injured and hospitalized, 11 of who were said to be in a serious condition, while another 41 people suffered minor injuries. Among the dead were 10 females and four males, including 12 adults and two children, a government source said. "Emergency rescue work has ended, as there have been no new reports of missing people from the blast," said Zhang Jiuping, director of Yulin city government's information office. The blast occurred in Dajingta village in the town of Xinmin at about 2 pm on Monday, with five residential apartments being completely destroyed, and another 58 apartments and the town hospital being partly damaged. Seven people were found dead at the site of the blast just after the explosion, which caused a crater 4 meters wide and 2 meters deep, and damaged 63 vehicles along the street. Zhang Tiantian, a local resident who posted a video of the blast online, said in her post that dust and smoke filled the entire street after the explosion and some people who were injured in the blast were seeking medical assistance. The emergency services received reports of the blast at 2:06 pm and sent 10 fire engines and more than 70 firefighters to the site. The last remaining person reported missing was found in the rubble and sent to hospital at about 2:30 am on Tuesday. According to local residents, the blast might have been caused by illegally stored explosives. Chinese law prohibits any individual or institution from storing explosives without authorization. Fugu is rich in coal resources and some local residents are said to store explosives for coal mine development. On June 26, 2006, a blast caused by explosives illegally stored in a basement of a residential apartment block killed 11 people and injured 20 in Laogaochuan, another town in the county. Investigations showed that the five apartments that were completely destroyed in Monday's blast might have contained illegally stored explosives owned by a resident, surnamed Zhang, who is under police investigation. Zhang told police that he rented out the apartments on Sept 23. Police said they had detained three men who are suspected of having illegally stored the explosives. The local government arranged for people whose apartments were damaged to be accommodated at a local hotel. Intended as a discussion group, the blog has evolved to be more of a reading list of current issues affecting our county, its government and people. All reasonable comments and submissions welcomed. Email us at: bill.pysson@gmail.com REMEMBER: To view our sister blog for education issues: www.district100watchdog.blogspot.com China and the United States will improve anti-corruption law enforcement cooperation to aid criminal investigations and the repatriation of fugitives, according to Chinese authorities. Both sides will continue to "prioritize cooperation on repatriating fugitives suspected of economic crimes or illegal immigrants through charter flights", said a senior official from the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, who declined to reveal his name. In addition, they will strengthen judicial cooperation to fight money laundering crimes and recover ill-gotten gains. Both sides are in advanced negotiations to sign an agreement on sharing confiscated assets that corrupt Chinese officials have illegally transferred to the US. In recent years, the US has become the most popular destination for corrupt Chinese officials to flee to due to a lack of bilateral extradition treaties and differences in laws. Meanwhile, a large number of corrupt officials have transferred millions of yuan to foreign accounts either through money laundering or underground banks, according to the Ministry of Public Security. During the G20 Leaders Summit in September, China and the US agreed to step up the anti-corruption campaign by refusing to offer "safe havens" for corrupt officials who remain at large in the US. In April last year, Interpol issued red notices - international arrest warrants - for 100 Chinese fugitives. Since then, 35 have returned from more than 16 countries and regions to face charges. To date, 33 corrupt officials are still at large in the US, accounting for 51 percent of the remaining 65 fugitives who have fled overseas, according to the top anti-graft watchdog. "It is a must to enhance law enforcement cooperation with the US, especially on conducting joint investigations, and identifying and confiscating illegal assets," said Li Wei, a lawyer at Beijing Lawyers Association. According to the top anti-graft watchdog, during the China-US Joint Liaison Group on Law Enforcement Cooperation meeting, which will be held this month, judicial officers from both countries will share intelligence and discuss fugitive cases. Moreover, China is promoting the establishment of an anti-corruption cooperative mechanism with the US, aimed at forcing fugitives to return from the US to face charges. Editor's note: Corruption Fight Is Always Underway, a documentary produced by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and CCTV, continues to broadcast the stories of former senior officials accused of corruption during the country's anti-graft drive. The series, which began on Monday last week, consists of eight episodes over nine days (Saturday was excluded) at 8 pm on CCTV-1. The interviews were conducted while the former officials were detained, but before any court action. "My daughter said: 'What's this all about? You and mom have nice jobs and you are an official. You have enough money!' I felt incompetent as a father." Wang Guoqiang, former top official in Fengcheng, Liaoning province According to the documentary, Wang went to the US on a regular Chinese passport in April 2012, 20 days after he was removed from his post as the top official in Fengcheng. He turned himself in to the police in December, 2014. He was prosecuted in September last year. In his confession, Wang elaborated on the rough conditions of his US stay, describing it as a desperate period of time because of the fear of being caught whenever he was in a public place. He said he dared not to live in a hotel because he would be discovered when using his passport. "I got into gambling there (casinos in Macao) after visiting for the first time. Regardless of the consequences, I lost heavily, but came back with public money." Li Huabo, a former financial official in Poyang, Jiangxi province Li returned on May 9 last year and turned himself in to the police after four years on the run in Singapore. He was accused of embezzling nearly 100 million yuan ($15.4 million), which was sent back to China after Singapore canceled his permanent residency permit, according to the documentary. He is alleged to have misused his powers at Poyang's finance bureau to embezzle money from the local government's infrastructure fund with former co-workers between 2006 and 2010. - Zhang Yi Mobike is just one of a number of private companies focusing on public bike-sharing platforms in China. It's major competitor is OFO, which mainly concentrates on university campuses. OFO claims to cover 200 colleges and universities in 20 cities nationwide. Accumulated orders have surpassed 10 million, with daily user numbers of more than 7,000. In October, OFO expanded outside of campuses and started putting its bikes in public spaces. Similar programs, owned by private companies such as Ubike and Ming, have also entered the market, or have announced that they will enter it soon. The rising demand has attracted interest from private investors. On Oct 13, Mobike confirmed that it had received funding from venture capitalists at home and abroad, including Hillhouse Capital Group, Warburg Pincus, Tencent and Sequoia Capital. The company declined to reveal how much it received through VC channels, but industry insiders said the sum was approximately $100 million. OFO has also announced a new round of financing, valued at $130 million. The lead investors include Coatue Management, the electronics manufacturer Xiaomi, Matrix Partners China and the cab-hailing company Didi Chuxing. Even new arrivals Ubike and Ming recently received investment, with Ming attracting 100 million yuan ($14.7 million). "From the investment perspective, no apps are more frequently used than those related to transportation," said Xiao Min, a partner at Matrix, which invested in OFO because it has an on-campus presence and its bikes are cheaper to use than Mobike's. Xiao said that once the original companies have gained market share, there will be little profit left for latecomers. Raymond Wang, a partner at international business consultancy Roland Berger, said some companies will fail. "Public bike-sharing has long existed in China, but this upgraded product has excited investors. Mobike has sparked a carnival this time round, and its free-floating base and transaction services have improved the user experience," he said. The development of information technology also supports the birth of new products, according to Wang: "Investors have high expectations of the on-demand economy, and the public bike-sharing sector happens to have had a few breakthroughs. Just as investors rushed to pour money into car-hailing business, they are now rushing into public bike-sharing companies." He believes opportunities exist for players to improve their products and the user experience. "Innovation drives possibilities. Uncertainties about products and the market mean competition will be fierce within two years. That's because a growing number of people will realize that they have a new choice when they want to go out, and heightened awareness will increase the size of the market," he said. "However, once the market is saturated, what happened in the car-hailing sector may happen again and end the battle." Public raises about 500,000 yuan ($73,787) to pay medical bills for an 11-year-old with leukemia Shi Luyao, 11-year-old, used to travel 800 kilometers by himself to receive leukemia treatment. [Photo/People's Daily] Shi Luyao, an 11-year-old boy from the southwestern province of Guizhou, no longer needs to travel 800 kilometers by himself to receive leukemia treatment in a neighboring province. After his story was reported by media recently, donations have flooded in to help him. A hospital in Guizhou offered to treat him, and his medical bills can now be covered by donations. Born in a village that is only accessible through mountain trails, Shi lived with his grandparents after his mother abandoned the poverty-stricken family when he was 2 years old. Peng Jin, Shi's father, took him to the eastern province of Anhui when he was in the third grade at elementary school. Peng made a living working in a tile factory. In 2013, Shi had what appeared to be a lingering fever, which led Peng to take him to see doctors at Kunming Children's Hospital in Yunnan province, a hospital renowned for leukemia treatment. Shi was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a lethal blood disease which is the most common form of leukemia in children. Although doctors said he did not need a bone-marrow transplant, which is a common treatment for leukemia, Shi had to undergo chemotherapy and bone-marrow examinations to evaluate the effects of his treatment. The treatment created a heavy financial burden on Peng, as Shi's insurance did little in terms of covering medical costs outside of his home province. But Peng refused to give in, telling his son: "Don't give up. I'll do everything I can to save you." Peng borrowed 200,000 yuan ($30,000) and went back to Anhui to work to pay Shi's medical bills. Without his father, Shi started traveling to Kunming with his grandmother for treatment. But when his grandmother began vomiting heavily from carsickness on their trips, Shi decided to travel alone to receive treatment. To get from his home in Liupanshui city's Bengjing village to the hospital in Kunming, he had to take a bus to the train station in Liupanshui, where he boarded a train to Kunming, before taking another bus to the hospital. Patients undergoing bone-marrow puncture treatment are usually required to lie down and rest for six hours afterward, but Shi would leave straight away to catch the return train. To save money, he would spend the night at the Liupanshui train station until dawn, when he could catch a bus home. Each trip would take at least two days, with Shi completing a dozen such journeys in the past year. "I cannot remember how many times I've waited for sunrise at the train station," said Shi, before bursting into tears. Yet, despite having leukemia and needing to embark on long trips to receive treatment, Shi continued his education at home and has managed to maintain top grades, saying that he wants to keep reading and studying to achieve higher grades. According to his teachers, Shi has scored top grades in math tests for the past year, and consistently scored above 90 in Chinese tests. "He looked a bit pale and lonely before, but his grades were surprisingly good," said Peng Lu, Shi's Chinese teacher. To alleviate him of loneliness, teachers assigned him a few study buddies. "My classmates like me, and we are happy to study together," Shi said. With the help of local media, thousands of people have learned of Shi's story. People from all over the country are sending donations. "We've received about 500,000 yuan in donations, and I'm speechless," Shi was quoted by China Youth Daily as saying. "I'll get cured of the disease and study hard." With the aid of the Angel Mom Foundation, Shi will be transferred to the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University. "He will save time on traveling, as well as benefiting fully from his insurance policy now he is being treated in his home province," said a spokesman for the foundation. His father said: "Luckily, we didn't give up, and because we didn't give up, we have this help from the world. I could never have imagined that so many people would be willing to help us, it's such a surprise." "If we receive more donations after he is cured, I will give the money to others who are in need," he said, adding that they had already achieved their target. Liang Shuang contributed to this story. David Montenegro, squadron leader of the Red Arrows, speaks during a talk in Beijing, Oct 25, 2016. Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn People got an opportunity for face-to-face interaction with the Red Arrows as the British royal aerobatic team landed in Beijing on Tuesday and revealed the life of the world's top-level stunt pilots. It is the first time that the Red Arrows, officially known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, are visiting China and the members are all excited about the forthcoming Airshow China in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong province, next month, where they will make a debut performance. "We've never seen performance of your team (Bayi Aerobatic Team of PLA Air Force). So I'm very looking forward to it during the air show," said David Montenegro, squadron leader of Red Arrows. Being part of one of the world's most prestigious teams, the pilots feel really honored and admitted that they face challenges every day. It takes years of dedication, training and service as a Royal Air Force officer before a pilot can apply to join the team. And all candidates need to be fast-jet pilots with huge experience of flying frontline aircraft. Flying is only one aspect of a Red Arrows pilot's duties they must also be excellent communicators, act as national ambassadors, carry out media work and represent the Royal Air Force at important occasions. XI'AN - Police in the northwestern province of Shaanxi said that a fatal blast on Monday was caused by the illegal production and storage of explosives. Fourteen people died, 147 sustained injuries and many buildings were damaged in the explosion that began in a group of five prefabricated houses around 2 pm Monday in Xinmin township, Fugu county, Yulin city. Among the injured, 106 remain in hospital and 41 have been discharged. The Ministry of Public Security sent a work team to the scene Tuesday morning to assist the investigation. Three suspects were arrested early Tuesday morning. All three confessed their guilt. The five prefabricated houses were completely destroyed by the blast. The explosion also damaged 58 nearby houses and 63 cars. The prefab houses were rental properties. The owner of the houses is in police custody and an investigation is under way. All people in the surrounding area have been evacuated. The police are still investigating the cause of the detonation. The provincial government has also launched an inspection into the illegal production, storage and use of explosives across the province. Mo Tianchi poses with his books. [Photo from Sina Weibo] Suffering from cerebral palsy doesn't mean Mo Tianchi will give up. The young man has earned his bachelor's degree from Central South University, is nearly finished with his postgraduate studies and is now applying for PhD programs in the US. "I have received some responses from PhD supervisors from Stanford University, Carnegie Mellon University and Purdue University, which I have applied for PhDs," Mo said to xxcb.cn, though he has to wait two more months for the final admission results. Mo Tianchi was born in Changsha, Central China's Hunan province. When he was seven days old, he almost suffocated because his respiratory tract was clogged with milk. He became a child with cerebral palsy and was not able to speak or walk until he was two years old. Slurred speech, an unusual walk and slow handwriting, one-third of someone's typical speed, have accompanied Mo since then. However, the strong boy never gave up. During primary school, Mo was praised for his good study habits and attitude each year. He was recommended to the High School Attached to Hunan Normal University with straight A's in all major subjects when he graduated from junior high school. After being admitted to Central South University with a score of 604, which is 146 less than the full 750 points, on the college entrance examination in 2010, Mo was recommended to pursue a master's degree at the School of Welfare at the university in 2014. The young man began to prepare for TOEFL at the beginning of 2015 after he became determined to earn a doctoral degree in artificial intelligence at a prestigious university in the US. "He is allowed not to do speaking section of TOEFL. Then he got 86 out of full 90 marks at a TOEFL test in 2015," said Mo's mother Qi Yan, adding that Mo got 329 out of 345 on the GRE test this August. "My son studied almost eleven or even twelve hours except having meals and sleeping each day," said Qi. However, Mo also had to deal with cervical spondylosis, so Mo had to keep riding a bike to exercise and build up his body. "I have much free time in recent months, so I would like to help some others prepare for TOEFL and GRE tests, besides continuing applying for PhDs and preparing for graduation," said Mo. The young man's story moved and encouraged many internet users. Some said that Mo has more talent than them, while others felt inspired by Mo. Seeing Mo's success, they said they don't have any reason to not work hard. Taiwan has never been a country: Chinese mainland spokesperson Xinhua | Updated: 2016-10-26 16:08 BEIJING - Taiwan is an indispensable part of China and has never been a country, said a spokesperson of the Chinese mainland on Wednesday. It is a basic fact and the legal basis for cross-Strait relations, and it has never been and cannot be changed, said An Fengshan, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, at a regular press conference. An made the remarks in response to a question concerning a Taiwan official's recent remarks saying that relations across the Taiwan Strait are special state-to-state relations. The Chinese mainland and Taiwan belong to one and the same China, and the false "two states" theory has already been rejected by the people of both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, as well as the international community, according to An. No body or organization will succeed in seeking Taiwan independence through any form, said An. Preparations for cross-Straits peaceful development forum run smoothly: spokesperson Xinhua | Updated: 2016-10-26 17:15 BEIJING - The preparation has been smooth for an upcoming forum on cross-Straits peaceful development, which will see over 240 attendees from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, a Chinese mainland spokesman said Wednesday. Participants will come from all walks of life, including leaders of social organizations from across the Taiwan Strait, and more than 280 reporters will cover the event, said An Fengshan of the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office. The forum, held in Beijing November 2-3, will be co-hosted by 20 social organizations from both sides of the Strait, including the Cross-Strait Relations Research Center, the National Society of Taiwan Studies, the China Federation of Industrial Economics from the mainland and the Taiwan-based 21st Century Foundation, An said. The Mercedes-Benz China Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2017 opened in Beijing on Tuesday. Models showcase the latest creations by NE TIGER during the opening show of the MercedesBenz China Fashion Week in Beijing on Tuesday. ANDY WONG / AP The nine-day event consists of 78 shows and three professional contests in venues including Beijing Hotel, 751D Park, China Central Place and the Imperial Ancestral Temple. More than 70 designers and 90 brands from home and abroad will participate in the event, including Ne Tiger, Ellassay, Aimer, Jefen and Peacebird. Womenswear will be the major focus of the event, complimented by menswear and childrens wear. Brands by independent designers will be showcased in 751D Park, while more established brands will be on show in Beijing Hotel. China Central Place, a new venue for this years event, will host the most influential brands in China, such as Exception, the Guangzhou-based brand known for tailoring first lady Peng Liyuan. The brand celebrated its 20th anniversary at the venue on the opening night on Tuesday. "We will celebrate the diversity of brands and emphasize their individuality," said Zhang Qinghui, chairman of the China Fashion Association. "We want to highlight the integrative nature of the event." Founded in 1997, China Fashion Week is approaching its 20th anniversary. Extending its function as a creative platform, the event will also feature exhibitions on traditional craftsmanship, photography and paintings. The closing ceremony will be held along with the China Fashion Award Ceremony on Nov 2 in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. The Life Millennium: The 100 Most Important Events and People of the Past 1,000 Years, a book published by LIFE Magazine, Time Inc, has listed 100 most important events that taking place between the year 1000 to 2000 (AD.) and with great impact on the development of the human civilization. The Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army's Long March is among the selected list. Muhammad Tanveer Piracha Air Commodore, Parkistan Great motivation was there when more than for two years, half of China, they have walked on foot without any transportation. Jorn-Arne Werner Friedrich Niemann Navy Lieutenant Colonel, Germany And only if you believe, then you can support and work with others together.I think yes, this spirit of the Long March is something like a glue in the Chinese society, I think. Arvind Kumar Pandey, Colonel, India The Long March spirit is all about sacrifices, the ability to sacrifice, the ability to show highest degree of determination.The spirit is important. One of the basic spirits of Long March was that the leadership at that time was very very concerned about the men they were commanding. And there are numerous instances where the leadership sacrifice their own personal comfort for the safety and well-being of their troops. There are several stories and to single out one would be quite unfair. One story which comes to my mind is that of a squad leader,who was to look after a small group of staggerers and injured sick people, As the story goes that he used to feed the boys who were under his command often sacrificing his own food.At many times he remained hungry. After a few months, I'm told that because of starvation, he himself became sick and eventually he died.But he ensured that the man who was under his command is survived and they were able to complete the march. They have narrated the great and they have narrated the Long March spirit.That spirit can be seen whenever I see the Chinese soldiers in the campus (PLA National Defense University) here.I can see the spirit is still alive. Jorn-Arne Werner Friedrich Niemann Navy Lieutenant Colonel, Germany As I was a soldier who was serving on board of ships, we spend months at sea.And during these months at sea, during winter, you had to do exactly the same what was doing on the Long March, so you have to support each other all the time.It is following dreams, following leadership. It is mutual support.I think the Long March was an exceptional event, let's say, because it took so long and there were so many people.But you can break it down to a unit level, company level, ship's level,whatever, where people have to work together, support each other, believe in leadership and follow, I mean, the mission.So it is a system of people working together for one goal, believing in what they do and only if you believe, then you can support and work with others together.I think yes, this spirit of the Long March is something like a glue in the Chinese society, I think. Whenever it comes to Chinese characteristic habits and similar things, there is a common sense of thinking and I think, perhaps not everything, but a lot is based on the common sense from the Long March, dedication, commitment, trust and support to others. Muhammad Tanveer Piracha Air Commodore, Parkistan I was very young, maybe 10 years old, that I saw a fighter aircraft which was flying very low. And the speed and the sound were so amazing. So when I saw this aircraft, I had the dream to become to sit in that aircraft. It was a long dream. It was a dream which requires a lot of hard work, spirit, motivation and hardship. So the spirit is just like the Long March. Great motivation was there when more than for two years, half of China, they have walked on foot without any transportation. These were common people, farmers and people who did not have many money. And the big army of KMT was following, trying to annihilate them, kill them. And these Chinese people which carried out this Long March all across China, half of them went to the North and West to save so as to regroup and become strong. And this is what is required for the leadership, because China has a great leadership. And under the leadership, the spirit is still going off the Long March, the great struggle, determination and facing great difficulties of weather, of big army. And that spirit is what is the motivation behind, coming from way back 80 years, the Long March. Liu Cixin, who attended an event in Beijing last month, shows up at the Frankfurt Book Fair with a German version of Three-Body Problem that will be released soon. [Photo by Wang Zhuangfei/China Daily] Western readers have great expectations of Chinese authors, according to veteran Sinologist Michael Kahn-Ackermann. "They're supposed to represent their society, culture, history and the whole country," he said at this year's Frankfurt Book Fair, which concluded on Sunday. The fair opened on Oct 18. A section of the fair dedicated to "new voices from China" saw many Chinese writers participate in a wide range of discussions. Yu Yishuang, a Beijing-based author, is among those who spoke. So far, the 32-year-old writer has published two books of short stories set in Beijing. And while she was introduced to an international audience in Frankfurt, Yu said she mostly cares about one thing when writing: "If the stories are well written or not." Her candid writing about her experiences in Chinese cities and failed relationships seem to have got her invited to the fair. Another invitee to the fair was Shanghai-based Lu Nei, 43. He is among Chinese authors who write about small towns. Three blue men drum on PVC tubes during the dressed rehearsal for Blue Man Group's debut show in the Guangzhou Opera House. [Photo provided to China Daily] Three "blue men" tap on a marimba-like installation made with PVC pipes and play the intro of Chinese pop song Little Apple, which arouses giggles and applause in the audience during the New York-based Blue Man Group's debut in the Chinese mainland in Guangzhou. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the creative theater show launched a world tour in April and for the first time comes to the Chinese mainland. It made its debut in Guangzhou on Oct 11 and will travel to Beijing and Shanghai during its six-week tour in China. Combining various performing art forms including live music, juggling, installation art and performance art, the show opens the audience's eyes and stimulates the senses throughout the 90-minute show. Blue Man Group has been performed in 15 countries and has been seen by more than 35 million people worldwide. A portrait of Confucius (551-479 BC). [Photo/IC] From ancient to modern times, building or buying a house has been a big issue for most families. People hold different views on housing, and there is no right or wrong. Confucius, the founder of Confucianism, had his own special view on housing. Let's see if it can still be useful to us today. 1. Confucius' income was sufficient to buy a house Confucius' income came from two parts, one part was from a salary, and the other tuition from his students. Confucius held different jobs as a warehouse keeper, an accountant, a cashier and an official managing a pasture who always did an excellent job in every position. When he was 56 years old, Confucius was the head of the supreme judicial court in the Lu State, with a revenue of 90,000 kilograms of millet, which equals to an annual income of millions of yuan today. Besides, there were also some benefits like barbecue meat when the monarch made a sacrifice. Confucius was a pioneer in opening a private school. He had 3,000 disciples. He once said that bringing a piece of preserved meat would allow someone to become his student. This tuition was not small, as meat was a luxury in ancient times. Confucius always lost his public employment so tuition became his main source of income. Among Confucius' students, some were very poor like Yan Hui and some were quite rich like Zi Gong, who was willing to pay for almost all the daily expenses for Confucius. Throughout Confucius' whole life, especially after he rose to fame, he was never troubled by money and had enough financial power to buy a house. Children of She ethnic group sit in front of a monument that reads "China's No. 1 Poverty Relief Village" at Chixi Village, Panxi town, Fuding city in East China's Fujian province, Feb 14, 2016. The village has shaken off poverty thanks to assistance from Party and government officials at all levels over the past 30 years. [Photo/Xinhua] International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on Monday was a reminder that ending poverty in all its forms everywhere by 2030 is an ambitious goal, but it s also an achievable goal. Marking the day, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon stressed we are approaching the end of the first year of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a universal vision for peace, prosperity and dignity for all people, achieving this objective is inconceivable without fulfilling the mandate of the first goal ending poverty in all its forms. Having joined the UN 30 years ago and enjoyed over 20 years working in the Asia-Pacific region, I have watched China grow and develop into the worlds second largest economy. This year marks the third year China has also adopted Oct 17 as its National Poverty Reduction Day. There is no doubt that China has made remarkable strides in reducing poverty levels. Once a country with over 942 million living in poverty, it has now reduced this to 55 million. Additionally, with a targeted poverty alleviation strategy in its 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) the aim is for poverty to become history in the country by the final year of the plan. The statistics certainly highlight an impressive achievement but what further intrigues me is what actions have made this possible. Looking back we can see that China has evolved through varied stages of development. As social-economic and environmental contexts have developed, the drivers of poverty have changed, and so have the approaches to addressing it. Broadly speaking, poverty reduction has become increasingly institutionalized, more targeted and multi-dimensional. This means going beyond seeing poverty as merely a lack of income or what is necessary for material well-being such as food, housing and land and exploring other essential factors such as access to education, healthcare and inclusiveness in society. At the same time China has needed to address accompanying rapid economic growth, industrialization and urbanization. Looking towards the future, Chinas newly devised targeted poverty alleviation strategy has again demonstrated its resilience in tackling poverty issues. Adopted at a time when China is confronted with the urgent need to transform for further economic growth, the strategy has laid out different approaches ecological conservation, education, social protection and industrial development that all highlight the importance of sustainability when it comes to reducing poverty. These efforts are also in line with the globally-adopted Sustainable Development Goals, and if the strategy is effectively implemented, it will contribute to realizing job creation, public services provision, sustainable urbanization and natural resources conservation, among other things. However the challenge still remains to make poverty reduction inclusive, while considering the integration of the SDGs and this is where the UN system can play a vital role in supporting China. First, the UN can continue offering international perspectives and experiences for China, it also provides a platform, through south-south cooperation, to disseminate Chinas experience and help other countries with their poverty reduction efforts. Second, the success of poverty reduction and the broader SDGs agenda will happen at the local level. The UN has been supporting implementation of the Millennium Development Goals locally, and has a vast experience to apply to the SDG era. Third, the UN can help monitor poverty reduction achievements to support long-term strategies for sustainability of the efforts. Poverty is dynamic and using innovative approaches to help identify and track the poor in a more real-time and real-place manner is vital. The UN has experience globally, and can assist China experimenting with alternative instruments, such as using Big Data, to complement the traditional household surveys that feed the national database. Moreover, with more and more financial resources being allocated for poverty reduction, the UN can assist with effective implementation, including through assessing the cost-effectiveness of public spending, via setting up an overarching appraisal system. Chinas progress towards eradicating poverty is unprecedented. Soon I will start my tenure in China and together with the UN system, I look forward to China developing on a sustainable path. The author is the designated United Nations resident coordinator in China. Actress Sun Li and Donald Duck. [Photo/Xinhua] WHEN CHINESE ACTRESS Sun Li complained on her micro blog about the noise during the night from a nearby construction site, tagging the official local government account, the local authorities responded by solving the problem. But some netizens criticized Sun for abusing her celebrity status. The Paper.cn commented on Tuesday: Is it everyone's right to have a quiet environment at night so they can sleep soundly? According to the Law on Prevention and Control of Pollution from Environmental Noise, except for special tasks, such as emergency repairs or rescue, construction work is forbidden during the night. The actress didn't ask for special treatment; instead, she asked for the right of every citizen to be upheld. Reporting illegal night construction work to the government is the right of every citizen. Some people said Sun could have moved to another place to sleep. But the logic is problematic because it is the construction site that violated the law not the actress. When Sun protected her right, she was helping other residents in and around the area to be protected from the noise. Getting used to the noise doesn't mean it is right for the construction work to be done at night; and it is unfair to criticize Sun for standing up for her right. It should be taken as positive interaction between the actress and the local government. Of course, it is another question whether the local government in Jinzhong in North China's Shanxi province would have responded in the same way if Sun hadn't been a celebrity. Boarders have a PE class at the primary school of Shicheng Township of Pingshun County, north China's Shanxi province, May 26, 2015. The children in the school are mostly left behind children whose parents work outside of their hometown. [Photo/Xinhua] A SCHOOL FOR MIGRANT CHILDREN IN SHANGHAI is considering closing because it cannot enroll enough students, as migrant children cannot present a local residence permit to be admitted. China Youth Daily commented on Tuesday: The sharp decline in the number of students and the tearful migrant parents begging for their kids to be admitted are the result of the Shanghai government tightening its restrictions on migrant workers and their children. How to rein in the urban population while guaranteeing the right of migrant children to education is not an easy task for the municipal government. But few expected that Shanghai would choose to emulate Beijing's policy by setting up higher thresholds for migrant children to be admitted to public schools, even though many of the schools have more than enough vacancies. What is even more worrying is that more first- and second-tier cities are likely to follow the lead of Beijing and Shanghai. On the one hand, the central government requires all eligible migrant children to be enrolled in school; on the other hand, it gives urban managers the freedom to make most decisions, including the requirements that migrant students must satisfy for school admission. This has allowed local governments to get rid of non-local residents under the name of controlling the urban population. They are right to keep the influx of migrants at a reasonable level, but this cannot be done at the expense of migrant children's right to education. To avoid creating more uncertainties in social governance and promote educational fairness, big cities are obliged to give migrant students equal access to pre-college education. An advertisement for e-commerce retailer JD.com Inc in Shanghai. [Photo/China Daily] JD.COM, a major e-commerce giant in China, disclosed 10 graft cases in the group on Monday, and said the suspected criminals will be handed over to the judiciary authorities for further investigation and trial. This is necessary to ensure the healthy development of the internet industry and to protect consumers' interests, says Beijing Youth Daily. The graft cases involve bribes from suppliers and soliciting kickbacks from suppliers, among other things. The other e-commerce giant Alibaba Group disclosed its corruption cases in 2012. And Tencent Group, a large social media corporation in China, reported its employees' graft cases to the police last year. Baidu.com, which provides the most popular search engine in China, reported 17 corruption cases in September. China's internet companies have developed fast in recent years, and the huge e-commerce and social media markets in the country provide a large space for the purchasing managers of internet enterprises to seek illegal gains from suppliers. If unchecked, corruption will evolve into a threat to the development of the internet industry in China. Because internet corporations control large amounts of data concerning public security, the graft cases are concrete actions to strengthen public security. The rampant selling of personal information in China is a result of poor management and supervision of the industry. That the internet corporations are taking the initiative to disclose their corruption cases, which harms their brand image, indicates they have raised their awareness of the importance of the anti-corruption efforts. The companies should actively cooperate with the administrative departments and the judiciary to root out corrupt employees. Hopefully, their self-disclosure of graft cases can foster the formation of such a joint supervision mechanism to ensure the healthy development of the industry and protect the public's interests. President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony to greet Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in Beijing on October 10, 2016. Xie Huanchi / Xinhua ASEAN member countries kept close tabs on Rodrigo Dutertes visit to China but also kept a second eye on the Philippine island of Luzon, which was struck by Typhoon Karen. The storm might bring ASEAN closer towards regional integration. The quick response and timely evacuation showed that the nation, along with ASEAN's support, is much better prepared to tackle natural threats than before. This has implications not only for ASEAN integration but for the trading blocs future talks with China which have been scuppered by disagreements in recent months. Thanks to the cooperation of the region, the pre-emptive evacuation of 291 families was not only well planned, but apparently well communicated to senior members of the disaster management council and the general public. By comparison, the devastating effects of Typhoon Yolanda (also known as Haiyan), in November 2013, not only resulted in a terrible tragedy, but also damning evidence of communication failures in the Philippines at the time due to the lack of access to reliable information from government officials as ineffective early warnings systems were compounded by a lack of preparedness. Since Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar in 2008, which killed more than 130,000, ASEAN has been developing an Emergency Rapid Assessment Team. Disaster response and preparation is managed by each ASEAN member individually, but they meet regularly to discuss policy and best practices through the ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance (AHA) Centre set up in 2011. This has allowed members to share a constant stream of information especially in weather forecasts and multi-hazard mapping. Importantly, it has also allowed countries to share ideas and improve response times and establish best practices in the region as evidenced by the organized and prepared response to Karen, compared with Yolanda in 2013. The southeast coast of China is also vulnerable to weather related disasters such as typhoons, and China will be following the progress in ASEANs integration and communication methods closely. Rodrigo Dutertes visit to Beijing may leave some opportunity for increased pan-Asian collaboration in the future. The recent establishment of the National Institute of Emergency Management (NIEM) has allowed China to broaden its disaster management vision and increase the number of publications in English. The NIEM has sought to enhance Chinas engagement on disaster management with ASEAN. A program established in 2013 brought Thai and Chinese experts to training programs for disaster management officials and practitioners, and increased disaster management networking between ASEAN countries and China. Commentators have noted the lack of funding for the AHA in Southeast Asia as a point of weakness, and it has marred the center's ability to implement an effective program of building disaster-resilient nations into actions and initiatives focusing particularly on the most vulnerable high risk communities, part of ASEANs Vision 2025. By comparison Chinese policymakers have successfully established state-of-the-art operating systems, including three unmanned drones, to monitor natural phenomena. Future discussions between ASEAN, China and the Philippines may include investment in disaster management as a relatively simple first step towards greater regional integration. It is rare that disaster management is brought up specifically during political visits. However, it is a point of common ground between the two nations, both keen to keep minimize the damage from natural catastrophes. Crucially, Duterte will be searching for objective common ground, particularly given disputes in the South China Sea. Disaster management belies the notion of national maritime borders as typhoons and earthquakes are territorially indiscriminate. This common threat has already improved early warning systems across Southeast Asia, ASEAN relations, and has saved lives. It may be a point of reconciliation between China and the Philippines in future. If disagreements derive from geographic tensions, then perhaps solutions lie there as well. The author is a master's student in international relations at Peking University, with a focus on Southeast Asia and Central Asia. Infrared cameras capture images of a wild giant panda in nature reserves in China. [Photo provided to China Daily] Yele Nature Reserve is a playground for wild giant pandas and other endangered animal species such as leopards. Rangers in Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture, Sichuan province, have to ride motorcycles or horses when they patrol the deep forests of the mountainous area, but now they can monitor the wildlife habitat via high-definition wireless surveillance cameras. They recently installed seven such cameras at exits and entrances of the nature reserve. Rangers can control the cameras from their office computers and even from their mobile phones, as they watch real-time videos transmitted through the network. It's part of the Giant Panda Habitat Monitoring and Restoration Demonstration Program in Sichuan province, launched jointly by computer-hardware maker Seagate Technology, video-surveillance products supplier Hikvision and the World Wildlife Fund. According to the State Forestry Administration of China, as of the end of 2013, the population of wild giant pandas in China was 1,864, 74.4 percent of which lived in Sichuan. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Dr Sun Yat-sen, a great forerunner of China's democratic revolution. Chinese all over the world, including those Chinese Americans in the Bay Area, are uniting to commemorate the great national hero, patriot and pioneer of China's democratic revolution. Sun played a decisive role in the 1911 revolution that overthrew the imperial Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), terminated China's more than 2,000 years of feudal ruling, and laid the foundation for the establishment of a new political system. In San Francisco, overseas Chinese organizations have sponsored a series of symposiums, seminars, performances and photo exhibitions to spread Sun's revolutionary ideals and practices to help the Chinese community get a deeper understanding of the historical meaning and rich connotation of the Chinese Dream. They also build confidence for China's rejuvenation and promote the peaceful reunification of the Chinese mainland and Taiwan. Born in 1866, Sun was heavily influenced by Western civilization and once claimed, "This is my Hawaii; here I was brought up and educated, and it was here that I came to know what modern, civilized governments are like and what they mean," he said in reference to the early teenage education he'd received in Hawaii since he was 13 years old. Later on, Sun continuously received fiscal and humanitarian support for his revolution from overseas Chinese communities between coasts in the US, Japan and other countries around the world. Sun created Kuomintang and later the republican government in Nanjing, Jiangsu province in 1911. He died in 1929 and his remains were placed in the mausoleum in Nanjing. "Dr Sun is selfless, dedicated and committed for the cause," said Zha Liyou, deputy consul general at the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco at a seminar on Friday. "Sun's Bo Ai (Universal Love) and Tian Xia Wei Gong (The entire world as one community) still apply to current affairs among overseas communities and our nation's rejuvenation," he added. "These are very powerful tools to resolve conflict and to teach people to treat others as equals, with acceptance and respect; that's why people throughout the world, regardless of ideological differences and background variances, adore him." On Nov 9, 2015, one day after President Xi Jinping met then-Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou in Singapore, the Standing Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee announced that China would organize well-rounded programs and events to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sun in 2016. A series of events will be held "to honor his contribution to national independence, social advancement and people's happiness, carry forward his patriotic thoughts and revolutionary and entrepreneurial spirits, consolidate the unity among Chinese people and the patriotic united front, safeguard cross-Straits peace and jointly advance the country's peaceful unification," said the CPPCC statement. "The initiative of the Chinese government will help consolidate a shared recognition of history and Sun's legacy in both the mainland and Taiwan," said He Konghua, a celebrated community leader in the Bay Area who is also a founding member and vice-president of Chinese for Peaceful Unification-Northern California. At a seminar on Oct 19 in San Mateo which drew about leaders from 130 organizations of overseas Chinese around the theme of commemorating Dr. Sun, He and Florence Fang, chairwoman of the Florence Fang Family Foundation, encouraged the community to analyze Sun's essence of thoughts, learn from his dedication and devotion to his country and people, and stride forward on the cause of national rejuvenation and unification. "Sun's thoughts are still of realistic value of promoting the cooperation and understanding between the mainland and Taiwan," said Fang, calling for the memory of the last words of Sun "we haven't succeed in the revolution yet, so our comrades should still work hard". Contact the writer at junechang@chinadailyusa.com Republican US presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic US presidential nominee Hillary Clinton greet one another as they take the stage for their first debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, US, September 26, 2016. [Photo/Agencies] COCONUT CREEK, Florida - Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton warned her supporters on Tuesday against complacency as opinion polls show her holding a clear lead over Republican rival Donald Trump with two weeks left until the Nov 8 election. Clinton told voters in Florida, one of the battleground states where the election will likely be decided, that Democrats could not afford to relax. "I hope you will come out and vote because it's going to be a close election. Pay no attention to the polls. Don't forget, don't get complacent, because we've got to turn people out," she told a rally in Coconut Creek, standing in front of a large sign reading: "Vote Early." Trump also campaigned in Florida on Tuesday. He blasted recent spikes in premiums for health insurance under President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare. Trump promised to repeal and replace the healthcare law as soon as he takes office. "This is why we have to drain the swamp and repeal and replace Obamacare immediately, and I'm the only candidate running for president who will do it," Trump said. On Monday, the US government said the average premium for insurance plans sold on Healthcare.gov for 2017 rose by 25 percent compared with 2016. But with polls showing Trump trailing Clinton, Trump has asked his campaign to cut back on work identifying candidates for jobs in his future administration and focus instead on bolstering his chances on Nov 8, according to two people familiar with the campaign's inner workings. Lord Alf Dubs and Actress Joely Richardson join protesters outside the Home Office to demand that the government move children from the Calais 'Jungle' camp in France to the United Kingdom on October 24, 2016. French authorities have begun the demolition of the camp, and more than 7,000 refugees will be moved to evacuation centers across France. [Photo/IC] MOSCOW - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier discussed the humanitarian situation in Syria's northern city of Aleppo and Syrian settlement over phone on Tuesday evening, said the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Lavrov stressed the inadmissibility of the actions of "Nusraa" terrorists and the extremists, who were blocking humanitarian supplies to the eastern part of Aleppo and obstructing medical evacuations from there. "Representatives of UN humanitarian agencies should eliminate these obstacles, and cooperate with the countries which have an influence on the militants," the ministry noted. Lavrov said it was necessary for the United States to fulfill its commitment to separate the Washington-backed "moderate" opposition forces from terrorist groups, which is a key condition for the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions on the Syrian crisis. The ministers agreed to maintain the regular expert dialogue between the foreign ministries of Russia and Germany on all aspects of the Syrian settlement. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon sits at his desk as he poses for a portrait in his office at United Nations Headquarters in the Manhattan borough of New York, New York, US, October 21, 2016.[Photo/Agencies] UNITED NATIONS - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Tuesday condemned the outbreak of violence in the Central African Republic, which killed at least four civilians and injured nine others including five peacekeepers a day earlier. The secretary-general "deplores" the attacks in the African country's capital of Bangui against the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), in which five peacekeepers were injured, said a statement issued here by Ban's spokesman. "The secretary-general welcomes the determination of the government to ensure that the perpetrators and instigators of these attacks are brought to justice," the statement said. Ban also welcomed MINUSCA's commitment to investigate the events which led to series of deaths and injuries, and reiterated that MINUSCA will take all necessary measures in line with its mandate to protect civilians and foster stability, the statement said. "The secretary-general reiterates that the actions of those seeking to destabilize the government and harm the country's prospects for peace and stability must not undermine the important work of rebuilding the country's infrastructure, promoting social cohesion, reconciliation and economic recovery, strengthening the rule of law, and creating opportunities for all," the statement said. "He welcomes the important steps taken by the government to address the root causes of the conflict through an inclusive political process and lay the foundations for long-term stability in the Central African Republic," the statement added. MINUSCA said it is working with authorities in the country to provide support for in-depth investigations into the circumstances of these incidents. In early October, 30 people were killed and 57 others wounded when fighters from the Muslim Seleka militia group staged an attack in the central town of Kaga Bandoro. A few days later, 11 people were shot dead in a camp for displaced people in Ngakobo, northeast of Bangui. A civil war in the Central African Republic broke out on Dec 10, 2012 between Seleka rebel coalition and government forces. Seleka took power from former President Francois Bozize in March 2013 and the rebels' leader Michel Djotodia declared himself president. A National Transitional Council was established and elected Catherine Samba-Panza as provisional president until the second round of the new election on Feb 14, 2016, in which Faustin Archange Touadera was elected as president. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte delivers a speech at Philippines Economic Forum in Tokyo, Japan October 26, 2016. [Photo/Agencies] TOKYO - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday that he wanted foreign military troops out of his country "probably in the next two years." Duterte, who is on a three-day visit to Japan, made the remarks before his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe later in the day. Mentioning the US colonial control of the Philippines over half a century, Duterte said he would pursue an independent foreign policy and the Philippines will "survive" without US assistance. Former Philippine president Benigno Aquino III signed an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the US in 2014, which allowed the return of US troops to the Philippines after the country expelled US soldiers in the 1990s. Duterte, who took office in June, has reportedly talked about abrogating defense agreements with the US several times over the past two months. Earlier, he also called for the expulsion of about 100 US Special Forces posted in Zamboanga City on Mindanao, who were tasked to help the Philippine military fight against terrorism. London's asset managers are competing for an expected growth in Chinese capital flowing into the UK through the tier 1 investor visa scheme. The scheme, through which foreigners park at least 2 million pounds in capital in the UK to qualify for British permanent residence status, is expected to be more popular with Chinese people after Brexit uncertainties have led to a depreciation in the pound in recent months. From boutique asset managers, such as Cerno Capital, to family offices such as Oracle Capital, right up to international banks, such as UBS, asset managers are devising strategies to target Chinese customers. They are creating portfolios of investment targeting UK bonds and stocks that specifically satisfy the requirements of the tier 1 visa, as set out by the British government. These portfolios are different from global portfolios created for their traditional British client base, whose investments are not limited to the UK. Cerno Capital, which has a flagship global portfolio achieving a 6.9-percent annualized return, has created several new portfolios in lower risk UK assets targeting tier 1 visa applicants, generating up to a 3.2 percent return. Such a return is still better for many Chinese clients, who otherwise might have put their money into the safest option, government bonds, Cerno argues. UK gilts, as they are known, currently yield 1.12 percent. Others champion relationship management to try to win over clients. An example is the London-based multifamily office Oracle Capital,which has seen a growth of tier 1 investor visa applicants from China during the past four years. Anton Davidenko, head of client relationship at Oracle, said his team offers a "one-stop shop" approach, which includes helping with the visa application process. According to the latest UK government data, China had the highest approval rate for tier 1 investor visa applications during the second quarter of 2016, accounting for 20 out of 43 such visas granted. Brian Pallas, founder of Opportunity Network, which matches Chinese firms with potential UK acquisition targets, said he has seen more tier 1 investor visa applications by Chinese family business owners since the referendum vote. "Uncertainties about the UK-EU negotiation leads to the worry that some European employees in the future may no longer be able to work in the UK, and therefore Chinese companies that have a subsidiary in the UK are starting to consider sending a member of their family to the UK for management, and now they are starting to apply for tier 1 investor visas," Pallas said. To qualify for the visa, investors need to either invest 2 million pounds, 5million pounds or 10 million pounds. The mandatory duration of investment changes according to the amount invested. Meanwhile, some critics are warning that asset managers must point out potential risks. David Chang, secretary-general of the China Family Office Association, said many Chinese investors lost money with Western asset managers and are wary of those claiming to generate higher returns. Chang said Chinese investors already feel like they are getting a bargain because of the depreciated value of the pound. A student pours wine at a WSET class in London. [Photo/China Daily] The UK's largest institution for teaching skills in the wine and spirits field has announced it is setting up its first ever international branch in Hong Kong to support China's surging demand for wine knowledge. Industry analysts said the move comes as China's interest in wine and spirits is moving from social drinking toward connoisseurship. The London-based Wine and Spirit Education Trust said on Tuesday its Hong Kong office, which opens in November, would allow Chinese students to have their exams marked locally. WSET currently offers classes to Chinese students through accredited schools in China. In the 2015/16 academic year, a total of 13,141 candidates took its exams in China, a 38 percent year-on-year growth. WSET already has 135 accredited course providers in China, including the China subsidiary of Berry Bros & Rudd, a high-end London wine and spirits merchant. China's total bottled wine imports value in 2015 grew by 37 percent year-on-year to reach $1.9 billion, according to customs data. Meanwhile, wine merchants say Chinese buyers are increasingly educated and sophisticated in their tastes. "Wine drinking in China is no longer about Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Chinese consumers are now more knowledgeable about exciting niche market wines," said Tobias Gorn,managing director of the London-based wine and whiskey agency Campbell and Gorn. Gorn, who has sold wines and whiskeys to Chinese customers for 10 years, said Chinese buyers "have a thirst for knowledge", adding the WSET qualification's British brand appeal boosts its popularity in China. Gorn's views are echoed by Charles MacLean, a consultant for several whiskey brands in China. "Chinese consumers now understand wine and whiskey is not about ganbei [toasting]. They now take time to smell and taste the drink, to appreciate it." Ganbei is the Chinese for 'cheers', translated literally as 'empty the glass'. MacLean said China's fast wine market growth is creating a huge number of jobs for wine merchants and sommeliers, of whom many look to WSET for qualifications. WSET had 72,171 students in the 2015/16 academic year, with China overtaking the US to become the second-largest group, just behind the UK. WSET's courses first became available to Chinese students in 2006. Lu Yang, who gained the WSET qualification and is now corporate wine director at Shangri-La International Hotel Management said the exam was "extremely valuable for my career". "There is a new wave of younger millennials in China, and across Asia,who are interested in wine and spirits, so we are stepping in to further enhance the service we provide to support our providers in the region, as well as businesses who will benefit from wine and spirit education and qualifications," said Ian Harris, WSET Chief Executive. Jennie Mack, managing director of AWSEC, a WSET course provider in Hong Kong, said the class in Hong Kong attracts students from all walks of life, some out of pure interest, some for a career change or some to enter the wine and spirits industry. "We are proud to see our graduates become influential professionals in the role of wine and spirits importers, retailers, sommeliers and writers as well as knowledgeable and enthusiastic consumers," Mack said. Events and stories coming up in the next few days Artist brightens up the night The Museums at Night festival that runs between Thursday and Saturday will include a contribution from Chinese-born visual artist Jin Aowen. The festival,which is organized by Brighton-based arts charity Culture24, sees museums and galleries open late into the evening to encourage people to see them in a new light. Jin is one of five artists contributing nighttime art. Her installation, which takes inspiration from a collection of ancient Chinese bronze artifacts, will use 900 kilograms of specially treated rice that will glow in the dark in reaction to UV light. The work will be displayed on Saturday at the Compton Verney Museum and Art Gallery, near Kineton in Warwickshire. Wine club members to savor China insights The Supply Chain Academy will host a China-themed Business Leaders Wine Club session in London on Thursday. The event, titled Doing Business in China, is aimed at importers, exporters and senior corporate managers and will feature a lecture from Andy Clayton, CEO of LNP China,who lived and worked in China between 1998 and 2013. The Supply Chain Academy describes itself as a center for the development of supply-chain excellence and training for executives. The gathering will be held at the Supply Chain Academy Headquarters on Hall Lane, Upminster. Service industry providers sought for Pudong The China-Britain Business Council will host a roundtable meeting with members of the Pudong Commission of Commerce in London on Friday at Portland House in Bressenden Place. Representatives from UK Trade and Investment will also be at the gathering, as will those from businesses in the services sector. The delegation wants to attract providers of professional business services to the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone, in support of its development. China encourages parties related to the Korean Peninsula to have talks "in whatever form", Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang reiterated on Wednesday. Lu made the remarks after a military source from the Republic of Korea was reported to have confirmed that the ROK and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea had three "military contacts" in December 2012. Facts have shown that whenever the situation on the peninsula was less tense was during the time when all relevant parties kept talking and implemented the agreements they had reached, Lu said, adding that he hoped these countries will work together and contribute to the denuclearization and peace of the peninsula. Lu also dismissed comments by James Clapper, director of US National Intelligence that the US policy of trying to persuade the DPRK to give up nuclear weapons "is probably a lost cause". Lu, emphasizing the need to maintain talks and contact, pointed out that the Six-Party Talks once made the DPRK "take solid action" to give up all its nuclear weapons and nuclear plans. "It was exactly during the halt of the Six-Party Talks that the DPRK went toward nuclearization and conducted nuclear experiments time and again," he said. French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault will visit China from Saturday to Tuesday, the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. Ministry spokesman Lu Kang made the announcement in a daily news conference in Beijing, saying that Chinese leaders will meet Ayrault, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will have talks with him. Ayrault will visit Beijing, Chengdu and Shanghai, and will attend the opening ceremony of a fifth summit in Chengdu to enhance cooperation between regional governments of China and France, according to Lu. Lu said both countries "attach great importance" to the second visit Ayrault will pay to China since he became French foreign minister, and he believes this visit will help bilateral ties to keep developing. China-France ties are continuing to develop in a health and stable way, and the two countries have kept deepening political mutual trust and are making progress in cooperation in fields including nuclear energy, aviation and finance, he said. The two have maintained good communication and collaboration over major international and regional hotspot issues, and have made an example in tackling climate change and improving global economic governance, said the spokesman. Philippine president is urged to respect consensus he reached in talks with Beijing Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte sought to assure Japan on Wednesday by saying that his visit to China last week was about economics only and that the South China Sea disputes should be resolved peacefully. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (left) is greeted by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the start of their meeting at Abe's official residence in Tokyo on Wednesday. Issei Kato /REUTERS "You know I went to China for a visit. And I would like to assure you that all there was, was economics. We did not talk about arms. We avoided talking about alliances," he was quoted by Reuters as saying while meeting with Japanese business leaders. Analysts said that Duterte is trying to maximize his country's national interests by making friends with both China and Japan. The Philippine president should respect the consensus he reached with China during his visit last week and avoid being influenced by Japan, the analysts said. Describing Japan as a "special friend who is closer than a brother", Duterte said Manila would work closely with Japan on regional issues of common concern and uphold the values of democracy, the rule of law and peaceful settlement of disputes, including those involving the South China Sea. Duterte, speaking through a Japanese interpreter at the start of his talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, later said he would stand on Japan's side regarding the South China Sea, according to Reuters. Abe said he welcomed Duterte's efforts to improve Manila's ties with Beijing. Duterte's Japanese trip follows his visit to China last week, during which the two nations restored their relationship, which deteriorated under Duterte's predecessor, Benigno Aquino III, who unilaterally launched the arbitration case against China over the South China Sea dispute. During the visit, Japan is expected to offer Manila two large coast guard patrol boats on top of an earlier pledge of 10 smaller ones and TC-90 military training aircraft, the Associated Press reported. Jia Duqiang, a senior researcher of Southeast Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that Duterte is maintaining a "balanced diplomacy" to cater to both China and Japan, given the remarks he has made in the two countries in the past week. "Through offering olive branches to both China and Japan, Duterte is pursuing the Philippines' maximum national interests, since both China and Japan could offer financial support to his country," he said. Jin Yong, deputy head of the School of Foreign Studies at Communication University of China, said Duterte should stick to independent diplomacy instead of being influenced by Japan. According to the China-Philippines joint declaration issued on Friday, the two countries agreed to maintain restraint and enhance bilateral negotiations over the South China Sea dispute. "I think that Duterte's remarks in Japan should mostly be in accordance with what he said in China, that is, to enhance cooperation and set aside disputes," Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a regular news conference on Wednesday. (Photo : getty images.) China has been assured of political promise by western countries that they will not become havens for corrupt officials, a top graft official, Liu Jianchao, told state television. Advertisement Several western countries have reportedly committed to China that they will not become havens for corrupt officials, a move which is deemed relevant in the Asian country's fight against corruption. This, as revealed by China's top graft official Liu Jianchao in an interview with the state television. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement The reported assurance would give a huge boost to President Xi Jinping's nationwide fight to eliminate corruption from the Chinese society. Liu was speaking on the latest episode of the state television's eight-part documentary on China's graft fight broadcasted on late Monday. "Certain Western countries have clearly stressed that they do not want to become a haven for corrupt elements," Liu said. "This is an extremely important accomplishment, and is an extremely important political promise." "We need other countries support, and at the same time other countries anti-graft work needs China's support," he added. "On this issue, I think it's mutually beneficial and win-win." Liu did not address the concerns on "treatment of prisoners" during the show. The concern has apparently deterred many western countries, which have become popular hideouts for alleged Chinese fugitives, to sign a formal extradition treaty with China. Human right organizations have been on the forefront of extraditing suspects to China for fear of torture and serious mistreatment. With western countries unwilling to cooperate, China has been pursuing underground operation for nabbing corrupt officials. However, these secret operations have left the host countries miffed, forcing China to bring about a tactical change in its operation. China is now apparently encouraging graft suspects to voluntarily return to China, rather than coercing them. The strategic change in China's tactics was confirmed by Liu Jianchao in an interview given to Reuters last year. Advertisement TagsCorrupation in China, Corrupt Officials in China, Corrupation Fight in China, china News / National by Simbarashe Sithole Gomo at Guruve hospital. A total of eight Zimbabwe Apostolic church congregants from Muzarabani district who perished in a horrific road accident at Chimanikire, Guruve, last Friday were laid to rest on Sunday.Police confirmed that eight people died on the spot and not ten as was previously reported.An archbishop of the church familiar with the situation told Bulawayo24.com that all the congregants who passed on that day are from Muzarabani, four of them being from the same family."This lorry was ferrying our congregants from Muzarabani district who were going back home happily but unfortunately stubborn death visited the eight," said the archbishop.Among the deceased was a pastor popularly known as Moto Muzhinji, his wife, their son and the son's wife."Moto Muzhinji's son left a 2 year old baby boy who is now an orphan after loosing both parents in a crash, the orphan escaped the accident unhurt."It is claimed Moto Muzhinji dreamt about his death the very day the accident occurred but he could not interpret the dream. Apparently it was later interpreted by a prophet yet to be identified by Bulawayo24.com.The driver of the damaged lorry identified as Gomo, is currently nursing injuries at Guruve hospital.Gomo blamed the haulage driver for encroaching road lanes and has dismissed speeding allegations.In the haulage truck there were two people, the driver and his assistant and they both escaped without a scratch.The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe suggests that most road accidents are as a result of human error, which manifests in various ways.According to Traffic Safety Officer Tatenda Chinoda, human error contributed 93,4% to the cause of last year's festive season road traffic accidents.Only 6,6% of accidents were caused by animals, vehicle defects and adverse road conditions. (Photo : https://pixabay.com/en/flag-country-china-1040555/) Nearly 370 full and alternate members of the Central Committee of the party are believed to be attending the meeting. Advertisement Beijing is currently hosting an important Communist Party leadership meeting, widely known as "sixth plenum," as China intensifies its anti-corruption drive. Nearly 370 full and alternate members of the Central Committee of the party are believed to be attending the meeting. This is already the sixth since it started in 2012. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement The meetings deal with various issues while focusing on party-building and ideology, with the current meeting expected to deal with internal supervision procedures. This plenum is also important as it is the most prominent meeting before the party congress happens late next year, as it marks the beginning of the five-yearly political reshuffle season. It was noted as well that the gathering, that is said to boost China's continued anti-corrutpion drive, would serve as a venue for Chinese President Xi Jinping's announcement of decision on the unofficial retirement rule, which requires the people to retire past the age of 68. Five out of the current seven members of the Politburo Standing Committee will have to step down at the 2017 congress if the rule is abided by. Politburo Standing Committee is the most powerful body of the Chinese communist party. The international community is likely to watch this meeting with close attention. CNBC quoted Marc Desmidt, CEO at Point72 Asset Management as saying that it will be important to see "how the economy features in his priorities over the next couple of years." Chong Jas Lan of National University of Singapore told CNBC that the meeting is relevant for signaling political dynamics. Furthermore, he pointed out that movements in the management of state-owned companies will have an impact on the market. It is likely to show the way central authority chooses to deal with the local government debt. Several reports have emphasized that the Xi government is committed to consistently implement anti-corruption drive initiatives in China. Advertisement TagsXi Jinping, Beijing, Sixth Plenum (Photo : https://pixabay.com/en/hilton-hotel-building-liverpool-1750565/) The company bought the stake from Blackstone Group LP. Advertisement China's leading conglomerate HNA Group announced acquiring 25 percent stake in Hilton Worldwide Inc. The company bought the stake from Blackstone Group LP. This is aready the second hotel industry investment made by HNA Group this year. The conglomerate mainly does business in the shipping and aviation sector, but recently, it has been diversifying into the hospitality industry. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement The deal priced Hilton stock at $256.25 per share, showing 14.6 percent premium over its Friday closing price. The transaction values Hilton at nearly $26 billion. The hotel company was taken private by Blackstone in 2007 in a deal priced at $26.7 billion, including debt. In 2013, it went public with the biggest hotel IPO in the history. HNA Group CEO Adam Tan said the company endeavors to become a "global tourism business." In April, HNA announced that it agreed to acquire Carlson Hotels, which owns brands such as Park Plaza and Radisson. However, no financial details for the deal were provided. HNA is one of the biggest tourism companies in China and owns 2,000 hotels worldwide, and acquiring Hilton is making its assets even bigger. Hilton is the parent company of 13 hotel brands, including Curio, Double Tree and Conrad Hotels and Resorts. The deal specifies that HNA cannot dilute or increase its 25 percent stake in the hotel company without seeking its permission. The transaction is expected to conclude in early 2017. After the finalization of the deal, Blackstone's share in Hilton will come down to 21 percent. HNA Group operates nearly a dozen airlines, with assets valued at more than $100 billion. Its co-founder Chen Feng runs it . HNA Group of China currently holds investment in other various businesses, such as the Ingram Micro and Gategroup Holdings. Advertisement TagsHNA Group, hilton, Blackstone Group (Photo : getty images.) Syngenta AG shares dived more than 9 percent on Monday over the fear that Chinese state owned ChemChina's multi-billion takeover of the company may face regulatory hurdles. Advertisement Syngenta AG stocks slumped by more than nine percent on Monday over fear that the multi-billion deal with Chinese state-owned ChemChina may face regulatory hurdles. The takeover, which is estimated to be at $43 billion, is the largest foreign direct investment by China till date. Syngenta shares closed at 397.50 Swiss francs after the end of Monday's trading at Zurich stock exchange. The rate is far from ChemChina's agreed cash offer of $465 per share, which is worth about 462 Swiss francs at current exchange rates. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement It has been reported that Officials from Syngenta and ChemChina met with European Union (EU) anti-trust authorities a week ago to align competition concerns. They had until Oct. 21 to convince EU that the takeover would not offer unfair competitive advantage to the concerned company. Reports suggested that ChemChina failed to submit the so-called remedies document to anti-trust authorities within the stipulated time. This means that the EU regulatory body may clear the multi-billion dollar deal unconditionally by Oct. 28, or may open phase two of the investigation that will delay the deal between Syngenta and ChemChina for another five months. Meanwhile, a Syngenta official said the company remains confident that the deal will be sealed by yearend. The official later clarified that he was only repeating the earlier comment made by the company on July 22. Analysts have described EU's cautious approach to the multi-billion dollar deal as "conservative" and "unsatisfied." Interestingly, Syngenta-Chemchina deal faced no hurdles from US regulators. The US national-security regulator approved the $43 billion dollar takeover without any major conditions in August. The approval was considered crucial for Chemchina's long-standing ambition to make a deep dent into the lucrative US market. Chemchina considers Syngenta's deal and acquisition as a critical step in its global ambition. The state-owned Chinese chemical giant apparently made headlines recently for its possible merger with Sinochem, one of its main rivals. Advertisement TagsSyngenta AG, ChemChina Syngenta Deal, ChemChina, china (Photo : getty images.) Syngenta announced on Tuesday that the planned $43 billion takeover by ChemChina has been extended to first half of 2017. The delay has been caused due to regulatory hurdles. Advertisement Syngenta, the world's largest pesticide company, informed its investors on Tuesday that the planned $43 billion takeover by ChemChina has been extended to first half of 2017. This means that the Swiss-based company will miss the original deadline that forecasted the deal will be sealed by end of this year. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement The important announcement was made when the company revealed its third quarter performance on Tuesday. "In a context of industry consolidation, regulators in the EU and elsewhere have recently requested a large amount of additional information and we now expect the regulatory process to extend into the first quarter of 2017," Chief Executive Erik Fyrwald said in a statement. "ChemChina and Syngenta remain fully committed to the transaction and are confident of its closure," the company official added. The assurance by Syngenta came a day after its shares were battered at Zurich stock exchange. Its shares lost more than nine percent to close at 397.50 Swiss francs after end of the Monday's trading. The sharp fall in Syngenta stocks was apparently an adverse reaction to reports that EU's anti-trust authorities may subject the Syngenta-ChemChina deal to more stringent regulation. ChemChina reportedly failed to submit the so-called remedies document to anti-trust authorities within the original deadline of Oct. 21. As a result, the possibility of EU regulators opening a second phase of investigation seemed higher. Reports noted that the next level of investigation will delay the multi-billion dollar deal for another five months. Meanwhile, Fyrwald dismissed any suggestion that the deal has been complicated by talks of possible merger between ChemChina and Chinese peer Sinochem. "We talk to ChemChina regularly on a range of issues, as you can imagine, and they have repeatedly assured us that they are not in any discussions about merging with Sinochem," Fyrwald told Reuters in a telephonic interview. Analysts had expected that the EU would give a swift approval to Syngenta's takeover deal, given that the deal was approved by US regulators in August without any major conditions. The $43 billion dollar takeover deal of Syngenta by state owned ChemChina is the largest foreign direct investment by China till date. Advertisement TagsSyngenta AG, ChemChina Syngenta Deal, ChemChina, china (Photo : YouTube) AMD's deal with Alibaba could give the company a backdoor into the Chinese market. Advertisement Tech giant AMD recently unveiled the first series of Lenovo computers that will use the company's new seventh generation PRO APUs. AMD said the new computers were designed to meet the requirements of business-oriented users, with features like enhanced security and energy efficiency. One of the first Lenovo computers to use the new AMD Pro APU is the ThinkCentre M715 Tiny. It is a desktop computer that packs the computing and graphical power of the new PRO APU in a relatively small form factor. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement According to Digital Trends, the ThinkCentre M715 Tiny is 94 percent smaller than traditional computer towers, a feature that could attract the attention of enterprise customers who want a space-saving yet powerful computer. The computer's tower is so small that it can literally be installed on the back of a large monitor. At the heart of the ThinkCentre M715 Tiny is a new 35W Pro processor. AMD promises that the processor can deliver much-needed computing power, at a very small form factor and an increase in energy efficiency. Lenovo is also launching two laptops running on AMD's new APUs. These are the ThinkPad E475 and the ThinkPad E575. Both laptops use AMD Radeon R5 M430 integrated graphics. They are also equipped with enterprise-focused features like VOIP support and high quality microphones ideal for video conferencing. On the other hand, the ThinkCentre M715 Tiny will hit the market on Oct. 31, while the ThinkPad E475 and the ThinkPad E575 will be available on Nov. 7. AMD and Lenovo have yet to release the complete specs and the official prices of the new computers with seventh generation Pro APU. Advertisement TagsAMD, Lenovo, amd apu, apu, seventh generation APU, AMD Pro, AMD Pro APU, Lenovo (Photo : Battelle) Battelles DroneDefender is a shoulder-fired weapon that uses radio waves to cut the link between the drone and its controller. Advertisement The U.S. Air Force reported shooting down an ISIS aerial drone over Iraq probably using a shoulder-fired electronic drone killing gun. If confirmed, this event will be the first shoot down of its kind for the U.S. military in a combat zone. Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said the Air Force brought down a small, weaponized unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operated by ISIL "a week or two ago." She said this drone was responsible for killing four Iraqis. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement "The Air Force over there in theater was informed there was one such unmanned aerial system in the vicinity and fairly quickly we were able to bring it down. We brought it down through electronic measures," said James. "It's an example of something we have to attack quickly," said James. James, however, didn't specify the type of drone shot down or the type of weapon used by the Air Force. But photos made public later by Iraqi media show a flying wing drone equipped with a small camera in its nose. The white painted drone showed no signs of being hit by bullets. As for the weapon used by the Air Force, the likely suspect is the "Battelle DroneDefender," a shoulder-fired weapon that disables drones using radio waves and can detect unmanned aerial vehicles from several kilometers away when coupled with a man-portable, Israeli-made radar system. The U.S. Department of Defense bought 100 DroneDefenders a few months ago and a number of them have made their way to the Middle East where ISIL is using aerial drones to reconnoiter and attack coalition troops. A weaponized ISIL drone was recently reported to have killed two Peshmerga fighters. Battelle's DroneDefender uses radio waves to sever the link between the drone and its controller. It proved "very effective" in tests at the Army's Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona last September. DroneDefender comes with a companion radar system that detects and tracks the small and hard to detect drones. The radar system consists of two,18 kg components and can be carried in two rucksacks. When assembled, the radar provides 360 degree coverage, detecting drones from several kilometers away. DroneDefender is then brought into play. Russia's use of aerial drones to conquer eastern Ukraine also illustrated the effectiveness of drones in both attack and defense. "I know there's a lot of work being done on non-kinetic means and I am confident that we are going to have some other systems coming down the road ... but I need something now," said Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, Commanding General US Army Europe. "We didn't worry about (short-range air defense) over the last several years because there was not a threat," he said. "Now you look at the UAVs, I need a counter-UAV capability." Advertisement Tagsaerial drone, ISIS, Iraq, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James, Battelle DroneDefender (Photo : Getty Images) The Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant is seen in the early morning hours March 28, 2011 in Middletown, Pennsylvania. Advertisement China is on track to surpass the United States to have the biggest nuclear capacity in the world over the next 10 to 15 years, the World Nuclear Association (WNA) said on Tuesday. The country is set to overtake France with the second-highest number of nuclear reactors by the end of the decade, Agneta Rising, WNA's director general, said during the Singapore International Energy Week. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement "For China, the air pollution is a major driver," she said. There are 134 operable reactors in Asia that generated 400 terawatt-hours of electricity last year, accounting for 16 percent of global nuclear generation, Reuters reported citing WNA's report. Another 39 reactors with a total capacity of 48.4 gigawatts are now under construction in Asia. And China holds the bulk with 20 reactors under construction. Furthermore, there are also plans to build 50 more reactors with a capacity of over 50,000 megawatts in nine countries. Most of them intent to power up their first nuclear reactors before 2030. Of these nine nations, Bangladesh appears likely to be the first to enter operation in six years. Meanwhile, other countries like Malaysia and Thailand are pushing back the timeline for new reactors to come online, according to Reuters. "It's a combination of cost as it's a large infrastructure and also there needs to be more groups involved in discussions and have transparency in plans," Rising said. Industrializing nations mostly lead new reactor construction. Four nations, namely, China, India, Russia, and South Korean, are anticipated to account for nearly three-fourths (70%) of reactors commissioned in the period to 2030, the International News noted. Advertisement Tagschina, nuclear capacity, nuclear capacity of china, nuclear reactors (Photo : Getty Images) A general view of a CCTV camera in Camden on April 15, 2014 in London, England. Advertisement Chinese manufacturer Hangzhou Xiongmai Technology Co. will recall up to 10,000 webcams following last week's cyberattack that denied access to some of the biggest websites in the world, the company told Reuters on Tuesday. A member of the U.S. Senate Intelligence committee asked three federal agencies on what steps the government should take to stop hackers from hijacking electronic devices, Reuters reported. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Last week, cyber criminals accessed several hundreds and thousands of devices and carried out a distributed denial of service (DDoS). They flooded the U.S. internet infrastructure provider Dyn with an uncontrollable amount of traffic that it could not cope, blocking access to several websites such as PayPal, Spotify, and Twitter, Inverse noted. Xiongmai will be calling back the surveillance cameras after experts found they had been targeted in the attack. Liu Yuexin, Xiongmai's marketing director, anticipated the number of devices affected to be less than 10,000. He added that the recall will first start on the first few batches of surveillance cameras made in 2014, which were more of personal rather than industrial use. Xiongmai had already addressed the issue in the earlier products. It prompted users to change their default passwords and block telnet access. "Internet of Things devices have been subject to cyberattacks because they are mostly based on the Linux open source system," Liu told Reuters. "Our R&D development had been looking to develop products based on other systems since 2015 and plan to do more in the future." Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security had already discussed the attacks in a conference call with 18 major communication service provider, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. It will also now work on creating a new set of "strategic principles" to ensure the safety of internet-connected devices. On the other hand, although authorities are still to identify the suspects, James Clapper, U.S. National Intelligence's director, said on Tuesday that early investigation did not point to a foreign government, saying the evidence suggests it is "amateur, attention-motivated hackers." Advertisement TagsXiongmai, Xiongmai webcams, Internet of Things, DDoS Attack, distributed denial of service, Cyberattack, Surveillance Cameras, Dyn (Photo : Getty Images) A Chinese state-run newspaper claims that Beiing and Washington are in talks over return of five Chinese fugitives who are currently hiding in the U.S. Advertisement China and the United States are in negotiations for the return of five Chinese fugitives who are currently hiding in the US, state-run newspaper China Daily reported on Wednesday. The newspaper said an unidentified senior official of the ruling Communist Party's anti-graft watchdog agency revealed that the negotiations have reached an advanced stage. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement "We will offer relevant evidence to our U.S. counterparts in a timely manner and leave for the U.S. at a proper time to conduct a joint investigation with our counterparts," the official said. "We are in advanced negotiations with the U.S. to speed up the process for the fugitives' return." China Daily revealed the names of two fugitives including Yang Xiuzhu, a former deputy mayor of Wenzhou city, and Xu Chaofan, a former regional director in a branch of the Bank of China in the southern province of Guangdong. The names of three other fugitives were not revealed. According to China Daily, China and the United States are in "advanced negotiations" to sign an agreement on "sharing confiscated assets." The newspaper made no mention of Ling Wancheng, the brother of a one-time aide to former President Hu Jintao. Ling is reported to be hiding in the United States. US officials interrogated Ling earlier this year for allegedly being in possession of nuclear secrets and secretive information about Chinese leadership. His lawyer, however, told Reuters in February that Ling did not hand over Chinese state secrets to the US. China has been upping the antic against corrupt officials hiding in foreign countries. Beijing has vowed to start an overseas search operation dubbed as 'Operation Fox Hunt' to nabbing such fugitives. However, China has been left frustrated by many western countries such as the U.S., Australia, and Canada, which have emerged as popular hideouts for Chinese fugitives. They nations have been hesitant to sign a formal extradition treaty with China reportedly due to concerns about the mistreatment of convicts. Advertisement Tagschina, China and US, Corrupation in China, China Corrupation (Photo : https://pixabay.com/en/glass-milk-white-cow-s-milk-pour-a-1587258/) The country is a top player in global milk trade. Advertisement A new direct flight is planned to bring fresh milk from Chinese-owned dairy company in Tasmania to China. The country is a top player in global milk trade as international milk sale to China increased 46 times since 2010. The flight is likely to start operating early next year to deliver milk to Ningbo in eastern China. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Lu Xiangfeng bought 191 years old Van Diemen's Land Co. in March this year for $214 million. This is the largest dairy operation in Australia. The estate comes with 25 dairy farms, and part of its produce will be flown to China. The milk supply will depart from Hobart in Tasmania. China represents a huge demand for milk. A large portion of this demand is from the European Union. Since 2010, the volume of milk shipments to China has already registered 126 percent growth rate every year. Lu's firm Moon Lake Investments Pty alone has already sold $2.2 million worth of milk from VDL Farms. Sean Shwe, managing director of Moon Lake, said it is an exciting opportunity for all the parties involved. It is believed that VDL Farm will ship nearly 10million liter milk for processing. The milk will then be sold under the brand name of VAN Milk. Initially, it will be available in 600 ml and 1 liter cartons. The company is currently conducted negotiations with airports and airlines for weekly round trip on the Hobart-Ningbo circuit. The flight frequency may later be increased to two to three times a week. Moon Lake also plans to add Beijing to its list of destinations as well. Advertisement Tagstasmania, Ningbo, Lu Xiangfeng, Van Diemen's Land Co. News / National by Thobekile Zhou Zanu-PF legislator Joseph Chinotimba has said all corrupt Zanu-PF and government officials who dabble in shaddy activists should be prosecuted without fear.Without mentioning names, Chinotimba told parliament on Tuesday that any corrupt official should not be protected.Below is his contribution as recorded by the parliamentary Hansard :"My point of order is that the President and the ruling party are not corrupt people and neither do they promote corruption." We realise that in other countries like South Africa, people like Zuma are having to account for the corrupt activities they did." We as ZANU-PF or you as the Chair are not supposed to protect a person engaged in corruption from being brought to book."A person should face the consequences of his actions."Madam Speaker, I am not through with my point of order. The men and women who fought in the liberation struggle did not go to war so that one person could benefit."What we want in this august House as Hon. Members, "Let me finish off. I want to finish off Madam." We asked the Leader of the House on what the policy says concerning corruption and he said that no one is above the law." So, if no one is above the law, then let those corrupt people be brought to book and speak for themselves."What we do not want when we leave this august House is to be accused of protecting our people. We do not want to hear that we are protecting corrupt people."If I am the one who has engaged in corrupt activities, if Chinotimba has been corrupt, then let the nation know that Chinotimba is corrupt. Even the army also noted yesterday that corruption is now a cancer and we want those people engaged in corruption to be brought to book. Thank you". (Photo : Getty Images) A Chinese man walks past the office building of Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. (SAIC) on April 12, 2005 in Shanghai, China. Advertisement US sensor maker Savari Inc announced on Tuesday that it has inked a deal with Chinese car maker SAIC Motor Corp. Ltd. to manufacture and distribute Savari's V2X communications solutions in China and other markets in Southeast Asia. Under the partnership, the world's biggest and industry-leading V2X communications provider and China's largest automotive manufacturer will work together to connect cars with roadway infrastructure to pave way for the increasing use of autonomous vehicles, Reuters reported. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement The agreement will make SAIC the distributor and value-added reseller of Savari technology in China and select ASEAN countries, according to Market Wired. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. "When we looked for a partner to bring our next generation V2X sensor technology to the China connected and self-driving car market, SAIC was our top choice," Ravi Puvvala, Savari CEO, said, adding that the company is looking forward to make use of SAIC's massive distribution, marketing, engineering, and manufacturing ability. Meanwhile, Wenhua Huang, President of SAIC USA Inc., also looks forward to working and deploying Savari's technology in China. "Savari has a proven track record for developing innovative solutions that connect vehicles to the surrounding infrastructure, and the distance covered in Savari's testing on real roads is unparalleled," Huang said. The companies are already fulfilling on a substantial order from two major clients, namely, Shanghai International Automobile City and Tongji University, which reportedly have plans to implement a live open road smart city test bed equipped with both LTE-V and DSRC based V2X solutions. The smart city will feature over 10,000 vehicles equipped with Savari's V2X solutions, according to Market Wire. Advertisement TagsSAIC motor, Savari, Autonomous Cars, Driverless Vehicles, V2X communications, V2X technology, Savari sensors, V2X sensor technology (Photo : Getty Images) Security ship crews of Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, stand on the main deck during a patrol in the South China Sea on August 17, 2016 in Natuna, Ranai, Indonesia. Advertisement China will reportedly conduct military drills in the South China Sea on Thursday, ordering all other vessels to keep its distance, Reuters reported Wednesday citing the country's maritime safety administration. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement The administration announced the coordinates of an area south of the Chinese island province of Hainan and north-west of the Paracel Islands. Other than prohibiting ships from entering, the officials did not made divulge any other details. The country's Defence Ministry also did not immediately respond when requested for a comment by Reuters. Meanwhile, even though China conducts military drills in the disputed territory routinely, the latest announcement came just less than a week after a U.S. navy destroyer sailed near the Paracel Islands and warned Chinese warships to leave the location, the International Business Times noted. The U.S. argued that it was only following international law when the USS Decatur sailed near the Paracel Islands. U.S. officials also said that China has set up a surface-to-air missiles in Woody Island and also has a runway there. The military drills also come following U.S. and Japan's announced plans to conduct similar drills in the South China Sea last month. The roughly 200-nautical mile waterway, which some estimates claim funnels about half of the merchant fleet tonnage of the world, has been contested and claimed by many Southeast Asian countries including Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. However, Beijing is claiming the whole of South China Sea, insisting that it has always been there property since ancient times, IBT reported. Advertisement Tagschina, military drills, South China Sea, parcel islands, Scarborough Shoal, tribunal ruling, South China Sea Dispute (Photo : US Navy) USS Wasp. Advertisement The USS Wasp (LHD-1), a Landing Helicopter Dock amphibious assault ship of the U.S. Navy, will be deployed to U.S. Fleet Activities Sasebo navy base in Japan in June 2017 from her homeport in Norfolk, Virginia. The lead ship in a class of eight LHDs, the Wasp will replace the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6), which will be moved to San Diego, California. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Wasp will deliver six Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II fighters destined for Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. This delivery will bring to 16 the number of F-35Bs at this U.S. Marine airbase that will be among the first U.S. units to see action in the event of a war against China. The F-35B is a short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the jet designed specifically for the Marines. It can also take-off and land vertically like a helicopter. "I can't wait to get the airplane out to the Pacific," said Lt. General Jon Davis, Deputy Commandant for Aviation, Headquarters Marine Corps. "It's tailor-made for that part of the world with its fifth generation capability and its expeditionary capabilities to land on a small ship or strip, and flow back and forth between those." The U.S. Navy said the deployment of Wasp to Japan is part of Washington's rebalancing strategy to increase the navy's presence in the Pacific. Once in Japan, Wasp will be part of the United States Seventh Fleet Forward Deployed Naval Forces. Her previous assignment was to the Mediterranean Sea where her aircraft conducted almost daily airstrikes against Islamic State terrorists holed up in Libya. Wasp began combat operations against ISIL on August 1 until last week when she was replaced by the USS San Antonio (LPD-17), a landing platform dock. Wasp supported Operation Odyssey Lightning. This air campaign over Libya is being conducted at the request of the country's government of national accord as part of the fight to retake the key city of Sirte from ISIL. Wasp initially used AV-8B Harriers as strike aircraft and added AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopters to provide close air support on these strike missions. She conducted 330 strikes since the mission began, an average of more than four strikes per day. Advertisement TagsUSS Wasp, U.S. Navy, U.S. Fleet Activities Sasebo, USS Bonhomme Richard, Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II, Japan, Iwakuni, United States Seventh Fleet News / National by Thobekile Zhou The Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) interim leader Joice Mujuru has been branded a mafikizolo in the party.According to Norton MP Temba Mliswa, Mujuru was merely invited in the party after she was kicked out in Zanu PF.However, she is now trying to sideline the founding members, claimed Mliswa."The problem with People First is that it has relegated the founders to the terraces after she (Mujuru) was invited to the party" said the firebrand Mliswa in a newspaper interview.He added "My concern is that Mujuru is trying to relegate people like Didymus Mutasa and Rugare Gumbo when they are the founders of the party."Those people principally suffered for Mujuru".Mliswa said he backs MDC-T president Morgan Tsvangirai to lead the planned opposition coalition."If Tsvangirai decides to accommodate Mai Mujuru, then so be it, but that man is not only popular and genuine, he is also a natural leader and a father figure. The people of Zimbabwe like him and we can't take that away from him". Liberty University students pen anti-Trump editorial in Washington Post 26 October, 2016 by Staff , | WASHINGTON (Christian Examiner) Liberty University students are again expressing their dissatisfaction with Jerry Falwell Jr.'s endorsement of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, but in a much larger forum this time. Three students from the school built by Falwell's father as the capstone to the Moral Majority movement of the 1980s and 1990s Dustin Wahl, Paige Cutler and Alexander Forbes wrote in the Washington Post that they are "compelled to oppose" Trump for his "flagrant dishonesty, consistent misogyny and boastful unrepentance." Earlier this month, a group calling itself Liberty United against Trump, of which the students are a part, called for fellow students to sign a petition asking Falwell to distance himself and, by extension Liberty University, from the candidate. That petition, now signed by more than 2,000 students, is one of three circulating about Falwell's endorsement of Trump which, he insists, is personal and unrelated to the business of the university. Since the birth of Christ, Christians have withstood far more serious trials and tribulations than we face today. First-century Christians faced coliseums filled with lions; today, American Christians face the possibility of a liberal Supreme Court. The Christian message of salvation through faith in Christ has prevailed despite actual threats, from actual tyrants, and it will continue to thrive no matter who is elected president in 2016. According to the students, however, the two are related. They cited the case of Mark DeMoss, former chair of Liberty University's executive committee. He was openly critical of Trump in the early presidential primaries, just after Falwell endorsed him in January. He said he disapproved of the candidate. "The bullying tactics of personal insult have no defense and certainly not for anyone who claims to be a follower of Christ. That's what's disturbing to so many people. It's not Christ-like behavior that Liberty has spent 40 years promoting with its students," DeMoss told the Washington Post in March. After DeMoss publicly criticized Trump, the students claim, Falwell asked him to resign from the school's executive committee. Moss did, and also dropped his position on the school's trustee board, ending a 40 relationship with Liberty. He was for years the chief of staff to Jerry Falwell Sr. Since employees of the university cannot publicly criticize Trump's words and deeds, the students argued, they are speaking for themselves. They said they wanted to make it clear to the world that not all of Liberty supports Trump. "We want the world to know that Liberty University is a great place to go to school and that many in the student body find Trump's character and values objectionable," the students wrote. "We deeply disagree with President Falwell's enthusiastic support for a man such as Trump, but we understand that he is not alone among evangelical Christian leaders. Many of them believe that Christianity is under attack in the United States and that our nation's moral fiber is weakening by the day," they claimed. The students acknowledge the threat many believe Democrat Hillary Clinton is to the country; they insist she will likely push the the Supreme Court further to the left with liberal justices. That doesn't mean, however, that the church "bitten by election-year hysteria" should support Trump. "Since the birth of Christ, Christians have withstood far more serious trials and tribulations than we face today. First-century Christians faced coliseums filled with lions; today, American Christians face the possibility of a liberal Supreme Court. The Christian message of salvation through faith in Christ has prevailed despite actual threats, from actual tyrants, and it will continue to thrive no matter who is elected president in 2016," they wrote in the editorial. The students concluded the commentary with a plea to ignore fear in the 2016 election and vote based on values. They only wasted vote, they wrote, is the one cast against one's conscience. In this case, they are betting conscience will sway many voters to vote against Trump because he is the "antithesis of our values." Earlier this month, Falwell responded to students in a statement. He was said was "fulfilling his obligation as a citizen to 'render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's' by expressing my personal opinion about who I believe is best suited to lead our nation in a time of crisis." 'Inspirational' comedy features megachurch pretend Christian Guest Reviewer | 26 October, 2016 by Michael Foust CHICAGO (Christian Examiner) The first theatrical film from the movie ministry set up by James MacDonald's church now has a trailer and a movie poster, along with an impressive list of partners. The Resurrection of Gavin Stone is scheduled to be released Jan. 20, delivering a rare inspirational/faith-based comedy to movie theaters. It stars Brett Dalton (ABC's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and tells the story of a washed-up former child star who gets in trouble with the law and ends up doing community service at a local megachurch. While there, he decides to pretend to be a Christian so he can try out for the role of Jesus in the Easter play. The movie is being billed as an "an inspirational comedy about faith and forgiveness." It was made by Vertical Church Films, which was launched in 2012 by the Chicago-area Harvest Bible Chapel, where MacDonald pastors. Although Vertical Church Films previously released two shorter films, this is the first full-length one aimed at theaters. WWE studios and Walden Media helped fund it, and BH Tilt will distribute it. Former WWE wrestler Shawn Michaels, a Christian, also stars in it, as do Anjelah Johnson-Reyes (Our Family Wedding), Neil Flynn (The Middle and Scrubs) and D.B. Sweeney (The Cutting Edge and Taken 2). Dallas Jenkins directed it. More than 20 Chinese Christians have been beaten and another Christian couple has been imprisoned as Chinas government continues its crackdown on Christianity. According to ChristianToday.com, police officers detained and beat more than 20 people who are part of a house church in Henan province. The victims were then arrested. President of the Chinese House Church Alliance, Zhang Mingxuan, said the polices actions were "against the national constitution and laws for house church believers. "A lot of problems have been caused because they [the public security bureau personnel] control, attack and persecute Christianity in Henan," he added. "I hope the international community will pray for them." Another incident occurred when a Christian couple, along with a visiting guest, were detained and arrested because they displayed a cross in their home, according to Christian ministry China Aid. The couple, whose names are Dai and Li, also were subjected to a raid on their house and some of the religious items they owned were confiscated. Dai has been released, but Li remains in custody along with the couples guest. Chinas government under President Xi Jinping has become more and more hostile to religion, and particularly Christianity. More human rights activists and lawyers have been arrested in the past two years than in the previous two decades combined. Churches have also been targeted and up to 1,500 have either been demolished or had their crosses removed. Publication date: October 26, 2016 Religious leaders have been vocalizing the threat ISIS poses to the survival of Christianity in the Middle East since ISIS rose to power, but even now that many places are being liberated from ISIS control, religious leaders say Christianity may still be eradicated. According to ChristianToday.com, thousands of Christians were driven from their homes when ISIS took over and became refugees in Erbil, under the protection of the Catholic Church. Most cities in Iraq have now been freed from ISIS control, except for Mosul, ISIS last stronghold where a battle is still ongoing. People are looking forward to returning home, but religious leaders caution that steps still need to be taken to protect the religious freedom of these Christians. "As these areas are retaken, we must not forget these Christians, whose lands and homes were stolen, and who have been living as refugees ever since. The military action will not end the nightmare they have been living for two years. They need continued support, and a commitment to rebuild, said Archbishop Bashar Warda of the Chaldean Catholic Archdiocese of Erbil. While welcoming the ongoing liberation of the Nineveh plain and Mosul, we must not forget that the genocide begun by ISIS will continue through attrition and neglect unless the United States and international community prioritizes those groups that were targeted for extermination and risk disappearing altogether, added Carl Anderson of the Catholic organization the Knights of Columbus. Just last week, the Iraqi parliament banned the consumption and sale of alcohol--something which is forbidden for Muslims, and thus seemed to be targeting Christians who are its primary consumers and retailers. Such an action revealed to many Christians in the region that the government still may not be willing to protect them, despite what they have suffered. Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com Publication date: October 26, 2016 Islamic extremists targeted Christians in the shooting deaths of 12 non-local Kenyans at a guest-house in Kenyas northeastern town of Mandera early this morning, sources said. Somali Al Shabaab rebels took responsibility for the pre-dawn attack on the guest-house, where a Kenyan theatre troupe from outside the area was staying, according to the militants radio affiliate. An area pastor told Morning Star News that Christians were targeted. Some of the students who died had visited my church for Sunday worship and had requested prayers, he said. The attackers knew exactly whom they were attacking, that is, the Christians. The pastor added that survivors told him that during the attack, the assailants were shouting, Get rid of these infidel actors. The theatre group was made up of university students who reportedly travelled to the mainly Muslim area of Mandera to perform plays in local schools. This is a deadly attack targeting us Christians here in Mandera, the pastor said. Ten of the people who were killed were university students visiting Mandera for set-book [curriculum-related] performances at schools in the county for stage plays for Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam candidates. This is a well-calculated attack on Christians, as this was the last day for the performers in Mandera. The BBC reported that the groups producer said they had received threats. He told BBC that the gunmen set off explosions and fired at them repeatedly as some off the theatre members hid in bathrooms. Earlier this month, suspected Al Shabaab militants targeted Christians in a grenade and gun attack in the early morning of Oct. 6 that killed six people, sources said. Targeting predominantly Christian migrant workers from Kenyas interior, Al Shabaab reportedly took responsibility for the attack at a residential compound in Mandera, with a spokesman for the militants saying it was designed to drive Christians from the area. At least one of the victims was reportedly a Muslim. The attack in Mandera, tucked in Kenyas northeast corner near the Somali border, reportedly wounded several others. Among 27 people rescued were Christians who arrived at their church traumatized and in shock. The loud grenade woke me up, and I heard one of the attackers saying the infidels should leave the Muslim area of Mandera, one survivor told Morning Star News. There were loud cries for help as the attackers were shooting from all directions. The pastor of an area church told Morning Star News that two members of his congregation were among those killed in the attack. Earlier this year, in a pre-dawn raid on a predominantly Christian area in coastal Kenya, Al Shabaab rebels on Jan. 31 killed at least four Christians, beheading one of them, and they have carried out previous attacks in the Mandera area. An attack on a bus and a truck near Mandera by Al Shabaab insurgents took the lives of two Christians in December 2015, and on July 7, 2015, Al Shabaab killed 17 quarry workers near Mandera, including several Christians. On Dec. 2, 2014, Al Shabaab killed 36 non-Muslims, most of them Christian, in an attack on quarry workers near Mandera. The killings came after a Nov. 22, 2014 assault by Somali insurgents in the same area that left 28 non-Muslims dead, including 19 Christians. Al Shabaab, which has ties to Al Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the Dec. 2 massacre, calling it vengeance for police raids on mosques in Kenya and Kenyan military involvement in displacing the Islamic extremist militants from Somalia. Prior to the Nov. 22 attack, police raided and closed four mosques in Mombasa that they said were recruitment centers for Islamic terrorists. Al Shabaab rebels have launched several attacks in northeast Kenya since Kenyan forces led an African coalition into Somalia against the rebels in October 2011 in response to terrorist attacks on tourists and others on Kenyas coast. Kenya ranks 16th on Open Doors World Watch List of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. If you would like to help persecuted Christians, visit http://morningstarnews.org/resources/aid-agencies/ for a list of organizations that can orient you on how to get involved. If you or your organization would like to help enable Morning Star News to continue raising awareness of persecuted Christians worldwide with original-content reporting, please consider collaborating at http://morningstarnews.org/donate/? Publication date: October 26, 2016 A group of Christians and Muslims has worked together to get the Pakistani government to drop blasphemy charges brought against a nine-year-old Christian Pakistani boy. ChristianToday.com reports that the boy, named Izhan, along with his mother, Shakil, were accused of burning pages of the Quran. The police were summoned and Izhan and Shakil were imprisoned. Members of the community,both Christians and Muslims, began protests for Izhan and Shakils release. The political party Jamait Ulema Islam took the initiative in working to free the boy and his mother. The Pakistan Christian Post noted, "Credit goes to the local leadership of Jamiat Ulema Islam which played a tremendous role." Blasphemy charges are common in Pakistan and are sometimes brought against minors, as in Izhans case. There have also been cases of Muslims accusing Christians of blasphemy for no valid reason. In one case, a 13-year-old Christian Pakistani girl was accused of blasphemy by her teacher for misspelling. Nasir Saeed, the director of CLAAS-UK, a Christian ministry dedicated to helping persecuted Christians in Pakistan, stated, "He [Izhan] may have never have even heard the word of blasphemy. Unfortunately, this is the worst example of hatred and intolerance against Christians and treatment towards them in Pakistan. Saeed went on to urge the Pakistani government to take action to stop the misuse of the blasphemy laws. Publication date: October 26, 2016 Note from Jim: I am grateful to Nick Pitts, our Director of Cultural Engagement, for writing todays Cultural Commentary. You can subscribe to his Daily Briefing, an overview of the news with biblical insights, by clicking here. A church bell rang for the first time in two years as Iraqi Kurdish forces continued their push toward Mosul. Located in Bartella, this primarily Christian town is nine miles from the ISIS stronghold. Kurdish forces secured around thirty-eight square miles and a significant stretch of the highway as they sought to retake the city from ISIS. The night was longer than expected, but the joyful ringing of the bell in the morning was sweeter than anticipated. Around thirty thousand Iraqi security force personnel, assisted by US-led coalition air strikes, launched the long-awaited offensive to retake Mosul over a week ago. But tragically, these great gains accompanied heartbreaking losses. UN reports indicate that ISIS fighters killed fifteen civilians and threw their bodies into a river to spread terror and send a signal. A Middle Eastern news service noted, ISIS terrorist gangs executed nine of its members for fleeing the battle against the security forces in Mosul, by throwing them in trenches containing a burning oil. In 2003, Iraq boasted an estimated 1.3 million Christians. Now, leaders put that number at fewer than four hundred thousand. Despite their dwindling numbers and dire circumstances, the bell in Bartella rang. For those who have ears to hear, the ringing of the bell sounds like Jesus in Matthew 10:28: Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Jesus never promised his followers a comfortable life, but he did assure them he would provide comfort in this life (2 Corinthians 1:24). The situation in Iraq provides perspective when considering the difficulties in the American context. Our circumstances are different, but our mission is the same: his kingdom come, his will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Christians take part in a global movement that seeks to make peace in the chaos and bring hope to the downcast. Peace never comes idly; rather it requires hard work against the status quo. Hope is not found in a political candidate but a resurrected King. Christians are more than a voting bloc; we are people who deeply believe that God is good regardless of what is happening and Jesus is Lord regardless of who is elected. The vehicle for this global movement is the church. This body of believers remind each other of the good news of Jesus. His love compels us (2 Corinthians 5:14), his grace equips us (2 Corinthians 12:9), and his promises sustain us (Psalm 54:4). We are more than a Sunday morning gathering. We are his hands and feet throughout the week as we meet needs and serve others. The church bell rings in Bartella because of the great sacrifices many made for their community and their steadfast love for God. G. K. Chesterton wrote, The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him. Chesterton understood that love is a far greater motivating factor than hate. Love launched a thousand ships, made an innocent man fall silent before a tribunal, and raised a dead man to life. Without love, bells clang noisily like gongs (1 Corinthians 13:1). Bells are welcomed, but gongs are avoided. Today, let freedom ring. The enemy may be near, they may be strong, but they will not be victorious. If it is a work of love, it cannot fail (2 Corinthians 2:13-15, 1 Corinthians 15:58). Nick Note: This week, I am honored to be in New York to participate in the Movement Day Global Cities conference. Movement Day is catalyzing leadership teams from the world's largest cities to serve their cities more effectively by advancing high-level, city-changing collaborative partnerships. For updates throughout the week, check out my videos on our Facebook page. Publication date: October 26, 2016 For more from the Denison Forum on Truth and Culture, please visit www.denisonforum.org. Do you want to live a life in whole-hearted pursuit of loving God and others? Read today's First15 at www.first15.org. A Christian town near Mosul was freed from ISIS on October 20 by Iraqi forces after its two-year captivity under the militant control. Before the militant invasion in 2015, the town had a population of 15,000. Bartella, located about nine miles from Mosul, has churches which were desecrated by the ISIS, with graffiti written across the walls, interiors burnt with fire, and graves opened in the backyard. "The church, a foundation and a community gathering place for years, has been damaged and left in ruins. No doubt the restoration work will commence once its citizens start returning," an Assyrian Christian group, A Demand For Action (ADFA), updated Christian Today about the situation in Bartella where the group is cleaning up the churches. "This marks a very important step towards Assyrian Christians returning to their homes and no longer living as IDPS in camps. Bartella is returned to its owners once again." Nineveh Plains Forces, a Christian militia, fighting the ISIS alongside the Iraqi Special Forces, put the Cross back up again on the Mart Shmony Syriac Orthodox Church. It took two days for the Iraqi elite Golden Division free Bartella of the ISIS militants as they posed tough resistance with suicide bombers and cars loaded with improvised explosive devices (IEDs). "Perhaps they did not want to give it up so easily because of its religious significance," said Capt. Mustapha Muhsen. Bartella is one of the 50 towns surrounding Mosul, which was conquered since the battle for Mosul began last week. The forces are now clearing up the IEDs left behind by the ISIS on roadsides, inside churches, and in houses and tunnels. "The scale of the IED problem is huge here, and will take a very long time to deal with," one soldier told The Australian. "We have got very little specialist equipment. We don't even use mine detectors as the ones we were issued with are faulty. Most of the time it comes down to using two things: our eyes and our fingers." Korean American Campus Mission (KCM) will be hosting its third Gospel Renewal Night, one of the first joint campus worship events to take place during the school year. The event will take place on October 29 from 6 PM to 9 PM at Living Hope Community Church. Pastor Steve Bang Lee of Living Hope will be featured as the main speaker, and Kay Lim will be leading worship. We are hoping to bring all eight of our campuses together for a time to have them be renewed by the Gospel and to be able to come worship together, said Sam Bay of KCM. Even though it is a KCM event, anyone and everyone is invited to come. The last two Gospel Renewal Nights have seen hundreds of college students in attendance, as some 500 attended the first event and some 650 attended the second. KCM is one of the largest Korean American college ministries in the Southern California region, and has a presence in public and private universities including UC Irvine, UCLA, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego, Biola University, Pepperdine University, and University of Southern California. News / National by Staff reporter FEMALE teachers at Chegato Primary School in Mberengwa District are up in arms with one of the senior male teachers at the school whom they accuse of using mubobobo and goblins to sexually harass them.Mubobobo is a kind of black magic whereby a man can supposedly have sex with a woman from a distance and without her consent.A visit by B-Metro to the school on Tuesday revealed that there is now bad blood between female staff and the senior teacher (name supplied) who is being accused of using supernatural powers to routinely sleep with them for the past two years.The school has 25 teachers comprising 17 females and seven males.So nasty is the feud that some female teachers are no longer sleeping within the school premises and have also since sought transfers from the school.In separate interviews the affected teachers claimed that during the night they would dream making love to someone and wake up the next morning with fluids like semen dripping from their privates.They also claimed that they woke up every morning without their undies adding that during sexual intercourse they would be mysteriously pushed away from their partners."We are having sleepless nights here and living in constant fear of mubobobo which is being used on us by one of the male teachers. The experiences are so traumatic. Just imagine sometimes when you are having sex you will be pushed away from your husband by invisible creatures which will in turn have sex with you," narrated the female teacher who preferred anonymity for fear of victimisation.Added another female teacher: "We are always waking up feeling tired and the exhaustion is synonymous with that of a person who had been engaging in sex."At first we were afraid to talk about it but we gathered courage when we realised that everyday most female teachers complained that they were waking up very tired, without underwear and their privates smeared with semen. That is when we requested to have a cleansing ceremony. Strangely all the three cleansing ceremonies conducted so far have failed to solve the problem".Villagers who spoke to this publication said strange occurrences had always been going on but things got worse last year when the goblins also started to sexually abuse female teachers at the school.They roundly called for the transfer of the senior teacher whom they said was fingered during a recent cleansing ceremony held at the school.When reached for comment the school headmaster Edson Zhou remained tight-lipped saying he was not allowed to speak to the Press.Councillor for Ward 15 Geza Zimi whose jurisdiction the school falls under however, confirmed the incident saying it was before Chief Potsai Mposi who was not available for comment as he was said to be out of the country.Midlands provincial education director Mrs Agnes Gudo could also not be reached for comment as her mobile phone went unanswered until the time of going to print. Most white evangelicals say that personal immorality does not hinder politicians from behaving ethically while in office, according to a recent survey. The Public Religion Research Institute and the Brookings Institution released research on October 19 that shows that 72 percent of white evangelicals believe that immoral behavior committed in a political candidates private life does not mean the candidate will behave unethically in their professional and political career. The results reveal a 42 percentage point increase from when PRRI conducted a survey asking the same question in 2011 when 30 percent of white evangelicals agreed that an elected official who commits an immoral act in their personal life can still behave ethically and fulfill their duties in their public and professional life." White evangelicals are also more likely to agree with that statement than their religious counterparts. Nearly the same share of white mainline Protestant respondents (60 percent) and Catholic respondents (58 percent) agreed with the statement that elected officials will behave ethically despite personal immorality. White mainline Protestants and Catholics are more likely to agree with that statement today than in 2011, like white evangelicals, when only 38 percent and 42 percent agreed, respectively. The religiously unaffiliated, on the other hand, hardly changed in their views with 60 percent of respondents expressing that personal immorality does not have bearing on a candidates professional and political conduct, revealing a consistency in their answers with 63 percent agreeing with the statement in 2011. White evangelicals are also less likely to say that it is important for a candidate to have strong religious beliefs now than five years ago. About half of white evangelicals (49 percent) say that it is very important for a presidential candidate to have strong religious beliefs, revealing a 15-point drop from 2011 when nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of white evangelicals said strong religious beliefs in a candidate is very important. Two-thirds of pastors encourage church members to invite neighbors to church-related event on Halloween, according to a recent survey. According to a survey conducted by LifeWay Research of 1,000 Protestant pastors, 67 percent of pastors encourage their congregation to invite their neighbors to church on Halloween day. The survey found that pastors with larger congregations (250 or more attendees) are more likely to encourage their members to invite their friends and neighbors (86 percent) to church than small churches with 50 or less members (48 percent). Pastors are also more likely to encourage their church members to befriend trick-or-treaters (52 percent) than to hand out gospel tracts (26 percent), with pastors at larger churches more likely to encourage their congregations to do so (63 percent) than are those at smaller churches (42 percent). This is a time when your neighbors literally come to your doorstep, says executive director of LifeWay Research Scott McConnell. Pastors dont want their church members to waste that chance to make a connection or invite someone to church. Furthermore, Baptist pastors (47 percent) are more likely to encourage church members to hand out gospel tracts than are mainline pastors (15 percent) and evangelical pastors (32 percent). One-in-ten pastors tell church members to skip Halloween completely (8 percent). The survey reveals that older pastors (65 years and older) are more skeptical of Halloween than their younger counterparts under 45 years old (4 percent). African-American pastors are also more likely to advise their congregations to stay away from celebrating the holiday (23 percent) than their white counterparts (7 percent). People who attend church more are more likely to be skeptical of Halloween, according to a 2015 LifeWay study. Nearly four-in-ten Americans who attend church at least once a week say Halloween is all in good fun compared to those who go to church only on religious holidays who are twice as likely (82 percent) to say the same. American Protestants are keeping their children in the faith at a higher rate than Catholics or the unaffiliated, according to the latest study from the Pew Research Center. Four out of five children raised by two Protestant parents remained Protestant into adulthood. For those raised in Protestant homes where religion was very important or often discussed, the retention rate jumps even higher (85% and 89%, respectively). For those raised by a single parent who was Protestant, the retention rate doesnt dip much. Three-quarters of American adults who had a Protestant single parent still identify as Protestant. Those raised by two Catholic or unaffiliated parents, on the other hand, were equally less likely (62%) to remain in their parents religionor lack thereof. Protestantism is also gaining a larger percentage of adherents from Catholicism and the ranks of the unaffiliated than it is losing to both groups. (However, given US Protestantisms larger baseabout ... 1 Wheaton College has published its final report on the same God controversy that culminated in its high-profile parting with tenured professor Larycia Hawkins. In a 15-page Trustee Community Report released today with a spirit of both lament and gratitude, trustees reflect on a task forces final findings of what went wrong and who bears responsibility. They also offer nine recommendations for how the Illinois school can improve, as well as eight prayers for what good can come of the controversy. CT previously reported in January how many faculty asked Wheaton to drop its attempt to fire Hawkins over whether her views on Islam fit the schools faith statement. This culminated in February with the surprise announcements that provost Stanton Jones had withdrawn his recommendation that Hawkinss tenure be revoked, yet the associate professor of political science would still be leaving Wheaton after nine years of service. Ever since, [we] have ... 1 Tampons are nearly ubiquitous in the West and rarely seen elsewhere. I realized this vividly when I traveled to Niger several years ago. I broke the cardinal rule of women of childbearing age and forgot to take tampons, or anything, really, to deal with my time of the month. It was an off week and I was confident enough in my body to know my period wouldnt come early. I was wrong. I realized this on day 7 or so of my 10-day trip. I scrambled to find something, only to be told by a humanitarian worker traveling with me that even if I were to find a drugstore somewherequite rare in that countryI wouldnt find a tampon. They just didnt exist there. I called on our universal bond as women to solve my immediate problem, but I remain fascinated by the idea that there are places where tampons just dont exist. After visiting Niger and other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, and researching water and sanitation problems and practices for World Vision, I now understand why. I also understand better that those cigar-shaped rolls of absorbent material that we Western women try so hard to hide are symbols of freedom and privilege. Invisible or not, tampons point to a way of viewing our bodies and ourselves that is shaped by our social context and technology. In Uganda, Zambia, Niger, and other developing countries, very few women, if any, use tampons. There are multiple reasons for this. One is functional: In countries where running water is only found in homes of the super wealthy and hand washing is often impossible, tampons are not only a luxury but a health hazard. This is especially true when those same women are drawing and carrying water, cooking, and cleaning for the household. Along with sanitation ... 1 Baruch House Publishing Gives Exclusive to WND VANCOUVER ISLAND, Canada, Oct. 26, 2016 / Baruch House still has about 100 limited first editions left, in which the copies are numbered and signed by the editor, Ruth Magnusson Davis. After they are sold, the only place to purchase hardcovers will be through WND. However, paperback editions are always available in the Createspace store, and on Amazon. The October Testament is the gently updated New Testament of William Tyndale. After his martyrdom in 1536, a man named John Rogers, also martyred, published these scriptures in a little-known but very important Reformation Bible called the Matthew Bible, which was licensed by King Henry VIII in 1537. The October Testament contains original notes and commentaries b William Tyndale and John Rogers. Ruth Magnusson Davis is founder and editor of the New Matthew Bible Project. Her goal in updating the Matthew Bible is not to make a modern bible, but to keep the language of the original as much as possible, which she calls the real language of the faith. Because the KJV New Testament was largely taken from Tyndale, readers will find much that is familiar here, and beautiful, but easier to understand. Readers comment repeatedly on both the flow and the clarity of the New Matthew Bible scripture, and also on the beauty of the original style, which Ruth, with her delicate touch, has masterfully retained. Bio: Ruth, a retired lawyer, is a scholar of early modern English, the writings of William Tyndale, and the Matthew Bible. In 2009 she retired from professional practice in order to undertake this work full-time. In October 2015, she completed the New Testament, "The October Testament." She holds to the fullness of Reformation doctrine, with one foot in the camp of evangelical traditional Anglicans and another with the Lutherans. She presently resides in Canada. RUTH IS AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS! Share Tweet Contact: Helen Cook, 903-654-0938VANCOUVER ISLAND, Canada, Oct. 26, 2016 / Christian Newswire / -- World Net Daily (WND) has signed an agreement to purchase 1,000 hardcopies of The October Testament to sell at their superstore, superstore.wnd.com/booksbysubject/BIBLES/department/books . This agreement gives them the exclusive right to sell hardcover editions of The October Testament in the USA, except for the publisher's remaining first edition copies.Baruch House still has about 100 limited first editions left, in which the copies are numbered and signed by the editor, Ruth Magnusson Davis. After they are sold, the only place to purchase hardcovers will be through WND. However, paperback editions are always available in the Createspace store, and on Amazon.The October Testament is the gently updated New Testament of William Tyndale. After his martyrdom in 1536, a man named John Rogers, also martyred, published these scriptures in a little-known but very important Reformation Bible called the Matthew Bible, which was licensed by King Henry VIII in 1537. The October Testament contains original notes and commentaries b William Tyndale and John Rogers.Ruth Magnusson Davis is founder and editor of the New Matthew Bible Project. Her goal in updating the Matthew Bible is not to make a modern bible, but to keep the language of the original as much as possible, which she calls the real language of the faith. Because the KJV New Testament was largely taken from Tyndale, readers will find much that is familiar here, and beautiful, but easier to understand. Readers comment repeatedly on both the flow and the clarity of the New Matthew Bible scripture, and also on the beauty of the original style, which Ruth, with her delicate touch, has masterfully retained.Bio: Ruth, a retired lawyer, is a scholar of early modern English, the writings of William Tyndale, and the Matthew Bible. In 2009 she retired from professional practice in order to undertake this work full-time. In October 2015, she completed the New Testament, "The October Testament." She holds to the fullness of Reformation doctrine, with one foot in the camp of evangelical traditional Anglicans and another with the Lutherans. She presently resides in Canada.RUTH IS AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS! home World Al-Shabaab kills 12 in a hotel raid in Kenya Militant group Al-Shabaab raided the Bishaaro Hotel in the Kenyan town of Mandera and killed 12 people on Tuesday. The assailants used explosives to break the metallic doors at the hotel before they proceeded to shoot the 12 guests in their rooms, Daily Nation reported. The Mandera East police has revealed that 10 of the 12 victims were visiting to stage performances at the schools in the town. Independent Online reported that six people have been rescued from the debris of the collapsed hotel several hours after the attack. "We don't know how many people are still trapped there in the rubble but efforts to reach them are ongoing," a police offer said. Al-Shabaab admitted on the pro-insurgent Somali radio station Andalus that it had carried out the attack. In Somalia, a senior intelligence officer was killed by members of the militant group at a mosque in Mogadishu. The group also claimed responsibility for ramming a truck bomb into the military base of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in Beledweyne. Al Shabaab spokesman Abdiasis Abu Musab said that 17 soldiers were killed in the attack. AMISOM officals and police have not confirmed the figures reported by the militant group. Al-Shabaab vows to continue the attacks until the Kenyan forces are withdrawn from Somalia but the Kenyan government has repeatedly stated that it would not yield to the militants. Earlier this month, the group carried out a grenade and gun attack in Mandera killing six Christians. In 2015, the Kenyan government proposed to build a secuirty wall along the Kenyan-Somalian border to keep the militant group out but there was strong resistance from the Somalian government and the border communities. Al-Shabaab targets non-Muslims in most of its attacks. In December 2015, the group had to abandon its plan to kill Christian passengers in a bus when Kenyan Muslims refused to leave the vehicle. The Muslims reportedly told the militants "to kill them together or leave them alone." However, two people were still killed in the attack which happened near the north-eastern village of El Wak on the Somali border. home US Clinton's pro-abortion stance is worse than Trump's border wall, says Rev. Samuel Rodriguez Rev. Samuel Rodriguez warned Hispanic Christians that they would be defying their religious beliefs if they support Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton due to her position on abortion. During the final presidential debate, Clinton expressed her support for Roe v. Wade and defended her decision to vote against the federal Partial Birth Abortion Ban in 2003. Rodriguez, the president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, said in an emailed statement that Clinton wants Christians to deny their pro-life values in asking for their support, The Christian Post reported. "Latinos are pro-life. Latinos, whether they be Evangelical or Catholic, must never sacrifice truth on the altar of political expediency," said Rodriguez. "By asking for our support, Sec. Clinton is asking us to sacrifice our most cherished values. She is asking us to defy our faith. She is asking us to sacrifice the sacred," he added. The evangelist then compared Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's proposal to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexican border and Clinton's stance on abortion. "Donald Trump speaks of building a wall but Hillary Clinton has already built one. The Democratic candidate's abortion stance ... serves as a greater wall than any rhetorical, hypothetical or physical wall," he stated. In a column he wrote for Fox News in July, Rodriguez pointed out that 44 percent of Latinos voted for George W. Bush in 2004 and 27 percent voted for Mitt Romney in 2012 despite running on an anti-immigration platform. He also noted that despite Trump's rhetoric against Hispanics, the candidate is only three to four points behind Romney's numbers in 2012. The evangelist stated that Hispanics are deeply spiritual and value the sanctity of life. He asserted that the Democratic Party's backing of Planned Parenthood is one of the reasons that Christian Latinos do not support its platform. In an interview with The Church Boys last May, Rodriguez rebuked politicians who are defending Planned Parenthood and called on Christians to withdraw their support from candidates who are known advocates of the abortion provider. home World Iraqi Christian students miraculously escape from ISIS attack in Kirkuk Several Iraqi Christian students narrowly escaped death when ISIS launched a surprise attack on the Iraqi city of Kirkuk. The students, who hid under the bed as the militants rummaged through their house, ascribed their survival to a miracle. On Friday, ISIS decided to raid the city of Kirkuk, which is 90 miles from Mosul, after it began losing territory due to the operation launched by the Iraqi-led coalition last week. Monaly Najeeb and six other female students woke up to the sound of machine gun fire around 4 a.m. She immediately gathered the other students to find a safe place to hide, The Daily Beast reported. "We went to a corridor where there were no windows and we sat there until the morning, but we didn't feel entirely safe because we were right near the door," said Najeeb. She said that they eventually hid in a room under the stairs where they felt safer. While they were hiding under the beds, they heard the militants entering the house and going through the kitchen. The militants eventually entered the room where they were hiding and one of the militants sat on the bed directly above Najeeb. She said she could not explain why they were not seen. "It was a miracle they didn't see us," said Najeeb. She does not remember much but she recalled hearing one of the men telling the others to leave the house. "When we heard him say this, we finally had some hope," she added. Najeeb and the other students made their way out of the house through the back door. "I felt like I was born again when the soldier picked me up," she said. After they escaped, an ISIS fighter who hid in a bathroom detonated a bomb. Najmaldin Karim, the governor of Kirkuk, said that the militants intended to take the Assyrian girls hostage. The attack on Kirkuk resulted in the deaths of 99 civilians and members of the security forces. Iraqi security officials stated that a total of 63 ISIS fighters were killed. home World Mob attacks Pakistani Christian pastor and family More than 50 armed men stormed the house of pastor Michael Robert in Punjab province to forcibly evict his whole family. The attack resulted in the kin's serious injuries. The armed men, led by a local resident named Hameed Gaadi, reportedly arrived at Robert's house on the night of Oct. 19 firing their guns in the air to scare the locals. The mob forcibly opened the gate and attacked Robert's family, according to Morning Star News. A local resident called the police to the scene and the injured family was brought to the hospital. Aneeqa Maria, an attorney for advocacy group The Voice Society, said that the mob wanted to seize Robert's house, which is currently being disputed in court. Maria said that the house was bought by Robert's father from a local Muslim a few years ago but the family learned later that the previous owner had transferred the property to Gaadi's name. Robert's family filed a lawsuit for fraud and a judge issued a restraining order to prevent anyone from evicting the family until the case was settled. A local police inspector named Syed Wajhul Hassan disregarded the order and allegedly told the family to vacate the house and surrender it to Gaadi. Maria said that Hassan threatened the family when Robert refused to surrender the property. She alleged that the police took their time to respond to the emergency call on the night of the attack. "Rather than making efforts to arrest the accused persons, the police put a lock on the gate and announced that it was seizing the property because it was disputed," the lawyer said to Morning Star News. "This is a clear violation of the court's restraining order and a grave injustice for the pastor and his family, who have been forced out of their own home by the police at the behest of gangsters," she added. Maria is also worried that some Islamist groups are trying to escalate the religious tension in the area. She stated that a member of the hard-line Ahle Sunnah Wal Jamaat had vowed to organize protest rallies to prevent Robert's family from re-entering the house because they consider it to be "Muslim's property." In a report from Christians in Pakistan, The Voice Society said that the mob also destroyed the family's belongings. "The attackers threw all the luggage in the house outside the house and broke each and every thing including furniture and all household equipment. The attackers also looted the house badly," The Voice Society stated. News / Regional by Staff reporter A SELF-proclaimed bishop from Bulawayo who, with his brother who is still at large, raped and impregnated a 17 year old congregate at their church has been sentenced to 20 years in jail.The self-anointed man of God stunned a court when he failed to recite four common bible verses.Andrew Mnkandla (41) held the victim hostage at his house while he raped her.The court heard he went to the teen's mother with his wife and tried to bribe her so that she convinces her daughter to change her statement in court.Regional magistrate Mr Chrispen Mberewere asked Mnkandla to recite Genesis 1 verse 1, Psalms 23 verse 1, John 3 verse 16 and John 14 verse 1.Mnkandla drew chuckles from the gallery when he said John 3 verse 16 reads: "Let your hearts not be troubled."He was completely clueless about Psalms 23 verse 1."Oh well Bishop, it looks like the bible is giving you a hard time. You can't even answer very common verses familiar to many people. Let's just get back to the business that brings you here, that of bedroom issues, because you seem to be better in that department," said Mr Mberewere.The State had alleged that Mnkandla and his brother Lovemore (34) a pastor at the church, which was not named in court, raped the teen on different occasions.The duo threatened that if she told anyone, the demons they had exorcised from her, would return with scores of others to haunt her.In her testimony, the teen said Lovemore raped her at Khami Mountains and Mnkandla raped her at his house. home World North Koreans are taught that Christians kill people to sell blood A woman who was incarcerated at a North Korean prison camp has revealed that people living under the regime are taught to hate Christians and told that Christians kill people in order to sell their victims' blood. The woman who goes by the pseudonym Hae Woo converted to Christianity in China during a failed attempt to escape her homeland, the National Catholic Register reported. Hae Woo explained that she was taught to hate Christians because they are incapable of "revolutionary acts" and the regime considers every form of religion as "addictive and destructive." "I heard stories about Christians who went to hospitals, enticed people into cellars, killed them there and sucked the blood out of their bodies so that they could sell it. The thought of it was horrifying to me," she said. Hae Woo was able to convert other prisoners and form a secret church while she was still at the camp. She and the other converts would get together in restrooms or other unobserved rooms to worship on Sundays and holidays. "I remained faithful, and God helped me to survive. Even more: He gave me a desire to evangelize among the other prisoners!" she exclaimed. "But I told God that I was too scared to do so. If I were caught, I would certainly be executed," she added. Hae Woo eventually escaped to South Korea where she is free to practice her religion but many Christians still remain in prison camps. The advocacy group Open Doors estimated that there are 200,000 to 400,000 Christians living in North Korea. About 50,000 to 70,000 may be languishing in labor camps. For the last 14 years, the country has been ranked in the Open Doors World Watch List as the most dangerous place for Christians. Parents often have to hide their faith from their own children to avoid being accidentally exposed to their neighbors or government officials. Many Christians have the desire to evangelize but they are forced to escape the country. home World U.S. Defense Secretary goes to Iraq as Mosul offensive continues U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter arrived in Baghdad on Saturday to meet with Iraqi Prime Minster Haider al-Abadi and assess the campaign in Mosul. On Sunday, Carter met with Kurdish officials in Irbil to assure them that they will be provided with air resources to help them recapture Mosul. The defense secretary also reminded the international community to prepare for the reconstruction of the city. "We need to make sure that the non-military campaign doesn't lag behind the coalition," said Carter. "My mind is already thinking ahead to the desperate need for stabilization and reconstruction," he added. Carter revealed that one of his goals was to defend Europe and America against terrorist attacks from ISIS. "I am very watchful about attacks on the homeland," he said on Saturday while he was in Baghdad. "My job is to make sure Americans sleep at night and that is what keeps me up at night," Carter continued. The defense secretary also noted that American soldiers are still in harm's way even though Iraqi forces are leading the coalition. The first American to be killed in the operation was Navy Chief Officer Jason Finan, 34, from Anaheim, California. Carter said that Finan's death "underscores a fact, which is what we are doing over here and what you are doing, is serious business." There are currently about 5,000 American military personnel in Iraq and around 500 are outside U.S. bases. Between 100 to 200 U.S. special forces are helping the Kurdish and Iraqi army advance against ISIS. Before his visit to Baghdad, Carter met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last Friday to talk about the need for military cooperation between the U.S. and Turkey. The defense secretary is also trying to resolve the dispute between Iraq and Turkey over the involvement of Turkish forces in the Mosul offensive. Erdogan reportedly demanded to take part in the battle last Tuesday. However, he warned that the Turkish troops in Northern Iraq will not take orders from the Iraqi government. Abadi rejected the Turkish president's demand saying that the liberation of Mosul should be handled by the Iraqis. A Christian man who used to publish religious leaflets is facing trial in China after Chinese authorities arrested him last June and charged him with "illegal business operations." According to a report by charity group China Aid, Li Hongmin, who is a member of a house church in Guangzhou, faced a Chinese court last week, with his lawyers maintaining his innocence. Li has been detained for four months now after Chinese authorities caught him printing religious materials, including the popular devotional "Streams in the Desert." The authorities confiscated these leaflets, and even Li's personal items such as his mobile phone. The Christian man's trial finally pushed through after several weeks of delay. His original trial was supposed to be last Sept. 12, but it was postponed supposedly due to a lack of venue. It was a struggle for Li's lawyers, Li Baiguang and Liu Peifu, who had to buy plane tickets to China, only to be informed that the trial proceedings had been rescheduled. Ma Ke, the leader of Guangfu Church, which Li Hongmin attends, earlier criticised the delay in his fellow faithful's trial, considering it as an attempt to sabotage the case and to make the persecuted Christian stay in jail for a longer period of time. "You government agents, you have to give yourself some credit, don't you? You already set a time, you can't just change it casually. It cost us a great deal to hire the lawyer and to book his flight tickets. You change the date however it suits you. You said the venue is going to be occupied, but how did you not know it wasn't available when you first scheduled the hearing?" Ma earlier told China Aid. Li's wife meanwhile admitted that she already feels helpless in the face of the recent developments in her husband's trial. 20 Chinese Christians Beaten And Couple Imprisoned For Hanging Cross In Home More than 20 Christians were detained and beaten in China, and another couple detained for hanging a cross in their home, as the crackdown against Christianity in the country continues. According to persecution watchdog China Aid, witnesses said police officers from the Nanle County Public Security Bureau in central Henan province beat a local Christian on September 25, then detained and beat 20 more believers and arrested them all. President of the Chinese House Church Alliance, Zhang Mingxuan, said the police's behaviour was "against the national constitution and laws for house church believers". "A lot of problems have been caused because they [the public security bureau personnel] control, attack and persecute Christianity in Henan," he added. "I hope the international community will pray for them." Meanwhile in Xinjiang in the northwest of China, a Christian couple who run a house church were detained along with a woman who was visiting their home. China Aid reports that they were targeted "because they displayed a cross in their home". Dai and his wife Li had their house raided and religious items confiscated the second time officials have targeted their house church this year. Dai has now been released, but Li and their guest remain in custody. Under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, China is believed to be becoming progressively more suspicious of the influence of religion and especially Christianity on the country. More human rights activists and lawyers have been arrested in the past two years than in the previous two decades combines, and up to 1,500 churches have been demolished or had their crosses removed. 3 Things Jesus' Death Teaches Us About Humanity Jesus said: "The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45) It is 10 years since a British couple on a sailing trip were kidnapped and held hostage by Somali pirates for 388 days. Paul and Rachel Chandler were eventually released after the payment of a large ransom largely raised by relatives who refused to tell them how much they spent so the Chandler's couldn't pay them back. Whoever is responsible, that is some generosity! And it is also a simple and clear illustration of what a ransom is: it is something paid in order to free people who are in held in bondage of some kind. When Jesus speaks of giving his life as "a ransom for many" his hearers would have thought firstly of slave auctions. The author Mark Meynell asks us to imagine someone buying slaves in order to set them free. This is the effect of Jesus' death for us: it liberates us. But from what, and how? Here are three vital truths that spring from Jesus' teaching about the cross as a ransom: 1. We are trapped. We are not perfect; we constantly get things wrong. We fall short of our own standards, not to mention God's, whose rule we love to reject. This is what the Bible calls "sin" and we are in bondage to it, unable to break free, like a slave in a dungeon. As the famous hymn And can it be declares: "Long my imprisoned spirit lay fast bound in sin, and nature's night." Some of us have got so used to that dark room we feel quite at home there. The fact that we are trapped is no accident; it's not even unjust. We are tangled up in a web of our own making, like a spider ensnared by its own handiwork. As the Bible puts it elsewhere, we have all at one time or another enjoyed "gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts," (Ephesians 2:3). And it's much more serious than we thought. Here's why: the dividend that sin pays is spiritual death (Romans 6:23). If we carry on with a sinful trajectory, then, like a satellite spinning helplessly out of orbit, we will drift out into the cold, dark void of eternal death. Or, to use another picture of Jesus, we are "lost" like a lost sheep, a lost coin. 2. We are loved. God doesn't wave his hands weakly and say, "Oh well, I forgive you, never mind." That would be to deny justice and there is justice at the heart of the universe. Should Daesh or Hitler not be accountable for their actions? Of course they should and so should we, whatever our offences against God and others may be. But which of us has kept the greatest command to love God totally, or has loved our neighbours as we do ourselves? So Jesus steps up. He says, "I will give my life as a ransom for you." He takes the consequences of our sin upon himself; dying in our place, he takes the punishment we deserve. Justice is done; the debt is paid, but for the prisoners, the gaol door is burst open and they are free to go. We may not fully comprehend it, and there is far more to be said that can be written here, but we can at least grasp it is an act of extraordinary self-sacrificial love. We are loved and more so than we ever knew. Writer Nancy Guthrie says: "This is what the redeeming love of God looks like buying you back from the slave market... When you were not even looking for Him, He chose you and determined to make you His own." 3. We are invited. We see now the truth of CS Lewis' statement: "Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important." The cross is something that cannot leave us neutral. Jesus' invitation is to "repent" turn around, have a change of heart and mind "and believe the good news" forgiveness and God's kingdom is open to all who will be humble enough to receive it. A few verses after Jesus speaks of his death as a ransom, a physically blind man, Bartimaeus, models a response for us with his simple, honest words to Christ, "Have mercy on me!" (v47, 48). How foolish the person who refuses to welcome their rescuer. The alternative is so much better. And so we emerge blinking, dazzled and thankful, into the sunlight. As the hymn already quoted concludes: "My chains fell off, my heart was free I rose, went forth, and followed thee." David Baker is a former daily newspaper journalist now working as an Anglican minister in Sussex, England. The Rough Guide to Discipleship is a fortnightly series. 500 Years After Reformation, No Meeting of Minds Between Catholics And Evangelicals Evangelical theologians have released a "statement of evangelical convictions" about Roman Catholicism in advance of the 500th anniversary of the start of the Reformation next Monday. The document, Is the Reformation Over? has been signed by 50 pastors and scholars. Issued by the Reformanda initiative, it takes aim at claims by some Protestants and Catholics that "ecumenical friendliness" has advanced so far that the theological controversies that caused the breakup of the Western Church no longer divide the two camps. The document asks: "While the fact that dialogue has replaced persecution is something to be thankful for, the question remains: Have the fundamental theological differences between Catholics and Protestants/Evangelicals disappeared?" It says that in spite of dialogue resulting in a joint declaration on justification by Lutherans and Roman Catholics, Catholics still do not really believe in salvation through faith alone. It also says Catholics do not accept the supreme authority of the Bible, believe in Mary's immaculate conception and bodily assumption into heaven, and in Papal infallibility. The document says: "The fact that millions of Catholics have become Evangelicals in recent years has not gone unnoticed by Roman Catholic leaders. "They are seeking to respond strategically to this loss of their faithful by adopting traditional Evangelical language (e.g. conversion, gospel, mission, and mercy) and establishing ecumenical dialogues with churches they once condemned." It concludes: "The issues that gave birth to the Reformation five hundred years ago are still very much alive in the twenty-first century for the whole church. While we welcome all opportunities to clarify them, Evangelicals affirm, with the Reformers, the foundational convictions that our final authority is the Bible and that we are saved through faith alone." Among the signatories are John Stevens, national director of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches, Peter Williams, Warden of Tyndale House, Cambridge, Wayne Grudem, Research Professor of Theology and Biblical Studies at Phoenix Seminary and Tim Chester, pastor of Grace Church. Ancient Papyrus Discovered In Israel Reveals Mystery Of King's Maidservant Israeli investigators have seized a rare scroll mentioning the city of Jerusalem from the time of the First Temple in the seventh century BC. The mention of Jerusalem is the first ever found outside the Bible. It is significant because it shows a woman, a maidservant of the King, to be wielding considerable authority. Inspectors from the Israel Antiquities Authority, which has been excavating the Cave of Skulls in the Judean desert, seized the papyrus. They found it to be from the "King's maidservant" and to include the earliest reference to Jerusalem in a non-biblical document. The ancient Hebrew reads: []. . . . . , which translates as: "From the King's maidservant, from Naarat, jars of wine, to Jerusalem." The papyrus had been "illicitly plundered" from one of the Judean Desert caves by a band of antiquities robbers, the authority said at a press conference in Israel this morning. It was recovered in a complex operation by the Unit for the Prevention of Antiquities Robbery. It is a shipping document showing payment of taxes or transfer of goods to storehouses in Jerusalem, the capital city of the Kingdom of Judea. Dr Eitan Klein, deputy director of the robbery prevention unit, said: "The document represents extremely rare evidence of the existence of an organized administration in the Kingdom of Judah. It underscores the centrality of Jerusalem as the economic capital of the kingdom in the second half of the seventh century BCE. According to the Bible, the kings Menashe, Amon, or Josiah ruled in Jerusalem at this time. However, it is not possible to know for certain which of the kings of Jerusalem was the recipient of the shipment of wine". Israel Prize laureate and biblical scholar Professor Shmuel Ahituv said: "It's not just that this papyrus is the earliest extra-biblical source to mention Jerusalem in Hebrew writing; it is the fact that to date no other documents written on papyrus dating to the First Temple period have been discovered in Israel, except one from Wadi Murabbaat. "Also outstanding in the document is the unusual status of a woman in the administration of the Kingdom of Judah in the seventh century BCE". Israel Hasson, director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, said: "Every day robbers go into the desert in order to search out and plunder ancient documents such as the papyrus that was exposed. The state has to mobilise and allocate the necessary resources in order to embark upon a historic operation together with the public, and carry out systematic excavations in all of the Judean Desert caves." He said it indicates there are still artifacts of tremendous importance to the heritage of Israel waiting to be found in the Judean Desert caves. Ashers Bakery And The 'Gay Cake': Not Christian Persecution, Just Bad Advertising I've just returned from a weekend speaking at a conference on LGBT issues in Belfast. I spent Friday afternoon being shown around the new Belfast LGBT Centre of QueerSpace and other groups offering care for LGBT young people. As part of that I met Gareth Lee, who volunteers there. Two years ago, Gareth was tasked with sourcing a cake for a private function for the International Day Against Homophobia. He went into a bakery and asked for a cake with the words "Support Gay Marriage, Queerspace born 1998". Ashers bakery accepted the order but later called him to decline it. Gareth who (it now seems legitimately) suspected it might be illegal, took the case to the Equality Commission. There's been a huge amount of heated discussion but it struck me that a few things haven't been clear. 1. Were the McArthurs, who own and run Ashers bakery, being persecuted for being Christians? No. The problem was that Ashers offered to ice cakes with any message requested by the customer. They didn't even mention that they are a "Christian" bakery, unless you can spot that their name is from Genesis 49:20, "Asher's food will be rich; he will provide delicacies fit for a king" (good luck spotting that one, Mr Non-Christian Customer). Gareth only found out that they were a Christian bakery when they called to decline his order. We can argue whether being a "Christian bakery" adequately explains that you would be against gay marriage but Ashers weren't even consistent within their own definitions. Daniel McArthur was pressed in court on the bakery's willingness to make cakes with witches on for Halloween parties even though they were against their religious views. The problem wasn't that Ashers declined icing the cake, or that they used it as an opportunity to explain in detail to Gareth and the wider media why they believe his relationship ethics are immoral, the problem was their inconsistency. 2. Neither was the issue simply that Gareth Lee is gay. Ashers staff did not know about Gareth's orientation. It was made clear several times that his orientation was irrelevant to the ruling. 3. What does this mean for businesses in England, Scotland and Wales? Not much. This particular case was based around specific laws in Northern Ireland that were brought in during the troubles to stop Protestant shop owners from refusing to serve Catholics and vice versa. Even for businesses in Northern Ireland the ruling does not say that Ashers, or any other business, will be forced to write a message that they disagree with for religious or any other reasons. They need simply to state clearly on their website or shop window what they will and won't offer and then be consistent within that. Ashers now clarify that they don't ice political messages and therefore can continue (entirely legally) to avoid producing "gay cakes" (a phrase as weird as "Christian bakery"). Other businesses can do the same. There are no lengthy or costly discussions with lawyers needed. Would this have happened if it had been a Muslim bakery who was opposed to gay marriage? As far as any of us know, yes. There's nothing to imply it wouldn't have been treated the same in law and no precedent to suggest that this would not be the case. Gareth Lee hasn't done a single media interview about it or made a pound from the publicity. QueerSpace save hundreds of young people each year from loneliness, despair and suicide. One of Gareth's coworkers mentioned to me that they have about one young person a week turn up on their doorstep having been kicked out by their Christian parents. We're quick to label people as troublemakers but when you take the time to meet Gareth (as very few Christians have done) he seems to be a kind soul just getting on with volunteering, and caring for young LGBT people. Do I think Christians should be forced to decorate cakes with messages that they strongly disagree with? No. Should businesses clearly state what they will and won't do and then be held accountable within that? Yes. This isn't persecution of Christians, it's an issue of bad advertising that has been blown way out of proportion. Rev Sally Hitchiner is coordinating chaplain at Brunel University, London. She is also the founding director of Diverse Church: a series of supportive Christian online communities for young LGBT Christians and their parents that welcomes Christians who are pro gay marriage and who are pro gay celibacy. 'Better Call Saul' season 3 spoilers: Bryan Cranston discusses Walter White appearance in 'Breaking Bad' spin-off There could still be a chance to see Walter White in an episode of "Better Call Saul" season 3, according to actor Bryan Cranston. The actor talked about the possibility of seeing his beloved antihero character from "Breaking Bad" in its equally popular spin-off series during the Q&A for his new book "A Life In Parts," as reported by Uproxx. According to the actor, he really missed portraying the role of Walter White. He also told the audience that he just the visit the set of "Better Call Saul" in Albuquerque, New Mexico while the production was filming for season 3. He mentioned that he was glad to be reunited with the show's crew since they also worked with him on the set of "Breaking Bad" for six seasons. He also admitted that he felt nostalgic when he had a chance to be reunited with everyone on the set. "I told Vince [Gilligan], if you want me to be on the show, I'll be there in a second," Cranston stated. However, the actor acknowledged the fact that it would be difficult to bring Walter White into the plot of "Better Call Saul" season 3 since it has a very different timeline with "Breaking Bad." But he believes that series creator Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould could find a way to incorporate the character into the story. But if Cranston's beloved "Breaking Bad" character may still take a while before it appeared in an episode of "Better Call Saul" season 3, the actor also teased that in an interview that was reported by Screen Crush that fans should expect "another new character coming on the show that you will recognize." However, he did not reveal any details about the upcoming character. AMC has yet to announce the official release date of "Better Call Saul" season 3, but the series is expected to return in February 2017. Bishop Of Manchester: It Is Our 'God-Given Duty' To Help Refugees The bishops of Manchester and Stockport will host a conference next month aimed at equipping individuals, churches and communities to respond practically to the needs of refugees and asylum seekers. The conference, which will be opened by Dr David Walker, the Bishop of Manchester, will be held at Salford University on Saturday 19 November. Libby Lane, the Bishop of Stockport, will give a reflection on the imperative to welcome strangers in our midst. The Church of England said that the "conference is designed to help churches and communities explore how they might better welcome people who have been displaced and are seeking refuge." Bishop Lane said: "The church can play an important part in helping communities welcome refugees and asylum seekers. I want to encourage reflection on how we do this and why it is our calling to welcome those who seek refuge." The event, which is being organised jointly by the Diocese of Manchester and the charity Greater Together Manchester, will update delegates on the refugee crisis, the government's response both locally and nationally, and the complexities of the UK asylum system. Delegates will have the opportunity to attend a number of workshops including on how to be a welcoming church; understanding the law on asylum; accommodating unaccompanied minors and community sponsorship; mental health and trauma, and supporting Christian converts with their asylum cases. Bishop Walker told Christian Today: "If we are going to have asylum seekers and refugees in this country, let's do it well. A number of churches have already embarked on looking after asylum seekers. The church my wife goes to already provides a lunch each week for asylum seekers. Let's help them make the transition as well as possible. "It's right in our foundational documents as a Church even in the Old Testament: the orphan, the widow and the stranger in our land and we inherit that responsibility along with inheriting the Old Testament. We continue to exercise that God-given duty for our generation and our nation. "I would encourage people to come along [to the conference] and to learn how their church can be part of making Britain a welcoming place for people who in many cases are fleeing war, torture and discrimination in their countries of origin." Asked about rhetoric in politics and the media around refugees, Bishop Walker said: "Any issues that touch on migration are always going to be politically sensitive and we all have a responsibility not to inflame emotions over these subjects but to deal with them as the Bible tells us." Lily Axworthy, the development officer at Greater Together Manchester, emphasised the practical nature of the conference. She told Christian Today: "The whole purpose of the conference is to be a really practical day to give people inside the churches and outside a chance to meet people in organisations already working with refugees out in the community. It is about educating individuals on the complexities of the asylum system to allow them better to understand what asylum seekers go through and the differences between a refugee, an asylum seeker and a migrant, getting everyone on the same level. The workshops will be about things that individuals can practically do and know." She added: "We're hoping we will get a really good turnout because the more people we can equip with knowledge, the more we can counter some of the rhetoric out there that may, for example, have been behind Brexit." The day-long event is open to all and costs 10 per person. Individuals can book via this link. The conference is supported by a number of organisations including the Boaz Trust, The Children's Society, For Refugees, and Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit. Last year, the Government announced that it would take in some 20,000 Syrian refugees to the UK under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement (VPR) scheme. In July, the home secretary, Amber Rudd and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby launched the Community Sponsorship programme which enables churches, faith groups, charities and businesses to support resettled refugees. Members of the public can help refugees via this website. Young refugees have been arriving this month from the Calais 'jungle' which is in the process of being demolished after the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, led a number of faith leaders in calling on the Government to fulfil its legal obligations to accept vulnerable children from the camp and those who have relatives based in the UK. Christianity Is In Danger Of Disappearing For Good From Iraq Even After Defeat Of ISIS Christians and other minorities who have lived in Iraq for generations are in danger of disappearing for good, even after the defeat of Islamic State, religious leaders have warned. They spoke out as the United Nations, the armed forces, volunteers and surviving civilians began reporting new murders and other atrocities by IS as it fights to retain control of Mosul, its last remaining stronghold. Archbishop Bashar Warda of the Chaldean Catholic Archdiocese of Erbil said: "For 2,000 years, many of the towns on the Nineveh plain now being liberated, such as Bartela, Karlais and Qaraqosh and others, were known as Christian towns. "Thousands of the people driven out from their homes by the genocidal attacks of 2014 now live in the Archdiocese of Erbil with the assistance of the Catholic Church. "As these areas are retaken, we must not forget these Christians, whose lands and homes were stolen, and who have been living as refugees ever since. The military action will not end the nightmare they have been living for two years. They need continued support, and a commitment to rebuild." Carl Anderson of the Knights of Columbus, the influential global Catholic charitable organisation, said: "While welcoming the ongoing liberation of the Nineveh plain and Mosul, we must not forget that the genocide begun by ISIS will continue through attrition and neglect unless the United States and international community prioritizes those groups that were targeted for extermination and risk disappearing altogether. "This must include direct financial support from our government that actually reaches endangered groups like Christians and Yazidis. Those Iraqi citizens who belong to these groups also need to be given equal rights based on the Universal Declaration Of Human Rights. "We must also insist that the two-tiered system of rights - resulting in the second class citizenship of Christians and other non-majority religious groups - end if we really want to ensure that such genocide never again occurs in this region. "Celebrations over the ongoing liberation of the historically Christian towns of the Nineveh, should not obscure the fact those minority groups who lived there for generations are now displaced and in danger of disappearing." Last Saturday the Iraqi Parliament banned the import, sale and manufacture of alcohol - a move regarded by observers as an attack on religious freedom as many Christians and Yazidis both consume alcohol and have also for generations worked in th alcohol trade. Yesterday, Naomi Kikoler, deputy director of the Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide, told Christian Today that the challenge now was to make sure that liberated towns and cities would be safe for Christians and other minorities to return. In her report published this week, the Center warned that the status of Christians, Yazidis and other minorities in a post-ISIS Iraq is becoming increasingly uncertain. The Christian population in the country has fallen from 1.4 million in 2003 to little more than 200,000. Christians And Muslims Join Forces In Pakistan To Save Nine-Year-Old Boy From Blasphemy Charge Christians and Muslims in Pakistan worked together to get basphemy charges dropped against a nine-year-old Pakistani Christian boy. The boy, Izhan and his mother, Shakil, a nurse from Quetta, were accused six days ago of burning pages of the Quran. The police were called in and the mother and child imprisoned. This led to protests by local Christian and Muslim leaders and politicians, and the charges quashed. The political party Jamait Ulema Islam, or Assembly of Islamic Clergy, played a key role in freeing the two Christians from jail. Asiya Nasir, a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan from Quetta, William John Barkat, a member of the Provincial Assembly and Shahzad Kundan, an activist and resident of the area, cooperated to secure justice for the two accused. According to the Pakistan Christian Post, they were alerted to the case and "sense of horror and terror" in the Christian community. "There was so much sense of insecurity in the Christians until the matter was resolved," the Post reported. "Credit goes to the local leadership of Jamiat Ulema Islam which played a tremendous role." Nasir Saeed, director of CLAAS-UK, a Christian charity dedicated to helping persecuted Christians in Pakistan, said this was not the first time a minor had been charged with a blasphemy offence. In 1993 a boy, aged 12, was charged under the blasphemy law for a crime he had not committed. In 2011 a 13-year-old Christian girl was accused of blasphemy by her Muslim teacher for misspelling. Mr Saeed said: "He [Izhan] may have never have even heard the word of blasphemy. Unfortunately, this is the worst example of hatred and intolerance against Christians and treatment towards them in Pakistan. "The Government of Pakistan must look into such cases and take appropriate steps to bring necessary changes to stop the ongoing misuse of this law. "The international community has continuously expressed its concern and called for amendments." Gay Man 'Horrified' That Christian Bakers Are Being Forced To Surrender Their Beliefs Not all members of the LGBT community enjoy watching Christians being persecuted for their religious beliefs. In fact, some of them are appalled that the government is now interfering with the faith practices of Christians and compelling them to bend to the demands of the gay community such as bake a cake. Neil Midgley, a self-confessed gay man, wrote for The Telegraph about the case of Christian bakers Karen and Daniel McArthur. The McArthurs' woes began when gay activist Gareth Lee ordered a cake at their Northern Irish bakery and asked that they write "Support Gay Marriage" on top of the cake. Because of their religious beliefs, the McArthurs, who run Ashers Baking Company, turned down the "sinful" order. Lee then sued them under equality legislation. The McArthurs lost the case. When they appealed the court decision, they lost once again. "I support equality under the law for people of all sexual and gender inclinations. More to the point, I love cake. Nonetheless, I'm siding with the Christians. This gay plaintiff is wrong; the law is wrong. Nobody should be forced by law to bake anybody else a cake. Ever," wrote Midgley. He said the case is pretty trivial, but the democratic and political principles involved in the case aren't. Midgley said that in a properly functioning democracy, everyone is entitled to equal treatment under the law. So even though gays are now allowed to marry, their choice should have no impact on their Christian neighbours. Gays have gotten their way with their political battles and are now free to exercise their own political freedoms. But Midgley finds it ironic that many gays are now denying similar freedoms to Christians or anyone else who opposes their agenda. "Gareth Lee, the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland and indeed the Labour government which enacted these anti-discrimination laws have all overlooked one very important principle: that no prevailing political consensus should ever deny a minority, even a minority of two bakers in Belfast, the right to disagree with it," he stressed. Personally, Midgley does not want businesses to discriminate against gay people. He wishes the McArthurs would just abandon their "silly religious views" and bake cakes for everyone. But he believes freedom of religion must be respected alongside freedom of sexuality. So as a gay man, he vehemently supports the McArthurs' right not to bake pro-gay cakes. "Because one day, the prevailing political consensus may change again. Our lawmakers may once again be tempted to turn against gay people. And on that day, I hope the Christian bakers will stand by me in my fight to protect fundamental freedoms that transcend any cake, any religion and any daft law," he said. Hallowe'en Has Become An Orgy Of Blood-Spattered Nonsense. But We Trivialise Spiritual Forces At Our Peril I now realise how odd my children must be. It happened in my local supermarket. It was mid-October and we had wandered in to pick up some vegetables and a few odds and ends. We were confronted with a sight that to many is unsurprising. It was just 'normal' Halloween stuff. The thing that really stood out this year was not the evil-looking merchandise designed to keep children awake for a month, but the blood-spattered T-shirts which seem to be new for 2016. My kids really didn't like those. I didn't like it them either. We took the long way round that aisle. If you're unfamiliar with the layout of Tesco Extra in Yeovil, it meant going through homeware, into the electrical goods and out into the bakery section near the toiletries. This is how we managed to avoid running the gauntlet of the avenue of death and despair. When it came to paying at the checkout, I said to the young lady that the gory items on the display were not only puzzling but unpleasant and distressing. And that my kids also found them to be so. She was surprised that we had a problem with them. So my kids must be odd. She didn't say this, but was genuinely surprised that we felt the current orgy of Fisher-Priced-Violence was inappropriate. She was not minded to raise it with anyone and we didn't want to make a scene, so we left. My kids don't want us to return to this zombie apocalypse masquerading as a food store until November. I don't blame them. Why is Hallowe'en now like this? Hallowe'en has switched from spookiness, which is tiresome enough, to blood-spattered, internal-organ-removing horror. It has quadrupled in size in the process. I'm not one to harp on about what happened back in my day, but back in my day, in the 1980s, Hallowe'en was meant to be just a bit spooky. People put on bedsheets and ran around saying 'Wooooooo!' There were cobwebs, the odd witch's hat made out of cheap black card, some apple bobbing and that was it. There was no question of bloody violence. This was back in the days when Children's BBC refused to broadcast Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, unless they changed it the 'Ninja' to 'Hero'. Yes, the actual word 'Ninja' was banned. Nowadays, children seem entirely conversant in the language of horror, and all things related like vampires, wraiths and lycanthropes. This is completely normal. I occasionally wonder what would happen if there were to be a genuine zombie apocalypse in my home town. It will be a total non-event. At the sight of the risen dead walking in schools and playground, the kids would tut, roll their eyes and complain that the whole thing was a bit hack. My revulsion to all things Hallowe'en is, I confess, partly one of personal taste. I've never watched horror films, or video nasties another product of those innocent 1980s. In my teens, some friends offered me the chance to watch the original Freddie movie, Nightmare On Elm Street. When I asked what it was about, and they told me, I was very puzzled that anyone who ever wanted to sleep again would want to watch it. When it comes to horror, I like it very, very mild. The early episodes of The X-Files before it went all alien conspiracy are about as far as I go. My family's revulsion to Hallowe'en must, in some ways, be related to our Christian faith but we cannot hide behind that. The Bible has zombies rising from the graves on Good Friday, the Witch of Endor, the Angel of Death, demon-possession and all kinds of distressing manifestation of spiritual realities. Maybe that's the source of my reservation. Spiritual forces both good and evil are real and we trivialise them at our peril. But I realise that warning about trivialising sounds a bit rich coming from a comedy writer like me. My frustration also comes from the fact that Christians who go along with Hallowe'en, or combat it with 'Light' parties, are missing out on a greater celebration. October 31st is Reformation Day, marking that day on which Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to Wittenberg Cathedral's door. It was like an early messageboard system and technically makes Luther a troll. But given the extraordinary events that ensued, and the opening up and rediscovery of the scriptures as well as the cleaning up of the Catholic church surely we have something worth celebrating, especially next year when it's the 500th anniversary? Don't wear a blood-spattered T-shirt and scream blue murder. Put on a habit and shout 'Here I stand!' Why not practice this year? And then on 5 November, we can all join together in celebrating Guy Fawkes, and making light of his attempt at religiously-motivated mass terrorism. Given how politics is going right now, it could prove strangely cathartic. James Cary is a comedy writer (Bluestone 42, Miranda) and author of Death By Civilisation. Hundreds Of Christian Volunteers Sign Up To Help Combat Britain's Growing Homelessness Crisis A night shelter for homeless people in Manchester is to double the length of time it opens this winter after a survey showed the number of rough sleepers had increased ten fold in just six years. More than 800 volunteers have signed up to help out on in shelters in Manchester, Salford, Birmingham, Mansfield and Great Yarmouth. The joint venture between the Church Urban Fund and Church of England dioceses shows that churches are doing more than ever before this winter to help alleviate the growing homelessness crisis. Rev Ellie Trimble, one of the Manchester clergy helping run the scheme, said: "As a Christian we are called to look after those who are vulnerable, to seek them out and serve them, just as Jesus did." When she was a student in Manchester she used to walk past a homeless man called Dave every day. "It was unusual because you didn't really see many people back then, 20 years ago." It has changed so much. A few days ago she walked through the city centre and saw "so many people" still asleep on the streets, many in tents. "There's a really entrenched community of homeless people that we just can't reach. It's a huge crisis, a huge crisis for everybody, and as Christians we need to respond to that," she says in a podcast for the Church. "We all have a responsibility to look after those people in our communities who are on the fringes, vulnerable." In Manchester and Salford, a night shelter offering 12 beds for seven nights a week will double the length of time it operates to six months when it opens at the end of this month. The shelter, across seven locations, will offer 24-hour care to homeless guests including an evening meal, bed and breakfast, and advice and support during the day. Organisations such as the Christian homelessness charity Housing Justice are also involved. The expansion in support from Christian groups this winter comes after the number of people counted as rough sleepers on one night in Manchester rose to 70 last year compared to seven in 2010. Lily Axworthy, of Greater Together Manchester, said there is now a "crisis situation" in the city. "The night shelters are more than just somewhere to sleep, they are about hospitality and service," she said. "Homeless people are welcome as guests, and all, including volunteers, sit down for an evening meal together." In Birmingham, a winter night shelter with 14 churches acting as hosts will open from January to March offering 12 beds a night and supported by around 400 volunteers. Mansfield Winter Night Shelter in Nottingham will open in early December along with a new project, The Living Room, based in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk . Canon Paul Hackwood of the Church Urban Fund said: "We know that helping homeless people and rough sleepers is not a simple task and involves so much more than a bed for the night. But this is a vital start in the process of repairing broken relationships and being alongside those in need to help them take control of their lives. We are so grateful to the huge number of volunteers from churches and elsewhere who are part of the team helping to make this happen." Ireland's Conservative Abortion Laws Could Be Liberalised An end to Ireland's conservative abortion laws could be in sight. The Irish parliament could decide on whether to hold a national referendum on the topic next year after Prime Minister Enda Kenny formed a citizens' assembly of 99 people. The group will deliver its report in the first half of 2017 and the government said on Tuesday it would respond within six months. The question of whether to widen access to abortion is politically divisive in Ireland. The heavy Catholic influence has meant regulations are among the strictest in the world and terminations are only allowed if the mother's life is in danger. The assembly has been called to advise the government. Once its report has been made a parliamentary committee to respond would be convened immediately and have six months to do so. If a referendum is recommended, a vote would then be needed in parliament to set one up, potentially paving the way for a plebiscite in 2018. Activists who marched in their thousands last month to seek the abolition of the eighth amendment of the constitution, which enshrines an equal right to life of the mother and her unborn child, have pressured the government not to delay a decision. Abortion has long been a controversial topic in Ireland where a complete ban was only lifted in 2013. Anti-abortion supporters demand no further changes to safeguard all life. The timetable set out by the government on Tuesday was in response to opposition attempts to provide for a referendum immediately that threatened a split among the minority coalition government. Additional reporting by Reuters. 'Narcos' season 3 spoilers: Javier Pena to still play a significant role in upcoming season; Steven Murphy sidelined? It looks like the death of Pablo Escobar (Wagner Moura) did not mark the end of DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) agent Javier Pena's (Pedro Pascal) business in "Narcos" season 3. Filming for "Narcos" season 3 is well underway. This was announced with a photo of DEA Agent Pena addressing the world about Escobar's fate. "The blow must go on. Pablo might be dead but the war is not over," the caption for the image reads, which somehow implies the return of Pena in "Narcos" season 3. In reality, Pena flew to the United States after the death of Escobar to take on a new mission. This appears to be what he did by the end of the second season. This is why, in "Narcos" season 3, fans will catch up with Pena when he is in the U.S., hence, the image. However, with the show's focus on the Cali Cartel and the agent's lack of involvement there in real life, it was believed that he will be sidelined this season, but this does not appear to be the case. Two new series regulars will be brought in to play the roles of new DEA agents that will deal with the Cali Cartel in "Narcos" season 3. "Cloverfield" star Michael Stahl-David will play the role of a young and no-nonsense American DEA agent named Chris Feistl, while his partner on the job Daniel Van Ness will be played by "Go Girls" actor Matt Whelan. As per the description obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Stahl-David's "Narcos" season 3 character "sought out assignment to Colombia as the drug trade shifts to the Cali Cartel's takeover in the wake of Pablo Escobar's death." THR says that the two will join Pena in "Narcos" season 3, which means that the show could be exercising its creative liberty on the show to include Pascal's character to the mix. This possibly puts the return of DEA agent Steve Murphy's (Boyd Holbrook) return in the new season on the sidelines, with Pena apparently getting new colleagues. Pascal appears to still be in Colombia, where "Narcos" season 3 is currently being filmed. He shared a photo of his view in Bogota as well as a behind-the-scenes photo with director Andi Baiz. Mira la luna. #Bogota #Colombia A photo posted by Pedro Pascal (@pascalispunk) on Oct 15, 2016 at 4:54pm PDT "Narcos" season 3 will premiere next year on Netflix. 'Yoga Pants Parade' To Combat Sexism Is Our Kind Of Protest A group of upstanding, and no doubt comfortable, women in Rhode Island led a peaceful protest in yoga pants over a local man's criticism. In a Letter to the Editor in the Barrington Times, Alan Sorrentino, of Barrington Rhode Island, said women over 20 years old should not wear yoga pants outside of yoga-related settings. Hundreds of local women (and some men) responded by donning their comfiest activewear and marching around Sorrentino's neighborhood Sunday with signs like, "We wear what we want," and, "I like my pants." ADVERTISEMENT Sorrentino wrote that yoga pants on certain women were inappropriate due to the "unforgiving perspective they provide." "From casual to formal, weddings, funerals, shopping, and even for the workplace, yoga pants are everywhere on women of all ages, usually paired with a blousy top and a pony tail hairdo," He wrote. "What a disaster!" A disaster indeed, Alan. The entire letter is a disaster, and an unsettling attempt to control what women can and cannot wear. Sorrentino's main point being that he doesnt want to see women wearing yoga pants, therefore all women should alter their wardrobes for his sake. The yoga pants parade was organized by Jamie Burke, who said she was angered when she read the letter, and decided to hold the event to comment on much larger women's issues. "This is way more than yoga pants," Burke told WJAR. "It is women fed up with the policing of our wardrobes and our bodies." ADVERTISEMENT Sorrentino has since said that the whole thing was a joke, but he probably should have read his audience a little better. Letters like these are not harmless because they're not taboo; we have a Republican presidential nominee who constantly and unabashedly criticizes women's appearances, and people support his tirades. So take a note from these rad ladies in Rhode Island and do whatever it takes to fight sexism in your community; and do it wearing whatever the hell you want. Photo and video via YouTube More From BUST Meet 10 Feminist Models Who Are Changing The Fashion Industry This Meninist's Anti-Tampon Rant Shows Just How Stigmatized Menstruation Is What I Learned When I Stopped Wearing Makeup Out Of The Darkness: How God Transformed A Violent Criminal Tony Gielty was one of Scotland's hardest criminals. Deeply immersed in gang culture, he was a man who thrived on violence. At the age of 17 he was convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to 10 years in prison. At 19 he was a thug, terrorising inmates and prison staff alike. Anthony Gielty is the same man, but profoundly different and he hates the very name Tony. Because while he was in prison he had a encounter with a priest that changed his life. And the change went all the way down: he had a searing and traumatic insight into the sort of person he'd become, and an equally powerful experience of God's love and forgiveness. He starts his book Out Of The Darkness (Monarch, 8.99) with with a quotation from Mark 5 about the uncontrollable demoniac named Legion, who "saw Jesus from afar" and "ran and fell down before him". And the first line of his 'acknowledgments' section isn't thanks to his wife, or his editor, but this: "I acknowledge the terrible damage, pain and injustice of my evil actions. The bitterest years of my life could never atone for the damage I have caused." Reading his book and talking with him is deeply moving. At its heart is a discovery that life is not meaningless, but that God offers pardon, peace and purpose. The incident that set Gielty on his downward path came early. He was only 11 when a chance remark of his mother's about the meaninglessness of life overwhelmed him. He became convinced of the futility of existence, and sought distraction in violence. He tells Christian Today: "I was filled with despair. I looked at life from the cold outside. I believed you may as well get what you can, while you can. "Buying into this narrative led to more and more hatred, of myself and others. I was consumed with violence and early on." He became a fighter, and a good one, living by the code of Glasgow's gangsters. In prison, he was uncontrollable: the slightest thing would set him off. What began to change him was an encounter with a priest, Fr John MacFadden, who came to see him in his cell. Gielty tells Christian Today: "I'll never forget that day. He was very familiar with people like me. I knew he was something different there was something of Christ in him. There was kindness, love and peace." In his book he writes that there was something "deeply disturbing" about MacFadden: there was "an unapproachable kindness in his eyes eyes that were not telling me I was subhuman or heaping on me the familiar judgment I was accustomed to and deserved". That moment was a significant breakthrough. But the pathway from darkness into light wasn't smooth. He had habits to break, and he was still in the worst place imaginable for a new disciple, surrounded by temptations to revert to his violent ways. He writes about a savage attack on his friend, which he was honour bound to avenge. "Everything in me said I should back my friend up but I knew Christ was offering a different way of life," he recalls. "It was between forgiveness and hate a battle between the two. It was tough." He writes movingly of the moment he become convinced God had forgiven and freed him: "An undeniable power had entered my life, and with it a great confidence and trust in the mercy of God. Those dark doubts could no longer touch me." As a Catholic, Gielty was inspired by the story of a saint, Louis-Marie de Montfort (born 1673). He had a passionate devotion to the poor and ill, and lived a life of total austerity and commitment. As Gielty sees his previous life now: "I was driven by a strange quest for valour. St Louis-Marie helped me see that story and that valour in a different way altogether. "I even wanted to join the French Foreign Legion it was the attraction of a new identity and a forgotten past. "But St Louis-Marie showed valour for God in overcoming enemies it was real, it was the ultimate test. It was true courage. I started to see that the code I'd lived by was nonsense." On his release from prison Anthony joined a strict Catholic order. He felt he didn't fit in, and ended up at an evangelical theological college the International Christian College in Glasgow. He describes that as like "coming home": "I seemed to be surrounded by people who were passionate about the gospel and reaching others with the message of salvation." While there he met his wife Anna, with whom he now has two children. He works with an organisation The Haven in Kilmacolm, Inverclyde, with men coming out of the gang culture and with people with drug and alcohol problems. He's also a prison mentor, going behind bars again to help people whose needs he knows only too well. He hasn't forgotten the damage he's done. But: "As I look back, I have to do it through the lens of the cross," he says. "I have horror, and deep sorrow and shame I often have to bring them back to the cross. But I am thankful to Christ." And now? "I'm very happy. I'm married with two young sons and I am so grateful for my life. Even to know that life has a meaning. "Everything is charged with hope, not with despair." Sikh Woman Converts To Christianity After Praying To Jesus A woman who had been Sikh for 50 years has told how she converted to Christianity after praying "in faith" for Jesus to help her with her problems. The woman, Balbinder, tells her story on a new website - the Great Commission - being launched today by the Evangelical Alliance (EA). The site shares conversion stories from across the UK and encourages Christians to talk about their faith. Balbinder tells of how, when she was "in despair with my elder son" she was "crying on the phone" to a Christian friend who told her that "If you really want help only one person can help you and that's Jesus". Balbinder's friend told her to pray with faith to Jesus, which she did, and in three days she was given a Bible by the friend before her problems began to make sense through scripture. She adds: "Because I had been a Sikh for [more than] 50 years, when I turned to Christianity my daughter, she sort of retaliated and she started going to the Gurdwara, which she never did before, just to annoy me. It used to upset me and then God spoke to me that I have to show her love. If I get angry, that's not showing her [love], so I used to say okay, but I continued to pray for her. Secretly she was reading on her phone the Bible and the verse that came to her was about Nicodemus talking to Jesus, and when Jesus said you have to be born again and...she was ready to give her life to Jesus." Balbinder's Story | Great Commission from Evangelical Alliance on Vimeo. Greatcommission.co.uk is designed to inspire greater passion for evangelism and empower churches and individuals to do more about it, the EA said. Gavin Calver, director of mission, said: "We are passionate about seeing every person in the UK given an opportunity to follow Jesus. That's why we've created the Great Commission website with stories, reflections and resources designed to inspire, equip and empower every individual Christian, and every church to be able to reach out to their community with the good news of Jesus Christ." Graham Miller, the chief executive of London City Mission, emphasised the site's usefulness in multi-cultural Britain. "The thing about the UK is that we're a multicultural society," he said. "How do we reach all these different kinds of people, how can I be equipped to reach out to the Chinese international students near me, and the elderly, but also the youth and the kids? What a help that is, what a use that is, that the internet instead of just being a distraction can be a help for the Church." In another case study on the site, Joe shares his story of a life of drug addiction which changed when he prayed to God for help. He says: "Aged about 19 I got involved in substance misuse, and that was my life for about 20 years. In the end I felt like I was a failure, addicted to failure, I was just desperate. I just wanted out of my situation." He continues: "I just cried out to God, begging him for help; 'If there is a God I need you now'. Within several weeks of calling out to God and God answering my prayers, placing people in my life who were there to support and encourage me, I found I'd detoxed myself within a few weeks, gained the strength quite quickly that I'd never had before." Joe describes the changes in his life and how he is now evangelising himself. "I thought I was unemployable and I now work within the detox centre that I went through myself," he says. "I'm there sharing my experience, and I share my faith and show that it was a big impact on how I became abstinent from drugs. I'm in the process of becoming a member of an Eden team [of urban missionaries] and I'm running a men's group from my flat and people are coming and getting saved." Lynn Green, the general secretary for the Baptist Union of Great Britain, added: "We need to equip one another to share our faith and to be witnesses wherever we are...We want to equip every Christian and churches in their witness, increase their confidence and help them." In another Great Commission weekly story, Shelia talks about how she reaches out to people on the streets of Peterborough. "People do say to me, 'it's okay for you because you find it easy', but I think we can all find it easy if we take that initial step," she says. "I'm not special in any way, just a mum and a grandma and I just have the conviction of my faith." Andy Frost, director of Share Jesus International, commented: "I meet many Christians who are passionate about sharing their faith but often don't know quite how to do it. So this website is one place they can go to where they can get a whole bunch of different ideas, different resources, able to be used in their context. They can be empowered to make Jesus known." The administrative bishop of the New Testament Church of God, Donald Bolt, added: "In general the Great Commission excites me in that we have an opportunity as Christians to be co-workers, so to speak, with God in the ministry of reconciliation. Helping to share with humanity that they have a way back to their heavenly Father, their creator and that, that broken relationship can be mended." The Great Commission team is sharing stories on Twitter at @great_comm, and you can sign up at greatcommission.co.uk to receive the latest updates. The Church And Argentina's Dirty War: Why The Vatican Needs To Open Its Files The Vatican is to open its files about military rule in Argentina to victims of the regime and their relatives. Around 3,000 letters between the Catholic Church and family members of the dictatorship's victims during the 'Dirty War' (roughly 1974-83) are held in Vatican archives and by the Argentine bishops' conference. According to the Vatican, Pope Francis has taken the decision himself "in the service of truth, justice and peace". Unpack this a little. How bad was the dictatorship? Pretty bad. The army had assumed control in the country after a coup against Isabel Peron's government in 1976. Its so-called 'Dirty War' was state terrorism designed to stamp out left-wing ideology. The regime used intimidation, torture and murder on a grand scale; up to 30,000 people died. A favoured method of "disappearing" people was to take them up in aeroplanes and helicopters, strip them and throw them out. So many were disposed of in this way that neighbouring Uruguay complained about the number of bodies that were being washed up. I remember something about the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo? Yes. They're a courageous protest movement made up of mothers who lost children to the regime and never found out what happened to them. Some of these were babies, taken from their mothers at birth by the regime, on the grounds that their parents were leftists. They were given to regime loyalists to raise as their own. And what was the Church doing? Its history is a bit chequered. Many in the Catholic heirarchy were ideologically opposed to anything smacking of left-wing thinking, so they didn't mind the government cracking down on these Marxist revolutionary types. Priests were involved in torture at concentration camps; one prison chaplain, Christian von Wernich, was sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of complicity in seven murders, 42 kidnappings and 32 instances of torture. But others, particularly priests who lived closer to the poor, were far more sympathetic. Some were martyred; others were arrested and tortured. It's not known what the letters to the Church heirarchy from victims' families say, but it's safe to assume many were asking for help. They may not have met with much sympathy. Pope Francis was a bishop in Argentina then, I think? Yes, and his history is a bit chequered too. One of the things that continues to tarnish his teddy-bear image is the behaviour of Jorge Bergoglio, as he was then. Known then as authoritarian and reactionary, he has been accused of complicity in the arrest and torture of two priests, Franz Jalics and Orlando Yorio. He dissolved the Jesuit community of which they were a part and left them exposed to arrest. They were duly kidnapped and taken to the notorious Escuela de Mecanica de la Armada (ESMA) where they suffered appallingly at the hands of torturers trained by the US and France. That's awful. Was he really responsible? Probably not entirely. Jalics and Yorio both thought so at the time, though Jalics later changed his mind and was reconciled to him. Journalist Paul Vallely analyses the issue in his book Pope Francis: Untying the Knots and concludes he made serious mistakes, but didn't intend what happened and he did protect many who would otherwise have fallen victim to the regime. Bergoglio's attitude to the 'disappeared' of the Plaza de Mayo is less explicable; he refused to attend at a key trial and gave "minimalist" and evasive answers when he was cross-examined in his office. So is Pope Francis really a bad man? He is a sinner, as he has said more frequently than any other pope in living memory, and there are many who remain unconvinced about his role under junta. Others regard him as a courageous man who did what he could. Vallely concludes: "Whatever judgments others have made of the role of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, they probably do not match the one he has made of himself before God in prayer." And will the documents the Vatican and the Argentine bishops are releasing clear anything up? One of the running sores the Church has faced is the suspicion that it's not telling everything it knows. There's no indication that Pope Francis is personally implicated in any of these letters, but transparency even if what it reveals doesn't reflect well on the Catholic Church has got to be better than secrecy. On this theme, President Obama pledged earlier this year that the US would reveal more about its own role in the Dirty War, long classified but widely suspected. Vatican And Argentina To Release Archives Of 'Dirty War' That Killed 30,000 The Vatican and Argentina will soon release archives from the country's 1976-83 'Dirty War', when a military dictatorship killed as many as 30,000 people in a crackdown on left-wing opponents, officials said on Tuesday. The archives contain about 3,000 letters between the Roman Catholic Church and family members of the dictatorship's victims. Human rights groups have accused Catholic officials of covering up abuses by the junta when it was in power. "We are not afraid of the archives. They contain historical truth," Buenos Aires Archbishop Mario Poli told reporters at a news conference. He did not provide a date for the release. The archives will be made available exclusively to family of victims, or victims still surviving. The declassification was ordered by Pope Francis, a former Buenos Aires archbishop, a joint statement from the Vatican and Argentina's Church hierarchy said. The Argentinian Church's reputation was tarnished by links between some high-ranking clergymen and the military rulers. Critics of Jorge Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, said he did not do enough for priests who challenged the dictatorship when he was leader of the Jesuits in Argentina. Two priests kidnapped by the military government accused Bergoglio of not protecting them. The case was dismissed and the Vatican has denied the claims. Many of the dissidents killed were tied to labour unions. Survivors of the crackdown said one of the military rulers' tactics was so-called 'death flights', in which political opponents were tossed into aircraft, stripped and then thrown alive into a river or the Atlantic Ocean to drown. In August, the United States said it started delivering a new batch of declassified documents from US military and intelligence agencies related to the dictatorship. This followed the 2002 declassification of more than 4,000 US State Department cables and other archives from the dictatorship, which the US government initially supported. Young Iraqi Christian Girl Who Forgave ISIS 'Joyful' About Returning Home After Liberation The young Iraqi Christian girl who forgave ISIS after being forced to flee her home in Qaraqosh has said she can't wait to return home now that the city is almost liberated. Twelve-year-old Myriam told SAT-7 KIDS on October 21: "Surely I am happy and joyful to return home and see my friends who didn't leave. "I'll get to see them again," she added. "I'll see my home and my country again, the place that I love." Myriam's father, Waleed, said: "There are no words to express how we feel. But we say in Iraqi, Wenseh, which is the feeling we have when we are home. It doesn't matter if [we are living] under destruction." The family are currently living in Ankawa, a suburb of Erbil, along with tens of thousands of other displaced people who are already excited at the thought of going home. "If they are that joyful in Ankawa, then how will it be when 40,000 persons return to their homes?" Waleed added. "Imagine the joy we will feel!" Myriam was first interviewed by SAT-7 in October 2014. She said then that she would ask God to forgive the militants who threatened her family's life, and a video of the exchange was watched by more than 200,000 people within 42 hours of appearing on the SAT-7 ARABIC Facebook page. "God loves everybody," Myriam said. "I'm not angry with God because we left Qaraqosh, I thank him because he provided [for] us. Even if we're suffering here, he provides for us." She ended the interview with a song, How Joyful is the Day, about how much she loves Jesus. Last week, the family sang the worship song again, and Waleed said they had been strengthened during their difficult ordeal by the peace of God. "Peace is the peace of Jesus and not worldly peace," he said. "Peace isn't in a house or in the land. Even in fire you can have the peace of Jesus. As long as we have it we will be stronger than those who threw us out. When you love Jesus, no one can conquer you." Qaraqosh was once home to Iraq's largest Christian community, but around 50,000 people were forced to flee when ISIS overran the town in August 2014. Some reports say Qaraqosh has now been liberated as part of the offensive to retake Mosul ISIS' last stronghold in Iraq which began on October 17, though others say Iraqi troops are still battling a small number of militants left in the town. Security sources have confirmed that around 50 villages and towns around Mosul have been liberated, however. On Thursday, government troops reclaimed Bartella a Christian town about nine miles from Mosul. On Saturday, the bells of the Mart Shmony Syriac Orthodox Church were rung for the first time since 2014. Father Thabet, a priest from Mosul, spoke to SAT-7's Ingy Magdy last weekend. He said that there were "only a few" Christian families left in Mosul, and that the Church is waiting until the Nineveh Plain is totally secure before they encourage Christians to return home. "We need to make sure the liberation process is final and the area is secure and the path to return is safe as well as adjust the infrastructure and stabilize the economic situation so they can return home," Thabet said. "It is great that the liberation comes at this time especially after two years have passed but our joy will be complete when everyone is back home safe and secure." He added: "We want to double our prayers in order to have stability in Mosul so it becomes better than it was." Latest stories The news, views and stories behind the art Sort Stories By There are no items that match this criteria. Please select a different option from the filters above. Michael Brown Lawyers in Houston are representing consumers in the Midwest who have sued Mylan, the pharmaceutical company, for "deliberate and reprehensible price gouging" of its EpiPen. W. Mark Lanier of Houston is representing two consumers, one from Missouri and the other from Oklahoma, who are seeking class action status to represent other users of the injectable pen that delivers epinephrine to treat severe allergic reactions. The lawsuit, filed last week in federal court in Kansas, alleges that Mylan boosted the price of the injector, which costs less than $30 to make, from $57 in 2007 to more than $600 today. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Lucchese is one of the most iconic brands to come out of Texas since Sam Houston and the boys laid the smack down on Santa Anas cronies at San Jacinto in 1836. It was the fall of 1882 when Salvatore and Joseph Lucchese came to Texas via Galveston from Palermo, Italy. RELATED: The story behind Texas' favorite cowboy hat, the Stetson The boys got a job at a shoe factory to support themselves for a spell and by late 1883 the pair founded Lucchese Bros. Boots and Shoes in San Antonio. They were continuing the legacy of their father, Gaetano Lucchese, who was known as a footwear maker in Italy. The company was soon making boots for military officers stationed at nearby Fort Sam Houston. Business got so good that more of the Lucchese family came over from the old country to join the other. Salvatore was the only one remaining in the family business just a few years later. Back in 1897 a pair of kangaroo boots would only set you back $9. These days a similar pair is considerably higher in price. Within time Lucchese was known as the best boot brand in San Antonio and its reputation was growing. According to the company, people from all over began coming to the factory to be sized for their own boots. Within decades famous Texans like LBJ and Robert J. Kleberg Sr. (from the King Ranch) were making history wearing the boots. RELATED: Legendary Houston boot maker Rocky Carroll has died John Wayne was a fan of the boots for nearly 50 years until his death. Were still bummed that Governor Rick Perry didnt wear a pair on that Dancing with the Stars show. Even Big Tex at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas wears a pair of Lucchese boots. His replica Lucchese boots are a size 96. You can order a pair of human-sized, hand-tooled replicas for about $10,000. So here we are in 2016 and the company is bigger than ever, headquartered in El Paso, standing out in a crowded market as one of the last, best hand-crafted bootmakers in the country. - T. S. Eliot Thoughts After Lambeth "The World is trying the experiment of attempting to form a civilized but non-Christian mentality. The experiment will fail; but we must be very patient in awaiting its collapse; meanwhile redeeming the time: so that the Faith may be preserved alive through the dark ages before us; to renew and rebuild civilization, and save the World from suicide." Houston school district Superintendent Richard Carranza tapped a longtime insider to serve as his deputy, as he continues to fill out his leadership team. Samuel "Sam" Sarabia, a chief officer over schools in the district's south region, was promoted to deputy superintendent, the school district announced Tuesday. Sarabia has worked in the Houston Independent School District for 29 years, starting as a bilingual teacher at Cage Elementary and later serving as principal of Port Houston and Roberts elementary schools. Carranza, hired in mid-August and on the job full time since Sept. 12, previously promoted another chief school officer, Grenita Lathan, to serve as his chief academic officer. Lathan, formerly a superintendent in Peoria, Ill., has worked in the Houston district for about a year, recruited by Carranza's predecessor, Terry Grier. Carranza's promotion of two internal candidates at the outset offers a notable contrast to Grier, who was dogged by criticism for hiring outsiders. Grier also took heat for not having many Hispanic employees in top leadership posts even though Hispanic students make up the overwhelming majority of the district's enrollment. Like Carranza, Sarabia's first language as a child was Spanish. "Dr. Sarabia has been a well-respected and dedicated leader at HISD for more than two decades," Carranza said Tuesday in a statement. "He carries a robust background in public education and school administration with a remarkable track record in leading student-focused learning and increasing achievement for students of all backgrounds. I am excited to work with him closely as we focus on making HISD a world-class school district." Sarabia survived Grier's first reorganization and was charged with leading all the district's elementary schools. However, he clashed with Grier in 2011 when the superintendent moved to split the responsibilities among three people. Sarabia otherwise has generally stayed out of controversies. "I am excited to continue to use my passion for public education to support pathways for success for our students, educators, support staff and school communities," Sarabia said in the statement. "I will strive to continue to seek opportunities to increase student achievement, family engagement and community partnerships to ensure we provide the best education environment for all students." Grier had promoted Ken Huewitt, the district's chief financial officer, to the deputy superintendent role, late in his tenure. The school board named Huewitt as the interim superintendent to serve after Grier left in February, but ultimately did not select him for the top job. Carranza still has more personnel moves to make, with two chief school officer positions now vacant and the chief operating officer position being filled on an interim basis by the chief technology officer, Lenny Schad. Including Carranza, the district's top four executives are for the first time all people of color. Lathan and Huewitt, still the financial chief, are black. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Nine Cleveland ISD Air Force JROTC cadets were honored by trustees of the Mt. Reah Missionary Baptist Church for volunteer work on Oct. 25 for volunteer work that contributed to maintaining the building's historical value. Mt. Reah Missionary Baptist Church is located in Clark, Texas, and has existed since 1877, making it 139 years old. The church is currently inactive as of 2002 due to structural damage to the building. The trustees of the church held a fundraiser on Oct. 15 to help fund the repairs. "These cadets of Cleveland High School JROTC came out and helped us," said Mt. Reah Missionary Baptist Church Trustee Doris Davis. Cadets from the Cleveland ISD Air Force JROTC offered their services to serve plate lunches and help set up the necessary pieces for the fundraiser. "We're here today to present every one of them with a certificate of award," said Davis. Davis and her husband Milton Davis presented the certificates and expressed their appreciation to the work done to help preserve the historic church. Lt. Colonel Rob Hunt of the Cleveland ISD Air Force JROTC spoke to his cadets and explained how much their work means not only to the community but also themselves. "This is no small thing," said Hunt. Hunt also emphasized how important it is to help one's fellow man in the community and how their work is no small feat even if it seems so at first. "That's something that matters," he said. "That's something that makes a difference." Send calendar items to daytonnews@hcnonline.com. OCT. 28 SOUTHEAST TEXAS WARBIRD RALLY More Information Submission Info We know there are lots of events going on in the community. We'd like to help you get the word out. If a club would like to invite the public to a regular meeting, or a church would like to publicize an upcoming revival or a weekly Bible study, or a school would like to share information about a fundraiser, please let us know. To submit information for the calendar, send an email to daytonnews@hcnonline.com. See More Collapse 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Jetero RC Club 9249 FM 686, Dayton The Jetero RC Club of Dayton will host the Southeast Texas Warbird Rally that features replicas of actual airplanes that were either combat aircraft from 1910 until present or were used in the military for military purposes. Scale Civilian aircraft used for military training are welcome. Aircraft in civil paint schemes are permitted. GPS coordinates are 30.061629, -95.021274. Pilot landing fee is $25 and lunch is provided for pilots. Visitors are welcome to this event free of charge. The rally continues on Oct. 29 as well. For more information, contact Michael Jackson at mejacks30@earthlink.net. OCT. 29 TRADE DAYS 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Dayton Community Center 801 S. Cleveland St., Dayton The city of Dayton will host the 4th Annual Dayton Trade Days and the 4th annual ERKULD VW Car Show the last weekend of October. There will be free admission and free parking available. Park and ride will be offered by the Dayton MCJROTC. Funds benefit the Dayton Senior Center and Pregnancy Care Center. The Trade Days continues on Oct. 30 as well. OCT. 31 FALL FESTIVAL 6-8 p.m. Grace Community Baptist Church 8073 FM 1960, Dayton The festival will include games, food, hayrides, bounce house and fun. Everyone is welcome. OCT. 31 HISTORICAL SOCIETY 6 p.m. Parker Hall Located behind the Old School Museum in Dayton The speaker for the evening will be Bill Buchanan, owner of KSHN FM radio. He will be sharing his background in radio broadcasting and the story behind coming to Liberty and buying KPXE radio in 1977. The public is welcome to attend this free event. NOV. 3 TURKEY SALE Liberty Masonic Lodge Liberty, Texas Masons are selling delicious turkeys for your Thanksgiving dinner. These selected turkeys are brine-cured for 36 hours before they are smoked for eight hours. The deadline is Nov. 3. The turkeys will be ready in time for Thanksgiving dinner. All proceeds benefit student scholarships, building fund and local charitable donations. Call John Peebles at 936-336-0837 or Kemp Newman at 936-391-0774 to place an order. NOV. 8 BOOK SALE 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Jones Public Library 801 S. Cleveland St., Dayton The Friends of the Jones Public Library are hosting a book sale on Election Day. Thousands of books will be available at very reasonable prices. For more information, call 936-258-7060. NOV. 11 VETERANS DAY PROGRAM 7:30 a.m. Liberty High School gym 2615 Jefferson Dr., Liberty 936-336-6483 Liberty High School organizations, under the direction of Choir Director Christie Bean, are sponsoring a breakfast honoring veterans and their families in the Liberty community. Breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m. and a program will be presented at 8:30 a.m. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Houston Eye Contact Experiment Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Pops at the Park Show More Show Less 3 of 3 The Indian Film Festival of Houston Festival will showcase documentaries, shorts and feature films in the Brown Foundation Performing Arts Theater. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Theater Duck for President: Unhappy with the working conditions on Farmer Brown's farm, Duck campaigns to put himself in charge. Presented by Main Street Theater. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday; $20; MATCH, 3400 Main; 713-524-6706, mainstreettheater.com. De Kus (The Kiss): U.S. premiere of Ger Thijs' play about two troubled souls who meet. Presented by Stages Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday; $25-$45; 3201 Allen Parkway; 713-527-0123, stagestheatre.com. Remote Houston: The Alley Theatre hosts an audio tour through Houston. 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, through Nov. 18. $39; Evergreen Cemetery, 500 Altic; 713-220-5700; alleytheatre.org. A Midsummer Night's Dream: Four young lovers and a troupe of actors find themselves in the middle of a dispute between the King and Queen of the fairies. Presented by Alley Theatre. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, through Nov. 5; $26-$79; 615 Texas; 713-220-5700, alleytheatre.org. The Bear & The Proposal: Classical Theatre Company presents two plays that examine love among the landed aristocracy of Czarist Russia. 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Wednesday, 2 p.m. Sunday; $10-$25; 4617 Montrose; 713-963-9665, classicaltheatre.org. Little Shop of Horrors: A floral assistant stumbles across a new breed of plant. Presented by Stageworks. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday; $15-$26; 10760 Grant; 281-587-6100, stageworkshouston.org. Sherlock Holmes: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic story onstage. Presented by A.D. Players. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; Grace Theater 2710 W. Alabama; $12; 713-526-2721, adplayers.org. Wolf Hall Part Two: Part two of play based on Hilary Mantel's novel. Presented by Main Street Theater. Rice Village location, 2540 Times; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, through Dec. 18; $10-$45; 713-524-6706; mainstreettheater.com. The Judgement of Fools: A theatrical take on politics and social media, with audience interaction. Presented by Horse Head Theatre. 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday. 8 and 10 p.m. Saturday through Nov. 12; REC Room, 100 Jackson; $25-$45; horseheadtheatre.org. How to Success in Business Without Really Trying: Frank Loesser's beloved musical about 1960s office culture comes to Houston. Presented by Theatre Under The Stars. Hobby Center, 800 Bagby; $38.50-$106; 713-558-8887, tuts.com. This is Modern Art: Idris Goodwin and Kevin Coval's story about Chicago graffiti artists. Presented by the Landing Theatre. 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday; Landing Theatre at the Docks, 1119 Providence; Pay what you can, suggested ticket $25; 562-502-7469, landingtheatre.org. Dry Land: Ruby Rae Spiegel's new play tackling abortion. Presented by Mildred's Umbrella. 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, 8 p.m. Monday; Studio 101, 1824 Spring; $25; 832-463-0409, mildredsumbrella.com. The 80s (Mix Tape Diaries): Comedic tribute to music of the 1980s. Presented by the Music Box Theater. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2623 Colquitt; $27-$37; 713-522-7722, themusicboxtheater.com. Classical/Opera Musical and Literary Ofrenda: River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, Musiqa and others celebrate the Mexican holiday. 6 p.m. Tuesday; Lawndale Art Center, 4912 Main; free; 713-665-2700, rocohouston.org. Leonidas Kavakos: The Greek violinist performs with the Houston Symphony Orchestra. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday; Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana; $25-$131, 713-224-4240, houstonsymphony.org. Route 66: Houston Chamber Choir's tribute to the famed highway. 7:30 p.m. Saturday; Miller Outdoor Theatre, 6000 Hermann Park Drive; free; 713-224-5566; houstonchamberchoir.org. Elixir of Love: Houston Grand Opera stages a new production. 7 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, Nov. 4; Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas; $18-$240; 713-228-6737, houstongrandopera.org. Faust: Houston Grand Opera's production starring Michael Fabiano and Ana Maria Martinez. 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Oct. 30 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5, Nov. 8 and Nov. 11; Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas; $18-$338; 713-228-6737, houstongrandopera.org. Fractals: Da Camera presents the St. Lawrence String Quartet, returning with the Houston premiere of a John Adams quartet as well as masterpieces by Haydn and Beethoven. 7:30 p.m. Friday; Zilkha Hall, Hobby Center, 800 Bagby; $37.50-$67.50; 713-524-5050, dacamera.com. Dance The Aluminum Show: An ingenious, colorful show of dance theater that utilizes props recycled from industrial sites, telling the story of a young machine determined to reunite with its parents. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday; Miller Outdoor Theatre, 6000 Hermann Park Drive; 281-373-3386, milleroutdoortheatre.com. Free Dia de los Muertos: Flamenco Andaluz celebrates the Mexican holiday with storytelling, singing, dance and guitar. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; The Pilot, 5102 Navigation; $25; 713-385-9802. HOUSTON - Fort Bend County authorities say eight gang members have been arrested and charged with engaging in organized criminal activity, money laundering and the delivery of marijuana. The county sheriff's office said in a news release that the arrests stem from a joint investigation with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service targeting members of the Kream Clicc Gang for drug trafficking and money laundering. Sixty-six business owners whose properties are needed to make room for the widening of a 3-mile section of Texas 146 from Red Bluff south through Seabrook have a major decision to make relocate to keep their business open or close. For Vinny Schillaci, owner of sandwich shop Neptune Subs in Seabrook, the decision is a no-brainer. "We're moving," he said. "There is too much here to shut it down." Schillaci's restaurant is among 66 businesses that have been identified by the Texas Department of Transportation as property that will be eaten up by the highway widening project. Seabrook has the highest number of businesses, 60, impacted by the construction project. Neptune Subs is located at 1917 Bayport Boulevard and fronts Texas 146. When the restaurant opened in 1978, Schillaci said the location near the highway was good for business. Since then, years of population increases to the south of the city has resulted in daily gridlock for commuters. Schillaci said some of his customers don't want to go to his restaurant because highway traffic has made it difficult for them to get in and out of its parking lot. "They haven't learned where to park and how to turn around and back into the parking lot," he said. "It takes a little skill to eat here." According to city officials, every day an estimated 41,000 vehicles pass by Neptune Subs and the 59 other businesses with property in the city identified as needed for the highway widening project. On the east side of Texas 146, 35 companies have been noted for relocation. On the west side of the freeway, all 25 businesses are tagged for relocation. Businesses identified for right of way acquisition have already been notified by TxDOT. The state's transportation agency also has already begun the process of acquiring property. Texas 146 is a multilane, paved highway with a center turn lane or grassy median along the 3-mile project route. The project would restructure the road to a six- to 12-lane freeway, add access roads to some locations and add express lanes over Clear Creek. Construction could start summer 2018. Eighty-percent of the estimated $189 million project is being funded by the federal government. The state is covering the remaining 20 percent. Seabrook City Manager Gayle Cook said the expansion of Texas 146 is needed to alleviate the daily traffic congestion that creeps through the city. It also is necessary to provide safe passage for motorists during hurricane evacuations, she said. The highway is a designated hurricane evacuation corridor. Once the project is complete, the roadway's path through Seabrook will look similar to other parts of the state highway that run through the city of La Porte, Cook said. The crowded highway isn't only creating longer commute times for those trying to get to and from work. Cook said the traffic is making it hard for fire, police and emergency medical personnel get to the numerous accidents that occur on the highway. It requires special maneuvering to get through rush hour when any emergencies occur. Cook said that often means emergency services vehicles driving on the median to get around the traffic. Although business owners may be worried about relocating, Cook said they have time to find a new location since construction won't begin until August 2018. Plus, she said, the city of Seabrook wants to help businesses continue to operate within the city and is working with the Seabrook Economic Development Corp. to help business owners identify suitable property for relocation. Nearly all of the businesses in Seabrook that are impacted directly or indirectly by the widening project have indicated they want to reopen and stay in the city, said Paul Chavez, executive director of the Seabrook EDC. There are many reasons local businesses being forced out of their current locations would want to stay in Seabrook, he added. "The Seabrook trade area is good for business, they like the access to Texas 146 and NASA Parkway for customer traffic, the business owners and employees live in the Seabrook area, or they simply like being near the waterfront," Chavez said. TxDOT has a relocation reimbursement program that will help the business owners set up in a new location. Neptune Subs' owner, Schillaci, is working with a relocation counselor and although he has found a place he thinks will be a prime location for his business to move to, in the end, it is a gamble. "The site hasn't been approved by TxDOT yet, so I don't want to divulge the location," he said. "It is real close to 146, but not on 146. I hope it will be a good location. We will see, I guess." Schillaci also doesn't even want to start a move until the holiday season is over, possibly in March. "So far, I'm happy with the communication I've had with TxDOT," he said. "They really don't want me to go broke while getting into my new place. They will help me immensely." In addition to Neptune Subs, Auto Zone and CVS Pharmacy are among the businesses indicating a willingness to relocate within Seabrook, Chavez said. Although he said none of the business owners impacted by the project have shown they are unwilling to relocate within the city, the biggest concern many have is the ability to afford to move their operations. The TxDOT relocation program won't help everyone because many of the business owners are in locations where the rental rates are below market. That has made it difficult for business owners to scout out new leasing options. To help fix the problem, the city and the Seabrook Economic Development Corp. are hoping a plan to revitalize the city's Old Seabrook District will help. Part of a plan to boost economic development, Seabrook officials announced it would rename one of its streets "Main Street." Doing so allowed the city to apply for grants and other funding. The Old Seabrook District, Chavez said, could allow more options for lease spaces. Due to the highway project's planned August 2018 letting date, businesses could start closing and demolished sometime mid- to late next year. Chavez knows no one is going to be happy to see their lifelong business forced to move. "It has already been a difficult process to walk owner and tenants through thinking about this project as a necessity for the region," he said. "Looking at mobility from a regional perspective as opposed to a local level is very different. Good or bad, Seabrook is in the heart of growth and growth has required changes to the infrastructure." City officials also are expecting a loss of sales tax and property values due to the right of way acquisition. As a proactive measure, the city established the SH 146 Stabilization Fund to help minimize the financial loss. "It is expected that if no business were to remain or reopen, we could lose a combined revenue total of $800,000-plus," Chavez said. "Many years ago, they city recognized the need for an additional reserve for the uncertain loss and created a special fund of $800,000 in order to withdraw from while the anticipated rebuilding of businesses took place and not impact our residents and the property tax rate required to maintain consistent levels of service." Detailed maps of the three-mile section of the Texas 146 widening project can be found at www.txdot.gov. The city of Seabrook also has information about the project at www.seabrooktx.gov. We all have lifestyle needs and need money to fulfill them. However, we may not have cash on hand at all times. This is when This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A pair of Texas families are asking state investigators and the FBI to either help or take over the search for two missing women. Relatives of Typhenie Johnson and Taalibah Islam say police in Fort Worth aren't doing enough to find the women, who shared a common ex-boyfriend, Christopher Revill. Family members believe he was the last to see each woman alive. READ MORE: After 30 years and a suicide, Lori Ruff's real identity emerges The families made their call public on Monday to media outlets. "We still have no answers," Deborah Johnson, the mother of Typhenie Johnson, told the reporters. Typhenie went missing two weeks ago, while Taalibah Islam went missing in 2006. The two women did not know each other and the Johnson's family said they did not know about Revill's involvement with Islam until after the disappearance. Islam's sister Hadiyah said the relationship turned physically abusive. Her sister has never been found, and she believes police should look more closely at Revill. READ MORE: Missing person with special needs sought by police "If they would have listened to us 10 years ago, this would not be happening now," Hadiyah Islam told reporters. Fort Worth police searched around the Revill family home, but have since reduced resources. Officials say the search remains active, though in smaller areas as leads develop. The Johnson family has set up a GoFundMe account to help raise money for a reward in the case. A vehicle full of marijuana from Santa Anna, California heading to Houston was stopped east of Amarillo. A Texas Department of Public Safety highway patrol trooper found more than 50 pounds of marijuana inside a 2016 Buick Enclave when it was pulled over near Clarendon for a traffic violation. A canine unit was called to the scene, helping the trooper discover the marijuana in plastic wrapped packages inside large duffle bags. -- TODAY AT THE LEGE: Senators to take up cost of foster care fixes As Texas faces a foster care scandal with thousands of children locked in a system already declared unconstitutional by a federal judge, Senate budget writers on Wednesday are expected to grill officials in charge of the troubled system over skyrocketing costs and questions over how many additional children are being victimized. With the state budget already facing a multibillion-dollar shortfall over growing needs, the spiraling costs of a foster care fix are expected to come front and center. Current estimates show more than a half-billion dollars may be needed to get Texas' foster care system back on track. Adding to the pressure to resolve the current crisis of having too few places to house foster care children, or to investigate claims of abuse and neglect in a timely manner, special masters appointed by a federal court in Corpus Christi are slated next week to issue a report on the entire system, an action that some state officials fear could be a prelude to a federal court mandate to fix the problems, writes the Chronicles Mike Ward. -- Texas sees voter ID hiccups, per the Texas Tribunes Jim Malewitz. Amid Texans mad dash to polling places this week, the front end of 12 days of voting before Election Day, civil rights groups and some voters are questioning how some county election officials are portraying the states voter identification requirements, which a federal judge softened in August. Among the complaints in pockets of Texas: years-old posters inaccurately describing the rules more than a dozen instances in Bexar County and poll workers who were reluctant to tell voters that some could cast ballots without photo identification. -- TO NOTE Rep. Michael McCaul said this to the Tribunes Evan Smith yesterday: I think (Ted Cruz) spent a lot of time since Day One running for president. I think we deserve somebody in the Senate who is going to be representing the interests of the state of Texas." I do think after this election cycle that he has come home, that he realizes ... you have to mind the store back home, and I do think he has traveled the state in an effort to get that back on track, McCaul added. >> Business owners say trans bathroom law could cost millions, Houston Chronicle -- Whats Straus doing? When asked, his campaign said Speaker Straus has been the special invited guest for 33 Republican incumbents and 4 candidates in open seats, meaning he was featured on the invitations of those fundraising events and usually attended them. Over the last two years, hes spoken at three fundraisers for the Associated Republicans of Texas. He also did a fundraising call for them. ART right now is pouring money into House races. Straus also contributed $200,000 from his campaign to ART late last year. Straus is the national chairman of the Republican Legislative Campaign Committee, the only group working to elect Republicans to state legislatures across the nation. At last check, the RLCC had given $50,000 to the Associated Republicans of Texas. Straus contributed $15,000 to the Texas House Republican Caucus PAC to support GOP members. Hes also been busy writing checks to elect Republicans at home, giving $17,000 to the Republican Party of Bexar County over the last two years, writes Quorum Report Editor Scott Braddock. -- Read Dan Solomon in Texas Monthly on early voting numbers: But when were talking about voter turnout in Texas, the fact that a 15 percent increase feels modest speaks to how unprecedented the 2016 election is. Voter turnout in Texas has long lagged behind much of the U.S., a trend that continued right up until the primary election in March, when we came in forty-second among the states. Its still very early in the voting process, so its hard to read too much into what these numbers mean going forward for the overall turnout. But what weve seen thus far indicates that there could be a spike in overall civic engagement in the state. CAPITOL DAYBOOK Senate, 1 p.m. - Finance [E1.036] SPEED READ Gingrich to Megyn Kelly: Youre fascinated with sex, AP Dallas County sees a cluster of competitive House races, Texas Tribune State rep. at war with her niece, Express-News Tomlinson: AT&T-Time Warner merger anticipates a different media world, Houston Chronicle New phase for Dakota Access pipeline protest, AP 2 Austin police supervisors demoted over pepper spray review, Houston Chronicle Fearing Election Day trouble, some US schools cancel classes, AP Travis County sheriffs race focuses on sanctuary city status, KXAN No, #BallotSelfies are not allowed in Texas voting booths, KXAN Voter error flipped GOP ballot to Democrat in Tarrant, Fort Worth Star-Telegram Sex assault reports at Baylor nearly quadrupled in 2015, report says, Dallas Morning News RACE TO THE WHITE HOUSE -- SIREN: Donald Trumps campaign said Tuesday that it has scheduled no more big-money fundraising events to benefit the Republican Party, another sign of the GOP nominees struggling campaign and a serious blow to the partys get-out-the-vote operations with less than two weeks to go until Election Day. The consequences of halting major fundraisers will compound the challenges facing a candidate and a party already straining to match Democratic nominee Hillary Clintons much larger and better-financed operation. Unlike Clinton, who has an extensive turnout operation of her own, Trump and many other GOP candidates down the ballot are relying heavily on the Republican National Committee to bring voters to the polls. ( The Washington Post ) -- House GOP hopes bleeding has stopped as Dems expand map, by Politicos Rachel Bade and Theodoric Mayer: Yet while Democrats are expanding the election map and competing for more and more districts, they havent been able to put many races away. Vulnerable Republicans like Reps. Bob Dold of Illinois, Rod Blum of Iowa and Cresent Hardy of Nevada have put up ferocious fights, forcing Democrats to continue spending money in their districts and eating into the pot of cash Democrats are now trying to spread into far-flung, late-breaking House targets from southern Indiana to Montana. The result: a chaotic, outsize House landscape packed with seats that could tip either way on Election Day, depending on how still-high numbers of undecided voters break in the final 13 days of a fast-moving race. >> Poll: Trump leads by 2 in Florida, Politico -- Obama unleashed With Democrats confident in their presidential chances and gleeful in their attempts to tie down-ballot Republicans to Trump, Obama's barely constrained distaste for the opposition party has exploded in the fading days of the campaign. After eight years of attempting to preserve potential political alliances, if not actively fostering them, Obama is unloading now on a party he says was Trump long before the real estate mogul descended his escalator as a presidential contender, per CNNs Kevin Liptak. 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. 5 Braves land All-Lakes; 6 on All-Academic Cherokee finished atop the Lakes Conference volleyball standings this fall at 5-0 and claimed its first volleyball league title in... Raptors on to finals with win over Titans HOLSTEIN - The Class 2A #15-ranked Ridge View volleyball team hosted South Central Calhoun for the Class 2A Region 2... Warriors end season with win over Rebels SIOUX RAPIDS - The Alta-Aurelia football team traveled to face Sioux Central for their final game of the season and... Cherokee takes down Generals to finish season CHEROKEE - The Cherokee football team hosted Sibley-Ocheyedan on Friday and won 35-28 to finish out their season. The... At the height of the 1964 race between Arizonas junior senator, Barry Goldwater, and President Lyndon Johnson, the cover headline of Fact magazines SeptemberOctober issue practically screamed: 1,189 PSYCHIATRISTS SAY GOLDWATER IS PSYCHOLOGICALLY UNFIT TO BE PRESIDENT! Inside, every page was given over to the feature, titled The Unconscious of a Conservative: A Special Issue on the Mind of Barry Goldwater. Forgotten today, Fact even then was far from a major player on the journalistic scene. It had launched earlier that year and would survive just until 1967. Still, it enjoyed a status among the days progressive bien pensants far beyond what its limited circulation might suggest. Edited by the professions reigning provocateur, Ralph Ginzburg, its early issues had generated buzz with ahead-of-the-curve investigations of the tobacco and soft-drink industries, as well as American policy in Vietnam. The issues introduction set the tone for the 63 pages to follow. Ginzburg described Goldwater as the product of a sadistic childhood, a paranoiac with an obsessive preoccupation with firearms who compulsively must prove his daring and masculinity, adding that psychoanalysts who find a connection between sadism and an anal character will not be surprised that bathrooms seemed to fascinate Goldwater. The psychiatric evaluations that took up the next 40 pages were in response to a question that Fact sent to the nations psychiatrists from a list supplied by the American Medical Association: Do you believe Barry Goldwater is psychologically fit to serve as President of the United States? Ruth Adams of New York replied that she saw in the GOP candidate a strong identification with the authoritarianism of Hitler, if not identification with Hitler himself, and other responding psychiatrists echoed that theme. I believe Goldwater has the same pathological make-up as Hitler, Castro, Stalin and other known schizophrenic leaders, wrote Chester M. Johnson, Jr., of Long Beach, while Philadelphias Paul Fink observed that, like the Fuhrer, the Republican nominee appeals to the unconscious sadism and hostility in the average human being. G. Templeton, of Glen Cove, New York, warned that if Goldwater wins the Presidency, both you and I will be among the first into the concentration camps. That the entire exercise was ethically dubious was apparent at the time. As longtime Goldwater advisor Stephen Shadegg noted in disgust, Those who presumed to reach a medical and psychiatric conclusion about Goldwater without ever having seen him or followed any other of the normal procedures required in a patient-physician relationship betrayed themselves as men unfit to practice any profession. But the feature drew widespread attention via the media coverage that it generated and full-page ads in the nations leading dailiesGoldwaters people rightly wondered how a modest publication afforded their $100,000 costand it undeniably did real damage. Why did so transparent a hit job arouse so little indignation among Ginzburgs press colleagues? At the time, no sentient observer of the campaign would have had to ask. In your heart, you know hes right, ran the Goldwater slogan that fired up his legions of young supporters, but in progressive circles, there came the mocking rejoinder: In your guts, you know hes nuts. Ginzburg could not have played more precisely to the liberal view of conservatisms dark heart; just a month later would appear, to subsequent fame, Richard Hofstadters Harpers essay The Paranoid Style in American Politics, saying many of the same things more politely. Yet if conspiracy-obsessed zealots of the far Right often seemed to live in an alternate realityexemplified by John Birch Society founder Robert Welch calling Dwight Eisenhower a Red stoogeso did the innumerable liberals who imagined (as Hollywood several times put on film) that superpatriots were busily plotting military coups. With the Cold War at its hottest, the paranoia ran both ways, and liberals, too, saw in their foes a perfect model of malice, in Hofstadters phrase. Not only were conservatives wrong; they were moral primitives. There was not the slightest question about where the media stood. As journalist Rick Perlstein noted in Before the Storm, his book on the 1964 race, the fifty reporters bumping along in triple seats in the hindquarters of [Goldwaters Navaho-named campaign plane] Yia Bi Ken were educated, sophisticated professionals. And they didnt think all that differently about Goldwater than the psychiatrists. The media hostility toward Goldwater varied from outlet to outlet only in its degree of subtlety. It is no accident that four years later, when Goldwater was testifying in the libel suit that he would win against Fact, Ginzburgs lawyer professed bafflement that his client had been singled out. Why didnt you sue the New York Times? he asked. Why didnt you sue CBS? Any comparison of individuals and eras will be inexact, and in myriad waysbackground, life experience, demeanor, political philosophy, core valuesGoldwater and the current GOP nominee couldnt be less alike. For all the vitriol that came his way, no one ever accused Barry Goldwater of being a liar or otherwise lacking in honor; and his implacable conservative libertarianism was not only beyond question but the very reason so many despised and feared him. Still, in the midst of the 2016 presidential campaign, it is hard not to note the parallels with the Goldwater-Johnson race of 64. Like Donald Trump, Goldwater was a shoot-from-the-hip outsider who ran against two-party business-as-usual and what even then was referred to as the elites; who stunned pundits by dispatching his mainstream Republican opponents; and who found his defeated rivals claims of his manifest unfitness for high office taken up by his rival in the general election. In the midst of the 2016 presidential contest, it is hard not to note the parallels with the Goldwater-Johnson race. But the most striking echo of the Goldwater campaign is in a media that often functions as an adjunct to the Democratic campaign. Fifty-two years ago, such naked partisanship in the coverage of a national election was unprecedented, and many Goldwater supporters saw it as a violation of a public trust. That these days, such media behavior is nearly a given shows how much Americans expectations of journalists have changedwith enduring consequences both for the profession and for the nation. If Barry Goldwater was not quite as unlikely a nominee as Donald Trump, he, too, was an accidental candidate. He had never lusted for the presidency and, even as the nominee, was never entirely sure he wanted it. I have no plans for it. I have no staff for it, no program for it, no ambition for it, he told Time in early 1963, even as a small cadre of conservative operatives and industrialists came together in a Draft Goldwater movement. He let them proceed because he assumed that hed run against his old Senate colleague John F. Kennedy, whom he regarded as honorable. (For Barry Goldwater, as JFK memorably inscribed the portrait that photo buff Goldwater had taken of him, Whom I urge to follow the career for which he has shown such talentphotography!from his friendJohn Kennedy.) In fact, Goldwater hoped that he and JFK might travel the country together, engaging in a series of Lincoln-Douglas-style debates; though certain he wouldnt win, he relished the prospect of spreading the conservative creed. Kennedy also relished the possibility of facing off against Goldwater. People will start asking him questions, he presciently told his friend Ben Bradlee, and hes so damn quick on the trigger, hell answer them. And when he does, it will be all over. Instead, Goldwater had to face Lyndon B. Johnson, who, as hed write in his autobiography, would slap you on the back today and stab you in the back tomorrowand who, dripping sanctimony and wrapping himself in the political equivalent of his sainted predecessors bloodstained toga, was an even surer bet to win but ran an unremittingly vicious campaign, anyway. It was over even before it began, for Goldwater was effectively done in by the party establishment. His main rival for the nomination was New York governor Nelson Rockefeller, whod lost out to Richard Nixon in 1960. With his man-of-the-people touch and limitless funds for staff, advertising, and assorted sundriesthe day he announced, red roses were dispatched to every woman delegate to the previous GOP conventionRocky had seemed pre-anointed, until he made one of the great unforced blunders in political history. That in 1961 hed divorced his wife of 31 years and mother of his five children may have been a surmountable obstacle; after all, Adlai Stevenson had been divorced and twice nominated. But in May 1963, Rockefeller married 36-year-old Margaretta Happy Murphy, 18 years his junior and a looker, whose own divorce had just become final. Far worse, she surrendered custody of her four kids to her ex-husband. Pre-Happy, Gallup had Rockefeller leading Goldwater 43 percent to 26 percent. Suddenly, Goldwater led 40 to 29. Rockefeller, National Review publisher and earlier Goldwater supporter William Rusher drily observed, is the only candidate who has turned motherhood into a liability. Though his name was on the 1960 bestseller Conscience of a Conservative (actually authored by Brent Bozell), Goldwater was still something of an unknown nationally. But that was not necessarily a negative, since his supporters would have a chance to fill in the blanks. And, already, observed J. William Middendorf II, the investment banker who served as the Draft Goldwater Committee treasurer, a survey theyd commissioned had established that voters tended to view Goldwater as warm, candid, and a man of strong convictions and that he was not thought to be connected to the radical right. Nor, before he ran for president, was the attitude of the press notably different. Since coming to the Senate in 1953, Goldwater had always been great copy; deeply conservative, yes, but in a town where most ate, slept, and drank politics, a man of interesting parts. He was a student of Native American culture and language, an expert in aeronautics whod flown every plane extant, and not only a skilled amateur photographer but also a ham-radio obsessive, with unseen pals around the globe. His was an American story if ever there was one: grandson of an itinerant Jewish immigrant peddler who established Phoenixs premier department store, which young Barry brought to new heights of success before turning to politics. Reporters also couldnt help but like Goldwater personally. He was a mans mansaid what he thought, and cursed for emphasis. Even those who despised his ideas respected his keen sense of honor and love of country. Little wonder, as Perlstein remarks, that to peruse pre-1964 media profiles of Arizonas junior senator is to find eight or so years of his uninterrupted honeymoon with the press. But as generations of Republicans have learned, sometimes to their surprisesee Goldwaters Senate successor, John McCaincoverage changes according to need. Rockefeller made it easy. His reeling campaigns objective, his chief consultant Stuart Spencer said later, became to destroy Barry Goldwater as a member of the human race. To that end, they set up an unprecedented oppo-research operation, rummaging through every corner of Goldwaters past and, notes Perlstein, arranging for friendly reporters to record for transcription every word Goldwater said in public. Agents would shout embarrassing questions at Goldwater, then shove a microphone into his face. . . . Reportersand operatives in the guise of reportersstrode into Goldwater headquarters to beg advance copies of speeches or, if need be, steal one off a desk. In retrospect, Rockefeller might have saved his money, since Goldwater was a walking gaffe machine, producing fresh headline fodder almost daily. That he often claimed to have been taken out of contextand usually waswas beside the point. A year and a half after the trauma of the Cuban missile crisis, it was political suicide to suggest casually on national TV that one way to expose the Ho Chi Minh trail to American bombers might be defoliation by low-yield atomic weapons; or to point out that American forces in Europe might be cut by a third if senior NATO commanders were authorized to use tactical nukes in an emergency. As damaging as the emerging image of the trigger-happy cowboy were his public comments on Social Security. While he cast them as speculations on ways the future viability of the program might be guaranteed, they generated headlines like this one, in the Concord Monitor, in the run-up to the New Hampshire primary: GOLDWATER SETS GOALS: END SOCIAL SECURITY, HIT CASTRO. In brief, while Goldwater may have been his own worst enemy, the press gave him a serious run for his money. I wont say that the papers misquote me, he observed, but I sometimes wonder where Christianity would be today if some of these reporters had been Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Closing a substantive meeting with prospective voters, Goldwater noted that he was glad to have had the opportunity to find out whats on your mind, and for you to find out I have one. Needless to say, nothing else from the meeting was reported. Goldwaters supporters took the medias hostility personally. By the end of the campaign, reporters were routinely getting booed at events. So steady was the anti-Goldwater media drumbeat that, 15 years later, Goldwater made a point of singling out the one media heavy who publicly broke with the pack. Barry Goldwater is not my candidate, and I have done nothing to promote his Presidential ambitions, he quoted Detroit Free Press editor John S. Knight, but I do think the Arizona Senator is getting shabby treatment from most of the news media. Some of the television commentators discuss Goldwater with evident disdain and contempt. Editorial cartoonists portray him as belonging to the Neanderthal age, or as a relic of the 19th Century. It is the fashion of editorial writers to persuade themselves that Goldwaters followers are either kooks or Birchers. This simply is not so. The Goldwater movement represents a mass protest by conservative minded people against foreign aid, excessive welfare, high taxes, foreign policy and the concentration of power in the federal government. Goldwater and his followers were equally beyond the understanding of the Republican establishment. Even as the GOP convention opened in San Francisco, with the Arizonans nomination looming as inevitable, they were still plotting to replace him with a moderate savior: Pennsylvania governor William Scranton. From the start, Goldwater had been taken aback by the Republican vitriol directed his way. A loyal party man himself, hed often appeared on behalf of GOP moderates, eager for conservative support in tight races. Now, in San Francisco, he heard defeated rival Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge say that Goldwaters foreign policy would destroy everything we hope forincluding life itself; and also-ran Michigan governor George Romney urge the delegates to repudiate extremism of the right and the left. But the cruelest blow came from Scranton, whom Goldwater had served with in the Air Force Reserve, mentored politically, and was considering naming as his running mate. In an open letter challenging Goldwater to a debate on the partys direction, the Pennsylvania governor said that Goldwaterism has come to stand for nuclear irresponsibility . . . for being afraid to forthrightly condemn right-wing extremists . . . for refusing to stand for law and order in maintaining racial peace. Thus provoked, Goldwater threw whatever modest caution he might have exercised to the winds. He capped off an already-angry convention with an acceptance speech bearing one of the most damaging lines in American political history. I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice, he proclaimedhurling his tormentors favorite word in their collective faceand let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue. Watching, Theodore White famously exclaimed, My God, hes going to run as Barry Goldwater! In fact, the words were a paraphrase of Cicero, as updated by Claremont Mens College political theorist Harry Jaffa. But under the circumstances, they represented an upturned middle finger to Goldwaters enemies, including those in the press gallery. It seemed altogether fitting, then, that CBSs Daniel Schorr reported, before the convention was over, that the newly minted GOP candidate was planning a vacation in Bavariaas the start of a move to link up with his opposite numbers in Germany. What Goldwater actually did following the convention was nearly as self-destructive. He replaced a skilled campaign staff with a crew of Arizona amateurs who quickly sidelined not just the political pros but also such key supporters as William F. Buckley. Under their watch, rudimentary advance work would go undone and thank-you letters to donors would never get sent; state and local GOP organizations would wind up even more alienated than they already were. The replacement staff even attempted to squelch a televised address by Goldwaters most effective surrogate, fearing its plainspokenness. Only through the nominees last-minute intervention did Ronald Reagan get the green light to make the speech that not only raised millions but also launched his own meteoric rise, later enabling George Will to observe memorably that Goldwater lost 44 states but won the future. It was Goldwater himself who bore responsibility for another of the campaigns great blunders. Insisting that the campaign be about ideas and not personality, he adamantly refused to present himself as the likable and multifaceted human being that he was. He looked so forbiddingly grim in his own literature that he indeed seemed ready to launch World War III. Of course, in pushing such a narrative, the Democrats again could rely on the medias help. Ad man Tony Schwartzs anti-Goldwater daisy commercial, depicting an innocent little girl counting petals morphing into a nuclear countdown, may have been the most effective political spot ever devised; but whats largely forgotten is that it aired commercially only once because the Republicans immediately complained to the Fair Campaign Practices Commission. Its outsize impact was the result of its being ceaselessly replayed as news. Not that the media portrait of Goldwater that increasingly came into focus as the campaign proceeded was entirely one-dimensional. Goldwater was not only trigger-happy; he was also a bigotone of only 27 senators whod voted in June against the historic Civil Rights Act of 1964. As Walter Lippmann, the lordly dean of American punditry observed of his Senate vote, Goldwater would nullify if he could the central purpose of the Civil War amendments, and would take from the children of the emancipated slaves the protection of a national union. In that summer of 1964with the nation horrified by the massacre of three civil rights workers in Philadelphia, Mississippino issue was more starkly drawn than civil rights. It was the defining question of the era, and Goldwater would indeed come to regret his vote on the Civil Rights Actthough on moral, not political, grounds. For the political ramifications were obvious at the time. Having agonized over the issue, and deciding to vote nay based on his passionately held views on constitutional limits, he declared on the Senate floor: If my vote is misconstrued, let it be, and let me suffer the consequences. Rather than seeking to explain the nuances of Goldwaters position, the press engaged in calumny by association, continually badgering Goldwater, for instance, to disavow the KKK. Goldwaters long and honorable record on civil rights was ignored. An early member of the NAACP, he integrated his familys store in the 1930s, well before it was the norm in Phoenix or in most of the North. After the war, he did the same for the Arizona Air National Guard, which he founded; and on his arrival in the Senate, he desegregated the cafeteria. He had voted for every prior civil rights measure. Had anyone wished to report it, the contrast with Johnson in this regard could not have been more dramatic. As a Texas senator, LBJ never supported a piece of civil rights legislation, repeatedly voting against banning the poll tax and against making lynching a federal crime. As recently as four years earlierrunning simultaneously for vice president and reelection to the SenateLBJ had opposed civil rights in the Texas contest, even while supporting them nationally. We have lost the South for a generation, liberal admirers of LBJ like to quote him as saying on signing the landmark act on July 2, 1964though there is no record of his ever having said it. And the outcome of the presidential race four months later certainly confirmed that a historic realignment was under way. Four years earlier, Nixon had won 32 percent of the black vote; Goldwater got only 6 percent. Aside from his home state, Goldwater would carry only the five of the deepest South. Goldwater nevertheless went out of his way in the campaign to avoid stoking racial animosities, even as many on his side, and the other, did the opposite. Indeed, several days after Goldwaters nomination, the president was taken aback when the newly minted GOP candidate requested a private meeting on the racial situation. A police shooting of an unarmed black teen in New York had set off rioting in cities around the country; LBJ was certain that his opponent hoped to seize upon the events to embarrass him on law and order. Instead, Goldwater proposed that they take the issue of race off the table, in the interest of national unity. And with American troops engaged in combat, Goldwater similarly committed to avoid politicizing Vietnam. He followed through on this commitment the next month, when, after reports of an attack on Navy destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin by North Vietnamese PT-boats, Johnson sought unprecedented war-making powers. We cannot allow the American flag to be shot at anywhere on earth, affirmed Goldwater, if we are to retain our respect and prestige. Given his own sentiments on Vietnamthat we should fight to win or leavethat was an easy call. But the sentiment was by no means universal. Even before suspicions surfaced that the attacks might be a put-up job and pretext for expansion of the war, there was reason to view Johnsons Vietnam policy with skepticism. I am pleading that the American people be given the facts, said Oregons Wayne Morse at the time, before casting one of two Senate votes against the Tonkin Gulf Resolution. The world would learn that Johnson had been planning all along to expand the warafter the election. Goldwater proposed that they take the issue of race off the table, in the interest of national unity. Certainly, Lyndon Johnsons recordand characterinvited close inspection. As Robert Caros magisterial multivolume biography would make clear, no previous occupant of the Oval Office had profited more handsomely from his long years in public lifenor, until the Clintons, would any afterward. Temperament? Every novice Washington reporter had heard the tales of Johnson the vulgarian and bully, terrorizing aides and associates, as theyd also heard of his rages and bouts of depression. Years later, having had a vantage point far closer than Facts experts, LBJ aide Richard Goodwin wrote in the New York Times that he became so concerned about the presidents frequently irrational behavior that, on his own, he consulted a psychiatrist about his bosss mental health. Later, he learned that another aide, Bill Moyers, had independently consulted two others. All three doctors offered essentially the same opinion: that Johnsons behaviorif the laymans descriptions we provided were accurateseemed to correspond to a textbook case of paranoid disintegration, the eruption of long-suppressed irrationalities. And then there was Johnsons drinking. In his book Feeding Frenzy, political historian Larry Sabato quotes CBSs George Herman on watching with other reporters as a visibly wobbly LBJ slurred his way through a speech in Evansville, Indiana. When Herman asked a Secret Service agent if Johnson was drunk, he replied: If aged Scotch will make you drunk, hes drunk. Since, recalled Herman, the theme of that campaign against Goldwater was, in Lyndons inestimable words, Whose finger do you want to mash that button? he called to New York for direction. Their response: Oh, Christ, lets think about it, and well call you back, and that was twenty-five years ago and they havent called me back yet. For all the attention given to Goldwaters purported recklessness, the man actually wielding powerrecklessly, as it would turn outgot no such scrutiny. And under his leadership, the nation would so quickly be wracked by turmoil that four years later, it would be his partys convention playing out against a backdrop of warfare in the streets. Indeed, coverage of the president in the fall of 1964 was so uniformly positive, the LBJ in media accounts was almost indistinguishable from the man presented by his meticulously stage-managed campaign: a benign father figure, spreading ever more Great Society largesse across the land, even as he faced down his hard-hearted opponent, the would-be destroyer-of-worlds. PRESIDENT URGES POLITICAL VISION, ran a typical New York Times headline, over a story that began: President Johnson dedicated himself today to the politics of excellence, restraint and vision. The purpose of politics, he said, must be to make mans extinction improbable, and his fulfillment inevitable. On the same page, the Timess Goldwater story, ostensibly about the American Psychiatric Associations condemnation of the Fact feature, repeated Ginzburgs most damning claims. Goldwater tried to draw attention to the burgeoning scandal involving LBJs protege, Bobby Baker, so prolific a political fixer that he was a millionaire by 26 on a salary of $20,000. But the president saw to it that a would-be Senate investigation on Bakers bribery and influence-peddling was put off until after the election, and then permanently. In any case, the press had as little interest as the public. One scandalous occurrence might have moved the needle, or so Goldwaters increasingly desperate aides believed: the out-of-the-blue news, late in the campaign, that Walter Jenkins, Johnsons top aide, the man he called the vice president in charge of everything, had been arrested in a Washington, D.C., mens room on a morals chargeand, it soon emerged, it wasnt the first time. Since Jenkins was privy to a vast range of secrets, the thinking went, he would have been a prime target for blackmail. Knowing what he would do with such an opportunity, LBJ was shaken by the news and went into overdrive. Jenkins, reported to be suffering from exhaustion, was stashed away in a hospital, and, to reassure the public that thered been no security breach, the president tapped the safest possible figure to oversee the investigationJ. Edgar Hoover. He neednt have worried. Goldwater told his people that he wouldnt exploit Jenkinss personal tragedy for political gain, and stuck to the promise. Decades later, when this episode was largely forgotten, Goldwater, with a homosexual grandson, emerged as a campaigner for gay rights, and found himself lionized by many whod once loathed him. What they could not see was that his guiding principlesindividual liberty and small governmenthadnt changed since 1964. Theres no knowing if Goldwater would have made a good president. He once told John McCain that if hed been elected, you wouldnt have spent all those years in a Vietnamese prison camp. Youre right, countered McCain, it wouldve been a Chinese prison camp. Unquestionably, though, Goldwater was a terrible candidate; it isnt easy for a major party nominee to poll under 39 percent in a two-man race. Still, if the GOP and its candidate were 1964s most obvious losers, what Goldwater would recall as that season of untempered abuse, vindictive falsehood, desertion of civility also carried consequences for his tormentors in the media that continue to reverberate today. At least forty percent of the people, as GOP national chairman Dean Burch noted at the time, feel subconsciously or consciously that the press has jobbed Goldwater. It is a lesson about bias, double standards, and the slope of the playing field that millions of Americans have had no reason to forget ever since. Top Photo: A national magazines cover story, purporting to find Barry Goldwater psychologically unstable, undermined his presidential run. (TopFoto/The Image Works) The latest Labor Department financial disclosure from the American Federation of Teachers shows that in 201516 the teachers union spent $28,593,366 on political activities and lobbying. The money flowed almost exclusively leftward. In fact, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, AFT has given $76,446,797 to Democrats and liberals and just $363,000 to Republicans and conservatives since 1990. In other words, less than one half of 1 percent of the unions political spending goes to the Right (and, in those cases, the money is typically used to support the more left-leaning of two Republicans running against each other). Among the recipients of AFTs largess this year are the Democratic Governors Association; the radical Hispanic activist group, National Council of La Raza; and George Soross far-left Democracy Alliance. AFTs big brother, the National Education Association, isnt much more balanced in its political spending. About 3 percent of its political donations go to conservatives, though a 2005 internal NEA survey showed its members are slightly more conservative (50%) than liberal (43%) in political philosophy. There is little reason to think the AFT or any other union is much different in the political makeup of its rank and file. Mary Kay Henry, president of the Service Employees International Union, which serves both public and private employees, acknowledged this past January that 64 percent of our public members identify as conservative. Yet, going back to 1990, just one-half of one percent of the $234 million that SEIU spent on politics has gone rightward. Additionally, the AFT made contributions, gifts, and grants of $5,076,607 in 20152016. These gifts werent made to the Boy Scouts or the Little Sisters of the Poor. Almost 10 percent of the unions gifts went to the Clintons: $250,000 to both the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative. The AFT has given a total of $2.2 million over the last four years to the Clintons, and Hillary has dutifully fallen into line with her union benefactors. She once supported charter schools. No more. At Julys National Education Association convention, Clinton made the mistake of diverting from the union party line, saying, When schools get it right, whether they are traditional public schools or public charter schools, lets figure out whats working . . . and share it with schools across America. This didnt go over well with some of the union faithful, who booed. Realizing that she had strayed from union orthodoxy, Clinton made a course correction and railed against people pushing for-profit charter schools on our kids. We will never stand for that. That is not acceptable. Later, she asserted that, There is no time for finger pointing, or arguing over who cares about kids more. Its time to set one table and sit around it togetherall of usso we can work together to do whats best for Americas children. That table, Clinton promised, will always have a seat for educators. Two weeks later, at the American Federation of Teachers convention, she repeated her seat at the table promise. Are those seats really for educators? Hardly. The reserved VIP seating is for union bosses and their fellow travelers. Clintons policy advisors include Lily Eskelsen Garcia and Randi Weingarten, leaders of the two national teachers unions. They are joined by Carmel Martin and Catherine Brown, vice-presidents of the Center for American Progress, a leftist think tank financially supported by the teachers unions. Also present is education reformer Chris Edley, president of the Opportunity Institute, a California-based think tank whose board is a collection of Clinton cronies. And finally there is Richard Riley, who served as Bill Clintons education secretary and was the recipient of the NEAs Friend of Education Award, which is really a Friend of the NEA award. Clintons pandering to the teachers unions didnt please education reformers, including some on the left. A troubled Democrats for Education Reform president Shavar Jeffries lamented, Theres a lot of anxiety about the transition from this president to the next administration. Kevin Chavous, a Democrat and founding board member of the American Federation for Children, added, So far Clinton has largely been a representative of the interests of teachers unions and the status quo, which is in opposition to parents and students and will serve to be on the wrong side of history. Chavous is correct. Hillary Clinton has sold out to the teachers' unions. Schoolchildren are the biggest losers. Larry Sand, a retired teacher, is president of the California Teachers Empowerment Network and a contributor to City Journals book, The Beholden State: Californias Lost Promise and How to Recapture It. Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images Every spring a handpicked group of young journalists travels to Central Europe on a fellowship to look at how reporters and editors covered the Holocaust. The group first visits Berlin to examine the organizational and political roots of the Nazis Final Solution and then to Auschwitz to see the most infamous death camp where it was carried out. In past years, this exercise has sometimes seemed like a luxury, an add-on for some lucky young journalists. But this year, the fellowship is more important than ever, essential even. There is a demagogue running for president of the United States, and he, too, has sought to manipulate the media in his quest for the highest office in the land. It is no wonder that one of the most-read items on The New York Times website recently was a review by Michiko Kakutani of a book called Hitler: Ascent, 1889-1939 by Volker Ullrich. The headline wasnt subtle in its Trump allusions: In Hitler, an Ascent From Dunderhead to Demagogue. The notion behind the spring travel fellowship is that, with few exceptions, the journalists of Hitlers time missed the story of his rise and crimes, and that, by studying that era, young journalists can learn lessons that can be applied to todays issues, from the refugee crisis to police brutality to the rise of demagogues. What is interesting about the study of the World War II era journalists is that many dont fall neatly into one category or the other, hero or villain. The issues are complex: If you simply stay in the middle and chronicle the two sides of a story, are you doing your job as a journalist? Is the responsibility to take a stand for justice limited only to extraordinary times of genocide and demagoguery? And, perhaps most important, are we living in such a time today? I have led the program, called Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics, three times since the first trip in 2010 and have seen its impact on young journalists. Visiting places like the Reichstag in Berlin, where Hitler took power in 1933, and seeing the ruins of the gas chambers in Auschwitz leave an indelible impression. But one of the most effective features of the FASPE fellowship is a bit of research that each participant prepares before we leave for Europe. Each fellow is asked to undertake a study of a particular World War II era journalist. The fellows look at the journalists life and read his or her works. Each day on the trip, one of the fellows presents to the group on their assigned journalist. The profiles are particularly effective, said Thorin Tritter, the executive director of FASPE. Our fellows see all kinds of connections between the ethical issues they faced then and today. History will judge the scoundrels and the heroes of today, but there is little doubt that todays journalists are faced with reporting on distortions, lies and racist rhetoric. Sign up for CJR 's daily email The journalists range from villains like Julius Streicher, the editor of Der Sturmer who was hanged at Nuremberg, to heroes like Varian Fry, an American journalist who was so moved by what he saw that he put down his pen and rescued more than 2,000 Jews and anti-Nazis from Vichy France, to chroniclers like the photojournalist Margaret Bourke-White. History will judge the scoundrels and the heroes of today, but there is little doubt that todays journalists are faced with reporting on distortions, lies and racist rhetoric. Trump has railed against Muslims, African-Americans, Mexicans, women and the handicapped. In addition, the Anti-Defamation League accused his son, Donald J. Trump Jr., of trivializing the Holocaust with his comments about heating up the gas chamber, according to the Los Angeles Times. Politico pulled together several anti-Semitic notes from the Trump campaign and ran an article with the headline: In a Time of Trump, Millennial Jews Awaken to Anti-Semitism. The subhead: A new generation is experiencing an age-old hatred for the first time. The article chronicled everything from Trump Sr.s tweet of an image of Hillary Clinton with a six-pointed star and a pile of cash to comments attributed to Trumps campaign manager about whiny Jewish brats. And it told of the online hate speech aimed at Jewish journalists who are critical of the candidate or the campaign. As Jim Rutenberg noted in the Times, Jew has become an epithet. And just a few days ago the Anti-Defamation League released a major study that showed a year-long rise in anti-Semitic hate speech on Twitter directed at Jewish journalists, much of it linked to Trump supporters. I dont think these anti-Semitic references will be lost on next summers FASPE fellows. Until the program, most of them never get this close to examining the roots of the Holocaust and the life stories of the working journalists who covered that era. As we in journalism education race to keep up with rapidly changing technologies, we spend less and less time talking about journalism and history and even less time talking about ethics. FASPE fills these lacunae in journalism education. Telling the stories of the World War II-era journalists is a reminder of the responsibility we bear as journalists and the impact that our work and lives can have. It is also a reminder that we, too, will be judged by history. To paraphrase the popular safe-driving slogan in New York: Your choices behind the keyboard matter. That might be the most important lesson of all. *** Below is a partial list of World War II era journalists that FASPE fellows have profiled: Fritz Gerlich : A German newspaper editor, met Hitler three times and became actively opposed to his rule; killed in Dachau in 1934. : A German newspaper editor, met Hitler three times and became actively opposed to his rule; killed in Dachau in 1934. Ruth Gruber : An American photojournalist who held both government and news jobs. She photographed 1944 Holocaust refugees coming from Europe to the U.S. and became involved in their resettlement. : An American photojournalist who held both government and news jobs. She photographed 1944 Holocaust refugees coming from Europe to the U.S. and became involved in their resettlement. Ben Hecht: An American playwright best known among journalists for The Front Page. He was an ardent Zionist and wrote a article for the American Mercury in 1943, simultaneously abridged in Readers Digest, that may have been the first to note the 6 million figure of imperiled Jews. An American playwright best known among journalists for The Front Page. He was an ardent Zionist and wrote a article for the American Mercury in 1943, simultaneously abridged in Readers Digest, that may have been the first to note the 6 million figure of imperiled Jews. Noah Kliger: An influential Israeli journalist who covered the trial of Adolf Eichman in 1961. As a young man he was taken from his native France and held prisoner at Auschwitz. An influential Israeli journalist who covered the trial of Adolf Eichman in 1961. As a young man he was taken from his native France and held prisoner at Auschwitz. Edward R. Murrow: Before he achieved fame for his coverage of Senator Joseph McCarthy, Murrow was a CBS radio correspondent in Europe. He was the first reporter on the scene following the liberation of the Buchenwald concentration camp and vividly described the horror he found. Before he achieved fame for his coverage of Senator Joseph McCarthy, Murrow was a CBS radio correspondent in Europe. He was the first reporter on the scene following the liberation of the Buchenwald concentration camp and vividly described the horror he found. Louis Lochner: Bureau chief in Berlin for The Associated Press who was awarded the 1939 Pulitzer Prize for his reporting from Nazi Germany. When American entered the war in 1941, Lochner was interned by the Nazis and later released in a prisoner exchange. Bureau chief in Berlin for The Associated Press who was awarded the 1939 Pulitzer Prize for his reporting from Nazi Germany. When American entered the war in 1941, Lochner was interned by the Nazis and later released in a prisoner exchange. Oskar Rosenfeld: An Austrian-Jewish writer who was sent to Lodz ghetto in 1942 where he kept meticulous diaries of daily life. The diaries survived and have been published; Rosenfeld died at Auschwitz. An Austrian-Jewish writer who was sent to Lodz ghetto in 1942 where he kept meticulous diaries of daily life. The diaries survived and have been published; Rosenfeld died at Auschwitz. Jules Sauerwein: Correspondent for Paris Soir during the war who also served a stringer for the Times. Had a reputation among some as a Nazis sympathizer some of whom called his work propaganda. Correspondent for Paris Soir during the war who also served a stringer for the Times. Had a reputation among some as a Nazis sympathizer some of whom called his work propaganda. William Shirer: American journalist, worked for the Chicago Tribune before covering the war and then the Nuremberg Trials for CBS Radio; later wrote the seminal Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. American journalist, worked for the Chicago Tribune before covering the war and then the Nuremberg Trials for CBS Radio; later wrote the seminal Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. Dorothy Thompson: One of the first women correspondents in Europe, she interviewed Hitler in 1931 and was later expelled from Germany for her opposition to his rule. She wrote for the Saturday Evening Post and the New York Herald Tribune. One of the first women correspondents in Europe, she interviewed Hitler in 1931 and was later expelled from Germany for her opposition to his rule. She wrote for the Saturday Evening Post and the New York Herald Tribune. Arthur Hays Sulzberger: Publisher of the Times during the war and criticized by many for ambivalence over Holocaust coverage. Publisher of the Times during the war and criticized by many for ambivalence over Holocaust coverage. Arthur Szyk: A Polish native, who emigrated to U.S. in 1940, became famous for his anti-Nazi cartoons, partly as a means to draw attention to the Holocaust. At its inception, FASPE operated under the auspices of the Museum of Jewish HeritageA Living Memorial to the Holocaust, located in lower Manhattan. It is now in the process of separating from the museum to become an independent 501c (3) non-profit organization. FASPE is not a faith-based program and, in fact, only a small percentage of its fellows are Jewish. The program draws Christians, Jews, Muslim and Hindus as well as people who profess no faith at all. There were 63 fellows last summer in all five disciplines: journalism, law, medicine, business and clergy. The dates for this summers journalism trip are: May 21 to June 2. The application deadline is January 5, 2017, but get started early because transcripts and references are required. For more information and the application go to: https://www.faspe.info/apply.html. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Ari L. Goldman is a professor of journalism at Columbia and the author of four books, including The Search for God at Harvard and Being Jewish. On the evening of September 20, the website of computer security researcher and journalist Brian Krebs suffered a massive Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack that ultimately took his site offline. While DDoS attacks are common enough, experts at Akamai, the Web-caching company also relied on by major news organizations, acknowledged this one was different. Yes, the attack was almost twice as large as the largest Akamai had on record. But more notable were the machines used to execute it: Instead of relying on virus-infected computers, it was carried out by an extremely large collection of everyday devices, such as routers connected to the internet, often described as the Internet of Things. In a post about the attack several days later, Krebs noted that, while his case was a first, it seems likely that we can expect such monster attacks to soon become the new norm. For anyone who tried to access sites such as Twitter, Amazon, The New York Times, The Verge, and Github this past Friday, Krebss observation was prescient, to say the least. This time, however, the DDoS attackwhich paralyzes Web resources by demanding information faster than targeted computers can respondwas directed not at an individual website, but towards Dyn, a Domain Name Service (DNS) company. DNS functions something like the phone book of the internet, connecting users to the correct location when they type in a URL. So while an attack against a DNS provider doesnt actually compromise the websites affected, as far as users are concerned, those sites are effectively offline. This should matter to journalists, beyond the need to report the story, for two reasons. First, while the use of common household devices to execute the attacks against Krebs and Dyn was novel, the hackers got control of those devices using one of the oldest and easiest methods out there: bad passwords, a vulnerability most journalists share. The companies that make internet-connected deviceseverything from routers to refrigeratorsoften reuse the same username and password on every item they ship, and most consumers never change the defaults because doing so is rarely required to make the device function. The result is that millions of internet-connected machines can be commandeered and directed to do the hackers bidding, simply by going through a short list of common username and password combinations. But its not only manufacturers that reuse passwords; plenty of humans do it, too. Earlier this month, for example, BuzzFeeds site was briefly defaced in alleged retaliation for a story about hacking group OurMine. Though BuzzFeed hasnt commented publicly on how the attack was carried out, Wireds Lily Hay Newman notes the group that targeted them has been known to focus on reused passwords. As a leak of nearly 200,000 decrypted passwords stolen from Gawker Media illustrated several years ago, journalists are often guilty of usingand reusingpoor quality passwords (a tally by The Wall Street Journal found over 3,000 passwords that were 123456; nearly 2,000 were password). Since many of those passwords are the only thing standing between a hacker and a CMS, its clear how quickly a reused password can compromise a news organizations website, social media accounts, and credibility. Sign up for CJR 's daily email The second reason journalists should attend to these attacks is that strategic use of both DDoS attacks (for example, recent attacks on Newsweek and the BBC) and DNS manipulation are common tools for censorship. This is in part because they are cheap, easy (the software credited with Fridays attack was posted openly just a few weeks ago), and highly effective in preventing some or all internet users from accessing the content they target. Among the challenges for news organizations is how to continue to deliver news under such an attack. For example, while Akamai defended Krebss site (which it protects pro-bono) by absorbing and filtering out bad traffic requests for two days, doing so eventually became too expensive, and the site went offline. When you have the best-resourced companies being challenged, says Citizen Lab research associate Christopher Parsons, were at a point now where there isnt an effective defense. For new organizations, self hosting is becoming more and more challenging, Parsons points out. Companies like Google offer some protection through efforts like Project Shield, which helps filter out malicious traffic and keep websites active during DDoS attacks. But if youre moving your online operations behind some of these companies, Parsons pointed out, they may be blocked in China or elsewhere. Ultimately, news organizations will have to explore alternate ways to deliver their contentsuch as standalone distributions points or even physical delivery via USB or SD cardand get serious about security to maintain independence in the digital age. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Susan McGregor is Assistant Director of the Tow Center for Digital Journalism and Assistant Professor at Columbia School of Journalism. Xceedance Establishes London Office Xceedance, a global provider of property/casualty insurance technology, analytics and consulting services, has established an office in London to serve the European, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) market, according to a company announcement. Xceedance is a managed services company that partners with insurers, MGA/MGUs, reinsurers and brokers by providing them with analytics, technology and process engineering solutions to enrich their workflows, processes and strategic programs. Through the London office, Xceedance can deliver a comprehensive range of strategic and transformational services, enabling insurers to improve loss ratios, accelerate and increase profitability, gain real-time access to actionable business insights, and drive improved operational and financial performance. Justin Davies, a veteran of the London insurance market, will lead the newest international Xceedance office and act as head of the EMEA region. Davies has 25 years of experience in insurance and financial services, with a background in exposure management, catastrophe modelling, spatial analytics and geocoding. He joined Xceedance from Xuber where he was director of the Xposure business unit. Prior to Xuber, Davies spent more than five years at EQECAT, leading client facing strategy for the UK and Asia Pacific. He was also at Pitney Bowes for three years where he managed the UK and Ireland financial services sales team for spatial analytics product lines. The EMEA Xceedance office is located at Bury Court, 6 Bevis Marks, London, EC3A 7BA. Verisk Analytics Acquires Analyze Re Verisk Analytics, Inc., a N.J.-based data analytics provider, announced it has acquired Analyze Re, a software analytics provider for the reinsurance and insurance industries. Analyze Re will become part of AIR Worldwide (AIR), a Verisk Analytics business, and will enable AIR to provide its clients with additional real-time pricing, exposure management and enterprise portfolio roll-up capabilities. Allstate Announces New, Instant Claims Payment Method A debit card and e-mail address is all thats needed now for Allstate to pay claims in an instant. QuickCard Pay is the latest and fastest payment method in the Allstate ExpressPay network. Working with Mastercard to leverage its Mastercard Send platform, Allstate becomes the first U.S. Property & Casualty company to use the first-of-its-kind service. Allstate QuickCard Pay can reach virtually all U.S. debit card accounts including non-Mastercard debit cards. New Auto Insurer Launches in Greater Chicago Area Millions of Chicago residents have auto insurance, but 55 percent dont know they have an insurance score, much less that their auto insurance rates are most likely affected by that score. Say Insurance, an emerging online auto insurance provider and a division of Shelter General Insurance Company, launched throughout the Chicago metro area, offering an alternative, more transparent way of dealing with insurance and the rate process. Insurance companies calculate and utilize the score in different ways, but its rarely discussed or available to customers. Say Insurance discloses the score once you quote and makes it easy to understand how the score impacts its competitively-priced premiums. At sayinsurance.com, Chicago metro residents can easily get their free insurance score and premium quotewithout providing a vehicle VIN number or registering with a password. As part of a bigger package, Say Insurance quote and premium rates are calculated by evaluating: The insurance score from LexisNexis. A motor vehicle report. A Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) report to claims submitted. A personal risk profile based on specific characteristics such as age, gender, marital status, driving experience and household factors. Market expansion is planned for 2017. NORCAL Mutual Begins Offering Medical Professional Liability Insurance Coverage to Utah Physicians NORCAL Mutual Insurance Companys national expansion continues with the approval to offer physicians in Utah NORCALs medical professional liability insurance policy that includes extensive protection for cyber liability and data breaches. The addition of Utah extends the insurers national footprint to 31 states. The medical community in Utah has been served by its subsidiary Medicus Insurance Company since 2007. The transition to NORCAL Mutual will come with expanded services and additional benefits of being part of a national mutual carrier. AKRON, Ohio - Visitors to Akron Children's Hospital will now be able to travel back in time, virtually, via the hospital's new digital timeline. The interactive timeline on the hospital's third floor highlights historical hospital milestones from 1890 to present while also weaving in Akron history, medical milestones and pop-culture memories. The year-long project designed to replace the hospital's existing timeline was brought to life by representatives of several hospital departments and the Akron Children's Hospital Women's Board and Foundation. "We used the hospital's 125th anniversary in 2015 to bring our popular timeline up to date and in step with the digital world in which we now live," said Lin Gentile, vice president for support services and construction at Akron Children's Hospital, in a release. With a touch of the screen, visitors can enter a decade and learn about Akron Children's Hospital milestones, such as how it faced the polio epidemic, added clinical programs or expanded its campus and footprint throughout the region. These events are juxtaposed with significant Akron stories, medical discoveries and cultural touchstones, such as Raggedy Ann's debut and Superman's first appearance in a comic book. "From Petie the Pony's first visit to the hospital to our inaugural 'Have a Heart, Do Your Part' Radiothon,' Akron Children's Hospital milestones are moments to celebrate and share with our employees, patient families and visitors," said Gentile. "Our new timeline puts those at a finger's touch and into perspective with other events happening around that time in our city and beyond." The digital timeline - five, side-by-side 55-inch-wide flat screens - was manufactured by Zenith Systems of Cleveland. It joins the George Rhoads' "Incrediball Circus II," Franz Spohn's gumball mural, and "Celebrating Children's," a mosaic of 10,000 unique pieces of artwork made by friends of the hospital, as signature pieces of art that have become uniquely associated with a visit to Akron Children's Hospital. CLEVELAND, Ohio - The man who killed a 15-year-old boy at a Cleveland Heights Mr. Hero sandwich shop two weeks ago pleaded guilty as charged Wednesday and will be sentenced to prison Friday. Daveion Perry, 20, appeared before Cuyahoga Common Pleas Judge Robert McClelland this morning to plead guilty to an aggravated murder indictment. The rare arraignment plea, which came before any pretrial conferences were held, means Perry could face life in prison for fatally shooting 15-year-old Sunny Ravi Patel the night of Oct. 14. Perry was arrested two days later after robbing a Lee Road Dollar General and attempting to evade Cleveland Heights police while brandishing a handgun. Patel, a Mayfield High School sophomore, was helping out at the South Taylor Road sandwich shop his family owned. Perry burst in around 8 p.m. attempting to rob the store. The following day he robbed a University Heights Subway restaurant of about $300. A Cuyahoga County grand jury indicted Perry Friday on charges of aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, kidnapping, obstructing official business and tampering with evidence. He also pleaded guilty to a three-year firearm specifications on the robbery, murder and kidnapping charges, which will increase the amount of time until he is eligible for parole. Perry was scheduled to be arraigned Nov. 4, but entered his guilty plea in court Wednesday morning alongside Attorney Charles Swanson. This is a breaking news story and will be updated as new information becomes available. If you'd like to comment on this story, please visit Wednesday's crime and courts comment section. Federal courthouse cleveland A federal judge on Tuesday sentenced four men to prison for their roles in a $10 million investment scheme. (Plain Dealer file photo) CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Four men found guilty in May for concocting a $10 million scheme to sell unregistered securities were sentenced Tuesday to prison. Kenneth Jackson, 60, of Glenmont was sentenced to 15 years, eight months in prison. William Schureck, 81, of Lexington was sentenced to nine years in prison. Dennis Deciancio, 73, of Macedonia was sentenced to nearly six years in prison. Dane Daryl Donohue, 67, of Mansfield was sentenced to nearly four years in prison. The four were affiliated with a research and development company named Medical Safety Solutions which claimed to make a hypodermic needle destruction device they called the "Sharps Terminator." The device was never made, and more than 500 investors lost money. A jury in May found the quartet guilty of various charges, including conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud, securities fraud, money laundering and making false statements. U.S. District Judge Patricia Gaughan handed down the sentences. Jackson and Schureck filed a provisional patent application for the product in April 2007. However, they did not submit an official application for one until September 2011 or a pre-market approval application until October 2012, according to the FBI. During that time, they sold investors private shares of stock in their company. The shares were not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The men also lied to the investors about the Sharps Terminator by saying approval from the Food and Drug Administration was imminent and that it was ready for mass production, authorities said. Jackson and Schureck used investor money to cover other expenses, including other failed business ventures. Jackson gambled more than $3.3 million at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort in West Virginia between 2009 and 2013, the FBI said. Jackson has a previous conviction for his role in a $13 million Ponzi scheme. He was in prison between 1992 and 1999. If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Wednesday's crime and courts comments section. metrohealth.jpg Four dentists are accused of defrauding MetroHealth through an intertwined series of bribery and kickback schemes. (Plain Dealer file photo) Edward Hills CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The schemes described in a federal indictment against former MetroHealth executive Edward Hills and three former hospital dentists undertook were complex, intertwined and lasted for years. They also involved about $250,000, much of which was taxpayer money. Meanwhile, Hills was being paid increasingly larger six-figure salaries for his work at the hospital system. The U.S. Attorney's Office laid out its accusations in a 93-page indictment unsealed Tuesday, following the arrest of Hills and dentists Sari Alqsous, Yazan Al-Madani and Tariq Sayegh. The charges say the men steered MetroHealth clients and resources toward their private businesses and forced prospective residents to pay them bribes in exchange for preferential treatment. All four entered not-guilty pleas at their arraignments. The case is the culmination of an investigation that lasted more than two years and was headed by the FBI and IRS. It involves a series of cooperating witnesses. Federal prosecutors have not said whether others will face charges. Below you will find the breakdowns of the schemes in which Hills, Alqsous, Al-Madani and Sayegh are accused. All of the information is either based on the indictment or was verified through interviews and records. Benefits to Hills and the dentists Beginning in 2009, Alqsous, Al-Madani and others gave Hills bribes. They referred to the illegal payments as "thing," "something," "fundraisers" or "presents" and would try to tie them to Hills' birthday or the holiday season, the indictment says. Talk of bribes would often come while Hills, Alqsous and Al-Madani texted each other about making plans to go to upscale restaurants or, on at least one occasion, a strip club in Bedford, the indictment says. In a series of messages, the indictment shows that Alqsous would text Hills and tell him that "got a little something for u" or "I told the guys about the fundraising ..." The indictment says that after certain text exchanges, money would be deposited into Hills' bank account. In one text message, Alqsous tells Al-Madani and another dentist that "With 22nd of October approaching we ll be celebrating Dr hills bday earlier this year...1000 dollars each that is the gift from the 3 sons their father," the indictment says. Hills also accepted use of an apartment at Landmark Perry Payne in Cleveland's Warehouse District. Alqsous rented the apartment and allowed Hills to use it with a woman with whom he had a relationship. Alqsous even purchased furniture after Hills made a request, according to the indictment. He stated in a 2013 text to Hills that "I bought your bedroom yesterday ... there is mirrors everywhere ... you will like it," the indictment says. He also accepted airplane tickets for he and the woman, as well as prescriptions from Alqsous, according to the indictment. When Hills took over as interim CEO of the hospital, he told Alqsous, Al-Madani and others that he wanted a Louis Vuitton briefcase because his predecessor had a similar briefcase. The dentists bought him one at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beachwood for $3,879, according to the indictment. Subordinates also bought him a $3,000 55-inch LED television from Best Buy for Christmas in December 2013, court documents say. They also purchased an Apple laptop for Hills' female friend. In exchange for all of this, Alqsous, Al-Madani and others received more than $92,000 in extra bonuses from MetroHealth. Hills also let Alqsous and Al-Madani work part-time hours but remain as full-time hospital employees, the indictment says. Free labor from dental residents In 2009, an unnamed person, labeled in the indictment as a cooperating witness, reached out to Hills to see if the executive could help provide dentists for Noble Dental Clinic in East Cleveland, which he owned at the time and later turned over to Alqsous and Al-Madani, prosecutors say. Hills and the person agreed that several MetroHealth dental residents, including Alqsous and Al-Madani, would practice at the clinic on a part-time basis. He told the dentist to pay him and his company Oral Health Enrichment the wages owed to Alqsous and Al-Madani instead of paying them directly, according to the indictment. Alqsous and Al-Madani were not licensed to practice at a private firm, and were using MetroHealth's malpractice insurance. Hills also sent later dentists to work at Noble and Buckeye Family Dental, another office operated by Alqsous and Al-Madani, the indictment shows. Bribes from prospective dental residents Alqsous, Sayegh and Al-Madani served as attending dentists at MetroHealth between 2008 and 2014. With that title came influence on who was admitted into the hospital system's resident program, according to the indictment. The three served on panels interviewing potential residents and selected candidates who were from Jordan or trained at a Jordanian dental school in order to obtain bribes. Alqsous and Sayegh told potential residents that they would have to pay a "donation" to MetroHealth in order to receive favorable consideration. They then told the candidates to pay them directly, according to the indictment. The trio sometimes touted their access to Hills to show they had power. Alqsous and Sayegh sometimes said some of the money would go to Hills. If a candidate did not give them bribes, and they were still hired, Alqsous tried to make them work extra hours, weekends without pay or tried to fire them altogether, according to the indictment. The bribes totaled at least $75,000, prosecutors said. Oral Health Enrichment In 2009, as Hills was at the end of his tenure on the Ohio State Dental Board, he prepared to open Oral Health Enrichment, a Woodmere company that specialized in remedial training for dentists found to have committed wrongdoing. He used his connections in Ohio, Kentucky and Texas to find clients and operated it using MetroHealth resources, the indictment states. He offered to pay "referral fees" for dental board employees who sent clients to his company, according to the indictment. On January 27, 2009, he and a woman referred to as "Public Employee 1" added Oral Health Enrichment to the list of providers for remedial training in Ohio. "Public Employee 1" is believed to be Lili Reitz, the former executive director of the dental board. She has not been criminally charged. Dental care to an attorney In July 2009, the Deer Island of Walden Condominium Association in Aurora, where Hills lived, filed a foreclosure lawsuit against Edward Hills and his wife, Carla Hills, for failing to pay association fees. Hills hired an attorney whom he had also seen as a patient. The indictment does not name the attorney, but Portage County court records show that Anthony Jordan, a former Cleveland city prosecutor and candidate for Cleveland Municipal Court judge in 2015, represented Hills in the lawsuit. Before and after the lawsuit was filed, Hills and other ordered crowns, veneers and implants for the attorney. A witness, labeled in the indictment as a cooperating witness, created a treatment plan for the attorney. Hills told the dentist to claim that the treatment for the attorney was "educational" so the attorney would not have to pay for it, court records say. The attorney received surgical dental implants on Sept. 21, 2009. This treatment continued through April 2011, as he received implants, crowns and other services from the unnamed dentist, as well as Alqsous and other dentists, the indictment says. MetroHealth did not get paid for the dental work, and Hills told the attorney to pay him directly, according to court records. The hospital system lost $24,000 as a result. Jordan did not return a phone call Tuesday seeking comment. Kickbacks for Medicaid patients Hills, Al-Madani, Alqsous and others devised a scheme to solicit kickbacks for referring Medicaid recipients to Alqsous and Al-Madani's private dental offices, prosecutors said. Specifically, Alqsous and Al-Madani paid Hills more than $1,000 on several occasions to obtain the patients. On bank accounts they referred to the money as "consultation fees" or "profession fees," the indictment says. According to prosecutors, Hills received more than $17,600 in kickbacks. When the MetroHealth and the FBI began investigating, the defendants referred to the payments as "repayments on loans," even though no known loans existed, according to the indictment. Trying to obstruct justice In May 2014, Hills became aware of the federal criminal investigation. He, Alqsous, Al-Madani and others then worked to hide information from the FBI, IRS and the grand jury, prosecutors said. The trio told people to not cooperate with law enforcement, the indictment says. Al-Madani told one dentist that they should not discuss the bribery conduct with the FBI or else they could be deported, court records say. Hills told Alqsous, Al-Madani and another dentist to tell the FBI that the television and other items he received were gifts. He said to say he initially refused to accept the TV but that they insisted because of their "Middle Eastern culture," according to the indictment. Hills, in a conversation with Alqsous, Al-Madani and a dentist who cooperated with prosecutors, said that "the s--- we got ourselves in this year is because motherf------ running they mouth snitching ...", the indictment says. According to the indictment, he told them to stick together. This story has been updated to clarify what prosecutors say is the extent of Sayegh's involvement. If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Wednesday's crime and courts comments section. Voting in Cuyahoga County Voters fill out their ballots earlier this month at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. (Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer) New voter registrations make up a larger share of all voters in the counties shaded in dark green. The map shows the percent of 2016 registrations among all registered voters for each county. CLEVELAND, Ohio - Ohio counties where Donald Trump ran strongest in the March primary are among the weakest in new voter registrations this year. Many factors could be involved, such as population changes, or how often people in those places move. But lagging new voter registration in key Trump country in eastern and southern Ohio could raise questions about a theory that Trump's campaign has excited people to come out to vote for the first time in years. If he is going to attract new voters for the Republican Party, the data suggest they will more likely be former Democratic voters or independents rather than those new to the election process. analyzed voter registration data from the Secretary of State and matched it to March primary results, finding that: In the 32 counties where Trump defeated Ohio Gov. John Kasich, 113,968 voters registered this year by the Oct. 11 deadline. They make up 9 percent of the potential electorate in those counties. In the other 56 counties, 839,907 voters registered this year, making up 13 percent of all registered voters in those places. Though Donald Trump lost the 2016 Ohio Republican Primary to Gov. John Kasich, Trump won the 32 counties shown in red on this map. Athens County, home to Ohio University and a place where Bernie Sanders ran the strongest in the Democratic Primary, leads with 22.8 percent newly registered voters this year. Key to Hillary Clinton's campaign will be both getting Sanders supporters to the polls and to vote for her this fall. Close behind is Cuyahoga County, where the 201,269 voters registered this year make up 22.6 percent of all registered voters. It is key Democratic territory. Four years ago, Barack Obama won bigger in Cuyahoga than any other county in Ohio. Joshua Eck, spokesman for the Secretary of State, said newly registered voters likely fall into two groups - people registering for the first time, or people who have moved into a county from either elsewhere in Ohio or out of state. This is why places where large shares of the population are college students, such as Athens County with Ohio University and Wood County with Bowling Green State University, tend to have higher numbers of fresh registrations. Eck said it is also possible that some people moving within a county mistakenly show up in the records as newly registered voters. Rich Exner, data analysis editor for cleveland.com, writes about numbers on a variety of topics. Follow on Twitter @RichExner or see previous stories at cleveland.com/datacentral. Eastern and southern Ohio battlefield for Cinton and Trump CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A well-liked bartender was shot and killed late Monday during an armed robbery on the West Side neighborhood bar where she worked. Melissa Brinker, 44, was remembered Wednesday by co-workers and bar patrons at the Cooley Lounge on West 130th Street as an upbeat server who always had a kind word for everyone who walked into the bar. "She was the sweetest girl," former co-worker James English said. "She was a great employee. This has left a lot of people scared to death." Brinker was working when four men walked into the bar about 11:30 p.m. The group ordered Hennessy and drank, bar owner Robert Gish said. Two men in the group pulled out guns and ordered Brinker and five others in the bar to the ground. Gish said Brinker told the robbers they could take whatever they wanted. The group took about $570 from the bar and stole wallets from four patrons, Gish said. The patrons were between the ages of 40 and 70, police said. They were unharmed. Police said Brinker ran to a back office and locked the door. The robbers followed her, kicked in the door and shot her in the back office. Gish said he believes that the robbers forced her to the back office in order to steal more money. A 38-year-old woman, who was Brinker's friend and was at the bar to give her a ride home when her shift ended, tried to call 911, according to Gish and police. The robbers pistol-whipped her in the face several times. Both women were taken to MetroHealth Medical Center. Brinker died at the hospital, police said. The other woman was treated and released, Gish said. Brinker's death is the 103rd homicide in Cleveland for 2016. The number puts Cleveland on pace to eclipse the 120 homicides in 2015. Gish said he believes one of the robbers cased the bar on Sunday night. He said he the man bought a bag of chips and stood in the back of the bar looking around, then left. Gish said he's confident that his surveillance cameras caught the robbers' faces. One of his cameras is pointed directly at a side door to the bar where the men walked in. He gave the video to detectives to review, he said. He also said police took the glasses the robbers used. Co-workers said Brinker worked at the bar for about two years after working at a few other neighborhood bars. Michele Diaz, who worked with Brinker at a different neighborhood bar, said Brinker was beloved by customers. "Her smile was just amazing," Diaz said. "She was always so happy and outgoing." Brinker's aunt, Sherrie Miller, said Brinker grew up in Ashland, graduated from Ashland High School and worked as a bartender since, but never drank. "She never touched the stuff," Miller said. "She was a pot-head. That was a big part of her life actually. We were just planning a trip to Colorado." Miller described Brinker as constantly happy. She loved Marilyn Monroe and her three dogs, including a pit bull that she recently rescued after finding him homeless near railroad tracks. Brinker leaves behind two sisters, a mother and father, several stepbrothers and a large extended family, Miller said. Miller said she had dinner with Brinker and Brinker's boyfriend of eight years last week. She said Brinker talked about the dangers of working the late shift at a bar. "She said if anything ever happened, she'd tell the robbers to just take everything," Miller said. "She said she'd even offer to empty her pockets and let them take whatever, as long as they didn't shoot her." If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Tuesday's crime and courts comments section. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Officials on Wednesday identified a man that was shot dead on a sidewalk in the city's Hough neighborhood. Christopher Bishop, 20, was killed about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 9200 block of Wade Park Boulevard. Bishop and another man got into a fight outside a home. The man pulled out a gun and shot Bishop in the chest, police said. The shooter ran away and remains at large. The shooting was Cleveland's 106th homicide of the year, according to an unofficial tally. There have been at least 15 in October. If you'd like to comment on this story, please visit Wednesday's crime and courts comment section. xavieruniversity.jpg Xavier University officials are denouncing racist images on campus. (Xavier University) CINCINNATI, Ohio - Racist images, including a woman in blackface, at Xavier University are being denounced by students and administrators. The images, posted Tuesday on Facebook, drew immediate response. @FOX19 Blatant racism at #XavierUniversity black face and a skeleton dressed in a dashiki with a noose around its neck!! Please share pic.twitter.com/2CjhdtVyl2 Erica Smith (@urekaxoxo) October 25, 2016 The photo of the woman includes the phrase "Who needs white when black lives matter." The other shows what appears to be an African garment over a skeleton next to a banner supporting presidential candidate Donald Trump. The Rev. Michael J. Graham, president of the private university, posted a statement on Twitter. He wrote, "I am outraged and deeply troubled by recent racist images connected to Xavier students. Racist actions are unacceptable on our campus, and we have mechanisms to respond in a responsible and thoughtful manner. When one of us falls short, we all fall short. "Many of our students, of all races, are in pain of this." Members of Xavier's Black Student Association told Fox19 News they hope to educate students on what happened. "Some people don't even know what it is and why its offensive, so that's one of the issues we want to tackle," said Kaelan Doolan. California National Guard Enlistment Bonus Nearly 10,000 California National Guard soldiers have been ordered to repay huge enlistment bonuses a decade after signing up to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Paul Sakuma, Associated Press file photo) WASHINGTON -- Members of Congress in both parties vowed Tuesday to halt Pentagon efforts to force nearly 10,000 former California National Guard soldiers to repay bonuses they received in a deceptive scheme to get them to re-enlist for combat duty a decade ago. More than $15 million in bonuses were paid fraudulently or mistakenly by state National Guard recruiters under pressure to meet recruitment goals during the height of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Enticed by a promise they could earn $15,000 or more, thousands of California National Guard members accepted. But the bonuses they received were given illegally or, in some cases, handed out mistakenly, according to a Los Angeles Times report over the weekend. Now demands by the Pentagon that the soldiers return the money after all this time is being met by bipartisan outrage in Congress. ''There are people who have served tours of duty in combat zones being asked to repay this money,'' said Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, a Vietnam War veteran. ''It's one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard of in my life.'' California's two most powerful congressional leaders, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, promised to fix the problem when Congress returns after the Nov. 8 election. California Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, both Democrats, are also urging action. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., on Tuesday demanded that the Pentagon ''immediately suspend efforts to recover these over payments,'' and promised legislation ''to protect service members from lifelong liability'' for Defense Department mistakes. There was nearly universal agreement in Congress that any money already repaid to the government by innocent service members would be returned and that the problem extends to other states as well. The National Guard reportedly offered the re-enlistment enticements during 2005 and 2006 when the Pentagon relied heavily on the service to supply troops for two unpopular wars. An audit later showed that 9,700 California National Guard members, many who had served multiple tours of duty, were not entitled to the payments or their paperwork was never completed, according to the Times report. The Pentagon has claimed it has no recourse but to demand repayment from the enlistees, but Rep. Mark Takano of Riverside, the top Democrat on the Veterans Affairs Committee, said Tuesday that Congress will make sure the money does not have to be repaid. Those who have repaid their bonuses have had to mortgage their homes to do so, he said. Congress has known about the problem for two years, but legislation by Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Turlock (Stanislaus County) to address it was rejected by GOP leaders for lack of offsetting budget cuts. Under a budget austerity regime in the House, any additional spending has to be offset by tax increases or budget cuts. ''Part of the problem,'' Takano said, ''was that the Congressional Budget Office said any remedy would require new spending, even though the money was already paid to the soldiers. ''I am mystified as to why it would be regarded as new spending. Ultimately Congress will find a way because there is bipartisan consensus that this needs to be solved.'' Both Republicans and Democrats pinned blame for the fiasco on the California National Guard, which they accused of underplaying the scope and urgency of the problem when it submitted its budget request two years ago. A request from the Guard for remedial funds was buried in a list of budget priorities, lawmakers said. Guard officials, in turn, have blamed Congress for neglecting to act. Andreas Mueller, the Califoornia National Guard's federal policy chief, told members of the state's delegation in a letter Monday that they had been alerted to the problem in 2014. Documents obtained by The Chronicle, however, show that the Guard highlighted other budget priorities at the time for such things as equipment and firefighting funds. Rep. Jackie Speier, D-San Mateo, said the Guard made a request in 2014, but ''buried (it) in a slew of requests'' on the annual defense bill, and made no requests after that. But, she added, ''There's no point in pointing fingers here. It's high enough on everyone's radar now that we know we have to address it,'' she said. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Contra Costa, said the additional spending, supposedly targeted at combat soldiers and special forces at high risk, should have raised red flags when the bonuses were paid out a decade ago. He called for House Oversight Committee to investigate, along with the Armed Services Committee, which has primary jurisdiction. According to the Times, reports of fraudulent claims led to a federal investigation in 2010. The California Guard's incentive manager, Army Master Sgt. Toni Jaffe, pleaded guilty in 2011 to filing $15.2 million in fraudulent claims and was sentenced to more than two years in prison. Three other officers who pleaded guilty to fraud were put on probation. Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Creek, who sits on Armed Services, has introduced legislation to stop the forced reimbursements and said it could be easily added to the pending defense bill and ''signed before Christmas'' by President Obama. Kennedy and Wood.jpg Anthony J. Kennedy and Seth Wood (North Olmsted police) NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio -- One of the men charged in a North Olmsted killing carried on a six-year relationship with the man whose body was found wrapped in a tarp beneath a Cleveland bridge, investigators said. James E. Cashin, 65, died of blunt-force trauma to his head and neck at his house in North Olmsted approximately two months before a woman found his body Saturday under the West 25th Street Bridge near the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, investigators said Wednesday at a press conference at North Olmsted City Hall. North Olmsted residents Anthony J. Kennedy, 29, and Seth Wood, 22, are charged with aggravated murder in Cashin's death. Judge Donna Congeni Fitzsimmons set bond at $1.5 million during their appearances Wednesday in Rocky River Municipal Court. She continued their arraignments to Nov. 1 to allow them time to retain attorneys. Cashin lived with Kennedy and had been in a relationship with him for at least six years, North Olmsted Sgt. Bob Wagner said at the press conference. Investigators have searched Cashin's house on Kennedy Ridge Road but have not recovered a weapon connected to his death, Wagner said. A woman picking wild mushrooms found Cashin's body Saturday afternoon under the West 25th Street Bridge near Wildlife Way. That location is not on zoo property. Cashin had not been reported missing before the North Olmsted Police Department learned of his death. But investigators now believe he died sometime in late August, Wagner said. Officers checked Cashin's house on Saturday and stopped a car as it left the home. Kennedy and Wood were inside the car and were taken to the police department for questioning, Wagner said. Wagner did not offer any details of the subsequent investigation that resulted in the aggravated murder charges. North Olmsted officers had been to the house at least twice before. Last year, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force searched the house but that did not result in criminal charges, Wagner said. The task force received an online tip of possible child pornography activity at the house but did not find any evidence of child exploitation, a spokesman for the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office said. On Sept. 24, a neighbor requested a welfare check because she had not seen Cashin in weeks. Kennedy and Wood told an officer that Cashin had gone to North Carolina. Cashin's relative confirmed that, Wagner said. Cashin retired in 2004 after spending 30 years as a polygraph examiner for the Cuyahoga County Probation Department, officials said. He started his own lie detection company, Associated Lie Detection Services, in 2000 and ran it out of his North Olmsted home, according to filings with the Ohio Secretary of State. If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Wednesday's crime and courts comments section. Michelle Obama First lady Michelle Obama speaks at The University of Akron Oct. 21, 2015 as part of a private event with LeBron James to celebrate the importance of secondary education. Cleveland State University President Ronald M. Berkman writes that Ohio public universities have innovated to improve college attainment but need more state resources to close the gap. (Tony Dejak, Associated Press, File, 2015) Ronald M. Berkman, Cleveland State University CLEVELAND -- Ohio faces a severe "talent gap" that threatens our continued economic competitiveness and growth. We have a significant shortage of adults with the college-level credentials required to fill the large majority of current and future jobs. In fact, Ohio will need to produce an additional 1.7 million postsecondary degree and certificate holders by 2025 to meet business demand. If we fail to do so, these jobs -- and the businesses that produce them -- will leave our state, relegating our citizens to a lower standard of living and quality of life. To address this need, the state issued a challenge to Ohio's public universities to develop innovative mechanisms to increase degree attainment, enhance the quality of higher education and reduce costs. I and my fellow Northeast Ohio public university presidents at the University of Akron, Kent State University, Northeast Ohio Medical University and Youngstown State University have answered the call. We have implemented a wide variety of programs designed to improve efficiency, affordability and student success in our institutions while helping to disseminate best practices to additional institutions across the state. These initiatives include: Senate 5 Percent Cost Reduction Challenge. Public colleges would reduce tuition by 5 percent under proposed legislation College Completion Plans. Responses to the Governor's Task Force on Higher Education Affordability and Efficiency. These efforts have produced significant results. For example, the number of associate, bachelor's and master's degrees awarded by Ohio's public universities and community colleges increased by 20.1 percent between 2010 and 2015. Given the fact that every additional year that a student spends at a public four-year college costs approximately $68,000, (nearly $23,000 in cost of attendance and $45,000 in lost wages), these efforts have saved students and their families hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, to reach our degree attainment goal and ensure our future economic prosperity, the public university system of Ohio needs additional support. While I commend the governor and the legislature for the efforts they have undertaken over the last two years to increase higher education funding, state funding per student is still 27 percent below the national average. In addition, need-based financial aid, which is critical to assisting our most at-risk students, remains below pre-recession levels. I encourage our local elected officials, business and community leaders to work with their local universities to promote the value higher education has for society while also urging the legislature and the governor to continue to enhance state support for our college students. This funding is imperative to continuing the momentum generated by the innovative efforts of our universities, while also keeping pace with the investments other states are making in their public university systems. The outcomes will benefit all our communities while increasing our state's national and international competitiveness and drawing further economic investment to Ohio. Together, we can create a brighter future for our state. Ronald M. Berkman is president of Cleveland State University. ********* Have something to say about this topic? Use the comments to share your thoughts, and stay informed when readers reply to your comments by using the Notification Settings (in blue) just below. timothy c. lennon geauga county.JPG Timothy C. Lennon (Timothy C. Lennon) Two political neophytes - Republican Timothy C. Lennon and Democrat Bonnie H. Cavanaugh - seek the Geauga County commissioner's seat now held by Republican Blake A. Rear, who lost his bid for re-election in March when Lennon defeated him in the GOP primary. Lennon, 44, a heavy machinery company owner, wants a clearer plan for "job retention and job creation" and more focus on prevention and rehabilitation to fight a countywide heroin scourge, which he described as "raging like a forest fire." About our editorials Editorials express the view of the of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer -- the senior leadership and editorial-writing staff. As is traditional, editorials are unsigned and intended to be seen as the voice of the news organization. * Talk about the topic of this editorial in the comments below. * Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication. * Email general questions or comments about the editorial board to Elizabeth Sullivan, opinion director for cleveland.com. Also deeply concerned about the opiate plague is Cavanaugh, 58, an elected board member of the Geauga County Educational Service Center, who works as a legal services clerk at Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court. Cavanaugh wants more focus on the plight of grandmothers trying to care for grandchildren who have been abandoned by their drug-addicted parents. But while her passion is admirable, Cavanaugh did not offer a clear plan for how to move the county forward during the endorsement interview, and spent part of it heaping dirt on Lennon for a 2008 drunken-driving arrest. Lennon, who missed that scheduled interview and was interviewed later by phone, spoke to the 2008 arrest, saying it was a much-needed "wake-up" call. He said that in the eight years since then, he has quit drinking, started a family and opened his heavy machinery business. "I want to focus on what's in front of us, not what's behind us," he said. That's the right attitude. Lennon needs to spend more time educating himself about veterans' needs in the small but affluent county - Geauga County boasts Ohio's second-highest per-capita income - but told the editorial board that he favors helping the Geauga County Veterans Service Commission secure more accessible accommodations. That is the least the county can do for veterans after their many sacrifices. Lennon also should be more open-minded about accepting federal funds from the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency for Geauga County bike trails. While Lennon said he's a devoted bike rider, he still wants all NOACA money to go to roads. Surely, it's important to do both. If Lennon keeps an open mind about these and other issues, he will make a good addition to the Geauga County Board of Commissioners. Lennon is the best choice in this race. Early voting in the Nov. 8 elections has begun. Listen to full audio of the endorsement interview with Cavanaugh. Lennon was interviewed separately by telephone and that interview was not captured on audio or video. Have something to say about this topic? Use the comments to share your thoughts, and stay informed when readers reply to your comments by using the Notification Settings (in blue) just below. Fed Up coalition outside Cleveland Fed The economy in Ohio and the nation continues to leave people behind, an issue that Donald Trump taps into in his presidential campaign. In this March file photo, activists with Common Good Ohio lobby against any increases in interest rates by the Federal Reserve. Nobel-Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz argues in the below op-ed that what Trump prescribes would leave people who already are struggling even further behind. (Photo courtesy Common Good Ohio, File) Economist Joseph Stiglitz won the Nobel Prize in 2001. On Nov. 8, the voters of Ohio will not simply be making a choice between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump for president. More broadly, they will be choosing what kind of economy America will have in coming decades. Both candidates agree that the American economy has not been working as it should. It has left large swaths of the population behind in places like Cleveland, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and my own hometown of Gary, Indiana. The middle class is shrinking, and the promises that globalization and liberalization would bring a new prosperity have not been fulfilled. It is at this point that disagreements arise in the diagnosis -- our understanding of the state of the economy and why it has failed so many -- and in the prescriptions. Trump's diagnosis is simplistic and wrong: He says we were duped in our trade negotiations. In fact, our trade negotiators got most of what they wanted -- and what they wanted was to serve corporate interests. Besides, trade is not the only, or main, reason that our workers are suffering. I come from a steel town. The steel mills are producing as much steel as ever, but advances in technology mean that they need but a fraction of the workers that they once did. Such a simplistic and wrong diagnosis leads to equally simplistic prescriptions: Trump will make America great again by getting "tough" with China, making Mexico pay for a border wall, and reneging on debts. He doesn't understand that launching a trade war now would only weaken the economy and increase unemployment, hurting the very people he pretends to care about. And he doesn't seem to understand that to face the other challenges of our world -- such as the Islamic State -- will require cooperation from our friends. His posturing and bluster will make that all but impossible. Other Trump proposals would move us backward. He would repeal the Affordable Care Act, seemingly forgetting the health care crisis we confronted -- with soaring medical costs, growing numbers of uninsured, and even declining life expectancy for significant portions of the population. He would also repeal Dodd-Frank, seemingly forgetting that under-regulated banks brought on the global financial crisis. The real problem of the American economy is that the fruits of growth have gone only to those at the top. Trickle-down economics -- the idea that if one makes those at the top better off, everyone will see their incomes rise -- has not worked. But, perhaps not surprisingly, Trump wants another dose of trickle-down: He thinks lowering taxes on the rich is just the medicine the economy needs. It's not. It will lead to lower growth and more inequality, and those who are already left behind will be left further behind. Many think that the American economy is unfair, that it's rigged. And they're right. But this is not the result of inexorable economic laws. Rather, inequality is a choice. So is wage stagnation and the devastation caused by unchecked globalization. We make these choices with the rules that we create to structure our economy and society. And when the rules don't work for us, we can rewrite them. Trump doesn't exemplify the kind of businessmen that have made America great -- the true innovators that have made, for instance, Silicon Valley the envy of the world. He is a builder who refuses to pay his workers; a casino owner who has gone bust multiple times; a salesman who hawks goods manufactured overseas while complaining about jobs leaving America. While many voters struggle to make ends meet, Trump brags about losing almost a billion dollars in one year and paying no taxes. He may know how to cut a deal for himself, but there is no reason to believe it will be a good one for American workers. Secretary Clinton, by contrast, has offered a bold but practical agenda to level the playing field for American workers. Embracing the vision and policies of "Rewriting the Rules of the American Economy," a report that I co-authored with the Roosevelt Institute, she would raise top marginal tax rates and increase the minimum wage, rein in reckless financial activity, reduce incentives for corporations to prioritize short-term profits over long-term investments, strengthen workers' rights and expand benefits such as subsidized child care and paid family leave, and invest in the future of infrastructure, education, and technology. She opposes the Trans-Pacific Partnership and its shadowy tribunals, but rather than flatly rejecting international cooperation, she has pledged to renegotiate these deals -- this time in the interests of America's people rather than its powerful corporations. Having talked with our trading partners, I believe Clinton can do this -- and from what we have all seen of Trump, I doubt that he could or would. Just as we can rewrite the rules of the American economy for greater shared prosperity, we can rewrite the rules of trade. In Trump, we have a candidate who embodies the worst impulses of unrestrained corporate greed and excess, and who has proposed an agenda that would continue to reward wealthy individuals like himself while abandoning workers and small businesses to fend for themselves. In Clinton, we have an experienced leader with a clear and credible vision of how to rewrite the rules of the economy to benefit everyone. The time has come to choose. Joseph Stiglitz, winner of the 2001 Nobel Prize in economics, is chief economist at the New York City-based Roosevelt Institute, which focuses on rewriting the rules of the American economy. ******* Have something to say about this topic? Use the comments to share your thoughts, and stay informed when readers reply to your comments by using the Notification Settings (in blue) just below. China is currently the leading source of Asian corporate defaults, but it hasn't always been that way. From 1990 up until the first half of 2016, Indonesia actually boasted the largest number of defaults in the region, with a total of 74 issuers failing to honor $16 billion worth of debt, according to a new Moody's report. The mainland came in second during that period, with 55 issuers defaulting on $18 billion. A teller counts yuan bank notes in a bank in Lianyungang, China. STR | AFP | Getty Images In terms of total debt gone sour, South Korea took first place, with 50 issuers defaulting on approximately $22 billion of debt. Starting from the second half of 2016, the mainland eclipsed Indonesia as the biggest contributor to Asian defaults against a backdrop of weakened commodity prices accompanying a domestic economic slowdown, Moody's said. From 2014 to 2016H1, the world's second-largest economy recorded 27 defaults affecting $10.3 billion of debt, accounting for roughly two-thirds of the region's default tally, according to the report. Going forward, China's economic and liquidity situation will determine the pace of defaults, Clara Lau, Moody's senior vice president of credit strategy and standards, told CNBC. Across the Asia-Pacific region, the bulk of defaults occurred during the last years of the 1990s in the aftermath of the Asian financial crisis. From the early 2000s, the number of incidents dropped significantly, with zero rated defaults from 2004 to 2007, the report said. But the regional situation worsened once the global financial crisis hit, with a total of 44 issuers defaulting on $5.8 billion of debt in total during 2008-2010. watch now James Clapper, U.S. Director of National Intelligence, speaks at the Council of Foreign Relations. The U.S. policy of trying to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons "is probably a lost cause" and the best that could be hoped for is a cap on the country's nuclear capability, the Director of U.S. National Intelligence James Clapper said on Tuesday. However, underscoring conflicting views in the Obama administration, the State Department said U.S. policy was unchanged and continued to be to seek the "verifiable denuclearization" of the Korean peninsula. President Barack Obama has repeatedly stated that the United States will never accept North Korean as a nuclear-armed state. Clapper made clear at an event at the Council on Foreign Relations think tank in New York he did not think that the policy the administration has stuck to, in spite of repeated North Korean nuclear tests, was realistic. "I think the notion of getting the North Koreans to denuclearize is probably a lost cause," Clapper said at the Council on Foreign Relations think tank in New York. "They are not going to do that - that is their ticket to survival." Pyongyang has persisted with its missile and nuclear weapons programs, including a Sept. 9 nuclear explosion, despite strong international sanctions. The surprising rise of Donald Trump not to mention Republicans' dominance, for now, of Congress offers plenty of reasons to be pessimistic about American politics. Here, however, are six causes for optimism, from a left perspective. I should stress as I argued in my book "The Reactionary Mind" that one reason the right's momentum is slowing has to do with how much ground it has gained in recent decades. If you consider its great animating energies since the New Deal first, anti-labor; then later, anticivil rights; and finally, anti-feminism conservatives have achieved a considerable amount of success in either destroying or beating back these movements. So in one sense, the hopefulness you read below is built on the ruins of the left. Nevertheless: 1) An ABC News poll has Trump at 38 percent of the popular vote. It's only one poll, and I haven't been paying much attention to the polls (at this point, what's the point?), but if Trump does get 38 percent which is about what I've been thinking he'll get he'll be squarely within George McGovern territory. With a very few exceptions, he's rarely broken above 40 percent (in a four-way race). No major party candidate of the past 50 years, aside from George H.W. Bush, has gotten less than 40 percent of the vote and in Bush's case, it had a lot to do with Ross Perot. This will go down as a catastrophic defeat for the Republican Party at the presidential level. (That said, Clinton, with her 50 percent, according to ABC, won't be in Nixon territory, which was about 10 points higher.) Read more from Vox: Tim Kaine's feminism Hillary Clinton is matching Barack Obama with young voters Here's what it would take for Twitter to get serious about its harassment problem 2) For all of Trump's bluster at the third debate about not accepting the election results, I'm confident that once it's over and the verdict is in, he and his followers will go, more or less gently, into that good night. We on the left perhaps liberals, too are so used to being defeated, demoralized, and depressed, so used to losing to the right, that we have little sense that the right can suffer the same. We have little sense of the impact this election could have on the Trumpites. We believe their bullsh--: We take their sense of entitlement as a sign of deep wells of conviction, of belief in their right and authority, or perhaps even of their actual right and authority, as if this really is their country. They have a better, more accurate sense of their dwindling political fortunes, with whites and conservatives making up a decreasing portion of the electorate and women, people of color, and liberals making up an increasing portion. It's what gives their rhetoric its enervating rather than exhilarating character. Listen to Pat Buchanan from the 1970s through the '90s: the inventiveness of his brutality, the energy of his cruelty. There's a world of difference between the expansiveness of that revanchism and the narrow straits that is Trump's. The former speaks in pages and paragraphs, the latter in two- or three-word fragments, without any Marinetti-like patter of power. Trump's is not the voice of confidence, of right, of command. This is not the voice of a man who can lead a rearguard revolt in the streets. This is the voice of a man and a movement who is tired, beaten, and demoralized, who starts sentences he can barely muster enough energy to finish. 3) Consider the decreasing half-lives of the right's various populist experiments over the past four decades. In the lead-up to Ronald Reagan's victories in the 1980s, that right-wing populism was represented by the Moral Majority. And it lasted quite a long time, in part because it skillfully fused the racism of the segregation academies issue private, overwhelmingly white religious schools in the South created in response to desegregation with the religiosity of school prayer and the gender politics of abortion. That brand carried the GOP all the way from Reagan into the first Bush administration. Then it was the Christian Coalition, which had a shorter political life and considerably less success. Bill Clinton was president during much of its heyday, and its only electoral victory was the 2000 election of George W. Bush. One of the reasons for its diminution of power, relatively speaking, is that it no longer had the issues of busing and school desegregation to mobilize against the way the Christian right had in the 1970s and '80s. Apple 's fiscal fourth-quarter earnings report revealed the third straight quarter where year-over-year revenue declined, but Citi analyst Jim Suva said Wednesday that while the tech giant is facing headwinds that can spur investor worries, not all of them are necessarily bad. In an interview on "Squawk on the Street," Suva told CNBC that while Apple has struggled to keep global prices steady in light of a strong U.S. dollar, "problems" like demand outpacing supply and a lag in releasing new computer products may not be major hurdles. "We think that demand is outpacing supply simply because Apple is innovating, and we think that's an appealing characteristic," Suva said. "Whether supply catches up with demand, time will tell, but anytime you launch a new product and people want it, that's a good problem for Apple to have." Suva also said that the company has "materially disappointed investors" by not updating its lineup of Mac computer products. However, the analyst acknowledged that rumors circulating about Thursday's Mac event in Cupertino, California, where Apple is expected to announce news about its computer products, may quell that disappointment. Suva's takeaway? "Simply, Apple wants to create the best user experience, have a lot of innovation out there, to get customers to be able to buy their product and stay on the Apple operating system," he said. "Basically, putting your whole life and wallet in the Apple community." David Rolfe, chief investment officer of Wedgewood Partners, an Apple shareholder, has an even more optimistic outlook. Appearing with Suva on "Squawk on the Street," Rolfe told CNBC that it's a good time for his firm to be a shareholder of the tech giant. "Despite what Tim Cook has tried to do over the past couple of years, he probably can't please many on Wall Street, but as a shareholder, we're very pleased by the results and customers apparently are very pleased by these products," Rolfe said Wednesday. Rolfe argued that, if Apple were a private company, "we might be popping champagne corks instead of maybe obsessing over next quarter or two," in reference to the record-breaking $16.1 billion in operating cash flow the company saw in the September quarter. At a minimum, Rolfe said Apple can easily sell 200 million units per year over the next several cycles. That's why he is looking forward to the company's fiscal 2018, when the 10-year anniversary of the first iPhone release may cause, in Suva's words, a "super cycle." "[It's] a great business to be in, and as shareholders, we remain very bullish going forward," Rolfe said. A fresh bidding war over Australia's biggest farm has reignited fears of anti-China sentiment and put pressure on Canberra to tidy up its foreign investment rules. The Kidman cattle empire sits across four Australian states, is home to 10 ranches and accounts for 2.6 percent of the nation's total agricultural land. It is also one of the biggest beef producers in a country that's ranked among the world's largest exporters of the meat. The landholding has been on sale since June last year but the government has blocked offers from Chinese buyers on the back of national interest and security concerns. The fragile 'Painted Hills', a rock formation in the South Australian desert near the Anna Creek Station, halfway between Adelaide and Alice Springs. The site, home to the world's largest cattle station, is also in the centre of the Australian Defence Department's Woomera weapons testing site, a testing field the size of England. Glenn Campbell | The Sydney Morning Herald | Fairfax Media | Getty Images Now, two new bids are on the table: a 365 million Australian dollar ($278 million) offer from Australian Outback Beef (AOB) and a A$386 million proposal by a consortium of four Australian families known as the BBHO syndicate. AOB is a joint-venture company majority owned by Hancock Prospecting, helmed by Gina Rinehart, Australia's richest woman, and one-third owned by Chinese developer Shanghai CRED. The BBHO group includes Australian land owners Tom Brinkworth, Malcolm Harris, Viv Oldfield and Sterling Buntine. Sentiment seems to be leaning towards BBHO as its offer is higher and doesn't require Australian foreign investment approval or clearance from Chinese regulators, unlike the AOB deal. But should BBHO win, it could be painted as another example of an increasingly protectionist stance from Australia on foreign investment, particularly from China, sparking a possible backlash from a valued trade partner. "If Australia is seen as being too protectionist and inconsistent in relation to foreign investment, we would be a less attractive destination," explained Vivienne Bath, professor of Chinese and international business law at the University of Sydney. A sensitive topic Canberra has long voiced its openness to foreign investment but a flood of Chinese funds, particularly into real estate, has created a popular impression with the public that Chinese companies were "buying up Australia," noted Bath. And in recent months, the government has rejected a number of Chinese proposals for Australian state assets, citing national security and national interest issues. Treasurer Scott Morrison blocked offers from State Grid Corp of China and Hong Kong's Cheung Kong Infrastructure in August to buy a controlling stake in Ausgrid, the country's biggest electricity network. The decision would "severely" reduce the appetite for Chinese companies to invest in Australia, China's Commerce Ministry warned at the time. watch now "Opinions toward Chinese investment within Australia have been mixed, with some advocating for more leniency in foreign investment and others for greater transparency on the investor's part to allay local concerns," the Council of Foreign Relations said in a recent note. It should be noted that some of the largest foreign bids to have been rejected have not been Chinese, including Royal Dutch Shell's attempt to take over LNG producer Woodside Petroleum , and U.S.-based Archer Daniels Midland's interest in GrainCorp. The Kidman affair When it comes to the Kidman estate, though, tensions are particularly high. Regulators already rejected two separate Chinese offers for the landholding, once in November 2015 and again in April this year. Chinese deal-maker Charles Lieu, who worked on the $370 million April bid, told The Australian newspaper last month that bidders were badly treated by the Australian government. "This is an unfortunate trend developing in Western countries today, with deglobalization and xenophobia, populism and protectionism on the march," he said. Among Kidman's ten cattle stations is Anna Creek, the world's largest of its kind. It's located within South Australia's Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA), which is home to the world's largest land weapons testing range, operated by the Royal Australian Air Force. It 's also highly prospective; officials estimate about $35 billion worth of iron ore, gold and other mineral resources are potentially exploitable from the area over the next decade. Because the WPA is highly valuable to the government, the first Chinese offer was rejected in November on national security concerns. The Kidman family later agreed to exclude Anna Creek from future deals and the sale process was reopened in February. But even with the defense element out of the way, the sheer size and significance of the assets remained an issue, which led to the second rejection in April based on national interest concerns. The Woomera Prohibited Area Corporal Nick Wiseman | Australian Defence Force An Apple employee hands over Apple iPhone 7 phones at an Apple store on Sept. 16, 2016 in Berlin. Apple 's stock suffered some bruising as the shares sank Wednesday after the tech giant delivered a mixed quarterly report a day earlier. Mostly though, Wall Street analysts maintained their buy and outperform ratings in the wake of news that Apple reported its third straight quarter of year-over-year revenue decline. Here is what analysts are saying after the print: Goldman Sachs Goldman analysts maintained their buy rating on the iPhone seller and wrote, "All in, we viewed the strong guidance as supportive of our near-term thesis that the iPhone 7 will drive upside to consensus." They also noted that acquisitions may play a larger role in Apple's strategy as the company indicated a "more open ended" stance to mergers and acquisitions relative to previous quarters. Goldman noted services were the "star" for the most recent quarter as growth accelerated to 24 percent year over year. Credit Suisse The message from Credit Suisse was clear: "buy any dips." Analysts reiterated their outperform rating on Apple's stock. "While there may be some near-term weakness after the recent strength, we believe the lack of upside to estimates is more reflective of supply constraints," they wrote. "Fundamentally we believe our thesis remains intact with the iPhone 7 driving the business back to growth followed by an iPhone 8 super cycle." Credit Suisse has a $150 price target on Apple stock. RBC Capital Markets RBC maintained its "outperform" rating, writing the recent sell-off creates an "attractive entry point" for investors for a stock that's currently undervalued. Analysts wrote in a note that Apple has multiple levers in place, including emerging markets, enterprise markets and potential new products, such as iTv. Deutsche Bank With a hold rating on the tech giant's stock, Deutsche Bank analysts are "concerned about slowing smartphone growth and elongating refresh cycles in mature markets." Canaccord Genuity The firm maintained its buy rating and $140 price target on Apple stock. "With stronger-than-expected initial iPhone 7 demand greatly outstripping supply, our positive thesis remains intact with continued iPhone market share gains, continued strong growth of high-margin iTunes software and services, new product categories such as Apple Watch and services offerings such as Apple Pay and Apple Music to drive growth with improved margins," analysts wrote. European stocks closed in negative territory on Wednesday afternoon following lackluster trade on Wall Street and a decline in oil prices. The pan-European STOXX 600 closed 0.38 percent lower as investors digested a slew of earnings. Sectors were broadly negative with oil and gas and chemicals falling 1.08 percent and 1.25 percent respectively. Earnings are in focus for investors in Europe on Wednesday with a number of banks reporting. Spain's Santander said net profit rose in the third quarter, beating analyst expectations, sending shares of the lender higher. Meanwhile Nordea shares were in positive territory after it reported third-quarter operating profit of 1.15 billion euros ($1.25 billion), beating forecasts. Lloyds Banking Group posted a third-quarter underlying profit of 1.9 billion ($2.31 billion), down 3 percent year-on-year. Britain's largest retail bank also took a 1 billion charge relating to the compensation of customers mis-sold loan insurance. Shares of the U.K. lender fell sharply before recovering to close 0.96 percent higher. Elsewhere, France's Airbus reported core earnings falling 21 percent in the third quarter due to weakness in its commercial plane business. Shares reversed earlier losses to trade higher and ended the trading day 3.76 percent in the black. Brewing giant Heineken was in the red after it said revenues grew 4.7 percent in the first half of the year, with beer volume up 4.1 percent. The company warned of increasing currency headwinds as well as adverse economic conditions in developing markets. Novozymes meanwhile posted core earnings and sales that missed analyst forecasts and adjusted its outlook for full-year organic sales growth to 2-4 percent, down from 3-5 percent previously. Shares of the firm tanked to close 11.2 percent in the red. The European parliament will vote on Wednesday for the first time on whether to spend large scale public cash on military research. Members of the European Parliament the parliamentary institute of the EU - are voting on a so-called "Preparatory Action for Defense Research" which would allow 3 years of groundwork cash to be spent before a full defense budget is approved. The initial program, described by the parliament as modest, will cost between 40 and 100 million euros($43 -109 mn) to fund. Despite its small nature, it would represent the first time that he EU has subsidized military research. If the initial work is deemed a success, a full EU defense budget of at least 3.5 billion euros could then be spent between 2021 and 2027. General Dynamics' Gulfstream business delivered 37 percent fewer "outfitted" business jets to customers in the third quarter, and the funded backlog of the division now is sitting at its lowest level since 2007. The funded backlog is considered a reliable indicator of future earnings for the aircraft since it reflects orders the company has for definitive purchase contracts and deposits from actual customers. "Deliveries in the business jet market are down, including somewhat at Gulfstream," General Dynamics Chairman and CEO Phebe Novakovic said during the company's third-quarter earnings call Wednesday. It follows comments last week by Honeywell International's CFO Tom Szlosek, who said that "softness in the business jet market is impacting the aftermarket." Indeed, Gulfstream has been facing ongoing challenges due to used inventory available of its most advanced business jet, the G650. Novakovic said there were "about 19 to 20" of the G650 business-class jets for sale on the used market but said an analysis of those shows "maybe 12 to 14 serious sellers," and she maintained that the number was "well within the 10 percent" of the overall fleet in service. Still, the number of pre-owned G650s on the used market has been an issue plaguing the Falls Church, Virginiabased aerospace and defense company for most of this year. However, the number of available used G650 a flagship twin-engine aircraft that is part of the General Dynamics' Aerospace segment is still down from the high of 26 in the spring. During the third quarter ended Oct. 2, Gulfstream delivered 27 total "outfitted" aircraft, down from 43 in the year-ago quarter. That meant the number of aircraft delivered was down 37 percent in the third quarter from a year ago, while in the second quarter the delivery decline was just 17 percent compared with the year-ago period. According to Novakovic, the Gulfstream order sales pipeline and order activity trends are looking up. In fact, she said third-quarter orders were the strongest in five years for the company and added "both our fourth-quarter activity today and a pipeline are good." The Aerospace segment's funded backlog stood at $11.41 billion in the third quarter, down from $13.45 billion a year ago and the lowest level since September 2007 when it stood at $10.24 billion. The General Dynamics CEO also maintained that Gulfstream is taking share in the business jet market. Moreover, she said "we are far less dependent on the BRIC countries," a reference to Brazil, Russia, India and China. General Dynamics has been making a transition from its older model business jets to the G650, and to the newer G500 and G600 aircraft programs. Novakovic said the test programs for both the G500 and G600 airplanes were "going very well." The Gulfstream G500 jet is replacing the company's G450, which was first delivered back in 2005. Novakovic said she expects the G500 "will most certainly" make a financial contribution in 2017 and she sees it as having "a significant one in 2018." As for the G600, she said it should make a contribution in 2018 and expects a more meaningful one in 2019. Meantime, Novakovic said the company has a goal of "double-digit growth" in earnings but indicated "it's too soon for me to tell how 2017 plays out." For the third quarter of 2016, General Dynamics reported earnings from continuing operations were $2.48 per share, up nearly 9 percent from $2.28 a year ago and ahead of Street consensus of $2.38 per share, according to Thomson Reuters. Revenues fell 3 percent to $7.73 billion. Finally, General Dynamics lifted its full-year 2016 guidance Wednesday from $9.70 per share to $9.75 a share. Analysts currently have the company's full-year 2016 EPS at $9.73 per share, or for 7 percent growth from the prior year. Elsewhere, competing defense contractor Northrop Grumman on Wednesday also lifted its current year EPS guidance range to between $11.55 and $11.75 per share, up from its previous range guidance issued in July for EPS of between $10.75 and $11 a share. The upward revision in EPS guidance compares with the average Street estimate for EPS of $11.05 per share. For the third quarter, Northrop's reported earnings from continuing operations are up 17 percent to $3.35 per share, up from $2.75 a share a year ago and above analysts' consensus. Revenues were up 3% to $6.2 billion. During Northrop's earnings call, Chairman and CEO Wesley Bush spoke about the global threat environment today and said defense budgets have "not grown as fast as the threat." He also said defense customers "do need to see more affordability from the industrial base." His comments follow the release this week of the full report about why the U.S. Government Accountability Office in February defended the Air Force's controversial decision to grant Northrop the $80 billion long range strike bomber contract. In February, the GAO denied Boeing's protest of the contract, although more details about its decision were not known until this week's full report. According to the GAO, cost was the reason for the award going to Northrop. "Significant structural advantages in Northrop's proposal specifically, its labor rate advantage and decision to absorb significant company investment also strongly impacted the outcome of this essentially low-price, technically acceptable procurement," the GAO said. Northrop's CEO commented on the GAO report when asked about it by an analyst. He said the report "makes it clear that the GAO did perform a very rigorous and deliberate review of the work that the Air Force did and its very thorough selection process." The CEO added, "You'll see in that report the continuing discipline that we bring to the bidding process and that we've been demonstrating time and again over the years." In trading Wednesday, Northrop stock reached an all-time high during the day of $229.45 a share. The stock last traded up 4 percent on more than double its average daily volume. Uncertainty about how policy-makers will affect the economy can lead to underinvestment by firms, reduced hiring and slowed consumer spending. In the last five years, the average global uncertainty index has been about 60 percent higher than in previous years, surpassing even the period around the 2008 housing crisis and recession. Most of the recent increases have been driven by events in other nations most notably the Brexit decision, which caused a massive spike in Europe and was felt as far away as Japan. (See annotated versions of the indexes with major events marked on the project's website.) Brazil is facing a down economy, a spate of corruption charges and the impeachment of its president. Turkey recently blocked a coup and had its credit rating downgraded, while military conflicts, political changes and other disputes have raised policy questions in Russia, China and Syria. Those economic uncertainties can influence short-term hiring decisions, as well as long-term plans for factory construction or expansion. "The elevated levels of global policy uncertainty in the past five years compared to even the crisis years of 2008-09 is remarkable," Davis wrote in the paper. "They have contributed to the disappointing performance of the global economy in recent years. By how much is an open question and an active area of research." The indexes are designed to be be a measurement that can be used to answer research questions about how uncertainty plays into long-term changes in the economy. But the timely information they provide is also used by hedge fund managers and other market participants to make decisions. Firms like BlackRock have used the concept to construct their own in-house indexes, Davis said. "There is a lot of information about economic sentiment that doesn't get totally reflected in standard economics statistics," Davis said. "Newspapers have been around for decades in essentially their current form, so once it can be read in an automated manner it's a tremendous data source just waiting to be tapped that has been largely unused." With their candidate lagging in most of the major polls, Donald Trump's supporters are hoping the election holds a surprise akin to June's Brexit vote. Goldman Sachs, though, believes the chances of a Nov. 8 surprise in the U.S. are remote. The two races differ in several key ways, Goldman economist Alec Phillips said, diminishing the possibility of a repeat where polling incorrectly suggested that Britons would vote to stay in the European Union. "We think the situation is different for two reasons. First, and most importantly, while both situations represented an opportunity for voters to endorse a change in the status quo, voters in the U.K. were asked to decide on an idea whereas in the U.S. they are being asked to decide on a person," Phillips said in a note to clients Wednesday. "Second, the polls are simply not as close in the current presidential contest as they were ahead of the U.K. referendum." On the first point, Phillips obviously is correct. The second, though, isn't as clear. True, some polls have showed a yawning gap between the two candidates. The latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll put the Hillary Clinton lead at 11 points, the last ABC tracking poll had the Democrat ahead by 8 and CNN has the advantage at 6 points. However, the Real Clear Politics average of all major polls gives Clinton just a 4.4-point edge, and the Los Angeles Times' tracker even sees Trump with a 1-point lead. By comparison, the final London Telegraph poll heading into the June 23 vote had the "remain" vote with a comfortable 4-point lead. Betting odds in the U.K. had given "remain" an 88 percent chance of prevailing, against the "leave" victory of 4 points. watch now Wedbush's James Dix cut his rating on Alphabet last month to a "sell," citing emerging competition that Google faces in search advertising. Among Wall Street analysts, Dix is on an island. Some 42 of the 46 analysts (91 percent) tracked by FactSet recommend buying the stock, while three say investors should hold on to it. The more popular view was expressed by Pivotal Research Group's Brian Wieser, who wrote this month that Google and Facebook are "unambiguously the hegemonic players in digital advertising." Wieser's $1,090 price target is the highest on Wall Street. Dix's is the lowest at $700. Alphabet shares have gained 6.5 percent this year, closing on Tuesday at $828.55. Heading into its third-quarter earnings report on Thursday, Alphabet's stock market capitalization of $562 billion trails only Apple among the world's most valuable companies. Once at risk of losing ground in the transition from web to mobile, Google has solidified its digital dominance through the Android operating system, growth of YouTube and investments in smartphone apps for maps, e-mail and photo storage. Meanwhile, Google commands over 95 percent of the global mobile search market, according to NetMarketShare, an even higher level of control than it has on desktops. Revenue probably climbed 18 percent to $22.05 billion in the period from $18.7 billion a year earlier, according to the average estimate in a Thomson Reuters survey. Earnings, excluding some items, likely increased to $8.63 a share from $7.35. Alphabet price targets Alphabet's quarterly reports offer a regular reminder of what drives the Mountain View, California-based company. While Google has held recent events promoting its cloud-computing platform, which competes with Amazon Web Service, and a new home-assistant device that's out to take on the Amazon Echo, advertising is still what matters for the company's financials. Google's own websites have benefited from an increase in the number of text ads shown on mobile to three from two, and the company has even been testing searches with four ads on top. Ads within maps are contributing to growth, and Google has gotten a boost this year from the Olympics and U.S. elections. Consumers shopping for sneakers, smartphones and handbags also see scrollable advertisements, called product listing ads (PLAs) on the top of the screens. "Mobile search, PLAs and YouTube are all showing strength and we believe have plenty of headroom," wrote Rob Sanderson, an analyst at MKM Partners, in an Oct. 24 report. Sanderson recommends buying the shares and has a $935 price target. The stock isn't cheap by historical standards. It's trading at 32.1 times earnings, higher than its average of 28.1 over the past five years, according to FactSet. Wedbush's Dix sees risks ahead. watch now Search, he argues, is giving way to more targeted forms of marketing. Increased data on how and where consumers spend money means that brands can reach spenders on their devices in other ways. "Payments innovations should facilitate more seamless settlement of incentives," Dix wrote on Sept. 27. But betting against Google has been a bad strategy of late. In addition to advertising strength and investments in big new markets, Chief Financial Officer Ruth Porat has been spending billions of dollars on share buybacks. Given how much cash Alphabet generates $7 billion in free cash flow in the second quarter money is plentiful. Anthony DiClemente of Nomura Securities expects more returns for shareholders. He has a "buy" rating on the stock and a $925 price target, as of his latest report on Oct. 24. "Our analysis shows that Alphabet could support a meaningful expansion of its buyback program," DiClemente wrote. A high altitude WiFi internet hub Google Project Loon balloon is displayed at the Airforce Museum in Christchurch on June 16, 2013. Google revealed top-secret plans on June 15 to send balloons to the edge of space with the lofty aim of bringing Internet to the two-thirds of the global population currently without web access. Marty Melville | AFP | Getty Images Here's a piece of counterintuitive advice for widowers and divorcees: You can put financial decisions on hold, at least for a little while. That's according to Amy Florian, a thanatologist and chief executive of Corgenius, a Hoffman Estates, Illinois-based consultancy that specializes in educating advisors on understanding the grieving process. (Thanatology is the scientific study of death.) Florian spoke at the Schwab IMPACT conference in San Diego on Oct. 25. Her focus: guiding women investors through life's transitions, including divorce and death. RubberBall Productions | Getty Images Financial advisors are well versed in helping their clients understand their finances sometimes to a fault. To an extent, the hard numbers can wait. "Advisors don't know how to communicate during times of grief," Florian said in an interview. She attributes this to two factors: First, financial professionals tend to concentrate on clients' portfolios and hard numbers. Second, people are generally terrible at addressing others who are hurting. Hit the brakes Grief is triggered by a break in attachment, said Florian. "There is a grief process for divorce: What do you call yourself? Where do you fit in? Do you feel safe?" she said. The loss of a spouse, be it through divorce or death, upsets the survivor's identity and social circle. Amid those times, a widower or divorcee isn't in the best shape to make pressing decisions about their finances. "Your brain gets flooded with cortisol," Florian said. "You'll think you're making rational decisions, but you're not." Advisors don't know how to communicate during times of grief. Amy Florian thanatologist and chief executive of Corgenius Key questions Rather than responding to news of a death or a divorce with the obligatory and awkward "I'm sorry," advisors should give the survivor or the divorcee an opportunity to express their feelings. "What would I say to 'I'm sorry?'" asked Florian. "'Thank you' or 'It's not your fault.'" Instead, advisors should also use open-ended questions to learn more about the relationship and give the grieving client a chance to vent: What happened? What kind of day is this for you? More from the IMPACT Conference: Schwab CEO talks robo-advisors What's the Fed thinking about a rise in rates? In the event of a death: What are ways to honor this person's memory? If it's a divorce, be sure to recognize the loss of the dream: "This isn't what you had in mind when you walked down the aisle. Would you like to talk about it?" "Become aware of what triggers grief, and follow the client's lead," said Florian. Don't feel pressured to "get over" your loss. If this is your transition Best-selling author and public intellectual Malcolm Gladwell is an expert on a number of things, including complicated topics like why some ideas spread like wildfire and why some people become successful. But when it comes to investing, he's no authority. And he doesn't pretend to be. "My father was the kind of person who would meet someone, size them up, and the instant he thought they knew even one percent more than him in a given area, he would defer," Gladwell says. "And I have the same thing," he adds. "I have enormous respect for expertise, which means I will never try to be an active investor." Gladwell is the author of a number of best-selling books such as "The Tipping Point," and "Blink." The writer says he prefers to stick with what he's good at. If Canadian best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell were to write a book about this year's U.S. presidential election, he said his title would be "I'm heading home." Gladwell told CNBC at the Charles Schwab IMPACT 2016 conference during CNBC's "Power Lunch" the United States has had a pretty good group of people leading the country during the last few crucial moments in history, but said this election has been a "harsh one." Gladwell is the author of several books, including Blink, Outliers and bestseller The Tipping Point. He is also a staff writer for The New Yorker. "It's bad when you are not from here," Gladwell said. "I get a daily dose of what Canadians think about what's going on, and that's a very different I mean they're a little bit appalled," he added. "The Canadian debates don't resemble the American debates." Gladwell suggested it's easy to get very focused on "the decision right in front of us" and the "mistakes we made in the last five minutes." He added, however, that he thinks "the crowd rises to the occasion when there's something of significance." Martha Stewart has been mastering the art of domestic living long before the age of social media envy and staged Instagram bliss. Whether she's working on her 87th book ("Martha Stewart's Vegetables" is due out in September) or appearing in the sixth season of PBS' "Martha Bakes," the 74-year-old lifestyle guru does it all in style. And yet part of Stewart's appeal is her offbeat sense of humor and willingness to try new things. Who can forget her baking some suspicious brownies with Snoop Dogg or her recent escapade on a hoverboard after quaffing Champagne? To find out how she juggles it all (with no signs of slowing down), TODAY asked Stewart how she begins her day at her Bedford, New York, farm as part of our ongoing Morning Routine series. What time do you wake up? I'm one of those people who does not need an alarm because I wake up very, very early, and always prior to a safety alarm. I don't even know what a snooze button is. How do you take your coffee? Coffee is not the first thing I drink in the morning. I drink a homemade green juice which is made from vegetables that I grow year-round at the farm in Bedford: mint, spinach, celery, cucumbers, carrots, maybe a papaya, maybe a piece of pineapple, definitely a piece of ginger. That's the first thing I drink. What is your typical breakfast? Either yogurt or a soft-boiled egg or two. In the winter, possibly oatmeal. Who would be your ideal breakfast buddy, living or dead? I wouldn't mind having breakfast every single day with the president of the United States any one of them would do. That way I wouldn't have to watch the news. Do you work out in the morning? I work out at least three days a week. I have a large gym at the farm outfitted with all the machines. I like the treadmill, the rowing machine and assorted weights. I also like stretching and horseback riding. Do you have any comfortable workout clothing brands that you recommend? I wear Track & Field very, very comfortable bottoms and loose workout jackets old Lululemon jackets. Last time we spoke, you were a huge fan of Vince clothing. Are there any other brands you're wearing a lot of lately? I still wear lot of Vince, a lot of Hermes, Cos and some pretty pieces from Shari's Place. What's your hair and beauty routine? My hair and makeup are quite often professionally done for my appearances, as well as photography, so my big job is to keep my skin and hair clean and glowing. Is there a particular song or band that you listen to in order to kick-start your morning? The moment I uncover my canary cage, the morning song begins. I have 26 red factor canaries in one giant cage, and they are pretty much all the music anyone ever needs. Where do you get your morning news? I turn on MSNBC at 5:30 a.m. or so for politics, CNBC for business news and the beloved TODAY show at 7:00 a.m. for the day's rundown of news. Any morning shortcuts that you swear by? Do not go to your computer until you've done all of the above. Although I now do shortcut to The New York Times just for front page news on my iPad. Do you have any mantras or rituals? Yes. Learn something new every day. What's your least favorite part of your morning routine? Getting into the dreaded car for the trip to New York. [Bedford is located a little over an hour's drive from Manhattan.] What's the one thing you have to do every morning before it can really begin? Pet every animal at the farm (except the chickens and the peacocks). Metro Bank reported on Wednesday a 78 percent year-on-year jump in third quarter revenue, helping the British retail bank swing into positive earnings territory with a 0.6 million pound pre-tax profit versus the 3.4 million loss recorded in this period of 2015. This was the first time Metro Bank has achieved a quarterly underlying profit. The lender also notched up a 66 percent rise in deposits and a 73 percent lift in its lending as customer accounts as of the end of September rose to 848,000 from June's 780,000 count. Metro Bank's balance sheet continues to display ratios comfortably above regulatory requirements with the closely watched common equity tier 1 ratio sitting at 20.4 percent. This compares to a regulatory leverage ratio of 7.4 percent. Despite this, brokers at RBC Wednesday morning cut its outlook on the bank from sector outperform to perform. Analyst at Jefferies reiterated their 'buy' call on the stock on Wednesday, praising "execution of a unique business model" and sounding an optimistic tone looking ahead. The note from Jefferies calls for a price target of 3,000 pence and says the bottom line is "Q3 contains all of the elements that make us positive on MTRO and gives conviction in our 2020 RoTE (Return on Total Equity) of 18 percent." Simon Dawson | Bloomberg | Getty Images Speaking on CNBC on Wednesday, Founder and Chairman Vernon Hill said the bank was not expecting the EU referendum outcome to be a significant gamechanger, even over time. "I don't really think there's been an impact yet, I think it'll take time to see. I don't really think there'll be a tremendous impact," he said. Instead, Hill attributes Metro Bank's success to the fact the start-up challenger bank is not burdened by the problems the five biggest U.K. banks have. According to Hill, "When you get to build a bank from scratch with modern IT, with all the fintech, with all the mobile the customer wants the best of every delivery channel." "We're in the market share take business...customers want a choice and we are a choice," he added. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney offered a full-throated defense of conservative economic principles Wednesday, saying that he faults himself for not adequately conveying those ideas during his failed presidential campaign four years ago. Romney, the Republican nominee in 2012, spoke in Washington D.C. at a U.S. Chamber of Commerce event, laying out the key challenges he sees facing the U.S. government, and bemoaning what he characterized as inaction at the federal level. But the most revealing portion of Romney's address was his discussion of conservative messaging around income inequality a topic that has been a driving force in presidential politics during the campaign. "We (conservatives) know what it takes to actually raise wages this is, as you know, people on the other side of the aisle have made that a centerpiece of their campaigns, which is the idea of income inequality and the lack of progress for middle income families," Romney said. "And it's something which, gosh, I kick myself as a Republican nominee for president not having done a better job communicating this." Part of that communication breakdown may have come because of the differences between the primary races and the general election, he suggested. "When you speak, as you do in a primary, to people who are strong Republicans and conservatives, you begin to speak in shorthand because they've heard the kind of remarks that I'd make, they've heard it time and again, and they sort of understand what you mean," the former governor said. "So when I'm talking about making America the most attractive place in the world for entrepreneurs, and when I want to make America a terrific place for small business and big business, when I want to see corporations thrive and grow in America, what my primary audience hears is something which they can connect with." General election constituencies, however, are less primed for that economic theory. "But the audience at large, they think the reason I'm talking about business is because all I care about is rich people and business leaders. Look, rich people and business people do well whether Republicans or Democrats are in charge. The real people who suffer when business is leaving or not successful are the people in the middle class. If you want to get wages up in America for middle income Americans, there's only one way I know how to do that in real terms ... by having more businesses want to hire more people," Romney said. The former GOP nominee who has notably criticized Donald Trump, his party's current standard-bearer then issued an argument against those who had accused him of disinterest in the middle class. "The reason I'm a conservative is not because of the 1 percent or the corporate bosses. The reason I'm an American is for all the people in this country and recognizing that if business is thriving and growing, it will create more jobs, raise wages of our people, allow us to care for our seniors, get a better education for our kids, and allow us to have the kind of military that can defend American interests around the world." In less than two weeks, the President of the United States will be decided, yet there's still a chance for the current incumbent, Barack Obama, to cement his legacy, and it could be connected to Palestine, the head of mission at the one of the leading bodies in the Middle East peace process, told CNBC. Speaking to the "CNBC Conversation", the diplomat tasked with searching for peace in one of the most tumultuous regions of the Middle East, Kito de Boer, said he believed the "most keenly awaited time period" to look into this, would be after the election but before President Obama steps down. "The question is what can (Obama) do in those remaining weeks," Kito de Boer, head of mission at the Office of the Quartet, told CNBC. "If you put the test of 'what is a lasting legacy', one thing that I would argue is: simply recognize the two states, recognize Palestine. We talk about the fact that where the two-state solution is under threat, well, you know, that is something that the U.S. government could do." It's a conflict that dates back almost 70 years. The struggle between the Israelis and Palestinians has taken many twists and turns over the years, including the death of thousands, the displacement of millions, and deteriorated economies. And on a weekly chart, Keene points to a downtrend, and again sees a level of support at $90. Examining a daily chart of Disney, Keene points to a "clear bear channel to the downside," though with consolidation around the $90 level, which Keene deems a level of support. "With earnings coming up, I think Disney is headed for a move higher," Andrew Keene of AlphaShark said Wednesday on "Trading Nation." Ahead of Disney 's quarterly earnings announcement early next month, one trader is making a trade he hopes will quintuple his money. Keene calls Disney "over-sold," and sees shares of the media giant heading back to the $100 level the stock saw in July. Disney did trade up to $104 in May, but Keene doesn't see it going that high he has his eyes on hitting $100 in January as his "measured move" target. "We saw a lot of resistance at $100, but this is where I think it's headed in January," Keene said. In order to capitalize on such a move, Keene buys the January 97.50-strike call and sells the January 100-strike call spread for a total cost of $0.50 per share, or $50 per options contract. If Disney shares close at or above $100 on January 20, this spread will be worth $2.50 five times his original investment. That would represent an 8 percent rally from Wednesday's opening price. On the other hand, if Disney shares don't manage to rise, his trade will expire worthless. "If it does sell off on earnings, I still think it can go higher," Keene said. Trader takeaway: Andrew Keene is bullish on Disney ahead of earnings, and is buying the January 97.50/100 call spread in order to play for a rally up to $100. Report details family's care for Santulli Danny Santulli's family has created a hospital room for him in the living room of their Eden Prairie, Minnesota, home, his dad wrote in a report. Android upgrades are a contentious topic. Bring 'em up in any way, and you're bound to see some riled up people. I should know: I've observed and analyzed Android upgrades for years now -- all the way back to the now-ancient-seeming Android 2.2 Froyo era, when widespread rollouts for the platform were still an untested concept. And in all of that time, one thing has stayed pretty much the same: By and large, Android manufacturers suck at delivering timely and reliable OS updates. But hang on: Not everything about the Android upgrade situation has remained constant over these past several years. In fact, one very significant area has evolved considerably -- and it's an area that's almost always overlooked as part of the Android upgrade discussion, particularly when iOS comparisons come into the picture. As we think about Google's new Pixel phone and its unique position as the sole current handset guaranteed to get quick and regular Android updates, it's important to step back and put the situation in perspective -- because there really is much more to it than what we see on the surface. And while iPhone-to-Android upgrade comparisons are an inevitable side effect of the discussion (and one I've already heard brought up plenty in the context of the Pixel, especially when it comes to its short-seeming two-year window for support), the truth is that upgrades on iOS and Android are drastically different beasts. Trying to compare them directly is -- well, you know. Like trying to compare apples and oranges. The upgrade comparison paradox Let's get right to the missing piece of this puzzle: What people never seem to remember when talking about smartphone upgrades is that on Android, unlike on iOS, OS upgrades themselves are not the full story. They're but one part of a much bigger upgrade picture. For a real-world illustration, take this summer's iOS 10 release -- "the biggest iOS release ever," according to Apple. It was the first major iOS update since the previous summer's iOS 9 software. While the update did include some of what we in the Android camp would consider "OS-level improvements" -- things like a revamped lock screen and widgets section -- the majority of the changes were basically updates to system-level apps. For instance, iOS's Messages app got new features like multisized emojis, in-app photo editing, and in-line previews of web and video content; Apple's Photos app got a "Memories" feature along with automated image grouping; Apple Music got an updated UI; the Apple News app got suggested stories along with breaking news notifications; Siri gained the ability to work with a limited range of third-party apps; Apple Mail improved its handling of email threads; and Apple Maps got, um, slightly less crappy. These are the features, almost exclusively, that Apple itself highlights as being the most meaningful improvements in iOS 10. And altogether, they're certainly no small upgrade. As an Android user, though, the situation seems somewhat strange -- because on Android, those types of improvements are the sorts of things we see year-round, independent of major OS releases. That's because Google has pulled most of the system-app pieces out of the OS itself and put them into the Play Store, where they exist like any other app and are updated regularly on their own cycles. It's something Google's been doing since 2010 (and extensively since about 2013), with the deconstruction of the operating system reaching a new pinnacle earlier this year. At this point, practically every piece of the Android experience that isn't a core part of the actual foundational OS technically exists as a standalone app -- one that's updated frequently, universally, and outside of any formal OS releases. Apples and oranges Put into perspective, these are just some of the updates to system-like apps all Android users have received over the past six months -- unrelated to any actual OS release. Take a deep breath: A new app for intelligently organizing and managing travel (Google Trips) A pair of new chat apps for AI-aided conversation and quick-'n'-easy video (Allo and Duo) A new Wallpapers app with a variety of live backgrounds and automatically rotating collections of thematic images An updated Google Keyboard with added features like themes, gestures, suggested emojis, an improved personal dictionary system, a new one-handed mode, improved number support, and expanded language support An updated Google app that provides a simplified way to search across all apps, messages, and contacts from a centralized location along with UI improvements, offline voice actions, a better web browsing experience, the addition of app-based quick-action shortcuts on the home screen, and more predictive cards in the Google Now/home screen feed An updated Keep note-taking app with note-pinning, autocategorized notes, embedded previews in notes for web content, auto-completing lists, auto-condensing of duplicate items in lists, a streamlined UI, and a new system for sharing info from other apps into Keep notes Numerous updates to the Chrome web browser that include a redesigned new tab page (including intelligent article suggestions), background media playing, faster and more power-efficient video playing, a new download feature for simple offline saving and viewing of web content, and seamless payments with Android Pay across compatible websites Updates to Google Photos that enable faster in-app sharing of photos and albums, better image sorting within albums, more robust and varied memories and highlight features, more advanced and customizable auto-created videos, automated correction of sideways images, and an improved search experience A slew of updates to Gmail and Inbox that include universal Exchange support, faster searching of messages both online and off, a new search interface with smart contextual suggestions, automated grouping of project emails from Trello and GitHub, in-line previews of Google Alerts and newsletter subscriptions, native support for Google Drive, and support for proper viewing of responsive email design on mobile devices A refreshed UI for the Contacts app with better duplicate-contact management as well as label management A ton of updates to Maps, including a series of new hands-free driving commands, a new traffic widget for the home screen, a better and more dynamic direction indicator, built-in support for viewing events and reservations, improved discovery for nearby restaurants, better options for reduced bandwidth use, and expanded support for ride-sharing discovery and comparison Numerous updates to Google Play Services that allow developers to do all sorts of new stuff with their apps -- like letting users fill in phone numbers associated with their account with a single tap, checking the security of websites opened within an app against Google's gigantic database, and intelligently reacting to user context (which enables an app like Trulia to suggest open houses when the weather's good and a user is near relevant properties, for instance, or allows a music app to suggest music appropriate to activities like running, driving, or arriving at the gym when headphones are plugged in and those activities are underway) I could go on -- we didn't even touch on the updates to apps like News & Weather, Android Pay, Translate, Calendar, Messenger, Books, Docs, Slides, Sheets, Drive, Remote Desktop, or Authenticator, nor did we get into broader platform-level updates like the debut of Google Play shared family libraries and music plans, the advent of Project Fi-like automated encrypted Wi-Fi use for Nexus phones, or the slew of advancements to security-centric elements like the Android System Webview component -- but you get the point. Looking at OS updates on Android alongside those on Apple just isn't a parallel comparison As I've noted before (and as the above list certainly illustrates), any random month could see a level of system-like updates for Android that's comparable to a major OS upgrade on iOS. Google just does it all in a subdued, piecemeal fashion and -- perhaps at its own expense in terms of public perception -- rarely draws attention to the big picture of what's happening and how all the various pieces add up. As far as the actual OS goes, what's left in Android itself is basically just the engine room-style stuff -- the main guts and the parts of the UI (like notifications) that haven't been pulled out into separate pieces. It's a vastly different scenario than what Apple has concocted with iOS, and that's why talking about how long an iPhone gets OS updates compared to how long an Android phone gets OS updates is a meaningless exercise. What it boils down to is this: The phrase "OS update" means drastically different things on each platform -- and even if you don't take into account the fact that Apple generally gives older devices only a fraction of the features available on any new iOS release, looking at OS updates on Android alongside those on Apple just isn't a parallel comparison. That's not to say that Android OS updates are no longer important -- far from it. Android OS updates tend to contain significant foundational improvements to the operating system in areas like performance and core UI, and those are areas that can't easily be addressed with standalone elements. But considered as a whole, the ongoing updates to individual system pieces in between those core releases are equally consequential, and that's something most people fail to factor into the OS upgrade discussion. Now, let's get one thing straight: Both platforms' approaches have their own sets of pros and cons, and anyone who claims utopia on either side is drinking a little too much of someone's Kool-Aid. By all means, Android manufacturers could and should do better when it comes to formal OS updates. That's why I hold them accountable and grade them on their performance with rollouts every year, and that's a big part of why Google's own flagships phones (first Nexus and now Pixel) are the only devices I wholeheartedly recommend these days. (See also: their explicit promise for monthly security patches.) And I genuinely do think Google has the opportunity to take the Pixel's advantage in the realm of upgrades and turn it up a notch -- to have the Pixel raise the bar not only for its commitment to update timeliness but also for its commitment to update longevity. Such a move would go a long way in increasing the Pixel's perceived value, and it'd make a powerful statement about the phone's positioning within the greater Android ecosystem. We just have to remember that having that discussion within the parameters of Android and having that discussion as it relates to the iPhone are two very different things. And only one of them actually makes sense. The transformative potential of the iOS enterprise took a huge step forward this week, with IBM giving iPhone users in-app access to the powerful cognitive capabilities of IBM Watson, using MobileFirst for iOS apps. Intelligence inside This is yet another dramatic outcome from the Apple/IBM partnership, which has already established Macs to be far, far cheaper to run than Windows machines, including system purchase costs. This latest move seems likely to have a profound impact in a huge range of real world situations across multiple industries and reinforce Apples growing position in enterprise IT. The move means, made-for-business apps now have the ability to understand, reason and learn based on deep data analytics, according to IBM. I spoke with Mahmoud Naghshineh, general manager, Apple partnership, IBM, he explains: Cognitive insights are at the fingertips of professionals. These made-for-business apps can now understand, reason and learn, pulling from deep data analytics. We're making the apps smarter so the professional can make better, more informed decisions. IBM Natural Language Processing, Watson Conversation and other Watson APIs have been optimized to work with iOS 10s speech framework. Any Watson API can be integrated with these made-for-business apps based on a client's specific use case -- the possibilities are endless, said Naghshineh. Profound transformation How might this work in practice? Naghshineh suggested a service technician working on maintenance would be able to use verbally ask the Find & Fix app to look up suggestions on how to solve an equipment problem, enabling him to keep his attention is on the piece of equipment, a hands-free solution when he needs it most. As I predicted last year, when used with an app that offers Apple Watch support, the technician should be able to call up this kind of intelligent support while keeping their phone in their pocket. Cognitive combined with mobile is transformational -- it will change how professionals interact with enterprise apps to help move any business, and, ultimately, any industry forward, Naghshineh said. Contextual awareness is coming Whats critical is that Watson is smart enough to listen, learn, and make increasingly refined suggestions in reaction to situational need its not yet contextually aware, but thats the direction of travel. IBM explains the system can interact naturally, learn from interactions and surface meaningful insights from huge amounts of data. You see, while voice assistant tech like Siri or Google Now are basically comprised of pattern matching and voice recognition tied to a number of stock questions and potential answers. Cognitive computing as evidenced by Watson is a more powerful beast. It delivers a comprehensive set of capabilities based on technologies such as machine learning, reasoning and decision technologies; language, speech and vision technologies; human interface technologies; distributed and high- performance computing; and new computing architectures and devices. Watson continuously learns from previous interactions, gaining in value and knowledge over time, IBM said. The system can sense, create conclusions, and learn from experience. In future I imagine well see Siri and Watson become even closer in their capacity. When integrated, these capabilities are designed to solve a wide range of problems, boost productivity and foster new discoveries across many industries, said IBM. A question of ethics For all the starry-eyed potential, IBM knows that these forms of artificial intelligence are the zenith of digital transformation, likely to have profound impact on our society. AI systems are augmenting human intelligence in every field, and will ultimately transform our personal and professional lives, a statement provided to me by IBM explains. We are likely to see robots integrated into society in the near future as shop assistants, receptionists, doctors, bartenders and also as carers for our elderly and children, said Noel Sharkey, Emeritus Professor of AI and Robotics University of Sheffield. We recognize that AI systems are powerful, and like all powerful tools, great care must be taken in their deployment, says IBM. Our job as a technology company and a member of the global community is to ensure, to the best of our ability, that cognitive technology we develop is created the right way and for the right reasons. To this end, IBM is engaged in several efforts to advance our understanding of issues affecting the ethical development of artificial intelligence, including serving as a founding member of the Partnership on AI an organization committed to establishing best practices for AI that benefits people and society. Google+? If you use social media and happen to be a Google+ user, why not join AppleHolic's Kool Aid Corner community and join the conversation as we pursue the spirit of the New Model Apple? Want Apple TV tips? If you want to learn how to get the very best out of your Apple TV, please visit my Apple TV website. Got a story? Drop me a line via Twitter or in comments below and let me know. I'd like it if you chose to follow me on Twitter so I can let you know when fresh items are published here first on Computerworld. Microsoft announced a new all-in-one desktop called the Surface Studio today. Its a sleek, stylish competitor to the Apple iMac that will be well-suited to the next release of Microsoft Windows, called the Creators Update, that comes out next year and emphasizes 3D imaging and printing. The aluminum enclosure is the thinnest LCD thats ever been created, according to Microsoft. It measures 12.5mm thin with a 28-inch diagonal display that shows 13.5 million pixels (or higher than 4K). The idea is to be able to touch and interact with media including 3D images, video editing, music software, and even touch browsing and other productivity tasks. The Surface Pen is a key part of the strategy, because it works on the Studio and the Surface Book (and Surface Pro) seamlessly. You can sit like you are at a drafting table and draw, annotate, and write with the Pen on the Studio all-in-one. You can place your whole arm on the Studio desktop and jot notes without any latency problems, smudges, or jittering display problems. The Surface dial is an interesting addition for the Studio all-in-one. Its like the rewind feature in a video game where you can correct a wrong move in a first person shooter. Its also a way to customize actions like undo or save that you use as you are creating notes and artwork. You set the dial on the screen and it becomes another input mechanism -- selecting colors, choosing options, and interacting directly with the screen and finger touches. Its a way to interact with 3D space, more like the jog dial in a video editing suite than anything. In one demo creating a comic book that uses motion, an artist showed how the workflow with the dial makes perfect sense. You make a few markings, flip the dial, then zoom out. You see that everything looks great, turn the dial, and zoom in again. I could see programming things like The AIO has been around a while, but what Microsoft has accomplished with the Studio is mostly a branding exercise. The Surface Book matches up perfectly with the Studio in terms of styling, the same operating system, touch input, and Microsoft apps like the newly introduced Paint 3D. Besides branding, its about ecosystem. If you use the desktop and the Surface Book, it promotes the idea of sticking with the same apps (and games) in your workflow. Switching from a Chromebook or a MacBook Pro and then over to the Windows desktop at work can be awkward and inefficient. I also like how Cortana runs on the Studio so you can bring up documents, get directions, and set reminders in a way that feels familiar if you use a Windows laptop. Microsoft is all about screen time. What you look at during the day, at Starbucks in the morning, at home, and on the plane should have a cohesive, efficient feel. Constant switching between devices with different operating systems tend to cause delays. We start up different apps, we manage different files. Maybe this is not enough to convince everyone to start using OneDrive, but you have to admit having the Studio on your desk will plant you more firmly into the Microsoft world. If you run Word all day and not Google Docs, you might even be more likely to use the Word app on your iPhone or Android device. Its a move into cohesion and fluidity. The glaring problem, of course, is that the Windows phone has all but died (unless you count the new HP Elite X3 line). Theres still an awkward gap, and that might be the one issue that Microsoft faces in capturing the productivity market. Were using our phones and tablet more, and our desktop and laptops less. Microsoft is playing catch-up with Apple and Google. The Surface Studio will be available to demo starting tomorrow (October 27th) at the Microsoft Store, and will ship this holiday season at a cost of $3,000. Microsoft today announced new hardware and named its first 2017 Windows 10 update, all part of a new promotional pitch that aims to establish itself, its partners and the Windows ecosystem as centers for creativity, analysts said. "I love the concept [of Microsoft] trying to equate productivity and creativity," said Stephen Baker, an analyst with the NPD Group who was at Microsoft's New York City event Wednesday. "Content consumption and productivity really don't go together, but consumption and creativity do." Throughout the two-hour presentation, Microsoft stuck to a theme of creativity: It slapped a name on the next Windows 10 upgrade -- now called "Creators Update" -- and unveiled a $2,999 all-in-one desktop PC, the Surface Studio, that it pointed at creative professionals and consumers with big wallets. Included with the Windows 10 Creators Update -- which will likely launch in March 2017 -- will be tools for 3D object creation, features for self-broadcasting PC games and ties to virtual reality, augmented reality and what Microsoft, among others, has begun to call a "mixed reality" viewed with its HoloLens hardware. The goal with the next version of Windows 10, said Terry Myerson, the company's top operating system and devices executive, was nothing less than "To have the effect of the Gutenberg press on this generation." Most of the applause at the event, however, was reserved for the new Surface Studio, the latest addition to Microsoft's premium Surface brand of devices. The 28-in. desktop flexes to lie flat for easier use with touch or pen, or the also-new Dial, a puck-shaped device that when placed on a Surface screen, serves as an alternate input device for tasks such as scrolling and zooming. Mark Hachman The creative-creativity-creators pounding was purposeful. "This wasn't just about OEMs, but about the whole Windows ecosystem," said Baker when asked if, like the original 2012 strategy for the Surface line, Microsoft meant to nudge its original equipment manufacturer partners toward slicker designs. "The personal computer has been pigeon-holed into a keyboard-mouse productivity world. But the next generation of users, who see the value of productivity, have other values, too. "Microsoft is trying to show the rest of the ecosystem what that value proposition is," Baker added. To Baker, Microsoft's desktop was a play for consumers who blend personal and professional, and have plenty of money -- in other words, the same group that's buying Surface tablets and notebooks. "The relative success of the Surface has shown that there are customers who see the value of cross-over [devices] and are willing to pay for them," Baker said. Patrick Moorhead, principal analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, put the Surface Studio in a narrower frame. "It's definitely different.... The display is beautiful..., but I think it will resonate with creative types," Moorhead said in an interview after the Microsoft event ended. "It's not competing with a workstation. This is for artists, and folks who are doing creative sketching." Although many analysts, both industry and financial experts, have urged Microsoft to stick to the more lucrative commercial business of serving software and services to enterprises, today's event and focus made it clear Microsoft doesn't agree. "Yes, I do think that Microsoft's focus is on productivity, whether that's for business or for consumers," said Moorhead. "But they still do consumer." Nothing said that better than when Microsoft chose to brand the next edition of Windows 10 or introduce the Surface Studio. "The timing of this was to give a lift to the holiday selling season," Moorhead argued. Not for Windows 10 Creators Update, which will only be in beta testers' hands by year's end. And not really for the Studio; the desktop will be available only in "limited quantities" throughout 2016. But it could provide some juice on the consumer side for Windows 10 in general -- new hardware specifically -- even if it isn't Microsoft's or comes with a huge price tag. The consumer PC business has been in the doldrums, or worse, as people have held onto their aging machines because they have shifted so much of what was once done on notebooks and desktops to phones and tablets. It's unclear whether Microsoft's creativity push can turn that around, even though making things remains the purview, more or less, of the PC. Moorhead, for one, was encouraged. "This is the first time in about 15 to 20 years when Windows premium PCs are selling at about the same price points as Apple [Macs]," he said, pointing not just to the Surface line, but to OEMs like Dell and HP. Only a very small minority of those officially categorised as homeless are actually sleeping rough on the streets. There are 73,120 in temporary accommodation. The latest estimate for the number sleeping rough on any given night is 3,569. A quarter of them are in London. The number sleeping rough has doubled since 2010 they werent really counted properly before then and, inevitably, the figures are still unreliable. Of course some will be challenging for the authorities to engage with as they refuse help. Many are drug addicts, or alcoholics, or mentally ill who might be erratic about keeping appointments or filling in forms. However, there are some who sleep on the streets simply because they have nowhere else to go. They have followed all the procedures and been denied any accommodation by their local council. I have had examples of such casework in my Inbox over the past year as a councillor in Hammersmith and Fulham and had varying degrees of success in managing to help them. Bob Blackman, the Conservative MP for Harrow East, wants to do something about it. On Friday his Homelessness Reduction Bill has its Second Reading. This week it won Government support. One change is that councils would be obliged to take preventative action. The obligation would start before the bailiffs arrive and someone is out on the street with a suitcase shuffling off to the town hall. If this happens to be a strapping single young man the Housing Department will quite likely tell him that he is not a priority and he is left to sleep on a park bench. Instead local authorities would have a duty to help eligible people at risk of homelessness to secure accommodation 56 days before they are threatened with homelessness (up from 28 days at present). It would also ensure that other local services refer those either homeless or at risk of being homeless to local authority housing teams. If the early intervention fails and someone is still homeless the Council would have to provide some emergency relief even if it is a single young man rather than just leave him to sleep on the streets. The Bill has the support of the Government which, of course, greatly increases its chances of becoming law. The concern that councils have, understandably enough, is the extra pressure the new law would put them under. There might indeed be savings for the NHS and the criminal justice system by averting rough sleeping but what of council budgets? Crisis has estimated that a reduction in homelessness would save the taxpayer over 9,000 per person per year. They commissioned Nicholas Pleace at the University of York and Prof Dennis P. Culhane at the University of Pennsylvania to come up with the estimate. Researchers asked 86 people who had been homeless for at least 90 days about the services they had used. The fall in public spending is based on the average estimated reduction of 9,266 per person per year. An earlier report offered various hypothetical examples it includes a victim of domestic violence and someone else with learning difficulties. One consequence of refusing help to those deemed not a priority is that their situation deteriorates and they later do become a priority and end up costing the housing department more in the long term. In any case, central Government have said that they would provide councils with extra funds to fully meet any extra costs of their obligations if this Bill becomes law. In fact I am pretty unsympathetic about councils complaining about the cost of their provision for the homeless. This is because of the very substantial public health budgets which councils control. I have written before about how this money is largely wasted. To take my own council as an example. It spends 23 million on public health. Just over two per cent half a million pounds is allocated to supportive housing. A much bigger share should be. In Hammersmith and Fulham I am told that: Adult Social Care estimate that around 55 per cent of residents in the generic supported housing services for homeless people have support needs related to their mental health, often presenting with substance and/or alcohol misuse. Approximately 20 per cent of these residents will have severe and enduring mental illness. In other words a majority of those being put in general hostels should be placed in specialist hostels. A disgrace. We are a prosperous and civilised nation and we should not be forcing people to sleep rough. Councils should offer the homeless and those for whom the threat of homelessness is looming a sympathetic, confidential, efficient and timely service. The result should be that nobody is refused a roof over their head. That is morally right and also a matter of good sense both in terms of the public finances and of public order. MPs should pass the Blackman Bill and councils should make a success of it. Police confirm that Republican On the Runs are linked to dozens of crimes The Belfast Telegraph reports that 36 Republicans who received so-called comfort letters from the British Government are linked to 136 incidents by the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Last week this column covered the latest twist in the saga of so-called On-the-Runs (OTRs), Republicans who were wanted the police and were granted a de facto amnesty by the Blair government. Conservative ministers ended the OTR scheme after it led to the collapse of the trial of John Downey, who was charged with the 1982 Hyde Park bombings. Revelations about the scheme have prompted fury from unionists, who argue that it amounted to a get-out-of-jail-free card to people linked to hundreds of murders. In other news, dissident Republicans are also being blamed for the shooting dead of a man in West Belfast on Thursday night. Swinney accused of misleading MSPs over success of Named Persons John Swinney, the Scottish Governments Education and Skills Minister, has been accused of falsely presenting claims to Holyrood in order to make the controversial state guardian scheme appear successful, the Daily Express reports. According to the No to Named Persons (N2NP), he mislead Holyroods education and skills committee about the efficacy of a pilot scheme in the Highlands. They point out that the substantial drop in referrals to the Childrens Reporter in the region, which Swinney attributed to the pilot, was replicated in other parts of the country which werent running the scheme. Swinney is one of the innermost circle of the SNP leadership: his move to education was supposed to be concrete evidence that it was Nicola Sturgeons top priority, at least between Mays Scottish elections and Junes EU referendum. UUP and SDLP ally to offer alternative power-sharing government This week Colum Eastwood, the leader of the nationalist Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), addressed the conference of the Ulster Unionist Party. The News Letter reports that Mike Nesbitt, the UUP leader, told his members that the two more centrist parties will offer a real alternative government for Stormont. Under Northern Irelands power-sharing arrangements, every party with a sufficient contingent of MLAs is entitled to take ministerial positions in the government. This has created a legislature with a chronic lack of opposition. Any alternative to the Democratic Unionist/Sinn Fein administration what the Belfast Telegraph dubs a failing regime would need to be cross-community. However, it will be very difficult for the UUP to champion a centrist, cross-community coalition at the same time as a Unionist unity pact with the DUP. Scottish MPs criticise boundary review proposals The Boundary Commission for Scotlands initial draft for revised Scottish constituencies has been branded unacceptable by MPs, according to STV. Both the SNPs Angus Robertson and Labours Ian Murray are quoted as criticising the scheme. Scotland is due to have its MPs cut from 59 to 53. Notional results from the 2015 election on the new boundaries would give the Nationalists every seat except Orkney and Shetland, which would remain Lib Dem. However, on one set of projections current polling would push the Conservatives up into second with six seats and put them very close in two more. Labour would not have any. Plaid AM calls for clear green water between Nationalists and Labour Last week this column covered the news that Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, a Plaid Cymru AM and former leader, had quit the party because it was too reluctant to work with Labour at Cardiff Bay. Now Wales Online reports that other nationalists are pushing back. Neil McEvoy, a Plaid AM, is reported to have derided any coalition with corrupt, stagnant Welsh Labour. At present the two parties have a compact, where Plaid meet regularly with Carwyn Jones administration (which includes the sole Liberal Democrat) to influence policy. The Nationalists recently secured 119m worth of spending concessions, and Leanne Wood has refused to rule out a coalition. Were Plaid to join that administration it would leave the parties of the right, the Conservatives and UKIP, a monopoly on opposition. Lawyers warn of culture of fear amongst Scottish prosecutors Scotlands independent prosecution service has fallen under a fall of fear about political diktats, according to the Scotsman. Leading lawyers bodies have apparently warned that in certain cases, particularly those pertaining to domestic abuse and racial prejudice, prosecutors feel under pressure to bring cases to trial despite clear shortcomings in the evidence. A new inquiry by Holyroods justice committee is set to hear concerns that political activism is leeching away prosecutorial discretion. The EU referendum result brought no good news for Labour, since its core vote in one of its strongholds, London, takes a different view of Brexit from that in another, the urban North and Midlands. But it offered the Liberal Democrats nothing but upside. If Jeremy Corbyns Labour cannot brand itself the party of the 48 per cent, then Tim Farrons Liberal Democrats will, thank you very much. And its not as though Labour has much else going for it at the moment anyway. Yes, Brexit offers the Partys former coalition partner a chance to speed its long march back towards where Charles Kennedy took them in 2005, when he followed up Paddy Ashdowns breakthrough of 1997 to nudge his party to its highest post-war seat total. It is the natural party of opposition to Theresa Mays Conservatives, at least at the moment, in Londons prosperous Remain-backing suburbs, and out beyond them in the wider south. Farrons party did well in the Witney by-election, gaining a 19 per cent swing and slashing the blue majority to just under 6000. Like Witney, Richmond Park plumped for Remain last June: the latter as part of Richmond-upon-Thames council area, the former as part of West Oxfordshire. It did so more decisively by 69 per cent to 31 per cent. The Liberal Democrats will doubtless field a local candidate and doubtless, too, seek to make the flesh of local voters creep with tales of Brexit horrors to come. I mean no disrespect to the inhabitants of this beautiful constituency, in which I was lucky enough to grow up, in pointing out that only a sophisticated electorate could be foolish enough to fall for them en masse. Not so long ago, the seat was found to be the best-educated in the country. We thus present our readers with a paradox. At first glance, the seat looks like a walkover for Zac Goldsmith who won a whopping majority of over 23,000 votes; who is standing courageously (if wrong-headedly) as an independent, and who will not be opposed by the Conservatives. And had this by-election taken place before the spring, a walkover it doubtless would have been. But there will be a knock-on for Goldsmith for, first, having fought the London Mayoral election and, second, for the controversial way in which he fought it. And then there is the Brexit factor. It is strange but true that the Liberal Democrats, left for dead in 2015, now find themselves almost the front-runners in Richmond. Close An audit published today by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has revealed that three in four labor wards have no consultants overnight. The report found that just two out of 165 maternity units had a consultant present round the clock, and that almost half of hospitals lacked senior specialists at weekends. Heart of England NHS Trust in Birmingham and Central Manchester University were the only two centers with consultants available, day and night, all week. The figures from the 165 NHS maternity units found that just over 73 percent had no consultant on the weekday overnight shifts typically 10 p.m to 8 p.m. Another 43 percent said none were on site on weekends and 89 percent said that consultants were not available for evening shifts on weekends, as per the report. Although consultants are available on call from home, they can live up to 30 minutes away and the staff summons them only in emergencies. Mothers-to-be are instead left in the hands of overstretched midwives and often inexperienced and over exhausted junior doctors. Research has shown that babies born out of hours, are a third more likely to die or suffer serious complications. Maureen Treadwell of the British Trauma Association responded by saying, " We are concerned at the number of hospital trusts with no consultant cover at night. There are a number of rare but sudden catastrophic events in labor where a less experienced doctor may need the advice or assistance of a senior colleague. These are not common events, but every year some women and babies will die as a result of substandard care, often from staff who are doing their best, but may have never dealt with such a condition." Experts say the figures are worrying because labors are becoming more complex owing to the fact that more women are becoming obese and the trend for women to have babies later in life. In such a situation, midwives and junior doctors are less likely to spot when things go wrong and can be reluctant to call the consultants.for their expertise and help. See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare Editorial Background to plunder In 1999 the Howard government signed the Fifth Protocol to the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). There was little fanfare or fuss, just a one-page press release from the then Minister for Trade, Tim Fischer, singing its praises. What is the Fifth Protocol? How many citizens were informed and asked their opinion on it? The GATS was negotiated as part of the Uruguay round of GATT. It is part of the World Trade Organisation regime. Negotiations around financial services at the Uruguay round were finalised in December 1995. Driven by US financial institutions, the Fifth Protocol to GATS relates to trade in financial services. It covers insurance, banking, securities and financial information. Fischer promoted the agreement as opening up foreign markets for Australian financial institutions: It will mean the Australian financial sector will be able to invest more easily, with more confidence, and more security, in the Asia-Pacific region and across the world, he said. Australia, by signing the Protocol, also agreed to open up its financial sector banks, insurance companies, stock exchanges, etc to foreign takeover and to give foreign investors in these fields exactly the same rights as Australian-based ones to extract Australias wealth. But little was said about that. Fischer claimed that For Australia, acceptance of the Protocol does not require any new legislative action, giving the impression little would change. Prior to signing Treasury had issued reassurances that the Fifth Protocol would not automatically allow foreign takeovers of the big four banks, the Commonwealth, ANZ, NAB and Westpac. At the time of its privatisation, the Commonwealth Bank was protected by restrictions on foreign ownership and takeover/control by financial institutions. But the Howard government had, as far back as December 1997, agreed to remove restrictions on foreign ownership of these banks and breach government guarantees regarding the Commonwealth Bank. It made a commitment at the World Trade Organisation to eliminate a prohibition on the acquisition of control of any of Australias four main banks and eliminate a measure which prohibits banks (resident or non-resident) from holding shares in the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ... With the signing of the Fifth Protocol Australia surrendered its sovereign right to make decisions over ownership and control of its largest financial institutions. Any attempt by a government to breach this Protocol would bring Australia up against stringent enforcement measures, including the possibility of having to pay compensation to any investors claiming potential losses. A similar process occurred with communications, shipping, airlines and other parts of the service sector. The Howard government had committed Australia to agreements that have the objectives of removing barriers to profit-making and the global expansion of transnational corporations. These barriers included restrictions on foreign ownership and capital flows, government regulations (health and safety standards, licensing, etc), taxation, national borders and customs, social spending by governments and public ownership. They go hand in glove with the offensive against workers wages and conditions and attacks on the Australian trade union movement. The bottom line is that the people of Australia are being subjected to phoney inquiries and consultations which come up with recommendations on international trade treaties that in some instances the government has already committed itself to in iron clad agreements. Free trade and protectionism The use of tariffs, subsidies and other protective mechanisms such as quotas, are typical methods used by capitalist economies to regulate trade and protect domestic industries. All of these methods result in raising prices to the consumer but they can be used to defend jobs. Free trade is being strongly pushed by the big corporations because it permits them to undercut domestic manufacturers and growers, to drive them out of business or take them over. Free trade is really anarchy and the law of the jungle by which the stronger drive all others to the wall and into bankruptcy, with workers left on the scrap heap. A struggle between supporters of free trade and protectionism waxed and waned in Australia for the whole of the 20th century. One of the early political parties in Australia went by the name of Free Trade and won over 35 percent of the vote in the 1901 elections. The alternative to these methods of trade is the adoption of the principle of mutual benefit. Mutual benefit trade means that the buying and selling of goods between countries is carried out with an eye to the benefit of both countries not just one. It means the widespread use of trade agreements which set out the terms and conditions and quantities of goods to be bought and sold. It introduces a planned approach to trade and industry development. It involves the public ownership of major trading organisations so that the national interest can be effectively protected while taking into account the interests of a trade partner. See page 7: the CPAs draft submission to the Department of the Senate, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee, on the current proposed Trans Pacific Partnership trade agreement. Revolutionary solidarity On Thursday October 20, around 40 people from different solidarity groups gathered at 43 Below Bar & Restaurant in Perth to listen to Daniel Gasparri, Charge d Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Embassy in Canberra. An update was delivered on Venezuela currently under attack by the violent right wing opposition. A discussion that followed also highlighted the attacks on other progressive governments in Latin America. The opposition in Venezuela is pushing for a referendum with the aim of ousting President Maduro from government. The economic war on the Bolivarian Revolution targets the people to create the impression of an internal crisis and a failed state. Similar tactics have been used by right wing oppositions in Honduras, Paraguay and most recently in Brazil where the parliamentary coup d etat removed President Dilma Rousseff from the presidency. Discussion on the need to re-establish and/or strengthen the solidarity work with the Bolivarian revolution was high on the agenda. The people gathered in Perth pledged to start working on the urgent task of defending the government of President Maduro and his government. Daniel Gasparri visited workplaces and met with Mick Buchan CFMEU state branch secretary as well as with other interested parties and community groups such as the Communist Party of Australia, Socialist Alliance and the Australia-Cuba Friendship Society, ACFS. End of the US blockade on Cuba! On Monday October 17, a number of activists from the Australia-Cuba Friendship Society gathered outside the US consulate in Perth demanding the end of the US blockade on Cuba. Speakers at the rally told of the inhumane effects of the blockade on the people on Cuba. Despite President Obama stating the US blockade on Cuba was a failed policy, the blockade remains intact and very small changes have been made. Even as recent as September 13 this year Obama followed nine previous US presidents and renewed the Trading with the Enemy Act for another year. This allows the continuation of full economic sanctions on Cuba. Cuba is in fact the only country this Act has been enacted upon. The process to re-establish diplomatic relations between Cuban and the US began on December 17, 2014 with the release of the three remaining (Gerardo, Ramon and Antonio) of the internationally known Cuban Five. Rene and Fernando had already been released after fulfilled their long, unjust sentences. Embassies have been opened but the blockade, including fines imposed on third parties, such as the ANZ in Australia, have doubled since the previous administration. They now total $2.26 billion. The human damage caused by this blockade is enormous and impossible to calculate but it is estimated the economic damages alone have exceeded $1 trillion. Cuba has affirmed its willingness to move towards the normalisation of relations with the United States in a constructive spirit, but has been very clear it must be without any prejudice to Cuban independence or its right to decide its own affairs, that of the sovereignty of Cubans. On Wednesday October 26, Cuba will introduce for the 25th time a resolution before the UN General Assembly on the need to end the inhumane economic and financial blockade on the island. In 2015, 191 countries, out of 193 voted in favour of lifting the blockade with only the United States and Israel voting for the blockade. We join the world including many US citizens in demanding the end of the US blockade and the return of Guantanamo Bay to the people of Cuba. President Obama can do more before he leaves office. Local Unions, Global Voices Unions WA Inaugural Conference on Global Inequality Nationally union membership in Australia continues to decline, yet ironically the need for unions has increased due to global as well as local factors. With this global impetus, the Unions WA International Committee held its first ever conference on global inequality with a view to presenting comprehensive information on a number of contemporary issues through lively and interesting speakers. The Conference was held on October 15 at the State School Teachers headquarters and was attended by about 60 unionist and community activists. ACTU President Ged Kearney spoke about global inequality, world capitalist institutions and income inequality since the 2008 global financial crisis. Such factors are feeding growing political instability in the world. Increasing automation is making many workers redundant while the supply chains of global corporations are becoming longer and more dangerous. Kearney was appalled by the language she sees being used today which refers to workers as human capital or just another input of the production process. This leads to the off-shoring of manufacturing to the cheapest location in the world. It was an indirect consequence of the collapse and fire at the Rana Plaza near Dhaka in Bangladesh in 2013, causing over 700 young textile workers mostly women to either lose their lives or be severely maimed. Today Burma is attempting to take this mantle from Bangladesh and China by creating economic zones where employment regulation would be minimal or non-existent, thereby attracting foreign capital to set up their production in that country. Kate Lee from the ACTUs international solidarity arm APHEDA spoke next about climate change which is behind the hotter weather in Asia. This not only causes food and water shortages in that region but also makes work difficult especially for female workers in countries such as Cambodia where 40 percent of construction workers are female. Lee observed that although GDP was rising in Asia it was occurring with rising rates of income inequality for workers. One issue that APHEDA was pushing in Asia was the use of asbestos as several countries continue to manufacture building products from asbestos in particular in Indonesia, China, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Other speakers included Dr Patricia Ranald from AFTINET (Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network) who talked about free trade agreements such as the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) which is being negotiated between the 10 ASEAN countries plus Australia, New Zealand, India, China, Japan and South Korea. These agreements, said Ranald, do not improve the lives of the majority of ordinary citizens in these countries but make capital freer to make larger profits by exploiting workers more. We need fairer trade based on labour rights and environmental sustainability which allows governments to act in the public interest to reduce inequality, added Ranald. To underscore that organisations such as AFTINET and the union movement generally had been having an impact not only in Australia but in the US, the fate of the TPP is looking increasingly shaky as governments are being pushed by their elected representatives not to approve the deal as it would have a detrimental effect on workers wages and conditions. Ranald noted that the TPP delivers almost no jobs and there would be a loss of up to 39,000 jobs after 10 years. The last speaker was Matt Grudnoff from the Australia Institute who spoke about tax avoidance by national and global corporations and how this was harming the ability of governments to fund infrastructure and services. Corporations such as Apple, Google and Chevron pay very marginal levels of tax as they can claim tax deductions over almost all the revenue they earn due to lucrative deductions or offsets which they can claim. Apple Corp for instance pays a rate of taxation equivalent to 0.7 percent of its revenue. The solution, said Grudnoff, was to push governments for greater transparency and disclosure by these corporations and to abolish or cap some of these deductions. The afternoon concluded with problem solving group exercises for the delegates, followed by a plenary session with all the guest speakers on all the issues discussed at the conference on inequality. The conference demonstrated that as a movement we can lift the lives of workers everywhere, including here in Australia, defending and extending what we have fought so hard for: the quality and safety of our working lives, and the security and prosperity of our families and communities. Australia opposed to nuke weapons ban The following report, based on freedom of information research, describes Australias obstructive role at the recently concluded UN working group on nuclear disarmament in Geneva, which recommended negotiations on a treaty banning nuclear weapons in 2017. Australia argues that US nuclear weapons are vital for its security, and thus it opposes a ban. Summary Australia participated in a key UN working group on nuclear disarmament in 2016 open-eyed about the strategy of New Zealand and others to establish the foundations for a global nuclear weapons ban which Australia opposes. While the United States boycotted the talks, Australia remained in close contact with its officials about our shared concerns that the working group was likely to recommend negotiations on a ban treaty, FOI documents suggest. According to Australian government policy, US nuclear weapons serve Australias fundamental national security interests. Therefore, Australia opposes any moves that would seek to stigmatise or delegitimise nuclear weapons. Australia objected to the working groups draft report in August, arguing that it gave undue prominence to a proposal put forward by Indonesia and others to convene a conference in 2017 to negotiate a ban on nuclear weapons. Australia raised the ire of other nations both supporters and opponents of a ban when it forced a vote on the painstakingly negotiated report. This manoeuvre backfired, as it prompted an amendment that strengthened the text. Based on the recommendations in the working groups final report, the UN General Assembly is now considering a draft resolution to convene negotiations in 2017 on a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons. Establishing the working group In December 2015, the United Nations General Assembly voted 138 states in favour, 12 against to establish an open-ended working group that would substantively address effective legal measures and norms for achieving a nuclear-weapon-free world. All UN member states were invited to participate. Australia abstained from the vote, concerned that the new UN body would become a vehicle for advancing negotiations on a nuclear-weapon-ban treaty which it opposes. Nevertheless, it participated in the groups three substantive sessions, held in Geneva in February, May and August 2016. The February session Documents released to ICAN (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons) by the Australian foreign ministry in October under freedom of information laws show that the government attended the first session open-eyed about the strategy of a core group of nations, including New Zealand, to establish the foundations for commencing negotiations on a ban treaty for nuclear weapons. There was [a]n undercurrent of support for this. Does the government oppose a nuclear ban treaty due to Australias reliance on extended nuclear deterrence? internal talking points ask. The suggested answer: We must be realistic about the environment in which we operate. The government cites North Koreas nuclear weapons program as providing justification for its opposition. So long as the threat of nuclear attack and coercion exists, US extended nuclear deterrence will serve Australias fundamental national security interests, one document states. Were Australia to join the future treaty outlawing nuclear weapons, it would no doubt be required to renounce this doctrine. Australia hosted meetings at its Geneva mission with diplomats from a handful of other nations that claim protection from US nuclear weapons including five that host US nuclear weapons on their territory as part of a NATO arrangement to help coordinate their contributions to the working group, and to refresh our narrative. Our involvement [in the working group] allows us to provide a strong alternative viewpoint, notably against those states who wish to push a near-term ban treaty, Australian officials wrote in one of the FOI documents. As the United States and other nuclear-armed nations had chosen to boycott the talks, Australia and its coterie were left with the task of thwarting moves towards a ban. In one memo, Australia expressed concern that the working group was tracking towards recommendations on a nuclear weapons ban treaty, and another suggests that Australia remained in close contact with the United States about our shared concerns that the working group was likely to recommend negotiations on a ban treaty (although the US has been redacted). In a diplomatic cable dated March 4, Australias Geneva-based representatives reported to Canberra that the discussion panels at the February session had been skewed towards the humanitarian approach that is, an approach focusing on the harmful effects of nuclear weapon detonations on human beings and the environment, as opposed to abstract notions such as geostrategic stability and deterrence. Predictably, much of the civil society coverage [of the February session] focused on those states advocating a ban treaty, the Australian diplomats wrote. Most tweets gave primacy to arguments advocating immediate legal measures, notably the ban treaty. Australia and other anti-ban nations that attended the session were presented as a key obstacle to progressing nuclear disarmament, they complained. The May session In the middle of the May session, Australias Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, announced that a general election would be held on July 2. Operating under so-called caretaker conventions, the government then instructed its diplomats in Geneva to take a lower profile in the discussions. This will mean relying on other like-minded countries to be active, including in raising questions to dispel the myths around a ban treaty, a cable said. Upon the conclusion of the May session, Australian diplomats reported home that the working group had lent further momentum to an early start on multilateral negotiations on a ban treaty. In Australias assessment, New Zealand, Brazil, Egypt, Ireland, Mexico and South Africa members of a group called the New Agenda Coalition had run a well-oiled campaign to this end. A striking feature of the May session was the mobilisation of civil society, deftly coordinated with prohibition-treaty-supporting member states, the diplomats wrote. The singular ban-treaty focus of these groups created a campaign-like atmosphere during the proceedings. Australia and other anti-ban nations had stepped up [their] engagement in response, taking issue with the arguments of ban treaty proponents, raising concerns about security [and] claims of the existence of a legal gap. (Since December 2014, 127 nations have pledged to cooperate in efforts to fill the legal gap in the existing regime governing nuclear weapons. These remain the only WMD not yet banned.) During the May session, a cross-regional group of nations, including Indonesia, submitted a working paper proposing that the UN General Assembly convene a conference in 2017 to negotiate a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons. In reaction to this, Australian officials prepared talking points for the foreign minister, Julie Bishop, in case any journalists were to ask her about Indonesias proposed conference. The proposed conference is one of many ideas suggested to the OEWG [open-ended working group] for further discussion, they encouraged her to say, without rejecting the idea. The August session At the August session, the proposal to convene a conference in 2017 to commence negotiations on a nuclear-weapon-ban treaty had become the main point of debate. The chairs draft report of the working group, to be submitted to the UN General Assemblys First Committee, said that a majority of states had expressed their support for such a conference. But Australia disputed the accuracy of that claim. This prompted various regional groups, representing all of the nations of Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and Southeast Asia, along with several Pacific island and European states, to deliver statements confirming their support for the proposed conference. By the end of the session, at least 107 had done so an overwhelming majority. Yet Australia continued to argue against including the word majority in the report. Following a week of intense negotiations including in closed-door meetings and over dinner at the chairs private residence the participating states appeared to have reached agreement on a compromise text. The report would simply recognise that a recommendation had been made to convene a conference in 2017 to negotiate a ban a recommendation that had received widespread support. But Australia was unable even to accept this formulation. In the closing session on August 19, it informed the working group with well over one hundred nations in the room that it could not support the report, as it gave undue prominence to the ban treaty. The chair then offered to insert a note into the report to reflect Australias decision to dissociate itself from it. Still, this was not enough. Australia, acting alone (but with the encouragement of the United States, according to diplomatic sources), forced a vote on the report even though it had been painstakingly negotiated with the expectation that it would be adopted with unanimous support. Australias extraordinary manoeuvre infuriated both supporters and opponents of a ban. And it prompted Guatemala to propose a last-minute amendment. If nations are to be forced to vote, they should do so on a clearly worded recommendation to commence negotiations in 2017 on a ban treaty (not on the watered-down text). And so that is what they did. The report was adopted with overwhelming support, and Australia left the meeting red-faced. Asked by the UK Guardian newspaper why the government had decided to call the vote, a foreign ministry spokesperson responded: It was the most effective way to register our opposition to a recommendation to start negotiations on a ban treaty. A consensus report was not possible in the circumstances. The UN General Assembly On September 21, during a high-level segment of the 71st session of the UN General Assembly, Austrias foreign minister, Sebastian Kurz, announced that his country would join other UN member states in tabling a resolution to give effect to the key recommendation of the UN open-ended working group. A few days later, Austria, Brazil, Ireland, Mexico, Nigeria and South Africa circulated a draft of the resolution, which proposes 20 days of negotiations in New York in 2017 on a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their total elimination. This document is now under consideration in the First Committee of the General Assembly, which deals with disarmament and international security matters. All nations will be asked to vote on it in the final week of October or first week of November. The proposed treaty would place nuclear weapons on the same legal footing as chemical and biological weapons, which have long been prohibited under international law. * Tim Wright is Asia-Pacific director of ICAN Corporate dictatorship TPP Entrenching corporate power The following is a submission by the Communist Party to the Committee Secretariat Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee, Department of the Senate, on the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement. The Communist Party of Australia welcomes the opportunity to make this submission to the Department of the Senate. We are concerned that there have been no independent studies of the impact of the TPP on the Australian people. The governments National Interest Assessment assessment provided to Senators was done by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which negotiated the agreement. This cannot be considered an independent assessment. The assessment made by a World Bank study that the TPP will deliver only a tiny 0.7% growth in the Australian economy after 15 years should inform the Senate when weighing up the risk of locking Australia into an agreement with destructive rules that would continue to have an impact for decades. There is much at stake; the TPP is much more than a trade deal. We assert that if Senators make the Australian peoples interests a priority when considering this agreement there can be no other course than to vote against this agreement. The TPP is a framework for global corporations to operate in which they could prevent future governments elected by the people of Australia from protecting the public interest. Benefit for corporations does not translate into good outcomes for most Australians and there is a body of evidence and opinion to support our position. The TPP will deliver a Trojan horse for the enhancement of the power of international corporations at the expense of national sovereignty and interests. The Productivity Commission and the ACCC [Australian Competition and Consumer Commission] have said that the Investor State Dispute Settlement clause (ISDS) in the TPP gives foreign investors special rights to sue governments over domestic laws and regulations at all levels of government. It will allow the US to set the rules for the region and for foreign corporations to bypass domestic courts and sue governments over changes to domestic law in unfair international tribunals which have no independent judiciary, no precedents and no appeals. Arbitral tribunals set up under ISDS provisions are not courts. Nor are they required to act like courts but their decisions can significantly impact on national economies and on regulatory systems within nation states. The value of such a clause was highlighted when Phillip Morris moved part of its operations to Hong Kong to access just such a clause to sue against the plain packaging laws the Australian Government had brought in out of concern for the health of its people. After 4 years and at a cost of $50 million the Phillip Morris case was dropped because of a jurisdiction issue, not because the case was tested. There were no winners when the cost and time taken in defending the governments right to make such laws. Globally there are an increasing number of cases against health, environment and other public interest laws. As we move further towards the challenges that climate change will present, the government must be free of externalities that can and should be avoided that may impact on the governments ability to respond. Under the TPP, challenges to a range of government measures can be made including against measures relating to renewable energy, measures affecting expropriation of assets, revocation of licences and permits, regulation of energy tariffs, wrongful criminal prosecutions, land zoning decisions, invalidation of patents and sovereign bonds legislation. Such provisions would also act as a deterrent to all levels of government when considering changes to regulations or legislation. The TPPs definition of investments by transnational corporations includes stocks, bonds, speculative financial instruments like derivatives, licences, franchises, permits as well as intellectual property. The application of the ISDS provisions to the financial services, in particular, could have alarming consequences for the economy and people of Australia. It would give transnationals the right to challenge regulatory measures which fail to meet their expectations or a minimum standard of treatment. For example, it could put the government at considerable risk of being sued for taking measures to address growth of shadow, unregulated offshore banking systems or take measures during a financial crisis such as imposing movement of capital in and out of Australia. Foreign banks and other financial institutions could sue the government for millions or even billions of dollars for allegedly breaching their profit-making rights. The Commonwealth must not enter into any agreement with one or more foreign countries that includes an investor-state dispute settlement provision. The ISDS will also impact on federal/state relations and expose policy legislative and decisional outputs of its politicians at every level of government to challenges by global corporations with no obligation to take account of domestic or international governance arrangements beyond the narrowly focused investment obligations. It is interesting to note that when the Howard Government negotiated the US/Australia FTA an ISDS was deemed to be unnecessary on the grounds Australia and the US have well developed court systems that can provide fair decisions in disputes between investors and governmental entities. The TPP has long-term implications for our national judicial systems and even wider concerns about democratic governance. ISDS clauses cannot only be used to challenge legislative and administrative acts by governments but can be also used to call into question the decisions of national courts. The safeguards provided for in the agreement for other health, environment, labour rights and public interest regulation are weak and not enforceable. This contrasts with the legal rights of corporations to sue governments over environmental regulations which are enforceable. The TPP also gives more monopoly rights to big pharmaceutical companies, so that they can charge higher prices for medicines for longer. Here in Australia this means our health system could pay hundreds of millions of dollars a year more for lifesaving biologics medicines (the kind that can treat serious diseases like cancer). In developing countries it means millions of people will simply go without the treatment they need. Any democratic government should have the right to introduce new regulations or legislation or change existing ones without the threat of being sued by foreign corporations. It locks in existing market models. Despite promises, expert analysis shows that labour rights in the TPP are not effective or enforceable. Products of child or forced labour are not banned, and not all workers are protected. The agreement expands the use of temporary migrant labour here in Australia but provides no protections for their rights and removes the requirement that we test for whether local labour is available first. The TPP is not in the public interest; it is a deal that is bad for democracy, health, workers rights and the environment. The TPP was negotiated behind closed doors with detailed input from US corporate advisers, but with no public input. This agreement was signed by cabinet without the scrutiny of the Parliament or the Australian people. The Communist Party of Australia calls on the Senate to protect the interests of the Australian people, for the elected government to make laws and policy in their interest and reject the TPP. We would welcome the opportunity to give evidence at a public hearing. Turkey and US consolidate terror assets Last week Western news media were full of reports on the epic battle for Mosul where US-backed forces are supposedly set to defeat the Islamic State terror group besieging the northern Iraqi city. A Kurdish Peshmerga soldier. There is little doubt that the Iraqi army aided by Iranian Shia militia and Kurdish Peshmerga are intent on routing the militants from Iraqs second city, which has been under a reign of terror since June 2104. But the intentions of other protagonists are decidedly more dubious. The US is providing air strikes supposedly to aid the ground forces penetrating Mosul, as are NATO members France and Turkey. Turkish air strikes on the city have reportedly begun despite objections from the Iraqi government, which is urging Ankara to stay out of the battle. The Iraqi authorities have a long-running dispute with President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government since Turkish military invaded northern Iraq last year, claiming that it had a deal with Baghdad to train Arab militias to fight the Islamic State (IS, also known as Daesh). Baghdad insists it gave no such permission and has time and again reiterated demands for Turkish troops to withdraw from its territory, but to no avail. Far from withdrawing, Erdogan is pointedly ignoring the Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al Abadi, asserting that his troops will march on Mosul. The launch of air strikes by Turkey serves to emphasise Erdogans determination to shape the battle for the city. With typical bluster, Erdogan dismissed the Iraqi premier as nothing more than an administrator of a Shia army, and added: If we say we want to be both at the table and in the field, there is a reason. As the Hurrivet newspaper reported, Erdogans ambitions are more about gaining military and administrative control over Mosul in conjunction with the Syrian city of Raqqa, rather than liaising with the Iraqi government to eliminate IS. Erdogan also stridently called on the US to side with Turkey in its ambitions rather than with Iraq. Addressing Washington, he said: Do you have a NATO partnership with Iraq? No. Then you cant put us in a position of preference against Iraq. Meanwhile, Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed concerns that jihadi extremists could flee from Mosul into neighbouring Syria, presenting a greater challenge to the Syrian-Russian campaign to defeat terror groups there. Lavrov said that Russia would exercise military force to stop this from happening. Intriguingly, Lavrov added: The city [Mosul] is surrounded, but not completely. I do not know why. Possibly, theyve just failed. It is to be hoped they just failed, and were not reluctant to do so. It is notable that in previous US-Turkish assaults on IS-held towns there have been unconfirmed reports of large numbers of the jihadists being covertly afforded safe passage out of harms way. This has been suspected of happening in US-backed offensives on Iraqi cities of Fallujah and Ramadi, and in the northern Syrian town of Manbij. As the offensive on Mosul gets underway, there are similar suspicions that the US, Turkey and Saudi military objective is not about crushing the IS hold-outs, but rather evacuating these mercenaries from the city. Said Mamuzini of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) in Iraq believes that up to 7,000 militants belonging to the IS will be given safe passage out of Mosul to reconsolidate with other jihadist mercenaries already in Syria. This of course negates Washington and Ankaras official claims of fighting against IS. But it is fully consistent with the critical assessment that the US and its allies have all along been covertly sponsoring various terror groups to wage a war for regime change in Syria. The latter being a strategic ally for Russia and Iran in the pivotal Middle Eastern region. Across Syria and Iraq there are three main strongholds remaining for Al- Qaeda-associated terror groups, whether they go by the name of IS, Jabhat al Nusra, Ahrar al Shams, Jaysh al Fatah or some other nom de guerre. These terror bases are Aleppo city in Syria, Mosul in Iraq and positioned roughly halfway between those two sites is Raqqa located in central Syria. It seems significant that as Syrian and Russian forces bear down on the militants besieging the eastern quarter of Aleppo that Washington and its allies have escalated a media campaign decrying war crimes in order to halt that offensive. This has been accompanied by vociferous efforts from the US, Britain and France to implement no-fly zones around Aleppo. This all strongly suggests that the Western powers are trying to extricate their proxy insurgents from the Aleppo crucible. More than coincidently, it seems, while the drama of Aleppo has been underway, the Turkish and US military launched a major campaign in August to effectively annex large swathes of northern Syria, due east from Aleppo and stretching nearly 100 kilometres back to the city of Jarablus on the Euphrates, proximate to the Turk border. Violating sovereignty Indeed, Turkish forces occupying Jarablus have begun erecting the national flag of Turkey on public buildings, much to the consternation of the Syrian government which has denounced it as a violation of its sovereign territory. All the while, Turkey and the US have claimed that the northern Syrian operations are aimed at cleansing the area from IS terrorists. But more troubling are reports that the militants whom Turkey in particular has been mentoring during these operations are indistinguishable from IS in terms of brutish ideology towards any local people deemed to be infidels. In the Turk-led capture this week of the northern Syrian border city of Dabiq, the Western media portrayed this as a liberation from IS terrorists. But it was evident from France 24 news footage that the new gun-toting militants were shouting out Islamist slogans. Syrian sources say that the residents are fearful of having to live under yet another reign of terror as before. There are also reports of Turkish military forces this week firing artillery at the Syrian villages of Sourkeh in Efrin district and Deir Ballout, causing civilians, women and children to flee, and prompting Syrian sources to comment that Turkey is actually mounting a campaign of ethnic cleansing. This is important context to underscore the wider implications of the battle at Mosul. It could be a case of all jihadist safe corridors leading to Raqqa. Turkey and the US have been mulling military plans for several weeks now to extend their northern Syrian security curtain down to Raqqa. This concurs with what Erdogan was boasting about last week when he indicated that the US-backed offensive on Mosul should be integrated with broader plans to militarily take Raqqa. If the jihadist mercenaries can be shunted safely into Raqqa from either Aleppo or Mosul, they would then be able to consolidate there under the safety of a Turkish and US de facto no-fly zone if the latter NATO forces do actually proceed with plans to take Raqqa, as Erdogan bragged about. Moreover, because of the US-Turk annexed territory straddling the Syrian borders, the jihadists sheltered in Raqqa would once again be plugged into a Turk lifeline as never before, and therefore be able to live to fight another day. Russia needs to make sure Aleppo falls with no terrorist breakout; and, as Lavrov hinted, Moscow must make sure too that there is no influx of jihadists from Mosul into Syria. Russia should also demand that Turkey and the US do not take any steps towards a military takeover of Raqqa, as Erdogan is calling for. That battle, in the future, to clear illegally armed insurgents from their final bastion in Raqqa should be the prerogative of the Syrian army and its trusted allies. Information Clearing House Culture & Life The CIA what a great bunch The CIA: What a congenial bunch of good-natured humanitarians they are! Just ask anyone. Well, perhaps not anyone. No one whos had a relative assassinated by order of the CIA, for example. Nor would I ask anyone who has seen their elected government overthrown in a CIA-engineered coup and replaced by a right-wing pro-business anti-people regime. And certainly not any of that large band of people who have found themselves incarcerated and tortured in secret prisons the CIA operates in foreign countries. Yes, secret prisons. The CIA apparently takes its mission to gather intelligence so seriously that when it encounters people who might be reluctant to talk to its agents it has no qualms about resorting to torture. We should bear in mind that some years ago Amnesty International issued a report that described many of the routine practices in the prison system within the US itself as torture. Hardly surprising then that they would use it in foreign locations that are kept hidden from the nations elected representatives in Congress (on the principle, presumably, that what they dont know about they cant interfere with). Subjecting people to torture is such a US speciality that they have for years trained the torturers for numerous barbarous regimes. When the contradiction between this practice and the USAs oft-professed concern for human rights became too glaring, the relevant US authorities, including the CIA, arranged to hide their involvement by contracting the work out to some of their more brutal client regimes such as the one theyd installed in Egypt. Taking people prisoner in one country and secretly moving them to an unrecorded prison in another country is given the euphemistic description of rendering. It is a CIA speciality. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has just released a report in which Ridha al-Najjar, 51, and Lotfi al-Arabi El Gherissi, 52, two Tunisians who were rendered all the way to Afghanistan, describe what happened to them in a CIA prison called Cobalt, which was known to its inmates as the Dark Prison or the Salt Pit. The two men give gruesome accounts of various forms of torture they were subjected to. Now, I know HRW is not always reliable, the CIA itself using it to release planted stories of torture and abuse by governments that are out of favour with the US. But in a case like this I think we can be reasonably confident the CIA has not coloured the report! US commentators have focussed on HRWs revelations about forms of torture used by the CIA that are not included in the executive summary of the US Senate Intelligence Committees report into the use of torture. That report was sufficiently embarrassing that it is still classified as Top Secret and its details are consequently unknown. Both Tunisian men independently described being threatened with a makeshift electric chair, deprived of sleep, subjected to multiple forms of water torture, chained by their wrists to the ceilings of their cells for extended periods of time, and severely beaten. Al-Najjar recounted his interrogators at Cobalt threatening the well-being of his family, using sound disorientation techniques, denying him sleep using round-the-clock interrogations, depriving him of any sense of time, keeping him in isolation in total darkness; lowering the quality of his food, using cold temperatures, playing music 24 hours a day, and keeping him shackled and hooded. Horrifying though that is, what struck me most forcibly was the discovery that both men were set free in 2015 after being in CIA custody for 13 years without charge! Keeping people in prison, incommunicado and without trial has got nothing to do with gathering intelligence. Its clearly a form of state terrorism. Neither man was offered any compensation by the US government, despite the fact that the abuses occurred while they were under the effective control of US security forces. Nadia Prupis of Common Dreams commented: Today, al-Najjar and El Gherissi live with their families in Tunisia in destitute conditions, struggling with severe trauma. Al-Najjar, who said his hips, ankle, and back were broken in detention, told HRW that he is still suffering from damage to several internal organs, as well as his ear. My sister has five kids, he said. I am the sixth. El Gherissi lives with his family in a house that has no doors or full roof. He shares a bed with his elderly mother and cannot afford to see a doctor. They could both be compensated out of the CIAs huge but largely undisclosed budget without any trouble at all, but that would set a very dangerous precedent. After all, no one actually knows how many of these secret prisons there are, let alone how many individuals have been rendered to them. Not to mention all those other victims of the CIAs machinations whose relatives might also seek compensation! When the working class finally takes over the United States as it will eventually one of the most important tasks of the new, peoples government will be to uncover the truth about all the assassinations, coups, disappearances, terrorist massacres and all the rest of the horrific tally of murderous events attributable to the CIA. But of course, that agency was only carrying out the wishes of the capitalists who ran the USA. Capitalism, not the CIA, would ultimately be responsible. But however diabolical, the activities of the CIA are but part of capitalisms multifarious crimes. Think about the victims of capitalisms innumerable wars, for example. As Common Dreams observed, The United States is currently engaged in active wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Somalia. It has deployed troops on the Russian border, played push-and-shove with China in Asia, and greatly extended its military footprint on the African continent. Even more importantly, think about all the people whose lives will be snuffed out prematurely and all the others whose lives will be deformed by the poverty that capitalism creates wherever it goes. Even the CIAs budget would be inadequate to provide compensation to them! Continue Reading Below Advertisement The kid played some games, said goodnight to his friend, headed to his dorm, then disappeared into thin air. Zero witnesses, then or after. No corpse, no credible tips, no physical evidence tossed down the trash chute, nobody saying they picked up a hitchhiker in his pajamas. Nothing. And it's not like he went missing in 19th-Century London, when records were sloppy, nobody owned cameras, and common folk could disappear by moving two blocks away. This guy vanished the same year Will Smith won a Grammy for "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It." The only lesson here is that, even today, any one of us can spontaneously ... disappear. Continue Reading Below Advertisement Janel Comeau is still trying to solve the mystery of where her socks disappear to in the dryer. You can check how that's going on her blog or her Twitter feed. To hear Robin Warder analyze some more creepy unsolved mysteries, check out his true crime podcast, The Trail Went Cold. Tara Marie writes a lot. You can check out her fundraiser, and a bunch of others, on Twitter using #TransCrowdFund. You know all those facts you've learned about psychology from movies and that one guy at the party who says, "actually ..." a lot? Please forget them. Chances are none of them are true. Take the Stanford Prison Experiment, the one famous psychology study people can name. It was complete bullshit. Funny story actually, it turns out that when you post flyers that say "Hey, do you wanna be a prison guard for the weekend? Free food and nightsticks," you might not get the most stable group of young men. So join Jack O'Brien, the Cracked staff and some special guests as they debunk Rorschach tests, the Mozart effect and middle child syndrome, so soon you can be that person at the party who says, "Actually ..." Get your tickets here! For more reasons to never leave the house, check out The Creepiest Serial Killers (Who Still Remain At Large) and 5 Horrific Serial Killers (Who Are Free Right Now). Subscribe to our YouTube channel, and check out 7 Inadvertently Hilarious Horror Movie Villains, and other videos you won't see on the site! Follow us on Facebook, and let us follow you home. Scott Redding has confirmed that Christian Pupulin will replace the outgoing Giacomo Guidotti as his crew chief in the Pramac Ducati MotoGP squad for 2017. As the MotoGP rider's market was all-but-sealed by the summer break, it was then the turn of crew chiefs and technicians to find a new home for the upcoming season. A space in Redding's garage was created when Guidotti received a call to work with Dani Pedrosa for 2017,news that broke at Misano, and Redding and the Pramac squad have been searching for an able replacement since. As an engineer for Ducati Corse, Pupulin is currently working with Redding in the Pramac squad and the pair have had the opportunity to assess one another's methods throughout the year. After securing a fighting seventh place in the Australian race, Redding confirmed to Crash.net that Pupulin, who was Andrea Dovizioso's crew chief from 2013 to '15 and has been part of the Bologna factory since 2002, will step into the void left by Guidotti. "Having a new crew chief is like having a new bike," said Redding, currently embroiled in an inter-team fight with Danilo Petrucci for a Ducati GP17 for the following year. "They have a different outlook on things. Like I said, we've worked a bit [together] so it's not too bad. At the end of the day, the crew chief is there to do a job and to make it work, you know? It's not a complete stranger, which is a good thing. "Normally it's good to have the same bike, the same crew chief one, two, three years. You see Valentino and all the top guys keeping the same guy because you get a relationship. "Me and Giacomo [have been working] together for one year, but it's not like Pete Benson [Redding's crew chief in Moto2] for four or five years. He was like my dad. Trying to get a relationship with someone that's been in Ducati maybe will help me a little bit." The news that Guidotti would leave for Repsol Honda to replace the outgoing Ramon Aurin was a blow for Redding, who had quickly established a strong working relationship with the Italian. However he now feels that working with a new face that has intimate knowledge of the factory will provide added motivation going into 2017. "He [Pupulin] has got experience with Ducati, which is good. He sees all the information from everyone. At the end of the day that might actually benefit me. "It's always nice to have someone new, for the motivation. Giacomo has got great motivation but he's moved onto different things. I have to accept that and work as best I can with the factory guy." Sussex News Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Channel programs News Dell President Marius Haas Sees Explosive $40B Channel Growth Opportunity, Pledges Most Profitable Channel Program In The Industry Joseph F. Kovar Share this Dell EMC President and Chief Commercial Officer Marius Haas is fired up about going to market with channel partners for one simple reason: he sees no bigger growth opportunity anywhere else in the industry. Haas, a fierce channel advocate who has ultimate responsibility Dell EMC's combined channel sales, said that the vendor, working together with its channel partners, has the potential to add billions in revenues to its coffers. "I think we could add billions of dollars. Billions," Haas said Tuesday during a live on-stage interview at the 2016 Best of Breed Conference in Atlanta. "If you assume right now that it's well over $40 billion in revenue flowing through the channel and we're less than 10 percent of the market, why can't this be 15 [percent]? Why can't this be 20 [percent]? We're talking about an additional $40 billion," Haas said. "Where else are you going to get that kind of opportunity? Not very many places. When people ask me, 'Hey, Marius, you're in a big organization, your role has changed, why are you still excited about being here?' There is no opportunity that's bigger than this." [Related Video: Dell EMC's Haas Speculates On Meg Whitman's Future With HPE] In order to gain share and achieve that growth, Haas pledged to build the most profitable channel program in the business, bar none. "It has to be profitable, and it has to be more profitable than what you can get from anyone else," Haas said. To build what Haas says will be a "world-class program," he and his team will be melding together the best elements from the stand-alone Dell and EMC channel programs. "Partners like the predictability of the EMC model. Then, too, partners like the economics of the classic Dell program. So think about this: Why not take the best of one program, and the best of the other program, and bring them together to create one world-class program?" he said. Stelios Valavanis, president of onShore Security, a Chicago-based security solution provider and Dell partner, said he is committed to partnering more closely with Dell after Haas' appearance at the BoB conference. These guys are not afraid to reinvent themselves," Valavanis told CRN. "A lot of big companies are afraid. We walked away from EMC in the past because I felt they were hard to work with. Now I am going to give them another shot." Valavanis said he was inspired by Haas' pledge to dramatically grow the channel business. "I believe Dell is getting real serious about the channel," he said. "I like when a company is trying to step up instead of staying in a safe place. I see them willing to make deals and work hard." Jack Kaiser, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Aqueduct Technologies, a Waltham, Mass.-based solution provider and EMC and Cisco channel partner, told CRN that he is also interested in expanding his relationship with Dell. "I like the message," Kaiser said. "It's what channel executives like us want to hear: More channel business. Marius is a straight shooter. He wants to move in the right direction and grow." By December, Dell EMC will start rolling out more details of its combined channel program, including how partners qualify for the different tiers in the program, and how those tiers will correlate with the investments partners will make in the program, Haas said. This also includes clear penalties for Dell sales reps that break the rules that protect partners, he said. "Within Dell EMC, it is a fire-able offense if you don't honor the registration process," he said. "We are going to be really clear about that. [And] if a partner tries to undercut another partner, and it's not within a fair competitive environment, we make sure the ethics are applied." Haas indicated that the Dell EMC business incumbency program - which guarantees storage account protection for EMC partners in existing accounts based on a three-year history- could be extended to other areas including the data center."We will go even further," he said. "I might even introduce the whole data center to have that whole line of business incumbency program. We are working through it, but we are pretty close to getting something that we think [the channel] will be very excited about. Dell EMC partners are also going to benefit from the increased R&D investment and supply chain scale that the $70 billion company brings to bear, said Haas. "Our R&D spend is going to be over $4.5 billion a year, double that of HPE, double that of IBM," he said. "So I would say if you want someone helping drive innovation for you and for your customers, that's a good place to start." Dell's forthcoming unified channel will feature Gold, Platinum and Titanium levels, Haas said. Dell is keeping its options open for a fourth partner tier, called "Titanium Black." However, he said, the company is deliberately keeping details about that tier secret. "Think about it this way," Haas said. "You don't know what the criteria are for an American Express Black Card. You don't know, but once you get it you feel really special. There will be some instances where we have a very small group of partners that fall into that category. From a global perspective, they have to have a global ELA [enterprise licensing agreement], something along those lines, to be defined, and we will communicate that." On the product side, Dell EMC has already started consolidating the code base of its Compellent SC and EqualLogic PS line, and plans to do the same with the EMC Unity line as well, Haas said. This includes a focus on common management, replication, and tiering capabilities to drive the most value for customers without having to end-of-life a product. "I'm not saying that in three or five years that this roadmap won't change," he said. "It might. But, it's also with the understanding that we will have clear migration paths onto a single code-based architecture, with a 'nobody gets left behind' philosophy. But, as of right now, every product that we've announced and shown to partners and customers in the storage portfolio we are committed to in perpetuity." Yet while Dell is busy consolidating its product lines, some of those lines will remain independent because of their value in terms of working with strategic technology partners, including Dell EMC rivals, Haas said. One of those is VMware, which has become the de facto standard of software-defined technology, he said. "It has to work with everybody," he said. "It has to work with HPE. It has to work with NetApp. It is our job on the Dell EMC side to make sure that our technology works best with VMware, not vice versa. [VMware] will make sure that they provide the open ecosystem to drive virtualization across all pillars of the data center, and try to drive any cloud on any app on any system." It is heartening to know that Dell EMC will allow certain of its technologies, particularly VMware, to remain autonomous in terms of working with non-Dell platforms, said Jason Wright, managing director of All Covered, a Houston, Texas-based solution provider and Dell channel partner. "It's important because we don't just work with Dell," Wright told CRN. "We work with other manufacturers. Let's say that, all of a sudden, VMware could only run on Dell servers. That would create a problem for us. The fact that VMware will continue to develop and integrate with other platforms is really good for us." Wright said his company has seen Dell improve its channel engagement in the last year or so before the EMC acquisition was announced. "I liked how Haas talked about Dell getting more aggressive in pushing the data center business out to the channel," he said. Steven Burke and Sarah Kuranda contributed to this story. Internet of things News Microsoft Supercharges Its Azure IoT Suite With New Upgrades, Capabilities For Partners Lindsey O'Donnell Share this Microsoft is doubling down on its Azure Internet of Things Suite, introducing Wednesday a new set of connected capabilities for partners to tap into when building IoT solutions. The Redmond, Wash.-based company, which touts its Azure IoT Suite as a cloud services-based approach to the market, hopes that the new features will help partners work with customers to more quickly plan and deploy IoT solutions. "The Internet of Things is a huge growing area for us, and customers are realizing the business value that IoT can bring," Sam George, director of IoT at Microsoft, told CRN. "In addition to building out our partner ecosystem, we're putting a lot of focus on making things go faster and making it easier to get connected devices managed and deployed." [Related: 7 Internet Of Things Devices With Security Risks That Solution Providers Can't Ignore] Microsoft used the IoT Solutions World Congress, which takes place this week in Barcelona, Spain, as a launch pad for its new Azure IoT certified device catalog. This catalog helps partners work with customers to navigate through the 175 devices from the Azure Certified IoT program and select the best devices for their solution, as well as understand how devices connect to the internet, which sensors they work with, and the industry protocols they are capable of processing. Microsoft also introduced an Internet of Things commercial gateway kit, which brings together Intel IoT gateway technology with Microsoft's Azure IoT and enables rapid prototyping in commercial gateway scenarios. On the security front, Microsoft introduced the Security Program for Azure IoT, which provides third-party auditors who can come on-site to perform security audits from the ground up and examine business devices and assets to gateways, as well as communication to the cloud. "The whole goal here is to provide an additional layer of security for customers who use our enterprise-grade security, but are also building solutions on top of that, and want to make sure they are secure," George said. Reed Wiedower, chief technology officer at New Signature, a Microsoft partner based in Washington, D.C., said the IoT certified device catalog and commercial gateway kit would help partners who want to deploy their first IoT solution. "In general, Microsoft is trying to get every partner in a position where they can explain to customers what the benefits of IoT really are," he said. "Microsoft over the last six months has been emphasizing buzzwords around digitization, and how that can provide benefits to companies. The more investment Microsoft makes in its suite of tools, the easier it is for partners to get started in IoT. " The company also unveiled several updates to its IoT hub gateway software development kit and enhancements to its Azure IoT hub device management feature. Moving forward, Microsoft said it is "committed to investing in technologies that simplify the life-cycle management of IoT and streamline the process of harnessing data for analysis from devices, at the edge, and in the cloud." Internet of things News Senator Pushes For IoT Device Security Standards In Wake Of Massive DDoS Attack Lindsey O'Donnell Share this The co-founder of the Senate Cybersecurity Caucus is appealing to federal agencies to address the lack of security standards requirements for Internet of Things device manufacturers. Days after a distributed denial of service attack was launched through IoT consumer devices, Sen. Mark Warner (D.-Va.) sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission, Federal Trade Commission and Department of Homeland Security slamming manufacturers for "flooding the market with cheap, insecure devices, with few market incentives to design the products with security in mind, or to provide ongoing support." "Because the producers of these insecure IoT devices currently are insulated from any standards requirements, market feedback or liability concerns, I am deeply concerned that we are witnessing a tragedy of the commons threat to the continued functioning of the internet, as the security so vital to all internet users remains the responsibility of none," he wrote Tuesday. [Related: 7 Internet Of Things Devices With Security Risks That Solution Providers Can't Ignore] The DDoS attack, launched Friday through IoT consumer devices including webcams, routers and video recorders, overwhelmed servers at Dynamic Network Services (Dyn) and led to the blockage of more than 1,200 websites. The attack on Dyn, which connects users to websites such as Twitter and Netflix, came from tens of millions of addresses on devices infected with malicious software codes, knocking out access by flooding websites with junk data. Warner said that manufacturers whose devices were involved in this IoT attack face few incentives to tighten security around their devices and " buyers seem unable to make informed decisions between products based on their competing security features, in part because there are no clear metrics." Casey Newton, CEO of San Francisco-based IoT security solution provider OneID, said that many manufacturers don't want to pay the extra costs that will come along with stronger security measures for devices and don't have any incentive to do so. "There's a lack of basic security protection," said Newton. "The problem with IoT is that in the rush to deploy and ship devices, no one thought about security. It will stay that way in the consumer space until the FTC and others come out with a strong set of basic requirements for manufacturers. Until that type of mandate is there, manufacturers have no incentive." On Monday, manufacturer Hangzhou Xiongmai said it will recall the web cameras that use its circuit board and other components which were one of the many devices used in the attack. Warner's letter questioned how government agencies could better keep track of connected devices before they are plugged into networks, and what types of network management practices are available for internet service providers to respond to DDoS threats. Sen. Warner also questioned whether it is possible for internet service providers to designate certain network devices as insecure and deny them connections to their networks. "DDoS attacks can be powerful tools for censorship, criminal extortion, or nation-state aggression," he said. "While the internet was not designed with security in mind, its resiliency is now being undermined." The Senate Cybersecurity Caucus, which is led by Warner and Sen. Cory Gardner (R.-Colo.), focuses on the issues surrounding digital security, as well as national security. Internet of things News Flashpoint: Friday's DDoS Attack Likely Caused By 'Script Kiddies,' Not Foreign Forces Lindsey O'Donnell Share this Security company Flashpoint said in a blog post Tuesday that the social and technical indicators of Friday's distributed denial of service attack which took down more than 1,200 websites reveal that it was likely caused by amateur hackers, or "script kiddies." Many speculated that foreign forces like the Russian government, or WikiLeaks, were behind the DDoS attack, which launched Friday through IoT consumer devices including webcams, routers and video recorders. "Despite public speculation, Flashpoint assesses with a moderate degree of confidence that the perpetrators behind this attack are most likely not politically motivated, and most likely not nation-state actors," the security company's analyst Allison Nixon said in a blog post. [Related: 7 Internet Of Things Devices With Security Risks That Solution Providers Can't Ignore] The attack on Dynamic Network Services (Dyn), which connects users to websites such as Twitter and Netflix, came from tens of millions of addresses on devices infected with malicious software codes, knocking out access by flooding websites with junk data. Flashpoint said the infrastructure used in the attack also targeted a "well-known game company" and while there was no disruption of service, this move aligns more with the hacking forum community. "These hackers exist in their own tier and are separate and distinct from hacktivists, organized crime, state-actors, and terrorist groups," said Nixon. "They can be motivated by financial gain, but just as often will execute attacks such as these to show off, or to cause disruption and chaos for sport." She added that less amateur hackers or foreign groups are less likely to launch DDoS attacks without clear political, financial or strategic gains. Despite Flashpoint's assessment of a lack of political motivation in the DDoS attacks, solution providers like Casey Newton, CEO of San Francisco-based IoT security company OneID, said that many consumer IoT devices remain vulnerable. "I think Friday definitely woke up a lot of people to [vulnerabilities of IoT]," he said. " The problem with IoT is that in the rush to deploy and ship devices, no one thought about security. Hopefully manufacturers will start to take it more seriously." On Monday, manufacturer Hangzhou Xiongmai said it is recalling the web cameras that use its circuit board and other components which were one of the many devices used in the attack. Meanwhile, other security advocates like Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), co-founder of the Senate Cybersecurity Caucus, are appealing to federal agencies to address the lack of security standards requirements for Internet of Things device manufacturers. "Because the producers of these insecure IoT devices currently are insulated from any standards requirements, market feedback or liability concerns, I am deeply concerned that we are witnessing a tragedy of the commons threat to the continued functioning of the internet, as the security so vital to all Internet users remains the responsibility of none," he wrote Tuesday. Royal Caribbean Cruises today said it is rolling out the next phase of Espresso, the company's travel agent reservation system, featuring new capabilities for groups business with the cruise operators three major brands: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara. The latest updates include the ability to create and book group space, simplified groups management and Espressos first group amenity points redemption feature. New features include: Headquarter groups Members of a headquarter a cooperative of travel agencies have the ability to easily view and book into their headquarters group inventory Simplified groups management Reserving and managing all groups can be done in fewer steps and clicks Group amenity points redemption Group amenity plus points now can be easily redeemed, shared and even purchased online to enhance clients vacations Streamlined groups payments Easy-to-use, more intuitive group shell and group booking payment system, which can generate guest invoices Expanded groups reporting Group shell and group booking owners can create and manage their own reports, including booking invoices and financial statements Enhanced stateroom availability search Travel partners can find available staterooms on multiple decks with interactive deck plans, including the 50 best open staterooms per category and accommodations closest to a specific stateroom with the Closest Stateroom filter Espresso was launched in 2015 and delivers an extensive roster of resources specially designed to offer travel partners an intuitive booking experience, said Royal Caribbean. "The well-rounded programs powerful tools and features have been met with resounding applause, the most popular being the single-view function a side-by-side comparison of individual and groups pricing and availability, interactive deck plans, which highlight the best available staterooms and can filter results by specific criteria, such as those that are connecting, closest-to or accessible accommodations; as well as guest profiles and offers that identify past guests, recent promotions they have received and accommodation preferences. Travel agents can look forward to even more enhancements in the future," the company said in a prepared statement. In a recent article that highlights why security awareness programs frequently fail, the top reason cited was poor governance. In reviewing and implementing dozens of awareness programs, I have come to believe that the poor definition and implementation of security governance is the fundamental reason for security awareness program failures. First consider what governance is. At a high level, governance is definition of how people should perform their daily functions. Notice that this doesnt say anything specific about security. The assumption is that the definition of behaviors embed security. It amazes me how companies rightfully want full control of their security programs, yet they pretty much abdicate their awareness programs to vendors. While it does not seem to work this way in practice, awareness programs should promote good security behaviors. They should inform people about their expected behaviors in common and uncommon circumstances. These expected behaviors are not something to be determined by a random CBT provider, but should reflect what is established in corporate governance. For example, when most CBT videos talk about social engineering, they highlight how hackers will trick you to giving up your passwords or other sensitive information. The phishing videos highlight how phishers want to get your passwords or download software. However, consider that the latest evolution of phishing and social engineering attacks, which involve contacting accounts payable, the CFO, or accounting and asking for money to be transferred. Traditional training materials do not discuss this at all, as they just rattle on about basic social engineering and phishing. The recent incidents at Moneytree and Seagate, where a criminal(s) emailed people in the human resources departments, pretending to be the CEO or other party, and asked for them to send him tax related information of employees, as well as the rash of accounts payable thefts, where criminals use some pretext, frequently pretending to be the CEO, to have those departments transfer money to an account, would be countered by people following good governance. Governance would detail the specific process to release information or send money. A random email that requests the release of information, should be summarily rejected, and the sender, even the CEO, should be directed to follow the defined procedures or guidelines. To examine what awareness information should be provided, you must first consider that some policy, procedure or guideline should detail the process for approving and processing payments. I assume that an email or telephone call from anyone is not the entire formal approval process for issuing payments. While it might be helpful for awareness programs to highlight phishing and social engineering, they need to highlight the procedures and guidelines related to releasing payments. That should be done for all aspects of security. However programs that focus on implementing off the shelf videos do little to address specific and proper behaviors for typical situations. The typical 3-minute awareness video on social engineering will not address specific governance for all job functions, and wont include the detailed process for the release of tax information or funds transfer specific to that company. Proper governance should detail the process to request the action to be taken. It should detail who can make the requests, what is the approval process, and any verification processes that should be performed. Unfortunately, governance is usually treated like a game you play with auditors. Companies try to write just enough policies, procedures, and guidelines so they are not listed as an exception on an audit report. Then the resulting documents go on a shelf until the next audit. Proper governance should be practical and implementable. Awareness programs should look to governance as the driver for the program content. While some computer-based training might be considered, an awareness program should be much more. There must be many modes of communication. There must be outreach to the special populations with the information, pulled from governance, specific to them. [ ALSO ON CSO: How to craft a security awareness program that works ] While a certain part of awareness involves motivating people to do the right things, awareness needs to specify what those right things are. This cannot be delegated to off the shelf videos. Of course there are industry best practices and certain behaviors that might be considered universal, but if you want to have an effective awareness program that goes beyond what should be obvious, you need to ensure that you review the appropriate policies, procedures, and guidelines and make sure that is what your awareness program is promoting as appropriate behaviors. If those documents do not already exist, your security program likely has significant issues to begin with. RELATED VIDEO: Russian cybercriminals have field tested their attack techniques on local banks, and have now begun taking them global, according to a new report -- and a new breed of mobile attack apps is coming up next. Criminals stole nearly $44 million directly from Russian banks in the last half of 2015 and the first half of 2016, according to Dmitiry Volkov, co-founder and head of threat intelligence at Moscow-based Group-IB. That was up 292 percent from the same period a year earlier. Direct, targeted attacks against banks now account for 45 percent of all bank-related cybercrime in Russia. Meanwhile, thefts from individual online banking accounts went down 83 percent, to $0.1 million, and thefts from business bank accounts fell 50 percent to $17 million. According to Volkov, criminals first develop their malware for the market they know best, then a combination of factors drives them to expand overseas. Those factors include increased government prosecution and better banking security. "And, since 2014, we have had a financial crisis in Russia," he added. "The ruble isn't worth as much as it did three or five years ago, and hackers earn less money from their activity in Russian territory. They want to get dollars or euros, not rubles -- the financial crisis helped protect Russian citizens." Russian criminals began going after bank accounts in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and other countries. Meanwhile, back in Russia, they began working on the next generation of attacks, directly targeting internal bank operations such as Swift and ATM management systems. These kinds of attacks started showing up in 2013, and this year, they've gone global. For example, this summer, a Ukrainian bank was hit for $10 million via its Swift network, according to the Information Systems Audit and Control Association, part of a broader attack against several banks in both Ukraine and Russia that netted hundreds of millions of dollars. Another attack targeted the ATM networks of Alfa Bank in Belarus. And last spring's $81 million Bangladesh central bank heist, which used similar techniques, may also have been carried out by a Russian group. "It is very hard to do attribution," Volkov said. In the case of the Bangladesh bank, original reports put the blame on North Korea, but later reports suggested that Russian-speaking hackers were also involved in the attacks. Banks aren't sharing detailed information about how the attacks actually took place, he said, so it's hard to tell who exactly did what. "The most recent wave of attacks against foreign banks happened just last week," he said, though he added that he could not share more information about the Russian cybercriminals involved. "We are participating in a joint investigation with Europol, and we are not allowed to disclose information to the public," he said. Earlier this month, Symantec released a report linking the Carbanac group, suspected to be based in Russia, with high-level attacks against banks in the U.S., Hong Kong, Australia, the U.K. and other regions. Total losses are estimated to range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. "It's become really global," Volkov said. Russian authorities are cooperating with international investigators to bring down these groups, he said, but the process is slow. "It's very hard to investigate these cases," he said. In addition, members of any particular group could be located in several countries, and enforcement activities have to be coordinated to take them all down at once. "Otherwise, the other guys will delete all the evidence, move to other locations, and take other measures to avoid arrest," he said. Meanwhile, even while enforcement is improving, there's still a problem when it comes to information sharing, he said. "There is no effective channel to exchange communications," he said. "There are official procedures for the exchange of data, and it is very slow." The next wave of mobile attacks Meanwhile, another wave of attacks is building up in Russia. Thefts from individual bank accounts using mobile-based Trojans are up 471 percent in Russia, to $6 million, according to Group-IB. The mobile Trojans first appeared in 2013 and used the SMS banking channel and mobile banking, and banks quickly responded by imposing limits on mobile transactions. "So in 2014 and 2015 we saw a decrease in the amounts that hackers were able to steal from customers," Volkov said. The criminals innovated, with new types of attacks, and new distribution mechanisms. "Russia became a real testing environment for mobile banking Trojans," he said. "Next year, or in the next couple of years, all this knowledge will be exported outside of Russia." For example, the malware uses fake dialogs asking for bank card details, transaction confirmations and one-time passwords to immediately transfer money to the criminals. In addition, login credentials are collected and reused for online banking, where the transaction limits are higher than with mobile banking. The criminals even began developing complete banking applications, designed to mimic the ones from the real banks. "There are programs that generate new fake mobile banking applications in minutes," he said. "The criminals just specify the colors, icons, and fields." Ads in Google, Yahoo and Russia's Yandex search engines get the links to the fake banking apps to appear above the legitimate listings. There are also phishing messages, sent via SMS or email, telling the user to install a required update for a critical application or for the operating system, or warning of eBay and AliBaba activity. "They click on a link, click the install button, and install the malware," he said. The apps are also distributed through unofficial app stores, often hidden inside another application. "Apps on the unofficial stores have huge abilities, to root the device, to escalate privileges," he said. "You try to root your device, but at the same time you are installing a malicious program and later it will download the banking Trojans." As a Sci-Fi fan, the journey to the cloud reminds me of the USS Enterprise in Star Trek whose mission was to explore new worldsto boldly go where no one has gone before. As businesses rush head-on into the digital frontier, spinning up new cloud instances at warp speed, the key question for security professionals is how do we keep ourselves safe as we navigate between the world of traditional data centers and public clouds? The terrain of the software defined data center (SDDC) and public cloud introduce new and daunting security challenges: an expanded threat landscape, cloudy visibility, and a big talent shortage. It is tempting to slow down and chart a measured course. However, cloud adoption is growing at such a rapid pace, over 95% of organizations are experimenting with infrastructure as a service (IaaS),1 that we have no choice but to adapt our security approach to address the dynamic nature of the hybrid cloud. Navigating this new security frontier Our strategy at Intel Security is to automate the threat defense lifecycle, delivering the ability to address more threats, faster, and with fewer resources. In the cloud, protection is divvied up across the compute workload stack between service providers and the enterprise in a shared responsibility model. Ultimately, the responsibility for protecting business assets is up to the enterprise. We help you proactively manage these workloads, within minutes identifying new workloads, discovering non-compliant systems, and identifying potential breaches. In Raja Patels recent blog on securing the distributed enterprise, he showed how Intel Security is protecting the enterprise, bringing together Web Security, Advanced Threat Detection, Cloud Application Visibility, and Data Protection into a common platform. Today we will go deeper into the strategy for delivering security for hybrid clouds, providing comprehensive visibility and protection to ensure consistent security policies match business line demands for rapid service provisioning and strong security controls. Overcoming the security obstacles As enterprises adopt Software Defined Networking (SDN), Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) and DevOps, the surge in payloads exponentially increase an enterprises attack surface. Locating the origination of an attack and preventing lateral spread becomes more complex. Most organizations dont have visibility across their entire cloud infrastructurethey cant see what is running and they dont know if their cloud workloads are safeonly 35% employ an integrated security solution.2 All this is compounded because we dont have enough security talent. In a recent study, 46% of enterprises claim that their organizations do not have the right level of cloud computing skills to provide controls and oversight for cloud computing security.3 Intel Security provides visibility into your environment by discovering cloud workloads, increases protection by sharing network IP, host server security, and cloud security threat information, and improves time-to-protect by automatically inoculating systems. Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure Security Setting the courseautomating the threat defense lifecycle Moving to the cloud can feel like exploring a new universe. We believe the best way to navigate security in a hybrid cloud is with an automated threat defense lifecycle. Our solution offers three distinct advantages: Better control through integration and automation: we have integrated our McAfee Network Security Platform with our Multiplatform Host Security solution (MOVE AV) to unify hybrid cloud protection, threats that emerge at the host or network are now identified and blocked. Through the integration with the Threat Intelligence Exchange (TIE), all network devices and endpoints are automatically inoculated against the identified threat. Additionally, MOVE is integrated with our advanced threat detection malware sandbox (ATD) to provide protection rates greater than 99.5 percent in a fast moving virtual environment.4 Enhanced visibility: our new Cloud Workload Discovery enables enterprises to discover all their virtual networks and virtual private clouds (VPCs), apply security policies, and quickly remediate security issues from a single management console. Moreover, we offer the first network IPS to run natively on VMware NSX and Amazon AWS, eliminating the choke-point architecture of traditional IPS solutions, improving performance and visibility. Maximize protection: sharing threat information across network and host security irrespective of private/public cloud environment to quickly detect threats and prevent lateral spread. With 50% of enterprises using multiple hypervisors, we deliver a multiplatform agnostic antimalware solution (MOVE) to protect customers irrespective of their platform(s) of choice. To boldly go where no one has gone before is an iconic phrase from Star Trek. It speaks of both the rewards and the dangers of exploration. Much like the crew of the Starship Enterprise, we too are embarking on a new venture with the cloud. Please join the Intel Security team and me at FOCUS 2016 to explore these new solutions for the hybrid cloud. 1 RightScale 2016 State of the Cloud Report 2 Blue Skys AheadThe State of Cloud Adoption, Intel Security 2016 3 ESGCloud Computing & Network Operations Transformation, March 2016 4 Intel Security internal testing NOTICE: The information contained in this document is for informational purposes only and should not be deemed an offer by Intel or create an obligation on Intel. Intel reserves the right to discontinue products at any time, add or subtract features or functionality, or modify its products, at its sole discretion, without notice and without incurring further obligations. Performance achievement objectives stated throughout this document assume certain environment configurations and are only representative of what we want to achieve, not a statement of current performance. St. Mark School in Stratford recently hosted their annual school-wide Breast Cancer Awareness Cut-A-Thon. The elementary school invited stylists from Jade Salon in Stratford to set up a mini hair salon in the school gym. The school community dressed in pink and rallied together in the fight against cancer. Faculty and classmates cheered in support as ten boys shaved their heads and four girls had their hair cut and donated to make wigs for women and children with medical hair loss. In addition, 35 girls purchased pink synthetic hair extensions. The well-known investment bank Goldman Sachs will offer consolidation loans to consumers wanting to settle their outstanding debt on high-interest credit cards. Via their online platform, Marcus, the bank will offer individuals financial aid up to the sum of $30,000 to be paid back over a maximum of six years. With no fees and a fixed rate, this could be the ideal opportunity for people wanting to consolidate debts. As published on Goldman Sachs' Marcus website, annual percentage rates (APRs) of between 5.99 and 22.99 percent are offered. These may undercut the high interest of credit cards and offer people a more affordable way to manage and pay back outstanding balances. Marcus has sent out codes to millions of customers who might benefit from the service, which is not yet available to the public. The official statement from Marcus said, "The feedback we expect to hear from the initial group of customers will help us to refine the Marcus experience." It added that a broader audience is likely to be offered access to personal loans over the coming months. It is vital for consumers to remember that, although taking out a personal loan can help consolidate debts, there are also downsides. For example, paying off a credit card frees up the balance - if not careful, spenders can run up debt again on top of the loans they've taken out. However, for savvy savers looking to reduce their debt, consolidation loans can be ideal. If you are interested in a personal loan, visit our curated list of top lenders. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate STRATFORD Theres no camouflaging Rosa DeLauro. The brigadier general in Army fatigues and a receiving line of suit-clad politicians only made the deaness of Connecticuts congressional delegation more conspicuous during a recent visit to Sikorsky. Maybe it was the pink leather jacket, the Italian scarf or aubergine ankle boots of DeLauro, who helped christen the 1,000th H-60M Black Hawk helicopter at the aviation manufacturer. But its not just DeLauros avant-garde style or demonstrative demeanor that pushes the envelope in the drab world of Washington, D.C., influence makers. Its her liberal streak, even if it means defying President Barack Obama, as DeLauro did when she opposed the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. We agree on 99 percent of everything else, DeLauro said on the floor of Sikorskys military hangar earlier this month. From punishing companies that use off-shore tax shelters and pushing food safety standards to dangling tax credits to those who surrender assault weapons, DeLauros agenda has ingratiated her with her base in the 3rd Congressional District. And it has made the 73-year-old New Haven lifer one tough out for Republicans during her 13 terms in the House. You dont mess around with Rosa, said Nancy DiNardo, a longtime friend and the former state Democratic Party chairwoman. Shes a lot further left than I will ever be. She doesnt hide it. During the last presidential election in 2012, DeLauro captured 93 percent of the vote in her home city, which is the seat of the district. In 2014, she slipped to 91 percent. More Information U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn. Age: 73 Hometown: New Haven Elected: 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014 Signature legislation: a leading opponent the Trans-Pacific Partnership; introduced the Young Child Tax Credit of 2016; supported the Affordable Care Act; authored a successful amendment banning Chinese chicken from school lunches Personal: Married to Democratic pollster Stanley Greenberg; three children and four grandchildren; one-time chief of staff to former Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn. See More Collapse The big economic issue we face today is people are in jobs that dont pay enough, DeLauro said on the floor of Sikorskys plant. People are clamoring for real solutions. DeLauro is one of the wealthier members of Congress, with an estimated net worth of $4.13 million in 2015, according to the Capitol Hill publication CQ-Roll Call. Those close to DeLauro say she has eschewed congressional pay raises, using the money to fund a pair of scholarships for college-bound high school students in her district. Deeply connected Her husband is Democratic pollster Stan Greenberg. The liberal power couple splits time between a New Haven apartment and Capitol Hill town-house in DC, where former Obama chief of staff and current Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel once rented a basement apartment. The duo regularly host top policymakers there, including liberal Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren in April 2015. The husband and wife often flock to Italys Amalfi Coast, which is home to fewer Amalfitanis, as the locals are known, than New Haven. Before DeLauro was a congresswoman, she was a chief of staff to Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn. Now, shes a grandmother of four, including a granddaughter who just turned 8. So I have to go rock-climbing on Saturday, said DeLauro, who suffered a hairline fracture in her knee earlier this year when she fell off a ladder in her apartment. At Sikorsky, which is part of her district, DeLauro circulated between Teamsters machinists and fellow politicians, including Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy. She fist-bumped one member of their entourage, who said he had a cold. Shes with her Despite her consistent ranking as the most liberal of Connecticuts five House Democrats, DeLauro threw her support early on to Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders in the Democratic presidential race. Clinton went to Yale Law School, along with her husband, Bill Clinton. I think she weathers it, DeLauro said of Clintons poisonous matchup with Donald Trump. Its a tough political environment. DeLauro said there is a glimmer of hope for Democrats to take back the majority in the House, which would expand her influence. She is the ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies. Those close to DeLauro, who has been labeled as a hipster by some websites, say that the fascination with her fashion sense doesnt bother her the way it might some other female politicians. DeLauros been turning heads for decades, like the time an appropriations chairman visited Dodds Capitol Hill office. (Dodd) said he walks into the office and theres Rosa dressed and she looks like one of those Roman guards, DiNardo said. neil.vigdor@scni.com; 203-625-4436; http://twitter.com/gettinviggy In John Stoehrs piece, Tesla Rewriting Rules of the Road, (Connecticut Post, Oct. 2) he stated that language is power in the world of business. We agree. Tesla has cleverly named their new store in Greenwich a gallery. By doing this, Tesla believes it can circumvent state law. Their intent is clearly to sell cars; they are an auto maker. Stoehr even discusses how there is a sales team at the gallery. He also explains that the workers at the gallery will most likely try to educate people about how detrimental the franchise system is for businesses and Connecticut. We would like to speak the truth about these arguments. Dealers have invested millions in a franchise system and the physical dealership structures that go in that system through a mutual partnership with the manufacturers and regulators. This system protects the consumers if something goes wrong with the car, fosters local competition among dealers, and creates a balanced system between national manufacturers and local dealerships. Tesla wants to skip the franchise system though Tesla could choose to sell with local dealers under existing laws in Connecticut. However, they choose not to. Tesla is using the terms galleries, showcases, educational galleries as a way to sneak around state laws in order to sell their products. Supporting local dealers means local good paying jobs stay here, not online and not in California. Our 14,000 employees, mechanics, sales staff, and administrators support a safe driving environment. These are career jobs with advancement; the average salary is $61,000. The 270 Connecticut auto dealers are independent, family-run businesses, not big global companies. They vote, pay taxes, live locally, invest in their communities and support local charities. Tesla does not manufacture in Connecticut; they will sell online instead of at a property-tax paying dealership, and they prefer to outsource their repair work rather than have a dealership repair shop do the work. Essentially they want a system that will have no economic commitment locally. Only dealers advocate for the consumer against manufacturers during recalls. In 2015, there was a record breaking 50 million recalls, including Tesla. When it comes to recalls, warranties, and securing the lemon law, dealers have been advocates for consumers whenever problems arise or car companies fail. The GM ignition switch recall and the collapse of Saab, Hummer, Scion are recent examples in which dealers advocated for consumers when auto manufacturers failed. Tesla says Connecticut dealerships do not want to sell electric vehicles (EVs). This is entirely untrue. Our dealerships have doubled down on their efforts to sells EVs. Major manufacturers have produced or are about to release their version of an EV. Connecticut dealerships helped create and continue to support the Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate Program (CHEAPR), which offers rebates of up to $5,000 for Connecticut residents who purchase or lease a new eligible battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric or fuel cell electric vehicle. Our dealerships now have trained mechanics to work on these cars. The Connecticut Automotive Retailers Association will continue to advocate for state law that supports the franchise system and the Connecticut consumer. Teslas gallery is a store that is working to change the definition, they need to play by the rules. James T. Fleming is president of the Connecticut Automotive Retailers Association. Email: jfleming@ctcar.org. Cuba and the US sign cooperation accord to fight Cancer Cuba and the United States signed on Thursday a historic memo of understanding to cooperate in Cancer control. The document, which was penned in Havana by Cuban Health Minister Roberto Morales and by US Health Secretary Sylvia Burwell, establishes joint actions in the control, research, surveillance and evaluation of Cancer, a disease currently affecting millions of people in the world and a major cause of death both in Cuba and the United States. The MOU aims at the implementation of collaborations projects and technical meetings to exchange information and good practices in the fight on Cancer. Upon signing the MOU, the US Health Secretary said that they wish to keep boosting this kind of alliance already established between the two health ministries, particularly in the fight on Cancer. She said they are very interested in the joint work with Cuba. Meanwhile, the Cuban Health Minister said that the signing of the document is an important action following a previous MOU signed in Washington between the US Department of Health and Human Services and the Cuban Health Ministry, which ratifies the will of both sides to advance bilateral health cooperation. In The Americas, Cancer is the second major cause of death, estimates say that 2.8 million people are diagnosed with Cancer every year, while 1.3 million patients die from Cancer. In Cuba, malign tumors have become the second major cause of death, with a prevalence of about 40 thousand cases annually. Mexico City and Havana sign letter of intent for tourism Representatives of Mexico City and Havana signed on Tuesday in Havana a letter of intent for tourist promotion, with the purpose of establishing a multi-destination between the two cities, and therefore contribute to attract a larger number of international visitors. Xonia Beltran, delegate of the Tourism Ministry in the territory and her Mexican counterpart, Miguel Torruco, signed the legal document that will seek to create synergy in order to consolidate the development of the so-called leisure industry, for the benefit of the two economies. According to Secretary of Tourism of Mexico City, Cuba is the first country in the Caribbean sending travelers to that capital. During the meeting, it was also known that from Latin America Mexico is the country sending the largest amount of vacationers to Cuba, and that currently there are air routes from Monterrey to Varadero, Villa Clara and Havana. Today is the feast of St. Peter of Alcantra, one of the famous sixteenth century Spanish mystics. He was a Franciscan Friar who initiated one of the strictest reforms of his Order.He was born in 1499 at Alcantara, Estremadura, Spain, the son of Peter Garavita, governor of the palace. His mother was a member of the noble family of Sanabia. Peter studied grammar and philosophy at Alcantara, and both civil and canon law at Salamanca University.At 16, he entered the Observant Franciscans at Manxarretes (Manjaretes). At 22, he was sent to Badajoz to found a friary. He was ordained a priest at the age of 25 (1524), and preached missions in Spain and Portugal. He was a noted preacher, who preferred to preach to the poor; and his sermons, taken largely from the Prophets and Sapiential Books, reflected much empathy and tenderness. He was made superior of the province of Saint Gabriel in 1538. As the superior, he drew up new constitutions for the order of Stricter Observance, however these were met with resistance. Eventually he resigned from this post.He worked in Lisbon, Portugal in 1541 to help reform the Order. For two years (1542-44) he lived as a hermit with Friar Martin of Saint Mary on Arabida Mountain near Lisbon and was named superior of Palhaes community for novices when numerous friars were attracted to their way of life. During that period he had become convinced of the need for a vigorous Catholic reform, a Counter-Reformation with which to oppose the Protestant Reformation.Finally, with the approval of Pope Julius III, around 1556, he founded the Reformed Friars Minor of Spain, usually called the Alcatarine Franciscans, which established not only monasteries but also Houses of Retreat where anyone could go and try to live according to the Rule of Saint Francis. The friars lived in small groups, in great poverty and austerity, going barefoot, abstaining from meat and wine, spending much time in solitude and contemplation. Three years later, in 1559, the new Order was enlarged with the addition of a new province, that of Saint Joseph.St. Teresa of Avila followed his example in reforming the Carmelite Order. Teresa and Peter were intimate friends for the last four years of her life. After they met in 1560, he became her confessor, advisor, and admirer.Peter was known for frequently experiencing ecstasy, a state where he was entirely consumed with the warmth and light of the Holy Spirit. These euphoric moments were common during his prayer and meditation. Some claim to have witness him levitate.When he was close to death, Peter took to his knees and prayed. When he was offered water he refused it saying, "Even my Lord Jesus Christ thirsted on the Cross." Peter died in prayer on October 18, 1562.Following his death, Peter was beatified by Pope Gregory XV on April 18, 1622. He was subsequently canonized by Pope Clement IX on April 28, 1669.Saint Peter was one of the great Spanish mystics and his Treatise on Prayer and Meditation (1926 English translation) was said by Pope Gregory XV to be "a shining light to lead souls to heaven and a doctrine prompted by the Holy Spirit." This treatise was used later by Saint Francis de Sales.St. Peter of Alcantara is the patron saint of nocturnal Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.Saint Quotes Saint Peter of Alcantara None of us should mourn the end of the Jungle. For the past two years, the migrant camp in Calais has been a symbol of Europes utter failure to deal with the challenge of mass migration. Almost every day has brought heart-breaking stories about the plight of the children incarcerated behind the Jungles security fences, and appalling revelations about the high levels of crime, abuse and disease. The makeshift shacks and piles of rubbish, the hungry, hollow-eyed children and masked riot policemen have been a terrible stain on the image of our continent. Au revoir: Britain and France should be united in saying good riddance to the Jungle There has been a migrant camp near Calais since 1999 but now the slum, which became known as the Jungle, is being wiped off the face of the Earth But it is, I think, immensely revealing that even in its final days, the Jungle has been the cause of so much bitterness between London and Paris. Indeed, you could hardly find a better example of the jealousy with which the French elite view their northern neighbours or the sanctimonious hypocrisy with which they love to disguise their chauvinistic self-interest. Disgraceful as it is, the Jungle has never really been a British problem. Despite all the weeping and wailing of visiting celebrities such as Lily Allen who took it upon herself to apologise on behalf of the British people the camp was built on French soil and guarded by French policemen under French law. It is often said that the camps migrant population, 7,000 at its peak, were desperate to get to London and other parts of the UK. But what were they doing there in the first place? Riot police protect firefighters who move into the Jungle as flames rise in the background tonight Refugees are supposed to apply for asylum in the first EU country they enter, so why do they wait until they get to France, or hope to get into Britain and then claim asylum? A migrant walks past one of the shacks which has been sent over. Only a small number of migrants are still in the Jungle Under the Dublin Convention, refugees are supposed to apply for asylum in the first EU country they enter. They really ought to have claimed asylum as soon as they arrived in Europe in Italy, Greece or Hungary. And at the very least, as soon as they entered France. But the French authorities effectively colluded to dismantle the Dublin Convention, waving the migrants through until they got to Calais. Instead of offering these desperate people the succour they needed, they threw them into camps and expected Britain to sort it out. The appalling costs of this callous approach have been clear for the past two years. The rapes, robberies and squalid conditions were the inevitable result of a French policy that treated the migrants not as human beings, but as an unpleasant problem to be dumped on Londons doorstep. To add insult to injury, the French are expecting us to pay for their mistakes. Over the next three years, British taxpayers face a total bill of 118 million to clear the Jungle site, erect a new security fence at the Port of Calais and pay private security firms to patrol the ports of northern France. This does not exactly strike me as a monument to Gallic goodwill. But that seems in very short supply these days. Patriotic: Should we be proud that this refugee in the Jungle is waving a British flag? In the past few months, the favourites to challenge the floundering Francois Hollande in next years presidential election, Nicolas Sarkozy and Alain Juppe, have been engaged in a competition as to who could most unpleasantly bash the British. It says something, I think, about the state of French politics that such desperately discredited characters are serious candidates for the presidency in 2017. Mr Juppe, almost incredibly, has a conviction for the abuse of public funds and was a notably flaccid prime minister back in the mid-Nineties. Mr Sarkozys prominence in French political life, meanwhile, is simply baffling. Given his record the disaster of his last presidential term, the endless scandals, the ludicrous posturing with his wife Carla and the naked corruption how on earth can he expect anyone to take him seriously? Perhaps their weakness explains why both men have tried to whip up support by turning Britain into a scapegoat. For instance, Mr Juppe and Mr Sarkozy have threatened to scrap the Le Touquet agreement, under which British officials can check passports of refugees on French soil. Last week, when asked if the Anglo-French border needed moving to Kent, Mr Juppe said: Of course. Dont tell me that its difficult because the British dont want it. The best the French have to offer? The Mayor of Bordeaux, Alain Juppe (pictured, centre), is now odds-on favourite to win the presidency next year but his record is not good Never mind that it was Mr Sarkozy who originally signed the Le Touquet agreement. The posturing French politicians dont seem to care about that. Never mind that scrapping the agreement would almost certainly be a disaster for travellers crossing the Channel, leading to huge queues and long delays at St Pancras, Folkestone and Dover, and would force our Government to set up migrant camps on the south coast of England. But their attitude to the Jungle is also symptomatic of a deeper tendency. Just look at how the French elite have tried to turn the Brexit referendum to their advantage, casting Britain as a selfish villain to be cut down to size. In the past two weeks alone, the French finance minister, Michel Sapin, has made a shameless bid to lure international banks from London, while the city of Paris even paid for a ludicrous series of posters at Heathrow and St Pancras. Tired of the Fog? Try the Frogs! reads the slogan. As it happens, fog (or more correctly smog) has not been an issue in London since the Fifties. But since the French elites political and economic attitudes are about 60 years out of date, perhaps it was an understandable mistake. Rather more disturbing, though, was the message from President Hollande when a journalist asked him about the Brexit negotiations. He's back: Nicolas Sarkozy (pictured during the 2012 campaign, which he lost) is determined to make a comeback There must be a threat, there must be a risk, there must be a price, he said, warning Britain could face serious economic and human consequences. Have a look at those words again: threat, risk, price. Not quite the rhetoric you associate with the traditional entente cordiale, is it? The truth, unfortunately, is Frances old resentments so deeply rooted in the profound sense of humiliation and failure that inevitably followed the experience of defeat and occupation in World War II have never gone away. Indeed, inside Frances governing class an elite so narrow, corrupt and clapped out they make our own leaders look like political titans a paranoid suspicion of all things Anglo-Saxon is practically de rigueur. The founding father of modern French politics, Charles de Gaulle, never forgave the British for saving his country. Like so many Frenchmen, he was only too conscious of the cowardice and incompetence that had disfigured his countrys war effort, as well as their shameful record of collusion in the Holocaust. It was this fundamental Anglophobia, based on jealousy and humiliation, that inspired de Gaulle to veto Britains applications to join what was then the Common Market in 1963 and 1967. If we had joined, of course, we might have been able to steer it towards a more coherent future as a free-trade alliance of nation states. As it was, we joined too late to make a difference. But behind all this lies a deeper history. It is telling that the EUs chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, made a futile bid last week to have the Brexit talks conducted entirely in French, because the language issue cuts to the heart of Frances historic failure. Three centuries ago, French was the language of international trade and diplomacy and France was the worlds greatest power. But, since then, it has been downhill all the way. Humiliated time and again on the battlefield, overtaken economically by the British and the Germans, reduced to a virtual cultural backwater, the French have watched in horror as the world turned to English instead. You dont need French to get ahead in business, science or computing. But you wont get anywhere without English. Perhaps it is no wonder, then, that like jealous schoolgirls competing with a more admired rival, the French are so determined to fight their petty battles and score their cheap little points. And perhaps we should not be too surprised or even too cross. For as the wartime newsreels famously put it at a time when our neighbours were busy brushing up on their German, Britain can take it. The tragedy, though, is that the real losers from all this have been those least able to take it by which I mean the cold and hungry migrants whom the French incarcerated in the Jungle. They surely hoped for better when they entered the land of liberty, equality and fraternity. At last! After 50 years debate on desperately needed new airport capacity in the South East, ministers (or some of them) settle on a third Heathrow runway. So congratulations to Theresa May on making a decision that Messrs Blair, Brown and Cameron pathetically ducked. But dont hold your breath. The matter is now to be put to further public consultation, delaying a parliamentary vote for yet another year. Business and jobs are seeping away to Amsterdam, Paris and Frankfurt while we in Britain have to wait for endless judicial reviews, public inquiries and a vote in Parliament Next will come lengthy legal challenges over planning and environmental concerns not to mention a revolt by Tory MPs with constituencies under the flight-path. (And what a shockingly expensive and self-indulgent gesture by Zac Goldsmith to force a by-election that will further narrow the Tories majority.) Indeed, even on optimistic forecasts, it will be another decade before the first plane takes off from a new runway. Meanwhile, the blight of uncertainty will hang over local residents while business and jobs will go on seeping away to Amsterdams Schiphol, with its six runways, and Frankfurt and Paris Charles de Gaulle, with four each. This was never going to be painless. But what sense can there be in prolonging the agony? Besides, its impossible to exaggerate the economic importance of Heathrow as our gateway to the world. In the Second World War, Churchill famously ordered a rubber stamp emblazoned: ACTION THIS DAY. Mrs May should dig it out and put it to use. Babies wont wait With more than half of babies born at night or the weekend, the onset of labour has never respected office hours. So how disturbing it is that three-quarters of hospitals have no consultants present in maternity wards between 10pm and 8am, while almost half have none on site on Saturdays and Sundays. Indeed, todays chilling figures underline graphically how far we are from achieving a truly round-the-clock NHS, open seven days a week. With consultants absent, is it any wonder that research has shown babies born out of hours are more likely to die or suffer serious complications? Egregious: Max Mosley Press held to ransom In what surreal world would a State-appointed quango put press regulation in the hands of a body financed by the egregious Max Mosley with the threat of making newspapers who refuse to join it pay the crippling legal costs of anyone who sues them, win or lose? Yet if Culture Secretary Karen Bradley activates a pernicious clause in the law, this will be the effect of yesterdays decision by the Press Recognition Panel (cost to taxpayers, 1million a year) to endorse Mr Mosleys Impress a body without a single mainstream publication as a member. Could anyone ever have imagined this would be how 300 years of British Press freedom might end at the mercy of the plaything of a millionaire sexual deviant, smarting from the Press exposure of his taste for German-themed S&M orgies? Beyond parody (1): In a sublime postscript to the farce of Ed Milibands Ed Stone, Labour is fined 20,000 for electoral offences after failing to declare the 7,614 cost of his folly. Dont you have to pinch yourself to recall how close this neo-Marxist numpkin came to being put in charge of the country? Here they reveal just what it takes to transform your face this Halloween They also showed you how to become the goddess of winter Khione Finished looks include Empusa, a demigoddess, and The Dark Siren Shes the striking goddess that seduced young men who travelled alone. Empusa would wait until her prey were fast asleep before shifting into her hideous form, devouring their flesh and eating their blood. The character from Greek Mythology is one of many monsters and nymphs Napoleon Perdis make up artists have brought to life this Halloween. And while the end results are terrifying, it can be achieved at home. Scroll down for video Gruesome: Napoleon Perdis make up artists have transformed in to terrifying monsters from Greek Mythology, including the demigoddess Empusa (pictured) Snow queen: One artist transformed in to Khione, the goddess of north wind and winter Red-eyed ghoul: Another used clever make up tricks to turn into The Dark Siren who lured men to their death with her enchanting voice Here three make up artists from the Australian make up brand reveal what is takes to transform in to a terrifying monster this Halloween. Global make up artist Tannia transformed in to the demigoddess Empusa, using light foundation, lots of red lipstick and fake blood. I pictured my character to have that dead-like skin, she said in a YouTube tutorial. Demigoddess: Make up artist Tannia created the look using lots of red lipstick and fake blood Creepy: The started by applying a light-coloured foundation as a base (left) before going in with red lipstick around the eyes (right) To create the look at home, apply a primer and light-coloured foundation before setting it with powder. The gruesome, painful looking eyes are created using a red lipstick that is blended around the eye socket. Blood red tears are drawn on using the same shade, which is then applied to the tip of the nose and centre of the lips to give the illusions of eating flesh. To finish the look, highlight and contour the face before applying fake blood and contact lenses. Making a monster: She smudged the lipstick around her eyes to create depth and also applied it to her nose and lips for a 'flesh eating' look Life-like: She finished by applying fake blood to look like tears down her face To really make the tears authentic, drip the blood down the side of the face. If the gory look is too much for you, why not opt for Khione, the goddess of north wind and winter. According to Greek Mythology, Khione had absolute control over ice, wind and snow, and would use it to turn the heart of those who crossed her in to ice. Ice queen: Make up artist Kate transformed in to Khione, the goddess of north wind and winter Setting the foundation: She applied a combination of a porcelain foundation stick and primer to her face for the look In a video, Napoleon Perdis VP of creative, Kate, transformed herself in to the character using a white-based foundation, plenty of white gel liner and a black lip. When her temper struck her eyes turned from a deep coffee brown to a stark icy white, she said of the eerie goddess. She applied a porcelain base to her skin by combining a light foundation stick and primer. Bringing it together: She darkened her brows (left) and applied a gold highlighter to give her skin an eerie glow (right) Final touches: To finish, she applied a glitter lip and white freckles and lashes She framed the eyes with black shadow, before going in a gold highlighter on the eyes, nose and cheekbones. She used a white gel liner around the eyes and on the eyelashes, using the same product to create snow-like freckles on her cheeks. The finished the look with a black glitter lip, dark brows and white contact lenses. The Dark Siren: Make up artist Tracey created the mermaid-like character from Greek Mythology Monster memaid: To create the base, she blended eye shadow with primer and concealer to create a turquoise colour The final look they shared was The Dark Siren. Completed by global make up artist Tracey, the Halloween look portrayed a dangerous mermaid-like creature who worked as a seductress, luring men to their death with her enchanted voice. 'In Greek Mythology it was said the sirens may have had a turquoise like skin, and I took inspiration from this, Tracey said. Creating depth: She went over the turquoise base with a black eye shadow that she used to contour Coming to life: She blended blue, pink and purple eye shadow in to her skin, applied sequinned fabric to look like scales and drew on gills To create the look, she combined eyeshadows, concealer and primer in a bowl to make a turquoise paste. She applied it over her face before going in with black shadow to contour her eyes, lower lip, cupids bow, cheeks and forehead. She applied blue, pink and purple shadow to create depth, and stuck sequinned fabric on her skin to make scales. Creature of the night: Adding to the dark character was a black lip and bold black eyes Completed look: She finished with black rhinestones on her forehead Gills were drawn on to the side of her neck, and she finished with black eye make up, a black lip and black rhinestones stuck to her forehead. To make the look more creepy, she put in red contact lenses and a tousled black wig. Radio star Chrissie Swan says parents should not be ashamed to let their children sleep with them in bed. The mother-of-three said waking up next to her young children was 'one of life's great joys' and she was glad she ignored conventional parenting advice on the topic. 'Of all the things in the parenting books that I read and tried to implement, the one thing I'm so glad I eventually ignored was the ''never let your kids sleep with you'' rule,' she said. Scroll down for video Simple joys: Mother-of-three Chrissie Swan has opened up about co-sleeping in the same bed as her children 'I'm so glad': Chrissie said she was happy to ignore parenting advice on the topic of co-sleeping with young kids The 42-year-old star of the Chrissy, Sam and Browny show on Nova 100 shared her thoughts on the contentious topic in a Facebook post. 'Waking up with them next to me and watching them as they sleep in, and feeling their warm little bodies and bony knees in bed at night next to mine is honestly one of my life's greatest joys,' she said. Chrissie has three young children in Leo, 10, Kit, five and Peggy, three. She continued:'I know it's a personal choice but for me it has just been the loveliest thing. 'Enriching. If you love it too, don't let experts make you feel bad. 'I understand if it's not for you. Plenty of things aren't for me! 'But this one is and it has been the loveliest and most unexpected reward of motherhood for me.' 'Unexpected reward': The 42-year-old said it was an enriching experience to wake up next to her children 'Personal choice': The Nova radio star (pictured with comedian Alan Carr) said other parents should not feel bad for co-sleeping Queensland's Safe Infant Sleeping Guidelines recommend putting infants in their own space in the same room as an adult for the first six to twelve months. Parenting advice on sleeping with children as they grow older is mixed. Advocates argue that the practice promotes healthy attachments between parent and child, opponents believe it stunts emotional development and independence. But Swan's post was widely supported by other co-sleeping mothers. 'Seventeen years of parenting seven children and all of them have slept in our bed until they decided they were ready for their own beds,' one mother said. 'Our youngest is now two and I'm in no hurry to have him leave.' From the diamonds in their ears to the couture gowns on their honed bodies and the hair on their immaculately coiffed heads, everything about an A-listers appearance on the red carpet is perfectly choreographed including that all-important perfect pose for the cameras. Why, then, are increasing numbers of female celebrities adopting a rather bizarre pigeon-toed stance? The trend was kick-started by Gwyneth Paltrow in 2010, and has since been adopted by a whole host of women from Hollywood actress Katie Holmes to high-powered human rights barrister Amal Clooney. GWYNETH PALTROW: Not even pigeon toes could save this abominable outfit in 2010. At 38, satin shorts and shoe-boots will make even the longest legs look stumpy. You should have consciously uncoupled from your stylist, Gwynnie. KATIE HOLMES: The pose combined with a nervous grin makes her look like a child speaking in assembly. Snapped at a party in New York this month, the 37-year-old looks unsure of herself but then I guess you would be if youd been married to Tom Cruise. They have all recently been pictured with their hands hanging limply, knees knocked and toes turned awkwardly inwards; in short, the sort of stance youd expect a particularly shy child to adopt. Yet, while having pigeon toes has traditionally been something to be avoided indeed, generations of women have scolded their children for turning their feet inwards and there are special shoes to correct the stance now it seems to be de rigueur on the red carpet. The reason for this is as depressing as it is fascinating: these A-list women have worked out that a pigeon-toed pose is a quick route to looking thinner, younger, sexier and even more approachable. The pose brings your toes together, making your calf muscles look thinner and more defined, as well as creating or accentuating the appearance of a thigh gap. AMAL CLOONEY: At 38, her impossibly slender legs look even thinner, so splayed she looks unsteady on her feet at a premiere in February. Stand up straight, girl even if it does make you taller than your husband. CLAUDIA WINKLEMAN: She may be a 44-year-old mother of two, but that didnt stop Claudia laying on the insouciance with a trowel at an awards ceremony in June: doleful eyes, thumb hooked in a pocket, a bewildered look and her feet turned in as if wearing scuffed trainers. It also works wonders for pulling in the stomach muscles (have a go and youll see). Yet these celebrities arent just trying to shrink their already tiny bodies they are also trying to make themselves seem less intimidating. As the cameras flash away, this pigeon-toe pose seems to say: Gosh, look at little old me in the spotlight! As evolutionary anthropologist Dr Anna Machin explains, A-list celebrities need to appeal to two markets men and, perhaps more importantly, other women. The pigeon-toed stance sends powerful biological signals to both genders. Celebrities are a commodity they need other women to like them so they go to see their films, she says. In reality they may be highly successful, powerful women, but with this pose they are trying to make themselves look more approachable. The awkward pose says: Im not an Alpha female, Im just like you. CAT DEELEY: Swamped by her blazer and wobbling on vertiginous heels, Cat, 40, goes for the little girl dressing up in mums clothes look on the red carpet in LA last year. ISLA FISHER: Half-SMILE, chin out, arms taut and toes in, the effort is written all over 40-year-old Islas face at this months premiere of Keeping Up With The Joneses. Now breathe. Except, of course, surrounded as they are by agents, image builders and entire marketing teams, they are not remotely like us. So dont imagine for a moment the pigeon-toed pose is natural it takes a lot of practice to perfect faux-innocence when youre a famous Hollywood diva. And while some men may find the stance inelegant, subconsciously it panders to the male ego. Its no secret that rich and powerful women can intimidate the living daylights out of your average man. Therefore, by appearing gauche and in need of male protection, these A-list women are sending out a potent signal. A recent survey by the University of Texas discovered that while men say they admire women who are more intelligent and powerful than they are, they back away from dating them choosing instead non-threatening girlfriends who dont diminish their feelings of masculinity. In making the poser seem more vulnerable, the pigeon-toed pose may also make women look younger, too. As Camilla Morton, author of Running In High Heels, says: It makes your legs look great and your hips jut out and dont shoes look so much better viewed side-on? Swimming icon Libby Trickett has spoken out about the struggles of motherhood and her near-miss with post-natal depression. In a candid interview, the four-time Olympic gold medallist revealed how she struggled to bond with her baby daughter Poppy. 'I found the baby stage really difficult and went through a phase where I thought Poppy didnt really like me,' she told the Daily Telegraph. Gorgeous: Olympic legend Libby Trickett poses for a snap with baby daughter Poppy Hesitant: Baby Poppy looks less than enthused at the prospect of taking a dip with her swimming legend mum The 31-year-old said the 'sheer exhaustion' that came with early parenthood drove her close to post-natal depression at one point. 'Id already had two bouts of depression. One while swimming and another when I first retired, so it was tough,' she told the newspaper. Libby, who was recently inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, had daughter Poppy with husband Luke last year. 'It was tough': The constant exhaustion of being a new mother was a difficult obstacle to overcome, Libby said As Poppy had grown older - she is now 14 months old - parenting had become a lot easier, Libby said. It's not the first time Libby has spoken of her struggles. Since her daughter was born on August 31, 2015 at 9.23pm, her instagram feed has been filled with adorable photos of her together with her tiny tot. However, in a previous piece she wrote for New Idea, she said that it took her time to adjust. 'Six months and 24 days into parenthood I eventually understand why people love babies,' she wrote. Proud parents: Libby and her swimmer husband Luke (right) pose with baby daughter Poppy at kindergarten Loving mother: Libby takes some time out of her busy schedule to lie with her sick daughter on the couch Now it seems Libby is embracing motherhood as she revealed she and Luke, also a former national swimmer, were thinking the time could soon be right to add to their brood. She's been keeping herself busy in the months since they split with setting up her own consultancy business, royal duties and nights out with friends. But Princess Beatrice, 28, will no doubt feel to learn her former partner of 10 years, Dave Clark, is apparently moving on. The Uber executive was spotted leaving London celebrity hot spot The Chiltern Firehouse last night with a blonde companion who could pass for Liverpudlian model Abbey Clancy. Scroll down for video Dave Clark, 32, the ex-boyfriend of Princess Beatrice is seen on a night out with a stunning blonde as they leave the Chiltern Firehouse in London Dave's date for the night was epitome of off-duty supermodel chic in leather leggings, a black jumper and ankle boots Dave's date for the night was epitome of off-duty supermodel chic in leather leggings, a black pussy bow blouse and jacket, which she teamed with ankle boots. The blonde then climbed into a cab with Dave after exiting the nightspot. And the businessman looked in typically ebullient spirits as he fastened his seatbelt before departing into the night. Dave, 32, and Beatrice, 27, dated for 10 years after being introduced by her cousin Prince William. The businessman looked in typically ebullient spirits as he fastened his seatbelt before departing into the night Dave's leggy companion has something of a resemblance to model Abbey Clancy Uber executive Dave reaches for his seat belt. He split from Princess Beatrice after 10 years following make or break talks over marriage The pair became friends when US-born Dave attended the University of St. Andrews where William was studying geography. However, the relationship later cooled and rumours have long circulated that the Prince did not approve of the relationship. He is said to have considered Dave an 'indiscreet' addition to the extended family and was opposed to the prospect of his little cousin marrying him. Moving on Dave? This mystery blonde did not seem shy about being spotted with Princess Beatrice's former boyfriend Dave, a former friend of Prince William's appears to be moving on from the end of his 10 year relationship with Princess Beatrice Looking cosy! The business man shares a cab with a blonde friend after a night out at celebrity hot spot Chiltern Firehouse But pressure for Dave to propose intensified in May last year after the birth of Princess Charlotte pushed Beatrice down to seventh in line to the Throne, meaning she no longer had to seek permission to marry from the Queen, who would most probably have taken William's advice on the matter. However Beatrice's family, including sister Princess Eugenie and parents Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew, were said to be 'completely shocked' by the news. Sarah, the Duchess of York, in particular was said to feel as though she had lost a son. Dave's companion for the evening leaves the Chiltern Firehouse to climb into a cab Their split came after Beatrice followed Dave to both coasts of America as he pursued his career with taxi app Uber. She enrolled in a finance course in San Francisco, where Uber has its headquarters, before taking an investment banking job in Manhattan where Dave was based. Beatrice's now ex-boyfriend speaks with a mid-Atlantic accent after his wealthy family divided their time between New York and London. Dave spent ten years working for Virgin Galactic's space tourism project and still describes himself as a 'future astronaut' for the project. He is a close friend of the Branson family and regularly holidays on Necker island. She is one of the best dressed royals and Queen Letizia didn't disappoint in her latest outing. The Spanish royal looked impeccable as she arrived to attend a conference on the 'Informative treatment of the disability' in Madrid. The 44-year-old appeared happy and confident as she waved to onlookers before going inside. Queen Letizia, pictured above, stepped out this morning to attend a conference on the 'Informative treatment of the disability' in Madrid She was wearing an embroidered collarless blazer with stripes of mustard yellow, burgundy, black and white with a luxe leather trim from Uterque and teamed it with slim cut black trousers. The jacket was first worn by Queen Letizia last year and is from the Spring-Summer 2015 'Ethnic' collection, but the colours make it perfect for the current autumn season. She stood tall in classic black court shoes and layered the jacket over a fine knit burgundy sweater. Queen Letizia finished off her outfit with a black leather clutch bag with gold detailing across the front and wore her dark shoulder-length hair down and kept her jewellery simple. The mother-of-two was attending an event organised by the Federation of Associations of Journalists of Spain (FAPE) and by Carmen Pardo-Valcarce Foundation. The youthful royal was wearing an embroidered jacket from Uterque with stripes of mustard yellow, burgundy, black and white with a luxe leather trim and teamed it with slim cut black trousers The mother-of-two was attending an event organised by the Federation of Associations of Journalists of Spain (FAPE) and by Carmen Pardo-Valcarce Foundation A 69-year-old woman who was conned out of 8,000 by a Nigerian fraudster who targeted her online has revealed how she ended up becoming his friend after flying to Africa to confront him. Maria Grette, who is originally from Sweden and now lives in Norway, appeared on today's Loose Women and told the panelists that she ended up feeling sorry for the 24-year-old student who scammed her. She said: 'When he revealed himself I felt so sorry for him and then I felt admiration for having the courage to do what he did.' Scroll for video Maria Grette appeared on today's Loose Women to reveal how she was conned out of 8,000 by a Nigerian fraudster who she later befriended The arts teacher said she felt it was courageous of him to own up to what he did after he had spent months communicating with her pretending to be a Dutch businessman. She added: 'When he revealed himself to me I had passed the stage of anger, guilt and shame, like "Maria, you are so stupid, how could you do this?" As reported by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani for BBC News, Maria had been 62 when she first encountered the scammer, known only as Johnny, when he approached her online after she had set up a dating profile. He told her he was a 58-year-old businessman born in Holland who was working as a civil engineer in England. Maria with 'Johnny' who she said she ended up admiring after she met him in person His elaborate backstory included being a widower with a son who was studying at Manchester University. After chatting with Maria online for some time and gaining her trust, he then asked her for money saying it was an emergency. He claimed that on a business trip to Nigeria with his son, they had been mugged and needed money to help them out of their predicament. Maria was approached by 'Johnny' after setting up an online dating profile and she was angry at first when he later confessed he wasn't who he had been pretending to be Maria was taken in and ended up sending 8,000 of her savings in total. She said she later 'came to her senses' and realised it was a con and stopped replying to Johnny's messages. 'I was angry, I sent some very angry emails when I realised something was wrong,' she told the Loose Women presenters today. When I read the email from him, there was a quality that made me curious. I went on the plane because I wanted to find out who that was Weeks later, he then contacted her to confess and admitted he was actually a '419' internet scammer who had been forced to become a conman after failing to gain employment for two years after graduating from university. He claimed he had romantic feelings for Maria and she decided to fly to Nigeria to meet him for herself. Explaining this decision on the ITV lunchtime show, she said: 'When I read the email from him, there was a quality that made me curious. I went on the plane because I wanted to find out who that was.' She told the BBC that once she met him, she felt like she had 'known him all my life' and the pair became friends. Maria tells actress Linda Robson how she admired 'Johnny' for eventually having the courage to tell her the truth and they remain friends She met with his friends - many of whom were also scammers - and said she felt sorry for them because many felt they had no other option than to follow the duplicitous profession in order to survive. 'I asked myself what I could do to prevent a situation where healthy, good young men fall into this trap,' she told the BBC, and two years later she found a way to help them embrace the arts instead of being con artists. After encouraging them to become artists, she has arranged for some to visit Europe to exhibit their work and enter competitions and helped them gain grants and funding. She has also continued to support Johnny by giving him money to study in America where he now works in the oil sector. It took months of planning and intense secrecy and was heralded as a career high for UK Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman. But it turns out that the magazine's much-heralded centenary issue, featuring the Duchess of Cambridge on the cover, was not the top seller of the year. The long-standing editor revealed in an interview with Radio 4's Woman's Hour that more people bought their September issue covered by Cara Delevingne than any other this year so far. Scroll down for video The Duchess of Cambridge's surprise appearance on Vogue's June cover was predicted to send sales soaring, but it was not the biggest-selling issue of the year Opening up about Kate's June issue, she explained: Yes she did very very well for us but actually she wasn't the best selling issue of the year. 'But that's not because of Cara Delevingne it's because it's the September issue and everyone wants to buy Vogue for fashion, so you can't really judge it that way.' September is the month when people start shopping for their Autumn/Winter wardrobes and its seen as peak season for fashion editors. Nonetheless, it's surprising that Kate's cover did not outdo September sales considering it was the magazine's centenary issue and therefore a collectible item. The September issue of Vogue featuring Cara Delevingne on the cover outsold the centenary issue with Kate Middleton, but the editor insists it's down to people buying it for fashion As soon as the photo shoot with Kate was revealed, brand experts predicted a huge sales boom for the magazine. PR expert Mark Borkowski said: 'Money can't buy that sort of publicity. It's beyond monetary value, because she's a celebrity in the US and a global icon.' Jack Izzard, director of the PR consultancy Rhizome Media, added: 'For Vogue to put Kate on its cover is a testament to her fashion clout but also a shrewd tactical move. 'Kate is at the height of her powers as a global fashion icon, so the PR value to Vogue of having her as a cover star is astronomical. Editor Alexandra Shulman opened up about choosing cover stars saying that when choosing a model it's a recognisable face rather than skin colour that's the issue 'As the acknowledged global fashion bible, Vogue has a loyal following of dedicated trendsetters and fashion devotees. But Kate's appeal is much broader and having her on its cover will help Vogue drive a surge of sales to more mainstream readers.' Alexandra Shulman made the surprising revelation about Kate's cover to presenter Jane Garvey during a discussion about race. The presenter said she estimated that Vogue 'is about 90% white' and asked: 'Is that OK in 2016?' 'I don't think Vogue's role is to be totally representative but actually I did some figures on this and if you look at the stats we're not far off in terms of the population in representation in the magazine. The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the National Portrait Gallery for the Vogue 100: A Century of Style exhibition 'But that's not the issue. The issue is, are you going to do positive discrimination? And that's something I have't really done. 'When we think someone is worthy of being in the magazine we put them in the magazine. 'We're putting in great models, we've got a black model on the cover in two issues time with two white models. Not because she's black 'We have had black models on the cover, we've had Jourdan Dunn on the cover, we've had Naomi Campbell. 'There are not a huge number, or were not, of leading black models. Now suddenly in the last two years that's really changing. It's fantastic news. We have to put people on who people recognise.' 'What does it do to sales if you don't?' Jane asked. 'We really lose circulation. People have to have the feeling they know that person and are curious about that person and that's not to do with their appearance,' she replied. 'If you have an unknown black model on the cover it won't do you any favours? Before Melissa Meads second son Arthur was born, she grappled with the fear - groundless, of course - that she wouldnt be able to love him as much as her firstborn, William. I cried when Arthur was born. To have him here and healthy was all we could have wished for, she says. I just sat and looked at him, drinking in all his little features. We couldnt believe he was ours. Melissa Mead, 29, has given birth to her second son Arthur (pictured together) - after her firstborn William died of sepsis in December 2014 When I was pregnant with Arthur I was too scared to allow myself to love him, because Id loved William so much and he was taken away. I was worried, too, that in giving love to Arthur Id be taking it away from William. It wasnt until Arthur was born that I realised I was just adding to the basket of love. Photographs of William the baby they lost as a newborn show how uncannily alike the two brothers are: the same shock of dark hair, the cute, upturned nose and dark eyes. Arthur, now four weeks old, is a contented baby. As we talk he sleeps peacefully in his Moses basket at the side of the room, yet Melissa and her partner Paul often find their attention distracted by the gentle rise and fall of his chest as he breathes. Each in breath a treasured gift. Each out breath reassurance. You can understand their nervousness. William died in December 2014 when he was just 382 days old. William (pictured) died when he was just 382 days old. He was killed by sepsis also known as blood poisoning or septicaemia which claims 44,000 lives a year Melissa and her husband Paul, 32, were ecstatic to have a second child (pictured) after William's tragic death He was killed by sepsis also known as blood poisoning or septicaemia which claims 44,000 lives a year. It occurs as the bodys immune system goes into overdrive when trying to fight an infection and can be overlooked or misdiagnosed by medical staff because of the multitude of symptoms that sufferers can exhibit. Melissa and Pauls grief is compounded by the fact that they know their sons death could have been avoided. Had it not been for a catalogue of errors and missed opportunities by doctors and the NHS 111 helpline, he could still be alive, sharing their joy at Arthurs arrival, relishing his role as a big brother. Diligent, loving parents, the couple called the helpline repeatedly and had taken their ailing son to see doctors, but vital warning signs that he was grievously ill went unheeded. Melissa and Pauls initial grief is compounded by the fact that they know their sons death could have been avoided (pictured, Melissa with William on his first day of nursery) Had it not been for a catalogue of errors and missed opportunities by doctors and the NHS 111 helpline, William (pictured) could still be alive In all, a staggering 15 failures in his care contributed to his final fatal illness: pneumonia, fluid and an abscess on his lung, which led to the sepsis that eventually killed him. Knowing that a simple course of antibiotics could have saved him is something his parents will have to live with for the rest of their lives. Thats the worst thing in the world, says Melissa. And I will never come to terms with what happened. It was needless, a chronology of mistakes. We were let down, with the most catastrophic outcome. But I do not want my life to be consumed by hate, anger and regret. I hope that those involved in Williams care will not make the same mistakes again. Ive fought hard for answers and they have been given. In all, a staggering 15 failures in his care contributed to his final fatal illness: pneumonia, fluid and an abscess on his lung, which led to the sepsis that eventually killed him Williams legacy is the recommendations that have been made to improve the systems that failed him. Since his death, Melissa has channelled her grief into raising awareness of, and funds for, sepsis research. So far more than 160,000 has been raised in Williams name. And his legacy has been even more far-reaching. Thanks to her lobbying, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has launched a public awareness campaign, backed by the Daily Mail and the UK Sepsis Trust. DOOMED TO DIE Treating sepsis costs the NHS 2 billion a year. A third of those admitted to critical care with this condition will die Advertisement Leaflets and a social media video about the disease have been distributed to doctors surgeries, hospital A&E departments and walk-in medical centres. And Melissa received a standing ovation when she told the Conservative Party Conference about William and the NHS England report into his care that she precipitated. Every parent of a newborn now receives a pack that contains a leaflet bearing the message Could it be sepsis? and featuring a photograph of William. Melissa opened hers in Treliske Hospital, Cornwall, two days after Arthurs birth. She recalls: It was bittersweet, a moment of sorrow and pride. William should be here with us and hes not. But hes our little hero. Hes helping to save others lives and that is a comfort. Knowing that a simple course of antibiotics could have saved him is something his parents will have to live with for the rest of their lives (pictured, Melissa and Paul on William's first birthday) When Melissa became pregnant with William after she and Paul, 32, a fibre telecoms engineer, had been together for ten years, it seemed little short of a miracle. A raft of gynaecological problems had left Melissa, 29, PA to the director of a finance company, with only half an ovary. She also has a heart condition and, quite understandably, did not believe she would ever conceive. Little William was a delight. She recalls: He was such a lovely, contented baby; cheeky and giggly. Every moment with him was a pleasure. He made being parents easy. He made love easy. I couldnt believe he was mine. Hed taken his first steps the week before he passed away. Hed already learnt to clap his hands and he was starting to express himself by babbling. Since his death, Melissa has channelled her grief into raising awareness of, and funds for, sepsis research. So far more than 160,000 has been raised in Williams name He was just beginning to change from a baby to a toddler. He was so happy with life. But when he celebrated his first birthday in November, with a cake decorated with farmyard animals, he seemed off-colour, Melissa recalls. He had the beginnings of a cold. He was pale, she says. Over the next six weeks, the cold deteriorated into a persistent chesty cough and frequent vomiting. His parents, conscientious and alarmed by his worsening symptoms, were told during multiple visits to doctors and the A&E unit of their local hospital that he was suffering from a virus and that his condition was not serious. Rest and plenty of fluids would cure him, doctors insisted. We were reassured by the medical experts in whom we invested our trust that there was nothing to worry about, says Melissa. Melissa received a standing ovation when she told the Conservative Party Conference (pictured) about William and the NHS England report into his care that she precipitated In the final 24 hours of Williams life we visited an emergency doctor and called the NHS 111 helpline and an out-of-hours doctor. The prognosis was the same, that there was nothing grisly. Yet on the morning of December 14, 2014, she walked into Williams bedroom to be confronted by the unimaginable. It was dark because the blackout blinds were drawn. I stroked his cheek. It was warm. He didnt move. I put my arms through the bars of his cot and his arm was cool to the touch. He didnt move. I stroked the side of his body and it was stiff. He was gone. I screamed and screamed to Paul: Hes dead! Paul lifted him out of his cot. We phoned 999 and they talked us through CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). The ambulance arrived in three minutes. Melissas campaigning on behalf of Sepsis UK began after the NHS England report into the failures in Williams care was published in January (pictured, William with the teddy bear that his ashes are kept in) They treated us with the utmost dignity. I cannot give them enough credit. They tried their best and then one of them said: Im sorry, love, but hes gone. And that was it. Tears choke Melissa. The flashbacks to that awful morning continue. Thereafter, she and Paul lived through a waking nightmare. At the hospital we were allowed to sit with him for a couple of hours, then they said they were taking him to the mortuary. I said Id take him and I carried him through the hospital. I asked the mortician to look after him. I dont remember much after that. One of the hardest things was typing baby coffins into Google, then choosing one for our child. It had to be beautiful; worthy of him. It was just 30in long; white and satin-lined. Nothing can prepare you for seeing your child in a coffin. Every time I went to the chapel of rest Id cuddle him and talk to him and cry. He looked so perfect. She said: 'When you lose a child, you lose their future and your future. Theres no tomorrow' (pictured with her second son Arthur) The hardest thing was closing the lid and saying my last goodbye. When you lose a child, you lose their future and your future. Theres no tomorrow. You just get through to the end of each day. Her voice crumbles into sobs. Melissas campaigning on behalf of Sepsis UK began after the NHS England report into the failures in Williams care was published in January. It provided a constructive outlet for her grief: the knowledge that from the tragedy of her loss other childrens lives could be saved was a comfort. She and Paul did not try for another baby they believed there was little hope that Melissa would conceive but in the depths of their sorrow, they discovered she was pregnant. I went to the doctors. I felt absolutely exhausted, but assumed it was a mixture of grief and everything that had gone on since Williams death, says Melissa. The news that I was pregnant was a terrific shock. The emotions I felt were really complicated. I still felt suffocating grief. Id accepted that Id never be all right and that it was OK not to accept Williams death. I was mourning him and though I didnt want to end my life, a part of me just wanted to be with William. So it felt difficult being stuck here, in this life, without him. Arthur William Mead (pictured) - his middle name is a homage to his big brother - was born by elective Caesarean on September 27. He weighed 7lb 11oz, exactly the same as William Then, when I knew I was having another baby, it was hard, but I had to say: I must stay here now for this child. To begin with it almost felt like a betrayal of William. And mixed with this was fear: we didnt want to get our hopes up. People have stillbirths, miscarriages. Having lost one child, we knew what the worst felt like. So we feared all the more. It wont happen to us didnt apply. So there was guilt and grief and apprehension, but the first stirrings of happiness, too, because we knew that we were going to be a family again. And gradually, as Arthur began to kick he was a very active baby and make his presence felt, I began to think I have to be a mum again and not feel guilty about it, and I allowed myself to smile. Arthur William Mead his middle name is a homage to his big brother was born by elective Caesarean on September 27. He weighed 7lb 11oz, exactly the same as William. And they look like two peas in a pod, smiles Melissa. As she and Paul left hospital with their new baby swaddled in a shawl, a snippet of overheard conversation reminded them again of what they had lost. It was a brief dialogue happy, commonplace yet for Melissa it was weighed down with sadness. A little girl was sitting in the waiting room with her auntie, who asked her Are you excited about meeting your new little brother? and the girl said Yes. Melissa said: 'Though we have Arthur, we still lost William. We think of him all the time. He is still our firstborn, our eldest son, and grief is a debilitating life sentence' And thats when I thought: my son William should have been here, too, waiting eagerly to see his little brother. Arthurs presence highlights Williams absence even more sharply. Were so happy to have a baby in our arms again and an outlet for all the love that had no place to go when William died, but our joy is clouded. Though we have Arthur, we still lost William. We think of him all the time. He is still our firstborn, our eldest son, and grief is a debilitating life sentence. Though we have Arthur, we still lost William. We think of him all the time. He is still our firstborn, our eldest son, and grief is a debilitating life sentence Yet Arthur has given us both a future again that doesnt have to be sad. We feel blessed. Ive told William about him lots of times. Ive said Your little brother is with us now, and it comforts us to know how much he would have loved Arthur. Paul and Melissa must learn to tread the line between sensible caution and over-protectiveness. To help, they have a CONI (Care of Next Infant) nurse, but they will never forget the memory of finding William dead in his cot. Yet Arthur, they say, will inherit Williams cot. I know it will be hard for us when he first sleeps in it, but weve had lots of therapy and know William didnt die because of his cot, says Melissa. Wherever he had slept that night he would have died. We have told ourselves our fears are irrational. Arthur will attend the same nursery school as his big brother William (pictured with Melissa shortly before he died), where a reading bench is inscribed For Our Little Friend William There is an admirable fortitude about her and her quiet, loyal partner Paul. They are devoted parents, intent on creating the secure, happy childhood for Arthur that they strove to provide for his brother. But Melissa is beset by worries. Until Arthur can talk Ill always assume the worst if he grizzles or has a cough or a temperature. Even though I know so much about sepsis now, theres always the fear Ill miss something. She knows, too, that in Arthur are invested her hopes for the future. He will attend the same nursery school as his big brother, where a reading bench is inscribed For Our Little Friend William. And William will be part of Arthurs life just as he remains integral to the lives of his parents. The child they lost is in photos, in memories and in all that Melissa has achieved in his name. William is there as a physical presence, too. A treasured teddy bear contains his ashes. So a little bit of William comes with us everywhere, says Melissa. Hes the reason I carry on campaign- ing. Im the person I am today because of the little boy who lived. The little books offer ready-made outfits that make it easy to shop aimed at those lacking time to trawl the web for new clothes Forget the tombstone book of art or pristine copies of Vogue or Tatler: these days, its the humble shopping catalogue tastefully displayed on your coffee table that singles you out as a woman of style. Not the hefty Littlewoods or Freemans numbers that once came crashing through our letterboxes with all the grace of a phone directory, of course, but the new dinky, beautifully photographed lookbooks that slink their way onto the doormat. Youll see them in the smartest houses, nonchalantly strewn among vases of peonies and scented candles, as if they were simply an afterthought. Forget the tombstone book of art or pristine copies of Vogue or Tatler: these days, its the humble shopping catalogue tastefully displayed on your coffee table that singles you out as a woman of style Any woman in the know, however, is aware they are anything but. Whether youre a yummy mummy, smart retiree, corporate powerhouse or trendy mid-lifer, theres a catalogue with your name on it. Its as much a marker of your social status as the car you drive or the wine you drink. Aimed at those lacking the time to trawl the internet let alone browse designer stores for their new seasonal wardrobe, these little books offer ready-made outfits that make it all too easy to shop with the click of a button on their website or a single call to their expertly trained customer services centre. Madam, if you like the trousers, you simply must buy the shirt and the jacket and that darling scarf! ME + EM This ribbed polo with its loose fit and long sleeves is great to pull on at the weekend, 99 You are fed up with sweaters that bobble and nasty polyester blouses. Youll be in cashmere and shearling this winter not dubious wool mix or a fun fur. You want a relaxed, cool look nothing too clingy and are too smart to be fooled by extortionate designers. You want a glossy catalogue you can devour at wine-o-clock and order from instantly, knowing the quality will be rigorously top-notch. My Pick: I want to be swallowed up in the gorgeous marshmallow merino wool of this perfect ribbed polo with its loose fit and long sleeves. Great to pull on at the weekend, 99. meandem.com Advertisement Youll soon notice the discounts come thick and fast: the words 20 per cent off for one week only on the cover are infuriatingly irresistible. The next thing you know, half your monthly salary has been emptied from your current account. No wonder these clever companies are reaping such huge rewards. Take Boden, for example, the most successful and long-established of the new breed of catalogues. The companys bouncy Old Etonian boss, Johnnie Boden, was the first to create the club concept: not just showcasing clothes, but depicting the kind of fantasy family lifestyle to which we all aspire. Our own children may be hurling broccoli across the dining table or wailing like banshees, but we can retreat to Planet Boden, where angelic girls and boys play happily on sunny beaches with breathtakingly handsome (and exceedingly young) fathers and preternaturally relaxed mothers. BODEN Breton tops are a useful staple, like the one pictured here Keeping your brood looking even vaguely presentable is a 24-hour job, so you barely have time to leave the house, let alone enjoy a few hours shopping. Your husband is even worse: last weekend, you caught him in a tatty shirt you bought him 15 years ago. My pick: Breton tops are a useful staple. The Silvia wrap dress comes in several colours and cinches your top half, falling into flattering folds from the waist, 62.65. The shoes are worth a look, too. boden.co.uk Advertisement A world where everyone has great teeth and a residual tan from their long-haul (stress-free, naturally) family holiday. By buying that jolly pinafore (modelled by Araminta, aged eight, who loves ponies and gelato), we, too, could become perfect, non-shouty parents with angelic, grateful children. So successful is Boden at creating a particular brand of pukka, public school lifestyle that it was an instant success among the British middle-classes and even in the U.S., where the brand is second only to Burberry as the UKs biggest clothing retailer. When Kate Middleton wore a signature Boden Breton top last summer, it sold at a dizzying rate of 2,500 a day. LIBBY LONDON The colour of this Sloane Ocean dress, 198 is great - teal is always a fashionable shade for autumn and the shape of this dress is body-skimming and flattering You flit from the office to drinks or supper in a smart restaurant and require clothes you can wear to both. A dress that is office-formal, but pretty enough for a party or wedding, and a tailored coat. You want clothes made in Britain from the best fabrics - classic enough not to date. My pick: I love the colour of this Sloane Ocean dress, 198 - teal is always a fashionable shade for autumn and the shape of this dress is body-skimming and flattering. libbylondon.com Advertisement Such is its success, it has just opened its first High Street store. Step over the threshold of the inauspicious Seventies building stuck behind one of Londons noisiest roads and its all pale oak floors, jewel-bright velvet sofas and smart wood panelling on the walls. Not to mention cups of tea and biscuits for weary dads and boxes of toys for the kids. Knowing your customer inside out is key to the success of these particular lifestyle clothing brands. The White Company, which started life peddling bedlinen and scented candles to the middle-classes, is another veteran on the mini-catalogue scene. It has since branched out into the kind of fashion best described as cosy. Aimed at those lacking the time to trawl the internet let alone browse designer stores for their new seasonal wardrobe, these little books offer ready-made outfits that make it all too easy to shop with the click of a button on their website Models are photographed on windswept beaches swaddled in layers of grey cashmere. Its this understated, quietly aspirational look that has resulted in storming growth in the last financial year, The White Company grew its revenue by 14 per cent to 163.6 million. Unlike Boden, which is clothing-only, it offers the entire package, from nursery furniture to cashmere throws. Its branched out from the original white to include navy and muted caramels, with the emphasis very much on relaxation (buy that cashmere hoodie, light that scented candle and your daily stresses will simply melt away). And in the past few years, theres been a slew of newcomers to the Lifestyle Catalogue gang, all vying for our hard-earned pounds. THE WHITE COMPANY The White Company practically invented this style of long-line cardigan, 129. Imagine losing yourself in that snuggled by the fire All you want to do after a hectic week is light a scented candle and flop on the sofa. After a Sunday roast (at your oak table strewn with floral arrangements and linen napkins), you might pull on a few layers of cashmere and take the dogs for a walk on the beach. My pick: This cardigan - with a hood! Imagine losing yourself in that snuggled by the fire. The White Company practically invented this style of long-line cardigan, 129. thewhitecompany.com Advertisement Libby London, which launched five years ago for women who need to look as sensational as their achievements, produces just the kind of beautifully tailored dresses you see on manically organised corporate women. In a masterstroke of marketing to keep its time-poor tribe sweet, Libby London hand-delivers up to eight items directly to your office. The Libby London VIP rep will even wait patiently while you try them on rather like an executive PA returning any piece you dont wish to buy. Winser London, created four years ago by Kim Winser, a former director of Marks & Spencer, Aquascutum and Pringle, offers styling advice over video-calling service Skype to its well-heeled customers. HUSH The 100 per cent cotton Darcie coat, 160, has crop sleeves and covers the bottom and thighs, making your legs look slimmer Your fear of turning into your mother is only matched by your terror of dressing like your daughter. You want quietly stylish sweaters, trousers and dresses you can wear at the weekend, or dressed up with heels. A leather jacket such as this one adds edge. My pick: The 100 per cent cotton Darcie coat, 160, has crop sleeves and covers the bottom and thighs, making your legs look slimmer. hush-uk.com Advertisement Apart from the glossy catalogue starring beautiful pictures of 51-year-old supermodel Yasmin Le Bon, the clothes are available online and at pop-up stores. Similarly, Hush, the go-to catalogue for many trendy mid-lifers, offers expert styling advice for its discerning customers. Every season items from the collection are styled and photographed together to create a selection of outfits to provide the customer with wardrobe inspiration. Apparently, its not uncommon for customers to take the little book into the hairdressers and ask their stylist to recreate a models hairdo. The company also offers a digital shopping version of the catalogue to make purchasing even easier that outfit is just a click away from being in your hands, ready to be worn on tomorrows catwalk (also known as the school run). Rumours were swirling that Princess Eugenie was set to be the next royal bride but her mother has quashed the hearsay. When asked by PEOPLE if there was any truth to the rumours that Jack Brooksbank had popped the question, the Duchess of York said: 'No,' and 'laughed and shook her head', according to the magazine. The flame-haired mother-of-two was speaking at the Alzheimers Association Rita Hayworth Gala on Tuesday night. Sarah Ferguson, centre, reportedly said 'no' when asked if rumours of her daughter Princess Eugenie's, right, engagement to long-term boyfriend Jack Brooksbank, left, were true when she was quizzed at a gala dinner MailOnline has contacted a spokesperson for the Duchess of York and is awaiting response. The rumour mill went into overdrive after Eugenie, 26, took nightclub manager Mr Brooksbank, 29, to Balmoral to meet her grandmother. It was rumoured that while there, he may have asked the Queen for her blessing for a forthcoming engagement. It came after the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York and her partner joined other members of the Royal family at the Highland retreat for a shooting party to celebrate Prince Harry's birthday. The rumours surfaced after Eugenie, 26, took nightclub manager Mr Brooksbank, 29, to Balmoral to meet her grandmother (the pair are pictured together at the opening night of 'Conservation Couture: The Animal Ball Collection' in aid of Elephant Family and supported by Swarovski at The V&A on Tuesday) The pair are said to be 'very serious' about their relationship - and Brooksbank has become close to the Duke and Duchess of York One insider claimed that the trip would be a 'rite of passage' for Mr Brooksbank. And while no official announcement has been made, the couple are reportedly planning to become officially engaged by the end of this year with a view to marrying in 2017. It was reported that the pair are set to live in Kensington Palace, which also serves as the official royal base of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The pair are said to be 'very serious' about their relationship - and Brooksbank has become close to the Duke and Duchess of York. The flame-haired royal was speaking at the Alzheimers Association Rita Hayworth Gala on Tuesday night Eugenie and Jack have been together since they were introduced in Switzerland in 2010. A family friend said in August: 'Jack is very close to Eugenies family. He is always invited away with them in the summer. Sarah sees him as a son-in-law already. She and Andrew adore Jack. He is a lovely boy and he has really fitted into the family. However, a spokesman for Sarah, Duchess of York, at the time categorically denied the claim her daughter was about to get engaged. Watch two exclusive clips from tonight's final below Tom Gillford and Rav Bansal both reveal that their vote is for Jane Beedle But tent hunk Selasi Gbormittah is rooting for engineer Andrew Smyth Fan favourite Val Stones says she is backing Candice Brown to win Great British Bake Off fans have to wait a few more hours to find out who will be the 2016 winner - but a tantalising exclusive clip from tonight's show reveals who some of the ex-contestants would most like to win. Tent hunk Selasi Gbormittah and fan favourite Val Stones, as well as fellow former contestants Tom Gillford, Rav Bansal and Benjamina Ebuehi, are all asked who they think will be crowned this year's champion during the final. But the decision of who to back is much easier for some than others. Former GBBO contestants have revealed who they would like to win this year's series out of Jane Beedle (left), Candice Brown (centre) or Andrew Smyth (right) in exclusive footage from tonight's show Tent hunk Selasi Gbormittah reveals he is rooting for Andrew in an exclusive clip At first Selasi refuses to say which contestant he is backing, telling the camera: 'Don't ask me that question!' Val Stones tells viewers that she really wants Candice to win before the winner is revealed in tonight's final As the camera pans across a crowd of family and friends outside the tent waiting to see whether Andrew Smyth, Candice Brown or Jane Beedle will win this year's Bake Off, the former contestants are put on the spot. Teaching assistant Benjamina, 23, refuses to say outright, and instead just ponders aloud: 'Who will win, who will win?' City banker Selasi, 30, sighs, and says: 'Don't ask me that question!' But he later confesses who he would like to see take home the trophy: 25-year-old aerospace engineer Andrew. Benjamina Ebuehi couldn't decide who she is backing to win this year's Bake Off in tonight's episode Tom Gillford said the decision of who to back was easy for him as he's been rooting for Jane since the very start Rav Bansal was diplomatic, pointing out all candidates' good qualities, before finally saying that Jane had his vote 'I want Andrew to win,' he eventually admits. 'But it'll be a tough call because the girls have been very very strong.' But Bedford PE teacher Candice, 31, has got Val's vote. 'Candice,' the 66-year-old pensioner says. 'She plans well, she's impeccable, and she's so focused.' For Tom Gillford, the 26-year-old project manager from Rochdale, the choice of who to root for is an easy one. He reveals: 'I've been backing Jane since week one.' University support worker Rav Bansal, 28, is diplomatic at first - but tells the camera that Jane has his vote at a push. He says: 'Candice has been star baker so many times, and Andrew and Jane have both been so consistent... urgh! 'I think I'm going to have to say Jane.' Kate Barmby told cameras she wished she was baking in the tent as she joined other ex-contestants for the final The exclusive footage from tonight's final also shows the three finalists start their last ever bakes. Bookies' favourite Candice, who has odds of 4/1 to win, tells Andrew and Jane: 'Good luck'. Jane echoes her, as she nervously moves about her bench. 'Good luck everyone,' she says. Andrew responds by dropping his clear mixing bowl with a large clang - which doesn't bode well. But the Derby-based Cambridge graduate from northern Ireland recovers well, and laughs off the mishap. Candice looks up after Andrew clumsily drops his mixing bowl due to final day nerves Andrew starts off one of his last ever bakes by dropping his mixing bowl with a loud clang, the exclusive footage reveals Jane wished her fellow finalists good luck before starting the last ever signature bake challenge 'The nerves are a big jangling,' he tells the camera. As with every year, the finalists' family and friends - as well as the former contestants - gather outside the tent for the last ever showstopper challenge before the judges announce the winner. Kate Barmby, who was the fourth contestant to leave the show, said it felt 'funny' returning to the grounds outside the tent. Poll Which Bake Off finalist would you like to win the show? Jane 'Garden Guru' Beedle Andrew 'Cheeky Nerd' Smyth Candice 'Lipstick Queen' Brown Which Bake Off finalist would you like to win the show? Jane 'Garden Guru' Beedle 1388 votes Andrew 'Cheeky Nerd' Smyth 2454 votes Candice 'Lipstick Queen' Brown 1192 votes Now share your opinion 'Of course, I'd love to be in the tent right now,' she said. 'It's great to be here, would love to be in there.' The theme this week is the Queen's birthday to celebrate the monarch turning 90 this year, so expect grandiose bakes fit for a royal. 'It is final week, we've been waiting for this,' Mary Berry says in the exclusive footage from tonight's episode. 'It is quite right that we go royal, it is after all the Queen's 90th birthday year.' Paul Hollywood reveals that the last ever signature challenge will be a technically tricky meringue crown. 'We have struggled with meringue in the past, so I thought it was a good idea to go back to meringue again.' Mary adds: 'We've asked for a crown - how they will achieve that is up to them. But what I am looking for: it's got to taste good, look good, and be spectacular.' A mother claims she had to be injected with pain relief so she could walk down the aisle on her wedding day after suffering agonising side-effects from incontinence surgery. Kim Vallis had suffered a leaky bladder since the birth of her son, Haydon, six years earlier. She was offered what she thought would be a quick and easy solution to the embarrassment of stress incontinence when she was 27. She had a treatment called transvaginal tape (TVT) - a mesh implanted under the bladder like a hammock to treat incontinence by supporting the internal organs. But she says the controversial procedure - which has already been blacklisted in Scotland - left her in agony and she is now taking legal action against the hospital involved. Kim Vallis had treatment called transvaginal tape, a mesh implanted under the bladder like a hammock to treat incontinence by supporting the internal organs Like many women, she suffered from stress incontinence after giving birth to son Haydon TVT tape is now known to have a devastating design fault a tendency to break up in the body, causing small fragments to cut their way into surrounding tissue. Mrs Vallis, from Gloucestershire, said coughing or sneezing would result in embarrassing leaks, to the point it was preventing her from doing everyday things with her son. Using incontinence pads made her feel 'like an old woman' so when her consultant told her TVT would be a quick and easy answer she was happy to go ahead. The 30-year-old now bitterly regrets her decision to go under the knife and says the operation almost destroyed her health. 'I ended up in agony for months and the pain nearly ruined my wedding day and my sex life,' she said. But after the operation in January 2014 she awoke in agony. The pain failed to ease and she struggled to pick up her son. She walked with a limp and a lump also appeared in her groin. Partner Tony Vallis, 37, who the teaching assistant met a few months later, was understanding but she was in too much pain to have sex. 'I was madly in love with the man but sex was impossible. It was agony,' she said. Still hoping things would get better the couple decided to marry in August 2015. The controversial procedure left Mrs Vallis in agony and meant she struggled to be intimate with her husband Tony until she had it removed She even needed injecting with pain relief on her wedding day, just to walk down the aisle There were fears she would have to postpone the wedding after surgery to remove first the implant, then an egg-sized blood clot in her groin, left her in more pain Mrs Vallis said coughing or sneezing would result in embarrassing leaks, to the point it was preventing her from doing things with her son Hayden, pictured But as the big day approached Mrs Vallis begged doctors to investigate. She went back into hospital where further surgery revealed a 4cm piece of mesh had looped over, causing the lump and pain. It was removed, but her pain got worse and she could not walk or drive. She then had more surgery to remove an egg-sized blood clot in her groin. 'People told me I should cancel the wedding but I refused. I said I would use a wheelchair if I had to,' she said. WHAT IS TVT? Transvaginal tape (TVT) is a mesh implanted under the bladder like a hammock to support damaged pelvic organs after childbirth. TVT tape is known to have a devastating design fault a tendency to break up in the body, causing small fragments to cut their way into surrounding tissue. This is described as the cheesewire effect, because of the excruciating pain it causes. Mrs Griffiths is one of thousands of women suffering internal lacerations from the procedure that, in some cases, has left victims with difficulty walking. They also suffer repeated pain and infection, worse incontinence and the end of their sex lives. Advertisement In the end, to allow her some sort of normality on the big day, a doctor injected painkillers so she could walk pain-free down the aisle. But a honeymoon was out of the question. Mrs Vallis then discovered she was pregnant but miscarried after 10 weeks. 'Nobody could tell me if it was the mesh but I felt there was no question. My body was a wreck because of it.' She turned to her family for help and together they raised enough money so she could have the mesh removed privately. After the procedure she was told by her specialist that it had been inserted incorrectly. She claims to be one of hundreds of British women who say TVT surgery left them suffering chronic pain, repeat infections, nerve damage and poor urine flow. Such is the controversy surrounding the mesh that NHS England has undertaken a working group review and several hospitals have stopped using it. The surgery was suspended in Scotland by the Scottish government two years ago where 400 lawsuits are ongoing. And in the USA and Canada around 100,000 lawsuits have been filed by TVT victims who have permanent disabilities. However, it is still routinely offered to women in England and Wales suffering incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse where the womb presses against the bladder and there are no plans to stop the 13,000 operations taking place each year. Mrs Vallis paid to have the mesh removed privately and is now appealing for NHS England to follow Scotland's example and stop using the procedure Mrs Vallis and others are now campaigning for England to follow Scotland's example. Sohier Elneil, a consultant urogynaecologist and uroneurologist at University College Hospital, London, believes TVT has been hugely overused. Before the tape was introduced patients were offered physiotherapy. If that failed the next step could be a Burch colposuspension, a surgical procedure that involves lifting the front wall of the vagina and stitching it to the pubic bone. However, the procedure is more specialised than TVT. 'The scale of the (TVT) problem is not really acknowledged, but the complexity is, so much so that professional bodies are now coming together to try and standardise the care patients access,' says Miss Elneil. Mrs Vallis now belongs to a support group called Sling The Mesh, which is campaigning for a ban and a national register of complications. It was started by journalist Kath Samson after she had the surgery in March last year. She had the mesh removed in September 2015 and says she is one of the 'lucky ones' who returned to full health. 'The problem is that the operation is considered a success on the basis that it does stop incontinence,' she said. 'What those statistics don't take into account is the fact it can destroy every other area of your life.' Mrs Vallis now belongs to a support group called Sling The Mesh, which is campaigning for a ban and a national register of complications. It was started by journalist Kath Samson (pictured) who suffered similar problems after surgery Corinna Lincoln, a solicitor at Taylor & Emmet in Sheffield, said the number of women affected is worrying. 'In many instances other options were not explored properly with patients and women were not informed clearly that once implanted, the mesh is intended to be permanent,' she said. 'Removing it is extremely difficult and can result in even more harm and damage. 'As a result there are concerns women were not aware of the risks and were not able to make an informed decision.' However, Natalia Price, the consultant gynaecologist and urogynaecologist who removed Mrs Vallis's mesh, stands by TVT as a treatment. She argues it remains the 'gold standard' operation for treating stress incontinence. 'Complications can occur but the majority of patients get stress incontinence cured and experience no adverse outcomes,' she said. Miss Price adds that mesh surgery to treat prolapse has a higher complication rate because the surgery involves a larger mesh, but says despite that, the surgery still offers considerable benefits. She acknowledges she has seen an increase in women coming forward with concerns but believes some media reports about TVT have been misleading - and was unable to confirm if Mrs Vallis's had been inserted incorrectly because of the ongoing legal case. 'It is very important that women receive evidence-based unbiased information on the risks and benefits. They can then make a fully informed decision,' she said. While Mrs Vallis can now walk, drive, and enjoy intimacy with her husband again, she remains angry, has formally complained to the hospital and is taking legal action. 'Women like me have been to hell and back because of the TVT mesh,' she said. 'Scottish women are now safe so why is it still available elsewhere in the UK? We won't stop until all women are safe and it is banned.' A mother overcame 16 miscarriages to give birth to her daughter - only to lose her to meningitis. Fleur-Rose Allen, from Bridgnorth, Shropshire, died in April this year, just days after she started walking for the first time. The 15-month-old, who was born two-and-a-half months premature following a difficult pregnancy - woke crying with a slight temperature. Her mother, Lizzie Allen, 32, thought she had a bug and gave her water and Calpol. But just hours later, after suffering four cardiac arrests, doctors declared her dead. Fleur-Rose Allen, from Shropshire, woke crying with a slight temperature in April. But just six hours later, after suffering four cardiac arrests, doctors declared her dead from meningitis In her only interview, Ms Allen said she wanted other parents to know how quickly meningitis can become deadly. She said: 'Fleur-Rose was so healthy. She was toddling and laughing the day before she died. 'At 1pm on the day we lost her, she was sat on her daddy Matt's knee, grinning away. 'By 6pm she was taken to the hospital's resuscitation department. At 11.04pm she was dead.' Shortly after Fleur-Rose woke up, she suffered a febrile convulsion - a seizure caused by excessive heat. Rushed to hospital by ambulance, her temperature was measured at 39C indicating a high fever. The 15-month-old, who was born two-and-a-half months premature following a difficult pregnancy - woke crying with a slight temperature. Her mother, Lizzie Allen, 32, who had gone through 16 miscarriages before having her, thought she had a bug and gave her Calpol She was drifting in and out of consciousness - but on the way to hospital her fits had stopped. Upon arriving at hospital, Fleur-Rose even appeared to perk up as she started playing with toys. Around lunchtime she began retching, but her oxygen levels were still 100 per cent, doctors said. At 1pm she had an X-ray on her chest, which was clear, but she still was not eating. Ms Allen said she appeared healthy as she was smiling while sitting on her father's, Matt, 34, lap. When feeding her a spoonful of mashed potato, the family noticed a slight red blotch on her neck. They shouted for a nurse but moments later the mark had gone. At 5.30pm Fleur-Rose was admitted to a side room as doctors attempted to get a water sample from her. They then revealed they were going to give her an antibiotic to treat meningitis. She was rushed to hospital by ambulance after suffering a febrile convulsion - a seizure caused by excessive heat. Her temperature was measured at 39C indicating a high fever Ms Allen added: 'It was the first time she had heard mention of meningitis. I was terrified. 'She deteriorated before our eyes.' Then, at 6pm, Fleur-Rose was moved to the resuscitation unit and a specialist team was called in. She suffered from four cardiac arrests as the rash returned, creeping from her feet to her head. At 11.04pm, the family were told there was nothing more that could be done to save her. It was subsequently discovered that Fleur-Rose had been suffering from streptococcal meningitis, a bacterial strain of the illness. At 6pm, Fleur-Rose was moved to the resuscitation unit because her condition worsened. She suffered from four cardiac arrests as a rash appeared on her body Her family now wants to promote greater awareness of the symptoms of meningitis in youngsters. Ms Allen said: 'People always look for the rash, but her rash didn't develop until later,' she said. 'At lunchtime she was cheerful, but actually she was being killed from the inside out. 'She was too young to articulate how she felt. She couldn't say, "Mummy my eyes hurt or Mummy I have a bad tummy". 'I think every child who is admitted to hospital with similar symptoms should automatically have a meningitis check. 'A child's life isn't a lottery.' Since Fleur-Rose's death, Ms Allen has raised 12,000 for Meningitis Now in her daughter's name. 'I want people to remember her,' she said. 'I had 16 unexplained miscarriages in six years before she was born. 'Time after time, I experienced heartbreak. Then, finally, she was there.' Since Fleur-Rose's death, Ms Allen has raised 12,000 for Meningitis Now in her daughter's name. She said: 'I don't want other children to die like she did. I don't want other parents to suffer like we did' Doctors feared Fleur-Rose child would be disabled because the scan indicated fluid around her neck. She eventually was born two-and-a-half months premature, weighing just 4lbs Ms Allen experienced a difficult pregnancy. Doctors feared her child would be disabled because the scan indicated fluid around her neck. Fleur-Rose eventually was born two-and-a-half months premature, weighing just 4lbs. Now the family are determined the daughter they adored should be remembered. Ms Allen said: 'She was a beautiful, strong little girl. 'I don't want other children to die like she did. I don't want other parents to suffer like we did.' For support and advice on meningitis call the Meningitis Now Helpline on 0808 80 10 388. For more information about the signs and symptoms or to donate visit the website at www.MeningitisNow.org. The US has issued a last minute-visa to an ailing six-year-old Pakistani girl desperately in need of surgery in the United States. Maria Shahid has a rare genetic disease has left her frail body wracked with pain and stunted her growth. Soon she will be unable to walk because her vertebrae are compressing her spinal cord. A hospital in Wilmington, Delaware offered to perform a surgery for free that could significantly improve Maria's quality of her life. She would need to be there for pre-surgery tests today. Finally on Tuesday, after repeatedly refusing their applications, the embassy in Islamabad approved visas for Maria and her parents. But with just 24 hours notice to get to Delaware, it is not clear whether the last-minute visa was too late. Desperate: Maria (center) is suffering from MPS, a rare genetics disorder. The six-year-old, pictured at home in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, has been offered surgery in the US to repair her spine to avoid potentially life-threatening complications that could arise from the disease WHAT IS MARIA'S DISEASE? Morquio A is a rare genetic disease that targets the major organs. It's technical name is mucopolysaccharidosis type IV - also referred to as MPS IV or simply MPS. Sufferers lack sufficient amounts of an enzyme called GALNS. It means they cannot break down wasteful molecules in the body, which gather and clot in tissues, organs and bones. This can lead to scores of debilitating and life-threatening health issues, including heart disease, blindness, hearing loss, and bone deformities. Advertisement Shahid Ullah, the father of Maria, says that the family is 'so happy' at the news and thanked friends and supporters world over who helped them. Ullah, a poor merchant who owns a shop selling blankets in Rawalpindi, near the capital of Islamabad, has campaigned for nearly four years seeking treatment for Maria. She suffers from a genetic disorder known as Morquio Syndrome in which the vertebrae compress the spinal cord. Ullah says he and his wife will accompany Maria to a children's hospital in Wilmington, Delaware. Last week Maria's story made headlines as her frustrated and frightened father turned to an American lawyer, Facebook and the media for help. The surgery had been scheduled for November 2 and Ullah was pleading with anyone who would listen that Maria's 'case was different'. 'If we delay Maria's surgery, there will be too many problems,' Ullah, who runs a small store selling blankets in the town of Rawalpindi, near the capital of Islamabad, said last week. Ullah said he embarked on the tortuous quest to find help for Maria nearly four years ago, researching her condition, sending her blood and urine samples to laboratories in India and Germany, connected with families of children with the same disorder, known as Morquio Syndrome. Through the internet, he tracked down doctors with expertise in Maria's condition and families with children who suffer from the same disease from countries as far as Chile, Britain and America steered him to the Nemours/Alfred I DuPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware. 'From all over the world parents with children with the same disease helped me, they were so kind,' he said. Families with children like Maria also rallied behind Ullah and began crowd funding on Facebook. Another family of a child with MPS, based in Spain, created this GoFundMe page to help the family raise the $100,000 required for the surgery and to get to America. The page's creator, Titti Smeby, wrote: 'I have lived with this diagnosis for almost one year now and during these months I have learned to know a lot of lovely people around the world in the same situation. 'Each and every one of them have their unique story, and each story is heartbreaking. 'But there is one story that have affected me a lot more than others. It's the story of the sweet Maria.' She explained that Maria is the only MPS-infected child she has come across with so few options to improve her quality of life. Her page implored internet users to donate money. Soon Maria will be unable to walk because her vertebrae are compressing her spinal cord Frustrated and frightened, Ullah turned to an American lawyer, Facebook and the media for help, starting a campaign he said could be his daughter's last resort In previous attempts to get a U.S. visa, when Ullah applied for the entire family, he was told U.S. authorities feared they would not return to Pakistan. But this time he only applied for a visa for Maria, himself and his wife. He plans to leave his other two children, a seven-year-old daughter and a two-year-old boy, behind with relatives during their stay in America, which is expected to take five months. 'I don't know what to do . . . who should I contact,' he says. 'Maria is in a lot of pain now ... she can no longer hold a pencil or a pen.' U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Fleur S. Cowan declined to comment on Maria's case, citing privacy laws, but said she would look into the matter. In Washington, the State Departments said visa records are confidential under U.S. law and that it could not 'comment on the specifics of an individual visa case.' Maria's father Ullah tracked down doctors with expertise in Maria's condition and families with children who suffer from the same disease from countries as far as Chile, Britain and America, who steered them to the Nemours/Alfred I DuPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington The Delaware hospital first reduced the cost of the $100,000 surgery to $82,000, Ullah said, but when it was clear he could not afford it, the Nemours Foundation said it would cover the full cost of the procedure. 'The hope is to do the surgery for the child . . . without any cost to the family,' said Chris Manning, who is with the Nemours Children's Health System public relations department, adding that the hospital has done multiple surgeries such as the one required for Maria. He added that the hospital also sent documentation to the embassy in Pakistan to facilitate Ullah's visa application. Melissa Harms, a California lawyer, offered to help pro bono when she heard of Maria's troubles from a client whose child has the same disorder. 'I was appalled,' she said. In an email to The Associated Press Harms said that housing for the family in the U.S. has been arranged and 'the airline tickets have been donated.' Controlling pain during childbirth could reduce the risk of mothers suffering from post-natal depression. A new study shows that giving pain relief may actually protect new mothers from the baby blues. An estimated 140,000 women giving birth each year in the UK are thought to suffer depression, anxiety or other mental health problems during pregnancy or in the months after birth. But researchers suggest effective pain relief - in the form of an injection in the back that numbs the nerves and stops you feeling pain - could reduce this. Researchers looked at the medical records of 201 women who had an epidural and had their pain assessed on a 0 to 10 scale during labour. They calculated the per cent improvement in pain (PIP) throughout labour after a woman had an epidural. Effective pain relief, such as an epidural, could reduce the risk of postnatal depression, a new study has found (file image) Depression risk was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) six weeks after childbirth. After factoring in other possible risks of postnatal depression, researchers found the higher the PIP scores, the lower the EPDS scores. Dr Grace Lim, director of obstetric anaesthesiology at Magee Women's Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre, said it showed how labour pains could have a long-term effect on some women. 'Labour pain matters more than just for the birth experience,' she said. 'It may be psychologically harmful for some women and play a significant role in the development of postpartum depression. 'We found that certain women who experience good pain relief from epidural analgesia are less likely to exhibit depressive symptoms in the postpartum period.' Therefore alleviating this pain might help reduce the risk for postpartum depression, she said. But she said more research was needed to identify which women are more likely to experience severe labour pain. Roughly one in three women giving birth in England have an epidural, but experts say some women feel under pressure to have a natural birth free from pain relief. A study shows that giving pain relief may actually protect new mothers from the baby blues (file image) Dr Liz McDonald, chair of the perinatal faculty at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said last night: Women are under societal pressure to have a natural birth, particularly for their first child. Women with a certain temperament tend to blame themselves for anything that has gone wrong during the pregnancy. If they feel a lot of pain, if they feel out of control, they may feel they have failed. She said that for some women, that may trigger a form of post-traumatic stress disorder later on. Edward Morris, of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, added: Childbirth can be painful and unpredictable so it is important that women are informed about all methods of pain relief to allow them to make an informed choice about what they would like to use in labour. The decision to have an epidural anaesthetic should lie with the woman, in consultation with a midwife, obstetrician or anaesthetist where possible, who can explain the advantages and disadvantages. He added: While a very painful and prolonged labour may be a factor in some women developing postpartum depression, a larger, more robust study is needed into whether an epidural anaesthetic decreases the likelihood of this. But Professor Stuart Derbyshire, of the National University of Singapore, said the study was too small to show anything meaningful. He added: The risk of causal relationship cannot be established its just as likely that being at reduced risk of postpartum depression reduces labour pain. In other words, it is just as possible that being prone to depression causes increased labour pain as it is that having increased labour pain causes subsequent depression. There is a never-ending debate over whether breast is best or formula milk can also provide what a baby needs. A mother's milk has had the edge when it comes to boosting a baby's immune system, shown to protect against obesity, eczema and tummy bugs. But new research shows that sugars naturally found in breast milk which feed good bacteria in an infant's gut can also be put into formula. Sugars naturally found in breast milk which feed good bacteria in an infant's gut can also be put into formula, scientists discovered When scientists did this, formula-fed babies had an immune response similar to that of breastfed babies and were less likely to develop eczema, suggesting bottled milk could help them ward off illness in much the same way. The study, by company Abbott, is published in the Journal of Human Nutrition. Of the 500 calories a woman burns every day to make breast milk, around 10 per cent are used to create human milk oligosaccharides, or MGOs. But these complex sugars usually come straight out in a baby's nappy and were previously thought to have no purpose. In fact, although babies do not digest them, they are vital to keep away infections like E.coli. Babies' guts are far simpler than adults' but are dominated by the bacteria B. infantis, which keeps them healthy by crowding out more dangerous bugs before they can become established. Formula-fed babies had an immune response similar to that of breastfed babies and were less likely to develop eczema, researchers found These bacteria feed on the MGOs which are produced by women, but only in smaller amounts in cows' milk. This lifeline is important because 70 per cent of an infant's immune system is contained in their gut. Responding to the study, research scientist Dr Nicholas Andreas, from Imperial College London, said: 'Its good that the formula milk industry is making progress on more closely replicating breast milk composition. THE BREASTFEEDING POSTCODE LOTTERY The number of mothers who choose to breastfeed their babies varies wildly across the UK, figures revealed. In some areas up to 96 per cent of women report breastfeeding their babies at six to eight weeks - while other regions the figure is as low as just one in six. Less than half of women in England choose to breastfeed last year, according to the latest statistics by Public Health England. In fact, just 43.2 per cent of mothers fed their babies the natural way, a slight decrease from the 43.8 per cent in 2014/15. Advertisement 'We have a moral obligation to improve formula milk for infants whose mothers who cannot breastfeed. 'However, to say that formula milk could now be as good for the immune system of infants as breast milk is an enormous step. 'There are hundreds of different bioactive factors present in breast milk, antibodies, antimicrobial peptide and others, which provide multiple immune functions, and which are completely absent from formula milk.' Breast milk has evolved over thousand of years to contain the nutrients babies need. The NHS advises women to breastfeed for the first six months after their baby is born, but Britain has one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding in Europe. Just a quarter of new mothers never attempt it and many find it too painful or difficult. Formula milk does not include HMOs, which are believed to be a central reason why breast milk wards off everything from middle-ear infections to lung viruses in very young infants. But scientists were able to create a structurally identical version of the most abundant HMO, 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL). Experts say the findings suggest bottled milk could help babies to ward off illness in much the same way as breast milk They then looked at the immune response of 200 babies either breastfed, formula-fed or given the new type of formula. After six weeks, results showed that breastfed and bottle-fed babies had very different levels of cytokines - which regulate the immune response and are found in the blood. Levels of these same markers, however, were nearly identical between the breastfed group and the group fed formula with 2'-FL HMO. Study author Edward Barrett, director of translational research at Lovelace Biomedical, said: 'The first year of life is an important window for immune system development. 'These data are compelling for doctors and parents alike because we were able to show that the formula with 2'-FL HMO narrowed the gap between breast milk and formula in ways never seen before.' Gaetan Dugas (pictured) was blamed for bringing HIV to North America in the 1980s An air steward notoriously blamed for starting the Aids epidemic in the US in the 1980s has been exonerated by scientists. Gaetan Dugas, a French-Canadian gay man, was posthumously labelled 'Patient Zero' by an unsympathetic media and accused of single-handedly being responsible for the spread of HIV and Aids across North America. But new research shows he was simply one of many thousands of people infected by the virus in the years before HIV was recognized. The study by the University of Cambridge provides the most conclusive evidence to date that Dugas could not have been responsible. Before he died, Dugas assisted investigators with a significant amount of personal information as experts tried to establish whether Aids was caused by a sexually transmitted agent. This, combined with confusion between a letter and a number, contributed to the invention of 'Patient Zero' and the global defamation of Dugas, according to Cambridge University historian Dr Richard McKay. His findings and those of a US experts who genetically tested decades-old blood samples to map the early spread of HIV in America are published in the journal Nature. Dr McKay said: 'Gaetan Dugas is one of the most demonized patients in history, and one of a long line of individuals and groups vilified in the belief that they somehow fueled epidemics with malicious intent.' Reports emerged in early 1982 of historical sexual links between several gay men with Aids in Los Angeles, prompting investigators to interview the men and ask for the names of their sexual contacts. More links were uncovered across southern California, but one connection came up repeatedly - that of Case 057, a widely traveled airline employee. The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) investigators employed the coding system to identify individual patients, numbering each person linked to a cluster of cases in sequence. However, Case 057 was derived from a nickname - 'Out(side) of California', abbreviated with the letter O. 'Some researchers discussing the investigation began interpreting the ambiguous oval as a digit, and referring to Patient O as Patient 0,' said Dr McKay. ''Zero' is a capacious word. It can mean nothing. But it can also mean the absolute beginning.' As well as donating blood plasma for analysis, Case 057 - Dugas - was able to provide the names of 72 of the roughly 750 partners he had had a sexual relationship with in the previous three years. 'The fact that Dugas provided the most names, and had a more memorable name himself, likely contributed to his perceived centrality in this sexual network,' Dr McKay added. Genetic analysis of HIV taken from a 1983 blood sample from Dugas showed he was not even a 'base' case for strains of the virus prevalent at the time. This map created by the University of Cambridge shows that Patient Zero (annotated in green) was far from the beginning of the spread of the virus Dugas was singled out by People Magazine as one of the 25 most intriguing people of 1987. Pictured is an annotated copy of the magazine, which was sent anonymously to the San Francisco AIDS Foundation to show the intensity of the angry, negative stigma against Dugas When Quebec-born Dugas (pictured) was 20 years old, he moved to Vancouver to learn English and get his dream job as a flight attendant. He was diagnosed with Kaposi's Sarcoma, a type of cancer frequently found in AIDS patients, in 1980, and died in 1984 at 31 years old A 'trail of error and hype' led to him being branded with the 'Patient Zero' title, Dr McKay maintained. The genetic study led by scientists at the University of Arizona confirmed that HIV originally 'jumped' from the Caribbean region to the US in around 1970, first emerging in New York City. From here, it quickly spread across the continent. Journalist Randy Shilts described Dugas as a promiscuous man who recklessly continued to have sex with other men despite knowing he was at risk of transmitting the virus in his 1987 book And The Band Played On. People Magazine singled out Dugas in 1987 as one of the 25 most intriguing people of the year, saying that his 'fierce sexual drive gave impetus to an epidemic that claimed his life and thousands more'. That same year, Time Magazine spread a similar narrative about Dugas, calling Shilts's account of the epidemic 'a stunning book'. The New York Post called Dugas 'The Man Who Gave Us Aids' in a headline, Science of Us reported. Dugas was born in Quebec City in 1952. He moved to Vancouver when he was 20 years old to learn English and get his dream job as a flight attendant. He began working for Air Canada in 1974 and traveled often between Vancouver, Montreal, Halifax and Toronto. Dugas, who had 'several hundred partners each year' according to McKay, also spent time in New York in San Francisco. He was diagnosed with Kaposi's Sarcoma, a type of cancer frequently found in AIDS patients, in 1980. An asthma pill could be on the horizon - thanks to a tropical parasite that lives in the gut. A protein produced by the hookworm - a common cause of stomach infections - relieved breathing difficulties in mice, experiments found. Scientists say the compound - dubbed AIP-2 - is also a promising candidate for allergies in humans. Now experts are hopeful the protein could be turned into the first pill for asthma. A protein produced by the hookworm relieved breathing difficulties in mice, experiments found. Experts hope the finding could help to create the first pill for asthma The discovery follows clinical trials showing hookworms - found in Africa, North and South America and southeast Asia - protect against inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Researchers from James Cook University, Cairns, Australia, tested AIP-2 on both micle and human cells. Mice treated with the worm protein showed less inflammation after being exposed to an allergen. The protein was also tested on human cells from people allergic to dust mites - a common asthma trigger. Lead researcher Dr Severine Navarro said: 'Although IBD and asthma are very different conditions what they have in common is a defect in the regulation of the immune system which results in overwhelming inflammatory processes. 'To survive and remain undetected in the human gut, parasitic worms regulate their human host's immune response. Scientists say the compound produced by the hookworm - dubbed AIP-2 - is also a promising candidate for allergies in humans 'We aim to use that to control the inappropriate inflammation that characterises autoimmune diseases and allergy.' He added that their previous work found hookworm proteins help to change T cells - a type of white blood cell that circulate around our bodies searching for infections - to have an anti-inflammatory response. HALF OF UK WILL HAVE ASTHMA BY 2026 Half the UK population will be suffering from hay-fever, asthma or some other kind of allergy by 2026 if current trends continue, experts warned in July. About one in four people are now suffering from at least one allergy and each year the number of sufferers increases by an extra five per cent. Half of all sufferers are children and by 2025 asthma alone will represent the most prevalent chronic childhood disease, with one of the highest healthcare costs. Traffic pollution, different types of pollen and a cleaner home environment with fewer childhood infections are all thought to play a role in the dramatic rise in allergies. Advertisement This doesn't just protect the gut - it also protects other organs such as the airways where asthma develops, he said. Study co-author Professor Alex Loukas said AIP-2 showed promise as a potential treatment for allergies. He said: 'This study also represents an important step forward in our exploitation of the therapeutic potential of hookworm proteins. 'In the asthma study we used a recombinant form of AIP-2 - which is to say we're now able to reproduce it in large quantities. 'This is an exciting development for us because it means we're another step closer to being able to put a pill-based treatment into clinical trials - not just for asthma but also for other inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.' The results offer real hope for the 5.4 million people in the UK who have the condition. Three people die every day because of asthma attacks two of which are preventable, previous research found. The finding comes after research in July found half of the UK will suffer from hay-fever, asthma or some kind of allergy by 2026 if current trends continue. After facing flak from the opposition for allegedly promoting alcohol in the national Capital, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has decided to crack the whip against drinking in public, and may even arrest violators and fine them Rs 10,000. The Delhi government has received several complaints against liquor shops and the nuisance created by those drinking in public. Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said that after Diwali the excise department will strictly enforce the Excise Act, under which consuming alcohol at public places attracts a fine of Rs 5,000 and if the offender creates nuisance then the fine will go up to Rs 10,000 with a jail term of three months. The Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi has decided to crack the whip against those drinking in public, and may even arrest violators and slap them with a fine of Rs 10,000 (pictured - Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia) The move by the city government came two days after Sisodia carried out raid at a liquor vend at Mayur Vihar Phase-II after receiving complaints from the public. During the raid he found that the licence conditions were violated by the shop and others shops were opened next to the liquor shop. Sisodia hinted that not only people drinking in public will be punished but the licence of the shop will also be cancelled. Initially the Delhi government will carry out awareness campaign against public drinking and crimes against women. I have directed the excise department to inspect every alcohol shop and allied businesses outside these shops during the campaign. For one week we will conduct this awareness campaign. Street drinking in India is a real problem and many people complain of abuse and derogatory remarks being made in certain areas of Delhi "During the campaign, we will encourage and appeal to the people not to drink liquor in the open as it is against the rules. We will crack down on those indulging in such things, Sisodia said. After the campaign, the excise officers will carry out random raids and prosecute the violators. If someone is found consuming alcohol in public places and near liquor shops, we will get them arrested under the Excise Act from November 7. We will also impose fines, Sisodia said. The excise department officials will check whether CCTV cameras have been installed by the licence holders. Allied business, including general stores which often sell drinking glasses and fruit chaat, will be inspected. Residents associations (mohalla sabhas) will be able to decide if nearby liquor stores should be permanently closed or moved from the area AAPs rival outfit Swaraj Abhiyan has been targeting the AAP government over its liquor policy and demanded immediate closure of 11 alcohol vends in the national capital that were allegedly opened without public approval. It carried out several jansunwai (public hearing) in parts of Delhi to reach out to large number of people. In August this year, the AAP government had announced that no new liquor shops will come up in Delhi this year and the mohalla sabhas will be empowered to shut existing neighbourhood vends if there are complaints of nuisance. However, it remains to be seen if the drive by the AAP government gets support from the Delhi Police which operates under the Central government. But a senior officer said that even the excise department can impose fine and arrest people. 10,450 pay-as-you-go-customers lost money when Vodafone failed to credit their accounts when they topped up Vodafone has been hit with a 4.6million fine by the UK's telecoms watchdog for a string of failings, including mis-selling, inaccurate bills and poor complaints handling. Over 10,450 Vodafone pay-as-you-go customers lost money when the company failed to credit their accounts after they paid to top up their mobile credit, the watchdog Ofcom found. The blunder meant customers lost 150,000 between December 2013 and April 2015. On top of this, Vodafone 'failed to act quickly enough to identify or address these problems.' Penalty: Vodafone has been hit with a 4.6million fine by the UK's telecoms watchdog for a string of failings Vodafone disconnects pay-as-you go mobile accounts which have been dormant for nine months or more. But, over the period in question, the company stopped disconnecting inactive SIM cards. This meant customers continued to pay to top-up their pay-as-you-go accounts, despite the fact they couldn't use their phone for calls, text or data as they were already disconnected. Over 10,000 customers were affected, losing 150,000. In a statement, Vodafone said: 'We have fully refunded or re-credited 10,422 customers out of the 10,452 affected. The average refund per customer was 14.35. 'We were unable to track down the remaining 30 customers affected. As we cannot refund those customers and have no intention of profiting from this issue in any way, we have instead made a donation of 100,000 to a number of UK charities.' Fine time: The telecoms giant now has 20 working days to cough up the fine, which will be handed over to HM Treasury In a separate investigation, Ofcom found Vodafone breached rules on handling customer complaints. Vodafone's customer services staff were not trained properly to decipher what constituted a complaint and were 'inefficient' in dealing with complaints in a timely and fair manner, Ofcom said. Vodafone now has 20 working days to cough up the fine, which will be handed over to HM Treasury. The telecoms giant has benefited from a 7.5 per cent reduction in its fine as it entered into a settlement with the regulator. In a statement, Vodafone said: 'We deeply regret these system and process failures. We are completely focused on serving our customers: everyone who works for us is expected to do their utmost to meet our customers' needs, day after day, and act quickly and efficiently if something goes wrong. 'It is clear from Ofcom's findings that we did not do that often enough or well enough on a number of occasions. We offer our profound apologies to anyone affected by these errors.' The company adds: 'This has been an unhappy episode for all of us at Vodafone: we know we let our customers down. 'We are determined to put everything right. We are also confident that our customers are already beginning to see the benefits of our substantial investment in new systems designed to meet their needs much more effectively in future.' Lindsay Fussell, Ofcom's Consumer Group Director, said: 'Vodafone's failings were serious and unacceptable, and these fines send a clear warning to all telecoms companies.' Alex Neill, Which's? Managing Director of Home & Legal, said: 'Its right that Ofcom has hit Vodafone with a fine for such poor behaviour and affected customers have got their money back. Exeter-based budget airline Flybe announced today that its chief executive, Saad Hammad is to leave the group with immediate effect 'by mutual agreement'. The airline said its chairman Simon Laffin will assume the top job until a new chief executive is appointed. The company said that it is actively looking for Mr Hammad's replacement. In reaction to the surprise departure, Flybe shares were 2.5 per cent, or 1.0p lower at 39.50p around lunchtime. Stepping down: Saad Hammad is quitting as Flybe's chief executive with immediate effect Having joined the airline in August 2013, Mr Hammad presided over an era of financial turbulence at the company. In its 2014/15 results, the budget carrier posted a 35.6million loss, before recovering to report a 2.7million profit for the following year. Over the past year, the airline carried 8.2 million passengers, up from 7.7 million a year earlier. The airline is undergoing a 'transformation' plan, with the ultimate aim of becoming 'Europe's leading regional airline.' In a statement, Mr Laffin said: 'The board would like to thank Saad for his energy and drive which has been a major contributor towards Flybe's transformation over the last three years.' He added: 'Whilst the whole aviation industry faces a challenging market environment, Flybe remains well placed. 'Our strategy remains to focus on regional routes and to provide an excellent service to our customers.' Mr Hammad said: 'Now is the right time for me to move on to a fresh challenge. I would like to thank all company employees for their hard work, passion and commitment and wish them all the best.' Upwards: In the past year, Flybe carried 8.2 million passengers, up from 7.7 million last year In other news in the air sector today, French plane maker Airbus maintained its full year outlook despite reporting a 20 per cent drop in third quarter earnings. Profits across the aerospace group's helicopter, aircraft and defence units sputtered, dropped by 21 per cent to 731million (654million) for the three months to September 30. On a a nine-month basis, the decline was 14 per cent to 2.4billion (2.1billion). The latest results come as the aerospace group embarks on a massive restructuring programme in a bdt to cut costs. An couple has been left devastated after their dog was shot dead when it escaped and broke into their neighbour's chicken coup. Blaze, the beloved five-year-old pet husky of Marnie Atherton and Ryan Charlie, escaped from their backyard in Maida Vale, east of Perth in Western Australia, early on Friday Morning. Ms Atherton said she noticed her dog did not come in to get his treat and when she went outside discovered the gate they recently installed was opened, WA Today reported. Marnie Atherton and Ryan Charlie were devastated to find their beloved pet husky had been shot dead by a neighbour who claimed the dog had broken into their chicken coup The alarm was raised when Blaze did not come in to get his treat and when Ms Atherton went outside discovered the gate they recently installed was opened She quickly got her partner and they began to scour the suburban streets at 6.30am looking for Blaze. After three hours of searching, the couple returned home to find a ranger waiting outside their home with bad news. The ranger informed them that Blaze, whose body was in their van, had been shot by the owner of a larger property in the area that had a chicken coop. The owner claimed the husky was attacking his chickens when he shot him, and thought he was a fox. 'I was crying, I said to Ryan, 'what if someone's stolen him, what if he's been hit by a car', I never thought he would have been shot,' Ms Atherton said. 'We treated him so well, he wasn't just a dog to us, he was our baby,' she said. After three hours of searching, the couple returned home to find a ranger waiting outside their home with bad news The chicken coop owner claimed they thought Blaze was a fox trying to steal a chicken Ms Atherton questioned why the chicken coop owner, in a suburban area, who shoot a dog that looked nothing like a fox Blaze wasn't 'just a dog' to the engaged couple, he was like their baby Kalamunda council is investigating the matter Ms Atherton questioned why the chicken coop owner, in a suburban area, would shoot a dog that looked nothing like a fox. 'He didn't even try to yell at Blaze, or squirt him with a hose, or try get him off in any other way, he just shot him,' she said. A single father has persuaded a Melbourne dance school to overturn a rule banning men from being in its dressing room so he can help his four-year-old daughter get ready for her end-of-year ballet concert. Michael Ray, 54, said he was disappointed when he found out he would not be able to help calm his daughter Charlie's nerves before her performance on November 20 because guidelines at the Parkwood Dance Academy state 'no males are permitted in the dressing room at any time'. The personal trainer, who has been the sole carer for his daughter for two years, told The Herald Sun he also noticed there was also a special rehearsal for mothers a couple of days before the opening night and a 'Mummy and Me' ticket offer. Michael Ray (pictured), 54, has pursuaded his daughter Charlie's (pictured) Melbourne dance school to overturn a rule banning men from being backstage so he can help the four-year-old at her ballet performance The personal trainer asked the staff of the Parkwood Dance Academy to allow fathers to participate in the end-of-year show on November 20 Mr Ray insisted banning him would leave Charlie (pictured) as 'the only child without the opportunity to share their excitement and nervousness with a parent' Wanting to support his daughter, who does not have contact with her mother, Mr Ray approached one of the academy's teachers with the hope of changing the rules so fathers could be included. 'I'm not sure if you're aware of our situation but it's just Charlie and I in our wonderful little family with Charlie having had no contact with her mother for over two years,' he wrote in an email to the school's staff. Mr Ray insisted banning him from being backstage would leave Charlie as 'the only child without the opportunity to share their excitement and nervousness with a parent'. Mr Ray has had sole custody of Charlie (pictured) for two years 'I'm not sure if you're aware of our situation but it's just Charlie and I in our wonderful little family,' Mr Ray (pictured) wrote The ban was lifted by the school's staff last week The ban was subsequently lifted by the school's staff last week. Mr Ray said he was very grateful his concerns had been heard and the school was accommodating. He said he feels an 'unconscious bias' toward him sometimes. 'I sometimes feel a little paranoid taking her to the toilets in the shopping centre or taking photos of her,' he said. 'It means everything to me to be this little kid's dad. I've never been so proud or happy since she came along.' Advertisement When she was born, Loise Lihanda's grandfather wanted to have her killed, convinced that she was an evil curse on his family. But now, fresh from being crowned Miss Albino 2016, the inspirational 20-year-old student who would be dead unless her mother had not protected her 'aggressively' believes he would be proud of what she has achieved in her short, but challenging life. For Loise has grown up as an albino in Kenya where her white skin makes her a vulnerable target for hunters who kidnap and murder them for human sacrifices. Albinos in Africa often live in fear of being snatched off the streets and having their limbs hacked off and kept as good luck trophies. People who look like Loise have their hair cut off, their eyes gouged out and genitals removed. Crowned Mr & Miss Albino 2016: Loise Lihanda, pictured right, was crowned Miss Albino alongside Jarius Ongetta, left, named Mr Albino in the beauty pageant in Nairobi, Kenya. Loise revealed how people stared at her as she was growing up Trophy hunting: Albinos living in East Africa, like the contestant above, are considered good luck charms to witch doctors. They are kidnapped off the streets and murdered before having their limbs hacked off and kept as trophies Persecuted: Attacks have been so rife in the last two years, that the UN was prompted to categorise those with albinism as 'endangered' and warned that their continued targeting could result in their possible 'extinction'. The beauty pageant, 'to celebrate the talents' of albinism, saw a model, above, strut along the catwalk with just some balloons protect her modesty 'My grandfather wanted me dead because he thought I was an evil spirit,' Loise told MailOnline from her home in Kenya. 'If it wasn't for my mother who protected me aggressively, I am sure I wouldn't have survived.' Explaining the difficulties she has faced growing up in Kenya, Loise, one of five daughters the only one of whom had albinism, she revealed: 'I was stared at a lot, I was teased and people were unkind to me, but my sisters all stood up for me, were very protective of me. 'They made sure I wasn't getting burned by the sun, they used to challenge people who were not being kind, say to them 'what are you looking at?' and things like that. I always felt very safe with them,' she said. As she strutted along the catwalk, Loise masks the difficulties she faced growing up as an albino in Kenya. She has constantly lived in fear that she would be kidnapped off the streets and murdered for her body parts. Some Kenyan witchdoctors claim that amulets, charms believers use to ward off evil spirits, made with the bones of albinos can cure disease or deliver great wealth. Myths that the bones of albinos are filled with gold prompt family members to sell their albino relatives for cash. Attacks have been so rife in the last two years, that the UN was prompted to categorise those with albinism as 'endangered' and warned that their continued targeting could result in their possible 'extinction'. Explaining some of the difficulties she faces, Loise, one of five daughters, the only one with albinism, said: 'People point and shout 'money' at me from passing buses. For some people, parts of my body represent great wealth.' Trophies: The contestants who wowed the crowds have all grown up fearing they could be snatched off off the street and murdered. Kenyan witchdoctors claim that amulets made with the bones of albinos can cure disease or deliver great wealth. Pictured: Jarius Ongetta, named Mr Albino 2016, spent much of his childhood playing in isolation with his brother, also albino Sought after prizes: Many albinos, like the children in the pageant, live in a country where people genuinely believe the myth that their bones are filled with gold, prompting hunters to target them and families to sell their albino children for cash Myths: Jarius Ongetta, 20, pictured, told MailOnline after winning the competition: 'People thought we were cursed, we couldn't play freely. We spent a lot of time together, alone, isolated from other people.' 'I was stared at a lot, I was teased and people were unkind to me, but my sisters all stood up for me, were very protective of me. 'They made sure I wasn't getting burned by the sun, they used to challenge people who were not being kind, say to them 'what are you looking at?' and things like that. I always felt very safe with them,' she said. When two of her sisters were expecting their own children, Loise was worried that their babies might be born albinos. 'I was very concerned about that, hoping that they would be born with albinism, but they have normal pigmentation so I was relieved. 'I found out from my mother that relatives in my grandmother's family had also been born with the condition, but had died before I was born. I can only imagine how hard their lives would have been, there was no understanding of albinism back then, so things would have been very difficult for them,' she added. Poor vision is one of the major side effects of albinism, and Loise told how her condition means she struggled at school to begin with before her family realised how bad her eyesight was and bought her glasses. Now at college studying journalism and PR, she volunteers at a charity which cares for albino children, many of whom have been abandoned by their parents from the shame of having a child with the condition. Loise explained: 'It is painful for me to hear their stories, many of them have gone through terrible experiences. I tell them about what happened to me, how my own grandfather wanted me to die, and how I managed to change his attitude towards people with albinism during my life time.' Health problems: As well as facing persecution, the contestants are also blighted by health problems associated with the conditions. Poor vision is one of the major side effects and many of the contestants like the one above, where glasses Champions: Winner of Miss Albino 2016 Loise Lihanda, second from left, told MailOnline the struggles that she faced while growing up in Kenya, where people would stare at her and shout 'money' at her, with albinos' limbs considered valuable Skateboard chick: Sarah Wanjohi, 21, pictured, is the only albino skateboarder she knows and wants Kenyans to learn 'that we are beautiful, we can love, we can catwalk, we can do what we are perceived not to do.' She said dressing up for the beauty pageant was 'very hard' for her because, 'skateboarders don't wear heels and stuff.' Beauty: Contestants, pictured above, walked up and down the catwalk to show off their unique beauty. But as well as a celebration of albinism, the pageant had a clear message and a reminder that they are one of the world's most persecuted groups. At one point during the televised contest, organisers showed a series of horrific pictures of victims of ritual killings Champion: Winner Loise, 20, is one of five sisters, but the only one with albinism. She said: 'My grandfather wanted me dead because he thought I was an spirit. 'If it wasn't for my mother who protected me aggressively, I wouldn't have survived.' She won the pageant, held in the Kenyan capital Nairobi 'to celebrate the beauty and talents' of sufferers of albinism. While globally the condition affects approximately one in 20,000 people, in Tanzania and other parts of east Africa that figure is much higher, likely as a result of rates of inter-marriage. Jarius Ongetta, who was named Mr Albino 2016, spent much of his childhood playing in isolation with his brother, also an albino. 'People thought we were cursed, we couldn't play freely. We spent a lot of time together, alone, isolated from other people,' Jarious, 20, explained. At one point during the televised contest, organisers showed a series of horrific pictures of victims of ritual killings, including the bloodied body parts from an attack in neighbouring Tanzania, where 161 attacks have been recorded in recent years. Bizarre and murderous beliefs include claims that having sex with an albino can cure HIV and Aids. Last year it was reported that Albinos were being moved away from the border with Tanzania and into safe zones ahead of parliamentary elections. Politicians reportedly have albinos kidnapped and murdered because they believe that their skin and organs are lucky charms that will bring them success during elections. Jarius, a student said: 'It's important to think of the people who have suffered and it pains me when I hear about all the attacks and killings. I now intend to use my new role as an ambassador to bring hope to young people with albinism and try and educate those who are ignorant about it.' The talented musician and poet described how hard his condition was for girlfriends, and put strain on his relationships. 'They get a hard time, people in the street shout, 'What are you doing with him?' And they get stared at for being with me. Being stared at happens to me all the time, every day of my life, but I guess I have got used it so it doesn't bother me anymore.' Albinos, like the female contestant above, are particularly in danger in Tanzania. Politicians reportedly have albinos kidnapped and murdered because they believe that their skin and organs are lucky charms. During last year's elections in Tanzania albinos in Kenya were moved from the border and into safe zones to protect them Triumph: Jarius, crowned Mr Albino, described how hard his condition was for girlfriends, and put strain on his relationships. 'They get a hard time, people in the street shout, 'What are you doing with him?' And they get stared at for being with me.' Talented musician and poet Jarius, 20, a student, pictured, said: 'Being stared at happens to me all the time, every day of my life, but I guess I have got used it so it doesn't bother me anymore. He added that he will use his role as an ambassador to publicise the suffering of people with albinism and bring hope to young people with the condition Kenya's first albino MP, who organised the event said the motivation behind it was 'to show that it is possible to have albinism and be beautiful and confident at the same time.' 'It is hard for us to define ourselves as black people in a black society, while we have white skin,' said Isaac Mwaura, founder of the Albinism Society of Kenya. Bill Clinton is a sex-addicted 'monster' who mocked Hillary Clinton by calling her 'The Warden' in front of friends and privately boasted about his high notch count, according to his long-time mistress and childhood friend Dolly Kyle. Kyle, now 68, says she had a decades-long affair with the former president before and during his marriage and had a front-row seat to Bill's salacious double-life in the 1970s and '80s. Their on-again, off-again relationship ended abruptly in the 1990s, after Bill Clinton allegedly threatened to 'destroy' Kyle if she spoke to the media about their relationship. Scroll down for video Arkansas native Dolly Kyle says she had a decades-long affair with Bill Clinton starting in the 1970s. She has provided insight into the Clintons' marriage and the couple's treatment of women who have accused Bill of sexual assault The pair's (both pictured above in their high school yearbook photos) relationship ended in 1990 when Bill Clinton allegedly threatened to 'destroy' Kyle if she spoke to the media about their relationship, Kyle says After heading to college at Yale, Bill told Dolly he had moved in with Hillary Rodham, whom he later went on to marry. Bill and Hillary are pictured above during their student days Kyle's decades of observations, shared in an interview with the DailyMail.com as well as in her 2016 book The Other Woman, provide a unique perspective on the Clintons' marriage and the couple's treatment of the women who have accused the former president of infidelity or sexual assault over the years. Kyle, an Arkansas native who has since befriended several of Bill Clinton's sexual assault accusers, said she was determined to come forward with her story after hearing Hillary Clinton say on the campaign trail that women who have been sexually assaulted have the 'right to be believed'. 'When [Hillary Clinton] said women who claim they are raped or sexually assaulted should be believed, we should support them, I thought "You lying dog hypocrite",' said Kyle. She said the Clintons' attacks on her reputation - and alleged attacks on other women who had relationships with or were assaulted by Bill Clinton - show that Hillary Clinton is not a supporter of women or victims of sexual violence. Kyle said Bill Clinton threatened her over the phone in the early 1990s after she alerted him that a reporter had been asking her questions about their relationship. 'When I warned him about this story, which I had no intention of cooperating with, his threat to me was, "If you cooperate with the media, we will destroy you",' said Kyle. 'Bam. I slammed the phone down. It rang immediately. Kept ringing, I didn't answer it again.' Kyle first met Clinton at a country club in Hot Springs, Arkansas, when she was 11 and he was just shy of his 13th birthday. She described it as a 'thunderbolt' of immediate attraction even then. When signing Kyle's yearbook in 1963, Bill said that she was a 'great person' and told her to 'stay happy' Clinton, pictured back left with fellow students in his yearbook, was president of his junior class He was also in the band, earning an all-state title and also performing as a band major during his high school years. Pictured left he smiles with fellow all-state band members, and right in his band major uniform The two became good friends and dated casually throughout high school, and later began a sexual affair in 1974 after Kyle and her first husband divorced. Their relationship spanned three decades, continuing through Bill Clinton's marriage to Hillary and Kyle's remarriage, and culminating in a dramatic confrontation at the lovers' 35th high school reunion. During this time, Kyle said Clinton often indicated that he was unhappy in his marriage - calling Hillary Clinton 'The Warden', admitting that he was a sex addict, and complaining to Kyle that his sex life was 'over' after he moved in with Hillary at Yale. During one secret rendezvous in 1979, Kyle said then-Governor Clinton confided to her that he was desperate to have a baby for political reasons. Kyle initially thought Bill wanted to have a baby with her, until he clarified that he wanted to have one with Hillary - hinting that he was concerned about political rumors that Hillary was a lesbian. 'I said, "Why do you want to have a baby? You don't even have time, you're so busy",' said Kyle. 'He said [Hillary and I] have to have a baby so that we will look like a normal couple, and we need to take attention away from The Warden's "lifestyle".' 'Now, he did not say Hillary is a lesbian,' she added. 'Billy didn't have to spell out what that meant Everybody in Little Rock knew the same rumors about Hillary being a lesbian as they did about Billy being a lech.' One night in 1972 when Bill was visiting with Kyle in Arkansas, he told her he had moved in with a girl named Hillary and sadly added that he thought this would be the end of his sex life. Dolly Kyle writes about her relationship with Bill Clinton and meeting his wife in her bombshell book, Hillary, The Other Woman. She said the Clintons' alleged attacks on other women who had relationships with or were assaulted by Bill Clinton - show that Hillary Clinton is not a supporter of women or victims of sexual violence 'It was in 1972, before Billy and I were having our adult relationship, when he had moved in with Hillary,' said Kyle. 'He said, "I think my sex life is over".' Kyle said she first met Hillary Clinton two years later, when Bill brought his future wife to Hot Springs for his unsuccessful congressional race, and asked Kyle - who he was also dating at the time - to pick them up at the airport. Kyle said she was 'shocked' by Hillary's unkempt appearance, poor hygiene and matronly clothes, and didn't believe it was the same girl Bill had moved in with. 'I picked Billy up at the airport and he had this dowdy-looking middle-aged woman with himthis woman was Hillary,' she said. 'Hillary, I thought was a Hillary impersonator. Because she looked so bad and she smelled so bad I just didn't believe this was Hillary. 'Seriously, I thought this was some kind of a joke Billy was playing on me.' Hillary's eyes, glared at her from behind 'coke-bottle-thick lenses with an air of real hostility. Her thick eyebrows melded together stretching across her forehead. Finally the introduction: 'Dolly, this is Hillary. Hillary, Dolly.' 'I was stunned,' Kyle recalled, thinking it was 'some kind of a sick joke' - a woman in a hideous disguise. Kyle extended her hand but Hillary only glared and nodded. 'I couldn't imagine why Billy would haul such a person in the plane with him in public. She was wearing a misshapen, brown, dress-like thing that must have been intended to hide her lumpy body. The garment was long, but stopped too soon to hide her fat ankles and her thick calves covered with black hair,' Kyle said. But was Hillary's smell that Kyle says she remembers most. 'In that moment I noticed that the woman emitted an overpowering odor of perspiration and greasy hair. I hoped that I wouldn't gag when she got in my car,' she said. 'The sandal-shod woman with lank, smelly hair stood off to the side and glared at everyone.' Dolly writes in her book that Hillary, pictured above in 1969, was 'wearing a misshapen, brown, dress-like thing that must have been intended to hide her lumpy body' when they met in 1974 'I vowed to myself not to drive off without the other woman, no matter how bad she smelled.' After the meeting, Kyle said Hillary Clinton sent her father and her brother to Arkansas to ostensibly help with Bill's campaign but also to keep tabs on his womanizing. At the time, Kyle said Bill was also dating a University of Arkansas co-ed named Marla Crider - and Hillary Clinton allegedly threw a fit when she found evidence of the fling. 'Hillary came swooping in from Washington to Fayetteville, went through Billy's things, found little cards and notes, you know, the cutesy kind of things you do when you're dating someone,' said Kyle. 'She shredded them. She shredded those documentsthese were notes to him from Marla, these were things from Marla.' Kyle said Hillary also 'started calling [Marla] in the middle of the night, threatening her'. She speculated that part of the reason Hillary was so enraged was that Bill's affair with Marla Crider undermined the public story about the Clintons' early romance. 'They had this story about their romance at Yale law school. Billy even repeated it at the Democratic National Convention. Well what if people knew about Dolly Kyle and Gennifer Flowers and Marla Crider? It kind of ruins Hillary's story,' said Kyle. According to Kyle, Bill Clinton often used a derogatory nickname for Hillary when he was talking to his mistress or the security guards at the governor's mansion. 'After the day Billy introduced me to Hillaryhe never used her name again. He always called her 'The Warden,' said Kyle. 'She was the person who was trying to keep control of him who was in charge of what he was doing.' Kyle said this nickname fit with Hillary's reputation in Arkansas, where she was often portrayed as a coarse northerner who disdained the traditional role of an Arkansas first lady. According to Kyle, Bill Clinton often used a derogatory nickname for Hillary when he was talking to his mistress or the security guards at the governor's mansion (pictured above). He would call her 'The Warden' According to Kyle, there were constant stories about Hillary's alleged temper. On the night Bill Clinton lost his congressional race in 1974, Hillary was allegedly overheard lashing out at a Jewish campaign staffer with an anti-Semitic slur. 'Apparently that night when Billy was losing, she went on one of her tirades to a guy named Paul,' said Kyle. 'People in the other room heard her call him an "f***ing Jew bastard".' In another incident from Bill Clinton's term as governor, Hillary Clinton was tasked with hosting an annual Easter egg hunt at the governor's mansion for special needs children. But, according to Kyle, Hillary allegedly became irritated by the slow pace of the event. 'Some of [the kids] were physically impaired some of them were mentally impaired. But [the governor's staff] hid the eggs in plain sight and made it easier for these kids to find these eggs,' said Kyle, whose close friend was involved in organizing the event. 'So during this hunt it was getting warm in Arkansas. Well, Hillary was getting tired of it, and the kids were moving slowly, so she goes stomping onto the veranda. She said 'When are they gonna get those f-ing retards out of here?' said Kyle. 'Thankfully, and blessedly, the children were oblivious to it. Their parents were appalled.' Kyle, who says she suffered from sex addiction for many years after she was raped as a teenager, recalled one candid conversation she had with Bill Clinton after she entered therapy. She said Clinton told her he was also a sex addict. 'I talked to Billy about that, and I went through the 25 questions we use to ask "Am I a sex addict?" It's a self-diagnosed thing, like [Alcoholics Anonymous],' said Kyle. 'Billy and I went through the questions, and he said, "Oh my god. I'm a sex addict".' 'I don't know if Hillary had the cognitive awareness that he was a sex addict. This is a problem that can be dealt with,' Kyle added. Kyle said Bill Clinton (pictured with Hillary in 1992) threatened her over the phone in the early 1990s after she alerted him that a reporter had been asking her questions about their relationship 'Instead she tried to control him which is the definition of a codependent and an enablerHillary then went on this rampage to get rid of any woman who was in his past, whether it was consensual as it was with me and Gennifer Flowers and a whole lot of other people, or rape.' She remembered one conversation she had with Bill, when they discussed Wilt Chamberlain's famous claim that he had slept with 20,000 women. 'And Billy and I were talking about that, and he said 'Hmm. That's 10 times more than I've had,' said Kyle. 'He had this admiration and maybe a bit of jealousy in his voice when he said that.' Kyle said the last time she spoke to Bill Clinton was at their 35th high school reunion in 1994, after Clinton told her over the phone that he would 'destroy' her if she spoke to the press. 'At some point in the evening, I felt a hand on my arm and it was Billy. He says "How are you?" Condescending, patronizing, despicable. "How are you?" And I just turned around, and I just said "You are such an anatomical part, I can't believe you'd bother to ask",' said Kyle. She said after a brief, heated exchange - during which a Secret Service agent tried to separate them - she finally agreed to sit down and talk to Bill Clinton in a quiet corner of the event. She told Clinton that she had no plans to talk to the press, but was going to put out a novel that alluded to their affair. She also told Clinton about a legal aid non-profit she had started in Dallas. The president told her to 'come to Washington', and allegedly promised to turn the organization into a project of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Kyle said she declined the offer. Clinton later denied having a sexual relationship with Kyle during a deposition for the Paula Jones sexual assault case. Kyle said the last time she spoke to Bill Clinton (pictured with Hillary on Wednesday) was at their 35th high school reunion in 1994 Kyle said she was shocked to hear this, calling it 'lie after lie'. She said just a short while before Bill's testimony, his attorneys had tried to prevent her from testifying in the Paula Jones case by arguing that the two of them had a consensual sexual relationship and her testimony would not be relevant. 'What he did was perjury,' said Kyle, who ended up testifying during the Jones case about Clinton's alleged sex addiction. Although Kyle said she was appalled to hear the sexual assault allegations against Clinton, she said she absolutely believed them - even though Clinton was never violent to her during their relationship. 'Knowing he was a sex addict, it was easy for me to believe that. Easy for me intellectually to believe it. Very difficult emotionally,' she said. 'And that's when I started realizing, the Billy Clinton I knew was not this monster he became.' Kyle claimed she sees a double standard in how the media covers sexual assault allegations against Donald Trump and Bill Clinton. 'I'm sorry, I'm not saying [Trump] didn't leer at some girl. I'm not saying he didn't pat one on the fanny. I don't know. I don't know what all of those charges are,' said Kyle. 'But the media is focusing on that every single day while Billy Clinton raped a woman, and sexually assaulted god knows how many women.' She said that since publishing her book earlier this year, she has been contacted by multiple women who have also had sexual run-ins with Clinton but do not want to go public. 'When I say, please come out and talk about this, they're afraid,' she said. 'Because they know that the mainstream media if they get on this story, is just going to trash them. Bill Clinton doled out some tough love on the Obamacare law, but suggested to North Carolina audiences today that the best bet was to fix it, instead of repealing it like his wife's Republican opponent Donald Trump has suggested. 'Look, what are the problems with the law? We can tick them off right?' Clinton told a crowd this morning in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. It was the 'high premiums, high co-pays, high deductibles and high drug prices' he told another audience in Goldboro, another North Carolina town a short distance away. Scroll down for video Former President Bill Clinton toured Eastern North Carolina today and wasn't shy about pointing out the problems with Obamacare On his bus tour, at three different rallies, Bill Clinton pointed out how there are 'high premiums, high co-pays, high deductibles and high drug prices' that plague the healthcare system Bill Clinton, who picked up 3-year-old Jakiera Dupree in Wilson, North Carolina, still argued for keeping the Affordable Care Act Clinton reminded voters of negative news articles from the past 24 hours saying, 'the headlines are full of stories that average premiums are going up 22 percent.' But he defended the Affordable Care Act to the North Carolina crowds, after having gotten himself in trouble earlier this month for calling Obamacare 'the craziest thing in the world.' 'So we've got all of these people from Hillary's opponent on down saying see, it's a terrible thing that healthcare bill did, repeal it, repeal it, repeal it,' Clinton said in Goldboro. 'My answer is that would be a very bad idea,' the ex-president argued. 'For the following reason. If you go back to the way it used to be, the rates would be going up even more and nobody would help you with subsidies,' Clinton said. In Greenville, North Carolina, Clinton reminded the audience that before Obamacare, premiums were going up about 20 percent every year. 'It's like they think your mind's going to melt and you're not going to remember anything,' he said, at his last campaign stop of the day. Earlier Tuesday, Clinton said he believed that more than 20 million Americans would lose their health insurance because insurers could again deny people coverage based on having pre-existing conditions. 'Today you can't deny somebody insurance because of a pre-existing condition and we don't want to go back to a time when you could,' he argued. Young people, those under the age of 26, who can be on their parents' plans now, might also lose their insurance if the law were to be repealed by Republicans. 'I don't think we ought to repeal it, we outta to fix it. And it's not that hard to fix,' Clinton suggested. Turning to the problem of high drug prices, Clinton said: 'All you've got to do is have the government bargain for lower drug prices that are bought in bulk.' 'Then people over 55 ought to be able to buy into Medicare at an affordable price,' he continued. He then said it was important to recognize who's in the most trouble with the Obamacare law. 'People that make just a little bit too much money to get the subsidies and small businesses that earn just a little bit too much money to get the subsidies,' Clinton said. 'That is fairly easy to fix,' he said. 'They need to have access to a public option that would have competition in insurance and gave them decent coverage,' he argued, using a term that would make Sen. Bernie Sanders gleeful and leave GOP lawmakers wagging their finger. Clinton used an anecdote he often deploys on the campaign trail, discussing a tattooed carpenter who does work for him that most people would think would be a Trump type. The ex-president said that his carpenter's business made too much money to received healthcare subsidies and the businessman paid his employees too much, leaving them in the same predicament. 'It's not fair to punish those people, we need to help people like that,' Clinton said. 'But the answer isn't to repeal the law, the answer is to fix it,' the Democrat reiterated. Sumner Redstone is suing his former companions Manuela Herzer and Sydney Holland, claiming he was a victim of elder abuse. The lawsuit, filed by Redstone's attorney Robert Klieger at the Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County, on Tuesday, states: '[Herzer and Holland] manipulated and emotionally abused Redstone to get what they wanted - jewelry, designer clothing, real estate in Beverly Hills, New York, and Paris, and money, lots of it. 'By the time Redstone threw Herzer and Holland out of his home, and out of his life, last fall, they had taken him for more than $150 million and left him in debt on account of the immense tax obligations triggered by those "gifts."' The lawsuit also claims that on May 19, 2014, the women convinced Redstone to sell his vested stocks and then had him deposit $45million into each of their bank accounts. Sumner Redstone is suing his former companions Manuela Herzer (left) and Sydney Holland (right), claiming he was a victim of elder abuse Herzer and Holland allegedly did this by taking advantage of Restone's declining health and his sexual attraction to the two, specifically Holland, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit also breaks down some of the ways in which Herzer and Holland allegedly spent Redstone's money. 'In 2014 alone, Holland charged more than $2million to Redstone's Visa and American Express cards including $63,612 at mario Jewelers of Beverly Hills, $58,461 at Saks Fifth Avenue, $57,912 at Yves Saint Laurent, and a staggering $752,737 at Tracie Butler Interior Design (little if any of which was spent on furnishings for Redstone's Beverly Park residence),' reads the complaint. 'Herzer charged $1.5million to Redstone's cards during that same 12-month period, including $128,780 at Barney's, $82,624 at Hermes, $54,212 at Miu Miu, and $34,147 at Chanel.' The lawsuit also claims that the women kept Redstone away from his family and friends in order to have full control of him, and that on at least two occasions they had Adavan or a similar drug administered to him in order to keep him under their command. Holland responded to the filing in a statement, saying: 'This lawsuit is fictional revisionist history. Doctors have testified twice in recent months that Sumner Redstone was of sound mind and, most recently, that he was mentally competent to make such critical and complex business decisions as orchestrating the departure of his long-serving chief executive at Viacom, changing its Board of Directors and, currently, exploring a merger between CBS and Viacom. 'This is directly contradicted by the claims in this lawsuit that state that Mr. Redstones physical and mental state were so impaired that he could be easily manipulated. Both cannot be true. 'The fact is, Mr. Redstones attorneys and doctors vetted and approved all payments to Ms. Holland. Out of respect and caring for Mr. Redstone, Ms. Holland has stayed out of the recent legal fray and did not assert claims that she has against Shari Redstone for spying on her and for other harm she has suffered. 'Ms. Holland will now be forced to publicly set out Shari and Sumners actions. To Shari Redstones chagrin, Mr. Redstone was fully competent and determined to live his life as he chose with Sydney Holland and included her in his will and in other documents that were vetted by his lawyers. 'Ms. Holland does not believe the claims in this lawsuit are Mr. Redstones sentiments, but rather are those of Shari Redstone. 'It is sad that Ms. Redstone is using her vendetta against Ms. Holland to destroy her fathers reputation and legacy as an entertainment industry visionary.' Redstone's attorneys claim the pair (pictured together in October 2013) manipulated and emotionally abused Redstone to get what they wanted - jewelry, designer clothing, real estate in Beverly Hills, New York, and Paris, and money, lots of it The lawsuit comes just a few months after Herzer filed her own lawsuit against Redstone. Holland is believed to have had a trust fund sent up in her name by Redstone (pair pictured in 2013). There were also claims she went by the alias Sydney Stanger, and was the co-founder of a VIP social club that advertised matchmaking services The judge in the case made the decision to dismiss that $50million suit, saying that Redstone was mentally competent, despite the claims. 'There is no good cause for further judicial involvement where the court has now heard directly from Redstone that he has lost trust in Herzer, does not want her in his life and instead wants his daughter Shari to look after him as necessary,' said Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge David J. Cowan. 'Herzer herself insisted from the outset of this case that the court hear from Redstone. Redstone had not otherwise intended to appear at trial in view of the medical risks and difficulties involved in doing so. However, Redstone's testimony has ultimately defeated her case.' In a taped deposition played at the start of the trial, Redstone blasted Herzer, becoming vulgar at times. The first question asked of Redstone during his taped deposition is; 'Who is Manuela Herzer?' An interpreter, on hand to help Redstone, jumped in at that point to ask that the question be asked 'slowly,' but was cut off by the billionaire mogul as he responded; 'She is - Manuela is a f***ing b****.' Redstone went on to repeat this statement three more times over the course of the deposition. Herzer filed her lawsuit last November, one month after she was suddenly banned from Redstone's Beverly Park mansion and removed as his primary caretaker. She was to receive '$50 million and Redstone's Beverly Park home, worth roughly $20 million' upon his death according to a court filing earlier this month in the Superior Court of the State of California. That money would come on top of the $70 million in cash and assets Redstone's daughter Shari said her father gave to Herzer since just 2009 while she lived near his home. The money from the will has now been directed to Redstone's charitable foundations. A deal negotiated between lawyers for both sides that would have paid Herzer a reported $30million to drop her case fell apart at the eleventh hour for unknown reasons. Almost immediately after her $50 million lawsuit fell through, Herzer filed a new suit against the billionaire's family and medical team, seeking at least $70 million. The lawsuit also claims that on May 19, 2014, the women convinced Redstone (pictured with Megan Fox in 2014) to sell his vested stocks and then had him deposit $45million into each of their bank accounts The suit names Shari Redstone and sons Tyler and Brandon Korff, Sumner's house manager Isileli Tuanaki and lead nurse Jeremy Jagiello, alleging the group conspired to cut her out of the estate. 'Shari organized and implemented what would eventually become a successful campaign to turn Sumner against Herzer and strip Herzer not only of her role as his health care agent, but also of her inheritance,' documents allege. The suit seeks damages against the group who she holds responsible for what Herzer called 'criminal acts in intentionally destroying [her] special relationship with Sumner and causing Sumner to disinherit her.' The new charges were filed almost immediately after the previous lawsuit was dismissed by the judge. Redstone could not recall exactly how long Manuela lived with him in his deposition, or the years they were together, but he was able to recall that he kicked her out of his home in October 2015. That answer came after much back and forth between Herzer's lawyer and Redstone's interpreter, with both parties wanting to be certain that Redstone had indeed said 'October 2015.' It was also during this exchange that the interpreter requested that someone 'adjust' Redstone's dentures. Redstone was then asked if Herzer helped him with his health care when she lived in the home, and admited that she did in fact do so while staying at his residence. When asked however what she did to help him, Redstone responded by saying; Manuela is a f***ing b****.' Shortly after Holland split up with Redstone, George Pilgrim came forward and revealed he had been in a relationship with her Holland regularly sent Pilgrim videos sharing her plans for the day, which typically ended with a kiss. He proposed to her in the fall of 2014, and she accepted Redstone then had problems speaking and a board was brought out so he could point to letters while Herzer's lawyer repeated the question multiple times. After spending three minutes trying to get an answer to the question to no avail Herzer's lawyer agreed to move on with the questioning. Herzer's lawyer also skipped over the next question when he got no response after asking Redstone what his birth name was, with the mogul having convinced his father when he was a teenager that the family should change their last name from 'Rothstein' to 'Redstone.' Moving on he showed Redstone a photo of himself with Herzer, asking when it was taken. Redstone responded to this by saying; 'Who cares.' Upon further questioning he was able to say that the picture was taken at Paramount while he and Herzer were dating. He also admitted that he was in love with Herzer at the time. Redstone then answered in the affirmative when asked if Herzer stole money from him, but was unable to give an amount when pressed for detail. He also answered the next question in the affirmative when asked; 'Did you ever say Manuela was the love of your life?' For his final question, Herzer's lawyer asks Redstone if he said anything to his ex as she was leaving his home or gave her a reason as to why he was kicking her out. Redstone responded to this by saying 'no,' and when asked why told the attorney; 'Because she's a f***ing b****.' Gabrielle Vidal, a member of Redstone's legal team, had far better luck getting answers out of the nonagenarian while questioning him during the deposition. Redstone and his family are seen at his Star ceremony on Hollywood's Walk of Fame in 2012. The lawsuit also claims that the women kept Redstone away from his family and friends in order to have full control of him When asked why he kicked out Herzer, Redstone told her; 'She lied to me.' Vidal then asked what Herzer lied about and Redstone replied; 'Terry's availability and Sydney's letter.' The letter he is referring to is one Redstone has claimed was hand delivered to Herzer by his ex Sydney Holland apologizing to him and professing her love after he kicked her out of his home last September. The Terry he is referring to is Terry Holbrook, one of his female companions. Herzer has said both these claims are false. Vidal then asked Redstone how he felt about Herzer now, to which he responded; 'I hate her. She's a f***ing b****.' The next line of questions were about Redstone's family, and he said he is happy to be seeing them again and wants his daughter Shari to be in charge of making his health decisions. Then, after fixing his dentures for a second time, Restone is asked what he wanted out of the trial. 'I want Manuela out of my life,' said Redstone. Redstone's attorney Robert Klieger said in his opening statement on Friday however that Redstone was very much mentally competent when he demanded Herzer be removed from his home. Klieger said that it was Herzer's repeated lies that forced Redstone to cut her out of his life. 'Mr. Redstone does not tolerate lies,' said Klieger. Klieger also said that Herzer 'tricked Mr. Redstone, and later told the court; 'Everything in this case is a soap opera.' He also that he would make it clear over the course of the case that Redstone was very much aware of what he was doing when he changed his health care directive in October, taking control away from Herzer and giving power over all issues related to his health to Philippe Dauman, the CEO and Chair of Viacom. Herzer's lawyer Pierce O'Donnell told a much different story however, focusing much of his opening on Redstone's ailing health and painting Herzer as a selfless victim who was just trying to do what was right for a man she cared about for so many years. 'Lost to us is the titan of the media world,' said O'Donnell 'He was unable to answer even the simplest questions,' he added when speaking about his taped deposition, and said he left Redstone's home that day 'profoundly disturbed' over the language he used to describe Herzer. As O'Donnell told it, Redstone is a man with mental competency issues, his 'mind feeble and his body ravaged by age.' It was in this state O'Donnell said that some around Redstone began to take advantage of the man, behaving in 'unethical and immoral' ways' 'The motive was to get rid of Manuela by any means because she was a barrier to [Redstone's daughter] Sheri taking control of his health and his media empire,' said O'Donnell. 'The evidence will show Sumner asked Manuela to protect him.' He ended by saying the person who was truly unfit to be Redstone's health care agent was his daughter Shari. The lawsuit comes just a few months after Herzer filed her own lawsuit against Redstone. The judge in the case made the decision to dismiss that $50million suit. She is pictured outside court during the proceedings, where she wanted to be put in charged of his estate O'Donnell's first witness confirmed almost everything he said in his opening statement. Dr. Stephen L. Read, a geriatric psychiatrist hired by Herzer, was the first medical expert to take the stand in the trial. He testified under oath that in his medical opinion Redstone has dementia and suffers from possible delusions. He also said he was not of sound mind when he made the decision to kick Herzer out of his home and remove her from his health care directive in October. 'He does have major neurological problems,' said Dr. Read of Redstone. Dr. Read went on to call Redstone 'severely impaired' saying he was a 'thin shadow' of his former self. 'He did not have the requisite mental capacity to understand the changing of his health care directive of October 16, 2015,' said Dr. Read. He also spoke about Redstone's behavior and his 'propensity to erupt in anger' at any given moment. 'When anger takes over reasoning is ablated. That removes his inability to think about this, access memory, consider alternatives to do the things that are required to make an informed decision,' said Dr. Read. He went on to say that removing Herzer from his life made matters worse and had 'potentially terrible effects' on Redstone. He then detailed his January 29 examination of Redstone, which was granted by the court at Herzer's request. During that session Dr. Read said that Redstone repeatedly stated that Herzer stole $40million from him and was confused as to the amount of money he had previously planned to leave her in a trust. Dr. Read also spoke about how difficult it was for Redstone to communicate and how hard it was to understand him when he did speak. He also spoke about Redstone's physical abilities, saying; 'Mr. Redstone can't hold a pencil. He's completely disabled. For the most basic acts of a human's life, he can't do them himself.' Redstone stepped down from his role as chairman at both CBS and Viacom in February, becoming chairman emeritus at both and handing over the reins to Les Moonves and Philippe Dauman respectively. Herzer was banned from the billionaire media mogul's Beverly Park mansion in October for reasons that remain unclear. The lawsuit also breaks down some of the ways in which Herzer and Holland (pictured in 2013) allegedly spent Redstone's money. It claims Holland charged more than $2million to one of his credit cards and lists a variety of lavish shopping trips the pair made She began dating Redstone - who is worth an estimated $5.2billion - in 1999, and remained a close friend and confidante after the two split, moving to a house just down the street from him. Six weeks prior, Redstone had kicked out his live-in lover of four years Sydney Holland, 44, after learning she was having an affair. At the same, Redstone appeared to be getting closer to his family, with whom he has long had a tumultuous relationship. Herzer's teenage daughter Kathrine currently stars on the show Madam Secretary - which airs on CBS. The sudden departure of Herzer echoed what had happened a month prior to Sydney Holland, Redstone's girlfriend of five years with whom Herzer was incredibly close. The Hollywood Reporter spoke with Holland's attorney Brad Rose at the time who said: 'Sydney Holland and Sumner Redstone have had a caring and wonderful relationship for over five years. 'While Sydney would have liked the relationship to have lasted for many more years to come, relationships are dynamic and ever-changing and for a whole host of circumstances, the couple has parted ways.' He then added: 'While rumor and innuendo will undoubtedly surface as a consequence of this breakup, at this time, Ms. Holland is very upset and has no further comment.' Shortly after the split, 49-year-old actor George Pilgrim came forward saying he had been having a relationship with Holland in an interview with Vanity Fair. He claimed she would fly down to where he lived in Arizona and spend the day with him, but always fly back on her private jet and never spent the night. In the fall of 2014, Pilgrim reportedly proposed to Holland, and she accepted. She then, according to the documents, bought a house in Sedona, Arizona, near where he lived. Holland regularly sent Pilgrim videos sharing her plans for the day, which typically ended with a kiss. Sumner Redstone's daughter Shari Redstone (center) leaves a downtown courthouse in Los Angeles during hearings in the lawsuit filed by Herzer The documents claim that Holland told Pilgrim she was only with Redstone for his money, but refused to leave him alone with his family. Redstone was last seen in public at a birthday party thrown for him in May by Holland and Herzer at a restaurant in Bel Air. Some in the industry had reportedly grown concerned over the past few years about the power Holland and Herzer had over the aging billionaire, especially after Redstone's former driver wrote a piece for The Hollywood Reporter last May detailing his work duties. Tim Jensen claimed that Holland had him withdraw over $1million while he worked for Redstone between 2011 and 2012 which he then gave to a handful of women. In April 2011, he also claimed he took Redstone and Holland to dinner and learned the businessman had set up a trust fund in her name. 'It had become pretty clear... that Holland had aligned herself with Redstone and was reaping significant financial benefits,' he wrote. 'I had heard various rumors about Holland from people on staff and learned that she had been known as Sydney Stanger and was the co-founder of The Inner Circle, a VIP social club that advertised matchmaking services.' He added: 'Within my first year, I witnessed how Holland utilized Redstone's wealth. She asked him to donate money to several charities in her name. Redstone also said he was financing her Rich Hippie Productions, which Holland said would be a full-scale film and production company. 'By the end of 2011, Holland appeared to me to have taken charge of Redstone's personal life, and many of us working at the house felt that she had gained significant decision-making power. Redstone (pictured with Julianne Hough in 2011) stepped down from his role as chairman at both CBS and Viacom in February, becoming chairman emeritus at both and handing over the reins to Les Moonves and Philippe Dauman respectively 'My days at work would start with text messages or phone calls with instructions - not from Redstone or a staff member but from Holland - as to what my responsibilities for the day would be. I was still driving Redstone to events and dinners in the Paramount car. 'But now I was spending much more time doing things at Holland's direction that, in my experience, are not the usual tasks of a studio executive driver's job.' Jensen said the relationship between him and Holland began to sour and he was let go in 2012, but refused to accept the $36,000 he would be paid to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Around the same time Jensen detailed his time working for Redstone, the New York Post claimed to have found an email between Holland and a former attorney in which she was allegedly told she was 'good for between $9million and $10million' because of her relationship with Redstone. Herzer said in her Vanity Fair interview that she would be shocked if Holland was not in Redstone's will. 'I mean, five years of your life with a man every single day like that. I have to tell you, would she be there if he wasn't doing something for her? Probably not. But does she love him? Absolutely. I don't have a doubt in my mind,' said Herzer. 'For her it's a job almost, it's a job. 'I know it's hard to believe, because I'll tell you why. Because up to now she's had a great life. She has a great life. She lives in a beautiful mansion. She has beautiful things.' There is also the question of Alexandra Red, the baby girl Holland adopted while she was dating Redstone. Though at the time a Viacom rep said that Redstone had nothing to do with the child, a source told the New York Daily News: 'They cut the last name on purpose so the media doesn't find out. They are not telling anyone.' Redstone was married twice before his relationship to Holland, first to Phyllis Gloria Raphael from 1944 to 1999 and later to Paula Fortunato from 2002 to 2009. Fortunato, who is 39 years younger than Redstone, received $5million - $1million for every year the couple was married. A new campaign in Victoria has been launched encouraging parents to read 1,000 books to their child from birth until they begin school. State Library CEO Kate Torney is the driving force behind the move to get children reading as early as possible to help them improve their literacy skills. Ms Torney spoke to the The Ross and John show on 3AW radio to get her point across and emphasis the importance of getting children to read earlier. A new campaign is encouraging parents in Victoria to read 1,000 books to their child from birth She was asked on the program if she thought that the number was a realistic target for parents. 'It takes five to 10 minutes to read a book to your child each day so it's absolutely realistic,' Ms Torney said. 'It's not only incredibly valuable for children but it's lovely for parents, carers and grandparents for a habit to get into. It builds a lifelong love of books for children.' She said you can read any kind of books in that space of time even picture books to young children, as it will make the child more literate in the long run. Victoria State Library CEO Kate Torney (pictured) said that an early introduction to reading helps improve literacy skills greatly Ms Torney believed that by fostering a love of reading from a young age, children will be better prepared when they finally begin school and will have a definite head start on others kids who have not. 'We know that kids who have been exposed to books, particularly every single day, are given a real foundation by the time they get to school,' she said. 'They have better cognitive skills. They're ready to start school. We have focused a lot on literacy for school-aged children but we haven't focused a lot on building literacy skills before children get to school.' An attorney running for the Missouri House of Representatives will not be charged after another candidate accused him of rape, prosecutors said Tuesday. Cora Faith Walker wrote a letter to legislative leaders alleging that she was sexually harassed by Steven Roberts Jr. on August 26 during a meeting to discuss how they could work together. Both Democrats are running unopposed for different districts of the Missouri House. Walker will serve Ferguson and other towns, while Roberts will represent part of St Louis. 'There simply wasn't enough credible evidence that sexual relations between these two people were anything but consensual,' St. Charles County Prosecutor Tim Lohmar said Tuesday. Steven Roberts Jr. (left), a candidate for the Missouri House of Representatives, will not be charged after another candidate Cora Walker (right) accused him of rape, prosecutors said Walker wrote a letter to legislative leaders alleging that she was sexually harassed by Steven Roberts Jr. on August 26 during a meeting to discuss how they could work together Walker and Roberts, who are both black Democrats who are running unopposed in a predominantly white and Republican legislature, met at a St. Louis apartment to discuss working together. Walker said she had two glasses of wine and doesn't remember anything else that happened that night, and that she woke up the next morning in a bed in the home. She said she told her husband what had happened the next day, but that they waited several weeks before going to the police. In a letter sent to the state house leaders dated September 30, she wrote: 'My name is Cora Faith Walker. I will be in the Capitol in January as the Representative of the 74th District. 'Earlier this week, I reported a sexual assault to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. I named my rapist as Steven Roberts, Jr., who hopes to be in the Capitol in January as the Representative of the 77th District.' She explained her reasons for coming forward and said: 'To that end, I ask that you do everything in your power to prevent Mr. Roberts from perpetuating sexual violence, sexual assault or sexual harassment against me or anyone else in the Capitol.' Roberts (pictured) denied the allegations and said they had an 'intimate' consensual relationship. He was once arrested on suspicion of second-degree sodomy but never charged Dailymail.com typically doesn't identify the alleged victims of sexual assault, but Walker said she wanted come forward to help others and inspire change at the state Capitol, which has a reputation of sexual misconduct. She told the St Louis Post Dispatch: 'I felt a moral responsibility to speak out. The idea or the thought of me trying to just bury it is one I could not live with.' Roberts, who is single, has denied the allegations and said he and Walker formerly had an 'intimate' consensual relationship. Walker, who is married, said the two had never been intimate, although they've known each other for years. On Tuesday, Lohmar said he would not charge Roberts, citing a lack of 'credible evidence'. Roberts' lawyer, Scott Rosenblum, said his client was 'thrilled' with Tuesday's announcement. 'We believed from the beginning that her allegation was completely unfounded, and we have evidence to conclusively contradict her,' he said. 'We submitted that to (Lohmar). Having done so, I'm not surprised by his decision.' Walker said she was 'disappointed' by the decision. 'I didn't come forward expecting justice. I know that few sexual assault cases are ever prosecuted. ... I am angry and terrified that (Roberts) is free,' she said. Walker also wrote in her letter that Roberts has been accused of sexual assault before. In 2015, Roberts was arrested on suspicion of second-degree sodomy after an alleged incident involving a 25-year-old student at a bar, the St Louis Post Dispatch reported. He was never charged, although he was later fired as an assistant circuit attorney. Walker (pictured) said she was 'disappointed' by the decision. She explained that she wanted come forward to help victims of sexual assault and inspire change at the state Capitol Both Democrats are running unopposed for the Missouri House. Walker will serve Ferguson and other towns, while Roberts (pictured) will represent part of St Louis The Legislature has dealt with several sexually-themed scandals over the past year and a half. Todd Richardson became speaker after John Diehl, a Republican from suburban St. Louis, resigned in May 2015 after acknowledging that he exchanged sexually suggestive text messages with a college intern. State Sen. Paul LeVota, a Democrat from Independence, stepped down in 2015 after interns accused him of sexual harassment, which he denied. And earlier this year, state Rep. Don Gosen, a Republican from suburban St. Louis, resigned after admitting to an extramarital affair. Walker won the Democratic nomination to represent Missouri's 74th state House District. Among the St. Louis suburbs that seat represents is Ferguson, which became a focal point of the Black Lives Matter movement after the 2014 fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager, Michael Brown, by a white police officer. Artworks painted by Bali Nine member Myuran Sukumaran in the hours leading to his execution will be displayed at an exhibition in Sydney next year. The event, co-curated by friend and artistic mentor Ben Quilty, will feature more than 100 works painted by Sukumaran while he was at Bali's Kerobokan jail and on Nusa Kambangan Island, where he was held immediately before his death. Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, the Bali Nine ringleaders, were executed by firing squad on April 29, 2015, after they were caught trying to smuggle 8kg of heroin from Bali to Australia. Scroll dow for video Friend and mentor Ben Quilty (pictured) will co -curate an exhibition of artworks painted by Bali Nine member Myuran Sukumaran Myuran Sukumaran, poses with his artwork in Kerobokan jail on February 7, 2013 The seven other members of the Bali Nine group, whom are all Australians, are still in jail. Quilty said the works were produced over a three year period and showed the profound way art could give a person strength and solace. 'The earlier portraits, in Kerobokan, are coming to terms with the guilt and grief that he put his family through,' Quilty said. 'The works on Nusa Kambangan is about a young man coming to terms with his mortality.' Artworks include paintings of fellow inmates, political figures and scenes from inside and outside Kerobokan jail, Quilty said. Sukumaran and Chan unsuccessfully appealed against their sentences, and their requests for clemency were rejected by Indonesian President Joko Widodo. Quilty described the paintings produced on Nusa Kambangan - dubbed Indonesia's Alcatraz - on the days and hours preceding his death as very intense. 'The nature of self portraiture is you have to look beyond your skin,' Quilty said. 'By looking in a mirror at yourself for hours at a time it is inevitable that you start to ask what makes you who you are?' A self portrait called Time is Ticking, painted just days before his death on April 25, 2015 Artist Ben Quilty, with Sydney Festival Director Wesley Enoch (centre) and Michael Dagostino, of Campbelltown Arts Centre, look over a painting by Sukumaran The executions of Sukumaran and Chan strained diplomatic ties between the Indonesia and Australia, where the death sentence prompted candle-lit vigils and led to official pleas for mercy from politicians. But the sentence split Australian public opinion. A Roy Morgan Research Poll taken in January 2015 found that 52 percent of Australians supported the execution in principal. The free exhibition will be held at Campbelltown Arts Centre between January 13 and March 26. 'Myuran's story is proof of the true potential for art to change lives, even in the most extraordinary circumstances,' said Michael Dagostino, co-curator and director of Campbelltown Arts Centre. Part of the exhibition will include a symposium in February that will commemorate the 50th anniversary of Ronald Ryan's death, the last person to be legally executed in Australia on February 3, 1967. Seven other leading artists will exhibit sculptural or video works alongside Sukumaran's paintings. The exhibition will include paintings of fellow inmates, political figures and scenes from inside and outside Kerobokan jail Sukumaran and Bali Nine co-conspirator Andrew Chan (left) were executed by firing squad on April 29, 2015 Campaign revealed that Clinton had been diagnosed with pneumonia She had another fainting episode last month during the 9/11 Democratic candidate's health has been hot topic of debate since she suffered a concussion when she fainted at home advisers that: '(Clinton's) going to stick to notes a little closer this am, still not perfect in her head' Huma Abedin warned Clinton's campaign team that Hillary would have to 'stick to her notes' at an event because she was 'still not perfect in her head.' The personal emails, belonging to Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta, were published by WikiLeaks on Tuesday. The exchange in April, 2015, came at the end of a discussion between the Democratic candidate's aides about Jeb Bush's utilization of Super PACs. Scroll down for video Huma Abedin (left, at the third debate ) warned Clinton's campaign that Hillary (at a Florida campiagn event, on Tuesday, right) would have to 'stick to her notes' at a campaign event because she was 'still not perfect in her head Abedin told chief campaign strategist: 'She's going to stick to notes a little closer this am, still not perfect in her head' 'I will leave commenting on campaign tactics to others. What I have made absolutely clear is that corporate money and secret money have no place in our democracy and we should get rid of it once and for all,' said the campaign's chief strategist Joel Benenson. Abedin replied, with many of Clinton's advisers CC'd in, that: 'She's going to stick to notes a little closer this am, still not perfect in her head.' The aide's email dates to April 21, 2015 - just a few days after Clinton kicked off her presidential campaign. And it appears the aides' concern continued as they repeatedly discussed Clinton's head according to leaked emails. In September of that same year, Podesta wrote to Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri to ask: 'How bad is her head?' in an email with the subject line 'Any sense of whether and when she wants to talk?' Don't know,' Palmieri replied. 'Huma left here about an hour ago. I just pinged again to ask about prep, haven't heard back.' The emails suggest that Clinton's health was a frequent topic of concern since she suffered a concussion and 'cracked head' during a fall in December 2012. Doctors discovered a blood clot in her head during examinations and Clinton was forced to take a month's absence to recover. By 2013, her doctors said that her treatment was successful and she'd had a 'complete resolution' to the episode. But the latest Wikileaks dump appear to show that her aides were still concerned. Questions about Clinton's health have lingered since she stumbled while leaving a 9/11 anniversary event last month (pictured) Taking her pulse? Christine Falvo was seen holding Clinton's hand as the candidate's aides' concern mounted at her physical state and she was taken towards the Secret Service van at the 9/11 memorial on Sunday in New York In another email released by WikiLeaks, Abedin suggested a Clinton speech should be shortened 'because it's a bank of Mics and no podium.' The message suggests that not having a lectern for Clinton to lean on was a serious concern. An email released in 2013, as part of Freedom of Information request, revealed that Clinton was 'often confused', according to Abedin. The exchange between Abedin and aide Monic Hanley opened with Hanley saying that Clinton 'was in bed for a nap by the time I heard that she had an 8am call. Will go over with her.' 'Very imp [sic] to do that,' Abedin responded. 'She's often confused.' The email prompted concerns that Clinton could be suffering from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after her 2012 concussion. Questions about the former first lady's health were raised again last month after she stumbled while leaving a 9/11 anniversary event in New York. While the campaign initially tried to blame the episode on dehydration, on the particularly hot September day, they were later forced to reveal that Clinton had been diagnosed with pneumonia. A new television ad from Donald Trump's campaign, released earlier this month, raises questions about Clinton's health and her fitness to run for office. Using footage of the 68-year-old's fainting episode last month, along with clips of her being assisted up the stairs and coughing, the ad is titled, 'Danegrous.' The aide's email dates to April 21, 2015 - just a few days before Clinton kicked off her presidential campaign 'Hillary Clinton doesn't have the fortitude, strength or stamina to lead in our world,' the narrator says in the ad, as foreboding music plays in the background. It's a comment he has made numerous times - particularly after Clinton was diagnosed with pneumonia in September - something she kept private until she almost collapsed at the 9/11 commemorations. During the first presidential debate, Trump said of his opponent: 'She doesn't have the look, she doesn't have the stamina. 'To be president of this country, you have to have tremendous stamina.' CLINTON'S VITAL STATISTICS The Clinton campaign released a letter from her doctor, Lisa Bardack, which set out key medical details about the Democratic candidate. Medical conditions: Hypothyroidism and seasonal allergies Blood pressure: 100/70 Pulse: 70 Cholesterol: 189 (LDL 103, HDL 56, tryglycerides 159) Respiratory rate: 18 Temperature: 97.8 Pulse-oximetry: 99% Height: not disclosed Weight: not disclosed Mental condition: 'excellent' Medications: Prescribed Levaquin for bacterial pneumonia. Previously received anti-pneumonia vaccines Prevnar and Pneumovax, on undisclosed dates. Takes Coumadin, a blood thinner, also Armor thyroid and B12 'as needed'. Advertisement However, Clinton had responded with the perfect put down. 'As soon as he travels to 112 countries and negotiates a peace deal, and a cease fire, a release of dissidents, an opening of new opportunities in nations around the world, or even spends 11 hours testifying in front of a congressional committee, he can talk to me about stamina,' she said. The emails are among more than 30,000 emails allegedly hacked from accounts of Clinton's senior staff and dumped in the WikiLeaks database in recent weeks. In response, the Clinton campaign released a statement, accusing Russia of being behind the leaks. 'In a brazen display of collusion, Russian state owned television continues to promote WikiLeaks' releases even before [WikiLeaks founder Julian] Assange can do it even after it's been proven beyond any reasonable doubt that the Russians are the source of the purported Podesta material,' the statement read. 'Given a third opportunity on the debate stage to admit and condemn the Kremlin's actions, Donald Trump refused to do it and instead continues to act as Putin's puppet despite being briefed by U.S. intelligence. It is bizarre and disqualifying that he continues to cheer on this attack on our democracy. It is time for Donald Trump to tell the American people what he knows and when he knew it.' Joel Benenson, told ABC News he has seen things in the leaks that 'we know aren't authentic.' Legendary Second World War pilot Robert A. 'Bob' Hoover has died at age 94. Hoover, who was known for stealing a plane to escape a Nazi prisoner-of-war camp, died early Tuesday in Palos Verdes Estates, California, close family friend Bill Fanning confirmed. 'He was every pilot's icon,' Fanning said, recalling his friend as one of the premier test pilots of the 1950s and '60s. 'Bob tested everything. He flew them all.' Scroll down for video Bob Hoover attends the 12th annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills in January 2015. He died on Tuesday at the age of 96 Hoover arrives at the 12th Annual 'Living Legends Of Aviation' Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 16, 2015 Hoover is considered a living legend of aviation, he has been flying since 1937 Friend Chuck Yeager, with whom he tested supersonic planes, described Hoover as 'the greatest pilot I ever saw.' His trademark at air shows was to turn both engines of the plane off and hurtle it downwards towards earth, pulling it back up at the last possible second, said the New York Times. Hoover, who began flying in 1937 at Berry Field in Nashville, Tennessee, almost came to an early end. While serving in the Army's 52nd Fighter Group in Sicily during World War II, he flew more than 50 missions before being shot down in February 1944. Hoover (left) was good friends with Chuck Yeager (right) who is famous for breaking the sound barrier - above, at the Edwards Airforce Base 1997. The pair also tested supersonic planes Above, Hoover tests a OV-10A Bronco in Fort Worth, Texas, 1972 (left to right) Sean Tucker, John Travolta, Bob Hoover, Harrison Ford attended the 12th Annual 'Living Legends of Aviation' He spent 16 months in Stalag Luft I, a prisoner of war camp in Barth, Germany, where Allied soldiers were kept. He survived and spent months in a prisoner-of-war camp before he escaped, stole a German fighter plane and flew to safety in The Netherlands. According to the Times, he was chased by farmers holding pitchforks who thought he was German at first. When the National Air and Space Museum conferred its highest honor on Hoover in 2007, the museum noted that Jimmy Doolittle, leader of the famed 1942 bomber raid on Japan, had once described Hoover as 'the greatest stick-and-rudder man that ever lived.' The National Air and Space Museum honored Hoover in 2007 'We lost an aviation pioneer today,' Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second man on the moon, said in a Twitter post. 'He could do magical things with an airplane. He was the best.' Early U.S. jet-powered warplanes such as the P-80 and F-84 were tested by Hoover, who then became a backup pilot in the Bell X-1 program and flew the chase plane when Chuck Yeager became the first to break the sound barrier in 1947. Hoover also tested the XFJ-2 Fury, which was developed for the Navy and Marine Corps, and the F-86 Sabre, an Air Force fighter, among more than 300 types of aircraft he flew in his career, according to the National Air and Space Museum. He later brought his flying prowess to the public in aerobatic performances using such aircraft as North American Aviation's P-51 Mustang and Aero Commanders. His Shrike Commander 500S, now ensconced in the Air and Space Museum, changed from an ordinary business-style propeller plane into an aerobatic star with Hoover at the controls during a so-called energy management routine. With both engines off he would do a loop, roll, 180-degree turn and land. In the early 1990s, the Federal Aviation Administration pulled Hoover's medical certificate for failing a neurological exam that followed a performance at Aerospace America air show in Oklahoma City. Hoover fought the decision, and even went to court, and in 1995 he received a restricted medical certificate. That year he returned to the skies and delivered his signature performance at Daytona Beach, Florida. 'It felt good to be performing in front of my countrymen again,' he said at the time. 'I'm just glad all that is behind me and that justice and fairness prevailed.' A recipient of numerous honors, Hoover was among the 100 heroes of aviation honored in 2003 at the First Flight Centennial celebration. 'It's fair to say that anyone who ever had the privilege of flying with Bob, saw him perform at an airshow, or who heard him speak, was affected tremendously by the experience,' said Andrew Broom, executive director of the Citation Jets Pilots Association. and admits the timing was a 'mistake' University students have received heartbreaking rejection letters crushing their dreams of becoming doctors just hours before they were expected to sit a major test. The letters informed 87 first year students they had failed to gain an interview for the University of Auckland's medical program, the New Zealand Herald reported. The shattered students then had to sit a test as part of the Medical Science 142 paper - which is compulsory for those hoping to study medicine. The letters informed 87 first year students they had failed to gain an interview for the University of Auckland's (pictured) medical program University students have received heartbreaking rejection letters crushing their dreams of becoming doctors just hours before they were expected to sit a major test (stock image) The University of Auckland has apologised, and admits the timing of the letters was a 'mistake'. 'We regret this communication was sent and any impact this may have had on students' test performance.' The university's Student Medical Association President Jibi Kunnethedam said his group had approached students left devastated by receiving the letter. 'We understand it can be very upsetting for students,' he said. The medical program selection committee was not aware of the upcoming test. Australian costume designer and four-time Oscar nominee Janet Patterson has died. The Sydney-born film industry veteran was recognised for her work on 'The Piano', 'The Portrait of a Lady', 'Oscar and Lucinda', and 'Bright Star'. Hollywood actress Nicole Kidman, who starred in 'The Portrait of a Lady', fondly remembered the late designer. 'She's not here anymore but she lives on through those beautiful clothes and images,' she said. Nicole Kidman (pictured) starred in 'The Portrait of a Lady' which Janet Patterson worked on The reclusive Patterson frequently collaborated with directors Jane Campion and Gillian Armstrong, and became known for her sumptuous 19th century costume creations during a career in film and television spanning more than 35 years. Her last credited work was on 'Far from the Madding Crowd', which was released last year. During the 1980s, Patterson worked on Australian television dramas 'Come in Spinner,' 'Eden's Lost,' and 'Two Friends' with Jane Campion. Rocco Hindman, the president of the talent agency that represented her, Sandra Marsh and Associates, told the Associated Press she died recently in Australia. Her family asked him not to reveal her age or the date of death to the media. One of the UKs most ambitious mining projects for decades has secured nearly 250million of investment from Australias richest woman. The North York Polyhalite Project to dig for fertiliser a mile below the North York Moors National Park has been given backing from mining tycoon Gina Rinehart. Sirius Minerals, the company behind the scheme, revealed yesterday that Mrs Rinehart has agreed to pour 247million into the mine, which is thought to contain 2.2billion tonnes of a specialist mineral used in fertiliser. Gina Rinehart (pictured) took over one of Australia's biggest mining companies after the death of her father, Lang Hancock, in 1992 Mrs Rinehart, 62, is worth 9.6billion and heads a mining empire stretching across Western Australia, including the worlds largest iron ore mine. Her investment means reaping the financial benefits of the worlds largest reservoir of polyhalite a form of potash used in fertiliser to grow crops under the Yorkshire national park is one step closer. Chris Fraser, managing director and chief executive of Sirius, said: We are delighted to have signed this agreement with such an experienced party in the mining industry, as well as one that has very successful and strong leadership and a long term and growing agricultural interest. The mine has a potential lifespan of 100 years, and will be built in two phases over five years using a combination of debt and equity. It involves sinking a mile-deep shaft about 2.5 miles from Whitby and digging caverns deep below the surface, eventually reaching the North Sea. A 23-mile underground tunnel will then transport the polyhalite via a conveyer belt for processing on Teesside, using the former Redcar steelworks. By using a hidden tunnel it aims to avoid disturbing the park and local surroundings. Mr Fraser, an Australian, discovered the vast store of fertiliser and secured permission from planners last year. The North York Polyhalite Project says it will bring more than 1,000 jobs to the region The scheme is expected to bring more than 1,000 jobs to the region, and provide a boost for local people who have backed the project by buying shares in the firm. About 300 local farmers and landowners have struck deals with Sirius and it is likely to pay out 1.4billion in royalties over the first 50 years of mining. It also has high-profile support from figures including Lord John Hutton of Furness, a Labour Peer who is non-executive director and a shareholder in the mine. The mine contains polyhalite which is a mineral containing four of the six nutrients which are essential to plant growth. These include potassium, magnesium, sulphur and calcium. The fertiliser a white, grainy substance will be transported through the tunnel to be crushed and exported. It will prove lucrative to the mines owners, with analysts predicting the polyhalite could reach somewhere in the region of 124 per tonne. The investment from Mrs Rineharts company, Hancock Prospecting, will see it pay 206million for a 5 per cent royalty on the first 13million tonnes of Siriuss fertiliser sales every year. Mrs Rinehart has also agreed to invest a further 41.2million towards its first round of financing. Analysts at investment bank Liberum said: This deal is a clear endorsement of the project from a major Australian mining and agricultural business. Mrs Rinehart, a mother-of-four, inherited the privately-owned business when her father Lang Hancock died in 1992. She has moved the company into agriculture in recent years, and has been involved with a Chinese partner in a bid for Australias largest cattle farm. The widow of a state trooper killed by a driver who was allegedly under the influence of marijuana is fighting against a ballot that would legalize weed in Massachusetts. Trooper Thomas Clardy, 44, was killed in March while conducting a traffic stop when David Njuguna crashed into his police cruiser on the Massachusetts Turnpike. In a new web video, Clardy's wife Reisa said she believes there will be more accidents and more fatalities if voters approve Question 4 on the state's November 8 ballot. Reisa Clardy (left) is fighting against a ballot that would legalize weed in Massachusetts after her husband Thomas Clardy (right), was allegedly killed by a driver under the influence In a new web video Reisa said she believes there will be more accidents and more fatalities if voters approve Question 4 on the November 8 ballot. Pictured is Clardy's funeral last year The crash left Reisa a single mother of six children aged four to 17. 'It changed my life greatly,' she says in the video for the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy MA group. 'My husband's not here anymore. Daddy's not gonna come walking through that door one day.' Clardy, a Marine Corps veteran, had stopped a car for a traffic violation in Charlton and returned to his car just before it was hit by Njuguna's vehicle around noon on March 16. Witnesses said Njuguna's car had suddenly swerved to the right across all three traffic lanes at a 'high level of speed' and then crashed into the rear of Clardy's cruiser. Prosecutors allege that Njuguna, 30, obtained three marijuana cigarettes from a medical dispensary an hour before the crash and was in an 'impaired state'. Authorities also said they found a half-smoked joint in Njuguna's vehicle. Clardy, 44, was killed in March while conducting a traffic stop when David Njuguna (pictured in court in May) crashed into his police cruiser on the Massachusetts Turnpike Njuguna, who suffered serious injuries in the crash, has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter, motor vehicle homicide, operating under the influence of drugs, operating to endanger and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. 'Obviously I was very upset, trying to understand how an adult, a grown man, could get behind the wheel after smoking marijuana and thinking that it's okay,' Reisa said in the video. 'With this bill I don't think we'd gain anything from it,' she continued. 'There's gonna be more accidents, there's gonna be more fatalities, you're gonna have more families that are gonna be without their loved ones because we're putting people at risk.' Njuguna has denied that he was under the influence of any drugs, including medical marijuana, at the time of the crash. A medical marijuana program was approved by Massachusetts voters in 2012. Although it does not contain specific language addressing impaired driving, state law makes it illegal to drive under the influence of marijuana, in addition to other drugs. That law would remain unchanged if Massachusetts voters decided to make recreational marijuana use legal for adults aged 21 and older. 'I was very upset, trying to understand how an adult, a grown man, could get behind the wheel after smoking marijuana and thinking that it's okay,' Reisa (pictured) said in the video Clardy's son Tyler walks past his father's casket after giving a reading at his funeral It was a point the Yes on 4 campaign tried to make clear this week as opponents argued legalization would lead to more impaired crashes, citing research that marijuana use can affect peripheral vision and slow drivers' reaction time. Reisa's video also cited an AAA study that found fatal crashes involving drivers who had recently used marijuana had doubled in Washington a year after recreational weed was legalized in the state in 2012. But Jim Borghesani, a spokesman for Yes on 4, dismissed the study as flawed. Borghesani noted the study's authors acknowledged that the data did not reveal whether drivers with THC, the psychoactive chemical in marijuana, in their system were actually impaired at the time of a crash. 'Despite our opponents' claims, there have been no studies from any marijuana-legal state showing increases in marijuana-impaired crashes or fatalities,' the campaign stated, according to Massachusetts Live. 'In fact, in Colorado OUI marijuana arrests went down in 2015 compared to 2014 despite increased vigilance.' Researchers have likewise cautioned that marijuana can stay in a person's system for days after being consumed, making it difficult to pinpoint whether it is at fault at the time of a crash. The crash left Reisa a widow as well as a single mother of six children aged four to 17 But some authorities have argued that a lack of tests able to determine what constitutes marijuana impairment is all the more reason to oppose legalization. 'We are years away...from an effective, standardized, court-approved roadside test to measure a driver's THC level,' said Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett, an opponent of Question 4. 'Even if such a test existed, there is no scientific consensus as to what level of THC in the blood constitutes impairment,' he added. The Yes on 4 Campaign expressed condolences to Reisa and her family after the video's release on Monday. 'Officer Clardy made the ultimate sacrifice for the people of Massachusetts,' the statement read. 'If the defendant in this case is convicted, he should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.' Recreational use of marijuana is currently legal in Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Washington state and the District of Columbia. A video has emerged from China of firefighters rescuing a girl who got her leg stuck in a manhole cover. In the footage, captured in Guigang, Guangxi Province last Saturday, firefighters use a saw to cut off the steel bars on the drain cover and set the girl free. According to local reports, the rescue took minutes and the girl only suffered minor injuries. The little girl, wearing a pale pink top, can be seen crouching down as the rescue workers assess the situation. A curious crowd assembled around the youngster but were held back by police tape. The child, who was given bottles of water while she waited out her ordeal, didn't appear to be too upset by the ordeal. The large power-saw easily cut through the metal drain cover and the girl was freed. The firefighters then cleaned the girl's leg and assessed her injuries. The 51-second clip was filmed at 9am on Saturday, October 22. A video has emerged from China of firefighters rescuing a girl who got her leg stuck in a manhole cover 'He wants to bring me to the back of the barn. Ohhhh. Some things in life you could really love doing!' the Republican mocked Trump counter-punched on Tuesday in Florida, saying 'I'd love that, Mr. Tough Guy!' 'What he said and did and does is the text book definition of sexual assault,' the vice president said When asked if he wished he were debating the Republican, Biden said he would rather 'take him behind the gym' Vice President Joe Biden said Friday that he was 'disgusted' by Donald Trump's comments about groping women Donald Trump counter-punched against Joe Biden on Tuesday literally saying he 'could really love' to accept the vice president's challenge to a fistfight. Biden on Friday slammed Trump's now infamous taped 2005 comments that famous men could mistreat women with impunity: 'When you're a star they let you do it. You can do anything. Grab them by the p****. You can do anything.' As ked if he wished he could debate Trump, a furious Biden replied that he wished he were in high school so 'I could take him behind the gym.' Trump, 70, cast himself as the alpha male Tuesday night in Tallahassee, delivering the rhetorical equivalent of a 'Let's step outside' to the 73-year-old Biden. His crowd ate it up. Scroll down for videos MAKE MY DAY: Donald Trump said Tuesday night in Florida that he'd enjoy a physical brawl with Vice President Joe Biden over comment he made about women a decade ago OLD GUY FIGHT! Biden said last week that he was disgusted by the Republican nominee's 2005 locker-room boasts, adding that he wished he were in high school so 'I could take him behind the gym.' 'Did you see where Biden wants to "take me to the back of the barn." Me! He wants to I'd love that. I'd love that. Mr. Tough Guy! You know, he's Mr. Tough Guy,' Trump boasted. 'You know when he's Mr. Tough Guy? When he's standing behind a microphone by himself. That's when he's Mr. 'He wants to bring me to the back of the barn. Ohhhh. Some things in life you could really love doing!' 'And by the way,' Trump vented, 'if I'd said that? They'd say, "He's violent! How could he have done that? How could he have?"' Biden heard no such loud condemnation for threatening to beat up the Republican presidential nominee since he was engaging Trump by defending women. 'What he said and did and does is the text book definition of sexual assault,' said the vice president, who is also an advocate for legislation to help sexual assault victims. YOU'RE NOT SO TOUGH! 'You know when he's Mr. Tough Guy?' Trump asked about Biden. 'When he's standing behind a microphone by himself' 'He said because I am famous, because I am a star, because I am a billionaire I can do things other people can't. What a disgusting assertion for anyone to make,' he jabbed. Biden, who has been campaigning for Hillary Clinton, said Trump was not only a threat to women, but to America itself. 'If we let Donald Trump somehow even get a significant minority of the vote, it says things to the rest of the world about us that endangers us,' Biden said. 'Everywhere I go I get asked by world leaders, 'This can't be true can it?' 'He plays into the hands of our enemies so uniquely. He is so stupid that he doesn't understand no no ... it's possible,' Biden said, talking over laughter in the audience, 'its possible he doesnt understand the damage hes doing.' Trump's now infamous 'p***ygate' tape involved crude language about women and led to a dozen females accusing him of sexual misconduct It's equally possible Biden was lashing out at Trump because of a tweet. Struck with multiple accusations of sexually abusing women, the New York real estate tycoon retweeted a video posted by New York broadcaster Mark Simone titled, 'Watch Joe Biden's Long History Of Grabbing, Kissing and Groping Women Who Are Cringing.' The video, set to 1970s porno music, stitches together footage of Biden touching, massaging, and whispering to a number of women during televised swearing-in ceremonies in Washington. The 'creepy' headline refers to the swearing in of Delaware Senator Chris Coons to take Biden's seat: Biden put his hands on the shoulder of Coons' daughter and whispered in Maggie Coons' ear during the ceremony, attracting enough chatter in DC that a 'Fox News Sunday' host asked Coons about it. The video mashup also shows Biden giving Hillary Clinton an extended hug on an airport tarmac. Biden's reputation as a touchy-feely octopus is so well-known that President Obama made a joke about it at the 2015 White House Correspondents' Dinner. 'Joe rubs my shoulders too,' he said. 'I just wanted everybody to know. He does.' More than half of Britons say tackling immigration is more important than staying the single market, according to a survey. A total of 56 per cent of those quizzed said they were more concerned about controlling UK borders than maintaining trade benefits with other countries. Only 44 per cent believed staying in the single market was more important. The poll is a blow to Remain supporters who say Britain must stay in the single market, post-Brexit, even if it means accepting some freedom of movement. After just over 100 days in power, 58 per cent approved of Theresa Mays handling of Britains exit from the European Union. Just 25 per cent disapproved After just over 100 days in power, 58 per cent approved of Theresa Mays handling of Britains exit from the European Union. Just 25 per cent disapproved. Even Labour supporters who voted for the party in 2015 backed the Prime Ministers approach to Brexit, with 46 per cent saying they supported it. The Survation poll for The Agenda with Tom Bradby on ITV found 47 per cent of those polled would still back Leave in another referendum despite fluctuations in the pound. A total of 46 per cent said they would vote Remain, with 7 per cent undecided. Out of those who voted for Brexit last June, 48 per cent said their top issue was immigration, followed by 25 per cent who wanted more control over law making. The poll came as Philip Hammond said highly skilled workers would not face EU immigration controls. Seven per cent cited saving money and six per cent thought the EU was corrupt. Only 27 per cent said there should be an early general election. The poll came as Philip Hammond said highly skilled workers would not face EU immigration controls. The Chancellor said there was no likelihood that post-Brexit controls would apply to EU workers who were highly skilled and highly paid. He said voters were concerned about foreign workers taking entry-level jobs, not those with high skills and high pay coming into the UK. His comments go further than Mrs May in seeking to reassure City firms they would still be able to employ staff from abroad. He told MPs: I certainly have been seeking to reassure financial services businesses that we will put their needs at the heart of our negotiation with the EU. We understand their needs for market access. We also understand their needs to be able to engage the right skilled people. Trebeck has pleaded not guilty to killing the mother of three in Queensland Accused murderer Robert Trebeck sent abusive messages to the mother The man accused of smothering a young mother-of-three to death with her own jeans had sent her 'very nasty' messages in the hours before her death, a court has heard. Robert Ian Trebeck has pleaded not guilty to killing 24-year-old mother Alexis Jeffery in the rural town of Goondiwindi, about 450 kilometres south-west of Brisbane in Queensland on March 15, 2014. Darryl Sutton, a friend of Ms Jeffery, told Toowoomba Supreme Court the young mum had said Trebeck sent her abusive messages just hours before she died, The Courier Mail reported. Scroll down for video Ms Jeffery (pictured) was found deceased on the banks of the McIntyre river in Goondiwindi, south-west of Brisbane, om March 15, 2014 Trebeck pleaded not guilty to killing the 24-year-old mother of three Ms Jeffery had received abusive text messages from Trebeck before her death, a court heard Prosecutors allege Ms Jeffery was strangled or smothered with her jeans which were found bloodied in a hedge near her body, which was discovered on the banks of the McIntyre River. Mr Sutton had offered Ms Jeffery a lift home the night she was killed after she took her shoes off and complained of sore feet as the pub was being closed at 1am. The mum then asked the security guard to give her 'five minutes' to speak with Daniel Rowsell. He left to give the pair space. The young mother had complained to a friend about the messages just hours before her death Elana Jeffrey, Alexis' mother, was at the court on Monday for the Trebeck's court appearance Other witnesses told the court Ms Jeffery then left with Trebeck - the pair were then seen in a public toilet. Raymond John Styles also gave evidence in court saying he had noticed marks on the accused's hands. 'He said he did fall over making his way home and he had been shooting,' Mr Styles said. Mr Style's wife told the court she had not seen the scratches the day before, but the accused had told her he got them working on the farm. The trial continues. Police released CCTV footage of Ms Jeffrey and a male companion on the night she was killed during their investigation An Illinois man allegedly dressed as a meter reader so he could enter the home of a romantic and shoot him dead. Willie Bell, 44, is then said to have lit the Morgan Park, Chicago, home on fire before fleeing, according to police. Bell is charged with first-degree murder and concealment of a homicide, the Chicago Tribune reported. Willie Bell (pictured), 44, of Illinois, allegedly dressed as a meter reader in order to enter the home of a romantic rival before fatally shooting him Bell was seen on surveillance footage arriving at Lawrence's home on September 12, dressed as a meter reader The alleged murder of Timothy Lawrence, 48, took place in September, the CBS reported. Days before, Bell (pictured) was seen at a Home Depot buying a workman's vest and helmet, which he is seen wearing on the security footage 'The actions of the defendant were cold, calculating and pre-planned. The only reasonable order would be an order of no bail,' Judge James Brown said during a hearing on Tuesday. Facebook posts show Bell growing increasingly angry that Lawrence was dating his ex-girlfriend soon after he broke up, prosecutors said. Bell was seen on surveillance footage arriving at Lawrence's home on September 12, dressed as a meter reader. Days before, he was seen at a Home Depot buying a workman's vest and helmet, the Tribune reported. While wearing the vest and helmet that read 'Meter Inspector', he entered the home. The two men didn't know one another. An hour later, Bell was seen on camera leaving the home. This time wearing plane clothes. With a bandage on one hand, Bell entered Lawrence's vehicle, a 2004 Buick LeSabre, and used the man's credit card to buy gasoline. An hour later, Bell was seen on camera leaving the home. This time wearing plane clothes An autopsy determined Lawrence's (pictured) death was caused by a gunshot to the head. His death was then determined to be a homicide Days later, Bell returned to the home with another person and entered the residence carrying a gas can. The camera was then disabled. Police were called just before 1am on September 14 in response to a fire that had sprung up in the home. As first responders were en route, the home exploded. Lawrence's burned body was later discovered with a gunshot wound to the head. An autopsy determined Lawrence's death was caused by the gunshot. His death was then determined to be a homicide. A Press regulator funded by Max Mosley was rubber-stamped A Press regulator funded by Max Mosley was rubber-stamped as a watchdog yesterday despite not having a single mainstream newspaper among its members. Impress claimed the official recognition meant it had become Britains first independent Press regulator even though it is almost entirely reliant on one multi-millionaire donor for its funding. Motor racing tycoon Mr Mosley has campaigned for tougher rules for the Press since he sued the News of the World for printing photographs of him taking part in a sadomasochistic orgy with prostitutes dressed in military uniform. Industry bodies and politicians questioned if a regulator propped up by his millions could effectively be independent, and warned against attacks on the freedom of the Press. The board of the Governments Press Recognition Panel (PRP) sat for five hours yesterday to consider Impresss application for recognition the only regulatory body to apply for its backing. It dismissed a series of concerns, including Impresss independence from former Formula One boss Mr Mosley who has given 3.8million towards its running costs. The money is donated via two charities, which the PRP decided was sufficient to ensure the regulator was independent. Its six-person board agreed unanimously that Impress met the 23 criteria set out under a Royal Charter and decided the lack of support from the industry did not mean it should not be recognised. But Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg said: A celebrity caught in a compromising position is trying to use his money to pursue a vendetta against the Press. Former culture secretary John Whittingdale said every national newspaper and the vast majority of local and regional papers had refused to join Impress, leaving it with only a handful of members. He said: When Parliament discussed measures that could be taken to try to force publications to join a recognised regulator I dont think it was ever anticipated that every newspaper would remain outside. Most major newspapers, including the Daily Mail, The Times, The Telegraph and The Sun, have signed up to a code of conduct and complaints system run by the Independent Press Standards Organisation. Motor racing tycoon Mr Mosley has campaigned for tougher rules for the Press since he sued the News of the World It can levy large fines and force newspapers to correct inaccuracies, but refused to accept Government approval because of arguments it would amount to State regulation and threaten Press freedom. Its chairman Sir Alan Moses said last week that Britains Press would be doomed if it signed up to State-backed regulation. Impress chairman Walter Merricks insisted its endorsement by the PRP did not mean it was State-backed. He said Impress was the first independent Press regulator in Britains history and would now attract more support. WHO IS WHO ON THE NEW REGULATOR? Walter Merricks Impresss chairman is a former chief ombudsman at the Financial Ombudsman Service. The former solicitor is also a member of the Gambling Commission which regulates betting. Deborah Arnott Chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health, which campaigned successfully for anti-smoking legislation. She worked as a producer in current affairs for London Weekend Television. Iain Christie A barrister, mediator and professional actor, he served as a legal adviser to Britains diplomatic service. Joint consultant editor of a book about the law of privacy and the media. Martin Hickman The journalist worked at The Independent before leaving to co-author a book about the phone-hacking scandal with Labour MP Tom Watson. Emma Jones Another journalist, she worked at the Sunday Mirror and The Mail on Sunday before she became editor of teen pop magazine Smash Hits. Maire Messenger Davies A former journalist, she is a professor of media studies at Ulster University. David Robinson The Impress treasurer is an actuary who founded the life insurance business Bright Grey. Patrick Swaffer President of the British Board of Film Classification. A former solicitor who sits as a recorder in crown courts. Advertisement The regulator said it had received applications from 32 publishing companies to regulate 50 publications. Industry insiders said all were small-scale publishers and many were little more than blogs. It now has the power to impose punitive 1million fines and said it expected the Government to implement Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013, which could see publishers made to pay libel costs, even if they win a case. Culture Secretary Karen Bradley indicated this week she did not want to introduce a measure that could put regional papers out of business and said she had made no decision on the timing of a decision on Section 40. A federal judge has ordered Joe Arpaio (pictured) to stand trial for criminal contempt in December A federal judge has ordered an Arizona lawman - who dubbed himself 'America's toughest sheriff' - to stand trial for criminal contempt for violating an order to stop pulling over drivers just because he thought they were undocumented immigrants. On Tuesday, the judge ordered Joe Arpaio to stand trial in December for violating the terms of a court ruling against the controversial sheriff in a 2007 racial profiling case. The latest court order setting Arpaio's trial date for December 6 means that the six-term Maricopa County sheriff will be spared from facing the contempt charge in court until well after his bid for re-election on November 8. Arpaio, a Republican who has styled himself as 'America's toughest sheriff' while pursuing an aggressive crackdown on undocumented immigrants, trails his Democratic challenger by 15 percentage points, according to a poll released last week. Under contempt proceedings approved by U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton, Arpaio is accused of disobeying the terms of a 2011 court injunction barring his officers from stopping and detaining motorists based solely on suspicion that they were in the country illegally. According to court documents in the case, sheriff's deputies acting at Arpaio's behest continued making such traffic stops for 18 months in defiance of another judge who presided over the civil lawsuit challenging the practice. Bolton said Arpaio's trial will decide whether he 'should be held in criminal contempt for willful disobedience' of the 2011 injunction, issued by U.S. District Judge Murray Snow. Arpaio is a Republican who has styled himself as 'America's toughest sheriff' while pursuing an aggressive crackdown on undocumented immigrants If Arpaio is convicted, prosecutors said they would seek a jail term of no more than six months for the 84-year-old sheriff. Arpaio attorney Mel McDonald said his client was innocent of criminal wrongdoing. 'The beauty of the justice system is now we have a right to a trial,' McDonald told Reuters. 'The sheriff denies the allegations and looks forward to having his day in court.' Arpaio has already been cited for civil contempt by Snow as part of the underlying racial profiling case brought against the sheriff by civil liberties groups on behalf of Latino motorists who claimed they were discriminated against in Arpaio's crackdown. It was Snow who recommended in August that Arpaio face a criminal contempt charge as well. Arpaio, who weighed into the 2016 presidential race by campaigning for Republican nominee Donald Trump, has blasted the decision to prosecute him, suggesting the timing was politically motivated. A woman has been left fighting for her life after she was hit by a van just moments following an argument with two men. The 37-year-old was left for dead after the shocking accident in Dandenong, Melbourne on Tuesday at 10pm. The woman is in a critical condition at The Alfred Hospital with injuries to her head, chest and pelvis, reported Nine News. A woman who was left for dead in a hit-run was arguing with two men just moments before, police said Due to the woman's sever injuries she has been unable to assist police with their inquiries. The men drove off and struck the woman in the process after the argument on the street. The woman was initially taken to Dandenong Hospital but her condition continued to deteriorate and was therefore transferred to The Alfred hospital. An investigation into the incident is underway. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. Russia has cancelled plans to refuel a flotilla of their warships in Spain as they head to Syria to bomb Aleppo after Madrid came under pressure to refuse access to the vessels. Eight of Vladimir Putin's warships were expected to take on fuel and supplies from the Spanish port of Cueta this week. Moscow's flagship aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov and nuclear-powered battle cruisers were among the vessels due to enter the port as early as Wednesday. Eight of Vladimir Putin's warships were expected to take on fuel and supplies from the Spanish port of Cueta this week Spain faced calls from Nato yesterday not to refuel Russian warships including aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov (pictured in the English Channel this month) on its way to bomb Aleppo But the head of the NATO military alliance yesterday indicated Spain should not allow the stop-off because the group is expected to join air strikes on besieged city of Aleppo. And now the Russian embassy in Spain confirmed that Moscow had withdrawn a request for the warships to refuel in Ceuta, the RIA news agency reported. It gave no reason for the change of heart. The Spanish Foreign Ministry confirmed it had asked the Russian Embassy in Madrid for clarification after reports that the three ships would support attacks on the embattled Syrian city of Aleppo. 'The Russian Embassy in Madrid has just informed us that it is withdrawing the request for permission for stopovers for these ships and these stopovers have therefore been canceled,' the ministry said after saying earlier that it was reviewing the Russian request. It comes after Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the naval group, which passed through the English Channel last week, was likely to join indiscriminate bombings against civilians. Tensions between the UK and Russia are at breaking point after Theresa May blasted Russian president Vladimir Putin for undermining the West's efforts to bring peace to Syria Speaking ahead of a defence ministerial in Brussels today, he said: 'It' s for each nation to decide whether these ships can get supplies and be fuelled in different harbours along the route towards the eastern Mediterranean. 'But at the same time we are concerned, and I have expressed that very clearly, about the potential use of this battle group to increase Russia's ability and to be a platform for air strikes against Syria. 'This is something I have conveyed very clearly before and I repeat those concerns today. 'I believe that all Nato allies are aware this battle group can be used to conduct air strikes against Aleppo and Syria.' Nato is monitoring the movement of the eight-strong carrier battle group from northern Russia towards Gibraltar en route to the eastern Mediterranean. Alliance officials fear it will launch fighter bombers to hit north-western Syria early in November. 'The battle group may be used to increase Russia's ability to take part in combat operations over Syria and to conduct even more air strikes against Aleppo,' Mr Stoltenberg added. The naval group, which passed through the English Channel on Friday, is made up of Russia's only aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, as well as a nuclear-powered battle cruiser, two anti-submarine warships and four support vessels, likely escorted by submarines. The naval deployment, a rare sight since the end of the Soviet Union, is carrying dozens of fighter bombers and helicopters and is expected to join around 10 other Russian vessels already off the Syrian coast, diplomats said. The 55,000-ton carrier, equipped with missiles, anti-aircraft guns and torpedoes, was escorted by the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan and Type 23 frigate HMS Richmond as it skirted UK territorial waters last week. Tensions between the UK and Russia are at breaking point after Theresa May blasted Russian president Vladimir Putin for undermining the West's efforts to bring peace to Syria. Washington's envoy to Nato said Russia was within its right to move vessels through international waters. Military analysts said the deployment is a show of Russian force, as few countries have the ability to send an aircraft carrier group so far from home. 'The problem would arise if this ship (Admiral Kuznetsov) contributes to the indiscriminate bombing of civilian targets in northwest Syria, particularly in and around Aleppo,' US Ambassador Douglas Lute said. Russia said on Tuesday neither its war planes nor those of Syria had launched air strikes on Aleppo since Moscow said it was suspending bombing seven days ago. The comments contradicted a monitor which said air strikes on some areas resumed on Saturday. Mr Lute said bombing continued, although he did not give details. David Cameron has signed a deal for up to 800,000 to write his memoirs, pledging to give a frank account about his successes and failures at Number 10. The former prime minister has been signed to William Collins, part of the HarperCollins Publishers empire. The book, which will be published in 2018, is expected to discuss controversies such as his intervention in Libya and his failure to win backing for Britain to launch airstrikes on Syria. Scroll down for video David Cameron has signed a deal for up to 800,000 to write his memoirs, pledging to give a frank account about his successes and failures at Number 10 His dash to cash in comes weeks after he stunned his party by deciding to quit the Commons following the EU referendum. That came despite his previous pledge to stay on to represent the voters in his Oxfordshire constituency of Witney. Mr Cameron will also reveal details about his successful bid to stop Scotland breaking up the Union and his attempts to modernise the Conservative Party. He will draw on 50 hours worth of interviews he gave during his premiership with Danny Finkelstein, who is a columnist at The Times. The pair met once a month for an hour to discuss recent events. Mr Cameron became the youngest prime minister to serve since 1812 when he entered office aged 43 in 2010. The book, which will be published in 2018, is expected to discuss controversies such as his intervention in Libya. The former PM is pictured in Tripoli during 2011 He is expected to write about the challenges of raising a young family in Downing Street. Mr Cameron said: It was an immense privilege to lead the Conservative Party for more than a decade and the country for over six years as Prime Minister. 'I am looking forward to having the opportunity to explain the decisions I took and why I took them. 'I will be frank about what worked and what didnt.' He was also the first politician to lead a coalition government in Britain since 1945. David Roth-Ey, executive publisher of William Collins, said: We have a long tradition of publishing books by those who have held high political offices in Britain, from Margaret Thatchers memoirs The Downing Street Years and The Path To Power to John Majors autobiography and Peter Mandelsons The Third Man. Tony Blair was reportedly paid 4.6m for his memoirs while Mrs Thatcher was offered 3.5m The publisher did not reveal details of how much it paid for Mr Camerons memoirs but it is understood to be much less than the 4.6million secured by Tony Blair and the 3.5million by Mrs Thatcher. Sources have previously suggested that publishers were offering him between 500,000 and 800,000. Agony aunt Sally Brampton, pictured, committed suicide after help from mental health services 'did not come', an inquest heard Advice columnist Sally Brampton killed herself after health professionals missed opportunities to help her, an inquest heard. The journalist, who had spoken publicly of her long-running battle with depression, apparently walked into the sea near her home in East Sussex. The 60-year-old former editor of Elle magazine had written a relationship and advice column for The Daily Mail. Her last column was published the day before her death in May. A close friends told Hastings Coroners Court the popular agony aunt only found meaning in life by helping people suffering from mental health issues in the weeks before she died. Assistant coroner James Healay-Pratt paid tribute to Miss Brampton, describing her as a bright star with extraordinary talents, kindness and warmth before concluding she had committed suicide while her balance of mind was disturbed. He read an extract from her book a memoir about depression titled Shoot The Damn Dog saying: Killing yourself is anyway a misnomer, we do not kill ourselves, we are simply defeated by the long, hard struggle to stay alive. The hearing was told that the writer, from St Leonards-on-Sea, was in crisis in March and had been in contact with a private psychiatrist and a GP, and had been referred to local mental health services for help. That help did not come, said Mr Healy-Pratt. She had not been contacted by the mental health services as agreed. A referral was made again in April and it was agreed she was out of crisis at this stage, but up-to-date health records including a concerned letter from her private psychiatrist was not provided to the relevant services. The letter said Miss Brampton was having strong suicidal thoughts as well as feelings of hopelessness. It added that she had spent most of the week in bed and had hardly left the house. And Miss Brampton had disengaged from local services and had painted a very jaundiced view of them, it said. Mr Healy-Pratt said: I certainly find that there was a missed opportunity to assist Sally in March 2016. Miss Brampton, pictured, was described as a 'bright star with extraordinary talents, kindness and warmth' He added that more information should have been provided about Miss Bramptons condition in the re-referral. However we dont know that those missed opportunities would have changed Sallys outcome and that is an important factor, the coroner said. He added that he was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Miss Brampton wanted to walk into the sea and he recorded a verdict of suicide. Miss Bramptons friend Emma Ridout said: She didnt have any confidence in the NHS helping her. Christine Henham, a general manager at Hastings and Rother mental health services, said lessons had been learned and staff are now urged to show more curiosity in gathering information about patients. Miss Brampton had studied fashion at Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design before starting at Vogue. She was fashion editor at The Observer before launching Elle at the age of 30 in the 1980s. Jeremy Paxman hit out at a UKIP leadership hopeful after she called for physical checks on incoming child migrants to verify their age. Suzanne Evans, who is bidding to replace Nigel Farage as leader of the party, claimed 'grown men' were coming from the Calais 'Jungle' camp and said the situation was 'disgraceful'. She added the British people were 'clearly angry' about taking in 'men who need to shave'. Jeremy Paxman, pictured, asked UKIP leadership hopeful Suzanne Evans if she had any compassion after she questioned the ages of child migrants coming to the UK from Calais Her words prompted an outburst from Paxman, who said 'have you no compassion?' They were appearing on ITV political show The Agenda, and the former Newsnight presenter was cheered by the audience when he took on Ms Evans over her comments. When presenter Tom Bradby asked Ms Evans if she supported dental checks called for last week by Tory MP David Davies, she said: 'We have children in this country who are languishing in children's homes who can't find foster homes who can't find adoptive parents - they are there having their lives destroyed and we are taking in grown men from the 'Jungle'. 'I think that's absolutely wrong and I think as a matter of principle - I know it's very difficult to check someone's age - but we had a vote in parliament of the Dubs agreement to bring in child refugees from the Jungle and they did not vote to bring in men who are clearly not children - who need to buy razors and shave. 'And I think the British people are really angry about that. We are a compassionate nation and we want to help kids. 'If we didn't have such uncontrolled immigration perhaps we could take more. How dare we bring in people who are really not the people in most need.' After being challenged by Paxman, she added: 'Of course I have compassion. How dare you accuse me of not having any compassion. Just because I can see a system is being abused here.' But the veteran journalist did not stop there and questioned why she should be able to 'determine' who is or is not a child. Children have been arriving in the UK from Calais for more than a week, with those who have relatives already living in the country treated as priority cases. But critics have argued some of those arriving are older than they claim to be and it has prompted a fierce row that has even involved Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker. Ms Evans, pictured, claimed migrants who were 'clearly not children' were arriving and that was 'angering' the British public Some appeared older than typical teenagers, including one who was rated by an online facial recognition program as having the features of a 38-year-old. Officials insist the migrants have undergone rigorous interviews and document checks to establish they are aged under 18, adding that the children may appear older 'because war has toughened them up'. But it has emerged that this is simply a screening process where they are verified as a child based on their 'physical appearance' and 'demeanour', with social workers signing off an 'age assessment'. A man has been charged with the murder of an eight-year-old girl and her father who both died in a deliberate house fire. Daniel Jones, 28, will appear in court today after Kiera and father Andrew Broadhead, 42, died in the devastating blaze last Wednesday. Mother and wife Sara, 35, and the couple's 12-year-old daughter, Mia, survived after escaping through an upstairs window. Andrew Broadhead, 42, and his eight-year-old daughter, Kiera (both pictured) died in the devastating blaze on October 19 while mother, Sara, 35, and 12-year-old Mia survived Devastated: Sara Broadhead, 35, and her daughter Mia, 12, escaped the blaze on Wednesday Family: Mr and Mrs Broadhead are pictured with their children Mia (left) and Kiera (right) Jones, from Knottingley, West Yorkshire, will appear at Leeds Magistrates' Court, West Yorkshire, charged with murder and arson with intent in respect of the fire. He was arrested on Saturday evening in connection with the fatal fire in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. He was also charged with burgling another property. Jones was one of two men arrested over the murder, the other a 24-year-old who was bailed pending further inquiries. The surviving mother and daughter returned to the house last week and in a poignant and tear-jerking letter, Mia wrote: 'I love you to the moon' to her father and sister. She wrote: 'To Daddy and sissy Keira. I love you to the moon and back and much more. Mia left this note to her father and sister at the scene of the house fire where they died 'Come back. Come back, we need you.' 'I miss you like there's none of me left. The pair were distraught as they looked at flowers and read cards for their loved ones today - and placed their own letters at the scene in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. They also paid tribute to Mr Broadhead, their 'brave hero' who risked his life to save them both - before perishing in the flames as he tried to save his youngest. Speaking on behalf of the family, Mrs Broadhead said: 'Andy was a brave hero who managed to save the lives of his wife and eldest daughter. 'Unfortunately he couldn't save our youngest daughter Kiera and gave his own life trying to save hers. 'He was a very kind man and Kiera was a vibrant, independent loving girl. Our whole family are absolutely devastated by their loss. 'If Andy and Kiera were here they would be overwhelmed by the kindness and support they have been shown. 'We just want to thank everyone in the community and everyone who has supported us so far.' Investigation: Police launched a murder investigation yesterday after it was discovered that accelerant may have been used in the blaze, which they are treating as suspicious Police probe: The family home in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, was still cordoned off today The fire broke out at around 4.20am on Wednesday, hours after the family returned from holiday in Spain on Tuesday. It is not known what caused the blaze. Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Bryar said: 'This is a terrible incident which has robbed a family of a husband and their youngest daughter. Following enquiries, we are now treating it as a murder enquiry. 'The seat of the fire appears to have been by the front door and we are investigating the possibility that an accelerant was poured through the letter box. A South Carolina attorney who stole more than $200,000 from her sorority sisters and kept it hidden in a shoebox in her closet has been jailed. Jennifer Elizabeth Meehan, 40, previously admitted to defrauding the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority at the University of Alabama out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in a scam involving construction of a $14million sorority house. This week, she was sentenced to six months in prison, followed by 18 months of home confinement and 40 months supervised probation. She must also serve eight hours a week community service and was fined $50,000, Alabama.com reports. Jennifer Elizabeth Meehan, 40, previously admitted to defrauding the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority at the University of Alabama out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in a scam involving construction of a $14 million sorority house The shoebox that the stolen money was kept in is seen above. U.S. District Court Judge Madeline Haikala said she was confused as to why Meehan had stolen the cash because she didn't appear to have a drug habit or be deep in debt The contents of the shoebox is seen above. Meehan claims she didn't steal the money for herself but was planning to use it for a scholarship program and other sorority expenses Meehan, a former Alabama sorority sister, was tasked with furnishing the sorority house between September 2013 and March 2015 in her volunteer role as president of the House Corporation Board of the Epsilon Lambda Chapter of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. But she was arrested last year after investigators found she had defrauded the sorority out of nearly $400,000 by submitting false invoices for equipment and furnishings for the huge new complex in Tuscaloosa. That furniture never arrived. Instead Meehan pocketed the cash herself. Incredibly, Meehan claims she didn't steal the money for herself but was planning to use it for a scholarship program and other sorority expenses. However, prosecutors scoffed at the claims U.S. District Court Judge Madeline Haikala said she was confused as to why Meehan had stolen the cash because she didn't appear to have a drug habit or be deep in debt. Meehan, a former Alabama sorority sister, was tasked with furnishing the the sorority house (pictured being built) between September 2013 and March 2015 'This is extremely bizarre conduct,' she said. According to court documents Meehan opened an account with First Citizens Bank under a fake name. In September and November of 2014, Meehan submitted the false invoices totaling about $375,000 to Greek Resource Services - a firm that handles the finances for fraternities and sororities at UA. The company then withdrew money from Gamma Phi Beta's account and handed Meehan two checks for the total - which she deposited into her fake account. Meehan then wired that money into a personal business account at another bank, the court heard. She withdrew some money and placed it in individual labelled envelopes in a show box she kept in her closet. According to her memorandum, the money was to go towards a sorority scholarship program. Meehan (pictured are her sorority sisters) was arrested last year after investigators found she had defrauded the sorority out of nearly $400,000 by submitting false invoices for equipment and furnishings for the huge new complex in Tuscaloosa 'After she was indicted, through counsel, Jennifer turned in the handwritten ledger along with all funds stored in the labeled envelopes to the government,' according to her memorandum. Meehan insisted she never planned to 'abscond' with the cash but admitted she had got caught up in her 'own fantasy' and should not have kept it in a shoe box. 'I wasn't thinking as an attorney but like a ... sorority girl,' she said. However Assistant U.S. Attorney David Estes dismissed the scholarship claims and branded Meehan a con artist. 'It strains credulity to believe that anyone in her position, and considering all of her fraudulent conduct over the course of this scheme, was keeping that amount of cash, all of it stolen, in her closet for an eventual scholarship program,' he wrote. He told the court she had been submitting false invoices for years. 'This is just another con,' he said. In July, Meehan took a plea bargain and pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud. Another seven charges were dismissed under the agreement. Under the plea agreement, Meehan agreed to forfeit $234,648, and pay an additional restitution of $34,815 to Greek Resource Services. Around $150,000 was seized before it was transferred to her personal account. Between the cash recovered from her and home and her bank accounts, the sorority has recovered all its stolen money. South Australia has been named in the top five must-see regions in the world for 2017 by travel guide Lonely Planet. Lonely Planet's 'Best in Travel' features a collection of the world's hottest trends, destinations and experiences and describes South Australia as a 'delicious feast suitable to anyone's taste.' 'Its climate may be hot, but South Australia offers the coolest mix of brilliant wine country, abundant produce festivals, stark and stunning tracts of picturesque Aussie outback and crowd-free beaches that could make even the Bahamas jealous,' writes the publication's Chris Zeiher. Scroll down for video South Australia has been named in the top five must-see regions in the world for next year by travel guide Lonely Planet (Adelaide pictured) The 61-kilometre Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail, which runs along the state's coastline (pictured), was also named in the guide under 'Best New Openings' Two women enjoying a day out in the Barossa Valley in South Australia 'South Australia offers the coolest mix of brilliant wine country,' wrote travel guide Lonely Planet (Barossa valley pictured) The Australian state was ranked fifth on the book's list of top ten regions to visit behind Choquequirao in Peru, Taranaki in New Zealand, The Azores in Portugal and North Wales in the UK. South Australia was the only Australian destination named on the list and follows the publication's endorsement of Adelaide when the state's capital was ranked in the top ten cities in the world to visit in 2014. The 61-kilometre Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail, which runs along the state's coastline, was also named in the guide under 'Best New Openings'. Tourism Minister Leon Bignell said he was thrilled South Australia has been recognised by the world-renowned travel book. 'From the state's far north to Kangaroo Island and everything in between, South Australia is home to some of the world's most picturesque scenery, diverse regions and amazing food and wine,' he said. Tourists contribute almost $6 billion to the South Australian economy each year and tourism jobs have grown by 4000 in the past two years, Mr Bignell said. A visitor to South Australia's Kangaroo Island was lucky enough to share the beach with these seals South Australia was the only Australian destination named on the list and follows the publications endorsement of Adelaide (pictured) when the state's capital was ranked in the top ten cities in the world to visit in 2014 Said he 'took a chance' on the gun and still doesn't know if it was a fake Man asked him to open the safe, but he started yelling 'get out' instead Despite being unarmed he tackled men wielding a gun and a machete Stevan Morrow, 48, the manager filmed throwing armed thieves out of a store in Melbourne, has said he is 'not a hero' A hero jewellery store manager who chased gun-toting Apex gangsters from his store said he 'took a chance' on the weapon being fake when he tackled them. Stevan Morrow, 48, also rejected the label of 'hero', saying 'adrenaline just took over' when he saw a gun being pointed at a female member of staff. Despite the terrifying raid Mr Morrow was back at work on Wednesday, where he has been for the last 25 years, saying: 'I don't want them to get the best of me.' CCTV captured the moment three men wielding a gun, a machete and a hammer broke into IMP Jewellery in the upmarket suburb of Toorak at around 11am yesterday. Two of the men, described as being of African descent, begin smashing glass cases and stealing jewels while another with a gun approaches two female staff members. Moments later Mr Morrow appears from a room at the back of the shop before confronting the men. He told Daily Mail Australia: 'My first thought was to make sure the girls were out of the way and then adrenaline took over from there on. This is the moment a hero jewellery store manager confronted a masked robber after he had a gun pointed in his face during a daylight raid in Melbourne 'I was trying to work out in my head whether it was a real gun or not, and I took a chance that it wasn't. 'The man asked me to open the safe but I told him I wasn't going to do that, and then just started shouting at him to get out of the shop. 'The police still don't know if the gun was real. If it was real then I got b***dy lucky!' Mr Morrow added that the store did have another armed raid around 12 years ago, but he has never seen 'something to this extent' before. Asked about his new-found hero status, he said: 'I'm not a hero. What police go through every day, doctors, they're heroes.' The Apex gang have been terrorising parts of Melbourne for months, and are believed to be responsible for multiple break-ins at businesses and private properties around the city, as well as attacks and stabbings. Despite being armed with a gun, a machete and a knife, the men are chased away by the unarmed store manager after he starts shouting at them Dennis Calloway, an owner of the shop, praised the manager's 'extraordinary bravery' and said the thieves would have got away with more if it weren't for him Mr Morrow said that, while he was aware of the problems, he did not think his store would become a target for them. Asked whether he had a message for the raiders, he replied: 'Not one that I want to put into words.' Police are still hunting for the raiders, and so far no arrests have been made. Dennis Calloway, one of the store's owners, said yesterday: 'Stevan showed extraordinary bravery. When we watched the CCTV back we just couldn't believe it. 'The two girls were very scared, very shaken up and he got them to safety. There's no doubt the raiders would have taken more if he hadn't been there. 'They managed to clean out two of the cases, but he stopped them taking anything from the third. 'You just don't know how brave some people are going to be until they're put in that situation. He's the definitely the sort of man you want on the front lines.' As well as chasing the thieves away, the manager also got two female workers to safety, who were described as being 'very shaken' Despite the manager's brave actions, the Apex gang raiders are believed to have escaped with hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of jewellery An 18-year-old Boise State University student who has been missing for a month was found dead in Boise County, Idaho. The body of Sierra Bush, who also goes by the name Simon, was found outdoors in Idaho City on Saturday night, according to KTVB. She had last been seen at her home on Maple Grove and Goddard on Saturday, September 24. Sierra Ashley Bush, who went by Simon, disappeared on September 24 - her parents believe she was the victim of a crime and police are investigating Sierra, also known as Simon, had a 4.0 grade point average and mysteriously disappeared from her home one night near BSU campus It is unclear how she disappeared or ended up in Idaho City, an hour from where she was last seen. She was a freshman at BSU with a 4.0 grade point average and was a scholarship student who was involved in the Creative Writing Club and the Beekeepers Club, according to her mother and stepfather, Bart and Mary Helen Green. They said she seemed 'happy and in good spirits' in the days before her death and 'there was not the slightest sign of any trouble whatsoever.' Police said her death is being investigated as suspicious but it is yet not clear if there was foul play involved. Sierra, who went by Simon, was popular and active in various groups on BSU campus Sierra (also known as Simon)'s mother, Mary Helen (left), said that Sierra 'very talented individual and had so much to offer the world in her future years' 'Sierra's disappearance has been suspicious from the beginning and this is a tragic discovery for everyone who knows her,' Police Sergeant Justin Kendall said in a statement. 'Sierra was not the type to disappear without telling anyone.' He added the place she was found made her disappearance even more suspicious. 'She likely didn't just end up there on her own,' he said at a news conference. 'She just kind of vanished and that's not normal.' Police are not releasing the cause of death. 'My wife and I felt from the very beginning that Sierra was the victim of a crime,' Bart Green told KBOI. Police are trying to reach the person who called in about finding Sierra's body. 'It is with profound sadness that we acknowledge the death of one of our students. Sierra Bush, who also went by Simon, was a part of our campus for a brief time, but their presence was felt by many,' the college's Gender Equity Center posted on Facebook. park as she walked home from class in 2014 She was attacked in a An ice addict who raped and killed a French exchange student in a random attack has been sentenced to life in prison. Benjamin James Milward, 28, will spend at least 20 years behind bars for brutally raping Sophie Collombet and leaving her for dead in a Brisbane park. Milward was high on ice when he attacked Ms Collombet as she walked home from a night class at Griffith University on March 27, 2014. Scroll down for video Benjamin James Milward, 28, will spend at least 20 years behind bars for brutally raping Sophie Collombet (pictured) and leaving her for dead in a Brisbane park Milward (pictured) was high on ice when he attacked Ms Collombet as she walked home from a night class at Griffith University on March 27, 2014 Parents of murdered French student Sophie Collombet, mother Corinne (right) and father Guy (left), listen to her brother Lionel as he speaks to the media outside the Supreme Court in Brisbane on Wednesday The family of Sophie Collombet mother Corinne (centre) and father Guy (left) at Brisbane Supreme Court on Wednesday He raped the 21-year-old before leaving her naked on a bench covered only by a jacket and newspaper. Milward then threw her possessions in the Brisbane River and fled the state. The court heard Ms Collombet was alive for several hours after the assault and died from extensive injuries to her head. Passers-by thought she was a sleeping homeless person and did not call for help, and it was not until a rough sleeper went to check on her that paramedics were finally contacted. But by then it was too late. Milward confessed to police when he was arrested in New South Wales' Coffs Harbour 10 days after the attack. Ms Collombet's family (pictured) flew from France to watch the sentencing An ice addict who raped and killed French exchange student Sophie Collombet in a random attack has been sentenced to life in prison A cross bearing the name and photo of murdered French student Sophie Collombet is seen at the scene of the crime in Brisbane in 2014 He pleaded guilty earlier this month to both rape and murder but the court heard he never intended to kill Ms Collombet. Milward was sentenced to life in prison with a non-parole period of 20 years. Ms Collombet's family flew from France to watch the sentencing. Punters planning on dressing up for the Melbourne Cup next Tuesday may have to consider accessorising with stylish umbrellas, as forecasters are predicting rain. A cold front moving across Victoria this weekend is expected to send temperatures lower and bring rain to Flemmington Racecourse on Tuesday afternoon - just as punters line the track for the 'race that stops the nation'. Temperatures will reach a maximum of around 18 degrees, but racegoers will feel the chill as a brisk wind sweeps through in the afternoon, according to the forecast. Punters set to debut their Spring Racing Carnival finery may have to think about accessorising with a stylish umbrella as forecasters have warned it may rain for the Melbourne Cup The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) is warning of a 'couple of showers' as the race day comes to a close, but said the majority of rain will fall in Melbourne's eastern and southern suburbs. 'It is not looking like a really wet day but there is a chance of a couple of showers in the afternoon,' BOM forecaster Michael Efron told Daily Mail Australia. Forecaster's at Weatherzone said there would be a mixture of sunshine and grey clouds throughout the day, with only a small chance of a shower in the afternoon. 'You may even get away with not taking a brolly at this stage but the wind will be brisk enough to make it feel quite cool,' forecaster Brett Dutschke said. Revellers are not expected to be caught out like racegoers at the Cox Plate on Saturday. Revellers are not expected to be caught out like racegoers at the Cox Plate on Saturday One woman should have replaced her stiletto's for gumboots after heavy rain on Saturday But the unexpected storm did not dampen the spirits of racegoers, with some huddling under umbrellas A man and woman in rain attire stand on the track as others battle with their umbrella's in the rain A group of gentlemen take advantage of an umbrella set up to shield punters from the sun WHAT IS THE FORECAST FOR THE MELBOURNE CUP? Partly cloudy with a medium chance of showers in the afternoon. Punter's are expected feel the chill with northwesterly winds reaching 15 to 25 kilometres per hour. Min: 8 degrees Max: 18 degrees Source: Bureau of Meteorology Advertisement Punters were seen holding racing papers above their heads or dashing for cover as a heavy rain storm rolled through North Melbourne causing temperatures to drop to 10 degrees. The ominous forecast comes as judges whittle down the finalists for the prestigious race day's Fashion on the Field, with blue varying from pastels to a deep sapphire dominating the remaining contestant's colour palette. Wearing brightly coloured fascinators and designer garb, the women posed alongsie their competition at Flemmington Racecourse on Wednesday. Director Kevin Epps, above, was arrested Monday but given the clear in a shooting case on Tuesday Prosecutors won't file criminal charges against a San Francisco filmmaker and community activist who was arrested in connection with a fatal shooting, it was announced Tuesday night. The district attorney has found insufficient evidence to immediately press charges against Kevin Epps, who has been making films for two decades in the Bay area, documenting the hard life of its grittiest neighborhoods, according to The San Francisco Chronicle. Epps, who grew up in Bayview-Hunters Point, was arrested on suspicion of murder Monday afternoon after police found a 45-year-old man, identified as Marcus Polk, Sr. shot to death in his house on the 100 block of Addison Street in Glen Park. On July 8, 2011, Kevin Epps, center, attended at a de Young Artist Fellows event in San Francisco Epps, here with director Spike Lee, has been making films about the rougher sections of San Francisco for two decades Epps was well-known in the San Francisco area for his artistic films, here with Jamie Foxx Polk's son, Marcus Polk, Jr. was reportedly Epps' stepson and living at Epps' house, and his father was homeless, but would come to Epps' house occasionally unannounced, reported CBS San Francisco. 'He showed up out of the blue today and from what Ive been told, he made a comment that she doesnt really like you,'' Marcus Polk Jr. told the outlet. 'I think thats what did it. And he shot a man in the back.' On Monday, neighbors console each other as word spread about the fatal shooting of Polk at the house of Epps 'Hed show up out of the blue when he was out of jail,' a neighbor told SF Gate of Polk Sr. Polk Sr. was a registered sex offender with prior convictions for attempted robbery and domestic battery, according to the outlet. The 48-year-old Epps is best known for his 2001 movie 'Straight Outta Hunters Point,' which explored the devastation of the San Francisco neighborhood where he was raised. Oakland rapper Mistah F.A.B., who was featured in Epps' 2006 documentary, 'Rap Dreams' and whose real name is Stanley Fox told the outlet, 'This is one of the last things I would expect to hear. Hes one of those guys that you idolize.' The mother of a toddler found dead in the roof of her family home giggled and repeatedly lied to the triple zero operator when she reported her daughter missing, a Victorian court has heard. Peta-Ann Francis also told the Victorian Supreme Court she lied to police when giving statements about her missing two-year-old daughter, Nikki Francis Coslovich, who sustained fatal blunt force trauma injuries. However, she denied accusations of calling her toddler a 'little cow', that she had confessed to killing Nikki, and that she repeatedly throwing the child against a bed and hitting her, the Herald Sun reported. The toddler's body was discovered in the roof cavity of the family's Mildura home after Ms Francis reported her missing around 3.30pm on August 25 last year. Her former partner John Clifford Torney, 32, is on trial for murdering Nikki. Scroll down for video Peta-Ann Francis (pictured) has admitted lying to a triple zero operator while reporting her daughter missing Nikki's body was discovered in the roof cavity of the family's Mildura home after Ms Francis reported her missing around 3.30pm on August 25 last year John Torney, Ms Francis's boyfriend, is facing trial for the girl's murder Crown prosecutors allege Torney bashed the 15kg toddler to death but the defence says Ms Francis killed her own daughter. The pathologist who conducted the autopsy previously gave evidence that the injuries Nikki sustained were akin to those seen in high-speed car crashes. Ms Francis told Torney's trial in Mildura on Tuesday she saw Nikki twice the day she died, once when she was playing in the sandpit and later after Torney had put her down for a nap, when she just saw her hair. Peta-Ann Francis leaves after giving evidence in the murder trial of her former partner, John Clifford Torney, at the Victorian Supreme Court in Mildura Ms Francis admitted lying, however, denied several other accusations put to her by Torney's barrister The body of the toddler was found in the ceiling of the home In her call to the triple zero operator, which was played to the court, she says she last saw Nikki about 11 o'clock when she put her down for a nap. Asked by defence barrister Julie Condon if that was a lie, she said, 'Yes.' She admitted she told four lies to the triple zero operator and that she giggled during the call. She also admitted telling a series of lies to the police officers who took her statements. Ms Francis cried several times under intense cross-examination on the seventh day of the trial. The court had previously heard Sergeant Kaare Anderson, who responded to the missing person report, thought it was 'very odd' that Ms Francis was smiling and appeared happy when telling police her daughter was missing. Ms Francis told the trial 'having the cops at my house makes me nervous'. 'It's a nervous smirk that I have,' Ms Francis said. She denied Ms Condon's assertion that she referred to her daughter as 'the little cow'. Ms Francis had told the court earlier she sometimes psychically disciplined her children but never laid a hand on her two-year-old daughter. 'Not hard, it was just a tap. I've never hurt my children,' Ms Francis said. During questioning from Torney's barrister, She also denied saying to him: 'no, honestly, I think Ive gone too far with her [Nikki] ... We need to get rid of the body. 'You told JT you had a brother who was a police officer ... (who) would take care of everything.' In addition, she denied leaving the house to give him time to dispose of the body, the Herald Sun reported. The trial continues before Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth. Fallon's drinking made headlines last year after he suffered three injuries within five months during or after alleged nights out A Fallon insider also shot down rumors he was 'insanely jealous' of Late Late Show host and Carpool Karaoke star James Corden Greenblatt said no warning of any kind was given to the Late Night host NBC Chairman Bob Greenblatt said any suggestions the network was worried about Fallon's behavior were 'completely false' Source said they worried something could happen 'while he's out drinking' NBC has flat-out denied a new report that Jimmy Fallon was warned to decrease his drinking habit by the network's senior executives. An insider reportedly told Page Six that executives were starting to fear that the late-night host's boozing had become 'out of control' and that 'something could happen while hes out drinking'. But the Peacock Network was quick to release a denial on Tuesday night and an insider told Daily Mail Online that things have never been better for Fallon's show. 'Any suggestion that we have concerns about his behavior or have given him any kind of "warning" is completely false,' NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt said in a statement. NBC has denied a new report that Jimmy Fallon (pictured here on Tuesday's episode with Ethan Hawke) was warned to decrease his drinking habit by the network's senior executives An insider reportedly told Page Six that executives were starting to fear that the late-night host's boozing had become 'out of control'. Fallon is pictured with Katie Couric in 2013 'Jimmy Fallon is one of NBC's biggest assets and we're extremely proud that The Tonight Show continues to be the late-night leader in all metrics, including ratings and social media awareness.' Greenblatt said Fallon was in a 'class by himself' and had been chosen to host the upcoming Golden Globes in January. The Fallon insider also shot down rumors that the host was 'insanely jealous' of Late Late Show host James Corden. Sources told Page Six that a few of Fallon's 'key staff members' had left to work for the Carpool Karaoke star at CBS. 'There's been some upheaval, and Jimmy hasn't handled it well,' the source claimed. 'He's at the top of his game, but he's insecure.' But the insider told Daily Mail Online that there was only 'respect and positive feelings' between Fallon and Corden and the 'manufactured rumors of competitiveness didn't make any sense'. The hard numbers seem to point to that. Fallon has dominated his 11.35pm time slot, pulling in an average of 3.43 million viewers earlier this month. Fallon's drinking made national headlines early last year after he injured himself three times within five months in 2015 - most seriously hurting his left ring finger (pictured July 2015) The Tonight Show host nearly severed his finger when his wedding band caught on a table at his home in June 2015 and nearly ripped it off. He had to take two weeks off from work Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel, who share the same slot, by comparison have pulled 2.75 million and 2.24 million viewers respectively. Corden, who is in the 12.35 slot and does not directly compete with Fallon, received an average of 1.31 million viewers, according to the Nielsen Ratings. Fallon's drinking habits made national headlines early last year after he injured himself three times within five months in 2015. The Tonight Show host nearly severed his finger when his wedding band caught on a table at his home in June 2015 and nearly ripped it off. Fallon spent 10 days in the ICU and had to take two weeks off from his top-rated show during his recovery. Hours before the injury, Fallon had been seen dining and sipping on wine at the Italian restaurant Scalinatella in Manhattan's Upper East Side. Just eight weeks after he nearly lost his finger, Fallon revealed to his fans that he had chipped a tooth while grabbing medication for his hand. Close call: Fallon almost lost his ring finger in June of last year (left) and then in October of 2015, Fallon injured his other hand (right) and had to be rushed to the hospital after he fell on broken glass during a Harvard University appearance Painful: Jimmy shows off his injured ring finger on the red carpet of the Emmys Swollen: Fallon demonstrates to the red carpet interviewer how close he came to losing his finger Fallon has become beloved for subjecting celebrities to countless drinking games on his lighthearted late-night show (pictured with Fergie in 2012) Then in October, Fallon injured his other hand and had to be rushed to the hospital after he fell on broken glass during a Harvard University appearance. Fallon had been holding a bottle of Jagermeister and greeting fans when he tripped over a woman who had bent down in front of him at a party, causing him to fall and land on the broken glass. He was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital, but soon returned to the Cambridge event, where Instagram photos showed he continued partying with his hand wrapped in bandages. Fallon later shared a picture of the injury with his fans, writing: 'Nothing that a few Band-Aids couldn't fix.' Most recently, Fallon was seen partying with his show's staff at a punk bar in Manhattan following the first presidential debate in September. Sources told the New York Post that Fallon was 'very drunk' during a staff outing at Manitoba's Bar in the East Village neighborhood. Page Six claims the recent outing had sparked new concerns about higher-ups at NBC. One Fallon source told the site that Fallon is a 'heavy drinker' who 'sees himself as somebody who needs image rehabilitation'. But another friend said Fallon, a father-of-two, has 'cut back on his drinking'. Last year NBC extended the host's Late Show contract to 2021 and announced a Universal Orlando ride based on Fallon's show, dubbed 'Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon', would open in 2017. He also told the court he heard Pilcher confess to the murder He said the argument erupted over photos he took with Ms Henderson Her new boyfriend gave evidence at Townsville Magistrates Court Former soldier is charged with murdering his ex-partner at her apartment A former soldier is accused of stabbing his former partner to death while her new boyfriend listened to confrontation from the bathroom. Dane Andrew Pilcher was charged with murdering Corinne Henderson, 32, at her Idalia apartment in Townsville, Queensland on September 26, 2015. Her boyfriend, Dwayne Wickham, gave evidence on Tuesday in Townsville Magistrates Court during a committal hearing, reported Townsville Bulletin. Corinne Henderson, 32, was allegedly stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend in September, last year Her ex-boyfirend had stormed into her Idalia apartment on Oonoonba Rd in Townsville, Queensland Mr Wickham told the court, the violence was the result of two photos he had taken with Ms Henderson. 'He was talking about the photo that was sent and the photo that he seen [sic] of us two at the races that day,' he said. Mr Wickham also recalled hearing the confrontation end between the pair before hearing a sudden thud on the bathroom door which he believed was Ms Henderson's body. 'He (Pilcher) was talking to himself on the phone telling someone there is blood everywhere, I think I've killed her but I was still in the bathroom.' Her new boyfriend, Dwayne Wickham, gave evidence on Tuesday in Townsville Magistrates Court and said he heard Ms Henderson die while he was in the bathroom Pilcher contacted his former wife Katherine Pilcher after he allegedly stabbed Ms Henderson. 'I can't remember the exact words but he said he thought he had killed her and I just thought maybe they had a domestic or something which absolutely doesn't excuse that,' Ms Pilcher said. She then advised him to call the ambulance in case Ms Henderson was unconscious, the court heard. But Blume is allowed to continue working at his practice to this day A Utah man is fighting for changes to dental procedures after his 22-year-old brother died during a routine procedure at the dentist's office. Jared Wakefield was getting fillings and tooth extractions with Dr Dennis Blume at the Smile Center dental clinic in Provo in June 2014 on the day of his tragic death. The Utah Valley University student began choking when a piece of gauze went down his throat. Blume tried to clear Wakefield's airway but it was too late. He went into cardiac arrest shortly after emergency personnel arrived at the scene. Jared Wakefield, 22, died after a routine dental procedure to get his fillings and tooth extractions removed at the Smile Center clinic in Provo, Utah in June 2014 'We knew the likelihood of him being okay was like one-in-a-million,' Wakefield's brother Robert told KUTV this week. 'He had gone 37 minutes from the time he stopped breathing to the time they got his heart going again.' Dr Dennis Blume, Wakefield's dentist, tried to clear his airway after the college student began choking on a piece of gauze Wakefield died two days later, his official cause of death determined to be anoxic brain injury due to aspiration of a foreign body during a dental procedure. Robert said the family was in complete shock as they prepared to bury Wakefield, who had just recently decided he wanted to become a therapist after helping a suicidal friend. 'He was at the point where he's starting to get life figured out, he knew where he wanted to go and not it was a matter of getting there,' Robert said. 'You've never even heard of something like this happening. For it to go from "hey, he's in a dental procedure" to "hey, he's dead", it's like no, that can't happen'. Robert had thought it was a freak accident, but when he started doing his own research he realized there were many others who had died like his brother. But he was dismayed to find out the actual numbers of deaths at the dentist office weren't tracked in Utah. The state's Division of Occupational and Professional licensing, which oversees more than 4,000 dentists, is not legally required to maintain statistics of death reports. This is despite the fact that dentists must report any injury or death to the DOPL within 30 days. The DOPL did tell KUTV that it releases a newsletter every month stating which professionals have had their licenses subject to disciplinary action. But it was too late. Wakefield (pictured in the hospital following the dental procedure) went into cardiac arrest shortly after emergency personnel arrived at the scene In 2016 five dentists were disciplined by the DOPL, including Dr Blume. Wakefield's dentist has since been banned from performing procedures with general anesthesia after his death, and his license was publicly reprimanded. Blume also had to pay a $2,500 fine and attend an American Dental Association emergency medicine course. State investigators also found that Blume and anesthesiologist Dr David Gutzman also did not meet the 'standard of care' during Wakefield's procedure. They noted that Blume had failed to count the number of gauze pieces he placed in Wakefield's mouth during the procedure. The dentist also did not attach string to the pieces of gauze placed in the back of the mouth, which would have allowed him to pull them out when Wakefield began to choke. It was also found that, due to Wakefield's body mass index, morbid obesity and history of asthma, he should have been treated in a hospital setting instead of a dental office. Wakefield was declared brain dead two days later and passed away, leaving his family in shock Blume was fined $2,500 and had his license publicly reprimanded by the state's Division of Occupational and Professional licensing, but is allowed to continue to work at Smile today A report found that Wakefield had been at an 'elevated risk of airway obstruction given the level of sedation and anesthesia' and his other health factors. Terry Rooney, Blume's attorney, said the dentist believes his treatment of Wakefield was 'appropriate in all respects and has believed so from the outset'. But Robert is now fighting for more transparency, hoping that dentists like Blume will be held more accountable for injuries and deaths. 'You assume they're all held to a certain level of care and you're safe wherever you go,' he said. 'If you're a parent and you've got a three-year-old and something like this had happened, you would want to know about it.' Also says pilots must not wear a backpacks or drink alcohol in uniform Qantas has banned pilots from sporting 'long moustaches' under strict new uniform standards introduced by the Australian airline. Backpacks, chewing gum and drinking alcohol while in uniform are not permitted and pilots are required to wear their jackets more regularly as part of new guidelines introduced on Thursday, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. Qantas pilots were last week issued a guidebook on how to wear their new uniforms, which were unveiled in April. Passangers and crew on a Qantas plane in 1983- Qantas has banned pilots from sporting 'long moustaches' under strict new uniform standards introduced by the Australian airline Qantas pilots were last week issued a guidebook on how to wear their new uniforms (pictured), which were unveiled in April A passanger shops for gift items on a Qantas plane in 1983- Under new guidelines for Qantas pilots handlebar moustaches are not permitted The guide says they won't be recognisable as Qantas pilots when travelling to and from work unless they are wearing their full uniform, which includes a jacket, hat, epaulettes and wings. A survey of nearly 1300 pilots conducted by the Australian and International Pilots Association revealed most were critical of the wing design, epaulettes and badge on their hats. 'They don't call it a uniform, they call it a costume. Everyone has got the s**** that they are trying to make us wear this stuff,' one disgruntled pilot told The Sydney Morning Herald. The guidelines also state pilots must not 'use a backpack or rucksack when in uniform' or 'smoke when in uniform in view of the public'. The popular annual Movember fundraising event, which Qantas has previously endorsed, may be difficult for pilots as the new code says 'long moustaches such as handlebar, horseshoe (or trucker) and similar styles are unacceptable.' A moustache is allowed but the pilot's upper lip must be clearly visible. Qantas Chief Pilot Captain Richard Tobiano said when it comes to uniforms, maintaining a professional standard was very important. 'It's a reflection of the professionalism of our pilots. I know that our pilots are very proud and feel privileged to fly for Qantas and to wear the uniform, which not only looks fantastic but also pays tribute to the history of our airline and profession,' he said in a statement. The moustache has been popular among Qantas pilots over the airline's history (1974-1985 uniforms pictured left) There have been reports saying he could receive up to $10million in the settlement, but his lawyer has said those reports are untrue Hot mic caught him joking with Donald Trump about groping women and saying that Days of Our Lives soap star Arianne Zucker was 'hot as s***' The TV host was suspended after an Access Hollywood tape from 2005 was leaked to The Washington Post by someone at NBC Sources say executives at different networks are already considering Bush for their own shows Billy Bush confirmed that he was leaving NBC after 15 years last week Billy Bush is already being considered for a new TV role one week after being fired from Today following his role in Trump 'grab them by the p****' tape. 'Executives at different networks are already discussing if Billy is hire-able and if they can bring him on to any of their shows as a personality,' a source told Us Weekly. Networks are talking about which shows he would be a good fit for or 'if the public would need a break from him before bringing him on a show,' the source added. Scroll down for video Billy Bush (pictured last month) is already being considered for a new TV role one week after being fired from 'Today' following his role in Trump 'grab them by the p****' tape The TV host confirmed he was leaving NBC last week after more than 15 years on the network. Bush said in a statement: 'I am deeply grateful for the conversations I've had with my daughters, and for all of the support from family, friends and colleagues. I look forward to what lies ahead.' His exit comes one week after he was suspended by NBC for comments he made during a 2005 Access Hollywood interview with Donald Trump. Bush, 45, had just started his new job in August. A report on Friday claimed that Bush could be walking away with $10million, but his lawyer said in a statement that this figure was inaccurate. Over and out: Billy Bush (above) confirmed last week night that he was parting ways with NBC after 15 years with the network Exact details of the settlement are not known at this time. It does not include a non-compete clause, so Bush can look for jobs at rivals stations according to an individual with knowledge of the settlement agreement. Bush joined NBC's flagship morning show in August after signing a deal that was said to be worth $3.5million a year. Bush's attorney Marshall Grossman spoke with The Hollywood Reporter last week about the 2005 interview with Trump over, saying that his client would have been risking his job if he had not laughed at Trump's statements and made lewd comments of his own. 'If Billy had been passive or responded 'Shut the f*** up' to Trump, Billy would have been out of a job the next day,' said Grossman. That was not the case however according to Trump's wife Melania, who said that Bush 'egged' her husband on and got him to say 'dirty and bad stuff' in an interview with Anderson Cooper on Monday evening. According to TMZ, NBC had been sitting on the tape in hopes of releasing it before the second debate on Sunday to have the biggest possible impact on the election. His exit comes one week after he was suspended by NBC for comments he made during a 2005 Access Hollywood interview with Donald Trump (pictured) Many executives at the network have an 'open disdain' for Trump according to the report. That plan was changed however with Hurricane Matthew and the tape release was pushed back to Monday, a move that reportedly made at least one individual inside the organization so angry that they decided to leak the audio to The Washington Post. A source at NBC told DailyMail.com that the network at no point tried to edit Bush out of the damning tape, despite reports to the contrary that have emerged over the past few days. In the tape, Bush can be heard calling actress Arianne Zucker, who was then on Days of Our Lives, a 'hot as s***,' and also saying nothing while Trump goes on about his co-host Nancy O'Dell. 'I did try and f*** her. She was married,' Trump tells Bush on the tapes, the transcript of which was first published by The Washington Post on Friday. Different story: Melania Trump said that Bush 'egged' her husband on and got him to say 'dirty and bad stuff' in an interview with Anderson Cooper on Monday evening (above) Trump went on to say: 'I moved on her like a b****, but I couldn't get there. And she was married. Then all of a sudden I see her, she's now got the big phony tits and everything. She's totally changed her look.' Bush later apologized, but according to one insider that was not enough for the network. Bush, who is married with three teenage daughters, released a statement shortly after the 2005 tape surfaced two weeks ago. 'Obviously I'm embarrassed and ashamed. It's no excuse, but this happened eleven years ago. I was younger, less mature, and acted foolishly in playing along. I'm very sorry,' said Bush, who was 33 at the time. Tabalbag's lawyer said he was not A man who shouted 'this is what happens' as he repeatedly stabbed his partner's lover with a kitchen knife is a 'non violent, non-aggressive man', a court has heard. Roy Tabalbag, 31, has admitted to killing 30-year-old Amin Sthapit after finding him in bed with his long-term girlfriend Geecy Rebucas at their Darling Point unit in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs in November 2013. But Tabalbag has claimed he is not guilty of murder as he could not see reason after witnessing the affair, telling the NSW Supreme Court on Wednesday that he was 'provoked'. Scroll down for video Roy Tabalbag (pictured) has told a court he is not guilty of murder as he could not see reason after witnessing his girlfriend in bed with the man he stabbed to death Amin Sthapit died in Tabalbag's home after he found the chef naked in bed with his girlfiend Crown prosecutor Braddon Hughes SC told the court Tabalbag saw the pair having sex through a partially opened front door and flew into a rage. Fearing for his safety, Mr Sthapit hid in a bathroom while Tabalbag unlatched the security chain and entered the unit, the court heard. Tabalbag then allegedly forced open the bathroom door and started stabbing Mr Sthapit. The court heard Tabalbag then continued chasing Mr Sthapit around the bed the 30-year-old had been sharing with Ms Rebucas - stabbing him again with the large kitchen blade. The court has heard Geecy Rebucas (left) and Tabalbag (right) were in a 'loving relationship' and that the murder accused is not a 'violent or aggressive' man Mr Hughes said Tabalbag, who moved from the Philippines with Ms Rebucas, yelled, 'why' and 'look, this is what happens' during the attack. Ms Rebucas desperately tried to stop the attack, instead placing blame on herself for the affair in an attempt to draw his attention away from Mr Sthapit, the court heard. 'Leave him alone. It's my fault,' she yelled. Mr Sthapit was in a critical condition with numerous stab wounds to his torso when paramedics arrived. He went into cardiac arrest and died at the scene. Ms Rebucas (left) desperately tried to stop the attack, instead placing blame on herself for the affair in an attempt to draw Tabalbag's (right) attention away from Mr Sthapit The Crown said Tabalbag used an iPhone app to confirm Ms Rebucas' was not where she said she would be and planned the killing after that. But defence barrister Belinda Rigg SC has argued the attack was more 'frenzied' than premeditated. Tabalbag left the weapon, which he grabbed once inside the home, at the scene of the crime and still had blood on him and in his car when he drove to a police station, the court heard. Tabalbag grabbed the large kitchen knife (pictured) from inside the house and left it there after stabbing Mr Sthapit to death Ms Rigg said it was her expectation that the jury would hear her client (left and right) was a 'completely non-violent and non-aggressive person' Ms Rebucas met Mr Sthapit at the Golden Sheaf Hotel (pictured) where he was the head chef Ms Rigg said it was her expectation that the jury would hear her client was a 'completely non-violent and non-aggressive person'. 'You'll hear this was nothing other than a completely loving, respectful and non-violent relationship,' she told the court on Wednesday. Tabalbag wept in court as his former lover, who he first met in high school, entered the witness box. Ms Rebucas covered her face as she entered the court wearing a dark green knitted poncho Tabalbag's murder trial will continue in the New South Wales Supreme Court (pictured) Ms Rebucas worked at The Golden Sheaf Hotel, in Sydney's Double Bay, where she met Mr Sthapit who worked in the kitchen as head chef. She covered her face as she entered the court on Wednesday wearing a dark green knitted poncho. Furious relatives of a gangster shot dead on his driveway have lashed out at reporters and fought with police outside the man's home. Hamad Assaad, 29, a known contract killer, was gunned down in broad daylight on Monday morning in front of his 12-year-old son for allegedly bragging about killing Walid 'Wally' Ahmad - another infamous gang figure. Family members of Assaad, including one man who said he was his brother, were filmed by 9 News on Wednesday shoving over news cameras outside his Georges Hill property. Family members of Hamad Assaad, 29, a reputed gangland hitman gunned down on his doorstep on Monday, have lashed out at reporters and police outside his home One man even mooned at news crews after the same group were seen scuffling with police earlier in the day on Wednesday The men hurled a string of abuse at waiting reporters before launching the extraordinary attack after also scuffling with police. Speaking to reporters at the scene, one man said: 'My brother died, OK? You are not allowed to film this. Get these f***ing cameras out of here.' Hamad Assaad, 29, was gunned down in front of his son in Sydney's south-west Another man then storms over, attempting to push two of the cameras over before hitting out at some tripods standing nearby. He is eventually moved away by a third man wearing a black shirt, but soon comes back and begins shouting again. The first man continues: 'We're going to talk nice. If you put me on video... you are not allowed to put me on video. F*** off.' Meanwhile the second man approaches in the background before dropping his shorts and mooning the cameras. 'F*** off you s***,' he can be heard shouting. Hamad Assaad was a suspect in the shooting of Walid 'Wally' Ahmad, who was gunned down in April in the car park of Bankstown Central this year. Two gunmen ambushed Assaad before fleeing the scene, leaving him riddled with bullets in front of his son, who he was preparing to take to school. There are reports Assaad had been shot in the head when he collapsed on the driveway at 9.20am, dying shortly afterwards. Another man claiming to be Assaad's brother threatened those outside the home, saying 'you're not allowed to film me' and telling them to 'get the f***ing camera out of here' It is thought that Assaad was gunned down in revenge for bragging about shooting infamous gangster Walid 'Wally' Ahmad back in April A man similar in appearance to the men filmed today was seen outside Assaad's house shortly after the shooting, speaking with officers Assaad was involved in numerous murders and shootings, and police believe he may be the shooter behind Ahmad's high-profile killing. It has also been reported that the 29-year-old had boasted about the attack on Ahmad - known as the 'Mr Big' of Sydney's crime world. Assaad was well known to police, and detectives from the State Crime Commisison, Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad and officers from the south-west Sydney region are investigating. Several of the men seen outside Assaad's house after he died were also filmed lashing out at cameramen on Wednesday 'Wally' Ahmed died after being shot back in April, despite the efforts of paramedics to revive him at the scene (pictured) Officers described the attack as a 'targeted shooting', and are currently scouring CCTV footage from businesses and homes in the area. Photos showed the man's body laying in the driveway covered by a white sheet, and a large amount of blood could be seen on the concrete beside him. Hopoate, 42, is accused of threatening a shop owner and stealing Former NRL player John Hopoate will return to court next year for a hearing after pleading not guilty to charges relating to his continuing feud with a neighbouring business owner. The 42-year-old entered not guilty pleas at Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court to charges of contravening an Apprehended Personal Violence Order, intimidation and stealing on Wednesday. While most men attending court on serious charges choose a smart suit and tie option, Hopoate preferred a more casual look choosing a jacket over a t-shirt, torn jeans and loafers without socks. John Hopoate appeared at Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday Last month he spent a night behind bars after an alleged confrontation with Carmelo De Velli, the owner of a Crows Nest fruit shop on Sydney's north shore that is next to a deli in which Hopoate owns a 75 per cent stake. Hopoate had confronted Mr De Velli a few days after the fruit shop owner had pushed his way into the deli and began measuring floor space, Manly Local Court heard in September. Hopoate, who played for Manly, Wests Tigers and Northern Eagles, denied assaulting Mr De Velli and a further accusation he stole a bottle of coconut water from him, the court heard. He is on bail and is due to return in February. The 42-year-old pleaded not guilty to charges relating to his continuing feud with a neighbouring business owner Hopoate, who became a professional boxer following the end of his NRL career, has a long history of indiscretions both on and off the field. In 2001 Hopoate was fined and charged with unlawful sexual connection for infamously inserting his finger in three players' anuses during a match against the North Queensland Cowboys. The father of ten was also charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray while working as a security officer outside of a Sydney nightclub in 2010. Hopoate played for Manly, Wests Tigers and Northern Eagles during his NRL career Two Canadian women accused of smuggling 95 kilograms of cocaine into Sydney on a cruise ship will remain behind bars until they face trial. Isabelle Lagace, 28, and Melina Roberge, 23, were aboard the Sea Princess cruise in August when they were caught allegedly attempting to import drugs into Australia. The two women, along with co-accused Andre Tamine, 53, were arrested after the cruise ship had docked in Sydney. Authorities allegedly discovered two suitcases containing cocaine, with an estimated value of around $31 million. The trio, who are all from Canada's Quebec, appeared via video link at Sydney's Central Local Court on Wednesday. Scroll down for video Isabelle Lagace, 28, (right) and Melina Roberge, 23, (left) accused of smuggling 95kg of cocaine into Sydney on a cruise ship will remain behind bars until they face trial in December Roberge (pictured) posing in one of her many bikini-clad Instagram photos from their cruise Authorities allegedly discovered two suitcases containing 95 kilograms of cocaine (pictured) Magistrate Robert Williams has adjourned their case until December 7. The three accused had their bail refused in August and a committal hearing has been set for Lagace on December 16. They are now facing life in prison after being charged with one count each of 'import commercial quantity of border controlled drug'. The two women were documenting their lavish holiday on social media before they were arrested. The two women appeared via video link at Sydney's Central Local Court on Wednesday One of the suitcases filled with cocaine, with an estimated value of around $31 million Roberge, a 23-year-old Canadian woman, pictured at the top of a mountain in Ecuador Following the arrests, Australian Border Force (ABF) Regional Commander Tim Fitzgerald said it was the nation's largest ever narcotics bust through passenger transportation. 'This is the biggest seizure of narcotics through a passenger stream, so either through the airport or cruise ships, this 95kg of cocaine is the largest seizure we've seen in Australia,' Fitzgerald told AAP in August. He believed all 95 kilograms of cocaine were destined for Australia. The maximum penalty for smuggling a commercial quantity of cocaine is life imprisonment. The trio will remain in custody until their next court appearance on December 7. Calais deputy mayor launched a scathing attack on the British Government claiming its generous benefit handouts were to blame for thousands of migrants pouring into his town. Philippe Mignonet warned the demolition of the squalid migrant camp, known as 'The Jungle', would not end the problems while benefits were readily available to those able to make it across the Channel. Speaking as mechanical diggers began tearing down the shanty town on the outskirts of Calais, he said Britain had to take a tougher attitude towards migrants. 'The UK government says it does not want any more migrants but it never expels migrants who get there,' Mr Mignonet told MailOnline. Britain bound: Calais deputy mayor Philippe Mignonet warned the French port would always be a magnet for migrants wanting to come to Britain as long as the UK offers generous benefits Clearance: Speaking as diggers in on the Calais Jungle, above, he said: 'The UK government says it does not want any more migrants but it never expels migrants who get there.' Demolished: Around 8,000 migrants were living at the sprawling migrant camp, pictured, before clearance began on Monday. Around 6,000 are expected to move voluntarily to 600 reception centres across France - 2,000 are expected to remain, determined to reach Britain Anger: Calais deputy mayor Mr Mignonet said his town would always attract migrants while Britain's benefits remained Mr Mignonet, pictured left, said the British Government was funding the 2million wall to stop migrants from getting into the loading area for the Eurotunnel, but said building the wall was counter productive while the generous state handouts were still available. 'They claim benefits and housing, and all we get is the British funded wall and fences.' The deputy mayor and his colleagues in Calais said they are pleased to finally see the destruction of the sprawling migrant camp. But he is angry that his town will be blighted by a concrete wall and miles of white metal fences that ring the entrances to the Channel port. 'What English city would accept a fence and a wall being built by another country on their land?' 'If the British government want improve matters, they should come and talk to the city of Calais,' he added. Work is continuing on the wall even while the French Government is pressing ahead with their plan to wipe out the Jungle and relocate the estimated 8,000 migrants who have lived there. It is believed that around 6,000 migrants will cooperate and will voluntarily be moved but 2,000 are expected to refuse to travel and remain in Calais, determined to reach Britain. An estimated 200 unaccompanied minors with family living in the UK have already arrived in Britain. Meanwhile a further 400 child migrants are believed to be staying in shipping containers in the port while Home Office officials assess their applications. Council taxpayers in the UK are to pick up the bill for the unaccompanied child refugees, some as young as eight, arriving from the Jungle. Some have no family and are being put into the care system. The younger children will be fostered by families with experience of of looking after refugee children at a cost of 50,000 a year. Older children with particular needs will be placed in residential care at a cost of 133,000 a year. Each child will be entitled to a school place, costing 5,500 a year. Mr Mignonet is angry that the British Government is funding a 2million wall, pictured, in the port of Calais to stop migrants getting into the loading area for the Euro Tunnel. He said: 'What English city would accept a fence and a wall being built by another country on their land?' Work is continuing on the wall while the French Government presses ahead with plans to wipe out the Jungle, pictured, and relocate the estimated 8,000 migrants who have lived there Demolished: Mini diggers moved in on the sprawling shanty town, pictured, on Tuesday as migrants were bussed out of the Jungle and moved to 600 reception centres around France Migrants relocating: Around 6,000 migrants are expected to cooperate and be relocated from Calais, like the ones pictured. But 2,000 are expected to refuse and remain in and around the port, determined to reach Britain Migrants being bussed out of Calais are being shown a map, like the one pictured, where they are given the option of two possible destinations to move from. But the deputy mayor said that Britain will always be the first choice while the state handouts remain Meanwhile Mr Mignonet accepted that despite the wall and other security measures his town would always be a magnet for migrants to try and reach the UK. He challenged Prime Minister Theresa May to visit Calais to see for herself the scale of the problem they have faced. 'We invited David Cameron many times but he never came,' he said. 'Theresa May can visit any time she wants. She can come here and we would work together. 'If she wants, we have an airport close by, or she can come over on the high-speed shuttle. 'I have a car with dark windows, so she doesn't have to be seen. 'Calais was once part of England, and we have often worked together in the past. We can work together again. 'The people of Britain made their choice about Brexit, and some of those choices mean they will face difficulty, but putting walls and fences up here is not right.' With the migrants from the Jungle being dispersed to over 600 reception centres across France Mr Mignonet accepts the problem will never completely go away. French officials have raised the prospect of having border controls carried out on British soil rather than in France. Under the Le Touquet treaty British border checks are carried out on French soil stopping migrants without the necessary visas from crossing the channel. Mr Mignonet said he would like the Le Touquet treaty renegotiated but accepted it would not be easy. 'The treaty has to be renegotiated, I've been saying that for a long time, but is not so easy,' said Mr Mignonet. 'We have been provoked so many times by the British government. We have to work together, but there has to be more cooperation between the English government and the Calais authorities. 'It is too easy to say this or that, while sitting in an office in Paris or London. We have faced up reality here we have assumed our responsibilities.' Mr Mignonet said with Brexit it was even more vital Britain established stronger links with officials in his town. Pointing to the land occupied by the jungle he said within weeks it would be leveled and free for development. 'This is at the door of England, and near to the shuttle terminal for trucks. What better place for British businesses to come,' he said. Demolition workers will today press on with clearing the thousands of tents and flimsy wooded structures that made up the slum town. Fears that hundreds of migrants will try to stop the workers have failed to materialise as most seem to have accepted they will be moved on from their temporary homes. The French interior ministry said 3,182 adults have been transferred to centres around France and 772 unaccompanied children have been moved to a container park near Calais. It will serve as a temporary shelter while their futures are decided. Bulldozing of the sprawling shanty town will continue today. Meanwhile around 400 unaccompanied minors are staying in shipping containers near the site while Home Office officials assess their applications to be taken to the UK The UK has already taken around 200 minors with family already living in the country. But critics suggest that many of them are adults pretending to be children, while the most vulnerable children, pictured, have been left behind in Calais Other camps in the area have been told they cannot take in any migrants who are refusing to leave. At Grande Synthe, a suburb of Dunkirk, a purpose built camp run by the charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) turned away people having been banned by the French authorities from accepting any more migrants. The camp, which cost over 2m to build, will closed early in 2017. Of the 2,500 people living in Grande Synthe only about 300 are expected to remain by Christmas with the other migrants taken to centres across France. The company which manages security at camp gave instructions that no new arrivals should be admitted to the camp, including 'minors, families, pregnant women, the elderly and people in situations of difficulty'. The city council has raised no objections to the plan. Supermarket giant said the change was in response to customer feedback Australian supermarket giant Woolworths has introduced its own range of privately branded products, without the Woolworths logo. The products include everything from cat and dog food, to Christmas puddings, shredded cheese and milk, reported Perth Now. Woolworths told Perth Now the new range was developed after insights from customers and said it delivered 'quality and value'. Australian supermarket giant Woolworths has introduced its own range of privately branded products, without the Woolworths logo The new Woolworths owned brands include Hillview cheese (left), Baxters pet food, Soften fabric softener (right) and Olsent light globes. The company said the products were introduced after insights from customers The supermarket said that some customers preferred not to have the retailer's brand on the products they bought. The new Woolworths owned brands include Hillview cheese, Baxters pet food, Soften fabric softener and Olsent light globes. The re-branding also encompasses the bran Gold which is featured on products such as strawberry and almond puddings and Christmas puddings. Other Woolworths products that have been rebranded include Smitten cat food, Farmers Choice milk, Apollo dog food and Chevron batteries. Woolworths has also actively removed its branding from existing products, such as Herbal Sensations shampoo, which has changed bottle colour and had the branding dropped from the label. The new products also include Farmer's Own milk (left) and Chevron batteries (right). Woolworths has said some customers prefer not to have the supermarket branding on the products they buy A new Gold label has also been introduced on the supermarket shelves, which on some dessert options such as puddings (pictured) Retail expert Gary Mortimer, who is from the Queensland University of Technology, said it was a change of tactic for the supermarket, who has in the past been very open about its own products in the store. In June, Woolworths said they would be phasing out the 'Homebrand' and 'Select' ranges and replacing them with a new Woolworths label, however there was no mention of the new phantom products. Mr Mortimer has advised shoppers to turn products over instore before they buy them, and check the labels to see where they're from. Retail expert Gary Mortimer said it was a change of tactic for the supermarket, who has in the past been very open about its own products in the store. The new range also includes Apollo dog food (left) and Smitten cat food (right) He said by developing a phantom brand with no connection to a retailer, it provided customers with a product that looked like a national brand but was much cheaper. 'For some consumers private labels carry a stigma of being cheap and nasty,' he said. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Woolworths for a comment regarding the new range of products. Four Asian men suspected of sexually exploiting a white teenager have been helped to keep their names secret after scandal-mired Rotherham Council abandoned their attempt to keep them away from her. The vulnerable girl, who is white and from South Yorkshire, was found in a hotel with one of the men in August surrounded by vodka, cannabis, condoms and even Asian women's clothing. The girl was described by a judge as 'a damaged, chaotic young person' who 'has been the victim of physical, emotional and sexual abuse from different quarters over a number of years'. Rotherham Council sought an injunction to ban the girl, named as Child G in court papers, from seeing the men. But last week it dropped its legal bid due to 'insufficient evidence' and has been accused of trying to cover the decision up, but the case was successfully heard in public after the press complained. New scandal: Rotherham Council sought an injunction to ban a girl allegedly groomed by four Asian men - but have now dropped it and the suspects now cannot be named It is another scandal for the council in a South Yorkshire town where 1,400 girls, often from children's homes or troubled backgrounds, fell into the clutches of paedophiles. Girls like Katie (pictured) were among the 1,400 children abused in Rotherham over 16 years 'Almost all' of the perpetrators are believed to be part of predatory Pakistani gangs and some staff feared they would be seen as racist if they tackled it. In a judgment handed down yesterday on the latest case in Rotherham Mr Justice Cobb lifted the existing interim injunctions keeping the girl away from the men after the council decided not to proceed. The judge also rejected a media request to be able to name the four men, referred to in court as MM, NN, HH, LL. He refused an application by The Times to lift a reporting restriction which prevents the men being identified. The paper did not oppose a similar restriction on naming the teenage girl. The judge said one of the reasons for the decision was to stop the so-called 'jigsaw identification' of Child G through her association with the men if they were named. He agreed with the council's decision to withdraw its application after it provided him with a plan for how the girl would be protected in future. The move came nearly two years after a High Court judge made orders barring 10 men from the Birmingham area from approaching another teenage girl, and from approaching girls they did not know, following applications by Birmingham City Council. The judge also ruled that these men could be identified in media reports, although the girl could not be named. On Tuesday, the judge said: 'Nobody can doubt the evil of child sexual exploitation.' The judge described Child G as 'a white female young person, in her late-teens' and said she had first come to the attention of Rotherham social services in 2012. He said the teenager had a history of disappearing from home and not going to school as well as self-harming and misusing drugs. In 2014, the judge said, 'reports were received that she was spending time in the company of, and indeed was in relationships with, an Asian man or men.' He said: 'It was known that she had personal and sexual relationships, sequentially, with NN, HH, and LL (in that order). There were concerns about the nature of those relationships.' Political correctness: When abuse was at its height there were fears that taking to the Asian community to task over the abuse of girls in Rotherham (pictured) would disturb community cohesion and staff were 'mindful' of being called racist He said there was evidence some of the men had assaulted her and she had told police she was scared of HH. The judge said: 'It is not clear to me, from the information provided for this specific application, why steps were not taken earlier to protect Child G by way of an order under Part IV of the Children Act 1989.' The judge said the teenager was found in the hotel in August with LL and that MM had also been to the hotel but had gone home. He said: 'Among the items found with them in the hotel were vodka, cannabis, condoms, and Asian female clothing. 'Police protection was immediately sought for Child G. The officers attending at the scene believed that she was the victim of child sexual exploitation by LL and potentially the other males. She was immediately conveyed to, and placed in, a safe house.' He said LL and MM were arrested on suspicion of trafficking for sexual exploitation contrary to under the Modern Slavery Act . The judge concluded: 'That this case concludes now with the local authority seeking no further injunctive order does not reflect a failure on the part of the safeguarding investigation; nor does it reflect an overly-hasty rush to justice without proper consideration of the evidence. 'I am satisfied that Rotherham Council had proper cause swiftly to take steps to protect a young person when the evidence appeared to indicate that she was at serious risk.' He added: 'No-one reading the statements of evidence, or I apprehend the outline above, will be unconcerned about Child G. She is a damaged, chaotic, young person, of that I am in no doubt. 'Tragically, she has been the victim of physical, emotional and sexual abuse from different quarters over a number of years. There is evidence that she was involved in dysfunctional relationships in the past with one or more of the associated males, but insufficient evidence to support a finding that this amounted to child sexual exploitation by any or all of them.' The judge also said lessons needed to learned after he identified a failure in communication between the council and South Yorkshire Police over the action. He said that despite the establishment of the Evolve team, which brought together a range of agencies to work together with the victims of child sexual exploitation in Rotherham, 'by a lapse in communication within the team' the police were not told of the council's intention to apply for the injunctions against the men. Police said two children are lucky to be alive after surviving the accident Four people died after being thrown from the Thunder River Rapids ride He was sold the smiling pictures as four tourists fought for their lives A father has told of his outrage after claiming an Australian theme park sold him a $50 souvenir photo of his family on the killer Thunder River Rapids ride - while medics were still battling to save four dying tourists. Jesse Lovett, from Melbourne, said he felt sick after learning he was purchasing happy snaps of his family from Dreamworld staff as emergency services tried to pull bodies from underbeath a conveyor belt on the ride. 'All the Dreamworld music was on. I couldn't even tell that anything was wrong. That's what makes me feel a bit sick,' he told the Courier Mail. Scroll down for video Jesse Lovett (middle) said he felt sick after learning he bought pictures of his family for $50 from Dreamworld staff as others tried save victims of the Thunder River Rapids ride (pictured) Mr Lovett said looking at the smiling snaps of his young family (pictured) just reminded him of the horrible tragedy and those left mourning a family who would never return home Four people died after a malfunction on the Thunder Rapids ride on Tuesday afternoon 'I was just wondering why they were still selling photos? I'm just concerned they were negligent,' he added. Mr Lovett said looking at the pictures of his wife, daughter, sister and her young family smiling on the doomed ride just reminded him of the horrible tragedy that took place and those left mourning a family who would never return home. 'Those people waited for 30 minutes to die and it doesnt feel right to me at all. It feels weird that I got to go home and that family didnt,' he added. The victim's of Tuesday's horrific accident have been identified as Canberra woman Kate Goodchild, 32, her brother Luke Dorsett, 35, his partner Roozi Araghi, 38, and New Zealand woman Cindy Low, 42. Two children, a 10-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl, who were in the raft with their mothers were thrown clear and managed to escape. Police said they are lucky to be alive and a Gold Coast University Hospital spokeswoman confirmed the boy and the girl on the ride were discharged overnight. Cindy Low's family have released a statement following her death. 'The family of Ms Cindy Low has requested privacy and respect at this time of loss and sadness,' the statement reads. Two of those that died had been trapped beneath the raft, and two had been trapped underwater in the conveyor belt. The two children were thrown to safety Siblings Kim Goodchild (left) and Luke Dorsett (right) were victims of the Dreamworld tragedy Mr Dorsett's partner Roozi Araghi, 38, (left) was also killed on the ride on Tuesday New Zealand woman Cindy Low (left) was among those who died in the horror accident, along with Roozi Araghi (right) 'The family are traumatised and kindly request that their privacy be respected as they try to come to terms with this tragic loss.' It's believed that Mrs Low agreed to be separated from her husband Matthew and daughter Isla, 6, to fill another raft with her son Kieran, 10, and the four other riders. Kate Goodchild and Luke Dorsett's mother, Kim, said her whole family has been 'wiped out'. 'I have three children and two of them are now gone. My eight-month-old granddaughter is never going to know her mother and that truly breaks my heart,' she said in a Facebook post. Dreamworld CEO Craig Davidson appeared downcast as he lay a wreath to pay tribute to the four tourists on Wednesday, promising to release a statement with more information later in the day. Dreamworld CEO Craig Davidson promised to release more information about the fatal accident as he addressed the press from outside the closed park on Wednesday Mr Davidson appeared downcast as he laid a wreath of flowers to pay tribute to the victims Flowers now line a wall outside the closed theme park, as investigators try to piece together how the fatal incident occured TEEN ALMOST DROWNED ON DREAMWORLD'S ROCKY HOLLOW LOG RIDE THIS YEAR A teenager nearly drowned after falling from a ride that used the same conveyor belt system as the doomed Thunder River Rapids ride at Dreamworld on April 17 this year. Samson Sherrin was knocked unconscious when he was run over by two other boats after slipping out of the Rocky Hollow Log Ride at Dreamworld. The 19-year-old Brisbane man is still recovering after suffering severe neck and head injuries, hip, rib and foot fractures and acute respiratory failure. Advertisement Mr Lovett said he had taken his two-year-old on the rapid ride earlier that day and was concerned for the duration as the only thing holding her in was a velcro strap that did not feel secure once it got wet. He said the ride was 'rough' and that he had felt it necessary to grip his daughter quite firmly as he was the only thing keeping her secure and he feared she could fall out, the Courier Mail reported. A malfunction with the ride's conveyer belt is believed to have caused the tragedy, Queensland Ambulance acting supervisor Gavin Fuller told a press conference on Tuesday afternoon. The four adults and two children were in a raft that collided with an empty raft that had become stuck. Reports suggest their raft flipped, crushing two of the adults. The other two adults were trapped in the conveyor belt underwater. Police said on Tuesday that the whole tragedy was captured on CCTV, and would be reviewed as part of the investigation Queensland Emergency service workers are pictured on the scene at the amusement theme park A Queensland Police officer begins the investigation as witnesses describe how 'everyone was screaming' after the raft apparently flipped State police Assistant Commissioner Brian Codd said CCTV footage showed the ride was coming to its conclusion when two rafts collided OPERATOR LET SEVEN PEOPLE ON THE SIX-PERSON THUNDER RIVER RAPIDS RIDE LAST MONTH AFTER IT BROKE DOWN An operator for Dreamworld's Thunder River Rapids ride allowed a 'very small' child to sit on his mothers lap as seven people crammed onto a six-person raft, just hours after a malfunction forced the attraction to shut down last month. Timothy Wan, a father-of-two from Brisbane, said he, his wife and their children were kicked off the ride on Australia's Gold Coast when the ride's pump overheated, according to the Geelong Advertiser. As passengers began filing off Thunder River Rapids, Mr Wan said he noticed a raft was stuck at the end - the same spot where four people were tragically killed on Tuesday afternoon. 'Not moving. All I know is they turned off the tap there's no water behind us,' Mr Wan says in a home video in September. Brisbane father-of-two Timothy Wan said a small boy was allowed to sit on his mother's lap (pictured) as seven people crammed into a six-seat raft on Dreamworld's Thunder River Ride last month 'Imagine if you get stuck in there, how are you gonna get out?' he said pointing to a secluded area of the ride. Mr Wan said his family returned to Thunder River Rapids later the same day after it was up and running again but were surprised when a Dreamworld employee said their group of seven could sit in a six-seat raft. 'She said it's OK because one of members in my group is very small, and can be sat on the mother's lap,' he said. In Mr Wan's video, which he posted to YouTube, the young boy can be seen tucked into the same seat-belt as his mother as the waves from the water knock the raft back and forth. Advertisement Visitors to the theme park have claimed the ride had been plagued by mechanical issues earlier in the day. The Thunder River Rapids ride whisks people in circular rafts along a fast-moving, artificial river, with a conveyor belt helping move the rafts through the water. An 18-year-old woman was reportedly stationed as an operator for the emergency stop switch on the ride, on what was her first day on the job, according to 7 News. A failed water pump is believed to have caused a raft to become lodged at the top of a conveyor belt at the end of the ride. The raft carrying the victims continued to be pulled along by the belt, hitting the stuck raft and flipping upside down as the machinery continued to churn forwards. State police Assistant Commissioner Brian Codd said closed-circuit television footage showed the ride was coming to its conclusion when two rafts collided. 'One has flipped backward and it has caught and tossed some of the people that were on the ride backward into the conveyor belt,' he told reporters. 'In terms of how they [the children] escaped, maybe through the providence of God or somebody, but it seems from what I've seen almost a miracle that anybody came out of that,' Mr Codd said. 'If we're going to be thankful for anything, I'm thankful for that.' There had been earlier reports that the ride had broken down earlier in the day but Insp Reid could not confirm if this was the case. Dreamworld remains closed as more than 30 investigators analyse the scene. Staff of amusement theme park Dreamworld pay their respects to four people who died at the park on Wednesday Members of the public lay flowers outside Dreamworld with messages of condolences 'MIGHT HAVE TO BUY A LOTTO TICKET': FAMILY REVEAL HOW THEY WERE JUST MINUTES AWAY FROM BOARDING THE RIDE A family have shared a selfie taken as they waited in line for Dreamworld's Thunder River Rapids ride only moments before four tourists were crushed to death underneath its conveyor belt. Melissa Vivian had no idea of the horror about to unfold when she turned her camera phone around and snapped a picture with her smiling husband and daughter as they waited to board the fatal Dreamworld ride in the Gold Coast on Tuesday. A family have shared a selfie taken as they waited in line for the killer 'Thunder River Rapids' ride only moments before four tourists were crushed to death under its conveyor belt But the family did not make it to the front of the queue and were among thousands of visitors ushered out of the popular theme park after six people were thrown from the ride's raft. 'Might have to buy a lotto ticket,' Ms Vivian posted on social media on Tuesday evening, adding that the families involved were in her thoughts. Advertisement A computer expert murdered his wife and then cut her body into pieces because she stood in his way of an 'exciting' sex holiday in Thailand. Horst Koenig, 53, has admitted in a German court that he killed his wife of ten years Grace, 37, and cleared out her bank account so he could enjoy a 'booze and hookers' holiday in the far east. At Augsburg State Court in Bavaria he confessed to plotting the murder and described in detail how he planned it and carried it out. 'I had check lists made, I worked it all out,' the chemical laboratory assistant told judges. Grace, from the Philippines, had endured a marriage filled with his infidelity, said prosecutors. He wanted to take a sex holiday but knew she would 'have to be out of the way,' they said in court. Horst Koenig flew to Pattaya in Thailand (file photo) where he met up with a woman he chatted with on the Internet On 19 November 2015 looks he a leased warehouse in Augsburg where he installed a computer to research how to kill a person with a single blow to the head. When the computer was later found by police they found other searches for 'how to prevent decay' in a corpse and visits to anatomy sites. On November 28 he bought a 5lb hammer and duct tape. Two days later, while she was asleep in bed, he whacked her on the temple and then slipped a plastic bag over her head, leading to her death by suffocation. The following day, December 1, he bought industrial strength rubbish sacks and construction foam used to seal windows and doorframes. Then he popped along to his local travel agents to buy the tickets for his Thailand trip. He packed his bags and then using a reciprocating saw sliced her body into eight parts and stuffed them into the plastic bags. The day after, he went back to his secret computer in the warehouse and tapped into a search engine; 'When does a body begin to smell?' Having found the answer he returned home and smothered all the body parts with the construction foam and brought them to the warehouse. Before he flew to Thailand on December 2 he typed e-mails to friends and family members of Grace saying she had left him to return to the Philippines 'but that I will win her back.' In Pattaya he met up with a woman he chatted with on the Internet. He told the court: 'What she promised, seemed exciting, and many of my secret desires seemed to come true. I wanted to be with this woman.' He stayed in the country for three weeks but was arrested on his return by police who had been contacted by Grace's family. A prosecutor said in court he was found with pictures of a young Asian girl on him. Koenig told the court: 'This was a person with whom I got distracted with on the Internet from my gloomy daily life. My wife increasingly lived on her mobile phone to the extent that she once burned a pot on the stove.' He claimed he wanted to kill himself in Thailand but did not have the courage to follow through with his plan. 'Then my money was gone, the visa expired,' he added. Dairy farmers warn that Australia could soon be importing milk if there are no changes to address the ongoing crisis in the industry. Australia could be forced to import milk from New Zealand and other countries as farmers struggle against the pricing policies of major supermarkets and clawback schemes, a Senate inquiry has heard. Dairy farmer Alex Symons told a Senate committee in Canberra on Wednesday that the situation was so bad you couldn't give away a farm nowadays. Scroll down for video Dairy farmers warn that Australia could soon be importing milk if there are no changes to address the ongoing crisis in the industry It had been building for years, but the past five months had been the straw that broke the camel's back, he told the committee. There are calls from various groups including Farmer Power for a 50 cent a litre levy on milk to help farmers. Mr Symons argued raising the supermarket price of a litre of milk from $1 to $1.50 would take it back to 1980s levels. 'It's not a big ask,' he said, disputing claims consumers wouldn't want to pay the higher price if it meant helping farmers. The measure would enable most farmers to break even. 'We're not talking about making millionaires out of people here. This is about saving people,' Mr Symons said. 'We get out of bed at 5 o'clock and say 'great, we're going to lose another $1000 today, let's go and do it'. 'We've turned into volunteers.' Australia could be forced to import milk from New Zealand and other countries as farmers struggle against the pricing policies of major supermarkets and clawback schemes There are calls from various groups including Farmer Power for a 50 cent a litre levy on milk to help farmers An ongoing levy would also mean farmers wouldn't have to keep funding Dairy Australia and money could be collected for loans to help other farmers buy their first property. My Symons said there was no confidence in the industry and in the past five to six months most of the 25 to 35-year-old's who had purchased herds of cows had been wiped out. He shared the story of a 'terrific' young farmer who owed about $150,000 on his cows, when overnight he was hit with a $140,000 bill from Murrary Goulburn. A bad season and the need for hay meant ending up with a $70,000 bank overdraft. Staying on for another year would have increased his debt by $130,000. 'He's gone and, pardon the French, there are s***loads of them that are getting out,' Mr Symons said. The group said farmers didn't need more loans or go into more debt. 'Putting it on the credit card is not the answer,' vice-president Alex Robertson said. Australian Dairy Farmers interim CEO John McQueen told the hearing he could not see consumers or parliament agreeing to a 50 cent levy Colleague Darryl Cardona expects Australia will soon be importing milk, including from New Zealand. 'I pretty much guess that this will happen in the next two years if it continues without any change.' Earlier, Australian Dairy Farmers interim CEO John McQueen told the hearing he could not see consumers or parliament agreeing to a 50 cent levy. Agriculture department officials told the committee 44 farm businesses have had concessional loans approved, from 170 applications received. ISIS have suffocated hundreds of people trying to flee Mosul by setting fire to a sulphur plant sending poisonous gas across the city. Hospitals in Mosul were overwhelmed with patients including children and pregnant women who had inhaled the gas causing breathing problems and choking. It came following jihadis setting fire to the Mishraq sulphur plant last week which formed a toxic cloud that can affect those caught up without a mask. Counter terrorism forces in Iraq lead civilians from the homes in the village of Tob Zawa after rounding up ISIS suspects An ISIS suspect is forced on to the ground with his hands tied behind his back as he is arrested Another handcuffed ISIS suspect also had a scarf tied around his head outside his home on the outskirts of Mosul Iraqi forces are rounding up ISIS fighters as they advance on Mosul in a bid to liberate the city from the terror group Counter-terrorism forces flash the V for victory sign after arresting ISIS suspects in Tob Zawa News of the casualties come after it was revealed ISIS terrorists shot dead a disabled girl who was failing to keep up as she was forcibly marched out of her village as Iraqi forces closed in Mosul. The jihadis were forcing a group of women out of the village of Rufeila, south of the city when they targeted six women, including the disabled girl. And according to the UN, the extremists shot dead the group, mostly likely because they were struggling to keep up the pace because of her physical disability. It comes as Iraqi special forces have rounded up 1,000 suspected ISIS fighters as they advance on Mosul in a bid to liberate the city from the terror group. An Iraqi soldier puts on a gas mask as smoke billows in the background following ISIS setting fire to the Mishraq sulphur factory Hospitals in Mosul were overwhelmed with patients including children and pregnant women who had inhaled the gas from the plant causing breathing problems and choking Smoke rises from the Mishraq sulphur plant following a fire caused by ISIS jihadis at the weekend Pictures from towns and villages around the city show counter-terrorism troops capturing ISIS suspects, forcing them to the ground and arresting them. The troops have also uncovered a network of underground tunnels used by the terror group to move fighters and weapons. Special forces Major General Haider Fadhil says the residents of Tob Zawa and other nearby villages have been taken to a camp in the nearby Khazer region for their safety. While Major Salam al-Obeidi says the special forces were undertaking cleanup operations on Wednesday in areas retaken from the militants to the east of the city. He says troops had uncovered a vast tunnel network used by ISIS to shuttle fighters and supplies by motorcycle. UN human rights spokesman Rupert Colville said ISIS fighters have reportedly killed scores of people around Mosul in the last week Iraqi forces in tanks advance towards ISIS positions as the battle for Mosul enters a second week A man holds his sheep as he flees his home as counter-terrorism forces battle with ISIS fighters A newly displaced woman runs after she jumped over a back wall and rushed to grab humanitarian packages, as smoke rises from a burning oil refinery at a processing centre in Qayyara Young boys run to get supplies after being forced to live in the Jadah Camp in Qayyarah after fleeing Mosul It follows reports that ISIS fighters have been carrying out mass executions of Iraqi civilians and police officers as they are forced to retreat their territory. According to CNN, the terror group is has been sending so-called 'suicide squads' from Syria to Mosul for the battle of the city. Witnesses have said many are streaming in daily and they are recognisable by their distinct uniforms and suicide belts. Civilians flee their houses, as Iraq's elite counter terrorism forces fight against ISIS militants, in the village of Tob Zawa Women help pull children over a high wall as they flee their village after it was invaded by ISIS Women and children were seen leaving their homes along side an elderly man who needed a walking stick They have also been seen rigging explosives next to bridges crossing the River Tigris and are said to have prepared car bombs. UN human rights spokesman Rupert Colville said ISIS fighters have reportedly killed scores of people around Mosul in the last week. Mr Colville said that security forces discovered the bodies of 70 civilians in houses in Tuloul Naser village south of Mosul last Thursday. A Peshmerga fighter feeds children who are waiting at a checkpoint after fleeing Topzava village Children pose after playing in the smoke and soot after an oil well was set on fire by ISIS militants near Mosul A toddler wearing a Thomas the Tank jacket plays barefoot in the soot close to a burning oil well ISIS also reportedly killed 50 former police officers outside Mosul on Sunday, he said. Elsewhere, a man who recently escaped Hamam Ali, south of Mosul, told the Guardian a relative told him 200 men, mostly former police officers, had been killed by ISIS as the Iraqi army closed in. It comes as ISIS also executed nine of its own members by throwing them into trenches of hot oil and burning them to death after they tried to flee the battle raging around Mosul. The city is the terror group's last major stronghold in Iraq and last week government forces backed by the U.S. launched an offensive to liberate the area. So far around 90 villages and towns under ISIS control have been freed in the past week and in some parts, coalition forces are just three miles from the centre of Mosul. Iraqi forces defended their positions after taking control of the town of Bartella from ISIS as they advance on Mosul A member of the Iraqi forces holds a position at the al-Shura area, south of Mosul. ISIS has executed nine of its own fighters who tried to flee the battle Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government's peshmerga forces attack ISIS targets with artillery to capture Bashiqa district Iraqi families who have been displaced by the ongoing military operation jump on to the back of a truck to flee the city A mother carries her small baby on the outskirts of Mosul as fires rage at the oil trenches nearby However, today it was revealed jihadis have now taken control of the Iraqi town of Rutba as it shifts its area of control. It comes as some ISIS fighters begin to flee other parts of the city and surrounding areas after being defeated by the Iraqi government, leaving commanders of the terror group to turn on their own members. According to Al Sumaria News, nine ISIS fighters who tried to flee Mosul were captured by their commanders and tied by their hands and legs. Afterwards, they were thrown into trenches containing burning oil and killed. Iraqi men fight for food near Qayyarah after flee Mosul as the battle for the city continues Fighters who have been displaced by ISIS pile on to pick up trucks before heading to the front line of fighting Despite the men heading to the front line, many seemed in good spirits and gave the V for victory sign Today the Iraqi army paused its week-long advance on Mosul as it approached the city's eastern edge, while waiting for other U.S.-backed forces to close in A woman tries to flee Mosul from the south as smoke rises from a burning oil refinery nearby Burning the oil trenches around Mosul is one of the tactics adopted by the terror group in a bid to fight off government forces advancing on the city. They believe the large fires and vasts amounts of smoke impede the vision of Iraqi and U.S. jets who are helping in the battle. Jihadis have also lined many of the towns and villages on the way to the city with IEDs and booby traps while preparing for the onslaught. In addition they have also launched surprise attacks elsewhere in Iraq in places such as Kirkuk in a bid to distract the Iraqi army and Kurdish forces from Mosul. Women and children who have been driven from Mosul gather near the town of Hassan Sham Children collect water and other aid supplies after waiting in line at Ibrahim Khalil village And security sources now say Rutba is under ISIS control near the borders with Syria and Jordan after they expanded their territory to cover half of the town. The Iraqi army and Sunni tribal fighters remained in control of the other half, at the town's entrances from the express highway that links Baghdad and the western border, they said. However, today the Iraqi army paused its week-long advance on Mosul as it approached the city's eastern edge, while waiting for other U.S.-backed forces to close in. On the ninth day of the offensive on Mosul, government forces and allied Kurdish Peshmerga fighters are still fighting their way towards the city's outer limits, in the early stages of an assault which could become the biggest military operation in Iraq in over a decade. An aid worker in a remote village on the outskirts of Mosul administers the oral polo vaccine to children A young boy holds out his arm and is held by an older relative as an aid worker gives him a measles vaccine U.N. aid agencies said the fighting has so far forced about 9,000 to flee their homes including many children The first to get near to Mosul, advancing to within just over a mile of Iraq's second largest city, was the elite U.S.-trained Counter Terrorism Service (CTS). CTS troops have moved in from the east, dislodging Islamic State from a Christian region that has been empty of residents since the ultra-hardline Sunni militants took it over in 2014. The combat ahead is likely to be more difficult and deadly because of the presence of civilians. Some 1.5 million residents remain in the city and worst-case forecasts see up to a million being uprooted, according to the United Nations. The Mosul campaign, which aims to crush the Iraqi half of the ISIS self declared caliphate in Iraq and Syria, may become the biggest battle yet in the 13 years of turmoil unleashed by the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. A CTS commander said the advance will pause to allow the other military units to make a similar progress and consolidate the front before pushing further into the city. The Iraqi force attacking Mosul is 30,000-strong, joined by U.S. special forces and under American, French and British air cover. The number of insurgents dug in the city is estimated at 5,000 to 6,000 by the Iraqi military. A Scottish expert on climate change died when his snowmobile plunged 100ft after hitting a crevasse in Antarctica. Gordon Hamilton, originally from Dundee and married with two children, was working at a field operation on White Island, in the Ross archipelago. The 50-year-old had been camping with his research team in the Shear Zone, where two ice shelves meet in a large expanse three miles wide and 125 miles long. Gordon Hamilton, originally from Dundee and married with two children, was working at a field operation on White Island, in the Ross archipelago he 50-year-old had been camping with his research team in the Shear Zone, where two ice shelves meet in a large expanse three miles wide and 125 miles long Ice in the zone can be up to 650 feet thick and is intensely crevassed. He died on Saturday October 22, according to the National Science Foundation (NSF). Dr Hamilton's research had revealed drastic and rapid change in ice sheets across Antarctica. He was a prominent climate scientist, studying glaciers and their impact on sea levels in a changing climate. In addition to his field work, he was an associate research professor at Maine University at the Climate Change Institute. The university's president, Susan Hunter, led the tributes, saying: 'The University of Maine has lost one of its leading scientists. 'Gordon's glaciology research around the world - from Antarctica to Greenland - was second to none. He leaves a legacy as an outstanding scientist, and a caring mentor and well-known teacher to undergraduate and graduate students. Dr Hamilton's research had revealed drastic and rapid change in ice sheets across Antarctica 'Our heart-felt thoughts and prayers go to his wife, Fiona, and their two children, Martin and Calum, and his friends and colleagues around the world.' Dr Hamilton grew up in Dundee, attending Ancrum Road Primary School and Harris Academy. Dr Hamilton's team had been working to identify crevasses, some of which were found and filled earlier in the week. Both teams included experts familiar with the area and with glacial safety. Kelly Falkner, director of the NSF's division of polar programmes, said: 'The death of one of our colleagues is a tragic reminder of the risks we all face - no matter how hard we work at mitigating those risks - in field research.' In a 2013 video uploaded by Maine University, Dr Hamilton was heard saying: 'I can't think of a better job or another job I would rather be doing.' His research revealed drastic and rapid change in ice sheets across Antarctica. Before joining the university in 2000, he had held positions at the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center at Ohio State University and the Norwegian Polar Institute. Dr France Cordova, director of the NSF, said: 'I am deeply saddened by the news of the tragic death of Dr. Hamilton. Our thoughts are with the family and entire community as we mourn this loss.' Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard has claimed to have developed a 'suicide drone' capable of delivering explosives to blow up targets both at sea and on land. The drone is reportedly designed to fly as low as two feet above the water at a speed of around 160mph but can reach an altitude of 900 metres. It has apparently been developed primarily for maritime surveillance and not designed to be armed with missiles. Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard has claimed to have developed a 'suicide drone' capable of delivering explosives to blow up targets both at sea and on land, pictured However, the Tasnim news agency, which is close to the Guards said: 'But it can carry heavy payloads of explosives for combat missions to launch suicide attacks. 'Flying at a high cruising speed near the surface of the water, the aircraft can collide with the target and destroy it, either a vessel or an onshore command centre.' As with previous drone announcements by Iran, the news agency released photographs of the aircraft on the ground, but no footage of it flying. The agency added: 'It has an advanced military camera with the capability of being used at night and during the day, as well as the possibility of being used in damp sea conditions.' Al-Qaeda fighters in Syria recently showed off their drones in a propaganda film (pictured) and now evidence has emerged of them being used by ISIS in Iraq Earlier this month, the Revolutionary Guards claimed to have produced a new attack drone, the Saegheh (Thunderbolt), by reverse-engineering a US Central Intelligence Agency RQ-170 Sentinel drone that was captured in December 2011. Iran claimed one of its cyber warfare units took control of the US drone and landed it safely, while the US says a technical problem caused it to crash. The Guards released pictures of the Thunderbolt, but no footage of it in flight. It comes after ISIS fighters in Iraq have bought drones which are for sale on Amazon and used them against their enemies, killing two Kurdish militiamen and injuring two French special forces soldiers earlier this month. ISIS fighters in Iraq have bought drones which are for sale on Amazon and used them against their enemies, killing two Kurdish militiamen and injuring two French special forces soldiers earlier this month Two Kurdish peshmerga fighters were killed and two French paratroopers wounded after an ISIS drone exploded after it was brought back to a base near Arbil in northern Iraq to be examined. A US military official has said while it was not clear where ISIS had acquired the drones, they were clearly planning to use them as remote controlled bombs as they tried to defend their territory from the advance of the Iraqi army, Kurdish militia and Syrian regime forces. Air Force Colonel John Dorrian, US military spokesman in Baghdad, said the incident on October 2 was a 'Trojan Horse' attack. He said the device had apparently been carrying C-4 explosives, batteries, and probably had a timer on it. The fire closed Luna Park until 1982, when it reopened with a new name Cause of fire is still unknown, its rumoured an On the night of June 9, 1979 a fire on the Ghost Train ride at Luna Park in Sydney killed seven people and changed the lives of a community forever. The fire broke out on the popular tourist attraction about 10.45pm and took an hour to bring under control, as flames completely destroyed the ride. Seven people lost their lives - one adult and six children - including a father and two sons and three students from Waverley Boys School. On June 9, 1979 a fire on the Ghost Train ride at Luna Park in Sydney (pictured) killed seven people and changed the lives of a community forever The fire (pictured) claimed the lives of adult John Godson, and six children - Damien Godson, Craig Godson, Richard Carroll, Michael Johnson, Jonathan Billings and Seamus Rahilly A plaque with the names John Godson, Damien Godson, Craig Godson, Richard Carroll, Michael Johnson, Jonathan Billings and Seamus Rahilly remains at the site of the ride to this day. While the cause of the fire is still unclear, even though some have blamed an electrical fault, it's thought to have caused maximum damage from a combination of low water pressure, under-staffing at the park and inadequate coverage of the Ghost Train by the park's fire hose system. Pictures of the scene after the fire show complete devastation - pieces of burnt and splintered wood scattered everywhere, with the ride destroyed. The older brother of Richard Carroll, Paul Carroll, 52, spoke the Daily Mail Australia earlier this year about his brother's death, and said he still keeps a photo of him on his desk. Paul, who was 15 at the time, said that the family was very 'close knit' and that he and his brother had been 'inseparable'. Richard Carroll (pictured) was one of six children that died in the fire. His brother Paul Carroll, 52, who was 15 at the time, said their family still visits his grave regularly Pictured are four of the children who died in the fire, including Richard Carroll (second from left). The cause of the fire is still unknown, but there is speculation is was an electrical fault The Carroll family commemorate Richard's death every day and visit his grave often. A memorial park was opened to the public at Lavender Bay by North Sydney Council on 25 August 2007. Art Barton Park also includes a memorial sculpture by cartoonist Michael Leunig. The amusement park (pictured) was closed after the fire up until 1982 when it reopened undeer the name Harbourside Amusement Park The Ghost Train ride was first built in 1931 at Luna Park Glenelg and transported to Milsons Point along with other rides to be assembled before Luna Park's opening in 1935. The fire closed Luna Park until 1982, when it reopened under a new name and new owners. The incident occurred only two months after 13 people were injured on the Big Dipper when a steel runner came loose on a rollercoaster train on April 16. Police have been brought in to investigate the altercation between two Ukip MEPs which plunged the party into crisis earlier this month. European Parliament president Martin Schulz said he had referred the incident involving Mike Hookem and Steven Woolfe, who subsequently quit Ukip, to the French authorities 'given the seriousness of the reported facts and their possible criminal implications'. Mr Woolfe was left hospitalised after the fracas in the Strasbourg European Parliament and claimed Mr Hookem punched him after being confronted over claims he was considering defecting to the Tories. Police have been brought in to investigate the altercation between two Ukip MEPs which plunged the party into crisis earlier this month. Steven Woolfe collapsed in the building (pictured) shortly after the fracas Steven Woolfe was left hospitalised (pictured left) after the fracas in the Strasbourg European Parliament and claimed Mike Hookem (pictured right following the incident) punched him after being confronted over claims he was considering defecting to the Tories But Mr Hookem denied the allegation and even published pictures of his hands claiming they showed his innocence. Today Mr Schulz told MEPs that an investigation by the Parliament revealed that 'further evidence is needed to clarify this matter'. 'As a result I have decided to follow the recommendation of the advisory committee and I have referred to this matter to the competent French authorities.' Giving his own view on the incidence, in the European Parliament in Strasbourg this morning, Mr Schulz said he was in 'no doubt' that Mr Woolfe was punched. He said medical examinations carried out in hospital suggest Mr Woolfe collapsed because of a blow to the head. Today European Parliament president Martin Schulz (pictured) told MEPs that an investigation by the Parliament revealed that 'further evidence is needed to clarify this matter' Interim Ukip leader Nigel Farage (pictured this morning in Strasbourg) insisted there was 'absolutely no evidence anyone was punched at all' Nigel Farage (pictured in the Strasbourg Parliament this morning) is still interim leader while the party elects a successor Mr Schulz told MEPs this morning: 'Following those events I referred the matter to the code of conduct committee, which examined the case very carefully and has advised me to refer the matter to the public prosecutor. 'Medical examinations carried out after Mr Woolfe's admission to hospital suggest that when he collapsed that followed a blow to the head that stems from a medical report. 'I have taken note of Mr Woolfe's allegations and there is a clear suspicion that he was subjected to an act of violence, which is why we have referred the matter to prosecutors. 'I have no doubt about Mr Woolfe's allegations personally.' The German politician said he was also considering imposing sanctions on Ukip because of the incident. But interim Ukip leader Nigel Farage insisted there was 'absolutely no evidence anyone was punched at all'. And Mr Hookem challenged Mr Schulz and Manfred Weber, the leader of the European People's Party group who also repeated the allegations against Mr Hookem in the Parliament this morning, to make their 'defamatory statements' outside of the European Parliament, which gives MEPs immunity. Ukip deputy leader Paul Nuttall is the favourite to replace Nigel Farage as leader Former deputy leader Suzanne Evans is another leading candidate but is opposed by Farage Mr Hookem told the European Parliament president: 'Mr Schulz, earlier today Mr Weber made a defamatory statement against me, which you supported. Can I ask that both you gentleman leave this building where you do not have parliamentary immunity and repeat this statement so I can take legal action against you. Mr Schulz responded: Mr Hookem, I have forwarded a dossier relating to you to the prosecutors office in Strasbourg. Any further investigations against you or about you are in the hands of the prosecutor. If you want to take steps against me by civil procedure you can go ahead here in Strasbourg or in Germany. I would have no problem at all with seeing you in court, Id be very pleased to do so. The incident between Mr Woolfe and Mr Hookem plunged Ukip into deeper crisis after Diane James quit after just 18 days in charge of the party. Nigel Farage's ex-aide Raheem Kassam is favoured by the party's top donor Aaron Banks Raheem Kassam, pictured posing with a gun during a visit to a 'gun roadshow' in America Mr Farage is still the interim leader and a leadership election is taking place, with the winner announced next month. Seven candidates are fighting it out to replace Mr Farage, with deputy leader Paul Nuttall the current favourite to win. Former deputy leader Suzanne Evans is another leading candidate, while Mr Farage's ex-aide Raheem Kassam is favoured by the party's top donor Aaron Banks. Even a former Ukip election candidate who claimed a gay donkey raped his horse entered the leadership race. John Rees-Evans made the bizarre claim while campaigning as a parliamentary candidate in 2014 but as he entered the contest earlier this week, he apologised and dismissed the comment as 'playful banter'. Mr Woolfe abandoned his bid to become Ukip leader last week, claiming the party was 'ungovernable' without Nigel Farage at the helm. He stood down from the party with immediate effect but will remain as an MEP until Britain leaves the EU. He stood by his claim that he had 'received a blow' from Ukip MEP Mr Hookem during the altercation at a private meeting at the European Parliament building and revealed he had made a police complaint about the incident. Mr Hookem has denied hitting the North West MEP and the fallout from the October 6 incident has continued with claims that Mr Woolfe had received warnings about 'inappropriate behaviour' from senior party figures. Yorkshire and the Humber MEP Mr Hookem also claimed Mr Woolfe had signed in for 306 euro (276) daily allowances at the European Parliament three times while recovering from his injuries earlier this month. Mr Woolfe, who will sit as an independent, said last week that the incident led to him being treated by doctors for two seizures, partial paralysis and the loss of feeling in his face and body. He insisted a blow from Mr Hookem knocked him back into the meeting room where Ukip MEPs were discussing reports that Mr Woolfe was in talks about defecting to the Conservatives. He was arrested on Monday afternoon in Tenerife and will be extradited Dodged police with an elaborate plot of different addresses and jobs Police were tipped off in May that he was living in Tenerife He fled the UK and was A sex attacker who spent six years on the run after raping a woman in Cheltenham has been arrested after living a secret life in Tenerife for months, dodging police with an elaborate plot of different addresses and jobs. Fugitive rapist Mohammed Alam, 33, was finally arrested on Monday as he enjoyed a meal at a restaurant in Playa de las Americas, a resort packed with tourists and most of them Brits. The Bangladeshi national fled the UK before he was convicted and sentenced in his absence in March 2010 to 14 years in jail for raping a woman in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Alam featured on the National Crime Agency's (NCA) 2015 most wanted list as part of the Operation Capture fugitive campaign after Gloucestershire police asked for assistance, believing he had fled to Spain. One of Britain's most wanted criminals, Mohammed Alam, was arrested in Tenerife on Monday after fleeing the UK six years ago It is not yet known how long he had been hiding in Tenerife but police in the Canaries say they were tipped off in May that he was probably somewhere on the island. A five-month investigation then followed involving the Organised Crime Group based in the island's capital of Santa Cruz. Alam tried to hide by using a false identity and according to the head of the Canary police, frequently moved house and changed his work many times in a bid to make the trail go cold. But police had tracked his movements down to the last detail and arrested him under a European warrant. 'He had led a trail of disguise which significantly hindered our investigations,' said a police spokesman. Alam had been living in the British tourist hotspot of Tenerife for months, dodging police with an elaborate plot of different addresses and jobs (file photo) His last known address was in London but the National Crime Agency had suspected for some time that he had fled to Spain which proved the case. Alam was taken to the main police station in Playa de las Americas. It is believed he will be brought back to Britain within the next two weeks after extradition proceedings begin today when he appears at the Spanish National Court in Madrid. Detective Sergeant Paul Howell, of Gloucestershire police, said: 'We hope this result shows criminals that they will be convicted even if they try to get away and escape under the radar.' It follows the arrest of suspected paedophile Matthew Sammon, another on the most wanted list, who was captured in Fuengirola in the Costa del Sol last Thursday. Steve Reynolds, NCA Head of International Operations, said: 'Locating and arresting Alam after he had been on the run for six years is a fantastic result. 'This was a team effort to get justice for his victim and he will now be returned to the UK to serve a 14-year jail term.' A newlywed couple have claimed their big day was ruined when a man burst inside the church shouting 'Allahu Akbar' and then started tearing down wedding decorations. Groom Marcel Lohbeck, 35, and bride Friederike were celebrating their wedding with 90 guests in the Karmel Church in Duisburg, a city in western Germany. Lochbeck said: 'At the beginning of the ceremony, a man with a thick jumper and a hat on came into the church and sat in the back row. 'Shortly afterwards, he stood up and wandered around the candles. He laughed in a disturbing manner and then fondled the statue of Mary. 'He had been speaking in Arabic and partly English. He then started destroying the flowers and kept shouting "Allahu Akbar".' Two newlyweds have complained that their wedding day was ruined when a man burst inside the Karmel Church in Duisburg shouting 'Allahu Akbar' (file photo) Police officer Ludger A., 57, the uncle of the groom, reportedly tried to intervene along with the church sexton. The officer said: 'We tried to calm the obviously traumatised Syrian man.' After the man again refused to leave the church, there was a fight in which the police officer got slight injuries to his face. Yet he managed to restrain the man until his colleagues from the Duisburg police could arrive. A widow claims her war hero husband died because he feared his home would be razed to the ground to make way for a third Heathrow runway. Armelle Thomas, 70, said she and her 93-year-old husband Tommy received a letter from Heathrow's chief executive on July 1 last year which warned that their property was earmarked for demolition. Weeks later, Mr Thomas, an RAF veteran who spent 50 years living in his beloved village of Harmondsworth, west London, died in her arms. Widow Armelle Thomas (left) claims her war hero husband Tommy (right) died because he feared his home would be razed to the ground to make way for the third Heathrow runway Mrs Thomas - whose home is among hundreds which face being knocked down for the Government-backed expansion - is now insistent that it was the stress and worry of his community being wiped out that made her husband 'give up the will to live'. Speaking about his death, she said: 'My husband was frail, but he wasn't dying before July 1. This letter was the absolute cause of him giving up. 'If it wasn't for the third runway, Tommy might have died in different circumstances with a smile on his face.' Mrs Thomas claims that she and her husband received a letter from airport boss John Holland Kaye within 90 minutes of the Davies Commission supporting the case for a third runway. That letter warned that their home could be made subject to a compulsory purchase order and bulldozed. Mr Thomas (pictured) joined the RAF in 1940 and, despite being a dual national, dropped his French nationality to fight for Britain 'Two weeks later, Tommy was in the hospital,' Mrs Thomas said. 'When he came home we were called by his doctor and told he was dying. Two weeks later he was dead.' Mrs Thomas said that, before his death, her husband was 'anxious and distraught'. 'He wanted to go knowing that I'd stay in my community and in my home,' she said. 'Tommy's legacy was to stay in this village. In 1965 he fell in love with this village and he fell in love with me and we spent 50 years living in our home.' Mr Thomas joined the RAF in 1940 and, despite being a dual national, dropped his French nationality so he could fight for Britain. He then spent decades working at Heathrow, both for British Airways and as an immigration officer. Mrs Thomas said her husband first fell in love with the village of Harmondsworth in 1965. The couple, who married in 1970, built their life in the community and spent years battling previous Heathrow expansions. Mrs Thomas, who lives in Harmondsworth, west London, insists the stress and worry of his community being wiped out made her husband 'give up the will to live'. She is pictured next to a banner which is outside her home Mrs Thomas says she will continue fighting for her husband's legacy but that her life had been 'ruined' by what happened. She said: 'It's not about the money. It's always been about a who hero should have died peacefully. He didn't want to die the way he did.' But she said she was trying to channel his 'fighting spirit'. Mrs Thomas says she will continue fighting for her husband's legacy but that her life had been 'ruined' by what happened. He is pictured above She has even placed a banner outside her home reading 'John Holland-Kaye killed my husband, he will not destroy our home'. 'He's on his pillow at night, he's in every room during the day, I know he would be very proud and he would give me the strength to fight,' she said. 'My husband during the war was shot down. He didn't say "I've had enough I'm going home" - he carried on. He was fighting for the freedom of this country, for people he didn't know. 'He gives me the strength every day to do the same for my community.' Mrs Thomas said she also went to a committee meeting where she spoke to the airport's CEO. She said: 'John Holland Kaye came to shake my hand. As he did that, I looked him in the eyes and I said you have killed my husband, you have ruined my life, but you will never destroy our home. He replied with only three words: "I am sorry". He meant it, but that isn't going to bring Tommy back.' Yesterday, ahead of the announcement regarding the airport expansion, Mrs Thomas joined other campaigners at the village's Five Bells pub to campaign against the move. The group jeered Transport Secretary Chris Grayling as a TV on the top floor broadcast his speech to the House of Commons. Many shook their heads in dismay as he said the Government would back the Heathrow runway, while others yelled 'liar' as he made the positive case for the plan. One man, who asked not to be named, claims his home in Longford is set to become the site of a car park. 'I'm not moving,' he said. 'My next-door neighbour isn't moving - as far as I'm concerned Heathrow can move in, they are going to have to drag us out.' Shadow chancellor John McDonnell, who is MP for nearby Hayes and Harlington, showed up to the pub as a sign of solidarity in the early evening. He described the Government's decision as 'appalling'. Mrs Thomas has vowed to continue writing letters to Prime Minister Theresa May and wants to appeal against the decision in court. Yesterday, ahead of the announcement regarding the airport expansion, Mrs Thomas joined other campaigners at the village's Five Bells pub to campaign against the move (pictured) She added: 'His legacy is keeping this community, this village and my friends - that village is not going anywhere. 'If they come and try and bulldoze the village they will still find me in this house.' She added: 'Heathrow Airport stole my husband, please don't let it steal my memories.' A spokesman for Heathrow Airport said: 'Heathrow understands that some residents will have concerns about how expansion will affect them and we are committed to ensuring those affected are treated fairly. The gender pay gap among full-time workers remains at an alarmingly high rate of 18 per cent in the UK, new figures revealed today. The gap in salaries fell by barely 1 per cent in the last year, while for full-time employees - a more accurate measure due to the higher ratio of women who work part-time - fell by just 0.2 per cent, the Office for National Statistics said. Today's figures coincided with a new report that ranked Britain 20th in a global sex equality league table, putting the UK behind Rwanda. The gender pay gap among full-time workers remains at an alarmingly high rate of 18 per cent in the UK, new figures revealed today. Pictured, the gender pay gap by age group in the UK The worrying study by the World Economic Forum painted a gloomy picture for gender equality globally, with women not expected to reach parity with men for 170 years. The gender gap will not be eliminated by 2186, the report predicted - a rise of 63 years since its 2015 estimate. The WEF assesses the gap in opportunities between men and women in terms of economic and political participation, education and health, The report found that women have just 59 per cent of the economic opportunities available to men. Today's figures coincided with a new report that ranked Britain 20th in a global sex equality league table, putting the UK behind Rwanda. Pictured, the darker the shade of blue the smaller the gap between women and men in terms of economic, political, health and education opportunities. Below, an interactive graphic compares how countries fare across the world Women have 96 per cent of the access to health compared to men, 95 per cent of education and 23 per cent of political opportunities available to men. Britain's progress in gender equality was described as 'snail's pace' by TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady after the latest report by the ONS found the gender pay gap had narrowed relatively little in recent years. The different between men's and women's full-time median hourly pay - excluding overtime - fell from 9.6 per cent in 2015 to 9.4 per cent this year. Ms Grady said: 'The full-time gender pay gap is closing at a snail's pace. At this rate, it will take decades for women to get paid the same as men. 'We need a labour market that works better for women. This means helping mums get back into well-paid jobs after they have kids, and encouraging dads to take on more caring responsibilities. 'The Government should also scrap tribunal fees, which stop women getting justice from bad employers who have discriminated against them.' Britain's progress in gender equality was described as 'snail's pace' by TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady after the latest report by the ONS found the gender pay gap had narrowed relatively little in recent years The ONS said the introduction of the national living wage of 7.20 an hour for adults had led to pay growth in the past year being at the bottom end of the earnings scale. ONS statistician James Scruton said there was a definite pay boost for those previously paid below the rate, adding that there was a similar pattern when the national minimum wage came into force in 1999. The figures, for April this year, showed that weekly earnings grew by 2.2 per cent for full-time workers and 6.6 per cent for part-timers. A discount sale at a supermarket resembled something of a battleground as shoppers engaged in brutal fights in a bid to get their hands on bargains. There were horrific scenes as people lunged at one another, clambering over trolleys and throwing punches as they fought for discounted goods at the store in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Shocking footage shot on a mobile phone shows shoppers getting trampled as a stampede of people pushed to get through the doors at the Niteroi store in the suburb of Guanabara de Sao Goncalo. Shoppers were trampled as a stampede of people pushed to get through the doors at the Niteroi store in the suburb of Guanabara de Sao Goncalo There were horrific scenes as people lunged at one another, clambering over trolleys and throwing punches as they fought for discounted goods at the store in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil The supermarket was celebrating its anniversary with price discounts - but it backfired when there were fights as people battled for the best deals and even fought over trolleys. Thousands flocked to the store last Friday and emptied the shelves in just minutes. In the footage, shoppers can be seen punching, pushing and shouting at each other. Another clip shows the moment the doors of the supermarket open and people who had reportedly been queuing for several hours, race to get inside. The supermarket was celebrating its anniversary with price discounts - but it backfired when there were fights as people battled for the best deals and even fought over trolleys Thousands flocked to the store last Friday and emptied the shelves in just minutes In the footage, shoppers can be seen punching, pushing and shouting at each other In the pandemonium which ensued, several people are understood to have been injured. In the clip, customers are seen embroiled in angry disputes, while one man lunges over a shopping trolley towards another shopper. Two men were also seen hitting one another as they fight over a trolley. Every year the local supermarket chain Niteroi celebrates its anniversary with massive discounts. Another clip shows the moment the doors of the supermarket open and people who had reportedly been queuing for several hours, race to get inside Burglar Jason Travis Sewell was filmed ransacking a woman's home on an old iPhone which was being used as a security camera An old iPhone which doubled up as a security camera has helped ensure a burglar will spend more than a decade behind bars. Jason Travis Sewell was convicted of aggravated burglary after the homeowner saw two men ransacking her property. Under the terms of his plea agreement he will serve 15 years in prison after being caught in Knoxville, Tennessee. Assistant District Attorney Phil Morton said the victim saw a burglary was in progress at her home on March 7 this year, and called the police. Police officer Tim Edwards rushed to the scene, and was walking up the driveway when the garage door opened to reveal Sewell carrying a large flat screen television. He tried to run, but was quickly arrested. DA Charme Allen said after the case: 'New technology has changed the way law enforcement fights crime, but it can help homeowners protect themselves and their property, too. Sewell was filmed rifling through the woman's possessions, and was arrested after trying to leave with a large TV 'The homeowner in this case was able to protect her home and stop a criminal in the act thanks to a creative use of technology.' The phone was using the app Manything, which allows devices to double up as security cameras. Sewell, 36, has 11 prior felony convictions for aggravated burglary, burglary and theft. The second man who was caught on the iPhone footage, Gregory Alan Collins, has pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and will be sentenced on November 3. Angry residents were shocked after receiving a letter from a house builder claiming 74,000 for 'loss of earnings' because they objected to a planning application. Plans to build 12 flats near the homes of the residents were rejected when they lodged their objections with the local council. But the house builder, Raith Developments, has now sent a bill for lost profit to the nine residents in the village of Thornton, Fife. The plans to build 12 flats near the homes of the nine residents in the small village of Thornton (pictured) were rejected by the council after they lodged their objections The letters were posted through the residents' doors early on Friday morning. The letter, signed by Gordon Powell, 64, managing director for Raith Developments, claimed that each resident owed compensation to the company for objecting to the plans. And it threatened that if the residents did not pay 74,100 each within 21 days, legal action would be brought against them. One angry homeowner, who did not want to be named, said he could not believe the company are threatening his fellow residents in this way. He said: 'I am 74 and I have a neighbour who is 80, and this type of threatening correspondence is beyond belief. 'I contacted my lawyer immediately, who said it was nonsense and would be laughed out of court. 'We were invited to lodge objections against this and we did so because of a noise issue relating to the A92 on our doorstep dating back a number of years. WHAT'S THE LEGAL SITUATION OF THE LETTER? Jeremy Williams, the Head of Construction, Energy and Projects at Capital Law, said: 'The house builder should perhaps look a little closer to home. 'What advice did he receive from his consultants before making the planning application? 'It's highly unlikely that any court would determine a duty of care was owed by the residents to the house builder it seems like a vexatious claim. 'What's more, as a matter of public policy, the court would not allow any such claim. If they did, no-one would ever object to a planning application!' Advertisement 'We didn't make the decision to refuse the application, but we have been given these letters demanding this huge sum of money. 'It's just beyond belief.' Another householder, who declined to be named, said: 'I've been to my lawyers about this and they have told me that this issue wouldn't even stand up in court. 'Apparently in the missives of our original agreement when we bought the house, it said we could not make any objection to future planning applications. 'Mr Powell said he was going to sue nine of us for objecting to it unless we paid the money within 21 days. 'But my lawyer has since told me that is absolute nonsense and that he can't do that. 'The application wasn't even refused on the basis of our objection, which was to do with an acoustic fence to the rear of our houses. It was refused because of other areas in the application itself. 'Mr Powell has no right to do this whatsoever. He hasn't even sent the letter via a lawyer, he has did it himself. 'I actually told my neighbours that if he got legal advice beforehand, he would most likely have been told not to bother sending it.' The homeowner took the letter to his local councillor, Ross Vettriano, who said: 'Like this resident, I am lost for words. 'I understand that the issue between Raith Developments and those who objected to the planning application is a civil matter and falls to be dealt with by the objectors on that basis, but I think that the council has a locus in that it can advise the householder and the other objectors about their position in terms of the Town and Country Planning legislation.' Councillor Vettriano confirmed that he passed the letter on to Steve Grimmond, Fife Council's chief executive, for his advice. He added: 'It seems to me, irrespective of what it may say in the missives, that members of the public cannot be held accountable for a decision taken by the council - an autonomous corporate body. 'It would be good, therefore, if councils, when clarifying the position in terms of the planning legislation, would comment on that position as well.' June Barrie, managing solicitor for Fife Council, said: 'This is a civil matter between the residents and the developer and the only advice we can give is for them to contact their solicitor.' A couple who worked as social workers left their own 10-year-old son, who has learning difficulties, at home on his own while they travelled from Devon to London. The boy's mother, a senior social worker, and stepfather, who worked in mental health services, left the boy at their home in the South West while they made the 300-mile return trip. Police found the youngster - who has the abilities of a seven year old - laying on his sofa on his own, and he later started crying and repeatedly asking 'for his mummy', a court heard. The couple, who cannot be named to protect the child's identity, have now been ordered to complete unpaid work for child neglect. A couple of social workers from Devon left their young son at home while they went to London Exeter Magistrates Court were told police went to the family's Devon home in July last year after concerns were raised. The boy told officers that his parents had gone 'away to London' before he broke down and asked for his 'mummy'. After returning home, the mother said she was rushing some medication to London for her mother who was flying out of the country. She claimed she initially intended to make the return journey on her own, but suffered a panic attack and so was taken by her husband. She claimed her husband intended to get a train straight back to Devon, and estimated they were only going to be away for five hours. The couple said they did not consider taking he boy with him because he would be too 'tired the next day'. The couple were ordered to carry out unpaid work after appearing at Exeter Magistrates Court The boy was briefly taken into care by authorities and the couple were charged with child neglect. Their lawyer told the court the couple have since split up and now live in different parts of the country. They share responsibility for the boy. The couple's lawyer Caroline Salvatore told the court: 'They were both working in social care all their lives and both have lost their jobs and are having to sell their house. 'One misjudgment and they have lost everything - their son, their home, their jobs, and split up the family. 'This could not have more wrong. One bad misjudgment affected all their lives. They have been punished quite severely for this error of judgement.' Bill Gates said his three children understand why he has pledged to leave his 70billion fortune to charity when he dies. In a revealing insight into his private life, the Microsoft founder, 60, said his children are 'proud' of his decision to dedicate his money to helping the world's poorest. Gates said that instead of billion-dollar trust funds, his two daughters and son will be given a 'great education' to help kick-start their own careers. Scroll down for video Revealing insight: Bill Gates, 60, said his three children are 'proud' of his decision to dedicate his money to helping the world's poorest during an interview on This Morning today (pictured) Private life: Bill and Melinda Gates with their children, Jennifer, now 20, Rory, now 17, and Phoebe, now 14, who will only inherit a small fraction of their parents' 70billion fortune But the business mogul did say there would still be a financial safety net in place, adding: 'They are never going to be poorly off'. Speaking on This Morning, Gates said: 'Our kids will receive a great education and some money so they are never going to be poorly off but they'll go out and have their own career. 'It's not a favour to kids to have them have huge sums of wealth. It distorts anything they might do, creating their own path.' Gates and his wife Melinda, 52, have three children together, Jennifer, 20, Rory, 17, and Phoebe, 14. Family values: In the interview on this morning the business mogul (pictured) said there would still be a financial safety net in place, adding: 'They are never going to be poorly off' Greatest gift: Gates, pictured, and his wife Melinda said their children are being given a 'great education' but want them to forge their own paths rather than rely on billion-dollar trust funds Jennifer is in her second year at prestigious Stanford University, California, where her father donated 5million to the construction of a computer science building in his name. She is also an accomplished equestrian, riding in national competitions. Rory and Phoebe are believed to at school and live at home with their parents outside Seattle, Washington. The Gates will only pass on a fraction of their vast wealth to their children. Business leader: Bill Gates with Chancellor Philip Hammond outside Downing Street today The rest will go to their charity, the Bill And Melinda Gates Foundation, which funds health and education projects around the world. In a rare insight into family life, Gates told This Morning presenters Holly Willoughby and Ben Shephard his children are behind the decision. A college student was FaceTiming with his girlfriend this weekend when three armed men broke into his apartment, beat him and then made off with thousands of dollars of valuables. Austin Community College student Austin Gerstein, 19, tells KXAN that he was talking to his girlfriend Baylee Luciani Sunday night when he heard a scratching at his apartment door. When he opened the door, three men barged into his home and pushed him down on his bed while Luciani watched in horror. Scroll down for video Yale Gerstein, 19, was robbed at gunpoint on Sunday while FaceTiming his girlfriend Gerstein's girlfriend Baylee Luciani was in Dallas, and took screenshots of the live video to try and catch the robbers' faces. Her father (seen in the inset video) called 911 'They were hitting me in the head with the pistol saying "face down". Just don't get shot, just don't get shot...that was on my mind,' Gerstein recalls. Luciani says at first she thought what she was seeing was a joke, but quickly realized that the threat to her boyfriend was serious. 'I was scared, because they were saying I'm going to blow your head off, I'm going to kill you,' Luciani said. The three armed robbers made off with thousands of dollars worth of music equipment and left Gerstein beat up 'I was scared, because they were saying I'm going to blow your head off, I'm going to kill you,' Luciani told KXAN While the men beat her boyfriend and searched through his apartment for valuables, Luciani started taking screenshots of the live video back in Dallas in an attempt to provide police with pictures of the suspects. Meanwhile, her dad - who is also seen in the video - called 911 to report the break in. Eventually one of the robbers disconnected the computer so that the FaceTime call ended. When the robbers found what they were looking for, they fled to the apartment complex across the street and drove off in an older looking white police cruiser. Gerstein says that one of them was wearing a Halloween ghost mask and that they all were wearing gloves. They made off with with thousands of dollars in music equipment. Gerstein says they even stole some irreplaceable items. 'I had just finished my first album as a solo artist. That's all lost,' he said. Austin police continue to investigate the incident. Masum Goni, pictured, was found guilty of groping a 23-year-old woman he had been talking to on a number 86 bus on January 6, 2016 after moving from another seat A porn-loving disabled man claimed he groped a woman on a bus because his wife was living back in Bangladesh. Masum Goni, 37, sat next to his 23-year-old victim on an 86 bus in east London on January 6. Goni, who was carrying a walking stick and two large carrier bags spoke to the woman before rubbing her thigh and grabbing her bottom. After moving seats three times he elbowed the victim in the breasts and she thought it must have been an accident, Thames Magistrates' Court heard. But then Goni ran his hand up her thigh and the panicked woman tried to get up and leave. As she tried to get past him he grabbed her bottom and rubbed her legs. Goni, who has a wife in Bangladesh, enjoys watching pornographic films and was 'acting out a fantasy' at the time, the court heard. Prosecutor Nathan Miebai told the court: 'At first he sat next to a male passenger upstairs.' 'He then moved downstairs to sit next to another female passenger and then moved again to sit next to the complainant.' 'He moved his left elbow into her chest area but she ignored this as she thought he was disabled and they continued having a conversation.' 'He then put his hand on her right thigh and moved it up her right thigh until it reached her hip.' 'She sat up immediately walked off but as she did he put his hand on her bottom and on her leg.' Mr Miebai said that she confronted him and he said: 'sorry, sorry'. The victim went to stand by the safety of the driver and said to Goni: 'Why are you pretending to be disabled so you can touch people,' the court heard. Three weeks later the woman saw Goni on the same bus and called the police. When shown CCTV Goni accepted it was him but denied it was sexual assault. 'The complainant engaged him in conversation and thought she was safe, she thought he was disabled,' said Mr Miebai. Thames Magistrates' Court heard Goni, who enjoys watching pornographic films, was lonely as his wife was at home in Bangladesh. He denied sexually assaulting the woman on the bus Goni was charged with a virtually 'identical' offence from October 2013 but was found not guilty after trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court. The defendant, who came to the UK on a student visa, finally admitted his guilt in a probation report before he was sentenced. The report detailed that he says he has a physical disease that means he cannot feel his feet and finds it difficult to balance, the court heard. According to the probation report, Goni claims he views pornographic material and is lonely as his wife is in Bangladesh. District Judge Paul Clark gave him a four month prison sentence suspended for 18 months. He also banned him from sitting next to or talking to any female on a bus or at a bus stop for a year. Judge Clark said: 'I have heard from probation that you are now sorry for what you did.' 'When first charged you were asked if you were guilty or not guilty and you said not guilty so there had to be a trial. 'The victim had to come to court and give evidence against you. 'That means you have effectively abused her twice, first in the bus and then when she had to relive the experience in court.' 'I have concluded that she would have been upset, not least about what happened but also when she had to give evidence about it.' Goni was handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which prevents him from sitting next to any woman on a London bus or approaching them at a stop owned by a bus company, file photo Judge Clark added: 'You are an isolated individual in society. 'You have resorted to pornography and also committing offences like this which no doubt stem from fantasies you have. 'The sentence is one of four months suspended for 18 months.' Goni, aided by an interpreter in court, showed no reaction as Judge Clark told him his fate. Judge Clark ordered Goni to pay the victim 500 compensation which he said could never reflect the physical and emotional trauma she suffered. Goni, of Green Lane, Ilford, was convicted of sexual assault on a female. He was given four months imprisonment suspended for 18 months, ordered to pay500 compensation to the victim and court costs of 650. He was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order preventing him from sitting next to any female of a London bus and not to communicate with any female at a bus stop or structure owned by a bus company for a year. Shaun Payne, 18, (pictured) was killed in a motorbike crash while his mother and brother were travelling behind him A bereft mother held her dying teenage son's hand after he crashed his motorcycle while she was stuck in traffic behind him. Francine Payne was travelling in her car with her younger son Max when her 18-year-old boy Shaun Payne collided with another vehicle ahead of them. Ms Payne raced with Max to be by Shaun's side and held his hand as paramedics tried to resuscitate him, but he could not be saved. Paying tribute to her son, Ms Payne said Shaun 'lit up every area he entered'. 'We can't grasp that his bike isn't going to pull onto the drive. We are all waiting, even his dog,' she said. The crash took place on Monday on the B4215 in Rudford, Gloucestershire, just after Shaun had left work on his Yamaha 125CC bike. Ms Payne said she and Max were waiting in a queue at temporary traffic lights when she was told a motorbike had crashed ahead of her. Fearing the worst, she raced up the road as members of the public and paramedics battled to save her son. 'I was following Shaun and he was about 15 cars in front so he went through the traffic lights first before they changed to red,' she said. 'Then we heard there'd been a crash. His dad and his grandparents arrived after us and we were there to hold his hand when they stopped trying to resuscitate him. 'There is no explanation for what happened yet - no-one knows. He left doing what he loved most, riding his bike back to us all.' She added that her son - who had just been offered an assessment day for the army - was a 'ball of energy and the centre of our world'. 'Our family name for him was Bill because from the minute he could walk he would run around like Billy Whizz,' she said. His father Michael said Shaun had owned the Yamaha bike since March and was building another machine in the shed. 'He loved biking and passed his test on his 16th birthday,' he said. 'He would go to all the meets. Francine Payne (left) and her younger son Max, 17, were travelling together in their car when 18-year-old Shaun (right) collided with another vehicle ahead of them 'He bought himself a car and but he ended up selling it because he said he didn't feel safe and preferred being on his bike. 'He just ran everywhere. He was vibrant, energetic, loud and full of life. He was like a tornado.' Shaun was part of a very close knit family and two years ago the whole family, including both sets of grandparents, went on holiday to America where they visited San Francisco, had a helicopter ride in the Grand Canyon and visited Alcatraz. 'He loved Alcatraz because he was fascinated with history and liked hearing about his great grandfather,' said his grandmother Jenny Payne. She recalled: 'We used to say he was a bag of sugar with legs because a bag of sugar is 2lbs and he was 2lbs 7oz when he was born. 'He always wanted to be in army and when he was small he would dress in army gear with his little wooden rifle. He may have been an 18-year-old man but to us he was still our little soldier. We loved him and it may sound soppy in this day and age, but we told him that all the time. 'He was so vibrant and full of life we can't believe he's gone. The only comfort we have is that it happened quickly and he didn't suffer.' Shaun's girlfriend Ella White, 18, also paid tribute to him. She said: 'When I got told that you had fell off your bike, I broke down into a million pieces. I had to keep telling myself it was all a lie and that you were fine. 'But now that everything has come to realisation nothing is the same without you. You made a huge impact on everybody's life and made people see everything in a positive frame of mind. 'All you wanted was for everyone to be happy and to have a great time and I really can't thank you enough for everything that you've done. 'You are a phenomenal boy and your great company will be missed beyond words. R.I.P. Shaun. I love you and miss you always. Shine bright up there. You will always be in my heart.' NATO wants allies to contribute to its biggest military build-up on Russia's borders since the Cold War Comes as Russia completed nuclear drills for 40 million of its citizens Drones and Challenger 2 tanks to be sent for 'reassurance and Britain is sending tanks, drones and 800 troops to Estonia as part of the biggest military build-up on Russia's borders since the Cold War. The soldiers will be sent to the Eastern European country and will be joined by forces from Denmark and France, according to Defence Secretary Michael Fallon. It comes a day after Russia unveiled chilling pictures of its largest ever nuclear missile - Satan 2 - which is capable of obliterating the UK. Yesterday, Putin also reportedly launched an RS-18 ballistic missile, understood to be a test to see if it could defeat US defence systems. And today, 130 military centres were put on high alert in Russia and six surrounding countries for drills on the region's ability to respond to attacks from the West. The United States hopes for binding commitments from Europe to fill four battle groups of some 4,000 troops, part of NATO's response to Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and concern it could try a similar tactic in Europe's ex-Soviet states. France, Denmark, Italy and other allies are expected to join the four battle groups led by the United States, Germany, Britain and Canada to go to Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, with forces ranging from armoured infantry to drones. Tensions are high between Russia and the West after an escalation in posturing between President Vladimir Putin and Western leaders. Last week Putin sent an aircraft carrier on a bombing mission to Syria in a fleet that passed through the English Channel. In the past week, Britain has deployed RAF fighter jets to intercept Russian bombers nearing UK airspace twice in four days. Earlier this month the Kremlin evacuated 40 million people in drills to prepare for nuclear war. Scroll down for video Britain is sending tanks, drones and 800 troops to Estonia as part of the biggest military build-up on Russia's borders since the Cold War. Russian president Vladimir Putin is pictured today in the Black Sea resort of Yalta France, Denmark, Italy and other allies are expected to join the four battle groups led by the United States, Germany, Britain and Canada to go to Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, with forces ranging from armoured infantry to drones Pictures have emerged showing how the Kremlin completed a nuclear drill for 40 million citizens Video shows men in gas masks entering buildings as part of the chilling exercise drill Speaking at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Mr Fallon said: 'I am confirming details today of our deployment as part of the forward presence in Estonia next year, a full sized British battalion with light armour, Challenger 2 tanks, Warriors vehicles, French and Danish companies in support. That deployment will begin next spring [May].' He also confirmed plans for 'the first ever deployment of RAF Typhoons to the Black Sea Region as part of southern air policing next year in Romania.' 'I hope this will provide reassurance for that entire region, certainly in Romania, Bulgaria, Black Sea generally and including Turkey.' Mr Fallon added: 'This is Britain stepping up in Nato, beefing up the reassurance that we are able to offer. Although we are leaving the European Union, we will be doing more to help secure the eastern and southern flanks of Nato.' Meanwhile, a 28-strong team from Britain will be sent to Kosovo and British and Romanian troops will also head to Poland to form part of a US-led battalion. Mr Fallon made his comments as NATO pressed allies to contribute to its biggest military build-up on Russia's borders since the Cold War. Reports in Russia suggest the Kremlin has already reinforced its Baltic Fleet in Kaliningrad with two small warships armed with long-range cruise missiles to counter what it sees as a worrying NATO build-up in the region. Izvestia cited an unnamed military source as saying that the two ships, the Serpukhov and the Zeleny Dol, had already entered the Baltic Sea and would soon become part of a newly formed division. RUSSIAN SUPER-NUKE 'CAPABLE OF WIPING OUT ENGLAND' Russia has unveiled chilling pictures of its largest ever nuclear missile, capable of destroying an area the size of France. The RS-28 Sarmat missile, dubbed Satan 2 by Nato, has a top speed of 4.3 miles (7km) per second and has been designed to outfox anti-missile shield systems. The new Sarmat missile could deliver warheads of 40 megatons - 2,000 times as powerful as the atom bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Russian President is reportedly planning to replace the country's older SS-18 Satan weapons with the new missiles amid a string of recent disagreements with the West. Russia has unveiled chilling pictures of its largest ever nuclear missile, capable of destroying an area the size of France. A contract for the weapons was signed in 2011, and they are expected to be ready in 2018 The pictures were revealed online by chief designers from the Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau. A message posted alongside the picture said: 'In accordance with the Decree of the Russian Government 'On the State Defense Order for 2010 and the planning period 2012-2013', the Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau was instructed to start design and development work on the Sarmat. ' The RS-28 Sarmat missile is said to contain 16 nuclear warheads and is capable of destroying an area the size of France or Texas, according to Russian news network Zvezda, which is owned by Russia's ministry of defence. The weapon is also able to evade radar. Each missile contains 16 nuclear warheads, according to pictures revealed online from the Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau. It is also able to evade radar. It is expected to have a range of 6,213 miles (10,000 km), which would allow Moscow to attack London and other European cities as well as reaching cities on America's west and east coasts. Dr Sutyagin points out that the SS-18 missiles which the Russians currently rely on were designed in 1988 during the Soviet Union and were built at a factory in Dnipropetrovsk, in what is now the Ukraine. He said: 'Not only are they too fast but they have got rid of the predictable flight path. 'It manouevres all the way so it is terribly difficult for any missile defence system to shoot it down.' The Russian Defence Ministry plans to put the Sarmat into service in late 2018 and remove the last SS-18 by 2020. The Sarmat has been in development since 2009 and is scheduled to start replacing the old ICBMs in 2018. The new missile is said to be undergoing testing near Miass in Russia. Advertisement With Russia's aircraft carrier heading to Syria in a show of force along Europe's shores, alliance defence ministers aim to make good on a July promise by NATO leaders to send forces to the Baltic states and eastern Poland from early next year. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the commitments would be 'a clear demonstration of our transatlantic bond.' Diplomats said it would also send a message to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who has complained that European allies do not pay their way in the alliance. The battle groups will be backed by NATO's 40,000-strong rapid-reaction force, and if need be, further follow-on forces, for any potential conflict, which could move into Baltic states and Poland on rotation. The strategy is part of an emerging new deterrent that could eventually be combined with missile defences, air patrols and defences against cyber attacks. However, the alliance is still struggling for a similar strategy in the Black Sea region, which Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has said is becoming a 'Russian lake' because of Moscow's military presence there. More than 200,000 specialists of rescue units and 50,000 units of equipment were said to have been involved in the drills Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey are expected to soon come forward with a plan to increase naval and air patrols in the area, as well as a multinational NATO brigade in Romania. For the Kremlin, the US-led alliance's plans are already too much given Russia's grievances at NATO's expansion eastwards. Stoltenberg denied going too far. 'This is a credible deterrence, not to provoke a conflict but to prevent conflict,' he told reporters on Tuesday. Next year's deployments have taken on greater symbolism since Russia pulled out of several nuclear disarmament agreements in the past two months while moving nuclear-capable missiles into its Baltic exclave in Kaliningrad. The so-called Iskander-M cruise missiles can hit targets across Poland and the Baltics, although NATO officials declined to say if Russia had moved nuclear warheads to Kaliningrad. It comes amid heightened tensions with Russia after President Vladimir Putin sent an aircraft carrier on a bombing mission to Syria in a fleet that passed through the English Channe Rockets point towards the sky during the 2016 Army Games, an international event organised by the Russian Defense Ministry Tensions are high between Russia and the West after an escalation in posturing between President Vladimir Putin and Western leaders 'This deployment, if it becomes permanent, if the presence of nuclear weapons were confirmed, would be a change in (Russia's) security posture,' the United States' envoy to NATO, Douglas Lute, said. Tensions have been building since Crimea and the West's decision to impose retaliatory sanctions, but the breakdown of a US-Russia brokered ceasefire in Syria on October 3, followed by US accusations that Russia has used cyber attacks to disrupt the presidential election, have signalled a sharp worsening of East-West relations. EU leaders met last week to consider fresh sanctions over Russian bombing of civilian areas in Aleppo and NATO's Stoltenberg said he fears the Russian warships heading to the Mediterranean could launch new attacks on the Syrian city. Even before the break down of the Syrian ceasefire, Russian President Vladimir Putin suspended a treaty with Washington on cleaning up weapons-grade plutonium, signalling he was willing to use nuclear disarmament as a new bargaining chip in disputes with the United States over Ukraine and Syria. Russia is also said to be sharply upgrading the firepower of its Baltic Fleet in Kaliningrad by adding warships armed with long-range cruise missiles to counter NATO's build-up in the region, Russian media reported on Wednesday. There was no official confirmation from Moscow, but the reports will raise tensions in the Baltic, already heightened since Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea, and are likely to cause alarm in Poland and Lithuania which border Kaliningrad. The reported deployment comes as NATO is planning its biggest military build-up on Russia's borders since the Cold War to deter possible Russian aggression and will be seen as a riposte to that. Russia's daily Izvestia newspaper cited a military source as saying that the first two of five ships, the Serpukhov and the Zeleny Dol, had already entered the Baltic Sea and would soon become part of a newly formed division in Kaliningrad, Russia's European exclave sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania. Another source familiar with the situation told the Interfax news agency that the two warships would be joining the Baltic Fleet in the coming days. Today, more than 100 command and control centres were put on high alert in Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, according to the Express. As well as practice for a potential war with the West, the drill was said to be testing Russia and its allies' ability to respond to 'airspace violations, including by hijacked aircraft' alongside 'assisting crews of aircraft in distress'. Earlier this month it was reported that Russian citizens have been told a war with the West could be imminent and Kremlin officials have said underground shelters have been built to house 12million people. The soldiers will be by sent to the Eastern European country in the spring and will be joined by forces from Denmark and France, according to Defence Secretary Michael Fallon (pictured) British Royal Navy type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan is pictured with its Wildcat helicopter as it shadows the Russian Carrier Task Group in the English Channel last week A massive evacuation drill said to have involved 40 million people lasted three days. A Ministry of the Russian Federation for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters spokesman said at the time: ' The three-stage four-day drill involves more than 40 million people, more than 200,000 specialists of rescue units based in regions, organizations and enterprises, as well as some 50,000 units of equipment. 'Management bodies and forces of the Emergency Ministry's territorial bodies have been put on simulated high alert. 'Representatives of federal executive authorities, heads of regions, local governments and organisations are taking part in the massive drill. 'Emergency Ministry's forces and facilities are fully engaged, including rescue military divisions, rescue units, paramilitary mine rescue units and State Small Vessels Inspectorate, fire departments and aircraft. 'The topic of the drill is Organization of civil defense during large natural and man-caused disasters in the Russian Federation.' The Royal Navy was placed on red alert after it emerged Russia was sailing a fleet of warships along the British coast en route to Syria RUSSIA'S TEST LAUNCH OF RS-18 BALLISTIC MISSILE Putin's defence ministry reportedly claimed to have successfully test launched an RS-18 ballistic missile. The launch on Tuesday was carried out at a site near the town of Yasny in the Orenburg region, and is understood to be a test to see if the missile could combat US defences. 'The test was a success. The warhead was delivered to Kura field,' the Defense Ministry reported, according to RT. The RS-18 is known as a hypersonic glider vehicle (HGV), which travels predominantly through the stratosphere rather than space to give it a greater range. It would also give anti-missile systems a shorter time to react with an attack. HGVs can also manoeuvre during an approach to a target at high speed, making intercepting even harder. Very few countries are known to be developing the technology, but the US and China are understood to have HGV warheads. Advertisement Last week, Britain deployed RAF fighter jets to intercept Russian bombers nearing UK airspace twice in four days - as Putin sailed a fleet of warships towards the English Channel. The Russian military aircraft flew in an 'area of interest' off the coast of Scotland in the middle of the night on October 12 and again on October 16, the MoD revealed. Typhoon jets from RAF Lossiemouth near Elgin, Scotland, were scrambled in response, supported by Voyagers from Brize Norton. It came as the Royal Navy was placed on red alert after it emerged Russia was sailing a fleet of warships along the British coast en route to Syria. Two days after the first bombers were detected, the Royal Navy revealed plans to escort Putin's heavily armed flotilla, led by aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov. Yesterday, Russia unveiled chilling pictures of its largest ever nuclear missile, capable of destroying an area the size of France. The RS-28 Sarmat missile, dubbed Satan 2 by Nato, has a top speed of 4.3 miles (7km) per second and has been designed to outfox anti-missile shield systems. MOUNTING TENSIONS:THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF RUSSIAN INTERCEPTIONS The scrambling of Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth to intercept Russian bombers is the latest in a long line of incidents of Russian planes nearing British airspace: September 19, 2014: Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland shadow a pair of Tu-95 Bear bombers approaching a Nato defence zone in the North Sea. October 29, 2014: Two more bears are intercepted approaching the UK from the Norwegian sea as part of a large sortie of Russian planes including MiG fighters. October 31, 2014: Typhoons from Lossiemouth escort a lone bear away from UK airspace. January 28, 2015: Civilian flights are diverted away from Britain after bear bombers are spotted off the coast of Bournemouth and Portsmouth after passing the west coast of Ireland and flying around the English Channel. The Foreign Office questions the Russian Ambassador as to why the bombers were flying so close to commercial flights. Britain has deployed RAF Typhoon fighter jets (stock) to intercept Russian bombers approaching UK airspace - twice in one week February 18, 2015: Two Typhoons from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire scrambled to intercept a pair of Bear bombers flying off Cornwall. They are escorted south. April 13, 2015: Two Typhoons are sent from Lossiemouth after two bears are seen in international airspace near north Scotland, shortly after several Nato warships are gathered off the Scottish coast for training exercises. May 14, 2015: Two Typhoons were scrambled from Lossiemouth to intercept a pair of Tu-95 bombers flying towards UK airspace north of Scotland. But they did not enter the airspace and were not considered a threat. September 11, 2015: Two Blackjack bombers are seen off the coast of Northumbria, prompting Typhoons to be scrambled from Lossiemouth. The UK jets closed in on the Russian planes which then flew off towards the Baltic Sea. November 20, 2015: Blackjacks heading to a bombing raid in Syria on an unusual 8,000-mile round trip around Europe come close to entering UK airspace. Typhoons are sent from Lossiemouth to intercept and escort them away via the Atlantic Ocean and Gibraltar. Advertisement The new Sarmat missile could deliver warheads of 40 megatons - 2,000 times as powerful as the atom bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. The Russian President is reportedly planning to replace the country's older SS-18 Satan weapons with the new missiles amid a string of recent disagreements with the West. The tests are the latest in a line of policies and incidents carried out by Putin to antagonise the West. Western leaders have been quick to slap him down and accuse him of war-mongering. A fortnight ago, Hillary Clinton launched an open attack on Russia in a presidential debate, saying Vladimir Putin wants Trump to win and accused the regime of 'war crimes' in Syria. Clinton went on the offensive during the combative head-to-head showdown, apparently riled after she fell victim to leaks which she attributed to Russian hackers. In some of her strongest words yet aimed at Russian President Putin, Clinton rebuked the country for its bombing of Aleppo, home to some 250,000 people. 'There is a determined effort by the Russian air force to destroy Aleppo in order to eliminate the last of the Syrian rebels who are really holding out against the Assad regime,' she told the crowd. A fortnight ago, Hillary Clinton launched an open attack on Russia in a presidential debate, saying Vladimir Putin wants Trump to win and accused the regime of 'war crimes' in Syria 'Russia hasn't paid any attention to ISIS. They're interested in keeping Assad in power,' she went on. 'I do support the effort to investigate for crimes - war crimes - committed by the Syrians and the Russians, and try to hold them accountable,' she told the crowd. She also alleged that Russia wanted to see Trump in power rather than her. 'But I want to emphasise that what is at stake here is the ambitions and the aggressiveness of Russia,' she said. 'Russia has decided that it's all in in Syria, and they've also decided who they want to see become president of the United States too - and it's not me.' The FBI said in July that it was looking into the hacking of the Democratic National Committee computer system, after WikiLeaks published nearly 20,000 internal emails on the eve of the party's convention. At the debate the subject of Russian hacks also came up in a separate voter question about a WikiLeaks document published earlier this month, which showed that Clinton allegedly said in a Wall Street speech that 'you need both a public and a private position on certain issues.' The White House and the Kremlin have been at loggerheads for weeks over the Syrian civil war with the US backing rebel groups attempting to overthrow the government and Putin supporting President Assad Clinton went on to blame the leak on Russian meddling, saying: 'We have never, in the history of our country, been in a situation where an adversary, a foreign power, is working so hard to influence the outcome of the election.' The recent criticism has clearly rubbed Putin up the wrong way, who reacted today by saying: 'If somebody out there wants confrontation this is not our choice but this means that there will be problems,' according to The Mirror. The White House and the Kremlin have been at loggerheads for weeks over the Syrian civil war with the US backing rebel groups attempting to overthrow the government and Putin supporting President Assad. Both have accused each other of air strikes on aid convoys and civilians. Though the Russian military said Tuesday the weeklong halt of Russian and Syrian air strikes on the besieged city of Aleppo will continue and humanitarian corridors will remain open even as the Syrian army has unleashed a new offensive on the rebel-held neighborhoods. As well as a bulging stock of nuclear missiles in Russia itself, Putin is looking to flex his muscles around the world. Russia is considering reopening military bases in Vietnam and Cuba as Putin looks to assert his army's presence around the world. A Sydney man has been charged with allegedly raping a woman in Kings Cross, after he met her on an adult social networking fetish website. The 41-year-old man, who used the pseudonym 'The Wolf' on Fetlife.com, was charged over the alleged attack which took place on August 24, 2015. The pair agreed to meet in person at a hotel in Kings Cross, after meeting online. A Sydney man has been charged with allegedly raping a woman in Kings Cross, after he met her on an adult social networking fetish website called Fetlife.com (pictured) Police allege the man sexually assaulted the woman while they were at the hotel, and the woman later complained to police. After a 14-month investigation, police arrested the man on Monday about 8am at his home on Dwyer Street in Little Bay. They also seized computers and other items for forensic analysis. The 41-year-old was taken to Kings Cross police station and charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault and attempted aggravated sexual assault. He was granted strict conditional bail and will appear at Downing Centre Local Court on December 6. Detective Inspector Robert Allison said investigations were continuing and anyone with information about the incident should contact Kings Cross police. Britain will not suffer major trade disruption even if it opts for a 'hard' Brexit, the head of the World Trade Organisation said today. Roberto Azevedo said trade between the UK and EU member states 'will not stop, it will continue' and also vowed to help Britain secure a 'fast and smooth' divorce from the EU. His comments will reassure those concerned that ministers will fail to reach agreement over Britain's trade relationship with the EU within the two-year time limit for Brexit negotiations after Theresa May triggers Article 50. Roberto Azevedo (pictured in an interview with Sky News today) said trade between the UK and EU member states 'will not stop, it will continue' and also vowed to help Britain secure a 'fast and smooth' divorce from the EU The collapse in trade talks last week between the EU and Canada over a landmark trade deal after 10 years of negotiations have heightened fears that Britain would leave the EU without new trade agreements in place. If no deal is reached over new trade terms with the EU, goods and services will be trade on WTO terms, which are seen as the most basic and the ones used for Russia's trading relationship with Brussels. But speaking today, Mr Azevedo said he promised to ensure the UK does not face a trade 'vacuum or a disruption' however tough its departure from the EU. He told Sky News: 'I will be working hard - I will work very intensely to ensure that this transition is fast and is smooth,' he said. 'The less turbulence the better. The global economy today is not in the best shape for us to be introducing turbulence.' Theresa May (pictured leaving Downing Street today) has been told the World Trade Organisation will help to ensure Britain's divorce from the EU is 'as smooth as possible' Asked whether the Brexit process will be disruptive for British firms and households, Mr Azevedo said: 'I'm not saying there will be a vacuum. 'The UK is a member of the WTO today, it will continue to be a member tomorrow. There will be no discontinuity in membership. 'They have to renegotiate [their terms of membership] but that doesn't mean they are not members. Reassuring UK businesses, he added: 'Trade will not stop, it will continue and members negotiate the legal basis under which that trade is going to happen. But it doesn't mean that we'll have a vacuum or a disruption.' Mrs May has said she will trigger Article 50 by the end of March next year. It means Britain will be officially cut ties with Brussels by April 2019. Mr Azevedo said he had told the British government that the WTO will be on hand to help Britain through the transition 'I told [International Trade Secretary Liam Fox] that I myself and the WTO secretariat will be available to make the transition as smooth as possible,' he said. 'Then we have been in touch, not every day, but clearly there will be a very dynamic relationship in the future.' Ukip said Mr Azevedo's remarks proved warnings from Remain campaigners that Brexit would cause trade chaos by clogging up UK ports were wrong. Patrick O'Flynn, Ukip MEP for the East of England, said: 'Project Fear is in real trouble because the basic facts are on Britain's side when it comes to international trade. 'It is very encouraging to see Roberto Azevedo, the director general of the World Trade Organisation, make clear that it will be straightforward for Britain to resume its independent seat on that body and that there will be no seizing-up of international trade. 'Britain is in a very strong Brexit negotiating position as the eurozone's biggest global export market and also given our huge trade deficit with the EU as a whole.' Patrick O'Flynn (pictured), Ukip MEP for the East of England, said: 'Project Fear is in real trouble because the basic facts are on Britain's side when it comes to international trade He added: 'A recent Civitas study showed that even if WTO regime tariffs were adopted rather than free trade with the EU, Britain would raise 8bn more in import duties than would be levied by the EU on our exporters, meaning we could easily compensate such companies anyway. 'These are all points that we on the Leave side made during the referendum campaign. The assurances given today by Mr Azevedo further strengthen the case for speeding up the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union.' Meanwhile it emerged today that Mrs May told bankers before the referendum that firms would leave the UK if the country voted for Brexit. In a leaked tape of Mrs May talking to bankers a month before the June 23 vote, the then-home secretary told an audience that leaving the single market would threaten jobs. Speaking to investment bankers at Goldman Sachs, she said that global companies would think twice about investing in the UK if we left. Theresa May warned that companies would leave Britain if it voted to leave the EU while giving a private audience at investment bank Goldman Sachs in London (pictured) on May 26 The comments, revealed in the Guardian, are stronger than her more nuanced public position during the referendum campaign. Although she was a Remain supporter, No 10 was worried about her lukewarm support for EU membership. Downing Street sought to play down the remarks insisted Mrs May is now committed to making a 'success' of Brexit. But Labour said it represented 'cast-iron evidence' of how ministers had been two-faced over cutting ties with Brussels. Shadow minister Andrew Gwynne said: 'As if we needed it, this recording is cast-iron evidence of how Theresa May and other senior Tories have been saying one thing in private about the economic impact of Brexit, and another in the comfort of Tory conference halls. 'It's plain that she recognises what a disaster it would be for Britain to lose access to the Single Market, so why doesn't she be honest with the British people and say how she plans to retain it?' Shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer was among the political opponents seizing on the video of Theresa May The recording reveals Mrs May had numerous concerns about Britain leaving the EU. She appeared to go further than her public remarks to explain more clearly the economic benefits of staying in the EU when speaking at the bank in London on 26 May. She told staff the UK should be taking a lead in Europe, and that she hoped voters would look to the future rather than the past. She also worried about the effect of Brexit on the British economy in the hour-long session before the City bankers. 'I think the economic arguments are clear,' she said. 'I think being part of a 500-million trading bloc is significant for us. She said at the Conservative party conference (pictured) she wanted to prioritise reducing immigration over being part of the single market 'I think, as I was saying to you a little earlier, that one of the issues is that a lot of people will invest here in the UK because it is the UK in Europe. 'If we were not in Europe, I think there would be firms and companies who would be looking to say, do they need to develop a mainland Europe presence rather than a UK presence? So I think there are definite benefits for us in economic terms.' Mrs May also told the bankers she was convinced it was best for Britain's security to remain in Europe because of tools such as the European arrest warrant. Last night's disclosures could prove embarrassing for the Prime Minister. Her warning about the importance of the UK's membership of the EU contrasts her position in recent weeks. She said at the Tory party conference she wanted to prioritise reducing immigration over being in the single market. A No 10 spokesman said: 'Britain made a clear choice to vote to leave the EU and this government is determined to make a success of the fresh opportunities it presents. A young father who almost killed his newborn daughter by feeding her 'hillbilly heroin' to stop her from crying has been released from prison after just 17 days. The 22-year-old man from the Gold Coast, who cannot be identified, laced his baby's drink with OxyContin in a misguided attempt to help her calm down and go to sleep. The girl was taken to hospital shortly after consuming the powerful painkiller, which was crushed up and then dissolved into a mixture of water and baby formula. A father, 22, has been released from prison after 17 days. He pleaded guilty to feeding his newborn daughter with OxyContin, a powerful painkiller that requires a prescription Judge David Kent said the incident, which took place on January 10 earlier this year, was a 'nutty experiment' with 'catastrophic' effects. 'He (later) did a Google search 'is OxyContin dangerous to babies? It revealed to him, yes it is',' he said, according to the Gold Coast Bulletin. 'He doesn't have to be smart Google is smart for him.' During an earlier hearing police alleged the man had given the child the 'restricted, controlled and dangerous' prescription drug after she became unsettled. During an earlier hearing police alleged that the man was looking for 'some time to himself for a hobby project' when he drugged his baby in a bid to get her to sleep Detective Inspector Greg Aubort, of the Gold Coast Child Protection Investigation Unit, alleged the man was looking for 'some time to himself for a hobby project.' Police refused to elaborate on what the particular hobby was the man was engaging in. The man took an early plea of guilty to administering poison with intent to harm and possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced to three years behind bars. But after just 17 days spent in custody, he has been released on probation. Judge Kent said a number of factors had come into play in sentencing the man, including the time spent in jail, his early guilty plea, and a lack of intent to do the girl any harm. Viewers can be heard egging the man on as he bleeds from a knife wound This is the disturbing moment an admirer of 'Poison Ivy' livestreams himself carving his own flesh with a kitchen knife - after she logged into the same webchat session. Daily Mail Australia has obtained confronting vision from the U.S. of the man carving another woman's name into his arm during a stream among players of the online game RuneScape. The man, who Daily Mail chose not to identify, is a follower of Poison Ivy - also known as Hanna - who is accused of humiliating men from online gaming communities then encouraging them to commit suicide. Earlier in the footage Poison Ivy appears to log into the same streaming session, whereupon the man screams the New Zealand teenager's name in excitement. Scroll down for video Footage has emerged showing a US 'Poison Ivy' admirer self-harming with a knife 'Poison Ivy is in the chat. It's Poison Ivy in the chat, holy s*** it's Hanna,' the man can be heard saying, to which a woman replies 'yeah.' The YouTuber who filmed the vision on streaming site Switch said the viewers were urging the man to self-harm. 'Everyone was egging the guy on. He was taking it way too far, next thing he was taking his clothes off and inserting a pen in his anus,' Vexxed told Daily Mail Australia. Things spiralled further out of control when one of the viewers urged the man to carve another female streamer's initials into his arm. 'He went to the kitchen and brought back a knife. You would expect someone to stop him, but everyone was encouraging him to cut his arm.' A woman can be heard saying 'that's so hot' when the man begins bleeding from the knife-wound, while another man is heard bursting into laughter. Earlier in the footage Poison Ivy appears to log into the same webchat session, whereupon the man screams her name in excitement 'Poison Ivy is in the chat. Its Poison Ivy in the chat, holy s*** it's Hanna,' the man can be heard saying, to which a woman replies 'yeah' Poison Ivy is accused of humiliating men from online gaming communities then encouraging them to commit suicide Vexxed said he called the police in fear for the man's well being: 'He clearly needed help.' Officers soon after attended his house and ended the stream, he said. The man in the vision has released several other videos declaring his love for Hanna. It is not not indicated Poison Ivy was directly urging the man to self-harm. The footage comes after a man claimed Poison Ivy is grooming unstable men into sexually degrading themselves online before enticing them to commit suicide. Poison Ivy's suspended Twitter account was flooded with 900 images of men around the world declaring their love for her Many of her admirers scroll her name onto their faces with permanent marker Many of the men appear emotionally unstable, bursting into tears while begging for forgiveness YouTuber MarsRPG claimed Hanna, believed to be 17 and from New Zealand, seeks vulnerable men in online gaming communities before 'bullying' them into sexually humiliating themselves in the public eye. His chilling video shed light on Hanna's seemingly sinister antics and called for victims to put an end to the abuse. Her Twitter account, which has since been suspended, was flooded with images of men around the world declaring their love for her. Poison Ivy has since denied accusations she has bullying anyone and says the allegations have been blown out of proportion. Now he is reportedly facing hate crime charges over the column It received 37 complaints and took four week's leave from his job His column on Europe's migrant crisis last year was Chief editor of the Styrian edition of national paper Kronen Zeitung, Christoph Biro, wrote the column on October 25 last year An Austrian newspaper editor is facing hate crime charges for a controversial column he wrote about the migrant crisis last year. Chief editor of the Styrian edition of national paper Kronen Zeitung, Christoph Biro, labelled migrants 'testosterone driven Syrians' in his opinion piece on October 25 last year. He also accused migrants of 'extremely aggressive sexual assault' and reported that Afghans had slashed train seats and refused to sit near Christians. Police and the Austrian train company OBB denied that Afghans had destroyed the seats. Fritz Grundnig of the National Police Directorate in Styria called the remarks 'absolute nonsense'. The article prompted 37 complaints to the Press Council and Mr Biro took four weeks leave from his job, reportedly saying he had 'lost sense of proportion'. Mr Biro said he had been a journalist for 39 years and had made a 'particularly unfortunate' error, the website Nachrichten reports. He described how he had previously given Syrians German lessons with his wife and noted that among the refugees there can be 'black sheep' and bad incidents. However, a case was brought against Mr Biro by campaign group SOS Mitmensch and a prosecutor has reportedly confirmed they will be seeking charges. SOS Mitmensch's mission statement says: 'People must not be misused as scapegoats for failed social developments. Where this happens, we feel closer to the disadvantaged than the powerful. Integration, asylum and anti-racism are among the main aspects of our work.' In July 2016, the SOS Mitmench created a guideline on how to report hate speech messages online to police. Mr Biro could face charges for a controversial column he wrote about the migrant crisis last year (file photo) MailOnline has contacted the group and Kronen Zeitung for comment. Earlier this month a Dutch court rejected an appeal by firebrand anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders to throw out his hate speech prosecution before it goes to trial this month. 'Prosecuted for what millions of people believe,' Wilders tweeted in his first reaction to the decision. Wilders and his lawyers have branded his prosecution a political witch hunt and did not attend the brief hearing at The Hague District Court. Clearing the trial to start on Oct. 31, Presiding Judge Hendrik Steenhuis said the court 'rejects the defense's objections.' Mr Biro said he had been a journalist for 39 years and had made a 'particularly unfortunate' error in his column for Kronen Zeitung (file photo) A case was brought against Mr Biro by campaign group SOS Mitmensch and a prosecutor has confirmed they will be seeking charges The case against Wilders, who was previously acquitted in 2011 of insulting Islam, centers on comments made before and after Dutch local elections in 2014. At one party meeting he asked supporters whether they wanted more or fewer Moroccans in the Netherlands, drawing them into the chant of 'Fewer! Fewer! Fewer!' 'We'll take care of it,' he replied. Bad neighbor: David Hanggigoble, 24, of Florida, is accused of sneaking into his neighbor's apartment, hiding under an 11-year-old's bed and leaving her a sexually explicit note A 24-year-old Florida man has been arrested for burglary and stalking after officials say he sneaked into his neighbor's home, hid under an 11-year-old's bed and left her a sexually explicit note. David Hanggigoble was taken into custody in Naples Monday on charges of aggravated stalking or cyberstalking of a minor younger than 16 and unarmed burglary of an occupied dwelling. According to an arrest report cited by the Naples Daily News, the 11-year-old girl told Collier County Sheriffs deputies that she was getting ready for school Monday morning when she spotted her downstairs neighbor, Hanggigoble, hiding under her bed. The child ran out of her room and was going to call her mother, who by that point had left the apartment, but at that moment the mother called out to her. The girl told her parent what happened, and the intruder fled the apartment before law enforcement officials were summoned to the scene. The report states that when responding deputies searched the victims home, they found on a nightstand in the girl's bedroom a vulgar message scribbled on a piece of cardboard that read: 'Stay home! Play with your vagina all day!' according to NBC2. During an interview with the deputies, Hanggigoble claimed that he entered the mother and daughters apartment to borrow a ratchet set. The 24-year-old said that before opening the door, he knocked and said, hello. When asked about the lewd note on the nightstand, the man reportedly reiterated that he was in the neighbors apartment just to borrow tools. The 11-year-old's mother told investigators that her family had run into problems with their downstairs neighbor prior to Mondays incident. According to the woman, one day in September, her daughter was heading out of the apartment to go to school with a friend when she found Hanggigoble standing in front of their door. The man allegedly asked the girl to use their bathroom, but she refused to let him in and left. Then two weeks ago, the mother said she and her children were returning home when she came upon a tablet lying on the steps leading to their residence playing a pornographic video. The woman quickly picked up the device to hide it from her children. At that moment, Hanggigoble came out of his unit and said the tablet was his. The mother said she chided her neighbor for leaving X-rated material lying around for children to see. Hanggigoble was ordered held on $100,000 bond and barred from having any contact with the 11-year-old or her mother. Donald Trump very publicly showed his support for Newt Gingrich in the wake of his Tuesday night attack on Megyn Kelly, applauding his efforts while speaking at the opening of his newest hotel in Washington DC. The Republican hopeful was detailing his strong work ethic and how he would put that to use should he be elected president, when he said: 'By the way, congratulations Newt on last night. That was amazing.' He then added: 'We don't play games Newt? We don't play games.' Donald was joined at the event on Wednesday afternoon by his four oldest children - Donald Jr., Ivanka, Eric and Tiffany - as well as wife Melania. Gingrich, who was also in DC for the hotel opening and sitting in the audience, was asked by reporters if he had any comment about the video earlier in the day, to which he said: 'Just watch it' and 'that's just the business.' Around that same time he also wrote on Twitter: ' For the record, @MegynKelly was wrong, i don't have anger management issues. I do have media bias issues!' Kelly has been attacked multiple times in the past by the Trump campaign, most notably after the first Republican primary debate last August. Scroll down for videos Applaud the attack: Donald Trump congratulated Newt Gingrich for his attack on Megyn Kelly while speaking at the opening of his new hotel in Washington DC (above) Surrogate shining star: 'By the way, congratulations Newt on last night. That was amazing. We don't play games Newt. We don't play games,' said Trump (Newt and wife Callista on Wednesday in DC) Family affair: Trump was joined by sons Donald Jr. and Eric, Wife Melania and daughters Tiffany and Ivanka for the hotel opening Kicking things off: Ivanka (left) introduced her father before his speech (Donald and Tiffany on right) Trump's attacks on Kelly began after she grilled him about his controversial comments about women. 'You've called women you don't like 'fat pigs,' 'dogs,' 'slobs' and 'disgusting animals,'' Kelly said. 'Does that sound to you like the temperament of a man we should elect as president?' Trump replied: 'Honestly, Megyn, if you don't like it, I'm sorry . . . I've been very nice to you, although I could probably not be, based on the way you have treated me.' He then said of Kelly the following day: 'You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes. Blood coming out of her ... wherever.' The attacks by Trump against Kelly continued for months, and he took to Twitter countless times to lash out at the host or retweet criticisms of her and her show, The Kelly File. He even backed out of a Fox News-sponsored debate in Iowa that she was moderating earlier this year. The two eventually made amends and in May, and Trump appeared on Kelly's primetime special which aired across Fox platforms that same month. It seems however that Trump is looking to go after Kelly one final time this election season. When asked by reporters about his tweet on Wednesday, and whether or not he believed Fox News was biased against conservatives, Gingrich said: 'No, what I tweeted was: I don't have an anger problem, I have a media bias problem. And I believe the media bias in this election is the worst in modern history. 'Everywhere. I think the media bias, the way words are used, the way things are set up, the fact that the three major networks spent 23 minutes attacking Trump and 57 seconds on Hillary's secret speeches I mean, how can you look at that and not say it's biased?' He was then asked if he believed that his statements on Tuesday night had possible upset Republican women. 'I haven't seen that in Twitter. I haven't seen that anywhere,' said Trump. 'I've had a lot of Republican women write me and thank me for standing up to the baloney that is thrown at us by people who excuse Bill Clinton, ignore Bill Clinton, and then explain to us how shocked they are by Donald Trump.' As for whether or not he will be back on The Kelly File in the future, Gingrich said: 'You have to ask her, not me.' Kelly is also being attacked by two of the women who have accused Bill Clinton of sexual misconduct in the wake of her on-air showdown with Newt Gingrich on Tuesday night. Paula Jones and Juanita Broaddrick both posted comments questioning Kelly's journalistic integrity and mocking her physical appearance on their Twitter accounts after the Fox News host's interview with Gingrich. 'Beauty is only skin deep. Megyn Kelly is ugly as hell on the inside,' wrote Broaddrick in one tweet. Broaddrick then retweeted a comment on Wednesday morning that read: Appears @megynkelly is putting ego before a career & country. Megyn Kelly is a journalist like Charlie Manson is a humanitarian. #Newt.' The tweet also featured a photoshopped image on Kelly in black lingerie. And she also retweeted a man who wrote: 'Megyn Kelly and Shep Smith donated to Hillary via associates. $70,000 each.' That individual did not provide any evidence or site a source explaining where he got that information, which Broaddrick responded to by writing: 'Yeah she's fair and balanced. Change your slogan FOX.' Jones meanwhile posted a link to a video of the interview between Kelly and Gingrich on her Twitter account, writing: 'Woohoo, he slammed this nasty heifer!' She later deleted that tweet Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com Not happy: Juanita Broaddrick (above on October 9 at the second presidential debate) and Paula Jones attacked Megyn Kelly on Twitter after the Fox News host's bizarre interview with Newt Gingrich Harsh: 'Beauty is only skin deep. Megyn Kelly is ugly as hell on the inside,' wrote Broaddrick in one tweet Big money: Jones settled a sexual harassment lawsuit against Bill Clinton in 1998 for $850,000 Mad: Jones meanwhile posted a link to a video of the interview on her Twitter account, writing: 'Woohoo, he slammed this nasty heifer!' She later deleted that tweet Jones also took some time to engage with people on Twitter after the interview. One woman responded to Jones 'heifer' tweet by writing: 'U undermine your credibility when u call @MegynKelly names & cheer on someone who attacks her for believing assault victims.' Jones replied to the woman by writing: 'wrong....she only believes the so called trump victims....hypocrite!' Another individual said to Jones: 'If Paula's feelings are hurt from being called a "Bimbo" why is she calling another woman "heifer"?' She responded to that tweet by writing: 'oh so it's bad now that I've called someone name...hypocrite.' Jones then posted a tweet that read: 'Lets get this straight...Megyn Kelly isn't for all women...she hates Trump, so she's only for those so called victims! NEVER for me!' She followed that up with a link to the interview, retweeting the Twitter account MAGS for MAGA, who wrote: 'KELLY DESTROYED @MegynKelly gets smashed on the #kellyfile by @NewtGingrich.' GINGRICH ON KELLY FILE Megyn Kelly: If Trump is a sexual predator... Newt Gingrich: He's not a sexual predator. MK: Okay. That is your opinion. NG: You could not defend that statement. I'm sick and tired of people like you using language that's inflammatory, that's not true. MK: Excuse me, Mr. Speaker, you have no idea whether it's true or not. NG: Neither do you. MK: That is right. And I'm not taking a position on it unlike you. NG: When you used the word you took a position and I think it's very unfair of you to do that, Megyn. I think that is exactly the bias people are upset by. MK: I think that your defensiveness on this may speak volumes sir. NG: No. Let me just suggest to you... MK: No, no, no, let me make my point and now I'll give you the floor. What I said is if Trump is a sexual predator, then it's a big story. And what we saw on that tape was Trump himself saying that he likes to grab women by the genitals and kiss them against their will. That is what we saw. And then we saw ten women come forward after he denied actually doing it at a debate to say that was untrue, he did it to me, he did it to me, we saw reporters, we saw people who worked with him. People from Apprentice and so on and so forth. He denies it all. Which is his right. We don't know what the truth is. My point to you is as a media story, we don't get to say the ten women are lying. We have to cover that story, sir. NG: Sure. Okay. So it's worth 23 minutes of the three networks to cover that story and Hillary Clinton had a secret speech in Brazil to a bank that paid her 225,000 saying her dream as an open border where 600million people could come to America, that is not worth covering. MK: That is worth covering and we did. NG: - the tapes of your show recently, you are fascinated with sex and you don't care about public policy. MK: Me, really? NG: That's what I get out of watching you tonight Advertisement Both Jones and Broaddrick have taken issue with Kelly in the past few weeks after comments she made about their allegations against Clinton. Broaddrick claims that in 1978 she was raped by Clinton in an Arkansas hotel room when he was serving as Attorney General of the state. She also claims that three weeks after the alleged rape Hillary Clinton thanked her at a campaign event and voiced her appreciation for everything she had done, which Broaddrick has stated she interpreted to be a warning to keep quiet. The Clintons have never commented in these allegations, but Bill's lawyer did deny there was any truth to the Broaddrick's claims when she shared her story in a 1999 interview. Broaddrick voiced her anger at Kelly earlier this month following a comment the Fox News host made while interviewing Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway after the second debate. While speaking with Conway about the decision by the Trump campaign to bring Broaddrick to the debate, Kelly pointed out that Broaddrick signed an affidavit in January 1998 denying that she was ever raped by Bill. Broaddrick interpreted this as Kelly calling her a liar, and posted a link to a story criticizing Kelly's comment. Jones, a former Arkansas state worker who was the most well known of Bill's accusers prior to Monica Lewinsky, alleged that in 1991 Bill propositioned her and then exposed himself, becoming embarrassed and rushing out of the room when she rejected his alleged advances. She filed a sexual harassment lawsuit that Bill's lawyers were unable to get dismissed, and in November 1998 he paid Jones $850,000 to settle the case. Jones has been interviewed by Kelly in the past, appearing on America's Newsroom in 2008, but took issue with a comment she made on The Kelly File earlier this month about her settlement. 'The Paula Jones settlement to me sounds like a nuisance value settlement. He paid her $850,000 with the vast majority was legal fees. Only $200 went to her,' said Kelly during a segment where she spoke about some of Clinton's accusers. In that same segment she also spoke about Broaddrick, making it clear she did not think the woman was a liar. 'Yeah, both Kathleen Willey and Juanita Broaddrick refused to come forward for some time publicly and then denied that he had done anything to them for some period of time,' said Kelly. 'That however doesn't account for the fact they may have been intimidated, he was a man of power, they may have been reluctant to do so.' Saying his piece: Gingrich responded to the controversy on Twitter Wednesday (above), again criticizing Kelly Not happy: Newt Gingrich (right) exploded at Megyn Kelly (left) and accused her of being 'fascinated with sex' in a stunning confrontation on the Kelly File Tuesday night Too far?: Broaddrick also tweeted a comment comparing Kelly to Charles Manson which included a photoshopped picture of her in lingerie Gingrich was appearing on The Kelly File to discuss the state of the race on Tuesday and became visibly annoyed early on in the segment when Kelly brought up the fact that Trump's numbers are so low that some polls are predicting that Republicans could lose their majority in the Senate. The former Speaker of the House argued this was not the case, telling Kelly: 'Republicans are actually out-voting Democrats in Florida, and theyre out-voting Democrats in Pennsylvania.' Trump is now leading Clinton by two points in Florida according to a new Bloomberg poll and Republicans are in fact out-voting Democrats in that state as of Tuesday morning according to Politico, but it is unclear where Gingrich is getting his information about Pennsylvania as the state does not have early voting. Kelly responded to this by pointing out to Gingrich that most polls, including ones released by Fox News, show Trump trailing Clinton in several key battleground states. 'Theyre not non-partisan outlets. Every outlet you described is part of the establishment,' replied Gingrich. Kelly quickly shot back at Gingrich: 'Fox News? Really, are we? I dont think so.' Best buds: Gingrich accused Kelly and the rest of the media for being biased during the interview (Newt and Trump above in 2011) Clapping back: Jones lashed out at the individual who took issue with her atatck Pointing it out: One Twitter user asked Jones if it was necessary to call Kelly a 'heifer' She then switched subjects and began to talk about the setbacks Trump's campaign has been dealing with over the past month, starting with his weak performance at the first debate and the damaging mention of former beauty queen Alicia Machado, who he insulted for gaining weight. Kelly also spoke of the now infamous 2005 Access Hollywood hot mic audio that was released earlier this month in which Trump was caught bragging about sexually assaulting women and detailed his attempt to bed a married woman. Gingrich responded to this by calling the media bias against Trump, implying that the coverage of these incidents was unfair and stating that outlets were ignoring Hillary Clinton's recent scandals. Kelly then interjected: 'If Donald Trump is a sexual predator...' That statement immediately sent Gingrich into a rage, and he screamed at Kelly: 'I'm sick and tired of people like you, using language that's inflammatory, that's not true.' He then added: 'When you use the words, you took a position. And I think its very unfair of you to do that, Megyn! I think that is exactly the bias that people are upset by.' Kelly then calmly said to Gingrich: 'Your defensiveness on this may speak volumes, sir.' She went on to say: 'He denies it all, which is his right. We don't know what the truth is. 'My point to you is, as a media story, we don't get to say, 10 women are lying. We have to cover that story, sir.' Kelly also repeated what she had said earlier to make it clear that the claims of these women were only allegations, telling Gingrich: 'What I said is if Trump is a sexual predator, then it's a big story.' When Kelly (left in April) brought up Trump's (right in October) infamous hot mic comments and the allegations of sexual assault that followed Favorite word alert: Jones also labeled another Twitter critic a hypocrite Gingrich then suggested that the media was not paying enough attention to Clinton's paid speech about dreaming of a 'common market with open trade and open borders,' which was included in the hacked emails of campaign manager John Podesta and published on Wikileaks. Kelly replied to that claim by saying: 'That is worth covering. And we did.' Gingrich, who looked both angry and frustrated by this point, then shouted at Kelly: 'I mean, you want to go back through the tapes of your show recently, you are fascinated with sex, and you dont care about public policy.' The Fox News anchor responded by laughing at Gingrich's insult, and asking him: 'Who, me?' She then once again tried to steer the discussion back to the accusations surrounding Trump. 'Mr. Speaker, I'm not fascinated by sex, I am fascinated by the projection of women and understanding what we're getting in the Oval Office,' said Kelly. Gingrich at that point choose to start attacking former president Bill Clinton, and in another outburst said to Kelly: 'Use the words, Bill Clinton, sexual predator. I dare you. Say Bill Clinton, sexual predator.' Kelly attempted to jump in and respond to Gingrich's claim, repeatedly saying 'Excuse me' before finally explaining that her show had also explored allegations of sexual assault surrounding the former president. She then told Gingrich: 'But he's not on the ticket. The polls also show that the public is less interested in the deeds of Hillary Clinton's husband, than they are in the deeds of a man who asks us to make him president, Donald Trump. 'We're going to have to leave it at that, and you're going to have to take your anger issues and spend some time working on them, Mr. Speaker,' said Kelly to close out the interview. Gingrich had been a paid Fox News commentator until July of this year, when he was released from his contract while Trump was considering him as a possible pick for vice president. It is not clear if he is back under contract at this time. Proud: Dan Scavino Jr., the director of social media for the campaign, defended Gingrich's outburst while criticizing Kelly in a series of tweets Huge fan: '@MegynKelly made a total fool out of herself tonight- attacking @realDonaldTrump. Watch what happens to her after this election is over,' wrote Scavino Dan Scavino Jr., the director of social media for the campaign, defended Gingrich's outburst while criticizing Kelly in a series of tweets after the bizarre incident. '@NewtGingrich just destroyed @MegynKelly. Shows she is totally biased against Mr. Trump & not very smart. Mr. Trump has long known!!' wrote Scavino on Twitter immediately after Gingrich's appearance on The Kelly File. He followed that up with another tweet, saying: '@MegynKelly made a total fool out of herself tonight- attacking @realDonaldTrump. Watch what happens to her after this election is over.' Gingrich also posted a link to a video of the interview on his Twitter account. 'BREAKING: Newt Gingrich UNLOADS on Megyn Kelly over Donald Trump,' read the title of the video. There was also a brief description beneath the video that said: 'SHAME ON MEGYN KELLY TONIGHT.' In it he listed women's names and described 'what he liked about them' They say Cook, a senior majoring in real estate, sexually assaulted them of Wisconsin students have since come forward Alec Cook, 20, is accused of sexually assaulting dozens of students at the University of Wisconsin A University of Wisconsin frat boy has been accused of serial sexual assault on campus. Alec Cook, 20, was arrested earlier this month after a female student told police he forced himself on her. Her report triggered an avalanche of others, with dozens of women claiming to have fallen victim to him afterwards. When police searched his apartment near campus, they found a black leather journal in which he listed students' names and described stalking tactics, prosecutors said. The long-haired student from Edina, Minnesota, was due to appear in court on Tuesday charged with a dozen felony assaults, 15 misdemeanor assaults, false imprisonment and strangulation. It was postponed by prosecutors. Cook, a senior who is majoring in real estate and land economics, has been suspended from the university. His fraternity, Phi Delta Theta, has also separated itself from him. Among the women to have come forward is one who said Cook spiked her drink and assaulted her while they were dating in February. Cook allegedly spent time with his victims on campus grounds (above), studying with them in some cases before pouncing on them in private at his apartment Cook (left in a previous photograph and right being arraigned earlier this month) Others told police how he forced himself on them in his apartment after spending time together studying in libraries and strangled them. The first woman to speak out, who reported the assault on October 12, said she was first contacted by Cook on Facebook, The Wisconsin State Journal reported. His arrest and the subsequent news coverage of it prompted others to come forward. 'I saw the news story and was empowered by another girl being able to tell what happened to her, that I thought I could now finally tell,' one alleged victim told police, The Washington Post reported. Cook (at his initial arrest in October) is a senior at the university Officers confiscated Cook's black leather notebook during a search of his apartment. In it, he listed women by name and described 'what he liked about them'. 'Further entries went on to document what he wanted to do with the females. 'Disturbingly enough there were statements of "kill" and statements of "sexual" desires,' an affidavit, obtained by WKOW, said. Cook is due to appear again in court on Thursday. In a statement issued earlier this week, Dean of Students Lori Berquam said: 'This is a serious case and the university is responding. 'Based on the severity of the allegations and the potential impact on the campus community, the university is disclosing that this student is under emergency suspension from the institution.' Phi Delta Theta, the 20-year-old's fraternity, has distanced itself from him since his arrest earlier this month It certainly looks bulletproof, but does anyone really want a chest of drawers shaped like a cello and made from aluminium? If the million-pound auction that saw the sale of this early piece from Australian designer Marc Newson yesterday is anything to go by, then yes. The futuristic 'pod of drawers' was sold to a mystery Asian buyer for a whopping 1.109 million euros (911,000) - double the estimate - by auction house Artcurial in Paris. 53-year-old architect Newson, who has been working for Apple for the past decade, created the curvy bureau in his student days. The futuristic pod of drawers is made from airplane aluminium and is actually inspired by an Art Deco piece from 1925 Newson picked up a gong for GQ Creative Icon of the Year at the London GQ Men Of The Year Awards in September 2015 He made the shiny drawers, crafted from airplane aluminium, by hand in 1987 while he was at art school after his previous training as a jeweller. This wasn't the last of his metallic designs, as he went on to create the Lockheed Lounge chair and a concept jet called the Kelvin 40, which was 8 metres long with an 8 metre wingspan. The pod of drawers was inspired by French Art Deco designer Andre Groults famous body-shaped Chiffonnier Anthropomorphe, which had a similar cello shape but was made of wood. Two of Newsons pods, with their trademark curved lines, are already on display in major museums: one at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the other at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris. Born in 1963 in Sydney, Newson graduated in 1984 from the Sydney college of Arts after studying jewellery and sculpture. In 1986 he was awarded a grant from the Australian crafts council and continued his training at art school, where he built his pod of drawers. And in a feat of design engineering, Newson (pictured in the cockpit) made his own concept jet, the Kelvin 40, which is 8 metres long with an 8 metre wingspan In 1991, Newson set up a studio in Paris and started to create lighting, furniture, glassware and household objects for Italian manufacturers. Last year he was named Creative Icon of the Year at the GQ Men of the Year awards. He has said he was inspired to take up furniture design by the European decorative art magazines his Greek-born grandfather left lying around the house in Sydney. The pod was part of the 'Heavy Metal, 20 Design Masterpieces' collection auctioned off yesterday. Foster Christian has been jailed for life for the murder of his housemate after a row over hot water in a house they were sharing A lodger who murdered his housemate and the man's girlfriend after a row over hot water has been jailed for life. Foster Christian, a 54-year-old grandfather, slaughtered mother-of-three Natasha Sadler-Ellis and fishmonger Simon Gorecki in a horrific knife attack. Ms Sadler-Ellis, 40, was stabbed in the heart and through her forehead, while 48-year-old Mr Gorecki suffered five wounds, one of which penetrated his lung. Both died at the scene in Canterbury, Kent in March. Christian, who grinned as his victims' families' statements were read to court, raised his middle finger to the public gallery today as he was ordered to serve at least 30 years behind bars. Those gathered in the court's gallery cheered as he was taken down to the cells to start his sentence. Police released two computerised images of the horrific wounds he inflicted on his victims after Christian was convicted of the two murders. Christian was also convicted of unlawful violence over the stabbing of Ms Sadler-Ellis's 20-year-old son Connaugh Harris, who later tried to save his mother as she lay dying on the floor. The row is said to have broken out when lodger Christian turned on a kitchen tap while Mr Gorecki was showering, triggering a change in temperature. Mother-of-three Natasha Sadler-Ellis and Simon Gorecki were stabbed after a row over hot water at the home they were sharing with Christian in Canterbury, Kent in March Christian swore at his victims' families as he was led away to start a life sentence today When Mr Gorecki told him to turn it off, Christian allegedly told him: 'F*** off you mug'. Christian tried to claim he mistakenly killed his two victims while defending himself in an ensuing row, but the jury rejected his claims. The court heard there had been 'tensions' in the house before Christian's murderous rampage, which had previously 'spilled over' into physical attacks. Judge Stuart-Smith told Christian today: 'When you made his shower go cold, Mr Gorecki swore at you and you swore back at him. 'Drink may have explained why Mr Gorecki didn't leave the argument. Nothing at all begins to justify what you did later. Your allegation Mr Gorecki came at you with a knife was a lie. 'What you did was way over the top. It was literally a murderous attack. Your evidence that you didn't know you had the knife in your hands was untrue.' Christian inflicted savage injuries on his victims, driving a knife into he forehead of Ms Sadler Mr Gorecki was stabbed multiple times in the back while he was being held in a headlock Christian used this fearsome knife to carry out the attacks in March this year The judge added: 'What you did went beyond any reasonable bounds of possible self-defence. I don't know if you have ever stopped pitying yourself. 'You have blown apart the mother of Natasha Sadler-Ellis. Natasha's children have lost their mother. Her five-year-old child cried for her mum every night. 'It's no surprise one of her children has suffered from deep depression. He's described as a broken person, smashed into a million pieces. Naomi Toro, who hid the knife for Christian, was handed a one-year sentence 'Her siblings have lost their sibling. You have put the family through hell on earth and that continues.' Speaking after the sentencing, Ms Sadler-Ellis's brother, Steven (CORR) spoke on behalf of the family and called for the death penalty. 'Although justice has been done in the eyes of the law we will never get over it. Foster Christian is a complete and compulsive liar and has committed a brutal, heinous crime. 'We are glad the jury saw through his lies and deceit. He has shown no remorse and constantly grinned at all the families during this gruelling trial. 'We truly believe the death penalty should be reinstated in this country for such horrific crimes. We are not happy with the sentences passed on the two women and will be appealing.' Christian's accomplices Naomi Toro and Samantha Groombridge were also sentenced after the pair helped hide the murder weapon. Naomi Toro, 36, who took the bloody knife from the murder scene has been jailed for a year but will only serve half her sentence before being released on licence. Sgt. Sean Spell, 46, has since retired from the Hartford force after an incident in which he was caught on camera kicking a man's head A now-retired Connecticut police sergeant says in a newly released incident report that he kicked a handcuffed man in the head because the man refused to stop spitting blood at him. Hartford police on Tuesday released documents in an investigation into whether officers used excessive force during the June arrests of Ricardo Perez and Emilio Diaz. A video released this month appears to show Sgt. Sean Spell stomping on the head of a handcuffed man on the ground. Spell's incident report says Diaz appeared to be high on PCP and was spitting at him. It says Spell used force after Diaz refused to stop and comply with orders. Diaz's lawyer tells The Hartford Courant his client 'denies spitting blood at anybody'. Spell's attorney didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. Ricardo Perez was injured during the June 4 incident. He is seen here with a swollen-shut eye and bandage on his head. He was the driver of the car Emilio Diaz also required stitches for a gash to the head, which may have been caused by the car coming to a crashing stop The men had led cops on a high-speed chase in Connecticut. The video was recorded by a West Hartford police cruiser on Flatbush Avenue in West Hartford after chasing the stolen car on June 4. The driver, Perez, had tried to flee from the cops and led them on a pursuit, but the car was stopped with road spikes. Perez and his passenger, Diaz, were handcuffed and set down on the side of the road. In the footage, a plain clothes policeman comes up to one of the men and steps on his head. It's unclear whether the man that was kicked was Perez, 34, or Diaz, 38, as both men appear to be injured in their mugshots, according to the Hartford Courant. Excessive force: This is the moment the plainclothes cop Sgt. Sean Spell was seen stomping on the head of the man, who is lying on the ground face-down in handcuffs The cop, Sgt. Sean Spell, was standing right by the man when the incident happened However police officer Sgt. Sean Spell, 46, retired after the incident, on August 16, after 20 years on the force. At the time, Spell said the incident played not part in his decision to retire. In June an attorney for Perez and Diaz filed a notice accusing the officers of using excessive force during the arrest. The state attorney general's office has also opened an investigation into the use of force. 'I had my 20 years in, and I proudly served the city,' Spell told the Courant, without commenting further on the case. He added to the newspaper: 'I decided that I was away from my family long enough.' Perez and Diaz both faced resisting arrest and drug charges for arrest, after police found drugs - PCP and marijuana - in the car. Bill Clinton came face-to-face with a Donald Trump supporter within minutes of entering a campaign rally in Wilmington, North Carolina Wednesday morning. Upon hearing the man yell about taxes, the ex-president stopped his speech and offered a rebuttal. 'Well, you don't have to worry because your candidate doesn't pay taxes,' Clinton said. Scroll down for video Bill Clinton has embarked upon a two day bus tour of North Carolina. Here he's pictured peaking his head out the window at a campaign stop in Kinston on Tuesday Starting yesterday, the ex-president has visited a number of towns in Eastern North Carolina. The Wilmington crowd of 1,625, was his biggest yet, as he pulled up Tuesday morning in his 'Stronger Together' bus to address an audience standing outside in a historic rail bed in a town known as the shooting location for 'Dawson's Creek' and 'One Tree Hill.' Using his chosen adjective to describe the election yet again he said, 'First of all, has this been a weird election or what?' 'There's a reason for that,' Clinton continued. That's when the screaming began. After lambasting Trump for not paying taxes something a New York Times report said Trump could have done after suffering $1 billion in casino losses, though the Republican nominee hasn't released his tax returns to prove the story right or wrong Bill Clinton defended his wife. 'And my candidate has paid 40 percent of her income to taxes for 15 years,' the ex-president said, addressing the protester. 'And given her own money away,' he continued. 'And given no tax-exempt money to political candidates to drop lawsuits,' he added, likely referring to a report that said Trump had donated money from his Trump Foundation to settle lawsuits, instead of giving to charity using his own cash. As the audience began to react with cheers, for Clinton, and boos, for the middle-aged man, dressed in all black, yelling in support of Trump, Clinton encouraged the crowd to clap. 'You should give this guy a hand, he's had a very bad two weeks here,' Clinton said. 'Don't boo him, don't behave like him, give him a hand,' he said, as security escorted the protester out. A little more than two weeks ago was when the lewd 'p****' video surfaced, showcasing lewd comments the Republican nominee made about women 11 years ago. Since then, about a dozen women have come out publicly, saying they were kissed or groped by the billionaire against their will. At the same time, polls have generally shifted in Hillary Clinton's direction, including surveys that asked votes who won the final two presidential debates. That being said, a poll today showed Trump up by 2 points in Florida, according to Bloomberg Politics, hinting that on Election Night the race for the electoral college could come down to the wire. Advertisement Britain's richest brothers want to turn Winston Churchill's historic Old War Office into a lavish 1million hotel complex which will set 'new standards of luxury' across the world. The Indian-born Hinduja brothers, who are now ranked as Britain's richest businessmen with a 13billion fortune in steel, plan to convert the grand Whitehall building into a 'world-class hotel' with 125 rooms, a ballroom and a rooftop bar. The historic Grade II-listed structure, which was built at the cost of 1.2m in 1906, contains a wealth of history and was where Churchill helped mastermind the Allied victory over Hitler. A key site during both world wars, it has also been home to secretaries of state including Lord Haldane, Lord Kitchener, David Lloyd-George and John Profumo. The historic Grade II*-listed structure, which was built at the cost of 1.2m in 1906, contains a wealth of history and was where Churchill helped mastermind the Allied victory over Hitler. It is pictured, highlight in red, from above Britain's richest brothers want to turn Winston Churchill's historic Old War Office (pictured) into a lavish 1million hotel complex which will set 'new standards of luxury' across the world The Hinduja brothers, who are ranked as Britain's richest businessmen with a 13billion fortune in steel, plan to convert the grand Whitehall building (pictured) into a 'world-class hotel' complete with 125 rooms, a ballroom and a rooftop bar The imposing building, previously one of the government's 'trophy assets', has also featured in four James Bond films - Octopussy, A View to a Kill, Licence to Kill and Skyfall - as the MI6 headquarters, where M's office was based. After buying the building from the Government last year under the MOD's cost-cutting programme, the Hindujas took out a 250-year lease and started work with EPR Architects. Drawings submitted as part of the planning application show how rooms where secretaries of State for War once worked - which have previously been closed to the public - will be transformed into new spaces for tourists. The brothers want to create a 125 room hotel with a 600-person ballroom, restaurants, a 82-foot swimming pool, spa and wine cellars. The 580,000 sq ft building will also be home to 88 apartments made up of one, two, three, four and five bedroom flats and luxury leisure facilities. In the proposals, EPR Architects describe The Old War Office - which stands on the corners of Whitehall, Whitehall Place and Horse Guards Avenue - as of 'unquestionable historic significance, constructed at a time the British Empire was at its zenith'. Daniel Craig is pictured in Skyfall as James Bond looking over towards the roof of the War Office, which is used as M's office in four of the 007 films The seven-storey building is made up of 25 million bricks and 30,000 tonnes of Portland and York stone. There are two-and-a-half miles of corridors (pictured), many of which are ten-feet wide After buying the building from the Government last year under the MOD's cost-cutting programme, the Hindujas took out a 250-year lease and started work with EPR Architects. The building (pictured) is currently closed to the public The plan claims it is a 'once in a lifetime opportunity' to secure the heritage of the building and grant it a new life for future generations. It says: 'Our vision is to convert this historically important building in one of the most important conservation areas in the country, into an international landmark, mixed use luxury hotel and residential development of exceptional quality, with corresponding amenity, public access and heritage benefits.' The seven-storey building is made up of 25 million bricks and 30,000 tonnes of Portland and York stone. There are two-and-a-half miles of corridors, many of which are ten-feet wide. The plan claims it is a 'once in a lifetime opportunity' to secure the heritage of the building and grant it a new life for future generations. This is the daylight and sunlight impact assessment from the plans submitted to Westminster Council acilities within the vast Edwardian Old War Office on Whitehall, London, will include ballroom for 600 guests, a rooftop bar, a 82-foot swimming pool, spa and wine cellars. Pictured above is a rendering of how the property will look Currently, it's not known which hotel company will operate the Grade II* listed site, but the owners of Singapore's famous Raffles resort have been mentioned. An artist's impression of the hotel is pictured above The Old War Office which stands on the corners of Whitehall, Whitehall Place and Horse Guards Avenue (pictured in an aerial artist's impression) Plans for one of the four-bedroom second floor apartments which will make up part of the 1billion hotel complex It is not yet known which company will run the hotel but the Evening Standard reports that the owners of Singapore's famous Raffles resort could be in the running. The plans have been met with mixed views from locals and property experts in the area. The Westminster Society is supporting the scheme, which they have described as being 'well thought through'. Simon Barry, head of new developments at Harrods Estates, added that the development was 'great news for London' and demonstrates confidence in the London prime property market. 'It is a magnificent building and the redevelopment will see it restored to its former splendour, akin to 10 Trinity Square and North Acres One Palace Street,' he said. The procession for the coronation of King Edward VII passes the construction of The Old War Office building in Whitehall, London in 1902 Flashback: Winston Churchill at his seat in the Cabinet Room at No 10 Downing Street, London, circa 1940 Secretaries of state including Lord Kitchener (left) and Lord Roberts (right) have used the Old War Office. The duo are pictured in illustrations at the building The Old War Office was completed at a cost of 1.2 million in 1906. The Duke of Windsor is pictured raising his hat to the cheering crowd as he leaves the office 'It is a preservation of our heritage and will make for an exquisite hotel and private apartments, which will both be in a league of their own.' However, one resident in a seventh storey apartment opposite has objected to the additional levels which they claim will 'obliterate' the view from their living, dining and bedroom windows. The Old War Office was completed at a cost of 1.2 million in 1906 and was used by Sir Winston Churchill and Lord Kitchener. In October 1940, four bombs hit the building, causing superficial damage and killing one person. It was hit by a further seven bombs during the war but damage to the building remained minimal. Prime plot: The sprawling site is shown on this map. There is no word on how long the OId War Office development will take or when the hotel will open The plans have been met with mixed views from locals and property experts in the area. The plaque on the outside of the building is pictured above The building was also frequented by members of the secret service and one discreet entrance way still retains the nickname, The Spies Entrance. When the trophy asset was openly marketed in 2014, it was expected to attract bids of around 100 million. The Hinduja Brothers, in partnership with OHL Desarrollos, ended up spending 350 million on the 580,000 sq/ft property. If the central London project gets the go-ahead then it is likely to be worth in excess of 1 billion when completed. There is no word on how long the OId War Office development will take or when the hotel will open. HOME TO WINSTON CHURCHILL AND DAVID LLOYD GEORGE: THE HISTORY OF THE OLD WAR OFFICE IN LONDON'S WHITEHALL William Young was commissioned as architect of the war office in 1898 but died two years later. The work of designing the iconic building was completed by his son Sir John Taylor. It was designed in a trapezium shape to maximise the usage of the land in Whitehall. The building (pictured) remained the centre of the Army's administration until the Ministry of Defence unified in 1964 and most of the department transferred to the main MOD building The building took five years to be completed from the first brick being laid in 1901 until it was finished in 1906. The War Office has been home to several notable secretaries of state and was where Winston Churchill (pictured with his trademark cigar) helped mastermind the Allied victory Several fine marble fireplaces were incorporated into the rooms from the former war office in Pall Mall and all are more than 200 years old. The War Office has been home to several notable secretaries of state including Lord Haldane, Lord Kitchener, David Lloyd George and Winston Churchill. With the start of World War One the staff of the War Office increased, with different teams spread throughout London. In October 1940 four bombs hit the War Office, causing superficial damage and killing one person. It was hit by a further seven bombs over the course of the Second World War but damage to the building remained minimal. The War Office declined greatly in importance after the First World War, a fact illustrated by the drastic reductions in its staff numbers during the inter-war period. On April 1 1920, it employed 7,434 civilian staff; this had shrunk to 3,872 by April 1 1930. Its responsibilities and funding were also reduced. However it remained the centre of the Army's administration until the Ministry of Defence unified in 1964 and most of the department transferred to the main MOD building. Advertisement The Bollygarch brothers who bought up London: Indian-born Hinduja brothers top UKs wealthy Asians list - with a combined wealth of over 54billion Srichand and Gopichand Hinduja are the second richest people in Britain and Ireland with a wealth of 13billion, just shy of the property tycoons David and Simon Reuben. They are two of the four siblings along with Prakash and Ashok - known as the Fab Four who control the Hinduja Group, a multinational empire that has businesses in sectors including transport, communications and banking. However their pursuit of British citizenship in the previous decade embroiled the Labour party in scandal and cost two Blair ministers their jobs. Gopichand (left) and Srichand Hinduja (right) are the second richest people in Britain and Ireland with a wealth of 13billion The familys attempts to get British passports led to the resignation in 2001 of the then Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson. He had been accused of lobbying for those passports in return for 1million donations towards the cost of the Millennium Dome. They gave the cash to fund the attraction's Faith Zone. Keith Vaz was also sacked when it emerged he had made representations on behalf of the Hinduja brothers as they applied for British citizenship. Days after he admitted doing so on their behalf in June 2001 he was dismissed. The brothers vast business kingdom was founded by their Indian father who left the province of Sind for Iran almost a century ago. Gopichand (centre left) and Srichand (centre right) are two of the four siblings along with Prakash (left) and Ashok (right) The Hinduja siblings, who are now British citizens, were also implicated in an arms scandal in India but cleared in 2005 of accepting any kickbacks. It was claimed they had received bribes to help a Swedish gunmaker secure an Indian government contract, but the case was eventually thrown out of court. This followed an extraordinary legal process that lasted 14 years and cost more than 30million, which ended in a high court in New Delhi. The brothers came to London in 1979 to develop their export business and are said to the most successful self-made Asian immigrants in Britain after steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal. They bought their home on Carlton House Terrace in London near Buckingham Palace for 60million in 2006 and have spent another 50million restoring it. The family were known to have formed close relationships with world leaders including Tony Blair (right), who is pictured with his wife Cherie and Srichand Hinduja (left) at a Hindu festival at Alexandra Palace in 1999 The lavish 60-room building is the former head office of the Crown Estate. Their other property involvement includes giving money for the construction and decoration of at least two Hindu temples in the South East of England. Sri - known as 'SP' among his friends - is married to Madhu, and they have two daughters, Shanu and Vinoo, who are also involved in the business. Gopi, who is known as 'GP' in business circles, is married to Sunita, and has two sons, Sanjay and Dheeraj, and a daughter, Rita. His personal interests are said to be trekking, music and swimming. The family were also known to have formed close relationships with world leaders including Tony Blair, George H Bush and Margaret Thatcher. Protesters threw themselves at a car carrying the King of Bahrain outside Downing Street today. One unnamed man burst through a crowd and appeared to bang on the windows of the limousine carrying King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Police managed to grab the suspect before pinning him and putting him in handcuffs yards from the door of No 10. King Hamad, who saw the Queen on his UK visit yesterday, met Theresa May this afternoon. Anger: A protester throws himself at the car carrying the King of Bahrain as it entered Downing Street today Fight back: Police grabbed two men trying to get near the limousine belonging to the controversial monarch Held: The suspect who got closest was pinned and cuffed - it is not clear how many arrests took place Campaign groups have demanded she raises concerns about the death penalty and torture in the country, which receives almost 2million in aid from Britain. Britain gave Bahrain money to support human rights 'reforms' in the oil-rich Gulf kingdom, which is one of the UKs closest allies in the region. However, Mohammed Ramadan, a father of three, remains on death row but campaigners claim he was allegedly tortured into making a false confession. Mr Ramadan was arrested in February 2014 at Bahrain International Airport where he worked as a police officer, in retaliation for attending peaceful pro-democracy protests while off-duty. Foreign Office contractors have also trained around 400 prison guards at Bahrains Jau prison, where death row inmates including Mr Ramadan are being held, critics say. Prime Minister Theresa May greets the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, at Downing Street after the attack on his car Lying in the street with her blood-stained Barbie doll blasted from her hand, a dead teenager has become the latest victim of the Philippines war on drugs. The young girl was shot dead alongside her older friend by unknown motorcycle-riding gunmen in an alley in Manila. Afterwards, the shooters left a cardboard sign on the body of her 21-year-old male friend with the message 'You are a drug pusher, you are an animal'. A teenage girl lies dead in the street after being gunned down as part of the Philippines crackdown on drugs Police believe the girl was an innocent victim and it appeared her blood-stained Barbie doll had been blown out of her hands As well as the doll, police recovered other items belonging to the youngster including a Hello kitty watch And police now believe the girl may have been an innocent victim caught up in the shooting when the gunman tried to target her friend. Pictures from the scene show the bloodstained teenager, 17, lying dead on the ground outside a house in a dark street. Her Barbie doll can be seen close by and shows how it seems to have been blasted from her hand during the attack. Other images show officers gathering up her belongings, which also includes a Hello Kitty watch while her weeping relatives look on devastated. Pictures from the scene show the bloodstained teenager, 17, lying dead on the ground outside a house in a dark street with her older male friend New Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte launched an anti-drugs crackdown when he came to office in June and at least 3,700 people have been killed New Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte launched an anti-drugs crackdown when he came to office in June. And at least 3,700 suspected drug dealers have been killed in less than four months. Many are thought to have been gunned down by vigilante groups, who are paid in cash for each confirmed kill, with many leaving cards labelled pushers next to bodies to prove the hit. The crackdown has attracted criticism from many in the international community, after the controversial Duterte pledged to kill 100,000 drug users and dealers and fill Manila Bay with their bodies. And today the Philippines' police chief reprimanded officers and some senior generals for raising concerns with journalists about the country's war on drugs, telling subordinates to talk to him instead - if they were brave enough. One of the dead girl's relatives cries and breaks down in the street after the teenager was shot dead Relatives and friends of those killed look on behind police tape as officers investigate their deaths Asked to comment on a Reuters report that highlighted widespread discrepancies in statistics related to Duterte's drugs crackdown, Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa appeared irked at police and took a swipe at journalists for what he called 'unfair' reporting. He said: 'Talk to me, but don't go to the media to talk about those things. 'Tell our men, the officers who had said this, if they had balls, they should talk to me.' Dela Rosa, whose nickname means 'rock', said officers with grievances should tell their commanders or go to a panel dedicated to hearing internal complaints. He added: 'They're undermining the efforts of the president,' he said, warning of possible charges of insubordination for not using approved channels. Two men have admitted passing horsemeat off as beef during the national scandal. Ulrik Nielsen, 57, from Gentofte near Copenhagen, and Alex Beech, 44, from Hull, admitted conspiracy to defraud at Inner London Crown Court today. It comes after an international investigation into the scandal which rocked Britain. Ulrik Nielsen, 57, from Gentofte near Copenhagen, and Alex Beech, 44 (pictured), from Hull, admitted conspiracy to defraud over the horsemeat scandal at Inner London Crown Court Ulrik Nielsen, 57, (pictured) from Gentofte near Copenhagen is pictured outside the court While the pair pleaded guilty, discussions are ongoing about the precise dates of the charge, the number of shipments involved and the financial loss to others. A third man, Andronicos Sideras, 54, of Southgate, north London, pleaded not guilty to the same charges and will now go on trial on July 3. The men were accused of dishonestly arranging for beef and horsemeat to be combined for sale as beef to be sold in the UK's meat industry. The offence is said to have taken place between January 1 2012 and October 31 that year. In 2013 UK supermarkets were rocked by the horsemeat contamination crisis, with products labelled as beef and other meats found to contain various amounts of horse flesh. Major supermarkets such as Tesco, Aldi, Lidl and Iceland were all affected by the contamination. In 2013, supermarkets were rocked by the horsemeat contamination crisis (file picture) The probe into the scandal, conducted by the City of London Police, the CPS and the Food Standards Agency, has taken three years. Today, Jonathan Polnay, prosecuting, said: 'There may be an issue as to the consequential losses to the food industry as a whole, and whether it's possible to attribute a figure to be put on it.' The trial of Sideras is expected to last no more than three weeks. Judge Usha Karu said: 'Mr Sideras' issue is he denies being part of the conspiracy, and he denies mixing the beef and horsemeat in any way.' Nielsen and Beech will be sentenced after the trial and have been released on bail until then. Before Alec Baldwin played Trump and Kate McKinnon was Hillary, Will Ferrell had the nation in stitches with his spot on impression of President George W. Bush. Ferrell brought some much needed laughs to this political season Tuesday night, when he broke out his squinty-eyed version of Dubya for an appearance on Comedy Central's @Midnight with Chris Hardwick. In the appearance, Ferrell's Bush was brought out during a segment called 'Voter Voices' to represent the 'small but formidable' former presidents' voting block. Scroll down for video Will Ferrell brought out his Prince George W. Bush impression for an appearance on Comedy Central's @Midnight with Chris Hardwick on Tuesday Ferrell's Dubya said this picture of Michelle Obama hugging him 'is so cute even I almost forgot how I invaded Iraq over WMDs that weren't there' In the segment, Ferrell's Bush weighed in on Donald Trump, bashed Billy Bush for the scandal that got him fired from NBC, and spoke of his plans for if Clinton loses. The first subject of the night was Billy Bush, the 43rd president's first cousin who was fired from NBC last week after he and Donald Trump were caught objectifying women in an 11-year-old recording. '[Billy Bush] and that disgraced pumpkin Donald Trump, talking on that bus. And I just want to say one thing. We Bushes dont act like that, OK? We have standards. And were raised a certain way. And we would never, under any circumstances, ride a bus' Ferrell said. 'When youre a Bush, you ride in a limousine or a jet. Or maybe a monster truck called Sasquatch Express,' he added. Ferrell's Bush demurred when host Chris Hardwick asked him who he was voting for. However, he did say he liked how Trump's run had distracted from his own shortcoming as president. 'This dunerhead is making me look great,' Ferrell said. While speaking about a photo of Michelle Obama embracing President Bush, Ferrell said: 'That picture is so cute even I almost forgot how I invaded Iraq over WMDs that weren't there'. I destabilized an entire region, but no one seems to care anymore. Thanks to the bozo Trump here, folks have forgotten how I tanked the economy or how I didn't get Bin Laden. He continued: 'I destabilized an entire region Chris, but no one seems to care anymore. Thanks to the bozo Trump here, folks have forgotten how I tanked the economy or how I didn't get Bin Laden. Heck, Kanye West even said I hated hurricanes. But that's all forgotten now.' He went on to call Trump a 'disgraced pumpkin' and a 'dangerous man' who mistakenly believes the election is being rigged'. 'The only thing that's rigged is that stuffed Chupacabra on top of his head,' he said. 'I don't know how he keeps it on there but I sure hope Hillary knocks it off.' Ferrell also slammed Trump for his disparaging comments about women. The real George W. Bush spent the weekend at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, where friends and family toasted the former president and first lady on turning 70. Bush's birthday was in June and former first lady Laura's is on November 4 'Hes a dangerous man. Back in Texas, where Im from, you dont talk about women the way he does. . We got a funny kind of justice down there. Some might even say its illegal. The only thing that's rigged is that stuffed Chupacabra on top of his head. I don't know how he keeps it on there but I sure hope Hillary knocks it off. 'But if he ever tried hamming his Tic Tac covered cow dung down a ladies throat in Texas, wed given him what we call the Amarillo steak and eggs. Thats where you cook him up a nice T-bone steak, medium rare, with scrambled eggs and a side of grits and then you drag him with your truck,' Ferrell said. Ferrell even detailed his plans for if Trump wins the election. 'If Trump takes this thing, Laura and I have a very comfortable underground bunker we could move to. It's got a mini fridge for snacks and sodas and a much larger walk in freezer with thousands of Hungry Man dinners. We have every season of Just Shoot Me on TV so i'm going to be down there ...while society gets overrun by wild dogs and racists. 'My advice is don't let that happen America. Don't let that rotten sack of sweet potatoes anywhere near the White House.' Ferrell originated his impression of Trump during his years on Saturday Night Live. The 23-year-old driver who fled the scene after causing a car crash that killed three women and injured their Uber driver in Milwaukee on Sunday, has been named. Jasen Randhawa, of Mequon, Wisconsin turned himself in on Monday, and had a previous conviction for drink driving. In January 2015, Randhawa was arrested for driving while intoxicated. His license was revoked in August of that year and 10 days later he was in trouble once again as he was caught pulling out of his driveway despite having his license revoked. On Sunday, investigators say Randhawa who was driving a Lexus SUV, ran a stop light in downtown Milwaukee early on Sunday morning and slammed into a car whose 41-year-old driver was giving the Chicago women an Uber ride. Randhawa surrendered to authorities on Monday and is currently being held in the Milwaukee County Jail, but he has not yet been formally charged. Scroll down for video Jasen Randhawa, 23, of Mequon, Wisconsin, turned himself in Monday after fleeing the scene of the fatal Uber crash that killed three women in Milwaukee early Sunday Friends of Randhawa had posted in on his own Facebook page about his reckless driving style A video has emerged that shows the alleged hit-and-run driver (right) vowing to never drink drive again after his history came up at a meeting five months ago at a town meeting Randhawa is being held in the Milwaukee County Jail. His bond amount is currently unspecified, and charges are pending, according to jail records Aside from the DUI conviction from 2015, his drinking problem was brought up at a meeting in Milwaukee's City Hall in May. The man was appearing as a new agent for his father's convenience store business, Fox 6 reports. In the clip, Milwaukee Alderman Russell Stamper asks the driver: 'Do you still drink?' 'If I was to drink, I would make sure that I'm not getting behind the wheel,' he replied. 'You don't drink and drive?' Stamper asked. 'Correct,' the man responded. The man's family convenience store was granted the ability to keep operating with extended hours. Randhawa fled the scene after causing the car crash (above) that killed three women In January 2015, Randhawa was arrested for operating while intoxicated. His license was revoked later that year in August 2015 Five months later, Randhawa under arrest with charges pending for causing Sunday's crash which remains under investigation. Police say a male passenger was in the Lexus SUV, but they provided no information about him. Amy Taylor, 32, Ashley Sawatzke, 30 and 35-year-old Lindsey Cohen were killed, the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office said. The Uber driver was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. He is identified on a GoFundMe page as Tim Snyder. A post on the page, which is raising funds to cover Snyder's medical bills, said: 'Tim was the only survivor from his vehicle. Pictured from left, Ashley Sawatzke, Lindsey Cohen and Amy Taylor were killed in the crash The Uber driver Tim Snyder (above) sustained serious injuries in the crash on Sunday 'His injuries include bleeding near the liver which he is continuing to undergo scans to determine the source and cracked vertebrae.' It added: 'Tim's work is the main source of income for his family and the car lost in the accident was their primary vehicle. 'It is unclear at this time how much work and income will be lost due to this accident, not to mention the inevitable mountain of medical bills he will be faced with.' According to police, the deadly crash took place at around 3am on Sunday when a 2015 Lexus R350 going southbound on North 2nd Street blew through a red light and crashed into a 2013 Ford Fusion traveling west on Clybourn Avenue. The Ford was an on-duty Uber vehicle that was transporting Sawatzke, Taylor and Cohen. Sawatzke, 30 (left), and Taylor, 32 (right), had until recently worked together at the Chicago-based ad agency Energy BBDO Investigators say Randhawa, who was driving a Lexus SUV, ran a stop light in downtown Milwaukee early Sunday and slammed into the Uber Two of the women were pronounced dead at the scene. The third died later in hospital. Information available on social media sites indicates that the three victims were friends, and at least two of them at one time had been co-workers. Ashley Sawatzke worked as account supervisor at the Chicago branch of the global advertising firm Leo Burnett, where she had been hired just five months ago, according to her LinkedIn profile. Prior to that, she had spent four years working at the Chicago-based ad agency Energy BBDO, which was also the place of employment of Amy Taylor and Lindsey Cohen. 'We are absolutely devastated by the loss of these three incredible, exuberant young women who were taken from us far too soon,' Energy BBDO said in a statement. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones at this tragic moment. The grief of their absence is felt deeply across our Energy BBDO family.' A representative of Leo Burnett also confirmed in an email to DailyMail.com that Sawatzke was an employee, but declined to comment on her passing out of respect for her family. Chilling footage has emerged of Russia stepping up preparations for war by carrying out a nuclear drill for 40 million people. Video shows emergency workers with protective suits and gas masks leading the biggest civil defence rehearsals since the end of the Cold War. Bomb shelters in Moscow have been upgraded so that the city's entire population can be protected, according to Russian authorities. The film emerged amid heightened tensions between Russia and the West after an escalation in posturing between President Vladimir Putin and Western leaders. Yesterday, Russia unveiled pictures of its largest ever nuclear missile - Satan 2 - which is capable of destroying an area the size of obliterating England. Pictures have emerged showing how the Kremlin completed a nuclear drill for 40 million citizens Russian authorities said its nuclear drills took place over four days and involved 40 million people The film emerged amid heightened tensions between Russia and the West after an escalation in posturing between President Vladimir Putin and Western leaders It came just weeks after the Kremlin's Ministry of Emergency Situations staged a four-day nuclear-war survival drill. According to the Wall Street Journal, the ministry's Andrey Mishchenko said: 'An inventory was taken in Moscow of the citys underground spaces, in order to allow us to plan for sheltering 100% of the citys population.' Footage from the drills shows people trying on breathing apparatus while school auditoriums became make-shift hospital wards with dummies lifted onto stretches. The massive evacuation drill is said to have lasted four days. A Ministry of the Russian Federation for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters spokesman said at the time: 'The three-stage four-day drill involves more than 40 million people, more than 200,000 specialists of rescue units based in regions, organizations and enterprises, as well as some 50,000 units of equipment. More than 200,000 specialists of rescue units and 50,000 units of equipment were said to have been involved in the drills Video shows men in gas masks entering buildings as part of the chilling exercise drill 'Management bodies and forces of the Emergency Ministry's territorial bodies have been put on simulated high alert. 'Representatives of federal executive authorities, heads of regions, local governments and organisations are taking part in the massive drill. 'Emergency Ministry's forces and facilities are fully engaged, including rescue military divisions, rescue units, paramilitary mine rescue units and State Small Vessels Inspectorate, fire departments and aircraft. 'The topic of the drill is Organization of civil defense during large natural and man-caused disasters in the Russian Federation.' The images emerged against a backdrop of growing animosity between Russia and Western leaders. Last week Putin sent an aircraft carrier on a bombing mission to Syria in a fleet that passed through the English Channel. In the past week, Britain has deployed RAF fighter jets to intercept Russian bombers nearing UK airspace twice in four days. Today it emerged that Britain is sending tanks, drones and 800 troops to Estonia as part of the biggest military build-up on Russia 's borders since the Cold War. Tensions are high between Russia and the West after an escalation in posturing between President Vladimir Putin and Western leaders The soldiers will be sent to the Eastern European country and will be joined by forces from Denmark and France, according to Defence Secretary Michael Fallon. The United States hopes for binding commitments from Europe to fill four battle groups of some 4,000 troops, part of NATO's response to Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and concern it could try a similar tactic in Europe's ex-Soviet states. France, Denmark, Italy and other allies are expected to join the four battle groups led by the United States, Germany, Britain and Canada to go to Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, with forces ranging from armoured infantry to drones. Reports in Russia suggest the Kremlin has already reinforced its Baltic Fleet in Kaliningrad with two small warships armed with long-range cruise missiles to counter what it sees as a worrying NATO build-up in the region. Izvestia cited an unnamed military source as saying that the two ships, the Serpukhov and the Zeleny Dol, had already entered the Baltic Sea and would soon become part of a newly formed division. The Royal Navy was placed on red alert after it emerged Russia was sailing a fleet of warships along the British coast en route to Syria Tensions have been building since Crimea and the West's decision to impose retaliatory sanctions, but the breakdown of a US-Russia brokered ceasefire in Syria on October 3, followed by US accusations that Russia has used cyber attacks to disrupt the presidential election, have signalled a sharp worsening of East-West relations. EU leaders met last week to consider fresh sanctions over Russian bombing of civilian areas in Aleppo and NATO's Stoltenberg said he fears the Russian warships heading to the Mediterranean could launch new attacks on the Syrian city. Even before the break down of the Syrian ceasefire, Russian President Vladimir Putin suspended a treaty with Washington on cleaning up weapons-grade plutonium, signalling he was willing to use nuclear disarmament as a new bargaining chip in disputes with the United States over Ukraine and Syria. A drug-smuggling gang have been arrested after nearly 2,500lbs of cannabis resin was found hidden among oranges in a van. The vehicle had been stopped at a motorway checkpoint in southern Spain and the drugs unearthed by sniffer dogs. The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled but officers managed to identify him and the rest of the gang following raids at several addresses. The vehicle had been stopped at a motorway checkpoint in southern Spain and the drugs were unearthed by sniffer dogs Police released footage today of sniffer dogs being let loose on one of the lorries believed to have been seized and the contents searched Police released footage today of sniffer dogs being let loose on one of the lorries believed to have been seized and the parcels of cannabis resin being removed from the crates of oranges. Officers also described how the gang set up two import-export firms to smuggle the drugs between Spain and the UK - and hid their illegal cargo inside vacuum-packed containers in the middle of the vehicles they used to hinder detection. The drug parcels were prepared in a house in Alcala de Guadiara near Seville before being taken to nearby warehouses and hidden among the oranges. A total of 18 people have been arrested, including Algerians, Paraguayans, French, Spanish and Portuguese nationals. Parcels of cannabis resin were discovered among the crates of oranges The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled but officers managed to identify him and the rest of the gang following raids at several addresses The operation, codenamed Operacion Rajado-Puntalero, was carried out by the Guardia Civil. (Pictured - Police searching the gang's headquarters find large wads of cash) The oranges confiscated have been sent to local food banks so they can handed to the poor and needy. The operation, codenamed Operacion Rajado-Puntalero, was carried out by the Guardia Civil. A spokesman said: 'The gang dismantled smuggled drugs between Spain and England hidden in lorries that transported oranges. 'During the different phases of the operation, raids have been carried out at several addresses in the provinces of Malaga and Seville. 'The operation began when a patrol car stopped a van on the A7 motorway in the province of Malaga whose driver abandoned the vehicle and fled. A spokesman said: 'The gang dismantled smuggled drugs between Spain and England hidden in lorries that transported oranges' He added: 'The drugs were hidden among crates of oranges placed in the central part of the trailers and the rest of the trailer filled with oranges that didn' t contain drugs' 'The van was subsequently found to contain nearly 2,500lbs of cannabis resin in 32 packages. 'A subsequent investigation into the driver and the origin and intended destination of the drugs led officers to identify and arrest all the members of the gang.' He added: 'The drugs were hidden among crates of oranges placed in the central part of the trailers and the rest of the trailer filled with oranges that didn' t contain drugs. A distraught mother has relived the horrors of the brutal rule of ISIS and revealed how the extremist group would 'knead children to death in bakery machines'. Alice Assaf said her son was killed 'because he was called George' and refused to identify himself by a Muslim name. Ms Assaf claims ISIS slaughtered Christians in Syria, kneading children to death in bread machines and 'baking men in ovens'. She said the terror group targeted her home town in Syria some two years ago, unleashing a horrifying reign of terror as they took hold of the suburb's population, murdering both adults and children. Alice Assaf managed to flee her home town alive, but her son was beaten and shot by ISIS Ms Assaf said she pleaded with her son to change his name but he refused and was beaten to death and shot by ISIS militants. She told Roads to Success - an organisation seeking to improve human rights in the Middle East - how the terror unfolded. Ms Assaf said during the massacre she and her son had sought refuge in the home of a Muslim neighbour, who betrayed them. 'Later on, we heard that the militants grabbed six strong men working at the bakery and burned them inside the oven,' she said. 'After that, they caught some 250 kids and kneaded them like dough in the bakery dough machine.' She also said when troops attempted to intervene, children as young as four were thrown from the top of balconies in a bid to scare soldiers away. Ms Assaf claims ISIS slaughtered Christians in Syria, kneading children to death in bread machines and 'baking men in ovens' The grieving mother told Roads to Success - an organisation seeking to improve human rights in the Middle East - how the terror unfolded She also recounted her son's last words: ' I don't want to hide myself. You [Alice] are the one who taught me to follow what Christ said, 'whoever denies me before men, I will also deny them before Heaven.' Ms Assaf added: 'They took him to a backyard to shoot and kill him. They killed him because his name was 'George'. While Ms Assaf succeeded in fleeing from the region, her son was buried in a mass grave and she did not know the whereabouts of his body until now. And while some towns have been liberated from the extremist group, residents continue to live in fear. Just days ago, the Iraqi army forces arrived in the Al Qayyarah town during the operation to retake Mosul from ISIS On Wednesday, i mprovised land mines planted by the Islamic State group killed and wounded hundreds of civilians, including dozens of children, in a town recently freed of the militants in northern Syria. A leading human rights group said civilians returning to the town of Manbij since it was liberated from the extremists in August have reported finding explosive devices placed in doorways and windows, under mattresses and piles of shoes, in refrigerators and bags of clothes and in television sets. The Human Rights Watch revealed the horrors in a report based on a five-day investigation in the town. 'ISIS mined virtually everything including, quite literally, the kitchen sink before they left,' said Ole Solvang, deputy emergencies director at Human Rights Watch (HRW). He said the number of victims is likely to increase as more people return to their homes. Families walk through the Debaga refugee camp where people displaced by fighting in and around Mosul have sought shelter ISIS' reign of terror has seen the group commit some of the most barbaric atrocities. This week the group have suffocated hundreds of people trying to flee Mosul by setting fire to a sulphur plant sending poisonous gas across the city. Hospitals in Mosul were overwhelmed with patients including children and pregnant women who had inhaled the gas causing breathing problems and choking. Earlier this week, the terrorists used a bulldozer to dump the corpses in a mass grave at the city's abandoned College of Agriculture. All 284 victims, including children, were said to have been shot. Some of the 550 families taken hostage by Islamic State were able to return home while others will continue to be used as human shields by retreating jihadis. Another Cobb County investigator said he thought Ross Harris' use of legal language like 'malicious intent' while in questioning was strange Leanna Harris is expected in court next week as a defense witness But no evidence emerged to incriminate her and Stoddard said though she is still listed as a suspect on police reports, 'she is not part of an active investigation' Nor did she ask to see her son's body, according to cross testimony of lead investigator Detective Phil Stoddard on Wednesday Justin Ross Harris' wife Leanna did not cry when allowed to see her husband after he left their son to die in a hot car in Georgia in 2014 Leanna Harris didn't cry. There were no tears. She didn't show emotion or react in the way Detective Phil Stoddard thought she should when police allowed her to see her husband Justin Ross Harris in the interrogation room. Ross Harris was being questioned after he left the couple's 22-month-old son Cooper to die in the back of the family SUV in a hot day in Marietta, Georgia in June 2014. Leanna Harris did not even ask to see her dead son as she was detained at police headquarters while her belongings were searched, Stoddard - the lead detective on the case - told the court Wednesday. But while that raised eyebrows and led police to suspect she played a part in young Cooper's death, Leanna Harris was never arrested. Scroll down for video Ross Harris' wife Leanna showed no emotion when allowed to see her husband just hours after he left their son Cooper to die in the back of the family car Harris' lead defense attorney Maddox Kilgore cross-examined the prosecution' lead detective PHil Stoddard on Wednesday. He also voiced concerns about the jury being allowed to see Harris' SUV with Cooper's child seat positioned inside how it was on the day Leanna Harris is expected in court next week as a defense witness. Cross-examination of Stoddard by Ross Harris' defense attorney Maddox Kilgore continued Wednesday morning with the admission that no evidence emerged that implicated Leanna. Kilgore suggested that police were 'looking for a conspiracy' between both parents. 'The fact is, you were dead wrong about Leanna Harris,' Kilgore admonished the witness. 'No evidence ever came forward that rose to the level of probable cause,' replied Stoddard, lead detective on the murder case. Though Leanna is still listed as a suspect on police reports, 'she is not part of an active investigation.' he said. Also on Wednesday another Cobb County investigator, Det. David Raissi, said he thought Ross Harris' use of legal language while in questioning was strange. Raissi, a Cobb County homicide investigator, told the court he was in the police department's 'box' with Harris following his detailed interrogation of the day's events to police. After detectives advised Harris of the pending cruelty to children and homicide changes he was facing, Harris said he didn't understand why he was being charge because his son's death was an accident, Raissi said. Harris calmly argued there was 'no malicious intent,' Raissi explained. 'I thought it was strange. It triggered in my mind how he knew that language,' Raissi continued. The wording wasn't something someone who wasn't a police officer would use, he said. 'I believed the way he was doing this was not normal. The wording he was using -- the vernacular -- the language was not from a lay person,' he told the court. 'Certainly as a police officer or lawyer you understand what malice is. The wording he used caught my attention. I thought it was strange that he was using that terminology,' he said. Det. David Raissi, a Cobb County homicide investigator, testified he found Ross Harris' use of the phrase 'malicious intent' strange during his interrogation Raissi testified how he activated a camera he had with him and recorded the argumentative exchange between Harris and detectives. Defense attorney Kilgore suggested, 'We see what we want to see. We hear what we want to hear,' and suggested police were looking for something 'nefarious or suspicious.' But Raissi said again that Harris' comments seemed strange to him, and that's why he recorded that exchange. 'I'm just trying to document facts. I did not know the context of what was going on beforehand or what was going on in his head.' he said. Harris previously told police he worked as a police dispatcher in Alabama and had a relative who was a police officer. Harris wept in court last week when this image - one of the last taken of Cooper before his death - was shown to the jury Raissi told the court he was reviewing his notes this morning before testifying and discovered that the phrase 'malicious intent' is not used in Alabama's legal code. It is used in Georgia's legal code, he said. Harris moved from Tuscaloosa, Alabama to Georgia in 2012. Earlier on Wednesday Prosecutor Chuck Boring returned to question Stoddard about the security video at the Home Depot Tree House car park which showed Ross Harris as he approached his car after lunch. The detective told the court he believes Harris had a clear view of Cooper in the car as he approached his SUV with a bag of light bulbs he'd purchased several minutes earlier, while on a lunch break with friends. But Harris might not have seen his son when he opened the door to toss the light bulbs inside, because his head was above the frame of the car, he conceded. The jury was also shown enhanced still photographs made from security video at the Home Depot Tree House car park. The images showed Ross Harris at the driver-side door of his SUV after lunch. Walter Pineda, an Atlanta area expert in surveillance video and photography analysis, testified for the state how he is able to clarify and enlarge images to better see critical content. The much-enlarged still images showed Harris as he opened the door and appeared to reach in to deposit a bag. The images were fuzzy and grainy due to the amount of enlargement, but did show Harris' head at the frame of his car door, court observers said. What remained unclear is how far his head may have entered or what Harris was able to see when he placed his purchase in the front seat. 'Videos tell their own story,' defense attorney Carlos Rodriguez noted. 'Sometimes they are open to interpretation, right?' he asked the video expert. Pineda agreed. Sometimes pictures a full story and sometimes it depends on how they are viewed, Rodriguez suggested. The enhanced videos showed movement of Harris inside the car a little better, Pineda said. Carlos Rodriguez, defense attorney, discusses enhanced and enlarged images at Home Depot Tree house car park that show Harris at his SUV on day Cooper died The red Chicco car seat that held infant Cooper Harris as he died - now evidence in the murder trial of his father Ross Harris discussed trial details with his defense team while in court on Wednesday The jury in the Ross Harris trial will view the infamous silver Hyundai Tucson early Thursday morning in an undisclosed location in Glynn County, Judge Mary Staley Clark announced this morning. The viewing has been agreed to by both prosecution and defense teams. Against defense objections however, the red car seat that held Cooper as he died will be reinstalled in the car to give jurors a complete picture of the crime scene. Det. Carey Grimstead, who originally processed the SUV as a crime scene in 2014, testified how he recreated the placement of the child safety seat so he could accurately and digitally scan the interior of the vehicle. The recorded data was used to create a three-dimensional representation that will be shown to the jury. Harris has opted to skip the jury's planned viewing of his SUV. His defense team hammered Det. Grimstead on the tiniest of measurement details as he recreated the crime scene, arguing that the detective made measurement errors that might make the recreated scene inaccurate. Grimstead testified he placed the car seat into the rear of the SUV four times, using original measurements, and insisted the placement is accurate. Harris, who faces life in prison if convicted, says his son's death was an accident. The court heard Tuesday that the father-of-one was planning a cruise with his family in the days before Cooper's death. In cross-examination testimony which court observers described as 'testy' and 'strained,' Detective Phil Stoddard confirmed that Harris used search words, 'Carnival Cruise Lines kids,' 'Carnival Cruise Line kids policy' and 'Do kids cruise free?' in the days prior to the toddler's death. Harris' lead defense attorney Maddox Kilgore pressed Stoddard about search warrants, interviews and computer searches and suggested the prosecution had been selective in its investigation. Sandwiched between Harris' numerous sexting messages with other women while at his job on the day before Cooper died, Harris also emailed a travel agent specifically about a cruise for himself, Leanne and Cooper, it was revealed in testimony. It was also revealed that Harris never searched online for the length of time it takes for a child to die in a car - undercutting previous statements by investigators. Harris' lead defense attorney Maddox Kilgore questioned Stoddard about a YouTube video which Harris watched, of a veterinarian showing how quickly heat can rise to dangerous levels in cars. Kilgore said that Harris, who watched the footage just five days before his son died, had not sought the video out, and pointed out that Harris had told police he had seen the video when he was taken in for questioning. Det. Phil Stoddard on day three of his court testimony Ross Harris shut his eyes on Monday as the YouTube video he had previously watched on pets in hot cars is shown to the jury. The video shows Dr Ernie Ward, a North Carolina veterinarian, as he demonstrates how heat can quickly rises to deadly levels inside a car even with the windows cracked open Prosecutors are seeking to portray Harris as a sexual deviant who wanted his son out of his life. His double life was detailed by Stoddard on Tuesday, as he gave testimony on the graphic sexual text messages he discovered as he examined Harris' iPhone after his arrest. 'I keep my two lives separate,' Harris wrote in one. 'I'm addicted to using sex with strangers to keep me sane,' another message read. It is the last week of the prosecution case in the trial, which has attracted national media coverage. Harris's defense attorneys are preparing to lay into the state's case against him, as they try to convince the jury that the hot car death was an accident. The prosecutors have attacked Harris as a sexual deviant who wanted his son out of his life. He is charged with first degree murder. Harris's defense rests on convincing the jury that he forgot his son was in the family vehicle. They are expected to attack Stoddard - whose shocking testimony two years ago helped turn public opinion against Harris - as well as the Cobb County police department. A jury even had to be found 300 miles away in Brunswick because a judge ruled that no impartial one could be found in Harris's hometown. The jury has already heard from a series of young women on the witness stands, including a teen and a prostitute, who testified to conducting relationships with the married father-of-one and sexting with him on the day that Cooper died. The jury has also had to see crime scene photos of Cooper's body and sat through a medical examiner's testimony of his agonizing death during the seven long hours he was in the car outside his father's office in Marietta, Georgia in 2014. The Sabbath is supposed to be a day of quiet relaxation. But according to residents near one Hasidic synagogue in Brooklyn, the noise from the schul's Friday afternoon siren is anything but restful. "It leaves me with a ringing in my ears and headaches that have continued for two days," Aaron Graubart, who lives next door to the Bais Yokov Nchemyeh D'setmer synagogue in Bedford-Stuyvesant, told the news Web site Gothamist. "I work from home and I now have to be out of the apartment on Fridays in order to avoid the sound. The siren is literally forcing me out of my home on Friday afternoons." For some observant Jews, Friday afternoon sirens are critical alerting them to the coming of the Sabbath and the need to wrap business and return home. But residents told Gothamist this was not a normal alarm, with the sound recently maxing out at 106 decibels what one might hear standing right next to an active chainsaw and well over New York City's permitted noise levels. Talking to the Gothamist, another resident imagined sinister motives could underlie the synagogue's noise-making. "I feel like it is a form of displacement," Robert Prichard, who filed a complaint with the Department of Environmental Protection in August, told the publication. "It feels like we are being driven out of our homes." Over several weeks, the DEP sent investigators to the scene, and found noise levels above the decibel limit. It has set a court date for November, at which the synagogue could be fined for its siren. Before that happens, Prichard tried to reach out to the congregation directly, walking into its building and asking for a meeting with its head rabbi a request that he said still has not been honored. In the meantime, he and other concerned citizens intend to circulate a neighborhood petition against the sound. According to the Gothamist, residents fret that legal sanctions might not deter Bais Yokov from its ear-splitting Friday ritual. "I just think they will pay the fine and carry on as normal," Graubart told the publication. "It just feels like our rights to live our lives unmolested are being taken away," Prichard said. "It is infuriating to know that our health is negotiable." A Malaysian schoolboy has suffered horrific injuries after falling on a pair scissors that became embedded in his head. The six-year-old boy was carrying the scissors when he tripped on a chair inside Sekolah Kebangsaan Khir Johari school in Johor Bahru and fell on them. Viral images of the injury show the blade of the scissors narrowly missed his eye, ending up embedded in his skull. A Malaysian child has suffered horrific injuries after falling on a pair scissors that became embedded in his head Angry education officials have ordered an enquiry into what happened after images of the incident went viral. The school has put a blackout on the incident, instructing staff and kids not to speak to the media. The boy was rushed to the Sungai Buloh Hospital where he is still recovering. Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said he did not want to comment on the matter while the investigation was ongoing. 'I am not sure how the incident took place, really, so we will let the state department investigate 'The boy is lucky, the scissors did not poke his eyes. However since it happened in the school, clearly there was an individual, who posted the photos online,' he said. The student was carrying the scissors when he tripped on a chair and fell on them Theresa May has been offered help with Brexit from an unexpected quarter - Blackadder's hapless sidekick Baldrick. The bizarre offer came after Jeremy Corbyn mocked Mrs May at PMQs over her 'cunning plan' for cutting ties with Brussels. The Labour leader jibed that Baldrick was the only 'great philosopher' he could think of to sum up the government's strategy for leaving the EU. Mrs May hit back by pointing out that Sir Tony Robinson, the actor who played the character in the BBC series, was a member of the Labour Party. Scroll down for video Theresa May (pictured leaving Downing Street for PMQs today) has been bizarrely offered help with Brexit by Baldrick actor Sir Tony Robinson But the episode did not end when the question session did - with Sir Tony weighing in on Twitter. The actor ridiculed Mrs May's 'Brexit means Brexit' slogan by tweeting: 'Baldrick means Baldrick.' In a dig at the Brexit Secretary David Davis, he added: 'Haven't left (Labour), active member for 40 yrs. But if David Davis needs any help with Brexit Baldrick stands ready to serve.' Baldrick was known for his regular suggestions of a 'cunning plan' - which would often be anything but. Speaking during PMQs, Mr Corbyn said to Mrs May: 'On Monday, you told the House, 'We have a plan which is not to set out at every stage of the negotiations the details'. 'I've been thinking about this for a couple of days.' Tory MPs heckled Mr Corbyn, who added: 'I think when you're searching for the real meaning and the importance behind the Prime Minister's statement, you have to consult the great philosophers.' After a further delay due to shouts from Tory MPs, Mr Corbyn said: 'The only one I could come up with is Baldrick, who says, 'Our cunning plan is to have no plan'. 'Brexit was apparently about taking back control but the devolved governments don't know the plan, businesses don't know the plan, Parliament doesn't know the plan. The bizarre exchange about Baldrick came during PMQs in the House of Commons today Mr Corbyn suggested Mrs May was following the 'great philosopher' Baldrick by deploying a 'cunning plan' on Brexit 'When will the Prime Minister abandon this shambolic Tory Brexit and develop a plan that delivers for the whole country?' To laughter from her MPs, Mrs May told Mr Corbyn: 'I'm interested that you chose Baldrick. Of course, the actor playing Baldrick was a member of the Labour Party, as I recall.' The PM went on: 'I'll tell you what we're going to deliver: we're going to deliver on the vote of the British people, we're going to deliver the best possible deal for trade in goods and services with and operation within the European Union, and we're going to deliver an end to free movement. 'That's what the British people want and that's what this Government is going to deliver for them.' Earlier, Mr Corbyn joked that he feared Mrs May would say 'Brexit means Brexit' again before insisting it would be helpful for the PM to provide clarity over the Northern Ireland border. Mrs May hit back by pointing out that Sir Tony Robinson, who played the character, was a Labour Party member He asked: 'Will we continue membership of the customs union or are we going to see border checks introduced between Northern Ireland and the Republic?' Mrs May replied: 'You try to poke fun at the phrase 'Brexit means Brexit' but the whole point is this - it's this Government that's listening to the voice of the British people. 'Brexit means Brexit, that means we're coming out of the European Union. 'What you try to be doing is frustrating the will of the British people by saying that Brexit means something completely different.' On the issue of the Northern Ireland border, Mrs May said work is continuing. She told MPs: 'We've been very clear, the Government of the Republic of Ireland has been very clear, the Northern Ireland Executive has been very clear - that none of us want to see a return to the borders of the past. Maryam Simpson, 35, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and a weapons offense on Monday in Bloomfield A so-called hairstylist in New Jersey assaulted and pepper sprayed a client in the face who was not happy with the services provided, police say. Jessica Mahecha, 25, told Bloomfield police she found the stylist, Maryam Simpson, on a Craigslist advertisement where she went by the name 'Freddy', WCBS reported. Simpson was working in the client's apartment on October 13 when the two women began arguing about the services provided and how Mahecha was not happy with her hair. 'I didn't want to dye my hair,' Mahecha told the TV station. 'So I had requested that she do an extension so I didn't have to touch any of my personal hair.' Mahecha claims Simpson then assaulted her before pepper spraying her in the face. Jessica Mahecha, 25, told Bloomfield police she found Simpson on a Craigslist advertisement for hair styling. Simpson went to Mahecha's apartment (above) on October 13 to style her hair 'I had the police on the phone when she attacked me with pepper spray,' Mahecha said. Simpson fled the apartment before police could arrive, but she was tracked down and arrested on Monday in Bloomfield. The Belleville resident was charged with aggravated assault and a weapons offense. Officials said she was released after posting bail, which was set by a judge at $35,000 with a 10 per cent option, NewJersey.com reported. A telephone number couldn't be located Wednesday for Simpson. It's unclear if Simpson is a licensed cosmetologist. Mahecha was treated at the apartment for injuries she sustained during the incident. They began arguing after Mahecha said she was not happy with her hair. Simpson allegedly assaulted Mahecha and pepper sprayed her face before fleeing the apartment David Owens (pictured), 29, allegedly killed two women at Parrish Medical Center Chilling footing has emerged of the moment a crazed gunman entered a Florida hospital in the middle of the night and allegedly shot dead a patient and a nurse at random. David Owens, 29, walked into Parrish Medical Center in Titusville at approximately 2 am on July 17 and shot dead two women, police said. Police say he did not know the victims - 88-year-old patient Cynthia Zingsheim and 36-year-old hospital worker Carrie Rouzer. Surveillance footage from inside the hospital shows Owens staggering into the sleepy facility, passing a child and her mother waiting in one of the hospital's waiting areas, and going by an empty nurse's station, Click Orlando reported. Chilling: This footage shows the moment David Owens, 29, walked into Parrish Medical Center in Titusville at approximately 2 am on July 17, before allegedly killing two women With his head cocked to one side, Owens is seen staggering by an empty nurses station (right) in the hospital, before making his way to the third floor This is the moment Owens walks towards room 320, where a nurse was sitting with an elderly patient. Police say Owens fired two shots, killing both women He then made his way to the third floor, with one hand in his pocket. Owens walked into room 320, where the two victims were, and fired two shots. He then walked back out of the room the way he came. The surveillance shows hospital workers responding to the shots, but then turning and fleeing down the hall. According to Click Orlando, it took security 2.5 minutes to respond the shooting. Two guards finally tackled Owens and held him down until police arrived. Run: Hospital workers initially reacted to the sounds of the shots, but then fled in the other direction Incoherent: Footage from the police interrogation room show Owens fidgeting and unable to coherently answer questions. He has been charged with two counts of murder The video also shows Owens' interview with Titusville police investigators. He is seen moving his head and jaw frantically and responds incoherently to questions by investigators. When asked if he had a gun, Owens says to the officer: 'Are you a magician?' He has now been charged with two counts of capital murder but was found unfit to stand trail last week. 'It appears to be extremely random,' Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said of the shootng. Ivey said the investigation is ongoing and still in the preliminary stages. Police say Owens not know the victims - 88-year-old patient Cynthia Zingsheim (left) and 36-year-old hospital worker Carrie Rouzer (right), who was sitting with Zingheim at the time The shooter appeared to have randomly targeted the two victims, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey (pictured) said during a press conference. Police said Owens was taken into custody and has now been charged with two counts of murder The incident occurred at the Parrish Medical Center in Titusville, Florida, early Sunday morning. Officers from the Titusville Police Department responded to a call regarding an active shooter and upon arrival found Zingsheim and Rouzer dead in a third floor hospital room upon their arrival. After the shooting police were only able to identify the two victims as 'an elderly female patient' and a 'female hospital employee'. A motive in the shooting remains unknown. Titusville Police Chief John Lau told WFTV 9 that the quick actions of the two unarmed security guards 'no doubt saved more lives'. Ivey said the victims and the suspect did not know each other and the suspect didn't appear to have any connection with the hospital, according to ABC. The investigation is ongoing. A majority of Americans think the country has changed for the worst over the last 60 years and wish it could go back to how it was in the 1950s. A new study has found 51 percent think the country is worse off now than it was more than six decades ago, according to the nonpartisan research organization PRRI. The number skyrocketed among Donald Trump supporters, with a staggering 72 percent of people likely to vote for the Republican nominee saying the long for the days of a bygone era. A majority of Americans think the country has changed for the worst over the last 60 years and wish it could go back to how it was in the 1950s. The feeling is strongest among Donald Trump supporters A new study has found 51 percent think the country is worse off now than it was more than six decades ago. Pictured in the New York Stock Exchange in 1950 By contrast, 70 percent of people who are likely Hillary Clinton voters said things are better now than they were back then. However, no group of people surveyed was more sentimental about the 1950s than white evangelical Protestants, with 74 percent believing society was better off then. 'Donald Trump supporters are nostalgic for the 1950s, an era when white Christians in particular had more political and cultural power in the country,' PRRI CEO Robert Jones said in a statement. 'Hillary Clinton supporters are leaning into - and even celebrating - the big cultural transformations the country has experienced over the last few decades.' A total of 72 percent of Donald Trump supporters who were surveyed think the country is worse of in 2016 than it was in the 1950s Displaced persons who traveled to the US from Europe wait to get off a boat at Ellis Island. Fifty-one per cent of Americans think the country was better in these days than it is now The study went on to explore whether Americans think the country is headed in the right direction. Seventy-four per cent of the 2,010 people who took part in the survey said the country is not, with 44 percent saying it has been on the wrong path for quite some time. Thirty percent said it was a recent change. Responses also skewed massively depending on political beliefs, with 91 percent of Republicans thinking so compared to 57 percent of Democrats. Just 30 percent of people who are likely to vote for Hillary Clinton on November 8 feel the country has gone backwards HOW DO DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS VOTERS DIFFER ON KEY ELECTION ISSUES? HILLARY CLINTON VOTERS DONALD TRUMP VOTERS Is terrorism a key issue to you personally? 65 per cent say yes 83 per cent say yes Is free trade generally harmful to the US? 60 per cent say no 64 per cent say yes Should the US build a wall along the US/Mexico border? 12 per cent say yes 86 per cent say yes Are non-whites treated the same as whites by law enforcement? 32 per cent say yes 80 per cent say yes Should Muslim immigrants be banned from entering the US? 82 per cent say no 78 per cent say yes Should the minimum wage be increased to $15 an hour? 80 per cent say yes 64 per cent say no Should tuition be free at public colleges and universities? 83 per cent say yes 57 per cent say no Would having more women in public office help the country? 77 per cent say yes 37 per cent say yes Are America's best days still to come in the future? 61 per cent say yes 61 per cent say no Are you greatly confident your vote will be counted accurately? 70 per cent say yes 41 per cent say yes Advertisement The study also shed light on the issue of voter fraud, one that Trump's campaign has pushed to the fore in recent weeks by claiming the election is 'rigged' against the Republican nominee. Only 41 percent of likely Trump voters said they had a 'great deal of confidence' their vote will be counted accurately, while 66 percent said voter fraud is a bigger problem than voter disenfranchisement. In comparison, 70 percent of likely Clinton voters said they have a great deal of confidence their vote will be counted accurately, and 62 percent identified eligible voters being denied access as the bigger problem facing the election system. Democratic President Harry Truman holds up a newspaper declaring he had been defeated in 1948. Truman served as president from 1945 to 1953 Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower celebrates his win in the 1952 election. Eisenhower was the 34th president from 1953 to 1961 On the issue of equality, 77 percent of Democrats said the country would be a better place if there were more women in public office, compared to 37 percent of Republicans. There were also massive differences on race issues and how minorities are treated in this country. While 52 percent of all those surveyed said they believes minorities are treated the same as white people by police, the gap between Republicans and Democrats was stark. Eighty percent of Republican voters surveyed said minorities are treated the same as whites by police. Pictured is a 17-year-old civil rights protester being attacked by dogs Sixty-eight per cent of likely Democratic voters in the upcoming election say minorities are treated differently than whites by police. Pictured is the crowd of people gathered to hear Martin Luther King Jr's 'I Have a Dream' speech Thirty-two per cent of likely Hillary voters felt that was the case, compared to 80 percent of likely Trump voters. Similar divides were seen in responses to questions of immigration, with 73 percent of Republicans saying immigrants threaten American values. Just 29 percent of Democrats felt the same way, and 63 percent said they believe immigration strengthens the country. Some issues where there was agreement from the majority were on the subject of political correctness, and not being represented by either major party. Fifty-seven percent said American is too politically correct, however that number rose to 69 percent with white men. Nonpartisan research organization PRRI carried out the study and surveyed people on a wide variety of issues Sixty-one percent said neither the Republican or Democratic party accurately represents them, compared to just 48 percent who felt that way in 1990. But overall, the overwhelming majority of those who responded to the survey said they expect Clinton make history and become the first female president. Sixty-three percent said they believe Hillary will win on November 8, compared to 34 percent who think the Donald will become president. The study was carried out between September 1 and September 27 this year. Live surveyors were used to contact people on landlines and cellphones. A pilot on a London-bound British Airways flight which was forced to make an emergency landing in Vancouver complained of 'toxic fumes' on the aircraft, it has emerged. The Airbus A380, which had left from San Francisco, had to turn around after staff members fell ill. In an audio recording obtained by ABC News a pilot, having been asked what the problem was by air traffic control, responded: 'Toxic fumes, toxic gas type fumes'. Pictures from Canada show the plane being escorted by emergency services in Vancouver The airline has remained tight-lipped about the cause of the emergency, which happened on a flight with more than 400 passengers on board. A statement from BA simply said: 'We are investigating, and this will form part of our investigation.' A spokesman told MailOnline that no further aircraft have been grounded, and the emergency is currently being viewed as an isolated incident. It is not the first time concerns have been raised about fumes on BA passenger planes. A former BA pilot, Richard Westgate, instructed lawyers to take action against the airline before his death in 2012, at the age of 43. He claimed his health problems were related to exposure to toxic chemicals on board the planes he flew. The route taken by the flight after the medical emergency was reported According to online reports, posted by an individual claiming to have heard the full exchange, the pilot said 11 crew members were 'directly affected' by the fumes. A short time after, this number was relayed as '11 to 12'. It was agreed that a 'fumes on aircraft' procedure would be carried out on arrival. It is thought the pilot may have been wearing an oxygen mask. The company has launched an investigation into the mystery illness, which saw 22 cabin crew members and three pilots taken to hospital. Initial reports suggested that crew, pilots and passengers on board the Airbus A380 suffered from smoke inhalation when they were rushed to hospital by emergency vehicles waiting on the runway. The airline has said that no other aircraft are affected, and none of the rest of its fleet has been grounded in the wake of the unexplained incident. The airline said the plane made the unscheduled stop because staff members had been taken unwell. The airline and health officials have declined to reveal what symptoms the patients were suffering from. BA said 22 cabin crew members and three pilots were taken to hospital for medical checks as a precaution, and have since been discharged. A further two passengers were seen by medics, but did not suffer any injuries, BA has confirmed. A paramedic boards the plane after it landed in Vancouver, as passengers were told a technical fault was to blame for the flight being diverted One passenger told ABC News: 'People started panicking, there was a woman in the seat next door to us crying.' Steve Lowy, who was on the flight, said no explanation for the sudden diversion had been given. The 35-year-old, who was returning from a two day business trip in San Francisco, told MailOnline: 'They said there was a potential technical fault and crew members were feeling unwell.' Mr Lowy, who was on the top deck of the plane, said it was initially set to land in Calgary, but the size of the aircraft meant it had to divert to Vancouver. 'We were very high up in the air and we weren't in control of the situation, it was just a bit weird. People wanted to know a bit more information, but I don't think all the crew knew what was going on. Steve Lowy Despite the uncertainty, he said passengers remained calm, stating: 'We were all very British, we were wondering what had happened, and whether they had suffered food poisoning. 'We were very high up in the air and we weren't in control of the situation, it was just a bit weird. 'People wanted to know a bit more information, but I don't think all the crew knew what was going on. 'After they mentioned a fault, people did start coughing a bit, there was a lot of activity.' He said he did not see any smoke on the plane, or smell burning. Despite the confusion, Mr Lowy praised the crew for the professional manner they handled the situation. He said: 'I think the crew did what they could, especially as their colleagues weren't feeling very well. It would be nice to know what actually happened though.' The Airbus A380 took off around 7pm local time on Monday and landed in Vancouver several hours later. The airport's official Twitter account confirmed that medical staff were on hand to assist patients Passengers on Flight BA 286 from San Francisco to London told how firefighters in full respirators came onto the plane after it was diverted to Vancouver Airport. Liz Keller, from London, tweeted: 'Passengers on #ba286 pretty much totally in the dark about what happened on board or what comes next. THE BA PILOT WHO DIED AT 43 AND CLAIMED TOXIC FUMES ON PASSENGER PLANES WERE TO BLAME BA pilot Richard Westgate died in 2012 at the age of 43 A British Airways pilot who died at 43 complained he was being poisoned by toxic fumes on passenger planes. Richard Westgate, from Edinburgh, suffered years of ill health including severe headaches, mental confusion, sight problems and insomnia before he died in December 2012. Just before he died, he instructed lawyers to sue BA for health and safety breaches, convinced his problems were related to his being exposed to toxic chemicals on board the planes he flew. Although the inquest into Mr Westgate's death is yet to be heard, Dorset Coroner Sheriff Stanhope Payne last year wrote to BA and the Civil Aviation Authority to voice concern about the evidence he had heard. Last year the Unite union called for a public inquiry into contaminated cabin air, opening a dedicated legal unit to record and process claims from members. Lawyer Frank Cannon, who was instructed by Mr Westgate before his death, said: 'We believe that constant exposure to fuel leaks in planes contributed to Richard's death. 'This scientific research proves that Richard suffered from chemicals called organophosphates which cause chronic brain and other problems. 'This happens because of constant exposure working aboard aircraft.' When the case became public, a BA statement said: 'It would be inappropriate to comment or speculate on the cause of death of an individual. 'The safety and security of our customers and crew are of paramount importance to British Airways and will never be compromised.' Advertisement 'Not reassuring to see firefighters with respirators walking aisles and only be told the crew was taken ill. And have been told we need to book our own return flights.' The jet can hold 469 passengers but BA did not say exactly how many were on board. Passengers have been put up in hotels and will be rebooked on other flights. A statement from British Airways said: 'We are sorry for the delay to our customers' flight but the safety and well being of our customers and crew is always our top priority. 'The flight from San Francisco diverted to Vancouver after members of the cabin crew became unwell. 'Our ground team at Vancouver has arranged hotel accommodation for the customers and will book them on alternative flights as soon as possible.' A company spokesman told MailOnline: 'It was a medical diversion. I'ts still being investigated. He said the cause of the emergency has not been determined. He continued: Every report of smoke or fumes is pure speculation. BA has confirmed it will be carrying out the investigation itself. A spokesman said: 'We've not said at any point that the entire crew has been taken ill, we said they have been checked as a precaution and discharged.' Ten patients were rushed to Richmond Hospital, while another 10 went to the Vancouver General Hospital, and another five went to the Delta Hospital, CBC reports. Laura Kohli, a spokeswoman for Vancouver Coastal Health hospitals, said all those taken to Richmond Hospital and the Vancouver General Hospital had been treated and released. All of these were cabin crew members. Gavin Wilson, public affairs director for Vancouver Coastal Health, told the BBC that everyone had been discharged from hospital, but added: 'I can't tell you at this point what they were assessed for.' A letter handed to passengers said: 'I am very sorry for the disruption to your journey today. 'Due to unwell crew in need of medical attention we have had to divert to Vancouver. 'As a result of this diversion the current crews will not be able to operate again today.' A 4in tall porcelain jar bought for just 9.10 is set to fetch 200,000 at auction. The jar was bought from a London antique shop in May 1946. It was passed down the owner's family but gathered dust on a shelf until it was spotted by an expert brought in to value other items in the home. The jar, which dates bake nearly 300 years, was bought from a London antique shop in 1946 The piece, pictured, is now expected to fetch more than 200,000 when it is auctioned A picture of the Yongzheng Emperor whose markings are on the bottom of the porcelain jar The blue, white and green piece is an example of an incredibly rare Chinese 'heaven' jar dating back nearly 300 years. Asian art specialist John Axford of Woolley and Wallis auctioneers of Salibsury, Wiltshire, says the piece is better than another example held by the V&A. He said: 'The current owners had a big flood and needed to raise some money for some repairs. 'They had a local and general antiques dealer look at some items and he advised them to get a specialist in Chinese art to have a look at this jar. 'I found it on a shelf in a room on the ground floor that was being used for storage.' Asian art specialist John Axford of Woolley and Wallis auctioneers of Salibsury, Wiltshire, says the piece, pictured, is better than another example held by the V&A The blue, white and green piece, pictured, is an example of a very rare Chinese 'heaven' jar Several of the jars were made for the Chinese Emperor Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty but very few exist today. Only three other comparable pieces are known of and they are all in museums in the Far East. This example is even better than one held in London's Victoria and Albert Museum, which doesn't have its lid. Mr Axford added: 'It is a replica but it is still of fantastic quality. There are very few around.' Burke has been charged with murder and two counts of Police say one of the gunmen, 51-year-old Norman Burke, was found shot near the crime scene Stanford is pregnant with the couple's second child, a son The victim, identified on social media by her mother as Amiyah Serenity Ann'Lynn Bice, was A shooting at a home in Ohio left a two-year-old girl dead and three others injured, including both of the victim's parents and one of the suspected gunmen. Columbus police say the toddler, identified by her mother on social media as Amiyah Serenity Ann'Lynn Bice, died at a hospital shortly after the incident Tuesday evening. Police say the other victims, Amiyah's mother, 25-year-old Jessica Stanford, and her father, 28-year-old Julian Bice, sustained serious injuries but were expected to survive. Stanford was reportedly pregnant with her second child. Life cut shot: Amiyah Serenity Ann'Lynn Bice, two, was shot dead in Columbus, Ohio, Tuesday Mass shooting: The shooting also left the girl's parents, Jessica Stanford and Julian Bice (pictured together left), injured, along with one of the two suspects, Norman Burke (right) Officers say 51-year-old Norman Burke, of Columbus, was found wounded outside the home and was believed to be one of two suspects. He has been charged with murder and two counts of felonious assault, reported The Columbus Dispatch. Police say a second male shooter, described only as a black male, remains on the loose. He has not been named. According to officials, the incident occurred at around 6pm Tuesday when Burke and his accomplice entered a home in the 4600 block of Parkwick Drive and opened fire, mortally wounding two-year-old Amiyah and injuring her mother and father. The toddler was rushed to Nationwide Children's Hospital, where she was pronounced dead from her injures 30 minutes later. Happy memory: Amiyah had just turned two years old over the weekend. Photos posted on her mother's Facebook (above) show the birthday girl celebrating with her family Amiyah's mother eulogized her slain child on Facebook, saying that she had tried so hard to protect her Bice and Stanford were taken to Mount Carmel West Hospital, where they were listed in critical condition. Investigators who responded to the scene found one of the alleged shooters, Norman Burke, wounded just east of the crime scene. It is unclear at this time who shot him. Burke was taken to Grant Medical Center in stable condition. According to postings on Jessica Stanfords Facebook page, the family had just celebrated Amiyah's second birthday on Saturday. Photos taken at the party show the little girl in a baby-pink tulle dress blowing out the candles on her cake and happily opening presents, surrounded by her family. New life: Stanford, 25, was said to be pregnant with her and Bice's second child together, a son Stanford (left and right) and her boyfriend sustained critical injuries but were expected to survive. It is unclear whether her unborn baby was saved In a heartrending status update paying tribute to her child, Stanford said of the slain toddler: 'She was so smart. The smarter two year old you'll ever know.' The mother also vowed to make sure that Amiayah is never forgotten. 'This isnt supposed to be true,' her message read. 'NOT my baby! !!!! I tried so hard to protect you baby girl.' According to a long-time friend of Stanford's, Tara Owens, the woman and her boyfriend were expecting their second child together, a son. Stanford had said in a Facebook post her due date was February 24. It is unclear at this time whether the baby survived. A historic collection of 20 original Tintin ink drawings that were used to sketch out a series of Christmas cards is set to sell for an astonishing 2.2 million. The drawings, produced by the Belgian cartoonist George Remi, known as Herge, were ordered by a publisher to be used for seasonal greetings cards between 1942 and 1943. The cards are considered to be the first marketing product of The Adventures of Tintin to reach the public. A collection of original Tintin ink drawings and Christmas cards is set to sell for 2.1 million The drawings, produced by the Belgian cartoonist George Remi, known as Herge Herge produced the drawings while working for Belgian newspaper Le Soir, which was under Nazi control at the time. The collection includes 20 of Herge's original outline drawings for the cards, which are estimated to sell for an eye-watering 110,000 each. Alongside them are a 11 of the rare greetings cards, which are estimated to make 10,000 each. The 'carte neige' series represented a 'personal pleasure' for Herge, with each card following the tales of Tintin and his dog 'Snowy' on different seasonal adventures, including sleigh-riding, decorating a Christmas tree and other snow-themed activities. At the time Herge was living and working in Nazi-occupied Belgium after he and his wife initially fled to France following the German invasion. The outline drawings for the cards are estimated to sell for an eye-watering 110,000 each But he moved back to Brussels following orders for all Belgian's to return to prevent further deaths under the Germans. Herge was requested to continue his Tintin comic strip at Belgium's largest daily newspaper Le Soir. This move was unpopular with a lot of Tintin fans who opposed the Nazi dictatorship, but Herge was swayed by the 600,000 daily readership, which helped to expand the popularity of his comic strip. The cards feature Tintin and his dog 'Snowy' on different seasonal adventures, including sleigh-riding, decorating a Christmas tree and other snow-themed activities All content, including the drawings for the greeting cards, would have had to pass through German censors. Herge gifted the drawings to a close friend who was also a big Tintin fan, and they have been owned by the family ever since. Eric Leroy, comics expert for auctioneers Arcturial, which is selling the drawings, said: 'These drawings are very rare because they are from the 1940s. It is one of the first merchandising orders for Tintin and Herge. There are also 11 of the rare greetings cards up for auction, which are estimated to make 10,000 each. The cards are all unique, and the sketches are drawn with Indian ink, in Herge's typical style 'The drawings had been given away by Herge to one of his friends who was a huge fan of Tintin. It has been in the same private collection since then. 'The cards are unique, drawn with Indian ink. We recognize his style and typical signature as "La ligne claire". 'They are probably from the best period of Herge's work - the moment he creates the powerful albums - "Le secret de ka kicorne, Rackham Le Rouge, L'Etoile mysterieuse". Herge gifted the drawings to a close friend who was also a big Tintin fan 'Herge continued to draw postcards in the 1950s and 1970s. It has become a very classical merchandising diversification for him.' Explaining the appeal of the cartoons to collectors, he added: 'Today the market for Tintin and Herge originals is both international and popular. It appeals to our childhood memories. 'Tintin has been very important in the childhood of many children all over the word, children that are now grown ups and that want to buy a part of their happy memories.' The cartoons have been in a private family collection since they were first gifted by Herge to his friend Herge produced the drawings while working for Belgian newspaper Le Soir, which was under Nazi control at the time The Adventures of Tintin first appeared in French in 1929 and became one of the most popular European comics of the 20th century. By 2007, a century after Herge's birth in 1907, Tintin had been published in more than 70 languages. Donald Trump's star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame has been smashed up by an activist who says he'll sell the parts to benefit victims of the Republican candidate's alleged sex attacks. James Otis clobbered the star, which was placed in 2007 in recognition of Trump's work on 'The Apprentice,' with a sledgehammer and pick-ax at 5:45am Wednesday. Now, he told TMZ, he's going to turn himself into the police for destroying the $30,000 tourist attraction - and says he's not afraid of them or Trump Scroll down for video Attacked: Donald Trump's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was smashed up early Wednesday morning by a man wearing a construction outfit and carrying heavy-duty tools Stolen: James Otis (pictured) says he hacked up Trump's name and emblem from the star to auction them off, with the intention of giving the money to Trump's alleged abuse victims In a video for the site, Otis said that he destroyed the star after hearing the stories of 11 women who claim Donald Trump has sexually assaulted or harassed them - claims that Trump denies. Members of Otis's family have been victims of sexual assault, the self-described 'non-violent activist' said. As revenge, he planned to take up the whole star and auction it off, then give the money to the women in question, as well as 'George Washington Republicans against sexual assault.' It's not clear which group he was referring to. But when he arrived at the scene, Otis said, he realized that the 'very strong' concrete would have taken him an hour to hack through. Smashing: Otis was able to work unimpeded because he arrived at the spot so early that there weren't many police officers around. He also used plastic barriers to pretend to be a worker Above video courtesy Deadline Hollywood Recognition: The star was placed in 2007, in recognition of Trump's work on the TV show 'The Apprentice'. Pictured: The star's unveiling ceremony Instead, he decided to smash the pink terrazzo star up and remove both Trump's name and the circular emblem denoting the star's status as a TV celebrity. Otis said in the video that he has an attorney and that he will turn himself in, but that in the meantime he wants to 'put a spotlight on sexual violence in this country.' The activist also said he had been arrested '24, 25 times' and that he would love to going to court with Trump, saying it would be an 'honor.' 'I'm not frightened of him a bit,' he said. 'He's just a bully... hopefully he will take more concern over the women he's been predatory towards.' The star cost $30,000 to make, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce said, meaning that Otis's act of vandalism counts as a felony. An exclusive video obtained by Deadline Hollywood shows Otis smashing up the star early Wednesday morning, with no police and just a few bystanders watching. Damaged: Donald Trump's Walk of Fame star is pictured after being vandalized He is surrounded by plastic cones and plastic construction barriers as he slams the tourist attraction repeatedly with his sledgehammer and ax. 'Sorry guys, watch your eyes,' he says, as sparks and chunks of rock fly into the air. He's then seen rooting around with his fingers to pull up the bronze letters and emblem. A police cruiser came by the scene near the Dolby Theater at 6.15am, around 30 minutes after Otis began his digging, but by then he had fled. Prior to Otis's video confession, Detective Meghan Aguilar of the LAPD confirmed that police are investigating the incident, but declined to confirm he was a suspect. By Wednesday afternoon, work was already underway fixing the star. Shiny bronze letters and a new medal were photographed being inserted back into the newly hollowed-out space by a workman while crowds looked on. Cutting edge: Work gets underway on repairing Trump's star, with a worker cutting out the pink stone shape so that a new one can be placed in Crowds: Crowds gathered to watch a worker cut out the original star, which was made of terrazzo with brass lettering, then clean up the fine dust that was left Fixing: By Wednesday afternoon, repair work on the star was already underway A new start: The new brass lettering was set from scratch. Otis had taken the previous letters and emblem in the hopes of auctioning them off Filling in: A worker pours the terrazzo into the Walk of Fame star - soon it will set and be smoothed and polished, leaving the sidewalk restored once more Otis isn't the first one who's had designs on Donald Trump's star since the Republican candidate stepped into the political spotlight. The activist's original plan to steal the award recalls a prank on The Jimmy Kimmel Show. In that skit, the host made it appear as if Trump's star was to be dug up and replaced with one for Mexican-American celebrity dog trainer Cesar Milan. Prank: Otis's attack mimics this prank by the Jimmy Kimmel show in which they made it look like Trump's star was being replaced by one for Mexican-American TV celeb Cesar Milan Vandalism: Trump's star also had a swastika spray-painted on it in January And Trump's Hollywood star has come under direct attack before - but never this brutally. On January 29, an unknown vandal spray-painted a reverse swastika onto the star. And in July, LA street artist Plastic Jesus erected a tiny wall around the star's slab, topped with tiny barbed wire and an American flag. The wall - a reference to Trump's own plan to build a border wall against Mexico with Mexican money - also had a small poster saying 'Stop making stupid people famous.' Donald Trump has denied the historic sexual assault and harassment claims that were referenced by Otis, and says that he will sue the women who accused him after the November 8 election. 2 Dead In Murder-Suicide In West Town After 5-Hour Standoff Tuesday By Stephen Gossett in News on Oct 26, 2016 2:35PM 800 block of N Wolcott Ave Chicago SWAT officers discovered two people dead in an apartment in West Town's East Village on Tuesday night after a five-hour standoff, according to police. Police responded to a domestic-related call of shots fired at around 5 p.m. in the 800 block of North Wolcott Avenue. A barricade situation then lasted the next five hours, until a SWAT team moved into the building at 10 p.m. and found a man and woman dead inside the apartment, Officer Laura Amezaga, a police spokesperson, told Chicagoist. The deceased were identified as Loretta Purcell, 82, and Christopher Kelly Purcell, 58, according to the Cook County Medical Examiners Office. Police are investigating the incident as a homicide. According to a source that spoke with ABC7, Loretta was Christophers mother and the deaths appeared to be a murder-suicide. The source told ABC that Loretta was stabbed to death, but Christopher's cause of death was unknown. He is suspected of ordering hack on the Democratic National Committee Troops from the UK and Romania will join American forces in Poland They will lead one of four battle groups stationed across eastern Europe 900 US troops will be deployed to Poland as part of NATO effort Nine hundred US troops are to be sent to eastern Europe next year as America's troubled relationship with Russia enters new, uncertain territory. A US-led battle group of NATO allied soldiers will be sent to Poland as part of the multi-nation operation. British forces will lead one of the four battle groups in Estonia, Canada will spearhead the presence in Latvia and Germany will be present in Lithuania. There will be 4,000 allied soldiers deployed to the region in total. The US battalion will include troops from the UK and Romania and deploy to Orzysz, north east Poland, in April. Soldiers from the 3rd Squadron of 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, whose troops fought in both Iraq and Afghanistan, will lead the effort. Scroll down for video Defense Secretary Ash Carter (right) was in Brussels meeting with other allied ministers on Wednesday. He is pictured above with Michael Fallon, the British minister for defense discussing their combined deployment to eastern Europe next year The 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team of 4th Infantry Division, from Fort Carson, Colorado, will also be deployed with their full set of equipment, a Department of Defense spokesman said. 900 US TROOPS, TANKS AND ARTILLERY: US PLEDGE TO NATO'S 'DETERRENCE' MISSION The US will contribute 900 troops alongside artillery, tanks and explosives experts to NATO's build-up against Russia. At a press conference in Brussels on Wednesday, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter mapped out what would be supplied. In April, 900 troops from 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment in Viselk, Germany, will be deployed to Orzysz, north east Poland, in April. There, they will lead British and Romanian troops in 'deterrence' mission against Russia. The 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment is also known as the 2nd Dragoons. Members of the Regiment fought successfully in the Iraq war, stamping out Al-Qaeda strongholds in Baghdad in 2007. They will remain in Orzysz while another combat brigade from the European Reassurance Initiative travels to the Baltic states, Romania and Bulgaria. Arriving in February, it will remain in Poland until the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment arrives in April, then carry out training exercises across other eastern European countries. Advertisement Secretary Ash Carter confirmed the US would also send tanks, explosive experts and engineers. 'This was a decision made by the alliance leaders in Warsaw. The US will lead a battalion in Poland and deploy an entire, battle-ready battalion task force of approximately 900 soldiers from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment based in Germany. 'We will send a headquarters elements, three Stryker Maneuvers with mobile gun systems, artillery battery as well as any tank, explosive ordinance disposal or engineer capabilities. They will start in western Poland and distribute units across seven NATO countries. The brigade headquarters and 4 battalions will be based in Poland. The 10th Combat Aviation Brigade from Fort Drum, New York, will arrive in March to also support Defense Secretary Ash Carter was in Brussels on Wednesday meeting with other allied leaders. NATO defense ministers are meeting throughout Wednesday and Thursday to map out plans for each of the groups. 'Close to our borders, Russia continues its assertive military posturing,' said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday. 'This month alone, Russia has deployed nuclear-capable Iskander missiles to Kaliningrad and suspended a weapons-grade plutonium agreement with the United States. 'And Russia continues to destabilize eastern Ukraine with military and financial support for the separatists. Soldiers from the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment (members of which are seen above in Baghdad, 2007) will be deployed to Poland in April Spain's Pedro Morenes Eulate (right) was also at the meeting in Brussels on Wednesday The Spanish minister and Carter at one point embraced, holding one another while talking Carter appeared in high spirits as he took his seat next to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (right) and Turkey's Defense Minister Fikri Isik (left) Carter signed off on the US's contribution to the joint effort. He is seen with Secretary Stoltenberg (left) and the United Kingdom's Michael Fallon (right) 'These moves do not lower tensions or restore predictability to our relations. 'We are concerned about Russias behaviour.' It is the latest indicator of America's fraught relationship with Russia and Vladimir Putin. Carter is seen above with Germany's Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen Earlier this week images emerged showing Russians taking part in a nuclear war drill. Underground shelters have reportedly been built in preparation for a war against the West, with citizens warned such a conflict could be imminent. The Kremlin was also blamed by the US government earlier this month for orchestrating a mass hacking of Democratic National Committee members' emails. The material they stole from aides' computers is still being uploaded to sites including Wikileaks, haunting Hillary Clinton's campaign with the election just two weeks away. 'We believe, based on the scope and sensitivity of these efforts, that only Russias senior-most officials could have authorized these activities', said the office of the director of national intelligence and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in a joint statement Many have deduced Putin's support for Republican candidate Donald Trump from the breach, accusing him of meddling in the election to affect its outcome to his advantage. It is the latest indicator of Vladimir Putin's fraught relationship with the West and comes weeks after the US government officially blamed the Kremlin for hacking 19,000 emails belonging to Democratic National Committee members and uploading them to Wikileaks Pictures emerged last week showing how the Kremlin completed a nuclear drill for 40 million citizens Many have deduced Putin's support for Republican candidate Donald Trump from the DNC hack, accusing him of meddling in the election to affect its outcome to his benefit Trump is a vocal fan of Putin's, asserting that the pair would have a 'very, very good relationship' should he become president. 'Russia wants to defeat ISIS as badly as we do. If we had a relationship with Russia, wouldn't it be wonderful to work on it together and knock the hell out of ISIS,' he said during an MSNBC interview earlier this year. U.S. intelligence officials also warned that hackers with ties to Russia's intelligence services could try to undermine the credibility of the presidential election by posting documents online purporting to show evidence of voter fraud. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said however, that the U.S. election system is so large, diffuse and antiquated that hackers would not be able to change the outcome of the Nov. 8 election. But hackers could post documents, some of which might be falsified, that are designed to create public perceptions of widespread voter fraud, the officials said. They said that they did not have specific evidence of such a plan, but state and local election authorities had been warned to be vigilant for hacking attempts. Putin has denied any involvement in hacking. The Russian leader also suspended a treaty on cleaning up weapons-grade plutonium, suggesting he was willing to use nuclear disarmament as a new bargaining chip in disputes with the United States over Ukraine and Syria. Tensions between Russia and the rest of the West are also high. Last week Putin sent an aircraft carrier on a bombing mission to Syria in a fleet that passed through the English Channel. In the past week, Britain has deployed RAF fighter jets to intercept Russian bombers nearing UK airspace twice in four days. On Tuesday, Russia unveiled chilling pictures of its largest ever nuclear missile - Satan 2 - which is capable of destroying an area the size of obliterating small European countries including the UK. France, Denmark, Italy and other allies are expected to join the four battle groups led by the United States, Germany, Britain and Canada to go to Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, with forces ranging from armored infantry to drones RUSSIAN SUPER-NUKE 2,000 TIMES MORE POWERFUL THAN HIROSHIMA ATOMIC BOMB Russia has unveiled chilling pictures of its largest ever nuclear missile, capable of destroying an area the size of France. The RS-28 Sarmat missile, dubbed Satan 2 by Nato, has a top speed of 4.3 miles (7km) per second and has been designed to outfox anti-missile shield systems. The new Sarmat missile could deliver warheads of 40 megatons - 2,000 times as powerful as the atom bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Russian President is reportedly planning to replace the country's older SS-18 Satan weapons with the new missiles amid a string of recent disagreements with the West. Russia has unveiled chilling pictures of its largest ever nuclear missile, capable of destroying an area the size of France. A contract for the weapons was signed in 2011, and they are expected to be ready in 2018 The pictures were revealed online by chief designers from the Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau. A message posted alongside the picture said: 'In accordance with the Decree of the Russian Government 'On the State Defense Order for 2010 and the planning period 2012-2013', the Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau was instructed to start design and development work on the Sarmat. ' The RS-28 Sarmat missile is said to contain 16 nuclear warheads and is capable of destroying an area the size of France or Texas, according to Russian news network Zvezda, which is owned by Russia's ministry of defence. The weapon is also able to evade radar. Each missile contains 16 nuclear warheads, according to pictures revealed online from the Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau. It is also able to evade radar. It is expected to have a range of 6,213 miles (10,000 km), which would allow Moscow to attack European cities as well as reaching cities on America's west and east coasts. Dr Sutyagin points out that the SS-18 missiles which the Russians currently rely on were designed in 1988 during the Soviet Union and were built at a factory in Dnipropetrovsk, in what is now the Ukraine. He said: 'Not only are they too fast but they have got rid of the predictable flight path. 'It manouevres all the way so it is terribly difficult for any missile defence system to shoot it down.' The Russian Defence Ministry plans to put the Sarmat into service in late 2018 and remove the last SS-18 by 2020. The Sarmat has been in development since 2009 and is scheduled to start replacing the old ICBMs in 2018. The new missile is said to be undergoing testing near Miass in Russia. Advertisement Reports in Russia suggest the Kremlin has already reinforced its Baltic Fleet in Kaliningrad with two small warships armed with long-range cruise missiles to counter what it sees as a worrying NATO build-up in the region. Izvestia cited an unnamed military source as saying that the two ships, the Serpukhov and the Zeleny Dol, had already entered the Baltic Sea and would soon become part of a newly formed division. The battle groups will be backed by NATO's 40,000-strong rapid-reaction force, and if need be, further follow-on forces, for any potential conflict, which could move into Baltic states and Poland on rotation. The strategy is part of an emerging new deterrent that could eventually be combined with missile defences, air patrols and defences against cyber attacks. However, the alliance is still struggling for a similar strategy in the Black Sea region, which Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has said is becoming a 'Russian lake' because of Moscow's military presence there. More than 200,000 specialists of rescue units and 50,000 units of equipment were said to have been involved in the drills Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey are expected to soon come forward with a plan to increase naval and air patrols in the area, as well as a multinational NATO brigade in Romania. Next year's deployments have taken on greater symbolism since Russia pulled out of several nuclear disarmament agreements in the past two months while moving nuclear-capable missiles into its Baltic exclave in Kaliningrad. The so-called Iskander-M cruise missiles can hit targets across Poland and the Baltics, although NATO officials declined to say if Russia had moved nuclear warheads to Kaliningrad. Tensions have been building since Crimea and the West's decision to impose retaliatory sanctions, but the breakdown of a US-Russia brokered ceasefire in Syria on October 3, followed by US accusations that Russia has used cyber attacks to disrupt the presidential election, have signalled a sharp worsening of East-West relations. THE DNC HACK: A TIMELINE Victoria Nuland, the Assistant Secretary of State, had her phoned bugged in 2014 2014: Victoria Nuland, the Assistant Secretary of State was recorded on the phone saying 'f*** the EU' in a bugged call to US Ambassador to Ukraine, Geoffrey Pyatt. It was shared online by an aide to the Russian prime minister. Fall 2015: The FBI is reported as approaching the DNC to warn them of a hack April 2016: The DNC hires Crowdstrike, a California-based private cyber-security company to investigate a potential hack June 14 2016: The Washington Post reports that the DNC has come under cyber attack. Later that day, Crowdstrike releases a report confirming the attack and says it was carried out by multiple hackers. June 15: Guccifer 2.0, one of the hackers, claims full responsibility for the attack and publishes a memo from the Clinton campaign on how to defeat Trump July 2016: The thousands of emails gathered by hackers before the hack was identified are published on WikiLeaks. Among the emails were some which indicated the Committee had been biased towards Clinton and were unprepared to give her opponent in the primaries, Bernie Sanders, a fair run. It prompted the resignation of Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Later that month, it is speculated Russian hackers working on behalf of government agencies were behind the attack. September 2016: Putin denies involvement in DNC hack Advertisement Tensions are high between Russia and the West after an escalation in posturing between President Vladimir Putin and Western leaders EU leaders met last week to consider fresh sanctions over Russian bombing of civilian areas in Aleppo and NATO's Stoltenberg said he fears the Russian warships heading to the Mediterranean could launch new attacks on the Syrian city. A Ministry of the Russian Federation for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters spokesman said at the time: ' The three-stage four-day drill involves more than 40 million people, more than 200,000 specialists of rescue units based in regions, organizations and enterprises, as well as some 50,000 units of equipment. 'Management bodies and forces of the Emergency Ministry's territorial bodies have been put on simulated high alert. 'Representatives of federal executive authorities, heads of regions, local governments and organisations are taking part in the massive drill. 'Emergency Ministry's forces and facilities are fully engaged, including rescue military divisions, rescue units, paramilitary mine rescue units and State Small Vessels Inspectorate, fire departments and aircraft. He now alleges that emails linking him to left-wing website are libellous Dr Stephen Frost has claimed he was libelled for 'conspiracy theorist' links A 'whistleblowing' doctor who was sacked by the Ministry of Defence has claimed he was libelled by Army staff in emails about his links to a 'left wing conspiracy theorist' website. Dr Stephen Frost - who campaigned for a full inquest into the death of weapons expert David Kelly - has taken the Ministry of Defence to an employment tribunal. The doctor claims he was dismissed in September 2013 for raising concerns about an incorrect prescription being given to an Army veteran, but emails have been used in court to try and show his links to a left-wing website. Court documents refer to emails sent from Colonel Carson Black and Colonel John Burgess and forwarded to his primary care trust in North Wales, the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. Extracts from the emails, sent in April 2014, said: 'His main internet vehicle is the website 'Global Research' which is a left wing 'conspiracy theorist' site. 'Having read widely at the weekend, it's clear to me Dr Frost has an axe to grind and it surprises me that he has chosen to work in the MoD environment when his views are so strong.' The emails also referred to a picture of Moscow used on Dr Frost's Facebook page. The extracts said: 'Don't know how relevant it all is but when it all comes together I get an uneasy feeling about his motives to be with MoD. 'Certainly his Facebook page uses a Moscow scene as a header. 'I think his love of Russia is sparked by interests in ballet and culture in general but... we have seen this with well-meaning intellectuals and idealists in the past.' Dr Frost was employed on a six-month contract at Weeton Barracks (pictured), near Blackpool, Lancashire, where he noted an 'incorrect prescription' being given to an army veteran Dr Frost's lawyers claimed the emails were sent with the intention of 'maliciously libelling' him and destroying his reputation so he could not practise as a doctor again. Dr Frost, 69, was employed by the Castlerock Recruitment Group (CRG) agency but had worked for the MoD since 1996. He said after seeing a patient at the Weeton Barracks on August 6 2013 he was told by pharmacy technician Elaine Gould she may have made a mistake with the patient's previous prescription, issued the month before, and given him morphine sulphate tablets which were six times the strength of the intended dose. Dr Stephen Frost campaigned for a full inquest into the death of Dr David Kelly (pictured) The doctor said he told Mrs Gould to 'tell the truth'. On August 16, 2013, Dr Frost saw the patient again but said the man denied receiving the stronger dose of medication. Dr Frost, from Colwyn Bay, said he raised concerns with practice nurse Catherine Shakeshaft that criminal activity may have taken place. He later repeated his concerns during an investigation into the incident and suggested a police investigation was needed. He went on annual leave from August 23 but on September 6 he received a text message and email from CRG informing him of the MoD's decision to dismiss him immediately. The MoD said Dr Frost was dismissed because of he failed to highlight the error to the patient. It said there were no records of his concern that the incident was a deliberate criminal act. A 25-year-old Indiana woman has told of the terrifying moment her boyfriend allegedly tried to rip her tongue out with his bare hands. Carleigh Hager was taken to hospital with a long list of horrific injuries, including a partially ripped tongue, bleeding on her brain, 20 bite marks across her body and a quarter-sized open wound on her face, after a brutal attack. 'He tried to rip my tongue out with his bare fingers... and he succeeded halfway,' she told CBS News, speaking from her hospital bed.' Savagely beaten: Carleigh Hager, 25, is pictured in the hospital with bruises and wounds all over her face. Hager says her boyfriend assaulted her Saturday Happy couple: Hager first met Ryan Cameron (left), whom she called her 'Prince Charming,' at a party two years ago and fell head over heels in love with him Her family say her now former live-in boyfriend, 26-year-old Ryan Cameron, savagely beat the woman Saturday night, strangled her, bashed her head against a door frame and attempted to bite off the tip off her nose and ear. Police responded to the couple's home in the 2300 block of Hanover Drive in Indianapolis just after midnight Sunday and arrested Cameron on preliminary charges of battery and strangulation. He was being held at Marion County Jail awaiting his initial court appearance, which was scheduled for Wednesday, reported the Indianapolis Star. Hager's loved ones first shared her story on GoFundMe.com Tuesday as part of an effort to raise money to cover her mounting medical expenses. Graphic images posted on the site show a badly bruised Ms Hager lying in a hospital bed wearing a neck brace. The womans face and neck are covered in what looks like scratches, and there is a chunk of flesh missing right above her left eye. According to the description of the fundraiser, the incident that led to Hagers hospitalization took place Saturday night after she and Ryan Cameron had returned home from a wedding with friends. Relationship gone wrong: Hager (left), a nursing assistant from Indianapolis, said Cameron, pictured right in his mugshot, turned violent about a month ago. Now, the 26-year-old is facing preliminary charges of battery and strangulation Trapped: Hager claimed that whenever she tried to end things with Cameron, he would threaten to kill one of her dogs Hager told reporters an argument ensued, which turned physical, and he locked their friends out of the house. He then locked himself in the bathroom with her, Hager claims. In the course of the attack, the boyfriend allegedly slammed Hager's head against the bathtub, bit her all over her body, tried to maul her finger and the tip of her ear, and also attempted to rip the tongue out of her mouth. He also allegedly smashed her head against a door frame while dragging her through the house, leaving a massive bloody gash on the left side of Hagers forehead. 'He started calling me names like an effin' b, the c-word and then he proceeded to tell his friends if they ever wanted to f*** me, here was their opportunity, Hager recalled. He tried to suffocate me with my own blood, Hager said of Cameron. He put his hand right here and plugged my nose and I couldn't breathe. At some point during the assault, the victim passed out. She regained consciousness later to find a female police officer standing over her. Road to recovery: Hager, pictured left and right before the attack, has undergone surgery to repair her ripped tongue, which means she won't be able to eat solid food for three weeks When Hager was transported to the ICU at Eskenazi Hospital, beyond the bruises and bite marks all over her body, doctors found swelling and blood on her brain, the GoFundMe page states. Medical staff had to perform emergency surgery to reattach her partially torn tongue, which means that it will be at least three weeks before she is able to consume solid food. Her family say Hager has a long road to recovery ahead of her, but as of Wednesday morning, she was out of the ICU and listed in stable condition. Hager, her speech slurred after the surgery, told reporters she never imagined that she would become the victim of domestic violence at the hands of a man she had called her 'Prince Charming.' The young Indianapolis couple first met at a party two years ago, reported the station WTHR. Hager said she fell for Cameron instantly and hoped to marry him one day. But about a month ago, the once-loving relationship soured, with Cameron allegedly subjecting Hager to psychological, verbal and physical abuse involving name-calling and beatings. Hager said whenever she tried to break up with him, Cameron would threaten to kill her dog, and she was too embarrassed to tell her family about her relationship troubles. Uplifting message: Hager, 25, wants to inspire other women who find themselves in abusive relationship to have the courage to leave As she recovers from her injuries, the 25-year-old Hager has a message to other women who find themselves trapped in abusive relationships and feel like they have no way out. Don't ever let them tell you that you're nothing, that you have nowhere to go, she said. Don't let them take your spirits away from you and tell you that you're not pretty, that you can't do anything. Migrants at a notorious camp dubbed 'Jungle 2' today vowed to double their efforts to sneak into Britain illegally before French authorities shut down their site. As the bulldozers move in on the Calais Jungle, 20 miles away at the Dunkirk camp they know the clock is ticking before the French raze that one by early 2017 as well. But rather than suffer the same fate next year, the refugees in Dunkirk promised to reach England which is the only country they want to live in. Among them is Mohammed Kathun, 33, who has recently arrived at the Grande-Synthe camp with his wife and two young children. He has already attempted to sneak into Britain in the back of a lorry of two occasions and been thwarted by security guards who found him. Kathun, an Iraqi Kurd, claimed people smugglers are now charging 1,000 for each person who is found a berth in the back of a lorry. 'I only want to get to England. I want my wife and children to go to England as it is a safe country,' he said. Determined: Mohammed Kathun, left, with friend Tahir Mahmud, right, has already tried to sneak into Britain in the back of a lorry twice and been caught by security guards. He said: 'I only want to get to England. I want my wife and children to go to England as it is a safe country' Charging up: Migrants have everything they need at the Dunkirk site, which is just 20 miles from the Calais Jungle. They even have a shed to charge their mobile phones, pictured Some of those living in the Jungle left last week to move to Dunkirk, pictured, But rather than suffer the same fate next year, the refugees in Dunkirk promised to reach England which is the only country they want to live in 'It is not safe in Iraq and I don't want them to be in this camp.' Kathun said he and his family fled Iraq because of the threat from ISIS. He had previously lived in Hull from 2002-2008 when he was given Home Office approval to stay. He returned to his native Iraq eight years ago but did not get a further visa for entry to the UK. Kathun said many of his friends in the camp had no intention of staying in France and being moved away from the 'Jungle 2'. 'This is where we have to stay as it means we can try every night to get on a lorry. I would be happy if I could get my wife and children on a lorry. I just want them to be safe.' His friend Tahir Mahmud, 36, said he too wanted a new life in Britain. He arrived at the Grande-Synthe camp three weeks ago having travelled across Europe with his family. He was jobless while living in Iraq and says he has tried to enter the UK illegally on at least three occasions since arriving in France. The Grande-Synthe camp is a world away from the squalid mess of the Jungle 23 miles away in Calais. It was set up over a year ago in a joint venture between the charity Doctors without Borders and the local Dunkirk authority at a cost of 2m. Desperate bid: Rahel Mohammed, 30, pictured with wife Tara, has tried to illegally enter the UK on at least ten occasions with the most recent three days ago. He was caught by a security guard before the truck boarded a ferry and taken back to the camp Home comforts: The 700 residents mostly from Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan, live in purpose built wooden huts and have access to kitchens and showers Hehm Salah, 30, said he had made 10 attempts illegally enter Britain in the back of a lorry. Speaking through an interpreter he said his plan was to make it to Britain and claim asylum. This would allow him to apply to bring his wife and three children into the UK The 700 residents live in purpose built wooden huts and have access to kitchens and showers. Women and children are very visible in the camp unlike the Calais Jungle, which until its clear out had been occupied by mostly young men from African countries. French authorities who are determined to eradicate the migrant problem in the Calais region have said they will close down the Grande-Synthe camp. The Doctors with Borders charity say less than 300 people will be at the camp by Christmas and it will shut its doors in early 2017. Migrants from the Jungle in Calais have been banned from entering with security guards and a metal barrier across the only entrance. Situated alongside the motorway that links Dunkirk and Calais it is almost in accessible by foot. Three police vans containing riot police stand guard at the slip road leading the camp from the motorway Those migrants who have been living in the camp are free to come and go. During the day many sit in a covered area where they can charge their smart phones or take advantage of the free food that is supplied. Small groups leave at night and walk to the ferry port at Dunkirk three miles away where they try to board a lorry bound for Britain. Most fail due to increased security but migrants interviewed by Mail Online said their efforts to illegally cross the Channel and claim asylum will only intensify. Rahel Mohammed,30, has tried to illegally enter the UK on at least ten occasions with the most recent three days ago. A Christian Iranian Family who left the Jungle camp in Calais attempting to get to the Dunkirk migrant camp. Pictured are mother Sria, father Li, with daughters Sam aged two and Sara aged seven Calais is burning: A police officer stands guard at the Calais jungle as a fire rages behind him from the camp, home to 8,000 people before the evacuation began on Monday Razed to the ground: The bulldozers moved in on the sprawling shanty town on Tuesday after the camp, which has blighted for French port of Calais for years was evacuated He was caught by a security guard before the truck boarded a ferry and taken back to the camp. A previous attempt resulted in a miscarriage for his wife Tara. A month ago they hid in the back of the lorry but it went to Rotterdam in Holland where they were discovered and arrested. Rahel claimed his wife was four months pregnant and lost her baby due to the trauma of the journey. He said the Dutch authorities wanted to stop Tara from returning to the Grande-Synthe as she had no passport or identifying paperwork. The couple fled and returned to Dunkirk where they say all they talk about is making it to Britain. 'We want a new life in Britain. I want our children to grow up there and we are more determined than ever to get there,' said Rahel. 'We do not want to stay in France. Britain is the only place that we want to do. It is the same for most people in the camp.' Rahel showed Mail Online copies of Home Office documents that had granted him a five-year stay in Britain. They expired in 2014 and he returned to Iraq where he married Tara. He claimed his application for permanent residence had been put on hold following a court appearance on a GBH charge after a brawl while living with family members in Nottingham. 'I will do whatever it takes to get to England. I have family there who I can stay with. 'We cannot understand why we cannot go to England and we are kept here in the camp. 'The only way we can get there now is in the back of a lorry. It is not a nice way, but it is the only way. Most of the migrants in the camp are from Iraqi Kurdistan and say they fled the country to escape persecution from ISIS. Hehm Salah, 30, said he had made 10 attempts illegally enter Britain in the back of a lorry. Speaking through an interpreter he said his plan was to make it to Britain and claim asylum. This would allow him to apply to bring his wife and children aged three, four and nine into the UK. 'This is our only chance to get to England,' he said. 'We do not want to stay in France. There is no life for us here. England is the only place and we will not give up. 'We cannot go back to Iraq and we don't want to stay in the camp when winter comes.' A school teacher who attacked two nightclub bouncers while she was high on cocaine has been banned from classrooms forever. Suzanne Lee, 36, was working at Darton College in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, when she got into a fight with the door staff at a nightclub in nearby Sheffield in April 2015. Lee, who was found in possession of 1.3g of cocaine and tested positive for the drug while in police custody, pleaded guilty of two counts of common assault last October. Lee was a teacher at Darton College in Barnsley (pictured) at the time of the incident She was also found guilty of one count of possession of Class A drugs at Sheffield Magistrates Court and was fined 375 plus costs, and ordered to pay 80 compensation to the two victims. A National College for Teaching and Leadership panel found Lees actions were relevant to teaching, working with children and/or working in an education setting since teachers have to provide an example to pupils that upholds the rule of law. Panel chair Gail Goodman said: We considered that Ms Lees behaviour in committing the offences could affect the public confidence in the teaching profession given the influence that teachers may have on pupils, parents and others in the community. We have found the seriousness of the offending behaviour that led to the conviction is relevant to the teachers ongoing suitability to teach. The panel said any incident involving a Class A drug had to be treated very seriously In light of our findings against Ms Lee, which involved violence and possession of a Class A drug, there is a strong public interest consideration in respect of the protection of pupils given the serious findings of violence, albeit not committed against pupils. We have recommended that prohibition is both proportionate and appropriate. Lee is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or childrens home in England. The shop owner who murdered a 15-year-old customer in a 'savage and frenzied' knife attack is to appeal against the length of his sentence. John Leathem, 32, stabbed Paige Doherty 61 times and inflicted more than 140 injuries when she stopped at his Delicious Deli in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire. He then stored her body in a shed at his nearby home before dumping her remains in bushes two days later on March 21. John Leathem, 32, stabbed Paige Doherty (pictured) 61 times and inflicted more than 140 injuries on the 15-year-old girl Leatham (pictured, left and right) then stored her body in a shed at his nearby home before dumping her remains in bushes two days later on March 21 The married father-of-two was handed a mandatory life sentence at the High Court in Glasgow earlier this month for the murder in Delicious Deli (pictured) A post-mortem examination found the teenager suffered 61 stab wounds, mainly to her head and neck, and 85 further cuts sustained as she tried to defend herself The married father-of-two was handed a mandatory life sentence at the High Court in Glasgow earlier this month, and told he must spend at least 27 years behind bars. A spokesman for the Judicial Office for Scotland confirmed on Wednesday that Leathem has now lodged a notice of his intention to appeal against the sentence. First offender Leathem admitted Paige's murder at an earlier court hearing. A post-mortem examination found the teenager suffered 61 stab wounds, mainly to her head and neck, and 85 further cuts thought to have been sustained as she tried to fight off her attacker. Paige Doherty and her Step-Father Andy Munro in a facebook picture posted by Mr Munro Pictured is the investigation after the body of missing teenager Paige Doherty was found beside a busy road in Clydebank Passing sentence, judge Lady Rae told the court the killing was 'truly reprehensible and impossible to comprehend'. Paige's mother Pamela Munro said afterwards that there was 'no sentence high enough' for the killer. Hillary Clinton ramped up her attack on Donald Trump's performance at the last presidential debate last week telling a crowd full of young women supporters at a Florida college that her rival 'stalked' her on the stage. With pre-election polling showing Clinton holding a large lead among young female voters, even as Trump leads her among older white and male voters, the candidate turned back to the debate where Trump repeatedly maneuvered his way into the camera shot and got behind her while she was addressing the audience in Las Vegas. 'No matter what he did no matter what he said, no matter how he stalked me I just kept thinking about what Michelle Obama said, when he goes low, we go high,' Clinton said at Palm Beach State College in the battleground state. Hillary Clinton reacts to mention of her birthday as she boards her campaign plane on the way to Lake Worth, Florida. At her first rally of the day, she brought up the last debate, telling young women on a college that Donald Trump 'stalked' her Young women were lined up in the front row to hear Clinton speak. Another woman gave her 'Happy Birthday' balloons as Clinton greeted the crowd. Clinton continues to try to make hay out of the performance, as her campaign continues to hammer her rival for a series of comments about women, along with the claims of multiple women who have accused Trump of groping them or kissing them without consent. Warming up the crowd, Democratic Florida representative Louis Frankel went after Trump for the infamous 'p****' tape. 'Who does Hillary Clintons opponent think he is grabbing women with a mouthful of tick tocks,' she said, referencing Trump's hot mic comment about having a tic tac before hitting on women. She also brought up Trump's 'nasty woman' comment to Clinton from the final debate. Clinton once again hit back at Trump for accusing her of playing the 'woman's card' A woman holds balloons as she greets Clinton at a campaign rally on the candidate's 69th birthday YOU'RE IN MY SHOT: Clinton turned back to the final presidential debate, telling supporters Donald Trump 'stalked her' at the event Clinton got a birthday serenade from Stevie Wonder on the radio Clinton appeared on Univision's 'El Gordo y la Flaca' Monday 'Take it from us nasty women, do not touch without permission,' she said. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren gave her own 'nasty woman' barrage at a New Hampshire rally with Clinton on Monday. Clinton also hammered Trump once again for refusing to say he would accept the results of the election. 'I truly doubt that he has ever read the Constitution. or if he did back in school he certainly doesnt remember it and he doesnt understand it is the most important founding document for the longest lasting greatest democracy in the history of the world,' Clinton said. WINDS OF CHANGE: Hillary Clinton exits her campaign plane in Palm Beach en route to her first Florida rally of the day Wednesday Clinton gave an interview with The Breakfast Club on Power 105.1, and was joined by Stevie Wonder Stevie Wonder serenaded Clinton during a radio appearance Florida Senator Bill Nelson condemned the 'blood sport' of the rough election he called 'such an ugly campaign.' 'After a campaign like this do you want somebody thats the head of this country that will constantly divide us? Or do you want somebody that will bring us together and unify us?' Nelson asked the crowd. Then he kept up the hits on Clinton's rival. 'The president is also the chief of state. The president has to deal with all the other hundred and some 80 nations of the world Do you want somebody that has no clue about foreign policy? Or do you want a real expert in foreign policy?' He asked the crowd if they want 'somebody thats constantly going around and insulting other people?' Clinton has been hitting at Trump with a multi-pronged push with a strong presence of demographic politics. She danced salsa on a Spanish language show on Univision, talked about A mother overdosed at the wheel of her car while her baby son sat in the backseat. Erika Hurt was pictured by police as they found her on Saturday shortly after 2pm in Hope, Indiana, still clutching a syringe in her floppy left hand. The 25-year-old's 10-month-old son was crying in the backseat. They were parked outside a Dollar General Store. Hurt was revived and taken to hospital. She was later charged with child neglect and possession of drug paraphernalia. Town Marshal Matthew Tallent shared the image to highlight America's drug epidemic which he said was 'leaking into small town USA'. Scroll down for video Erika Hurt was found slumped at the wheel of her car, still holding a syringe in her limp left hand after overdosing while her 10-month-old son cried in the backseat 'I'm trying to show people that this just isn't a city problem. The heroin epidemic is leaking into small town America and it's getting really bad,' he told DailyMail.com. 'Not only did this woman overdose and nearly die but, had she not passed out from the drug, she would have driven out of the car park and could still have been driving while passed out or under the influence. 'She could have killed another innocent family.' Tallent said the woman's baby was crying when police found them in the car after being called by a passer-by who had seen Hurt unconscious. 'The child was fine, he got fussy towards the end when they tried to take him out. He was crying when they arrived.' Hurt, 25, was taken to hospital and revived. She was later charged with child neglect and possession of drug paraphernalia Rhonda Pasek, 50, and James Accord, 47, were demonized after their photograph went viral in which they appeared passed out in the front of a car with Pasek's grandson in the back He pleaded with members of the public to consider America's drug problem, describing it as 'getting worse by the day'. 'I hope that people look at it and see what kind of state this is coming to, the heroin epidemic in the country right now. It's getting worse by the day.' Hart's incident is the most recent in a string involving cars and drugs with children present. Kristin Tippett drove backwards into a Wendy's restaurant while overdosing at the wheel on heroin in Dunbar, West Virginia, on Tuesday. Her son was also in the backseat. Paramedics revived her using Naloxone, the same drug given to Hurt. In Ohio, a couple was found passed out in their car after allegedly injecting heroin last week. Taylor Swartzlander, 24, and Haley Kirkendall, 22,were filmed by a bystander as they sat slumped over in the two front seats of their car on October 17. Other footage of a couple crawling on the sidewalk in Memphis, Tennessee, was captured Kristin Tippett (right) drove backwards into a Wendy's restaurant while overdosing at the wheel on heroin in Dunbar, West Virginia, on Tuesday. Left, Taylor Swartzlander, 24, and Haley Kirkendall, 22, passed out in their car after an alleged overdose A video (above) of a man telling his son that his mother had died from an overdose was also widely viewed Alyssa Bazala, a 25-year-old mother, was found passed out in her car with her baby after an overdose at the start of the month in Pennsylvania. The image of a grandmother passed out after overdosing with her friend while her grandson sat up enthusiastically in his car seat reignited discussion on the growing problem. Rhonda Pasek, 50, and James Accord, 47, were demonized after their photograph went viral. Uploading the image to Facebook, East Liverpool Police said: 'We are well aware that some may be offended by these images and for that we are truly sorry, but it is time that the non drug using public sees what we are now dealing with on a daily basis. 'The poison known as heroin has taken a strong grip on many communities not just ours, the difference is we are willing to fight this problem until its gone and if that means we offend a few people along the way we are prepared to deal with that.' A woman who fell unconscious in a toy store next to her toddler was viewed millions of times when a video of her collapse was uploaded to the internet Pasek later sobbed in court claiming she had not taken heroin. She claimed to have drank beer and taken what she thought was a painkiller. 'I made the worst mistake of my life. I'll be paying for this until the day I die. 'I know how wrong I was and there is no taking it back. I take full responsibility,' she said. Other harrowing footage taken in Memphis, a couple was seen crawling over the sidewalk while elsewhere in America, children have come home to find their parents on a heroin binge. In June, a report from the United Nations warned of a heroin epidemic gripping America with cheap supply helping push the number of users to a 20-year high. In recent months authorities have said they are coping with an abnormal spike in the number of overdoses after heroin cut with elephant tranquilizer 10,000 times more powerful than morphine was being taken. Velez also allegedly sent the cop naked pictures of his Suspect allegedly told a cop posing as a single mother of an eight-year-old that he wanted to have sex with her child and a toddler who was in his care Sick allegations: Enrique Robert Velez, 36, has been charged with second-degree sexual performance by a child for allegedly trying to arrange a sexual encounter involving a one-year-old and an eight-year-old A 36-year-old Texas man is facing criminal charges after police say he tried to arrange a sexual encounter with a one-year-old baby and an eight-year-old child. Enrique Robert Velez, of Kingwood, was arrested earlier this month as part of a sting operation targeting sexual predators, which was sparked by his exchange with a police officer posing as a single mother of an eight-year-old in an internet chat room called 'North Houston Incest 2'. According to court documents obtained by the station KPRC, Velez told the undercover officer that his girlfriend was out of town and that he was caring for her five-year-old son and a one-year-old. In the course of the conversation, Velez allegedly suggested to the bogus mother that they should meet at a motel in Stafford and have sex with the toddler and her eight-year-old child. The court documents indicate that the 36-year-old described for the cop specific sex acts he wanted to perform with the baby he was bringing to the motel. Scroll down for video Velez also allegedly left his girlfriend's five-year-old son alone in his apartment in Kingwood (pictured above) Velez then allegedly sent the officer two photos of his girlfriends 5-year-old son, who was depicted naked in the shower. The man was arrested on October 13 after driving 45 miles to a motel in Stafford with the one-year-old in his car. Police say he had left his girlfriends five-year-old son alone in his apartment in Kingwood. When officers forced their way into the man's home, they reportedly found the child asleep. Both the five-year-old and the one-year were unharmed. More than 600million euros (535million) of carpets, curtains and other fabrics are sold across the Channel from Belgium every year Belgian carpet makers have warned the EU should not introduce trade barriers with Britain because it will destroy their businesses. Textile industry leaders joined German car makers in raising concerns about how the EU would suffer if it stopped Britain having tariff-free access to the single market. More than 600million euros (535million) of carpets, curtains and other fabrics are sold across the Channel from Belgium every year. Fa Quix, head of Belgium's Textile and Carpet Federation, said: The United Kingdom is our biggest market. One metre in every three of the carpets and textiles produced in Flanders are exported there. Brexit is also bad news because of the fall in the value of the pound. This has made the British competitors 15 per cent cheaper within a few months. Tom Debusschere, chief executive of carpet giant Balta, said: The important thing is that no new trade barriers. The Belgian fishing industry have also warned they will be under threat if they are barred from British waters. The 70strong fleet catches about 60 per cent of its fish about 12,000 tons off Britains coast. Roberto Azevedo (pictured in an interview with Sky News today) said trade between the UK and EU member states 'will not stop, it will continue' and also vowed to help Britain secure a 'fast and smooth' divorce from the EU The warnings to the EU delivers another boost for Britain's hopes of securing favourable trade terms with the bloc after Brexit. Earlier today the head of the World Trade Organisation said Britain will not suffer major trade disruption even if it opts for a 'hard' Brexit. Roberto Azevedo said trade between the UK and EU member states 'will not stop, it will continue' and also vowed to help Britain secure a 'fast and smooth' divorce from the EU. His comments will reassure those concerned that ministers will fail to reach agreement over Britain's trade relationship with the EU within the two-year time limit for Brexit negotiations after Theresa May triggers Article 50. Theresa May (pictured leaving Downing Street today) has been told the World Trade Organisation will help to ensure Britain's divorce from the EU is 'as smooth as possible' The collapse in trade talks last week between the EU and Canada over a landmark trade deal after 10 years of negotiations have heightened fears that Britain would leave the EU without new trade agreements in place. If no deal is reached over new trade terms with the EU, goods and services will be trade on WTO terms, which are seen as the most basic and the ones used for Russia's trading relationship with Brussels. But speaking today, Mr Azevedo said he promised to ensure the UK does not face a trade 'vacuum or a disruption' however tough its departure from the EU. He told Sky News: 'I will be working hard - I will work very intensely to ensure that this transition is fast and is smooth,' he said. 'The less turbulence the better. The global economy today is not in the best shape for us to be introducing turbulence.' Asked whether the Brexit process will be disruptive for British firms and households, Mr Azevedo said: 'I'm not saying there will be a vacuum. 'The UK is a member of the WTO today, it will continue to be a member tomorrow. There will be no discontinuity in membership. 'They have to renegotiate [their terms of membership] but that doesn't mean they are not members. Reassuring UK businesses, he added: 'Trade will not stop, it will continue and members negotiate the legal basis under which that trade is going to happen. But it doesn't mean that we'll have a vacuum or a disruption.' Mrs May has said she will trigger Article 50 by the end of March next year. It means Britain will be officially cut ties with Brussels by April 2019. Mr Azevedo said he had told the British government that the WTO will be on hand to help Britain through the transition 'I told [International Trade Secretary Liam Fox] that I myself and the WTO secretariat will be available to make the transition as smooth as possible,' he said. Updated Map Shows Who Chicago Supports For President By ZIP Code By Rachel Cromidas in News on Oct 26, 2016 4:34PM via Renthop After breaking down Chicago's campaign contributions for us by zip code earlier this year, Renthop is back with an updated map that shows how Chicago's political affiliations are shaking out with just a couple weeks left in the 2016 presidential race. The updated map, released Wednesday, shows that Illinois-native Hillary Clinton is predictably still Chicago's favorite: Clinton has raised $9.59 million in Cook County alone from 9,829 donors. But lest you think Cook County is entirely blue: Trump has received more donations than Clinton in about 53 county zip codes. That all adds up to 2,704 donors and a total of $587,054. Gary Johnson and Jill Stein also have some local donors: 89 and 59 respectively, to be exact. The map below gives a sense of how each zip code is doing around Northeastern Illinois by color-coding zip codes: Of course, Blue means Hillary has the lead with at least 55 percent, and Red means Trump is leading. Darker blue and red indicates the candidate is supported by over 70 percent of residents. Purple means neither candidate has more than 55 percent of the donors in a given area. Renthop looked at data on unique donors from FEC campaign disclosures to put this together: Some stats that jumped out at us on first glance: *Bronzeville (60653) has zero Trump supporters. And Hyde Park, Wicker Park, Evanston, Lakeview and Lincoln Park have a few, but not many, Trump supporters. *The far north and south sides of the county were where Trump is faring best: see Plainfield, Addison, Tinley Park and River Grove, for example. *In terms of surrounding counties, Hillary has the lede in Lake County by 54.6 percent of donors, while Trump has 67 percent of donors in McHenry and Will Counties. *Trump has exactly one donor in West Garfield Park, and Hillary has zero, so while the map shows he's leading there, it's not likely representative of the community, which also happens to be one of the city's poorest. A senior Taliban commander suing the Ministry of Defence for detaining him had bomb dust all over him and had to be held to keep British troops safe, the Supreme Court heard yesterday. Serdar Mohammed - convicted of making roadside bombs used to blow up troops - claimed his human rights were breached when he was imprisoned for 110 days by UK forces in 2010. His lawyers - the controversial firm Leigh Day - argued he should not have been held for longer than 96 hours under the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR). British troops are now being investigated over alleged war crimes in Afghanistan after the Ministry of Defence quietly set up a new inquiry following hundreds of complaints (file photo) But the MoD said had they followed EU human rights laws, troops would have faced a lethal Catch 22 situation where they would had been forced to free insurgents who could kill soldiers. Or, if they had followed Afghan law, British soldiers would have had no more power than the average shopkeeper in Kabul. Yesterday a panel of nine judges heard how detaining suspected insurgents was a vital function in order to protect both UK forces and the population, and was at the heart of the UN mission. James Eadie QC, on behalf of the MoD, said: The premise on which the legal issues arise is that detention is a vital function, vital for the purpose of the UN mandate and for the protection of both ISAF forces and the population generally. The court heard how two months after the enemy combatant was captured in April, lab tests came back showing he had explosive and chemical traces all over his body. Earlier intelligence had also indicated he was the areas deputy commander of the Taliban, known as Mullah Gulmad, and was in charge of a local terror training camp in 2009. Mr Eadie said: It became clear terribly early from intelligence that this person was or might be the deputy commander of the Taliban in the area. It became clear terribly early from intelligence that this person was or might be the deputy commander of the Taliban in the area James Eadie QC, representing the MoD He said there was then a physical examination and the tests were sent to a lab. He said: That ultimately led in June 2010 to the discovery of the IED (improvised explosive devices) traces, the chemical, the TNT (explosive chemical), discovered on him. He had IED dust all over him. Mr Eadie said both human rights laws and Afghan laws would have prevented UK soldiers from detaining him for a prolongued period of time. He said: How on earth is the United Nations security force supposed to fulfil its mission with no more than the power of citizens arrest available to the average shopkeeper in Kabul. Mohammed is the first to challenge the legal basis for UK detention. If he wins the landmark case, hundreds of other fanatics held by British forces in Iraq and Afghanistan for more than four days could all win substantial payouts. Around 80 Afghans - also represented by Leigh Day and who have already lodged claims - stand to receive tens of thousands of pounds. Mohammed was captured during a 10-hour firefight which involved a rocket-propelled grenade being fired at UK troops in April 2010. During his capture three British troops were wounded. He was later convicted of being a Taliban member involved in the large-scale production of roadside bombs used to maim British troops. The insurgent - who protests his innocence - was later prosecuted in the Afghan courts and sentenced to 16 years in prison, which was reduced in an appeal to ten years. Special investigation unit: Members of the Royal Military Police are investigating as part of Operation Northmoor, with staff based out of RAF St Mawgan, near Newquay (pictured) For unknown reasons, he is now walking free after being reunited with his family in his home in the Kajaki district of Helmand. In July 2015, the Court of Appeal ruled in Leigh Days favour saying Afghans were detained unlawfully but the MoD are fighting the decision. Earlier this year, then defence minister Penny Mordaunt, said effectively, he was suing Britain for not shooting him in a firefight and taking him into custody instead. In an earlier case Mr Eadie warned troops faced a lethal Catch 22 situation, in which troops could neither hold enemy fighters or hand them over to authorities in case they were tortured. The hearing heard how he was treated as a prisoner of war under the Geneva Convention. Last month Theresa May announced Britain would derogate from the ECHR in future conflicts to stop cases like this going to court Under those rules, captives could be detained as a long as it is justified as an imperative for security. But his lawyers argued that the ECHR, of which Britain is a signatory, should take precedence. Under Article 5, the right to liberty, detainees should not be held for longer than 96 hours. If troops had followed the ECHR they would have been forced to release him even though he was deemed a threat to security. Then yesterday it emerged that under local Afghan law, troops could not detain insurgents for longer than 72 hours and had they followed it they would have had no more power than a citizens arrest. But the Afghan law argument will not be considered any further, the court heard yesterday. Last month Theresa May announced Britain would derogate from the ECHR in future conflicts to stop cases such as this going to court. Mohammed has also lodged criminal allegations of ill-treatment against British troops as part of a taxpayer-funded probe into claims arising out of Afghanistan called Operation Northmoor. UK soldiers who detained him could be prosecuted as a result. A judgement on the civil claim is expected in the new year. Almost all the best secondary schools in some areas are now over-subscribed as a baby boom fuelled by migration takes its toll. New figures show schools rated outstanding by Ofsted receive more applicants than there are places in nearly 100 per cent of cases in the most overpopulated regions. Across the country, over half of all secondary schools are oversubscribed and are forced to turn children down while in London the figure is two thirds. But information released by local councils under the Freedom of Information Act show the extent to which competitive parents are clamouring to gain places at the very best schools. Children from refugee backgrounds reading real-life stories about refugees during a classroom lesson about the refugee crisis at Norbury School in Harrow, London In the West Midlands, 97 per cent of outstanding-rated schools are oversubscribed while in the East of England it is 94 per cent. In London, which has seen particularly high migration for the last two decades, 92 per cent of schools have too many applicants. A bulge in the pupil population has caused a places crisis in primary schools for many years but now that problem is transferring to secondaries as the extra children get older. It comes just days before the October 31 deadline for parents to submit applications for children starting secondary school next autumn. FindASchool, a service run by 192.com which compiled the figures for school placement this autumn, said hundreds of new secondary schools would be needed in the next ten years. Website spokesman Dominic Blackburn said: The data we collected shows an alarming trend that secondary schools are becoming increasingly difficult to secure a place at. Clearly, not enough is being done to increase the number of school places and give parents a genuine choice of school. The days of assuming you can just send your children to the best local school where they will get a place are over. A Sudanese migrant holding a Union Jack in Calais. The influx of newcomers to UK has sparked a crisis over school places Across the country, around 63 per cent of secondary schools which are rated either good or outstanding by inspectors are oversubscribed. This rises to 87 per cent among schools that are rated only outstanding. The breakdown of the statistics suggests that parents' chances of gaining a place at an outstanding secondary depend heavily on where they live. The East Midlands have the lowest number of over-subscribed secondaries 63 per cent. The second lowest is the South West, at 76 per cent, followed by the North East at 79 per cent. Schools have to publish details of how they will award places fairly in the case of over-subscription. This often includes allocating places based on a particular catchment area, or prioritising the brothers and sisters of pupils already at the school. Almost 100 per cent of school in the most populated regions have more applications than places available to children One secondary school has a successful admission distance of just 392 metres, FindASchool found. This year, Birmingham city council had over 2,000 more children entering primary school than were starting secondary. This means that in seven years, when this primary cohort moves on to secondary school, Birmingham will need to be provide at least 2,000 more places - or around 70 extra classes. Around one in six children in England missed out on a place at their top choice of secondary school this year, according to Government statistics. In total, 84.1 per cent of 11-year-olds across the country were given a spot at their first preference, compared with 84.2 per cent in 2015. Separate Department for Education (DfE) figures released in July suggest that the secondary school population is projected to continue increasing to 3.04 million by 2020, and peak at 3.33 million in 2025. A Department for Education spokesperson said: 'These figures do not paint the full picture as they do not take into account the new places that will be created in the future, nor the surplus places that are already available. 'Over nine in 10 parents in England received an offer at one of their top three preferred secondary schools this year. 'We are delivering good quality school places to ensure every child has an excellent education that allows them to reach their full potential. Celebrity chef Jose Andres filleted Donald Trump at a Hillary Clinton rally today in Florida for calling Mexican immigrants 'rapists' and pledging to build a wall that will keep them out. Andres, a Spanish-born American citizen who is voting in his first presidential election, said Trump, perhaps, 'skipped U.S. history class.' 'I don't know. But people of Tampa, America has always been great from the very beginning,' Andres said, sauteing Trump's slogan. Andres was flying to Tampa for the Clinton event as Donald Trump descended on Washington for the grand opening of Trump International Hotel. The Spanish-American restauranter was supposed to man the flagship restaurant at the luxury establishment. He backed out of the collaboration after Trump derided illegal immigrants in a speech announcing his bid for the White House. Scroll down for video Celebrity chef Jose Andres filleted Donald Trump at a Hillary Clinton rally today in Florida for calling Mexican immigrants 'rapists' and pledging to build a wall that will keep them out Andres was flying to Tampa today to rally Clinton supporters as Donald Trump descended on Washington for the grand opening of Trump International Hotel The Spanish-American restauranter was supposed to man the flagship restaurant at the luxury establishment. He backed out of the collaboration after Trump derided illegal immigrants Andres spoke passionately at the Clinton rally about his immigration to America 24 years ago and approval for citizenship three years ago 'Today I could be in a certain hotel in Washington, D.C. opening a restaurant inside, but here I am,' Andres told Clinton supporters this afternoon. The chef indicated that he's not supposed to mention Trump before he forcefully called on him to 'apologize' to 'every Latino, to every Mexican, to every women, to every veteran and to any person that he has insulted. 'But I can tell you people, I would rather be here with you in Tampa today and support this amazing woman on her birthday.' Andres said he planned to sing tp Clinton, celebrating her 69th birthday today, later on. The pair shared a hug while he was going and she coming on the stage. Trump and Andres are legally entangled over the famed chef's breach of contract. The billionaire businessman is suing Andres for $10 million. Andres is countersuing for $8 million. The newly opened Trump International Hotel, which occupies the Old Post Office building on Washington D.C.'s iconic Pennsylvania Avenue, now boasts as its signature restaurant BLT Prime by David Burke, instead. Andres lawyers said in July that Trump 'essentially torpedoed' the restaurant when he made the offensive comments about Mexican immigrants that made him a 'pariah for the great majority of the Hispanic community.' A previous statement provided to press after Andres disavowed Trump and yanked his business said Trump's 'statements disparaging immigrants make it impossible for my company and I to move forward with opening a successful Spanish restaurant in Trump Internationals upcoming hotel in Washington, D.C. 'More than half of my team is Hispanic, as are many of our guests,' Andres said. 'And, as a proud Spanish immigrant and recently naturalized American citizen myself, I believe that every human being deserves respect, regardless of immigration status.' Clinton has made the Trump's statement that Mexican immigrants are 'rapists' and criminals a centerpiece of her White House campaign. She's pictured at a rally at Palm Beach State College this morning Andres spoke passionately at the Clinton rally about his immigration to America 24 years ago and approval for citizenship three years ago. 'This November I will cast my first vote for the next President of the United States of America,' he stated. 'I cannot tell you, many of you know, but none of us can quite capture it in words, how proud I will be to cast my ballot as an American citizen.' Immigrants have a 'very, very, special love' for America, he said. 'We were not lucky enough to be born citizens. It wasn't just given to us....we had to work hard for it. We had to wait for it. We had to really want it to become American.' 'Some people, actually, let's be fair, someone, talks about making America great again,' Andres said in his remarks. 'What? Who are you? Where you come from? Where have you been? Look around you.' Andres said he believes it is his responsibility to 'speak up' about the forces of inclusion versus the forces of exclusion that have dominated the race to command the country. The Spanish-born American citizen who is voting in his first presidential election, said Trump, perhaps, 'skipped U.S. history class' - 'America has always been great from the very beginning' 'The forces of exclusion include, hatred, and envy, and anger, and suspicion and division. These forces build barriers, and borders, and barricades,' he yelled in a thick Spanish accent. 'They promote conflict, inequality, violence, dislocation and war. 'Sometimes, those forces, they only care about making money. No matter how many workers they abuse, they don't care. Or how many small businesses they stiff, by not paying them what is rightfully for theirs. Railing against Trump, Andres said 'some' say 'they want to "make America great again" - they don't even pay their due tax that they are supposed to be doing!' Forces of exclusion puts up walls, he said. Forces of inclusion 'break down barriers and bring people together, because we, again, are stronger together,' he stated, highlighting Clinton's tagline. 'We all know who we think believes in exclusion, and that's not the America I wanted to be part of,' he said. 'But I know who has fought hard, all her life, believing that inclusion will make us all better.' Andres said he planned to sing Clinton, celebrating her 69th birthday today, later on. The pair shared a hug while he was going and she coming on the stage Clinton is in Florida for a swing the Democratic candidate hopes will give her a boost in the battleground state with a large Hispanic population. She's made Trump's statements about illegal immigrants the centerpiece of her White House campaign. At nearly every rally she dings him for a string of 'insults' that include his year-old charge that illegal immigrants coming into the country by way of Mexico are 'bringing drugs' are 'bringing crime' and are 'rapists.' Today Andres revealed that he'd be appearing with her on the stump in Florida in a tweet. He wrote, 'You know it is going to be an amazing day when you are boarding a plane to #Tampa to join @HillaryClinton early voting rally!! #ImWithHer' Andres owns a restaurant in Miami's South Beach. The D.C. based chef also has restaurant locations in in Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. He competed on Iron Chef America in 2007 and was a Top Chef judge in 2010. President Barack Obama awarded him with a National Humanities Medal at a White House event last month. Andres became a U.S. citizen in 2013. Trump dropped off the trail briefly today to appear alongside his children at the Trump International Hotel at 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue 'With the notable exception of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, this is the most coveted piece of real estate in Washington, D.C. The best location,' Trump stated in remarks before a ribbon-cutting ceremony Trump dropped off the trail briefly today to appear alongside his wife and children at the grand opening of Trump International Hotel, located at 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue. 'With the notable exception of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, this is the most coveted piece of real estate in Washington, D.C. The best location,' Trump stated in remarks before a ribbon-cutting ceremony. White House's Josh Earnest told reporters 'the two places are not that far away.' But, he said, jabbing Trump, 'There's a big difference between standing in the hotel and standing in the White House' The hotel, which he says was 'under budget' and 'ahead of schedule' is a shining example of 'how to work with government and get things done.' 'We don't hear those words too often in government, but you will,' he said. Three blocks down the street White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest was beginning his daily briefing with reporters. A journalist noted that the Republican nominee for president was down the road at his hotel. Yeah, not too far, away, not too far away,' the Obama flak said. 'Well in some ways, its a really long way away, depending on how you look at it. Earnest was asked a little while later to explain his comment. An Asian man was taken into custody by police and held for over three hours after he made a joke about Donald Trump while out at a Brooklyn bar Saturday afternoon. Gothamist reports that Gregory Chang, 28, was drinking with a friend at Roebling Sporting Club in Williamsburg when he said: 'If Donald Trump becomes president, I would pursue an early retirement - life in federal prison. Lucky for me I know the two parts of the country a President Trump would spend most of his time in: the Beltway and the City.' Soon after police arrived at the establishment, asked Chang to step outside and then took the New York City public school teacher to the 94th Precinct for further questioning. Unreal: Gregory Chang (left) was taken in custody on Saturday after making a joke about Donald Trump (right) while talking with a friend at a Brooklyn bar Chang said that he spent three hours waiting at the precinct before Secret Service officers arrived and asked him to repeat what he said, at which point he again told his joke. He was released after an hour of questioning he said, but claims he still had to sign documents allowing authorities to look through his medical records and speak with his therapist. Chang also claims that as he left a sergeant at the precinct said that the incident should serve as a lesson for him. Making the experience even worse says Chang was the fact that sergeant also lost his driver's license sometime in the five hours between when he was taken out of the bar to when he left the precinct. Chang said he is still not sure who reported him to police given how quietly he was speaking with his friend at the bar. Having a laugh: Chang joked: ''If Donald Trump becomes president, I would pursue an early retirement - life in federal prison' (Roebling Sporting Club above) Get going: Police arrived soon after and asked him to step outside the bar before taking him in When Gothamist reached out to the Secret Service for comment, a spokesperson said: 'I can't help you.' Chang also now has to go get a replacement license. Leader of the victorious Vote Leave campaign Michael Gove will scrutinise the Government on its Brexit strategy. He is among a total of eight Tory Leave backers who were elected to the powerful new Brexit committee tonight. But despite a clear majority of the British public voting for Brexit, the committee will be controlled by a majority of Remain MPs. Leader of the victorious Vote Leave campaign Michael Gove will scrutinise the Government on its Brexit strategy All five Labour MPs elected to the committee - including the chair Hilary Benn - are passionate supporters of Britain's EU membership and will be joined by two Tory Remainers and a further five EU backers from the SNP, Lib Dems, Plaid Cymru and SDLP. It means there will be 12 pro-Remain MPs and nine Brexiteers. One MP from the DUP will join the eight Tory Eurosceptics. Prominent Brexit campaigners Dominic Raab and John Whittingdale were elected alongside Mr Gove, the former Justice Secretary who led the Vote Leave campaign alongside Boris Johnson. The committee will grill ministers and other key figures on Britain's plans to leave the EU. It promises to produce some high-profile public clashes as it will pit Mr Gove against his nemesis Mr Johnson, who he stabbed in the back by abandoning his leadership campaign just hours before the former London Mayor was due to launch. All five Labour MPs elected to the committee - including the chair Hilary Benn (pictured on the Andrew Marr Show last weekend - are passionate supporters of Britain's EU membership The former shadow Europe minister Pat McFadden (left) was elected as one of the five Labour MPs on the committee while the Tory voice of Remain will be led by former foreign minister Alistair Burt (right), MP for North East Bedfordshire Mr Gove, who then launched his own doomed leadership bid, was sacked from the Government by Theresa May when she became Prime Minister in July. The committee was set up to scrutinise the new Department for Exiting the European Union. However the size of the committee, which has nearly twice as many MPs as normal, has been criticised over fears they will struggle to agree on common positions. The Labour MPs elected to the Brexit committee are the former shadow Europe minister Pat McFadden, Stephen Timms, Emma Reynolds and Seema Malhotra. The other seven Tories elected to the committee are Andrea Jenkyns, who ousted Ed Balls at the 2015 election, Craig Mackinlay, who beat Nigel Farage, Maria Caulfield, arch-Eurosceptic Peter Lilley, Karl McKartney and the two Remain MPs Alistair Burt and Jeremy Lefroy. The passionate Remain-supporting MP Anna Soubry failed in her effort to be elected to the committee, leaving her to continue touring the TV studios to voice her opposition to Brexit. Meanwhile all six Tories elected to the new International Trade committee are Brexit-supporting MPs. Police in South Dakota have arrested a SkyWest Airlines pilot for being intoxicated at the Rapid City airport just 30 minutes before he was scheduled to fly. Rapid City police were notified shortly after 8am on Wednesday that the pilot smelled of alcohol. Police say they determined 38-year-old pilot Russel Duszak was in violation of a South Dakota law prohibiting the operation of an aircraft with a blood-alcohol content above 0.04 percent. A SkyWest pilot scheduled to fly a Delta flight from Rapid City, South Dakota to Salt Lake City, Utah Wednesday morning was arrested at the airport for having an illegal blood-alcohol content level. Above, a stock image of a SkyWest plane Delta Connection 4574 was bound for Duszak's home of Salt Lake City, Utah. SkyWest said in a statement that it holds its employees 'to the highest standards of professionalism,' and apologized to passengers for the delay. The flight was scheduled to depart at 8:30am, but had to be pushed back until 10:30am so that a new crew could be brought in. The airline based in St. George, Utah, says the pilot has been placed on administrative leave and removed from flying duties during an investigation. 'They had to call in a replacement pilot, because our pilot was drunk' wrote passenger Daryn Farmer after posting this photograph to Twitter during the delay. Pictured above is the gate Passengers on the Delta flight, which was being operated by the local SkyWest airlines, said they were first told that the plane wouldn't start. It was only after some passengers noticed a police officer in the gangway, speaking to a flight member, that passengers were told a different story. 'They (airline representatives) just said they had a crew issue,' Dayrn Farmer, a hunter on his way home to Oregon, told KOTA. Farmer was one of many that missed connection because of the incident. Duszak has no record of prior alcohol-related arrests in his home state of Utah. The crime he faces carries a punishment of up to one year in jail and a fine of $2,000. I was watching Fox News live last night when Megyn Kelly conducted her already infamous interview with Newt Gingrich about the Trump campaign. It began as a good, combative exchange between two feisty, intelligent, politically savvy people. Then it took a bizarre twist when Kelly began a sentence with the words If Trump is a sexual predator. Gingrich reacted like hed been shot in the backside with an AR-15. Fox News took a turn Tuesday night when Megyn Kelly began a sentence with the words If Trump is a sexual predator. Gingrich reacted like hed been shot in the backside. HES NOT A SEXUAL PREDATOR! he screamed Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com HES NOT A SEXUAL PREDATOR! he screamed. You could not defend that statement. Im sick and tired of people like you using language thats inflammatorythats not true. Kelly, as I expected from a sharp former lawyer on top of her brief, was having none of it. Excuse me, Mr Speaker, she snapped back, with chilling politeness. You have no idea if its true or not. I think your defensiveness on this may speak volumes. At which point Gingrich said a really dumb thing. You are fascinated with sex and you dont care about public policy! he barked. Kellys face froze in startled horror, then her eyes narrowed, she smirked slightly awkwardly and then mouthed the words Me? Really? Recovering her composure, she clarified: Mr Speaker, I am not fascinated by sex. I am fascinated by the protection of women and understanding what were getting in the Oval Office At which point, there was no point going on with the interview because it was game over to Kelly. Kelly had none of it. Excuse me, Mr Speaker, she snapped back. You have no idea if its true or not. I think your defensiveness on this may speak volumes. At which point Gingrich said a really dumb thing. You are fascinated with sex and you dont care about public policy! Why? Because I knew instantly that the big story for the Trump campaign today would once again be about sex and women. And Trump doesnt win when he or his surrogates are talking about sex and women. In fact he indisputably loses, big time. Sorry Donald, and I know this will be a massive blow to your ego, but Americas women just dont want to even think about a 70-year-old guy having sex. They particularly dont want to think about one who was recently heard on a hot mic boasting that he feels a celebrity-fuelled entitlement to kiss them without permission or worse, grab them by the pussy. Nor one who has now had 12 women come forward to claim thats exactly the kind of thing he did to them. Now, none of these claims has yet been proven, Trump has vehemently denied all of them, and vowed to sue all the accusers. But thats not the point. Now the big Trump story of Wednesday, once again, is about sex and women. And he does not win with that. Sorry but no American woman wants to think about a 70-year-old man having sex The point is that everyone who saw and heard that Access Hollywood tape, be it locker-room banter or otherwise, knows at the very least that the idea of doing it is not something Trump objects to in principle and thats bad enough. Since that tape exploded, Trumps poll numbers have cratered, especially with women. So the very last thing he should be doing is talking any more about them. Enough of the defiant nobody has greater respect for women than me nonsense when there are tapes illustrating that is plainly untrue. All this sex/women chat does is fan the flames, fuel more negative headlines, and get him off the real messages he should be ramming home at this crucial final stage of the campaign. Gingrich was dumb because he should have known better and he should have also realised that Megyn Kelly has a perfect right to ask about these allegations without being accused of being fascinated by sex. Sex is one thing. Non-consensual sex is a very different thing. (Although, lets be honest, Megyn, I think were all fascinated by sex, right?) Its also not an area where Gingrich, 73, himself is best equipped to act as any kind of spokesman or ethical arbiter given his own luridly well-documented sex life. Sex is also not an area where Gingrich, 73, is best equipped to act as any kind of spokesman or ethical arbiter given his own life. He's seen here with wife Callista on Wednesday The former Speaker should have batted the question away by saying Trump had denied the claims, then moved the conversation back to the issues on which Trump wins with base immigration, the economy, jobs, terrorism. Or two even bigger home runs right now: Obamacare and Wikileaks. The collapse of Obamacare is a gift from God for the Republican nominee, who has been calling it a disaster ever since it launched. A supposedly Affordable Care Act exposed by hard facts as now wholly unaffordable to millions of Americans, 13 days before the election. What bigger stick could Trump possibly want with which to beat Hillary Clinton over the head? I spoke to three doctors in LA this week (Ive had a nasty sinus infection) and they were all spitting blood about what a fiasco Obamacare has been. Meanwhile I spoke to three doctors in LA this week and they were all spitting blood about what a fiasco Obamacare has been - and Hillary is a big part of that. And Wikileaks shows her inner circle are a ruthless bunch of mercenaries. But the conversation around Trump is again sex Hillary is a big part of that fiasco. She herself has labelled it as a derivative plan to #HillaryCare and made it very clear she would continue it if she is President. Yet even her own husband Bill said recently that Obamacare is the craziest thing ever. As for the on-going torrent of Wikileaks revelations, they should be, but arent, dominating the election news cycle. Theyre bad, really bad. Hillary and her gruesome inner circle gang emerge as a bunch of ruthless, mercenary, bitchy, untrustworthy, back-stabbing and seriously dodgy bandits fleecing her public office to line the Clinton pockets. Its all there in the emails, everything many always suspected and feared about the Democrat nominees highly dubious, possibly corrupt approach to being the worst kind of elite Wall Street and Saudi backed, money-grabbing politician - and theres almost certainly worse to come. Yet most Americans are barely hearing about any of this because all theyre hearing about is Trump, sex and women. Kelly Anne Conway is doing a superb job presenting the electable arguments for Trump, and her candidate is up in Florida. But he's down or even in a lot of important states and if he wants a chance he must stop talking about sex The frustration for the Trump campaign team, whose new figurehead Kelly Anne Conway is doing a superb job presenting the electable arguments for Trump, must be that without all this sex chat, their man would be doing a hell of a lot better in the polls. Hes actually up 2pts in the latest Florida poll, and if he takes Florida then he has a great chance of winning. But hes down or batting even in almost every other swing state battleground and if he cant turn round that voting sentiment by November 8 then he could be on the receiving end of a crushing defeat. So the message is simple: if you want to win, Donald, then STOP TALKING ABOUT WOMEN AND SEX. You made your bed for all this lurid speculation, and now you have to now lie in it in (hopefully) shame-faced silence. Nothing more you can say will make any difference. Americas women have made their minds up about you now, either way. They either do indeed perceive you to be a sexual predator, or they dont. Hillary has been part of that system for 40 years. A vote for her is more of the same Its the men who can still win it for you, especially the white, working class men in states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida and Maine. So focus on THEM by talking about the issues THEY care about. Film director Michael Moore, who is backing Hillary, makes a brilliantly perceptive argument in his new movie Trumpland as to why these men are so drawn to Trump. They have seen their jobs go, their dreams dashed, their lives ruined by a Washington system they see as broken, selfish, merciless and elitist. Hillary Clinton has been part of that system for 40 years. Shes the walking, talking personification of it. A vote for Hillary is for more of the same. Trump is the outsider who wants to change that system. Trump may be the guy to get them back on their feet again. Thats a powerful argument which can still win this election. There were multiple reports of a UFO sighting in the sky over Arizona on Tuesday night. Locals in Gilbert, southeast of Phoenix, claimed to see a strange set of three lights moving north to south in the East Valley area. There was also another spotting about 70 miles away in Globe. One resident, named Todd, excitedly posted footage of the unusual sight onto Twitter, writing: 'Did anybody else just see a UFO!?' Is that a UFO?: The sequence of three lights (top center) appeared to be crawling north in a formation, but it remains a mystery as to what they actually were In the footage taken by a local in Gilbert, Arizona, the lights appeared to fade and then reappear as bright dots In the video, three lights can be seen crawling upwards in a sequence-like pattern. Skeptics were quick to conjecture that the lights were possibly parachute jumpers, however the Phoenix Skyhawks told local station KPHO that they had no planned jumps on Tuesday night. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said it didn't receive any calls reporting the sightings. Additionally, Phoenix Sky Harbor and Luke Air Force Base did not return calls for comment. One Twitter user posted online asking if anyone else has seen the lights UFO sightings are relatively common in Arizona after the 'Phoenix Lights' incident in 1997. Five lights were seen flying in formation on the night of March 13. They were reported by thousands of people between 7.30pm and 10.30pm, in a space of about 300 miles, from the Nevada border, through Phoenix, to the edge of Tucson. A stunning professional dancer has become an online star after posting a series of video lessons teaching people how to twerk. Maria Skorchenko, 26, from Kiev, Ukraine, has been twerking for seven years and claims the erotic dance is the the secret behind her amazing figure. The dance instructor demonstrates her routine in a series of clips on social media and video-sharing websites where they quickly go viral. Maria Skorchenko, 26, from Kiev, Ukraine, (pictured) has been twerking for seven years. She claims the erotic dance is the the secret behind her amazing figure The Russian dance instructor has become an online sensation with her twerking tutorials. She claims the dance is responsible for her figure, which she compares to Kim Kardashian, J-Lo and Nicki Minaj They show Ms Skorchenko showing off her skills - and body - while twerking in shorts in her kitchen, in sportswear and even in the swimming pool. Her fans have compared her to stars Kim Kardashian, J-Lo and Nicki Minaj. Ms Skorchenko, who calls herself 'Sexy Mamasita' on social media, says she has been practicing dancing and gymnastics since she was a child. She says she twerks every day and that the exercise is perfect for toning and defining her bum. Her tutorial videos are also winning her thousands of followers from countries all over the world who are eagerly watching her every twerk. Ms Skorchenko calls herself 'Sexy Mamasita' on social media and says she has been practicing dancing and gymnastics since she was a child The 26-year-old twerks every single day and says the exercise is perfect for toning and defining her bum Many have said they found the videos 'hypnotic' including 'a_swade' who said: 'You are such a dream.' 'Roguesix' added: 'Brazil loves you. What a body.' Angry locals are protesting about a Bosnian town built by Middle Eastern investors which has Arabic as its 'official' language - and where locals can only enter if they work as servants. The 160 homes have been constructed in a luxury enclave near Tarcin, five miles west of the Bosnian capital Sarajevo. But furious locals say that their only way of accessing the area is through being hired as servants or cleaners - and claim most of the homes contain the wives of wealthy businessmen. Scroll down for video Most of the homes have been sold to wealthy sheikhs from Kuwait The houses - marketed only in Kuwait - are being sold for 150,000 euros (133,000). Adverts for the estate call Bosnia a Muslim country 'gifted with beautiful nature by Allah.' Bosnia-Herzegovina was racked by a sectarian civil war 20 years ago when the Muslim Bosnians - who converted to Islam during the rule of the Ottoman Empire - clashed with ethnic Serbs and ethnic Croats. Nearly 60,000 people died, including 8,000 Muslim Bosniaks slaughtered by the Serbs at Srebrenica. The idyllic community has been built by Middle East investors around an artificial lake The complex is surrounded by heavy security, gates and high walls. It was also reported that some women stay there all year round with their children, while their husbands are only occasional visitors. One estate worker told local media: 'The owners do not want to mix with the local population. 'They have their own traditions when it comes to clothing, behaviour and prayer, and do not want people staring at them.' The community has its own mosque and the residents do not mix with local Bosnians Now developers are reportedly planning to double the size of the private village. Local media have complained to regional officials that it is unlawful for a foreign power to be able to buy up parts of the country and ban locals from entering it. Some locals have begun a protest campaign with leaflets featuring women in burkas with the message: 'Go Away.' One local pharmacist agreed: 'We are Muslim, but we are praying at home and in mosques, and we are a secular state. They are different from us.' Locals say many of the women live in the community all year round with their children while their husbands visit only occasionally The community near Tarcin is in a beautiful spot although it gets very cold in winter The news of the Arabic village follows on from revelations last year that ISIS militants had established a stronghold in a picturesque village, Osve, where everyone is 'ready to respond to the summons to jihad.' Militant Islam was all but unknown to Bosnia's mostly secular Muslim population until the Balkans wars in the 1990s when Arab mercenaries turned up to help the outgunned Bosnian Muslims fend off Serb attacks. Editor's note: China will never allow the US to run amok in South China Sea waters, the People's Daily asserted in a commentary on Sunday after a US Navy guided-missile destroyer, the USS Decatur, sailed through the waters of the Xisha Islands on Friday without the Chinese approval. What the US did, driven by its hegemonic mentality, cannot increase its influence in Asia-Pacific region, the article said, adding that such acts to stir up enmity and make troubles will only result in the accelerated decline of its global influence. The Chinese government resolutely opposes such provocative behavior and takes a series of effective counter-measures, added the commentary under the byline of "Zhongsheng". The following is the translation of the article: A US Navy guided-missile destroyer, the USS Decatur, sailed through Xisha Island waters, part of the South China Sea as Chinese territorial waters on Friday without the approval of Chinese authorities. The Chinese government resolutely opposes such provocative behavior and will take a series of effective counter-measures. In the statement of the Chinese government on the territorial sea baseline issued in May 1996, China clarified the baseline of the Xisha Islands. The Law of the People's Republic of China on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone and other international laws also stipulates that all foreign warships need to gain approval from the Chinese government before entering Chinese waters. The illegal entry of US warships into Chinese waters without permission seriously violates China's sovereignty and security interests, breaches both Chinese and international laws as well, and poses threats to peace, security as well as order in the relevant waters. What the US did aims to encroach upon the sovereignty, security and maritime interests of regional countries in the so-called name of a "freedom-of-navigation operation." But such provocative acts once again expose the negative energy of its "Rebalance to Asia" strategy, and at the same time verify the US' role as a real trouble-maker in the South China Sea. The so-called patrol launched by the US this time came just as China and the Philippines, a country immediately concerned with the South China Sea issue, were restoring their ties. During Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's state visit to China, the two countries inked a series of cooperation agreements. This US provocation in Chinese territorial waters, at a time when the improvement of ties between China and relevant countries is pulling the South China Sea issue to a encouraging solution, proves that the US has been destabilizing the South China Sea by playing up tensions. By launching the so-called patrols, the superpower is telling the world that it can tolerate neither a tranquil South China Sea, nor a peaceful and stable Asia-Pacific. Since it cannot find a puppet troublemaker any longer, the exasperated Washington has to create a disturbance by itself. President Duterte pointed out in a speech that "the US feels a little anxious over China's sound ties with the Philippines," and his remarks revealed the complicated psychology of the US. Its peremptory provocation, as a matter of fact, can be regarded as a way to release its depression and an inertia to maintain its hegemony. Washington has to realize that it is rightly this hegemonic mentality that has resulted in its declining global influence and inability to provide public goods with positive energy. It also has to admit that the era when one country can dominate an alliance network by creating tensions with lies will never come back. No one wants to weaken the US' influence in the Asia-Pacific region, but such influence must be based on a positive dedication to common development of the whole region. Its outdated hegemonic mentality is by no means accepted by regional countries who aspire for peace, cooperation and shared progress. It is well-known that "freedom-of-navigation," often cited by the US as a pretext, is actually a falsehood to allow the country to pursue "absolute freedom" of its own security. But the US should bear in mind the ultimate consequences of seeking absolute security as the country has paid enough bitter prices for its arrogance and ignorance. The arbitrary decision will certainly bring the country to deadlock, and such a stubborn country may obtain some hard power, but never soft power and smart power. If the US really wants to be a world power, it can never resort to guns, firearms, separation or fishing in troubled waters. Efforts to expand interests can be shared by all countries. Highfalutin words but obstinate and aggressive deeds will win no respect and trust from other countries. Over the past years, in a bid to cement its maritime hegemony, the US has been destabilizing regional peace and stability by meddling in the South China Sea, challenging China and alienating ties between China and the Philippines. Washington has not realized that those tricks cannot overturn the regional trend of peaceful development. As the Philippines once appealed, "We can't be US' 'little brown brother' forever." Its choice to adjust diplomatic policies and reinforce cooperation with China also proves that an unjust cause committed to by the US finds little support. What's more, the US should not bear any fantasy in terms of the South China Sea issue as this is not its first head-to-head game with China. China has a rock-solid determination to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. China will not ask for anything not belonging to itself, but it will fight for every inch of its territory within its sovereignty. Chinese President Xi Jinping, at the gathering commemorating the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of the Long March (1934-36), urged the entire military to remain vigilant and be aware of its responsibilities, stressing that the modernization of national defense and armed forces must advance in a bid to safeguard the country's national sovereignty, security and development interests. The US' consolidation of hegemony with military actions will only highlight China's necessity to strengthen defense, and activate China's resolution to improve its capability to safeguard its own interests. The Chinese army will definitely safeguard China's national sovereignty and security by stepping up patrols based on demand and optimizing its defensive capabilities. China will never allow the US to run amok in the South China Sea, an issue concerning principles. An 18-year-old in Texas has been sentenced to life in prison after running over a man who refused to buy beer for the underage youth and his friends. Emmanuel Diaz, who was sentenced on Tuesday in Abilene, was 16 when he ran over and killed 58-year-old Jesse Cortinez on Halloween night in 2014, investigators said. Cortinez had refused to buy beer for Diaz after the minor approached the adult outside a 7-Eleven convenience store, according to authorities. Diaz then ran Cortinez over while driving his mother's Jeep and then fled the scene, investigators said. Emmanuel Diaz, 18, (left) has been sentenced to life in prison for the 2014 death of 58-year-old Jesse Cortinez (right) who refused to buy beer for the underage youth and his friends Following Tuesday's sentencing, the victim's family (pictured outside of court) was overwhelmed with emotion. They said the healing process can now begin Video courtesy of KTAB On Tuesday, the jury deliberated for three hours before returning the life sentence verdict on Tuesday, in addition to $20,000 in fines. Diaz was tried as an adult and convicted on Friday of murder and deadly conduct, according to prosecutors. The deadly conduct charge for Diaz involved an unrelated drive-by shooting hours earlier. Emmanuel Diaz, who was sentenced on Tuesday in Abilene, was 16 when he ran over and killed Cortinez on Halloween night in 2014, investigators said. Scene of the murder above He received 10 years on that conviction, to run concurrently with the life sentence. In that incident, 20-year-old Joseph Carrillo allegedly fired several rounds from a car outside a Halloween party at a home. Joseph Carillo, 20, is accused of conspiring with Diaz as he sat in the passenger seat of the Jeep. He has also been charged with murder Carrillo is also accused of conspiring with Diaz as he sat in the passenger seat of the Jeep that ran over Cortinez and has also been charged with murder. Following Tuesday's sentencing, the victim's family was overwhelmed with emotion. They said the healing process can now begin. 'There's a big void there but at least with the decision now we can move forward and start the healing process,' Cortinez's brother, EZ Cortinez, told KTAB. 'There's no victory for either one of us. Either my family or Mr. Diaz's family. There are no winners in this case. Like I said we're happy.' In closing arguments during the trial, Cortinez's brother Jesse described the him as a kindhearted father figure whose death was hard for the family, KTXS reported. Another brother, Jamie Cortinez, said Cortinez was a hardworking man with three adult children who loved his family and touched everyone he met. The victim's brother, EZ Cortinez (pictured), said following the sentencing: 'There's a big void there but at least with the decision now we can move forward and start the healing process' Cortinez's family is devastated by his loss. His 16-year-old daughter Mary is pictured center with his brother EZ, far right Meanwhile, it was revealed that Diaz has been in and out of the juvenile justice system after his first run in with the law in 2010 when he was in sixth grade. Over the next four years, he also spent time on and off probation, and refused to go to counseling, school and drug prevention and recovery programs, KTXS reported. Diaz must serve 30 years before being eligible for parole. Separated by just a metal fence, displaced Iraqis who fled Mosul two years ago are finally re-united with their relatives. The refugees fled the city two years to the refugee camp in the Khazer area, near near the Kurdish checkpoint of Aksi Kalak. Family members wept as they came face-to-face with their loved ones for the first time in months. Separated by just a metal fence, displaced Iraqis who fled Mosul two years ago are finally re-united with their relatives The refugees fled the city two years to the refugee camp in the Khazer area, near near the Kurdish checkpoint of Aksi Kalak Family members wept as they came face-to-face with their loved ones for the first time in months More than 10,000 Iraqis have fled their homes since the October 17 start of an offensive to retake Mosul from the Islamic State jihadist group, the United Nations said Wednesday That figure is just a fraction of the displacement that aid groups expect to see when Iraqi forces reach the city limits and some of the million-plus people thought to be inside attempt to flee While numbers have increased rapidly over the past two days, there was no sign an exodus of larger proportions was beginning More than 3.3 million Iraqis have had to flee their homes due to conflict since the start of 2014 More than 10,000 Iraqis have fled their homes since the October 17 start of an offensive to retake Mosul from the Islamic State jihadist group, the United Nations said Wednesday. That figure is just a fraction of the displacement that aid groups expect to see when Iraqi forces reach the city limits and some of the million-plus people thought to be inside attempt to flee. 'Over 10,500 people are currently displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance,' the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a statement. While numbers have increased rapidly over the past two days, there was no sign an exodus of larger proportions was beginning. 'Population movements are fluctuating as the front lines move, including people returning to their homes following improved security conditions in the immediate area,' it said. 'Over 10,500 people are currently displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance,' the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a statement The aid community has been scrambling to build camps and bring equipment to areas on the edges of the Mosul battlefield, a vast area where Iraqi forces are closing in on jihadists from the north, east and south. The aid community has been scrambling to build camps and bring equipment to areas on the edges of the Mosul battlefield, a vast area where Iraqi forces are closing in on jihadists from the north, east and south. Humanitarian workers fear being overwhelmed by huge outflows when the civilians trapped in Mosul find a way out, in an emergency that could dwarf previous displacement crises in Iraq. They tweeted about the incident only to get unexpected responses West Yorkshire Police rescued a cockerel from the M62 near Lofthouse Police who rescued a cockerel from a motorway got more than they bargained for when they shared the unusual operation online. Instead of concerned responses, West Yorkshire Police were inundated with people comparing the bird to Donald Trump's hair. The force posted a message saying: 'This is who we rescued today from M62 at Lofthouse' along with a picture of the bird with a very orange plumage. West Yorkshire Police tweeted this picture of a cockerel they rescued from the motorway, only to have other users compare it to Donald Trump's hair The police had rescued the cockerel from the central reservation of the motorway in West Yorkshire at around 7pm on Tuesday. But followers shied away from chicken-crossing-the-road jokes and instead saw the resemblance between the unfortunate chicken and the controversial presidential candidate. One follower said: 'Donald Trump's hairpiece?' With another saying: 'That chicken nicked Donald Trump's hair.' It is understood the chicken is recovering well from the ordeal. Donald Trump's hair has been a hot topic of discussion long before he became the Republican Presidential nominee. Many have questioned whether it is real, with talk show host Jimmy Fallon even ruffling through it live on his programme to test it out. Trump's hair, pictured, and whether it is real has long been disputed by the public Stylist Amy Lasch, 52, worked with the Donald on the early seasons of The Apprentice, where she said she found out that his famous golden locks were 100 percent real. Lasch was shocked when she found that she could barely comb through his mane, which was 'solid and matted' because Trump applied so much gel to it every day. 'He has really long hair and he combs it back straight, he does it himself,' Lasch told the Mirror. 'It is real and it is his hair - he doesn't have plugs.' award - 'twice's and 'his business card simply says 'I'll call you' such as 'his passport requires no photograph' Advertisement He has trekked through jungles, dived for pearls and, by the end of the ad, is always surrounded by beautiful women - and now Dos Equis have released their first advert with their new 'Most Interesting Man in the World.' Trilingual French actor Augustin Legrand, 41, is taking on the heady title for the Mexican beer, taking over the reins from 77-year-old Jonathan Goldsmith who called it quits in March. The company has finally unveiled Legrand's first full adventure which sees him airboat-racing, sand dune-cruising, knife-throwing and Samurai sword sparring. Scroll down for video Dos Equis has finally revealed who its new Most Interesting Man is. Its new campaign is with French actor Augustin Legrand Just like the old ads, the commercials feature quirky, off-beat activities, like airboat racing or samurai sword fights The new set of ads play out entirely in the present, whereas the older spots were based in the past Mr. Legrand's character is seen kicking a football made out of a coconut between two giraffes that stand in for traditional goal posts. The kicker: 'He played college football in high school.' Women used to play a supporting role in the old campaigns but now they take more of a partnership role Viewers will be the ultimate judge on whether or not the new approach has the same magic of the old campaign The James Bond-esque feel to many of the adverts is apparent as he races through the streets Who needs a knife to open a coconut when you can simply use your hands NEW MOST INTERESTING MAN QUOTES 'He once cheated death, and death was perfectly OK with it.' 'He can tie his arm behind his back, with one arm tied behind his back.' 'If life were to give him lemons, he'd make a spinach fettuccine with a shiitake mushroom glaze.' 'He played college football in high school.' Advertisement The combination of classy with cool is in line with parent company Heineken USA's previous outings with the brand. Execs confirmed that the new campaign should 'feel familiar, but also different.' 'There will be elements that are very, very recognizable, that are super iconic to us, but it will have a very fresh take on things. It will not feel like we've just swapped actors,' the company told Ad Age. 'The new Most Interesting Man is a man of action. He's never one to reminisce on times past, which stylistically changes everything,' Toygar Bazarkaya, the chief creative officer of the Americas for the advertising agency behind the commercial, said in a statement to First We Feast. 'With a faster pace and more energy, we're reinvigorating and modernizing one of the greatest campaigns.' Just as before, the new Most Interesting Man has some outlandish and outrageous statements including: ' He once cheated death, and death was perfectly OK with it,' 'He can tie his arm behind his back, with one arm tied behind his back', and 'If life were to give him lemons, he'd make a spinach fettuccine with a shiitake mushroom glaze.' The meaning of 'interesting' has evolved over the past decade, and this campaign features a new character and look and feel that opens the door to a world of interesting possibilities for today's Dos Equis drinker,' Andrew Katz, vp of marketing for Dos Equis, said in a statement. 'With the reboot of the campaign, we're celebrating the good times The Most Interesting Man has with friends wherever he travels, while highlighting our refreshing cerveza. In the coming weeks, fans will have the opportunity to get to know the new character in a uniquely interactive way.' Jonathan Goldsmith, 77, first began appearing in the iconic Most Interesting Man in the World adverts for Dos Equis in 2006 The Most Interesting Man in the World: He has trekked through jungles, dived for pearls and, by the end of the ad, is always surrounded by beautiful women After a decade, Goldsmith has now called it quits and no longer features in the commercials (pictured in his final advert) Goldsmith's character could charm anyone - even a queen in the adverts for Dos Equis which became popular for their outrageous stunts and narrator quotes TOP TEN FUNNIEST MOST INTERESTING MAN QUOTES 1) Mosquitos refuse to bite him purely out of respect 2) He lives vicariously through himself 3) His only regret, is not knowing what regret feels like 4) He once had an awkward moment, just to see how it feels 5) The police often question him just because they find him interesting. 6) His fortune cookies simply say 'congratulations' 7) His business card simply says 'I'll call you' 8) He has won the lifetime achievement award, twice 9) His passport requires no photograph 10) When he drives a new car off the lot, it increases in value Advertisement Legrand replaces Jonathan Goldsmith, the suave, white-haired 77-year-old, who played the 007-style character in the beer adverts, for almost a decade. His final advert saw Goldsmith saying farewell to some of the characters who have popped up in the adverts over the years before blasting into space in a one-way trip to Mars. Goldsmith first began appearing in the iconic Most Interesting Man in the World adverts in 2006. Whether he's dog sledding, surfing a killer wave, cliff diving or flying a mini aircraft, his daring exploits are always 'interesting.' In some of Goldsmith's most famous scenes he was seen rescuing an angry bear from a trap, winning an arm wrestling competition in Latin America and performing a trick shot in pool by shooting a cue ball out of the mouth of a man. A smooth talking narrator makes funny, and often ridiculous statements about the impossibly cool Most Interesting Man. Almost every advert would end with Goldsmith in a bar, surrounded by women, where he'd utter the the phrase: 'I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis' and 'keep thirsty my friends.' The 'Most Interesting' campaign has been hugely popular and has even been turned into a meme. Dos Equis saw sales nearly triple since they introduced the ads. 'It's been a wonderful experience, I've enjoyed it enormously,' Goldsmith, 77, told the NY Daily News earlier this year, insisting that the split was amicable and that 'the campaign is just going in another direction.' Oluremi Oyindasola has been arrested after police said she force fed an eight-month-old baby girl who died A Maryland woman working as a nanny has been arrested after police said she force fed an eight-month-old baby girl who then died. Oluremi Oyindasola, 66, of Glenarden, Maryland, has been charged with second-degree murder, first-degree child abuse resulting in death and other offenses, Prince George's County Police said Wednesday. A home surveillance system recorded Oyindasola napping when the crying child, eight-month-old Enita Salubi, approached in a toddler walker, according to police. Police charging documents say Oyindasola unsuccessfully tried feeding the child, then 'proceeded to pour a large amount of white liquid directly inside the victim's mouth'. Police say Enita, who was force-fed a second bottle, had 'difficulty breathing and signs of medical distress'. Col. Harry Bond with Prince George's County Police told NBC Washington: 'She forcefully poured the two bottles of what looks to be milk down the baby's mouth, causing her to not be able to breathe, suffocating her, and eventually she died at the hospital.' Prince George's County Police said in a news release: 'On October 24th, at about 4.10pm, the baby had been rushed to a hospital after she became unresponsive at home. The child grew unresponsive 'at her home on Fiske Avenue', WJLA reported, which described Oyindasola as a 'live in nanny' 'She was pronounced dead a short time later. An autopsy on Tuesday revealed the babys cause of death was asphyxiation. The manner of death was ruled a homicide. 'The preliminary investigation revealed the injuries to the baby occurred while in the sole care and custody of Oyindasola.' Oyindasol 'is in the custody of the Department of Corrections,' the release said. Mike Pence shared some sad news on Twitter Wednesday afternoon. 'Heavy hearts today. Our beagle of 13 years passed away quietly last night. Rest In Peace, Maverick. We will miss you,' wrote Pence. He also shared a photo of himself and his wife Karen sitting on their door stoop with Maverick. Sad: Mike Pence revealed on Twitter that his dog Maverick passed away on Tuesday night Family: Mike Pence with his wife, mother, daughter and son and daughter-in-law at the RNC (above) In addition to Maverick, the Pences also have two cats, Pickle and Oreo. The animals were briefly separated from their owners back in 2013 when the Pences, who have three adult children, moved into the Indiana Governor's mansion. Pence is not the only animal lover in this year's race, with Hillary Clinton the proud owner of three dogs - Seamus, Maisie, and Tally. Her running mate, Tim Kaine, has a terrier Gina that his family adopted from the SPCA. It is unclear however if Donald Trump has a dog, with some claiming he has Labrador Spinee, but no photos seem to exist of him and the animal to confirm this claim. Many shared their condolences with pence on Twitter after he posted about his loss, including photos of their own animals who had passed away. '[S]o sorry about the passing of your family pet. 13 years is a good, long life for a & I'm sure he had a great stay on earth,' wrote Fox News host Dana Perino. 'Sincere condolences. Advice: adopt two shelter dogs. You'll be too busy to be consumed by grief, neither will be a "replacement,"' wrote Keith Olberman, a noted foe of Trump. Donald Trump said authorities in Tallahassee, Florida limited the number of fans who could get near the stage on Tuesday because they feared 'a stampede' might result. Backstage at a Charlotte, N.C. theater before delivering a speech on urban renewal, he told a group of African-American faith and community leaders that the response to his proposals for inner cities has been 'unbelievable.' But he said the Tuesday night rally, held outdoors, could have been bigger than it was. 'Last night was something, wasn't it?' he asked. 'You know, they kept 15,000 outside.' 'They actually did this: They said we couldn't allow they allowed 15,000 in. They said, "We're afraid of a stampede".' Scroll down for video Trump told a group of African-American faith and community leaders that the response to his proposals for inner cities has been 'unbelievable' Donald Trump said authorities in Tallahassee, Florida limited the number of fans who could get near the stage on Tuesday because they feared 'a stampede' might result 'Can you imagine? Because there were so many people! If there were a stampede we'd be in trouble. Even out of love!' 'Love can kill too,' the Republican nominee said just before an aide ushered pool reporters back into the theater. Trump told the group that Hillary Clinton is a do-nothing politician who 'has less energy than Jeb Bush' and will pander for votes but leave them in the lurch. She's not going to do anything. She never does anything,' he said. He later called the group 'some of the finest people I've ever met.' Trump said in his speech that Democratic policies in big cities have 'given rise to crippling crime and total violence.' He even cast his signature issue illegal immigration as a problem that 'violates the civil rights of African-Americans.' 'No group has been more economically harmed by decades of illegal immigration,' he argued, citing jobs that go to people who are in the country illegally. And illicit drugs that cross the border from Mexico, Trump claimed, are 'coming into your community, more than any other community.' Trump reserved special scorn for Clinton's proposal to increase admissions of Syrian refugees, saying he see that the program would be canceled and its budget 'reinvested in our inner-cities.' 'It's time to help the American citizens who have become refugees in their own country, he said. People listened as Trump promised 'to help the American citizens who have become refugees in their own country' He also promised trade policies that will result in a return of off-shored jobs to American urban areas, in large part benefiting minorities who live there. 'We're not going to let your jobs be stolen from you anymore,' he vowed. Trump pledged an overall new approach to urban policy, and predicted he would win North Carolina as a result. 'We're going to win Florida too, and we're going to win Ohio, we're going to win Iowa,' he added. Trump said as president he would allow municipal governments to 'seek a federal disaster designation for blighted communities.' That would permit them to apply for money from Washington to replace abandoned buildings and hire additional police. And he pitched the idea of federal assistance to help inner-city minorities with micro-credit to help them start small businesses. Another Trump proposal is a 'tax holidays for inner-city investments' to lure companies back into downtown areas. 'It will be worthwhile. It's called incentive. They will do it!' he predicted. And responding to outrage over police-involved shootings of black suspects, Trump said his administration would foster color-blind policing. The law will be applied fairly, equally and without prejudice,' he said. And then in a nod to the politics that brought him to North Carolina, he promised: 'There will be only one set of rules, not a two-tiered system of justice like you see with Hillary Clinton.' Trump said Clinton and other Democrats had waged an unnecessary 'war on police' to make social-justice arguments on behalf of black communities. But citing the riots that have resulted, he said: 'What's happening is reckless and dangerous, and puts African-American lives at risk.' At one point during Trumps rolling criticism of his Democratic rival, a man in the audience shouted: 'She's useless!' 'See, I'm not allowed to say it,' Trump said after laughter and applause subsided. 'But I'll accept it.' Inviting the man to stand and accept his own applause, he quipped: 'A star is born.' 'Now, if I said that, I would be in big trouble!' Trump closed with a plea to voters to embrace his outsider campaign that has recently roused his pitchforked rabble with a 'Drain the swamp' slogan. 'The vicious cycle of poverty can be broken' with a changing of the guard, he said. 'We must reject the failed elites from Washington who have been wrong about virtually everything for decades.' I'm tired of excuses from our lame politicians. I'm tired of being told that it can't be done,' Trump declared. Riot police were forced to step in as Chelsea and West Ham supporters clashed at the London Stadium tonight - with bottles, seats and coins used as missiles. Tensions boiled over at the end of the EFL Cup tie at the London Stadium, as supporters attempted to burst through the segregation line and stewards forlornly sought to keep them apart. As missiles flew from one set of fans to another, pictures emerged of bottles and seats being thrown by West Ham and Chelsea fans, injuring a number of people. One Chelsea supporter was spotted with a cut on his head after a coin allegedly struck him. Riot police were forced to step in as Chelsea and West Ham supporters clashed at the London Stadium tonight - with bottles, seats and coins used as missiles One Chelsea supporter was spotted with a cut on his head after a coin allegedly struck him The Met Police are searching for the group of West Ham fans responsible for distributing this flyer outside the ground last night which urged supporters to chant homophobic abuse at John Terry - which included the incorrect spelling of Hammer's star Dimitri Payet's name, circled A seat flies through the air as fighting breaks out in the stands in the second half of West Ham United v Chelsea at the London Stadium As a handful of Chelsea fans broke ranks, the response team appeared to panic with dozens of stewards sprinting to the scene. The police seemed irritated by the reaction of the stewards Police are also searching for a group of West Ham fans which were distributing a flyer containing the words of a vile homophobic chant aimed towards Chelsea captain John Terry. A spokesman for the Met told MailOnline: 'Police are aware of an leaflet handed out before the match containing homophobic contents. This will will form part of the post match investigation.' The flyer urged West Ham fans to 'make some f****** noise' as soon as the game started. The document urged: 'Get behind the team from kick off. 'The following song is the same tune as the Dimitri Payet, but ripping into John Terry. 'Let's ALL sing it after Bubbles when the game kicks off tonight.' Much of the chant cannot be repeated as it is highly offensive. West Ham issued a statement within an hour of the game at London Stadium, promising life bans for any culprits identified by CCTV. Manager Slaven Bilic condemned 'unacceptable' behaviour. And the Football Association are sure to launch an investigation after rival fans had to be separated by riot police inside the ground with seats ripped out and hurled, along with bottles and coins. The shameful scenes broke out in the final five minutes of the game as the two sets of supporters appeared to breach the lines of segregation to confront each other. Stewards and riot police raced to the area to quell the tensions but not before seats had been torn out and hurled among supporters while bottles and coins flew overhead. A seat is ripped off and thrown across the divide between West Ham and Chelsea supporters West Ham supporters goad their Chelsea counterparts in the latter stages of the EFL Cup clash West Ham moved into the former Olympic Stadium this season and the opening fixtures have been fraught with crowd issues against Bournemouth, Watford and Middlesbrough in the Premier League. This was the first clash against a major rival and it was the biggest away following yet, with 5,200 Chelsea fans in attendance. Police cannot be stationed inside the stadium until February, owing to the absence of radio system Airwave that allows forces to communicate safely. They can only enter the stadium in the case of crime, as they were as this game descended into violence. West Ham are not directly responsible for the safety planning of the stadium. The ground's owners, the E20 partership (comprised of Newham Council and London Legacy Development Corporation) have leased out the security obligations to a security firm called London Stadium 185. Crowd trouble erupted between rival supporters as missiles were thrown and seats torn up Stewards were forced into drastic action as tensions boiled over towards the end of the game Before this game, the club and the operator had ensured that former Upton Park stewards, who have a greater rapport with West Ham fans, would be positioned in the more volatile areas of the stadium. In a statement on Monday, the stadium stakeholders had also claimed that there are 'categorically not' safety issues at the ground. Sadly, they were proved wrong. And so an evening that began with scuffles between supporters outside the turnstiles therefore ended with damning images of West Ham and Chelsea fans having to be separated by riot police. The first sign of trouble arose outside the entrance for the away fans. At 7.30pm, 15 minutes before kick-off time, a block of several hundred Chelsea supporters arrived at the staircase that leads up to their entrance at turnstile D and a flare-up ensued. A working police officer told Sportsmail: 'A large group of Chelsea fans came all together and they had to be held back at the bottom of the stairs as West Ham supporters were entering just a couple of hundred yards along the way, so they also had to be restrained.' What followed was 15 minutes of scuffles and foul-mouthed arguments. With kick-off approaching, fans became frustrated by the authorities' refusal to let them enter, while police and the response team (stewards appointed by the operators) did not seem on the same wavelength. As a handful of Chelsea fans broke ranks, the response team appeared to panic and they themselves exchanged words with police. Rivals supporters squared up briefly and as hundreds of West Ham and Chelsea fans waited to enter, some home supporters could be seen attempting to climb over turnstiles. Fans shouted at stewards demanding to know who was responsible. Police filmed the angry exchanges and this is unlikely to be the end of the matter. Meanwhile a lady remained sat in a wheelchair, wearing a highly concerned look. Eventually, when alerted to her situation by journalists, the response team helped her in as children looked on distressed by the situation. In the areas where the away supporters entered, the lighting is not good enough, adding to the uncertainty. A Chelsea fan broke through the line of stewards and made his way towards the home section Stewards order the Chelsea supporter to return to the away section as he confronts the fans The Chelsea fan remonstrates with the West Ham supporters during an ugly exchange Before this game, the club and the operator had ensured that former Upton Park stewards, who have a greater rapport with West Ham fans, would be positioned in the more volatile areas of the stadium West Ham fans face up to the Chelsea supporter who had made his way across the divide Stewards battle to keep the two sets of supporters apart on the concourse at the venue Inside the ground,matters actually began fairly well. However, by by half-time, images emerged on social media that claimed a Chelsea fan had suffered a head injury by coins thrown over from the West Ham end. Paramedics are understood to have attended the scene. Then, as West Ham, doubled their lead in the second period, the segregation lines were tested as the rival fans goaded each other and a couple broke onto the red canvas that separated the supporters.The supporters then flooded the zone above the seated areas in the final minutes and only the desperate attempts of riot police and stewards prevented further injuries. A spokesman for Chelsea said: 'The club is extremely disappointed to see the disturbances at the end of tonight's game and we condemn such behaviour. 'We are unable to comment further about tonight's behaviour until the incidents have been investigated.' Bottles, scarves, seats and match day programmes were used as missiles by supporters Crowd trouble has blighted a couple of West Ham's home Premier League games this season An angry fan clashes with the police as West Ham's security crisis deepened on Wednesday There was a high police presence at the London Stadium both inside and around the ground Two lines of stewards separate the West Ham fans and Chelsea fans at the London Stadium West Ham, meanwhile, pledged life bans for those fans found to have participated: 'West Ham United and London Stadium partners unreservedly condemn the behaviour of individuals involved in incidents during this evening's fixture with Chelsea. 'Whilst quickly brought under control, the Club, in line with its clear zero tolerance policy, will work closely with London Stadium 185, the Metropolitan Police Service and Chelsea to identify the individuals involved. 'London Stadium is fitted with a state of the art Panomera CCTV system which provides HD footage of every area of the ground and has led to the successful identification and subsequent banning of 23 individuals already this season. 'Once identified, those found to have acted improperly will be banned from attending any West Ham United fixtures for life and we will request the courts serve banning orders to prevent these individuals attending any other football.' The West Ham fans celebrate with their exuberance directed towards the Chelsea supporters West Ham fans taunt Chelsea supporters during the EFL Cup fourth round match West Ham progressed to the EFL Cup last eight after beating Chelsea 2-1 on Wednesday A terminally ill mother has been given a massive overdose of a painkiller by medical staff at a Perth hospital. Corina Abraham, 39, had just undergone heart surgery at Fiona Stanley Hospital, on Monday when staff made the serious error. The mother-of-two was mistakenly given 10 times the normal amount of Lyrica - a nerve painkiller - after the operation and claims she could have died. Mother Corina Abraham was given 10 times the normal amount of a painkiller by bungling medical staff Ms Abraham, who has end-stage kidney failure and heart disease, was in hospital to have a stent inserted into her heart, 9 News reported. She was given the incorrect dose of the painkiller after the procedure. 'That is a dangerous drug to play around with,' Ms Abraham said. 'And the amount of tablets they gave me, I could've been dead last night.' She said she thought the dosage appeared to be too high, but did not say anything as she was not thinking clearly following the surgery. Ms Abraham, who also has type 2 diabetes, accused the hospital of not taking the matter seriously enough. 'They sort of laughed about it, in a sense. They don't see the importance of that this drug could have killed me,' she said. The mother-of-two was mistakenly given a massive overdose of Lyrica - a nerve painkiller - after the operation and claims she could have died 'You need to check. You need to be sure. Because it's innocent people who suffer, like myself.' An overdose of Lyrica, which is otherwise known as Pregablin, can cause kidney damage, blurred vision and headaches. The hospital has apologised for the overdose and an internal investigation has been launched. However, an official added that Ms Abraham's life was never at risk. 'Taylor Carter, acting executive director of the hospital, said: 'Fiona Stanley Hospital is committed to providing our patients with safe quality care and takes all medication incidents seriously. 'An internal investigation has commenced to enable us to review and learn from this incident and to avoid a re-occurrence. 'We have apologised and remain in close contact with the patient.' Ms Abraham, 39, had just had life-prolonging heart surgery at Fiona Stanley Hospital (pictured), in Perth, on Monday when staff made the serious error The mix-up is not the first to happen at Fiona Stanley Hospital. In August, a 60-year-old man died after a nurse allegedly gave him a massive dose of medicine that caused his blood pressure to skyrocket. The man was allegedly given dangerous amounts of blood pressure drug noradrenaline by a nurse, causing 'catastrophic' brain bleeding. After those allegations surfaced, the mother of a five-year-old girl revealed that a doctor at the hospital accidentally poisoned her daughter. The girl had magnesium sulphate injected into her instead of an anaesthetic as she had a leg wound stitched up, Perth Now reported. Fallon's drinking made headlines last year after he suffered three injuries within five months during or after alleged nights out A Fallon insider also shot down rumors he was 'insanely jealous' of Late Late Show host and Carpool Karaoke star James Corden Greenblatt said no warning of any kind was given to the Tonight Show host NBC Chairman Bob Greenblatt said any suggestions the network was worried about Fallon's behavior were 'completely false' As the rumor mill continues to swirl around his drinking habits, Jimmy Fallon was all smiles in Manhattan on Wednesday. The late-night host seemed less than fazed by new reports claiming NBC executives had warned him to cut back his boozing. Fallon looked dapper in khaki slacks and a navy blue toggle coat to fight the autumn chill as he clutched his briefcase on the way to work at the The Tonight Show. On Tuesday NBC flat-out denied a Page Six report that executives had feared Fallon's alcohol habits had become 'out of control'. As the rumor mill continues to swirl about his drinking habits, Jimmy Fallon was all smiles in Manhattan on Wednesday as he made his way to work at The Tonight Show The late-night host seemed less than fazed by reports claiming NBC executives had warned him to cut back his boozing and were worried 'something might happen to him' An insider told the site that higher-ups at the network feared that something 'could happen' to Fallon 'while he's out drinking'. But the Peacock Network was quick to release a denial, and a Fallon source told Daily Mail Online that things have never been better for his show. 'Any suggestion that we have concerns about his behavior or have given him any kind of "warning" is completely false,' NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt said in a statement. 'Jimmy Fallon is one of NBC's biggest assets and we're extremely proud that The Tonight Show continues to be the late-night leader in all metrics, including ratings and social media awareness.' Greenblatt said Fallon was in a 'class by himself' and had been chosen to host the upcoming Golden Globes in January. The Fallon insider also shot down rumors that the host was 'insanely jealous' of Late Late Show host James Corden. Sources told Page Six that a few of Fallon's 'key staff members' had left to work for the Carpool Karaoke star at CBS. 'There's been some upheaval, and Jimmy hasn't handled it well,' the source claimed. 'He's at the top of his game, but he's insecure.' NBC flat-out denied a Page Six report that executives had feared Fallon's alcohol habits had become 'out of control'. Fallon is pictured here with Ethan Hawke on Tuesday's episode An insider told the site that higher-ups at the network feared that something 'could happen' to Fallon 'while he's out drinking'. Fallon is pictured with Katie Couric in 2013 Fallon's drinking made national headlines early last year after he injured himself three times within five months in 2015 - most seriously hurting his left ring finger (pictured July 2015) The Tonight Show host nearly severed his finger when his wedding band caught on a table at his home in June 2015 and nearly ripped it off. He had to take two weeks off from work But the insider told Daily Mail Online that there was only 'respect and positive feelings' between Fallon and Corden and the 'manufactured rumors of competitiveness didn't make any sense'. The hard numbers seem to point to that. Fallon has dominated his 11.35pm time slot, pulling in an average of 3.43 million viewers earlier this month. Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel, who share the same slot, by comparison have pulled 2.75 million and 2.24 million viewers respectively. Corden, who is in the 12.35am slot and does not directly compete with Fallon, received an average of 1.31 million viewers, according to the Nielsen Ratings. Fallon's drinking habits made national headlines early last year after he injured himself three times within five months in 2015. The Tonight Show host nearly severed his finger when his wedding band caught on a table at his home in June 2015 and nearly ripped it off. Fallon spent 10 days in the ICU and had to take two weeks off from his top-rated show during his recovery. Hours before the injury, Fallon had been seen dining and sipping on wine at the Italian restaurant Scalinatella in Manhattan's Upper East Side. Just eight weeks after he nearly lost his finger, Fallon revealed to his fans that he had chipped a tooth while grabbing medication for his hand. Close call: Fallon almost lost his ring finger in June of last year (left) and then in October of 2015, Fallon injured his other hand (right) and had to be rushed to the hospital after he fell on broken glass during a Harvard University appearance Painful: Jimmy shows off his injured ring finger on the red carpet of the Emmys Swollen: Fallon demonstrates to the interviewer how close he came to losing his finger Fallon has become beloved for subjecting celebrities to countless drinking games on his lighthearted late-night show (pictured with Fergie in 2012) Then in October, Fallon injured his other hand and had to be rushed to the hospital after he fell on broken glass during a Harvard University appearance. Fallon had been holding a bottle of Jagermeister and greeting fans when he tripped over a woman who had bent down in front of him at a party, causing him to fall and land on the broken glass. He was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital, but soon returned to the Cambridge event, where Instagram photos showed he continued partying with his hand wrapped in bandages. Fallon later shared a picture of the injury with his fans, writing: 'Nothing that a few Band-Aids couldn't fix.' Most recently, Fallon was seen partying with his show's staff at a punk bar in Manhattan following the first presidential debate in September. Sources told the New York Post that Fallon was 'very drunk' during the outing at Manitoba's Bar in the East Village neighborhood. Page Six claims the recent partying had sparked new concerns among the higher-ups at NBC. One Fallon source told the site that the late-night host is a 'heavy drinker' who 'sees himself as somebody who needs image rehabilitation'. But another friend said Fallon, a father-of-two, has 'cut back on his drinking'. Last year NBC extended the host's Tonight Show contract to 2021 and announced a Universal Orlando ride based on Fallon's show, dubbed 'Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon', would open in 2017. Hundreds and thousands of Iraqi troops supported by Kurdish Peshmerga soldiers are slowly moving towards Mosul. The second largest city in Iraq, Mosul is a prize worth fighting for, and it's no surprise that the Islamic State wants to put up a tough resistance to maintain its hold. But the odd are heavily tipped against it. The attack was launched last Monday. So far the real battle has not started, as both Iraqi troops and Peshmerga soldiers are capturing some key surrounding towns and areas before launching the final assault. The Americans are providing technical assistance as well as air cover. According to various estimates, the Islamic State has between 5,000 to 10,000 fighters in Mosul. They are up against more than 100,000 troops. The sheer difference in size between the two sides and the kinds of weapons and other resources being used make it an unbalanced match-up. But rebels have proven to be tough, bitter fighters in the past. So, it can be predicted that the fight for Mosul will be ferocious and will go on for some weeks before the city is completely retaken. I can here cite the example of Pakistani troops trying to get back control of the northwestern district of Swat from Taliban militants. The picturesque region had fallen to rebels led by Maulana Fazlullah in 2007. He set up road check post and started harassing police and other state functionaries. Within months, he usurped power and virtually set up a parallel administration. The Pakistani army was forced to launch an operation towards the end of 2007 to regain control from rebels, but the operation was not successful. It was halted after some weeks. The Taliban declared it as a victory and started implementing Sharia law and expanding its influence to neighboring districts. Another operation was launched by the army in the first quarter of 2009. The rebels put up a brave fight, holding back the army for weeks before they slowly started receding. They were expelled after about three months of fighting, but it took a couple of more years to create peace. Mosul is not as difficult as Swat - a mountainous and thickly forested area with deep ravines that serve best in guerilla warfare. But the Iraqi army is also not a strong fighting force like Pakistani military. Although American technology, weapons and air power are available, they can hardly help in urban warfare where committed militants like those of the Islamic State can give a bloody house to house fight. Also, do not forget their suicide bombers and vehicles rigged with explosives. I think the Iraqis should show patience since they have the advantage in their hands. They have the luxury of setting the time and place of attack. With its limited manpower, let the Islamic State wait. The rebels would get itchy, expecting the opponents to come fast in the city and fight on the streets and squares. They might not challenge the government troops in the open, which would expose them to American precision bombing from air. Tightening the noose by cutting of the city from the periphery will be morale sapping for the defenders. But it should be kept in mind that about 1.5 million civilians are still living in Mosul. A prolonged siege would create a shortage of essential food supplies, and the Iraqis might lose the sympathy of the city's residents. Hence, they should try to finish the job within three to four weeks, which will not be easy, as more than a week has already passed. The tactics of Iraqi army and Peshmergs will also be tested. They should try to save the civilians. It is something which is totally missing in Syria, where the focus is to win back a town or city with scant concern about civilian deaths. I will again cite here Pakistan army's operation in Swat. General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani, the army chief of Pakistan at that time, had ordered that maximum efforts should be made to save civilians. So infantry troops were put in the lead and artillery fire was restricted during key battles. The downside of the policy was that army suffered more deaths. But the brave soldiers, while offering the ultimate sacrifice, were able to save countless civilian lives. Another technique used by Pakistan was to create safety corridors to let the civilians flee to temporary camps. At the end of the operation, they were sent back and resettled. Thus, the government won the good will of even those who previously had supported the Taliban. That is why today Swat is peaceful and there is zero chance of militants staging a comeback. Sajjad Malik is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/SajjadMalik.htm Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. A cheerful Megyn Kelly was photographed heading out of her apartment and into a waiting car on her way in to work on Wednesday afternoon. The popular host of The Kelly File is set to tape her first show since Newt Gingrich attacked her on Tuesday night's program, shouting at one point that Kelly was 'fascinated with sex.' Also seen leaving the apartment on Wednesday was Kelly's husband, novelist Douglas Brunt. Kelly was later seen arriving at Fox News headquarters, where she was quickly escorted inside by security. Hours earlier, Donald Trump very publicly showed his support for Gingrich while speaking at the opening of his newest hotel in Washington DC on Wednesday afternoon. 'By the way, congratulations Newt on last night. That was amazing.' He then added: 'We don't play games Newt? We don't play games.' Fox News is apparently not so happy with Gingrich however, with The Wrap reporting that a source said the former Speaker of the House was cancelled from a planned appearance on Fox and Friends Wednesday morning after his antics. Gingrich will be appearing on the Fox News show Hannity Wednesday night though, as well as Lou Dobbs Tonight on Fox Business Network. Scroll down for video The show must go on: Megyn Kelly was spotted for the first time since she was attacked by Newt Gingrich as she left her apartment and headed into work Wednesday Things to do: The host of The Kelly File was escorted by security into Fox News headquarters as she prepared to tape her show Frenemies: On Wednesday afternoon, Donald Trump applauded Newt Gingrich for attacking Kelly on her show, saying he was 'amazing' Gingrich tweeted about the interview on Wednesday afternoon, doubling down on his criticisms of Kelly. ' For the record, @MegynKelly was wrong, i don't have anger management issues. I do have media bias issues!' wrote Gingrich on Twitter. Kelly is also being attacked by two of the women who have accused Bill Clinton of sexual misconduct in the wake of her on-air showdown with Newt Gingrich on Tuesday night. Paula Jones and Juanita Broaddrick both posted comments questioning Kelly's journalistic integrity and mocking her physical appearance on their Twitter accounts after the Fox News host's interview with Gingrich. 'Beauty is only skin deep. Megyn Kelly is ugly as hell on the inside,' wrote Broaddrick in one tweet. Broaddrick then retweeted a comment on Wednesday morning that read: Appears @megynkelly is putting ego before a career & country. Megyn Kelly is a journalist like Charlie Manson is a humanitarian. #Newt.' The tweet also featured a photoshopped image on Kelly in black lingerie. And she also retweeted a man who wrote: 'Megyn Kelly and Shep Smith donated to Hillary via associates. $70,000 each.' That individual did not provide any evidence or site a source explaining where he got that information, which Broaddrick responded to by writing: 'Yeah she's fair and balanced. Change your slogan FOX.' Jones meanwhile posted a link to a video of the interview between Kelly and Gingrich on her Twitter account, writing: 'Woohoo, he slammed this nasty heifer!' She later deleted that tweet. On the go: Kelly has yet to comment on Gingrich's comments about her, which he made when she spoke about Trump's sexual assault accusers Cool customer: Kelly remained calm and collected throughout Gingrich's attack on her Tuesday Things to do: Kelly has an all-star lineup for her show on Wednesday as she welcomes Karl Rove and Grammy winner Sheryl Crow Happy guy: 'By the way, congratulations Newt on last night. That was amazing,' said Trump on Wednesday Jones also took some time to engage with people on Twitter after the interview. One woman responded to Jones 'heifer' tweet by writing: 'U undermine your credibility when u call @MegynKelly names & cheer on someone who attacks her for believing assault victims.' Jones replied to the woman by writing: 'wrong....she only believes the so called trump victims....hypocrite!' Another individual said to Jones: 'If Paula's feelings are hurt from being called a "Bimbo" why is she calling another woman "heifer"?' She responded to that tweet by writing: 'oh so it's bad now that I've called someone name...hypocrite.' Jones then posted a tweet that read: 'Lets get this straight...Megyn Kelly isn't for all women...she hates Trump, so she's only for those so called victims! NEVER for me!' She followed that up with a link to the interview, retweeting the Twitter account MAGS for MAGA, who wrote: 'KELLY DESTROYED @MegynKelly gets smashed on the #kellyfile by @NewtGingrich.' Both Jones and Broaddrick have taken issue with Kelly in the past few weeks after comments she made about their allegations against Clinton. Broaddrick claims that in 1978 she was raped by Clinton in an Arkansas hotel room when he was serving as Attorney General of the state. She also claims that three weeks after the alleged rape Hillary Clinton thanked her at a campaign event and voiced her appreciation for everything she had done, which Broaddrick has stated she interpreted to be a warning to keep quiet. The Clintons have never commented in these allegations, but Bill's lawyer did deny there was any truth to the Broaddrick's claims when she shared her story in a 1999 interview. Heading out: Earlier in the day Kelly's novelist husband Douglas Brunt (above) was also spotted exiting the apartment Keeping to himself: Brunt busied himself on his cell phone as he crossed the street Broaddrick voiced her anger at Kelly earlier this month following a comment the Fox News host made while interviewing Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway after the second debate. While speaking with Conway about the decision by the Trump campaign to bring Broaddrick to the debate, Kelly pointed out that Broaddrick signed an affidavit in January 1998 denying that she was ever raped by Bill. Broaddrick interpreted this as Kelly calling her a liar, and posted a link to a story criticizing Kelly's comment. Jones, a former Arkansas state worker who was the most well known of Bill's accusers prior to Monica Lewinsky, alleged that in 1991 Bill propositioned her and then exposed himself, becoming embarrassed and rushing out of the room when she rejected his alleged advances. She filed a sexual harassment lawsuit that Bill's lawyers were unable to get dismissed, and in November 1998 he paid Jones $850,000 to settle the case. Jones has been interviewed by Kelly in the past, appearing on America's Newsroom in 2008, but took issue with a comment she made on The Kelly File earlier this month about her settlement. 'The Paula Jones settlement to me sounds like a nuisance value settlement. He paid her $850,000 with the vast majority was legal fees. Only $200 went to her,' said Kelly during a segment where she spoke about some of Clinton's accusers. In that same segment she also spoke about Broaddrick, making it clear she did not think the woman was a liar. 'Yeah, both Kathleen Willey and Juanita Broaddrick refused to come forward for some time publicly and then denied that he had done anything to them for some period of time,' said Kelly. 'That however doesn't account for the fact they may have been intimidated, he was a man of power, they may have been reluctant to do so.' Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com Not happy: Juanita Broaddrick (above on October 9 at the second presidential debate) and Paula Jones attacked Megyn Kelly on Twitter after the Fox News host's bizarre interview with Newt Gingrich Harsh: 'Beauty is only skin deep. Megyn Kelly is ugly as hell on the inside,' wrote Broaddrick in one tweet Big money: Jones settled a sexual harassment lawsuit against Bill Clinton in 1998 for $850,000 Gingrich was appearing on The Kelly File to discuss the state of the race on Tuesday and became visibly annoyed early on in the segment when Kelly brought up the fact that Trump's numbers are so low that some polls are predicting that Republicans could lose their majority in the Senate. The former Speaker of the House argued this was not the case, telling Kelly: 'Republicans are actually out-voting Democrats in Florida, and theyre out-voting Democrats in Pennsylvania.' GINGRICH ON KELLY FILE Megyn Kelly: If Trump is a sexual predator... Newt Gingrich: He's not a sexual predator. MK: Okay. That is your opinion. NG: You could not defend that statement. I'm sick and tired of people like you using language that's inflammatory, that's not true. MK: Excuse me, Mr. Speaker, you have no idea whether it's true or not. NG: Neither do you. MK: That is right. And I'm not taking a position on it unlike you. NG: When you used the word you took a position and I think it's very unfair of you to do that, Megyn. I think that is exactly the bias people are upset by. MK: I think that your defensiveness on this may speak volumes sir. NG: No. Let me just suggest to you... MK: No, no, no, let me make my point and now I'll give you the floor. What I said is if Trump is a sexual predator, then it's a big story. And what we saw on that tape was Trump himself saying that he likes to grab women by the genitals and kiss them against their will. That is what we saw. And then we saw ten women come forward after he denied actually doing it at a debate to say that was untrue, he did it to me, he did it to me, we saw reporters, we saw people who worked with him. People from Apprentice and so on and so forth. He denies it all. Which is his right. We don't know what the truth is. My point to you is as a media story, we don't get to say the ten women are lying. We have to cover that story, sir. NG: Sure. Okay. So it's worth 23 minutes of the three networks to cover that story and Hillary Clinton had a secret speech in Brazil to a bank that paid her 225,000 saying her dream as an open border where 600million people could come to America, that is not worth covering. MK: That is worth covering and we did. NG: - the tapes of your show recently, you are fascinated with sex and you don't care about public policy. MK: Me, really? NG: That's what I get out of watching you tonight Advertisement Trump is now leading Clinton by two points in Florida according to a new Bloomberg poll and Republicans are in fact out-voting Democrats in that state as of Tuesday morning according to Politico, but it is unclear where Gingrich is getting his information about Pennsylvania as the state does not have early voting. Kelly responded to this by pointing out to Gingrich that most polls, including ones released by Fox News, show Trump trailing Clinton in several key battleground states. 'Theyre not non-partisan outlets. Every outlet you described is part of the establishment,' replied Gingrich. Kelly quickly shot back at Gingrich: 'Fox News? Really, are we? I dont think so.' She then switched subjects and began to talk about the setbacks Trump's campaign has been dealing with over the past month, starting with his weak performance at the first debate and the damaging mention of former beauty queen Alicia Machado, who he insulted for gaining weight. Kelly also spoke of the now infamous 2005 Access Hollywood hot mic audio that was released earlier this month in which Trump was caught bragging about sexually assaulting women and detailed his attempt to bed a married woman. Gingrich responded to this by calling the media bias against Trump, implying that the coverage of these incidents was unfair and stating that outlets were ignoring Hillary Clinton's recent scandals. Kelly then interjected: 'If Donald Trump is a sexual predator...' That statement immediately sent Gingrich into a rage, and he screamed at Kelly: 'I'm sick and tired of people like you, using language that's inflammatory, that's not true.' He then added: 'When you use the words, you took a position. And I think its very unfair of you to do that, Megyn! I think that is exactly the bias that people are upset by.' Kelly then calmly said to Gingrich: 'Your defensiveness on this may speak volumes, sir.' She went on to say: 'He denies it all, which is his right. We don't know what the truth is. 'My point to you is, as a media story, we don't get to say, 10 women are lying. We have to cover that story, sir.' Kelly also repeated what she had said earlier to make it clear that the claims of these women were only allegations, telling Gingrich: 'What I said is if Trump is a sexual predator, then it's a big story.' Saying his piece: Gingrich responded to the controversy on Twitter Wednesday (above), again criticizing Kelly Not happy: Newt Gingrich (right) exploded at Megyn Kelly (left) and accused her of being 'fascinated with sex' in a stunning confrontation on the Kelly File Tuesday night Too far?: Broaddrick also tweeted a comment comparing Kelly to Charles Manson which included a photoshopped picture of her in lingerie Gingrich then suggested that the media was not paying enough attention to Clinton's paid speech about dreaming of a 'common market with open trade and open borders,' which was included in the hacked emails of campaign manager John Podesta and published on Wikileaks. Kelly replied to that claim by saying: 'That is worth covering. And we did.' Gingrich, who looked both angry and frustrated by this point, then shouted at Kelly: 'I mean, you want to go back through the tapes of your show recently, you are fascinated with sex, and you dont care about public policy.' The Fox News anchor responded by laughing at Gingrich's insult, and asking him: 'Who, me?' She then once again tried to steer the discussion back to the accusations surrounding Trump. 'Mr. Speaker, I'm not fascinated by sex, I am fascinated by the projection of women and understanding what we're getting in the Oval Office,' said Kelly. Gingrich at that point choose to start attacking former president Bill Clinton, and in another outburst said to Kelly: 'Use the words, Bill Clinton, sexual predator. I dare you. Say Bill Clinton, sexual predator.' Kelly attempted to jump in and respond to Gingrich's claim, repeatedly saying 'Excuse me' before finally explaining that her show had also explored allegations of sexual assault surrounding the former president. She then told Gingrich: 'But he's not on the ticket. The polls also show that the public is less interested in the deeds of Hillary Clinton's husband, than they are in the deeds of a man who asks us to make him president, Donald Trump. 'We're going to have to leave it at that, and you're going to have to take your anger issues and spend some time working on them, Mr. Speaker,' said Kelly to close out the interview. Gingrich had been a paid Fox News commentator until July of this year, when he was released from his contract while Trump was considering him as a possible pick for vice president. The greatest spy character in fiction, James Bond, would never get a job in the real-life MI6, the head of the ultra-secretive agency said. Alex Younger, the chief of the Secret Intelligence Service, admitted 007s life of hand-to-hand combat and serial romances with the worlds most beautiful women was perhaps not quite as realistic as some may hope to believe. Ian Flemings rash and rebellious character would be rejected by todays intelligence service, said Mr Younger. The greatest spy character in fiction, James Bond, played here by Roger Moore in Live and Let Die (1973) would never get a job in the real-life MI6, the head of the ultra-secretive agency said last night Alex Younger, the chief of the Secret Intelligence Service, admitted Daniel Craig's 007s life of hand-to-hand combat and serial romances with the worlds most beautiful women was perhaps not quite as realistic as some may hope to believe Ian Flemings rash and rebellious character would be rejected by todays intelligence service, said Mr Younger In contrast to James Bond, MI6 officers are not for taking moral shortcuts, the head of MI6 said. In fact, a strong ethical core is one of the first qualities we look for in our staff. Its safe to say that James Bond wouldnt get through our recruitment process and, whilst we share his qualities of patriotism, energy and tenacity, an intelligence officer in the real MI6 has a high degree of emotional intelligence, values teamwork and always has respect for the law - unlike Mr Bond. Speaking in a rare question and answer session Mr Younger, traditionally known as C within MI6 circles, added: We know that if we undermine British values, even in the name of defending them, then we have failed. Our staff are not from another planet. They are ordinary men and women operating in the face of complex moral, ethical and physical challenges, often in the most forbidding environments on earth. Although the Secret Intelligence Service is necessarily mysterious the stereotypical qualities many assume will be necessary for a career in spying couldnt be further from the truth, Mr Younger said, like the alcohol consumed by Daniel Craig as Bond in Skyfall (2012) Although the Secret Intelligence Service is necessarily mysterious the stereotypical qualities many assume will be necessary for a career in spying couldnt be further from the truth, Mr Younger said. He told the Black History Month website: My ultimate goal is for more people to consider a career in MI6 and to get rid of the myth that its all about having studied at Oxford or Cambridge or having advanced hand-to-hand combat skills, he added. That stereotype really couldnt be further from the truth. What is true is that our work at MI6 is exciting, intellectually challenging and it matters. We are Britains secret frontline, operating upstream in the shadows to keep our friends, families and fellow countrymen and women safe. They may not be All Blacks quite yet, but that didn't stop these children from welcoming Olympic champion Valerie Adams to their school in style. Dozens of pupils from Henry Hill School, near Hastings, New Zealand, were filmed performing a Haka for Adams as she came to speak with them about success. Adams, who won gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics for shot put, watched in amazement as she was greeted with a traditional Maori war dance. Valerie Adams was given a hero's welcome by children at Henry Hill School in New Zealand as they performed a haka for her visit Principal Jason Williams persuaded Adams to return to the school to inspire children with her can-do attitude. The shot putter already helps inspire the children each day thanks to a mural of herself alongside wrestlers Hulk Hogan and John Cena painted on a school building. The trio, who were painted by local graffiti artist Dallas Halbert, appear underneath the slogan 'Patience, Perseverance, Responsibility'. Adams was invited to the school by the principal who had a mural of her painted on one of the walls as an inspiration to the children Adams, who has won two Olympic gold medals, said she was 'humbled' to see herself on the walls, and told the children they could achieve anything they set their minds to Admiring the artwork, Adams told Stuff: 'I like my biceps!' She added: 'I was actually quite humbled by it because this is a small school in Napier. Advertisement Russia's military escalation on Europe's border has triggered the West's biggest show of force in the region since the Cold War as Nato continues to square up to Vladimir Putin. Britain is to deploy troops, tanks and jets to Estonia to deter Russian aggression while UK and Romanian forces will also join a US battalion in Poland. As part of the biggest military build-up in Eastern Europe since the Cold War, RAF planes are also being dispatched to patrol Romanian airspace for the first time. The moves are designed to stop Moscow taking over or undermining its former Eastern European satellites as it has with Crimea and Ukraine. The US is hoping for European nations to fill four battle groups of some 4,000 troops as part of Nato's response to Russia. More troops will be sent to the Baltic states and eastern Poland early next year. They will be backed by Nato's 40,000-strong rapid reaction force. France, Denmark, Italy and other allies are expected to join the four battle groups led by the United States, Germany, Britain and Canada to go to Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, with forces ranging from armoured infantry to drones. It comes after Russia unveiled pictures of its largest ever nuclear missile Satan 2 which is capable of obliterating the UK. The UK is sending 800 troops to Estonia as part of a Nato reaction to Russian aggression in Eastern Europe, with both sides increasing their military capability in eastern Europe in the biggest military build-up since the Cold War Yesterday, Putin also reportedly launched an RS-18 ballistic missile, understood to be a test to see if it could defeat US defence systems. And today, 130 military centres were put on high alert in Russia and six surrounding countries for drills on the region's ability to respond to attacks from the West. In other developments: Vladimir Putin upgraded the firepower of his Baltic Fleet with more ships and missiles; 40million Russians took part in four days of nuclear defence drills; Spain cancelled plans to refuel Russian vessels heading for Syria. Several Nato states, including Estonia, fear they could be next on President Putin's hit list. And fellow members, including the UK, have a legal duty to defend them. The alliance's build-up will see 800 UK troops deployed to Estonia for six months from May. They will be relieved by soldiers from another Nato nation to keep up a continuous presence. Sir Michael Fallon said the British mission would incorporate Challenger 2 tanks, Warrior vehicles and hand-held drones. Britain is sending tanks, drones and 800 troops to Estonia as part of the biggest military build-up on Russia's borders since the Cold War. Russian president Vladimir Putin is pictured in the Black Sea resort of Yalta yesterday The Royal Navy was placed on red alert last week after it emerged Russia was sailing a fleet of warships along the British coast en route to Syria British Royal Navy type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan is pictured with its Wildcat helicopter as it shadows the Russian Carrier Task Group in the English Channel last week Speaking at Nato headquarters in Brussels, the Defence Secretary added: 'This is Britain stepping up in Nato, beefing up the reassurance that we are able to offer. 'Although we are leaving the European Union, we will be doing more to help secure the eastern and southern flanks of Nato.' An MoD spokesman added: 'The UK is stepping up its package of measures to support its allies in Europe, in the face of a more assertive Russia.' Tensions between Russia and the West have escalated due to Moscow's indiscriminate bombing of civilians in Aleppo. President Putin sent a fleet of eight Russian warships through the English Channel to assist the assault on the besieged Syrian city. But yesterday, following pressure from its Nato allies, Spain withdrew permission for the ships to refuel because Moscow was unable to pledge the vessels would not be used to bomb Syria. Lev Gudkov, head of the Russian polling group Levada-Center, said most of his countrymen 'believe that the Third World War has begun'. Pictures have emerged showing how the Kremlin completed a nuclear drill for 40 million citizens France, Denmark, Italy and other allies are expected to join the four battle groups led by the United States, Germany, Britain and Canada to go to Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, with forces ranging from armoured infantry to drones He added: 'Right now we are still in the cold phase of the war, which may or may not turn into a hot war.' Footage emerged yesterday of Russian emergency workers wearing protective suits and gas masks as part of their doomsday exercise the biggest in decades. Mr Putin has demanded sufficient bomb shelters to protect the entire population of Moscow. The arrival of extra Russian warships in the Baltic last night sparked concern among Nato members. A Russian newspaper cited a military source saying the Serpukhov and the Zeleny Dol were the first of five vessels to be deployed. They are to form a new division in Kaliningrad, a Russian enclave sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania. Another source said the vessels were armed with Kalibr long-range cruise missiles. 'The fleet's potential targeting range will be significantly expanded in the northern European military theatre,' the source told Interfax. Rockets point towards the sky during the 2016 Army Games, an international event organised by the Russian Defense Ministry A fortnight ago, Hillary Clinton launched an open attack on Russia in a presidential debate, saying Vladimir Putin wants Trump to win and accused the regime of 'war crimes' in Syria Russia's defence ministry, which said earlier this month the two ships were en route to the Mediterranean, did not respond to a request for comment. Nato and the Swedish military confirmed the two warships had entered the Baltic. 'Nato navies are monitoring this activity near our borders,' said Dylan White, the alliance's spokesman. The cruise missiles on the Buyan-M class corvettes are known by the Nato code name Sizzler. The Russian military says they have a range of at least 900 miles. Though variants of the missile are capable of carrying nuclear warheads, the ships are believed to be carrying conventional warheads. 'The addition of Kalibr missiles would increase the strike range not just of the Baltic Fleet, but of Russian forces in the Baltic region, fivefold,' said Ben Nimmo, a defence analyst. He said the Baltic Fleet's coastal defences would also be beefed up with Bastion and Bal land-based missile systems. SPAIN SHUTS OUT RUSSIA: PLANS TO REFUEL PUTIN'S WARSHIPS CANCELLED Spain last night cancelled plans to refuel Russian warships heading for Syria after Britain warned it would have civilian lives 'on its conscience'. The Russian flotilla led by the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov had been expected to take on fuel and supplies tomorrow at the port of Ceuta, a Spanish territory on the north coast of Africa. But officials in Madrid yesterday said Russia had withdrawn its request amid mounting pressure on the government to cancel the stop. Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon had warned Britain would be 'extremely concerned' if a Nato member assisted a carrier group that later carried out attacks on Syrian civilians. Speaking in Brussels, where Nato defence ministers are meeting, Sir Michael said: 'Our concern is that any Nato member should consider assisting a Russian carrier group that is heading for Syria and might end up bombing Syrian civilians. 'That clearly wouldn't be right and runs counter to the solidarity of Nato. Eight of Vladimir Putin's warships were expected to take on fuel and supplies from the Spanish port of Cueta this week 'If that carrier group heads down to the eastern Mediterranean, as Moscow has announced, and then gets involved in striking in Syria and bombing civilians then that will be on Madrid's conscience.' Last night Spain said it had withdrawn its permission for the refuelling after Russia was unable to pledge that the warships would not be used to launch bomb attacks in Syria. It is not known where the boats will now take on fuel. Greece, another Nato member, and Malta, which is part of the EU but not Nato, have previously allowed Russian navy ships to use their ports. Last week Royal Navy vessels monitored the flotilla as it moved through the English Channel. The fleet was shadowed by the Navy as it passed through the Dover Strait. Spain, a Nato member, regularly allows Russian warships to stop in Ceuta, which faces the British territory of Gibraltar on Spain's southern tip. But Nato said the prospect of Russia's only aircraft carrier heading to the region did not 'inspire confidence' that Moscow is seeking a political solution to the Syrian crisis. Advertisement Sweden's defence minister said his country was worried by the presence of the warships in the Baltic. He said the move was likely to keep tensions in the region high. 'This is worrying and is not something that helps to reduce tensions in our region,' said Peter Hultqvist. Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said he was concerned by the Iskander ballistic missiles deployed in the Kaliningrad region earlier this month. The UK force in Estonia will be joined by French and Danish companies. At least two RAF Typhoons will be sent from RAF Coningsby to the Black Sea region for four months as part of an air policing mission over Romania. And a 28-strong team will go to Kosovo to provide reassurance in the Western Balkans and troops will be dispatched to Poland next year. Russia has unveiled chilling pictures of its largest ever nuclear missile, capable of destroying an area the size of France. A contract for the weapons was signed in 2011, and they are expected to be ready in 2018 Each missile contains 16 nuclear warheads, according to pictures revealed online from the Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau. It is also able to evade radar. The Russian flotilla led by the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov had been expected to take on fuel and supplies tomorrow in Ceuta, a Spanish territory in Africa. But officials in Madrid yesterday said Russia had withdrawn its request amid mounting pressure. Sir Michael had warned Britain would be 'extremely concerned' if a Nato member assisted a carrier group that later carried out attacks on Syrian civilians. Earlier this week, Russia unveiled chilling pictures of its largest ever nuclear missile, capable of destroying an area the size of France. The RS-28 Sarmat missile, dubbed Satan 2 by Nato, has a top speed of 4.3 miles (7km) per second and has been designed to outfox anti-missile shield systems. The new Sarmat missile could deliver warheads of 40 megatons - 2,000 times as powerful as the atom bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. The Russian President is reportedly planning to replace the country's older SS-18 Satan weapons with the new missiles amid a string of recent disagreements with the West. The tests are the latest in a line of policies and incidents carried out by Putin to antagonise the West. Western leaders have been quick to slap him down and accuse him of war-mongering. A fortnight ago, Hillary Clinton launched an open attack on Russia in a presidential debate, saying Vladimir Putin wants Trump to win and accused the regime of 'war crimes' in Syria. British soldiers will be by sent to Estonia in the spring and will be joined by forces from Denmark and France, according to Defence Secretary Michael Fallon (pictured) Clinton went on the offensive during the combative head-to-head showdown, apparently riled after she fell victim to leaks which she attributed to Russian hackers. In some of her strongest words yet aimed at Russian President Putin, Clinton rebuked the country for its bombing of Aleppo, home to some 250,000 people. 'There is a determined effort by the Russian air force to destroy Aleppo in order to eliminate the last of the Syrian rebels who are really holding out against the Assad regime,' she told the crowd. 'Russia hasn't paid any attention to ISIS. They're interested in keeping Assad in power,' she went on. 'I do support the effort to investigate for crimes - war crimes - committed by the Syrians and the Russians, and try to hold them accountable,' she told the crowd. She also alleged that Russia wanted to see Trump in power rather than her. 'But I want to emphasise that what is at stake here is the ambitions and the aggressiveness of Russia,' she said. 'Russia has decided that it's all in in Syria, and they've also decided who they want to see become president of the United States too - and it's not me.' The FBI said in July that it was looking into the hacking of the Democratic National Committee computer system, after WikiLeaks published nearly 20,000 internal emails on the eve of the party's convention. The White House and the Kremlin have been at loggerheads for weeks over the Syrian civil war with the US backing rebel groups attempting to overthrow the government and Putin supporting President Assad At the debate the subject of Russian hacks also came up in a separate voter question about a WikiLeaks document published earlier this month, which showed that Clinton allegedly said in a Wall Street speech that 'you need both a public and a private position on certain issues.' Clinton went on to blame the leak on Russian meddling, saying: 'We have never, in the history of our country, been in a situation where an adversary, a foreign power, is working so hard to influence the outcome of the election.' The recent criticism has clearly rubbed Putin up the wrong way, who reacted today by saying: 'If somebody out there wants confrontation this is not our choice but this means that there will be problems,' according to The Mirror. The White House and the Kremlin have been at loggerheads for weeks over the Syrian civil war with the US backing rebel groups attempting to overthrow the government and Putin supporting President Assad. Both have accused each other of air strikes on aid convoys and civilians. Though the Russian military said Tuesday the weeklong halt of Russian and Syrian air strikes on the besieged city of Aleppo will continue and humanitarian corridors will remain open even as the Syrian army has unleashed a new offensive on the rebel-held neighborhoods. As well as a bulging stock of nuclear missiles in Russia itself, Putin is looking to flex his muscles around the world. Russia is considering reopening military bases in Vietnam and Cuba as Putin looks to assert his army's presence around the world. Samples from the birds found harmful pesticide Carbofuran The incident was reported to police in Xilingol league on October 19 233 swans were discovered in Inner Mongolia Hundreds of swans have been found dead in northern China with claims that the could have been killed by poachers. Some 233 swans were discovered at the lake in Inner Mongolia with the incident reported to police on October 19, reports the People's Daily Online. Carbofuran, a pesticide was detected in samples taken from the dead birds. Tragic: Some 233 swans were discovered at a lake in China's Inner Mongolia region The birds were removed from the water by herdsmen who reported their deaths to police Saddening: Tests were done on the birds and found Carbofuran, a harmful pesticide Heartbreaking images show the dead animals at the lake in Xilingol league. They were removed from the water by herdsmen. In addition, 26 mallards were found dead at the same lake. The lake, located some 300 kilometres from Beijing is a migratory stop for swans. According to the the information office of Zhenglan Banner government, Carbofuran was found in samples taken from the dead birds. It's claimed by local authorities that poachers poisoned the animals. Heartbreaking: 26 Mallards were also found dead at the same lake as the swans Horrifying discovery: The government has started to safely dispose of the dead birds Extra patrols have been introduced in the areas frequented by the birds. The government has started to safely dispose of the dead birds. The investigation is ongoing. The discovery has shocked internet users on iFeng. One user commented: 'It's so brutal. Animal lives are valuable. It's inhumane to poison them.' While another said: 'Only rich people can afford to eat swan meat. Let's track down the potential buyers.' More than 1.3 million people have registered for the upcoming exam Office receptionist might not be the most glamorous position in the world, but thousands of young and well-educated people in China are competing to be one. The country's upcoming civil servants exam has seen nearly 10,000 job seekers applying for the same clerical job offered by a minor political party, reported the People's Daily Online. All of these candidates, aged between 18 and 40, hope for the same thing: an easy job with a good political prospect and security. 9,837 people in China have applied to be the receptionist of a political party at the upcoming civil servants exam. Pictured, candidates entered the examination room in 2015 in Wuhan The receptionist position is the most competitive one at the 2017 Chinese civil servants exam. Pictured, candidates prepared outside the civil service examination room in 2015 in Nanjing The position, namely 'clerk at the receptionist office of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League', is the most competitive position at the 2017 Chinese civil servants exam. During the exam's registration period between October 15 and 24, a total of 9,837 candidates applied for the job set to be based in the capital city of Beijing. More than 1.3 million people have registered for the upcoming exam, which will take place on November 27. The highly competitive annual exam, billed as 'China's national exam', is viewed by many Chinese people as a means for them to build a stable life, especially for those from smaller cities or the countryside. A civil servant job is billed as a 'iron bowl job' in China, which means it never breaks. Xie, a 31-year-old freelancer, from Shanghai explained to MailOnline why young people in China like being civil servants: 'Because the jobs are relatively easy, the salaries are not bad and the welfare is good.' Xie said she had not thought of being a civil servant. She said: 'The competition is so high. I am scared. 'In addition, a lot of people have connections to start with, very few people are recruited based on their own abilities.' All of these candidates, aged between 18 and 40, hope for the same thing: an easy job with a good political prospect and security. Candidates were pictured during the exam in 2015 Anita Xu, 26, who works in media, told MailOnline many applicants follow their parents' advice. Xu said: 'Parents would think a civil servant job is stable. It's similar to a job in a state-run company. Both provide security.' Apparently, only a small portion of Chinese citizens are allowed to apply to be civil servants. In order to quality for the exam, one needs to be young and well-educated. According to the exam's official website, only a Chinese citizen between the age of 18 and 35 with a college degree or higher is allowed to sign up. Exception is given to full-time Master's or Doctoral students who can be as old as 40. All candidates need to go through a 11-day-long political background check before being allowed to sit in the exam. Among the 1.3 million candidates for 2017, only 27,000 will be recruited, which equals to one in every 48 applicants or so. Successful applicants will be working for 120 organisations across China which are directly affiliated to the ruling Communist Party. Jobs range from a customs inspector in capital Beijing to a railway policeman in cosmopolitan Shanghai to an officer clerk in far-flung Tibet. Successful applicants will be working for 120 organisations across China which are directly affiliated to the ruling Communist Party. Candidates were pictured during the exam in 2015 While the job offered by China Democratic League has attracted nearly 10,000 applicants, there are also 223 positions, mostly in remote areas, having no applicants. Li Zhong, the spokesman at China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, told People's Daily that it was common for some jobs to be more desirable than the others. Li said: 'Some positions have few or no applicants because of two reasons. Firstly, they are located in impoverished areas. Secondly, they have high requirements.' The office receptionist position at the China Democratic League proves to be higly popular because it had no requirement on the applicant's political status or school major, the report said. China Democratic League is one of the eight minor political parties in China legally recognised by the Communist Party under its so-called 'multi-party cooperation' political system. Solar winds triggered a giant geomagnetic storm this week, raising fears that they could cripple power supplies. The charged particles are coming from a coronal hole on the sun that is currently facing Earth. If Earth's magnetic field was hit by charged particles the effects could also include radar and satellite interference, causing problems phone and internet networks and navigation services. Power grid operators in the US were put on alert yesterday following concerning space weather forecasts. But the impact could be felt all over the world. Scroll down for video An image from today captured by NASA's Solar Dynamic Observatory shows the extent of the coronal hole (the dark areas on the sun) WHAT IS SOLAR WIND? The sun and its atmosphere are made of plasma a mix of positively and negatively charged particles which have separated at extremely high temperatures, that both carries and travels along magnetic field lines. Material from the corona streams out into space, filling the solar system with the solar wind. But scientists found that as the plasma travels further away from the sun, things change: The sun begins to lose magnetic control, forming the boundary that defines the outer corona the very edge of the sun. If charged particles from solar winds hit Earth's magnectic field, this can cause problems for satellite and communication equipment. Advertisement Warnings were issued by the operator of the biggest power grid in the US, PJM Interconnection LLC, as well as by Midcontinent Independent System Operator, which manages high-voltage power lines across North America, reports Bloomberg. These were the result of US Space Weather Prediction Center raising a 'serious' G3 level storm alert, though the alert was later downgraded to a less severe G2 storm. 'Voltage corrections may be required, false alarms triggered on some protection devices', said the U.S. Space Weather Prediction Center. 'Drag may increase on low-Earth-orbit satellites, and corrections may be needed for orientation problems'. The 'moderate' G2 warning remains in affect today. The solar storms could potentially affect telecommunications and power infrastructures all over the globe. The UK's Met Office space weather forecast for today said: 'Elevated solar winds are expected throughout the period, with G1-G2 minor to moderate geomagnetic storms forecast.' These were the result of U.S. Space Weather Prediction Center raising a 'serious' G3 level storm alert, though the alert was later downgraded to a less severe G2 storm 'Voltage corrections may be required, false alarms triggered on some protection devices', said the U.S. Space Weather Prediction Center following the storm warnings. The 'moderate' G2 warning remains in affect today. As a result of the solar storm currently blasting Earth, parts of the world are expected to light up with a green and pink glow tonight. The increase in solar activity means the chances of seeing the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, in places like Canada, the northern US, Scandinavia, Scotland and even England are greater than usual. The sky above Scotland was a plethora of colours as residents enjoyed the spectacular display last night. The sky above Scotland was a plethora of colours last night as residents enjoyed another Northern Lights display. Photographer Ollie Taylor took stunning pictures of the phenomenon over the Mealt waterfall on Skye during an evening walk (pictured) Last month, Nasa released an incredible video showing solar wind as it leaves the sun's surface - in stark contrast to the gusty and turbulent wind as it approaches Earth. Ever since the 1950s discovery of the solar wind the constant flow of charged particles from the sun there's been a stark disconnect between this outpouring and the sun itself. Near the sun where it originates, this wind is structured in distinct rays, much like a child's simple drawing of the sun, researchers found. IMPACT OF SOLAR STORMS If Earth's magnetic field was hit by charged particles from a solar storm the effects could include: - Electric grid disruption - Radar interference - Solar cell damage - Telecommunication cable disruption - Pipeline corrosion - Loss of synchronisation of global internet - Airline passenger radiation Advertisement However, the details of the transition from defined rays in the corona, the sun's upper atmosphere, to the solar wind have been, until now, a mystery. Using NASA's Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory, or STEREO, imaged the edge of the sun for the first time. 'Now we have a global picture of solar wind evolution,' said Nicholeen Viall, a co-author of the paper and a solar scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. 'This is really going to change our understanding of how the space environment develops.' The research, published in The Astrophysical Journal, shows for the first time the details of the transition from defined rays in the corona, the sun's upper atmosphere, to the solar wind. This incredible video shows the solar wind as it leave's the sun's surface - in stark contrast to the gusty and turbulent wind as it approaches Earth. Conceptual animation (not to scale) showing the sun's corona and solar wind. Credits: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Lisa Poje Both near Earth and far past Pluto, our space environment is dominated by activity on the sun. The sun and its atmosphere are made of plasma a mix of positively and negatively charged particles which have separated at extremely high temperatures, that both carries and travels along magnetic field lines. Material from the corona streams out into space, filling the solar system with the solar wind. But scientists found that as the plasma travels further away from the sun, things change: The sun begins to lose magnetic control, forming the boundary that defines the outer corona the very edge of the sun. 'As you go farther from the sun, the magnetic field strength drops faster than the pressure of the material does,' said Craig DeForest, lead author of the paper and a solar physicist at the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado. 'Eventually, the material starts to act more like a gas, and less like a magnetically structured plasma.' HOW THE SOLAR WIND IS FORMED Views of the solar wind from NASA's STEREO spacecraft (left) and after computer processing (right). Scientists used an algorithm to dim the appearance of bright stars and dust in images of the faint solar wind The breakup of the rays is similar to the way water shoots out from a squirt gun. First, the water is a smooth and unified stream, but it eventually breaks up into droplets, then smaller drops and eventually a fine, misty spray. The images in this study capture the plasma at the same stage where a stream of water gradually disintegrates into droplets. Advertisement Before this study, scientists hypothesized that magnetic forces were instrumental to shaping the edge of the corona. However, the effect has never previously been observed because the images are so challenging to process. Twenty million miles from the sun, the solar wind plasma is tenuous, and contains free-floating electrons which scatter sunlight. This means they can be seen, but they are very faint and require careful processing. The Earth protects itself from solar storms using an invisible shield known as the 'magnetosphere'. But because Earth's magnetic poles are continually moving, the magnetosphere is weakening. This means our planet is increasingly vulnerable to the potentially devastating effects of solar flares. Now, Joseph Pelton, former dean of the International Space University, in Illkirch-Graffenstaden in France, has called for scientists to take action by creating a massive magnetic shield to protect Earth. Solar storms are eruptions of magnetic energy from the solar surface. When this magnetic energy is suddenly released, this accelerates the hot gases near the surface, which can travel quickly towards the Earth Solar storms are eruptions of magnetic energy from the sun's surface. When this magnetic energy is suddenly released, this accelerates the hot gases near the surface, which can travel quickly towards the Earth. A solar flare's 'killer electrons' can travel at up to several million miles per hour towards Earth. Experts are now warning that humanity is not prepared to tackle a calamitous solar storm, and that the effects could be dire. If this material collides with the Earth's magnetic field, it can affect many technologies, including satellites orbiting the planet, and radars. In a paper published in ROOM, Dr Joseph Pelton, said: 'Over the course of the last half century, the world has finally begun to learn that a massive asteroid or comet strike could create havoc and ruin, on perhaps a planetary scale. The Met Office now provides forecasts for space weather to help the public and industry prepare for solar storms that may pose a risk to infrastructure, as outlined in the graphic shown above 'But what we don't have is a global understanding that there is a much more likely danger that is increasing over time and is a very real cosmic danger that could knock out our electric power grids, kill key satellite systems for communications and navigation and defence.' Dr Pelton also warned that a solar storm could knock out the time synchronisation of the global Internet. This synchronisation is essential for the internet to continue to function as it does. He added: 'A massive coronal mass ejection that brings millions of tons of ions travelling perhaps at two million kilometres an hour, could leave the world's economic systems and global infrastructure in shambles.' A magnetic map of Earth shows that the magnetic field is only strengthening is small areas (shown in red), and the field is weakening in most areas (shown in blue) However, Dr Pelton says that if scientists could create a mega-structure, with an huge electro-magnetic shield, it could protect the Earth from a massive solar storm. The structure could also have other purposes, such as incorporating solar power satellites which could beam clean energy back to Earth. Dr Pelton added: 'It is time for those leading our space agencies to consider what technologies they might conceive and implement to save Earth and the human race. 'To put not too fine a point on it, now is the time for them to start doing their truly core mission to save Earth.' Microsoft has unveiled its first all in one PC. The $3,000 Surface Studio has a 28inch touchscreen and what the firm says is 'the world's thinnest screen', which can be folded down to a 20-degree viewing angle - similar to slanted desks found in art studios - to give users more room to be creative, the technology giant said. The new all in one PC has the processing and power components built into the base, and comes with a new 'dial' controller with haptic feedback that can be used alongside a mouse, keyboard, stylus or finger. Scroll down for video The New all in one PC boasts a touchscreen and a new 'dial controller with Haptic feedback. It was unveiled alongside a new 'creators edition' of Windows 10 which includes VR capabilities. SURFACE STUDIO SPECS Microsoft's machine has: 28-inch, '4.5k' 12.5mm thick PixelSense display Intel Core i7 processor 2TB hybrid hard drive NVIDIA GPU Integrated 2.1 speakers and a haptic feedback controller puck device Advertisement It was unveiled alongside a new 'creators edition' of Windows 10 which includes VR capabilities. 'It's not just a beautiful PC, it was made to make you more creative, Panos Panay, Corporate Vice President for Surface Computing said at a New York launch event. It has a 'zero gravity hinge' that can be easily moved depending on whether the user is drawing, writing or using it horizontally like a drafting board. 'This is a new way to create, a new way to produce, it's absolutely a new way to work,' said Panay. 'You can pick any angle, any position you want,' he added, demonstrating the hinge. It will go on sale in time for Christmas and cost $3,000, although Microsoft warned there would be 'limited quantities' available. Touted as having the 'world's thinnest LCD monitor ever built' at 12.5mm, it has an aluminium enclosure and measures 28 inches across. Microsoft has officially expanded its Surface family to include a desktop. The company announced the Surface Studio at today's event in New York. The display is contained in an aluminum enclosure and measures 28 inches (71 cm) across The display outputs 13.5 million pixels, according to Panay, which is 63 percent more than a 4K television. Introducing Microsoft Surface Studio. Turn your desk into a Studio with a brilliant screen for your ideas. #MicrosoftEvent pic.twitter.com/oqCDOlP9OW Surface (@surface) October 26, 2016 The technology giant also announced an updated version of the Surface Book laptop - the Surface Book i7 - one that Microsoft claims is 'three times more graphics power' than Apple's 13-inch MacBook Pro. The firm claims the new version has two times as much processing power and 30 percent more battery life, all in the exact same design. The three new Surface Book models feature 6th Generation Intel Core i7 processors, and will begin at $2399. The firm also unveiled 'the most powerful Surface Book ever' in the form of the Surface Book i7 'With Surface Book with Performance Base, engineers can spin 3-D CAD models with thousands of parts, designers and developers can render large files quickly, and gamers can play more of their favorite games,' the firm said. 'No other laptop combines similar battery life, performance and pixels in as lightweight a package.' Microsoft also unveiled a major update to Windows 10 will be launched in early 2017, called the Creators Update and including a 3D version of the popular Paint app. The Creators Update will be released to all current users of Windows 10 for free in 'early spring'. THE SURFACE STUDIO: MICROSOFT'S NEW DESKTOP Panos Panay, Corporate Vice President for Surface Computing holds the new Microsoft Surface Studio computer Microsoft has officially expanded its Surface family to include a desktop PC. The company announced what they have called the Surface Studio at today's event in New York. The display is contained in an aluminum enclosure and measures 28 inches (71 cm) across. The display outputs 13.5 million pixels, according to Panos Panay, head of Microsoft's devices team, who introduced the product at the event. This is 63 per cent more pixels than a 4K television. The company claims the desktop has the 'world's thinnest LCD monitor ever built' at 12.5mm. It has a 'zero gravity hinge' that can be easily moved depending on whether the user is drawing, writing or using it horizontally like a drafting board. Advertisement It will include Paint 3D, a version of the long-standing drawing app that will enable users to sketch in 3D for the first time, as well as edit and import parts from 2D photos to create three-dimensional scenes that can be saved and shared on social media. Microaoft also revealed that a range of virtual reality accessories and headsets to support the Creators Update will be released in 2017. Headsets from HP, Dell, Lenovo , Asus and Acer will be available from $299. The technology giant made the announcement during a live event in New York, and also revealed that 3D editing features will be introduced to long-standing programmes - including PowerPoint - giving users the chance to create 3D presentations. A new 3D Capture tool for smartphones was also announced, which will enable users to scan physical items and insert them into images. THE NEW MOUSE? MICROSOFT'S $99 SURFACE DIAL Alongside Microsoft's new Surface Studio PC comes a new gadget to help control it. The Surface Dial might look more like a hockey puck than state-of-the-art computing gadget, but its looks are deceiving. It integrates with Windows 10 to work with any Surface device for a faster and more intuitive way to scroll, zoom, and navigate. The company described it as 'a new tool for the creative process'. For example, when the owner is using a painting application, different colour or brush options will pop up around the Dial When the Dial is placed on the Surface Studio screen, a radial menu pops up around it. The company described it as 'a new tool for the creative process'. For example, when the owner is using a painting application, different colour or brush options will pop up around the Dial. When a user rotates the Dial, it controls what appears on the screen, it can also be used to zoom in and out or navigate around the screen. Off the screen, the Dial can be used to scroll between pages in a document, or change volume or brightness on the screen, for example. The Surface Dial (pictured) might look more like a hockey puck than state-of-the-art computing gadget, but its looks are deceiving. When the Dial is placed on the Surface Studio screen, a radial menu pops up around it It uses haptic feedback to register the click of different options along the way. 'It also enables a set of unique experiences exclusive to Surface Studio, such as app-specific digital tools that allow you to quickly access shortcuts and move seamlessly through your workflow,' the company said. Microsoft described the device as a 'companion' to Surface Pen users. The Surface Dial will retail for $99, and its pre-orders begin tomorrow. Advertisement Microsoft's Terry Myerson said: 'With the Creators Update, we asked ourselves what can 3D do to unleash the creator in each of us? 'We need technology that goes across all aspects of our lives - work and play. Windows is your arena, sanctuary and kitchen table - the place where you get things done.' The display outputs 13.5 million pixels, according to Panos Panay (pictured), head of Microsoft's devices team, who introduced the product at the event. This is 63 per cent more pixels than a 4K television Mr Myerson also revealed that a range of virtual reality accessories and headsets to support the Creators Update will be released in 2017. Headsets from HP, Dell, Lenovo , Asus and Acer will be available from $299. Panay with the new 'most powerful Surface Book ever', the Surface Book i7. UK prices have yet to be confirmed. Microsoft also discussed gaming, announcing a new live broadcasting feature called Beam that will enable users to share their gaming with friends as they play. The software will allow players to interact with others when using Microsoft's Xbox One console or Windows 10. The update will include Paint 3D, a version of the long-standing drawing app that will enable users to sketch in 3D for the first time. Pictured is Megan Saunders, Microsoft general manager announcing the new feature on stage at an event in New York The Creator's Update aims to add 3D capability across Microsoft programmes The new feature will be a direct rival to the Amazon-owned Twitch platform, which also currently enables users to live stream their games online as they play them and has more than 100 million site visitors each month. While you might expect to find a walrus or brown bear in Siberia, it appears that parrots may have once lived in the region. Researchers have discovered the fossil of a parrot that lived in the area more than 16 million years ago. It is the first time a parrot fossil has been found in this region and suggests that the tropical birds were once widespread in Eurasia. Researchers have discovered the fossil of a parrot that lived in Siberia more than 16 million years ago. The single leg bone recovered from an island on Baikal Lake by researchers from the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow PARROTS IN SIBERIA This is the first time a parrot fossil has been found in this region and suggests that the tropical birds were once widespread in Eurasia. The finding supports the theory that ancestors of modern parrots migrated from Asia to North America via the Berengia land bridge which once joined the two continents. Today, parrots, or psittacines, make up almost 400 species that inhabit tropical and sub-tropical regions around the world. Advertisement The single leg bone recovered from an island on Baikal Lake in Russia by researchers from the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow. It belonged to a small bird from the late Early Miocene epoch between 16 and 18 million years ago. No other parrot fossil has been discovered so far north. The finding supports the theory that ancestors of modern parrots migrated from Asia to North America via the Berengia land bridge which once joined the two continents. Today, parrots, or psittacines, make up almost 400 species that inhabit tropical and sub-tropical regions around the world. A map shows the current Old World distribution of parrots (black area), Miocene finds of parrots in Europe (white stars) and position of the parrot fossil in Siberia (black star) They are also present in temperate zones, such as New Zealand and South America and sometimes inhabit low-productivity environments. Dr Nikita Zelenev, who led the study, wrote in the Royal Society journal Biology Letters: 'The presence of parrots as far north as Siberia supports their broad geographical distribution in Asia during Miocene and may have implications for the historical biogeography of Psittacoidea.' He added: 'A dispersal of parrots via Beringia during the late Early Miocene is not completely unexpected. 'Today hummingbirds, which are also mostly tropical in their distribution, reach as far north as Alaska and during the warmest phase of the Miocene a more northern distribution of parrots in Asia was likely possible.' The mysterious parrot bone was discovered on an island in Lake Baikal in Russia Emissions from burning fuels, industrial combustion and other pollutants mean that over 90 per cent of the world is breathing 'bad air', according to the World Health Organisation. These emissions have an adverse effects on people's health, and inventors are trying to find new ways to reduce their concentration in the air. The latest of these inventions is the world's first giant outside air vacuum cleaner, which has been revealed at a conference in the Netherlands. The large purifying system (pictured) is intended to filter out toxic tiny particles from the atmosphere surrounding the machine. The system is said to be able to suck in air from a 984-foot (300-metre) radius - and from over four miles (seven kilometres) upwards WHAT THE VACUUM CAN DO The large purifying system is intended to filter out toxic tiny particles from the atmosphere surrounding the machine. The system is said to be able to suck in air from a 984-foot (300-metre) radius - and from over four miles (seven kilometres) upwards. It can treat 800,000 cubic metres of air an hour, filtering out 100 per cent of fine particles and 95 per cent of ultra-fine particles, the company said. Fine particles are caused by emissions from burning wood and other fuels as well as industrial combustion and have 'adverse effects on health'. Ultra-fine particles are released by emissions from vehicles as well as aeroplanes, and can 'damage the nervous system, including brain cells, and also cause infections.' Advertisement The large purifying system is intended to filter out toxic tiny particles from the atmosphere surrounding the machine. 'It's a large industrial filter about eight metres (yards) long, made of steel... placed basically on top of buildings and it works like a big vacuum cleaner,' said Henk Boersen, a spokesman for the Envinity Group which unveiled the system in Amsterdam. The system is said to be able to suck in air from a 984-foot (300-metre) radius - and from over four miles (seven kilometres) upwards. It can treat 800,000 cubic metres of air an hour, filtering out 100 per cent of fine particles and 95 per cent of ultra-fine particles, the company said. These figures were the result of tests carried out by the Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) on its prototype. 'A large column of air will pass through the filter and come out clear,' Boersen told AFP, speaking on the sidelines of a major two-day offshore energy conference in Amsterdam. Fine particles are caused by emissions from burning wood and other fuels as well as industrial combustion, and have 'adverse effects on health,' according to the European Environment Agency. As for ultra-fine particles, they are released by emissions from vehicles as well as aeroplanes, according to Envinity, and can 'damage the nervous system, including brain cells, and also cause infections.' Governments, businesses and airports are already interested in the project, Mr Boersen said. A handout photo released by tech start-up Envinity Group shows (from left to right) the group's Managing Partners Peter van Wees, Simon van der Burg and Tim Petter posing next to a system to filter fine and ultra-fine particles from ambient air Nearly 3 million deaths a year are attributed to exposure to outdoor air pollution with an estimated 6.5 million deaths attributed to both indoor and outdoor air pollution exposure in 2012. Breakdown by countries in 2012 is shown Nine out of ten people globally are breathing poor quality air, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in September. The staggering report called for dramatic action against pollution that is blamed for killing more than 16,000 Brits and six million people worldwide, every year. The data in a report from the UN's global health body 'is enough to make all of us extremely concerned,' Maria Neira, the head of the WHO's department of public health and environment, told reporters. Another air-purifying system called the 'Smog Free Tower' was installed in Beijing last month and launched by the Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde. Using patented ozone-free ion technology, it can clean up to 1,059,440 cubic feet (30,000 cubic metres) of air an hour as it blows past the tower, collecting more than 75 per cent of the harmful particles, Studio Roosegaarde said in a statement. Flash Tourists from around the world flock to Spanish coasts in search of sun, sea and sangria. But during the quieter winter months, Spain's tourism revenue drops. Now the country is seeking to reinvent itself as a cultural tourism destination in a bid to attract high spending Chinese tourists. It's more than just the sun, sand and shopping that draws Chinese tourists. They also enjoy the Spanish cultural heritage, gastronomy and landscape. Along with France and the United States, Spain is a big player in the tourism market both in terms of the number of visitors and in tourism revenue. But Spain wants to become an all year destination, not dependant on people searching sun and sangria. "We want to diversify our tourism. It's very profitable to have tourists that come from January to December, as the Chinese do during their different holidays. Also because they look for something else instead of sun and the beach. For example, to enjoy our inner cities," said Rafael Chamorro, deputy director of Institute of Tourism of Spain. The Spanish government is promoting Spain in China. Four new direct flights, from Beijing and Shanghai to Madrid and Barcelona, began this year. And, the Chinese Embassy in Spain has some suggestions for attracting more Chinese. "In order for more Chinese tourists to come to Spain, the safety issues are an aspect that both governments should work on. For example, there are a lot of luggage, financial assets and identity documents that are being stolen. This is a big problem that concerns Chinese tourists. Another one is safety. Safety in transportation and when it comes to accommodations. We think these two are aspects that the governments of both countries can work together to improve this," said Liu Wenqiu, cultural attache of Chinese Embassy in Spain. The World Tourism Organization which is based in Madrid, says there is great potential for growing Chinese tourism. "Tourists are looking for the culture experience, gastronomy tourism, shopping tourism, and there are so many multi-tourism activities that are available. That's why the destinations should not only focus on one aspect. I think they have to develop the widest spectrum of tourism activities, so that the tourists coming from the new source markets can also enjoy the destination apart from the traditional tourism resources which is sun and beach," said Eun-Ji Tae, representative of World Tourism Organization Asia-Pacific. According to TurEspana, Chinese tourists usually stay in Europe for over a week and visit about two countries. The Spanish government aims to attract up to a million Chinese tourists each year to Spain by 2020. Scientists scanning the night sky in the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence are turning their telescopes towards a mysterious star, which had been flagged as an alien megastructure. As part of a $100 million (81 million) project, backed by Stephen Hawking, astronomers will target the strange stellar object which has baffled scientists since its discovery. Called Tabbys Star, its regular cycles of dimming have been claimed by some to be a sign of intelligent beings warranting enough interest for a closer look. Dimming light from 'Tabby's Star' has led to suggestions it could be an alien megastructure, while others suggest it is just a dust ring or a hail of passing comets (illustrated). Now scientists are targeting the object to listen for signals from extra-terrestrial intelligence As part of the Breakthrough Listen project, which will spend $100m (82m) over the next decade to search for alien signals, a team of astronomers in the US will recruit a huge telescope to study the object more closely. By training the Green Bank radio telescope in West Virginia on the distant star located more than 1,400 light years from Earth the team at University California, Berkeley will have the best chance of detecting any signals emanating from it. Tabbys Star, known officially as KIC 8462852, has baffled experts since it was discovered by citizen scientists in 2015. Observations revealed its light dimmed regularly, which some claim could be evidence of a Dyson Sphere a hypothetical structure which could be used by an advanced alien race to harness the energy of a star. Tabbys Star (KIC 8462852) has baffled experts since it was discovered in 2015. Located more than 1,400 light years away, its regular cycles of dimming have been claimed by some to be a sign of intelligent beings. Pictured in infrared (left) and ultraviolet (right) TABBY'S STAR - KIC 8462852 Tabbys Star, known officially as KIC 8462852, has baffled experts since it was discovered in 2015, by scientists scanning the skies for exoplanets. Observations revealed its light dimmed regularly, as do distant stars when their planets pass in front of them. But while the stars of most exoplanet systems are seen to dim by a few per cent, KIC 8462852 dimmed by more than 20 per cent over periods of months. Some have claimed this dimming could be evidence of a Dyson Sphere a hypothetical structure which could be used by an advanced alien race to harness the energy of a star. Scientists remain skeptical, offering that the dimming could be explained by a dust ring around the star or a hail of comets passing in between the star and Earth. Advertisement While other groups have trained their eyes and ears on this distant patch of the cosmos, the latest attempt will use one of the most sensitive instruments available to look directly at it. Everyone, every SETI program telescope, I mean every astronomer that has any kind of telescope in any wavelength that can see Tabbys star has looked at it, said Andrew Siemion, director of the Berkeley SETI Research Center and co-director of Breakthrough Listen in statement. Its been looked at with Hubble, its been looked at with Keck, its been looked at in the infrared and radio and high energy, and every possible thing you can imagine, including a whole range of SETI experiments. Nothing has been found. As part of the project, a team of astronomers will use the telescope for three nights over the coming months to listen to Tabbys star, with all hailing frequencies open. Starting tonight, the eight hour blocks will monitor the strange stellar object more closely than ever before, generating a huge volume of data. Siemion added: The Breakthrough Listen program has the most powerful SETI equipment on the planet, and access to the largest telescopes on the planet. As part of the project, astronomers will use the Green Banks radio telescope in West Virginia (pictured) for three nights over the coming months to listen to Tabbys star, with all hailing frequencies open BREAKTHROUGH LISTEN MISSION Breakthrough Listen is a search for intelligent life using two of the world's most powerful telescopes. It was launched in January with the aim of scouring one million of the closest stars to Earth for faint signals thrown out into space by intelligent life beyond our own world. Scientists taking part in the $100 million are also scanning the very centre of our galaxy along with 100 of the closest galaxies for low power radio transmissions. Breakthrough Listen will collect data over a 10-year period. Search capacity will be 50 times more sensitive, cover 10 times more of the sky, 5 times more of the radio spectrum, and at speeds 100 times faster. The Breakthrough Listen project was set up by billionaire Yuri Milner (left) to speed up SETI efforts to find alien signals. The project has gained backing from eminent scientists, including physicist Stephen Hawking (centre) and cosmologist Martin Rees (right) Advertisement We can look at it with greater sensitivity and for a wider range of signal types than any other experiment in the world. The Breakthrough Listen project was set up by Russian billionaire Yuri Milner to speed up SETI efforts to find signals from beyond Earth. Launched in January this year, the project has gained backing from eminent scientists, including famed physicist Stephen Hawking and cosmologist Martin Rees. The Green Bank telescope has already been used by the team to look at stars closer to Earth, such as the Cassiopeia constellation. The SETI team has already used the Green Bank telescope to look at stars closer to Earth, such as the Cassiopeia constellation (Cassiopeia A pictured) Despite the excitement over Tabbys Star and the potential for an alien power plant powered by a star, experts think its unlikely but still worth investigating. I dont think its very likely a one in a billion chance or something like that but nevertheless, were going to check it out, said Dan Werthimer, chief scientist at Berkeley SETI. But I think that ET, if its ever discovered, it might be something like that. Itll be some bizarre thing that somebody finds by accident that nobody expected, and then we look more carefully and we say, Hey, thats a civilization.' Paedophilia is often thought of as synonymous with child molestation, but this is not always the case. Not everyone diagnosed with paedophilia will commit child sexual offences, and some people who sexually offend against children are not paedophiles. Now a new study has shown there are differences in the brains of those who attack children and paedophiles who have never molested anyone, and the findings could help predict whether or not a paedophile might go on to offend. A new study has shown there are differences in the brains of those who attack children and paedophiles who have never molested anyone , and the findings could help predict whether or not a paedophile might go on to offend. Stock image A CHILD MOLESTER'S BRAIN Scientists from the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, used an MRI scanner to study the brains of 40 child abusers and 37 people who are paedophiles but have never sexually assaulted a child. Those who had never molested displayed more brain activity associated with greater self-control. This activity was seen in the left posterior cingulate and the left superior frontal gyrus, which play an important role in inhibition and behaviour control. 'Both areas showing distinct activation pattern among paedophiles play a critical role in linking neural networks that relate to effective cognitive functioning,' the researchers wrote in the paper. Advertisement Scientists from the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, used an MRI scanner to study the brains of 40 child abusers and 37 people who are paedophiles but have never sexually assaulted a child. They also looked at 40 'healthy non-offending' people as a control. The minds of the paedophiles who had never attacked a child looked different from the child molesters, they found. While their brain was being examined in the scanner, the participants performed a response-inhibition task, also known as a 'go/no-go test'. This task is designed to test people's self control. The participants would responding to a certain stimulus, then that action would be inhibited by another stimulus. The scientists found both the healthy controls and the non-offending paedophiles exhibited superior control, because they had significantly lower rate of errors during the task. Those who had never molested displayed more brain activity associated with greater self-control. 'As compared to offending paedophiles, non-offending paedophiles exhibited superior inhibitory control as reflected by significantly lower rate of commission errors,' the authors wrote in the study, published in the journal Human Brain Mapping. This activity was seen in the left posterior cingulate and the left superior frontal gyrus, which play an important role in inhibition and behaviour control. This activity was seen in the left posterior cingulate and the left superior frontal gyrus, which play an important role in inhibition and behaviour control The minds of the paedophiles who had never attacked a child looked different from the child molesters, they found. Paedophile Jimmy Saville is pictured 'Both areas showing distinct activation pattern among paedophiles play a critical role in linking neural networks that relate to effective cognitive functioning,' the researchers wrote in the paper. 'In the community, paedophilia is often equated with child molestation but it is evident that paedophilia is neither a necessary nor a sufficient condition to engage in child sexual offending,' Dr Kaergel told Ian Johnston at The Independent. This means not everyone diagnosed with paedophilia will commit child sexual offences. It also means just as many people who sexually offend against children are not paedophiles. Dr Boris Schiffer, co-author of the paper, said the results 'improve our understanding of the mechanisms that may promote or preserve paedophiles from becoming a perpetrator'. He said this knowledge is necessary in order to help prevent paedophiles who might be at risk of offending, or who have already offended, from further crimes in the future. Their fearsome likeness is etched on the walls of caves inhabited by ancient man. But upper Palaeolithic humans may have hunted cave lions for their pelts, as well as sketching them. A new study suggests their desire for fur, which may have been used to decorate caves, could have contributed the predators extinction. Scroll down for video A team of experts led by Marian Cueto from the University of Cantabria in Spain, examined nine fossilised cave lion toe bones from the Upper Palaeolithic cave site of La Garma, in northern Spain (pictured) THE MYSTERIOUS CAVE LION The European or Eurasian cave lion is an extinct species, known from fossils and prehistoric art. It's most closely related to the modern lion and ranged from Europe to Alaska over the Bering land bridge until the late Pleistocene, around 10,000 years ago. An adult European cave lion is thought to have measured 3.9ft (1.2metres) tall and 6.9ft (2.1metres) in length without its tail, based on a skeleton found in Germany. This means it was a similar size to a modern lion. It's thought the lions probably hunted larger herbivorous animals of their time, including horses, deer, reindeer, bison and even injured old or young mammoths. No-one knows why the lions became extinct, but one suggestion is the population of cave bears and deer - one source of prey - caused them to die out. Advertisement The Eurasian cave lion, which is among the largest lion species ever to have lived, became extinct around 14,000 years ago, but the reasons for its disappearance are not clear. As well as over-hunting, climate change, a change in prey numbers and species replacement have been suggested. Upper Palaeolithic humans, living between 40,000 and 10,000 years ago, were previously known to have hunted other small and large carnivores such as bears, but there is little archaeological evidence showing they preyed upon lions. In a bid to fill this gap, a team of experts led by Marian Cueto from the University of Cantabria in Spain, examined nine fossilised cave lion toe bones from the Upper Palaeolithic cave site of La Garma, in northern Spain. Most bones showed signs of having been modified by humans using stone tools, with markings suggesting ancient man used a method similar to modern hunters when skinning prey, in order to keep the claws attached to the fur. The researchers wrote in the journal Plos One: 'All cutmarks reveal a cutting action to an angle from the proximal to distral areas, in a repeated action, demonstrating an in-depth knowledge of animal processing and anatomy.' The team believes the toe bones they analysed may have been part of a single lion pelt, which could have lay on the floor of the occupied cave, possibly providing either decoration or warmth. The fact that just one lion pelt decorated the cave, suggests 'a sporadic, isolated, and rare event of large carnivore hunting (although other scenarios cannot be excluded like scavenging), the experts wrote. However, they added: 'the presence of the remains of other carnivores, such as bears at the site that also show anthropic modifications, reveal the successful hunting of dangerous carnivores.' The researchers stopped short of hypothesising just how ancient man may have been able to defeat such a ferocious, large and muscular animal. The cave site of La Garma, which was discovered in 1995, is known to have been associated with human rituals, and cave lions may have been symbolic animals for Upper Palaeolithic humans. The Eurasian cave lion, which is among the largest lion species ever to have lived, became extinct around 14,000 years ago, but the reasons for its disappearance are not clear. Artist's depiction of a cave lion is shown The study says cave drawings from the Upper Palaeolithic 'clearly place lions in a prominent hierarchic position in the early humans' symbolic world, giving this animal an important role in human culture as a motif. A cave drawing showing a lion in the Chauvet Cave, France, shown A depiction of the Stone Age is shown, with men holding various hunting tools. It is possible that hunting a cave lion may have been a coming-of age ritual, just as the Maasai people hunt dangerous animals as a manhood ritual, the authors said CLONING A CAVE LION Work is underway to clone extinct cave lions following the discovery of 12,000-year-old perfectly preserved cubs in Siberia. A South Korean team is behind the audacious mission, which began by taking samples of skin and muscle tissue from on the cubs in March this year, but no news has been heard since. Experts have said the 'perfectly preserved' predators, named Uyan and Dina, are a 'sensational find'. One of the cubs is being kept in a Russian freezer indefinitely to await scientific advances in cloning. Advertisement The study says cave drawings from the Upper Palaeolithic 'clearly place lions in a prominent hierarchic position in the early humans' symbolic world, giving this animal an important role in human culture as a motif. It's possible that hunting one may have been a coming-of age ritual, just as the Maasai people hunt dangerous animals as a manhood ritual. 'This mystification of dangerous prey could explain the evidence in the Upper Palaeolithic cave of lion hunting and pelt exploitation...as it could have been motivated by ideological considerations that justify its presence in a context interpreted as the practice of ritual activities, the researchers wrote. While the analysis is not definitive evidence that Upper Palaeolithic humans exploited cave lions for their pelts, the experts speculate that human hunting of cave lions might have been a factor in cave lion extinction. The cave site of La Garma, Spain (see map) which was discovered in 1995, is known to have been associated with human rituals, and cave lions may have been symbolic animals for Upper Palaeolithic humans A South Korean team is seeking to reanimate cave lions (pictured) named Uya and Dina. The demise of the species is a puzzle since the animal had few predators, was smaller than herbivores, and not prone to getting bogged down in swamps like woolly mammoths The perfectly preserved predators (pictured) were found around 650 miles (1,046 km) from the Siberian capital of Yakutsk Anti-satellite space weapons could soon pose a major threat to defenseless systems in orbit, military experts warn. Its argued that these types of weapons should be considered the new reality when planning future operations and Russia, China, and the US, along with India and Iran will likely soon have domestically-made sophisticated anti-satellite weapons of their own, according to Sputnik. While many countries are equipped with powerful space observation systems, including the US Air Force's Space Surveillance Telescope, these capabilities are unable to protect the satellites once a threat is detected. Systems like the USs Space Surveillance Telescope (pictured) or the Russian space surveillance station Okno, which can detect satellite-fighters that hit enemies with an explosion, wont resolve the problem, military expert warns THE SPACE SURVEILLANCE TELESCOPE Last week, Darpa handed its Space Surveillance Telescope over to the US Air Force Space Command in efforts to stay on top of the risks at space. The telescope will allow officials to obtain information on aggressive behaviour and provide an in-depth understanding of space activities. And, its hoped it will act as a way for the US to deter potential adversaries in orbit. Russia and China, by the year 2025, will be able to hold at risk every one of our satellites in any orbit,' said US Air Force Maj. Gen. Nina Armagno said at the transfer event. 'So if the United States and our allies are to deter adversaries from taking action against our interests, we must do it from a position of strength. Advertisement In an interview with Sputnik China, military expert Vasily Kashin says future satellites should be built with advanced electronic warfare systems, as current craft are essentially defenseless against interceptor missiles. Kashin builds off recent claims by US Air Force Maj. Gen. Nina Armagno, who said Russia and China could soon be a risk to all US satellites in orbit by 2025. Systems like the USs Space Surveillance Telescope or the Russian space surveillance station Okno, which can detect satellite-fighters, wont resolve the problem, he says. Such a system is capable of proving the fact that a satellite can be attacked by an enemy space vehicle, but the problem is that this system cannot protect the satellites, Kashin told Sputnik China. The expert points to Chinas development of a simple and cheap launch vehicle which uses ballistic missiles in plans to replace satellites destroyed during possible conflicts with new ones. Along with this, Russia is working to use ballistic missiles launched from submarines to put satellites into orbit, he says. So far, anti-satellite weapon has remained fabulously expensive, and the number of relevant launch vehicles is limited, Kashin told Sputnik China. The side which has a more powerful rocket and space industry and which will be able to put its vehicles into orbit faster than its enemy, will have an advantage in a possible future armed conflict. Just last week, the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency handed its Space Surveillance Telescope over to the US Air Force Space Command in efforts to stay on top of the risks at space. Such a system is capable of proving the fact that a satellite can be attacked by an enemy space vehicle, but the problem is that this system cannot protect the satellites, Kashin said. Russia's Okno is pictured We no longer have the luxury of assuming that we operate in a benign environment [or] that conflict will only be on land or at sea or in the air, US Air Force Maj. Gen. Nina Armagno said at the transfer event. Now we must concern ourselves with a conflict that may extend into space.' The telescope will allow officials to obtain information on aggressive behaviour and provide an in-depth understanding of space activities, according to Darpa. And, its hoped it will act as a way for the US to deter potential adversaries in orbit. 'Others around the world have taken notice of the advantages that we and our allies gain through space technologies and they have focused their military efforts on countering that capability,' Armagno said. Russia and China, by the year 2025, will be able to hold at risk every one of our satellites in any orbit. Apple is set to launch three versions of the iPhone 8 next year, including a new 5inch handset, it has been claimed. The firm is expected to unveil the most radical redesign ever of its flagship handset for the iPhone's 10th anniversary in 2017. According to Nikkei, there will be one premium model with a curved edge-to-edge OLED display alongside two models that have standard LCD displays. Scroll down for video A patent from May shows another method to kill the home button. This innovation also places the sensor under the display, but instead uses ultrasound imaging to find the user's fingerprint - which could mean a handset that is 'all screen'. Pictured is a concept drawing Citing a supply chain source, Nikkei says Apple will release the three iPhones in the following sizes: 5.5 inches, 5 inches, and 4.7 inches. 'Apple has tentatively decided that all the 5.5-inch, 5-inch and 4.7-inch models will have glass backs, departing from metal casings adopted by current iPhones, and Biel and Lens are likely to be providing all the glass backs for the new iPhones next year,' the source said. All three iPhone 8 models will use glass supplied by Biel Crystal Manufactory and Lens Technology in China for both the front and back, which will be held together with an aluminum frame. Along with an edge-to-edge display that includes built-in Touch ID and other sensors, the device is said to include no Home button, advanced biometric features, an improved Taptic engine, and wireless charging. A newly awarded patent describes technology that is capable of scanning fingerprints almost anywhere on the screen of an iOS device - making the home button obsolete. The latest application suggests using a special lens behind the display that connects the screen and sensors, allowing the device to capture an accurate print reading. Apple killed the headphone jack and its next victim could be the home button. A recent patent describes a special lens behind the screen that scans fingerprints anywhere on the surface. END OF THE HOME BUTTON? Apple's latest patent reveals technology that places the home button underneath the display. The innovation uses an electrostatic lens that connects the connect the screen and sensors, allowing the device to accurately read fingerprints on the screen. Depending on the position of these lenses, relative voltage and shape, the layer or layers are able to shape or bend the electric field associate with the user's finger, reports AppleInsider. These specially designed lenses would also reduce the spreading of the electric field of a user's finger when placed on the screen, as this type of bending can sometimes offset a fingerprint's natural dispersion. Advertisement Rumors of Apple doing away with the iconic home button isn't groundbreaking news - many believed the firm would leave it out of the iPhone 7 design. A 'person familiar with the matter', told Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Gareth Allan last month that fingerprint sensors would be built into the screen, which was also speculated to be a larger, all-glass design. But many, if not all, iOS users know that wasn't the case. And now analysts say the iPhone 8 is the one to wait for. Next year's handset may feature a wider display that reaches from one edge of the device to the other and a home button integrated into the screen. Apple's recent patent, entitled 'Capacitive fingerprint sensor including an electrostatic lens' was filed in September 2014 and awarded Tuesday October 4, when it was first spotted by Patently Apple. Images in the document suggest the capacitive 'fingerprint sensor with electrostatic lenses, one or two pattern conductive layers, which would detect fingerprints on the entire display or a portion of it'. Depending on the position of these lenses, relative voltage and shape, the layer or layers are able to shape or bend the electric field associate with users' fingerprints, reports AppleInsider. These specially designed lenses would also reduce the spreading of the electric field of a user's finger when placed on the screen, as this type of bending can sometimes offset a fingerprint's natural dispersion. As noted by Apple, electric fields associated with the finger can be described as cones. 'Electrostatic lens may shape the electric field associated with a user's finger, altering unshaped cones to produce shaped cones, which represent the reduced spread of electric field information from user's finger due to the use of example electrostatic lens,' explains the patent. Depending on the position of these lenses, relative voltage and shape, the layer or layers are able to shape or bend the electric field associate with users' fingerprint. This bridges the gap between the screen and the sensor These specially designed lens (pictured) would also reduce the spreading of the electric field of a user's finger when placed on the screen, as this type of bending can sometimes offset a fingerprint's natural dispersion Although it is not clear whether Apple will ultimately kill the home button, this is not the first patent the firm has filed with technology that suggests they will. A patent awarded to Apple in May suggests the firm may be working on another method as well. This innovation also places the sensor under the display, but instead uses ultrasound imaging to find the user's fingerprint. SHOULD YOU WAIT FOR THE IPHONE 8? While details on the iPhone 8 are scarce, new reports suggest it will have a totally different look from previous handsets and will come with better cameras. An unnamed employee at an Apple site in Herzliya, Israel, where hardware is being developed for the iPhone 8, has leaked some details about the new handset. Given that 2017 will be the 10th anniversary of the iPhone, it would make sense that Apple has something big planned. But the unnamed employee told Business Insider that the iPhone 8 would be 'different' from previous handsets, which have been critiqued as being too similar. If those rumours are true, the iPhone 8 could rival the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge which came out in February this year. n January, Apple revisited a patent filed in 2013, which proposed a curved 'glass' case made from an intricate fusion of metals melted together. The design - made from Bulk Amorphous Alloy, which is a mix of titanium, nickel, copper and zirconium melted together - is said to have the smooth texture of glass and the rigid sturdiness of rubber. Despite widespread excitement over the unique design, it still hasn't reached the general public. Apple usually releases a new model, and then an 'S' version of that model the next year, so some people were expected an iPhone 7S to be released in 2017. But the worker used the term 'iPhone 8' unprompted during the conversations, suggesting Apple may be skipping the 7S entirely. Advertisement Apple recently killed the headphone jack and its next victim could be the home button. Rumors of Apple doing way with the iconic home button isn't groundbreaking news, but many believed the firm would leave it out of the iPhone 7 design This new method means that the chunky bottom bezel of the iPhone could be transformed into a sleek extension of the screen. The patent, titled 'Man-machine interface for controlling access to electronic devices', was filed on March 5, 2015. 'The man-machine interface device comprises an electronic display apparatus that is capable of presenting graphic text, images, icons, and other data typically shown on a screen, while further including a transparent finger touch sensor region that is seated above the display apparatus,' reads the patent published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Its pages discuss the three common sensors used to capture fingerprints: optical, captive and ultrasonic. Each of these combines hardware and software, or firmware controller, to locate and read prints. The patent points out that the current sensors aren't completely perfect, as people have shared different ways to work around the fingerprint ID sensor. For example, a recent account occurred at the Mobile World Congress when researchers demonstrated just how easily these sensors can be bypassed by lifting another person's fingerprint with common modeling materials. However, most accurate, but least used finger-scanning technology is ultrasound imaging and this is what the tech giant suggest it could use in the future. Apple's solution is two transducers positioned on the x- and y axes of a glass plate, the receiving and transmitting ends, which would ultimately emit and receive ultrasound waves. Its pages discuss the three common sensors used to capture fingerprints: optical, captive and ultrasonic. Each of these combines hardware and software, or firmware controller, to locate and read prints By placing your finger on the screen, it would obstruct the waves and allow the sensor to analyze fingerprints. This technology is fairly new and has not gone through extensive testing, but early results have showed promise. 'It combines the large plate size and ease of use of the optical scanners with the ability to pervade dirt and residue on the scanner, an advantage of capacitive scanners,' states the patent. This patent isn't the first source that suggests Apple might ditch the physical home button in future variants and many artists created concept drawings for what they believed the iPhone 7 would look like. Apple's $159 AirPods created a huge amount of interest when they were revealed alongside the iPhone 7 earlier this year. However, Apple fans hoping to snag a pair of the headphones are in for some bad news - Apple has delayed their release, and refused to reveal when they will actually go on sale. 'The early response to AirPods has been incredible,' an Apple spokesperson told TechCrunch. Scroll down for video Apple's $159 AirPods created a huge amount of interest when they were revealed alongside the iPhone 7 earlier this year - but buyers will have to wait to get their hands on a pair. 'We don't believe in shipping a product before it's ready, and we need a little more time before AirPods are ready for our customers,' The wireless ear buds were scheduled to go on sale in late October and cost $159 Although users feel it will only be a matter of time before they lose the AirPods, Apple CEO Tim Cook says he 'never personally had one fall out since using them' and has used them on treadmills. In an exclusive interview with Good Morning America, earlier this year, Tim Cook said it is the weight of the wires that pull the headphones out of people's ears, and by cutting the wires, the earbuds should now stay in place. With the introduction of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, Apple made one of the boldest moves smartphone design has seen in recent years - the removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack. The reason behind the decision, Apple executive Phil Schiller explained was 'the courage to move on and do something new that betters all of us.' Cook spoke with Robin Roberts on ABC News' 'Good Morning America' about the concerns consumers might have about Apple's new AirPods. 'There's a little case that you put the Airpods in and magnetically they're sort of sucked down into the case,' he told Roberts. AirPods (pictured right) resemble Apple's older white EarPods (pictured left) minus an attached cable, and connect to your iPhone using a form of Bluetooth technology 'The wires tend to help the ear bud fall out right because it applies weight on the earbuds.' 'By snipping the wires, I have never personally had one fall out since I have been using them.' Roberts joked with Cook that a colleague was convinced he was going to lose the new headphones, something many people around the world have been saying. 'I've been on treadmills, walking, doing all the things you normally do,' Cook said, adding, 'You know how you walk around with the earbuds and they're constantly getting caught on something? You never have that problem.' A report on abc also reports that the tech guru reveals he dances wearing them too. The interview will air on Wednesday morning from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. ET. The microphone at the bottom of the AirPods worked well, except during exercise, when heaving breathing made commands difficult for Siri to understand The wireless ear buds are scheduled to go on sale in late October and cost $159, but Rhiannon Williams with MailOnline was given a sneak peek into the new world of Apple's wireless headphones. AirPods resemble Apple's older white EarPods minus an attached cable. They connect to your iPhone using a form of Bluetooth technology. They work to a distance of around 10 metres from the paired device, meaning if you wander away any further, the connection will drop. To pair them with an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch or Mac running the latest iOS 10, watchOS 3 or macOS Sierra software, open their small magnetic carry case close to the device and wait for a notification asking to connect. Roberts joked with Cook that a colleague was convinced he was going to lose the new headphones, something many people around the world have been saying WHAT DOES THE CHANGE MEAN FOR YOU? Owners of the iPhone 7 will not be able to directly connect any headphones with a traditional 3.5mm plug. If people want to use other wired headphones, they will need to use the Lightning 3.5mm adapter - which is included with the phone. The phone also comes with new Lightning earbuds, which plug into the charging port. However, this means that users can no longer listen to music while simultaneously charging their phone, unless they use separate charging dock. Apple has also introduced its wireless AirPod headphones, but these are not included with the phone, and cost $159 (159). Advertisement Every time you remove the headphones from the case and pop them into your ear, they will connect automatically. This is helpful if you're used to fiddling around with Bluetooth on other wireless headphones, ensuring they're forgotten by one device before you try to pair them with another in range. If two compatible devices are near to the AirPods case, you can choose to connect to the earphones via the control centre on your iOS device and selecting 'AirPods'. Slotting the headphones back into the case as music is playing will allow the track to keep going until you close the magnetic lid. The AirPods charge through their case, which in turn is charged by a lightning connector, just as you would an iPhone. Apple claims each AirPod has a battery life of roughly five hours, while we found an hour's worth of continual listening depletes the battery by about 16%. Although users feel it will only be a matter of time before they lose the AirPods, Apple's CEO Tim Cook says he 'has never personally had one fall out since using them'. The tech tycoon suggests it is the wires connected to the earbuds that pull them out of people's ears The case itself carries around 19 hours worth of power on a single charge, equating to around 24 hours battery, the company claims. When the AirPods are not in your ears, they're not using battery power and will automatically recharge once slotted back into the case. The pair use optical sensors and infra-red technology to sense when they've been removed from the wearer's ear. Slotting the headphones back into the case as music is playing will allow the track is keep going until you close the magnetic lid. The case itself carries around 19 hours worth of power on a single charge, equating to around 24 hours battery juice, the company claims Pulling one earphone out of your ears pauses your music, which resumes when inserted back. If you remove both earphones, you'll need to manually press play to resume playback. One unexpected downside of this is it makes it hard to tell if the volume of your music, podcast or video is noisy enough to disturb others around you. Instead of the remote control embedded on the EarPods' wire, you can skip songs or adjust the volume by gently double-tapping on one of the rounded buds, which triggers Apple's digital assistant, Siri Instead of the remote control embedded on the EarPods' wire, you can skip songs or adjust the volume by gently double-tapping on one of the rounded buds, which triggers Apple's digital assistant, Siri. Speaking phrases including 'Resume playback', 'Skip song', or asking Siri to play a certain artist will draw up a selection of their popular tracks, and it smoothly recognised each of our requests - even more complicated demands like 'play the last song'. The only scenario when Siri got slightly confused was when we asked it to 'start playing music', as it prefers 'start playing'. IPHONE 7 AT A GLANCE - New gloss black and black colours - Faster A10 processor - iPhone 7 plus now has a wide angle and a telephoto lens - New Retina HD display is 25% brighter - Now water and dustproof - Home button has force feedback - Stereo speakers at top and bottom with double the volume of previous version - New wireless AirPod headphones available as an extra - No headphone socket - but adapter and lightning EarPods will be in every box - Boosted battery life Apple claims could add 2 hours Advertisement Siri does tend to err on the side of caution: asking it to turn down the volume from 50 per cent caused the music to become almost inaudible. The AirPods fit comfortably into the ear, and don't tend to need much readjustment once they're in. The audio quality is excellent, and is surprisingly bassy and well-rounded. We were also impressed at the sheer volume they were capable of - a song played at maximum volume through the AirPods sounded much louder than the included lightning connector EarPod pair. The EarPod headphones bundled in with the phones have been given a makeover, and are significantly better at noise retention than the predecessors. One point worth bearing in mind is the price. At 159 in the UK and $159 in the US, the AirPods are undoubtedly expensive, but not ludicrously so when compared to other wireless headphones currently available at a similar quality. The pair use optical sensors and infra-red technology to sense when they've been removed from the wearer's ear Our key concern is how easy it would be to lose them. Misplacing one or both of the little AirPods or their small case is not beyond the realms of possibility, especially as they aren't connected to each other with a wire the way that the majority of wireless headphones are. However, this ultimately hinges on how careful you are with them. One question on many people's minds following the Apple event was how likely the AirPods are to fall out of your ears whilst exercising. We put this to the test by taking them on several runs on a variety of terrains, including flat pavement, grassy hills and steep cobbles. We experienced no problems whatsoever in terms of the headphones working themselves loose or falling out, and found that they didn't skip or need to be twisted more deeply into the ear like others we've tried in the past. We would welcome a set of small buttons on one or both of the AirPods' stems to skip or replay tracks and change the volume while exercising, as Siri voice commands are just not suitable during exercise The audio was clear and loud, but we found it very difficult to skip tracks or change the volume via Siri. Breathing heavily while exercising doesn't lend itself well to speaking commands, and we found it easier to change songs and adjust sound levels using a paired Apple Watch than on the AirPods themselves. So while Siri commands work well in general environments, you might struggle with them whilst running or playing sports. Overall, the audio standard and brilliant pairing and charging technologies make AirPods an attractive prospect for Apple fans with multiple other iOS, macOS or watchOS devices looking to invest in new wireless headphones for use across the entire product range Russia has tested a prototype of a radical new hypersonic nuclear warhead, it has been claimed. Troops launched an RS-18 ballistic missile on Tuesday which is believed to have been a test of the advanced hypersonic glider warhead, according to RT.com. It is eventually expected to be used by the Satan 2 'super-nuke' that is capable of wiping out England and Wales and is 2,000 times as powerful as the Hiroshima bomb. Scroll down for video The latest test is believed to have been conducted from a site near the town of Yasny, Orenburg region, in the southern Urals, and the warhead reached the Kura test range in Kamchatka in Russia's Far East. MilitaryRussia.ru posted this image from the test. Defence blog MilitaryRussia.ru says the launch was meant to test Russia's hypersonic glider warhead, currently known by its developer designation, 'object 4202', or Aeroballistic Hypersonic Warhead. The hypersonic glide vehicle would be able to get past missile defences as they make it impossible to calculate the warhead's ballistic trajectory. The latest test is believed to have been conducted from a site near the town of Yasny, Orenburg region, in the southern Urals, and the warhead reached the Kura test range in Kamchatka in Russia's Far East. Troops launched an RS-18 ballistic missile on Tuesday which is believed to have been a test of the advanced hypersonic glider warhead, according to RT.com. Pictured, a previous launch of the RS-18. 'The test was a success. The warhead was delivered to Kura field,' the Defense Ministry reported. A hypersonic glider vehicle (HGV) is different from a conventional ballistic missile warhead in that it travels most of the time in the stratosphere rather than in space. This gives an HGV-tipped missile greater range and may give anti-missile systems a shorter window to respond to an attack. RUSSIA'S 'SUPER NUKE' Russia has unveiled chilling pictures of its largest ever nuclear missile, capable of destroying an area the size of France. The RS-28 Sarmat missile, dubbed Satan 2 by Nato, has a top speed of 4.3 miles (7km) per second and has been designed to outfox anti-missile shield systems. Each missile contains 16 nuclear warheads, according to pictures revealed online from the Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau. It is also able to evade radar. The new Sarmat missile could deliver warheads of 40 megatons - 2,000 times as powerful as the atom bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Satan 2 super-nuke that is capable of wiping out England and Wales and 2,000 times as powerful as the Hiroshima bomb Advertisement Crucially HGV's can change direction during the approach to a target at high speed, making interception significantly harder. Object 4202 is reportedly meant to be used with Russia's next-gen heavy strategic missile the RS-28 Sarmat. Military experts estimate that the new ICBM, an image of which was first made public this week, may carry up to three HGVs as payload. A previous possible test of object 4202 was reported in April. Russia is among the first in the world to work towards the raw materials for hypersonic planes, according to a new Kremlin report. It states aviation experts are working to develop new materials to withstand the stress of travel above Mach 5 (stock image used) HYPERSONIC MATERIALS According to reports from Russian-backed media, aviation engineers and researchers in Russia are working to develop new materials for hypersonic flight. The new materials could potentially withstand temperatures of 1,500C, generated by speeds of Mach 5 and above. Hypersonic vehicles become engulfed in a superheated bubble of plasma, which reflects electromagnetic radiation, cutting the vehicle off from the outside world. Advertisement Earlier this month it was claimed Russia is readying itself to become a leader in the construction of hypersonic aircraft, a new report reveals. Kremlin-backed media claim engineers in the Federation are among the first in the world to work towards new materials for planes capable of reaching hypersonic speeds. The move could help Russia produce a new fleet of aerial war machines that could launch nuclear attacks from space. Aviation researchers are reportedly working to develop the materials which can withstand the stress and high temperatures of travelling many times the speed of sound. The findings come from a state-backed research fund, which claims to Russia is a leader in the development of such resistant materials, reports Sputnik. Breaking the sound barrier and reaching speeds of close to 4,000 miles per hour puts the structure under immense stress. Russia has already revealed its plans for a stealth bomber capable of hypersonic speeds, with an engine which could be ready as early as 2020. Russia has already revealed its plans for a stealth bomber capable of hypersonic speeds, with an engine which could be ready as early as 2020. The PAK-DA craft, which would travel far higher than existing planes, would be able to reach any target on earth within two hours and could deliver a nuclear warhead. But in order to achieve hypersonic capabilities, engineers have to overcome a number of design hurdles. Firstly, the heat generated from the air resistance means materials for the plane's wins and fuselage must be able to maintain temperatures of more than 1,500C (2,700F) during flights, which would otherwise melt steel and other conventional materials. According to Sputnik, a statement from the Fund for Perspective Research, said: 'This [problem] is addressed by creating innovative composite materials based on carbon fibers. Breaking the sound barrier and reaching speeds of close to 4,000 miles per hour puts the structure under immense stress. Pictured is a long-range supersonic interceptor jet, capable of travelling faster than the speed of sound 'There has been considerable progress in this sphere, and Russia is one of the world leaders.' Engineers in the US, Australia, UK, China and others are working to develop hypersonic aircraft which can travel at Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound. A US-Australian group is looking to Scramjet technology. These engines are designed to carry only hydrogen fuel, sucking in the oxygen they need for combustion and achieving speeds greater than Mach 7. Britain's closest programme to the Russian hypersonic jet is a top secret stealth drone being developed by BAE Systems. The 200million Taranis aircraft will be the most advanced built by British engineers. RACE FOR HYPERSONIC TRAVEL Scramjets have been under development for decades, but a breakthrough came in May 2013 when the US Air Force Research Laboratory's Boeing X-51A WaveRider flew for 240 seconds over the Pacific. It flew on scramjet power, reaching Mach 5.1 and ran until its fuel was exhausted. Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works - builder of the Mach 3.5 SR-71 Blackbird spyplane - then unveiled plans to develop a successor, dubbed the SR-72, pictured. Designed for reconnaissance and strike missions, the SR-72 would combine turbojet and scramjet engines to enable the aircraft to take off from a runway, accelerate to a Mach 6 cruise, and then return to a conventional runway landing. Lockheed Martin believes a prototype could be flying as soon as 2023 and the SR-72 could enter service by 2030. Advertisement Chinese engineers are reportedly looking to develop hypersonic aircraft capable of taking passengers to the edge of space, which it claims will be ready by 2030. Aside from the structural stress and high temperatures involved in hypersonic travel, researchers will have to overcome issues with communication. Hypersonic vehicles become engulfed in a superheated bubble of plasma, which reflects electromagnetic radiation, cutting the vehicle off from the outside world. According to Sputnik, Russian researchers at more than 40 state laboratories are working on these issues. Doing this removes it from the atmosphere and lowers Earth temperatures New analysis shows this may be result of oceans storing carbon dioxide But before this, these events occurred more often, every 40,000 years Tiny fossils at the bottom of the ocean may hold the clues to Earths mysterious 100,000 year problem. The history of our planet is marked by periodic plunges in and out of ice ages every 100,000 years, starting about a million years ago in whats known as the Mid-Pleistocene Transition. Before this, the phenomenon occurred more frequently, blanketing the Northern Hemisphere in vast ice sheets every 40,000 years. Now, an analysis has revealed evidence of an abundance of CO2 stored deep in the ocean during the 100,000 year intervals, suggesting extra carbon dioxide was sequestered during these periods, lowering the temperature on Earth. The history of our planet is marked by periodic plunges in and out of ice ages every 100,000 years, starting about a million years ago in whats known as the Mid-Pleistocene Transition. Before this, the phenomenon occurred every 40,000 years '100 YEAR PROBLEM' SOLVED While Earth once experienced ice ages at 40,000 year intervals, this changed about a million years ago in what's known as the Mid-Pleistocene Transition. Now, it happens every 100,000 years. Researchers say this could be the result of the oceans 'inhaling' larger amounts of carbon dioxide during these times. Doing this removes CO2 from the atmosphere and lowers the temperatures on Earth. Advertisement Researchers from Cardiff University now say the oceans could be to blame for 100,000 year ice age intervals. These events leave North America, Europe, and Asia engulfed in ice, and the last one ended roughly 11,000 years ago. During these periods, the oceans may be inhaling larger amounts of CO2, sucking it out of the atmosphere and deep into the sea. We can think of the oceans as inhaling and exhaling carbon dioxide, so when the ice sheets are larger, the oceans have inhaled carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, making the planet colder, says lead author Professor Carrie Lear, from the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences. When the ice sheets are small, the oceans have exhaled carbon dioxide, so there is more in the atmosphere which makes the planet warmer. By looking at the fossils of tiny creatures on the ocean floor, we showed that when ice sheets were advancing and retreating every 100,000 years, the oceans were inhaling more carbon dioxide in the cold periods, suggesting that there was less left in the atmosphere. Marine algae play a big role in removing CO2 from the atmosphere, the researchers explain. Today, the Earth is in a warm spell, with temperatures and sea levels both on the rise since the end of the last ice age. This has caused the ice caps to retreat back to the poles and, human caused carbon emissions have accelerated the warming effect While CO2 can be released back into the atmosphere through upwelling, when deep ocean water rises to the surface, the abundance of sea ice can act as a barrier to the exhaling process, trapping CO2 in and allowing the ice sheets to continue to grow. This effect prolongs the ice age. If we think of the oceans inhaling and exhaling carbon dioxide, the presence of vast amounts of ice is like a giant gobstopper, Lear said. Its like a lid on the surface of the ocean. Today, the Earth is in a warm spell, with temperatures and sea levels both on the rise since the end of the last ice age. Advertisement Driving from A to B on this road would never be a monotonous affair. The Grossglockner High Alpine Road in Austria is possibly the most attractive road in Europe, running across the mountains from Bruck in the state of Salzburg to Heiligenblut in Carinthia via Fuscher Torl. Nature photographer Mikoaj Gospodarek has been travelling to the road every year since 2008 to take pictures of it in the different seasons. The Grossglockner High Alpine Road in Austria is possibly the most attractive road in Europe It runs across the mountains from Bruck in the state of Salzburg with Heiligenblut in Carinthia via Fuscher Torl Nature photographer Mikoaj Gospodarek has been travelling to the road ever year since 2008 to take pictures of it in the different seasons Gospodarek has built up an incredible series of images showing various points along the route, which is peppered with mountain tops, glacier lakes and remote roadside huts, which he shared with Bored Panda. The road is a big tourist attraction thanks to its beautiful vistas and thousands of visitors pay the toll to drive along it from May to October. Named after Austria's highest mountain, the road was first mooted by a team of Austrian engineers in 1924, when they were ridiculed for their ambitions plans. But 11 years later, the Grossglockner High Alpine Road was officially opened in August 1935. Gospodarek has built up an incredible series of images showing various points along the route The road is peppered with mountain tops, glacier lakes, wild flowers and remote roadside huts The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is a big tourist attraction thanks to its beautiful vistas Thousands of visitors pay the toll to drive along the road when it is open from May to October The road, which is named after Austria's highest mountain, was first mooted by a team of Austrian engineers in 1924 According to the road's official website, it provides a one-of-a-kind journey for those who choose to travel on it. They said: 'The road is like an ornament of ribbons located between green mountain pastures, colourful flower meadows, rocky rubble, ice and snow. 'It nestles up against hills, follows the course of the natural ground and fits the mountains like a glove. 'Whooshing waterfalls, the shrill whistling of marmots and the howling wind in the summit regions create an unforgettable high alpine soundscape.' The Grossglockner High Alpine Road was officially opened in August 1935, 11 years after it was first suggested According to the road's official website, it is provides a one-of-a-kind journey for those who choose to travel on it The road is like an ornament of ribbons located between green mountain pastures, colourful flower meadows, rocky rubble, ice and snow Advertisement A set of rare maps dating back to the 17th century has sold at auction for $24,000 (19,820) in the US. They are believed to be a version created by Italian Jesuit priest, Matteo Ricci, whose original map had previously sold at auction for $1,000,000 (822,940). Remarkably, they were discovered in a garage of a Palm Desert home in California, where the previous owners had left them after purchasing them at an antiques show, 20 years ago. A set of rare maps (pictured) dating back to the 17th century has sold at auction for $24,000 (19,820) in the US They are believed to be a version created by Italian Jesuit priest, Matteo Ricci, whose original map had previously sold at auction for $1,000,000 (822,940) The hand-painted maps display drawings of what appears to be sea monsters in the margins, one of which is pictured above The maps were sold by California-based Kaminski Auctions on October 1. There are two panels, believed to be the first and sixth map in a series of six. When placed together, the set of six display a complete map of the world. The characters on the map describe, in Chinese, the phonetic names of the different countries as they are known today against their outlines. There are also drawings of sea monsters and what appears to be description of the climates and dates. Although they were originally described as 'two 19th century hand colored prints of the world,' the buyer, Barry Ruderman, quickly determined that they were in fact a version of the Matteo Ricci derivative map - one of the oldest in the world. The maps were sold by California-based Kaminski Auctions on October 1 according to a statement from the auctioneers Featured are hand-drawn characters and graphics noting what could be details on climate of the sea (above) In one corner of the drawing is a name, which reads Kunyu wanguo quantu, or Map of the Ten Thousand Countries of the Earth MATTEO RICCI DERIVATIVE MAP The Matteo Ricci derivative map is 'the oldest surviving map in Chinese to show the Americas'. It was created by Matteo Ricci, an Italian Jesuit priest who had travelled to and lived in China. He is said to have created the map with the help of Zhizao Li, a Chinese mathematician, astronomer and geographer, and Wentao Zhang, who was an official printer for the imperial court. The original document, first produced in 1602 and known as Kunyu wanguo quantu, or Map of the Ten Thousand Countries of the Earth, was believed to have been printed on six rolls of rice paper. There are now only two copies of the map in good condition in existence. Source: University of Minnesota Advertisement Barry Ruderman said in a press statement: 'We only spotted the map about 24 hours before the sale doing a routine search for maps in upcoming auctions. 'My gallery manager, Alex Clausen, brought it to my attention, and the two of us quickly worked out that it was a "Matteo Ricci derivative map".' The antique and rare map specialist is now trying to determine which version of the map it is. Although initially thought to be a copy produced for the Korean market in 1708, Ruderman is now looking at the possibility that they may be hand-painted originals produced between 1605 and 1608. Alex Clausen told MailOnline Travel: 'We are working with scholars in the Unites States, Europe, and Asia to confirm the preliminary conclusion that these maps constitute part of a lost Imperial Ricci map, which was commissioned especially by the Wanli Emperor during the first 10 years of the 17th century. 'An analysis by an American paper conservation lab confirms that we have a manuscript map in ink and watercolor on East Asian paper. The characters on the map describe, in Chinese, the phonetic names of the different countries as they are known today against their outlines The exact date of the maps are not currently known. They were originally sold as 19th century panels but could in fact be older Although initially thought to be a copy produced for the Korean market in 1708, the buyer is now looking at the possibility that they may be hand-painted originals produced between 1605 and 1608 'An archivist of East Asian manuscripts in the United States has pointed out that, materially, the paper and pigment are what he would expect from a 17th century Chinese manuscript, rather than a later Korean copy. 'The map sheets conform very closely with the one other known example of an Imperial Ricci Map in the Nanjing Museum. 'The map is backed on old linen, which was probably added to stabilize the paper sometime in the 19th century. Based on the fact that the map was found in Massachusetts, this raises the possibility that it came to the United States with the Old China Trade during the mid-19th century.' He added: 'We are currently undertaking an in-depth study of the material aspects of the map, as well as the geography and text. We expect this work to be concluded in the next few weeks.' An original of the Matteo Ricci derivative map was last sold at auction to James Ford Bell Library at the University of Minnesota for $1,000,000 (822,940). It was for a full set of six panels that measured 12ft by 5ft when assembled into a complete map. At the time, it was the second most expensive map ever sold. An original of the Matteo Ricci derivative map (details pictured) was last sold at auction to James Ford Bell Library at the University of Minnesota for $1,000,000 (822,940) People took to Quora to reveal key facts and insights on their homelands It's an old adage but a true one - the best way to glean what a place is really like is to ask the people who live there. Citizens of various countries around the world have taken to answer forum Quora to share - in their own opinions - the one thing foreigners should know about their homeland, and revealed some surprising truths. Some shared lesser known facts - that is snows in Afghanistan, for example - while others took to the floor to blast certain stereotypes, such as the British having bad teeth or the Japanese culture being 'weird'. Citizens of various countries around the world have revealed the one thing foreigners should know about their homeland, including that it actually snows in Afghanistan (pictured) One submitter to the thread pointed out that contrary to its reputation among tourists, the Netherlands is not 'all about smoking weed and prostitutes', claiming: 'Actually, most Dutch people do not even smoke weed.' They pointed to research from the UN's 2012 World Drug Report which found the use of cannabis to be far higher in places like New Zealand and Canada. And one representative from Canada was more than happy to endorse this finding. 'Yes, we smoke more marijuana than just about anywhere else on earth,' the writer remarked. 'And yes, we do apologise if you bump into us.' In regards to the French, one national wrote: 'We do complain a lot, especially in Paris. We don't act arrogant. We're just proud of ourselves.' Some commenters addressed some of the more serious issues related to their countries, racism being a popular subject. One Japanese native was keen to dispel the 'large misconception that everyone and everything here is incredibly weird' (stock image of Tokyo) One Greek native wrote of Greece: 'Racism. Racism everywhere. Greeks are racist. I wouldn't dare ask my Indian boyfriend to come over.' Another, from South Africa, remarked: 'We are historically obsessed about race, much as, say, Britain is obsessed with social class. We [South Africans] are historically obsessed about race, much as, say, Britain is obsessed with social class 'Most of us hate to admit it, but we hold views that other races are better/worse, smarter/dumber or kinder/less humane than ours.' Brazil, on the other hand, was described by one citizen as being the opposite. 'We have a very peculiar sense of nationality,' they wrote. 'Once you live in Brazil, you can consider yourself Brazilian. As a very multicultural country, we have low levels of xenophobia.' Of Afghanistan, a native commented: 'Most people in Afghanistan are appreciative of what the Americans have done for them, even if they haven't done it all so well and wish them out of their country. Getting rid of the Taliban was a very big thing for them.' This person also added: 'You're probably thinking, wtf it snows there?? Yeah, it does. We even have snow leopards. Average snowfall is something like five feet every winter.' One Mexican commenter insisted that tequila (left) was 'not the national drink', while a Russian confirmed that his countrymen do indeed drink 'a lot' of vodka (right) As for nearby Iran, one Iranian went into detail about their take on its culture, stating: 'When they are in public, they must conform to accepted modes of behaviour. 'Iranians protest compliments and attempt to appear vulnerable in public. It is only within their homes among their inner circle that they feel free to be themselves.' Also addressed on the thread was China, and its infamous one-child policy, stating that it is less 'effective' in areas outside cities. The user wrote: 'Yes, Chinese can have more than one baby. I have one sibling and my wife has six siblings. Half of my peers in my hometown have more than one baby.' Yes, Chinese can have more than one baby. Half of my peers in my hometown have more than one baby Of its gun laws, an American remarked: 'This is not a country where everybody owns guns; this is a country where about one-third of the people own enough guns to arm every man, woman and child in the land.' Another delved into Russia's perceived issues with corruption, writing: 'Yes, all elections are rigged one way or another. And the percentage of not-guilty verdicts in Russia is 0.5 per cent.' While this statistic has been thrown around for years, it has never been formally verified. The same Russian writer also said that Russians do drink a lot of vodka, mainly because it is by far the country's cheapest spirit. Tequila in Mexico, however, got different treatment from one Mexican who insisted: 'Tequila is not the national drink. And we are not lazy people, laying under a cactus with big sombreros on our heads.' Perhaps the most amusing submission was from a Kazakhstan native who wrote that his country does actually exist, and was not 'made up by Sacha Baron Cohen' Similarly, an Indian national wrote: 'You may think that we work in call centres all night and you are right and you are wrong.' Another pointed out that more than 1,500 officially recognised languages were in use there. 'There is no language called Indian,' they wrote. 'Many people can converse in Hindi, although it is not guaranteed to elicit a response in about half of the country.' Japanese people do not express themselves as openly as some Western cultures One Japanese commenter was keen to dispel the 'large misconception that everyone and everything here is incredibly weird'. They wrote: 'Japanese people in general are one of the most normal, and as a whole, do not express themselves as openly as some Western cultures.' Several Brits on the thread threw in some insights, with one writing: 'We do not have bad teeth, in fact due to our free healthcare [...] I know very few people with bad teeth. Perhaps the most amusing submission? Advertisement Blackpool boasts seven miles of golden sands and a theme park on the doorstep - and now a new study has praised it for having the second best shoreline in the world. It was pipped to the top spot by Dubai, while the Gulf of Mexico sailed in at third place. The locations were rated based on the clarity of the horizon, sea colour, sand quality, cleanliness, interesting features, air quality and the weather. Hub of activity: Blackpool boasts seven miles of golden sands and a theme park on the doorstep - and now a new study has praised it for having the second best shoreline in the world Endless blue: Dubai claimed the top spot in the new study, commissioned by Royal Caribbean - it was spearheaded by psychologist, Dr David Holmes The Gulf of Mexico was highlighted for having the third best shoreline in the world - locations were rated based on the clarity of the horizon, sea colour, sand quality, cleanliness, interesting features, air quality and the weather THE BEST SHORELINES IN THE WORLD 2016 1 Dubai, United Arab Emirates 2 Blackpool, United Kingdom 3 Gulf of Mexico, United States of America 4 Cape Cod National Seashore, United States of America 5 Inchydoney, West Cork, Ireland 6 Twelve Apostles, Victoria, Australia 7 Cape Town, South Africa 8 Cavelossim, Goa, India 9 Krabi, Thailand 10 Whitehaven Beach, Whitehaven Islands, Australia Advertisement The new study, commissioned by Royal Caribbean, was spearheaded by psychologist, Dr David Holmes. He went about formulating a mathematical equation in a bid to scientifically prove which shoreline is the most seductive. Helping with the prize-giving process, was London lifestyle and travel vlogger, Laila Swann. The 24-year-old, who has travelled extensively thanks to her burgeoning social media following, said she was 'proud' to see Blackpool come second. Boating hot spot: Cape Cod scored fourth place on the list with its quaint unspoiled shoreline Rugged: Inchydoney - which came fifth on the list - is situated just outside the heritage town of Clonakilty in West Cork, a region blessed with some of Ireland's most spectacular scenery Natural wonders: The Twelve Apostles is a collection of limestone stacks off the shore of the Port Campbell National Park in Victoria, Australia - the stretch of coast scored sixth place The seaside resort scored highly for its clean Blue Flag beaches and interesting features such as the famous Blackpool Tower, with only the British weather keeping it from the number one slot. Commenting on the overall winner, Swann said: 'Having travelled to Dubai in March this year, I can certainly vouch for its sensational shoreline.' Cape Cod in the US came in at fourth place, followed by Inchydoney in Ireland and the Twelve Apostles in Australia. Others to make the top ten were Cape Town in South Africa, Cavelossim in India, Krabi in Thailand and Whitehaven Beach in Australia. Fancy a dip? Cape Town in South Africa achieved seventh place for its array of white sand beaches Sit back and relax: Cavelossim is a village in South Goa district of India - the town is well-known for its laidback beach, it scored eighth place on the rating board Into the shallows: Krabi, the capital of southern Thailand's Krabi Province, is a resort town near the Andaman coast, it boasts dozens of dreamy beaches interspersed with rocky outcrops Last but not least: Located in the heart of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, Whitehaven Beach is considered one of the worlds most unspoiled and beautiful beaches - it claimed tenth place in the new study Touching on the results, Dr Holmes said: 'While this formula may not account for every eventuality, the top ten hopefully helps holidaymakers identify the shorelines which are, scientifically, most impactful. 'All countries have good and bad shorelines; however some are stunning in their unpretentious beauty combined with iconic features. Shorelines such as Dubai in UAE score well across all elements of the formula, whilst others such as Inchydoney in Ireland offer wonderful experiences with the added benefit of attracting smaller crowds.' With summer just around the corner there's the promise of long, lazy days at the beach, sizzling bbqs and hot holiday adventures. But with the most captivating TV on air or about to hit the small screen, with some of the sexiest dramas from around the globe on offer, temperatures are set to soar inside your living room. From The Walking Dead to Westworld, Victoria to the Fall, here are our pick of the best shows from Foxtel on screen this summer. WESTWORLD The new Game of Thrones? Westworld is one of the most eagerly-anticipated dramas of the year. Available on Foxtel With the first series costing $100million (USD) to shoot, Westworld is one of the most eagerly anticipated dramas of the year. The Western Sci-Fi from HBO has been created by Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan, with JJ Abrams acting as executive producer, and the show has already been met with rave reviews from America and the UK, when it aired earlier this month. Dubbed the new Game Of Thrones, the TV series based on the 1973 film, consists of oodles of nudity, violence, sex and gruesome murder. The eponymous theme park sees rich guests enjoy themselves in whatever ways they want to - with no consequences arising from their actions. Robots, in the shape of humans, act as hosts for the travellers but are unaware of their role, or the park itself. A glitch in the artificial intelligence systems causes havoc and a sinister character dubbed 'the man in black', played by Ed Harris, appears to have the run of the park under the radar of the support staff running it. Along with the supersized budget, the show also has a stellar cast including Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton and Luke Hemsworth, as well as Oscar-winner Anthony Hopkins, who plays the theme park's genius, but unnerving, creator. Each episode will throw up more questions than they answers and the fan theories are already out of control and growing by the day. If you're a GOT fan, you'll love this and do watch to avoid having fomo (fear of missing out) when everybody else starts talking about it. THE WALKING DEAD Chilling: Get your zombie fix and post apocalypse strategy sorted with The Walking Dead, on Foxtel The hit show, which has previously been nominated for a Golden Globe, is back for a seventh series and fans are set to learn exactly who was bumped off in the cliffhanger ending to season six. At the end of the last series viewers watched on as villain Nagan violently murdered one of sheriff deputy Rick Grime's crew, but as the horrific act was seen through the eyes of the victim, the question of who was killed remains unanswered. For those unfamiliar with the show, the horror drama is based on the comic book series of the same name by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore and Charlie Adlard. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, Rick leads a group of human's trying to survive against the zombies, known as 'walkers'. But the 'undead' aren't the only ones to contend with as groups of other humans battle it out to ensure their own survival. Brutal and scary in equal measure, but utterly captivating, if you've not seen it now is the time to get hooked. THE FALL Hunky! Watch Jamie Dornan strip off in series three of The Fall, on Foxtel Calling all Jamie Dornan fans, and let's face who isn't one, it looks like the world's sexiest series killer survives another series on The Fall. Hoorah! Series three is currently airing on Thursdays 8.30pm AEDT on Foxtels BBC First channel where, you can get your fix of hunky and brooding Dornan, as well as his amazingly talented co-star Gillian Anderson. The X Files actress returns as DSI Stella Gibson, who is trying to ensure Dornan's serial killer Paul Spector is put behind bars. But what starts out as a simple murder investigation becomes far more complex with confessions from both characters that are set to rock the boat. As Dornan puts it 'expect the unexpected'. Chilling and tantalising this series is not to be missed and spoiler alert, there are strong hints that it could well be Dornan's last. VICTORIA Reign it in: Victoria, on Foxtel, will be a sure-fire hit for anyone who loves a period drama If you loved Downton Abbey, enjoy a period drama, or are simply a fan of the British Royal family, than Victoria is the show for you. The programme tells the story of the first few years of the monarch's reign, exploring her public battles with parliament and her private struggles with her romantic life. The series documents Victoria's accession to the throne at just 18 years old, her close, and somewhat intense, friendship, with Lord Melbourne, her love story and subsequent marriage to Albert, an assassination attempt and the birth of her first child. Regal beauty: The lead role is played by Jenna Coleman, who was once linked to real life royalty in the form of Prince Harry There is lots for one to contend with. Jenna Coleman, who plays the leading role, was actually once linked to real life royalty, in the form of Prince Harry, after the pair were spotted canoodling at a polo match last year, although she's since insisted they are simply just friends. And if you're convinced by the chemistry between Jenna and her hunky co-star Tom Hughes as Prince Albert on screen, you'll be happy to know the pair are actually dating in real life. One most definitely approves. DIVORCE She's back! Sarah Jessica Parker returns to our screens in new drama Divorce, available on Foxtel Twelve years after Carrie Bradshaw teetered off our screens in her Manolo Blanniks for the last time, Sarah Jessica Parker is back appearing in HBO's new show Divorce and it's set to make you laugh out loud. Co-written by Sharon Horgan and Paul Simms, Divorce is a story about a couple's relationship unravelling. Sarah Jessica stars as Frances, alongside Thomas Haden Church, who portrays Frances's husband Robert. The couple are extremely unhappy and despite many years together and two children they have grown apart and appear unable to communicate. While the show explores tough, and very relatable scenarios, it does so with plenty of humour along the way. Although conceived by Sarah Jessica herself, the show's creator Sharon Horgan brings her experience from award-winning British show Catastrophe, and it's a charming combination. Happy Summer viewing! He's the US Presidential candidate who has mingled with a bevvy of Australian beauties at the Miss Universe pageants. And during an interview with KIIS FM's The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Tuesday, the radio hosts pulled up a picture of Jesinta with Trump from backstage at the 2010 international pageant, where she placed second runner-up. Recalling the moment, Jesinta revealed Trump attempted to brush her hair for the staged meeting, to which: 'I said "With hair like that, I think you can keep your comb to yourself!" Scroll down for video 'Keep the comb to yourself': Jesinta Campbell was tight lipped about controversial US Presidential candidate Donald Trump but recalled their meeting backstage at the 2010 Miss Universe pageant Jesinta - who is engaged to Swans player Lance 'Buddy' Franklin - also noted the billionaire businessman did not act sleazy towards her, after being asked about his behaviour in light of his lewd comments about women and the sexual assault allegations made against him. The 25-year-old model hesitated to say much more when asked about him, before revealing she's supporting his rival Hillary Clinton, saying: 'Go Hillary, girl power I think all the way!' The brunette added it would be 'great to see a female president of the United States.' No thanks! Jesinta spoke about how Donald attempted to brush her hair for the staged meeting, saying: 'I said "With hair like that? I think you can keep your comb to yourself!" (seen with Kyle and Jackie O after her interview) 'Girl power': The brunette added it would be 'great to see a female president of the United States' While former Australian Miss Universe, Jennifer Hawkins, has spoken enthusiastically about Donald Trump, former Miss Congeniality Jesinta Campbell, was a little more tight lipped when asked about the controversial candidate. Jennifer Hawkins, 32, got to know Donald, 70, when she won the coveted title in 2004. After speaking enthusiastically about the Miss Universe pageant owner in a number of interviews, as the election heated up, the blonde beauty refused to speak about him any more. According to The Daily Telegraph, the model has cancelled a number of interviews after regularly being asked questions about the politician. Shy: Former Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins reportedly cancelled a number of interviews last week after regularly being asked questions about Donald Trump Back in the day: Jennifer Hawkins, 32, meanwhile got to know Donald, 70, when she competed in the Miss Universe pageant in 2004 Hawkins manager, Sean Anderson of 22 Management confirmed the reasoning in a statement to the publication. 'Jennifer is not interested and will not be commenting on Donald Trump,' he commented. 'She is not interested in getting involved in the politics.' Hawkins has reportedly cancelled interviews with Daily Telegraph, Woman's Day, KIIS FM's Kyle & Jackie O and Nova radio last week. Hawkins' refusal to comment on Trump, comes seven months after she praised the Republican candidate for being a 'brilliant businessman'. 'She's not interested': Hawkins manager, Sean Anderson of 22 Management confirmed the reasoning in a statement During an interview with Today Extra, she revealed: 'He is charming. He has presence'. In August, Hawkins also admitted Trump was one of her inspiration sources. 'He inspired me to keep going and follow my heart,' she told The Daily Telegraph at the time. 'Hes really passionate and really driven. Hes like, "Whats next?" He prompts you to think, "All right, what is next?"' Lindy Klim has taken a swipe at her ex-husband Michael for speaking about her engagement to fiance Adam Ellis on radio. 'The funny thing is, is that I'm not quite sure how he (Michael) found out about our engagement on Instagram because it wasn't on Instagram or social media,' the 38-year-old told The Daily Telegraph this week. She continued: 'Also the fact that I hadn't even confirmed anything either.' Scroll down for video Hitting back: Lindy Klim (R) has slammed her ex-husband Michael (L) for speaking about her engagement to fiance Adam Ellis on radio before she'd announced it Lindy was referring to the former Olympian's interview earlier this month with KIIS FM's The Kyle & Jackie O Show, when Michael claimed he only found out about the engagement through Instagram. And it appears there's no love lost between the former couple, with Lindy admitting she doesn't feel the need to update her ex on the details of her new life. She said: 'I don't really know why he is saying these things, but in regards to telling your ex about an engagement, I think it's totally up to the person. 'I hadn't even confirmed anything': The 38-year-old model said she didn't feel obliged to update her ex-husband about her new life with British builder Adam Ellis (L) 'There are definitely things he didn't tell me about, so I dont feel like I need to tell him what Im doing in my life anymore,' she added. Lindy's engagement rumours first began when the model shared a photo of herself on holiday with British builder Adam in Morocco two weeks ago. One friend commented on the post congratulating the couple, writing: 'So happy for you two,' while adding a series of diamond ring and bride Emojis. Loved-up: News of the model's engagement to Adam came to light earlier this month after friends flocked to Instagram to congratulate the couple Something to tell us? Lindy fueled speculation of her surprise engagement after sharing a photo of herself looking at her 'new future' Speculation was fuelled by Lindy's next post, showing herself looking glamourous in a turban while gazing into the desert. 'What's that over there.... oh it's my new future and it's certainly looking bright!' she wrote. Lindy, who goes by her ex-husband's surname, also appeared to confirm that she would be taking Adam's last name soon. Jumping ship: Lindy confirmed to friends via Instagram that she will be adopting her Adam's surname once they are married Going strong: Lindy and Adam have been inseparable since debuting their relationship in public earlier this year She replied to a question on Instagram by Australian fashion designer and Triangl founder Erin Deering if they will 'have the same surname soon'. Erin is engaged to former AFL player and business partner Craig Ellis, who does not appear to be related to Adam. Erin wrote: '@lindyklim are we both going to have the same surname soon?! (if Craig and I ever get round to getting married!!! #ellisgirls'. In happier times: Michael and Lindy announced their split in February after months of breakup rumours (pictured here with their daughter Stella, 10, and sons Rocco, eight, and Frankie, five And Lindy promptly replied: '@erinkdeering hahahaha yes... #ellisgirls rock!!' Back in Sydney and working as the ambassador for Virgin Mobile and Smiling Mind's initiative, Lindy revealed life as a working single mother can be tough. 'Everyone has ups and downs so thats why it is really important to check in with yourself and to disconnect and have a healthy mind,' she told the Herald Sun. 'It is very stressful. Even just having three kids is being stressful and juggling and being a single parent and working, but that's just everybody these days.' That was quick! Lindy was first pictured with Adam earlier this year shortly after announcing her split from swimmer Michael Lindy and Michael - who share three children, Stella, 10, Rocco, eight, and Frankie, five - were married for 10 years before announcing their split in February. Shortly after confirming the separation, Lindy was spotted with Adam at London's Heathrow Airport. Meanwhile, Michael is dating Balinese fashion designer Desiree Deravi and claims they are in no rush to get married. It was reported this week that Georgia Love's mother Belinda was admitted into palliative care as she battles an aggressive pancreatic cancer. And now, The Bachelorette star has revealed in a recent interview that her mother doesn't know who wins her heart just yet. The 27-year-old told News Corp : 'She's watching it just like everyone else at home getting invested and having her favourites and changing her mind every episode.' Scroll down for video 'She's watching it just like everyone else': The Bachelorette's Georgia Love has revealed her mother doesn't know who wins her heart just yet, after confirming Belinda has recently been placed into palliative care as she battles aggressive pancreatic cancer However, the former TV presenter added that her mother has a good inclination of who she chooses. 'She's being careful not to say who she thinks (the winner is) definitively but she's told me who her favourite is and I'm happy with that. 'Mum absolutely knows me best.' 'Mum absolutely knows me best': Georgia seen here with her mother, Belinda Earlier this week Channel Ten confirmed to The Daily Telegraph that Belinda had been admitted to palliative care. Belinda was receiving chemotherapy while Georgia filmed season two of the popular reality series. Speaking to the Herald Sun last month, Georgia said: 'It has been particularly hard for me, having been away filming, to then come back and see her 10 weeks into chemo, but she is being very positive.' Tough times: Belinda was receiving chemotherapy while Georgia filmed season two of the popular reality series Her mother went to the doctor suffering abdominal pain and a 'massive tumour' was discovered. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the same time Georgia was approached to be The Bachelorette. The finale of The Bachelorette starring Georgia Love airs across Wednesday and Thursday. The former journalist has three men left vying for her heart, Lee, Matty and Jake. Photos have recently emerged of Lee and Matty filming scenes for the finale with Georgia in Singapore - suggesting Jake will not be receiving the final rose. This week, Bindi Irwin made her debut in the 2016 Henleys Maxim Hot 100 countdown of Australia's most beautiful women, having just turned 18. And on Wednesday, the young star celebrated the news and shared an empowering message with her young fans on Instagram. Sharing a shot of herself in a stunning black beaded dress, she wrote in part of her post: 'Words can't describe how honoured I am.' Scroll down for video 'So honoured': Bindi Irwin has celebrated her debut in the 2016 Henleys Maxim Hot 100 countdown of Australia's most beautiful women, by sharing an empowering message with her young fans on Wednesday 'My goal in life is to empower each and every person around the world to embrace themselves inside and out,' Bindi said. 'Beauty is not just found on the outside, it's the kindness you share with others and the positivity you embrace every day.' 'If your core values revolve around love and light, you are a beautiful person.' The daughter of the late 'Crocodile Hunter' Steve Irwin has been in the spotlight for years but made headlines in 2015 for winning Dancing With The Stars. Wildlife warrior: Bindi made her debut just three months after turning 18 The Hot 100 celebrates the 'most gifted and gorgeous' females in the country, and includes models, TV stars and politicians. And the Queensland wildlife warrior made an impressive debut, placing at No. 8, ahead of Ruby Rose and her good friends, The Veronicas. Bindi, a conservationist from a young age, is also well-known internationally due to her reality TV appearance last year. Birthday girl! Bindi celebrated her 18th birthday in July at Australia Zoo with her family and American boyfriend Chandler Powell (L) THE MAXIM AUSTRALIA HOT 100 - TOP 10 1. Margot Robbie 2. Jessica Marais 3. Delta Goodrem 4. Jennifer Hawkins 5. Renee Somerfield 6. Miranda Kerr 7. Olympia Valance 8. Bindi Irwin 9. The Veronicas 10. Ruby Rose Advertisement THE MAXIM AUSTRALIA HOT 100 - BOTTOM 10 91. Jessica Rowe 92. Kate Langbroek 93. Lucy Turnbull 94. Celeste Barber 95. Sophie Page 96. Tanya Plibersek 97. Caroline Wilson 98. Julie Bishop 99. Kitty Chiller 100. Pauline Hanson Advertisement Household name: Bindi, a conservationist from a young age, is also well-known internationally after winning the US version of Dancing With The Stars last year Meanwhile, Hollywood actress Margot Robbie topped the list, having placed second in last year's Maxim Hot 100. Miranda Kerr, Jennifer Hawkins and Neighbours star Olympia Valance also featured in the magazine's top 10. Maxim editor-in-chief Santi Pintado said: 'Our definitive list of Australias most beautiful, successful and talented women of the year celebrates the outstanding ladies who have wowed us with their aptitude, intellect, humour, mega-talents, coolness, sexiness and more, in 2016. Fame: The daughter of the late 'Crocodile Hunter' Steve Irwin has been in the spotlight for a while and appears to have made Maxim's annual list on her first year of eligibility 'And Australian men have spoken loud and clear they simply cant get enough of these 100 talented homegrown beauties.' He continued: 'This is a list of the nations most beautiful women. And beauty comes in many forms. 'The requirements for making the HOT 100 varies for each woman on the list and covers many aspects including their career achievements, how theyve fared in the last 12 months and whether or not our parents would like her. Oh, and they have to be Australian, of course.' Maxim Australia is available on Monday Playboy model Ashley Kirk, 26, has denied being in a relationship with Melbourne businessman Geoffrey Edelsten, 73. A representative told KIIS 101.1 Matt & Meshel on Wednesday: 'I spoke with Ashley who said she is not dating this guy, and will not do an interview. So, I am not sure how the rumours got started.' This follows multiple reports the pair were dating, after Geoffrey appeared to confirm the romance to the The Daily Telegraph this week. Scroll down for video 'She is not dating this guy': A representative for Playboy model Ashley Kirk (pictured) has denied she is in a relationship with Melbourne businessman Geoffrey Edelsten Radio presenter Meshel Laurie said: 'That reminded of the last girl that Geoffrey reckoned he was seeing in January this year. 'She was an actress, Rachel Currence. She said something similar. Something along the lines of "Never heard of him!"' Co-host Matt Tilley explained that Geoffrey is still saying the relationship is genuine - and Ashley is simply upset she 'isn't getting paid' for the news coverage. The claws are out! According to KIIS 101.1 Matt & Meshel, Geoffrey maintains the relationship is genuine and Ashley is just 'sulking' because she is not being paid for news coverage Quoting an 'off-the-grid' source, Matt said: 'She is "sulking right now", saying (news outlets) are "reporting this romance with her getting paid." 'To which the good doctor (Geoffrey) has responded, "Oh, in America the magazines pay and she doesn't understand Australian newspapers don't do that. '"She never gives interviews without being paid," says Edelsten,' Matt concluded. Daily Mail Australia has reached to Ashley's management for further comment. 'She never give interviews without being paid': Geoffrey was quoted as responding to Ashley's denial by KIIS FM co-host Matt Tilley on Wednesday This comes after Geoffrey told News Corp this week he was dating the aspiring Hollywood actress. The medical entrepreneur said: 'We have a lot in common and there is sensational chemistry between us. 'Shes gorgeous, articulate and fun and is attracted to me, I believe, because Ive a lot to offer.' He also claimed Ashley, who hails from Michigan, was attracted to his intelligence, saying: 'I have seven masters and two doctorates and can help mentor her career.' Geoffrey explained he first met his new 'girlfriend' on a business trip to the United States several weeks ago. He has previously claimed to have not been on speaking terms with his grandchildren, Bindi and Robert Irwin. But Steve Irwin's father Bob, 77, appears to have reached out to his estranged paternal grandchildren in the writings of his recently-released debut memoir, The Last Crocodile Hunter: A Father And Son Legacy. In a paragraph titled A Message To My Grandkids, Bob imparted his wishes for Bindi and Robert in future, writing: 'It would be really nice to think that both of them could follow in their father's footsteps'. Scroll down for video 'It would be really nice to think that both of them could follow in their father's footsteps': Steve Irwin's father Bob, 77, appears to have reached out to his estranged paternal grandchildren in The Last Crocodile Hunter: A Father And Son Legacy Bob also claimed that he hopes his famous grandchildren will remain true to their passion for wildlife conservation as they grow up. '[Bindi and Robert] have obviously got a little bit of their dad like that, I'd like for them of course to have a lot of that because his heart was the biggest gift that he had to give to the world.' Bob confirmed his estrangement from his famous children earlier this week, telling The Daily Telegraph: 'That's life'. '[Bindi and Robert] have obviously got a little bit of their dad like that': Bob also claimed that he hopes his famous grandchildren will remain true to their passion for wildlife conservation as they grow up '[Bindi and Robert] will grow up and they might come to understand me better for my having written this book,' he told the publication. Bindi previously responded to claims of a widening rift following the tragic death of her conservationist father, telling Daily Mail Australia at the 2016 AACTA Awards that it was Bob's decision to sever ties. 'Everyone deals with grief differently,' she said. 'When my dad passed away he chose to distance himself from everything that dad loved the most. 'That's life': Bob confirmed his estrangement from his famous children earlier this week, telling The Daily Telegraph 'Everyone deals with grief differently': Bindi previously responded to claims of a widening rift following the tragic death of her conservationist father, telling Daily Mail Australia at the 2016 AACTA Awards that it was Bob's decision to sever ties 'At the moment were really just respecting his wishes because he hasnt had anything to do with us for a long time and he decided his own path. Thats important so good for him.' Bindi also claimed that her grandfather had even rejected gifts from the family, saying: 'There was one year where we sent birthday presents to him and he opened them up and he sent them back'. 'With things like that you realise that people need to deal with grief how they need to deal with grief and as long as it doesnt hurt yourself or hurt those around you then thats the way to go.' Kate Ritchie celebrated six years of marriage with Stuart Webb last month. And a discussion about possible traditional gifts to mark the occasion - which is wood for a sixth anniversary - soon turned into a joke about the star's sex life when she appeared on Today Extra Wednesday morning. 'Someone else said that to me, but what does that mean? I needed to buy a wooden spoon?' the 38-year-old asked, to which quick-witted co-host David Campbell responded: 'We're not going to get into your sex life'. Scroll down for video Too racy for morning TV! David Campbell joked about Kate Ritchie's sex life with husband Stuart Webb when the starlet discussed wooden gifts for her sixth wedding anniversary during a Today Extra appearance on Wednesday Laughing off the awkward segue, the Nova radio presenter said: 'He is a chef, [so] a wooden spoon wouldn't be an insult but if he bought me one, I'd be like, "What does this mean?"' Kate wished her husband a happy anniversary last month with a sweet selfie of the couple while on a romantic getaway, putting split rumours well-and-truly to rest. 'Six years ago today,' the former Home And Away actress captioned the photo, followed by Emojis of a bride and groom. 'We're not going to get into your sex life': David quipped as Kate brought up the idea of buying her husband a wooden spoon to celebrate their relationship milestone The brunette beauty added the hash-tags: 'happy anniversary' and 'we dragged everyone to Launceston'. In the shot, the couple are both seen smiling into the camera, with the mother-of-one in a very low-cut black one-piece swimsuit, showing a glimpse of her cleavage. While her former Rugby League star husband also showed off his fit frame shirtless in the photo, which appears to be taken straight after a swim. Going strong: The former Home And Away star wished her husband a happy anniversary with a sweet couple's selfie last month Rock solid: The couple had been plagued with split rumours for months, after both were spotted without their wedding rings The couple's relationship has been plagued with split rumours for months. In August, it was claimed that the pair had been living separate lives, with Stuart residing in their newly-purchased Southern Highlands NSW home while Kate and their daughter Mae stayed in Sydney. They further fuelled speculation of trouble in paradise after stepping out without their wedding rings. The couple married in an intimate country-style wedding a year after getting engaged during a European holiday. In August 2014, the couple welcomed their first child, daughter Mae, into the world, an experience that prompted Kate's first children's book I Just Couldn't Wait To Meet You. Dakota Fanning sparkled in a star-spangled dress at the Save the Children Illumination Gala in Midtown Manhattan on Tuesday. The 22-year-old SAG Award nominee - who relies on stylist Samantha McMillen - paired her plunging and belted LBD with peep-toe Louboutins. The Georgia-born blonde - who's romancing British model Jamie Strachan - sported a pink pout and wore her flaxen locks down for the benefit. Scroll down for video Playful: Dakota Fanning sparkled in a star-spangled dress at the Save the Children Illumination Gala in Midtown Manhattan on Tuesday She's a star! The 22-year-old SAG Award nominee - who relies on stylist Samantha McMillen - paired her plunging and belted LBD with peep-toe Louboutins Red carpet ready: The Georgia-born blonde - who's romancing British model Jamie Strachan - sported a pink pout and wore her flaxen locks down for the benefit Dakota (born Hannah) will next play 16-year-old political terrorist Merry Levov in Ewan McGregor's dismally-reviewed directorial debut, American Pastoral. The postwar Philip Roth dramedy - also starring Jennifer Connelly, David Strathairn, and Uzo Aduba - will hit US theaters Friday and UK theaters November 11. Fanning will soon team up with fellow former child star Kirsten Dunst to co-produce and star as Esther Greenwood in her feature directorial debut, The Bell Jar. 'We vibe so much,' the older sister of Elle told Net-a-Porter's The EDIT last week. Rebellious: Dakota (born Hannah) will next play 16-year-old political terrorist Merry Levov in Ewan McGregor's dismally-reviewed directorial debut, American Pastoral Out of control: The postwar Philip Roth dramedy - also starring Jennifer Connelly (2-L), David Strathairn, and Uzo Aduba - will hit US theaters Friday and UK theaters November 11 'We vibe so much!' Fanning will soon team up with fellow former child star Kirsten Dunst to co-produce and star as Esther Greenwood in her feature directorial debut, The Bell Jar 'We want to make a cinematic experience. A lot of people have this idea of The Bell Jar being dark and depressing, and that it's [Sylvia] Plaths biography. It's not; it's a novel. There's a lot of humor, irony and light those are things we want to bring out, the parts people dont think of right away.' The Benefactor actress is also studying gender in cinema part-time at New York University's Gallatin School of Individualized Study. Also dazzling the Plaza Hotel was David Bowie's widow Iman, easily defying her 61 years in a pink polka-dotted cape and matching gown. The cosmetics mogul - born Abdulmajid - was there to accept the Voice Award for 'her commitment to sharing the stories of the most deprived children.' Fierce! Also dazzling the Plaza Hotel was David Bowie's widow Iman, easily defying her 61 years in a pink polka-dotted cape and matching gown Congrats! The cosmetics mogul - born Abdulmajid - was there to accept the Voice Award for 'her commitment to sharing the stories of the most deprived children' Sophisticated: Nine Lives star Jennifer Garner bared her shoulders in a strapless black velvet creation selected by stylist duo Jill Lincoln and Jordan Johnson Dolled up mother-of-three: The 44-year-old Golden Globe winner looked glamorous with her brown eye shadow and romantic partial updo Nine Lives star Jennifer Garner bared her shoulders in a strapless black velvet creation selected by stylist duo Jill Lincoln and Jordan Johnson. The 44-year-old Golden Globe winner looked glamorous with her brown eye shadow and romantic partial updo. Victoria's Secret Angel Sara Sampaio flaunted her taut tummy in a white lace bra-top beneath a baggy suit. Earth angel: Victoria's Secret Angel Sara Sampaio flaunted her taut tummy in a white lace bra-top beneath a baggy suit Effervescent: Grammy-winning country crooner Jennifer Nettles grinned in her black lacy jumpsuit selected by stylist Hayley Atkin Japanese-inspired footwear? Atlantis songstress Bridgit Mendler donned a trendy off-the-shoulder striped flounce LBD with bizarre platforms Ready for her close-up! The dimpled 23-year-old had her make-up done by Faye Lauren and her ponytail coiffed by Ryan Austin Grammy-winning country crooner Jennifer Nettles grinned in her black lacy jumpsuit selected by stylist Hayley Atkin. Atlantis songstress Bridgit Mendler donned a trendy off-the-shoulder striped flounce LBD with bizarre platforms. Clearly this style star is not about to let a little jet lag slow her down. Karlie Kloss may have only recently returned from Tokyo but she is hitting the ground running on Tuesday. The 24-year-old kicked off her day with a style awards brunch before hosting a talk on everything from how to look chic to how to code in Los Angeles, California. Before wrapping up her night in Laguna Beach attending the Wall Street Journal's WSJDLive. Scroll down for videos Busy day: Karlie Kloss went from fashion event to fashion event in Los Angeles, California, on Tuesday, making a quick change as she did Not done yet: Before wrapping up her night in Laguna Beach attending the Wall Street Journal's WSJDLive which was also attended by Kate Hudson and Kobe Bryant While most might be moving a little slowly after a big time zone changing flight and a big night of partying from hip hop star Drake's birthday, this model was firing on all cylinders. Karlie started her stylish day at the member's only club Soho House in West Hollywood. There the catwalk star attended The [British] Fashion Awards 2016 Official Nominees Announcement Brunch. There was no missing Karlie at the brunch with the model towering over the over attendees. First stop: Karlie started her stylish day at the member's only club Soho House in West Hollywood for The [British] Fashion Awards 2016 Official Nominees Announcement Brunch Can't miss her: Posing up with the likes of stylist Alison Edmond and designer Tamara Mellon, Karlie had close to a foot on them Asset flaunting: Highlighting her tall and slim physique, Karlie stepped out in a turtle necked top which was black but with an orange ribbed collar and an abstract design made from silver and reflective circles Posing up with the likes of stylist Alison Edmond and designer Tamara Mellon, Karlie had close to a foot on them. Highlighting her tall and slim physique, Karlie stepped out in a turtle necked top which was black but with an orange ribbed collar and an abstract design made from silver and reflective circles. The model paired the David Koma top with a pair of tailored black trousers, that the designer had given a twist to by adding large perspex buttons down the side. Style sisters: At the event, the model caught up with fellow style star Poppy Delevingne Easy does it: The blonde wore her hair back in a simple high pony tail which some strands messily escaped from Karlie further accessorized the look with a pair of red pumps and Atelier Swarovski earrings. The blonde wore her hair back in a simple high pony tail which some strands messily escaped from. At the event, the model caught up with fellow style star Poppy Delevingne. And the nominee is... The 24-year-old was tasked with announcing the award nominees Karlie had an official role at the event British Fashion Council's award nominees. After the announcements, Karlie then headed to the nearby outdoor shopping mall The Grove. For this event, Karlie went for chic but casual look featuring straight leg Levi jeans with a white V-neck T-shirt from Z Supply and a black suit jacket. Round two: After the announcements, Karlie then headed to the nearby outdoor shopping mall The Grove to promote her new campaign with Swarovski Elegantly undersated: For this event, Karlie went for chic but casual look featuring straight leg Levi jeans with a white V-neck Z Supply T-shirt and a black suit jacket Karlie made the look pop with some statement earrings and matching necklace from Atelier Swarovski by Jean Paul Gaultier collection which featured dark crystals set in a ruthenium-plated metal with chains hanging from them. The star added a pop of bright colour to the look thanks to her red lipstick. Sitting down at the Swarovski store, Karlie chatted with The Hollywood Reporter's Senior Fashion Editor as fans listened in. Bling bling: Karlie made the look pop with some statement earrings and matching necklace from the Atelier Swarovski by Jean Paul Gaultier collection which featured dark crystals set in a ruthenium-plated metal with chains hanging from them Staying chic to coding: Sitting down at the Swarovski store, Karlie chatted with The Hollywood Reporter's Senior Fashion Editor as fans listened in While Karlie predictability spoke of her love of fashion, she also spoke about her love of coding. The star shared: 'When I started to learn how to code, I had no idea really what it is, but I just knew it was this giant, mysterious puzzle and this very elusive idea. What is this thing coding that everyone is talking about? 'Tech companies are built using code and they are transforming industries whether it's fashion or communications of healthcare. The world that we live in is being totally transformed by technology.' Say cheese: Karlie was not done yet however, with the star then heading down to Laguna Beach to be part of the WSJDLive's 'after dark' party Power people: The stars made sure to pose us with WSJ Magazine Editor-in-Chief Kristina O'Neill and Editor-in-Chief Gerry Baker Karlie also told THR that it is possible to be nice in fashion: 'Fashion is a very competitive world, but at the same time it is a family network of people who are all incredibly passionate about creativity and creating. Inspiring the world and inspiring one another.' Karlie was not done yet however, with the star then heading down to Laguna Beach to be part of the WSJDLive. The event brought together top CEOs, tech and business pioneers and celebs to 'explore the most exciting tech opportunities emerging around the world'. She continues to wow with her sartorial selections. And Dame Helen Mirren, 71, couldn't be missed on Tuesday night as she arrived at the Sunset Marquis in West Hollywood wearing a bright white full-length overcoat. The actress emanated a warm, healthy glow and her silver locks were styled in a neat bob. Scroll down for video Immaculate: Dame Helen Mirren, 71, couldn't be missed on Tuesday night as she arrived at the Sunset Marquis in West Hollywood wearing a bright white full-length overcoat Typically stylish, Helen wore a pair of black peep-toe heels which showed off her lilac pedicure. She sported a large statement ring and a slick of bold red lipstick for an extra touch of glamour. The star looked in high spirits, walking with a smile on her face and a glass of wine in her hand. Helen recently revealed she was glad she didn't 'rush to get married'. The Eye In The Sky star was in a relationship with Taylor Hackford for over a decade before they decided to tie the knot in 1997 and she believes that is the secret to their long-standing relationship. A class act: Typically stylish, Helen wore a pair of black peep-toe heels which showed off her lilac pedicure Dishing out her top tips for women at Elle's Women In Hollywood gala in Beverly Hills, she said: 'There are no rules about love, I don't believe - but don't be in a rush to get married. Honestly, I married Taylor much later in life and it's worked out just great. 'But give your partner the freedom and support to achieve their ambition. it's very important and that goes both ways for men and women.' And the actress also urged people to connect with their friends using traditional means rather than through social media like Facebook. She added: 'Connect with friends daily and I don't mean on Facebook. Better to have three great friends than 300 friends on social media - friends that you really talk to.' Don't rush: The Eye In The Sky star was in a relationship with Taylor Hackford for over a decade before they decided to tie the knot in 1997 and she believes that is the secret to their long-standing relationship Meanwhile, Helen previously revealed building a house with her husband strengthened their marriage. She explained: 'You build houses together. If anything's going to make you divorce, it'll be building a house together. If you get through that, that's a huge triumph.' And Helen also feels she has learned a lot from her other half. She added: 'We're very different but I've learnt a huge amount from him, including returning phone calls. If he gets a phone call, he returns it immediately. 'He's one of those detail-orientated people. I admire him very much. But then, it's a two-way street. I'm sure he's also learnt things from me.' She made her name a young actress in CBBC's Byker Grove. So it was only fitting that Donna Air turned out to support the next generation of British acting talent at the BAFTA Breakthrough Brits on Tuesday night. The TV personality, 37, turned heads in a navy dress embellished with golden buttons that highlighted her svelte physique. Scroll down for video In the navy: Donna Air, 37, looked elegant in a navy dress embellished with buttons Letting her hair flow over her shoulders, the blonde kept the autumn chill at bay in a blue overcoat, completing her elegant outfit with some pointed heels. Donna accessorised with subtle earrings and a funky bag and accentuated her striking features with a touch of make up. The stunner was all smiles as she posed for photos at the Burberry store on Regent Street in London. Dressed to impress: She covered the dress with a stylish blue coat and finished the look with black heels Social butterfly: A regular at high-profile events, Donna knows how to dress well for any occasion Donna enjoyed the evening without her beau - the Duchess Of Cambridge's brother James Middleton. The pair were said to have split in February after James, 29, moved to Hong Kong for his marshmallow business Boomf. However, after his return to the UK in June the couple have been spotted dining together in Mayfair with her 12-year-old daughter Freya from previous partner Damian Aspinall. Relaxed: Letting her hair flow over her shoulders, the blonde kept the autumn chill at bay in a blue overcoat, completing her elegant outfit with some pointed heels Beauty: Donna accessorised with subtle earrings and a funky bag and accentuated her striking features with a touch of make up Speaking at the event on Tuesday night, Amanda Berry OBE, Chief Executive of BAFTA, said: 'Now in its fourth year, Breakthrough Brits, in partnership with Burberry, is our headline new talent initiative showcasing, celebrating and supporting the next generation of British creative talent in film, television and games. 'Our 2016 Breakthrough Brits come from a range of backgrounds and represent the variety of specialisms that make up our creative industries. Im thrilled to see such talented individuals recognised this year.' This year's 18 Breakthrough Brits are made up of: Alex Grahame games artist; Eben Bolter cinematographer; Ellen Husain producer; Florence Pugh actress; Helen Walsh writer-director; Jodie Azhar lead technical artist; Jon McKellan creative director; Kayode Ewumi actor/writer; Malachi Kirby actor; Marnie Dickens writer; Matt Hyde creative director; Michael Berliner producer; Nainita Desai composer; Rebecca Lloyd editor; Ruth Madeley Actress; Tim Wicksteed game developer; Tom Davis actor/writer; Vinay Patel writer. Bella Hadid donned a lingerie-inspired Christian Dior ensemble at the French fashion house's book launch in Manhattan on Tuesday. It was hours after Victoria's Secret staffer Jen Waldman revealed on Instagram: 'One of us made the fashion show cut.' The 20-year-old IMG Model had spent her morning attending callbacks at Victoria's Secret headquarters in New York. Scroll down for video All smiles! Bella Hadid donned a lingerie-inspired Christian Dior ensemble at the French fashion house's book launch in Manhattan on Tuesday If true, it would be a major career milestone for Hadid, whose big sister Gigi was one of 44 women strutting down the coveted catwalk last year. The 21-year-old blonde had mysteriously tweeted the word 'angel' while referring to her brunette sibling on Twitter Sunday. The San Francisco label announced Monday that the annual fashion extravaganza will take place in Paris (for the first time) and air December 5 on CBS. Last year, Bella's Grammy-winning boyfriend, The Weeknd (born Abel Tesfaye), performed amongst the Angels onstage the Lexington Avenue Armory. It was hours after Victoria's Secret staffer Jen Waldman revealed on Instagram: 'One of us made the fashion show cut' Congrats! The 20-year-old IMG Model had spent her morning attending callbacks at Victoria's Secret headquarters in New York Family values: If true, it would be a major career milestone for Hadid, whose big sister Gigi was one of 44 women strutting down the coveted catwalk last year Coincidence? The 21-year-old blonde had mysteriously tweeted the word 'angel' while referring to her brunette sibling on Twitter Sunday 'For the first time ever!' The San Francisco label announced Monday that the annual fashion extravaganza will take place in Paris and air December 5 on CBS Round two? Last year, Bella's Grammy-winning boyfriend, The Weeknd (born Abel Tesfaye), performed amongst the Angels onstage the Lexington Avenue Armory The Malibu-based socialite was clad in an unflattering bra and matching boyshorts over a sheer nude dotted gown selected by stylist Elizabeth Sulcer. The former equestrian - rocking a black choker - sported cat eyeliner applied by Vincent Oquendo and a fringed top bun hairdo. Joining Hadid at the Milk Building was her fellow nepotistically-privileged gal pal Hailey Baldwin in a double-breasted camel coat. The glitzy party was in honor of the 272-page Rizzoli book called Dior: The Art of Color. Dis bish #bellahadid A video posted by Vincent Oquendo (@makeupvincent) on Oct 25, 2016 at 6:01pm PDT I see London...: The Malibu-based socialite was clad in an unflattering bra and matching boyshorts over a sheer nude dotted gown selected by stylist Elizabeth Sulcer Ombre purse: The former equestrian - rocking a black choker - sported cat eyeliner applied by Vincent Oquendo and a fringed top bun hairdo Hey girl! Joining Hadid at the Milk Building was her fellow nepotistically-privileged gal pal Hailey Baldwin in a double-breasted camel coat Book bash: The glitzy party was in honor of the 272-page Rizzoli book called Dior: The Art of Color Model moment: Bella was joined by Jasmine Sanders at the star-studded model bash Bella - born Isabella - later changed chokers and purses as she changed into a black leather version of the same Dior gown. It's hard to believe the 5ft9in stunner - who boasts 7.8M followers - has suffered from the tick-borne illness lyme disease since 2013. It's all in the genes for Hadid, who comes from a family of models including mother Yolanda, sister Gigi, and brother Anwar. Quick change: Bella - born Isabella - later changed chokers and purses as she changed into a black leather version of the same Dior gown In demand: It's hard to believe the 5ft9in stunner - who boasts 7.8M followers - has suffered from the tick-borne illness lyme disease since 2013 She later shared these Snapchats captioned: 'Before changing into my second outfit. Just gotta be comfy' Nepotism: It's all in the genes for Hadid, who comes from a family of models including mother Yolanda, sister Gigi, and brother Anwar Also celebrating the Dior book was IMG Model Nina Agdal, who's dating Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio. The Danish 24-year-old was clad in a white angora turtleneck beneath a lavender coat alongside American models Chanel Iman and Devon Windsor. Rapper TK Wonder rocked a blue velvet mini-dress under a faux leopard-print coat while DJ Mia Moretti wore white trousers bizarrely beneath her LBD. Chic and cheerful: Hailey Baldwin looked gorgeous in a camel coat that she teamed with patent black heels to extend her tanned and toned legs Sitting pretty: Also celebrating the Dior book was IMG Model Nina Agdal, who's dating Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio Trio: The Danish 24-year-old was clad in a white angora turtleneck beneath a lavender coat alongside American models Chanel Iman (L) and Devon Windsor (R) Keeping under wraps: The model looked stunning, if not a bit warm, in her ensemble Furry nice! Chanel Iman dazzled in a fur off the shoulder dress as she joined the likes of Devon Windsor who wowed in a white shift dress teamed with gold heels Oh baby! Leigh Lezark put on a busty display in a plunging babydoll style dress Glamorous girls: Kristen Stewart's former flame, Soko, wowed in a cream lace dress whilst model Hilary Rhoda opted for distressed jeans and heeled ankle boots Eye popping! Hannah Bronfman kept thing simple in a cream mesh top whilst Caroline Vreeland ensured her best assets would be on display in a sheer top and skirt Leggy ladies: Lexi Boling and Sita Abelian looked uber chic in their ensembles Blonde beauties: Maryna Linchuk and Chelsea Leyland oozed glamour on the night She may star as a troll in her latest animated feature. But in real life Anna Kendrick is a far cry from her wild-haired cartoon character. The 31-year-old looked absolutely gorgeous in a flirty mini Tanya Taylor dress on Tuesday as she arrived to Universal Studios in Los Angeles. Scroll down for video Ain't no troll! Trolls star Anna Kendrick looked absolutely gorgeous in a flirty Tanya Taylor mini dress on Tuesday as she arrived to Universal Studios in Los Angeles The auburn haired beauty wore her locks in sexy tangles down over her shoulders. Wearing a bright smile she stepped out in brown stilettos while rocking her patterned frock, nicely showing off her legs. In Trolls Anna, who c-star Justin Timberlake said has an 'awesome voice', plays Poppy. Leggy: The auburn haired beauty wore her locks in sexy tangles down over her shoulders Bright: Wearing a bright smile she stepped out in brown stilettos while rocking her patterned frock, nicely showing off her legs Based on the famous dolls of the same name, the film centres on the ceaselessly cheerful titular creatures, who find themselves faced with depressive beings called Bergens that can only feel joy when they devour Trolls. It's up to the uniquely glum Troll Branch, played by Timberlake, to help Kendrick's character Princess Poppy prevent her subjects being picked off. Bridget is one of the Bergens and serves their royalty, but she allies with Princess Poppy and Troll Branch in return for getting a date with Prince Gristle. Trolls opened in the UK on Friday and will begin its mass release in American cinemas on November 4th. She's the Australian runway model who recently launched a career in Hollywood. But Jessica Gomes went back to basics in her latest photoshoot for the November issue of Elle Australia. The 32-year-old posed in a variety of stylish outfits in a fashion editorial by photographer Stephen Ward. Scroll down for video Model behaviour: Jessica Gomes went back to basics in her latest photoshoot for Elle Australia which took place in New Zealand with fashion photographer Stephen Ward Jessica, from Perth, was a picture of elegance as she posed at Wharekauhau Lodge, near Wellington, New Zealand. She nailed casual chic in a dark singlet and grey blazer while posing against the stunning natural backdrop. In another photo, she posed in a black crop top and high-waisted flared trousers while relaxing at the beach. Life's a beach! In one photo, the 32-year-old posed in a black crop top and high-waisted flared trousers while relaxing at by the shore Elsewhere, she wrapped up in a bomber jacket, white shorts and sandals while sitting by a outhouse. In the photoshoot, her sleek black hair flicked gracefully in the breeze and she opted for natural look make-up. Speaking to Elle, Jessica spoke about how the modelling industry has changed over the past few years. 'There are no rules. It's not "You're a high-fashion model, you're a swimsuit model, you're a commercial model," now it's all in one. 'It's about branding, being a personality, being across all sectors,' she concluded. All her best angles: For another outfit, the Perth-born model wrapped up in a bomber jacket, white shorts and sandals while sitting by a outhouse And Jessica is certainly expanding her brand as she makes the difficult transition from the runway to Hollywood. The David Jones ambassador moved to America in 2008, but makes regular trips Down Under for modelling jobs. Her latest role is in comedy film Bastards, alongside Owen Wilson and Ed Helms, which wrapped in May. Just because she is a mom do not expect this star to dress any less edgy. Kourtney Kardashian showed she is not afraid to push the style envelope as she picked up Mason in Calabasas, California, on Tuesday. The 37-year-old went for a punky biker babe vibe as she scooped up her oldest from art class. Scroll down for video Hell for leather:Kourtney Kardashian showed she is not afraid to push the style envelope as she picked up Mason in Calabasas, California, on Tuesday Kourt looked pretty bad ass in a pair of tight leather pants which she wore with a white distressed T-shirt covered in holes. Going with her biker look, the reality star then added some lace-up heavy black boots to the ensemble. Kourtney further accessorized her look with a number of delicate gold chain necklaces and two gold Cartier Love bracelets which added a little sparkle to the monochrome look. Kourtney wore her now much long hair - courtesy of extensions - out and flowing in haphazard curls. Art school run: The 37-year-old went for a punky biker babe vibe as she scooped up her oldest from art class Rip it: Kourt rocked a pair of tight leather pants which she wore with a white distressed T-shirt covered in holes Going with the flow: Kourtney wore her now much long hair - courtesy of extensions - out and flowing in haphazard curls The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star wore very little makeup - and not just for a Kardashian but for a normal person - to pick up Mason. Mason meanwhile dressed in one of his favorite tees featuring Muhammad Ali. Following his mom's edgy lead, the six-year-old wore white and black tie-dye cut-off shorts and a pair of slip-on AKID sneakers. The champ: Mason meanwhile dressed in one of his favorite tees featuring Muhammad Ali Brought backup: The family has beefed up their security since Kim Kardashian was robbed at gun point in Paris The duo were accompanied by a big burly bodyguard as are all the Kardashians now. The family has beefed up their security since Kim Kardashian was robbed at gun point in Paris. While it has been tough, the Kardashian clan are still finding things to look forward to - namely Halloween. Kourtney in particular has been sharing throwback snaps of herself in Kim like crazy of late. Just a little excited: While it has been tough, the Kardashian clan are still finding things to look forward to - namely Halloween She is guest starring on a new episode of a pre-apocalyptic rom-com. And rather than give the climax away, Jenna Dewan teased fans with a racy selfie on Tuesday. The 35-year-old shared a snap behind the scenes of CW show No Tomorrow as she wore nothing but lingerie. Watch the show: Jenna Dewan teased fans with a racy selfie on Tuesday The beauty captioned the snap: 'BTS of Tuesday Find out why in the world I'm dressed like this on @CWNoTomorrow tonight #NoTomorrow'. In the episode she enjoys a flirtation with lead character in the show Xavier, who believes the world is going to end in eight months time due to an asteroid colliding with Earth. The show follows Evie, played by Tori Anderson, a risk-averse quality-control assessor who falls for free-spirited thrill seeker Xavier, played by British actor Joshua Sasse. Upcoming: In an episode of No Tomorrow she enjoys a flirtation with lead character in the show Xavier, who believes the world is going to end in eight months time due to an asteroid colliding with Earth The more she gets to know him she finds out he lives his life in a spontaneous reckless way and discovers the reason for that is because he believes the apocalypse is coming. Jenna plays a bohemian free spirit whose polyamorous lifestyle leads Xavier and Evie to examine the boundaries of their own relationship. So cute: She posted a photo to Instagram of her a note from her three-year-old daughter Everly Meanwhile it looks as though the wife of Channing is certainly getting brownie points at home. She posted a photo to Instagram of her a note from her three-year-old daughter Everly. Looks like being an Angel-in-training is about to be a legacy for this genetically blessed family. Bella Hadid almost flew out of Victoria's Secret call backs after finding out she is set to star in its famed fashion show. The 20-year-old model had more of a spring in her strut as she left a New York office building on Tuesday. Got her wings: Bella Hadid almost flew out of Victoria's Secret call backs in New York on Tuesday after finding out she is set to star in its famed fashion show Inside the beauty found out that her casting call back was in fact to confirm that she got one of the most sought after modelling gigs. Bella was one of a host of models being told one of the biggest dreams was coming true on Tuesday. Beauty after beauty arrived at the casting office to hear the good news - they will be going to Paris for the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. While Bella did her best to try to hide her joy and keep her casting underwraps, her good news was revealed by a Victoria's Secret staffer Jen Waldman who shared a snap of them both on social media saying, 'One of us made the fashion show cut.' Nice surprise: Inside the beauty found out that her casting call back was in fact to confirm that she got one of the most sought after modelling gigs Playing it down:Bella did her best to try to hide her joy and keep her casting underwraps The big reveal: Her good news was revealed by a Victoria's Secret staffer Jen Waldman who shared a snap of them both on social media saying, 'One of us made the fashion show cut' Bella is following the angel-wing footsteps of big sister Gigi who starred in her first parade last year. Bella is, of course, already one of the world's top models so probably will not be becoming an official Angel anytime soon - the lingerie company's roster of exclusive stunners. But even with her previous success in the modelling world, getting to walk in the famed show no doubt left her buzzing. Top of the crops: It was not hard to see why the 20-year-old had made the cut with Bella showing off her perfect for lingerie-abs in a pair of loose-fit camo pants which she wore with just a bralette and a cropped jacket She's got this: Bella was not the only one getting good news, now-veteran Victoria's Secret star Shanina Shaik will once again be throwing on some wings Strut it out: The Australian was also spotted emerging from the building looking stylish in a cropped striped sweater, leather jacket and denim skirt which she paired with Stuart Weitzman boots And it was not hard to see why the 20-year-old had made the cut with Bella showing off her perfect for lingerie-abs in a pair of loose-fit camo pants which she wore with just a bralette and a cropped jacket. Bella was not the only one getting good news, now-veteran Victoria's Secret star Shanina Shaik will once again be throwing on some wings. The Australian was also spotted emerging from the building looking stylish in a cropped striped sweater, leather jacket and denim skirt which she paired with Stuart Weitzman boots. Bevy of beauties: Also emerging victorious was Valery Kaufman along with Irina Sharipova and Izabel Goulart Floating on air: A makeup-free Anais Mali showed off her natural beauty and laid back style as she too emerged smiling Also emerging victorious was Valery Kaufman along with Irina Sharipova and Izabel Goulart. A makeup-free Anais Mali showed off her natural beauty and laid back style as she too emerged smiling. Also not hiding their happiness was Flavia Lucini and Vita Sidorkina, both of whom beamed as photographers snapped away. Ready for her close up: Posing up a storm and showing why she is going to be strutting down the catwalk was Leila Nda So excited: Also not hiding their happiness was Flavia Lucini and Vita Sidorkina, both of whom beamed as photographers snapped away Posing up a storm and showing why she is going to be strutting down the catwalk was Leila Nda. The Victoria's Secret Fashion Shows normally take place in New York City but this year will take place in Paris. The lingerie giant normally announces their annual runway show in the spring of each year but waited until Monday October 24 to unveil this year's location. In 2014 the runway show was held in London and in Cannes, France, in 2000. Karl Stefanovic's wife Cassandra Thorburn has opened up about celebrating the Today show win as she admits her split from Gold Logie winner came as 'a shock'. The mother-of-three has admitted she didn't think it was 'wrong' to commemorate the victory of the show after it reached number one on the ratings because it 'paid a huge part of my life.' The 44-year-old has been forced to defend herself after she shared a Facebook post congratulating herself for contributing to the success of Channel Nine show. Scroll down for video Speaking out: Karl Stefanovic's wife Cassandra Thorburn has opened up about celebrating the Today show win as she admits her split from Gold Logie winner came as 'a shock' 'I didn't think there was anything wrong with saying the Today show has won the ratings and I am going to have a drink to celebrate the contribution I made,' she told the Sydney Morning Herald. 'There was no malice intended. This is the father of my three children...and my husband has always acknowledged me. I don't need acknowledgement from anyone else'. Cassandra's Facebook status on Monday read: 'Apparently Today Show finally won a year. This took a huge toll on my family and I, and Im congratulating myself today for all the effort that went into making that [ratings] happen. Point of view: She has admitted she didn't think it was 'wrong' to celebrate the victory of the show after it reached number one on the ratings because it 'paid a huge part of my life' Under fire: The 44-year-old has been forced to defend herself after she shared a Facebook post, where she congratulated herself for contributing to the success of show 'The suggestions, the story ideas, the constant counselling of questions for years. 'Im giving myself a pat on the back tonight, as I know many people will also know how much effort I put into it,' she continued in her post. She also explained in the post she would be celebrating the success of the Channel Nine show over a bottle of wine. Helping hand: She told: 'I didn't think there was anything wrong with saying the Today show has won the ratings and I am going to have a drink to celebrate the contribution I made' During the interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, the former journalist refused to comment on her split with Karl but told the newspaper the separation came as 'a shock'. Despite her marriage breakdown playing out in the public-eye, Cassandra insisted she was now feeling 'good' about the future. The day earlier, she described the break-up as 'one of the hardest times of mine and my children's lives' in a passionate open letter published by Popsugar. Karl also seemingly broke his silence on the alleged split last week while hosting the Channel Nine breakfast show. The cause: Her defensive comments comes after Channel Nine's Today show reached number on the ratings, beating rival station Channel Seven's Sunrise Hurt: The former journalist has also refused to comment on her split with Karl but told the newspaper the separation came as 'a shock' During a segment on Thursday's Today show, he jumped in when co-host Lisa Wilkinson asked viewers: 'How much do you think your partner is worth?' 'Heaps,' Karl quickly responded. It comes after a source close to Karl and his wife told New Idea, Cassie plans on fighting to keep the $7 million mansion, which the pair purchased a month before splitting. Earlier in the month, the publication also reported 'no-one' at Channel Nine were surprised by the news of Karl and Cassandra's split. No shocker: Earlier in the month, it was reported 'no-one' at Channel Nine were surprised by the news of Karl and Cassandra's split 'They have been having issues for ages, and no-one at Nine was surprised when they heard they had split,' a source told the magazine. Karl has recently been spotted on and off air without his wedding ring amid reports of a marriage breakdown. He has also reportedly moved out of his Sydney family home and is staying with his younger brother Peter Stefanovic at his Bondi apartment. The couple share three children - Jackson, 16, Ava, 11, and 10-year-old River. Kanye West did not look amused during her red carpet prank last year. But Amy Schumer looked ready to be entertained by the 38-year-old rapper on her latest outing. The 35-year-old comedienne was spotted heading to the Saint Pablo Tour concert in Inglewood, California on Tuesday night. Taking it all in: Amy Schumer was spotted arriving at Kanye West's Saint Pablo Tour date in Inglewood, California on Tuesday Oops: The concert outing came over a year after the 38-year-old and wife Kim Kardashian did not look amused as she tried to prank them at the Time 100 Gala back in April 2015 She looked excited as she headed to Kanye's first of five dates at The Forum which was also attended by several other A-listers including Katy Perry, Kourtney Kardashian, Kendall and Kris Jenner. Amy was dressed casually for the occasion as she wore a navy blue zip-up hoodie over a floral mini dress. She finished off the look with a pair of black suede ankle booties as she waved to some of her fans while heading into the event. Looking good: The 35-year-old comedienne looked excited as she headed to Kanye's first of five dates at The Forum which was also attended by several other A-listers Casual cool: Amy was dressed casually for the occasion as she wore a navy blue zip-up hoodie over a floral mini dress Her blonde tresses were pulled back into a ponytail as she wore natural, complimentary make-up on her face topped off with a swipe of shiny lip. It is interesting to note that Amy went to see Kanye in concert as he did not look amused as she tried to prank he and wife Kim Kardashian at the Time 100 Gala back in April 2015. The Trainwreck star couldn't help but steal some of the spotlight from the powercouple as she pretended to trip and fall in front of them on the red carpet. Friendly to fans: She gave a wave to some of her followers while making her way into the event Night out: Her blonde tresses were pulled back into a ponytail as she wore natural, complimentary make-up on her face topped off with a swipe of shiny lip She later opened up about the experience in an interview with BBC Radio 1's Scott Mills in August 2015. They knew I was an idiot and I completely respect their reaction,' she confessed. Also adding: I dont think they said anything. I think they looked at each other like Lets get out of here. This girl sucks. Trippin': The Trainwreck star couldn't help but steal some of the spotlight from the powercouple as she pretended to trip and fall in front of them on the red carpet last year Gag: She later commented on the stunt as she said: They knew I was an idiot and I completely respect their reaction' When asked whether it was pre-planned, she replied: It was very in the moment. Its so funny that it became such a big thing. I had no idea because my phone died and when I got home, my friends were like, Youre trending in Dubai! And I was like, What?! Advertisement She's well-known for her incredible figure and mother-of-two Abbey Clancy nailed swimwear chic once again. The 30-year-old was pictured topping up her tan in a skimpy black two piece which flaunted her incredibly toned abs. The very sexy ensemble suited her perfectly and at one point, she was pictured adjusting her bottoms, making sure she didn't get too many tan lines. Wow thing: Abbey Clancy was pictured wearing a stunning bikini as she filmed BNTM in Cape Verde in board a vessel A true pro: The reality show is where Abbey herself first rose to fame when she was a fresh-faced 20-year-old when she placed runner-up on the modelling contest The model is currently filming Britain's Next Top Model in Cape Verde with fellow judges Nicky Johnston, Hilary Alexander and Paul Sculfor. The show returns to Lifetime early 2017. The reality show is where Abbey herself first rose to fame when she was a fresh-faced 20-year-old when she placed runner-up on the modelling contest. Head judge Abbey, kept a watchful eye over proceedings, where they were filming the models on a boat for a Matthew Williamson swimwear shoot for Debenhams. She knows what she's doing: Head judge Abbey, kept a watchful eye over proceedings, where they were filming the models on a boat for a Matthew Williamson swimwear shoot for Debenhams Working it: She looked like she had stepped straight off the pages of a fashion magazine as she wandered around on deck Making the most of it: Abbey appeared to be getting on like a house on fire with all her fellow seafarers Bet she's missing them: Abbey is taking a break off from mummy duties as she enjoys some fun in the sun Is that Crouch on the phone? Abbey caught up on a mobile phone call as she continued to get through the working day Making sure she didn't get too much sun, the beautiful blonde, who is married to Stoke City striker Peter Crouch, mixed up her a look a little. She wore a matching black sunhat which had a beautiful embellishment around the base. Abbey also wore a beautiful sheer beach dress which had a pattern running throughout, a well as an asymmetric hemline. The stunning number had a plunging criss-cross neckline which sloped a little off the shoulders. The Liverpool-born beauty was also pictured having a giggle with fellow judge Nicky, who is an acclaimed photographer in the showbiz world. Snap happy: The Liverpool-born beauty was also pictured having a giggle with fellow judge Nicky Johnston, who is an acclaimed photographer in the showbiz world Ta-dah! Abbey looked like she was emerging onto a stage as she sailed along in a dinghy with Nicky BNTM: Abbey sat poised on the end of the vessel as she carried a show card in her hand while looking catwalk ready Getting along nicely: Last series, the panel ventured to Jamaica where Nicky told MailOnline that they get on like the oldest of friends While he put all hands on deck and grappled with a rope, he pulled a funny face while Abbey struggled with the giggles. Last series, the panel ventured to Jamaica where Nicky told MailOnline that they get on like the oldest of friends. He said: 'We really do like each other. Abbey is absolutely fab and she eats lots! I don't know where she puts it all. It's just not fair.' Where are your flip-flops? Nicky looked a little pained as he made it back to dry land with Abbey laughing her head off They've supported each other through their highs and lows during their ten years of friendship. And Victoria Beckham and Eva Longoria were clearly in the mood to encourage each other yet again - this time in the name of a night of fun and frolics in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The actress, 41, was in high spirits as she cosied up to her fashion designer BFF, 42, as they played around with Snapchat's spooky Halloween features for a boozy evening out on the town. Girls' night out: Victoria Beckham and Eva Longoria enjoyed a boozy night of fun and frolics in Los Angeles on Tuesday 'It's wine o'clock!' Eva shrieked in excitement, while Victoria raised her wine glass and stuck out her tongue in the fun display. Clearly trying to get the hang of the added filters, the former Desperate Housewives star mentioned, 'Honey I cant see you.... arghh my nose!' before the clip cut off. In another video, Eva still struggled and told Victoria: 'You can't even see it', as they tried out the floral crown filters. Once she realised the enhancements were visible, she quickly cheered: 'Hello! Happy Halloween!', while the former Spice Girl still kept her words to a minimum - opting to strike a fierce pose instead. Time to party! The actress was clearly in high spirits as she cosied up to her fashion designer BFF as they played around with Snapchat's spooky Halloween features for a night out 'It's wine o'clock!' Eva was the more energetic of the two, while Victoria looked calm and collected in the fun-filled clips Fashionable friends: Eva and Victoria have been inseparable since the Beckhams moved Stateside in 2007 and the actress has previously described the pair as 'the best of friends' Needless to say, the girls' bond is undeniable and has been ever since the Beckhams moved Stateside in 2007. Eva and Victoria were drawn together by their shared love of glamorous clothes and a similar humour. Over that time, Eva has endured several failed romances before finding love with Mexican businessman Jose Baston, 47, whom she has been dating for more than a year. And Victoria was an obvious choice of wedding dress designer for Eva's big day back in May. 'You can't even see it!' In another video, Eva still struggled to see the new floral crown filters they were trying out Keeping it cool: Victoria kept her words to a minimum but didn't forget to strike her signature fierce pose 'Congratulations @evalongoria The smartest, most beautiful woman I have ever met. I feel honored to call you my friend,' the British beauty wrote under a lovely Instagram shot during the nuptials. Eva has become a massive hit with Victoria's kids, in particular Brooklyn, 17. Last year, the Texas born star revealed she was locked in a constant battle with the teen for more Instagram followers. Brooklyn in now clearly in the lead with 8.7million followers, while Eva has 3.1million. In 2015, Eva told Daily Mail Australia of her relationship with her bestie: 'We're best friends and have shares lots of life lessons together. 'What we talk about is between us but we've been through ...stuff... together.' She's been lying low since she was robbed at gunpoint in Paris earlier this month. But Kim Kardashian made a rare public appearance on Wednesday night as she stepped out to attend her husband Kayne West's concert in Inglewood, the Forum. The 36-year-old reality star was a far cry from her usual self, however, shunning the limelight and trying to keep a low-profile by sneaking out of the back entrance with her entourage. Scroll down for video Rare outing: Kim Kardashian made a rare public appearance on Wednesday night as she stepped out to attend her husband Kayne West's concert in Inglewood, the Forum Kim ditched her usual ultra glamorous appearance, opting for a make-up free face and a sleek hairdo. She was seen covering her face as her Mercedes sped off, with supportive partner Kanye sitting alongside her. Breaking with tradition, the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star wasn't pictured at the event and didn't post anything on social media. This comes after it was alleged Kim was finally feeling 'more positive' about life. Leggy lady: Kim showed off her endless legs in a thigh-skimming garment and nude heels Heightened security: The mother-of-two was surrounded by an army of security guards Natural beauty: The 36-year-old reality star was sporting a more stripped back look Flying under the radar: Kim ditched her usual ultra glamorous appearance, opting for a make-up free face and a sleek hairdo A source told People magazine: 'Kim had a quiet birthday celebration with Kanye, their kids, her sisters and Kris. 'It was Kim's choice to not have a big celebration. She seemed very happy with her.' 'She is still figuring out her life. She still has no plans for any work appearances, but her outlook on life seems more positive. She has calmed down a lot since the robbery.' Kim has been staying at home - first in New York then Los Angeles - since the robbery took place on October 3, cancelling all her public appearances. Inseperable: Kim's supportive partner Kanye was sitting alongside her following his concert Shunning the limelight: Breaking with tradition, the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star wasn't pictured at the event and didn't post anything on social media Camera shy: The reality star was seen covering her face as her Mercedes sped off Keeping a low profile: Kim has been staying at home - first in New York then Los Angeles - since the robbery took place on October 3 Camera crew: It was recently reported that filming had resumed for Keeping Up With The Kardashians - and there were several cameramen present The beauty has also been spending as much time as she can with her two children North, aged three, and Saint, 10 months. Her sister Kourtney Kardashian previously revealed Kim is relying heavily on her family to get her through the tough time. She shared: 'She's not doing great. I think we're all really still shaken up and I just - you know.' 'I think she has a big supportive family and I know that all the traumatic things that we've been through, we get through them together as a family.' Show of support: Kourtney Kardashian was also in attendance to support Kim at the concert Rock 'n' roll: Kourtney was sporting a plunging lace camisole and leather trousers Chic: Kourtney styled up her look with a leather jacket slung over her shoulders Casual: Kendall covered up in a baggy hoodie and dressed her look down with trainers Lying low: Kim was seen waiting around as security guards ensured the vehicle was safe Casual: The social media sensation was rocking a more understated look than usual And sister Khloe echoed a similar sentiment, adding: 'She's not doing that well. It's incredibly traumatic what happened to her, but our family is super close and great and we'll get through it together.' 'We do appreciate all of your guys' love and support. It will take time. It was horrible what happened to her.' In the early hours of October 3, Kim was robbed by five armed men wearing ski masks and clothes with police markings, who entered her Paris hotel building at around 3am after the concierge let them in. They tied her up and held a gun to her head as she begged for her life and told them she was a mother of two, before the robbers made off with her giant ring and a jewelry box. The TV star is said to be 'badly shaken' and 'blaming herself' after the shocking attack, and is already making changes to her public profile and security. Police escort: Following her traumatic Paris ordeal, it seems Kim has upped her security Struggling: Her sister Kourtney Kardashian previously revealed Kim is relying heavily on her family to get her through the tough time, with Khloe saying, 'She's not doing that well' She's set to walk in her first Victoria's Secret show this Winter. And Bella Hadid celebrated the occasion by donning a stunning lingerie-inspired Christian Dior gown for the French fashion house's book launch in Manhattan on Tuesday. Upping the glamour after she arrived in a sheer polka dot dress, the 20-year-old model slipped her slender curves into a stunning leather garment which accentuated her phenomenal physique. Scroll down for video All eyes on her: Bella Hadid donned a stunning lingerie-inspired Christian Dior gown for the French fashion house's book launch in Manhattan on Tuesday Cinching in at her tiny waist, the gown featured a bustier-style top that offered a glimpse of her ample cleavage and a quilted pattern across her chest. Flaring out into ballgown style, the dress also featured a layer of tulle that skimmed her ankles to reveal a pair of patent black heels. Adding to the glamour, she donned a heavily-embellished choker as she clutched a small black handbag between her perfectly manicured nails. Hell for leather! The 20-year-old model slipped her slender curves into a stunning leather garment which accentuated her phenomenal physique Fairytale fashion: Flaring out into ballgown style, the dress also featured a layer of tulle that skimmed her ankles to reveal a pair of patent black heels Quick change: Bella - born Isabella - upped the glamour with two stunning ensembles, having arrived in a sheer polka dot dress that also flaunted her figure Earlier in the night, the Malibu-based socialite was clad in a similar nude polka dot gown that she layered over a bra and matching boyshorts. Styled by Elizabeth Sulcer, the former equestrian - rocking a black choker from Are You Am I - sported cat eyeliner applied by Vincent Oquendo and a fringed top bun hairdo. The glitzy party was in honor of the 272-page Rizzoli book called Dior: The Art of Color. Two of a kind: Cinching in at her tiny waist, the gown featured a bustier-style top that offered a glimpse of her ample cleavage as she cuddled up to Stephen Gan Terrific trio: The model joined Stephen and her glamorous gal pal Hailey Baldwin at the bash Dazzling: The starlet pouted for the cameras as she cuddled up to Steven Klein In demand: It's hard to believe the 5ft9in stunner - who boasts 7.8M followers - has suffered from the tick-borne illness lyme disease since 2013 Bella's outing came just after it was revealed she would be following in her elder sister's footsteps and walking in the Victoria's Secret show this year. Show staffer Jen Waldman revealed the news on Instagram, sharing a snap of the pair alongside the caption: 'One of us made the fashion show cut.' The IMG Model had spent her morning attending callbacks at Victoria's Secret headquarters in New York. All smiles! Bella Hadid donned a lingerie-inspired Christian Dior ensemble at the French fashion house's book launch in Manhattan on Tuesday It was hours after Victoria's Secret staffer Jen Waldman revealed on Instagram: 'One of us made the fashion show cut' Congrats! The 20-year-old IMG Model had spent her morning attending callbacks at Victoria's Secret headquarters in New York The news is a major career milestone for Bella, whose big sister Gigi was one of 44 women strutting down the coveted catwalk last year. The 21-year-old blonde had mysteriously tweeted the word 'angel' while referring to her brunette sibling on Twitter Sunday. The San Francisco label announced Monday that the annual fashion extravaganza will take place in Paris (for the first time) and air December 5 on CBS. Last year, Bella's Grammy-winning boyfriend, The Weeknd (born Abel Tesfaye), performed amongst the Angels onstage the Lexington Avenue Armory. Family values: If true, it would be a major career milestone for Hadid, whose big sister Gigi was one of 44 women strutting down the coveted catwalk last year Coincidence? The 21-year-old blonde had mysteriously tweeted the word 'angel' while referring to her brunette sibling on Twitter Sunday 'For the first time ever!' The San Francisco label announced Monday that the annual fashion extravaganza will take place in Paris and air December 5 on CBS Round two? Last year, Bella's Grammy-winning boyfriend, The Weeknd (born Abel Tesfaye), performed amongst the Angels onstage the Lexington Avenue Armory I see London...: The Malibu-based socialite was clad in an unflattering bra and matching boyshorts over a sheer nude dotted gown selected by stylist Elizabeth Sulcer Ombre purse: The former equestrian - rocking a black choker from from Are You Am I - sported cat eyeliner applied by Vincent Oquendo and a fringed top bun hairdo Hey girl! Joining Hadid at the Milk Building was her fellow nepotistically-privileged gal pal Hailey Baldwin in a double-breasted camel coat Book bash: The glitzy party was in honor of the 272-page Rizzoli book called Dior: The Art of Color Model moment: Bella was joined by Jasmine Sanders at the star-studded model bash She later shared these Snapchats captioned: 'Before changing into my second outfit. Just gotta be comfy' Nepotism: It's all in the genes for Hadid, who comes from a family of models including mother Yolanda, sister Gigi, and brother Anwar But Bela was focusing on her night out at Dior as she rubbed shoulders with the host of glitzy guests. Also celebrating the Dior book was IMG Model Nina Agdal, who's dating Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio. The Danish 24-year-old was clad in a white angora turtleneck beneath a lavender coat alongside American models Chanel Iman and Devon Windsor. Rapper TK Wonder rocked a blue velvet mini-dress under a faux leopard-print coat while DJ Mia Moretti wore white trousers bizarrely beneath her LBD. Chic and cheerful: Hailey Baldwin looked gorgeous in a camel coat that she teamed with patent black heels to extend her tanned and toned legs Sitting pretty: Also celebrating the Dior book was IMG Model Nina Agdal, who's dating Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio Trio: The Danish 24-year-old was clad in a white angora turtleneck beneath a lavender coat alongside American models Chanel Iman (L) and Devon Windsor (R) Keeping under wraps: The model looked stunning, if not a bit warm, in her ensemble Furry nice! Chanel Iman dazzled in a fur off the shoulder dress as she joined the likes of Devon Windsor who wowed in a white shift dress teamed with gold heels Oh baby! Leigh Lezark put on a busty display in a plunging babydoll style dress Glamorous girls: Kristen Stewart's former flame, Soko, wowed in a cream lace dress whilst model Hilary Rhoda opted for distressed jeans and heeled ankle boots Eye popping! Hannah Bronfman kept thing simple in a cream mesh top whilst Caroline Vreeland ensured her best assets would be on display in a sheer top and skirt Leggy ladies: Lexi Boling and Sita Abelian looked uber chic in their ensembles Blonde beauties: Maryna Linchuk and Chelsea Leyland oozed glamour on the night She had a difficult decision to make when it came to picking her final two. And on Wednesday, Georgia Love was reduced to tears as she sent Jake Ellis home, revealing her final two as Matty Johnson and Lee Elliott. As she said her goodbyes, she reassured Jake: ' You're amazing and you've made me feel amazing and I can never, ever, ever underestimate that. Georgia Love was reduced to tears as she sent Jake Ellis home on Wednesday's The Bachelorette, revealing her final two as Matty Johnson and Lee Elliott 'Meeting your family meant so much to me. And to take you away from your family when I know what you're going through I would want to be 100% certain. And that's really hard to say.' Jake simply replied, 'It's hard to hear that,' before adding: 'Look after your family and I hope you find the love you're after, that you're looking for. And that's really hard just for me to say right now. It really is.' In his piece to camera, he admitted he was 'devastated' by his elimination because he could see a future with the 28-year-old. As she said her goodbye, she reassured him: ' You're amazing and you've made me feel amazing and I can never, ever, ever underestimate that' She continued to tell him: 'Meeting your family meant so much to me. And to take you away from your family when I know what you're going through I would want to be 100% certain' 'That hurts. That sucks. I don't like goodbyes. And, yeah, it was a goodbye. It wasn't a "I'll see you soon". Yeah, that's the end of that,' he said. 'I really showed Georgia the true me and really wore my heart on my sleeve for the first time in quite a long time. I'm not sure what to think or feel and I'm sure it's gonna hit me like a freight train soon,' Jake concluded. During the episode Jake spent his last single date with the beauty cruising Sydney Harbour on a Super Yacht. At the start of their date, Jake admitted in his piece to camera that he has grown a 'deep that connection' to the beauty. In his piece to camera, he admitted he was 'devastated' by his elimination He said: 'I really showed Georgia the true me and really wore my heart on my sleeve for the first time in quite a long time. I'm not sure what to think or feel' 'I really felt that this was real, that there was a real future with Georgia and I,' he admitted. Georgia also revealed in her piece: 'Something that has been there since day one with Jake is this undeniable chemistry. It's been there the whole time, and it does just grow.' She gushed: 'I love being around him. I feel drawn to him. And I can't help but be close to him when I'm around him. It's...it's just chemistry.' As the pair took a break from steering the vessel through the water, they relaxed at the back on the yacht, sipping on orange juice. During the episode Jake spent his last single date with the beauty cruising Sydney Harbour on a Super Yacht At the start of their date, Jake admitted in his piece to camera that he has grown a 'deep that connection' to the beauty The couple then went on to enjoy drinks in a private room, where they spoke openly about the issue of long distance. Jake admitted to Georgia: 'It's not as easy just to jump up and leave. We're both back with family for a reason, and, you know, I love that, I feel we've really connected on that. 'If it's worth it, then it'll be easy. If it's so certain and what we're feeling is so strong, then that makes it easier, that's the easy part. The hard part is definitely leaving my family. 'You know, my mum's not well at the moment, again, you know, and Dad as well. It is hard but it's not to the other side of the country. It is a lot simpler,' he explained. The couple then went on to enjoy drinks in a private room, where they spoke openly about the issue of long distance Jake admitted to Georgia: 'It's not as easy just to jump up and leave. We're both back with family for a reason, and, you know, I love that, I feel we've really connected on that' He went on to reveal to the beauty that he hopes his relationship with her will be his last. 'You know, the next relationship I see myself in is the one that I wanna spend, you know, forever with, you know, for everything,' he said nervously. 'And I'm here hoping that's you and I'm hoping that that's the relationship I'm here for.' In her piece to camera, she blushed: 'I really feel like... Jake would...do anything for me. He makes me feel that way already, that he would move heaven and earth.' The Bachelorette Australia finale airs on Thursday at 7.30pm on Network 10. She shot to worldwide fame thanks to her role as Lady Edith Crawley in Downton Abbey. But Laura Carmichael proved she can do modern day attire just as well as period clothing as she attended the gala screening of her latest movie, Burn Burn Burn, at Screen on the Green in Islington, London, on Tuesday night. The actress, 30, oozed elegance in a form-fitting navy and black one-shoulder dress with a flirty semi-sheer hem. Scroll down for video Elegant: Laura Carmichael dazzled at the gala screening of her latest movie, Burn Burn Burn, at Screen on the Green in Islington, London, on Tuesday night The asymmetric number bared the star's toned arms as she posed up a storm in front of the cameras. Laura added height to her frame with a pair of towering black stiletto heels and wore her ash blonde locks swept into a chic chignon. The actress accessorised with a black velvet clutch bag and Monica Vinader jewellery as she worked her magic on the red carpet ahead of the screening. Laura completed her show-stopping look with dewy, low-key make-up to accentuate her attractive features. Dressed to impress: The actress, 30, oozed elegance in a form-fitting navy and black one-shoulder dress with a flirty semi-sheer hem Worlds away from Downton: The asymmetric number bared the star's toned arms as she posed up a storm in front of the cameras Comedy drama Burn Burn Burn details the story of two women who embark on a road trip to scatter the ashes of a late friend, and is set to release on Friday. Laura has been dating her former co-star Michael C. Fox, who played the footman Andy on Downton Abbey, since 2015, when the pair hit it off during filming. The actress recently revealed she is cautiously optimistic that a Downton Abbey movie will get the go ahead. 'We keep hearing the same thing, which is I think so, but I dont really know,' she said during an appearance on ITV's Lorraine last week. 'Its been talked about but it will be very tricky to figure out, but I'm sure they will try.' Rocking the red carpet: Laura added height to her frame with a pair of towering black stiletto heels and wore her ash blonde locks swept into a chic chignon Here come the girls: Laura couldn't forego a smile as she posed alongside her co-star Chloe Pirrie (L) and director Chanya Button (R) Crew: Comedy drama Burn Burn Burn details the story of two women who embark on a road trip to scatter the ashes of a late friend, and is set to release on Friday Laura's comments come several months after other members of the Downton cast said that a prospective movie was at the negotiation stage. 'The last I heard there were possible negotiations with [creator] Julian [Fellowes],' said Allen Leech, who played Tom Branson in the drama. Last year, executive producer Gareth Neame confirmed he is 'very interested' in making a feature film based on the life and times of the Crawley family and their servants. Laura is also currently promoting her new movie A United Kingdom which is helmed by female director Amma Asante. 'I feel very lucky,' Laura told Lorraine. 'I've had lots of chances to work with brilliant female directors.' Fingers crossed: Laura recently revealed she is cautiously optimistic that a Downton Abbey movie will get the go ahead He's the charismatic marketing manager from Sydney, who captured Georgia Love's heart. And Bachelorette star Matty Johnson, 29, revealed that he's fallen in love with the former news anchor, during Wednesday night's episode. '... I found this really incredible woman and... Like it's actually... It's actually happening, I'm falling in love with her,' he said in a side interview. Scroll down for video Exciting: Bachelorette star Matty Johnson, 29, revealed that he's fallen in love with former news anchor Georgia Love, 28, during Wednesday night's episode During a romantic swim with the Hobart-native, Matty opened up about his feelings. '... It's crazy. But I couldn't be happier. I've never met anyone like you. Ever. And I think you're absolutely incredible,' he said. 'And I...I mean that from the bottom of my heart.' Candid: '... I found this really incredible woman and... Like it's actually... It's actually happening, I'm falling in love with her,' he said in a side interview Cheeky swim: During a romantic swim with the Hobart native, Matty opened up about his feelings The pair enjoyed a fun cocktail date before stripping down to their swimwear for some poolside fun and Georgia was ecstatic after hearing Matty drop the L-word. 'I love hearing that. Hearing Matty say that and knowing how he feels just makes me realise exactly what we could have,' she said. 'And everything I thought about a possible future with him just seems so much more real and incredibly exciting. Strong connection: Georgia has been open about her growing feelings for Sydney Marking Manager Matty Keen: The pair enjoyed several intense smooches throughout the episode Cocktails: The duo made a series of drinks as part of their romantic outing She continued: 'I've got an incredibly tough decision to make. Every one of these guys makes me feel like the luckiest, most special girl in the world. How do you look at someone who makes you feel like that and say goodbye?' In the end, the stunning brunette sent Jake Ellis home, making Matty and Lee Elliot the final two. Earlier in the episode, Lee, 35, also poured his heart out and while he did not say 'I love you' - the Mechanical Plumber revealed he's 'falling' for her. Gone: In the end, the stunning brunette sent Jake Ellis home, making Matty and Lee Elliot the final two Pouring his heart out: Lee, 35, also gushed about his feelings for Georgia, with the Mechanical Plumber admitting he's 'falling' for the former news anchor 'The feelings I have for Georgia are.. You know, I was going to say I have not felt in a long time, but to be honest, I've not felt ever before,' he said. The pair enjoyed a romantic date by a fireplace, where they discussed the logistics of their relationsip and Lee took te opportunity to pour his heart out. 'It's crazy. You know, had someone said coming into here, 'Oh, you're gonna fall for this girl,' well, I probably would've told them they were crazy,' he said. 'They're not so crazy after all. I'm, you know... I really am falling for you.' Gushing: 'The feelings I have for Georgia are.. You know, I was going to say I have not felt in a long time, but to be honest, I've not felt ever before,' he said in a side interview Falling: 'It's crazy. You know, had someone said coming into here, 'Oh, you're gonna fall for this girl,' well, I probably would've told them they were crazy,' he said The Melbourne resident's candid remarks came after Georgia quizzed him about whether they would be able to sustain a relationship in different cities. 'You know, we had such a good day and we had such a good time in Melbourne and I can so see how our lives would work so seamlessly, but I think what I want to know is, you know, what if I wasn't from Melbourne? Would it be the same if I wasn't?' she said. Lee explained that there would not be any foreseeable issues because she is also from Melbourne but Georgia then posed a different question. Logistics: The Melbourne resident's candid remarks came after Georgia quizzed him about whether they would be able to sustain a relationship in different cities. 'If I was from Brisbane, do you think we'd be in the position we're in now?' she asked 'If I was from Brisbane, do you think we'd be in the position we're in now?' she asked. He then proceeded with a lengthy explanation and ultimately said that distance would not be a problem. 'I came into this knowing that you could've come from anywhere and, you know, I was open to that,' he said. 'Your job could take you anywhere. It took you to Tasmania almost overnight. Where you live doesn't define you. Um, so our...our connection is far deeper, I feel, you know, and far more real than just living in the same state together.' Distance is no problem: He then proceeded with a lengthy explanation and ultimately said that distance would not be an issue She usually leaves heads turning whenever she struts down a catwalk or walks a red carpet. And it was no different on Wednesday for Montana Cox as she attended the Who Sexiest People Party in Sydney. At the exclusive event, the 23-year-old sizzled as she slipped into a black cut-out dress, which showed off her super toned torso. All eyes on her! Montana Cox sizzled on Wednesday as she slipped into a black cut-out dress, which showed off her super toned torso at the Who Sexiest People Party in Sydney The one-shoulder garment hugged tightly around her slender frame and finished inches above the knees. She accessorised her daring choice of attire with a pair of strappy heels, a tanned suede clutch and silver and red drop earrings. While rocking a nude-base makeup, Montana tucked her brunette locks behind her ears and styled them in with a tight curl. Daring: The 23-year-old flaunted her slender figure in the one-shoulder garment as it hugged tightly around her frame and finished inches above the knees Last week, Montana revealed her modelling career has been busier than ever, following her departure from David Jones department store. Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, she admitted: '[I] have been working every day this week shooting some really cool things. It is always good to be in demand. 'There is life after David Jones. Life keeps on going,' she added defiantly. Talk about the bling! While rocking a nude-base makeup, Montana accessorised with a pair of silver and red drop earrings David Jones announced they wouldn't be renewing Montana's contract in July - she had been with the business for three years. At the time, she told News Corp: 'I'm really excited. Its been great working with David Jones but I'm ready for new challenges. 'I haven't done it (the international modelling circuit) for a couple of seasons because it has been hard to fit in, but I'll be able to give it my all now.' He is known for being a ladies man. And on Wednesday, Bachelorette reject Sam Johnston put his best foot forward as he attended the Who Sexiest People Party in Sydney. While posing up a storm at the event, the 27-year-old showed off his freshly waxed chest as he dressed in a navy shirt, which he left the top few buttons undone. Scroll down for video Well groomed: Bachelorette reject Sam Johnston showed off his freshly waxed chest on Wednesday as he dressed in an unbuttoned shirt at the Who Sexiest People Party in Sydney As he showed off a glimpse of bare skin, the reality TV star slipped into a pair of black skinny jeans before finishing off his look with a cream blazer. Despite looking the part, Sam dressed down his red carpet look as he accessorised with a pair of faded ankle boots. For the evening, he gelled his dark hair and combed it to the left. Details: As he showed off a glimpse of bare skin, the reality TV star slipped into a pair of black skinny jeans before finishing off his look with a cream blazer He also added a touch of roughness to his classy ensemble as he decided to go for an unshaven face. Last week, the Bachelorette bad boy hinted at having a threesome after leaving the Network Ten dating show during an interview on the Kyle & Jackie O Show. When asked by host Kyle Sandilands if he was using the show to get laid, Sam laughed and confessed, 'Maybe.' Rough around the edges: While he gelled his hair, he added a touch of roughness to his classy ensemble as he decided to go for an unshaven face He also said he was definitely getting back into the dating world before slipping he 'possibly' had a three-in-a-bed romp since being dumped by Georgia Love. Following the interview, Sam boasted to NW magazine that he's 'done both' Kiki Morris and Noni Janur. Kiki denied the allegation to Daily Mail Australia, saying: 'I've known Sammy since before either of us were even on the show, we have the same circle of friends. That's as far as it goes.' His heartbreaking exit from The Bachelorette hasn't left Jake Ellis with any bitterness towards the woman he saw a 'real future' with. Georgia Love made the decision to dump the 30-year-old on Wednesday night, taking Matty Johnson and Lee Elliott as her final two. During an interview with POPSUGAR Jake said he walked away with no regrets - while admitting 'it still hurts' after watching the penultimate episode. Scroll down for video The long goodbye: Jake Ellis was sent home by Georgia Love in the penultimate episode of The Bachelorette After Georgia got on well with his family during hometown visits, Jake felt confident going into the second-to-last rose ceremony on the back of a day cruising around Sydney Harbour with the brunette beauty. The Queensland-native believed he would be getting a rose from the woman he had a 'deep connection' with. 'What we had was so special,' he told the publication. 'Coming in to the last single date, real relationship questions needed to be asked, as they do in the real world.' Final three: The 30-year-old (middle) joined Lee Elliot (L) and Matty Johnson (R) in the final three but found out his time was up on Wednesday night Those questions eventually led Georgia to the conclusion that she couldn't take their relationship any further. Both of Jake's parents are not well and the 28-year-old didn't want to take him away from his family in order to be closer to her in Melbourne. Despite the situation being beyond his control, Jake said he harboured no ill-feelings towards the journalist for the reasons behind her decision. Pucker up: Jake said he saw a 'real future' with Georgia, revealing the pair have a 'deep connection' Plain sailing: Jake was confident heading into the penultimate rose ceremony after a day sailing around Sydney Harbour He said: 'It definitely wasn't frustrating, it was something I really did appreciate and respect. And it's more power to her; it's why Georgia's such an amazing woman.' Jake admitted he was shocked when The Bachelorette first chose Matty and then Lee over him, but he was adamant that it wouldn't tarnish his memories of his time with Georgia. While he revealed he's still recovering from the hurt, Jake reflected positively on the experience as a whole. Water works: The news reporter was reduced to tears as she bid farewell to Jake Gutted: The Queenslander said his exit came as a shock and that he's still recovering from the hurt Speaking about his heartbreak, he said: 'It's still something you're always going to hold with you but at the same time I'm forever grateful for the time I did spend with Georgia. 'I still believe it was a real relationship no matter what people think watching it. It's something I will always cherish and that I'll always be happy I got to experience.' They've been stylishly gracing the red carpet during their promotional tour of Doctor Strange. And Tilda Swinton and Benedict Cumberbatch looked like the ultimate sartorial dream team as they arrived at the Marvel comic book movie's photocall in Berlin, Germany, on Wednesday. The actress, 55, looked effortlessly chic in a structured navy suit while her co-star, 40, kept it cool in a casual ensemble. Scroll down for video Stylish arrival: Tilda Swinton, 55, and Benedict Cumberbatch, 40, looked like the ultimate style dream team as they arrived at Doctor Strange's photocall in Berlin, Germany, on Wednesday Tilda's eye-catching attire was made up of a boxy blazer and matching trousers which skimmed her statuesque frame. The star wore a pair of black heels while adding an elegant touch with a stylish black scarf carefully placed down the centre of her ensemble. Tilda's statement blonde quiff was styled to one side, while she forewent a hefty dose of make-up - opting only for a slick of red lips. Benedict looked casual in a pair of dark jeans, white top and cool bomber jacket, which boasted burgundy underlay. Taking risks: Tilda's eye-catching ensemble was made up of a boxy blazer and matching trousers which skimmed her statuesque frame which was boosted further by heels Details: The actress added an elegant touch with stylish black scarf carefully placed down the centre of her ensemble Trendy: Benedict looked casual in a pair of dark jeans, white top and cool bomber jacket, which boasted burgundy underlay Different: In a controversial move, Tilda has been cast as the Ancient One, the mystical figure who holds the position of Sorcerer Supreme and trains the title character in the arts of magic In a controversial move, Tilda has been cast as the Ancient One, the mystical figure who holds the position of Sorcerer Supreme and trains the title character in the arts of magic. Whilst the character has traditionally been portrayed as a Tibetan man, his identity has been switched to that of a Celtic woman for the film. Benedict - whose wife Sophie Hunter revealed she's pregnant with his second baby during the movie's Los Angeles premiere last week - is the film's leading man. The handsome star looked in great spirits at the photo-call despite having a busy morning which saw him appear on This Morning in London where he discussed parenthood. The team: The co-stars posed alongside the flick's director Scott Derrickson The star: Benedict - whose wife Sophie Hunter revealed she's pregnant with his second baby during the movie's Los Angeles premiere last week - is the film's leading man 'Is being a dad your proudest achievement?' he was asked by Alison Hammond. Benedict responded: 'It's probably Sophie's. I'm expecting a second child now... I'm still proving myself as a father.' The actor also discussed his role in Doctor Strange, stating: 'It was an acting challenge on every level; action, comedy, everything you want in a film.' Doctor Strange hits screens on October 25. She has walked the catwalk for Victoria's Secret four years in a row. And on Tuesday, Shanina Shaik returned to the casting call for the brand in New York City ahead of the annual lingerie show. After walking out of the shoot, the 25-year-old Australian model hinted all went well as she showed off a smile as she strutted down the busy street. Scroll down for video Something to tell us? Shanina Shaik showed off a smile on Tuesday as she exited a casting call for Victoria's Secret in New York City ahead of the annual lingerie show For the meeting, the beauty showed off her long toned legs as she dressed in a denim mini-skirt and grey thigh-high boots. She paired the stylish garments with a navy and white long sleeves crop-top, which featured a high neck, and a leather jacket that she rested over her shoulders. Shanina showed off her natural beauty with a nude-base makeup, including a tanned lipstick and a black mascara. Strutting her stuff: While leaving the premise, the 25-year-old showed off her toned legs as she dressed in a denim mini-skirt and grey thigh-high boots The model allowed her chocolate locks to flow in the wind behind her as she wore them out and styled with a tight curl. Last week, the lingerie model admitted she doesn't like stripping down to a tiny bikini during beachside getaways and much prefers to cover up with a one piece. During an interview with InStyle Australia, Shanina admitted: 'There's something very sexy about it'. Trendy: The Australian model paired the stylish garments with a long sleeves crop-top and a leather jacket that she rested over her shoulders 'I find it [one pieces] really suits my body shape and elongates my legs,' she continued. And despite being one of Australia's hottest modelling exports, she has insisted she will never succumb to the pressure of being stick-thin. He's due to make a return as the dashing crime-fighting Vicar, Sidney Chambers, later this year. And on Wednesday James Norton was back in his dog collar as he filmed new scenes for the third series of the hit ITV drama in Cambridgeshire. Filming scenes on location in the village the show takes its name from, the 31-year-old actor was seen shooting a scene with co-star Kacey Ainsworth. Scroll down for video Back in the collar: On Wednesday James Norton was back in his dog collar as he filmed new scenes for the third series of the hit ITV drama in Cambridgeshire Clad in his familiar wardrobe of a black suit, waistcoat and vicar's collar, the Yorkshire-born star was instantly recognizable as the sleuthing Sidney. And being the shepherd of a flock of souls as well as an expert detective, James appeared on set in front of the camera fresh-faced and with his hair expertly styled into a smart side-parting. Kacey, who plays Cathy Keating (Inspector Geordie's wife), was dressed in typical '50s garb. The vicar is in the house: Filming scenes on location in the village the show takes its name from, the 31-year-old actor was seen shooting a scene with co-star Kacey Ainsworth Wearing a long pleated mint green dress, pinnie and cardigan, the 48-year-old former EastEnders star looked every inch the home-maker from yesteryear. The two thespians appeared to be in high spirits, with James larking around in-between takes - something which raised a smile from Kacey. Having finished up their scene, James gave director Tim Fywell a hug as they wrapped up the shoot. Retro lady: Kacey, who plays Cathy Keating (Inspector Geordie's wife), was dressed in typical '50s garb He's a hoot! The two thespians appeared to be in high spirits, with James larking around in-between takes - something which raised a smile from Kacey The joker: The Yorkshire-born star was in high spirits, hamming it up Slinging a backpack over his shoulder as the crew and cast departed the set, the Malton native was seen sharing a raucous laugh with Tim. James, who is dating actress Jessie Buckley in real life, plays Sidney Chambers - a crime fighting Anglican vicar who develops a sideline in investigation with the help of Detective Inspector Geordie Keating, played by Robson Green. The hit drama is a small-screen adaptation of crime-fiction book series The Grantchester Mysteries by James Runcie, with the first series based on the six stories from the first book. Hug it out: Having finished up their scene, James gave director Tim Fywell a hug as they wrapped up the shoot The first series pulled in an average of 6.6 million viewers when it debuted in October 2014. A second series was broadcast in March and April 2016. Underneath Geordie's carefree exterior there are new feelings of vulnerability, and this puts a strain on his relationship with wife Cathy and his friendship with Sidney. The six new episodes are being filmed in London and Grantchester as well as in Cambridge's city centre, and will air in 2017. She has just landed her first Victoria's Secret runway gig. And Bella Hadid celebrated by showing the world just why she's been chosen to walk in the lingerie line's annual Fashion Show in Paris with an Instagram selfie. The model, 20, stars in an underwear selfie in which she displays her incredible body complete with impressive boobs, taut tummy and very slim hips. Scroll down for video Wow! Bella Hadid, 20, showed off her incredible body as she posed for a selfie in black underwear and heels with jeans around her ankles after learning she landed VS gig However, in a new video of her audition the 20-year-old was uncertain as to whether or not she landed the spot on the catwalk. She gushes in the BTS clip: 'Today I am casting for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2016.' 'I have no idea,' she says when asked if she got the part. 'I kinda feel like I black out in there.' Feigning surprise? In a new video of her audition the 20-year-old was uncertain as to whether or not she landed the spot on the catwalk She gushes in the BTS clip: 'Today I am casting for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2016.' 'I have no idea,' she says when asked if she got the part. 'I kinda feel like I black out in there.' 'I'm in my underwear - this is fun!' she recalled of the experience. 'I'm happy with it,' she concluded. 'I hope they're happy. Meanwhile, in her Instagram selfie Bella stands in high heels with what appears to be a pair of jeans down around her ankles. 'I'm in my underwear - this is fun!' she recalled of the experience. 'I'm happy with it,' she concluded. 'I hope they're happy. She's wearing a low cut black bra and black thong panties as her make-up artist Vincent Oquendo attends to her. He then shared the snap on his Instagram. The model has her cell phone up and snaps the photo using a mirror that reflects the backdrop of a kitchen complete with large stainless steel fridge and maple cabinetry. Leaked! Victoria's Secret staffer Jen Waldman shared this snap of her and Bella on Tuesday at the VS offices in New York after a day of call backs Good morning: It's the first time Bella will walk in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, which this year will be held in Paris. She shared this selfie close-up Wednesday as the news sank in The news that she'd been cast in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show leaked online late Tuesday after Victoria's Secret staffer Jen Waldman shared a snap of them both on social media saying, 'One of us made the fashion show cut.' It followed a day of call backs as the company whittled down its final choices. Bella had been seen at the VS New York offices earlier in the day arriving in a low-cut crop top with camouflage pants and a black jacket. Angelic figure: The offspring of reality star Yolanda Hadid and multi-millionaire property developer Mohamed Hadid was spotted attending callbacks at the VS offices in NYC Tuesday Bella is following in the angel-wing footsteps of big sister Gigi who starred in her first VS show last year. And on Wednesday Gigi, 21, shared a photo of her younger sibling in a shimmering Dior dress from an event held Tuesday night and congratulated her on her new gig. 'A vision. So proud of you,' she wrote. Sibling approval: Bella's older sister Gigi, 21, congratulated her on her new job by sharing a picture of her in a Dior dress from a gala Tuesday night Stunner: Gigi walked in the annual VS Fashion Show last year for the first time The Victoria's Secret Fashion Shows normally take place in New York City but this year will take place in Paris. The lingerie giant normally announces their annual runway show in the spring of each year but waited until Monday October 24 to unveil this year's location. Laura Whitmore has returned to Strictly Come Dancing rehearsals after she missed last week's show due to an ankle injury. The presenter, 31, who was reportedly unable to stand due to the intense pain, has been given the green light to carry on her rehearsals with professional partner Giovanni Pernice ahead of this week's live show. 'Back to training....I'm quite a bit behind and being very careful. But will try my best guys!' the blonde beauty promised as she took to Twitter on Wednesday. Scroll down for video What a trooper! Laura Whitmore, 31, has returned to Strictly Come Dancing rehearsals after she was reportedly unable to stand due to intense pain from an ankle injury Doctors told Laura to give the live show a miss last Saturday, fearing that she could do 'permanent damage' to her ankle, which left her wincing in pain . And the Irish star was given permission by bosses to miss the show, but left her worrying about her dancing prospects. Writing in her blog for Glamour Online, she said: 'You're allowed to miss one show if the doctor says you are not physically fit to dance - but only one.' However, she fears regular training sessions could cause the joint to flare up again: 'The fear is, if it's not fully recovered it could get inflamed again. We have a lot to catch up on but I'm not ready to throw the towel in just yet. 'It's too much fun (yes despite the wonky ankles, tears and stress it's the best show to be part of!)' 'Will try my best guys!': The TV presenter confirmed her return on Twitter Needed to rest: Doctors believe Laura's injury stemmed from too much jiving - the dance she was learning for last week's show - and were concerned she'd ripped the ligament Pain: Laura was reportedly unable to stand because she's in so much pain from the ankle injury that forced her to pull out of Strictly Come Dancing Doctors believe Laura's injury stemmed from too much jiving - the dance she was learning for last week's show - and were concerned she'd ripped the ligament. She explained: 'I was diagnosed with myotendinous strain of the right flexor hallucis longus muscle (sounds like a Harry Potter spell) caused by overuse through training and repeating one particular dance step. 'I was told by the physiotherapist to stop putting pressure on my foot straight away as so much fluid had built up and there was a risk if I kept going I would tear the ligament. 'An ultrasound on Friday (last week) confirmed the swelling had built up and the excessive fluid was causing me a lot pain but fortunately the ligament wasn't torn. We discussed the option of an injection of a strong pain killer and for them just to let me dance on Saturday but I was advised this wasn't the best course of action.' Bedbound: Doctors told her to rest on Saturday, fearing that she could do 'permanent damage' to her ankle 'She's seen two physios and two medics over the past 24 hours and at 4.15 today show bosses took the decision she could not perform,' an insider told the Sunday Mirror. 'It is really inflamed. She's had to keep it elevated and she's being given pain killers. 'She is absolutely gutted. She's been in floods of tears because she was so excited to be performing,' the source added. MailOnline has contacted Laura's representatives for comment. Devastated: Speaking on the show with dance partner Giovanni Pernice, she revealed how 'gutted' she was to be missing out Struggle: An insider said that the pain caused by her swollen ligament was so bad that she couldn't get up Speaking on the show with dance partner Giovanni Pernice, she revealed how 'gutted' she was to be missing out. And taking to Twitter today, the Irish beauty said: 'Absolutely Devastated... It was a decision taken out of my hands. If it was my choice, I'd be on the dance floor doing my jive with Gio. 'This was by far my favourite dance. We all train really hard. All of us dancing have aches and pains and I didn't realise the severity of my injury until it was too late. I'm sorry to let you all down. Bowing out: Laura didn't get to perform her jive with partner Giovanni The bubbly beauty went on: 'My priority is to follow the doctors instructions to get myself on my feet again without permanent damage and do the thing I love the most. Dancing! Thanks to all my fellow contestants for the support they've given me in the last 24hrs.' (sic) Strictly bosses confirmed the news this afternoon and said the dancing couple will get a pass into next week's show. The statement said: 'Laura Whitmore will not perform on tonight's Strictly Come Dancing due to an ankle injury sustained earlier in the week. Shock: Taking to Twitter today, the Irish beauty said she was 'absolutely devastated' Overdid it? Brendan Cole, who is dancing alongside singer Anastacia, has spent the entire week away from training, on rest after contracting a lung infection at the end of last week Confirmed: A Strictly spokesperson confirmed the news this afternoon and said the dancing couple will get a pass into next week's show 'She has been checked by a doctor and the medical team on site and they have advised that she rests her ankle and does not dance this weekend. 'As per the rules of Strictly Come Dancing - because Laura and Giovanni cannot dance on tonight's show - they will receive a bye through to next week and the show will continue with a public vote as per usual. They added: 'We wish Laura a very speedy recovery.' She's a passionate animal rights campaigner and has thrown her superstar name behind countless campaigns. And Pamela Anderson was out in force yet again as she promoted vegan food choices ahead of World Vegan Month in London on Wednesday. Posing with mascots from animal rights organisation PETA, the 49-year-old seemed in great spirits on the day. Scroll down for video A voice for the animals: Pamela Anderson, 49, was out in force yet again as she promoted vegan food choices ahead of World Vegan Month in London on Wednesday Looking uncharacteristically demure but still just as chic, the blonde bombshell opted for a mint floral Samantha Sung gown that flattered her hourglass figure. Falling just above the knee, the garment also flashed a hint of her tanned and toned pins, which were elongated by a pair of black suede heels. Keeping her accessories simple, the star clutched a boxy white handbag, whilst she concealed her baby blue peepers behind a pair of cat eye sunglasses. What a waist! Looking uncharacteristically demure but still as chic, the blonde bombshell opted for a mint floral gown that flattered her hourglass figure Earlier this month Pamela was out in force once again as she started a petition to urge Prime Minister Theresa May to ban wild animals in circuses. The animal advocate made sure that asking May to bring forward the legislation was at the top of her agenda. During her time in the capital, the actress also found time to pop into the Ecuadorian Embassy to visit Wikileaks founder, Julian Assange, who she first met in 2014 after she sought his advice on her nascent animal charity. Leggy lady! Falling just above the knee, the garment also flashed a hint of her tanned and toned pins as she posed alongside some of PETA's furry and friendly mascots Finishing touches: Keeping her accessories simple, the star clutched a boxy white handbag, whilst she concealed her baby blue peepers behind a pair of cat eye sunglasses As well as being an avid PETA supporter, the Baywatch babe is so passionate about the cause she launched the Pamela Anderson Foundation. The foundation supports those working on the front lines for animal, human, and environmental rights. On top of her many charitable contributions, Pamela also helps Sea Shepherd, Mercy for Animals and IFAW. She's evidently making the most of whatever time she can snatch before the birth of her second child. A radiant Natalie Portman was spotted heading out for lunch with a pal in the Los Feliz neighbourhood of Los Angeles on Wednesday. The smiling star disguised her burgeoning baby bump in an elegant black dress with a plunging decolletage for her day-time date. Nice disguise: Natalie Portman's growing baby bump was hard to see in this elegant LBD she wore for lunch with a friend in the Los Feliz neighbourhood of Los Angeles on Wednesday The 35-year-old paired the knee-length frock with black flats and carried a black leather Dior bag over her shoulder. Natalie styled her brunette tresses in a chic updo and covered her eye from the bright sunshine with a pair of metal-rimmed dark glasses. It was a very different look from her outfit on Monday when the Black Swan actress looked comfortable and laid back in a grey sweater, white T-shirt and black trousers for lunch with a pal. The beauty is expecting her second child with husband of four years, ballet dancer/choreographer/director Benjamin Millepied. Rocking the frock: The 35-year-old's dress featured a plunging neckline that showed off her decolletage Carry out: The beautiful Black Swan star toted a box back to her car The couple met in 2009 when Natalie was filming Black Swan, for which he was the choreographer. They share five-year-old son Aleph Portman-Millepied. Meanwhile, Natalie has carved herself out some time to welcome her new baby. She has two films coming out this year: Planetarium, about two sisters who are believed to be able to connect with ghosts, out November 16; and biographical drama Jackie in which she stars as the late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis out December 2. Ladies who lunch: On Monday Natalie was spotted out in the same neighbourhood for a meal with a pal. She looked laid back in a grey sweater, white T-shirt and black trousers And the star already has four projects in post production for release in 2017. She will appear with Michael Fassbender in Weightless, Terrence Malick's tale of obsession and betrayal set against the music scene in Austin, Texas, due for release March 17. Yet to set dates are dramedy The Heyday Of The Insensitive Bastards with a stellar cast including James Franco, Kate Mara, Kristen Wiig and late night host Jimmy Kimmel; The Death And Life of John F. Donovan opposite Jessica Chastain and Kit Harrington; and sci-fi thriller Annihilation. Kim Kardashian is shooting her reality show Keeping Up With The Kardashians again. The cameras were on the 36-year-old reality star as she attended husband Kanye West's Pablo concert at the Forum in Inglewood on Tuesday. A source told People that the mother-of-two 'did take a break from filming' to spend more time with North, aged three, and Saint, 10 months, but has 'gradually resumed filming the show.' This comes three weeks after she was held at gun point, bound and gagged during a robbery in Paris. Camera crew:Kim Kardashian had the Keeping Up With The Kardashians cameras on her as she entered Kanye West's concert at the Forum in LA on Tuesday night Heightened security: The mother-of-two was surrounded by an army of security guards Before the attack: Kim sat down with 60 Minutes pre-Paris robbery to talk lack of privacy A camera man and a man holding a bright spotlight can clearly be seen filming Kim and Kanye as they get out of a black Range Rover and head into the Forum. On the sidelines is a female E! producer. Neither one is talking, but Kim looks around at her security as she makes her way into the back entrance of the large venue. There are at least two security guards with the Selfish author. Bright lights: The spotlight must have blinded the reality beauty, who turned 36 on Friday Rare outing: Kardashian is seen here with West on a golf cart outside the Forum Kim looked different since her first major outing since the October 3 robbery in Paris where $11m worth of her jewels were stolen. Her makeup was nicely done and her hair was ironed straight. Kourtney Kardashian and Kendall Jenner were also spotted at the event as well as family friend Katy Perry. Later, Kim was seen covering her face as her Mercedes sped off, with supportive partner Kanye sitting alongside her. Show of support: Kourtney Kardashian was also in attendance to support Kim at the concert. Behind her is Kim's assistant Breaking with tradition, the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star wasn't pictured at the event and didn't post anything on social media. This comes after it was alleged Kim was finally feeling 'more positive' about life. A source told People magazine: 'Kim had a quiet birthday celebration with Kanye, their kids, her sisters and Kris. 'It was Kim's choice to not have a big celebration. She seemed very happy with her. Casual: Kendall Jenner covered up in a baggy hoodie and dressed her look down with trainers The momager: Kris Jenner showed up to the concert with beau Corey Gamble 'She is still figuring out her life. She still has no plans for any work appearances, but her outlook on life seems more positive. She has calmed down a lot since the robbery.' Kim has been staying at home - first in New York then Los Angeles - since the robbery took place, cancelling all her public appearances. The beauty has also been spending as much time as she can with her two children North, aged three, and Saint, 10 months. Her sister Kourtney previously revealed Kim is relying heavily on her family to get her through the tough time. She shared: 'She's not doing great. I think we're all really still shaken up and I just - you know.' 'I think she has a big supportive family and I know that all the traumatic things that we've been through, we get through them together as a family.' Uma Thurman's ex-fiance Arpad Busson is trying to stop the actress from seeing her daughter Luna while she films a new movie, a new report is claiming. The French financier has apparently filed legal documents to ask a judge to prohibit the Kill Bill star from taking four-year-old Luna to Europe with her during the shoot. According to TMZ's sources the latest development has blindsided Uma as she's supposedly set to travel in two days. Tough decision: Uma Thurman's ex-fiance Arpad Busson is apparently trying to stop the actress taking her four-year--old daughter Luna to Europe with her while she films a new movie Arpad has requested that their daughter stay in New York, posing a difficult choice for the 46-year-old actress. Uma and Arpad will be heading to court in the next couple of months amid their ongoing custody battle over their daughter. Earlier this month is was claimed that Uma is set to fight her ex on visitation time with Luna which he wants more of. Sources told TMZ: 'When she and Arpad head to court in a few months, Uma will argue he cancels his scheduled time to see her '7 times out of 10'. Getting ugly: Uma and Arpad, a French financier, are set to head to court in the next couple of months amid their ongoing custody battle 'Arpad is the one who's asking the judge for more time, but the sources say these are just 'tactics.' 'Our sources say he gets a significant amount of custodial time currently, yet doesn't come close to taking advantage of it.' Uma apparently wants to co-parent with Arpad but a lot of the time she has to arrange a nanny to take the child to London or the Bahamas where he lives. The insider added 'he won't take the time to pick her up.' Arpad has demanded more visitation with the couples daughter, less than a year after they reached an initial settlement over the custody of their child. Arpad filed a motion for temporary visitation rights on August 31. He first filed a custody lawsuit against Thurman in New York in 2014. Ongoing: It was reported earlier this month that Uma is 'set to argue that Arpad doesn't deserve more visitation with their daughter, 4, as he cancels seven out of 10 times' The former couple are set to face off in Manhattan Supreme Court by December, according to Page Six. Arpad has had a rocky relationship with Uma since they first started dating in 2007. The investor and actress were originally set to be married in 2009, but the wedding was called off, and Thurman returned her eight-carat diamond ring. In 2011, the couple reconciled and shortly thereafter Thurman became pregnant with their daughter, who she gave birth to in 2012. Busson - a London-based French multimillionaire - has had a rocky relationship with Thurman since the couple (pictured together in 2007) first started dating in 2007 Uma and Arpad then were set to get married again, but the actress called off the engagement and the couple again parted ways. Shortly following their breakup, Arpad slapped Uma with a lawsuit demanding more custody of their daughter. He also demanded the power to make important life decisions for their daughter. Uma's representative released a statement after the lawsuit was filed: It is unfortunate that this very private discussion regarding Mr. Busson's visitation rights and his participation in decision making has been made public. In 2015, Thurman, who often posts loving photos with her daughter on Instagram (above), and Busson signed a three-year plan on how they agreed to co-parent their daughter However, we are optimistic that a fair agreement for both sides will be reached out of court. In September 2015, the couple finally reached a settlement, and the judge praised them for putting aside their issues aside for the benefit of their daughter. At the time, the judge was quoted saying both parties had compromised very little to reach the settlement. The terms of the deal, however, were sealed from the public and the terms remain confidential. It was reported at the time that Uma and Arpad signed a three-year plan on how they agreed to co-parent their daughter. But after Busson headed back to court on August 31, it appears that he wants more custody. After being engaged twice and splitting after Thurman gave birth to their daughter, the couple (pictured together in 2009) went to court to battle for custody of their young daughter He filed a Pendente Lite Visitation, which is usually only filed during an on-going battle, with one person seeking to have the judge award temporary visitation until the outcome of the case. Once the final order on custody and support is issued by the judge, the temporary decision is voided. She just launched a heartpounding lingerie campaign for Tommy Hilfiger. And Gigi Hadid was positively beaming with pride on Wednesday as she returned to New York. The 21-year-old wore a big smile as she rolled a suitcase behind her through the streets of the Big Apple. Successful campaign! Gigi Hadid was positively beaming with pride on Wednesday as she returned to New York Rocking a boho chic vibe, the blonde strode through the city in black booties and skintight jeans. Wearing a beatnik turtleneck the gorgeous model sported Lennon sunglasses as she wore her hair in tangles down over her shoulders. The daughter of Yolanda Hadid completed her attire with a knee length trench coat featuring an intentionally rumpled exterior. Self-satisfied: The 21-year-old wore a big smile as she rolled a suitcase behind her through the streets of the Big Apple Bohemian rhapsody: Rocking a boho chic vibe, the blonde strode through the city in black booties and skintight jeans The model looked absolutely fantastic in her latest Tommy Hilfiger advert photo released on Monday. She showed off her slim figure in a black bra and panties combination as she posed in front of a red wall. There was definitely no need for photoshop as the moles on her torso were on full display as she rocked the sheer undergarments. Gigi in the sky with diamonds: Wearing a beatnik turtleneck the gorgeous model sported Lennon sunglasses as she wore her hair in tangles down over her shoulders Her signature blonde locks were worn down in a middle-part as she had natural, complimentary make-up topped off with a swipe of shiny lip. Gigi has worked with Tommy Hilfiger for years as a brand ambassador and even recently launched her own collection with the American fashion brand. Earlier this month she did quite a bit of globetrotting as she went on a promotional tour in Asia for her collection. She had a busy week in mid-October as she had stops in Dubai, Tokyo and Shanghai. Georgia Love has reportedly already married The Bachelorette winner in an 'intimate ceremony'. The nuptials took place as the season aired on TV, and before the brunette journalist's mother was admitted to palliative care as she battles an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer. The 28-year-old told OK! Magazine there would be no proposal during the finale, but confirmed the couple thought about the future, saying: 'The engagement wasn't going to happen on TV - that and the wedding [are] part of our private life'. Scroll down for video Married? The Bachelorette's Georgia Love has reportedly wed her chosen winner in an 'intimate ceremony' as her mother Belinda is admitted to palliative care She added about her wedding that there had to be 'lots of fun and laughter.' 'I've never felt this way before...I can't see life without him,' she said. Bachelor Lee meanwhile denied getting married to Georgia. Who wins? The finalists are hunky mechanical plumber Lee, 35, (middle) and marketing manager Matty, 29, (left). Seen in third runner-up Jake (right) He told Yahoo Be: 'I can categorically say there is not a wedding ring on my finger.' The hunk added he didn't consider proposing on the show because he would want to wait for them to get back into reality. The publication reports Matty said he was 'still' excited about the idea of tying the knot, hinting they haven't married. 'I'm really excited about the prospect of getting married,' Matty said. Fans will have to wait till Thursday night to see who Georgia confesses her love to during the finale, which was filmed in Singapore. The finalists are hunky mechanical plumber Lee, 35, and marketing manager Matty J, 29. Does he win? Lee told OK! that he wants a destination wedding after attending a pal's nuptials in the idyllic Tuscany, in Italy Jake was booted off Wednesday's show after failing to get a rose from the brunette journalist. Meanwhile, Lee told OK! magazine he wants a destination wedding after attending a pal's nuptials in the idyllic Tuscany, in Italy. 'I don't like church weddings, so a destination wedding is for me.' Fan favourite Matty also said he could see himself meeting Georgia at the altar. Riding off together into the sunset? Georgia is seen here on a date with Lee While Georgia has been looking for love on the show, it's has also been a trying time off camera. Her mother Belinda has been battling an 'aggressive form' of pancreatic cancer. It was reported this week that she was admitted into palliative care. Her support: Georgia revealed in a recent interview that her mother Belinda (pictured) doesn't know who wins her heart just yet, throwing doubt on the wedding speculation Georgia revealed in a recent interview that her mother doesn't know who wins her heart just yet, throwing doubt on the wedding speculation. The 27-year-old told News Corp: 'She's watching it just like everyone else at home getting invested and having her favourites and changing her mind every episode.' However, the former TV presenter added that her mother has a good inclination of who she chooses. How will she make up her mind? Georgia is set to make a hard decision about who she chooses as her winner on Thursday's finale 'She's being careful not to say who she thinks (the winner is) definitively but she's told me who her favourite is and I'm happy with that. 'Mum absolutely knows me best.' Meanwhile, Georgia is set to make a hard decision about who she chooses as her winner on Thursday's finale. On Wednesday's show, Matty confessed to the beauty that he was falling head over heels in love. '... I found this really incredible woman and... Like it's actually... It's actually happening, I'm falling in love with her,' he said in a side interview. It is him? On Wednesday, Matty confessed to the beauty that he was falling head over heels in love Read more: The latest edition of OK! is out now She was furious with ex-boyfriend Pete Wicks upon discovering he was texting other women behind her back on The Only Way Is Essex. But Megan McKenna appeared to crumble on Wednesday night during a romantic make or break getaway after the tattooed hunk revealed his trump card in the form of an old Motown classic. Their weekend had started auspiciously enough with a trip to Champney's health spa, where an anxious Pete hoped to finally win Megan back after a troubling two weeks. Scroll down for video Here's to us: Pete Wicks appeared to win ex girlfriend Megan McKenna round during Sunday evening's edition of The Only Way Is Essex His romantic endeavours meant missing out on a male calendar shoot with the lads, but the hunk had more pressing concerns as he greeted the newly fringed brunette in the grounds of the luxury retreat. 'Just because I've turned up doesn't mean we're back together', she warned as he flashed her a sheepish smile. With Marbella still fresh in the memory the brunette suggested they refrain from using phones, and Pete, clearly delighted to be reunited with his ex, was only too happy to oblige. Slow process: Clearly delighted to be reunited with his ex, Pete admitted their romantic rehabilitation was a step by step process Hello you: His romantic endeavours meant missing out on a male calendar shoot with the lads, but the anxious hunk had more important concerns as he greeted the newly fringed brunette Lavish: The weekend started off promisingly enough with a trip to Champney's health spa, where Pete hoped to finally win Megan back after a troubling two weeks 'I've booked you a separate room because I don't want you to be under pressure,' he told her. 'I'm doing everything I can to save this relationship.' But despite his thoughtfulness he was clearly agitated as they took a stroll, and after a failed attempt at flirting he admitted to feeling the pressure. 'You make me nervous,' he stammered. 'I ain't really a romantic or nervous person but I'm doing my best... ain't I?' Thoughful: 'I've booked you a separate room because I don't want you to be under pressure,' he told her Pensive: Pete admitted he was feeling the pressure in his quest to won back Megan I won't give up on you: An al fresco dinner date led to more stilted conversation from a desperate Pete, whose attempts to win back his ex became increasingly heartfelt My Endless Love: As Megan voiced her concerns he revealed his trump card - the familiar sounds of Lionel Richie and Diana Ross hit My Endless Love, played over a loudspeaker Working his magic: She later admitted the gesture 'meant more to me than anything else' An al fresco dinner led to more stilted conversation from a desperate Pete, whose attempts to win back his former girlfriend became increasingly heartfelt. 'What happens now is going to affect my life and it's going to affect your life, but I've got all the time in the world,' he told her. 'I'm not pressuring you , I just want you to know that I'm not going anywhere. I know exactly what I want, and what I want is you.' But Megan had other concerns, not least the temptations that may or may not present themselves on Pete's social media accounts. Game over: The following morning Megan conceded the tattooed hunk may well have won her over At your service: Pete thoughtfully served her a gluten free breakfast in bed the morning after their dinner date 'I hope I get to a point where I don't have to worry about that as much,' she said. Pete may well have anticipated her response, for as she voiced her concerns he revealed his trump card - the sweet sounds of Lionel Richie and Diana Ross hit My Endless Love, played over a loudspeaker. 'I know this is cheesy as f**k, but how many times have we listened to this in the car?' he reminisced. 'This is your mum and dads wedding song!' Welling up as the ballad climaxed, he added: 'This has got me hard because I've lost you, but I want you back and I ain't gonna stop... everyone's got their opinions but it is just about me and you. 'I see it as important as it is going to affect the rest of my life... I ain't good with feelings and emotions but I ain't got nothing to lose now. I'm laying it all on the table.' The following morning Megan conceded the tattooed hunk may well have won her over by playing their song. 'That one moment meant more to me than anything else,' she told him as he thoughtfully served her a gluten free breakfast in bed. Meanwhile: Dan Edgar was reflecting on his previous meeting with ex Kate Wright, which ended badly with the buxom blonde storming off during yet another row over his refusal to settle down Upbeat: The lads were in high spirits after taking part in a shirtless calendar shoot Face to face: A launch party for the forthcoming stocking filler gave Dan another opportunity to atone with his ex Fiery: Kate had earlier conceded the incident left her 'feeling a bit silly,' but while she failed to take pal Georgia Kousoulou's well meaning advice by blocking Dan in an attempt to win him back, she was in no mood to mince her words Sharp words: 'There's no point you coming over to me if you're saying the same thing. I'm not going to talk to you when you're talking to other people,' she told him Meanwhile, back in Essex, Dan Edgar was reflecting on his previous meeting with Kate Wright. The buxom blonde had stormed off following yet another row over his refusal to settle down, and with the dust settling he remained adamant that he was blameless. 'I wasn't saying I didn't want to be with her,' he told pals James Locke and Vas Morgan. 'I was saying let's take it one step at a time. I definitely didn't mug her off.' The lads were in high spirits after taking part in a shirtless calendar shoot, and a launch party for the forthcoming stocking filler gave Dan another opportunity to atone with his ex. Look who's back: The launch party gave a returning Gemma Collins a chance to catch up recent events - and Pete's sexting scandal proved to be the main topic of conversation No way! 'Call me old fashioned by what world are we living in!' she trilled after being given the lurid details surrounding Pete's sexting scandal With their confrontation still fresh in the memory, he told her: 'The other day didn't end to well and you took what I said the wrong way. You ended up walking off.' Kate had conceded the incident left her 'feeling a bit silly,' but while she failed to take pal Georgia Kousoulou's well meaning advice by blocking Dan's mobile number in an attempt to win him back, she was in no mood to mince her words. 'I don't want to be civil when your're going to parties with girls and texting other girls,' she snapped. Heart to heart: Elsewhere Amber Dowding was mulling over her own difficulties with Chris Clarke during a dinner date with pal Georgia Kousoulou Opening up: 'I need to focus on myself and what's going on at home,' she told Georgia over dinner at a local sushi restaurant 'There's no point you coming over to me if you're saying the same thing. I'm not going to talk to you when you're talking to other people.' The launch party also gave a returning Gemma Collins a chance to catch up on recent events - and Pete's sexting scandal proved to be the main topic of conversation. 'Call me old fashioned by what world are we living in!' she trilled after being given the lurid details. Make way: But the conversation was soon cut short by the arrival of Chris's brother Jon, who admitted his younger sibling was struggling without her Listen up: 'He does love you,' he urged. 'He does want to be there for you. We all respect where your coming from... don't throw everything away. Take your time' Elsewhere Amber Dowding was mulling over her own difficulties with Chris Clarke - but insisted her reasons for being apart from the TOWIE newcomer were valid. 'I need to focus on myself and what's going on at home,' she told pal Georgia over dinner at a local sushi restaurant. 'I've got to think of my own happiness.' But the conversation was soon cut short by the arrival of Chris's brother Jon, who admitted his younger sibling was struggling without her. 'He does love you,' he urged. 'He does want to be there for you. We all respect where your coming from... don't throw everything away. Take your time.' Her mother was admitted to palliative care in recent weeks. And Georgia Love has revealed that even though she was away from her mother while she filmed The Bachelorette, she was allowed to keep in touch with her. The 28-year-old former journalist told WHO Magazine in a recent interview that some topics - including dating - advice was off limits. Scroll down for video Sweet: Georgia Love has revealed that even though she was away from her mother Belinda while she filmed The Bachelorette, she was allowed to keep in touch with her 'The circumstances were unique,' Georgia told the publication. 'So the production team was very good with keeping me in touch with Mum.' Talking about the contestants wasn't permitted, with Georgia saying: 'Advice was off-limits, but I was able to talk to her about her health, our family and our home.' It's a no-go! The 28-year-old former journalist told WHO Magazine in a recent interview that some topics - including dating - advice was off limits Sad: It was reported this week that Georgia Love's mother Belinda was admitted into palliative care as she battles an aggressive pancreatic cancer It was reported this week that Georgia Love's mother Belinda was admitted into palliative care as she battles an aggressive pancreatic cancer. Earlier this week Channel Ten confirmed to The Daily Telegraph that Belinda had been admitted to palliative care. Belinda was receiving chemotherapy while Georgia filmed season two of the popular reality series. Speaking to the Herald Sun last month, Georgia said: 'It has been particularly hard for me, having been away filming, to then come back and see her 10 weeks into chemo, but she is being very positive.' Personal struggles: Belinda was receiving chemotherapy while Georgia filmed season two of the popular reality series Flashback: In a recent interview with News Corp , she said her mother doesn't know who has won her heart In a recent interview with News Corp, she said her mother doesn't know who has won her heart. 'She's watching it just like everyone else at home getting invested and having her favourites and changing her mind every episode,' Georgia said. She previously told TV Week her mother's health battle inspired her to go on the show. 'She's going through chemo at the moment to make sure everything's gone, but it's still very touch-and-go,' Georgia said. 'The fact it was all happening at the same time made me decide "yes, I want to do this"... It puts it into perspective how important family and love are,' she added. It's on: The finale of the series is set to be aired on Thursday, with Matty (L) and Lee (middle) in the running to be the winner. Seen (R) is booted contestant Jake The finale of the series is set to be aired on Thursday, with Matty and Lee in the running to be the winner. Georgia sent home packing contestant Jake, who confessed he was 'devastated' to be going. 'Look after your family and I hope you find the love you're after, that you're looking for. And that's really hard just for me to say right now. It really is,' Jake told her after the rose ceremony. She has been an icon of sex appeal for a quarter century. And Sharon Stone made sure to turn heads on Wednesday as she filmed scenes for her new movie A Little Something For Your Birthday in West Hollywood. The 58-year-old showed off her ageless complexion and edgy sense of style for the day of shooting in the pleasant California sunshine. Scroll down for video Hot stuff coming through: Sharon Stone made sure to turn heads on Wednesday as she filmed scenes for her new movie A Little Something For Your Birthday in West Hollywood The blonde wore a smart felt hat as she sported a thick ropy gold chain. Draped over her lean frame was an edgy leather biker jacket, which perfectly matched her confident attitude. Completing Stone's attire was a plunging white shirt, ripped jeans, and leather booties. A face frozen in time: The 58-year-old showed off her ageless complexion and edgy sense of style for the day of shooting in the pleasant California sunshine Too cool: Draped over her lean frame was an edgy leather biker jacket, which perfectly matched her confident attitude Once inside a cafe the Basic Instinct icon got a hot cup of tea which she could be seen steeping. Also on set was her co-star Famke Janssen, whose 6ft0in frame towered over the crew. Famke, 51, wore flats as she showed off her incredible figure in a chic red dress and stunning necklace. Quite a costume: Completing Stone's attire was a plunging white shirt, ripped jeans, and leather booties Dip it low! Once inside a cafe the Basic Instinct icon got a hot cup of tea which she could be seen steeping Stone plays an aspiring fashion designer struggling to find success and love, and to escape the clutches of her overbearing, co-dependent mother played by Ellen Burstyn. The story cuts into her life once a year, always on the same date: her birthday. It also stars Tony Goldwyn and is set for a 2017 release. Lady in red: Also on set was her co-star Famke Janssen, whose 6ft0in frame towered over the crew Good times: Sharon and Famke were having fun on the set He lured tourists Down Under with his sexy voice in a recent run of successful Tourism Australia campaigns. And Elsa Pataky has also revealed she was drawn to Aussie hunk Chris Hemsworth's voice before they met in person. The 40-year-old is part of Who's Sexiest People 2016 list, and while speaking about what she found most sexy about her husband, she mentioned his voice first. Scroll down for video Sexy phone voice! Spanish model and actress Elsa Patayk reveals she spoke to Chris Hemsworth on the phone before meeting and fell for his sexy voice, in an interview with Who Magazine after being announced in their Who's Sexiest People 2016 list 'His voice is Amazing! Before I met him, I heard his voice on the phone and that was what I loved. He was probably making it even deeper,' she said with a laugh. But Spanish model and actress didn't discount the Thor star's famous ripped physique. She added: 'He also has an amazing body, which I think is sexy.' 'Amazing body': Elsa didn't discount her Aussie husband's physique either, saying she also finds his body sexy And the Fast And Furious star said it's probably her confidence that Chris finds most attractive about her. She explained that she's super optimistic about everything, and when women are sure of themselves it is attractive. 'The confidence that comes with years and life experience is really important,' Elsa added. Confidence! The Fast And Furious star said it's probably her confidence that Chris finds most attractive about her, saying she's very optimistic and sure of herself Earlier this week the happy couple shut down rumours of marriage troubles, as reported by Woman's Day. According to the publication, the married couple had been 'taking a little break from each other' and had 'issues' to sort through, while Elsa's recent holiday to her native Spain without Chris by her side raised alarm bells amongst their friends. Taking to Instagram on Monday, the 33-year-old showed off his witty sense of humour with a post addressing the claims. 'Looking for a new wife according to @womansdayaus and other misleading outlets! Honey you still love me right?! (sic)' the Thor: Ragnorak star captioned a photo of himself and his wife enjoying a cruise. What split? Chris Hemsworth has addressed Woman's Day's claims his marriage to Elsa Pataky is facing trouble The handsome actor tagged his beautiful wife in the photo and added the hashtag: 'thanks for the heads up.' In less than 15 minutes, Chris' post had been 'liked' by over 51,000 people, including model Cheyenne Tozzi and Neighbours actress Olympia Valance. Meanwhile, the weekly tabloid also claims the Fast & Furious actress has been leaning on her brother Cristian Prieto for support. Going strong: Despite the magazine's claims, the couple have continuously gushed about each other on social media The blonde beauty recently shared a sibling snap via Instagram, captioning it: 'I smile because you are my BROTHER, I laugh because there is nothing you can do about it!' Meanwhile, a glance at the couple's social media accounts show there's nothing but love between the genetically-blessed couple. A few hours later Elsa posted a loved up pic of them together and captions the post: 'Forever and always'. Forever in love: A glance at the couple's social media accounts show there's nothing but love between the genetically-blessed couple as Elsa posts this pic of the happy couple later on Monday night and captions: 'Always and Forever' Doting dad: The Thor star is often seen doting on his children, India, Tristan and Sasha Elsa and Chris recently spent a kids-free break away at Hamilton Island's exclusive Qualia resort, where they flaunted their romance in postcard-worthy Instagram photos. Chris and Elsa - who moved from Los Angeles to laid-back Byron Bay in 2015 - met in early 2010 and married shortly after in December that year. They welcomed their daughter India in 2012 and their twin sons, Tristan and Sasha later in 2014. She shocked fans this week by announcing she is pregnant with her first child. And the happy news meant a warm reunion with an old pal for Amy Childs. The flame-haired beauty met up with former TOWIE sidekick Sam Faiers, who she shot to fame with when the show first aired in 2010. Scroll down for video Mum-of-one Sam visited Amy at her salon in Essex and posed for a cute pic of her rest her hand protectively on her pal's blossoming bump. Sharing the snap on Instagram, Amy wrote: 'Can't wait to join the mummy club @samanthafaiers1. lovely to see you today.' A lot has changed since the pair first appeared as party girls on the hit reality show six years ago. Sam is now the mum of six month old Paul with her boyfriend Paul Knightley and has her own show, The Mummy Diaries. Mum-to-be: Pregnant Amy Childs displays a hint of a bump as she is seen for the first time since announcing she is expecting her first child with jailbird boyfriend Bradley Wright Mum's the word: Amy showed off her baby bump on the cover of OK! magazine as she announced she is pregnant with her first child with Bradley Amy stepped out this week after her shock news that she has reunited with her jailbird beau Bradley Wright and is expecting his baby. Covering up, the 26-year-old wore a long black baggy jumper which looked cosy and comfortable, layering it over a pair of glamorous rubber leggings. She added some sexy suede knee high boots and kept snug in a lovely grey overcoat which she draped over her shoulders. Her flame red locks cascaded down over the collar of her coat and she carried a black leather Chanel handbag with her. The outing comes after the former TOWIE star confirmed to OK! magazine that she is expecting a baby with her jailbird boyfriend Bradley Wright. She admitted she had tried to get pregnant before he served his five-month spell in prison for handling stolen goods last year. In the interview the delighted star revealed she is 'shocked but happy' as she awaits the arrival of her first child after revealing she did not think she could get pregnant. Amy, who reunited with her on-off beau in March, delightedly announced the news to the magazine as she revealed the happy couple are overjoyed after wanting a child for some time. The pair met in a pub in Essex two years ago but their relationship came to a halt last year when Bradley was sentenced to 16 months in prison for handling stolen goods. However, the jailbird, who is already father to daughter Lexi from a previous relationship, only served five months of his sentence as he was released early for good behaviour leading to their eventual reunion. As she unveiled her bump in a stunning shoot, in the accompanying interview she said: 'We wanted (a baby) before Bradley went to prison but it didn't happen. I didn't think I could get pregnant. On and off: The pair met in a pub in Essex two years ago but their relationship came to a halt last year when Bradley was sentenced to 16 months in prison for handling stolen goods A bumpy road: Over the moon: The former TOWIE star, 26, said she didn't think she would be able to fall pregnant 'We'd been together for nine months and I came off the pill in the summer and I thought it might take me ages. I was taking folic acid but it didn't happen. I was really panicking. 'I went online to find out why and it was the worst thing I could have done. I got so stressed out about it that I was drinking. Brad told me off for it but I couldn't help it.' Amy, who soared to fame in TOWIE's 2010 inauguration, spoke of their desperation to start a family as she said: 'We wanted kids together soon after we met. Way back when: As she unveiled her bump in a stunning shoot, in the accompanying interview she said: 'We wanted (a baby) before Bradley went to prison but it didn't happen' Doting: 'I love kids, especially because Bradley has Lexi, and spending time with her made me want a baby more. I have a big family so I love having my nieces and nephews around' 'I love kids, especially because Bradley has Lexi, and spending time with her made me want a baby more. I have a big family so I love having my nieces and nephews around.' Amy, who is set to welcome her baby to the world in May, tells the magazine: Weve wanted a baby for so long, so were happier than weve ever been. We were both so shocked, so emotional and so happy at the same time. Delighted Bradley, 25 added: Im so excited, I cant wait until the baby is born. The couple have already discussed names for their tot, as Amy revealed: Brad likes Archie for a boy and our top name for a girl is India. I definitely dont want a home birth. Over the moon: Amy, who soared to fame in TOWIE's 2010 inauguration, previously spoke of their desperation to start a family as she said: 'We wanted kids together soon after we met 'I couldnt think of anything worse! Sam Faiers wanted one but it didnt work. I want a water birth. Brad will be amazing during the birth because hes really calm. Of Bradley's prison spell, she said: I had a breakdown when Bradley went to prison, but I never fell out of love with him. Bradley still apologises for what he did to me now. Soon after news came to light, Amy took to Twitter to reveal: 'We are so excited' before retweeting a host of delighted messages from her management team. Despite their joyous news, the relationship was not always so smooth sailing after Amy reportedly vowed never to return to her beau following his sentencing. Formerly fractious: Despite their joyous news, the relationship was not always so smooth sailing after Amy reportedly vowed never to return to her beau following his sentencing According to The Mirror, Bradley, 25, was handed his latest sentence at Isleworth Crown Court in Middlesex in October last year, and was sent to Wormwood Scrubs prison in West London, from where he called Amy. A source close to the former TOWIE star told the paper: 'Brad called Amy from prison to tell her he was banged up and she was shocked. It's been hard enough coming to terms with the end of their relationship, let alone then hearing that,' adding that this time Amy has ended her relationship with Bradley for good: 'There's no going back though. Amy feels really let down. Her career is going from strength to strength, but it's clear Bradley isn't going places. She won't be visiting him.' Intruder at supermodel's California mansion charged An Australian man who jumped the fence at supermodel Miranda Kerr's Malibu home and allegedly stabbed her security guard was charged with attempted murder, prosecutors said. Shaun Haywood, 29, faces further felony counts of aggravated mayhem and assault with a deadly weapon, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey. Haywood allegedly broke into the Australian model's ranch on October 14 in an effort to deliver a letter. Neither supermodel Miranda Kerr nor her son were at home at the time of the intrusion Toshifumi Kitamura (AFP) When confronted by a security guard, the defendant is said to have grabbed the guard's knife and slashed his face, prosecutors said. The guard then shot Haywood. Both the intruder and the security guard were flown to hospital and were left with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Haywood denied all three charges at an arraignment hearing on Tuesday, where bail was set at $1.1 million pending a second hearing scheduled for November 7. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison. Kerr, 33, married Hollywood star Orlando Bloom in 2010 and gave birth to the couple's child the following year. However, three years later, Bloom and Kerr announced that they were separating and she is now engaged to Snapchat's co-founder, Evan Spiegel. Kerr, a former Victoria's Secret star who is among the world's highest paid models, was not at home at the time, according to LA County sheriff's deputies. Kids' 'miracle' survival as Australia probes theme park deaths Two children had a "miracle" escape when a raft flipped at an Australian theme park killing four adults, police said on Wednesday, as claims emerged that safety concerns had been raised at Dreamworld last year. Two women and two men died when two rafts on the Thunder River Rapids ride at the Gold Coast tourist attraction collided Tuesday, tipping one backwards, with police saying the victims were "caught in machinery". But a boy and a girl, aged 10 and 12, on the six-person circular raft survived. Police initially identified them as two girls. Visitors lay flowers at a makeshift floral tribute at the Dreamworld theme park in Gold Coast on October 26, 2016, a day after four people were killed when a raft flipped at one of the park's attractions Patrick Hamilton (AFP) Reports, which police would not confirm, said they were the children of one of the dead women. "It seems, from what I've seen, almost a miracle that anybody came out of that," Queensland Police assistant commissioner Brian Codd told reporters after viewing CCTV footage of the tragedy. "If we're going to be thankful for anything, I'm thankful for that." He said it had been "absolutely traumatic" for the children who were now being cared for by family, as floral tributes were laid outside Australia's largest theme park, which is hugely popular with domestic and overseas tourists. Two of those who died were identified in local media as Canberra-based brother and sister Kate Goodchild, 32, and Luke Dorsett, 35, with their mother, who was holidaying with them, distraught. "We are just devastated, absolutely devastated, Kim Dorsett told the Brisbane Courier-Mail. "I have three children and have lost two of them -- my whole family has been wiped out." Queensland Ambulance officials said on Tuesday the ride, marketed as a family-friendly thrill, malfunctioned and Codd stressed a thorough investigation was underway to find out what went wrong. Thirty detectives were at the scene with rafts taken away by a forensic team. "There will be a broad range of things examined - policies, procedures, maintenance schedules and the actual, I guess, the make-up of the whole ride itself in terms of compliance about contemporary engineering," he said. - 'Gold Coast is safe' - Ben Swan, the Queensland secretary of the Australian Workers Union, said the organisation voiced serious concerns about the operation and maintenance of some equipment at Dreamworld last year, although not the river rapids ride. "I don't want to inflame the situation," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. "However, we do think that in the interests of workers at that facility, but also to the patrons of that facility... it is important there is a full inquiry." The Australian newspaper reported that a series of mechanical problems were plaguing the water ride hours before the accident. Codd said he was aware of the reports and added: "I would imagine that would be an important area of interest for the coroner". The Gold Coast, which hosts the Commonwealth Games in 2018, is a major tourist destination and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk pleaded with holidaymakers not to turn their backs on the area. "The Gold Coast is safe," she told the Seven Network. "Please don't alter your holiday plans. Please continue to show your support. We will get to the bottom of this." Dreamworld, which opened in 1981 and has over 40 rides and attractions, said in a statement late Tuesday its whole team was "devastated and shocked". "We are working closely with the authorities to understand exactly what occurred." The park remained closed Wednesday. Close-up map of Dreamworld theme park on Australia's Gold Coast locating the Thunder River Rapids ride, where four people were killed in an accident on October 25, 2016 -, - (AFP Graphic) Australia's Gold Coast is a major tourist destination and Queensland premier pleaded with holidaymakers not to turn their backs on the area Tertius Pickard (AFP) UN chief condemns violence in Central African Republic UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday condemned violence in the Central African Republic, one day after four people were killed and 14 others wounded in the capital of Bangui. The violence took place during demonstrations called by a coalition of civil society groups protesting against United Nations peacekeepers. The demonstrators demanded the withdrawal of the UN's more than 10,000-strong MINUSCA mission over alleged failures to stop a rise of armed militias. United Nations peacekeepers are seen patrolling an area in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic Issouf Sanogo (AFP/File) Among those injured as gunfire and looting broke out were five UN peacekeepers. In a statement, Ban welcomed "the determination of the government to ensure that the perpetrators and instigators of these attacks are brought to justice." "The actions of those seeking to destabilize the government and harm the country's prospects for peace and stability must not undermine the important work of rebuilding the country's infrastructure, promoting social cohesion, reconciliation and economic recovery, strengthening the rule of law, and creating opportunities for all," he said. The top UN diplomat said he was confident that a November 17 donors' conference in Brussels will rally international support for these priorities. Earlier this month, 30 people were killed and 57 wounded when fighters from the Muslim Seleka militia group staged an attack in the central town of Kaga Bandoro. A few days later, 11 people were shot dead in a camp for displaced people in Ngakobo, northeast of Bangui. Google puts expansion of fiber optic network on hold Alphabet, the parent of internet giant Google, announced it was halting the rollout of its Google Fiber -- 1 Gbps fiber optic wireless service, in some markets. In cities where service started or is being developed, work will press ahead, said Craig Barratt, head of the Access division that covers the Google Fiber project. But other possible expansion will be on hold, he said in a note on the company website. While Alphabet announced it was halting the rollout of its Google Fiber wireless service, it said work would press on in cities where service started or was being developed Jewel Samad (AFP/File) Barratt also announced that he himself will leave his post as the Access chief executive, while still playing a role as an adviser to the company. The company did not immediately say how many jobs would be lost. Technology news site Ars Technica estimates the cuts could amount to nine percent of employees. Kansas City in 2011 became the first city chosen by the group to test its proposed ultra high-speed Google Fiber internet network, promising transmission speeds of 100 times that of current networks. It then expanded to seven other US cities. Installation work is currently underway in four more cities including San Francisco. A total of eight more cities were being considered as potential candidates, including San Jose in Silicon Valley, as well as Los Angeles, Portland and Phoenix. Though the project is hitting a pause button, Alphabet CEO Larry Page said it does not mean the company wants out of ultra broadband. Pope aide interviewed by Australia police over abuse claims Vatican finance chief George Pell has been interviewed by Australian police in Rome over sexual assault claims, authorities said Wednesday, but no charges have yet been laid. It follows explosive allegations against Pell, Australia's most senior Catholic cleric, aired by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in July, which he strongly denied. Victoria state police said in a statement that three officers "travelled to Rome last week where Cardinal George Pell voluntarily participated in an interview regarding allegations of sexual assault". Vatican finance chief, Australian Cardinal George Pell (C) attends a mass for the ordination of new bishops, at St Peter's basilica, on March 19, 2016 Vincenzo Pinto (AFP/File) "As a result of the interview further investigations are continuing. We are not prepared to comment further at this time." The allegations came from two men, now in their 40s, who said they were groped by Pell in summer 1978-79 at Eureka pool in Ballarat, Australia, where the cleric had grown up and worked. The broadcaster also alleged Pell was naked in front of three young boys, believed to be aged eight to 10, in a surf club changing room in summer 1986-87. The ABC said there were also complaints relating to Pell's time as Archbishop of Melbourne and his conduct with choirboys at St Patrick's cathedral in the 1990s. Pell has denied the allegations and suggested there was a conspiracy against him. The claims came just months after Pell admitted he "mucked up" in dealing with paedophile priests in Victoria state in the 1970s, while giving evidence to an Australia inquiry into institutional responses to child sex abuse. In August, Pope Francis told reporters: "We must avoid a media verdict, a verdict based on gossip" when asked about the allegations against the cardinal. Pell was ordained in Rome in 1966 before returning to Australia in 1971 and rising to become the nation's top Catholic official. He left for the Vatican in 2014 after being hand-picked by Pope Francis to make the church's finances more transparent, although his powers were reined in earlier this month. Australian 'coward' gets life for French student murder An Australian man was on Wednesday sentenced to life behind bars for the rape and murder of a young French woman in Brisbane, with a judge blasting his "cowardly" actions. Benjamin Milward pleaded guilty earlier this month to the charges, more than two years after the naked body of business student Sophie Collombet, 21, was found in a park near her apartment in the city's south in March 2014. Police said she was beaten to death. An Australian man has been sentenced to life behind bars for the rape and murder of a young French woman in Brisbane that took place in March 2014 Torsten Blackwood (AFP/File) Milward, who was 25 when the murder was committed, was jailed for a minimum 20 years. He was also given 15 years for rape to be served concurrently. "You attacked a defenceless woman, you showed her no respect," the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported Justice Ann Lyons of the Supreme Court of Queensland as saying. "You treated her appallingly and then left her -- you abandoned a severely injured woman... Your actions simply defy belief." At his committal hearing in 2015, the court heard Milward had smoked the drug ice -- crystal methamphetamine -- and drunk alcohol on the day of the killing, the ABC said. Collombet was going home after a night class at Griffith University when she was subjected to the random and fatal attack. Lyons said Collombet had killed a "young woman with a life ahead of her, a life full of hopes and dream". "You allowed your sexual desires to overwhelm you, your actions were cowardly." Collombet's family, who travelled from France and were in court for the sentencing, reportedly cried as the impact statements about their struggles after her death were read out. IS militants abduct and kill 30 Afghan civilians, officials say Militants linked to Islamic State jihadists abducted and killed around 30 civilians, including children, in central Afghanistan, officials said Wednesday, raising concerns about the group's expanding presence beyond its eastern stronghold. The killings occurred late Tuesday north of Firoz Koh, the capital of Ghor province, with the local government calling it a revenge attack after a local IS commander was gunned down. IS, which controls territory across Syria and Iraq and is making steady inroads in Afghanistan, has so far not officially claimed responsibility for the attack. Afghan soldiers are seen on a rural road during a foot patrol Roberto Schmidt (AFP/File) "Our security forces with the help of local shepherds conducted an operation and killed a Daesh (IS) commander yesterday," Ghor Governor Nasir Khazeh told AFP. "Daesh fighters in retaliation abducted around 30 villagers, mostly shepherds. Their dead bodies were found this morning." Abdul Hameed Nateqi, a Ghor provincial council member, gave a similar account to AFP, adding that the assailants were Taliban renegades who had sworn allegiance to IS. The UN put the death toll at 26, while condemning the "senseless and brutal killings". It added that the fate of a number of other hostages remained unknown. The devastating attack represents a major escalation for IS, which has so far largely been confined to the eastern province of Nangarhar where it is notorious for brutality including beheadings. The killings also underscore Afghanistan's unravelling security situation as the resurgent Taliban ramp up their 15-year insurgency against the Western-backed government. IS fighters have been trying to expand their presence in Afghanistan, winning over sympathisers, recruiting followers and challenging the Taliban on their own turf, primarily in the country's east. In March Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced that the Islamists had been defeated after local security forces claimed victory in a months-long operation against the group. But IS militants have continued to launch deadly strikes in the country. - 'Caliphate' - "(IS) announces its emergence in Ghor by murdering dozens of civilians," said Borhan Osman, a researcher with the Afghanistan Analysts Network in Kabul. Osman added that the IS group in Ghor comprised mainly of former Taliban fighters. Amnesty International denounced the killings as a "horrendous crime". "There can be no justification whatsoever for targeting and killing civilians. The victims and their families deserve justice," Amnesty said, calling for an independent investigation. The Afghan government is currently in the middle of an operation, backed by NATO airstrikes, against IS in Nangarhar. NATO recently said the group's influence was waning as it steadily lost territory, with fighters largely confined to two or three districts in Nangarhar from around nine in January. "Right now we see them (IS) very focused on trying to establish their caliphate... inside Afghanistan," John Nicholson, the top US and NATO commander in the country, told reporters on Sunday. "Of course with our Afghan partners we have been able to reduce that territory significantly and inflict heavy casualties on them." In July, IS jihadists claimed responsibility for twin explosions that ripped through crowds of Shiite Hazaras in Kabul, killing at least 85 people and wounding more than 400 others. The bombings marked the deadliest single attack in the Afghan capital since the Taliban were ousted from power in a 2001 US-led invasion. The killings sparked an avalanche of global condemnation, with the United Nations labelling the direct assault on civilians a "war crime". The Taliban, who are in the middle of their annual summer offensive and are more powerful than IS, denied any involvement in the Ghor killings. The militant group, which has stepped up nationwide assaults on the Western-backed government, is known to distance itself from attacks that result in large civilian casualties. Map of Afghanistan locating the area in Ghor province where militants killed around 30 civilians late on October 25, 2016 - (AFP Graphic) Hong Kong murder accused Jutting 'deeply addicted to cocaine' British banker Rurik Jutting who is accused of murdering two Indonesian women in his upscale Hong Kong apartment was a cocaine addict who had developed drug-induced fantasies, a court heard Wednesday. The 31-year-old Cambridge graduate and former securities trader for Bank of America-Merrill Lynch has pleaded "not guilty" to two murder charges, on the grounds of diminished responsibility. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter, which was rejected by the prosecution. Former British banker Rurik Jutting faces a life sentence if convicted of the murders Philippe Lopez (AFP/File) Since the trial started Monday, jurors have viewed harrowing iPhone footage of Jutting torturing his first victim, Sumarti Ningsih, 23, for three days before he killed her by cutting her neck with a serrated knife at his apartment two years ago. Days later, he killed Seneng Mujiasih, 26, cutting her throat. Mujiasih's body was found in a pool of blood in Jutting's living room on November 1, 2014, while Ningsih's decaying body was discovered stuffed into a suitcase on his balcony. In court Wednesday, prosecutor John Reading said Jutting had become increasingly withdrawn and "deeply addicted to cocaine", citing a toxicologist's report. Footage from police interviews played in court showed Jutting saying he had started to take more cocaine at weekends for six weeks before the killings. "I've had cocaine previously, but not in such a large amount," he told police. "When I started taking it, it started bringing out long and extended fantasies," he said. Speaking calmly, he told police what he had done. "Yes I did kill her," he told two interviewing officers. "I cut her throat." "These are the only two people who have been killed by me," he added. - 'Human side' - Jutting told police that he had met Ningsih on the website Craigslist under the "casual encounters" section, storing her name in his phone as "Indo". He said that initially he had not planned to kill her. When asked by the interviewing officers why he had killed her, he replied: "It's a question which I think I'll always asks myself." He said he had considered flying back to see his parents in Britain before handing himself in. The jury was shown 20 photos recovered from Jutting's phone, including pictures of Ningsih bound and gagged, and of her body in the shower. Forensic pathologist Poon Wai-ming told the court Ningsih had been found in a suitcase in the foetal position, her neck severed. Jutting said that when it came to his second victim, Mujiasih, he had spent a few minutes deliberating whether to change his plan and not attack her. "For a period of time, a short period of time, the human side of me kicked in," Jutting said. "I did some more coke and that side of me just went," he added. Ambulance officer To Shing-fai described Jutting as talking to himself and crying in the hallway outside his apartment on the night the bodies were discovered. Jutting faces a life sentence if convicted of the murders. The killings shone a spotlight on the seedy underbelly of the finance hub. Jutting's flat lay streets away from one of the city's red light districts. Indonesian migrant organisations in Hong Kong have called for justice for the women, and compensation for their families. Barrister Tim Owen (L) and lawyer Michael Vidler (C), defending former British banker Rurik Jutting who is accused of murders of two Indonesian women, leave the High Court during a break, in Hong Kong, on October 24, 2016 Anthony Wallace (AFP/File) Iraq records largest displacement of Mosul operation More than 3,300 fleeing Iraqis sought help from the government on day nine of its offensive to retake Mosul, the most for a single day so far, a minister said Wednesday. The number is far short of the hundreds of thousands that aid agencies have been bracing for but the offensive is still in its early stages and many more are expected to flee as troops approach the city itself. On Tuesday, there was "a big wave of displaced people that is considered the greatest number since the start of the military operation to liberate Nineveh province," Displacement and Migration Minister Jassem Mohammed al-Jaff said in a statement. Iraqi refugees who fled Mosul, the last major Iraqi city under the control of the Islamic State (IS) group look on from behind a fence at the UN-run Al-Hol refugee camp in Syria's Hasakeh province, on October 25, 2016 Delil Souleiman (AFP) "The ministry received and transported more than 3,300 displaced people" to camps, he said. Most fled homes in Nineveh province, of which Mosul is the capital, but some left from Kirkuk to its west or Salaheddin to its south. According to a UN tally, 8,940 people have been displaced since the operation to recapture Mosul from the Islamic State group began on October 17. The number so far is a drop in the ocean compared with the more than three million people who have been displaced by violence in Iraq since the start of 2014. But the UN refugee agency expects tens of thousands to flee in the coming days and is establishing camps with a total of 30,000 tents, enough to accommodate 150,000 people. Afghan woman Sharbat Gula is pictured waiting ahead of a court hearing in Peshawar An Afghan woman immortalised on a celebrated National Geographic magazine cover as a green-eyed 12-year-old girl was arrested Wednesday for living in Pakistan on fraudulent identity papers. The haunting image of Sharbat Gula, taken in a Pakistan refugee camp by photographer Steve McCurry in 1984, became the most famous cover image in the magazine's history. She now faces up to 14 years in jail, a Pakistani official warned. Gula, now in her 40s, was arrested by Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for fraud following a two-year-long investigation in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar, which borders Afghanistan. 'FIA arrested Sharbat Gula, an Afghan woman, today for obtaining a fake ID card,' Shahid Ilyas, an official of the National Database Registration Authority (NADRA), told AFP. Ilyas said that FIA is also seeking three NADRA officials who were found responsible for issuing Pakistan's national identity card to Gula, who have been at large since the fraud was detected. 'Afghan Girl' Sharbat Gula was first photographed by Steve Curry in 1984 in a refugee camp, when she was 12-years-old He said that Gula faces seven to 14 years prison time and fine between $3,000 to $5,000 if convicted by court over fraud. However, family members were quick to her defence and claim she is victim of the war-torn regions instabilities and is a refugee. 'Sharbat Gula was ready to repatriate to her father's village in Afghanistan in early summer this year,' a relative of Gula told CBS News. 'But the residents of her native village left due to ISIS,' they added. 'Her Pakistan ID was already blocked one year back She thought the case had been closed. She is a simple, illiterate lady,' he said. PHOTOGRAPHER VOWS TO DO 'ANYTHING' TO HELP HER 'Two hours ago, I got word from a friend in Peshawar, Pakistan, that Sharbat Gula has been arrested. I am doing everything I can to get the facts by contacting our colleagues and friends in the area. I am committed to doing anything and everything possible to provide legal and financial support for her and her family. We object to this action by the authorities in the strongest possible terms. She has suffered throughout her entire life, and believe that her arrest is an egregious violation of her human rights,' Steve McCurry. Advertisement In reality she is unlikely to serve such a harsh sentence - many Afghans who have been convicted in similar cases have been deported before they could be sent to prison. Pakistani officials say that Gula applied for a Pakistani identity card in Peshawar in April 2014, using the name Sharbat Bibi. She was one of thousands of Afghan refugees who managed to dodge Pakistan's computerised system to get an identity card. The original image of Gula was taken in 1984 in a refugee camp in northwest Pakistan at the time of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. McCurry later tracked her down, after a 17-year search, to a remote Afghan village in 2002 where she was married to a baker and the mother of three daughters. As a Muslim, she was not allowed to meet McCurry because he was a man and not a member of her family. National Geographic then sent a female associate of McCurry's to meet her and take another set of pictures instead. The haunting image became the most famous cover image in the magazine's history The venerable magazine employed high-tech iris-scanning technology and utilized face-recognition techniques to confirm it was the same person McCurry photographed in 1984. When her family realized the importance of McCurry's return mission they granted him permission to see her again. When they came face to face, McCurry said he knew it was her immediately because of her startling eyes. 'I don't think she was particularly interested in her personal fame,' said McCurry in 2002. 'But she was pleased when we said she had come to be a symbol of the dignity and resilience of her people.' Last year, another picture of her computerized national identity card surfaced in Pakistan. It is a card that as an Afghan national she was not allowed to have and was obtained with her fake name. In her official registration with NADRA, Gula told authorities she was born in January 1969 and gave Peshawar as her place of residence. The photo attached to the application had the same piercing green eyes and the same sculpted face seen in McCurry's famous image only olde, lined by age and surrounded by a black hijab covering her hair completely. An AFP reporter visited the poor Peshawar neighborhood given as Gula's address in her papers, where residents said she had been living with her husband, who worked in local bakery, but had left a month ago. A senior official in NADRA's Peshawar office, where the cards were issued, confirmed last year that she was under investigation and told the AFP that Sharbat Bibi and her two sons Rauf Khan and Wali Khan were issued cards on the same day. Photograph of a lifetime: US photographer Steve McCurry poses next to his photos of the 'Afghan Girl' named Sharbat Gula at the opening of the 'Overwhelmed by Life' exhibition of his work at the Museum for Art and Trade in Hamburg, northern Germany on June 27, 2013 Memories: Steve McCurry with his most famous work and pictures taken of Sharbat Gula later in her troubled life He said all the documents she used to get the card, which only Pakistani citizens are entitled to, were fake and her 'sons' were likely also not related to her. Pakistan has launched a crackdown against those who have obtained fake ID cards fraudulently and launched a reverification campaign across the country. Officials say NADRA has so far reverified 91 million ID cards and detected 60,675 cards by non nationals fraudulently. Return: Photographer Steve McCurry went back to Afghanistan in 2002 to find her A NADRA official told AFP that 2,473 foreigners, mostly Afghans, had voluntarily surrendered their ID cards which they obtained fraudulently. Some 18 officials of the authority were under investigation for issuing ID cards to foreigners and eight were arrested, the official said. More than 350,000 Afghan refugees have returned to their war-torn homeland from Pakistan this year, UN data shows, with the torrent of people crossing the border expected to continue. Pakistan has for decades provided safe haven for millions of Afghans who fled their country after the Soviet invasion of 1979. Pakistan hosts 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees, according to UNHCR figures from earlier this year, making it the third-largest refugee hosting nation in the world. A further one million unregistered refugees are estimated to be in the country. Blast at Indian firecracker workshop kills five Five people were killed in an explosion at an illegal firecracker workshop in India, police said on Wednesday, ahead of the annual Diwali festival when demand hits its peak. The building housing the workshop was completely destroyed when a fire hit gunpowder stocks used to make the fireworks in northern India's Uttar Pradesh state late Tuesday. "There was a blast in the store room which caused the fire and the building collapsed due the impact. Six more are injured," local police inspector Ramesh Yadav told AFP. In India accidents involving firecrackers are common ahead of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, which many celebrate by letting off fireworks Dibyangshu Sarkar (AFP/File) Four people were rescued and a case has been filed against the factory owner over illegal manufacture of firecrackers, he said. Such accidents are common ahead of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, which many celebrate by letting off fireworks. France extends aircraft carrier mission to back Mosul offensive France said Wednesday it had extended the mission of its aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, in the eastern Mediterranean until mid-December to help the offensive against the Islamic State group in the Iraqi city of Mosul. President Francois Hollande decided to extend the mission after France's defence council "reviewed the military, humanitarian, political and security stakes involved in the recapture of Mosul," a statement issued by his office said. The carrier was deployed to the region on September 30 with a one-month mission, its third since February 2015. A Marine Rafale jet fighter departs from the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle on the Mediterranean Sea in October 2016 Eric Feferberg (AFP/File) Taiwan hostage freed by Somali pirates ate mice, scorpions Hostages were forced to eat mice, scorpions and centipedes to survive during the nearly five years they were held by Somali pirates, according to a Taiwanese seafarer who arrived home Wednesday. Shen Jui-chang, among 26 hostages freed from the crew of Naham 3 seized south of the Seychelles in March 2012, added he had constantly had a gun pointed at his head during his ordeal. Shen, the chief engineer on the fishing boat, was reunited with his wife and daughter on Tuesday in Guangzhou, southern China, after a long flight from Kenya with Chinese crew members after they were freed Sunday. Shen Jui-chang (C), who was the chief engineer on a fishing boat that was seized south of the Seychelles in March 2012, prays at Hsing Tian Kong temple in Taipei City on October 26, 2016 CNA PHOTO (CNA PHOTO/AFP) An emotional Shen arrived at Taipei's main airport on Wednesday afternoon and said he was in "very poor physical health". "Every day was nerve-wracking, with the pirates pointing their AK-47 rifles at me 24 hours a day," the frail-looking sailor told reporters. Shen had earlier told reporters the hostages were given little to eat during their four-and-a-half years in captivity and were sometimes denied water. Shen and the other men often caught and ate mice, scorpions and centipedes, according to Taiwanese media reports. The crew, which also included seafarers from Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia, were taken hostage at the peak of Somali piracy. Only one other crew of fishermen spent longer in the hands of Somali pirates. Three hostages died during the hijacking, including the Taiwanese captain who Shen said was shot when he attacked the pirates with a chair. US praises Qatar moves to deny jihadists funds The United States on Wednesday praised Qatar's role in the fight against the Islamic State group and its "positive efforts" to deny the jihadists funds. A senior Treasury Department official, Daniel Glaser, is in Qatar and has held talks with Prime Minister Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani on the issue, the statement released by the US embassy added. Washington's public backing comes just weeks after leaked emails alleged that presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton believed Qatar was "providing clandestine financial and logistic support" to IS. Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani arrives for a luncheon on the sidelines of the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 20, 2016 Lucas Jackson (POOL/AFP/File) "Glaser discussed the Government of Qatar's recent positive efforts to counter terrorist financing with Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser," the statement from the embassy said. "The United States Government enjoys a close and ongoing relationship with the Government of Qatar in combating terrorist financing and supports Qatar's efforts to deny terrorist financiers access to its financial system. "The United States appreciates Qatar's role as a coalition partner in the fight against (IS)." Qatar has long been accused by some in the West of funding jihadist groups, charges Doha has repeatedly denied. However, the recent Wikileaks publication of Clinton's emails brought the issue back into the public eye ahead of the bitterly contested November 8 presidential election in the United States. Qatar has yet to comment officially on the latest allegations. Despite the continuing concerns, Doha and Washington remain firm allies. Qatar is home to the Al-Udeid airbase, which houses some 10,000 US troops. It is the largest US airbase outside of America. The Clinton emails also surfaced around the same time as the strong economic ties between the two countries were emphasised when Qatar Airways announced it was buying up to 100 planes from US manufacturer Boeing, in a $18.6 billion deal. And last month, Qatar's emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani made a "working visit" to California. In the alleged emails, Clinton also raised concerns about clandestine funding and Saudi Arabia. Schoolchildren among 35 dead in Syria raids: monitor Air strikes on Syria's rebel-held Idlib province hit a school and the surrounding area on Wednesday, killing at least 35 civilians including many children, a monitor and activists said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said "warplanes -- either Russia or Syrian -- carried out six strikes" in the village of Hass, including on a school complex. Eleven schoolchildren were among the dead, said the Britain-based monitor. Syrian volunteers search for victims following overnight airstrikes in Kafar Takharim, Idlib province, on October 24, 2016 Omar haj kadour (AFP) The White Helmets civil defence group released pictures of four rescue workers clambering over a mound of rubble in search of survivors after what it said was a "double-tap" strike on the school. The raids hit Hass around 11:30 am (0830 GMT), an activist with the opposition Idlib Media Centre told AFP. "One rocket hit the entrance of the school as students were leaving to go home, after the school administration decided to end classes for the day because of the raids," the activist said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Other activists from the province circulated a photograph on social media of a child's arm, seared off above the elbow, still clutching the strap of a dusty black rucksack. Shaky video footage depicted rescue workers sprinting towards the site of the raids and pulling a frail, elderly man out of a collapsed building. The authenticity of the pictures and footage could not be independently verified. The latest attacks took to 89 the number of civilians killed in air strikes on Idlib province in the past seven days, said the Observatory. Syrian government forces and their Russian ally have been accused by rights groups of carrying out indiscriminate attacks on civilian infrastructure. - 'Intentional' attack - A leading opposition group condemned the raids. The Istanbul-based National Coalition said Russian and regime warplanes "targeted children in their schools, deliberately and intentionally hitting civilians with high-explosive material". Idlib province is controlled by the Army of Conquest, an alliance of rebel groups and jihadists including the Fateh al-Sham Front, which changed its name from Al-Nusra Front after breaking off ties with Al-Qaeda earlier this year. Syrian and Russian warplanes regularly bomb Idlib, but air strikes have intensified in recent weeks, according to the Observatory. Swathes of eastern Syria is controlled by the Islamic State group. On Wednesday, US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter and his British counterpart Michael Fallon said an offensive to drive IS out of its Syrian stronghold of Raqa would begin in the next few weeks. The US-led coalition is currently supporting a 10-day-old assault by Iraqi and Kurdish forces on the jihadists' main Iraqi bastion of Mosul. Syria's conflict erupted in March 2011 with protests calling for the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad. But it has since evolved into a multi-front war, pitting jihadists, rebels, government forces and Kurdish militia against each other. More than 300,000 people have been killed and millions forced to flee their homes. A Syrian man checks the damage at a school after it was hit in an air strike in the village of Hass, in the south of Syria's rebel-held Idlib province on October 26, 2016 Omar haj kadour (AFP) Israeli soldier wounded by gunfire on Lebanese border: army Gunfire from a vehicle in Lebanon towards Israeli forces on the border wounded an Israeli soldier on Wednesday and officers returned fire, the army said. "Shots were fired from a passing vehicle in Lebanon at (Israeli) forces during routine activity adjacent to the border in the area of Ramim Ridge," an army statement said. "Forces responded with fire towards the vehicle. A hit was confirmed. The injured soldier was evacuated for medical treatment." Lebanon and Israel are still officially at war although the border area has been relatively calm in recent years Ali Dia (AFP/File) The army said later that "fire was exchanged between the vehicle" and Israeli forces in the incident near the Israeli town of Metula. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said the country's military denied the Israeli report. A source close to Lebanon's powerful Shiite militant group Hezbollah also told AFP "there were no shots fired from the Lebanese side of the border." The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, said it had received Israel's report of the incident and that an investigation had been opened. "At the moment, UNIFIL head of mission Michael Beary is in contact with the parties to help control the situation and help prevent escalation," said UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Teneti. "He also urged both sides to exercise maximum restraint." Lebanon and Israel are still officially at war although the border area has been relatively calm in recent years. Hezbollah and Israel scuffle intermittently in the disputed border area between the two countries. Israel occupied parts of Lebanon for 22 years until 2000, with Hezbollah claiming credit for its withdrawal following persistent guerrilla attacks. A 34-day conflict in 2006 led to the deaths of 1,200 people in Lebanon, mainly civilians, and 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers. It began when Israel retaliated for a cross-border raid in which Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers and killed three, and quickly spiralled into a fully fledged war. In January, Hezbollah said it had targeted an Israeli army border patrol with a bomb in an attack that prompted retaliatory fire from the Jewish state. The attack appeared to be revenge for an Israeli air strike in Syria in late December that killed senior Hezbollah official Samir Kantar. Sudan's Bashir to appoint PM for first time since coup Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir is to appoint a prime minister, reinstating a post abolished after he came to power in a 1989 Islamist-backed coup, officials said Wednesday. The delegation of certain powers to a prime minister would fall in line with reforms proposed by a national dialogue held between Bashir's government and some opposition groups. Bashir himself had abolished the post of premier after he led a bloodless coup almost three decades ago against then premier Sadiq al-Mahdi with the help of Islamist leader Hassan al-Turabi. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir speaks in Khartoum on October 10, 2016 Ebrahim Hamid (AFP) But on Wednesday, a top aide to Bashir told the Sudanese parliament that the president will now appoint a prime minister to head his government. "The president's proposal forms part of changes to be made in the country's constitution based on recommendations from the national dialogue," said Al-Rashid Haroon. A prime minister is expected to be appointed within the next two months, officials said. "This is a positive step because the prime minister will have some of Bashir's powers," Al-Noor Ahmed, editor of leading Sudanese daily Assayha, told AFP. "The prime minister will also be accountable to parliament, which is different because the president is not." Ahmed hoped the post of prime minister would go to an "outsider" and not a member of Bashir's National Congress Party. "It would be better if the prime minister's powers are defined in the new constitution and not by the president," he added. Earlier this month, Bashir concluded a year-long national dialogue aimed at resolving the insurgencies in Sudan's border regions and healing the country's faltering economy. He launched the dialogue in October 2015 but the talks were boycotted by most mainstream opposition and armed groups. On October 10, Bashir submitted a "national document" which will serve as a framework for a new Sudanese constitution. The document has been signed by the government and some small opposition and rebel groups which took part in the talks. US, UK expect Raqa offensive in next few weeks The offensive to drive the Islamic State group from its Raqa stronghold in Syria will begin in the next few weeks, top US and British defence officials said Wednesday. US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter and his British counterpart Michael Fallon made the predictions nearly 10 days into a US-backed Iraqi offensive on Mosul, the last major Iraqi city under IS control. "It will be within weeks, not many weeks," Carter told reporters at a two-day NATO defence ministers meeting in Brussels. The Islamic State group took control of the Syrian city of Raqa after pushing out government troops in 2013 - (Welayat Raqa/AFP/File) During a visit Sunday to Iraq's autonomous region of Kurdistan to review the Mosul offensive, Carter said an operation to isolate IS in Raqa should begin in conjunction with the assault on its Iraqi bastion. Arriving for the defence ministers meeting, Fallon said: "We hope a similar operation will begin towards Raqa in the next few weeks." The United States leads a 60-nation anti-IS coalition that has provided key support for the Iraqi army offensive launched last week. It comes in the form of thousands of air strikes, training for Iraqi forces and advisers on the ground. The loss of Mosul -- where IS leaders declared their "caliphate" -- would leave Raqa the last major city still under the group's control. Carter said the idea of simultaneous operations against Mosul and Raqa "has been part of our planning for quite a while." Later Wednesday, he said the United States would likely work with key NATO ally Turkey to retake Raqa when asked about tensions between Baghdad and Ankara over its role in the attack on Mosul. "We already are working extensively with the Turkish military in Syria" and this had produced "significant" results, including the seizure of the "very important city" of Dabiq. Earlier this month, Ankara-backed rebels seized the emblematic northern town of Dabiq from the extremist group, having already taken Al-Rai. "So we are looking for other opportunities including further within Syria, to include Raqa. That's been part of our discussions," Carter added. Turkey's positioning of troops in northern Iraq and its insistence that it has a role in the Mosul offensive have led to sharp exchanges with the Iraqi government, creating a headache for Washington as it tries to keep both of its allies on-side. Tawdry US campaign a gift for Iranian hardliners For hardliners in Iran, running down the United States has become a lot easier during the US election campaign -- it's just a matter of turning on the television. From the flurry of sexual assault allegations against Donald Trump to Hillary Clinton's leaked emails, the unsavoury campaign has been lapped up in Iran, particularly by those who remain staunchly opposed to closer ties with the West. For the first time, Iranian authorities allowed the last head-to-head debate between the two candidates to be aired live on television. Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, pictured in September 2016, tweeted during the third US presidential debate decrying the candidate's lack of "spirituality and faith" Perhaps not without coincidence, state TV has also been playing a dubbed version of hit US show "House of Cards" (renamed "Khaneh Poushaly" or "House of Straw"), which depicts the Washington beltway as a den of greed, scheming and murder. The supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, even joined the Twitter conversation during the third debate, writing: "US presidential race and issues two candidates raised is a typical result of lack of spirituality and faith among those in power." It is all music to the ears of conservatives in Iran, who fear last year's nuclear accord with world powers may open the door to Western influences and undermine the 1979 Islamic revolution. Relations between Iran and the United States have been deeply troubled since diplomatic ties were broken after the revolution, and Iranian conservatives have defined the country primarily in opposition to Washington, which they call "The Great Satan". - 'Weakness of US democracy' - Hamidreza Taraghi, a leading member of the conservative Islamic Coalition Party, said this year's election campaign has "ridiculed" US politics. "That this process can produce candidates who are so corrupt and unbalanced, mentally and intellectually, shows the weakness of American democracy," he told AFP. Taraghi said it proved the value of Iran's Guardian Council which disqualifies thousands of candidates before elections, although Iranian reformists complain the Council's decisions are skewed against them. For those on the more moderate and liberal side of Iran's political spectrum, the campaign to replace President Barack Obama has been a source of dismay. Having maintained a studied silence through most of the campaign, even President Hassan Rouhani -- a moderate who has pushed for greater cooperation with the West -- could no longer hold his tongue this week. "You saw the presidential candidates' debate, the way they speak?" he asked incredulously on TV on Sunday. "At the UN, the leader of a country asked me which of the candidates I preferred. I responded: 'Do I prefer the bad over the worse, or the worse over the bad?'" Many reformists share Rouhani's jaded view. "I wrote in support of Obama the last two times because it was in the interests of Iran and the world, but this time it's difficult to take a position," said Abbas Abdi, an analyst and journalist close to the reformist camp. While he said a Trump presidency was clearly not in the interests of the world, there were also great anxieties about Clinton. "She will exacerbate crises in the region. Her penchant for countries like Saudi Arabia and Israel -- that are at the heart of the region's crises -- is not in Iran's interests," he said. - Fate of nuclear deal - The issue that most concerns Iranians is the fate of last year's nuclear deal, which lifted some sanctions and raised hopes that their moribund economy might finally get a jump-start. Trump has called it "one of the worst deals ever" and vowed to "tear it up" if he becomes president. But he is not taken too seriously in Iran. "What's important for Iran or any other country is not candidates' remarks during the campaign but what they actually do in practice once they're in the White House and these two things are not necessarily the same," said Abdi. Conservative analyst Foad Izadi said many Iranians recalled the hawkish position taken by Clinton in the past, when she called for even tougher sanctions over Iran's nuclear programme. "While Trump and Clinton are both enemies of Iran, I think Mrs Clinton could create an even bigger consensus against us than Obama," he told the Sobh No weekly. But in any case, conservatives have been pleased by the tawdry nature of the US campaign. "Both (the candidates) are positive for us because with this attitude and manners they will degrade the status of the superpower," said Taraghi. "They will cause America's hegemony in the world to decline completely." In first, US abstains in UN vote against Cuba embargo The United States on Wednesday abstained for the first time in 25 years from a vote at the United Nations calling for an end to the US embargo against Cuba. The UN General Assembly adopted the annual resolution by an overwhelming 191 votes in favor -- with only the United States and Israel abstaining in the 193-nation forum. Washington's abstention was in line with calls from President Barack Obama for the opposition-controlled Congress to lift the decades-old embargo as part of a historic normalization of relations. Cuban students listen to Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez delivering his speech at the United Nations in New York calling for an end to the US embargo against Cuba on October 26, 2016 at the University of Havana, in the Cuban capital Adalberto Roque (AFP) "The United States has always voted against this resolution. Today the United States will abstain," US Ambassador Samantha Power told the assembly, drawing loud applause. "After 55-plus years of pursuing the path of isolation, we are choosing to take the path of engagement." The United States restored diplomatic ties with Cuba in July 2015 and a month later re-opened its embassy in Havana. Obama made a landmark visit to the communist-ruled island in March. But restoring full trade and financial ties with Cuba would require legislative action by Congress, where the Republican majority has said human rights concerns must first be addressed. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez welcomed the US shift as positive, but said that Washington must take concrete steps that go beyond the "vote of one delegation in this forum." "The blockade continues to be a massive, flagrant and systematic violation of the human rights of all Cuban men and women and qualifies as an act of genocide," Rodriguez said. Economic damage suffered by Cuba from the US embargo between April 2015 and March 2016 -- coinciding with the time of Obama's first meeting with President Raul Castro to his historic Havana visit -- is estimated at more than $4.68 billion, Rodriguez said. Over the past six decades, the damage from the policy amounts to $753.688 billion, he added. - Cuba still suffering - Embargo restrictions have prevented the sale of US medical equipment to treat Cubans suffering from Parkinson's disease and blocked a deal by a Cuban pharmaceutical company that would have allowed it to produce drugs locally, said the foreign minister. "There isn't any Cuban family or sector in our country that has not suffered from its effects," he said. This year's UN resolution makes note of steps taken by the Democratic Obama administration to ease the embargo, describing them as positive but "still limited in scope." The measure calls on all UN member states to refrain from applying the embargo and to "reaffirm the freedom of trade and navigation." Last year, the United States and Israel were the only two countries that voted against the non-binding resolution, but 191 voted in favor -- the highest level of support yet for the measure at the United Nations. Power recalled that the US policy aimed at isolating Cuba "was not working" and had instead isolated the United States. "Abstaining on this resolution does not mean that the United States agrees with all of the policies and practices of the Cuban government. We do not," said Power. After praising Cuba for sending hundreds of doctors to West Africa to fight the Ebola virus outbreak, Power said the United States and Cuba must continue to find ways to engage, despite differences. "Today, we have taken another small step to be able to do that. May there be many more -- including, we hope, finally ending the US embargo," she said. The assembly has voted each year since 1992 to approve the resolution criticizing the embargo that was imposed in 1960, at the height of the Cold War. The United States broke off diplomatic relations with Cuba in 1961 after Fidel Castro rose to power and aligned himself with the then-Soviet Union. Moderate Cuban dissident Manuel Cuesta, who has met twice with Obama to discuss human rights, expressed hope the US abstention would lead to lifting the embargo. "The embargo has been transformed into a bag where the Cuban government puts all its failures, and it must be lifted to get rid of all the excuses," Cuesta told AFP. Students of the University of Havana in the Cuban capital on October 26, 2016 celebrate after the the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution calling for an end to the US embargo against Cuba Adalberto Rpque (AFP) Israel recalls ambassador after second UNESCO vote Israel recalled its ambassador to UNESCO for consultations Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced, after a second resolution accused of denying the Jewish connection to Jerusalem. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee earlier adopted a resolution on the "Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls," saying it was "deeply concerned" by Israeli building works and archaeological excavations in the city. The vote comes eight days after UNESCO's Executive Council backed a resolution on the same theme that infuriated Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recalls Israeli ambassador to UNESCO Gali Tibbon (AFP/File) "The theatre of the absurd continues and I decided to recall our ambassador for consultation," Netanyahu said in a statement. "We will decide what the next steps will be." The Israeli ambassador to the UN body, Carmel Shama Hacohen, told public radio that "we are studying the possibility of breaking all contact with UNESCO". Despite what an Israeli official called long efforts to get the resolution amended or dropped, the heritage committee, made up of 21 member states, adopted the text proposed by Kuwait, Lebanon and Tunisia. The resolution refers throughout to the Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif religious complex, without using the Israeli name "Temple Mount," according a copy seen by AFP. The 14-hectare (35-acre) rectangular esplanade at the southeastern corner of the Old City is the third holiest site in Islam and the most holy in Judaism. Jews who believe it to be the location of the ancient first and second temples, the latter of which was destroyed in 70 AD. However the text does not refer to Israel as the "occupying power," which a similar resolution a year previously had done. Senior Palestinian figure Saeb Erekat hailed the resolution's passing, saying it "aims at reaffirming the importance of Jerusalem for the three monotheistic religions, Christianity, Judaism and Islam." "Israel has been using archeological claims and distortion of facts as a way to legitimise the annexation of occupied east Jerusalem," he added. - Papyrus - Israel occupied and later annexed Palestinian east Jerusalem in 1967 in a move never recognised by the international community. Israel considers all of Jerusalem as its undivided capital, but the Palestinians want the eastern part, including the Old City, as the capital of their future state. UNESCO is responsible for protecting important heritage sites and is one of few international organisations that recognises Palestine as a member state. On 18 October its executive committee confirmed a controversial resolution on "occupied Palestine," again not mentioning the Temple Mount. UNESCO chief Irina Bokova distanced herself from that resolution, saying in a statement that "nowhere more than in Jerusalem do Jewish, Christian and Muslim heritage and traditions share space." Wednesday's resolution came on the same day Israeli archaeologists unveiled a 7th century BC text they said contains the earliest mention in Hebrew of Jerusalem outside the Bible. The antiquities authority said the papyrus, found near the Dead Sea, proved that "Jews were in this city 2,700 years ago." Culture Minister Miri Regev pounced on the find as an opportunity to attack UNESCO. She said the discovery was proof Jerusalem "has been and will forever remain the eternal capital of the Jewish people". Since Palestine being admitted in 2011, UNESCO has been the scene of numerous diplomatic spats resulting from resolutions condemning Israel. Iraq president calls for revision of law banning booze Iraqi President Fuad Masum called on Wednesday for parliament to revise a law passed over the weekend that included a provision banning alcohol. The ban on the sale, import and production of alcohol, which was slipped into a draft law on municipalities in parliament on Saturday, has been criticised as an infringement on minority rights. Masum's statement did not specifically mention the alcohol provision, but did say the law in question should be revised, and criticised the surreptitious way in which an article was inserted into it as being inconsistent with "democratic legal principles". An Iraqi man buys liquor from a closed shop, that is selling illegaly through a window, in the capital Baghdad Sabah Arar (AFP/File) The president called for "the revision of this law," and for it to respect "the freedoms and rights of citizens of different religions and doctrines," the statement from his office said. The Iraqi constitution says that the president has the power to "approve and issue laws enacted by the House of Representatives." But it does not state that he can reject them, and it was unclear how parliament would respond to Masum's statement. IS-linked fighters seize small Somalia port Several dozen armed men belonging to an Islamic State-linked group on Wednesday seized control of a small port in Somalia's Puntland region, local residents said. "We are getting information that Qandala has fallen this morning," said Mohamed Muse, an elder in the town of Bossaso, which lies about 70 kilometres (45 miles) from Qandala. "Armed Islamist militiamen who we believe are connected with the Islamic State organisation stormed the town and told people they are in control," he said. The Somali coast guard carry out a patrol off the coast of Bosaso in Puntland on November 19, 2013 Mohamed Abdiwahab (AFP/File) Amaq, the IS news agency, reported that Qandala, located on the Gulf of Aden opposite Yemen, had been taken by "Islamic State fighters". Several local officials said it had fallen to armed Islamists and that part of the population had fled. "Fishermen near Qandala are reporting the town is being taken and they are not fishing today," said Abdiweli Adan, a resident of the nearby village of Karin. "The Islamist fighters have taken position alongside the coast and several locations inside town but we dont know who exactly they are," he added. Government officials in Puntland, a semi-autonomous region in northern Somalia, did not comment on the attack. While the Al-Qaeda affiliated Shabaab group is active in much of the south and centre of Somalia, it barely has a presence in Puntland. Not 'patient zero': the origins of US AIDS epidemic A labelling error and reckless media hype in the 1980s led to unjustly branding a gay airline employee as "Patient Zero" in the US AIDS epidemic, scientific and historical sleuthing detailed Wednesday. The deadly virus, which has claimed more than 650,000 lives in the United States in over four decades, jumped from the Caribbean to New York City around 1970, researchers reported in the journal Nature. A 33-year old blood sample analysed with new techniques proves once-and-for-all that the man posthumously vilified as the American HIV epicentre, Gaetan Dugas, was simply one of the disease's many victims. AIDS, which has claimed more than 650,000 lives in the United States in over four decades, jumped from the Caribbean to New York City around 1970, researchers reported in the journal Nature Karen Bleier (AFP/File) Before he died in 1984, he helped scientists trace how AIDS had spread by identifying dozens of his sexual partners. "Dugas is one of the most demonised patients in history," said Richard McKay, a public health historian and one of the study's two lead authors. The story of "Patient Zero" began in 1982 when investigators from the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) realised that several men in Southern California suffering from a rare, lethal lung infection were linked by sexual relations. As the scientists conducted patient interviews to reconstruct their social network and trace the infection -- not yet known as acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS -- back to it source, one man in particular came up repeatedly: Gaetan Dugas. In keeping with protocol, they assigned him a number, 057. But because he was from New York and not Los Angeles, where the investigation was unfolding, they added an "O" for "Outside-of-California" in their notes. But soon researchers "began interpreting the ambiguous oval as a digit, and referring to 'Patient O' as 'Patient 0' (zero)," said McKay. At the same time, health officials began to realise just how extensive the potential network of infection might be. Over 65 percent of the gay men in the Los Angeles disease cluster reported more than 1,000 sexual partners in their lifetimes, and over 75 percent had had 50 in the previous year alone. - RNA jackhammer - Case 057 -- Dugas -- managed to name 72 of the roughly 750 men he had been with in the previous three years, far more than most of the others interviewed. This very fact, combined with his unusual and memorable name, may have contributed to his later notoriety, McKay speculated. When the scientific study based on the investigation was published in 1984, "Patient 0" stood out in a diagram which suggested he was the viral lynchpin between the east and west coast outbreaks of the disease. Two years later, an enterprising journalist discovered Dugas' name and cast him as a super-villain in his influential book on the AIDS crisis, "And the Band Played On." It has long been clear to experts that the US HIV epidemic did not start with this hapless French-Canadian living in the Big Apple, but biological evidence has been lacking. Until now. To lay the case to rest, co-lead author Michael Worobey from the University of Arizona developed a new technique for recovering genetic material from the HIV virus in decades-old blood samples. The method, called RNA jackhammering, breaks down the huge human genome in the degraded blood sample into tiny overlapping chunks. This, in turn, makes it possible to extract genetic material, called RNA, from the virus. By extracting viral DNA from more than 2,000 blood samples collected from US men in 1978 and 1979, the scientists showed that HIV already displayed a high level of genetic diversity in the 1970s. The virus, in other words, had already been circulating on US soil for some time. They were also able to trace its origin to the Caribbean, and identify its port of entry into the United States as New York City. "That information is stamped into the RNA of the virus from 1970," Worobey said in a statement. Israeli settlements in West Bank not illegal: Trump adviser Donald Trump's adviser on Israel said Wednesday that Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank were not illegal and he believed the candidate agreed with him, putting them at odds with much of the world. Speaking to AFP after a rally in support of Trump at a restaurant's rooftop on Jerusalem's Mount Zion, David Friedman also said the US presidential candidate was "tremendously sceptical" about the prospects for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Asked whether Trump viewed the West Bank as part of Israel, as many far-right Israelis do, Friedman did not answer directly. Israeli supporters of US republican presidential candidate Donald Trump attend a pre-US elections rally organised by The Republican Overseas in Jerusalem on October 26, 2016 Thomas Coex (AFP) "I don't think he believes that the settlements are illegal," Friedman said. Israeli religious nationalists see the Palestinian territory as part of the country, citing Jews' connection to the land from biblical times. The United States has intensified criticism of Israeli settlement building in the West Bank in recent months, warning it is eating away at hopes for a two-state solution. Settlements in the West Bank are viewed as illegal under international law and major stumbling blocks to peace efforts as they are built on land seized in the 1967 Middle East war and which the Palestinians see as part of their future state. Around 150 people, including right-wing Israelis and evangelical Christians, attended Wednesday's rally outside the walls of Jerusalem's Old City and near the flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound. The compound is holy to both Muslims and Jews, who refer to it as the Temple Mount. It is located in east Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in 1967 and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community. Friedman reiterated that Trump would recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move the US embassy there -- which would break with decades of precedent and put Washington at odds with most UN member states. There were chants of "lock her up" when Trump's Democrat rival Hillary Clinton's name was mentioned at the rally ahead of the November 8 vote -- a common refrain among Trump supporters who want to see her jailed over an emails scandal. "I hate Hillary. She's the same like (Barack) Obama," said Ran Hofman, 54, who waved an Israeli flag. "They screw up the whole world." A brief video message from Trump of about one minute was played at the event. "Together we will stand up to the enemies like Iran, bent on destroying Israel and her people," Trump said. "Together we will make America and Israel safe again." China sailing star disappears in Pacific Chinese sailing star Guo Chuan has gone missing in the Pacific Ocean during an attempt to set a new solo world record, state media said on Wednesday. "Guo was last heard just after 15:00 Tuesday Beijing time (0700 GMT) when his trimaran sailed 900 nautical miles off the west of Hawaii," the official Xinhua news agency said, citing his team. "All attempts to contact the sailor have failed," it said, adding that a search aircraft from Honolulu had found Guo's boat -- with the sail broken off -- but did not find the yachtsman on deck. Chinese skipper Guo Chuan, pictured in 2015, was aiming to set a new solo non-stop trans-Pacific world record from San Francisco to Shanghai Jean-Sebastien Evrard (AFP/File) Guo, 51, was aiming to set a new solo non-stop trans-Pacific world record from San Francisco to Shanghai, setting sail on October 19. Maybe 100,000 hijacked devices used in cyber attack: Dyn The US company targeted in last week's massive cyber attack said Monday that possibly 100,000 connected devices were hijacked to swamp its systems and close off the internet to millions of users. Dynamic Network Services Inc, or Dyn, said it was cooperating in a criminal investigation into the incident and "will not speculate regarding the motivation or the identity of the attackers." But it said it had identified a notorious botnet, Mirai, as the primary tool in surreptitiously marshalling a huge number of internet-linked devices like cellphones, printers and security cameras to mount the "complex & sophisticated" attack. US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, seen in September 2016, said he believed a "non-state actor" was behind last week's cyber attack on Dynamic Network Services Inc, or Dyn Jim Watson (AFP/File) Friday's attack overwhelmed Dyn's central role in routing and managing internet traffic, making it hard for millions of people to access popular sites like Amazon, Twitter and Netflix. Government officials have commented little on the attack, which raised important national security issues. On Monday Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said an investigation was underway, but added that the government believed a "non-state actor" was behind it. "But I wouldn't want to be conclusively definitive about that yet," Clapper said. "That's an early call." Dyn said the so-called distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack came in two waves, at first hitting its domain name system (DNS) platforms in the Asia Pacific, South America, Eastern Europe, and western United States regions. But as it began to raise its defenses, the attack switched to direct intense traffic at its eastern US platform. It took about two hours to rebuff the attack. Two hours later a second attack was launched, and it took Dyn about an hour to put that down. The attack was magnified many times over by millions of "retries" of internet addresses by legitimate users and the machines involved in the attack. That made it hard for Dyn to distinguish legitimate from attack traffic. "We saw both attack and legitimate traffic coming from millions of IPs (internet providers) across all geographies," it said. Dyn said it is working with other companies to strengthen their defenses. "This attack has opened up an important conversation about internet security and volatility," Dyn executive vice president Scott Hilton said in a statement. Inside the US-led coalition war on IS In a low, windowless building just outside America's sprawling embassy compound in Baghdad, senior military officials from 19 nations work side-by-side, quietly trying to kill jihadists. The front wall of the dreary office space is covered by monitors -- many are blacked out as reporters stop by -- that provide live video feeds from the drones and warplanes endlessly circling the skies over large parts of Iraq. As Iraqi security forces and Kurdish peshmerga units close in on Mosul, US military officials offered a quick glimpse of the Combined Joint Operations Center on Wednesday to highlight how coalition intelligence and air power are helping the Iraqis push the Islamic State group from Iraq. US Brigadier General Rick Uribe talks to reporters in Baghdad's Joint Operations Center, while US military officials give a quick glimpse of the US-led coalition war against the Islamic State group Thomas Watkins (AFP) US military officials repeatedly stress the war is being led by the Iraqis, but without international assistance it's hard to imagine the campaign could have progressed so quickly to this point. "We advise them based on what they plan and then say yes, we think you should do this, think you should do that," said US Brigadier General Rick Uribe, who must approve every single air strike across parts of Iraq. "It's their fight, we are supporting them," he said, noting that "they are coming up with the ideas. And we are helping them refine their ideas." Two years ago, it would have seemed unlikely that Iraqi security forces could now be on the verge of defeating IS in Iraq. Many Iraqi army units had collapsed in disarray, dumping weapons and equipment, as jihadists swept through the country in 2014, leaving a trail of slaughter and atrocities in their wake. But a string of victories since the United States pulled together a 60-plus member coalition to help fight IS has helped ensure a string of victories, with each new success bringing experience and confidence to the Iraqi forces. In the past year, Iraqi troops recaptured Fallujah, a city 50 kilometres (30 miles) west of Baghdad that had been outside government control for more than two and a half years, and Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province. "Our mission right now and our planning is good. Everything is going like what we (were) planning for it," Iraqi defence ministry spokesman Brigadier General Tahseen Ibrahim said of current anti-IS operations. While Iraqi military and police are better equipped and trained than they were two years ago, they have also benefitted from more than 10,000 coalition air strikes. - Gaining confidence - Inside the Joint Operations Center, one TV that has not been switched off shows a man sprinting across a muddy field, pausing at one moment by a palm tree then stopping a moment later, apparently to dig something from the dirt before running off again. It's unclear what he is doing, or whether anyone in the room would later deem him a legitimate target for execution via Hellfire missile or coalition bomb. While total air superiority and technology like this has helped turn the tide for the Iraqi military, training units from the United States, Britain, Italy and other nations have been key on the ground. Iraqi ground forces are now better drilled in combat skills and discipline. In northern Iraq, the Pentagon has provided peshmerga forces the ammunition and equipment they need to fight IS. This US tactic of keeping US personnel largely away from the fighting and waging the war by air has garnered broad criticism in the United States, with lawmakers bemoaning an early lack of results and the US public fretting about a perceived growing threat from IS jihadists. But US leaders and military officials sound increasingly confident IS will soon lose in Iraq. The jihadist group also has a large footprint in neighbouring Syria, where the coalition is helping train and advise Kurdish fighters who are doing most of the ground combat. Pentagon chief Ashton Carter on Wednesday said the offensive to push IS from Raqa, their last stronghold in Syria, would begin within weeks. And late Tuesday, Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend, who heads the coalition effort supporting and training Iraqi security forces and Kurdish peshmerga, said IS would soon be defeated in Mosul. The jihadists are "living on borrowed time and their clock is running out. The Iraqi security forces are going to take Mosul back, period," he said. Though the Iraqi security forces could now be on the verge of defeating IS in Iraq, they have faced resistance despite the US-led coalition unleashing an unprecedented wave of air strikes Ahmad Al-Rubaye (AFP/File) 22 children killed in air raid on Syria school: UNICEF Air strikes that hit a school in rebel-held Idlib province in northwest Syria killed 22 children and six teachers, the UN children's agency UNICEF said Wednesday. "This is a tragedy. It is an outrage. And if deliberate, it is a war crime," said UNICEF director Anthony Lake. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said "warplanes -- either Russia or Syrian -- carried out six strikes" in the village of Hass, including on a school complex, killing at least 35 civilians including 11 schoolchildren. A damaged classroom at a school after it was hit in an air strike in the village of Hass, in the south of Syria's rebel-held Idlib province on October 26, 2016 Omar haj kadour (AFP) Lake said the school compound was "repeatedly attacked," adding that it may be the deadliest attack on a school since the war began more than five years ago. "When will the world's revulsion at such barbarity be matched by insistence that this must stop?" added the UNICEF director. Asked about the attack, Russia's UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin responded: "It's horrible, horrible. I hope we were not involved." Syrian government forces and their Russian ally have been accused by rights groups of carrying out indiscriminate attacks on civilian infrastructure. The White Helmets civil defence group released pictures of four rescue workers clambering over a mound of rubble in search of survivors after what it said was a "double-tap" strike on the school. The raids hit Hass around 11:30 am (0830 GMT), an activist with the opposition Idlib Media Centre told AFP. "One rocket hit the entrance of the school as students were leaving to go home, after the school administration decided to end classes for the day because of the raids," the activist said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Other activists from the province circulated a photograph on social media of a child's arm, seared off above the elbow, still clutching the strap of a dusty black rucksack. Shaky video footage depicted rescue workers sprinting towards the site of the raids and pulling a frail, elderly man out of a collapsed building. The authenticity of the pictures and footage could not be independently verified. The latest attacks took to 89 the number of civilians killed in air strikes on Idlib province in the past seven days, said the Observatory. - 'Intentional' attack - A leading opposition group condemned the raids. The Istanbul-based National Coalition said Russian and regime warplanes "targeted children in their schools, deliberately and intentionally hitting civilians with high-explosive material". Idlib province is controlled by the Army of Conquest, an alliance of rebel groups and jihadists including the Fateh al-Sham Front, which changed its name from Al-Nusra Front after breaking off ties with Al-Qaeda earlier this year. Syrian and Russian warplanes regularly bomb Idlib, but air strikes have intensified in recent weeks, according to the Observatory. Russia is facing pressure at the United Nations to rein in its Syrian ally and halt air raids in rebel-held east Aleppo, where 250,000 civilians have been living under siege since July. UN aid chief Stephen O'Brien said he was "incandescent with rage" over the Security Council's failure to take action, deploring that "nothing is actually happening to stop the war, stop the suffering." With food growing scarce, "civilians are being bombed by Syrian and Russian forces, and if they survive that, they will starve tomorrow," said O'Brien. "Aleppo has essentially become a kill zone." Russian ambassador Churkin shot back, accusing O'Brien of making "arrogant remarks" and failing to recognise that Russia had declared a humanitarian pause that he maintained had been holding for eight days. "If we needed to be preached to, we would go to a church," Churkin quipped. The ambassador blamed opposition rebels and Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists for the failure at the weekend of a UN plan to evacuate the wounded from Aleppo and charged that the UN official was not objectively presenting the facts. US ambassador Samantha Power criticised Russia, saying it had never worked cooperatively with the United Nations during the pauses to ensure humanitarian relief. "You don't get congratulations and credit for not committing war crimes for a day or a week," said Power. The bitter exchange came as the latest attempt to revive a ceasefire fell flat. Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and his British counterpart Michael Fallon said an offensive to drive IS out of its Syrian stronghold of Raqa, 160 kilometres (100 miles) east of Aleppo, would begin in the next few weeks. The US-led coalition is currently supporting a 10-day-old assault by Iraqi and Kurdish forces on the jihadists' main Iraqi bastion of Mosul. Syria's conflict erupted in March 2011 with protests calling for the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad. But it has since evolved into a multi-front war, pitting jihadists, rebels, government forces and Kurdish militia against each other. More than 300,000 people have been killed and millions forced to flee their homes. A Syrian man checks the damage at a school after it was hit in an air strike in the village of Hass, in the south of Syria's rebel-held Idlib province on October 26, 2016 Omar haj kadour (AFP) A wounded Syrian boy receives treatment at a makeshift hospital following reported government shelling on the rebel-held town of Douma, east of the Syrian capital Damascus, on October 26, 2016 Abd Doumany (AFP) US strike in Yemen kills five Qaeda members: officials Five Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) members were killed in a US air strike in Yemen last week, officials said Wednesday. The October 21 strike occurred in a remote area of Marib Governorate in war-torn Yemen, the US military's Central Command said in a statement. AQAP "remains a significant threat to the region and to the United States," CENTCOM spokesman Army Major Josh Jacques said. The October 21 strike occurred in a remote area of Marib Governorate in war-torn Yemen, the US military's Central Command said in a statement Their "presence has a destabilizing effect on Yemen, and we are working to deny them a haven from which to plan future attacks." The suspected AQAP members' names were not released. AQAP and the Islamic State group have exploited a power vacuum created by a conflict between the government and Shiite Huthi rebels to expand their presence in Yemen, especially in the south and southeast. Mexico's Pena Nieto nominates new attorney general MEXICO CITY (AP) Mexico's president announced Tuesday that he will nominate a senator to replace Arely Gomez as the country's attorney general. Gomez weathered one of the roughest periods for Mexico's top prosecutor in the wake of the disappearance of 43 students in 2014. Gomez' predecessor, Jesus Murillo Karam, resigned after questions emerged about his theory the students had been killed and burned by a drug gang at a garbage dump. Only two of the charred remains have been partly matched to the students, and experts doubt the 43 could have been incinerated at the dump. Gomez took over in 2015 and headed efforts to re-examine the case. President Enrique Pena Nieto nominated Sen. Raul Cervantes, a lawyer and former law professor, to replace Gomez as top prosecutor. Gomez would go on to head the country's anti-corruption agency. Nicaragua to accept OAS election observers MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) The Organization of American States will send observers to Nicaragua's Nov. 6 elections, after President Daniel Ortega's government reversed its opposition to outside monitors. The government said it had invited the OAS to send a team to Nicaragua from Nov. 5 to 7, and that the OAS had accepted. The Sandinista National Liberation Front is running Ortega as its candidate for the seventh consecutive time. Earlier this year Ortega said he would not allow international election monitoring because those organizations are "shameless." Opposition politician Irving Davila of the Broad Front for Democracy said the observers "shouldn't be interpreted as a backing for Ortega." Aimee McCaughey had a taste for dining and traveling, if a criminal complaint is to be believed. Her plans since changed. Instead, the 28-year-old Chippewa Falls woman is charged in Chippewa County Court with burglary, seven counts of identity theft-financial gain and one count of misdemeanor theft. The charges are for incidents in the town of Lafayette, town of Eagle Point and village of Lake Hallie. According to the complaint: A burglary was reported July 19 in the town of Lafayette at Anytime Trailer Sales and Rental. Taken were a computer, a trailer hitch and gas, along with credit card receipts. In September, a deputy was called to an Eagle Point address, where a man said two fraudulent charges were made to his credit card. One of the charges was for $1,051 to Delta Airlines for an airline ticket to San Francisco. An investigator got a subpoena for Delta Airlines, which said McCaughey bought the ticket in the name of a man from Mondovi. That man said he was a victim of credit card fraud. Another man, this one from Lafayette, also reported credit card fraud. That man said his card had been used for a restaurant in Onalaska and another restaurant in River Falls. A credit card was also used to order food from a sushi restaurant in Eagan, Minnesota. A warrant was used to search McCaugheys residence, where items from the Anytime Trailer and Rental burglary were found. Officers also found a pawn shop receipt that showed McCaughey pawned two hitches that matched the hitches taken in the July burglary. The credit card fraud victims had bought or rented items from Anytime Trailer and Rental. A $1,000 signature bond has been set for McCaughey. She is scheduled to appear before Judge Steven Cray at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6. Students witness shooting of teen outside Utah middle school SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Dozens of students at a middle school in a Salt Lake City suburb witnessed a shooting in which a 16-year-old boy was critically wounded by another teenager during an argument, police said. The shooting outside Union Middle School in Sandy occurred just as students were leaving school for the day about 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sandy police Sgt. Dean Carriger said. Police arrested a 14-year-old who they believe was the shooter, Carriger said. CORRECTS TO SAY JASEN IS AT LEFT AND HIS LAST NAME IS TROTTER - Jasen Trotter, left, who said he witnessed the shooting, walks with his father Bradley after a 16-tear-old boy was shot in argument near Union Middle School in Sandy, Utah, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016. Sandy police Sgt. Dean Carriger said the victim was taken by ambulance to a hospital and is in critical condition. Police arrested a 14-year-old who they believe was the shooter, said Carriger. (Scott G Winterton/Deseret News via AP) The victim was taken by ambulance to a hospital and is in critical condition, Carriger said. He was in surgery Tuesday evening. Nobody else was hurt. Hillcrest High School student Jasen Trotter told the Deseret News that he saw the fight between the two boys from about 15 feet away. The teens appear to have planned their encounter beforehand and met shortly after the school day ended, Trotter told the newspaper (http://bit.ly/2eJMo9G). Trotter said one of the boys unexpectedly pulled out a gun, shot the victim and then shot him again while he was on the ground. "It just happened so fast," Trotter said. He said that the alleged shooter, who Trotter noted was one of his friends, fell to the ground crying after the shots were fired. Detectives were interviewing students to determine what led to the argument and why the suspect shot the other. The school, about 15 miles south of Salt Lake City, was briefly put on lockdown. The suspected shooter is a student at the middle school. The victim is not, Carriger said. Detectives are trying to find out if the suspect had the gun during school or if he got it after school. Mason Lewis, 14, is comforted by a passerby after learning that his friend was shot outside Union Middle School in Sandy, Utah, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016. A 16-year-old boy was shot twice and critically wounded by another teenager Tuesday afternoon when the two got into argument outside the middle school in a Salt Lake City suburb, authorities said. (Leah Hogsten/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP) Kalani Matthews, 17, right, and his friends gather around Rachel Otteson as they try to see photos of the Union Middle School shooting suspect, found on the Internet in West Valley City, Utah, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016. A 16-year-old boy was shot twice and critically wounded by another teenager Tuesday afternoon when the two got into argument outside the middle school in a Salt Lake City suburb, authorities said. (Leah Hogsten/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP) Kalani Matthews, 17, right, gets a hug from Dusti Rowland, 16, across the street from Union Middle School in Sandy, Utah, after a shooting Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016. Matthews said it was his brother that was injured in the shooting. A 16-year-old boy was critically injured after being shot outside Union Middle School by a 14-year-old, who is a student at the middle school, police said. The shooting occurred about 3 p.m. when two teenage boys got into an argument on a field north of the school, said Sandy police Sgt. Dean Carriger.The shooting occurred about 3 p.m. when two teenage boys got into an argument on a field north of the school, said Sandy police Sgt. Dean Carriger. The victim was transported by ambulance in critical condition to Intermountain Medical Center, where he went into surgery. The 14-year-old suspect is in custody. (Leah Hogsten/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP) A woman wipes her eyes outside of Union Middle School in Sandy, Utah, after a shooting involving an argument between two juveniles took place outside of the school, on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016. The victim was taken by ambulance to a hospital. His condition was not immediately known. The suspected shooter is in police custody. (Kristin Murphy/Deseret News via AP) Principal Kelly Tauteoli hugs a woman outside of Union Middle School after a shooting involving an argument between two juveniles took place outside of the school, in Sandy, Utah on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016. (Kristin Murphy/Deseret News via AP) CORRECTS TO SAY JASEN IS AT LEFT AND HIS LAST NAME IS TROTTER - Jasen Trotter, left, who said he witnessed the shooting, walks with his father Bradley after a 16-tear-old boy was shot in argument near Union Middle School in Sandy, Utah, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016. Sandy police Sgt. Dean Carriger said the victim was taken by ambulance to a hospital and is in critical condition. Police arrested a 14-year-old who they believe was the shooter, said Carriger. (Scott G Winterton/Deseret News via AP) Officials investigate the scene of a shooting outside Union Middle School in Sandy, Utah, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016. Authorities say a boy has been shot by a classmate outside of the middle school in the Salt Lake City suburb of Sandy. (Ravell Call/Deseret News via AP) A 16-year-old boy was critically injured after being shot outside Union Middle School in Sandy, Utah on Tuesday Oct. 25, 2016, by a 14-year-old, who is a student at the middle school. The shooting occurred about 3 p.m. when two teenage boys got into an argument on a field north of the school, said Sandy police Sgt. Dean Carriger. The victim was transported by ambulance in critical condition to Intermountain Medical Center, where he went into surgery. The 14-year-old suspect is in custody. (Leah Hogsten/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP) Kalani Matthews, 17, and friend watch from across the street from Union Middle School in Sandy, Utah, after a shooting Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016. Matthews said it was his brother that was injured in the shooting. A 16-year-old boy was critically injured after being shot outside Union Middle School by a 14-year-old, who is a student at the middle school, police said. The shooting occurred about 3 p.m. when two teenage boys got into an argument on a field north of the school, said Sandy police Sgt. Dean Carriger.The shooting occurred about 3 p.m. when two teenage boys got into an argument on a field north of the school, said Sandy police Sgt. Dean Carriger. The victim was transported by ambulance in critical condition to Intermountain Medical Center, where he went into surgery. The 14-year-old suspect is in custody. (Leah Hogsten/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP) Kalani Matthews, 17, center, sits with friends across the street from Union Middle School in Sandy, Utah, after a shooting Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016. Matthews said it was his brother that was injured in the shooting. A 16-year-old boy was critically injured after being shot outside Union Middle School by a 14-year-old, who is a student at the middle school, police said. The shooting occurred about 3 p.m. when two teenage boys got into an argument on a field north of the school, said Sandy police Sgt. Dean Carriger.The victim was transported by ambulance in critical condition to Intermountain Medical Center, where he went into surgery. The 14-year-old suspect is in custody. (Leah Hogsten/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP) Police officers work the scene after a teen was shot outside Union Middle School in Sandy, Utah, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016. A 16-year-old boy was shot twice and critically wounded by another teenager Tuesday afternoon when the two got into argument outside the middle school in a Salt Lake City suburb, authorities said. (Leah Hogsten/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP) Oregon weighs whether all kids should get outdoor education MOUNT HOOD NATIONAL FOREST, Ore. (AP) Each year, thousands of Oregon parents hug their kids goodbye and send them tramping into the wilderness for up to a week to learn about their state's natural wonders. The Outdoor School program was groundbreaking when it started more than a half-century ago. Since then, more than 1 million children have enjoyed or endured this rite of passage at campsites scattered from Oregon's stormy coast to its towering evergreen forests to its rugged high desert. At the program's heyday, 90 percent of sixth-graders spent the week testing water samples, studying fungi and digging through topsoil. Today, just half of Oregon's 11- and 12-year-olds take part, mostly through a patchwork of grants, fundraising, parent fees and charitable donations. Caps on property taxes, plus the recent recession, have forced many school districts to scrap the program or whittle it down to just a few days. In this Oct. 6, 2016 photo, Outdoor School students walk through the dense forest on their way to a lesson at Camp Howard in Mount Hood National Forest near Corbett, Ore. The outdoor education is unique to Oregon and is a rite-of-passage for public school students that's meant to instill a respect for nature in each generation--studies show it improves attendance and boosts test scores. (AP Photo/Don Ryan) Now, backers of a statewide ballot measure want to use a slice of lottery proceeds to guarantee a week of Outdoor School for all children. If it passes, the measure would make Oregon the only state with dedicated funding for outdoor education, including students in charter, private and home schools, said Sarah Bodor, policy director for the North American Association for Environmental Education. Opponents, however, say its passage would mean deep cuts to a state agency tasked with economic development by siphoning away millions in lottery money critical to expanding Oregon business. And at least one outspoken state lawmaker worries Measure 99 would impose liberal Portland's values on children in rural Oregon where farming, mining, logging and fishing are a way of life. The push to fund Outdoor School dovetails with a national trend toward outdoor learning, Bodor said. More than two dozen states have developed environmental literacy plans as educators realize the importance of outdoor time for developing critical thinking and leadership skills, she said. "But these are really unfunded mandates and ... the outdoor component is the piece that very often gets left behind," Bodor said. Measure 99 would cover that unfunded cost by taking up to $22 million or 4 percent a quarter from the state lottery's economic development fund to send 50,000 fifth- or sixth-graders to Outdoor School each year. The Oregon State University Extension Service would dole out the money to school districts using a process that will be determined if the measure passes. Applying for the lottery funds would be voluntary, and schools, educational districts and nonprofits that already run Outdoor Schools around the state could continue to do so. To get the state funding, programs would have to meet certain criteria, including a curriculum that includes the study of plants, animals, soil and water; discussion of the role of natural resources in the state economy; and lessons on the relationship between economic growth, natural resources and conservation. "This is not a mandate it's an offer. And we wanted to make sure it was a real one, which means providing sufficient funding to cover the cost of a good, high-quality program," said Rex Burkholder, chairman of the Measure 99 campaign committee. With two weeks to go before the election, Measure 99 has no organized opposition, and polls indicate it will pass but not everyone is buying it. State Sen. Betsy Johnson, a Democrat who represents a rural district northwest of Portland, says lottery proceeds are for economic development, not camp. She worries Oregonians who remember their own Outdoor School experience will vote for the measure out of nostalgia without understanding it could hurt other programs. Economic Development for Central Oregon, a nonprofit that promotes job growth, says the money for Outdoor School would be equivalent to 70 percent of the budget for the state's economic development agency, which relies on lottery money. Efforts to bring television productions like "Grimm," ''Leverage" and "Portlandia" to Oregon could suffer as a result, it said. "It's so feel-good, it's so 'Oregon' that I just worry that people are not going to give it the level of scrutiny it deserves," Johnson said. "The assumption is Outdoor School ... will produce better citizens and good Oregonians. What's my metric to know if that really happens?" Supporters point to a Portland State University study that found students who participated in Outdoor School had improved attendance. They also highlight surveys by the Multnomah Education Service District which provides 7,000 students a year with Outdoor School that show the program boosts self-confidence and interest in math and science. At a recent five-day camp in Mount Hood National Forest, sixth-graders from Portland's Jackson Middle School seemed unaware of the politics surrounding their adventure. As a light drizzle fell, they dipped nets into a fog-cloaked pond surrounded by stands of Douglas fir trees, sketched water bugs in notebooks and tested the water's acidity and turbidity as rainbow trout jumped just a few feet away. Each child wore a "wood cookie" a cross-section of a small log emblazoned with their name and cabin assignment and decorated with beaded pins to denote their completion of field studies on plants, animals, soil and water. "It's definitely better out here," said 11-year-old Maya Herring, showing off her wood cookie festooned with beads and bling awarded by her counselor. "You can actually feel the nature. It's not just saying, 'This is what this fern looks like.' You can actually feel the fern for yourself." _____ Follow Gillian Flaccus on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/gflaccus In this Oct. 6, 2016, photo, from left, Outdoor School students Evie Larson, Lillyann Samson and Maya Herring run a test on pond water during a lesson at Camp Howard in Mount Hood National Forest near Corbett, Ore. The outdoor education is unique to Oregon and is a rite-of-passage for public school students that's meant to instill a respect for nature in each generation - studies show it improves attendance and boosts test scores. (AP Photo/Don Ryan) In this Oct. 6, 2016 photo, towering fir trees reflect in the water as students collect pond samples for an Outdoor School lesson at Camp Howard in Mount Hood National Forest near Corbett, Ore. The outdoor education is unique to Oregon and is a rite-of-passage for public school students that's meant to instill a respect for nature in each generation - studies show it improves attendance and boosts test scores. (AP Photo/Don Ryan) In this Oct. 6, 2016 photo, Outdoor School students Maya Herring, left, and Karl Krueger carry a bucket full of pond water to be studied during a lesson at Camp Howard in Mount Hood National Forest near Corbett, Ore. The outdoor education is unique to Oregon and is a rite-of-passage for public school students that's meant to instill a respect for nature in each generation - studies show it improves attendance and boosts test scores. (AP Photo/Don Ryan) In this Oct. 6, 2016 photo, Outdoor School students walk along a pond with jumping fish during a lesson at Camp Howard in Mount Hood National Forest near Corbett, Ore. The outdoor education is unique to Oregon and is a rite-of-passage for public school students that's meant to instill a respect for nature in each generation - studies show it improves attendance and boosts test scores. (AP Photo/Don Ryan) In this Oct. 6, 2016 photo, Outdoor School student Evie Larson studies a pond water sample to enter notes in her field study notebook during a lesson at Camp Howard in Mount Hood National Forest near Corbett, Ore. The outdoor education is unique to Oregon and is a rite-of-passage for public school students that's meant to instill a respect for nature in each generation - studies show it improves attendance and boosts test scores. (AP Photo/Don Ryan) In this Oct. 6, 2016, photo, two Outdoors School students walk arm-in-arm through the dense forest to an Outdoors School lesson at Camp Howard in Mount Hood National Forest near Corbett, Ore. The outdoor education is unique to Oregon and is a rite-of-passage for public school students that's meant to instill a respect for nature in each generation; studies show it improves attendance and boosts test scores. (AP Photo/Don Ryan) Marine Corps jet crashes in California desert; pilot safe TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (AP) A Marine Corps jet fighter crashed and burned in the Southern California desert, but the pilot ejected safely, a spokesman said. The twin-engine F/A-18C Hornet crashed around 6 p.m. Tuesday near the end of a training flight at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. "Initial reports say that he had touched down and after he touched down, he needed to eject," said First Lt. John P. Roberts, a Marine spokesman. The pilot appeared to have no major injuries, but he was taken to a local hospital as a precaution, Roberts said. "He's OK and doing well right now," he said. The aircraft burned, Roberts said. There was no immediate word on what caused the crash. The Hornet was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 31 from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in South Carolina, Roberts said. The sprawling air base, 140 miles east of Los Angeles in the Mojave Desert, trains pilots from around the country. In July, another F/A-18C warplane went down during a training mission at the base, killing the pilot. Ex-coal CEO argues he's wrongly imprisoned after 29 deaths RICHMOND, Va. (AP) Former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship was wrongly convicted and sent to prison because jury instructions made it too easy to conclude that he willfully violated safety rules at a West Virginia coal mine, his attorneys argued Wednesday. Blankenship, 66, ran the coal company that owned West Virginia's Upper Big Branch mine, where a 2010 explosion killed 29 men. He's currently serving a one-year sentence after being convicted of misdemeanor conspiracy for what prosecutors call a series of willful safety violations before the blast. Blankenship's attorneys filed a 94-page brief to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond contesting multiple aspects of his conviction, but Wednesday's oral argument before a three-judge panel focused exclusively on the jury instructions. FILE - In a Wednesday, April 6, 2016, file photo, former Massey CEO Don Blankenship is escorted by Homeland Security officers from the Robert C. Byrd U.S. Courthouse in Charleston, W. Va. Attorneys for Blankenship and the federal government head to court this week in the ex-coal operator's appeal of his conviction in connection with the deadliest U.S. mine disaster in four decades. Oral arguments are scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 26, before a three-judge panel at the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va. (F. Brian Ferguson/Charleston Gazette-Mail via AP, File) William W. Taylor, Blankenship's attorney, said the instructions should have required proof that Blankenship specifically intended to violate safety laws. Instead, he argued, the instructions allowed the jury to assume the violations were willful because they occurred repeatedly. Taylor faced skeptical questioning from two of the three judges. Judge Andre Davis said the instructions from the judge seemed appropriate, given the facts of the case. "There were scores of violations that provided the context for this instruction," Davis said. "None of this happens in a vacuum." The government's attorney, Steven Ruby, said there was ample evidence at trial to support a conclusion that Blankenship's actions were willful. He cited a 2008 memo from Blankenship to the president of the Upper Big Branch mine, telling him to start extracting coal from certain sections and "worry about ventilation or other issues at an appropriate time. Now is not the time." At another point, Ruby said, when an executive objected to opening a section without a proper ventilation plan, Blankenship told the executive to stop letting safety regulators run the mine. Taylor argued in court papers that Blankenship's memos about ventilation came in the context of whether to focus on short-term or long-term ventilation plans for the underground mine. After the hearing, Taylor said the judges' questioning was in line with his expectations, and he would not hazard a guess on the outcome. "It was a good, thorough argument," he said. Blankenship, 66, recently released a manifesto from prison declaring himself a political prisoner. Montenegro's long-ruling prime minister to step down PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) Montenegro's prime minister Milo Djukanovic, who led the tiny Adriatic nation to independence from Serbia in 2006, will step down after ruling unchallenged for more than 25 years, his party officials said Wednesday. The Democratic Party of Socialists has named Djukanovic's deputy, Dusko Markovic, as a possible premier-designate after the Oct. 16 parliamentary election ended inconclusively. The pro-Western party won most seats in Parliament, but will need to seek a coalition to remain in power. The ruling party said Wednesday that Djukanovic personally proposed Markovic as the likely future prime minister "confident in his ability and readiness to lead the new government toward completion of integration processes toward the EU and NATO." In this photo taken Monday, Oct. 17, 2016, Montenegro's Prime Minister and long-ruling Democratic Party of Socialists leader Milo Djukanovic, speaks at his headquarters, in Podgorica, Montenegro. Djukanovic said Tuesday Oct. 25, 2016, "there exists a strong connection of a foreign factor" and suggested that Russia was involved in the Oct. 16 election vote that included the arrest of 20 people from Serbia suspected of planning violence after parliamentary election results were announced. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic) The Adriatic nation of 650,000 people was a rare former Yugoslav republic that split peacefully from Serbia, avoiding the bloodshed that followed similar moves by Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo. Montenegro has since been invited to join NATO and has launched membership negotiations with the European Union, to the dismay of its traditional ally Russia and Serbian nationalists. Djukanovic has billed the last election as crucial for the country's future whether it will continue on the pro-Western path, or shift back to Russian influence. Djukanovic suggested Tuesday that Russia was involved in an alleged coup attempt on the country's election day and accused the opposition of collaborating with the Kremlin. He said there was "a strong connection of a foreign factor" in the alleged overthrow attempt on the election day, which was marked by the arrest of 20 people suspected of planning armed attacks against Djukanovic and his supporters after vote results were announced. The opposition has claimed that Djukanovic wants to cling to power at all costs to avoid prosecution for alleged widespread crime and corruption during his long rule. Djukanovic, 54, has resigned twice in the past, but returned as either prime minister or president. Once an ally of Serbia's strongman Slobodan Milosevic, Djukanovic became the youngest prime minister in Europe at the age of 29 in 1991. He was elected Montenegro's president in 1998, before again assuming the premier's job in 2002. He left in 2006, saying he has accomplished his task of leading Montenegro to independence, but came back and was elected premier in 2008 and in 2012. Political analysts believe that Djukanovic might stage another comeback in presidential elections in 2018. ___ GOP faces obstacle in motivating Hispanic voters: Trump HIALEAH, Fla. (AP) Berta Delgado told the Spanish-speaking conservative activists at her door that she is "100 por ciento" Republican, and agreed with their assessment that Democratic Senate candidate Patrick Murphy is too liberal. She said she'd vote for Sen. Marco Rubio. That is, if she votes. Delgado said she's so disgusted by the presidential race that she might stay home in bed on Election Day. A few blocks away in the same Cuban-American enclave, Ernesto Gil assured the activists that he, too, favors Rubio. But due to Donald Trump, he said, he's not planning to vote for any other Republicans. When it comes to connecting with and motivating Hispanic voters, GOP candidates across the country face an exceptional obstacle: their own presidential nominee. Trump's harsh words about immigrants in the country illegally and his vows to deport them and build a border wall have turned off many of the estimated 27 million Latinos eligible to vote. FILE - In this June 29, 2015, file photo, protesters gather across the street from a restaurant in Chicago before Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump spoke to members of the City Club of Chicago. When it comes to connecting with and motivating Hispanic voters, GOP candidates across the country face an exceptional obstacle: their own presidential nominee. Trumps harsh words about immigrants in the country illegally and his vows to deport them and build a border wall have turned off many of the estimated 27 million Latinos eligible to vote. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File) Democrats are playing the "Trump" card whenever and wherever they can. On her swing through Florida this week, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton urged voters to back Murphy. "Unlike his opponent," she said at a rally Tuesday in Coconut Creek, "Patrick Murphy has never been afraid to stand up to Donald Trump." The Democrats' Trump focus is evident from a review of Spanish-language television advertisements. Of more than 6,800 Democratic general election ads that had aired on broadcast stations by last week, about 70 percent featured Trump, an Associated Press analysis of Kantar Media's political ad data found. The review covered commercials about races for the Senate, House and governor. "Basically if you put the words 'Donald Trump' in an ad, it hurts Republicans," said Juan Cuba, executive director of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party. In Nevada, where more than one-quarter of the population is Hispanic, Democratic Senate hopeful Catherine Cortez Masto tethers her Republican opponent, Rep. Joe Heck, to the presidential nominee in a bonanza of Spanish-language TV ads about "Heck y Trump." Many conclude, "no nos respetan," which means, "they don't respect us." Supporters of Democrat Patricio Moreno's uphill bid to unseat Rep. Carlos Trujillo in a district that includes Doral, Florida, have tagged the Republican "Trumpillo." And in a competitive Texas congressional race in a heavily Hispanic district, Republican Rep. Will Hurd has disavowed Trump and begun running ads saying he'd stand up to either Trump or Clinton. Trump is a fixture of down-ballot debate nights. Standing next to Rubio last week in Orlando, Murphy, a congressman, used Trump's full name 16 times. At the Nevada Senate debate, just after Heck denounced Trump for his videotaped boasts about forcing himself on women, Cortez Masto said Heck's repudiation was too little, too late. Why, she asked, was it acceptable for Trump to call Mexican immigrants rapists and criminals during his kickoff speech in June 2015? Trump has vastly complicated the efforts of a party that knows it needs to do better with Hispanic voters. Front and center among the findings of a Republican National Committee autopsy on why Mitt Romney lost the 2012 presidential race was a discussion about the importance of Latinos, whose backing dropped to 27 percent compared with the 44 percent who'd chosen President George W. Bush in 2004. "There is no question that Republicans have failed miserably in the past at connecting with Latinos," said Daniel Garza, executive director of the Libre Initiative. Funded by billionaires Charles and David Koch, Libre tries to sell Latinos on conservative policies. Like other Koch groups, Libre is not advocating for either presidential candidate this time. Asked how Trump might complicate the community-building efforts of Libre and others, Garza said, "There's no question that personalities matter. It's difficult." That's evident in Florida. Rubio has awkwardly tried to dissociate himself from Trump, while saying he'll still vote for him. During the debate, Rubio directly dinged Murphy for a lack of engagement among the state's Latino voters. Glossing over his own complicated history with an immigration overhaul, Rubio said Murphy only began reading up the issue after "consultants told him he needed to do better among Hispanics." Rubio was part of a core group working on immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for those here illegally; he abandoned the effort as he geared up for a presidential bid. Murphy didn't hire a Hispanic outreach director until late September and does not speak Spanish. Rubio, a Cuban-American fluent in Spanish, is far better known among Latinos and has put up far more Spanish language ads than he has. "There's a history there, and it's not just based on an election-time outreach," said Ana Carbonell, a senior adviser to Rubio and political consultant on Latinos. "The Hispanic community in Florida is very diverse and complex, and even if you get all the briefs in the world, you can't get up to speed in time." The senator follows South American struggles with the Zika virus, weighs in on the Puerto Rican debt crisis and has successfully pushed to keep in place economic sanctions on Venezuela. That engagement is one of the messages the conservative door-knockers have been carrying into Hispanic neighborhoods of Florida. The Kochs' network of political and policy groups have more employees in Florida about 165 than anywhere else in the country. Many speak Spanish. On a recent afternoon, Jairo Rivera, Miami-Dade field director for Americans for Prosperity, knocked on dozens of doors in Hialeah, striking up conversations in Spanish as he reminded Republican-leaning people to go vote and not for the Democrat. Street after street of single-story, barrel-tile-roof homes gave few clues about the coming elections; only one lone Clinton yard sign was in sight. Behind the doors, more people than not grumbled about Trump when asked by a reporter, though one man, Pedro Pena, proudly grabbed a "Hispanas for Trump" bumper sticker out of his pickup truck. As for Ernesto Gil, he promised to vote for Rubio for the Senate but Clinton for president. Better the devil you know, he said, than the devil you don't. ___ Turkish leader threatens more involvement on Syrian border ANKARA, Turkey (AP) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened Wednesday to step up his intervention in the conflict along his country's border with Syria, insisting he was determined to oust Syrian Kurdish forces gathering in the region. In a speech delivered to a group of village and district administrators, Erdogan said Turkey was mulling the possibility of further involvement to clear the Kurdish-held border area of Afrin in northern Syria, stretching between the Turkish towns of Kilis and Kirikhan. "We are putting it (possible intervention) on our agenda ... to remove the threat against our country coming from the region between Kilis and Kirikhan, to clear this region from the terrorists," Erdogan said. Police use water cannons against pro-Kurdish Peoples's Democratic Party members as they protest the detention of Gultan Kisanak, Diyarbakir Mayor, and co-mayor Firat Anli, in Diyarbakir, Turkey, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. Turkish police on Wednesday used tear gas and water cannons to disperse hundreds of demonstrators protesting the detentions of two leading politicians in the largest city in the country's mainly-Kurdish southeast. About a thousand people gathered outside the Diyarbakir municipality to demand the release of Kisanak and Anli, who were taken into custody late Tuesday as part of a terrorism investigation.(AP Photo/Mahmut Bozarslan) The comments are important because Turkey's conflict with the Syrian Kurdish militia has put it at odds with the United States, which has relied heavily on the group in its fight against the Islamic State group. Erdogan also said Turkey could soon launch an assault to force Syrian Kurdish fighters out of the town of Manbij in northern Syria. The Syrian Kurdish forces expelled Islamic State fighters from the border town this summer but Turkey considers the group which is affiliated with its own outlawed Kurdish rebels as a terror organization. It wants its fighters to withdraw to positions east of the Euphrates river. "They will leave (Manbij). They will to go east of the Euphrates river. If not, we will do what is needed," Erdogan said. The Turkish military, which is supporting Syrian opposition forces in their push to clear a border area of IS, has also attacked the Syrian Kurdish fighters, including with airstrikes. The United States regards the Syrian Kurdish fighters as the most effective group in the fight against IS. "I have told our American friends we do not need (the Syrian Kurdish groups) to fight Daesh," he said, using an Arabic acronym for IS. Meanwhile in Turkey, police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators protesting the detentions of two leading politicians in the largest city in the country's mainly Kurdish southeast. Hundreds gathered outside the Diyarbakir municipality to demand the release of mayor Gultan Kisanak and co-mayor Firat Anli, who were taken into custody late Tuesday as part of a terrorism investigation. Kisanak, Diyarbakir's first female mayor, and Anli are members of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party, or HDP, and were elected in the 2014 local elections. Their detentions come amid a growing crackdown on the political party, which the government accuses of being a political wing of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK. The PKK has waged a three-decade long insurgency against the Turkish state and is considered a terror organization by Turkey and its allies. The party denies the accusation. The conflict between Turkey and the PKK has claimed an estimated 40,000 lives since 1984. Since the collapse of a ceasefire in 2015, at least 600 state security personnel and thousands of Kurdish militants have been killed, according to Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency. In September, the government ousted 24 municipal and district mayors from their elected posts for alleged connections to the outlawed PKK and appointed trustees in their stead. Several HDP legislators, including the party's leaders, face prosecution for alleged ties to the PKK. The two politicians were detained for questioning as part of a probe into the PKK, the Anadolu news agency reported. A statement from the Diyarbakir prosecutor's office said the two were being investigated for "speaking positively about the terror organization", "calling for autonomy" and allowing the use of municipality vehicles for Kurdish militants' funerals. Turkey declared a state of emergency following the failed coup in July, allowing the government to rule by decrees and authorities to detain suspects for up to 30 days as well as restrict access to lawyers in the first five days of detention. Earlier Wednesday, top European Union officials voiced concern over the detentions, calling on Turkey to respect the rule of law even as it deals with the security threat posed by Kurdish militants. ___ Associated Press writers Zeynep Bilginsoy and Bulut Emiroglu contributed from Istanbul and Mucahit Ceylan from Diyarbakir. Police use water cannon against pro-Kurdish Peoples's Democratic Party members as they protest against the detention of Gultan Kisanak, Diyarbakir Mayor, and co-mayor Firat Anli, in Diyarbakir, Turkey, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. Turkish police on Wednesday used tear gas and water cannons to disperse hundreds of demonstrators protesting the detentions of two leading politicians in the largest city in the country's mainly-Kurdish southeast. About a thousand people gathered outside the Diyarbakir municipality to demand the release of Kisanak and Anli, who were taken into custody late Tuesday as part of a terrorism investigation.(AP Photo/Mahmut Bozarslan) Police officers detain a pro-Kurdish Peoples's Democracy Party member as he protests against the detention of Gultan Kisanak, Diyarbakir Mayor, and co-mayor Firat Anli, in Diyarbakir, Turkey, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. Turkish police on Wednesday used tear gas and water cannons to disperse hundreds of demonstrators protesting the detentions of two leading politicians in the largest city in the country's mainly-Kurdish southeast. About a thousand people gathered outside the Diyarbakir municipality to demand the release of Kisanak and Anli, who were taken into custody late Tuesday as part of a terrorism investigation.(AP Photo/Mahmut Bozarslan) Politicians from the pro-Kurdish Peoples's Democratic Party march as they protest against the detention of Gultan Kisanak, Diyarbakir Mayor, and co-mayor Firat Anli, in Diyarbakir, Turkey, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. Turkish police on Wednesday used tear gas and water cannons to disperse hundreds of demonstrators protesting the detentions of two leading politicians in the largest city in the country's mainly-Kurdish southeast. About a thousand people gathered outside the Diyarbakir municipality to demand the release of Kisanak and Anli, who were taken into custody late Tuesday as part of a terrorism investigation.(AP Photo/Mahmut Bozarslan) Police officers detain a pro-Kurdish Peoples's Democracy Party member as they protest the detentios of Gultan Kisanak, Diyarbakir Mayor, and co-mayor Firat Anli, in Diyarbakir, Turkey, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. Turkish police on Wednesday used tear gas and water cannons to disperse hundreds of demonstrators protesting the detentions of two leading politicians in the largest city in the country's mainly-Kurdish southeast. About a thousand people gathered outside the Diyarbakir municipality to demand the release of Kisanak and Anli, who were taken into custody late Tuesday as part of a terrorism investigation. (AP Photo/Mahmut Bozarslan) Police officers detain a pro-Kurdish Peoples's Democracy Party member as he protests against the detention of Gultan Kisanak, Diyarbakir Mayor, and co-mayor Firat Anli, in Diyarbakir, Turkey, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. Turkish police on Wednesday used tear gas and water cannons to disperse hundreds of demonstrators protesting the detentions of two leading politicians in the largest city in the country's mainly-Kurdish southeast. About a thousand people gathered outside the Diyarbakir municipality to demand the release of Kisanak and Anli, who were taken into custody late Tuesday as part of a terrorism investigation.(AP Photo/Mahmut Bozarslan) The Latest: Aid group recovers 25 bodies in Mediterranean CALAIS, France (AP) The Latest on the influx of asylum-seekers and migrants to Europe (all times local): 7:15 p.m. Doctors Without Borders says its personnel have recovered the bodies of 25 migrants aboard an overcrowded inflatable raft in the Mediterranean Sea. People stand on a hill as smoke rises from amidst the tents after fires were started in the makeshift migrant camp known as "the jungle" near Calais, northern France, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. Firefighters have doused several dozen fires set by migrants as they left the makeshift camp where they have been living near the northern French city of Calais. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) The aid group said Wednesday that the bodies were discovered during the rescue of 246 people on two rafts. Field coordinator Michele Telaro said in a statement that victims likely died of fuel inhalation, and that the potent mixture of petrol and water hampered the recovery efforts during the operation Tuesday. Twenty-three survivors were treated for chemical burns. ___ 4:30 p.m. The U.N. refugee agency says the death toll for migrants in the Mediterranean has reached at least 3,800 this year so far. The Geneva-based agency said Wednesday on Twitter than this makes 2016 the deadliest year ever for migrants in the Mediterranean. The global body had warned on Tuesday that this year's death toll was likely to exceed the 3,771 deaths reported for the whole of 2015. Migrants fleeing war and poverty take dangerous trips from Libya to Italy on overcrowded boats, hoping to make their way from there to new lives in Europe. ___ 4 p.m. A Danish mayor says an asylum center in central Denmark for males under the age of 18 will be shut down because two female employees are suspected of "having committed sexual abuses on some of the boys." Mayor Bjarne Nielsen says that even if the sexual contacts allegedly occurred outside the center in Tulleboelle on the Langeland island and during the employees' free time, "it is an offense." Nielsen said Wednesday the cases had been reported to the police and the employees had been sent away. Denmark's immigration minister Inger Stoejberg said "the case was unique" and no similar steps were planned elsewhere. Nielsen said the decision to close the center with about 40 young men was made Tuesday evening and would be effective later this week. ___ 2:25 p.m. French authorities say they've cleared the Calais migrant camp known as "the jungle," days earlier than planned. A local official in the region. Fabienne Buccio, said Wednesday that their mission has been accomplished. Thousands fleeing war and poverty have lived in squalor at the camp as they waited for a chance to sneak into Britain. Buccio says "there are no more migrants in the camp. Our mission has been fulfilled." Authorities moved fast after migrants set fire to shelters and tents in the camp in northern France before being forced to leave. ___ 12:35 p.m. The pope has appealed for openness and generosity over immigration as Italy grapples with how to accommodate a growing number of migrants. Pope Francis' appeal on Wednesday came the day after residents of an Adriatic coastal town formed a blockade to prevent the arrival of 12 female migrants, one of them pregnant, who were to be housed in a hostel. In the face of resistance, officials found lodging elsewhere. Francis said that "in every age, the phenomenon of immigration calls for a response of openness and solidarity. In our own day, the growing influx of refugees fleeing war, famine and poverty is a summons to welcome and care for these brothers and sisters." The reaction of residents of Goro, in Ferrara province, has been widely criticized. ___ 12:30 p.m. Large portions of a makeshift migrant camp in Calais known as "the jungle," are going up in flames as French authorities move to shut down the camp. Firefighters have already doused several dozen fires set by migrants as they left the makeshift camp where they have been living near the northern French city of Calais. Steve Barbet, a spokesman for the regional prefecture, said Wednesday that one migrant was slightly injured and taken to the Calais hospital. About 100 migrants were evacuated overnight to a no man's land at the entrance of the camp. ___ 11:25 a.m. Romanian border police say they have detained 12 people, including three children, who are suspected of illegally entering the country. Police said Wednesday that they found the group of 7 Iraqis, 4 Turks and a Syrian walking close to the border with Hungary in southwest Romania late Tuesday. Police said the adults were aged between 26 and 50 and the children's ages ranged from 7 to 13. They told police they were trying to reach Western Europe. They are being investigated for illegally crossing the border into Romania. ___ 11:15 a.m. Firefighters have doused several dozen fires set by migrants as they left the makeshift camp where they have been living near the northern French city of Calais. Steve Barbet, spokesman for the regional prefecture, said Wednesday that one migrant was slightly injured and taken to the Calais hospital. About 100 migrants were evacuated overnight to a no man's land at the entrance of the camp known as "the jungle". Firefighters tackled the flames in shelters and small shops. Prefect Fabienne Buccio had said Tuesday night that migrants "have a tradition" of burning their shelters before leaving. After two full days of a weeklong operation, French authorities have already transported thousands of migrants to reception centers around France. The camp used to be temporary home to 6,300 migrants according to authorities. Aid groups counted more than 8,000 people. A French flag flutters while smoke billows from burning shelters set on fire my migrants in the makeshift migrant camp known as "the jungle" near Calais, northern France, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. Firefighters have doused several dozen fires set by migrants as they left the makeshift camp where they have been living near the northern French city of Calais. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Charity workers pull tents away from burning shelters set on fire by migrants in the makeshift migrant camp known as "the jungle" near Calais, northern France, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. Firefighters have doused several dozen fires set by migrants as they left the makeshift camp where they have been living near the northern French city of Calais. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Fires burn in the makeshift migrant camp known as "the jungle" near Calais, northern France, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016. Crews have started dismantling the squalid migrant camp in France after the process to clear the camp began in earnest on Monday. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Migrants wait to register outside a processing centre in the makeshift migrant camp known as "the jungle" near Calais, northern France, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. Crews have started dismantling the squalid migrant camp in France after the process to clear the camp began in earnest on Monday. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Migrants wait to register outside a processing center in the makeshift migrant camp known as "the jungle" near Calais, northern France, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. Crews have started dismantling the squalid migrant camp in France after the process to clear the camp began in earnest on Monday. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) A fire burns in the makeshift migrant camp known as "the jungle" near Calais, northern France, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016. France began the mass evacuation Monday of "the jungle," a mammoth project to erase the humanitarian blight on its northern border, where thousands fleeing war or poverty have lived in squalor, most hoping to sneak into Britain. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) PICTURED: Egyptian fishing town hosts wall art festival BURULLUS, Egypt (AP) For the third successive year, an Egyptian fishing town has hosted a unique art festival that attracts participants from home and abroad. The annual event in Burullus injects life and color into the town of about 100,000 residents. Artist Abdel-Wahab Abdel-Mohsen, whose non-profit organization is behind the festival, says its objective is to communicate art directly to the townspeople and visitors. "Forty enthusiastic visual artists from 13 countries have volunteered to change the face of the town and raise awareness of beauty and a clean environment," Abdel-Mohsen told The Associated Press in Burullus, a lakeside town linked to the Mediterranean Sea through a narrow strait. In this Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016 photo, an Egyptian woman hangs her laundry over a mural by Egyptian artist Omar El Fayoumi in Burullus, north of Cairo, Egypt. For the third successive year, the Egyptian fishing town of Burullus has played host to a unique art festival that attracts participants from home and abroad, injecting life and color into the town, its walls and the estimated 100,000 residents.(AP Photo/Amr Nabil) During the festival, Abdel-Mohsen says the town becomes a "touristic attraction with its colored homes and a great view on the Burullus lake." The town offers individual artists different experiences. Egyptian artist and first-time participant Riham el-Saadany painted a small wall next to a grocery store she said was mostly frequented by children. "I decided to draw a portrait for my daughter Lily, and create a background of water, fish and bubbles," she said. Portuguese artist Paulina Evaristo said her painting dealt with the inner beauty of women, love and God, and that the reaction among Burullus residents was "very positive." "They identified with the painting and the idea of beauty as reflected on the wall is now part of their knowledge," she said. Another participant, Mikica Trujkanovik from Macedonia, said she was instantly inspired by the smiles of the town's children who followed her everywhere she went. "When I saw the magic of Burullus and the painted walls on my first day, I knew I was in the right place," she said. Here is a series of photos by Amr Nabil. ___ Follow AP photographers and photo editors on Twitter: http://apne.ws/15Oo6jo In this Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016 photo, an Egyptian man smokes a water pipe, under a mural pained by Iranian artist Nasser Palangi in in Burullus, north of Cairo, Egypt. For the third successive year, the Egyptian fishing town of Burullus has played host to a unique art festival that attracts participants from home and abroad, injecting life and color into the town, its walls and the estimated 100,000 residents. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) In this Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016 photo, an Egyptian woman sits under murals by Egyptian artists Egyptian Alaa Awad, Moataz El-Emam, Alaa Abboul Hamad, and Adel Mustafa, outside her home in Burullus, north of Cairo, Egypt. For the third successive year, the Egyptian fishing town of Burullus has played host to a unique art festival that attracts participants from home and abroad, injecting life and color into the town, its walls and the estimated 100,000 residents. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) In this Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016 photo, an Egyptian woman sits in front of a mural by Egyptian artist Alaa Aboul Hamad, in Burullus, north of Cairo, Egypt. For the third successive year, the Egyptian fishing town of Burullus has played host to a unique art festival that attracts participants from home and abroad, injecting life and color into the town, its walls and the estimated 100,000 residents.(AP Photo/Amr Nabil) In this Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016 photo, an Egyptian child plays with sand in front of a mural by Egyptian artist Riham El Sadany in Burullus, north of Cairo, Egypt. For the third successive year, the Egyptian fishing town of Burullus has played host to a unique art festival that attracts participants from home and abroad, injecting life and color into the town, its walls and the estimated 100,000 residents.(AP Photo/Amr Nabil) In this Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016 photo, an Egyptian opens his home window recently pained a mural by Portuguese artist Paulina Evaristo in Burullus, north of Cairo, Egypt. For the third successive year, the Egyptian fishing town of Burullus has played host to a unique art festival that attracts participants from home and abroad, injecting life and color into the town, its walls and the estimated 100,000 residents. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) (Ed. note: This story has been modified to correct the description of the 1993 state law, and offer a more detailed explanation of the per student funding figures.) When Chippewa Falls School Superintendent Dr. Heidi Eliopoulos finishes her multi-media presentation Wednesday night at Southview Elementary School, she will do what she has done for the nine previous public information sessions regarding the two school referendums. She will field questions from the audience. One of the most frequent questions she and other school officials have been hearing is a variation of this: Why is a referendum needed to make repairs and improvements to several of the districts school buildings? Doesnt the budget each year include money for maintenance? Eliopoulos has a short answer for that yes, they do but also points out reasons why the districts contributions arent as large as they could be under a different set of circumstances. We put a million dollars a year into our facilities, she says, adding they have also spent additional funds to undertake large projects, such as the fairly recent expansion of Southview Elementary School that nearly doubled its size. Every year they also spend money to fix roofs and make other needed repairs, all within the confines of their budget. However, theres a reason they dont have as much money to spend as most other districts, and that reason stretches back nearly a quarter of a century. Way below state average In 1993, then-Gov. Tommy Thompson signed a law that capped how much money per-student a school district could raise in revenue as a combination of state general aid and local school property taxes. It imposed revenue caps for schools, based on its state aid and local property figures at the time. Some schools received much more revenue per student than others when the revenue limits took effect, producing plenty of winners and losers. Twenty-three years later, it is clear which side of the equation Chippewa Falls sits on. Its a situation that was set up 23 years ago, and it still hasnt been corrected. We havent made any progress in this area, Eliopoulos said. In fact, we are at the same funding level (per pupil dollars) that we were in 2007, but things cost more now than they did then. The district received a total of $11,609 per student for the 2014-15 school year, the last year figures where figures are available. The figure is a combination of two types of state aid, general and categorical, and local property taxes for general operations, debt service, and/or to exceed the revenue cap. The average for all school districts in Wisconsin is $13,031. According to figures from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, that puts Chippewa Falls dead last among all its fellow Big Rivers Conference schools. Rice Lake received $13,336 per student, and is the only BRC school receiving more than the state average. The others are under the state average, but all receive more than Chippewa Falls. The district that is the closest, Hudson, gets $12,049 per student. All of this causes Eliopoulos to wonder about the possibilities that would exist if only Chippewa Falls received the norm for a Wisconsin school district. We get $1,421 less per student than the state average. If we got the average, it would be an additional $7.27 million every single year. It would allow us to do a lot of things, she said. Apparently an extra $7 million can do that. We still do put money into our facilities. But we could put more money into our facilities, Eliopoulos said. When you are one of the largest school districts in the state, both in terms of number of students and a geographic area, there are more facilities to deal with, too. Out of 424 public school districts in Wisconsin, Chippewa Falls ranks 32nd based on student population. Geographically, Eliopoulos believes only a handful of other districts in the state take in a greater area. But when it comes to funding rates, Chippewa Falls is 345th out of 424, according to the school district. Among the areas that could be addressed are class sizes when they get too large. We get concerns from parents on class sizes, and wed love to make them smaller, Eliopoulos said. We have $1.5 million of staffing requests that we cant fill, building projects and curriculum opportunities that we could do if we were just average. AP Explains: Why African states have started leaving the ICC JOHANNESBURG (AP) Until last week, no country had withdrawn from the International Criminal Court. Now, three African states South Africa, Burundi and Gambia have made official decisions to leave. Gambia announced its decision late Tuesday. Concerns are high that more African countries now will act on years of threats to pull out amid accusations that the court unfairly focuses on the continent. Here's a look at what it all means. ___ SOMEONE TO TAKE ON GENOCIDE FILE - In this Sept. 25, 2014, file photo, Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh addresses the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations headquarters. A third African country, Gambia, says it will leave the International Criminal Court as fears grow of a mass pullout from the body that pursues some of the world's worst atrocities. Gambia announced the decision on television Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, accusing the court of unfairly targeting Africa and calling it the "International Caucasian Court." (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File) Many in the international community cheered when the treaty to create the ICC, the Rome Statute, was adopted in 1998 as a way to pursue some of the world's worst atrocities: genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Not all countries signed on, and as of last week, the treaty had 124 member states. Notable countries that have not joined include the United States, China, Russia and India. Some countries are wary of The Hague, Netherlands-based court's powers, seeing it as potential interference. ___ AFRICAN FRUSTRATIONS, AND THREATS Only Africans have been charged in the six ICC cases that are ongoing or about to begin, though preliminary ICC investigations have been opened elsewhere in the world, in places like Colombia and Afghanistan. Experts point out that most of the ICC cases in Africa were referred to the court by African countries themselves or the U.N. Security Council. One case that caused considerable anger among African leaders was the ICC's pursuit of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta for his alleged role in the deadly violence that erupted after his country's 2007 presidential election. The case later collapsed amid prosecution claims of interference with witnesses and non-cooperation by Kenyan authorities. The African Union has called for immunity from prosecution for heads of state, and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni at his inauguration in May with al-Bashir in attendance declared the ICC to be "useless." ___ THE TRAVELS OF AL-BASHIR Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has become a symbol of the limitations facing the ICC, which does not have a police force and relies on the cooperation of member states. Al-Bashir has been wanted by the tribunal for alleged genocide and other crimes in Sudan's Darfur region after the U.N. Security Council first referred the case to the ICC in 2005. Since then, however, al-Bashir has visited a number of ICC member states, including Malawi, Kenya, Chad and Congo. His visit to South Africa in June 2015 caused uproar, and he quickly left as a court there ordered his arrest. The ICC has no power to compel countries to arrest people and can only tell them they have a legal obligation to do it. ___ HEADING OUT Burundi kicked off the ICC departures this month when lawmakers overwhelmingly voted to leave the tribunal, just months after the court announced it would investigate recent political violence there. President Pierre Nkurunziza signed the bill last week. South Africa last week announced it would leave as well, saying that handing a leader over to the ICC would amount to interference in another country's affairs. It's a dramatic turnaround for a country that was an early supporter of the court's creation in the years after South Africa emerged from white minority rule and near-global isolation. With one of Africa's most developed countries now pulling out, observers feared that more states would follow and now Gambia is doing so. ___ NOT AN IMMEDIATE DEPARTURE Mixed marks for US intel chief's North Korea nuke comments TOKYO (AP) Getting North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program has long been the holy grail of multilateral diplomacy with Pyongyang. So, now that the U.S. intelligence director has publicly stated that he thinks it's probably a "lost cause," how are North Korea's neighbors responding? National Intelligence director James Clapper said Tuesday that the U.S. goal of persuading North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons is probably a lost cause and the best hope is to cap its capability. Bold and surprising as Clapper's words may be for a senior U.S. official, even in a private forum, it's what many experts around Asia have assumed, or feared, for quite a long time. And some are welcoming the candor as a step toward a more effective and coordinated regional approach. FILE - In this Feb. 9, 2016, file photo, National Intelligence Director James Clapper speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. Getting North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program has long been the holy grail of multilateral diplomacy with Pyongyang. So, now that Clapper has publicly stated that he thinks its probably a lost cause, how are North Koreas neighbors responding? Clapper said Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, that the U.S. goal of persuading North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons is probably a lost cause and the best hope is to cap its capability.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) A sampling of initial reactions: ___ SOUTH KOREA At first thought, it would seem Seoul might be the first to react strongly to Clapper's seemingly pessimistic position and the potentially far-reaching policy implications it could have. But it barely got a yawn in South Korea. Seoul, like Washington, officially says it will never accept North Korea as a nuclear power. An unidentified government official told the Yonhap news agency that Seoul and Washington remain strongly committed to ending the North's nuclear program. Truth is, Seoul has other things on its mind right now. Despite the closeness of Seoul to the world's most heavily armed border and Pyongyang's many threats to annihilate its southern rival, many South Koreans simply don't worry much about what's happening with the North or the long-running, so-far futile efforts to rid it of its nuclear weapons. That's especially true now, when a domestic political scandal at the highest levels is front-page news. Stay tuned, however. Distracted or just jaded, South Korea has a big stake in the North's nuclear future. ___ JAPAN Clapper wasn't big news in Japan, either, but for a different reason: To many Japanese observers, he was just stating the obvious. "Experts and people are not surprised because the perception that North Korea would never give up its nuclear weapons is already widely accepted," said Narushige Michishita, a professor at Tokyo's National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies. But Michishita said it's a positive development that "the top U.S. intelligence official has made this realistic assessment." "Now that he said that the best the U.S. could get is some kind of a cap on North Korea's nuclear capabilities, the new U.S. president can choose to set the freezing of nuclear weapons as a policy objective, which I believe has been the only realistic and achievable goal for a long time," Michishita said. "Expecting sanctions to work effectively has always been unrealistic since China North Korea's largest donor and trading partner is not interested in North Korea's collapse," he said. "Unfortunately, we don't know whether a new approach, which will most likely be dialogue, will work." If it doesn't, he said, "we can always come back to a tougher approach." ___ CHINA China has signed on to United Nations sanctions to punish the North for its nuclear tests and missile launches but has never really been on board with Washington's approach. In response to a question about Clapper's comments, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said that "only by negotiation and consultation can the peninsular nuclear issue be brought back to the track of settlement." Some Chinese experts said Clapper's candor could create the leeway for such talks to move forward. Shi Yuanhua, Korean studies professor at Shanghai's Fudan University, suggested that Clapper's remarks reflect a more realistic and flexible approach in Washington that could make it easier for Beijing to get behind joint efforts to bring North Korean leader Kim Jong Un back to the negotiating table though he agreed that won't necessarily mean any easy breakthroughs. "In order for North Korea to give up its nuclear programs, the U.S. must offer a security guarantee," he said. "And that is what the U.S. doesn't want to negotiate." Taking a different tack, Shen Dingli, the director of Fudan's Center for American Studies, said official acceptance of North Korea as a de facto nuclear state may bring U.S. policy toward North Korea closer into alignment with its approach toward other nuclear states such as India, Israel and Pakistan. "Only by accepting North Korea as a nuclear country and letting it become a responsible country like China and India can relations between the U.S. and North Korea improve," Shen said. Right now, however, that flies in the face of even Beijing's official policy which opposes a nuclear armed North. ___ EU parliament refers UKIP brawl to French authorities BRUSSELS (AP) The European Parliament has asked French police to investigate an incident between two lawmakers of the U.K. Independence Party that landed one of them in the hospital earlier this month. EU Parliament President Martin Schulz said Wednesday he had "referred this matter to the competent French authorities," especially because of "its possible criminal implications." Steven Woolfe claims he "received a blow" from fellow UKIP legislator Mike Hookem during an argument at a meeting of UKIP parliamentarians at the bloc's legislature in Strasbourg, France. Woolfe collapsed and was hospitalized for several days. Hookem denies hitting Woolfe. Schulz said versions of events "diverge substantially" and there appear to have been no direct witnesses. NYC principal beaten after asking student to turn down music NEW YORK (AP) A principal of a New York City public high school who was beaten by a student after asking him to turn down the music in his headphones is recovering. Dr. Matthew Tossman addressed a letter to his students at Manhattan Early College School for Advertising on Tuesday thanking them for their support. He also said he'll be back as soon as possible. Tossman had asked an 18-year-old student on the lower Manhattan campus on Monday to turn down his music-blaring headphones. A Department of Education spokesman says that according to police Tossman was attempting to pick up the headphones from the ground when he was punched and beaten. The student, identified as Luis Penzo, was arraigned on assault charges. His lawyer said he was acting out because his mother died of a brain aneurysm last year. Another student told the New York Post (http://nyp.st/2ePfPqt ) the school has gotten "out of control." ___ This story corrects to show that the principal was punched after attempting to pick up the headphones from the ground instead of attempting to remove them. ___ Russia drops Spain ship refueling request amid NATO uproar BRUSSELS (AP) Russia on Wednesday withdrew a request to refuel a fleet of Russian warships in Spain, as Britain and NATO allies piled pressure on Madrid over concerns that the ships could be used to ramp up air attacks in Syria. Vasily Nioradze, spokesman at the Russian embassy in Madrid, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the request has been canceled, but he gave no details. The Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov and escorting vessels have steamed through the North Sea and English Channel in recent days heading to the Eastern Mediterranean. NATO allies, including Britain, had been following the small flotilla. Some of the Russian ships had been due to take on supplies and fuel in Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta. CORRECTS NAME - NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, addresses the media at the start of a meeting of the North Atlantic Council Defence Ministers session at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. NATO defence ministers are meeting in Brussels to discuss tense relations with Russia, how to help Middle East nations combat extremism and cooperation between the military alliance and the European Union. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said that while there had been no plans for the carrier itself to refuel at Ceuta, some of the escort ships could have called at the port after coordinating with Spain. He pointed that Spanish representatives had said that such a visit by the Russian ships was no longer advisable "because of the U.S. and NATO pressure." Konashenkov added that the situation won't affect the carrier group's mission as it has enough supplies to operate on its own. "The Russian carrier group is fully stocked with the necessary material resources to autonomously perform its tasks," he said. At talks between NATO defense ministers in Brussels, U.K. Defense Secretary Michael Fallon said Britain "would be extremely concerned if a NATO member should consider assisting a Russian carrier group that might end up bombing Syria." NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the deployment raised concerns that air assaults could increase in Syria, notably in the besieged city of Aleppo. Blaming Russia for exacerbating a humanitarian disaster there, Stoltenberg said that "men, women and children are dying every day, killed by disgraceful attacks on their homes and even their hospitals." He noted that all 28 allies are aware of NATO's concern that the Russian ships could be used by Russia as a platform to bomb Aleppo and elsewhere in support of Syrian President Bashar Assad. But he refused to single out Spain, despite being repeatedly asked what damage the refueling might do to NATO's image. Just a few hours later, the Spanish Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement that Russia had withdrawn its request for the stopover. The ministry said that following reports that the ships involved might take part in supporting military action in Aleppo, it had asked the Russian embassy for an explanation. The ministry did not say if the Russians had provided any. Last month, the Spanish government gave permission for three Russians vessels to stop in Ceuta between Oct. 28 and Nov. 2. This was in line with the normal practice of letting Russian warships stop at Spanish ports. Syria's northern Aleppo province saw a new escalation Wednesday as a helicopter believed to belong to Syrian government forces dropped barrel bombs in a deadly attack on Turkey-backed opposition forces in the border area, said officials from Turkey, a NATO ally. The U.N. has estimated that 275,000 people are trapped by the Syrian government's siege of the rebel-held eastern parts of the contested city of Aleppo. The flotilla heading to Syria's shores is not the only Russian military deployment raising tensions. Sweden's Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist confirmed in Brussels that two Russian corvettes with Kalibr 3M missiles were on their way through the Baltic Sea to the naval base in Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. The vessels were their way back from the Black Sea. "This is, after all, worrying and nothing that contributes to lesser tension in our region. It affects all the countries around the Baltic Sea," Hultqvist told Sweden's news agency TT. ___ Vladimir Isachenkov and Nataliya Vasilyeva in Moscow, Ciaran Giles in Madrid and Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark contributed to this report. U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, right, talks with Britain's Secretary for Defense Michael Fallon during a meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Defense Ministers session at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. NATO defense ministers meet in Brussels to discuss tense relations with Russia, how to help Middle East nations combat extremism and cooperation between the military alliance and the European Union.(AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) Britain's Secretary for Defense Michael Fallon, left, talks with Germany's Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen during a meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Defense Ministers session at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. NATO defense ministers meet in Brussels to discuss tense relations with Russia, how to help Middle East nations combat extremism and cooperation between the military alliance and the European Union.(AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) The Latest: Trump campaign manager defends hotel 'pit stop' WASHINGTON (AP) The Latest on the U.S. presidential race (all times EDT): 7:40 a.m. Donald Trump's campaign manager is defending his "pit stop" in Washington to preside at the formal opening of his new luxury hotel blocks from the White House. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci) Kellyanne Conway told NBC's "Today" show that the Republican presidential nominee is justified in showing off his "under-budget, ahead-of-schedule" Trump International Hotel on Wednesday. She called it a demonstration of Trump's can-do spirit, calling it a "stunning piece of architecture." She noted that Trump had made a dozen campaign stops in Florida this week and says he shouldn't be criticized for attending the hotel opening. Polls show Trump trailing Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in key battleground states. Conway said that Trump has "the most active campaign schedule of the two candidates by far." ____ 3:50 a.m. Donald Trump is taking a break from campaigning Wednesday to formally open his new hotel in Washington, while dispatching his running mate to play political defense in Utah which hasn't backed a Democrat for president in 52 years. The choice of travel destinations shows the Republican presidential ticket being pulled in two directions while Democrat Hillary Clinton surges. Pence also is stopping in swing states of Nevada and Colorado before he heads on Thursday to solidly Republican Nebraska, a state that awards some of its five electoral votes by congressional district. His rally in Omaha may be aimed at shoring up support in the one that Clinton could potentially win. South Carolina sheriff's deputy wounds armed suspect GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) A South Carolina sheriff's deputy has shot and wounded a suspect who deputies say moved toward them with a knife. Greenville County sheriff's spokesman Ryan Flood said in a statement that deputies were called to the office of a nonprofit Tuesday to search for a person with outstanding warrants. Flood said deputies saw a black man running away and determined he was wanted in Jasper County. He wasn't the person deputies were seeking. Deputies chased him and say he pulled a knife. Flood says deputies told him to drop the knife but he raised it and moved toward them. Flood says one officer fired. The suspect was taken to a hospital. His name and condition haven't been released. A 28-year-old mother was overdosing on heroin when she crashed her car into a restaurant while her two-year-old son was in the backseat, police say. Kristin Tippett was behind the wheel on Tuesday when she drove backwards across the drive-through lane of a Wendy's fast-food restaurant in Dunbar, West Virginia, just after 7pm. When police arrived the car was still in gear, and they found Tippett's son in the backseat. Twenty-eight-year-old mother Kristen Tippett (pictured) was overdosing on heroin when she crashed her car into a restaurant while her two-year-old son was in the backseat, police say The 28-year-old was non-responsive for almost 15 minutes, and paramedics were able to revive her with a dose of Naloxone - an overdose reversal drug. When she woke up, the young mother told police she had taken heroin just minutes before the crash took place. Police say they found a needle, filters, marijuana joints and an 'unknown substance in a cup' inside the car. She has been charged with child neglect creating risk of injury. Tippett (left, in court, and right, after she was arrested) was behind the wheel on Tuesday when she drove backwards across the drive-through lane of a Wendy's fast-food restaurant in Dunbar, West Virginia The 28-year-old was non-responsive for almost 15 minutes, and paramedics were able to revive her with a dose of Naloxone - an overdose reversal drug In the car, police say they found a needle, filters, marijuana joints and an unknown substance inside a cup. Tippett was taken to the South Central Regional Jail, WSAZ reports. Her bond is set at $10,000, and preliminary hearing has been set for November 3. The incident is the latest in a growing number of incidents that have seen parents passed out in cars - sometimes with their children. Police say they found a needle, filters, marijuana joints and an 'unknown substance in a cup' inside Tippett's (pictured) car A number of people have been seen overdosed in recent weeks, including Taylor Swartzlander (right), 24, and Haley Kirkendall (left), 22, are seen slumped over and passed out in their car Last week an Ohio couple were photographed as they were unconscious in the front seat of their car, surrounded by used needles. Taylor Swartzlander, 24, and Haley Kirkendall, 22, had also crashed their car while overdosing. In one of the most shocking cases, Rhonda Pasek and James Acord overdosed on heroin in their van in East Liverpool, Ohio, while their four-year-old grandson was in the back seat. Another incident showed a woman unconscious on the floor of a store, as her young daughter cried and tried to pull her arm to wake her up. Police in East Liverpool, Ohio, shared this image showing Rhonda Pasek and James Acord passed out in their car with the woman's grandson in the backseat after a suspected heroin overdose in September An unresponsive woman was caught on camera on the ground suffering from an overdose in a store - as her two-year-old daughter tried to pull her arm, wailing Officials say Ohio is in the midst of an 'epidemic', with seven people dying in one day near Cleveland last month. In one six-day span in August, there were 174 overdoses reported in Cincinnati and Hamilton County. Across Ohio, which has been among the hardest hit by the opioid scourge, there were 3,000 unintentional drug overdoses last year - or eight per day. Protest paralyzes NY-New Jersey bridge; drivers outraged NEW YORK (AP) Police say they've arrested 10 protesters for chaining themselves together and lying down on the George Washington Bridge. Joe Pentangelo (pehn-TAN'-jeh-loh) of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey says seven men and three women were in custody at around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. It wasn't immediately clear what the protest was about. The Daily News says some outraged commuters delayed over an hour tried to pull down protesters' banners. The George Washington considered the busiest bridge in the country spans the Hudson River between New Jersey and New York City. Boy, helped by horses, gives birthday cash to mounted police BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) An 8-year-old Pennsylvania boy who was once helped by riding therapy horses has donated his birthday money all $356.36 of it to benefit mounted police where he lives. Christian Hackett, who goes by CJ, tells WFMZ-TV (http://bit.ly/2f74whd ) he likes horses because they helped him deal with learning and behavioral issues. That's why he asked for cash for his birthday and has since donated the money to the Bethlehem Police Department's Mounted Patrol. He's hoping it will be used to help build new stables for the police animals. The boy's mom, Christie Hackett, says when she asked her son if he was sure he wanted to donate the money, he pushed it toward her and said, "They need it more than I do." Bethlehem police say they were "touched" by the gift. ___ With hunters preparing for their autumn deer hunt, there is cause for real concern with the resurgence and spread of chronic wasting disease across the states deer herd. Infection rates in Wisconsin appear to be at an all-time high. The health and vitality of the states deer herd is paramount, and it is time for meaningful action from state officials. Rep. Chris Danou, D-Trempealeau, and Rep. Nick Milroy, D-South Range, rang the alarm to Gov. Scott Walkers office last spring and offered input on what could be done to help mitigate this 100 percent fatal disease. Without their leadership, Im not sure the governor would be addressing this problem at all. And yet, Gov. Walkers CWD plan is uninspiring and wont do nearly enough to move the needle on this critical issue. While editorial boards have written about the need for action, local officials are passing resolutions asking for more meaningful action from the state, and the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation has issued a series of thoughtful recommendations to prevent the spread of CWD. But the governor has rigidly stuck to a handful of talking points that dont amount to any real action. This summer, Gov. Walker stated, Weve tested more deer than any state in the nation. That may be true, but by making that claim, Gov. Walker is largely taking credit for the work of Gov. Jim Doyles Department of Natural Resources. Of the nearly 194,000 deer analyzed by the DNR since testing of CWD began, only 27,171 have been tested during Walkers tenure as governor. Thats just 14 percent. In fact, Walker has cut funding for the collection of deer tissue for CWD testing by more than $50,000 since 2013, per the states budget agency. We also recently learned the DNR plans to delay a scheduled update to the states CWD response plan. This is compounded by the fact that DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp is openly advocating for staff cuts in the next state budget, on top of the 93 positions that were cut in the 2015 state budget. According to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, staffing levels at the DNR have hit a 30-year low, and overall DNR authorized staffing levels have declined by 18 percent since their peak level in 1994-95. Under Gov. Walker, the DNR has reduced funding for CWD policy and planning by more than $77,000 and has cut funding of CWD research by $118,000 since 2013. Whats even more ironic is that a 2012 report by Walker-appointed deer James Kroll called for a more passive approach to CWD in the states Deer Management Zone. Hunting is a way of life and a proud tradition in Wisconsin. Our states deer herd supports our billion-dollar hunting industry. Nobody wants to come across a deer in the woods that looks like it should be on an episode of The Walking Dead. At a minimum, we should restore the funding cuts to the DNR and increase CWD testing. We should also consider going back to traditional deer registration systems, which increase access to CWD testing and have been a huge part of our sporting culture. State leaders need to come together to formulate a real plan, not talking points. Actions speak louder than words and we need action now. Under Gov. Walker, the DNR has reduced funding for CWD policy and planning by over $77,000 and has cut funding of CWD research by $118,000 since 2013. Egypt upheld life sentence for Muslim Brotherhood leader CAIRO (AP) An Egyptian court has upheld life sentences against the top leader of the country's now outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group and 36 others, including former ministers, in murder and violence charges, and upheld death sentences against 10 others tried in absentia. The Appeals Court issued its verdict Wednesday, rejecting an appeal by Mohammed Badie, the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood. The verdict came two years after a criminal court sentenced him and 36 others to life imprisonment. The 47 defendants, including former youth and supplies ministers, had been charged with murder, attempted murder, resisting authorities, assaulting policemen, sabotage, and blocking a main road in the Nile Delta city of Qalyubia. South African police use stun grenades on student protesters CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) South African police have used stun grenades to disperse student protesters outside parliament, where the finance minister was giving a budget speech. Hundreds of protesters had marched to the parliament building in Cape Town on Wednesday to call for free university education. They burned what they said was a mock cardboard coffin for the education minister to show dissatisfaction with the government's response to their demands. Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan announced some additional funding for higher education in his speech. He also said: "We want the violence to stop." Students protest outside the parliament building in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. South African police have used stun grenades to disperse hundreds of protesters who had marched to the parliament building to call for free university education, where the finance minister was giving a budget speech. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam) Sometimes violent protests for free education have hit many South African campuses since last month, when the government recommended that universities increase 2017 fees by no more than 8 percent. It also promised to cover fee increases for poor students. ___ This version corrects to say the mock coffin was of cardboard. South African Police look towards demonstrators during a protest outside parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. South African police have used stun grenades to disperse student protesters outside parliament, where the finance minister was giving a budget speech. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam, Pool) Students run after South African Police fired a stun grenade during a protest outside parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. South African police have used stun grenades to disperse student protesters outside parliament, where the finance minister was giving a budget speech. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam, Pool) South African police face protesting students outside the parliament building in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. South African police have used stun grenades to disperse hundreds of protesters who had marched to the parliament building to call for free university education, where the finance minister was giving a budget speech. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam, Pool) A student protestor holds his head after he attacked a onlooker, and was hit by a rock thrown by a fellow protestor outside Parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. South African police have used stun grenades to disperse student protesters outside parliament, where the finance minister was giving a budget speech. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam) Students protest outside the parliament building in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. South African police have used stun grenades to disperse hundreds of protesters who had marched to the parliament building to call for free university education, where the finance minister was giving a budget speech. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam) South African Policemen fire rubber bullets at student protestors in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016.South African police have used stun grenades to disperse student protesters outside parliament, where the finance minister was giving a budget speech. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam) Students run toward South African Police during a protest outside parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. South African police have used stun grenades to disperse student protesters outside parliament, where the finance minister was giving a budget speech. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam, Pool) Members of the Democratic Alliance political party protest outside the parliament building for increase in funding for students in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. South African police have used stun grenades to disperse hundreds of protesters who had marched to the parliament building to call for free university education, where the finance minister was giving a budget speech. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam) South African Police fire rubber bullets during a protest outside parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016.South African police have used stun grenades to disperse student protesters outside parliament, where the finance minister was giving a budget speech. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam, Pool) South African Police walk through rubbish scattered by student protestors outside Parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. South African police have used stun grenades to disperse student protesters outside parliament, where the finance minister was giving a budget speech. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam) Protestors outside Parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. South African police used stun grenades to disperse student protesters outside parliament, where the finance minister was giving a budget speech. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam) Protesting students climb on top of an armored police truck as they protest outside the parliament building in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. South African police have used stun grenades to disperse hundreds of protesters who had marched to the parliament building to call for free university education, where the finance minister was giving a budget speech. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam) A South African police officer inside an armored truck, arrives outside the parliament building during a student protest in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. South African police have used stun grenades to disperse hundreds of protesters who had marched to the parliament building to call for free university education, where the finance minister was giving a budget speech. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam) Protesting students climb on top of an armored police truck as they protest outside the parliament building in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. South African police have used stun grenades to disperse hundreds of protesters who had marched to the parliament building to call for free university education, where the finance minister was giving a budget speech. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam) A protestor outside Parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. South African police used stun grenades to disperse student protesters outside parliament, where the finance minister was giving a budget speech. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam) Ex-Detroit council president pleads guilty in sex case DETROIT (AP) The former president of the Detroit City Council pleaded guilty Wednesday to criminal sexual conduct with a teen more than a decade ago when he was a TV journalist. Charles Pugh's plea deal is the latest turn in his incredible plunge since he was elected council president in 2009 as the top vote-getter in Detroit. He suddenly quit his post in 2013 and mysteriously left the city for New York as allegations surfaced about sexual misconduct. The plea deal calls for a minimum prison sentence of 5 years, after which Pugh will be eligible for parole. The maximum punishment is 15 years behind bars. He also must register as a sex offender. Former president of the Detroit City Council Charles Pugh, left, stands before Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Cameron, Wednesday , Oct. 26, 2016, in Detroit. Pugh pleaded guilty to two counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC), 3rd degree. By reaching a plea deal, Pugh will spend between 5.5 and 15 years in prison as opposed to potential life in prison if he had gone to trial. Sentencing is set for November 9. (Todd McInturf/The Detroit News via AP) "I think it's justice because the most important thing is that people know that he's a sexual predator," the victim said outside court. He testified in August that he was under 16 when he engaged in sex acts with Pugh in 2003 and 2004. He said they met during a visit to WJBK-TV. Separately, a jury last year ordered Pugh to pay $250,000 for sexually harassing a teen who turned to him as a school mentor during his time on the council. Pugh didn't attend the trial. In 2014, a TV station found him working as a waiter in New York, months after leaving Detroit. Pugh will be sentenced on Nov. 9. Kenny Chesney to receive Pinnacle Award at 50th CMA Awards NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Kenny Chesney will receive the Pinnacle Award during the 50th annual Country Music Association Awards, joining Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift as the only recipients. The award, created in 2005, recognizes an artist who has achieved global prominence through performances and record sales and the highest degree of recognition. Over his career, Chesney has eight CMA awards, including four entertainer of the year awards. His new album, "Cosmic Hallelujah," comes out Friday and features a hit duet "Setting the World on Fire" with Pink. Chesney has 28 No. 1 country songs and has sold in excess of 30 million albums. He is considered one of music's top touring artists. FILE - In this April 3, 2016, file photo, Kenny Chesney performs at the 4th Annual ACM Party for a Cause Festival at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds in Las Vegas. Chesney will receive the Pinnacle Award during the 50th annual Country Music Association Awards, joining Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift as the only recipients. The CMA Awards will air live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Nov. 2 on ABC. (Photo by Eric Jamison/Invision/AP, File) The Pentagon must stop trying to claw enlistment bonuses back from thousands of soldiers who reenlisted to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan in the 2000s, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Wednesday. California National Guard soldiers have been told to make repayments since a 2010 investigation revealed that recruiters had given out millions in improper bonuses as they tried to swell the army's ranks. Carter's demand comes after a groundswell of outrage against the repayment order, which on Tuesday saw cross-party fury by members of Congress. US Defense Secretary Ash Carter (pictured in October) has told the Pentagon to stop seeking repayment of ten-year-old reenlistment bonuses from California National Guard soldiers President Obama also warned the Pentagon not to 'nickel and dime' soldiers. It has been demanding repayments of improperly paid bonuses since a 2010 investigation In a statement issued during a meeting of defense ministers in Brussels, Carter said efforts to claw back the money should stop 'as soon as is practical. He said he has ordered the department to set up a streamlined process by January 1, 2017, to help the troops get relief from the repayment obligation, because the current program has moved too slowly. 'This process has dragged on too long, for too many service members,' Carter said. 'Too many cases have languished without action. That's unfair to service members and to taxpayers.' He said the new process will put 'as little burden as possible on any soldier who received an improper payment through no fault of his or her own.' 'At the same time,' he added, 'it will respect our important obligation to the taxpayer.' President Obama also warned the Defense Department not to 'nickel and dime' service members who were victims of fraud by overzealous recruiters. According to Carter, the plan is to complete all cases by July 1 next year. He said about 2,000 members of the California Guard have been asked to repay the erroneous payments, although initial reports put the figure at around 10,000. Thousands of California National Guard soldiers were paid bonuses to reenlist in the mid-00s as recruitment dropped. But it was found that many of those bonuses were improper The bonuses - of $15,000 or more - and student loan repayments were originally offered to tempt California National Guard soldiers into reenlisting for the army in the mid-00s. That was due to dwindling recruitment in the face of ongoing battles in Afghanistan and Iraq. 'It was a real sea change in how business was done,' said Colonel Michael S Piazzoni, a California Guard official in Sacramento who oversaw the audits, told the LA Times. 'The system paid everybody up front, and then we spent the next five years figuring out if they were eligible.' But after a 2010 investigation concluded that thousands of guards had been overpaid or wrongly paid, the Pentagon started demanding repayments. Around $22million has been reclaimed so far, but at the expense of soldiers who found themselves being put through severe financial hardship. Retired Army major and Iraq veteran Robert D'Andrea said he was told to repay his $20,000 because auditors could not find a copy of the contract he says he signed. He has almost completely exhausted his appeals. 'Everything takes months of work, and there is no way to get your day in court,' he said. 'Some benefit of the doubt has to be given to the soldier.' Retired Major Robert D'Andrea, pictured with his medals and a photo of his team, was told he had to repay $20,000 after auditors couldn't find a copy of the contract that he signed As word about the demands began to spread, a cross-party coalition of California Congress members spoke out against the demands. Democratic senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer were joined by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a Bakersfield Republican, in their outrage. In a statement posted to Twitter, McCarthy said: 'It is disgraceful that the men and women who answered their country's call to duty following September 11 are now facing forced repayments of bonuses offered to them. 'Our military heroes should not shoulder the burden of our military recruiters' faults from over a decade ago. 'They should not owe for what was promised during a difficult time in our in our country.' McCarthy says the House will investigate the reports. His spokesman, Matt Sparks, declined to say what that would entail. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy joined a cross-party Congress group that on Tuesday demanded the Pentagon step back from its demands on soldiers Scott Peter and Susan Davies, both Democratic representatives for San Diego, also said that they would also work to protect the soldiers. Major Gen. Matthew Beevers, deputy commander of the California Guard told the LA Times that he wanted to stop the repayment demands, but could not. 'At the end of the day, the soldiers ended up paying the largest price,' he said. 'We'd be more than happy to absolve these people of their debts. 'We just can't do it. We'd be breaking the law.' Homeless advocates, Democrats appeal Ohio voting rules WASHINGTON (AP) Advocates for the homeless and the Ohio Democratic Party filed a longshot appeal with the Supreme Court on Wednesday, asking the justices to block election rules that could disqualify thousands of absentee and provisional ballots because of minor mistakes or omissions. The high court typically is reluctant to impose last-minute changes on election procedures. But the lawyers filing the appeal with less than two weeks until Nov. 8 election said the ballots in question would only be counted after polls close in any case, so a court order would not interfere with the election. The emergency appeal was filed with Justice Elena Kagan, who oversees such appeals from Ohio and neighboring states. Kagan called for a response from Ohio's secretary of state, Jon Husted, by Monday morning. Earlier this month, Husted ordered elections boards to count provisional ballots with some minor mistakes if voters' identity and eligibility can otherwise be verified. Some buyers call classes by 'Flip or Flop' stars misleading NEW YORK (AP) For Doug Stephens, the free event seemed like a good way to learn how to flip homes. An online ad for the December gathering sported pictures of Tarek and Christina El Moussa, the stars of HGTV's "Flip or Flop" who buy rundown homes, renovate them and try to sell them for a profit. Stephens watched "Flip or Flop" regularly, along with 2.8 million other Americans, so he went. The El Moussas, however, did not show up. In a prerecorded video, the couple told attendees that they were busy working and filming their show. Undeterred, Stephens paid $1,997 for three days of classes and $1,000 for real estate software. But the classes turned into a sales pitch to buy additional courses that cost thousands more, said Stephens, a pastor and teacher from Havana, Florida. "They weren't really teaching at all," he said. In this Monday, Sept. 19, 2016, photo, Susan Martin looks over an invitation to a seminar on flipping homes, featuring a cover photo of Tarek and Christina El Moussa, from HGTV's "Flip Or Flop," at her home in Chico, Calif. Martin attended a seminar sponsored by Zurixx LLC, a Utah-based education company, expecting to see reality TV stars Andy and Candis Meredith of "Old Home Love," a show that aired on HGTV and its sister channel the DIY Network. Martin and others say they attend the events to learn about flipping homes from reality stars like the Meredith's or the El Moussa's only to find that the stars don't appear and they are asked to spend thousands of dollars to attend more classes. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) The El Moussas, like many reality TV stars before them, are capitalizing on their fame by offering pricy classes. At free events in hotel ballrooms, instructors tell attendees that if they pay to enroll in three-day courses, they'll learn how the couple flips homes and also gain access to investors who will give them cash to buy properties, even if they have low credit scores or a weak job history. They'll earn back their money quickly, the instructors say, and will get refunds if they don't flip a home within a certain amount of time. But about a dozen people interviewed by The Associated Press said those promises did not pan out. Although class leaders offered some instruction, a lot of time was spent pushing them to buy more classes, they said; some complained that getting refunds for the sessions was difficult. Stephens said his instructor avoided answering questions, told attendees not to speak to each other and spent a lot of time hyping the program. The homework on the first day was for attendees to call their credit card companies and increase their credit limits, he said. On the last day, Stephens said, the instructor pushed them to buy training sessions, some of which cost around $26,000. The classes featuring the El Moussas are run by Zurixx LLC, an education company based in Utah. Zurixx has partnered with other reality TV stars to create education programs under different names, some of which also have been the subject of complaints from students. A section of Zurixx's website that listed its programs and the reality stars it works with disappeared as the AP reported this story. The company said it is continually updating its website. Last year, Zurixx brought in $130.1 million in total revenue, the company told Inc. magazine. The El Moussas' program, Success Path Education, is Zurixx's most popular and the couple receives a percentage of the Success Path classes sold, the company said. The El Moussas are a big draw, with "Flip or Flop" ranked as HGTV's second-most watched show. And home flipping is hot off TV, too: The number of flips, considered a property sold twice within 12 months, rose this year to the highest point in six years, according to RealtyTrac.com. Roger Behle, the El Moussas' attorney, said the couple did not have time to be interviewed for this story. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission, which aims to protect consumers against unfair or deceptive business practices, has received 50 complaints about classes connected to Zurixx since 2013, according to documents reviewed by the AP. And in May, the Better Business Bureau office of St. Louis warned people about Success Path events in the city, citing the more than 150 complaints it received about classes related to the company. Zurixx said the complaints represent a tiny percentage of the more than 370,000 people who have attended its events and the 75,000 who have paid for its products. The company said that nearly all its students have filled out positive evaluations about the classes and the company provided copies of more than 2,300 of those evaluations. It also said that it does not mislead people or push attendees to buy additional classes. Zurixx also provided contact information for 13 people, including Billy Batson of North Port, Florida, who said he has flipped 17 properties since he paid $25,000 for a mentor and one of Zurixx's classes two years ago. Batson said he probably could have been successful without the training, but that the process would have taken longer. Batson said Zurixx paid for a trip to Las Vegas for him and a girlfriend so he could talk to students. "It's been a really great life-changing experience," he said. Patricia Briggs paid $1,798 earlier this year for a three-day Success Path class, hoping it could change her life, too. The day after she finished the classes, Briggs found three properties to try to flip near her home in Roseburg, Oregon. She said she called Success Path several times to help her connect with the promised investors, but that no one ever picked up the phone. (The company said it had no record of the calls.) A few weeks later, Briggs said she received calls from Success Path representatives who told her that they could put together a team from the El Moussas to help her, but only if she paid another $8,000. She said no and asked for a refund of her $1,798. She was offered half and she took it, she said, but still wants the balance back. When she sees the El Moussas on TV now, Briggs said, "I want to go through my screen and shake the both of them." Carol Lepine, who went to a Bonita Springs, Florida, event last year, said she was shocked when she learned the El Moussas would not appear and left without buying any classes. "It's a definite bait and switch," she said. Zurixx said its mailed invites do not state that the stars will be there, and that the El Moussas can't go to every class but show up when they can. This summer, Zurixx held dozens of free Success Path events across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico as HGTV aired the fifth season of "Flip or Flop" and a spinoff, "Flip or Flop: Selling Summer." More free seminars are scheduled in November, including in New York, Minneapolis and San Jose, California. HGTV spokeswoman Audrey Adlam said in a statement that the network and its parent company, Scripps Networks Interactive Inc., are not associated with Success Path and other classes. She declined to answer specific questions, including how many complaints the network has received about the classes. Other reality TV stars have had trouble with their real estate classes, most notably Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who starred on NBC's "The Apprentice." Trump was sued over his Trump University both by students and New York's attorney general, who contended the real estate classes were merely a vehicle to sell more training that cost as much as $35,000. Eric Schneiderman, the attorney general, called the university a "straight up fraud." Trump has said he will prevail in the lawsuits. Another former reality star, Armando Montelongo of A&E's "Flip This House," was sued in February by more than 160 people who said his company's $1,500 home-flipping classes were "ruses" to sell more training that cost as much as $54,000. The case, which was filed in a California court, was voluntarily dismissed by the students in September after the jurisdiction was contested. It will be refiled in Texas where Montelongo lives, according to court documents. In a statement, Armando Montelongo Companies said the lawsuit was "frivolous." Anyone who purchases classes from Success Path must sign a receipt with an arbitration clause on the back noting that any dispute with Zurixx must be lodged in Salt Lake City and "be conducted on a confidential basis." Complainants seeking less than $10,000 can make a claim in small claims court, according to the document. Those interviewed by the AP said they did not realize they were ceding their rights to sue by signing the receipt. The company said it favors arbitration because it is a cheaper and a faster way for customers to resolve disputes. Two of Zurixx's owners have run into trouble with Utah regulators in the past. Premier Mentoring Inc., which was owned by Zurixx co-owners Jeff Spangler and Cris Cannon, was accused in 2008, 2009 and 2014 of deceptively selling training programs over the phone, according to documents from the Utah Division of Consumer Protection. The first two cases were dismissed after the company reached an agreement with customers; in the 2014 case, the company settled by paying a fine. Spangler and Cannon told the regulator that Premiere Mentoring stopped telemarketing operations in 2013. Customers who took some of Zurixx's other classes had complaints that echoed criticisms of the El Moussas' offerings. Gloria Pettis, a budget analyst from San Diego, paid $1,500 for a three-day small business class that featured Daymond John, a star of ABC's "Shark Tank." She said she paid for Daymond John's Launch Academy because speakers at a free event in January said they could help her create a prototype for a wearable tracking device for children that she wanted to make and sell. During the entire three days, Pettis said no instructor ever asked her about the product she wanted to make. But employees suddenly became interested, she said, after she told them she opened a new credit card with a $30,000 limit, an assignment the class was given on the first day. Workers pulled her out of class six times, she said, pushing her to buy more training in Las Vegas for $27,000. She did not. Zurixx said it asks students to increase their credit limits and open new cards to have access to funds for unexpected business costs, but Pettis said it was made clear to her that the new card was to be used to pay for the Las Vegas classes. Zach Rosenfield, a spokesman for John, said the "Shark Tank" star was unavailable for an interview. An ABC representative did not respond to requests for comment. Susan Martin went to a free Zurixx event featuring reality TV stars Andy and Candis Meredith of "Old Home Love," a show that aired on HGTV and its sister channel the DIY Network. She ditched day two of her $1,997 three-day class, she said, because she was told to raise her credit limit and buy $23,000 in additional education. Brian Samuels, a manager for the Merediths, said the couple did not have time to be interviewed because of their shooting schedule. Martin, a retired bookkeeper from Chico, California, received a refund after she wrote a negative review on the Better Business Bureau website. Two months later, she received an invite to another free event that featured a picture of the El Moussas on the front, under the sentence: "Do you have the courage to retire rich?" "These people are so stupid that they actually invited me again after I complained," Martin said. "Or they thought I was dumb enough to fall for it again." _____ Contact Joseph Pisani at http://twitter.com/josephpisani . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/author/joseph-pisani . In this Monday, Sept. 19, 2016, photo, Susan Martin displays some of the literature she has on how to flip homes, in her Chico, Calif., home. Martin attended a seminar sponsored by Zurixx LLC, a Utah-based education company, expecting to see reality TV stars Andy and Candis Meredith of "Old Home Love," a show that aired on HGTV and its sister channel the DIY Network. Martin and others say they attend the events to learn about flipping homes from reality stars like the Meredith's or Tarek and Christina El Moussa, of HGTV's "Flip or Flop," only to find that the stars don't appear and they are asked to spend thousands of dollars to attend more classes. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) Baltimore mother sues police after son was killed in chase BALTIMORE (AP) The mother of a baby killed during a police chase in northeast Baltimore is suing Baltimore County Police. Media outlets report that on Nov. 1, 2015, Teaira Smallwood was waiting for a bus with her daughter and infant son. Meanwhile, authorities say county police were chasing 38-year-old Wayne Green after he crashed into an empty police cruiser and fled. Green crashed into a Volvo, pushing it onto the curb where Smallwood and her children were standing. Smallwood's 1-year-old son, Jeremiah Perry, was crushed and killed. Green pleaded guilty to manslaughter and other charges in August and was sentenced to 11 years. Smallwood is suing a police officer and the Volvo driver. Experts hope mosquito-borne bacteria can beat the Zika virus LONDON (AP) Researchers are trying to infect mosquitoes in Brazil and Colombia with a type of bacteria that could prevent them from spreading the Zika virus and other dangerous diseases. British and American governments are teaming up with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the U.K.-based Wellcome Trust to expand field tests in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and the city of Bello in northwest Colombia, philanthropist Bill Gates told a conference Wednesday. The tests revolve around the Wolbachia genus of bacteria, which has been shown to hamper the spread of viruses when it's carried by mosquitoes. The virus doesn't occur naturally in Aedes aegypti the tropical mosquitoes primarily responsible for spreading viruses such as Zika, yellow fever, dengue fever and chikungunya but researchers have spent more than 10 years working to coax the bacteria into infecting that particular breed of insect in a bid to derail the diseases it carries. FILE - In this Monday, Feb. 22, 2016 file photo, Bill and Melinda Gates talk to reporters about the 2016 annual letter from their foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in New York. Researchers are trying to infect mosquitoes in Brazil and Colombia with a type of bacteria that could prevent them from spreading Zika virus and other dangerous diseases. British and American governments are teaming up with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the U.K.-based Wellcome Trust to expand field tests in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and the city of Bello in northwest Colombia, philanthropist Bill Gates told a conference Wednesday Oct. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) In an interview with The Associated Press, Gates said the $18 million roll-out would finally test whether the concept can work. "We'll know within a year, if these mosquitoes we've released, if they're becoming common amongst the population," he said. "Then we'll see simply by the number of people who get sick from either Zika or dengue. If those numbers come down quite substantially in these cities but not in other cities that'll be the proof of this over a decade-long quest to use this intervention." In a statement , the Eliminate Dengue campaign said the roll-out in Latin America follows earlier field trials in Australia, Vietnam and Indonesia as well as small-scale work in Brazil and Colombia dating back to 2014. Zika was initially known only to cause flu-like symptoms in some people but has since attracted global concern after a surge of cases in babies born with small heads in northeast Brazil. The virus has since been linked to a birth defect known as microcephaly and become a leading public health worry. In his AP interview, Gates also spoke about polio he hopes next year will mark the last reported case of the disease and the British exit from the European Union, which he said probably wouldn't be dramatic for U.K. science but "could create a little bit of uncertainty and disruption." Finally, the billionaire Microsoft co-founder poured cold water on talk of a turn toward U.S. politics. Gates, who was identified in leaked emails as being among those Hillary Clinton's campaign considered for vice president last spring, gave an emphatic "Nope, not me" when asked whether Americans should expect to see his name on the ballot in 2020. "My full-time work for the rest of my life will be work for the foundation," he said. ___ Online: Group: Senate flier exploits Hassan's 'Muslim-sounding name' CONCORD, N.H. (AP) A Muslim civil rights group says a campaign flier targeting U.S. Senate candidate Maggie Hassan associates Muslims with violence and exploits her "Arab and Muslim-sounding name," though similar mailers are targeting candidates in other states and Hassan's last name has Irish roots. The flier sent by the advocacy group One Nation shows a family in a weapon's crosshairs and highlights Hassan's support of last year's deal to curtail Iran's nuclear program. It reads: "Radical Islamic terrorists are knocking at our door ... and Maggie Hassan's bad judgment could put our families at risk." Hassan, a Democrat currently serving as New Hampshire's governor, is in a tight Senate race with Republican incumbent Kelly Ayotte that could help decide control of the U.S. Senate. Her last name is pronounced HAS'-uhn but is sometimes mispronounced as hah-SAHN'. Candidates for U.S. Senate, Democrat Gov. Maggie Hassan, left and incumbent Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte attend a forum with business leaders Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, in Manchester, N.H. (AP Photo/Jim Cole) The Massachusetts chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations has condemned the ad. "The mailing intentionally invokes the specter of terrorism and associates Muslims with violence against civilians in a clear attempt to sway voters using Islamophobia," director John Robbins said. "This group is obviously exploiting both the candidate's Arab and Muslim-sounding name and the growing Islamophobic sentiment in our nation." A spokesman for One Nation said similar fliers are targeting Democrats Patrick Murphy in Florida, Katie McGinty in Pennsylvania and Catherine Cortez Masto in Nevada. "This mail piece simply conveys that Maggie Hassan has unwisely and consistently supported policies that make it harder to protect our country from radical Islamic terrorists," said Ian Prior. "It has nothing to do with the vast majority of peace-loving Muslims who are themselves often victims of this evil hijacking of their religion." Hassan's spokeswoman, Meira Bernstein, called the flier "another reprehensible and baseless attack from Kelly Ayotte's corporate special interest backers." "Ayotte's allies should be ashamed of themselves," she said. In a reference to the U.S.-Iran nuclear agreement, Ayotte spokeswoman, Liz Johnson, said Hassan should explain "why she thinks giving the world's worst state sponsor of terrorism billions of dollars is going to make New Hampshire and our country safer." "While this isn't our mailer, Governor Hassan's support for the dangerous Iran Deal is deeply troubling," Johnson said. Is Wisconsin well-served by efforts to force children to attend schools that their parents think are a bad fit, and dont provide the education their children need? Over 25 years ago, the state Legislature decided the answer was no. So it created various kindergarten through 12th-grade school choice programs to provide children the opportunity to attend the school of their parents choice. The idea caught like wildfire. But as we near election day, youll hear lies and distortions about the impact of school choice on Wisconsin. There are some basic facts people need to know. Today, 53,188 Wisconsin students nearly 6 percent are using public school choice, otherwise known as open enrollment. Families of all incomes are eligible. If you are a student with special needs who has been turned away from open enrollment by a public school district, you could apply for a new special needs scholarship to attend a private school beginning this fall. Interest among schools and parents is high. If you are low income, you also have access to vouchers to attend the private school of your choice. There are 27,619 students in Milwaukee and another 4,641 students around the state using these parental choice programs. Meanwhile, public schools across the state enroll about 821,000 students who attend the public school designated by the local school district in which their family has chosen to live. The states private schools enroll another 123,104 students, whose parents can get a tax deduction for a portion of their tuition. Clearly, from the choices being made by parents, education is not a one-size-fits-all enterprise in this state. But there are some critics whod like to make it so, and take Wisconsin back 26 years when families had few options for their children. As campaigners try to pit public and private schools against each other, lets try to remember that the point of all this money is to educate children successfully not sustain systems, public or private, for the sake of adults. If a parent feels a school is failing her child, shouldnt we want to find a better option? The goal of private schools is to provide parents with alternatives, not to take over public schools. Fear-mongers like to screech about the privatization of education. But heres the reality: There are not enough private schools to enroll all of the states school children. And schools, whether public or private, are expensive and complicated to create. Thats why its ridiculous to claim that private education will somehow overtake public schools. In fact, the vast majority of private schools in Wisconsin enroll students in kindergarten through eighth grade. These students graduate on to attend public high schools. For that reason, private schools have long supported a robust public education system, and they work closely with public schools to help students transition from one choice to the other. From a financial standpoint, private schools are needed in Wisconsin. If the private schools close, state and local taxes would have to increase by $1 billion to educate all of those children in the public system, according to an analysis by the nonpartisan Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance. As for accountability, private schools in Wisconsin are covered by hundreds of laws regulating every aspect of school life. Schools participating in the voucher program have even more regulations to follow. And, these private schools also have to keep the tuition-paying parents happy because if they dont, the tuition disappears and schools close. Finally, both the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court ruled long ago that voucher programs are constitutional because the government plays no role in the selection of the school. The courts ruled that choice programs meet the states secular interest of educating children. If a voucher is used to attend a religious school, its because of a parental decision not government fiat. Election cycle, school-war rhetoric diverts attention away from discussions about our common goals. Nothing is gained from pitting public and private schools against one another. Instead, campaigners should help voters focus on how to support their local and state education systems so it helps all children attend a school that meets their needs, and strengthens their familys efforts to raise educated and productive citizens. The Latest: Policeman killed in Venezuela, details unclear CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) The Latest on Venezuela's political crisis (all times local): 10:15 p.m. The government of Miranda state has confirmed that a police officer was shot and killed on the Pan-American Highway southwest of Venezuela's capital, Caracas. Riot policewomen look at protestors while standing guard during a protest against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. Venezuela's standoff deepened after congress voted to open a political trial against Maduro for breaking the constitutional order and opposition leaders called for mass demonstrations to drive Maduro from office. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd) Miguel Mederico, press chief for police in Miranda, said the officer was "shot in the abdomen" and died in a nearby clinic. He said two other police officers were injured in the "attack" carried out by unidentified gunmen who opened fire from nearby businesses. He said that two suspects have been detained. Venezuela's Interior minister Nestor Reverol said the police officer died "trying to disperse" an opposition protest without providing more details. 1:20 p.m. Tens of thousands of protesters have filled major thoroughfares and plazas across the Venezuelan capital, shutting down key parts of the city. The protesters also are gathering in other major Venezuelan cities to demand the resignation of President Nicolas Maduro's and to show support for opposition leaders. Local media have reported clashes with police and tear gassing in provincial capitals. Some protesters say they've been unable to get to Caracas because the government shut down roads and metro stations. Government supporters also have staged a much small protest in the heart of the city. ___ 11:45 a.m. Masses of Venezuelans are donning white and taking to the streets to demand the end of the socialist administration that opposition leaders say has become a dictatorship. Some schools and shops are shut in Caracas and ahead of an expected major rally in the capital. Opposition figures say turnout is expected to rival a Sept. 1 rally that drew hundreds of thousands into the street to demand that a recall campaign against President Nicolas Maduro be allowed to proceed. Authorities suspended that recall effort last week, citing allegations of fraud in early stages of signature gathering. That effectively ended the opposition's chances of ousting Maduro through democratic means, and has led to an escalating political crisis. On Tuesday, the opposition-controlled congress opened a political trial against Maduro for breaking the constitutional order. A mass of people take a highway during a protest against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. Venezuela's standoff deepened after congress voted to open a political trial against Maduro for breaking the constitutional order and opposition leaders called for mass demonstrations on Wednesday to drive the leader from office. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) University students protest against President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. Venezuela's standoff deepened after congress voted to open a political trial against Maduro for breaking the constitutional order and opposition leaders called for mass demonstrations on Wednesday to drive the socialist leader from office. (AP Photo/Alejandro Cegarra) One of Russian president Vladimir Putin's top aides has fallen victim to a massive hack that appears to show close financial and political ties between Moscow and separatist rebels in Eastern Ukraine. More than a gigabyte of leaked emails were released by a group of Ukrainian hackers from an account used by Putin's adviser Vladislav Surkov. The cache published by the Ukrainian group CyberHunta reveals contacts between Surkov and the pro-Russia rebels fighting Ukrainian forces. It also comes as the United States has accused Russia of coordinating the recent hacks of the Democratic party's emails to influence the outcome of the presidential election. A senior US intelligence official told NBC News the US had 'no role' in the hack. Scroll down for video Russian president Vladimir Putin's adviser Vladislav Surkov (right) has fallen victim to a massive hack that appears to show close financial and political ties between Moscow and separatist rebels in Eastern Ukraine Maks Czuperksi, head of the Digital Forensic Research Lab of the Atlantic Council (DFRL), which has searched through the released emails, called the hack 'serious.' 'We have seen so much happen to the United States, other countries at the hands of Russia,' Czuperski told NBC. 'Not so much to Russia. It was only a question of time that some of the anonymous guys like CyberHunta would come to strike them back.' Ukraine's National Security Service said on Wednesday the emails were real, although they added the files may have been tampered with. Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the published emails as a sham, saying Wednesday that Surkov does not use email. The email address for Surkov does not appear to be a personal account, but instead an address used by Surkov's office and managed by his assistants The hackers were apparently able to download the Outlook email accounts of Surkov's assistants which included inbox, outbox, drafts and deleted email. The email address for Surkov does not appear to be a personal account, but instead an address used by Surkov's office and managed by his assistants. One email sent from the account includes scans of passports belonging to Surkov, his wife and children. Analyst Aric Toler from the Atlantic Council's DFRL also authenticated some material in the email dump by matching drafts sent to the account with almost identical articles that subsequently appeared in the Russian press. The large quantity of routine messages included in the 2,337 emails, dating back to 2014, indicated much of it was genuine, Toler said. The email cache includes messages sent to Surkov by separatist leader Denis Pushilin with rebel casualty lists and expenses for the operation of a press center in the rebel capital, Donetsk. The United States has accused Russia of coordinating the recent hacks of the Democratic party's emails to influence the outcome of the US presidential election Another email from the office of Russian billionaire Konstantin Malofeev, who reportedly has ties to the rebels, contains a list of ministers in the separatist government prior to their official announcement. A series of 2014 emails from Georgy Bryusov, deputy head of Russia's Wrestling Federation, includes a suggestion to create a nationalist group ready to 'fight and defeat' the Maidan, the Kiev square where pro-European protesters gathered before driving the nation's former Russia-friendly president from office. It is unclear if Surkov responded. Bryusov hung up the phone when asked by the AP if he wrote the messages. The conflict in eastern Ukraine that erupted in April 2014 after Russia's annexation of Crimea has killed more than 9,600 people. A 2015 agreement has helped reduce the scale of fighting, but clashes have continued and efforts to negotiate a political settlement have stalled. Russian journalist Svetlana Babaeva told The Associated Press emails from her in the cache were genuine. 'I sent those emails,' Babaeva said, referring to three emails in the leak discussing arrangements for an off-the-record meeting between Surkov and editors at her publication. Russian businessmen Evgeny Chichivarkin, who lives in London, said in a Facebook post on Wednesday that emails attributed to him in the cache were genuine too. The cache reveals contacts between President Vladimir Putin's adviser Vladislav Surkov and the pro-Russia rebels fighting Ukrainian forces. The conflict in eastern Ukraine (pictured) that erupted in April 2014 after Russia's annexation of Crimea has killed more than 9,600 people An AP check has also proven that at least some of the phone numbers and email addresses from the cache are genuine. Surkov, who is under Western sanctions for his role in the Ukraine crisis, has conducted negotiations with high-ranking U.S. officials over Ukraine and, earlier this month, accompanied Putin to Berlin for talks with leaders of Germany and France. A longtime associate of Putin, Surkov had been a key architect of the Kremlin's domestic politics. A US official told NBC News that the email dump confirmed much of what the US had already believed - that Russia was pulling the strings of the separatist movement in Ukraine at a micro-level. Surkov had already appeared on the top of a list of Russians and Ukrainians placed under executive sanctions by President Obama in March 2014, citing his role in the Ukraine uprising, according to the US official. Under the sanction, Surkov's US assets in the US were frozen and he was banned from entering the country, similar to sanctions imposed on him by the European Union. Czuperski told NBC he believes there is likely more hacked material but he is not sure if the hackers will continually dump material like Wikileaks. A longtime associate of Putin, Surkov had been a key architect of the Kremlin's domestic politics (the pair pictured together in 2012) 'It's all time and probability - how much effort you put in and how much effort the adversary puts in,' he said. The Kremlin was propelled to the heart of US politics in July after Hillary Clinton's campaign blamed Moscow for a damaging leak of emails from the Democratic National Committee. The emails were published by WikiLeaks, a publishing organization that advocates extreme government transparency. Washington last week formally accused the Russian government of trying to 'interfere' in the 2016 White House race by hacking US political institutions, including the Democrats behind frontrunner Clinton. Putin has vehemently rejected the accusations, saying they are meant to divert American voters from domestic problems. 'It's a lot easier to distract people's attention towards Russia's so-called hackers, spies, agents of influence and so on,' Putin said on Thursday. The Kremlin strongman however adopted a hard line against cyber attacks, saying these are 'unacceptable'. Putin has offered what appears to be veiled support for Trump, but he said on Thursday that claims the Kremlin would like to see the Republican candidate win were 'absolute nonsense.' 'This is just a method of political struggle, a way to manipulate public opinion on the eve of the US elections,' he said. Putin nonetheless praised Trump for appealing to disenchanted American electors. 'He represents the views of a significant part of society in the United States that is tired of those elites who have been in power for decades,' he said. 'He just represents the interests of such ordinary people, and he presents himself as an ordinary guy who criticizes those who have already been in power for decades.' CyberHunta describes itself on its website as a group of Ukrainian hackers opposed to 'foreign aggression' and promised to 'extract and analyze' email correspondence from high-level Russian officials. Messages left with the group were not returned. A fast track to ruin? Amtrak opponents fear high-speed plans OLD LYME, Conn. (AP) This quaint shoreline community, proud of its role as a nursery of American Impressionist art, fears the destruction of its heritage if a federal proposal to someday run an East Coast high-speed rail line through its historic center becomes reality. Residents of Old Lyme, population 7,600, have enlisted nearby communities in Connecticut and Rhode Island to stop a 50-mile portion of the proposed Northeast Corridor Future plan. They're awaiting a recommendation, possibly before the end of the year, from the Federal Railroad Administration on a "preferred alternative" route for a faster, modern Boston-to-Washington line. The proposal includes a bypass between Old Saybrook, Connecticut, and Richmond, Rhode Island, that would run new high-speed Amtrak trains in some places, on elevated tracks through historic neighborhoods, an arts college, marshlands, commercial districts and tourist attractions, including the Florence Griswold Museum. In this Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016 photo, a tree changes color in front of historic buildings on the campus of Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts in Old Lyme, Conn. A plan to speed up Amtrak's high-speed rail corridor from Boston to Washington, D.C., is welcomed by business commuters but finding its strongest opposition in some shoreline towns in Connecticut. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) "I think this region, whether it's a tourist engine or just something worth preserving, it's worth the fight," said Gregory Stroud, an Old Lyme resident and academic who formed SECoast, a regional group leading the local opposition. It has enlisted the support of state and local politicians and is raising money to prepare for a possible legal challenge, depending on the Railroad Administration's recommendation. The sun of a recent October day set old maple trees ablaze, framing the pale yellow, late Georgian-style mansion that once belonged to "Miss Florence." A ship captain's daughter, Florence Griswold ran a boarding house for artists who wanted to escape the city and paint "en plein air," a style that originated in France and highlights the luminous effects of natural light. Beginning in 1900, more than 200 painters, including influential American artists Henry Ward Ranger, Childe Hassam and Willard Metcalf, lived in and created art at the sprawling property at the mouth of the Connecticut River. The proposed Northeast Corridor Future plan marks the first time since 1978 that federal officials have proposed a new blueprint for prioritizing improvements along the nearly 500-mile-long rail transportation spine for the Northeast. Serving 750,000 riders and 2,000 trains daily, the corridor includes the main Amtrak line from Washington to Boston and feeder lines that serve eight commuter and four freight railroads. The effort began in 2010, when a commission with members from the eight states and District of Columbia asked the Railroad Administration to create a framework for the billions of dollars needed to improve passenger rail capacity and service through 2040. Advocates contend the rail corridor faces serious challenges, with its century-old infrastructure, outdated technology and insufficient capacity to meet ridership demands. Some have also warned that tracks, which in many spots in New England hug the coastline, could flood as climate change raises sea levels. Combined with capacity problems in the densely populated region's highways and airports, worries abound that failing to modernize the rail system could hinder the Northeast's economic future. Some concepts have been applauded by commuters, business groups, and others calling for faster, more frequent and reliable trains. Acela Express trains, introduced in 2000, provide Amtrak's current high-speed service along the Northeast Corridor. But the trains can reach their highest speeds of 150 mph in only two spots along the entire corridor: in rural Rhode Island and in southeastern Massachusetts. The proposed 50-mile bypass through southeastern Connecticut and southwest Rhode Island is one of several options for the region; another one includes taking no action at all. The bypass has been projected to help reduce a trip by about 25 minutes. The route would be farther inland, running roughly parallel to the existing rail line and mostly hugging Interstate 95. Federal rail officials argue the northern end of the Northeast Corridor can't support the traffic it has today, let alone future growth. In addition, trains on the coast east of Old Saybrook must slow down to cross five bridges that lift or swing to allow boats through, as well as to navigate curves. In some spots, speeds drop to 50 mph. "We don't have what we'd consider true high-speed rail like they have in Europe," said John Flaherty, deputy director of Grow Smart Rhode Island, a transportation advocacy group. "I think that's largely because we don't have the straightaways." Matthew Lehner, spokesman for the Federal Railroad Administration, insists that concerns are being considered. The agency is required to consider how proposals could affect historic sites. "We have not yet finalized the recommendation, though we are making progress toward its conclusion," he said last week. After the railroad administration releases its "preferred alternative route," more detailed environmental reviews will likely follow. Entities including state governments and Amtrak could push a project forward. Even opponents concede the proposals could take decades to fund and build, if at all. Nowhere is the opposition as vehement as in Old Lyme, a town that made news in 1975 when a cluster of people experienced symptoms now known as Lyme disease. Of the more than 3,200 public comments submitted to the railroad administration, 58 percent came from Connecticut. More than 1,000 were about the potential impact on Old Lyme. "Leave a piece of our artistic history in peace," wrote Cathleen Adams, a resident. Many expressed fears about what would happen to the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, a small arts school in the crosshairs of the proposed bypass. "My guess is that this entire campus is gone," said Todd Jokl, the campus dean, standing on the steps of the stately 1817 John Sill House, which houses one of the school's gallery spaces. Details are unclear, but it appears the proposed line would cut across historic Lyme Street, described on the town's website as "a study in American Colonial architecture," with grand homes, boutiques, antique shops, an ice cream parlor and the arts college. "This town is sort of curated to appreciate the arts, to appreciate the history that is here," Jokl said. "And to have that train come through here, we would destroy something that cannot be replaced." ___ O'Brien reported from Providence, Rhode Island. In this Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016 photo, Greg Stroud holds a map of a planned high-speed rail route while speaking with a reporter at his home in Old Lyme, Conn. A plan to speed up Amtrak's high-speed rail corridor from Boston to Washington, D.C., is welcomed by business commuters but finding its strongest opposition in some shoreline towns in Connecticut. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) In this Friday, Oct. 14, 2016 photo, an Amtrak Acela train crosses the Connecticut River in Old Lyme, Conn. A plan to speed up Amtrak's high-speed rail corridor from Boston to Washington, D.C., is welcomed by business commuters but finding its strongest opposition in some shoreline towns in Connecticut. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) In this Friday, Oct. 14, 2016 photo, an Amtrak Acela train passes through Old Lyme, Conn. A plan to speed up Amtrak's high-speed rail corridor from Boston to Washington, D.C., is welcomed by business commuters but finding its strongest opposition in some shoreline towns in Connecticut. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) In this Friday, Oct. 14, 2016 photo, an Amtrak Acela train passes through Mystic, Conn. A plan to speed up Amtrak's high-speed rail corridor from Boston to Washington, D.C., is welcomed by business commuters but finding its strongest opposition in some shoreline towns in Connecticut. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) Indiana candidates back Chicago man's stalled pardon request INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The Indiana gubernatorial candidates say they would likely grant a pardon to a Chicago man whose request hasn't been acted upon by Gov. Mike Pence for two years despite evidence he was wrongly sent to prison for an armed robbery conviction. Republican Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb said during a Tuesday debate that he understands Pence's stance that 49-year-old Keith Cooper should first exhaust all court options to clear himself of the 1996 robbery in Elkhart, Indiana. Cooper's pardon request, which the Indiana Parole Board recommended be approved in 2014, has received renewed attention since Pence became Donald Trump's vice presidential running mate. The governor's general counsel wrote a letter to Cooper's attorney last month that it would be unprecedented for an Indiana governor to grant a pardon based on an innocence claim. Holcomb said he would want to further review the case, but clearly signaled a difference with Pence on how to proceed. "I would look forward to quickly exonerating, quickly pardoning, swiftly, if the facts bear that out," Holcomb said. Democratic candidate John Gregg said he would immediately pardon Cooper based on his knowledge of the case. "The facts in this are pretty clear," Gregg said. "... When the system has made a mistake, we need to correct it immediately and move on." Cooper's attorney earlier this month filed a request with an Elkhart County court seeking a new trial. Pence spokeswoman Kara Brooks said in a statement that "the governor's office is pleased Mr. Cooper's attorneys have decided to seek a judicial remedy because it will provide critical information for the governor to make his decision." Cooper was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the robbery during which a teenager was shot in the stomach, but advances in DNA testing and a nationwide offender database excluded Cooper as the attacker and identified another person. The Indiana Court of Appeals overturned his co-defendant's conviction in 2005, and Cooper was given the choice of being released with a felony record or facing a new trial before the same judge who had convicted him. He elected to be released to go home to his wife and three children, who at times were homeless during his incarceration. Cooper has sought a pardon since 2009 and the prosecutor who handled his trial asked Pence this year to approve the pardon, which would remove the felony conviction from his record. Juror replaced in Oregon standoff trial amid bias concerns PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) A judge overseeing the trial of Ammon Bundy and six others accused in the armed occupation of a federal wildlife refuge dismissed a juror Wednesday after his impartiality was questioned by a fellow juror. U.S. District Judge Anna Brown replaced the juror with an alternate, and deliberations were placed on hold until Thursday so the woman could travel from central Oregon. Jurors who had been deliberating for days must start over, setting aside any conclusions they may have already drawn. The panel is now comprised of nine women and three men. FILE -- This Jan. 27, 2016, photo provided by the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office shows Ammon Bundy. Jurors who are considering whether to convict Ammon Bundy, his brother, Ryan Bundy, and five of their followers for their occupation of a wildlife refuge in Oregon have indicated difficulty in reaching a consensus in federal court in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016. Federal prosecutors and attorneys for the seven defendants were reconvened Tuesday afternoon because of two hand-written notes submitted by jurors to the judge. (Multnomah County Sheriff via AP, file) "It's a new jury, a new day, a new start," Brown said. Bundy's defense attorney filed a court motion early Wednesday asking the judge to dismiss the juror. Lawyer Marcus Mumford said the court had not adequately investigated concerns about the juror's impartiality that emerged Tuesday in a note sent to the judge by another juror. Juror No. 4 wrote: "Can a juror, a former employee of the Bureau of Land Management, who opens their remarks in deliberations by stating 'I am very biased ...' be considered an impartial judge in this case?" The juror in question, Juror No. 11, worked 20 years ago as a firefighter for the BLM. The occupiers are charged with conspiring to prevent BLM employees from doing their jobs at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in southeast Oregon. The group seized the refuge Jan. 2 and held it for 41 days, protesting federal land policy and the imprisonment of two ranchers who clashed with the BLM. During jury selection, the man said his past employment would not prejudice his views. Brown questioned the man again Tuesday and ruled that he could remain on the jury after she found that his views had not changed on his ability to remain impartial. Brown switched her stance overnight, deciding the juror had to go. She brought the entire jury into the courtroom and broke the news to Juror No. 11, who nodded but had little other reaction. Mumford, who has repeatedly clashed with the judge during the trial, praised the decision outside the courtroom. "I know that a lot people think we have our differences, and I guess we do, but I will tell you she wants to get it right every time," Mumford said. _____ Follow Gillian Flaccus on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/gflaccus and Steven Dubois at http://www.twitter.com/pdxdub FILE - This file photo provided by the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office on Jan. 27, 2016, shows Brian Cavalier, one of the members of an armed group occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, as part of a dispute over public lands in the Western U.S. Ammon Bundy's bodyguard during the holdout, Cavalier pleaded guilty last summer. U.S. District Judge Anna Brown on Tuesday, Oct. 25, sentenced Cavalier, a defendant in the case, to time already served. (Multnomah County Sheriff via AP, File) Maureen Valdez attaches crossed American flags to a rail post outside the federal courthouse in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016. A handful of supporters have gathered outside the courthouse as a jury continues to deliberate on the fate of seven defendants involved with the armed occupation of a national wildlife refuge in central Oregon earlier this year. (AP Photo/Don Ryan) ISIS-linked militants seize port town in northern Somalia MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) Residents say fighters linked to the Islamic State group have seized an ancient port town in Somalia's semiautonomous northeastern state of Puntland. Hassan Adan, an elder in Qandala, said up to 50 armed militants captured the town Wednesday after security forces withdrew. The town is 75 kilometres (47 miles) east of Puntland's commercial hub, Bossaso. Adan says the attackers raised their black banner in the town. The development marks the first victory for the fighters, who are expanding the areas under their control amid a rivalry with the al-Shabab extremist group. The fighters broke away from al-Shabab and declared allegiance to the Islamic State group last year. Watchdog to oversee Hungary highway construction in EU plan BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) Hungary has joined an initiative meant to increase the oversight of projects funded by the European Union. Pascal Boijmans, an EU official for regional policy, says state agencies, bidders and external watchdogs are committing to "integrity pacts" or pledges between all the parties to be transparent and accountable. The procedures are being used in 11 countries to test "new ways to fight and prevent fraud and corruption." Among the projects being watched is the extension of the M6 highway in southern Hungary, a project worth 50 billion forints ($176 million) The Hungarian office of the corruption watchdog, Transparency International, will monitor the massive project. Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez and his two friends who died in a boat crash reportedly smelled strongly of alcohol. A search warrant affidavit released by the Miami-Dade state attorney's office on Wednesday detailed how the bodies of the three men had a strong odor of alcohol on them when they were recovered by rescue divers. It also says officials found a receipt for alcohol from American Social Bar and Kitchen, where the star pitchers and his two friends were before the crash. Scroll down for video Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez and his two friends who died in a boat crash reportedly smelled strongly of alcohol Fernandez, 27-year-old Emilio Jesus Macias and 25-year-old Eduardo Rivero died when the boat they were on crashed on September 25 in Miami Fernandez, 27-year-old Emilio Jesus Macias and 25-year-old Eduardo Rivero died when the boat they were on crashed into a jetty on September 25 in Miami. The warrant also revealed investigators found evidence the boat was speeding at the time of the crash. The crash is being investigated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The state attorney's office asked prosecutors to draft the warrant so they could search Fernandez's 32-foot SeaVee named 'Kaught Looking'. A search warrant affidavit released on Wednesday detailed how the bodies of the three men had a strong odor of alcohol on them when they were recovered by rescue divers The boat was found by rescue teams on some rocks off the coast of Miami on September 25 It comes after investigators earlier this month said they had the results of toxicology tests carried out after the crash, but would not release them to the public. Autopsies and toxicology tests were conducted on the three victims, but officials at the FWC decided against releasing them. At the time, officials were also still working to determine who was driving the boat when it crashed. None of the three men were wearing life jackets at the time. Fernandez (pictured on May 25, 2016) was a young star of the sport and was growing into one of the best pitchers in baseball Jennifer Coleman, from Delray Beach, Fla. lays flowers at a memorial for Jose Fernandez near the entrance to Marlins Park Fernandez escaped Cuba by boat as a teenager on his fourth attempt. During the crossing his mother fell into the ocean and the 24-year-old pitcher jumped in to save her life. The 24-year-old had been earmarked as a potential star of the sport thanks to a 100mph fast ball. It was a stunning debut year: He made it as an All Star, was in the game's top ten pitchers and was picked as Rookie of the Year. He was the first pitcher in the modern era to win his first 17 career home decisions, and went 24-1 in his first 25 home decisions. Mormon school stops honor-code reviews of sex abuse victims SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Students at Brigham Young University who report sexual assault will no longer be investigated for possible violations of the strict honor code that bans drinking and premarital sex, the Mormon-owned school announced Wednesday in a major reversal to a practice that drew widespread scrutiny. The college accepted several recommendations made by a faculty council that reviewed how sexual assault cases are handled. The inquiry began in May after female students and alumni spoke out against the school opening honor-code investigations of students who report abuses. Victims advocates said the practice discourages reporting of sexual violence, which is already underreported on campuses nationwide. The sweeping changes mark a victory for victims and advocates who have been seeking reform for years and serve as a university acknowledgement that its practices were deficient. FILE - This April 20, 2016, file photo, protesters stand in solidarity with rape victims on the campus of Brigham Young University during a sexual assault awareness demonstration, in Provo, Utah. BYU announced Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016, that students who report sexual assault will no longer be investigated for possible violations of the Mormon-owned school's strict honor code that bans such things as alcohol use. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File) Two former students who went public with their experiences said they are mostly pleased with the upcoming changes at the school, where students must agree to a code forbidding sex before marriage and drug and alcohol use. "By having an amnesty clause, we hopefully will let them know that they should not hold any self-blame, that we are here to provide help to them," said Julie Valentine, a nursing professor who was on the council issuing the recommendations. "It also helps educate the whole community and the campus that we can't have victim blaming, that we need to reach out and offer support." The school said in April that its honor-code investigations were "separate and independent" from federal Title IX inquiries. But its investigation found that the Title IX office on campus sometimes shared victims' names and details of assaults with the honor-code office after the probes were complete, Valentine said. Now, only information about a perpetrator who is found guilty of sexual assault can be shared, she said. In those cases, the victim's name will be redacted so only the suspect faces honor-code discipline. The school also will hire an advocate to provide confidential counseling for victims, Valentine said. Students previously were given a handout explaining their options but didn't have somebody to talk to. The honor-code amnesty is a big step toward helping women feel comfortable coming forward, said sexual assault expert Mary Koss, a public health professor at the University of Arizona. BYU would be dedicating more resources than many schools to addressing the problem if it completes the steps outlined in the investigative report, she said. But to truly make a difference, the school will need to involve the whole campus, she added. The report comes as the federal government increases pressure to improve universities' response to sexual violence. The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights has opened sex assault investigations into more than 200 schools, including BYU. Utah's Department of Public Safety is investigating whether BYU police officers inappropriately shared information on sexual assault cases with the honor code office. The faculty council didn't look into the police allegations. The school will replace a part-time Title IX coordinator with a full-time position. The federal office will be moved to a different area of campus far from the honor-code office. Students were informed of the changes Wednesday in an email from BYU President Keven Worthen, Valentine said. Madeline MacDonald, 20, came forward after she said she faced an honor-code investigation following her report of being sexually assaulted on a 2014 date. Though she was cleared, the two-month review made her feel like a target, not a victim. "Within the bounds of how BYU already works, they've made a lot of amazing changes," MacDonald said. "But we're not done." The report on the investigation's findings didn't address the way Mormon bishops handle students telling them about sexual assault. MacDonald said that's a key issue because bishops determine whether students are in good standing with the faith and therefore the university. The report acknowledges students had "varied" experiences reporting assaults to Mormon leaders. It says the university doesn't control that but will share the concerns with church officials. Madi Barney, another former student who spoke out, said in a statement that she's encouraged but hopes BYU ensures the changes happen and provides a way for students to lodge complaints. Barney said she was sexually assaulted and then told that the honor-code office was investigating her after she reported it to police. "Treating sexual assault like the heinous crime it is, and treating its victims with respect, is something that BYU should take very seriously and it looks like they currently are," Barney said. The Associated Press doesn't normally identify sexual assault victims, but Barney and MacDonald say they want their names used. Valentine said the decision for victims to come forward "put everything in a pressure cooker" and triggered an important discussion that led to the changes. "Our hearts go out to all of these victims. I met with many of them, and it is really heartbreaking," Valentine said. FILE--In this April 20, 2016, file photo, a protester stands in solidarity with rape victims on the campus of Brigham Young University during a sexual assault awareness demonstration in Provo, Utah. BYU announced Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016, that students who report sexual assault will no longer be investigated for possible violations of the Mormon-owned school's strict honor code that bans such things as alcohol use. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, file) FILE - This April 19, 2016, file photo, shows a welcome sign to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. BYU announced Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016, that students who report sexual assault will no longer be investigated for possible violations of the Mormon-owned school's strict honor code that bans such things as alcohol use.(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File) Hurricane floods homeless housing in historic St. Augustine ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (AP) Days after Hurricane Matthew sent floodwaters surging through historic St. Augustine, the county's director of homeless services was panicked. County officials had ordered people to stay indoors because of evening pesticide spraying to control a post-hurricane mosquito scourge. Yet the town's only homeless shelter was inundated with water. With the autumn air turning chilly, there was no place for homeless people to go. "I know we're close to Disney, but we only have so much magic," said Kassy Guy-Johanessen, who during the spraying handed out hospital masks and water so people could wash themselves off if they were worried about being exposed. In this Oct. 24, 2016 photo, Bob Veeder, 58, stands outside St. Francis House in St. Augustine, Fla. Veeder, who is homeless, has been sleeping on the street since Hurricane Matthew damaged the only full-time homeless shelter in St. Johns County. The storm eliminated nearly a third of the county's homeless shelter capacity. (AP Photo/Jason H. Dearen) Homes in many coastal counties in the Southeast sustained flood damage, but the loss of homeless facilities used by dozens of working poor appears to have hit this vulnerable population much harder here than in other areas. Besides the loss of shelter, the hurricane also knocked out businesses where some homeless people worked, leaving them even poorer. The storm eliminated nearly a third of St. Johns County's shelter capacity of 327 beds: 88 beds lost in the main homeless crisis center and five more when a falling tree took out a bungalow that housed a homeless family, including three children. A few blocks from City Hall, outside the multicolored Victorian-style St. Francis House that serves as the city's homeless crisis center, dozens of people gathered recently at a makeshift kitchen for lunch. St. Francis's beds were always full, but now yellow caution tape was strung across the porch and handwritten signs warned people to keep out. "Right now, we have no shelter," said Judy Dembowski, St. Francis' director, standing in a room with a 4-foot-high band of muck on the walls. The county boasts the state's second-highest median income, but before the storm, St. Augustine also had a busy homeless shelter used predominantly by people who rely on the city and county for lodging and food while working low-wage jobs in the tourist industry. Bob Veeder, 58, lived in St. Francis House. He now sleeps outside. He said St. Francis' staff members are his angels, giving him a bike and a sleeping bag. The sleeping bag is especially useful as it helps with the cold and protects against mosquitoes. Veeder said losing access to the shelter has been a nightmare. "It's more dangerous out here with more people sleeping on the streets. I lost everything, all my stuff got stolen," Veeder said. St. Francis has insurance to help pay for rebuilding, but it doesn't cover the computers, food and furniture lost in the storm, Dembowski said. It may be months before the place is habitable again. Across town, a family of five living in a temporary transitional home managed by the Homeless Coalition was displaced when a tree busted through the roof of the small 1917-era bungalow. Tiffany Jordan, 34, a mother of five who lives in a neighboring bungalow that was unscathed, said the loss of such housing is devastating for families on the edge of extreme poverty. "We'd be staying in our car without this place," she said. "This is a huge benefit in the security of having someplace safe to stay." Weeks after the storm, the streets here are still piled high with moldy mattresses, discarded carpets, televisions and other detritus, and some popular businesses remain closed. Without the jobs those businesses provide, some homeless people have lost income as well as shelter, said Debi Redding, executive director of the Homeless Coalition, which manages the transitional family homes. "People are losing jobs because the businesses are flooded," she said. At least one resident in the 18 homes she manages cannot work due to flooding. It's unclear when businesses will reopen. The coalition dropped insurance for the storm-damaged transitional house last year to deal with budget cuts, so Redding isn't sure how they will rebuild it. Her staff managing the 18 transitional homes fell from nine employees to five after budget cuts, so she's not confident rebuilding will happen anytime soon. That means bad news not only for displaced families, but for those on the long waiting list for housing. "There's nothing more heart-breaking than telling a dad, mom and kids that we don't have anything for them," Redding said. Now winter is approaching, with temperatures that can dip below freezing. "My biggest fear is someone freezing to death because we don't have a shelter for them," Guy-Johanessen said. ___ Follow Jason Dearen on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JHDearen . Read more of his work here: http://bigstory.ap.org/author/jason-dearen . In this Oct. 24, 2016 photo, piles of damaged furniture and building materials are piled in front of St. Francis House in St. Augustine, Fla. Hurricane Matthew inundated the house that serves as the area's only full time homeless shelter, putting dozens of people on the streets. The storm eliminated nearly a third of St. Johns Countys shelter capacity. (AP Photo/Jason H. Dearen) Roswell Park to conduct trial of Cuban lung cancer treatment BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Buffalo's Roswell Park Cancer Institute has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration to conduct a clinical trial of an innovative lung cancer vaccine developed in Cuba. Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo joined Roswell Park officials Wednesday to announce the trial, which is the first of its kind since the recent thaw in relations between the U.S. and Cuba. Called CIMAvax-EGF, the treatment is an immunotherapy developed by Havana's Center of Molecular Immunology. The trial will involve 60 to 90 patients and is expected to begin next month. Roswell Park President Candace Johnson says the trial is the result of collaboration between officials in New York and Cuba that started when Cuomo led a trade delegation to Havana in 2015. "It's the first time in the modern era that a Cuban and an American institution have been allowed to come together," she said. Jose Ramon Cabanas Rodriguez, Cuban ambassador to the U.S., wrote to Cuomo to congratulate him on the partnership. He wrote that it represented "not only a contribution to the improvement of the health of the peoples from our countries but to the health of all the peoples in the region and the world as well." The clinical trial validates efforts to lure top-tier research to upstate New York, Cuomo said. WFP warns of increasing hunger in war-torn Yemen SANAA, Yemen (AP) The World Food Program has warned of a worsening food crisis in war-wracked Yemen, saying the 19-month conflict has increased hunger and malnutrition. The WFP issued its statement Tuesday after visiting impoverished neighborhoods and hospitals in the western province of Hajjah and the coastal province of Hodeida. "Hunger is increasing every day and people have exhausted all their survival strategies," said Muhannad Hadi, WFP Regional Director for the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia and East Europe. He said millions of people could not "survive without external assistance." Trump holds stock in Dakota Access pipeline BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) Financial disclosures show GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump holds stock in the company building the Dakota Access oil pipeline across the Midwest. Trump's 2016 federal disclosure forms, filed in May, show he owned between $15,000 and $50,000 in stock in Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners. That's down from between $500,000 and $1 million a year earlier. Trump's form also shows he holds between $100,000 and $250,000 in Phillips 66 stock, which has a one-quarter share of Dakota Access. Campaign contribution disclosures show that Energy Transfer Partners CEO Kelcy Warren donated $3,000 to Trump's campaign, plus $100,000 to a committee supporting Trump's candidacy, as well as $66,800 to the Republican National Committee. Sanders urges government to kill AT&T-Time Warner merger WASHINGTON (AP) Sen. Bernie Sanders is calling on the government to block a proposed $85 billion merger of communications giants AT&T and Time Warner. The Vermont independent and former contender for the Democratic presidential nomination warned in a Wednesday letter to President Barack Obama's Justice Department that the merger would lead to less "competition and diversity of content" and would "provide consumers less while charging them more." There is bipartisan opposition to the proposed acquisition by broadband and wireless provider AT&T of Time Warner, which owns CNN, HBO and Warner Bros. The AT&T logo is positioned above one of its retail stores, Monday, Oct. 24, 2016, in New York. AT&T plans to buy Time Warner for $85.4 billion. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) "When one giant company owns both the content and the means of distribution, there is a clear disincentive to provide additional choices to consumers," Sanders said. Sanders warned that the proposed deal could lead to a wave of mergers in an already concentrated media industry. "The media and telecommunications landscape is changing. It is important that public policy concerns guide these changes, so that we may preserve our democratic discourse and open competitive markets for speech and commerce," Sanders wrote. Donald Trump has swung against the merger but Hillary Clinton has been more cautious. The family of a New Jersey man with cerebral palsy who was sexually assaulted by a former Rutgers University professor has been awarded $4 million by a judge. The mother and brother of the victim, identified as only 'DJ' in a related criminal case, sued Dr Anna Stubblefield and Rutgers in February 2013. A federal court judge dismissed the complaint against Rutgers. Judge Dennis F. Carey III awarded DJ's legal guardians, his mother and brother, $2 million in compensatory damages and another $2 million in punitive damages on October 19. 'My clients are victims of a horrible predator, and they're wonderful people,' said attorney Charles S. Lorber in a phone interview Tuesday to NJ.com. The family of a New Jersey man with cerebral palsy who was sexually assaulted by a former Rutgers University professor, Dr Anna Stubblefield (above), has been awarded $4 million by a judge The disabled man's family successfully argued that Stubblefield's (right) communication with him was an act and she violated his rights by abusing him DJ, who is unable to speak, needs help eating and walking and is forced to wear diapers, is intellectually disabled, according to his mother and brother. The lawsuit stated that DJ's brother attended one of Stubblefield's classes at Rutgers-Newark in 2008 and Stubblefield, a proponent of facilitated communication, offered to help DJ, 35, at his brother's request. Facilitative communication is a contentious technique used by educators that helps the disabled communicate, often through typing. The West Orange, New Jersey, woman claimed that DJ communicated his consent to sexual activity to her and that she had only been acting out of love. She was put on trial after being accused of raping the mute, diaper-wearing man in her office in Newark, New Jersey in 2011. The 46-year-old woman was convicted in 2015 of sexually assault. His family successfully argued that Stubblefield's communication with him was an act and she violated his rights by abusing him. The West Orange, New Jersey, woman claimed that DJ communicated his consent to sexual activity to her and that she had only been acting out of love. Stubblefield (left) was convicted in 2015 of sexually assault Stubblefield (right), who was at one time the chair of Rutgers-Newark's philosophy department, is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for the sexual assault conviction Stubblefield, who was at one time the chair of Rutgers-Newark's philosophy department, is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for the sexual abuse conviction. In Stubblefield's written explanation of her sexual interactions with DJ, she wrote he had 'he lowered himself off the bed on to the floor and scooted out the door down the hall to the front room'. During the criminal case, the prosecutor said DJ uses 'scooting' as a method of communication, to get to the fridge if he is hungry or to the sink if he is thirsty. Plant suggested DJ used 'scooting' during the sexual interaction with Stubblefield in order to get away. 'He did not understand what was going on, did not have the ability other than to scoot out,' Plant said. During the trial the prosecution had questioned how DJ could communicate if he wanted to stop during another sexual incident on the floor of Stubblefield's Newark office. Stubblefield said he could bang on the floor. Prior to sentencing, Stubblefield (center) told a judge in a letter that her actions 'were motivated by love, and my love was grounded in my belief in (the disabled man's) intelligence and humanity' The prosecutor said DJ uses 'scooting' as a method of communication, to get to the fridge if he is hungry or to the sink if he is thirsty. It was then suggested by the prosecutor during the criminal trial that DJ used 'scooting' during the sexual interaction with Stubblefield in order to get away. In addition, during the trial the prosecution had questioned how DJ could communicate if he wanted to stop during another sexual incident on the floor of Stubblefield's Newark office. Stubblefield said he could bang on the floor. Prior to sentencing, she told Superior Court Judge Siobhan Teare in a letter she wrote from the Essex County Correctional Facility that her actions 'were motivated by love, and my love was grounded in my belief in (the disabled man's) intelligence and humanity'. The December 26 note, obtained by NJ Advance Media, was sent to the judge prior to sentencing and stated the same arguments she had used while giving evidence during her trial. 'I believed that he and I were intellectual equals and that our romantic relationship was consensual and mutually loving.' She added that she was 'raised by parents who are committed to the cause of equal rights for people with disabilities'. Stubblefield wrote that she originally saw the man as a friend but that 'then something happened that took me by surprise we fell in love.' She said she would have 'waited' had she foreseen his family's negative reaction to the relationship. Stubblefield added: 'I regret and sincerely apologize for the distress my actions have caused to his family.' 20 inmates, 2 officers injured in Chicago jail fights CHICAGO (AP) About 20 inmates and two correctional officers were injured in a series of fights at a jail in Chicago. The Chicago Tribune reports (http://trib.in/2e9DqAW ) two officers and eight inmates at the Cook County Jail were sent to hospitals after the Tuesday night fights. At least a dozen more prisoners were treated for less serious injuries. Cook County Sheriff's Office Chief Policy Officer Cara Smith says five of the eight inmates were treated and released. They suffered beating or stabbing injuries. Smith says one of the officers was treated and released and the second officer was treated for a head injury. Smith says the fights broke out in three different living units within the jail's Division 9. Smith said criminal charges are possible as authorities' investigation continues. ___ Review: 'Into the Inferno' is a lazy, meandering mess Just in time for Halloween comes a new documentary focusing on one of Earth's most frightening treats volcanos. Even better, swashbuckling director and writer Werner Herzog is the filmmaker, so it's sure to be a hair-singing descent into the fiery heart of volcanos. But, alas, Herzog has really just pulled a nasty trick on us. The legendary filmmaker's "Into the Inferno " not to be confused with the new Tom Hanks film "Inferno" is actually a lazy, meandering mess that gives off no heat. Herzog takes us to steaming, scary volcanic mountains in North Korea, Indonesia, Iceland, Ethiopia and the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu but never really connects them thematically or narratively. Often the volcanos are studiously ignored. This image released by Netflix shows a scene from the documentary, "Into the Inferno," written and directed by Werner Herzog. The film explores active volcanoes around the world. (Netflix via AP) In North Korea, Herzog spends a lot of time discussing that closed society's intriguing use of propaganda. In Ethiopia, he follows archeologists. And in Indonesia, we have an excruciating discussion with volcano tech monitors about electronic distance measurements and gas emissions. These visits are interspersed by what could best be described as volcanic porn nighttime shots of gorgeous lava as it oozes down a mountain or bursts like cheese bubbling on a cooking pizza, all set to opera or music by Verdi, Rachmaninov and Vivaldi. "It is hard to take your eyes off the fire that burns deep under our feet," Herzog intones in his dreamy German accent during such a sequence. "Everywhere under the crust of the continents and sea beds. It is a fire that wants to burst forth and it could not care less about what we are doing up here." That's promising stuff but then we're off to another volcano and another pointless look at some feature of that country. In one the barren, scorching Afar Region in Ethiopia Herzog films a crew of archeologists hunting for remains of Homo sapiens. We watch a Western fossil hunter sift through dust for tiny fragments. "Are we ready to rock and roll? Let's get brushes," he says. What does this have to do with volcanos? Very little. What does his investigation on Vanuatu about the cult surrounding the mythical figure of John Frum have to do with lava? Not much. The film pretends to be investigating indigenous spiritual practices around volcanos but simply never delivers. Instead of rock and roll, we get the brush off. We even learn that a lot of "Into the Inferno" lifts from a couple of Herzog's other films "La Soufriere," which looked at volcanic activity on Guadeloupe, and "Encounters at the End of the World," about Antarctica. It was in that latter documentary that Herzog met and befriended Clive Oppenheimer, a volcanologist from Cambridge University who acts as interviewer in the new film and whose book, "Eruptions That Shook the World," inspired it. This mix of old and new, and the mingling of friendship and filmmaking may be why "Into the Inferno" lacks focus. It sometimes seems like Herzog did a bait-and-switch promising to make a volcano film and really just using that as an excuse to travel to some cool places with a pal. That's fine, but the documentary he made is unwatchable. The Tom Hanks film is probably a lot better. "Into the Inferno," a Netflix Documentary, is rated TV-PG. Running time: 1 hour, 47 minutes. No stars out of four. According to the TV Parental Guidelines, a rating of PG-TV means parents may find material unsuitable for younger children. ___ Online: https://www.netflix.com/title/80066073 ____ Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits Report into Russian doping pushed back to December MONTREAL (AP) The publication of a final report into Russian state-sponsored doping and corruption at the Sochi Olympics has been delayed to December. The World Anti-Doping Agency says Canadian law professor Richard McLaren expects to release his second report in "early December." McLaren's interim report in July implicated Russian minister Vitaly Mutko and more than 20 summer and winter sports. It led WADA to call for a Russian ban from the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. WADA wanted McLaren to finish by mid-November, when it has board meetings in Glasgow, Scotland. The latest target confirms McLaren's prediction last month at a FIFA-hosted conference that his work was "at least several months away" from completion. 2 charged with trying to bring guns into Disney parks ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) Authorities in Florida say two guests who tried to carry guns into Walt Disney World theme parks have been charged with carrying a concealed firearm. The Orange County Sheriff's Office says 61-year-old Michael Langston of Louisiana was arrested at Epcot, and 23-year-old Baleigh Turner of Alabama was arrested at Disney's Animal Kingdom a short time later on Monday. Arrest reports say Langston revealed his gun after a Disney security officer selected him for a random metal detector screening, while Turner's weapon turned up in a search of her backpack, and neither had a valid concealed weapons permit. Both were released from jail, where records didn't list attorneys. Disney bans guns from its parks, and even guests with weapons permits can face trespassing charges. ___ SkyWest pilot suspected drunk, arrested in South Dakota RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) Police arrested the pilot of a SkyWest Airlines plane on suspicion of being under the influence of alcohol Wednesday before the passenger jet could leave a South Dakota airport. Rapid City police were notified shortly after 8 a.m. Wednesday that the pilot smelled of alcohol. Police said they determined the 38-year-old pilot from Salt Lake City was in violation of a South Dakota law prohibiting the operation of an aircraft with a blood-alcohol content above 0.04 percent. The pilot was arrested in the Rapid City Regional Airport, police spokesman Brendyn Medina said. No passengers were yet on board the 50-seat plane, SkyWest spokesman Layne Watson said SkyWest was operating the flight as a Delta Connection from Rapid City to Salt Lake City, Watson said. The flight, with a passenger list of 45, was delayed two hours while a new crew came aboard and arrived in Salt Lake City at 12:30 p.m., Watson said. In a statement, SkyWest said it holds its employees "to the highest standards of professionalism," and apologized to passengers for the delay. The airline based in St. George, Utah, said the pilot has been placed on administrative leave and removed from flying duties during an investigation. No charges have been filed, Pennington County Chief Deputy State's Attorney Lara Roetzel said. The pilot was released from jail on $300 bail and is due in court for an initial appearance Nov. 11, Roetzel said. ___ AP-GfK poll: Pence runs stronger than Trump against Clinton WASHINGTON (AP) The Republican Party might be in a far stronger position in the race for the White House if Donald Trump were not the nominee. That's according to a new AP-GfK poll that looked at a few "hypotheticals" involving the 2016 major party candidates for president and vice president. The results: Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, the Republican vice presidential nominee, trails Hillary Clinton in a hypothetical matchup by just 4 points among likely voters. Trump trails Clinton by 13 points in a head-to-head contest, and 14 points when third-party candidates are included. Republican vice presidential candidate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence speaks at a campaign event at Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016. (Tom E. Puskar/The Times Gazette via AP) What if it were Clinton's running mate Tim Kaine atop the Democratic ticket? The Virginia senator would lead Trump by 16 in a hypothetical matchup. And a Kaine vs. Pence contest? That would be nearly tied. The new poll found evidence that Trump's struggle stems from particularly weak support among Republican and Republican-leaning voters. Pence, who isn't as well-known on the national stage, is considered more attractive to many Republican loyalists who cannot stomach the prospect of a Trump candidacy. "Pence is sane," said poll respondent William Goldstein, a 71-year-old from Long Island, New York, who voted for Mitt Romney four years ago. "He certainly would give me a reason not to vote for Hillary." The poll reveals that Republicans generally like Pence better than Trump. Eight-one percent of Republican likely voters have a favorable view of Pence, while 68 percent say the same of Trump. More than 8 in 10 Democrats have a favorable view of Clinton. Overall, 79 percent of likely Republican voters say they're supporting Trump this year. That number rises slightly to 85 percent if forced to choose only between Trump and Clinton. But 91 percent say they would support Pence in a head-to-head matchup against Clinton. Scott Wood, a 61-year-old retired policeman from Hanover, Pennsylvania, acknowledges that he doesn't know Pence very well. But he knows Trump and doesn't like him. The registered Republican says he simply can't support either presidential candidate at this point. "One of them acts like a 10 year-old-child and I don't trust the other," Wood said, suggesting he might leave the presidential choice blank on his ballot. "I don't have a lot of information on Mike Pence. I'd have to do more research, of course. But he appears to be a more normal conservative than Trump." ___ The AP-GfK Poll of 1,546 adults, including 1,212 likely voters, was conducted online Oct. 20-24, using a sample drawn from GfK's probability-based KnowledgePanel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 2.75 percentage points, and for likely voters is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. Respondents were first selected randomly using telephone or mail survey methods and later interviewed online. People selected for KnowledgePanel who didn't have access to the internet were provided access for free. ___ Online: Cruz suggests leaving vacancy on Supreme Court WASHINGTON (AP) Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is raising the possibility that Republicans would decline to fill the Supreme Court's vacancy if Democrat Hillary Clinton is elected president. Cruz is the second Republican to suggest that the GOP will simply block any Democratic nominee to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia, who died in February. Arizona Sen. John McCain made a similar assertion earlier this month. Speaking to reporters while campaigning for Republicans on Wednesday, Cruz was asked about Supreme Court vacancies. FILE - In this June 7, 2016 file photo, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. Cruz is raising the possibility that Republicans would decline to fill the Supreme Court vacancy if Democrat Hillary Clinton is elected president. Cruz is the second Republican to suggest that the GOP will simply block any Democratic nominee to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia, who died in February. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) "There will be plenty of time for debate on that issue, there is long historical precedent for a Supreme Court with fewer justices, just recently Justice (Stephen) Breyer observed that the vacancy is not impacting the ability of the court to do its job, that's a debate that we are going to have," Cruz said, in a quote later provided by his office. Breyer said this week on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" program that "the mechanics works about the same" with a 4-4 split on the court as they do with the normal 5-4. President Obama nominated Judge Merrick Garland for Scalia's seat in March, but Senate Republicans, led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, declined to even hold hearings as they insisted the voters choosing the next president would have the final say on the vacancy. Cruz said the best way to ensure conservatives are nominated to the court is to put a Republican in the White House and keep the GOP in control of the Senate. "For those of us who care passionately about the Constitution and Bill of Rights, who care about free speech and religious liberty and the 2nd Amendment, the best way to protect those rights is to win on Election Day so that we see strong conservatives nominated to the court, and maintain a Republican majority in the Senate to confirm those strong conservatives," Cruz said. Outgoing Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid used Cruz's comments in a fundraising email Wednesday night. "Ted Cruz and John McCain may have given away the Republican game plan on the Supreme Court," Reid wrote in the email sent by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee. "And we need to treat it like the constitutional crisis it will be if Democrats don't take back the Senate majority." Cruz, who lost the presidential primary to Donald Trump, endorsed the nominee recently after telling Republicans to vote their conscience at this summer's Republican convention, a move that drew condemnation from some in the GOP. The size of the court is set by federal law and has changed over the years, but has been nine justices for most of its existence. Initially, there were six justices. The court reached its highest number, 10, during the Civil War. There has been a nine-justice court since 1869. When vacancies arise, they usually are filled within months, if not weeks. But there have twice been stretches of more than two years where the court was one justice short. Another six vacancies lasted more than a year. The most recent of those was in 1969 and 1970, when Justice Abe Fortas resigned and the Senate rejected two of President Richard Nixon's nominees before confirming Justice Harry Blackmun. McCain's comments came in an interview on a Philadelphia radio station to promote the candidacy of Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., a vulnerable Senate GOP incumbent. "I promise you that we will be united against any Supreme Court nominee that Hillary Clinton, if she were president, would put up," McCain said. He added, "This is the strongest argument I can make to return Pat Toomey, so we can make sure there are not three places on the United States Supreme Court that will change this country for decades." An aide to McCain, R-Ariz., later clarified that he will examine the record of anyone nominated for the high court and vote for or against that person based on their qualifications. After McCain's comments, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley said Republicans "can't just simply stonewall" nominees to the Supreme Court even if the president making the choice is Democrat Hillary Clinton. ___ Truck of refugees hits Boko Haram mine in northeast Nigeria MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) Military officials say a truck carrying refugees to a newly liberated town exploded a land-mine in northeast Nigeria and wounded several people. It's the third attack in two weeks on returnees blamed on Boko Haram Islamic extremists. A taxi-van of refugees exploded Oct. 12 outside Maiduguri, killing eight people and an armored personnel carrier escorting refugees hit a land-mine, injuring several soldiers. Maiduguri is the biggest city in the northeast, the birthplace of Boko Haram and houses more than 1 million refugees from the 7-year Islamic uprising. Nigeria's military said Wednesday's explosion hit a truck in a military escorted convoy of 200 vehicles traveling from Maiduguri 140 kilometers (88 miles) northeast to Gamboru-Ngala. Study: Fragmented jaguar groups in Mexico show inbreeding MEXICO CITY (AP) A study of jaguar populations in Mexico and Central America shows significant levels of inbreeding in some areas, suggesting a new danger for a species that has disappeared from three-quarters of its original range. The study published Wednesday in the journal PLOS ONE suggests that preserving isolated patches of tropical forest may not be enough to save the jaguar, which is considered a near-threatened but not yet endangered species. Researchers from the American Museum of Natural History and Rutgers University examined DNA samples from the feces of 115 jaguars in Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize and Costa Rica. They found only moderate levels of genetic diversity in some populations. The study said "diversity levels were lowest for jaguars in northeastern Mexico" and researchers found "moderate levels of inbreeding" there. "Honduran jaguars exhibited the second lowest genetic diversity estimate among all Mesoamerican sites," the study said. It added that "in northern and central Honduras jaguars inhabit fragmented forest patches and are potentially reduced to small population sizes." "Jaguars studied in Costa Rica, central Belize, and northern Guatemala showed the highest levels of genetic diversity ... indicating overall moderate to high local population sizes," it said. The conservationist group Panthera said that "genetic diversity at such low levels decreases species' overall health and potential to adapt and survive in the long-term." Craig Packer, director of the Lion Research Center at the University of Minnesota, said that "inbreeding has had serious consequences on Florida panthers and certain isolated populations of African lions, so it is a legitimate conservation concern." Because jaguars need a lot of space, their population density is low, and various populations ideally should be linked so jaguars from one area can travel and breed with other groups. But because of deforestation, roads and development, the big cats are instead isolated in small pockets throughout most of their northern range. "To maintain a critical linkage for jaguars dispersing through the Mesoamerican landscape and ensure long-term viability of this near threatened species, we recommend continued management and maintenance of jaguar corridors," the study said. Stuart Pimm, the Doris Duke Professor of Conservation Ecology at Duke University who was not involved in the study, agreed it would be good to have wildlife corridors for the jaguars to move through, but he said that would be difficult in an area with a lot of deforestation. "What it suggests, of course, is that eventually people are going to have to think about moving jaguars around in genetically rescuing some of those now in-bred populations," Pimm said. "That's hard work, it's controversial, it's expensive, but it's probably going to be the only way in the long term to give these populations a chance." He said such transfers are fraught with risk and danger. "Capturing jaguars is very stressful, and you would want to move female jaguars into these areas, because if you brought males they would fight and kill each other and that wouldn't serve any purpose." Gloucester lock James Hudson forced to retire with knee injury Former England Saxons lock James Hudson has retired from professional rugby with immediate effect. Hudson's club Gloucester said that the 34-year-old had failed to overcome a serious knee injury. Hudson made more than 250 club appearances during a career that featured stints with Bath, London Irish, Newcastle and Gloucester. Gloucester lock James Hudson has retired from rugby due to a knee injury He underwent surgery and embarked on a lengthy rehabilitation programme after suffering the injury during a pre-season friendly 13 months ago. Hudson has now had to admit defeat in his injury battle, but he will remain with Gloucester in the role of performance nutritionist. "I am o bviously disappointed that I've had to hang up my boots," Hudson told Gloucester's official club website. "But I know that I gave it everything in a bid to get back on the pitch, and I would like to place on record my thanks to the Gloucester medical staff, who have been terrific. "I feel proud and very lucky to have been able to play for 15 years as a professional, and I always knew that it would come to an end one day. Rapper Coolio has avoided jail after he admitted carrying a concealed gun at Los Angeles International Airport. The US musician, 53, was arrested after the handgun was discovered in his bag during security screening on September 17. Coolio, whose real name is Artis Leon Ivey, pleaded guilty to carrying a concealed firearm as a felon when he appeared at Los Angeles' Airport Courthouse on Wednesday. Scroll down for video Rapper Coolio, 53, has avoided jail after he admitted carrying a concealed gun at Los Angeles International Airport He was sentenced to 45 days community service and banned from owning or possessing guns during a three-year probation period. Speaking outside the courtroom, Coolio said: 'A mistake was made. It was a misunderstanding. 'I don't condone the use of firearms, illegal or legal. 'Thanks to the court and the attorneys for handling this for me. 'I was very worried. Serious: The US musician was arrested after the handgun was discovered in his bag during security screening on September 17 'I don't do crime. I'm not into anything illegal.' Coolio had faced a maximum three-year prison sentence after he was originally charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a felon with two prior convictions. The charge was waived by prosecutors after Coolio agreed to enter a guilty plea to the lesser charge. The 53-year-old has previous convictions for carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle in 2001 and possession of cocaine base in 2009, prosecutors said. Police said at the time of his arrest that the confiscated gun was loaded. Coolio is best known for his 1995 hit Gangsta's Paradise. He also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2009 and Ultimate Big Brother in 2010. Judge Keith Schwartz said Coolio had appeared in front of him before, commenting that the rapper's distinctive hairstyle was 'different'. Coming clean: Coolio, whose real name is Artis Leon Ivey, pleaded guilty to carrying a concealed firearm as a felon when he appeared at Los Angeles' Airport Courthouse on Wednesday 'It suits you I guess,' the judge said. A list of weapons that Coolio was banned from owning or possessing while on probation included handguns, rifles, shotguns, machetes, tear gas, pepper spray and ammunition, the court heard. Addressing the rapper, Judge Schwartz said guns seemed to 'follow you around'. 'You need to stay away from these things,' he added. 'One bullet is a violation of your probation. 'Having illegal guns is not something you need. Owning up: The charge was waived by prosecutors after Coolio agreed to enter a guilty plea to the lesser charge 'Please do value your probation because if you don't, you will be making a lot of new friends.' Coolio had already served one day in a county jail following his arrest, the court heard. His conviction will be reduced from a felony to a misdemeanour if he completes his first year of probation successfully. Drop in number of EU students applying for UK university courses Fewer EU students have applied to start university courses in the UK next autumn, figures show. There was a 9% fall in the numbers who had applied for courses with an early deadline of October 15, according to admissions service UCAS. The drop comes in the wake of the Brexit vote, which caused uncertainty over whether or not EU students applying to start courses at English institutions in September 2017 would be eligible for loans and grants in the future. The UCAS statistics take into account only students who applied for medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses, and those applying to Oxford and Cambridge Ministers announced on October 11 - four days before the early application deadline - that these students will be able to access funding for the duration of their degree. This arrangement will be honoured even if the UK leaves the EU during this time. The UCAS statistics take into account only students who applied for medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses, as well as those applying to Oxford and Cambridge. Overall, the number of UK students applying by October 15 rose by 3% to 39,440, while applications from EU students fell from 6,860 to 6,240 - a fall of 9%, and ending a trend of annual increases in recent years. Applicant numbers from students in countries outside the EU rose by 1%, the figures show. The data also reveals that while the number of English 18-year-olds applying to study medicine has risen by 5%; overall there was a 4% drop in applications compared to last year, with 19,210 applying for courses starting in autumn 2017. Earlier this month, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced plans to train up to 1,500 more doctors a year in a bid to tackle the recruitment crisis and make NHS England ''self-sufficient'' in doctors by the middle of the next decade. UCAS chief executive Mary Curnock Cook said: "This is an encouraging increase in applicants to the October deadline courses, particularly given the 2% decrease in the 18-year-old population. "We will be watching the numbers of EU applications in the run-up to the January deadline, especially now that the Government has confirmed arrangements for continuing access to student loans for 2017 courses." The main UCAS deadline for students applying to study courses from next autumn is January 15. Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK, said: "Only a small percentage of applicants apply by this date and we must wait until the main January deadline before we see the full picture for this application cycle. We know that demand from overseas for UK university courses remains strong due to the high quality of British universities. "This fall does, however, highlight the importance of ensuring that prospective European applicants are made fully aware of the fees and financial support arrangements well in advance of the applications window. It is important also that we make clear that European students continue to be welcome in coming to the UK to study." A Government spokesman said: "International students make an important contribution to the UK's world-class universities. Suicide car bomb rocks Somali capital - police MOGADISHU, Oct 23 (Reuters) - At least one person died and two others were injured in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Sunday when a car exploded near a camp for displaced people, police said. "We believe it was a suicide car bomb. Its driver detonated the bomb in his car," police officer Ibrahim Elmi told Reuters. The blast was in Mogadishu's Bondeere district, near a site where hundreds of people displaced by fighting elsewhere in the anarchic country are being temporarily sheltered. Washington state 'grossly' unprepared for major quake -report Oct 23 (Reuters) - Washington state is grossly unprepared for a large earthquake and tsunami that may strike in the coming decades, putting it at risk for a humanitarian disaster, the Seattle Times reported on Sunday, citing a draft government report. Anticipating a poor response to such a disaster, the state's emergency managers will begin asking residents to stock enough food and other supplies to survive on their own for two weeks, the newspaper said. The Pacific Northwest region was once thought to be a low risk for a massive earthquake, compared with its coastal neighbor California. Researchers, however, have come to believe that an 8.0 to 9.0 magnitude temblor has shaken Oregon and Washington every 230 years or so. The last struck about 315 years ago, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, so one is overdue. To prepare for that possibility, Washington officials organized a four-day exercise called "Cascadia Rising" in June, and the results were laid out in a draft report, the Seattle Times reported. "The state's current mindset and approach to disaster response is not suitable to a catastrophic scale incident," the assessment says, according to a copy the newspaper published online. The draft report recommends expanding the emergency authority of Washington's governor and putting in place plans for mass sheltering and feeding, among other steps. The state Emergency Management Division wants to spend $750,000 a year urging people to have emergency kits that would last up to two weeks, the Seattle Times said. On the Olympic Peninsula, which is vulnerable to being cut off if roads and bridges are damaged, people may be on their own for twice that long, an official told the newspaper. Hundreds of Atheists Try to Bring Down Atheist Movie IMDb Rating Contact: Jen Thompson, 800-437-1893, jthompson@livingwaters.com; Press Room: www.atheistmovie.com/press LOS ANGELES, Oct. 25, 2016 /Christian Newswire/ -- Hundreds of atheists have left a one-star rating at the Internet Movie Database in an effort to discredit a new movie called, "The Atheists Delusion." This, according to the film's producer, Ray Comfort. Comfort said, "When I saw all the bad reviews, I encouraged Christians to watch the movie, then go to www.imdb.com/title/tt5910814/ratings?ref_=tt_ov_rt and rate it. Over 1,000 Christians have so far given the film a ten star ratingwhich means that they think it was 'excellent,' with 500 atheists giving it a one star (they think it was 'awful'). This has lifted the average rating closer to a seven." Comfort maintains that it's normal for atheists to hate anything that exposes atheism as being unscientific. "The Atheist Delusion" claims to destroy atheism "with one scientific question," and has been praised by Christian leaders for its high-quality production. He says that in three days the YouTube comments section has had over seven thousand comments, and almost all of them are abusive. "This is because atheists resort to character attacks when they have no answer to an argument. They shed other arguments like water off a duck's back, but 'The Atheist Delusion' had ripped the feathers off the duck." The bestselling author, whose movies have been seen by millions, said that it has got under their skin because it gives irrefutable scientific evidence for the existence of Godwith just one scientific question. "But for an atheist to say goodbye to atheism means that he would be considered an anti-science, anti-choice, narrow-minded, fundamental, homophobic, hate-speech bigot who believed in burning witches, talking donkeys, stoning gays, and of course, slavery. He also thinks that if the God of the Bible is real, then that would mean porn and fornication were morally wrong. He would also have to say goodbye to his intellectual dignity and believe that Noah built an ark. And that is out of the question. The prodigal prefers the pigsty. The only avenue they can take is to get mad, vilify the messenger, and then hide behind the aprons of bogus science." "The Atheist Delusion" premiered live to 200 countries on October 22, and is now available for free viewing on YouTube. Details: www.AtheistMovie.com Official Trailer: youtu.be/Awpzsi4YUHs Press Room: www.atheistmovie.com/press For interviews with Ray Comfort, contact Jen Thompson: jthompson@livingwaters.com. Share Tweet Guinea inks $770 mln contract with Chinese firm to develop main port CONAKRY, Oct 24 (Reuters) - China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) signed a $770 million contract with Guinea's government on Monday to upgrade the port in the capital, Conakry, expanding Chinese economic influence in the West African iron and bauxite producer. Under the contact, CHEC, a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Co Ltd, will construct three docks, roads and other infrastructure in the eastern zone of the port, providing parking for up to 600 trucks. The port in Conakry handles nearly all goods shipped into Guinea, and to some landlocked neighbours like Mali. French logistics giant Bollore Group runs the port's adjacent containers terminal. "With the completion of this project extending the Autonomous Port of Conakry, it will become the largest in the sub-region," the CHEC director in Guinea, Ding Jialong, said in a speech at the signing ceremony in Conakry. Another Chinese company, China Water Electric, began construction late last year on the $1.5 billion, 515-megawatt Souapiti hydroelectric dam, a cornerstone of President Alpha Conde's infrastructure push in the power-starved country. Guinea's economy is still recovering from the blow dealt by the Ebola epidemic, which officially ended in June. The International Monetary Fund expects roughly 5 percent economic growth this year, up from zero in 2015, driven by gains in the mining, agriculture and energy sectors. Belgians keep EU, Canada in suspense on trade deal By Robert-Jan Bartunek and Alastair Macdonald BRUSSELS, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Feuding Belgian politicians, keeping Canada and the European Union waiting, resume talks on Wednesday with hopes fading that they will unblock a Transatlantic free trade deal in time for a planned signing summit. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was due to fly to Brussels to ink the CETA trade pact with EU leaders on Thursday. But Belgium's federal government failed in six hours of negotiations on Tuesday to overcome a veto from the region of Wallonia that is stopping the European bloc from signing up. Didier Reynders, the Belgian foreign minister who chaired the talks, said he hoped that his liberal-led federal government could forge a common position with Socialist-led Wallonia, one of five devolved authorities whose agreement it needs. It would then go back to EU negotiators trying to conclude the accord. "I hope we can give a signal to our European colleagues that we are ready to respond to the European discussion on the basis of Belgian proposals," he told reporters late on Tuesday, while stressing that he could not yet say if Belgium would sign up. Paul Magnette, the Wallonia premier, has said it could take some weeks to agree a deal that has been seven years in the making. He repeated on Tuesday that his French-speaking region, less than 1 percent of the EU's 507-million population, could not agree to an arbitration system in CETA that he said favoured multinational corporations over existing national courts. EU and Canadian officials have said that even if Trudeau does not come to sign the accord, they will keep talking. Canada, with much to lose from failing to gain easier access to such a big market, says the ball is in Europe's court. All 27 other EU states are ready to sign up, as is Belgium's federal government and its biggest region, Dutch-speaking Flanders. Critics accuse the French-speaking Socialists, pushed out of federal power for the first time in over 20 years by the current coalition, of exploiting its veto for domestic ends. Magnette, who has reacted angrily to pressure to reach a deal in time for Trudeau's visit, told reporters after the talks that he wanted an accord with Ottawa: "We've always negotiated in good faith," he said. "Our demands are very clear," he said. "We want to start to be understood." OPEC is back in business, and the market is sceptical: Kemp By John Kemp LONDON, Oct 25 (Reuters) - OPEC's output accord in Algiers last month was initially greeted with enthusiasm by oil market bulls but much of that euphoria is now dissipating as traders question whether it will make an actual difference. The agreement, coming after many observers had written off the possibility of a deal, initially pushed crude prices sharply higher ("Saudi Arabia squeezes hedge funds with bearish bets on oil", Reuters, Oct. 10 ). Flat prices and timespreads firmed as traders concluded the accord would accelerate the rebalancing of supply and demand ("Healthier oil market conditions at hand", Energy Intelligence, Oct. 19). For many oil market veterans, the agreement showed OPEC was back in business after being dormant for several years ("Oil bull Hall of Astenbeck fund: Accept it, OPEC 'back in business'" Reuters, Oct. 7 ). "Saudi Arabia has decided it wants higher prices and is working with the rest of OPEC, and quite possibly Russia, to achieve them by curbing production," hedge fund manager Andy Hall wrote a few days after the deal. "It's a brave person who bets against this combination of factors," Hall said in a letter to investors in his Astenbeck hedge fund, which is fairly typical of the thinking among bullish traders. But over the past couple of weeks enthusiasm has given way to doubts about whether the agreement will make any real difference to the supply-demand balance next year. Familiar concerns have emerged about OPEC's willingness and ability to cut production in order to push prices higher. Brent futures prices have been gently sliding since peaking on Oct. 10 while timespreads for 2017 have been softening ("Brent spreads signpost long road to rebalancing", Reuters, Oct. 21 ). The spread between December 2016 and December 2017 Brent contracts closed at $4.91 per barrel contango on Oct. 24, the weakest since February, suggesting rebalancing is still some way off (http://tmsnrt.rs/2eCJ5A7). PRODUCTION LIMITS OPEC's agreement was vague about how much it would actually restrict production, for how long, and how the restrictions would be shared out among the organisation's members. Difficult decisions about production allocations were left to OPEC's next ministerial conference in November ("Saudi Arabia gambles it can raise oil prices without losing too much market share", Reuters, Sept. 30 ). The Algiers agreement was deliberately silent about allocations to provide flexibility for some countries to raise their production even while others agreed to freeze or cut. Saudi officials indicated there could be some limited flexibility for Iran, Libya and Nigeria, which claim their output has been temporarily disrupted, to pump more in the months ahead. But Iraq has since claimed its output has been undercounted in the past and indicated that they want higher allocations. Iraq and Iran have rejected any attempt to restrict their production and attempts to recover historical market share. And Russia remains coy about whether it would be prepared to restrain its own production to support an OPEC output freeze. If there is to be a deal, Saudi Arabia and its close allies Kuwait and possibly the UAE will have to do almost all the freezing and cutting, while other OPEC and non-OPEC countries will be free to produce as much as they are able. SAUDI BURDEN The result is familiar to anyone who has followed OPEC history ("OPEC and other commodity cartels: a comparison" Alhajji and Huettner, 2000). Saudi Arabia and its allies shouldered most of the production cuts in 1983/86, 1999 and 2009, with only symbolic cuts by other OPEC and non-OPEC countries. The 1999 agreement between OPEC and certain non-OPEC countries is often cited as a prime example of cooperative cuts to push prices higher. The real story is different. "The only country that reduced production voluntarily ... is Saudi Arabia, with marginal help from Kuwait and the UAE, while all other oil producing countries were forced to reduce their production because of technical, political, or natural factors," Alhajji and Huettner wrote shortly afterwards. Commentators have often mistakenly assigned the market power of Saudi Arabia and its allies to OPEC as a whole. "Recent developments are best explained by the continuing dominant producer role of Saudi Arabia, capacity limitations in several OPEC and non-OPEC countries, and not by OPEC maturing into a successful cartel," according to Alhajji and Huettner. Much of the commentary about OPEC and output agreements tends to obsess about personalities and the negotiating process. In practice, Saudi Arabia and other members of the organisation face structural constraints which dictate their strategy and choices that have not changed much over the last four decades. The difficult strategic choice confronting Saudi Arabia's current rulers (how much production to sacrifice in exchange for higher prices while risking growth in rival supplies) is the same as it has been since the 1980s. SWINGING AGAIN Between 2014 and June 2016, Saudi policymakers insisted the kingdom would not reprise its swing producer role and reduce its own output unless other OPEC and non-OPEC producers joined the cutbacks. But faced with continued low prices and a deteriorating budget situation, the kingdom has found itself in a familiar predicament, contemplating limits on its own output while other countries pump as much as they can. Saudi Arabia, alone among the oil-producing countries, has always had an effective choice between maximising output and seeking higher prices. After pursuing an output-based strategy between 2014 and June 2016, the kingdom now appears to shifting towards a price-based strategy. But it will likely have to pursue that strategy on its own. The kingdom's readiness to pursue significant output restraint, as opposed to simply reversing its normal summer production surge, remains untested. Iraq, Iran and Russia all aim to increase their output in 2017, and higher oil prices are triggering an increase in shale drilling in the United States ("U.S. oil and gas producers stir from hibernation", Reuters, Oct. 24 ). The kingdom seems to be gambling that if it restrains its own production, other countries will struggle to increase their own output for technical, commercial and political reasons. Saudi Arabia will have to practice production restraint alone, with limited support from Kuwait and the UAE, and risk giving up some market share to achieve an improvement in prices. In the circumstances, many traders are sceptical about whether the kingdom can engineer a large and sustained price rise. With shale firms ramping up their drilling programmes, there is plenty of scepticism about how far prices can rise before shale output starts increasing again significantly. China is more than LNG's best hope, it's a microcosm: Russell By Clyde Russell LAUNCESTON, Australia, Oct 26 (Reuters) - China stands out as a bright spot for oversupplied liquefied natural gas (LNG) markets, but it's much more than just a beacon of demand hope, it's the microcosm of how the global market is likely to develop. China's imports of the super-chilled fuel almost doubled to 2.53 million tonnes in September from the same month in 2015, according to customs data. While a small part of the surge is likely because of an earlier outage of the Sichuan-East China gas pipeline, the overall story is that China is finally starting to fulfil its promise as the next great hope for LNG. Imports over the first nine months of 2016 were 17.87 million tonnes, up 26.5 percent over the same period in 2015. This positive picture stands in contrast to Japan, the world's biggest buyer of the fuel, where imports dropped 3.5 percent in the first eight months from year-ago levels. Number two LNG importer South Korea has also seen declining purchases, buying 5.8 percent less in the first nine months. Despite ongoing weakness in the top two buyers and the continuing addition of new supply, LNG prices in Asia have staged a modest recovery in recent weeks, with the spot price rising to $6.80 per million British thermal units (mmBtu) in the week to Oct. 21, up 70 percent from its low so far this year of $4, hit in mid-April. Part of the price recovery is linked to stronger Chinese demand, but given the wave of new supply expected to hit the market in the next few years, it's extremely unlikely that LNG will get anywhere near the heady days of early 2014 when it traded above $20 per mmBtu. Nonetheless, China's rising imports do show how the dynamics of the market are changing. China's biggest LNG supplier is Australia, with imports jumping a massive 101.3 percent in the first nine months of the year to 8.13 million tonnes. This puts Australia's share of China's imports at 45 percent, well ahead of the 17 percent enjoyed by Qatar, the next biggest supplier. AUSTRALIA GRABBING QATAR'S SHARE Australia's sharp increase in the market share in China has largely been at the expense of Qatar, with China's imports from the Gulf producer down 3.5 percent over January to September. Among other major suppliers to China, shipments from Indonesia and Malaysia are down 3.4 percent and 18.7 percent, respectively, although Papua New Guinea is up by 53.4 percent, albeit off a very low base. The trend of Australia grabbing an increasing share of Asia's LNG markets is just getting started, especially as the last of the country's eight new projects start to come online in the next 18 months. Australia will overtake Qatar as the world's largest LNG producer, and it's likely that it will use it's new found supply dominance to pressure the Gulf producer's market share. While Qatar is a low-cost LNG producer, it's further from North Asian markets than Australia and it's not clear that it is enjoying a competitive advantage from its lower cost base. China customs data show the landed cost of cargoes from Australia in September was $6 per mmBtu, while those from Qatar were $7.69. Australia supplies cargoes to China under a mix of agreements, ranging from a cheap legacy long-term contract, to newer, oil-linked deals and spot deals. However, if the Australian projects can keep their prices below those from Qatar, it's hard to see why the Chinese wouldn't buy more from Down Under. It's therefore likely the trend of Australia pushing Qatar away from Asian markets and toward Europe is likely to continue. This is positive for European LNG buyers, as it will deepen their suppliers and result in increased competition between Middle Eastern, African and North American producers, not to mention pipeline supplies from Russia. Another interesting takeaway from the Chinese customs data is that the United States has yet to make a physical impact on Asian LNG markets. Just 59,842 tonnes of LNG was imported by China from the United States in September, and that was the first for the year. Vessel-tracking data compiled by Thomson Reuters Supply Chain and Commodity Forecasts show a single cargo from the Sabine Pass facility in the Gulf of Mexico was discharged at Guangdong in China's south in late August. The data shows no other cargoes this year from the United States to North East Asia, although it does show two cargoes from Sabine Pass to India in September and another in late July. The bulk of U.S. cargoes from Sabine Pass, the first LNG export facility in the Gulf of Mexico, have headed to South America and Europe. What this may show is that U.S. LNG may struggle to compete in Asia, but can work in the Atlantic Basin. But the fact that U.S. LNG can, and does in a small way, move to Asia shows that it may act as the marginal supplier, meaning that price of natural gas in the United States is likely to become a more important driver of LNG prices, and may supplant the link to crude oil over time. Philippine president assures Japan his visit to China was all about economics TOKYO, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte gave his assurances to Japan on Wednesday that his high-profile visit to rival power China last week was all about economics, but again suggested defence ties with longtime ally Washington may be overhauled. "You know I went to China for a visit. And I would like to assure you that all there was economics. We did not talk about arms. We avoided talking about alliances...," he told Japanese businessmen. Duterte's visit to Japan comes amid jitters about his foreign policy objectives after weeks of verbal attacks on ally the United States and overtures towards China. Kyrgyzstan government resigns after coalition break-up BISHKEK, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Kyrgyzstan's government resigned on Wednesday after President Almazbek Atambayev's party quit the ruling majority coalition earlier this week, deepening a rift between the pro-Russian leader and his former allies. The Social Democratic party, the biggest party in parliament, broke up with its coalition partners on Monday over their refusal to back proposed constitutional reforms. The proposed changes would strengthen the powers of the prime minister, a role which Atambayev could in theory take after stepping down as president next year, although he said in August he had no such plan. A bill calling a referendum on the constitutional reform on Dec.11 needs to be passed in the final, third reading to become law. One member of the ruling coalition, the Ata Meken party, has opposed the reform and party leader Omurbek Tekebayev has become one of its most vocal critics, arguing that the change would give the prime minister too much power. Tekebayev was, along with Atambayev, one of the leaders of protests in 2005 and 2010 that toppled two successive Kyrgyz presidents. Some other former allies, such as Roza Otunbayeva, interim president in 2010-2011, have also criticised Atambayev's reform plan. If the confrontation between Atambayev and his opponents extends beyond a war of words and parliamentary manoeuvring, it could destabilise the volatile Muslim nation of 6 million which hosts a Russian military base. Philippines' Duterte tells Japan his China visit was just economics, blasts U.S. By Kiyoshi Takenaka and Linda Sieg TOKYO, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte sought to assure Japan on Wednesday that his high-profile visit to China last week was about economics, not security, and vowed to stand on Tokyo's side over the disputed South China Sea when the time came. Earlier in the day, Duterte reiterated his harsh words for long-time ally Washington, saying he might end defence treaties. The volatile Philippine leader's visit to Japan comes amid jitters about his foreign policy goals after weeks of verbal attacks on ally the United States and overtures towards China. Duterte last week announced in China his "separation" from the United States, but then insisted ties were not being severed and that he was merely pursuing an independent foreign policy. His perplexing comments pose a headache for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who has tightened ties with Washington while building closer security relations with Manila and other Southeast Asian countries as a counter-weight to a rising China. "You know I went to China for a visit. And I would like to assure you that all there was, was economics. We did not talk about arms. We avoided talking about alliances," he told an audience of Japanese businessmen. Duterte, speaking through a Japanese interpreter at the start of his talks with Abe, later said he would stand on Japan's side in the contentious matter of the South China Sea. Describing Japan as a "special friend who is closer than a brother", Duterte said after the meeting that Manila would work closely with Japan on regional issues of common concern and uphold the values of democracy, the rule of law and peaceful settlement of disputes including the South China Sea. Reading from a statement, he added: "Today we have taken steps to ensure that our ties remain vibrant and will gain greater strength in the years to come." INDEPENDENT FOREIGN POLICY Both Tokyo and Washington have grown worried that the commitment under Duterte's predecessor, Benigno Aquino, to stand up to China in the South China Sea is under threat, although Japan has no direct territorial row with Beijing there. Japan has a separate dispute with China over tiny, uninhabited isles in the East China Sea, and has been keen to stress the importance of the rule of law. Abe, for his part, said he welcomed Duterte's efforts to improve Manila's ties with Beijing and - noting the South China Sea issue was one of international interest - said the two leaders had agreed on the importance of settling maritime disputes peacefully. Aquino angered China by lodging a case with an arbitration court in the Hague challenging the legitimacy of Beijing's maritime claims in the resource-rich sea. The court's ruling in July emphatically favoured Manila but was rejected by China, which has warned Washington and Tokyo to stay out of the feud. Duterte earlier told an audience of Japanese business executives he did not pick quarrels with his neighbours, but had tough words for Washington. "I have declared that I will pursue an independent foreign policy. I want, maybe in the next two years, my country free of the presence of foreign military troops. I want them out," he said. "And if I have to revise or abrogate agreements, executive agreements, this shall be the last manoeuvre, war games between the United States and the Philippines military." China claims almost the entire South China Sea, through which about $5 trillion worth of trade passes every year. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims on the sea, believed to have rich oil and gas deposits. Duterte has threatened to abrogate defence agreements with the United States several times but has yet to take any concrete action beyond cancelling some minor navy patrol exercises. In a pattern already becoming familiar, Duterte's foreign minister, Perfecto Yasay, tried to soothe concerns raised by the president's remarks. He told a news conference that Manila would respect treaty obligations as long as mutual interests converged. Poland - Factors to Watch Oct. 26 Following are news stories, press reports and events to watch that may affect Poland's financial markets on Wednesday. ALL TIMES GMT (Poland: GMT + 2 hours): BZ WBK Polish lender Bank Zachodni WBK reported on Wednesday a 10 percent annual fall in its third-quarter net profit to 426 million zlotys ($107.52 million) due to costs of a bank tax, exactly in line with expectations. MBANK Poland's fourth largest lender by assets, mBank, reported on Wednesday a 28-percent annual fall in its third-quarter net profit to 230.5 million zlotys compared with 221 million expected by analysts. PGE Polish energy firm PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna SA said on Tuesday its net profit in the first nine months of the year totalled 1.202 billion zlotys, according to a preliminary estimate. PGNiG Poland's dominant gas firm Polskie Gornictwo Naftowe i Gazownictwo SA (PGNiG) said on Tuesday its net profit in the third quarter inched down to 0.28 billion zlotys, according to company's early estimate. WIBOR Warsaw Stock Exchange plans to take over calculating interbank WIBOR index from banks, Dziennik Gazeta Prawna daily said without quoting its source. WIBOR is widely used to calculate credit instalments in Poland. VAT The Law and Justice government plans to maintain VAT tax at 23 percent both in 2017 and 2018, Gazeta Wyborcza daily said, quoting draft bill accepted by the government. The party has promised earlier to cut the rate to 22 percent. AC NIELSEN Research firm AC Nielsen plans to hire 600 people in its new operating centre in Warsaw, Puls Biznesu daily said. DOING BUSINESS Poland inched up by one position to 24'th place in the World Bank's 2016 report Doing Business, Puls Biznesu said. FRENCH ENERGY ASSETS Polish energy ministry wants to block sale of the key energy assets that were put up for sale in Poland by French firms EDF and Engie, Puls Biznesu said explaining that the ministry wants French investors to stay in Poland. According to the daily Australian fund IFM is close to buying heating assets of EDF, while two global investment funds are close to buying the Polaniec power plant from Engie. ($1 = 3.9632 zlotys) ****Reuters has not verified stories reported by Polish media and does not vouch for their accuracy.**** Court may help EU sidestep lone-wolf resistance to trade deals By Philip Blenkinsop BRUSSELS, Oct 26 (Reuters) - A court ruling early next year may help the European Union out of the kind of embarrassing situation it has just landed in, where a regional assembly in Belgium is blocking a major trade agreement between Canada and the 28 sovereign states of the EU. The court case could set a legal precedent related to an EU trade pact with Singapore, which may make it easier for Brussels to conclude future deals without needing unanimous backing from every government and parliament. However, it can do little for the Canada agreement. As it is, the government of Wallonia, with its seat in the ancient fortress city of Namur, has been likened to Asterix the Gaul defying the Romans, for resisting pressure to let Belgian federal leaders sign the EU's CETA deal with Canada on Thursday. The CETA treaty concerns not just trade tariffs - a power long centralised with the EU in Brussels - but also access to services markets, particularly some public services, where national governments jealously guard their authority. That opens it to the wide-ranging veto power of EU states and regions. But a legal opinion by the advocate general as early as December, followed by a ruling by the European Court of Justice next spring, should clarify the situation. It will determine whether a similar treaty with Singapore falls within the "exclusive competence" of the EU or is "mixed", needing approval in national and some regional parliaments. Trade was once an area of abstruse inquiry for policy wonks. Now efforts to draft an ambitious trade deal with the United States known as TTIP have energised mass campaigns against that pact and CETA, notably by labour unions and environmentalists. The European Commission, the EU executive, began talks with Ottawa seven years ago under a mandate from the Council of member states. It had wanted CETA to be approved by the Council as an EU-exclusive deal. But pressure from states, including Germany, which sought to appease anti-globalisation protesters, led the commission to accept it as "mixed". Hoping to limit such problems in future and set a legal precedent, the Commission asked the European Court if the Singapore deal, agreed in 2014 but not yet ratified, is EU-exclusive or not. Wallonia's Socialist-led parliament has stressed the mixed nature of the deal. It cited concern about its impact on public services in twice voting against CETA - exercising its powers under Belgium's highly devolved constitution to prevent the federal government from signing up. Asked last week if it was a mistake to classify CETA as mixed, an irritated Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker made clear he thinks blame for that lies with hesitant EU governments. The CETA debacle and the court ruling are being closely watched by countries the EU has concluded deals with - Vietnam - or is in free trade talks with, such as the United States and Japan, or those it aims to engage, such as Australia and New Zealand. "We are all waiting anxiously for the outcome," said one diplomat of a would-be EU trade agreement partner. The EU's Lisbon treaty of 2009 says the EU has exclusive competence in "common commercial policy", meaning trade, and sets out voting rules for member states' agreement. The Commission negotiates but needs the Council of states to agree. If declared an EU exclusive competence, then trade deals like the Singapore agreement would not need to be approved by some 40 national and regional legislative bodies, although Belgium might still feel it had to listen to its regions. Instead, in principle, a deal could be agreed by the 28 national governments in the European Council, either by a majority vote or, in some cases, by unanimity. "Going mixed means you are going to kill a deal. There's no way you can get through every single parliament," said Hosuk Lee-Makiyama of the Brussels trade policy think-tank ECIPE. The CETA fiasco threatens further the credibility of the EU, already battered by Britain's vote to leave the bloc and disputes over migrants. It also highlights difficulties that post-Brexit London may face in cutting a trade deal with the EU. Gianni Pittella, the centre-left leader in the European Parliament, whose group includes the Socialists who run Wallonia, urged reforms to prevent EU policy being blocked. Prior to the 2016 IPCPR Trade Show, Espinosa cigars announced a new Connecticut Shade offering cigar called the Espinosa Crema. Over the past few years, many of Espinosa Cigars lines have focused around medium / medium to full offerings. With the Espinosa Crema, this is a milder offering. It is a cigar meant to offer what La Zona Factory Operations Manager Hector Alfonso has termed a gateway cigar namely a cigar that could appeal to newer cigar enthusiast. At the same time, the Espinosa Crema could appeal to all cigar enthusiasts looking to reach for a milder offering. Recently, Ive an opportunity to smoke the Espinosa Cream Toro Grande (6 x 56) size. Overall not only is this an excellent offering, but in my opinion, succeeds in delivering a great Connecticut Shade cigar in a larger ring format. It is worth noting that the Espinosa Crema is not Espinosas first Connecticut Shade cigar. The company has also produced a cigar called the La Zona Connecticut, a cigar that derives its name from Espinosa Cigars factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. While La Zona Connecticut is more of a value-priced offering, Espinosa Crema is positioned as a more premium offering. Without further ado, lets break down the Espinosa Crema Toro Grande and see act this cigar brings to the table. Blend Profile The Espinosa Crema is produced at the companys La Zona factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. In addition to an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper, the blend also incorporates Nicaraguan tobaccos. Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Country of Origin: Nicaragua (La Zona SA) Vitolas Available Three sizes of the Espinosa Crema were announced prior to the 2016 IPCPR Trade Show. Robusto: 5 1/2 x 52 Toro Grande: 6 x 56 Churchill: 7 x 48 Three additional sizes were announced shortly after the trade show. No. 2 (Belicoso): 6 x 52 Belicoso Box Pressed: 6 x 52 Short Churchill Box Pressed: 6 1/2 x 48 The Espinosa Crema is packaged in 20 count boxes. Appearance The Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper of the Espinosa Crema Toro Grande had a light brown color with a slightly weathered look. At the same time, the wrapper was still quite aesthetically pleasing. The wrapper was slightly oily. There were also some visible veins and visible wrapper seams. The band of the Espinosa Crema uses a similar design introduced with the Espinosa Laranja Reserva and continued with the Espinosa Especial, Espinosa Alpha Dawg, and revamped Espinosa Habano. The band of the Espinosa Crema has a black, white, cream, and gold color scheme. The middle of the band has a black nameplate design with the text ESPINOSA in white font. Below that stripe is a smaller white nameplate with the text CREMA in smaller black font. Toward the top of the band is Espinosa Z scripted logo in white font on a black background. The left and right side of the band contains the text ESTELI NICARAGUA and HECHO EN LA ZONA in dark font on a gold-patterned background. To the far left is a small black circle with gold trim that serves as a band fastener. A gold cursive La Zona logo sits on that circle. The far right has a black circle with a gold cursive Espinosa E logo. There is also a white ribbon around the footer of the cigar. Preparation for the Cigar Experience Prior to lighting up the Espinosa Crema Toro Grande, I went with a straight cut to remove the cap. After the cap was clipped, I moved on to the pre-light draw experience. The dry draw provided subtle notes of cream and wood. There was also a slight natural tobacco sweetness I derived from the cigar. Overall this was a satisfactory pre-light draw for the Espinosa Crema Toro Grande. At this point I removed the ribbon from the cigar, lit it up, and awaited what the smoking phase would deliver. Flavor Profile The profile of cream, classic wood, and sweetness continued during the early phases of the Espinosa Crema Toro Grande. The cream and wood became primary flavors early on. The sweetness settled into the background and had a slight orange citric component. I also detected a subtle black pepper note on the tongue. Meanwhile there was a cedar component on the retro-hale. As the Espinosa Crema Toro Grande moved through the first third, the classic wood morphed into a cedar-like note delivering a combination of sweetness and spice. This cedar note joined the cream in the forefront. In the background I still detected the orange sweetness and distant black pepper. There also was a nut component that had surfaced in the background The second third saw the cream and cedar remain primary notes. Early in the second third, there was a slight increase in the orange sweetness. Once the Espinosa Crema Toro Grande passed the midway point, some of the classic wood qualities resurfaced with the cedar in the forefront. At the same time, there was a slight increase in the pepper. The nut flavors were also still present. The last third of the Espinosa Crema Toro Grande saw the combination of the wood and cedar notes in the forefront. There was a slight decrease in the cream as it pretty much shifted to a secondary note. The black pepper also remained in the background. By this stage the orange notes had diminished and the nut flavors had dissipated. This is the way the Espinosa Crema Toro Grande came to a close. The resulting nub was firm to the touch and cool in temperature. Burn and Draw The burn path to the Espinosa Crema Toro Grande remained straight from start to finish. There was some occasional jaggedness on the actual burn line. While I applied some additional touch-ups along the way, I didnt find this cigar to need need an excessive amount of them. The resulting ash was a salt and pepper color. This ash was on the firm side and came off the cigar in clean chunks. Meanwhile the burn rate and burn temperature were ideal. The draw to the Espinosa Crema was open, but not loose. Overall this was a low maintenance cigar to derive flavors from. Strength and Body In terms of strength and body, I definitely found the Espinosa Crema Toro Grande to be dialed back compared to many other offerings in the Espinosa portfolio. This is a cigar that started out mild in strength. There was a short spike in strength during the last third and the Crema Toro Grande progressed into mild to medium territory. Meanwhile the body started out mild to medium and by the last third had moved into medium territory. In terms of strength versus body, I gave the edge to the body throughout the smoking experience. Final Thoughts While I am one that has always been open to and have enjoyed longer and bigger ring gauge cigars, when it comes to Connecticut Shade cigars in this category, I have found many times a blend will fall short. No such case with the Espinosa Crema Toro Grande as I found the 6 x 56 format worked quite well with this cigar. I still found this Connecticut Shade to be more on the traditional side in terms of flavor profile, strength, and body and that works to the advantage of this cigar. The bottom line is that Espinosa has succeeded in delivering its gateway cigar. This is a cigar I could recommend to either a novice or experienced cigar experience looking for a mild, yet flavorful cigar. As for myself, this is a cigar I would smoke again and its definitely a box worthy offering. Summary Burn: Excellent Draw: Excellent Complexity: Medium Strength: Mild (1st 2/3), Mild to Medium (Last Third) Body: Mild to Medium (1st 2/3), Medium (Last Third) Finish: Excellent Assessment: 4.0-Box Worthy Score: 92 References News: Espinosa Crema Showcased at 2016 IPCPR Trade Show Price: $8.90 Source: Purchased Stogie Geeks Podcast: n/a Stogie Feed: n/a Brand Reference: Espinosa Aboriginal, environmental groups to sue Canada over Petronas LNG project By A. Ananthalakshmi KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Aboriginal and environmental groups plan to file lawsuits on Thursday against the government of Canada to overturn the permit for a controversial $27 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in British Columbia, representatives of the groups said. The planned lawsuits will name Malaysian state oil firm Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas), which owns a majority stake in the project, as an associated party, the groups told Reuters this week. In September, Canada gave the green light for the Pacific NorthWest LNG project in northern British Columbia with 190 conditions, despite concerns it would destroy a critical salmon habitat and produce a large amount of greenhouse gases. The decision was a major test for Canada's Liberal Party, juggling the needs of an energy industry sustaining job losses and the concerns of environmentalists, who were courted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in last year's election campaign. A statement from the groups on Wednesday said they would be launching "multiple legal actions" against the project on Thursday at the Federal Court in Vancouver. A legal challenge puts the future of the project at risk after it has already been hit with a three-year delay in getting its environmental permit and as Asian LNG prices have dropped by about two-thirds since 2014. The Canadian government said it stood behind the decision to allow the plant to go ahead. "This project underwent a three-year rigorous and thorough science-based process that evaluated and incorporated mitigation measures that will minimize the environmental impacts," said Caitlin Workman, a spokeswoman for Environment Minister Catherine McKenna. Petronas did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "We believe there are serious flaws in the environment assessment process," said Greg Knox, executive director of SkeenaWild, an environmental group filing one of the lawsuits. Besides the defects in the environmental review, SkeenaWild also alleges that Canada failed to review the project's climate impact. Knox said the project would be one of the largest sources of climate pollution in Canada, even if it met the conditions imposed by the government. The Gitanyow and Gitwilgoots aboriginal communities have expressed similar concerns and said they would sue Canada for failing to meaningfully engage with the groups before granting the approval. "They totally ignored whatever we put forward to them," on salmon destruction and climate change, Glen Williams, chief of the Gitanyow, told Reuters. The Petronas-led project plans to liquefy natural gas at a facility in the district of Port Edward, British Columbia, about 1,600 km (1,000 miles) northwest of Vancouver. It would then export about 12 million tonnes a year of LNG to consumers in Asia. Companies in China, India, Japan and Brunei are minority stakeholders in the project. ENBRIDGE PRECEDENT Both groups said they were confident of a decision in their favour, especially after the approval for Enbridge Inc's Northern Gateway oil pipeline was overturned in June. The Federal Court of Appeal said the government failed in its duty to consult with aboriginal groups. Canada's former Conservative government in 2014 approved Northern Gateway, but after the approval lawsuits were filed seeking to overturn the decision. Aboriginal group leader Williams said they were relying on the Enbridge case for a positive ruling. "(The lawsuits) put the project at extreme risk," he said. Petronas is weighing its options given soft LNG prices and a weakening economic basis for the project, Reuters reported last month. Sources said it was considering selling its majority stake, though Petronas denied it was mulling such an action. Dwight Newman, Canada Research Chair of Indigenous Rights at the University of Saskatchewan, said that while the case was before the court, Petronas would need to consider whether it wanted to proceed with the project if there was a decision against them. Czech Republic - Factors To Watch on Oct 26 PRAGUE, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press reports and events to watch which may affect Czech financial markets on Wednesday. ALL TIMES GMT (Czech Republic: GMT + 2 hours) =========================ECONOMIC DATA========================== Real-time economic data releases.................... Summary of economic data and forecasts........... Recently released economic data.................. Previous stories on Czech data............. **For a schedule of corporate and economic events: http://emea1.apps.cp.thomsonreuters.com/Apps/CountryWeb/#/2E/events-overview ==========================NEWS================================== TELECOMS: The European Commission said on Tuesday it is to investigate whether a mobile telecoms network-sharing deal between O2 CZ/CETIN SPTT.PR and T-Mobile CZ restricts competition in the Czech Republic. Story: Related stories: INTERVENTIONS: The Czech central bank's foreign assets jumped by 2.1 billion euros ($2.28 billion) in the 10 days to Oct. 20, a bank report showed on Tuesday, indicating it made sizeable interventions to keep the crown currency weak. Story: Related stories: O2 CR: Shares in O2 Czech Republic SPTT.PR climbed 3 percent on Tuesday after the telecoms operator said it would propose paying part of its share premium on top of a 2016 dividend. Story: Related stories: CEE MARKETS: The forint retreated and Hungarian government yields steadied at record lows on Tuesday as the country's central bank cut its short-term lending rates, whileassets in Central Europe's fast-growing emerging economies were mixed. Story: Related stories: ---------------------- MARKET SNAPSHOT ------------------------ Index/Crown Currency Latest Prev Pct change Pct change close on day in 2016 vs Euro 27.019 27.012 -0.03 -0.08 vs Dollar 24.777 24.859 0.33 0.34 Czech Equities 934.05 934.05 -0.14 -2.33 U.S. Equities 18,169.27 18,223.03 -0.3 4.27 Pvs close or current levels vs prior domestic close at 1500 GMT ======================PRESS DIGEST============================= VITKOVICE: State-owned Czech Export Bank and EGAP insurer claim 15.5 billion crowns ($625.58 million) from Vitkovice Power Engineering, currently in insolvency, for the financing the CEB provided for a power plant project in Turkey. Mlada Fronta Dnes, page 9 (Reuters has not verified the stories, nor does it vouch for their accuracy.) For real-time stock market index quotes click in brackets: Warsaw WIG20 Budapest BUX Prague PX For updates on CEE currencies TOP NEWS -- Emerging markets Prague Newsroom: +420 224 190 477 E-mail: prague.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com ($1 = 24.7770 Czech crowns) (Reporting by Prague Newsroom) Dozens of civilians abducted and killed in Afghanistan HERAT, Afghanistan, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Gunmen rounded up and shot dozens of civilians in a remote part of Afghanistan on Tuesday, UN officials said, in an attack that prompted angry protests from residents about government failure to protect them. The provincial governor's spokesman blamed fighters from Islamic State for the killings in the central-western province of Ghor, but there was no independent confirmation. The militant group has hitherto been largely confined to the eastern province of Nangarhar, and other officials said they doubted it was involved. Government security forces have long struggled to exert control in Ghor, a poor and mountainous province with sharp ethnic and tribal divisions and illegal armed groups that operate with impunity. The United Nations, condemning the incident as an "atrocity", said 26 men were killed by unidentified gunmen after being taken hostage while collecting firewood. It said the fate of other hostages remained unknown. Taliban insurgents denied responsibility and said the killings appeared to have been prompted by ethnic rivalries fuelled by a clash over sheep-stealing. Local reports said the dead were Kuchi nomads. Estimates of their number varied, with governor's spokesman Abdul Hai Khatibi putting the total at about 30, the Taliban saying 36 and some local people saying it was as high as 42. "Afghan police killed a Daesh (Islamic State) commander in Ghor province during an operation yesterday but Daesh fighters abducted some 30 civilians from near the provincial capital and shot them all dead in revenge," Khatibi said on Wednesday. He said the killings followed an attack by the militant group on Tuesday near Feroz Koh, capital of Ghor. Hundreds of people gathered in the town as bodies were prepared for burial and there were angry scenes as residents demanded government action. "Our demand to the local and central government is to bombard and destroy the terrorist nests in this province," said protester Haji Abdul Samad. "If the government doesn't pay attention to our civil movements, then we will use the power of our youth to destroy the terrorist nests." Amnesty International described the killings as a "horrendous crime" and called for an immediate investigation by the government. General Butt Naked's humanitarian rebirth tests Liberia's forgiveness By Alphonso Toweh MONROVIA, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Everyone likes a good redemption story, and there are few more remarkable than that of notorious Liberian warlord "General Butt Naked", who repented of his atrocities and became a preacher. The "general", who earned his nom de guerre from fighting street battles naked during Liberia's 14-year civil war, killed or mutilated thousands of people - sometimes by his own hand, other times using his army of mostly child soldiers. After rebels ousted his foe, ex-president Charles Taylor, in 2003 and peace returned to Liberia, the general begged for forgiveness -- and quickly found that the charismatic personality that made him a natural rebel commander was well suited to preaching. So while Taylor does time for war crimes, Joshua Milton Blahyi, 45, has remodelled himself as a popular street pastor -- a quick, and often financially lucrative, way to gain respect in West Africa. Now Blahyi wants funding for a charity that he says is training former child soldiers and drug addicts in farming and construction -- spurring mixed feelings among Liberians, some of whom question whether he isn't doing it all for the notoriety. "When I got converted, I tried to show how sorry I was and how I can give back to the society. I tried to go after my kind, the most dangerous guys," said the burly and deep-voiced Blahyi, who bristles at suggestions his motives may not be sincere. "The country we destroyed is the country we want to rebuild." His Journeys Against Violence NGO has, he says, trained about 1,000 former combatants and street kids in activities such as farming and bricklaying since 2007, but has been hampered by a lack of funds. At his training camp in a suburb of the capital Monrovia, lush vegetation threatens to overrun half-built houses abandoned for want of funds. Blahyi says he is appealing to donors to support him and is asking for half a million dollars to complete the units and carry out farming programmes. Liberians were remarkably forgiving of the war's atrocities -- Blahyi got hugs on the streets of Monrovia after being the first warlord to approach the post-war Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in 2008, where he admitted to killing 20,000 people. He was then recommended for amnesty. His public apology also shot him to fame. Newspapers ran stories on him, one documentary got 10 million views, and a parody villain was named after him in the hit Broadway musical comedy The Book of Mormon. "I do want it to be written down in history that I ... went to the TRC and also faced the court," he told Reuters. Luke Barren, an ex-combatant, says he has found work as a mason thanks to Blahyi's NGO. "We have come here to do something good for ourselves. Sleeping on the streets and doing bad things to other people is not necessary," said Barren. But some in Monrovia, a city that was repeatedly attacked during Liberia's civil war years, are not convinced. "This is aimed at getting attention for people to have sympathy for him," said university student William Dickerson. "His statements are not serious." James Rennie, a 28-year-old taxi driver whose grandfather was shot dead by Blahyi at a roadside checkpoint, expressed doubts about his redemption. "I've been hearing that Butt Naked is a pastor, but for me he is not a real pastor," said Rennie. "Unless I see my grandfather, I will never forgive Butt Naked." However the authorities, at least, seem willing to give him a chance. British banker calmly details how he slit throats of two women in Hong Kong By Farah Master HONG KONG, Oct 26 (Reuters) - British banker Rurik Jutting calmly detailed to police his cocaine-fuelled descent into a torture and killing binge that ended in the deaths of two Indonesian women in his luxury Hong Kong apartment, according to videos shown in court on Wednesday. The 31-year-old Cambridge graduate told police that six weeks after he started buying cocaine directly from a dealer, he was vastly indulging in the drug, as well as alcohol and paid sex. On the third day of his murder trial, the prosecution said Jutting was consuming 10 grams of 30-percent pure cocaine a day, an unbelievably high dosage. An expert toxicologist said in the courtroom around three grams could be fatal. Jutting has admitted killing Sumarti Ningsih, a 23-year-old single mother, and another Indonesian woman, Seneng Mujiasih, 26, in his apartment two years ago. But he has pleaded not guilty to murder on grounds of diminished responsibility, while pleading guilty to the lesser crime of manslaughter. He explained in the video how cocaine made him feel sexually charged and led to him fantasising for long periods of time. He had tried cocaine previously but only fleetingly, he said. Later in the interviews, when describing the first killing, Jutting bent over to show how he slit the throat of first victim, Ningsih, whom he previously met through a classifieds website. "Initially I didn't cut deeply enough, I cut the windpipe but only a vein ... she was bleeding on the floor. Then I pulled her into my shower and used the knife to cut as deeply as I could and then she died within a few minutes," he said in the video that was viewed by a packed court room. Jutting filmed himself torturing and killing one of his victims, part of mobile phone footage taken from four hours of recordings in which he veered between boasting, remorse and describing the pleasure he derived from sexually brutalizing the women. When describing the second killing in a video, Jutting explained how he met Mujiasih in a bar near his home and agreed to pay her HK$12,000 ($1,550) to go back to his apartment, just a few minutes walk from the city's red-light district. He said he killed her within 20 minutes of her entering his apartment. Again motioning to the two officers present in one police video, he showed how he used his right hand to cut her throat and his left to hold her head. "I don't recall how long it took her to die. I think at one point, while she was still alive, I went out onto the balcony ... I was naked and covered in her blood and lay on the balcony for some point of time," he said. "SHE WAS PREY" Jutting said he didn't sleep in between the two killings, which was a period of around five days. He instead took copious amounts of cocaine and read and watched extreme pornography which included violence and rape. He detailed how he met his second victim in a bar called New Makati, a place where he said it was known that sex workers were available. "She was prey - I was in a mode I can only describe as hunting," Jutting said. In the police interviews conducted on November 2, 2014, a day after Jutting was arrested, he went into great detail over what had happened, politely relaying the course of events and appearing jovial at times. Jutting, who also studied at Winchester, one of Britain's most famous and oldest private schools, worked at Bank of America Corp in Hong Kong prior to his arrest. During the police interviews he said he resigned shortly after killing Ningsih, sending an email to notify the bank, before later attempting to "clean the bathroom" where his first victim died. Bank of America declined to comment when contacted by Reuters on Wednesday. Dressed in a navy blue shirt, Jutting appeared attentive during the court session on Wednesday as he listened to the videos. In one video, he said he had "mutual sexual relations" with Ningsih at a hotel near his flat during a six-day period when he had a string of "sex workers" visit him. The second time he met her he agreed to pay HK$8,000-HK$10,000 for her to spend the night with him, an encounter that ultimately turned into three days of torture. Jutting, a former vice president and head of Structured Equity Finance & Trading (Asia) at Bank of America, had expressed "job depression" in his series of monologues that he termed the "narcissistic ramblings of Rurik Jutting." Jutting was accused of murder in October 2014. Police said they received a call from the then 29-year-old, requesting officers to come to his apartment, where they found the bodies of the two women. Ningsih, who had a son in Indonesia, was visiting Hong Kong on a tourist visa. Her mutilated body was discovered inside a suitcase on Jutting's balcony, while Mujiasih, a domestic helper, was found lying inside with wounds to her neck and buttocks, forensic pathologist Dr Poon Wai-ming testified in court. The defence and prosecution were largely in agreement over the physical evidence, Judge Michael Stuart-Moore had advised the jurors on the first day of the trial. He told them the verdict could rest on psychiatric and psychological testimony. Murder carries a mandatory life sentence, while manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of life. Stay and fix the ICC, African Union hopeful urges peers By Ed Cropley JOHANNESBURG, Oct 26 (Reuters) - African states unhappy with the International Criminal Court(ICC) should work to reform it from within rather than pulling out, Botswanan foreign minister Pelomoni Venson-Moitoi, a candidate to become the next African Union (AU) chief, said. With the AU increasingly divided over the ICC, South Africa announced last week that it planned to quit, but Venson-Moitoi said she believed an African war crimes court could be beefed up to work alongside its Hague-based counterpart. Although South Africa argued that the ICC's Rome Statutes were at odds with its laws granting leaders diplomatic immunity, other African countries see the tribunal purely as an instrument of colonial justice that unfairly targets the continent. "I don't see why we should be pulling out. The good thing is that a few more members now, within the AU, agree that pulling out is not the solution. We should be working towards fixing," she told Reuters in an interview, without elaborating. After she spoke, Gambia said late on Tuesday it too was withdrawing from the ICC, calling it "an International Caucasian Court for the persecution and humiliation of people of colour, especially Africans". Venson-Moitoi's main rival for the AU chair is Kenyan foreign minister Amina Mohamed. Kenya has also been leaning towards ICC withdrawal since charges were brought against President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto, over links to post-election bloodshed in 2008 in which at least 1,200 people were killed. The cases against both collapsed for lack of evidence. The AU is likely to choose its successor to South Africa's Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma at its annual summit in January. Should she prevail, Venson-Moitoi said she would try to get the Tanzanian-based African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights, which unlike the ICC currently grants immunity to sitting leaders, to "work together" with the Hague tribunal. CLEAN ELECTIONS The outspoken 65-year-old also advocated more robust and rigorous AU monitoring of regional elections as an antidote to the controversy, disputes and violence that habitually follow polls in many African countries. "I'm quite aware of what it takes to run a fair election, to avoid abuse, to avoid conflict," she said. "You must manage the whole process so that when the number comes out at the end, it confirms a clean process." In its 50 years since independence, Botswana has built a reputation as a stable, peaceful and prosperous democracy with a no-nonsense political leadership. Last month, President Ian Khama caused fury in neighbouring Zimbabwe when he told Reuters that his 92-year-old counterpart, Robert Mugabe, was too old to remain in office. Venson-Moitoi reaffirmed the sovereignty of member states but said she would be demanding answers personally from leaders whose internal problems spilled into neighbouring states, as has happened this year with refugees fleeing violence in Burundi. "I'm a hands-on person. I would get on the next plane and go there. That's how I work. If it means going there and talking to the refugees, I'd go there and talk to them myself," she said. Such comments are likely to ruffle feathers in the AU, where interfering in a member nation's internal affairs remains a big taboo, but Venson-Moitoi said a dose of honesty and plain-speaking would do her, and the continent, no harm. Turkish police break up protests against Kurdish mayors' arrest DIYARBAKIR, Turkey, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Turkish police in the mainly Kurdish city of Diyarbakir on Wednesday used tear gas and water cannon to scatter protesters following the arrest of the city's popular two joint mayors for alleged links to terrorism. Gultan Kisanak, a member of parliament before becoming Diyarbakir's first female mayor in 2014, and Firat Anli, her co-mayor, were detained late on Tuesday as part of a security crackdown after more than a year of violence in the region. President Tayyip Erdogan has said the removal of elected officials and civil servants who are accused of links to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), listed as a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and the European Union, is integral to Ankara's battle against the armed group. Kisanak, 55, is a prominent Kurdish political figure in Turkey and abroad. The European Union's foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, and EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn described the arrests as "very worrying". "It is always essential that all steps are taken in full respect of the rule of law, due process and fundamental freedoms - all commitments Turkey has made as a candidate country (seeking EU membership)," Mogherini and Hahn said in a statement. Police in Diyarbakir dispersed a crowd of 300 people and detained more than two dozen protesters outside City Hall, a Reuters witness said. A few hours later, a crowd of about 1,000 people had re-formed and included pro-Kurdish parliamentarians. Witnesses reported widespread Internet outages in Diyarbakir, a city of 1.7 million people. The local prosecutor said Kisanak and Anli had given speeches sympathetic to the PKK, called for greater political autonomy for Turkey's estimated 16 million Kurds, and incited violent protests in 2014. The autonomy-seeking PKK took up arms in 1984, and more than 40,000 people have died. Violence flared anew in July 2015 after a fragile ceasefire and slow-moving peace talks collapsed. Erdogan accuses Kisanak's Democratic Regions Party (DBP) and its larger sister party, the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), parliament's third-biggest grouping, of links with the PKK. Both parties deny this, saying they are working for a peaceful settlement of the Kurdish issue. The DBP, which dominates the southeast, fields a male and female for mayor to promote gender equality, although the Turkish state only recognises one of the mayors. Ankara appointed new administrators in two dozen Kurdish-run municipalities in September after removing their elected mayors over suspected links to militants. Russia beefs up Baltic Fleet amid NATO tensions - reports By Andrew Osborn and Simon Johnson MOSCOW/STOCKHOLM, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Russia is sharply upgrading the firepower of its Baltic Fleet by adding warships armed with long-range cruise missiles to counter NATO's build-up in the region, Russian media reported on Wednesday. There was no official confirmation from Moscow, but the reports will raise tensions in the Baltic, already heightened since Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea, and cause particular alarm in Poland and Lithuania which border Russia's base there. The reported deployment comes as NATO is planning its biggest military build-up on Russia's borders since the Cold War to deter possible Russian aggression. Russia's daily Izvestia newspaper cited a military source as saying that the first two of five ships, the Serpukhov and the Zeleny Dol, had already entered the Baltic Sea and would soon become part of a newly formed division in Kaliningrad, Russia's European exclave sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania. Another source familiar with the situation told the Interfax news agency that the two warships would be joining the Baltic Fleet in the coming days. "With the appearance of two small missile ships armed with the Kalibr cruise missiles the Fleet's potential targeting range will be significantly expanded in the northern European military theatre," the source told Interfax. Russia's Defence Ministry, which said earlier this month the two ships were en route to the Mediterranean, did not respond to a request for comment, but NATO and the Swedish military confirmed the two warships had entered the Baltic. "NATO navies are monitoring this activity near our borders," said Dylan White, the alliance's acting spokesman. The Buyan-M class corvettes are armed with nuclear-capable Kalibr cruise missiles, known by the NATO code name Sizzler, which the Russian military says have a range of at least 1,500 km (930 miles). Though variants of the missile are capable of carrying nuclear warheads, the ships are believed to be carrying conventional warheads. "The addition of Kalibr missiles would increase the strike range not just of the Baltic Fleet, but of Russian forces in the Baltic region, fivefold," said Ben Nimmo, a defence analyst at the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab, who has been tracking the ships' progress. "The two small corvettes, with their modern, nuclear-capable missiles, may yet have an impact out of proportion to their size in the Baltic." SWEDEN, POLAND WORRIED Izvestia said Russia's Baltic Fleet would probably receive a further three such small warships armed with the same missiles by the end of 2020. It said the Baltic Fleet's coastal defences would also be beefed up with the Bastion and Bal land-based missile systems. The Bastion is a mobile defence system armed with two anti-ship missiles with a range of up to 300 km (188 miles). The Bal anti-ship missile has a similar range. Sweden's Defence Minister said his country was worried by the presence of the warships in the Baltic Sea, complaining the move was likely to keep tension in the region high. "This is ... worrying and is not something that helps to reduce tensions in our region," Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist told Sweden's national TT news agency. "This affects all the countries round the Baltic." Swedish media said the Kalibr missiles had the range to hit targets across the Nordic region. The Russian Defence Ministry said in August that the two corvettes had been used to fire cruise missiles at militants in Syria. Polish Defence Minister Antoni Macierewicz, in Brussels for a NATO meeting, called the deployment "an obvious cause for concern," the PAP news agency reported. "Moving such ships into the Baltic changes the balance of power," he said. European Union reaches out to Iran over Afghan refugees By Gabriela Baczynska TEHRAN, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Promises of more help for Afghan refugees made by the European Union aid chief on his visit to Iran this month were not enough to dissuade Mariam Haidari from wanting to head to Europe. She plans to go to Germany to join her husband and three of their children who were among a million-strong wave of irregular migrants to arrive in Europe last year, causing a rift among the bloc's members who struggled to agree on how to deal with them. "Life was very difficult here and my husband was the only breadwinner for the family ... We couldn't afford the living expenses," said Haidari, who was at a refugee administration centre in Tehran when EU humanitarian affairs commissioner, Christos Stylianides visited the facility. To help stem the influx, the bloc is increasing aid to certain countries on migrant routes in the hope of persuading people there to stay put. So far these have included Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and some African countries. Now the EU is trying this strategy in Iran, which sits on the main transit route for Afghan refugees -- the second-largest group after Syrians to have reached Europe by sea last year. In Tehran, Stylianides announced the doubling of EU humanitarian aid to Iran to 12.5 million euros this year, with a special focus on education and health services for Afghan refugee children. "It's better to be close to your home and move back when the situation gets better than to be far away," Stylianides said. "It's better for Afghan refugees to integrate in this society than in Europe. Here it's the same religion, similar mentality, culture. It's much harder in, let's say, Germany." IRAN TIES Iran has only recently become more accessible to such EU diplomacy, enabled by a tentative rapprochement after a landmark agreement last year for Tehran to scale down its nuclear programme and the West to ease its hard-hitting sanctions. The EU hopes humanitarian aid could help re-establish ties with Iran, an Islamic republic of some 78 million people, which has a high number of executions and ranks second in the world on the highest number of imprisoned journalists. Freedom of expression, rights of ethnic and religious minorities and women there all are a major concern for the bloc. But during his visit Stylianides carefully avoided criticising Iran on that, instead playing up the need to rebuild ties with Tehran to be able to engage more on the ground. EDUCATION Nevertheless, EU's aid to Iran fades compared to 3 billion euros the bloc promised to Turkey for its help in managing migration. Iranian officials said foreign aid covers only about 6 percent of the cost of hosting the Afghan refugee community and said the EU should do more. "I would call it an investment for the European Union, any kind of support to the education system," said Hamid Shamsaldili at Iran's Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants Affairs. "Any kind of support to this country will prevent these people from going to European countries." The situation of the three million Afghan refugees in Iran is often dire. Iran has hosted the large refugee community for more than 30 years now as Afghans first fled the Soviet invasion, then the long Taliban insurgency and now Islamic State attacks. A third of them have a formal refugee status with some limited benefits. But the other two millions are "undocumented", meaning that for generations they have had no access to education, jobs or healthcare. Last year, as its ties with the West started to improve slowly, Tehran allowed children of the "undocumented" Afghan refugees to attend public primary schools. Aid groups on the ground say some 48,000 such children enrolled in 2015. It was the first time Western aid agencies could reach out to this large and extremely vulnerable group. "There has been quite a lot of hope, from the Iranian authorities as well as from our side, that this political opening will create more funding options," said Olivier Vandecasteele, the Norwegian Refugee Council's head in Iran. "So far it has raised interest but it hasn't translated into any additional huge funding decisions." At the time of Stylianides' visit, Swedish officials were in Tehran to pick 157 Afghans for resettlement, a tiny share of the large numbers of such requests. It is mostly the younger Afghans who want to go to Europe but EU's asylum acceptance rates for them are low. Pakistan to execute schizophrenic murder convict By Asad Hashim ISLAMABAD, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Pakistan issued a death warrant on Wednesday for a paranoid schizophrenic convicted of murder, his lawyers said, after the Supreme Court ruled his condition was not a permanent mental disorder and therefore not legally relevant. Imdad Ali, 50, was certified by government doctors as suffering from paranoid schizophrenia in 2012, following his conviction for the 2001 murder of a Muslim cleric. He is due to be executed on Nov. 2, his lawyers said. They argue he should not be executed because he is unable to understand his crime and doing so would violate the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, a U.N. treaty to which Pakistan is a signatory. "Imdad's death will serve no retributive purpose, as he remains completely unaware of this reality," said defence lawyer Sarah Belal in an emailed statement. A government psychiatrist told Reuters he has no doubt about the diagnosis. "I have been treating this man for the last eight years, and there is absolutely no room for doubt in this that he suffers from paranoid schizophrenia," said Tahir Feroze. On Oct. 20, hearing Ali's final appeal, Pakistan's Supreme Court ruled that schizophrenia is "not a permanent mental disorder" and therefore could not be defined as a mental illness. With his execution date set, Ali's only hope of a reprieve is a pardon from President Mamnoon Hussain, who rejected an earlier mercy petition in May. Ali's legal team filed a new petition last month. Pakistan has hanged 425 people since 2014, when it ended a virtual moratorium after a massacre at a Peshawar school where Taliban gunmen killed more than 150 people. As a last resort, Ali's wife says that she is seeking forgiveness for her husband from the heirs of the murder victim, which could avert his execution under a feature of Islamic law used in Pakistan. In secret, behind locked gates, our Nation's Oldest City dumped a landfill in a lake (Old City Reservoir), while emitting sewage in our rivers and salt marsh. Organized citizens exposed and defeated pollution, racism and cronyism. We elected a new Mayor. We're transforming our City -- advanced citizenship. Ask questions. Make disclosures. Demand answers. Be involved. Expect democracy. Report and expose corruption. Smile! Help enact a St. Augustine National Park and Seashore. We shall overcome! In the battle for Mosul, Syria could be the real loser By Mohamad Bazzi Oct 26 (Reuters) - Four days after Iraqi government forces and allied Kurdish troops began advancing on the city of Mosul, Islamic State militants launched a surprising counterattack nearly 100 miles away. Dozens of fighters besieged the oil-rich city of Kirkuk before dawn on Oct. 21, setting off gun battles, suicide bombings and sniper attacks. After two days of fighting, most of the assailants were killed, captured or had blown themselves up. Nearly 100 others were also killed, most of them members of the Kurdish security forces. As the militants went on their rampage throughout Kirkuk, they broadcast a message from the loudspeakers of a local mosque: "Islamic State has taken over." Kirkuk, which is near some of the richest oil fields in northern Iraq, has been under the control of Kurdish forces for more than two years. The surprise attack by Islamic State showed that even while under siege in Mosul, the group could still sow chaos in parts of Iraq far from its strongholds. The offensive also demonstrated that even if it loses Mosul, Islamic State would go back to its roots as an insurgency entrenched in the rural Sunni Arab regions of Iraq - as its predecessor, al Qaeda in Iraq, did after losing several urban areas under its control. Islamic State has been weakened over the past year, after intensive U.S.-led bombing and defeats by its opponents in Iraq and Syria. The group lost thousands of fighters, was forced to relinquish nearly half of the territory it once controlled and has been cut off from smuggling routes it used to move weapons and troops. But with every setback, it found new ways to adapt. When it's eventually forced out of Mosul, Iraq's second largest city, Islamic State will want to prove its resiliency in neighboring Syria. One consequence of the Mosul battle has been to push the group's fighters and leaders into Syria, especially its self-proclaimed capital in Raqqa. U.S. and allied warplanes have sporadically bombed the city and its outskirts for nearly two years. While U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter indicated on Oct. 25 that the coalition was making plans to attack Raqqa, even as it fought for Mosul, there is no significant ground force right now that could oust Islamic State from its Syrian stronghold. American military officials said that in the days leading up to the Mosul offensive, some senior leaders fled the city, heading to Syria or other parts of western Iraq that are dominated by Sunni Arabs. "We've got indications that leaders have left," Maj. General Gary Volesky, the commander of U.S. ground forces in Iraq, said in a news conference from Baghdad on Oct. 20. "A lot of foreign fighters we expect will stay as they're not able to exfiltrate as easily as some of the local fighters or local leadership, so we expect there will be a fight." U.S. officials said most of the leaders and fighters who fled were Iraqis or Syrians, who might have abandoned their weapons and shaved their beards so they could blend in with thousands of civilians who escaped from Mosul ahead of the battle. It's more difficult for the thousands of foreign jihadists in Mosul to escape by hiding among Iraqi civilians, so they are making a stand in the city. Volesky, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, said the militants were burning forward positions in nearby villages, and withdrawing toward the city to fight behind a network of walls and trenches. As the Mosul battle unfolds, Islamic State could become even more entrenched in Syria, especially in both Raqqa and the eastern city of Deir Ezzor. And as the group is pushed out of urban areas in Iraq, life for Syrians living under Islamic State's control will become more difficult. Over the past year, the jihadists were already being denied access to revenue sources - including oil and gas smuggling, taxation and bank deposits - that brought in over $1 billion in 2014. With the fall of Mosul, Islamic State would lose one of its most important profit centers. In 2015, U.S. officials estimate, Islamic State generated about $30 million per month from taxation and extortion in Iraq. In Mosul alone, the group made about $4 million per month in taxation, especially on salaries paid to workers by the central government in Baghdad. But with those revenues drying up as the militants lost territory and lucrative routes for oil smuggling, Islamic State's leaders will likely impose harsher taxation and extortion schemes on Syrians living under their rule. More broadly, the influx and entrenchment of Islamic State leaders in Syria will make it even more difficult to end the conflict there, which has expanded into a regional proxy war involving Russia, Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United States and other powers. Russia and Iran, which are the two main backers of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, are mainly targeting rebel factions opposed to Assad, rather than trying to dislodge Islamic State from its bastions. For its part, Washington does not intend to commit ground troops to oust the jihadists from Raqqa, and would instead rely on a coalition of Syrian Kurdish and opposition groups backed by U.S. airstrikes. The Iraqi government and its Western allies are facing the massive challenge of rebuilding Mosul - and reaching a political accommodation with Iraq's Sunni Arab community, so that militants will not be able to continue exploiting sectarian divisions. But there has not been much planning for the impact that pushing Islamic State out of Mosul will have on Syria. U.S. using Tunisia to conduct drone operations in Libya - U.S. sources By Mark Hosenball and Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON/BERLIN, Oct 26 (Reuters) - The United States has begun using a Tunisian air base to conduct surveillance drone operations inside Libya, the latest expansion of its campaign against Islamic State militants in North Africa, U.S. government sources said on Wednesday. The unarmed drones have been flying out of Tunisia since late June and are now part of a U.S. air defense in support of Libyan pro-government forces fighting to push Islamic State fighters out of their stronghold in the Libyan city of Sirte, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The use of the Tunisian base, which was first reported by The Washington Post, extends the U.S. military's ability to gather intelligence on Islamic State in Libya, the U.S. sources said. Other locations in Africa where U.S. drones are launched, including Niger and Djibouti, are farther away. In Tunis, a Tunisian defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, denied that the drones were flying into neighboring Libya and said they were instead used for training Tunisian forces and protecting the country's borders. U.S. officials said the Air Force Reaper drones were being operated by U.S. personnel with Tunisian government approval from an existing base operated by Tunisia's military and were currently used only for surveillance. But such unmanned aircraft are also capable of being armed. "There are U.S. service members working with the Tunisian security forces for counter terrorism and they are sharing intelligence from various sources, to include aerial platforms," said U.S. Army Colonel Mark Cheadle, spokesman for U.S. Africa Command. Tunisia, a close U.S. counterterrorism partner, requested additional military equipment and training from Washington after deadly militant attacks last year and has been given more than $250 million in security assistance, Cheadle said. Tunisian Defense Minister Farhat Horchani was cited by state news agency TAP as saying that Tunis has recently received reconnaissance planes and unmanned drone systems" for training and to "monitor the southern borders and detect any suspicious movements." He said the presence of foreign troops in Tunis was in the context of "international military cooperation" on mutual interests. Forces aligned with Libya's U.N.-backed Government of National Accord have been fighting for months to liberate Sirte from Islamic State, which took over the city amid factional infighting that emerged after the fall of Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Talks collapse on sale of Odebrecht's Peru pipeline stake -source By Marco Aquino LIMA, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Brazilian engineering group Odebrecht SA's plans to sell its 55 percent stake in a $5 billion natural gas pipeline project in Peru to a Sempra Energy-led consortium collapsed in the final stage of negotiations, a source said on Wednesday. The source, who has direct knowledge of the talks but requested anonymity because they are private, said Odebrecht is preparing a new bidding round after a deal was scrapped over "commercial differences" when U.S.-based Sempra Energy changed its initial offer. Odebrecht, Latin America's largest engineering conglomerate, pumped $50 million into the project this week to ensure that construction continues on the 700-mile (1,134-km) pipeline in southern Peru, the source said. Odebrecht and Sempra Energy did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Italian-Argentine conglomerate Techint Group, part of the Sempra-led consortium, declined to comment. The breakdown of talks marked the latest setback for Odebrecht as it seeks to sell off assets after becoming ensnared in a massive graft scandal in Brazil. It also clouds Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski's plans to ensure the project is built quickly to help revive flagging domestic demand and slumping investments. A group of banks had asked that Odebrecht fully exit the project before providing a $4.1 billion syndicated loan needed for the pipeline's construction. The banks previously rejected three offers on Odebrecht's stake, according to sources in July. The 34-year concession to build and operate the pipeline was awarded to Odebrecht in 2014 after its sole competitor was disqualified by state bidding agency Proinversion the day of the auction. Prosecutors have been investigating potential wrongdoing in the bidding process, which Odebrecht and public officials have denied. Spanish energy company firm Enagas SA controls a 25 percent stake in the pipeline project. Peruvian construction group Grana y Montero has a 20 percent stake. Work on the pipeline, scheduled to finish in 2019, was 35 percent complete in July. The project was designed to move natural gas from Peru's abundant Camisea fields to feed power plants and a future petrochemical complex on the Pacific coast. Brazilian police said in February they were investigating potential bribes of $3 million from Odebrecht to former Peruvian President Ollanta Humala, whose five-year term ended in July. Humala and Odebrecht have denied wrongdoing. Greek court deals blow to government's clampdown on broadcasters By Renee Maltezou and Constantinos Georgizas ATHENS, Oct 27 (Reuters) - A top court in Greece has annulled an auction of broadcasting licences held in September because it was not overseen by the independent regulator, in another blow to a government drive to clean up a sector it says is corrupt. Licensing Greece's television broadcasters has been a rallying cry of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras's government since it was first elected in 2015, but critics say its clampdown is hurting freedom of speech. Last month's auction for broadcasting licenses was the first in Greece, where existing permits were awarded under a process the government maintains was a temporary arrangement and therefore invalid. Television companies contradict this. The Council of State, which examines the legality of official acts, on Wednesday ruled that the auction process had been unconstitutional as it had not been supervised by the National Council for Radio and Television (ESR). But the ESR is currently unstaffed after the government forced its members to resign and Tsipras's party Syriza and the opposition New Democracy failed to agree on new appointments, usually made by parliament. The auction had already drawn criticism for making available only four licenses, effectively cutting the number of nationwide broadcasters from the current eight. This led to protests by media workers and opposition parties accusing the government of curbing free speech. The Greek government has frequently accused the media of corruption, saying it is controlled by a network of businesses which previously enjoyed preferential loans from banks and procured lucrative contracts from the public sector. In response to the ruling, the Greek government said it would draft new regulations giving broadcasters temporary licences, but would pursue attempts to reform the sector. "In no case will we delay or legalise this legal vacuum," said Minister of State Nikos Pappas, Tsipras's closest aide and viewed as an architect of the licensing process. Government officials say the ruling could herald a cabinet reshuffle as Tsipras tries to boost Syriza's popularity ratings, which have been dropping for months. The cash-strapped leftist government secured 246 million euros from last month's auction but it is now expected to return what it has already been paid by the winners. New Democracy said the ruling underscored the failures of the left-led government and called for early elections. The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) arrested eleven suspects in Ratnapura last night, including the main suspect 'Kudu Roshan' for the Mattakkuliya quadruple murder, Police said. They said the officers attached to the Colombo Crimes Division arrested the suspects along with firearms. Four persons were killed in the shooting in Samithpura, Mattakkuliya on Sunday (23) and three others also sustained injuries in the incident, Police said. They said the reason behind the shooting has not been uncovered yet while investigations are carried out by the Colombo Crimes Division. Sri Lankas largest private bank, the Commercial Bank of Ceylon is actively looking at opportunities to venture overseas, with a view to establishing itself in developing economies with high growth potential. The Bank is currently present in Bangladesh, Myanmar and the Maldives, and would ultimately like to have 15 percent of its assets (at Rs 930 billion at end June 2016) overseas, Managing Director and CEO Jegan Durairatnam discloses in this exclusive interview. Excerpts: Over the past one year, Commercial Bank has commenced operations in two overseas locations. Why is venturing overseas important to the Bank? We would like a certain part of our balance sheet to be exposed to foreign assets, which is why venturing overseas is important. We look at markets which are at an early stage of development, and have growth potential. These are markets which we need to venture into now, considering that because Sri Lanka is a relatively small country, it will be more difficult to venture into such markets once they have grown and matured. Wherever opportunities exist, we look at whether those markets fit in to our core ambitions and core capabilities and take a decision on whether we should venture into them. It is understood that we cannot grow only in Sri Lanka, and we model our approach on that of some of the global banks. Commercial Banks first overseas operation Bangladesh, is now 13 years old. How has it contributed to the Banks growth and evolution? Bangladesh now accounts for 10 percent of our bottomline and 8 percent of our assets, eventhough the operation consists of only 18 branches, as against 251 in Sri Lanka. The average value of the facilities we have offered in Bangladesh is high, because we are catering to the top end of the customer base in that country. One of the biggest benefits of venturing into Bangladesh 13 years ago is that it has helped us learn how to set up and manage an overseas operation, which we can replicate in other countries. Bangladesh is also still a growing economy with substantial potential, and we expect it to contribute further to our growth. We will have to expand our branch network there in areas that will enable us to serve more customers at the top end, but we are also looking at serving SMEs in as the Bangladeshi economy grows. Interacting with a new culture by venturing overseas gives our staff valuable new perspectives. It contributes not only to the evolution of the bank but to the development of our staff as well. The exposure widens their horizons and makes them better employees. Myanmar does not look like an obvious location for a Sri Lankan bank. What was the rationale for opening an office there, and how has that operation progressed? Our Myanmar operation is still in a very early stage of development. It is a market that we need to be in for some years before we can establish ourselves and grow. The cultural affinity between the two countries is helpful. There is a lot of respect for Sri Lanka because of the countrys large Buddhist population. Our representative office in Yangon is already helping many Sri Lankan companies that are looking at setting up on Myanmar. This results in the Bank increasing its Sri Lankan customer base as well. Commercial Banks most recent overseas operation was in the Maldives. What are your expectations from that operation? We have been offering corporate banking services to Maldivian businesses from Sri Lanka for many years, but there is a substantial retail capability we can harness by going to the Maldives. Even our corporate clients have significant numbers of staff that we can serve in their individual capacities. Opening a branch in Male is just the first step. Given the diversity of products we can offer, we dont see any difficulty in competing in the market. At the moment, our strategy is to focus on retail banking. We want to do different things in the Maldives, such as Franchisee Banking on mobile platforms, as well as by offering access to our services via mobile phones. The emphasis is going to be on innovative technology-facilitated banking rather than brick-and-mortar branches. Given the fact that Maldives is made up of more than 1,200 islands, how does the Bank expect to offer services to people not resident in Male? That is where mobile technology will play a big role. The Maldives has a very tech-savvy populace and the countrys young people are very enthusiastic. It is an exciting market to penetrate with technological innovation. Do you think the technology model adopted for the Maldives could also help the Bank reach more Sri Lankans in remote areas? We believe that the franchisee banking model is the future for Sri Lanka too. This involves working with other companies and organisations that have a large number of customer touch points, to collect deposits on behalf of the Bank. There are companies in Sri Lanka that have large and well-spread branch networks. We are also focussing a lot of attention on assisted automated branches, several of which are already functioning in Sri Lanka, as a means of increasing access for the masses and enhancing convenience. Your next overseas operation is expected to be Italy. Can you outline what is proposed for Italy and what your expectations for that operation are? We expect our fully-owned money transfer operation to grow very well. There are large numbers of Sri Lankans spread all over Italy. The next step is to appoint franchisee agents who will collect remittances on our behalf. We are currently working on getting Bank of Italy approval for the model, which once set up, will provide a safe and legal method for our people in Italy to send money to Sri Lanka. One of the principal reasons to venture into Italy is to promote transfer of funds via a legally acceptable channel. This will enable the Bank to help build an eco-system for a new economy, where continuous remittances can be the basis for further support from the Bank to recipients through personal loans, business loans, housing loans, educational loans and so on. The idea is to encourage those who are sending and receiving money from Italy to think beyond simply consuming the remittances. We are looking at building a new remittance segment by being in a position to deal directly with senders and resolve any issue relating to remittances in that market. In this, the trust factor plays a key role. Because Commercial Bank is a trusted name, Sri Lankans in Italy would have no reservations about handing over their money to our own remittance houses. Where would Commercial Bank want to be next, and why? We would like to have 15 percent of our assets overseas. We would like to be present in most countries in South Asia, such as Nepal and Bhutan and even in India and Pakistan, where entry is relatively difficult. By Shabiya Ali Ahlam Sri Lankas operational environment will continue to be bogged down with errors and mishaps, hindering international trade performances, if the public administration remains resistant towards embracing e- signatures. While the government has a vision of becoming a digital economy that would support its objective of becoming a regional hub, it is noted that the bureaucracy has failed to take the first step towards that goal with a wide section of government agencies refusing to acknowledge e- signatures, and thus accepting e-documents. Shedding light on the reality of the current context, Verite Research, an independent economic think tank, yesterday pointed out that even when a functioning electronic platform is available for use, public agencies still demanded manual documents signed by hand for their records, negating the benefits of the electronic system. According to Verite Research Head of Economic Research Subhashini Abeysinghe, the nations shortcomings in moving to paperless trade does not stem from a lack of activity. Speedy resolution of any issues that prevent acceptance of e-signatures and electronic documents is one small step the government can take even tomorrow, which will result in a giant leap forward for the country in terms of trade competitiveness, said Abeysinghe. She added that not only is acceptance of electronic signatures a pre-requisite for improving Sri Lankas trade dynamics, it is also a crucial element of all key economic policy objectives set forth by the government. The countrys attempts in this regard date back to over 20 years, when Sri Lanka established a working group called the National EDI Committee in 1995 with representation from 20 public and private organisations to serve as a forum on adopting Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). The most recent was the Ministry of Finance together with Sri Lanka Customs launching a Single Window Platform, which is meant to facilitate electronic communications between traders and respective government agencies. Noting that the setup currently only covered a few government institutions, Abeysinghe said greatest failing is that it has failed to replace the need for a duplicate process of manual documentation in multiple copies. The documents will only be accepted with signatures on hard copies, not in electronic form. The law enabling acceptance of electronic signatures was passed in 2006 with the enactment of the Electronic Transactions Act, No. 19 of 2006 (ETA 2006). Abeysinghe asserted that the lack of initiative and inability on the governments part to move the country towards acceptance of electronic documents and electronic signatures, despite Sri Lanka having an enabling legislation and other core requirements in place for almost a decade, is letting down the nations cross border traders at many different levels. Not only is this costing the country millions of rupees every year, its also doing irreparable damage to Sri Lankas trade dynamics so that the country may never fully recover from.It is mandatory for the government and the private sector to make adoption of electronic platforms a national priority and work towards successful implementation of electronic documents and signatures in the trade process to ensure that Sri Lankan traders reap the benefits of moving the Sri Lankan economy into the 21st century, stated the senior economist. Fantastic savings on Economy and Business Class return fares to a variety of destinations in Europe and North America Colombo, SRI LANKA Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is offering travellers from Sri Lanka fantastic savings in its Global Sale. Guests travelling in Business and Economy Class from Colombo can choose from a range of destinations across Europe and North America. Tickets are on sale until 31 October and are valid for travel between 15 January and 30 June 2017. Etihad Airways currently operates twice-daily scheduled flights from the capital Colombo to the airlines Abu Dhabi hub offering convenient connections and seamless journeys to destinations worldwide. Business Class return fares to New York start at LKR 258,776; Frankfurt at LKR 172,286; London at LKR 259,955; Paris at LKR 213,274; Rome at LKR 190,441; Milan at LKR 188,253, Venice at LKR 187,878 and Berlin at LKR 260,916. Economy Class return fares to New York start at LKR 101,176; Frankfurt at LKR 63,586; London at LKR 79,865; Paris at LKR 58,445; Rome at LKR 60,041; Milan at LKR 59,953; Venice at LKR 59,378 and Berlin at LKR 59,716. Along with great connections, Etihad Airways guests are able to pre-clear US Immigration and Customs before boarding their US-bound flights at Abu Dhabi International Airport saving significant time on arrival. This unique facility is the first of its kind in the Middle East, enabling international travellers to arrive as domestic passengers in the USA, avoiding the need to queue at immigration. Members of Etihad Guest, the airlines loyalty programme, will also be able to earn Etihad Guest Miles on all bookings during the sale. Guest Miles can be used for redemption towards free tickets, upgrades, or for purchases of over 3,000 products from the Etihad Guest online Reward Shop. All fares are bookable online at etihad.com, through Etihad Airways reservation office by calling 4766500, or through a local travel agent. Lead-in fares, all-inclusive of taxes, to select destinations in Etihad Airways network include: The Mondays delay of SriLankan flight UL132 from Trichy to Colombo was due to a hydraulic fluid leak from an engine driven hydraulic pump, SriLankan Airlines announced today. Issuing a statement, SriLankan Airlines said the aircraft had to wait for a spare hydraulic pump from Colombo due to the unavailability of it in Trichy. The technical team at Trichy verified that it was a component failure and confirmed that the pump needed to be replaced before the next departure. Following the replacement of the pump and confirmation that the aircraft was fit for flight, the aircraft departed Trichy at 5:45 pm, the statement added. SriLankan Airlines said that it regretted if there was any inconvenience to the passengers and added that delay was purely for their own safety. Fonterra Brands Sri Lanka, the dairy co-operative behind Anchor has invested Rs. 12million to enhance the quality of local milk supply by equipping its milk chilling centres around the country with the most advanced milk-fingerprinting technology for analysing milk composition. Introduced to Sri Lanka for the first time, this breakthrough technology called MilkoScreen provides extremely accurate and reliable testing on the milk as soon it is delivered to the milk chilling centre, ensuring only the highest quality milk is accepted for processing. Managing Director of Fonterra Brands Sri Lanka, Sunil Sethi said, Producing the highest quality products for our consumers here in Sri Lanka and around the world is a non-negotiable. Each year we conduct close to seven million tests globally on our milk and dairy products to ensure they meet rigorous international and local standards. This new testing technology guarantees that we are collecting the highest quality local milk each and every time, ensuring were delivering high quality dairy nutrition through our range of liquid and cultured products under the Anchor and Anchor Newdale brands. Considered to the best testing equipment on the market, MilkoScreen tests the raw milk composition and can detect any abnormalities with the milk before it is accepted at Fonterras milk chilling centre. This investment is the latest initiative as part of our commitment to uplift and create a more sustainable local dairy industry through higher quality milk production and more profitable dairy farmers, said Sethi. Over the last two years, Fonterra Brands Sri Lanka has invested Rs. 1.5 billion in the development of the local dairy industry and supports Sri Lankan dairy farmers by providing training and education through its network of Supplier Relationship Officers, the opening of the Demonstration and Training Farm in Pannala, and establishing state-of-the-art milk chilling centres in dairy communities. Alongside Fonterras development of the dairy industry, the Fonterra Grass Roots Fund, which was set up to support local dairy communities, has contributed over Rs. 33 million to community projects since 2014. Working alongside partners, Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement and Kansarmen Sri Lanka Foundation, the Fonterra Brands Sri Lanka team has completed 45 initiatives that continue to have a long-lasting positive impact, enriching the lives of more than 30,000 children, teachers, dairy farming families and community members. Releases from NASA, NASA's Galex, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, HubbleSite, Spitzer, Cassini, ESO, ESA, NASAs Chandra X-ray Observatory, Royal Astronomical Society, NRAO, Astronomy Picture of the Day, Harvard-Smithsonian Center For Astrophysics, Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics, Gemini Observatory, Subaru Telescope, W. M. Keck Observatory, Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, JPL-Caltech, Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, ICRAR, etc From left :Yohan Ziard, Chief Executive Officer, Kiddies & Toys International (KTI) Pvt. Limited; Dilsha Ruwanpathirana, Head of Strategic Business Unit Toy at KTI and Nabhan Akeel, Managing Director at KTI with the award Kiddies& Toys International (KTI) was recognized by the Lego Group for their unique engagement initiatives. The Sri Lankan company, which beat out other regional distributors for the top prize, was the recipient of the Best Big Bets Plans and Execution award at the recently concluded Lego Distributor Conference for Emerging Asia 2016 which took place in Billund, Denmark. The award was in recognition of KTIs efforts to spread the joy of Lego across Sri Lanka with the use of innovative and immersive experiences that helped children unlock their inner creativity. It is an honour to be recognised at this prestigious forum for our exciting events. The Lego bricks are more than just a toy. They help in the development of young minds and have always helped children express themselves. They encourage children to learn through a unique combination of logic and unlimited creativity. And this has been the reason as to why parents have always sought to incorporate Lego into their childrens playtime. We merely built on this insight to give parents and children an unforgettable experience, said Yohan Ziard, CEO of KTI. The Lego Day events have regularly attracted over 150 kids and their families to have the Lego experience first hand. These events immersed children in their own imaginations allowing them to become master storytellers, engineers, and inventors in the space of a few hours. At the end of the experience those builders that proved themselves to be exceptional were given Lego sets to continue their adventure at home. However, everyone that attended left with Lego merchandise to remember the day. In conceiving these events we took great care to incorporate the unique elements of Lego which spoke to children. This has helped make our promotion of the brand in Sri Lanka a great success and given children across the island an unique and memorable experience. This award is further validation of our tireless efforts and we are proud to have been recognized for our approach, said Dilsha Ruwanpathirana, Head of Strategic Business Unit Toys at KTI. The Lego Group is a privately held, family-owned company with headquarters in Billund, Denmark, and main offices in Enfield, USA, London, UK, Shanghai, China, and Singapore. Founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen, and based on the iconic Lego brick, it is one of the worlds leading manufacturers of play materials. Guided by the company spirit: Only the best is good enough, the company is committed to the development of children and aims to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow through creative play and learning. Kiddies & Toys International (KTI) Pvt. Limited is the exclusive agent for Farlin, Lego, Barbie and Mattel brands in Sri Lanka and features an outstanding range of premium child and mother care products as well as one of the largest selections of branded toys in Sri Lanka. Deputy Minister Harsha De Silva posting a comment on his Facebook account yesterday said that at no time did any of the members of COPE push the Auditor General to change his findings. The full post follows: Notwithstanding the practice of not speaking on matters of COPE until its report is submitted, an exception has to be made, after all what has gone on these last few days. By staying quiet we were subject to all kinds of wild allegations by those who spoke to the press. I heard tonight that on some TV channels it had been reported we misused our 'power' in the committee to get the Auditor General (AG) to change his recommendations. For the record, yes we discussed and debated several technical issues and recorded matters of disagreement, and sought clarity by asking him several times to add one more sentence to his report to clarify a certain important point, but at no time did any of the members push the AG to change his findings. (Today I spoke to him and he agreed with me that no such thing happened between us.) Generally, the accusation was the 'UNP members' were hell bent on saying nothing wrong had happened. The truth is far from it. We, the 'UNP members' agreed with every one of the 14 observations of the AG. We did not agree with all his recommendations in the way they were presented but we went much further than those who got up and left (members of the JO and JVP and some from UPFA) with our own recommendations. It is unfortunate that the usually flexible Chairman didn't stay through to the end. Now this story in the Daily Mirror is based on the first recommendation made by us; not by those who got up and left. We are the ones who went through para by para and discussed in committee the entire draft with the AG with the honest intention of getting to the bottom of this issue. Not those who used the COPE purely to make political statements. While I don't plan to go in to technical details of the investigation, one thing I must divulge is that the Central Bank had violated it's own mandate on issuing bonds since January 2009 all the way up to January 2015. Just as nothing during that era was ever investigated this violation too was ignored. Lot more details will come out in the final report. Await the remaining recommendations dealing with the other characters involved in this matter including the Governor and other senior officials when we meet on Thursday to finalise the report. Best if we don't make our minds too early based on partial and biased information. I will certainly stand for the truth. That means to do the right thing; not to please anyone or harm anyone for political ends but be just and fair. The Cabinet approval has been granted to release funds amounting to over Rs.4 billion as the final tranche to defrauded Golden Key depositors though the Central Bank. The proposal to this end was made by Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayke. Under the scheme approved by the Supreme Court, Rs. 544.3 million and Rs. 3.9 billion have been already been released respectively, for first and second tranches by the General Treasury. The Cabinet approval has also been granted to swiftly dispose the assets of Golden Key Credit Card Company and its subsidiaries and to credit the proceeds of the disposed assets to the General Treasury. Sri Lankas Ease of Doing Business ranking fell by one notch to 110 for 2017 despite key improvements, according to the flagship report on the subject by the World Bank. While Sri Lanka has taken positive steps in reforms, much needs to be done to enable the private sector to grow and to provide equal opportunities for all, World Bank Country Director for Sri Lanka and the Maldives Idah Pswarayi-Riddihough said. The report noted that Sri Lanka had made progress under two reform indicators that are covered by the report. The starting a business indicator improved to 74th in the world due to the government removing stamp duty on newly issued shares. The protecting minority investors indicator edged up to rank 42nd due to related party transactions being required to have board and, in some cases, shareholder approval, and internal reviews. According to the World Bank, though the reforms were crucial, Sri Lanka slipping from its 109th position in 2016 shows that other peer economies had undertaken a larger number of reforms during the same period. The present government had come into power promising a wide array of reforms, most of which are yet to be fully implemented, and the government is citing the length of the democratic process it is attempting to follow as an explanation for the delays. Sri Lanka ranked worst (163rd) in the enforcing contracts area while ranking 158th in paying taxes, 155th in registering property and 118th in getting credit. This is despite credit growing at almost uncontrollable levels. Trading across borders was ranked 90th, which the government has to improve if it is to follow through with its policy of trading the country out of its debt. Dealing with construction permits came at 88th, getting electricity at 86th, and resolving insolvency was ranked 75th. The World Bank noted that 11 reforms were implemented by 5 of the 8 economies in South Asia in the past year, compared to an annual average of 9 reforms undertaken over the past 5 years. Pakistan is among the top 10 global improvers. Over the past 12 months, it implemented a total of three reforms and saw its ranking progress from 148 to 144, the World Bank said. India, which had also implemented multiple reforms, came up 1 rank to 130. In the past five years, Sri Lanka has implemented the highest number of Doing Business reforms in the region, with 12 reforms in total, followed by India with 10, the World Bank added. New Zealand came up first in the rankings for 2017, followed by Singapore and Denmark. The Ease of Doing Business rankings reflect the situation as at June 1 of the previous year, and includes data gathered from one or two cities in a country, which in the case of Sri Lanka, was Colombo. Look at key factors to improve ranking, private sector urges Despite Sri Lankas keenness in uplifting its trading platform, the government and policy makers have been unsuccessful in looking at the key factors to improve the countrys Ease of Doing Business ranking, a prominent private sector representative pointed out. Speaking on the importance of Sri Lanka transforming into a complete paperless trading economy, as it claims it already has, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) Import Section Chairman Dinesh de Silva opined this area has not been thought through by the relevant authorities. The government and the policy makers have really not gone into certain areas that are of paramount importance to get these indices right. One area is to have a paperless system. This is vital for those engaged in international trade, but is not treated that way unfortunately, said de Silva. After two decades of work and little success, it was highlighted that paperless documentation and transactions are exercised, but by a few groups/departments in isolation. According to de Silva, this is no good. Working in isolation is not going to help the trade. Across all levels there has to be the same level of understanding, commitment and usage. For that the government has to come in a much bigger scale and announce the infrastructure in place. There are many lose ends to tie, he stressed. It was noted that in an era where local traders are struggling to remain competitive and relevant in the global market, cumbersome processes add significant amounts of transaction costs that further lower traders ability to compete against low cost, high quality offerings from regional and global competitors. Sri Lanka, which was traditionally regarded as a provider of high quality, low cost goods and services, continues to lose ground due to delayed and complicated trading procedures. According to a breakdown of the World Banks Ease of Doing Business index 2016, Sri Lanka takes an average of 76 hours to comply with documents requirements for trade, whereas Singapore, a country Sri Lanka aspires to become, takes no more than four hours. Sri Lanka also falls behind its neighboring peers India and Pakistan, which take an average of 61 and 62 hours. (SAA) Minister Rishad Bathiudeen (centre) at opening of WTOs Colombo session Trade Led Development in the Multilateral Trading System joined by Head of WTO Development Division Shishir Priyadarshi (right) and Director General of Commerce Sonali Wijeratne (left) Sri Lanka announced that it is seeking special and differential treatment for its agricultural and even service exports under WTO and the WTO-Lankan Trade Policy Review will take place in early November, said the apex global trade regulator yesterday. Being a small and vulnerable economy and a net food importing developing country, Sri Lanka is faced with special circumstances that call for special needs. Sri Lanka is vigorously pursuing flexibility for special products and special safeguard mechanisms, said Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen addressing WTOs Colombo session. Trade Led Development in the Multilateral Trading System, conducted with the Department of Commerce, opened at Colombo Hilton, involves in-depth studies of various trade aspects of WTO regime. Joining the session were such heavyweights as the Head of WTO Development Division Shishir Priyadarshi and United Nations ESCAP Trade Policy and Analysis Chief, Dr.Mia Mikic. Of Sri Lankas total annual exports, agricultural exports claim around 22 percent. However, the share and value of agricultural exports has improved only marginally since 2011. The US$ 2.45 billion agri-exports in 2011 increased slightly by 2015 at US$2.46 billion. Sri Lankas delegation in Geneva is very active said Head of WTO Development Division Shishir Priyadarshi, and added, Sri Lanka also leads the Asia Pacific Group in WTO. WTOs Sri Lanka Trade Policy Review is taking place in early November and I am pleased to say that there is much advanced preparation in this regard. One of the environmental pioneers receives the prize from Anuradha Jayarathna, the Deputy Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment. Officials of Swadeshi Indurstial Works PLC look on. In keeping with this commitment, Swadeshi Khomba recently sponsored the 12th Environment Pioneer National Camp, which was held at the National College of Education, Peradeniya. This years national camp was attended by 400 activists, including 300 environmental pioneers who have excelled in the Environmental Pioneer Program. The environmental pioneer program is a broad environmental network that is currently being implemented within Sri Lankas school system by the Central Environmental Authority along with the cooperation of the Ministry of Education with the purpose of creating awareness and social responsibility amongst the future citizens of the country. The national camp of the Environmental Pioneer Program this year was inaugurated on 22nd September under the guidance of the President Maithripala Sirisena, with the presence of Hon. Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment Hon. Anuradha Jayarathna, the Deputy Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment, Governor of the Central Province and Chief Minister of the Central Province were also present as special invitees. The knowledge sharing and collaboration enabled by the national camp has strengthened the vigor of the Environmental Pioneer Program and it is the hope of the Swadeshi Khomba brand that this stimulation will spur further collaborations and initiatives to preserve the environment at school and household level. The company believes that by sharing its appreciation of nature and enabling its stakeholders, including its employees and customers to pursue environmentally friendly choices, a greater value could be derived both for the company and the nation. The company considers health and environmental impacts of its product through their lifecycles and continues to focus on nature based products to minimize adverse impacts on the environment. Basing the product on best of what nature has to offer, The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC., Kandana serves to offer an appreciation of natures miracle ingredient Margosa through its flagship brand Khomba. Swadeshi Khomba Original Herbal Soap, launched in 1943 was the first herbal soap manufactured in Sri Lanka. The Khomba brand has the unique distinction of being the consistent leader in the herbal segment for seven decades, an achievement that is unparalleled with the local and international herbal personal care brands. The Swadeshi Indurstial Works PLC also annually sponsors the Aloka Poojawas of historical places of worship, under the theme of Swadeshi Khomba Aloka Puja Sathkaraya The Swadeshi Khomba brand continues to carry out sustainability projects, which focus on caring for Mother Nature and will continue to support initiatives that groom Sri Lankas citizens to be ambassadors and friends of the environment. Despite the visit of the Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar accompanied by a high-level team from the Indian Oil Corporation over the weekend, differences between the Lanka IOC (LIOC) and the government of Sri Lanka over the Trincomalee oil storage tanks persist, the New Indian Express reported today. Sources told Express on Tuesday that the basic technical and legal issues which have been preventing the full use of the giant oil tanks remain unresolved though the tanks were handed over to the LIOC, a subsidiary of IOC, way back in 2002 for joint development with the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC). Because of the war in North-East Sri Lanka, LIOC and CPC could not develop the tanks as desired though the LIOC, PRIMA and the Sri Lanka Air Force were using some. The LIOC had renovated 15 of the 99 tanks at a cost of US$ 15 million and was ready to invest US$ 17 more for further refurbishment. The PRIMA wheat company and the Air Force were using four. The end of the war in 2009 did not being any relief as relations between India and the Mahinda Rajapaksa government deteriorated over the Tamil issue. In 2013, India abstained from supporting Sri Lanka in the UN Human Rights Council, and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did not attend the Commonwealth summit held in Colombo. Given the downturn in relations, the Rajapaksa government unofficially said in 2013, that it might ask the LIOC to quit because the original agreement was not entered into in a proper manner and that the land on which the tanks stood had not been handed over to LIOC legally. And the CPC had no authority to give permission to the LIOC to use the tanks because the CPC did not own the tank farm, which was government property. LIOC was also paying only a nominal fee for the use of the tanks. However, the government of India unofficially warned Sri Lanka that the IOC-CPC deal was the result of the India-Sri Lanka Accord of 1987 and was a government to government agreement which cannot be unilaterally abrogated. The Sri Lankan government thereafter stopped talking of a takeover but full development of the tanks did not proceed as originally envisaged. But India was keen on participating in the energy sector in Sri Lanka and had an eye on Trincomalee for development as an Indian Ocean energy hub. The tank farm consisting of 99 tanks is located on an 850-acre block of land. Each of the tanks has a holding capacity of 12,100 metric tons of oil. The total storage capacity is about one million metric tines. After the change of government in Sri Lanka in January 2015, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe took the proposed an India-Sri Lanka joint venture to develop 30 storage tanks in the first phase. The Government proposes to establish a new venture between Lanka IOC and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) to develop the 84 tanks located within the Trincomalee Upper Tank Farm. However, the resoration will cost a lot of money. The Minister of Petroleum, Chandima Weerakkody, told Parliament that CPC had said that nine could be used after minor repairs. The government wants to increase the total storage capacity to 90,000 MT, enabling it to benefit from the global oil price fluctuations. However, technical and legal issues relating to the on-going joint venture with the LIOC still persist preventing the implementation of plans of the governments of India and Sri Lanka. (New Indian Express) India is facing a difficult situation on its borders. Though we obsessively focus on the western front vis-a-vis Pakistan, what goes mostly ignored is the Chinese side. Between 200 and 300 Chinese intrusions inside the Indian territory occur every year but for the sake of "normalisation" of relations with Beijing, Delhi keeps them under wraps. There is perhaps a solution to improve the situation - a better administration of border areas. For security purposes, the Indo-Tibet Border Police Force (ITBPF) is deployed from Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Jachep La in Arunachal Pradesh along the 3,488km Indian-Tibetan border, manning border outposts in the three sectors of the Himalayan frontier. Unwillingness While the ITBPF, raised on October 24, 1962, is a specialised mountain force with professionally trained mountaineers, the civil administration in these areas is still in the hands of young IAS officers, unequipped and often unwilling to go through the hardship necessary to interact and help the local population. Today, there is an acute need for a special cadre to administer India's borders, especially in the Himalayas. Is the government ready to take a first step in this direction? Probably not, as it may ruffle many feathers starting with the powerful IAS lobby. It is worth noting that Jawaharlal Nehru did it, though with romantic concerns. He wrote: "I am not at all sure which is the better way of living, the tribal or our own. In some respects, I am quite certain theirs is better. Therefore, it is grossly presumptuous on our part to approach them with an air of superiority." Chinese soldiers on patrol. (Photo credit: Reuters) Though constitutionally a part of Assam, in the 1950s, the NEFA was administered by the ministry of external affairs, with governor of Assam acting as agent to the president of India, seconded by a senior officer (often from the ICS), designated as advisor to the governor. Nehru took a great initiative in creating a separate cadre for India's frontiers, mainly NEFA, Tibet, Sikkim and Bhutan. When on April 4, 1952, the then prime minister mentioned to Jairamdas Doulatram, the governor of Assam, the need of a "special" cadre; the idea was not appreciated by all. Finally, in 1954, the first batch of officers, drawn mainly from the Army but also from the All-India services, was posted on the frontiers. The initial recruitment to the Indian Frontier Administrative Service (IFAS) was made through a Special Selection Board. Segregation Sixty years later, one realises that though the idea was good, the over-romantic views about the border population amounted to the segregation of a large chunk of the Indian population and triggered underdevelopment of the border areas, which still exists today. KC Johorey, who later became chief secretary in Goa, was one of the pioneers to join the IFAS. He still remembers what Nehru told his batch: "The staff must go along with the flag and the typewriters can follow later on." Johorey recalls his first posting along the Siang Frontier Division: "There were two houses, one for the burra sahib (for Yusuf Ali, his boss), and behind another smaller hut. The houses were really huts made of bamboos, palm leaves and canes. Even the tables and the beds were of bamboos. There were no mattresses, no electricity and no furniture. The houses were very clean and airy. That was all," says he. One of the most famous members of the IFAS is Maj Ranenglao "Bob" Khathing, who single-handedly brought Tawang under Indian administration in February 1951. Development Another officer, major SM Krishnatry, has left an extraordinary account of his "tour" report in what is today the Upper Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh. Krishnatry, who had earlier been posted for seven years in Tibet, provides a detailed description of his adventures: "(Earlier) most exploratory expeditions in the tribal frontiers have been armed or armoured with heavy escorts much to the cost and suppression of human rights, occupation of their lands, burning of villages, molestation of women, looting of livestock, crops and banning of trade." Unfortunately, Verrier Elwin could only see the anthropological side of the issue, forgetting the strategic as well the economic aspects of the border development; it resulted in a huge development gap between the frontier areas and the rest of India, which became critical after Tibet's invasion in 1950. As a result, when China attacked India in October 1962, the country was unable to give Mao's troops a befitting response. The IFAS, an ad-hoc creation of Nehru, was dissolved in the mid-1960s and the intrepid IFAS officers were "merged" with the "boring" IFS, IAS or IPS. It is perhaps time to review the concept and create a new IFAS (or an Indo-Tibet Border Administrative Service), with daring officers coming from different walks of life (perhaps mainly from the Army to start with), but who would be willing to undertake the vital task to develop Indian frontiers. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who is a Republican, said on Tuesday that he would vote for Hillary Clinton the Democratic nominee in a huge snub of Donald Trump, his partys presidential nominee. Powell served in the Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations. He also backed current president Barack Obama for both the 2008 and the 2012 presidential elections. Get Warning: Undefined variable $CompanyName in /home/acctdp/public_html/wp-content/themes/responsalambre/single.php on line 65 alerts: Peggy Cifrino the chief of staff for Powell confirmed his announcement. Aides told Clinton of the support from Powell after a rally she held on Tuesday in Florida. One aide told reporters that Clinton was grateful for Powells support. Later, Clintons presidential campaign tweeted that it was proud to have General Powells endorsement. Powell, who is a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was critical of both candidates from the two major parties. Emails that were hacked and released during September showed that Powell had condemned Trump giving him the label of an international pariah and a national disgrace. One email that was sent on August 3 by Powell said that Trump was nuts. Everybody wants him (Powell) to speak out but the right time and the right place will be chosen for its maximum effect as he did in both 2008 as well as 2012. Meanwhile, Clinton and Powell have had a difficult relationship at times. He pushed back repeatedly against reports this summer that suggested he may have given the idea to Clinton to use a private account for email, telling the media during August that Clintons people wanted to pin that on him. Despite the support of Powell for the presidential nominee of the Democrats for the last three presidential elections, he said he remained a Republican. He called himself a Republican due to believing in a strong defense and a belief in entrepreneurial spirit that in the past was so typical of the GOP. However, at the time he said he was having difficulty with the current Republican Party. Clinton earned support of other Republicans who are considered high-profile including former Senator Larry Pressler, former senior adviser to the campaign of Jeb Bush Sally Bradshaw, Meg Whitman the CEO at Hewlett Packard and Frank Lavin the former political director for Reagan. According to reliable sources, former President George H.W. Bush is also going to vote for Hillary Clinton. Morgan Stanley is the 6th largest financial institution in the US. The company is ranked 61st on the Forbes Fortune 500 list and is the 39th largest bank in the world. A financial holding company, Morgan Stanley provides a full range of financial services to clients around the world. Morgan Stanley was formed in 1935 as a result of the Glass-Steagall Act. Glass-Steagall separated commercial and investment banking in a way that forced the then-largest bank J.P. Morgan & Co to split into two groups. J.P. Morgan & Co. chose to retain the commercial side of the business while partners Henry S. Morga, grandson of J.P., and Harold Stanley took the investment end. In its first year, Morgan Stanley did 24% of the IPO business and maintains a lions share of the market to this day. The original company existed and grew through acquisitions until 1987 when it merged with Dean Witter Discover & Co. The new Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Discover & Co existed for 14 years until 2001 when the name was shortened back to Morgan Stanley. The bank is credited in part with both beginning and ending the financial crisis of 2007/2008. The Process Driven Trading unit lost $300 million in one day due to a short-squeeze that popped the bubble in the housing market. After teetering on the brink of failure Morgan Stanley agreed to become a bank holding company regulated by the Federal Reserve, a key factor in the original decision to split from parent J.P. Morgan & Co. Ironically when given the chance, present-day J.P. Morgan refused to buy Morgan Stanley but that was for the better. Today, Morgan Stanley operates through three segments via offices in 41 countries and employs more than 75,000 people. Revenue in 2021 topped $49 billion and total assets topped $1.15 trillion. The operating segments are Institutional Securities, Wealth Management, and Investment Management segments. The Institutional Securities segment is by far the largest and most profitable. It offers a range of services and products for businesses, institutions, and entities that include capital raising, strategic advisory, underwriting, advice on M&A, restructuring, and real estate. The Wealth Management segment provides brokerage and investment advisory services for individuals and employers. The services include brokerage, financial planning, company stock-plan administration, insurance, mortgage loans, lines of credit, and retirement planning. The Investment Management segment provides investment products to a range of institutions, organizations, corporations, and governments. Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc. provides home and security products for residential home repair, remodeling, new construction, and security applications. It operates in three segments: Plumbing, Outdoors & Security, and Cabinets. The Plumbing segment manufactures, assembles, and sells faucets, accessories, kitchen sinks, and waste disposals under the Moen, ROHL, Riobel, Victoria+Albert, Perrin & Rowe, and Shaws brands in the United States, China, Canada, Mexico, Southeast Asia, Europe, and South America directly through its own sales force, as well as through independent manufacturers' representatives to wholesalers, home centers, mass merchandisers, and industrial distributors. The Outdoors & Security segment offers fiberglass and steel entry door systems under the Therma-Tru brand; storm, screen, and security doors under the Larson brand; composite decking and railing under the Fiberon brand; and urethane millwork under the Fypon brand. This segment also manufactures, sources, and distributes locks, safety and security devices, and electronic security products under the Master Lock and American Lock brands; and fire resistant safes, security containers, and commercial cabinets under the SentrySafe brand. It serves home centers, hardware and other retailers, millwork building products and wholesale distributors, specialty dealers, and remodeling and renovation markets, as well as locksmiths, industrial and institutional users, and original equipment manufacturers in the United States, Canada, Europe, Central America, Japan, and Australia. The Cabinets segment manufactures custom, semi-custom, and custom cabinetry, as well as vanities for the kitchen, bath, and other parts of the home directly to kitchen and bath dealers, home centers, wholesalers, and builders in North America under the AOK, Diamond Brands, Homecrest, Kitchen Craft, Omega, and EVE brands. The company was incorporated in 1988 and is headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois. The following companies are subsidiares of HSBC: Assetfinance December (F) Limited, Assetfinance December (H) Limited, Assetfinance December (M) Limited, Assetfinance December (P) Limited, Assetfinance December (R) Limited, Assetfinance June (A) Limited, Assetfinance June (D) Limited, Assetfinance Limited, Assetfinance March (B) Limited, Assetfinance March (D) Limited, Assetfinance March (F) Limited, Assetfinance September (F) Limited, Assetfinance September (G) Limited, B&Q Financial Services Limited, Banco Nominees (Guernsey) Limited, Banco Nominees 2 (Guernsey) Limited, Banco Nominees Limited, Bank of Bermuda (Cayman) Limited, Beau Soleil Limited Partnership, Beijing Miyun HSBC Rural Bank Company Limited, Billingsgate Nominees Limited, CC&H Holdings LLC, CCF & Partners Asset Management Limited, COIF Nominees Limited, Canada Crescent Nominees (UK) Limited, Canada Square Nominees (UK) Limited, Capco/Cove Inc., Card-Flo #1 Inc., Card-Flo #3 Inc., Charterhouse Administrators (D.T.) Limited, Charterhouse Management Services Limited, Charterhouse Pensions Limited, Chongqing Dazu HSBC Rural Bank Company Limited, Chongqing Fengdu HSBC Rural Bank Company Limited, Chongqing Rongchang HSBC Rural Bank Company Limited, Cordico Management AG, Corhold Limited, Corsair IV Financial Services Capital Partners, Dalian Pulandian HSBC Rural Bank Company Limited, Decision One Mortgage Company LLC, Dem 5, Dem 9, Dempar 1, Dempar 4, Elysees Immo Invest, Eton Corporate Services Limited, Fdm 5 SAS, Finanpar 2, Finanpar 7, Flandres Contentieux S.A., Fonciere Elysees, Fujian Yongan HSBC Rural Bank Company Limited, Fulcher Enterprises Company Limited, Fundacion HSBC A.C., GPIF Co-Investment LLC, Giller Ltd., Global Payments Technology Mexico S.A. De C.V., Griffin International Limited, Grundstuecksgesellschaft Trinkausstrasse Kommanditgesellschaft, Grupo Financiero HSBC S.A. de C.V., Guangdong Enping HSBC Rural Bank Company Limited, HITG Administration GmbH, HRMG Nominees Limited, HSBC (BGF) Investments Limited, HSBC (General Partner) Limited, HSBC (Guernsey) GP PCC Limited, HSBC (Kuala Lumpur) Nominees Sdn Bhd, HSBC (Malaysia) Trustee Berhad, HSBC (Singapore) Nominees Pte Ltd, HSBC Administradora de Inversiones S.A., HSBC Agency (India) Private Limited, HSBC Alternative Investments Limited, HSBC Amanah Malaysia Berhad, HSBC Americas Corporation (Delaware), HSBC Argentina Holdings S.A., HSBC Asia Holdings (UK) Limited, HSBC Asia Holdings B.V., HSBC Asia Holdings Limited, HSBC Asia Pacific Holdings (UK) Limited, HSBC Asset Finance (UK) Limited, HSBC Asset Finance M.O.G. Holdings (UK) Limited, HSBC Asset Management (India) Private Limited, HSBC Assurances Vie (France), HSBC Australia Holdings Pty Limited, HSBC Bank (Chile), HSBC Bank (China) Company Limited, HSBC Bank (General Partner) Limited, HSBC Bank (Mauritius) Limited, HSBC Bank (RR) (Limited Liability Company), HSBC Bank (Singapore) Limited, HSBC Bank (Taiwan) Limited, HSBC Bank (Uruguay) S.A., HSBC Bank (Vietnam) Ltd., HSBC Bank A.S., HSBC Bank Argentina S.A., HSBC Bank Armenia cjsc, HSBC Bank Australia Limited, HSBC Bank Bermuda Limited, HSBC Bank Canada, HSBC Bank Capital Funding (Sterling, HSBC Bank Capital Funding (Sterling 2) LP, HSBC Bank Egypt S.A.E, HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad, HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c., HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, HSBC Bank Nominee (Jersey) Limited, HSBC Bank Oman S.A.O.G., HSBC Bank Pension Trust (UK) Limited, HSBC Bank Polska S.A., HSBC Bank USA National Association, HSBC Bank plc, HSBC Branch Nominee (UK) Limited, HSBC Brasil Holding S.A., HSBC Brasil S.A. Banco De Investimento, HSBC Broking Forex (Asia) Limited, HSBC Broking Futures (Asia) Limited, HSBC Broking Futures (Hong Kong) Limited, HSBC Broking Securities (Asia) Limited, HSBC Broking Securities (Hong Kong) Limited, HSBC Broking Services (Asia) Limited, HSBC Canadian Covered Bond (Legislative) GP Inc, HSBC Canadian Covered Bond (Legislative) Guarantor Limited Partnership, HSBC Capital (USA) Inc., HSBC Capital Funding (Dollar 1) L.P., HSBC Capital Limited, HSBC Card Services Inc., HSBC Casa de Bolsa S.A. de C.V., HSBC Cayman Services Limited, HSBC City Funding Holdings, HSBC Client Holdings Nominee (UK) Limited, HSBC Client Share Offer Nominee (UK) Limited, HSBC Columbia Funding LLC, HSBC Corporate Advisory (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, HSBC Corporate Finance (Hong Kong) Limited, HSBC Corporate Trustee Company (UK) Limited, HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited, HSBC Custody Services (Guernsey) Limited, HSBC Daisy Investments (Mauritius) Limited, HSBC Diversified Loan Fund General Partner Sarl, HSBC Electronic Data Processing (Guangdong) Limited, HSBC Electronic Data Processing (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, HSBC Electronic Data Processing (Philippines) Inc., HSBC Electronic Data Processing India Private Limited, HSBC Electronic Data Processing Lanka (Private) Limited, HSBC Electronic Data Service Delivery (Egypt) S.A.E., HSBC Enterprise Investment Company (UK) Limited, HSBC Epargne Entreprise (France), HSBC Equipment Finance (UK) Limited, HSBC Equity (UK) Limited, HSBC Europe B.V., HSBC Executor & Trustee Company (UK) Limited, HSBC Factoring (France), HSBC Finance (Brunei) Berhad, HSBC Finance (Netherlands), HSBC Finance Corporation, HSBC Finance Limited, HSBC Finance Mortgages Inc., HSBC Finance Transformation (UK) Limited, HSBC Financial Services (Lebanon) s.a.l., HSBC France, HSBC Fund Services (Korea) Limited, HSBC Germany Holdings GmbH, HSBC Global Asset Management (Bermuda) Limited, HSBC Global Asset Management (Canada) Limited, HSBC Global Asset Management (Deutschland) GmbH, HSBC Global Asset Management (France), HSBC Global Asset Management (Hong Kong) Limited, HSBC Global Asset Management (Japan) K. K., HSBC Global Asset Management (Malta) Limited, HSBC Global Asset Management (Mexico) S.A. de C.V., HSBC Global Asset Management (Oesterreich) GmbH, HSBC Global Asset Management (Singapore) Limited, HSBC Global Asset Management (Switzerland) AG, HSBC Global Asset Management (Taiwan) Limited, HSBC Global Asset Management (UK) Limited, HSBC Global Asset Management (USA) Inc., HSBC Global Asset Management Holdings (Bahamas) Limited, HSBC Global Asset Management Limited, HSBC Global Custody Nominee (UK) Limited, HSBC Global Custody Proprietary Nominee (UK) Limited, HSBC Global Services (Canada) Limited, HSBC Global Services (China) Holdings Limited, HSBC Global Services (Hong Kong) Limited, HSBC Global Services (UK) Limited, HSBC Global Services Limited, HSBC Group Management Services Limited, HSBC Group Nominees UK Limited, HSBC Holdings B.V., HSBC IM Pension Trust Limited, HSBC INKA Investment-AG TGV, HSBC Infrastructure Limited, HSBC Inmobiliaria (Mexico) S.A. de C.V., HSBC Institutional Trust Services (Asia) Limited, HSBC Institutional Trust Services (Bermuda) Limited, HSBC Institutional Trust Services (Ireland) DAC, HSBC Institutional Trust Services (Mauritius) Limited, HSBC Institutional Trust Services (Singapore) Limited, HSBC Insurance (Asia) Limited, HSBC Insurance (Asia-Pacific) Holdings Limited, HSBC Insurance (Bermuda) Limited, HSBC Insurance (Singapore) Pte. Limited, HSBC Insurance Agency (USA) Inc., HSBC Insurance Brokers (Philippines) Inc, HSBC Insurance Holdings Limited, HSBC Insurance Services Holdings Limited, HSBC International Finance Corporation, HSBC International Trustee (BVI) Limited, HSBC International Trustee (Holdings) Pte. Limited, HSBC International Trustee Limited, HSBC Inversiones S.A., HSBC InvestDirect (India) Limited, HSBC InvestDirect Financial Services (India) Limited, HSBC InvestDirect Sales & Marketing (India) Limited, HSBC InvestDirect Securities (India) Private Limited, HSBC Investment Bank Holdings B.V., HSBC Investment Bank Holdings Limited, HSBC Investment Funds (Canada) Inc., HSBC Investment Funds (Hong Kong) Limited, HSBC Investment Funds (Luxembourg) SA, HSBC Invoice Finance (UK) Limited, HSBC Issuer Services Common Depositary Nominee (UK) Limited, HSBC Issuer Services Depositary Nominee (UK) Limited, HSBC LU Nominees Limited, HSBC Latin America B.V., HSBC Latin America Holdings (UK) Limited, HSBC Leasing (Asia) Limited, HSBC Leasing (France), HSBC Life (International) Limited, HSBC Life (Property) Limited, HSBC Life (UK) Limited, HSBC Life Assurance (Malta) Limited, HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited, HSBC Management (Guernsey) Limited, HSBC Markets (USA) Inc., HSBC Marking Name Nominee (UK) Limited, HSBC Mexico S.A., HSBC Middle East Finance Company Limited, HSBC Middle East Holdings B.V., HSBC Middle East Leasing Partnership, HSBC Mortgage Corporation (Canada), HSBC Mortgage Corporation (USA), HSBC Nominees (Asing) Sdn Bhd, HSBC Nominees (Hong Kong) Limited, HSBC Nominees (New Zealand) Limited, HSBC Nominees (Tempatan) Sdn Bhd, HSBC North America Holdings Inc., HSBC Odeme Sistemleri Bilgisayar Teknolojileri Basin Yayin Ve Musteri Hizmetleri, HSBC Operational Services GmbH, HSBC Overseas Holdings (UK) Limited, HSBC Overseas Investments Corporation (New York), HSBC Overseas Nominee (UK) Limited, HSBC PB Corporate Services, HSBC PB Services (Suisse) SA, HSBC PI Holdings (Mauritius) Limited, HSBC Participaciones (Argentina) S.A., HSBC Pension Trust (Ireland) DAC, HSBC Pensiones S.A., HSBC Portfoy Yonetimi A.S., HSBC Preferential LP (UK), HSBC Private Bank (C.I.) Limited, HSBC Private Bank (Luxembourg) S.A., HSBC Private Bank (Monaco) SA, HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) SA, HSBC Private Bank (UK) Limited, HSBC Private Bank International, HSBC Private Banking Holdings (Suisse) SA, HSBC Private Banking Nominee 3 (Jersey) Limited, HSBC Private Equity Advisors LLC, HSBC Private Equity Investments (UK) Limited, HSBC Private Trustee (Hong Kong) Limited, HSBC Private Wealth Services (Canada) Inc., HSBC Professional Services (India) Private Limited, HSBC Property (UK) Limited, HSBC Property Funds (Holding) Limited, HSBC Provident Fund Trustee (Hong Kong) Limited, HSBC Qianhai Securities Limited, HSBC REIM (France), HSBC Real Estate Leasing (France), HSBC Realty Credit Corporation (USA), HSBC Representative Office (Nigeria) Limited, HSBC Retirement Benefits Trustee (UK) Limited, HSBC Retirement Services Limited, HSBC SFH (France), HSBC Savings Bank (Philippines) Inc., HSBC Securities (Asia) Limited, HSBC Securities (Canada) Inc., HSBC Securities (Egypt) S.A.E., HSBC Securities (Japan) Limited, HSBC Securities (Philippines) Inc., HSBC Securities (Singapore) Pte Limited, HSBC Securities (South Africa) (Pty) Limited, HSBC Securities (Taiwan) Corporation Limited, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., HSBC Securities Asia International Nominees Limited, HSBC Securities Asia Nominees Limited, HSBC Securities Brokers (Asia) Limited, HSBC Securities Investments (Asia) Limited, HSBC Securities Services (Bermuda) Limited, HSBC Securities Services (Guernsey) Limited, HSBC Securities Services (Ireland) DAC, HSBC Securities Services (Luxembourg) S.A., HSBC Securities Services Holding Limited, HSBC Securities Services Holdings (Ireland) DAC, HSBC Securities and Capital Markets (India) Private Limited, HSBC Seguros S.A de C.V., HSBC Seguros de Retiro (Argentina) S.A., HSBC Seguros de Vida (Argentina) S.A., HSBC Service Delivery (Polska) Sp. z o.o., HSBC Services (France), HSBC Services Japan Limited, HSBC Services USA Inc., HSBC Servicios Financieros S.A., HSBC Servicios S.A de C.V., HSBC Software Development (Canada) Inc, HSBC Software Development (Guangdong) Limited, HSBC Software Development (India) Private Limited, HSBC Software Development (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, HSBC Specialist Investments Limited, HSBC Stockbrokers Nominee (UK) Limited, HSBC Technology & Services (China) Limited, HSBC Technology & Services (USA) Inc., HSBC Transaction Services GmbH, HSBC Trinkaus & Burkhardt (International) S.A., HSBC Trinkaus & Burkhardt AG, HSBC Trinkaus & Burkhardt Gesellschaft fur Bankbeteiligungen mbH, HSBC Trinkaus Europa Immobilien-Fonds Nr. 5 GmbH, HSBC Trinkaus Family Office GmbH, HSBC Trinkaus Immobilien Beteiligungs KG, HSBC Trinkaus Real Estate GmbH, HSBC Trust Company (Canada), HSBC Trust Company (Delaware) National Association, HSBC Trust Company (UK) Limited, HSBC Trust Company AG, HSBC Trustee (C.I.) Limited, HSBC Trustee (Cayman) Limited, HSBC Trustee (Guernsey) Limited, HSBC Trustee (Hong Kong) Limited, HSBC Trustee (Singapore) Limited, HSBC UK Bank plc, HSBC UK Client Nominee Limited, HSBC UK Holdings Limited, HSBC USA Inc., HSBC Violet Investments (Mauritius) Limited, HSBC Wealth Client Nominee Limited, HSBC Yatirim Menkul Degerler A.S., HSI Asset Securitization Corporation, HSI International Limited, HSIL Investments Limited, Hang Seng (Nominee) Limited, Hang Seng Bank (China) Limited, Hang Seng Bank (Trustee) Limited, Hang Seng Bank Limited, Hang Seng Bullion Company Limited, Hang Seng Credit Limited, Hang Seng Data Services Limited, Hang Seng Finance Limited, Hang Seng Financial Information Limited, Hang Seng Indexes Company Limited, Hang Seng Insurance Company Limited, Hang Seng Investment Management Limited, Hang Seng Investment Services Limited, Hang Seng Life Limited, Hang Seng Qianhai Fund Management Company Limited, Hang Seng Real Estate Management Limited, Hang Seng Securities Limited, Hang Seng Security Management Limited, Haseba Investment Company Limited, Hg Janus A Co-Invest L.P., High Time Investments Limited, Honey Green Enterprises Ltd., Hongkong International Trade Finance, Household Capital Markets LLC, Household Finance Corporation III, Household Pooling Corporation, Hubei Macheng HSBC Rural Bank Company Limited, Hubei Suizhou Cengdu HSBC Rural Bank Company Limited, Hubei Tianmen HSBC Rural Bank Company Limited, Hunan Pingjiang HSBC Rural Bank Company Limited, INKA Internationale Kapitalanlagegesellschaft mbH, Imenson Limited, InfraRed NF China Real Estate Investments LP, Inmobiliaria Banci S.A. de C.V., Inmobiliaria Bisa S.A. de C.V., Inmobiliaria Grufin S.A. de C.V., Inmobiliaria Guatusi S.A. de C.V., James Capel & Co. Limited, James Capel (Nominees) Limited, James Capel (Taiwan) Nominees Limited, Jasmine22 Limited, John Lewis Financial Services Limited, Keyser Ullmann Limited, Lion Corporate Services Limited, Lion International Corporate Services Limited, Lion International Management Limited, Lion Management (Hong Kong) Limited, Lyndholme Limited, MIL (Cayman) Limited, MIL (Jersey) Limited, MW Gestion SA, Marks and Spencer Financial Services plc, Marks and Spencer Savings and Investments Limited, Marks and Spencer Unit Trust Management Limited, Mercantile Company Limited, Mexicana de Fomento S.A. de C.V., Midcorp Limited, Midland Bank (Branch Nominees) Limited, Midland Nominees Limited, PT Bank HSBC Indonesia, PT HSBC Sekuritas Indonesia, Promocion en Bienes Raices S.A. de C.V., Prudential Client HSBC GIS Nominee (UK) Limited, R/CLIP Corp., RLUKREF Nominees (UK) One Limited, RLUKREF Nominees (UK) Two Limited, Real Estate Collateral Management Company, Republic Nominees Limited, Republic Overseas Capital Corporation, S.A.P.C. - Ufipro Recouvrement, SAS Bosquet - Audrain, SAS Cyatheas Pasteur, SAS Orona, SCI HSBC Assurances Immo, SFM, SFSS Nominees (Pty) Limited, SNC Dorique, SNC Kerouan, SNC Les Mercuriales, SNC Les Oliviers D'Antibes, SNC Makala, SNC Nuku-Hiva Bail, SNCB/M6-2007 A, SNCB/M6-2007 B, SNCB/M6-2008 A, Saf Baiyun, Saf Chang Jiang, Saf Guangzhou, Saf Zhu Jiang, Saf Zhu Jiang Jiu, Saf Zhu Jiang Shi Ba, Saf Zhu Jiang Shi Er, Saf Zhu Jiang Shi Jiu, Saf Zhu Jiang Shi Liu, Saf Zhu Jiang Shi Qi, Saf Zhu Jiang Shi Wu, Shandong Rongcheng HSBC Rural Bank Company Limited, Sico Limited, Societe Francaise et Suisse, Somers Dublin DAC, Somers Nominees (Far East) Limited, Sopingest, South Yorkshire Light Rail Limited, St Cross Trustees Limited, Sun Hung Kai Development (Lujiazui III) Limited, Swan National Leasing (Commercials) Limited, Swan National Limited, Thasosfin, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, The Venture Catalysts Limited, Timberlink Settlement Services (USA) Inc., Tooley Street View Limited, Tower Investment Management, Trinkaus Australien Immobilien Fonds Nr. 1 Brisbane GmbH & Co. KG, Trinkaus Australien Immobilien-Fonds Nr. 1 Treuhand-GmbH, Trinkaus Europa Immobilien-Fonds Nr.3 Objekt Utrecht Verwaltungs-GmbH, Trinkaus Immobilien-Fonds Geschaeftsfuehrungs-GmbH, Trinkaus Immobilien-Fonds Verwaltungs-GmbH, Trinkaus Private Equity Verwaltungs GmbH, Tropical Nominees Limited, Turnsonic (Nominees) Limited, Valeurs Mobilieres Elysees, Wardley Limited, Wayfoong Nominees Limited, Wayhong (Bahamas) Limited, Westminster House LLC, Woodex Limited, and Yan Nin Development Company Limited. Read More COLUMBUS There is one contested race for the Platte County Board of Supervisors. Residents in District 4 will cast votes Nov. 8 for either incumbent Ron Pfeifer or challenger Steve Heesacker. Pfeifer beat two fellow Republicans, Randy Gronenthal of Platte Center and Colleen Kapels of Creston, during the primary to face Heesacker, a Democrat, in the general election. Incumbents Jerry Micek, representing District 2, and Jerry Engdahl, representing District 6, also advanced after defeating their respective opponents during the primary election. They have no opponents on the general election ballot. Both Pfeifer, of Lindsay, and Heesacker, of Humphrey, were emailed questions and asked to respond in 600 words or fewer. The following are their responses. Why should voters support you? Pfeifer: The experience I have is most important. I have been honored to serve on the board for 20 years as District Fours representative. I know all the workings of county government. Taxes and finances are probably at the top of the list. I have been working budgets for the county and townships for more than 35 years. I am a Christian conservative and not afraid to take a stance for what is right. On a personal note, I was encouraged to run again by a lot people who are knowledgeable with the workings of the county. They know that I am not a yes man, and just vote for what's politically correct. I am proud of my voting record. I will continue to aggressively represent District 4, as I have in the past. Heesacker: First, I feel that District 4 needs representation that is mindful of everyone affected by the boards decisions. I have actively served on many boards and committees where the members had diverse points of view. As a result, I have developed a collaborative approach to problem solving and decision making. Second, I want our taxes to be affordable. So, every tax dollar spent should be done after careful consideration of the pros and cons. In addition to my board member experiences, managing my own farming, real estate and auction businesses have prepared me well for the challenges of county budgeting and cost management. Lastly, I feel that it is time for a new ideas and a fresh perspective on the needs of District 4. Would you favor zoning in the county? Why or why not? Pfeifer: No. It seems to hurt the little guy, but doesn't stop the big guy. Zoning was considered in the past by the county and people in the rural area through opinion vote taken by the board did not want zoning by a 70 percent margin. After all the pros and cons, there are some situations when zoning would work. But for the most part it places tremendous restrictions on economical growth in the county. Also the cost of implementing the office and the workings of zoning are huge. It would take a director, a secretary, zoning board that receives compensation and other hidden costs. It would be another line item in the budget of $100,000 or more. Again, it doesn't seem to stop the big guy. Heesacker: Before I would make a decision on zoning, I would want to have discussions and input from the people I represent. What can the board do to entice businesses and employment opportunities in the county? Pfeifer: Not a lot. The board can try to keep taxes down, but the main workings of the board is to simply run the county business. In the past the county has supported and worked with the Northeast (Nebraska) Economic Development (District) people to help start or enhance small businesses in the county. That has been successful. By keeping taxes down, it does encourage businesses and employment in our county. Heesacker: We need to show business that we are committed to economic growth and that we have a readily available labor force. Companies are attracted to communities with an educated and skillful workforce. We need to be open to discussion with new industries and business that are considering Platte County. New businesses and industries would help employment opportunities. Housing and public services are also important factors in business and employment opportunities. What is your opinion on the relationship between the county and city of Columbus? Would you favor a joint 911 dispatch center between the two? Why or why not? Pfeifer: I have mixed feelings about the workings of city and the county. It seems when the city needs something, they are willing to work with the county. But when the shoe is on the other foot there isn't the same cooperation. For instance, the county tried to work with the city on a cooperative enhanced 911 system, and what our board thought was a perfect building and location for the joint venture, was ignored and shunned by the city. They didn't seem to want to work with the county at all. It would be nice to have a joint 911 system. With that said, the city and county do have other inner cooperative agreements that work great. Heesacker: I feel that there is always room for improvement when two different boards or councils have to work together for the betterment of the taxpayers. I know the county supervisors have been diligently working to convince Columbus to get a joint 911 system. However, I dont feel that the city has been working with the county with the same level of interest. First and foremost, its important that we have a 911 system that is effective. After all, lives depend on it. I would also want to make sure that the joint 911 system would be cost effective and costs allocated in an equitable manner between Platte County and Columbus. If so, then I would favor it. But most importantly I want our citizens to receive the 911 service they deserve. What do you think of the current county road and bridge plan and are there any improvements that you think should be made to address road and bridge issues? Pfeifer: The road and bridge plans are fine in there one and six year programs. A problem in the past was the completion of the one-year plan. I believe a big reason is because we have lost so many good employees in the last few years, most of which had a wealth of experience that can't be replaced in a short period of time. Plus there is a lack of public relations that starts at the top. I have said in the past and continue to believe we need to look at changes at the top in the department. The board has in the last few years been aggressive in resurfacing some of the more heavily traveled county paved roads, (Eighth Street, 48th Avenue, Lakeview, Monastery, Central Highway, and next year Tarnov Road) to name some. Those were contracted projects and needed badly. It's the cold mix and gravel roads where there have been issues. The county hired an engineer this year to oversee the workings of the highway department. There seems to have been a lot more accomplished this past year. Sometimes projects get bogged down because of state and federal regulations that also add cost to projects. District 4 is the largest district of the county and has the most roads and bridges of all the districts. I will continue to aggressively work to improve the roads and bridges as I have in the past. Heesacker: Our roads and bridges need to be high priority. The current road and bridge plan needs to be reviewed and implemented correctly. I want to make sure the crew in charge of hauling gravel has the resources to keep the roads graveled. I feel that we need to consistently keep our roads graveled for the purpose of public safety. I feel we need to diligently review the road and bridge plans to ensure all the roads receive the attention required so that they are repaired and maintained in a timely manner to avoid hazardous road conditions. Some examples of roads that were neglected too long before repaired, or to be repaired, include 415th Street by Saint Marys Church, Central Highway between Lindsay Highway and St. Edward, the spur coming into Humphrey from the north. I would like to make sure that the crews within the road department have the resources to accomplish the jobs in an efficient and effective matter. I also would want the employees to have the opportunities for training and advancement. We also need to retain our good employees. Another issue I would like to address is keeping up with modern technology in all the government offices. To ensure operating efficiencies and quality public services, it is imperative that modern technology be a goal. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Catch the latest in Opinion Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy LINCOLN As the clock ticks down on Nebraska voters' decision on whether to retain the Legislature's decision to repeal the death penalty, the anti-death penalty campaign on Tuesday zeroed in on wrongful murder convictions. Retain A Just Nebraska, the organization that wants voters to replace the death penalty with life in prison for first-degree murder convictions, held a morning news conference with a member of the wrongfully convicted Beatrice 6. Ada JoAnn Taylor and attorneys Jeff Patterson, Bob Bartle and Herb Friedman, who represented five of the Beatrice 6, talked to reporters about the human cost of the death penalty. Taylor and five others spent a collective 70 years in prison for the 1985 murder and rape of Helen Wilson of Beatrice before they were exonerated by DNA evidence in 2008. One of the six, Joseph White, died on the job at an Alabama steel mill in 2011. Taylor's son was 14 months old when she was taken away in the middle of the night after a cold-case investigation led to her arrest in 1989. She didn't see him again until 10 months ago. And she has never seen her grandchildren. In a federal civil rights trial in June, jurors heard evidence of what caused the wrongful convictions and about everything they lost when they were sent to prison, Patterson said. "This evidence led a jury to award our clients over $28.1 million," he said. "It was compensation to right a wrong of the worst miscarriage of justice in Nebraska history." The productive years from age 25 to 45, when many people start careers, get married, watch children grow, were stolen from Taylor and co-defendant Tom Winslow when they were convicted of second-degree murder and from White, who was sentenced to life for first-degree murder. "Money cannot possibly make up for the human cost of a wrongful conviction," Patterson said. Taylor, Winslow and three others Debra Shelden, Kathy Gonzalez and James Dean entered pleas in the case. White pleaded not guilty and was convicted after a trial. "The threat of the death penalty was terrifying and overwhelming," Taylor said Tuesday. "I came to believe that I must have been guilty even though I had nothing to do with Mrs. Wilson's murder." Taylor, who spent 19 years, seven months and 26 days locked up, told her story for TV and online ads. At the news conference, she said she was told nearly every day she was in the Gage County jail that she would be the first woman on death row unless she pleaded guilty. She had a mental illness, borderline personality disorder, she said, and she began having dreams and visions at the time that she was involved in a crime she knew nothing about. Ultimately, she developed a delusion that she was the one who suffocated Helen Wilson. In fact, said Patterson, some of those delusions are still present. With enough pressure, he said, everybody has a breaking point. The county attorney and Gage County sheriff knew Taylor was at risk for psychotic lapses when under stress, he said. Dean, who was sentenced to 10 years for aiding and abetting second-degree murder and released after serving about five, insisted at the time that he was innocent, the attorneys said Tuesday. But he was so nervous and distraught and having anxiety attacks because of the threat of the death penalty that a reserve sheriff's deputy who was also a psychologist was brought in to counsel him. The deputy told Dean he was repressing his memory, and if he just relaxed, his recollection of what happened in Wilson's home would come back to him in dreams, Patterson said. "Almost immediately, James started having dreams about a murder he knew nothing about," he said Tuesday. Gonzalez and Winslow also knew they weren't guilty, but they entered guilty pleas in the case, Patterson said. "Threatening suspects with execution may resolve cases, but is it the kind of resolution we can afford?" he asked. Taylor is 53 now, and said she is speaking out for those who don't have a voice. She is still trying to reconnect with family members with whom she lost contact. "Just trying to be a typical, normal housewife, per se," Taylor said. Despite her exoneration, some people continue to believe she and the others are guilty, she said. "It's hard." The five living people who were convicted of killing Wilson felt they were being tried again during the federal trial accusing Gage County, Deputy Sheriff Burdette Searcey and Reserve Deputy Wayne Price of violating their civil rights, Patterson said. "All of them felt the trial exonerated them from Mrs. Wilson's murder, as much as it did convict the Gage County authorities for what they did," he said. DALEVILLE The developers of a commercial wind farm in Botetourt County say they expect it to begin producing electricity by the end of 2018, a year later than originally projected. Apex Clean Energy remains confident in its plans for what will be the first project of its kind in Virginia, development manager Charlie Johnson told the county board of supervisors Tuesday. When the board approved a special-exception permit for the 25-turbine facility in January, the Charlottesville energy company said it planned to start construction by the end of this year. Under that timeline, the turbines giant blades would have started to turn sometime in 2017. But Apex is still waiting to receive approval from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, which must evaluate the turbines impact on natural resources, and the Federal Aviation Administration, which is studying their effect on passing aircraft. As part of the DEQ process, Apex held a monthlong public comment session that ended June 6. But after obtaining new information about some of the wind farms environmental impacts and discovering an error in an earlier report, Apex decided to reopen the public comment period. The second public comment session ended Sept 6. Apex is now in the process of compiling the written and spoken comments it received in a report that it will submit to DEQ. The environmental agency will then have 90 days to decide on the permit application. At the same time, the FAA has been reconsidering its finding of nearly a year ago that the turbines would pose a presumed hazard to aircraft navigation. Under FAA rules, any structure higher than 499 feet is presumed to be a danger. The turbines Apex plans to build would be as high as 550 feet, or almost as tall as the Washington Monument. At Apexs request, the FAA agreed to conduct a more detailed study. The nearest public airport from the turbine site is Ingalls Field in Hot Springs, about 17 miles to the northwest. While the regulatory process plays out, Apex has also been testing the winds for a utility or other entity that would be interested in purchasing electricity generated by the 75 megawatt facility, to be called Rocky Forge. Folks in Virginia arent used to buying wind, so its been an educational process, Johnson told the board. Apex wants to build up to 25 turbines atop North Mountain in a remote part of Botetourt County, about five miles northeast of Eagle Rock. Plans call for a Y-shaped formation of turbines that would extend for 3.5 miles along two ridgelines. Electricity generated by the facility would be transferred to the power grid through an existing utility line that already crosses the 7,000-acre property. Apex officials say the wind farm will generate enough electricity to power up to 20,000 homes. Although company officials say they expect the wind farm to have a minimal environmental impact, they acknowledge that bats could be endangered by the spinning turbines. Under a plan presented to DEQ as part of an application Apex filed in May, the developer offered to turn the turbines off at night during the warmer parts of the year, when bats foraging for food might be struck by their blades. The Virginia attorney general's office said Wednesday that it will no longer oppose overturning the rape and murder convictions of two former sailors after a federal judge declared last month that "no sane human being" could find the men guilty. U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney Jr. said last month that evidence shows Danial Williams and Joseph Dick did not commit the 1997 rape and murder of Michelle Moore-Bosko. He urged the state to free the men of the "continuing shackles of their convictions." Attorney General Mark R. Herring's office said in motions filed Wednesday that in light of the judge's decision, it will no longer contest their efforts to be declared innocent by the court. Herring's office is now asking the court to grant the men's writs of habeas corpus, which would have the effect of vacating their convictions, said Herring spokesman Michael Kelly. Prior to Gibney's decision last month, the attorney general's office had defended the men's convictions and urged the court at an evidentiary hearing last year to reject their innocence bids. An attorney for Williams said he's pleased that the state has "finally conceded error" and will no longer fight the case. "We look forward to Judge Gibney acting on the Commonwealth's request that our clients' convictions be vacated," attorney Don Salzman said in a statement. Williams and Dick are two of the so-called "Norfolk Four," ex-sailors who have long claimed that police coerced them into falsely confessing. The four men, who were all stationed at the Navy base in Norfolk drew national attention when their innocence claims were backed by dozens of former FBI agents, ex-prosecutors and novelist John Grisham. In 2009, then-Gov. Tim Kaine freed Williams, Dick and Derek Tice because of doubts about their guilt but allowed their convictions to remain. The fourth man, Eric Wilson, had already been released. Tice's conviction has already been overturned. DNA evidence matched a fifth man, Omar Ballard, who confessed to committing the crime alone. He is serving a life sentence. Williams and Dick are no longer in prison, but face certain restrictions because they're still on parole and must also register as sex offenders. The Albemarle County and Charlottesville public school divisions are requesting feedback to help form their respective 2017-18 school year calendars. Parents, students and school employees are asked each year to provide their thoughts on the drafts of the calendar to the school divisions before they are approved by each of the school boards. The county and city schools coordinate with each other each year to jointly develop the calendars, said Beth Cheuk, city schools spokeswoman. Drafts for the calendars are available at charlottesvillecityschools.org, and at k12albemarle.org under the tabs Division and Calendar. The deadline for final input on the calendar for both county and city schools is 11:59 p.m. Tuesday. The school boards are expecting to approve their calendars in January. RICHMOND The National Rifle Association has pumped more than $1 million in ads into the presidential race in Virginia in an effort to boost Republican Donald Trump's campaign against Democrat Hillary Clinton. The NRA's ad buys this fall in the Hampton Roads, Richmond and Roanoke TV markets more than double what the gun rights group spent four years ago when President Barack Obama was re-elected against Republican Mitt Romney. In September, the NRA started running an ad called "Nightstand" on national cable TV and regionally in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Nevada, Ohio and Virginia. The ad features a woman who gets out of bed when she hears an intruder. The announcer says the average police response time is 11 minutes and asserts that if Hillary Clinton were president the woman could be left with only her phone for protection. Clinton's website says "she knows that gun ownership is part of the fabric of many law-abiding communities." She also asserts that "as a nation we can no longer allow guns to fall into the hands of domestic abusers, other violent criminals and the seriously mentally ill." This fall the NRA has spent $422,105 in the Hampton Roads market, compared with $194,215 in 2012, according to VPAP, an online tracker of money in state markets. It has spent $275,400 in the Richmond TV market, up from $101,395 in 2012. It has spent $355,750 in the Roanoke TV market, compared with $249,850 in 2012. VPAP also reports that Trump's campaign has boosted its TV ad spending in Virginia by $330,000 in the last week, bringing the total in October to more than $1.1 million. Trump's October TV ad buys in Virginia include $788,475 in the expensive Washington TV market, $172,440 in Hampton Roads, $144,705 in Roanoke and $29,950 in the Richmond market. RICHMOND A universitys endowment or other private resources should not be used by the General Assembly to determine how much public money is appropriated to the school, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia said Tuesday. SCHEV, the states coordinating agency for higher education, adopted resolutions affirming its support for the financial autonomy of public universities and pointing out that, under state code, lawmakers cant reduce appropriations because of endowment funds and gifts. The council also approved a resolution to allow universities the flexibility to use tuition revenue to supplement faculty salaries. The state has authorized a 3-percent raise for fiscal year 2018, but SCHEV said additional merit-based increases are necessary to keep salaries competitive with peer institutions. SCHEVs actions followed the revelation over the summer that the University of Virginia had amassed more than $2 billion for a Strategic Investment Fund, the earnings on which will be used to finance grant proposals. In August, top UVa administrators were called before a joint assembly committee meeting to explain how the money was amassed. Nationally, congressional investigators also are studying whether universities are using enough of their wealth to defray costs for students. G. Gilmer Minor III, the councils chairman, said SCHEVs resolutions are intended to show support for the schools private fundraising efforts. One resolution praises financial management strategies that have allowed universities to maintain their viability through economic downturns. SCHEV Director Peter Blake said that while the controversy over UVas fund sharpened the focus of the resolutions, the council was speaking to the budget constraints under which institutions operate. Council wanted to express support for efforts institutions take to help themselves, he said in an email after the meeting. The recent discussions of the [Strategic Investment Fund] elevated the discussions around value, perception and budget, but the resolution is relevant to all institutions, as they all face these issues. The council also approved budget recommendations, to be sent to the governor and assembly for the next fiscal year, requesting an additional $34.1 million to cover operating expenses. Another $31.2 million would come from the schools, which could be covered by a tuition increase of just over 1 percent, Dan Hix, SCHEVs finance policy director, told the council. In addition, the council is calling on the state to shell out $11.7 million for student financial aid $8.9 million for undergraduate aid and $2.8 million for the transfer grant program. The transfer grant funds, divided between $900,000 from this year and $1.9 million for next, are for a need-based award program for students who complete an associate degree at a two-year college before transferring. Hix said that, in addition to the grant, students can save about 30 percent on the cost of a bachelors degree by taking that route. SCHEV also is recommending a maximum award of $3,350 for the Tuition Assistance Grant, which offsets tuition at Virginias nonprofit, private colleges for in-state undergraduates. However, the exact award, which this year is projected to be $3,200 for undergraduates and $1,600 for graduate students, is contingent on participation rates. For faculty salaries, SCHEV is recommending $43.2 million, evenly divided between the state and schools, with the raises to take effect July 1, 2017. Faculty and all state employees were to receive a 3-percent raise this year, but that funding was redirected because of the state budget shortfall. Because salary increases at peer institutions are making Virginia colleges less competitive in recruiting faculty, Hix said, the schools should have a little bit more flexibility to look at their tuition to supplement salaries but still remain affordable. The resolution says tuition-related increases should be minimal and not compromise affordable access for in-state undergraduates. Hix noted that although last sessions budget brought a reinvestment in higher education and the lowest increase in tuition rates in 15 years, state schools have seen eight cuts in state appropriations in the past 10 years. The assembly provided an additional $314 million in general fund support for public institutions in the 2016-18 biennium, and $1.3 billion additional capital funding. But Hix said college campuses will see 33 new facilities open during the biennium, leading SCHEV to recommend $13.9 million to cover operation and maintenance costs, with $8.1 million of that amount coming from the states general fund. One of the new facilities is the library at the University of Virginias College at Wise. Its share of the operating cost is estimated at $432,578 for fiscal year 2018. But because of the impact covering that cost would have on tuition rates, SCHEV is recommending that full funding come from the state general fund, Hix said. More deplorable revelations about Hillary Clinton have hit the news. The FBI released more documents related to its investigation of Clintons private email server, and a letter from the inspector general for the national intelligence community was made public. The dismal revelations are not surprising; they merely reinforce the judgment much of the public has formed about the Democratic presidential nominee. The most alarming news is contained in the letter from intelligence IG Charles McCullough III. He informed two Senate committees that Clintons server contained emails about special access programs. Certain classified information rises to a level above top secret. Some of it is classified as SCI, or secure compartmentalized information. Information about special access programs is deemed even more sensitive than that. This news rebuts, once again, Clintons false claim that she never sent or received classified information over her private server. To the contrary, information on it was highly classified. It also calls into question FBI Director James Comeys decision not to bring charges against her a decision that appears to have troubled a number of career FBI agents as well. The FBIs own documents show that hackers attacked Clintons server numerous times and were able to gain control of one email account belonging to a staffer who worked for Bill Clinton. The agency was unable to say whether hackers were able to penetrate the entire server. The agencys data dump includes other information that, while less alarming, is no less embarrassing. Members of the security detail assigned to Clinton while she was secretary of state say she frequently violated both security and diplomatic protocol without regard for the safety of her staff and protection detail, in order to gain favorable press. One agent described a stark difference between Clintons predecessor, Condoleezza Rice, and Clinton: RICE observed strict adherence to State Department security and diplomatic protocols while CLINTON frequently and blatantly disregarded them, reads one transcript. Clinton also preferred to arrive at diplomatic events accompanied by her aide, Huma Abedin, rather than by the host ambassador, and this frequently resulted in complaints by ambassadors who were insulted and embarrassed by this breach of protocol. Clinton even managed to alienate her own security team. According to another FBI document, [Redacted] explained that CLINTONs treatment of DS agents on her protective detail was so contemptuous that many of them sought reassignment or employment elsewhere. Prior to CLINTONs tenure, being an agent on the Secretary of States protective detail was seen as an honor and privilege reserved for senior agents. ... It has been obvious for years that Clinton serves just one interest hers and that she thinks laws and rules apply to other, lesser mortals only. How those traits will manifest themselves if and when she moves back into the White House is hard to say but little good is bound to come of it. Adapted from the Richmond Times-Dispatch. You say you cant stand voting for the presidential candidates on the ballot, so youre going to write in Mickey Mouse, your own nameor mine? Dont. Really. Yes, several prominent Republicans say they will write in GOP vice presidential nominee Mike Pence for president because they cant abide Donald Trump. They include Sens. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, Cory Gardner of Colorado and Rob Portman of Ohio. Sen. John McCain of Arizona said he might write in the name of his buddy Sen. Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina. The urge to protest the presidential choice is strong, but a write-in could be wrong. You might as well tear your ballot into tiny pieces and swallow them as write in someones name, even Pence or Bernie Sandersunless you do your homework. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Republican of Alaska, won a write-in campaign for re-election in 2010 after losing the GOP primary, but no write-in presidential candidate has ever won a single state. Votes for a third party or write-in candidate could tip close states to one candidate or the other, however. Hillary Clinton finally called on Al Gore to make the point. Your vote really, really, really counts. A lot. You can consider me as an Exhibit A of that truth, Gore said at a Clinton rally in Miami Oct. 11. In the 2000 presidential election, Gore came within a whisker of winning Floridas popular vote and the White House. Many Democrats still blame Ralph Nader for Gores loss. Its worth reviewing this bit of ancient history. In the official Florida tally, George W. Bush beat Gore by 537 votesand Nader got 97,488 votes. Nader was on the ballot as the Green Party presidential candidate, so his votes counted. Each state sets its own election rules, though, and many states are unfriendly to write-ins. In 34 states, including Virginia, write-in presidential candidates must file papers with the state before the election. Otherwise their votes dont count. A write-in presidential candidate in Virginia needs to submit to the state a list of 13 electors at least 10 days before Election Day. Alabama does not require advanced paperwork, but Tennessee does. In Florida, write-in presidential candidates must file an oath with the state in order to have a blank space provided for their names to be written in on the general election ballot. A write-in presidential candidate in Florida must file the form and a list of electors at any time after the 57th day, but before noon of the 49th day, prior to the date of the primary election in the year in which a presidential election is held, according to Florida law. Got that? Only seven states allow voters to write in whomever they please for president, and nine states dont allow presidential write-in votes at all. Presidential candidates also must file with the Federal Election Commission. So far, more than 1,800 individuals have filed paperwork as presidential candidates with the FEC. Clinton, Trump and Libertarian Gary Johnson are on ballots in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Green Party candidate Jill Stein is on the ballot in 44 states and D.C., and she has qualified as a write-in in three other states. Independent Laurence Kotlikoff, an economics professor at Boston University, insists he has a shot largely as a write-in candidate at the 270 electoral votes necessary to win the White House. On the ballot in only two states, Kotlikoff says by Election Day he will be registered as a write-in in all but one of the states that require certification. Independent Evan McMullin, a conservative who made news when a poll in usually red-state Utah put him in a tight race with Trump and Clinton, told NPR Sunday he is on the ballot in 11 states and will be on the ballot or certified as a write-in in 43 to 45 states by Election Day. Its totally understandable that voters appalled by Clinton and Trump would want to protest by writing in someone elses name. The smart thing to do first: Check with your local election office whether a write-in vote for president will be tallied. Make sure your vote really, really, really counts. LINCOLN Secretary of State John Gale will pull public service announcements on the death penalty referendum from Nebraska radio stations in light of strong objections from anti-death penalty advocates, in particular Retain A Just Nebraska. The announcements were written and recorded to explain the confusing language of Referendum No. 426, which will be on the Nov. 8 ballot, Gale said. The secretary of state said he knows and respects those on both sides of the debate and has been impressed with their presentations at public hearings held by his office and at community forums across the state. By withdrawing the PSAs, the focus can stay on substantive issues and not be diverted by controversy over them, Gale said in the news release. Darold Bauer, Retain campaign manager, said Gale correctly realized the PSAs caused more problems and confusion by failing to include the fact that Nebraska has life imprisonment. "We appreciate his willingness to listen to our concerns and take action, Bauer said. To avoid any continued confusion, he said, all media outlets should take the time to accurately describe the choice voters have before them. A vote for Retain removes the death penalty and replaces it with life imprisonment with no possibility of parole. Bauer also suggested that, where possible, media outlets include the entire ballot language and purpose of the law passed last year by the Nebraska Legislature. The anti-death penalty campaign group asked on Tuesday that the broadcasters association pull the PSAs. Executive Director Jim Timm said then he would not do so. But in Wednesday's release from Gale, Timm said the broadcasters respect Gale's decision. "I have notified all member radio stations accordingly, Timm said. Last year, the Nebraska Legislature abolished the death penalty and overrode a veto by Gov. Pete Ricketts. A pro-death penalty group got enough petition signatures to put the matter to a vote on Nov. 8. The Nebraska State Patrol has sent troopers to North Dakota to support law enforcement at the Dakota Access oil pipeline protests, but no one is saying what that support looks like. The assistance is coordinated and paid for through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact and is being provided at no cost to Nebraska taxpayers, according to Earl Imler, operations section manager for the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and the compact coordinator for Nebraska. NEMA and the patrol wouldnt confirm how many Nebraska agencies have sent personnel or what they'll do once they get there, saying that's operational information. North Dakota Department of Emergency Services spokeswoman Cecily Fong said Nebraska troopers arrived Sunday and will be on site until Nov. 7. "We are tracking four distinct camps," she said, the newest on private land and in the path of the pipeline. Fong estimated 1,000 to 1,500 are living in the camps, more on the weekends. "... protesters have blocked the roadway with logs, hay bales and other debris," she said in an email. "They vow that (Highway) 1806 is their final line. They will not move from that line to allow the pipeline to bore under the highway." Activists say they believe law enforcement is planning to act soon to remove them from private land owned by the pipeline company. Last weekend, they moved onto private land just north of the main protest camp, which is on federal land. Mekasi Camp, who was appointed by the Standing Rock Sioux tribe as a camp coordinator, said he spoke Wednesday with local law enforcement and the National Guard. "They informed us that if we did not take down that camp, everyone there would be arrested," he said in a telephone interview from North Dakota. "We told them we're not willing to move that camp. We have nowhere else to go and if we move, Dakota Access pipeline will go directly to the river, so it's imperative we hold that space and we continue to be peaceful." Camp runs Bold Oklahoma, part of the Bold Alliance advocacy group started by Bold Nebraska, and said he's living in North Dakota right now to help run the Dakota Access protest camp. NEMA coordinated the Nebraska effort at the request of the North Dakota Emergency Management Agency. Imler said states that need help ask for resources that can range from helicopters to officers, veterinarians and doctors. The providing state will send back information about how much those resources would cost, he said. If the requesting state agrees, they will pay. The last time Nebraska sent help was in 2013 when Blackhawk helicopters were flown to Colorado to help fight fires. Nebraska last asked for help in 2012 for wildfires in the Panhandle, Imler said. The Associated Press reported that nearly all of the $6 million in emergency funding for North Dakota law enforcement costs related to the Dakota Access pipeline protest has been used. Thousands of people are protesting the 1,200-mile pipeline in North Dakota, saying it could harm cultural sites and drinking water for the Standing Rock Sioux tribe. More than 260 people have been arrested since the protest began, including more than 80 on Saturday, when about 300 people gathered at a construction site. Energy Transfer Partners, which is building the pipeline, says protesters are trespassing and "lawless behavior will not be tolerated." Longtime Winnebago activist Frank LaMere sent a letter to Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts on Wednesday asking why the state would send police support. "As a Native American and a Nebraskan I would ask you why you would even consider sending Nebraskans to stand beside lawmen who would pepper spray, use batons, physically abuse and otherwise manhandle Indian men, women and children who have no way to defend themselves," he wrote, asking the governor to pull back any Nebraska law enforcement personnel from the Standing Rock protest. Camp said protesters have remained peaceful despite the fact that burial grounds and sacred sights were desecrated this fall. "We're not engaging the police, we just want to sit on that land and occupy space," he said. "We're not threatening anybody." He said roads around the camp have been shut down a couple of times and at one point, police lined up in convoys of armored vehicles. The atmosphere surrounding the protest has been tense over the past couple of days, but support from high-profile celebrities has helped calm and strengthen protesters, Camp said. "Rev. Jesse Jackson showed up on the front line and brought everybody together in prayer," he said. "Actor Mark Ruffalo also came and joined us in prayer and song." Camp wants to dispel the rumors that this is an "Indian uprising or just a Native issue." "Yes we want to protect the Missouri River because the reservation gets their water from the river," he said. "Were trying to protect that river for future generations, but were also protecting it for the other 18 million Americans who get their drinking water from the river. This isnt just a Native issue, this is a human rights issue and national security issue." Welcome We are so thrilled to have you join us. We are many of the authors from Harlequin's Christian-fiction Love Inspired Imprints. We've been putting Christian romances in your hands since 1997. If you're looking for friends, family, faith, and fiction then settle back, get to know us and our books, and basically join in and have a good time. This page may contain outdated information This page may be updated if the event is repeated Past Event - Saturday, April 15, 2017 This page may be updated if the event is repeated Food truck rally at Home Depot on Wilmington Pike, right by 675 and Costco. Food Trucks will gather in the parking lot of Home Depot to welcome you into Spring! Tables, Chairs, and Music will be provided along with Kid's Workshops, and Product Demos. Bouncy House and Obstacle Course provided by Dayton Bounce Houses Food Trucks: McNasty's Hunger Paynes Food Truck Smokinbeebeeq Just Jerks PA's Pork The Wicked 'Wich of Dayton The Drunken Waffle Latinarepas food truck Greek Street Food Truck The airline is in the process of finalising a general sales agent (GSA) and cargo-handling firm before launching flights on this international sector. New Delhi: Air India Express, the low-cost arm of national carrier Air India, plans to fly between Delhi and the Iranian capital of Tehran from early next year. The airline is in the process of finalising a general sales agent (GSA) and cargo-handling firm before launching flights on this international sector. The Kochi-headquartered airline serves mostly to the aviation markets in the Gulf & Middle East, South East Asia and other neighbouring countries to tap the huge traffic. Air India Express CEO K Shyamsunder hoped that the new service will commence from March-April next year. We are hopeful of getting things done (the launch of flight) around summers, he said. The airline currently operates 475 services a week to 13 international airports across the Gulf and South-east Asia with as many as 236 flights to and from Kerala. It has a fleet of 22 B-737 planes with 17 of them owned and the remaining on operating lease. As Iran was under global sanctions till recently, the airline will have to inform the Exim Bank of the US about the new air service. This is mandatory as the aircraft operated by Air India Express is financed through a loan from the Exim Bank. Mumbai: The erstwhile chairman of the Tata group said that the losses of the various Tata flagship companies like Tata Motors, Tata Power Sons Ltd, on a fair value could potentially result in a write down over time of about Rs 1,18,000 crore. He said this is what he inherited when he took over as chairman. ln the face of the above challenges, I had to take many tough decisions with sensitive care for the groups reputation as well as containing panic amidst internal and external stakeholders, he said in a stinging email to the Tata Sons Board and the Tata Trusts. Mr Mistry who was sacked without any notice said the telecom business has been continuously haemorraging. If we were to exit this business via fire sale or shut down, the cost would be $4-5 billion. This is in addition to any payout to DoCoMo of at least a billion plus dollars. In the case of Tata Power losses alone amounted to Rs 1,500 crore and given that Mundra constitutes Rs 18,000 crore (40 per cent of capital employed) this substantially depresses the return on capital for Tata Power as well as carries the risk of considerable future impairment. Tata Motors was even more challenging. Before 2013, in order to shore up sales and market share, Tata Motors Finance extended credit with lax risk assessment. As a result, the NPAs mounted in excess of Rs 4,000 crore. Historically, the company had employed aggressive accounting to capitalise substantial proportion of the product development expenses, creating a future liability. Beyond this, the Nano product consistently lost money, peaking at Rs 1,000 crore. As far as the aviation business with which he said he had to go along with despite his reservations. A recent forensic investigation revealed fraudulent transactions of Rs 22 crore involving non-existent parties in India and Singapore. Executive Trustee, Mr. Venkatraman, who is on the board of Air Asia and also a shareholder in the company, considered these transactions as non-material and did not encourage further study. It was only at the insistence of the independent directors, one or whom immediately submitted his resignation, that the board decided to belatedly file a FIR. New Delhi: Expressing disappointment at India's rank remaining low in terms of ease of doing business, Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman today said the efforts and reforms undertaken by the Centre and states have not been adequately captured in the ranking released by the World Bank. "I am a bit disappointed. Not only the government of India, but every state is so actively engaged and wants to ease the situation... But for whatever reason, it has not been adequately captured in the ranking," Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told reporters here. "Collectively, Team India has been doing quite a lot of work." At the same time, the minister said she is not criticising the report and now they will work with renewed focus and speed to improve India's ranking. "It (the rankings) gives me the message that we have to be even more focused now and even speedier in doing ahead what we are doing," she said. In the World Bank's latest 'Doing Business' 2017 report, India's place remained unchanged from last year's original ranking of 130 among the 190 economies that were assessed on various parameters. But the last year's ranking has been revised to 131 from which the country has improved its place by one spot. Sitharaman said the ministry will engage more with states and businesses in communicating the reforms measures. She also said certain reforms like setting up of commercial courts may not have gone into the systems of the World Bank as it has happened on different dates and states. "Some of the steps do take time... so the trickle-down effect of certain reforms have taken their due time because India is a large country," she reasoned. "While I am not really discouraged, it is disappointing. This is at a time when you want everything to reflect the various measures that the Centre and states are taking should impact the ranking system," she added. On the target fixed by the Prime Minister to get within the 50th spot, she maintained that this goal is intact. About steps to be taken in future to improve the ranking, the minister said the government has taken the right route in reforming and making ease of doing business a very important agenda for the Centre and states. "Now, it is important for us to interact with states even more to quickly identify many such things which are important so that its impact is visible at the ground level," Sitharaman said. Unless the beneficiaries or the user industry get the benefit of all the reforms, "there is no advantage" of taking steps. "I will talk to all the states to see how best actual beneficiaries get the benefit," she said. She said further that certain reforms are not properly communicated to the businesses and ""there is my communication incapability that I should improve on my communication". New Delhi: Trade ministers of 16 countries, including India, China and Japan, will meet early next month to review the progress in Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and resolve issues holding back the talks. "There is going to be a ministerial meeting early November in the Philippines," Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told reporters here. She said that in the last round of talks in China, all the countries discussed in detail goods, services and investment chapters. "In RCEP, we have gone into greater details, we are looking at offers made by other countries," she added. There are several issues, including the proposed single-tier system of tariff relaxation and matters pertaining to services sector, which need intervention at the ministerial level. RCEP is a mega trade deal which aims to cover goods, services, investments, economic and technical cooperation, competition and intellectual property rights. The talks for the pact started in Phnom Penh in November 2012. The 16 countries account for over a quarter of the world's economy, estimated to be more than USD 75 trillion. India already has FTAs with the ASEAN grouping, Japan and South Korea. The 16-member bloc RCEP comprises 10 ASEAN members (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Laos and Vietnam) and their six FTA partners - India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. Further, talking about import of crackers, she said the ministry has urged the state to act strictly on people who illegally import firecrackers. "We are not giving any import permission. No license have been given till now, so nobody can import. If the import is coming, it is illegal," she said. Sitharaman said that customs as well as states have been asked to take action against people who illegally import firecrackers. "3-4 consignments this time, we have confiscated and ordered to destroy it..we request state to take action," she added. When asked about increasing imports from China, she said that India can not impose a blanket ban on all the imports from one country. The government and India Inc is disappointed by World Bank keeping India at 130th position in its Ease of Doing Business ranking. New Delhi: The government and India Inc is disappointed by World Bank keeping India at 130th position in its Ease of Doing Business ranking. Industry came forward to defend government for making it easier for them to do business in the country in the last two years. I am a bit disappointed. Not only the government of India, but every state is so actively engaged and wants to ease the situation... But for whatever reason, it has not been adequately captured in the ranking, Union commerce and industry minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Wednesday. Collectively, Team India has been doing quite a lot of work, she asserted. The minister said that she is not criticising the report and now they will work with renewed focus and speed to improve Indias ranking. It (the rankings) gives me the message that we have to be even more focused now and even speedier in doing ahead what we are doing, she said. On the target fixed by the Prime Minister to get within the 50th spot, she maintained that this goal is intact. Earlier secretary in the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion Ramesh Abhishek and economic affairs secretary Shaktikanta Das defended the track record of Modi government. Mumbai: Hrithik Roshan is one of the actors in the film industry who invests a lot of time in his films, like it was evident with his recent film Mohenjo Daro which was his first release after almost two years. However, the actor has completed his next film Kaabil in merely 60 days and the film is all set to release on 26 January next year. And Hrithik might have taken inspiration from Akshay Kumar, who stays in his same building and is known for doing three to four films in a year and completing them at a brisk speed. Despite media outlets hyping the recent clash of their films Mohenjo Daro and Rustom, the two superstars share a good equation. When Hrithik had shared the first teaser of Kaabil, Akshay had appreciated it on Twitter, terming it an impactful teaser. And Hrithik replied to the appreciation by saying that he was inspired by his neighbour to complete films quickly. The trailer of Kaabil released on Tuesday and is being appreciated by the masses. Mumbai: Producer Jayantilal Gada has expressed his desire to make the third instalment of the Vidya Balan starrer 'Kahaani'. "I suggested 'Kahaani' should have that name (Durga Rani Singh in the title). Every year we will make one ('Kahaani'). Next year some other 'Kahaani' will come," Gada said when asked about the title of 'Kahaani 2'. Director Sujoy Ghosh too feels if there is an interesting story, then 'Kahaani 3' should be made. "It is not necessary that I have to do 'Kahaani 3'. If anyone has a strong subject then they can make the third part. If I get a good subject I will make it," he added. Earlier the sequel of 'Kahaani' was titled 'Kahaani 2', then the makers changed it to 'Kahaani 2: Durga Rani Singh'. "Durga Rani Singh' was the name of Sujoy's another dream project that is yet to see light of the day. "I really liked that name (Durga Rani Singh) so I kept it. I think a sequel should have its own identity, like in 'Kahaani' it was Vidya Bagchi and then now with the sequel, it is Durga Rani Singh. So we felt instead of calling it just 'Kahaani 2' we gave it an identification of its own," he adds. Also starring Arjun Rampal, the film is set to release on December 2. Mumbai: Amid speculations about who will portray the character of Kamala Devi, Alauddin Khiljis wife in the period drama Padmavati, comes this pleasant news: the royal looking Aditi Rao Hydari is SLBs Kamala Devi. Yes, a leading daily has reported that Rao Hydari is all set to take up the challenging role of an aggressive rulers wife. The film will see Deepika Padukone playing the titular role and Shahid Kapoor will be her on-screen husband, Raja Raval Ratan Singh. Shooting for this film, which is considered to be one of the costliest movies of 2017, will kick-start in the first week of November. Ranveer Singh, the performer that he is, is leaving no stone unturned to get into the skin of his character that is highly dictatorial in nature. Khilji was an oppressive ruler who laid the foundation of his kingdom upon the dead bodies of thousands of innocent people without ever justifying his actions. In order to prepare of this antagonistic role, SLB has demanded high level of commitment from the star, who is doing everything possible to get into the mind of a twisted persona like Khilji. Ranveer is reportedly reading history books on tyrants like Hitler, working extra hours on his body, mannerisms and what not. A source associated with the film revealed to Mumbai Mirror, As a source reveals, Ranveer is prepping his body language, mannerisms, diction and physique. He is holed up in his Goregaon apartment and has himself off from people. For many hours in the day, he transforms into Khilji working on his dialogues and diction. Deepika and Shahid will start start shooting in a couple of weeks. The actor was last seen in Nitya Mehra's 'Baar Baar Dekho'. Mumbai: Sidharth Malhotra might have tasted his first flop with Nitya Mehras Baar Baar Dekho, but that hasnt deterred the youngster from working hard on his untitled next. The film which was rumoured to have been a sequel to Sidharth Anands Hrithik Roshan starrer Bang Bang, is being helmed by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK. However, as per a report in DNA, the film, touted to be an action potboiler with ample elements of humour, is set to have Sidharth in a double role. The actor will be seen indulging in some raw hand-to-hand combat scenes in the film, which has him a man on a mission. The two characters are also said to be diametrically different and will see the actor in different avatars. The film also stars Jacqueline Fernandez and Suniel Shetty. Suniel, an ex-colonel in the film, will incidentally be playing Sidharth's father. The actor himself has been undergoing vigorous training for his action sequences in the film. The film, which has a sole schedule left to be canned post the current one, is expected to be up for release around June-July in 2017. Mumbai: Disneys next big musical after the Oscar winning Frozen, Moana, will release in India on 2nd December, featuring music from Lin-Manuel Miranda. And the first song, Youre Welcome, from the film is out and its been performed by none other than Dwayne Johnson. The song, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, has already been catching up with people. For centuries, the greatest sailors in the world masterfully navigated the vast Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, 3000 years ago, their voyages stopped for a millennium and no one knows exactly why. Moana is a sweeping, CG-animated feature film about an adventurous teenager who is inspired to leave the safety and security of her island on a daring journey to save her people. Inexplicably drawn to the ocean, Moana, voiced by Aulii Cravalho, convinces the mighty demigod Maui, whos been voiced by Dwayne, to join her mission, and he reluctantly helps her become a wayfinder like her ancestors who sailed before her. Together, they voyage across the open ocean on an action-packed adventure, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds, and along the way, Moana fulfils her quest and discovers the one thing shes always sought: her own identity. Directed by the renowned filmmaking duo Ron Clements-John Musker and produced by Osnat Shurer, the film features music from Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foai. Watch the video here: This Diwali, Kriti Sanon wont be home in Delhi with her family. She has been shooting in Lucknow since the past weeks, for Ashwini Iyer Tiwaris Bareilly Ki Barfi. Were going to shoot in Bareilly as well, assures Kriti. The title does have significance to my character, and thats all I can say right now. What I can share with you is that were gorging here in Lucknow on jalebis and kebabs, she says when asked if she is playing the title role. For once, Kriti doesnt have to worry about her weight. The film requires me to look a certain way. So, I am being encouraged to stuff myself with usually forbidden food. It cant get any better for me, she says. And its not just the food. The actress is having the time of her life shooting in Lucknow and exploring the city. Ive never been to Lucknow before. Were shooting in the heart of the city in the mohallas, gullis and bylanes. Its all a new experience for me, and I love it, she says, adding that though this is not her first time playing a small-town girl, the role is different from her Heropanti character. My character in that movie was educated in a cosmopolitan environment, so she was not a small-town girl in her outlook, she informs. Kriti also met a lot of locals in UP to study their accents and mannerisms as part of her research. Ive kept the accent to a minimum. Youll find the older generation speaking Hindi with a particular accent. The younger generation, not so much, she says. This is Kritis first time working with a female director. I see no difference in the working style of Ashwini and my other directors, adds the actress. The DCFS is heavily investigating new accusation that Pitt harmed some of his children by verbally abusing them on many occasions. (Pic: AP) Mumbai: The Department of Children and Family Services has reportedly extended their investigation into Brad Pitt's child abuse case after a new accusation was made on the actor. The DCFS probe into Pitt, 52, was expected to close by the end of this month but the department will now investigate into the matter for several more weeks, reported AceShowbiz. "The investigation was not closed on schedule for a reason. The DCFS investigation is now going to continue for at least several more weeks," an official source said. According to the source, the DCFS is heavily investigating new accusation that Pitt harmed some of his children by verbally abusing them on many occasions. "Now DCFS is interviewing many people to determine if they are witnesses to any improper behaviour by Pitt as well as searching for others who have knowledge of his actions. "That includes nannies, household staff members and more. The fact that the investigation was extended is an indication of how serious this is," the source added. It was earlier reported that the Fight Club star got "verbally abusive and physical" with his kids. His actress-wife Angelina Jolie, 41, also filed for divorce from him on September 19, citing irreconcilable differences, and requested sole custody of the kids. The former power couple have since reached a temporary custody agreement, which allows Pitt supervised visitation. Pallavi Subhash is excited about her Tollywood debut film, Naruda Donoruda, opposite Sumanth, which is a remake of Vicky Donor. I have watched the Hindi film a number of times and I like the way Yami Gautam carried her role in the original, says 32-year-old Pallavi. When Pallavi was offered the role, she immediately agreed. Its not a regular film. I always wanted to try something new, so when I got this opportunity, I readily accepted it, she adds. This movie could be counted as actor Sumanths comeback film. Commenting on the same, Pallavi says, Every actor has their ups and down. I, too, face it when I dont have work. Sumanth is one of the senior actors and is very supportive and also helps me with the language, she says adding, I would love to work with him again. This is not Pallavis first South film as she has already worked in Kannada and Tamil films. Those movies never released as they ran into financial problems, she says. The Tamil film, which Pallavi was supposed to do, was with Gautam Vasudev Menon. I shot for a few days and it was a magical experience. We could not complete it because of date problems, and my dream of working with Gautam remains incomplete, she says. Pallavi Subhash is a Maharashrian and has started her career with theatre. I went to watch a theatre play with my brother. While watching the play, someone came up to me and said that the director wanted to see me. The girl who was supposed to do the role hadnt turned up, so they were looking for someone to fill in the shoes. I was studying at that time and I told them that I wasnt interested. But my brother asked me to go for it. Thats how my journey with acting began, she says. After theatre, due to financial problems at home, Pallavi had to work. I decided to help my family and so I started working in Marathi films. Thankfully, the industry was quick to accept me, she says. Pallavi is also into modelling and has acted in commercials and TV serials, including Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat and Mahabharat. Its a big challenge because of the language. I always try to do different roles, be it playing a mother to King Ashoka or wife of Lord Krishna, says Pallavi. The actress hasnt signed any other Telugu project as she is looking forward to the release of her debut movie. I would like to do more Telugu films as people here are very supportive, she says. Add to that the fact that she loves Hyderabadi biryani and South Indian breakfast. Basundi Ingredients Full fat milk 2 litres Sugar 1/2 cup Cardamom powder 1/2 tsp Saffron 7-8 strands (soaked in 2 tbsps warm milk) Pistachios 2 tbsp l Almonds 7-8 (blanched and peeled) Method Sliver blanched almonds, chop pistachios and set aside. Boil milk in a large heavy bottomed wide vessel on high flame. Once it comes to a boil, reduce flame to low and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring in intervals of two to three minutes. Add sugar. Keep stirring constantly. Allow milk to simmer till thickens, reduces quantity to half. Add cardamom powder. Cook for a few minutes and allow it to cool. Garnish with almonds and pistachio. Serve. Atte Ki Pinni Ingredients Atta (wheat flour) 250 gm Ghee 250 gm Sugar 250 gm Milk 100 ml Green cardamom powder 15 gm Cashewnut 25 gm Almond 25 gm Raisins 25 gm Method In a kadhai, heat ghee and add wheat flour. Fry on a low flame stirring continuously till brown in colour and leaves aroma. Remove from heat and transfer it into a plate and allow cooling till warm. Add sugar and cardamom powder. Sprinkle milk, divide mixture into equal portions and shape them into a ping-pong size balls. Decorate each ball with the dry fruit mixture or can mix with mixture. Rasiya Muthiya Ingredients 1 cup shredded spinach (palak) 1 cup grated bottle gourd 1/2 cup boiled sprouted moong 1/4 tsp turmeric powder 1/4 tsp asafoetida (hing) 3 tbsp besan (bengal gram flour) 2 tbsp oil l Salt to taste 2 tsp green chilli paste 1/2 tsp sugar Oil for greasing Other Ingredients 3 tbsp oil 2 tsp mustard seeds ( rai/sarson) 1/2 tsp asafoetida (hing) 1/2 tsp turmeric powder 1 tsp chilli powder Salt to taste 2 tbsp curds Method Combine ingredients in a deep bowl and mix well to make a semi-soft dough, adding water if required. Apply a little oil on your hands and divide the mixture into four equal portions. Shape each portion into approximately 150 mm. (6") length and 25 mm (1") in diameter cylindrical rolls. Arrange rolls on a greased sieve and steam for 20 to 25 minutes or till a knife inserted into the muthia comes clean. Remove set aside. Heat oil in a deep pan and add mustard seeds. When seeds crackle, add the asafoetida, turmeric powder, chilli powder, salt and curd and mix well. Pour tadka over the muthiya. Serve. Recipes courtesy Maharaj Jodharam Choudhary, corporate chef, Khandani Rajdhani Kaju Katli Ingredients Cashewnut 1 kg Ghee 250 gm Sugar 700 gm Green cardamom powder 15 gm Chandi ka varq 5 nos Method Soak cashewnuts in water for an hour, make a paste and mix with sugar. Cook mixture for another half hour and add ghee and cardamom powder and mix well. Place mixture into a flat tray and keep for cooling. Apply chandi ka varq and cut into diamond shapes and serve to your guest. Recipes courtesy Chef Ashwini, Marriott Whitefield Gajar Ka halwa Ingredients Carrot 500 gm Cashewnut 50 gm Almond 50 gm Castor Sugar 500 gm Desi ghee 100 ml Cardamom Powder 10 gm White chocolate 200 gm Dark chocolate100 gm Fresh cream 50 ml Mawa 200 gm Pistachio 50 gm Dried fig 50 gm Micro greens for garnish: Pomegranate seeds 50 gm l Saffron 1gm Ingredients Prepare gajar ka halwa with 2 cups thickly grated carrot, 1 tbsp ghee, 2 tbsp milk, 4 tbsp sugar, 4 tbsp mava, 1 tbsp raisins, 1 tbsp chopped almonds, 1/2 tsp cardamom powder Method Heat ghee in a cooker; add carrots and saute on a medium flame for 5 minutes, while stirring continuously. Add the milk, mix well and pressure cook for a whistle. Allow the steam to escape before opening lid. Transfer into a broad non-stick pan, add sugar, mix well and cook on a high flame for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring continuously. Add mava, mix well and cook for more 1 to 2 minutes, while stirring continuously. Add the raisins, almonds and cardamom powder and cook for another 1 minute. Make mini desserts using mawa, dry fruits, saffron and fig. Make thin rectangular sheets of white chocolate and reserve. Heat fresh cream add dark chocolate to make a ganache and keep. Arrange gajar ka Halwa on top of sheet, assemble mini desserts on the gajar ka Halwa and garnish it with micro greens, saffron and pomegranate seeds. Pipe the dark chocolate Ganache on the serving plate and place the regtangular white chocolate sheet and serve. Recipe courtesy Chef Durbar Basu Ray, Ritz Carlton Pappu Chekkalu (Telugu) Ingredients Rice flour 3 cups All-purpose flour 2 cups Green chilli paste 3 tbsp Bengal gram (chana dal) 1/4 cup MTR red chilli powder 1 tsp MTR Cumin powder 1 tsp Carom seeds 2 tsp Butter 1/4 cup curry leaves finely chopped (15-20 leaves) Salt to taste and oil for deep frying. Method Soak chana dal for 2-3 hours and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine rice flour, maida, salt, cumin powder, chilli powder, carom seeds, curry leaves, green chilli paste, soaked chana dal, salt and mix well. Add butter and mix into flour. Add 3-4 tbsp of water at a time, make a smooth dough and set aside for 30 minutes. Heat oil in a kadhai on medium heat. Divide the dough into about 30 pedas (balls). Lightly oil two 5-inch square plastic sheets, place a dough peda on one sheet, then place the other sheet on top of the ball. Flatten into a 2-inch disk. Peel top layer off and using your fingers, dampen the top of the disk lightly. Remove from sheet and gently drop into hot oil. Fry for 3-5 minutes until both sides are golden brown. Remove onto an absorbent paper to drain excess oil. Cool and store in an airtight container for up to two to three weeks. Serve with a dollop of your favourite chutney. Recipe courtesy MTR Dishcovery www.dishcovery.in Kids with persistent symptoms months after a concussion have lower quality of life than kids who have recovered, but even kids who recovered quickly may still struggle, according to a new Canadian study. While it has been long-understood that brain injuries may negatively impact quality-of-life (especially in those patients with severe injuries who have required surgery), we were surprised to see that the quality-of-life following concussion may have prolonged effects (3 months or more) on school even in those children who had recovered within one month, said senior author Dr. Roger Zemeck of the Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute in Ottawa. Fortunately, most children recover fairly quickly following concussion; only about 30 percent of children exhibit multiple symptoms lasting beyond one month from the time of their injury, and meet the criteria for persistent postconcussion syndrome, Zemeck told Reuters Health by email. The researchers evaluated quality of life factors for about 2,000 kids aged 5 to 18 years who had presented to an emergency department within two days of suffering an acute concussion. Doctors assessed their symptoms in physical, emotional, thinking and sleep areas four weeks after their injuries, and again eight and 12 weeks afterward. Kids with three or more symptoms that had not resolved at the four-week mark were considered to have persistent postconcussion syndrome. Of the total group, 510 kids fell into this category. Quality of life was assessed with a questionnaire completed by parents of kids younger than 8, and by older children themselves. Responses yielded an overall score of zero to 100, with higher scores representing better quality of life. The inventory also rated subcategories of quality of life, including physical, emotional, social and school-related. Kids with postconcussion syndrome scored about 10 points lower in overall quality of life, with a mean score of 70, compared with those who had recovered from a concussion quickly and had a mean score of 80.3, the study team reports in JAMA Pediatrics. These kids also had lower scores on all the quality of life subcategories at four, eight and 12 weeks. Even kids who recovered quickly from a concussion averaged scores three to four points lower than normal scores for healthy kids who havent had a concussion, the study found. Schoolrelated functioning remained significantly lower for kids who recovered from concussions at all the time points, researchers note. It is important to remember that by definition, a concussion is a brain injury, and the brain controls all aspects of life. Unfortunately, we still do not yet know what are the causes for why quality of life is impacted, Zemeck said. Once we better understand why it happens, we can then formulate interventions in order to target these causes with the hope of improving outcomes for these youth, he said. After a diagnosed concussion, initial management calls for a brief period of rest, missing some school, some physical rest and not engaging in contact-risk activities, so its not surprising that physical, social, emotional and school functioning dips in this time, said Dr. Christopher C. Giza of the University of California, Los Angeles, who coauthored an accompanying editorial. (Parents and teachers) should be aware of these possibilities and work together and with health care providers to both monitor kids symptoms and function as well as devise an individualized return to normalcy progression, Giza told Reuters Health by email. This plan should provide guidance for gradual reintroduction to school, then gradual non-contact aerobic exercise, then gradual return to play progression, and finally, if desired, return to contact risk, he said. Again, it has been shown that one of the strongest interventions to promote more rapid recovery is anticipating improvement and managing activity; so finding the right balance of monitoring a childs recovery without onerous, frequent questioning about symptoms or excessive restrictions on non-risky activities is a laudable goal, Giza said. Washington: Rabies vaccines stored at warmer temperatures still protect against the disease in dogs, according to a new research which can improve the vaccination coverage in hard to reach, rural areas in Asia and Africa where electricity for cooling is limited. Researchers from Washington State University in the US, found that Nobivac, a commonly used rabies vaccine, produces the same level of protective antibodies in dogs after being stored for six months at 25 degrees Celsius and for three months at 30 degrees Celsius. "Thermotolerant vaccines were a really important feature of the campaign to eliminate smallpox. We hope it will have the same effect for eradicating rabies," said lead author Felix Lankester, assistant professor in the WSU. Recommendations by the World Health Organisation (WHO) are for vaccines to be transported and stored in a "cold chain" at between two and eight degrees Celsius. "The ability to distribute vaccines widely outside the cold chain will allow for more consistent coverage across communities. It could be a quantum shift in how vaccines are delivered," said Lankester. "Human rabies from dog bites has the highest fatality rate of any human infectious disease. It is easily preventable with regular dog vaccinations," said Guy Palmer, from WSU. Each year roughly 60,000 people, mostly children, die from rabies. Globally, more than 99 per cent of human rabies deaths are caused by dog bites - almost all in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Millions of people are saved by costly post-exposure prophylaxis - a series of post-bite vaccinations, the first of which must be administered within the first 24 hours after a person is bitten by a rabid dog. Once symptoms appear, the disease is fatal. Vaccinating 70 per cent of the dog population will protect humans and wildlife, such as endangered African wild dogs, from the disease. WSU has been working to control rabies in areas of northern Tanzania through annual mass dog rabies vaccination campaigns. However, rabies continues to be prevalent, in part because of the challenges of transporting vaccines to remote areas where vulnerable people live in resource-poor communities. "If a team-led vaccination campaign misses a village because it is very far or because rain washed out a bridge, then there will be pockets where vaccination coverage is low. With a community-led initiative, we are hopeful we would improve the coverage levels," said Lankester. Mass vaccination teams generally only visit communities once a year, if they can get there at all. When new dogs are born or move into the community, the level of protection against rabies drops. In community-led programmes, thermotolerant vaccines could be stored in the community where local coordinators would vaccinate the entire dog population. The study appears in the journal Vaccine. Chennai: With the festival of lights right round the corner, the public has started gearing up to celebrate the occasion in their favourite way by exchanging sweets and other delicacies. Though a great way to celebrate the festival, doctors and nutritionists urge the public to watch what they eat. The festival may work as a great challenge for diabetics and the obese who know they should stay as far away from sweets as possible. Everyone is in a festive mood. However, it is important to watch what you eat. As long as you exercise control, you are going to be fine, especially those who are overweight or diabetic, said Dr Dharini Krishnan, a renowned nutritionist in the city. Kheer is the best for diabetics and the obese as they can reduce the sugar content and increase the badam content as they wish. The same cannot be done in the case of sweets like gulab jamun, she added. She also insisted that parents see to it that their children eat their regular meals and consume sweets only after that, instead of replacing their meals with the festival delicacies. Activists gear up for safe, noiseless festival Every year, the day after Deepavali, people across the country wake up to remnants of burnt crackers strewn and to the news of animals burnt by crackers, deliberately sometimes. Planning ahead of Deepavali are animal welfare groups, who are spreading awareness on the effect of crackers on animals, and who are also going to set up ambulances from Deepavali eve to the day after Deepavali to rescue animals. The area around Blue Cross is full of trees and a lot of birds roost upon them. Due to the bursting of crackers, they get scared and are not comfortable in coming back, said Dawn Williams of Blue Cross. He added that there is far more awareness in the younger generation with more school and college students opting for a noise and pollution-free Diwali while the older lot still sticks to the conventional ways of celebration. We have a group of about 35 volunteers trained in tactical rescue and animal behavior who will work 24 hours on the three days during Deepavali to rescue animals with burn injuries, he continued, stressing on the number of burn injuries caused to animals because of fire accidents on Deepavali. Similarly, the Madras Society for the Protection and Care of Animals is also canvassing among people to celebrate Deepavali in an eco-friendly manner. People for Cattle India is also setting up a 72-hour helpline for the rescue of animals as pets also run away from homes due to the sound of crackers or meet with accidents. PFCI members suggest that pet owners do not leave their pets alone, and keep them well fed and dehydrated on Deepavali. Along with volunteers, veterinary doctors will be available at the animal shelters for treatment and rehabilitation of animals. Stage 4 cancer patients who didn't have any complications during their hospitalization ended up staying in the hospital longer (Photo: AFP) Washington: Patients with disseminated advanced cancer who undergo surgery are far more likely to endure long hospital stays and readmissions, referrals to extended care facilities and death, found a recent research. The study highlights the dilemma that physicians and surgeons face when their terminally ill cancer patients are diagnosed with a condition that may benefit from surgery, such as bowel obstruction, as well as the need for substantive discussions about the risks of surgery and implications on future quality of life. Lead author Sarah B. Bateni said, "We commonly consult with patients who have acute surgical conditions and advanced cancer, and it has left us to weigh the risks and benefits of surgical intervention. It's important to carefully examine their risks before proposing surgery, and to understand what their goals of care are for their remaining days." For the study, Bateni and colleagues examined the cases of approximately 18,000 patients who had stage 4 (metastatic) cancer who went on to undergo surgery. The cases were matched with patients who had similar characteristics such as age, gender and functional status before surgery and underwent similar operations but did not have stage 4 cancer. They found that the group of patients with stage 4 cancer spent more time in the hospital (32 percent vs. 20 percent), were readmitted to the hospital more frequently (16 percent vs. 10 percent), were more often referred to another facility such as skilled nursing (16 percent to 13 percent) and had higher mortality within 30 days of the procedure (8 percent vs. 2.5 percent) than their counterparts who did not have late-stage cancers. What was most surprising was that the stage 4 cancer patients who didn't have any complications during their hospitalization ended up staying in the hospital longer, were readmitted more often, were more often discharged to other facilities and had higher 30-day mortality compared to patients who didn't have stage 4 cancer. "This diagnosis really is an indicator of the frailty of these patients and is itself a risk factor for readmission, prolonged stays in the hospital and discharge to other facilities," she said. The team concluded that doctors and surgeons need to talk with their terminally ill cancer patients about their end-of-life goals, palliative care and the risks and benefits of surgery. The study was published in PLOS One. Chennai: Cleanliness and pollution have been concerns for India since quite a long time now as littering, lack of waste management and industrial waste continue to plague our cityscapes and ecosystem, even as the government keeps announcing new campaigns as a part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan. One of the initiatives announced by the Modi government is the project to clean the Ganga River which holds great significance culturally as well as ecologically in India. As crores have been spent on the project for years, there is a need for awareness among citizens as well. While grownups in the country are unfortunately not too enthusiastic about changing their ways for cleanliness, a 10-year-old child from Chennai seems to be doing his bit for cleaning the river. The boy named G Shashank sent a sum of Rs 1000, which he won in a school competition, along with a letter as contribution for the Clean Ganga Project, mentioning that he uses only natural products and avoids plastic to contribute to cleanliness. My friend's niece's ten-year old son donated Rs 1000 he won in school competition to Ganga cleaning @PMOIndia. PMO wrote back. #plscleanitup pic.twitter.com/W5yee9S7jL Tarun Shukla (@shukla_tarun) October 24, 2016 The money reached the Prime Ministers Office and Shashank received a letter of appreciation from PM Modi himself for the heart-warming gesture, informing him that his contribution is valuable for the cause. While the help sent by Shashank is of great significance, the Ganga continues to struggle with pollution even as Rs 3000 crore have been spent on the project in the past two years and a total of Rs 20,000 crore were spent for the same purpose in 28 years. The reason for this is lack of awareness among people and toxic industrial waste being dumped into the river. The police first arrested the man who boasted of his exploits which led to the arrest of eight others. (Representational image) BENGALURU: A few drinks at a local bar, followed by loud boasts of his crimes by a robber and the presence of an alert police informer at the spot led to the arrest of a nine-member gang, including a woman, who were involved in honey trapping men and robbing them. The police first arrested the man who boasted of his exploits which led to the arrest of eight others. Investigations revealed that the gang had honey trapped men using the woman gang member, who was also a call girl. They used to plant her in the targets house with a hidden camera and then rob the men. Recently, they had targeted a caterer in Girinagar. The arrested have been identified as Shivananda, 24, Dileep, 18, Sharath Kumar, 19, Vikas, 18, Guru Prasad, 19, Vinod Kumar, 20, Ratan, 25, Raviraj, 26 and Jyothi, 29. After selecting a target, the gang would send the woman to their house armed with a hidden camera. They would then barge into the house and rob the victims. However, they ran out of luck when Dileep got drunk in a bar and boasted of the gangs exploits. A police team rushed to the bar and detained Dileep, who confessed to the crime and provided details of other gang members. A police team conducted a raid and arrested the others. The police recovered valuables worth Rs 8.3 lakh, including 13 mobile phones and a car, from the gang. New Delhi: Robbers fired in an ice cream parlour injuring an employee and looted money from the shop in Defence Enclave area of East Delhi, police said on Tuesday. Three robbers entered the ice cream parlour at around 10.40 pm. Two of them whipped out pistols and one of them fired from his gun terrorising the staff and customers present there. One of the staff members of the shop Ajay Sharma (30), sustained injuries on both his legs. The robbers threatened the cashier looted money from the cash counter and escaped, said a senior police officer. The robbers managed to take Rs 7,000 kept in the cash box. Ajay was rushed to Max hospital in Patparganj where he was treated for his injuries, he said. A police team that visited the spot found blood on the floor of the shop and also recovered a live bullet from there. A case of robbery has been been registered at Preet Vihar police station and investigation is underway, added the officer. New Delhi: A 35-year-old Uzbek woman was injured after being stabbed allegedly by a group of Afghan nationals, including a 15-year-old girl, in southeast Delhi's Lajpat Nagar area, apparently over an "illicit" relationship, police said on Tuesday. Zarina was stabbed on the night of October 23 by the minor and two of her male friends, identified as Abdullah and Shorab, aged 27 years, said a senior police officer. Police said Zarina is admitted to AIIMS and is out of danger. "The dispute allegedly originated over Zarina informing her friend Roshini about her (Roshini) husband's illicit affair with the minor. The 15-year-old got to know about Zarina's involvement and roped in two of her friends and attacked Zarina," he added. When the minor was escaping in a car with the accomplices, a passerby saw them and thought that the girl had been kidnapped by the men, police said. He made a PCR call and police intercepted the vehicle on Lala Lajpat Rai Marg, said the officer. It was later found during interrogation and through a series of calls that they were involved in a case of stabbing and the girl had not been kidnapped, he added. Suresh Kumar, 14, collapsed outside the office room after the assault and was rushed to hospital. (Representational image) Hyderabad: A Class X student sustained grievous internal head injuries and had to undergo surgery to remove a blood clot after he was beaten by his teacher at Jagathgirigutta. The teacher, of Rajadhani School, Papi-reddynagar, allegedly beat him with her fist and a wooden duster for not attending classes. Suresh Kumar, 14, collapsed outside the office room after the assault and was rushed to hospital. The school officials meanwhile denied the allegations and said that the teacher had not assaulted but only scolded the student, and that he had a clot in his brain that got aggravated. Jagadhigirigutta police has booked a case against the teacher Ms Rama Devi following a complaint by the students father. My son was in good health, says dad Suresh's father, Mr Ramjanam Prasad, said, My wife had gone to school with my son. His teacher asked my wife to stand outside and called my son inside. She must have hit him two-three times. When he came out, he told my wife that the teacher hit him and had asked for a Rs 500 fine." "Soon he started vomiting and collapsed. He was then rushed to hospital, where doctors suggested that a surgery had to be done to remove the blood clot. My son was perfectly healthy and it is because of the teachers assault that he suffered the injury, he added. Suresh had not attended school for a few weeks and his teachers had called his mother and asked her to bring him to school. When she brought him, the teacher called him into the office and hit him, alleged his parents. The parents filed a complaint. We came to know that the teacher slapped the boy. However, we are not yet sure whether the clot is due to that. We are inquiring if the boy had a previous problems, said inspector P. Srinivas. Suresh Kumar and his family originally hails from Bihar. A villager shows a house damaged due to alleged shelling from across the LoC in Gajansoo Marh village, Jammu (Photo: PTI) Jammu: At least 2-3 Pakistani armymen are believed to have been killed on Tuesday in the retaliatory firing by Indian troops in the Noushera sector of Rajouri district while seven women, including six members of a family, were injured in R S Pura sector of Jammu district in cross-border shelling. Heavy exchange of fire, involving use of 82 mm and 120 mm mortar shells besides small arms, was still going on in the evening after it started at around 10 am. "From 10 am, Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation along the Line of Control in Noushera sector of Rajouri district by targeting our positions with mortar bombs and small arms fire," an army officer said. The Indian army is giving a "befitting response" to the ceasefire violation from the Pakistani side, he added. "We have inputs that two to three Pakistani soldiers have been killed in the retaliatory firing by our men," an army officer said. "The firing is still going on and our side is giving a befitting reply," he said, adding there is no loss of life or injury on our side. In Jammu district, 6 female members of a family were injured in Suchetgarh sector of R S Pura along the International Border after a mortar shell fired by the Pakistan Rangers exploded in their house this evening, another lady was also injured in the Chandu Chak area of the same sector this evening. The injured have been identified as Shakshi (12), Manju Choudhary (15), Veena (26), Soma Devi (40), Kamlesh Kumari (28), Sanjna (10) - all residents of Suchetgarh and Daljeet Kaur of Chandu Chak area of the sector. "They were given first aid at R S Pura hospital after which they were shifted to Government Medical College (GMC) hospital here," Deputy Commissioner (Jammu) Simrandeep Singh said. Raghavan, was attacked by six stray dogs around 4.30 am on Wednesday morning. (Representational Image) Thiruvananthapuram: A 90-year-old man was seriously injured when he was attacked allegedly by a pack of stray dogs while lying in the sitout of a house at Varkala near here on Wednesday, police said. Raghavan, was attacked by six stray dogs around 4.30 am on Wednesday morning, they said. The seriously injured nonagenarian is in a serious condition at the Trivandrum Medical college hospital. He has received deep wounds on his head, face, neck and legs, hospital sources said. A 65-year-old woman was mauled to death by a large pack of stray dogs in August on a suburban beach at Kanjiramkulam here. Activists of the youth wing of a political party had taken out a procession recently carrying dogs carcasses tied to poles following which the state government was asked by the Supreme Court to file a response within three weeks on the action taken. The apex court had on September 14 said compassion should be shown to stray dogs but these animals should not be allowed to become a menace to society and a balance needs to be struck. New Delhi: Government has not imposed any restrictions on Pakistani artistes working in India but filmmakers should respect the sentiments of people while engaging them, says Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu. He also feels that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who had mediated between the producers of "Ae Dil Hai Muskhil" and MNS, did no wrong or had any role in asking the producers to pay Rs 5 crore to army welfare fund. In principle, Naidu says he is not in favour of imposing any ban on artistes from other countries to work in India but at a time when "a proxy war" was going on with the neighbouring country, filmmakers should keep the situation in mind. "People say art has no boundaries. Yes, art has no boundaries but countries have boundaries. That has to be kept in mind," Naidu said. He said that artistes also have responsibility that they do not hurt sentiments of people. "You have to understand the situation in mind. In normal times, yes. "But in a situation where there is practically a proxy war going on and your neighbour is provoking you by encouraging and funding terrorists on a regular basis and killing thousands of people and your jawans, in such a situation if you engage in a debate that art is our right, then that will upset people. But government has not imposed restrictions on anyone." Naidu feels it was the "correct" thing on Fadnavis' part to defuse the "Ae Dil hai Mushkil" release row after Producers Guild approached the Chief Minister in the wake of threats from Maharastra Navnirman Sena (MNS). "Devendra Fadnavis has done the correct thing, right thing. He is responsible for law and order situation in the state. So, he worked for resolving the issue amicably." Naidu says Fadnavis told him in clear terms that he had not given his consent to the producers contributing to the army fund. "Fadnavis is not part of it... it is against the ethos, against the principles of the government (to seek funds in this manner)," the Minister said, disapproving the Raj Thackeray-led MNS's demand that the producers contribute to the fund. Dismissing the Congress' demand for the resignation of Fadnavis alleging that he had helped in "extortion" from the film industry, Naidu took a dig at the party saying there is "no lack" of demands on its part. While Congress had demanded the resignation of Fadnavis, the CPI(M) had also accused him of "facilitating extortion" while resolving the row. The Left party had asked Centre to take "serious note" of Fadnavis, who is also the Home Minister of Maharashtra, of not upholding his Constitutional duty as the Chief Minister by taking action against those who threatened to disrupt release of the film. Asked about the industry's complaint that it was a "soft target", he shot back, "What is soft target? They are powerful and they have more voices. I don't think they are soft target. People have a right to protest but it's the responsibility of the local authority to maintain law and order." The film was embroiled in a controversy recently after the MNS opposed the screening of movies featuring Pakistani actors in the wake of Uri terror attack. The movie, featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, will release on October 28, just two days before Diwali. Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday met Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik, amidst the ongoing power tussle in the Samajwadi Party. Akhilesh paid a sudden visit to the Raj Bhawan when he was in the middle of a meeting with party legislators and seniors to finalise details of his proposed 'rath yatra' from November 3. The sudden visit caught everyone by surprise, though some said an appointment had been sought in advance. Raj Bhawan sources said Akhilesh briefed the Governor on the prevailing political situation in the state. SP sources said the visit might have been in connection with the four vacancies in the ministry after Akhilesh sacked his uncle Shivpal Yadav, Om Prakash Singh, Narad Rai and Sayeda Shadaab Fatima in a sudden move on Sunday, plunging the party into a deeper chaos. The CM drove to the Governors residence in Raj Bhawan, and left without speaking to reporters. Yadavs office claimed he had visited the Governor to wish him for Diwali. Meanwhile, Shivpal Yadav moved out of the house allotted to him as a minister, after he was sacked by Akhilesh for a second time earlier this week. The feud in the Samajwadi Party showed no signs of ending with state unit chief Shivpal Yadav on Wednesday expelling Tej Narain Pandey alias Pawan Pandey from the party for six years minister. Pandey is considered close to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. Pawan Pandey had clashed with SP MLC Ashu Malik at party meet and also beaten him up. "Pawan Pandey is being expelled from Samajwadi Party for six years on charges of indiscipline," Shivpal announced at a press conference at the party headquarters here. Shivpal said he has written a letter to the chief minister requesting him to sack Pandey from his ministry. Replying to questions, Shivpal maintained there was no dispute in the Samajwadi Party and the Mulayam family. Pandey had allegedly beaten up SP MLC Ashu Malik. Malik had alleged that he was slapped by him at the chief ministers residence. "Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had called me to clarify things related to a news article published in an English daily wherein Akhilesh Yadav was referred to as Aurangzeb and SP Chief Mulayam Singh as Shahjahan," Malik had told reporters after the incident. "When I was at CM?s residence, party leader Pawan Pandey came and attacked me. He slapped me twice," he said. "I was asked to show up as the chief minister wanted to clarify things related to the news article in front of people but my presence was misunderstood by others," he said. Malik said that Akhilesh was not present at his residence when the incident took place. Malik had lodged a written complaint against Pandey accusing him of attacking him, but no FIR has been registered in the matter so far. Shivpal's latest move to expel Pandey, who is close to Akhilesh, comes a day after SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav sought to project an 'all is well' image. The "party and family are united", he had said on Tuesday. Ahmedabad: In view of the political situation unfolding in Uttar Pradesh triggered by a bitter power struggle in the ruling Samajwadi Party, BJP president Amit Shah on Wednesday cut short his Gujarat visit and rushed to Delhi. "We have learned that Amitji has curtailed his Gujarat visit due to the political situation in UP and left for Delhi this afternoon," said a BJP leader. Read: War in SP: Akhilesh meets UP Governor after Shivpal sacks CM's close aide Shah landed in Ahmedabad last night and was expected to be in the state for around two-three days to hold meetings with party leaders to discuss matters relating to the Assembly polls in Gujarat next year. However, on learning about the crucial developments in UP, Shah left for Delhi this afternoon after meeting some BJP leaders at his residence, party sources said. Earlier in the day, UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav paid a sudden visit to the Raj Bhawan to meet Governor Ram Naik and briefed him on the prevailing political situation in the poll-bound state. Akhilesh's sudden visit to Raj Bhavan came hours after SP's state unit chief Shivpal Yadav expelled UP minister Tej Narain Pandey alias Pawan Pandey from the party for six years. New Delhi: Amid reports that the Centre is planning to allow popular bull taming sport 'Jallikattu', animal rights body PETA on Tuesday said that the ban should not be withdrawn and that it will hold a protest at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday. PETA or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India said that two giant inflatable bulls will run beside PETA supporters in a "bloodless Jallikattu" to protest the government's reported intention to lift the ban on such bull races and bullfights. "India must not turn back the clock and allow bulls to be tormented and killed. The world is watching and hoping that the government of India will do the right thing by keeping these dangerous and cruel spectacles illegal," said PETA India Chief Executive Officer Poorva Joshipura. PETA India said that there are reports that the Environment Ministry plans to amend The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, to allow these cruel spectacles despite Supreme Court banning them. The animal rights body said that the court's 2014 ruling stated that cruelty is inherent in these events, as bulls are not anatomically suited for such activities and making them participate, causing them unnecessary pain and suffering. However, on January 7, 2016, the Environment Ministry attempted to overturn the ban through a Gazette notification. The notification was later challenged by PETA India and other animal-protection groups, and it was stayed by the court, meaning Jallikattu and similar events cannot currently be held. The final hearing of the case is expected to take place on November 9, PETA India said in a statement. PETA India has documented that terrified bulls are often deliberately given substances like alcohol in order to disorient them and that their tails twisted and bitten. They are also stabbed and jabbed with sickles, spears, knives, or sticks and are punched, jumped on, and dragged to the ground while three bulls even died during Jallikattu events in 2014. "When Jallikattu was permitted in the past, hundreds of human participants were injured each year and many were killed. Between 2010 and 2014, approximately 1,100 injuries to humans were reported by the media as a result of cruel and dangerous Jallikattu-type events and 17 people died - including a child," it said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi comes out from a room to receive his New Zealand's counterpart John Key in New Delhi on Wednesday. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: Thanking his New Zealand counterpart John Key for his constructive approach to the consideration of India's membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the ties between both sides have moved from fielding at long off to taking fresh guard at batting pitch. "It is a pleasure to welcome Prime Minister John Key during the festive season. I am thankful to the Prime Minister for New Zealand's constructive approach to the consideration of India's membership of NSG. Prime Minister Key and I have had detailed and productive discussions on all aspects of our bilateral engagement and multilateral cooperation," Prime Minister Modi said in his joint statement. He said they both recognized the need for greater eco engagement in order to effectively respond to the growing uncertainties in global economy. Read: New Zealand assures support to India for UNSC, NSG bids "Prime Minister Key and I have had detailed and productive discussions on all aspects of our bilateral engagement and multilateral cooperation. Food processing, dairy and agriculture and related areas in their supply chain are some of the areas of particular potential for cooperation," he added. Asserting that terrorism remains one of the major challenges affecting global peace and security, Prime Minister Modi said the nations believing in humanity need to coordinate actions. "We have agreed to continue to work closely towards an early conclusion of a balanced and mutually beneficial CECA. Prime Minister John Key and I agreed to strengthen security and intelligence cooperation against terror and radicalization including in cyber security," he added. Prime Minister Modi said India is thankful for New Zealand's support to New Delhi joining a reformed UN Security Council as a permanent member. "We have moved from fielding at long off to taking fresh guard. Defensive play has become aggressive batting. Trade and investment ties have been one of the key areas of our conversation. Thank you Excellency, for your personal commitment to take our bilateral partnership forward and to strengthen the bonds of friendship," he added. Prime Minister Modi said trade and Investment ties have been one of the key areas of our conversation. "We both recognized the need for greater economic engagement in order to effectively respond to the growing uncertainties in global economy and, agreed that expanding business and commercial ties should continue to be one of the priority items of our partnership," said Prime Minister Modi. "I am sure that the large business delegation accompanying Prime Minister Key will not only witness firsthand the investment opportunities on offer in India's growth story. Their interactions will also build new commercial partnerships between our two countries. I would like to mention food processing, dairy and agriculture, and related areas in their supply chain as some of the areas of particular potential for bilateral cooperation. New Zealand's strength and capacity in these sectors can combine with India's vast technology needs to build partnerships that can benefit both our societies," he added. The Prime Minister further said that the two sides also agreed that actions by both governments should also promote greater business connectivity, including through movement of skilled professionals, between our two economies and societies. "In this regard, we have agreed to continue to work closely towards an early conclusion of a balanced and mutually beneficial Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement," he added. New Delhi: A PhD student was found dead under mysterious circumstances in the campus of his hostel in Delhi Jawaharlal Nehru University on Tuesday night. The deceased has been identified as J R Philemon, native of Senapti district in Manipur, was found dead in room no 171 of the Brahmaputra Hostel, police said. He was pursing his PhD on the subject of West Asia and he hadn't been seen for the last three days, a senior police officer said. The Delhi police said that he had not been seen by anyone for three days and that his death was discovered only after a foul stench started coming from his room. Students of the university alerted the security about the smell and then found his dead. "When a foul smell started emanating from the room, the student in the neighbouring room called other students and security and forcefully opened door. He was found dead in the room," he said. The University is already embroiled in a controversy over a student who went missing after a fight with students. A section of students have been staging protests alleging inaction by authorities in the case. The student, Najeeb Ahmed, went missing on the 15th of October this year following a brawl on the campus the night before. Home Minister Rajnath Singh had directed the Delhi Police to set up a special team to trace a missing student. The police have even announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh in the case but are yet to make any breakthrough in the case. New Delhi: Supreme Court on Wednesday directed cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu to face trial for seeking assistance of a government servant during the 2009 general elections while partially dropping charges of corrupt practice and submission of false return on election expenses. A bench of Justices Ranjan Gogoi and A M Sapre while allowing the appeal of Sidhu partially dropped two categories of allegations including commission of corrupt practice of submission of false return of election expenses and the action taken by the Returning Officer on the complaint filed by the Soni with regard to irregularities counting of votes. Sidhu has recently floated a new political front Awaaz-E-Punjab after resigning from his Rajya Sabha seat and BJP from which he had won the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat in 2009, defeating his Congress rival Om Prakash Soni. "Consequently and in the light of the above, the appeal is partly allowed to the extent indicated above. The trial of the election petition on the issues/allegations that survive in terms of the present order will have to recommence. We order accordingly," the bench said. The court said the allegation that Sidhu had got transferred Jagjit Singh Suchu, an officer of Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) as Additional Superintending Engineer, Amritsar, to receive assistance from him so as to further his election prospects, needs to go for full trial. "If that be so, the aforesaid issue also will have to go for a full trial as ordered by the High Court. The appeal to the aforesaid extent will, therefore, have to be dismissed," the bench said in its verdict. Soni has alleged that Suchu was transferred from the PSEB to assist Sidhu while he was rendering service as Additional Superintending Engineer. Based on the allegations in Soni's poll petition, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had held three broad categories of averments to be triable and ordered regular trial. Aggrieved by the High Court order, Sidhu had challenged it before the apex court which had earlier stayed the trial. Regarding the two other allegations which were dropped by apex court, the bench, with respect to averment of commission of corrupt practice by submitting false return of election expenses by Sidhu, said there is no basis as to how Soni had arrived to the quantum of expenses. The apex court further said that "in the absence of the particulars, there can be no doubt that insofar as the allegations made in ... the Election Petition is concerned, the same do not disclose any triable issue so as to justify a regular trial of the said allegations. "The allegations mentioned in paragraphs...so far as commission of corrupt practice of submission of false/ incorrect return of election expenses is concerned, are, therefore, struck off". Soni had alleged that Sidhu had incurred much more expenses in connection with his election meetings than what has been shown in the return of election expenses as Rs 1.83 lakh. "While the details of the meetings i.e. the time, date and venue are mentioned and so is the number of persons who are claimed to have attended the meetings, we do not find any basis as to how the election petitioner (Soni) had arrived at the quantum of expenses which he alleges to have been incurred by the returned candidate (Sidhu) in holding each of the meetings," the bench said. The court also questioned Soni the source of his information regarding details he has furnished on Sidhu's expenses, or whether he had any personal knowledge of the meetings, or who were the persons who had informed him about details of such meetings and what was the basis of estimates of the numbers of people present and the facilities hired. "All such particulars that are an integral part of the allegation of corrupt practice alleged are absent," it said. The court, with respect to the third allegation on action taken by returning officer after the complaint was lodged by Soni on irregularities in counting of votes, said the polls took place in 2009 and "the life of the House for which the election took place has long expired". "The said allegation pertains to the action taken by the Returning Officer on the complaint filed by the election petitioner with regard to counting of votes. The election took place in the year 2009. The life of the House for which the election took place has long expired. "The third allegation is not one with regard to commission of any corrupt practice. Hence by efflux of time, the said issue has become academic, rendering it unnecessaryfor us to enter into any discussion on the said question," the apex court said. New Delhi: Himachal Pradesh government was "blocking" CBI probe in the disproportionate assets case against Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and others by "acting as a proxy" for him, the agency told Delhi High Court on Wednesday. "State (Himachal Pradesh) is blocking the investigation by contesting the matter by acting as a proxy for the Chief Minister. It should actually support us," Additional Solicitor General (ASG) P S Patwalia, appearing for CBI, told Justice Vipin Sanghi. The ASG said the state's argument that its police and courts would have probed the matter "pulls wool over no one's eyes". "The Chief Minister is the executive head of the state. Police is under the state's Home Department and the Home portfolio is with the CM," he said during arguments on petitions filed by Singh and others challenging the CBI's jurisdiction to probe the case. The day's arguments commenced with the Advocate General of the state contending that "a subject of the state has been put to discriminatory treatment". In the present case the 'subject' was the Chief Minister and his family members, he said and questioned how such "indulgence" can be shown by an agency which was "not authorised under the law". He said police was a state subject under the Constitution and a central agency was claiming that it was also authorised to investigate the matter. The Advocate General also said the state police and the entire hierarchy of courts were there to deal with the matter and added that the state had not consented to transferring it from Himachal Pradesh to Delhi. He said the CBI was set up under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 and when this Bill was proposed, it was said that the agency can conduct probe in all provinces "with the consent of the provinces". He claimed that under the Act, CBI's jurisdiction was confined to union territories and added that there has to be consent from a state for extending the agency's jurisdiction there. New Delhi: Two days after he was ousted as the chairman of Tata Group, Cyrus Mistry on Wednesday accused directors at Indias largest conglomerate of wrongfully dismissing him. Mistry described his removal as "unprecedented" in India, saying he was shocked at the manner in which he was removed. Mistry claimed he had not been given a chance to defend himself before being ousted. However he said he was not considering legal options at this stage. According to a report in NDTV, Mistry in an email to the Board said that the conglomerate may face 1.18 trillion rupees ($18 billion) in writedowns because of five unprofitable businesses he inherited. Defending his record, Mistry said he inherited a debt-laden enterprise saddled with losses. In particular, he blamed Indian Hotels Co., Tata Motors Ltd.s passenger-vehicle operations, Tata Steel Ltd.s European business, as well as part of the groups power unit and its telecommunications subsidiary. He said that despite plowing 1.96 trillion rupees -- more than the net worth of the group -- into those units into these companies, they still face challenges, and Rs 1.18 trillion rupees might have to be written down over time. Mistry also said he was trying to turn things around at the group since taking on the chairmanship. But he faced constant interference by Ratan Tata, to the point that he was pushed into becoming a "lame duck" chairman, he alleged in the email. For example, Mistry wrote, Tata Nano was a severely loss making enterprise that should be immediately shut down. "Emotional reasons alone have kept us away from this crucial decision, he claimed. The former chairman also blamed Tata for problems at Indian Hotels, which runs the Taj chain. Mistry said that the unit had acquired a hotel in Mumbai at a highly inflated price that had forced the company to write down nearly its entire net worth. Representatives for Tata Sons and Mistry declined to comment on the letter, said the report. Raipur: Expressing confidence that by 2030 India would lead the world in "almost every category", US Ambassador to India Richard R Verma today said people are excited about the Indo-US partnership which is poised to strengthen further. "I look out into the future in India...just take 2030. By 2030, India will lead the world in almost every category...You will have the most people, largest middle class population, college graduates, patent holders, massive investment in infrastructure, urbanisation and discoveries," he said while interacting with students at the Government Engineering College in Raipur. "That's why people are so excited about India's rise and what's happening here. That's why I am excited about the partnership we have with you (India)...we can't agree on every issue, but we can get really a lot of important things done," he added. Verma termed the last two years as the best period in the relationship between the two countries. He said US President Barack Obama wants India to be a strong, prosperous and a successful global power. "We changed, India has changed...We were on two separate tracks for many a decade. Those tracks are now coming together. If you ask (US) president about how he feels about India, he would say he wants India to be strong and prosperous," he said. Speaking about various fronts on which both the countries have collaborated and succeeded, he stressed that the two countries broke records in several categories last year. "We had the highest two-way trade between the two countries ever of $110 billion. US was the largest export market for India. "About 1.1 million visitors from India travelled to the US and equally, one million Americans visited India last year which was an all-time high. Last year, 1.40 lakh Indian students were studying in America. The highest defence trade number last year was $15 billion," he said. Mr Verma, however, said the two countries can do a lot more on peace, prosperity, climate change, defence and strategic affairs which he feels will have big impact on people. Expressing hope that the ties between the two nations, would strengthen, he said, "If I look ahead to the future, I'm really optimistic and really excited. I don't think our relationship (will be) on roller coaster. I don't see it going down, I only see it's going up." He also noted that the visits of Prime Minister Narendra Modi have strengthened ties between the two countries. He quoted PM Modi's speech at the US Congress earlier this year, where the PM had said they have overcome the hesitation of history and India is on course of making the US its indispensable partner. The US envoy also stressed the role India and the US can play in ensuring peace and harmony in the world. Indias low position in ease of doing business ranking is worrying, Nasscom President R Chandrashekhar (right) said. Bengaluru: IT industry body Nasscom on Wednesday said the country's low position in ease of doing business ranking is "worrying". Replying to a question by reporters on India's 130th position in terms of ease of doing business, Nasscom President R Chandrashekhar said, "I think that should be hugely worrying." But he said that the country has the third-largest base of startups, which is encouraging. "The good thing is that we are tracking up with a country like UK which is second and we are third (in startup base)," he added. He also said that the thing to "really worry about is that countries like China and Israel are much faster than us, both in terms of scale of their operations, size and the number of companies which are coming up." "I think we really need to step on it as a country, and that includes both the government and the industry, it includes the entire ecosystem, whether it is incubator or accelerator, even the academic institutions..." he added. In World Bank's latest 'Doing Business' 2017 report, India's place remained unchanged from last year's ranking of 130 among 190 economies that were assessed on various parameters. However, last year's ranking has been revised to 131, translating into a gain of one spot for India this year. Chandrashekhar said discussions are on with the government on improving the ease of doing business, especially for startups. "...The most important is also to accelerate and enhance the whole culture of entrepreneurship which is today not very strong in the academic institutions. We have to spread that wider," he said. Noting that these were areas where the government and the industry need to work together, he said, "We don't have too much time, we have todo it now." According to the 'Indian Startup Ecosystem Maturing - 2016' report by Nasscom-ZINNOV released on Wednesday, India has emerged as the third largest startup base, just behind US and UK. Nearly 1,400 new start-ups are expected by the end of 2016, up by 8-10 per cent from last year. India is closely followed byIsrael and China at fourth and fifth spots respectively. "...Threat factors are very clearly identified, the competition from countries like Israel and China is quite strong," Chandrashekhar said. He said while India grew by only 10-12 per cent in terms of the number of startups, Israel had been growing at 14 per cent and China at 25 per cent. "So that is something we will have to worry about, we have to see what we can do, because ultimately the whole ecosystem off unders, angels and all of that will gravitate to where the action is," he said, adding that "we need to significantly step up the level of activity. Chennai: Ruling AIADMK on Wednesday said party supremo and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, hospitalised here since last month, is "very well" and would return home soon, even as scores of party workers continue to hold different forms of worships for her speedy recovery. "She is very well. God is by her side. She will come home soon," party spokesperson C R Saraswathy told reporters here. She said the prayers of party supporters has reaped fruits and thanked the medical experts from AIIMS and Singapore among others who treated the 68 year-old leader. Jayalalithaa was admitted to the Apollo Hospital here on September 22 after she complained of fever and dehydration. Later on, the hospital had said she was being treated for infection with respiratory support among others. In its latest medical bulletin, which was issued on October 21, the hospital had said the Chief Minister was interacting and progressing gradually. Meanwhile, AIADMK supporters in large numbers continued to organise special prayers and events for the well being of their 'Amma' (Mother), as she is affectionately called by them, across the state. This included a six-hour musical prayer in Tirunelveli. Around 20,000 people carried the traditional 'palkudam' (milkpot) over a 10 km stretch praying for Jayalalithaa's speedy recovery at Viralimalai in Puthukottai district. In Tirunelveli, 'thavil' and 'nagaswara' musicians played their instruments non-stop for six hours praying for the good health of the AIADMK supremo. Special yagnams and homams (havans) including 'Sudharsana' and 'dhanvanthiri' homams seeking divine blessings for her good health and long life were performed in many temples across the state including in Chennai, Coimbatore and Dharmapuri. In Erode, school students sat in a row depicting 'Amma' in Tamil and held candle prayers for the Chief Minister. An inter-faith prayer was held in Thiruvarur. At Apollo Hospital, a group of members of the traditional Badaga tribe community from Nilgiris district held prayers. New Delhi: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has "crossed all limits of decency" by allegedly using the insulting word 'Thulla' for Delhi policemen in an interview, a police of Delhi High Court on Wednesday. In his reply filed before Justice Mukta Gupta, Delhi police constable Anil Kumar Taneja sought dismissal of a plea filed by Kejriwal seeking stay and setting aside of a trial court's order summoning him in a criminal defamation complaint against him. Taneja, who has filed the criminal defamation complaint against the AAP leader, claimed that by referring to policemen as 'Thulla', Kejriwal "has intentionally insulted the entire Delhi Police force as a whole and caused unnecessary provocation to the police personnel in Delhi". "Being Chief Minister of Delhi, which is a constitutional position, the petitioner (Kejriwal) has immense influence and reach across public domain. His words definitely impact the public at large and the personnel of Delhi Police. "Therefore, by using such a derogatory and insulting word, he (Kejriwal) has crossed all limits of decency while uttering such words on a famous national hindi news channel, that too in an interview being telecast at prime time...," he said in his reply filed through advocate L N Rao. Seeking dismissal of Kejriwal's plea, Taneja claimed that the word uttered by the Chief Minister was sufficient to harm his reputation in the eyes of the general public and "lowered the image" of Delhi Police as a whole. "This remark 'Thulla' uttered by the petitioner (Kejriwal) has not only maligned the reputation of the respondent number one (Taneja) but also degraded the image and reputation of entire Delhi Police in the eyes of the general public and in the society as a whole," the reply said. Meanwhile, during the hearing, the counsel appearing for Kejriwal sought more time to file an affidavit in the matter. The court fixed the matter for hearing on February 21 next year. The court had earlier issued notice to the constable and sought his response on the Chief Minister's plea. The high court in July had asked Kejriwal to explain the meaning of word 'thulla' he allegedly used against policemen while staying the trial court's order. The word used by Kejriwal was a Hindi word and the high court wanted to know its meaning as it does not exist in the dictionary. Earlier, Kejriwal's counsel had told the court that the word 'Thulla' was not used against all policemen but against those indulging in wrong practices. In the complaint filed on July 23 last year before the trial court, Taneja had claimed that Kejriwal had used the "derogatory" term for policemen on a news channel while talking about the AAP government's "constraints" in ensuring effective functioning of the Anti-Corruption Branch. "If a word like 'thulla' is used by an eminent personality like Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to refer to personnel of Delhi Police, then the general public too would have no respect or regard for police personnel who dedicate their entire lives to maintain law and order in Delhi," the plea had said. The constable had earlier claimed to have called the office and residence of Kejriwal and also on the helpline numbers to talk to him, but there was no "positive response". Chennai: The Madras High Court on Wednesday struck down as unconstitutional a 2014 Tamil Nadu government act that prohibited establishment of private law colleges in the state. The court was allowing a batch of petitions seeking to declare the Tamil Nadu Establishment of Private Law Colleges (Prohibition) Act, 2014, as illegal and ultra vires the Constitution. Referring to the Supreme Court judgment in the TMA Pai foundation case, the high court said, "Suffice to say that there is a difference between restriction or regulation and absolute ban." "It is the latter, and that too for an indefinite period, which, in our considered view, would make this single object one section legislation invalid, as being ultra vires the Constitution of India, more specifically Article 19(1)(g)," it said. Thus, there cannot be an absolute ban on opening of private educational institutions in view of the plethora of the law discussed aforesaid, it said. The court directed the state government to pay a sum of Rs 20,000 as cost to Vanniar Educational Trust, whose application for setting up a law college in Tindivanam and affiliation to the Dr Ambedkar Law University was rejected in 2015 on the ground that the act had come into force from September 2014. Finding fault with the university for rejecting the affiliation plea, the court said it had fallen into a complete error by intimating the petitioner that in view of the bar under the act, affiliation process could not be completed. "The University was only required to see that the Affiliation and Approval of Law Colleges Revised Regulations, 2013 were complied with and the issues that had been raised in support of the same have been stated to be complied with by the petitioner. That compliance alone had to be considered by the university," it observed. The court directed the university to process the petitioner's case for affiliation in terms of Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University Affiliation and Approval of Law Colleges Revised Regulations, 2013, on merits within four weeks from receipt of the order. Kerala Womens Commission has directed the state police chief to take serious action against the culprits in the alleged manhandling of two women journalists. (Photo: PTI/Representational) Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Womens Commission has directed the state police chief to take serious action against the culprits in the alleged manhandling of two women journalists by a section of lawyers at the Vigilance court here on October 14, its Chairperson K C Rosakutty said on Wednesday. Talking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram, Rosakutty said steps would also be taken to withdraw the false cases filed against the women journalists by a section of lawyers accusing them of causing simple hurt. Four journalists, including women, were allegedly dragged out of the court when they went to cover the hearing of a private petition against former industries Minister Jayarajan on October 14. Five lawyers were arrested on a complaint by the two women journalists and later released on bail. Though Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had recently said there was no bar on journalists reporting court proceedings and called the action of a section of lawyers obstructing reporting as unacceptable, media persons were not being allowed in courts in the state. New Delhi: The Manipuri student, who was found dead in his hostel room in Jawaharlal Nehru University, reportedly died due to over-consumption of alcohol, police said on Wednesday. The deceased identified as J R Philemon, was found dead in his room in the Brahmaputra Hostel on Tuesday. The autopsy was conducted today and prima facie, it looks that he died due to overconsumption of liquor, said a senior police officer. There were no external injury marks on his body, he added. "Philemon was addicted to alcohol. It looks as if he collapsed after consuming alcohol and died," said the officer. During the inspection of his room by the crime team, alcohol bottles and some medicines were recovered, police said. The inspection of the room by police was conducted in front of senior JNU officials and the students, added the officer. Philemon was pursuing his PhD on the subject of West Asia and he hadn't been seen by other students for a few days. When a foul smell started emanating from the room, the student in the neighbouring room called other students and security and forcefully opened door. He was found dead in the room. New Delhi: The Manipuri student, who was found dead in his hostel room in Jawaharlal Nehru University, reportedly died due to overconsumption of alcohol, police said on Wednesday. The deceased identified as J. R. Philemon, was found dead in his room in the Brahmaputra Hostel on Tuesday. The autopsy was conducted today and prima facie, it looks that he died due to overconsumption of liquor, said a senior police officer. There were no external injury marks on his body, he added. "Philemon was addicted to alcohol. It looks as if he collapsed after consuming alcohol and died," said the officer. During the inspection of his room by the crime team, alcohol bottles and some medicines were recovered, police said. The inspection of the room by police was conducted in front of senior JNU officials and the students, added the officer. Philemon was pursuing his PhD on the subject of West Asia and he hadn't been seen by other students for a few days. When a foul smell started emanating from the room, the student in the neighbouring room called other students and security and forcefully opened door. He was found dead in the room. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, shakes hand with his New Zealand's counterpart John Key after signing of document of agreement between the two countries in New Delhi. (Photo: AP) New Delhi: Asserting that Wellington is committed towards its relationship with New Delhi, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key on Wednesday assured to back India to bag a seat at the reformed United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). Addressing a joint press conference with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Key said New Zealand will maintain close coordination with New Delhi on a range of security issues including international terrorism. "I reiterated to Prime Minister Modi, New Zealand's consistent support for India to become a member of the reformed United Nations Security Council including if this means an expansion of permanent members," said Key. "PM Modi and I also discussed about India's application to become a member of the NSG. I acknowledge the importance to India of joining the NSG. New Zealand would continue to contribute constructively to the process currently underway in NSG to consider India's membership. New Zealand is committed to working with NSG members to reach a decision as soon as possible," he added. The visiting Prime Minister said New Zealand and India share a very strong and growing relationship, which can go on from strength to strength. "India has undergone change and development. And we are trying to build as warm a relationship with India as we can. We are truly committed towards the relationship between India and New Zealand. We had a very productive meeting today," said Key. "Today the Prime Minister and I discussed a range of new initiatives, which will help in this regard. We have agreed to work more closely together in areas such as food safety, cyber security, education and customs. This reflects the broadening nature of our relationship which is substantiated by our growing trade ties," he added. The Prime Minister said trade between India and New Zealand has increased since his last visit in 2011, adding there is potential to do more. "Prime Minister Modi and I are committed in creating business environment in our countries which allow our people to get ahead to create jobs and opportunities and create prosperity for our people and streamline trade rules through high quality trade agreement will encourage this," said Key. "And Prime Minister Modi and I agreed to work towards that goal through bilateral free trade agreement negotiations and the regional comprehensive economic partnership talks," he added. Handlers of terror outfits have used social media effectively to recruit the youths from the state without alerting the police and intelligence agencies. (Photo: Representational Image) Kozhikode: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into 21 missing persons from Kerala has unearthed that more than 30 youths from the state had attended ISIS training camps in Afghanistan. According to a report, many of these youth may have returned to India to set up sleeper cells. Many educated Muslim youths from Kerala who were working in Gulf countries had strong links with IS terror networks, the report also said. Furthermore, some NRI businessmen had funded the terror activities of these youth. The image of secular Kerala is a vanity. The state has been a breeding ground of terror networks, a police officer was quoted as saying. Apart from radical Muslim outfits operating in the state, so-called secular religious groups are also involved in encouraging youth to join ISIS, said the report. Handlers of terror outfits have used social media effectively to recruit the youths from the state without alerting the police and intelligence agencies. Earlier, NIA identified Sajeer Abdulla Mangalaseri as the chief of the Islamic State network in Kerala. 35-year-old Sajeer, a Civil Engineer from National Institute of Technology, Kozhikode and a Salafist who hails from Moozhikal in Kozhikode had been recruiting people from Kerala in IS fold. Intelligence agencies now believe that Sajeer is no more working in UAE, but hiding somewhere in Afghanistan, keeping in close touch with the missing youth from Kerala. The scandal broke earlier this year when 21 youth from the coastal state were found to be missing, including four families. They are suspected to have joined ISIS last year in May. Hyderabad: Strongly condemning the attack on a police academy in Quetta in which 61 people were killed, Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday said Pakistan should realise that using terrorism as a State policy is suicidal. "It is like 'Basmasura Hasta'. If you give such a opportunity (using terrorism as a state policy) to Basmasura, at the end of it, it (Basmasura) will also take on you (Pakistan). If you encourage terrorism, you will become a victim of terrorism," the Urban Development and Information and Broadcasting Minister told a press conference in Hyderabad. Pakistan has not only made terrorism as a State policy, but has been continuously aiding, abetting and funding terrorism against India, he said, adding, it's high time Pakistan realises it's adopting a suicidal and foolhardy policy. Pakistan, he said, has not honoured the promise made by its former president Parvez Musharraf to then prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee at the Agra summit that it won't allow territories under its control to be used for terrorist activities to target India. "It has not walked the talk," Naidu said. "In spite of a number of goodwill gestures and initiatives from India, Pakistan has been adopting double standards by criticising terrorism on one hand and extending support on the other, fighting against terrorism on the west (Afghan border) and encouraging terrorism in the east (Indian border)," the Minister said. "The entire support for terrorists and militants, who are targeting India, is coming from Pakistan, which is known to the whole world," he said. Naidu said Pakistan has also not cooperated with India in bringing to book the terrorists behind the 26/11 terror attack. "Over the years, Pakistan has been waging proxy war against India and trying to cripple Indian economy and also create social tensions by using religion as a weapon to encourage terrorism and unnecessarily dragging Kashmir into the picture," the Minister said. Sixty-one people, mostly young cadets, were massacred and more than 100 others injured when heavily-armed Islamic State militants attacked a police training centre at Quetta in the capital of the restive Baluchistan province Monday night. A case under sect 377 (unnatural offence), sect 342 (wrongful confinement) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC had been registered against the priest. (Representational Image) Kannur: A 41-year-old Catholic priest has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 21-year-old seminary student here. Father James Thekemuriyil, a former Rector of the Deva Matha seminar at Pattaram in Iritty, had allegedly sexually assaulted the student in May, 2015, police said. Though the student had complained to the church, he was forced by him to withdraw his complaint, police said. The priest was later removed as Rector and was in Bengaluru. The student, who later left for Ranchi for higher studies, was physically assaulted by the priest and some others following which he personally appeared before police and filed a complaint. Based on the complaint, police took James into custody and brought him to Irrity and arrested him earlier this week. A case under sect 377 (unnatural offence), sect 342 (wrongful confinement) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of IPC had been registered against him, police said. He was produced before a local court which remanded him to judicial custody. Lucknow : Days after former Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), 17 more leaders of the grand old party have resigned from the primary membership in her support. The members, who left the Congress, were party secretaries, vice-presidents, women's wing and ward level leaders. Congress state unit secretary Shabnam Pandey said everybody is condemning the manner in which a senior and reputed figure like Rita Bahuguna was insulted by the senior leaders. "Everyone is hurt and they are all resigning in support of her," Pandey told ANI. She further said that this type of injustice against women leaders should be strongly condemned. Read: Rita Bahuguna Joshi quits Congress, lashes out at Rahul Gandhi "If a reputed party like the Congress, which has such a long history would make derogatory remark against a leader then what can be expected from others. I have been receiving requests from the entire state and so far around 100 to 150 people are ready to resign post this act. The number is expected to rise," she added. Responding to a poser on whether she will also follow the footsteps of Joshi and join the BJP, Pandey said that she has not yet made any decision regarding this. Last week, Joshi joined the BJP while blaming Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and election strategist Prashant Kishor for her exit. "Prashant Kishor could be a poll manager, but he certainly is not the poll director. But, unfortunately, the entire direction and leadership of the election has been given into his hands. How long we have to walk, when we will stand and sit, all these things were told to us a day before, despite the fact that leaders are grass-roots workers. Nothing could be more unfortunate than handing over the party on contract (to Prashant Kishor)," she said. Reacting to Joshi's exit, Congress general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad called her an opportunist and said the fact is that she knew that she won't be able to win the election this time. "She tried to secure a safe seat with the Congress and when she didn't get it, she moved out of the party. Opportunist leaders don't stick to one place," he added. The Jawaharlal Nehru University is the root of academic excellence. It is among the top three universities in the country, a student said. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: After the death of a Manipuri PhD scholar under mysterious circumstances in his hostel room in the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus, the students on Wednesday alleged that such unfortunate incidents are bringing a bad name to the varsity, adding student politics must be encouraged but for a healthy democracy. "The Jawaharlal Nehru University is the root of academic excellence. It is among the top three universities in the country. Student politics must be encouraged but it must be for a healthy democracy. But politicizing each and every issue and then doing strikes is not right," Jhanvi, a student, told ANI. "If the students want to attend the classes then too they can't because the teachers are on a strike. This is something, which is damaging the academics of this university. The students, who come from poor background here, are not able to concentrate on their studies and this is something very unfortunate," she added. Another student Alok Singh was critical of the media for portraying the varsity in negative light. "We are politicizing the issue for mere vote bank politics. The students are disturbed because of this unfortunate incident and are not able to concentrate on their studies," he added. "We must take effective steps to maintain the reputation of this university," he added. The youth J R Philemon Raja, who was pursuing PhD in West Asia studies from JNU, was found dead under mysterious circumstances in his hostel room last night. The youth had locked himself up inside room number 171 at Brahmaputra hostel for the past three days. Initial probe points towards suicide as no injury marks have been found on the body. Raja had joined the university a year ago. His body has been sent for autopsy to AIIMS. The body of a Manipuri PhD scholar who was found dead yesterday night under mysterious circumstances in his hostel room in the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus, has been sent for post-mortem. Jawaharlal Nehru University has been witnessing huge protests since October 15 when another student, Najeeb Ahmed, had gone missing following a brawl in his hostel. Thiruvananthapuram: A pack of dogs fatally attacked a 90-year-old man while he was sleeping on the veranda of his sons unfinished house, Chiruvilla Puthen Veedu, at Mundayil near Varkala, 46 km from here on Wednesday morning. Raghavan, who sustained serious wounds on his face, arms, legs and head in the attack that took place at 6 am, battled for life at the medical colleges surgical intensive care unit for nearly nine hours before succumbing to his injuries. A portion of the nonagenarians face and nose were bitten off by the dogs. According to eyewitnesses, the dogs which were moving near the house attacked Raghavan without any provocation. They pounced on the old man, pulled him down to the floor and started biting hard causing serious wounds. On hearing his cries, family members and neighbours came to the spot to rescue him. Raghavan was first taken to Varkala taluk hospital and then rushed to the medical college hospital. After anti-rabies shots, he was given emergency treatment. With his condition worsening, he was shifted to surgical ICU. A team of doctors from the department of preventive clinic, medicine, surgery, plastic sur-gery, neuro surgery, ophthalmology and ENT planned a combined effort. Raghavan, whose blood pressure had dip-ped massively, was unc-onscious throughout. A unit of blood was also transfused because of the severe blood loss. Though he suffered a heart attack at 1.20 pm the doctors managed to revive him. However, the second attack at 2.30 pm was massive and all efforts to revive him failed. Despite administering life-saving drugs and support system, the death occurred at 2.55 pm. The body was later handed over to his relatives. This is the second fatal incident involving stray dogs in the state during the past two months. On August 20, Silvamma, 65, a poor fisherwoman was fatally attacked by around 50 stray dogs as she came out of the house to relieve herself near Pulluvila coastal village on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram. Sadly, her house had no toilet. Meanwhile, Varkala municipal chairman Bindu Haridas said the old man used to sleep in the sit out despite being requested by many to sleep inside the house. He used to eat food at the same place often attracting strays. More care should have been taken by the family to protect him," she said. On the complaints of strays, the chairperson said the municipality had recently launched the Animal Birth Control (ABC). She denied the charge that strays were frequently attacking people in Varkala and adjoining areas. Sources said that even while in Bahrain, home minister Rajnath Singh was closely monitoring the security scenario along the border and was in constant touch with the BSF chief K.K. Sharma. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: In one of the biggest retaliatory actions along the India-Pakistan border by security forces, the BSF has informed the Union home ministry that it has destroyed 27 posts and 18 watchtowers of the Pakistani Rangers in the last few days. The BSF has also stated that it has killed as many as seven Pak Rangers and injured several of them, including a senior officer of the rank of Lt. Colonel. Amid unprecedented ceasefire violations and heavy firing by Pakistani Rangers along the border in the northern sector, one of the first things that home minister Rajnath Singh did on return from his three-day Bahrain visit on Wednesday was to have a detailed security review meeting with senior officials on the prevailing situation along the border. These details were shared by the BSF during the high-level meeting with the home minister. Pakistan firing to push in terrorists: BSF Sources said that even while in Bahrain, home minister Rajnath Singh was closely monitoring the security scenario along the border and was in constant touch with the BSF chief K.K. Sharma. The BSF also informed the home minister that heavy firing by the Pak Rangers was largely due to two main factors. Firstly, the Pakistani security forces are trying hard to push in large number of militants waiting close to the border before winter sets in and are primarily providing cover fire for this. Secondly, the Pak Rangers are retaliating to Indias surgical strikes and even the killing of seven of its personnel last week by BSF. Sources said the home minister was given a detailed presentation on deployment of troops along the border and how Indian security forces too were retaliating hard to the firing from across the border. Former chief minister and BJP state president B.S. Yeddyurappa being greeted by his supporters at the BJP office in Bengaluru after the CBI court gave him a clean chit. BENGALURU: Five months ago, former chief minister and BJP leader, B. S. Yeddyurappa broke down in tears, crying political vendetta in an open court while being questioned over receiving illegal donations in the kickback cases. On Wednesday, soon after the CBI court acquitted him and others, of all charges in the case, the Lingayat strongman took no time in announcing he was clean to the world through twitter, and to his senior leaders in New Delhi. The jubilant Yeddyurapa tweeted: "Justice is done, I stand vindicated, Thanks to all well wishers, friends and supporters who stood with me in my tough times," quickly followed by another tweet, which read: "Satyameva Jayate." The big smile of his with the trademark waving of victory symbol is back big time, as Mr Yeddyurappa reiterated his faith in the judiciary while reacting to the acquittal outside the court premises, saying that he is "extremely happy" and that "the false and baseless allegations which were politically motivated were finally dismissed by the court." The verdict further cements the politically ambitious leaders comeback plans after he was forced to step down in the wake of these charges, and comes as a huge shot in the arm for BSY. BSY after verdict: Justice is done, I stand vindicated Post the verdict, he remembered his mother whom he had lost in his early childhood and also expressed his gratitude to all the BJP workers and everyone who had faith in him. Insofar as the court order is concerned, the CBI court has acquitted him and others including his two sons - B.Y. Vijayendra and B.Y. Raghavendra, son-in-law R.N. Sohan Kumar, former Minister S.N. Krishnaiah Setty amongst others from all the charges due to 'lack of evidence'. The case relates to showing favour to two mining companies and receiving illegal gratification (a total amount of Rs 40 crore) from them through Prerana Trust, managed by his sons and son-in-law. The CBI had taken up the case following a direction by SC. The 21st Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge and Principal Special Judge for CBI cases, R.B. Dharamagoudar, pronounced the verdict which approximately runs into more than 400 pages, acquitting all the accused of all the charges registered under Section 120 B and 420 of the India Penal Code and Sections 7, 11, 13(2) 13 (1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Meanwhile, the Congress gave CBI the sobriquet "pet performing poodle" in the wake of a court acquitting Yeddyurappa. "If there is or was or continues to be any open and shut case of corruption and misconduct, it is the case pertaining to Yeddyurappa", party spokesman Manish Tewari told reporters in New Delhi. Post-verdict, BSY to meet Modi and Amit Shah Former Chief Minister and BJP state unit President B.S. Yeddyurappa said that he will soon meet party National President Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to inform them about his acquittal in the corruption cases. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Mr Yeddyurappa said, I will not point fingers at my opponents who are responsible for making me suffer in false cases. I will not resort to vendetta politics, my aim is to bring BJP to power in the 2018 elections, he said. We are all united in the party, a few leaders have not get positions in the party, but we will set right these issues through talks, Mr K.S. Eshwarappa is busy touring the state to organize an OBC rally of the party at Bengaluru, there are no differences among us, Yeddyurappa said. He also made it clear that he was not interested in national politics and he wanted to concentrate on the state. New Delhi: In a huge setback to former BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu, the Supreme Court on Wednesday asked him to face trial for alleged electoral malpractices in the 2009 elections which he won from Amritsar. A Bench of justices disposing of his appeal said the Punjab and Haryana High Court will decide the election petition on the allegations of excess spending by Sidhu on media advertisements and facilitating transfer of a gazetted officer in Punjab, who allegedly helped him in winning the election. The proceedings in the HC at the instance of the defeated Congress candidate Om Prakash Soni will only be an academic exercise. The Bench, however, absolved Sidhu of the charges of excess spending for public meetings on the ground that Soni had not furnished materials to substantiate the charges, though he adequately backed the allegations of excess spending for advertisements. Of the nearly 5,000 convicts in TN, 38.5 per cent belonged to SC/ST categories. Chennai: Tamil Nadu prisons topped the nation in generating income by selling products made by its inmates in 2015. The prison department made over Rs 47.87 crore through the inmates products, which were mainly sold via its Freedom Bazaar stores, according a latest NCRB statistics. The TN prisons also had the distinction of housing as many as 289 prisoners with technical degrees / diplomas, highest among all States. Of the nearly 5,000 convicts in TN, 38.5 per cent belonged to SC/ST categories. In 2014, the Tamil Nadu prisons reported Rs 36.97 crore in gross earnings, also highest in the country. According to a TN jail official, supportive government policies, committed inmates and officials made it happen. Tamil Nadu prison officials had been pushing the products including clothing, bakery items, paintings, leather goods and handcrafts made by the jail inmate through Freedom Bazaar stores in Chennai. They were also trying to market the products in high end IT parks as well. Tamil Nadu prisons, with a total of 14,122 inmates, had on an average made products worth Rs 33,901 per inmate during 2015. Inmates in Delhi prisons manufactured products worth Rs 31 crore during 2015 and secured second spot and prisoners in Kerala jails had made Rs 22.9 crore worth items to bag the third place. Of 4,966 convicts lodged in the TN prisons, 289 had technical degrees or diplomas while 1,212 were illiterate. As many as 434 were graduates and 175 were post graduates. In UP, 1,553 prisoners were graduates and 566 were PG holders. Of the 4,966 convicted inmates, 1,750 belonged to scheduled castes and 158 to scheduled tribes. Together the SC and ST made 38.5 per cent of the total convicted inmates while 51 per cent people belonged to OBC. Chennai: Granting bail to Vikash Anand, a reigning car racing champion, arrested for allegedly mowing down an auto driver by driving a Porsche car in an inebriated condition on September 19 in the city, besides injuring eight others, the Madras high court has directed him to pay Rs 27.50 lakh as compensation to the victims on or before November 10. Granting bail to Vikash Anand with certain stringent conditions, Justice R.Mala said of the 27.5 lakh, the Vikash Anand should deposit Rs 15 lakh in the fixed deposit in the name of the minor girl who lost her father in the accident, with the principal judge, city civil court as a guardian. The said fixed deposit shall recur till the minor girl attains majority. Further, considering the fact that the grand father as well as the father of the petitioner is an advocate by profession, I am confident that they will ensure that the minor girl who had lost her father in the accident and is now under the custody of her relatives will be provided good education and they will bear all the educational expenses, besides the fixed deposit of Rs 15 lakh, the judge added. The judge said the petitioner shall pay Rs 2.50 lakh each as compensation to the three persons who sustained grievous injuries and Rs 1 lakh each as compensation to the five persons, who sustained simple injuries. Out of the 27.5 lakh that has been agreed to be paid as compensation to all the victims, today the petitioner was directed to deposit Rs 7.50 lakh to the credit of the crime before the XVIII Metropolitan Magistrate, Saidapet. He shall execute a bond for Rs 10,000 with two sureties each for a like sum. He shall report before the court concerned on every Friday at 5.30 pm until further orders, taking into consideration of the fact that the petitioner was a student and undergoing examination, the judge added. Similarly, the judge also granted bail to Charan Kumar, owner of the Porsche car and a co-passenger, with certain stringent conditions. The petitioner is ordered to pay Rs 1 lakh each as compensation to the owners of the 12 auto rickshaws that were damaged in the accident on or before November 10, since the petitioner had provided the car to Vikash Anand, who is a student as well as car racer and under the influence of alcohol, the judge added. The judge said out of the Rs 12 lakh, today he was directed to deposit a sum of Rs 2 lakh to the credit of the crime before the XVIII Metropolitan Magistrate, Saidapet. He should execute a bond for Rs 10,000 with two sureties each for a like sum and report before the court concerned daily at 10.30 a.m. until further orders, the judge added. Chennai: The much anticipated all-party meeting convened by the DMK on Tuesday put the ball back in the AIADMK court, requesting the latter to convene a special session of the Assembly to discuss the Cauvery issue. If the ruling party refused to convene the Assembly session, the DMK would hold another all-party meeting to decide the next course of action, a resolution at the meeting said. The resolution also wanted the AIADMK to arrange for a meeting of all-party leaders and representatives of farmers with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to demand the formation of the Cauvery Management Board. With most of the parties including the AIADMK, BJP, PWA, PMK and DMK ally Puthiya Thamizhagam boycotting the meeting, it turned out to be a show of DMK allies. Tamil Maanila Congress leader G.K. Vasan, who made an unsuccessful bid to enter the DMK front in the local body elections is the only leader, who is not in the DMK alliance at the moment, to take part in the meet. Another resolution said the remaining water in the Mettur dam is not sufficient for the Samba crop and demanded a compensation of Rs 30,000 per acre for farmers. The Centre which agreed to form the Cauvery Management Board later made a U-turn and questioned the Supreme Court's power to order CMB formation, the meeting noted. Citing the River Water Disputes Act, 1956, the meeting said CMB should be formed immediately after the tribunal order and a notification on CMB formation should be submitted to Parliament after 30 days. It condemned the Centre for diverting the issue for political gains. The meeting also criticised the expert panel headed by G.S. Jha and said the panel's report did not reflect the real situation in TN. Earlier, speaking at the meeting, Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin said that in Karnataka all parties are united in the struggle for opposing the Supreme Court, tribunal and the rule of law. But, in Tamil Nadu, people feel bitter to fight in favour of SC and tribunal judgments. In Karnataka, people are uniting to fulfil negative ideas, but in Tamil Nadu people are reluctant to fulfil constructive objectives and history will point a finger at them. I hope that those who did not come today will join with us tomorrow. Since, the state government had refused to hold all-party meet, the DMK had come forward to convene it following requests by parties and farmers' bodies. The DMK would have attended such a meet called by any other party, he asserted. Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation and Information & Broadcasting, M. Venkaiah Naidu during an interview in new Delhi. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will not be brought through the back door and without a consensus, says Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu who rejects the charge that contentious issues have been raked up by BJP to polarise elections, especially in Uttar Pradesh. Issues like triple talaq, civil code and Ram temple will not be used by BJP for political mileage in the upcoming elections, says the Minister who asserts that they will be fought on development agenda. Holding that such crucial issues should not be looked through prism of electoral benefit, the Chief Spokesperson of the government also rejects opposition criticism that surgical strikes were being politicised. "The Government does not consider it (triple talaq) as a religious matter. It is a question of gender sensitivity. It is wrong to say that we are interfering in Muslim issues. "The same Indian Parliament, the same political system had brought Hindu Code Bill, Divorce Act, banning Hindu Marriage Act, banning dowry and Sati practice, all these things are done by Indian Parliament," Naidu said. Making it clear that broad consensus will be required for bringing Uniform Civil Code, he said the allegations that Triple Talaq is a backdoor entry for the UCC was unjustified. "We are not discussing about the common civil code or uniform civil code as of now. The Law Commission has issued a questionnaire and asked people to react. "You cannot have a uniform Civil Code without a broad consensus. You have to work and move in that direction," he said hoping that the Supreme Court will come out with the right decision on the issue of triple talaq. Naidu said these sensitive issues should not be linked to polls as the elections are like festivals in India which keep coming now and then. Defending the government affidavit in the Supreme Court on triple talaq issue, he said nobody then said it (Sati) was a Hindu practice that government was interfering in that. "Somebody might have said it also. But in collective wisdom, the entire country has moved further. We have reformed ourselves. Similarly, when the practice is going on which is discriminatory, which is doing injustice to women, we think it should end," Naidu said. He said it was Muslim women and organisations which were demanding end of triple talaq who had gone to the Supreme Court. Referring to Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution that speaks against discrimination, the Minister said, "The Government of India wants every religion, every personal law to be in accordance with that. And if the society transforms itself, it's always better." Naidu said divesting a woman by simply, saying talaq three times was totally against the principles of natural justice and the practise must end. "This debate was not started by us. Somebody went to court and the Supreme Court while discussing the issue wanted to know the views of the Government. And the government has filed an affidavit saying that our view is that triple talaq is unjust, unfair, uncivilised and saying it must come to an end. "That's what we have said. How is it connected with UP elections," he said. Replying to a raft of questions on Ram temple issue, Naidu said, "People of India want a brilliant temple at the birth place of Rama but how do you go about it. You have to have an agreement between contending parties or you will have to abide by the legal verdict which is taking too long. He maintained that as far as government is concerned, government and political parties have no role in constructing a temple. "You can facilitate or remove obstructions or create obstructions like what Mulayamji had done earlier," he said. The Minister said as far as government and BJP are concerned UP elections are not going to be fought on the Rama Janambhoomi or common civil code or triple talaq. "They are going to be fought on developmental issue." To a question that focus was now sought to be brought on these contentious issues, he shot back, "If you do not talk about it then it is said you have forgotten Ram. When you talk about them, then it is said Ram is remembered because of UP elections." Naidu said BJP was going to focus more on development and good governance in the campaign for UP polls, adding it does not mean that the party has given up on issues like Uniform Civil Code and Rama Janambhoomi. On criticism by the Opposition parties of BJP trying to take political mileage from cross-LoC surgical strikes, Naidu reminded Congress of using Atal Bihari Vajpayee's praise of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as Durga after the 1971 Indo-Pak war, for political gains. Naidu said leaders of the political parties were briefed and their queries were replied to by the army during an all party meeting on surgical strikes and all of them had gone back home happily. But raising questions over the strikes and seeking proof were "subsequent thoughts". On the surgical strikes, he said details of such nature are not divulged in national interests and they are not even questioned. Asked about Rahul Gandhi's 'Khoon ki dalali' comment, Naidu called it as an "immature" remark. "Whoever made the comment, it was an injustice to the country, it was an injustice to himself. After the comment was made, he became unpopular. People have answered it," said Naidu. Asked about allegations that BJP has a role in the rift in the Samajwadi Party, Naidu said it has become fashionable for some people to blame the ruling party or RSS for anything. "Good that they have not blamed RSS. It is an internal family problem. They are fighting among themselves openly. Where is BJP's hand in it," he asked. Expressing confidence that BJP will emerge victorious in the assembly polls, he blamed SP for ruining the state. "We do not believe in fishing in troubled waters we believe in eating fish," he said in a lighter vein. Asked who is BJP's number one rival in UP, he said SP, BSP and Congress were in the battle. He also compared the fight between UP CM Akhilesh and his uncle Shivpal as a semi- final, saying "Let's see who comes out victorious." Bengaluru: Buoyed by the CBI courts verdict giving him a clean chit in a case related to illegal mining in Ballari, state BJP president B.S. Yeddyurappa is likely to turn aggressive and train his guns on the state government and his foes in the party with the latter left with no choice but accept all his decisions. Sources close to the former chief minister told Deccan Chronicle the Lingayat strongman, who was hesitating to haul up certain ministers on charges of corruption as one case against him and his kin was pending in the CBI court, will be hard-hitting in future. His critics within the party were citing the illegal mining case during discussions with central leaders to thwart his chances of occupying a key post, or joining the Union cabinet. They were certain that he will be indicted by the court for allegedly accepting donation in the form of a cheque from South West Mining Company and therefore will not be able to lead the party in polls to the Legislative Assembly in 2018, sources added. A section of advocates celebrate the clean chit for Yeddyurappa. Sources said todays verdict will help top leaders of the party in Delhi to breath easy as neither leaders of Congress or JD (S) will be able to attack Mr Yeddyurappa and his supporters in future. Besides, he will be given a free hand to run the state unit much to the chagrin of his detractors who were upset with his decision to appoint his supporters as office bearers of the state and district units of the party. In July 2011, Mr Yeddyurappa was asked by party president Nitin Gadkari to step down from the Chief Ministers post for his alleged role in illegal mining, including the case of accepting a donation from South West Mining Company for Prerana Trust, in a report submitted by Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde.Outside the court, supporters of Yeddyurappa broke into celebrations, hailing the judgement. It was vendetta against me and my family: Former CM Former Chief Minister and BJP state unit President B.S. Yeddyurappa expressed happiness over his acquittal in the corruption case filed against him in the CBI court. It was political vendetta against me and my family. Now the truth has come out in the court. With this judgment, I have regained my reputation and people finally know the truth, Mr. Yeddyurappa said soon after the judgment was made. I have reposed faith in the judiciary and was also confident that one day, I will come out clean in the case. This is also a big relief for party workers, Mr. Yeddyurappa added. B.S. Yeddyurappa turns emotional after the CBI court judgement. Henceforth, I will work to further strengthen the party and conduct an aggressive tour in the state to prepare party workers for the 2018 general elections, Mr. Yeddyurappa said. After visiting the BJP office at Malleshwaram to acknowledge the greetings of party workers, who seemed overjoyed with the judgment, Mr Yeddyurappa said, Since five years, I have been waging a legal battle in the courts. I have not committed any mistake, but I was falsely implicated in the case. Finally the truth has come out, he added. The BJP MLA of Shikaripura constituency, B.Y. Raghavendra, the elder son of B.S. Yeddyurappa while commenting on the judgement, said, Our family was falsely implicated in the case to settle political scores, now our confidence level has increased following the judgment. We had to undergone a lot of trauma after false cases were registered against us by our rivals. Opponents of my father had filed these cases, now people know the truth behind these cases, Mr Raghavendra said. Mr Sohan Kumar, son-in-law of Mr Yeddyurappa while reacting to the judgement, said, We are very happy with the CBI court verdict. We were quite tense in the morning, but after the judgment, we are relieved. It was quite a long legal battle for our family. The BSY saga over 8 years May 30, 2008: BSY takes over as Chief Minister Dec. 28, 2010: Advocates Sirajin Basha and K.N. Balaraj meet Governor H.R. Bhardwaj, seeking to prosecute Yeddyurappa on charges of corruption and nepotism. Jan. 21, 2011: Governor sanctions prosecution of BSY. July 21, 2011: Court upholds Lokayukta police inquiry against BSY. July 27, 2011: BSY indicted along with three of his cabinets colleagues. July 31, 2011: BSY resigns as Chief Minister. Aug. 3, 2011: Governor accepts mining report and grants sanction to prosecute BSY. Aug. 4, 2011: Sadananda Gowda takes over as CM Oct. 15, 2011: Arrest warrant issued against Yeddyurappa, he surrenders in Lokayukta court. Nov. 8, 2011: BSY released on bail after 21 days in jail. May 7, 2012: HC quashes a complaint filed against BSY and also quashes chapter 22 of the Lokayukta report that dealt extensively with his alleged role in illegal mining in Karnataka. May 21, 2012: Chargesheet filed against Yeddyurappa. Aug. 2014: BSY appointed as BJP national vice president. Jan 5, 2016: HC quashes 15 FIRs against him by Lokayukta police following a complaint based on the CAG report. April 8, 2016: B.S. Yeddyurappa appointed as the new chief of the Karnataka unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) replacing Pralhad Joshi New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the TS Assembly Speaker to inform before November 8 by what time he would dispose of the pending disqualification petitions filed by Congress Legislature Party against seven Congress MLAs who have defected to the TRS. The Court had already issued notices to the Speaker and MLAs of various political parties who defected to the ruling TRS, seeking their response to the allegations that their conduct is contrary to the spirit of Constitution and anti-defection laws. The petitioner had alleged that the TS government was encouraging defections in a massive way. When TRS came to power in 2014, it had only 63 MLAs. The strength of the ruling TRS party in the state assembly went up to 89 in 2016. This the petitioner alleged was made possible through huge defections engineered by the TRS. Ravi Shankar said the Speaker was not deciding on pleas for disqualification of the defectors. In his petition, the complainant sought a direction to the Speaker to disqualify the legislators who had defected. He said he was aggrieved that despite submitting the petition to the Speaker, seeking disqualification of the MLAs, no action was taken for the last two years. Sampath Kumar has challenged in the apex court the dismissal of his earlier petitions filed before the High Court of Hyderabad for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana state. Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav triggered intense speculation in political circles by suddenly calling on Governor Ram Naik on Wednesday soon after having lost another loyalist in a bitter power struggle that is threatening to split the ruling Samajwadi Party. This comes amid the BJPs allegation that the CM has lost the confidence of his MLAs, and must prove his governments majority in the Assembly. Sources said the CM carried a list of 205 MLAs backing him. In the 403-member Assembly, the SP has 224 MLAs. The move is being seen as an attempt by the chief ministers camp to pre-empt any move to upstage him. The Governors office however called the meeting a courtesy call. The CM met Mr Naik after his uncle Shivpal Yadav expelled from the party junior minister Tej Narain Pandey for indiscipline, the latest in a string of expulsions of the CM's loyalists ordered by the SP's UP chief. The CM sacked on Sunday Shivpal Yadav and three other pro-Amar Singh ministers from his Cabinet. Will not split party, says Akhilesh In another indication that no truce is likely, Mr Shivpal Yadav began vacating his official residence in Lucknow on Wednesday. On his part, Mr Akhilesh Yadav has maintained he would not split the party, but would continue to act against saboteurs. The CM believes Shivpal Yadav and Amar Singh have combined to discredit him, sources said. The party would celebrate its silver jubilee on November 5, two days after the CM rolls out his solo statewide poll campaign. The CM met on Wednesday party legislators and ministers, including youth leaders expelled by his uncle, to discuss campaign strategies. People wait to receive the bodies of their family members who died in an attack on the Police Training Academy, in Quetta, Pakistan. (Photo: AP) The shocking attack by terrorists at the Balochistan Police Training College near Quetta on Tuesday took more than 60 lives. Two months earlier, terrorists had killed over 70 lawyers in the same city. These mass murders were tragedies of the same variety as the attack on the Army school in December 2014, in which dozens of innocent children and teachers were mowed down, an episode that had drawn gasps of sympathy in this country and elsewhere. It is a great pity that Islamabad sees it fit to exploit terrible events of this nature to build a geo-political narrative that it is a victim of terror, and remains in cold-blooded denial about having unleashed criminal forces, that it consciously continues to nourish as a matter of state policy. These have made mass killings for political ends a fine art. In some cases, these ends may be autonomous of the Pakistan government, but quite frequently they are the same as Islamabads. Just ask Indians and Afghans who are at the receiving end of ISI-backed terrorism around the year. So long as proxy warriors are nurtured by the government, Pakistans claims will ring hollow that it does what it can to fight terrorism, and has made great sacrifices in that cause. Regrettably for geopolitical reasons the United States, and more recently China, have begun to sing the same opportunist tune. They seek to get Pakistan off the hook as they think they badly need this country. Washington has sunk dozens of billions of dollars to build up Pakistans capabilities to combat terrorism. But that end has no chance of being met. This frustrates the US sometimes and it makes occasional threatening noises. But there the matter ends. America is by now afraid that if it doesnt continue to be solicitous of Islamabad, the generals will become wholesale surrogates of Beijing. For its part, China panders to Pakistan as it needs the latters territory through Balochistan to build Gwadar port and possibly a naval base. As for India, Islamabad tries to sound virtuous and denies and asks for proof that its nationals are involved in major terrorist incidents in this country. It was the same after the September 18 Uri strike. But the cat is now out. The Lashkar-e-Tayyaba put up posters across Gujranwala in Pakistans Punjab announcing funeral rituals in absentia of martyrs who died in Uri, killing Hindu soldiers. The involvement of Pakistanis in the 2008 Mumbai attack was also denied to begin with. Pakistans interior minister Chaudhry Nissar said after the Tuesday attack that the war against terror wasnt over yet. In truth, it hasnt even begun. Thatll be the sorry reality so long as outfits like LeT and the Haqqani group are cosseted by the ISI. CM tried to maintain law & order Priti Gandhi In the last few weeks, strained relations between India and Pakistan after the Uri attack have resulted in some strong reactions coming in on the release of Karan Johars movie Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. After a protest by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, the producer of the film, Karan Johar, and a few people from the film fraternity met the chief minister at his residence in Mumbai along with MNS chief Raj Thackeray, whose party was strongly opposing the release of the movie as Fawad Khan, a Pakistani actor, features in it. The foremost responsibility of the state government is to maintain law and order while upholding the producers right to the safe release of the film. As a preventive measure, 12 members of the MNS who had gone to Metro Theatre in Mumbai to threaten it have been sent to judicial custody until November 4, sending out a strong message that while everyone had a right to protest, any action which disrupts law and order will not be tolerated. When Karan Johar and Mukesh Bhatt met CM Devendra Fadnavis, they conveyed to him that keeping in mind peoples sentiments in India post-Uri attack, Indian filmmakers would henceforth not work with Pakistani artistes. Karan Johar also spoke about his decision to display a slide of tribute for the Uri martyrs before Ae Dil Hai Mushkil begins playing on screens. When the issue of contributions to the Army Welfare Fund came up, Mr Fadnavis strictly said this should be voluntary and that they need not make this contribution. But the film producers insisted on making a contribution to the Army Relief Fund. Therefore, there is no question of either the Maharashtra government or Mr Fadnavis supporting any sort of forced contribution to the Army Relief Fund. Having said that, people should understand that several lives and livelihoods are impacted by the actions and decisions of a chief minister. He has to take every decision, taking into consideration a number of things. Maharashtra state, specially Mumbai, is on high alert during the festive season. Our police and security forces are already burdened with a huge responsibility. If the chief minister steps in and amicably settles a law and order issue through discussions, it is a win-win situation for everyone and this successful effort must be appreciated. After all, a good discussion is the foundation of a healthy democracy! Priti Gandhi, national executive member, BJP Mahila Morcha. Its time to stand by our jawans Shalini Thackeray After the Uri attack sponsored by Pakistan, the whole country was outraged. But some people in the film industry were not perturbed and wanted to continue working with Pakistani artistes even at a time when the Indian government was talking about isolating Pakistan. The MNS did not politicise the issue. We were very clear from the beginning that our stand only reflected the peoples wish. There is absolutely no truth in the allegation that the MNS dragged the Army into politics. When the government has taken steps to politically isolate Pakistan after the attack in Uri, the MNS has appealed for cultural isolation. What is wrong in that? The attacks on our Army have offended us. Are we not going to value their emotions and stand behind the Army jawans and their families? People themselves are talking about boycotting the movie and not watching it in order to protest. We have to show our solidarity towards the Army, which we did. This does not mean we are dragging the Army into politics. In the meeting convened by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Producers Guild agreed to a few things. They said that they would pass a resolution not taking any Pakistani artiste in Indian movies even if relations between the two countries normalise. They will be paying tribute to the martyrs of the attacks before the screening of the movie. But only showing sympathy is not enough. We have to practically help the families of jawans who were killed or injured in the attacks. Therefore Raj Thackerayji asked them to contribute to the Army Welfare Fund, which was created by the Centre two months back. He asked them to contribute a substantial amount so that most families of jawans could get help, and hence `5 crores was decided on. The fund so far has collected only `1.6 crores, so the additional amount will help them. The makers of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Raees had enough time to replace the Pakistani artistes. None of them showed any sympathy towards jawans till we raised the matter. Therefore, the MNS asked them to contribute to the fund as reparations. The amount is going to the Centre and not into the MNS kitty. No one can accuse the MNS of any wrongdoing. The issue was actually which side you choose: filmmakers, who are doing a business, or soldiers, who are protecting our country. The MNS chose the Army over films. Shalini Thackeray, MNS general secretary and working president of the Maharashtra Navnirman Chitrapat Karmachari Sena (MNS film industry union). Boeing is under growing pressure to produce the middle of the market plane. Boeing voiced more optimism on Tuesday about going ahead with a new aircraft to fill a gap in its product line, but said the time frame for producing such a plane remained years away. "I would say we're a little bit more optimistic today than we have been" about the "middle of the market" plane, Randy Tinseth, vice president of marketing at Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said at a briefing on Boeing's market outlook in Brussels, ahead of Boeing's results report on Wednesday. But Tinseth said other projects will come first: bringing its 737 MAX single-aisle aircraft into service next year, adding a longer Dreamliner, the 787-10, in 2018 and developing the 777X, due in 2020. "So whatever we're going to do here, it will come after we get all those other things done," Tinseth said. Boeing is under growing pressure to produce the middle of the market plane, which would fill a gap between its largest 737 MAX model and the smallest 787. Earlier this month, the head of Qatar Airways took the opportunity of an order announcement to further press Boeing to build such a plane. Asked in a Reuters interview when he wanted to hear more about the plane, Al Baker said: "Yesterday!" Ray Conner, CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said in the same interview that Boeing continues to evaluate the idea and talk with customers. In addition to building the jets already on the drawing boards, Boeing's first order of business in the mid-market segment is to protect its flank from European rival Airbus (AIR.PA), which has gobbled up orders in that space. Airbus' A321neo is larger than Boeing's competing 737, and Boeing said it is studying a stretched version, dubbed the MAX 10, that would be easier to make than an all-new middle of the market plane. But the 737 MAX 10 is not seen coming to market until after the smallest version comes out in 2019. Boeing could develop both a 737 MAX 10 and a new middle of the market plane, Chief Executive Dennis Muilenburg said at an investor conference last month. But no decisions have been made. "We could potentially do both," he said. Boeing also could compete with the planes it has already, he added. Analysts are looking for Boeing to report profit of $2.62 per share when it posts third-quarter results on Wednesday, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. London-based communications company BT has announced the launch of their new version of phonebooths in London that will be offering free calls and ultra fast WiFi. The company plans on installing at least 750 of these modern phonebooths in the streets of London over the span of next year. These cubicles will offer users Wi-Fi with a speed of up to 1Gbps along with free UK landline and mobile calls and phone charging points. Furthermore, the phonebooths will consists of a touch-screen tablet that will provide users with the access to maps, directions and local services. The phonebooths will come equipped with sensors that are designed to capture real-time data of the local environment such as pollution levels and air temperature. Rajesh Agrawal, Londons deputy mayor for business said that the modern-day phonebooths will be playing a big role in improving connectivity for the locals as well as the visitors. This service will be funded through advertising showcased on the phonebooths. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Samsung recently discontinued the production of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphones post numerous reported battery issues. Several rumors have indicated that the company is already working on another smartphone, the Galaxy S8 and are planning on launching it early next year with the hopes of reviving their lost glory. According to a report by Weibo, the smartphone may possibly sport a 5.5-inch 4k curved dual-edge display. Apart from that, the device is expected to run on either Exynos 8895 SoC or the Snapdragon 830 processor with 10nm process. The Samsung Galaxy S8 is rumored to offer either 6GB or 8GB RAM. The report also mentions that the device might come with NFC or MST support for the companys official app Samsung Pay. The Samsung Galaxy S8 is expected to be announced on February 26 at the companys event with the sales going down in March next year. None of this information has been officially confirmed by Samsung as of yet. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Cairo: An Egyptian court cancelled the life sentences on Tuesday handed out to former president Mohamed Morsi and Muslim Brotherhood chief Mohamed Badie along with 15 other leaders of the banned group in an espionage case and ordered a retrial. The court also cancelled death sentences handed out to 16 other Muslim Brotherhood members, including top leaders Khyrat el-Sharer and Mohamed el-Beltagy Ahmed Abdel Aty. Thirteen of the 16 were sentenced in absentia. The defendants were accused of spying, funding terrorism and disclosing national security. The decision comes just days after an Egyptian criminal court confirmed a 20-year prison sentence handed out to Morsi for inciting violence during demonstrations in 2012, the first final verdict in a case against the former president. Eight other defendants were sentenced to prison terms of up to 20 years in the case. Their appeals were refused too. Morsi is currently in prison over other cases including for escaping from prison during the January 25 Revolution in 2011, insulting the judiciary and handing documents of national security importance to Qatari intelligence through the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera news channel. The former president has said he does not recognise the trials he faces. Morsi, who became Egypt's president in June 2012 after the first democratic elections in the country, was ousted in a military coup after a year in power following mass protests against his rule. Feigin is suspected of having called the center on September 19 and leaving a hate-filled message. (Photo: Representational Image) Los Angeles: A California man has been charged with making terrorist threats against a Muslim center and posting hateful messages on social media, authorities said Tuesday. Mark Lucian Feigin, 40, was arrested last week after calling the Islamic Center of Southern California and threatening to kill Muslims, officer Liliana Preciado of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) told AFP. She said Feigin is suspected of having called the center on September 19 and leaving a hate-filled message. He called again the following day, when he spoke to an employee and threatened to kill Muslims, Preciado said. A search of his home in Agoura Hills, a city northwest of Los Angeles, turned up five rifles, a shotgun, seven pistols and more than 250 pounds (113 kilograms) of ammunition, including modified high-capacity magazines, she added. "The right to free speech is a hallmark of our society," Commander Horace Frank, of the LAPD's Counter Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau, told a news conference. "But that right is not and cannot be unabated. "Mr. Feigin broke the law when he threatened the lives of the individuals at the Islamic Center." Omar Ricci, chairman of the Islamic Center, told AFP that staff became concerned after Feigin, who he said works in real estate, posted a message on the center's Facebook page in September and then followed up with the threatening calls. "Generally speaking, the threats were against the religion of Islam, the Muslim community," he said. "And it was enough to cause fear in the person that was taking the call." Feigin, who was released on $75,000 bail, could not be reached for comment and it was unclear if he had an attorney. He is due to appear in court on November 10 and faces up to four years in prison if found guilty. Ricci said the center has had to boost security in the wake of the threats and rising anti-Muslim sentiment in the United States. "There will be armed guards at the center for the foreseeable future," he said. Toxicity Toward Muslims Hate crimes against American Muslims have soared to their highest level since the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, according to a report published earlier this year by researchers at California State University, San Bernardino. The surge has been attributed to last year's terror attacks in Paris, Brussels and the California city of San Bernardino, as well as anti-Muslim rhetoric during the US presidential campaign. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has called for a ban on Muslims entering the United States and for a national registry of Muslims in the country. Ricci said he has noticed a spike in anti-Muslim sentiment that has spread fear among the community that numbers about half a million in Southern California. "In the United States today there is a certain toxicity toward Muslims being generated by a certain presidential candidate," Ricci said, referring to Trump. "And that toxicity is finding comfort with people who have ignorance of Islam and Muslims." Detroit: A 71-year-old Indian-American is attempting to become the first Mayor from the community in the US state of Michigan, and has forged a coalition of various ethnic and religious groups to help Democrats take control of a Republican township in the suburb of this city. Dr Syed Taj is the brother of Indian politician Syed Shahabuddin from Ranchi. Taj, who unsuccessfully ran for the US House of Representative four years ago, now says that the township government of Canton a suburb of Detroit that he lives in - needs to reflect diversity of its resident and it is time that Democrats take control of its future. If elected in the November 8 general elections, Taj would be the first Indian-American Mayor in Michigan. He is running for the post of Canton Supervisor, similar to the position of a mayor. "We are running on the platform of diversity, transparency and accountability," Taj said during one of his campaign trails in the town which has a population of about 100,000 including more than 7,000 Indian-Americans. Encouraging younger Indian-Americans to join the political mainstream, Taj said it took him about six months' time working with the Democratic party to prepare a diversity coalition panel of seven top seats in the Canton township. Besides him, the panel includes one more Indian-American Dhaval Vaishnav who is the president of the Temple of Canton. "If we (immigrants) stick together, we can make the difference," he said, adding that it becomes more important at a time when Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, 70, has polarised the elections with his rhetoric and anti- immigrant statements. "Donald Trump wants to make America Great Again which means make America White Again. This is no longer possible. The US is a country of immigrants. And he should realise that," he said. Taj, who comes from a well-known Muslim family in Bihar, was born and brought up in Gaya. After completing schooling from Bihar, he went to Ranchi at St Xavier. He earned his medical degrees from Patna Medical College in 1968. In 1982, he and his wife Sofia moved to Southeast Michigan to pursue the American dream and be close to relatives as they began to start a family of their own but not before spending several years in the UK. Taj said he decided to contest for elected offices in 2005 when he was constructing his house and while making the rounds of the township seeking various licenses and permits, he felt that he was not welcome. The community also faced similar problems when they were constructing a temple. "It is important that we immigrants assimilate in the society and be a part of the political process," he added. Washington: The father of a fallen Pakistani-origin Muslim American soldier, who got wide public support after Donald Trump criticised him, will campaign for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton for the first time. Khizr Khan, 66, father of Army Capt. Humayun Khan, had stunned a national audience in July with a speech during the Democratic National Convention directly confronting the controversial real estate tycoon, saying Trump "has sacrificed nothing and no one". Khan had stunned a national audience with his moving tribute to his son at the Convention in Philadelphia while posthumously receiving a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart after he was killed by a suicide bomber in Iraq in 2004. Clinton's campaign announced that Khan will make three stops around Norfolk tomorrow - at a mosque to meet with community leaders and veterans, at a restaurant to talk with more veterans and elected officials, besides speaking with campaign volunteers at the end of the day, the Los Angeles Times reported. Although this is Khan's first time on the campaign trail for Clinton, he appeared in an emotional television advertisement to support her candidacy last week, asking Trump whether his son would "have a place in your America?" Trump, who is known for making controversial statements including a call for banning Muslims entering the US, had hit out at Khan following his July remarks and had questioned whether Khan's wife was even "allowed" to speak. His comments, however, drew sharp criticism from different quarters, including from his own party, both for attacking a mourning mother and because many considered them racist and anti-Muslim. Lara Trump is the wife of Eric Trump, the second son of Donald Trump. (Photo: Twitter/ Lara Trump) Ashburn: Donald Trump's daughter-in-law celebrated Diwali at a Hindu temple in the key swing state of Virginia as part of the Republican presidential nominee's efforts to reach out to the Indian-American community. Lara Trump, wife of Eric Trump, the second son of Trump, 70, said the relationship between India and the US is destined for a new height if her father-in-law is elected the next president of the US after the November 8 general elections. Lara said Donald Trump has great love and affection for India and its people. As a mark of respect to the Indian culture, she removed her shoes before entering the Rajdhani temple in Virginia. "I really like Hindu culture and I respect It," she said. Welcoming the Trump family member to the premises of the temple, Indian-American community activist Rajesh Gooty said her presence has brought in Diwali early in the Fairfax and Loudoun county of the state. "It has energised the local Indian-American Community immensely. We will continue to assist and participate with renewed energy in participating with Interfaith, Diversity events," said Gooty, who was instrumental in inviting Lara to the Hindu Temple to celebrate Diwali. Initially, Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump was scheduled to come to the temple but the Trump campaign asked her to go to a different place given the fast-changing dynamics of the polls. Inaugurated in 2000, the temple is the oldest one in Loudon county which has experienced the fastest growth of Indian-American community in the last one decade. This is for the first time that a family member of one of the two top presidential candidates are visiting a Hindu temple. Seoul: United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is the odds-on favourite to be the next president of South Korea - if he wants the job - thanks to high name recognition, a clean reputation and what is seen to be a lacklustre field of rivals. But vying for the December 2017 election would cast Ban into a political arena far more bruising than the genteel give-and-take of global diplomacy to which he is accustomed, exposing his family, finances and career to intense scrutiny. Ban is coy about his plans. He told Reuters on Friday that he will decide on his future when he returns to South Korea in January after his UN tenure finishes at the end of the year. But in his clearest statement yet on his intentions, he said he was conscious of "expectations from many people in Korea that I should make myself available for a better future of Korea." With the pride Koreans take in him as "president of the world" and absence thus far of strong competition, opinion polls show Ban as the front-runner for the election next year. However, his lack of a political base, a decade-long absence from South Korea to lead the United Nations, and his age - he is 72 - are potential liabilities. Kim Chong-in, former leader of the opposition Democratic Party of Korea, said Ban many not be able to run a rigorous campaign after having been away for so long. "In this day and age when the world changes so quickly and people's way of thinking changes dramatically, is it going to be easy for him to even grasp the reality here?" Kim said. Some UN diplomats say the gentlemanly Ban has been a weak leader. "He hasn't had the ability to really drive international opinion on any of these big issues and he's tried to do the job as sort of best friends of every member state," said a senior U.N. diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity. "You can't do that when there's a morally right position and a morally wrong position." Ban rejects the characterisation that he is not a strong leader, arguing that he has stood up against injustice and violations of human rights and spoken up more strongly than other world leaders for the common good. He said there was a misperception that a charismatic style was needed for effective leadership, and that there were "serious misunderstandings" about his leadership style. "There are many different leadership styles," Ban said in an interview in his office at U.N. headquarters in New York. Fragmented field Ban, a career diplomat who served as South Korea's foreign minister from 2004 to 2006, has never held elected office. He is expected to join the conservative Saenuri Party of President Park Geun-hye if he runs for president. A complicating factor emerged on Monday when Park proposed amending the constitution to scrap the five-year single-term presidency in favour of two four-year terms, which would make Ban a less attractive candidate given his age. Ban is the only potential candidate consistently polling above 20 percent. Former software mogul Ahn Cheol-soo, considered a reformist who would inject fresh ideas and promote ethical politics, has seen his popularity dwindle after members of the People's Party that he founded were implicated in illegal campaign financing. Opposition leader Moon Jae-in, who would be Ban's main opponent, has an 18 percent popularity rating in polls. But he has been at the centre of a controversy over revelations that he supported abstaining from a U.N. vote on North Korean human rights. Ban's story of bootstrapping success is the subject of near-myth in Korea. Born in a farming village in Eumseong County in the central part of the country, he was the eldest of six children and grew up poor but became enamoured of the English language and dreamed of becoming a diplomat. In high school, he was chosen to participate in the Red Cross' VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) programme, meeting President John F. Kennedy on a visit to the White House. Ban is seen to have been laying groundwork for a run since a visit to South Korea in May, when he met political heavyweights including former Prime Minister Kim Jong-pil. According to polling firm Gallup, Ban's support base is expected primarily to be voters 40 and older, the same powerful bloc that was core to Park's election as president in 2012. But some Saenuri members say the party should choose a candidate who, unlike Ban, has openly opposed the unpopular outgoing president. Park's tenure - like that of many before her - has been buffeted by scandal. Han Seung-soo, a former prime minister whom Ban has called "my mentor and forever boss," told Reuters that Ban is a "trustworthy public servant" with a clean record that should help him through the bruising scrutiny of presidential politics. A former South Korean diplomat who served with him described Ban as conscientious and hardworking. But Ban was also careful not to make enemies and was overly cautious and meticulous, not qualities that would suit a country's leader, the diplomat said. Park Jie-won, leader of the opposition People's Party, questioned whether Ban had what it takes to be a problem-solving leader who sets the direction for the country. "Ban hasn't been vetted publicly yet," he said. "He may get support and be highly spoken of as U.N. secretary general, but joining local politics is something different." Tokyo: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday he wants US troops out of his country in the next two years and is willing to scrap defence pacts with longtime ally Washington if necessary. The comments follow a series of anti-American tirades by the firebrand leader, who has repeatedly attacked the US while cosying up to Beijing, upending his nation's foreign policy in comments that have sometimes been quickly retracted. "I want, maybe in the next two years, my country free of the presence of foreign military troops," Duterte told an economic forum in Tokyo, in a clear reference to US forces. "I want them out and if I have to revise or abrogate agreements, executive agreements, I will," he added. The US, which once operated sprawling bases in the country, now has a small number of Special Forces on the southern island of Mindanao to aid in counter-terrorism operations. Duterte has previously said he wants US troops out of Mindanao because their presence stokes tensions on the island where Islamic militants have waged a decades-long separatist insurgency. The acid-tongued leader arrived in Tokyo Tuesday on his first visit to Japan since taking office June 30, looking to persuade executives his country is "open for business", after overturning Manila's traditional diplomatic alliances. The 71-year-old has also slammed Washington for questioning his violent crime crackdown, which has claimed some 3,700 lives and attracted widespread international criticism. Duterte has also insulted President Barack Obama, calling him a "son of a whore" and announcing a "separation" from the US during a visit to Beijing last week. Although he quickly walked back from his comments, saying that "separation" did not mean he would "sever" ties, he reiterated his calls on Wednesday for an end to all joint war games with the US. "This will be the last manoeuvre war games between the United States and the Philippines' military," he said of an event hosted in recent weeks by the Philippines. Long view Duterte is set to hold a summit with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe later on Wednesday and will also meet with Emperor Akihito during the trip. Although his Japanese hosts depend on the US for security, Tokyo has so far not responded to Duterte's diatribes, while Washington has taken a calm approach. "We're going to take the long view," State Department spokesman John Kirby said Tuesday. "We're not going to react and respond to every bit of rhetoric," he added. Abe had worked to improve bilateral relations with Duterte's predecessor, Benigno Aquino, providing patrol boats to support Manila in its territorial row with Beijing over rival claims to the South China Sea. The Philippines took Beijing to an international tribunal over its extensive claims in the region and won a resounding victory in July. But Duterte has not pressed the issue with Beijing, instead working to improve ties and attract billions of dollars in Chinese loans and investments. Duterte also attempted to calm worries in Japan over his trip to China, assuring his audience that he was not seeking military ties with Beijing, just a closer economic relationship. "We did not talk about arms, we did not talk about stationing of troops," he said. "We avoided talking about alliances, military or otherwise." IS, which controls territory across Syria and Iraq, has so far not officially claimed responsibility for the attack. (Photo: Representational Image/AFP) Kabul: Militants linked to Islamic State jihadists killed around 30 civilians, including children, in central Afghanistan, officials said Wednesday, raising concerns about the group's expanding presence beyond its eastern strongholds. The incident occurred on late Tuesday north of Firoz Koh, the capital of Ghor province, with the local government calling it a revenge attack after a local IS commander was killed. "Our security forces with the help of locals conducted an operation and killed a Daesh (IS) commander yesterday. Daesh fighters in return abducted around 30 villagers, mostly shepherds," Ghor Governor Nasir Khazeh told AFP. "Their dead bodies were found by local people this morning." Abdul Hameed Nateqi, a Ghor provincial council member, gave a similar account to AFP. IS, which controls territory across Syria and Iraq, has so far not officially claimed responsibility for the attack. The killings underscore unravelling security in Afghanistan as the resurgent Taliban continue a push into urban centres 15 years after they were toppled from power. IS fighters are also making steady inroads into Afghanistan, winning over sympathisers, recruiting followers and challenging the Taliban on their own turf, primarily in the country's east. In March Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced that the Islamists had been defeated after local security forces claimed victory in a months-long operation against the group. But IS militant have continued to launch deadly strikes in the country. The latest devastating attack in Ghor represents a major escalation for IS, which so far has largely been confined to the eastern province of Nangarhar where it is notorious for brutality including beheadings. The Afghan government is currently in the middle of an operation backed by NATO airstrikes against IS in Nangarhar. NATO recently said the group's influence was waning as it steadily lost territory, with fighters largely confined to two or three districts in the province from around nine in January. In July, IS jihadists claimed responsibility for twin explosions that ripped through crowds of Shiite Hazaras in Kabul, killing at least 85 people and wounding more than 400 others. The bombings marked the deadliest single attack in Kabul since the Taliban were toppled from power in a 2001 US-led invasion. The killings sparked an avalanche of global condemnation, with the United Nations labelling the direct assault on civilians a "war crime". The Taliban, who are in the middle of their annual summer offensive and are more powerful than IS, have so far not officially commented on the Ghor killings. The militant group, which has stepped up nationwide assaults on the Western-backed government, is not generally known to launch attacks directly targeting civilians. A judicial enquiry has been launched into the accident which also injured about 550 people. (Photo: AFP) Paris: The train that derailed in Cameroon last week killing 79 people was travelling "abnormally" fast before the crash, a senior executive from the rail operator's French parent company told AFP on Tuesday. "On part of the tracks approaching the station where the derailment occurred, we had speeds that were abnormally high compared to the speeds we should have had," said Eric Melet, head of Bollore Africa Railways. A judicial enquiry has been launched into the accident which also injured about 550 people. Melet said trains travelled at between 40 and 50 kilometres per hour in "slow zones" such as approaches to railway stations. "But we have indications which seem to show that the approaching train was travelling at between 80-90 kilometres an hour when it should have been much less." The train was travelling from the capital Yaounde to the economic hub of Douala and came off the rails near the central city of Eseka. The statement came in response to the recent estimates by the World Health Organisation (WHO) which noted that the TB epidemic in India was larger than previously estimated. (Representational image) Liverpool, UK: Global health experts have called for initiation of greater efforts in India to deal with Tuberculosis (TB). The statement came in response to the recent estimates by the World Health Organisation (WHO) which noted that the TB epidemic in India was larger than previously estimated. The revised estimates put the incidence of TB in India at 217 per 1,00,000 population in 2015 as against the previously estimated 127 per 1,00,000. Significantly, an estimated 10.4 million new TB cases were recorded worldwide in 2015, the WHO had said recently, asserting that India was one of six nations which accounted for 60 per cent of the new cases in 2015. Six countries that accounted for 60 per cent of the new cases included India, Indonesia, China, Nigeria, Pakistan and South Africa. Importantly, the latest findings revealed that India had reported only 56 per cent of its TB burden in 2014 and 59 per cent in 2015. We need to work to improve the quality of data. Due to the sheer size, India has a major impact on the rest of the world, said Jose Luis Castro, Executive Director of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease at the 47 the Union World Conference on Lung health in Liverpool. The gaps of TB reporting in India had had the other countries concerned. The Health minister from Phillipines, Paulyn Ubial, said, In our country we look at TB as a public health problem and we expect other countries to do the same. It is a concern of the Philippines and WHO that India is not doing its part in trying to detect all TB cases and putting all detected cases under treatment immediately, Ms Ubial she said at the opening press conference. We have had some very disturbing news from WHO this month. We now know that the global burden of TB is much higher than we previously thought. If we carry on with business as usual, we will fail miserably to meet the global targets agreed upon under the End TB Strategy. Good news is that we know what to do, Mr Castro added. The dismal progress in the TB response is a tragedy for the millions of people suffering from this disease, WHOs TB programme director Mario Raviglione said. Adding that, to save more lives, we must get newly-recommended rapid tests, drugs and regimens to those who need them. Current actions and investments fall far short of what is needed. However, Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Dr Soumya Swaminathan said that she was hopeful and India could be soon on track. Certain important policy changes have been made, which will be implemented soon. In the next few months we will see the roll out of the daily regimen and molecular diagnostics and hopefully India will do much better, she told this newspaper in Liverpool. Hundreds of protesters tried to march to the town hall in Diyarbakir, the largest city in Kurdish-majority southeastern Turkey, some throwing rocks at police. (Photo: Representational Image/AFP) Diyarbakir: Turkish police clashed with protesters in Diyarbakir on Wednesday, using tear gas and water cannon to prevent them demonstrating against the detention of the Kurdish-majority city's co-mayors. Gultan Kisanak and Firat Anli were taken into custody on Tuesday night in a surprise move against the leaders of a city which has been hit by the renewed fighting between Turkish security forces and members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The two were detained as part of a "terrorism" probe, security officials said. The Diyarbakir prosecutor said in a statement that Kisanak and Anli were accused of having links to the PKK and "inciting violence". Hundreds of protesters tried to march to the town hall in Diyarbakir, the largest city in Kurdish-majority southeastern Turkey, some throwing rocks at police, an AFP correspondent said. No to intimidation Officers responded using batons, tear gas and water cannon to repel the protesters, the correspondent said. "The pressure will not intimidate us," demonstrators chanted. The Diyarbakir governor's office had warned that any planned demonstrations on Wednesday were "unlawful" and would not be allowed, saying that since August 15, public gatherings and meetings were banned in the city. Other rallies were planned elsewhere in Turkey including Istanbul. The prosecutor said Kisanak was accused of being a member of the PKK, while both individuals had made speeches in support of the rebel group. They are also alleged to have allowed the use of municipal vehicles for the "funerals of terrorist members", the prosecutor added, referring to the PKK. The PKK is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by Turkey as well as the European Union and United States. More than 40,000 people have been killed since it first launched an insurgency in the southeast in 1984. A two-and-a-half-year ceasefire collapsed last July which led to almost daily attacks by the PKK against security forces while Ankara launched military operations in the southeast to rid urban areas of fighters. Last month, 24 mayors suspected of links to the PKK were suspended and replaced with officials close to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) co-founded by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Reports also stated that the terror group has so far killed eleven of its militants for trying to escape from various battles. (Representational Image) Mosul: Even as Iraqi army continues to evacuate civilians from war-torn Mosul on one hand and wipe out ISIS from the land, it has emerged that the terror group is 'deep frying' its own militants who try to run away from the battle. According to a report in the Mirror, ISIS terrorists have been resorting to burning oil pits in order to black out the visibility for Iraqi forces trying to attack them. Reports also stated that the terror group has so far killed eleven of its militants for trying to escape from various battles. However in this case, the militants were killed by being hurled into trenches full of burning oil while they were still alive. "ISIS terrorist gangs executed nine of its members for fleeing the battle against the security forces in Mosul, by throwing them in trenches containing a burning oil, after tying their hands and legs," the report stated. Meanwhile, Iraqi special forces have moved more than 1,000 people from villages near the front lines of the battle to retake Mosul. The Mosul campaign, which may become the biggest battle yet in the 13 years of turmoil unleashed by the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, aims to crush the Iraqi half of Islamic State's declared caliphate in Iraq and neighboring Syria. The Iraqi force attacking Mosul is 30,000-strong, supported by US special forces and under American, French and British air cover. The number of insurgents dug in the city is estimated at 5,000 to 6,000 by the Iraqi military. A relative holds up a photo of a one-and-a-half year old boy, Ali Dawabsha, in the family house torched in a suspected attack by Jewish terrorists in Duma village near the West Bank city of Nablus. (Photo: AP) Jerusalem: Israeli prosecutors Wednesday charged 13 Jewish men with inciting violence and terror for celebrating the murder of a Palestinian toddler and his parents in a firebombing that sparked international condemnation. The suspects, five of them minors, were among gun-waving extremists filmed at a wedding in December celebrating the death of 18-month-old Ali Saad Dawabsha, whose house was attacked in July 2015 in the West Bank village of Duma . Ali's parents later died from severe burns. His brother was the sole survivor from the immediate family. One Israeli suspect in the firebombing was charged in January with murder, attempted murder, arson and conspiracy to commit a hate crime. A second was charged with being an accessory to committing a racially motivated murder. Some of the 13 men charged Wednesday, who are not accused of involvement in the attack, wore shirts with anti-Arab slogans and sang songs praising torching mosques and revenge against Palestinians at the wedding. Some also waved pistols, automatic rifles, knives and bottles fashioned to look like firebombs and stabbed pictures of the deceased Dawabsha family members. According to a justice ministry statement, the suspects the groom included "called for the carrying out of acts of violence or terror or praised, sympathised or encouraged acts of violence or terror". Given the circumstances and timing of the wedding, there was a "a real possibility" the behaviour of the suspects would "cause acts of violence and terror," the justice ministry said. Baghdad: Mosuls mysterious sniper has struck yet again in the embattled city, this time killing a jihadist who was preparing to execute a 15-year-old boy accused of supporting a resistance movement. As Iraqi forces inch-on to the besieged city of Mosul, the marks-man is waging a one-man war against the terror group, shooting down jihadis with accurate precision. According to a report in the Daily Mail, the unidentified man, famous as Sniper of Mosul, has already a long list of clean-shots to his credit in four different regions of the city. The sharp-shooter reportedly targets the militants as hey are on patrol in the citys streets. In his latest shot, the deadeye shot a jihadist in a busy square, as he was preparing to behead a teenage boy accused of supporting the resistance movement. Following the killing, confused ISIS supporters randomly opened fire, but the unknown sniper had already fled. While the media reports also indicate the possibility of more than one sniper at work, the emergence of the Sniper of Mosul has improved the morale of the resistence groups in the city manifold, with many reports claiming that local groups are forming militia to fight ISIS. Mosul, in North western Iraq is one of the major stronghold of ISIS in the country, and is the second most important city under the militants after their de-facto capital of Raqqa in Syria. Meanwhile the Iraqi forces advancing on the city have paused its week-long advance as it approached the city's eastern edge on Tuesday, waiting for other U.S.-backed forces to close in. On the ninth day of the offensive on Mosul, government forces and allied Kurdish Peshmerga fighters are still fighting their way towards the outer limits of the northern city, in the early stages of an assault which could become the biggest military operation in Iraq in over a decade. The combat ahead is likely to be more difficult and deadly because of the presence of civilians. Some 1.5 million residents remain in the city and worst-case forecasts see up to a million being uprooted, according to the United Nations. UN aid agencies said the fighting has so far forced about 9,000 to flee their homes. UN human rights spokesman Rupert Colville said Islamic State fighters have also reportedly killed scores of people around Mosul in the last week. The mutilated man was rushed to the hospital where the doctors managed to save his life. (Representational Image) Sharjah: An Asian man settled in United Arab Emirates (UAE) cut off his penis after his family members coerced him to remarry, despite having a wife and two daughters back in his home country. According to a report in the Khaleej Times, the man was already married and yet was being forced to remarry. The mutilated man was rushed to Al Qassimi Hospital where the doctors managed to save his life after a three-hour surgery. They then informed the police about the incident. Initial police reports suggested that the man tried to commit suicide. However, after investigation, it was found that a family dispute led the man to take such a drastic step. Police officials said that the man's family was forcing him to remarry, which he refused to do. Since his family members would not listen to his pleas, he cut off his penis. After the incident, the man's brother immediately rushed him to the hospital. He also carried his brother's cut off organ in a plastic bag and handed it over to the doctors. Doctors told the police that the victim was bleeding profusely when he was brought to the hospital. Dr Younis said that initially the victim refused to undergo a restoration surgery, but ended up agreeing to it after being convinced by his brother. "I have conducted a number of surgeries on male organs; but this case was very strange and rare as the organ was separated from the body and was brought to us in plastic bag," Dr Younis added. The doctors at the hospital have recommended psychiatric treatment to the man once he is discharged. . 166 people were killed in the attacks carried out by 10 LeT terrorists. (Photo: AFP) Lahore: India has not responded to Pakistan's request and reminders to send the 24 Indian witnesses in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks case to testify in a Pakistani court, the prosecution on Wednesday told an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad conducting the trial. "We are still waiting India's response on the matter. The Foreign Ministry had written to India several months ago and even sent reminders but the Indian government has not responded to us," a prosecution official told Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court hearing the case at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. The official informed the court that Pakistan's Director General, South Asia, had also taken up the matter with India of sending the 24 Indian witnesses to Pakistan to record their statements so that the trial is completed at the earliest. The court adjourned the proceedings till November 2. The official said the case cannot move forward unless India sends the witnesses here to record their statements. "We are going to send another reminder to India asking it either to send the witnesses or refuse. If India wants early conclusion of the Mumbai case, it will have to send its witnesses here," he said. According to the prosecution, all Pakistani witnesses have recorded their statements. India has been urging Pakistan to complete the trial at the earliest. It has said enough evidence has been shared with Pakistan to prosecute the accused. The mastermind of the Mumbai attacks and Lashkar-e-Taiba operations commander Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi and Abdul Wajid, Mazhar Iqbal, Hamad Amin Sadiq, Shahid Jameel Riaz, Jamil Ahmed and Younis Anjum are accused of abetment to murder, attempted murder, planning and executing the Mumbai attacks. Lakhvi has been hiding since he secured bail in the case 17 months ago. Other suspects are lodged in the Adiala Jail. The case has been going on for more than six years. 166 people were killed in the attacks carried out by 10 LeT terrorists. Nine were killed while the lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was captured and later executed. BNP leader MA Quayum and his brother Abdul Matin along with five others were charged on Tuesday by a court in Dhaka in connection with the case. (Photo: AP) Dhaka: An absconding leader of Bangladesh's opposition party BNP is among seven persons charged on Tuesday with the 2015 murder of an Italian aid worker here in 2015 by the Islamic State militant outfit. Cesare Tavella, 50, was shot dead in Dhaka's diplomatic enclave, Gulshan, on September 28 last year. BNP leader MA Quayum and his brother Abdul Matin along with five others were charged on Tuesday by a court in Dhaka in connection with the case, Daily Star reported. Judge Kamrul Hossain Mollah of Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court fixed November 24 for starting the trial in the case. Matin and four others, who are now in jail, pleaded not guilty and demanded justice after the judges read out the charges against them. Quayum is still on the run. Islamic State had claimed responsibility for the murder of Tavella soon after the killing. Police believes the murder was a conspiracy to destabilise the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. However, the opposition says the indictment of Quayum, who is believed to be living in exile in Malaysia, is the conspiracy of the government to tarnish its image. Peshawar: Sharbat Gula, National Geographics green eyed Afghan girl who became the face of the Afghan refugee crisis in the mid-eighties, has been arrested by authorities in Pakistan for allegedly producing fake documents. According to a report in the Dawn, Gula was arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from her residence in Peshawar earlier on Tuesday following a two-year-long investigation. She was held for forging her identity documents, which included the Computerised National Identity Card. She now faces seven to 14 years prison time and fine between $3,000 to $5,000 if convicted by court over fraud. Pakistani officials say that Gula applied for a Pakistani identity card in Peshawar in April 2014, using the name Sharbat Bibi. Gula was married to a baker and lived in one of Afghanistan's non-descript border villages. She was one of thousands of Afghan refugees who managed to dodge Pakistan's computerised system and to get an identity card. Gula, a mother of three, reportedly holds both Afghan and Pakistani documents both of which have been recovered from her residence by the FIA. The officer, who issued her the documents, has reportedly availed anticipatory bail to prevent arrest in the case. The FIA also revealed that relatives living in the present address have refused to identify the two men listed as Gula's son. An enquiry has been ordered by the National Database and Registration Authority. Pakistan has launched a crackdown against those who have obtained fake ID cards fraudulently and launched a re-verification campaign across the country. Officials say NADRA has so far reverified 91 million ID cards and detected 60,675 cards by non nationals fraudulently. A NADRA official told AFP that 2,473 foreigners, mostly Afghans, had voluntarily surrendered their ID cards which they obtained fraudulently. Some 18 officials of the authority were under investigation for issuing ID cards to foreigners and eight were arrested, the official said. More than 350,000 Afghan refugees have returned to their war-torn homeland from Pakistan this year, UN data shows, with the torrent of people crossing the border expected to continue. Pakistan has for decades provided safe haven for millions of Afghans who fled their country after the Soviet invasion of 1979. Pakistan hosts 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees, according to UNHCR figures from earlier this year, making it the third-largest refugee hosting nation in the world. A further one million unregistered refugees are estimated to be in the country. Since 2009, Islamabad has repeatedly pushed back a deadline for them to return, but fears are growing that the latest cutoff date in March 2017 will be final. Islamabad: A major Pakistani militant group worked with the Islamic State to carry out a huge raid on a police academy in the country's southwest this week that left more than 60 dead, a spokesman said Wednesday. The claim appears to confirm analysts' predictions that the Middle East based group, which had previously struggled to gain traction in Pakistan, is now building links with local outfits as its key rival al-Qaeda loses ground. Pakistani authorities said the attack on the Balochistan Police College, the deadliest assault on a security installation in the country's history, was carried out by the Al-Alami faction of the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) group, an anti-Shiite outfit that has turned its guns on the government in recent years. It was also claimed by the Islamic State group, which released photographs of the attackers -- one of whom bore a strong resemblance to a fighter who was killed by security forces in the attack. Asked whether the two had worked together, Ali bin Sufyan, a spokesman for LeJ Al-Alami, said "Yes, of course," adding: "We are ready to work with all the groups in Pakistan wether they belong to ISIS or al-Qaeda". LeJ is also affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban who in turn pledge allegiance to al-Qaeda -- their main financial backers during the early years of their insurgency. Pakistan has carried out major military offensives against these groups in its border tribal regions that have sapped their strength and their ability to carry out attacks. "The militant groups including al-Qaeda and Pakistani Taliban have been completely dismantled and those left out are now regrouping and attempting to become part of IS," a security official based in the southwestern city of Quetta said requesting not to be named. "But IS has not nominated any specific group as its franchise or affiliate in Pakistan and different militant groups are trying to use this open window which sometimes creates a competition of sorts," he said. The vacuum has created opportunities for IS to step in and develop new relationships with local jihadists, a militant source said. "Al Qaeda is no longer focused in Pakistan like it used to be, its leaders have either been killed or shifted to Yemen and local jihadists have no better option but to look towards Daesh (IS)." Pakistan's military last month admitted for the first time that the Islamic State group had a presence in the country but added it had detained hundreds of its militants and prevented them from carrying out major attacks. Quetta: Pakistan's Quetta city came to a standstill on Wednesday to mourn the 61 young cadets killed by Islamic State terrorists at a police training academy in one the deadliest assaults in the restive Balochistan province. The streets wore a deserted look and people's faces were sombre a day after the tragedy struck the provincial capital. Most of the shops were closed and the national flag was put at half-mast. Funerals were underway as families bury some of the 61 people, most of them in their early 20s, killed in the attack. Some of the dead bodies were sent to their native areas for burial. A collective funeral prayer was organised here yesterday amid tight security. Nationalist and religious political parties in Quetta have called a strike to pressure law enforcement agencies into taking action against the elements involved in the attack. Quetta traders have expressed support to the call and said all businesses and offices will remain shut in the city of nearly six lakh people. Shops and activities remained halted in Chaman, Pishin, Loralai and other parts of Balochistan, which has been plagued by insurgency and sectarian killings for more than a decade. Security forces have been deployed at sensitive areas of Quetta, a day after Islamic State militants attacked the facility when most of the cadets rested and were caught off-guard. Most of the terrified recruits had jumped out of windows and rooftops to escape the carnage as militants armed with Kalashnikovs went room-to-room to hunt them down. Balochistan government has announced three days of mourning. It today said an investigation team led by a Senior Superintendent of Police has been formed to probe the carnage at the college, which was home to around 700 cadets. Deputy Inspector General Police Quetta Abdul Razzaq Cheema said, "The support of Punjab's forensic agency will also be sought." "The team will visit the site of the carnage and speak to survivors of the tragedy to probe the incident," Cheema was quoted as saying by Dawn. The Monday night attack was not the first on security personnel in Pakistan. Militants have conducted many attacks against security forces and installations in Balochistan. Despite that, a lack of security and poor infrastructure, that included a five-feet mud-wall perimetre, was blamed for the attack on the academy. The facility has been attacked twice before. In 2006, six policemen were killed in five blasts and in 2008 gunmen fired rockets into the academy grounds. Officials, however, have assured that investigations are going on to determine the identity of the attackers and their promoters. Islamic State and Taliban have claimed the attack but the government has accused Lashkar-e-Janghvi group. Pakistan's army chief General Raheel Sharif and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif yesterday reviewed the situation. Another recruit, his face covered in blood, told a TV station that the gunmen shot at anyone they saw. (Photo: AP) Quetta: Survivors of an overnight attack that killed 61 people at a Pakistani police academy described chaotic scenes of gunfire and explosions, with militants shooting anyone they saw and cadets running for their lives and jumping from windows and rooftops. A Taliban splinter group and an affiliate of the Islamic State group made competing claims of responsibility for the four-hour siege late Monday at the Police Training College on the outskirts of the southwestern city of Quetta. Most of the dead and the 123 wounded were recruits and cadets, said Wasay Khan, a spokesman for the paramilitary Frontier Corps. Of the three militants who carried out the attack, two blew themselves up with explosive vests and the third was killed by army gunfire, he added. As the nation reeled and sought to understand how militants were able to carry out such violence, many Pakistanis were reminded of a bloody 2014 attack by the Taliban on an army-run school in Peshawar in which more than 150 people, mostly children, were killed. Broadcasters on Tuesday showed the aftermath of the attack on the Quetta academy: scorched windows and floors littered with the shoes of the dead and wounded. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif rushed to the scene to meet with survivors, who spoke of the horrors of the surprise attack on about 700 cadets, trainees, instructors and other staff that began about 11:30 pm. Cadet Asif Hussain said he had been asleep when gunshots broke out. "We hid ourselves beneath cots. We had in our mind that if we didn't lock ourselves inside the hall, they will kill us," he said. The attackers kicked at their door but failed to open it, Hussain said. The gunmen instead fired on them from a window, wounding two cadets before moving to a nearby dorm. Shortly after entering, one of the attackers detonated his vest inside a hall after firing at cadets. In the chaos, cadets and trainers ran for their lives, jumping through windows and off rooftops to try to escape. Troops arrived and "it gave us confidence that we are safe now," Hussain said. Another recruit, his face covered in blood, told a TV station that the gunmen shot at anyone they saw. "I ran away, just praying God might save me," he said. Another witness, Faisal Khan, said he had been chatting with friends when the shooting began. "We closed the main door and switched off lights," he said. While most of the casualties were from the academy, some of the soldiers who responded to the assault also were killed, said Shahzada Farhat, a police spokesman in Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province. The Islamic State group posted a claim of responsibility on the group's media arm, the Arabic-language Aamaq news agency. The claim was not confirmed by Pakistani officials and IS did not offer any previously unknown details about the attack. A little-known breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban, called the Hakimullah group, also claimed responsibility. In addition, Maj. Gen. Sher Afgan, head of the Pakistani paramilitary force that is primarily responsible for Baluchistan province, said the attackers had received instructions from commanders in neighboring Afghanistan and were most likely from the banned militant group Lashker-e-Jhangvi Al-Almi, which is affiliated with al-Qaida and the Taliban. The Sunni militant group has mainly targeted minority Shiite Muslims whom its members consider to be infidels. Pakistani officials said they had received intelligence reports that militants had entered Baluchistan province, but there was no indication of possible targets. Earlier, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, without naming Afghanistan, said enemies of Pakistan were planning attacks in Pakistan from a neighboring country. Kabul condemned the attack and dismissed the allegations that the assault was planned from bases inside Afghanistan. "Afghanistan is the biggest victim of terrorism and denounces all terrorist attacks," said Mohammad Haroon Chakhansuri, spokesman for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. Ghani himself also condemned the attack, saying, "Terrorism is a threat throughout the region, which is reflected in the brutal act today in Quetta." Pakistan maintains that militants fleeing army operations in its tribal regions regularly flee over the border and find safe haven in Afghanistan. For his part, Ghani has criticized Pakistan, saying it has provided shelter to the Taliban, and in particular, the violent Haqqani network. For over a decade, Baluchistan has been the scene of a low-intensity insurgency by nationalist and separatist groups demanding a bigger share in the regional resources. Pakistan has carried out several military operations against militants in its lawless tribal regions near Afghanistan, including a major push that began in mid-2014 in North Waziristan, a militant base. The militants have killed tens of thousands of people, seeking to install their own harsh brand of Islamic law. Later Tuesday, the flag-draped coffins of the slain cadets and troops began being moved from Quetta to their families for burial. One of the dead, army Capt. Rooh Ullah, was given Pakistan's fourth-highest military award for killing one of the militants before he was slain. Sharif, the army chief, attended a service for him in Quetta before the body was flown to his hometown in the northwest. Ullah's father told a local TV station that he was proud his son died a "martyr." In Islamabad, minority Christians lit candles for those killed. They chanted slogans condemning violence and vowing to support the victims. Pakistan's National Security Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua conveyed the message to US ambassador David Hale during a meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday, Radio Pakistan reported. (Representational Image) Islamabad: Pakistan on Wednesday claimed the spy agencies of India and Afghanistan were "patronising" terror groups to attack soft targets in the country and sought America's help to break their "nexus", a day after 61 young cadets were massacred in a major terror attack in Quetta. Pakistan's National Security Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua conveyed the message to US ambassador David Hale during a meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday, Radio Pakistan reported. Janjua told Hale that India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security (NDS) are "patronising terrorists groups to attack soft targets in Pakistan", it said. The meeting was held to discuss the terrorist attack on Police Training College Quetta, counter-terrorism operations and cross-border attacks. Janjua emphasised on the need to break the "nexus between Afghanistan-based terrorists, who are operating under the patronage of Afghan intelligence agency NDS and Indian intelligence agency RAW." Pakistan has asked for US assistance to tackle the situation, the report said. Janjua informed the ambassador that the terrorists who attacked the police training college were constantly in contact with their leadership and handlers in Afghanistan. The American ambassador was also briefed by the NSA on Pakistans efforts to improve the current security situation in the country through implementation of the National Action Plan. Hale condemned the attack in Quetta and offered his regrets. He also offered American support for the same. Three heavily-armed militants wearing suicide vests stormed a police academy in Quetta, killing at least 61 people and wounding at least 117, in the deadliest attack on a security installation in the country's history. The gunmen burst into the sprawling academy, targeting sleeping quarters home to some 700 recruits, and sent terrified young men aged between 15 and 25 fleeing. Communication intercepts showed the attack was carried out by Al-Alimi faction of the Lashkar-i-Jhangvi (LJ) militant group, IG Frontier Corps (FC) Major General Sher Afgan said. Separately, the militant Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, according to the group's Amaq news agency. The training centre houses at least 600 cadets. Most of the deaths were caused when two of the attackers blew themselves up. The third was shot dead by FC troops. Flipkart chief financial officer Sanjay Baweja has resigned from the company, giving a big blow to the ecommerce majors efforts to retain talent. Baweja joined the company in November 2014 after his stints at Tata Communications, Emaar MGF and Bharti. His exit comes at a time when Flipkart is finding it difficult to retain the poll position in the Indian ecommerce sector, where Amazon ruling the roost. The development happens at a crucial time when Flipkart is going for another round of funding and an eventual initial public offering. The company also witnessed high profile exit of CTO Punit Soni, Legal Head Rajinder Sharma and Head of Customer Experience Anand K V, recently. Tihar Jail authorities are intent on showing inmates a good time this Diwali. Each of the 10 jails in the prison complex is celebrating a Diwali mela of its own. The series of fairs started on October 21 and ends on Diwali night on October 30. We have also allowed inmates to go out on furlough. A lot of requests had come and whosoever was entitled has been allowed to go. Since everybody cant go out, each jail is celebrating a Diwali mela in the respective jails, Sudhir Yadav, Director General (Prisons) told Deccan Herald. All the jails would be lit up and given a festive look. The fairs would have cultural performances by artistes from outside. Along with that, the inmates will get food they might miss in jail like gulab jamuns, chhole kulche and samosas. Professional cooks will make them. Yadav said the idea was to create an ambience that the prisoners feel good about, despite being away from their families. The new Mandoli jail will see similar festivities. Around 170-175 people have been shifted to the Mandoli Jail till now and they have also been allowed to organise such programmes. Volunteers of the Panchavati Yoga Asharam may be called for the mela. Besides this, the jail superintendent can also call people known to him for cultural performances, he said. The Tihar inmates have already been making a range of products which are being sold at various outlets, besides being used by the jail officials. These include bakery products, carpentry products, handloom and incense sticks. The prisoners have been making diyas, candles, idol of Goddess Lakshmi and Ganesha, besides regular products. The bakery is the biggest as it meets the requirement of the jail as well. The bread and biscuits used in the jails are all prepared here, the DG said. Yadav said initially they had given the work of branding and marketing to an agency, but now Tihar authorities are planning to do it themselves. One could see the excitement and enthusiasm on the faces of the prisoners while preparing for the mela. Women prisoners were seen practising dances and making rangoli with acrylic colours at the entrance of the jail. A stage was also set up for this. We are very excited and really thankful to the jail authorities for organising such a programme. We feel that we are not in the jail, said a convict. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Tuesday proposed including children below 6 and above 14 in the RTE Act besides ending the 'no detention' policy. Sisodia, who also holds the Education portfolio, attended the meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Education Ministers from all states were called by the Human Resource Development Ministry on Tuesday. Sisodia's main recommendation was to scrap the 'No-Detention' policy which is blamed for the learning level deficits in schoolgoing children. According to the policy, no student can be failed up to class 8. The Delhi government and some experts have a number of times voiced their reservations against it and have also said that it leads to mass failures in class 9 as the students are under prepared. No-Detention Policy was implemented without any preparation. Textbooks were not changed, teachers were not trained and neither was any changes made in the BEd programmes before this policy was implemented, he said. He said given such a situation the policy should be done away with for now. The Delhi Vidhan Sabha has already passed a resolution for scrapping it which was sent to the Central government. In a series of recommendations during his address, the minister said that the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 according to which free and compulsory education will be provided to all children in the age group of 6 to 14 as a fundamental right should cover more children, below the age of six and above the age of 14. Moreover, the minister also suggested changing the name of the Union HRD Ministry to Education Ministry as human resource development is a part of Education. "It is unfortunate that we don't have an Education Ministry in the country," he said. Besides, he also asked the Union ministry to increase the Education budget, a nationwide "strict policy" on teachers not to be put on non academic duties such as filling family registers, voter-id cards, etc. He also talked about setting up of a "world class" university for training of teachers and focus on pre-primary and early childhood learning. The Shakti Sthal Lake near Rajghat was closed for public as two more ducks died of the avian flu near the waterbody, said Delhi's Development Minister Gopal Rai, who attended an inter-state coordination meeting at the central agricultural ministry on Tuesday. During a meeting with Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh, Rai urged the central government to issue an advisory on the flu, on the lines of the one issued by the Delhi government. The scientists are discussing about the potency of the virus and would decide the course action in the fight against the infection which has struck in the country for the first time, said an aide of Rai, after the meeting. Reports of the Environment Ministry-constituted monitoring committee were also discussed to check the outbreak of the H5 avian influenza, he said. The central committee oversees the daily incidences of H5 avian influenza in Delhi's National Zoological Park and other zoos of the country and submits a daily report to Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave. During the day Rai visited the Shakti Sthal. The CPWD was told to spray antibiotic through boat-mounted pumps, Rai told reporters, adding that reports of only 27 bird dropping and dead bird samples out of 85 samples have been received from labs in Jalandhar and Bhopal since October 19. The Minister said in view of transportation of poultry and related products between Rajasthan and Delhi, the Rajasthan government has told field officers to take precautionary measures to check the flus likely outbreak in the state. Over 40 birds have died at different places, including Delhi zoo, Deer Park Lake, Shanti Sthal, Tughlakabad and Sunder Nagar since October 14. Rai has been critical of the Delhi Development Authority which maintains the Deer Park Lake complex for lapses which allowed the flu to spread. At least 27 ducks have died in the Lake till now, said Rai. The government has advised spray of lime around waterbodies and spray of anit-virus chemical Sodium Hypocholride. Rai said the government was in talks with environment ministries in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to take preventive steps at their waterbodies. Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will not be brought through the back door and without a consensus, says Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu who rejects the charge that contentious issues have been raked up by BJP to polarise elections, especially in Uttar Pradesh. Issues like triple talaq, civil code and Ram temple will not be used by BJP for political mileage in the upcoming elections, says the Minister who asserts that they will be fought on development agenda. Holding that such crucial issues should not be looked through prism of electoral benefit, the Chief Spokesperson of the government also rejects opposition criticism that surgical strikes were being politicised. "The Government does not consider it (triple talaq) as a religious matter. It is a question of gender sensitivity. It is wrong to say that we are interfering in Muslim issues. "The same Indian Parliament, the same political system had brought Hindu Code Bill, Divorce Act, banning Hindu Marriage Act, banning dowry and Sati practice, all these things are done by Indian Parliament," Naidu told PTI in an interview. Making it clear that broad consensus will be required for bringing Uniform Civil Code, he said the allegations that Triple Talaq is a backdoor entry for the UCC was unjustified. "We are not discussing about the common civil code or uniform civil code as of now. The Law Commission has issued a questionnaire and asked people to react. "You cannot have a uniform Civil Code without a broad consensus. You have to work and move in that direction," he said hoping that the Supreme Court will come out with the right decision on the issue of triple talaq. Naidu said these sensitive issues should not be linked to polls as the elections are like festivals in India which keep coming now and then. Defending the government affidavit in the Supreme Court on triple talaq issue, he said nobody then said it (Sati) was a Hindu practice that government was interfering in that. "Somebody might have said it also. But in collective wisdom, the entire country has moved further. We have reformed ourselves. Similarly, when the practice is going on which is discriminatory, which is doing injustice to women, we think it should end," Naidu said. He said it was Muslim women and organisations which were demanding end of triple talaq who had gone to the Supreme Court. Referring to Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution that speaks against discrimination, the Minister said, "The Government of India wants every religion, every personal law to be in accordance with that. And if the society transforms itself, it's always better." Naidu said divesting a woman by simply, saying talaq three times was totally against the principles of natural justice and the practise must end. "This debate was not started by us. Somebody went to court and the Supreme Court while discussing the issue wanted to know the views of the Government. And the government has filed an affidavit saying that our view is that triple talaq is unjust, unfair, uncivilised and saying it must come to an end. "That's what we have said. How is it connected with UP elections," he said. Replying to a raft of questions on Ram temple issue, Naidu said, "People of India want a brilliant temple at the birth place of Rama but how do you go about it. You have to have an agreement between contending parties or you will have to abide by the legal verdict which is taking too long. He maintained that as far as government is concerned, government and political parties have no role in constructing a temple. "You can facilitate or remove obstructions or create obstructions like what Mulayamji had done earlier," he said. The Minister said as far as government and BJP are concerned UP elections are not going to be fought on the Rama Janambhoomi or common civil code or triple talaq. "They are going to be fought on developmental issue." To a question that focus was now sought to be brought on these contentious issues, he shot back, "If you do not talk about it then it is said you have forgotten Ram. When you talk about them, then it is said Ram is remembered because of UP elections." Naidu said BJP was going to focus more on development and good governance in the campaign for UP polls, adding it does not mean that the party has given up on issues like Uniform Civil Code and Rama Janambhoomi. On criticism by the Opposition parties of BJP trying to take political mileage from cross-LoC surgical strikes, Naidu reminded Congress of using Atal Bihari Vajpayee's praise of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as Durga after the 1971 Indo-Pak war, for political gains. Naidu said leaders of the political parties were briefed and their queries were replied to by the army during an all party meeting on surgical strikes and all of them had gone back home happily. But raising questions over the strikes and seeking proof were "subsequent thoughts". On the surgical strikes, he said details of such nature are not divulged in national interests and they are not even questioned. Asked about Rahul Gandhi's 'Khoon ki dalali' comment, Naidu called it as an "immature" remark. "Whoever made the comment, it was an injustice to the country, it was an injustice to himself. After the comment was made, he became unpopular. People have answered it," said Naidu. Asked about allegations that BJP has a role in the rift in the Samajwadi Party, Naidu said it has become fashionable for some people to blame the ruling party or RSS for anything. "Good that they have not blamed RSS. It is an internal family problem. They are fighting among themselves openly. Where is BJP's hand in it," he asked. Expressing confidence that BJP will emerge victorious in the assembly polls, he blamed SP for ruining the state. "We do not believe in fishing in troubled waters we believe in eating fish," he said in a lighter vein. Asked who is BJP's number one rival in UP, he said SP, BSP and Congress were in the battle. He also compared the fight between UP CM Akhilesh and his uncle Shivpal as a semi- final, saying "Let's see who comes out victorious." Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said today he wants US troops out of his country in the next two years and is willing to scrap defence pacts with longtime ally Washington if necessary. The comments follow a series of anti-American tirades by the firebrand leader, who has repeatedly attacked the US while cosying up to Beijing, upending his nation's foreign policy in comments that have sometimes been quickly retracted. "I want, maybe in the next two years, my country free of the presence of foreign military troops," Duterte told an economic forum in Tokyo, in a clear reference to US forces. "I want them out and if I have to revise or abrogate agreements, executive agreements, I will," he added. The US, which once operated sprawling bases in the country, now has a small number of Special Forces on the southern island of Mindanao to aid in counter-terrorism operations. Duterte has previously said he wants US troops out of Mindanao because their presence stokes tensions on the island where Islamist militants have waged a decades-long separatist insurgency. Duterte's aides frequently attempt to walk back his controversial comments, and today was no exception. Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay, asked at a subsequent press conference to clarify the remarks, said that Duterte did not mean US troops would be ousted, stressing that "our national interests still continue to converge". The acid-tongued leader arrived in Tokyo yesterday on his first visit to Japan since taking office June 30, looking to persuade executives his country is "open for business", after overturning Manila's traditional diplomatic alliances. The 71-year-old has also slammed Washington for questioning his violent crime crackdown, which has claimed some 3,700 lives and attracted widespread international criticism. Duterte has also insulted President Barack Obama, calling him a "son of a whore" and announcing a "separation" from the US during a visit to Beijing last week. Although he quickly walked back from his comments, saying that "separation" did not mean he would "sever" ties, he reiterated his calls today for an end to all joint war games with the US. "This will be the last manoeuvre war games between the United States and the Philippines' military," he said of an event hosted in recent weeks by the Philippines. Duterte later began a summit with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and will also meet with Emperor Akihito tomorrow. Although his Japanese hosts depend on the US for security, Tokyo has so far not responded to Duterte's diatribes, while Washington has taken a calm approach. "We're going to take the long view," State Department spokesman John Kirby said yesterday."We're not going to react and respond to every bit of rhetoric," he added. Sharbat Gula, the famed green-eyed 'Afghan girl' who was immortalised in 1985 when the National Geographic magazine published her haunting picture on its cover, was arrested here today for staying in Pakistan with fake identity documents. Confirming her arrest, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) authorities said Sharbat, now in her 40s, was arrested from the Nothia area for illegally possessing a Pakistani ID card. Dubbed as 'Mona Lisa of Afghan war', Sharbat catapulted into global prominence after National Geographic photographer Steve McCurry captured her iconic photograph when she was a 12-year-old girl at the Nisar Bagh refugee camp on the edge of Peshawar in 1984. She had migrated to Pakistan after situation in Afghanistan became worse and married to a Pakistani man. Sharbat was arrested for fraud from her home following a two-year-long investigation. She has been charged under Section 419, 420 of the Pakistan Penal Code and Section 5(2) of Prohibition of Corruption Act. She was earlier investigated by the law enforcers who discovered that she was living in Pakistan with fraudulent identity documents. She had also obtained fake identity cards for her two children.Sharbat, who applied for a Pakistani identity card in Peshawar in April 2014, had used the name Sharbat Bibi. She was one among thousands of Afghan refugees who managed to dodge Pakistan's computerised system to get an identity card. The FIA authorities are also conducting raids to arrest her husband and two children. Earlier, three National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) officials, including a Deputy Assistant Director and processing officers, were suspended for allegedly issuing her the ID card illegally. Pakistan has been tackling the Afghan refugee crisis for over three decades; the UNHCR has termed it as the "largest protracted refugee situation globally." According to UNHCR figures, Pakistan is home to some 3 million Afghan refugees, half of whom are unregistered, making it the third-largest refugee hosting nation in the world. A second fire at the emergency and trauma ward of a major government hospital in Malaysia today forced evacuation at the facility, a day after a blaze there killed six persons, including three of Indian origin. The fire occurred at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Baru on the southern tip of the Malay peninsula, the Malaysian Star reported. Hospital staff and patients were seen rushing out of the trauma ward. According to a volunteer, smoke was seen coming out of the operation room located on the first floor of the building. Firefighters were trying to douse the fire and hospital staff, patients, and public were asked to evacuate the area. This is the second time in two days that a fire has occurred at the hospital. Yesterday, a blaze on the second floor of the hospital killed six patients in their 50s. The deceased include two ethnic Indian women and an ethnic Indian man. Founded in 1882, the facility is a government-funded multi-specialty hospital, the biggest in Johor state Hostages were forced to eat mice, scorpions and centipedes to survive during the nearly five years they were held by Somali pirates, according to a Taiwanese seafarer who arrived home today. Shen Jui-chang, among 26 hostages freed from the crew of Naham 3 seized south of the Seychelles in March 2012, added he had constantly had a gun pointed at his head during his ordeal. Shen, the chief engineer on the fishing boat, was reunited with his wife and daughter yesterday in Guangzhou, southern China, after a long flight from Kenya with Chinese crew members after they were freed Sunday. An emotional Shen arrived at Taipei's main airport this afternoon and said he was in "very poor physical health". "Every day was nerve-wracking, with the pirates pointing their AK-47 rifles at me 24 hours a day," the frail-looking sailor told reporters. Shen had earlier told reporters the hostages were given little to eat during their four-and-a-half years in captivity and were sometimes denied water. Shen and the other men often caught and ate mice, scorpions and centipedes, according to Taiwanese media reports. The crew, which also included seafarers from Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia, were taken hostage at the peak of Somali piracy. Only one other crew of fishermen spent longer in the hands of Somali pirates. Three hostages died during the hijacking, including the Taiwanese captain who Shen said was shot when he attacked the pirates with a chair. Taiwan's government has been criticised for not doing enough to secure the hostages' release, but the foreign ministry said yesterday that efforts by the countries involved in the negotiations should be recognised. India has not responded to Pakistan's request and reminders to send the 24 Indian witnesses in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks case to testify in a Pakistani court, the prosecution today told an anti-terrorism court here conducting the trial. "We are still waiting India's response on the matter. The Foreign Ministry had written to India several months ago and even sent reminders but the Indian government has not responded to us," a prosecution official told Islamabad Anti- Terrorism Court hearing the case at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. The official informed the court that Pakistan's Director General, South Asia, had also taken up the matter with India of sending the 24 Indian witnesses to Pakistan to record their statements so that the trial is completed at the earliest. The court adjourned the proceedings till November 2.The official said the case cannot move forward unless India sends the witnesses here to record their statements. "We are going to send another reminder to India asking it either to send the witnesses or refuse. If India wants early conclusion of the Mumbai case, it will have to send its witnesses here," he said. According to the prosecution, all Pakistani witnesses have recorded their statements. India has been urging Pakistan to complete the trial at the earliest. It has said enough evidence has been shared with Pakistan to prosecute the accused. The mastermind of the Mumbai attacks and Lashkar-e-Taiba operations commander Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi and Abdul Wajid, Mazhar Iqbal, Hamad Amin Sadiq, Shahid Jameel Riaz, Jamil Ahmed and Younis Anjum are accused of abetment to murder, attempted murder, planning and executing the Mumbai attacks. Lakhvi has been hiding since he secured bail in the case 17 months ago. Other suspects are lodged in the Adiala Jail. The case has been going on for more than six years.166 people were killed in the attacks carried out by 10 LeT terrorists. Nine were killed while the lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was captured and later executed. Airstrikes in Syria killed up to 22 people, mostly children, on Wednesday when warplanes struck a residential area housing a school complex in the northern rebel-held province of Idlib, activists and rescue workers said. A team of first responders, the Syrian Civil Defense in Idlib, said 22 people were killed and at least 50 wounded in the raids on the village of Hass. Most of those killed were children, the group said in a posting on its Facebook page. Another activist group, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, gave the same death toll and said 14 children and a woman were among those killed. The activist-operated Idlib News network, which gave a lower toll of 17 people killed, said the strikes hit as the children were gathered outside the school complex. It said the death toll could rise as some of the wounded were reported to be in critical condition, the network added. Idlib is the main Syrian opposition stronghold, though radical groups also have a large presence there. It has regularly been hit by Syrian and Russian warplanes as well as the U.S.-led coalition targeting Islamic State militants. Footage posted by activists online shows a huge plume of smoke rising from the area of the strikes and rescuers rushing casualties away along a dusty road lined with destroyed buildings. A woman's body is seen being carried on a stretcher while other bodies, covered in cloth and one with only a hat, lie under shrubs and other casualties are ferried away in pick-up trucks. An activist at the scene, Muaz al-Shami, said as many as 10 airstrikes were believed to have hit the residential area. The video content couldn't be independently confirmed. However, it conforms with AP reporting on the events depicted. Earlier in the day, the northern Aleppo province saw a new escalation as a helicopter believed to belong to Syrian government forces dropped barrel bombs in a deadly attack on Turkey-backed opposition forces in the border area, Turkish officials said. A statement attributed to the field commander of Syria's pro-government troops said any Turkish advances in northern Syria under the pretext of fighting IS militants would be dealt with "forcefully and appropriately." The barrel bombing was said to have occurred in the village of Tal Madiq, in a part of northern Aleppo where rival groups have been operating, mostly to rout Islamic State militants. If confirmed, it would be the first attack by Syrian government forces on the Turkish-backed fighters. Turkey's state-run news agency didn't say when the attack occurred and said at least two Syrian opposition fighters were killed and five others wounded. A Syrian opposition spokesman said it took place yesterday. The Observatory's chief, Rami Abdurrahman, said helicopters struck as intense clashes were underway between Kurdish-led fighters and Turkey-backed forces in Tal Madiq and that 11 Syrian opposition fighters and five Kurdish fighters were killed. A labourer lost his life after jumping into the Phalguni river in a bid to evade arrest during the police raid on an illegal sand extraction site at Mullarapatna in the taluk on Wednesday. The deceased is Sharif, 30, a resident of Muthooru Margadangadi. The incident occurred when personnel from the Bantwal rural police station raided the site. A frightened Sharif jumped into river and went untraceable. The police called up the fire service personnel. Tension prevailed in the area with a large number of people gathering at the site and raising slogans against the police. A few miscreants threw stones at the police jeep. As a precautionary measure, Superintendent of Police Bhushan Borase rushed to the spot, along with additional forces. After holding talks with leaders of the protestors, the situation was brought under control. Following complaints on illegal sand extraction, the SP had directed DySP Raveesh C R and Bantwal rural station inspector Rakshith Gowda to conduct the raid. It is said that Sharif did not know swimming. Two strong earthquakes rocked a wide area of central Italy on Wednesday, striking fear among residents rattled by a deadly tremor in August, but there were no reports of casualties. The quakes, which struck about two hours apart, caused the collapse of several old structures, including a number of historic rural churches that were empty at the time. The second quake was measured at 6.0 magnitude by the U.S. Geological Survey and the first measured 5.4. More than three hours after the first quake, Civil Protection department chief Fabrizio Curcio said only one person was slightly injured. All indications were that the damage would not approach that caused by the major quake that struck the Marche, Lazio and Umbria regions on Aug. 24, which devastated several towns and killed nearly 300 people. Amateur video footage on television showed clouds of dust rising as parts of buildings collapsed in some towns, including Camerino in the Marche region, where a bell tower fell on a building. Massive boulders, some the size of cars, fell on the main north-south road of the Nera River valley that links mountain communities. Both tremors sent residents running into the streets into the rain and were strong enough to be felt as far south as the outskirts of Naples more than 250 km (150 miles) away. Masonry fell from some buildings in Rome. The epicentres of both quakes were near the town of Castelsantangelo sul Nera in the Marche region. The historic late 15th-century rural church of San Salvatore in Campo, near Norcia in the Umbria region, which had been weakened by the August quake, collapsed. Electrical power was lost in some of the areas and some roads were closed. Mauro Falucci, mayor of Castelsantangelo sul Nera, said there was no electricity and people in the town of about 300 residents had gathered in a square. Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi cancelled engagements to follow developments. Wednesday's earthquakes caused more damage to already precarious structures in Amatrice, the town worst hit by the 6.2-magnitude tremor in August, officials said, but there were no injuries. After decades of delay, the British government endorsed the expansion of Londons Heathrow Airport on Tuesday. The decision to build a third runway at the airport provoked a ferocious response that illustrated why a succession of politicians have ducked the issue since the 1970s. The announcement was meant to end years of political paralysis over aviation planning in southeast England, where Heathrow is now operating at 98% of its capacity, causing Britain lose ground to airline hubs on the European Continent. But the decision announced on Tuesday by Chris Grayling, the transport secretary, is just the beginning of a lengthy process that is sure to face legal challenges. It also presents Theresa May, the new prime minister who has opposed a Heathrow expansion in the past, with a crucial political test. The government has bought some time by delaying a parliamentary vote on the matter until next year. Two of Mays Cabinet ministers Justine Greening, the education secretary, and Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary oppose the project. Johnson called it undeliverable. Zac Goldsmith, another lawmaker from the governing Conservative Party, said he was resigning his parliamentary seat in protest . The move will prompt a special election that would reduce the Conservatives already slim majority in the House of Commons. Goldsmith said he would run for his old seat as an independent. A strong environmental campaigner who lost the contest this year to become the mayor of London, Goldsmith called the runway decision catastrophic, but also said that the project is almost certainly not going to be delivered. Caroline Lucas, a Green Party lawmaker, said that the government could not expand Heathrow if it is remotely serious about climate targets. Grayling acknowledged that, given the consultation process that the project must undergo, the new runway would not be open for nine years. Still, he insisted that the expansion was vital to Britains prosperity. The government has sought to present the expansion as a symbol of the economic self-confidence of an outward-looking trading nation, after the referendum vote in June to quit the European Union. A new runway at Heathrow will improve connectivity in the UK itself and crucially boost our connections with the rest of the world, supporting exports, trade and job opportunities, Grayling said in a statement. This isnt just a great deal for business, its a great deal for passengers who will also benefit from access to more airlines, destinations and flights. The British governments invariably struggle to deliver big infrastructure projects, from airport expansion to high-speed rail. Because of its location, Heathrow is a particularly toxic issue and arguments about its expansion have raged since the 1970s, when a government document described its capacity as restricted. Part of the problem is its history: Heathrow began life in an era when the scale of modern aviation could not be imagined. Located to the west of central London, its busy flight paths cross many residential districts, and the parliamentary constituencies of influential politicians. They include Johnson, a former mayor of London, whose opposition to a new runway is so vehement that he said that he will lie down in front of the bulldozers to prevent the expansion. On Tuesday, he said that the day when the bulldozers appear is a long way off, if indeed they ever materialise. Acknowledging the strength of feeling in her government, May gave ministers like Johnson the freedom to oppose the governments decision at least for a time and pushed back a parliamentary vote on the project, probably for a year. Political sensitivities had paralysed decision making on the plan by David Cameron, who resigned as prime minister after Britains surprise Brexit decision, in the June 23 referendum, to leave the European Union. Three main options had been under consideration: building a third runway at Heathrow; extending one of its existing runways; or building a second runway at Gatwick Airport, which is south of London. Gatwick, with its single runway, has half the traffic of Heathrow. The main European rivals airports already have more runways than Heathrow: Schiphol in Amsterdam has six; Frankfurt and Charles de Gaulle in Paris each have four. A Heathrow expansion is not a cheap option, financially or politically. It comes with a price tag of 18 billion pounds (around $22 billion) and will involve the demolition of hundreds of homes. Viable option But Heathrow has been considered the most viable option, because of the surrounding infrastructure and because it is already a global aviation hub and the biggest handler of cargo. It emerged as the top choice in a report by Sir Howard Davies, the chairman of the Airports Commission, who concluded that a new northwest runway for Heathrow was a much better alternative for expansion than a new runway at Gatwick, both for passengers and freight. On Tuesday, Graylings department said the new runway at Heathrow would bring economic benefits to passengers and the wider economy worth up to 61 billion pounds. Up to 77,000 additional local jobs are expected to be created over the next 14 years, it said in a statement. The country has waited nearly 50 years for this decision, said Paul Drechsler, the president of the Confederation of British Industry. He called the proposal a relief, adding, Our aviation capacity is set to run out as early as 2025, so its crucial we get spades in the ground as soon as possible. The expansion, he said, will provide not only a welcome economic stimulus but will show the world that we are well and truly open for business as we negotiate our exit from the EU. Olivier Jankovec, the director general of ACI Europe, a trade association of European airports, said the announcement brings us closer to the end of one of the longest, most publicly consulted infrastructure planning processes anywhere in the world. An island economy lives or dies by its air connectivity, he added. If the UK government is serious about its focus on economic growth and preserving the countrys global positioning, it needs to truly embed air connectivity and sustainable airport development in its economic strategy. Opponents vowed to fight on. Tania Mathias, the Conservative member of Parliament for Twickenham in southwest London, near Heathrow, said she was certain the expansion would not happen. Foreign arms sales to West Asia have gained momentum since 2015, a bumper year for profits, and are fuelling wars in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. Last year, the US earned $43 billion in overall foreign military sales, $13 billion over the average in previous years, and $17 billion from sales to countries in this war-ravaged region. Such burgeoning sales make the US, which accounts for 33% of global sales, the planets dominant arms dealer. Over the past four years, West Asias already high demand for arms soared: sales to Qatar rose by 279%, to Saudi Arabia by 275%, and to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 35%. Nearly 10% of all US arms sales were to Riyadh. Saudi Arabia has made deals with all exporters for $10 billion for 2016, the UAE for $3.085 billion, Iraq for $2.283 billion, Egypt for $2.2032 billion, Algeria for $1.754 billion, and Qatar for $1.692 billion. The US also provides four countries in this region with arms on the basis of grants. Israel, naturally, is the top recipient with $3.8 billion, Egypt is next with $1.3 billion, Jordan $350 million, and Iraq $150 million. Canada has become the second largest arms exporter to West Asia, securing $2.7 billion in sales during 2015. The previous Conservative government signed a deal for a $15 billion sale of armoured vehicles with Saudi Arabia, creating controversy for the current Liberal government which has upheld the agreement. Britain is not far behind the US and Canada in sales. Since early 2015, Britain has sold to Saudi Arabia $4.56 billion in military hardware, some for use in the Yemen war where a Riyadh-led coalition is fighting Shia Houthi rebels who have seized the north of the country and driven into exile Saudi-backed President Rabbo Mansour Hadi. Britain which accounts for 12% of global arms sales secured total orders for $10.08 billion last year. Two-thirds of British arms exports are destined for West Asia. Over the past two years London has agreed to sell the UAE weapons worth $500 million, $222 million to Qatar, $157 million to Oman, and $31.4 million to Bahrain. Over the past three years, Britain has provided $589.5 million in weapons to Turkey and $152 million to Egypt. Between 2010-16, Britain sold $107.4 million worth of arms to Israel. Since the Syrian war began in 2011, Central and Eastern European countries have supplied Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, and Qatar with $1.35 billion in mainly small arms and ammunition; $93.6 million have gone to Saudi Arabia. Until recently, the region did not buy from the Balkans, but Amnesty International says this materiel has been diverted to armed groups accused of committing serious human rights violations. Patrick Wilcken, a researcher for Amnesty, argues that such transfers are illegal under the (UN Arms Trade Treaty of 2014) and other international laws and should cease immediately. Sale to jihadi groups Exporters include Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Monte-negro, Slovakia, Serbia, and Romania. Many of these weapons are being transferred to jihadis, notably al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, Ahrar al-Sham and Islamic State. Boxes, which had been used to transport Bulgarian ammunition to Saudi Arabia, have been found with insurgents in Syria. An anti-tank weapon made in the Balkans also appeared in Syria. Some weapons are reaching insurgents in Libya and Yemen. Although the worldwide arms trade is supposed to be regulated by national, European and international laws, there are no legal sanctions with which to punish violators. The Arms Trade Treaty, negotiated during 2012, was adopted by the UN General Assembly in April 2013 and came into force on December 24, 2014. The aim of the treaty is to prevent wea-pons traded at the rate of $70 billion a year from entering conflict areas and fuelling wars. It is ironic, but hardly surprising, that the US in 2006 submitted the resolution leading to the treaty and then signed but failed to ratify it. So far, 87 states have acceded to the treaty, including five of the worlds top arms exporters Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. In addition to the US, Israel, Lebanon, Bahrain, Turkey, and the UAE signed but have not ratified the treaty. Countries produce weapons for self-defence and domestic export arms to fund their development process and make money. In the wake of World War II, US President Dwight Eisenhower warned against the rise of the military-industrial complex which linked the US political establishment and its foreign policies to the promotion of arms sales. As former overall commander of anti-Nazi forces in Europe, Eisenhower understood the dangers of this connection for both the producing and the consuming countries. The Arabs have, in particular, suffered from a longstanding arms race with Israel, which received weapons and equipment from the US, giving it an edge over all Arab antagonists. These days, unfortunately, the Arabs, Turks and Iranians are arming to fight proxy wars destroying Syria, Iraq and Yemen. A 55-year-old woman was stabbed to death, while her husband and daughter-in-law sustained injuries when their neighbour attacked them over a petty issue. The incident took place in Srinivas Nagar near Kithagnuru in Avalahalli near KR Puram on Wednesday noon. The deceased has been identified as Shakunthalamma. Her husband Marappa and daughter-in-law Geetha sustained injuries in the attack. Police said Ramesh, who stabbed the woman to death and injured two others, has been arrested. Ramesh was Marappas neighbour and both were realtors. Police said trouble had been brewing between the two over the issue of widening a narrow lane. Police added that the approach road to Rameshs house was narrow and he hadto pass by Marappas house to reach home. Police said that it was Rameshs idea to widen the road so as to gain access to his residence but this was opposed by Marappa as it meant his compound wall would get damaged. The two had been for long fighting on the issue and the neighbours, on many occasions, had to step in to quell the feud. Police stated that on Wednesday afternoon, while passing by Marappas house, Ramesh hurled abuses, leading to a heated argument. Police added that in a fit of rage, Ramesh brought a knife from his house and attacked Marappa who collapsed bleeding profusely. Police said in order to save her husband from being stabbed, Shakuntalamma came in between and Ramesh stabbed her repeatedly. He also assaulted Geetha, added the police. On raising an alarm, neighbours and passersby rushed to Marappa's house and alerted Avalahalli police who arrested Ramesh before he could flee. They shifted the three injured family members to a nearby private hospital where Shakunthalamma was declared brought dead. Marappa and Geetha are in stable condition, said a senior police officer. The Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka (KAMS) has opposed the draft rules issued by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), which will fix the formula for calculating fees in private, unaided schools in the state. The draft rules have been issued to amend the Karnataka Educational Institutions (Regulation of Certain fees and Donations) Rules, 1999. The KAMS, which has 1,900 member schools termed the draft rules as unscientific and impractical. D Shashi Kumar, secretary, KAMS said that the fee fixed based on this formula will not be sufficient to cover the high cost of maintaining and running schools. According to the draft rules, the total fee collected from all students will be the a sum of the expenditure on salary of teaching and non-teaching staff and a percentage of the same to cover maintenance and operation costs. The draft rules say that this percentage will be 50% for schools in gram panchayats and town panchayats, 60% for those in city municipal councils, 75% for those in municipal corporations other than Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and 100% for schools in BBMP limits. However, the rules also say that from this Normative Net Expenditure (NNE), reimbursement received from the government towards fee of students admitted under the RTE Act, fee collected for certificates, term fee, special development fee have to be subtracted. Though they have increased the percentage of maintenance fee from 30% to 100%, effectively, it is only 50%, he explained. The association has also demanded that the fee collected for certificates and special development fee should be increased to Rs 100 and Rs 5,000 from the proposed Rs 50 and Rs 2,500, respectively. How can we be expected to provide quality education if we are not allowed to charge fee commensurate with the facilities we are providing, asked Yogesh B K, secretary of a private unaided school in Nagarbhavi in Bengaluru. The management also runs a school which is affiliated to the CBSE board. The fee regulation for CBSE schools allow us to fix the fee without putting such a restrictive cap, he added. We are not against regulation of fee but the rules have to be arrived at after discussions with private schools, said Srivatsa HNM who is on the management board of Jnanadhara High School in Challakere, Chitradurga district. Members of several school managements were of the opinion that they should have been consulted and the practical reality of running schools should have been considered. A panel constituted to review textbooks has suggested to the state government that all revised books for state schools be bigger, brighter and also be printed on high-quality paper. The panel, headed by writer Baragur Ramachandrappa, has recommended that all revised textbooks, to be introduced from Class I to X in state schools (363 titles in all) from the academic year 2017-18, be of size one-fourth demy (approximately the size of a magazine or 21.9 cm width x 29 cm height) in dimension. Bigger textbooks have become the norm of the day. Textbooks brought out by National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) for schools affiliated to Central boards are of one-fourth demy size. Recently, Maharashtra, Kerala and West Bengal too have adopted this size for their respective state schools. The bigger books help in easier reading, navigation and also enhance the scope for better layouts. Studies have also found that bigger sized textbooks provide a psychological advantage to students during their learning process, Ramachandrappa told DH. Hitherto, textbooks for state schools were printed in smaller sized crown quarto (18.9 cm x 24.6 cm). The process of revision and review of the textbooks taken up by 27 sub-panels comprising 185 members is in the final stages of completion, Ramachandrappa added. Another suggestion made by the committee is to print the textbooks in 70 grams/square metre (gsm) quality paper considering the wear and tear of books in the hands of the children. At present, state textbooks are printed on 60 or 50 gsm quality paper. The paper is brittle and tears easily. Both the proposals -- to have bigger sized textbooks and also printing them on higher quality paper -- have got in-principle approval of the state government, official sources said. The new format and better quality paper are likely to cost the government an additional Rs 12 to Rs 15 crore. As the financial implication exceeds above Rs 5 crore, the proposals will have to be placed before the state Cabinet, the sources said. Karnataka Textbook Society will be entrusted with the task of calling for tenders for printing textbooks once the Cabinet gives go-ahead, sources added. An ambitious, interconnected German-Asian startup ecosystem is taking shape, and Bengaluru is at the centre of this unique initiative. The network, StartHubs AsiaBerlin, has already linked select startups of Bengaluru, Berlin, Manila and Jakarta, setting the stage for an unprecedented exchange of ideas, best practices and investment avenues. Crowdfunding platform, Fuel A Dream; educational virtual trading platform, Trakinvest; employee transportation model, MoveInSync and employee-engaged platform, Hoopur are the first four Bengaluru startups hooked to the network. Collectively, the four will network with the other German and South East Asian startups to explore ways to tackle innovation challenges on a global scale. Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), StartHubs AsiaBerlin is designed to break boundaries and boost partnerships as the project head Rainer Seider explained to DH. Startup ecosystems are normally not very transparent. A networked, inter-connected ecosystem can help young startups leapfrog developments with less resources, said Seider. The network is expected to help local startups hunt for investors from a bigger, inter-continental platform. Seider elaborated, Startups have limited money. They are limited by resources in flying around to search for Venture Capital (VC) funding. The project offers an opportunity to look around by building trust and contacts. In all, the current network has four lead partners, one from each startup hub and a total of 25 startups and their individual networks. Once fully evolved with a structured communication and coordination system, the network will expand as an open platform. But what is the German interest in funding this transnational ecosystem? Asia is still a distant arena for most German startups. This platform could enable them make the contact with Indian entrepreneurs, bypassing or better understanding the Indian bureaucracy and related issues, Seider pointed out. Another factor in Bengalurus favour, as Seider acknowledged, is its strong, young entrepreneurial spirit. A lot of youngsters have returned to the city with sound experience from the United States. German startups find partnerships with them more reliable, he said. Officially kicked off at the Asia-Pacific Weeks 2016, the project completed a road-show trip through Bengaluru, Manila and Jakarta. On the networks agenda are international conferences, launch of an online platform at starthubs.info and other interactive community formats, both online and offline. Satyameva Jayate. Justice is done. I stand vindicated, tweeted BJP state president and former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa soon after a special court for CBI cases here acquitted him in a Rs 40-crore bribery case on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters soon after the verdict was out, a relieved-looking Yeddyurappa said false allegations and politically motivated charges against him had been dismissed. This verdict has come as a relief to lakhs of BJP workers and has provided new vigour to me to bring back the party to power in the 2018 Assembly polls, he said. The BJP has been portraying Yeddyurappa as its chief ministerial candidate for the 2018 elections. The BJP leader said he would be touring the state to gather support for the party. I was a victim of a conspiracy hatched against me. I will not name any person or political party as it is well known who these conspirators are, he said. Yeddyurappa said he would soon be meeting BJP president Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and brief them on the court verdict. Asked whether there were chances of him getting inducted into the Union Cabinet, the Shivamogga MP said he was not interested in national politics. I will channelise all my energy to improve the state unit of the BJP, he said. To another query on a section of state BJP leaders being unhappy with his style of functioning, Yeddyurappa said the party was united. Differences, if any, can be sorted out within the party forum, he remarked. He said senior leader K S Eshwarappa, who has been associating himself with the Sangolli Rayanna Brigade, has been entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring that the BJPs mammoth Other Backward Classes (OBC) convention in Bengaluru on November 27 is a success. Outside the BJP headquarters in Bengaluru, party workers and Yeddyurappas supporters broke into celebrations, hailing the judgement. They raised slogans in praise of Yeddyurappa, burst fire crackers and distributed sweets. Prasad meets BSY, fuels speculation Former minister V Srinivas Prasad met BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa on Wednesday, fuelling speculation. Prasad, who recently resigned as MLA, met Yeddyurappa late in the evening, at the latter's Dollars Colony residence. The meeting is said to have lasted over half an hour. After tendering his resignation, Prasad had attacked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Congress party in-charge for Karnataka, Digvijaya Singh and others. Later, Yeddyurappa had contacted Prasad over phone and had invited him into the saffron party fold. BJP leader D S Veeraiah too had met Prasad in this regard. Wednesday's development has created a flurry in political circles as the former minister has kept everybody guessing over his next move. Citizens for Bengaluru (CfB) has now taken to social media to make their voice heard against the steel flyover. After a bitter experience with the states Congress government, citizens have turned their attention to the partys national leaders. Over 200 volunteers started a Twitter campaign on Wednesday and are tweeting to all national Congress leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Digvijaya Singh. The tweets are apprising the politicians about what the state government is doing. In just half an hour since 8 pm, over 300 people shared, re-tweeted and followed the tweets. Srinivas Alavilli, one of the members of CfB told DH that the Congress, especially Rahul Gandhi has been criticising the Modi government and repeatedly calls it a Suit- Boot ki Sarkar. But this is exactly what the Congress is doing in Bengaluru. They are targeting only airport goers and constructing the steel flyover to ease travel time. We are telling the Congress high command that the government is undertaking the project by ignoring the voice of the masses, he said. Some of the tweets sent to Rahul Gandhi and Digvijaya Singh said that over 8,000 people formed a human chain in Bengaluru against the steel flyover and it was not a beer and biryani rally and Ur sarkar in Karnataka is also Suit-Boot ki sarkar. Through the Twitter campaign, the agitators are pointing out to the Congress high command and to national media that Bengaluru is a prime city and there are very few Congress-ruled states in India and the present acts of the Congress government will not take then any further if the voices of the masses are neglected. The aim is to reach out to Congress politicians in Delhi and draw the attention of larger sections of society against the steel flyover. Two pilots -- one each from Air India and Jet Airways -- have landed in trouble after they failed a pre-flight alcohol test, officials said on Wednesday. The Air India pilot cannot fly for the next three years as his licence has been suspended for that period, while the Jet Airways pilot has been taken off the roster for three months. The quantum of punishment for the Air India pilot is more as he is a repeat offender while it was the first time for the Jet pilot. The Air India pilot was to fly the Birmingham-bound flight from Delhi, but was caught during the mandatory pre-flight checking, for the second time. A senior Air India official said the airline would take strict action against pilots who violate rules. The Jet Airways pilot was to fly a Mumbai-Paris flight. Government statistics showed that 122 pilots were caught during pre-flight examination between 2013 and 2016 till June 30. Jet Airways and its subsidiary JetLite together had the highest number of 38 pilots, who were caught between 2013 and April 2016. Air India accounted for 19 pilots during this period, while IndiGo had 25 such pilots. According to Aircraft Rules 1937, no person acting as pilot, commander, navigator, engineer, cabin crew or other operating member of the crew should have taken or used any alcoholic drink, sedative, narcotic or stimulant drug or preparation within 12 hours of commencement of the flight or take or use any such preparation in the course of the flight. The DGCA had even warned pilots and crew members that mouthwash or a tooth gel, which has alcohol content, could land them in trouble. "No crew member shall consume any drug/formulation or use any substance, mouthwash/tooth gel which has alcoholic content," the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) said. The regulator is of the view that alcohol present in body even in small quantities jeopardises flight safety on several counts and is likely to adversely affect an aviator well into the hangover period. Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav is contemplating on forming a Bihar-like Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) in Uttar Pradesh to defeat communal forces. A source in the party said that Mulayam had sent invitations to the erstwhile Janata Parivaar members, including Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav, RJD leader Lalu Prasad and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda to attend the SPs silver jubilee celebrations here on November 5. Media analyst J P Shukla told DH: It may be an attempt to put brakes on any such move by Akhilesh...it could also be a ploy to deflect public attention from the raging family fight and change media headlines. The SP is also not averse to talking to the Congress, which was part of the Bihar grand alliance, and the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). State unit president Shivpal Singh Yadav said here on Wednesday that he would be speaking to the leaders of the secular parties and explore the possibility of joining hands to defeat the communal forces. Another source said that the move could be a ploy to prevent Akhilesh from forming a separate outfit. Shivpal had on Sunday claimed that Akhilesh had told him about forming his own outfit to contest the Assembly polls in alliance with other secular parties. A party leader said that expelled general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav had vehemently opposed the idea of a grand alliance in UP after it was floated by Nitish Kumar. It was because of Ram Gopal the idea was nipped in the bud...now that he is not in the party, the path is clear for such an alliance, the SP leader added. Cong tight-lipped on alliance offer The Congress on Wednesday said it was closely watching the events unfolding in Uttar Pradesh, where the Samajwadi Party is going through a crisis due to infighting, DHNS reports from Lucknow. The Congress remained tight-lipped over the offer for a pre-poll alliance made by SPs Uttar Pradesh unit president Shivpal Yadav. We have seen the statement. We have absorbed the statement. We will react at an appropriate time, AICC spokesman Manish Tewari told reporters, when asked to comment on the offer. When events are fast evolving, it is appropriate to allow them to play out, was Tewaris answer to questions on whether the Congress was open to an alliance with Akhilesh. But, a section in the Congress likened the developments in Uttar Pradesh to a film produced, directed and scripted by SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi summoned party MLAs from Uttar Pradesh for consultations, but the party maintained that it was a pre-planned exercise and was not related to the crisis in the SP. The Congress had won 28 seats in the 403-member Uttar Pradesh Assembly in 2012. The JD(U) will support the Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pradesh (UP) Assembly elections only if it is led by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. The JD(U) leaders on Wednesday also claimed that they were in touch with SP leaders. We are in touch with leaders in the SP and are clear that only Akhilesh can lead his party. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will support him if he leads the Samajwadi Party on his own, said a senior JD(U) leader. JD(U) leaders say that Akhilesh will also get support from the Congress and Rashtriya Lok Dal for a secular alliance in Uttar Pradesh. They say that the present leadership of the party cannot win the elections. Kumar has been expressing his support to Akhilesh and has been asking him to implement prohibition in his state. In his UP rallies, Kumar has been saying that no one can stop Akhilesh from winning elections if he imposes anti-liquor laws. He has been saying that the UP chief minister, with his clean image, would not need support of any one from his family or the party. The JD(U) is ready to come with Akhilesh despite the fact that his closest advisor and MP Ramgopal Yadav is said to have sabotaged the formation of the grand alliance in the Bihar elections. Akhilesh was not in the picture. At that time, all the decisions were taken by Mulayam Singh Yadav and Ramgopal Yadav advised him against alliance with secular parties, said a JD(U) leader. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle and Samajwadi Party (SP) state unit president Shivpal Singh Yadav appeared to be heading for another political showdown. Shivpal on Wednesday asserted his authority by expelling minister Tejnarain Pandey alias Pawan Pandey, an Akhilesh loyalist, on charges of indiscipline and wrote to the chief minister to sack him from the Cabinet immediately. Accusation Pandey was expelled after he was accused of assaulting senior SP leader Ashu Malik, a Mulayam loyalist, during the party meeting here on Monday. Malik was in the centre of a controversy over the publication of a new item in an English daily here a few days back in which Akhilesh was termed as Aurangzeb (the Mughal emperor, who imprisoned father Shah Jahan at Agra fort for opposing his ascendancy to the throne). Though Pandey denied having assaulted Malik, an FIR was registered against him. Acting swiftly, Shivpal expelled Pandey from the party for six years. Sources said that Mulayam had also admonished Pandey for the assault. Shivpal also wrote to the chief minister asking him to sack Pandey forthwith. Akhilesh, however, was yet to oblige Shivpal and Pandey continues to be in the Cabinet, earning him a rare distinction of being a minister, who was not even a primary member of the party. Earlier, Shivpal had expelled several SP youth wing leaders, who had shouted slogans in favour of Akhilesh when the family crisis erupted in September. Akhilesh also indicated that Shivpal and his three supporters, who were sacked from the ministry on Sunday, were not likely to be reinstated. The Bengaluru traffic police are all set to introduce a dashboard exclusively developed by Google India for effective coordination to unclog city roads in the shortest possible time. The new system is likely to be introduced by November-end. The first of its kind in the country, Google dashboard will enable users to view and manage personal data collected about them by Google Inc. Recently, representatives of Google India met the traffic police higher-ups and briefed them on the dashboard concept, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) R Hithendra told DH. The dashboard will help the police take preventive and corrective measures to decongest roads in the shortest possible time in case of vehicle breakdowns or wrong parking. We liked the concept and decided to introduce it, Hithendra said. A team of six police officers are being trained by Google to handle the new system, he said. All inspectors and assistant and deputy commissioners of police have been told to compulsorily follow it. How dashboard works Google has redrawn an exclusive Bengaluru city map with boundaries of every police station. The dashboard will use the data generated by mobile towers and the Global Positioning System to indicate congestion on roads and at junctions. It also has coordinators named no congestion, less congestion, slow moving and congestion to indicate the existing situation on roads. A six-member team at the Traffic Management Centre (TMC) will constantly monitor the dashboard indicators, which are sent to mobile phones of inspectors, ACPs, DCPs and the Additional Commissioner of Police Traffic). The higher-ups will get into action if inspectors on the ground fail to decongest roads within 15 minutes. The TMC staff will guide inspectors to redirect traffic on to less congested roads. Based on the prevailing situation, the TMC staff will advise inspectors to manually operate signals to allow more time for vehicles on heavily congested roads to pass. Predictions about the possible time taken to clear the congestion will be sent to the dashboard by the ground staff. Alerts The police will flash alerts about the congestion and the approximate time for restoring normality on their social media platform to help road users. The dashboard is one of the ways to help commuters stranded on roads due to congestion. It will help the police keep the traffic moving or circulating. The data will also help in additional deployment at junctions wherever there is a need, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic-Planning) R I Kasim said. The steel bridge proposed in the heart of the city calls for expensive maintenance, experts say. Going by global standards, the annual maintenance spend on a steel flyover comes to about 4% of its total cost. With the revised total cost of the structure at Rs 2,200 crore, the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) will have to spend at least Rs 88 crore a year to keep it in good condition. That kind of money goes into maintaining the iconic Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco, USA, and the Sydney Harbour bridge in Australia. Officials in Bengaluru working on the flyover project have not taken into account the high cost of maintenance. The controversial project proposes to connect Basaveshwara Circle with the Hebbal ramp of the highway to the airport. The BDA believes just 0.5% of the cost of the flyover is enough for its annual maintenance. That comes to just Rs 11 crore. Officials estimate the cost of the four-year overhaul at 3% of the construction cost, or Rs 66 crore. Experts suspect the BDA is underestimating the maintenance costs to sell the project to citizens, many of whom are opposing it. Realistically speaking, the annual spend on maintenance would be Rs 88 crore. In addition, the BDA has to undertake an overhaul once in four years at Rs 66 crore. Thus, the average annual expenditure on maintenance comes to Rs 27.5 crore. Any increase in the project cost would further increase the cost of maintenance. Its never-ending: expert Prof Ananth Ramaswamy, structural engineer, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), says the steel flyover calls for regular maintenance. Citing the case of the Sydney bridge, he said it was painted every three years. It is a lifetime activity. They finish painting the bridge from one end and take three years to complete it, only to begin afresh, he told DH. Given the need for intensive maintenance, the Bengaluru project could turn into a rozgar yojana (employment guarantee scheme), he quipped. Ramaswamy favours mass transport, and incentives for people using it. Durability is not a concern as a steel bridge lasts long, he said. The question is whether the flyover is required. The best way is to create dedicated bus corridors and promote commuter rail, the professor explained. He feels the flyover may not be necessary if traffic problems are addressed properly. Former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa was on Wednesday acquitted in a Rs 40 crore bribery case. A special CBI court also acquitted 12 others, including his sons B Y Raghavendra and B Y Vijayendra, son-in-law Sohan Kumar and representatives of JSW Steel, of which Sajjan Jindal is chairman. I hold that the prosecution has failed to prove the conspiracy beyond all reasonable doubt, said R B Dharmagoudar, 21st Additional City Civil and Sessions and CBI Special Court judge. The court acquitted all the accused, booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, Prevention of Corruption Act and Karnataka Land (Restriction on Transfer) Act. Former minister S N Krishnaiah Setty, and Vinod Nowal and Vikash Sharma of JSW Steel were among those arraigned. The agency had registered an FIR against Yeddyurappa and others after the Supreme Court ordered a CBI investigation into the findings of a Lokayukta report. Earlier, an FIR registered by the Lokayukta police, based on the same charges, was quashed by the Karnataka High Court. NGO Samaja Parivarthana Samudaya had filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking a CBI probe. The prosecution case was that Yeddyurappa as chief minister had abused his position to cause loss to the state exchequer by granting favours to JSW Steel, Indias second largest steel producer. The CBI had told the court that the governments delay in raising fines payable to Mysore Minerals Ltd (MML) and the imposition of a ban on the export of iron ore were intended to favour JSW. As a quid pro quo, Yeddyurappa had demanded and accepted Rs 40 crore, the CBI said. The prosecution also stated that Yeddyurappa had denotified one acre and 12 guntas of land in Rachenahalli. (Denotification refers to the transfer of government-acquired land back to a private party.) One acre was bought by his sons through Setty, who held a General Power of Attorney. Setty had been a member of Yeddyurappas council of ministers. The same land was later bought by South West Mining Ltd, a subsidiary of JSW, which was accused of paying an inflated price of Rs 20 crore. Further, the CBI contended that South West donated Rs 20 crore to Prerana Educational and Social Trust, represented by Raghavendra and Vijayendra as trustees. These acts of Yeddyurappa caused a loss of Rs 871.35 crore to the state, the CBI had argued. The court held that the consideration received from the sale of land and the donation to the trust could not be termed as illegal gratification. It accepted the argument of the accused that the market value of the land at Rachenahalli in 2010 was indeed around Rs 20 crore an acre and was not inflated to cover a bribe. On the donation, the court held that the prosecution case remained in the realm of probability.'' JSW Steel defended itself saying the donation was part of its corporate social responsibility. Cong mocks CBI The Congress trained its guns on the CBI as a Bengaluru court acquitted former Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa in a corruption case on Wednesday, DHNS reports from New Delhi. What can you expect when the prosecutor becomes the defence? The alleged caged parrot of yesteryears has become the top performing poodle of this (Central) government, AICC spokesman Manish Tewari said when asked to comment on Yeddyurappas acquittal. During the UPA regime, the Supreme Court had described the CBI as a caged parrot. Tewari said he did not expect the CBI to even appeal against the special court verdict in a higher court. If there is or was or continues to be any open and shut case of corruption and misconduct, it is the case pertaining to Yeddyurappa, Tewari said. The Congress spokesman alleged that there was complete and absolute subversion of the instrumentalities of the Indian state in the presentation of the Yeddyurappa case before the court. Indicted by Lokayukta BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa had to step down as chief minister in 2011 after the Lokayukta held him guilty of receiving kickbacks from JSW. Chapter 22 of the Lokayukta report indicted him and recommended a detailed investigation into money received by his family. By then, five private complaints were filed against him, accusing him of illegally denotifying land, and he was remanded to judicial custody. The complaints were later quashed by the Karnataka High Court on the grounds that the sanction order from the governor was defective. The complainant has again approached the Lokayukta special court with the same complaints. Russia Rubbishes Polish Ministers Claim of Mistral Sale The page you requested is only available to subscribers. 1. If you are a Premium Service subscriber, please log in here to access this story: Log-in : Password : 2. If you are not a subcriber, you can: -- buy access to this page: unlimited access for seven days costs 3.00 EUR + VAT (at 20%) if applicable. Clicking on the "Ok" button below will place the item in your shopping cart and return you to our home page, where you will be able to select additional stories. -- select additional stories and services from our home page and pay for them at the same time. -- see your shopping cart. You can also see the contents of your shopping cart at any time by clicking on the "Order" tab on the navigation bar at the top of any page, or by clicking on the "Your order" light blue link in the top right-hand corner of our home page, immediately under the log-on box. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Customers who had flights booked in Tiger Moth biplanes are still grounded and facing uncertainty following the biplanes' sudden departure from their home Derbyshire airfield. The firm which took the bookings for the flights, Blue Eye Aviation Ltd, is at the centre of a legal dispute over its ownership, which is leaving people who have paid up to 500 for flight vouchers in limbo. Ashbourne-based pilot Will Flanagan claims he sold the entire company to a Foston-based couple, Paul and Sarah Ford, in August, but Mr and Mrs Ford have insisted they never took on responsibility of the firm, only its assets which included the two Tiger Moths. The planes were removed from Darley Moor Airfield on Friday, October 7. On August 11, a statement was issued on Sarah Ford's Facebook page which said "exciting news for Derbyshire we've bought a flying school". And, the next day, a statement was put on the Blue Eye Aviation website stating that Mr and Mrs Ford "are now proud owners of Blue Eye Aviation". Customers showing up for flights during the weekend of Friday, October 7 including Eunice Roe who was celebrating her 95th birthday were told the company had moved away from the airfield. On October 11, a statement was released by a Cambridge-based solicitor acting for Mr and Mrs Ford, under the name of their other company, Jastabinks Ltd. Pooley Bendall Watson Solicitors said: "We can confirm neither Jastabinks Ltd nor Mr and Mrs Ford, either together or solely, have taken over responsibility for either of the Blue Eye companies. "They have however acquired the assets but not the liabilities of the companies and the companies themselves remain the responsibility of the owner, Mr W Flanagan." A post on Blue Eye Aviation's Facebook page the following day echoed this. It said the Fords "became involved" with Blue Eye Aviation in August, responding to an "invitation to enhance activities". It continued to say that, subsequently, they decided to cease their involvement. The post added that the liability of the firm remained the responsibility of Mr Flanagan and all enquiries should be referred to him. The web page has since been taken down. Mr Flanagan, who built the company from scratch over five years to become the biggest of its kind in the country, claims he sold the firm "lock, stock and barrel" to free up more time to spend with his baby daughter. Initially, Mr Flanagan carried on working as chief flying instructor, but this ceased in September. He has now handed over information to his own solicitor in a bid to prove he sold the firm, which he claims includes a signed form appointing Mr Ford as a new director. He says copies of a news update posted on Blue Eye Aviation website, which has since been taken down, citing the Fords as "proud new owner operators" of Blue Eye Aviation, have also been handed over, along with screen shots of similar posts on Facebook in which Mrs Ford declared: "We've bought a flying school!" In the meantime, until the legal dispute is settled, customers are unsure which way to turn. The Telegraph has been in contact with at least 20 people who have paid for flights and some were not due to redeem their vouchers until next summer. Some customers bought experiences through online voucher firm Groupon. A Groupon spokesman said it would be contacting customers to explain the situation and giving them a full cash refund. However, until the legal stalemate is resolved over who is responsible for the company's liabilities, hundreds of pounds of unclaimed flight vouchers are still left outstanding, leaving dozens of customers concerned. Ashbourne hairdresser Sonja Riley bought a 450 Dambusters flight experience for her husband Paul Wadley's 50th birthday. Blue Eye Aviation's top package, was meant to take him on an "unforgettable" tour of the former route used by the Dambusters bombers during the war, over the Derwent Dams. She said: "I booked it as a surprise. We thought he was going to go up on his birthday, and we all went up to the airfield, all his family and friends, with champagne and balloons and cakes, but they said he couldn't fly because of the weather. In the end we all had to go for a Chinese. We were gutted. "I know there's nothing anyone can do about the weather but we tried again and again but kept getting turned down. We were still waiting when we heard the planes had left the airfield. "I've heard from people who have been waiting for two years, so I guess there are some people worse off than us. But it's devastating in a way, because this was his 50th birthday and it's been a total flop. We've not done anything for his birthday. "I'd love to have my 450 back so I can give it to Paul and he can buy a birthday present." The solicitor representing Mr and Mrs Ford has been approached for further comment, but has not responded. Mr Flanagan confirmed that he was seeking legal advice. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Customers who had flights booked in Ashbourne's Tiger Moth biplanes are still grounded today and are facing uncertainty following the biplanes' sudden departure from Darley Moor Airfield. The firm which took the bookings for the flights, Blue Eye Aviation Ltd, is currently at the centre of a legal dispute over its ownership, which is leaving people who have paid up to 500 for flight vouchers in limbo. Ashbourne-based pilot Will Flanagan claims he sold the entire company to a Foston-based couple, Paul and Sarah Ford, in August this year, but Mr and Mrs Ford have recently insisted they never took on responsibility of the firm, only its assets which included the two Tiger Moths. The planes were removed from Darley Moor Airfield, near Ashbourne, on Friday, October 7. On August 11, a statement was put on Sarah Ford's Facebook page which said "exciting news for Derbyshire we've bought a flying school". And, on August 12, a statement was put on the Blue Sky Aviation website stating that Mr and Mrs Ford "are now proud owners of Blue Sky Aviation". Customers showing up for flights during the weekend beginning Friday, October 7, including Eunice Roe who was celebrating her 95th birthday, were told the company had moved away from the airfield. On October 11, a statement was released by a Cambridge-based solicitor acting for Mr and Mrs Ford, under the name of their other company, Jastabinks Ltd. In the letter, Pooley Bendall Watson Solicitors said: "We can confirm neither Jastabinks Ltd nor Mr and Mrs Ford, either together or solely, have taken over responsibility for either of the Blue Eye companies. "They have however acquired the assets but not the liabilities of the companies and the companies themselves remain the responsibility of the owner Mr W Flanagan." A post on Blue Eye Aviation's Facebook page the following day echoed this statement. The post stated that Paul and Sarah Ford "became involved" with Blue Eye Aviation in August, responding to an "invitation to enhance activities".It continued to say that subsequently they decided to cease their involvement. The post added that the liability of the firm remains the responsibility of Mr Flanagan and all enquiries should be referred to him. The entire page has since been taken down.Mr Flanagan, who built the company up from scratch over five years to become the biggest of its kind in the country, claims he sold the firm "lock, stock and barrel" to free up more time to spend with his baby daughter. Initially, Mr Flanagan carried on working as chief flying instructor but this ceased in September. He has now handed over information to his own solicitor in a bid to prove he sold the firm, which he claims includes a signed form appointing Mr Ford as a new director. He says copies of a news update posted on Blue Eye Aviation website, which has since been taken down, citing Paul and Sarah Ford as "proud new owner operators" of Blue Eye Aviation, have also been handed over, along with screen shots of similar posts on Facebook in which Mrs Ford declared: "We've bought a flying school!" In the meantime, until the legal dispute is settled, customers are unsure which way to turn. The News Telegraph has been in contact with at least 20 people who have paid for flights and some were not due to redeem their vouchers until summer next year. Some customers bought their experiences through online voucher firm Groupon. A Groupon spokesman told the News Telegraph it would be contacting customers to explain the situation and giving them a full cash refund. However, until the legal stalemate is resolved over who is responsible for the company's liabilities, hundreds of pounds of unclaimed flight vouchers are still left outstanding, leaving dozens of customers concerned. Ashbourne hairdresser Sonja Riley bought a 450 Dambusters flight experience for her husband Paul Wadley's 50th birthday. The flight, Blue Eye Aviation's top package, was meant to take him on an "unforgettable" tour of the former route used by the Dambusters bombers during the war, over the Derwent Dams. She said: "I booked it as a surprise. "We thought he was going to go up on his birthday, and we all went up to the airfield, all his family and friends, with champagne and balloons and cakes, but they said he couldn't fly because of the weather. In the end we all had to go for a Chinese. We were gutted. "I know there's nothing anyone can do about the weather but we tried again and again but we kept getting turned down and we were still waiting when we heard the planes had left the airfield. "I've heard from people who have been waiting for two years. So I guess there are some people worse off than us. But it's devastating in a way, because this was his 50th birthday and it's been a total flop. We've not done anything for his birthday, that was going to be it. "I'd love to have my 450 back so I can give it to Paul and he can buy a birthday present. He still hasn't had a present from me yet. "The solicitor representing Mr and Mrs Ford has been approached for further comment, but has not responded. Mr Flanagan was also approached for comment and confirmed that he was seeking legal advice. By Mike Anderson 22 October 2016 CANNON BALL, N.D. (Rapid City Journal) A peaceful protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline ended in the arrests of 126 people in North Dakota on Saturday morning amid a chaotic scene in which police in riot gear used pepper spray to break up and subdue a group of 200 to 300 protesters. It is the highest number of people arrested in a single day in North Dakota during the last several months of protest actions against the oil pipeline, bringing the total number of arrests up to 269. Though the protesters behaved non-violently and cooperated with the police, North Dakota law enforcement officials described Saturdays events as a riot. Police have offered conflicting reports alleging that one protester either verbally threatened an officer, or tried to physically grab away a can of pepper spray, resulting in the protester and the officer both being pepper sprayed in the face. Most, if not all, of those arrested after the 5-hour ordeal on Saturday will be charged with criminal trespass, a misdemeanor, according to Morton County Sheriff spokesperson Rob Keller. Other charges included assault on a peace officer, reckless endangerment, engaging in a riot, resisting arrest, and fleeing an officer on foot. Its an unlawful activity, Keller said during phone interview on Saturday afternoon. The bottom line is its on private property. Its posted, No Criminal Trespass. Its like youre invading someones home. Consequently, there were arrests that were made. The arrests occurred as the protesters were marching through wide-open prairie lands along the route of the Dakota Access Pipeline west of Highway 1806 outside Cannon Ball, N.D. They hoped to get to four fellow protesters who had locked themselves to a piece of construction equipment in the early morning hours at sites where the pipeline, which is planned to be buried beneath the Missouri River, is now under construction. A police statement said the four were arrested after they were found, attached to the vehicle; two attached to the outside of the vehicle, one attached to the steering wheel and another whose body was outside the vehicle with his arm fed through a hole in the door and his hand was in a bucket of hardened concrete. The call to action went through the main resistance camp around 5:20 a.m. while it was still dark and freezing cold. A man walked through the camp speaking through a megaphone. Wake up relatives, he said. Wake up water protectors. Wake up land defenders. Time to wake up. Time to send our boys to the universe. Time to send our boys to the rising sun. A convoy of vehicles formed in the camp, a prayer was held, and the assembled were instructed to behave peacefully and respectfully if they encountered police. I know its hard on the front line, the prayer leader said in the dark. But do not cuss, do not holler. If you see someone getting out of hand, tell them to calm down. [] It was all peaceful. And then the cops showed up, said Harmony Restoule, a young Ojibwe woman from Northern Ontario, Canada. It was really scary when the police kicked into action. [] When asked if she felt protected by the police, Harmony Restoule said, No. [more] Prada is easing us into the upcoming spring season by releasing the Resort 2017 images starring actress Jessica Chastain. While the stars of the silver screen are mostly accustomed to the campaign imagery of the labels sister house Miu Miu this time Miuccia Prada and her team enlisted Chastain for a striking session by the world renowned fashion photographer Willy Vanderperre. Singular actors, like the esteemed star of this campaign, mine histories both real and imagined in order to portray an interior life, if only for the moment of performance. By conjuring core emotional elements, she composes a fully rendered character. Appearing in a Prada campaign for the first time, Chastain, is often described as an actors actor, indicating the admiration of her professional peers. She is known to be magnetic in whatever role she plays, due in part to her insatiable desire to become others, even when as she does for Prada she plays herself. Perhaps there is a parallel to be drawn here. A true actors actor, like Pradas Prada, can make even playing oneself a complete departure. In its focus on heritage and deep institutional qualities, this series represents Prada playing Prada with the stately Italian metropolis providing an essential supporting role. Although they evoke cinematic escape, these images were shot where Prada feels most at home: Milanese landmarks such as the Civic Planetarium Ulrico Hoepli, via Daniele Manin, and the newly inaugurated Fondazione Prada. from PRADA The shoot was captured earlier this year in July on the street of PRADAs hometown Milano. See more of Chastain in her latest role after the jump: All Images Courtesy of PRADA Nokia has signed two Memoranda of Confirmation frame agreements with Filipino operator Globe Telecom. One agreement covers wireless technologies, while the other is for IP, Optical and SDN technologies. Nokia will transform Globe Telecom's current fixed and mobile networks into a more robust network that will help the operator meet the country's burgeoning and future digital demands. Under the agreements, Globe Telecom will transition to a flexible cloud-based network infrastructure, with Nokia's 5G-ready AirScale radio access and IP, optical and carrier SDN technology solutions providing seamless connectivity to consumers and enterprise customers as the operator prepares for IoT and 5G.The modernised Globe network will also allow it to support the Philippine government's initiative to further expand the availability of broadband services in the country. The mobile network frame agreement between Nokia and Globe Telecom follows the operator's recent access to new LTE spectrum. Nokia will deploy its 4.5G Pro technology using the 5G-ready AirScale Base Station and Flexi Zone small cells, managed by NetAct, in the Visayas and Mindanao regions, providing broadband access to some areas in these regions for the first time. Globe will also be enabled to use Mobile Edge Computing and advanced carrier aggregation techniques to deliver virtually unlimited scalability and dramatic improvements in speeds and capacity that will deliver compelling new services. The technology will also enable lower power consumption, reduced operating costs, more network automation and enhanced network performance as it transforms Globe Telecom's customer experience for a subscriber base growing at 10% annually, as well as meeting increasing demand from IoT devices. In the second frame agreement, Nokia will deliver its integrated IP and optical networking and carrier SDN technologies across the Philippines to enhance the agility, quality, performance, coverage and capacity of Globe Telecom's enterprise data services network. This will allow Globe to deliver coverage to more regions including in the ARMM, such as Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. Using Nokia's carrier SDN platform, Globe will also be able to provide flexible data services such as bandwidth-on-demand nationwide, and expand its offer to thousands of enterprise customers, global service providers and local government agencies as well as those serving the Information Technology-Business Process Outsourcing (IT-BPO), hospitality, education, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, logistics and finance industries. The chances of someone with diabetes having an amputation can be increased by eight-fold depending on where they live, according to latest NHS figures. The locations in England with the most amputations are Scarborough, in North Yorkshire, and Mansfield, in Nottinghamshire. A total of 4.9 per cent of 1,000 adults with both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes had limbs removed in both areas. That is eight times higher than in London borough Brent where only 0.6 per 1,000 people had an amputation in the last three years. Overall there has been a rise in diabetes-related amputations of 3,043, up from 19,066 amputations between 2009 and 2012 to 22,109 operations carried out during the following three years. The data comes from a combination of Hospital Episode Statistics and Quality and Outcomes Framework compiled by the BBC to mark a week of television and radio programmes about diabetes. All 12 BBC English regions will be showing a film about type 2 diabetes at 7.30pm tonight focused on each location. While amputations are a frightening topic, the positive news is that around 80 per cent of amputations could be avoided through good self-care and early identification of foot problems. By checking your feet daily, you can spot foot damage and notify your doctor before a problem becomes too serious. Lead on diabetes and high-risk podiatry services in North Yorkshire, Katharine Speak, told the BBC: We are not seeing the patient soon enough. Sometimes they feel that they can deal with things themselves and once its got out of control there is very little we can do to get it back. The team behind the Hospital Episode Statistics process more than 125 million admitted patient, outpatient and accident and emergency records each year. It is a data warehouse containing records of all patients admitted to NHS hospitals in England. An innovative clinical trial in the US has received funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to improve type 2 diabetes management. The trial, known as Dulce Digital-Me, is a project from the Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute, based in San Diego. The institute has been awarded a five-year $2.9 million grant (2.3m) to fund the trial in partnership with the University of California San Diego Department of Family Medicine and Public Health. The project will involve 414 Hispanic participants of low socioeconomic status with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, all of whom will use wireless devices to track their blood glucose levels and medication during a six-month period. The participants will be split into two groups: the first will receive personalised text messages encouraging good nutritional habits, physical activity and prompts to test blood sugar levels; the second will receive standard, one-size-fits-all messages. Scripps research will evaluate HbA1c, LDL cholesterol and systolic blood pressure to assess if personalised messaging leads to better results. Our success attracting financial support from the NIH clearly demonstrates the value of the research we are doing to better understand and treat a disease that is rising in epidemic proportions, said Athena Philis-Tsimikas, M.D., corporate vice president for the Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute. Texting was chosen as part of this project rather than an app or some other type of smartphone-based platform because several studies have demonstrated its success in communicating health messages to patients. This may be because of the ubiquitous use of texting in both low and high socio-economic status communities, and the simpler and direct nature of this approach. Its also low cost, which makes it easier to replicate, said Dr. Tsimikas. Earlier this year, an Israeli study found that personalised text messages could improve adherence to exercise among patients with type 2 diabetes. We now live in a world where not owning a smartphone is considered rural and ancient. Smartphones have taken the world by storm. And the harbinger of this revolution is the popular and almost undisputed Operating System, Android. Its open source and that is one of its biggest strengths. But we live in the times of Mr Robot and NSA. To cut things short, it wouldnt be wrong to say that anything and everything is accessible if the right tools are used. So, in such a world, one must know how to protect themselves from the likes of hackers and those with malicious intent. One should not underestimate the impact and magnitude of such attacks. For instance, there was this case when a group of German Hackers hacked a countrys voting machines to tamper with the election results. This is where the world of hacking gets ugly and must be acknowledged as a real and constant threat. But we've got you covered. We shall tell you about simple ways in which you can protect yourself from such attacks and the measures to be taken which are surprisingly simple. Let us begin Types of attacks Basically, you could be subjected to intrusive danger in two ways, either physically hacked in which a menacing agent might snoop into your privacy by breaking into your phone. E.g. knowing your password. And the other way would be where a particular vulnerability in software on your smartphone is exploited. Take, for example, a web-browser is exploited when a web page opens up simultaneously downloading some unknown application on your phone ,which, in turn, downloads tonnes of malware that you never even asked for. Protect you android phone from all kinds of attacks Tips and tricks Passwords We all have passwords on our phones. A password can protect your privacy and keep all your important data private. Your phone stores the password for various social accounts like Facebook, Twitter, etc., and sometimes, more important ones like passwords for your online wallets and internet banking portals. But the basic password system can be bypassed on almost all devices, and all your personal information accessed. So here are some precautions you can take to make sure your phone and all your social accounts are hack safe. 1. Not Saving passwords It is as simple as it sounds. The next time a web page prompts you to save passwords - decline. Because your passwords can be stolen via simple phishing pages or even by accessing the cookies that the web page stores. Also, if you save passwords and if someone was to hack your phone or gain access to it, whats to stop them from using all your social password to learn more about you and then use your payment passwords to make financial transactions from your accounts? A lot of people have fallen prey to such malicious attacks and have been robbed online. It might seem a little paranoid to some - to those people, I say, better safe than sorry. 2. Use Strong Passwords Most of the websites that require you to save passwords will require you to have long alphanumeric passwords (at least 8-12 characters long). And it is a necessary practice. If you have simple passwords, they can be bypassed by social engineering hacks or by using something as simple as permutations and combinations. A lot of people with bad intent invest a lot of time in trying to figure out what passwords could some people be using. So it is much safer and better to have a password that is not predictable, unlike your birth date or wedding anniversary or your maiden name. We cant stress how important it is to have a strong password. 3. Android built-in security Android OS knows how important your security is for you, so it comes with a strong secure built-in security system. You might have noticed that in the 'Lock Screen' section of your settings, there are various types of locks that you can use to secure your phone, ranked according to how secure they are with 'Swipe' being the least and 'Password', the alphanumeric option, being the most secure. The most commonly used lock type is probably the Pattern lock which can be very easily broken into. Instead of going for that, we recommend that you use this security provision to the fullest by selecting the alphanumeric option. Unless you have more advanced options like fingerprint scan and even facial recognition on some devices. Use them, as you cannot be secure enough. After all, this is your phone and personal information we are talking about. Your phone is like a security locker for all your information that you wouldnt want robbers getting into Applications Google Play store blew the world away when it came out on Android. Eventually, hundreds of games like Angry birds and apps like Facebook and Instagram were at your disposal. Google has always been a pioneer of the free for all open source movement. It consistently encourages developers to experiment and test their products out at a global level. However, this coin too has a flipside. Google Play store might be the biggest online marketplace for apps, but it is not the only one. Although the usual Android phone is configured by default to NOT allow downloads from unknown sources, it is common practice for this setting to be changed by enabling 'Developer options'. That being said, even Google Play store may not be entirely safe, as it might sometimes serve malicious apps, cleverly disguised to look harmless to an unsuspecting user. These apps can cause a lot of trouble and put your online security at risk in innumerable ways. So here are certain necessary precautionary measures you must take 1. Backup Taking a secure backup is a smart practice because this way, even if your important files and folders are affected by some kind of malicious software, you can always keep your data safe on the cloud. And there are several good services to do this. However, dont choose services that are known upload all your data without your explicit permission or those that do not use password protection. Also, do make sure that the provider is reliable and has a good record with respect to downtime, security etc. Usually, such features are highlighted on any platform where this service is available. Some good secure services are Idrive, Sugarsync, Crashplan etc. 2. Security options Use the security options if the app provides any. Even if someone broke into your phone and now expects to have access to all the applications, you can have security passwords explicitly set for each app that supports it. A lot of apps come with a built in PIN lock provision. Even if they dont, there are certain apps like APPLOCK which allows you to protect any access to your applications using a security password. It is recommended to have multiple security layers, so that even if your phone gets lost or broken into, you dont have to worry about anyone accessing your private data on apps. This is very important, especially with apps with your bank account details such as an e-commerce application. 3. Google Play store Dont just download your apps from any unknown source. Just dont. Most of the online app vendors dont have thorough safety checks and are loaded with advertisements and confusing design. Even if the source is known, it is better to stay away from applications which dont have a lot of downloads. Even some apps on Google Play store are loaded with unwanted advertisement which might redirect you to malicious websites. And if there is any such application that you are using, dont provide any important information to it. They might seem normal, until suddenly your device begins to have issues and then it will probably be too late to do anything. Remember, the Play store shares download data and reviews from other users for a reason. Go through them, and decide after that whether you want the application or not.. There are a lot of people looking forward to break into your phone by using otherwise harmless looking applications Network The internet is filled with opportunistic people who want to scam their way into your phone and get your personal information. It is simply not possible to not be on the internet either. However, if you take some easy safety measures, you can secure the network you are on and thus, your Android device. 1. Be on a secure network at all times If you're on a Wi-Fi service, make sure it is password protected. People can access your device if you are on an unprotected network. Also, avoid using unknown public Wi-Fis. Free Wi-Fi, as tempting as it might seem, comes with a lot of danger. Hackers can use simple applications and snippets of code to break into everyone's devices on a specific public network. But there is a way to make sure this doesnt happen. Use applications like HideNinja VPN to make sure your outgoing network is always encrypted with a digital signature, hence killing the chances of a potential security compromise. 2. Use multiple accounts If you share a device with someone, e.g. a tablet or a phone, you have the option to create multiple accounts to make sure that your data isn't shared. This can easily be done by going to Settings->Accounts section on your Android device. This way you can easily share the device with other people and have separate passwords and preferences for separate accounts. You can also find apps on the Play store that help you manage different accounts on your Android device. For example, SwitchMe or Parallel Space. There are even apps to create multiple social accounts on the same device for apps like WhatsApp and Facebook. This way, if you are sharing your device with someone, you can make sure that your data stays truly private. 3. Security apps There might be many malicious apps out there but genuine apps that can save you from such applications exist too. The best example is probably AVG. It is available as a free bundle, while there is also a paid version with some better features. It comes with basic security options like not letting you download from unknown sources, tracking your phone in case it goes missing, etc. Also, it regularly performs thorough checks to see if any malware exists on the phone. There are several applications like this which you can use. But be sure only to use a trusted application, as you definitely dont want to get infected by an application that was meant to protect you in the first place. So here are some trusted applications that you can use AVG AVIRA antivirus Norton antivirus AVAST mobile security CM Security Just be sure to download security apps from secure sources When you lose your Android device When you lose your phone or it gets stolen, it almost feels like the world has come crashing down, doesn't it? Our lives depend on our phones through our contacts, passwords and applications. The only worse thing that could happen is your stolen device landing in unwanted hands. This is a big issue for all Android users in general. However, there are certain applications now that can help you locate your stolen phone using GPS SAT-NAV or even wipe off all your data remotely. Here are some measures you can take in case you lose your Android device 1. Wipe your data In case your phone gets stolen and you are certain you are not getting it back, you must erase your data immediately using a remote data wipe mechanism. You can follow the following procedure as it is mentioned on the Google official forum: Select Remote Wipe when a device is lost or stolen to erase all data on the device and to do a factory reset. You can remote wipe an Android device with the Google Apps Device Policy app installed and any supported mobile device with Google Sync configured. All data is erased from the device (and SD card, if applicable), including email, calendar, contacts, photos, music, and a users personal files. Note that Remote Wipe erases the devices internal storage. Your users device must already have Device Policy (or Google Sync) configured. You cannot install Device Policy and run Remote Wipe retroactively. For Android 2.3+ devices, Remote Wipe also erases the devices primary SD card Plus you wont have to feel bad about having to erase all this priceless data if you have followed our advice and have taken a cloud backup of your device. A little bit of planning goes a long way. 2. Remote Track your lost phone If you lose your phone and want to track it using some other Android device, you can either use applications like AVG security system or you can download additional apps like Find My Phone for Android to track its location using GPS. You can even do this without any extra application as well. You just need to have a Google account and your Android device must be connected to internet. Any Android device is equipped with a tool called ADM (Android Device Manager) which can be used if all the above conditions are met. Simply Google Where is my phone and your phones location shall be displayed on Google maps. It works most of the time, just be sure that ADM is activated on your device. Be sure to diagnose any problem your phone and take measures in case it is acting up Conclusion Last but not the least, make sure your phone is always safe with you and stay cautious about pickpockets. Smartphones are an integral part of our lives and now you are equipped with the knowledge to fend off hackers and malicious attacks targetting it. Android security options combined with the above tips and sufficient caution - that's how you secure your Android smartphone. Charlie Holland, who has been head of wine making at the group for over three years, has joined the board as chief winemaker and chief executive officer. He will remain responsible for winemaking but also represent the company as CEO and manage the day-to-day running of the business along with Jon Pollard and other members of the executive team. Holland has held a number of overseas wine making positions including in France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and California. Prior to joining Gusbourne, he was winemaker for four years at English sparkling wine producer Ridgeview. Gusbourne also announced the appointment of Mike Paul as deputy chairman. Paul, who has worked in the wine industry for over thirty years, will work closely with Andrew Weeber in his role as chairman. He will also head up the sales and marketing function of the business and help further develop the distribution of premium sparkling wines both in the UK and in additional overseas markets as production volumes increase over the coming years. Finally, Jon Pollard currently the vineyard manager at the Gusbourne Estate will join the board as chief vineyard manager and chief operating officer. He will continue to be responsible for Gusbourne's vineyards and work closely with Charlie Holland on the day-to-day operations of the business. Andrew Weeber said: I am delighted to welcome Mike, Charlie and Jon to the board of Gusbourne. Each of them bring their strong professional skills and experience with them and their appointments will ensure that all key functional areas of the business are represented on the board. Gusbourne remains committed to the production and distribution of the highest quality English sparkling wines and the new appointments reinforce our commitment to that end. At 1220 BST, the shares were up 7.6% to 51.10p. The hotel, which is close to Cardiff Central train station and the Principality Stadium, was bought from Rush Central, which owned the freehold interest. The company currently holds a leasehold on the four star hotel until 2046 with an annual rent of 1.511m, subject to upward only rent reviews at five year intervals. Rush also owns a restaurant on the ground floor of the building, which is leased to Viva Brazil Cardiff, on a 20 year lease till 2032. Dermot Crowley, deputy chief executive of business development and finance, said: "Clayton Hotel Cardiff has performed very strongly this year. We are delighted to be able to purchase the freehold interest of the hotel. This transaction is consistent with our stated strategy of buying out the freehold interests of those leased properties with future unpredictable rent reviews." The head of the World Trade Organisation said Britain will avoid enduring a vacuum or a disruption in trade as it negotiates its divorce from the European Union. Roberto Azevedo, the WTO director-general, told Sky News on Wednesday, "The UK is a member of the WTO today; it will continue to be a member tomorrow. There will be no discontinuity in membership. International trade secretary Liam Fox had suggested that after the country leaves the trading block the country would adopt WTO rules as part of a hard or clean Brexit. Azevedo said the country will have to renegotiate the terms of membership of the Geneva-based institution but that does not mean the UK is not a member. Members renegotiate their commitments all the time here. So they will be renegotiating a particular set of commitments they have now under the EU and transition from those commitments to another set of commitments. He maintained that, "Trade will not stop, it will continue and members will be negotiating with the UK, the legal basis under which that trade is going to happen. But it doesn't mean that we'll have a vacuum or a disruption in terms of trade flows or anything of the kind, not automatically." Azevedo said he will work very intensely to ensure that the UKs transition is fast and is smooth. "The less turbulence the better, the global economy today is not in the best shape for us to be introducing turbulence." Before Junes EU referendum campaign, he had said the UK would have to start trade talks from scratch as it could not cut and paste the deal it has as a member of the EU. Meanwhile, leaked recordings showed that Theresa May, the Prime Minister, warned against leaving the EU before the vote, as access to a 500m trading block was significant for the country, while she currently remains guarded over the extent of the UKs access to the single market. Speaking to Goldman Sachs, May privately warned that companies would leave the UK if the country voted for Brexit. This stance reveals a stark contrast to her public speeches since she was appointed, wherein she advocates a hard Brexit. On 26 May the then home secretary went on to state the economic benefits of remaining in the EU. She told the investment bankers that it was time the UK took a lead in Europe and that she hoped voters would look to the future rather than the past. Being part of a 500-million trading bloc is significant for us. If we were not in Europe, I think there would be firms and companies who would be looking to say, do they need to develop a mainland Europe presence rather than a UK presence? So I think there are definite benefits for us in economic terms, said May. At the Conservative Party conference, May said British companies needed the maximum freedom to trade and operate in the single market but not at the expense of giving up control of immigration again or accepting the jurisdiction of judges in Luxembourg. May also said Britains security was best served by remaining in Europe because of the European arrest warrant and the information sharing between the police and intelligence agencies. There are definitely things we can do as members of the European Union that I think keep us more safe, she said. May was invited to speak as part of the banks [email protected] programme which invites high achievers from all walks of life. When questioned on whether she wanted to be prime minister at the bank she focused on the referendum. That is one of my messages in terms of the issue of the referendum, actually we shouldnt be voting to try to recreate the past, we should be voting for what is right for the future, she said. She also emphasised the need for the UK to be at the forefront within Europe. What I do think is that the UK needs to lead in Europe. I think over the years the UK has tended to take a view that Europe is something that is done to us, we have taken a rather backseat position to Europe, I think that when we go out there, when we can take the initiative and when we lead, we can achieve things. The revelations prove Mays support for the remain side was far stronger than her lukewarm backing during the campaign. Mays abstinence from the debate angered many of her senior conservative colleagues with Camerons former chief of communications Craig Oliver wondering if she was secretly an enemy agent for the other side. Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said it was disappointing that Theresa May lacked the political courage to warn the public as she did a bunch of bankers in private about the devastating economic effects of Brexit. More disappointing is that now she is supposedly in charge, she is blithely ignoring her own warnings and is prepared to inflict an act of monumental self-harm on the UK economy by pulling Britain out of the single market. Phil Wilson, a Labour MP speaking for the Open Britain group campaigning for the UK to stay in the single market, said: Its good to know that privately Theresa May thinks what many of us have been saying publicly for a long time leaving the single market would be bad for businesses and for our economy. Now she is prime minister, Theresa May is in an unrivaled position to act on her previous concerns starting by putting membership of the single market at the heart of her governments negotiating position. A No 10 spokesman responded saying: Britain made a clear choice to vote to leave the EU and this government is determined to make a success of the fresh opportunities it presents. David Davis made very clear in the House of Commons last week the importance the government places on financial services across the UK in the negotiation to come, as has the chancellor in recent weeks. We want a smooth and orderly exit from the European Union, which would be in the interests of both Britain and the EU. Alphabet , the parent company of Google , has announced that it will be cooling off its pursuit of the broadband industry by reducing its investment in its Google Fiber network. In the last two years Google has made strides to expand its high-speed internet network to 20 cities, but now the plans have been put on hold, according to a blog post from the company. About 9% of staff who were assigned to the project are to be reassigned, and chief executive Craig Barratt said he would be stepping down. The idea to move into large cities was one that was not cohesive among all those involved with Google Fiber, with some top executives uncertain that the project would be profitable. While work will continue in those areas where it has already started, Barratt revealed that "potential Fiber cities" would be pausing their operations. "In this handful of cities that are still in an exploratory stage, and in certain related areas of our supporting operations, we'll be reducing our employee base," said Barratt. Barratt has indicated he will not be in charge of the project any more, but will continue as an advisor. "I've decided this is the right juncture to step aside from my CEO role. Larry has asked me to continue as an advisor, so I'll still be around." Recently appointed chief executive officer of Wells Fargo Tim Sloan told employees of the US bank on Wednesday that he is sorry for the distress caused as a result of its unauthorised account scandal last month. Wells Fargo were reprimanded by a series of congressional committees after being fined $185m by regulators for creating fake accounts and credit cards for its customers. The practice was found to have been used as a way of meeting aggressive sales targets set by senior executives. 5,300 employees had their contracts terminated in the aftermath of the scandal. Sloan gave a speech to company employees on Tuesday in which he said he was "sorry for the pain" caused by the incident. "Many felt we blamed our team members. That one still hurts, and I am committed to rectifying it," Sloan said. Sloan's predecessor John Stumpf retired abruptly earlier this month, but did not say that his stepping down was related with the unauthorised accounts issue. Lawmakers on both sides of the US political spectrum have lined up to criticise the California-based bank, despite being in the midst of the partisan election season. The new CEO also warned employees that there may be further news to come about the incident. "You also should expect more tough headlines, as additional accountability actions occur, and other investigations and reviews are completed. Some of that is going to be very painful for us," Sloan added. Volkswagen has taken another step towards atoning for its diesel emissions scandal, after a US federal judge agreed a $15bn settlement program. The German car-maker was found to have tampered with its emission figures last year by fitting devices in its cars that reduced the number during testing. The settlement will now initiate a substantial vehicle buyback program in the United States, although the company has said that it may not run a similar program in Europe or other regions. Volkswagen is still facing criminal proceedings from the US Justice Department and German prosecutors after its admittance to having rigged 11 million vehicles with the cheating devices. US District Court Judge Charles Breyer said the agreement had been reached between consumers, the government and the automaker. "The priority was to get the polluting cars off the road as soon as possible. The settlement does that," Breyer said. Volkswagen will also pay $2.7bn for environmental mitigation, in addition to the money provided by the company to repurchase or fix the vehicles in question. Chief executive officer Matthias Mueller has rejected calls for the company to be subject to such a settlement in European nations. "We have a different situation here (in Europe)," Mueller said in July. "In the US the limits are stricter, which makes the fix more complicated. And taking part in the buyback is voluntary, which is not the case in Germany, for example," he said. If the US economy can withstand tighter monetary policy then the countrys central bank, the Federal Reserve, should raise rates, a top policymaker told the Wall Street Journal. There are risks of hanging around zero too long. And if the economy can withstand it, I think its appropriate to move, Patrick Harker, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philaldephia, told the Journal in an interview published on 13 October. Commenting on his approach to setting policy, Harker added: "I tend to be more of a pragmatist [...] You come into this understanding that while we have a deep bench of theorists and empiricists that need to inform policy, at the end of the day you need to base your judgment not on an ideology, but on the facts on the ground, right, as best we know them. You should have a lot of humility to say we really dont know exactly whatll happen. Thats why we move cautiously, but move, to see what happens. Harker told the Journal he agreed with those on the Federal Open Market Committee who voted in favour of a 25 basis point rate hike at the 21 September policy meeting. To take note of, in a prior speech Harker defended the benefits for society of free trade and immigration, the Journal emphasised. A connected world is a better place, and trade helps far more people than it hurtswe just need to find a way for everyone to benefit from that free exchange, Mr. Harker said on that occasion. The Philly Fed chief was set to become a voting member of the FOMC in 2017. As of 1505 BST the yield on the benchmark 10-year US Treasury note was higher by three basis points to 1.78%. Russian warships on the way to Syria will not stop in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta to refuel, after outrage from Nato allies towards Madrid forced a review of the decision. Spain had previously signed agreements accusing Russia of war crimes in the region, after Vladimir Putin's forces had aided airstrikes on the war-torn city of Aleppo. The flotilla led by aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov was supposed to make a stop in the semi-autonomous North-African region before making its way to Syria, but now will have to coordinate another route. The Spanish foreign office announced the news on Wednesday afternoon, but Russia has still to offer a reason for the withdrawal of the request. "The Russian embassy has just informed us that it is withdrawing the request for permission for stopovers for these ships and these stopovers have therefore been cancelled," the announcement said. A raft of Nato representatives had criticised Spain's initial decision to allow the warships to refuel. "I have expressed that very clearly about potential use of this battle group to increase Russias ability and to be a platform for airstrikes against Syria," Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said when asked about the decision. Tensions have sharpened further between Russia and Western powers in the wake of devastating attacks on the north Syrian city, after a ceasefire in September provided hope for a long-term resolution. Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on Hillary Clinton 's foreign policy, and claimed that she would lead the US to a third world war if she is elected president in less than two weeks. Clinton has a substantial lead in several polls in the country, but Trump has been campaigning ferociously in an attempt to close the gap before November 8. The Republican candidate said that Clinton's plans on how to negotiate the complex Syrian conflict would lead to war with Russia. "She has no plan for Syria, and with her you'll end up with World War Three. She doesn't know what she's doing," Trump told Reuters in an interview. "You're not fighting Syria any more, you're fighting Syria, Russia and Iran. What we should do is focus on ISIS," he added. In the interview, Trump continually focused on defeating Islamic State rather than a strategy on how to resolve the conflict in Syria. Clinton's campaign responded by accusing the New York businessman of cosying up to Russian president Vladimir Putin. Putin has been roundly criticised by international organisations for sanctioning Russian airstrikes to aid Bashar al-Assad's forces. "Once again, he is parroting Putin's talking points and playing to Americans' fears, all while refusing to lay out any plans of his own for defeating ISIS or alleviating humanitarian suffering in Syria," said Clinton spokesman Jesse Lehrich in a statement. European stocks fell on Wednesday, with energy issues under the cosh as oil prices declined. At midday, the benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 index and Frances CAC 40 were down 0.8%, while Germanys DAX was off 1%. Meanwhile, oil prices retreated, with West Texas Intermediate down 1.3% at $49.30 a barrel and Brent crude 1.2% weaker at $50.17. This pushed the Stoxx 600 oil and gas index 1.4% lower. Oandas Craig Erlam said: Oil is off more than 1% having gapped lower overnight after the American Petroleum Institute reported a larger build in inventories. This comes as the market had already turned more bearish, leaving it more susceptible to downside moves, after Iraq threw a spanner in the works of the OPEC deal suggesting it should not be involved. The gap lower in WTI took it through $49.70 support and may have opened up a move back towards $47.20, potentially triggered today by Energy Information Administration confirming or adding to APIs reported build in crude inventories. In corporate news, miner Antofagasta slumped after saying it expects copper output this year to be close to the lower end of its forecast range of 710,000 to 740,000 tons. Lloyds Banking Group slid as it set aside a further provision of 1bn for compensation for mis-selling payment protection insurance in the third quarter of the year, as net income and profits both fell. For the three months ended 30 September, net income fell 1% to 2.85bn and underlying profits dropped by 3% to 1.91bn. Heineken was a little lower after a third quarter trading update in which it warned over growing currency headwinds. Novozymes tumbled after reporting weaker-than-expected earnings for the third quarter, and Bayer was on the back foot even though its third-quarter earnings beat estimates. Banking group CYBG was weaker after confirming it has made a preliminary non-binding proposal to Royal Bank of Scotland regarding its Williams and Glyn operations, Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca edged lower despite saying its Lynparza drug had positive results from a clinical trial to treat women with mutated ovarian cancer. International distribution and outsourcing group Bunzl fell back after it said group revenue for the third quarter increased by 7%, with 3% contributed by acquisitions and 4% due to the impact of additional trading days compared to the same time last year. Underlying revenue for the quarter was at a similar level to the third quarter last year. Metro Bank was also on the back foot despite saying it swung to a pre-tax profit in the third quarter its first quarterly profit as revenue surged. Meggitt declined after announcing it has won a $48m contract for a health and usage monitoring system (HUMS) from engineering and maintenance organisation Guangzhou Hangxin Avionics, for its helicopters. On the upside, Airbus gained ground despite posting a drop in third-quarter profit, while luxury group Kering surged as it said sales rose 10% in the third quarter. Santander was also in the black as the lender reported a small increase in third-quarter net profit, although a weaker sterling dented returns from its UK business, while PSA Peugeot Citroen advanced despite posting a 4% drop in third-quarter revenue. On the macro front, investors were mulling over a survey released earlier showing German consumer confidence is expected to fall to its lowest level in six months in November due to a weak outlook on global economic growth. GfKs forward-looking consumer confidence index declined to 9.7 points in November from 10.0 in October, versus expectations for an unchanged reading.This marked the lowest level since April and was the first time the index has reached below the 10-point mark since June. GfK said the drop in consumer confidence was a consequence of an external trade environment that has become increasingly difficult. CYBG , the parent company of Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank, confirmed that it has proposed a bid for 300 branches under the Williams & Glyn brand from Royal Bank of Scotland . Following reports late on Tuesday, CYBG said in a statement on Wednesday morning that it "has engaged in discussions with RBS and has made a preliminary non-binding proposal" for the Williams & Glyn operations. "This engagement is ongoing and there can be no certainty that any transaction will occur, nor as to the terms on which any transaction might be concluded," it said. Such an acquisition would swell CYBG's total loans to around 50bn from current levels nearer 30bn, which would make it by far the largest of the 'challenger' banks. CYBG has been rumoured to have begun working on the deal since August, after being floated in London by previous parent National Australia Bank in February. RBS needs to sell W&G by 31 December next year as a condition of its 2008 taxpayer bailout, but has reportedly seen several interested buyers put off by the technological difficulties in separating the branch network and many thousands of accounts from the rest of RBS. Santander reportedly pulled out of talks last month due to a disagreement over price. The taxpayer-owned bank valued W&G's loan book at 1.6bn earlier this year and RBS has spent close to that amount in its efforts to set it up as a standalone bank, although analysts predict an offer would come in at less than 1.3bn. It was reported by Bloomberg that billionaire investor George Soros is among several short sellers betting against Clydesdale, while hedge fund Marshall Wace is betting against both RBS and CYBG. On Wednesday, analyst Gary Greenwood at Shore Capital said striking a deal would represent a significant milestone for RBS as it needs to agree a disposal before the end of the year to avoid further intervention by the European Commission, including the potential appointment of a third party to oversee its sale. "Disposing of W&G is also a key hurdle to overcome in terms of RBS being able to resume dividend payments/capital returns to shareholders and ultimately rid itself of Government ownership. We expect the shares to respond positively to this news." But Jonathan Goslin at Numis was much less positive about the challenges management will face in "cleaning up such an old and sprawling business". "In our view, CYBG already has more than enough problems of its own without even thinking about making such a sizeable acquisition. While a 2016E [return on tangible equity] of 3.8% does create opportunities for improvement, we are concerned about both the level of work that is required and the lack of success the previous parent NAB had in trying to do this." As an example, Goslin cited that CYBG does not have enough data on 4% of its mortgage portfolio to even calculate the LTV. FTSE 250 aerospace engineer Meggitt has been awarded a $48m contract for a health and usage monitoring system (HUMS) from engineering and maintenance organisation Guangzhou Hangxin Avionics, for its helicopters. The programme lifetime contract covers the design, development and delivery of on-board hardware - vibration sensors, data acquisition and processing electronics - and ground station software for detailed data analysis and after sales support. Deliveries are due to start in 2019, with sales of up to 500 units of each platform expected over the next 20 years. HUMS helps flight crew and maintenance staff monitor the health of engines, cabin, drive train and rotor gearboxes to minimise cabin vibration and detect impending failures. Meggitt said the win reflects its 60+ years of experience in engine health monitoring and expertise in designing the extreme environment sensors and electronics needed to monitor modern aircraft engines and follows a recently announced contract from regional aircraft manufacturer, ATR, for an on-board propeller-balancing system. 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. Why national Republicans are pinning hopes on Ohio Senate race While the GOP deals with unpredictable races in states such as Pennsylvania, Republicans hope Ohio will show up for Senate candidate J.D. Vance. Subscriber content preview WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) The president of a Massachusetts-based internet telecom company that prosecutors say was actually a pyramid scheme that cheated about 965,000 people worldwide out of nearly $1.8 billion has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy. James Merrill entered the pleas Monday in federal court in a deal with prosecutors that will limit him to a maximum of 10 years in prison at sentencing Feb. 2. . . . SecAF honors Gulf Coast military members during annual salute Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James was the guest speaker at the 38th annual Gulf Coast Salute to the Military event here Oct. 25. For nearly four decades people from across the Mississippi Gulf Coast have set aside one night to come together, enjoy each others company and honor military men and women. Salute to the Military gives us an opportunity each year to honor those who serve. Thank you to our men and women in the military, Congressman Steven Palazzo, host of the 38th annual Salute to the Military said. This year, attendees walked through a gallery of art and artifacts depicting the military history. They stood in silence to honor the more than 100 Mississippi military members who gave their lives in the line of duty. They watched video tributes that celebrated Keesler Air Force Bases 75th anniversary and told the stories of four military women who served in a time when opportunities for women in the military were limited. They cheered for the veterans in the room from each of the United States major conflicts, including the handful of World War II veterans that were present for the evening. Having the opportunity to attend this years Salute to the Military was a great honor, Col. Michael Manion, 403rd Wing commander said. Its an illustration of the true partnership that we have with the people here on the coast and a reminder that our work in Air Force Reserve is part of a much greater picture. Mississippi and the Gulf Coast region play a critical role in our national security, Secretary James said. She detailed Keeslers Navy, Marine and Coast Guard partners as well as the skills provided to Air Force members through the 81st Training Wing, the 403rd Wings new 36th Aeromedical Evacuation unit and the critical data collection of the Air Force Reserves Hurricane Hunters. Being on the Gulf Coast you know good and well that the Hurricane Hunters fly their missions to save American lives, she said. She also mentioned the thousands of volunteer hours coast military members complete every year as well as the work they do to promote Science Technology, Engineering and Math career fields to children and teenagers across the region. These are only a few of the dozens of incredible things that members at Keesler are doing, James said. I am very, very proud of our military and Im especially proud of our Air Force. James also said that Biloxi and the Gulf Coast do so much for our Airmen that its no surprise so many of them choose to make a permanent home on the Gulf Coast after they complete their military service. We could not do it without having all of you standing behind all of us every step of the way, she said. Thank you for all that you do to support us. Zijin Mining, Shandong Gold in talks to buy Barrick's stake in Argentinean gold mine China's Zijin Mining Group and Shandong Gold Mining are in separate talks to buy a 50 per cent stake in Barrick Gold's Veladero gold mine in Argentina, Reuters yesterday reported, citing four sources with knowledge of the process. Barrick Gold has not launched a formal sale process for Veladero, but a potential sale of its stake could fetch more than $1 billion, the report said. The move comes a year after Barrick sold its 50 per cent stake in the Zaldivar copper mine in Chile, to Antofagasta Plc for $1 billion. The Veladero mine is located in the San Juan Province of Argentina in the highly prospective Frontera District. Proven and probable mineral reserves at Veladero were 7.5 million ounces of gold (276.9 million tonnes) and produced 602,000 ounces of gold last year. Gold production in 2016 is expected to be 580,000-640,000 ounces. Last month, the provincial government temporarily suspended operations at the Veladero mine for two weeks after a ''small quantity'' of processing solution that contained cyanide leaked outside a processing area. Toronto-based Barrick Gold is the world's largest gold mining company, with projects in Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Saudi Arabia, the US and Zambia. More than 75 per cent of its annual gold production comes from the Americas region and its five core mines in the Americas are expected to account for about 70 per cent of its total production. India, Iran set February deadline for Farzad-B gas field deal India and Iran have agreed to conclude an agreement to develop the Farzad-B gas field in Iranian offshore within the next three months. The two countries also agreed to make their best endeavours to conclude the definitive agreement by February next year. The announcement was made after an official level talks in Tehran between the petroleum ministries of the countries. The Farzan-B gas field is estimated to have in-place reserves of 18.75 trillion cubic feet of gas, the Indian government said in a statement today. A consortium led by ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL), the overseas investment arm of Indian explorer Oil and Natural Gas Corp, discovered the Farzad B gas field in the Farsi offshore block in 2008. But, further development of the gas field was hampered by Western sanctions on Iran against that country's nuclear programme. The consortium, which also includes Oil India and Indian Oil Corp, could not obtain permission to develop the field until those sanctions were lifted earlier this year. OVL is preparing a master plan for development of the gas field, while also working on a pricing formula, the statement said. India is the second largest buyer of Iranian oil after China, and New Delhi is seeking ways to deepen trade ties with Tehran now that sanctions have been lifted. The two sides expressed satisfaction at the ongoing negotiations. Joint secretary in the petroleum and natural gas ministry Sunjay Sudhir led the Indian side during the talks while Iranian delegation was headed by Dr Amir-Hossein Zamaninia, deputy minister of petroleum. They discuss bilateral cooperation in the field of oil and gas, including ongoing negotiations of Farzad-B gas fields. Sudhir was accompanied by India's ambassador to Tehran Saurabh Kumar and top officials of ONGC Videsh. Both sides also agreed to explore possibilities for expanding the footprint of Indian companies through their participation in production and development fields. ONGC Videsh as the operator in the Farsi offshore exploration block in the Persian Gulf drilled an exploration well in Farzad-B area to discover gas. The Dun Luiche community is organising a letter-writing campaign in support of the post office in the Gaeltacht village. About 50 people attended a public meeting Monday night in the local community centre, following last weeks announcement by An Post that it has placed the contract for the local post office branch out to public consultation. Margaret Mary Gallagher, who has been the local postmistress for 22 years, has said she will step down by years end. Several speakers credited her for the service she has provided the community over the years. Members of the public at the meeting spoke of local residents without transport who rely on neighbours to bring them to the post office. If the Dun Luiche post office were to close, the nearest would be about 13km and a costly taxi trip away in Bunbeg. People also spoke of the importance of the post office to visitors and tourists who come to the village at the base of Errigal for the Irish college, to visit Ionad Cois Locha and to stay at the Errigal hostel. However, Mrs. Gallagher said her post office income is linked to post office transactions, and she said there has not been enough post office business to keep the operation viable for some time. It was out of loyalty and not wanting to be the one to leave the post office that I stayed here as long as I have, Mrs. Gallagher said on Tuesday morning. Her grandparents opened the post office in 1955 and she is the third generation of the McGeady family to operate the business. Pat the Cope Gallagher, Fianna Fail TD, one of the elected representatives at Mondays meeting, said he believed there should be a basic income for every post office, irrespective of turnover. Its unfair to expect people in the area to provide a service for little or nothing, he said. Pearse Doherty, Sinn Fein TD, who with Sinn Fein Cllr. John Sheamais O Fearraigh called Mondays meeting, said, You can see from crowd here that theres a passion to keep the service here." See Thursday's Donegal Democrat for more. 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. For the first time in Eufaula, the city and Main Street Eufaula will hold a special Veterans Day Parade to honor and celebrate those who have served in the military. The 2016 Veterans Parade will be held downtown on Thursday, Nov. 10, at 5:30 p.m. We feel it is time to honor those who have fought for our freedom, stated Mayor Jack Tibbs. The World War II veterans will be our grand marshals for the 2016 parade, but veterans of all wars and theaters will be honored. John Boley, Commander of the VFW Post 5850 here in Eufaula said they have been working closely with the city and Main Street to make this parade happen. I put the idea to the Mayor a few weeks ago and then they got the ball rolling, said Boley. Were all for it and looking forward to it. Post 5850 will have a float in the parade for their members to ride on. The Ladies Auxiliary will also have a member riding in the parade on a horse drawn carriage. Boley said hes also contacted the Dothan VFW Post and they are also planning to be represented in the parade. We think this is something great to honor all of our veterans and give them the recognition that is deserved, said Boley. Its a great opportunity for the city of Eufaula to show that we are proud of our veterans. I hope we can get a big turnout. The VFW has also ordered 200 handheld flags they plan to pass out during the parade. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, World War I known at the time as The Great War - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of the war to end all wars. As such, Veterans Day (once known as Armistice Day) is observed on Nov. 11 each year. Those wishing to participate in the parade as a veteran and would like to be placed in a vehicle can call 687-7099 or email asparks@mainstreeteufaula.com. To enter a float, truck, car or walk, please contact Ann Sparks at the same number and email. There is no charge to participate in the parade. Toyota has expanded its Australian recall campaign for potentially deadly airbags, adding a further 179,710 vehicles to more than one million models already affected by the issue. The brand says Corolla and Yaris small cars and Avensis Verso people movers built between 2007 and 2011 require replacement front passenger airbag inflators as the equipment may rupture during an accident. Faulty airbags assembled by Japan's Takata Corporation have killed several people overseas, sparking the widest safety recalls in automotive history. Toyota says no airbags fitted to local models have ruptured in Australia, and that it will replace the potentially faulty parts at no charge to customers. That catch is that there is a significant wait for replacement airbag components, with Toyota estimating that new components will not arrive until the second quarter of 2017. Customers can contact Toyota for more information on 1800 987 366. RGPD et recherche scientifique : le cadre juridique en Belgique On entend souvent dire que la recherche scientifique serait gravement menacee par lentree en vigueur GDPR. Pourtant, la reglementation en matiere de protection des donnees prevoit un certain nombre dassouplissements au profit des activites de recherche scientifique (possibilite de reutiliser des donnees collectees initialement a dautres fins, possibilite de traiter les donnees sensibles, possibilite de deroger aux droits des personnes concernees, possibilite de conserver les donnees plus longtemps, exception au devoir dinformation et au droit a leffacement, etc.). Outre un rappel des regles relatives a la base de liceite de ces traitements, voici un bref apercu de ce regime derogatoire consacre par le GDPR et complete pour certaines dispositions/exception par la loi belge du 30 juillet 2018. Lire le dossier It looks like the link is broken or the page has been removed or renamed. Check that you typed the address correctly, go back to your previous page, or try searching this website to find something specific. Last May Scoraiocht Lannleire visited Frongoch in Wales, the internment camp for approximately 1,800 Irish prisoners after the Easter Rising 1916. One of the stories to have emerged from that visit was that of Dick Stokes from Knockdinnon Dromin. Dick was born in 1886 and died in 1942. Before the 1916 Rising he lived at Hollybank Road Drumcondra Dublin and worked in Arnotts Store in the city. He joined the Irish Volunteers 2nd Battalion and rose to the rank of Lieutenant and was stationed at Jacob's factory during the Easter Rising. Dr Brigid Flanagan, Ard Ronan Dromiskin, is Dicks niece, and she spoke to Hugh Conlon of Scoriocht about her uncle. "My Mother, Dick's sister, searched hospitals and mortuaries throughout the city after the Rising and then found out he had been to Richmond Barracks and was then sent to" Frongoch Internment Camp Wales, Dr Flanagan said. "When my Uncle Dick Stokes was in Frongoch Prision a gentleman went to Arnotts to enquire about a job. The owner Mr. Nesbitt told him there were no vacancies. The gentleman then mentioned Mr Stokess job and Mr Nesbitt replied " Mr Stokes's job is here for him whenever he wishes to return. Being so young at the time, I mistakenly thought it was a place name in Galway which was the home county of Dad. It wasn't until much later I discovered that it was in the North of Wales. "When Dick was released from prison he returned to his job in Arnotts and continued to live in Dublin. He later opened up a shirt factory in Balbriggan. His first wife took sick at the time of the War of Independence during a curfew. The family were unable to leave their house to seek help from their family doctor and she died. Dick later married Mollie Brennan" and had two daughters. Their first born was Una in 1931. She married David Law and lived in Trinidad, and died about twenty years ago. The second was Dympna married name Fitzsimon, who lives in California and who supplied us with the photograph of her dad. She came to Ireland for the Centenary celebrations this year and attended all the events. Dick died suddenly in 1942 and is buried in Skerries. However his name is on a headstone in the Old Dromin cemetery about fourth row in from the gate on right hand side, Dr Flanagan said. Scoraiocht remembered Dick and many other prisoners from Louth and elsewhere when they performed their 1916 Commemoration Show on the site of the old Prison Camp at last May. Due to continued expansion and growth local business Herr Engineering & Design Ltd. are delighted to announce they have recently relocated their offices and added an Insurance Loss Assessing division within the company. The company are a long established Building Surveying practice based in Dundalk. Founded in 1996 the firm has grown to be one of the leading building surveying and engineering practices in the North East region. Robert Burke joined the company in 1996 and was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2001. He also holds the position of managing director. As Herr Engineering & Design Ltd. entered their 20th year in April 2016 two of their senior surveyors, Barry & Stephen Meegan were also appointed as Proprietary Directors. Both Barry & Stephen have been employees for over 10 years. Colin Murphy, also a qualified Building Surveyor joined the team in February 2016 having previously spent a number of years working in Dublin. Herr Engineering & Design Ltd. has recently established an Insurance Loss Assessing division under the trading name of Herr Property Claims to assist the public with any property damage issues they may have. The function of a Loss Assessor is to act on behalf of the Policyholder in the event of an Insured incident, i.e. (fire/flood storm damage etc.) to their property and to ensure that they receive their full entitlement under the terms of their Insurance Policy. Coupled with the fact the company have been regulated by the Central Bank in respect of this new business and are members of the Insurance Institute of Ireland their vast building knowledge gives homeowners the peace of mind that they are experts in all Insurance related matters. They also offer a first survey free, No win No fee policy to assist householders with any queries they may have. To facilitate this expansion the firm have also recently moved to a new state of the art office to cater for all of our customer needs. The offices consist of 140m of floor space over one level and are located at Unit 7, Blackthorn Business Park on the Coes road. Herr Engineering & Design Ltd. would like to thank all of our loyal customers over the past 20 years and look forward to serving the North East region for the years to come. Drive Yello, the app-driven start-up that lets food services outsource and manage delivery jobs, has partnered with Menulog to enable more restaurants in the latters network to offer delivery. The partnership will also provide Menulog customers with access to Drive Yellos last mile technology, allowing them to track their order from the time it leaves the restaurant. Steve Fanale, a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Drive Yello, said: For a start-up delivery business, partnering with the market leader in online food ordering is huge. We believe this will transform our business and were excited to develop the partnership to bring people across the country more exciting food delivery innovations. With our technology and Menulogs extensive restaurant database, Australians will be able to enjoy a greater range of top quality cuisine, knowing it will be delivered quickly and securely. Alistair Venn, Managing Director, Menulog added: Menulog and Drive Yello share enormous synergy, with each brand providing a different side of the value proposition for Australian businesses and consumers. Menulog aims to make food discovery exciting for all Australians by providing a huge range of options for people to choose from. In turn, our restaurant partners have access to millions of hungry Australians across the country. Team this with Drive Yellos goal of facilitating seamless delivery for local restaurants and you have a winning combination. Launched in Sydney in 2015 and Melbourne this year, Drive Yello is a delivery management platform and marketplace that connects restaurants, cafes and other food services with qualified drivers. When a job is posted to the Yello app, businesses are provided with a trackable driver and vehicle. Fanale recently spoke with Dynamic Business about his extensive start-up portfolio including Drive Yello, which he co-founded with food business owner Johnny Timbs. Last week I wrote about how the campaign of notorious homophobe and anti-worker Republican Gary Glenn had exploited an elderly Korean War vet in an effort to smear Glenns Democratic opponent Geoff Malicoat. An open letter was sent to multiple media outlets suggesting that horrific anti-veteran comments made on an online forum in 2006 were penned by Malicoat. The letter was supposedly sent by William Miller, a veteran of the Korean War but it was clear that it was actually sent by Glenns campaign. Glenns campaign now admits it sent the letter: The letter, which was sent by email to media outlets, had no indication it came from the Glenn campaign, but a link in the mail was traced back to the computer of Jeremiah Ward, the campaign manager for Glenn. Ward admits that The Glenn campaign did inform Mr. Miller of the online comments. He has read them personally. The letter was put together by the campaign, with, of course, Mr. Millers full knowledge, agreement and consent. Mr. Miller says he agrees with whats in the letter but, he was surprised the letter was emailed to so many media outlets, according to reporting by ABC. In other words, Mr. Miller wanted his thoughts to be heard by the Midland and Bay County Democratic Parties but had no intention of smearing Geoff Malicoat in the press. That particular piece of sleazy campaigning is ENTIRELY the responsibility of Gary Glenn and his sleazy campaign staff including his 19-year-old campaign manager Jeremiah Ward. Wells Fargo Bank will lose customers in droves because of the scandal over fraudulently opened accounts and other issues, based on the results of an online survey cg42 conducted last week. More than 85 percent of the respondents 1,500 primary customers of the top 10 U.S. retail banks, including 1,000 Wells Fargo customers were aware of the scandal. Only 3 percent of Wells Fargos customers reported being affected by the scandal, but 30 percent were exploring banking alternatives, and 14 percent already had decided to switch banks because of it, the survey found. That could place US$212 billion in deposits and $8 billion of Wells Fargo revenue at risk. However, a large part of [Wells Fargos] multiple accounts strategy was to make switching costs higher, noted Edmund Mierzwinski, consumer program director at the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. Id speculate the cg42 poll probably overstates switching by 25 to 50 percent, he told CRM Buyer. Thirty-six percent of the respondents were 22-34 years old, 28 percent were 36-40, 25 percent were 50-64, and 11 percent were over 65 years old. Women constituted 52 percent of the respondents. Wells Fargo will lose $99 billion in deposits and $4 billion in revenues over the next 12-18 months as a direct result of the scandal, the cg42 report states. The Pain Will Linger Community and regional banks stand to gain the most, gleaning a projected $38 billion in deposits and $1.6 billion in revenues over the next 12-18 months, cg42 predicted. Chase and Bank of America also will benefit, largely due to their national presence. Twenty-one percent of prospective Wells Fargo customers said they had been very likely or extremely likely to consider doing business with the bank before the scandal, but that figure fell to 3 percent in its aftermath. The short- and medium-term outlooks for Wells Fargo are gloomy, cg42 said, and the fallout from the scandal will impact the banks bottom line for years to come. Theres a very strong correlation between customers experience with companies and their loyalty to the firms, a Temkin Group survey of 10,000 U.S. consumers found. Still, all is not lost. In our 2015 Temkin Forgiveness Ratings, we found that 41 percent of Wells Fargo customers are likely to forgive the company if it makes mistakes, and less than one-third as many are unlikely to forgive them, noted Bruce Temkin, customer experience transformist at the Temkin Group. The scandal wont have an enormous continuing impact if the company takes quick and decisive action and there arent any new stories about this behavior continuing, he told CRM Buyer. Making Amends Wells Fargo has initiated an advertising campaign pledging to regain customer trust. It has fired thousands of low-level employees involved in the scandal, and CEO John Stumpf has stepped down. Thats not enough, U.S. PIRGs Mierzwinski contended. They need to claw back more money from Stumpf and other executives, and they need to rebuild the trust of their customers with actions, not ads. The bank should consider his companys C.A.R.E.S. model, suggested Temkin, which consists of the following steps: ensure communication is open and honest; take accountability for the problem and actions to fix it; make sure you are responsive; have empathy for affected customers; and provide a solution that corrects the current issue and ensures it wont recur. Advice for Switchers Its important that consumers switching to a new bank keep their existing accounts open during the transition, Mierzwinski said. They should make sure all autopays and direct deposits are activated in their new account, keeping the old one open for several billing cycles. Also, they should keep enough money in the old account to cover any inadvertent autopays and lost checks that may come in, Mierzwinski cautioned. Consumers should go to a smaller bank or credit union that wants to help them build assets, he said, not bleed them. 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It may have started out as a joke, but citizens of smog-choked cities in eastern China are buying it up. A gag gift, thats how it started off, but you know what? Theres actually a lot of demand for this in highly polluted countries, co-founder Moses Lam told the Canadian National Post. The company was founded by Lam and Troy Paquette more than a year ago, but only began selling in China less than two months ago. The idea came when Lam sold a bag of fresh Canadian air on eBay for 99 cents. Thats steep enough for something that most people have always considered free. But when a second bag bidded up to $168 we thought hey, we might have a market for this, Lam said. And people cant get enough of it. Our first shipment of 500 bottles of fresh air were sold in four days, Lam told The Telegraph. Flash forward to earlier this week: the company shipped 4,000 more bottles to China, most of which has been bought. The company claims that its products can help with hangovers, alertness and working out while also being your solution to pollution. The startup is struggling to keep up with demand. Each bottle is filled by hand in the Rockies. They fill massive cans through clean compression, the company explains on its website, then they bottle it individually at their facility in Edmonton. And they even perform a comprehensive check after each can is filled for safety before shipping it out. Banff National Park, the source of some of Vitality Airs bottled air. Photo credit: Shutterstock Just how much does a bottle of Rocky Mountain air cost you? A 7.7 liter bottle of Lake Louise or Banff air will run you about $32 Canadian dollars ($23 U.S. dollars). The bottle contains fresh clean air, which contains 78 percent nitrogen, 21 percent oxygen and a small amount of other gases. If youre in search of pure premium oxygen, Vitality Air has you covered, as well. Their pure oxygen bottle contains 97 percent oxygen and a small amount of other gases. The startup claims it provides upwards of 200 inhalations for $28.99 Canadian dollars ($21 U.S. dollars). For Chinas upper middle class who crave a better quality of life, Vitality Air gives them the opportunity to inject a bit of fresh air into their lives, Harrison Wang with TAK International, Vitalitys Edmonton-based Chinese distributor, told the National Post. This is not the first time a company has tried selling bottled air, believe it or not, nor is it the first time that Chinese citizens were eager to buy bottled air. In 2013, one Chinese businessman, Chen Guangbiao, sold cans of air reportedly taken from less industrialized regions of China for five yuan ($0.77 U.S. dollars). https://twitter.com/NaomiNiche/status/674625906829344768 Chinas air pollution problem is nothing new. The country has been grappling with how to clean up its air for years. A documentary highlighting Chinas deadly air pollution went viral earlier this year with more than 200 million views in the first five days. And a study published in August found that the air in Beijing is so polluted that breathing it does as much damage to the lungs as smoking 40 cigarettes a day, and 4,000 people are dying every day from smog in China citing coal-burning as the likely principal cause. China declared red alert for #smog. Need a breath of fresh air? Check out our products! #ChinaSmog pic.twitter.com/9wPWH090Ol Vitality Air (@vitalityair) December 8, 2015 The issue has received widespread attention again as Beijing issued its first red alert for smog last week amid criticism that the government is not doing enough to address the problem. Pollution levels topped off at 634 micrograms per cubic meter in some areas. Thats more than 25 times the level recommended by the World Health Organization, which is 25 micrograms per cubic meter. Beijing just issued its second warning Friday as the pollution index is forecasted to exceed 500 micrograms in Beijing and parts of Hebei province over the weekend. Anyone need a last minute Christmas gift? Looking for that unique #stockingstuffer ? We have what you need! pic.twitter.com/LINQ26kle2 Vitality Air (@vitalityair) December 11, 2015 To see the devastating effect pollution has on our bodies, check out this startling video from DNews: YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Elon Musk: We Can Power America by Covering Small Corner of Utah With Solar Obama Runs Wild With Bear Grylls to Call for Climate Action $300 Underground Greenhouse Grows Your Food Year-Round Couple Builds Greenhouse Around Home to Grow Food and Keep Warm Japan will release radioactive wastewater from the failed Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean, the government announced on Tuesday. The water will be treated before release, and the International Atomic Energy Agency said the countrys plans were in keeping with international practice, The New York Times reported. But the plan is opposed by the local fishing community, environmental groups and neighboring countries. Within hours of the announcement, protesters had gathered outside government offices in Tokyo and Fukushima, according to NPR. The Japanese government has once again failed the people of Fukushima, Greenpeace Japan Climate and Energy Campaigner Kazue Suzuki said in a statement. The government has taken the wholly unjustified decision to deliberately contaminate the Pacific Ocean with radioactive wastes. The dilemma of how to dispose of the water is one ten years in the making. In March 2011, an earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan killed more than 19,000 people and caused three of six reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant to melt down, The New York Times explained. This resulted in the biggest nuclear disaster since Chernobyl, and the cleanup efforts persist more than a decade later. To keep the damaged reactors from melting down, cool water is flushed through them and then filtered to remove all radioactive material except for tritium. Up until now, the wastewater has been stored on site, but the government says the facility will run out of storage room next year. Water builds up at 170 tons per day, and there are now around 1.25 million tons stored in more than 1,000 tanks. The government now plans to begin releasing the water into the ocean in two years time, according to a decision approved by cabinet ministers Tuesday. The process is expected to take decades. On the premise of strict compliance with regulatory standards that have been established, we select oceanic release, the government said in a statement reported by NPR. Opposition to the move partly involves a lack of trust around what is actually in the water, as NPR reported. Both the government and Tokyo Electric Power Co., which operates the plant, say that the water only contains tritium, which cannot be separated from hydrogen and is only dangerous to humans in large amounts. But it turned out that the water contains more radioactive materials. But they didnt disclose that information before, Friends of the Earth Japan campaigner Ayumi Fukakusa told NPR. That kind of attitude is not honest to people. They are making distrust by themselves. In February, for example, a rockfish shipment was stopped when a sample caught near Fukushima tested positive for unsafe levels of cesium. What is fracking? Fracking is a process of blasting water, chemicals and frac sand deep into the earth to break up sedimentary rock and access natural gas and crude oil deposits. The fracking industry, which has sought to promote the practice as safe and controlled, has preferred the term hydraulic fracturing. Fracking emerged as an unconventional, relatively new and extremely popular technique only about 20 years ago in the U.S., after advances in technology gave it an unprecedented ability to identify and extract massive amounts of resources efficiently. Fracking is one of the most important environmental issues today, and its a prime example of how a new technology that offers immediate economic and political benefits can outpace (often less obvious) environmental and health concerns. Why is fracking so controversial? Modern fracking emerged so quickly, faster than its impacts were understood. Just as importantly, once scientists, health experts and the public started to object with evidence of harm it was causing, business and government succeeded in perpetuating a message of uncertainty, that more research was necessary, further enabling the full speed ahead fracking juggernaut. How does fracking impact the environment? Frackings supporters have pushed an environmental angle, insisting that natural gas can be a bridge fuel, a cheaper, cleaner option than coal before we have a large-scale transition to renewable energy. This claim has some merit, as natural gas does emit much less carbon dioxide than coal or oil. However, it is still a fossil fuel, adding harmful emissions while the climate crisis worsens. Moreover, fracking wells leak methane, a greenhouse gas more than 25 times more potent than CO2. Water In order to break up rock formations one to two miles deep, a fracking operation requires millions of gallons amount of water. After its used, the resulting wastewater, which contains chemicals is pumped back into injection wells, sent to treatment plants, or can be dangerously dumped or spilled. In 2016 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a report skewed friendly to industry in its language: Hydraulic Fracturing for Oil and Gas: Impacts from the Hydraulic Fracturing Water Cycle on Drinking Water Resources in the United States. The EPA acknowledged that drinking water contamination was possible, but ultimately came to this conclusion: Data gaps and uncertainties limited EPAs ability to fully assess the potential impacts on drinking water resources locally and nationally. Earthquakes According to the U.S. Geologic Survey, disposal of wastewater has caused an increase in earthquakes in the central U.S. Seismologists have reported that frackings initial blasting process can trigger earthquakes. Air Pollution In addition to methane, fracking releases many toxic contaminants into the air. EPA has acknowledged the public health threat, but a lack of urgent political pressure has sidelined the agency into advising on ways to control and reduce, rather than eliminate, the danger. Toxic Chemicals Fracking fluids contain unknown chemicals and known carcinogens such as benzene. Fracking companies havent been required to disclose their proprietary formulas, however. This is yet another example of how uncertainty serves as an enabling force. The EPA has identified more than 1,000 different chemicals used in fracking fluid. Wildlife Fracking can destroy wildlife habitats, pollute rivers and fisheries, poison birds, and use up water supplies that animals need to survive. How does fracking affect the economy? The fracking boom made the U.S. the worlds largest producer of oil and gas, reducing its energy imports from 26% to less than 4%. It has lowered oil and gas prices and created thousands of industry jobs. While fracking companies profited greatly at first, as prices dropped their margins collapsed. Many are now going bankrupt. How is fracking regulated? Congress has enabled the oil and gas industry to be exempt from such regulations as the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Safe Drinking Water Act. Fracking surged during the Obama administration, which moved to protect water from fracking on federal lands in 2015. Subsequently, the Trump administration sought to roll back protections and expand fracking on federal lands. Key Examples of Fracking in the United States Pennsylvania Pennsylvanias Marcellus Shale is the source for about 40% of shale gas production in the U.S. New York While the Marcellus Shale also runs through New York, the state has banned fracking. Texas Texas produces more crude oil than any other state. North Dakota The Bakken Shale in North Dakota has been one of the main sites for the fracking boom and subsequent bust, leaving behind extensive environmental damage. A recent report found that all 50 states could provide 100% (or even greater) in-state renewable energy. Other Countries Outside the U.S., only Canada, China and Argentina have commercial fracking operations. A UN report in 2018 said that other countries were highly unlikely to produce at such a large scale as the U.S., due to political and cultural factors, and existing infrastructure. The Future of Fracking While renewables were considered a solution for peak oil only a decade ago, fracking changed the terms of the debate, with a new focus from environmentalists to keep it in the ground starting in 2015. The Biden administration now stands at a pivotal moment in the climate crisis. Bidens stance on fracking is not yet entirely clear, but he has rejoined the Paris agreement and appears to take climate seriously. At the same time, he is sympathetic to workers in fossil fuel industries, was vice president during the fracking boom years under Obama, and may be more inclined to seek a gradual transition than one fast enough to help solve the crisis. By Samantha Williams Ohios renewable energy and energy efficiency industry is at a critical inflection point. As we round the corner on the last few months of the year (and the final weeks that Ohios General Assembly will be in session), large multi-national companies are making clear that they want strong efficiency and renewable energy standards to be at the forefront of Ohios energy policy. Ohios renewable energy and energy efficiency industry is at a critical inflection point. Wikimedia Commons Back in 2014, lawmakers made the now-infamous decision to freeze the states wildly successful clean energy standards, which had been in place since 2009. Now, two years later, the results of the freeze are what you might expect, having become a cautionary tale for other statesand for Ohios next move on energy policy. Just prior to the freeze, Ohio was number one in the nation in renewable energy jobs, home to more companies that manufacture components for wind energy than any other state and number two in the U.S. for companies that make solar components. Investments in Ohios clean energy sector created thousands of new jobs and stimulated more than $160 million in annual GDP growth. Because of energy efficiency requirements, Ohios utilities were reporting more than $1 billion in cumulative energy efficiency savings for consumers. And these clean energy investments were cost-effective; every $1 spent on energy efficiency saved all Ohio electricity customers more than $2 in power costs. Ohio was on the right track. But in the wake of the freeze (which was marketed by its sponsors as just a gut check), it became clear that clean energy standards are the difference between continuing Ohios track record of success or squandering it. Utility companies reduced services to customers, in some cases, suspending energy efficiency programs. One major electric company in Ohio cut its investment in energy efficiency in half, foregoing $70 million annually in potential benefits. Clean energy jobs moved out of state. Jobs in the states wind energy industry plummeted 56 percent. Customers were left frustrated. Some of those customers were also big employers, who know that strong, reasonable efficiency and renewable energy standards are essential to attracting investment dollars at a time of fierce competition within the growing clean energy industry. Today these companiesnine to be exactare banding together to send a clear message to lawmakers as we head into the critical final weeks of the legislative session: Do something about this policy mistake. Reinstate and strengthen Ohios standards on energy efficiency and renewables. The coalition of businesses is just too big to ignore. They collectively employ more than 25,000 people in the state and include: Campbell Soup Company Clif Bar & Company Gap, Inc. JLL Nestle Owens Corning Schneider Electric United Technologies; and Whirlpool Corporation As Campbell Soup Company (which in addition to retail stores and offices has a manufacturing plant in Willard and a food processing plant in Napoleon), said: We urge Ohios leaders to lift the states freeze on the renewable energy and energy efficiency standards. Continuing to undo smart clean energy policies wont help us build a stronger Ohio for tomorrow. Campbell remains supportive of removing barriers and promoting incentives for low carbon energy options. We believe renewable energy and energy efficiency are good for the environment and good for business. The solar project on Campbells Napoleon, OH site is expected to save $4 million and eliminate 250,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas over the purchase agreements 20-year period. Dave Stangis, vice president, corporate social responsibility Whirlpool Corporation (with several plants manufacturing energy efficient appliances across the state, including in Clyde, Marion, Findlay and Ottawa), said: Whirlpool Corporation urges Ohios leaders to restore the states Energy Efficiency Resource Standard and be proactive in supporting energy policies that promote affordability, reliability and protection of the environment. These priorities are a foundation for Ohios continued economic growth. As the number one major appliance manufacturer in the world, Whirlpool Corporation will continue to do its part by developing innovative resource-efficient appliances and by improving the environmental performance of our facilities. Jeff Noel, corporate vice president, communications and public affairs Nestle (with several facilities across the state, including in Solon, Cleveland, Marysville, Zanesville and Dublin), noted: As a major manufacturing company in Ohio, we rely on clean energy to reduce costs and lower our carbon emissions. Weve set ourselves clear targets to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions in all of our manufacturing operations. Were making good progress and our support of policies that encourage the transition toward a low carbon economy helps us, and other companies, to continually improve our environmental performance. We know this is also important to many of our consumers and we strongly believe that lifting the freeze on Ohios renewable energy and energy efficiency standards is good for the environment and good for business, as well as the states economy and the people who call it home. Paul Bakus, president, corporate affairs These strong requests confirm where were headed. The corporate sector has embarked on an unstoppable shift toward seeking out safer, cleaner energy sources, not just to protect the environment and public health, but also to cut operating costs and maintain their edge in an increasingly competitive field. It is further proof that whats good for the economy and good for the environment are not mutually exclusive. They can exist together and reinforce each other. Clean energy should be something we all agree on. But we are now back to this critical inflection point. State lawmakers have the choice this year: embrace and continue to attract sustainability-minded businesses like this Coalition of Nine or get left behind. The General Assembly is expected to consider clean energy policy proposals in the days following the Nov. 8 election, but as of yet they have only been dragging their feet, kicking around proposals that are dead on arrival. Thankfully, Gov. Kasich is paying attention. He has threatened a veto, stating more than once that watering down the standards and extending the freeze is unacceptable, as it would be kicking the can down the road. The governor will no doubt be keeping this list of business supporters in mind as Ohio decides what to do. Ohio businesses have now made clean energy a central part of Ohios energy debate. With more than 100,000 Ohio jobs in clean energy on the line, we just hope lawmakers are listening. When Ohio Governor John Kasich signed SB 310, a two-year freeze of the states renewable energy and energy efficiency standards, last June, he was leading the waybackwards. Ohio became the first state to roll back standards that were already in place, passed in 2008 in an uncontroversial unanimous bipartisan vote. Those standardswhich required that, by 2025, 25 percent of the states energy be created by advanced energy sources, half of them renewables, and that utilities reduce energy use by 22 percentproved effective not only in moving the state closer to a clean energy future but in creating jobs, fueling economic growth and generating new investment. Ohios renewable energy sector is already stalling because of the states renewable energy standards freeze. Photo credit: The Pew Charitable Trusts Thats now threatened by the freeze, according to a new report from The Pew Charitable Trusts. Ohio is a prime example of why policy matters, said the Pew report. Just as the states energy policies once encouraged the development of a clean energy industry, recent uncertainty surrounding the renewable and efficiency portfolio standards has stunted investment and growth. Pews findings should be a warning for other states considering such a rollback bill, called the Electricity Freedom Act by lobby group the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), which is pushing the effort. The study found that the standards had spurred business investment and manufacturing in a state well-positioned to take advantage of opportunities in the renewable sector because of its industrial history and infrastructure. Ohio was first in the country in the number of facilities making wind energy components and second in the country in making solar-related equipment as of 2013. Since the 2008 passage of its alternative energy portfolio standard and energy efficiency portfolio standard, the study said, The state has leveraged other state and federal financing such as tax exemptions, rebates and loans to build on that groundwork. Ohio attracted $1.3 billion in private clean energy investment from 2009 to 2013 and is expected to generate an additional $3.3 billion over the next decade. Ohio had attracted $755 million in wind investments between 2009 and 2013, and has enough wind resources to meet all of the states current energy needs. Its 86 solar technology facilities rank it 16th in the country in total capacity and 8th in total jobs numbers. But the report cautions, Installations and revenue in some sectors, particularly wind, are expected to stall because the state enacted a two-year freeze of the portfolio standards in June 2014. This action has affected many projects and contracts already underway, creating uncertainty for investors and businesses. Already private investment in solar fell from 12th place nationally in 2012 to 20th nationally in 2013from $187.4 million to $75.3 millionbecause of uncertainty about how the legislature might act on the standards. The legislature also eliminated a requirement for the amount of renewable energy that must be generated in-state, making such investment even less attractive. And it hampered wind development by enacting an onerous new setback regulation. Ohios experience demonstrates the importance of long-term policy to foster growth in the clean energy industry, said Tom Swanson, manager for The Pew Charitable Trusts clean energy initiative. The states alternative energy portfolio standard, along with the federal production tax credit, boosted Ohios strong manufacturing base, which at one point supported 62 facilities producing wind energy componentsmore than any other state. But now, many manufacturers are directing their investments elsewhere because policy uncertainty is tightening the local market for their products. Adding to that uncertainly, the fossil fuel-friendly legislature has formed a committee to study the possibility of killing the clean energy standards permanently, and its packed with clean energy opponents. Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) deputy director Jack Shaner called the panel an insincere sideshow. Growth in solar installations, such as this one in Athens, Ohio, could be jeopardized by the rollback of Ohios clean energy standards. Photo credit: The Pew Charitable Trusts At the time of its passage, the rollback was widely condemned by environmental groups. With this legislation, Governor Kasich is moving the state backwards while monopoly utilities like FirstEnergy and AEP will see even greater profits, said Sierra Club campaign representative Daniel Sawmiller. Ohioans can now expect higher electricity bills, fewer jobs in the clean energy manufacturing and construction industries, and increased pollution. Dirtier air. Higher electric bills. Lost jobs and investment. These are the new dividends in store for Ohio from this major divestiture in clean energy, said Trish Demeter, managing director of Energy and Clean Air Programs for OEC. According to the findings of The Pew Charitable Trusts, those predictions of jobs and investment losses were accurate. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Ohio Gov. John Kasich Signs Nations First Renewable Energy Freeze Why Ohios Budget Update Will Further Crush Renewable Energy How ALEC Stacks Deck Against Renewables in Ohio In Peekskill, New York, just about an hour north of New York City, residents have launched a blockade in efforts to stop the construction of a gas pipeline slated to run only hundreds of feet from the aging Indian Point nuclear power plant. Peekskill, New Yorks, residents and activists escalated the campaign to stop this pipelines construction by installing a fully sustainable shipping container at the entrance of Spectras work yardcomplete with two activists living inside. The proposed project has sparked concerns from residents and nuclear experts that a pipeline break could cause a catastrophic nuclear disaster that would threaten the entirety of New York City. The pipeline is being built by Spectra Energy and is officially known as the Algonquin Incremental Market Project or AIM pipeline. Peekskill residents and activists escalated the campaign to stop this pipelines construction by installing a fully sustainable shipping container at the entrance of Spectras work yardcomplete with two activists living inside. Democracy Now! was there as the blockade was launched. Heres the transcript of the interview: Juan Gonzalez: In Peekskill, New York, just about an hour north of New York City, residents have launched a blockade in efforts to stop construction of Spectra Energys Algonquin Incremental Market Project, known as the AIM pipeline, which would carry high-pressure methane gas from Massachusetts through Rhode Island, Connecticut and down to the communities along the Hudson River. In Peekskill, the pipeline is slated to run only hundreds of feet from the aging Indian Point nuclear power plant, sparking concerns from residents and nuclear experts that a pipeline break could cause a catastrophic nuclear disaster that would threaten the entirety of New York City. Well, only hours ago, Peekskill residents and activists escalated the campaign to stop the pipelines construction by installing a fully sustainable shipping container at the entrance of Spectras work yardcomplete with two activists living inside. Democracy Now! was there as the blockade was launched. Lee Stewart: My name is Lee Stewart. We are now on the site, the construction site, of Spectra AIMs pipeline. The workers will be arriving very soon to find our home here now, where theyre supposed to be doing work. Jane Kendall: We have a pouch we can fill with water and put it up here so the sun will heat it, so we can have hot showers. Im Jane Kendall. Spectra Energy has put their construction pipe for the pipeline through peoples yards, through our woodlands, through our wetlands. Now were putting our home in their yard, in their path. Youll see theres heavy equipment there. Theyre beginning to plow through to get the path to lay the pipeline. And over here is a yard where theyre keeping heavy equipment. Laura Gottesdiener: And the shipping container, where is that in between all this? Jane Kendall: Its right smack in the middle. Its stopping everything. And the really great thing is, everybody in this area driving back and forth on the way to work is going to see it. Laura Gottesdiener: What does the message on the side of this container say? Lee Stewart: Our lives on the line. Stop Spectra. Activist: Here we go, guys. Here we go. Theres workers here. Jane Kendall: Ok, go. Activist: Im going to give you this closing. Jane Kendall: Here we go. Ciao. Lee Stewart: Love. Amy Goodman: That was Lee Stewart speaking this morning before he and Jane Kendall locked themselves into the shipping container blockading Spectra Energys work yard. The project has already faced massive resistance at other points along the route, including in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, where activists from a group known as The FANG Collective have staged a series of tree-sits and protests. Spectra is currently suing three FANG members for $30,000 over a protest in which activists locked themselves to structures at a construction site, delaying work for hours. The three are heading to court this Thursday. In Peekskill, this mornings blockade is the latest in a series of escalating actions. On Saturday, 21 people were arrested after forming a human chain to block trucks from moving in or out of the construction site. Democracy Now!s Laura Gottesdiener was there, speaking to residents, protesters risking arrest and a nuclear safety expert. Protesters: Get up! Get down! Leave fossil fuels in the ground! Get up! Get down! Courtney Williams: My name is Courtney Williams. I am a resident of Peekskill and I am working to stop the Algonquin pipeline expansion. I first heard about the pipeline over two years ago, when a local organization called SAPE, which is Stop the Algonquin Pipeline Expansion, had an info session at the local library. And they had been working to stop fracking and they realized that even if New York banned hydrofracking, we would still be feeling a lot of the health and safety impacts of it if we had massive fracked gas pipelines going through our communities. So thats when we first learned about the project. And my husband actually said, I think these people are crazy or we need to move, because theyre building this pipeline right next to the nuclear power plant, right next to the elementary school and 400 feet from our front door. Our home will be incinerated if this pipeline ruptures near to our house. And the school district, the great school district that we were buying to live in, now our daughter will be going to kindergarten 400 feet from the pipeline, where, you know, she and 300 other kids would be harmed if the pipeline ruptured there. Laura Gottesdiener: How old is your daughter Irene? Courtney Williams: My daughter is six. And myand so shes a kindergartner there now. And my son is going to be four on Monday, actually. And he would be starting there, if we still live here. Laura Gottesdiener: If this section becomes operational, will you stay and send your kids to this school, where theres400 feet away, theres the possibility that there could be a pipeline explosion? Courtney Williams: We really dont feel safe here anymore. Protesters: Were gonna roll! Were gonna roll! Were gonna roll! Were gonna roll! Were gonna roll right over Spectra! Jean Bergman: My name is Jean Bergman. And were here in Peekskill to protest the Spectra pipeline. Right now we have over 20 people willing to risk arrest to try to stop this pipeline from being built. Were standing across the entrance to the pipeline work area and were going to stay here and prevent vehicles from coming in or out as long as we can. Protesters: We shall not be moved. Benjamin Shepard: Im Benjamin Shepard from Brooklyn, New York City. And were here to ask: If all of our elected representatives are on record as being against this pipeline, if the mayor of Peekskill is on record as being against the pipeline, if the people of Peekskill are on record as being against this pipeline, whos calling the shots? The people or the corporations? And if the corporations wont get out of the way, the people have to do it, are going to have to get in their way. And thats why were here, to get on thestop the machinery. Paul Blanch: My name is Paul Blanch. Im a registered professional engineer. Ive studied nuclear safety for 50 years. And I know theres a probability of an event occurring that would literally destroy the area here and impact 20 million people and cause property and infrastructure damage exceeding $8 trillion. There is no nuclear power plant that we are aware of, first of all, thats located in such a high densely populated area. Theres no nuclear power plant with a gas line running 400 feet from the control room. There is no protection in the control room, should an event occur. If an event occurs, an explosion or the release of gas, even unexploded, could cause disabling the people in the control room and result in meltdown of both reactors. An explosion would engulf the Indian Point facility. And the containments wouldnt be affected, but its very likely that we would have a release exceeding those of Chernobyl and Fukushima, because theres more radioactive material stored here than at those facilities. Laura Gottesdiener: So youre saying if there were an explosion at Indian Point power plant, nuclear power plant, everybody in New York City would be displaced? Paul Blanch: Well, Im not saying everybody. It depends on which way the wind is blowing. And if it blows to New York City, theres been studies that, you know, the evacuation area could extend beyond 50 miles. And New York City downtown is only 35 miles away. And predominant winds are down the Hudson River and it could cause the relocation of people permanently. Protesters: Get up! Get down! Leave fossil fuels in the ground! Get up! Get down! Amy Goodman: That was nuclear power safety expert Paul Blanch speaking Saturday in Peekskill, New York, about the Indian Point nuclear power plant. The facility has long been plagued with aging infrastructure and safety concerns. On Tuesday, the environmental group Friends of the Earth filed an emergency petition with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission demanding one of Indian Points reactors be kept offline and that another be shut down due to the disintegration of key bolts holding the reactor cooling system together. Well, for more, were joined here in New York by Nancy Vann, president of Safe Energy Rights Group and a member of Resist AIM. Shes a resident of Peekskill, New York. She just left the newly launched blockade of the AIM pipeline. Nancy, welcome to Democracy Now! Nancy Vann: Thank you. Amy Goodman: So, the significance of this pipeline being next to this nuclear power plant and then Friends of the Earth filing this complaint? Nancy Vann: The pipeline is dangerous enough on its own. We anticipate that a blast radius from a rupture would be between 800 and a thousand feet. And it runs within about 105 feet of the switchyard that supplies all the power to Indian Point to keep the cores cooled. If the core power goes out, theres a backup generator and the pipeline will run 115 feet from the fuel that would fuel those backup generators. So, any rupture of this pipeline would completely obliterate really critical safety structures at Indian Point. Juan Gonzalez: Why did public officials allow this pipeline to be built in the first place? Governor Cuomo, for instance, is known as an opponent of the Indian Point nuclear power plant and wants to close it down. Why havent they stepped forward on this issue? Nancy Vann: Well, Governor Cuomo actually did step forward on it. He had issued a letter and sent it to FERC, which is the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, a littleabout a month ago, saying that he wanted this pipeline construction halted until an independent risk assessment could be done. FERC, that we like to call FERCbecause of its implicationswe always talk about them FERCing usthey are an industry thatthey are captured by the industry. They are really a rogue agency. All of their funding comes from the fossil fuel industry. If there were no new projects, there would be no agency. Amy Goodman: Last year, The FANG Collectivestanding for Fighting Against Natural Gasrecorded a series of interviews with a whistleblower who worked as a contract safety inspector on Spectras AIM pipeline. He was asked to describe the safety conditions at the site. His voice has been distorted. Safety Inspector: We had an excavator that flipped over, a very heavyId have to guess, but Id be remiss to say it was easily greater than 50,000 poundsa trackhoe, flip over on a jobsite, the arrest of ittumbling down a field. It was arrested by falling onto the flatbed it was putting pipe on. You had the situation at Cromwell, where a crane forgets to unhook its headache ball from the front of the crane and starts to boom crane out. Well, when you do that, cable is supposed to get longer, but it didnt, so it catastrophically broke the cable. The ball hit 10-inch plate, that could have been under pressure. What if that would have been live pressurized plate, that by now had been struck by headache ball, by crane that weighs upteen tons? That could have led to a humongous environmental safety issue as well as multiple deaths. So, the bottom line is, these are all situations where I was personally confronted, from crane to the trackhoe, to the head injuries, to the minor heat exhaustion, to the so on and so forth. Amy Goodman: The whistleblower went on to say inspectors told him about other safety violations. Safety Inspector: Inspectors come up to me in the field and say to me, There was a pipe buried underground that was not inspected properly. And the reason it was not excavated and inspected was that it cost too much money. The right thing for the inspector to do is to make them dig it back up. Thats the right thing to do. With the pressure you receive from Spectra, you will never do that. Amy Goodman: So, Nancy Vann, explain what this safety inspector is saying, in the last 30 seconds we have. Nancy Vann: He is talking about the fact that new pipelines are actually failing at a much higher rate than older pipelines. Theyre being put in too fast. The wells are not being inspected. Theyre using faulty steel, using often Chinese steel that is not up to the standards that it should be. And Amy Goodman: Our latest news is police are currently trying to cut through the shipping container that was set up today, not successful so far. What about this blockade launch that was just begun this morning? Youve got 10 seconds. Nancy Vann: Our lives really are on the line. In court, we are pleading the necessity defense, saying that we have to do this to keep a greater harm from being perpetrated on the people of New York. There are 20 million people that could be affected if something goes wrong at this pipeline next to Indian Point. Amy Goodman: Nancy Vann, I want to thank you for being with us, president of Safe Energy Rights Group, member of Resist AIM, lives in Peekskill, New York. And that does it for the show. Special thanks to Laura Gottesdiener and Juan Carlos Davila for that report. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Renewable Energy Jobs Surpass Oil and Gas Sector for First Time in U.S. Exxon Board Rejects All Nine Climate Resolutions at Annual Meeting Fracked Gas Isnt Green or Clean 5 Huge Climate Success Stories 10 Years After the Release of Al Gores An Inconvenient Truth Fifteen people were arrested today at a rally this morning outside the Manhattan office of New York Sen. Charles Schumer, where they have maintained a presence for the past 60 days. With the Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) expansion of the Spectra Energy pipeline in Westchester County, New York set to go online by Nov. 1, opponents are asking Schumer to intervene and use his influence to put a halt to the project. Schumers office did not respond to a request for comment by EcoWatch. [facebook https://www.facebook.com/resistaim/videos/1476524125698000/ expand=1] Members of Resist Spectra and their supporters showed up on Third Avenue, chanting We will not let you build this pipeline. Many sat along 780 Third Avenue, the building housing Schumers New York City office. The AIM project is set to carry Marcellus Shale fracked gas to New England, passing through New York State and crossing the Hudson River at scenic Stony Point. Map of AIM expansion project carrying fracked gas from the Marcellus Shale to New England. Spectra Energy The pipeline runs close to the aging Indian Point nuclear power plant in Buchanan. The oldest of the three reactors on site began operations in 1962, but has since been shut down. The other two operating reactors date to 1974 and 1976. One of the opponents main concerns is the proximity of the pipeline to the nuclear facility. The 42-inch pipeline passes within 105 feet of an electrical substation and 1,320 feet from the reactors. While its not California, Westchester County does have a history of earthquakes and the Ramapo Fault runs near the Indian Point nuclear plant. In 1783, a magnitude 5.0 quake struck the area, and in the early morning hours of Oct. 19, 1985, a 3.6-magnitude earthquake on the Ramapo Fault system caused the plant to declare an unusual event but no damage was reported. The probability of a 5.0 or greater earthquake in the county in the next 50 years is estimated at 3.36 percent. Thats enough to rattle residents from Westchester to Brooklyn. Pipeline opponents point out that 20 million people live within a 50-mile radius of Indian Point. An elementary school sits just 400 feet from the pipeline. The AIM pipeline runs within 105 feet of the aging Indian Point nuclear power plant. Resist Spectra The specter of another San Bruno, California-type event may be weighing on those who live in the zone. In 2011, a 30-inch natural gas pipeline exploded in this Bay Area town just south of San Francisco, sending flames 1,000 feet into the sky. It destroyed 38 homes and killed eight people. On April 29, a Spectra Energy 30-inch pipeline blew up in Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, severely burning one man and damaging two homes. Roads melted from the heat. Data from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) shows that 12 significant incidents have occurred on gas transmission pipelines in New York State since 2000, resulting in at $4.4 million in total costs. Spectra Energy pipelines were involved in 38 incidents in the U.S. from 1986 to 2012, according to ProPublica. The PHMSA cited Spectra for at least four violations from 2013 to 2015. Disaster experts, public officials and health care professionals got a first-hand look at the pipeline site on Oct. 18, hosted by Physicians for Social Responsibility. A statement released by the organization following the inspection tour read: Requests by safety experts and public officials for emergency protocols and safety preparedness indicate no evidence of planning for a pipeline rupture or explosion adjacent to the nuclear plant. The lack of emergency training and preparedness reflects the lack of recognition of the safety experts concerns regarding the perilous impact of a pipeline accident at that location and the imminent and permanent danger the AIM pipeline poses to the nuclear plant and the entire New York metropolitan area. Opponents of the Spectra AIM pipeline urge Sen. Schumer to act at a rally in Manhattan this morning. Resist Spectra In May, New York Senators Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to suspend action on the AIM project until independent health and safety reviews of the project are completed. I have serious concerns with the Algonquin gas pipeline project because it poses a threat to the quality of life, environmental, health and safety of residents across the Hudson Valley and New York State without any long-term benefit to the communities it would impact, Schumer said in a statement in May. The two senators again wrote to FERC on Aug. 3 requesting that the agency suspend construction. A Bloomberg BNA analysis released in February said that the industry dominates lobbying of the PHMSA. Major companies lobbying the agency include TransCanada Pipelines Ltd., Norfolk Southern Corp., Dow Chemical Co., American Airlines and Shell Oil Co. The American Petroleum Institute, Association of American Railroads, Renewable Fuels Association and the American Farm Bureau Federation are among the Industry trade associations engaged in lobbying the PHMSA. Aerial view of Indian Point nuclear facility with pipeline infrastructure in the foreground. Resist Spectra Despite repeated warnings from nuclear power and pipeline safety experts that a pipeline rupture at that sensitive location could result in a nuclear catastrophe worse than the Fukushima nuclear disaster, their insistence on a full, independent risk assessment was to no avail, Ellen Weininger of Grassroots Environmental Education told EcoWatch. Spectra may soon help create the largest energy infrastructure company in North America if a planned merger with Enbridge goes through. Enbridge is a minority owner of the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline. As a physician and a public health professional, I say, unequivocally, that risks of this pipeline, as will be explicitly described by my colleagues, far outweigh the possible benefits and pose an unacceptable level of vulnerability to the men, women and children of this entire regionand beyond, wrote Dr. Irwin Redlener in a statement sent to EcoWatch. Dr. Redlener is director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness and a professor at Columbia University. A lawsuit challenging FERCs approval of the project is currently pending in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit. Correction: This article has been updated. A paragraph has been removed, which erroneously stated that NRG Energy was the same company as Natural Resource Group. We regret the error. In the frenzy of coverage of the outrageous Volkswagen use of sophisticated computer techniques to shut down the pollution controls on 11 million of VWs TDI diesel automobiles once they were no longer sitting in a test facility, only a few have noted that this is not the first such episodealthough the last one involved mostly American companies, not German and trucks, not cars. After the VW scandal, people don't trust big companies http://t.co/3S5c96WHn5 pic.twitter.com/qod9c4xBUq The Independent (@Independent) September 27, 2015 The current scandal has cost VW 1/3 of its market cap, its CEO his job and delivered a potentially fatal blow to the market for clean diesel cars because, it turns out, VW wasnt producing clean dieselit was cheating the emissions tests. (Full disclosure: when the TDI diesels first appeared they received Green Car of the Year status from a panel on which I served. I dont recall my vote, alas, but I certainly took VWs emissions claims at face value.) By marketing clean TDI diesels, VW avoided the investments required to add electric or hydrogen vehicles to its fleets and clung to the internal combustion technology of the past. Now, with clean diesel exposed as an oxymoron, VW has an enormous challengehow to catch up with arch rivals like Toyota which led on hybrids and electrification, while incurring potential enormous fines and a savaged brand value. Not only VW, but the reputation of Germany and its governments (which own much of the auto industry) have been severely damaged: playing by the rules has been the moral stick Germany wielded to assert insist on austerity, not debt relief, as the solution to the problems of Euro members like Greece. Now one of Germanys premier companies has been shown to be a massive cheater. But it didnt invent the ploy. VW used a more sophisticated, but fundamentally identical strategy to that which a U.S. diesel truck engine makers deployed in the 1990s, eventually producing 1.3 million diesel trucks programmed to turn off their emission control devices after the first 50 miles of freeway driving. The computer shenanigans engineered by Volkswagen were more elaboratethey turn off the pollution controls even in city driving, because cars operate far more of the time at low speeds and because on-board computers now control engines in far more sophisticated ways. But the core strategies and the business goal, were identical. And the reason VW resorted to cheating was the same reason that U.S. truck manufacturers cheated in the 1990scontrolling the nitrogen pollution from diesel engines is possible, but comes either at a substantial price for expensive, cumbersome pollution controls or demands a fuel economy penalty, shortens engine life and degrades performance. So to sell small, cheap diesels, you have to sell polluting onesits an engineering reality. Volkswagen had to know the history of the defeat devices used by the U.S. diesel truck makers in the 1990sand that means they had to know of the complete illegality of what they were doing. In the 1990s case engine manufacturers claimed that U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had given them permission to turn off its pollution control equipment on the highwayalthough they still signed a consent decree and paid a billion dollars in fines and correctional programs. But they never explained why they thought that their behavior was in the public interest or why EPA would have approved it. They clearly just didnt like the pollution standards. But in spite of this clear bright line history, VW simply chose to take the chance that regulators would never catch it. And one of the reasons, almost certainly, is the way that EPA chose to deal with the diesel engine manufacturers in 1998. While the settlement, at $1 billion, was trumpeted by EPA as the biggest pollution fine ever, most of the money was simply to correct the pollution violations by rebuilding the truck engines as they came in for periodic maintenance. Very little were actual fines. At the time, the Sierra Club and I objected that EPA was not requiring a recall of the engines, but the agency maintained that the routine rebuildplus the acceleration of the effective date of the next generation of diesel truck nitrogen standardswould clean up the air more effectively than penalties designed to punish the engine makers. Four years later, as the ostensibly welcome new emission standards kicked in, EPA officials were forced to investigate whether Caterpillar, whose engines still didnt meet the new standards, was illegally encouraging its customers to pre-order high emitting truck engines before the new standards took effect. So the biggest of the diesel manufacturers showed little sign of remorsethey simply looked for other ways to game the system. The VW scandal has unleashed a tidal wave of media coverage of the reality that auto industry has systematically tried to game and cheat both safety and emission regulations since they first came inand that governments have (with the notable exception of California) largely collaborated with the evasions. The Economist goes as far as to argue that this scandal reveals the need forand may enablea very different kind of auto industry. UBS analysts suggested that the credibility problems might accelerate the end of all forms of internal combustion transportationnot just passenger diesel. Its pretty clear that whether the issue is safety or pollution, major manufacturers dont take cheating on government standards as seriously as they would, say, take theft. The well established culture is if the likely financial benefits exceed the probable penalties, cheat. And this runs deep in the business worldits not just VW or even the auto industry. What would deter cheating? (Absent the certainty of detection and penalties which is an improbably difficult hurdle). One thing: the belief that not only will the bottom line take a hit, but the careers and reputations and perhaps liberty of those involved will be at risk. Thats what deters thievesyou might go to jail, not just have to return your stolen goods. In the wake of the GM safety settlement, the Department of Justice has promised that in the future, these kinds of penalties will be used. And thats whats needed to deter obvious, intentional and willful cheating on pollution and safety standards, cheating which, lets remember, kills. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE VW Deception Not an Isolated Case and Not Just the Auto Industry Elon Musk: Refugee Crisis Just a Glimpse of Whats to Come If World Ignores Climate Change China Cap-and-Trade Program Not What the Climate Needs Trump, Bush Attack Popes Call to Climate Action (Photo: REUTERS / Lisa Baertlein / Files)Signs for a McDonald's fast food restaurant and a Starbucks cafe are seen in Loma Linda, California in this February 28, 2010 file photo. Civic and spiritual leaders in the Australian city of Toowoomba near Queensland's east coast have united to fight pornography to save marital relationships from breakup and women from violence. Mayor Paul Antonio, social activist John Minz of Toowoomba Together, and Christian leader Letitia Shelton led the meeting attended by 200-300 people Oct. 15, lifesitenews.com reports. The meeting heard testimonies from women whose marriages were wrecked and young men whose lives were ruined by porn. Supporters of theme for "A City Free From Porn" campaign were asked to take a pledge handed out to attendees on business cards which some said was akin to "Taking the pledge" an important part of the 19th century temperance movement in the United States and Canada. "I acknowledge that viewing pornography promotes exploitation of women and violence against women and it damages families," the pledge states. "I commit that I won't view porn and I will help create a city free from porn." Mayor Antonio told the crowd gathered in the city park, "We must begin a journey with one step. I think what we've focused on today is the real value of proper relationships." Antonio told LifeSiteNews that no one could doubt that pornography "is one of the elements of violence within the family. Many young ladies have had horrific experiences with porn and there is no doubt it has the characteristics of an addiction." Strong backing for the campaign comes from Toowoomba City Women's founder, Letitia Shelton. "We've been working with the mayor and other city leaders throughout this year, looking at the link between porn and domestic violence. Domestic violence is a huge thing in our nation, you have to look at what is driving that," The Huffington Post reported. "We've been working with the mayor and other city leaders throughout this year, looking at the link between porn and domestic violence. Domestic violence is a huge thing in our nation, you have to look at what is driving that." The women's organization was founded a decade ago to bring churches of many Christian denominations together in social ministries aimed at protecting and supporting girls and women through such programs as summer camps and residences for unwed mothers. Shelton is, however, downplaying the religious aspect of fighting porn and instead stressing the civic benefits of reducing the violence against girls and women that pornography encourages. "Ideally, we'd like [boys and men] to realize the harm it can to a community, to look at what porn can do to a life," she said according to lifesitenews.com. "The ideal is a place where every human being is valued." She says she draws hope from the success of an anti-smoking campaign despite the resistance of the billion-dollar tobacco industry. "In 50 years, they've been able to highlight the dangers of smoking," she said. "They haven't eradicated it, but there's a lot less smoking going on. Can a person with a cognitive syndrome be in charge of a class? One preschool teacher in Argentina has broken this taboo.As a young girl, Noelia Garella was barred from a day care centre because of her disability. In an attempt to justify the decision, its director told her parents: No monsters here.Today, at 31 years of age, Noelia Garella is the first Latin American preschool teacher with down-syndrome and one of just a few in the world.She admits that her disability meant that her application for the job was not easy, however teachers, parents and even her citys mayor threw their support behind her and soon, her life-long dream had become a reality.I have always wanted to be a teacher, because I like children so much. I adore this, she told AFP.I want them to read and listen, because in society people have to listen to one another.Alejandra Senestrari, the former director of Garellas school, told AFP that speaking to Garella, it soon became clear that she was more than capable of the job.We very quickly realised that she had a strong vocation. She gave what the children in the nursery classes most appreciate, which is love, she said. Just a reminder, you can always find me on Twitter with education content and various other things. Did you see this 16 ideas for education policy? From food to blockchain, charters, hiring, alt schools, and pre-k. And more! Very solid new book on charter schools, whats worked, whats not working, and what do we know? Max Eden on the charter debate in Massachusetts. And charter school demographic data. Bob Pianta, Dean of the Curry School of Education at UVA*, on the new teacher prep regulations: Recently U.S. Secretary of Education John King announced the Departments new regulations for a teacher preparation program accountability system. This is the Departments final rule concerning the Federal role in regulating teacher preparation under Title II of the Higher Education Act, with provisions very similar to prior versions. On cue, Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, rejected the rules out of hand. Will other professional groups, also opposed to prior version of these regulations, break ranks and stand down from obstructing requirements that student learning be an outcome for which teacher preparation programs should be held accountable? Instead, will they stand up and lead the profession, to ensure these regulations are implemented with rigor? If both major teachers unions and the association of colleges of teacher education again line up in opposition, painting these as another instance of over-valuing high stakes testing, they will have secured their position as obstructing the long-term improvement of the profession they claim to represent. Interesting look at young people on the cusp of big decisions. Broader frame than you often see on these pieces not everyone is choosing between Amherst, Yale, and Princeton Plan your crime spree now. *I am on the board and teach there. Cary Clarke, a special education teacher in rural Kings County, Calif., has received family internet service for the past four years through a program instituted by her local county office of education. She said it is the best internet weve ever had and it allows her 7th grade daughter, Megan, to do schoolwork, research, and collaborative projects from home on a school-issued Chromebook. Stories about rural areas securing internet connections for the first time have abounded in recent years, in part thanks to federal programs such as E-rate , as well as industry forces that have led to declining costs and improved service. At a Glance Kings County Calif. Office of Education Enrollment: 27,000 students Schools Districts Served: 13 Education Buildings: 54 Median Household Income: $47,341* *U.S. Census But what makes Clarkes story different is that her family receives at-home internet from the county office of education rather than a commercial carrier. Furthermore, rather than receive the broadband connections from fiber wires stretching to their home, their connection is delivered by towers built on schoolhouse roofs that send signals across the airwaves. Jerry Waymire, the assistant superintendent for information systems in the Kings County office of education, started working on the cost-effective solution to the lack of high-quality internet access in most of his county in 2011. He did so by leveraging an arcane federal resource, a band of spectrum called the Educational Broadband Service. The technology, which is fundamentally the same as the 4G LTE networks used by commercial carriers, works much like a series of giant, countywide Wi-Fi routers. The key difference is that it takes Federal Communications Commission permission to send so much information so far over the airwaves. Some additional hardware, such as small antennas, also need to be bought and installed in some students homes to ensure clear signals. Very Grateful Albemarle County in Virginia has similar network-building efforts underway, and Northern Michigan University has asuccessfuland growingEBS-powered network already in place. Many school districts, however, no longer have access to the spectrum because theyve leased it away to commercial telecoms. In most cases, school systems never had any EBS spectrum to begin with because they never applied for a share when the FCC was giving it away for free. Since the FCC stopped issuing new EBS licenses after a 1995 round of applications, many districts still cant acquire the estimated billions worth of spectrum still residing with the agency to address their technology needs. Back in rural San Joaquin Valley, Megan Clarke can access instructional videos and update shared files on Google docs from her homesomething that would have been unthinkable before the county stepped in with an option for affordable broadband. Clarkes immediate area is not served by high-speed fiber lines, and without the countys solution, Cary Clarke believes her childrens schoolwork would be difficult to complete. Weve been through the gamut, she said. We are very grateful. Teachers at one of Chicagos largest charter school networks last week reached a deal to avoid a strike. Union officials noted that the language of the two-year contract is not final, but the United Educators of UCSN and the UNO Charter School Network reached an accord over such issues as pension contributions, the length of the workday for high school teachers, and class size. The threatened strike had promised to upend the academic year for about 8,000 students. The charters union had said their walkout would have been the nations first for privately operated charter schools. The action comes just as the much larger Chicago Teachers Union begins the process of ratifying a separate tentative deal with the city. Thriving in an academically rigorous environment is about more than simply being prepared for classes; its about a student fitting in and seeing herself as a top student. As advanced academic programs work to find and enroll more poor and minority students, new research suggests just how complex it can be for students from traditionally disadvantaged groups to feel at home in such programs. These students can be particularly vulnerable as they encounter more academically challenging classes and peers who are economically better off. How a school presents its programs and provides emotional support to students can mean the difference between students struggling and excelling. In a study published earlier this year, Mesmin Destin, an associate professor of education and social policy at Northwestern University, found incoming low-income college students uncertainty about their own social status and identity significantly affected their achievement and willingness to try hard, both in the run-up to college and during their first year of college. Oftentimes, kids are just so attuned to their social context, and its much more subtle than, You cant do this, Destin said. Adults can talk about high expectations, everyones going to college, ... but if you as a student see the high costs but no strategy to help you get there, you might still parrot those adult expectations without really seeing yourself doing it. Elite Opportunities With rigorous courses, enrichment, and often round-the-clock counseling and career services, the nations academically oriented public boarding schools can offer a promising model for nurturing gifted students from disadvantaged backgrounds. They also offer a window to the supports needed to nurture talented students from poor communities. Dinora Flores, now a senior at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham, recalled a rough start after coming to the school, the nations oldest public boarding high school for gifted students, from Fairmont High School, in Robeson County, a high-poverty and majority-minority community in the state. The daughter of Mexican immigrants who had not finished high school, Flores found contradictions in the campus: few Hispanic students but also fewer preconceived notions about what she was capable of. At home, I felt like it was all competition. ... A lot of upper-class students made a stereotype that I was Hispanic and into fashion, Flores said. When I came here [to the North Carolina School], people didnt say, Oh, I never would have known you were smart. Here, everyone just generalizes that everyone here must be smart. At the same time, the realization that the boarding schools courses were significantly more challenging than her home schools honors courses shook her sense of her own academic ability. Before I got here, I was really good at math and science, but when I came in, I was in the lowest-level classes, she said. While she had taken an Advanced Placement course in history in her home school, it had not offered AP math or science courses. She began tutoring sessions provided by the school and her interest moved away from math toward history and American Studies research. I had to humble myself and learn to ask for help, Flores said. The school provides tutoring sessions to any student who needs them, as well as round-the-clock mental-health counselors and college and career planning, according to Lori Hackney, the dean of counseling at the North Carolina School. Of course, our students are incredibly bright and motivated and seek out opportunities to learn, but they are still adolescents, and they go through all the normal things that every adolescent goes throughdating and homesickness and everything, Hackney said. We try to provide the bridge for support they need academically but also emotionally. Still, she added, the first line of support [for vulnerable students] is from the students themselves. Keeping Community Roots North Carolina School, like most of the nations elite public boarding schools for the gifted, enrolls disproportionately high numbers of white, Asian, and wealthier students, and disproportionately fewer low-income students and those of black, Hispanic, and Native American backgrounds, according to both a 2009 Roeper Review study and newer federal data. Part of the problem is recruitment. For example, the North Carolina School must draw students from across the state as part of its mission, but of the more than 1,400 students who applied to the school last year, 60 percent were white, 25 percent Asian, and only 15 percent were of other races. The 680 students who ultimately enrolled in the two-year residential program broke out along similar lines. While the school is free to students and does not collect income data on their families, about 10 percent of the students receive financial aid for equipment, test fees, and a monthly stipend, and about 50 to 60 this year came from the states poorest electoral districts, according to Rob Andrews, an admissions counselor for the North Carolina School. When you look at our population, thats very skewed compared to the population of North Carolina, but its similar to other [gifted residential] schools like ours, Andrews said. As of 2015-16, public school enrollment in the state was just under half white, 26 percent black, 17 percent Hispanic, 3 percent Asian, and 1.3 percent Native American. More than half of public school students in the state come from low-income homes. Subtle cues may turn off students from historically underrepresented backgrounds or make them feel out of place if they do enroll, Destin and his colleagues found. In a separate series of experiments outlined in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin earlier this year, researchers asked undergraduate students to review promotional material about their college. Half saw pamphlets that focused on the schools endowment and alumni giving, with descriptions that played up the number of students who afforded tuition without aid. The second pamphlet focused on the schools commitment to economic diversity on campus, highlighting financial aid and work-study awards given. Afterward, both groups of students were surveyed on their confidence in their academic ability and expected GPA at the school. Low-income students who saw the materials focused on the schools wealth reported less confidence in their abilities and expected lower grades at graduation than students who saw the more-inclusive language, regardless of their actual academic strengths. Whether or not people realize it, your economic background shapes how you see yourself as a person and where you feel comfortable in the world, Destin said. In the United States, we tend to see ourselves as a classless societyeverybody is middle class and has the same opportunitiesand when we are confronted with evidence that is not the case, we dont really have the language to talk about it. Elite schools may underestimate communities ambivalence about their students attending, according to Belton Moore, a 2016 North Carolina School graduate who still helps recruit students. Moore, a member of the Lumbee tribe of North Carolina and also from Robeson County, previously attended a tightly knit public high school where 80 percent of the students are Native American and more than half low-income. Few in the community were familiar with the North Carolina School. The vast majority of my family lived within five miles. [Going away for school] was not just a family decision; it was a community decision, and the history of people like me going to boarding school was not the best thing, he said, referring to the federal governments policy of placing American Indian children in inferior and sometimes abusive residential schools whose aim was to divest the children of their cultural identities. People wonder: How are they going to change you? Will you remember your roots? An older sister had also been accepted to the school, but she ultimately decided not to go. Flores also came from a small, high-poverty, and mostly minority school. Her parents encouraged her to attend, but other people in my family were like, Are you sure you want to do this? I was a little bit wary of it, she said. While most of the schools transition services focus on getting students used to classes, managing time, and living on their own, both Flores and Moore said they grappled with maintaining their cultural connections, too. Even though I was in the best positionI had these resources and I utilized themeven so, it was hard. I never really felt in my element, just because of all the stereotypes in my head of Native Americans [not being academic], Moore said. There was just always this sense of not being at home and knowing you are not at home. Separate research shows that when high school students who hope to be the first in their families to attend college get a chance to see a panel of older first-generation college-goers talk about their early challenges, they have higher achievement and better retention in college. Both Moore and Flores say they benefited from the schools summer bridge program, which provides an academic boost for students whose home classes were less rigorous but also offers counseling and connection to other incoming students. There was a lot of diversity in the summer bridge program itself, but there was less disparity, Moore said. There were people from all over the state, but we were all there from similar environments and under-resourced schools, and we were all going through the same thing. The North Carolina School, which is required by its charter to enroll 4 percent to 11 percent of its students from each electoral district in the state, has worked to increase the number of students from poor or otherwise disadvantaged backgrounds. This year, it enrolled its first class using new admissions criteria and recruitment to ensure better representation from the states poorest electoral communities. The school does not set a minimum SAT score for entry, instead focusing on students who score above average in their own high schools, and it dropped the requirement that students take the SAT writing test, which costs extra. The school also softened its focus on science, technology, engineering, and math courses, particularly since many high schools in the state have limited lab resources and advanced classes. The changes have helped broaden the schools reach; it now enrolls students from 92 of the 100 counties statewide, Andrews, the admissions counselor, said. Flores returned to the summer bridge program this yearbut as a mentor. She is a residential assistant in her hall, counseling incoming juniors and sharing her own experiences. Shes also an officer in the schools first Hispanic Culture Club, helping build more cultural understanding. A lot of students are homesick and feeling overwhelmed by how intense classes seem at first, she said. Its really hard to realize you are not the smartest one in the room, but its also kind of nice to realize everyone is able to help you. Possibly billions of dollars worth of a public educational telecommunications resource has languished unused and unlicensed within the federal government for decades, some estimates show. If it were managed more effectively, experts say, the resource could be used to essentially eliminate the homework gap, the divide that exists between students who have access to high-quality learning technologies in school and at home and those who dont. Eleven education groupsincluding the National Association of State Boards of Education, the National Education Association, the Consortium for School Networking, and the International Society for Technology in Education jointly filed documents eight years ago petitioning the Federal Communications Commission to give educators access to the unlicensed remnants of the Educational Broadband Service, or EBS. Although the FCC has been formally deliberating over what to do with the unlicensed spectrum since at least 2008, the agency has yet to issue a ruling, and the proceeding remains openindefinitely. The spectrum, set aside more than 50 years ago for educational television, is essentially virtual real estate regulated by the FCC, which determines who can broadcast information over which frequencies. Radio and television stations and wireless internet providers all share space on the spectrum. Officials at the FCC, an independent federal agency, said they do not comment on open proceedings, so it remains unclear if school communities will ever get access to the unlicensed portions of the spectrum, which could be used to provide higher-speed internet connectivity to schools across the country. Meanwhile, a close look at how the rest of the EBS is administeredthe parts that have been licensed and are in useconducted through dozens of interviews and a review of public records, suggests that the commissions management of the existing EBS program has led to serious questions about equity. Its a bad system. Its an unfair system, asserted James Johnston, the lawyer who filed the petition for access for the education groups. If you make a bad decision, he said of the FCC, you dont want to double down. Johnstons criticism is that the EBS system has evolved in such a way that one school could be pulling in millions from the public resource every year, while another district across town might be hopelessly locked out because it was not able to get a license when the FCC was still giving them out. His proposal on behalf of the educator groups would ensure that every student would have equal access to the fruits of the unlicensed remnants of the EBS spectrum. In the most dysfunctional cases permitted under existing rules, according to other experts, enterprising nonprofit directors are building massive, underregulated, multimillion-dollar endowments through the educational resource, again diverting the funds from needy and internet-hungry school systems. Placing an underlying value on EBS spectrum is tricky because it has never been sold among telecoms on the open market. Putting a value on the unlicensed parts of EBS spectrum is even more complicated because it is unclear exactly what percentage of the U.S. population lives in these unlicensed white spaces. Johnston estimates that the combined value of unlicensed EBS is around $4 billion, and the total value of the spectrum is around $10 billion. Sprint, which has an active presence in the space, estimates that less of the spectrum is untapped, closer to 15 percent, and has disputed Johnstons and others estimates that value the spectrum so highly. Privatization Concerns A white paper commissioned by Sprint in 2013 suggests that EBSs comprehensive value is about $5 billion. Former FCC commissioner Harold Furchtgott-Roth countered that year with an analysis that placed the underlying value of the spectrum between $10 billion and $18 billion. There are currently a couple thousand FCC-issued and active EBS licenses spread out across the country. Most are clustered around population centers, and each covers around a couple hundred square miles. By law, EBS license holders must be either a public school system, an educational nonprofit, or an accredited educational institution. License holders can use their spectrum in two ways. One option is for the EBS-licensed organization to build a wireless broadband internet network, typically using Long Term Evolution, or LTE, internet technology. That route, while initially expensive and time-consuming, has proved effective in places like Kings County, Calif., where officials are using an EBS license to deliver affordable internet to the homes of every student in the rural district. Recently, the cost of building those networks has come down, said Dave Maki, the chief technology officer for Northern Michigan University, which has built a successful EBS-supported wireless broadband network. He estimates that if much of the EBS spectrum were not tied up by the FCC and if the rest were not subdivided into several thousand licenses, a national wireless broadband network could be built at the cost of half of a textbook, or $100 to $120 per student annuallyeliminating the homework gap entirely. In the vast majority of cases, however, license holders are taking advantage of long-standing FCC rules crafted before building an independent network was cost-effective. These regulations permit license holders to lease their spectrum to private telecommunications companies for up to 30 years at a time. Critically, however, the FCC has never attached any strings to how EBS lease revenue is used. In choosing between building their own telecom network or renting out their spectrum for millions annuallywith the sweetener being that the telecom renting the spectrum promises to beef up coverage in the immediate areaalmost all license holders have found ways to strike a deal. While experts argue over whether districts are getting a fair value for the spectrum they are leasing, one dynamic is clear: A massive amount of public educational spectrum has been privatized in recent years as telecommunications companies leased spectrum belonging to educational organizations. Sprints Investments Sprint, in particular, has major investments in educational spectrum. It is by far the largest telecom active in the space. Todd Gray, a lawyer who represents hundreds of EBS license holders, called the carrier the 800-pound gorilla in the room. A Sprint spokesperson agreed that our leased access to EBS spectrum is a critically important part of Sprints overall spectrum strategy. Some experts estimate that since merging with Clearwire, Sprint has de facto control of 80 to 90 percent of licensed EBS spectrum, all of which is rented from schools and nonprofits. Advocating for Change Eleven education associations jointly filed documents with the Federal Communications Commission in 2008 calling for changes to the Educational Broadband Service, or EBS. The coalition of groups includes: AASA, the School Superintendents Association Association of Educational Service Agencies Association of School Business Officials International Consortium for School Networking International Society for Technology in Education National Association of Independent Schools National Association of State Boards of Education National Education Association National Rural Education Association Organizations Concerned About Rural Education Rural Schools and Community Trust The groups are championing action because: The FCC has a long-running educational spectrum program worth an estimated $10 billion, but most school districts do not have access to the program. Much of the spectrum is unlicensed, unused, and still sitting with the FCC, according to a lawyer who filed for the groups calling for change. Even though it has been deliberating since at least 2008, the FCC still hasnt ruled on what to do with the unlicensed parts of the spectrum. The rest of the spectrum has been licensed to public and private school systems and educational nonprofits. Most of those organizations lease their spectrum to Sprint, though some schools have built wireless broadband networks in their districts. Some experts have been critical of how the licensed part of the spectrum has been managed. They have complained that there is no oversight to ensure lease revenue from telecoms is actually being used to help students. SOURCE: Education Week From a big-picture perspective, EBS holdings account for a significant chunk of Sprints national network. While Sprint declined to give a specific figure, FCC filings from Verizon, and reporting from FierceWireless, a telecom-news outlet, suggest that EBS accounted for somewhere between 10 and 30 percent of Sprints total spectrum holdings in 2014. Earlier this month, Sprint initiated a campaign to donate free devices and data plans to 1 million students in an effort to help bridge the homework gap. Johnston, the lawyer who filed for the education groups, doesnt begrudge existing EBS license holders from cashing in with Sprint. Instead, what he objects to is the fact that most school districts in the United States have no real recourse to accessing the financial or connectivity benefits that come from holding parts of the spectrum. In the 1990s, Congress passed legislation which forbids spectrum giveaways, requiring the FCC to hold auctions when awarding new spectrum licenses to these educational entities. The FCC, unwilling to pit public educational institutions against one another in auctions, has stopped issuing new EBS licenses since 1995. In Phoenix, according to the FCCs licensing database, none of the 30 public K-12 districts in the city have an EBS license. Instead, the licenses that cover nearly 4 million people in the Phoenix area are owned by groups like Arizona State Universitys board of regents, the Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network, the North American Catholic Educational Programming Foundation, and the Instructional Telecommunications Foundation. Altogether, based on the number of people living in Phoenix, and employing a commonly used industry formula provided by Johnston, the contestants lawyer, the estimated value of the EBS spectrum in the city is roughly $144 million. That means Phoenix license holders could expect to receive about $9.5 million in combined lease payments annuallywith no FCC rules attached to how the money is spent. The only K-12 institution that holds an EBS license in Phoenix is Valley Lutheran High School, a private school with 190 students. The educator groups, through Johnston, have a solution that they argue would prevent such inequities from being repeated with the estimated billions worth of unlicensed spectrum still sitting with the FCC. Their solution would be to establish consortia among all eligible educational institutions in every geographic service area. Each consortium would include every educational group eligible for an EBS license and interested in participating. If that standard were met, the consortium would then become the only applicant for the local spectrum license, thus circumventing the federal statutes that mandate auctions when there is more than one qualified applicant for spectrum. The consortium could then either lease the spectrum rights to a telecom like Sprintdividing up revenue equally on a per-student basisor coordinate efforts to build local wireless broadband networks modeled on Kings Countys or Northern Michigan Universitys efforts. Other longtime EBS observers argue that the education groups proposal does not go far enough. J.H. Snider, the president of the nonprofit iSolon.org, a small public policy advocacy group, and a former fellow at the Harvard University Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics, said that the real tragedy of the EBS system is that most of the biggest lease owners nationally are educational nonprofits that operate in their own self-interest, at the expense of hundreds of thousands of students. Snider was particularly critical of Jim Schwartz, who figures prominently in a complex structure of nonprofits that includes the Instructional Telecommunications Foundation, one of the few EBS holders in Phoenix. IRS 990 forms and the FCCs database show that Schwartzs network of nonprofits have EBS licenses in some of the biggest markets in the country, such as Chicago, Philadelphia, and the Twin Cities in Minnesota, as well as more than $56 million in reserve as of 2014, almost all of which is derived from EBS lease payments accumulated over the years. Documents show that the nonprofits only disburse a small fraction of those funds for educational purposes, including a few modest grant programs. Schwartz said in a telephone interview that his groups are intentionally building up an endowment in the event Sprint were to go out of business and his nonprofits would have to build their own networks to maintain their EBS licenses. Maybe Jim [Snider] thinks there should be rules about [how EBS lease revenue gets spent], but there arent any rules about it right now. Another one of the Phoenix-area license holders, the North American Catholic Educational Programming Foundation has dozens of licenses across the country in markets such as Austin, Texas; Denver, and Palm Beach County, Fla. Despite sitting on more than $64 million in reserves as of the groups 2014 IRS filing, there is very limited evidence of the programming foundations contribution to educational media. The groups website features a few low-budget religious videos and a handful of recorded interviews. IRS 990 forms do show that the group paid out $582,017 in charitable grants in 2014, as well as over $1.3 million in other expenses including employee compensation, while taking in over $8 million in revenue. Katherine Messier, the groups director, said in an emailed statement that the organization needs significant capital reserves should they need to build out Internet networks in rural areas where they hold licenses. She also said that the organization has donated more than $1 million worth of 4G LTE modems to schools and nonprofits in 2016. The European Union is supporting Copenhagen Airport (CPH) in its plans to reach a capacity of 40 million passengers a year with a EUR 168m (DKK 1.25bln) loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB). The loan will be guaranteed under the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the heart of the Investment Plan for Europe, in which the EIB is the European Commissions strategic partner. The project concerns the expansion of Copenhagen Airport to cater for future growth in air traffic and enhance passenger service standards and operational efficiency. Specifically, it includes the construction of the first part of a new Pier E, adding stands for long-haul wide-body aircraft, expanding the airside areas of Terminals 2 and 3 and carrying out a range of other smaller airside and landside upgrades. This should lead to a better experience for the many passengers travelling and transiting through CPH every day. The EIB is happy to help finance the expansion of a core network airport within the TEN-T framework of the European Union." said EIB Vice-President Jan Vapaavuori. Besides alleviating capacity constraints and improving passengers comfort, safety and security throughout the airport, the expansion is expected to also contribute to the creation of new jobs, which will be sustainable over the long term. Violeta Bulc, European Commissioner for Transport, said: "With global traffic expected to double by 2035 the EU needs to plan strategically for this growth, as advocated under the new Aviation Strategy for Europe. The expansion of Copenhagen airport is a step in the right direction, providing more capacity, efficiency and new jobs for an important sector of our economy." We are happy that the EU commission sees the strategic need to expand airport capacity in Europe and recognizes its contribution to the creation of jobs and growth. We welcome the initiative to support the development with financing and this expansion project will support the next phases in the airports plans to grow to 40 million passengers a year and will incorporate new parts of the 2014 Expanding CPH development plan, said Thomas Woldbye, CEO of Copenhagen Airports. This is the second EIB corporate loan operation in Denmark falling under the Juncker Commissions Investment Plan for Europe, meant to support investments and bring back jobs and growth to Europe. The EIB loan is guaranteed by the EU budget, which allows the EIB to offer CPH long-term financing with flexible conditions and at favourable rates. Beaver stuns Quaker Valley in penalties, heads to WPIAL Class 2A championship game A clutch save from Robert Cestra helped lift the Beaver Bobcats to a stunning win over Quaker Valley Monday in the WPIAL Class 2A semfinal matchup. Having spent over three hours at the crease on his return from a hamstring injury, Shaun Marsh, not only led Western Australia's efforts against South Australia in the Sheffield Shield but also took strides to retain his spot as Test opener South Australia 2 for 16 (Ferguson 13*, Mennie 1*, Behrendorff 2-3) trail Western Australia 9 for 271 dec (S Marsh 73, Klinger 61, Mennie 3-56) by 255 runs Scorecard Shaun Marsh spent over three hours at the crease Getty Images Shaun Marsh marked his return from injury with a half-century on the opening day of Western Australia's 600th Sheffield Shield match. Western Australia declared on 9 for 271 and were able to dismiss the South Australian openers cheaply before the close of play. Marsh's 73 off 151 balls at the top of the order has come as a welcome sign with the national selectors picking the Test squad to face South Africa on Friday. He is the incumbent opener, having scored a century in Australia's last Test, against Sri Lanka in Colombo, but he had torn his hamstring in a Matador Cup match earlier this month. This day-night Shield game was a way for Marsh to prove his fitness and he felt good having come through it. Besides hitting nine fours, he ran 23 singles, four twos and two threes over 206 minutes at the crease. "I've had no issues with the hammy and I ran out there at maximum speed," Marsh told the West Australian. "I was concerned when I did it [injured myself] because I've had hamstring issues in the past but I knew it wasn't that bad and it has come good in the past couple of days." The first Test against South Africa begins in Perth on November 3. But Marsh wasn't keen on looking that far ahead. "I will worry about this game first and see where it takes us," he said. The other notable contribution of the Western Australia innings came from Michael Klinger. His 61 off 97 balls included eight fours but his wicket led to a middle-order collapse. Six wickets fell for 60 runs before the ninth-wicket partnership between Jason Behrendorff and Ryan Duffield, who struck 20 of his 23 runs in fours, frustrated South Australia. The declaration came when the stand was broken in the 80th over, having added 38 runs. Younited Italia, Nicola Manzari e il nuovo Coo, Luca Faccini e Head of Growth e Domenico Petraroli e General Counsel Didier Bourguignon, Magdalena Sapala and Alina Dobreva (European Parliamentary Research Service) The importance of environmental protection has been a hotly debated topic for several years, thanks to which also the EU policy in this area is relatively large and complex. However, accord-ing to a recent survey conducted by the European Parliament, about two-thirds of EU citizens think that Brussels should be engaged more in environmental protection and half of the re-spondents considered the Unions current actions on this issue inadequate. The greatest support for the intensification of the EUs action in the field of environmental policies comes from Swe-den, where it reaches up to 83 percent, and the lowest comes from Estonia, where only 45 percent of respondents think that the EU should be engaged more. What is the current frame-work of the EUs environmental legislation and is there perhaps even some room for change? EU environmental policies are primarily focused on the high level of protection and they are based on four basic pillars: prevention, precaution, remedy of the damage directly at its source and the polluter pays principle (PPP). The Union may intervene in almost all areas of the envi-ronmental policy, but it is limited by the principle of subsidiarity and, in the case of some topics, unanimity in the Council is required. The EUs seventh Environment Action Program covers the period between 2014 and 2020 and identifies the main priorities of the current environmental policy. It is focused on the issues of a more efficient use of resources, conservation of biodiversity, protection of human health and reduction of carbon. This framework is complemented by the Europe 2020 strategy, which promotes smart and sustainable growth. The Member States are responsible for compliance, implementation and financing of the measures of environmental protection, for which the EU provides financial and technical support. Environmental protection is an area in which the European Commission must make most efforts to solve the problems with the implementation of environmental policies in the Member States. According to experts, an unsuccessful implementation of these policies from the side of Mem-ber States is caused by poor administrative enforcement capacity, inadequate information or the lack of skills at a local level. To tackle these problems, the Commission should provide a greater support to the Member States to comply with the prescribed measures but also to en-force the given legislation through appropriate legal proceedings. The study can be downloaded here I moved to the UK almost 2 years ago on a spousal visa. Instead of renewing mine next year, we'd like to move to the states as soon as possible. My husband has lost his job here and I am not working. I will be able to find a job easier in the states. We would prefer to go together with our dog (she is 12 years old, so neither of us can part from her lol) And would like to move in Feb. We would live with family and I would start work immediately. Can we go together and apply once we are there? Or do we absolutely need to apply first? I have seen conflicting info on here vs on the U.S. Immigration services website so am unsure about the K-3 forms and how that works. This forum was the only way I was able to fill out my UK visa...its been SO helpful in the past, and I'm hoping to get some great help again! Thanks!! Hi Amanlucky, Thanks for the reply. I have already checked those websites and got my statement of service prepared based on the tasks described. They ask a much more detailed version of those duties and responsibilities mentioned for TESOL teacher. I just wanted to find someone who has already got a positive assessment and can share these documents with me so I can have my docs organized and prepared accordingly. I hope I will be able to find someone who can help me out HI Folks, I am a finance professional from India with 9+ years of post qualification experience. I have done my graduation in commerce from Delhi University and did "Cost and Management Accountancy Professional course" from Institute of Cost Accountants of India (it is also known as CMA). I wanted to check (a) how much is the potential of Finance & Accounting function in Canada (b) which province is better for this job category. In some of the posts in this forum i read about good prospect for IT and Engineering background thus wanted to run a check. I have got band 8 in IELTS test and now working for ECA. I will file my candidature for Canada visa under FSW category in Nov'2016. B/R, Khushal I think it's a matter of what your financial situation is and how willing you are to "roll your own" - with both the US and French sides of the tax situation. But in general, a couple of caveats here: Don't place all your eggs in one basket at least not when dealing with US tax preparation software. Each year there have been significant changes to the various packages, in terms of capability and pricing, and you have to be flexible enough to shift providers when necessary, particularly if you're relying on the Free File software program. A couple of years ago, there were reports that Turbo Tax could not (or did not) handle foreign pensions, and so some loyal TurboTax folks had to switch. (I have no idea if that has been fixed yet or not.) On the French side of things, there is ClickImpot (a French tax preparation software) - and I expect there may be others, though I'm never stumbled across them. However, you still need a basic understanding of how the forms are supposed to work (and a certain level of French) before the software becomes useful. Otherwise, I find it useful to treat the two sets of tax forms/declarations completely separately. The general principle is that you "should" be paying taxes to the government in the country where the income comes from - though there are a few exceptions. The French tax software helps in that it gives you a running tally of how much tax you'll probably owe, based on what you've filled in (since the forms themselves don't actually calculate your taxes). On the US side of things, if you have a fairly simple tax situation, it may actually be easier to just fill out the forms manually rather than trying to work out how to "work" the software to get the desired result - especially if you have to change software due to changing capabilities. Cheers, Bev A record number of people are moving to New Zealand with Auckland, Canterbury and Waikato the most popular places in the country for expats.Official figures from Statistics New Zealand show that a record 70,000 more migrants arrived than departed in the September 2016 year, which surpasses the previous annual record net gain of 69,100 migrants in the August 2016 year. Most of the arrivals are people coming in with work visas, which also includes working holidaymakers. The annual net gain reflects record high migrant arrivals and fewer migrant departures, said population statistics manager Jo-Anne Skinner.A breakdown of the figures show that some 32% arrived with work visas, 29% were New Zealand and Australian citizens, 20% were on student visas and 13% residence visas.Some 75% of those who arrived to make their life in New Zealand went to Auckland, Canterbury, Waikato and Bay of Plenty, with these locations seeing their populations increase by 2.8%, 2.3%, 2.3% and 2.2% respectively.Overall 15 of New Zealands 16 regions experienced growth and three quarters had greater increases than in the year to June 2015, the data also shows and not only was growth high in the big cities, but also in their surrounding areas.The Queenstown-Lakes district overtook the Selwyn district as the fastest growing territorial authority area in the year to June, with a 7.1% population increase. Growth in Queenstown-Lakes and the greater Christchurch area accounted for about 73% of the population increase in the South Island.Migrant departures were 55,700 in the same period, with New Zealand citizens contributing almost 60% to all migrant departures and seasonally adjusted figures showed a net gain of 6,300 migrants in September 2016, surpassing the previous peak of 6,200 in November 2015. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Valero Energy Corp.s third-quarter earnings slid 56 percent but still beat analysts projections as oil prices started to stabilize. Chief Executive Officer Joe Gorder called the third quarter a challenging earnings environment. Our teams focus on safe, reliable, low-cost operations allowed us to deliver solid performance while executing major turnarounds at our Port Arthur and Ardmore refineries, Gorder said in a news release announcing the companys third-quarter results Tuesday. Valero earned $613 million, or $1.33 a share, for the three months ending Sept. 30 less than half of the $1.4 billion of net income, or $1.79 a share, the company earned during the same time period last year. Wall Street analysts projected a 68 percent decline in profits to $436 million, or 93 cents a share, according to average estimates compiled by Bloomberg. The companys shares, which have fallen by 16.7 percent so far this year, rose 4.6 percent in midday trading compared with a 0.3 percent decline in the Standard & Poors 500 Index. The S&P Index, a benchmark for U.S. stocks, is up by almost 5 percent so far this year. We continue to see solid product demand domestically and internationally, Gorder said in a conference call with analysts Tuesday morning. The sustained low price of crude oil and petroleum products, along with strong export demand, helped create a pull on domestic product inventories. The smaller-than-expected drop came as a pretty big surprise, said UBS Valero analyst Spiro Dounis. The street was expecting the numbers to be a lot lower than what they posted, Dounis said in an interview. Valero shut down one of its biggest refineries in Port Arthur for about a month for maintenance during the quarter, cutting into production. So the fact that they were able to ratchet up all their other refineries to the point where it offset that is what was impressive, he said. Valero similarly beat analysts expectations in the second quarter, despite falling profits. Gorder cited high domestic and international demand for its refined products for the unexpectedly better profits that quarter. The costs of complying with federal environmental regulations were a point of contention for Gorder. The Environmental Protection Agency requires refiners to produce a certain percentage of their gasoline from renewable fuels like ethanol, which can be produced from corn. Biofuel blending costs rose to $198 million during the quarter, more than double what they were in last years third-quarter. The company expects those costs to total between $750 million and $850 million for 2016. At these levels, the expense is significant to our company and has our full attention, Gorder said on the conference call. Gorder said the company has filed a petition with the EPA seeking to level the playing field by shifting some of those requirements to retail fuel sellers, he said. Dounis said that Valero doesnt have the capability to meet EPA blending standards so it has to buy so-called renewable identification number credits, or RINs, to meet the requirements. Refineries have been something of a safe haven for investors during the oil rout, benefiting from the lower costs to purchase crude, which is refined into gasoline and other fuels. Voter Guide: What to know for the midterm election Your guide to the Texas and San Antonio races and candidates on the Nov. 8 ballot. U.S. crude prices have collapsed over the last two years from a high of $107 a barrel in June 2014. Theyve seesawed in recent months, almost doubling from a low of $26 a barrel in February. Prices of West Texas Intermediate, the American benchmark crude oil, averaged $44.85 for the third quarter, according to an analysis of U.S. Energy Information Administration spot prices. Valeros operating revenues fell to $19.6 billion, a 13 percent drop from the same period last year amid lower gasoline prices. Despite the falling revenue, the company has continued to raise dividends, upping the investor payout by 60 cents a share to $1.80 through the first three quarters of 2016. Valero said its refineries were operating at 95 percent capacity in the third quarter, producing an average of 2.9 million barrels per day. The company refined 1.2 million barrels of sweet crude oil a day, down from 1.3 million barrels during the same quarter in 2015. It increased its refining of medium and light sour crude oil since last year by more than 100,000 barrels a day to 520,000 barrels in the third quarter. When asked if the company was looking to buy other companies or assets, Gorder said Valero would be interested in properties in the Gulf Coast region but hasnt seen anything available. Reuters reported Friday that the company put in a $900 million bid for a Houston refinery owned by LyondellBasell Industries. rdruzin@express-news.net @druz_journo Billboard giant Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc. sold its interest in Australian billboard and digital advertiser Adshel for about $204 million as the company and its deeply indebted corporate parent sell off non-core assets, Clear Channel announced Tuesday. This transaction presents a very compelling exit opportunity for Clear Channel Outdoor, allowing us to focus even more on our core markets, Rich Bressler, chief financial officer of Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, said in a statement. Clear Channel will retain its ties to APN News & Media, which bought Adshel, through its partnership in iHeartRadio in Australia and New Zealand, he said. IHeartMedia Inc. the radio, billboard and digital company based in San Antonio owns about 90 percent of Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, which is based in Arizona. The transaction follows other asset sales by iHeartMedia and Clear Channel Outdoor. In the first quarter, Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings sold nine U.S. billboard markets for $594 million. The markets were Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio; Des Moines, Iowa; Fort Smith, Arkansas; Memphis, Tennessee; Portland, Oregon; Reno, Nevada; Seattle, Washington; and Wichita, Kansas. The company also recently sold radio broadcast towers and two buildings in San Antonio, including iHeartMedias headquarters office, which it now leases. The sale of CCOs Adshel interest appears similar to iHearts billboard asset sales earlier this year, as part of a broader strategy to opportunistically sell non-core assets, said Sarah Gefter, director of U.S. Credit at New York-based Reorg Research Inc., in an email. What remains to be seen is how the company will put the estimated $204 million in proceeds to use, and whether any of that cash can be dividend-ed out of the outdoor business to iHeart to pay down debt, Gefter added. The company, which hasnt turned a profit since 2009, was struggling under a crushing $20.8 billion in debt at the end of the second quarter. Company spokeswoman Wendy Goldberg wouldnt say whether the money would be used to help pay down its debt. Voter Guide: What to know for the midterm election Your guide to the Texas and San Antonio races and candidates on the Nov. 8 ballot. The cash is on the balance sheet of Outdoor and is available for general corporate purposes, Goldberg said in an email Tuesday. This transaction is a very compelling opportunity for Clear Channel Outdoor, allowing us to focus even more on our core markets. The companys debt mainly stems from the 2008 leveraged buyout of the company by two Boston-based private-equity firms, which acquired 70 percent of the company. The rest of iHeartMedia is publicly traded. In March, iHeartMedia sued nearly 20 of its bondholders to block them from forcing it into default based on a transaction the group said violated its credit agreements. A Bexar County District Court ruled in May that the transaction was allowed and also issued an injunction against the bondholders from issuing future debt default notices. dhendricks@express-news.net This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A lender is trying to force Cowboys Dancehall, which has been mired in bankruptcy since June, to liquidate its assets and sell the popular honky-tonk. Cowboys Far West Ltd. the Arlington-based partnership that owns the dance hall would be required to sell its 16.6-acre lot at 3030 Loop 410 on the citys Northeast Side if the U.S. bankruptcy court approves a liquidation plan filed by one of its mortgage lenders Tuesday. Cowboys also would be forced to sell all its inventory and supplies, including liquor and beer, office furniture and fixtures, office equipment, sound and lighting gear for concerts, vehicles and other assets as part of a plan to repay its creditors. Cowboys owes its creditors, including two mortgage lenders, about $10 million, court documents show. The company says its building and land, which were appraised at $5.3 million this year, are worth $10 million. Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Ronald King must approve the plan, which also needs to be OKd by the rest of the bars creditors, before anything would be sold. Cowboys Far West filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June to avoid losing the property in a foreclosure sale and sued the parent company of Business Property Lending, which owns one of the mortgages, in July. Cowboys claimed the lender, which was also sued, wrongfully foreclosed on the nightclub and forced it into bankruptcy. Cowboys lost that lawsuit in September. Lawyers for Cowboys Far West and Business Property Lending did not return requests for comment. But Cowboys Dancehall took to Twitter on Tuesday evening to assure followers it plans to stay open. We're not going anywhere, the venue tweeted. No worries! Falling receipts at Cowboys in July and August, and the dance halls limited cash on hand make it unlikely that the venues owners will be able to pay back its creditors, the lenders lawyers argued in the filing Tuesday. Cowboys made about $1.3 million in revenue from June 18 to Aug. 31, but more than $1.1 million went toward operating expenses, according to monthly operating reports filed with the court. The nightclub ended August with about $170,000 in cash. The reports make clear that the debtors business is declining and it is uncertain whether the business can recover, the filing said. At the debtors present level of revenues, the debtor cannot service its first and second lien debt from the proceeds of operations. Cowboys owes $3.9 million toward a $5 million promissory note owned by Business Property Lending; $2.1 million toward a second mortgage originally made through a community development corporation in Houston later purchased by Minnesota-based Prinsbank; and $66,028 to National Loan Investors on a $100,000 certificate of deposit in Oklahoma City taken out to settle an employee injury lawsuit. Court documents show the company has paid more than $190,000 on all three debts this year. Cowboys Far West unnecessarily saddled itself with additional debt as sales fell and fines for alcohol violations and failure to pay property taxes stacked up, according to the lenders lawyers. Business Property Lending argued in court that Cowboys Far West completed a sweet deal with one of its former partners, making good on those payments while shortchanging and failing to payback its creditors. Cowboys President Michael Murphy testified that the transaction was designed to create a streamlined ownership structure, according to the filing. Business Property Lendings lawyers disagreed. It seems clear that the debtor did not receive reasonably equivalent value for the substantial transfers, which were made when the debtor was not paying its debts on time and may have been insolvent, lawyers said in the filing. Meanwhile, alcohol sales at Cowboys once among the most lucrative venues in Bexar County have fallen this year. According to court documents, Cowboys took in $2 million in drink sales from Jan. 1 to June 24, the day it filed for bankruptcy protection translating to an average monthly take of $335,596. Last year, Cowboys made almost $6.7 million with average monthly receipts of $554,036. However, Cowboys Dancehall rose back into the countys top 10 bars, restaurants and venues for alcohol sales in July with $306,199 in receipts after falling out of the countys top 20 in May. The venue raked in more than $260,000 in booze sales in August, coming in eighth. The venues owners have struggled to pay property taxes as a result of declining sales and rising property value. Cowboys has incurred more than $75,000 in late fines since 2008, according to Bexar County tax-assessor collectors office records. Property records show Cowboys land value rose 35 percent from 2004 to 2015. Cowboys previously argued that the venue is up-to-date on its property taxes citing a May 9 payment of $133,201.79 made to the assessor-collectors office but that payment came more than three months after the offices Feb. 1 due date, records show. Voter Guide: What to know for the midterm election Your guide to the Texas and San Antonio races and candidates on the Nov. 8 ballot. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission also cited the San Antonio venue for 30 violations against its license since its opening in 2003, records show. Cowboys entered into an agreement to settle its violations with the commission by paying a $10,500 fine on June 20, but reached that settlement more than two months after Business Property Lending said it would accelerate Cowboys mortgage payments. Cowboys paid the penalty on Aug. 8, records show. The venue had risked losing its liquor license and paying an larger fine of $30,000. Cowboys has also failed to file a plan of reorganization required under Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, plaintiffs lawyers said. jfechter@express-news.net Twitter: @JFreports This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate AUSTIN Tony Buzbee, the Houston lawyer who earlier this year welcomed Donald Trump to his River Oaks mansion for a fundraiser, has publicly washed his hands of the Republican presidential nominee and said he plans to write in veteran Dan Moran on the general-election ballot. Buzbee turned away from Trump when a 2005 video surfaced this month in which the businessman is heard bragging about groping women, one of a number of Trump supporters who have broken with him. Sorry Donald. I'm done with you. Completely, Buzbee posted on social media on Oct. 7, along with a link to a story about Trumps crude comments. This week, Buzbee posted a link to a Texas Lawyer story about his decision with a comment about the stir it has raised. You know what I think is funny? That anyone would care enough about who I am voting for to write a story. Must be a slow news day; I'm still scratching my head. Because of a silly Facebook post, last week I had Anderson Cooper personally call me asking me to appear on his show, Buzbee wrote on Facebook. He said he didnt have time for that and added, I am not going to be used to further an agenda, no matter whose it is. Because everyone is so damn interested, I now will formally announce my choice for President: I am writing in Dan Moran. He is the best choice. Look him up. He is above this foolishness and chicanery, Buzbee wrote. Buzbee told Texas Lawyer that his college-age daughters opinion weighed into his decision; that he was concerned about how Trump might deal with other countries; and that he needed to act for my brands sake. Moran isnt on the list of official write-in candidates in Texas, so a vote for him wont be counted. Buzbees clients have included former Gov. Rick Perry, whom he successfully defended in an abuse-of-power case stemming from a Perry veto. Perry, who twice ran for the GOP presidential nomination, has thrown his support to Trump in the race against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. pfikac@express-news.net Twitter: @pfikac IRBIL, Iraq As security forces bear down on Mosul, the Islamic State has moved hundreds of civilians from villages around the city to use as human shields, and the United Nations said the militants may have executed nearly 200 people. To the east, near the Kurdish-controlled city of Kirkuk, Sunni Arabs who fled there to escape violence are being forcibly displaced as local officials worry about terrorist sleeper cells. The toll of an intensifying war does not end there: A sulfur plant set on fire by the Islamic State has sent dozens of people for treatment for respiratory problems, and several journalists have been hurt, and two killed, covering the fighting. And a wayward attack either an artillery shell or an airstrike hit a Shiite mosque in northern Iraq, killing more than a dozen women and children. Just 10 days into the long-awaited offensive to retake Mosul from the Islamic State, the campaign has unleashed a fresh set of horrors across a wide stretch of the country. Although the governments military operation itself is largely meeting its goals in progressing toward the city, the turmoil surrounding it is a sign of just how difficult it would be to secure a lasting peace across Iraqs many divisions even after a victory. The human toll and factional distrust are early examples of the complex humanitarian crisis that many believed would unfold once the fight to oust the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, from its last major Iraqi stronghold began in earnest. U.N. officials said Tuesday that Islamic State fighters had killed close to 200 people, including civilians and children, in and around Mosul in the past week. Among them were said to have been 50 former Iraqi policemen held in a building outside Mosul on Sunday, Rupert Colville, the spokesman for the U.N. human rights high commissioner, told journalists in Geneva. The statements coming from Geneva track broadly with what local Iraqi officials and residents told The New York Times in recent days as the military operation around Mosul intensified. Colville said that in one case, several women and children, including a 4-year-old, who were being held as human shields by Islamic State fighters were suddenly gunned down by the militants, possibly because they were lagging behind the group. He also said that last week the Islamic State was reported to have executed 15 civilians in the village of Safina, about 28 miles south of Mosul, supposedly to terrify other residents. ISIS has lost hundreds of its members from airstrikes when they withdraw, so now they are forcibly displacing the residents of villages they are leaving and using them as human shields, said Abdul Satar, a military expert and former Iraqi army general. Aid workers are bracing for the possibility that hundreds of thousands of civilians could flee Mosul once the fighting moves into the city, and are working to stockpile supplies and set up camps in the desert. So far, about 9,000 people have fled the fighting as Kurdish and Iraqi government forces have moved to secure villages around the city, according to the U.N. The figure would be far higher had the Islamic State not begun forcing residents of those villages to relocate toward Mosul. But as the U.N. has worked to protect civilians, it has at times been undermined by the Iraqi security forces. Recently, a unit of the federal police, whose leadership is closely aligned with a major Iran-backed Shiite militia that has been accused of abuses against Sunnis, raided a camp for the displaced, threatening residents and making off with tents, latrines, water tanks and other supplies, according to U.N. officials. On the military front, the Islamic State has managed to launch two attacks on cities far from Mosul, diverting the attention of Iraqi security forces and the warplanes of the U.S.-led coalition. In recent days, the Islamic State has attacked Rutba, a desert town in Anbar province not far from the Jordanian border, seizing some neighborhoods. That came quickly after last weeks brazen assault on Kirkuk, a Kurdish-dominated city south of Mosul that also has a large Arab population. Dozens of fighters moved on the city in the early-morning darkness, setting off gunbattles that lasted for more than a day. Kurdish officials in Kirkuk responded by forcing out hundreds of Arab families who had sought safety there, according to U.N. officials and local residents, as they feared that terrorists had sneaked into the city posing as displaced civilians. The move is likely to raise tensions in the divided city, and has echoes of Saddam Husseins efforts to forcibly change the demographic balance of oil-rich Kirkuk by moving out Kurds and replacing them with Arabs. Arab residents of Kirkuk who were interviewed on Tuesday reported that armed Kurdish security agents had removed families from homes and forced them to move to camps. They said several homes were also destroyed, in what appeared to be a methodical attempt to force out as many Arabs as possible. Sheikh Ismail al-Hadidi, an Arab leader in Kirkuk, said that the local authorities were exacting collective punishment on Arabs for the crimes of the Islamic State, even though many helped security forces put down the attack last week. We call on the local government and local security agencies to deal with the consequences of the attack and not resort to collective punishment by deporting Arabs and destroying their houses, he said. On the day of the assault on Kirkuk, as aircraft from the U.S.-led coalition were diverted to help fend off the attack, a strike hit a Shiite mosque in nearby Daquq, killing at least 13 women and children at a funeral, according to Daquqs mayor, Amir Khokram, and Human Rights Watch. Local officials blamed the U.S.-led coalition, but U.S. military officials have said the episode was not the result of a coalition airstrike. Some have suggested that an artillery shell hit the mosque, but Human Rights Watch said the evidence it had seen is consistent with an airstrike. The Iraqi forces are also conducting airstrikes, and Human Rights called for a thorough investigation. Two Iraqi journalists covering the fighting have been killed by Islamic State snipers, and several others have been injured, including a New York Times photographer who was wounded by shrapnel from a car bomb last week. Citing safety concerns, the Iraqi government said recently that it would begin restricting journalists access to the front lines. But on a visit near the front line east of Mosul this week, near the recently liberated city of Bartella, it was possible to get past checkpoints and move closer to the fighting. __________ Nick Cumming-Bruce contributed reporting from Geneva, Falih Hassan from Irbil, and an employee of The New York Times from Kirkuk, Iraq. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Lionel Sosa, a lifelong Republican who had worked for every GOP presidential nominee going back to Ronald Reagan, said Tuesday that he was on his way to cast a ballot for Democrat Hillary Clinton. For Sosa, a marketing executive with an expertise of targeting Latino voters for Republicans, its been a process. In June, he penned Farewell, my Grand Old Party, an op-ed for the San Antonio Express-News that explained why he was defecting from his party after decades of steadfast service. Then, last month, Sosa endorsed Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson. From the beginning, hes been unable to stomach GOP nominee Donald Trump, but he said last month that he cant really feel comfortable with Hillary. But his thinking on the candidate has since evolved. At its base, Sosas vote is a protest. And a nod to Johnson doesnt send a strong enough message, he said. I had to go all the way to make a really strong statement against Trump and cast my vote for Hillary, Sosa said before heading to a polling place. Sosa said he began to consider what a vote for Clinton would mean and spent some time pondering her career in public service. Sosa said he was unable to recall any one big thing shed done and extrapolated from that there isnt one big thing she could do to ruin the country. He said hes OK with liberal Supreme Court justices: Weve had them before. Its not the end of the world. Sosa said hes not concerned about her take on national defense or immigration and that hes prepared to pay higher taxes. Ill take that instead of taking the chance on somebody who could put their tiny finger on a button that could start a war or nuclear holocaust, he said. Sosa said he hopes that Trump incurs such a massive loss that it will force the GOP to step back and return to its roots as a welcoming party, a shining city on the hill, a kinder, gentler nation. And in four years, he hopes to be back in the GOP voting for a compassionate conservative nominee. I long for that party and I miss it very much, he said. In the mean time, Sosa said he believes Clinton is OK, and that theres nothing to worry about. While I think I understand where the anger (in the GOP) comes from, I dont think anger, hate, putting people down is going to help us come together, he said. We need to come together as Americans, and we need a leader to help us do that. Sosa said he believes Clinton can go a long ways toward doing that. jbaugh@express-news.net Twitter: @jbaugh In exchange for compensation, the city has agreed to sponsor a company from Delaware that will soon begin soliciting residents to buy a product that consumer advocates warn is underregulated and rarely needed. This fall, San Antonio Water System customers will begin receiving notices in the mail from Service Line Warranties of America encouraging them to pay about $200 a year for protection against sewer and water line breaks on their properties. Although the service has nothing to do with the city-owned water utility, and the notices are not sent by the city, they will bear the official logo of the City of San Antonio. City Council voted last month to allow SLWA to use the citys logo and name in its marketing materials. As compensation, the city will receive a monthly royalty per policy and a brand licensing fee, with a guaranteed minimum amount of about $2.5 million over five years. It marks the first time the city has provided an endorsement for a companys products. Despite the citys seal of approval, utility line warranties are generally not in the best interest of customers, according to Bob Hunter, director of insurance issues for the Consumer Federation of America. Its not the kind of thing I would recommend people buy, Hunter told me. First of all, the likelihood of this happening is very low. The city does not know the odds of any particular home experiencing problems with sewer or water lines because it doesnt track breakages on the homeowners side. Homeowners are responsible for the sewer and water lines on their properties. SAWS maintains water lines only from the main to a residents meter, and maintains sewer lines only from the main to a residents property line. The warranty companys contract is rife with exclusions. SLWA wont cover repairs for damages to a line caused, directly or indirectly, by you (the homeowner), third parties, natural disasters, acts of God, or other insurable causes, or any consequential damages. Accidents are not covered, Hunter said. Its not impossible for a pipe to break. But it has to be sort of a slow wear-and-tear that does it. Warranties, he added, are much different than insurance. The policy language is regulated in insurance, and they arent in warranties. Prices are regulated in insurance, and they arent in warranties. Its a much more risky venture for a consumer than an insurance policy. The policy can be written in ways that are ambiguous, confusing, misleading, and nobodys looking out for that. Youre out there on your own, he said. A spokesman for SLWA did not return a call on Wednesday. District 8 Councilman Ron Nirenberg told me he introduced the city to the sponsorship opportunity after hearing about it at a National League of Cities conference. The NLC has recommended SLWA. It was presented to me as a best practice for large cities, Nirenberg said. He pushed back against the notion that line breaks are uncommon. Ive heard the opposite, he said. We have a lot of aging housing stock, especially in the urban core root intrusion, soft clay soil that causes the pipes to degrade and whenever something like that happens, the homeowner is on the hook to repair it. It could be a financially devastating event because those sewer system repairs cost in the multiple thousands of dollars when they happen, he added. Nirenberg noted the contract with SLWA provides free water and sewer warranties to a limited number of low-income residents 500 in the first year, rising by 125 more each year to 1,000 in the fifth year. He said revenue from the contract should stay in that vein. That money needs to be set aside for additional low-income assistance, he said. This is not additional revenue for the city. Gavino Ramos, spokesman for SAWS, said hes dreading calls to the utility from confused residents who receive warnings of sewer and water line breaks in mail pieces blessed by the city. The breaks are not very common, to be honest with you, Ramos said. My concern is people are going to see some sort of advertisement about sewer and water and think the first responder is the water company. bchasnoff@express-news.net This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Laura Thompsons relationship with her niece is complicated. Thompson, 58, the independent state representative for District 120, turned herself in to authorities last Thursday after learning that she faced an outstanding warrant on a 4-year-old family violence charge. The case has not only damaged Thompsons long-shot bid to keep the seat she won less than three months ago in a special election, it has provided a window into a messy family dynamic. On Sept. 28, 2012, Thompson and her niece, Mercedes Robinson, got into an ugly altercation at the office of Thompsons consulting business, the Laura Thompson Agency. Robinson, a young single mother who had moved to San Antonio from Jacksonville, Florida, worked for her aunt at the time. According to Thompson, Robinson called her and demanded a paycheck, even though it wasnt payday, saying that she needed money to throw a birthday party for one of her kids. Thompson told her niece she would have to wait a few days, and Robinson responded by showing up at the office, where she started shouting and knocking things around, according to Thompson. When Robinson refused to leave without her check, Thompson attempted to pull (Robinson) from (Thompsons) office and then regressed into punching (Robinson) in the chest and neck, according to a probable-cause affidavit submitted after the incident. A police report noted that Robinson had scratches on her, but Thompson insists that she did not lay a hand on her niece. Robinson could not be reached for comment. Thompson says she and her niece patched things up after the office fracas, adding that she helped Robinson through a tough financial stretch by making her the manager of a food-truck business (The Deep Phryer) launched by Thompson and her son. Their relationship once again took a strange turn, however, in recent months. Thompson needed 500 petition signatures to get her name on the Nov. 8 ballot as an independent candidate, and Robinsons signature was among those listed on the petition that Thompson submitted to state election officials. The Texas secretary of states office initially ruled that Thompson failed to garner enough valid signatures, prompting a legal challenge from Thompson in state district court. A temporary restraining order on Sept. 8 called for a review of the signatures, and the secretary of states office subsequently reversed its earlier decision and placed Thompson on the ballot. That prompted Thompsons Democratic opponent, Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, and the Bexar County Democratic Party to file a motion with the court, arguing that Thompsons petition contained only 484 valid signatures. According to Thompson, this unsuccessful effort to remove her name from the ballot was aided by Robinson, who stepped forward and said her signature had been forged. Thompson says she doesnt know why her niece has decided to aid her opponents cause but pointed to the fact that four of Robinsons seven children attend the George Gervin Academy, the charter school run by Gervin-Hawkins. This is very hurtful for the family, Thompson said. Thompson describes her niece as a brilliant but erratic person who frequently slept on the job. She does OK for a while, and then she changes, Thompson said. I dont know what shes doing. Im confused. Im flabbergasted. Even before the emergence of Thompsons legal embarrassments (which include a string of hot-check busts from 1991 to 2004), her chances were remote in the reliably Democratic District 120, which is based on the East Side of San Antonio. District 120 was represented for 19 years by Ruth Jones McClendon, one of the Legislatures most impassioned progressive warriors. McClendon stepped down in January, and Thompson took advantage of the resulting ballot confusion with overlapping primary and special-election campaigns in the district to sneak into office for the final five months of McClendons term. If she falls to Gervin-Hawkins, Thompson will leave office as a legislative asterisk. If she wins, she says she will introduce a bill that protects the rights of people falsely accused of assault. But you cant legislate family harmony, and Thompson is learning that lesson these days. ggarcia@express-news.net Twitter: @gilgamesh470 Faith No More's version of the Bee Gees' song I Started A Joke was released on October 26th 1998. The song first appeared on the B-side of the limited edition single release of 'Digging The Grave' in 1995 and on a bonus CD available with the Australian version of 'King For A Day Fool For A Lifetime' also in 1995. It was recorded along with three more cover versions of other songs in Bill Gould's home studio and produced by Gould and Dean Menta. These songs were the only studio recordings to feature Menta on guitar. 'I Started A Joke' was released by the record company as a single in 1998 from the greatest hits album 'Who Cares A Lot?' released on November 24th, the year FNM split. Most recently the song was available as part of Rhino's now-famous SIDE BY SIDE Series, pairing two artists with one classic song, pressed on mint green vinyl. Bill Gould | Live wire | 1995 "The b-sides that we did were three cover songs that were actually recorded at my house. There's "The Joke" by the Bee Gees, there's a song by a band called The Brothers Four called "Greenfields", and "Spanish Eyes" by Al Martino! They all sound really good, I'm really into it! We were in this bar in Gwaum, god, it was so twisted! You see, Gwaum is like a rock in the middle of the ocean; they have like two million snakes per mile -- they have so many snakes that they have killed all the birds, they have no more birds in all of Gwaum. So, we're sitting in this bar and they have posters of hard-core porn videos all over the wall. It was a regular bar, and they had animal porn on the wall! And we're like, 'What the hell is this?!', and in the corner of the room they had this karaoke machine and they were all singing the words "I started a joke ..." and there was this bouncing ball so they could follow the words. The lyrics were so pathetic and depressing that we just said 'We have to do this song!' It's the most miserable song I ever heard in my life!" The original Bee Gees song was from their 1968 album Idea, which was released as a single in December of that year. According to Robin Gibb, the melancholic melody of the song was inspired by the sounds on board an aeroplane. Bee Gees Anthology, Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1991. "The melody to this one was heard aboard a British Airways Vickers Viscount about a hundred miles from Essen. It was one of those old four engine 'prop' jobs, that seemed to drone the passenger into a sort of hypnotic trance, only with this it was different. The droning, after a while, appeared to take the form of a tune, which mysteriously sounded like a church choir. So it was decided! We accosted the pilot, forced him to land in the nearest village and there; in a small pub, we finished the lyrics [with Barry]. Actually, it wasn't a village, it was the city, and it wasn't a pub, it was a hotel, and we didn't force the pilot to land in a field... but why ruin a perfectly good story?" The video for the single release was directed by Vito Rocco and first aired in October 1998. The video's main character is played by English performance artist David Hoyle and also features English actor Martin Freeman in an early role. The video was released after FNM had split and was produced by the record company as part of the promotion for 'Who Care's A Lot'. Focus on Ag: What the worsening drought conditions really tell us Drought conditions in the Midwest have worsened over the last few months, but Kent Thiesse says the long-term impact of drought isn't always understood. Three herds in Wales are supplying cattle for the small but growing band of Welsh Black farmers in Germany. Welsh Black cattle have established a new foothold in the country following the sale of 35 animals to a pair of breeders in Bavaria. Buyers Jan Janssen and Tamme Hanken placed their orders after touring Wales with a group of German breeders. Mr Jan Janssen from Westerstede, Germany travelled over to Wales in mid-February with a group of breeders and bought 30 heifers and 3 young bulls, whilst another breeder, Mr Tamme Hanken bought 2 heifers. Sally Lloyd, Promotions Officer of the Welsh Black Cattle Society took the group of breeders round a few farms in Wales and is very pleased and proud of this massive achievement. The majority of the cattle came from Mr &Mrs Dai and Joan Francis and their two sons, Rhys and John who farm at Tynywaun, Gwynfe, Llangadog, Carmarthenshire. Their well-known Cennen Herd is renowned for breeding excellent cattle. 'Amazing story' A trip organised by Olaf and Sabine Eckert saw seven Welsh Blacks shipped to Germany last week. In 2010 he also imported cattle. He told the Daily Post: "We are very happy to see year on year the good influence these cattle have on our herd. "On this visit we saw the incredible progress being made in Welsh Black breeding, with well-framed and correct cattle." All the cattle have been in quarantine and have had various blood tests in order for them to travel to Bavaria and they have now finally reached their new homes. Sending a couple of animals is quite difficult but thirty three animals from one herd is a massive achievement. Sally Lloyd comments "Rhys and his father Dai, I know, have found it a very emotional experience and I thank them very much for all their hard work and dedication. "It's an amazing story for the Welsh Black breed and look forward to following their progress over in Germany, where they have gone to a large breeder who produces cattle for a large food outlet supplying only Welsh Black beef. "We hope all the cattle settle well in their new home and good luck to Jan and Tamme." Scottish farming union NFU Scotland hosted over 30 MPs from across the UK at a parliamentary reception in Westminster. NFU Scotland mapped out its priorities for Scottish agriculture and the food and drink sector post-Brexit with the MPs. The busy event, facilitated by Paul Monaghan MP, is just one of many engagements with parliamentarians following the outcome of Junes referendum. The meeting shone a spotlight on the main priorities for the industry access to existing and new markets, a new agricultural policy, and importance of non-UK labour on our exit from the EU. NFU Scotlands Beyond Brexit documents, published last week, formed the basis for discussion at the reception. They highlight the importance of a robust trade agreement for Scottish produce, and an adequately funded policy framework for Scottish agriculture which will foster resilience, productivity and profitability for our industry in years to come. The message from the union has been discussed with government ministers and cross-party politicians from across the political spectrum since the outcome of the referendum. It is also the base from which NFU Scotland will conduct a wide-ranging discussion with its membership over the coming weeks and months, with the aim of arriving at a more detailed policy position before Article 50 is triggered next spring. 'Agriculture is at the heart' Speaking from Westminster, NFU Scotlands President Allan Bowie said: Agriculture is at the heart of Scotlands booming food and drink industry, which returns billions to Scotlands economy and employs over 360,000 people. In addition, Scotlands farmers and crofters underpin community life in some of the most remote parts of the country, contribute massively to environmental goals, and play a vital role to Scotlands rural economy. It is for this reason that agriculture must not become expendable in the negotiations to leave the EU a message the Union has continually argued since the referendum outcome. Todays well-attended event demonstrated that this message is being heard by parliamentarians and decision-makers, which is greatly encouraging. The reception was an opportunity to communicate Scotlands unique priorities and concerns in what is a very uncertain time for all. "We are only at the start of what will be a long period of drawn out negotiations, and it is important we set out our principles of trade and agricultural policy for the long-term benefit for our industry at this relatively early stage. "It was clear that the MPs at todays reception responded positively to us setting out these goals. It is now for them to amplify this message," Mr Bowie concluded. Food and drink producers from across Wales are showcasing in the Great Taste Celebration Event in Cardiff Bay, following gold starred success at the UKs Great Taste Awards. Food and drink producers from across Wales who have been triumphant in gaining elusive gold stars at the UK-leading Great Taste awards have been invited to exhibit their award winning produce, in celebration of their success at the St Davids Hotel in Cardiff Bay on Tuesday 1 November 2016. Hosted by the Welsh Governments Cabinet Secretary for the Environment and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths AM, the event aims to give producers a platform to highlight their produce at a national level, in addition to celebrating the producers success. Hilltop Honey Major food buyers from leading supermarkets, luxury department stores, specialist delicatessens and the public sector will all be in attendance eager to sample the best that Welsh food and drink has to offer. Following the success of Welsh food and drinks at the Great Taste Awards, Cabinet Secretary, Lesley Griffiths AM commented: It truly is wonderful to see that so many Welsh food and drink producers have been recognised at the Great Taste Awards and it really highlights Wales as an area with the highest level of quality and innovation in food and drink production. Were very proud of our food and drink sector in Wales and today gives us a chance to celebrate their success and them an opportunity to showcase exactly what Wales can produce on a wider stage. 'Oscars of the food world' Apple County Cider The showcase has been organised by the Welsh Governments Bwyd a Diod Cymru Food and Drink Wales, the umbrella identity used to promote Welsh produce at home and abroad. Often described as the Oscars of the food world, this year Welsh food and drink producers won 125 awards across three categories with three products achieving an esteemed 3 star status with the Great Taste gold star accolades acting as a stamp of quality and excellence to customers and industry insiders alike. This year, triple star winners originated each from North, South and Mid-Wales, demonstrating breadth and quality amongst food and drink producers right across Wales. In South Wales, Apple County Cider, based in Monmouth, scooped the Golden Fork from Wales award for a second successive year having gained three stars for their Dabinett Medium Cider. Hilltop Honey based in Caersws were triumphant with their Raw Thyme Honey in Mid-Wales, who were also presented with The Great Taste Nigel Barden Heritage Award. Bodnant Welsh Food, based in Conwy, were victorious with their Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese in North Wales. 'Consistently high' produce Nigel Barden, Chairman of Judges for the esteemed Great Taste Awards, organised by the Guild of Fine Food, was delighted at the strength of the Welsh winners in this years GTAs. A Great Taste award, be it one, two or three stars, is a magnificent achievement and a tangible sign of quality and excellence. The standard of Welsh entries is consistently high and reflects the ever increasing commitment to top notch food and drink emanating from the country. I would be delighted if even more Welsh producers enter the Great Taste Awards in 2017, as GTA accreditation offers an invaluable platform to producers and retailers. The black and gold GTA sticker is recognised internationally, making it an excellent worldwide marketing tool. In total, 125 Welsh products received Great Taste honours with 96 entries receiving 1-star, 26 receiving 2-star and 3 achieving the ultimate honour of 3 Great Taste stars. Each year, the Great Taste Awards are organised by the Guild of Fine Food and are among the worlds largest blind tested food ward schemes. Gold stars are an acknowledged benchmark for speciality food and drink products. Apple County Cider, a small family business run by husband and wife Ben and Steph Culpin are incredibly proud of their continued achievements, proving that they are able to match their high quality with high consistency. Hilltop Honey is a Newtown based honey manufacturer. Already a household favourite and appearing on major supermarket shelves across the UK, owner Scott Davies explains that achieving the Great Taste Nigel Barden Heritage Award for its Great Taste 3 star award-winning Raw Thyme Honey just adds to what has already been an outstanding year. Meanwhile, Bodnant Welsh Food, based in the heart of the Conwy valley, took away three gold stars for their Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese. Having won 1 gold star in 2015 and this year gaining 2 stars for their Welsh Salted Butter, it was their Caerphilly Cheese which this year took the attention of the judges taste buds to earn them those coveted three gold stars. Bird flu: Poultry housing order to be introduced in England Nikki Elezovich, Country Downs station, said there was something special about "pulling together a room full of rural and community women to celebrate the role that we all play in driving our industry and region forward". What does a more efficient Caleb Love look like for the Tar Heels? A federal appeals court this month disqualified the BakerHostetler law firm and one of its partners from representing a firm linked to the tax fraud Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky exposed before he died in a Russian prison. The U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals instructed a district court in New York to disqualify partner John Moscow and BakerHostetler from representing Cyprus-based Prevezon Holdings. BakerHostetler first represented Hermitage Capital in 2008. A fund managed by Hermitage, which is controlled by London-based William Browder, made investments into Russia. Magnitsky uncovered a $230 million tax fraud against the fund in 2007. He alleged involvement by Russian officials and mobsters. Magnitsky was arrested in 2008 and died in a Russian prison in 2009. His family and Browder said he was denied medical attention after becoming sick. The Russian government said he died of natural causes. In 2013, BakerHostetler started working for Prevezon. The company is linked to the DOJs 2013 civil forfeiture case against assets allegedly derived from the fraud against the Hermitage fund. Included in the civil forfeiture action is Manhattan real estate owned by Prevezon worth about $2 million. The second circuit found that BakerHostetler breached its duty of loyalty and confidentiality by switching sides in the case. The U.S. adopted the Magnitsky Act in 2012. It imposes sanctions on those responsible for the 36-year-old lawyers detention, abuse, or death. It also reaches those who concealed his mistreatment or were involved in or benefited from the criminal conspiracy he uncovered. Browder isnt a party to the DOJs civil forfeiture action. But he filed a motion asking the federal court to disquality BakerHostetler and Moscow from representing Prevezon because of their conflict. ____ Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog. Tom Cruise credits his success to Scientology. Tom Cruise The 54-year-old actor has over 50 films under his belt and still has producers queuing up to snag him for their forthcoming movies but he's convinced he wouldn't be where he is today if he hadn't taken up the "beautiful" religion - a body of beliefs and practices created in 1954 by American science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard - three decades ago. Speaking to ITV News about the controversial organisation, Tom - who rarely comments on his religious beliefs - said: "It's something that has helped me incredibly in my life; I've been a Scientologist for over 30 years. It's something, you know, without it, I wouldn't be where I am. So it's a beautiful religion. I'm incredibly proud." The 'Mission: Impossible' star - who is the most famous star to follow the organisation - believes the methods developed by Hubbard have helped him overcome his dyslexia. He said seven years ago of his literacy struggles at school: "I asked myself if I was normal or an idiot. I would try to concentrate but I felt anxiety, frustration, boredom. When I graduated from high school in 1980 I was functionally illiterate." Tom was first introduced to the church by his first wife Mimi Rogers, whom he was married to from 1987 until 1990, while he was still trying to make it as a global star. He then went on to wed Nicole Kidman, with whom he adopted two children Isabella and Conor, but they later divorced in 2001 following 11 years of marriage. Tom began dating Katie Holmes in 2005 and welcomed their daughter Suri, now 10, into the world in April 2006. They tied the knot over a year later in Italy and the head of Scientology David Miscavige served as the actor's best man at the wedding. After six years of marriage, Katie filed for divorce - the details of which have remained sealed under New York law - from Tom and it's believed he hasn't seen their daughter in public for three years after he was spotted taking to her to Disneyland in 2013. Tom is one of the highest-ranking Scientologists has been hailed by leaders of the faith as the "chosen one" who will spread the word of the religion. The bizarre sci-fi cult's founder Hubbard claimed that extra-terrestrial beings were sent to Earth by intergalactic ruler Xenu, who then destroyed the aliens with hydrogen bombs in a volcano. The aliens' souls attached themselves to chosen humans, known as thetans, who will be one day be saved. Manchester band The Empty Page aren't looking for fame, money or approval. Instead they simply want to enjoy their time as creative artists, and if success comes along the way, they'll be happy. We speak to the alt-punk band all about their music, inspirations, the future and more! The Empty Page For those who may be new to your music, how best would you describe your sound? Giz: Grungy, 90s-influenced, catchy pop songs. What challenges have you faced in the music industry so far? Kel: We don't really operate in the music industry, haha! The challenge really is being an independent musician; [it] takes a hell of a lot of effort, money and time, more than I think most people realise. But that's not a complaint, we choose to do this because we love it. How difficult would you say this career path is in terms of making a name for yourself? Giz: Yeah, it's pretty difficult, there are loads of bands out there trying to do something, but we do it 'cause we want to make music and play shows, not because we want to be famous. Kel: I don't see it as a career path in that I don't have goals in terms of money or any measure of success in other people's eyes. I do this because music is what makes me tick, and if I don't do music I become an existential, miserable heap. How important is it for you to have creative control over the work you produce? Giz: It's essential. It's all about us doing our own thing and creating our music the way we want it to be. Kel: Yep, any other way would defeat the object, which is to scratch our own personal creative itches, nobody else's! Where do you draw influence and inspiration from for your work? Kel: I'm inspired by a lot of different things, lyrically. I take ideas from snippets of conversation, from things that make me really angry, from feeling deep admiration for someone. Musically it's impossible to whittle it down to a handful of inspirations, but this band definitely draws on the more shoegazey, indie 90s bands with some mess and noise. If you could collaborate with anybody going forward, who would you choose and why? Giz: I'd like J Mascis to come and do a guitar solo on one of our tracks. Kel: I want to collaborate on a film with someone, we can be the band in the film like L7 in Serial Mom, actually yeah John Waters would be a dream! Tell us a random, funny fact about you that not many people know. Kel: Jim's got 12 entries in the Viz profanisaurus. Do you have definitive aims or goals for your career? Kel: Not in the way most people think of their careers. My goals are mainly to keep writing better songs and be more prolific over the next few years. I'd like to release a few albums in quick succession. Also I'd love to play The Apollo in Manchester, even just as a support band. Where do you hope to be this time next year? Giz: Hopefully releasing record number two and touring the world! The Empty Page continue their UK tour in Edinburgh tonight (October 26) at Bannerman's and in Dunfermline tomorrow (October 27) at Monty's. by Daniel Falconer for www.femalefirst.co.uk find me on and follow me on Prince Harry will undertake a royal tour of the Caribbean in November. Prince Harry The 32-year-old royal will represent his grandmother Queen Elizabeth when he visits seven countries, including the Realms of Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada and Barbados, from November 20 to December 4. And Harry is also set to pay a visit to Guyana on behalf of the Foreign Office. A spokesperson for Harry said: "Prince Harry is honored to be representing The Queen, in the year of her 90th birthday, particularly as Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados and Guyana mark their own important anniversaries of independence. Prince Harry holds special memories of his last visit to the Caribbean, and of the warmth, friendliness and sense of fun that comes so naturally to this region. His Royal Highness is greatly looking forward to meeting more of the people who call it home, and for the opportunity during this tour to be visiting some countries for the first time. "This visit will allow Prince Harry to experience more of the unique and individual cultures and traditions of these special Commonwealth Realms and countries. His Royal Highness is grateful to have the chance to visit nations that play such important roles in the Commonwealth, and have extended such warmth to his family for many years." Harry last toured the Caribbean in 2012 during the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Prince William is planning a solo trip to Vietnam. Prince William The Duke of Cambridge - who has two children with his wife Duchess Catherine - will travel to Hanoi next month to attend the International Wildlife Trade Conference on November 16 and 17. Details of William's trip to Vietnam were announced on Kensington Palace's Twitter page. A series of tweets stated: "The Duke of Cambridge will visit Hanoi, Vietnam on 16-17 November to support efforts to fight the illegal wildlife trade. "HRH will attend the 3rd Int'l IWT conference & meet young Vietnamese people who are positively shaping attitudes for their generation. "HRH will also see how leaders in traditional medicine are working to eradicate use of IWT products like rhino horn - stay tuned for updates!" William is passionate about wildlife conservation and last month gave a powerful speech on behalf of the charity Tusk, which he is a patron of. He said: "We have the chance to say that ivory is a symbol of destruction, not of luxury and not something that anyone needs to buy or sell. "We have the chance to say that rhino horn does not cure anything and does not need a legal market. Now is the chance to send an unambiguous message to the world that it is no longer acceptable to buy and sell ivory, rhino horn or other illegal wildlife products. Indeed, I would challenge anyone who knows the truth of how these wildlife products are obtained, to justify desiring them." Benedict Cumberbatch is "so proud" of his friend Judge Rinder on 'Strictly Come Dancing'. Benedict Cumberbatch The 40-year-old actor has been trying to tune in to the ballroom and latin show every week to watch his good friend - whose real name is Robert Rinder - hit the dance floor with his professional partner Oksana Platero because he thinks he's doing such a good job. Speaking on 'This Morning' on Wednesday (26.10.16), he said of the television star: "He's a friend, I am so proud of him! I watched a bit of [his court show] 'Judge Rinder' but I know Rob Rinder and watching him on this is phenomenal." However, although he takes his hat off to the barrister, the 'Sherlock' star is adamant he'd never agree to take part in the competition himself because his dancing skills aren't up to scratch. He said when asked if he'd sign up to it in the future: "I'm nowhere near their standards." Benedict met Rinder at university in Manchester and they've been friends ever since. The Hollywood hunk even asked the law professional to be his best man at his wedding when he tied the knot with his beautiful partner Sophie Hunter last year. A source said at the time: "Benedict had three best men, but only one was famous - and that was Judge Rinder. There was speculation that he chose another actor, but he wanted genuine old friends in the role. They kept it pretty quiet. They were friends before either found fame." Meanwhile, in between watching his friend on 'Strictly...' and filming his new movie 'Doctor Strange', Benedict has thrown himself back into shooting the fourth series of 'Sherlock'. The hunk - who portrays the handsome detective Sherlock Holmes in the popular drama - can't wait for fans to see the forthcoming installment of the mystery show as it's the "best ever." He said of the next series: "What I will say in general again is nothing new unfortunately, we try and up our game every time. "This will be the best series ever and there are moments in it that are just jaw dropping and that's kind of the nearest we get to the impact from the audience is reading the script." Broadchurch's Nyakeh Kpaka has been jailed for eight years for sexual assault. Nyakeh Kpaka The 26-year-old actor was described as "a dangerous sexual predator" at Woolwich Crown Court in London on Tuesday (25.10.16) after he was found guilty of attacking two women on two separate occasions as they slept at house parties in London. Detective Constable Peter Thompson, from the Met's sexual offences, exploitation and child abuse command, told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Kpaka is a dangerous sexual predator who has attacked vulnerable lone women whilst they were sleeping in bed at two different house parties. "Thankfully he has now been caught and convicted and is serving a prison sentence. I would like to take this opportunity to thank those present at the parties who came to the assistance of the victims and the victims themselves who showed a great degree of courage to report these offences and give evidence against Kpaka." Nyakeh - who uses the acting name Nakay Kpaka - climbed into bed at a party in Blackheath, south east London, in May 2015 and attacked a woman twice. He was arrested after she ran screaming from the room but he was later bailed after insisting the sexual intercourse was consensual. However, he was remanded in custody after a second victim came forward with similar allegations from a party in Finsbury Park, north London, in December 2014. According to the Met police, neither victim knew their attacker before the party. Nyakeh - who has also appeared on 'Grantchester' - was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault by penetration and given five years in jail for the two offences in 2015 and a further three years for the single offence the year before. Orders to the local clothing industry in Kyrgyzstan have surged drastically since its entry into the Eurasian Economic Union in August 2015, according to the Kyrgyz Association of Light Industry (Legprom). This increase is despite US dollar appreciation and depreciation of the Russian ruble against the Kyrgyz som affecting Kyrgyz exports. The demand for the Kyrgyz clothing items has escalated in neighbouring EEU countries of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan as these have become popular in those markets. The removal of customs service at the border has also become a boon to the apparel industry, according to Legprom. Few of the garment companies in Kyrgyzstan have signed contracts with the trading companies in Russia which gives them monthly order of 10,000 product items and more, Kyrgyz media reports said. Orders to the local clothing industry in Kyrgyzstan have surged drastically since its entry into the Eurasian Economic Union in August 2015, according to the Kyrgyz Association of Light Industry (Legprom). This increase is despite US dollar appreciation and depreciation of the Russian ruble against the Kyrgyz som affecting Kyrgyz exports.# The textile and clothing industry that unites small and medium-sized enterprises is a priority in Kyrgyzstan, with the highest export potential after gold and food products. Keeping in mind development of local Kyrgyz apparel industry, Sooronbay Jeenbekov, Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan has promised to create the best possible conditions for the industry, including availability of low-interest loans to manufacturers from the Kyrgyz-Russian Development Fund. The Kyrgyz garment industry also gets help from the Swiss Government, which in association with the International Trade Centre trains local producers in management, marketing and clothes design. The programme includes 175 garment enterprises, of which, at least 50 per cent have participated in international exhibitions. (RR) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India The Tirupur Exporters' Association (TEA), along with the Odisha Skill Development Authority, various government departments and Bhubaneshwar based Gram Tarang Employability Training Services, will work on an initiative to impart training to Odisha workers. This training will be tailor-made to cater to the specific needs of Tirupur knitwear cluster. In recent years, a lot of workers have migrated from Odisha to Tirupur knitwear cluster in search of employment. Some of these had taken training in some aspects of apparel production under different schemes of Odisha government. However, these skills were not found to be exactly suitable for knitwear manufacturing in Tirupur, according to TEA. Recently, a delegation from Tirupur met Odisha Skill Development Authority head Subroto Bagchi and various other government officials and explained to them the skilling needs of Tirupur knitwear cluster, a leading daily reported. The Tirupur Exporters' Association (TEA), along with the Odisha Skill Development Authority, various government departments and Bhubaneshwar based Gram Tarang Employability Training Services, will work on an initiative to impart training to Odisha workers. This training will be tailor-made to cater to the specific needs of Tirupur knitwear cluster.# The delegation also briefed officials of Gram Tarang Employability Training Services about skill requirements of knitwear cluster in Tirupur. Providing skills appropriate to knitwear manufacturing will result in win-win situation as it will help Tirupur overcome labour shortage while providing employment to workers from Odisha. Tirupur is one of the important garment clusters in India, accounting for over 50 per cent of cotton knitwear exports from India. The cluster provides employment to more than 3,00,000 people directly and indirectly. (RKS) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat, will host the Indian Textile Sourcing (ITS) exhibition. The three-day event will kick off from February 16, 2017. This display will be the largest textile sourcing event in South Asia. A premiere of the exhibition displaying various textile materials will be held in Ahmedabad, a few days before the event. ITS exhibition will be a platform to converge all the supply chain partners from across the world. Of the 13,000 buyers expected to participate in the exhibition, 3,000 will be international visitors. These international visitors will be from the US, EU, China, Korea, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Turkey, Middle East and Latin America. The event will exhibit an array of products that will cover textile raw materials to finished products. The product categories include fibre, yarn, suiting and shirting fabrics, ladies wear and dress materials, knits, home textiles and sheeting, denim, fashion fabrics, khadi and handlooms, sustainable and eco-textiles. There will also be corporate international pavilions. Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat, will host the Indian Textile Sourcing (ITS) exhibition. The three-day event will kick off from February 16, 2017. This display will be the largest textile sourcing event in South Asia. A premiere of the exhibition displaying various textile materials will be held in Ahmedabad, a few days before the event.# The event looks forward to receive response from entire value chain of the textile industry including fashion and retail. The exhibition of textiles will simulate business by generating high volumes of sales, enquiries and partnerships. Speaking of hosting the exhibition in Gujarat, Bharat Boghara, president of Spinners Association of Gujarat said, Gujarat contributes to over 30 per cent of India's textile production and has presence of entire textile value chain, being the largest cotton, polyester and denim producer. In addition, Gujarat is the largest investment destination and is home to well-known textile brands. The exhibitors and visitors will get a chance to discover market opportunities, collaborate with new partners and prosper in the global market place, added Dr. Boghara. ITS exhibition will jointly be organised by K And D ITMACH Expositions LLP and Spinners Association. (RR) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and the University of Rhode Island Business Engagement Centre have together started the Rhode Island Textile Innovation Network, a trade group formed with support from Whitehouse and the University of Rhode Island Business Engagement Centre to guide growth of the states textile industry in the twenty-first century.The Rhode Island Textile Innovation Network is in part a result of Whitehouses efforts to foster collaboration between textile industry leaders, and capitalise on Rhode Islands abundance of manufacturing expertise and infrastructure. Whitehouse has met with textiles industry representatives on more than a dozen occasions over the past five years. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and the University of Rhode Island Business Engagement Centre have together started the Rhode Island Textile Innovation Network, a trade group formed with support from Whitehouse and the University of Rhode Island Business Engagement Centre to guide growth of the state's textile industry in the twenty-first century.# The Rhode Island Textile Innovation Networks inaugural meeting included executives from 14 local manufacturers, faculty from the textiles and engineering programs at the University of Rhode Island, and representatives of the Rhode Island School of Design. Participating companies included Hope Global, Cooley Group, Toray Plastics America, Polaris MEP, American Cord & Webbing Company, Brickle Group, Colonial Mills, Darlington Fabrics, Dartex Coatings, Kenyon Industries, Nautilus Defence, Propel LLC, Trans-Tex LLC, and Innovative Sourcing Group.Meeting participants discussed potential opportunities in textile manufacturing, including smart textiles that incorporate technology. The event was held at the headquarters of Cooley Group in Pawtucket, RI. Cooley Group opened its doors in 1926 as a manufacturer of cotton awnings, and has evolved over the last century into a maker of engineered membranes, building products, and commercial graphics.Katharine Hazard Flynn executive director of the URI Business Engagement Centre said, We were pleased to help convene this inaugural meeting of the Rhode Island Textile Innovation Network and we look forward to facilitating access for its members to URI faculty, research opportunities, and students to support the needs of this important industry. Textiles have a rich tradition both in Rhode Island and at URI and we are excited to support the work of this group in any way we can. (GK) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India Sidharth Anand, who made the Hrithik Roshan- Katrina Kaif starrer Bang Bang is back in news. We hear that the director's next is an Indo-China film called Love In Beijing and like the title suggests it's a love story of a Chinese man and an Indian girl. As per a Mumbai Mirror report, the Chinese actor Deng Chao of The Mermaid fame is being considered to play the hero. Talking about the film's leading lady, Sidharth stated that he would either go for Deepika Padukone or Priyanka Chopra. Sid in an interview to the tabloid said, "It could possibly be one of them." He revealed, "Yes, it's a cross-cultural romance set in Beijing. I' m excited to explore and showcase another culture through the film. Our Chinese producers have suggested Deng Chao's name but we will take a final call when I visit China next month." He further added, "We've been working in my office since the last week and should be able to lock the script by December. The Chinese are strong-minded people and it's great fun to work with them. I've never shot in China before so it's a blind spot for me. But I will be travelling there next month with the writers for a recce." On the work front Deepika would soon start working on Padmavati and is eagerly waiting for the release of her Hollywood debut 'xXx: Return Of The Xander Cage.' PC too is sashaying in the west with Dwayne Johnson- Zac Efron starrer Baywatch. Meanwhile, who do you think would be an apt choice for this Indo-China film - Deepika or Priyanka? Do pour in your thoughts in the comment section below. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. (CMG) has reassured its customers that Mexican casual fast food chain will not run out of guacamole nor will it increase its price, despite ongoing avocado shortage. The food chain said it has not faced any problems with avocado supply. 'We do not plan to raise prices for guacamole (we don't typically raise prices in response to short-term cyclical changes in food costs) and have not incurred any supply disruptions,' Chipotle spokesperson Chris Arnold told Business Insider. Avocado, which is the primary ingredient of guacamole, has been short in supply due to grower's strike in Mexico and a drought in California. Last week, the country imported just 8.5 million pounds avodado from Mexico, compared to about 35 to 45 million pounds imported last year, according to Business Insider. 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. KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA -- (Marketwired) -- 10/25/16 -- The gender equality debate is not a new one and the issue of workplace equality is on-going around the world. The Q3 Randstad Workmonitor looked at sentiments in Malaysia and found that employees have the highest positive sentiments towards equality compared to Singapore and Hong Kong. The findings showed that the strong positive sentiment was caused by the optimistic views that men held, bringing up Malaysia's average. Malaysia ranked second highest globally with employees feeling that gender equality increased with the seniority of the job. 83% of Malaysian employees held this sentiment, compared to 61% globally, showcasing a confident outlook on job prospects for longer term careers. The genders held similar views, with 84% of women and 83% of men holding this sentiment. When looking equal rewards for men and women in similar positions, Malaysians had the highest sentiment in the region with 83% feeling that rewards were equal compared to 81% of employees in Singapore and Hong Kong. This sentiment was split between the genders with only 80% of women compared to a much higher 87% of men. Malaysian employees expressed the highest positive sentiment in the region when looking at equal treatment for men and women within organisations, with 87% of Malaysian employees, compared to 85% in Hong Kong and 81% in Singapore. Malaysian male employees were key in this high ranking as 91% of men, compared to only 83% of women, agreed with the statement. Promotions and job applications were also studied, Malaysia ranked highest in the region, and third globally, for positive sentiment around equal support for men and women when applying for a job or when asking for promotions with 84% of Malaysian, 81% of Hong Kong and 76% of Singaporean employees. Male employees were again a leading factor for this high sentiment (88%) compared to women (80%). Ryan Carroll, Country Director for Randstad Malaysia noted, "It is great to see that, overall, Malaysian employees are quite confident that there are equal opportunities for both genders in the workplace. However, these high numbers were affected by the strong sentiment of male employees. This positive sentiment could show a possible lack of understanding from men around the true sentiments of the situations of their female colleagues." "I expect to see the gap in sentiment between men and women close in the future as both global and local organisations continue building their training and teambuilding expertise, allowing for stronger cooperation and mutual understanding between the genders," added Mr Carroll. Company Logo http://release.media-outreach.com/i/Download/5894 The Randstad Workmonitor The Randstad Workmonitor was launched in the Netherlands in 2003 and now covers 34 countries around the world. The Workmonitor is published quarterly, making global trends in mobility visible over time. The quantitative study is conducted via an online questionnaire among employees aged 18-65, working a minimum of 24 hours a week in a paid job (not self-employed). The minimal sample size is 400 interviews per country, using Survey Sampling International. About Randstad Randstad is one of the world's largest recruitment and HR services providers. Randstad Malaysia specialises in permanent and contract recruitment, placing high calibre mid to senior level professionals in companies across key industry sectors. Since 1996, Randstad Malaysia has been shaping the world of work, and continues to help organisations recruit the best. www.randstad.com.my Randstad contact details: Matthew de Bakker Senior PR & Communications Executive Email: Email Contact DID: +65 6510 6573 Sandy Tam Marketing & Communications Associate Email: Email Contact DID: +603 2036 7563 MOUNTAIN VIEW (dpa-AFX) - Alphabet Inc.'s (GOOGL, GOOG) Google cut expansion of Fiber fast internet service plans in eight large cities. Craig Barratt, head of the Access unit that includes Google Fiber, is leaving, and about 9 percent of staff is being let go, according to reports. Barratt wrote in a blog that the company is pulling back fiber-to-the-home service from eight different cities where it had announced plans. Those include major metropolitan areas such as Dallas, Los Angeles and Phoenix. Moving into big cities was a contentious point inside Google Fiber, according to one former executive. Leaders like Barratt and Dennis Kish, who runs Google Fiber day-to-day, pushed for the big expansion. Others pushed back because of the prohibitive cost of digging up streets to lay fiber-optic cables across some of America's busiest cities. 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. HO CHI MINHCITY, Vietnam, Oct. 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The 8th edition of Vietnam's leading international water supply, sanitation, water resources and purification event,VIETWATER 2016, will take place at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), 799 Nguyen Van Linh, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from 9 to 11 November 2016. Organised by UBM Asia, this is the only trade exhibition in Vietnam's water industry and expectedly welcomes over 11,000 industry players who are key decision-makers, leaders, managers, consultants, engineers, professionals and trade-visitors in water supply, wastewater treatment, purification and sewerage. Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161025/432261 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121014/HK92339LOGO-d Hosted by the Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association (VWSA), with strong support from the Administration of Technical Infrastructure, the Ministry of Construction (MOC) and International Water Association (IWA), the event will gather over 400 exhibitors from 38 countries and 13 international pavilions, including the EU, France, Germany, Australia, Finland, Belgium, Japan, mainland China, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand and Taiwan, amongst others. Click http://www.vietwater.com/en-us/Exhibitors/Exhibitors-List to view the updated list of exhibiting companies. Special this year at VIETWATER is the co-located exhibition -- Vietnam's leading Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Exhibition --RE & EE Vietnam 2016, which is supported by the Vietnam Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency Association (VECEA), the Energy Conservation Center HCM (ECC-HCM), the Vietnam Automation Association (VAA) and other organisations. This is where participants can get the latest updates on water solutions and discover new services, tools, equipment and technologies in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries. Running along the combined exhibition there will be many insightful activities dedicated to cutting-edge technologies and solutions for water and energy issues. The activities include three-day technical free-to-attend seminars, workshops, and the 1st water international conference with the theme "Sustainable Water Supply & Sewerage Development Solutions in the Context of Climate Change: Water Resource Degradation, Drought, and Saline Intrusion". What's more, participants cannot miss the energy forum with the theme, "Towards Sustainable Energy Development in Vietnam". Many industry experts from local and international companies will present here to share their experiences and introduce new managing and operating solutions and systems. Find out the full agenda and book your seat at VIETWATER's website: http://www.vietwater.com/en-us/The-Event/Technical-Seminar or atRE & EE Vietnam's website: http://www.renergyvietnam.com/en-us/highlights/conference. Only 15 days to go! Mark your calendar to find your high-efficiencysolutions that lead to success. The online pre-registration system is always available for all trade visitors. Register now to secure your visit and save time by not having to queue on-site at: Vietwater: https://www.ubmonlinereg.com/Registration/default.aspx?fid=634&lang=en. RE & EE Vietnam: https://www.ubmonlinereg.com/Registration/Default.aspx?fid=641&lang=en Notes to Editors: About UBM Asia (www.ubmasia.com) Owned by UBM plc listed on the London Stock Exchange, UBM Asia is the largest trade show organiser in Asia and the largest commercial organiser in China, India and Malaysia. Established with its headquarters in Hong Kong and subsidiary companies across Asia and in the US, UBM Asia has strong global network of 30 offices and 1,400 staff in 25 major cities. We operate in 21 market sectors with 235 exhibitions and conferences, 28 targeted trade publications, 18 vertical portals for over 1,000,000 quality exhibitors, visitors, conference delegates, advertisers and subscribers from all over the world. The Representative Office of UBM ASIA in Ho Chi Minh City 6th Floor, KN Building, 74 Nguyen Khoai, Ward 2 District 4, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam T: +84 8 5401 2718 F: +84 8 5401 2717 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. VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 10/26/16 -- Scientific Metals Corp. ("STM" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: STM)(FRANKFURT: 26X)(OTCQB: SCTFF) is pleased to announce it has entered into an arm's length standstill agreement which provides STM exclusive negotiating rights to purchase a 100% interest in two prospective lithium brine projects (the "Properties") in Northwest Argentina. The Properties surround areas of salar (dry lake beds) hosting brines that are reportably enriched with lithium and potassium in the province of Catamarca, Argentina. The Properties cover 1,467 hectares in Salar del Condor and 337 hectares in Pucara Del Salar at an average altitude of 13,200 feet above sea level. The Properties benefit from an extensive regional database that includes sampling of surface waters and drill hole brines, geological and geomorphological mapping, and analysis of lithium and potassium grade distribution throughout the Salar De Hombre Muerto, a large producing salar which lies contiguous to the two properties. The Properties are situated within the prolific South American Lithium Triangle - a region that is host to the world's largest lithium brine deposits and globally significant lithium production. The Properties are located on the western border of the Salar de Hombre Muerto, home to FMC Corp., one of the largest lithium producers in South America. Other active development and exploration companies within the region include Lithium X, Galaxy Resources, Lithium Americas, Orocobre and Millenial Lithium. STM's president, Brian Kirwin, stated, "The standstill agreement is an exciting step for STM as we explore opportunities in lithium bearing salars of South America. Andean Lithium Triangle producers currently account for approximately 48% of global lithium production, as reported in the 2016 USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries, with a number of operations ramping up production to meet increasing global demand. We're excited about the prospect of working in this area and are encouraged by exploration data from previous work." Under the terms of the standstill agreement, STM has exclusive negotiating rights in respect of the Properties until February 7, 2017 with the option to extend the standstill period for an additional 30 days. During the standstill period, the vendor of the Properties shall not initiate or solicit or entertain any expressions of interest or proposals form any person or take any action to facilitate any purchase of sale of all or any interest in the Properties (other than to STM). If a binding legal agreement is entered into by the parties with respect to the purchase and sale of all or any part of the Properties, then any payments by STM under the terms of the standstill agreement shall be credited towards any payment to be made under the definitive purchase and sale agreement. About The Company STM is a Canadian-based exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of production grade metal deposits that are critical components to modern day rechargeable batteries. STM's key asset, the Iron Creek Cobalt Property, is located in Lemhi County, Idaho, along the most prolific trend of cobalt mineralization in the USA, the Idaho Cobalt Belt. The property encompasses 65 mining lode claims totaling 1,297 acres. The property benefits from a substantial amount of historical exploratory work, including approximately 30,000 feet of diamond drilling, and the mining of 1,500 feet of underground workings. Reader Advisory 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: Scientific Metals Corp. Brian Kirwin, President (775) 772-0165 bongold@intercomm.com info@scientificmetalscorp.com www.scientificmetalscorp.com BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - The New Zealand dollar strengthened against most major currencies in the Asian session on Tuesday. The NZ dollar rose to a 6-day high of 0.7174 against the U.S. dollar, from yesterday's closing value of 0.7151. Against the euro and the yen, the kiwi advanced to 4-day highs of 1.5282 and 75.26 from yesterday's closing quotes of 1.5352 and 74.94, respectively. If the kiwi extends its uptrend, it is likely to find resistance around 0.73 against the greenback, 1.51 against the euro and 76.00 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. Sponda Plc Press Release 26 October 2016, 10:45 a.m.Sponda's Energy efficiency programme once again among the best in the Nordic regionProperty investment company Sponda maintained its excellent A- grade in the annual CDP Climate assessment. The A- grade keeps Sponda on the best Leadership level. Sponda's result was the best in Finland and among the best in the Nordic countries in the Financials category."The result shows that the measures in Sponda's energy efficiency programme, as well as Sponda's management regarding climate risk and opportunities, are on excellent level. This encourages us to continue the property energy efficiency programme in co-operation with our customers and other stakeholders. I would like to thank all of our partners for their contribution to the result we have achieved together," says Hannamari Koivula, Sustainability Manager at Sponda.The assessment is based on a global survey that this year received responses from 1,089 companies. A total of 42 companies in Finland responded to this year's survey. This was the fifth time Sponda has participated in the CDP assessment."It's great that an increasing number of Finnish companies participate in international environmental reporting. This reporting supports the long-term development of our environmental responsibility," Hannamari Koivula continues.The results of the non-profit, independent CDP Climate assessment provide investors with a transparent and comparable review of the companies' measures to control and reduce climate emissions. CDP represents 827 institutional investors that manage over EUR 100,000 billion in assets globally.Sponda PlcFurther information: Hannamari Koivula, Sustainability Manager, tel. +358 40 581 9921Sponda Plc is a property investment company specializing in commercial properties in the largest cities in Finland. Sponda's business concept is to own, lease and develop retail and office properties and shopping centres into environments that promote the business success of its clients. The fair value of Sponda's investment properties is approximately EUR 3.7 billion and the leasable area is around 1.2 million m. NEWBURY (dpa-AFX) - Office of Communications in a statement on Wednesday announced that British telecom major Vodafone Group Plc (VOD, VOD.L) will be fined 4.625 million pounds by Ofcom for serious and sustained breaches of consumer protection rules. Ofcom said its investigation uncovered mis-selling, inaccurate billing and poor complaints handling procedures. The penalty is the result of two investigations into Vodafone completed by Ofcom on Wednesday. In one investigation, it was found that 10,452 pay-as-you-go customers lost out when Vodafone failed to credit their accounts after they paid to 'top-up' their mobile phone credit. The affected customers collectively lost 150 thousand pounds over a 17-month period. In addition, Vodafone failed to act quickly enough to identify or address these problems, which stemmed from the company transferring to a new billing system. The company took the effective steps only after Ofcom intervened. Vodafone also breached Ofcom's billing rules, because the top-ups that consumers had bought in good faith were not reflected in their credit balances. In a second investigation, Ofcom said it found that Vodafone failed to comply with its rules on handling customer complaints. According to the statement, Vodafone's customer service agents were not given sufficiently clear guidance on what constituted a complaint. Vodafone's procedures also failed to ensure that customers were told, in writing, of their right to take an unresolved complaint to a third-party resolution scheme after eight weeks. 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. SYDNEY, Oct. 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --Sydney Festivalis an annual cultural celebration that transforms Sydney every January, delivering the highest quality art and big ideas. Wesley Enoch's inaugural program as Festival Director is bursting with free and ticketed events across theatre, dance, circus, opera, visual arts and contemporary and classical music. For the full multimedia release, click here: http://www.prnasia.com/mnr/sydneyfestival_201610.shtml Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161021/431214 Sydney Festival 2017 is comprised of 150 events, 73 of which are free. 454 performances will take place across 46 venues, featuring 1021 artists from 15 countries. With 16 world premieres, 9 Australian premieres and 14 Australian exclusives, summer in Sydney is not to be missed. Direct from Broadway, the Australian premiere of The Encounter isanaward-winning and technologically ground-breaking work from UK Company, Complicite directed by Simon McBurney. From internationally renowned UK company, Cheek by Jowl, and Pushkin Theatre Moscow, Declan Donnellan directs Shakespeare's Measure for Measure in Russian. Winner of the Helpmann Award for Best New Australian Work, Ladies in Black is Queensland Theatre's new musical directed by Simon Philips featuring original music from Tim Finn (Crowded House). Music headliners include Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds and PJ Harvey.Other highlights include 1967 Music in the Key of Yes, a special Sydney Opera House concert to mark the 50th anniversary of Australia's 1967 Indigenous rights referendum. Bayala is a series of events and exhibitions celebrating Sydney's Indigenous heritage and reawakening local language. Hyde Park's much loved festival hub Meriton Festival Village is doubling its free offering and features a variety of circus, comedy, contemporary music and cabaret acts, headlined by male burlesque/cabaret outfit, Briefs. In Sydney's famous outdoor venue The Domain, crowd favourites Symphony under the Stars and Opera in the Domain return. Coming to Sydney Festival as an Australian exclusive, The Beach is a joyous monochromatic installation of 1.1 million recyclable white balls by US design studio Snarkitecture. Artist Ben Quilty co-curates the first major exhibition of Myuran Sukumaran'sartworks, painted during his incarceration at Bali's Kerobokan jail. Sydney Dance Company responds to powerful artworks spanning two centuries from Art Gallery of NSW's exhibition Nude: Art from the Tate collection. A spotlight on Canadian artists includesInheritor Album from Company 605; Gabriel Dharmoo's Anthropologies Imaginaires; Huff from Native Earth Performing Arts; and iD from Cirque Eloize. Contact: Jessica Keirle Publicity Manager +61-2-8248-6525 / +61-438-805-109 jessica.keirle@sydneyfestival.org.au LONDON, October 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Izabel London are celebrating their most recent success having being nominated in the Drapers Awards 2016 'Mainstream Brand of the Year' category. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161005/415397LOGO ) The Drapers Awards creates one of the highest profile gatherings for fashion retailers in the UK, bringing together the very best that the UK fashion business has to offer. Celebrating the 'best of the best' in fashion retailing, the Drapers Awards are the most highly respected industry awards aimed at recognising the top performing and most innovative businesses. London's wide range of exotic day wear and accessible evening wear is currently available in over 500 locations across the UK, including prestigious retailers House of Fraser, Dorothy Perkins and Debenhams and in over 1,000 locations worldwide. Their success has not gone unnoticed, and their first time entry and shortlisting for the Drapers Awards this year is said to have come as a great compliment to Izabel London in such a competitive category. A spokesperson for the Drapers Awards 2016 said, "The biggest and best in the fashion retail industry have spent the past few months preparing their entries for the Drapers Awards. The calibre of entries was extremely high this year". The brand are up against some huge names in the industry, such as Barbour, Ben Sherman, Hugo Boss, Joules, Little Mistress, Superdry and Ted Baker to name a few, but the team behind the brand remain hopeful. The judging panel is also filled with high-flyers in the industry, including Nigel Oddy, CEO of House of Fraser, Beth Butterwick, Incoming CEO of Karen Millen and Ed Connolly, Fashion and Beauty Buying Director of John Lewis. Karan Uppal, founder of Izabel London said, "We are delighted to be a part of the fashion industry's most prestigious awards ceremony. Finding out that we have been nominated in the Mainstream Brand of the Year category was a fantastic surprise, and it is a thrill that we are being recognised for all of the hard work behind the brand from everyone who is involved with us here. We are up against some big household names, and the judges alone are enough to impress anyone - We are really looking forward to the awards ceremony". Izabel London, as a brand, is dedicated to always having the most recent fashion trends in stock the moment they are seen on the catwalk. Whatever a customer is looking for be it casual, dressy, prints or colours, the UK based brand makes sure that their range has it all. Izabel London focuses on providing easy to wear, catwalk inspired women's clothing at the best price. Now, with their plans to extend across the globe firmly in place, and their nomination in this prestigious award, the team behind Izabel London are looking forward to what the next year will bring for the brand. The winners of the Drapers Awards 2016 will be announced at their gala black tie dinner on the 17th November 2016 at Old Billingsgate, London. Premier talent advisory and leadership firm continues expansion in Northern Europe Boyden, a premier global talent advisory and leadership solutions firm with more than 65 offices in over 40 countries, today announced a major expansion in Stockholm, further strengthening the organisation in the Nordic Region. Managing Partners Peter Krenander, Rickard Ericson and Michael Rooslien will join Boyden Sweden Managing Partners Katarina Brixeus, Ulf Bergstrom, Marie Corell and Per Fornander as part of the firm's continued expansion in Northern Europe. In addition an expanded research team will also join the firm. "The addition of these leading professionals to Boyden Sweden will enhance our ability to provide clients with world-class talent advisory and leadership expertise in both the Nordic Region and across the globe," said Trina Gordon, President and CEO of Boyden World Corporation. "Our new team brings strong expertise in executive search as well as deep sector knowledge that will enable Boyden to continue providing superior client advisory services while expanding our global footprint." Peter Krenander joins Boyden with more than 15 years' experience in senior management positions with a focus on Industrial and Healthcare & Life Sciences Practices. He has extensive expertise in recruiting C-level management and has actively worked with executive search since 2009. Krenander also brings 15 years' experience in senior management positions, including two CEO roles. Rickard Ericson has successfully recruited high-level management and specialists as well as led management audits and board assessments for clients over the past 12 years. He joins Boyden with considerable expertise in Financial Services, as well as in the Industrial and Consumer Retail sectors. Michael Rooslien brings two decades of executive search experience recruiting senior executives and management teams for clients that range from major international corporations to small, high-growth entrepreneurial companies. He specializes in the technology, consumer and retail and industrial sectors. "We're excited to join Boyden and look forward to working closely with the firm's partners across the globe," said Krenander, on behalf of the Managing Partners. "Boyden's commitment to a global platform that is specifically focused on a client-centric approach was critical in our decision to join Boyden." About Boyden Boyden is a premier leadership and talent advisory firm with more than 65 offices in over 40 countries. Our global reach enables us to serve client needs anywhere they conduct business. We connect great companies with great leaders through executive search, interim management and leadership consulting solutions. For further information, visit www.boyden.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170404005085/en/ Contacts: Katarina Brixeus, Boyden Sweden +46 70 211 54 63 kbrixeus@boyden.com or Dan Margolis, for Boyden +1.213.452.6472 Dan.Margolis@fticonsulting.com Acquisition of 100% shares in Cyprotex PLC effective 14 December 2016; Evotec is paying 55.7 m in cash for the full share capital of Cyprotex and funding of debt of the AIM-listed company Integration of world-leading high-quality ADME-Tox services to Evotec's global drug discovery platform Evotec AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: EVT, TecDAX, ISIN: DE0005664809) today announced the successful closing of the acquisition of 100% shares in Cyprotex PLC ("Cyprotex", AIM: CRX-GB), a specialist pre-clinical contract research organisation in ADME-Tox and DMPK headquartered in the UK. The proposed acquisition was announced in detail on 26 October 2016. Following a scheme of arrangement regulated by the UK takeover code, all shares of Cyprotex have been acquired by and transferred to Evotec AG effective 14 December 2016 and the shares will this morning be cancelled from AIM. Evotec is paying 55.7 m (EUR 66.3 m; at an assumed /EUR exchange rate of 1.19) in cash for the acquisition of all 26.1 million issued and to be issued Cyprotex shares and the funding of company debt mainly in the context of loan notes. The offer of 1.60 per Cyprotex share reflects a 9.4% premium to the VWAP of the past 30 trading days at AIM prior to the offer on 26 October 2016. MCF Corporate Finance, led by Ian Henderson, acted as Evotec's exclusive financial adviser throughout the acquisition process. Cyprotex, headquartered in the UK, was founded in 1999 and is publicly traded on AIM (CRX). The company currently has 136 employees working from sites at Macclesfield and Alderley Park, both of which are located near Manchester in the UK, and at Watertown, MA, and Kalamazoo, MI, in the USA. Cyprotex will continue to operate and serve its loyal client base in all currently existing segments under its brand name "Cyprotex" whilst employees and capabilities will be integrated into Evotec's global drug discovery group, thereby leveraging both companies' extensive partner networks and identifying further commercial synergies. Dr Mario Polywka, Chief Operating Officer of Evotec, commented: "We are pleased the acquisition has closed and we can now approach the exciting phase of welcoming Cyprotex' employees and clients to our global drug discovery services platform. The addition of the market's most industrialised ADME-Tox platform and proven expertise in in vitro ADME screening, mechanistic and high-content toxicology screening and predictive modelling to our offering substantially improves our ability to provide our alliance partners with access to the most comprehensive drug discovery platform. Cyprotex' proven technology platform and its expert and dedicated employees perfectly augment Evotec's business strategy and offering." Dr Werner Lanthaler, Chief Executive Officer of Evotec, added: "The highest quality and completeness of our drug discovery platform is key to improve the efficiency in the process for our partners. With Cyprotex we make here an important next step. We warmly welcome the Cyprotex employees to the Evotec Group and look forward to working with them." Evotec confirms its liquidity guidance for 2016. The Company expects liquidity to be at a similar level to the prior year, excluding any potential cash outflow for M&A or similar transactions. Based on current estimates, it is expected that the Cyprotex business will add approx. EUR 18-20 m in revenues in 2017 and will be accretive to Evotec's 2017 EBITDA. ABOUT CYPROTEX Cyprotex is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (CRX). It has sites at Macclesfield and Alderley Park, both of which are near Manchester in the UK, and at Watertown, MA and Kalamazoo, MI in the US. The Company was established in 1999 and works with more than 1500 partners within the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, cosmetics and personal care industry and the chemical industry. Cyprotex acquired Apredica and the assets of Cellumen Inc. in August 2010 and the combined business provides support for a wide range of experimental and computational ADME-Tox and PK services. The acquisition of the assets and business of CeeTox in January 2014 has enabled Cyprotex to expand its range of services to target the personal care, cosmetics and chemical industries. In 2015, Cyprotex launched its new bioscience division to expand its capabilities into phenotypic and target based screening. The Company's core capabilities include high quality in vitro ADME services, mechanistic toxicology and high content toxicology screening services, including its proprietary CellCiphr(R) toxicity prediction technology, bioscience services, predictive modelling solutions including Cloe(R) PK, chemPK, chemTarget, chemTox and DDI-Fusion and a range of skin, ocular and endocrine disruption services. For more information, please visit www.cyprotex.com. ABOUT EVOTEC AG Evotec is a drug discovery alliance and development partnership company focused on rapidly progressing innovative product approaches with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academics, patient advocacy groups and venture capitalists. We operate worldwide providing the highest quality stand-alone and integrated drug discovery solutions, covering all activities from target-to-clinic to meet the industry's need for innovation and efficiency in drug discovery (EVT Execute). The Company has established a unique position by assembling top-class scientific experts and integrating state-of-the-art technologies as well as substantial experience and expertise in key therapeutic areas including neuroscience, diabetes and complications of diabetes, pain and inflammation, oncology and infectious diseases. On this basis, Evotec has built a broad and deep pipeline of more than 70 partnered product opportunities at clinical, pre-clinical and discovery stages (EVT Innovate). Evotec has established multiple long-term discovery alliances with partners including Bayer, CHDI, Sanofi or UCB and development partnerships with e.g. Janssen Pharmaceuticals in the field of Alzheimer's disease, with Sanofi in the field of diabetes and with Pfizer in the field of tissue fibrosis. For additional information please go to www.evotec.com. ABOUT MCF CORPORATE FINANCE MCF Corporate Finance ("MCF") is a leading independent and international corporate finance advisory firm with offices in Hamburg, Helsinki, London and Stockholm. The company was established in 1987 and is run as an independent partnership. MCF specialises in cross-border and domestic M&A transactions in the European markets. Its multinational team consists of more than 40 corporate finance specialists with extensive experience in industry, banking, finance, accounting and law. MCF has previously advised Evotec on several transactions in both Germany and the UK. For further information, please go to www.mcfcorpfin.com/en. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS Information set forth in this press release contains forward-looking statements, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained herein represent the judgement of Evotec as of the date of this press release. Such forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statements to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Language: English Company: Evotec AG Manfred Eigen Campus Essener Bogen 7 22419 Hamburg Germany Phone: +49 (0)40 560 81-0 Fax: +49 (0)40 560 81-222 E-mail: info@evotec.com Internet: www.evotec.com ISIN: DE0005664809 WKN: 566480 Indices: TecDAX Listed: Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover, Munich, Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161214006375/en/ Contacts: Evotec AG Gabriele Hansen, +49.(0)40.56081-255 VP Corporate Communications Investor Relations gabriele.hansen@evotec.com THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION. NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND OR THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE SAME COULD BE UNLAWFUL OR TO U.S. PERSONS. Fidelity Asian Values PLC (the "Company") Proposed Bonus Issue of 13,497,642 Subscription Shares 26 October 2016 The Board of Fidelity Asian Values PLC announces today that it intends to publish a prospectus setting out details of a proposed bonus issue of Subscription Shares to existing Shareholders (the "Prospectus") on the basis of one Subscription Share for every five Existing Ordinary Shares held on the Record Date (the "Bonus Issue"). Implementation of the Bonus Issue requires amendments to the Articles to provide for the rights of the Subscription Shares and authority to be obtained to allot the Subscription Shares (the "New Articles"). The Bonus Issue is conditional on the passing of resolution 15 intended to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held on 2 December 2016, as well as on the admission of the Subscription Shares to the standard segment of the Official List and to trading on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. A Circular containing notice of the Annual General Meeting will also shortly be published and will be available at www.fidelityinvestmenttrusts.com and will be posted to Shareholders together with the Company's annual results. The Bonus Issue The Company is proposing to issue Subscription Shares to Qualifying Shareholders on the basis of one Subscription Share for every five Existing Ordinary Shares held on the Record Date, subject to the passing of resolution 15 to be set out in the Notice of Annual General Meeting. The Subscription Shares will be issued by way of a bonus issue to Qualifying Shareholders and will be listed and tradable on the standard segment of the main market for listed securities of the London Stock Exchange. The ISIN of the Subscription Shares is GB00BDQZFV55 and the ticker is FASS. Each Subscription Share will confer the right (but not the obligation) to subscribe for one Ordinary Share upon exercise of the Subscription Share Rights and on payment of the Subscription Price, as set out below. The Subscription Share Rights may be exercised on an annual basis by notice to the Company in the 25 days preceding the last business day in November in 2017, 2018 and 2019. The Subscription Price will be equal to the published NAV per Ordinary Share as at 5.00 p.m. on 2 December 2016, plus a premium depending upon the year in which they are exercised, as follows: Subscription Date Premium - Percentage of NAV Last Business Day in November 2017 1% Last Business Day in November 2018 4% Last Business Day in November 2019 7% rounded up to the nearest quarter penny. The NAV for the purpose of calculating the Subscription Price will be the unaudited value of the Company's assets calculated in accordance with the Company's accounting policies (including revenue items for the current financial year) less all prior charges and other creditors at their fair value (including the costs of the Bonus Issue). The New Articles provide that the Subscription Price is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain corporate events by or affecting the Company before the last business day in November 2019. The relevant corporate events include consolidations or sub-divisions of share capital, pre-emptive offers of securities to Ordinary Shareholders, takeover offers and the liquidation of the Company. Such adjustments serve to protect either the intrinsic value or the time value of the Subscription Shares or both. The percentage premia applying upon exercise and the resulting Subscription Price reflect the Board's confidence in the Company's medium to long term prospects and its hope that holders of Subscription Shares will be able to exercise their Subscription Share Rights and acquire Ordinary Shares on favourable terms in the future. It is expected that an announcement setting out the Subscription Price will be made on 5 December 2016. Fractions of Subscription Shares will not be allotted or issued and entitlements will be rounded down to the nearest whole number of Subscription Shares. The Ordinary Shares arising on exercise will be allotted within ten Business Days of the relevant Subscription Date. To be exercised, a notice of exercise must be received by the Registrars during such periods, and no later than 5.00 p.m. on the relevant Subscription Date. Qualifying Shareholders' entitlements will be assessed against the register of members on the Record Date, which is expected to be 5.00 p.m. on 2 December 2016. Subscription Shares will rank equally with each other and will not carry the right to receive any dividends from the Company or the right to attend and vote at general meetings of the Company (although the holders of the Subscription Shares have the right to vote in certain circumstances where there is a variation of the rights attached to the Subscription Shares). Following the final exercise date in 2019, the Subscription Share Rights will lapse unless a trustee appointed by the Company determines that the net proceeds of sale of the Ordinary Shares that would arise on the exercise of such rights after deduction of all the costs and expenses of sale would exceed the costs of exercise of such rights. In such circumstances, the trustee would either exercise all or some of the outstanding Subscription Share Rights and sell the Ordinary Shares issued on such exercise in the market, or, if it appears to the trustee that doing so is likely to raise greater net proceeds, it may accept any offer available to the Subscription Shareholders for the purchase of all or some of the outstanding Subscription Shares (or the Ordinary Shares resulting from the exercise of the Subscription Share Rights of those Subscription Shares). The net proceeds of any such sale (after deducting the costs of exercising the Subscription Share Rights, if applicable, and any other costs and expenses incurred in relation to such sale) will be remitted to the Subscription Shareholders unless the amount to which a Subscription Shareholder is entitled is less than 5 in which case such sum shall be retained for the benefit of the Company. Advantages of the Bonus Issue The Directors believe that the Bonus Issue of Subscription Shares will have the following advantages: (a) Subscription Shares should represent an attractive way for investors to participate in any future NAV growth of the Company through conversion into Ordinary Shares at a predetermined price; (b) Qualifying Shareholders will receive securities with a monetary value which may be traded in a similar fashion to their Existing Ordinary Shares or converted into Ordinary Shares; (c) on any exercise of the Subscription Share Rights, the capital base of the Company will increase, allowing operating costs to be spread across a larger number of Ordinary Shares, and this may cause the ongoing charges as a percentage of net assets to fall; (d) following the exercise of any Subscription Share Rights, the Company will have an increased number of Ordinary Shares in issue which may improve the liquidity in the market for its Ordinary Shares; (e) Qualifying Shareholders will receive securities which are qualifying investments for the purposes of an ISA and permitted investments for the purposes of a SIPP; and (f) the Bonus Issue may broaden the Company's Shareholder base as the Subscription Shares are dispersed in the market, attracting new investors and improving liquidity for Shareholders. Implementation of Bonus Issue Implementation of the Bonus Issue requires Shareholders to approve resolution 15 to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting. If passed, the resolution will: (a) approve the adoption of New Articles containing the rights attaching to the Subscription Shares; (b) authorise the Directors to allot the Subscription Shares pursuant to the Bonus Issue and Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Subscription Share Rights; (c) authorise the capitalisation of sums standing to the credit of the Company's share premium account, capital redemption reserve and any other applicable reserve in paying up the Subscription Shares to be issued pursuant to the Bonus Issue; (d) authorise the consolidation, sub-division or redemption of any share capital in connection with the exercise of the Subscription Share Rights so as to enable conversion of the Subscription Shares into Ordinary Shares in accordance with the Subscription Share Rights; and (e) authorise the repurchase of up to 14.99% of the number of Subscription Shares in issue immediately following Admission. Continuation Vote Under the Articles, the Company is required to propose a continuation vote as an ordinary resolution at every fifth AGM. If a continuation vote is not passed the Directors are required to convene a general meeting within three months, at which proposals for the winding up or other reconstruction of the Company would be considered. The last continuation vote took place at the AGM held in 2011 and the next is due at the AGM on 2 December 2016, prior to the issue of the Subscription Shares. There would not therefore be any Subscription Share Rights outstanding at the time of the next continuation vote. The full rights attaching to the Subscription Shares are set out in Part IV of the Prospectus. Admission and Dealings The Subscription Shares will be in registered form and may be issued either in certificated or uncertificated form. No temporary documents of title will be issued. Pending despatch of definitive certificates, transfers of Subscription Shares in certificated form will be certified against the Register. All documents or remittances sent by or to Shareholders will be sent through the post at the risk of the Shareholder. Applications will be made to the UK Listing Authority for the Subscription Shares to be admitted to the standard segment of the Official List and to the London Stock Exchange for such shares to be admitted to trading on its market for listed securities. It is expected that Admission will occur, and that dealings will commence on 6 December 2016. On Admission, the Subscription Shares will confer rights to subscribe for new Ordinary Shares representing, in aggregate, up to 20% of the then issued ordinary share capital of the Company. The Ordinary Shares resulting from the exercise of the Subscription Share Rights will rank pari passu with the Ordinary Shares then in issue (save for any dividends or other distributions declared, made or paid on the Ordinary Shares by reference to a record date prior to the allotment of the relevant Ordinary Shares). Overseas Shareholders The issue of the Subscription Shares to persons who have a registered or mailing address in countries outside the EEA may be affected by the law or regulatory requirements of the relevant jurisdiction. The Subscription Shares to be issued under the Bonus Issue are not being issued to Overseas Shareholders. The Board will allot any Subscription Shares due under the Bonus Issue to Overseas Shareholders to a market maker who will sell such Subscription Shares promptly at the best price obtainable. The proceeds of sale will be paid to the Overseas Shareholders entitled to them save that entitlements of less than 5 per Overseas Shareholder will be retained by the Company for its own account. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Prospectus the Company reserves the right to permit any Overseas Shareholder to take up Subscription Shares under the Bonus Issue if the Company, in its sole and absolute discretion, is satisfied at any time prior to the Annual General Meeting that the transaction in question is exempt from, or not subject to, the legislation or regulations giving rise to the restrictions in question. Overseas Shareholders who believe that they are entitled to take up Subscription Shares under the Bonus Issue should contact the Company as soon as possible to discuss the matter. Any Shareholder who is in any doubt as to his position should consult an appropriate independent professional adviser without delay. ISAs/SIPPs The Subscription Shares will be a qualifying investment for an ISA and shall constitute permitted investments for SIPPs, including qualifying to be held through the Fidelity Platform. The Subscription Shares acquired pursuant to the Bonus Issue are expected to be eligible for inclusion in SIPPs and SSASs, although this should be confirmed independently by Shareholders with their professional tax or financial advisers after taking into account the rules of their scheme. Annual General Meeting Shareholders will be posted a Prospectus, Circular and a Form of Proxy and/or Voting Instruction Form(s) for use at the Annual General Meeting. Whether or not you intend to be present at the Annual General Meeting in person, it is important that you complete and return the Form of Proxy and/or Voting Instruction. Please read the Circular for further details on attending and voting at the Annual General Meeting. Voting Intention of the Manager Certain Shareholders have chosen to hold their Existing Ordinary Shares through the Fidelity Platform, which are held by FIL Nominee Shareholdings Limited as nominee. As at 21 October 2016, 10,433,259 Ordinary Shares (representing approximately 15.46% of the issued capital of the Company were held in this way. Shareholders who hold their Existing Ordinary Shares through the Fidelity Platform are being given the opportunity to vote on the Proposals and will find enclosed a voting instruction form. Where voting instruction forms are not received, the Existing Ordinary Shares will be voted in favour of the Resolutions by FIL Nominee Shareholdings Limited, as directed by Financial Administration Services Limited in line with the terms and conditions of the Platform. Expected Timetable of Principal Events Annual General Meeting 11.00 a.m. on 2 December 2016 Record Date for the Bonus Issue 5.00 p.m. on 2 December 2016 Subscription Price of Subscription Shares calculated Close of business on 2 December 2016 Announcement of the Subscription Price 5 December 2016 Admission of the Subscription Shares to the Official List and dealings in the Subscription Shares commence 8.00 a.m. on 6 December Crediting of CREST stock accounts in respect of the Subscription Shares 6 December 2016 Share certificates despatched in respect of the Subscription Shares Week commencing 19 December Notes: (1) The times and dates set out in the Expected Timetable of Principal Events above and mentioned throughout the Prospectus may be adjusted by the Company, in which event details of the new times and dates will be notified, as required, to the UK Listing Authority and the London Stock Exchange and, where appropriate, to Shareholders. (2) All references to time in the Prospectus are references to London time. Publication of the Prospectus The Prospectus is due to be approved by the UK Listing Authority today. A copy of the Prospectus will be published for inspection in due course at the National Storage Mechanism which is located at www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/NSM. Copies will also be available for collection, free of charge during normal business hours from the registered office of the Company up to and including the date of Admission. The Prospectus will also shortly be available to view on the Company's website at www.fidelityinvestmenttrusts.com Capitalised terms used in this announcement shall have the same meaning ascribed to them in the Prospectus and the Circular published by the Company. For further information please contact: FIL Investments International Natalia De Sousa +44 (0)1737 837846 Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited Neil Winward Mark Bloomfield Gaudi Le Roux +44 (0)20 7710 7600 Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting as broker to Fidelity Asian Values plc and is acting for no-one else in connection with the Bonus Issue or the matters described in this announcement and the contents of this announcement, and will not regard any other person as their respective client in relation to the Bonus Issue and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to clients of Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited nor for providing advice in connection with the Bonus Issue and the contents of this announcement or any other transaction, arrangement or matter referred to herein. Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited is not responsible for the contents of this announcement. This does not exclude or limit any responsibilities which Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited may have under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 or the regulatory regime established thereunder. Stifel does not accept any responsibility whatsoever, and makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, in relation to the contents of this announcement, including its accuracy, completeness or for any other statement made or purported to be made by it or on behalf of it, the Company, its directors or any other person, in connection with the Company or the Bonus Issue, and nothing in this announcement shall be relied upon as a promise or representation in this respect, whether as to the past or the future. Stifel accordingly disclaims all and any liability whatsoever, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise (save as referred to above), which it might otherwise have in respect of this announcement or any such statement. SINGAPORE -- (Marketwired) -- 10/26/16 -- gridComm, a leader in smart street light solutions and IoT sensor networks, and civic-minded investment firm Somerset Group have partnered to install smart street lighting sensory networks across the Kingdom of Swaziland. A developing country with a small economy, Swaziland -- a member of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) -- is flanked by the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Mozambique. A majority of Swaziland is undeveloped, and its economy is highly focused on agriculture, forestry and mining. With these industries only accounting for approximately 13 percent of the gross domestic product, there is an urgent need to bolster productivity and increase the standard of living. gridComm's unique smart street lighting sensory network technology delivers intelligent, eco-friendly lighting to Swaziland, saving energy and money while also limiting carbon emissions. Concurrently, based on the existing street lighting infrastructure, the technology establishes a ready-to-use internet of things (IoT) sensory network which can be used to monitor crops, weather and more via data analytics. This will assist Swaziland's farming communities by helping to optimize productivity and increase agricultural output. gridComm's smart street lighting sensory network system is built with hybrid communication technologies comprised of a next-generation multi-channel OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) power line communication (PLC) transceiver (gridComm's GC2200) and a wireless physical layer. gridComm uses its PLC and digital power supply technologies to convert traditional street lighting into energy-aware and remotely managed and monitored web-based networks. "By deploying gridComm's solution, the practice of sending engineering experts physically out into the field to fix connectivity issues becomes a thing of the past, as they can now be remotely monitored," noted Mike Holt, CEO for gridComm. "Our technology has been thoroughly proven to be exceptionally robust and reliable, and our recent successes in more than 12 cities across Asia underscore this fact. We look forward to delivering more deployments in Swaziland and other parts of Africa in conjunction with Somerset Group." As the preferred technology for street light control, PLC is more reliable than wireless technologies -- particularly low-power radio frequency technologies -- which are more prone to interference in outdoor environments. Because many IoT sensors run on batteries, hybrid power line and wireless communication technology ensures connectivity between these sensors when they are in the vicinity of smart street lights. With gridComm's solution, IoT sensors can be introduced to the network as they are needed. gridComm modules are designed to automatically attach to the nearest gateway without onsite tuning or configuration -- for true 'plug-and-play' connectivity. "For a developing country like Swaziland, adopting the right technology solutions is crucial to shaping a sustainable environment," noted Henri Thompson, group managing director of Somerset Group, South Africa. "We envision that gridComm's smart technology will deliver the data analytics needed to boost crop yields and positively affect Swaziland's economic development. We intend to bring gridComm technology and all of its benefits to other countries on the African continent as well." For more information on gridComm's power line communication solutions and how they enable the transformation of traditional power grids into smart grids, please visit www.gridcomm-plc.com. About Somerset Group The Somerset Group is a diversified industrial services holdings collection of companies established to invest predominately in expansion stage companies as well as sustainable enterprises. Somerset adds value to entrepreneurial activities in the industrial service sector area, while delivering returns that are competitive with investments in this asset class. The management team are experts in driving new business within South Africa and the SADC region. With links to large business, qualified identified sources of deal flow, the group is able to consistently bring opportunities to a successful conclusion on a regular basis. About gridComm Singapore-based smart city solutions company gridComm provides hybrid power line communications and systems that enable cities to transform their street lights into smart city networks. gridComm turns urban street lights into dynamic, resource-efficient platforms by using proprietary sensors and wireless-augmented power line infrastructures to create ultra-reliable, real-time smart city networks. By communicating data across a city's existing power lines, gridComm's unique solution paves the way for connectivity between street lights and the smart city applications of the future, including environmental sensors, traffic monitoring and connectivity to third party IoT/M2M devices such as autonomous vehicles. gridComm's patent-pending chip technology and reliable network configuration enable interoperable, reliable, robust communication in noisy power line environments. To learn more about gridComm, please visit the company website at www.gridcomm-plc.com, follow them on LinkedIn and Twitter, and like them Facebook. Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3072303 Media Contacts: Dena Jacobson Lages & Associates 1 (949) 453-8080 Email Contact Eric Zuazo Lages & Associates 1 (949) 453-8080 Email Contact Fill Your Tank Programme Supports Local Food Banks, The Global FoodBanking Network, Feeding America, and Food Banks Canada LONDON, Oct. 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --The Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation today announced one of the largest donations from a company to fight hunger. The programme, called Fill Your Tank, has been designed to celebrate the company's 60th anniversary by providing $60 million to address food insecurity around the globe. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161024/431948LOGO "Enterprise Rent-A-Car is woven into the fabric of the thousands of towns and neighbourhoods where we do business, and food insecurity is an issue in all of those communities. Many times, hunger is invisible to us. We often don't see the signs that someone might be food-insecure or think about the ripple effects of hunger," said Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation Vice President and Executive Director Carolyn Kindle Betz. "Our employees have long supported food banks in the cities and neighbourhoods we serve. The Fill Your Tank programme is a natural extension of the good work our employees are already doing. It's also particularly poignant as addressing hunger was one of the last wishes of my grandfather and our founder, Jack Taylor, who passed away earlier this year," added Kindle Betz. Globally, one in nine people don't get enough food to be healthy and lead an active life, according to the World Food Programme. Over the next six years, $10 million will be distributed annually as follows: $1 million to The Global FoodBanking Network to expand the work of food banks around the world, especially food banks in the U.K., Ireland , France , Germany and Spain on behalf of company-owned operations in these countries. to The Global FoodBanking Network to expand the work of food banks around the world, especially food banks in the U.K., , , and on behalf of company-owned operations in these countries. $2.5 million to Feeding America , the largest U.S. domestic hunger-relief and food rescue charity. These funds will help fight hunger among seniors and children. to Feeding America , the largest U.S. domestic hunger-relief and food rescue charity. These funds will help fight hunger among seniors and children. $1.5 million to Food Banks Canada to support operations and infrastructure in food banks across Canada . to Food Banks Canada to support operations and infrastructure in food banks across . $5 million to local food banks in North America to support communities served by Enterprise. Through the Global FoodBanking Network and its partner the Federation of European Food Banks, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is partnering with FareShare in the UK, Bundesverband Deutsche Tafel e.V. in Germany, Federation Francaise des Banques Alimentaires in France, Federacion Espanola de Bancos de Alimentos in Spain and Crosscare Food Bank in Ireland. "This extraordinary gift will make a tremendous difference in alleviating hunger around the world in a meaningful way," said Lisa Moon, President and CEO of The Global FoodBanking Network. "This donation will help expand efforts to support social inclusion while reducing food waste and its harmful effects on our environment. It will help break barriers that keep people from achieving their full potential and leading healthy, productive lives." The founder of Enterprise, Jack Taylor, established the company in 1957 with a fleet of seven cars. Today, Enterprise operates in more than 85 countries and territories and is the largest car rental company in the world, based on revenue, fleet size and number of locations. Taylor started the Foundation in 1982 as a way to give back to the communities that drove Enterprise's growth and success. Since then, the Foundation and the Taylor family have contributed more than $1 billion to thousands of local non-profits, with a special focus on community improvement, education and environmental stewardship. Meanwhile, each year Enterprise employees contribute their time and skills to thousands of national and local organisations in the cities and neighbourhoods they serve. A decade ago, the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation marked the company's 50th anniversary with its 50 Million Tree Pledge - a commitment to plant a million trees a year for 50 years. "It's in that same spirit that we're launching the Fill Your Tank initiative," said Kindle Betz. "It's a way to honour our company's past while looking forward to the future, and a way to thank Enterprise's customers and neighbours for their support by making a long-term impact on a critical issue." New features include capabilities for adding custom visualizations, plug-and-play integration with IFS Applications (STO:IFSA) (STO:IFSB), and integration with the IFS IoT Business Connector IFS, the global enterprise applications company, announces a major update to its IFS Enterprise Operational Intelligence (IFS EOI) product-the first major release since the solution was acquired through the acquisition of VisionWaves in July 2015. The new version was presented at IFS World Conference 2016 in Gothenburg, Sweden. The new version of IFS EOI (8.1) will be released to market in early 2017 and features a number of enhancements including: Custom maps-Customers can extend their visualizations by incorporating any type of drawing or illustration and overlaying performance data on it. This lets users monitor performance using any visual representation relevant to the organization, such as blueprints, floor plans or an image of an asset, directly from the IFS EOI platform. Integration with IFS Applications-IFS EOI is now equipped with a plug-and-play integration to the information sources in IFS Applications; accelerating the development of EOI models leveraging IFS Applications data and providing customers one common version of the truth between the products. IoT-The new version has been designed to leverage the IFS IoT Business Connector, enabling customers to use IFS EOI to relate IoT observations to business strategy, objectives, targets, and performance. Scheduling-IFS EOI now leverages the world-leading IFS Dynamic Scheduling Engine (DSE), which also powers the scheduling solution of IFS Mobile Workforce Management, alongside its existing model, data, and execution engines. The scheduling capability enables IFS EOI to perform prescriptive analytics in any business scenario that involves scheduling. New user interface-The new version has been given a refreshed, modern look and feel to promote customer satisfaction and a great user experience. IFS EOI 8.1 is being developed and tested in close collaboration with US-based early adopter customer Edwards Companies (http://edwardscompanies.com/). "We decided to join the IFS EOI early adopter program to be the first to take advantage of the new and enhanced features," Edwards Companies COO, Dean Kissos said. "As a developer of commercial and residential real estate, we were especially interested in leveraging the new custom map feature, which lets us upload and visualize any floorplan or blueprint to the EOI platform, thereby ensuring ease of identification and extended monitoring and management capabilities." "Since the acquisition last year, we have doubled the R&D investment into IFS EOI and this new version is a first result of that," IFS CTO Dan Matthews said. "I am especially pleased that we have created synergies with other IFS products through the integration to IFS Applications, hooking into our new IFS IoT Business Connector, and incorporating our scheduling engine." Learn more about how IFS Enterprise Operational Intelligence helps businesses here: www.ifsworld.com/corp/solutions/enterprise-operational-intelligence/. About IFS IFS is a globally recognized leader in developing and delivering enterprise software for enterprise resource planning (ERP), enterprise asset management (EAM) and enterprise service management (ESM). Founded in 1983, IFS brings customers in targeted sectors closer to their business, and helps them be more agile and prepare for what's next in their industry. IFS's 2,800 employees support more than 1 million users worldwide from its network of local offices and through a growing ecosystem of partners. For more information visit: IFSworld.com. Follow us on Twitter: @ifsworld (http://www.twitter.com/ifsworld) Visit the IFS Blogs on technology, innovation and creativity: http://blogs.ifsworld.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161026005640/en/ Contacts: IFS Anders Lundin, Corporate Communications Phone: 46 8 58 78 45 00 press@ifsworld.com IFS (STO:IFSA) (STO:IFSB) Labs unveils innovative projects designed to drive digital transformation IFS (http://www4.ifsworld.com/l/5332/2015-08-10/2qts7r), the global enterprise applications company, presents a proof-of-concept solution that empowers maintenance workers with drone technology integrated with IFS Applications (http://www.ifsworld.com/corp/solutions/ifs-applications/). The drone concept was presented today at IFS World Conference 2016 (http://www.ifsworld.com/corp/news-and-events/events/world-conference-2016/) in Gothenburg, Sweden. Designed and realized by IFS Labs, the company's in-house think tank, the drone proof-of-concept features live integration between the drone and IFS Applications for automatic generation of work orders when inspecting assets. Using computer image analysis, the drone can recognize a break in a power line and automatically generate an observation that is registered in IFS Applications via the IFS IoT Business Connector. The end user can analyze and process the drone observations via the IFS Lobby interface, in which additional information such as geolocation and customer feedback is cross-referenced to help the user action appropriate maintenance and repair. "At IFS Labs, we look beyond the current needs of businesses to anticipate what solutions will be required in the future," IFS Labs director Bas de Vos said. "There is enormous potential in drone technology and by presenting this proof-of-concept, we have demonstrated that IFS is ready to help companies not only conceptualize but importantly derive value from new innovations so they can digitally transform their businesses." Also presented in the Innovation Area of IFS World Conference 2016 are innovative business applications leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT), augmented reality, wearable technology, beacon technology, and 3D printing. IFS Labs is inspired by consumer technologies and innovative solutions in a range of industries, and applies these to IFS's enterprise solutions. IFS Labs proves concepts today that customers will ask for tomorrow to make their everyday work more productive, efficient and inspiring. Read more about IFS Labs' past and current projects here: www.ifsworld.com/corp/solutions/ifs-applications/ifs-labs/. About IFS IFS (http://www.ifsworld.com/en/) is a globally recognized leader in developing and delivering enterprise software for enterprise resource planning (ERP), enterprise asset management (EAM) and enterprise service management (ESM). Founded in 1983, IFS brings customers in targeted sectors closer to their business, and helps them be more agile and prepare for what's next in their industry. IFS's 2,800 employees support more than 1 million users worldwide from its network of local offices and through a growing ecosystem of partners. For more information visit: IFSworld.com (http://www.ifsworld.com/en/). Follow us on Twitter: @ifsworld (http://www.twitter.com/ifsworld) Visit the IFS Blogs on technology, innovation and creativity: http://blogs.ifsworld.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161026005641/en/ Contacts: IFS Anders Lundin Corporate Communications Phone: 46 8 58 78 45 00 press@ifsworld.com VIENNA (dpa-AFX) - European stocks fell in early trade on Wednesday, as oil prices extended losses and investors digested a slew of mixed earnings reports. Regional data painted a mixed picture, with the German GfK forward-looking consumer sentiment index falling to 9.7 from 10.0 in October, while a gauge of French consumer confidence improved as expected in October. The pan-European Stoxx Europe 600 index is currently down 0.7 percent at 340.64 in late opening deals after declining 0.4 percent in the previous session. The German DAX is moving down 0.8 percent, France's CAC 40 index is losing 0.7 percent and the U.K.'s FTSE 100 is down about 1 percent. German drug maker Bayer is declining 2 percent despite posting solid third-quarter results. Likewise, Capgemini is plunging 7 percent despite confirming its 2016 guidance. Antofagasta shares are plummeting 7 percent in London after the company guided toward a lower copper output range in 2017. Mortgage lender Lloyds Banking Group has set aside a further 1bn to compensate customers who were wrongly sold loan insurance. The stock is declining 1.5 percent. Chemical company Novozymes is losing 12 percent as it posted weak third-quarter results and trimmed its full-year outlook to the lower end of its previous range. Royal Bank of Scotland Group is marginally higher after Clydesdale made a preliminary non-binding proposal to snap up its Williams & Glyn operations. Aerospace group Airbus is rallying 2 percent despite reporting a 21 percent fall in third-quarter earnings due to weakness in its commercial plane business. Logitech is climbing 13 percent on reporting a rise in Q2 retail revenue. Kering shares are up over 7 percent in Paris after the luxury goods maker reported a 10 percent increase in third-quarter sales. Spain's Banco Santander is gaining 1 percent after its third-quarter net profit topped forecasts. 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. 26th October 2016 Redde plc ("the Company") At the Annual General Meeting of the above named company, duly convened and held at the offices of Berwin Leighton Paisner, Adelaide House, London Bridge, London, EC4R 9HA on Wednesday 26th October 2016 at 10.00 a.m. the following resolutions were passed as to resolutions 1 to 6 (inclusive) as ordinary resolutions and as to resolutions 7 and 8 as special resolutions: RESOLUTIONS Resolution 1 To receive and adopt the financial statements for the financial year ended 30th June 2016 and receive the Directors' and Auditors' reports. Resolution 2 To declare a final dividend of 5.15 pence per ordinary share recommended by the directors. Resolution 3 To re-elect Martin Ward. Resolution 4 To appoint KPMG LLP as auditors to the Company until the conclusion of the next general meeting of the Company at which accounts are laid. Resolution 5 To authorise the directors to agree the auditors' remuneration. Resolution 6 That the directors be generally and unconditionally authorised in accordance with section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 (the "Act") to allot: (a) shares in the Company or grant rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into shares in the Company up to an aggregate nominal amount of 97,846; and in addition (b) equity securities of the Company (within the meaning of section 560 of the Act) in connection with an offer of such securities by way of a rights issue up to an aggregate nominal amount of 97,846, provided that this authority shall expire on 30 December 2017 or, if earlier, the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company but, in each case, so that the Company may, before such expiry, make an offer or agreement which would or might require shares to be allotted or rights to subscribe for or convert securities into shares to be granted after such expiry and the directors may allot shares or grant rights to subscribe for or convert securities into shares pursuant to such an offer or agreement as if this authority had not expired. "rights issue" means an offer to: (i) holders of ordinary shares in the capital of the Company in proportion (as nearly as may be practicable) to the respective number of ordinary shares held by them; and (ii) holders of other equity securities if this is required by the rights of those securities or, if the directors consider it necessary, as permitted by the rights of those securities, to subscribe for further securities by means of the issue of a renounceable letter (or other negotiable document) which may be traded for a period before payment for the securities is due, but subject in both cases to such exclusions or other arrangements as the directors may deem necessary or expedient in relation to treasury shares, fractional entitlements, record dates or legal, regulatory or practical problems in, or under the laws of, any territory or any other matter. Resolution 7 That subject to and conditional on the passing of resolution number 6, the directors be empowered, pursuant to section 570 of the Act, to allot equity securities (within the meaning of section 560 of the Act) for cash pursuant to the authority conferred by resolution number 6 and/or where the allotment constitutes an allotment of equity securities by virtue of section 560(3) of the Act, in each case: (a) in connection with an offer of such securities by way of a rights issue (as defined in resolution number ); and (b) (otherwise than pursuant to paragraph 7(a) above), up to an aggregate nominal amount of 29,353, as if section 561(1) of the Act did not apply to any such allotment, such authority to expire on 30 December 2017 or, if earlier, the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company, save that the Company may, before such expiry, make an offer or agreement which would or might require equity securities to be allotted after such expiry and the directors may allot equity securities in pursuance of such an offer or agreement as if this power had not expired. Resolution 8 That the Company be generally and unconditionally authorised to make market purchases (within the meaning of section 693(4) of the Act) of ordinary shares of 0.01 pence each in the capital of the Company on such terms and in such manner as the directors may from time to time determine, provided that: (a) the maximum number of ordinary shares hereby authorised to be acquired is 29,353,937 representing approximately 10 per cent. of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company; (b) the minimum price (excluding expenses) which may be paid for any such ordinary share is 0.1 pence; (c) the maximum price (excluding expenses) which may be paid for any such ordinary share is the higher of: (i) an amount equal to 105 per cent. of the average market value of an ordinary share in the Company for the 5 business day prior to the day the purchase is made; and (ii) the value of an ordinary share calculated on the basis of the higher of the price quoted for: (A) the last independent trade of; and (B) the highest current independent bid for, any number of the Company's ordinary shares on the trading venue where the purchase is carried out; and (d) the authority hereby conferred shall expire (unless previously renewed, varied or revoked) on 30 December 2017 or, if earlier, the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company (except in relation to the purchase of ordinary shares the contract for which was concluded before the expiry of this authority and which will or may be executed wholly or partly after such expiry). CONTACT: Name: Nick Tilley Company Secretary Telephone: 01225 321207 Date: 26th October 2016 Industry veteran Peter Vancorenland, PhD brings more than 14 years of experience in systems software, wireless sensor technology and IoT to new role RF Code, a leading SaaS provider of real-time operational intelligence (RTOI) for physical asset lifecycle management and environmental monitoring in data centers, today announced the addition of Peter Vancorenland, PhD to the position of Chief Technology Officer. In his new role, Dr. Vancorenland will be responsible for pioneering the architectures of RF Code's next generation platforms, including the incorporation of both data analytics and advanced wireless sensor networks. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161026005299/en/ Dr. Peter Vancorenland, CTO of RF Code (Photo: Business Wire) Vancorenland brings a wide variety of software and hardware expertise to his new position at RF Code. He joins the company after a distinguished career at Silicon Labs, where he was most recently Vice President of IoT Engineering. Among his duties in this capacity, Vancorenland led the engineering team for the IoT Business Unit and was responsible for R&D, IoT product development, custom software applications, hardware tools, and customer engineering and support. Vancorenland received his MS and PhD in Electrical Engineering from the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium where he worked on RF CMOS semiconductor technologies and advanced how wireless devices are designed today. He also holds 23 patents spanning a variety of technical fields. "RF Code has been at the forefront of full-stack IoT solutions, employing scalable sensor networks, data gathering software, and applications software. It has grown into a credible first-tier supplier to many of the largest data centers in the world today," said Vancorenland. "The company's innovative perspective on data center operations and IT has shaped how the industry utilizes real-time automated physical asset management and environmental monitoring technology. I'm excited to join the RF Code team and to help build on the success that RF Code has enjoyed to date." "Data centers are the backbone of the global economy, powering businesses, organizing communications, and delivering online consumer services. Managing the physical data center from the assets within to their environment in real-time and across the globe requires advanced automation platforms," said Ed Healy, CEO of RF Code. "Over his career, Peter has been instrumental in developing wireless sensor networks and IoT software solutions across many vertical applications. As RF Code shapes the future of how data centers adopt sensor networks, automation and migration to the Cloud, his experience will be invaluable." Earlier this year, RF Code announced a company benchmark: over 125,000 data center racks are now under management worldwide through its CenterScape solution. As a result, over one million enterprise IT assets and hundreds of thousands of environmental sensors are being continuously monitored for safety and security while simultaneously offering critical information on how to increase efficiency and reliability in data centers and colocation facilities. About RF Code RF Code is a leading provider of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions for the data center, healthcare, industrial logistics and supply chain sectors. The company's flexible framework, a complete software/hardware suite, provides global leaders in the financial services, telecommunications, cloud and colocation service industries real-time asset tracking, asset lifecycle management and sensor networks monitoring environmental, security and facility conditions. These real-time service optimization and data analytics tools provide the intelligence required to accurately visualize and manage the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of data centers and distributed IT investments. Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, RF Code has offices and partners in the UK, EMEA, Australia, Asia and South America. www.rfcode.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161026005299/en/ Contacts: In the United States: Milldam Public Relations LLC Brendon Stellman, 978-369-9761 (voice) 617-291-5110 (mobile) brendon.stellman@milldampr.com or In EMEA: Bamboo PR Nicola Davies, +44-207-702-6067 nicola@bamboopr.co.uk GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO -- (Marketwired) -- 10/26/16 -- CannaGrow Holdings, Inc. (OTC PINK: CGRW), a Liaison and Consultant providing turnkey solutions to licensed growers in the legal Cannabis industry is pleased to announce the Company and their team members Dr. John P. Janovec and Jason Wells were featured in the October 2016 issue of "SunGrower & Greenhouse Magazine," a Marijuana Ventures trade publication available by subscription and through retail outlets such as Barnes and Noble. Delmar Janovec, CEO, stated, "I am pleased to share the news that CannaGrow Holdings has been covered in a major Cannabis Industry trade publication. I am proud to see our team leaders, Dr. John P. Janovec and Jason Wells, and their horticultural values shared with the public at large through such an important media outlet. The coverage is timely as the Colorado Buffalo Ranch Facility I is fully operational and our Licensed Grower, Category One Botanicals, is within weeks of harvesting their first crop of natural, sunshine-grown Cannabis products for wholesale distribution in the recreational market in the State of Colorado." Dr. John Janovec, COO, stated, "The article, written by award-winning author Eric Hiss, does a fine job of capturing aspects of CannaGrow's unique entry into the Legal Cannabis Industry in the State of Colorado. It also shows our dedication to the formulation of 'living soils' as one component of our ecologically sound Cannabis production techniques. We have posted the article on our newly launched website -- http://www.cannagrowholdings.com -- where it can be directly accessed through the blog site http://www.cannagrowholdings.com/cannagrow-blog/2016/10/23/sungrower. I encourage share-holders and Cannabis enthusiasts alike to check our blog on a regular basis not only for CannaGrow updates but also pertinent industry information and news." Eric Hiss is a writer and photographer with diverse interests and accomplishments in the field of journalism; he connected with the CannaGrow Holdings team on the "Cannabis trail." He has been published in numerous magazines and newspapers with focus on themes ranging from world travel and technology to health, food, wine, and spirits. SunGrower & Greenhouse Magazine is a sister publication of Marijuana Ventures Magazine, the Journal of Professional Cannabis Growers and Retailers, and focuses on the sharing of industry feature stories and "how-to" guides on different technical aspects of sound Cannabis production. CannaGrow Holdings, Inc., the Liaison and Representative for NuGro Industries, will continue in its capacity of providing oversight as the Facilities Manager, working with the State/County Agencies and Category One Botanicals, LLC, the Licensed Grower for the facilities. The completion of this project will now provide the company the basis to begin generating revenues from Licensed Growers subleasing the Turnkey facilities being built to the specifications of CannaGrow COO, Dr. John P. Janovec, and Consultant, Jason Wells. CannaGrow has already received numerous inquiries from additional perspective tenants and is also exploring additional business ventures within this industry that could further enhance shareholder value. The site plan, grading plan, and phasing plan that was submitted by NuGro Industries, the landowner and developer, can be viewed on our website at: http://cannagrowholdings.com. About CannaGrow Holdings, Inc.: CannaGrow Holdings, Inc. has entered the Medical/Recreational Cannabis Industry as a Lessor, Liaison, and Consultant to licensed Growers providing them with turnkey Growing Facilities in the State of Colorado. The Company intends to expand this business model within this industry as business opportunities evolve whereby providing for the highest return to its shareholders. CannaGrow Holdings, Inc. does not and will not, until such time as Federal law allows, grow, harvest, distribute or sell marijuana or any substance that violate the laws of the United States of America. CannaGrow Holdings, Inc. encourages the public to read the above information in conjunction with its year-end statement for December 31, 2015, and the quarterly statements filed in calendar year 2016, at: www.otcmarkets.com. The information contained in this press release may include forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements usually contain the words "may," "could," "possibly," "feel," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "expect," or similar expressions that involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the Company's uncertain profitability, need for significant capital, uncertainty concerning market acceptance of its services, competition, limited service facilities, dependence on technological developments and protection of its intellectual property. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those discussed herein. Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3072382 CONTACT: CannaGrow Holdings, Inc. Delmar Janovec Investor Relations info@cannagrowholdings.com http://cannagrowholdings.com/ DUBAI, UAE, October 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A huge concert was held by the artist Balqees Fathi in the large theatre of the Egyptian Opera House, which brought her together for the first time with her father, the great artist Ahmed Fathi, who personally oversaw the organization of the concert along with the symphonic orchestra band led by maestro Hani Hassan. This first of its kind charity ceremony was attended by more than 2,000 people from presidents, politicians and ministers from different Arab communities, and sources said that many arrived from their countries only for one day to attend this big concert. The profits from the concert revenues will be allocated for the two charities: Al Basma Charity Association in Egypt and Sonaa Al Hayat (Life Makers) Association in Tihama in Yemen. Balqees and her father filled the audience with glee for two continuous hours of national and Yemeni songs, and Balqees wowed the audience with her performance in singing in Italian, while her father Ahmed Fathi played several musical compositions and sang his masterpiece, with which became famous in the eighties, "denying us." Contacts: Reem Al Yousef, +971(0)52-974-1680 CREVE COEUR (dpa-AFX) - German conglomerate Bayer AG (BAYZF.PK, BAYRY.PK, BYR.L), which is in $66 billion deal to acquire U.S. seed firm Monsanto Co. (MON), on Wednesday raised its core earnings forecast for fiscal 2016 after reporting higher profit and sales in its third quarter. Further, the company maintained guidance for adjusted EBITDA, a key earnings metric, and sales. The stock is currently trading 3 percent lower in Germany. For fiscal 2016, the company now expects core earnings per share from continuing operations to grow by a high-single-digit percentage, compared to previous estimate of a mid- to high-single-digit percentage growth. The company continues to plan to increase EBITDA before special items by a high-single-digit percentage. Bayer Group, including Covestro, is still expected to record sales of 46 billion euros to 47 billion euros. This corresponds to a low-single-digit percentage increase on a currency- and portfolio-adjusted basis. For the Life Science activities, i.e. Bayer group excluding Covestro, sales are still expected to be approximately 35 billion euros, corresponding to a mid-single-digit percentage increase. Regarding its planned acquisition of Monsanto, Bayer said it has initiated the process of obtaining various approvals for the deal. It intends to submit the necessary application in the United States before the end of this year and in the European Union probably in the first quarter of 2017. In terms of financing, Bayer successfully closed syndication of the $57 billion bank facilities at the beginning of October. In its third quarter, the company's net income climbed 18.8 percent to 1.19 billion euros from last year's 999 million euros. The latest results included charges in connection with the agreed acquisition of Monsanto, efficiency improvement measures and the integration of acquired businesses. Core earnings per share from continuing operations were 1.73 euros, compared to 1.69 euros a year ago. Earnings before interest and tax or EBIT advanced 14.2 percent to 1.795 billion euros. EBIT before special items increased 8.1 percent to 1.92 billion euros. Adjusted EBITDA was 2.68 billion euros, 6 percent higher than last year. In the quarter, sales grew 2.3 percent to 11.26 billion euros from 11 billion euros in the prior year. Sales increased by 3.5 percent after adjusting for currency and portfolio changes. Sales of prescription medicines grew 7.3 percent, benefited mainly by strong development of recently launched products. The oral anticoagulant Xarelto, the eye medicine Eylea, the cancer drugs Xofigo and Stivarga, and the pulmonary hypertension treatment Adempas posted total combined sales of 1.395 billion euros, higher than last year. Sales of the agricultural business were down 1.2 percent on a reported basis, but were flat adjusted for currency and portfolio effects. In Germany, Bayer shares were trading at 89.16 euros, down 2.56 percent. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de Public Relations Department http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com +81-3-6852-4275 TOKYO, Oct 26, 2016 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) today at a meeting in Tokyo with Philippine government dignitaries, including President Rodrigo Duterte in attendance. The LOI with the Philippines' Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reinforces the commitment to further contribute to the Philippine economy through expansion of local production.In June, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation(1) (MMPC) received approval to participate in the Philippine government's Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) Program(2), adopted under then-president Benigno Aquino III. The LOI reconfirms both parties' commitment regarding the CARS Program and contribution to the Philippine automobile industry under the Duterte administration. MMPC will participate in the CARS Program through local production of the Mirage(3) and Mirage G4(4) subcompact models starting in January 2017.Signing the LOI at the meeting MMC Chairman of the Board, President and CEO Mr. Osamu Masuko stressed the commitment towards the Philippines: "Receiving approval to participate in the CARS Program from the DTI affirms the over 50 years of contribution to the development of the Philippine automobile industry. It is my hope that MMPC not only promotes employment in the Philippines but also contributes to the overall development of the economy."(1) The sole manufacturer and distributor of MMC in the Philippines.(2) A government initiative aimed at growing the automobile industry in the Philippines. For more information please visit http://industry.gov.ph/cars-program/(3) Space Star in some countries.(4) Attrage in some countries.About Mitsubishi MotorsMitsubishi Motors Corporation is the fifth largest automaker in Japan and the fifteenth largest in the world by global unit sales. It is part of the Mitsubishi keiretsu, formerly the biggest industrial group in Japan, and was formed in 1970 from the automotive division of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.Throughout its history it has courted alliances with foreign partners, a strategy pioneered by their first president Tomio Kubo to encourage expansion, and continued by his successors. A significant stake was sold to Chrysler Corporation in 1971 which it held for 22 years, while DaimlerChrysler was a controlling shareholder between 2000 and 2005. Long term joint manufacturing and technology licencing deals with the Hyundai Motor Company in South Korea and Proton in Malaysia were also forged, while in Europe the company co-owned the largest automobile manufacturing plant in the Netherlands with Volvo for ten years in the 1990s, before taking sole ownership in 2001.Source: Mitsubishi MotorsContact:Copyright 2016 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. NEC Seiichiro Toda s-toda@cj.jp.nec.com +81-3-3798-6511 TOKYO, Oct 26, 2016 - (JCN Newswire) - GE Digital (NYSE: GE) and NEC Corporation (TYO: 6701) announced that NEC Corporation is deploying GE's Predix, the world's first cloud-based operating system for the Industrial Internet, as part of the company's global supply chain improvement project. Through its use of the Predix platform, NEC will optimize its supply chain and factory operations, with the intent to achieve a substantial reduction in operational costs.Predix powers the modern digital industrial businesses that drive the global economy. Predix-based applications connect industrial assets, collect and analyze data and deliver real-time insights for optimizing industrial infrastructure and operations, for both GE and non-GE assets."GE is driving the Industrial Internet globally powered with Predix, while leveraging NEC's vast business experience in IT systems development and its advanced technology capabilities in Japan," said Takaaki Shimizu, Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), and Member of the Board, NEC. "NEC is providing IoT solutions for multiple industries. In September 2016, we launched an IoT platform named 'NEC the WISE IoT Platform' that is integrated with AI, big data analytics, Cloud, cybersecurity and software-defined networking (SDN). We are convinced that NEC can accelerate our IoT business globally by providing an array of IoT solutions to a broader customer-base under this alliance," Shimizu added."As every industrial asset would be operated as a SaaS model, GE's Predix will become a critical platform for our customers' transformation," said Bill Ruh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GE Digital. He said GE and NEC have a rich history, dating back to both companies' founders. "This partnership with NEC demonstrates how two very diverse companies have collaborated to identify a viable solution to implement a unified platform that will improve supply chain operational efficiencies. Through this innovative cross-collaboration with NEC, we expect to drive efficiencies, optimize operations, and reduce millions in savings for Japanese industry over the next five years."In addition to the joint collaboration, NEC has also joined GE Digital's Alliance Program, a first of its kind program, designed to grow the digital industrial ecosystem. Together, GE Digital and NEC are exploring ways to achieve the following:Build an Industrial IoT EcosystemNEC will deploy Predix for its global supply chain improvement project. NEC is deploying Predix for its large-scale overseas project to pursue substantial cost reduction through supply chain optimization. Based on NEC's knowledge and GE's global experience for Predix, both companies will explore joint go-to-market initiatives.Create New Value in the Industrial IoT Space by Integrating Technologies of both CompaniesNEC and GE Digital are exploring opportunities to develop and launch new applications on Predix.io, the Predix developer portal site, by leveraging NEC's technology such as NEC the WISE AI technologies, including microservice. NEC and GE intend to develop applications on Predix.Leverage the Support and Training Capability for PredixGE and NEC are exploring the possibility of providing education and training services for Predix users. Both companies are exploring the possibility of enabling NEC to provide post-sales support for Predix solutions in Japan.Develop Cyber Security Solutions in the Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) spaceNEC and GE are exploring a joint go-to-market strategy for cyber security solutions, integrating OT security technologies by GE Digital's Wurldtech with NEC's IT security solutions.About NEC CorporationNEC Corporation is a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies that benefit businesses and people around the world. By providing a combination of products and solutions that cross utilize the company's experience and global resources, NEC's advanced technologies meet the complex and ever-changing needs of its customers. NEC brings more than 100 years of expertise in technological innovation to empower people, businesses and society. For more information, visit NEC at http://www.nec.com.Based on its Mid-term Management Plan 2015, the NEC Group globally provides "Solutions for Society" that promote the safety, security, efficiency and equality of society. Under the company's corporate message of "Orchestrating a brighter world," NEC aims to help solve a wide range of challenging issues and to create new social value for the changing world of tomorrow. For more information, please visit http://www.nec.com/en/global/about/solutionsforsociety/message.html.Source: NEC CorporationContact:Copyright 2016 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. FreeBit, KazTransCom and Turkcell adopt Red Hat solutions to improve agility, flexibility and operational efficiency Red Hat, Inc. (NYSE: RHT), the world's leading provider of open source solutions, today announced that communications leaders from around the world, including FreeBit, KazTransCom and Turkcell, have deployed Red Hat OpenStack Platform, a highly scalable Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) solution, as the foundation for their modern cloud initiatives. In a world driven by the growth of digital services, new devices, and massive user numbers, communications leaders around the world are modernizing their infrastructures to support advanced cloud services and improve the speed at which new services can be created. Thanks to its ability to massively scale and capabilities to meet the needs of real-time applications without requiring massive increases in physical infrastructure, OpenStack has become a go-to platform for enterprise and communications industry cloud deployments. According to the April 2016 OpenStack User Survey, 14 percent of OpenStack users were traditional telcos and another 68 percent were IT companies that include communications as part of their initiatives and services. Red Hat, a leader in making open technologies safer, more secure, and more easily consumable for business-critical use, provides solutions that serve as the foundation for modern, flexible and scalable cloud deployments. Red Hat Enterprise Linux, including the high-performance Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) hypervisor, forms a more stable, more secure, more reliable operating system foundation. Co-engineered with Red Hat Enterprise Linux and hardened and backed by Red Hat's support life cycle, Red Hat OpenStack Platform offers a proven foundation for communications industry deployments, including network functions virtualization (NFV). Red Hat has seen increased adoption of OpenStack, highlighted by several communications leaders selecting Red Hat OpenStack Platform as the backbone of their advanced cloud deployments: FreeBit Co., Ltd. , headquartered in Tokyo, provides infrastructure services to Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Seeking to modernize an infrastructure built on aging servers, FreeBit looked to the cloud and OpenStack. They selected Red Hat OpenStack Platform to improve services, reliability, and compatibility, and to create a cloud infrastructure capable of supporting its Internet business. By standardizing on Red Hat OpenStack Platform and using standard OpenStack APIs, FreeBit was able to automate 75% of its infrastructure builds, work that had previously been manually conducted. To move its work to production with minimal downtime, FreeBit uses the blue-green deployment approach, running identical and interchangeable Red Hat OpenStack Platform environments for test and production. Five of FreeBit's services and its Internet of Things (IoT) service development infrastructure now run on Red Hat OpenStack Platform. FreeBit's highly maneuverable Red Hat OpenStack Platform-based infrastructure has helped the company create new business value, supporting faster innovation by trial and error. , headquartered in Tokyo, provides infrastructure services to Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Seeking to modernize an infrastructure built on aging servers, FreeBit looked to the cloud and OpenStack. They selected Red Hat OpenStack Platform to improve services, reliability, and compatibility, and to create a cloud infrastructure capable of supporting its Internet business. By standardizing on Red Hat OpenStack Platform and using standard OpenStack APIs, FreeBit was able to automate 75% of its infrastructure builds, work that had previously been manually conducted. To move its work to production with minimal downtime, FreeBit uses the blue-green deployment approach, running identical and interchangeable Red Hat OpenStack Platform environments for test and production. Five of FreeBit's services and its Internet of Things (IoT) service development infrastructure now run on Red Hat OpenStack Platform. FreeBit's highly maneuverable Red Hat OpenStack Platform-based infrastructure has helped the company create new business value, supporting faster innovation by trial and error. KazTransCom is one of the largest telecommunications operators in Kazakhstan and boasts a modern network infrastructure that stretches for tens of thousands of kilometers. To innovate and increase revenue potential, it wanted to add new cloud services for business customers, including a public cloud and a highly reliable and scalable NFV platform for network equipment. Following a thorough competitive review, KazTransCom chose a solution based on Red Hat OpenStack Platform and Red Hat Ceph Storage, with Cisco UCS hardware, as the basis of its new cloud platform. With its Red Hat-based cloud platform, KazTransCom has found a reliable, easily managed solution that offers the flexibility and scalability it needs to easily provision new services, with sufficient spare performance to handle new client wins and additional customer requirements. Turkcell is a converged telecommunication and technology services provider, founded and headquartered in Turkey. It serves its customers with voice, data, TV and value-added consumer and enterprise services on mobile and fixed networks. Turkcell launched LTE services in its home country on April 1, 2016, employing LTE-Advanced and three carrier aggregation technologies in 81 cities. In 2G and 3G, Turkcell's population coverage is at 99.80% and 95.14%, respectively, as of June 2016. It offers up to 1 Gbps fiber internet speed with its FTTH services. Turkcell Group companies serve 66.5 million subscribers in nine countries Turkey, Ukraine, Belarus, Northern Cyprus, Germany, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Moldova as of June 30, 2016. Turkcell Group reported a TRY3.4 billion revenue with total assets of TRY28.6 billion as of June 30, 2016. It has been listed on the NYSE and the BIST since July 2000, and is the only NYSE-listed company in Turkey. For more than a decade, Turkcell has trusted Red Hat Enterprise Linux as a strategic operating platform for its infrastructure. In collaboration with Red Hat Consulting, Turkcell built Turkcell Akilli Depo ("Lifebox"), a self-service cloud based storage application that runs on Red Hat OpenStack Platform, built using OpenStack's Object Storage (Swift) capabilities. Moving the app in-house has resulted in savings for Turkcell, and they are now able to bring new capabilities to market faster. Because of the success of the project, Turkcell is also developing its BIP messaging application and other services on Red Hat OpenStack Platform. Supporting Quotes Radhesh Balakrishnan, general manager, OpenStack, Red Hat "FreeBit, KazTransCom and Turkcell are stellar examples of the modernization and transformation we are seeing in the communications industry. They have turned to open source and to Red Hat to help them create more agile, flexible, and scalable clouds that can meet their needs now and well into the future. The promise of OpenStack in the communications industry is now becoming a reality, and Red Hat is proud to work with organizations around the globe to help them with such transformation and modernization initiatives." Koichi Inokuchi, subdirector, YourNet Service Division, FreeBit Co., Ltd. "When selecting an OpenStack distribution, we placed the most importance on quality. With regard to quality, while operation of OpenStack itself and compatibility with hardware was also important, we most considered quality of support from distributors. In troubleshooting during the assessment period and considering configuration, we collaborated deeply with Red Hat's engineers, and they responded quickly to OpenStack issues with our systems. Through such opportunities, we appreciated Red Hat's support, proposals, and high technological ability. Red Hat has also been working on translation of its product manuals into Japanese in a timely manner. Their content played a very important role in our understanding of OpenStack and specifications of the product. With this new infrastructure introduced, FreeBit could advance one more step in making system operation management automatic and more efficient. OpenStack is a technology which is expected to develop further. We expect Red Hat to drive its evolution as an industry leader for OpenStack." Maxim Popov, head of R&D, KazTransCom "Red Hat's leadership in providing robust, enterprise-ready, open source technology that offered vendor flexibility as well as the easy integration of Red Hat software with KazTransCom's Cisco server hardware - appealed to our technology strategy. With Red Hat OpenStack Platform and Red Hat Ceph Storage, KazTransCom can easily scale to provision new services for its business customers with spare processing power to handle the demands of new and current clients." Bulent Salturk, director of Infrastructure Operations, Turkcell "We have been using Red Hat Enterprise Linux for more than 10 years and have been satisfied with its robustness and support. While modernizing our cloud-based storage service, we decided to use Red Hat OpenStack Platform because it is backed by an experienced development and support teams. We also used Red Hat Consulting for the migration and they have been very responsive in assisting to get our OpenStack deployment up and operating quickly." Additional Resources Learn more about Red Hat OpenStack Platform Read more Red Hat customer success stories Connect with Red Hat Learn more about Red Hat Get more news in the Red Hat newsroom Read the Red Hat blog Follow Red Hat on Twitter Join Red Hat on Facebook Watch Red Hat videos on YouTube Join Red Hat on Google+ Follow Red Hat on LinkedIn About Red Hat, Inc. Red Hat is the world's leading provider of open source software solutions, using a community-powered approach to provide reliable and high-performing cloud, Linux, middleware, storage and virtualization technologies. Red Hat also offers award-winning support, training, and consulting services. As a connective hub in a global network of enterprises, partners, and open source communities, Red Hat helps create relevant, innovative technologies that liberate resources for growth and prepare customers for the future of IT. Learn more at http://www.redhat.com. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: risks related to the ability of the Company to compete effectively; the ability to deliver and stimulate demand for new products and technological innovations on a timely basis; delays or reductions in information technology spending; the integration of acquisitions and the ability to market successfully acquired technologies and products; fluctuations in exchange rates; the effects of industry consolidation; uncertainty and adverse results in litigation and related settlements; the inability to adequately protect Company intellectual property and the potential for infringement or breach of license claims of or relating to third party intellectual property; risks related to data and information security vulnerabilities; the ability to meet financial and operational challenges encountered in our international operations; ineffective management of, and control over, the Company's growth and international operations; and changes in and a dependence on key personnel, as well as other factors contained in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (copies of which may be accessed through the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at http://www.sec.gov), including those found therein under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations". In addition to these factors, actual future performance, outcomes, and results may differ materially because of more general factors including (without limitation) general industry and market conditions and growth rates, economic and political conditions, governmental and public policy changes and the impact of natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of the date of this press release and these views could change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Red Hat, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Red Hat Virtualization, the Shadowman logo Ansible, Red Hat Satellite and Ceph are trademarks or registered trademarks of Red Hat, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries. Linux is the registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the U.S. and other countries. The OpenStack Word Mark is either a registered trademark/service mark or trademark/service mark of the OpenStack Foundation, in the United States and other countries, and is used with the OpenStack Foundation's permission. Red Hat is not affiliated with, endorsed or sponsored by the OpenStack Foundation, or the OpenStack community. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161026005837/en/ Contacts: Red Hat, Inc. Stephanie Wonderlick, +1 571-421-8169 swonderl@redhat.com HAMILTON, Bermuda, Oct. 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Bacardi gives new meaning to the phrase, "to the bat cave," as a team of employees, in partnership with Lubee Bat Conservancy, erected several large bat habitats at the company's BACARDA rum bottling facility campus in Jacksonville, Florida. Video- http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/ENR/BACARDI-BAT-CAVES.mp4 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140218/NY66998LOGO Within just a few months, the habitats - branded bat caves - will be full of tenants. Together, the organizations are working hard to fight the devastation of habitat depletion that has occurred for bats, the world's only flying mammals. "Conservation and sustainability have been a part of who Bacardi has been since the very beginning nearly 155 years ago. We've now come full-circle with these bat caves as we live out this legacy," says Julio Torruella, global environment director for Bacardi, about the new bat houses installed at the Bacardi Bottling Corporation campus. The facility, part of the Bacardi group of companies, bottles all BACARDA spirits consumed in the U.S. and has received international recognition for its contributions to wildlife habitat conservation and education by the Wildlife Habitat Council. The wooden bat caves, which stand 20-feet off the ground, are engraved with both the BACARDA and Lubee Bat Conservancy logos. The mutual goal between the two organizations is to preserve and provide crucial habitats for the local bat population to help maintain the community's natural wetlands, farming, and forest areas. In fact, the Bacardi wildlife team consists of 11 employees who volunteer to manage 21 acres of wildlife habitat as part of a Wildlife at Work program that has been certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council since 2013. Several of these Bacardi employees, as well as several Lubee Bat Conservancy employees, worked together on this project. "Monitoring of the bat houses will be conducted in a responsible manner, so we do not disturb the bats as they take residence in the new shelters," says Brian Pope, director of Lubee Bat Conservancy. "For this reason, we don't have cameras inside the shelters. Acoustic surveys conducted in late spring recorded 716 identifiable calls revealing four bat species on the Bacardi property." The three bat caves hold up to a total of 500 bats. The two single-chambered bat caves can house between 50-100 bats, and the one triple-chambered cave can hold between 200-300 bats. In just a short few months, the shelters will likely be active with many local bats. The bat has always been more than just a logo for Bacardi-it's an ecological partner and a metaphor for the iconic rum brand that touts, "We Are the Night." Bacardi support for bats goes back to its founding in 1862 when Dona Amalia Bacardi, the founder's wife, spotted a colony of fruit bats in the rafters of the first Bacardi distillery in Santiago de Cuba. In Spain, where the Bacardi family emigrated from, and with the native Taino Indians in their new homeland of Cuba, bats symbolized good health, family unity and good fortune, so the Bacardi founder made sure the bats remained in the distillery and became identified with his rum. The Bacardi creation became known by the Cuban people as "el Ron del Murcielago" or "the Rum of the Bat." Today, the Bacardi bat device still proudly graces every bottle of BACARDA rum, as it continues to inspire new "outside-the-bat-box" conservation and sustainability directives beyond the company's literal and figurative walls. The Bacardi family's long-term involvement with bat research, education and conservation is also reflected in the work of the non-profit Lubee Bat Conservancy to protect biological diversity through the conservation of bats and their habitats. Just in time for Halloween, the number of bats at the facility, which include the Mexican free-tailed, Evening bat, Tricolored and Eastern red bats, is expected to grow as the fall season advances, colder weather creeps in and breeding groups start to form. All of the species, except the Eastern red bats, will roost in the bat houses. Although bats are nocturnal, they can be heard vocalizing during the day. Bats are extremely social and will spend considerable time grooming and communicating with others in their colony. At night, these aerial acrobats use echolocation to navigate and find insect prey, many species of which are agricultural pests. Although most bat species use echolocation, they can see very well. All Florida bat species are insectivorous and provide essential ecological and economic services. "Bats are vital to the health of natural ecosystems and human economies, so preservation of their habitats makes great sense with regard to sustainability," adds Torruella. "We work just as hard to find ways to preserve habitats and protect species as we do to reduce energy consumption and conduct business sustainably." Rural and residential areas surround the 92-acre Bacardi facility, which includes on-site habitats such as wetlands, forest, and grasslands that have been replanted with native species of plants and flowers. Bacardi began tracking its global impact on the environment in 2006. Building on current programs and efficiencies that reduce its environmental impacts, Bacardi executes its "Good Spirited" sustainability program under specific goals in three areas to help the Company reach its vision of a net zero impact in responsible sourcing, global packaging and operational efficiencies. To learn more about Bacardi Limited and its "Good Spirited: Building a Sustainable Future" environmental initiative across the entire Bacardi family of premium spirits and wine brands, visit http://www.bacardilimited.com/good-spirited. About Bacardi Bottling Corporation Founded in 1972, Bacardi Bottling Corporation is a Center of Excellence for Bottling and the sole bottling plant for BACARDA rum branded products enjoyed in the United States. The 92-acre Jacksonville, Florida, facility also provides BACARDA rum for export to Mexico, Canada, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Germany, South Korea, Costa Rica, South America, Israel, New Zealand, Australia and Japan. About Bacardi Limited Bacardi Limited, the largest privately held spirits company in the world, produces and markets internationally recognized spirits and wines. The Bacardi brand portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDA rum, GREY GOOSE vodka, DEWAR'S Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin, MARTINI vermouth and sparkling wines, CAZADORES 100% blue agave tequila, and other leading and emerging brands. Founded 154 years ago in Santiago de Cuba on February 4, 1862, family-owned Bacardi manufactures its brands at 29 facilities and sells in more than 160 countries. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. www.BacardiLimited.com About Lubee Bat Conservancy Lubee Bat Conservancy (originally named the Lubee Foundation) is an international non-profit organization dedicated to saving bats and their habitats through research, conservation, and education, with a focus on children and community engagement. Lubee Bat Conservancy was founded in 1989 by the late Luis F. Bacardi who had a strong passion for endangered wildlife, particularly bats. http://lubee.org/ Media Contact Amy Federman, +1.441.294.1110, afederman@bacardi.com ENJOY RESPONSIBLY. 2016 BACARDI BACARDI, THE BAT DEVICE AND OTHER MARKS ARE TRADEMARKS OF BACARDI & COMPANY LIMITED OR OF OTHER SUBSIDIARIES OF BACARDI LIMITED. DUBLIN, October 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global Magnesium Market 2016-2020" report to their offering. The global magnesium market to grow at a CAGR of 5.73% by volume during the period 2016-2020. The report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global magnesium market for 2016-2020. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated through sales of magnesium for applications such as aluminum alloys, die casting, titanium refining, steel desulfurization, and nodular cast iron. According to the report, the global steel sections market is growing on the back of the demand coming from the power industry. Upgrading of power distribution lines is the major factor driving the market. Countries like Paraguay and Brazil are undergoing heavy industrialization activities, and thus, also investing in transmission and distribution lines. For instance, in 2012, Brazil government planned to invest $235 billion in developing transmission and distribution network within a span of 10 years. Thus, an increase in the demand for structural steel is a major driver for the global magnesium market. Further, the report states that magnesium is widely used for steel desulfurization process. Global steel demand grew only to 2% in 2015 in comparison to 3.3% in 2013. Thus, declining steel demand is a challenge for the global magnesium market. The reason has been the weak global economic environment, which has resulted in low consumption and business sentiment. Though developed countries are recovering and experiencing positive growth, the market in China, the largest steel producer in the world, is experiencing slow growth because the country is moving to a consumption-based economy from an investment-driven economy. Moreover, steel demand from other emerging economies is also uncertain because of reasons such as political instability and volatile financial markets. Key questions answered in this report What 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? Key vendors Ningxia Hui-Ye Magnesium Marketing POSCO Shaanxi Fugu Tianyu Mineral Industry US Magnesium Wenxi YinGuang Magnesium Industry Other prominent vendors Dead Sea Magnesium Rima Solikamsk magnesium works VSMPO-AVISMA Key Topics Covered: Part 01: Executive summary Part 02: Scope of the report Part 03: Market research methodology Part 04: Introduction Part 05: Market landscape Part 06: Market segmentation by application Part 07: Geographic Segmentation Part 08: Market drivers Part 09: Impact of drivers Part 10: Market challenges Part 11: Impact of drivers and challenges Part 12: Market trends Part 13: Vendor landscape Part 14: Key vendor analysis Part 15: Appendix For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/n8xl44/global_magnesium 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 WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - State Street Corp. (STT) released a profit for its fourth quarter that rose compared to the same period last year. The company said its bottom line rose to $577 million, or $1.48 per share. This was up from $494 million, or $1.21 per share, in last year's fourth quarter. Analysts had expected the company to earn $1.32 per share, according figures compiled by Thomson Reuters. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. The company said revenue for the quarter rose 6.2% to $2.75 billion. This was up from $2.59 billion last year. State Street Corp. earnings at a glance: -Earnings (Q4): $577 Mln. vs. $494 Mln. last year. -Earnings Growth (Y-o-Y): 16.8% -EPS (Q4): $1.48 vs. $1.21 last year. -EPS Growth (Y-o-Y): 22.3% -Analysts Estimate: $1.32 -Revenue (Q4): $2.75 Bln vs. $2.59 Bln last year. -Revenue Change (Y-o-Y): 6.2% 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. Boeing Reports Third-Quarter Results and Raises Full Year Guidance CHICAGO, Oct. 26, 2016-- Strong operating cash flow of $3.2 billion ; repurchased 7.6 million shares for $1.0 billion GAAP EPS of $3.60 and core EPS (non-GAAP)* of $3.51 on solid execution and tax items Revenue of $23.9 billion on timing of aircraft deliveries Backlog remains robust at $462 billion with more than 5,600 commercial airplane orders Cash and marketable securities of $9.7 billion provide strong liquidity 2016 revenue guidance increased $500 million on higher deliveries 2016 GAAP EPS and core EPS (non-GAAP)* guidance increased $0.70 for additionaltaxadjustment Table 1. Summary Financial Results Third Quarter Nine months (Dollars in Millions, except per share data) 2016 2015 Change 2016 2015 Change Revenues $23,898 $25,849 (8)% $71,285 $72,541 (2)% GAAP Earnings From Operations $2,282 $2,580 (12)% $3,651 $6,282 (42)% Operating Margin 9.5% 10.0% (0.5) Pts 5.1% 8.7% (3.6) Pts Net Earnings $2,279 $1,704 34% $3,264 $4,150 (21)% Earnings Per Share $3.60 $2.47 46% $5.04 $5.92 (15)% Operating Cash Flow $3,202 $2,859 12% $7,667 $6,244 23% Non-GAAP* Core Operating Earnings $2,194 $2,637 (17)% $3,400 $6,482 (48)% Core Operating Margin 9.2% 10.2% (1.0) Pts 4.8% 8.9% (4.1) Pts Core Earnings Per Share $3.51 $2.52 39% $4.79 $6.11 (22)% * Non-GAAP measures. Complete definitions of Boeing's non-GAAP measures are on page 6, "Non-GAAP Measures Disclosures." The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] reported third-quarter GAAP earnings per share of $3.60 and core earnings per share (non-GAAP)* of $3.51 reflecting overall solid execution on production programs and services, favorable tax items ($0.98 per share), and timing of aircraft deliveries (Table 1). Revenue guidance has been increased $500 million to between $93.5 and $95.5 billion on higher commercial deliveries. GAAP earnings per share guidance for 2016 has been increased to between $7.10 and $7.30 from $6.40 and $6.60 and core earnings per share (non-GAAP)* guidance has been increased to between $6.80 and $7.00 from $6.10 and $6.30 to reflect a favorable $0.70 per share tax basis adjustment. The third quarter favorable tax adjustment for a 2011-2012 tax settlement of $0.28 per share was previously announced in the second quarter of 2016 and was reflected in prior guidance. "Solid operating performance across our commercial and defense and space businesses in the third quarter again generated strong cash flow for Boeing, which continues to fuel investments in our future and enable us to deliver compelling returns to our shareholders," said Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis Muilenburg. "We also captured key orders, reinforcing the strength of our large and diverse order backlog." "We achieved key milestones on the 737 MAX, 787-10 and other development programs, including the first KC-46 production contracts. Our teams remain focused on completing these development efforts and delivering better capabilities and economics to customers around the world." "We remain on track to deliver on our full-year commitments. At the same time, we are positioning Boeing for further growth through our intense focus on productivity, quality and safety across the company." Table 2. Cash Flow Third Quarter Nine months (Millions) 2016 2015 2016 2015 Operating Cash Flow $3,202 $2,859 $7,667 $6,244 Less Additions to Property, Plant & Equipment ($595) ($561) ($2,014) ($1,827) Free Cash Flow* $2,607 $2,298 $5,653 $4,417 * Non-GAAP measures. Complete definitions of Boeing's non-GAAP measures are on page 6, "Non-GAAP Measures Disclosures." Operating cash flow in the quarter was $3.2 billion, reflecting solid operating performance (Table 2). During the quarter, the company repurchased 7.6 million shares for $1.0 billion, leaving $7.5 billion remaining under the current repurchase authorization. The company also paid $0.7 billion in dividends in the quarter, reflecting an approximately 20 percent increase in dividends per share compared to the same period of the prior year. Table 3. Cash, Marketable Securities and Debt Balances Quarter-End (Billions) Q3 16 Q2 16 Cash $9.0 $8.6 Marketable Securities1 $0.7 $0.7 Total $9.7 $9.3 Debt Balances: The Boeing Company, net of intercompany loans to BCC $8.1 $8.7 Boeing Capital, including intercompany loans $2.4 $2.3 Total Consolidated Debt $10.5 $11.0 1 Marketable securities consists primarily of time deposits due within one year classified as "short-term investments." Cash and investments in marketable securities totaled $9.7 billion, up from $9.3 billion at the beginning of the quarter. Debt was $10.5 billion, down from the beginning of the quarter, due to repayment of debt (Table 3). Total company backlog at quarter-end was $462 billion, down from $472 billion at the beginning of the quarter, and included net orders for the quarter of $15 billion. Segment Results Commercial Airplanes Table 4. Commercial Airplanes Third Quarter Nine months (Dollars in Millions) 2016 2015 Change 2016 2015 Change Commercial Airplanes Deliveries 188 199 (6)% 563 580 (3)% Revenues $16,973 $17,692 (4)% $48,828 $49,950 (2)% Earnings from Operations $1,597 $1,768 (10)% $1,657 $4,591 (64)% Operating Margin 9.4% 10.0% (0.6) Pts 3.4% 9.2% (5.8) Pts Commercial Airplanes third-quarter revenue decreased to $17.0 billion on lower planned delivery volume (Table 4). Third-quarter operating margin was 9.4 percent, reflecting delivery volume and mix, partially offset by lower period costs. During the quarter, we began production of the 500th 787 Dreamliner, completed service ready validation of the 737 MAX 8, and began production of the 737 MAX 9. The 737 program has captured more than 3,300 orders for the 737 MAX since launch and the company remains on track to raise the production rate to 47 per month in the third quarter of 2017. During the quarter, we continued to grow our services business through an agreement with Japan Airlines to provide spare parts solutions. Commercial Airplanes booked 107 net orders during the quarter. Backlog remains strong with more than 5,600 airplanes valued at $409 billion. Defense, Space& Security Table 5. Defense, Space & Security Third Quarter Nine months (Dollars in Millions) 2016 2015 Change 2016 2015 Change Revenues1 Boeing Military Aircraft $3,260 $4,037 (19)% $9,898 $10,237 (3)% Network& Space Systems $1,701 $2,127 (20)% $5,246 $5,797 (10)% Global Services& Support $2,547 $2,186 17% $7,494 $6,569 14% Total BDS Revenues $7,508 $8,350 (10)% $22,638 $22,603 - Earnings from Operations1 Boeing Military Aircraft $434 $494 (12)% $943 $874 8% Network& Space Systems $35 $245 (86)% $336 $563 (40)% Global Services& Support $315 $283 11% $920 $874 5% Total BDS Earnings from Operations $784 $1,022 (23)% $2,199 $2,311 (5)% Operating Margin 10.4% 12.2% (1.8) Pts 9.7% 10.2% (0.5) Pts 1 During the first quarter of 2016, certain programs were realigned between Boeing Military Aircraft and Global Services & Support. Defense, Space & Security's third-quarter revenue was $7.5 billion. Third-quarter operating margin was 10.4 percent, reflecting solid execution and the impact of the Commercial Crew program (Table 5). Boeing Military Aircraft (BMA) third-quarter revenue was $3.3 billion, reflecting fewer C-17 deliveries and volume on F-15. Operating margin increased to 13.3 percent, reflecting program mix. During the quarter, BMA was awarded a contract from the U.S. Air Force for low-rate initial production of 19 KC-46 Tanker aircraft and received an agreement from the U.K. Ministry of Defence to purchase 50 Apache attack helicopters and nine P-8 Poseidon aircraft. Network & Space Systems (N&SS) third-quarter revenue decreased to $1.7 billion with an operating margin of 2.1 percent, primarily reflecting the charge on the Commercial Crew development program. The charge includes a $124 million reversal of cumulative pre-tax earnings recorded in prior periods and a $38 million pre-tax reach-forward loss, and was largely driven by delays in completion of engineering and supply chain activities. During the quarter, N&SS announced an award for a 702MP satellite with a new digital payload offering twice the capacity of previous designs. Global Services & Support (GS&S) third-quarter revenue increased to $2.5 billion, reflecting higher volume in Aircraft Modernization & Sustainment and Training Systems & Government Services. Operating margin was 12.4 percent largely reflecting contract mix.During the quarter, GS&S was awarded contracts from the Defense Logistics Agency for F/A-18 spare parts. Backlog at Defense, Space & Security was $53 billion, of which 38 percent represents orders from international customers. Additional Financial Information Table 6. Additional Financial Information Third Quarter Nine months (Dollars in Millions) 2016 2015 2016 2015 Revenues Boeing Capital $63 $114 $211 $315 Unallocated items, eliminations and other ($646) ($307) ($392) ($327) Earnings from Operations Boeing Capital $13 $10 $36 $41 Unallocated pension/postretirement $88 ($57) $251 ($200) Other unallocated items and eliminations ($200) ($163) ($492) ($461) Other income/(loss), net $2 ($26) $41 ($23) Interest and debt expense ($81) ($67) ($227) ($203) Effective tax rate (3.4)% 31.5% 5.8% 31.5% At quarter-end, Boeing Capital's net portfolio balance was $3.7 billion, up from the beginning of the quarter. Total pension expense for the third quarter was $453 million, down from $529 million in the same period of the prior year. Other unallocated items and eliminations revenue decreased from the same period in the prior year primarily due to the elimination of intercompany revenue for three aircraft delivered under operating leases. The effective tax rate for the third quarter decreased from the same period in the prior year primarily due to the favorable $440 million tax basis adjustment and the previously announced $177 million for the 2011-2012 tax settlement. Outlook The company's 2016 updated financial and delivery guidance (Table 7) reflects higher commercial deliveries and the impact of the tax basis adjustment. Table 7. 2016 Financial Outlook Current Prior (Dollars in Billions, except per share data) Guidance Guidance The Boeing Company Revenue $93.5 - 95.5 $93.0 - 95.0 GAAP Earnings Per Share $7.10 - 7.30 $6.40 - 6.60 Core Earnings Per Share* $6.80 - 7.00 $6.10 - 6.30 Operating Cash Flow ~$10.0 ~$10.0 Commercial Airplanes Deliveries 745 - 750 740 - 745 Revenue $64.5 - 65.5 $64.0 - 65.0 Operating Margin 4.5% - 5.0 4.5% - 5.0 Defense, Space & Security Revenue Boeing Military Aircraft ~$12.4 ~$12.3 Network& Space Systems ~$7.0 ~$7.3 Global Services& Support ~$9.6 ~$9.4 Total BDS Revenue $28.5 - 29.5 $28.5 - 29.5 Operating Margin Boeing Military Aircraft ~9.5% ~9.5% Network& Space Systems ~7.5% ~9.0% Global Services& Support ~12.5% ~12.0% Total BDS Operating Margin >10.0% >10.0% Boeing Capital Portfolio Size Stable Stable Revenue ~$0.3 ~$0.3 Pre-Tax Earnings ~$0.05 ~$0.05 Research& Development ~ $4.8 ~ $4.8 Capital Expenditures ~ $2.8 ~ $2.8 Pension Expense 1 ~ $2.1 ~ $2.1 Effective Tax Rate ~ 14.0% ~ 23.0% 1 Approximately ($0.1) billion is expected to be recorded in unallocated items and eliminations *Non-GAAP measures. Complete definitions of Boeing's non-GAAP measures are on page 6, "Non-GAAP Measures Disclosures." Non-GAAP Measures Disclosures We supplement the reporting of our financial information determined under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) with certain non-GAAP financial information. The non-GAAP financial information presented excludes certain significant items that may not be indicative of, or are unrelated to, results from our ongoing business operations. We believe that these non-GAAP measures provide investors with additional insight into the company's ongoing business performance. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related GAAP measures, and other companies may define such measures differently. We encourage investors to review our financial statements and publicly-filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure. The following definitions are provided: Core Operating Earnings, Core Operating Margin and Core Earnings Per Share Core operating earnings is defined as GAAP earnings from operations excluding unallocated pension and post-retirement expense. Core operating margin is defined as core operating earnings expressed as a percentage of revenue. Core earnings per share is defined as GAAP diluted earnings per share excluding the net earnings per share impact of unallocated pension and post-retirement expense. Unallocated pension and post-retirement expense represents the portion of pension and other post-retirement costs that are not recognized by business segments for segment reporting purposes. Pension costs, comprising service and prior service costs computed in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America (GAAP) are allocated to Commercial Airplanes. Pension costs allocated to BDS segments are computed in accordance with U.S. Government Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), which employ different actuarial assumptions and accounting conventions than GAAP. CAS costs are allocable to government contracts. Other postretirement benefit costs are allocated to all business segments based on CAS, which is generally based on benefits paid. Management uses core operating earnings, core operating margin and core earnings per share for purposes of evaluating and forecasting underlying business performance. Management believes these core earnings measures provide investors additional insights into operational performance as they exclude unallocated pension and post-retirement costs, which primarily represent costs driven by market factors and costs not allocable to government contracts. A reconciliation between the GAAP and non-GAAP measures is provided on page 13. Free Cash Flow Free cash flow is defined as GAAP operating cash flow without capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment additions. Management believes free cash flow provides investors with an important perspective on the cash available for shareholders, debt repayment, and acquisitions after making the capital investments required to support ongoing business operations and long term value creation. Free cash flow does not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures as it excludes certain mandatory expenditures such as repayment of maturing debt. Management uses free cash flow as a measure to assess both business performance and overall liquidity. Table 2 provides a reconciliation between GAAP operating cash flow and free cash flow. Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "should," "expects," "intends," "projects," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "targets," "anticipates," and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include statements relating to our future financial condition and operating results, as well as any other statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions, which may not prove to be accurate. These statements are not guarantees and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from these forward-looking statements. Among these factors are risks related to: (1) general conditions in the economy and our industry, including those due to regulatory changes; (2) our reliance on our commercial airline customers; (3) the overall health of our aircraft production system, planned production rate increases across multiple commercial airline programs, our commercial development and derivative aircraft programs, and our aircraft being subject to stringent performance and reliability standards; (4) changing budget and appropriation levels and acquisition priorities of the U.S. government; (5) our dependence on U.S. government contracts; (6) our reliance on fixed-price contracts; (7) our reliance on cost-type contracts; (8) uncertainties concerning contracts that include in-orbit incentive payments; (9) our dependence on our subcontractors and suppliers, as well as the availability of raw materials, (10) changes in accounting estimates; (11) changes in the competitive landscape in our markets; (12) our non-U.S. operations, including sales to non-U.S. customers; (13) potential adverse developments in new or pending litigation and/or government investigations; (14) customer and aircraft concentration in Boeing Capital's customer financing portfolio; (15) changes in our ability to obtain debt on commercially reasonable terms and at competitive rates in order to fund our operations and contractual commitments; (16) realizing the anticipated benefits of mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures/strategic alliances or divestitures; (17) the adequacy of our insurance coverage to cover significant risk exposures; (18) potential business disruptions, including those related to physical security threats, information technology or cyber-attacks, epidemics, sanctions or natural disasters; (19) work stoppages or other labor disruptions; (20) significant changes in discount rates and actual investment return on pension assets; (21) potential environmental liabilities; and (22) threats to the security of our or our customers' information. Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. Contact: InvestorRelations: Troy Lahr or Ben Hackman (312) 544-2140 Communications: Bernard Choi (312)544-2002 The Boeing Company and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) Nine months ended September 30 Three months ended September 30 (Dollars in millions, except per share data) 2016 2015 2016 2015 Sales of products $63,563 $64,408 $21,494 $23,000 Sales of services 7,722 8,133 2,404 2,849 Total revenues 71,285 72,541 23,898 25,849 Cost of products (55,117) (55,020) (17,907) (19,393) Cost of services (6,163) (6,377) (1,983) (2,191) Boeing Capital interest expense (46) (49) (14) (16) Total costs and expenses (61,326) (61,446) (19,904) (21,600) 9,959 11,095 3,994 4,249 Income from operating investments, net 220 207 69 78 General and administrative expense (2,617) (2,594) (923) (889) Research and development expense, net (3,901) (2,426) (857) (857) (Loss)/gain on dispositions, net (10) (1) (1) Earnings from operations 3,651 6,282 2,282 2,580 Other income/(loss), net 41 (23) 2 (26) Interest and debt expense (227) (203) (81) (67) Earnings before income taxes 3,465 6,056 2,203 2,487 Income tax (expense)/benefit (201) (1,906) 76 (783) Net earnings $3,264 $4,150 $2,279 $1,704 Basic earnings per share $5.09 $5.99 $3.64 $2.50 Diluted earnings per share $5.04 $5.92 $3.60 $2.47 Cash dividends paid per share $3.27 $2.73 $1.09 $0.91 Weighted average diluted shares (millions) 647.9 700.9 632.7 689.0 The Boeing Company and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (Unaudited) (Dollars in millions, except per share data) September30 2016 December31 2015 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $8,986 $11,302 Short-term and other investments 682 750 Accounts receivable, net 9,524 8,713 Current portion of customer financing, net 365 212 Inventories, net of advances and progress billings 42,680 47,257 Total current assets 62,237 68,234 Customer financing, net 3,401 3,358 Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $16,752 and $16,286 12,713 12,076 Goodwill 5,128 5,126 Acquired intangible assets, net 2,488 2,657 Deferred income taxes 265 265 Investments 1,303 1,284 Other assets, net of accumulated amortization of $470 and $451 1,415 1,408 Total assets $88,950 $94,408 Liabilities and equity Accounts payable $11,968 $10,800 Accrued liabilities 13,243 14,014 Advances and billings in excess of related costs 22,646 24,364 Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt 632 1,234 Total current liabilities 48,489 50,412 Deferred income taxes 2,211 2,392 Accrued retiree health care 6,544 6,616 Accrued pension plan liability, net 18,003 17,783 Other long-term liabilities 1,729 2,078 Long-term debt 9,824 8,730 Shareholders' equity: Common stock, par value $5.00 - 1,200,000,000 shares authorized; 1,012,261,159 shares issued 5,061 5,061 Additional paid-in capital 4,808 4,834 Treasury stock, at cost - 393,301,648 and 345,637,354 shares (35,763) (29,568) Retained earnings 40,641 38,756 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (12,658) (12,748) Total shareholders' equity 2,089 6,335 Noncontrolling interests 61 62 Total equity 2,150 6,397 Total liabilities and equity $88,950 $94,408 The Boeing Company and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) Nine months ended September 30 (Dollars in millions) 2016 2015 Cash flows-operating activities: Net earnings $3,264 $4,150 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: Non-cash items - Share-based plans expense 144 141 Depreciation and amortization 1,364 1,349 Investment/asset impairment charges, net 61 124 Customer financing valuation benefit (5) (3) Loss on dispositions, net 10 Other charges and credits, net 219 230 Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements (139) Changes in assets and liabilities - Accounts receivable (517) (1,202) Inventories, net of advances and progress billings 4,334 (2,186) Accounts payable 1,366 1,058 Accrued liabilities 82 (196) Advances and billings in excess of related costs (1,717) 270 Income taxes receivable, payable and deferred (725) 824 Other long-term liabilities (67) 40 Pension and other postretirement plans 144 1,837 Customer financing, net (195) 45 Other (95) (98) Net cash provided by operating activities 7,667 6,244 Cash flows - investing activities: Property, plant and equipment additions (2,014) (1,827) Property, plant and equipment reductions 14 24 Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (23) Contributions to investments (928) (1,341) Proceeds from investments 956 2,169 Other 8 33 Net cash used by investing activities (1,964) (965) Cash flows - financing activities: New borrowings 1,323 761 Debt repayments (836) (864) Stock options exercised 192 331 Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements 139 Employee taxes on certain share-based payment arrangements (83) (93) Common shares repurchased (6,501) (6,001) Dividends paid (2,084) (1,882) Other (24) Net cash used by financing activities (8,013) (7,609) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (6) (20) Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (2,316) (2,350) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 11,302 11,733 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $8,986 $9,383 The Boeing Company and Subsidiaries Summary of Business Segment Data (Unaudited) Nine months ended September 30 Three months ended September 30 (Dollars in millions) 2016 2015 2016 2015 Revenues: Commercial Airplanes $48,828 $49,950 $16,973 $17,692 Defense, Space& Security: Boeing Military Aircraft 9,898 10,237 3,260 4,037 Network& Space Systems 5,246 5,797 1,701 2,127 Global Services& Support 7,494 6,569 2,547 2,186 Total Defense, Space& Security 22,638 22,603 7,508 8,350 Boeing Capital 211 315 63 114 Unallocated items, eliminations and other (392) (327) (646) (307) Total revenues $71,285 $72,541 $23,898 $25,849 Earnings from operations: Commercial Airplanes $1,657 $4,591 $1,597 $1,768 Defense, Space& Security: Boeing Military Aircraft 943 874 434 494 Network& Space Systems 336 563 35 245 Global Services& Support 920 874 315 283 Total Defense, Space& Security 2,199 2,311 784 1,022 Boeing Capital 36 41 13 10 Segment operating profit 3,892 6,943 2,394 2,800 Unallocated items, eliminations and other (241) (661) (112) (220) Earnings from operations 3,651 6,282 2,282 2,580 Other income/(loss), net 41 (23) 2 (26) Interest and debt expense (227) (203) (81) (67) Earnings before income taxes 3,465 6,056 2,203 2,487 Income tax (expense)/benefit (201) (1,906) 76 (783) Net earnings $3,264 $4,150 $2,279 $1,704 Research and development expense, net: Commercial Airplanes $3,194 $1,713 $646 $616 Defense, Space& Security 750 715 229 241 Other (43) (2) (18) Total research and development expense, net $3,901 $2,426 $857 $857 Unallocated items, eliminations and other Share-based plans ($50) ($57) ($9) ($20) Deferred compensation (38) (10) (33) 38 Amortization of previously capitalized interest (71) (70) (23) (21) Eliminations and other unallocated items (333) (324) (135) (160) Sub-total (included in core operating earnings) (492) (461) (200) (163) Pension 129 (293) 50 (84) Postretirement 122 93 38 27 Total unallocated items, eliminations and other ($241) ($661) ($112) ($220) The Boeing Company and Subsidiaries Operating and Financial Data (Unaudited) Deliveries Nine months ended September 30 Three months ended September 30 Commercial Airplanes 2016 2015 2016 2015 737 368 375 120 126 747 8 (3) 13 (1) 5 (3) 4 (1) 767 10 14 5 5 777 73 77 22 27 787 104 101 36 37 Total 563 580 188 199 Note: Deliveries under operating lease are identified by parentheses. Defense, Space & Security Boeing Military Aircraft AH-64 Apache (New) 25 18 10 6 AH-64 Apache (Remanufactured) 27 33 9 10 C-17 Globemaster III 4 5 2 CH-47 Chinook (New) 17 35 7 14 CH-47 Chinook (Renewed) 23 6 7 1 F-15 Models 11 8 4 3 F/A-18 Models 20 28 6 8 P-8 Models 13 10 4 4 Global Services & Support C-40A 1 Network & Space Systems Commercial and Civil Satellites 3 1 2 Military Satellites 2 1 1 Contractual backlog (Dollars in billions) September30 2016 December31 2015 Commercial Airplanes $408.8 $431.4 Defense, Space & Security: Boeing Military Aircraft 20.8 19.9 Network & Space Systems 6.5 7.4 Global Services & Support 12.8 17.9 Total Defense, Space & Security 40.1 45.2 Total contractual backlog $448.9 $476.6 Unobligated backlog $13.1 $12.7 Total backlog $462.0 $489.3 Workforce 154,700 161,400 The Boeing Company and Subsidiaries Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures (Unaudited) The tables provided below reconcile the non-GAAP financial measures core operating earnings, core operating margin, and core earnings per share with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, earnings from operations, operating margin, and diluted earnings per share. See page 6 of this release for additional information on the use of these non-GAAP financial measures. (Dollars in millions, except per share data) Third Quarter Nine months Guidance 2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 Revenues $23,898 $25,849 $71,285 $72,541 GAAP Earnings From Operations $2,282 $2,580 $3,651 $6,282 Increase/(Decrease) in GAAP Earnings From Operations (12%) (42%) GAAP Operating Margin 9.5% 10.0% 5.1% 8.7% Unallocated Pension (Income)/Expense ($50) $84 ($129) $293 Unallocated Other Postretirement Benefit Income ($38) ($27) ($122) ($93) Unallocated Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit (Income)/Expense ($88) $57 ($251) $200 ~($300) Core Operating Earnings (non-GAAP) $2,194 $2,637 $3,400 $6,482 Increase/(Decrease) in Core Operating Earnings (non-GAAP) (17%) (48%) Core Operating Margin (non-GAAP) 9.2% 10.2% 4.8% 8.9% GAAP Diluted Earnings Per Share $3.60 $2.47 $5.04 $5.92 $7.10 - $7.30 Unallocated Pension (Income)/Expense ($0.08) $0.12 ($0.20) $0.42 Unallocated Postretirement Benefit (Income)/Expense ($0.06) ($0.04) ($0.19) ($0.13) ($0.30) Provision for deferred income taxes on adjustments (1) $0.05 ($0.03) $0.14 ($0.10) Core Earnings Per Share (non-GAAP) $3.51 $2.52 $4.79 $6.11 $6.80 - $7.00 Weighted Average Diluted Shares (millions) 632.7 689.0 647.9 700.9 645 - 650 Increase/(Decrease) in GAAP Earnings Per Share 46% (15%) Increase/(Decrease) in Core Earnings Per Share (non-GAAP) 39% (22%) (1) The income tax impact is calculated using the tax rate in effect for the non-GAAP adjustments. SOURCE Boeing Release no. 26/2016Today, the Board of Directors in Columbus A/S has decided to expand the registered Executive Board. Besides CEO & President Thomas Gregers Honore, Corporate CFO Hans Henrik Thrane will thus join the Executive Board. This expansion will be registered in the Danish Business Authority.Futhermore, the Board of Directors in Columbus A/S has today entered into agreements with the members of the Executive Board about a supplementary incentive program.The incentive program gives the Executive Board members right to an extraordinary cash bonus, corresponding to an amount of between 1% and 5% of the increase in the Company's market value (based on the share price) since 31 December 2015, in the event that the ownership of the current majority shareholder, Consolidated Holdings A/S, is reduced to below 30%, except if reduction is caused by capital increase in relation to acquisitions. The percentage is dependent on realization of certain EBITDA goals in the fiscal years 2016-2020 in the Columbus group.The agreements are conditional on continued employment. The agreements are valid during the employment of the Executive Board members and up to 9 months after.It is not possible to calculate the theoretical current value of the program.Ib Kune Thomas Honore Chairman CEO & President Columbus A/S Columbus A/S For further information, please contact: CEO & PresidentThomas Honore, T: +45 70 20 50 00.Translation: In the event of any inconsistency between this document and the Danish language version, the Danish language version shall be the governing version.Attachment:https://cns.omxgroup.com/cds/DisclosureAttachmentServlet?messageAttachmentId=591425 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 7, 2016) - Lifestyle Delivery Systems Inc. (CSE: LDS) (OTCQB: LDSYF) (XETR: LD6), ("LDS" or the "Company") and it's wholly owned subsidiary, Canna Delivery Systems Inc., ("CDS") are pleased to announce the signing of a binding Letter of Intent for the exclusive right to operate a cannabis extraction facility and a cannabis cultivation/nursery under existing Conditional Use Permits "CUP's" in Adelanto, California. The addition of these permits will allow the Company to expand its supply chain abilities and control quality at the source. The additional CUP for extraction will increase the extraction and distillation capabilities well beyond the requirements of CannaStrips allowing for outside contract extractions and diversification of the Company's product line. The cultivation CUP will allow for the establishment of a nursery for the development of isogenic strains of cannabis to produce from seed (not cloned) plants with CBD, THC and terpenes profiles for the advanced formulations. The nursery will be able to supply dozens of cultivation facilities with LDS's advanced genetics for contract cultivation. In this way the Company can expect a significantly larger harvest while being able to control the quality and the quantity of the plant material for use with its CannaStrips technology. Brad Eckenweiler, CEO of LDS stated, "We believe that the advancement of our technology can be accelerated by the Company controlling those variables on the cultivation side, which in turn allows for greater control of the scientific requirements of manufacturing the best possible product. The isogeneic nursery accomplishes that goal." These permitted buildings are in close proximity to the Company's current permitted Joint Venture facility in Adelanto, California. About Lifestyle Delivery Systems Inc. LDS' technology produces infused strips (similar to breath strips) that are not only a safer, healthier option to smoking but also a new way to accurately meter the dosage and assure the purity of the product. From start to finish, the production process tests for quality and composition of all the ingredients used in each and every strip, resulting in a delivery system that is safe, consistent and effective. On behalf of the board of directors of Lifestyle Delivery Systems Inc. Brad Eckenweiler CEO & Director FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: investor.relations@lifestyledeliverysystem.com 1-866-347-5058 Cautionary Disclaimer Statement: The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's limited operating history and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. MELBOURNE, FL -- (Marketwired) -- 10/26/16 --First Choice Healthcare Solutions, Inc. (OTCQB: FCHS) ("FCHS," "First Choice" or the "Company"), one of the nation's only non-physician-owned, publicly traded healthcare services companies focused on Orthopaedic and Spine care, is pleased to announce that the Company has been invited to present at the Sidoti & Company Fall 2016 Emerging Growth Convention to be held next week in New York City. The Company's Chairman, President and CEO, Chris Romandetti, will deliver a formal presentation at 9:50 AM ET and host one-on-one meetings at the event throughout the day. Investors interested in attending and scheduling a one-on-one meeting with First Choice's CEO may do so by clicking here. EVENT DETAILS AT A GLANCE Who: Chris Romandetti, Chairman, President and CEO When: Tuesday, November 1, 2016 Presentation: Track 2 | 9:50 - 10:20 AM ET Where: New York Marriott Marquis Fifth Floor 1535 Broadway New York, New York 10036 About Sidoti & Company, LLC Sidoti & Company, founded in 1999, is Wall Street's preeminent provider of equity research generally focused on companies with market capitalizations of under $3 billion. Sidoti & Company's approach affords institutional investor clients a combination of high-quality research of over 250 companies, a small- and micro-cap company focused nationwide sales effort, broad access to corporate management teams, and extensive trading support. Sidoti & Company serves nearly 500 institutional clients in the U.S., Canada and the U.K., including many leading managers of portfolios with $200 million to $2 billion of assets. They also host a biannual Emerging Growth Convention in New York, and is a provider of company-sponsored research. For more information, please refer to Sidoti & Company. About First Choice Healthcare Solutions, Inc. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, First Choice Healthcare Solutions (FCHS) is implementing a defined growth strategy aimed at expanding its network of non-physician-owned medical centers of excellence, which concentrate on treating patients in the following specialties: Orthopaedics, Spine Surgery, Neurology, Interventional Pain Management and related diagnostic and ancillary services in key expansion markets throughout the Southeastern U.S. Serving Florida's Space Coast, the Company's flagship integrated platform currently administers over 100,000 patient visits each year and is comprised of First Choice Medical Group, The B.A.C.K. Center and Crane Creek Surgery Center. For more information, please visit www.myfchs.com, www.myfcmg.com, www.thebackcenter.net and www.cranecreeksurgerycenter.com. Safe Harbor Statement Certain information set forth in this news announcement may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of First Choice Healthcare Solutions, Inc. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company's industry, management beliefs and certain assumptions made by its management. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Information concerning factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements can be found in the Company's periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, and in its Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Unless required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise to reflect future events or circumstances or reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Investor Contact: Wolfe Axelrod Weinberger Associates Donald C. Weinberger don@wolfeaxelrod.com Stephen D. Axelrod, CFA steve@wolfeaxelrod.com Phone: 212-370-4505 At First Choice Healthcare Solutions Phone: 321-802-5830 Email: IR@myfchs.com VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 10/26/16 -- Capstream Ventures Inc. ("Capstream" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: CSP) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an investment agreement (the "Investment Agreement") with Red Anchor Trading Corp. ("Red Anchor"), a company engaged in the business of developing an application known as "HotNow", which is a marketing automation platform for retailers to offer various promotions. Under the terms of the Investment Agreement, the Company has agreed to invest US$1.5 million in Red Anchor to acquire 15.9% of the voting shares of Red Anchor. The proceeds of the investment are expected to be used for funding working capital of Red Anchor pursuant to budget and business plans to be agreed to by the Company and Red Anchor prior to closing. Terms of the Investment Agreement The material terms of the Investment Agreement include the following terms and conditions: -- The Company has agreed to purchase 9,375 ordinary shares of Red Anchor at US$160 per share for total gross proceeds of US$1.5 million (the "Investment"). Upon completion of the Investment, Red Anchor will own 15.9% of the outstanding issued and voting shares of Red Anchor on a fully-diluted basis. -- As certain parties are considered non arm's length parties as discussed below (within the meaning of TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV")), as a condition to final TSXV approval, the parties have agreed that US$1,200,000 of the subscription proceeds shall be held in escrow and not released until Red Anchor receives a minimum of US$500,000 subscription proceeds from arm's length investors with a pre-money valuation of a minimum of US$10,000,000 within 90 days of closing the Investment, failing which such amount will be returned to the Company. -- The Company shall retain participation rights in any future security offering of Red Anchor that will allow it to maintain its proportionate interest in Red Anchor. Such rights shall not apply to: (i) granting of stock options that have received approval from the board of directors of Red Anchor (the "Red Anchor Board") and issuances of shares on the exercise of stock options granted; (ii) a dividend, share split or other distribution on shares; (iii) issuances of securities offered to financial institutions or lessors in connection with commercial credit arrangements, equipment financings or similar transactions that have received approval from the Red Anchor Board; or (iv) issuances of securities offered in connection with an arm's length acquisition. -- The Company shall receive tag-along rights and adjustment rights in connection with any subdivisions, consolidations or other reorganizations of the share capital Red Anchor. -- The Company shall also receive information rights to monthly management reports and financial statements of Red Anchor, inspection rights and, for so long as Company holds at least 5% of the outstanding shares of Red Anchor, the Company shall have the right to appoint at least one non-executive director to the Red Anchor Board. -- The Investment Agreement is subject to final TSXV approval. Consummation of the Investment is subject to a number of customary conditions of closing, including that no material adverse change with respect to Red Anchor shall have occurred and that the Red Anchor's representations and warranties made under the Investment Agreement are accurate at closing of the proposed Investment. Related Party Transactions John Todd Bonner is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the board of directors (the "Board") of the Company and beneficial owner of 38.18% of the issued and outstanding voting shares of Red Anchor. Therefore, Mr. Bonner is considered to be a non arm's length party of the Company, within the meaning of the policies of the TSXV. In addition, Nithinan Boonyawattanapisut, Mr. Bonner's spouse and a controlling shareholder of the Company, also beneficially owns an additional 38.18% of Red Anchor, and is also a party to the Investment Agreement to give certain representations, warranties and covenants. Therefore, the Investment is, or may be, a related party transaction under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). Based on written recommendations prepared by a special committee of the arm's length directors of the Company, the Board, with Mr. Bonner abstaining from voting where required, agreed to the terms of the Investment. There were no materially contrary views, or abstention by any directors other than as set out above and there were no material disagreements between the Board and the special committee. The Company is exempted from both the formal valuation requirement pursuant to s. 5.5(b) of MI 61-101 and the minority approval requirement pursuant to s. 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101. The Investment is expected to be completed less than 21 days after the date of this news release, as several material matters were uncertain and not ascertainable until at, or close to, the date of this release. These matters include the terms of the Investment Agreement, internal approvals of the Company and conditional approval of the TSXV. Due to, in part, the foregoing, the Company was unable to issue this release prior to today's date with any certainty, and in the Company's opinion this shorter period was unavoidable as well as reasonable and necessary in the circumstances. About Capstream Capstream is an Investment Issuer with interests in: (i) Axion Games Limited, a private online video games development and publishing company with primary operations in Shanghai, China; and (ii) Innovega Inc., a private display technology eyewear and contact lense company with offices in San Diego, California and Bellevue, Washington. About Red Anchor Red Anchor is a private British Virgin Islands company with primary operations in Bangkok, Thailand. Red Anchor owns and operates the HotNow mobile application, an on-demand marketing automation platform that provides machine learned, optimal promotional means for retailers to reach relevant consumer users of the HotNow application. For the consumer users, HotNow is a discovery and directory application of local retailers and their hottest promotions in genres of their interests and within their proximity. On behalf of Capstream Ventures Inc., John Todd Bonner, Chief Executive Officer Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibilities for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend","expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated", "proposed" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on Capstream's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to Capstream. Risk factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by forward-looking information include, among other things: the failure to obtain final TSX Venture Exchange approval; general economic and business conditions; and changes in regulatory regime. Capstream cautions the reader that the above list of risk factors is not exhaustive. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and Capstream is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. Contacts: Capstream Ventures Inc. John Todd Bonner Chief Executive Officer 604.687.7767 HOUSTON, TX--(Marketwired - October 26, 2016) - Austin Sigma Inc., developer of Mach10CRM, the world's fastest Communication Relationship Manager, is seeking 100 qualified beta users to put its new iPhone /iPad app through the final testing and feedback phase before its public release next month. Those approved for the program will not only gain early access to the suite's powerfully enhanced CRM plus email tools but will be rewarded with an additional 6 months of Mach10CRM usage. Mach10CRM revolutionizes the way people send, receive, process and organize information. It is a simply-integrated CRM, email, and productivity app that solves the information overload plight that seems to plague every working professional. It also helps the user focus on relationships, not email. Ideal candidates are those who struggle to keep up with emails, texts, calls, and meetings, and those who need to track attachments automatically. It is a great fit for salespeople who want to build better relationships and increase their sales. Additional industries served include recruiting, real estate, public relations, event planning and financial planning, just to name a few. The company says, "These 100 beta users will be among the first to experience the first significant answer to the data deluge dilemma. Beta users will play a critical role in finalizing our app and we look forward to using their feedback to perfect the system before launch." More information on the app and videos are available at: http://www.mach10crm.com/ Mach10CRM is designed only for Apple devices and is available exclusively on the App Store. To be considered as a beta user, interested parties can call 713-123-4567 or contact the company at http://www.mach10crm.com/contact-us About Austin Sigma Austin Sigma, based in Houston, Texas, is a startup focused on mobile and emerging technologies and software. The privately funded company is headed by executive leadership whose backgrounds include worldwide Fortune 500 companies. Media Contact: Judy Smith JPR Communications 818-798-1475 judys@jprcom.com OSTRZESZA"W, Poland, October 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Since September 8, 2016 European Union Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) has been a binding law in Poland. It was introduced by novelised domestic law - The Protection of Health against the Consequences of the Consumption of Tobacco and Tobacco Products Act. Many foreign on-line shops are not aware that by selling nicotine products to customers in Poland, they commit a crime. According to the new law regulating the tobacco market in Poland, on-line sales of electronic cigarettes and refill containers and their parts to consumers in Poland is forbidden. The eSmoking Association asked the Polish Ministry of Health, if the prohibition applies also to foreign retailers. The answer of the Public Health Department of the Ministry of Health is unequivocal: this kind of sales is forbidden, no matter if it is conducted by domestic or foreign entrepreneurs. As the Ministry of Health has informed, failing to comply with the prohibition to sell online electronic cigarettes and refill containers in Poland, is subject to a fine of up to 200 000 PLN or restriction of personal liberty, or both of these punishments together. - According to the binding regulations, each foreign company selling online electronic cigarettes or refill containers to consumers from Poland, violates domestic regulations. Despite this, many companies (especially these registered outside the EU borders) still do this kind of business, ignoring the legislative changes. We suspect that in the majority of cases it is due to the lack of awareness of the Polish law. Nevertheless, regardless of this, a company which sells online electronic cigarettes to Poland, can attract interest of Polish law enforcement agencies fighting the black market - says Jerzy JurczyA"ski, public affairs in the eSmoking Association. The Protection of Health against the Consequences of the Consumption of Tobacco and Tobacco Products Act, PL: Article 7f. The distance selling, including the cross-border distance selling of the following is prohibited: 1) tobacco products; 2) electronic cigarettes and refill containers and their parts Article 12c. Anyone who: (...) 5) fails to comply with the bans on distance selling, referred to in Article 7f, (...) shall be subject to a fine of up to PLN 200 000 or shall be sentenced to prison, or shall receive both of these punishments together. Contact: Jerzy Jurczynski, +48-7341561 CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The Japanese yen came off from its early highs against its key counterparts in European trading on Wednesday. The yen fell to 127.50 against the pound and 104.37 against the greenback, from its early high of 126.63 and a 2-day high of 104.02, respectively. The yen declined to 6-day lows of 105.20 against the Swiss franc and 114.01 against the euro, off its previous highs of 104.62 and 113.27, respectively. The yen reversed from an early high of 74.48 against the kiwi and a 2-day high of 77.85 against the loonie, easing to 74.75 and 78.12, respectively. The yen fell back to 80.12 against the aussie, edging closer to pierce its early 3-month low of 80.31. This may be compared to high of 79.38 hit at 8:15 pm ET. If the yen slides further, it may locate support around 106.00 against the greenback, 116.00 against the euro, 134.5 against the pound, 107.00 against the Swiss franc, 82.00 against the aussie, 80.00 against the loonie and 76.00 against the kiwi. 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. VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 10/26/16 -- Southern Silver Exploration Corp. (TSX VENTURE: SSV)(OTCQB: SSVFF)(FRANKFURT: SEG1)(SSE: SSVCL) (the "Company" or "Southern Silver") reported today that funding has been approved by Electrum Global Holdings L. P., as Optionee ("Electrum"), and final preparations are underway for a US$2.0 million, 2016-17 exploration program on the Cerro Las Minitas Project, Durango, Mexico. The exploration program comprises 16 holes totaling approximately 10,000 metres of core drilling and will mobilize in early November. Drilling is designed to confirm the extent and dimension of the Blind Shoulder target and to confirm the continuity of mineralization at the Mina La Bocona target with the goal of significantly enhancing the current Mineral Resource estimate. Blind Shoulder Target Drilling on the Blind Shoulder will target a 600 metre x 400 metre area and will test the extensions of several thick zones of polymetallic semi-massive and massive sulphide mineralization intersected at depth in the Blind - El Sol deposits and in the newly identified Blind Shoulder target. Examples of previous results include: -- 16CLM-088 with 30.4 metres averaging 107g/t Ag, 0.4% Cu, 1.1% Pb, and 2.3% Zn; -- 15CLM-081 with 16.8 metres averaging 136g/t Ag, 0.5% Cu, 0.3% Pb and 4.5% Zn; and -- 14CLM-066 with 50.6 metres averaging 41g/t Ag, 0.7% Pb and 5.3% Zn. To view Figure 1: Schematic Cross-section of the Cerro Las Minitas project showing the location of currently identified Mineral Resources and specific target areas please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Figure%201%201073844.pdf. The target mineralization occurs in skarn at the contact with the Central Intrusion, at depth, and well outboard of the previously defined mineral deposits, where the mineralization appears to flatten into a sub-horizontal orientation and forms a large tabular target area. Delineation of this target area is a high priority which, if successful, could have a significant positive impact on the cumulative mineral resources of the project. Drill testing of this target will focus on confirming both the lateral dimensions and thickness of mineralization which has not been confirmed at this time. To view Figure 2: Proposed drilling at the Blind shoulder target please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Figure%202%201073844.pdf Mina La Bocona Target Southern Silver also reported that exploration in 2016-17 will include up to six core holes totaling approximately 2000 metres in the Mina La Bocona target. Drilling will focus on the definition of a gold-enriched oxide zone first identified in the upper part of hole 15CLM-078 (7.8m of 13.5g/t Au, 37g/t Ag, 2.2% Pb and 1.7% Zn), off-sets of highly precious metal-enriched polymetallic mineralization in 15 CLM-078 (9.3m of 275g/t Ag, 4.3% Pb and 1.9% Zn) and deeper mineralization in the Contact Skarn of the eastern margin of the Central Intrusion which is down dip of the historical workings of Mina La Bocona. The objective for this definition drill program is to provide data that will allow inclusion of the Mina La Bocona zone into an updated Mineral Resource Calculation. Cerro Las Minitas Project Exploration on the Company's flagship Cerro Las Minitas property, Durango Mexico is funded by Electrum, which is financing a broad range of exploration activities to earn a 60% interest in the project through a US$5.0M option earn-in on the property, with Southern Silver acting as operator. To date, Electrum has advanced $3,050,000 and has earned an indirect 30.1% interest in the property. Total advances of additional amounts of $450,000 and $1,500,000 will earn additional respective indirect interests of 19.9% and 10% for an aggregate indirect interest of 60%. Following which, operations will be conducted on a joint venture basis with Southern Silver funding 40% and Electrum funding 60% of ongoing expenditures. The Cerro Las Minitas project contains an estimated Inferred Resource of 17.5Mozs silver and 237Mlbs of lead and 626Mlbs zinc (77.3Mozs AgEq) and an estimated Indicated Resource of 10.8Mozs silver, 189Mlbs lead and 207Mlbs zinc (36.5Mozs AgEq).(1) A total of 91 drill holes for 35,955 metres have now been completed on the Cerro Las Minitas project with exploration expenditures of approximately US$8.35 million spent on the property to date. To view Figure 3: Longitudinal section showing proposed drilling pierce points (eg: B1) for La Bocona Drill targeting. Historic sampling in the La Bocona Workings has not been verified by Southern Silver and as such should not be relied upon, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Figure%203%201073844.pdf. Oro Gold Project Southern Silver has completed a 9 RC drill hole, 1,220 metre drill program at the Stockpond gold target on the Oro project, New Mexico, which tested an area within and around a previously outlined 500 metre x 500 metre gold-in-soil anomaly and mineralized outcrop exposure where rock-chip samples returned up to 4.8g/t Au. Visual results from the drill program have been encouraging with most holes intersecting multiple thick (+10 metres) beds of strongly silicified and hematite-rich sediments. Samples have been submitted for analyses and assays are pending. The Oro property consists of patented land, State leases and BLM located mineral claims and covers and surrounds a highly prospective quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration zone, interpreted to overlie an unexposed porphyry center. Classic porphyry system zonation is indicated by gold and copper mineralization associated with Laramide-age intrusions, flanked by lead-zinc skarn and carbonate-replacement mineralization, and distal sediment-hosted gold occurrences. The Stockpond target is interpreted as one of these gold occurrences distal to the main porphyry center, which is located 3 kilometres to the southwest. About Southern Silver Exploration Corp. Southern Silver Exploration Corp. is a precious metal exploration and development company with a focus on the discovery of world-class mineral deposits in north-central Mexico and the southern USA. Our specific emphasis is the Cerro Las Minitas silver-lead-zinc project located in the heart of Mexico's Faja de Plata, which hosts multiple world-class mineral deposits such as Penasquito, San Martin, Naica and Pitarrilla. We have assembled a team of highly experienced technical, operational and transactional professionals to support our exploration efforts in developing the Cerro Las Minitas project into a premier, high-grade, silver-lead-zinc mine. The Company engages in the acquisition, exploration and development either directly or through joint-venture relationships in mineral properties in major jurisdictions. Our property portfolio also includes the Oro porphyry copper-gold project located in southern New Mexico, USA. 1. The 2016 Cerro Las Minitas Resource Estimate was prepared following CIM definitions for classification of Mineral Resources. Resources are constrained using mainly geological constraints and approximate 10g/t AgEq grade shells. The block models are comprised of an array of blocks measuring 10m x 2m x 10m, with grades for Au, Ag, Cu, Pb, Zn and AgEq values interpolated using ID2 weighting. The models identified at a 150g/t AgEq cut-off, an indicated resource of 3,724,000 tonnes averaging 90g/t Ag, 0.05g/t Au, 2.3% Pb, 2.5% Zn and 0.09% Cu and a cumulative inferred resource of 6,611,000 tonnes averaging 82g/t Ag, 0.17g/t Au, 1.6% Pb, 4.3% Zn and 0.2% Cu. Mineral Resource cut-offs are estimated using an average long-term price of $15/oz silver, $1,100/oz gold, $2.75/lb Cu, $0.90/lb lead and $0.90/lb zinc and metal recoveries of 82% silver, 86% lead and 80% zinc. AgEq calculations did not account for relative metallurgical recoveries of the metals. All prices are stated in $USD. Mineral Resources are conceptual in nature and as such do not have demonstrated economic viability. The current Resource Estimate was prepared by Garth Kirkham, P.Geo. of Kirkham Geosciences Ltd. who is the Independent Qualified Person responsible for presentation and review of the Mineral Resource Estimate. Robert Macdonald, MSc., P.Geo, is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for the supervision of the exploration on the Cerro Las Minitas and Oro Projects and for the preparation of the technical information in this disclosure. On behalf of the Board of Directors Lawrence Page, Q.C., President & Director, Southern Silver Exploration Corp. For further information, please visit Southern Silver's website at southernsilverexploration.com. 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. 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. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include the timing and receipt of government and regulatory approvals, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Southern Silver Exploration Corp. does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law. Contacts: Southern Silver Exploration Corp. 604.641.2759 ir@mnxltd.com www.southernsilverexploration.com 1. Proposal of shareholder ING Luxembourg S.A. not to make any changes in the supervisory board.The proposal was not accepted by the General Meeting. 4 350 864 votes (18,82% of votes represented at the general meeting) were in favour, 16 590 732 votes (71,76% of votes represented at the general meeting) were against, 2 179 442 votes (9,43% of votes represented at the general meeting) were neutral.2. Recall of members from Supervisory BoardDecisions:with 22 812 225 votes (98,66% of votes represented at the general meeting) in favour to recall Viktor Mahhov from Supervisory Board from 26.10.2016with 22 812 225 votes (98,66% of votes represented at the general meeting) in favour to recall Jaak Ennuste from Supervisory Board from 26.10.2016with 16 590 732 votes (71,76% of votes represented at the general meeting) in favour to recall Kari Sakari Salonen from Supervisory Board from 26.10.2016the General Meeting did not support proposal to recall Indrek Kasela from Supervisory Board (100 votes in favour, 23 120 937 against, 1 neutral).3. Election of Members of Supervisory BoardDecisions:with 22 812 225 votes (98,66% of votes represented at the general meeting) in favour to elect Marek Kiisa as a new Supervisory Board member from 26.10.2016with 22 812 225 votes (98,66% of votes represented at the general meeting) in favour to elect Peeter Saks as a new Supervisory Board member from 26.10.2016with 22 812 225 votes (98,66% of votes represented at the general meeting) in favour to elect Aleksandras Cesnavicius as a new Supervisory Board member from 26.10.2016with 18 770 173 votes (81,18% of votes represented at the general meeting) in favour to elect Gunnar Kobin as a new Supervisory Board member from 01.01.2017 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. VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - October 26, 2016) - Black Dragon Gold Corp. (TSX VENTURE: BDG) ('Black Dragon' or the 'Company') is pleased to announce that it is in the process of raising funds (in conjunction with Lionsbridge) to ensure that the Company is fully financed, including a significant contingency, through to project financing (the 'Overall Funding Package'). The Overall Funding Package proceeds are intended to be used to give effect to the proposed repayment option with RMB Australia Holding Limited (as announced July 12, 2016), to complete the feasibility, to progress the Salave project, to finalise permitting of the Salave project, to progress engineering for the development of the Salave project and for general working capital purposes. Several medium-term and long-term financiers have engaged with the Company and are in the process of completing due diligence processes in this regard. The institutional financiers are primarily looking at larger debt-based or structured finance products to move to project development. Management views these as opportunities to support the Company not merely in the short term until project finance but through to construction and cash flow. However, management has deemed it prudent to ensure that the Company is sufficiently funded over the short term, from equity, to support the Overall Funding Package and repair the Company's balance sheet. The Company is therefore raising up to CAD 6.5 million in equity funding (the 'Funds') The Funds will be used to continue to fast track the feasibility study, re-engage with stakeholders, build a Spanish presence and move the Company to a fully debt-free position. The Company's engagement of TetraTech WEI Inc. to complete the feasibility study in addition to the settlement of the RMB debt (as negotiated between Lionsbridge, the Company and RMB), will ensure better terms for the Company and reduce the obstacles to securing the Overall Funding Package. The Company is also pleased to announce that members of the new management team will further invest in the Company through the private participation in the fund raising through the investment of at least $100,000. The Funds will be raised by way of a non-brokered private placement with a maximum raise of CAD 6.5 million through the sale of up to 118,181,818 units at a price of $0.055 per unit (each a "Unit"). Each Unit will consist of one common share and one share purchase warrant entitling the holder to purchase one common share at a price of $0.11 per share for a period of 24 months. If, during this 24 month period, the volume weighted average price ("VWAP") of Black Dragon's common shares is at least $0.22 for a period of 7 consecutive trading days, Black Dragon may, at its option, accelerate the expiry date of the warrants by issuing a news release or giving written notice thereof to all holders of these warrants, and, in such case, these warrants will expire on the earlier of: (i) the 30th day after the date on which the news release or written notice is provided by Black Dragon; and (ii) the original expiry date. A finder's fee of may be payable in connection with the private placement. The private placement is subject to acceptance for filing by the TSX Venture Exchange. Management reserves the right to oversubscribe the raise by 20% to raise an additional CAD 1.3 million through the sale of up to 2,363,636 Units. Brian Wesson commented: "The funding will be used, in part, to repay in full the renegotiated $13.3 million debt facility with RMB, as per the previously announced option agreement. The remaining funds will take the Company forward to feasibility and up to project finance. During the next six months we will concurrently complete the feasibility study based on the current 45 year mining license, and finalise the mining construction licenses to allow the Company to move to development once project funding is in place." Signed "Brian Wesson" President and Chief Executive Officer on behalf of the Board of Directors 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Clyde Wesson Vice President Suite 545, 999 Canada Place Vancouver, B.C., V6C 3E1 Tel: (604) 684-6264 info@blackdragongold.com www.blackdragongold.com PORTLAND, Oregon, October 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Research Beam has added a report, titled, "Global Helmet Industry 2016 Deep Market Research Report." The report offers an extensive analysis of major manufacturers, industry chain structure, marketing model, and new project investment feasibility. In addition, comprehensive information for the last half decade and current market status is provided for the historic period, 2011-2016 and insights on development trend are offered for the forecast period, 2016-2021. Detailed information on market size by 2021 and market share of each segment are provided in the study. Enquire About Report At: http://www.researchbeam.com/global-helmet-industry-2016-deep-research-report-market/enquire-about-report An industry overview of the global helmet industry is offered based on specification, classification, and applications. Specifications considered for helmets are size, weight, materials, and functions; whereas helmets are classified based on PVC and PC. Applications analyzed in the report are riding, military, competition, and others. In addition, industry chain structure, recent news, and policies are mentioned along with outlining major region status. Manufacturing cost structure analysis is provided in terms of raw material suppliers, equipment suppliers, and their prices. In addition, labor costs and others costs related to manufacturing processes are discussed. Technical data and manufacturing plants analysis is provided based on capacity, manufacturing plant distribution, and raw material sources of major manufacturers for 2015. Furthermore, R&D status and technology sources of major manufacturers are highlighted for 2015. This information assists manufacturers in determining recent technologies, implement it in their manufacturing processes for scaling up production and gain maximum profitability. Overall market overview of the global helmet industry is offered for the historic period based on capacity, growth rate, sales, sales price, and gross margin analysis. Competitive landscape based on geographies is offered for regions including France, Italy, Spain, Australia, Germany, America, China, Japan, UK, and others. Local supply, consumption, import, export, and sales price analysis for each region is offered for the historic period. In addition, market share analysis for each region is mentioned for 2015. These insights help manufacturers and investors in determining emerging markets and expand their businesses in those regions. Driving factor analysis of each type and application of helmet is explored in the study. Sales analysis for each type and consumption analysis for each application segment are mentioned for the historic period. Get Free Sample Copy of Helmet Industry At: http://www.researchbeam.com/global-helmet-industry-2016-deep-research-report-market Comprehensive analysis of major manufacturers operating in the global helmet industry is provided in the report. Major manufacturers analyzed in the study are Skully, LifeBEAM, Force Alpine, LiveMap, Nand Logic, Intelligent Cranium, Sena, Livall, Fusar, DAQRI, Bell, PT Tarakusuma Indah, HJC, and others. Sales, ex-factory price, and revenue generated by each manufacturer are discussed for 2015 along with company profiles and product specifications. In addition, gross margin analysis and business region distribution analysis are offered for 2015. Development trend of the global industry trend is outlined on the basis of market size, sales, price, and gross margin for the forecast period. Consumption analysis for the forecast period based on each region is also offered along with market trend for types and applications. Marketing model analysis is provided in terms of regional, international trade, and supply chain analysis. New project investment feasibility analysis and SWOT analysis help leading market players and new entrants in strengthening their position in the industry. Conclusions of the research are presented at the end of the report. Table of Contents: 1 Industry Overview of Helmet 1.1 Definition and Specifications of Helmet 1.1.1 Definition of Helmet 2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Helmet 2.1 Raw Material Suppliers and Price Analysis of Helmet 2.2 Equipment Suppliers and Price Analysis of Helmet 2.3 Labor Cost Analysis of Helmet 3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Helmet 3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Helmet Major Manufacturers in 2015 3.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Helmet Major Manufacturers in 2015 4 Global Helmet Overall Market Overview 4.1 2011-2016E Overall Market Analysis 4.2.1 2011-2015 Global Helmet Capacity and Growth Rate Analysis 5 Helmet Regional Market Analysis 5.1 France Helmet Market Analysis 5.1.1 France Helmet Market Overview 5.1.2 France 2011-2016E Helmet Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis 5.1.3 France 2011-2016E Helmet Sales Price Analysis Similar Market Reports: Global Blasting Helmets Consumption Industry 2016 Deep Market Research Report The Global Blasting Helmets Consumption Industry 2016 Deep Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Blasting Helmets market. Global Electricians Helmets Consumption Industry 2016 Deep Market Research Report The Global Electricians Helmets Consumption Industry 2016 Deep Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Electricians Helmets market. Europe Blasting Helmets Industry 2016 Deep Market Research Report The Europe Blasting Helmets Industry 2016 DeepMarket Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Blasting Helmets industry. United States Protection Helmet Industry 2016 Deep Market Research Report The United States Protection Helmet Industry 2016 DeepMarket Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Protection Helmet industry. China Batting Helmets Industry 2016 Deep Market Research Report The China Batting Helmets Industry 2016 Deep Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Batting Helmets industry. 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Contact Us: James Jordan 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States U.S. & Canada Toll Free: + 1-800-910-6452 International: + 1-503-894-6022 UK: + 44-845-528-1300 India: +91 20 66346070 Fax: +1 (855) 550-5975 Email:help@researchbeam.com Web:http://www.researchbeam.com AB Agrowill Group has received Decision of 24 October 2016 of the Supervision Service of the Bank of Lithuania under which the company was given a warning for breaching Article 22 of the Law on Securities due to the fact that Company's financial statements for year 2015 were disclosed with delay on July 19, 2016. Vladas Bagavicius Member of the Board +370 5 233 53 40 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 U.S. department of Commerce releases U.S. new home sales for September at 10:00 am ET Wednesday. The indicator is expected to drop to 600,000 from 609,000 in August. Ahead of the data, the greenback declined against its major rivals. The greenback was worth 1.0930 against the euro, 1.2226 against the pound, 104.22 against the yen and 0.9911 against the Swiss franc as of 9:55 am ET. 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. - Atento was recognized as one of the world's best workplaces for the fourth consecutive year - Only CRM/BPO company included in the ranking - Atento was also recognized by Great Place to Work, as one of the Best Places to Work in Latin America in 2016 NEW YORK, Oct. 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Atento S.A. (NYSE: ATTO), a leading provider of customer relationship management and business process outsourcing services (CRM/BPO) in Latin America, and one of the three top providers worldwide, has been recognized by Great Place to Work as one of the 25 World's Best Multinational Workplaces of 2016. The ranking, derived from the world's largest annual analysis of workplace excellence, encompassing more than 4,100 companies and 7 million employees approximately. The report identifies the top 25 best multinationals to work for based on their workplace culture. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150506/214260LOGO Atento has received this recognition for the fourth consecutive year. Over the years, Atento's strong focus on people management and workplace environment has become a fundamental component of the Company's business model that continues to be praised by different organizations worldwide. In the 2016 edition of the Best Multinationals to work for, Atento came in sixteen place and is, once again, the only company in its sector to be included in this global ranking. According to Alejandro Reynal, Atento's Chief Executive Officer, "It is a great honor for our Company and an exceptional recognition for our employees to be among the 25 World's Best Multinational Workplaces for the fourth consecutive year. This recognition is a true reflection of our Company's strategic commitment to people as an essential component of the value we offer businesses." Alejandro Reynal added, "I would like to thank all of them for their commitment, integrity, trust and passion. The dedication and motivation of our employees is a source of continuous inspiration and the main reason Atento has achieved this recognition for another year." "Once again we share the honor of being among the best places to work in the world according to Great Place to Work with the world leaders in employee management and motivation," said Inaki Cebollero, Chief People Officer at Atento. "Our human resources programs aim to develop people to offer an exceptional customer experience to businesses and consumers, all in a work environment which promotes trust, pride and camaraderie," added Inaki Cebollero. Atento was also recently chosen as one of the Best Places to Work for in Latin America in 2016 for the sixth consecutive year by Great Place to Work. To be considered eligible for the world multinational list, companies must have a minimum of 5,000 employees and appear on a minimum of five national best workplaces lists. Atento currently has a large number of local and global programs focused on employee training, development and motivation. The Company is one of the largest first job creators in Latin America and deploys extensive training and development activities under its Atento Academy program. Atento fosters a good work environment, teamwork, and pride in belonging through its motivational programs, and promotes the inclusion of the disabled in the labor market. Atento also encourages community service through corporate volunteering programs, such as Voces que Ayudan (Voices that Help), Atentos al Futuro (Think about the Future) and Global Community Month. View the companies included in the 2016 World's Best Multinational Workplaces ranking http://www.greatplacetowork.net/best-companies/worlds-best-multinationals View the companies included in the 2016 Best Places to Work in Latin America ranking http://www.greatplacetowork.net/best-companies/best-workplaces-in-latin-america/best-multinationals-in-latin-america About Great Place to Work Great Place to Work is the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. Through proprietary assessment tools, advisory services, and certification programs, including Best Workplaces lists and workplace reviews, Great Place to Work provides the benchmarks, framework, and expertise needed to create, sustain, and recognize outstanding workplace cultures. For more information www.greatplacetowork.net About Atento Atento is the largest provider of customer relationship management and business process outsourcing (CRM BPO) services in Latin America, and among the top three providers globally, based on revenues. Atento is also a leading provider of nearshoring CRM/BPO services to companies that operate in the United States. Since 1999, the company has developed its business model in 14 countries where it employs more than 150,000 people. Atento has over 400 clients to whom it offers a wide range of CRM/BPO services through multiple channels. Atento's clients are mostly leading multinational corporations in sectors such as telecommunications, banking and financial services, health, retail and public administrations, among others. Atento's shares trade under the symbol ATTO on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). In 2015, Atento was named one of the World's 25 Best Multinational Workplaces by Great Place to Work. For more information visit www.atento.com WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - As Iraqi Government forces close in on Mosul, the United Nations human rights wing said Tuesday that it continues to receive reports of grave violations against civilians, including extrajudicial killings and summary executions, by Islamic State extremists. 'We also continue to receive information that reinforces the belief that ISIL are deliberately using civilians as human shields - forcing them to move to sites where ISIL fighters are based, or preventing them from leaving other places for strategic reasons,' said Rupert Colville, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) at the regular news briefing at the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG). Noting the difficulties in verifying all the reports OHCHR is receiving, he citied some 'preliminary' though not definitive examples, including, among others, that human rights staff in Iraq have been informed that ISIL killed 15 civilians in Safina, a village around 45 kilometres south of Mosul, and threw their bodies in the river - apparently in an attempt to spread terror among the other residents. 'On the afternoon of 19 October, in the same village, ISIL reportedly tied six civilians to a vehicle by their hands and dragged them around the village, apparently simply because they were related to a particular tribal leader fighting against ISIL alongside Iraqi Government forces,' underscored Colville. He added that the six men were also allegedly beaten with sticks and gun butts. 'It is not clear what happened to them subsequently,' he affirmed. 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) - Donald Trump has said that Obamacare is a disaster, and vowed that if he is elected, he will repeal it, and replace it with something much better and much less expensive. Addressing an election rally Tuesday night, and on Twitter, the Republican candidate vehemently criticized the Obama administration's medical insurance plan. He alarmed Americans that they are going to experience another massive double-digit spike in Obamacare premiums, including more than a 100 percent increase in states like Arizona. One in five Americans trapped on Obamacare will only have a single insurer to choose from, according to him. 'My first day in office, I'm going to ask Congress to put a bill on my desk getting rid of this disastrous law and replacing it with reforms that expand choice, freedom, and affordability,' Trump told the crowd in Tallahassee, Florida. 'Insurers are leaving. Companies are fleeing. Doctors are quitting. It's an absolute disaster.' Trump proposed a series of ethics reforms to end government corruption. They include a constitutional amendment to impose term limits on all members of Congress, a lifetime ban on government officials lobbying for a foreign government, and a total ban on foreign lobbyists raising money for American elections. Trump said he will work with Congress to introduce a series of legislative reforms and will fight for their passage in the first 100 days. This legislation includes Middle Class Tax Relief And Simplification Act, under which a middle-class family with two children will get a 35 percent tax cut. A Trump administration will end the Offshoring Act, and introduce tariffs to stop companies from laying off their workers and relocating to other countries. He proposed the American Infrastructure Act. A $1 trillion public-private infrastructure investment will include help for projects like expanding the Orlando-Sanford International Airport. 'We will build the wall, and we will impose tough mandatory minimum prison sentences for deported illegal immigrants who try to re-enter the country,' Trump 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. VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 10/26/16 -- New Dimension Resources Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: NDR) (the "Company" or "New Dimension") is pleased to announce that it has completed the initial ground exploration program on its 187.8 square kilometre Savant Lake gold project (the "Property"), located approximately 240 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Significant program highlights include: -- Recognition of a previously unknown shear-related style of mineralization with values up to 3.6 g/t gold; -- Values of 38.8 g/t and 14.3 g/t gold from grab samples at the Horseshoe iron-formation target. The mapping and prospecting campaign has successfully advanced the understanding of multiple target types on the project including iron-formation hosted gold that was the initial project target priority. In addition, increased focus is being given to gold-bearing volcanogenic massive sulphides ("VMS") targets and a newly recognized shear related style of mineralization, both of which were highlighted by the 2016 airborne VTEM (Versatile Time Domain Electro Magnetic) survey. This new shear zone type of mineralization significantly expands the discovery potential on the project. Sampling at the newly discovered "Big Sandy" occurrence returned gold values of up to 3.6 g/t from grab samples collected from variably sheared mafic volcanic rocks over an area measuring 300 metres by 500 metres. Further prospecting at the Horseshoe target yielded additional high-grade gold mineralization, including samples yielding 38.8 g/t and 14.3 g/t, extending the strike potential to over 500 metres. To view a map of the results of the sampling program please click on the following map: http://www.newdimensionresources.com/i/maps/Savant/2016-10-25-Prospecting_Program_Results_Map.pdf President & CEO of New Dimension, Fred Hewett commented, "We are extremely pleased with our progress to date at Savant Lake. In six months we have doubled the size of the project, discovered a number of new targets and prepared the Property for drilling. We look forward to the next stage." The Company is currently designing a follow-up field program that will likely include ground geophysical (EM) surveying and diamond drilling of multiple high-priority targets. The initiation of additional fieldwork is contingent upon funding and the Company is reviewing its options. The recently completed field program was designed to evaluate known iron-formation hosted gold occurrences and 18 new, untested geophysical anomalies identified from a VTEM (Versatile Time Domain Electro Magnetic) airborne survey completed earlier this year. Geological mapping and prospecting was carried out over a four (4) week period during which a total of 252 grab and chip samples were collected. Values ranged from below detection to 38.6 g/t gold. This sampling was distributed over 15 separate targets and the results, combined with the data from the VTEM survey, will be the main drivers in prioritizing targets for follow-up. About Savant Lake Gold Project Savant Lake covers a classic iron formation hosted system of gold occurrences within a very prospective mineral district in northwestern Ontario. The Property, which has not been significantly explored since the early 1980's, hosts multiple outcropping gold occurrences that have yielded gold values up to 138.9 g/t from exposed outcrops. New Dimension was attracted to the Savant Lake Property for its gold in iron formation characteristics that it believes are analogous to Goldcorp's neighbouring Musselwhite gold mine and Agnico Eagle's newly discovered Amaruq deposit in Nunavut. The Company can earn a 100% interest in the Savant Lake Property by paying the vendors C$100,000 and issuing 600,000 shares (100,000 shares issued) of New Dimension over a four year period. The Property is subject to a 2% NSR, of which one percent (1%) can be purchased for C$1,000,000. About New Dimension Resources Ltd.: New Dimension is engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of quality mineral resource properties throughout the Americas with a focus on potential bulk tonnage gold and silver deposits. The Company is currently focused on mineral projects in Canada with a priority directed toward the Savant Lake gold property. The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed by Fred Hewett the Company's President & CEO, a director and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD NEW DIMENSION RESOURCES LTD. Fred G. Hewett, P.Eng., 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 news release. This news release may contain forward looking statements which are not historical facts, such as statements of belief of similarity of geological characteristics or features, statements of unverified drilling and sampling results and expectations of receipt of permits and plans for future work. Forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, unexpected geological factors, exploration results, results of verification work and unanticipated regulatory obstacles. See New Dimension's filings for a more detailed discussion of factors that may impact expected results. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to sell any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Contacts: Fred Hewett or Chris Curran 778-237-1464 Wayne Johnstone 604-563-4807 info@newdimensionresources.com www.newdimensionresources.com BEVERLY HILLS, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 10/26/16 -- Teles Properties -- one of the fastest-growing luxury residential real estate firms in Southern California -- is pleased to announce it has been recognized among the top 20 of the "Best Entrepreneurial Companies" in America by Entrepreneur magazine's Entrepreneur 360 List, the most comprehensive analysis of private companies in America. Based on this study forged by Entrepreneur, Teles is recognized as a well-rounded company that has mastered the balance of impact, innovation, growth and leadership. "We are honored to be included among the best of the top entrepreneurial companies," says Teles Co-President Peter Hernandez. "At Teles, we strive to lead with intelligence and have worked to grow our footprint thoughtfully and strategically. To be recognized and selected by such an esteemed and respected magazine is truly humbling, and an indication that we are doing something right." This accolade caps a particularly successful year for Teles, in which the company expanded its Southern California footprint with the addition of new offices in the Pacific Palisades, Palm Springs, Manhattan Beach and San Diego. Bringing together the state's most elite and successful agents, Teles equips agents with an unparalleled technology platform that simplifies and elevates every aspect of a real estate transaction. "The spirit of entrepreneurship is at the very core of Teles," says Teles co-president Sharran Srivatsaa. "All of the firm's growth has come organically -- one agent, one staff member, one office at a time. Our growth has been intentional and by design, to build the most unique California luxury real estate market footprint and to be phenomenal advisors to our clients." Those honored by Entrepreneur were identified based on the results from a comprehensive study of independently-owned companies, using a proprietary algorithm and other advanced analytics. The algorithm was built on a balanced scorecard designed to measure four metrics reflecting major pillars of entrepreneurship -- innovation, growth, leadership and impact. For more information on the Entrepreneur 360 List and the companies recognized, visit: www.entrepreneur.com/360companies. For information on Teles Properties, please visit www.telesproperties.com. ABOUT TELES PROPERTIES: Teles Properties is a luxury real estate firm in California, ranked and recognized for four consecutive years by the prestigious Inc. 500|5000 list of the fastest growing private companies in America. Leading with intelligence, the brand brings together the state's most elite and successful agents and provides them with an unparalleled technology platform to simplify and elevate every aspect of a real estate transaction. Headquartered in Beverly Hills with strategic offices located in California's most prestigious markets -- from Carmel to Coronado -- Teles is renowned for its profound local market experience as well as a comprehensive global division that links international investors to properties in the U.S. and around the globe. For more information, go to www.telesproperties.com. MEDIA CONTACT: Leslie Licano Beyond Fifteen Communications, Inc. 949.733.8679 leslie@beyondfifteen.com VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 10/26/16 -- LANCASTER CAPITAL CORP. ("Lancaster" or the "Company"), (TSX VENTURE: LHC) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an earn-in agreement (the "Agreement") with Meliadine Gold Ltd. ("Meliadine") to earn up to a 70% interest in the Peter Lake Gold property (the "Property"). The Property is located approximately 40 km northwest of Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. The Property covers 8,473 hectares within the Meliadine Gold Belt immediately along trend from Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.'s advanced Meliadine Gold project. Multiple clusters of quartz carbonate boulders containing high grade gold have been discovered on the Property with strong evidence that the potential bedrock source is also on the Property. These high grade gold boulders may be sourced from the Pyke Fault and associated splay structures that trend through the middle of the Peter Lake Property, and also hosts the Meliadine Gold project further to the southeast. The Board of Directors of Lancaster is in the process of considering a short list of candidates for a new CEO and senior management team to lead the Company in pursuing this new project. Pursuant to the Agreement, Lancaster has the exclusive right to earn an initial undivided 50% interest in the Property (the "First Earn-In Option") upon: (i) incurring an aggregate of $10 million in expenditures on the Property by the third anniversary of the date all regulatory approvals to the Agreement are received (the "Effective Date") (allocated as: $1 million on the first anniversary, an additional $4 million on the second anniversary and an additional $5 million by the third anniversary of the Effective Date); and paying $75,000 in cash on each of the Effective Date, and the first, second and third anniversary of the Effective Date. Upon earning a 50% interest in the Property, Lancaster has the exclusive right to earn an additional undivided 20% interest in the Property (the "Second Earn-In Option"), thereby increasing its interest in the Property to 70%, upon: i. incurring an aggregate of $25 million in additional expenditures on the Property, as follows: -- incurring a minimum of $2 million in expenditures on the Property in the year ending on the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date; -- incurring an additional $3 million in expenditures on the Property in the year ending on the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date; -- incurring an additional $5 million in expenditures on the Property in the year ending on the sixth anniversary of the Effective Date; -- incurring an additional $15 million in expenditures on the Property in the year ending on the seventh anniversary of the Effective Date; ii. preparing and delivering to Meliadine a Bankable Feasibility Study by the seventh anniversary date of the Effective Date; and iii.paying $75,000 in cash on each of the Effective Date, and on the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh anniversary date of the Effective Date. Lancaster has the right, to satisfy its obligation to incur any of the expenditures required by the First Earn-In Option or Second Earn-In Option, by paying or delivering to Meliadine an equivalent amount in cash or common shares of Lancaster. Pursuant to the Agreement, Lancaster may elect to extend the delivery date of the BFS for a maximum of three (3) years in consideration for payment to Meliadine of $2.5 million in cash for each additional one-year extension. Lancaster is also entitled, at any time after exercise of the First Earn-In Option and for no additional consideration, to extend the time for payment of any of the expenditure requirements in respect of the Second Earn-In Option by up to one year. Lancaster shall be appointed as exclusive operator of the project and shall remain as operator unless it fails to exercise the Second Earn-In Option. Upon Lancaster earning either a 50% interest in the Property and terminating the Agreement or earning a 70% interest in the Property, the parties shall be deemed to have formed a joint venture pursuant to which both parties will contribute their proportionate share of future expenditures. Upon either party reducing its interest to 15% in the joint venture, such interest shall be converted to a 2.5% net smelter return royalty. The Agreement is subject to the approval TSX Venture Exchange approval. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Technical Information All scientific and technical information in this news release has been prepared by or reviewed and approved by Mr. Garrett Ainsworth, P.Geo., a director of Lancaster. Mr. Ainsworth is a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Ainsworth has not verified any of the information regarding Agnico Eagle's Meliadine Gold Project and is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization on the Peter Lake project. Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information. This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connation thereof. Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including among others, that regulatory approval to the Agreement will be obtained, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms, and that third party contractors, equipment and supplies and governmental and other approvals required to conduct the Company's planned exploration activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information and statements also involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual events or results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future events or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements, including, among others: negative operating cash flow and dependence on third party financing, uncertainty of additional financing, no known mineral reserves or resources, reliance on key management and other personnel, potential downturns in economic conditions, actual results of exploration activities being different than anticipated, changes in exploration programs based upon results, and risks generally associated with the mineral exploration industry, environmental risks, changes in laws and regulations, community relations and delays in obtaining governmental or other approvals. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or reissue forward-looking information as a result of new information or events except as required by applicable securities laws. Contacts: Lancaster Capital Corp. Travis McPherson Vice-President, Corporate Development +1 604 428 4112 IOT SOLUTIONS WORLD CONGRESS, BARCELONA, Spain, October 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Aptilo Networks has added Internet of Things (IoT) support to the award-winning Aptilo Service Management Platform' (SMP) which has been deployed with 100+ telecommunications operators in more than 70 countries. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120910/559670 ) It is still common for IoT applications to be built as vertical silos with the purpose of supporting only one specific application for one kind of thing or device. Aptilo's comprehensive IoT Platform, the Aptilo SMP IoT, offers reusable horizontal functionality for vertical applications which shortens the time-to-market and lowers the deployment cost. It enables connections and information exchange between heterogeneous IoT things/devices and connectivity networks to various IoT applications. The Aptilo SMP IoT is built around a flexible API adapter concept and a powerful rules engine with configurable logic. Other building blocks include authentication, policy control, provisioning, data collection, visualization and analytics. The platform also supports different monetization models including the new modern business models where a user subscribes to a product and pays based on the usage rather than buying the product. "We have spent the last 15 years helping service providers securely control the access, experience and monetization of all users and things connected to their Wi-Fi networks," said Jan Sjonell, VP Internet of Things, Aptilo Networks. "Some of our customers are already delivering Wi-Fi-based B2B and B2C IoT services through the Aptilo Service Management Platform. We are now taking it to the next level by adding IoT-specific protocols and functions to the platform." This week Aptilo is participating IoT Solutions World Congress in Barcelona. Meet us at booth F715 Aptilo in the Swedish IoT pavilion "IoT Sweden." About Aptilo Networks Aptilo Networks is a leading provider of carrier-class systems to manage data services with advanced functions for authentication, policy control and charging. Aptilo Service Management Platform' (SMP) has become synonymous with Wi-Fi service management and Wi-Fi offload in large-scale deployments with 100+ operators in more than 70 countries, and is a critical component of Wi-Fi calling and IoT. For more information visithttp://www.aptilo.com. A solid organic growth of 4% Sales target for 2016 confirmed Regulatory News: Korian (Paris:KORI), European leader in Ageing Well, has announced today its 2016 nine-month revenue. Korian's revenue of 2,224.0 million at 30 September 2016 represents around 16% growth. This reflects the consolidation of Casa Reha since 1st January and the one of Foyer de Lork in Belgium as from 1st September. For the first nine months of 2016, organic growth was 4.0%. International subsidiaries accounted for 47.1% of the Group's revenue. Since 1st January, Korian opened or acquired 1,138 beds and consolidated 10,182 beds from Casa Reha and 1,301 from Foyer de Lork. REPORTED NINE-MONTH REVENUE (1) In m (unaudited IFRS figures) 9 months Growth 2016 2015 Reported Organic (2) France 1,177.5 1,147.6 2.6% 2.2% in of rev. 52.9% 59.8% International 1,046.5 771.0 35.7% 6.9% in of rev. 47.1% 40.2% Germany 635.3 382.0 66.3% 9.0% Italy 228.5 227.2 0.6% 2.3% Belgium 182.7 161.8 12.9% 8.0% Total Group 2,224.0 1,918.6 15.9% 4.0% Solid business in France Nine-month Revenue in France rose by 2.6%, to 1,177.5 million. Organic growth was 2.2% since 1st January, driven by the good performance of the Seniors division benefiting high occupancy rate and solid average daily rates. Revenue of the Healthcare division are almost stable over the reported period. Higher volume and improving patient's mix management offset some of the decrease in health insurance rates observed in 2016. Korian France's recently restructured facilities (367 beds) are still growing sharply (+15.2% for the reported period). International subsidiaries post 6.9% organic growth Korian's international subsidiaries generated nine-month revenue of 1,046.5 million, which accounts for over 47% of total Group revenue. The 35.7% revenue growth is attributable to the robust 6.9% organic growth, the consolidation of Casa Reha as of 1st January and the one of Foyer de Lork in Belgium as of 1st September. In Germany, revenue grew to 635.3 million (+66.3%) mainly driven by Casa Reha consolidation. The 9.0% organic growth is attributable to the steady increase of the average daily rates, the improved occupancy rate and the ramping up of facilities opened in late 2015, and the opening of 306 new beds over the reported period. In Italy, nine-month revenue totalled 228.5 million, up 0.6%. The high occupancy rate of long-term care nursing homes and its continued improvement in specialized clinics were the main drivers of the 2.3% organic growth. In Q3, the planned termination of the management contract of a facility located in Milan (Famagosta) explains the slowdown of reported growth. Revenue in Belgium rose by 12.9%, to 182.7 million, with 8.0% organic growth. This performance is the result the ramping up of beds recently added to the Belgian network. Moreover, the Group also benefited the consolidation of Foyer de Lork as from 1st September and the opening of 84 beds in the sole Q3. Korian reiterates its 2016 full-year revenue target around 3 billion. Completion of Group Management Board Korian announced on 19 October the appointment of Charles Antoine Pinel, France Seniors Executive Vice-President, Nicolas Merigot, France Healthcare Executive Vice-President and Frederic Durousseau, Chief Real Estate and Development Officer. With these 3 appointments, the Group Management Board is now operational as announced during the presentation of Korian's five-year plan on 15 September 2016. Foyer de Lork, in Belgium, consolidated as from 1st Septembre 2016 Korian consolidates Foyer de Lork since 1st September, adding 16 facilities and 1,301 beds to its nursing homes and service flats network and is now the second private operator in Belgium. This position allows the Group to build and deploy an enriched platform of services benefiting seniors. The closing also reinforces the pipeline of projects by more than 1,400 beds, of which around 700 to be opened in the next couple of years. In Belgium, Korian which employ more than 4,200 employees, operates a network of 74 facilities and close to 8,000 beds, as well as a broad platform of home care services. 3rd QUARTER REVENUE (1) In m (unaudited IFRS figures) 3rd quarter Growth 2016 2015 Reported Organic (2) France 399.4 389.7 2.5% 1.9% in of rev. 53.0% 59.7% International 354.1 262.7 34.8% 7.3% in of rev. 47.0% 40.3% Germany 215.7 132.9 62.3% 8.6% Italy 72.3 74.0 -2.3% 1.7% Belgium 66.1 55.9 18.4% 11.1% Total Group 753.6 652.4 15.5% 4.1% Next event: 8 February 2017 after market close Full-Year 2016 revenue (1) Revenue and other income (2) Organic revenue growth includes: a) the change in the revenue between year Y and year Y-1 of facilities already in operation; b) the revenue generated in year Y by facilities created in year Y or Y-1 ; c) the change in the revenue between year Y and year Y-1 of facilities that were restructured or the capacity of which was increased in year Y or Y-1; d) the change in the revenue of recently acquired facilities observed in year Y relative to the equivalent period in year Y-1. ABOUT KORIAN Korian, Europe's leader in Ageing Well, founded in 2003, has the capacity to accommodate more than 71,500 residents and patients in Europe (France, Germany, Italy and Belgium) and employs around 45,000 staff members. The Group manages more than 710 facilities in four business lines: long-term care nursing homes, post-acute and rehabilitation care clinics, assisted living facilities and home-care services. For more information, please visit the website: www.korian.com Korian is listed on Euronext Paris Compartment A and is a component of the following indices: SBF 120, CAC Health Care, CAC Mid 60, CAC Mid & Small and MSCI Global Small Cap Euronext ticker: KORI ISIN: FR0010386334 Reuters: KORI.PA Bloomberg: KORI.FP View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161026006003/en/ Contacts: Korian INVESTOR CONTACT Didier Laurens Investor Relations Director didier.laurens@korian.com Tel: +33 (0)1 55 37 53 55 or PRESS CONTACT Sophie Bodin Tarick Dali DGM Conseil s.bodin@dgm-conseil.fr / t.dali@dgm-conseil.fr T +33 (0)1 40 70 95 93 Increased recurring revenue EBITDA margin at 20.2% (+0.1 point) Profitability impacted by the change in the sales model and a difficult environment in France Regulatory News: Prodware (Paris:ALPRO): IFRS Unaudited in M H1 2016 H1 2015 Change Consolidated revenue 84.5 91.1 -7.2%* EBITDA 17.1 18.3 As of revenue 20.2% 20.1% -6.8% Current operating income 7.4 10.4 As of revenue 8.7% 11.4% -29.2% Operating income 7.3 7.7 As of revenue 8.6 % 8.5 -5.8% Net income, Group share 4.2 6.0 As of revenue 4.9% 6.6% -30.8% on a comparable basis, the change is -5. 3% 5.3% decline in business on a comparable basis In the first half of 2016, Prodware generated 84.5m in revenue compared with 91.1m in the first half of 2015. On a comparable basis, revenue fell 5.3%. This change is directly related to the shift in sales towards SaaS (subscription) mode, which generates a smaller amount of revenue but provides recurring revenue over 3 to 5 years. In addition, the Group suffered from a difficult environment (strikes and floods) in France, its primary area of business, which weighed on its business volume. SaaS (subscription) sales accelerated their growth by 31% to 9.1m (11.7% of revenue, +3.4 points), pushing the recurring share of revenue up 12,7% to 29.4m, or 34,8% of overall sales. Direct sales of Edition totalled 29.1m (34.4% of revenue) compared with 31.5m in the first half of 2015 (34.5%). In a particularly unfavourable environment in France, the French-speaking region saw an 8.7% decline in its sales to 46.8m versus 51.1m. International sales represented 47.4% of consolidated revenue compared with 50.2% in the first half of 2015. Spain and Israel continued their momentum, while Benelux and Germany saw an acceleration in their SaaS sales. Revenue in Great Britain faced a high basis of comparison following the sale of a business (Waste management) at the beginning of the year. EBITDA margin maintained Efforts to invest in developing the Group's offering (SaaS, consulting, digital, CRM, etc.) as well as the business shortfall in France impacted the Group's profitability over the first half. Thanks to good management of personnel expenses, the EBITDA margin increased by 0.1 points to 20.2%, reaching 17.1m. Given the increase in investments that accompanied the change in the Group's offering, amortization and depreciation charges rose significantly by 1,9m. They had an impact on current operating income, which totalled 7.4m compared with 10.4m in the first half of 2015. The current operating income rate was 8.7% of revenue, down 2,7 points from 30 June 2015. Thanks to the sharp reduction in expenses from the consolidation of European subsidiaries, operating income decreased only slightly to 7.3m versus 7.7m in the first half of 2015. The establishment of a 79m Euro PP loan in January 2016 to finance the change in the Group's offering and refinance its MLT debt generated a 0.9m increase in financial expenses over the first half. After taking into account a financial loss of 2.5m, the Group's share of net income totalled 4.2m. Solid balance sheet At 30 June 2016, Prodware's balance sheet showed 114.1m in equity, up 3.0% from the end of 2015. Following the establishment of the 79m Euro PP loan, the group's net debt ratio remained under control at 46.9% versus 42.2% at 31 December 2015. Short-term Outlook Prodware continued the shift in its offering towards digital and the market's most profitable segments, started in the last six months. The order book remains good in the second half of the financial year, in a volatile global economic environment. Next publication: 3rd quarter 2016 revenue: Thuesday, 15 November 2016 after trading About Prodware Founded in 1989, Prodware (www.prodware.fr) is an international group specializing in publishing/integration and hosting management solutions for businesses. Prodware is Microsoft's premier partner in the EMEA region and has nearly 1,250 employees supporting 20,000 customers in 14 countries. Armed with a powerful R&D structure, unique expertise in industrializing best practices and top-notch strategic alliances, the group aims to deploy its Prodware Adjust solution worldwide. Prodware is a corporate citizen and supports its customers in their sustainable development approach with its range of GreenITude services (www.greenitude.fr). Prodware is one of the top companies in the Gaia Index. Prodware is a company eligible for FCPI (innovation funds), SRI funds and SME PEA (equity savings plan) and is part of the EnterNext PEA-PME 150 index. ALTERNEXT ISIN FR0010313486 ALPRO FTSE 972 IT services Prodware is FCPI eligible A responsible company, Prodware is a member of the Global Compact. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161026006360/en/ Contacts: PRODWARE Stephane Conrard Chief Financial Officer Tel: +33 (0)9 79 99 90 00 investisseurs@prodware.fr or PRESS Gilles Broquelet CAP VALUE Tel: +33 (0)1 80 81 50 01 gbroquelet@capvalue.fr MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA and AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS -- (Marketwired) -- 10/26/16 -- Elastic, the company behind Elasticsearch, Kibana, Beats, and Logstash, now known as the Elastic Stack, has announced the general availability of its 5.0 release, both for download and on Elastic Cloud. Elastic's products, today widely used for solving mission-critical use cases like search, logging, and analytics, have been downloaded more than 75 million times since 2012. "The launch of 5.0 represents Elastic's new strategy for developing and releasing software, and kicks off the next phase of our company's evolution as we have greatly improved how our products work together," said Shay Banon, Elastic Co-Founder & CTO. "The power of the Elastic Stack has always been more than just the sum of its individual parts. 5.0 takes that to the next level by giving users a simplified getting started experience, capacity to handle more data, and increased performance for solving their many use cases." The 5.0 release brings powerful new features for developers in startups and enterprises to achieve even more with the Elastic Stack (Elasticsearch, Kibana, Beats, and Logstash), X-Pack (commercial extensions for security, monitoring, alerting, reporting, and Graph), and Elastic Cloud. The 5.0 release aligns all of Elastic's products on the same release schedule to make it even easier and faster for developers to build, test, and upgrade their applications. Some of the new 5.0 features include: Elasticsearch 5.0 80% increase in indexing performance 25% increase in search performance with Lucene 6 updates (multi-dimensional points) 50% query improvement to geopoint search with implementation of LatLonPoint A new Instant Aggregations feature to enable better caching of search requests A new, safe default scripting language called Painless Kibana 5.0 Timelion is now a supported app for time series data New Sharing UI to share dashboards and visualizations Ability to set scripting language for Elasticsearch, including Painless Ingestion: Logstash and Beats 5.0 New logging functionality with Log4j2 framework New monitoring APIs to retrieve runtime metrics Native Spark streaming support with Elasticsearch for Hadoop connector Metricbeat to get metrics from external services and send data to Elasticsearch Release of Ingest Node for pre-processing and enriching documents X-Pack 5.0 One click install of X-Pack for security, monitoring, alerting, reporting, and Graph Security Management UI to allow users to create and manage users and roles Consolidated Monitoring UI to monitor Kibana and Elasticsearch servers New X-Pack reporting feature for sharing and distributing dashboards "As we've moved beyond search into new use cases, our incredible user community and customers have pushed us to create new products and features that help them push boundaries with their data to solve critical problems within their organizations," said Steven Schuurman, Elastic Co-Founder and CEO. "I would like to thank the many contributors, our community, and our customers for helping us achieve this big 5.0 milestone." Learn More 5.0 Release Blog 5.0 Virtual Launch Event Elastic Stack X-Pack Elastic Cloud Getting Started with the Elastic Stack About Elastic Elastic is the world's leading software provider for making structured and unstructured data usable in real time for use cases like search, logging, and analytics. Founded in 2012 by the people behind the Elasticsearch, Kibana, Beats, and Logstash open source projects, the Elastic Stack, X-Pack, and Elastic Cloud have had more than 75 million cumulative downloads to date. Elastic is backed by Benchmark Capital, Index Ventures, and NEA with headquarters in Amsterdam and Mountain View, California, and offices and employees around the world. To learn more, visit www.elastic.co. Elastic Media Contacts: North America Michael Lindenberger Reidy Communications for Elastic michael@reidycommunications.com +1-415-531-1449 EMEA Rory MacDonald Age of Peers Ltd for Elastic rory@ageofpeers.com +44 (0)7899 965232 VIENNA (dpa-AFX) - The majority of the European markets ended Wednesday's session in negative territory. A mixed bag of corporate earnings results and weakness in commodity prices had a negative impact on investor sentiment. Energy stocks were under pressure for most of the day after crude oil prices dropped to around $49 a barrel in early trade. However, energy stocks pared their losses going into the close after the U.S. EIA report showed an unexpected draw down in crude inventories. Mining and resource stocks also turned in a weak performance, due to a pull back in precious metal prices. The planned summit to sign the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the European Union and Canada is still possible on Thursday, European Council President Donald Tusk said Wednesday. His comments came as Belgian lawmakers began a second day of talks on the deal that took about seven years of negotiations to formulate. Three deadlines to sign the pact have passed, reports said. Belgium cannot approve the deal without the consent from all its seven federal, regional and linguistic communities. The French-speaking Wallonia is posing the major opposition to the deal. The rest of the EU, which are 27 countries, are willing to sign the deal. The pan-European Stoxx Europe 600 index weakened by 0.38 percent. The Euro Stoxx 50 index of eurozone bluechip stocks decreased 0.21 percent, while the Stoxx Europe 50 index, which includes some major U.K. companies, lost 0.55 percent. The DAX of Germany dropped 0.44 percent and the CAC 40 of France fell 0.14 percent. The FTSE 100 of the U.K. declined 0.85 percent and the SMI of Switzerland finished lower by 0.47 percent. In Frankfurt, drug maker Bayer declined 1.40 percent despite posting solid third-quarter results. In Paris, aerospace group Airbus climbed 3.76 percent despite reporting a 21 percent fall in third-quarter earnings due to weakness in its commercial plane business. Kering surged 7.75 percent after the luxury goods maker reported a 10 percent increase in third-quarter sales. Cap Gemini sank 7.28 percent despite confirming its 2016 guidance. In London, Antofagasta dropped 3.15 percent after the company guided toward a lower copper output range in 2017. Mortgage lender Lloyds Banking Group has set aside a further 1bn to compensate customers who were wrongly sold loan insurance. The stock increased 0.11 percent. Royal Bank of Scotland Group finished higher by 0.73 percent after Clydesdale made a preliminary non-binding proposal to snap up its Williams & Glyn operations. Logitech surged 16.75 percent in Zurich after reporting a rise in Q2 retail revenue. Chemical company Novozymes plunged 11.22 percent in Copenhagen after it posted weak third-quarter results and trimmed its full-year outlook to the lower end of its previous range. Banco Santander gained 0.38 percent in Madrid after its third-quarter net profit topped forecasts. German consumer confidence is set to weaken to a 7-month low in November as weak global growth is expected to affect the domestic activity, a closely watched survey revealed Wednesday. The forward-looking consumer sentiment index fell to 9.7 from 10.0 in October, the Nuremberg-based market research group GfK said in its monthly survey report. The score was forecast to remain unchanged at 10.0. The indicator has fallen below the ten-point mark for the first time since June 2016 and reached its lowest value since April. Germany's import prices decreased at a slower-than-expected pace in September, after rebounding in the previous month, figures from Destatis showed Wednesday. Import prices fell 1.8 percent year-over-year in September, just below economists' expectations for a decline of 1.9 percent. In August, prices had risen 2.6 percent. Data also showed that export prices decreased 0.6 percent in September from a year ago, while it showed no variations from the preceding month. French consumer confidence improved as expected in October, survey data from the statistical office Insee showed Wednesday. The consumer sentiment index rose to 98 in October from 97 in September. A similar higher reading was last seen in May and reached the highest level since October 2007, when the score was 100. U.K. mortgage approvals increased to a 3-month high in September, the British Bankers' Association reported Wednesday. The number of mortgages approved for house purchases rose to 38,252 in September from 37,241 in August. This was the highest since June, when approvals totaled 39,880. Chinese consumer confidence improved for the second straight month in October to the strongest level in six months, led by a significant rise in consumers' willingness to spend, results of a survey by the Deutsche Boerse Group's MNI Indicators showed Wednesday. The Westpac MNI consumer sentiment indicator climbed to 117.1 in October from 115.2 in the previous month. The U.S. trade deficit in goods came in at $56.1 billion in September, down 5.2 percent from $59.1 billion in August. New home sales rose in September, though the increase was helped by revisions to figures from the previous month. The rate of sales came in below what economists had expected. Data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce showed that new home sales rose 3.1 percent to an annual rate of 593,000. Economists had expected a rate of 601,000. The result was 29.8 percent higher than last year. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de ISLANDIA, NY -- (Marketwired) -- 10/26/16 -- Empire Bancorp, Inc. (OTCQB: EMPK), today announced its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2016. "Gross loans at quarter end exceeded $472 million," stated Douglas C. Manditch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "As an organization, we are focused on increasing our net yield in this period of tightening spreads, diversifying the mix of our assets and liabilities, and realigning our loan mix. We have experienced strong deposit growth of $192 million, or 33.3%, over the past year, driven in large part by our initiative to actively solicit select municipal deposits. Pending opportunities to utilize these funds to support attractive loan prospects, we have primarily deployed these funds in our investment securities portfolio, which has enhanced our net interest income, but adversely impacted our net interest margin. Asset quality remains a priority. Our allowance for loan and lease losses as of quarter end was 1.16% of total loans, and our ratio of non-performing loans to total loans was at 0.07%. We steadfastly held to our core underwriting standards while healthily increasing commercial and industrial loans outstanding this quarter as a percentage of outstanding total loans. We are mindful of potential overheating of commercial real estate in some of our geographic markets, particularly in regard to higher end properties, which has resulted in a greater focus on the growth of our commercial loan portfolio and greater diversification in the composition of our loan portfolio. Our earnings performance continues to be driven chiefly by an increase in net interest income resulting primarily from deliberate balance sheet management." Year-to-Date Highlights Financial Results Net income, measured on a consolidated basis, for the first nine months of 2016 increased $70 thousand, or 3.7%, to $1.9 million, as compared to the same period in 2015. Net income at Empire National Bank for the first nine months of 2016, without the impact of the subordinated debt interest expense and other holding company operating expenses, increased $608 thousand, or 31.6%, to $2.5 million, as compared to the same period in 2015. Diluted earnings per common share for the first nine months of 2016 were $0.28, compared with $0.27 for the first nine months of 2015. Return on average assets and average common stockholders' equity for the first nine months of 2016 was 0.37% and 3.91%, respectively, compared with 0.48% and 3.96%, in 2015. Quarterly Highlights Financial Results Net income, measured on a consolidated basis, for the third quarter of 2016 was $641 thousand, compared with $820 thousand for the second quarter of 2016 and $623 thousand for third quarter of 2015. The quarter over quarter decline was largely due to net securities gains of $215 thousand in the second quarter of 2016, as compared to $18 thousand in the third quarter of 2016. Additionally, the provision for loan losses totaled $140 thousand in the third quarter of 2016 as compared to $17 thousand in the linked quarter, primarily as a result of loan growth during the third quarter. Net income at Empire National Bank for the third quarter of 2016, without the impact of the subordinated debt interest expense and other holding company operating expenses, was $839 thousand, compared with $1.0 million for the second quarter of 2016 and $642 thousand for the third quarter of 2015. Diluted earnings per common share for the third quarter of 2016 were $0.09, compared with $0.12 for the second quarter of 2016 and $0.09 for the third quarter of 2015. Return on average assets and average common stockholders' equity for the third quarter of 2016 was 0.34% and 3.75%, respectively, compared with 0.46% and 4.98%, respectively, for the second quarter of 2016 and 0.44% and 3.88%, respectively, for the third quarter of 2015. Franchise Development Total assets were $767.9 million at September 30, 2016, up 33.3% from September 30, 2015; Loans outstanding totaled $467.3 million, up 10.7% from September 30, 2015; Deposits totaled $679.0 million, up 34.0% from September 30, 2015. Continued Financial and Credit Strength Solid asset quality with an allowance for loan and lease losses of 1.16% of total loans and a ratio of non-performing loans to total loans of 0.07%; "Well capitalized" regulatory capital levels at Empire National Bank, as of September 30, 2016: Tier 1 leverage capital ratio of 10.31% Common equity tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 16.67% Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 16.67% Total risk-based capital ratio of 17.85% "Our cash management online conversion is scheduled to go live at the end of October. This new platform provides a refreshed look and enhanced system features. Customers can quickly navigate to their accounts and frequently accessed online features by customizing their homepage or tailored dashboard. We continue to seek safe, simple and secure delivery options to improve our customer experience," commented Thomas M. Buonaiuto, President and Chief Operating Officer. Balance Sheet Assets totaled $767.9 million at September 30, 2016, down $4.9 million, or 0.6%, from June 30, 2016 and up $191.9 million, or 33.3%, from September 30, 2015. The year-over-year increase in total assets was driven primarily by increases in securities available for sale and gross loans, while the decrease in total assets over the linked quarter was primarily attributable to a decrease in securities available for sale, partially offset by an increase in gross loans. Investment securities available for sale were $265.2 million at the recent quarter-end, down $17.4 million, or 6.2%, from June 30, 2016 and up $174.7 million, or 193.0%, from September 30, 2015. Gross loans increased 2.1% to $472.8 million from $463.0 million at June 30, 2016 and increased 10.7% from $427.0 million at September 30, 2015. Total deposits were $679.0 million at September 30, 2016, up $34.6 million, or 5.4%, from June 30, 2016 and up $172.2 million, or 34.0%, from September 30, 2015. Demand deposits increased to $202.3 million, or 9.2%, from June 30, 2016, and increased $3.3 million, or 1.7%, from September 30, 2015. Savings, N.O.W. and money market deposits totaled $437.8 million at September 30, 2016, an increase of $19 million, or 4.5%, over June 30, 2016, and $173.5 million, or 65.6%, from September 30, 2015. The growth in these deposits was driven in large part by new and existing municipal banking relationships. Higher cost certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more and other time deposits continued to trend downward as a percentage of total deposits at September 30, 2016, representing 5.7% of total deposits, compared to 8.6% at September 30, 2015. Stockholders' equity rose to $68.6 million at September 30, 2016 from $67.8 million at June 30, 2016 and $64.5 million at September 30, 2015. At September 30, 2016, the bank was "well capitalized" as defined by OCC regulation, with tier 1 leverage, common equity tier 1 risk-based, tier 1 risk-based and total risk-based capital ratios of 10.31 %, 16.67%, 16.67% and 17.85% respectively. Net Interest Margin/Net Interest Income Net interest income for the third quarter of 2016 increased $242 thousand, or 4.6%, over the second quarter of 2016 and $440 thousand, or 8.6%, over the third quarter of 2015. Net interest margin was 3.00% for the three months ended September 30, 2016, a decrease from 3.04% for the three months ended June 30, 2016, and a decrease from 3.75% for the three months ended September 30, 2015. This decrease from the same period last year, primarily, resulted from the growth in the percentage of earning assets held as investment securities, as well as materially lower revenues from prepayment fees in 2016. The percentage of earning assets held as investment securities increased as a result of the significant growth in deposits. Interest income for the third quarter of 2016 increased $272 thousand from the second quarter of 2016 and $863 thousand from the third quarter of 2015. The yield on average earning assets for the third quarter of 2016 was 3.46% as compared to 3.51% for the linked quarter and 4.06% for the third quarter of 2015. These decreases primarily resulted from the growth in the percentage of earning assets held as investment securities, which generated an average yield less than loans. Additionally, prepayment fees for the third quarter of 2016 increased by $62 thousand from $199 thousand in the second quarter of 2016 to $261 thousand. Prepayment fees decreased by $258 thousand as compared to the third quarter of 2015. Interest expense totaled $848 thousand in the most recent quarter, $818 thousand for the second quarter of 2016, and $425 for the third quarter of 2015. The cost of average interest-bearing liabilities remained at 0.72% in the third quarter of 2016, as compared to the second quarter of 2016. The increase from the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities of 0.57% in the third quarter of 2015 was primarily attributable to the issuance of subordinated debentures in December 2015 at the holding company level, partially offset by an increase in the percentage of average interest-bearing liabilities held as savings, N.O.W. and money market deposits and a decrease in the cost of these funds from 0.48% in the third quarter of 2015 to 0.45% in the third quarter of 2016. Net interest income increased $1.1 million, or 7.7%, for the first nine months of 2016 over the same period in 2015. Net interest margin was 3.07% for the first nine months of 2016, a decrease from 3.90% for the same period in 2015. The decrease in net interest margin was primarily attributable to a decrease of 68 basis points in the company's yield on average earning assets for the first nine months of 2016, driven largely by two factors. First, the average yield on loans decreased to 4.32% for the first nine months of 2016 from 4.78% for the nine months of 2015, primarily due to prepayment fees being materially lower in the first nine months of 2016, as compared to the first nine months of 2015, due to significant refinancing activity occurring in the first nine months of 2015. Second, investment securities represented a greater percentage of the earning asset mix over the first nine months of 2016 as compared to the same period of the prior year. The percentage of earning assets held as investment securities increased as a result of the significant growth in deposits. Notwithstanding, the decrease in the yield on average earning assets for the first nine months of 2016, interest income for the first nine months of 2016 increased $2.4 million over the same period in 2015 as a result of the growth in the volume of average earning assets. The decrease in net interest margin was also impacted by an increase of 14 basis points in the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities to 0.74% for the first nine months of 2016 from 0.60% for the same period in 2015. This increase was primarily attributable to the issuance of subordinated debentures in December 2015 at the holding company level with a weighted average cost of 7.43%. To partially offset this higher cost, the mix of average interest-bearing liabilities was managed to increase the average volume of savings, N.O.W. and money market deposits by $197.9 million, while reducing the average cost of funds on these deposits to 0.44% for the first nine months of 2016 from 0.49% for the same period in 2015. Noninterest Income and Expense Other income of $270 thousand for the third quarter of 2016 represented a decrease of $22 thousand over the linked quarter and a decrease of $16 thousand over the same period in 2015. The company recognized net securities gains of $18 thousand in the third quarter of 2016 compared to net securities gains of $215 thousand in the second quarter of 2016. There were no securities gains or losses in the third quarter of 2015. Other income of $863 thousand for the first nine months of 2016 represented an increase of $29 thousand, or 3.5%, as compared to the same period in 2015. The company recognized net securities gains of $215 thousand for the first nine months of 2016 compared to net securities losses of $71 thousand in the same period in 2015. Other expense in the third quarter of 2016 totaled $4.7 million, compared with $4.5 million in the second quarter of 2016 and $4.2 million in the third quarter of 2015. The increase in other expense was primarily attributable to an increase in salaries and employee benefits expense of $127 thousand, or 5.2%, over the previous quarter, and $419 thousand, or 19.6%, over the third quarter of 2015, due primarily to the hiring of new employees to support growth and strategic plans. Net occupancy and equipment costs increased $84 thousand, or 12.8%, over the previous quarter, and increased $46 thousand, or 6.6%, over the same quarter last year, primarily as a result of the increased footprint of the bank's main office lease and the opening of a loan and deposit production office in Manhattan. Advertising and business development expense was flat over the previous quarter, and increased $33 thousand, or 16.7%, over the third quarter of 2015. FDIC insurance decreased $16 thousand, or 14.8%, over the previous quarter, and increased $17 thousand, or 22.7%, over the third quarter of 2015. Other expense in the first nine months of 2016 totaled $13.6 million, compared with $12.0 million in the same period of 2015. The increase in other expense was primarily attributable to an increase in salaries and employee benefits expense of $1.3 million, or 21.0%, over the previous year, due primarily to the hiring of new employees to support growth and strategic plans. Net occupancy and equipment costs increased $141 thousand, or 7.3%, over the same period last year, primarily as a result of the increased footprint of the bank's main office lease and the opening of a loan and deposit production office in Manhattan. Costs associated with the collateralization of municipal deposits increased $90.2 thousand over the same period last year. Advertising and business development expense increased $98 thousand, or 16.5%, as compared to the same period in 2015. FDIC insurance increased $68 thousand, or 30.1%, during the first nine months of 2016 as compared to same period in 2015, as a direct result of the increase in average assets. Strong Asset Quality/Provision for Loan Losses Credit quality remains solid with loans classified as nonaccrual at $325 thousand, or 0.07% of total loans outstanding at September 30, 2016, compared with $525 thousand, or 0.11%, at June 30, 2016 and $616 thousand, or 0.14%, at September 30, 2015. Based on management's assessment of the adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses, a provision of $140 thousand was recorded for the third quarter of 2016, as compared with $17 thousand for the second quarter of 2016 and $260 thousand for the third quarter of 2015. Expressed as a percentage of outstanding loans, the allowance for loan and lease losses was 1.16% at September 30, 2016, compared with 1.18% at June 30, 2016 and 1.18% at September 30, 2015. In the third quarter of 2016 net charge-offs were $111 thousand. In the second quarter of 2016 there were no charge-offs or recoveries. In the third quarter of 2015 net charge-offs were $11 thousand. Subsequent Events Subsequent to September 30, 2016, the Company entered into an agreement with Patriot Financial Partners II, LP and Patriot Financial Partners Parallel II, LP to exchange an aggregate of 500,000 shares of voting common stock of the Company held by them for an equivalent number of shares of nonvoting common stock of the Company. About Empire Bancorp, Inc. Empire Bancorp, Inc. is a bank holding company for Empire National Bank, a Long Island-based independent bank that specializes in serving the financial needs of small and medium sized businesses, professionals, nonprofit organizations, municipalities, real estate investors, and consumers. The bank has four full-service banking offices located in Islandia, Shirley, Port Jefferson Station, Mineola and Manhattan, New York. Our bankers take pride in understanding the needs of each customer so the bank can deliver the highest quality service with a sense of urgency. This release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. For this purpose, any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, words such as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate" or "continue," or comparable terminology, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially depending on a variety of factors, many of which are not within the control of the Company. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release. The Company has no intention, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements. Consolidated Statements of Condition (unaudited) (dollars in thousands, except per share data) September 30, June 30, December 31, September 30, 2016 2016 2015 2015 ------------- --------- ------------ ------------- ASSETS Total cash and cash equivalents $ 21,028 $ 18,066 $ 5,621 $ 49,616 Securities available for sale, at fair value 265,168 282,577 151,043 90,518 Securities, restricted 2,937 2,935 3,712 2,522 Loans, net 467,335 457,541 456,512 422,009 Premises and equipment, net 6,242 6,408 6,687 6,758 Other assets and accrued interest receivable 5,157 5,240 5,558 4,563 ------------- --------- ------------ ------------- Total Assets $ 767,867 $ 772,767 $ 629,133 $ 575,986 ============= ========= ============ ============= LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Demand Deposits $ 202,263 $ 185,307 $ 189,200 $ 198,975 Savings, N.O.W. and money market deposits 437,808 418,801 286,635 264,317 Certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more and other time deposits 38,910 40,329 42,198 43,536 ------------- --------- ------------ ------------- Total Deposits $ 678,981 $ 644,437 $ 518,033 $ 506,828 Short-term borrowings - - 26,064 - Subordinated debentures, net 14,725 14,715 14,697 - Other liabilities and accrued expenses 5,611 45,789 6,185 4,630 ------------- --------- ------------ ------------- Total Liabilities $ 699,317 $ 704,941 $ 564,979 $ 511,458 ------------- --------- ------------ ------------- Total Stockholders' Equity 68,550 67,826 64,154 64,528 ------------- --------- ------------ ------------- Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 767,867 $ 772,767 $ 629,133 $ 575,986 ============= ========= ============ ============= Selected Financial Data (unaudited) Allowance for Loan Losses to Total Loans 1.16% 1.18% 1.14% 1.18% Non-performing Loans to Total Loans 0.07% 0.11% 0.12% 0.14% Non-performing Assets to Total Assets 0.04% 0.07% 0.09% 0.11% Book Value per Share, as converted (1) $ 9.88 $ 9.77 $ 9.32 $ 9.38 Capital Ratios (unaudited)(2) Tier 1 Leverage Ratio 10.31% 10.69% 12.22% 11.45% Common Equity Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio 16.67% 16.27% 16.83% 15.41% Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio 16.67% 16.27% 16.83% 15.41% Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio 17.85% 17.43% 18.01% 16.51% (1) Book value, as converted, treats the Series A preferred stock as having been converted into common stock because it has been structured as a nonvoting common stock equivalent. (2) Regulatory capital ratios presented on bank-only basis Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) (dollars in thousands, except per share data) For the nine months For the three months ended ended -------------------------------- --------------------- September September September September 30, June 30, 30, 30, 30, 2016 2016 2015 2016 2015 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Interest income $ 6,405 $ 6,133 $ 5,542 $ 18,322 $ 15,952 Interest expense 848 818 425 2,421 1,185 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net interest income $ 5,557 $ 5,315 $ 5,117 $ 15,901 $ 14,767 Provision for loan losses 140 17 260 332 617 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net interest income after provision for loan losses 5,417 5,298 4,857 15,569 14,150 Net securities gains (losses) 18 215 - 215 (71) Other income 270 292 286 863 834 Other expense 4,706 4,536 4,169 13,619 11,986 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Income before income taxes 999 1,269 974 3,028 2,927 Income tax expense 358 449 351 1,081 1,050 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net income $ 641 $ 820 $ 623 $ 1,947 $ 1,877 ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== Basic earnings per share $ 0.09 $ 0.12 $ 0.10 $ 0.28 $ 0.32 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.09 $ 0.12 $ 0.09 $ 0.28 $ 0.27 Weighted average common shares outstanding (1) 6,940,702 6,940,702 6,063,054 6,934,832 5,838,074 Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding (1) 6,942,421 6,955,850 6,882,015 6,941,824 6,879,970 Selected Financial Data (unaudited) Return on Average Assets 0.34% 0.46% 0.44% 0.37% 0.48% Return on Average Equity 3.75% 4.98% 3.88% 3.91% 3.96% Net Interest Margin 3.00% 3.04% 3.75% 3.07% 3.90% Efficiency Ratio 80.76% 80.89% 77.16% 81.24% 76.84% (1) During the third quarter of 2015, the Company converted all of its issued and outstanding Series A preferred stock for an equivalent number of shares of the Company's non-voting common stock. Contact: William Franz VP, Director of Marketing & Investor Relations (631) 348-4444 Marel Q3 2016 Results (All amounts in EUR)Solid performance with 14.2% EBIT-- - Revenue for Q3 2016 totaled 234.8m [Q3 2015: 189.1m]. On a pro forma basis, revenue in Q3 2015 was 229.7m. -- - EBITDA for Q3 2016 was 41.5m or 17.7% of revenue [Q3 2015: Adj. EBITDA** 31.6m or 16.7% of reve-nue]. Pro forma adj. EBITDA** Q3 2015 was 41.5m or 18.0% of revenue. -- - EBIT* for Q3 2016 was 33.4m or 14.2% of revenue [Q3 2015: Adj. EBIT** 24.2m or 12.8% of revenue]. Pro forma adj. EBIT** in Q3 2015 was 31.6m or 13.8% of revenue. -- - Net result for Q3 2016 was 17.3m [Q3 2015: 14.7m]. Basic earnings per share were 2.42 euro cents in Q3 2016 [Q3 2015: 2.07 euro cents]. -- - Cash flow from operating activities before interest and tax in Q3 2016 was 33.2m [Q3 2015: 29.7m]. Net debt/EBITDA is 2.6x at the end of Q3 2016. -- - The order book was at 305.1m at the end of Q3 2016 compared with 306.5m at the end of Q2 2016 [Q3 2015: 187.7m]. On a pro forma basis the order book at end of Q3 2015 was 303.6m.Marel continues on a good track and reports solid performance in Q3 2016. Revenue for Q3 2016 is 235 mil-lion with 14.2% EBIT*. Cash flow remains strong resulting in a net debt/EBITDA of 2.6x.Order intake in Q3 2016 was 233 million and year to date 718 million on a pro forma basis. Order intake of standard equipment and spare parts was strong across all industries. Greenfields and large projects were strong in poultry in the first 9 months while volume of larger projects was soft in meat and fish. Meat began to pick up in Q3 with a unified sales team securing full line projects in Europe and China. In the beginning of Q4, fish secured a landmark greenfield project in Norway.Pro forma revenue for the first 9 months of 2016 was 733 million and EBIT* was 108.4 million or 14.8%. Marel expects modest organic revenue growth and increase in EBIT* between years.Arni Oddur Thordarson, CEO: "We are pleased with our Q3 2016 results. The team is focused and committed and is delivering robust opera-tional results with close to 15% EBIT* year to date. We continue to introduce steady stream of innovative cus-tomer solutions and to invest in the business to support future profitable growth.In general the demand for larger projects is promising while timing of closure of such transactions is hard to predict due to general economic circumstances.Integration with MPS is on track. We have unified and cross-trained our sales team in meat. This great team has now secured full line projects in various geographical areas. It is clear that we are stronger together in serving our customers' needs".Markets Marel is the leading global provider of advanced processing systems and services to the poultry, meat and fish industries. Marel has a commercially strong product portfolio stemming from its continuous focus on innovation and strategic acquisitions.Revenue year to date on a pro forma basis was 733 million. Order intake in Q3 2016 was 233 million and year to date on a pro forma basis 718 million. Order intake of standard equipment and spare parts was strong across all industries. Greenfields and large projects were strong in poultry in the first nine months while volume of larger projects was soft in meat and fish. Meat began to pick up in Q3 with a unified sales team securing full line projects in Europe and China. In the beginning of Q4, fish secured a landmark greenfield project in Norway.Revenue and order intake from discontinued operations are close to 20 million lower in 2016 than in 2015.Marel Poultry Year to date order intake, revenue and profitability is strong in poultry. Compared with the strong beginning of the year and exceptionally strong Q3 2015 order intake was slightly lower in Q3 2016. Key projects were secured in North-America and Europe during Q3.During the first 9 months of 2016 Marel Poultry generated 393 million in revenue and EBIT of 68.1 million (17.3% of revenue). Marel Poultry accounted for 54% of Marel's pro forma revenue in the first 9 months of 2016.Marel Fish Marel Fish generated 91 million in revenue and EBIT of 3.3 million (3.6% of revenue) in the first 9 months of 2016. Marel Fish accounted for 12% of Marel's pro forma revenue in the first 9 months of 2016. Market condi-tions in the fish industry have been soft throughout the year. In October, Marel Fish secured a large greenfield project in the salmon industry in Norway.Marel has been focusing its business and product portfolio shifting the focus from low-end customized solu-tions to high tech innovative salmon solutions and white fish solutions for both onshore and onboard.Marel Meat Marel Meat generated 243 million on a pro forma basis in revenue and EBIT* of 35.0 million (14.4% of reve-nue) in the first 9 months of 2016. Marel Meat accounted for 33% of Marel's pro forma revenue in the first 9 months of 2016. Order intake and volume is at a good level. Q3 was a good quarter for Marel Meat especially in primary processing which saw good order intake and volume.Integration of Marel and MPS is on track and going well. During Q3, a unified sales team secured full line pro-jects in both China and Europe. As well in Q3, joined teams participated together at exhibitions in Brazil, China and Russia with good results.Financial itemsCash flow and investments Marel returned a strong cash flow from operations with operational cash flow before interest and tax being 33.2 million for Q3 2016 compared with 29.7 million in Q3 2015.Marel continues to invest in the business to prepare for future growth and full potential in line with previous communication. Investment activities are expected to be on average above depreciation level for the coming quarters. Net debt/EBITDA is 2.6x which is within the range of the targeted capital structure.In Q3 2016, there were no transactions with Marel's treasury shares. Marel now holds 18.1 million treasury shares. Acquisition related itemsPurchase price allocation in relation to the acquisition of MPS is recorded as provisional; the period during which adjustments are permitted is limited to 12 months from the date of acquisition. No material changes are foreseen from previous publication.Outlook Marel expects modest organic revenue growth and increase in EBIT* between years.The industry that Marel operates in has a history of 4-6% annual growth and it is expected that average annual growth will remain at that level in the long term. Marel's aim is to continue to grow faster than the market by leveraging its market presence and with continuous investments in innovation.Long term growth prospects for Marel are promising. Results may vary from quarter to quarter due to general economic developments, fluctuations in orders received and deliveries of larger systems.Presentation of results, October 27, 2016Marel will present its results at an investor meeting on Thursday, October 27, at 8:30 am (GMT), at the Com-pany's headquarters at Austurhraun 9, Gardabaer. The meeting will also be webcasted at marel.com/webcast.Publication days of Consolidated Financial Statements in 2017 and 2018 ? 4th quarter 2016 February 8, 2017 ? 1st quarter 2017 May 3, 2017 ? 2nd quarter 2017 July 26,2017 ? 3rd quarter 2017 October 25, 2017 ? 4th quarter 2017 January 31,2018Release of financial statements will take place after market closing on the aforementioned dates.For further information, contact: Audbjorg Olafsdottir, Corporate Director of Investor Relations and Communications, tel: (+354) 563 8626 / mobile: (+354) 853 8626.Attachment:https://cns.omxgroup.com/cds/DisclosureAttachmentServlet?messageAttachmentId=591481 VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 10/26/16 -- The Canadian Association of Midwives (CAM) opens its 16th Annual Conference and Exhibit today in Victoria, British Columbia under the theme "Midwives Caring for Diverse Communities: Leadership and Collaboration". British Columbia (BC) is leading the nation in midwife assisted births, at 21% of all births in the province. BC is on track to reach their goal of seeing 35% of births assisted by midwives by 2020. On Vancouver Island, midwives already assist at 35% of births. In BC, as in other provinces and territories, midwives work as autonomous, primary health care providers and offer choice of birthplace, informed choice and continuity of care-provider. "It is inspiring to be in Victoria for our conference, where midwives are leading the country in numbers of midwife-assisted births. There are 1600 midwives in Canada, but in many parts, families still do not have access to midwifery care, such as in Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Yukon due to a lack of regulations or funding," states Emmanuelle Hebert, President of the Canadian Association of Midwives. "We hope that this conference is a wake-up call to provinces and territories that it is time to make midwifery care accessible to all communities in Canada." "With 290 registered midwives practicing in our province, and growing, women and families in BC have greater access to a maternity care provider, particularly in rural, remote and First Nations communities," says Alixandra Bacon, President of the Midwives Association of British Columbia. Global voices of midwifery and invited guests The conference opens with a keynote address from Lesley Page, the President of the Royal College of Midwives in the United Kingdom. Other keynote speakers include Madeleine Dion Stout, Dr. Raymond Devries and Elaine Carty. There will be a panel discussion on midwifery in British Columbia (morning of Thursday, October 27th). CAM looks forward to welcoming midwives, maternity care providers and health researchers from across Canada and around the world, and would like to extend a particularly warm welcome to members of the British Columbia health services and medical communities. The Canadian Association of Midwives is the national organization representing midwives and the profession of midwifery in Canada. CAM supports the National Aboriginal Council of Midwives (NACM) as the voice of Aboriginal midwifery. The mission of CAM is to provide leadership and advocacy for midwifery as an autonomous, self-regulated, publicly funded and vital part of primary maternal and newborn care. CAM promotes the development of the profession in the public interest and contributes the midwifery perspective to the national health policy agenda. The vision of the Canadian Association of Midwives is that midwifery is fundamental to maternal and newborn health services, and that everyone in Canada will have access to a midwife's care for themselves and their baby. For more information about CAM/ACSF, visit our website at www.canadianmidwives.org. Contacts: For immediate media requests, press passes available Canadian Association of Midwives Eby Heller, Director of Policy and Communications Cell: 514-585-2760 eheller@canadianmidwives.org www.canadianmidwives.org PARAMUS, NJ--(Marketwired - October 26, 2016) - Alexander's, Inc. (NYSE: ALX) today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly dividend of $4.00 per share payable November 21, 2016 to stockholders of record on November 7, 2016. Alexander's, Inc. is a real estate investment trust that has seven properties in the greater New York City metropolitan area. Certain statements contained herein may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, risks associated with the timing of and costs associated with property improvements, financing commitments and general competitive factors. CONTACT: STEPHEN THERIOT (201) 587-8541 OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 10/26/16 -- Members of the media are invited to join a technical briefing on the procurement for the Canadian Surface Combatant. Date: October 27, 2016 Time: 10:30 am (EDT) Location: National Press Theatre 150 Wellington Street Ottawa, Ontario Senior officials from Public Services and Procurement Canada and from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada will deliver remarks and will be joined by senior officials from National Defence to answer questions. Notes to editor / news director: -- Media wishing to participate in the technical briefing by teleconference must register with Public Services and Procurement Canada's Media Relations Office by calling 819-420-5501. The phone number for joining the teleconference will be provided upon registration. -- Cameras are permitted. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Contacts: Media Relations Public Services and Procurement Canada 819-420-5501 media@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca SAN JOSE, CA--(Marketwired - October 26, 2016) - Tech CU (Technology Credit Union) announced today the funding of a $5.5 million commercial loan to support the refinance of a circa-1910 boutique apartment property located in the Russian Hill neighborhood of San Francisco. A portion of the funds will be used for the innovative creation of additional living space through reconfiguration of several apartments and conversion of underutilized space for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Seismic retrofits and green, sustainable building improvements will also be completed. The borrower is an entity affiliated with Veritas Investments, Inc., one of the largest owner-operators of multifamily, urban retail and mixed-use properties in the San Francisco Bay Area. "At Veritas, our goal is to both transform and preserve classic properties," said Yat-Pang Au, CEO of Veritas Investments. "We work within the community as a good neighbor honoring each building's specific history, while simultaneously improving resident experience and amenities. This Russian Hill property fits our model perfectly." As Tech CU continues to grow and diversify its real estate loan portfolio, the company is focusing on lending to owners and developers of commercial real estate throughout the Bay Area and its adjacent counties. This latest loan builds on that goal. "As a local lender committed to the Bay Area housing markets, we are happy to provide a more flexible form of financing to ensure that San Francisco's unique apartment properties and character are preserved," said Joe Anzalone, Tech CU's Chief Commercial Banking Officer. "Veritas Investments' approach to real estate in San Francisco closely matches our own values of playing a positive role in the community." "While Veritas may be known more for working with large institutions, we are proud of our relationships with Bay Area firms such as Tech CU and are committed to creating an ecosystem of local community partners," Au added. Tech CU's commercial real estate loans can be used for real estate acquisition and refinancing, including owner-occupied and investor-owned office, mixed-used properties, warehouse, light industrial, retail and multifamily properties. For more information, visit www.techcu.com/Business/Business-Loans-and-Lines/Commercial-Lending/ or contact Tech CU at 800.448.1467. ABOUT TECH CU Tech CU (www.techcu.com) is a $2 billion credit union serving more than 75,000 members throughout the San Francisco Bay Area -- including employees of companies such as Tesla, eBay, Applied Materials, Nvidia and Facebook. A federally insured, not-for-profit organization, we put the financial interests of our members ahead of shareholder profit by helping members achieve their financial goals on their terms and by sharing the benefits of our growth. Founded in 1960 by a group of forward-thinking employees at Fairchild Semiconductor, today we continue to be an industry leader, providing innovative financial products for all stages of our members' lives, including personal banking, wealth management, private banking, commercial lending and business banking. Tech CU consistently achieves high marks for its customer satisfaction and maintains a 5-star rating from Bauer Financial, the nation's largest independent rating service for financial institutions. And, with mobile and online banking, 65,000+ surcharge-free ATMs worldwide (more than Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo combined) and convenient branch access to our financial experts, Tech CU makes 24/7 banking easy and empowering. ABOUT VERITAS INVESTMENTS, INC. San Francisco-based Veritas Investments, Inc. is one of the largest owners and operators of multifamily, urban retail and mixed-use properties in San Francisco and the Bay Area. Veritas has assets in excess of $2 billion and earlier this year completed an $815 million financing, the largest portfolio financing of its kind in the history of San Francisco. The firm takes an innovative, tech-forward, community-minded and collaborative approach in transforming real estate into desirable places for people to live and work. Vertically integrated, Veritas and its affiliates provide property management, leasing, project management, redevelopment, accounting, asset management, financing and investment management services. For more information, visit www.veritasinvestments.com. Contact Information: Linden Kohtz Public Relations lkohtz@techcu.com (512) 964-3784 LINZ, Austria and CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, October 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- With Photo With the completion of the direct reduction plant in Corpus Christi, Texas, the voestalpine Group has set a further milestone in implementing its international growth strategy: today, after around two-and-a-half years of construction, the world's largest and most state-of-the-art plant of its type was officially opened. At EUR550million (USD 740 million[1]), the plant is the largest investment ever made in the US by an Austrian company. Each year it will produce two million tonnes of high-quality HBI (Hot Briquetted Iron, or sponge iron), a sophisticated pre-material used in steel production. The plant is already regarded as an environmental benchmark and is an important first step on voestalpine's path of reducing CO 2 emissions in steel production. voestalpine is continuing to systematically drive forward its expansion in the NAFTA region. In accordance with Group Strategy 2020, it is intended to increase revenue generated in this region from its current level of EUR1.2billion (~USD 1.4 billion) to EUR3billion (~USD 3.4 billion) by the business year 2020/21. "Today's opening of the direct reduction plant in Corpus Christi is an important step for-and into-the future of our company. The new plant will not only secure the Austrian voestalpine sites by supplying premium pre-materials for steel production, it will also contribute significantly to further strengthening our position in the NAFTA region. Furthermore, over the long term it offers us new technological options for decarbonizing steel production," says Wolfgang Eder, Chairman of the Management Board of voestalpine AG. From the business year 2017/18 onwards, voestalpine Texas LLC, a company in the Steel Division of the voestalpine Group, will use natural gas to produce two million tonnes of premium HBI (Hot Briquetted Iron-sponge iron) each year, 40percent of which (800,000 tonnes) will cover internal requirements. The remaining 60percent of the production volume goes to external partners, with the corresponding offtake agreements already having ensured full capacity utilization for the next four years. (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161025/432338 ) Environmental benchmark and bridge to future technologies In addition to exceeding all current American and European standards regarding environment and technology, the direct reduction plant in Texas opens up new environmental and technological options for voestalpine. In contrast to the pure coke and coal-based blast furnace route, the plant in Corpus Christi uses only comparatively environmentally friendly natural gas as the reducing agent. Across the Group, using the HBI produced in Texas in voestalpine blast furnaces and steel plants will lead to a reduction in CO 2 emissions of around 5percent. At the same time, the new plant opens up further technological possibilities for the future. "We are systematically working to gradually decarbonize steel production, first by the partial substitution of coal and coke with gas-based bridging technologies, and then by the long-term, gradual use of CO 2 -neutral hydrogen. With adequate availability, in future 'green' hydrogen could also replace natural gas as a reducing gas in Texas, making possible the emission-free production of HBI," says Eder. In order to gain the necessary experience, a pilot facility worth about EUR20million (~USD 23 million) will soon be installed at the voestalpine site in Linz, Austria; it will use electrolysis to produce hydrogen. End-to-end hydrogen-based steel production is still a thing of the future. From today's viewpoint it could become a reality in around 20 years at the earliest and is dependent on energy being available at reasonable costs. Largest and most state-of-the-art plant of its kind The new plant, the largest and most modern plant of its type in the world, covers an area of two square kilometers. The plant's own deep-sea port can currently handle five million tonnes of material each year (3million tonnes of iron ore pellets and 2million tonnes of HBI). The 137-meter-high reduction tower forms the heart of the plant and is the highest building in southern Texas. voestalpine Texas LLC is creating 190new jobs at the plant, and will generate value in the region to the sum of around USD600million over the coming decade. Locational advantages in the USA A politically stable and predictable environment, professional cooperation with the authorities, cost-efficient energy supply and logistical advantages were the key reasons behind the decision to locate the plant in Corpus Christi. "As an investor, during each phase of the project we were able to notice the intense efforts being made to reindustrialize in the USA. The USA has recognized that a sustainable industrial manufacturing base is essential to a country's stable economic development over the long term," says Wolfgang Eder. Compared to the USA, Austria and Europe will doubtless remain an expensive location in the long run, particularly in terms of energy supply: average industrial gas prices in Austria over the longer-term are around three times as high, and electricity prices around twice as high as those in the USA. The annual costs of operating an identical direct reduction plant in Austria would be around EUR 200 million (~USD 225 million) higher than in Texas, purely due to the price differences for gas, electricity, and logistics. "In Europe, however, increasing political and social detachment from anything to do with industry is at least equally problematic," Eder concludes. The voestalpine Group In its business segments, voestalpine is a globally leading technology and capital goods group with a unique combination of material and processing expertise. voestalpine, which operates globally, has around 500 Group companies and locations in more than 50 countries on all five continents. It has been listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange since 1995. With its top-quality products and system solutions using steel and other metals, it is one of the leading partners to the automotive and consumer goods industries in Europe and to the oil and gas industries worldwide. The voestalpine Group is also the world market leader in turnout technology, special rails, tool steel, and special sections. In the business year 2015/16, the Group generated revenue of EUR11.1billion (~USD 12.6 billion), with an operating result (EBITDA) of EUR 1.6 billion (~USD 1.8 billion); it has around 48,500employees worldwide, who are collectively a major shareholder in the company with a stake of 14.5percent. Find photos of voestalpine's direct reduction plant via: http://bit.ly/texas-pictures Footage of the new plant is available for download via: http://www.voestalpine.com/footage COPYRIGHT: voestalpine [1] Exchange rate at the beginning of the project in 2014 Please direct your inquiries to: voestalpine AG Peter Felsbach Head of Group Communications I Spokesman voestalpine-Strasse 1 4020 Linz, Austria Phone: +43/50304/15-2090 peter.felsbach@voestalpine.com http://www.voestalpine.com A picture accompanying this release is available through the PA Photowire. It can be downloaded from http://www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or viewed at http://www.mediapoint.press.net or http://www.prnewswire.co.uk . LONDON, October 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A Six-Week Vaping offer to build a lasting relationship between smokers, vapers and the blu brand A new initiative from blu, the trusted consumer choice in the e-vaping industry, entitled "Six Weeks to Fall in Love," is offering adult smokers and vapers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to try blu. The money saving offer aims to increase awareness and trial amongst those looking for alternatives to smoking. (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161026/432795 ) (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161026/432796 ) (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161026/432797 ) blu offers adult smokers and vapers the opportunity to receive blu products directly to their homes each week over a six-week period upon signing up. Smokers can sign up online at https://www.blu.com/en/GB/loveor at one of two locations at Westfield London - one of the UK's biggest shopping malls. This year "Stoptober", the UK's national stop smoking campaign which helps smokers to quit smoking, included electronic cigarettes under the title "Choose your way to quit". "We know adult consumers are looking for alternative products. Electronic vaping is a true juggernaut globally, with demand for new smoking alternatives growing exponentially in recent years," John Wardley, CMO for blu. "The 'Six Weeks to Fall in Love' offer embraces this movement by introducing a unique trial and awareness initiative designed to establish a long-term relationship between blu and adult smokers or vapers." The initiative will continue into November where people can self-enrol online until November 27, 2016 or receive a personal consultation with product experts at Westfield London until November 13, 2016. For more information on the "Six Weeks to Fall in Love" offer, please visit: https://www.blu.com/en/GB/love. Further details on blu and its extensive range of products can be found at http://www.blu.com/en/GB (U.K.) About blu blu' is a pioneer in the electronic vaping market. Launched in 2009 with an unwavering pursuit of consumer satisfaction and a vision to be the best, blu does more than just offer premium electronic vaping products; it works diligently to truly satisfy its customers, designing products with the adult consumer in mind. blu is available online and at retailers in the world's four largest e-vapor markets - USA, UK, Italy & France, and comes in a variety of flavours which can be enjoyed in rechargeable kits or as convenient disposables. blu UK was recently voted TNS Product of the Year 2015 in the E-cigarette & E-liquid Category. The blu brand is owned by the Fontem Ventures family of companies with headquarters in Amsterdam and Charlotte. To join the blu journey and experience the blu brand of satisfaction, visit http://www.blu.com. IRVINE, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 10/26/16 -- Technossus, an award-winning software, solutions and technology consulting firm focused on providing customized, technology-driven business solutions, is proud to announce its win of the Orange County and San Diego Best Technology Work Culture Award at The 2016 Timmy Awards. Hosted by Tech in Motion -- a national event series that brings local tech communities together -- the "Timmy's" recognize companies and individuals in 11 regions across the U.S. that strive to create the best places for technology professionals to work. This year, the Orange County and San Diego tech community chose Technossus from a field of 10 impressive finalists, including runner-up GoPro, as well as Cylance, Surfline and Crowdstrike. Total votes for all award nominees this year reached an unprecedented 12,731, making it a record count for the annual proceedings. "We are excited to announce that Technossus has won the Best Tech Work Culture award at Orange County and San Diego's 2nd Annual Timmy Awards," said Tech in Motion organizer Jaime Vizzuett, division manager of Workbridge Associates Orange County. "This year, we were able to highlight finalists who were nominated by their peers because they are companies that are growing daily not only in size, but in the number of innovations they are sharing with the community. Technossus stood out because of the company's curiosity-driven mentality that breeds continuous learning and growth, which in turn helps tech talent stay in the region instead of going to LA or Silicon Valley." Brian Goodman, senior vice president of strategy and business development at Technossus, was thrilled to accept the prize at the awards ceremony which took place on Wednesday, October 19th at UCI Applied Innovation in Irvine. "With our motto, 'Thank God it's Monday,' Technossus is constantly evolving its workplace to meet the creative and inspirational needs of its employees across the entire organizational chart," he states. "A huge thanks to Tech in Motion for hosting a wonderful event, and of course, to the Orange County and San Diego communities who voted for us. It was an honor just to be recognized alongside such strong contenders in the field of technology." Since its inception in 2008, Technossus has become one of the fastest-growing technology consultancies in the nation, working closely with clients across multiple industries to design, build and implement customized solutions across desktop, mobile, Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud. Technossus prides itself on its ability to maintain a roster of dedicated and passionate professionals. Frequent new hires bring in energy and enthusiasm to seasoned veterans who, in turn, mentor and educate them. Technossus also challenges its team to leverage the cutting edge tools it uses daily to compete in hackathons all over the world to continuously hone its skills and master new technologies. To learn more, please visit www.technossus.com. ABOUT THE TIMMY AWARDS: Presented by Tech in Motion, The Timmy's recognize the best in technology work culture, management, and startups in 11 regions across North America, including New York, San Francisco, and Toronto. The goal of the Timmy Awards is to recognize the companies striving to create better places for tech professionals to work in their local communities. Previous winners have included innovators such as Jet.com, LearnVest, Venmo, Trip Advisor, Gilt, Constant Contact, Casper, and Instacart. The next Timmy Awards ceremonies are the 2nd Annual Timmy Awards of both San Francisco and Washington, DC on December 8. Visit techinmotionevents.com/awards for more information. ABOUT TECHNOSSUS: Founded in 2008, Technossus is a privately held, award-winning software solutions and technology consulting firm started by industry experts to help companies design, develop and implement innovative software solutions. Our experts create enterprise applications and immersive user experiences while working collaboratively with clients to ensure the highest level of predictability and success. We attribute our rapid growth as one of the nation's fastest-growing technology solutions providers to our core values, which include our commitment to delivering exceptional value and quality to every client -- every time. We strive to be the most respected and trusted consulting firm in the industry, driven by passionate and creative technology professionals, who consistently exceed expectations and deliver solutions that transform businesses and cost-effectively enhance operational performance. Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3072609 MEDIA CONTACT: Leslie Licano Beyond Fifteen Communications, Inc. 949.733.8679 technossus@beyondfifteen.com WISeKey International Holding Ltd ("WISeKey") (SIX:WIHN) today announced that it has obtained a $16.4 million secured line of credit facility (the "Credit Facility") for acquisition financing with maturity up to 18 months from ExWorks Capital, a U.S. private debt fund specializing in international trade and working capital financing. Draw-down from the Credit Facility is subject to closing conditions, including the grant of options to ExWorks exercisable for up to 1,075,000 registered shares, par value CHF 0.05 (Class B Shares), at an exercise price corresponding to a volume-weighted average price determined by reference to a period commencing after WISeKey's announcement of its audited FY2016 annual results, and the execution of security agreements over shares of certain of the company's subsidiaries and certain other assets. The Credit Facility can be up-sized syndicated at the same terms for up to an additional $10.0 million by way of adding co-lender(s) or selling a participation interest. Carlos Moreira, Chairman and CEO of WISeKey said: "We believe that this Credit Facility provides us with the flexibility and leverage to finance strategic acquisitions partially with debt, in the short-run." Randy Abrahams, Executive Chairman of ExWorks Capital, added, "ExWorks is excited to partner with WISeKey to provide them with an acquisition line of credit that will allow the Company to pursue its growth strategy. The structure and flexibility of our Credit Facility will allow WISeKey to quickly and efficiently make accretive acquisitions, both internationally and in the U.S., that will drive positive shareholder value." WISeKey has retained ACXIT Capital Partners and Source Capital as financial advisors for this transaction. Source Capital acted as sole placement agent for this facility. WISeKey is currently offering IoT manufacturers the possibility of deploying large scale IoT ecosystems using its Cryptographic RoT and NFCTrusted technology. This trusted technology integrates wearable technology with secure authentication and identification, in both physical and virtual environments, and empowers IoT and wearable devices to become secure transactional devices. WISeKey has patented this process in the USA as it is currently used by many IoT providers. For more information, click here. The RoT serves as a common trust anchor, which is recognized by the operating system (OS) and applications, to ensure the authenticity, confidentiality and integrity of on-line transactions. With the Cryptographic RoT embedded on the device, the IoT product manufacturers can use code-signing certificates and a cloud-based signature-as-a-service to secure interactions among objects and between objects and people. About WISeKey WISeKey International Holding Ltd ("WISeKey", SIX:WIHN) is a leading cybersecurity company currently deploying large scale Internet of Things ("IoT") digital identity ecosystems. WISeKey's Swiss based Cryptographic Root of Trust (RoT) integrates wearable technology with secure authentication and identification, in both physical and virtual environments, and empowers IoT and wearable devices to become secure transactional devices. WISeKey has patented this process in the USA as it is currently used by many IoT providers. For more information, visit www.wisekey.com. About ExWorks Capitalwww.exworkscapital.com ExWorks Capital, headquartered in the USA, is an international, import and export finance company that offers financing solutions to businesses utilizing its own capital as well as by leveraging its Delegated Authority granted by both the SBA and ExIm Bank. ExWorks Capital's offerings include: Export and Import Trading ExWorks can provide between $500,000 and $25,000,000 per trade to suppliers that need the funds to be able to purchase goods for sale to international buyers, thereby eliminating the need to raise equity in order to fulfil international sales contracts. Working Capital Financing ExWorks can provide International Trade Receivable and Inventory Revolvers, including advancing on Raw Materials, WIP and Finished Goods, between $1,000,000 and $25,000,000. Term Loan Financing ExWorks can provide Term Loans between $10,000,000 and $100,000,000 to Foreign Customers. Disclaimer: This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning WISeKey International Holding Ltd and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of WISeKey International Holding Ltd to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. WISeKey International Holding Ltd is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and it does not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of article 652a or article 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or a listing prospectus within the meaning of the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of WISeKey and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of WISeKey. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170116005799/en/ Contacts: WISeKey: Youmna Abisaleh, +41-22-594-3000 Marketing Communications yabisaleh@WISeKey.com or Carlos Moreira Chairman CEO info@WISeKey.com or Investor Relations (United States) The Equity Group, Inc. Lena Cati, 212-836-9611 lcati@equityny.com ALEXANDRIA, VA--(Marketwired - April 24, 2017) - National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization salutes the estimated 430,000 trained hospice volunteers providing more than 19 million hours of service to hospice programs each year. National Volunteer Week is April 23 - 29, 2017 and those dedicated individuals offering support, companionship and hope to those facing a life-limiting illness deserve special recognition for the difference they make in America. "Hospice began as a volunteer-driven movement in this country more than 40 years ago and volunteers continue to play an indispensable role in enabling hospice and palliative care organizations to offer the best care possible for patients and their families and caregivers," said Edo Banach, NHPCO president and CEO. Mercedes Ibarra believes sincerely in the hospice mission of providing quality, compassionate end-of-life care to those who are dealing with a terminal diagnosis. She became a volunteer at Silverado Hospice Los Angeles in 2013 and says that her experience working with hospice patients has been "life-changing". Before becoming a hospice volunteer, I never knew that I could love someone I didn't know that whole heartedly," shares Mercedes. "And I like knowing that families feel that there is someone there to support them and their loved one." Mercedes has shared her story as part of a national campaign, Moments of Life: Made Possible by Hospice, which shows that hospice is not about giving up, but rather making more meaningful moments possible. In "The Gift of Volunteering," viewers are given a glimpse into the life of a hospice volunteer as the camera follows Mercedes on two separate patient visits. Mercedes and her patients dance, smile, laugh, cry and live in the moment. Hospice volunteers often serve patients and families at the bedside but they also assist in the office, help raise awareness, contribute to educational programs, and provide fundraising support and more. It is federally mandated under Medicare that five percent of all patient care hours be provided by trained volunteers. This regulation reflects the vital role that volunteers play in the hospice philosophy of care and ensures that a hospice program has roots deep in the community. More than 1.65 million patients in the U.S. are cared for by hospice every year. To learn more about hospice or to contact a local hospice, visit the Moments of Life: Made Possible by Hospice website or contact NHPCO at 1-800-658-8898. Embedded Video Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMWB1wNI7Ec&feature=youtu.be Contact: Jon Radulovic NHPCO Vice President of Communications 703-837-3139 jradulovic@nhpco.org TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 10/26/16 -- Toronto, Ontario - Nutritional High International Inc. (the "Company" or "Nutritional High") (CSE: EAT)(CSE: EAT.CN)(CNSX: EAT)(OTCQB: SPLIF)(FRANKFURT: 2NU) is pleased to announce that it is undertaking a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of up to 20,000,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of C$0.15 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$3,000,000. Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one Common Share at a price of C$0.22 per Common Share for a period of 18 months from the closing date. The Company has engaged First Republic Capital Corporation ("First Republic") as the Lead Finder for the Offering. Finders will be paid a cash fee of up to 6% of the gross proceeds raised in the Offering. Additionally, Finders will receive compensation options ("Compensation Options") exercisable for Units equal in number up to 6% of the number of Units sold under the Offering. The Compensation Options will be exercisable at a price of C$0.15 per Unit for a period of 18 months after the closing of the Offering. First Republic will be paid a corporate finance fee equal to 2% of the gross proceeds raised in the Offering and that number of Compensation Options equal to 2% of the number of Units sold under the Offering. Foundation Markets Inc. and BMS Capital Corporation intend to participate as selling group members. All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a four-month hold from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws. The closing of the Offering is subject to receipt of approvals of the Canadian Securities Exchange and other applicable securities regulatory authorities. The net proceeds from the Offering will be used by the Company to fund expansion in U.S. States (other than Colorado and Illinois) where regulations permit, additional product development and general working capital. The Offering is expected to close on or about November 4, 2016 or such other date to be determined by the Company. About Nutritional High International Inc. Nutritional High is focused on developing, manufacturing and distributing products and nationally recognized brands in the hemp and marijuana-infused products industries, including edibles and oil extracts for nutritional, medical and adult recreational use. The Company works exclusively through licensed facilities in jurisdictions where such activity is permitted and regulated by state law. For updates on the Company's activities and highlights of the Company's press releases and other media coverage, please follow Nutritional High on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google+. About First Republic Capital Corporation First Republic is a fully licensed Exempt Market Dealer which is licensed in the Provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Nova Scotia. First Republic focuses on public Canadian and US micro-cap companies. We partner with our clients and support them over time as their business and capital structure needs evolve and are focused on aftermarket support. About BMS Capital Corporation. BSM Capital Corporation (O/A Bond Street Mercantile) is a Toronto based, specialty finance firm that offers unique investment opportunities to Canadian Accredited Investors. Bond Street Mercantile created and manages 2 hedge funds that invest in Israel infrastructure projects as well as its flagship Holy Land Investment Fund which invests in Israel based stocks and bonds. In Canada, Bond Street offers specialty mortgages, real estate syndications and private placements, focusing only on public companies that it perceives to have extremely high growth potential. About Foundation Markets Inc. Foundation is a Toronto-based boutique investment bank and corporate finance advisory firm licensed as an Exempt Market Dealer. The firm is focused on working with small and medium-sized companies with rapid growth potential, specializing in assisting pre-public clients in accelerating access to private and public capital, developing and implementing strategic plans, and executing going-public transactions. Foundation also works with public companies on financing, mergers and acquisitions transactions, and strategic advisory services. NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR OTC MARKETS GROUP INC., NOR THEIR REGULATIONS SERVICES PROVIDERS HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information based on current expectations. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Such statements include submission of the relevant documentation within the required timeframe and to the satisfaction of the relevant regulators, completing the acquisition of the applicable real estate and raising sufficient financing to complete the Company's business strategy. There is no certainty that any of these events will occur. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be correct. We assume no responsibility to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Company's securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or applicable state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or "U.S. Persons", as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act, absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law. Contacts: Nutritional High International Inc. David Posner Chairman of the Board 647-985-6727 dposner@nutritionalhigh.com Boom Capital Markets Inc. Steven Low (647) 620-5101 Email: steve@boomcapitalmarkets.com www.boomcapitalmarkets.com Video Analytics Solution with Microsoft Azure IoT Suite Will Be Demonstrated at the IoT Solutions World Congress in Barcelona NEC Corporation of America (NEC), a leading technology integrator of advanced IT, networking, communications, and multimodal biometric solutions, today announced the demonstration of new Internet of Things (IoT) solutions for the retail industry. Built with Microsoft Azure IoT Suite in conjunction with global loyalty and CRM innovators Brierley+Partners, the solution will be demonstrated at the IoT Solutions World Congress, October 25-28 in Barcelona. The retail solution, hosted in the Internet of Things Solutions Testbed area in Hall 1, booth D441, will leverage NEC's facial recognition and video analytics technologies to capture shopper demographic information, such as age and gender. Data analytics software, powered by Brierley+Partners, then recommends specific offers and prizes to shoppers who are recognized to be enrolled in the retailer's loyalty program. The integrated solution is hosted on the Azure cloud platform. "In this latest joint innovative collaboration between NEC and Microsoft, we've engaged Brierley+Partners for their expertise in loyalty and CRM to demonstrate what we believe will be a highly useful application in retail environments," said Matt Worley, vice president of retail solutions, NEC Corporation of America. "The resulting application allows retailers to create truly unique offers to their most loyal customers in real time." Brierley+Partners' Chief Technology Officer Bill Swift said, "The opportunity to combine the global experience and capabilities of Microsoft and NEC with the impactful consumer insights that our loyalty programs provide, is going to deliver a consumer experience that is a whole new level of cool." "With years of mutual innovation with NEC, we continue to be amazed at the possibilities when we put the right resources and capabilities together," said Caglayan Arkan, general manager, Worldwide Manufacturing and Resources, Microsoft Corp. "By utilizing our Intelligent Cloud, NEC and Brierley+Partners can help retailers delight their customers with real-time offers. We are happy that NEC and Brierley+Partners are joining us at IOT Solutions World Congress, where we plan to unveil this scenario for the first time on a public stage." The demonstration of the loyalty IOT solution built on the Azure IoT Suite is one more example of the long history of collaboration between NEC and Microsoft Corp., which dates back to 1979. NEC and Microsoft have recently demonstrated similar solutions in manufacturing and transportation. The collaboration between Microsoft, NEC and Brierley+Partners has created a solution that will change the way retailers interact with consumers. To learn more about NEC's solutions, visit www.necam.com. NEC information: www.necam.com Blog: www.NECToday.com LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/nec-corporation-of-america YouTube: www.youtube.com/interactiveNEC Facebook fan page: www.necam.com/facebook Twitter: @NEC About NEC Corporation of America NEC Corporation of America (NEC) is a leading technology integrator providing solutions that improve the way people work and communicate. NEC delivers integrated Solutions for Society that are aligned with our customers' priorities to create new value for people, businesses and society, with a special focus on safety, security and efficiency. We deliver one of the industry's strongest and most innovative portfolios of communications, analytics, security, biometrics and technology solutions that unleash customers' productivity potential. Through these solutions, NEC combines its best-in-class solutions and technology, and leverages a robust partner ecosystem to solve today's most complex business problems. NEC Corporation of America is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NEC Corporation, a global technology leader with a presence in 160 countries and $28 billion in revenues. For more information, please visit www.necam.com. 2016 NEC Corporation of America and NEC, are registered trademarks of NEC Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Other product or service marks mentioned are the trademarks of their respective owners. About Brierley+Partners Brierley+Partners, headquartered in Plano, Texas, is a global loyalty and CRM innovator, running some of the best loyalty and customer relationship programs for clients such as GameStop, Express, 7-Eleven, Hertz and Hard Rock. Brierley is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nomura Research Institute (NRI), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Brierley offers a complete suite of loyalty services: program design, loyalty/CRM technology, marketing strategy, research, analytics, omnichannel communications, account management, interactive/print production and fulfillment. The industry-leading Brierley LoyaltyWare technology platform is uniquely robust, flexible and quick-to-market. All services focus on a single mission: making clients' customer relationships dramatically more profitable. To learn more about Brierley+Partners solutions, visit www.brierley.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161026005006/en/ Contacts: NEC Corporation of America Frank Puglia, 214-262-3767 frank.puglia@necam.com or Brierley+Partners Megan Sherrell, 214-743-5377 msherrell@brierley.com WEST CHESTER, OH -- (Marketwired) -- 10/26/16 -- AK Steel Holding Corporation (NYSE: AKS) ("AK Holding" or the "company"), the parent company of AK Steel Corporation ("AK Steel"), announced that it has commenced a registered offering of 65,000,000 shares of its common stock. In connection with this offering, AK Holding expects to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 9,750,000 shares of common stock. AK Holding intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the common stock to repay outstanding borrowings under AK Steel's $1.5 billion asset-based revolving credit facility and for general corporate purposes. The offering is being made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Credit Suisse, Citigroup, J.P. Morgan, BofA Merrill Lynch, Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Wells Fargo Securities are acting as joint book-running managers. The co-managers for the offering are BTIG, Citizens Capital Markets, Inc., Fifth Third Securities, ING, PNC Capital Markets LLC and Regions Securities LLC. AK Holding, along with certain of its subsidiaries, has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the SEC relating to the offering. The offering may be made only by means of a prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus and other documents AK Holding has filed with the SEC for more complete information about AK Holding and the offering. You may review electronic copies of these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, any underwriter or any dealer participating in the offering will arrange to send you the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus if you request them by contacting: Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, One Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010, telephone: 1-800-221-1037, or email: newyork.prospectus@credit-suisse.com; Citigroup, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717 or telephone: 1-800-831-9146; J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Attention: Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, telephone: 1-866-803-9204; BofA Merrill Lynch, NC1-004-03-43, 200 North College Street, 3rd Floor, Charlotte, NC 28255-0001, Attn: Prospectus Department, email: dg.prospectus_requests@baml.com; Goldman, Sachs & Co., Attn: Prospectus Department, 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282, telephone: 1-866-471-2526, facsimile: 212-902-9316, or email prospectus-ny@ny.email.gs.com or Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Attention: Equity Syndicate Department, 375 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10152, telephone: 1-800-326-5897, or email: cmclientsupport@wellsfargo.com. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the common stock in the offering, nor shall there be any sale of such common stock in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements the company made or incorporated by reference in this release, or made in other documents furnished to or filed with the Securities Exchange Commission, as well as in press releases or in oral presentations made by company employees, reflect management's estimates and beliefs and are intended to be "forward-looking statements" identified in the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "plans," "estimates" and other similar references to future periods typically identify forward-looking statements. The company cautions readers that forward-looking statements reflect the company's current beliefs and judgments, but are not guarantees of future performance or outcomes. They are based on a number of assumptions and estimates that are inherently affected by economic, competitive, regulatory, and operational risks, uncertainties and contingencies that are beyond the company's control, and upon assumptions about future business decisions and conditions that may change. Forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve risks and uncertainties, resulting in the possibility that actual events or performance will differ materially from such predictions as a result of certain risk factors, including reduced selling prices, shipments and profits associated with a highly competitive and cyclical industry; increased global steel production and imports; changes in the cost of raw materials and energy; the company's significant amount of debt and other obligations; severe financial hardship or bankruptcy of one or more of the company's major customers or key suppliers; reduced demand in key product markets due to competition from aluminum or other alternatives to steel; excess inventory of raw materials; supply chain disruptions or poor quality of raw materials; production disruption or reduced production levels; the company's healthcare and pension obligations; not reaching new labor agreements on a timely basis; major litigation, arbitrations, environmental issues and other contingencies; regulatory compliance and changes; climate change and greenhouse gas emission limitations; financial, credit, capital and banking markets; derivative contracts to hedge commodity pricing volatility; potential permanent idling of facilities; inability to fully realize benefits of margin enhancement initiatives; information technology security threats and cybercrime; as well as those risks and uncertainties discussed in more detail in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, as updated in subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. As such, the company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only to the company's plans, assumptions and expectations as of the date hereof. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, except as required by law. AK Steel AK Steel is a leading producer of flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steel products, and carbon and stainless tubular products, primarily for automotive, infrastructure and manufacturing, construction and electrical power generation and distribution markets. Headquartered in West Chester, Ohio (Greater Cincinnati), the company employs approximately 8,500 men and women at eight steel plants, two coke plants and two tube manufacturing plants across six states (Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia) and one tube plant in Mexico. Contacts: Media Lisa H. Jester Corporate Manager, Communications and Public Relations (513) 425-2510 Investors Douglas O. Mitterholzer General Manager, Investor Relations (513) 425-5215 OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 10/26/16 -- The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, issued the following statement today concerning the sunken tugboat at Bella Bella: "I am pleased to confirm that oil pumping from the Tug Nathan E. Stewart has been completed. The Unified Command led by the Canadian Coast Guard, and including members from the Heiltsuk First Nation and other partners, will now focus its efforts on next steps including the salvage operation to remove the tug from the water. The Incident Command Post, which was established in the Heiltsuk First Nation community, will continue operations and marine monitoring activities until further notice. Shoreline cleanup crews have also been mobilized and already begun efforts to remediate the affected areas. In addition to Canadian Coast Guard personnel and resources that are on scene in command of the emergency and environmental response, experts from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and other federal, provincial and local stakeholders, are coordinating efforts in monitoring and testing the shoreline, local clam beds and other sea life for evidence of pollution, in order to mitigate or repair any damage caused to the surrounding marine life. The Canadian Coast Guard and their partners have worked diligently throughout the environmental response and continue to do so. In addition, all efforts are being made to identify and address any long-term effects this incident may have caused. The Government of Canada will remain on site even after the salvage operation is completed to ensure that any effects of pollution are properly dealt with. I acknowledge that more needs to be done to improve marine safety, and I am committed to continuing this work with Minister Garneau to fulfill this mandate. We remain committed to sharing the results of the ongoing environmental testing on the surrounding marine environment and wildlife, and will keep updating the Heiltsuk First Nation and the public with new information as it becomes available." Follow us on Twitter! www.Twitter.com/DFO_MPO For more information about the Canadian Coast Guard, visit www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca. Follow us on Twitter! www.Twitter.com/CCG_GCC Contacts: Media Relations Fisheries and Oceans Canada 613-990-7537 Media.xncr@dfo-mpo.gc.ca Internet: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca Sebastien Belliveau Director of Communications Office of the Minister Fisheries and Oceans Canada 613-992-3474 sebastien.belliveau@dfo-mpo.gc.ca TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 10/26/16 -- Atacama Pacific Gold Corporation (TSX VENTURE: ATM) ("Atacama Pacific") announces that it has made an application the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") to extend the expiry date of 3,362,500 common share purchase warrant (the "2013 Warrants") that were issued on November 29, 2013. Currently, each 2013 Warrant entitles the holder to subscribe for one Atacama Pacific common share at an exercise price of C$1.40 any time prior to November 29, 2016. Atacama Pacific is applying to extend the expiry date of the 2013 Warrants to March 31, 2018, which extension will be conditional upon acceptance by the Exchange. The expiry date of 637,500 2013 Warrants owned by Atacama's officers and directors will not be extended. Atacama Pacific also announces that it has entered into an agreement to option one of its non-core properties, the Anocarire property, to a company controlled by one of Atacama Pacific's directors, Paul Champagne. The option agreement calls for payments of (i) US$50,000 by September 30, 2016 (paid); (ii) US$150,000 by September 30, 2017; (iii) US$800,000 by September 30, 2018; and (iv) US$4,000,000 by September 30, 2018 (half of which is payable in shares of the optionee at its option). Atacama Pacific will retain a 1% net smelter royalty on any minerals produced from the property. As previously reported, Gold Fields Ltd., having fulfilled the conditions of its agreement with Atacama Pacific, has exercised its option and acquired the Pircas Gold Project located approximately 15 kilometres from its Salares Norte development project. Atacama Pacific now holds a 1.25% net smelter royalty on any minerals produced from the property. Atacama Pacific is currently reviewing development options as it prepares to commence a feasibility study for the Cerro Maricunga Oxide Gold Deposit, with the goal of reducing initial capital costs through the elimination of the secondary and tertiary crushers, by using valley fill leaching at a location closer to the open pit and by commencing operations at a lower production rate of approximately 40,000 tonnes per day over the first years of production, ramping up to 80,000 tonnes per day. Further, the Cerro Maricunga feasibility study will take into account the positive impact of the current economic conditions on operating costs such as lower consumables (power, lime, etc.), stronger United States currency, and potentially lower equipment leasing costs. National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure Maria Leticia Conca Benito, Mining Engineer, Universidad de Chile, Registered Member of Chilean Mining Commission, CEO and Project Director, Alquimia, was the independent qualified person, as defined by NI 43- 101, responsible for the compilation of the information and preparation of the overall 2014 Prefeasibility Study (the "PFS"). Carlos Guzman, a mining engineer, Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a registered member of the Chilean Mining Commission, was the independent qualified person responsible for the mining related sections of the 2014 PFS including the generation of the pit shell for constrained resources and the mineral reserve estimate. About Atacama Pacific Gold Corporation Atacama Pacific's business is the acquisition, exploration and development of precious metals resource properties in Chile. Atacama Pacific's principal mineral property is the Cerro Maricunga oxide-associated, breccia-hosted gold project, located in Region III, 140 kilometres by road northeast of the city of Copiapo. Atacama Pacific's goal is to become a producer of gold through the development of the Cerro Maricunga Gold Project. The Cerro Maricunga oxide gold deposit hosts total Proven and Probable mineral reserves of 294.4 million tonnes grading 0.40 grams per tonne for 3,743 million ounces of gold representing one of the largest undeveloped oxide associated gold deposits in the world not controlled by a producer. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains forward looking statements, including predictions, projections and forecasts. Often, but not always, forward looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "planning", "expects" or "does not expect", "continues", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "potential", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", or "belief", or describes a "goal", or variation of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, future events, conditions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, prediction, projection, forecast, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward looking statements. Such factors include, among other items, the timing of the completion of the update 2014 PFS or feasibility study, the impact of proposed updated mining conditions, including crushing and processing methods and mining rates, the results of due diligence activities, changes in economic parameters and assumptions, the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; the results of regulatory and permitting processes; future prices of gold; possible variations in grade or recovery rates; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; the results of further economic and technical studies, delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of exploration, as well as those factors disclosed in Atacama Pacific's publicly filed documents. Although Atacama Pacific has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers 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 release. Contacts: Atacama Pacific Gold Corporation Carl B. Hansen President and CEO 416 861 8267 info@atacamapacific.com www.atacamapacific.com COLORADO SPRINGS, CO -- (Marketwired) -- 10/26/16 -- Gold Resource Corporation (NYSE MKT: GORO) (the "Company") declares its monthly instituted dividend of 1/6 of a cent per common share for October 2016 payable on November 23, 2016 to shareholders of record as of November 11, 2016. Gold Resource Corporation is a gold and silver producer, developer and explorer with operations in Oaxaca, Mexico and Nevada, USA. The Company has returned $108 million to shareholders in monthly dividends since commercial production commenced July 1, 2010, and offers shareholders the option to convert their cash dividends and take delivery in physical gold and silver. For more information on Gold Resource Corporation's physical dividend program, visit the Company website at http://goldresourcecorp.com/gold-silver-dividends.php. Dividends may vary in amount and consistency or be discontinued at the Board of Directors' discretion depending on variables including but not limited to operational cash flows, Company development requirements and strategies, construction, spot gold and silver prices, taxation, general market conditions and other factors described in the Cautionary Statements below and the Company's public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. About GRC: Gold Resource Corporation is a mining company focused on production and pursuing development of gold and silver projects that feature low operating costs and produce high returns on capital. Gold Resource Corporation is a gold and silver producer, developer and explorer with operations in Oaxaca, Mexico and Nevada, USA. The Company has 56,556,874 shares outstanding, zero warrants, zero debt and has returned $108 million back to shareholders since commercial production commenced July 1, 2010. Gold Resource Corporation offers shareholders the option to convert their cash dividends into physical gold and silver and take delivery. For more information, please visit GRC's website, located at www.Goldresourcecorp.com and read the Company's 10-K for an understanding of the risk factors involved. Cautionary Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. When used in this press release, the words "plan", "target", "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend" and "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the statements regarding Gold Resource Corporation's strategy, future plans for production, future expenses and costs, future liquidity and capital resources, and estimates of mineralized material. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon information available to Gold Resource Corporation on the date of this press release, and the company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those discussed in this press release. In particular, there can be no assurance that production will continue at any specific rate. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the Company's 10-K filed with the SEC. Gold Resource Corporation Corporate Development Greg Patterson 303-320-7708 www.Goldresourcecorp.com WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Western Digital Corp (WDC) revealed a profit for first quarter that declined compared to the same period last year. The company said its bottom line fell to $341 million, or $1.18 per share. This was down from $366 million, or $1.56 per share, in last year's first quarter. Analysts had expected the company to earn $1.05 per share, according figures compiled by Thomson Reuters. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. The company said revenue for the quarter rose 40.2% to $4.71 billion. This was up from $3.36 billion last year. Western Digital Corp earnings at a glance: -Earnings (Q1): $341 Mln. vs. $366 Mln. last year. -Earnings Decline (Y-o-Y): -6.8% -EPS (Q1): $1.18 vs. $1.56 last year. -EPS Decline (Y-o-Y): -24.4% -Analysts Estimate: $1.05 -Revenue (Q1): $4.71 Bln vs. $3.36 Bln last year. -Revenue Change (Y-o-Y): 40.2% 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. MOUNTAIN VIEW (dpa-AFX) - Alphabet is stopping the rollout of its high-speed Internet service, Google Fiber, in some cities in the United States. Access, the Alphabet's internet division which controls Google Fiber, said it will lay off employees and also replace its CEO Craig Barratt Craig Barratt, in a blog post said, 'I've decided this is the right juncture to step aside from my CEO role. Larry has asked me to continue as an advisor, so I'll still be around.' 'For most of our 'potential Fiber cities' - those where we've been in exploratory discussions - we're going to pause our operations and offices while we refine our approaches,' Barratt said. However, the company did not provide any details on the number of employee lay offs. Tech news website Ars Technica reported that the division would lay off about 9% of its staff, citing a source familiar with the matter. 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. SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE -- (Marketwired) -- 10/26/16 -- Hootsuite, the most widely used platform for managing social media, has announced Rich Meiklejohn as its first general manager of Asia-Pacific (APAC). The newly established role reflects Hootsuite's rapid growth in APAC over the past year including adding 50 percent more people to their team in 2016. Hootsuite APAC now supports more than 2.6 million users at companies such as Woolworths, OCBC Bank, ANZ Bank, Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad, and Telekom Malaysia Berhad. The company has deepened relationships with best-of-breed partners including Brandwatch, Kenshoo, Microsoft, LiftMetrix and Tata Consulting Services to help APAC-based organizations drive their digital transformation. Meiklejohn brings 25 years of Asia and Australia experience in software, media and consulting to Hootsuite. Prior to joining Hootsuite, Meiklejohn managed key partnerships for Cognos, a leading business intelligence and performance management software company. He also helped grow the APAC region of the pioneering web-based customer service company, eGain. Meiklejohn has also served as the CEO of Zafin Asia Pacific, a provider of relationship banking software solutions, and was a partner at one of the world's top professional services firm, Heidrick & Struggles, where he advised c-suite clients on leadership, talent management and strategy. "Brands, agencies, and governments are shifting to a different kind of interaction, as social media enables a new way for people to communicate," said Rich Meiklejohn, general manager of Hootsuite APAC. "APAC has always been a vibrant, dynamic region, and today it continues to evolve as the world's biggest growth market for social media. Hootsuite is the leader in this space and I'm very excited to take the helm as we expand our operations in APAC." As general manager of Hootsuite APAC, Meiklejohn will be responsible for growth strategy and overall performance in the region, and will report to Hootsuite's senior vice president of sales, Bob Elliott. "Social, real-time and mobile are coming together to transform how people communicate with each other, and with their favorite brands," said Bob Elliott, senior vice president sales, Hootsuite. "We are excited to welcome Rich to the team. His experience advising the region's leaders, experience in setting up strategic partnerships, and familiarity with the underlying platforms and technology will be invaluable to Hootsuite and our clients. I'm excited to work with Rich on empowering brands looking to harness the potential of social in APAC." Hootsuite will be expanding into a new larger Sydney office space to accommodate its growing operations, and will hire additional staff across the region, including Singapore. More Information: -- Media Kit: http://media.hootsuite.com/media-kit -- Careers: https://hootsuite.com/about/careers About Hootsuite, Asia Pacific (APAC) Hootsuite is the most widely used platform for managing social media, loved by over 15 million people around the globe and trusted by more than 800 of the Fortune 1000. With Hootsuite, brands harness the power of social. Our platform brings together your social networks and integrates with hundreds of business applications. It's the place to build customer relationships, listen to the needs of the market and grow your revenue. To learn more, visit www.hootsuite.com. Contacts: Oliver Budgen Mutant Communications for Hootsuite oliver@mutant.com.sg +65 84021789 Iproteos, a Barcelona, Spain-based biotech company, closed 1.5m in funding. The round was led by Caixa Capital Risc with participation of Kinled Holding, a Hong Kong based investment company with offices in London, New York and Zurich, and biotech company ASCIL Biopharm. The company intends to use the funds to complete the preclinical phase in order to start Human Phase I trials of its compound for the treatment of Cognitive Impairment Associated with Schizophrenia. Settled at the Parc Cientific de Barcelona, is A spin-off created in 2011 by Teresa Tarrago and Ernest Giralt, two Catalan scientists in the field of therapeutic peptides, based on the technology transfer from IRB Barcelona and the University of Barcelona Biotech, Iproteos is advancing a first-in-class drug for the treatment of Cognitive Impairment Associated with Schizophrenia (CIAS) using its proprietary platform IPROTech, The company plans to conduct regulatory preclinical phases of its drug and then carry out clinical trials in humans. FinSMEs 26/10/2016 VisionGate, Inc., a Phoenix, AZ-based biotech company dedicated to early disease detection and prevention of lung cancer, received an investment from Trinnovate Ventures, a subsidiary of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. The amount of the deal was not disclosed. The company intends to use the funds to advance and commercialize its products. Led by Scarlett Spring, MBA President, Alan C. Nelson, PhD Founder, Chairman & CEO, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Javier Zulueta, Michael G. Meyer, MS Chief Technical Officer, VisionGate provides LuCED, a physician-ordered, take-home sputum test to aid physicians in the early detection of lung cancer. This test is processed on an automated 3D cell imaging platform, called Cell-CT, similar in principle to taking a CT scan of individual cells, but using visible light without harmful radiation. The company also has exclusive rights to Iloprost, which is a drug focused on stopping the advancement of the disease. FinSMEs 26/10/2016 Los Angeles: TV host Ellen DeGeneres welcomed Priyanka Chopra on The Ellen DeGeneres Show with tequila. The Indian actress gulped it down, and quipped that Indians love their spirits. Priyanka, who found international acclaim with her American TV series Quantico, did not hesitate when DeGeneres asked her to take a tequila shot during her sit-down on the show. Priyanka had recently downed a shot on the red carpet at an awards show, and DeGeneres played the video. The actress said the shot made her "wonky" because she hadn't eaten all day. After the drink, Priyanka said: "Thank you for that, this will be a really smooth interview." .@PriyankaChopra has been Miss India and Miss World, and today shes on my show for the first time. I shouldve given her a sash. pic.twitter.com/dbEybDIs8V Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) October 25, 2016 DeGeneres said: "Yeah! It's good, this will be our tradition now. Whenever you are talking to me or anybody that's connected to the Ellen Show, you do a shot of tequila." To that, Priyanka said: "I really started believing it was a very American thing, because I was at the Emmy's and it happened again. I was given tequila and I was like 'American Red Carpets have to start with tequila'." When DeGeneres said "Americans drink a lot", Priyanka commented: "Oh, so do Indians. Yeah, Indians drink a lot". "What's the drink of choice in India?" DeGeneres enquired. Priyanka said: "Well, mine is...red wine. Because it is elegant and appropriate to say on the show. Because it airs in India, twice a day." Priyanka, who was seen essaying an FBI agent named Alex Parrish in the first season of the American drama series, is now portraying a CIA agent in its second season. She is busy shooting for the second season in New York. The news of the removal of Cyrus P Mistry as chairman of Tata Sons has left many confused and bewildered because the manner in which it was done is very unusual and unexpected of a group of the Tatas' stature. Will the sudden sacking without giving any reason affect the group's brand? It is to be remembered that it has a highly respected image both locally and internationally. Or will it be seen as a minor aberration of the mostly transparent, honest and trustworthy image the group has cultivated painstakingly over a century? Would a consumer worry about the image or go by the trust factor attached to the group before buying its products? Harish Bijoor, chief executive officer of brand and business strategy firm Harish Bijoor Consults Inc, says that the consumer would not be unduly bothered about the rumblings at the Tata Sons board as the trust factor has been deeply associated and ingrained in his or her mind. You would still buy the Titan watch or check into a Tata group hotel because of the trust factor. That wont change, he says. However, ranking of the trust factor of the Tata Group has been steadily going down over the last few years. A report by brands insights company TRA Research, formerly Trust Research Advisory, found that the trust factor of the group stood at the second position among top 5 brands in the country in the year Mistry was offered the chairmanship of Tata Sons. It held on to that position in 2011, too. After Mistry took over, the ranking slipped to fifth position. The ranking is done on 61 parameters of trust and includes 425 questions. TRA CEO N Chandramouli says, The brand had a tumultuous ranking on account of the fact that Ratan Tata had left. He had taken the group to a new level from the time he took over till he retired. Mistry was seen as benign and not doing anything similar to what Tata did. Also, it was strange not to have any communication from the chair of Indias largest business conglomerate for a year and a half. The groups ranking went up a notch at 3rd position in 2014 but slipped to 4th in 2015 and is at 5th position in 2016. Incidentally, it still remains the only Indian company in the top five rankings. The current situation where the group is in the news for the sacking of Mistry will erode the brand image, says Chandramouli. Each one of us feel a sense of ownership about the brand. We associate truth and honesty and transparency with the Tata image and brand. Trust is a dynamic entity and unless you cajole and take care of it well, it will slip out," he says. According to him, the group does great things operationally. However, if there is one count on which it slips drastically it is in the area of communication. "Whenever something major happens at the group the Radia tapes, deaths and suicides of its key employees the groups communication on these fronts are poorly done and this is what causes apathy. People's trust in the brand erodes when its communication is poor," he says. In the case of Mistry sacking too, there is speculation that it is orchestrated simply by Tata Sons only because the group is keeping quiet about the reason, he says. "There might be very good reasons for taking that decision, but since communication is poor, the act of letting Mistry go seems Machiavellian at one point, says Chandramouli. He feels the brand has been tarnished to some extent by the recent happenings at Bombay house. However, there are other experts with differing views on the issue. Alpana Parida, managing director, DY Works, a Mumbai-based brand strategy and brand design firm, feels that the current storm that is brewing at the Bombay House will go away without causing any damage to the brand. She reasons that the Tata brand is too strong to be impacted. It is like Raghuram Rajan and his not being given an extension as the head of the RBI. It has died down. Similarly, this too will die down," she says. The Tata brand image is one of solidity and honesty. It cannot be jolted by incidents like the change of guard, says Harish Bijoor. Brand Tata is very old and is respected not only in the country but also internationally. It is an image that has consumer trust vested in it. Tatas have always been seen doing the right thing by its employees, the Taj attack or the Singur incident, for instance. The feeling is when you are a Tata, you cannot do wrong. It is a company that is blessed with a benign brand umbrella which no other brand in India has. That is what insulates the brand from any negative impact about what happened on Monday when the management took a decision to bring back Ratan Tata. Chandramouli and Parida aver that the new incumbent at Tata Sons will be watched. How that move pans out will be watched carefully and that can send out a strong message about the group, says Parida. New Delhi: Jet Airways will offer all-inclusive fares starting at Rs 921 in select routes as part of special Diwali offer. "The six-day fare sale - from October 2530 -- on economy fares is valid for travel 15 days post the date of booking, on specific domestic destinations on the Jet Airways' network," the airline said in a release today. The carrier's Chief Commercial Officer Jayaraj Shanmugam said the special fares would enable guests to enjoy significant savings and benefit by scheduling their travel plans well in advance. Currently, Jet Airways Group operates a fleet of 117 aircraft. In response to Maharashtra state government's proposed draft rules on regulating the taxi-hailing app companies, Uber has kicked off a campaign seeking support from people in Mumbai. The US-based taxi aggregator while highlighting its concerns said excessively high permit fees for drivers, requirement for more expensive cars, less fuel efficient cars and price restrictions, including mandatory minimum fares, will mean much higher fares and longer waiting times for a customer. "We understand that existing taxi and auto drivers are feeling the pressure from services like Uber. But the answer is to level the playing field by reducing todays burdensome regulations - not to introduce rules that will be bad for riders, drivers and Mumbai," Uber said in a statement. "The government needs to hear from you: riders should come first," the company statement said. Uber, which is valued at a whopping $69 billion, further added that the stringent rules recommended by the government can threaten the livelihood of thousands of drivers because the new, higher permit fees are prohibitively expensive for them. The proposed rules want engine capacity of over 1400 cc for half of Uber's fleet of cars, besides increasing the price tags for permits to up to Rs 2.61 lakh. The rules also require Uber to deposit Rs 50 lakh per 1,000 vehicles, which the company thinks would make its business proposition unviable, the Economic Times report said earlier in the week. Not just Maharashtra, the company is already facing similar issues in the state of Karnataka over the Karnataka On-demand Transportation Technology Aggregators Rules 2016, notified on 2 April. The company had termed the Karnataka government's new regulations as "regressive" and "practically impossible to comply". "(Uber) would be grateful if you can kindly direct the authorities concerned to look into our submissions on mandatory clauses, which are not only regressive, but also practically impossible to comply with," Uber had argued then. Under the new rules, Karnataka mandated ride-hailing start-ups to provide digital printers, install panic buttons and have taxi signage on their vehicles. Not just in India, Uber had earlier run-ins with regulators across the world like France and the US as it competes with local taxi operators. After giving up on China a few months bank, Uber has been desperate to latch on to a big market like India. In China, Uber couldn't stand up to the growing onslaught from the deep-pocketed Didi, prompting the former to eventually merge its business in the Dragon nation. A recent Bloomberg report citing Uber said, "India will be crucial in terms of both demonstrating success in large international markets and long-term growth potential". Valued at $5 billion, Ola claims it has 1 million rides a day on average and enjoys a market share of 70 percent of the country's cab app market. As opposed to this, Uber says it has presence in 28 cities. It claims to have handled 5.5 million rides per week in August, the Bloomberg report said. By Robert-Jan Bartunek and Philip Blenkinsop | BRUSSELS BRUSSELS Belgian politicians failed to break their deadlock over a planned EU-Canada free trade agreement on Wednesday, but agreed to resume talks on Thursday in a sign they may be nearing a consensus that would keep the deal alive.The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), seven years in the making, is backed by all 27 other EU governments but rejected by the French-speaking south of Belgium, meaning Belgium as a whole cannot sign it. Prime Minister Charles Michel worked with the heads of Belgium's regions and linguistic communities to produce a common text to allay concerns about agricultural imports and a dispute settlement system that critics say could be abused by multinationals to dictate public policy."We made a lot of progress, but we are not there yet. We will continue tomorrow, but we are close to an agreement," Oliver Paasch, the head of Belgium's 76,000-strong German-speaking community, told reporters after a third joint meeting on Wednesday.The resumption of talks is set for 1000 CET (0800 GMT). Foreign Minister Didier Reynders said a meeting of ambassadors from other EU countries was set for an hour later."We will see if it is possible to go to that meeting with a joint Belgian position," he said.European Council President Donald Tusk said earlier that a planned EU-Canada summit to sign the accord was still possible on Thursday, although the chances were waning. Speaking in Canada's parliament, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said: "We are confident that in the coming days we will see a positive outcome for this historic deal."Belgium's centre-right government backs CETA as it stands, but its stance is only shared by the Dutch-speaking Flanders region, where a majority of Belgians live.European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told the European Parliament he was optimistic there would be an agreement. "When it happens is less important than that it happens," he said.Paul Magnette, Socialist premier of the Walloon region, which has led opposition to a deal, said he was not looking for Ottawa to relaunch negotiations. "Between the EU and Canada the agreement is closed and we are very happy with that, but we still have some problems in Europe and Belgium and we're doing our best to solve them," he told reporters.European Council President Tusk said that there would be consequences for Europe's global position if it failed to strike a free trade deal with Canada, "the most European country outside Europe and a close friend and ally". British trade minister Liam Fox said the CETA difficulties showed the importance of Britain reaching an agreement over its future relationship with the EU before it leaves the bloc.Canada hopes the trade agreement will reduce its reliance on the United States as an export market.John Manley, the head of the Business Council of Canada, which represents the country's largest companies, said CETA should not be confused with a trade deal being negotiated between the EU and the United States, the larger and even more contentious Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership."CETA is not TTIP. It is not a stalking horse for TTIP," he said. (Additional reporting by David Ljunggren in Ottawa and Kylie MacLellan in London; Editing by Robin Pomeroy and James Dalgleish) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. NEW DELHI India's biggest cigarette maker ITC on Wednesday criticised the government's decision to impose bigger health warnings on cigarette packets, saying there was little evidence to link smoking to diseases depicted in those pictures.India earlier this year ordered manufacturers to cover 85 percent of their tobacco pack's surface in health warnings, up from 20 percent. The rules, still being challenged in a state court, were implemented on orders of the Supreme Court.The $11 billion tobacco industry protested against the rules for weeks and even resorted to a brief factory shut down that cost them more than $800 million."There is no evidence to suggest that cigarette smoking would cause the diseases depicted in the pictures or that large GHW (graphic health warnings) will lead to reduction in consumption," ITC said in a statement filed to the Indian stock exchanges.It also said higher taxation and the new health warnings were hurting the business of the organised cigarette industry. ITC, which is part-owned by British American Tobacco, said the health warnings were "excessively large, extremely gruesome and unreasonable".ITC's cigarette packs sold in India currently carry the picture of a man with a diseased throat with a message that says "smoking causes throat cancer". Health activists and the Indian government say bigger warnings create awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption and help reduce consumption. Smoking kills more than 1 million people a year in India, according to BMJ Global Health and the World Health Organization says tobacco-related diseases cost India $16 billion annually. ITC also said the new warnings would encourage smuggling of illegal cigarettes into the country that do not comply with packaging requirements. The company said it was in talks will with government officials for reasonable regulations.Officials at the health ministry could not immediately be reached for a comment. (Reporting by Aditya Kalra; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Kolkata: A fire broke out at the Don Bosco School in South Kolkata on Wednesday afternoon, but there were no reports of any casualty or injury, officials said. "A fire broke out in the terrace of the Don Bosco School near Park Circus in Kolkata at around 12.30 pm on Wednesday," an officer manning the Fire Brigade Control Room said. Four fire tenders were pressed into service and the fire was controlled within an hour, he added. School authorities said the fire was first spotted in the heap of waste material kept on the roof. "Some construction work is going on in the building. Maybe, the fire was caused by bidi buds of the construction workers," Bikash Mondal of Don Bosco school, said in a press release. "The local police station and the fire brigade people were immediately informed. All the students and teaching staff are safe," he said. "The fire was put out at around 1:30 pm. The situation is under control now," the Fire Department confirmed. Chennai: The Madras High Court on Tuesday directed Tamil Nadu Police to proceed with its probe against two DMK workers who had allegedly posted rumours in the social media over the health of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and asked them to cooperate. "The police could proceed with the investigation of the cases in accordance with law and the petitioners should cooperate with the investigation," the court said. The court gave the direction on the petitions of R Navaneethakrishnan and S Rajiv Gandhi, both belonging to DMK and residents of Pollachi in Coimbatore district. According to the prosecution, they had allegedly posted rumours on Facebook and Twitter on the chief minister's health on 15 October. After a complaint was lodged, a criminal case was registered and they were summoned to police for inquiry, and then the duo moved the high court. They moved the court to forbear state government officials from "harassing them" or "interfering" with their social media accounts. They alleged that they were being threatened to close the social media accounts. The duo claimed the case was registered for having posted "satirical" posts and poems on Jayalalithaa's health. The Special Government Pleader submitted that the duo had given a written statement on the ill-health of the chief minister and had spread rumours on her health condition. They created a wrong impression in the minds of the public and caused a law-and-order problem, he said. The court recorded the assurance given by the Special Government Pleader that the state's intention was not to harass them. In its order, the court said, "It is made clear that the petitioners shall not in any way give room to any rumours in public which will create law-and-order situation and spread rumours regarding the ill-health of the chief minister, who is undergoing treatment, as they are not qualified as such to give such opinion." New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday attacked Narendra Modi-led central government, calling it "anti-army". He also attacked the central government for giving "another" extension to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to probe 1984 riots. In a tweet, Kejriwal alleged that the central government is "just using" the army's sacrifices for political gains. "Weak OROP, reduction in disability pension and now this. Isn't Modi government anti-army? They just milch army's sacrifices for political gains," he wrote. Kejriwal's tweet came in response to a media report, which he quoted in his tweet, saying that the armed forces are upset with a letter issued by the Defence Ministry regarding their rank disparity vis-a-vis their civilian counterparts. According to the quoted report, the Defence Ministry circular brings the rank of armed forces officers a notch down compared to their earlier status. One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme aims to grant retired armed forces personnel pension parity with those retiring now. Indian soldiers receive disability pension equal to their last drawn salary for 100 per cent disability. The government recently turned it into a slab system, which, according to critics, significantly reduced their pension. The Defence Ministry later asked the Anomaly Committee of the 7th Pay Commission to continue with the old system. In another tweet, Kejriwal also attacked the central government over the SIT investigating 1984 riots. "Extension after extension. Zero result till now. Obviously, there is no intention (to bring justice). Intention is to save culprits of 1984 riots," Kejriwal tweeted, quoting another media report. The media report said that the SIT set up by the Home Ministry has been given another extension till February 2017. The panel set up in February 2015 was initially granted six months to file report, but was later given two extensions. New Delhi: The fourth meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Commission began in New Delhi on Wednesday, setting the tone for the minister-level meeting scheduled for Thursday. At the Joint Commission talks, Foreign Secretaries Shankar Das Bairagi and S Jaishankar are leading the Nepali and Indian delegations. The Nepal-India ministerial level meeting is expected to focus on implementing the past agreements and accords signed between the two countries. The Joint Commission, the highest level bilateral mechanism between Nepal and India that is mandated to review entire gamut of relations between the two countries, directs relevant officials to resolve the pending issues and chart out the future course of the ties. The meeting will focus on securing agreements on select points, and will seek understanding on those issues that require more time to settle. The agreed issues will be pushed for early implementation so that India-funded projects in Nepal will see tangible progress in near future. "The meeting will make a comprehensive review of the bilateral ties," said Foreign Minister Mahat ahead of his India visit, adding that those issues and agendas agreed in recent high-level visits between Nepal and India will be put for implementation. The Joint Commission was first formed in 1987. Its third and last meeting was held in Kathmandu in July 2014 after a hiatus of 23 years. The meeting will review progress on issues that featured during the last Joint Commission meeting two years ago and other high-level exchanges between the two sides. Sushma Swaraj is leading the Indian side at the ministerial level meeting comprising secretaries from various ministries. Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat said that bilateral matters like roads, cross-border connectivity (railways, roads and bridges), water resources, inundation, security matters, boundary adjustments, completing the detailed project of much touted Pancheshwor Development Authority that is executing 4,800 mw hydropower in Nepal are some key agendas. According to Mahat, issues like construction of integrated checkposts on Nepal-India border, power trade, implementation of Mahakali Treaty, connecting roads, construction of cross-border petroleum pipeline, compensation for various victims affected by inundation, trade, transit and fixing the modality of Indian reconstruction aid to Nepal. On boundary issues, Nepal and India will seek some changes on design of pillars located in river areas though the both sides have achieved progress in installing the boundary pillars. "The meeting will review the progress made by the technical level in installation of boundary pillars and clearing the no-man's land," said Mahat. Nepal will also call for the construction of the Sunkoshi Diversion, splitting from Sapta Koshi Multi Purpose Project. Jammu: A BSF officer and 11 civilians were injured in heavy shelling and firing by the Pakistan Rangers on the International Border (IB) in Jammu district, police said on Wednesday. "Two persons including a Border Security Force (BSF) assistant sub-inspector and a civilian were injured in the nightlong Pakistan shelling and firing," a police officer said. Pakistan Rangers resorted to indiscriminate mortar shelling and automatic gunfire during the night in RS Pura sector, the official said. "The BSF has effectively retaliated. The firing exchanges are still on in the area," the officer said. Meanwhile, villagers living in areas close to the IB in Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts were spending nights in concrete bunkers close to their homes. Fearing further escalation of hostilities on the borders, many villagers in Arnia and Akhnoor have harvested their half ripe crops. "We are continuing to brave the danger for our cattle and crops," said Bodhraj, 65, a resident of RS Pura sector, adding "It is already becoming unbearable in our village as shells start raining here from the sky all through the night." Mumbai: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) youth workers have put up posters in various parts of Mumbai, blaming the Shiv Sena for the death of a Humboldt penguin in Mumbai. The posters have been put up after a 18-month-old Humboldt penguin died on Sunday. The posters targetted the Sena which is the leading ally in the ruling alliance in Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. The posters have come up outside the Shiv Sena bhavan in Dadar, Matoshri, Shiv Sena chief Udhav Thackeray's residence in Bandra East and near the Byculla zoo, where the penguin died. One of the posters shows a penguin pleading not to be brought to Mumbai again. Eight Humboldt penguins were brought to Mumbai from South Korea on 26 July. An NCP youth wing leader questioned the wisdom of keeping the endangered species in the harsh tropical climate of Mumbai. This is the pet project of Yuva Sena Chief Aaditya, son of Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray. MNS corporator Sandeep Deshpande has written to Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta demanding that the remaining seven Humboldts be immediately sent back to ensure their survival. Humboldt Penguins can only thrive in cold climate and not a warm place like Mumbai and that MNS and environmentalists had been protesting against acquiring such exotic creatures right from the beginning. India's love for gold is legendary! Indians own over 22,000 tons of gold the highest in the world. Plus, they are expected to buy another 900 to 1,000 tons this year, a large proportion of which is during occasions like Dhanteras. Why Dhanteras? Dhanteras is an amalgam of Dhan, or wealth and teras, or the thirteenth day of the Hindu New Year. It is the day when Laxmi, the goddess of prosperity, is believed to shower riches and remove deprivation. Hindus consider Dhanteras to be the most auspicious day for buying prized possessions such as a car, a house or gold. The inextricable relationship between Dhanteras and gold is natural. After all, few things symbolize affluence like gold does. Gold-based investment products There has been a gradual shift in gold-buying patterns on Dhanteras in recent years. The shift has been away from gold jewellery and towards gold-based investment products. A major reason for this shift has been the advent of return-generating instruments such as gold ETFs, Sovereign Gold Bonds, and Gold Mutual Funds. The concern with owning Gold jewellery and other physical gold products from private companies is of quality and with paper based gold products, the trade happens through an exchange. The downside of owning gold in paper form is that it doesnt give the satisfaction of owning physical gold. This has a simple solution... ...The Indian Gold Coin The Indian Gold Coin is a great way of owning physical gold and retaining the benefits of gold-based investment instruments. The Indian Gold Coin was launched by the Honble Prime Minister of India in November 2015, as an attempt to curb Indias gold imports as the Gold used in minting of the Indian Gold Coin is procured under Gold Monetisation Scheme which is sourced from domestic sources like Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam Trust. The Coin bears the Ashoka Chakra on one side and Mahatma Gandhis image on the other side. It is manufactured by the Indian Government Mint, Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited. Since banks were barred from selling imported gold coins and bars in 2013, people could only buy physical gold as jewellery. Jewellers sometime arbitrarily determine the rate of gold and often cannot provide a certificate of purity. The Indian Gold Coin solves both these problems, as this is the only gold coin that banks can sell now as per the approval of RBI. The Indian Gold Coin is available at select Federal Bank, Indian Overseas bank, Vijaya Bank, Andhra Bank, Yes Bank, ICICI and HDFC bank branches along with MMTC and Phulkari stores. The price of these coins is fixed by the MMTC, a Government of India Undertaking, which ensures transparency. In fact, the Coin is often 2-3% cheaper than the ones manufactured by many of the established corporate sellers. Indian Gold Coin buyers also save up on the gold wastage and manufacturing charges that they have to pay while buying gold jewellery. The Coin is available in weights of 5 grams, 10 grams and 20 grams. This allows even those with a small appetite for gold to buy it. The Coin is made of pure 24 karat gold with 999 fineness and is the only coin in India that carries the BIS hallmark which guarantees purity and has got positive tolerance both in purity and weight. The Coin has advanced anti-counterfeit-currency-like features and tamperproof packaging that further eliminate the risk of buyers being cheated. Bottomline: There are a few options available with so many benefits and Indian Gold Coin is an excellent value for money and a great investment product available to a customer. For more details on this, you can visit indiangoldcoin.com. This is a partnered post. Mumbai: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis might have to do some tight rope walk regarding the no confidence motion passed against Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, in view of growing support for the officer among citizens and a demand by Navi Mumbai Mayor for his immediate recall. The fate of the motion, passed by majority of corporators on Tuesday, now rests with Fadnavis who heads the Urban Development Department, where the motion will be finally sent for approval. However, the discord between Mundhe and NMMC corporators seems deeply entrenched, with Mayor Sudhakar Sonawane on Tuesday demanding immediate recall of the officer, saying that he has lost his right to head the civic body. "This officer was exercising his executive powers autocratically. He lost the sense of democratic style of functioning and this is the reason why almost all the corporators cutting across party lines, voted against him (during no confidence motion)," Sonawane told PTI. The motion was passed 105-6 at a special meeting convened by the NCP-ruled corporation on Wednesday. The six corporators of BJP voted against the motion, which was supported by Shiv Sena, NCP, Congress and Independents. This is the first time in the history of the civic body that such a motion has been passed against its Commissioner. Mundhe, who was present in the House, later alleged that he was not allowed to put forth his side. Sonawane said the House has apprised the state government about the motion and demanded immediate recall of the officer and wanted him to be replaced by another IAS officer. "We informed the state government about the motion passed against the officer through an e-mail. We are going to send a hard copy of the decision on Tuesday and hope that the Chief Minister would call the officer immediately to take action on our motion," the Mayor said. He said the section 36 (3) of Bombay Provincial Municipal Corporations Act, 1949 stipulates that if such a motion is passed by even 60 corporators, the administrative head should be sacked with immediate effect. To a question whether Mundhe was targetted by politicians as he cracked whip on illegal activities that clashed with the interests of the powerful lobby of politicians, Sonawane said, "These kind of allegations have no element of truth. Only being honest does not mean everything. An officer who heads administrative things should have the capacity and ability to take every concerned stakeholder along with him. He or she cannot misuse the executive powers blatantly." Meanwhile, an online petition has requested Fadnavis to overrule the motion against the officer. "We see Tukaram Mundhe as an honest and upright civic chief of Navi Mumbai who has ruffled the feathers of all politicians and vested interests in the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation. He is sensitive to the needs of citizens and also took on the mafia head-on," reads the petition launched by activist Binu Bose at change.org. The petition seeking to overrule the motion would be submitted to Fadnavis. "The no confidence motion has been passed against him (Mundhe) by all political parties. We know that whenever honest officers take on these powerful corporators, they gang up and shoot the messenger," the petition stated. Mundhe has received immense support from Navi Mumbaikars for running a spirited campaign against illegal constructions, mostly linked to the nexus between some ruling corporators and private builders. The officer, for the first time in NMMC's history, had proposed a survey to map properties falling under its limit. However, the survey was stonewalled for over 90 days by the unwilling corporators. He took this decision following an alleged "scam" wherein over 15,000 property owners were allegedly found to have evaded paying property tax to NMMC over the last decade. On Sunday, local residents, activists and intellectuals had organised a rally 'Walk for Commissioner' in support of the officer. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Aam Aadmi Party requested the CM not to take cognisance of the motion and to "hear the voice of the citizens of Navi Mumbai." "AAP condemns the no confidence motion passed by the parties in the NMMC. This shows the political nexus between the corporators of Sena, NCP and Congress while the BJP acted as fence sitters but gave its moral support to the resolution (no confidence motion)," it stated. In a tweet, activist Anjali Damania said, "My blood is boiling. Height of shamelessness of Shiv Sena, NCP & Congress. 105 against 5 in No Confidence Motion of NMMC Comm Tukaram Munde." Allahabad: Lashing out at Mayawati for her criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on triple talaq, the BJP on Tuesday charged the BSP supremo with pursuing vote bank politics "at the cost of dignity and constitutional rights of Muslim women". In a multi-pronged attack, it also accused the Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh of "non cooperation" with the CBI in the NRHM scam involving Mayawati and alleged that the ongoing family feud in the party was "a farce enacted with the aim of creating a sympathy wave in support of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav". "The BJP believes that the practice of triple talaq is grossly unfair to women. No wonder it is not prevalent in many Islamic countries. This is the view that was put forward so eloquently by the Prime Minister at his rally on Monday. Mayawati has only vote bank politics on her mind," BJP national secretary and spokesman Siddharth Nath Singh told reporters. "With the Samajwadi Party imploding, it is Mayawati's guess that Muslims of UP, who have traditionally been with Mulayam Singh Yadav, will gravitate towards her party in the upcoming assembly elections. Her vituperative remarks against PM Modi stem from this very hope," he claimed. He said "As a former Chief Minister, Mayawati should know that a person holding a constitutional post has to work in accordance with the Constitution, which ensures right to equality to every citizen irrespective of gender or religion. "But Mayawati is interested in pursuing her vote bank politics even at the cost of dignity and constitutional rights of Muslim women, while eyeing the votes of the entire community." Training his guns at the ruling SP in the state, the senior BJP leader alleged "they (leaders of the party) may be sworn enemies of Mayawati, but it is their non-cooperation with the CBI that has prevented the BSP supremo from being sent to jail. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav may be on a collision course with his uncle but seems to have a lot of love for her 'bua' (aunt a term the CM has used often for his predecessor)." "Akhilesh Yadav's complete failure as a CM is undeniable. The ongoing family feud is a farce enacted with the aim of protecting him against the charge of incompetence. His father Mulayam Singh Yadav and the so-called adversary of the chief minister Amar Singh have together scripted this drama. Of course, it went awry and the inexperienced leader has ended up quarrelling with almost everybody in his party," Singh claimed. Swings are wild in politics and who better to tell them than the former Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa. Once a blue-eyed boy of the BJP for opening the party's account in India's south had quite dramatically turned into a villain when he was forced to quit on 31 July 2011 as chief minister on alleged charges of corruption. He had assumed office on 30 May 2008. On Wednesday, the special CBI court acquitted Yeddyurappa and all his family members including his two sons BY Raghavendra and BY Vijayendra, and son-in-law RN Sohan Kumar of all charges in a bribery case. The pending bribery case before the special CBI court was like a proverbial sword of Damocles hanging over his head. Yeddyurappa would surely be a relieved man today, more so, his party the BJP. The court's order clearing him of corruption charges is no simple legal reprieve for him. This verdict could potentially re-shape his fortune both personal and political. The verdict gave him an instant boost to his position in the party, which has started to look at him as a leader who would regain power for the BJP in Karnataka. The verdict is thus as much important for the BJP as it is for Yeddyurappa. From the BJP's perspective Karnataka is the only major state that Congress as on date holds. The Congress has lost two other major states Assam and Kerala in this year's assembly elections. As such the Congress government in the state has its own share of problems in this relatively prosperous southern state. The BJP believes that it could have a realistic chance to regain the lost glory when elections are held in 2018. More so, because Yeddyurappa is back in form as a leader. For BJP's "Congress mukt Bharat", a victory in Karnataka as and when elections would be held is very important. Soon after the verdict was out, Yeddyurappa told CNN-News18 that, "It is a rebirth for me and my family.... I would resume my Karnataka tour. I will bring the BJP back to power. Nobody can stop me now. Todays win is the first step towards our big win in the 2018 Assembly elections.... Both the Congress and JDS wanted to finish me off. They had joined hands to end my political life. The judiciary has rescued me. They know that I am innocent. I want to lead a happy life after this." Since 20111 around half-a-dozen cases of alleged corruption cases were filed against Yeddyurappa but he has subsequently been acquitted in all the cases. Firstpost spoke to some senior BJP leaders, including ministers in New Delhi and got a sense that they shared the feelings expressed by their Karnataka party leader, MP and state party unit president. After all, he was the one who had brought the BJP to power, for the first time on its own in any Indian state across Vindhyas in the South in the summer of 2008. That was one of the biggest moments of glory in BJP's history. However, the first BJP government in South India brought its own clash of ambitions, power, and money. From being one of the most formidable Lingayat mass leaders in the BJP ranks, Yeddyurappa was suddenly seen to be one of the most corrupt leaders in Indian polity. He cried foul, of conspiracy and victimization. But none of that could change that perception. A damning report by then Lokayukta Santosh Hegde and over activism by the then governor Hansraj Bhardwaj forced him to resign from the chief minister's post. Subsequent to that Karnataka saw two more BJP chief ministers, Sadananda Gowda and Jagdish Shettar. LK Advani took a grim view on cases filed against Yeddyurappa and the situation within the party became such that he quit forming his own party. The 2013 assembly poll results showed that BJP without Yeddyurappa couldn't be a power to reckon with. It lost the polls badly to the Congress. There was a realisation in the BJP leadership that he had been unfairly treated by the party and it was the time that he was brought back. Ahead of 2014 parliamentary polls, Rajnath Singh ostensibly in consultation with then PM nominee Narendra Modi brought him in. Remember, in 2008 assembly elections, Narendra Modi then as Gujarat chief minister had campaigned extensively for the BJP. In fact, Modi had launched the BJP campaign there. Former MLC, Lehar Singh considered close to Yeddyurappa said, "Yeddyurappa acquittal is a happy news for all BJP workers. I am sure he will lead BJP to thumping victory when elections take place in the state." Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan who had been party in-charge of Karnataka was all praise for Yeddyurappa. "He is a mass leader and had the pulse on the public mood. It's a good news that the court has cleared him of charges against him." There is a feeling now the warring Karnataka BJP leaders have become tired of the infighting and realise that the price party and they themselves had to pay. Yeddyurappa's fight with Union Minister Ananth Kumar was permanent spice in Karnataka politics. The BJP leaders hope that this is now a thing of the past, or at least its intensity has been mellowed. In an extremely journalistic piece, filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri blamed the disappearance of Najeeb the student from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) and called it a larger conspiracy to overthrow the Narendra Modi government. He has got facts to back his argument which only God could have whispered into his ears because nobody else, let alone in the JNU, is aware of these 'facts'. For lesser mortals like me and other readers I would like to counter his heavenly facts with earthly ones. Agnihotri argues that JNUSU is being controlled by the students wings of CPI(M) and CPI(M-L). "These are the same parties which are the strategic forces behind the Naxal/Maoist movement." One should be aware that the Communist movement has many internal contradictions and not every party with a name communist in it shares its whole interest with the other such outfit. Politically-aware readers might remember that Maoists sided with the Trinmool Congress in order to overthrow CPI(M)-led Left government in West Bengal. I hope Agnihotri starts reading newspapers too and stops relying fiction like he has written in his article: "These are the same parties which are the strategic forces behind the Naxal/Maoist movement in India which alone is responsible for the loss of over 13,000 innocent lives in India. This is more than the killing of innocent people and soldiers in the insurgent Kashmir and North East." Kashmir alone has seen around 100,000 civilian deaths since late 1980s. Now, coming to the 14 October incident, Agnihotri has written a good story but it is important for him to remember that it is not one of the scripts of his movies. At the very outset, one should understand that the whole incident is being investigated by the Delhi Police as well as the University Proctor. Since matter is subjudice, comments should be made very carefully about the case. Only Najeeb or Vikrant and his two friends can tell what happened inside that room that night. While Vikrants version of the story can be confirmed through him and his friends other party in the case is still missing. Vikrant and his two other friends who were in that room came out with a public pamphlet on 23 October, eight days after Najeeb went missing, where they levelled a few charges against him. What the pamphlet claimed is that Najeeb slapped Vikrant twice in an unprovoked manner and later pointed towards his wrist and asked that why did you wear this. Truth in this story is under investigation and a student is still missing. This pamphlet while gives us a description of what happened in that room it does not corroborate the "fact" any sort of "violence" perpetuated upon Najeeb. While there are no other witnesses to this incident, there are many who witnessed the violence against Najeeb. According to witnesses, he was beaten in the corridor, at the stairs and even in presence of the warden of the hostel. Agnihotri, you have extrapolated the accusations levelled by one party in this case and totally ignored the other side of the story. Not just that, but Agnihotri's article does not even honestly narrate Vikrant's version. Agnihotri's article is not only not factual, it also makes sweeping statements about many things without really getting a good grip of his subject. While Agnihotri, in his article, sympathises with the turn of events and mentions that students like Najeeb are the future of the nation, he suddenly shifts gears and claims that the case of the missing student is part of the larger conspiracy by Left parties who are conspiring to overthrow the Modi government. Fact: Left parties are fighting for their own existence. By which stretch of imagination are the Left parties, the power-players in the Indian political arena? And the idea that "political parties pushing their own agenda" and "Opposition is bad-mouthing the ruling party" has no novelty to it. Jumping from one assumption to another that's how Agnihotri's article reads. Moving further, Agnihotri writes: Soon, Bapsa began putting up posters on campus glorifying Dalit-Muslim unity and presented Najeeb as a victim of Hindu oppression. They attacked ABVP, BJP and RSS. The posters screamed of Brahminism (a very old and stale plank of the Leftists). The posters mentioned the Una incident to underline their narrative. The tactics used during the Umar Khalid episode in February and later Rohit Vemula episode, start repeating again. Another poster by the SIO screamed, 'Violence against Muslims can be seen as a common denominator of Indian social existence'. It seems these parties have already assumed that Najeeb is a victim of communal politics. How can they assume this? Or is it that they know the plot? Who is the author of this script? Why is this similar to the earlier Umar and Rohit scripts? We don't know where Agnihotri is getting these newsbits, but as far as official sources are concerned, no parties have come out with any poster. Bapsa and NSUI did, but after 23 October. JNUSU also did not come out with any pamphlet or poster till that day. Yes, ABVP of course has pasted a number of posters in order to try to shift complete blame on Najeeb. Agnihotri has written a great piece and I hope that one day he makes another movie with this script. Author is a research scholar of Modern History at JNU, New Delhi and inmate of the same hostel where Najeeb and Vikrant resides Merely days after his resignation, former Arunachal Pradesh Governor has created ripples by announcing that Congress leader and former Chief Minister Kalikho Pul had left behind "secret notes", the contents of which can cause "political tremors" in India. The former governor told The Indian Express that Pul, who was found hanging in the Arunachal Pradesh chief Minister's official residence that he was yet to vacate, has left behind a booklet that runs over 60 pages and has "explosive content" that can rock the politicos. Although this is a startling revelation coming from a governor, the possibility of a journal or booklet left behind by Pul was not unheard of. Police confirmed the notes theory Two days after his death, PTI had reported that four booklets, reportedly written by Pul were found in his room. "We have not read the booklets so it cannot be assumed as suicide note. There was no diary found from the spot as has been reported earlier. Police have already registered a case and it is under investigation," Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Talo Potom, who conducted the inquest, had told the press at the time. The four 60-page booklets, titled 'Mere Vichaar' (My Thoughts), allegedly signed by Pul, were found in the room where Pul was found dead but its content was not revealed at the time. But even before this development, Pul's death had raised eyebrows at the time, given the state's volatile political situation and the questionable timing of his sudden demise. Suicide amid political upheaval in the state a mere coincidence? Pul, a Congress rebel who had served as the chief minister from 19 Feburary to 13 July this year, had committed suicide at his official residence on 9 August, weeks after he was ordered by the Supreme Court to step down after a brief stint, sparking violent protests by his supporters. He had earlier rebelled against chief minister Nabam Tuki in late 2015 along with a large section of party legislators and was sworn in as Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh with the support of 18 dissident Congress MLAs, two independents and 11 BJP legislators. The BJP legislators gave him outside support in the 60-member Assembly. Pul's appointment was preceded by days of turmoil which saw Nabam Tuki dismissed after 21 of the 47 Congress MLAs including Pul-rebelled against him. This was followed by President's Rule imposed on 26 January. The Supreme Court last month had ruled the appointment as illegal and reinstated the Congress government. Later, Nabam Tuki was reinstated who then made way for Pema Khandu as the 10th Chief Minister. It was said that government formed under Khandu's leadership was a hard forced truce within the splintered congress party. Pul Pul, though reluctantly, made way for Khandu as he was adamant he would not support Tuki as the chief minister. Meanwhile, the governor at the time, Jyotiprasad Rajkhowa could not remain unscathed in the chain of events. The entire charade arguably became the reason he was sacked from his position in September this year. The home ministry reportedly expressed its displeasure stating the government had lost trust in him, following which Article 156 was evoked and the President of India conveyed his "displeasure" to rajkhowa asking him to step down. #PresidentMukherjee has directed that Shri J.P. Rajkhowa shall cease to hold the office of Governor of Arunachal Pradesh President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) September 12, 2016 Kalikho Pul, a rooted leader with humble beginnings Hailing from the remote Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh bordering China, Kalikho Pul trekked a long way in his political career to become the eighth chief minister of the state, a position he could hold only for six months. Starting his career as a carpenter, Pul, went on to become a 'chowkidar' in a school and then earned the distinction of being the longest serving Finance Minister of the state under various chief ministers, including Gegong Apang, Mukut Mithi and late Dorjee Khandu. Born on 20 July, 1969 to Tailum Pul and Koranlu Pul at Walla Village under Hawai circle of Anjaw district, Pul had pursued his graduation in humanities from Indira Gandhi Government College at Tezu in Lohit district. His political innings started in 1995 when he was elected as an MLA from Hayuliang constituency and became the minister of state for Finance in the Mukut Mithi government. There was no looking back for Pul as he won from the constituency consecutively for five terms and served minister of state for Power, Finance, Land Management. Pul began as deputy minister for finance (1995-97), then became minister of state for power (1997-99), MoS for finance (1999-2002), MoS for land management (2002-03), and finally minister for finance (2003-05) before he was made chairman of a high-powered committee and simultaneously adviser to the CM for about a year. In 2006-09 he once again served as minister for finance, then minister for rural works (2009-11), and then health. Between 2011 and 2014, he was also made adviser to the CM, then again made a minister in 2014. He was also the executive member of Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee for 13 years and Pradesh Election Committee Member for 7 years. Pul had special interest in social service, community service and attending to poor and destitute persons. With inputs from PTI Chennai: Ruling AIADMK on Wednesday said party supremo and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, hospitalised since last month, is "very well" and would return home soon, even as scores of party workers continue to hold different forms of worships for her speedy recovery. "She is very well. God is by her side. She will come home soon," party spokesperson CR Saraswathy told reporters. She said the prayers of party supporters has reaped fruits and thanked the medical experts from Aiims and Singapore among others who treated the 68 year-old leader. Jayalalithaa was admitted to the Apollo Hospital on 22 September after she complained of fever and dehydration. Later on, the hospital had said she was being treated for infection with respiratory support among others. In its latest medical bulletin, which was issued on 21 October, the hospital had said the chief minister was interacting and progressing gradually. Meanwhile, AIADMK supporters in large numbers continued to organise special prayers and events for the well being of their 'Amma', as she is affectionately called by them, across the state. This included a six-hour musical prayer in Tirunelveli. Around 20,000 people carried the traditional palkudam (milkpot) over a 10 km stretch praying for Jayalalithaa's speedy recovery at Viralimalai in Puthukottai district. In Tirunelveli, thavil and nagaswara musicians played their instruments non-stop for six hours praying for the good health of the AIADMK supremo. Special prayers were held for her good health in many temples across the state. In a huge relief to senior BJP leader and former Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa, a special CBI court on Wednesday acquitted him along with his two sons and son-in-law in a Rs 40 crore mining bribery case. Here's the timeline of the case: July 2011: Karnataka Lokayukta led by Santosh Hegde submitted its final report, indicting the then chief minister BS Yeddyurappa and nine other accused in the bribery case, which had cost Yeddyurappa his chief ministership. The report had also stated that there is evidence to prove that he had granted illegal mining licenses to mining companies and benefited from them. October 2011: Yeddyurappa spent about three weeks in Bengaluru Central Jail. November 2011: Yeddyurappa got bail after spending 23 days in jail. March 2012: Karnataka High Court quashed FIR against Yeddyurappa and observed that there is no case which is made out against Yeddyurappa under provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act or any other law. May 2012: The Supreme Court directed the CBI to probe Yeddyurappas role in allegedly using his public office for granting favours to mining companies. July 2012: Karnataka High Court granted anticipatory bail to Yeddyurappa in a case relating to alleged irregularities in denotification of government land in 2009. November 2012: Yeddyurappa resigned as Member of Legislative Assembly and primary membership of BJP. Floated his own party Karnataka Janata Paksha. January 2014: Ahead of 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Yeddyurappa merged his party with BJP. October 2016: A special CBI court in Bengaluru acquitted Yeddyurappa along with his two sons and son-in-law. BEIRUT Air strikes by Syrian or Russian warplanes killed at least 26 people, most of them school children, in a village in Syria's rebel-held Idlib province on Wednesday, rescue workers and a monitoring group said.The raids hit a residential area and a school in Haas village, the Syrian Civil Defence rescue workers network said on its Facebook account. A report on Syrian state TV quoted a military source saying a number of militants had been killed when their positions were targeted in Haas, but did not mention a school.Syria's civil war pits President Bashar al-Assad, backed by Russia, Iran and Shi'ite Muslim militias from Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan against an array of mostly Sunni Muslim rebel groups including some backed by Turkey, Gulf monarchies and the United States.Idlib, near Aleppo in northwest Syria, contains the largest populated area controlled by rebels, both nationalist groups under the banner of the Free Syrian Army and Islamist ones including the former al Qaeda affiliate Jabhat Fateh al-Sham. The Civil Defence network, which operates in rebel-held areas in the country, said 20 of the dead in Wednesday's attacks were children. Photos taken at the scene showed buildings with walls reduced to rubble, including what appeared to be the school with upturned desks and chairs covered in dust. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based war monitor, said the warplanes had struck several locations in Haas including an elementary and middle school, killing at least one teacher as well as the children. It gave a lower toll of 15 children killed. Western countries and international human rights groups have regularly highlighted the high number of civilian deaths reported after Syrian and Russian air strikes. (Reporting by Ellen Francis and John Davison; Editing by Andrew Heavens) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Tom Perry and Laila Bassam | BEIRUT BEIRUT A veteran Christian leader is set to fill Lebanon's long-vacant presidency in a deal that underlines the ascendancy of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah movement and the diminished role of Saudi Arabia in the country.It appears all but certain that Michel Aoun will become president next week under an unlikely proposal tabled by Sunni leader Saad al-Hariri, whose Saudi-backed coalition opposed Hezbollah for years.Parliament will likely elect Aoun on Oct. 31. This will end one element of a paralysing political crisis: the 29-month-long presidential vacuum. But it is also creating new tensions that may disrupt the formation of a new government expected to be led by Hariri under a deal with Aoun.Aoun's election will also raise questions over Western policy towards Lebanon. Lebanon's army, guarantor of the country's internal peace, depends on aid from the United States, which deems Hezbollah a terrorist group.Hariri's proposal, unthinkable a few weeks ago, appears to have been forced on him by problems at his Saudi-based construction firm, Saudi Oger, the financial backbone of his political network in Lebanon.It marks the death throes of the Hariri-led alliance that struggled with Hezbollah for more than a decade, only to see the heavily armed Shi'ite group go from strength to strength in Lebanon and the wider region. With Hezbollah seemingly unassailable, Lebanon has tumbled down Saudi Arabia's list of regional priorities as it focuses on confronting Iran in Yemen, Bahrain and Syria, where Hezbollah is fighting in support of President Bashar al-Assad.That has led Riyadh's allies in Lebanon to cut new deals to preserve their interests."Lebanon is no longer a priority for the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Saudi Arabia no longer backs its allies in Lebanon, which has led to the weakening of its main ally in Lebanon - Prime Minister Hariri," said Nabil Boumonsef, a political commentator in the Lebanese newspaper an-Nahar.Announcing his endorsement of Aoun last week in a televised speech, Hariri said he was acting to protect Lebanon. But acceptance of Hezbollah's candidate is being seen as a defeat for the Hariri camp. "There is a victor and a vanquished, this is something that always brings dangerous consequences in Lebanon," Boumonsef said. "We are facing a breakthrough with the election of a president, but a minefield the day after."Aoun, who is in his 80s, is unlikely to secure the presidency in a first round vote on Monday that requires him to win a two-thirds majority in the 128 seat parliament. But barring surprises, analysts expect him to secure the simple majority needed to win a second vote to be held the same day. A "HAPPY ENDING"? The Lebanese presidency, reserved for a Maronite Christian in the country's sectarian power-sharing arrangement, has been empty since Michel Suleiman's term ended in May, 2014, pending a deal on who should succeed him. Aoun, army commander during Lebanon's 1975-90 civil war, has long coveted the position his supporters deem rightfully his.He led one of two rival administrations in the final years of the civil war, and was driven from the presidential palace and into exile by Syrian forces in 1990. He returned only after Syria withdrew from Lebanon in 2005 under international pressure following the assassination of Rafik al-Hariri, Saad's father.Aoun has been a staunch ally of Hezbollah since declaring their alliance in 2006, surprising many. Hezbollah and its allies toppled the first Hariri-led cabinet in 2011, quitting while he was meeting President Barack Obama in Washington. Explaining his decision to endorse Aoun, Hariri said they had agreed common principles, including strengthening the state. Aoun met Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Sunday to thank him for the "happy ending" to the presidential crisis.But analysts say Aoun and Hariri, 46, face a formidable task to win the cross-party support needed to make a new administration a success.Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, head of the Shi'ite Amal Movement and a long-time opponent of Aoun's, strongly criticised his deal with Hariri, angry they did not consult more widely.Berri, a close ally of Hezbollah, has said it could take five to six months to form the government, meaning it may not take office before parliamentary elections expected next year."There is quite a serious risk that Saad al-Hariri either fails to form a government or that it takes a long time," said a diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity.That would add to the political damage Hariri has suffered. His Sunni critics say he has already compromised too much with Hezbollah, five of whose members have been charged by a U.N.-backed tribunal over his father's killing.Hezbollah denies any role.Hariri's Future Movement faces a growing challenge from a former ally, Ashraf Rifi, who has cast himself as an uncompromising opponent of Hezbollah. Some Future MPs have said they will not vote for Aoun.QUESTIONS OVER MILITARY SUPPORT Aoun's swearing-in will be closely watched for his position on divisive issues including the powerful arsenal wielded by Hezbollah outside of the state's control, and Lebanon's stance towards the war in Syria. The state has adopted a policy of official neutrality, even as Hezbollah fights in Syria.The diplomat said the West would be paying close attention to whether Aoun acts in the national interest given his alliance with Hezbollah, and whether he tries to install loyalists in critical institutions such as the central bank and military. The Lebanese army is the world's fifth largest recipient of U.S. military aid. That support has become even more significant since Saudi Arabia cancelled a $3 billion in aid to the army and security forces in February, angered at the government's failure to condemn attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran."If the army starts to look like an Aoun fiefdom it becomes harder for Western donors to maintain support for the Lebanese Armed Forces," the diplomat said. (Writing by Tom Perry; editing by Giles Elgood) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Robin Emmott and Phil Stewart | BRUSSELS BRUSSELS Britain said on Wednesday it will send fighter jets to Romania next year and the United States promised troops, tanks and artillery to Poland in NATO's biggest military build-up on Russia's borders since the Cold War.Germany, Canada and other NATO allies also pledged forces at a defence ministers meeting in Brussels on the same day two Russian warships armed with cruise missiles entered the Baltic Sea between Sweden and Denmark, underscoring East-West tensions.In Madrid, the foreign ministry said Russia had withdrawn a request to refuel three warships in Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta after NATO allies said they could be used to target civilians in Syria.The ships were part of an eight-ship carrier battle group - including Russia's sole aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov - that is expected to join around 10 other Russian vessels already off the Syrian coast, diplomats said.NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the troop contributions to a new 4,000-strong force in the Baltics and eastern Europe were a measured response to what the alliance believes are some 330,000 Russian troops stationed on Russia's western flank near Moscow."This month alone, Russia has deployed nuclear-capable Iskander missiles to Kaliningrad and suspended a weapons-grade plutonium agreement with the United States," Stoltenberg said, also accusing Russia of continued support for rebels in Ukraine.Those ballistic missiles can hit targets across Poland and the Baltics, although NATO officials declined to say if Russia had moved nuclear warheads to Kaliningrad. NATO's aim is to make good on a July promise by NATO leaders to deter Russia in Europe's ex-Soviet states, after Moscow orchestrated the annexation of the Crimea peninsula in 2014.NATO's plan is to set up four battle groups with a total of some 4,000 troops from early next year, backed by a 40,000-strong rapid-reaction force, and if need be, follow-on forces. As part of that, U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced a "battle-ready battalion task force" of about 900 soldiers would be sent to eastern Poland, as well as another, separate force equipped with tanks and other heavy equipment to move across eastern Europe. "It's a major sign of the U.S. commitment to strengthening deterrence here," Carter said.Britain's Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said Britain would send an 800-strong battalion to Estonia, supported by French and Danish troops, starting from May. The United States wants its troops in position by June. London is also sending Typhoon fighter aircraft to Romania to patrol around the Black Sea, partly in support of Turkey. "Although we are leaving the European Union, we will be doing more to help secure the eastern and southern flanks of NATO," Fallon said. SYRIAN SHADOW Others NATO allies joined the four battle groups led by the United States, Germany, Britain and Canada to go to Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia. Canada said it was sending 450 troops to Latvia, joined by 140 military personnel from Italy. Germany said it was sending between 400 and 600 troops to Lithuania, with additional forces from the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, Croatia and Luxembourg. Stoltenberg said allies' commitments would be "a clear demonstration of our transatlantic bond." Diplomats said it would also send a message to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who has complained that European allies do not pay their way in the alliance. For the Kremlin, the U.S.-led alliance's plans are already too much given Russia's grievances at NATO's expansion eastwards, although Stoltenberg denied going too far.But NATO's troop announcements in the Baltic states and Poland were partly overshadowed by the dispute about whether Spain should refuel the Russian warships, which was later resolved by Moscow's decision to withdraw its request.NATO's tensions with Russia have been building since Crimea and the West's decision to impose retaliatory sanctions. But the breakdown of a U.S-Russia brokered ceasefire in Syria on Oct. 3, followed by U.S. accusations that Russia has used cyber attacks to disrupt the presidential election, have signalled a worsening of ties.Even before the break down of the Syrian ceasefire, Russian President Vladimir Putin suspended a treaty with Washington on cleaning up weapons-grade plutonium, signalling he was willing to use nuclear disarmament as a new bargaining chip in disputes with the United States over Ukraine and Syria. (Additional reporting by Sabine Siebold; Editing by Tom Heneghan) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Hillary Clinton says Donald Trump's proposals are "not the change we need". The Democratic Presidential candidate was speaking in Lake Worth, Florida, Clinton on Wednesday. Clinton carried forward her attacks on Trump stating that she doesn't believe "most Americans want the dark and divisive change Donald is offering". The Democratic presidential nominee said Trump would bring change to the country. But she argued that electing him means tax cuts for the wealthy, mass deportations, a rollback of gay marriage and abortion laws and "ripping up our alliances." Asking US citizens to vote for her, she said that unlike Trump, she offers a different vision, with more college opportunities, new jobs, immigration reform and a commitment to working with foreign allies. "The choice is yours as to what kind of country we want to be," she said. Clinton, however, didn't step back from taking a dig at Trump's luxury hotel in Washington, she said that it may be new, but "it's the same old story." She also challenged the Republican candidate's stand on migration policy alleging that Trump relied on undocumented workers "to make his project cheaper." That was apparently a reference to reporting that some subcontractors on the projected illegally hired undocumented laborers. She also said many of the products in the hotel's rooms were made overseas. Clinton also said that Trump has stiffed American workers and American businesses during his career in real estate. With inputs from AP By Gabriela Baczynska | TEHRAN TEHRAN Promises of more help for Afghan refugees made by the European Union aid chief on his visit to Iran this month were not enough to dissuade Mariam Haidari from wanting to head to Europe.She plans to go to Germany to join her husband and three of their children who were among a million-strong wave of irregular migrants to arrive in Europe last year, causing a rift among the bloc's members who struggled to agree on how to deal with them."Life was very difficult here and my husband was the only breadwinner for the family ... We couldn't afford the living expenses," said Haidari, who was at a refugee administration centre in Tehran when EU humanitarian affairs commissioner, Christos Stylianides visited the facility. To help stem the influx, the bloc is increasing aid to certain countries on migrant routes in the hope of persuading people there to stay put. So far these have included Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and some African countries.Now the EU is trying this strategy in Iran, which sits on the main transit route for Afghan refugees -- the second-largest group after Syrians to have reached Europe by sea last year.In Tehran, Stylianides announced the doubling of EU humanitarian aid to Iran to 12.5 million euros this year, with a special focus on education and health services for Afghan refugee children. "It's better to be close to your home and move back when the situation gets better than to be far away," Stylianides said. "It's better for Afghan refugees to integrate in this society than in Europe. Here it's the same religion, similar mentality, culture. It's much harder in, let's say, Germany." IRAN TIES Iran has only recently become more accessible to such EU diplomacy, enabled by a tentative rapprochement after a landmark agreement last year for Tehran to scale down its nuclear programme and the West to ease its hard-hitting sanctions. The EU hopes humanitarian aid could help re-establish ties with Iran, an Islamic republic of some 78 million people, which has a high number of executions and ranks second in the world on the highest number of imprisoned journalists.Freedom of expression, rights of ethnic and religious minorities and women there all are a major concern for the bloc.But during his visit Stylianides carefully avoided criticising Iran on that, instead playing up the need to rebuild ties with Tehran to be able to engage more on the ground.EDUCATION Nevertheless, EU's aid to Iran fades compared to 3 billion euros the bloc promised to Turkey for its help in managing migration.Iranian officials said foreign aid covers only about 6 percent of the cost of hosting the Afghan refugee community and said the EU should do more."I would call it an investment for the European Union, any kind of support to the education system," said Hamid Shamsaldili at Iran's Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants Affairs. "Any kind of support to this country will prevent these people from going to European countries."The situation of the three million Afghan refugees in Iran is often dire.Iran has hosted the large refugee community for more than 30 years now as Afghans first fled the Soviet invasion, then the long Taliban insurgency and now Islamic State attacks. A third of them have a formal refugee status with some limited benefits. But the other two millions are "undocumented", meaning that for generations they have had no access to education, jobs or healthcare.Last year, as its ties with the West started to improve slowly, Tehran allowed children of the "undocumented" Afghan refugees to attend public primary schools. Aid groups on the ground say some 48,000 such children enrolled in 2015.It was the first time Western aid agencies could reach out to this large and extremely vulnerable group."There has been quite a lot of hope, from the Iranian authorities as well as from our side, that this political opening will create more funding options," said Olivier Vandecasteele, the Norwegian Refugee Council's head in Iran."So far it has raised interest but it hasn't translated into any additional huge funding decisions." At the time of Stylianides' visit, Swedish officials were in Tehran to pick 157 Afghans for resettlement, a tiny share of the large numbers of such requests. It is mostly the younger Afghans who want to go to Europe but EU's asylum acceptance rates for them are low. And they face dangers along the way: For those crossing the Mediterranean, as most Afghan refugees do, the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR said 2016 is shaping up to be the deadliest year yet. (Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. The third presidential debate is long over and the campaign for the US presidential election is in the last leg. While Republican nominee Donald Trumps presidential race has so far been guided by his vitriolic, misogynist, xenophobic outbursts and often incorrect understanding of state and foreign policies, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, despite holding her ground and currently leading the race, is still perceived as untrustworthy by a certain section of Americans. The Associated Press reports that Clinton if elected as the President, she will enter the White House as one of the least popular first-term presidents in generations. And while voting data shows that Clinton is leading in Florida, North Carolina and Maine, Trump is likely to have an edge in the states of Ohio, Iowa and Georgia. Early poll data shows that against Trump and independents Gary Johnson and Jill Stein, Clinton may manage to secure 50 percent of the vote. As explained on potus2016.org, a candidate needs to win 270 of the 538 electoral votes. Of the 50 states, even though most of the states are either marked blue (Democratic) or red (Republican), it is the battleground states that are often the kingmakers. What are battleground states? Every election determines a set of battleground states or purple states whose electoral votes can be a deciding factor for electing the next president. A battleground state which neither has a Democratic nor Republican majority can tip the scale and pick the inner. Apart from the party affiliation, racial, age and economic diversity characterise a battleground state. In fact, campaigners are known to spend on influencing the voters in these states. In this highly polarised election, heres why the battleground states will play a major role: After levelling allegations of the election being rigged, during the third presidential debate when Trump was asked whether he will accept the election results, if he losses, in his trademark belligerent style he had said will look at it at the time and Ill keep you in suspense. Clinton camp is already looking into possibilities in case Trump refuses to concede. To avoid such kind of complication, her team has to ensure a win by a huge margin. A narrow victory would make it more difficult for her to claim substantial political capital at the start of her administration, reported AP. In such a situation, electoral votes of the swing states become extremely crucial. Even though a dozen states are identified as battleground states, heres a look at some of the crucial states which are projecting a swing in the voting pattern: Ohio Early projections show that Trump might be losing ground in Ohio because of the disastrous last few weeks, a state which has been a Republican stronghold. According to The Conversation, Every successful candidate since 1960 has won Ohio, and no Republican has won without it. In 2008, Barack Obama won the state by four points and The Washington Post had described it as one of the toughest states with its older and whiter population, in 2012, however, he had sailed through to victory in the battleground state. According to The New York Times, though Trump had the support of the large white population with his America first motto, Clinton may be closing in on the gap. The report, however, added that Ohio might not be a game changer if Clinton manages to clinch win in Pennsylvania, Colorado and Virginia. Pennsylvania According to Politico, Clinton is leading the state by 6 percent. The report explains that for Trump, Pennsylvania is a must win and that the Republican party has set aside $4.5 million for advertising in the state in the last leg of the election. Historically, Pennsylvania has been a Democrat dominated state and has never voted for a Republican since 1988. The LA Times described the state as the Clinton lynchpin and Philadelphia as the Democratic hot seat. While Trump has appealed to the blue workers, Clinton have to target the African-American voters which helped Obama rake up a margin of half a million votes in 2012, the report added. North Carolina In North Carolina, Democrats have moved ahead of Republicans in early voting. According to AP, Clinton will be the next President if she either wins North Carolina or Florida. While Obama had won from North Carolina in 2008, Mitt Romney won in 2012 by a narrow margin. As per Bustle, Obama was the first Democrat to win from North Carolina since 1976 when Jimmy Carter won it. Earlier in March, The Atlantic had reported that job losses in the textile and furniture industries pushed this relatively moderate state to the Republican side with Trumps America First agenda, however, the report added that Democratic black voters are in favour of Clinton. Florida The CNN described Florida as swingiest swing state. The report added these swing voters are mainly young voters with a large population of Hispanics. In the 2000 election, Florida tipped the presidency in favour of George W Bush. The winner was decided after a month-long legal battle. In 2000, the television networks had made a premature call and had announced that Bush had won. Al Gore conceded as Florida was the deciding state. However, it was later announced that the it was too close to call. As per the American law, the situation called for a recount. After a month-long legal tussle, the Supreme Court of America rejected the Florida courts recount order and Gore had to concede once again. Poll data shows that Clinton is leading in this battleground state. Iowa This purple state has voted mostly for the Democrats and Obama won this state twice, however, this election Trump seems to be holding ground in Iowa. A look at the swinging nature of Iowa, The Economist reported that in 2000, Al Gore had won the state, the following year Bush won it by 10,000 votes. Even though Obama won both times, this election it will once again be a close fight. The report added that nearly 92 percent of the population in Iowa are white and a majority of them dont have a college degree and since Obamas last win, there has been a shift against the Democrats. Arizona Traditionally, Arizona has been a Republican bastion. The last Democratic President to win this state was Bill Clinton in 1996 and before him it was Harry Truman in 1948, according to the BBC. The report added that the state might go Hillary Clintons way as the latest poll indicate that she is leading by five percent. Trumps promise of building a border wall with Mexico to stop illegal immigration has not resonated well with the high Hispanic population in the state, Reuters reported. A Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll indicated that 47% of Arizona residents believed that the wall was a waste of money. The Washington Times explained that shifting voter demographics and Trump alienating white women voters have given an edge to Democrats in states where they didnt stand a chance eight years ago. Afghanistan: Militants linked to the Islamic State group killed around 30 civilians, including children, in the central Afghan province of Ghor, the local government said on Wednesday. The incident occurred late Tuesday north of the provincial capital Firoz Koh, with the government calling it a revenge attack after a local IS commander was killed. "Our security forces with the help of locals conducted an operation and killed a Daesh (IS) commander yesterday. Daesh fighters in return abducted around 30 villagers, mostly shepherds," Ghor Governor Nasir Khazeh told AFP. "Their dead bodies were found by local people this morning." There has so far been no official claim of responsibility from the group. The killings underscore unravelling security in Afghanistan as the resurgent Taliban continue a push into urban centres 15 years after they were toppled from power by the US invasion. IS fighters are also making steady inroads into Afghanistan, winning over sympathisers, recruiting followers and challenging the Taliban on their own turf, primarily in the country's east. In March Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced that the Islamists had been defeated after local security forces claimed victory in a months-long operation against the group. But IS militant have continued to launch deadly strikes in the country. In July, IS jihadists claimed responsibility for twin explosions that ripped through crowds of Shiite Hazaras in Kabul, killing at least 80 people in the deadliest single attack in the Afghan capital since 2001. By Idrees Ali and Yeganeh Torbati | WASHINGTON WASHINGTON Kurdish YPG militia fighters will be a part of the force to isolate the Islamic State-held Syrian city of Raqqa, the top U.S. military commander in Iraq said on Wednesday.Army Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend also said in a news briefing that the U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State wished to move urgently to isolate Raqqa because of concerns about the group using the city - its main stronghold in Syria - as a base to plan and launch attacks against targets abroad.The United States regards the YPG as an ally in its fight against Islamic State, but Turkey regards it as a terrorist organization because of its links with ethnic Kurdish militants involved in a three-decade insurgency within Turkey.Kurdish militia groups have played a large role over the past year in the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a U.S.-backed umbrella group, as it has seized large areas of territory from Islamic State, laying the ground for an assault on Raqqa. "Turkey doesn't want to see us operating with the SDF anywhere, particularly in Raqqa," Townsend said. "We're having talks with Turkey and we're going to take this in steps."Townsend added that intelligence officials believe that Islamic State is using Raqqa as a central planning point for international attacks."The only force that is capable on any near-term timeline are the Syrian Democratic Forces, of which the YPG are a significant portion," Townsend said. "We're going to take the force that we have and we will go to Raqqa soon with that force." "We think it's very important to get isolation in place around Raqqa to start controlling that environment on a pretty short timeline," he said.U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter has repeatedly signaled this week that the campaign in Raqqa was fast approaching, telling reporters traveling with him in Brussels on Wednesday that the start of the operation was weeks away. "I think it will be within weeks, that's what I want to say, and not many weeks," Carter said, adding the goal was to generate and position local forces to start isolating the city.Carter said on Tuesday the attack on Raqqa would start while the battle of Mosul in neighboring Iraq was still unfolding. (Additional reporting by Phil Stewart in Brussels, editing by G Crosse) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Islamabad: National Geographic's famed 'Afghan Girl' Sharbat Bibi was arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Wednesday in Pakistan's Peshawar city, authorities said. Bibi was arrested from her home for forgery of a Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC), FIA sources said. Bibi has dual Pakistani and Afghan nationality, and both ID cards have been recovered from her, Dawn online reported. An FIA official said the officer who had issued the ID cards to Sharbat Bibi was now working as a deputy commissioner in customs and got bail-before-arrest to avoid arrest in the case. Last year, National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) issued three CNICs to Sharbat Bibi and two men who claimed to be her sons. Issuance of CNICs were in violation to the rules and procedures of Nadra. The official added that relatives present at the given address have refused to recognise two persons listed as her sons in the form. An inquiry had been launched with Nadra officials under fire for issuing CNICs to foreign nationals without legitimate documentation, The Tribune online noted. Sharbat Bibi became famously known as the 'Afghan Girl' when National Geographic photographer Steve McCurry captured her photograph at the Nasir Bagh refugee camp situated on the edge of Peshawar in 1984 and identified her as Sharbat Gula. She gained worldwide recognition when her image was featured on the cover of the June 1984 issue of National Geographic Magazine at a time when she was approximately 12-years-old. She remained anonymous for years after her first photo made her an icon around the world and until she was discovered by National Geographic in 2002. Islamabad: For the second day in a row, Pakistan on Wednesday summoned India's Deputy High Commissioner and lodged a strong protest over alleged "unprovoked firing" by Indian forces along the Working Boundary and Line of Control. It was second day in succession that Indian envoy JP Singh was summoned by the Foreign Office over violation of the ceasefire. "The Indian Deputy High Commissioner was summoned by the Director General (South Asia & SAARC) today. A strong protest was lodged against the unprovoked ceasefire violations," the Foreign Office said in a statement. The protest was lodged over violation of ceasefire agreement at the Working Boundary in Chaprar and Harpal sectors and on the LoC in Bhimber sector on 25-26 October, the statement said. Pakistan said that two civilians were killed and nine others injured in the firing. "It was conveyed to the Indian side that it should investigate the incident and share the findings with Pakistan, instruct its troops to respect the ceasefire, in letter and spirit, refrain from intentionally targeting the villages and maintain peace on the Working Boundary and the LoC," FO said. India had on Tuesday said Pakistan Army violated the ceasefire by targeting Indian Army positions with mortar and small arms fire in Noushera sector of Rajouri district, prompting the army to give a "befitting response". There have been over 40 ceasefire violations from the There have been over 40 ceasefire violations from the Pakistani side since the Indian side carried out surgical strikes inside Pakistan occupied Kashmir targeting terror launching pads, post the attack on an army camp in Uri on 18 September. By Richard Cowan | WASHINGTON WASHINGTON The Republican Party's two-year run in the majority of the U.S. Senate is at serious risk and may well end on Nov. 8, senior congressional aides said on Wednesday, blaming Donald Trump as a drag on down-ballot Republican candidates.With 13 days to go before elections, several Senate aides from both parties privately warned of trouble for Republicans."Things are not good ... the Senate is gone," said one Republican aide who asked not to be identified in order to candidly discuss the turbulent outlook for the 2016 campaign.Citing polling, the aide said Republicans could lose Senate seats in six battleground states: Pennsylvania, Illinois, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Missouri.Republicans now hold 54 of the Senate's 100 seats. Democrats must snatch four seats to win a majority, provided their presidential candidate Hillary Clinton beats Trump. That would make Clinton's running mate, Tim Kaine, the tie-breaking Senate vote since the vice president votes in order to break a tie.On Tuesday, the non-partisan Cook Political Report predicted Democrats would gain five to seven seats. Such a result would leave them short of the 60 votes needed to easily get things done in the Senate, but it would provide a majority.A less pessimistic Senate Republican aide said Senate control still "could go either way" but sketched out problems. In Pennsylvania, the aide said, Senator Pat Toomey has to "fight off dead weight at the top of the ticket," referring to Trump. He said Missouri Democrat Jason Kander, who is trying to unseat Senator Roy Blunt, is "a great candidate." Nationally, "the reason we don't hold the Senate, if we don't, is because of Donald Trump," the aide said.Of course, this has been a volatile and unpredictable year and there is still time for trends to reverse. Democrats stressed they are not breaking out the champagne. According to RealClear Politics, Toomey leads by 1.8 percentage points in Pennsylvania while Blunt is up by a point in strongly Republican Missouri and Senator Richard Burr has a 2.8-point lead in North Carolina over his Democratic challenger.Still, a senior Senate Democratic aide said, "We have a lot more paths to a majority than they do."Republicans entered the 2016 Senate races at a disadvantage, having to defend 24 seats to only 10 for Democrats.Democratic President Barack Obama, who is still relatively popular, won at least one of his two White House races in most of the states where Republicans currently are struggling, such as New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Nevada. Clinton leads Trump by about 5 points in some national polls. Studies show a pattern of voting in recent decades in which the outcome of Senate races has had a significant correlation to who wins the White House.Polling in the hardest-fought states points to extremely close races with Republican incumbents' backs against the wall.In New Hampshire, Republican incumbent Kelly Ayotte is in a tough race with Democratic challenger Maggie Hassan. University of New Hampshire political science professor Dante Scala said Republican senators in that state and Pennsylvania face the "one-two punch" of independent voters potentially being turned off by Trump and an electorate that leans Democratic in presidential election years like 2016."Given the overall environment, it tilts to Hassan," Scala said. (Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and Bill Trott) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Beirut: Airstrikes in Syria killed up to 22 people, mostly children, on Wednesday when warplanes struck a residential area housing a school complex in the northern rebel-held province of Idlib, activists and rescue workers said. A team of first responders, the Syrian Civil Defense in Idlib, said 22 people were killed and at least 50 wounded in the raids on the village of Hass. Most of those killed were children, the group said in a posting on its Facebook page. Another activist group, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, gave the same death toll and said 14 children and a woman were among those killed. The activist-operated Idlib News network, which gave a lower toll of 17 people killed, said the strikes hit as the children were gathered outside the school complex. It said the death toll could rise as some of the wounded were reported to be in critical condition, the network added. Idlib is the main Syrian opposition stronghold, though radical groups also have a large presence there. It has regularly been hit by Syrian and Russian warplanes as well as the U.S.-led coalition targeting Islamic State militants. Footage posted by activists online shows a huge plume of smoke rising from the area of the strikes and rescuers rushing casualties away along a dusty road lined with destroyed buildings. A woman's body is seen being carried on a stretcher while other bodies, covered in cloth and one with only a hat, lie under shrubs and other casualties are ferried away in pick-up trucks. An activist at the scene, Muaz al-Shami, said as many as 10 airstrikes were believed to have hit the residential area. The video content couldn't be independently confirmed. However, it conforms with AP reporting on the events depicted. Earlier in the day, the northern Aleppo province saw a new escalation as a helicopter believed to belong to Syrian government forces dropped barrel bombs in a deadly attack on Turkey-backed opposition forces in the border area, Turkish officials said. A statement attributed to the field commander of Syria's pro-government troops said any Turkish advances in northern Syria under the pretext of fighting IS militants would be dealt with "forcefully and appropriately." The barrel bombing was said to have occurred in the village of Tal Madiq, in a part of northern Aleppo where rival groups have been operating, mostly to rout Islamic State militants. If confirmed, it would be the first attack by Syrian government forces on the Turkish-backed fighters. Turkey's state-run news agency didn't say when the attack occurred and said at least two Syrian opposition fighters were killed and five others wounded. A Syrian opposition spokesman said it took place yesterday. The Observatory's chief, Rami Abdurrahman, said helicopters struck as intense clashes were underway between Kurdish-led fighters and Turkey-backed forces in Tal Madiq and that 11 Syrian opposition fighters and five Kurdish fighters were killed. Afghanistan: Taliban insurgents have killed at least 20 Afghan civilians after abducting them in the remote central province of Ghor the previous day, officials said Wednesday. The slain civilians were from a group of 33 taken by the militants near the provincial capital of Ferozkoh, according to Ziauddin Saqib, the deputy provincial police chief. The abductions took place while battles were underway between the Taliban and Afghan security forces on Tuesday that saw two militant commanders killed, he added. Both commanders were infamous figures in Ghor and were involved in many anti-government activities, Saqib also said, adding that the "cowardly insurgents killed innocent civilians in revenge for their commanders killed by security forces." There was no immediate statement from the Taliban on the incident in the largely lawless Ghor. However, Abdul Hai Khateby, the spokesman for the provincial governor, said he is convinced the militants behind the attacks and abductions were a renegade Taliban group that had sworn allegiance last year to Afghanistan's Islamic State affiliate. "The group is former Taliban who just a year ago announced their support to their Islamic State group and changed their white flag to black," Khateby told The Associated Press, speaking over the telephone from Ghor. The two different statements could not immediately be reconciled. Khateby also said he believed the abductions and killings were in revenge for the deaths of the two commanders. The civilians who were abducted are all poor people from the area, mainly villagers and shepherds, and there were even children among those taken, said Khateby. Ghor is one of Afghanistan's poorest and least developed provinces, with many areas outside Ferozkoh, the provincial capital, believed to be under Taliban control. The Taliban have in recent months stepped up attacks across Afghanistan, taking advantage of the warm weather to wage war against the Kabul government. Many civilians have been caught in the cross-fire and also targeted by roadside bombs, which are among the insurgents' weapons of choice. Recently, the Taliban have attacked Afghan security forces in northern Kunduz province, briefly taking control of a district headquarters. The militants have also overrun a district in northern Baghlan province and in eastern Paktia province. Meanwhile, in eastern Nangarhar province, Taliban militants have fought pitched battles with security forces. Afghanistan's Ministry of Defense says its forces are waging operations in 15 provinces. In July, Kabul was shaken by a massive suicide bombing that struck a peaceful rally by Afghanistan's minority ethnic Hazara community, killing more than 80 people and wounding hundreds. That attack was claimed by the Islamic State group, which emerged last year in Afghanistan as an affiliate of the militant group fighting in Iraq and Syria. Analysts believe the Islamic State affiliate in the country is mostly made up of disenfranchised Taliban fighters. The Hazara attack was the IS Afghan branch's first assault in the country's capital and the deadliest attack in Kabul since the US-led invasion to oust the Taliban regime in 2001. The Pakistani media says that the recent terrorist attack in Quetta that killed around 60 people and injured over 100 at a police academy indicates a trend that connects terror attacks after Pathankot. The trend referred to is of terrorists surprising their victims, firing indiscriminately and blowing themselves up. While the aim may be to draw similarities between India and Pakistan to surmise 'Pakistan too is victim of terror', what is new about this terror modus operandi? But, by referring to the similarities between the attacks in India and Pakistan, Pakistans Daily Times appears to have stumbled upon the trend by design or default; the trend and modus operandi are the same because these terrorists have been radicalised, armed, equipped and trained by the same agency Pakistans ISI, which not only radicalises these men but perhaps pumps opiates in them before they set out to commit ghastly and bizarre acts. Imran Khans latest accusation is that India is trying to implode Pakistan from within. But why does India have to waste effort on this when Pakistans generals have made, and continue to make fine progress for Pakistans self-destruction. Remember Nasir Abbas Mirzas write up A Monstrous Experiment of 11 May, 2009 in Daily Times saying: "There are thousands of madrasas spread all over Pakistans urban centres that are producing millions of neo-drones Take a little boy and incarcerate him in a remote madrasa. Indoctrinate him with a distorted version of a religion and tell him that he does not belong to this world. Teach him about the fanciful world that awaits him in the heaven, and that in order to attain that he has to destroy everything that stands in his way, including his own body... At full steam ahead in Pakistan, this is a monstrous experiment in brainwashing and it is on a par with, if not worse than, Nazi Germanys eugenics. They did it in the name of science; here, it is being done in the name of God and religion. On a very large scale, this is a hugely successful experiment in which nurture triumphs and nature takes a beating" Michel Chossudovsky, professor at University of Ottawa, wrote in his article 'The Destabilisation of Pakistan' in 2007 that Washington had been planning a scenario of disintegration and civil war in Pakistan for more than five years, US intelligence using Pakistans ISI as a go-between, had supported Al-Qaeda and its various affiliated organisations and 'Talibanisation' was the direct result of US-led covert operations. He went on to say that the US course consisted of fomenting social, ethnic and factional divisions and political fragmentation, including the territorial breakup of Pakistan, dictated by US war plans in relation to both Afghanistan and Iran. But while Chossudovskys analysis may not be entirely relevant today, there is little chance Imran Khan would have read this either. However, the fact remains that the Pakistani generals have put Pakistan in the eye of the strategic geopolitical competition by opening the floodgates for China; in direct path of the hybrid Great Game between Nato and China with the Indian Ocean Rim fast becoming the centre of gravity for future conflict. There is no doubt that Pakistan is finding itself in the uncomfortable position of diplomatic isolation, both at the regional and global level despite total patronage by China. Adam Szubin, US acting undersecretary on Countering the Financing of Terrorism recently stated, We continue to urge our partners in Pakistan to go after all terrorist networks operating in their country. We stand ready to help them. But there should be no doubt that while we remain committed to working with Pakistan to confront ongoing terrorist financing and operations, the US will not hesitate to act alone, when necessary, to disrupt and destroy these networks, adding, "The problem is that there are forces within the Pakistani government specifically in Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence or ISI that refuse to take similar steps against all the terrorist groups active in Pakistan, tolerating some groups or even worse." Although Szubins remarks were delivered while was speaking at the Paul H Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Washington DC, his statement would have come as rude shock to Pakistan, rattled as it already is by the diplomatic offensive by Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the terrorist attack at Uri. The deft moves to deflect from the unenviable position that Pakistan found itself in followed predictable moves. Posters appeared in Gujranwala, Pakistans Punjab with the Laskar-e-Taiba (LeT) owning responsibility for the terrorist attack on the army base at Uri despite the evidence pointing at the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). These posters exhorted people to gather in Nawab Chowk of Gujranwala on 25 October to participate in the funeral in absentia of Muhammad Anas, alias Abu Siraqa, one of the four attackers killed in Uri on 18 September. The poster, also circulated on WhatsApp, stated that Hafiz Saeed, LeT chief would deliver a special address on the occasion. Now why should the LeT own up to responsibility of the Uri terror attack at this stage? That Pakistan wants to portray that the LeT is out of control is obvious. But the fact remains that both LeT and JeM are covert arms of the generals and Hafiz Saeed and Azhar Masood are accorded protection and special status by the Pakistani army. Otherwise, how would Hafiz Saeed address the funeral in absentia in Gujranwala on 25 October? Photographs of a meeting in Pakistan following Indias surgical strikes in the wake of the terror attack in Uri showed high-profile Pakistani ISI officials sitting along with Hafiz Saeed, Sirajuddin Haqqani and Abdullah Gul, son of former ISI chief Hamid Gul under whom LeT flourished. In an earlier photograph, Abdullah Gul is seen with HuMs Syed Salahuddin and Pakistani NSA Naseer Khan Janjua. Abdullah Gul provides legitimacy and funds to terror organisations like LeT, Hizbul Mujahideen and JuD, and is joined in these activities by Ijaz ul-Haq, former federal minister in Pakistan and son of former military dictator Zia ul-Haq under whom Talibanisation of the Pakistani army started being shaped. The Islamic State and Pakistan Taliban have claimed responsibility for the Quetta attack while Pakistan has blamed the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ). US intelligence acknowledges that IS in Afghanistan-Pakistan consists of disgruntled elements of both the Pakistani and Afghan Taliban. Obviously they have been clubbed together and mixed with other terrorist groups, regulars from Mujahid battalions and ISI operatives. Pakistan has the handle on both Talibans through Sirajuddin Haqqani and has been employing Pakistan-based LeT, JeM, LeJ, Haqqanis to create mayhem in Afghanistan, lately targeting Hazaras to widen the sectarian divide. Voice of America had earlier reported Afghanistan officially telling Pakistan Hafiz Saeed, former LeT chief is directing ISIS operations in Afghanistan. The ISIs internal thinking reflected the accusations the R&AW had orchestrated the Mumbai, Pathankot and Uri terror attacks in India. So why not use LeJ to target the police academy at Quetta to lift pressure from diplomatic isolation? Is there any reason the Pakistani authorities are about how many of the 60-odd killed and over 100 injured are Shias and Balochis? Get the picture? Of course, as always, the White House condemned the Quetta and said the US would support Pakistan in its fight against terrorism. Case closed. The author is a veteran Lieutenant-General of the Indian Army Airtel launched International roaming packs for postpaid customers with data, free India calling minutes, free incoming calls and free texts to India in September with 1 day and 30 days validity last month. Today it has launched packs with 10 days validity that will be useful for customers who go for a short trip to popular destinations such as Singapore, Thailand, US/Canada, UK, and UAE. Charges for calls to India and local in-country calls have been reduced to as low as Rs. 3/min across popular destinations. Post the exhaustion of pack data benefits, international roaming data will now be charged at just Rs. 3/MB, a reduction of 99% from Rs. 650/MB. Benefits/Country Singapore Thailand US-Canada UK UAE Pack Rental 1199 1199 2999 2999 2999 Incoming calls Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited 250 Data 2GB 2GB 2GB 2GB 2GB Free mins. to India 250 250 250 250 250 SMS India 100/ day 100/ day 100/ day 100/ day 100/day Data post pack benefits(Rs/MB) 3 3 3 3 3 Outgoing India (Rs/min) 3 3 3 3 10 Outgoing Local (Rs/min) 3 3 3 3 10 These packs can be activated through the Airtel website, myAirtel app, USSD and Customer Contact Centers. Commenting on the new plans, Ajai Puri, Director Operations (India & South Asia), Bharti Airtel said: We are delighted to introduce the new 10-day validity pack for International Roaming and provide added flexibility to customers. These affordable packs will enable users to now stay connected 247 without having to worry about the high call and data charges while roaming on international networks. On Tuesday, Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG -0.44%) announced that it will no longer pursue its burgeoning Asian restaurant concept, ShopHouse. The news almost certainly contributed to the 2.4% decline in Chipotle's share price in after-hours trading following the release of its third-quarter earnings. Investors and analysts had long touted the possibility that ShopHouse would transform into a major growth driver for Chipotle. Designed in a similar manner to one of its burrito locations, the belief was that Chipotle's secret sauce was based, at least in part, on the way it served food. We now know that just isn't enough to propel another restaurant concept forward. I, for one, really liked ShopHouse. Based on an interpretation of Thai cuisine, the first location opened in Washington, D.C., in 2011. Fast forward to today, and there are 15 ShopHouse locations in two distinct markets outside of the nation's capital -- Los Angeles and Chicago. "We're proud of the ShopHouse team and the delicious food they've created and the excellent customer service they've delivered," said Chipotle's co-CEO Monty Moran on the third-quarter conference call with analysts. "But even though the food was delicious, the chain failed to attract the same level of customer loyalty and repeat visits that Chipotle did." As a result of its decision to back away from the concept, Chipotle fully impaired the assets related to ShopHouse, writing off $14.5 million on a pre-tax basis in the three months ended Sept. 30. The chain will now seek "strategic alternatives" to dispose of the 15-unit Asian concept. It's impossible to say exactly what Moran means by this, be it to close the chain altogether, to spin it off into a separate company, or to try to sell it. But his downbeat comments about its failure to develop into a "compelling growth strategy" certainly leads one to believe that there isn't much value there. Moran was clear to point out that Chipotle's management teams remains optimistic about its other concepts, based respectively on pizza and burgers. "We continue to believe that our approach to food, people, and unit economics, with the right cuisine, with the right concept, can lead to a compelling growth strategy," he said. "And we are optimistic that our other growth seeds, serving pizza and soon burgers, both of which have broad customer appeal, can become further growth strategies for us." If you read between the lines, Chipotle's executives thus seem to believe that there isn't as broad of an appeal for Asian quick-service chains in terms of the frequency of customer visits as there is for burritos, pizzas, and burgers. This is disappointing, but the value in Chipotle was always in its eponymous burrito chain, which is still expanding at roughly 200 restaurants a year. Ultimately, there's nothing wrong with failure. If Chipotle's executives weren't willing to take risks, its restaurants wouldn't be here in the first place. This is a minor bump in the road for an otherwise solid company that will continue to reward shareholders like me for years to come. What happened Shares of glass container company Owens-Illinois Inc. (OI -2.33%) jumped as much as 14.4% in early trading Wednesday after the company reported third-quarter earnings. At 12:30 p.m. EDT, the stock was still up 13.2%. So what Net sales were up 9% to $1.7 billion, due in part to the acquisition of Vitro's food and beverage business. Organically, sales were only up 2%. Earnings from continuing operations jumped from $0.57 a year ago to $0.68 per share, which surpassed Wall Street's $0.66-per-share estimate. The North American market was the highlight for Owens-Illinois with segment operating profit up 30% from a year ago to $79 million. Latin America's segment operating profit was also up 45% to $74 million, helping offset flat results in Europe and Asia Pacific. Now what Operations continue to slowly improve, helped by acquisitions. And management is expecting full-year earnings to come in at $2.27 to $2.32 per share, which is in line with Wall Street's expectations. And after the earnings beat last quarter, there's hope full-year results will top expectations as well. With shares trading at just 8.4 times the top end of full-year results, there's very good value in a business that should be very consistent in the long term. And if shares pull back from today's big gain, I think it would be a nice entry point for investors with the long haul in mind. Harvard University has reached a tentative labor agreement with 700 of its cafeteria workers who have been on strike for almost three weeks. The school announced Tuesday that it agreed in principle to a five-year contract with Unite Here Local 26, the labor union representing Harvard's dining workers. The union went on strike Oct. 5 after months of negotiations failed to result in a new contract, forcing Harvard to scale back its dining operations. Both sides declined to provide details of the agreement, which faces a union vote Wednesday. But union President Brian Lang said it "addresses all of the concerns" of the strikers. At the heart of the dispute is a conflict over wages and benefits. The union asked Harvard to increase salaries to a minimum of $35,000 a year, and it opposed the university's plan to raise health care costs. Harvard officials said its dining workers already have better pay and benefits than others in the region. The tentative deal could bring an end to a strike that some billed as a David and Goliath clash. Union members and their supporters highlighted that Harvard's $35 billion endowment is the largest in the nation, while many of its dining workers are paid $30,000 a year. Critics said Harvard studies poverty while its workers live it. Daily picket lines outside Harvard drew celebrity supporters including Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a former Harvard Law professor, and actor Ben Stiller, who was in town filming a movie. The city council in Cambridge, where Harvard is located, unanimously voted to support the dining workers. Students staged campus protests backing the union. Harvard officials previously said they had proposed a fair contract, with a 10 percent increase in hourly wages over five years, and more paid days off than many in the dining industry. The school noted that much of the money in its endowment is restricted, meaning donors dictate how it should be used. The university's executive vice president said in a statement Tuesday that the negotiation process had been challenging and contentious for many on campus. "I would like to convey our gratitude, on behalf of the university, to all those who showed patience at a time of disruption and inconvenience," Katie Lapp said in her statement. "The university has been unequivocal in its belief that dining services workers are valued employees and vital members of the Harvard community." Although labor disputes occasionally arise on colleges campuses, they're rare at Harvard. This was the school's first strike since 1983, when dining workers went on strike for a single day. It also flared at a time when wealthy schools have been under scrutiny for amassing large endowments as student costs increase. During the strike, Harvard has closed some dining halls, reduced its offerings and recruited temporary workers to feed students. Lapp said she looks forward to welcoming the dining workers back as soon as possible. Lang, the union president, said the strike will continue until dining workers ratify a new contract. The Latest on the Dakota Access oil pipeline (all times local): 6:50 p.m. The Rev. Jesse Jackson says he is going to North Dakota to join the protest against the Dakota Access oil pipeline. Jackson says Native Americans who oppose the pipeline have a "moral claim to be heard" and that their burial grounds "must be honored." The civil rights leader says he plans to arrive in Bismarck on Wednesday and will stand with pipeline opponents and "if necessary, go to jail with them." Jackson has been campaigning for Hillary Clinton, but says he is diverting to North Dakota "because their case is that precious to me." Pipeline opponents worry about potential effects on drinking water on the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's reservation and farther downstream on the Missouri River, as well as destruction of cultural artifacts, including burial sites. Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners says the pipeline has numerous safeguards. ___ 1:35 p.m. The developer of the Dakota Access oil pipeline says protesters who have camped on company land since the weekend are trespassing and will be prosecuted "to the fullest extent of the law." Energy Transfer Partners said in a statement Tuesday that it wants all protesters to leave its land in North Dakota immediately. More than 100 American Indians and others set up tents and teepees over the weekend on land the Dallas-based company acquired recently. That move put them right in the path of the four-state, thousand-mile pipeline for the first time. The protesters argue the land rightfully belongs to Native Americans under a more than century-old treaty. But the local sheriff's office has called it trespassing. The Standing Rock Sioux and other protesters argue the pipeline is a threat to clean water. Energy Transfer Partners says the pipeline will be safe. ___ 1 p.m. Former Vice President Al Gore says he supports the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in its opposition to the Dakota Access oil pipeline. Gore said in a statement Tuesday that the pipeline "appears to be a dangerous project in blatant disregard of obvious risks to the Missouri River and with disrespect to the Standing Rock Sioux." The tribe wants construction of the $3.8 billion pipeline halted, saying it could taint water supplies and encroach on tribal burial sites. Protests supporting the tribe have been going on for months, with more than 260 people arrested for interfering with the project in North Dakota. Gore called the protests "non-violent resistance" to the project. ___ 12 a.m. Dakota Access oil pipeline protesters in North Dakota have set up a new camp on private land recently purchased by the development company. The opponents say the area rightfully belongs to Native Americans under an 1851 treaty, and they are vowing to stay put until the project is stopped. Protests have been ongoing in the area for months, but the latest move marks the first time demonstrators have moved directly in the project's path. Morton County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Donnell Preskey says authorities "don't have the manpower" currently to remove the more than 100 protesters. Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier says authorities put out a call for help earlier this month and several states are sending officers, though he would not say if the goal was to remove the protesters. Smart businesses evolve with their markets, and NCR (NYSE: NCR) has gone from being a premier provider of cash registers to a full-service payment-acceptance business that includes not only hardware but also software and services to help its customers. The payment industry has seen big changes lately, and coming into its third-quarter financial report on Tuesday, NCR investors had hoped to see at least minimal growth in the company's fundamental business. NCR actually managed to do a bit better than most investors had expected, and the company also boosted its full-year guidance for 2016. Let's look more closely at the latest from NCR and whether the company can keep up positive momentum in the near future. Image source: NCR. NCR makes the most of its opportunities NCR's third-quarter results were positive in most investors' eyes. Sales climbed 4% to $1.68 billion, which was far better than the less than 1% increase that most of those following the stock were expecting to see. Net income climbed higher by 7% to $105 million, and a reduction in share count helped boost adjusted earnings to $0.87 per share, up almost 12% from year-ago levels and easily topping the consensus forecast for $0.81 per share in earnings. Overall, currencies played a key role in the company's total performance. The strong dollar cost NCR six percentage points of prospective top-line growth, although the impact on its various business units wasn't consistent across the entire company. Taking a look at NCR's different businesses provides some different viewpoints of the health of the overall company. The biggest gains came from NCR's software division, with 8% total revenue growth coming primarily from contributions from licensing, maintenance, and cloud-based sales. In particular, software licensing revenue jumped by a quarter. The services side produced 5% sales growth, while hardware was generally flat. In hardware, rising sales from ATMs and self-checkout devices offset the decline in revenue from the divested printer-services unit. CEO Bill Nuti celebrated NCR's successes. "Software revenue growth accelerated due to solid growth in cloud and software license," Nuti said, while "in our services business, revenues continue to grow, and we are hard at work executing efficiency programs that will drive improved customers success." The CEO also pointed to healthy results in the hardware segment, with new products helping to drive performance. What's coming down the road at NCR? More importantly, NCR thinks that it can continue to build on its recent momentum. The company raised its guidance for the full 2016 year, citing "accelerating revenue trends, ongoing improvement in execution, and the benefits of our global Omni-Channel leadership position" as justifying the upward move. Specifically, NCR now expects that revenue will finish the year between $6.47 billion and $6.5 billion, which is between $100 million and $150 million higher than its most recent guidance and continued a streak of stronger anticipated top-line results. The company now predicts adjusted earnings of between $2.97 and $3.02 per share, up from its previous range of $2.90 to $3 per share. Free cash flow should be consistent with past guidance, likely falling within a range of $425 million to $475 million. In addition, fourth-quarter guidance was consistent or better than what NCR investors were expecting. Revenue of $1.729 billion to $1.759 billion would be higher than the consensus forecast of $1.68 billion, while adjusted earnings of $1.01 to $1.06 per share neatly surrounds the $1.04 per share that most investors expect. Overall, NCR investors seemed to like the report, sending the stock up by more than 3% in after-hours trading following the announcement. As long as the near future works out as well as NCR believes it will, then the company's fundamental business should be able to sustain its momentum through the end of 2016 and beyond. 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. Dan Caplinger has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends NCR. 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. The global market for consumer goods is good, and Philip Morris International (NYSE: PM) and PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) have done great jobs of capitalizing on demand for their products around the world. Because international markets have greater growth prospects for consumer stocks than the U.S. market, many investors gravitate toward companies that give them exposure to areas that have a rapidly growing middle class of potential new customers. Yet investors need to know which of these two consumer giants looks more favorable. To help you decide which of these two stocks is the better buy, we'll take a look at Philip Morris and PepsiCo through a number of analytical lenses to see which one comes out ahead. Pepsi products go well beyond its namesake cola. Image source: PepsiCo. Valuation and stock performance Both stocks have done well for investors lately, but when you look at the past 12 months, Philip Morris International has the edge over PepsiCo. The cigarette specialist has posted a total return of more than 20% since February 2016 compared to a respectable 11% gain for PepsiCo. PM Total Return Price data by YCharts. Often, a big rise in a stock brings heightened valuations, but Philip Morris and PepsiCo have relatively similar valuations. When you look at the income that they've brought in over the past 12 months, the two companies both have price-to-earnings ratios that are very close, at 23 times trailing earnings. Moreover, when you look at their respective opportunities for near-term profit growth, the gap opens up only minimally. Philip Morris has a forward earnings multiple of roughly 20, while PepsiCo trades closer to 21 times forward earnings. Those differences are negligible, but Philip Morris has had more forward momentum recently in its stock price. Dividends For dividend investors seeking current income, Philip Morris has a clear edge over PepsiCo. The tobacco company boasts a 4% dividend yield compared to just 2.8% for the snack-food and soft-drink manufacturer. However, some investors prefer the fact that PepsiCo pays out only about two-thirds of its earnings in the form of dividends, which gives it more flexibility with respect to future increases. Philip Morris pays out nearly all of its current earnings in its dividends, and that has weighed on dividend growth lately. PepsiCo has a much longer history of favorable dividend movement than Philip Morris. The drink maker just announced that it would boost its dividend by 7%, to $0.805 per share, on a quarterly basis. The move marks its 45th straight annual increase. Philip Morris, on the other hand, was only able to make a 2% dividend boost last year, and some worry that future increases could also be small because of the company's challenges in growing its bottom line. PepsiCo's better growth prospects for its dividend largely offset the higher current yield that Philip Morris offers, making the comparison a wash. Growth prospects and risks The businesses that Philip Morris and PepsiCo operate in have both come under some pressure lately, both from fundamental aspects and from macroeconomic difficulties. Philip Morris has had to suffer the negative impacts of the strong dollar for a couple of years, and that's been a primary reason for its sluggish dividend growth. Yet in its most recent quarter, revenue and earnings both jumped considerably, and Philip Morris said that it expects to have a strong 2017. The interesting long-term wildcard for Philip Morris is whether its corporate strategy to shift away from traditional cigarettes toward reduced-risk products will pan out. Early results from its iQOS heated tobacco system have been extraordinarily good in test markets in Japan, and Philip Morris is now looking to get approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for iQOS under the FDA's modified-risk product protocol. If that's successful, then the replacement cycle could bring huge growth opportunities for years to come. PepsiCo has faced its own challenges, and it has worked hard to overcome them. In its most recent quarter, the drink and snack maker saw organic revenue rise 3.7%, lifting core earnings per share by 15% in constant-currency terms. Some of the health concerns about sugary soft drinks have affected PepsiCo's drink business, but the company was ahead of the curve in adapting to rising demand for healthier snack and beverage options, and it's reaping the rewards of those efforts in the current consumer environment. PepsiCo said that it believes organic revenue will grow at least 3% in 2017, although a stronger U.S. dollar is likely to weigh on the top line again this year. Core earnings growth of 8% is also consistent with a mature company like PepsiCo. At this point, Philip Morris International appears to be the better buy, with positive return momentum, a slight valuation advantage, a higher dividend yield, and a more exciting growth path ahead. That doesn't make PepsiCo a bad pick, though, and for conservative investors who aren't entirely comfortable with the transformative moves that Philip Morris is making, the soft-drink and snack giant could be the more comfortable choice going forward. 10 stocks we like better than PepsiCoWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and PepsiCo wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of February 6, 2017 Dan Caplinger has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends PepsiCo. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. As a Texas-based bank,Cullen/Frost Bankers(NYSE: CFR)was hit hard by the downturn in the energy sector. Low energy prices made it difficult for many of the bank's customers to make good on their interest payments, which forced Cullen/Frost to greatly increase its provisions for loan losses. That fact weighed on the bank's profitability. Image source: Getty Images. Thankfully, last quarter wesaw hints that the worst of the damage might finally be over. Let's take a closer look at its third-quarter results to find out for sure. Cullen/Frost Bankers Q3: The raw numbers Data source: Cullen/Frost Bankers. What happened with Cullen/Frost Bankers this quarter? Returns on average assets and common equity were 1.07% and 10.31%, respectively. In the year-ago period, those figures came in at 1.04% and 10.73%, respectively. Average loans rose 0.8% to $11.5 billion. Average deposits increased 2.4% to $24.7 billion. The bank's capital ratios continue to exceed regulatory requirements. Common equity Tier 1, Tier 1, and total risk-based capital ratios were 12.4%, 13.24%, and 14.85%, respectively, at quarter's end. Net interest margin rose by five basis points year over year to 3.48%. Non-interest expense increased by 2.8% to $180.5 million. Book value per share was $47.98 at quarter end. While that was up 8.3% over the same quarter last year, it was down 0.5% sequentially. Provisions for loan losses continue to drop, coming in at only $5 million for the quarter. That's a nice improvement from the $9.2 million charge that was recorded last quarter. Net charge-offs dropped to $5 million, a huge drop from the $21.4 million that it recorded in the second quarter. While the quarterly numbers were almost universally positive, non-performing assets did grow by 12% to $100.9 million in the third quarter. What management had to say CEO Phil Green said that he was happy with the bank's improved profitability and that he continues to stay focused on serving customers, noting: Looking forward Shares of Cullen/Frost Bankers have rebounded strongly from the beating they took at the start of the year as investors anticipated the end of the energy crisis. The company's solid quarterly results agree with that outlook, and a quick look at other regional banks with heavy energy exposure reaffirms that thesis. Oklahoma-basedBOK Financial recently reported its third-quarter earnings results and stated that it had cut provisions for credit losses in half sequentially. That suggests that rising commodity prices are making it easier for energy companies to servicetheir debt, which is a positive sign for investors. With the energy markets finally looking like they are onstable ground, Cullen/Frost can once again turn its attention to slowly building out its regional presence and finding new ways to delight its customers. 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. Brian Feroldi has no position in any stocks mentioned.Like this article? Follow him onTwitter where he goes by the handle@Longtermmindsetor connect with him on LinkedIn to see more articles like this. The Motley Fool recommends Cullen/Frost Bankers. 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: Philip Morris. Philip Morris (NYSE: PM) stock is paying a remarkably attractive dividend yield of 4.3%, this is substantially above average, and it can be a considerable temptation for investors, especially since it comes from a company which has consistently increased dividends over the past several years. Nevertheless, tobacco is a very particular industry, and dividend payments from Philip Morris are riskier than they seem to be at first sight. A dividend powerhouse in the tobacco sector Philip Morris owns the rights to the tremendously powerful Marlboro brand outside of the U.S. and China. Brand recognition provides pricing power to the business, and its massive scale generates cost advantages for an industry juggernaut like Philip Morris. Besides, tobacco companies face serious regulatory limitations when it comes to marketing and advertising, so expenses in this area have substantially declined over the past several years. The company generates impressive profitability, Philip Morris enjoys operating profit margins in the range of 38% to 40% of revenue. Free cash flow over the last 12 months amounted to nearly $6.4 billion, around 24% of revenue during the period. Demand for cigarettes tends to be remarkably stable through the ups and downs in the business cycle, and this resiliency is a key advantage when investing in dividend stocks. Philip Morris' 4.3% dividend yield is considerably higher than the dividend yields offered by other big companies in the tobacco sector. As a reference, Altria (NYSE: MO) pays a dividend yield of 3.7%, and British American Tobacco (NYSEMKT: BTI) distributes a 3.8% dividend yield. Even better, Philip Morris has materially outperformed both Atria and British American Tobacco in terms of dividend growth over the past five years, so the company is a top play for dividend investors in the cigarette industry. PM dividends paid (TTM) data by YCharts. On the other hand, dividend growth has substantially slowed down over the past two years. The company raised quarterly dividends by $0.02 per share both in 2015 and in 2016, first from $1 to $1.02 per share, and then again to $1.04 per share. In percentage terms, this represents an anemic dividend increase of 2% year over year. That the dividend payout ratio is already quite high is arguably why dividend growth is decelerating. Wall Street analysts are expecting Philip Morris to make $4.54 in earnings per share this year, which would put the dividend payout ratio at nearly 92% of earnings. By comparison, Altria distributes nearly 80% of expected earnings as dividends, while the dividend payout ratio for British American Tobacco is in the neighborhood of 67% of earnings. Something smells bad Philip Morris doesn't have much room to continue to raise dividends from current earnings, so the company needs to generate growing earnings and cash flows to sustain dividend growth in the future. The main financial metrics are still moving in the right direction, but long-term sustainability is an important concern. Revenue during the third quarter of 2016 amounted to $19.9 billion, growing by 2.6% year over year. Net revenue excluding the impact from excise taxes and foreign exchange fluctuations increased 3.6% versus the third quarter of 2015, and adjusted operating income excluding currency fluctuations grew 4.3% during the quarter. These numbers are not too dismal at all, but cigarette sales volume are declining, and this could materially hurt financial performance sooner or later. Cigarette shipment volume was 207.1 billion units during the third quarter of 2016, down by 5.4% year over year. In the first nine months of 2016, shipment volume amounted to 612.4 billion units, declining 3.9% versus the same period in 2015. Similarly, management is expecting the volume drop during the full year 2016 to be in line with the 3.9% decrease the business has experienced in the first three quarters. The decline this year is accelerating versus a decline of 1% in shipment volume during 2015, and there is no reason to expect industrywide volume to start growing again in the near future. Philip Morris and other industry players are compensating the decline in volume with rising prices, but it's hard to tell for how long tobacco companies can get away with this strategy. You just can't raise prices indefinitely, especially in the context of declining demand volume. E-cigarettes can provide opportunities for sales growth in the mid-term, but this business is still too small in comparison to traditional cigarettes. Besides, many consumers use e-cigarettes to quit smoking over time, so it's hard to envision a future in which tobacco companies can drive sustainable sales growth thanks to e-cigarettes. Until, or unless, Philip Morris proves to investors that it has a viable strategy to generate sustainable growth in revenue and cash flow over the long term, I would stay away from the company and its unhealthy dividend. 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. Andrs Cardenal 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. Despite their glaring differences, the presidential candidates agree on this one issue: Americas crumbling and antiquated infrastructure must be fixed as soon as possible. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has said, should she be elected, infrastructure funding will be a priority in her first 100 days as president. She has outlined a five-year, $275 billion plan that would create a new infrastructure bank, reauthorize a Build America Bonds program, and initiate business tax reform. While he hasnt outlined the specifics of his plan, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has said he wants to spend at least double what Clinton has proposed to build the next generation of roads, bridges, railways, tunnels, sea ports and airports. Roads are crumbling, we need to start dredging ports so bigger vessels can get through. We need to look at light rail, the [electric] grid, all these things that the Highway Transportation Fund isnt going to cover. But no one is out there making the casethats why this time around, I do think both Trump and Clinton see transportation and infrastructure bill as a way to create jobs, said JT Taylor, chief political strategist at Hedgeye Potomac Research. Rebuilding America: On Hold At this point, the plan to re-build America has stalled. The nations crumbling roads, bridges and neglected airports have long been a subject of bipartisan political discussion. They were a focus for President Barack Obama when he took over as commander in chief in 2008. He quickly got to work on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, a stimulus package aimed at investing in, among other priorities, infrastructure projects, to help spur economic growth in the wake of the Great Recession. Last year, Obama doubled down on his efforts when he signed the biggest transportation package in more than a decade. The $305 billion piece of legislation reauthorized federal transportation programs, ending a Congressional habit of passing stop-gap measures that kept the Highway Trust Fund solvent. Still, much more must be done. The American Society of Civil Engineers, the nations oldest engineering society comprised of 150,000 civil engineering professionals, gives the overall state of U.S. infrastructure a D+ grade, meaning its in poor condition and mostly below standard with many elements approaching the end of their service life. "We think infrastructure spending does have a long-term return associated with it. But it just hasnt moved any further because of political fighting on how you can fund new programs." - Dan Heckman,U.S. Bank Wealth Management The report card, last released in 2013, estimated some $3.6 trillion of investment would be needed by 2020 to upgrade U.S. infrastructure. The ASCE graded components like aviation, dams, drinking water, hazardous waste, transit and roads with a D, while ports, public parks and recreation, and bridges received C grades, and solid waste garnered the highest grade a B-. Representative John Delaney, a Democrat up for reelection in Marylands 6th District, has worked to make infrastructure part of his legacy. In 2013, he introduced the Partnership to Build America Act, which garnered support from both sides of the political aisle. While the legislation didnt make it past committee, he pushed forward in 2015 introducing a new version called Infrastructure 2.0, a larger rendition of the PBAA. Part of Delaneys plan would use repatriated funds from U.S. corporations at an 8.75% tax rate compared to the current 35% rate to provide $120 billion to the Highway Trust Fund and $50 billion for the creation of a new American Infrastructure Fund to finance projects in transportation, water, energy, communications and education. Though his legislation hasnt made it to the House floor for debate, Delaney said hes confident the next president no matter which candidate is elected will make infrastructure a priority. These things take time to get the type of momentum they need to get in order to become actionable. I think were really on the five-yard line on this. We continue to believe the momentum is building and its something we can get done in the next Congress with the next president, he said. Corporate America's Helping Hand Delaney isnt alone in calling on Corporate America to help fund domestic infrastructure projects. S&P Global issued an October report stating that if half of the more than $2 trillion in undistributed earnings held outside U.S. borders were brought back, they could be used to create 307, 000 infrastructure-related jobs in about two years and add roughly $189.5 billion to U.S. GDP. We believe most companies never intended to have such large cash piles parked overseas, and that, if given the choice, many would prefer to repatriate cash, invest in the U.S., and limit their debt, S&P economists wrote in their proposal. Indeed, corporate giants like Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) have opted to stockpile a chunk of it abroad. The tech giants CEO, Tim Cook, has repeatedly said he isnt interested in repatriating unless the tax rate comes down. Changing policy, though, comes down to politics. Given the amount of funding infrastructure projects have received over the course of the Obama administration, there might not be much appetite from the Republicans to throw more money at new projects, said Hedgeyes Taylor. Theres still a lot of bitterness from conservative Republicans on the Hill from the Obama stimulus package, theres a diametrically opposed mentality to anything Clinton does by Republicans, and you also have a six-year bill that was just passed in 2015doing what theyve done for decadesits not doing anything above and beyond, he explained. If members of Congress are able to get past the debate over whether they should or should not initiate work on new infrastructure investments, a big sticking point would then be how to fund them, according to Dan Heckman, senior investment strategist at U.S. Bank Wealth Management. We think infrastructure spending does have a long-term return associated with it. But it just hasnt moved any further because of political fighting on how you can fund new programs, he said. I think theres some light at the end of the tunnel and when we get the election over with, well hopefully see more movement starting as early as this next year. Regardless of how it gets done, Heckman said infrastructure improvements could help give a boost to the slow-growing U.S. economy in a number of ways. Specifically he pointed to the potential for job creation amid labor shortages in the construction industry. New training and spending programs under a fresh infrastructure plan would help engage a new generation of Americans in construction trades. The average laborer, Ive been told, is well in his 50s. Its very hard work, its not appealing to a lot of young people, he said. Many of these jobs are well paying, provide great benefits, even retirement plans, for exampleengaging youth in the country in this particular industry, I think that [would be] a huge win for everyone involved, he said. Tobacco giant Altria Group (NYSE: MO) leads the U.S. market, with its Marlboro cigarettes, Copenhagen snuff, and Ste. Michelle wines presenting a formidable diversified portfolio of popular brands. Yet Reynolds American (NYSE: RAI) has been increasingly feisty in the No. 2 spot in the domestic tobacco market, and the decision from partner British American Tobacco (NYSEMKT: BTI) to buy out the portion of Reynolds American that it doesn't already own has many investors wondering if another merger in tobacco has the potential to hurt its own business. Let's look more closely at the Reynolds deal to see what's at stake, and how it will affect Altria. Image source: Reynolds American. The Reynolds deal in a nutshell Under the proposed combination, British American Tobacco agreed to pay Reynolds American shareholders roughly $56.50 per share, with a combination of cash and stock as consideration for the deal. Reynolds shareholders would receive $24.13 in cash along with stock in British American worth $32.37, or 0.5502 shares for every Reynolds share owned. British American noted that the offer represented a 20% premium to the closing price for Reynolds shares immediately prior to the announcement. British American was optimistic about the positive effects of the merger. Currently, brands like Newport, Kent, and Pall Mall have their ownership rights split across the two companies, with Reynolds having domestic sales and marketing privileges, while British American takes care of international distribution and sales of those brands. Combining the two companies unites ownership in a single entity, simplifying some of the inter-corporate transactions that are required under the current structure. Moreover, British American celebrated the idea of creating a global powerhouse in tobacco. Reynolds would provide the leadership position in the key U.S. market, while British American pointed to high-growth emerging markets across South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia as a key asset that it's bringing to the table. Most investors believe that the British American deal will make it through regulatory scrutiny. As the companies themselves note, there's relatively little geographical overlap between the two companies, presenting a much different situation than what Reynolds American faced when it sought to merge with tobacco peer Lorillard in 2014. Why Altria shareholders shouldn't panic It's that last point that should provide some reassurance to Altria investors. At least for now, it's not evident that British American would seek to make any moves to expand its presence in the U.S. as part of a merger with Reynolds American. Instead, things are likely to remain similar to the status quo for the domestic tobacco market, with Reynolds continuing to look for ways to outduel Altria. However, that doesn't mean that Altria can afford to ignore the deal's implications entirely. One of the key planks that British American and Reynolds American can point to as a long-term growth strategy is integrating their next-generation products (NGP) divisions, bringing together research and development teams to look more closely at the higher-growth arena within smoking. British American said in its description of the merger that part of its goal from the combination was "to deliver a world class pipeline of vapour and tobacco heating products across all the fastest-growing NGP markets globally." Some have argued that a combination of Reynolds and British American could spur Altria to look at reuniting with its spun-off Philip Morris International. Altria is actually the smaller company, and so it would be likely that any merger proposal would be made by Altria's former subsidiary. Given the reputation Altria has as an industry leader, it wouldn't necessarily want to be overshadowed by a combined British American that boasted the highest sales and operating profit in the business. Reynolds American hasn't formally accepted British American's offer yet, so speculating on what Altria would do in response is a bit premature. Nevertheless, given the likelihood of a Reynolds merger going through, Altria needs to look long and hard at how it can respond to the move going forward. 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. Dan Caplinger 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. With less than two weeks to go, the race for the White House has narrowed as Hillary Clinton now has a three-point advantage over Donald Trump. Thats within the margin of error of the national Fox News Poll of likely voters. Clinton is ahead of Trump by 44-41 percent. Another one-in-ten back a third-party candidate and four percent are undecided. Last week she was up by six points (45-39 percent) and before that by seven (45-38 percent). The poll, released Wednesday, finds Clinton leads 49-44 percent in the head-to-head matchup. That 5-point advantage is at the edge of the error margin. She was up 7 a week ago (49-42 percent). Trump is helped by increased backing among independents and greater strength of support: 68 percent of those backing Trump support him strongly, compared to 61 percent for Clinton. Independents favor Trump over Clinton by 13 points (41-28 percent). He had a 7-point advantage last week, and two weeks ago they were tied at 35 percent each. Third-party candidates play a role here, as Gary Johnson (14 percent) and Jill Stein (7 percent) receive the combined support of more than one-in-five independents. In the four-way race, Trump leads among whites (+14 points) and men (+5), although his best groups remain white evangelical Christians (+56) and whites without a college degree (+28). Clinton has commanding leads among blacks (+77 points), unmarried women (+27), voters under 30 (+18), and women (+10). First-time voters are also more likely to back her (+16). The candidates garner almost equal backing among the party faithful: 83 percent of Democrats back Clinton, while 81 percent of Republicans support Trump. To be competitive, Trump needs to consolidate support among Republicans and carry independents, says Republican pollster Daron Shaw. Thats where hes made in-roads in the last week, mostly by focusing his attention on the economy and Obamacare. Shaw conducts the Fox News Poll with Democratic counterpart Chris Anderson. Trumps substantive strength is the economy. Hes trusted over Clinton by four points, yet thats the only issue where he bests her. More trust Clinton to handle foreign policy (+15 points), immigration (+3), and terrorism (+3). Who would voters put across the table with Russian President Vladimir Putin? More trust Clinton to negotiate with Putin by 3 points (47-44 percent among registered voters). Thats down from a 13-point lead on this measure in April (53-40 percent). All in all, likely voters dont think Trump is up to the task: less than half think hes qualified to be president (46 percent) and even fewer feel he has the temperament to serve effectively (36 percent). Plus, over half lack confidence in his judgment in a crisis (56 percent). Clinton trounces Trump on each of those measures: 64 percent believe shes qualified, 62 percent say she has the temperament, and 56 percent are confident in her judgment. Plus, Clinton continues to receive more positive personal ratings. She has a net negative rating of eight points (45 favorable vs. 53 unfavorable), while Trump is underwater by 14 (42 favorable vs. 56 unfavorable). In addition, when undecided voters and those backing third-party candidates are combined, 26 percent have a favorable view of Clinton vs. 18 percent for Trump. Yet despite Trumps weaknesses on traits, its still a tight race. Thats because, at least in part, lots of folks prioritize issues when deciding their vote. By a 59-28 percent margin, more say their decision is about the issues as opposed to the character of the candidates. Those backing Trump are more likely to be voting on issues than character by a wide 57-point margin (73-16 percent). For Clinton supporters, the choice is more about issues by 12 points (47-35 percent). Compared to 2008, this is a more character driven election. At that time, voters said issues were more important than personal qualities by a 71-14 percent margin. "The bottom hasn't fallen out for Trump and Clinton hasn't pulled away, but the race isnt as close as the 3-point lead suggests, says Anderson. Trump needs a solid majority of undecided voters and wavering supporters of third-party candidates, and thats extremely unlikely since most of them think he lacks the judgment, temperament, and qualifications to be president." There are a couple of areas where the two are about evenly matched. First, 52 percent feel Clinton stands up for people like them, and 49 percent feel that way about Trump. Also on their honesty -- or lack thereof: a record-low 30 percent of likely voters think Clinton is honest and trustworthy, while 34 percent say Trump is. Pollpourri Here are five additional takeaways from the poll. 63 percent of Trumps supporters believe things in the United States generally favor other people, rather than people like them. Forty-four percent of Clintons supporters feel that way. Twice as many voters expect Clinton to win as think Trump will (64-26 percent). Fully 86 percent of Democrats think Clinton will win, while 49 percent of Republicans think Trump will. Trump supporters (34 percent) are more than three times as likely as Clinton supporters (10 percent) to say they wont accept the election outcome if their candidate loses. Eighty-eight percent of Clinton supporters say theyll accept the outcome, up from 74 percent in September. The generic congressional ballot test is also tight: 47 percent back the Democratic candidate in their congressional district, while 45 percent support the Republican. Among those backing the GOP congressional candidate, 79 percent go for Trump in the four-way presidential race. Clinton gets 82 percent of those backing the Democratic candidate. Models suggest a 2-point Democratic advantage on the generic ballot would result in a gain of about 11 seats in the House and 4 in the Senate, says Shaw. That means the GOP would retain an edge of about 20 seats in the House, while the Senate would be very much up for grabs. The political parties are about evenly matched in popularity among likely voters. The Democratic Party has a net positive rating of four points (51 percent favorable vs. 47 percent unfavorable). The Republican Party has a net negative rating by just one point (48 percent favorable vs. 49 percent unfavorable). The Fox News Poll is based on landline and cellphone interviews with 1,309 randomly chosen registered voters nationwide and was conducted under the joint direction of Anderson Robbins Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R) from October 22-26, 2016. The survey includes results among 1,221 likely voters. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 2.5 percentage points for results among both registered and likely voters. Vesa Kivimaki has reset the record for the fastest side wheelie in a car. The 41-year-old professional stunt driver teamed up with Nokian Tyres to perform the stunt, which took place on Aug. 31 in Seinajoki, Finland. Kivimaki hit an average speed of 115.754 mph over 100 meters in a diesel BMW 330, breaking the previous record of 112.62 mph, set by Goran Eliason in 1997. It has been my dream for 15 years to be the record holder for the fastest side wheelie in a car, Kivimaki told Guiness World Records. To help give you a better idea of what it was like, Guinness also recorded the video in 360 degrees: More auto news from Fox Sports Feeling a lump in your breast can lead to a full-blown freak out. But there are a number of non-cancerous reasons why your boobs might be bumpy. "Its not just about breast cancer," says Sherry Ross, M.D., ob-gyn, women's health expert at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, and author of the forthcoming book She-ology. Getting to know your breast tissue and being familiar with what is normal for you will help you know when something is abnormal." Here are five culprits to keep an eye out for: 1. You Have Dense Breasts A little anatomy lesson: Breasts are made up a combination of fatty tissue and connective tissue. Women with denser breasts have more of the connective tissue and less fatty tissue. While breast density is really about how a breast appears on a mammogram, "some young women have dense breasts that can feel lumpy," explains Parvin F. Peddi, M.D., of the UCLA division of hematology and oncology. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, two-thirds of pre-menopausal and one-quarter of post-menopausal women have dense breast tissue. On a traditional mammogram, this can be very difficult to tell apart from cancer, making detection trickier. "What's important is to know whether a lump is new or old or whether it's changing," says Peddi. "A regular breast self-examination is best so a woman can get a sense of what her individual breasts feel like." RELATED: How getting breast-reduction surgery changed my life for the better 2. You Have Non-Cancerous Tumors One of the most common breast lump culprits is fibroadenoma, says Ross. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), fibroadenoma are benign (a.k.a. non-cancerous) tumors made up of both glandular and connective breast tissue that are most common in women in their twenties and thirties. While fibroadenoma can vary in sizefrom microscopic to as big as an apricotoften times they are described as feeling firm, smooth, or rubbery and having a well-defined shaped, like a marble, says Ross. While they are harmless, if you have multiple fibroadenomas or they continue to grow in size, they may begin to impact the look and shape of your breasts and your doctor may recommend removing them. 3. You Have Cysts Changes in the breast tissue caused by fibrosis and/or cysts are common and benign. "Fibrocystic breast changes affect about 60 percent of women," says Ross. "A lot of times youll notice them where an underwire bra would hit." Fibrosis is the name for a dense collection of fibrous tissue, the same kind of tissue that ligaments and scar tissue are made of. Areas of fibrosis may feel rubbery, firm, or hard to the touch. Meanwhile, cysts are round, movable, fluid-filled lumps most common in women in their forties. While both may get larger and more tender near your menstrual cycle, they arent caused by it. "These can get worse on your period and then improve, but they dont go away," says Ross. "We can still see them on an ultrasound." Luckily, they are benign and can be improved by limiting your intake of caffeine and nicotinecommon triggers that aggravate them, making them even more pronounced. 4. You Have a Blood Clot Although rare, a lump in your breasts can also be caused by Mondors disease. "[This] occurs as a result of a superficial thrombophlebitis (i.e. blood clot in the vein just beneath the skin) affecting the breast region," says Nesochi Okeke-Igbokwe, M.D., attending physician at NYU Langone Medical Center. "One may feel a cord-like hardened lump of the breast which can be painful." While the rare condition can affect any of the veins in the breast, it most commonly affects those on the outer side or under the nipple. It can also be caused by trauma to the breast region, overly vigorous exercise, or wearing a bra that is too tight. The good news is that it generally goes away on its own. RELATED: Is early breast cancer detection always a good thing? 5. You Have Your Period While the hormonal changes of your period can aggravate many of these other breast issues, your period itself will also cause your breast to swell and often feeldifferent. According to the National Cancer Institute, it's normal to feel lumps and bumps during your menstrual cycle thanks to extra fluid in your chest due to hormones. (This should resolve itself once your time of the month is over.) Slow clap. Thanks, Aunt Flo. The Bottom Line Know thy breasts. Learn how to do a proper breast self-exam and check your breasts every month after your period (to avoid those hormonal changes that can impact breast tissue), says Ross. And if youre concerned, dont hesitate to make an appointment to see your doctor. While there are many breast lumps and bumps that are benign, more than 300,000 new cases of breast cancer are estimated to be diagnosed in 2016, according to the ACS. "Get examined if you notice a new lump, no matter your age," says Peddi. "Breast cancer when discovered early is very treatable." This article originally appeared on Womenshealthmag.com Via The News International: Polio worker killed in Jamrud: officials. Excerpt: PESHAWAR: A polio worker was gunned down Wednesday as he was administering vaccines to children in Jamrud, officials said, the latest casualty in the countrys long campaign against the crippling disease. The incident occurred in Jamrud area of the tense Khyber tribal district that borders Afghanistan and was once a haven for Taliban, though recent military operations have put the insurgents under pressure there. "A polio worker was shot at as he was administering polio drops in Jamrud area of Khyber," local administration official Asmat Ullah Wazir told AFP. He said the worker succumbed to his injuries as he was rushed to the hospital. The incident was confirmed by another local administration official who said it was the third day of the anti-polio drive in the province. Nobody claimed responsibility for the incident but Taliban have attacked polio workers in the province in the past. More than a hundred people have been killed in such attacks since December 2012. A California police officer recently went beyond his call of duty when he helped console a boy with special needs who was having a temper tantrum. Corinne Oestreich wrote on Facebook that the cop, referred only to as Officer Ben, distracted her son outside a grocery store by letting him see inside his patrol car and demonstrating how to look for fingerprints, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. Hunter, who has obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), Tourette syndrome and severe anxiety, had been upset that his grandmother had just ended a visit with the family and returned to Minnesota. He kicked and screamed through the entire store, Oestreich shared on Facebook. I held him, I consoled him. I firmly and kindly stayed calm, yet inside I was terrified of the looks from other shoppers, or rather from their averted eyes as my son threw himself on the floor of [Luckys]." Oestreich wrote that Hunter was so upset, she had trouble getting him safely to the car until Officer Ben intervened. Officer Ben was understanding, wanted to make sure that I knew he was not in any haste to go anywhere and that Hunter and I were his focus, she wrote on Facebook. He kept a distance from Hunter and I could tell he was gauging how much Hunter would allow him to be near him. He really helped my son today, she added, and gave this mama some reinforcements when I thought my own anxiety was near flooding with tears. Winning a spot on the Homecoming Court is many a high school students dream, but one Georgia teenager acted like a true queen when she gave up her crown to a deserving friend. Kyla Chang, a senior McEachern High School in Powder Springs, was crowned queen at the homecoming game and immediately handed over the crown to her classmate, Tyersten Kimber, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. Chang and the rest of the homecoming court had previously agreed the winner would share her crown with Kimber. A video of the moment captured the crowds cheers. Kimber, the captain of the schools cheerleading squad, was born prematurely at 1 pound, 11 ounces. Her biological mother gave her up after she was unable to handle Kimbers many medical issues, but a NICU nurse who cared for Kimber during her 14-month stay in the hospital decided to adopt her. When the nurse, Mary, brought the girl home to her husband and sat her in his lap, Kimber grabbed his finger and the rest was history, she told Fox 5 Atlanta. Its not unusual to think that a doctor has forgotten you on the examining table when the wait time is long, but it happened to one Washington mother and her 4-month-old son after they were locked in an urgent care facility after it closed. Savannah Lewitt and her baby, Kason, went to MultiCare Puyallup Urgent Care on Oct. 20 around 7 p.m., KOMO reported. Kason had a cough and his mother hoped to get a chest X-ray. Staff took them to an exam room and at around 7:30 p.m., a nurse took the boys vitals and told them to wait for a doctor. She said it would be 10 minutes or so, Lewitt told Inside Edition. I changed his diaper and gave him a bottle. I looked at the clock, it was 30 minutes later. When Lewitt went to call a nurse, she realized the building was empty the clinic had closed and the employees had all left. I realized it was dark in the office. I grabbed my son and walked through the building saying Hello, Lewitt told Inside Edition. I broke down crying and called my mom-in-law. Sick 4-month-old & mom locked inside Puyallup urgent care when office closed while they waited for doctor. #KOMOnews pic.twitter.com/PlOTWDp25e Gabe Cohen (@GabeCohenKOMO) October 21, 2016 Lewitt picked up her son and opened a door, setting off an alarm and causing her to panic. Fortunately, a cleaning crew employee found them and let them out of the building, where she met security by the front door. It was terrifying just to know you are alone in there. My son was having trouble breathing. What if I was back there and he wouldve stopped breathing? No one was there. It angered me. Ive worked in the nursing field and how do you forget about a patient? she told Inside Edition. Kason didnt receive treatment and spent the night crying, Lewitt told KOMO. Multicare issued a statement to KOMO on Oct. 21: While it is clear from the facts known at this time that routine protocols were not followed during the clinic closing process, we will be conducting a thorough investigation to determine why those protocols were skipped as the clinic closed for the evening. The company told KOMO that they have added a protocol that every room and door must be checked immediately before leaving the clinic. Lewitt told KOMO that she has been a patient at Multicare for years, but cant excuse the mistake that left her and her sick son abandoned in the dark. Because the feeling I felt, and how scared and alone, like I couldnt do anything, Lewitt told KOMO. I dont want somebody to ever go through that feeling. It was horrible. next Image 1 of 3 prev next Image 2 of 3 prev Image 3 of 3 Four months after Lynlee Hope entered the world for a second time, the medical miracle is hitting growth milestones and working on strengthening her muscles. Lynlee made her debut at 23 weeks gestation, when doctors removed her from her mothers uterus to operate on a life-threatening tumor that was putting strain on her fetal heart. After the procedure, they put Lynlee back into her mother's womb, where she would continue to develop for 13 more weeks. Her mother, Margaret Boemer, was pregnant with twins and in the care of a specialist when she miscarried Lynlee's sibling. It never occurred to her that something may happen to Lynlee, so she and her husband, Jeff, were shocked when they received a diagnosis of Sacrococcygeal Teratoma (SCT) at a 16-week ultrasound. SCT is a rare birth defect that occurs in one out of 40,000 pregnancies, and causes a tumor to grow from the tailbone area which threatens the babys blood supply and puts significant strain on the fetal heart. In Lynlees case, the tumor was growing rapidly and causing heart failure. Doctors near the Boemers Lewisville, Texas, home told the couple to terminate the pregnancy and start over, but that wasnt an option for Boemer, who also has a 19-year-old stepson and two daughters ages 9 and 2. "One hospital strongly recommended termination and talked to me about if I were to continue [with the pregnancy] that most likely she wouldn't make it, and that I was putting my health at risk, so it would probably be better to terminate and start over, which we immediately knew we didn't want to do," Boemer, 38, told FoxNews.com. Through research, Boemer discovered Texas Childrens Hospital had successfully cared for a baby with SCT, and scheduled an appointment for a consultation. Boemer was placed under the care of Dr. Oluyinka Olutoye and Dr. Darrell Cass, who together developed the Texas Childrens Fetal Center. They suggested open fetal surgery, which Boemer and her husband felt would give their daughter the best chance at life despite surgical risks posed to the fetus and mother. At 23 weeks my specialist [at home] noticed how large [the tumor] was getting, and it seemed to be putting a lot of strain on Lynlees heart, Boemer told FoxNews.com. Subsequent ultrasounds and fetal echocardiograms at Texas Childrens determined Lynlee was going into heart failure and the surgery would have to occur immediately. Fourteen doctors and specialists informed the couple of the procedure's risks, including that the surgery could cause Boemers uterus to rupture, develop blood clots or bleed out. They also had to decide how much medical intervention they wanted should the procedure cause Boemer to go into labor and Lynlee be born that night. The surgery is extremely difficult, Olutoye told FoxNews.com. What makes it difficult is you cant guarantee what the outcome will be. Were going to give Lynlee the best chance, but we also know were going in at a time when the heart is already sick." A vital part of the surgery involves fastening the amniotic sac to the uterus so it can be mended after the procedure. Doing so allows the uterus and amniotic sac to continue to grow with the developing child, Olutoye said. Another concern was preserving the structure around Lynlees already developed anus and reproductive organs, as part of the tumor extended to her pelvic area. The five-hour surgery resulted in removal of 90 percent of the tumor and minimal leakage from the amniotic sac. Boemer was placed on bed rest and given fluids for the next 13 weeks until Lynlee was born for a second time, this time to stake her claim in the world. After her birth, doctors removed the remaining 10 percent of the tumor. The fact that they were able to put her successfully back in and sew me back up, and the fact that I didnt go into labor within the first couple of weeks was a miracle, Boemer said. Those first few days and weeks were very risky, and they were concerned that I might spontaneously go into labor. Aside from what is impossible to determine about her bowel control and muscle development, Lynlee was born with only one functioning kidney. While Boemer said doctors believe she will do fine with one kidney, she may need future reconstructive surgery on her glute muscles if they do not strengthen on their own. Throughout her stay in Houston, Boemer had limited contact with her children, which was one of the biggest challenges as she underwent surgery and recovered. She credits her husband, relatives and friends with helping them get through the trying ordeal as a family, and said the staff at Texas Childrens showed her that despite a harrowing medical prognosis, it is possible to keep faith in your child. I want everyone to know that if they go and have an ultrasound and a scan, and theyre given bad news about their baby, dont lose hope, Boemer said. There are medical advancements out there than can help in certain situations. The World Health Organization's cancer agency - which is facing criticism over how it classifies carcinogens - advised academic experts on one of its review panels not to disclose documents they were asked to release under United States freedom of information laws. In a letter and an email seen by Reuters, officials from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) cautioned scientists who worked on a review in 2015 of the weedkiller glyphosate against releasing requested material. The review, published in March 2015, concluded glyphosate is "probably carcinogenic", putting IARC at odds with regulators around the world. Critics say they want the documents to find out more about how IARC reached its conclusion. "IARC is the sole owner of such materials," IARC told the experts. "IARC requests you and your institute not to release any (such) documents". Asked about its actions, the agency told Reuters on Tuesday it was seeking to protect its work from external interference and defending its panels' freedom to debate evidence openly and critically. In recent years IARC, a semi-autonomous unit of the WHO based in Lyon, France, has caused controversy over whether such things as coffee, mobile phones, red and processed meat, and chemicals like glyphosate cause cancer. Its critics, including in industry, say the way IARC evaluates whether substances might be carcinogenic can cause unnecessary health scares. IARC assesses the risk of a substance being carcinogenic without taking account of typical human exposure to it. Glyphosate is a key ingredient of the herbicide Roundup, sold by Monsanto. According to data published by IARC, glyphosate was registered in over 130 countries as of 2010 and is one of the most heavily used weedkillers in the world. Pressure has been growing on the experts who worked on IARC's glyphosate review in part because other regulators, including in the United States, Europe, Canada, Japan and New Zealand, say the weedkiller is unlikely to pose a cancer risk to humans. The conflicting scientific assessments have delayed a decision on whether glyphosate should be relicensed for sale in Europe, and prompted senior U.S. lawmakers to question whether IARC should receive funding from U.S. taxpayers. IARC defends its methods as scientifically sound and says its monographs - the name it gives to its classifications of carcinogens - are "widely respected for their scientific rigor, standardized and transparent process and ... freedom from conflicts of interest". IARC's advice to experts not to release documents came in April after IARC said it learned that members of the scientific panel that reviewed glyphosate in 2015 had been issued with legal requests for information relating to their work. Multiple subsequent freedom of information requests by the U.S. conservative advocacy group the Energy & Environment Legal Institute (E&E Legal) have since been turned down by agencies and universities citing IARC's reasoning that it owns the documents. David Schnare, General Counsel of E&E Legal, told Reuters his group is now pursuing a legal challenge over whether the documents belong to IARC, or are the property of the U.S. federal and state institutions where the panel experts work. He said E&E wants access to the documents and emails because it wants to know more about the way IARC reviews the scientific evidence, and about its relationship with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). "PRIVATE EMAILS" An email dated April 1 was addressed to six members of the working group for monograph 112, which considered glyphosate, including experts at universities in Texas and Mississippi as well as scientists attached to the EPA. Signed and sent by Kathryn (Kate) Guyton, the IARC staffer responsible for the glyphosate review, the email said IARC "does not encourage participants to retain working drafts or documents after the monograph has been published". Monsanto's vice president of strategy, Scott Partridge, told Reuters he considered IARC's actions "ridiculous". "The public deserves a process that is guided by sound science, not IARC's secret agendas," he said. Responding to Reuters' questions about the letter and email, IARC said it had been previously informed by experts on the panel who "had been approached by interested parties, including lawyers representing Monsanto ... and asked to release private emails as well as draft scientific documents". It said that as international agencies, both IARC and the WHO "have policies to protect their work, and the contributions of their expert Working Groups, from external interference". In a statement to Reuters, IARC said the letter and email were sanctioned by the agency's director, Chris Wild. It added: "IARC staff did not instruct anyone not to comply with records requests made under national or local law." It said it is vital that scientists in its working groups "are able to openly and critically debate the scientific evidence". "IARC considers any measures that would discourage scientists from participating in Monographs or would detract from open scientific debate to be contrary to the best interests of international public health," it added. Ivan Rusyn, one of the recipients of the IARC's April letter and email and a professor at Texas A&M University who worked on the glyphosate review, said he was glad to have IARC's advice regarding whether documents should be released. "I don't see anything inappropriate here," he told Reuters. "It's very appropriate for IARC to advise its working group members as to what the procedures are." "We should be more than worried. Neither America nor the world can afford a lurch into Trumpian isolationism," wrote Philip Stevens in the Financial Times on Sept. 21. Everyone from The New York Times to Hillary Clinton herself touted the letter signed by 50 former GOP officials in August, stating their opposition to Donald Trump's candidacy. Like the generals in World War I who kept sending larger and larger numbers of men to die in hopeless battles, our elites believe that we need more of the same. Among other things, the group contended that Trump has little knowledge regarding America's "vital national interests, its complex diplomatic challenges, its indispensable alliances and the democratic values" that should undergird our foreign policy. There is no end to their handwringing and alarmism over the supposed damage a President Trump would do to the United States. The so-called "mainstream" press -- which WikiLeaks has revealed to be little more than a Hillary SuperPAC -- is full of stories about how Trump presents a threat to the "world order" that has purportedly governed foreign affairs since the end of World War II. But the truth is that the "world order" in question exists only in the minds of those pundits who aren't paying attention to life on this planet. The entire concept of a continuous, stable, and peaceful "world order" that goes back to 1945 would come as a shock to the many Americans who lost friends and loved ones on battlefields in Korea, Vietnam, and countless other places during that period. The reality of the situation is that between 1945 and 1990, the United States faced very severe challenges -- not only to any type of "world order," but to its very freedom. Some presidents -- like Reagan and Eisenhower -- dealt with those challenges successfully, helping Americans to enjoy brief periods of peace and prosperity. Others -- like Lyndon Johnson and Jimmy Carter -- failed to meet the foreign policy challenges of their time, and left a more dangerous world to their successors. The whole notion that the world simply ran on auto-pilot, and that U.S. policymakers had few critical decisions to make, is simply wrong. After America's triumph in the Cold War, however, the difficulties of that struggle were quickly forgotten in Washington and the capitals of Europe. Instead, Western leaders congratulated themselves on the notion that they had reached "the end of history," and that liberal capitalism would reign supreme in perpetuity -- a conclusion directly contradicted by centuries of real-world experience. Armed with this false premise, U.S. foreign policymakers on both sides of the aisle made a serious of disastrous blunders: They believed that NAFTA would promote better relations in North America, and reduce concerns over illegal immigration. They were wrong. Instead, illegal immigration from Mexico to the United States surged, while relations between all three NAFTA countries have generally deteriorated. By 2008, even Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were calling for NAFTA to be re-negotiated - but of course, that was just another empty promise. They believed that the WTO would serve as a bastion of support for market economies, and would encourage countries like Japan to give up their mercantilist practices. They were wrong. Instead, the United States has become the main target of the WTO's dispute settlement system, as our trading partners regularly treat us as a punching bag, winning disputes and forcing us to change our laws to better suit their preferences. This year, the globalists in the Obama administration blocked an appointment to the WTO's Appellate Body -- because even they are tired of losing so many cases there. They believed that facilitating the rise of China -- by giving the Chinese practically unlimited access to Western markets and technology -- would lead to a freer and safer world. They were wrong. The relentless dictators in China are using their newfound wealth to consolidate their power both inside China, and around the world. If current trends continue, we will soon be driven from Asia, and a communist dictatorship will replace the United States as the world's largest economy. They believed that a weakened Russia could do little to challenge the West. They were wrong. Vladimir Putin's government, despite an economy smaller than that of Canada, has tied Western policymakers in knots -- making them look feckless and weak, and undermining NATO. They believed that spreading democracy in the Middle East would lead to more stable and peaceful governments in that part of the world. They were wrong. The disastrous wars and other mistakes of the last 15 years have created a Middle East that appears to be more violent and dangerous than ever. Furthermore, the Middle East is now flooding the West with refugees and terrorists who are creating huge political problems in the United States and Western Europe. They believed that cramming most of the historic nations of Europe into a single Union with a shared currency would lead to peace and prosperity. They were wrong. Europe's economy has been staggering for years, and the voters of the United Kingdom grew so disgusted with the European Union that they voted to leave it altogether -- another development our elites failed to anticipate. They believed that Angela Merkel, the chancellor of Germany, was a force of calm and stability within the Western alliance. They were wrong. She has proven to be an unyielding fanatic whose absolute refusal to change course -- no matter how bad that course may be -- has not only damaged the economies of southern Europe, and driven Britain from the EU, but has destabilized Germany itself by opening that country to a surge of Middle Eastern refugees for which the German people, and their government, were not ready. They believed that giving away our manufacturing base and welcoming illegal immigrants from around the world would lead to a happier and more prosperous America. They were wrong. The U.S. economy has performed so poorly that experts like Larry Summers now suggest we have entered a period of permanent "secular stagnation." Meanwhile, U.S. politics are riven by the utter mistrust that many voters feel for the elites who govern them -- and by the contempt many of those elites feel for those voters. They believed that as Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton -- a donor-controlled hack who may be the least persuasive person ever to hold high public office in this country -- could help resolve the significant foreign policy problems that were already becoming obvious by 2009. Instead, she failed at that job, and the world is now less stable and more dangerous than when she went to Foggy Bottom. I could go on, but surely these examples are more than sufficient to prove that our leaders have committed blunder after blunder since the end of the Cold War. History is not kind to fools, and the United States is paying an enormous price for throwing away the strategic advantages it enjoyed after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Consider the following facts: Last year, for the 16th year in a row, real median household incomes in the United States were lower than they were in 1999. Middle-aged Americans have now lost most of their careers to an era in which the standard of living for the typical household has fallen. In 1999, the year before Congress agreed to let China join the WTO, the United States accounted for 25.78 percent of world GDP. By 2014 (the last year for which data is publicly available), that figure was down to 22.43 percent -- the lowest it has been in government records going back to 1969, according to the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In 1999, China's annual GDP was $1.094 trillion. Last year, it was more than $11 trillion. In 1999, the U.S. national debt was $5.7 trillion. Last year, it was $18.1 trillion. In short, by almost any measure, the United States is weaker than it was during the afterglow of the Cold War -- while China, our chief geopolitical adversary, has gotten much stronger. This decline was not inevitable -- certainly no major U.S. policymakers predicted it. Instead, it is the result of a series of foolish mistakes that have consistently undermined our position while making life easier for our enemies. At this point, it should be obvious that the "world order," for which our elites pine, has gone the way of the flip phone and other artifacts from the 1990s. For most Americans, the global economy has become a nightmare from which they are trying to escape. But like the generals in World War I who kept sending larger and larger numbers of men to die in hopeless battles, our elites believe that we need more of the same. Not satisfied by a series of trade agreements that have failed to work as advertised, they now promote the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Not satisfied by an immigration policy that has roiled U.S. and European politics for most of the last two decades, they scheme to bring more illegal immigrants into the West. Not satisfied by the losses we have already suffered in the Middle East, they dream of sending new armies to die in that war-torn region. No wonder they are uniting behind Hillary Clinton -- the author and supporter of so many of these disastrous policies. Let us be clear: If Hillary Clinton is elected president, all of the problems we see around the world today will continue to fester -- because she will continue the same policies that got us here. Four years from now, if she is president, the United States will be weaker, China will be stronger, Russia will be more dangerous, terrorists will be more emboldened, the Middle East will be more unstable, and conditions in Europe will be worse than they are now. We already know that our current policies lead to these results. Why would we want to let things worsen for four more years? The time has come to strike out on a different path. When you look past all the elite blather about Trump's "temperament" and "tone," one thing becomes obvious: On the big foreign policy issues facing America, Trump is right, and the elites are wrong. It is insane -- and dangerous -- to keep propping up a global trading regime that treats Chinese companies better than American companies. It is insane -- and dangerous -- to keep wasting the U.S. military on missions that cannot succeed. It is insane -- and dangerous -- to continue trying to maintain a position in the world that we can no longer afford. It is insane -- and dangerous -- to tear down all borders and effectively dissolve the nations of the West. Most of all, it is insane to install, as president of the United States, a vapid and untrustworthy politician who has consistently been wrong on every major foreign policy issue of the last 20 years. Hillary Clinton may win this election. But Trump and his supporters will ultimately win the argument over foreign policy. Because his policies at least have a chance of making the world better, while hers never will. ObamaCare is becoming a nightmare. Health insurance premiums will jump an average of 22 percent in 2017, and federal spending to assist moderate income families is spinning out of control. For Democrats, the answers are simpleraise taxes on the wealthy to further subsidize a failing systemor force a single payer systemwhich can dictate prices to service providers and compel their participationonto reluctant Americans. For conservative Republicans, the issue is more vexing. Merely repealing the law is not enough, because that would hardly return America to a free market. Even before the Affordable Care Act, federal and state governments were paying nearly half of the nations health care bills. We simply cannot go back to what existed before. Private plans lost in the upheaval cannot be easily reestablished. At one extreme, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates for doctors are tightly controlled and too low to sustain their practices. Many limit the number of patients they take from these programs, and the elderly and poor often face difficulty finding a primary care physician. Well off retirees can join concierge services, which charge high annual fees for access to primary care doctors, while the less affluent are left to scramble. At the other extreme, the legislation establishing Medicare prescription coverage does not permit the government to negotiate prices. Pharmaceutical companies can set whatever prices they like knowing the elderly will simply send the bill to Uncle Sam. Concierge services have generalized from the elderly to the entire adult care marketplace and created a two-tier system of access to physicians, while Medicare reimbursements are setting drug prices arbitrarily high for everyone. The basic premise of the ACA was to enroll nearly every working age American in large employer-sponsored insurance or policies sold on government run websites to create competition that would lower costs, but it has not worked out. At HealthCare.gov, families often pay $500, $1000 or more a month for policies imposing high deductibles and co-pays and with quite limited provider networks. Many have lost access to family doctors, encountered limited out-of-state-coverage when they travel and are generally excluded from using higher cost providers where they live. The latter can be life threatening. As of the end of 2015, for example, none of the policies offered access to New York included the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Problems are particularly acute in areas where the number of specialists are limited, and hospitals and group practices are monopolized enough to resist negotiating much on price with insurance companies. Insurance companies are taking big losses, resulting in the large premium increases noted aboveor leaving the website markets across the country. At least 650 of counties nationwide will have only one company offering policies next year. Many folks wont feel the full brunt of rate increases, as the federal government is obligated to subsidize premiums for low and middle income families, but the Congressional Budget Office estimates the ACA will cost $8.9 trillion over ten years. We simply cannot go back to what existed before. Private plans lost in the upheaval cannot be easily reestablished. Simple electoral calculus requires that millions of Americans now receiving subsidies continue to receive assistance purchasing health insurance. However, Americans should not be coerced into buying substandard policies at a government store, and costs must be lowered. The German system of private insurance, like Obamacare, requires virtually everyone to have coverage, but costs are more tightly controlled. For example, regulators price new drugs according to how much they improve treatment over existing medicines. Such government interference in pricing is an anathema to conservative Republicans like Paul Ryan, but the incongruity of Medicare paying whatever prices drug companies choose to set is wholly unrealistic. Japan, Germany and other northern European countries spend about 11 percent of GDP on health care whereas the United States spends 17 percent. In the end, if the Republicans want to avoid a single payer system that subjects most Americans to a choice between moribund and arbitrary service akin to that offered by the Post Office and IRS, then they will have to explore with the new president regulating prices inside a private marketplace. Effective leaders work with the world as they find it, not as they think it should be. Donald Trump has voiced concerns regarding the Mosul offensive that was launched last week, in particular the involvement of Iranian backed Shiite militias. He has rightly stated that the winner in the Mosul offensive will be Iran. He is absolutely correct that the Mosul offensive was poorly and politically planned instead of being entrusted to military professionals who know how to win. The primary outcome of this operation will ultimately benefit the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Obama administration shows poor judgment in launching the Mosul offensive without planning for the day after military operations are complete, nor who will ultimately control Iraqs second largest city. The problem in Iraq is political; it always has been and cannot be solved through military means alone. Mr. Trump was also correct that the White House should not have announced previously, and in such detail, that the offensive was going to begin, instead stating that the element of surprise should have been considered. This prior and unnecessary announcement provided ISIS months to prepare. The consequences are that ISIS and their leaders have fled Mosul, surrounded the city with IEDs, suicide car bombs, booby traps and have dug massive tunnels to significantly deter attacking coalition forces. The Obama administration shows poor judgment in launching the Mosul offensive without planning for the day after military operations are complete, nor who will ultimately control Iraqs second largest city. The problem in Iraq is political; it always has been and cannot be solved through military means alone. They have killed hundreds, if not thousands, of Mosul citizens and are using thousands of others for human shields. Reports are that ISIS senior leaders and militants have fled Mosul to Syria, traveled back to their home countries, or to the Sinai region in Egypt, in order to support the chaos in the trans-region with Libya. In 2004, King Abdullah II of Jordan warned of the coming Shiite Crescent, referring to Irans growing influence in Iraq and the Middle East. This warning has now become a reality with the assistance of the failed Clinton foreign policy and the poor leadership from the Obama administration. Today, the Shiite Crescent is a real threat, not only to our Sunni allies, especially Egypt and Jordan, but also presents a direct threat to the national security of the United States. Under the Obama/Clinton administration, Iran has become the dominating and aggressive player in the Middle East. Irans influence stretches from Afghanistan to Syria, to Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen. Hillary Clintons failed foreign policy, her initiation of the disastrous Iranian nuclear deal, and overall bad judgment as Secretary of State allowed and emboldened Irans influence in the region. As Secretary of State, Hillary Clintons State Department undermined the democratic Iranian Green Movement in 2009, emboldening the Iranian regime and then went on to help spearhead the Iranian nuclear agreement, which has led to an even more aggressive Iran and provided them with billions of dollars money that has reportedly gone to the terrorist sponsoring Revolutionary Guards Qods Force. Hillary Clintons ties to Iran go beyond her policies as Secretary of State. Her campaign manager, John Podesta and his namesake-lobbying firm was the first firm to receive a contract for the post-Saddam Hussein Iraq in 2013. It was reported that the firm was selected for its close ties to Democrat leaders such as the Clintons and Vice President Joe Biden. How is it possible that the person running the campaign for the Democratic nominee was paid hundreds of thousands of dollars from a government that is influenced and controlled by Iran, the number one state sponsor of radical Islamic terrorism. The Podesta Group signed a contract this year to represent the government of Iraq for $960,000. This is collusion and corruption at the highest levels of government. Under no circumstances should the Obama administration be allowing Iranian backed Shiite militias to be taking part in the Mosul operations. This is unacceptable and unthinkable. There is no difference between the ideology of ISIS and the Iranian regime, except ISIS is Sunni and Iran is Shiite. They both have goals of establishing an Islamic global caliphate using military force. Iran is directly responsible for killing at least 500 American troops in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and wounding hundreds more. Iran manufactured and supplied Shiite militias in Iraq with highly lethal bombs known as explosively formed penetrators or EFPs, which were powerful enough to destroy U.S. Humvees and breach tank hulls. Yet today, the Obama administration is partnering with those very same radical Islamic leaders and militias that took so many American lives. Recently, Iranian backed Houthi rebels fired shore to ship missiles targeting American ships three times over four days off the coast of Yemen. Iranian Navy ships have harassed U.S. Navy ships in the Persian Gulf numerous times and took American sailors hostage and then boldly humiliated them. Iran currently is holding American hostages demanding ransom payment. You cannot make this stuff up. Yet we continue to act as though we can deal with this terrorist sponsoring country. The Obama administration has no plan for who will govern the majority Sunni city of Mosul after military operations. The situation in Iraq is a political problem that needed to be addressed and worked out prior to launching the military offensive, yet no such plan exists. Turkey is now insisting on participating in the military operations due to the involvement of Iranian Shiite militias. The next administration will be responsible for handling the rapidly unraveling situation in Iraq after Mosul has been liberated. If liberation occurs before the New Year, which remains in serious doubt, Hillary Clinton has demonstrated a long track record of bad judgment, enabling our enemies and alienating our allies, and the likelihood of even more protracted conflict is high. Donald Trump has a plan to defeat ISIS and it comes with sound components that requires a far greater role by our Middle East partners combined with strong U.S. leadership. Donald Trump is committed to bringing back American leadership to the White House and will put our people and our American interests first. Hillary Clinton has mocked Donald Trump for saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin is a strong leader. But in a newly discovered interview with Vladimir Pozner of Russias First Channel Television on March 19, 2010, given while she was Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton says, our goal is to help strengthen Russia. One of the fears that I hear from Russians is that somehow the United States wants Russia to be weak. That could not be farther from the truth. Our goal is to help strengthen Russia. We see Russia with the strong culture, with the incredible intellectual capital that Russia has, as a leader in the 21st century. And we sometimes feel like we believe more in your future than sometimes Russians do, Hillary Clinton says. Its a stunning admission from Hillary: she believes more in Russias future than Russians do? As Secretary of State, one of the first moves Hillary Clinton made was to tell Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that she wanted to put the U.S.-Russian relationship on a different path than where it was headed during the George W. Bush administration. It was then-Secretary of State Hillary Clintons belief that something different must be done with the Russians. She infamously stood with Lavrov at a high-profile press conference holding a large red button and called for both countries to press a re-set on the relationship. In an uncomfortable moment during the staged, campaign-style gimmick in front of the media, Lavrov told Clinton that she had made a mistake in the translation of the word re-set. Lavrov told Clinton she had used the Russian word for re-charged rather than re-set. It was a foretelling moment. Soon thereafter, the Russians were outmaneuvering Clinton and moving military hardware into Syria, working with the Iranians and diplomatically organizing the Middle East while the U.S. sat idly by. But Hillary Clintons work as Secretary of State DID accomplish her stated goal: she ended up strengthening Russia. Editor's note: The following column first appeared in The Hill newspaper and on TheHill.com. This column is tough to write. I know that, out of context, I might be accused of wanting to pull punches on GOP nominee Donald Trump and on many of his extreme, hateful supporters. The opposite is the case. Two points about Trump and some of his most extreme supporters cannot be denied. First are Trump's own words, which have conveyed racial, religious and sexist bigotry. He described Mexican immigrants as "rapists" and "criminals" and a federal judge as untrustworthy because his parents were of Mexican heritage. Even Republican Speaker Paul Ryan (Wis.) described Trump's comments about the judge as "the textbook definition of a racist comment." The words Trump has used about women, including what he said on the "Access Hollywood" tape, show disrespect and worse including descriptions of his own past actions that constitute criminal sexual assault. Those words cannot be excused as "locker-room talk." Decent men don't talk like that in locker rooms or anywhere else. Second are the words and actions of many of Trump's most extreme supporters at rallies and online in vicious blog posts and tweets. These hateful Trump extremists' comments reflect the same bigoted words used by their candidate. From violent attacks at rallies to cries of "lock her up" at rallies egged on by Trump himself, these extremist Trump supporters are frightening and there is nothing wrong with describing them for who and what they are: haters and bigots. I still believe they are fortunately still a small minority on the fringes of our politics. However, I am becoming nervous that some of us Democrats and Hillary Clinton supporters are allowing ourselves to fall into the trap of what I shall call "label creep" where we increasingly allow accurate descriptions of these radical, hateful Trump supporters to creep into descriptions of anyone who supports Trump. This label-creep phenomenon opens us up to the antithesis of the progressive views and values that has made us proud to be Democrats specifically, tolerance for political expression and opinions that are different from our own and most importantly, avoiding generalizations and stereotyping. I am hearing more and more instances of the public shaming of anyone who is a Trump supporter or donor, regardless of whether these individuals disagree and repudiate Trump's bigoted words and the hate speech and conduct of his most extreme supporters. I hear about thoughtful, non-bigoted people who are for Trump and who have become fearful of wearing a Trump button in public or admitting to their political preferences to friends, at dinner parties or at work. For example, I have a friend who is a prominent business leader who is being pressured, as if he has committed a crime, by the media and others to justify his support of Trump considering the prevailing pro-Clinton opinion in the business sector in which he has gained fame. The fact that he strongly disagrees with Trump's bigoted words doesn't seem to matter. If that isn't bad enough, his friends are being asked to justify how they can continue to remain friends with him. I worry about this. It reminds me of a dark time in American history and my dad's warnings during that time. When I was about 9 years old, I remember watching on TV someone named Joseph McCarthy who looked and sounded like a bully to me without understanding much of what he was saying. I remember when McCarthy, a senator from Wisconsin, threatened a young man on TV because of a political club the young man had belonged to years before when he was in law school. I felt frightened. My dad saw the look on my face and assured me that most Americans were not like McCarthy. We were a tolerant people, he said. We won't accept attacking others personally and ruining their reputations because of differences on politics. I hope some of us on the Democratic pro-Clinton side are not part of an effort to shame all Trump supporters. Instead, we should be following our candidate's inspiring words indeed, the theme of her entire campaign. Hillary Clinton has reminded us again and again that she wants to be president of all Americans, including Republicans, conservatives and Trump supporters. She asks us to be tolerant and respectful of others. Only then can we be "stronger together" in an America that Clinton wants to lead if she wins on Nov. 8. A lay minister who is suing the Georgia Department of Public Health for religious discrimination has been ordered by the states attorney general to relinquish his sermons to the government, according to federal court documents. Please produce a copy of your sermon notes and/or transcripts, Attorney General Samuel Olens wrote to attorneys representing Dr. Eric Walsh. Click here to join Todds American Dispatch: a must-read for Conservatives! Dr. Walsh said he will not comply with the request. No government has the right to require a pastor to turn over his sermons, Walsh said. I cannot and will not give up my sermons unless I am forced to do so. Walsh, a Seventh-day Adventist lay minister had been hired in May 2014 by as a District Health Director with the Georgia Department of Public Health. A week later, a government official asked him to submit copies of his sermons for review. He complied and two days later he was fired. His attorneys said the government was curious about sermons Dr. Walsh delivered on health, marriage, sexuality, world religions, science and creationism. He also preached on what the Bible says regarding homosexuality. He has since filed a federal lawsuit charging state officials with engaging in religious discrimination. He was fired for something he said in a sermon, attorney Jeremy Dys told me. If the government is allowed to fire someone over what he said in his sermons, they can come after any of us for our beliefs on anything. Dr. Walsh has assembled a powerhouse legal team comprised of Parks, Chesin & Walbert along with First Liberty Institute, one of the nations most prominent religious liberty law firms. Its an incredible intrusion on the sanctity of the pulpit, Dys said. This is probably the most invasive reach into the pulpit by the state that Ive ever seen. Neither the attorney general nor his communication director responded to telephone calls or email correspondence. Dys said the governments request came as part of the process to build their case against his client. The request, he said, carries the same force of law as a subpoena. Pastors and rabbis across the country especially in the state of Georgia should be frightened that a state would demand all the sermon notes and transcripts of a pastor, he said. This is unprecedented. It may be unprecedented, but is it illegal? I think it is wrong for a state to demand that a pastor turn over his sermons at any time, Dys said. It was wrong for the state to ask Dr Walsh for his sermons as part of the job application and hiring process. It was wrong for them to turn around and fire him when they listened to those sermons. And it is wrong now for them to demand that he turn over all the sermons and sermon notes he ever produced going back to when he was 18 years old. Family Research Council president Tony Perkins condemned the states demand calling it an alarming display of government intrusion into the sanctity of the church, pastors study and pulpit. This is something that I would have expected to see in a communist country, not America, Perkins told me. Government scrutiny of speech in the pulpit is unconstitutional, and unconscionable. He called on Gov. Nathan Deal, a Republican, to correct this egregious overreach of the state into church affairs. Dr. Walsh also gained the support of Emir Caner, president of Truett-McConnell University, a Christian school based in Cleveland, Georgia. A new era has come to our shores, a time where government finds it acceptable to suppress the freedom of religion even to the extent of requesting a ministers sermons, Caner said. As an ordained minister, I know that this is not merely an assault on the messenger, but on the very message of our Sacred Scriptures. Caner correctly noted that the government seems to exclusively target one faith biblical Christianity. What the government fails to recognize is that ministers of the Gospel are not hirelings of the state, but ambassadors for our Lord, he said. Dr. Walsh was catapulted into the national spotlight when he was invited to deliver the 2014 commencement address at Pasadena City College in California. Walsh, who was then the director of the citys public health department, came under fierce scrutiny from LGBT activists and students after someone found online copies of his sermons. He backed out of the speaking engagement but critics persisted and he was forced to resign his post after reaching a financial settlement with the city. Shortly afterwards, he applied for the position in Georgia. The state of Georgia fired him for something he said in a sermon, Dys told me. Its almost like the state ransacking the pastors study trying to find evidence in a desperate attempt to justify their illegal behavior. Dys said the attorney general could ask a judge to enforce their request. If Dr. Walsh still refused, he could face contempt of court. No one in America should want a pastor being held in contempt for refusing to give up one of his sermons to the state of Georgia, he said. Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence slammed the coverage of Donald Trump's campaign, saying that the media had been "doing half of Hillary Clintons work for her." "I hear that [Trump] pointing out the overwhelming bias in the national media is somehow making an excuse," Pence told Fox News' Megyn Kelly on "The Kelly File" Tuesday night. "I think he's just making an observation," Pence added. "Most of the people Im out campaigning with know that its been 2-on-1 from almost the beginning of this campaign ... But the amazing thing is we continue to see this movement growing because the American people are talking to each other about the real issues in this campaign, not what the medias chasing after any given day of the week." The Indiana governor also shrugged off former Secretary of State Colin Powell's support for Clinton, which he announced earlier in the day Tuesday. "Look, I honor his service to the country," Pence said. "But if memory serves, he supported Barack Obama eight years ago, so Im not really sure its particularly newsworthy that hes supporting another Democrat for the White House." "He's entitled to his opinon." Newly revealed emails detail how Hillary Clinton's allies scrambled last year to head off a brewing presidential bid from Vice President Biden -- showing just how close he came to running and the role an ex-Biden aide played in the "demise" of that idea. Biden was well-known to have considered challenging Clinton, the eventual Democratic presidential nominee, to be the partys standard-bearer before taking himself out of the running a year ago. However, the hacked emails of Clinton Campaign Chairman John Podesta that have been released by WikiLeaks pull back the curtain on how seriously Biden was planning for a campaign and how seriously Clintons staffers took that threat. BIDEN WISHES HE COULD TAKE TRUMP 'BEHIND THE GYM' The first mention of a Biden run in the Podesta emails came on June 11, when former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary Eleni Kounalakis told Podesta that a wealthy Bay Area broker swears Biden is running. He said he took him on Air Force Two, and hes getting emails. Podesta then referenced the recent death of Biden's 46-year-old son Beau, who had cancer. Some speculation that Biden will run because of Beaus loss, Podesta wrote back. I think that would be a little crazy and sad but you never know. I like him and grieve for him and hope he doesnt do it for his sake. The Biden speculation jumped into high gear for Team Clinton after Maureen Dowd wrote an Aug. 1 column for The New York Times in which she said Beau, before he died, had pushed his dad to run for president. The column angered many in the Podesta-Clinton orbit, though it didnt immediately seem to change the calculus. I think hell hang back unless she explodes and that wont happen just because your friends at the [New York Times] wish it so, Podesta wrote to CNBCs John Harwood the same day the Dowd column came out. But by mid-month, President of the Center for American Progress Neera Tanden emailed Podesta with news that a hedge fund manager reported that Biden (or his people unclear to me who) are calling asking for support. Not doing a hard sell. Podesta indicated he had heard the development, as well. Just days later, on Aug. 23, Podesta advised New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio about how to answer potential Biden questions, adding a pro-Clinton spin: Great guy, serious, grieve with him on the loss of his son, he has to make up his own mind whether to run, no big clamor out there for additional candidates. Podesta on Aug. 24 told an inquiring Harwood that he now was not sure if Biden was leaning toward running. Bidens campaign appeared to be gearing up by the end of the month, when, on Aug. 28, a former White House staffer informed Podesta that Democratic consultants out West were being calling by Bidens Chief of Staff, Steve Ricchetti, asking them to be regional coordinators or consultants for a campaign. On Sept. 2, Podesta emailed Tanden: Heard he is now telling union Presidents he is running. At that point, Clinton aides seemed to go from information-gathering to a more pro-active approach. Podesta told Clinton in a Sept. 21 email that he had lunch with President Obama and discussed Biden. He didnt reveal via email the color of the conversation, preferring to speak on the phone. But he did tell Clinton the news was Nothing that cant wait. Podesta next moved to shoring up those already likely to support Clinton. He spoke to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and told top Clinton aide Huma Abedin on Sept. 23 that Garcetti wont commit until Biden is definitive. Probable outcome is he stays neutral followed closely by he endorses Biden. Podesta went directly to Clinton regarding ex-UBS CEO Robert Wolf. Most importantly, Biden is courting him hard, Podesta wrote. He has told Biden he is with you, but Biden has pushed him to reconsider if he gets in or at least stay open to that possibility. Because Robert is known as an Obama confidante, he would probably be seen as a bellwether of Obamas preference and there is no question that Biden would market it that way if he were to defect. Hes not just one more Obama fundraiser. I think he believes you would be the better President so I think hes solid, but not rock solid. Wolf emailed Podesta 10 days later providing him with an agenda for a meeting the two were scheduled to have. Item 3 is VP Biden update. On Oct. 12 Podesta forwarded an email from a Chicago super-volunteer with updates on the area to a group that included Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook. Podesta noted Chicago is probably a place Biden will try to play so we should pay some attention. Its unclear what happened next, but, just three days later, the Biden threat appeared vanquished. Ron Klain, a former Biden chief of staff who is now an operative for the Clinton campaign, emailed Podesta with a cryptic note of thanks. Its been a little hard for me to play such a role in the Biden demise and I am definitely dead to them -- but Im glad to be on Team HRC, and glad that she had a great debate last night, Klain wrote. Six days later, on Oct. 21, Biden, with Obama by his side, gave a news conference from the White House declaring he wouldnt run. Clinton, in a statement, said: I am confident that history isnt finished with Joe Biden. Donald Trump, who loved to tout the polls when he was winning, is now accusing the media of pushing phony polls. But even some of his own people arent backing him up. Trump says hes winning this election, even though most public polls show him losing nationally and in many of the key battleground states. The coverage is all about how big Hillary Clintons margin of victory will be and how shes now turning her attention to helping Democratic congressional candidates. Victory in Sight, said a New York Times headline. Heres why it matters. Trump is right that if the country believes the race is essentially decided, some deflated Republican voters may stay home. (Of course, some Democrats may also stay home if an ultra-confident Clinton camp acts like this thing is in the bag.) But for Trumps allegations to be true, the surveys by New York Times/CBS, Wall Street Journal/NBC, Washington Post/ABC, Politico/Morning Consult, Fox News, CNN, Quinnipiac and others would have to be distorted. There are three pollsL.A. Times, Rasmussen and IBDthat have given Trump a national lead of 1 to 3 points in recent days, or a virtual tie. So they would have to be right and the other surveys wrong. All this plays into Trumps broader argument about a crooked system. When the people who control the political power in our society can rig investigations like [Clintons] investigation was rigged, can rig polls -- you see these phony polls -- and rig the media, they can wield absolute power over your life, your economy and your country and benefit big time by it, he said the other day in Florida. But his campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, has acknowledged her candidate is behind in the polls. Ed Rollins, head of a Trump Super PAC and a Fox News contributor, said yesterday that if the election were today, hed lose and lose big timeThey know it. The Electoral College projections are more damaging for Trump. Foxs map gives Clinton 307 electoral votes, more than the 270 she needs to win. Larry Sabatos Crystal Ball gives Clinton 352 votes. Nate Silvers 538 gives Clinton 338.9 votes (I love the specificity). And each new survey generates a new round of stories. Just yesterday, the New York Times said its poll had Trump trailing by 7 in North Carolina, without which its extremely difficult for him to win the White House. Another headline said, Could Clinton Win Texas? Democrats Say Maybe. (Its still highly unlikely.) Florida Spirals Away from Trump, says a Politico story, with Clinton leading there in 10 of the last 11 public polls. Now some caveats are in order. Individual polls can be off. Democrats can be oversampled. Fewer people have land lines or want to spend time talking to pollsters. Trailing candidates can surge. And outside events can intervene. The news that ObamaCare premiums will rise an average of 25 percent, and that consumers are being left with fewer insurance options, gives a strong argument to Trump and other critics of the federal program. Are such issues enough to change the dynamic of what is now a two-week campaign, with the conventions and debates behind us? Its an uphill climb for Trump. And by the way, many trailing candidates in both parties, in an effort to fire up their base, question the polls or declare that the only poll that counts is on Election Day (a little less true in this age of early voting). The difference is that Trump is saying the majority of polls arent just wrong but deliberately off base. And he has a receptive audience. In a Reuters survey, almost 70 percent of Republicans said a Hillary win would be the result of rigged voting or voter fraud. In an ABC poll, 84 percent of Trump supporters say the same. (That is, if these polls can be believed.) Whether Trump is trying to shake up the race or give himself a post-defeat rationale, hes made the medias pollingusually taken for granted as a rough barometer of public sentimenta major issue in the home stretch. A rash of reports are emerging on social media from Texas residents who claim machines have switched their votes from Donald Trump to Hillary Clinton though local officials are pushing back and saying many of these incidents are due to human error. Early voting began Monday in the Lone Star State, and almost immediately reports began trickling in of votes being changed. The controversy began when Lisa Houlette, a Texas resident in Randall County, posted her story on Facebook. Arlington resident Shandy Clarke said a similar thing had happened to a family member who went to vote Republican Monday. But Randall Countys Election Administrator Shannon Lackey told FoxNews.com that these sort of claims occur every election cycle and that there is nothing wrong with the machines. She believes such incidents can be chalked up to human error. Our machines are state and federally certified. We do three logic and accuracy tests, which were done before military voting started in September, she said. Lackey said her office is dedicated to impartiality and fairness, and she even chose not to vote in the states primaries so there could be no accusations of bias. She also noted that at repeated points in the voting process, users see where their vote will be cast, and they can change it at any point. I also have instructed all early voting workers, if a voter is uncomfortable that they are to cancel the ballot immediately, and let the voter cast again, and choose the machine of their choice. They can even get the clerk to act as a witness, she said. Neighboring Potter County Judge Nancy Tanner released a statement Tuesday claiming there is nothing wrong with the machines. TEXAS SEES SURGE IN EARLY VOTING AS POLLS SHOW TIGHTENING RACE They do not flip your vote. They do not flip parties. Humans do that, she said. Still, she referenced one incident in Randall County where a voter voted straight ticket and when they hit the vote button, it flipped parties. Tanner maintained that the machine was checked and there was nothing wrong with it. In Collin County, elections official Bruce Sherbet told The Dallas Morning News that there were complaints, but they were called in after the voters had left the polling place, and so it was not possible to determine what had happened. Officials did acknowledge one minor software issue in Chamber County, when officials temporarily moved to paper ballots Monday after a glitch was found in machines. 12NewsNow reported that an error caused votes for one appeals court race not to be entered when a voter tried to vote for a straight-party ticket. That glitch has since been fixed, and there was no indication the error favored one party over another. Meanwhile in North Carolina, WFMY reported that there had been "a smattering" of complaints about machines wrongly indentifying voter choices, but those ballots were corrected before being cast. Yet some conservatives have seized on the claims as proof the voting system is rigged. You see the garbage that goes on and it has to stop, Eric Trump, son of Republican candidate Donald Trump, told Fox & Friends Wednesday when asked about the situation in Texas. We have to get it right, were better than that as a country. A new American Values Survey, reported by The Washington Examiner, found that just 4 in 10 voters are very confident their vote will be counted accurately. Donald Trump has repeatedly asserted that he fears the vote will be rigged and has held back from promising to accept the election results, telling Fox News Chris Wallace at the third presidential debate: I will keep you in suspense. Starting on Wednesday night, scientists on the hunt for extraterrestrial life will begin studying a strange star that has generated plenty of buzz because of its unique behavior. The distant sun is known as Tabbys star, and whats atypical about it is that its brightness does not remain constant. Data show that the star dimmed slightly from 2009 to 2012, and then its brightness dropped by two percent over a period of six months. Now, the Breakthrough Listen project at the University of California, Berkeley, has announced that they will peer at the star using a radio telescope to see if they can detect intelligent life. The Breakthrough Listen program has the most powerful SETI equipment on the planet, and access to the largest telescopes on the planet, Andrew Siemion, director of the Berkeley SETI Research Center and co-director of Breakthrough Listen, said in a statement. We can look at it with greater sensitivity and for a wider range of signal types than any other experiment in the world." Related: Why is this star dimming? Astronomers still don't know One farfetched theory about the star is that aliens are somehow responsible for the stars dimming, perhaps by having built a structure that passes in front of it, although Dan Werthimer, the chief scientist at Berkeley SETI, said he thinks thats incredibly improbable. I dont think its very likely a one in a billion chance or something like that but nevertheless, were going to check it out, Werthimer said in the statement. The Berkeley team is not the first to look for signs of life around this star, which is formally known as KIC 8462852, and no one has found anything yet. Theyre going to spend a total of 24 hours over three nights gazing at the star using a large, movable radio telescope in West Virginia, but even in that amount of time they predict that theyll gather oodles of data that will take a while to analyze. The star has been a subject of much fascination since it was first described in 2015 by astronomer Tabetha Boyajian, an assistant professor at Louisiana State University. Earlier in October, Columbia University astronomer David Kipping told FoxNews.com that he thinks the most likely explanation for whats happening with the star is a natural one its just a gap in our present knowledge at this point. Follow Rob Verger on Twitter: @robverger NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) has been surveying strange "spider-like" surface features on Mars for years, and now citizen scientists are helping the orbiter hone in on areas that require further investigation. These prominent surface features are found near Mars' south pole, and are believed to be linked to seasonal changes. The planet's polar ice caps thaw bottom-side first in the spring, causing carbon dioxide to build up and carve deep channels in the terrain, according to a statement from NASA. "The trapped carbon dioxide gas that carves the spiders in the ground also breaks through the thawing ice sheet. It lofts dust and dirt that local winds then sculpt into hundreds of thousands of dark fans that are observed from orbit," Meg Schwamb, a planetary scientist from the Gemini Observatory in Hawaii, said in the statement. "For the past decade, [the orbiter's instrument] HiRISE has been monitoring this process on other parts of the south pole." [Latest Photos from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter] The Context Camera (CTX) aboard the MRO captured the images of these spider-like cracks and crevices, which volunteer citizen scientists have analyzed using the website "Planet Four: Terrains." With the observations from this citizen science project, NASA has added 20 new regions to the agency's seasonal monitoring campaign on Mars. The orbiter's High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera will explore these regions in greater detail. "It's heartwarming to see so many citizens of planet Earth donate their time to help study Mars," Candice Hansen, HiRISE deputy principal investigator, said in the statement. "Thanks to the discovery power of so many people, we're using HiRISE to take images of places we might not have studied without this assistance." The new places of interest on Mars include some unexpected spider terrain, areas where the surface is composed of material that was ejected from impact craters. Previously, those areas were not associated with carbon dioxide ice sheets, and therefore not thought to have spider-like crevices. The spider cracks may have formed on the material ejected from craters using a different mechanism than the ice sheets, Hansen said. "Perhaps on surfaces that are more erodible, relative to other surfaces, slab ice would not need to be present as long, or [need to be] as thick, for spiders to form. We have new findings, and new questions to answer, thanks to all the help from volunteers," Hansen added. Theres been chatter in the air for years about phone records and metadata, ever since civil rights advocates sued the NSA over its massive record-retention program back in 2013. But new documents highlight that while federal surveillance might be sweeping, its got nothing on the scope of the private sectorand that selling data to investigators can be a profitable side-business. The Daily Beast published new documents today showing that not only does AT&T collect and retain a staggering amount of data on everything that happens in its network, but also that it has formed partnerships with law enforcement agencies all around the country to sell access to that database for as much as a million dollars per year. Whats at play here is phone metadatanot recordings of calls, or the content of texts, but rather the who, what, when, and where of communication. AT&T may not know what you and John Doe talked about for 15 minutes on June 2, 27 minutes on June 7, and 3 minutes on June 8, but they know that you and he communicated for those lengths of time on those dates, and how many texts were sent between your phone numbers in the same period of time. Put that together with cell phone location data, and you can paint a detailed picture of someones activities and actionsa digital trail to be stalked long after any calls are made. Related Stories From Consumer Reports AT&Ts database of cell tower location data goes back until July, 2008 and appears to have no deletion or retention end policy. Verizon, in contrast, keeps records for 12 months and Sprint for 18, according to The Daily Beast. Meanwhile, AT&T has about 142 million wireless customers in the U.S. and Mexico. But the data isnt only on their customers; it would include information about any other phone customerwired or landlinewho has contact with AT&T customers. AT&T also still owns more than 75% of the landline switches in the U.S. In short, the scale is mind-numbingly enormous; AT&T holds trillions of records. Granted, its not exactly new news that AT&T is totally happy to help with surveillance. The New York Times reported on Hemisphere as far back as 2013, writing that for at least six yearsso, back to 2007AT&T had been in a partnership with anti-narcotics law enforcement to provide massive amounts of data from decades worth of Americans calls. On top of that, leaked documents obtained from the NSA back in 2015 showed that AT&T was amenable to working with the feds in a corporate partnership. The company, described at the time under the code name Fairview, was singled out as highly collaborative and displaying an extreme willingness to help, above and beyond that found with other communications companies. But what is a new revelation is the fact that with Hemisphere, AT&T acts not just in response to warrants or subpoenas, but actually voluntarily mines its troves of data and sells that information. Law enforcement bureaussheriff and police departmentspay six-figure or seven-figure sums annually to AT&T for Hemisphere access, the Daily Beast reports. Harris County, Texaswhere Houston sitspaid AT&T just over $77,000 for Hemisphere access in 2007; by 2011, the county was paying $940,000. An AT&T representative told the Daily Beast that AT&T behaves like any other telecommunications company, saying, if a government agency seeks customer call records through a subpoena, court order or other mandatory legal process, we are required by law to provide this non-content information, such as the phone numbers and the date and time of calls. Which is true, as far as it goes; all phone companies have to provide records when theyre on the receiving end of a warrant or court order. (Anyone whos watched enough Law and Order probably feels like they know that.) But the AT&T documents obtained by the Daily Beast say that the company doesnt need a specific warrant from investigators in order to provide records from Hemisphere. Instead, AT&T only requires something called an administrative subpoenaa kind of authority Congress grants to some federal agencies allowing them to demand compelling document production or testimony in the course of an investigation. The DEA has had that authority since 1970. An ACLU technology policy expert told the Daily Beast that AT&T was being pretty misleading about Hemisphere. Companies have to give this data to law enforcement upon request, if they have it, he agreed, but AT&T doesnt have to data-mine its database to help police come up with new numbers to investigate. Its like that line, if you build it, they will come, he continued to the Daily Beast. Once a company creates a huge surveillance apparatus like this and provides it to law enforcement, they then have to provide it whenever the government asks. Theyve developed this massive program and of course theyre going to sell it to as many people as possible. AT&T, however, is eager to keep its participation secret even while AT&T employees, acting on behalf of law enforcement clients, are the ones who find, analyze, and present the data that police use. So if all that data its mined leads to a case moving forward, or a suspect in a crime being arrested, that leaves police in something of a pickle: they have to find a way to use the evidence, and share its provenance with a criminal defendant and their legal team, without revealing that Hemisphere exists. That leads to something called parallel construction: to get a piece of evidence, without actually using it from the way you got it, you have to go back and reconstruct the case to find another, alternate way to get it. So if phone records from AT&T show, for example, that Suspect John Doe makes a phone call to Suspect Jane Doe every day from a certain location, but you cant use the phone records, then you might apply good old-fashioned gumshoe legwork and have a detective follow Suspect John Doe in that place at that time, to obtain the evidence that way and thus prove it exists without revealing the participation of AT&T or the existence of Project Hemisphere. An attorney with the EFF told the Daily Beast that if that feels backwards to you, well, youre right. This document here is striking, he told the Daily Beast. Ive seen documents produced by the government regarding Hemisphere, but this is the first time Ive seen an AT&T document which requires parallel construction in a service to government. Its very troubling and not the way law enforcement should work in this country. AT&T Is Spying on Americans for Profit, New Documents Reveal [The Daily Beast] Copyright 2005-2016 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. No reproduction, in whole or in part, without written permission. Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this site. Microsoft unveiled its Surface Studio device and a host of new 3D tools at its Windows 10 event Wednesday. The Surface Studio is an all-in-one PC that boasts a 28-inch ultra-HD 4.5K touchscreen display. Microsoft is touting the 12.5 mm thick display as the thinnest LCD monitor ever built. With 13.5 million pixels, the display also offers 63 percent more than a 4K TV, according to Microsoft. The Surface Studio can work with Surface pen, touch, or a new Surface Dial device that was unveiled at the New York City event. When the Dial is placed on the screen it brings up a set of tools specific to the app that is open, such as changing the color or the size of a digital brush tip. The Surface Studios hinged display can also be adjusted, turning it into a sort of digital drafting board. Related: Bing translation error connects ISIS with Saudi Arabia This is really a new way to create, a new way to produce, said Panos Panay, Microsofts corporate vice president for Surface Computing, at the event. Its meant to turn your desk into a studio. Priced at $2,999, the Surface Studio is available now for pre-order. The device will be available in limited quantities this holiday season, with broader availability early next year. Microsoft also introduced three new Surface Books powered by Intel Core i7 processors. The devices offer twice the graphics processing power as the original Surface Book, it said. Priced from $2,399, the Surface Books are available for pre-order now, with availability starting Nov. 10. Away from hardware, the tech giant showed off its free Creators Update for Windows 10, which will be available early next year. Were expanding on our vision for mixed reality, said Terry Myerson, executive vice president of Microsofts Windows and Devices Group. This includes 3D for everyone. Related: Microsoft Research proposes a method for full control over data stored in the cloud As part of the update, Microsoft showcased a new 3D version of its Paint app and technology that uses smartphone cameras to capture 3D renderings of objects. The company also plans to integrate 3D across its most popular apps over the next year, such as PowerPoint. The update will also let people send 3D images to 3D printers, as easily as they send documents to regular printers today. The idea is to also let people post 3D creations on social media easily. Additionally, Microsoft announced that HP, Lenovo, Dell, Acer and ASUS will ship the first headsets capable of mixed reality through the Creators Update next year. Mixed reality combines virtual reality and augmented reality, where a digital overlay appears over the physical world. Related: Apple set to announce new MacBooks on Thursday I believe that the next 10 years will be defined by technology that empowers creation, said Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, during the event. I am inspired by the 'Minecraft' generation who see themselves not as players of a game but as creators of new works that they dream up. However, Jan Dawson, chief analyst at Jackdaw Research, warns that Microsoft faces stiff competition from Apple, whose products are widely used by creative professionals. Though today's products are a good start, it takes a long time to change deeply-entrenched perceptions, and Microsoft has its work cut out in trying to convince potential customers that its products are more than just the workhorses they've always been for many, he said, in a statement. Workflows and cultures in many creative companies are built around Apple products, and that won't change overnight. However, Microsoft's timing for these new products is great, coming at a time when Apple has been accused of neglecting its creative community. Apple is expected to launch new MacBooks at its own event on Thursday. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers Republican nominee Donald Trump was back in the nation's capital Wednesday to celebrate the official opening of Trump International Hotel Washington D.C. With the notable exception of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, this is the most coveted piece of real estate in Washington DC. The best location, Trump touted to a crowd of about 500 invited guests and an additional 450 members of the media in the hotels presidential ballroom and lobby. Located in the 117-year-old Romanesque revival of the Old Post Office building-- about halfway between the Capitol and the White House-- the 263-room luxury hotel held its soft opening with little fanfare on Sept. 12. RELATED: 7 ways the new Trump hotel is vying to make DC great again Originally set to open in 2018, Trump's DC hotel is open early and under budget-- a theme that has been reinforced throughout the campaign and at the ceremony, both in comments and signage. Today is a celebration not just of meeting, but exceeding those goals, said Ivanka Trump, who was the only other member of the Trump family to address the crowd at the ribbon cutting. But the hotel's financial sustainability has been called into question, with room rates having dropped by around 50 percent since the soft open. Both Trump and his daughter spearheaded the $200 million restoration, working with architects Beyer Blinder Belle (who previously restored the lobby of the Empire State Building) and interior-design consultants Hirsch Bender Associates. With the election just 13 days away, most of Trumps remarks Wednesday centered on his campaign. Many references to the hotel property were tied back to his candidacy. Today's a metaphor for what we can accomplish in this country, Trump said. The presidential hopeful did not acknowledge the few protestors that gathered in the early morning hours (the AFLCIO led a protest in front of the hotels Pennsylvania Avenue entrance, which was audible in spurts from the ribbon cutting in the atrium) and they'd largely dissipated before he left the hotel after conducting a few interviews. Also absent from Trump's remarks, any commentary regarding the hotels problems finding a flagship restaurant after two celebrity chefs set to open eateries dumped the Trump over the candidates controversial anti-immigrant comments. The early word though on BLT Prime by David Burke, which is the hotels sole restaurant other than the lobby bar and a Starbucks, has been fairly positive. A second restaurant has not been announced. RELATED: Why Trump is changing the name of new brand hotels A spokeswoman confirmed to FoxNews.com that all of the hotel rooms have since been complete but parts of the property still remain under construction. The Spa by Ivanka Trump, set to be the debut of her spa line that will rollout at other Trump properties, is still being finished. Hotel officials would not confirm an official opening date. What's open for sure? The hotel's inaugural weekend package: $500,000 for a stint in the 6,300-square-foot Trump Townhouse (which is bigger than the presidential suite) and includes dinner for 24 in the duplex suites dining room, car service and two round-trip first-class tickets from anywhere in the great United States. From the city of Venice to a beach in Thailand, popular beauty spots across the world have been struggling to deal withor have just downright had enough ofincreasingly high volumes of visitors, proposing all sorts of solutions to curb eager travelers like caps on cruise ship visitors in Santorini and a tourist tax in Barcelona. Now, Zion National Park in Utah is following suit, having announced that it may limit the number of visitors accessing its campgrounds and trails during peak hours. According to The Salt Lake Tribune, the park anticipates 4 million people to visit this yearthats a considerable jump from 3.66 million in 2015. While park officials have been weighing up various options to tackle the record foot traffic eroding Zions soil and overwhelming its facilities, park spokeswoman Aly Baltrus told the Tribune that its going to take a lot of little things, to resolve the issue. In addition to putting a limit on daily visitors via a new reservation system, officials have suggested nixing campgrounds that operate on a first-come first-served basis, and fortifying the soil. The popular hiking destination Zion Canyon has suffered the most in recent years, but Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, the Narrows, and Angels Landing could also face new restrictions. Earlier this year, Zion was cited as the sixth most visited national park in the U.S.; and with 2016 being the National Park Services centennial year, offers like 16 days of free admission have ensured that the popularity of sites like Zion wont be waning any time soon. Data released last February revealed that 307.2 million people visited the nations national parks last year, and Zion alone has seen a 35 percent uptick over the last ten years. More from Conde Nast Traveler Conde Nast Traveler Releases Readers' Choice Awards 2016 The Friendliest and Unfriendliest Cities Around the World The Best Small Towns in America The Most Beautiful Travel Destinations of All Time But some national parks have seen unwanted attention of late. Back in September, a group of vandals were caught on camera destroying the "Duckbill" rock formation in Oregons Cape Kiwanda Natural Area, and a graffiti artist was banned from all national parks in June after it was discovered shed defaced various pieces of ancient rock in Death Valley back in 2014. RELATED: 15 Places Telling Tourists to Stay Home And though theres only so much that can be done to stop some visitors burning desires to carve names into thousands-of-years-old rock formations, when it comes to solutions to curb overcrowding, prevent erosion, and make the park experience better and safer, officials have it coveredaiming to settle on a concrete strategy for Zion by 2018. next Image 1 of 3 prev next Image 2 of 3 prev Image 3 of 3 The developer of the Dakota Access oil pipeline said Tuesday that the dozens of protesters who have camped on company-owned land since the weekend are trespassing and that "lawless behavior will not be tolerated." Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners said in a statement that it wants all protesters to vacate its land in North Dakota immediately. "Alternatively and in coordination with local law enforcement and county/state officials, all trespassers will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and removed from the land," the statement said. American Indians and others who oppose the construction of the four-state oil pipeline set up the new camp of tents and teepees Sunday, moving their long-running protest directly in the project's path for the first time. Many of those gathered at the encampment have vowed they will stay put until the 1,172-mile long pipeline is scrapped. They argue that the land, which was recently purchased by Energy Transfer Partners from a rancher, rightfully belongs to Native Americans under a more than century-old treaty. "We never ceded this land," Joye Braun, a protest organizer, said in a statement Monday. She could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday on the company's statement. Earlier in the week, the local sheriff's office said the protesters were trespassing but that it wouldn't immediately remove the more than 100 people because it didn't have the manpower. Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier said at a news conference Monday that authorities put out a call for help earlier this month and six states are sending officers. He would not say if the goal was to remove the protesters. Safety remains the No. 1 priority, and authorities are attempting to negotiate with camp leaders, he said. Morton County authorities did not return telephone calls Tuesday seeking comment on the company's statement and whether it affected the plans to not immediately remove the protesters. Energy Transfer Partners also did not return messages and phone calls seeking further comment. The $3.8 billion pipeline, most of which has been completed, crosses through North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois. Opponents worry about potential effects on drinking water on the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's reservation and farther downstream on the Missouri River, as well as destruction of cultural artifacts, including burial sites. The newly established camp is about a mile from the Missouri River. Some preparation work had been done there but no pipe has been placed, officials have said. On Monday, dozens of people were milling around the new protest site, some cooking over campfires. Loren Bagola, who joined the protest from the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota, said the demonstrators want to remain peaceful. "We are here to pray for our ancestors that were desecrated and pray the pipeline people will find an alternative," he said. "We pray for their workers, too. We pray for police officers and their families. We all have one thing in common: We want clean drinking water." But Vanessa Dundon, a Navajo from White Cone, Arizona, said the protesters were ready to use the hay bales and large logs stacked at the site to block the adjacent highway. Protests have been going on in the area for months, including at a much larger encampment on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' land about a half-mile away. The Rev. Jesse Jackson says he is going to North Dakota to join the protest Wednesday, because those who oppose the pipeline have a "moral claim to be heard" and that their burial grounds "must be honored." He said he will stand with pipeline opponents and "if necessary, go to jail with them." And actor-activist Mark Ruffalo came to North Dakota on Tuesday, saying plans to deliver a pair of Navajo-made solar trailers on Wednesday to help power the encampments established to protest the pipeline. Ruffalo is co-founder of The Solutions Project, which promotes clean and renewable energy. Demonstrators do not have a federal permit to be on the Corps' land, but the agency has said it wouldn't evict them due to free speech reasons. Authorities have criticized that decision, saying the site has been a launching point for protests at construction sites in the area. In September, protesters and private security clashed after construction crews removed topsoil on the ranch. Authorities said four security guards and two guard dogs were injured; the tribe says protesters reported that six people had been bitten by security dogs, and at least 30 people were pepper-sprayed. More than 260 people have been arrested since demonstrations began in August, nearly half of whom were arrested over the weekend during a large protest at a pipeline construction site. next Image 1 of 2 prev Image 2 of 2 A Los Angeles man found with multiple weapons and hundreds of pounds of ammunition in his home was charged with making terrorist threats to the Islamic Center of Southern California, authorities announced Tuesday. Mark Lucian Feigin was arrested last week on the charge, which has been designated as a hate crime, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Feigin, 40, has been released on bail. A message left at a number listed under his name was not returned Tuesday and it was unclear if he has an attorney. Feigin first called the Islamic center Sept. 19 and left a hate-filled voicemail, police said. The next day, they said, he called and threatened to kill people at the center. Police also believe Feigin was posting threatening and hate-filled posts on his social media pages. When police served a search warrant at Feigin's home last week, they found at least nine guns and 250 pounds of ammunition, LAPD Cmdr. Horace Frank said at a news conference. Some of the weapons are registered to Feigin while some are registered to others, Feigin said, adding that some of the ammunition clips had been modified to shoot at high capacity. He declined to say whether police believe Feigin was planning an attack or making empty threats. "When people make threats of this nature and they have the means to carry out those threats, it's a very serious matter," Frank said. Frank acknowledged that the Islamic center regularly gets negative phone calls, but said Feigin's threats stood out. "When he crossed the line is when he threatened to kill them," Frank said. "That's where free speech ends." The Islamic center has obtained a restraining order against Feigin. Omar Ricci, a spokesman for the center, said Feigin's first call was filled with expletives, and included calling its members "rats" and telling them to leave their religion. The second one included death threats, he said. He said the center was pleased with Feigin's arrest but concerned that he had been released on bail, so much so that they've increased the number armed security guards who protect the facility, which includes an elementary school. Ricci said the center typically gets an increase in angry phone calls after a high-profile terrorist attack, including San Bernardino and Orlando. "People call and hang up or get out what they have to say and don't bother to engage in conversation," Ricci said. "This guy called multiple times, the vitriol in his voice, and the hate in how he was saying things he was really, really in a rage." Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced Wednesday that he was ordering the Pentagon to suspend its efforts to recover decade-old reenlistment bonuses paid to thousands of California Army National Guard soldiers who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. About 2,000 soldiers were recently told they had to repay the cash bonuses that, in some cases, amounted to $15,000 or more. Carter said there was a process in place to assist soldiers who sought relief of such obligations, and in this case, hundreds of Guard members have already sought and have been granted relief. LAWMAKERS BLAST 'BONEHEADED' DECISION But that process has simply moved too slowly and in some cases imposed unreasonable burdens on service members, Carter said. That is unacceptable. He did not mention any timeframe for the suspension, but he insisted that it would be in place until he was satisfied that our process is working effectively. DRONE PILOT? AIR FORCE OFFERING UP TO $175G RETENTION BONUS Faced with a shortage of troops at the height of the two wars, California Guard officials offered bonuses of $15,000 or more for soldiers to reenlist. A federal investigation in 2010 found thousands of bonuses and student loan payments were improperly doled out to California Guard soldiers. About 9,700 current and retired soldiers received notices to repay some or all of their bonuses with more than $22 million recovered so far. Soldiers said they felt betrayed at having to repay the money. "These bonuses were used to keep people in," said Christopher Van Meter, a 42-year-old former Army captain and Iraq veteran who was awarded a Purple Heart. "People like me just got screwed." Van Meter said he refinanced his home mortgage to repay $25,000 in reenlistment bonuses and $21,000 in student loan repayments that the military says was improperly given to him. The California Guard said it had to follow the law and collect the money. "At the end of the day, the soldiers ended up paying the largest price," Maj. Gen. Matthew Beevers, deputy commander of the California Guard, told the Los Angeles Times. "We'd be more than happy to absolve these people of their debts. We just can't do it. We'd be breaking the law." FoxNews.com's Edmund DeMarche and The Associated Press contributed to this report. A judge overseeing the trial of seven defendants who took over a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon has dismissed a juror after questions arose about his impartiality during deliberations. U.S. District Judge Anna Brown in Portland dismissed the juror Wednesday and replaced him with an alternate. The jury will not resume deliberations until Thursday because the alternate must travel to Portland from Central Oregon. Another juror sent a note Tuesday stating the now-dismissed juror had declared he was "very biased" during deliberations. Brown says the juror is a man who worked for the Bureau of Land Management 20 years ago. The BLM is under the same federal umbrella as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which oversees the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Ammon Bundy and six others staged a 41-day armed takeover of the refuge in January. There was a frightening scene that unfolded which put children at risk in Philadelphia. Dozens of teens charged at a school bus and assaulted the young kids on board, according to witnesses. Now a mom is talking only to FOX 29. The streets of West Oak Lane are quiet now but witnesses say it was a far different scene Monday afternoon with a group of teens assaulting students on a school bus along with its driver. "A bunch of kids running around, going crazy. Older lady standing at the bus stop. Knocked her over. They ran on the bus driver. Beat up the bus driver," one witness told FOX 29. Another witness said, "And then when the police got here, they basically started going at it with the police." "Another student was spit on. Another student's bookbag was taken and the bus driver was spit on. And of course, they were cursing and everything and yelling," one mother explained. Sources say the bus was dropping kids off from Holy Cross Catholic School when police answered a call of a disorderly crowd. Click for more from Fox 29. A protest for immigrant rights Wednesday morning shut down New York City-bound traffic on the upper lanes of the George Washington Bridge. The protest reportedly organized by the NY Worker Federation was demanding equal rights for immigrants. Video posted to Twitter showed one driver getting out of a vehicle and fighting with one of the protesters. The group of about 10 people had a large banner that they spread across the lanes saying: "Resist, organized, rise up!" WARNING: VIDEO CONTAINS GRAPHIC LANGUAGE The hashtag #SomosVisible #WeAreVisible was trending on social media. All lanes of the upper level reopened at about 9 a.m. Joe Pentangelo of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said seven male protesters and three female protesters were in custody at around 8:30 a.m. Traffic on the upper level was being diverted off the bridge at 177th St. for approximately one hour. The protesters shut down the lanes by chaining themselves to the bridge. Click for more from MyFoxNY.com A judge on Wednesday dismissed criminally negligent homicide and other charges against a limousine driver whose four passengers were killed in a crash after leaving a vineyard on Long Island. State Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho found there had been improper grand jury testimony in the case and dismissed the indictment against Carlos Pino. Pino, 59, had been awaiting trial on an array of charges, which included assault and reckless driving offenses. He refused to answer questions from reporters as he left the courthouse Wednesday. Pino's attorney, Leonard Lato, said prosecutors "knew all along that this was not a criminal case" but presented it to a grand jury "rather than have the integrity and actually tell that to the families of these poor girls who died." A spokesman for Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Authorities have said Pino was trying to make a U-turn at an intersection along Route 48 in Cutchogue after leaving a nearby winery when a pickup truck broadsided the limo on July 18, 2015. Brittany M. Schulman, 23, of Smithtown; Lauren Baruch, 24, of Smithtown; Stephanie Belli, 23, of Kings Park; and Amy R. Grabina, 23, of Commack, were killed. Four other women and the limo driver were hospitalized. Lato had argued in court papers that Pino wasn't criminally responsible because he did nothing more than fail to perceive the proximity of an approaching truck as he made the turn. Steven Romeo, the driver whose pickup truck collided with the limo, was charged with drunken driving offenses, but prosecutors said he wasn't criminally responsible for the crash. A case against him is still pending; Romeo has said he isn't guilty. Pino is the defendant in several lawsuits brought by the families of the women who were killed and injured in the crash. Family members of some of the victims attended the court proceeding Wednesday but declined to comment. Pino's attorney concedes that his client, as well as the truck driver, might have liability in the civil cases. "He should've seen the oncoming car," Lato said. "Was there civil liability? Yes. Was it a criminal case? No." ___ Associated Press writer Frank Eltman in Mineola, N.Y., contributed to this report. A former doctor was convicted Wednesday of killing four people with ties to an Omaha medical school, including the 11-year-old son of a faculty member there. The Douglas County jury found Anthony Garcia guilty of four counts of first-degree murder. He now faces either life in prison or death if voters opt on Nov. 8 to keep Nebraska's death penalty. Garcia, 42, was convicted of fatally stabbing 11-year-old Thomas Hunter, son of Creighton University School of Medicine faculty member Dr. William Hunter; and the family's housekeeper, 57-year-old Shirlee Sherman, in 2008 at the family's home in an upscale Omaha neighborhood. That case remained unsolved for years, until the 2013 Mother's Day deaths of another Creighton pathology doctor, Roger Brumback, and his wife, Mary, in their Omaha home. Roger Brumback had been shot and stabbed; his wife was stabbed to death. Clues in that killing offered up similarities to the killings at the Hunter house five years earlier, and a police task force was formed to look into possible ties between the two events. Investigators said the evidence pointed to Garcia, who they said acted on his long-simmering rage over being fired by the two doctors from the medical school's residency program in 2001. Prosecutors said Garcia blamed the doctors for informing other medical schools around the country of the firing, keeping Garcia from being accepted to several of them and from being approved for medical licenses in other states. More digging turned up Garcia's credit card purchases and cellphone records putting him in and around Omaha on May 12, 2013, the day the Brumbacks were killed. Police arrested Garcia on a southern Illinois highway about two months after the Brumback killings. A search of the Brumbacks' home address was found on Garcia's smartphone the day of their deaths, prosecutors said, and authorities linked him to an attempted break-in at another Creighton pathology department doctor's home earlier that day. In the 2008 Hunter home killings, neighborhood witnesses had told police they had seen an olive-skinned man in the neighborhood and at the door of William Hunter's home. They also reported a silver Honda CRV with out-of-state plates. Police later found that Garcia drove that type of vehicle in 2008, when he lived in and had the vehicle registered in Louisiana. A lawsuit challenging Denver's sweeps of the homeless is the latest in a string of cases opposing crackdowns on people camping in public around the country. It accuses the city of violating the constitutional due process rights of the homeless to be protected from unreasonable searches and seizures and to be treated equally under the law as part of an effort to clear them from areas being gentrified. Some of the other challenges have resulted in payouts to the homeless and agreements to change how their belongings are seized and stored. Last month, a federal judge in Washington state found a county liable for clearing out homeless encampments and seizing the residents' belongings. That led the county to settle the case for $250,000. Los Angeles and Honolulu have also settled similar lawsuits. The first hearing in Denver's lawsuit drew dozens of homeless people and their advocates to federal court on Oct. 12 even though it was mainly to discuss scheduling. Man who acknowledged he hacked a Boston children's hospital two years ago is waging a hunger strike in prison as he awaits trial. Martin Gottesfeld, who was arrested in February, is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday in U.S. District Court on charges of conspiracy and intentionally causing damage to protected computers. Gottesfeld claims the hacking was in protest of the treatment of a teenage patient caught up in a custody fight between Massachusetts and her parents following conflicting medical diagnoses. He said his three-week-old hunger strike is to bring attention to two more causes: the treatment of troubled youth in institutions and "political prosecutions" by prosecutors he considers overzealous, including U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz in Massachusetts. Prosecutors say he allegedly posted a YouTube video on behalf of the hacking group Anonymous. The alleged video included a computer-generated voice stating, "To the Boston Children's Hospital why do you employee people that clearly do not put patients first?" The video called for the firing of a physician who treated Pelletier and said, "Test us, and you shall fail." Gottesfeld is seeking for the presidential candidates to make a pledge to protect the children who are in residential treatment centers, psychiatric hospitals and other institutions. He also mentioned that people shouldnt be prosecuted for harmless crimes. In a telephone interview with The Associated Press, Gottesfeld said he will not eat again until these demands are met. However, he acknowledges that he occasionally has consumed chicken broth, Gatorade and soft drinks, dropping in weight from 204 pounds to 182. "I love my life and I love my wife, and I want to get back to both of them very badly, but this cause is more important than any one individual. And the suffering of these children must stop, and the persecution of these advocates also must stop," Gottesfeld said from the detention facility he is being held before trial in Rhode Island. Gottesfeld acknowledges launching the attack that allegedly put the hospitals website out of service and disabled the fundraising portal causing the hospital to allegedly spend over $300,000 addressing the hacking and lost an additional $300,000 in donations. "I haven't hurt anybody. There's no allegation that any patients were harmed by anything that I did," Gottesfeld said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A 25-year-old woman convicted of second-degree murder for pushing her husband to his death from the 25th floor of their apartment hanged herself in an Oklahoma prison, corrections officials said Tuesday. Amber Hilberling died by asphyxia hanging, according to spokeswoman Amy Elliott with the state medical examiner's officer. Hilberling was pronounced dead at 5:33 p.m. Monday at the Mabel Bassett Correctional Center, where she had been serving a 25-year prison sentence for the 2011 death of her husband, Joshua Hilberling, according to Oklahoma Department of Corrections spokeswoman Terri Watkins. Watkins said another inmate had found Hilberling hanging from a bunk bed in a cell 13 minutes earlier. More on this... Workplace shooting at Virginia rail car plant leaves 2 dead, including gunman Prosecutors alleged that Amber Hilberling shoved her husband through the window after they argued over splitting up. Hilberling, who was 19 at the time and seven months pregnant, argued that the death was an accident caused by "unusually thin" windows in the couple's apartment. In a prison interview that aired this year on the talk show "Dr. Phil," Hilberling said she was acting in self-defense. "He reached out and grabbed me. And I was pregnant. And he didn't care," Hilberling said on the show, according to the Tulsa World. She added: "I pushed him off me. The window wasn't supposed to happen." The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals upheld her conviction two years ago. Each year, thousands of Oregon parents hug their kids goodbye and send them tramping into the wilderness for up to a week to learn about their state's natural wonders. The Outdoor School program was groundbreaking when it started more than a half-century ago. Since then, more than 1 million children have enjoyed or endured this rite of passage at campsites scattered from Oregon's stormy coast to its towering evergreen forests to its rugged high desert. At the program's heyday, 90 percent of sixth-graders spent the week testing water samples, studying fungi and digging through topsoil. Today, just half of Oregon's 11- and 12-year-olds take part, mostly through a patchwork of grants, fundraising, parent fees and charitable donations. Caps on property taxes, plus the recent recession, have forced many school districts to scrap the program or whittle it down to just a few days. Now, backers of a statewide ballot measure want to use a slice of lottery proceeds to guarantee a week of Outdoor School for all children. If it passes, the measure would make Oregon the only state with dedicated funding for outdoor education, including students in charter, private and home schools, said Sarah Bodor, policy director for the North American Association for Environmental Education. Opponents, however, say its passage would mean deep cuts to a state agency tasked with economic development by siphoning away millions in lottery money critical to expanding Oregon business. And at least one outspoken state lawmaker worries Measure 99 would impose liberal Portland's values on children in rural Oregon where farming, mining, logging and fishing are a way of life. The push to fund Outdoor School dovetails with a national trend toward outdoor learning, Bodor said. More than two dozen states have developed environmental literacy plans as educators realize the importance of outdoor time for developing critical thinking and leadership skills, she said. "But these are really unfunded mandates and ... the outdoor component is the piece that very often gets left behind," Bodor said. Measure 99 would cover that unfunded cost by taking up to $22 million or 4 percent a quarter from the state lottery's economic development fund to send 50,000 fifth- or sixth-graders to Outdoor School each year. The Oregon State University Extension Service would dole out the money to school districts using a process that will be determined if the measure passes. Applying for the lottery funds would be voluntary, and schools, educational districts and nonprofits that already run Outdoor Schools around the state could continue to do so. To get the state funding, programs would have to meet certain criteria, including a curriculum that includes the study of plants, animals, soil and water; discussion of the role of natural resources in the state economy; and lessons on the relationship between economic growth, natural resources and conservation. "This is not a mandate it's an offer. And we wanted to make sure it was a real one, which means providing sufficient funding to cover the cost of a good, high-quality program," said Rex Burkholder, chairman of the Measure 99 campaign committee. With two weeks to go before the election, Measure 99 has no organized opposition, and polls indicate it will pass but not everyone is buying it. State Sen. Betsy Johnson, a Democrat who represents a rural district northwest of Portland, says lottery proceeds are for economic development, not camp. She worries Oregonians who remember their own Outdoor School experience will vote for the measure out of nostalgia without understanding it could hurt other programs. Economic Development for Central Oregon, a nonprofit that promotes job growth, says the money for Outdoor School would be equivalent to 70 percent of the budget for the state's economic development agency, which relies on lottery money. Efforts to bring television productions like "Grimm," ''Leverage" and "Portlandia" to Oregon could suffer as a result, it said. "It's so feel-good, it's so 'Oregon' that I just worry that people are not going to give it the level of scrutiny it deserves," Johnson said. "The assumption is Outdoor School ... will produce better citizens and good Oregonians. What's my metric to know if that really happens?" Supporters point to a Portland State University study that found students who participated in Outdoor School had improved attendance. They also highlight surveys by the Multnomah Education Service District which provides 7,000 students a year with Outdoor School that show the program boosts self-confidence and interest in math and science. At a recent five-day camp in Mount Hood National Forest, sixth-graders from Portland's Jackson Middle School seemed unaware of the politics surrounding their adventure. As a light drizzle fell, they dipped nets into a fog-cloaked pond surrounded by stands of Douglas fir trees, sketched water bugs in notebooks and tested the water's acidity and turbidity as rainbow trout jumped just a few feet away. Each child wore a "wood cookie" a cross-section of a small log emblazoned with their name and cabin assignment and decorated with beaded pins to denote their completion of field studies on plants, animals, soil and water. "It's definitely better out here," said 11-year-old Maya Herring, showing off her wood cookie festooned with beads and bling awarded by her counselor. "You can actually feel the nature. It's not just saying, 'This is what this fern looks like.' You can actually feel the fern for yourself." A man was shot several times in the stomach in the parking lot of Iverson Mall in Temple Hills, Md. on Tuesday afternoon and officials are still searching for the suspect, according to Prince George's County Police. The victim was transported to an area trauma center and although he was sent to the center his injuries do not appear to be life- threatening, according to officials. According to a preliminary investigation the shooting does not appear to be random and the suspect ran from the scene. Neighbors who live near by the mall say described what they heard at the time of the shooting, I heard what sounded like a gunshot! I heard a big firing, probably two minutes before the next two shots I heard and then after that there was a CRASH. I didnt see anything, but I heard it! said Walt James, a neighbor." Out of an abundance of caution multiple nearby schools were locked down, but the lock downs have since been lifted. Click for more from Fox 5. Police say an officer has fatally shot an assault suspect who stepped out of a Dallas-area motel room and reached for a gun in his waistband. Carrollton police say no officers were hurt in Wednesday's incident. Spokeswoman Jolene DeVito says a woman Tuesday night went to a police station to stay she was sexually assaulted and escaped from the suspect's motel room. Officers determined the same suspect had a warrant pending for a recent family violence assault that left another woman hurt. Police staked out the motel until a different woman came out Wednesday, unaware that officers were outside. She wasn't injured. DeVito says the suspect was shot once when he emerged and reached for his gun. The officer who opened fired goes on paid administrative leave amid the investigation. Click for more from Fox 4. Two teenage boys are in custody after state police say the youths stole a vehicle and led troopers on a nearly 15-mile chase that reached 120 mph on an upstate New York highway. Authorities say the stolen vehicle was spotted traveling south on Interstate 81 in the city of Watertown around 9:50 p.m. Monday. Troopers say they attempted to stop it, but the driver didn't comply. Troopers say the driver continued south, hitting a top speed of 120 mph before exiting the highway in Ellisburg and crashing into a guardrail. The 14-year-old driver was taken into custody at the crash scene. The other 14-year-old fled on foot but was located nearby several hours later. The teens were turned over to Jefferson County probation officers and taken to a juvenile detention facility. Police say they've arrested 10 protesters for chaining themselves together and lying down on the George Washington Bridge. Joe Pentangelo (pehn-TAN'-jeh-loh) of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey says seven men and three women were in custody at around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. It wasn't immediately clear what the protest was about. The Daily News says some outraged commuters delayed over an hour tried to pull down protesters' banners. The George Washington considered the busiest bridge in the country spans the Hudson River between New Jersey and New York City. It's at the center of a trial of two former allies of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie charged with closing lanes to the bridge to punish a Democratic mayor who didn't endorse the Republican Christie's re-election. ISIS, Taliban faction claim Pakistan police academy massacre; more than 60 dead By , The Islamic State terror group claimed responsibility Tuesday for a massacre at a police training center in southwestern Pakistan that left 61 dead -- but a breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban claimed its fighters launched the attack. Pakistani officials feared the death toll could rise further, as the four-hours-long siege -- one of the deadliest attacks on Pakistan's security forces in recent years -- left 123 wounded, some of them in critical condition. ISIS UNLEASHES 'HEAVY RESISTANCE' OUTSIDE MOSUL, PENTAGON REPORTS Most of the dead were police cadets and recruits. The initial attack led to a ferocious gunbattle with troops that lasted from Monday night into the early hours Tuesday. The assault caught many of the recruits asleep in their dorms and forced cadets and trainers to jump off rooftops and run for their lives to escape the attackers. ISIS, which is waging war in Syria and Iraq where it has declared a self-styled caliphate, posted a claim on the group's media arm, the Arabic-language Aamaq news agency. It said three ISIS fighters killed 60 police recruits in Quetta but the claim was not confirmed by Pakistani officials and ISIS did not offer any previously unknown details about the assault. Earlier, a little-known breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban, known as the Hakimullah group, also issued a statement claiming responsibility for the attack. Pakistani officials, doubting the group's capabilities in staging such a coordinated and spectacular assault, also could not confirm that claim. Some of the army personnel who responded to the assault were also among those killed, said Shahzada Farhat, police spokesman in Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province. YAZIDIS GUARD RAVAGED HOME, EVER WARY OF ISIS' CHEMICAL ATTACKS The attack in Quetta began at 11:30 p.m. on Monday, said Baluchistan Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti, with the militants shooting and killing a police guard at the watch tower before storming into the academy, located on the outskirts of Quetta. Baluchistan officials had earlier received "intelligence reports that some terrorists have entered the province" but had no indications about possible targets. "We had tightened security, which is why they could not do it in the city and chose a target on the outskirts," said Baluchistan's chief minister, Sanaullah Zehri. There were also disparate figures as to the number of attackers. Provincial police chief Ahsan Mahboob said four gunmen were involved in the assault while a military statement later said there were up to six attackers. About 700 cadets, trainees, instructors and other staff were inside the academy when it was attacked, Bugti said, adding that the gunbattle with the militants lasted for at least four hours. Once inside the academy grounds, Pakistani media said the gunmen headed straight to the dorms housing the cadets and trainees and opened fire, shooting indiscriminately. Some of the cadets jumped off the rooftops and through windows to try to escape. "They were rushing toward our building, firing," one cadet told Pakistani Geo TV news channel. "We rushed for safety toward the roof and jumped down in the back of the building." Another recruit, his face covered in blood, told the station the gunmen shot at whoever they saw. "I ran away, just praying God might save me," he said. After the attack, Pakistani forces tightened security around the academy and Quetta hospitals were the wounded were taken. Footage aired on local television stations showed ambulances rushing out of the main entrance of the academy as fire engines struggled to put out fires set off by the explosions from the attackers' suicide vests. Most of those being treated at the city hospitals had gunshot wounds, although some sustained injuries jumping off the rooftop of the hostel housing the cadets to escape the gunmen. "This war isn't over," said Pakistani Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. "The enemy is weakened, but not eliminated." Maj. Gen. Sher Afgan, head of the Pakistani paramilitary force which is primarily responsible for the province, claimed the attackers had received instructions from commanders in neighboring Afghanistan. He said they were most likely from the banned Lashker-e-Jhangvi Al-Almi militant group affiliated with al-Qaida and the Taliban. The Sunni militant group has mainly targeted minority Shiite Muslims whom its members consider to be infidels. The paramilitary chief spoke before the Islamic State and the Hakimullah group's claims surfaced. Afghanistan condemned the attack and dismissed Pakistan's allegations that the assault was planned from bases inside Afghanistan. "Afghanistan is the biggest victim of terrorism and denounces all terrorist attacks," said Mohammad Haroon Chakhansuri, spokesman for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. In a separate statement, Ghani also condemned the attack, saying that "terrorism is a threat throughout the region, which is reflected in the brutal act today in Quetta." Pakistan maintains that militants fleeing army operations in the tribal regions regularly escape across the border, finding safe havens inside Afghanistan. For his part, Ghani has been deeply critical of Pakistan, saying it has provided safe havens to the Taliban and in particular the violent Haqqani network. For over a decade, Baluchistan has been the scene of a low-intensity insurgency by nationalist and separatist groups demanding a bigger share in the regional resources. Islamic militants and Sunni sectarian also have a presence in the province. Pakistan has carried out several military operations against militants in country's lawless tribal regions along Afghanistan border, including a major push that started mid 2014 in North Waziristan, a militant base. The Islamic militants have killed tens of thousands of people in their bid to overthrow Pakistan's government and install their own harsh brand of Islamic law. Later Tuesday, a roadside bomb killed a police official escorting a polio team that was travelling in northwestern Pakistan as part of a vaccination campaign, according to Furqan Bilal, a police superintendent in Peshawar. Militant attacks on polio teams are common in Pakistan as Taliban and other extremists denounce such vaccination campaigns as a Western conspiracy. The Associated Press contributed to this report. URL https://www.foxnews.com/world/isis-taliban-faction-claim-pakistan-police-academy-massacre-more-than-60-dead next Image 1 of 3 prev next Image 2 of 3 prev Image 3 of 3 Top European Union officials have voiced concern over the detention of two leading political figures in the largest city in Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and Commissioner Johannes Hahn said in a statement Wednesday that Turkey must respect rule of law as it deals with the security threat posed by Kurdish militants. "A political solution is the only viable option," the statement said. Diyarbakir mayor Gultan Kisanak and Firat Anli, who serves as co-mayor, were detained Tuesday as part of a terrorism investigation. They are members of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party or HDP. The government accuses the HDP of being the political wing of the Kurdish militant group PKK. The party denies the accusation. The HDP has called for protests to denounce the detentions but the Diyarbakir governor's office said the demonstration will not be allowed. The European Parliament has asked French police to investigate an incident between two lawmakers of the U.K. Independence Party that landed one of them in the hospital earlier this month. EU Parliament President Martin Schulz said Wednesday he had "referred this matter to the competent French authorities," especially because of "its possible criminal implications." Steven Woolfe claims he "received a blow" from fellow UKIP legislator Mike Hookem during an argument at a meeting of UKIP parliamentarians at the bloc's legislature in Strasbourg, France. Woolfe collapsed and was hospitalized for several days. Hookem denies hitting Woolfe. Schulz said versions of events "diverge substantially" and there appear to have been no direct witnesses. The anti-EU party was instrumental in getting Britain to vote to leave the 28-nation bloc. The family of an alleged ISIS bomb plotter who authorities said killed himself after his arrest in Germany is suing the government because suicide is forbidden in Islam and family members believe police killed him. Jaber Albakr, 22, who arrived in Germany amid a flood of 890,000 asylum seekers from Syria last year, was arrested on Oct. 10 in a raid that uncovered about 3.5 pounds of explosives. Two days later, according to the state-run news, he was found hanged in a cell at Leipzig prison. 35 TURKISH DIPLOMATS, FAMILY MEMBERS SEEK ASYLUM IN GERMANY "Im really sure the police killed him, Albakr's brother, Alaa, told a local paper. He also told Reuters his brother was brainwashed by imams in Berlin. He insisted that his brother had no violent intentions and that he never would have committed suicide because that is forbidden by Islam. "He sounded like he was excited about life and like he was ready to resume his life in Germany," he said of the last time he spoke to his younger brother. Shortly after Jabers death, his brother posted a video in an Arabic language calling for revenge, the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle reported. I dont want anything further, he was quoted as saying. I will come as a refugee. According to German weekly Welt am Sonntag, the plot was foiled in part thanks to a tip from an American intelligence agency, which had intercepted calls that Albakr made to an ISIS contact in which the target of the attack was discussed. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The United Nations wall of denial about its responsibility for causing Haitis 6-year-old cholera epidemic is stronger than ever -- and a U.N. human rights expert has put the focus directly on the Obama administration for helping to keep the barrier in place. Philip Alston, a New York University law professor, who is currently the U.N. special rapporteur on poverty and human rights, issued a final report on the cholera crisis on Tuesday that sharply castigated the U.N. for a legal stance that is morally unconscionable, legally indefensible and politically self-defeating. He also accused the world organization of fairly systematic backing down from a promised change of its long-held position that the specific causes of the cholera epidemic were not known, and that it is not legally responsible for the disastrous outcome of the epidemic, which has killed more than 9,000 people and, according to Alstons report, stricken 7 percent of the countrys 10.9 million population. Alston called the renewed hard line of non-responsibility a huge disservice to the U.N., and a terrible precedent for the future. Among other things, his report said that without the acquiescence, if not the active support, of the United States and other Security Council members, [that] approach would not have been adopted by the United Nations. The U.S. is the only nation specifically named in the document. In an interview with Fox News, Alston said that meetings with officials from the U.S. Mission to the U.N., the National Security Council and the State Department in the process of preparing his final report had failed to win any understanding on why the U.S. apparently backed the no-responsibility position, or even what the [U.S.] legal position is. In a press release, he added that the U.S. seems to have pressed the U.N. to adopt the position frequently taken by lawyers in the U.S. that responsibility should never be accepted voluntarily, since it could complicate future litigation. Alston called that rationale completely inapplicable to the U.N., which enjoys absolute immunity from suit in national courts, and whose reputation depends almost entirely on being seen to act with integrity. Questions to the U.S. Mission to the U.N. about Alstons criticisms were not answered before this article was published. Nor has the U.N. itself ever revealed what Alston called at a press conference a phantom legal opinion by its Office of Legal Affairs, which has anchored the U.N.s denial of responsibility. His report hinted that the internal legal opinion may well have been changed as a result of pressure, but added, this cannot be confirmed since none of the analyses of the Office of Legal Affairs have been made public. The Legal Affairs opinion has provided a convenient justification for States to avoid engagement on the responsibility of the United Nations for the cholera epidemic in Haiti, his report declares. CLICK HERE FOR THE REPORT Behind all of the legal discussion is the ugly reality of Haitis plight: stricken in 2010 by a cholera epidemic that virtually the entire scientific world now lays squarely at the door of U.N. peacekeepers from Nepal, whose cholera-infected human waste was dumped in violation of all health procedures into Haitis Artibonite River. Haiti had never experienced cholera before. The disease, while reduced from its ravages in 2011, is now an ongoing aspect of disaster-plagued Haitis desperately poor and unstable way of life. Cholera outbreaks flared up again in the wake of the countrys disastrous encounter in early October with Hurricane Matthew -- after the destructive winds dissipated, UNICEF called cholera the largest immediate threat in the affected areas. Ever since 2011, however, the U.N. has hidden behind an increasingly threadbare report from a hand-picked panel of experts who agreed with the source of the epidemic but then maintained the outbreak was not the fault of, or deliberate action of, a group or individual. Some members of the panel have since publicly changed their minds. Alston acidly noted in his report that the U.N. position completely fails to mention, let alone address, the central issue of negligence which lies at the heart of the legal issue of fault in this case. Meantime, waves of other scientific researchers have shown that the specific cholera strain in the Haitian epidemic was linked genetically to a strain in Nepal, and that an outbreak had occurred in that country just before its peacekeepers joined the Haitian peacekeeping force. Then, in 2013, the U.N. 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, which was upheld in a U.S. federal appeals court in August. The Alston reports central contention, however, is that the U.N. does not need to give up its cherished immunity to accept responsibility for the disaster it caused. Indeed, he says, the U.N.s internal legal framework already provides the way to do it. The United Nations has long accepted that. . . it can incur obligations and liabilities of a private law nature, Alstons report notes. And the U.N. already recognizes its international responsibility for damages caused by the activities of United Nations forces within this framework, it adds. As evidence, the report cites a 1998 U.N. General Assembly resolution that set up a special regime to deal with third-party claims in the context of peacekeeping missions, although it set temporal [time-limited], financial and other limitations to that liability. The individual claim limit under the resolution is $50,000. CLICK HERE FOR THE RESOLUTION Moreover, Alstons report notes, the United Nations has frequently processed claims involving alleged negligence, especially, for example, in relation to traffic accidents. The report lauds the U.N. for the so-called new approach it hinted at last August. According to a letter the special rapporteur received at the time from U.N. Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson, the deal would be elaborated through a transparent process involving consultation with the Haitian authorities, Member States and victims. Since then the U.N. has revealed that the new approach includes a $400 million trust fund --which still needs to be funded by U.N. member states -- to provide unspecified material assistance to those affected by the disease and also bolster water and sanitation resources, The report, however, calls the new policy critically incomplete. There is not yet a promise of an apology or an acceptance of responsibility, it notes. The U.N.s legal position, which is to deny all legal responsibility, is comprehensively reaffirmed. Even the remedies are to be dispensed through political and diplomatic, rather than legal means. In other words, Alston concludes, the lamentably self-serving legal contortions devised to escape any form of legal responsibility still remain in place. Amid the contortions, whether the remedies will ever include the promised amounts of money is also still open to question. In another letter to Alston on October 12, Eliasson said that the U.N. was making every effort to engage Member States and raise funds and support for the ostensible new approach, but that Hurricane Matthew had impeded the effort. ISIS is planning additional "significant" external operations against the West from its de-facto capital in Raqqa, Syria, the top U.S. commander in Iraq told reporters Wednesday. I will say that we actually aren't sure how pressing it is, and that's what's worrying us, Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend said via teleconference from Baghdad. We know they're up to something. And it's an external plot, we don't know exactly where, we don't know exactly when. Townsend said it was important to surround Raqqa quickly to cut off ISIS because of the growing terrorist threat to the West. PENTAGON: COALITION LAYING GROUNDWORK TO RETAKE RAQQA Townsend would not reveal any more about the threat, but said some links include plots against the United States, France and other European countries. Despite these threats, Townsend said there was no plan to accelerate the timeline to retake Raqqa from ISIS. It will take longer than the current operation to retake Mosul, Townsend admitted. He said ISIS fighters are still moving in and out of Mosul because the city is not completely surrounded by Iraqi or Kurdish forces. In the past week, a small number of ISIS fighters and their family members left Mosul, he told reporters. IRAQI FORCES EVACUATE 1,000 CIVILIANS NEAR MOSUL We dont have a complete encirclement of Mosul, Townsend said. Townsend said ISIS ramped up its use of family members, including women and children, as cover to move around the battlefield, after U.S. jets killed hundreds of ISIS fighters months ago. The spike in U.S.-led airstrikes supporting the Mosul operation means there will be fewer airstrikes in Syria because the Iraqi-led Mosul operation is the main effort, Townsend said. Other efforts will get by with some less, he admitted. The composition of the force to capture Raqqa remains a source of contention in the region. Turkey does not want Syrian Kurds included in the battle. Townsend says the Kurdish YPG militia would be included in such an operation soon but would not be more specific citing operational security about an upcoming mission. The Turkish government has objected to U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters taking part in the Raqqa operation, despite proving to be the best ground force against ISIS in Syria, officials say. The U.S.-backed Kurds defeated ISIS in the battle for Kobani in 2014, a Syrian village on Turkeys border, the first major victory against ISIS. Despite Turkish objections, Townsend said, The only force that is capable in the near-term is the Syrian Democratic Forces, of which the YPG are a significant portion. Townsend said negotiations with Turkey were underway to resolve the issue. Townsend said the assault force to take back Raqqa would be a light footprint comprised of local forces from Raqqa and the surrounding area. Arab fighters will be a part of the force, which would be trained outside of Raqqa in northern Syria, he added. Further complicating the battlefield, Townsend said there are fighters aligned with the Kurdish Workers Party, better known as the PKK, fighting ISIS in Sinjar in northern Iraq to protect the Yazidis. The State Department considers the PKK a terrorist group because of its decades long insurgency in Turkey killing thousands. Getting North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program has long been the holy grail of multilateral diplomacy with Pyongyang. So, now that the U.S. intelligence director has publicly stated that he thinks it's probably a "lost cause," how are North Korea's neighbors responding? National Intelligence director James Clapper said Tuesday that the U.S. goal of persuading North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons is probably a lost cause and the best hope is to cap its capability. Bold and surprising as Clapper's words may be for a senior U.S. official, even in a private forum, it's what many experts around Asia have assumed, or feared, for quite a long time. And some are welcoming the candor as a step toward a more effective and coordinated regional approach. A sampling of initial reactions: ___ SOUTH KOREA At first thought, it would seem Seoul might be the first to react strongly to Clapper's seemingly pessimistic position and the potentially far-reaching policy implications it could have. But it barely got a yawn in South Korea. Seoul, like Washington, officially says it will never accept North Korea as a nuclear power. An unidentified government official told the Yonhap news agency that Seoul and Washington remain strongly committed to ending the North's nuclear program. Truth is, Seoul has other things on its mind right now. Despite the closeness of Seoul to the world's most heavily armed border and Pyongyang's many threats to annihilate its southern rival, many South Koreans simply don't worry much about what's happening with the North or the long-running, so-far futile efforts to rid it of its nuclear weapons. That's especially true now, when a domestic political scandal at the highest levels is front-page news. Stay tuned, however. Distracted or just jaded, South Korea has a big stake in the North's nuclear future. ___ JAPAN Clapper wasn't big news in Japan, either, but for a different reason: To many Japanese observers, he was just stating the obvious. "Experts and people are not surprised because the perception that North Korea would never give up its nuclear weapons is already widely accepted," said Narushige Michishita, a professor at Tokyo's National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies. But Michishita said it's a positive development that "the top U.S. intelligence official has made this realistic assessment." "Now that he said that the best the U.S. could get is some kind of a cap on North Korea's nuclear capabilities, the new U.S. president can choose to set the freezing of nuclear weapons as a policy objective, which I believe has been the only realistic and achievable goal for a long time," Michishita said. "Expecting sanctions to work effectively has always been unrealistic since China North Korea's largest donor and trading partner is not interested in North Korea's collapse," he said. "Unfortunately, we don't know whether a new approach, which will most likely be dialogue, will work." If it doesn't, he said, "we can always come back to a tougher approach." ___ CHINA China has signed on to United Nations sanctions to punish the North for its nuclear tests and missile launches but has never really been on board with Washington's approach. In response to a question about Clapper's comments, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said that "only by negotiation and consultation can the peninsular nuclear issue be brought back to the track of settlement." Some Chinese experts said Clapper's candor could create the leeway for such talks to move forward. Shi Yuanhua, Korean studies professor at Shanghai's Fudan University, suggested that Clapper's remarks reflect a more realistic and flexible approach in Washington that could make it easier for Beijing to get behind joint efforts to bring North Korean leader Kim Jong Un back to the negotiating table though he agreed that won't necessarily mean any easy breakthroughs. "In order for North Korea to give up its nuclear programs, the U.S. must offer a security guarantee," he said. "And that is what the U.S. doesn't want to negotiate." Taking a different tack, Shen Dingli, the director of Fudan's Center for American Studies, said official acceptance of North Korea as a de facto nuclear state may bring U.S. policy toward North Korea closer into alignment with its approach toward other nuclear states such as India, Israel and Pakistan. "Only by accepting North Korea as a nuclear country and letting it become a responsible country like China and India can relations between the U.S. and North Korea improve," Shen said. Right now, however, that flies in the face of even Beijing's official policy which opposes a nuclear armed North. ___ Associated Press writers Ken Moritsugu and Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo, Foster Klug in Seoul, South Korea, and AP researcher Yu Bing in Beijing contributed to this report. next Image 1 of 3 prev next Image 2 of 3 prev Image 3 of 3 Russia's top security official is urging closer cooperation with Serbia as part of increased efforts by Moscow to boost its influence in the Balkan country that is seeking EU membership. Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of President Vladimir Putin's Security Council, on Wednesday urged Serbia to sign a "memorandum of understanding" on security next year. He says "we have such documents with partners of utmost trust." Serbia's Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic says "there is room for improvement" in security ties. Patrushev, believed to be one of President Vladimir Putin's most influential allies, will also meet Serbia's foreign minister and president later Wednesday. Serbia remains a rare Russian ally in Europe. Belgrade wants to join the EU, but has refused to impose West-backed sanctions on Russia. A Russian armada led by aging Soviet-era aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetzov has entered the Mediterranean Sea in the past few hours, two U.S. officials with knowledge of their position tell Fox News. The Russian defense minister says this seven-ship flotilla will be sailing to the eastern Mediterranean to launch strikes in Syria signaling that Russia will be ramping up its operations in Syria shortly, despite calls from the United States and the international community to stop their bombing. SYRIA AIRSTRIKES KILL AS MANY AS 22, MOSTLY CHILDREN, OUTSIDE SCHOOL Earlier this month, Russia deployed nuclear-capable Iskander-M missiles to Kaliningrad, a Russian enclave along the Baltic Sea which borders Poland and Lithuania. The missiles will be in range of Berlin. Since launching airstrikes in Syria in support of embattled President Bashar al-Assad, the Russians and Syrian army have been accused of killing tens of thousands of civilians inside Syria. The Russian military conducts a majority of their strikes using unguided dumb bombs. British Defense Minister Michael Fallon said he would be concerned if NATO helped Russia bomb Syria. Aboard Kuznetzov are dozens of Russian fighter-bomber jets and attack helicopters. U.S. defense officials with knowledge of the Russian aircraft carrier say they do not expect repeated air operations, but instead are likely planning a Doolittle-like raid on Syria, meaning a one-way trip. Many will likely land at a Russian air base along Syrias coastline in Latakia, officials say. PENTAGON: COALITION LAYING GROUNDWORK TO RETAKE RAQQA FROM ISIS Months after Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Navy launched Army bombers to attack Tokyo led by Lt. Col. James Doolittle. The American pilots were forced to scuttle their planes in neighboring China and in the ocean after carrying out their strike on Japan. The decades-old Kuznetzov has run into a series of serious mechanical problems over the years. A short circuit sparked a fire that killed one sailor in 2009. Since Syria's civil war started over five years ago, as many as 500,000 Syrians have been killed. Russia will likely have to launch their jets without a full complement of bombs and fuel in order to get their planes over the ski jump which makes up the bow of the ship. The Russians do have steam catapults to launch fully loaded jets like their American counterparts in the U.S. Navy. There were reports that the Russian fleet would refuel in Spain, but the Russians have withdrawn their request. In addition to the aircraft carrier, the Russian convoy is made up of three warships capable of firing modern Kalibr cruise missiles into Syria. There are also support ships in the convoy, with the possibility a submarine may join up soon. Russia is not only sending warships to the eastern Mediterranean, but has sent them to Cuba as well. A U.S. defense official confirmed a report from Russian state media that said a Russian frigate and tanker arrived in Havana. Spain's Interior Ministry says police have arrested a Moroccan man suspected of spreading propaganda for the Islamic State armed group. A ministry statement said the man, identified only by the initials A.B., was arrested Wednesday in the northern town of Calahorra. It said he helped promote the Islamic group by praising its attacks and those who traveled to fight for it. It said he was linked to another Moroccan, Salim Aghmir, who was arrested in Pamplona city last December. Police arrested two Moroccan-born imams in the Mediterranean island of Ibiza on Tuesday on similar suspicions. The ministry says Spanish police have arrested 157 suspected pro-jihad activists since Spain raised its national security alert to one step below maximum following attacks in France and elsewhere last year. The Swiss government is exempting volunteer firefighters who are called to emergencies from a near-total ban on consuming alcohol before getting behind the wheel. Switzerland has a network of volunteer fire services that back up professional firefighters. Until now, they've had to observe the 0.01 percent blood-alcohol limit that applies to drivers of heavy goods vehicles. The government said Wednesday the rule "led to problems in practice" given that such firefighters generally don't know they're going to be called on. It said members of those services, as well as professional firefighters who get called out when they are neither on duty nor on call, will be subject effective Jan. 1 to the standard blood-alcohol limit of 0.05 percent roughly two small beers that applies to all drivers. Taliban insurgents have killed at least 20 Afghan civilians after abducting them in the remote central province of Ghor the previous day, officials said Wednesday. The slain civilians were from a group of 33 taken by the militants near the provincial capital of Ferozkoh, according to Ziauddin Saqib, the deputy provincial police chief. The abductions took place while battles were underway between the Taliban and Afghan security forces on Tuesday that saw two militant commanders killed, he added. Both commanders were infamous figures in Ghor and were involved in many anti-government activities, Saqib also said, adding that the "cowardly insurgents killed innocent civilians in revenge for their commanders killed by security forces." There was no immediate statement from the Taliban on the incident in the largely lawless Ghor. However, Abdul Hai Khateby, the spokesman for the provincial governor, said he is convinced the militants behind the attacks and abductions were a renegade Taliban group that had sworn allegiance last year to Afghanistan's Islamic State affiliate. "The group is former Taliban who just a year ago announced their support to their Islamic State group and changed their white flag to black," Khateby told The Associated Press, speaking over the telephone from Ghor. The two different statements could not immediately be reconciled. Khateby also said he believed the abductions and killings were in revenge for the deaths of the two commanders. The civilians who were abducted are all poor people from the area, mainly villagers and shepherds, and there were even children among those taken, said Khateby. Ghor is one of Afghanistan's poorest and least developed provinces, with many areas outside Ferozkoh, the provincial capital, believed to be under Taliban control. In a report from eastern Paktika province, 17 people, including two children, were wounded when a bomb went off on Wednesday at a marketplace in the provincial capital of Sharan, according to local officials. Dr. Wali Gul Kharoti, head of the public health department, said there were also two military personals among the wounded. He said all of the wounded were ins table condition. Abdul Raouf Massoud, deputy police chief in Paktika, said the explosive was "placed inside a shop at the city market" in an attack obviously meant to target civilians. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. The Taliban have in recent months stepped up attacks across Afghanistan, taking advantage of the warm weather to wage war against the Kabul government. Many civilians have been caught in the cross-fire and also targeted by roadside bombs, which are among the insurgents' weapons of choice. Recently, the Taliban have attacked Afghan security forces in northern Kunduz province, briefly taking control of a district headquarters. The militants have also overrun a district in northern Baghlan province and in eastern Paktia province. Meanwhile, in eastern Nangarhar province, Taliban militants have fought pitched battles with security forces. Afghanistan's Ministry of Defense says its forces are waging operations in 15 provinces. In July, Kabul was shaken by a massive suicide bombing that struck a peaceful rally by Afghanistan's minority ethnic Hazara community, killing more than 80 people and wounding hundreds. That attack was claimed by the Islamic State group, which emerged last year in Afghanistan as an affiliate of the militant group fighting in Iraq and Syria. Analysts believe the Islamic State affiliate in the country is mostly made up of disenfranchised Taliban fighters. The Hazara attack was the IS Afghan branch's first assault in the country's capital and the deadliest attack in Kabul since the U.S.-led invasion to oust the Taliban regime in 2001. Australian police flew to Rome to interview a top Vatican cardinal about allegations of sexual assault dating back decades, officials said Wednesday. Cardinal George Pell, Pope Francis' top financial adviser and one of his most trusted aides, has long been dogged by allegations he mishandled cases of clergy abuse when he was archbishop of Melbourne and later Sydney. In recent months, Pell has faced accusations of child abuse himself when he was a young priest in the 1970s. On Wednesday, police in Australia's Victoria state confirmed that they had interviewed Pell over the allegations. "Three members of Victoria police traveled to Rome last week where Cardinal George Pell voluntarily participated in an interview regarding allegations of sexual assault," police spokeswoman Amara Bostock said. "As a result of the interview, further investigations are continuing. We are not prepared to comment further at this time." The allegations involve two men, now in their 40s, who say Pell touched them inappropriately at a swimming pool in the late 1970s. Separately, a man told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that he saw Pell exposing himself to three young boys in a surf club changing room in the late 1980s. Pell was at the time a senior priest in Melbourne. Pell has repeatedly denied the allegations and did so again on Wednesday. "The Cardinal repeats his previous rejection of all and every allegation of sexual abuse and will continue to cooperate with Victoria Police until the investigation is finalized," Pell's office said in a statement. In August, Pope Francis declined to address the accusations against Pell, saying he wanted to wait until the investigation was complete before commenting. "We must wait for justice and not make judgments ahead of time," the pope said in response to an Associated Press reporter aboard the papal plane. The U.S. Ambassador to UNESCO condemned as "inflammatory" a resolution approved Wednesday by UNESCO's World Heritage Committee on the status of conservation of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls -- a document that Israel says denies Judaism's deep ties to the holy site Temple Mount. ISRAEL SUSPENDS COOPERATION WITH UNESCO OVER JERUSALEM RESOLUTION In Wednesday's secret ballot, the international body agreed to retain the site on the list of endangered world heritage and criticized Israel for its continuous refusal to let the body's experts access Jerusalem's holy sites to determine their conservation status. The document refers to the Jerusalem site that Jews called Temple Mount only by its Arab name -- a significant semantic decision also adopted by UNESCO's Executive Board last week that triggered condemnation from Israel and its allies. "This item should have been defeated ... These politicized and one-sided resolutions are damaging the credibility of UNESCO," U.S. Ambassador Crystal Nix Hines said in a statement to The Associated Press. "These resolutions are continuously one-sided and inflammatory." The American Jewish Committee and World Jewish Congress said ignoring the Jewish and Christian connects to the holy sites in the city damages attempts at coexistence and moves the Israelis and Palestinians further away from the prospect of peace. The resolution was passed by the World Heritage Committee's 21 member countries. Ten countries voted for, two against, 8 abstained and one was absent. Neither Israel, the U.S. nor Palestine is on the World Heritage Committee. CZECHS CONDEMN UNESCO CONTROVERSIAL JERUSALEM RESOLUTION Israel suspended ties with UNESCO earlier this month over a similar resolution. Elias Sanbar, the Palestinian ambassador to UNESCO, fired back at those upset with the resolution, which was sponsored by his delegation. "What Israel wants, in fact, is to put politics in religion. This is the most dangerous thing that is happening now in UNESCO," Sanbar told the AP. "They are politicizing religion and this is very dangerous." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on Facebook: "To say that Israel has no connection to the Temple Mount and the Western Wall is like saying that China has no connection to the Great Wall of China." U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric responded, "The Secretary-General reaffirms the importance of the old city of Jerusalem and its walls for the three monotheistic religions and stressed the importance of the religious and historical link of the Muslim, Jewish and Christian people for the holy sites." The resolution is the latest of several measures at UNESCO over decades that Israelis see as evidence of ingrained anti-Israel bias within the United Nations, where Israel and its allies are far outnumbered by Arab countries and their supporters. The site in Jerusalem has been on UNESCO's endangered list since 1982. UNESCO's World Heritage Site list is known throughout the world for its work in highlighting sites of historic and cultural significance, and endangered global heritage. Fox News' Jonathan Wachtel and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Golden Corral Restaurants Salute America's Heroes with 16th Annual Free Dinner on Military Appreciation Night Gary Sinise and Collective Soul Help Salute Our Nation's Heroes RALEIGH, N.C. - Oct. 24, 2016 // PRNewswire // - On Monday, November 14, for the 16th consecutive year Golden Corral will once again thank more than 330,000 active duty and retired United States military personnel for their service with a free dinner buffet and beverage, while also raising donations for DAV (Disabled American Veterans). A tradition started in 2001 to celebrate our nation's heroes, Golden Corral's Military Appreciation Night has served more than 4.7 million complimentary meals to military personnel and generated more than $11.5 million dollars in guest contributions to support community-based service initiatives for veterans. "For the past 15 years, every Golden Corral restaurant and our incredible guests have helped support Disabled American Veterans. We owe so much to those who have served and sacrificed for our country, and we know how critical it is that we support these brave Americans," said Lance Trenary, President and Chief Executive Officer of Golden Corral. "We look forward to thanking our nation's heroes again this Military Appreciation Night with a complimentary meal and raising more funds for the programs and services that DAV provides." Golden Corral has enlisted Gary Sinise, celebrated actor/humanitarian, and Collective Soul, the platinum award-winning band, to record public service announcements for Military Appreciation Night. Sinise and Collective Soul are all actively involved in supporting active duty and retired military personnel through a variety of organizations and initiatives including tours to military installations overseas. "This is the 12th year I've had the pleasure to partner with Golden Corral in supporting our troops, past and present, through Military Appreciation Night," said Sinise. "The number of meals given away and amount of money donated in the past 15 years really distinguishes Golden Corral's commitment to the military. I'm proud and happy to help raise awareness for Golden Corral Military Appreciation Night." Golden Corral will serve free dinner buffets with beverage from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on November 14 to any person who is or has served in a United States Military branch, including the National Guard and Reserves. State and local DAV representatives will be on-site at all Golden Corral locations coordinating the collection of donations from customers. While only current and former military qualify for the free meal, everyone is encouraged to come out and show support for our veterans. For more information on Military Appreciation Night, please visit http://www.goldencorral.com/military/. About Golden Corral Corporation Founded in 1973, privately held Golden Corral Corp. is headquartered in Raleigh, N.C. Lance Trenary serves as its president and chief executive officer. Golden Corral currently has 484 restaurants in 41 states. The company's vision is to be the leader in the family restaurant segment by making pleasurable dining affordable for every guest, at every restaurant, every day. Golden Corral restaurants nationwide have long been strong supporters of the U.S. Military and Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Golden Corral helped raise more than $1.3 million dollars for DAV in 2015 as part of its annual "Military Appreciation" initiative. Golden Corral is the founding sponsor of Camp Corral, a free "week of a lifetime" summer camp for children of wounded, disabled or fallen military families (www.campcorral.org ). For more information on Golden Corral, visit www.goldencorral.com. About DAV (Disabled Veteran Americans) DAV empowers veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. It is dedicated to a single purpose: fulfilling our promises to the men and women who served. DAV does this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; fighting for the interests of America's injured heroes on Capitol Hill; providing employment resources to veterans and their families; and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life. DAV, a nonprofit organization with 1.3 million members, was founded in 1920 and chartered by the U. S. Congress in 1932. Learn more at www.dav.org. SOURCE Golden Corral Media Contacts: Kevin Behan kbehan@919marketing.com 919.459.3595 Sue Yannello syannello@919marketing.com 919.459.8162 ### Add to Request List Added Request Information Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus Zerorez Continues National Expansion; Announces New Regional Developer in Tampa, Florida Zerorez, the National Carpet and Living Surfaces Cleaning Franchisor, Prepares to Expand into the Tampa, Florida Market in December, with Strong Experienced Ownership. Superior Cleaning Results and Strong Franchise Owners Propel the Brands Continuing Success. October 26, 2016 // Franchising.com // Zerorez is pleased to welcome Scott and Melonie Vigue to ZEROREZ, along with their daughter Alysha, as its newest Regional Developer for the Tampa, FL market. Scott is the largest current franchisee in the Benjamin Franklin Plumbing system and also operates the One-hour Air HVAC franchise in the Tampa market, with annual sales over $20MM. He has operated in the Tampa market for over 20 years and is a leader in his current franchise systems, currently serving on the Franchisee Leadership Team. The Vigues see the ZEROREZ franchise as a perfect complimentary fit with their existing businesses. We understand how to serve customers in the home and offering them the ZEROREZ services is a natural extension of our business model,, said Scott. I am eager to represent the Zerorez brand in the Tampa market and Im excited to be working with my daughter who will be heading up our day-to-day operations. Alysha has been involved in the family business for several years and is looking forward to this new offering. ZEROREZ has great technology and a fantastic approach that is revolutionizing the industry, and Im looking forward to getting underway and building a strong presence in Tampa. We are very pleased to have the Vigues join the Zerorez family, said Richard Arnold, Chief Operations Officer of Zerorez. They join the ranks of excellent franchisees that continue to grow their businesses with distinction. Importantly, our franchisees have created a great environment for success with their collaborative spirit and sharing of ideas among other franchisees. Zerorez looks for franchise owners that are active in their communities and have prior business management experience. Zerorez is a strong brand with a unique product in an industry that has significant market potential. Potential franchise owners must be passionate about the distinctive Zerorez raving fan service model, have a strong work ethic and be committed to helping the company achieve its Mission Statement of becoming the most trusted provider in the industry. Zerorez has distinguished itself from other carpet cleaning companies by appealing particularly to female home owners that want to treat their homes with great care, create a safer living environment and experience superb cleaning. Todays eco-conscious customer really responds to Zerorez green cleaning system and the Zero Residue cleaning commitment, which means that its technicians clean carpets and surfaces thoroughly without leaving behind any soil-attracting residue so the carpets and surfaces stay cleaner longer. About Zerorez Zerorez launched in 2001 when the owners set out to change the carpet cleaning industry. Their idea to truly clean carpets without using harsh or toxic chemicals has proven to be a needed and appealing change in the industry. Zerorez Franchising Systems, Inc.s corporate offices are in metro Salt Lake City, UT. Zerorez has operations coast-to-coast in 27 states. In recognition of its cleaning efficacy, the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) has awarded Zerorez its Platinum Rating, the industrys highest rating. To learn more about the Zerorez carpet cleaning franchise opportunity, or to apply to become a territory owner, visit http://www.zerorezfranchise.com. SOURCE Zerorez Contact: Brian Dixon Zerorez Franchising Systems, Inc. +1 (801) 707-7968 ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus Carlisle Area School District has made it known to its third-party vendor that every substitute teacher must be aware of district policy regarding the right of students to opt out of the Pledge of Allegiance. We are going back to make sure that is part of their procedure for professional staff, Superintendent John Friend said Tuesday of Source4Teachers, the contractor hired by the district to provide substitutes. A Carlisle High School student was allegedly berated by a substitute teacher after he remained seated for the Pledge of Allegiance Friday morning. The teacher in question was escorted out of the school later that day after the student lodged a complaint with the principals office. In a public announcement, recording of which was shared by students on social media, a school administrator described the incident as the unfortunate conversation. Through the actions of the substitute teacher, our students protected rights were violated. This substitute teachers actions do not align with the beliefs and philosophy of the Carlisle Area School District and its employees, the announcement stated. Therefore, the substitute teacher has been removed from the classroom and will not return to the Carlisle Area School District schools. The substitute teacher is not an employee of the district and a third-party vendor has been notified. Starting the 2015-2016 year, Carlisle has outsourced its substitute teacher needs to Source4Teachers, Friend said. He added it was felt the outside vendor would have better success in the recruitment and retention of substitute teachers, of which there is a shortage. The choice of Source4Teachers was also made as a cost-saving measure. The law requires that long-term substitutes employed by Pennsylvania school districts be offered access to health insurance and be in enrolled in the state Public School Employees Retirement System, Friend said. By outsourcing its substitute teacher needs, Carlisle school district is saving money by not having substitute teachers as district employees. We are pleased with the overall quality and the ability for them to provide substitutes to our district, said Friend, who emphasized the responsibility for what happened Friday morning falls on the substitute teacher in question, not the agency providing the service. The person employed for Source4Teachers made an error in judgment when she dealt with the young man, Friend said. He confirmed that she was a regular substitute who was filling in for an 11th-grade English class. She told me I had to stand for the pledge, and I just said no, thank you, the student recounted in a phone interview with The Sentinel. At the end, she wanted me to explain why I didnt stand. While he has personal reasons for remaining seated the student said he wasnt comfortable sharing them in such a venue. A video of the incident, taken by another student and shared on social media, records the substitute teacher as then saying well then maybe you would like to leave the country. The students family confirmed that he was born in the United States. The family is of Bosnian extraction. Since then, Carlisle school district has approached Source4Teachers to clarify its position on its long-standing policy and practice to respect a students right to self-expression. Students who decide to opt out can either stand or sit quietly during the Pledge of Allegiance, Friend said. As long as they are respectful, there is no problem with them not pledging the flag. In the phone interview with The Sentinel, the student mentioned that he has stayed seated for the Pledge since the sixth grade. He added Carlisle school district has been generally tolerant of those who do not wish to stand or recite the pledge, as long as they are not disruptive. The effort to clarify its policy and practice has gone internal. We have asked faculty meetings to have reminders related to this situation, Friend said. It is something each building will deal with. He added the policy in place at Carlisle schools is identical to what exists at most school districts. Friend noted that Source4Teachers is also the vendor for the Big Spring, South Middleton and Shippensburg school districts. Its not only practice. Its a matter of law, Friend said. Carlisle school district has students in 10 different buildings located in Carlisle and Mount Holly Springs boroughs and Dickinson and North Middleton townships. There has never been a survey to determine how many students districtwide routinely opt out of reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Friend has only heard of two cases involving a staff member or teacher berating a student for not standing for or reciting the pledge. The most recent was the Friday morning incident involving the substitute teacher. In April 2015, Friend received a letter from the American Humanist Association in reference to an April 2, 2015, case where a Wilson Middle School student was wrongfully admonished by a school nurse for exercising her constitutional right to remain seated during the Pledge of Allegiance. The letter stated that the eighth-grade girl was in the nurses office when the pledge was recited following morning announcements. She quietly remained seated during the exercise raising the ire of the school nurse who then criticized her and even refused to attend to her, a news release from the Washington, D.C.-based association read. Badgered and humiliated, the student left in tears. District administrators at the time issued the following statement to the media: The Carlisle Area School District is aware of reports that the district allegedly violated a students right to opt out of the Pledge of Allegiance. The district is investigating the matter at this time. The District has and will continue to protect the rights of all students and staff. Under the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act and other applicable laws, the District is not permitted to disclose details of its own investigation or to otherwise comment on situations involving specific students or staff. The letter Friend received included specific demands that school officials advise all students and staff that students have the right to remain seated during the pledge; that all staff be instructed not to persuade students from exercising their right not to participate in the pledge or question them on their reason for not participating and that staff should be instructed not to characterize nonparticipation in the pledge as misconduct or something that is wrong. The AHA also demanded that no disciplinary or retaliatory measures of any kind be directed to any students for not participating in the pledge and that a written policy should be offered to the student. When asked on Tuesday about the 2015 case, Friend would only say the district followed with what was necessary. Friend added that Carlisle had a practice and policy in place long before he received the April 2015 letter and that the contents had no influence on how the district handles the rights of students to opt out of reciting the pledge. Laura Hicks Mills Phelan, 87, this beautiful angel, went to be with the Lord at her heavenly home from Mary Washington Hospice to be reunited with her family and friends. She was born in Rome, Georgia on Friday, April 12, 1929 and resided in Fredericksburg, Va. all of her life, until her passing on Friday, October 21, 2016. She was widow to Lloyd Mills and John Phelan. She is survived by her two daughters, Bonnie Mills Barnes and husband Michael and Melanie Mills and life partner D. Sue Cripe; sister Gabriella Pribble; and four nieces and two nephews and their families. Laura worked a variety of jobs throughout her life. After retirement, she enjoyed traveling and entertaining. Her greatest joy was that of being a mother to her two daughters. Her happiest times were loving the Lord, loving her daughters, and loving her family and friends. Laura was a church member for over 70 years and stayed active in all aspects of the churchs mission until she fell ill and could no longer attend. Laura loved reading the Bible and her favorite verse was 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 and her life was a reflection of that scripture the greatest of these is Love. So long as we can love each other and remember the true feelings of love that we have had, we can die without really going away. That is to say, all the love and memories that you have created throughout your life are still here. Death ends a life, not a relationship. You live on in the hearts of everyone you have touched and nurtured while you were here. The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 27 at Mullins and Thompson Funeral Service, Fredericksburg from 4-6 p.m. A funeral will be officiated by Pastor Mark Dunn, Chancellor Christian Church, on Friday, October 28 at the funeral home at 2 p.m. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Association, http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp Online condolences may be sent at www.mullinsthompsonfredericksburg.com. Saudi Arabia Personal Protective Equipment Demand Spurred by Regulatory Reform, reports TMR Personal Protective Equipment Market - Saudi Arabia Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2015 - 2021 -- 3M Corporation, Honeywell International, and MSA Safety were the leading providers of personal protective equipment in Saudi Arabia in 2014. The three companies collectively held more than 50% of the market share in 2014 for the Easter, Western, and Central provinces. As stated by Transparency Market Research in its recent publication, the Saudi Arabia market for personal protective equipment is competitively intense, especially amongst the more prominent players in the market. The key players in the Saudi Arabia personal protective equipment market depend on their wide range of products coupled with a greater level of trust for the brand name, in comparison to the local players. The Saudi Arabia market for personal protective equipment is expected to reach US$318.7 mn by the end of 2016 US$444.2 mn in 2021. Its revenue is projected at a CAGR of 7.0% from 2015 to 2021. A large chunk of the demand for personal protective equipment in Saudi Arabia comes from the oil and gas sector. By the end of 2021, an expected US$175.0 bn is expected to be generated from the oil and gas sector's demand. Professional footwear has consistently been the more used personal protective equipment and is charted to reach US$113.8 mn of the total personal protective equipment revenue by 2021. Headgear protection follows in preference and demand in Saudi Arabia. Eastern Province Continues Dominance in Personal Protective Equipment Demand By the end of 2021, the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia is expected to generate US$233.6 mn in revenue for its personal protective equipment market. This leading market share is attributed to the giant percentage of the oil and gas companies situated in this region. The Central and Western provinces also hold substantial demands for personal protective equipment due to the large number of transportation, construction, and other end-user industries in these regions. Worker Safety Awareness Increases, Spurs Personal Protective Equipment Demand "Saudi Arabia has had its fair share of worker accidents in the recent past. The high number of these accidents have left the government resorting to highly stringent safety regulations that industrial enterprises need to adopt. This upcoming wave of strict regulations is expected to massively promote the demand for personal protective equipment in Saudi Arabia," states a TMR analyst. Get More Information: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=9203 This applies especially to the oil and gas sector which provides large contributions to region's GDP. Additionally, the imminent increase in approval of new safety devices is expected to further boost the sales and distribution of personal protective equipment in the region. Process Automation Could Hamper Personal Protective Equipment Sales As with most regions, Saudi Arabia is expected to undergo large-scale automation of production processes due to the various advantages of automation. This, however, is expected to have a negative impact on the demand for personal protective equipment due to the reduction in worker numbers over the coming years. The Saudi Arabia market for personal protective equipment is hampered further by the large number of local players involved in making cheap safety products. The more prominent ones are compelled to reduce their product prices and consequently slow down their development rate. "Personal protective equipment manufacturers can look to the burgeoning industrial environment of the Northern and Southern provinces of Saudi Arabia. Both regions are showing excellent industrial growth are relatively untapped in terms of the availability of personal protective equipment," adds the analyst. For more information, please visit http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/saudi-arabia-personal-protective-equipment-market.html Contact Info: Name: Rohit Bhisey Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Organization: TMR Address: 90 State Street Suite 700 Phone: 8665523453 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/saudi-arabia-personal-protective-equipment-demand-spurred-by-regulatory-reform-reports-tmr/139958 Release ID: 139958 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) Impact of End of One Child Policy on China Condom Market to be Moderate in Long Term, says TMR Condom Market (Material Type - Latex, Polyurethane, Polyisoprene, PU Leather, Lamb Intestine; End Use - Male condoms, Female condoms; Product Type - Flavoured Condoms, Studded Condoms, Edible Condoms, Warming Condoms, Coloured Condoms) - China Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024 -- The China condom market is highly consolidated in nature with top three leading companies accounting for 70% of the market in 2015. Transparency Market Research (TMR), in its new report, briefs readers about the key companies operating in the China condom market. While the top three companies are Church and Dwight Co., Reckitt Benckiser Group plc., and Ansell Ltd., there are many other companies consistently contributing towards the growth of the China condom market. To maintain their dominance, key companies operating in the China condom market are concentrating on introducing new innovative products in the market. The development of new designs and innovative products will be the key strategy for most of the leading manufacturers of condoms. For instance, Reckitt Benckiser Group plc., in 2015, focused on innovative product development. New ways of marketing and advertising helped this key company to compete with the counterfeit products. With this, the company was able to acquire 45.6% of the China condom market in 2015. The China condom market is expected to reach US$5.04 bn by 2024. By material, the China condom market was dominated by the latex condom segment in 2015. The rising consumer preference towards latex condoms will help this material segment to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period. Reasonable price of latex condoms and their high level of protection are two of the factor responsible for the growth of this segment. Considering the growing demand, key companies are focusing on manufacturing new varieties of latex condoms. Warming Condom Continues to Attract Consumers Since the recent past, manufacturers have been focusing on introducing product varieties including warming condoms, dotted condoms, flavored condoms, and studded condoms. Among all available types of condoms, the demand for warming condoms is expected to increase in most of the emerging nations. Going forward, warming condoms are expected to capture a significant share of the China condom market, thus will maintain its dominance. Get More Information: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=13898 Rising Awareness about Sexually Transmitted Diseases to Boost Demand for Condom in China The number of sexually transmitted diseases is increasing in China. Over the past few years, condoms have received tremendous acceptance as the China government is actively promoting family planning programs. People have become aware of the many side effects of sexually transmitted diseases, which is a vital reason for the growth of the demand for condoms. Some other factors contributing towards the development of the China condom market are the changing lifestyles of the people, the growing importance of safe sex, and the rising awareness about safe ways to prevent contraception. End of One Child Policy to Hamper Sales of Condom in China In 2015, the China government announced the end of one child policy. This has been one of the reasons for the declining sale of condoms in China. For instance, Female Health registered a 19% decline in the sale of their condoms whereas Okamoto industries registered a decline of 24%. The rising use of sex toys has also affected the China condom market in many ways. Product Innovation to be Biggest Contributor Key companies operating in the China condom market are focusing on the changing needs of the people. "The introduction of new condoms will contribute significantly towards the market growth," says TMR analysts. Product innovations in male condoms and female condoms are expected to benefit the leading manufacturers in many ways. For more information, please visit http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/china-condom-market.htm Contact Info: Name: Rohit Bhisey Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Organization: TMR Address: 90 State Street Suite 700 Phone: 8665523453 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/impact-of-end-of-one-child-policy-on-china-condom-market-to-be-moderate-in-long-term-says-tmr/139923 Release ID: 139923 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) Oncology Biosimilars Market is Expected to Witness Substantial Growth over the Forecast Period of 2016 - 2024 New Report on "Oncology Biosimilars Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024", offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth insights, understanding market evolution by tracking historical developments, and analyzing the present scenario and future projections. -- The increasing need for cost-effective treatment methodologies will aid in the stable growth of this market during the forecast period. The high cost of branded biologic oncological drugs will force patients to shift toward biosimilars as they are highly cost-effective. Since biosimilars cost 10%-30% lesser than their parent counterparts, there is the presence of unmet medical needs for such products. This allows domestic manufacturers to market generic versions of the biologic compounds at a lower price, which in turn results in market growth. Cancer represents a massive burden on healthcare systems worldwide due to the high cost of treatment therapeutics. The patent expiry of several cancer therapeutics has allowed the entry of biosimilars, which are being incorporated into oncology treatment practices. Biosimilars are synthesized with the use of biologic components such as monoclonal antibodies, proteins, hormones, nucleic acids, colony stimulating factors, interleukins, and enzymes. The market offers huge growth opportunities for vendors because of the growing incidence of cancer. The clinical pipeline for cancer biosimilars is vast, featuring candidates in different stages of development. Around 30% of all the biosimilars that are awaiting the US FDA's approval are monoclonal antibodies, including biosimilars of Avastin, MabThera, and Herceptin. Major Players of Market The Major players reported in the market include Biocon, Amgen, Celltrion, Hospira, Biogen, Mylan, Pfizer, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Roche, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Merck, Sanofi and Sandoz. Inquire for PDF Sample Copy of this Professional Insights - http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=14696 Factors like the arrival of new biosimilars to drive market growth during the forecast period. Unlike generic drugs, which have APIs that are identical to original drugs, biosimilars are similar to their originator biologic compounds. Biosimilars developed by different manufacturers differ from the original product as well as from each other. Since they are less expensive than biologics, patients will be able to afford and access biosimilars more easily than biologics. Rise in number of patent expiries, increase in prevalence of cancer, growing aging population, promising drug pipeline, need for cost-effective treatment, favorable government regulations are some of the key drivers promoting the growth of oncology biosimilars market. The oncology biosimilars market can be segmented by end-user, by application, and by geography. In terms of application, the oncology biosimilars market is classified into cancer treatment drugs, and supportive care drugs. In the terms of end-user, the oncology biosimilars market is classified into hospitals and retail pharmacies. Retail pharmacies occupy the largest share of 52% in the oncology biosimilars market. Retail pharmacies provide a large customer base for biosimilar drugs. Individuals with cancer require biosimilar drugs for maintenance therapy, which helps to successfully treat and prevent relapse of the disease. These drugs can also be obtained from retail pharmacies for use in hospital settings. Geographical Segmentations Geographically, oncology biosimilars market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa. Middle East & Africa was the highest revenue contributing region in the global oncology biosimilars market. Similarly, Asia Pacific expected to witness higher growth in oncology biosimilars market due to increasing cancer prevalence in the countries like India and China. The market will typically witness a higher growth rate in countries such as the Germany, UK, Spain, Italy and France. The biosimilars market in the UK is developed and well-established, and is comparatively easy to enter, making the generic drugs market in the country stronger than in any other EU countries. The growth of this market in the region is attributed to well-defined regulatory guidelines and expiries of biologics that are anticipated to go off-patent during the forecast period. For more information, please visit http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/oncology-biosimilars-market.html Contact Info: Name: Rohit Bhisey Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Organization: Transparency Market Research Address: State Tower, 90 State Street,, Suite 700, Albany NY - 12207 United States Phone: +1-518-618-1030 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/oncology-biosimilars-market-is-expected-to-witness-substantial-growth-over-the-forecast-period-of-2016-2024/139948 Release ID: 139948 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global MVNOs Market 2016 Analysis and Forecast to 2021 MVNOs Global Market Segmentation and Major Players Analysis and Forecast to 2021 -- Summary The overcrowded European MVNO market has been showing strong momentum and is set to grow at a CAGR of 5% during 2015-2020 to reach 110.7m MVNO subscribers at the end of the year 2020. Germany, with more than 140 MVNOs will remain the largest MVNO subscriber market during 2015-2020 followed by the UK. Moreover, increasing usage of mobile data mainly driven by the increasing smartphone penetration, deployment of 4G/4G+ spectrum, favorable regulatory framework and rising VAS offerings are some the factors which will boost the MVNO market in Europe. Increasing opportunities are to be witnessed in non-traditional MVNO business models such as data only and M2M during the forecast period. Request a sample report @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/370271-mvnos-in-europe-data-and-m2m-segments-will-present-the-highest-growth-opportunities-to-mvnos-in-europe Key Findings o The most preferred business model in the Europe is discount based model which is being adopted by 21% of the total MVNOs present in the region, closely followed by niche segment occupying 20% market share, catering to segments including youth, elderly (50+ aged), students and NGO supporters. Business and ethnic models follow, accounting for 19% and 11% respectively, while the roaming model is adopted by 10% of MVNOs. o Pyramid Research projects Germany will remain the largest MVNO country, in terms of subscriptions serving 23m users at the end of 2015, followed by the UK with 14.1m subscriptions and penetration of 14.8%. Other markets such as Belgium, Spain, Denmark and the Netherlands are considered hotbeds for MVNO growth. o Regulators are formulating MVNO specific framework to boost competition and reduce tariffs along with setting up laws relating to rolling MNPs, reducing MTRs, harmonizing the tariff differentials between off-net and on-net voice traffic, etc. in order to ease up the entry barriers for MVNOs Synopsis MVNOs in Europe: Data and M2M Segments Will Present the Highest Growth Opportunities to MVNOs in Europe', an Insider report by Pyramid Research offers a thorough study of the MVNO market in Europe. It examines the various MVNO business models adopted in Europe based on their marketing approach, and provides an in-depth look at the changing landscape of trends in MVNO adoption and investment. The report analyzes the MVNO market and the role of other market participants such as MNOs and regulators in this expanding opportunity and consists of the following sections: o Introduction: This Insider first presents taxonomy of MVNOs to provide a conceptual structure for the analysis, taking the perspective of mobile operators. o Market context (Global and Europe): This section examines the global MVNO market analysis, MVNO trends in the European region and most prevalent MVNO business models operating in the region. o Case studies: The report examines four leading MVNOs in the region in more detail: Drillisch, Virgin Mobile, Freenet and Lebara Mobile. These studies focus on the MVNO offerings, their sales and promotional strategies and recent moves by the telcos in the MVNO space. o Key findings and recommendations: The Insider concludes with a number of key findings and a set of recommendations for MNVOs, MNOs and regulators Reasons To Buy o The report examines the product and service portfolio being offered by MNVOs in Europe to enable new entrants' telcos to align their product offerings. The report also provides analysis of different MVNO business model adopted in various countries in WE and CEE region and identify the opportunities offered by each of them. o Helps executives build proactive, profitable growth strategies by offering comprehensive, relevant analysis of the Europe region's MVNO opportunity, regulatory framework, competitive environment and best practices of the existing virtual operators. o The case studies focus on product offerings of leading three MVNOs in the region including the strategies being pursued by them to drive their MVNO business, which can be beneficial to local players or prospective market entrants. o By understanding the interests and positions of the main stakeholders in the MVNO market - MNOs, end users, regulators, content providers and ISPs - telecom professionals/operators can develop strategies and increase their participation in the growing MVNO market Make an enquiry before buying this Report @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/370271-mvnos-in-europe-data-and-m2m-segments-will-present-the-highest-growth-opportunities-to-mvnos-in-europe Key points in table of content Introduction: MVNO definition and main business models MVNO definition MVNO business models Global and regional MVNO market context MVNO market worldwide MVNO market in Europe Most prevalent MVNO business models in Europe MVNO market evolution in Europe Regulatory context Regional market outlook Market details: Case studies Ethnic MVNO : Lebara Mobile Discount MVNO : Drillisch Niche MVNO : Virgin Mobile Conclusions: Key findings and recommendations Appendix: Acronyms and Definitions List of Tables Exhibit 1: MVNO market structure Exhibit 2: MVNO main operational business models Exhibit 3: Most prevalent MVNO business models in Europe based on their marketing approach Exhibit 4: MVNO business models Exhibit 5: MVNO business models (cont.) Exhibit 6: MVNO business models (cont.) Exhibit 7: MVNO business models (cont.) Exhibit 8: MVNO subscription market share by region, 2015 Get this report @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=370271 For more information, please visit https://www.wiseguyreports.com Contact Info: Name: NORAH TRENT Email: sales@wiseguyreports.com Organization: WiseGuy Research Consultant Pvt Ltd Address: WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTD Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar Pune - 411028 Maharashtra, India Ph: +91 841 198 5042 info@wiseguyreports.com Phone: +1-646-845-9349 (US) +44 208 133 9349 (UK) Source: http://marketersmedia.com/global-mvnos-market-2016-analysis-and-forecast-to-2021/140015 Release ID: 140015 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) New Alaska Bush Flying Adventure Novel By Eric Auxier Garners Accolades Eric Auxier's novel, "The Last Bush Pilots", captures major literary award. Now targeted at fans of the Men's Adventure, Aviation, and the Adventure Travel world. More information is available at the website: http://amazon.com/Last-Bush-Pilots-Eric-Auxier-ebook/dp/B00A943BDA -- Airline captain, Airways Magazine columnist and author Eric Auxier has received a major award for his book, "The Last Bush Pilots". The novel is now available, and has already become a big hit with fans of the Men's Adventure, Aviation, and Adventure Travel world. More information on the book can be found here: http://amazon.com/Last-Bush-Pilots-Eric-Auxier-ebo... The second of eight books Auxier has authored, the novel captured a coveted TOP 100 spot in Amazon's Breakthrough Novels--Mainstream Fiction category. The book was written with the aim in mind to help the reader experience first hand the excitement and magic of life in and below Alaska's volatile skies. There's also particular excitement about this award, because it is the largest category in the Breakthrough Novel Awards, according to Amazon. The Last Bush Pilots sets its main focus on two young pilots, Daniel "DC" Alva, and Allen David Foley, who take on the world's most dangerous flying: the Alaskan bush. But Mother Nature--and a sexy Native Alaskan--stand in their way. Readers will likely find a particular interest in the colorful characters that are drawn to America's Last Frontier. It is about second chances, and those willing to risk everything to forge their own way. The book's cover art was created by Gino Aventurera, and The Last Bush Pilots has been released by EALiterary Press. Eric Auxier has a background in not only Alaska bush flying, but also as a Captain for a major U.S. airline. This helped shaped the creation of the book by introducing the amazing beauty and challenge that is Alaska to the author as a young pilot. When asked about why he wrote the book, Auxier said: "Flying in Alaska changed my life. The beauty, the culture, the challenges that were unique to Alaska, both on the ground and in the air, inspired me like nothing I'd experienced before or since." Auxier has hopes that the book will engage the reader in a way that they, too, can experience first hand the spectacle that is Alaska bush flying. Indeed, the author has been amazed by the book's reach. Accolades have come from both veteran and seasoned aviators, as well as new and aspiring pilots. Even female aviators have been praising the book, which also showcases their strength and contribution to the industry. This positive outlook from the author is certainly testament to his optimism, considering some of the mishaps during its creation. Auxier said that, at one point on a particular flight, he didn't know if he would survive. He did, and the experience changed his life, not to mention his attitude toward flying. This very same incident forges a crucial, dramatic moment in the book, which the reader, too, will experience first hand. In a recent interview, the author made a point of thanking the Larger than Life people of Alaska for their part in the creation of the book, and added: "I am especially thankful to Kevin Hufford, who originally invited me to join him as a fellow bush pilot in Alaska." Those interested in learning more about the book can visit here: http://amazon.com/Last-Bush-Pilots-Eric-Auxier-ebo... For more information, please visit http://capnaux.com Contact Info: Name: Eric Auxier Email: eric@capnaux.com Organization: EALiterary Press Address: 4126 E Chambers St Release ID: 139851 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) Asher College in Dallas Hosting Upcoming Career Fair Asher College is hosting a free career fair on Wednesday, October 26th from 11am to 1pm at its Addison, Texas location. -- Asher College is hosting a free career fair on Wednesday, October 26th from 11am to 1pm at its Addison, Texas location. Asher College is a post-secondary college located in Addison, Texas that provides training in technical, medical, computer informational and business fields. Asher College students receive hands-on, immersive training from skilled professionals in state-of-the-industry facilities. Asher College students also receive extensive career readiness assistance from the career services department. Types of career assistance include job searching skills, how to prepare cover letters and resumes, practicing for interviews, and more. It is career services such as these that Asher College will be offering at the upcoming career fair on October 26th. Asher College strongly encourages military veterans as well as students and graduates from the recently closed ITT Tech campuses who are seeking employment to attend the upcoming event. Attendees can expect the following: ? Tips for upselling skills on a resume ? Help preparing for job interviews ? A professional picture for their LinkedIn profile ? And more Asher College President and CEO, David Vice states, "Asher College is thrilled to extend its career services to veterans and students and graduates of the former ITT Tech school. This is an excellent chance for individuals to advance their careers at no cost to them and with minimal time commitment. Attendees will be able to meet with and introduce themselves to potential employers. This is a great opportunity to network and practice their Elevator Pitch." All registrants/career fair attendees are required to attend a free prep session prior to the October 26th career fair. At these prep sessions attendees will be given an overview of the companies that will be attending the event, the positions available, and the expectations of the candidates. These prep sessions will be offered at the following times: ? October 20th 5pm-6pm ? October 21st 11am-12pm ? October 24th 9:30am-10:30am ? October 25th 1pm-2pm For those who are interested in attending the October 26th free career fair, here are event RSVP instructions: ? Go to http://mrgarth.setmore.com/bookclass ? Select "Book A Class" ? Select "Career Fair Prep Course" ? Select "Garth Adams" as the provider ? Select the Day and Time you prefer for the prep session ? Enter your Name, Phone Number, and Email ? Review the information to make sure it is correct ? Select "Book My Class" The event will be held at the Asher College Addison campus located at 16301 Quorum Dr., Suite 140B Addison, Texas 75001 Contact Info: Name: Garth Adams - Director of Career Services Email: gadams@asher.edu Phone: (214) 646-8653 Organization: Asher College Dallas Source: http://www.prreach.com/pr/26437 Release ID: 140176 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) Quantum Code Software APP Released By Michael Crawford CEO Of The Quantum Code INC For Easy Binary Trading Quantum Code Software Review website has been launched by Michael Crawford CEO Of The Quantum Code INC. Quantum Code APP is a New System to assist binary options trading. -- Making Quantum Code Software APP binary options trading much easier, Michael Crawford has released his new binary options trading software that assists traders in making binary options trades while working on completely automated mode. Enabling the traders of all sorts, experienced as well as novice, to make trades quickly and easily over binary options and to earn high returns quickly, new automated software "Quantum Code Software" has been released by Michael Crawford. The Quantum Code APP that has been made in order to operate completely automatically is reported to have been providing exciting results and is getting rave reviews all around. Michael Crawford talked about his new Quantum Code APP software and said that he made this software keeping in mind the nature of binary options trading. He said that since binary options trading is the platform where the trader can get return on his investment in quick time; people are now rapidly looking at it as their chance to succeed. But since it requires great niche knowledge and impeccable decision making, most of the binary traders, especially those who are new, are not able to reap the benefits out of it. He said that he has made his new software for traders of all kinds all around the globe. From the Quantum Code review, focusing on the nature of his software, he explained that the "Quantum Code " is completely automated software that doesn't require the trader to keep logged in to the system continuously. "The Quantum Code software has been made to work on its own, thereby removing any requirement whatsoever on the trader's part to be online for making trades", Edward said. While the binary option trading is an industry on a rise, it does need quick decision making to end up with a profitable trade. "My software works on making quick and profitable trades by removing any guess work that is involved while making trades manually", added Michael Crawford focusing on the statement mentioned earlier. He also said that while a hundred percent success rate is only hypothetical, this software does assure a success rate in high 80s and 90s based on its previous results. As Quantum Code APP has been launched, people have taken it with both hands. As told, there was a huge buzz for it and now post release, it has been continuously getting warm feedbacks from its users all around. Reportedly, the novice traders, especially, are looking forward to it as their trusted binary options trading partner. For more information, please visit http://www.centumentltd.com/quantum-code-review-quantum-code-software-scam Contact Info: Name: Michael Crawford Organization: Quantum Code Source: http://marketersmedia.com/quantum-code-software-app-released-by-michael-crawford-ceo-of-the-quantum-code-inc-for-easy-binary-trading/140273 Release ID: 140273 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) A Manchester, Pennsylvania, man faces charges after Carlisle Police said he crawled out of a moving police cruiser while being transported to Cumberland County Prison on Sunday. Kirk Michael Duttera, 26, was charged with criminal attempt to escape, resisting arrest, institutional vandalism, false identification to law enforcement, possession of drug paraphernalia and public drunkenness after a traffic stop at 12:52 a.m. Sunday in the 400 block of North East Street. Police pulled over the vehicle for a stop sign violation and found the driver under the influence. Police checked on Duttera, a passenger in the vehicle, and determined that he was intoxicated to a level that he was a danger to himself. Police arrested him for public drunkenness after he attempted to walk away and walk down the center of the road. Duttera fought with police while being handcuffed, but police said they were able to place him in the back seat of the vehicle for transport. While on their way to the county prison, police said Duttera kicked out the rear passenger window and crawled out of the window while the vehicle was still in motion. Police said they pulled the vehicle to the side of the road and regained custody of Duttera. Other police units arrived and confirmed Duttera gave them a fake identity. During a search, Duttera was also found to have a small metal tube used to ingest cocaine. Duttera was arraigned, and bail was set at $150,000 cash, which he was unable to post. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 2. Breast Cancer Awareness Offers Hot Pink Spark Bluetooth Headphones by SoundWhiz Soundwhiz, a value driven business with a desire to improve peoples lives and positively help influence attitudes with well priced, quality audio and accessories. Backed by quick replacement guarantees and customer service someone can only experience when they purchase Bluetooth headphone products from Soundwhiz. -- SoundWhiz is proud to partner with National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc (NBCF) with the launch of SoundWhiz Spark, the hot pink Bluetooth headphones for running and iphones , to help brighten those touched by cancer. In honor of a shared vision, to provide help and inspire hope, the Sound-whiz co-founders felt a synergy to stand behind the universal desire to defeat breast cancer to help those affected by breast cancer. Knowing someone mentally and physically challenged by breast cancer is all the awareness they need to feel acutely helpless. Owning a Spark Bluetooth Headphone is just one way to combat that feeling of hopelessness. For every Spark Bluetooth headphones sold, SoundWhiz will donate 10% to NBCF. And that's not all. The benefit of owning a Spark is the effect it has on your state of mind as you listen to music. It's not just the happy, hot pink or rocket red bright color of the wireless Bluetooth earbud package, it's the enjoyment music brings, that feeling you get when you hear your all-time favorite song, or you tune into a positive podcast while you sit and commute or run to work with the Bluetooth wireless headphones for running. It's the freedom of having no wires but still staying connected to make and take calls and listen, on-the-go. Most of all, it's how someones mood and mental attitude can be lifted every day, moving them further towards a goal, no matter how big or small their personal challenges may be. Music makes a difference! That's why the tag for Spark is "SHINE BRIGHT'. The SoundWhiz Spark addition is priced to be accessible to everyone and on the top gift list this Christmas and beyond. With Apple's decision to ditch the jack on the iPhone 7 and to push users to a hands free Bluetooth future, it seemed fitting to offer truly neat wireless earbuds to ease users in the transition to wireless. "At SoundWhiz, happy faces are happy customers, to add a little spark and brighten someone's day makes it feel like it was a good job," says Giles Smith, one of the co-founders of this positive attitude brand. With only one more week to go, after a month where the world is being flooded in pink, everyone is acutely aware that October is about raising funds for breast cancer. It felt fitting to partner with National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. for SoundWhiz, whose brand vision is to positively impact the lives of a million people through audio by 2021. "We need help to donate and put smiles on faces to make them 'Shine Bright'." NBCF is one of the most trusted breast cancer charities in the nation For twelve years, NBCF has received the highest 4-star rating by Charity Navigator, America's premier charity evaluator. Each year, over 80% of their revenue is directed to their life-saving programs, and NBCF has grown to include partners in all 50 states. In association with NBCF, A special offer has been put together to purchase the SoundWhiz Spark on Amazon. Follow this link to get the free eBook on how to be breast health aware, pick up the exclusive coupon and support NBCF's mission of Helping Women Now help find a cure. For more information, please visit https://www.soundwhiz.com/ Contact Info: Name: Sue Prentice Organization: Whiz Technology Pty Ltd Address: 10685-B Hazelhurst Dr. # 18657 Release ID: 140251 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) Summers Engineering Confirm Todays "Balancing Act" in Manufacturing Sydney based Summers Engineering are leaders in CNC manufacturing engineering and note that it's currently a "funny" time in Australian manufacturing. -- No doubt times are tough and work inconsistent for not only Summers Engineering but other manufacturers in Australia. There is another side of the coin, another factor that manufacturers have to contend with, the issue of a shortage of "qualified and experienced" tradesmen. This is a strange contradiction of the first statement that manufacturers were facing difficult times. Even with the numerous layoffs and business closures across the Australian manufacturing sector, there is still a shortage of experienced tradesmen over a range of manufacturing sectors. Jeff Brivik, Operations Director of Summers Engineering - a CNC Repetition Engineering company based in Sydney says, "even with the downturn in our industry, we still, strangely enough, struggle to find decent and experienced tradesmen". Brivik went on to say, "this is due to a number of factors, with the following being the top three factors that that he feels have caused the shortage." + The reluctance of companies to take on apprentices over the past 5 to 10 years. This has been partly due to the uncertainty caused by the GFC, but also due to the availability of a steady supply of quality tradesman coming to Australia from the UK and Europe, which filled any shortages. With the resurgence of manufacturing in the UK this has slowed down considerably.+ Company owners are simply reluctant to let their good tradesman go, even when times are tough - they get rid of their lower quality tradesmen.+ When companies do eventually close (or are about to close) a number of tradesmen are leaving the manufacturing sector and going off to do something else, as they feel that their particular industry may not have a very rosy future. This is where Summers Engineering places value on 457 visas and see many in their industry starting to use this option more and more. "It really does make things difficult these days, since we're all looking for work and ongoing orders, while at the same time we're struggling to find high quality tradesmen to manufacture those orders." Said Brivik. To learn more about Summers Engineering and their services visit the website: http://www.summersengineering.com.au About Summers Engineering Summers Engineering is an Australian owned and nationally recognized CNC repetition engineering company, located in Sydney. Founded in 1952, Summers has come a long way since it's modest beginnings, and today is a highly regarded producer of a vast array of precision components to a broad range of industries. The company specialises in short to medium size production runs of quantities from around 20, to circa 10000 if required. Contact Info: Name: Mr Jeff Brivik Email: jeffb@summersengineering.com.au Organization: Summers Engineering Address: Unit 2, 15 Ethel Ave Brookvale Release ID: 140345 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) Pet Wearables Market To Find Lucrative Options For Growth In Medical Diagnosis And Treatment Pet wearable market is presently in its nascent stage, holds significant potential in the ensuing years; pet wearables market to grow at a CAGR of 12.0%, North America and Europe are expected to be the major shareholder for pet wearables market -- The global pet wearables market is extremely consolidated and the top two players - GEA Group AG and DeLaval Inc. - together accounted for a whopping 89% of the total market revenue in 2015. Transparency Market Research finds that strategic expansion of businesses is the general trend observed among the leading players in the pet wearables market. Considering that the market is still in its initial growth phase, companies are keen on expanding their foothold in untapped product and technology segments and regions. Strong R&D efforts and product innovation are some other key strategies adopted by prominent companies. A case in point would be DeLaval Inc. The firm launched LONGEVITY in May 2016, a program that is designed to help producers manage the health of their herd. The program offers a complete nutritional solution at all stages of a cow's lifecycle. The opportunity in the global pet wearables market is estimated to rise from US$1.0 bn in 2016 to be worth US$2.5 bn by 2024 at a strong CAGR of 12.0% therein. Pet Wearables for Medical Diagnosis and Treatment Present Lucrative Options for Growth Based on technology, the global pet wearable market is expected to be led by GPS-based products and the segment is likely to account for a share just short of 45% by the end of 2016. This will be followed by the RFID segment. Although sensors account for a low share in the pet wearables market in terms of revenue, the segment is anticipated to register a 12.3% from 2016 to 2024, higher than any other technology segment. By application, the pet wearables market is dominated by the identification and tracking segment, while the medical diagnosis and treatment segment will report a high CAGR during the forecast period. PDF Sample For Latest Innovation And Upcoming Advancements @ http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=12701 Geographically, North America and Europe will contribute to over 75% of the market during the forecast period, predicts TMR. North America presently has the highest penetration of pet wearables in the world. Majority of the uptake of pet wearable technologies and devices is attributed to the U.S., reflecting close to 75% from 2016 to 2024. Asia Pacific, which is anticipated to project a CAGR higher than any other regional pet wearables market, is expected to be driven by the increased adoption and sales of GPS-based devices. Connectivity Costs and Issues Restricts Wide-scale Adoption of Pet Wearables in Developing Markets Increasing expenditure on pets and remarkable changes in the global demographics have proven to be two of the key factors driving the pet wearables market. "Fueled by increased disposable income, pet owners are investing more on their pets now than ever before," the author of the study notes. TMR predicts that the overall expenditure on pets is slated to increase by about 50% by 2020, with spending on pet wearables to surpass that on pet food by 2017. In addition to this, the global market for pet wearables is fueled by the growing awareness among pet owners and owners of farm animals regarding the importance of monitoring and tracking the animals' health and fitness. In contrast, unreliable internet connectivity in several developing markets acts as a major impediment to the growth of the pet wearables market. The high cost per line of wireless technology is also threatens to slow down the acceptance of pet wearables in many countries. This review is based on the findings of a TMR report titled "Pet Wearable Market (By Technology Type - GPS, RFID Sensors; and By Application - Medical diagnosis & treatment, Behavior monitoring & control, Facilitation, safety & security and Identification and tracking) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024." Read Market Report @ http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pet-wearable-market.html Global Pet Wearable Market, by Technology Type GPS RFID Sensors Global Pet Wearable Market, by Application Medical diagnosis &treatment Behavior monitoring& control Facilitation, safety &security Identification and tracking For more information, please visit http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Contact Info: Name: Rohit Bhisey Organization: Transparency Market Research Address: 90 Sate Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Phone: +1-518-618-1030 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/pet-wearables-market-to-find-lucrative-options-for-growth-in-medical-diagnosis-and-treatment/140331 Release ID: 140331 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) Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Installation to Surge Globally as Demand for Cost-Effective and Renewable Energy Rises Global Combined heat and power installation market will reach US$812.80 bn by 2024, Increasing awareness about benefits of energy efficient technologies is leading the growth of CHP installations globally. -- The presence of a large number of companies offering diverse products and services related to combined heat and power (CHP) installations is fueling competition in the global CHP installation market. A CHP system is manufactured using numerous components such as turbines, filters, generators, engines, valves, and compressors. Several companies are therefore present in the market, selling key components, providing after-sales services, and distributing equipment. BDR Thermea Group B.V. held the largest share in the global CHP installation market in 2014, as per TMR analysis. Some of the most prominent enterprises operating in the market include 2G Energy AG, Siemens AG, Edina Ltd., Wartsila Corporation, ENER-G Holdings Plc (ENER-G), Clarke Energy Ltd., and others. The top eight companies hold 53% of the global combined heat and power installation market. The demand for CHP systems mainly arises for industrial applications, followed by commercial and residential applications. As the industrial segment accounts for the largest share in the market, it holds lesser scope for growth compared to the residential and commercial application segments. As per TMR, the U.S., Japan, and Germany are at the fore of adopting CHP systems for commercial and residential applications. Strong Existing CHP Networks Facilitate CHP Installations Globally CHP systems sales worldwide are riding on the strong existing CHP network. Furthermore, the increasing awareness regarding the benefits of CHP systems will boost their installations across emerging economies of Asia Pacific. Since the last few years, these countries have been exhibiting high demand for energy-efficient technologies. Developing countries therefore offer attractive opportunities for the vendors operating in the market. TMR forecasts the value chain of the global CHP installation market to remain highly complicated during the forecast period from 2014 to 2024. "The implementation of stringent emission control norms worldwide has compelled leading enterprises to adopt forward integration. Such strategies could have an adverse impact on the market's growth trajectory," said a TMR analyst. "Combined with this, the high cost incurred on installing CHP systems is also inhibiting the large-scale proliferation of CHP installations," he added. Nevertheless, increasing scope in the residential and commercial sector is expected to boost the prospects for the market in the near future. Get PDF Brochure for more Professional and Technical industry insights: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=966 Large-scale CHPs to Lose Market Share to Micro & Small CHPs in the Forecast Period By type, large-scale CHPs hold a dominant share of 85.69% in the global CHP installation market, followed by micro- and small scale CHPs in 2014. However, they are expected to lose a significant part of their market share to the latter in the near future. The rising usage of micro- and small-scale CHPs across residential and commercial sector will enable the segment to report the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. However, the increasing CHP installation in India and China will keep the demand for large-scale CHPs high in the forthcoming years. Easy Availability of Natural Gas Boosts Prospects for CHP Installations in Europe Regionally, Europe emerged as the largest market for CHP installations in 2014. The region accounted for a share of 67.96% in the overall market in 2014. The easy availability of natural gas in Russia, has significantly contributed to the increased demand for CHP installations in Europe. Other countries in Europe exhibiting increasing demand for CHP installations include Germany, Poland, Belgium, Italy, and the Netherlands. Leading companies operating in the market are also looking to explore untapped opportunities in the Asia Pacific market. Driven by the increased demand across emerging economies, the global combined heat and power installation market is poised to surge at 4.38% CAGR. TMR pegs the market's valuation at US$524.89 bn in 2014. By the end of 2024, the market is expected to reach US$812.80 bn. This review is based on the findings of a TMR report, titled "Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Installation Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024." The report segments the global combined heat and power installation market at: CHP Installation Market: By CHP Type Large-scale CHP Micro & Small-scale CHP CHP Installation Market: By CHP Application Residential Commercial Industrial CHP Installation Market: By CHP Technology Combined Cycle Steam Turbine Combustion/Gas Turbine Reciprocation Engine Others (Microturbine, Fuel Cell, and Waste Heat Recovery) CHP Installation Market: By Fuel Natural Gas Coal Biomass Others (Wood, Waste Heat, and Oil) About Us Transparency 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. TMR's 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. Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMR's syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement. US Office Contact 90 State Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com For more information, please visit http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/combined-heat-and-power.html Contact Info: Name: Rohit Bhisey Organization: Transparency Market Research Pvt. Ltd. Address: 90 State Street,, Suite 700, Albany NY 12207 Phone: +1-518-618-1030 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/combined-heat-and-power-chp-installation-to-surge-globally-as-demand-for-cost-effective-and-renewable-energy-rises/140378 Release ID: 140378 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) Internet of Things (IoT) Market will Reach 661.74 Billion USD by 2021 Internet of things market categorizes the global IoT market by software solution, by platform, by service, by application domain & by Geography. -- The report "Internet of Things (IoT) Market by Software Solution (Real-Time Streaming Analytics, Security, Data Management, Remote Monitoring, & Network Bandwidth Management), Platform, Service, Application Domain, and Region - Global Forecast to 2021", The IoT market is estimated to grow from USD 157.05 Billion in 2016 to USD 661.74 Billion by 2021, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 33.3%. Download PDF Brochure - http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=573 The major forces driving the IoT market are development of cheaper and smarter sensors, evolution of high speed networking technologies, and rising adoption of cloud platforms across industry verticals. Furthermore, increasing penetration of connected devices has unleashed the growth potential through predictive maintenance, security, and analytics which is expected to drive the market during the forecast period. Browse 65 market data Tables and 47 Figures spread through 154 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Internet of Things (IoT) Market" Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report. Software Solutions segment is expected to play a significant role in the IoT market Software solutions would dominate the IoT market during the forecast period. This growth is driven by the increase in adoption of connected devices and smart technologies for various application areas. Data management solution is expected to dominate the IoT software solutions segment during the forecast period due to the generation of huge data through various devices from various locations. Security solution is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period as security of devices, applications, and network is one of the major challenges that organizations are facing these days. North America is expected to dominate the IoT market during the forecast period The IoT market segments the global market on the basis of regions, which include North America, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Europe, Middle East and Africa (MEA), and Latin America. North America is expected to hold the largest share of the IoT market in 2016 due to the technological advancements and early adoption of IoT in the region. The market in APAC is expected to grow at the highest CAGR between 2016 and 2021. The primary driving forces for this growth are increasing technological adoption and huge opportunities across industry verticals in APAC countries, especially India, China, and Japan. The report also encompasses different strategies, such as mergers & acquisitions, partnerships & collaborations, and product developments, adopted by major players to increase their share in the market. Some of the major technology vendors include Cisco Systems, General Electric, IBM Corporation, PTC, Microsoft Corporation, SAP SE, Oracle Corporation, Symantec Corporation, and Bosch Software Innovations Gmbh. The scope of the report covers detailed information regarding the major factors influencing the growth of the IoT market, such as drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities. A detailed analysis of the key industry players has been done to provide insights into their business overview, products and services, key strategies, new product launches, mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, agreements, collaborations, and recent developments associated with the IoT market. Additionally, the overall IoT market is segmented into platforms, software solutions, services, application domains, and regions. Speak to Analyst - http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalyst.asp?id=573 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. For more information, please visit http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/internet-of-things-market-573.html Contact Info: Name: Mr. Rohan Organization: MarketsandMarkets Source: http://marketersmedia.com/internet-of-things-iot-market-will-reach-661-74-billion-usd-by-2021/140363 Release ID: 140363 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) KarenRealEstate.com Promises Experience and Expertise in Costa Rican Real Estate KarenRealEstate.com Delivers 14 Years of Real Estate Consulting Experience and Expertise in Costa Rica. -- While the prospect of purchasing real estate in a foreign country may seem intimidating for new or even experience investors, an experienced, certified real estate agent can guide clients to the ideal property whether the goal is for investment purposes or simply to find the perfect spot in paradise. Buyers and investors from North America and Europe find prices relatively inexpensive, when compared to their own markets, and the Costa Rican Real Estate Market stable. In addition, the ideal climate of Costa Rica attracts those seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of their busy lives. With more than 14 years of experience and expertise, they promise to deliver the perfect real estate in Costa Rica for clients from all over the world. The company brings professionalism and quality to every real estate transaction. Whether seeking permanent relocation to the paradise of Costa Rica, purchasing a beach getaway for holidays, opening a new business, or investing in a commercial venture, KarenRealEstate.com is the Costa Rican Real Estate expert to call on to find the perfect property. Karenrealestate.com offers a number of options for clients' property selection. At the company website, clients can search by area or region including Alajuela, Cartago, Guana Castle, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose, and more. Additionally, clients can also explore properties by type featuring beach front properties, farm and land, business properties, as well as condos, hotels, and homes. Prices remain stable and reasonable, and the resale market is strong, making Costa Rica both a great place to live or invest. "At KarenRealEstate.com, we promise our expert, professional service to clients from around the world seeking to invest in Costa Rican Real Estate. We know Costa Rica, from the beaches to the central valley to the majestic volcanoes and can find you the perfect property. Costa Rica offers the best property ownership rights in Central America, along with state-of-the art communications, excellent shopping, up-to-the-minute medical services, all set in paradise!" - KarenRealEstate.com About KarenRealEstate.com: KarenRealEstate.com is a licensed real estate consulting company with more than 14 years' experience in Costa Rican real estate. Specializing in finding clients' their ideal property, offerings include homes, condos, hotels, land, beach properties, farms, and business options. For more information, please visit https://karenrealestate.com/ Contact Info: Name: karen@karenrealestate.com Email: karen@karenrealestate.com Organization: Karenrealestate.com Phone: 954-636-6124 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/karenrealestate-com-promises-experience-and-expertise-in-costa-rican-real-estate/140298 Release ID: 140298 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) AOL Travel UK Features British Landmark Interactive Quiz AOL Travel UK features NEW Interactive Quiz - British Landmarks - With Surprising Results! -- Not so surprising is the fact that many people struggle with geography. If a reporter asked someone where Attu Island is located, most would shake their heads in doubt, probably wondering if Attu Island actually exists on this planet. Of course, if the same reporter asked them about a famous landmark in their home country, most could answer readily. Or would they again shake their heads in puzzled bewilderment. AOL Travel's latest interactive quiz shed light on the subject and the results were surprising! AOL Travel UK's New Interactive Quiz polled residents of Great Britain about some of the most famous British Landmarks. The quiz's authors, rental company, Holiday Cottages, presumed the country's residents would score well, likely in the 100 percent range. Surprisingly though the landmarks in question are well known worldwide, their specific geographic location remains a mystery to many, even the residents of Great Britain. Now, while some British citizens might be perplexed by the location of Cheddar Gorge or Sandringham Castle, the results showed nearly half of the Brits polled were unable to pinpoint on a map famous landmarks like Loch Ness and Stonehenge. Only 52 percent were able to locate Yorkshire Dales, 56 percent correctly placed York Minster and shockingly on 75 percent knew that Edinburg Castle was located in Edinburg! "Do you think your knowledge of UK geography is better? Put it to the test and have a go at our quiz, and let us know how you did in the comments section on the page!" About AOL Travel UK: AOL Travel UK promises information, quizzes, and travel guidance to travelers worldwide. For more information, please visit http://travel.aol.co.uk/2016/06/14/how-well-do-you-know-these-british-landmarks/ Contact Info: Name: PRWhirlWind Organization: PRWhirlWind Source: http://marketersmedia.com/aol-travel-uk-features-british-landmark-interactive-quiz/140291 Release ID: 140291 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) Social Networking Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast Up to 2020 Social Networking Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2020 -- Social networking has evolved from being a mere platform to bring together people who share activities, interests, real-life connections, or backgrounds. Companies today are using social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook to build brand images, expand client base, recruit potential employees, and engage with consumers. The popularity of social networking sites depends on and varies by the level of usage among different demographics and in different countries. The research report compares the most popular social networking sites, reviews them on the basis of active account usage, number of user accounts, and frequency, and offers a summary on the latest trends that govern the social networking market. Get Sample Report Copy : http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=199 Details on which is the most popular social networking site worldwide, fastest growing network, and use of social network by different demographics are covered by the report. In addition, the report also offers a look at the leading players in the social networking market, their features, product strengths and weaknesses, business strategies, market size and share, regional breakout, and forecasts through 2017. Overview of the Social Networking Market As of October 2014, Facebook had an estimated 1.36 billion active monthly users. Market analysts, however, have indicated that although Facebook continues to be the top-ranking social networking site in 2015, it is no longer growing at the pace it was a couple of years ago. With a figure rounding off at 343 million, Google+ in 2013 became the social networking site with the second highest number of monthly users. Facebook, however, has managed to retain its surging revenues even today thanks to the introduction of video calls and the acquisition of WhatsApp in February last year. Social networking sites have opened up a world of opportunities for both enterprises and consumers. Vendors in the enterprise social networking space such as Broadvision, Atlassian, Jive, IBM, Salesforce, Microsoft, Telligent, Social Text, and Yammer, and players in the consumer social networking sphere such as Facebook, Badoo, LinkedIn, Google+, Qzone, MySpace, Yelp, and Twitter have not only presented a platform to engage users and expand their services, but also turned out to be one of the most promising methods of revenue generation. Opportunities for content management companies, social media advertizing agencies, social media managers, and social media strategists have received a boost thanks to the global growth of the social networking market. Growing penetration of internet connectivity, economic growth and rise in disposable incomes in emerging economies, change in lifestyle, proliferation of smartphones, development of the e-commerce industry, and transition from texted-based content to image-centric solutions has fueled the growth of the social networking market. Browse The Market Research Report of Social Networking Market : http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/social-networking-market.html Companies Mentioned in the Report The leading players competing in the global social networking market today are Classmates, Tumblr, Inc, Google+, Meetup, Tagged Inc., Facebook, Inc., LinkedIn Corporation, Twitter Inc., MeetMe, Inc., Flickr, VKontakte, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine, and Ask.fm. Some of these players are profiled in the research report based on parameters such as company and financial overview, recent developments, business strategies, and a SWOT analysis. About Us : Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The company's exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information. TMR's data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports. For more information, please visit http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/social-networking-market.html Contact Info: Name: Rohit Bhisey Organization: Transparency Market Research Address: State Tower,, 90 State Street,, Suite 700 Phone: 5186181030 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/social-networking-market-global-industry-analysis-size-share-growth-trends-and-forecast-up-to-2020/140510 Release ID: 140510 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global Car Rental Market - Concerned About Environmental Degradation Hamper Market Growth Car Rental Market - Global and U.S. Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013 - 2019 -- Albany, NY: The global car rental market is highly consolidated with the presence of a handful of companies, observes Transparency Market Research (TMR). The top five companies, namely Enterprise Rent-A-Car, The Hertz Corporation, Europcar, Avis Budget Group Inc., and Sixt collectively held more than 75% of the market in 2013. "Expanding into new markets partnering with local players is the key growth model that top companies in the car rental market are adopting," says a TMR analyst. The objective is to strengthen their global presence, which in turn will help increase business revenue. An excellent example is Avis Budget Group. With a presence in 175 countries, the company is strategizing for further expansion in new rental locations such as India, China, and Brazil due to the increasing demand for car rentals in these regions. Browse Research Report: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/car-rental-market.html Strategically accelerated growth is the focus of key companies in the global car rental market. Companies are formulating plans for increasing the fleet size and incorporating a mix of vehicles to their fleet to keep up with customer demand. Offering differentiator services is also a key growth model that top companies in this market are focused on. Asia Pacific to Emerge as Key Regional Market in Future An expeditious increase in air travel is one of the major factors driving the growth of the global car rental market, points out a TMR analyst. In the last decade, surging air travel for both business and leisure has led to an increasing demand for reliable and high-quality car rental services for comfort and safety reasons. Thus, top players in the car rental market are striving to leverage this trend by offering services across all major airports worldwide. At present, Asia Pacific is witnessing a high growth in the tourism industry. Post the global economic slump of 2007-2008, global car rental companies are expanding their operations in China and India to serve both international and domestic tourists. The increasing number of Internet users that carry out online travel bookings is also boosting the growth of the car rental market. This is because the process is reliable, easy and can be customized as per the need. Online booking is convenient for both customers and car rental providers as it saves times and is cost-effective as well. Browse Research PR: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/car-rental-market.htm Concerned About Environmental Degradation Hamper Market Growth Strict regulations for curbing emissions and volatility in crude oil prices are hampering the growth of the global car rental market. The high utilization of non-renewable energy sources for power generation releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. To counter this, environmental regulations are in place in several countries for lowering emissions from vehicles and industries. In this regard, the International Energy Agency have laid out mandates for generating green energy in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and control environmental pollution. Consequently, top companies such as Enterprise Rent-A-Car are adopting green car rentals. The global car rental market is expected to reach a valuation of US$79.46 bn by 2019. On the basis of car type, executive cars and multi-utility vehicles are anticipated to display a faster growth rate than other segments due to rapid globalization. The airport transport segment by category is expected to be valued at US$34.48 bn by 2019. The dominance of this segment is mainly due to the increasing number of air travelers for both business and leisure reasons. Get Research PDF for more Professional and Technical Insights: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1633 The information presented in this review is based on a Transparency Market Research report, titled "Car Rental Market - Global and U.S. Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013 - 2019." For more information, please visit http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/car-rental-market.html Contact Info: Name: Rohit Bhisey Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Organization: TMR Address: 90 State Street Suite 700 Phone: 8665523453 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/global-car-rental-market-concerned-about-environmental-degradation-hamper-market-growth/140495 Release ID: 140495 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) Smart Waste Management Market Trends, Key Players, Market Demands, Industry Growth Analysis & Forecast to 2027 Global Smart Waste Management Market, by Types (Solid waste (Residential, Commercial), Special (Healthcare), E-waste), by Method (Smart collection (GPS, RFID), WTF, Waste to energy, Landfill gas to energy, Smart disposal) - Forecast 2027 -- Market Overview The major growth driver of Smart Waste Management Market includes growing advancement in technology, rising urbanization, rise in disposable income, and rising smart urban cities among others. However, less availability of finance for investments is one of the factors which are hindering the growth of Smart waste management Market. The report for Global Smart Waste Management Market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions. Get Sample Pages of Report for More Details @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample-request/smart-waste-management-market-research-report-global-forecast-to-2027 Industry News: o The government of Canberra has announced on June 2016 that it is going to deploy big belly solar powered bins across the Canberra locations. These solar powered bins use the sun's energy to activate its internal compactor which compact the bin at the time of disposal. o Covanta has announced on June 2016 about the addition of three new drop box locations in Niagara for residents to dispose their unwanted and expired medicines. Access the market data and market information presented through more than 60 market data tables and figures spread over 110 numbers of pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content TOC & market synopsis on "Smart Waste Management Market Research Report- Global Forecast to 2027" Access Report Page @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/smart-waste-management-market-research-report-global-forecast-to-2027 Key Players Some of the major players in Global Smart Waste Management Market include o Covanta Energy (U.S.) o Suez Environment (Paris) o Republic Services (U.S.) o Veolia North America (U.S.) o big belly (U.S.), Enerkem (Canada) o Harvest Power (U.S.) o Recycle Smart Solutions (Canada) o Enevo (Finland) Market Segments Global Smart Waste Management Market can be segmented as follows: o Segmentation by Method: Smart collection (RFID (radio frequency identification), GPS (global positioning system), and pneumatic tubes), Smart processing, Smart energy recovery (waste to energy (WTE), waste to fuels (WTF), and landfill gas to energy), smart disposal among others. o Segmentation by Types of Waste: Solid waste (Residential, commercial, municipal), agricultural, Special (Healthcare, sewage sludge) and e-waste among others. Get In-depth Table of Contents (TOC), List of Figures and Tables @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/request-toc/smart-waste-management-market-research-report-global-forecast-to-2027 Regional Analysis of Smart waste management Market: North-America dominated the Global Smart waste management Market with the largest market share due to availability of huge capital for investments, and inadequate place for disposal of waste in the region, and therefore accounting for $XX million and is expected to grow over $XX billion by 2027. Smart waste management Market in Europe market is expected to grow at CAGR of XX% from $ XX million in 2016 to $XX million by 2027. The Asia-Pacific market for smart waste management Market is expected to grow at XX% CAGR (2016-2027). About Market Research Future: At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions. In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members. For more information, please visit https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/ Contact Info: Name: Ruwin Mendez Organization: Market Research Future (MRFR) Address: Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune - 411028 Maharashtra, India Phone: 1-646-845-9349 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/smart-waste-management-market-trends-key-players-market-demands-industry-growth-analysis-forecast-to-2027/140461 Release ID: 140461 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) A report released this week listed pilot error and lack of training as key factors in a Jan. 14 helicopter crash in Hawaii that killed 12 Marines, including Adam Schoeller of Gardners. The findings are contained in a report by the Investigative Reporting Program at UC Berkeley and published by the Honolulu Civil Beat Wednesday. The families of the 12 victims were recently notified of the Marines conclusions. The Honolulu Civil Beat is a nonprofit news organization based out of Hawaii. The Investigative Reporting Program at UC Berkeley obtained the official report on the crash, and reports that the trailing helicopter in the training exercise slammed into the lead vehicle as the lead aircraft was making a sharp left turn, causing both to go down off Oahus North Shore. There were no apparent mechanical problems with the helicopters. The impact resulted in an explosion that instantaneously killed all aboard, the university program said. Six Marines were in each aircraft during the night training, including Schoeller, who was a crew member. The Investigative Reporting Program reported that the Kaneohe Bay pilots had fallen behind on flying hours and two of them were not adequately proficient in the use of night vision goggles. The program said it worked with families of the fallen Marines and reported the findings on Civil Beat Wednesday. The Marine Corps is expected to formally release its investigation Wednesday, the Investigative Reporting Program said. Lt. Col. Curtis L. Hill, a spokesman for Marine Corps Forces Pacific, said in an email to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Wednesday that the Marines investigation found the primary cause of this mishap to be pilot error. The inquiry determined that the aircraft failed to maintain adequate distance during the flight and they collided, Hill said. Investigators believe that the low light conditions made it difficult for the aircrew to recognize the rapid decrease in separation between the aircraft which led to the collision. The Investigative Reporting Program said the evidence indicated both aircraft were mechanically sound. Investigators found the main contributing factors were low aircraft readiness leading to inadequate pilot proficiency, human factors, and the squadrons lack of focus on basic aviation practices, Hill also told the Star-Advertiser. The Glass Fiber Market will be worth US$17.44 bn by 2024, at an impressive CAGR of 7.5% Glass Fiber Market was valued at US$8.50 bn in 2014 and is anticipated to reach US$17.44 bn by 2024, expanding at a CAGR of 7.5% from 2016 to 2024. -- The competitive landscape in the global glass fiber market is fairly consolidated, finds TMR in a new study. The leading players in the overall market are focusing on developing export channels to increase their international presence and subdue China's hold in the foreign markets. TMR's findings also indicate that major companies are focusing on aligning their research and development activities to develop improved product portfolio. For instance, Jiangsu Jiuding New Material Co. Ltd. invested about US$3.2 mn in R&D in 2013. This move enabled the company to create 44 technology and product patents. Similarly, Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd. is gunning for expanding its capacities to improve its market position and cater to the pharmaceutical sector as well. Heightened Marine and Automotive Production Improves Glass Fiber Demand Exceptional qualities of glass fiber such as low weight, higher impact resistance, and superior strength make it a popular choice of material across the building and construction industry. TMR analyst says, "The growing population of Asia Pacific, which accounted for 60.5% of the total global population, has spurred a huge demand for construction of residential projects. These interlinked factors have created a massive demand for glass fiber that is largely used for building walls, pipes, and furniture and fixtures amongst others." The rise of the marine and the automotive sector has also contributed significantly to the demand and usage of glass fiber. Their peculiar characteristic of being lightweight has won them a special place in these industries. Over the years, e-glass fibers and performance glass fibers have played an important role in the design of high-speed vehicles and vessels and will continue to do so with increasing research and development. Get PDF Brochure for more Professional and Technical industry insights: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=4049 The growing pressure to reduce carbon footprint has prompted several governments across the globe to investment in renewable energy. This, in turn, has created a demand for wind turbines, which use glass fiber to a large extent. Therefore, as the operations to devise sustainable solutions for renewable energy remain underway, they will boost the glass fiber market by generating a demand for wind turbines. Strict renewable energy targets are thus likely to create a lucrative opportunity for the growth of wind turbine market. China Holds the Lion's Share in Overall Market In terms of geographical segmentation of the market, Europe and North America are facing a challenge in the overall glass fiber market due to China's stronghold. The dominating nature of China's glass fiber market, which is exceptionally export oriented, is creating an insurmountable hurdle. The generous government subsidies given to China-based manufacturers of glass fiber are preventing other regional markets from winning bigger shares. The research report states that the opportunity of the glass fiber market will be worth US$17.44 bn by 2024 as compared to US$8.50 bn in 2014. Between the forecast period of 2016 and 2024, this market will expand at an impressive CAGR of 7.5%. In terms of volume Asia Pacific accounted for a share of 47.5% in the overall market in 2014. Research projects demand from China will keep this region in the forefront in the near future as well. The review of the global glass fiber market and its products and applications is based on the observations and inferences of a Transparency Market Research report. The document, titled "Glass Fiber - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024," includes a comprehensive outlook of the elements shaping the trajectory of this market. This report segments the global glass fiber market as follows: Glass Fiber Market - Product Analysis E-Class Glass Fiber Performance Glass Fiber Glass Fiber Market - Application Analysis Building & Construction Transportation Industrial Consumer Goods Wind Turbine Others (Including Oil & Gas, etc.) About Us Transparency 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. TMR's 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. Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMR's syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement. US Office Contact 90 State Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com For more information, please visit http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/glass-fibers-market.html Contact Info: Name: Rohit Bhisey Organization: Transparency Market Research Pvt. Ltd. Address: 90 State Street,, Suite 700, Albany NY 12207 Phone: +1-518-618-1030 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/the-glass-fiber-market-will-be-worth-us17-44-bn-by-2024-at-an-impressive-cagr-of-7-5/140422 Release ID: 140422 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) Water Treatment Systems (PoE) Market worth $5.69 Billion by 2020 The residential sector is the largest application area for water treatment systems (PoE), especially in emerging markets such as China, Brazil, and India. -- According to the new market research report "Water Treatment Systems (PoE) Market by technology (Water Softeners, Filtration Methods, Reverse Osmosis, Distillation Systems, Disinfection Methods and Others), by Application (Residential and Non-Residential) - Global Forecast to 2020", defines and segments the water treatment systems (PoE) market with analysis and forecasting of global revenue. It also identifies the driving and restraining factors of the market with analysis of trends, opportunities, and challenges. Browse 166 tables and 49 figures spread through 188 pages and in-depth TOC on "Water Treatment Systems (PoE) Market - Global Forecast to 2020" Download Free PDF Brochure: http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=85121176 The water treatment systems (PoE) market is projected to reach USD 5.69 Billion by 2020, with a projected CAGR of 8.52%, from 2015 to 2020. The segmentation considered for this report is based on technology, application, and region. On the basis of technology, the market is segmented into water softeners, reverse osmosis systems, distillation systems, disinfection methods, filtration methods, and others. The filtration method segment is projected to witness the highest growth based on technology between 2015 and 2020. The applications of water treatment systems (PoE) include residential and non-residential. The residential segment accounted for the largest share of the total water treatment systems (PoE) market in 2014. The water treatment systems (PoE) market is projected to register a CAGR of 8.52% from 2015 to 2020. Factors such as increasing water contamination, growing awareness about the importance of clean drinking water, and increasing construction activities drive the water treatment systems (PoE) market. However, high equipment cost acts as a restraint for the market. Scarcity of clean drinking water in developing and under-developed regions provides an opportunity to the water treatment systems (PoE) market to grow even further. Leading players in the water treatment systems (PoE) market include 3M Company (U.S.), Honeywell International Inc. (U.S.), The Dow Chemical Company (U.S.), Pentair plc (U.K.), Calgon Carbon Corporation (U.S.), Danaher Corporation (U.S.), and Best Water Technology AG (Austria). One of the main strategies adopted by these companies is new product developments. The requirements of manufacturers to adhere to the standards set by governments for water treatment systems make it essential for them to continually invest in research & development activities for innovative solutions. Companies are adopting inorganic growth strategies such as acquisitions to cope with the increasing demand for water treatment systems (PoE) in key emerging markets. These strategies have helped companies to create a large customer and partner base in key markets. The water treatment systems market (Point-Of-Entry) is a highly fragmented one. Major companies rely on regional and local distributors to increase their share as well as geographical presence in the market. One of the major developments observed in the water treatment systems (PoE) market is new product developments. Companies are adopting inorganic growth strategies such as acquisitions to cope with the increasing demand for water treatment systems in emerging markets. These strategies have aided companies to create a large customer and partner base in these markets. Speak to Analyst: http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalyst.asp?id=85121176 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 For more information, please visit http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/water-treatment-systems-poe-market-85121176.html Contact Info: Name: Rohan Organization: MarketsandMarkets Source: http://marketersmedia.com/water-treatment-systems-poe-market-worth-5-69-billion-by-2020/140411 Release ID: 140411 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) Welcome Our New Member To The Ausworld Procurement & Manufacturing Team APAW's flexible approach towards the services provided are designed for you the customer and are not about us thus allowing you the customer to focus on your core strengths and growth. -- Ausworld Procurement & Warehousing (APAW) welcomes a new member to the team, who brings more than 20 years experience to the company. APAW are very pleased to announce James Taylor has joined the team as a Business Development Consultant. James began his journey with APAW on Monday 12th September 2016, and reports to the managing director Mr. Daniel Legrand. "We are in the process expanding our business and James becomes a valuable resource for the company moving forward, said Daniel." As BDC, James will be the main point of contact for customers, and will be responsible for developing new business, ensure current and potential customers are kept informed of new products and services, ensuring customers' needs are met, and be part of the ongoing development and growth of APAW. James arrives with a proven track record in building strong stakeholder relationships and managing teams with national and global brands. James' knowledge and expertise provides great addition to the company. Daniel hopes everyone joins at welcoming James Taylor to the team! APAW is a positive working partner, delivering a level of service that meets, if not exceeds, customer demands. A business unique in the industry, with a proven record of being a recoverable investment rather than an expense. The areas that APAW cover include: 1. Procurement and Purchasing Service: Looking for specific products or new supplier, APAW help company owners find exactly what's need. Contact the procurement team and they can help source what customers are after. http://ausworldprocurementandwarehousing.com.au/pages/procurement-and-purchasing-services/ 2. Product Supply and Distribution: The product and sales team are standing by to receive calls. http://ausworldprocurementandwarehousing.com.au/pages/become-an-agent-distributor/ 3. Warehousing and Stock Management: An offer specialist warehousing solutions for business. http://ausworldprocurementandwarehousing.com.au/pages/warehousing-services/ Contact APAW today to find out more about how APAW can help! Visit the website at http://apaw.com.au Unit 1 116/118 Compton Rd. Woodridge Queensland 4114 - Australia ph: 07 3305 1901 For more information, please visit http://ausworldprocurementandwarehousing.com.au/ Contact Info: Name: Daniel Legrand Organization: Ausworld Procurement and Warehousing Address: Unit 1 116/118 Compton Road Release ID: 140547 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) ServiceNow Event / ITOM Event Management Amped With Evanios Sepang ServiceNow event and ITOM event professionals have a major new tool to add to their arsenal. The Evanios Sepang release makes monitoring, visualizing, preventing, and correcting problems simpler and more efficient. Go to Evanios.com to request a free trial today. -- ServiceNow event management and ITOM event management just got a whole lot easier with the Evanios Sepang release for ServiceNow event management. The application amplifies what a department, or even an individual can do, making correcting issues, and stopping them before they start, an efficient process. The new release is ideal for any organization that puts customer satisfaction as a top priority, as well as for professionals who often wish they had a magic crystal ball while trying to prevent or make sense of issues. To learn more about what Sepang can do or to download a free trial version of Evanios for ServiceNow, visit Evanios.com Evanios integrates seamlessly with ServiceNow, taking advantage of its built-in cloud and collaboration tools. Using clear visual models, Evanios allows people to see exactly how technology components and business services fit together and what the overall health of each aspect is. Any degradation is clearly labeled, including other aspects that may be affected by degradation. This is helpful as it is, as it enables operations teams to take swift action when a problem arises, but Evanios takes it a step farther and predicts potential issues. The application also makes it easier to pinpoint the root cause of an issue, using advanced analytics and machine learning to assemble data in various ways for quick and easy identification of problems. Cause and effect events are each assigned a strength rating, so that operators can isolate issues without devoting time to enormous amounts of detective work, and normal service is restored even quicker when unpreventable events occur. Go to Evanios.com to find out more about how Evanios can make ITOM event management more efficient or to get a free production-ready trial. In addition to these robust features, the Sepang release brings additional aids to the table, too, such as dynamic viewing of data. Users can drag and drop, resize columns, and watch events update in real time, without refreshing. There are also several improved integrations, as well as new integrations, such as PRTG and Watch4Net. All of these changes and additions have been tested on ServiceNow versions Eureka to Helsinki, so users can relax, knowing that the whole team has access to the same features, views, and flawless experience. About Evanios Evanios is operated by a group of IT operations management professionals who have made it their life's work and passion to come up with unique solutions that keep complex IT environments up and running at all times. The company's technology provides predictive analytics and monitoring, event management, and automated incident resolution solutions, to streamline repairs and keep systems running smoothly. Check out Evanios.com for more information. For more information, please visit http://www.evanios.com Contact Info: Name: Evanios Organization: Evanios Address: 1 South Orange Ave. Suite 405 Release ID: 140625 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) Oklahoma Drug Attorney Group Celebrates Red Ribbon Week Oklahoma Drug attorney group, Oklahoma Interstate Drug Lawyer, is helping raise awareness for Red Ribbon Week and drug prevention. For more information or to schedule a free consultation with a criminal defense specialist, call (405) 679-2372 or visit OklahomaInterstateDrugLawyer.com now. -- An Oklahoma Drug attorney group that focuses on providing access to information on drug crimes and resources for those accused of them, is honoring Red Ribbon Week to help prevent drug use. The event begins October 23 and carries through until October 31, with an estimated 80 million Americans participating. For more information about drug crimes and the penalties associated with them visit OklahomaInterstateDrugLawyer.com today. Red Ribbon Week is sponsored by National Family Partnership (NFP), an agency that organizes a series of events and contests centered on keeping people drug-free. This year's theme is "YOLO Be drug free." The theme was a based on contest established by the agency, and was created by sixth-graders. A photo contest is also underway, prizing the winning school with $1,000 and an Apple iPad. "During Red Ribbon Week, we celebrate drug-free lives and appreciate the commitment of families and educators to promote healthy choices," said Chuck Rosenberg, DEA Administrator. The groups also provides information to parents, with the hopes of opening the paths of communication between parents and children. According to RedRibbon.org, only one-fourth of parents regularly talk to their kids about drugs, but this simple step makes children 42-percent less likely to use. Parents should also be on the lookout for behavioral changes in their kids and investigate when things don't seem right. Go to OklahomaInterstateDrugLawyer.com or call (405) 679-2372 for free case evaluations from an experienced criminal defense lawyer. The roots of Red Ribbon Week also honor a fallen DEA agent named Enrique "Kiki" Camarena. As an 11-year veteran, Kiki was in the process of ending a major drug pipeline from Mexico to the United States in 1985. However, he was captured and killed before the ring came to an end. In remembrance, his high school friend and a congressman established "Camarena Clubs," in which the members vowed to be drug-free for life. With the help of First Lady Nancy Reagan, Red Ribbon Week was officially established in 1988. About Oklahoma Interstate Drug Lawyer Oklahoma Interstate Drug Lawyer is a one-stop information source for all things related to drug crimes. The site hosts articles on the various crimes, as well as the penalties that come with each, plus details on potential defense strategies. Visitors to the site also gain access to free drug attorney consultations, so those accused of crimes can have a case evaluation from an experienced criminal defense specialist and make an educated decision on how to best move forward. For more information or to reserve time with an Oklahoma drug attorney, call (405) 679-2372 or visit OklahomaInterstateDrugLawyer.com today. For more information, please visit http://oklahomainterstatedruglawyer.com Contact Info: Name: Oklahoma Interstate Drug Lawyer Email: Info@oklamhomainterstatedruglawyer.com Organization: Oklahoma Interstate Drug Lawyer Address: 6957 NORTHWEST EXPY #118 Phone: (405) 673-8250 Release ID: 140577 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) Minimally Invasive Surgery Market Worth 50.60 Billion USD by 2019; Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share and Forecast - 2019 Minimally Invasive Surgery Market was valued at USD 25.03 billion and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.5% during the forecast period 2013 to 2019 to reach a market value of USD 50.60 billion by 2019. -- With patient comfort taking precedence in surgical procedures, the demand for minimally invasive surgical procedures is bound to show an increase. This high-impact growth driver will lead the global minimally invasive surgery market to notch a valuation of US$50.60 bn by 2019, says Transparency Market Research in its new study. According to the report, the market had a valuation of US$25.03 bn in 2012 and will register a compounded annual growth rate of 10.5% from 2013 through 2019. These findings are discussed in detail in TMR's report, titled 'Minimally Invasive Surgery Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013 - 2019.' Request a PDF Brochure with Report Analysis: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1356 The remarkable rise in the number of aged people worldwide is yet another growth enabler in the global minimally invasive surgery market, finds the report. Moreover, the rising prevalence of target diseases - of which cancer is one - requires patients to undergo multiple surgeries during the course of treatment. In most such cases, minimally invasive surgery is the preferred option. Notwithstanding these growth drivers, companies in the global minimally invasive surgery market will have to face headwinds in the form of the high cost of such surgeries as compared to conventional procedures. Furthermore, in countries such as the United States, the sale of medical devices is subjected to excise duty, which adds to the final cost of minimally invasive surgery. According to TMR's analysts, this could stand in the way of the overall growth of the minimally invasive surgery market. Some of these losses can be assuaged if companies explore expansion opportunities in densely populated countries in Asia Pacific and Latin America, where people are spending progressively more on healthcare. For a complete coverage of the global minimally invasive surgery market, the report segments the market on the basis of device type, surgery type, and geography. Thus, basis surgery type, the market for minimally invasive surgery is split into orthopedic, spinal, breast, cardiac, vascular, joint replacement, bariatric, urological, gastrointestinal, and gynecological surgery. As more and more consumers across the world place a greater emphasis on appearance and aesthetics, the demand for minimally invasive surgeries for cosmetic procedures will show the highest CAGR. This trend is mainly supported by the growing spending power of people in many developing economies. The second fastest growing market in terms of surgery type is for orthopedics. Conditions such as arthritis and lower bone density are being treated with minimally invasive surgery. In terms of revenue, however, the cardiac surgery segment was in the leading position in 2012. Browse Research Report on Minimally Invasive Surgery Market: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/minimally-invasive-surgery-market.html Similarly, by product type, the market is segmented into endoscopy devices, monitoring and visualization devices, and surgical devices. The surgical devices segment is sub-segmented into medical robotic systems, ablation devices, and electrosurgical devices. Of these, surgical devices constituted the largest market within the minimally invasive surgery market and raked in the highest revenue in the market 2012. In the coming years, this market is expected to register the highest rate of growth because of their continued use in performing minimally invasive surgery, especially among cancer patients. The second-largest share in the minimally invasive surgery devices market was held by endoscopy devices, thanks largely to their use in locating surgical sites and to guide surgeons during surgery. From the standpoint of region, the report studies the minimally invasive surgery markets in North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Rest of the World. Of these, North America contributed the highest revenue. The future evidently lies in Asia Pacific with the region expected to show a CAGR of 13.3% from 2013 to 2019 in the minimally invasive surgery market. Browse Related Reports: Surgical Equipment Market: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/surgical-equipment-market.html Latin America Minimally Invasive Surgery Market: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/latin-america-minimally-invasive-surgery-market.html About Us Transparency 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. Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement. For more information, please visit http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/minimally-invasive-surgery-market.html Contact Info: Name: Rohit Bhisey Organization: Transparency Market Research Address: 90 State Street, Suite 700 Phone: 5186181030 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/minimally-invasive-surgery-market-worth-50-60-billion-usd-by-2019-global-industry-analysis-size-share-and-forecast-2019/140699 Release ID: 140699 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) Ex-Mayoral Candidate Caught With Marijuana On His Way to Florida, Miami Drug Rehab Comments ( October 25, 2016 ) Miami, FL -- Philly.com reports that ex-mayoral candidate Sam Katz was found in possession of a small amount of marijuana at the Philadelphia International Airport. When asked by TSA agents, Katz stated that he had not used marijuana in some time, but had intended to use it on a fishing trip to Florida. Because he was in Philadelphia when the marijuana was discovered- the city decriminalized pot possession in 2014- it was confiscated and he was fined $25. Had it been found in Florida he would have faced up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine. There is a high need for addiction treatment in Miami due to the high volume of substance abuse in Florida. Miami Drug Rehab works tirelessly to help end the epidemic, and as such, does not condone Katz' intended activities in Florida. A representative of Miami Drug Rehab comments: "Former mayoral candidate Sam Katz' intentional attempt to break Florida's laws is not okay. While Philadelphia has moved forward with decriminalization of marijuana and we can hope that Florida follows suit, it has not yet done so. Despite the position Katz may hold, he should be and is expected to follow the laws of whatever state he visits. Possession of marijuana in Florida has lead to many unnecessarily lengthy prison sentences, and while his case occurred in Philadelphia, he should face the same legal ramifications as anyone else." About Miami Drug Rehab 84567: Miami Drug Rehab offers addiction treatment in Miami to people across the U.S. With inpatient, outpatient, and partial hospitalization treatment options allow clients to get the help they need in a format that works best for them. Traditional therapies, medically-aided detox, and holistic healing options create an atmosphere of all around healing and revigoration. Beyond treatment, clients of Miami Drug Rehab have access to a full gym and spa as well as weekly events such as concerts, sporting events, and shows. For more information about Miami Drug Rehab call (305)928-2144 or visit http://www.miamidrugrehab.org/. For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Matteson Partners Taking On New In-House Legal Recruitment Clients (Mon 29th May 17) Huong Nghiep A Au Vocational Guidance School Launches New Major (Thu 25th May 17) FSP unveils new Industrial and Gaming power solutions at COMPUTEX 2017 (Wed 24th May 17) The Best Free Keylogger of 2017 Has Been Announced by the Official Remote Keylogger (Tue 23rd May 17) The Remote Keylogger Development Team Announces An Update to the Official iPhone Keylogger (Thu 11th May 17) CaptureStream Announces its New Streaming Video Recorder and Downloader (Mon 8th May 17) Neurology Devices Market to Reach US$13.6 Billion by 2019; Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share and Forecast - 2019 Global Neurology Devices Market was valued at USD 5.0 billion in 2012 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.4% from 2013 to 2019, to reach an estimated value of USD 13.6 billion in 2019 -- Transparency Market Research has published a comprehensive research report that explains the global neurology devices market in absolute detail. The research report, titled "Neurology Devices Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013 - 2019," closely observes the key trends and dynamics in the global neurology devices market. The report also offers an explanation of the strengths, the weaknesses, the opportunities, and the threats in the market with the help of SWOT analysis. Furthermore, it also evaluates the threat of new entrants, the threat of substitute products or services, the bargaining power of customers, the bargaining power of suppliers, and the intensity of competitive rivalry.According to the research report, the global neurology devices market is expected to be worth US$13.6 bn by the end of 2019, up from US$5.0 bn in 2012, expanding at a CAGR of 15.4% from 2013 to 2019. Download Exclusive Global Strategic Business Report: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=284 The important factors driving the global neurology devices market are the rising incidence of neurological disorders such multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, ischemic stroke, brain cancer, and other traumas to the brain. Furthermore, the rising pool of geriatrics is also likely to encourage the global neurology devices market, as they are more susceptible to the aforementioned conditions. Additionally, medical professionals and patients are also opting for neurology devices over drugs, as the former offer a better solution to medical conditions. The factors restraining the growth of this market are the stringent taxation policies in the U.S. and Europe and poor reimbursement policies. The global neurology devices market is segmented into neurostimulation devices, interventional neurology, CSF management devices, and neurosurgery. Geographically, this market is segmented into Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and Rest of the World. Out of these segments, the neurostimulation devices market segment dominates the overall market and is expected to register a CAGR of 15% during the forecast period. The high incidence of stroke and aneurysms is expected to drive the interventional neurology devices market segment in the near future. In terms of geography, the neurology devices market in North America was the largest in 2012. However, analysts predict that the Asia Pacific regional market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 18% from 2013 to 2019. This growth will be due to the increasing number of cases of patients suffering from respiratory problems and growing disposable incomes, which make healthcare affordable to them. Some of the important players in the global neurology devices market are Medtronic, St. Jude, Integra, Boston Scientific, and Covidien. The research report gives an accurate analysis of the competitive landscape in the global neurology devices market and explains the financial overview, research and development activities, investment outlook, strategic mergers and acquisitions, business and marketing strategies, and product portfolio of these key players. Browse Research Report on Global Neurology Devices Market: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/neurology-devices-market.html About Us Transparency 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. Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement. For more information, please visit http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/neurology-devices-market.html Contact Info: Name: Rohit Bhisey Organization: Transparency Market Research Address: 90 State Street, Suite 700 Phone: 5186181030 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/neurology-devices-market-to-reach-us13-6-billion-by-2019-global-industry-analysis-size-share-and-forecast-2019/140923 Release ID: 140923 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) Cryogenic Equipment Market worth $22.42 Billion by 2021 Factors such as increasing demand for LNG and improving healthcare services, especially in the developing economies are driving the market worldwide. -- The report "Cryogenic Equipment Market by Product (Tank, Valve, Vaporizer, Pump), Cryogen (Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon, LNG), End-User (Energy & Power, Chemicals, Metallurgy, Electronics, Shipping) and Region - Global Forecast to 2021", The cryogenic equipment market is expected to grow from an estimated USD 16.18 Billion in 2016 to USD 22.42 Billion by 2021, at a CAGR of 6.74% from 2016 to 2021. Factors such as increasing demand for LNG and improving healthcare services, especially in the developing economies are driving the market globally. Browse 72 market data Tables and 51 Figures spread through 180 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Cryogenic Equipment Market - Global Forecast to 2021" Download Free PDF Brochure: http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=735 Tanks would dominate the global cryogenic equipment market The cryogenic equipment market in this report has been classified based on product type into the following segments, namely, tanks, valves, vaporizers, pumps and other equipment. The tank segment dominated the cryogenic equipment market in 2015. Tanks are the most expensive cryogenic equipment and hence hold the largest part of the market share. Cryogenic tanks are widely used for storing liquefied gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, and argon, among others. Nitrogen is the largest cryogen type-based market segment The nitrogen segment holds the largest market size. This is because liquid nitrogen is used in almost all industries including food & beverage, healthcare, metallurgy and electronics among others. It is used for a wide variety of things, such as a coolant for computers, food preservation & packaging applications, among others. Moreover, the demand for liquid nitrogen in these industries for the mentioned applications is growing day by day. Hence, the market size of the cryogenic equipment used to handle liquid nitrogen is the largest. Asia-Pacific is the dominant market for cryogenic equipment Asia-Pacific is currently the largest market for cryogenic equipment. In Asia-Pacific, the growth of the cryogenic equipment market can be attributed to factors such as increasing investments in the energy sector and substantial growth in other end-user industries such as food & beverage and electronics among others in this region. Meanwhile, fastest growth is expected from the Middle Eastern market, due to the large number of LNG producers and rapid growth in chemical and healthcare industries where the cryogenic equipment are vital. To provide an in-depth understanding of the competitive landscape, the report includes profiles of companies, namely, Linde Group AG (Germany), Flowserve Corporation (U.S.), Air Liquide (France), VRV S.p.A. (Italy), Chart Industries, Inc. (U.S.), Parker Hannifin (U.S.), INOX India Limited (India), Wessington Cryogenics Ltd. (U.K.), Taylor Wharton Cryogenics LLC (U.S.), Herose GmbH (Germany), Graham Partners (U.S.), Emerson (U.S.), Cryoquip LLC. (U.S.), Cryofab, Inc. (U.S.), and Beijing Tianhai Industry Co., Ltd. (China). Dominant players are trying to penetrate developing economies and are adopting various methods to grab the market share. Stakeholders The stakeholders included in this report are as follows: Cryogenic equipment manufacturers, dealers, and suppliers Cryogenic gases/liquid merchant producers, suppliers, and dealers Cryogenic plant developers and service providers LNG dealers Oil & gas companies Consulting companies in the E&P sector Cryogenic and cold storage associations Power and energy associations Shareholders and investors Investment banks "The study answers several questions for the stakeholders, primarily which market segments to focus in the next 2-5 years for prioritizing efforts and investments." Speak to Analyst: http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalyst.asp?id=735 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. For more information, please visit http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/cryogenic-equipment-market-735.html Contact Info: Name: Rohan Organization: MarketsandMarkets Source: http://marketersmedia.com/cryogenic-equipment-market-worth-22-42-billion-by-2021/140836 Release ID: 140836 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) Learning Management System (LMS) Market Is Expected to Reach 15.72 Billion USD by 2021 Learning management systems market report categories the global LMS market by application, by delivery mode as distance learning and instructor-Led training, by deployment as on-premises and cloud, by user type as academic and corporate, by vertical, and by region. -- According to report "Learning Management System Market by Application, Delivery Mode (Distance Learning and Instructor-Led Training), Deployment (On-Premises and Cloud), User Type (Academic and Corporate), Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2021", The LMS market size is expected to grow from USD 5.22 Billion in 2016 to USD 15.72 Billion by 2021, at a CAGR of 24.7%. Browse 72 market data Tables and 67 Figures spread through 180 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Learning Management System Market" Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report. Increasing adoption of digital learning among corporate organizations and academic institutes and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) trend are some of the major driving factors for the LMS market. Furthermore, the market is expected to be driven by opportunities, such as the growing usage of wearable eLearning devices and emerging technologies, such as gamification and virtual reality. Download PDF Brochure - http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=1266 Learner management is expected to be the largest contributor in the global learning management system market during the forecast period In the LMS market, the increasing need to keep a track of the learner's usage of training materials, manage course access of learners, create reports, manage course properties, and for various other tasks, the learner management application is expected to contribute the highest to the overall revenue generation of the market during the forecast period. The telecom and IT industry vertical is expected to show significant growth rate in terms of adoption of learning management system IT and telecom sector has greater need to train employees as this industry faces rapid technology changes than any other sector and companies have to sustain the competition. The IT and telecom sector is among the most complex industries and usually has global operational presence. This has necessitated the usage of LMS in all parts of this industry. Asia-Pacific (APAC) is expected to witness the significant growth rate during the forecast period owing to demand for cost effective and improved learning experience APAC organizations are increasingly opting for LMS to gain better returns on investments made on talent development, employee learning requirements, proper employee training, and receiving quantifiable business outcomes. As many organizations have tight learning budgets, they prefer a technology-enabled learning approach, which is also a cost effective way to offer training and resources to their learners. This enables high growth opportunities in this region. Blackboard, Inc. (Washington, U.S.), Cornerstone OnDemand, Inc. (California, U.S.), Xerox Corporation (Connecticut, U.S.), IBM Corporation (New York, U.S.), NetDimensions Ltd. (Hong Kong), SAP SE (Walldorf, Germany), Saba Software (California, U.S.), McGraw-Hill Companies (New York, U.S.), Pearson PLC (London, U.K.), and D2L Corporation (Ontario, Canada) are identified as leaders in the LMS market. Inquiry Before Buying - http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalyst.asp?id=1266 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. For more information, please visit http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/learning-management-systems-market-1266.html Contact Info: Name: Mr. Rohan Organization: marketsandmarkets Source: http://marketersmedia.com/learning-management-system-lms-market-is-expected-to-reach-15-72-billion-usd-by-2021/140755 Release ID: 140755 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) Greeley Loveland GMC Dealers 2017 Sierra 1500 Changes & Updates Report Released The Weld County Garage known for its leading used and new GMC or Buick car, truck and SUV inventory available at the best prices and supported by customer-centric service announced the release of a new report on the new 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup truck. -- The award-winning Buick and GMC dealers Weld County Garage announced the release of a new report analyzing and reviewing the latest 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup truck models, in stock at its dealership in Greeley, Colorado. More information is available at http://blog.weldcountygarage.com/20161020-2017-gmc-sierra-1500-review-greeley-fort-collins-loveland-longmont-cheyenne. The Weld County Garage is a highly popular dealership founded in Greeley, Colorado, in 1908, with an established reputation for providing a leading Buick and GMC inventory, body shop, parts department and service centers for the Weld County community and Loveland, Longmont, Denver or Fort Collins and other areas of Northern Colorado. The renowned Greeley based dealers which have been voted 'Best Dealership in Weld County' seven years running for its commitment to delivering the best and latest Buick and GMC cars, trucks, SUVs and van models at the best prices with a client-centric service, have announced the release of a new report reviewing the main features and innovations of the latest 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup truck models, in stock at its dealership. The newly released report details and analyzes the different body styles and SLT, SLE and Denali trim levels of the new GMC Sierra regular, crew or extended cab pickup models along with the exterior color options and the interior accessories and innovations provided with each model, from the cloth or leather upholstery to the wheels, bumpers and grille or its cruise control, auto climate control, remote starting, LED lighting or anti-theft features, and more. Extensive insider information on the fuel efficiency of the new 2017 GMC Sierra models including the mpg's for city or highway driving and details on the types of engines available for each model with specifics on their expected performance is also provided in the new Weld County Garage report along with an in-depth analysis of its towing capacity or convenience and safety technologies. A video run through of the report is also available here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cL9WUXYY8Y. The full 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 report along with details on the Weld County Garage and its leading new and used GMC and Buick inventory including the new 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 pickups priced with incentives can be requested at 970 373-4487, directly at its dealership conveniently located on the 47th Avenue, in Greeley, Colorado. The Weld County Garage explains that "the 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 is a solidly updated pickup with a wide range of fuel efficient engines, quiet cabins and body styles available. Additional facilities to be expected from this latest model also include comfortable interiors with lots of optional configurations to choose from. Though it is expected to be released in the first half of 2017 it is here and in stock at Weld County Garage and our clients can read all about the latest features and incentives in this new review." For more information, please visit http://www.weldcountygarage.com/ Contact Info: Name: Ryan Green Organization: Weld County Garage Address: 2699 47th Ave, Greeley, CO Phone: (970) 352-1313 Release ID: 141070 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) CCHR Opposes The Drugging Of Millions Of Children During ADHD Awareness Month Pointing to the 8.4 million children being prescribed psychiatric drugs in the US alone, CCHR Florida is calling on the FDA to investigate the heavy drugging of children under the misdiagnosis of ADHD. -- The Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), a non-profit mental health watchdog dedicated to the eradication of abuses committed under the guise of mental health, is calling on the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) to examine the facts behind the heavy drugging of children under the misdiagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD). CLEARWATER, FL, October 25, 2016 - As ADHD Awareness Month draws to a close, CCHR Florida is calling on the FDA to examine the facts behind the heavy drugging of children under the misdiagnosis of ADHD. According to QuintilesIMS, the first independent, objective source of information about the pharmaceutical industry, in the United States alone, 8.4 million children are being prescribed psychiatric drugs and more than 1 million of these children are under the age of five. [1] "Parents are being told that their child has a 'mental disorder' but in actual fact there is no independent, valid test for ADHD nor is there any data to indicate that ADHD is due to a brain malfunction yet the number of children being labeled with a 'brain-disorder' continues to climb," stated Diane Stein, President of CCHR Florida. In fact a recent study conducted by the CDC showed that approximately 11% of children 4-17 years of age have been diagnosed with ADHD as of 2011 [2] and the percentage being diagnosed continues to increase with 6.4 million children diagnosed in 2011. Pediatric occupational therapist Angela Hanscom has traced back the reason that children are being increasingly diagnosed with ADHD. [3] She notes that kids are forced to stay in an upright position for hours on end; gone are the days when children rolled down hills, climbed trees, spun in circles. Recesses are abbreviated because of increasing academic demands. Kids rarely play outdoors now. In other words, children do not move nearly as much as they need to. Ms. Hanscom tested several classrooms and discovered most children had very poor core strength and balance. In fact, she discovered that only one in twelve children were normal in this regard. Could it be that fidgeting is a natural response to an environment where children are not allowed to move, and is a desperate and natural response to the unnatural demands of the educational system? The psychiatrist's attitude of fixing a problem by quieting a child's movement is not just ignorant, it is dangerous. The two commonly prescribed drugs for ADHA, Ritalin and Adderall, carry Black box Warnings and side effects can include agitation, aggression, mood swings, depression, thoughts of suicide, fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, seizures, slurred speech and confusion. "Dangerous psychiatric drugs are being given to infants and toddlers despite the known debilitating side effects of death, homicides and suicides that are reported in older children and adults taking these medications," [4] stated Diane Stein. "Why is this being done despite the known risks? Because a psychiatrist prescribing drugs can make up to four times as much as one who doesn't and drugs prescribed for ADHD alone make billions every year. It is all about the money." [5] Individuals are invited to the center, located at 109 N. Fort Harrison Avenue in downtown Clearwater, to learn more about the dangers associated with psychiatric drugs as well as alternatives to medication. To learn more, please call 727-442-8820 or visit www.cchrflorida.org. About CCHR: Initially established by the Church of Scientology and renowned psychiatrist Dr. Thomas Szasz in 1969, CCHR's mission is to eradicate abuses committed under the guise of mental health and enact patient and consumer protections. It was L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, who brought the terror of psychiatric imprisonment to the notice of the world. In March 1969, he said, "Thousands and thousands are seized without process of law, every week, over the 'free world' tortured, castrated, killed. All in the name of 'mental health.'" SOURCES: [1] cchrint.org/issues/childmentaldisorders/ [2] cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/features/key-findings-adhd72013.html [3] washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2014/07/08/why-so-many-kids-cant-sit-still-in-school-today/ [4] cchrflorida.org/infants-being-given-psychiatric-drugs-on-the-rise/ [5] apa.org/monitor/2012/06/prescribing.aspx For more information, please visit http://www.cchrflorida.org/ Contact Info: Name: Diane Stein Email: publicaffairs@cchrflorida.org Organization: Citizens Commission on Human Rights of Florida Address: 109 N. Fort Harrison Ave Phone: (727) 442-8820 Release ID: 140988 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) Gift City Offering Exceptional Corporate Gifts Opens In Singapore Gift City offering Exceptional Corporate Gifts announces opening in Singapore. -- Selecting Corporate gifts for colleagues, clients, and customers is often a difficult task. When choosing, businesses must keep in mind the gift should serve a purpose always keeping the target audience (the recipient) in mind. This means, of course, that in order to gift properly, companies need to know their audiences' preferences and give a corporate gift that delivers quality, class, and style. Additionally, corporate gifts should clearly display the company's brand image and values, along with a clear message to project the brand. Gift City helps clients accomplish successful corporate gift giving with a twist. The Singapore start-up features live quotations, the best prices in the industry, and loyalty rewards for member customers. Whether companies want quality lanyard for gifts or an upcoming event, Gift City promises to provide customized premium products always delivered on time. Corporate gift ideas come easily to clients of Gift City. With a large selection of customisable bags, umbrellas, USB drives, towels, pens, and more, Gift City corporate clients can always count on exclusive ideas designed to make their company stand out from the competition. In addition, Gift City understands that practical quality gifts make visible gifts that each company's customers will be proud to show off to colleagues, friends, and family, giving the corporate client greater exposure in the marketplace. "Picking gifts is easily one of the more challenging tasks one has to go through over the course of their life and when it comes to picking gifts for colleagues, the challenge gets a whole lot harder. After years of going through this ourselves, we know how important it is to stand out from the crowd at work and to do that you need to get your corporate colleagues something they will remember. Here at Gift City, we promise to help you find the perfect corporate gift, at the right price, while delivering the brand message you want to convey." - David, Gift City About Gift City Pte. Ltd.: Gift City Pte. Ltd. provides customisable corporate gifts. Developed with the goal of offering highest quality as well as timely delivery, Gift City promises exceptional customer services as well as loyalty rewards for their valued customers. For more information, please visit https://www.giftcity.sg/ Contact Info: Name: David Email: hello@giftcity.sg Organization: GIFT CITY PTE. LTD. Address: 302, Ang Mo Kio Ave 3 #01-1840, Singapore 560302 Phone: +65 82883810 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/gift-city-offering-exceptional-corporate-gifts-opens-in-singapore/141093 Release ID: 141093 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) Festival of Forks and Corks to Benefit Rady Children's Hospital San Diego A food, wine tasting, and shopping event will be presented by Cafe Merlot and LifeStyles INFOCUS at the Bernardo Winery. The event is a fundraiser to benefit Rady Children's Hospital. -- Annual Fall Festival of Forks and Corks will be held on Thursday, November 3, 2016 at Bernardo Winery from 5:30PM- 8:30 PM. The fundraising event will benefit Rady Children's Hospital San Diego. Tickets to the Fall Festival of Forks and Corks will include tastings from local breweries, wineries, and restaurants. Over 40 local vendors will also be present for attendees to shop while dining, and listening to music throughout Bernardo Winery. A raffle drawing and silent auction will also be held. Cafe Merlot and LifeStyles INFOCUS are the presenters of the Fall Festival of Forks and Corks with proceeds to benefit the Healing Touch Program and Integrative Medicine Center of Rady Children's Hospital. Rady Children's Hospital, a non-profit research and teaching hospital, is the only hospital in the San Diego area dedicated to pediatric healthcare to include a pediatric trauma center. The Integrative Medicine Program includes massage,reflexology and Healing Touch. Healing Touch is an energy based therapy complementing other health care treatments. It often brings decrease in pain and side effects, with a relief in anxiety and acceleration in the healing process. Evidence has shown that it can benefit patients and caregivers both physically and emotionally. The Fall Festival of Forks and Corks will be held at Bernardo Winery, Rosario's pavilion, 13330 Paseo del Verano Norte, in San Diego. It has been around over 125 years and is the oldest family-run working winery in Southern California. Cafe Merlot is an award winning restaurant using fresh herbs and produce with edible flowers from their own micro farm on the grounds of the Winery. LifeStyles INFOCUS is a female owned, family based business based in San Diego that serves as a wellness solution for companies, organizations, and communities both locally and nationwide. Rady is affiliated with University of California, San Diego and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Cafe Merlot and LifeStyles INFOCUS are partners of Live Well San Diego. Tickets are available online to Fall Festival of Forks and Corks and start at $25 which include unlimited tastings and access to all vendors. Upgrade tickets are still available for a keep-sake event wine glass or VIP tickets to a reception. Tickets are tax deductible. To purchase tickets or for more information: http://www.lifestylesinfocus.com/public-community-events/ Contact Info: Name: Melissa Flanders Email: Melissa@lifestylesinfocus.com Phone: 760-622-0343 Organization: LifeStyles INFOCUS Source: http://www.prreach.com/pr/26478 Release ID: 141076 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) Sydney's Dux College Is Now Open For Term Four Enrollments Dux College, the Sydney based tutoring institution has teaching locations in Bondi Junction and Parramatta. The College announced that they are now open for year 12 enrollments for term four. -- Dux College's year 12 tutoring programs prepare students for their assessments and exams throughout their final HSC year. All syllabus content is covered comprehensively, with a strong focus on exam technique, giving students the best chance at achieving a band 6 / E4 result and maximising their ATAR. Mr Hong Li, founder of Dux College said, " We give students the best possible help towards your HSC. We offer small class sizes of around 5 to 8 students in our weekly 2 hour lessons. " He went on to say, "Our tutors are accessible to parents who are after an update about their child's progress. A report for each enrolled subject is also given at the end of each term detailing the student's progress." The Dux College class tutor covers theory, example questions and relevant exam techniques. Classes are highly interactive and even the shyest students participate in class discussions. Small class size also allows individual attention to be given to each student. Tutors are very aware of each individual student's progress, strengths, weaknesses and can communicate this with parents when requested. A report for each enrolled subject is also given at the end of each term detailing the student's progress, strengths, weaknesses, exam marks, homework performance, and actionable advice on what to do for continual improvement. Dux College tutors are among the top in New South Wales. They exclusively hire tutors that have attained a state rank in the subjects they teach and have extensive teaching experience. Young tutors can relate closely to the student experience and deliver their lessons in a way that addresses the specific and often unspoken concerns of young students. Dux College consider state ranking tutors to be superior to the typical school teacher as they have the precise knowledge of how to cater to a variety of exam conditions and unknown marker preferences, and they replicate the factors of their success onto students. Mr Li said, "Students also receive homework each week, structured in the same way as their HSC exams will be, giving students early and continual exposure to HSC exam-style questions." He also stated, "Students considering enrolling can try a complimentary free trial lesson by simply contacting us to arrange a time for them to attend." For more information on Dux College visit the website here: http://dc.edu.au About Dux College Dux College is a Sydney, New South Wales, Australia based results-driven HSC tutoring institution with teaching locations in Bondi Junction and Parramatta. The College offers English, Maths, Science, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Economics tutoring programs for years 9, 10, 11 and 12. Tutoring programs follow the syllabus closely and provide a comprehensive understanding of the theory, skills and techniques to succeed in HSC. So to raise the assessment ranks at school, or see significant improvements in exam results, Dux College can help students succeed with College locations in Parramatta and Bondi Junction. For more information, please visit http://dc.edu.au/ Contact Info: Name: Mr Hong Li Organization: Dux College Address: Ground Floor, 30 Cowper St, Parramatta Release ID: 141067 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) Friendswood Plumbing Company Announces Services to Clear Lake Area of Houston Plumbing and water heater specialists Daniel Plumbing recently announced they are now happy to cover Clear Lake, along with Friendswood, League City, and Pearland - delivering professional, affordable services, praised by customers large and small alike. -- Home and business owners requiring a skilled reliable plumber in Clear Lake area of Houston, Texas have a very good reason to be happy. Plumbing and water heater specialists, Daniel Plumbing, recently announced they are now happy to cover the Clear Lake Area, along with Friendswood, League City, Webster, Texas City, and Pearland - delivering professional, affordable services, praised by customers large and small alike. A quality plumber can be a very valuable resource for both home and business owners to turn to. In Houston, Texas, Daniel Plumbing LLC certainly fills that bill in both a remarkable and affordable way. Moving from strength to strength, in news sure to please many Houston customers, Daniel Plumbing recently announced they have added the Clear Lake area of the extended city to their coverage area. Customers couldn't be happier with the development. "It's all about going the extra mile," commented David Daniel, owner of the company. "We work tirelessly with our customers to make sure they fully understand what needs to be done. I personally assist and guide the customers to ensure that they make the right decisions for their situation and budget." According to Daniel Plumbing, the company delivers both quality residential and commercial plumbing services, including: installation of all stages of residential new construction plumbing systems; indoor and outdoor kitchens plumbing; bathrooms plumbing; townhome new construction plumbing; gas service lines testing and repair; under slab work that require tunneling to repair drains and new installation; complete home re-piping to upgrade cast iron plumbing lines to new PVC or flex lines; all plumbing service repairs involving lines, fixtures and connections; and reliable, thorough plumbing system wellness checks. In addition, the Daniel Plumbing team are water heater experts and can handle nearly every water heater related repair or installation issue. Customers have been quick to praise their services. Michelle S., from Houston, recently said, "Daniel Plumbing really came through in an emergency for me exceeding even my very high expectations. Five stars and fully recommended." For more information or to get a quote be sure to visit http://www.danielplumbingllc.com For more information, please visit http://www.danielplumbingllc.com Contact Info: Name: David Daniel Organization: Daniel Plumbing, LLC Address: PO Box 1131 Phone: (832) 977-6463 Release ID: 141063 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) Tempi Creates Tempi Metronome for Musicians Tempi LLC creates instrument that helps musicians of any age and experience make great music. -- Charlotte, North Carolina: Tempi LLC, a brand known for creating music instruments, showcases their newest creation, Tempi Metronome for Musicians. From their humble beginnings and their simple goal of providing high quality products to help music lovers, beginners and musicians achieve success in their music; they have come up with a new product that will no doubt create a buzz in the music industry. Many music lovers, beginners, and even musicians struggle with creating the perfect rhythm and melody. This is why the Tempi Metronome is a perfect fit for struggling musicians for it helps establish accurate musical timing, lets them play at a proper pace, provides them a firm sense of rhythm, helps in developing finger agility and preciseness, and shows them a visual sense of timing from the pendulum. Most of all, it can be used by a music lover, beginner or musician of any age or experience. https://www.amazon.com/Tempi-Tem-4000-Metronome-for-Musicians/dp/B015ULU8HI This musical instrument comes with 100% satisfaction guarantee and a 2-Year Warranty. Music lovers, beginners and musicians can now get the help they need in making great music without having to worry about not getting their money back if ever they are unsatisfied with the musical instrument's performance. The Tempi Metronome also comes with a bonus e-Book that gives tips on how to help musicians succeed. This is perfect for music lovers, beginners and musicians who want to decode the secrets behind the success of the greatest musicians in the industry just like the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Slash. Many are giving the Tempi as a Christmas gift to friends, family and loved ones. Check-Out the Tempi today! About Tempi LLC: Tempi LLC, is a US-based company that is dedicated in helping music lovers, beginners and musicians achieve success. All of their products are created in line with the philosophy: "offer elegant, superior products that have the potential to provide exceptional musical success". They pride themselves on keeping ahead of the industry with their continuous research and drive to improve. Learn more about Tempi by visiting their website : http://tempibrand.com For more information, please visit http://tempibrand.com/mechanical-metronome/ Contact Info: Name: Jamie Hill Organization: Tempi LLC Address: Charlotte NC Release ID: 140717 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) Resource Integrated Ltd. Announces 3D Printing Capabilities Resource Integrated Ltd., a boutique-style production firm based in Richmond Hill, is announcing they have just installed a 3D printer, designed to increase creativity and overall productivity. -- Resource Integrated Ltd. (www.ri007.ca), a boutique-style production firm that specializes in printing, retail fixtures and displays, and data driven communications, is excited to announce that it has just installed a brand new, state-of-the-art 3D printer, the Dimension SST 1200es, in its office. "As our world changes and evolves, it is important for our company to continue to move forward with today's innovations," says Antony Rubino, Managing Director of Resource Integrated Ltd. "The integration of 3D printing into our business will empower our clients and bring their creative visions to reality". The new Dimension SST 1200es, produced by Stratasys out of the U.S., is a revolution in 3D printing technology and is able to 3D print objects as large as 10x10x12 inches at a time. The printer utilizes Fuse Deposition Modeling (FDM) Technology, which allows the 3D models to be printed one layer at a time from the bottom up. All models are composed of engineering-grade thermoplastics and use ABSplus(TM) modeling material, allowing them to be sanded, drilled, and painted as desired to achieve the final finished product. "The potential of on-demand manufacturing is here today," says Rubino. "By exploring the additive manufacturing solution and logistics network, manufacturing companies of all sizes will be able to access on-demand industrial manufacturing with the touch of a button." The new 3D technology will be ideal for manufacturers who want to reduce inventory for slow-moving parts; industrial designers and engineers who want high quality rapid prototypes delivered as fast as one day; manufacturers and retailers of custom/semi-custom goods who could benefit from the cost-effective customization of goods; as well as those with short production runs where the cost to create the mould or tooling could make these orders too expensive for traditional manufacturing. Entrepreneurs, start-ups and manufacturers who don't currently have access to 3D printers or have limited capital and time will also benefit from the technology and can use 3D printing for rapid prototyping and manufacturing of initial production runs. "We are constantly experiencing growth and it makes the most sense to devote our time and effort to what is trending and working right now," says Rubino. "We look forward to helping our clients bring their design ideas to life through 3D printing." About Resource Integrated Ltd. Resource Integrated Ltd. is a Richmond Hill-based boutique-style production firm, specializing in printing, retail fixtures and displays, data driven communications, as well as logistics and installation. With over 35+ years of combined experience, the company follows an omni-channel approach to deliver innovative, cost-effective ideas that meet its clients' strategic goals. As the inventor of the Verde Fastframe (TM), a U.S., Canadian and European patent-approved SEG display and signage system, Resource Integrated Ltd. has the expertise to extend their clients' marketing and communication objectives right through to the retail space. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ri007.ca. For more information, please visit http://ri007.ca/ Contact Info: Name: Antony Rubino Organization: Resource Integrated Ltd Address: 100 Leek Crescent, Unit 4 Richmond Hill, ON, Canada Phone: 905 771 3773 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/resource-integrated-ltd-announces-3d-printing-capabilities/141130 Release ID: 141130 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) San Diego Medicare Insurance Broker Advantage & Prescription Drug Plans Launched Peter Palmiotto has launched a full-service Medicare Insurance Brokerage firm serving San Diego County. CEO of San Diego Medicare Options, he specializes in Medicare Insurance Supplemental, Advantage Plans and Prescription Drug Plans. -- Peter Palmiotto, CEO of San Diego Medicare Options, has launched his full-service Medicare Insurance Brokerage firm serving San Diego County. He specializes in Medicare Insurance Supplemental, Advantage Plans and Prescription Drug Plans. More information on Peter Palmiotto and San Diego Medical Options is available on their website at: http://sandiegomedicareoptions.com. Medicare rules can be different from state to state. California's Medicare Supplement Birthday Rule applies to people with a Medicare Supplement (medigap) insurance plan. What the rule states is that people can change plans to lower their premiums as long as the plan starts within 30 days of their birthday. This rule is a Guaranteed Issue period in which a person cannot be denied for any reason and doesn't have to answer any health questions. The Birthday Rule also states a person must change to a plan equal to their current coverage or a lower coverage plan. San Diego Medical Options helps seniors in San Diego County navigate the unknowns of Senior Health Care through Senior Insurance and Medicare coverage. As a broker, Peter Palmiotto represents dozens of insurance plans and has access to all types of Medicare Insurance in San Diego County. Peter Palmiotto offers full service support at no charge and travels to clients' home anywhere in San Diego County. He operates under CA License #0H48491. The three main products he offers include Medicare Insurance Supplemental Plans, Medicare Advantage Part C Plans and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D). Being a San Diego native, Palmiotto reports that he knows the importance of area knowlege, and he uses it to help his clients throughout the year add value to his products and services. He is a member of the National Association of Professional Agents. Palmiotto holds his Life & Health insurance license in multiple states and is certified to sell Medicare Advantage products through the America's Health Plan Insurance Plans. Supplemental Medi-Gap Insurance Carriers include but are not limited to Health Net, Gerber Life, Stonebridge Life, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, AARP Supplements, United American, Humana, Sentinel and Continental Life. More information on Peter Palmiotto and San Diego Medical Options is available at the website listed above. For more information, please visit http://www.sandiegomedicareoptions.com/ Contact Info: Name: Peter Palmiotto Email: peterpalmiotto@gmail.com Organization: San Diego Medicare Options Address: PO Box 7963 Phone: 1-888-939-7383 Release ID: 141139 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) Orion Code Software Review Website Launched By Edward Robinson CEO Of The Orion Code Trading System Orion Code Software Review website has been launched by Edward Robinson CEO Of The Orion Code Trading System. The Orion Code System is New APP to assist binary options trading. -- Orion Code facts are presented within the new website published by OrionCode.co Website to explain new binary options trading strategies and highlights of the Orion Code training program as well as in-depth analysis of the trading software. Orion Code Software is purported to trade binary options with increased achievement and guarantee. When it comes to newbie traders, it's a challenge to get going in the binary market due to deficiency of information. The Orion Code binary options trading Signal Software delivers the appropriate guidance to enhance efficiency in the options trading market. Furthermore, Orion Code signals can be found to traders that the algorithms demonstrate the best odds of good performance. Edward Robinson Orion Code software is free to download and install, delivers traders aided by the trading system which will certainly lower the risk level related with options trading industry. A very simple Two-step procedure is needed to set up an Orion Code trading account with the broker. The price to download and install the Orion Code software is totally %100 free. The download and install from the Orion Code website is convenient and easy to undertake. Together with Orion Code system expected to identify relevant trading signals as well as the educational resources to train newbie traders the essential information regarding the trading strategies associated with trading binary options, the Orion Code system is maintained by an exceptionally professional and seasoned customer service team. The mathematical algorithms that the Orion Code Software purports to traders will manage to benefit newbies traders, not to mention those who're considerably more knowledgeable. Orion Code is applying New Technologies that scraps latest updates of any currencies, commodities and Indices. That features the best options to trade with the Orion Code APP. A Investor can see the most recommended trading options in the trading platform. That's the total calculation of the Orion Code trading system which investor can view and decide whether to trade or not. The Orion Code Software is formulated with options to trade manually and auto trading. Every control is on the members utilizing the Industry Leading trading System with the trustworthy brokers. Features of Orion Code Accuracy on Orion Code Signals- With 93% accuracy with the live trading signals can make traders gain success really quick who is composed with a good investment. The success ratio of a Orion Code members is between %83 and %91. The Orion Code members will choose the trading options Manual or Auto Trading, the Orion Code system is configured to take care of the Entry Position and Exit Position in Autopilot. Trading Options- A investor has manual trading options or auto trading options with the recommended trading Indexes and trade on one's own. 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Orion Code Binary signals that are defined by the trading system is the outcome of analyzing and examining countless market movements from around the World. For more information, please visit http://orioncode.co Contact Info: Name: Edward Robinson Organization: Orion Code Source: http://marketersmedia.com/orion-code-software-review-website-launched-by-edward-robinson-ceo-of-the-orion-code-trading-system/141320 Release ID: 141320 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) India-Sri Lanka joint military exercise Mitra Shakti 2016 begins Published: October 26, 2016 The fourth edition of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Military Exercise MITRA SHAKTI 2016 began at Sinha Regimental Centre in Ambepussa, Sri Lanka. The main focus of this edition of joint exercise is to enhance inter-operability while carrying out Counter Terrorism (CT) and Counter Insurgency (CI) operations under the UN Mandate. Key Facts Under this mandate the comprehensive training programme spanning fourteen days (24 October to 06 November 2016) has been drawn up. In this edition of exercise, India is being represented by a platoon from the RAJPUTANA RIFLES Regiment and Sri Lankan Army is represented by a platoon from the Sinha Regiment. The bilateral military exercise will be conducted in two stages in which both armies will get familiar each others respective methodology of such operations, arms and equipment and the command and control systems. It will also graduate towards tactical understanding to enhance inter-operability while carrying out Counter Terrorism (CT)/ Counter Insurgency (CI) operations. Background Mitra Shakti series of bilateral exercises is one of the major bilateral defence cooperation initiatives between India and Sri Lanka since 2013. The previous edition of the exercise between both nations was successfully conducted in September 2015 at Pune, Mahrashtra. Month: Current Affairs - October, 2016 Topics: Defence India-Sri Lanka Indian Military Exercises Military Exercises mitra shakti National Latest E-Books Sign up for Free Times Weekend newsletter! Let us help you find something to do around town. Receive a breakdown of the weeks best concerts, shows and other happenings to your inbox from Free Times! First-term Irmo Mayor Barry Walker announced Sept. 26 that he had tested positive for the coronavirus. The mayors wife, Susan, also got COVD-19, Walker said on social media. As you know Im a kidney patient and require weekly dialysis, Walker wrote. This virus compromises my immune syste Read moreWhat You Missed: Irmo Mayor Barry Walker gets COVID-19 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. Uttarakhand High court bans sale of whitener Published: October 26, 2016 The Uttarakhand High Court ordered state government to completely ban on the sale of whitener in the state following the death of a teenager from sniffing an excess of it. The High Court issued the order by taking suo motu cognisance of the death of the 14-year-old boy due to sniffing excess whitener for a kick. Besides, the high court also ordered that items such as Feviquick, Iodex should not be sold to children below 18 years of age in view of prevalent abuse of these among teenagers. What are whiteners? Whiteners are mainly used for erasing ink on paper and as shoe whitener. It contains volatile aliphatic petroleum hydrocarbons such toluene and trychloroethane which are intoxicating chemicals. What is whitener-inhalation addiction? In whitener-inhalation addiction, people inhale the whitener i.e. intoxicating chemicals present in it. By doing this for some time, it makes the sniffer dizzy, high and disconnected. It has a hallucinatory effect on the sniffer. Thus, it is the first step to drug addiction or alcoholism. The whitener abuse is generally seen among the youths. The problem has been compounded by its easy procurement, negligible cost and its lack of odour. What are side-effects of whitener-inhalation addiction on health? Whiteners contain hydrocarbons which is deadly solvents that can infuse easily with the blood and can affect the central nervous system of a person. Some of the reported symptoms of solvent addiction are uncharacteristic behaviours such as mood swings and insomnia and it may results in kidney, liver and lung damage What measures need to be taken to stop it? Government should completely ban the sale of products that contain intoxicating chemicals, like the whitener. Month: Current Affairs - October, 2016 Topics: Alcohol Drug Abuse Highcourts States Uttarakhand Latest E-Books : , 10 5 Declining farm incomes have contributed to the size of the agricultural workforce in Scotland falling to a record low. The Scottish government has released its June 2016 census results, which show a headcount working in agriculture of 63,400, a drop of 1,900 on 2015 figures. This follows similar drops in 2013, 2014 and 2015. NFU Scotlands director of policy Jonnie Hall said: With farm incomes having halved in the past four years and declining levels of support, it is unsurprising, but disappointing to see that many businesses are pruning back on full-time labour. Instead, they are opting to use family, part-time labour, machinery rings and contactors more and more. See also: Census shows 5% drop in NI farmworkers For the first time, the government has also published statistics on the use of migrant labour by the Scottish farming industry. They show that 430,000 working days were undertaken in the year to June 2016, down 6.5% on the previous year. On the basis that one full-time employee works the equivalent of 1,900 hours/year, this figure equates to about 1,800 people working full time. Cereal shrinkage The census figures also showed a 3% reduction in the cereal area (to 432,00ha) and 14.5% drop in oilseed rape plantings (to 31,000ha). However, fallow increased markedly for the second consecutive year by 10,000ha to 43,000ha. Peter Loggie, NFUS combinable crops policy manager, said the falls in planted areas reflected continued poor returns for commodities. The large increase in fallow is partially down to greening measures and more farmers opting to put land in fallow to meet their Ecological Focus Areas [EFA] requirements. Fallow has been the preferred choice due to the complexity of rules for the other EFA options (especially nitrogen-fixing crops), but more land is also being placed into fallow due to the ongoing poor returns for cereals and oilseeds. In 2016, a requirement was introduced for farmers wanting to use nitrogen-fixing crops as an EFA to grow at least two varieties. Many farmers have found this impractical, which has resulted in a 47% drop in the pea area and a 26% fall in beans. The combined area of the two crops is now 20% lower than it was five years ago. Story Highlights 36% favor a ban on assault rifles, down from 44% four years ago Half of Democrats and a quarter of Republicans favor this ban A majority of those in households without guns oppose such a ban WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The fewest Americans in 20 years favor making it illegal to manufacture, sell or possess semi-automatic guns known as assault rifles. Thirty-six percent now want an assault weapons ban, down from 44% in 2012 and 57% when Gallup first asked the question in 1996. Assault rifles have been a contentious issue in American life for decades. Two years after President Bill Clinton signed a federal assault weapons ban in 1994, Gallup found that a solid majority of Americans favored such a ban. By the time the 10-year ban expired in 2004, Americans were evenly divided. And by 2011, public opinion had tilted against the assault weapons ban, with 53% opposed and 43% in favor. In Gallup's 2016 Crime poll, conducted Oct. 5-9, opposition now exceeds support by 25 percentage points, 61% to 36%. Perhaps paradoxically, opposition toward a ban has increased against a backdrop of multiple mass shootings and terrorist attacks in which the perpetrators used assault rifles. These guns were used in high-profile incidents, including the terrorist attacks in San Bernardino, California, and Orlando, and the mass shootings in Aurora, Colorado, and Newtown, Connecticut. Support for Ban Wanes Among Democrats, Republicans In the past 20 years, support for an assault weapons ban has fallen among all partisan groups, but more so among Republicans than Democrats. Currently, 50% of Democrats and 25% of Republicans favor a ban; in 1996, 63% of Democrats and 50% of Republicans did so. The partisan gap in support has doubled, from 13 points in 1996 to 25 points today. Independents also have grown less inclined to back an assault weapons ban, dropping from a peak of 63% in favor of a ban in 2000 to 31% in the latest poll. From 2004 to 2011, support among independents plunged from 51% to 42%, echoing the nine-point drop among Republicans during that period. Both Gun and Non-Gun Households Retreat in Ban Support Support for a ban has declined among both those with and those without a gun in the home. In 2004, 55% of those in non-gun households supported a ban; this year, 45% do. Likewise, while those with a gun in the home have never favored a ban on assault weapons, support is now at an all-time low of 26%. Americans living in households with guns have consistently been less likely than those in non-gun households to favor a ban. The percentage of those with a gun in the home who favor an assault weapons ban has declined steadily since 2004. Americans Less Likely to Favor Tougher Gun Laws in General The decline in support for an assault weapons ban mirrors the trend for those saying there should be a law banning the possession of handguns, except by the police or other authorized people. Currently, 23% of Americans favor such a ban, down from 26% in 2011 and 36% in 2004. At the same time, 55% of Americans say laws covering the sale of firearms should be made more strict, with 10% saying the laws should be less strict and 34% saying they should be kept as they are now. The percentage favoring stricter gun laws has fluctuated between 43% and 60% since 2004, with no clear increase or decrease in support. But it is down from levels consistently at or above 60% in the 1990s, including a high of 78% in 1990. Bottom Line In an era of ongoing terrorist attacks and mass shootings in the U.S., Americans are now more likely to oppose an assault weapons ban than they have been in two decades. One reason may be the large increase in opposition to such a ban among Republicans. Whereas 20 years ago half of Republicans were open to such legislation, now only one in four are. But politics alone do not explain the declining support, since it has dropped among independents and Democrats as well, although on a smaller scale. It is possible this represents a backlash against calls by some in the national media and the federal government to ban certain weapons after mass shootings occur. This backlash may reflect growing apprehension that the government may infringe upon particular civil and personal liberties. Gallup finds even lower levels of support for other potential bans, such as those on handguns and cigarettes. It is striking -- and unusual -- that fewer Democrats than ever support an assault weapons ban, since the Democratic Party has been instrumental in pushing for stricter gun laws. However, it is worth noting that a majority of Americans still believe there should be stricter laws governing the sale of firearms, even as they are reluctant to endorse a ban on handguns and assault weapons. In general, a majority of Americans say they are dissatisfied with the nation's gun laws, furthering the complexity of this issue. Historical data are available in Gallup Analytics. Survey Methods Results for this Gallup poll are based on telephone interviews conducted Oct. 5-9, 2016, with a random sample of 1,017 adults, 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 4 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 complete question responses and trends. Learn more about how the Gallup Poll Social Series works. Democratic nominee for US President Hillary Clinton has been made a -150 favorite to win the state of Arizona though Republican nominee Donald Trump was still favored to win Georgia (-250), a state where polls have tightened in recent days. AD: Get Up to $1000 in Free Bets Bet on Every State Election Results at BetOnline A Monmouth University poll released Tuesday had Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton just 1 point apart in Arizona, 46%-45%. Trump was still favored to win Texas at 1-5 odds despite that race getting much closer. Utah was shaping up to be a most unusual situation in that 3rd party candidate and state resident Evan McMullin was now a -110 favorite to win. This could serve as a tremendous blow to Trump with Utah reliable red for the past few decades. Trump was at EVEN to +120 odds in that state while Clinton was coming in 8-1. The big swing state prize of Ohio, which Trump had enjoyed a slight lead in, was now priced at -175 for Clinton. - Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com iOS 10 Jailbreak Release Date, News and Update: Jailbreak Tool to Arrive as Soon as Apple Rolls Out iOS 10.1! More Details! Jailbreak fans are definitely waiting for the rumored iOS 10 jailbreak tool, which is expected to come out anytime soon. According to the latest reports, the Chinese jailbreak group Pangu is just waiting for the first Apple software update to be launched before they roll out the tool. As of the moment, the jailbreak team has yet to provide the specifics of the iOS 10 jailbreak tool roll out date; however, people believe that it will arrive before the end of November. The last time Pangu has rolled out a jailbreak tool was for iOS 9.3.3 and since then fans have been waiting for another one to come out. Jailbreak fanatics are getting worried as it has been reported that the new iOS operating system has the best security feature, which makes it harder to jailbreak. The new Apple iOS10 was introduced during this year's WWDC event in June, and the Cupertino based company has revealed during the affair that the new software has the best security feature. Since its launching, Apple has already rolled two updates - the 10.0.1 and 10.0.2. Although the pair of updates was meant to fix minor bugs and improve the performance of the software, no major changes were made. In a report by MobiPicker, the iOS 10.0.1 and iOS 10.0.2 updates may have caused the delay of Pangu's iOS 10 jailbreak tool. According to the report, the Chinese hacking team is currently trying to come up with the best tool for iOS 10. There are speculations suggesting that Pangu is being challenged by the security feature of the Apple's new operating system. If rumors prove to be true, the iOS 10 jailbreak tool will be rolled out as soon as Apple releases the the iOS 10.1. Stay tuned for more news and updates regarding the upcoming iOS 10 jailbreak tool. Jamie Dornan, Dakota Johnson News & Update: Fifty Shades Darker Stars Caught In A Love Triangle With Cara Delevingne? Dornan Pissed Off? "Fifty Shades Darker" stars Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson is reportedly spewing fires at each other after the former learned that she's dating British model Cara Delevingne. Dornan and Johnson are rumored to be having an affair since they started filming "Fifty Shades" franchise. In this intricate web of love and deceit, who's playing who? Dakota Johnson Dating Cara Delevingne? Reports from Celeb Dirty Laundry suggest that "Fifty Shades Darker" stars Dakota Johnson and "Suicide Squad" actress Cara Delevingne are reportedly dating thanks to Taylor Swift. After a tumultuous relationship with ex-boyfriend Matthew Hitt, Johnson is rumored to have finally moved on with the help of Delevingne. What's more exciting perhaps is the thought that Johnson may now be one of Taylor's squads. When Dakota Johnson started hanging out with Taylor Swift and her squad - which includes Cara Delevingne - "Fifty Shades Darker" temptress offered a comforting shoulder to Cara Delevingne. The British model was rumored to be nursing her broken heart after she found out her ex-girlfriend was hanging out with Kristen Stewart. Taylor Swift, Dakota Johnson, and Cara Delevingne going out to dinner tonight in New York City! pic.twitter.com/BNGWVT8TXu Taylor Swift Updates (@tayIorscurIs) October 15, 2016 Since then, the Dakota Johnson and Cara Delevingne became inseparable. They were spotted spending time together even without the Taylor Swift's pre-selected squad. Jamie Dornan Furious With Dakota & Cara? However, this news wasn't met with approval from "Fifty Shades Darker" co-star Jamie Dornan. Worse, he's reportedly angry towards the budding relationship between Dakota Johnson and Cara Delevingne. This prompted speculations that Jamie Dornan may actually be jealous of Cara Delevingne. There were reports that Dornan and Johnson hit it off in real life after "Fifty Shades of Grey." Since Jamie Dornan is married, this could put Dakota Johnson in a complicated position if she's indeed had an affair with him. There are reports suggesting that Johnson may have grown tired waiting for her co-star to divorce his wife, veering her attention to someone else instead. However, previous reports said that Jamie Dornan and wife Amelia Wagner are happily married with two kids. Stay tuned for more updates on Jamie Dornan, Dakota Johnson and Cara Delevingne. In the meantime, watch the trailer for "Fifty Shades Darker" below. 'Star Wars' Spinoff Han Solo Film Could Reveal True Origins Of Lando Calrissian's Bromance With Millennium Falcon Captain It's official: Lando Calrissian is joining the highly anticipated "Star Wars" spinoff film that will chronicle Han Solo's origin story. In more awesome news, he will be played by "Atlanta" star Donald Glover. But perhaps the best thing about Lando's return has more to do with what fans can expect when two smugglers meet and possibly play a game of sabacc. Will the world finally see Lando's bromance with Han before he lost the Millennium Falcon? Donald Glover Confirmed As Lando Calrissian In 'Star Wars' Han Solo Film It's hard to imagine anybody else but Billy Dee Williams playing the administrator of Cloud City, but it looks like Christopher Miller and Phil Lord found the perfect young Lando Calrissian. According to StarWars.com, the two directors were elated to have Donald Glover in the upcoming Han Solo film and somehow confirmed that the former "Community" actor will wear Lando's iconic cape. "These are big shoes to fill, and an even bigger cape, and this one fits him perfectly, which will save us money on alterations," Miller and Lord said in a statement. In addition to that, the "Star Wars" directors apologized to Donald Glover "for ruining Comic-Con for him forever." So now that Lando Calrissian and Han Solo are set to meet, who's up for a game of sabacc? 'Star Wars' Spinoff Film Reveals Lando Calrissian Bromance With Han Solo Before Losing The Millennium Falcon? It looks like fans will finally find out how to play the card game that helped Han Solo win the Millennium Falcon from Lando Calrissian. However, there are also speculations that the "Star Wars" spinoff film will show more of Han's bromance with Lando before the stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf herder took the Falcon. The film also stars Alden Ehrenreich and is expected to premiere in May 2018. Pokemon Go Release Date, News & Update: Catching Rares Just Got Easier With Latest Nest Migration Niantic Labs made some changes to Pokemon Go nests and expected to be immediately affected are the spawns that these locations have to offer. With that in mind, the first thing that comes to mind is the state of rare Pokemon critters. Are they finally coming out? Finding that out may be the tough part since the only way to find out if there are changes in spawns would be to check out the new Pokemon Go nests spread, according to a thread on Reddit. For avid gamers, the hunt for rares have been pretty tough to come by and many are hoping that at least some of them will now be out. It should be noted that pinning down the nests is as hard as capturing the special Pokemon. They do spawn but given that they randomly change means that it will still be a game of chance. Hence, the only recourse is to continue to be alert and aware of the spawns happening on a Pokemon Go players surroundings which hopefully results in a more powerful critter appearing. The random nest migrations are speculated to happen once a month though this is up for confirmation, Forbes reported. With Pokemon Go nests set, the next order of business is to figure out which critters will be popping up. With a long list to refer to, the Pokemon Go creatures appearing could be anything. Hence, there are nothing players can do but to get up and Pokemon Go. The point here is that Niantic hopes to start something new with the randomly changing nests where Pokemon Go critters are at. It remains to be seen if other changes come with the next migrations, hopefully, nothing that would disappoint. The company is already experiencing active game losses so coming up with another bust of an update is the last thing that they want to do on the augmented reality game. Xiaomi Mi Note 2 Latest News & Updates: Will It Be the Future 'Gold Mine' of the Company? Specs, Design Revealed! The Xiaomi Mi Note 2 seems to be slowly getting up and into the good side of the masses. The specs of the particular device have already gone all over the web, not holding back on the information that makes the said Android the next big thing, especially after what Samsung users went through recently. As many can justify, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 received a painful reception from the fans as it went on to be immensely flawed in terms of battery stability. Setting aside the beauty and sleekness of its design, fans were left disappointed with the way that the device's battery literally went to smoke and even burned up even when not in use. Tragic as it may sound for Samsung, this may be the opening that the Xiaomi Mi Note 2 is supposed to capitalize upon. It was in a recent Twitter post by Hugo Barra, the Global VP of Xiaomi, wherein the specs of the Xiaomi Mi Note 2 were detailed. These include having front and back 3D curved glass, as well as having a 5.7-inch 2K OLED display which is a curved option. It is also worth pointing out that the Xiaomi Mi Note 2 is one of the select few to don the bendable screen system apart from the Samsung Galaxy product line. The Xiaomi Mi Note 2 has a fingerprint sensor under the home button, respectively. As for the system itself, it dons a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor with a 4,070mAh battery with over 6GB of RAM. Lastly, for those who wish to know more about the camera specs, a 22.56MP sensor is rigged into it care of Sony with an 8MP front camera as well. Reports say that the Xiaomi Mi Note 2 is designed almost identically to that of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 and might be the awaited replacement for it, but it may only be made available to China for the time being. This is somewhat questionable since the existence of a "global version" has been heard of that keeps hopes up that it will apparently go all across the globe. The Xiaomi Mi Note 2 was given a price of about $410 or 2799 Yuan, standing and 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. Stay put for more news and information here at GamenGuide. 'PS4 Pro' Release Date Latest News & Update: PlayStation 4 Pro UK Price and Specs Specified The new "PS4 Pro" is here and it sounds grisly incredible. Following quite a while of talk, hypothesis, and guess, and also a couple of, best potential names, Sony has at long last released its new PS4 console. The "PS4 Pro" does one thing that really isolates it from the pack and, imperatively, Microsoft's Xbox One S - genuine, 4K gaming. This is the first run through any support has ever done 4K gaming and in today's market, it is a gigantic USP that will just grow further as 4K HDTVs turn out to be more ordinary. Sony likewise released a thinned down variant of the PS4 called the PS4 Slim. This support packs in all an indistinguishable innovation from its ancestor just in a much littler housing. The console will exist close by the base "PS4 Pro" display, not supplant it - this one is directed for those with a 4K HDTV. It will send with a 1TB hard drive, an overhauled GPU, and backing for 4K yield and HDR gaming.As seen in Amazon.co.uk. Yes, the PS4 Pro is basically just two PS4s duct taped together: https://t.co/Uy3WhFIpAB pic.twitter.com/rGmqPB13mq GamesRadar+ (@GamesRadar) October 25, 2016 Wanna be first in line for the "PS4 Pro" when it drops on November 10? Course you do! There are a lot of places where you can pre-order the item so as to guarantee when it's ready . MacBook Air 2017 Release Date, Specs, News & Update: Wont Appear Until 2017, Disappointing 2016 Update, Price Revealed Apple has made a tiny and disappointing update for MacBook Air. MacBook Air is also anticipated to price above $1200, new specs excluded. According to CEO Tim Cook, MacBook Air 2017 shouldn't be expected until next year. TechnSmart shared that MacBook Air as expected to make a RAM upgrade for the 13 inch model on its standard package, but it is merely included which makes users disappointed. Users need to wait for next year or maybe late this year's update. During the March 21, 2016 special event hosted by Apple the new MacBook Air and MacBook models were expected to be introduced. But instead Apple only introduced its new iPhone SE and iPad Pro with 9.7 in. screen. [MaJ] Du nouveau pour les MacBook Pro/Air 2016, et des iMac pas avant 2017 ! https://t.co/tMqy3i6M4n pic.twitter.com/Zretx0hZz9 Patrice COUTURIER (@mediasconcept) October 24, 2016 There were a lot of questions for the new MacBook Air 2017 regarding its specs and features including its release date in UK and will MacBook Air finally gets a Retina display. However, Apple has sent invitations for a press event on Thursday, October 27 at its Cupertino headquarters Mac World reported. Meanwhile, MacBook Air will be available in three variants, the 11 inch, 13 inch and the 15 inch screen with retina display. It is also expected to sport an Apple-pencil trackpad which is rumored that users can operate in different modes like joystick mode. MacBook Air 2017 is set to launch October 27 during its press event according to Mac Otaraka and MacRumours except with its 11 in. variant which have not received any updates yet. Theory regarding the no show of MacBook Air unitl 2017, has been backed-up with ZDNet and claims that the new MacBook Air will make an appearance. The Google Pixel was released a few weeks ago on Google's Oct. 4 event. The device is Google's first smartphone release and goes head to head with Samsung's Galaxy S7 and Apple's iPhone 7. Weeks after, reports of issues with lens flare when using the camera has been reported with Google Pixel. A report from 9to5Google describes the lens flare issue as a "halo effect" in photos that appear when the camera hits a light source and is aimed at a certain angle. While lens flare is a typical issue found in all cameras, the Pixel seems to be more sensitive to it. A group of Android users reported and posted the issue on Google's Pixel Community Page. According to the post, the flare issue happens both with on-screen and off-screen light sources. The post also includes a link to a Reddit Poll asking Pixel users whether their camera lens has the flare issue or not. At the time of this writing, 59 users voted "Yes" and 70 users voted "No". Today, Google posted a response to the issue in the official Pixel User Community page. User IsaacOnCamera, who appears to be directly involved with the Pixel's development, said that a software update will be released in the "next few weeks" to improve the issue. The update is said to have an algorithm that recognizes the flare and will take it off the image. Pixel users will need to use the HDR+ feature for the fix to work. Isaac's response also said that the flare issue is not an isolated one, meaning all Pixel devices will have the same flare issue. Several responses thanked Isaac for the quick response to the issue, while other users brought up different camera issues, like rainbow lines across an image and a similar halo flare when taking a photo of a candle in a dark room. Isaac made it clear that these issues are yet to be studied, and whether it's serious enough to issue a separate "fix". For now, though, Google is focused on fixing the flare issue found in the Pixel. Galaxy S7 Edge Explodes while Charging in the US Samsung is under fire after frequent reports of their Galaxy Note 7 exploding and suddenly bursting in flames. However, this may not be the only problem the company will be facing as another of their flagship phone, the Galaxy S7 Edge which was released last March, had the same type of reports. An employee of a big wireless carrier in the U.S. has been hit with bad luck from Samsung. Initially, the person owned a Galaxy Note 7 version 2, the one with the supposed safe battery which was the replacement unit for Note 7 owners when the exploding battery issue began. After the company issued a global recall, he then had the unit replaced with a Galaxy S7 Edge. While charging the device one night with the original included charger, the phone suddenly exploded, according to Fortune. No injuries and minimal damages were sustained. Samsung is yet to release a statement regarding the specific Galaxy S7 Edge incident, however, the company has made a statement during a different case involving the same unit catching fire. There have been a total of two recent reported cases of an exploding S7 Edge. The other one is a Canadian owner driving home from work when his unit erupted, according to Economic Times. Despite reports, Samsung is not going to pull out the relatively new device from the market. The frequency is still within the limits and deemed normal. Devices with lithium-ion batteries theoretically have the tendency to explode. Nevertheless, during the most controversial Galaxy S7 Edge exploding case involving a man in Ohio whom reportedly received second and third degree burns, the company said that they will be investigating the case. The victim is suing the company for his injuries. This might be the greatest setback Samsung has experienced. Their Galaxy Note 7 fiasco will cost them $3 billion dollars in the end. The less controversial Galaxy S7 Edge is not helping in overcoming that lost. Samsung Galaxy S8 Release Date, , News & Update: Amazing Specs & Features Revealed; Galaxy S8, OnePlus 4 Better Than iPhone 7? Following the disappointing release of Samsung Galaxy Note 7, the South Korean company has shifted their focus on its upcoming flagship smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S8. Although the tech giant has yet to provide concrete details with regard to its development and release date, the device has already been a favorite subject of numerous reports and speculations all over the Internet. Now new reports have emerged suggesting that Samsung Galaxy S8 could come out as the most powerful smartphone ever. It is a pretty bold statement, considering that Apple's iPhone 8 is also expected to arrive in 2017. According to the report, the new Samsung Galaxy S8 will carry an impressive set of features and specs under the hood. There are speculations suggesting that the company might use two powerful processors on the device, the octa-core Snapdragon 830 from Qualcomm and Samsung's Exynos 8895 processor. The Samsung Galaxy S8 device will also carry 6 GB of RAM and much bigger battery hardware than its predecessor at 4,200 mAh. The report added that the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S8 will have full 4K support and is perfect for the VR technology. Although Samsung has yet to confirm these reports, several fans believe that it is only a matter of time before the company makes the new Samsung Galaxy S8 official. Other rumored features of the device include a 30 MP primary camera paired with an 8 MP front-facing snapper. The device is expected to sport a 5.1-inch display for the standard handset, while the Samsung Galaxy S8 Edge is expected to carry a 5.5-inch screen with OLED display technology. Meanwhile, the new Samsung Galaxy S8 will certainly face tough competition in OnePlus 4. According to a report by The News Independent, the Chinese tech manufacturer is getting ready to launch its new "flagship killer" device. The handset is also expected to carry impressive specs under the hood headed by the powerful Snapdragon 830 from Qualcomm. Stay tuned for more news and updates about the development and release of Samsung Galaxy S8. 'Chicago P.D.' Season 4 Spoilers: Drug Ring Targeting Students Gets Busted; Halstead Hopes to Stop Mouse From Enlisting in the Army Again After a two week hiatus, "Chicago P.D." Season 4 will return this Wednesday with an episode that will see Chicago's finest attempt to bust a drug ring that has college students as its main targets. It all starts when a mysterious backpack is washed up in the lake in the upcoming "Chicago P.D." episode reports NBC Universal Media Village. Hank Voight (Jason Beghe) finds a pack of deadly opiates inside it. Known as fentanyl, the fatal drug is known to have been responsible for the deaths of many people in Chicago. Soon, the body of a dead college student is discovered by the team. In the "Chicago P.D." Season 4 episode titled "A War Zone", Officer Adam Ruzek (Patrick John Flueger) will pose as a college student in order to get information and eventually bust the drug ring. The team learns that a drug dealer named Red knows the source of fentanyl in Chicago. Ruzek poses as a drug junkie looking for a quick fix and transacts with Red that will lead to the dealer's arrest. Meanwhile, in the same "Chicago P.D." episode, Mouse (Samuel Hunt) will worry everyone in the department when he revealed his intention of reenlisting in the army and leave his job as the tech expert in the Intelligence Unit. He asks Voight to drop his felony record for him to sign up once again. According to TV Guide, Mouse's friend Detective Jay Halstead (Jesse Lee Soffer), who served as Army Ranger with Mouse, will be adamant in his opposition to his idea according to "Chicago P.D." Season 4 spoilers. It will now be up to Halstead to convince Mouse not to go back to the difficult life of an enlisted man. As "Chicago P.D." fans know, it was Halstead who helped Mouse get back on his feet during a difficult phase in his life. He now believes that if Mouse will enlist in the army, both their efforts will all be for nothing. Elsewhere in "Chicago P.D." Season 4 episode 5, Patrol Officers Burgess (Marina Squerciati) and Tay (Li Jun Li) will come across a bloodied child who later exposes a home life with a dark and twisted secret. Jay Halstead's brother Will (Nick Gehlfuss) from "Chicago Med" will be making a stop in the department to warn him of the dangers of the new drug fentanyl which has already claimed many lives in the hospital. The term Windows always rings a bell to computer literate individuals. While it's a fact that computers have been rising in modern day era, mobile phones are also rising in popularity in the technology industry. Windows has been one of Microsoft's bandwagon products and its continued spectrum of services delivered especially in today's technology. They may have missed out on mobile, but it isn't out of business just yet, thanks to Windows Phone OS and its niche brand of Windows phones. In fact, Windows Phone still has less than one percent share in the global smartphone market, reports Mashable Asia. "We clearly missed the mobile phone, there's no question. Our goal now is to make sure we grow new categories", said CEO Satya Nadella at the opening dinner for the Wall Street Journal's WSJD Live conference on Monday, Oct. 24. Nadella also said that his company won't make the same mistake again with augmented and virtual reality. Still, augmented reality is important for the company's future growth. Microsoft's variety of service will continue to diversify. "We have devices which are phones today but the place where we are focused on, given where the market is, is what the unique thing that our phone can do. We have a phone that in fact can replace your PC, the same way we have a tablet that can replace your laptop. Those are the categories that we want to go create," Nadella explained. Nadella highlighted the missed opportunity for Microsoft to integrate computer and mobile phone functionality. "If anything, the lesson learned for us, was thinking of PC as the hub for all things for all time to come. It was perhaps one of the bigger mistakes we made," he reflected. He also added that he always tries to stay "in the hunt for the next high volume category." Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational technology company headquartered in Redmond, Washington founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen on April 4, 1975. The company develops, manufactures, licenses, supports and sells computer software, consumer electronics and personal computers and services. Rotary got started in Long Beach in 1917 when seven local businessmen met with a New York Rotarian who talked about his club there. Plans for the Park Hills-Leadington Chamber of Commerces third annual Chamber Cares: Tushies & Toes Drive" are in full swing. Almost twice as many businesses as last year have already signed up to be drop-off points for the drive which runs for five extra days this year from Nov. 1 through Dec. 20. The holiday donation drive for children's underwear and socks benefits the students of Central R-3 schools. Local businesses act as volunteer collection sites for donated undies and socks for children of pre-school age to 11 years old. Drive organizers are asking for new underwear and socks of any size from zero to 12. Anyone who wants to make a donation simply drops off the underwear and/or socks at the chamber office or any participating business or organization during that period. The chamber encourages participating businesses and organizations to get creative during the drive and to consider offering prizes or other incentives or to create a contest to see who can collect the most donations. Last year we collected 205 packages of underwear and socks exceeding our goal of 200 as well as monetary donations to help with the purchase of shoes for use at Central Schools, said Executive Director Tammi Coleman. They are given to students in need, students who come to school without these necessities and are used for in-school accidents. This year we'd like to continue to increase our numbers so we're setting a goal of 250 packages of socks and underwear collected. Chamber investors are encouraged to bring in their personal donations to the November and December chamber investor meetings. Collection sponsors are asked to bring all donations to the December investor meeting for a photo op. For more information, contact Coleman at 573-431-1051. Kris Asleson is more than halfway to his goal of funding 50 "Farms in a Barrel" for his nonprofit corporation, thanks to a little help from the Albany Kiwanis Club. The 28-year-old Santiam Christian alumnus, son of Jim and Elke Asleson of Albany, now lives in Portland. He's founder and executive director of Truth x Vision, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) he began at the age of 16. With an overall goal of fighting poverty and hunger worldwide, Truth x Vision concentrates on two main projects: Farm in a Barrel, which debuted in Ghana three years ago, and Village Drill, which started last year. A third project, Mission Month, invites volunteers to travel with Truth x Vision representatives, joining in on a project firsthand. More about all three initiatives, as well as information on how to contribute, is available on Asleson's website, https://truthxvision.org. Farm in a Barrel offers everything a farmer would need to set up a tiny chicken ranch: framework and wire for a 6-by-6-foot coop, a feeder system, a nylon cover, tools for assembly and the 55-gallon barrel itself for water. Each pen holds up to 30 chickens, which farmers buy locally, along with their feed. Members of the Albany Kiwanis Club invited Asleson to talk about Truth x Vision at their Oct. 20 meeting. The club gave $700, which covers the $600 cost of a barrel and helps with the shipping cost. "Our club was very impressed with Kris' report on his organization and how receiving a Farm in a Barrel can change a family's life for the long term," explained Kiwanis member Ann Boyce. The donation paid for the 30th of Asleson's 50-barrel goal. Eventually, he said, Truth x Vision would like to establish a production base for the barrels in Ghana itself, both to cut shipping costs usually about $1,000 and provide local jobs. In the meantime, the group is concentrating both on providing more barrels and on its newest initiative, Village Drill. Donations of $3,000 pay for a manual drill, powered by a team of local entrepreneurs, that can reach clean, safe drinking water 280 feet underground. The team has drilled only two wells so far, but working full time, it could drill 20 to 40 wells per year, Asleson said. The goal is to get up to full capacity. Growing up in Albany, Asleson said he doesn't remember a particular moment when he suddenly decided he wanted to help end world hunger. It was more of a growing awareness and a sense he could and should be doing something. It's a sense he wants to pass on to future generations, so that young people growing up now will join the effort to eradicate poverty. "I'm a numbers person, and I couldn't believe in this world of space exploration and wi-fi, we have a billion people who don't have access to clean water," he said. "I'm trying to do my part." Criminal justice and mental health practitioner Hyatt Lytle is running against retired human resources manager Neil Goudriaan in the Corvallis City Council race in Ward 3 in south Corvallis. Goudriaan and Lytle are seeking to replace Zach Baker, who is stepping down after one two-year term. The Goudriaan-Lytle race is one of four contested council races in the Nov. 8 election. Both candidates expressed concern about the homeless issue, which went to the front burner in south Corvallis when a proposal was put forward to put up a tent camp on property on Highway 99W near Southeast Rivergreen Avenue. Goudriaan said that the level of services the city provides has made the city a magnet for homeless from out of town. Goudriaan favors a rotation of the mens cold weather shelter in each city ward should such a facility still be required after the current winter season at the controversial Southwest Fourth Street location. Goudriaan also said that the current resources devoted to the problem need to evaluated in an effort to eliminate administrative costs and duplication of services. Lytle said she wants Corvallis to be a city that tears away from NIMBY connotations and create a new philosophy." Lytle suggested looking for best practices of other cities. Suggestions that she has heard from constituents that she found promising were using the old Albertsons space on Northwest Circle Boulevard as a shelter and the Hanson Tires site on Southwest Chapman Place as a camp. Both candidates favor the 3 percent recreational marijuana tax on the ballot as Measure 2-96, but they differ on other revenue-increasing methods being discussed by a city task force. Lytle said she would be interested in looking at the flat income tax proposal that is used in Colorado cities such as Denver, Aurora and Greenwood Village. Lytle also favors looking at a local gas tax, although she said that such a tax would be more effective if it were imposed in collaboration with neighboring cities such as Albany. Goudriaan said he would prefer to renew the local option property levy that voters approved in 2011 and 2014 instead of the local sales tax and local income tax that the task force seems to favor. He also favors a fee-based Corvallis Transit System that would include increased hours and the extension of service to the airport and a reasonable level of taxation on take-out food. In terms of issues facing south Corvallis, Goudriaan urged development of the old auction yard, which would include a full-service grocery store. Goudriaan also wants to bring city departments into a discussion on how to bring to reality the South Corvallis Area Refinement Plan, which was developed in the late 1990s. Lytle cited community self-sufficiency as a key issue for south Corvallis. Lytle is concerned about the transportation infrastructure that connects south Corvallis with downtown and how it might be affected by a large-scale event such as flooding on the Willamette and Marys rivers. Lytle, a Corvallis native, said that the indications of a strong council reside in its ability to effectively stay in front of issues through research and evidence-based practice, maintain a strong connectivity with the community, be open to innovation and new ideas and be able to work together with open-mindedness and integrity. Goudriaan said that if elected, reporting back and listening to the community regularly at meetings or in the format desired by constituents will be standard practice. With my experience in the private sector as an attribute, I will rise to the challenge on issues of policy, direction and accountability. Joel Hirsch is seeking his fifth term on the Corvallis City Council in Ward 6 in the northeast section of town. He is being challenged by independent sales consultant and stay-at-home parent Nancy Wyse. The race is one of four contested wards in the Nov. 8 election. Hirsch, 58, said he was energized by the most recent council term. This was one of our most productive City Council sessions, Hirsch said, citing the ambitious vision, climate action and housing goals. The term before was very divisive. But I felt that having institutional memory was important so I ran again. And we added four new councilors who were very motivated. Im happy to be part of that and continue the momentum. Hirsch also said that if he is re-elected this term likely would be his final one. Wyse, 33, said she was a hard worker, highly motivated, and I care about our city and neighborhoods. I have the critical thinking capacity to weigh tough decisions and the time-management skills to balance council work with everyday life. Not only can I offer a new perspective (as a female in my 30s) not currently represented by the City Council, but I can also offer fresh motivation: excitement, a positive attitude, willingness to participate and a commitment to show up and engage. One of the key challenges the city faces is paying for city services. A task force is looking at ways to increase city revenue by $4 million to $13 million to help pay for infrastructure and other unmet needs. Among the items the task force is considering are a local sales tax, a local income tax and a continuation of the local option property tax levy. The council already has placed a 3 percent local recreational marijuana tax on the ballot as Measure 2-96. I support the marijuana tax and I favor a continuation of the levy, Wyse said. Depending on the details, Wyse said she might support a local income tax, if it was clear, concise and fair. Wyse said she personally does not favor a local sales tax, but if the people of Ward 6 seemed interested and wanted to put in on a future ballot, I would support that. Wyse said that in general she favors voter approval for increased fees and taxes. Hirsch said he liked the idea of a local sales tax, particularly if it wasnt regressive. Hirsch suggested not applying it to food and medicine. The incumbent also noted that passing a sales tax might be a challenge. Oregon is different, he said. We dont pump our own gas and we dont have a sales tax. And we love that. Hirsch also said that there is a misconception that because the city is pursuing fee increases that the city is not living within its means. This community wants to pay for parks, he said. We want these things (city services). They create a livable community. The candidates also were asked about their views on housing, one of the six council goals of this two-year term. Hirsch noted the work of a task force on housing development, which just submitted its recommendations to the City Council. Were looking at the urban growth boundary and the buildable lands inventory, he said. The council is looking at addressing the problem. Were trying. You can be sure we are looking at it from all angles. Hirsch noted that the demand for housing by Oregon State University students is one of the key housing drivers. Wyse agreed and suggested that one of the solutions would be to add more high-density housing to serve the student population, which would open up single-family housing for families. Wyse said that annexing land or rezoning what is now vacant lead would help ease supply issues. In terms of ward-specific issues, Wyse noted the relationship between the ward and the city. Communication between city government representatives and the people of Ward 6 needs to be improved, she said. Many people are not aware of important issues, information and events. In order to tackle tough issues we need a solid foundation of communication and trust between the city government and community members. I have reached out to the neighborhood associations in Ward 6 and attended meetings. I have knocked on doors and spoken to people. I created a newsletter anyone can subscribe to. I plan to continue these activities if elected. Hirsch noted that people in his ward always bring up traffic issues and motorists speeding in the neighborhood. Another concern is parks and open space. Hirsch noted that Garfield Park is owned by the Corvallis School District and how important it is to protect such open space. Ive been the council liaison to the parks board my entire term, Hirsch said, and I know how important protecting the natural environment is to Ward 6 and the community at large. This log includes incidents in which there might have been a public disturbance or a risk to the public. Information comes from the Corvallis Police Department, the Benton County Sheriffs Office and Oregon State Police. It does not include all calls for service. The status of incidents might change after further investigation. Locations are approximate. People arrested or suspected in crimes are considered innocent until proven otherwise. Corvallis Police Department MONDAY, OCT. 24 "STOP" STEALING: 10:38 a.m., Southwest E Avenue and 10th Street. Officers responded to a report of a stop sign having been removed from the intersection. According to the officer responding, there was a trail of mud from the intersection to a house on Southwest E Avenue, where the sign was standing on the deck outside the home. Officers contacted two residents who reportedly told police there was a party at their home while they were out of town and that it was likely one of their friends who stole the sign. The officer told the two that they could be charged with second-degree theft by receiving. The two residents put the sign back. They also were issued a special response notice for the theft. During a recent St. Francois County Commission meeting, Associate Commissioner Patrick Mullins spoke with other commissioners about the approval of engineering services for the Owl Creek Dam project. As you recall, last week we received one bid for request of qualifications for professional engineering services for the improvement to the Owl Creek Dam flow structure, said Mullins. We basically are looking at improving the structural integrity of the existing inlet, exit head walls and flow structure. We are going to try to retain the historical significance that the project entails and look at the overall structural integrity of that. Mullins added they just received one and he made a motion to accept the request of qualifications of engineering services. Associate Commissioner Gay Wilkinson asked if this request of qualifications was like a bid. They will give us a bid later on and when they do I will bring it to the table to be voted on, explained Mullins. Right now we are just accepting their services and I would move that we allow Smith & Company that project. The commission voted and approved the motion. They then heard from the St. Francois County Collector Pam Williams who addressed an issue from the tax sale property. During the tax sale this year we had a piece of property that had been deleted and combined with another piece of property, said Williams. We notified the new owner, which is Bank of America and they never responded, so we sold that portion of land. Williams explained that when it went to the abstract company, they could not get a good clear legal deed. We have a legal for the county, but its not the legal they need to separate this from another portion of it. I spoke to the assessors office and they said they would write it off. Its a very small piece of ground and I talked to the person that bought it and they said that would be fine. Williams said according to statute 145.30, it says if the description is so imperfect as it failed to describe the land or lot with reasonable certainty and for the first two causes, the money paid to the purchaser at such void sale shall be refunded with interest out of the county treasurer at order of the county commission. We can actually take this and refund it back out, give them their money and the only money we dont have is the interest money, said Williams. Its $5.06 and Im asking that you invalidate this parcel from our tax sale. The commission approved Williams recommendation. They also heard from St. Francois County Sheriff Dan Bullock about the LESO Program. We get equipment through there, including the Hummers, M-16s and patrol rifles for officers that come through there, said Bullock. There are various other items that can be militarized by the Department of Defense and they are given out to different law enforcement agencies across the United States. Bullock said he was asking the commission to sign the paperwork that allows them to get the DoD equipment. Wilkinson asked if there were any strings attached and Bullock explained there wasnt and they have to keep it for a certain amount of time. They come down and audit us each year, the federal government does, to make sure we still have the equipment and that we havent sold it or taken it home, said Bullock. Wilkinson asked if that keeps them current to accept these benefits from them. Bullock responded that it does. Without this being signed we are not allowed to get those items, said Bullock. The commission made a motion and approved the application. Juvenile Detention Center Director Adrian Eckhoff requested a transfer of vehicle from his department to the sheriffs department. We have a 1996 Ford Crown Victoria, four door with 197,853 miles on it and we do have the title on it and we are looking to transfer it to the sheriffs department, said Eckhoff. I believe that is where we got it originally and it does have a cage in it. Eckhoff said it piggy-backs with the vehicle he requested the commission to approve recently and they have received the new vehicle. We have a few things to do to the new vehicle and we just want to transfer this to the sheriffs department, said Eckhoff. Presiding Commissioner Harold Gallaher said its just a transfer within the county and there is no problem there. The commission approved the transfer of the car from the juvenile office to the sheriffs department. The commission also had a bid opening for a truck-mounted broom for the road and bridge department and they received one bid from CMW for $12,455. They also opened two bids for debris removal at the 7 arch bridge. They received bids from Vern Bauman Contracting and CE Contracting. They took all bids under advisement to be voted on at the next meeting. 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. The Missouri Municipal League came to the Parkland last week when it held its Southeast Regional Meeting at Desloge City Hall. The event on Thursday was attended by more than 40 municipal officials representing cities from throughout the region, including Farmington, Park Hills, Cape Girardeau, Perryville, Poplar Bluff, Leadington and Leadwood. According to its website, the Missouri Municipal League was organized in 1934. Since its organization, its aim has been "to develop an agency for the cooperation of Missouri cities, towns and villages and to promote the interest, welfare and closer relations among them in order to improve municipal government and administration in the state." Its basic goal is to strengthen cities through unity and cooperation. Our mayor, David Kater, just retired off of his full term on the board of directors of MML that represents large and small, urban and rural cities throughout the state of Missouri, said Desloge City Administrator Greg Camp. Theyve been wanting to increase their presence on a regional basis to bring it a little closer to member cities and non-member cities. The mayor really took the ball and started running with it. He told them wed do it. Wed find some way to do one of these in southeast Missouri. Then he and Alderman Alvin Sutton, along with Ramona Huckstep who is with MML, got things moving. Ramona was the guiding force on the MML side working with David and Alvin in coming up with an idea of things that we could talk about at the meeting. Then they brought me in and obviously I think one of the big items that weve been talking about lately has been these changes in the state level that affects municipal courts. So, we thought it would be a good idea to bring in our judge who we think has worked diligently along with our court administrator and our deputy court clerk to show what were doing this is how were doing it and this is why were doing it. By bringing other cities in, they could learn from that and ask questions about that. Since the meeting should cover more than one topic, Camp explained that MML Deputy Director Richard Sheets was brought in due to his active involvement in MMLs lobbying efforts to protect municipalities interests in Jefferson City. Theres a lot of attacks on municipality interests, Camp said. Whether its right-of-ways, police departments or municipal courts, theres a lot of things that happen in Jefferson City that infringe on or come after municipal interests. Obviously those are things that we feel we need to protect. Thats what the MML is about protecting cities rights. So, Richard came in and led off the program. After he spoke, there were a lot of questions from the group about what the MML does, how it can help you, as well as how it can provide information and training for municipal officials. He also talked about how its important for elected officials at the local level to talk to their legislators and let them know whats happening on the ground at home. Following Sheets presentation, Desloge Municipal Judge Seth Pegram addressed the issue of Missouri Senate Bill 5 that mandates the release of offenders who have not appeared before a judge within 48 hours after arrest. Seth spoke for around 30 to 45 minutes and then answered questions, Camp said. He really did a nice job of covering how Desloge is approaching Senate Bill 5, as well as Senate Bill 572 which modifies various provisions regarding municipalities located in St. Louis County, nuisance abatement ordinances, disincorporation procedures for various cities and municipal courts. These are the standing orders we have in place. Its more of a process a very specific nuts and bolts process. The meeting ended with a presentation by Chad Sabora, co-founder and director of the Missouri Network for Opiate Reform and Recovery. Chad was invited to come and talk about the opiate network and how, from a legislative standpoint, there are a number of things his group and other similar groups in Missouri are trying to work with the legislature as far as legislation that affects heroin and other drug use and abuse and addiction whether its a statewide pharmacy network or legislation they call a Good Samaritan law. According to the law, lets say two people are in a crack den getting high and one of them OD's. If the other person calls 911 to get help for the person who has OD'd, he will not go to jail. There are 31 states that have the Good Samaritan law. Missouri is not one of them. Chad is a retired addict hes been five years clean. Again he was talking about things from a municipal level where the rubber meets the road or in this case where your police department and fire department are the first people on the scene. According to Camp, the evening was a successful one and those present appeared to enjoy it. It was awesome, he said. There was just some good information and some good questions from the people in attendance. Before the evening concluded, Cape Girardeau City Administrator Scott Meyer said his city would host the next MML regional meeting set for April." Children thrown out the window by father : Prosecution calls for life sentence Prosecutors have asked for a lifelong sentence for the Syrian refugee father who threw his three children out the window of a first-floor apartment. Arguments were heard in court. Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken On Tuesday in Bonn District Court, prosecutors asked for a lifelong sentence for the Syrian man who threw his three children out the window of an apartment where the refugee family had been staying. The incident happened on February 1 in Lohmar; the 35-year-old is charged with three cases of attempted first-degree murder. In cases where it is an attempt as opposed to actual murder, the sentencing can be made more lenient and this is usually applied. However, prosecutor Florian Geler sees no reason for a milder sentence. In the incident, the 5-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter suffered life-threatening injuries. The one-year-old escaped serious injury because she fell on top of her brother. The prosecution says the kids were completely defenseless when they were picked up like Christmas trees and thrown out the window. He used the children like objects to punish his wife, whom in his eyes was not obedient, read Geler in the prosecution statement. The defendant broke out in tears as his children were mentioned. He was ordered to remain in handcuffs by the judge due to previous behavior in the courtroom. Geler argued further that one could only understand what had happened by looking at the history it was an arranged marriage: This is a perfect example that such marriages are not good marriages. Problems had already begun early in the marriage, with the man wanting to give his wife back because she was not as obedient as he expected. He began beating her. He decided to flee to Germany where everything would be better, as his wife promised. But instead, in his eyes things got worse. His wife became more independent, took a language course, and he became more angry. On January 4 when she refused to make him a cup of tea, he hit her over the head with a pan. She called police and he was banned from the apartment for ten days. When she made clear to her husband on February 1 that she would no longer let him rule over her, he carried out the action against the children. Gudrun Roth, attorney for the mother and children, accused the defendant of using the children as a pawn and deeply traumatizing them, and supported the statement from prosecution. Defense attorney Martin Kretschmer asked for the court to consider the conditions in which his client had lived in Syria, He grew up in a world where violence and brutality were a daily occurrence, stated Kretschmer. His father and brother had been shot dead and he too had been shot. Kretschmer argued that his client was a simple person who reacted like a child, and that his concept of how a woman should be was determined by his background. He said his client was sorry if he hurt someone and that he loved his children and didnt understand what he had done. A verdict is expected on November 3. The main fault at the foot of the Himalayan mountains can likely generate destructive, major earthquakes along its entire 2,400-kilometer (1,500-mile) length, a new study finds. Combining historical documents with new geologic data, the study shows the previously unstudied portion of the fault in the country Bhutan is capable of producing a large earthquake and did so in 1714. We are able for the first time to say, yes, Bhutan is really seismogenic, and not a quiet place in the Himalayas, said Gyorgy Hetenyi, a geophysicist at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland and lead author of the new study accepted for publication in Geophysical Research Letters, a journal of the American Geophysical Union. The Himalayas have produced some of the worlds largest earthquakes, like the April 2015 Gorkha earthquake that devastated Nepal. But scientists had not been able to prove whether every region along the 2,400-kilometer arc was seismogenic, or capable of producing quakes. Bhutan was one of the last open gaps along the mountain chain: the country had no records of recent major earthquakes and no major seismological work had been done there. Confining a major earthquake to Bhutan in 1714, like the new study does, means the entire Himalayan arc has experienced a major earthquake in the past 500 years, according to the studys authors. By filling this gap, the new study helps the millions of residents in the region understand its potential for natural hazards, according to Hetenyi. We provide a longer and therefore more representative record of seismicity in Bhutan, and this makes better hazard estimates, he said. A nation apart The highest mountain range on Earth, the Himalayas are the product of the Indian tectonic plate subducting under the Eurasian Plate. The mountains span a northwest to southeast arc roughly 2,400 kilometers (1,500 miles) long, nearly the distance between the U.S. East and West coasts. Throughout the 20th century, Bhutan, a small nation east of Nepal sandwiched between India and China, had been relatively isolated from the outside world and scientists were rarely allowed inside its borders. Until recently, researchers thought Bhutan could be the only major segment of the Himalayas not to have experienced a major earthquake in the last 500 years, according to Hetenyi. But, after a magnitude 6 earthquake struck the country in 2009, the government opened the door for scientists to perform geophysical research, Hetenyi said. Hetenyi and his colleagues made several trips to the country from 2010 to 2015 to catalog small earthquakes in the area and study how the structure of the Indian Plate changes as it subducts below the crushing belt of mountains. One question they were hoping to answer was whether Bhutan had historically experienced any major destructive earthquakes. Historical records of earthquakes in Bhutan are rare, but by luck Hetenyi stumbled upon a biography of famous 18th century Buddhist monk and temple builder Tenzin Lekpai Dondup. The biography described a quake in early May of 1714 that destroyed the Gangteng monastery Dondup helped build. The biography and other historical records indicated there were many aftershocks, meaning it could have been a major quake, according to Hetenyi. However, this description alone did not pinpoint where the quake occurred. When you only have very local devastation descriptions, you never know whether this devastation is due to an intermediate earthquake that occurred locally, nearby the chronicler, or whether its the result of a bigger earthquake that occurred over greater distances, said Laurent Bollinger, a geologist at the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission who was not involved in the new study. While in Bhutan, several of Hetenyis colleagues dug trenches around the fault line to see if one side of it had moved vertically with respect to the other side which would be considered evidence of a major earthquake. That study, led by Romain Le Roux-Mallouf, a geologist at the University of Montpellier, France, found evidence of rock uplift on one side of the fault had taken place between 1642 and 1836. Hetenyi combined the results from that study with historical records of the 1714 earthquake to pinpoint where the 1714 quake happened and how large it was. Hetenyis analysis revealed the 1714 quake likely caused the rock uplift his colleagues observed around the fault. The earthquake likely occurred in west central Bhutan, where most of the population lives, and had a magnitude of at least 7.5 to 8.5, Hetenyi said. By comparison, the April 2015 Gorkha earthquake had a magnitude of 7.8. Its a really significant event that happened 300 years ago, he said. The results suggest the 1714 quake was significant enough to unzip a large segment of the thrust possibly between 100 to 300 kilometers (60 to 200 miles) of the fault. The new study closes the seismic gap in the Himalayan arc and could help scientists better understand the earthquake potential in the densely populated Himalaya region, according to Hetenyi. Reference: Gyorgy Hetenyi, Romain Le Roux-Mallouf, Theo Berthet, Rodolphe Cattin, Carlo Cauzzi, Karma Phuntsho, Remo Grolimund. Joint approach combining damage and paleoseismology observations constrains the 1714 AD Bhutan earthquake at magnitude 8 0.5. Geophysical Research Letters, 2016; DOI: 10.1002/2016GL071033 Note: The above post is reprinted from materials provided by American Geophysical Union. 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Ireland United States Minor Outlying Islands United States of America Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe OnePlus 3 to Get Android 7.0 Nougat: 4 Cool Features to Expect Features oi -Prajith OnePlus 3 is getting ready to taste the sweetness of Nougat. Of late, rumours have been making headlines about Android 7.0 Nougat update for what's being referred to as the best affordable flagship of this year, the OnePlus 3. The Chinese smartphone manufacturer has recently announced that the company is working on the Android 7.0 Nougat update and is planning to roll it out soon. Pete Lau, OnePlus's CEO took it to twitter to further confirm that the update will be rolled out as early as Christmas this year. SEE ALSO: Here are 5 Advantages and 5 Disadvantages of Reliance Jio 4G SIM Against its Rivals In addition to the company's flagship killer - the OnePlus 3, its predecessor, the OnePlus 2 will also receive the update but only after a month's time. There is no word on the availability of an update for the OnePlus X yet. However, if interested, users can download the CyanogenMod CM14 ROM which is based on the Android 7.0 Nougat. SEE ALSO: 6 Easy Steps to Receive Rs. 50 Talktime for Just Rs. 5 on Idea Here are a few features to expect from the Android 7.0 Nougat update. Multi-Window support Akin to the one seen on Samsung Galaxy smartphones, the OnePlus 3 will get support for multi-windows meaning you can watch YouTube videos while texting your friend simultaneously (either side-by-side or one-above-the-other). Click Here for New Smartphones Best Online Deals Support for Google Daydream The new Android Nougat update will bring support for Google's Daydream, the company's own virtual reality tech. So, get ready to immerse yourself in the virtual world. With that being said, OnePlus 3 won't be an ideal device for VR owing to the Full HD display. That, by any means, is not to say that the display on the handset is bad but it's just that a QHD display would serve the purpose better. Data Saver mode As the name itself suggests, the new data saver mode helps restrict 3G or 4G data usage by the apps running in background thereby, saving a considerate amount of mobile data. With this feature, you can also configure the device to update only when it latches to a Wi-Fi network. Interactive Notifications Similar to the rich notifications seen on Apple's iOS 10, the Android 7.0 Nougat update brings support for interactive notifications. What this essentially means is that you can use this feature to quickly reply texts from the notifications itself without having to open the app. Click Here for New Smartphones Best Online Deals Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Dual-edged curved display is the new trend In terms of design, the Xiaomi Mi Note 2 looks strikingly similar to the Samsung Edge series of smartphones. It has the same dual-edge curved design (at the front and back) as seen on the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge or the Galaxy Note 7. It's hard to deny the fact that both the smartphones look great aesthetically, though. Xiaomi's Mi Note 2 features a 5.7-inch Full HD display with a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass protection on it to prevent the device from scratches. On the other hand, its Galaxy counterpart features a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED Quad HD display (1440x2560 pixels). Both the smartphones come with a slew of features. For instance, the Xiaomi's flagship offering has a sunlight display pro mode which improves the sunlight legibility under direct sunlight whereas the S7 Edge has an Always-on display which displays date, time, and other notifications. SEE ALSO: Here are 5 Advantages and 5 Disadvantages of Reliance Jio 4G SIM Against its Rivals All said and done, the fact that the Mi Note 2 features a Full HD display is a bummer especially considering its larger footprint. Feature top-notch hardware At the heart of the Mi Note2 is a 2.35GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 chipset coupled with 4GB or 6GB of RAM. In terms of storage space, the smartphones come in two variants - 64GB and 128GB. The S7 Edge, on the other hand, is powered by a 64-bit octa-core Exynos 8890 SoC (Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset in other markets). It packs 4GB of RAM coupled with 32GB of internal storage space, which is further expandable via a microSD card. Click Here for New Android Smartphones Best Online Deals Software The Mi Note 2 runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow with a layer of its custom MIUI 8 atop. The S7 Edge also boots Android 6.0 Marshmallow out-of-the-box. Both the smartphones should receive an update for the Android 7.0 Nougat anytime soon. The Mi Note 2 leaves behind S7 Edge in terms of Pixel count A 22.56MP sensor (Sony IMX318) rests at the back of the Mi Note 2 with f/2.0 aperture, LED flash, EIS (Electronic Image Stabilisation), and support for 4K video recording. At the front is an 8MP camera with f/2.0 aperture and Auto Beautify 3.0. Whereas, the S7 Edge has a 12MP camera with f/1.7 aperture, PDAF, OIS, LED flash, and 4K video support. A 5MP shooter at the from takes care of selfies. While in terms of the megapixel count the Mi Note 2 may appear ahead in the league, it remains to be seen if it can achieve better results than the S7 Edge in the real world. Battery and connectivity Xiaomi's recent offering is backed by a 4,070mAh battery along with support for Quick Charge 3.0. As far as connectivity is concerned, the Mi Note 2 offer support for 4G LTE with VoLTE (meaning it supports Reliance Jio), GPS, NFC, Wi-Fi 802.11 ac, and USB Type-C port. The S7 Edge, on the other hand, depends on a 3,600mAh battery for the fuel. It also supports fast charging technology along with wireless charging. In comes with standard connectivity features. Verdict There's no official word on the Indian pricing of the Xiaomi Mi Note 2. It is currently priced at RMB 2,799 (Rs. 27,627 approximately) and RMB 3,299 (Rs. 32,562 approximately) for the standard and a more premium version respectively. The Samsung S7 Edge currently ships for around Rs. 50,900. Now comes the big question. Which one you should buy? It all boils downs to your preference and the amount of money you are willing to spend. You'll have to spend nearly Rs. 20,000 less if you purchase the Mi Note 2 or if you don't mind shelling out the extra cash, the S7 Edge is currently the best Android smartphone available in the market. Now you decide. Click Here for New Smartphones Best Online Deals 'Feels Like Home Season 2' offers something real and tangible to think about; takes home a pertinent point - if your intentions are good, there is nothing in life that isn't achievable. International Criminal Court (ICC) Since the establishment of the ICC in 2002, the court conducted ten investigations. Nine of them were over crimes on African soil and the remaining case was tied to offenses in Georgia. The creation of the Rome Statute in 1998 was in itself a historic event, marking a milestone in humankind's efforts towards a more just world. According to the Rome Statute, a State Party or the United Nations Security Council acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter can refer a situation to the ICC Prosecutor in which one or more of crimes under the ICC jurisdiction appear to have been committed. It is then up to the Prosecutor to decide whether or not to open an investigation. The statue obligates its signatories to arrest anyone sought by the ICC. The ICC cannot investigate non-member countries of its own initiative, but may do so if the UN Security Council authorized it, as was the case in Darfur (2005) and Libya (2011). The annual report of the ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda on November 14, 2016 states that the ICC has reason to believe that in the period from May 1, 2003 to December 31, 2014, "the US military and the CIA committed war crimes in Afghanistan, including torture , ill-treatment, outrages upon personal dignity, and rape. " Most of the incidents occurred in 2003-2004. At this stage, only the ICC is examining the situation and not to bring charges against specific individuals. The Rome Statute took effect in 2002, upon ratification by 60 States. By 2016 the treaty had 124 state parties [not quite two-thirds of the world's states]. Senegal was the first to ratify the Statute, on 02 February 1999. Cote dIvoire ratified the Statute on 15 February 2013, Palestine on 02 January 2015, and El Salvador on 03 March 2016. Notable countries which have not become state parties include the United States and Russia [which signed but did not rafity], and China and India, which are not signatories. Some countries are wary of The Hague, Netherlands-based court's powers, seeing it as potential interference. Acting in an official capacity as a head of state, member of government or parliament or as an elected representative or public official in no way exempts a person from prosecution or criminal responsibility. Superiors or military commanders may be held responsible for criminal offences committed by persons under their effective command and control or effective authority and control. Since the ICC was established in 2002, under the auspices of the 1998 Rome Statute, to investigate genocide, war crimes, and crimes of aggression, it has opened investigations into nine nations, eight of them African. Uganda, DR Congo, Central African Republic and Mali, which are parties to the ICC, sent complaints to the courts themselves. The investigations in Darfur and Libya were initiated by the UN Security Council, and the ICC Prosecutor initiated proceedings in Kenya, Cote d'Ivoire, as well as the Georgian-Ossetian conflict. In January 2016 it was announced that and investigation had starated of crimes against humanity, including murder, forced displacement of the population, war crimes against civilians and peacekeepers, which "allegedly were committed in South Ossetia from 1 July to 10 October 2008". Georgia: ICC prosecutor authorized to open their own probe, 2016 Central African Republic: Referred to the ICC by the country's government, 2014 Mali: Referred to the ICC by the country's government, 2012 Ivory Coast: ICC prosecutor authorized to open their own probe, 2011 Libya: Referred to the ICC by the U.N. Security Council, 2011 Kenya: ICC prosecutor authorized to open their own probe, 2010 Darfur, Sudan: Referred to the ICC by the U.N. Security Council, 2005 Central African Republic: Referred to the ICC by the country's government, 2004 Uganda: Referred to the ICC by the country's government, 2004 Congo: Referred to the ICC by the country's government, 2004 The Court closed five cases concerning Kenya, Sudan (Darfur) and the Democratic Republic of Congo. All cases were closed without charges. There were five ongoing cases on trial as of 2016 for war crimes in Darfur (Sudan), Uganda, Cote dIvoire, Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of the Congo. There were 10 situations under investigation. Georgia, opened in January 2016 (which has prompted Russia withdrawing its signature from the Rome statue). Central African Republic II, opened May 2014. Also Mali, opened in Janurary 2013, Cote dIvoire (February 2013), Darfur (June 2005), Central African Republic (May 2007), Uganda (July 2004), and Democratic Republic of Congo. The 10 preliminary examinations focus on war crimes or crimes against humanity in Afghanistan, Burundi, Colombia, Gabon, Guinea, Iraq (for crimes committed by United Kingdom nationals), Nigeria, Palestine, Ukraine and a case on the 2010 Humanitarian Aid Flotilla under the title Registered Vessels of Comoros, Greece and Cambodia. The Gaza Flotilla case is being reconsidered according to the last annual report after the Prosecutor first decision not to investigate it. Meanwhile, not one western country or leader had been the subject of an ICC investigation. The news that the International Criminal Court (ICC) is to open an investigation into possible war crimes committed in Afghanistan by both Afghan and US military forces may have come too late for those African states that have decided to withdraw from the institution, claiming that it disproportionately targets Africa. If the ICC is to avoid the accusation that it has become more an instrument of neo-colonial power rather than a truly impartial international institution, then it cannot merely reflect great power relations and concepts in its application of justice. In addition to founding the Court and defining the crimes of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and as of amendments made in 2010 the crime of aggression (for these amendments to enter into force, they must be ratified by at least 30 States and then voted on by States Parties in 2017), the Rome Statute also sets new standards for victims' representation in the Courtroom, and ensures fair trials and the rights of the defence. The Court seeks global cooperation to protect all people from the crimes codified in the Rome Statute. The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court is the international treaty that founded the Court. Comprising a Preamble and 13 Parts, it establishes the governing framework for the Court. Adopted at the Rome Conference on 17 July 1998, it entered into force on 1 July 2002, thereby creating the International Criminal Court. See our history. The Statute sets out the Court's jurisdiction over genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and as of an amendment in 2010 the crime of aggression. In addition to jurisdiction, it also addresses issues such as admissibility and applicable law, the composition and administration of the Court, investigations and prosecution, trials, penalties, appeal and revision, international cooperation and judicial assistance, and enforcement. Upon referrals by States Parties or by the UNSC, or on its own initiative and with the judges' authorisation, the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) conducts investigations by gathering and examining evidence, questioning persons under investigation and questioning victims and witnesses, for the purpose of finding evidence of a suspect's innocence or guilt. OTP must investigate incriminating and exonerating circumstances equally. OTP requests cooperation and assistance from States and international organisations, and also sends investigators to areas where the alleged crimes occurred to gather evidence. Investigators must be careful not to create any risk to the victims and witnesses. The ICC is funded by member states using a formula similar to the one used to fund the United Nations, which means wealthier states pay more. The European Union provides over 70 percent of the ICCs budget, something which some say violates the Rome statute that set up the court, which says that no one member state can pay more than 22 percent of the budget. From Nuremberg to Yugoslavia to Liberia, the United States has seen that the end of impunity and the promotion of justice are not just moral imperatives; they are stabilizing forces in international affairs. The United States is thus working to strengthen national justice systems and is maintaining our support for ad hoc international tribunals and hybrid courts. Those who intentionally target innocent civilians must be held accountable, and we will continue to support institutions and prosecutions that advance this important interest. Although the United States is not at present a party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, and will always protect U.S. personnel, we are engaging with State Parties to the Rome Statute on issues of concern and are supporting the ICCs prosecution of those cases that advance U.S. interests and values, consistent with the reuirements of US law. Although the United States is not a party to the ICCs Statute, the Obama administration has been prepared to support the courts prosecutions and provide assistance in response to specific requests from the ICC prosecutor and other court officials, consistent with U.S. law, when it is in US national interest to do so. Since November 2009, the United States has participated in an observer capacity in meetings of the ICC Assembly of States Parties (ASP). The United States sent an observer delegation to the ICC Review Conference held in Kampala, Uganda from May 31 to June 11, 2010. On 11 June 2010, at the Review Conference of the Rome Statute, held in Kampala, Uganda, from 31 May to 11 June 2010, the Parties adopted, in accordance with article 121, paragraph 3, of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, amendments on the crime of aggression to the Rome Statute by Resolution RC/Res.6. For the purpose of this Statute, crime of aggression means the planning, preparation, initiation or execution, by a person in a position effectively to exercise control over or to direct the political or military action of a State, of an act of aggression which, by its character, gravity and scale, constitutes a manifest violation of the Charter of the United Nations. An act of aggression means the use of armed force by a State against the sovereignty, territorial integrity or political independence of another State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Charter of the United Nations. Any of the following acts, regardless of a declaration of war, shall, in accordance with United Nations General Assembly resolution 3314 (XXIX) of 14 December 1974, qualify as an act of aggression: The invasion or attack by the armed forces of a State of the territory of another State, or any military occupation, however temporary, resulting from such invasion or attack, or any annexation by the use of force of the territory of another State or part thereof; Bombardment by the armed forces of a State against the territory of another State or the use of any weapons by a State against the territory of another State; The blockade of the ports or coasts of a State by the armed forces of another State; An attack by the armed forces of a State on the land, sea or air forces, or marine and air fleets of another State; The use of armed forces of one State which are within the territory of another State with the agreement of the receiving State, in contravention of the conditions provided for in the agreement or any extension of their presence in such territory beyond the termination of the agreement; The action of a State in allowing its territory, which it has placed at the disposal of another State, to be used by that other State for perpetrating an act of aggression against a third State; The sending by or on behalf of a State of armed bands, groups, irregulars or mercenaries, which carry out acts of armed force against another State of such gravity as to amount to the acts listed above, or its substantial involvement therein. It was decided that in case of transfer of the issue of the investigation of this crime in the ICC State Party or at the initiation of the investigation by the prosecutor latter shall determine whether to accept the UN Security Council decision on the act of aggression. In the absence of such a decision the prosecutor can still continue the investigation if it receives the unanimous approval of all the judges of ICC Pre-Trial Division. The UN Security Council can defer the investigation for a year. If the state parties, who apparently have been masquerading in recent years as countries devoted to criminal accountability, want to leave, then they should leave, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al Hussein told the courts annual gathering 16 November 2016 at The Hague. He said he was not convinced their positions are based entirely on principle. Quite the opposite; it appears to aim more at protecting their leaders from prosecution, the high commissioner said. African states have complained they feel the courts work is overly focused on their nations. While the court is pursuing several cases related to African countries, it also was conducting investigations and cases into Afghanistan, Colombia, Cambodia and other states. President Vladimir Putin decided Russia was out of the International Criminal Court, and out of the South Ossetia investigation. Although Putin signed the Rome treaty that established the Hague-based court in 2000, Russia never ratified it. Putin signed a decree 16 November 2016 removing the country from the first legal body with permanent international jurisdiction to prosecute genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. Putin's decree was published on the Kremlin's website and a statement from Russia's foreign ministry said, "The court did not live up to the hopes associated with it and did not become truly independent. Moscow was not happy with the way the ICC has treated Russias war with Georgia in 2008, adding it failed to see the actions by the Tbilisi government against civilians in South Ossetia - a pro-Moscow region. In these conditions we cannot speak of trust in the international criminal court, the ministry said. The decree comes a day after the UN General Assembly's human rights committee backed a decision condemning Russia's temporary occupation of Crimea. The Foreign Ministry also pointed out that in its fourteen years of operation, the ICC has issued only only four rulings, spending over a billion dollars in the process. It was further noted in the statement that Russia is concerned with the ICC's attitude toward the events of August 2008: "The attack carried out by Saakashvili's regime on peaceful Tskhinvali, the murder of Russian peacemakers brought accusations from the ICC addressed to South Ossetian fighters and Russian military personnel. The eventual investigation of Georgian administrative officials' actions and orders was purposefully left to Georgia's jurisdiction and remains out of the ICC's attention focus." Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on 17 November 2016 said he might follow Russia and withdraw from the ICC, citing criticism from Western nations for a rash of killings unleashed by his war on drugs. Duterte described the ICC as useless and expressed frustration about the Wests allegations of extrajudicial killings and its failure to understand his crackdown on narcotics. He also appeared to blame the United Nations for failing to prevent wars all over the world. Africa Rising In April 2015, the African Union [AU] charged Economic Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) to come up with a joint position on the ICC. The AU says the successful prosecution of Pierre Bemba, former vice president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the trial of Kenyas President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto - among others - are proof the courts mainly target Africans. The committee recommended that AU member states quit the ICC unless it met three conditions, including giving heads of state immunity from prosecution. The African Union claims that it wants to strengthen the African Court of Justice and Human Rights as a possible alternative to the ICC. The outcome of two tribunals on the African continent - the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the Special Court for Sierra Leone - were widely accepted partly because of their proximity. African leaders pushed for member countries to quit the Rome-based court, which has jurisdiction in 124 nations over alleged cases of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. The African Court at Arusha, Tanzania serves as the continental court established by African countries to ensure the protection of human rights in Africa and complements the functions of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights. The Court had finalized 32 applications and 87 are pending, Justice Sylvain Ore, AfCHPR President, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview, as the court begins its 43rd Ordinary Session from October 31 to November 18, 2016 at Arusha, the United Republic of Tanzania. The African Court under Article 3 of the Protocol, has jurisdiction to deal with all cases and disputes submitted to it regarding the interpretation and application of the Charter, the Protocol and any other relevant human rights instrument ratified by the concerned States. Following a proposal by the Chairperson of the Assembly of the AU and head of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Olusegun Obasanjo, the AU decided to integrate the African Human Rights Court and the Court of Justice of the African Union. The African Court on Human and Peoples Rights and the Court of Justice of the African Union were merged into a single Court and established as "The African Court of Justice and Human Rights" by the Protocol on the Statute of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights. The Protocol was adopted at the AU Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on 1 July 2008. The Protocol and the Statute annexed to it shall enter into force thirty (30) days after the deposit of the instruments of ratification by fifteen (15) Member States. As of 31 January, 2016 thirty (30) countries had ratified the Protocol out of 54 AU Member States. In February 2009, the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU requested the AU Commission, in consultation with the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights and the AfCHPR, to assess the implications of extending the jurisdiction of the Court to try international crimes, such as genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. To implement this decision of the Assembly, the African Union Commission engaged a consultant to undertake a study on the implications of extending the jurisdiction of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights, including considering whether unconstitutional change or prolongation of government, could be considered a new crime. The Malabo Protocol sought to reorganise the proposed African Court of Justice and Human Rights by creating an international criminal chamber. Adopted in June 2014, by late 2016 this protocol had yet to be ratified by any member state, and as such an Africa criminal chamber remained a mirage. Amnesty International noted " if the Malabo Protocol comes into force, the ACJHR will have jurisdiction to try the following 14 crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, the crime of unconstitutional change of government, piracy, terrorism, mercenarism, corruption, money laundering, trafficking in persons, trafficking in drugs, trafficking in hazardous wastes, illicit exploitation of natural resources, and the crime of aggression. In essence, the international criminal law section of the ACJHR will serve as an African regional criminal court, operating in a manner akin to the International Criminal Court (ICC) but within a narrowly defined geographical scope, and over a massively expanded list of crimes". The June 2015 African Union summit in Johannesburg was overshadowed by the row over South Africa's failure to arrest Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir, who is charged with genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in relation to massacres in the western region of Darfur. Bashir was allowed to leave South Africa rather than face arrest during the AU summit. South African government officials said they could not have arrested President Bashir because the Sudanese leader had immunity as an African head state. South African officials declined to arrest him, saying he enjoyed diplomatic immunity. Ahead of the African Union summit in July 2016, the key advisory body of the organization condemned the International Criminal Court, saying its focus has been limited to Africa since its founding in 2002. Nigeria, Senegal and Ivory Coast opposed moves at the summit to promote the AU's withdrawal from the ICC. The Namibian government approved on 25 November 2015 a recommendation by the ruling Swapo Party for the country to withdraw from the widely-discredited International Criminal Court (ICC). Namibia, which joined the ICC in 2002, became the first African country to announce such a bold stance, coming barely two months after South Africas ruling African National Congress (ANC) also recommended that the country withdraws from the "glorified kangaroo court". Namibian Information Minister Mr Tjekero Tweya disclosed Cabinets recommendation for the country to leave the ICC at a media briefing. Cabinet approved Namibias position regarding possible withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, given the discussions of the Swapo Party central committee on the issue, said Mr Tweya. However, he did not say when the Namibian government would withdraw, adding that technical issues need to be sorted out first. Tweya said Cabinet supported the withdrawal from the ICC after President Hage Geingob visited former Tanzanian president Jakaya Kikwete in Tanzania. President Geingob, who chairs the Namibian Cabinet was lobbying his counterpart in Tanzania, Tweya said. Swapo has over the years repeatedly criticised the ICC for being biased against African and other developing countries and targeting African leaders for indictment. Kenya also raised the possibility of leaving. One case that caused considerable anger among African leaders was the ICC's pursuit of Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta for his alleged role in the deadly violence which erupted after his country's 2007 presidential election. The case later collapsed, amid prosecution claims of interference with witnesses and non-cooperation by Kenyan authorities. Burundi said it will leave the ICC, citing concerns that the court targets African leaders. On 20 September 2016 a UN report accused President Pierre Bujumbura of being responsible for serious human rights violations, systematic and consistent, and warned against possible "crimes against humanity" and a "great danger of genocide." The Burundian parliament approved Bujumburas proposed motion to withdraw from the Hague-based court. On 12 October 2016 Burundi's parliament overwhelmingly approved a bill that calls for the country to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), marking a new stage in its growing isolation from the international community. The withdrawal of Burundi to the ICC would be a first in the history of the Court. ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda launched a preliminary investigation in April 2016 into murder, torture and rape in particular, in Burundi. At an AU summit held in Rwanda in July 2016, African leaders voted by a huge margin in favor of a proposal for its 34 ICC members to withdraw from ICC jurisdiction. This was triggered by the refusal by the United Nations Security Council and the ICC to accede to the AUs requests for suspension or termination of the cases against Sudans president Omar al-Bashir and his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto. Not all African countries are pro-withdrawal. Senegal and "righteous" Botswana criticized South Africa's move to quit the Court. And perhaps Mauritius, that considers itself African only when the situation suits it. South Africa said 21 October 2016 it planned to withdraw from the International Criminal Court. On 21 October 2016, the Government of the Republic of South Africa deposited its instrument of withdrawal from the Rome Statute ("Statute"), the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court ("ICC"), with the Secretary General of the United Nations. Justice and Correctional Services Minister Michael Masutha said a bill would be submitted to parliament recommending that South Africa repeal implementation of the Rome Statute that created the court. South Africa cant provide a safe space for leaders to talk peace, he said, if it is compelled to comply with all the courts arrest warrants. In exercising its international relations with foreign countries, particularly with countries in which serious conflicts occur, or have occurred, South Africa is hindered by the implementation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, Masutha said. This act and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court compels South Africa to arrest persons who may enjoy diplomatic immunity under customary international law. Some analysts fear South Africa's decision could encourage other African nations to abandon the Hague-based tribunal, which prosecutes war crimes and crimes against humanity. Anton du Plessis, managing director of the Pretoria-based Institute for Security Studies, said he is not concerned about a mass African exodus from the court. He believed many of the courts member states are not politically organized enough to agree on a withdrawal strategy. The President of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, Sidiki Kaba, indicated: "Although withdrawing from a treaty is a sovereign act, I regret these decisions and invite South Africa and Burundi to reconsider their positions." "I urge them to work together with other States in the fight against impunity, which often causes massive violations of human rights," he added. The President of the Assembly was concerned that this disturbing signal would open the way to other African States withdrawing from the Rome Statute, thus weakening the only permanent international criminal court in charge of prosecuting the most serious crimes that shock the conscience of humanity, namely genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes of aggression. For Mr. Kaba, the international community must remain united to face the enormous challenge of preventing the commission of such crimes, prosecuting the alleged perpetrators, whoever they are and wherever they are, to ensure peace, stability and security of our States. Gambia announced 25 October 2016 it was leaving the International Criminal Court, referring to its ICC acronym as the International Caucasian Court and accusing it of unfairly targeting Africa while ignoring the crimes of the West. The decision was particularly notable because the ICC's chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, is Gambian. Gambia had tryied without success to use the ICC to punish the European Union for the deaths of thousands of African refugees trying to reach its shores. The country announced the decision on television, with Gambian Information Minister Sheriff Bojang accusing the ICC of the persecution and humiliation of people of color, especially Africans. Bojang went on to state that while the court is used to persecute Africans and especially their leaders, it ignores crimes committed by the West. There are many Western countries, at least 30, that have committed heinous war crimes against independent sovereign states and their citizens since the creation of the ICC and not a single Western war criminal has been indicted, Bojang said. The information minister specifically noted the case of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, whom the ICC decided not to indict over the Iraq war. "Uganda will pronounce its position (withdrawing from ICC) during the next African Union (AU) summit (January 2017) in Addis Ababa. We expect other countries to do so. We need all the African countries to leave ICC in unison," Okello Oryem, Uganda's state minister for international affairs, told Xinhua. A court in South Africa ruled 22 February 2017 against a government plan to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC). The plan to withdraw from the Hague-based court system was ruled unconstitutional because parliament was not consulted before the notice of withdrawal was filed. The South African court asked the government to revoke its notice of withdrawal. The South African government has formally revoked its intent to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC). The decision to revoke the withdrawal was made by the cabinet on 07 March 2017 and a letter to this effect was sent to the United Nations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Official: Stopping N. Korea's Nuclear Program 'Probably Is Lost Cause' By VOA News October 25, 2016 The director of U.S. national intelligence says the ongoing U.S. push to persuade North Korea to give up its controversial nuclear program is, in his words, "probably a lost cause." James Clapper delivered his assessment Tuesday in New York to the nonpartisan, independent Council on Foreign Relations. "They are not going to do that," he said of North Korea's leadership. "That [nuclear program] is their ticket to survival." Instead, he said, the best that Western governments and their East Asian allies can hope for are negotiations with Pyongyang leading to a cap on its nuclear capabilities. Clapper described North Korea's reclusive leadership as "under siege" and "very paranoid." "So the notion of giving up their nuclear capability, whatever [that] is, is a nonstarter for them," he added. For more than a decade, the U.S. administration and the vast majority of world governments have consistently demanded that North Korea denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. However, Western leaders have yet to devise a plan that would either compel the North to cooperate or create incentives for it to do so. Talks sponsored by China between a six-nation panel and Pyongyang, aimed at finding common ground, have been stalled since the North withdrew from negotiations in 2009, three years after announcing its first nuclear test. Washington has since said the resumption of the six-party talks would require the government of Kim Jong Un to commit once again to halting its nuclear tests and scrapping its nuclear development program a stance the Obama administration reaffirmed Tuesday. "We want to continue to see a verifiable denuclearization of the peninsula," State Department spokesman John Kirby said. "We want to see a return to the six-party talks process, and that means we need to see the North show a willingness" to do so. Pyongyang has so far rejected Western overtures and continues to resist world leaders' attempts to bring it into compliance with a string of United Nations resolutions. It conducted two underground nuclear blasts this year, along with nearly two dozen missile tests, and shows no public sign of willingness to rein in its nuclear ambitions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US: IS Attacks Elsewhere Have Not Shaken Focus on Mosul By Jeff Seldin October 25, 2016 Efforts by the Islamic State terror group to draw attention away from the Iraqi-led assault on the key northern city of Mosul are having little if any impact, according to U.S. defense and intelligence officials. IS fighters started launching a series of counterattacks hundreds of kilometers away from the main battlefront Friday, carrying out attacks on the oil-rich city of Kirkuk and in the town of Dibis. More than 100 people, including security personnel, were killed in the Kirkuk attack, which Kurdish officials blamed on an IS sleeper cell. At least 14 people, including several Iranians, were killed in the Dibis attack. Two days later, IS fighters attacked the town of Rutba, in Anbar province, forcing the Iraqi government to send reinforcements. "This type of thing was absolutely expected," a U.S. defense official told VOA when asked about the IS counterattacks. "It was accounted for in our planning." More, worse is expected U.S. officials say more such attacks are only a matter of time. "ISIL's attack on Kirkuk reflects a battlefield tactic commonly employed by the group: relieving pressure on a key battlefront by striking elsewhere," a U.S. counterterrorism official told VOA, using an acronym for the self-declared caliphate. "As ISIL sheds territory and resources, it relies on guerrilla-style attacks to divert focus on its dwindling safe havens." Defense officials are also bracing for a rise in so-called spectacular attacks, like suicide bombings in major cities in Iraq and elsewhere, as pressure mounts on IS forces in and around Mosul. And while local IS commanders often have a degree of autonomy to launch attacks as they see fit, there is a sense that so far, attacks like the one on Kirkuk are being directed by the terror group's senior military leaders. Still, some see IS operations like Kirkuk, which involved 80 to 100 fighters on what was in many ways a suicide mission, as worrisome. "They still have some degree of command and control in their area," said Aki Peritz, a former CIA analyst. "They've been building all sorts of defenses over the last two years, waiting for this moment." Is the progress hyped? Others are also worried that progress in the battle for Mosul has been overhyped and that IS will still be able to inflict damage across Iraq as the campaign plays out. "The claim that things are going well, that's a lot of posturing," said an aid worker in the region who asked not to be named because of security concerns. "The general sense is that they're meeting with much stronger pushback than expected." U.S. officials believe the Iraqi and Kurdish ground forces are ready, and that no matter what diversions IS has in store, the terror group's last major stronghold in Iraq will fall. "The focus remains on Mosul," the official added. "They [IS] have not shaken that focus." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Detainees tortured by police during Turkey's emergency state: HRW Iran Press TV Tue Oct 25, 2016 4:16PM Human Rights Watch (HRW) says a state of emergency declared in Turkey following the abortive July 15 military coup has been used by police forces to torture and abuse people arrested. In a 43-page report published on Tuesday, the New York-based rights group said that a "climate of fear" prevails in Turkey since the failed putsch. "By removing safeguards against torture, the Turkish government effectively wrote a blank check to law enforcement agencies to torture and mistreat detainees as they like," said Hugh Williamson, HRW's Europe and Central Asia director. The watchdog cited 13 cases of alleged abuse, including torture, sleep deprivation, severe beatings, sexual abuse and rape threats among people arrested in the post-coup crackdown. It further detailed examples of detainees with bruises on their body and said that some lawyers were too scared to record evidence that their clients had been subjected to torture. "There was not a part of (a detainee's) body that was not covered in bruises," an unnamed forensic specialist told HRW. An unidentified Istanbul-based lawyer also said that her client had confirmed that officers "threatened to rape them and their wives." The report also quoted a police officer telling a detainee, "Because of the state of emergency, nobody will care if I kill you. I will just say I shot you while you tried to run away." The HRW report was based on interviews between August and September with 40 people, including lawyers, human rights activists, former detainees, medical personnel and forensic specialists. The coup began when a faction of the Turkish military declared it was in control of the country and the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was no more in charge. Tanks, helicopters, and soldiers clashed with police and people on the streets of Ankara and Istanbul. Between 200 and 300 people were killed on all sides in the attempted coup d'etat. The state of emergency was first imposed a few days after the putsch bid. It was prolonged for another 12 weeks earlier this month. Emergency decrees have since extended the period of police detention without judicial review from 4 to 30 days and allowed the authorities to deny detainees access to lawyers for up to five days. The government in Ankara has launched a sweeping crackdown on those believed to have played a role in the failed coup. It has arrested over 35,000 people and sacked over 100,000 others over their suspected links with Fethullah Gulen, a US-based cleric blamed for orchestrating the coup attempt. Gulen rejects the charge. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Four Westover Christian Academy eighth graders participated in a wreath laying ceremony Tuesday at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington. Following the changing of the guard, students Suzanna Davis, Will Armstrong, Dylan Aron, and Matthew Moore were given instructions by a staff sergeant for the ceremony. Their 25 other classmates and those on hand to witness it were called to order and then they walked down the steps together to the memorial and placed the wreath. The wreath was paid for by the eighth grade class and the four students were selected by their classmates, said Amy Calvert, director of student activities at Westover, who organized the annual two-day trip. The event has become a tradition for eighth graders at the school for several years and lines up with their history curriculum. While the trip is not mandatory, most children choose to go. I was really nervous at first, Moore said about the ceremony in a telephone interview, but then I thought it was cool because [my classmates] could trust me with something like this. It was cool to do this to represent Westover. Davis and Armstrong both said they also were nervous, but thought it was a big honor. Aron and Davis led the way and both placed the wreath. Afterward they stepped back to the staff sergeant that led them down the stairs along with Armstrong and Moore and placed their right hands over their hearts as Taps was played. In addition to their participation, they were required to wear certain attire. Without it, they would not have been allowed to participate in the ceremony. I was excited because it shows a lot of appreciation for the servicemen that are fighting everyday for our lives. Im thankful for that, Aron said. As for the size of Arlington National Cemetery, I didnt know how big it was, but when I got to the top of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier it sunk in just how many people there were that have fought and died to protect us. In addition to the ceremony, students took a walking tour of Washington and saw the memorials near the National Mall, as well as the White House and Capitol. While neither building was toured on the inside, they did gather as a group Monday evening and prayed for the nation at the Capitol. This is something they will remember for the rest of their lives, Tammy Moore, Matthews mother, said. SOUTH BOSTON The IT Academy at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center is now recruiting for classes beginning Jan. 9. The IT Academy offers short-term, hands-on training leading to CompTIA credentials in A+ and Server+. Classroom instruction and online study tools are paired with hands-on activities in a fully equipped repair center and data center that simulates the real world working environment. Training participants complete the entire core curriculum within four months, and have the training and skills necessary to start, or advance, their career as an IT technician. I chose the IT Academy program to further my knowledge in the IT field, and to obtain the required certifications that so many employers are looking for in their employees, said ITA program completer Derek Hall. The most valuable aspect of the program for me was the hands on experience, it really helped in recognizing the components and learning the software that was being taught in the classroom, he continued. After successfully completing the IT Academy in June 2016, Hall was hired as a member of the Dell team at the Microsoft data center in Boydton. To learn more, individuals are encouraged to attend an upcoming information session. Information sessions will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday and Nov. 3. Information sessions will cover valuable information including the ITA application process, skills learned during training, and available financial assistance. Since the IT Academy began in August 2015, 32 participants have completed the program and 55 CompTia credentials have been earned. Myra Ragland, another successful program completer, said, I came to the IT Academy as an unemployed Veteran. After obtaining three certifications, I left the Academy as an employed Veteran with a well- known, highly regarded IT Enterprise Company in Clarksville. Individuals interested in enrolling in the IT Academy including unemployed/dislocated workers and career switchers should contact Kelly Shotwell to reserve a seat in one of the upcoming information sessions. Shotwell may be reached at kellyshotwell@svhec.org, 434-572-5660, and toll free 1-800-283-0098 ext 5660. The IT Academy is an initiative of the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center with funding from the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission. Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCwire) - Equitas Resources Corp. (Equitas or the Company) (TSXV: EQT) (US: EQTRF) (Frankfurt: T6UN) is pleased to report that it has succeeded in acquiring two tenements in the prolific Juruena Gold Belt in Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Major highlights include: Licences for two separate tenements, Santa Helena and Colidor Leste totaling over 18,000 hectares have been awarded by Departamento Nacional de Producao Mineral (DNPM), after a protracted bidding process, with the Company as beneficial owner; Previous exploration has returned values up to 45.00 g/t Au at the Santa Helena licence where exploration to date indicates potential for bulk minable saprolite oxide and high grade bedrock sulphide gold; Geology at the early stage Colider Leste licence is similar to the Companys high grade Nova Canaa project, with gold mineralization associated with shearing hydrothermal alteration and quartz stockworks; The Company will prioritize exploration plans for the tenements as part of an ongoing strategic review of its portfolio and the overall potential of Juruena Belt. We are excited about finally obtaining these two key licences. They are promising material additions to our portfolio, with high grade test results and/or good exploration potential said Chris Harris, President & CEO of Equitas Resources Corp. To view the graphic in its original size, please click here https://www.equitasresources.com/news/news-releases/2016/equitas-resources-corp-expands-property-portfolio-in-the-juruena-gold-belt-brazil Figure 1: Equitas Resources Corp. Portfolio within the Juruena Belt, Central Brazil To view the graphic in its original size, please click here https://www.equitasresources.com/assets/img/oct26-figure-2.jpg Figure 2: Santa Helena and Colider Leste Project Area Map Santa Helena License The Santa Helena licence is located in between our Colider and Rio do Pombo projects. Property geology consists of Nhandu granite in the southern and central portions, and Colider suite micro-granites in the northern parts. North to northeast trending diabase dykes are in part parallel to a broad NNE trending shear, hosting later brittle deformation, hydrothermal alteration, quartz veining and gold associated with sulphides. Sericite alteration, quartz stockworks and pyrite associated with gold mineralization are clearly evident at the old Garimpeiro Edu Mine and at the Gabriel pit. Observed thicknesses and Au grades in the saprolite indicate the potential for discovery of a significant open pit resource at Santa Helena. To view the graphic in its original size, please click here https://www.equitasresources.com/assets/img/oct26-figure-3.jpg Figure 3: Geology of the Santa Helena Project Soil surveys conducted by ECI Mining and Exploration Inc. (ECI, 2008-2009) have identified three distinct km-scale Au anomaly target areas along a virtually untested 7 km NNE trend associated with the shear zone. ECIs Induced Polarization (IP) surveys in the Gabriel Pit area identified chargeability anomalies indicative of underlying bedrock sulphides. Borehole collars in the Gabriel pit area are evidence of limited drilling by Rio Tinto in the late 1990s; this information is unavailable at present. No exploration has been conducted at Santa Helena since 2009. The licenses have been the subject of a dispute that DNPM announced resolution of on September 28, 2016, ruling in favour of the Company. To view the graphic in its original size, please click here https://www.equitasresources.com/assets/img/oct26-figure-4.jpg Figure 4: ECI Soil survey results for Santa Helena project, showing the Flecha Dourado, Gabriel and Agostinino Targets The NE trending Gabriel pit is 170m in length, and up to 70m wide. The pit was focus for historic garimpeiro mining, and the Rio Tinto drilling. The ECI soil survey defines an associated gold anomaly 1000m in length and up to 670m in width, indicating a very large untested target area. Notable gold values obtained by sampling in the Gabriel pit are listed in Table 1 below. To view the graphic in its original size, please click here https://www.equitasresources.com/assets/img/oct26-figure-5-20161025193255.jpg Figure 5: Photos of the Gabriel Pit, showing the exposed gold mineralized saprolite Location Sample Type Length (m) Au g/t Gabriel Pit composite chip of saprolite n/a 11.43 Gabriel Pit composite chip of saprolite n/a 11.73 Gabriel Pit composite chip of saprolite n/a 15.10 Gabriel Pit channel sample of saprolite 3 2.70 Gabriel Pit channel sample of saprolite 1 4.81 Gabriel Pit Grab of saprolite n/a 45.00 https://www.equitasresources.com/assets/img/oct26-table-1.jpg Table 1: Notable Au assays from previous ECI Exploration, Gabriel Pit Colider Leste license The Colider Leste licence is an early-stage opportunity, identified by similarities in geology, structure and mineralization with the Companys advanced high grade Nova Canaa Project. At Colider Leste monzogranites of the San Pedro Intrusive suite are in sheared contact with Nova Canaa Suite biotite granites and syenogranties. Gold is reported to be associated with hydrothermal alteration along the shears, with saussuritization, epidote alteration, and quartz veins and stockworks hosted by a later brittle deformation event, with an overall northwest orientation. Further Exploration The Santa Helena Project is a clear candidate for mapping, trenching and IP survey to evaluate the three large soil anomalies. At Colider Leste, detailed mapping and sampling in order to evaluate for the potential of an economic-scale gold target is the logical next step. These two opportunities will be evaluated within the overall framework of the Companys extensive portfolio within the Juruena Gold Belt. NI 43-101 Disclosure Everett Makela, P. Geo., VP Exploration and Director of Equitas Resources Corp., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, supervised the preparation of the technical information in this news release. For more information on Equitas Resources Corp., please contact Investor Relations at 604-681-1568 or info@equitasresources.com. On Behalf of the Board of Directors, Equitas Resources Corp. Chris Harris Chris Harris President & CEO Tel: 604-681-1568 info@equitasresources.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 press release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the future operations of the Company and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as will, may, should, anticipate, expects and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential for bulk minable saprolite oxide and high grade bedrock sulphide gold; future exploration plans including mapping, trenching and IP surveys; the potential for an open pit discovery at the Santa Helena License; and references to an economic-scale gold target at Santa Helena; are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The reader is cautioned that references to mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability and assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward- looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by Canadian securities law. To view this press release as a PDF file, click onto the following link:public://news_release_pdf/equitas10262016.pdfSource: Equitas Resources Corp. (TSX Venture:EQT) To follow Equitas Resources Corp. on your favorite social media platform or financial websites, please click on the icons below. Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2016 Filing Services Canada Inc. Exposure to new high grade discoveries in Nevada and Mexico Shares Issued: 200,406,337 THUNDER BAY, ON, Oct. 26, 2016 /CNW/ - Premier Gold Mines Ltd. (TSX:PG) ("Premier", "the Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into two separate and definitive agreements with Goldcorp Inc. (TSX:G, NYSE:GG) ("Goldcorp") and Kinross Gold Corp. (TSX:K, NYSE:KGC) ("Kinross") to acquire highly prospective exploration projects in Nevada and Mexico. The projects have had recent exploration work that identified high-grade mineralization where both could represent significant new discoveries for Premier. Goldbanks Project Nevada (Kinross Deal) The Option Agreement with Kinross Gold USA, Inc. ("Kinross"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kinross Gold Corp., grants Premier the right to earn a 50% interest in the Goldbanks Project ("Goldbanks") located in Pershing County, Nevada, 50 kilometres south of Winnemucca. Goldbanks is comprised of 875 Claims totalling approximately 16,000 acres with several significant targets on the property including the high-grade Golden Devil discovery and the Main Zone and KW open pit deposits. The Golden Devil discovery is the primary target where drilling has already commenced to test a high grade epithermal vein discovery beneath the known low grade near surface deposits. Initial results are expected in early November. The discovery resulted from a new geological interpretation by Kinross in 2013 that resulted in the drilling of three deep holes (see Table 1 below) that intersected gold mineralization including a high grade intercept of 192.00 g/t Au and 10,850.00 g/t Ag over 1.1m (5.61 oz/t Au and 316.46 oz/t Ag over 3.7 ft). Table 1 Highlight results from 2013 Kinross drilling at the Golden Devil target Hole ID Coordinates(1) (ft.) Azimuth/Dip (Degrees) From (m) To (m) Core Length(2) (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Core Length(2) (ft) Au (oz/t) Ag (oz/t) Comment GB13-07 15210356N/2873880E 285/-60 657.8 660.8 3.0 5.57 3.09 9.9 0.16 0.09 698.1 699.2 1.1 192.50 10850.00 3.7 5.61 316.46 Visible Gold GB13-15 15210360N/2873864E 290/-58 636.8 637.9 1.1 27.90 17.10 3.7 0.81 0.50 Visible Gold 688.8 689.5 0.6 126.50 25.00 2.1 3.69 0.73 Visible Gold 705.1 706.9 1.9 5.06 9.95 6.1 0.15 0.29 GB13-16 15211419N/2873743E 225/-50 722.5 723.4 0.9 4.52 16.90 2.9 0.13 0.49 1) 2701 NAD83 State Plane 2) True widths of drill intercepts are unknown All abbreviations used in this press release are available by following this link (click here). The geologic model at Goldbanks is interpreted to be similar to the Midas and Sleeper Mines in Nevada that both produced gold early in their production history from ore in excess of one ounce per ton. It is the believed that the Kinross drilling intersected "splay" veins proximal to a primary ore bearing structure and drilling will focus on stepping out along the high grade Golden Devil trend as well as testing the projected location of a highly prospective basin-bounding fault zone. The high grade epithermal vein targets at depth are geologically connected to the property's near-surface deposits (90% oxide and 10% sulphide) that host an inferred mineral resource estimate of 556,700 ounces of gold contained within 25.7M tonnes @ 0.7 g/t Au (28.3M tons 0.02 oz/t Au). The estimate was completed in 2006 by Mine Development Associates of Reno, Nevada on behalf of Desert Gold Ventures Inc., an earlier partner on the project. Other prospective targets on the property will be prioritized for future programs. To earn a 50% interest in the project, Premier is required to spend US$20 Million in exploration on the property over five years including a firm commitment of US$3.5 Million during the first 18 months. Premier will be the operator of exploration programs on the property. Kinross may elect to become the operator following Premier having earned a 50% interest. Alto-Cristina Project Mexico (Goldcorp Deal) The Alto-Cristina Project is located in southwest part of Chihuahua State, Mexico. Premier has secured an option pursuant to an agreement with Minas de la Alta Pimeria, S.A. de C.V., a subsidiary of Goldcorp, to acquire up to a 100% interest by making payments of US$1.5 Million on each of the date of execution of the agreement; on the 12 month anniversary date; and on completion of a resource estimate on the property. A final payment of US$2.5 Million is required at commercial production. Goldcorp will retain a 2.0% Net Smelter Returns Royalty ("NSR"), half of which can be purchased by Premier for the sum of US$1.5 Million for a period of three years from the acquisition date. Between 2013 and 2015 60 holes were drilled at Alto-Cristina that resulted in the two high grade polymetallic vein discoveries of Alto and Guadalupe. Quartz veins and quartz stockwork occur within an area of approximately eight square kilometers where individual vein zones have been traced over a distance of up to two kilometers. The epithermal to mesothermal vein mineralization contains gold, silver and base metals similar in nature to the Tayoltita/San Dimas district (located to the south) where 3.5 million gold equivalent ounces have been produced. The drilling was completed on wide-spaced intervals, typically 100-200 metres and Premier hopes that tighter drilling may define multiple high-grade shoots or lenses. A drill has been mobilized to test the Alto/Bajo vein structure with initial results expected by year-end. Previous drilling intersected high-grade poly-metallic mineralization proximal to a strong soil anomaly. Two of those intersections (on the discovery section) are shown below and include: CRD15-53: 10.88 g/t Au, 155 g/t Ag, 0.7% Cu, 1.2% Pb and 6.5% Zn across 2.80 m (Alto) CRD15-60: 9.98 g/t Au, 192 g/t Ag, 1.9 % Cu, 1.5 % Pb and 15.2 % Zn across 1.85 m (Alto) 1.64 g/t Au, 353 g/t Ag, 2.1 % Cu, 1.4 % Pb and 1.3 % Zn across 1.45 m (Bajo) "These prospective high grade opportunities will further bolster Premier's pipeline of exciting projects and both agreements adhere to our strategy of gaining access to projects with the potential of high-margin production and minimal upfront risk and costs. We consider these targets to be some of the most attractive that the Company has identified over the past several years," stated Ewan Downie, President & CEO of Premier on the Company's C-Suite Blog (http://www.premiergoldmines.com/news/c-suite-blog). Premier remains focused on building its mining business towards a mid-tier producer status with two gold producing mines, South Arturo and Mercedes, and the ongoing permitting for future mine development at Hardrock in Ontario (Trans-Canada JV) and McCoy-Cove in Nevada. Advanced exploration continues in Red Lake and further work on the newly acquired projects will assist to prioritize the next tier of development projects and the future growth of the Company. Stephen McGibbon, P. Geo., is the Qualified Person for the information contained in this press release and is a Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101. Drill samples from Alto-Cristina were sent to ALS Laboratories in Hermosillo, Mexico for analysis by fire assay with AA finish. Drill samples from Goldbanks were sent to ALS Laboratories in Reno, Nevada for analysis with the analytical facility utilizing fire assay with an AA finish for RC samples and fire assay with AA finish and ICP-MS 30 element scan from 4-acid digestion for Core samples. Samples containing visible gold are submitted for screen metallic analysis and all over-limit samples receive an automatic gravimetric finish. Premier Gold Mines Ltd. is a gold producer and respected exploration and development company with a high-quality pipeline of precious metal projects in proven, accessible and safe mining jurisdictions in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. This Press Release contains certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements about strategic plans, including future operations, future work programs, capital expenditures, discovery and production of minerals, price of gold and currency exchange rates, timing of geological reports and corporate and technical objectives... Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including the risks inherent to the mining industry, adverse economic and market developments and the risks identified in Premier's annual information form under the heading "Risk Factors". There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof. Premier disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. SOURCE Premier Gold Mines Ltd. VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Oct. 26, 2016) - NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR THROUGH U.S. NEWSWIRES Callinex Mines Inc. (the "Company" or "Callinex") (TSX VENTURE:CNX)(OTCQX:CLLXF) is pleased to announce the results at the Company's annual general and special meeting held on October 25, 2016 (the "Meeting"). Shareholders voted in favor of all items put forward by the Board of Directors. Shareholders set the number of directors at five and approved the appointment of Max Porterfield, Mike Muzylowski, Nico Civelli, Michael Louie and Keith Minty to the Board of Directors. Peter Schriber did not stand for re-election as a director of the Company. The Company wishes to thank Mr. Schriber for his services as a director of the Company. Shareholders also approved the adoption of the Company's rolling 10% stock option plan and approved an alteration to the Articles in order to include, among other things, an "Advance Notice Policy". The purpose of the Advance Notice Policy is to provide a clear process for the shareholders, directors and management to follow when nominating directors of the Company. Such a policy will ensure that shareholders receive adequate notice of director nominations and sufficient information regarding all director nominees and to allow shareholders to register an informed vote after having been afforded reasonable time for appropriate deliberation. The Advance Notice Policy, among other things, includes a provision that requires advance notice to the Company in certain circumstances where nominations of persons for election to the board of directors are made by shareholders of the Company. This Advance Notice Policy also sets a deadline by which director nominations must be submitted to the Company prior to any annual general or special meeting of the shareholders and also sets out the required information that must be included in the notice to the Company. No person will be eligible for election as a director of the Company unless nominated in accordance with the Advance Notice Policy. In the case of an annual meeting of shareholders, notice to the Company must be made not less than 30 nor more than 65 days prior to the date of the annual meeting; provided, however, that, in the event that the annual meeting is to be held on a date that is less than 50 days after the date on which the first public announcement of the date of the annual meeting was made, notice may be made not later than the close of business on the 10th day following such public announcement. In the case of a special meeting of shareholders (which is not also an annual meeting), notice to the Company must be made not later than the close of business on the 15th day following the day on which the first public announcement of the date of the special meeting was made. A copy of the Advance Notice Policy is available on SEDAR under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. About Callinex Mines Inc. Callinex Mines Inc. is focused on discovering and developing zinc and copper rich mines within prolific Canadian VMS mining jurisdictions. The Company is actively exploring its Pine Bay Project, located in the Flin Flon mining district of Manitoba, which hosts significant historic VMS deposits that are within close proximity to a processing facility. The larger project portfolio hosts three significant zinc rich mineral resources including the Point Leamington, Nash Creek and Superjack Projects located in Eastern Canada. 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. Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to future expenditures. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Except as required by securities laws, Callinex does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement. Toronto, Ontario (FSCwire) - Stans Energy Corp. (TSX-V: HRE, OTCQB: HREEF), ("Stans" or the "Company") announces amended closing terms to its previously announced non-brokered private placement financing (See Press Release dated September 13, 2016 and October 4, 2016). The Proposed Offering of Common Shares The closing of the private placement has been adjusted to November 24, 2016. The private placement financing is for a placement of up to $600,000 (the Offering Amount) consisting of up to 12,000,000 units at a price of $0.05 per Unit. Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company and one share purchase warrant (each whole warrant a Warrant). Each Warrant will be exercisable to acquire one additional common share of the Company for a period of 60 months at a price of $0.06per common share. Stans intends to use the gross proceeds from the Offering to fund its ongoing corporate overhead and conducting of due diligence on the Pervomayskiy Lithium Mineralization Stockpile and Zaibaikalsky Mill. Proceeds will not be used to pay management fees, nor is it proposed to make payments to any related parties. The Offering is open to all accredited investors and financial institutions, subject to certain limitations. Any existing shareholder interested in participating in the Offering should contact the Company in accordance with the contact information set forth below. The Company may pay registrants a cash commission of 5% of the gross proceeds of this Offering in respect of investors solicited or introduced by such registrants. Registrants will also be entitled to receive warrants to purchase that number of common shares of the Company as equals 5% of the total offering subscribed by investors solicited or introduced by such registrants, at an exercise price of $0.06 per share, for a term of 60 months. 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. Closing of the Offering will be subject to certain closing conditions, including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange. About Stans Energy Stans Energy Corp. is a resource development company focused on advancing rare and specialty metals properties and processing technologies Stans is now transitioning into a supplier of materials and technologies that will assist in satisfying the future energy supply, storage and transmission needs of the world. Previously, the Company acquired, among other things, the right to mine the past producing rare earth mine, Kutessay II, in the Kyrgyz Republic Due to the expropriation actions taken by the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Company is undertaking international arbitration litigation to protect the Companys rights and recover damages estimated at over US$210,000,000, caused by the Republic. We seek safe harbour. Contact Details Rodney Irwin David Vinokurov Stans Energy Corp. Stans Energy Corp. Interim President & CEO VP Corporate Development rodney@stansenergy.com david@stansenergy.com 647-426-1865 647-426-1865 FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This document includes forward-looking statements as well as historical information. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, use of proceeds from the Offering, the completion of the Offering, the continued advancement of the company's general business development, research development and the company's development of mineral exploration projects. When used in this press release, the words will, shall, "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intent", "may", "project", "plan", "should" and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. Although Stans Energy Corp. believes that their expectations reflected in these forward looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and no assurance can be given that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statement. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements include the potential that fluctuations in the marketplace for the sale of minerals, the inability to implement corporate strategies, the ability to obtain financing and other risks disclosed in our filings made with Canadian Securities Regulators. To view this press release as a PDF file, click onto the following link:public://news_release_pdf/Stans10262016_0.pdfSource: Stans Energy Corp. (TSX Venture:HRE, OTCQB:HREEF) To follow Stans Energy Corp. on your favorite social media platform or financial websites, please click on the icons below. Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2016 Filing Services Canada Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCwire) - PPX Mining Corp. (the "Company" or PPX) is pleased to announce that underground test mining and bulk sampling have commenced at Mina Callanquitas on its Igor Project in northern Peru. The Companys mining partner Proyectos La Patagonia S.A.C. (PLP) has received the Autorizacion Inicio de Actividades (AIA, Authorization to Begin Activities) from the regional authorities in the Department of La Libertad. Underground development to facilitate our previously announced bulk sampling program, has started with initial work focused on the 3390 level of Mina Callanquitas. PLP has begun excavating the 3390 level ramp and will immediately begin developing sublevel three for test mining and bulk sampling. The sub-vertical geometry of the Callanquitas structure combined with favorable topography will allow PLP to begin extracting gold and silver mineralized material rapidly in preparation for large-scale bulk sampling. Gold and silver mineralized material mined during the initial stages of development of the 3390 level will be stockpiled. PPX intends to process this preliminary bulk sample at a nearby toll processing facility in order to calibrate the facility and verify its operating parameters. The stockpiled development rock is mineralogically and metallurgically similar to the bulk of the Callanquitas resource and is therefore ideal for evaluating the suitability of the toll processing facility for testing bulk samples of Callanquitas-style gold and silver mineralization. It is anticipated that several thousand tonnes of stockpiled gold and silver mineralized material will be processed during this evaluation phase. The Company and PLP intend to accelerate mine development by starting an additional ramp on the 3440 level. Utilizing access from both levels, the Company expects to be able to extract up to 150 tonnes per day of bulk sample by Q1 2017. This will enable the extraction of large volume bulk samples from the gold and silver resource blocks outlined by surface diamond drilling. The bulk samples will be utilized to verify the resource model, generate real-life mining cost profiles, and validate previously completed bench-scale metallurgical testing. PPX plans to utilize the economic, engineering, and technical data generating during the test mining and bulk-sampling program as the basis for a Pre Feasibility Study (PFS) to evaluate the economics of potential future mining operations at Mina Callanquitas. Bulk sampling at Mina Callanquitas is scheduled to continue throughout 2017. All of the Companys capital requirements for test mining and bulk sampling program have been met by previously completed private placements with PLP or its affiliates. PLP will be providing the balance of the upfront and working capital required for mine development, therefore PPX will have no further capital commitments for test mining at Mina Callanquitas. Kimberly Ann Arntson, CFO and Vice President - Corporate Development of PPX Mining Corp. commented: Today is an important day for our shareholders and for the history of our Company. With the commencement of underground bulk sampling at Mina Callanquitas, we begin a new phase in the growth of our Company and begin a corporate transition. Our capital commitments for test mining have been met and, with the completion of our recent financing with RIVI Capital, the company is poised to move forward with a strong balance sheet. Brian J. Maher, President and CEO of PPX Mining Corp. further commented: We expect to begin shipping gold and silver mineralized bulk samples from Mina Callanquitas to a nearby processing facility very soon and we look forward to reporting the initial results of processing this rock. We will accelerate test mining, targeting 150 tonnes per day by Q1 2017 in order to facilitate large-scale bulk sampling throughout 2017. Coupled with a revitalized exploration program at Igor, the company is positioned to make major steps forward in realizing the full value of our Igor Project in 2017. About PPX Mining Corp.: PPX Mining Corp. (PPX: TSX.V; BVL) is currently exploring and evaluating mine development opportunities at its Igor Mine Project in Northern Peru. The Igor project explores several high grade, gold and silver mineralized high-angle structures that host significant gold and silver resources. The Callanquitas Structure at the Igor Project contains Inferred gold and silver resources of 7,189,000 tonnes grading 1.94 gpt gold and 71.8 gpt silver containing 448,500 ounces of gold and 16,600,000 ounces of silver at a cutoff grade of 1.5 gpt gold equivalent. Included within this resource estimate is a higher grade zone consisting of 2,730,000 tonnes grading 2.73 gpt gold and 119.1 gpt silver containing 239,400 ounces of gold and 10,500,000 ounces of silver using a 3.0 gpt gold equivalent cutoff grade (Please see Technical Report as amended on September 27, 2013 entitled Technical Report on the Callanquitas Structure, Igor Mine Project, Northern Peru, South America, available on the Companys web site or SEDAR). Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the mineral resource will be converted into mineral reserves. The Company has begun work on its underground test mining and bulk sampling program which is designed to validate and upgrade the resource estimate, and generate data to evaluate the possibility of future mine development at Igor. The Company is accelerating its exploration program at Igor in order to fully evaluate the resource potential of the entire Igor project area. All scientific and technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Quentin J. Browne, P.Geo., Independent Consulting Geologist to Peruvian Precious Metals, who is a qualified person under the definitions established by National Instrument 43-101. On behalf of the Board of Directors Brian J. Maher President and Chief Executive Officer FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: PPX Mining Corp. Kimberly Ann Arntson, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President - Corporate Development Phone: 1-530-414-4400 Email: kimberly.ann@ppx.mining.com Website: www.ppxmining.com 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. Certain disclosure in this release, including statements regarding the terms of the private placement, the possible completion of the private placement and the intended use of proceeds from the private placement, may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Canadian securities legislation. In making the forward-looking statements in this release, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable, including that the Company is able to obtain any required regulatory approvals to complete the Companys planned private placement, that the Company is able to complete the private placement, and that the Company will be able to use the proceeds from the private placement as intended. However, the forward-looking statements in this release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Such uncertainties and risks are detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the appropriate securities commissions, and may include, among others, that the private placement will not complete, market conditions, and delays in obtaining or failure to obtain required regulatory approvals or financing. 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. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. To view this press release as a PDF file, click onto the following link:public://news_release_pdf/PPX10262016.pdfSource: PPX Mining Corp. , (TSX Venture:PPX) To follow PPX Mining Corp., on your favorite social media platform or financial websites, please click on the icons below. Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2016 Filing Services Canada Inc. My column, the Family Table, is six years old. Wow. Time flies when you're having fun. And, it really is a lot of fun. I have interviewed chefs and farmers, covered local restaurants and grocery stores, reviewed cookbooks and highlighted community events, among other things. While readers have contacted me about everything from trash to water, my favorite calls and letters are about food. I try very hard to keep a largely local focus in the columns, and the readers are a big help they have shared recipes, kitchen tips and news with me and for that I'm very grateful. So as part of the celebration and to say thank you to our fabulous readers, we're putting together a Food Advisory Board ("FAB!"). If you're interested in food growing, cooking, shopping, and/or eating we want you. As a member of FAB!, you'll be able to contribute ideas for columns, contribute recipes and quotes for a column in the works, or test recipes. Don't worry, you only contribute if the topic interests you. So I may send a call out and if it's not your cup of tea, that's OK. If you love the topic, say baking, and I'm writing about baking, then jump in and share. In return, you'll be mentioned in the paper (for the columns you contribute to), enter in occasional giveaways of cookbooks and other fun goodies, and you'll also get opportunities to participate in special FAB! events from time to time. Drop me an email at rashda.khan@gosanangelo.com and I'll send you a FAB! form. There is no charge to be a FAB! member. In other business: Shannon Chef Certified Chef Larry Lambert, associate director of Shannon Food and Nutrition Services, completed the American Culinary Federation's certification process to become a certified executive chef. He received the certification after meeting requirements, which included education, work experience and a written and practical exam. The CEC certification is renewed every five years with continuing education. Lambert joined Shannon in 1988. He is one of 164 certified executive chefs in Texas and one of 3,207 worldwide. Congratulations to Chef Lambert and Shannon! Greek Bake Sale 2016 The 2016 Greek Bake Sale and Gyro Lunch is set for Nov. 12. However, the pre-order deadline is Friday This is the annual fundraising event for the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church. The list of goodies include: baklava (filo-pastry filled with nuts), koulouria (twisted holiday cookies), melomakarona (honey-dipped spiced cookies), kourambiethes (wedding cookies), spanakopita (spinach pies) and tiropita (cheese pies). A variety pack featuring baklava, melomakarona, and kourambiethes will also be available. Pre-order are accepted by phone, 325-374-2394; email, orthodoxsanangelo@suddenlink.com; or website, orthodoxsanangelo.com, through Friday. On the day of pickup and bake sale in November, members of the church will also sell gyros (pita bread wraps with meat, tomatoes, onion and tzatziki sauce), fries and Greek fries for lunch between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The cost is $7 per wrap. Thank you for reading! Rashda Khan is a San Angelo-based food enthusiast, writer and culinary instructor. She moderates the Facebook group San Angelo Eat Local. Originally from Bangladesh, she is now a proud West Texan. She can be reached at rashda.khan@gosanangelo.com or 325-659-8381. SHARE By Rashda Khan, Rashda.Khan@gosanangelo.com/@rashda_SAST County and city officials are working to meet a Dec. 1 deadline to be in compliance with new federal rules that will drastically affect employee compensation and work schedules. Changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act, in place since 2004, will decide which employees can claim exempt status paid a fixed salary without regard to hours worked and who will have to be paid overtime wages. The current wage threshold for FLSA exemption from the overtime rule is $455 a week, or $23,660 a year. Under the new rule it will be $913 a week, or $47,476 a year. "This is not something that's coming from the (Commissioners') Court, HR or the Treasurer's Office. This is coming from the Department of Labor," Tom Green County Judge Steve Floyd said at the Commissioners Court meeting Tuesday. According to a report by County Treasurer Dianna Spieker, 34 county employees will remain exempt, and 34 who were exempt will no longer be exempt. Of the latter group, one position is on the borderline. More conversations will have to take place between the supervisor of that position and the new county Human Resources director who will join the payroll in November to determine where that position falls. "With a stroke of a pen the DOL basically (more than) doubled the amount of salary that has to be paid for an employee to be considered exempt," Floyd said. The amendment has been in the works since 2014 under an initiative from the White House, which noted that the old exemption threshold for management overtime exemption delivered a wage lower than the poverty level for a single-income family of four while allowing unlimited unpaid overtime. "Our situation is, it took basically 34 people that were exempt, so they were all off the time clock, and puts them back on the time clock," the judge explained. "This is one of those things that we're powerless, other than ... (raising) all of those salaries some of them $20,000 to get them up over the exempt status, which obviously the budget consideration couldn't allow to happen." The city of San Angelo has 22 affected employees. "We've performed (new required tests) on the 22 positions and determined that 7 are truly exempt positions," said Lisa Marley, the city's human resources director. "But their salaries are underneath the threshold that has been established, so we're going to have to give those people more money." The increase is already budgeted. Because Marley knew the changes were coming, she informed city administration during the budget process in the summer that the financial impact of the change would be $18,463. Being part of the public sector, "we're allowed to do comp time in lieu of overtime," she said. "So if there are some who have to work more hours, then instead of paying them money, we can pay them with time off." Fifteen city employees currently classified as exempt don't meet the new qualifications for exemption. To be exempt, Marley explained, "you have to pass (the appropriate) test, plus you have to make at least $47,476." She plans to talk to supervisors and individual employees affected in November to make sure they understand the changes. "I think the hardest part will be telling people who have always been exempt that now they're nonexempt. Sometimes people can see that as a negative, like a demotion because you work your way up to exempt status," she said. "Now that the government has changed the standards, it's really incumbent upon the employer to make sure the employees affected understand that it's not a negative." Marley anticipates there will be a learning curve. Workers who didn't have fixed schedules will now have to be accountable for hours worked. Supervisors will have to manage their employees' time closely and use a different recording system. Overall, she said, the change is a positive thing and long overdue. "This big jump from $23,000 to $47,000 is just making up for lost ground," she said, adding that the cost of living has definitely risen since 2004. Also the new tests and rules are clearer, which reduces the likelihood of misleading job titles. "Now it's very cut and dry either you are exempt or you aren't." According to a White House analysis, the new rule is expected to affect about 370,000 workers in Texas, or slightly less than 3 percent of the civilian labor force in the state. The analysis projected that 35 percent of workers who are FLSA-exempt as management personnel will be affected by the rule. SHARE By Carol Rosenberg, Miami Herald (TNS) MIAMI The Guantanamo parole board has re-branded the Indonesian former CIA captive known as Hambali as a "forever prisoner," declaring him too dangerous to release from U.S. military custody. The Periodic Review Board said in a decision released Tuesday that Encep Nurjaman Hambali, with a "lengthy history as a jihadist," has no real remorse about his "significant role in major terrorist attacks and plotting." When he went before the board on Aug. 18, he was "elusive and non-credible," the panel wrote, offering "half truths and clear attempts to minimize and conceal his pre-detention activities." The decision raises to 26 the number of Guantanamo "forever prisoners" captives declared indefinite Law of War detainees by the board created by President Barack Obama in 2011. Four others await Periodic Review Board decisions. The other half of Guantanamo's last 60 detainees break down to 20 men cleared for transfer or release to other countries with assurances that satisfy Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and 10 men facing war crimes charges. Captives charged at military commissions are not entitled to reviews. A March 2016 intelligence profile described Hambali as "an operational mastermind in the Southeast Asia-based Islamic extremist group Jemaah Islamiyah" and the main link between that group and al-Qaida from 2000 until his capture in Thailand on Aug. 13, 2003, in a joint U.S.-Thai operation. It said he helped plan the Oct. 12, 2002, car bombing of a nightclub in Bali, a popular tourist island, that killed 202 people. It also described two earlier board-declared indefinite detainees at Guantanamo as his lieutenants. Hambali, now 52, was held in secret CIA prisons for three years before his September 2006 transfer to Guantanamo. The last time the Obama administration reviewed his case, a 2009 Task Force recommended that prosecutors consider putting him on trial, either in federal court or by military commission. He has never been charged in either court. Another prisoner, however, has pleaded guilty to providing some cash used to fund Jemaah Islamiyah's Aug. 5, 2003, bombing of a Marriott in Jakarta that killed 11 people. Hambali's civilian attorney, Ohio Federal Public Defender Carlos Warner, called the review process "a sham," saying he was forbidden to "participate in the hearing in a meaningful way." Warner was unable to get to Guantanamo for the video teleconference hearing, transmitted between the captive at the base and the board not far from the Pentagon in Virginia. "The Department of Defense has demonstrated that it is only interested in processing cases in a predetermined fashion without a full and fair hearing," Warner said by email from Akron on Tuesday. The Periodic Review Board decision released on Tuesday was dated Sept. 19. SHARE By John C. Moritz, USA TODAY Network Austin Bureau AUSTIN Voters all across Texas burst from the starting gate in record numbers on the first day to cast early ballots in the 2016 election, suggesting a heightened interest in the bare-knuckled presidential race between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton. Figures released Tuesday by the Texas Secretary of State's office reveal first-day turnout in the state's 15 most populous counties showed sizable gains in nearly every part of Texas. In El Paso County and the other large counties along the border, there was an 83 percent increase from the first day of early voting in 2012. "The take-away message of what we're seeing by these first early vote numbers is that there is excitement about this election even if it's negative excitement about who voters want to vote against," said Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University. "There was concern out there that the negativity would drive down turnout. If that was anyone's strategy, it failed." In Nueces County, 10,231 voters cast ballots in person or by mail on Monday, compared with only 7,310 who took advantage of first-day voting in 2012. Similar pictures emerged from other Texas counties. In Wichita County, 2,776 voted Monday compared with 2,430 four years before. In Taylor County, it was 3,247 this time, 2,391 last time. However, in Tom Green County only 1,653 voted Monday markedly fewer than the 2,186 first-day voters in 2012. Long lines were reported in most of the state's urban centers when early voting stations opened Monday morning. Harris County, Texas' largest, saw 129,014 cast ballots by mail or in person. Four years earlier, it was 87,659. Travis County, home of the state capital in Austin, reported 46,086 early votes by day's end. That well more than doubles the 2012 figure. Nearly 80,000 voters cast first-day early ballots in Dallas County, up from about 48,000 four years ago and El Paso saw more than double its first day turnout: 19,458 to 2012's 9,465. An El Paso Times analysis of the first day of early voting in El Paso County indicates that the Trump-Clinton race is driving new or infrequent voters to the polls. About 25 percent of those who voted in El Paso County on Monday did not vote in the 2012 election in El Paso, the analysis found. More than half of those who didn't vote in 2012 had registered in El Paso since the last election. About 54 percent of the Monday voters in El Paso were women. The average age of the voters was 61, though the average age of voters who didn't vote in El Paso in 2012 was 51. Just as the urbanized counties were reporting higher first-day numbers, so were the large Republican-leaning suburbs. Williamson County, just north of Austin, had the highest percent of turnout 8.07 percent of any of the largest counties. Galveston County's percentage was second at 7.6 percent. In Collins County, a sprawling Dallas-area suburb, turnout was just below 7 percent. The Secretary of State's office only compiles figures for the top 15 counties. But, according to the office, those counties account for nearly 9.8 million of Texas' 15 million registered voters. The turnout figures are updated daily. Early voting continues through Nov. 4. Election Day is Nov. 8. 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. Debating the Retirement Age Overhauling the Judicial Ethics Commission Voters this year weighed in on a total of 234 state supreme court and intermediate appellate court seats.But beyond the election or retention of individual judges, voters in four states -- Alabama, Georgia, Oregon and Pennsylvania -- got to decide the fate of ballot measures that would change the rules governing judicial careers. Most of them had to do with the mandatory retirement age for judges, but Georgia's will revamp the state's judicial ethics commission.There may be no practical reason to force judges to retire at a given age. That doesnt mean voters are ready to allow them to serve forever.In Pennsylvania, voters narrowly agreed to raise the age limit for judges from 70 to 75. But Oregon voters handily defeated a proposal to repeal the age limit entirely. It will stay at 75 in Oregon.In addition, voters in Alabama decided to raise the maximum age at which a judge can be appointed, from 70 to 75, but that will apply only to one county. It also passed by a narrow margin.Such measures are a tough sell.Voters tend to be skeptical about keeping a particular group of judges on the bench for longer periods. The question had been on ballots around the country 11 times between 1995 and this fall's election, according to the National Center for State Courts. In nearly every instance, the move to lift age limits has failed.Across the culture now, theres an understanding that older people are often able to remain productive well past traditional retirement ages. Thats one reason why the age for collecting full Social Security benefits has gone up and is likely to be extended further.All the evidence suggests that people are living longer, and judging is the classic old-age profession, says Scott Makar, an appellate court judge in Florida who has studied the issue. It takes what older people have, which is experience and judgment.Laws placing an age limit on judges have been on the books a long time in most places, and are rooted in historical events in which jurists were incapacitated by dementia. But that shouldnt be much of a problem anymore. As Makar notes, his state and others have commissions in place to remove judges who cant perform their duty.There is a growing belief that an age limit established long ago is too low by todays standards, and is arbitrarily depriving our courts of some experienced, thoughtful and highly capable judges, says Pennsylvania state Sen. Lisa Baker.Supporters of maintaining age limits generally talk less about impaired ability and more about using them as a form of term limits.If all youre concerned about is mental fitness, of course you raise the age, says Charles Geyh, an expert on the judiciary at Indiana University. But theres a countervailing concern for new blood. You want young people not because theyre young and vital, but because they bring a new perspective.Supporters of the age limit in Pennsylvania also pointed to the fact that in recent years, the state Supreme Court has been rocked by scandals involving pornography, sexually explicit emails and campaign violations.Mandatory retirement ages may not make the judiciary cleaner or more competent, any more than legislative term limits have added to the honesty or competence of legislatures. But they can be a way to get rid of judges who the public feels have outstayed their welcome.A version of the retirement-age referendum had already appeared on Pennsylvania ballots once this year. The legislature decided to move the referendum to November, but it stayed on most ballots in the April primary anyway. It didnt count, and the vote was close. Tht time, the measure to raise the age limit failed.Who should judge the judges? That age-old debate has just had a fresh hearing in Georgia.On Tuesday, voters agreed to change the way the state judicial qualifications commission is set up via a proposed constitutional amendment. The independent agency is tasked with going after judges for unethical behavior. Over the past decade, more than five dozen judges have been removed or stepped down in the face of an agency investigation.One of those judges is now a sitting legislator. State Rep. Johnnie Caldwell resigned as a superior court judge in 2010 amidst sexual harassment allegations. He also co-sponsored the legislation that put the question of the makeup of the judicial commission before voters. Caldwell has said this has nothing to do with his own history with the commission, which he maintains is all in the past.Instead, along with his co-sponsors, Caldwell cites the commission's treatment of former Superior Court Judge Cynthia Becker. She was indicted last year for lying to the commission, but the case was so weak that it was thrown out just days later, with a judge scolding the prosecutor for bringing charges."They sit as a completely autonomous group under the Georgia Constitution, so they're really answerable to no one," says Wendell Willard, who chairs the state House Judiciary Committee.Up until now, commissioners have been selected by the state bar, the Supreme Court and the governor. With the measure's passage, the legislature will get to pick a majority of the commissioners. Supporters of the current commission say the new system will have the effect of eroding the agency's independence by making its members answerable to the political class.Even if there are legitimate questions about how the commission has treated certain cases, that's not a good reason to change its structure and give the legislature effective control over it, Billy Corriher, an expert on state courts at the progressive Center for American Progress in Washington, D.C., said prior to Tuesday's vote. "It's important to have independent watchdogs in states where they elect judges," he says. "The commission they have in Georgia, as currently constituted, seems to have worked pretty well."But Willard and others argued that commissioners have acted as investigators going after judges, and have then served -- in effect -- as the judges and juries in the same cases."One of the concerns we've raised is the due process issue," says Willard. "There is no way to really modify the makeup of the commission," short of a constitutional amendment -- which the state now has. They took turns portraying Indiana as a state on the move or a state in decline. They touted job opportunities for the disabled, agreed that drug enforcement must focus on rehabilitation for users and prosecution for dealers, and talked up their own dedication to public service.Indiana gubernatorial candidates John Gregg, Eric Holcomb and Rex Bell even got into a possible pardon for Keith Cooper, a Chicago-area man wrongfully convicted of armed robbery, during their third and final debate at the University of Southern Indiana Tuesday night.But while the face-off in USI's Performance Center ostensibly was devoted to health and social issues, Democrat Gregg told reporters afterward it surprised him for what territory it did not cover -- namely, the state's debate over lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights.Gregg said it has "by far been the most important social issue" in Indiana in recent years, citing what he called its paramount importance to business and industry.The Legislature's failure to pass statewide LGBT rights legislation "has damaged our reputation, plus it makes us look like we're not respecting all Hoosiers," Gregg said.Gregg also came out forcefully for repeal of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), which critics feared would allow businesses to discriminate against people based on sexual orientation, and in favor of a bill declaring certain crimes hate crimes. Bell also made clear his opposition to RFRA.Republican Holcomb, who has decried what he calls Gregg's focus on sexual orientation issues and suggested it is not crucial to voters, did not share Gregg's dismay over its absence from the debate. Suggesting it didn't come up because it has been discussed in other debates, Holcomb said RFRA and its attendant controversial implications have been publicly aired, and neither side seems willing to give ground. Get ready to say CHEESE.U.S. District Judge Janet Neff ruled on Monday that Michigan's prohibition of ballot selfies was a violation of the First Amendment right to free speech."The Court agrees with the Plaintiff that the interests in the integrity of the electoral process can be secured in a more reasonable manner than the blanket prohibition on citizens' photography," Neff ruled."The prohibition on ballot selfies reaches and curtails the speech rights of all voters," she added, citing a similar New Hampshire ruling on the issue.The suit was filed in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids on behalf of Joel Crookston of Portage, who took a selfie of his ballot in 2012 and posted it on social media without knowing that it was illegal and punishable by up to 90 days in jail or a $500 fine."How many laws threaten to punish people for doing innocuous things," said Steve Klein, an attorney for Crookston. "To unequivocally state who you voted for is among the most powerful forms of free speech. It's more powerful than a yard sign because a picture is worth a thousand words."Klein noted that the ballot selfie is just that, a photograph of a ballot. A voter still isn't allowed to hold up their ballot in a polling precinct and show other people."Some people might think, 'get off my lawn, you selfie generation,' " Klein said. "But don't stand in the way of my client and other voters."The Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, through the Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, quickly filed a motion Monday afternoon saying that they intend to appeal the ruling to the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals and asked for an injunction against implementing the ruling until after the Nov. 8 election."Especially since the Nov. 8, 2016, presidential election is now just 15 days away, this Court's preliminary injunction threatens the integrity and smooth running of the upcoming election," the motion read.Schuette said it's not unconstitutional to ban photography in polling places as a means to discourage vote-buying and coercion, as well as voter intimidation."Crookston would not be irreparably harmed by a stay," the appeal said, "He has ample alternatives to communicate about the content of their ballot and the voting experience, including photographing himself with his 'I voted sticker.' "The last minute change in state law will create "disruption and delays -- in essence the chaos -- that will inevitably result from last-minute changes to familiar procedures." Schuette wrote in the appeal.State Rep. Sam Singh, D-East Lansing, who has sponsored legislation to allow for ballot selfies, said the ruling is appropriate and a good tool to increase voter turnout."I have long felt that this ban on ballot selfies is a violation of First Amendment rights," he said. "Social media is a powerful tool and individuals who wish to proudly display their ballots, and hopefully encourage friends to vote as well, should be able to do so." Parent Companies Receiving More Than $500M Since 2000 Parent Company Federal Grants and Allocated Tax Credits Iberdrola $2,172,641,752 NextEra Energy $1,938,811,949 NRG Energy $1,730,060,410 Southern Company $1,475,553,962 Summit Power $1,441,936,555 SCS Energy $1,254,154,000 Tenaska $966,252,326 Duke Energy $898,436,173 General Electric $836,524,548 Exelon $734,674,010 EDP-Energias de Portugal $722,468,855 Leucadia National $651,647,087 SunEdison $649,564,635 General Atomics $614,658,667 Abengoa $605,128,646 Air Products & Chemicals $604,170,312 Ameren $594,809,786 E.ON $576,149,728 AES $566,920,950 Invenergy $531,915,559 General Motors $529,398,581 With hundreds of programs spanning multiple agencies, its hard to say how much individual companies benefit from federal grants and tax credits.Good Jobs First, an economic development watchdog group, published Tuesday what it considers to be the first comprehensive database of corporate subsidies at the federal level, tallying awards from 137 different programs. In all, the federal government has awarded grants and allocated tax credits totaling $68 billion since 2000.Spanish electric utility company Iberdrola was identified as the largest single recipient of federal grants and tax credits in the group's report. The company has received nearly $2.2 billion since 2000, mostly stemming from investments in power generation facilities supported by the Recovery Act.For the most part, its a relatively small number of larger corporate players that receive most federal dollars. Two-thirds of all grants and allocated tax credits over the time period reviewed were awarded to 582 firms. Twenty-one of the companies netted more than $500 million in federal grants and subsidies.The same is true of state and local grants and tax expenditures, although the report noted that larger companies dominate federal subsidies to a somewhat lesser extent at the federal level.There are a few distinctions in how the federal government awards grants and tax credits compared to states and localities. With state and local tax incentives, governments typically want to retain or lure employers to a specific area. The location isnt as much of an issue at the federal level. Larger deals are also awarded to specific companies far more often at the state and local level, said report co-author Philip Mattera.Different types of awards support different programs. Tax expenditures, particularly the federal mortgage interest deduction, fund homeownership, while grants are more used to back rental assistance, for example.The Good Jobs First report also examined federal contractors receiving various types of subsidies. About half of the largest for-profit federal contractors had been awarded grants or allocated tax credits since 2000.A 2012 Pew Charitable Trusts project also tallied federal subsidies across nine economic sectors. Health and housing programs accounted for, by far, the largest share of federal tax expenditures, followed by education, defense and energy.SOURCE: Good Jobs First Over the last year, when companies announced plans to grow their footprints in North Carolina, state leaders have presented them with an unusual gift: An oak bowl carved from wood from the state capitol grounds.So when PayPal unceremoniously canceled its plans for an expansion in Charlotte over opposition to House Bill 2, state officials did what any jilted ex might: Asked for their stuff back."We reached out to them and said, 'Give us the bowl back.' That is a North Carolina artifact from the North Carolina state capitol made by North Carolina artisans for companies that are coming into North Carolina," N.C. Commerce Secretary John Skvarla told the Observer Monday during a visit to Charter Communications' training center in Matthews."We got it back, gave it to a charity auction, and they raised money that is for the benefit of the state capitol."The origin of the bowls traces back to about a year ago, when an oak tree on the capitol grounds was struck by lightning. Crews were about to come chop up the tree and dispose it, but Skvarla called the governor's office to implore them to keep the pieces.There were 340 such bowls made. Others have been given to CSX, which this summer announced plans to open a new intermodal terminal in Edgecombe County, and most recently Charter, which received its bowl Monday morning in recognition of its apprenticeship program, the largest in the state.Skvarla said it took two calls to get the bowl back from San Jose, Calif.-based PayPal. The bowl was donated to a charity and auctioned off, he added. It's unclear who the bowl's new owner is."After the fact, I wish we'd given a different bowl to the auction, but they'd already auctioned it off. It dawned on me: That ought to be in a glass case somewhere. But somebody bought it, and it's something that has more value than I'm sure they paid.""I would love to swap them."PayPal first announced plans to open an operations center in Charlotte in March. The facility would have added at least 400 jobs.Days after the passage of HB2, which limits legal protections for the LGBT community, PayPal canceled those plans. CEO Dan Schulman said the law "perpetuates discrimination, and it violates the values and principles that are at the core of PayPal's mission and culture." Staff writer Ely Portillo contributed. Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio was officially charged Tuesday with criminal contempt of court when a federal judge affixed her signature, a formality that throws the lawmans political and personal future into a level of crisis never before seen in his 23 years in office.Criminal-contempt charges have loomed over Arpaio since 2015. A criminal trial was the worst-case scenario for the sheriff after he admitted to violating a federal judges order to stop enforcing civil immigration laws.U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton's order was signed two weeks before the general election, in which Arpaio is running for his seventh term.A trial is set for Dec. 6 in U.S. District Court in Phoenix. If hes convicted, the 84-year-old sheriff could face up to six months in jail.While symbolic, the order does little to illuminate the case's potential outcomes.It remains unclear whether the charge against Arpaio is a misdemeanor or felony. If convicted of a felony, under state law, the sheriff would have to resign his office, which could cost the sheriff his job even if he is re-elected.Defense attorney Mel McDonald said Boltons order was disappointing, but expected.We plan on vigorously contesting each and every one of the allegations in the order to show cause, he said.The threat of criminal prosecution became increasingly inevitable after a prolonged series of hearings last year. A federal judges finding of civil contempt came in May 2016, followed by his referral for criminal prosecution in August, followed by the U.S. Department of Justices announcement on Oct. 11 that its attorneys would, in fact, prosecute Arpaio. A proposed order initially was submitted by prosecutors Oct. 17. California: Proposition 63 Washington State: Initiative 1491 Tuesday's election was -- if nothing else -- a win for gun control advocates.In Maine and Nevada, voters considered doing what Congress hasn't: requiring criminal background checks before people can buy guns. The measure passed in Nevada but failed in Maine.Gun safety proposals also succeeded in California and Washington state, where voters approved measures that seek to keep guns and ammunition out of the hands of violent people.Under federal law, licensed gun dealers must run background checks, but for people who sell at gun shows and over the internet, background checks are optional. According to public opinion surveys, more than 80 percent of Americans favor so-called universal background checks, but federal legislation has languished in Congress. Most recently, in June, the U.S. Senate rejected a bill in a 44-56 vote.In the absence of a national law, eight states -- California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington state -- had enacted universal background checks before the 2016 election. In five of those states, Democratic governors signed background-check legislation in the wake of an elementary school shooting in Newtown, Conn., that left 26 adults and children dead.In Maine and Nevada, both state's Republican governors opposed universal background checks. But voters broke from their leadership in Nevada, where the measure passed with a margin of less than 1 percent.Two years ago, Washington state made history by becoming the nation's first state to enact new gun regulations by popular vote. Given that success and the passage of more voter-approved proposals this year, gun control ballot measures could become more common.In states where lawmakers have not moved fast enough, or at all, we definitely think this is going to be a good model, said Ari Freilich, a staff attorney at the San Francisco-based Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, which endorsed the California and Washington state ballot measures.Besides the proposals in Maine and Nevada, ballot measures in California and Washington state added further restrictions on guns and ammunition.The proposition before California voters was an extensive package of reforms, but the provision that received the most attention requires people to pass background checks before they purchase ammunition.The measure also bans ammunition magazines capable of storing more than 10 rounds, establishes criminal penalties for gun owners who fail to report a lost or stolen firearm and sets up a process for removing guns from residents who have recently been convicted of felonies or other serious crimes.Nearly 63 percent of voters approved the measure. The proposition had some high-profile endorsements from Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and both of the state's U.S. senators, but it also drew criticism from groups representing local law enforcement.In a public statement, Ken Corney, president of the California Police Chiefs Association, said the proposition fails to meet the appropriate balance between public safety and individual gun rights. One provision, for example, could have the unintended consequence of prohibiting police recruits from training with large-capacity ammunition magazines.Corney said his group preferred a bill passed by the state legislature earlier in the year, partially because it would be easier to amend legislation passed by lawmakers than by voters. Getting a super majority of lawmakers to agree to an exemption for cadets would be almost unattainable when dealing with an issue as controversial as firearms regulation, he wrote.In Washington state, voters decided to empower courts to temporarily take away firearms from people considered to be at high risk of harming themselves or others -- a tactic only one other state uses.Under the measure, law enforcement, family members and housemates can petition the courts to prevent someone who poses a violent threat from possessing or purchasing a gun for up to one year.California was the only state that already had a law like that, but the general idea borrows from the more widespread practice of prohibiting convicted domestic violence abusers from buying or possessing firearms. Legislators in at least 11 states plan to introduce bills next year that will be similar to what Washington's voters approved.Although the idea is popular among gun-control advocates, the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence has criticized the California law for having a design flaw: Officers are not required to make sure that people actually relinquish their guns. Instead, California has relied on an honor system in the hopes that people would voluntarily comply with the court orders.The Washington state version addresses that enforcement problem and require officers to provide a record of surrendered firearms to the courts and the gun owner. If it appears that the person didn't surrender his firearms, the court can issue a search warrant for the missing guns. On Monday, in the afternoon, at Government House, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC hosted a lunch for members of the Queensland Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee and shortlisted candidates for the Queensland Rhodes Scholarship. Also in the afternoon, at Government House, the Governor received Mr Christopher Peters, Ms Stephanie Hack and Miss Zoe Peters. Following, at Hamilton Wharf, the Governor visited the HMAS Waller, received a briefing on operations from Commanding Officer, Commander Richard Lindsey RAN, toured facilities and greeted Royal Australian Navy submariners. Description GIS - 26 October, 2016: A prize giving ceremony to reward winners of an essay competition on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) organised by the Prime Ministers Office was held yesterday at the Prime Ministers Office in Port Louis. A prize giving ceremony to reward winners of an essay competition on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) organised by the Prime Ministers Office was held yesterday at the Prime Ministers Office in Port Louis. Targeting public officers, the competition was launched in August 2016. A total of six entries were received. The essays were assessed by a panel comprising an Associate Professor from the University of Mauritius, the Regional Legal Advisor of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and a Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Prime Ministers Office and three best essays were chosen. The first prize has been awarded to Ms Varoona Ghoorbin who received a cash prize of Rs 15 000. The second prize (Rs 10 000) went to Ms Kamla Devi Hurry and Mr Prithiviraj Seetohul won the third prize (Rs 5 000). Were present at the prize giving ceremony representatives from the Prime Ministers Office as well as a delegation of the ICRC who is on an official visit to Mauritius from 25 to 28 October 2016. In her address, Ms Sarah Swart, Regional Legal Advisor of the ICRC, Pretoria, commended this laudable initiative and pointed out that only two to three countries on the African continent have such essay competitions. She suggested that the essay competition could be extended to a larger audience such as students. Visit of the ICRC delegation The delegation comprises Ms Perrine Louart, Head of the ICRC Delegation, Antananarivo; Ms Sarah Swart, Regional Legal Advisor of the ICRC, Pretoria; and Mr Charles Sagba, Legal Advisor of the ICRC, Geneva. Several workshops and bilateral meetings are on the agenda. A half-day workshop for youth officers was organised on 25 October for Youth Officers at the Helvetia Youth Centre. The aim was to sensitise the youth on the issue of IHL and the work done by humanitarian aid workers in situation of conflicts and natural disasters. The idea is to expose the youth not only to human sufferings caused by conflicts but also to issues such as respect of life, human dignity and civic responsibility. On the institutional front, around 400 newly recruited police officers will participate, on 26 October, in a half-day induction course at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture in Phoenix. An IHL exchange with judges, magistrates and barristers is also on the agenda. This two-day workshop will be held on 27 and 28 October at the Institute for Judicial and Legal Studies in Port Louis. The delegation will also have meetings with representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade and members of the National Humanitarian Law Committee, the Police, and the Mauritius Ports Authority. The discussions will focus on the Arms Trade Treaty, the Convention on Cluster Ammunitions, and the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. Furthermore, the experts from ICRC will pay courtesy visits on the Prime Minister, the Secretary for Home Affairs and the Permanent Secretary from the Prime Ministers Office and will also meet the Commissioner of Police. The ICRC Established in 1863, the ICRC operates worldwide, helping people affected by conflict and armed violence and promoting the laws that protect victims of war. An independent and neutral organisation, its mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. The ICRC works closely with the National Humanitarian Law Committee of Mauritius for the promotion of IHL as well as adopting necessary IHL instruments. It has assisted Mauritius in domesticating Conventions like the Arms Trade Treaty and the Convention on Cluster Munitions. The ICRC also helps Mauritius by providing capacity building on the different Conventions that the country domesticates. Description GIS - 26 October, 2016: The Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, is leading an important delegation to Brussels, the capital the European Union (EU), one of the most important and reliable development partners of Mauritius. The delegation comprises the Financial Secretary, Mr. Dev Manraj; the Ambassador of Mauritius to the BENELUX and the EU, Mr. Haymandoyal Dillum, and officials of the Ministry of Finance, the Attorney Generals Office and the Mauritius Revenue Authority. The Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, is leading an important delegation to Brussels, the capital the European Union (EU), one of the most important and reliable development partners of Mauritius. The delegation comprises the Financial Secretary, Mr. Dev Manraj; the Ambassador of Mauritius to the BENELUX and the EU, Mr. Haymandoyal Dillum, and officials of the Ministry of Finance, the Attorney Generals Office and the Mauritius Revenue Authority. The purpose of the visit is to have exchanges on the state of play of the Mauritius-EU partnership which goes beyond the logic of traditional development cooperation and spans over key areas like Trade, Climate Change, Sustainable Development Goals, Maritime Security and Fisheries, among others. The Minister wishes to have a frank discussion with key EU decision-makers on the EU tax initiatives especially in the light of global developments in the financial services sector, particularly in the areas of transparency and exchange of information. In this respect, Mr Jugnauth had discussions with high officials of European Commission dealing with tax matters. Government is in a process of consultation with all stakeholders of the financial sector, he said. Recalling that Mauritius is neither a non-cooperative tax jurisdiction nor has a harmful tax regime, the Minister reiterated that, as an international financial centre and responsible member of the international community, Mauritius is strongly committed to combat cross-border tax evasion and other malpractices. The Minister reaffirmed the willingness of Mauritius to continue its high level dialogue with the EU and its Member States so that they are kept abreast of our commitments to tax cooperation and developments regarding the Mauritian tax legislation well ahead of the proposed establishment, through a screening process, by the EU of a Common of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions which is to become effective by the end of 2017. Mr Jugnauth is scheduled to meet Mr. Pierre Moscovici, the European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs, who, previously served as Minister of Finance of France (from 2012 to 2014). He also had discussions with the Directorate General for Research and Innovation. It is intended to explore further areas of cooperation with EU to support the ongoing efforts being deployed by Government to invest in research and innovation, which are the cornerstone of a modern and an innovation driven economy, to sharpen our competitive edge and transform Mauritius into a knowledge industry. Support to the National Innovation Framework, established in April 2016, under the aegis of the Ministry of Technology, Communication and Innovation, figures prominently in the discussions in line with the calls in Budget 2016-2017 to enter a new economic cycle focussing on innovation, boosting exports and private investments. It has been agreed to hold a seminar on the Horizon 2020 in Mauritius to create awareness about the programme. Deliberations on the agro-industry sector, including the current challenges related to the Foot and Mouth Disease and the need to ensure the protection of our export market on the high quality Special Sugars produced by Mauritius ahead of the end of EU production sugar quotas on 30 September 2017, will be raised during discussions the Minister will have with the EU Director General for Agriculture and Rural Development. Also on the agenda is a meeting with the European Commission on Trade. The need to upgrade the current Interim Economic Partnership Agreement (IEPA), signed by Mauritius (as well as Madagascar, Seychelles and Zimbabwe) with the EU, into a full and comprehensive EPA and the uncertainties surrounding BREXIT and the need for solid assurances from the EU to maintain our acquis post BREXIT will rank high in the bilateral exchange. Economic diplomacy will constitute another significant feature of the mission. Working sessions with prominent investors have been held and a delegation led by AWEX (BOI equivalent in Belgium) will have a prospective investment mission in the first quarter of 2017. A working session on BREXIT and its impact on Mauritius was also held. Referring to this first visit to the EU capital since his assumption of office as Minister of Finance of Finance and Economic Development, Mr Jugnauth said: In a fast changing world with important geo-political shifts, t he EU is more than a key strategic, political and economic partner of Mauritius. It remains a safe anchor and vital link for a modern and forward-looking and prosperous Mauritius. My presence in Brussels is not only to reaffirm this link, but also to consolidate it, not least in a Brexit context. We envision a future in which we are fully integrated with the Union . Description GIS - 26 October, 2016: Government is fully determined and committed to make of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector the backbone of the Mauritian economy as well as the main engine of growth while encouraging and promoting a culture of entrepreneurship among the youths. Government is fully determined and committed to make of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector the backbone of the Mauritian economy as well as the main engine of growth while encouraging and promoting a culture of entrepreneurship among the youths. The Minister of Business, Enterprise and Cooperatives, Mr S. Bholah, made this statement yesterday during the opening ceremony of a one-day workshop on Empowering Youth Through Entrepreneurship at the University of Technology, Mauritius (UTM) at La Tour Koenig. Organised at the initiative of the National Institute for Co-operative Entrepreneurship, which operates under the aegis of the Ministry of Business, Enterprise and Cooperatives, under its Employability Skills Development Programme, the workshop targeted some 200 undergraduate students of the UTM in a bid to inculcate in them a spirit of entrepreneurship. Minister Bholah, called upon the youngsters to engage in entrepreneurship and set up their own small businesses which in turn will help create more job opportunities as well as eradicate poverty. He enumerated the various facilities put in place by Government to ease the access for potential entrepreneurs into both the local and international markets as well as regarding financial assistance for start-ups and training needs to start a business. On this score, he called upon potential entrepreneurs to take advantage of the several incentives being provided to them while reiterating the setting up of business development centres across the country aimed at facilitating their access in this venture. Minister Bholah also spoke of the setting up of a National Cooperative college so as to provide further capacity building to aspiring entrepreneurs and ease their access into the entrepreneurial field. According to him, the prerequisite of a successful entrepreneurship is to have a proper combination of feasibility, talent, product innovation and sustainable markets. He therefore appealed to SMEs to diversify their markets in addition to the existing ones while setting higher standards for their products and tap the emerging market in Africa as according to him Africa represents the future growth. For her part, the Director General of the UTM, Dr. S.P. Seetulsingh Goorah, emphasised the importance of including a module of entrepreneurship in the school curriculum as well as at the tertiary level. She reiterated her full support to the Governments strategy into promoting entrepreneurship as a tool to combat unemployment and in encouraging more youths in becoming entrepreneurs. The Center for Digital Government announced the winners of its sixth-annual Cybersecurity Leadership and Innovation Awards today.The annual Cybersecurity Leadership and Innovation Awards program, underwritten by Intel Security, recognizes the cybersecurity-related contributions of state and local government, education and healthcare organizations and leaders. Winners are evaluated on creativity and leadership, the utilization of technology to achieve results, and the impact of those efforts on state and local government, education and healthcare organizations.Cybersecurity threats are a growing concern for all types of organizations, and that makes it more important than ever to recognize those who have made keeping critical systems secure a top priority, said Todd Sander, executive director of the Center for Digital Government. The winners have demonstrated commitment and dedication to doing the hard work necessary to ensure government, education and healthcare systems are available, reliable and trustworthy. Congratulations to all!Awards were announced in the following categories: state, county, city, education and leadership. Top honors were awarded to entrants who have developed effective programs to safeguard systems and data.Indianas multi-agency initiative reduces the overall cost of cybersecurity through centralization and collaboration across state government and education. For example, through an innovative arrangement, Purdue University students are trained at the Security Operations Center, providing them hands-on job experience using cutting-edge technology tools.Cook County developed an information-sharing threat intelligence platform focused on smaller jurisdictions in the county that have fewer resources. The countys work formalizes cyber law and policy by championing ordinance adoption.Louisville secured $1.2M in special funding to implement a cybersecurity program mapped directly to Mayor Fischers strategic priorities.Broken Arrow Public Schools has a challenging technology environment, with 20,000 students, 2,200 staff, 34 district buildings and 5,000 Chromebooks operating in the cloud. Security measures include logging, auditing, GPS tracking, threat detection and mitigation, and alerts to students about potentially unsafe sites.Dr. Rab, both a medical doctor and CIO, has been at the helm of hospital and health systems for more than a decade, improving security while elevating the level of patient care. For example, doctors, nurses and clinicians can securely collaborate on patient diagnosis and treatment while in full compliance with HIPPA.Dr. Pittman has provided program development and administrative leadership in the nations largest county for nearly two decades. The cybersecurity program he leads includes collaboration with law enforcement partners across all levels of government and an annual awards program.Mike Watsons tenure, serving under three different governors, demonstrates his ability and effectiveness. Current Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe has made cybersecurity a focal point of his chairmanship of the National Governors Association, and Watson is looked to as a key advisor.Arthur House worked with Connecticuts electricity, gas and water utilities to draw up and implement a cybersecurity strategy announced by Gov. Malloy in 2014. House then worked with other states and the National Association of Regulators of Utility Companies to share the Connecticut strategy.The Cybersecurity Leadership and Innovation Awards will be presented at the FOCUS 16 Security Conference in Las Vegas next week.For more information about these awards, click here The Center for Digital Government is a national research and advisory institute focused on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government.The Center is a division of e.Republic , the nations only media and research company focused exclusively on state and local government and education.Janet GrenslittDirector of Surveys and Awards (TNS) TUPELO, Miss. In order to speed vote times, Lee County election officials will deploy new technology during the Nov. 8 presidential election.At the request of Circuit Clerk Camille Roberts, paper poll books will be phased out in favor of electronic poll books.These electronic poll books are already on hand in the circuit clerks office. Most poll workers who will use the tablet-like devices have already been trained.Lee County Supervisors formally approved purchasing the poll books at a Monday morning meeting. The county will pay about $95,700 for 60 electronic poll books.Poll books list every citizen registered to vote within a given precinct. Poll workers use these books to ensure that prospective voters actually are registered to vote, are in the correct precinct and have not already voted.Electronic poll books achieve the same purpose but store the information digitally on an electronic tablet and allow for quicker access to a voters information.Voters with a drivers license can have the license scanned. The electronic poll books will then automatically locate the voters information.This should cut down on the amount of time it takes poll workers to locate each voters name in the book. This in turn should help the lines move faster, Roberts said.Probably 99 percent of people already have their drivers license out because they use it for voter ID, Roberts said. Its already second nature.If a registered voter tries to vote at the wrong precinct, poll workers can also use the electronic devices to automatically determine the precinct at which that voter should cast a ballot.Roberts said this will be a big time saver. Right now, poll workers must call the circuit clerks office to determine a voters correct precinct.Some Lee County voters have already cast a ballot. Roberts said her office has thus far received approximately 1,000 absentee ballots.Thats a little low for a presidential election, according to Roberts, but she expects the number to rise sharply over the next few weeks.To facilitate absentee voting, the circuit clerks office will be open from 8 a.m. until noon on the two Saturdays prior to election day, Oct. 29 and Nov. 5.Absentee ballots may also be cast during normal business hours, which are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 1. Treating Autonomous Vehicles as a Public Health Crisis AV Acceleration On day one of the conference, Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Aspen Institute announced that the two will galvanize experts and data to accelerate 5 cities planning efforts for autonomous vehicles. According to Michael Bloomberg, these cities are led by mayors who understand the potential for autonomous vehicles to transform their cities. The five cities are: Austin, Texas; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Los Angeles; Paris; and Nashville, Tenn. These cities along with five more that will be announced later this year will work to produce a set of principles and tools for other cities to follow in creating self-driving vehicle policies. The advent of autonomous cars is one of the most exciting developments ever to happen to cities, Bloomberg said. If mayors collaborate with one another, and with partners in the private sector, they can improve peoples lives in ways we can only imagine today. 2. Making Infrastructure Sexy 3. Utilizing Smart Crowdsourcing Always a vocal proponent for making cities smarter by adopting new technology, Bloomberg Philanthropies co-hosted the two-day CityLab 2016 conference from Oct. 24-25 in Miami, where world leaders from both public and private sectors gathered to discuss pressing global issues and how technology can help to solve them. Strategies on combating Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases, and proactively using data and technology to avoid a Flint-esque water crisis were just a few high-profile topics on the agenda.To kick things off, Michael Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and former mayor of New York City, spoke about the incredible potential of autonomous vehicles (AV), the sharing economy and the role cities play in shaping the future.It makes sense for mayors to lead the way on these issues, Bloomberg said, referencing the influx of AVs into urban landscapes. Mayors are less weighted down by politics and ideology than the state and national governments. In the end, mayors are the ones held most directly accountable for peoples well-being.So how will urban centers lead technology adoption for years to come? Here are three areas in which cities are taking the first steps in creating a better environment for tech to flourish.The impacts autonomous vehicles could have on cities are many and varied but cities are truly driving the AV conversation (pun intended), regarding autonomous vehicles, said Seleta Reynolds, general manager for the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, who also warned that cities must start taking AV technology seriously immediately.And the reason is clear: Traffic fatalities are seen as a public health crisis, according to Edward Humes, author of, a book exploring the hidden costs of our transportation system. Humes said during the event that such fatalities attributed to more death than the yearly war dead during each Vietnam, Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, the War of 1812 and the American Revolution.Therefore, we can look at the adoption of AVs as similar to the introduction of other public safety measures, such as the seat belt, airbag or child car seats.Reynolds noted that within five years, there may be a measure regulating some sort of communication between vehicles and infrastructure. New cars equipped with driverless technology are able to use sensors built into the vehicle, but older models may require a some sort of Bluetooth-enabled device.And Reynolds said there are two major public policies to keep in mind when preparing for the future of mobility:1. Keeping revenue streams steady despite the shrinking gas tax and expected loss of funds from traffic citations; and2. The re-envisioning of public transportation . Private vehicle ownership is already decreasing in many urban centers, so if cities can get out in front of AV technology, a fully integrated transit system could feature shared vehicles.Can data and technology prevent another "Flint"? Karen Weaver, mayor of the Michigan city, was joined by Syracuse, N.Y., Mayor Stephanie Miner to discuss just that."I don't like to say, 'Use me,' Weaver said, "but if you dont use Flint as an example, then shame on you.Mayor Weaver described how the city was subjected to contaminated water poisoning its citizens as the perfect storm of regulatory failures.Miner has taken Weaver's advice: Syracuse is working with Bloomberg Philanthropies to outfit underground water mains with sensors that can detect when a leak may occur and how severe a leak may be Even though infrastructure and its maintenance aren't typically issues that garner press coverage or goodwill from citizens, it's those small things that need to be kept up for long-term success, Miner said. I like to say we made infrastructure sexy, she added.And even though the water crisis in Flint was a tragedy, Weaver used the situation to look for opportunities. While replacing water mains, for instance, city officials are looking at what else can be tackled at the same time. Since we are going in and tearing up streets," Weaver said, "can we do broadband?One of the growing crises during 2016 is the Zika virus. Legislatures have proven to be ineffectual at providing funding for states to combat the disease, so Beth Simone Noveck and her team at the GovLab decided to rethink their strategy.The Zika virus has spread to more than 50 countries, and to effectively stop its spread, the most knowledgeable people must have open communication which is exactly what the GovLab is trying to do. In a multinational effort dubbed "Smart Crowdsourcing," Noveck has teamed up with public health departments, waste management companies, and representatives from Argentina, Panama, Rio de Janeiro and Colombia.By essentially setting up an international conference call, experts from around the globe broke down the spread of Zika into 15 subcategories, one of which included standing water in which mosquitos easily breed.Breaking down large issues is crucial to defining the problem, as is using experts to curate the relevant information to then collaborate on a tangible solution.Nobody has said no to participating," Noveck said, "and now we are seeing everyone saying, 'How can we continue to help? Race organisers have admitted that scrapping the Malaysian grand prix would have legal ramifications. Government and Sepang circuit chiefs this week have flagged the possibility that the race will be scrapped due to the dwindling appeal of formula one. Some reports hinted a decision was imminent, but Sepang chief Razlan Razali has now acknowledged that a "watertight" contract until 2018 is in force. "It will involve legal issues if (Sepang) breach the contract which was signed last year and runs through 2018," he told the local Bernama news agency. "(Sepang) will review the host's job when the contract expires in 2018 but the race will certainly be held next year," Razali added. (GMM) Felipe Massa appears to have narrowed down his post-F1 options for 2017 to either a race seat in Formula E or the German touring car series DTM. Earlier, the retiring Williams driver had indicated Le Mans was another option. "Things are going the way I imagined and I'm happy with my decision," said 35-year-old Massa, who after 15 years in F1 and 11 grand prix wins will stop after next month's Abu Dhabi finale. "I do not want to talk much about it, but it's all going the way I wanted," he revealed. "It's the most relaxed time of my career and I'm in no hurry" to decide what to do next, Massa is quoted by Brazil's UOL. The report said the former Ferrari driver is in talks with 'several' Formula E teams and is also interested in DTM, while WEC is less attractive because of the lack of competitive seats. "The type of racing is the most important," Massa said. "DTM certainly has good races, and it's more competitive than WEC and Formula E. "I'm in a position to choose where I'll have more fun and of course it's important to have a cheque to pay my bills." (GMM) A massive recall of sleep apnea machines is expected to drag into next year. That's caused frustration for U.S. patients and led federal officials to consider rare legal steps to speed the replacement effort. Dutch manufacturer Philips has recalled more than 5 million machines worldwide due to foam that can deteriorate, releasing potentially harmful byproducts. While customers were supposed to receive new machines within a year, the company says shipments will continue into 2023. That's left many U.S. patients to choose between using a recalled device or trying other risky remedies. U.S. regulators have warned they may take the unprecedented step of ordering Philips to step up its effort. LEXINGTON, SC Mary Lea Hamilton, 79, passed away on Saturday, October 22, 2016, in Lexington, South Carolina.A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, October 25, 2016, at 3 p.m. at Reidlawn Cemetery with Rev. Mark Norman Vickers officiating. Mrs. Hamilton was born on May 28, 1937 in Rockingham County to the late Glenn E. and Mamie Page Aldridge. She graduated from Reidsville High School in 1955 and attended Women's College of the University of North Carolina, graduating in 1959 with a BA in English and a minor in drama. She had a love for acting and had a large role in "The Women" traveling with the college drama department to Japan, where they performed that play for the troops. She was also a cast member in "Chucky Jack" during her college years, a summer drama in Gatlinburg, TN, where she had a prominent role. She had an avid love for acting.She taught English at Greensboro Senior High School (now Grimsley High School) after graduating from college. She married Charlie Hamilton in 1960, and they later moved to Lillington, NC, where they purchased and ran the local newspaper, the Harnett County News. They moved to Boone, NC for a few years where Mary attended graduate school at Appalachian State. They later moved to Toccoa, GA, where they made their home for 26 years. They purchased The Toccoa Record in 1970. Charlie was the publisher and Mary Lea joined the staff as women's editor.She was always very active in the community wherever they lived and belonged to several clubs, including the Women's Club, Book Club, and Bridge Club while in Toccoa. She loved bridge and was an avid reader and writer. She, along with several others in Toccoa, started the Stephens County Literacy Program. She also taught GED classes in Stephens County and would always have a good story about the late James Brown, whose ex-wife was one of her students. She was involved in the community theatre in Toccoa and directed several productions over the years.She and her husband retired and returned to Greensboro in 1996. She was active in several clubs there, including bridge club and book club, and was active in several volunteer organizations. She was a member of the Asbury Sunday school class at Christ United Methodist Church, where she was very active. She and her husband loved to travel and took several grand European and domestic trips after retirement. She was known to all who knew her as the epitome of a Southern lady. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and she will be greatly missed.Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles A. "Charlie" Hamilton, and her brother, Denny Page Aldridge.She is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth Lea Parker and husband, Larry of Lexington, SC; and Page Alberts of Greensboro, NC; grandchildren, Kyle Weston Parker of Lexington, SC, and Zachary Hamilton Alberts of Greensboro; and numerous cousins. Memorial contributions may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, 410 N. Holden Rd., Greensboro, NC 27410.Wilkerson Funeral Home is assisting the family and condolences may be made to the family at www.wilkersonfuneral.com. GREENWICH A prominent criminal attorney will discuss his craft, along with the Michael Skakel murder case on Nov. 2 at the Retired Mens Association of Greenwich. Michael Fitzpatrick was one of the lawyers who worked on Skakels appeal in connection with the Martha Moxley murder, and he will discuss aspects of the case. The talk will be held at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church on Lafayette Place. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WINDSOR LOCKS A Metro-North train lay on its side along a short length of track outside the New England Disaster Training Center at Camp Hartell. Strewn around the train were dummies, meant to simulate dead bodies, victims of a terrorist bombing on the train. But there were no real casualties here just a chance to learn. Tuesday was the first day of a three-day, mass-fatality training exercise at Camp Hartell, which is a military installation in Windsor Locks. The event, coordinated by the state Department of Public Health, will test how well state and federal emergency management and law enforcement personnel respond in the face of a catastrophe. This is a good opportunity get our people trained on an event this large, said Jonathan Best, director of public health preparedness and response for the state health department. The scene at the train tracks was meant to simulate a terrorist bombing at the Stamford train station that took 200 lives. The overturned train that served as the mock accident site was donated by Metro-North specifically for training. In addition to the attack scene, Department of Health staff set up a tent that functioned as a mobile morgue. It was designed to seal out the elements and to withstand winds up 10 mph. The tent was a place where responders could take fingerprints, perform X-rays, take DNA samples and use other methods to identify bodies. Best said no one ever knows where or when a catastrophic event will take place. Until a few years ago, he said, no one would have dreamed that a town with a population of fewer than 28,000 people would be the site of a mass shooting. But the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown showed that tragedy can happen anywhere. Its important to remain sharp, Best said. Theres no way to predict these events. About 300 responders came to the first day of training on Tuesday, and roughly the same amount were expected for the next two days of the drill. Tuesdays events included a series of talks from representatives of different agencies, such as the state medical examiners office. Participants then toured the mock crash site, and were led through how they should respond in an actual emergency. It can take police, medical personnel and other responders five to six days to fully process a tragedy such as a terrorist attack on a train, Best said. The training exercise was supposed to take place on the second or third day following the attack, when all the live victims had been removed, Best said. Those participating in Tuesdays training included Jim Paturas, director of disaster preparedness and emergency response for Yale New Haven Health System, which including Yale New Haven Hospital, Bridgeport Hospital and Greenwich Hospital. He said hes been to training exercises like this one before, and theyre always a good opportunity. It also brings all of the partners to the table together, Paturas said. That includes law enforcement, health care agencies, emergency medical personnel and others. All of us in the emergency business plan for things that could happen, Paturas said. But to get together and talk about things that have actually happened and how people responded is really valuable. GREENWICH A Greenwich woman being held in police custody in New York City for allegedly attempting to set off a Moltov cocktail in midtown Manhattan is not a dangerous person, her defense lawyer said at a court appearance this week. Ludivine Baugier de Chevestre appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court Tuesday, where her lawyer, Michael Farkas spoke of a history of some psychiatric issues. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate In southwestern Connecticut there are more than 800 registered sex offenders, with some in more areas than others, according to data from the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. Before parents head out with their children to trick-or-treat around their neighborhood this Halloween, it's helpful to know if you live near a registered offender. Take a look at the gallery above for a recent count of offenders town-by-town in southwestern Connecticut. To view the state's DESPP website for more information and offender details, click here. Connecticut provides residents with this information and they can enter their address, town, or offender names to find out where registered individuals reside along with additional details. Users can also search using an offender's phone number, email address, or look through a list of offenders deemed "non-compliant." A list of offenders who have an unknown address or are homeless is also provided separately from location searches. In southwestern Connecticut, the largest number of registered offenders332are in Bridgeport, which is the state's most populous city. Stamford and Danbury had the next highest number of registered offenders with 79 each. Norwalk has 54. Redding was the only Fairfield County town with no registered offenders, according to the website. The Bridgeport Police Department said when it comes to trick-or-treating, parents and children need only practice common sense behaviors to make sure they have a safe holiday. "Children should always be supervised by an adult when trick or treating. Children should never enter someone's house [and] they should always wait outside and never be alone when knocking on a door," Av Harris, Bridgeport Police spokesperson, said. "They are always safer in numbers [and] they should never take any candies that are not in their original wrappers. If possible, stay in one's neighborhood." Harris added that anyone can view offender locations in their neighborhood if they feel inclined to do so. The state recommends parents keep an open line of communication with their children, teach them safety practices, and be sure to keep familiar with their daily activities. "If a picture is available from the local law enforcement's website, show it to your family. In general terms, tell your children that this person has hurt someone before. Explain to them that they should stay away from this individual. Avoid scary details," the website said. "The purpose behind community notification is to reduce the chance of future victimization by better informing the public." Safekids.org also recommends children practice safe habits on Halloween by going out in groups with friends or family and sticking to familiar areas. They also say trick-or-treaters should take precautions to be visible to drivers by using reflective materials on their costumes, using flashlights, and staying on sidewalks when possible. New figures have been released by the Connecticut Secretary of State on voter registration in the state, which has topped 2 million registered voters. Here's a look at which major and third parties our state's voters are signing up with. GREENWICH Derrick Debrosse, 32, of East 45th Street, Brooklyn, is due in court Nov. 3 after he was arrested for allegedly missing a court date for charges of credit-card fraud and criminal impersonsation. Debrosse was picked up by New York City authorities late last week on other criminal matters, and he was then booked in Greenwich on local charges, according to his arrest report. Deer god. Perhaps realizing its generic claim We Have the Meats lacks a few thousand mammalian species, Arbys has announced plans to add venison to the menu. The chains never been shy about the quantity of meat it heaps between pieces of bread (quality is another thing entirely), so of course that wasnt going to start now with the Venison Sandwich. Crispy onions and a pat of juniper berry sauce are accoutrements to a slab of free-range deer steak thats cut thick enough to wear a jaw clean out. Arbys chief marketing officer Rob Lynch isnt wrong when he says, You simply cant find this at other restaurant chains. Its available from October 31 to November 27 at just 17 stores within heavy deer hunting areas in the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Georgia. Lynch helps explain the obvious logic behind this, too: Hunters hunt the meats, and we have the meats, so it makes sense for us to connect. To make sure it gets in with the crowd, Arbys has also rolled out an ad campaign disparaging weaklings who eat salad and mamas boys who leave camp empty-handed: Look familiar? Photo: Melissa Hom No restaurateur is more closely identified with jump-starting culinary backwaters than Keith McNally. Even if hes not always the very first to plant a flag, his presence in an unlikely neighborhood somehow legitimizes it. He did this first in 1980 with the Odeon in primordial Tribeca, and later with Pastis in the Meatpacking District and Pulinos (which morphed into Cherche Midi) on the Bowery. With Augustine, opening November 1 for dinner, the restaurateur expands his realm to the Financial District, opposite City Hall Park. But Augustines geographic location is less intriguing than its physical one: the ground floor of the new Beekman, the hotel-condo conversion of a landmarked 1880s office building distinguished most by its preserved architectural details and soaring nine-floor atrium. Augustine is McNallys first hotel restaurant, but he wont be providing room service (that task falls to Tom Colicchio, who has just opened his own bar and restaurant next door). Instead, McNally can focus on tried-and-true McNallyisms: the bustling breakfast-to-late-night service of Balthazar, the Creekstone Farmsbranded beefsteaks of Minetta Tavern, and the contemporary French flavor of Cherche Midi, courtesy of the coexecutive chefs who oversee all three of those restaurants (Shane McBride and Daniel Parilla). Their menu includes dishes like cheese souffle, petit aioli of vegetables and seafood, and a selection of rotisserie-cooked meats (another McNally first). Wines are mostly French and the rest American. And pastry chef Regis Beauregard has been imported from Balthazars London branch. In typical fashion, McNally has teamed with long-time collaborators like architect Richard Lewis and co-designer Ian McPheely, with whom hes furnished the 90-seat expanse of brown banquettes, vintage mirrors, and Art Nouveau tile. Cocktail consultant Dale DeGroff, who helped McNally launch Pravda two decades ago, has assembled a drink list of signatures and classics, including five riffs on the martini the kinds of cocktails people regret drinking the morning after, says McNally. He named Augustine after the fourth-century Christian theologian and philosopher, which is apt for a place of food, drink, and appetite: Besides being the patron saint of brewers and printers, Augustine also had a hand in formulating the doctrine of original sin. 5 Beekman St., at Nassau St.; 212-375-0010 Big booths, old mirrors. Photo: Melissa Hom Tiles everywhere. Photo: Melissa Hom The Waldorf salad was said to have been invented in a different New York hotel a decade after the Beekman was built. Photo: Melissa Hom Duck a lorange cooked on the rotisserie. Photo: Melissa Hom Tarte Tatin, one of the seasonal, fruit-based desserts. Photo: Melissa Hom Dale DeGroff consulted on the cocktails. Photo: Melissa Hom There is a real sense of community with Google Pixel and Android users alike. A redditor took to Googles Product Forums and posted about something that has been reported several times among many Redditors. Many Pixel users are noticing that the camera is easily susceptible to lens flare, or the halo effect that you can see when the sun or a light source hits the camera at a specific angle. Now, all cameras, no matter the size or cost, are prone to lens flare. But the frequency of the flares were too often for some users who are demanding a fix. More Halo action pic.twitter.com/xXv4b3QUoV Danny Winget (@superscientific) October 22, 2016 Google was quick to reply, it only took a Googler (someone from Google) less than two hours to reply to the post. IsaacOnCamera acknowledged the issue, explains why it is happening, and mentions that we can expect an update for the issue to be resolved via a software update. The Pixel cameras lens structure is very highly controlled this means that all Pixels take high-quality images, but it also means all Pixels have the same flare characteristics. The issue needs to be resolved with an algorithm. Isaac says Google is already working on fixing the arc/halo/flare from appearing in final photos. This new algorithm needs to be worked into HDR+ and will mathematically subtract the flare from appearing in the resulting photo. So, yes, youll need to use HDR+ for the lens flare fix. Source | Via These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. Haiti - FLASH : The PNH capture two escapees Inspector Jean-Marie Rochenel, departmental spokesperson of the police announced that on the night from October 24 to 25, 2016, as part of the "Katon Wouj" operation (red card), the police of Artibonite captured in Gros-Morne, two of the 162 escaped from the civil prison of Arcahaie https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19015-haiti-flash-mutiny-in-arcahaie-172-escaped-many-victims.html He presented to the press the two detainees arrested: Charleston Luckson (27) convictions for theft to 5 years in prison and Gustave Junior (25) also convicted of theft to 3 years in prison. In addition, he announced the intensification of police operations in the Artibonite before expressed appreciation for the collaboration of the inhabitants of Gros Morne who contributed to the success of the dragnet. Let's recall for this purpose, that the entire population is invited to cooperate with the police if it hinks have information on the escapees by calling : 3838-1111 or 3837-1111 See also : https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-19045-haiti-justice-dr-alongside-haiti-in-tracking-down-escapees.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19037-haiti-flash-escape-of-172-detainees-official-version-of-the-pnh.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19015-haiti-flash-mutiny-in-arcahaie-172-escaped-many-victims.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19023-haiti-prison-break-rd-strengthens-the-military-border-controls.html SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - France : 6 mobile stations of water treatment, in the Great South In addition to the two water purification stations, operated by agents of the French civil security in Jeremie, the French humanitarian aid includes six other mobile stations of water treatment, made available by the Veolia Foundation. Recall that a few days after the devastating Hurricane Matthew, the Veolia Foundation sent 6 mobile water treatment plants Aquaforce 500 and storage equipment, essential for the treatment of drinking water and the fight against the spread of cholera. A permanent of the Foundation and a volunteer Veoliaforce are present on the ground to provide technical support to teams of ACTED (Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development), currently mobilized throughout the South and Grand'Anse. ACTED teams have routed the drinking water supplies to the most affected areas in collaboration with local authorities, including the National Directorate of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DINEPA), town halls and Haitian civil protection : Three stations Aquaforce 500 were deployed in the South department in Chardonnieres and Port-a-Piment (Les Coteaux), on the south coast, Two stations were installed at Dame-Marie; A third is being installed in Dame Marie. "These six water treatment plants of Veolia will provide between 40 and 50 m3 of drinking water per day and will enable some 12,000 people daily drinking safe water and prevent the spread of cholera," explained Frederic de Saint-Sernin, Director General Manager of ACTED. ACTED teams have been trained in the use of units Aquaforce 500 by teams from the Veolia Foundation. In parallel, teams of cholera prevention of ACTED working hard to contain the cholera cases in the region and prevent its spread. These 6 mobile stations made available by the Veolia Foundation complete the water purification device already set up by the 60 agents of the French civil security present at Jeremie. HL/ S/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping politics... Chancellor Pierrot Delienne in Dominican Republic This Wednesday, Haiti, represented by Chancellor Pierrot Delienne participate in Dominican Republic, at the first meeting of foreign ministers and senior officials of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the states of the European Union. An event which brought together 30 ministers and 59 delegations of the participating countries. Sit-in Lavalas front the CEP Tuesday, after the demonstration of Monday against the date of the possible second round of presidential elections https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19042-haiti-news-zapping-politics.html , organizations close of Fanmi Lavalas held a sit-in outside the offices of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) to denounce the date of January 29 scheduled for the second round which makes it impossible the installation of the next elected President, on February 7, 2017 as provides the Constitution. They denounced an electoral coup in gestation against the candidate of Fanmi Lavalas, Maryse Narcisse. "A regrettable and dangerous escape" On Tuesday Gustavo Gallon the independent expert of the UN Human Rights Council on the situation of human rights in Haiti described the escape of 172 prisoners of the civil prison of Arcahaie https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19015-haiti-flash-mutiny-in-arcahaie-172-escaped-many-victims.html as "Regrettable and dangerous. It is also an example of the potential consequences of prison overcrowding [...] according to the information I had, the people who were in that prison were mostly convicted of serious crimes. Having this concentration of people in this situation, and overcrowding that I mentioned, caused or provoked the conditions for the escape [...]" See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19049-haiti-flash-the-pnh-capture-two-escapees.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-19045-haiti-justice-dr-alongside-haiti-in-tracking-down-escapees.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19037-haiti-flash-escape-of-172-detainees-official-version-of-the-pnh.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19015-haiti-flash-mutiny-in-arcahaie-172-escaped-many-victims.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19023-haiti-prison-break-rd-strengthens-the-military-border-controls.html Dessalinien sit-in front the Court of Cassation Tuesday the organization "Movement Visionary Dessalinien" conducted a sit-in outside the Court of Cassation to denounce the resolution of 6 judges of the court that require the replacement of the de facto President Privert https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18983-haiti-flash-the-court-of-cassation-request-the-replacement-of-jocelerme-privert.html The demonstrators believe that this resolution is unwelcome in the post-Matthew emergency context and of preparations for elections. Floral Offering to the fathers of the independence Monday Manfred Auster, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany newly accredited in Haiti https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19038-haiti-diplomacy-new-german-ambassador-to-haiti.html presented a floral offering in honor of the fathers of the independence of Haiti, to the Haitian National Pantheon, He then made a tour in the exhibition halls of MUPANAH at the invitation of Mrs. Michele G. Frisch, the Museum's Director General. Prior to run this new position, Ambassador Auster was the Deputy Chief of Mission of the Delegation of the European Union in Ottawa. HL/ HaitiLibre Harlow is a former New Town in Essex with a population of 86,000. Located in the upper Stort Valley, it was built in the decades after the Second World War to ease overcrowding and London and provide homes for people bombed out during the Blitz. It includes Britain's first pedestrian precinct and first modern residential tower block, The Lawn. Old Harlow, the historic part of the town, was mentioned in the Domesday Book. David and Victoria Beckham's former home, Rowneybury House, nicknamed 'Beckingham Palace', is nearby. 09:44, 30 OCT 2022 Authorities in Pakistan have handed down an execution warrant to a death-row prisoner who is severely mentally ill. Pakistan's interior ministry today handed down a so-called black warrant confirming that it plans to hang Imdad Ali, who suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, next Wednesday (2nd). Mr Ali was sentenced to death in 2008 over a shooting, following several years in which his family struggled to pay for medical treatment. Since then, a series of medical assessments have confirmed his illness, with one doctor describing him as insane, and saying that his condition is chronic and disabling. Despite this, last week saw Pakistans Supreme Court dismiss an appeal by Mr Alis lawyers, commenting that schizophrenia is not a mental disorder . This afternoon, authorities at the jail where Mr Ali is held confirmed that a warrant has been issued for his execution on November 2nd. The execution of mentally ill people is prohibited under Pakistani and international law, and todays development comes amid mounting criticism of plans to hang Mr Ali. UN human rights experts have called on the government to halt Mr Alis execution, while the UK's Foreign Office has said it is very concerned about the case. A group of Pakistani psychiatrists has also urged the authorities to commute Mr Alis sentence. Over 20,000 people have signed a petition calling on Pakistans President, Mamnoon Hussain, to grant mercy to Mr Ali. Under international law, the President has a duty to review death penalty cases. Article 45 of Pakistans Constitution grants the President powers to grant pardon, reprieve and respite, and to remit, suspend or commute death sentences. Commenting, Maya Foa, a director at Reprieve, said: Its appalling that the Pakistani authorities are pushing ahead with their plans to execute Imdad . Experts agree that Imdad is severely mentally ill meaning his hanging would be a grave breach of Pakistani and international law, and an indelible stain on Pakistans reputation. It is the President of Pakistans constitutional duty to review death penalty cases and to use his power to grant mercy in cases such as Imdads where not to do so would result in a gross, irreparable miscarriage of justice. The President must use his power to pardon Imdad, and prevent this outrage from going ahead. Saudi Arabias ambassador to Canada and Foreign Minister Stephane Dion. 'If we asked Canada to send...a Canadian citizen, in Canadian jail, to Saudi Arabia, do you accept that?' the Saudi ambassador asks. PUBLISHED : Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016 12:00 AM. Saudi Arabias ambassador to Canada shot down a call from Foreign Minister Stephane Dion to release imprisoned blogger Raif Badawi and allow him to join his family in Canada, saying Mr. Badawis case had nothing to do with relations between the two countries. Mr. Dion (Saint-Laurent, Que.) told reporters on Oct. 18 that it would be unacceptable for Mr. Badawi to be flogged by Saudi authorities, following reports that another round of the punishment could be meted out against the Saudi national soon. Mr. Badawi was arrested in 2012 on charges of insulting Islam through his blog, and sentenced to 10 years in prison, a hefty fine, and 1,000 lashes. The first 50 lashes were delivered in January 2015, causing outcry in many Western countries over both the form of the punishment and what Amnesty International and others called a crackdown on free expression. Mr. Badawis wife and children were given asylum in Canada. Evelyne Abitbol, who runs the Montreal-based Raif Badawi Foundation, told the Canadian Press last week she feared Mr. Badawi could soon be subjected to another round of lashes as part of his sentence. The remainder of the 1,000 lashes has been put off several times. Ms. Abitbol told the new agency her fear was based on information from a private source, the same source who alerted Mr. Badawis loved ones to the lashes beginning in 2015. Mr. Dion told the press in the foyer of the House of Commons that he condemned flogging as a form of punishment, and that another round of the punishment would be unacceptable. He said he insisted that the Saudi government show clemency to Mr. Badawi, and allow him to join his family in Canada. Mr. Dion noted that since Mr. Badawi is not a Canadian, the government was treating his plight as a humanitarian case, not a consular one. Government officials in the past have suggested that means their hands are to a certain extent tied. In an interview Oct. 20, Saudi Ambassador Naif Bin Bandir AlSudairy said he had no information about whether Mr. Badawi would soon be subjected to more flogging. Mr. Badawi is a Saudi citizen, [and] has nothing to do with the relations between Canada and Saudi Arabia, he said. Raif Badawi, sentenced to 1,000 lashes for blasphemy. When asked whether the Saudi government was considering Mr. Dions request to give Mr. Badawi clemency, and allow him to come to Canada, he said: As the Saudi government, if we asked Canada to senda Canadian citizen, in Canadian jail, to Saudi Arabia, do you accept that? When asked whether the Saudi government was considering Mr. Dions request to give Mr. Badawi clemency, and allow him to come to Canada, he said: As the Saudi government, if we asked Canada to senda Canadian citizen, in Canadian jail, to Saudi Arabia, do you accept that? He then confirmed that his government was not considering letting Mr. Badawi come to Canada. When asked to respond to Mr. AlSudairys comments, and whether more flogging would harm bilateral relations, Mr. Dions office said his position on the matter had not changed since he spoke on the 18th. Managing relations with Saudi Arabia is a difficult task for Mr. Dion. His government has often publicly touted the value of maintaining diplomatic ties with all countries, even those at odds with Canada or those with poor human rights records. The Liberal government has faced strong criticism for approving a sale of armoured vehicles by General Dynamics Land Systems Canada to the Saudi National Guard. Amnesty International and others warn the vehicles could be used against civilian targets in Saudi Arabia or in neighbouring Yemen. Throughout the controversy, the Saudi Embassy in Canada has done its best to maintain relations with Mr. Dion and open up somewhat to the political press, including by inviting the foreign minister and some journalists to the ambassadors residence for dinner in March. Mr. AlSudairy said he didnt know whether another round of punishment to Mr. Badawi would harm bilateral relations. Conservative foreign affairs critic Peter Kent (Thornhill, Ont.) said he agreed with Mr. Dions position on Mr. Badawis release. Canadas relationship with Saudi Arabia is complicated, he said, calling the country an ally in the fight against the militant group known as Daesh and ISIS, and a trading partner. He said Mr. Dion should speak out for Mr. Badawis release, and use an upcoming vote on Saudi Arabias membership in the UN Human Rights Council as leverage to help secure his release. | 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 Hill Times , October 26, 2016 Homelessness in Hawaii by Rachelle Chang, Better Hawaii, October 25, 2016 Last week I watched the 90-minute documentary, No Room In Paradise (2016) on Hawaii News Now. Filmmakers Anthony Aalto and Mike Hinchey of Green Island Films followed Justin Phillips, homeless outreach field manager for the Institute of Human Services (IHS), as he visited homeless communities around Oahu. The documentary showed the many faces of the homeless, including minimum-wage earners who cant afford a home to single-mothers, substance-abusers and the mentally ill, Micronesians, veterans, newly-released prisoners, and tent city residents. After watching the documentary, I was saddened and thoughtful. It made me appreciate everything that I have. My 10-year old son was subdued. I commented that we are lucky to have a home and pointed out how using drugs can destroy lives. Here are some observations and ideas that I hope will spark discussions: * Touch is important. We all need human contact. Justin constantly reached out and touched people on the shoulder, showing that he cares and that he is not afraid to touch them. He looks at them directly and turns his body towards them to show that he is listening. * Family matters community. In the film, a substance-abuser went back to her family on the mainland, and a single mother who had a subsidized apartment was lonely for the homeless camp community. This made me question whether giving someone their own home is really the answer for everyone. Instead of finding single-family apartments, maybe we could match two compatible families. For example, two single mothers could share an apartment, providing each other with friendship, support, security, and childcare assistance. A case manager could help the families come up with a co-housing agreement that covers house rules and chores. * Family matters marriage. In the film, a woman was pregnant, homeless, and already caring for other children. However, I cant remember any mention of a father for the children, a husband, or a boyfriend. Public assistance programs seem to discourage marriage, but marriage is important for mental health and financial stability, especially when there are children. Maybe we could encourage marriage by 1) offering a one-time, one-year only tax credit for couples with one or more children who get married; and 2) following it up with a one-time, one-year only tax credit for couples who are still married after five years. * Make current housing available. People complain that we are not building enough new, affordable housing. An alternate solution is to make the housing we do have more available for Hawaii residents. While I hate to advocate for any tax increase, maybe we need to impose an exorbitantly high tax on non-resident purchases of homes or apartments. This would discourage out-of-state and international buyers from buying residences in Hawaii, either as part-time homes or investments, and free those homes for Hawaii residents. It wouldnt cost government anything, and the money from the tax could be designated for the affordable housing fund. Have you ever been homeless? Do you know anyone who is homeless or on the verge of homelessness? What can we do to make a difference? ---30--- Special Luncheon: The Future of Agriculture in Hawaii From Grassroot Institute Thursday, October 27th | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM LINK >>> Buy Tickets Here Maui Country Club In the Main Ballroom 48 Nonohe Pl, Paia, HI 96779 >>> MAP Governor Ige has pledged to double the states food production by 2030. Is it possible to double Hawaii's food production? Join us for a luncheon featuring Paul Brewbaker on the future of food in Hawaii! Paul will discuss his report, Fifty Years of Seed in the Fiftieth State. Paul is a former chief economist at the Bank of Hawaii, and is widely regarded for his 25 years of research and insights into Hawaiis economy. Don't miss this important discussion of future of agriculture in Hawaii! Register today! Beyond Blue chairman Jeff Kennett has called for the performance bonuses of chief executives to be partially linked to the mental wellbeing of their employees. In a speech to the Business Council of Australias Mentally Healthy Workplaces Discussion, Kennett argued for a rigorous approach to measuring and addressing workplace mental health that was led from the top. The issue of mental health isnt just a workplace issue but if we get it right in our workplaces therell be a ripple effect, said Kennett. The former Victorian Premier is also pushing for senior executives to undergo mental health checks with a psychologist every year. He said this is not just in the interest of the individual, but the organisation too. "Increasingly I am finding as chairman of BeyondBlue I am getting calls from very senior either board members or CEOs that one of their direct reports has hit a brick wall -- in other words, the pressures on senior managers today seem to be increasing, he told the ABC. Kennett also argued that making the mental health of employees one of the annual key performance indicators (KPI) of private-sector executives and government department heads would boost overall profit and staff productivity. "I want to make sure that rather than members of the BCA and industry leaders just calling for tax cuts, they also put a priority on the mental health of their staff," saud Kennett. "So I would have the board establish a KPI for the CEO, in terms of the conditions of the workforce, and I would have the CEO prepare the KPI for their direct reports. He added that close to $11 billion was lost in productivity each year because staff were not happy at work. The BCA event also featured comments from its chief executive Jennifer Westacott who called on Australian CEOs to rise to the challenge of improving mental health. Mental health and safety is not the domain of the community or health sectors alone business has a lot to contribute, said Westacott. Its important that psychological safety is taken as seriously as physical workplace safety and that businesses take practical steps to improve workplace wellbeing, organisational culture and workplace bullying. Our organisations recognise the need to work closely with each other to make sure were getting right in the initiatives workplaces are introducing. This is about productivity and growth, as well as health and wellbeing. Boone, NC ( October 26, 2016 ) Albert Einstein said, There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. Lauras Story Laura can still remember the day her parents informed her they would be moving out of the country to pursue a missionary life. At the tender age of 5, her family moved from Hickory, North Carolina to Costa Rica for several months of training and language development. At the end of their allotted time, they moved to the area that would be their new home, Lima, Peru. At the time, Lima was engulfed in political chaos and violence, shrouded with the terrorism of the Shining Path. The world as I knew it changed very quickly, Laura said. Despite everyone questioning my parents decision to take us into such a dangerous environment so far from our usual comforts, I can remember my dads calming words of reassurance, keep the faith, God will sustain us.' Trials, challenges, and wonderful experiences were always a part of her experience growing up in another country. Despite the surrounding social climate atrocities, their family always felt safe, and they eventually fell in love with their new home of cinderblock walls, high shared fences, and flat rooftops that were all adorned with shattered glass as a deterrent for would-be invaders. Laura attended Colegio Franklin Delano Roosevelt, The American School of Lima, which was an independent international school deep in the central city of Lima. She quickly became bilingual through cultural immersion. Her experience and her language abilities brought her back to the US in time for college, where she attended Appalachian State University, majoring in Spanish Education. It was during this time she met her future husband, Derek McClure, now a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) here in the High Country. She later obtained her Master of Arts in Higher Education, with a focus in Spanish. She taught in the Watauga and Ashe County school systems for several years, helping to expand cultural understanding through the Spanish language. Today, Laura lives with her husband and two daughters, Abby (11) and Sarah (9) in the outskirts of West Jefferson in Ashe County. Faith Tested On December 9th last year, Laura visited the Wilma Redmond Breast Center in Boone for her annual mammogram screening. While sitting in the waiting room, her thoughts shifted between her husbands upcoming Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) graduation and her last minute Christmas shopping list. Hearing her name called by a smiling radiologic technologist awakened Laura from her thoughts. On the way back to the exam room, she was informed that the Breast Center had recently installed a new state-of-the-art 3D mammography machine which is able to more accurately detect abnormalities. Laura, whose mother is a breast cancer survivor, was pleased to learn of the upgraded equipment. Less than ten minutes later, the pain-free scan was complete and Laura was ready to move on to her next errand. That was until she was notified by the Breast Center that an abnormality had been detected and that a follow up screening was recommended. I was terrified, said Laura. In that moment, while trying to hold back tears in my car, I debated whether or not I should tell my husband before his graduation or my kids before Christmas. As a mom, you want to shield your family from everything, but I also knew I had to get answers.< In those quiet moments of uncertainty, Laura reflected on her fathers words of reassurance, keep the faith, God will sustain us. She decided to share the news with her husband and together they wept. Into the storm Few words were spoken as Laura and her husband drove with fragile hearts to The Breast Center the following day. Unfortunately, the second mammogram and additional ultrasound confirmed the abnormality. Lauras radiologist recommended that she schedule an appointment at Watauga Surgical Group, and aided in a quick referral process. At that point, Dereks past work experience with Watauga Medical Center became an influential factor, said Laura. Before he became a FNP, Derek used to work in many departments of the hospital over years, including the operating room. Now, as a healthcare provider, he continues to keep a positive relationship with all the providers and specialty offices in the area. He reassured me that the hospital and the community surgeons were top notch. A few days later, Derek and Laura met with Dr. Anne-Corinne Beaver at Watauga Surgical Group and Dr. Damon P. Anagnos of Blue Ridge Plastic Surgery Group to make an individualized plan for Lauras treatment that could put her new found diagnosis behind her as soon as possible. After performing two biopsies, Dr. Beaver confirmed that the tumors were malignant and that the results would need to go before the Tumor Board. The Tumor Board, which meets weekly at Watauga Medical Center to discuss cases, consists of a radiologist, pathologist, and several surgeons including Dr. Beaver, as well as the Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Centers medical oncologists, radiation oncologist and nurse navigator. Together, they discuss each case to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. In Lauras case, surgery was recommended. In considering mastectomy, Laura also considered the multiple new techniques of breast reconstruction that might meet her individual needs. Ultimately, she would choose immediate reconstruction to allow her to get back to her life as quickly and smoothly as possible. The timing was horrible, said Laura, who tried to compartmentalize her emotions. Here we are, scheduled to fly out in two days as a family to watch Derek defend his doctorate project and cross the stage, suddenly hearing this life-changing news. As a weight was finally lifted off of his shoulders, our family gained another burden. It was supposed to be an exciting timeour childrens first airplane experience, a chance to connect with a dear childhood friend from Peru now living in Wisconsin, and a time to enjoy the passing of a milestone in our lifes adventures. Hoping to keep some joy for the children, the decision was made not to share the cancer news with her children until after the Christmas holiday. We broke the news while walking in the Ashe County Park. It was hard to explain in concepts they would understand. They were so worried that mommy was not going to be okay. During the weeks that followed, though already confident in her care plan, Laura sought a second opinion from a large healthcare system located down the mountain. After enduring a battery of tests and consults, the results confirmed that surgery was the best option for treatment. While either institution could have performed the procedure, Laura felt at peace with the decision to have her double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery closer to home at Watauga Medical Center. Lauras first surgery was successfully completed on February 12th without any complications. She was now cancer free. Becoming whole Despite the horrific diagnosis of cancer, my experience with Watauga Medical Center as a patient was wonderful, said McClure. Prior to surgery, Dr. Beaver prayed with me and I honestly felt at peace. When I woke up, Derek and my children were there to greet me. Nursing care was incredible and attentive. Everyone was so patient and caring as they let me have time to try to figure out this new me. Over the months that followed, and the second part of her reconstructive surgery later, Lauras perspective on life changed. While gingerly regaining her strength, she observed that life does not slow down not even for cancer. Despite not having to endure infusion chemotherapy or radiation, she battled constant pain associated with the reconstructive process and looming depression. Throughout it all, she found solace in her familys support, her mothers encouragement and her unwavering faith. Looking back, Laura credits the Breast Centers new 3D mammogram technology for its early detection of her cancer and the rapid coordination into the surgeons office by the radiologist. She is also thankful for Dr. Beaver (her surgeon), Dr. Damon Anagnos (her reconstructive surgeon), the Tumor Board at Watauga Medical Center and all of the medical staff who provided her with compassionate care. Today, nearly a year after her diagnosis, Laura considers life even with all of its trials to be a miracle. The former missionary kid now plans to use her experience to encourage other women to keep the faith when facing cancer. Pink Day On Friday, October 28, community members and employees of Cannon Memorial Hospital in Linville and Watauga Medical Center in Boone will once again gather to help raise awareness about Breast Cancer. To learn more about Pink Day visit apprhs.org/pinkday. To learn more about the Wilma Redmond Breast Center, call 828-262-4151 or visit apprhs.org/breastcenter. Share this: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Pocket North Carolinians can enroll or re-enroll in quality, affordable health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace when the fourth open-enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act begins on Tuesday, Nov. 1. During the open-enrollment period, which runs from Nov. 1 to Jan. 31, uninsured North Carolinians will be able to enter the Health Insurance Marketplace and select plans that fit their needs and budgets. People who currently have coverage through the Marketplace should check the website to learn about new options and ensure they are getting the correct amount of financial help for 2016. For many North Carolinians, affordability is a real concern in their health care decision-making. In the past, high premium costs have forced many to go without health insurance simply because they could not afford it. The good news is that financial assistance is available to help people pay for plans in fact, 92% of North Carolinians who signed up for Affordable Care Act coverage received financial assistance to make their plan more affordable. The NC Navigator Consortium and Enroll America are urging North Carolinians to check out Affordable Care Act plans. In the last enrollment period, over 613,000 N.C. residents enrolled in health coverage through the Marketplace, providing them with the peace of mind that comes with protecting themselves and their families. This coming open-enrollment period is the next opportunity North Carolinians have to take advantage of the coverage options available through the Marketplace. We encourage North Carolinians to check out their health care coverage options in the upcoming enrollment period, said Jennifer Simmons, director of the NC Navigator Consortium. We have in-person assisters in all counties across North Carolina who can sit down face-to-face with consumers for free to answer questions and help them make the best coverage decision for them and their families. North Carolinians can find free in-person assisters available in their communities by calling 1-855-733-3711 or using the Get Covered Connector tool at www.gcaconnector.org. In-person assisters in Eastern North Carolina will accommodate scheduling needs of people affected by Hurricane Matthew. Enroll Americas North Carolina State Director Sorien Schmidt said North Carolinians who are losing coverage because their insurance providers are leaving the Marketplace should take advantage of the available in-person assisters and review plans that are still available to them. There are still many health insurance options for North Carolinians through the Marketplace and we encourage those who need to re-enroll to review plans available to them, said Schmidt. We will continue working as a team to reach out to the uninsured wherever they are with the information they need to get covered and make they receive the most up-to-date financial package available to them. While the fourth open-enrollment period provides an opportunity for North Carolinians to gain access to quality, affordable health care, it also gives people a chance to avoid paying a fine when they file their taxes. Those who do not enroll in a plan by Jan. 31, 2017, could face a fine of $695 or 2.5% of their yearly income, whichever is greater. # # # The NC Navigator Consortium is a group of 13 health care, social service, and legal aid organizations that helps North Carolina consumers enroll in affordable health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act. The consortium is led by Legal Aid of North Carolina, a statewide, nonprofit law firm that provides free civil legal aid to low-income North Carolinians. Learn more at www.legalaidnc.org. Share this: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Pocket Its illegal to discriminate hiring on the basis of relgion... So Obama broke the law.. Can we impeach the SOB now? Obama the racist, who goes around accusing whites of being racist. Most divisive person on the planet. Worst president ever. Obama is a bigoted racist pig. All those rumors of him being Muslim were true. Same with the rumors of him and the gay bath houses in Chicago. He is who we said he was. (New York Post) Lynn Tiltons lawyer, Randy Mastro, knows how to get attention with an opening argument, stating, Shes a character, shes larger than life and shes all woman. So began the Distressed Divas defense against the SEC charges on Monday during her trial in Manhattan Federal Court in a case that her lawyer said should never have been brought. To read this article: The number of asylum seekers placed in reception centres, it explains, will be higher than anticipated as a result of an increase in the number of appeals against asylum decisions. The Finnish Government has proposed that an additional 38 million euros be allocated for costs arising from immigration, despite estimating that the number of asylum seekers arriving in the country this year will fall short of projections. The Government proposes in its third supplementary budget for the year that the appropriations for refugees and asylum seekers be raised by 110 million euros. The appropriations for integration, in turn, are to be cut by 30 million euros due to the lower-than-anticipated number of asylum applicants and those for unemployment benefits by 32.2 million euros due to a clarification of immigration-related costs. The Government also says it has raised its estimate for annual tax revenues by 608 million euros, with data collected in the first half of the year indicating that revenues from the income tax, capital income tax, corporate tax and value-added tax will exceed expectations. Revenues from the inheritance and gift tax, on the other hand, are to fall short of expectations, according to the data. Aleksi Teivainen HT Photo: Roni Rekomaa Lehtikuva Source: Uusi Suomi Its illegal to discriminate hiring on the basis of relgion... So Obama broke the law.. Can we impeach the SOB now?Obama the racist, who goes around accusing whites of being racist. Most divisive person on the planet. Worst president ever.Obama is a bigoted racist pig. All those rumors of him being Muslim were true. Same with the rumors of him and the gay bath houses in Chicago. He is who we said he was. An abuse sufferer has said that victims should be allowed to confront their abusers if they wish, rather than the feelings of their attackers being put first. Fiona Doyle said that authorities are concerned that a meeting between her and her abuser could impact negatively on the offender. Expand Close Pat O'Brien / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Pat O'Brien Her father Patrick O'Brien (79) was sentenced to 12 years in prison with three suspended in 2013 for the systematic rape and sexual abuse of his daughter at their home in Dun Laoghaire from 1973 to 1982. Denied Speaking to the Herald, Ms Doyle said she has written to her father on a number of occasions and also requested to meet him in person but these requests were denied. "A lot of things shouldn't be optional. One is counselling services and two is meeting with their victim. "If a victim is prepared to do that, it should not be based on the offender's decision. I went to (Arbour Hill) prison and asked about a meeting with my father. I got a call back asking me if I am in counselling and if they could contact my counsellor. "It went further and I asked about the calls and they told me they were concerned about the effects my confrontation would have on my father. "I was dumbfounded by this and wanted to scream and shout at them, the option should always be with the victim rather than the offender. "So eventually I contacted the Governor of Arbour Hill, he invited me to the prison and we talked about counselling services and again I confronted him about concerns about my father more than me. "He said that they have done two trials of restorative justice in Arbour Hill and they were concerned about an offender turning violent towards prison staff after meeting their victim." A spokesman for the Irish Prison Service said that it does not comment on individual cases. It is understood that Patrick O'Brien has not received counselling since his imprisonment in 2013 and that he does not want to meet his daughter. Justice "I would happily sit down with an offender to speak to them because I do think we need to know more about paedophiles and we need to look into the psychological side of things. I do believe in restorative justice but it's down to a paedophile's cooperation and it seems their feelings come first in the case of my father," Ms Doyle said. The case sparked controversy when O'Brien was initially given a 12-year sentence with nine years suspended due to his age and ill-health. The DPP subsequently appealed and the sentence was revised to 12 years with three years suspended. The teenager reached the N2 and crossed several lanes "without regard for other road users" said Gda Phelan. Stock Picture A 16-year-old boy speeding in a stolen car had to be "boxed in" by garda vehicles on the M50 before he was arrested. He pleaded guilty at the Dublin Children's Court to unlawfully using a stolen car on March 17 last. He also admitted six counts of dangerous driving as well as not having a licence or motor insurance. Garda Canice Phelan told Judge Timothy Lucey he had been on patrol in the Blanchardstown area when gardai spotted two cars travelling on the wrong side of the road in Clonee. Speeding Gardai took up pursuit at which time the two cars split up. The court heard the boy drove at speed through another roundabout on the wrong side. He sped through a red light forcing a taxi to take "evasive action". The teenager reached the N2 and crossed several lanes "without regard for other road users" said Gda Phelan. As he reached the M50 toll bridge he was "boxed in", arrested and taken to Blanchardstown Garda station. Gda Phelan agreed with the defence that property in the car was untouched and the teenager had no prior convictions. Judge Lucey adjourned sentencing and mitigation pleas from the defence until a date in November. He also ordered the preparation of a probation report on the youth. The boy, who was accompanied to court by his mother, was remanded on continuing bail. One of seven Dubliners accused of beating a man to death said he hit him because he had pulled a knife on him and stolen his sister's phone. The Central Criminal Court yesterday heard evidence of interviews with David Burke, who said he had tried to stop others assaulting the deceased. Dale Creighton (20) was attacked on New Year's Day in 2014 on the footbridge over the Tallaght bypass near Saint Dominic's Road. He died in hospital the next day. The accused, all of whom are in their 20s and from Tallaght, have denied murder. They are Aisling Burke (23) and David Burke (28), of Beechpark, Collinstown, Co Westmeath; Graham Palmer (26), of Park Avenue, Portarlington, Co Laois; Ross Callery (23), of Gortlum Cottages, Brittas, Co Dublin; James Reid (26), of Glen Aoibhinn, Gorey, Co Wexford; Jason Beresford (23), of Coill Diarmuida, Ard a' Laoi, Castledermot, Co Kildare; and Gerard Stevens (27), of Grosvenor Square, Rathmines, Dublin. Each also pleaded not guilty to violent disorder but Jason Beresford later changed his plea to guilty. Garda Sinead McCormack said she arrested Mr Burke on January 2, 2014, and that he was interviewed at Rathfarnham Garda Station. Screaming He said he was on his way home when he saw some men running around a corner. He said his sister also ran around the corner, screaming that they had her phone. "I chased one of them," said Mr Burke. "He pulled a knife on me so I backed off." He said other people joined the chase and that he saw a commotion on the bridge. "They had him held so he couldn't go anywhere." He later discovered that the man he had chased didn't have the phone. "I legged it out of there. I didn't want anything to do with it," he said, denying in the early interviews that he had hit the deceased. "They were all jumping in there to get at it," he said. "I was saying to stop." He said only Mr Creighton had a weapon and that he "wasn't that bad" when he left. He was then shown CCTV footage in which he was seen holding a steel rod or pole. "The only reason I had it going on to the bridge was to protect myself." Mr Burke was asked: "Did you assault him there?" "Yeah, I gave him a dig or two. I hit him for pulling a knife on me and robbing my sister's bag." He was asked if he had kicked Mr Creighton. "I kicked him in the leg as well." He was later shown footage of Mr Creighton being lifted up and was asked if he looked OK. "Not at all, but that's what I'm trying to say. I was trying to stop them. I picked him up about four times. You can see from the CCTV, I tried to keep everyone away from him." He said he "lost it" when someone threw Mr Creighton down the steps of the bridge. Sorry He said in his final interview that he was sorry he didn't stop the assault. Garda McCormack agreed that Mr Burke had identified himself on screen trying to stop the assault, and agreed that notes of his interviews were handwritten and could not be a full version of what was said. The trial continues. A DCU student has shared her harrowing experience with homelessness, revealing it took her years to accept it. Laura Horan, from Coolock, Dublin, says that she was homeless as a child, and, for a short spell during her time in college. The third-year journalism student told her story ahead of DCUtv's 24-hour broadcast in aid of the Peter McVerry Trust. Laura was in fifth class when she and her family became homeless and they remained without a home for a further two years. "It came to us staying in friends' houses for a while. Eventually people got really annoyed at us imposing on their house," she said. Eventually, a friend of Laura's mum suggested finding a homeless shelter to stay in. Dawned Before that point, Laura and her family were forced to sleep in a car or sit on the streets. The student says it never really dawned on her that she was actually homeless. "I just thought it was normal. I just thought I was always hanging out with my mam, I didn't see anything wrong with it or anything different about it," she said. Laura's family later moved on to a shelter, where she said families would be squeezed into a small room with one double bed. It was only when her class was filling shoeboxes with old toys for homeless children that she realised the full extent of her situation. "I went to my nana's and put the shoebox together, and was so excited to give it to these kids," she recalled. "It was coming up to Christmas and in the homeless shelter I lived in, which I thought was just a hotel, this fella dressed up as Santa Claus came in," she added. "He gave out all these boxes to everyone," she continued. "When I was opening the boxes and actually looking around at everyone's shoeboxes, I then realised that these are the homeless shoeboxes that I had sent off to other kids that I had felt sorry for. "It was just so hard for me to realise that (she was one of those homeless children). "I noticed more and more how I didn't have a home but was actually living in a prison. There would be fistfights from time to time in the halls, people doing drugs in public, the people in charge had these fancy rooms with a TV with all the channels, comfy couches, computer and coffee machines. ''I would peek in with anger watching them sitting comfy while everyone living there cried themselves to sleep." Laura told the Herald about moving into her new famiy home. ''When the day finally came two weeks before Christmas I didn't know how to feel, we walked around an empty apartment and I was still so angry at first, I thought why did this take so long, they didn't just build these apartments now. I was 12 at the time. "That year my mam got donated a blow-up bed and a portable DVD player. My mam got what money she could and bought a 30-inch Christmas tree. This was the best Christmas of my life. Scared ''We may not have had much by others' standards, but we had made it and life was only going to get better. My life has completely changed from being that scared little girl in the homeless shelter," she said. "I got one of the highest results in schoolin my Leaving Cert. I got into DCU. I'm now in my final year doing a journalism degree. Donating to charities is so important because it helps people like me.'' The 24-hour broadcast can be seen live on December 2 from 9pm on DCUtv.com. The cocaine haul is put on display by gardai. Photo: Irish Revenue Customs Service/PA Wire A haul of 5million worth of cocaine was left lying on a west of Ireland beach for months before it was seized this week. Gardai do not believe a torpedo-shaped device containing the cocaine, which was discovered on a Co Clare beach, was destined for the Irish market. Expand Close The cocaine haul is put on display by gardai. Photo: PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The cocaine haul is put on display by gardai. Photo: PA Senior sources have revealed that gardai have "no intelligence" that our criminal gangs, including the deadly Kinahan cartel, would attempt to smuggle drugs into Ireland that way. The drugs, seized by the Revenue Commissioners in Liscannor, Co Clare, on Monday were discovered on Kilmacreehy beach with assistance from a member of the public who was walking on the beach. Discovery The canister contained a massive 75kg of cocaine. Expand Close The cocaine was found in this container. Photo: Irish Revenue Customs Service/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The cocaine was found in this container. Photo: Irish Revenue Customs Service/PA Wire Revenue reported that it may have been attached below the waterline of a ship. Gardai believe that the gang would have needed the use of "extremely experienced" divers to recover the haul. Neither gardai nor customs officers have any information to link the massive haul to Irish gangs. "This is the first seizure of its kind in Ireland. Everything needs to be looked at but no Irish link has been established yet," a senior source said. The Revenue Commissioners said in a statement yesterday that it is not known where the drugs originated from, or their intended destination. An unsuspecting Lahinch man said yesterday that he examined the exterior of the torpedo-like device "for a couple of minutes" on a remote Clare beach more than two months ago. Yesterday, the well-known hotelier, Michael Vaughan admitted that he was 'shocked' and 'absolutely dumbfounded' to see the Revenue photos published of the canister yesterday confirming the drugs haul. Mr Vaughan said that he examined the outside of the device while out flying kites with his family on a sunny Sunday afternoon on August 28 last. Mr Vaughan said that he believes the canister - now found to contain 75kg of cocaine - must have been on Kilmacreehy beach "for weeks, if not months before we came across it as it would take a heavy sea to throw that up". Meanwhile, in Meath, cannabis with an estimated street value of 2.7million was seized in a garda operation yesterday. The discovery was made when detectives searched a number of vehicles in Ashbourne shortly after 3pm. Three men were arrested. LEBANON The Lebanon Chamber of Commerce hosted a forum Thursday to debate to pros and cons of the three marijuana-related issues on the city's November ballot. Although statewide voters have legalized recreational marijuana, cities and counties have the option to enact localized bans prohibiting the production, manufacture and sale of marijuana. Those bans must be upheld by voters this November. This forum was facilitated by Linn County Circuit Judge Tom McHill and featured speakers Wyatt King, community supporter; Brock Binder, an active member in the cannabis industry; Michael Iwai, 19-year law enforcement veteran and a lieutenant with the Oregon State Police; and Mandi Puckett, a Certified Prevention Specialist and the executive director of CLEAR Alliance, an independent nonprofit that seeks to combat impaired driving. King and Binder spoke in favor of the legalization of marijuana. King compared the illegal marijuana industry to Prohibition during the 1920s, which led to the rise of a bootlegging industry. "Prohibition does not work; it brings more danger into our community," King said. Creating a legal market eventually eventually will crush the black market, he said. "We need to capitalize on the market that is already here," King said. "We want it into the stores and off the streets." Puckett did not take a position on the marijuana issues on Lebanon's November ballot. The Clear Alliance organization educates youth and parents about preventing substance abuse and impaired driving. Puckett said that kids believe that just because marijuana is legal they believe it is safe. Puckett said her organization is working to inform kids that marijuana impairs a person's ability to drive. Puckett said that although she wasn't going to take a stance on the medical side of marijuana, when the original medical marijuana law passed in Oregon it was intended only for patients with terminal illnesses. "But less than five percent of patients use it for that," she said. "One could argue that the program is not being used the way the voters intended." Binder said medicinal marijuana helped his mother get off of painkillers and alcohol she was using to treat pain because she doesn't have cartilage in her lower spine. He would prefer his mom that his mom use marijuana over the other substances. He added that legalizing marijuana would allow police to focus on more important issues. For example, he said, "Law enforcement could focus on domestic abuse and heroin usage," he said. Puckett said that the potency of marijuana has increased since the 1960s, and studies have shown that marijuana affects the brain. "The studies have not caught up to the higher levels of THC," the ingredient in marijuana that causes users to get high, Puckett said. Puckett added that now people are creating hash oil, which may have lead to explosions at legal marijuana businesses in the state of Oregon. Puckett said that overdoses have been increasing from kids getting into edibles. Also, she said, since people might not immediately feel the effects from edible marijuana products right away, improper use of those products could lead to psychotic breaks. Binder responded that there are several levels of protection to keep marijuana safe and out of the hands of kids. This includes making sure everyone has a valid ID to purchase marijuana, and testing plants for potency, water content and pesticides. Edibles have to be clearly labeled and they aren't allowed to look like candy or feature images of cartoons. Iwai, a certified drug recognition expert, spoke about how DRE officers are trained to spot people driving under the influence of marijuana. "The bottom line is, if you are impaired, (you) will be processed for a DUII," Iwai said. Puckett said that Oregon State Police has reported a 163 percent increase in impaired driving since the state of Oregon passed Measure 91, which legalized recreational marijuana. King, who is an insurance agent, said that car crashes are rapidly increasing, but he attributed the increased collision rate to people being distracted on their smartphones. The measures Three measures on the Lebanon ballot regard the issue of recreational marijuana. A "yes" vote on Lebanon Measure 22-147 upholds a ban enacted by the City Council that prohibits the establishment and operation of recreational marijuana producers, processors, wholesalers, and retailers within the city limits. Similarly, Measure 22-146 prohibits marijuana producers, processors, wholesalers and retailers in the unincorporated areas of Linn County. A "yes" vote on local Measure 22-148 would place a 3 percent tax on the sale of marijuana in Lebanon. This measure is applicable only if Measure 22-147 does not pass. Oregon State Police are searching for a suspect who was allegedly involved in a multiple vehicle crash north of Albany on Interstate 5 at about 5:30 a.m. Tuesday. According to an OSP press release, a northbound vehicle was shining a green laser at other motorists. A driver lost control of their Toyota Camry and it collided with the suspect's vehicle, an older light blue Honda Civic. Witnesses said there were two occupants in the car that fled the scene of the crash. The days are shorter, but not the list of things you can do. This site uses cookies from Google to deliver its services, to personalize ads and to analyze traffic. Information about your use of this site is shared with Google. By using this site, you agree to its use of cookies. Learn more here Grand Prize Winner: Donna Rickey Blog Winners: A Song for her Enemies by Sherri Stewart: Mary Ann Hake Spies & Sweethearts by Linda Shenton Matchett: Connie Ruggles Sword of Trust by DebbieLynn Costello: Brenda Walters Justice for Julia by Donna Schlachter: Natalya Lakhno Party Prize winners: Sherri Stewarts Winners A Song for her Enemies: Angie Pool Bottle of Dutch Syrup: Carol Koch Alscheff Corrie ten Boom book: Deb Gramie Burgess Linda Shenton Matchetts winners: $5.00 gift card to online retailer or choice (Kobo, B&N, AppleBooks, Amazon): Karen Hadley A Bride for Seamus: Carol Osterhouse Wotring DebbieLynn Costellos winners: Sword of the Matchmaker: Melissa Planas Sword of Forgiveness: Paty Hinojosa Gomez Shattered Memories: Charlene Zall Capodice Sword of the Perfect Bride: Licha Haney Donna Schlachters winner: Leather Journal: Lisa Turley GIVEAWAY RULES Winners must leave their email address and will be notified by email and the winners name will be announced in the days comments. No one under 18 can enter our giveaways. No purchase is necessary. All winners have one week to claim their prize. USA shipping only. Offer void where prohibited. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. HICKORY The Frye Heart Center at Frye Regional Medical Center (FRMC) had big news to announce Tuesday afternoon as of Oct. 1, the Frye Heart Center became the only Duke Heart affiliated hospital in Western North Carolina. The Duke Heart Center was ranked fifth in the nation in 2016, US News & World Report reported. The Duke Heart Network consists of seven hospitals across the eastern United States and offers a multidisciplinary team of Duke Health experts who collaborate with affiliates to translate the latest evidence-based guidelines into best practices to enhance the quality of cardiovascular care in their local communities, said a Frye press release. We have always had a pretty close affiliation with Duke, but with this affiliation, we will have an even closer relationship with them, Dr. Cemil Purut of Frye Regional Medical Center said. The affiliation allows doctors from Hickory to collaborate with doctors at Duke and provide the newest technological advancements in heart health, Purut said. It also provides educational opportunities for doctors at Frye to travel to Durham as well as bring Duke doctors to Hickory to share best practices. The impact of this affiliation will be immediate and lasting, Chief Executive Officer of FRMC Gar Atchison said. Further aligning our Heart Center with Duke allows us to enhance that relationship by connection our physicians to education opportunities with some of the nations preeminent thought leaders in cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery." Chief Medical Officer of Duke Network Services Dr. Harry Phillips spoke at the ceremony Tuesday afternoon and welcomed the hospital to the Duke Heart family. "We cant think of a better partner, or organization to partner with, Phillips said. This means having access to experts, having access to a lot of resources, but it also means we are going to grow the Frye heart program." The process of becoming a Duke Heart affiliate requires a comprehensive review of cardiovascular programs, conducted by a Duke team of experts, the press release said. After the review, a collaborative work plan is created in an effort to define expected outcomes, the release indicated. FRMC has offered open-heart surgery in the region since 1989, Purut said, and is the only hospital in the region offering these procedures, the press release said. I think our partnership will have tangible and immediate benefits for our patients, with instant consultations and timely referrals," said Dr. Sanjay Patel. "We will be able to bring the assistance of Duke Medical expertise to our patients with complex medical conditions The affiliation will also allow our patients to have access to latest medical technology." HICKORY -- Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry and Democratic challenger Andy Millard gave their positions on the issues at a debate Tuesday at Lake Hickory Country Club. McHenry and Millard are each running to represent North Carolinas 10th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. McHenry has represented the district since 2005. Millard, a former teacher and financial advisor from Polk County, is making his first run for office. The debate, sponsored by the Catawba County Chamber of Commerce and Lake Hickory Rotary Club, consisted of opening statements for the candidates followed by a series of questions. Each candidate was given two minutes to respond to each question. Some of the topics discussed at the debate included: Business Growth Millard: He stressed the importance of investing in high-quality internet for business. And in Wwestern North Carolina, I think there are many, many places, we know there are many places without a good, affordable, high speed reliable internet connection," he said. We need the basics here in Western North Carolina. Investment in highways is also key, but he criticized a highway bill McHenry supported as being unfunded and insufficient to meet existing needs. McHenry: The keys to spurring business growth are tax and regulatory reform, he said. I am not talking about making sure we have cars that are unsafe at any speed, McHenry said. What I am talking about is the cost burden of government action on small businesspeople, on families." Alluding to regulations he considers overly costly, McHenry said he has proposed legislation to take certain regulation that is particularly costly from the hands of executive agencies and into and put it in control of congress. Supporting community colleges and ensuring workforce development funds work at the local level are also critical to business growth, McHenry said. Immigration Reform Millard: He said supports a path to legalization as part of a comprehensive agreement. But we have people living in the shadows, he said. Lets get these folks paying taxes, more than they are paying now. Lets get them in the mainstream and lets view this as an investment in Americas workforce, because thats truly what it is. Millard said he opposes breaking up the families of undocumented immigrants, saying that's the position of 80 percent of North Carolinians. McHenry: The starting point for immigration policy should be border security, he said. Once the border is secure, leaders can look to the issue of Visa programs and legal immigration. McHenry criticized previous immigration reform proposals that provided a pathway to citizenship. For me, I looked at the contents of the legislation, and when I see a big comprehensive package coming through congress, it usually means its a disaster for the American people," he said. So, anything we do on immigration has to be a step-by-step, individual piece proposal,." National security Millard: In dealing with other nations, the United States should focus first on diplomacy before going to military intervention. "But I think some folks are too eager to flex our military muscles across the world, he said. Before intervening, there should be thorough planning, with a clear mission, exit strategy and plan for caring for soldiers and veterans. In terms of the fight against ISIS, Millard expressed his belief ISIS is on the way out, because of a measured approach on the part of the United States. The United States should work closely with allies to address both current problems and potential problems that might come up with the downfall of ISIS, Millard said. In addition he said it's critical to ensure that law enforcement and national security agencies have sufficient resources. McHenry: Citing what he sees as foreign policy failures by the Obama administration, McHenry said there's a need for serious solutions to address conflict in the Middle East. Part of it would include establishing safe havens for those in Syrian society that wish to stay. The elements of Syrian society that could support a stable society have mostly left, McHenry said. The fight against ISIS will require a concerted effort by the United States which would include air support and support for allies fighting ISIS. McHenry called for strong vetting of Syrian refugees into the United States, and has supported legislation giving congress more power in that process. There's a need to ensure no one seeking to harm American citizens can come in, McHenry said. If we can certify that, then we are, like we have been, a welcoming society," he said. Social Security/Medicare Millard: Speaking of his experiences working with clients who rely on social security, he criticized the notion of privatizing social security. While social security does face financial challenges, there are ways it can be made whole, Millard said. Theres three choices: tax increases, benefit cuts or a combination of the two. To make progress on social security, members of both parties must work together and put politics aside, Millard said. McHenry: To keep Social Security sustainable, there must be changes to the program for younger people, he said. If you are at or near retirement age, we have to make a pledge, a solemn pledge: no changes, McHenry said. For workers who are in their 20s and 30s, the program should see some changes so that younger people can enjoy the benefits of the programs, McHenry said. On Medicare, McHenry referred to a 2014 measure he said strengthened Medicare for another decade," ensuring that Medicare patients could enjoy consistent, quality care going forward. Healthcare Millard: Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is going to stay in place, lawmakers should look to working to fix the law rather than trying to repeal the law, he said. He criticized House Republicans Better Way healthcare proposal for a lack of detail. If there is no detail, there is no plan, he said. Republican proposals to allow selling insurance across state lines constitute a federal takeover," he said. Having said that, there are plenty of holes in the Affordable Care Act. We need to stop making it a partisan issue. Healthcare should not be a partisan issue. McHenry: While the ACA has some laudable features, such as provisions allowing young people to stay on their parents insurance longer and prohibiting discrimination against pre-existing conditions, the bill as a whole is deeply flawed, he said. McHenry, who has voted numerous times to repeal the ACA, is supportive of the Republican Partys Better Way plan on healthcare. Health policy should focus on health outcomes, and an important part of the process is seeing that government research dollars go to address conditions such as cancer and Alzheimers Disease that are most costly for society. Term limits Millard: In his time talking with citizens, he said the issue of term limits comes up more than any other. Because everybody knows congress just isnt working," he said. "There is no incentive for people who feel like they can stay there forever to really do all these things weve been talking about." While Millard said he supports term limits, he believes they should come from the people through voting. I do believe in term limits, but what we call them in the United States is elections, he said. I agree that we should have them, but you have to impose them. McHenry: Well, I dont think term limits get you exactly what you want, right, which is more accountable elected officials, McHenry said. Campaign finance would be a better area to look to for increasing accountability, McHenry said. He has said he works to stay engaged with the district, and some proposals he has put forward in Congress have come out of his interactions with people in the district. And so, I hear a conservative voice in Western North Carolina, and I try to be that conservative voice in Washington, he said. Climate Change Millard: Climate change is caused, at least in part, by human activity, he said. Im not in favor of an all-of-the above strategy for energy. I think we need to double down on clean energy, because that is where the future is. While many renewable energy sources still need to develop, solar is currently economically competitive with other energy sources, he said. If elected, Millard said he would increase investment in renewable energy sources. For crying out loud, weve got generations behind us, and it is our responsibility to make this world a safe, habitable place for them for generations to come," he said. McHenry: He reiterated his past statements about leaving it up to scientists to determine the causes of climate change, saying he had to take certain factors into account as a lawmaker. What is good for our economy over the long term, and also what is good for our environment in the short and long term?, he said. McHenry touted the advantages that solar energy has in North Carolina, and positive advances can come through a combination of market forces, technological advances and strategic government subsidies. In addition to solar, the area can also benefit from nuclear, which, if done correctly, could provide clean energy, he said. 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/ By disapproving of the practice of asking for votes in the name of religion and calling it not permissible, the Supreme Court has rightly adhered to what the Constitution and the relevant legislation have said on the matter. The issue before the court was its 1995 judgment that Hindutva is a way of life. The judges said the petition before them did not require a definition of the term Hindutva. Looking at the petition and the judicial pronouncement, two things, which are related, come into view: one, religion and politics must have separate domains, and two, Hindutva, which, being a way of life, will not lend itself to easy definition, and the judges are right here. A definition presupposes codification, an authority by whom or which it is done, a paraphernalia of institutions by which the code and its appurtenances are held to the ground, etc. None of these things is discernible in Hinduism, something that was a matter of regret to writers such as Bankim Chandra Chatterjee. Read: 2 years of BJP rule in Haryana: RSS agenda overshadowed govt initiatives That religion and politics must be kept apart is a maxim that all parties had followed until externalities such as peoples sentiments and correcting the wrongs of history entered the picture to break the fragile arrangement between law and faith. It is often a two-way street, meaning that an interpretation that religion and politics mixed anywhere is bound to have a rub-off effect that would far outweigh the challenge it was originally faced with. Love jihad, cow protection, the demand for promoting Sanskrit, banning actors from Pakistan, etc. are all acts that have their roots in a certain reaction to unchecked wrongs, which were wrong because they hurt the sentiments of large groups of people. And since no law can condone any injury to peoples sentiments, there will be space for the growth of intractable tendencies that shall, funnily, take refuge in the law itself. The State here is then caught in a bind. It can then intervene, through its executive wing, the Election Commission, and its own role as a giver of wisdom. Read: Can spiritual leaders be tried under election law, asks SC The theory of Hindutva being a way of life has a lot of intellectual support. In fact, Hinduism as a religion had existed for at least 2,500 years before the term Hinduism was coined. It had survived through its numerous gods and numerous sects and religious texts. This has been held as a strength, not weakness, of Hinduism. And before the growth of Indian nationalism, no Hindu ruler in India needed to have a state ideology that was religious. Its need was felt by some in the late 19th and 20th centuries, when the idea of India, a huge subcontinent, was sought to be conceived of in political terms. They thought such a project was not executable without the assistance of religion. It is here that Hindutva as a way of life became walled in with distinct outposts as its frontiers. And the periphery of the law does not often extend up to the situational advantage of the outposts. This is a constant tension that refuses to end in any courtroom. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The armed forces of India are the last bastion of the State, protectors of its sovereignty and upholders of its constitutional values, and, since the nations independence in 1947, have always answered the call of the nation admirably, unmindful of the supreme sacrifices they have made in the line of duty. The world over, the Indian armed forces are admired by other militaries for their professionalism and discipline. They are, undoubtedly, the most loved and revered institution in India. Nevertheless, it is also a painfully inexplicable fact that successive governments, specifically the politico-bureaucratic elite, have been hitting at their esteem and pride, for reasons that no other democratic nation in the world will be able to fathom. Read: Lowering the status of the armed forces will affect their morale It is an established fact that since 1947, the most powerful instrument of the nation has been kept out of macro-level decision-making even in security and strategic matters! In a democracy, civilian supremacy over all other organs is an unquestionable principle but that means the supremacy of the elected government and not of the civilian bureaucracy! However, in India, a self-serving bureaucracy has ensured, through an ill-informed political leadership, to downgrade the status, pay and allowances, pensions and privileges of its armed forces vis-a-vis other central government services. Successive Pay Commissions since 1973, ironically, after Indias glorious military victory in 1971, which led to the creation of Bangladesh, heralded the marginalising of the military in more than a dozen ways. Read: Indian soldiers were bravest, says WW-II British army commander Coming to the current times, the grave injustices to the armed forces and the Seventh Pay Commissions anomalies with regard to the three services have been conveyed by the service chiefs to the Prime Minister. Reportedly, the chiefs said that this Pay Commission had artificially suppressed the salaries of service officers and, at each rank, service officers have ended up being lower than their civilian counterparts in the pay scale. Further, the non-acceptance of their demand for Non-Functional Upgrade has widened the gap with other central government employees. Even ex-servicemen with 100% disabilities have been given short shrift. For example, a warrant officer of the Air Force with a 100% disability will get Rs 12,000 per month whereas his civilian counterpart Rs 27,690! It is also a matter of record that the anomalies of the Sixth Pay Commission, presented to the government more than 10 years ago, still remain uncorrected! One of the most painful realities in the downgrading of the armed forces has been their decline in the governments order of precedence (OOP) vis-a-vis their civilian counterparts. The OOP represents the protocol of the official hierarchy of the Republic of India and thus the pride and status of all its government employees. This decline has been going on for decades. A few days ago, a letter supposedly issued by the ministry of defence and that has gone viral in the media is the downgrade of the armed forces officers compared to their civilian counterparts of the armed forces headquarters cadre. This has resulted in much resentment among the services. It appears from media reports that defence minister Manohar Parrikar has assured the armed forces that any wrong orders issued will be rescinded by his ministry with immediate effect. The armed forces want nothing from the government but that well-established and time-honoured equivalence with their civil counterparts must not be disturbed because any breakdown in the arrangement will affect the working relations between them and their civilian counterparts. Generally high on symbolism, the government would do well to implement the Chanakya Niti of having well-equipped and, importantly, highly motivated armed forces. It is a painful fact that not many suitable youngsters today wish to wear the uniform to serve the nation! The author is a retired lieutenant general and the first chief of the Defence Intelligence Agency The views expressed are personal Over 19,000 nurses from across Madhya Pradesh went on a strike on Tuesday and threatened to go on an indefinite protest from November 9 if the government didnt fulfil their demands that include better salaries. The strike hit medical services but the nurses said some of their colleagues were asked to stay back to take care of bed-ridden patients. The remuneration that we receive under the second grade pay is not enough for us. We demand the government to change our designation to nursing officers, said Manju Meshram, the president of Prantiya Nurses Association. The nurses are on strike over the Seventh Pay Commission and their seven-point demands. Speculations were rife that Deepika Padukone is being considered for Siddharth Anands next film, an Indo-China production. However, the recent development in the story is that the representative of Deepika has labelled such stories as mere rumours. Spokesperson of the 30-year old actor denies the news by saying, These are mere rumours. Deepika has not even been approached for the film. Rumours started surfacing when Siddharth, in an interview to a leading tabloid said, The film will have an A-list actress who already has an international presence. The two names that fit the bill perfectly were PeeCee and Dp. On the work front, Deepika is currently prepping for her upcoming next, Padmavati, for which she will start filming soon. Follow @htshowbiz for more Actor Soha Ali Khan is quite excited about actor Kareena Kapoor Khans (below) much-awaited delivery. She is proud of how Kareena is working during pregnancy, exactly the way her (Sohas) mother, veteran actor Sharmila Tagore (below right) did years ago. I am glad the way Kareena has been making trends much like how my mother did years ago as she worked till the eighth month of her pregnancy. I think we arent used to see actors in present times working so late in their pregnancy. We are looking forward to the arrival of the baby. My brother (Saif) has experienced it before, so, I am more excited for Kareena says Soha. Sharmila Tagore and Kareena Kapoor at The Hindustan Times Brunch Dialogues 2 at Taj Lands End, Mumbai. (Prodip Guha ) Is pregnancy on cards for her too? Oh! Not yet. Its been just a year and half of marriage, things are going pretty good. In terms of future plans, those are things which are a little bit personal, we will discuss with my family and when the time is right, we will let you know, she exclaims. Interestingly, its not just women in her family that inspire Soha. Real life incidents too excite this actor, who is very inclined towards writing non-fiction. At the moment, she is busy with her upcoming film, 31st October. She recently, attended a candle march in Capital, to appeal to people to stand against the injustice done towards the Sikh community. Our intention is to educate the youth about what happened. After tackling various PILs and censor board, we have brought forth the story of a Sikh family and what they went through, while they were attacked post the assassination of late Ms. Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister, she says. A fierce fight appeared to be brewing for control of the $103-billion Tata group with details of ousted chairman Cyrus Mistrys email to the Tata Sons board tumbling out on Wednesday. The email blames decisions -- such as taking the group global by stretching its resources and manufacturing the worlds cheapest car taken by Mistrys predecessor Ratan Tata for leaving the group with no choice but to write down $18 billion. Mistry paid a quiet visit to Bombay House, the groups headquarters in Mumbai, on Wednesday, avoiding television cameras and reporters waiting outside. But soon the details of his email began to emerge, which were explosive compared to the guarded statements that followed Mistrys surprise sacking. The writedown, said Mistry, would be because of the losses in five companies: Tata Motors, Tata Steel, Indian Hotels, Tata Teleservices and Tata Power. This prompted the stock exchanges --- BSE and NSE to ask the five companies about the details of their losses. And, stock markets regulator Sebi began looking for a breach of corporate governance and listing norms. The email gave the regulator and the exchanges enough cause for concern. Mistry said he inherited a debt-laden enterprise saddled with losses, naming the hotels, vehicles, steel, power, and telecom companies as legacy hotspots. There was also a hint of the personal. Mistry said the Nano project, though deep in losses, has to continue because it supplies parts to an electric car company part owned by Ratan Tata. This product (Nano) has consistently lost money, peaking at Rs 1,000 crore. As there is no line of sight to profitability Any turnaround strategy for the company requires to shut it down. Emotional reasons alone have kept us away from this crucial decision, wrote Mistry. He was equally scathing about the groups overseas acquisitions, sparing only Tetley and Jaguar Land Rover. The rest, Mistry said, had left a large debt overhang. The European steel business faced potential impairments in excess of $10 billion Many foreign properties of Indian Hotels have been sold at a loss, he said. Read| Mistrys ouster not the first at Tata Group, but stakes are higher this time Ratan Tata had acquired the European steel business from Corus Group amid much fanfare. It was the cornerstone of the global edifice that Tata wanted to turn the group into. If globalisation was Tatas ambition, Nano was his hearts desire. The little car had captured the global automobile industrys imagination from the first time Ratan Tata talked, some 15 years ago, about a car that would sell for $2,000 R1 lakh at the time. He took it to fruition in spite of the engineering challenges and took on chief minister Mamata Banerjee to move the project out of West Bengal to Gujarat. But the cars sales havent matched the drama or the anticipation it generated. Officially, Tata Sons didnt comment. But its executives said the group would respond to every point in an email that had been drafted and would soon be sent to Mistry. The groups lawyer, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, said Mistrys ouster was a simple case of a board losing confidence in its chairman and that needed no notice. For full coverage on Cyrus Mistrys ouster, click here Indias Adani Enterprises is preparing to start construction of a $7 billion coal mine in Australia in 2017 despite years of legal delays and rollercoaster coal prices, the conglomerate said on Wednesday. We are on schedule to start construction in the third quarter (of next year), Adani spokesperson Ron Watson said, although he added that billions of dollars in financing were still required, along with clearance from water authorities. Progress on the giant project comes as Australia looks to potentially curb legal challenges to new mining developments following an onslaught of environmental suits aimed at delaying the Adani mine and others proposed in the remote Galilee Basin in the countrys northeast. Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull this week said his administration could present legislation to block green activists seeking to stymie projects. An earlier attempt to introduce such legislation was rejected by parliament amid stiff opposition. We have a robust democracy and people are entitled to bring their cases before the courts, but there is no doubt there have been very systematic, very well-funded campaigns against major projects so its right to express concern about that, Turnbull told reporters. We did present some legislation in the last parliament but it was unsuccessful and well obviously reassess the tenor of the new Senate to see whether it would have the appetite for supporting it in the new environment. The Carmichael mine has been hit by more than half-a-dozen court challenges and appeals despite its owner spending more than A$3 billion so far on the project. Five cases opposing the mine remain before the courts, with critics concerned greenhouse gases from burning coal will hinder efforts to combat global warming. The mine would be twice the size of Australias current largest coal mine and would yield as much as 60 million tonnes of coal per year from the site for 60 years. Prices for the thermal coal Adani would mine have doubled since June to more than $100 a tonne as electricity generators across Asia clamour for limited supplies. In a recent legal challenge, the ruling coalition was told to re-evaluate Adanis proposal to mine after the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) argued the government failed to take into account the mines impact on the yakka skink lizard and a kind of snake. Proper court scrutiny of decisions made about massive projects such as Adanis Carmichael mine are important because they build community confidence in the planning system, help guard against corruption and result in better environmental assessments and outcomes, said Jo-Anne Bragg, chief executive of the Environmental Defenders Office of Queensland state, which has spearheaded legal opposition to Adani. Environmentalists fear curbs would undermine their efforts to keep mining companies at bay. ACF chief executive Kelly OShanassy said the group would vigorously oppose any attempts to remove the right of environment groups to legitimately apply Australias laws. A day after the Tata group sacked Cyrus Mistry as chairman and appointed Ratan Tata as interim chairman, there is widespread dismay in the Parsi community at the way events unfolded. This is a very sorry state of affairs for the community. It was not expected from somebody who is holding a stature this big. People have gone on to say he [Ratan Tata] is not the way he was in the past. The way Mistry was removed was disgracful, said Dinshaw Mehta, ex-chairman, Bombay Parsee Panchayat, adding, He could have done it with grace. The way he [Tata] removed him [Mistry] was not smooth. Jehangir Patel, editor of Parsiana, the Zoroastrian communitys semi-monthly magazine, said the episode was shocking considering the bonhomie within the community. It seems more of a difference of opinion rather than a corporate tussle. The community is not in a condition to take sides as it is difficult to do that as an outsider, said Patel. Patel also said the community was saddened by the news and hoped the issue was resolved in a reasonable manner with no animosity among the two giants. Zoroastrian scholars are surprised with the way things panned out. Everything happened in no time. The community will need some time for the news to sink in. They are confused as something like this has never happened before, Khojeste Mistree, community scholar who also runs an organisation of Zoroastrian studies. Besides, Tata is the icon of the community. It seems strange to witness such an issue. Some members of the community were unaware, and felt the episode would be forgotten with time. There is no question of the community getting affected. If he [Mistry] is removed, then he must have done something. It was the Tata committee who chose him and now they chose to replace him, said Beji Khan, a member of Parsee Gymkhana, Marine Lines. We will know what exactly happened when the dust clears. People also tend to forget soon. In a weeks time, they will forget this episode too. New Delhi The government, which hired executives from the private sector to take charge of Canara Bank and Bank of Baroda last year, has decided not to pursue the policy for now. Sources said the government has gone back to the age-old practice of appointing homegrown talent. The Bank Board Bureau (BBB), headed by former CAG Vinod Rai, will eventually take a final call on appointments. In 2015, for the first time, government chose two senior private executives to head Canara Bank and Bank of Baroda, signalling a major policy shift. For now, we have decided not to go ahead with the policy (hiring heads of state banks from the private sector). There is talent in the public sector too, said an official source, seeking anonymity. He further said hiring the two senior executives was an experiment and they want to wait and see if it works. Moreover, public banks are offering employees stock ownership plan (ESOP) and working out performance incentive scheme to retain talent. Meanwhile, the banks have been engaging executives and specialists on a contract basis. A senior official added the BBB could devise a more effective mechanism to evaluate performance of the top bank managements. The finance ministry and the bank board are also looking at innovative ways to increase the employees compensation. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Those who have worked with Ratan Tata talk of his love of a plan. His favourite question, often the first he asks, is: What is the plan? If Tata Group executives are to be believed, Cyrus Mistry did not always have an answer to that question. And that may have been a big factor in his being ousted as chairman by the Tata Sons board on Monday. An email to Mistrys representatives did not get an answer. But Tata executives, who refuse to be named because of the nature of the controversy, claim that the first time Mistry submitted a proper strategic plan to the Tata Sons board was only in September this year, about a year and three months before his current tenure as director was to end. They said members of the Tata Sons board and Ratan Tata, the chairman emeritus, had been giving feedback to Mistry for months. This feedback was not just verbal but also in writing, which may put Tata Sons on solid legal ground. Read: Gloves off as Cyrus Mistry slams Ratan Tata in email, Sebi wades in Those close to Ratan Tata say is tolerant of declining performance if there is a good plan in place. For instance, Jaguar Land Rover fell upon bad times soon after Tata Motors acquired it in 2008. But its top management had a plan. The company now shores up the performance of Tata Motors perhaps the reason its CEO Ralph Speth was made a director of Tata Sons on Tuesday. When Tata Nano was about to be launched, the group wanted a Berlin-based company to handle its publicity. But Tata executives wanted to do it themselves. When Ratan Tata spoke to them, he started by listing the things he wanted. A young executive said the plan covered all of those. Tata saw the plan, liked it, and cleared it in minutes. Later he wrote a letter of appreciation to the team. Reports have pointed out that Mistrys performance in numbers was not above reproach. If you take out Tata Consultancy Services, the software company thats the groups cash cow, and Jaguar Land Rover, a successful turnaround story and one of the best overseas acquisitions by an Indian business group, there is not much to gloat over. Tata Sons, the group holding company, reported a 40% fall in revenue for 2015-16, to go with a 67% fall in net profit. There was talk that watch and jewellery maker Titan suffered from a consumption fatigue in India. Read: War of emails: Tata-Mistry clash over chairmanship reaches cyber space This is where leadership comes in. That is why Ratan Tata told the groups CEOs on Tuesday to focus on the market and compare themselves with rivals. And he told them to plan. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON One can argue that sabotaging the release of a Karan Johar film is a deeply humanitarian act. But, as we know, Raj Thackerays threats to Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, which had employed Pakistanis, had a very different intent. After the patriot swore to vandalise theatres that screened the film, director Karan Johar, who does not have dandruff, appeared in blacks in a short film. He promised that he would never cast Pakistanis again. Some refined Indians were enraged by his act, which many of them termed a capitulation. But it is daft to be disappointed by Johar. Successful people, like Johar, often cannot and do not stand up to thugs. They are wise. They have much to lose. It is much easier for losers or those with very limited success, especially those in solitary professions, like writing, to take bold positions, which they usually do to display their low-stakes courage. Read | Mob vs Karan Johar: Its a pity when citizens are forced to profess patriotism No matter what artistes and journalists say, it is beyond their means to take on street thugs and their handlers. It is the job of the primary thug, who is a legitimate power in an orderly society. In fact, the primary thug decides what is legitimate. The entire civilised world is based on the simple understanding the alpha thug, also known as the government, in return for a generally agreed-upon protection money, also known as taxes, would grant regular people considerable freedoms and guard them from all other secondary thugs. Very often in the past, central and state governments in India have failed to perform just this. As a result they have ceded too much ground to even puny, petty freelancers. This has impoverished and diminished the prestige of the government and is a reason why Indians do not like to give it any protection money, a reluctance that further erodes order in the society. Read | Is India sliding down the slippery road to anarchy? In the past several decades, the Congress governments conceded ground to smaller thugs to sustain a notion of secularism, which was intellectually, philosophically and etymologically flawed. The secularism of the Congress was not complete absence of god from State, but that every god had a right to disrupt governance and society some gods more than others, of course. As a result politicians, godmen and clerics could often challenge governments. The BJP government, by appearing to negotiate with Thackeray, greatly diminished itself. When the Indian middle-class wished for a strongman to lead the nation, what they meant was that they wanted the government to assert its legitimacy and create order. It is amusing that the issue of nationalism should make the BJP, which rules both the Centre and Maharashtra, choose the path of timid placation instead of giving Thackeray the AAP treatment, which is the act of shoving an adversary into prison. It is possible that the BJP is not as scared of Thackeray as it is of the AAP. Read | Ae Dil Hai Mushkil row: BJP will ruin country, says Delhi CM Kejriwal The Ae Dil Hai Mushkil drama is very similar to what happened in late 2014 to Sonys The Interview, a film in which two American journalists are assigned to kill the North Korean soft-toy dictator, Kim Jong-un. Days before the release, there was a cyber-attack on Sony. The US government said that the attack was conducted by North Korea in response to the impending release of the film. Sony, shaken by the attack, decided to junk the film. The corporation claimed that big theatre chains and other forms of distributors wished to have nothing to do with the film. The American artistic community was disgusted. Sony had capitulated. They wished Sony would show more courage. The writer Paulo Coelho offered to purchase the rights to the film for unclear intent. Barack Obama, too, was disappointed. I wish they had spoken to me first, he said. Sony, by shelving the film, had shown a lack of confidence in the ability of the US government to protect it. Eventually, the corporation did release the film. Read | The State must stop MNS from dragging Indian Army into politics In both the instances, various sets of humans behaved in predictable ways. The business community was practical and willing to choose the humiliation of surrender. The central corruption of money is in its ability to denude humans of personality, convictions and moral spine. In both the cases, representatives of the government were wise enough to be embarrassed. They promised protection. As silly as it is for the government to negotiate with small illegitimate thugs, is the propensity of the artistic community to negotiate with the government for its very legitimate freedoms. A freedom of expression that is granted by the government, smaller thugs and the society, is a freedom that is usually worthless. The real value of artistic freedom lies in the reluctance of an authority to grant it. The charm of a freedom is in its very ambiguity. Read | Fadnavis missed chance to show 56-inch chest govt in place: Sena on film row Indian artistes should now consider ways of working with Pakistani artistes because the threats from big and small cultural thugs, and the feeble stand of the government, have ensured that a mere association with Pakistanis has an intrinsic artistic value because the defiance of the underdog is, after all, a big part of art. Manu Joseph is a journalist and the author of the novel, The Illicit Happiness of Other People Twitter: @manujosephsan The views expressed are personal SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON This is by far the most difficult and dangerous situation in international affairs we have faced since independence. This line is from a letter written by Jawaharlal Nehru to C Rajagopalachari in August 1956. Two weeks earlier, President Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt had stunned the world by announcing the nationalisation of the Suez Canal. This crucial waterway had been managed by the Suez Canal Company an entity in which the British government and French shareholders held the majority stake and British strategists had since the 1870s been obsessed with the security of the canal. Nehru felt that a showdown between Egypt and Britain was in the offing. He was right. Just over 10 weeks later, Israel in collusion with Britain and France launched a spontaneous attack on Egyptian Sinai, leading to Anglo-French intervention ostensibly to separate the combatants but actually to seize the canal and destroy Nasser. This weekend marks the 60th anniversary of the war. However seriously India might have taken the conflict back then, there has hardly been a ripple of interest on this occasion. This is all the more striking given the enormous political capital that New Delhi invested in trying to resolve the Suez crisis. Read | Indian soldiers were bravest, says WW-II British army commander For starters, it is worth recalling why India took such a grim view of the crisis brewing in West Asia. It stemmed from two strategic assumptions that underpinned Nehrus foreign policy. The first was continuous with the view of the erstwhile British Raj that India had a major stake in the security of West Asia. The second was that India should not automatically align itself with any power bloc and that it should take an independent stance on major international issues. Indias policy of non-alignment was also taken up by a wider group of countries, including Egypt. The Suez crisis thus challenged both the foundational assumptions of Indian foreign policy. Indias approach to the crisis was also complicated by the importance of its ties with Britain. In the wake of the alliance between the United States and Pakistan in 1954, Nehru believed that the Commonwealth connection with Britain was important especially for military technology. Throughout the crisis, then, Nehru sought to avert a war in West Asia while preserving Indias ties with both Egypt and Britain. As he conceded to Rajagopalachari: Probably we shall end by displeasing our friends on both sides. Read | India and China must show mutual restraint to avoid a major crisis Nehru had, in fact, been blindsided by Nassers decision to nationalise the canal. He had met the Egyptian president along with Marshal Tito in Yugoslavia only a few weeks earlier and had no inkling that this was coming. From the outset, Nehru was clear that he would not uncritically support Nasser. Indeed, he regarded the latters moves as provocative even if justifiable. A week after the announcement, Nehru advised Nasser to convene an international conference on the basis of Egypts sovereignty of all interested parties. Nasser refused and, in turn, requested India to stay away from a conference being convened by the British government. Nehru, however, felt that Indias national interest lay in coming up with arrangements regarding the canal that would be widely accepted. The Indian delegation to London was lead by Krishna Menon, who also energetically tried to broker a compromise settlement between Britain and Egypt. Interestingly, in order to signal to Britain that India was not leaning towards Egypt, Nehru dissuaded the latter from using the Indian rupee as currency for trade with third countries. He also discouraged Parliament from debating the crisis: Public opinion in India was much more sympathetic to Egypt than the official position. Menons efforts, however, failed to bridge the chasm between Egypt and Britain. Read | Panama Canal opens $5B locks, bullish despite shipping woes As diplomacy sputtered to a halt, Nasser grew concerned about the threat of military action being held out by London and Paris. At Nehrus suggestion, he proposed the immediate formation of a negotiating body representative of the various views espoused by the countries that used the canal. Nehru commended this idea to Britain and the US, and especially impressed upon the latter to take the lead in forging a settlement. At the same time, he refused Egypts requests for small arms and ammunition. Nehru held that if India supplied these, our capacity for playing a mediatory role would disappear. But Britain and France had other ideas. In the event, the invasion of Egypt led Nehru to abandon his balancing act and come out swinging against the aggressors. By the time the crisis came to an ignominious end for Britain, France and Israel largely owing to American pressure India was asked to take the lead in an international force under the UN flag to man the armistice line between Egypt and Israel. Read | Gulf labour crisis: Is India prepared for the returning NRIs? The Suez crisis was not a triumph for Indian diplomacy. Yet, by showcasing its ability to play a genuinely independent role, India buttressed its standing as an Asian power. This history is worth recalling today. At a time when West Asia is in the throes of major conflicts, India is nowhere in the picture. It has stayed out of all international efforts to manage these conflicts, focusing instead on imminent threats to Indians living in the region. This stance sits awkwardly with Indias professed desire to be a leading power in its extended neighbourhood. The story of its involvement in the Suez crisis could offer New Delhi a lesson or two in the perils and prospects of diplomatic leadership. Srinath Raghavan is senior fellow, Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi The views expressed are personal SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Two more deaths were reported on Wednesday from Shakti Sthal while another bird died at the Delhi zoo, taking the total toll to 69, government officials said. Shakti Sthal, along with Delhi zoo and Hauz Khas Deer Park, continue to remain shut even as the government is closely monitoring the Ghazipur chicken market for any sign of infection spreading among poultry. A grey partridge bird has been found dead at the National Zoological Park in New Delhi while two more ducks died at Shakti Sthal on Wednesday. A doctor examined exposed employees of the zoo and medication was provided to them. Reports for the samples sent to the National Institute for High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal are awaited, a Delhi government animal husbandry department official told HT. A team of scientists from National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune has already visited the Delhi zoo on Tuesday and collected samples, sensitised and trained zoo staff about biosecurity measures against avian influenza. On bird flu situation in Delhi, the Centre, in a release, said it is providing full support to the state government to contain and control the disease incidence. Daily meetings are being held to advise the state governments in case of emergency. Read: Delhi govt shuts down Shakti Sthal after more dead birds found The Delhi government on Monday issued an 11-point health advisory which asked people to avoid direct contact with bird secretions and carcasses, consume only completely cooked chicken and not to consume uncooked or half cooked chicken or half boiled or half fried eggs. Tests had earlier revealed the H5N8 virus, believed to be less virulent for humans, is killing birds, but strict measures are being considered to prevent people from catching the disease. At the bird flu control room, most calls on Wednesday were regarding advice. People are asking about the points in the health advisory. It says in case any pond or water body is near your mohalla or park, and is not being disinfected with lime, then inform the control room. We send our teams to these places, an official said. At Ghazipur murga mandi, officials are making sure that all trucks have healthy poultry. Apart from fumigation, special pits filled with water, potassium and slack lime have also been created at the entry gates to sanitise tyres of each truck. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Customs officials have prepared a new checklist to prevent smuggling of gold into the country this festive season. Both sale and smuggling of gold go up around Diwali. A lot of weddings also take place during this time. Smugglers come up with innovative ideas to dodge the customs. Recently, two women from Uzbekistan were caught trying to smuggle in gold concealed in their undergarments. The customs department is training women officers to detect gold hidden in womens bodies. Some officers are being given specialised training to scan fruits and wheels of baggage trollies -- some of the places where gold had been detected earlier. Recently, we intercepted two Uzbek women but could not find anything on them. Later, when we were taking them for medical examination, they confessed to concealing gold in their private parts, said a customs official. Women staff took them to a room and recovered 900 gram gold worth R25 lakh from them. The women staff are trained but we want to increase their capability, the official said. Before the launch of iPhone 7 in India, customs detected several cases of phone smuggling and in one case, a man had pasted 30 iPhones all over his body. We have to keep all this in mind and alert our staff to detect such cases. We have to outsmart smugglers at every step of the way, the official said. From concealing it in the shoe sole and false cavity of bag and even inside the body, to smuggling in the form of jewellery, gold smugglers have come a long way. Official claimed that earlier most common form of smuggling was by hiding it in the shoe sole. In the second week of October, two passengers were arrested with 2.62 kg gold which, they had concealed in a papaya. In the 80s and 90s when the gold smuggling was at its peak, several cases were reported when smugglers were caught hiding gold bars in the shoe sole. The shoes were specially prepared for smuggling. Later, bags were designed with false cavity, in which gold was hidden, the official said. Later, the smugglers started wearing heavy jewellery. The smugglers also used women as carriers and a new trend started. We started noticing passengers, especially women wearing too much jewellery. We cannot check every passenger and many of them still manage to clear the customs with excess jewellery, the official said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Upset over her affair with a man from a different caste, a father allegedly cut the throat of his 20-year-old girl with an axe at Loni in Ghaziabad on Wednesday. Police said accused Asha Ram, 45, attacked his daughter, Soniya, at 5am when she was asleep and then threw her down from the first floor terrace to an adjacent bylane. Asha Ram said that he tried to persuade his daughter to snap his relations with the man but she was adamant on marrying him. Asha Ram surrendered at a police station, said Anil Kumar Yadav, circle officer (Loni). Police sources said Soniya has four siblings -- a brother, who had gone to a relatives house in Haryana, and two younger sisters. Before hacking his daughter, Asha Ram sent his wife to purchase milk from a nearby market. The Ghaziabad police lodged an FIR at the Loni Border police station in the case on a complaint by the victims mother. The family hails from Bahora Patiyali in Etah district. I implored her, even touched her feet to get herself out of the relationship... but she did not listen to me... I was left with no option but to take this step... I killed her and I have no regrets, said Ram. The police said that the woman had eloped with some other boy around three years ago but her father found her soon after she went missing. Then, the family did not report the matter to police. Later, she came in contact with a man who resides in Loni. She wanted to marry him against her familys wishes. After her father surrendered before the police, we also recovered the axe used in the crime, said Yadav. Read more: Ghaziabad: Woman shot at, family says it was snatching attempt SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Missing JNU student Najeeb Ahmed was very mild-mannered and always studying, says his roommate Mohd Qasim, who denies writing a letter to the warden asking that Najeeb be kept out of the hostel. Qasim told IANS that he issued another letter on October 18 testifying that Najeeb was of humble character. Qasim, who is studying Arabic in the School of Languages, is also a member of the hostel committee of Mahi-Mandvi, where Najeeb was beaten on the intervening night of October 14-15 and has since been missing. Qasim told IANS that he did not write the first letter, but only signed it. The letter has been doing the rounds on social media. Qasim said the first letter was signed in a hurry during the tumultuous atmosphere following the assault on Najeeb allegedly by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members. Najeeb, a 27-year-old student of JNU, was studying MSc Biotechnology. He had got the hostel accommodation just a fortnight before he went missing. Read | JNU students divided over ending stir against V-C for missing mate The first letter was written by a student of the same hostel, who was Election Committee (EC) member during last months elections. He wrote the letter while I was trying to assuage the crowd inside the wardens office that night. My only priority was the safety of Najeeb as the mob was baying for his blood, Qasim told IANS. It was only on October 17 while going to the proctors office for my deposition that I was accosted by this person, who said zyada uchchlo mat, ek baar apna letter jaake padhlo (Dont fly so high and read the letter that you signed). I then read the letter, which has so many incongruities and is a far cry from the truth, he said. In the new letter, Qasim testified that Najeeb was full of humility. Despite being older than me, he would always talk to me with respect. He had no political affiliations at all. One day he even asked me what AISA (All India Students Association) stood for, Qasim added. Qasim expressed dismay over the false news disseminated by the electronic media on the first letter without checking its authenticity or cross checking facts. He cast doubts on the political affiliations of the student, who he alleges wrote the first letter, and maintains that being an EC member he ought to have been politically neutral. Qasim was campaigning for a student Hamid Raza, in the same hostel, for the post of hostel president, when the news of assault on Najeeb reached him. Read | Missing JNU students mother: Will take son back forever once he returns Qasim also pointed out that hostel warden Sushil Kumar had later acknowledged the attack on Najeeb as a brutal assault in a letter to the proctor on October 16. In the letter, the warden had also pointed out that among those who assaulted Najeeb were students staying illegally in the hostel and needed to be identified. As confusion continues to reign in the premier university over the events that unfolded since October 14, the ABVP has been adding to it by running a campaign to counter the charges of mob assault levelled against its members. Saurabh Sharma, an ex-joint secretary of JNU Students Union (JNUSU), told IANS that all protests by the union over Najeeb going missing are nothing but an attempt to politicise the matter. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by Delhi police to trace Najeeb visited the campus two days back and questioned Qasim. I told them the same thing which I have told you. Najeeb was a very mild-mannered person and was always studying... But the university is yet to label those involved in the assault as accused. The university administration and police have questioned them only as eyewitnesses. Its a gross injustice that these people are still roaming in the campus free, Qasim said. Read | JNU tense, Rajnath asks Delhi cops to set up team to find missing student A day after a low-intensity firecracker blast rocked the narrow alleys of Naya Bazar, north Delhis food grain market, killing one and injuring four, the Delhi Police are yet to arrest Mukhtar Ahmed,52, the owner of crackers that exploded. The police raided his Lahori Gate home and found his two wives, who claimed that they were unaware about Ahmeds location. A senior police officer said Ahmed had switched off his mobile phones and was not contacting anybody after the police raided his house. We learnt about his possible hideouts and raided them but he could not be caught. He is frequently changing his locations, said the officer. Investigators were examining CCTV cameras footage of local shops to ascertain if Ahmed had visited the blast site after the explosion. Read more: 1 killed, 4 injured in explosion at Old Delhis congested Naya Bazar Madhur Verma, deputy commissioner of police (north), said Ahmeds son and other relatives approached the police on Wednesday evening and assured that they will produce him at the earliest. Ahmed is a known trader of Lahori Gate. Most of his relatives are into the same business. His father too sold crackers. Ahmed has three licensed shops in Sadar Bazar, he said. A case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and explosive substance act was registered in connection with the Tuesdays blast. Ahmed is wanted in the case as the crackers not only belonged to him but also they were stored illegally at a rented godown in Fatak Hawas Khana, Lahori Gate. Railway ticket helps identify deceased Mutalip Mirza, who died in the blast, remained unidentified till three hours after the blast as nobody in the locality had seen him before. Locals initially suspected him to be a suicide bomber because the blasts took place in a food grain market where firecrackers are not sold. But to dispel rumours, the police quickly announced that it was a cracker blast and not a terror attack. When the police searched the Mirzas clothes, they found a railway ticket in his pocket that showed that he had travelled from West Bengals Farakka to Delhi only two days ago. Investigators contacted the railways and enquired about the passenger who travelled on that ticket. Soon, the police got a mobile number that was mentioned in the railway reservation slip used for booking the ticket. The location of the phone was traced to Murshidabad, West Bengal. We were confused as the mobiles location was still in Murshidabad. A team present at the blast site recovered a broken mobile phone that had no claimant, the officer said. Through the mobile phones details, the police traced a shop in Tilak Bazar near Khari Baoli, the address used to procure the SIM card. The shop owner guided the police to the deceaseds friend Anzarul, who identified the deceased as Motalip Mirza. Mirzas family arrived in Delhi on Wednesday and claimed his body, police said. Cops on alert The Delhi Police licensing branch on Wednesday issued instructions to 13 district DCPs, asking them to conduct random checking of shops and godowns to prevent illegal storage and sale of imported fire crackers and take action against such unauthorised vendors. The department has directed all SHOs to ensure that use of fire crackers should not continue after 10pm to prevent air and noise pollution in Delhi. Inside the room where 35-year-old JNU student JR Philemon Chiruwas found dead, police recovered an empty Star whisky bottle, 10 different types of tablets - possibly paracetamol a pack of cigarettes and an empty disposable plastic glass. The door was locked from inside; an English movie was playing on his laptop and the room lights were switched on. A day after the PhD student was found dead in his room number 171 at the Brahmaputra hostel police have prima facie ruled out foul play. The investigating officers remained tight-lipped and said they are awaiting Chirus post mortem report. We suspect that he died of an accidental drug overdose. The whisky bottle was empty and the plastic glass disposable glass had fallen on the floor. There wasnt any ransacking and the door was locked from inside. We have sent medicines recovered from his room for expert medical opinion, said an officer. Many students HT spoke to said Chiru was a habitual drinker. A few said Chiru often complained of liver pain. A woman who works as a sweeper claimed that last week, she had taken 11 bottles from his room. Lets wait for post mortem team, an officer said, refusing to comment on Chirus alleged addiction. On Tuesday evening, adjacent to Chirus room, another PhD student in room number 170 was troubled by the foul smell emanating from the next room. He thought the smell was from the toilet next to Chirus room the toilet has a history of sewage leak. At around 10.20 pm, when the stench was unbearable, he informed the hostel security guards. The guard alerted his other colleagues and along with a group of students, they assembled on the first floor. That was when somebody in the group said Chirus room was locked and that he was not seen for the last 3-4 days. The guards climbed to see Chirus room from the window above the door. They saw him on the ground, face down. They thought he was unwell and broke the door. On entering the door they saw he was not breathing. There was a blood clot on his head and then they informed the police, said additional deputy commissioner of police (south) Nupur Prasad. Police reached the spot and found Chiru naked and dead on the floor next to the bed and the wall. The fan and the room lights were switched on. Police suspect Chiru may have died the previous evening. On Wednesday, a team of doctors conducted the post-mortem at AIIMS. Police are yet to register a case. The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday ordered the removal of the toll booths at the Delhi-Noida-Delhi flyway. Though commuters welcomed the news experts said the traffic situation in south and central Delhi will be hit. Dr S Velmurugan, senior principal scientist (traffic engineering and road safety division) at CSIR-Central Road Research Institute, said with the removal of the toll booth there will no longer be a controlled release of traffic into Delhi. The service time taken for vehicles to cross the toll will not be there now. Apart from this, now that people will not have to pay the toll tax they will prefer to take the DND-flyway. This will result in more vehicles coming on to the Ring Road, Velmurugan said. He said at the merging point of the DND flyway and the Ring Road there is no lane balancing. This means that the six-lane road suddenly becomes a five-lane road, which is likely to cause congestion on the stretch. Read More | No toll tax on DND flyway, rules Allahabad high court When a road meets another road, it is mandatory that the transition needs to be smooth. Here, the six-lane road narrows into a five-lane road, he said. Velumurugan also said that the merging point needs at least 200 metres of a seven-lane road for the traffic coming from DND-flyway and Sarai Kale Khan loop to merge without problems. If not this, setting up a traffic signal at the point will also help. Delhi Traffic Police, however, gave a different perspective. Joint commissioner of police (traffic), Garima Bhatnagar, said the removal of the booth is likely to speed up traffic movement and ease traffic in the area. We are expecting traffic to be smoother because cars will no longer have to stop in the toll queue. The opening of this alternative route will also distribute vehicles, Bhatnagar said. A similar debate took place when the Gurgaon toll plaza was removed in 2014. Experts said the traffic chokepoint moved into Delhi and continues to clog National Highway-8, Rao Tula Rao Marg and Dhaula Kuan. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The narrow lanes of Khari Baoli had some high profile visitors on Tuesday. Eighteen chefs of Heads of State who are visiting India for the annual general meeting of Le Club des Chefs des Chefs (CCC), known to be worlds most exclusive gastronomic society, were given a tour of Asias largest spice market by the Delhi Pradesh Trade Association. This was the most amazing part of the trip. To experience the sights, smells, sounds and meet the people here was so amazing, said Cristeta Comerford, chef to the head of the state of United States of America. While some specifically looked for flavours created using the Indian ghost chilli or Bhut Jolokia, a few others were amazed to find seeds including poppy in the market. I have bought some dried chillies. But Im looking for the world-famous ghost chilli, said Ingimar Ingimarsson, chef to the President of Iceland. Ulrich Kerz, chef to the chancellor of Germany, said, We met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and later visited the spice market. The best pepper is available in India. Now that I have been to the Khari Baoli, I know the ways to differentiate between good and poor quality pepper. Magnus Ake Rehback, chef to the King of Sweden, said, Our visit to the spice market was a wonderful experience. There was chaos but there was certain order in that chaos. The trip has left an impression on us. Im interested in vegetarian food and after visiting India, I would definitely create a paneer dish when I go back. I have tried many paneer dished at different places here including the one by the chef at Bukhara, ITC Maurya, and each chefs preparation was amazing. Since food is an important part of any countrys economy, Gilles Bragard, founder-secretary, CCC said, One gets a variety of cuisines from Italian to French here, hence India is an important country to be explored. The countrys policymakers got a shock on Tuesday after the International Finance Corporation (IFC) released its Ease of Doing Business rankings for 2017 in Washington. Despite the continuous reform process undertaken by the government, India was placed at 130 among 190 countries, just one notch above last years rankings. Even countries like Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka are placed above India. This year New Zealand secured the top slot, replacing Singapore in the ease of doing business index. Read: India moves up one place on ease of doing business rankings, govt disappointed Improving its ranking in the Ease of Doing Business index has been one of the focus areas for the Narendra Modi government. In fact, the government aims to be among the top 50 countries in relation to the ease of doing business. In the last few months, the government has undertaken several reform measures, one of the major ones being the bankruptcy code, which built up much expectation for a significant jump in the rankings. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, approved by Parliament, will replace a string of archaic laws with a modern contemporary law and aid companies to opt for easy exits. Besides, the FDI limits have been liberalised in a host of sectors including defence, civil aviation and pharmaceuticals. The much-awaited goods and services tax (GST) is also set to be introduced by April 2017. Some of these have not been factored in because the report takes into account the data available till June, and thus there is no need for panic. Read: Reform, perform and transform: Modis mantra for his government Understandably, there will be a lag between any reform measure undertaken at the policy level and its implementation on the ground. In any report will reflect this. The report noted that getting an electricity connection has become easier but starting a business, getting credit and construction permits are clearly areas that need to be worked on. Overhauling the Companies Act came in for praise in the report. What the government definitely needs to do now is to focus on the implementation of each of these policy measures and improve the areas that have been identified in the report. The measures need to percolate down to the lowest stratum to make a visible change in the business environment of the country. But this will take some time. Expectations were high especially after India climbed 16 notches on the Global Competitiveness Index, prepared by the World Economic Forum, to touch 39th position. The index was released only last month. In 2014-15, India on the same index ranked 71. Among the BRICS countries, only China remained ahead of us. A 17-year-old girl was allegedly raped after being kidnapped by two acquaintances in Dwarka, Gurgaon police said on Tuesday. The victim, a BBA first year student at a college in Noida, is a resident of a Farukhnagar village, 30 kilometres from Gurgaon. She told cops at Farukhnagar police station that she had come in touch with two youths, Sanjay Kumar from Bhiwani in Haryana and Rajesh Kumar from Najafgarh in Delhi some time ago. On Sunday, the girl, who stays with her uncle in Noida, visited her family in the Farukhnagar village when the two youths, accused in the case, asked her to meet on Sunday, she said. Read more: Stalker said hed rob me of everything: Husband of woman stabbed in Gurgaon According to the complaint, they later took her to a room in Dwarkas sector 9 in south Delhi where they demanded Rs 2 Lakh from her as they said they were in possession of recordings of her phone conversation with them. Then, they raped her and also threatened to kill her if she made it public, she told police. After raping me they dumped me in my village late night on Sunday, the victim said in the complaint. Based on her complaint, a zero FIR (not in the police stations jurisdiction) was lodged against the two accused. They were charged with rape, criminal intimidation, abduction, among other sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC), at Farukhnagar police station. We have booked the two in the zero FIR. The case will be transferred to Sector 9 police station of Dwarka, Delhi for investigation since the incident happened in their jurisdiction, said Vinod Kumar, station house officer, Farukhnagar police station. This is third alarming incident of crime against women in and around Gurgaon in three days. A 34-year-old woman from Meghalaya was stabbed nearly 30 times by a 26-year-old stalker in full public view at MG Road Metro station in Gurgaon on Monday morning. On Saturday morning, a taxi driver and his friend allegedly robbed and tried to rape two women bouncers of a private firm in Gurgaon in a cab on the way to New Delhi. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Thinking of ditching the salad bar in favour of pakoras from your favourite snack vendor? Think again. Preventing coronary heart disease (CHD) is not just about what you eat but is also linked to the cooking style you adopt, according to a team of international researchers who say urbanised South Asians susceptibility to the disease is partly due to high-heat cooking methods such as roasting or frying. High-heat food preparation is responsible for the increased risk of CHD in urbanised South Asians (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan populations in South Asia and overseas), compared to other populations that employ lower cooking temperatures, such as the Chinese, the experts say in a new study. Contending their hypothesis is contributory and needs further research, the experts highlight the fact that Chinese cuisine involves mostly braising, steaming and boiling rather than frying. The vital message to take home from our hypothesis is that high cooking temperatures lead to the formation of neo-formed-contaminants (NFCs) such as trans-fatty acids (TFAs) and advanced glycation-end-products (AGEs). These significantly increase the risk of CHD, said the studys lead author Smitha Kakde. The researchers hypothesise that South Asians susceptibility to CHD is partly attributable to high-heat treated foods producing high NFCs. This is further influenced by the re-use of cooking oils which is common practice in India, said Kakde who is affiliated to Edinburgh Migration, Ethnicity and Health Research Group, Centre for Population Health Sciences, Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh. Since most Indian food is spice-based, cooked in a sauce and has high NFCs, Kakde advocated using lower cooking temperatures (lower than 150 degree Celsius), in addition to switching to healthier options like olive oil. There is considerable research to prove that lowering cooking temperatures reduces NFC formation, leading to reduced CHD risk. Some oils do not reach high cooking temperatures, for example, olive oil, and we would recommend using these healthier options, Kakde advised. In terms of deploying new gadgets such as air fryers, Kakde stressed on keeping temperatures from soaring beyond 150 degree Celsius. Newer gadgets such as air fryers may have some positives like lower oil utilisation. However, if these gadgets use temperatures over 150 degree Celsius, NFCs are produced which inevitably increases the CHD risk, she explained. Published in the journal Nutrition, the study was the brainchild of Raj S. Bhopal from the University of Edinburgh and also involved Swati Bhardwaj and Anoop Misra from National Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol Diseases Foundation (N-DOC), New Delhi. Commonly available high-heat foods Some of the commonly available high-heat foods include sambhar (thin lentil soup), ghee (clarified butter), roti (Indian bread), pakora (fried snack prepared by coating the vegetable/meat with flour batter and deep frying) and samosa -- a triangular deep-fried pastry containing vegetable or meat. (Shutterstcok) The authors reviewed the actions of AGEs and TFAs on health, the relationship between these products and CHD, the effects of preparing food and reheating oils at high temperatures on NFCs, and the foods and mode of preparation in South Asian and Chinese cuisines. Most hypotheses are evolutionary and we would have to wait tens of thousands of years for genetic change and even developmental origins of disease hypothesis would take several generations. With this hypothesis, albeit with further research, we could turn things round in a generation, Bhopal emphasised. While traditional Indian cooking may have always been a risk factor for CHD, exposure to fast food (prepared at high temperatures), coupled with sedentary lifestyles, exacerbates the problem among urbanised South Asians, including Indians, said Kakde. Shedding light on the different styles of cooling, Chef Madan Rai of the popular home-style Chinese restaurant chain Buddha Bites, said in Chinese stir fry, only a dash of oil is used along with splashes of water. We cant say its totally healthy. Dark soy sauce is harmful so we mostly use light soy. But in Chinese (cooking), we use very little oil, said Rai, also suggesting less use of spices. Since most Indian food is spice-based, cooked in a sauce and has high NFCs, experts suggest using lower cooking temperatures (lower than 150 degree Celsius), in addition to switching to healthier options like olive oil. (Shutterstock) According to Suvro Banerjee, a consultant interventional cardiologist, some of the foods which are healthy, could be harmful if cooked in the wrong way. If you take fish, its healthier to bake or grill it rather than fry or deep fry it. The awareness is spreading among a section of people but there is need for mass awareness on preparing food in a healthy way, said Banerjee, of Apollo Gleneagles Hospital. The bottom line, according to Misra, is to follow healthy cooking practices with healthy oils for South Asians, in order to prevent diabetes and coronary heart disease. Credible hypothesis presented in this article will stimulate research on this important issue, and may contribute to formulation of preventive strategies, Misra, Chairman, Fortis CDOC Hospital for Diabetes and Allied Sciences, New Delhi, said. Actor Deepika Padukones Hollywood debut xXx: Return of Xander Cage, which stars action star Vin Diesel as the title character, will have a special India premiere ahead of its release in January 2017. In an interview given to news channel CNN News18, Diesel revealed that the first thing the Bollywood star asked after coming on board was to have an India premiere of the film. When Deepika first met us to talk about the role she said, If I do this role you have to promise me one thing that we do a premiere at India. And just last week we were scheduling a premiere in India for January 2017. So its really going to happen, Diesel, 49, said. xXx: Return of Xander Cage is set to hit theatres on January 20, 2017 worldwide. The movie, which is the third installment in the xXx franchise, also stars Donnie Yen, Tony Jaa, Nina Dobrev, Rory McCann, Ruby Rose and Samuel L Jackson. Follow @htshowbiz for more The Department of Children and Family Services has reportedly extended their investigation into Brad Pitts child abuse case after a new accusation was made against the actor. The DCFS probe into Pitt, 52, was expected to close by the end of this month but the department will now investigate into the matter for several more weeks, reported AceShowbiz. The investigation was not closed on schedule for a reason. The DCFS investigation is now going to continue for at least several more weeks, an official source said. According to the source, the DCFS is heavily investigating a new accusation that Pitt harmed some of his children by verbally abusing them on many occasions. Now, DCFS is interviewing many people to determine if they are witnesses to any improper behaviour by Pitt as well as searching for others who have knowledge of his actions. That includes nannies, household staff members and more.The fact that the investigation was extended is an indication of how serious this is, the source added. This file photo taken on July 28, 2013 shows US film stars Brad Pitt (R) and Angelina Jolie (C), accompanied by their children,as they arrive at Haneda International Airport in Tokyo. (AFP) It was earlier reported that the Fight Club star got verbally abusive and physical with the his kids. His actor-wife Angelina Jolie, 41, also filed for divorce from him on September 19, citing irreconcilable differences, and requested sole custody of the kids. The former power couple has since reached a temporary custody agreement, which allows Pitt supervised visitation. Follow @htshowbiz for more Australian actor Heath Ledger, who was found dead in his property in Manhattan from an accidental intoxication from prescription drugs, was said to be obsessed with his role as The Joker in the Batman movie The Dark Knight. Ledger had filled the apartment with research material including Batman comic books, research on the origin of the Joker and clowns, small clown statues and recordings of Ledger practising his own version of the Joker voice that would haunt a new generation of DC Comics fans, reports Daily Mail. A source that happened to witness the actors work before his death said, He was studying up on the origins of clowns and all of the previous Jokers like Jack Nicholsons character and Cesar Romeros, who was the first Joker on TV. He was a perfectionist who clearly had a lot of respect for the character. All of that stuff was very tidy. He cared a lot about it, the source added. The 28-year-old actor reportedly kept a red-and-blue journal which was filled with comic strips and drawings, and with The Joker emblazoned on the front. He also bizarrely scrawled the words bye bye on the back of one of the pages. Ledger was found dead in his apartment on January 22, 2008. His career span in Hollywood comprised of nineteen films, including 10 Things I Hate About You in 1999, The Patriot in 2000, A Knights Tale in 2001, Brokeback Mountain in 2005, The Dark Knight 2008 among many others. For his portrayal of Ennis Del Mar in Brokeback Mountain, Ledger won the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor and Best International Actor from the Australian Film Institute, and was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a leading role. Follow @htshowbiz for more Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar went to Garnala village in Ambala on January 5 to meet the family of commando Gursewak Singh who was killed in Pathankot terror attack. Before his cavalcade entered the village, he asked the driver to stop and remove the official flag from the car. A kind gesture, indeed. CM saab chhoti se chhoti baat ka bahut khayal rakhte hain (CM saab is very particular about small things), said a close aide. But, barely six weeks later when Jats took to the streets to press their long-standing demand for reservation in jobs and educational institutes before running amok, his government showed no sign of meticulousness. Sluggish response, cohesiveness lacking The state authorities did not read the situation well. They were sluggish in their response, letting things get out of hand. The worst-ever violence that followed in eight districts of Haryana and left 30 people dead not only tarred the states image, but also reduced its social fabric to tatters. Another instance of the state machinery being completely at sea when faced with a challenging situation was the havoc wreaked by a few hours of heavy rains in Gurgaon - showcased by successive governments as the Millennium City - that caused massive traffic jams. As thousands of commuters were left stranded on national highway-8, the district administration, which seemed to have no plan to deal with such situations, collapsed. Only after the rains subsided and the state authorities got their act together that normalcy was restored. And all of this happened in the city whose renaming - a non-issue for most city dwellers - as Gurugram was among the top priorities of the present government in its second year. Both these episodes, coupled with flak faced for its Hindutva push, have not helped the image of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government that wants to micromanage everything, but has been falling short on major tests. It did not cover itself in glory when on Gau Seva Aayog chairman Bhani Ram Manglas direction biryani samples were collected in Mewat just days ahead of Bakr Eid following complaints about beef being served in the food item. RSS agenda eclipsed governance reforms The first-ever BJP governments focus on Hindutva agenda, including beef ban, cow conservation, search for the lost Saraswati river and saffronisation of education, has overshadowed its reforms push. Khattar, who has the image of a clean politician, has been making efforts to curb corruption, ensure fairness in government recruitment, end regional bias in allocation of resources and improve the grievance redressal mechanism. While his efforts have started to show results, albeit slowly, its the Hindutva agenda, pushed by trusted people deployed in key positions, which is shaping the public perception about the state government. The government has done well in curbing corruption and making job selections fair, but there are several problems. Social fabric has weakened, caste divide deepened and law and order worsened, says Kushal Pal Singh, associate professor and head of department, political science, Dyal Singh College, Karnal. Issues related to BJPs core agenda are being given too much importance. There are also those who feel that the ruling party, which came to power primarily with the backing of non-Jats, has let its Kurukshetra MP Raj Kumar Saini, whose provocative statements have riled the Jats in the state, have a free run to keep the caste pot boiling. Another veteran political observer sees fairness in recruitment and steps taken to check corruption as the CMs two big achievements, but counts mishandling of the Jat agitation, failure to rein in ministerial colleagues and party MPs and the lack of adequate control on bureaucracy among his failures. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Wednesday expelled Uttar Pradesh minister Pawan Pandey from the party on charges of indiscipline, in the latest round of sackings amid a bitter power tussle in the family that has pushed it to the brink of a split. Read | Mulayam says party united, but Akhilesh goes missing in SPs solidarity show On Sunday, chief minister Akhilesh Yadav threw out his uncle Shivpal Yadav, who is also the Samajwadi Partys state chief, and three other pro-Amar Singh ministers from his team. Mulayam then dismissed his cousin and SP general secretary Ramgopal Yadav, who has backed Akhilesh in the family feud, from the party for six years. Shivpal Yadav announced Pandeys expulsion during a press conference and said that the party has sent a recommendation to the chief minister for sacking him from the cabinet. The expulsion has come following a police complaint by party MLC Ashu Malik who had charged Pandey of assaulting him at the chief ministers residence on Monday and later threatening him. Malik filed a complaint at Gautampalli police station in Lucknow on Tuesday. Read | SP split wide open: Akhilesh sacks Shivpal, Mulayam removes Ramgopal Circle officer, Hazratganj, Ashok Verma confirmed that Malik had filed a written complaint against Pandey. The police, however, have not registered his complaint as yet and were verifying the charges levelled against the MLA from Ayodhya. Malik, an MLC from Ghaziabad, alleged that Pandey abused him while he was sitting in the lounge after the CM left to meet Netaji (Mulayam). Malik claimed when he opposed, Pandey assaulted him. He said earlier the CM himself had saved him when Pandey and his supporters tried to attack him during the party leaders meeting. The CM brought me to his residence in his car where the incident took place later, he claimed. Malik became the centre of attention on Monday when the CM asked to him to reveal the name of the person who planted a story in an English daily comparing Mulayam and Akhilesh to Shahjahan and Aurangzeb, respectively. Some journalists told me the story was planted by an SP leader in Delhi, Malik said without naming anyone. He said the CM wanted him to narrate the incident before Mulayam but party workers misunderstood the situation and started hurling abuses and chairs at him. Pandey was hailed as a hero by his party after the 2012 assembly elections when he defeated the BJP sitting MLA Lallu Singh. This was the first time that any party could snatch the seat from the Bharatiya Janata Party since the demolition of the disputed structure in Ayodhya in 1992. The chief minister had sacked Pandey in 2014 over an incident of manhandling of an Indian Police Service officer in Faizabad. Shivpals elevation as the state SP president replacing Akhilesh last month sparked the ugly power struggle in the family, threatening to derail the ruling partys prospects in the assembly polls due early next year. The partys senior leadership led by Mulayam was seen as tilting towards Shivpal, who has taken a harsh stand on anyone backing Akhilesh. Akhileshs rebellion is being read as his attempt to shake off the hold of Mulayam and other leaders who are known to pull the strings in the party and the government. Also read | Yadav family feud: Akhilesh digs his heels in even as Mulayam draws the line A free trade agreement which came into effect late last year is expected to be a key driver for growth in bilateral trade. South Korea and Vietnam, which have seen their trade value surge nearly three times over the past five years, are aiming to raise the number to $70 billion by 2020. The target was announced less than a year after a free trade pact between the two countries came into effect. At a recent meeting with the press in Seoul, the ASEAN-Korea Center's Secretary General Kim Young-sun said he is confident that the target will be achieved. Thanks to the new trade agreement, products from the countries have been enjoying low tariffs. In the first eight months this year, South Korea was the fourth biggest market for Vietnamese goods, mostly seafood and apparel and agricultural products. Vietnam also imported a lot of products from the East Asian country, with purchases including appliances and cosmetics ranking second only after goods from China in terms of value. Even before the pact, the value of bilateral trade had been growing at a fast pace, nearly tripling from $12.8 billion in 2010 up to $36.55 billion last year. High-tech exports from South Korean companies such as LG and Samsung now account for a large part of shipments from Vietnam. The ASEAN-Korea Center was established in 2009 with the main functions of promoting economic, cultural and social exchange activities between South Korea and member countries of the Southeast Asian bloc. Related news: > S Korea stock exchange to provide IT platform for Vietnam's bourse > South Korea blocks budget tours from Vietnam > Peace foundation offers statue to apologize for S. Koreas war atrocities in Vietnam An Indian Air Force (IAF) officer committed suicide by shooting himself with his service revolver here on Wednesday. The officer, identified as Rakesh Kumar Tiwari, was the security in-charge at the IAF Sirsa station. He had moved from Delhi to Sirsa six months ago. Tiwari was found dead in a Gypsy with his service weapon in the lap. No suicide note was found. The officer, who hailed from Uttar Pradesh, is survived by his wife and two children, who stay in Delhi. Police have sent the body for autopsy at the civil hospital. Sources said Tiwari returned to his house in the morning after a night shift. After some time, group captain Sanjeev Kumar called Tiwari for some work but the latter did not answer his phone. Then the group captain sent his guard to call Tiwari. The guard found the officer dead in his vehicle with a gunshot wound on his forehead. Investigative officer inspector Subhash Chander said they were waiting for the post-mortem report. It is learnt that Tiwari was pulled up by his senior officer during a conference on Tuesday. The air force has ordered a court of inquiry into the incident. A batchmate of Tiwari described him as a gentle and soft-spoken person. The government is planning to establish an Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre and a national university for rehabilitation and disability studies, Union minister Thawar Chand Gehlot said. We believe our policies and programmes should be proactive so that the persons with disabilities can integrate with the mainstream having financial, educational and skill-based support, social justice minister Gehlot said while speaking at the Rehabilitation International World Congress at Edinburgh in Scotland. Read | Society must sensitise itself to the differently-abled For needs and development of persons with disabilities, the Government is establishing an Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre as well as a National University for the Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, he was quoted in a Social Justice Ministry statement. Underlining that the government has renamed Persons with Disabilities as Divangjan, he said, helping people with disabilities to realise their full potential and to make them live a life of dignity, independence and satisfaction is our mission. India remains committed to building an enabling environment for Divyangjan in all possible ways. From this platform, I wish to convey my nations strong message to the international community, he said. Read | Govt plans allowance for disabled people who get jobs Amid a bitter power struggle in the ruling Samajwadi Party, chief minister Akhilesh Singh Yadav sparked off more speculation in political circles with a sudden visit to the Raj Bhawan on Wednesday. Ahead of the visit to the Raj Bhawan, Akhilesh met party legislators and seniors to finalise details of his proposed rath yatra from November 3. The meeting with governor Ram Naik came shortly after the Samajwadi Party expelled minister of state for forests Pawan Pandey for slapping a close aide of party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav. Read| Yadav family feud: For SP, theres truce in sound bite but not in sight The announcement of the disciplinary action was made by state party chief Shivpal Singh Yadav, who is locked in a power tussle with his nephew, the chief minister. Pandey is close to Akhilesh. The CMs sudden visit caught everyone by surprise. Raj Bhawan sources said Akhilesh briefed the Governor on the prevailing political situation in the state. According to SP sources, the visit might have been in connection with the four vacancies in the ministry. The vacancies rose on Sunday after Akhilesh sacked his uncle Shivpal Yadav, Om Prakash Singh, Narad Rai and Sayeda Shadaab Fatima in a sudden move aggravating the partys crisis. Despite Mulayam and Shivpal maintaining that there is no fight in the family , the rifts have widened with Akhilesh digging in his heels. In another indication that rapprochement is unlikely between Shivpal and Akhilesh, the former began vacating his official residence in Lucknow on Wednesday. For full coverage on Yadav family feud, click here A Delhi court has ordered lodging of a perjury case against a woman for levelling false rape charges against three men, observing that she had caused humiliation to the accused and made a mockery of the judicial system. The court pulled up the woman, a mother of two daughters, for implicating the men in a criminal case of serious nature knowing that they had not committed any crime against her, setting in motion the state machinery and getting the accused chargesheeted. I am of the opinion that this is a clear case of furnishing deliberate false information to police, a public authority, thereby making the police use its lawful authority to cause injury to the reputation of the accused. Therefore, I deem it proper to prosecute the prosecutrix for the criminal offence (perjury) in the interest of justice and for making mockery of the judicial system by which precious time of the court has been wasted in conducting the trial of admitted false case, where accused have suffered humiliation and distress besides facing expenses for litigation, additional sessions Judge Shail Jain said. The court directed its staff to file a court complaint against the woman before the chief metropolitan magistrate for furnishing false information to the police. The order came as the court acquitted the three men, all residents of Hari Nagar in West Delhi, of the charge of rape and saying they had neither blackmailed, nor raped her. The court noted that during her cross-examination, the woman stated that she had established physical relations with one of the three men on her free will and the other two accused were his friends. She also said she had falsely implicated these men at the instance of her well-wishers. The woman lodged a complaint at Hari Nagar Police Station alleging that in June 2014, the three men had raped her. Initially, she deposed before the court that a theft was committed in her house in May 2014, in which Rs 1.2 lakh belonging to her husband and a gold ear ring of her mother-in-law were stolen. She said she had friendship with one of the three accused and when her husband came to know about it, he told her that the articles were stolen by her friend and asked her to report it to the police. The woman, who was declared hostile, claimed that she later got to know that rape charge has been added against the men and that they had neither raped her nor threatened her. The court did not record the statement of the accused men saying nothing incriminating against them has come on record as the woman had turned hostile. Over the past three-and-a-half months, at least one school in each of Kashmir Valleys 10 districts have either been burnt or suffered damages in fires. Five schools were burnt in the last five days alone. Officials of the directorate of school education said that 17 government middle, high and higher secondary schools have been burnt mysteriously during the unrest. Of these, seven were reduced to ashes while 10 were damaged partially in the fire. Besides the 17 government schools, two prominent private schools were also been damaged in fires as Kashmir remained shut for the past 109 days since the death of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in an encounter on July 8. Most of the schools have been burnt in the dead of the night by unknown miscreants. Few have caught fire allegedly after security forces fired tear gas shells on protesters. But security forces have denied allegations of tear gas shells sparking any fire. Of the 10 districts of the Valley, Kulgam in south Kashmir has been the worst affected with five schools either completely burnt or partially damaged in fires. Three schools have been burnt in central Kashmirs Budgam district. Concerned teachers in Kulgam district have now decided to guard the schools during the nights. Following the fire incidents, we held deliberations with district administration and teachers regarding safety of schools. Teachers volunteered to stay in school premises during night hours to ensure safety of the buildings, chief education officer, Kulgam, Abdul Rouf Shahmari was quoted in a media report. Police said that they were trying to identify the miscreants. It is a matter of concern for us. We are in the process of identifying the miscreants and also putting in place some security measures like area domination to avoid such incidents, said the states director general of police, K. Rajendra Kumar. He said that there were thousands of schools, so locals also have to take responsibility of protecting these institutions. The burning of schools jeopardizes the careers of hundreds of students, he said. Read: Children in Jammu write their exams amid mortar explosions In an official statement, education minister and government spokesman, Naeem Akhtar lamented that the damage to schools is not just burning of an institution but a colossal loss for the entire society. During the last few months Kashmir has gone through a bad phase which has caused pain to everybody, he said. Since the unrest erupted in Kashmir after Wanis death, students have not attended schools for the past 109 days. The government has decided to go ahead with the exams of high and higher secondary classes in November despite the fact that students have not even able to cover 50% of their syllabus. The governments insistence on holding the exams has prompted protests by the students who want the tests to be conducted in March. The government said it was looking into various options like introduction of more choices in question papers and reduction in syllabus for the examinations rather than postponing them to March. Arson is not the only issue which is plaguing the education in Kashmir these days. Many schools in the capital Srinagar have been occupied by security forces who were brought in for law and order duties. At least seven prominent schools in Srinagar have been housing many companies of paramilitary forces. The government has maintained that security forces would vacate these schools once the situation improves. Engineering appears to be losing its attraction as a top career option among Indians. The number of students getting admitted to government and private engineering colleges and institutes excluding IITs and NITs is recording a steady decline, by at least 100,000 in the past two years. Barely half of the number of seats across the country got filled last year. The All-India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) discussed the worrying trend at a recent meeting after states such as Odisha and Madhya Pradesh asked the human resource development (HRD) ministry to conduct a demand-supply analysis before granting approval to new engineering institutes. The trend could be attributed to a near-stagnated job market for engineers or availability of a glut of career options for students from non-engineering fields. Jobs have dried up, with just one out of three engineering students getting campus placements. Placements have increased from 31% in 2013-14 to about 40% last session, but as has the number of graduates from new institutes that have come up in the past few years and private colleges, which have increased their seats. These are churning out more graduates than there are jobs. Besides, most of the students dont meet expectations of companies offering placement. A majority of students graduating from engineering institutes dont have the required skills and knowledge for specific jobs. Naturally, they dont get employed. Faculties at engineering institutes are a cause of worry too, said Deepak Pental, former vice-chancellor of Delhi University. A NASSCOM survey in 2011 says only 25% graduates working in the Indian IT sector have the required skills. The situation has not changed much a decade on. Many new engineering colleges are coming up every year. The AICTE grants them approval if the infrastructure and faculty requirements are in place. But one needs to examine the demand and supply, an HRD ministry official said. The AICTEs own data say more than 800,000 students were admitted to state-run and private engineering institutes in 2015-16, but only 340,000 got jobs. We are ending up opening teaching shops across the country. It should definitely be assessed whether there is a demand for such institutes as many seats are also lying vacant, Pental said. The AICTE, which grants approvals to institutes, said enrolment has been down because many students are opting for tech institutes of private universities. Private institutes have increased their seats substantially, without seeking our approval. That means we dont have updated data on recent enrolments, a senior AICTE official said. In Odisha, there are 221 engineering institutes with an approved intake of 97,590 students, but only 47,601 took admission in the previous academic year. Similarly, in Madhya Pradesh, 82,048 students took admission in 299 engineering institutes, though the intake capacity is 149,796. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON It was supposed to be the best moment in Sanjay Koleys life. For years, he had dreamt of a day when gigantic equipment would tear down an abandoned Tata Nano car plant in West Bengals Singur. Over the past decade, the 58-year-old farmer protested outside the factory to pull down the plants boundary wall and reoccupy their land. Despite the loss of land and the prolonged court struggle wreaking havoc on his familys finances, he refused compensation. So, when in August the Supreme Court ordered that the land be returned to the farmers and compensation given, Koley and many of his fellow farmers were ecstatic. He soon received ownership papers for his 0.28-acre land and a compensation of Rs 2.28 lakh. But when the bulldozers rolled into Singur on September 19 to demolish the plant, tears rolled down his cheeks, reflecting the pain of farmers for whom a dream of a better future and factory jobs turned into a nightmare. We got a landmark victory but it is painful to see the plant pulled down and metal roads dug up, said Koley. Its a waste of money, material and manpower. Read: Farming to begin in Singur on Thursday after a gap of 10 years His neighbours, sitting underneath a tree, agree. They say they opposed their forcible eviction from their farmland by the then Left Front government but not industrialisation. Many say they dont want to go back to agriculture. Wouldnt it be wise to use the existing infrastructure for new projects? 60-year-old Gopal Malik, asked. Ten years ago, the land protests in Singur against a proposed factory to make Tata Nano the worlds cheapest car made headlines across the globe and catapulted then opposition leader Mamata Banerjee to limelight. By 2007, Singur along with Nandigram had become a symbol for popular mass protests against forcible land acquisition and paved the way for a farmer-friendly law in 2013. The demonstrations carried Banerjee who sat on a hunger strike against the Tata factory to power in 2011, dislodging a 34-year-old Left Front government. She also vowed to give the land back to the farmers. But back where it all began, Singurs residents arent happy, despite having achieved what many are calling a historic victory against forcible eviction. We never opposed industrialisation. We protested against the governments way of acquisition, said Bidhan Chandra Bag, 65, of Khaser Bheri village. They jailed my daughter-in-law for trying to protect the land. I swore to see an end to it. Read: 150 employees worked 24X7 to prepare Singur land records But this end is not what they wanted. Prasenjit Das, 38, of Beraberi Purbapara, said, Getting the land back was more a question of ethics and principles than of practicality. The likes of Koley, Malik and Bag have a solution: They say instead of tearing down the entire structure, land should be returned to only those who say they want to farm. If Didi (chief minister Mamata Banerjee) holds talks, she will find more landowners than necessary to willingly part with land to let the structures remain, they say. This, however, is not possible. The Supreme Court clearly asked for entire 997 acres of land to be returned to their original owners something that isnt possible without removing the structures. Sensing the mood, Manik Das, member of Hooghly district council, said, Well inform senior leaders that the locals want the government to draw up a list of farmers willing to part with land and make that a part of the land bank to set up new industries. During her maiden visit to Singur after the verdict, Banerjee announced the government will not only return land in a cultivable state but also offer various incentives to resume farming. In Singur, however, many unwilling land-losers seem more interested in the prospects of new industrial projects than in resuming cultivation. Beraberis Uttam Das, 35, spent more than a month in jail in 2006 for participating in the movement and later took to carpentry to feed his family. The likes of him who switched to other professions such as plumbing, carpentry and construction work are now finding themselves settled in their new professions. The past decade has also seen a new generation grow up without having any attachment to the land. The elders in their families who fought for land rights are now in their late fifties and sixties and have lost the physical ability required for the hard work. But others such as Khaser Bheris Srimanta Koley and Chandrajit Santra, Bajemelias Tapan Malik and Gopalnagars Ujjwal Manna cant wait to resume cultivation. Farming will ensure we dont need to buy rice, potato and vegetables. The extra income can be used for savings, Koley said. But there are not many of them. Ranjit Manna of Khaser Bheri has been living on a monthly allowance of Rs 2,000 and 16 kg rice per shareholder per month provided by the Banerjee government since 2011. Having five shareholders at his home, the family earns Rs 10,000 a month, alongside 80 kg rice, without doing anything. Of course Ill give farming a try. If my body does not fit the requirement, Ill hand it over to sharecroppers, he said. A special CBI court in Bengaluru acquitted BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa of bribery and corruption in the Rs 40-crore Bellary illegal mining case on Wednesday, accusations that forced his resignation as Karnatakas chief minister in 2011. Yeddyurappa was cleared of criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery and corruption charges along with his two sons, a son-in-law, steel major Jindal Steel Works (JWS) and four Bellary-based JSW affiliates. The Yeddyurappa family was accused of receiving Rs 40 crore as bribe in their family trust in return for favours during Yeddyurappas tenure between 2008 and 2011. The former CM was also accused of favouring and receiving kickbacks from a Bellary-based mining company, an affiliate of JSW. Satyamave jayate (truth always triumphs)... Justice is done, I stand vindicated. Thanks to all well wishers,friends and supporters who stood with me in my tough times, the 73-year-old posted on Twitter. The CBI had filed a chargesheet four years ago, in October 2012, against Yeddyurappa and 13 others, including his sons BY Raghavendra , BY Vijayendra, son-in-law Sohan Kumar, former minister Krishanaiah Setty and several of the top leadership of JSW Steel, including Sajjan Jindal. The agency had examined 216 witnesses in the case. In their chargesheet, the CBI said Yeddyurappa gave undue favours to the mining company which donated Rs 20 crore to a trust run by his family. The CBI also found a Rs 20 crore deposit in a bank account of Yeddyurappas relative. He was also accused of misusing his office to buy land belonging to the Bangalore Development Authority for just Rs 40 lakh, and then sell it to a JWS affiliate Rs 20 crore. In particular, Yeddyurappa had ordered the denotification or return of land acquired by the state government to the original landowners of several acres in and around Bengaluru, lands which were allegedly sold back to firms owned by Yeddyurappas family below market rates. Karnatakas first BJP chief minister, Yeddyurappa was forced to resign on July 31, 2011, following a Lokayukta report on the land scam. He quit the BJP in November 2012 to float his own outfit and successfully contested the 2013 assembly election in which the BJP was routed. However, he merged his Karnataka Janata Paksha with the national party ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and successfully contested the parliamentary election from Shimoga. He is currently the BJPs state president. Four people, including two militants, were arrested in north Kashmirs Sopore for fuelling the ongoing unrest, police said on Wednesday. A senior police officer said the two militants Gowhar Ahmed Bhat and Hilal Ahmed Gojri residents of Baramulla and members of the organisation Tehreek-i-Jehad-i-Islami (TJI) based in Pakistan were arrested and interrogated. Incriminating documents were found from their possession. During the course of investigation, the accused duo revealed the names of two more people Showkat Ali Gazi and Zahoor Ahmed Shagoo also Sopore residents. All four had visited Pakistan on valid passport, the senior officer told HT, adding that Gowhar had visited Pakistan three times in 2008, 2012 and this year. In a statement released on Wednesday evening, police said that in the interrogation of Showkat and Zahoor it was revealed that during their visit to Pakistan they received Rs 50,000 each and were promised more funds for fuelling the current unrest. Both of them have been arrested. Police has registered a case and are investigating further. Read | Education in Kashmir faces another challenge: Almost 20 schools burnt in unrest One of princess Aalia Sultana Babis most prized possessions is a fossilised dinosaur egg she found an unsuspecting villager using to grind spices on her ancestral lands, an area billed as Indias Jurassic Park. Babi rescued the egg and it now has pride of place among her collection of prehistoric fossils, part of a lifelong legacy of protecting the dinosaur remains on the land her family once ruled over. She didnt know it was a dinosaur egg! said Babi, 42, who has been dubbed the Dinosaur Princess for her work. Aaliya Sultana Babi holding a fossilised dinosaur egg at her palace in Balasinor. (AFP Photo) I lovingly call it my masala (spice) egg, she added of the rare find, a complete Titanosaurus egg belonging to the late Cretaceous period, around 99-65 million years ago. It now sits in her home, in pride of place, wrapped in white silk inside a red velvet jewellery box. Researchers found the 72-acre (29-hectare) sprawling family estate of Balinsor was littered with dinosaur fossils during a routine geological survey of the area situated in Gujarat in Western India, in the 1980s. A pigeon leaving its nest from inside the jaws of a life-sized model of a dinosaur at the Dinosaur and Fossil Park at Indroda in Gandhinagar, some 30 km from Ahmedabad. (AFP Photo) One find -- estimated to be 67 million years old -- was of a new species of dinosaur that scientists named Rajasaurus Narmadensis after the Hindi word for king and the local area around Narmada river. A T-rex-like carnivore, the Rajasaurus was a 30-foot (nine-metre) predator characterised by a unique crown of crested horns that feasted on long-necked sauropods -- herbivores that also lived in the region. Local experts believe at least seven species of dinosaur once lived in the area. Untapped potential Today visitors to the Balasinor Dinosaur Fossil Park can see fibreglass models of the huge beasts. But for Babi, the full potential of the place, is going untapped. It is estimated that around 10,000 fossilised dinosaur eggs were found in the area -- but a significant number have been given to other museums. The park now has a somewhat neglected air: To the untrained eye, it seems little more than a wild expanse of fenced-off scrubland and without proper markings or explanations, some of the dinosaur remains can be mistaken for ordinary rocks. A single watchman guards the government-owned site against vandalism and local herders seeking grazing for their cattle. Schoolchildren gather beside a wall painted with dinosaur illustrations in a village near Balasinor. (AFP Photo) Authorities have built a museum nearby, but it has yet to be completed -- at the moment the only exhibits on display are a smattering of dinosaur models and posters. The slow pace of progress is a source of frustration for local villagers, who say the site could be providing them with employment if it was fully developed. Its good that Balasinor is getting so much attention. But it is of no use to us, says 26-year-old Rajesh Chauhan, who is unemployed. We want the government to spare some thought for us also. They are worried about animals that are long dead and gone, but have little concern for the living. My subjects Babi, who conducts guided tours of the park for a fee, has lobbied authorities to do more, but says the fact that three separate government departments are involved means not much happens in a hurry. Theres a lot of potential to this place, its just that we need to wake up from our slumber and get going, she said. It could be a contender to be given UNESCO Geo Park status but a lack of coordination between government departments means no submission has been made to the body, local media reported. Nonetheless, thousands of tourists visit in the cooler winter months, thanks in part to Babis efforts. Aalia Sultana Babi posing with a fossil at the Balasinor Dinosaur Fossil Park at Balasinor. (AFP Photo) Passengers on the Maharaja Express, a luxury tourist train, can stay at the royal palace before touring the park -- the only place in the world where you can hold a fossilised dinosaur egg, say local geologists. Babi, who featured in the BBC reality show Undercover Princesses in 2009, said her passion for dinosaurs began when she started accompanying foreign geologists to the fossil park because she was the only local person who spoke English. I got drawn into it as it was something which was very unique and virtually in my backyard, she told AFP. I started writing to scientists and gathering as much research material as I could. My affiliation is double-fold, because I feel these are my subjects that I need to protect. A life-sized model of a dinosaur at the Dinosaur and Fossil Park at Indroda, Gandhinagar. (AFP Photo) Employees have also been warned not to share false information about the Party on Facebook. The local government in Da Nang has warned its staff not to use social media during office hours, said Nguyen Dang Truong, director of the city's communications department, in an official statement on Tuesday. It is not clear how the ban will be enforced amid the increasing popularity of social networking sites across the country. The statement has been sent to all administrative offices in the city to ensure strict compliance by every civil servant, especially members of the Communist Party. Government employees have been advised to use formal sources including the public media and the governments online portals for news updates. Da Nang officials and employees have also been warned not to retrieve, collect or share false and misleading information that distorts the Partys policies and the state law; slanders individuals; or tarnishes the reputation of government agencies and organizations, according to the statement. Government workers have every right to use Facebook but they should also be held accountable for the information they post online. Police will tighten supervision of local news websites and suitable action will be taken against any violations, Truong added. Related News: > Blogger Ba Sam to face trial on charges of tarnishing the State > Vietnamese province bans police from Pokemon Go amid security fears > Ho Chi Minh City bans Pokemon Go from government offices Coming together against terrorism, India and Russia said on Wednesday the menace cannot be defeated with double standards and there is a need for zero tolerance and collective efforts to combat terrorism. Defence minister Manohar Parrikar held a detailed meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu in Delhi during which the issue of terrorism was also discussed. Parrikar also made it clear that Russia is Indias time tested and closest partner and it will continue to remain primary defence partner. One of the key security challenges faced by India is that of cross-border terrorism. We appreciate Russias consistent and unwavering support for India in our efforts to eliminate this menace, which is a manifestation of the continued presence of terrorist groups in Indias neighbourhood, Parrikar said as he co-chaired the Indo-Russian Inter Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation meeting. He noted that Russia has also been actively engaged in efforts to eliminate terrorists in West Asia. We both recognise that the menace of terrorism cannot be defeated with double standards. There is a need for zero tolerance and collective efforts to combat terrorism, he said. On his part, Shoigu said at times there is unacceptable double or even, at times, triple standards in fight against terrorism. What is absolutely unacceptable in terms of the fight against terrorism is the use of the double or even, at times, triple standards. The serious consolidation of all reasonable powers is necessary to fight this 21st centurys evil, he said. Shoigu also alluded to the problem of distinguishing between terrorists and moderate opposition, which hindered the collaboration between Russia and the United States in Syria. Both leaders are also understood to have discussed deeper military cooperations, especially focusing on joint production of fifth generation fighter aircraft, upgradation of Su-30 MKI planes and firming up the contract for the Triumf air defence system. Russia is Indias time tested and closest partner and it will continue to remain our primary defence partner, Parrikar said. He said that while military technical cooperation is progressing well, he feels that the traditional military- to-military cooperation needs more focus. The pace and depth of our exchanges at the level of Chiefs, training of personnel in each others institutions, joint military exercises between all armed forces should be enhanced. We could mutually work out the modalities of increasing the military-to-military cooperation and draw up a roadmap for implementation, he said. India has strongly criticised a fragmented UN Security Council for coming up with unwieldy and un-implementable peacekeeping mandates that put the credibility of the UN and safety and security of peacekeepers at grave risk. Speaking at a General Assembly debate on peacekeeping operations, Indias deputy permanent representative Tanmaya Lal said, Peacekeeping, the signature activity of the UN, is under tremendous stress today. The multiplicity of tasks and Christmas-tree mandates; a departure from well-established principles of impartiality; an avoidance of the primacy of politics; a focus on mere band aid solutions through peacekeeping, and a near absolute lack of effective consultations among the Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs), Security Council and the secretariat are all part of the existential and philosophical dilemma facing the peacekeeping today, Lal said. He noted that under-secretary-general for peacekeeping operations, Herve Ladsous, talked about building new coalitions of support to address collective security challenges in todays multipolar world. Perhaps this can and should start at home i.e. within the Security Council, which remains divided, even as it comes up with unwieldy and un-implementable mandates, putting both the credibility of the UN and the safety and security of peacekeepers at grave risk, Lal said on Tuesday. He said the manner in which peacekeeping mandates, are finalised clearly demonstrates that the problems have their origin at their source itself. Lal cited the example of the recently renewed and so far unimplemented mandate for the UN mission in South Sudan. He said even after three months of renewing the peacekeeping mandate in South Sudan, the situation on the ground, including for the peacekeepers, is no better. Lal strongly criticised the Security Council for not listening to the Troop Contributing Countries regarding the mandate but also failing to secure the consent of the host government for the revision of the mandate. Further, seeing the way the mandate renewal resolution was adopted, it appears that there was no consensus even among the P-5, he said, referring to the five permanent members of the Council. Lal said the United Nations Mission in South Sudan mandate came out of a fragmented Security Council, with little or no groundwork of crucial political work especially with the host government, with little agreement within the UNSC itself, and with no effective consultations with the TCCs who, in the end, have to implement this mandate. Is it any wonder why we are in the situation we are in, Lal said. He said the primary purpose of peacekeeping operations is to prevent conflicts areas and their relapse in areas emerging from long-drawn conflicts but despite member states having highlighted this repeatedly, many peacekeeping operations today are continuing to operate in a vacuum of political negotiations. A Border Security Force (BSF) officer was injured on Tuesday night when Indian posts along the international border in RS Pura and Arnia sub sectors of Jammu came under heavy Pakistani fire. Assistant sub inspector, AK Upadhyaya, was shifted to a hospital after being hit in the crossfire. BSF Jammu frontier deputy inspector general, Dharmender Pareekh, said that exchange of fire mainly took place in RS Pura sector, and went on till about 11:30 pm on Tuesday night. There was intermittent firing in Arnia, he added. Jammu deputy commissioner Simrandeep Singh said that shelling opened up in Sai Kalan and Arnia at around 1: 30 am on Wednesday. People were inside their houses, so no human casualties were reported but cattle numbers (deaths and injuries) are expected as the day progresses, he said. Singh said that shelling from the Pakistan side was still ongoing in some areas of RS Pura sector. Sai Kalan, Burejaal, Treva and Arnia were heavily shelled and fired upon by Pakistan Rangers. A local said that heavy machine guns and mortars were fired through Tuesday night in Sai, Jeora, Nikowal and Nawanpind side. A heavy volley of mortar shells were also fired in Sai, Devigarh and Sohagpur area in Arnia sub sector Ten people were injured on Tuesday in Pakistani shelling in RS Pura, the epicentre of the recent skirmishes, seven of whom were of women of the same family. The injured were identified as Shakshi (12), Manju Choudhary (15), Veena (26), Soma Devi (40), Kamlesh Kumari (28), Sanjana (10) and Ratno Devi (60) of Suchetgarh. Ramesh Kumar of Suchetgarh village, Baljeet Kour (45) of Chanduchak and Ram Lal (70) of Floora village were also injured on Tuesday evening. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Ruling AIADMK on Wednesday said party supremo and Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, hospitalised here since last month, is very well and would return home soon, even as scores of party workers continue to hold mass prayer sessions for her speedy recovery. She is very well. God is by her side. She will come home soon, party spokesperson CR Saraswathy told reporters here. She said the prayers of party supporters has reaped fruits and thanked the medical experts from AIIMS and Singapore among others who treated the 68 year-old leader. Jayalalithaa was admitted to the Apollo Hospital here on September 22 after she complained of fever and dehydration. Later on, the hospital had said she was being treated for infection with respiratory support among others. In its latest medical bulletin, which was issued on October 21, the hospital had said the chief minister was interacting and progressing gradually. Read| Jayalalithaa recovering well, has begun talking to people: AIADMK leader Meanwhile, AIADMK supporters in large numbers continued to organise special prayers and events for the well being of their Amma (Mother), as she is affectionately called by them, across the state. This included a six-hour musical prayer in Tirunelveli. Around 20,000 people carried the traditional palkudam (milkpot) over a 10 km stretch praying for Jayalalithaas speedy recovery at Viralimalai in Puthukottai district. In Tirunelveli, thavil and nagaswara musicians played their instruments non-stop for six hours praying for the good health of the AIADMK supremo. Special yagnams and homams (havans) including Sudharsana and dhanvanthiri homams seeking divine blessings for her good health and long life were performed in many temples across the state including in Chennai, Coimbatore and Dharmapuri. In Erode, school students sat in a row depicting Amma in Tamil and held candle prayers for the chief minister. An inter-faith prayer was held in Thiruvarur. At Apollo Hospital, a group of members of the traditional Badaga tribe community from Nilgiris district held prayers. Two pilots - one from state-owned Air India and another from private carrier Jet Airways - were grounded and their licences suspended after they tested positive for alcohol in their blood. The licence of Jet Airways pilot, who was about to fly to Paris from Mumbai, has been suspended for three months while that of Air India pilot for three years since he was a repeat offender, sources said. The Air India pilot was operating in the airlines Birmingham - New Delhi route. Both Jet Airways and Air India pilots have been grounded by the airline and their licence suspended by the aviation regulator DGCA for three months and three years respectively, sources said. In India, pilots are suspended for three months after the first violation, three years after the second and their licences stand cancelled if caught for a third time. Also, unlike other countries that have random alcohol testing policies, DGCA regulations mandate 100% screening for crew of Indian carriers before every flight departing from an Indian airport and after every flight arriving into the country. Significantly, Jet Airways has had the maximum number of pilots reporting drunk for duty. As many as 38 of its pilots, including its subsidiary JetLite, were found under the influence of alcohol between 2013 and 2015, according to DGCA data. Jet Air ways said it has undertaken significant efforts to enhance sensitisation towards the ill effects of alcohol in internal training sessions. However, in cases of non-compliance, the airline takes appropriate disciplinary action after requisite investigations as per company policy, it added. When contacted, Air India also said that it has grounded the pilot for three years after the incident was brought to its notice. Air India announced on Wednesday that it has decided to take blood samples of pilots with prevalent breath analyser tests to assess the accurate intake of alcohol. India has increased the number of sky marshals deployed on commercial flights after the terrorist attack in Uri and in view of intelligence reports indicating an imminent hijack threat. A sky marshal, also known as an air marshal or flight marshal, is an undercover agent onboard a commercial aircraft to counter a hijacking attempts. Sky marshals are deployed on random on domestic and international flights. The deployment of sky marshals has gone up substantially, especially on international flights, after the terrorist attack in Uri. Other security measures like increased passenger profiling are being done, said an aviation ministry official. There have been regular intelligence inputs warning of possible attempts to hijack an aircraft ever since an Indian Airlines flight (IC-814) was hijacked by members of Pakistan-based terror groups in 1999. Government has also decided to set-up a hotline and video-conferencing facility to connect the countrys 12 top airports with the anti-hijack control room at the cabinet secretariat office in Rashtrapati Bhawan, as first reported by HT on January 21. Aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju had recently warned state governments to strengthen security at airports citing the terror attack at Istanbuls Ataturk airport. Airports have become a valued target for the terror groups as it gathers attention all over and creates adverse psychological impact in the minds of our citizenry, Raju wrote. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Amid the raging feud in the Samajwadi Party, Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan on Wednesday said Muslims are keeping an eye on political developments and do not want to support an unreliable political force. Muslims are worried due to political developments in the country and the state. They are seeing a bleak future for themselves. Concerned about these, they are keeping a keen eye on political developments, he said in a statement here. Muslims cannot be seen as water bubbles and they cannot be taken for granted by political parties. There is a lot of time left (for elections). We are sure that something will happen to prevent BJP forming government in the state, he said. Muslims are not willing to bank on an unreliable political force, he added. Noting that Muslim leadership and Muslims want to go forward with secular Hindus, he said Muslims are keeping an eye on a party having a say on Muslim issues and a strong political hold. For the full coverage of the ongoing Yadav family feud, click here. New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, who is on a second state visit to India in five years, will hold a one-to-one meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss growing bilateral relations on Wednesday. Key last visited India in 2011. The last Indian PM to visit New Zealand was Rajiv Gandhi in 1986. President Pranab Mukherjee visited New Zealand early this year. Here is what you need to know about India-New Zealand ties and issues that the two sides will discuss: 1. Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) New Zealand is a member of the NSG, an elite club of 48 countries that deal in the trade of nuclear technology and fissile materials. New Zealands view is that there should be proper procedures laid out before the NSG adds new members. India needs to win over countries other than China such as New Zealand, Ireland, Austria, Brazil and South Africa to back its case to be a member of the NSG. India would seek New Zealands support for its NSG bid during Keys visit. 2. Trade and investment The total bilateral trade (both in goods and services) amounted to $1.45 billion. The two countries are engaged in the negotiations of two pacts to further trade and investment. A Free Trade Agreement discussions were launched in 2010 and it is going on. India, New Zealand and other 14 countries are also negotiating a regional trade pact known as Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Around 83% of New Zealands electricity production comes from renewable sources which is expected to go up by 90% by 2025. Renewable energy is one area where India is looking for new partnerships. ONGC has bagged a contract for hydrocarbon exploration contract along the Taranaki coast in New Zealands North Island in 2014. 3. Students/migration/Indian origin people Four percent of New Zealands population is Indian origin. The Indian diaspora is estimated to be 1.75 lakh. There are 29,000 Indian students who study in the country. Their number was 4,600 in 2008. India is also the largest source of skilled migration to New Zealand. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The one-man judicial committee on One Rank One Pension (OROP) set up by the government submitted its report to defence minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday. The Centre had appointed the committee under the chairmanship of retired Chief Justice of Patna high court L Narasimha Reddy to look into the anomalies, if any, arising out of implementation of OROP. The judicial committee had held hearings at around 20 cities and towns across the country and interacted with cross sections of ex-servicemen as well as their associations, a statement by the ministry said. The committee also received 704 representations from individuals and various ex-servicemen associations and had held extensive interactions with all stakeholders before submitting its report. Read | Will correct disparity in military, civilian officers rank structure: Parrikar Condemning the deadly Quetta terror attack that claimed 60 lives, Union information and broadcasting minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday issued a stern warning to Pakistan to stop using terrorism as a state policy, terming it and termed it suicidal. Addressing a presser here, the Union minister strongly condemned the attack on the police academy and recalled how the Taliban had carried out a similar attack on a government hospital in Quetta. Pakistan should realise that using terrorism as a state policy is suicidal. If you encourage terrorism, you will become victim of the same one day or the other, Naidu said. Pakistan has not only made terrorism its state policy but has been aiding, abetting, funding terrorism in India and training terrorists against India. Read | Quetta attack: 59 dead, Pak military say gunmen from al Qaeda faction Accusing Pakistan of not honouring the promise made by its former president Gen Pervez Musharraf that its soil will not allowed to be used for any terrorist activity, Naidu said Islamabad had since completely failed in walking the talk. In spite of many goodwill gestures from India, Pakistan has been adopting double standards by criticising terror on one hand and encouraging terror on the other. The entire support for Indian militants is coming from across the border, he said, lambasting Islamabad for suggesting that New Delhi had any involvement in the Quetta attack. Asserting that India never encourages terrorism as it does not believe in terrorist activities, Naidu stated that it was atrocious on Islamabads part to point their finger on India for the Quetta attack. As it happened | Gunmen storm police training centre in Pakistans Quetta The Union Minister further called out Pakistan to hand over the terrorists, who were taking refuge on their soil, responsible for atrocities in India. Everyone knows Pakistan is shielding masterminds like Masood Azhar, LeT chief and they are hand in glove with Dawood Ibrahim and they have been lying about his whereabouts. Pakistan has not cooperated with India in bringing to book the terrorists behind 26/11 Mumbai attack, Naidu said. Stating it was high time Pakistan realises that it is adopting suicidal, fool hardy policy of encouraging terror, Naidu stressed that Islamabad will have to change its policy regarding terrorism, as it is the enemy of mankind. The energy industry is the biggest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in Vietnam, accounting for a third of the total in 2010, at 41.1 metric tons of CO2 equivalent. This is set to quadruple by 2020. Illustrative photo by Reuters/David Gray International partners say what Vietnam desperately needs is better policy. International development partners and donors have called on Vietnam to commit to bigger greenhouse gas emission reductions, warning that fueling growth with coal will hurt the country with high environmental costs later. No doubt adaptation is necessary but the less we invest in mitigation today, the more it will cost in adaptation in the future, said Cecile Leroy, who attended a high level meeting in Hanoi on Tuesday as a representative of the European Union. Renewable energy and economic growth can go hand in hand, she said, pointing out that emissions in Europe have been reduced by 20 percent since 1990. Under a high emission scenario, nearly 40 percent of the Mekong Delta could be wiped out by the end of the century, according to projections by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The risk is lower in a scenario of moderate climate change, which is only possible if the world successfully limits global temperature rises to 1.5-2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, as agreed in the Paris Agreement last December. Achieving the target means the world must reduce carbon emissions by 40-70 percent by 2050 compared to 2010. But according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a scientific body of the United Nations which advises governments, even if the world manages to keep this promise, median crop yields could drop by as much as 2 percent every decade, and fishery resources around the world could be displaced, affecting catches in Vietnam. The country itself is currently committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 8 percent by 2030 compared to business as usual. While its carbon emissions per capita are relatively low, 1.7 metric tons in 2013 versus an average of 3.5 metric tons in low and middle-income countries, there's an alarming trend of increased emissions compared to other countries in Southeast Asia. These neighbors have also committed to much bigger cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. *Singapore's green house gas (GHG) emission reductions by 2030 compared to 2005. **Business as usual is a baseline case, which assumes that future development trends follow those of the past and no changes in policies will take place. ***Malaysia is excluded because it targets reduction in GHG emission intensity. Outdated and energy intensive technology in power generation, industrial production and transport are to blame for Vietnams relatively high carbon intensity, said Pham Van Tan, deputy director general of the Department of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change. Carbon intensity is the amount of carbon emissions released per unit of gross domestic product. The energy sector is by far the biggest emitter in Vietnam, according to the environment ministry's 2015 technical report. The energy industry is the biggest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in Vietnam, accounting for a third of the total in 2010, at 41.1 metric tons of CO2 equivalent. This is set to quadruple by 2020. Under a national energy plan, by 2030, half of the countrys power will come from coal, compared to 19.8 percent in 2013. To meet that demand, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has already allowed three energy giants -- PetroVietnam, Vietnam Electricity and mining group Vinacomin -- to import 70 million tons of coal by 2030. But coal imports may or may not be crucial: the Ministry of Industry and Trade has estimated that Vietnam's coal reserves are already enough to generate power for several centuries. Renewable energy, excluding hydropower, on the other hand, will contribute only 10.7 percent of electricity production in 2030 compared to the current 3.7 percent. It is in this context that United Nations Resident Coordinator Pratibha Mehta called on the Vietnamese government to research and review its emissions targets "carefully." "Vietnam must review the long-term effects of the use of coal for electricity generation and in industry," Mehta said. "Vietnam lags behind most countries in the region in terms of solar and wind power installations [] despite huge potential. The message was echoed by representatives of other development partners at Tuesday's meeting. Vietnam's environment minister Tran Hong Ha agreed that the country "should abandon traditional industries that are heavily dependent on natural resources." "We should switch from black to green energy sources," he said. Vietnam has said greenhouse gas emission reductions could be 25 percent by 2030, instead of the committed 8 percent, if there is international support and adaptation continues to be its main focus. Vietnam considers adaptation important because of the serious climate change impacts, said Tan of the meteorology and climate change department. "In the short term, for Vietnam to deal with such impacts and develop, we have to adapt." "Mitigation is important but it requires huge resources," Tan said, adding that the country needs to consider carefully whether and how foreign loans could be used for renewable energy. He told VnExpress International that even though renewable energy will likely be cheaper with time, its still expensive for Vietnam. Vietnams electricity demand rises very fast, at more than 10 percent per year while in China it's only 2 percent. So its easier for China to move to renewable energy. Growing budget deficit and public debt are placing further strain on Vietnams capacity to commit to more mitigation efforts, according to Nguyen Xuan Thao, deputy director general of Department of Debt Management and External Finance. To switch to renewable energy, well have to import the technology. So its very important to seek private funding but the question is how, said Thao. She pointed out that even the Paris Agreement is not specific about funding mitigation projects, which is an important issue for developing countries like Vietnam, which is also dealing with a decline in official development assistance (ODA) resources. The Delegation to the European Union in Vietnam argued that a transition to renewable energy doesnt require huge government funding but a suitable policy that will encourage the private sector to jump in. Martin Hoppe, First Counselor of the German Embassy, said its expensive going down the coal path if you consider environmental costs. Hoppe suggested Vietnam introduce feed-in tariffs, a kind of subsidy, for renewable energy to encourage the private sector and households to invest in green power. Currently, Vietnam offers no subsidies or tax credits for renewable energy. When it comes to power prices, coal power costs nine cents per kilowatt-hour, while for solar, the price is around 13 cents. Under the Support Program to Respond to Climate Change (SP-RCC) for 2016-2020, a policy dialogue platform that brings together the Vietnamese government, donor partners and NGOs, Vietnam is expected to work on new legislation to encourage wind and solar power projects. So far, the country has secured $1.2 billion for the upcoming SP-RCC term from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the World Bank and the French Development Agency (AFD) to fund climate change-related investment, capacity building and policy actions. Minister Ha said Vietnam will ratify the Paris Agreement before the COP 22 Marrakech Climate Change Conference on November 7. The Paris Agreement will enter into force on November 4 and so far the world's biggest polluters including the U.S., China and the European Union have already ratified it. Related news: > Nightmare scenario: Coastal Vietnam faces a watery end > Paris climate deal to enter force after EU green light A major Pakistani militant group worked with the Islamic State to carry out a huge raid on a police academy in the countrys southwest this week that left more than 60 dead, a police spokesperson said on Wednesday. The claim appears to confirm analysts predictions that the Middle East based group, which had previously struggled to gain traction in Pakistan, is now building links with local outfits as its key rival Al Qaeda loses ground. Pakistani authorities said the attack on the Balochistan Police College, the deadliest assault on a security installation in the countrys history, was carried out by the Al-Alami faction of the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) group, an anti-Shiite outfit that has turned its guns on the government in recent years. Read | Deadly Quetta assault: Why Pakistan still sees huge militant attacks It was also claimed by the Islamic State group, which released photographs of the attackers -- one of whom bore a strong resemblance to a fighter who was killed by security forces in the attack. Asked whether the two had worked together, Ali bin Sufyan, a spokesman for LeJ Al-Alami, told AFP Yes, of course, adding: We are ready to work with all the groups in Pakistan wether they belong to ISIS or Al Qaeda. LeJ is also affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban who in turn pledge allegiance to Al-Qaeda -- their main financial backers during the early years of their insurgency. Pakistan has carried out major military offensives against these groups in its border tribal regions that have sapped their strength and their ability to carry out attacks. The militant groups including Al Qaeda and Pakistani Taliban have been completely dismantled and those left out are now regrouping and attempting to become part of IS, a security official based in the southwestern city of Quetta told AFP requesting not to be named. But IS has not nominated any specific group as its franchise or affiliate in Pakistan and different militant groups are trying to use this open window which sometimes creates a competition of sorts, he said. Read | Quetta attack: Survivors ran, jumped from windows to flee militants The vacuum has created opportunities for IS to step in and develop new relationships with local jihadists, a militant source told AFP. Al Qaeda is no longer focused in Pakistan like it used to be, its leaders have either been killed or shifted to Yemen and local jihadists have no better option but to look towards Daesh (IS). Pakistans military last month admitted for the first time that the Islamic State group had a presence in the country but added it had detained hundreds of its militants and prevented them from carrying out major attacks. Once regarded as Samajwadi Partys (SP) face who gave the folds official word to the media, Ramgopal Yadavs political future appears bleak as he could now be removed from the post of SPs parliamentary leader in the Rajya Sabha. Facing an uncertain future, the expelled 70-year-old leader put up a brave face and maintained a defiant posture on Tuesday. His nameplate has been removed from SPs New Delhi office and party circles are rife with speculation that Beni Prasad Verma will replace Ramgopal as the parliamentary party leader in the Upper House. A section of party members hold Ramgopal responsible for instigating Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav to take a stand against uncle Shivpal Yadav and party leader Amar Singh. Convinced that Akhilesh will emerge as the predominant leader after next years state polls, Ramgopal has reportedly decided to wait for the crisis to play out. Ramgopal indicated on Tuesday that he will not give up his Rajya Sabha membership in a hurry. Now I am a free man. The party whip will not apply to me, he told the media. While refraining from a taking a direct dig at SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, the ousted leader kept his gun trained on Shivpal and Amar Singh. In the eyes of the masses, both Shivpal and Amar are culprits, he said, while adding that Mulayams support for the two had sent out a wrong message. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pradesh, which is fighting a bitter family feud, floated on Wednesday the idea of a mahagathbandhan or grand alliance of political parties to collectively take on the BJP in next years assembly polls. The proposal has the approval of party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, who had walked out of a similar alliance between the Janata Dal (United) of Nitish Kumar, Lalu Prasads Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress in Bihar ahead of elections there in 2015. The SP state unit chief, Shivpal Yadav, made the announcement before leaving for New Delhi to invite leaders of JD(U), RJD and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) for the partys silver jubilee function on November 5 in Lucknow. Besides the invitation for the event, he is supposed to invite the leaders for a Bihar-type mahagathbandhan that defeated the BJP. Netaji (Mulayam) has authorised me to hold discussions with all Lohiawadi, Charan Singhwadi and Gandhiwadi leaders and bring secular parties on a platform to prevent communal forces from coming to power in UP, Shivpal said. The development came on a day chief minister Akhilesh Yadav made a sudden visit to the Raj Bhavan after another of his loyalists minister of state for forests Pawan Pandey was sacked from the party. Raj Bhavan officials termed the visit a courtesy call, which lasted more than 30 minutes, in which the two exchanged Diwali greetings. The chief minister discussed the current political situation with the governor, sources said. The party expelled Pandey for slapping Ashu Malik, a member of the legislative council and a close aide of party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav. Shivpal, who is locked in a power tussle with nephew Akhilesh, announced the disciplinary action against Pandey, known to be a staunch supporter of the chief minister. Any rapprochement between Shivpal and Akhilesh looks unlikely at the moment. The uncle is likely to vacate his official home in Lucknow. Shivpal said the grand alliance would have taken shape much earlier. We would not have won the seventh MLC seat in the bypolls had RLD not voted for our candidate. But now you all know, who thwarted it, he said, hinting at expelled party general secretary Ramgopal Yadav a Mulayam cousin and Akhilesh loyalist. Read| CM Akhilesh to hit campaign trail alone in hi-tech Vijay Rath If Mulayams alliance idea gains traction, the SP silver jubilee function would be the first show of strength of the proposed mahagathbandhan. UP Congress president Raj Babbar denied getting any invite. But SP sources said invitations have gone out to Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and Sharad Yadav of the JD(U), former prime minister HD Deve Gowda of Janata Dal (Secular), RJD chief Lalu Prasad, who is related to Mulayam, and former Union minister Ajit Singh and his son, Jayant Chaudhary, of the RLD. Shivpal has been credited with engineering a similar alliance in 2014, comprising the SP, RJD, JD(U), JD(S), Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and Samajwadi Janata Party (Chandra Shekhar). The parties came together after the BJP swept the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The constituent parties held meetings and joint demonstrations against the Narendra Modi government in New Delhi, but the alliance collapsed ahead of the Bihar polls. For full coverage on Yadav family feud, click here A blast at an illegal firecracker factory in Varanasi killed four people and injured six others on Tuesday night, police said. The blast occurred when explosive material caught fire, collapsing the rear of the house and trapping people inside. Police and a team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescued the injured from the debris, who were then rushed to a hospital. Two of them were discharged after primary treatment. Three of the deceased were identified as Sarfraj (35), Amna (45) and Saba, whose age is yet to be ascertained. A fourth body is yet to be identified. All four bodies were sent for post mortem. District magistrate Yogeshwar Ram Mishra and senior superintendent of police, Nitin Tiwari, reached the factory located in Pitarkunda under Chetganj police station area. According to the police, the building was owned by Habeeb, who escaped after the explosion took place. Primary investigations revealed that the factory was illegally functioning in a densely populated area in the building, Tiwari said. Further investigations are on while a probe has been ordered against the local area station officer. The forest official investigating the alleged destruction of mangroves by comedian-actor Kapil Sharma and 60 similar cases in SV Patel Nagar of Andheri (West), has been transferred. The state government on Tuesday night transferred former assistant conservator of forest, state mangrove cell, Makarand Ghodke as a statistician at the office of the chief conservator of forest, Thane, reveals an order accessed by Hindustan Times. In September, Ghodke had filed a report with the Mumbai suburban collector regarding destruction of mangroves by Sharma for illegal extension of his property. On September 18, the Andheri tehsildar (revenue official) ensured that an FIR was filed against Sharma by Versova police under Environment Protection Act. Read | Probe confirms Kapil Sharma destroyed Versova mangrove Ghodke had also identified illegal extensions made to 50-60 existing properties, besides dumping of garbage by some residents and others treating the area as their backyard, in violation of a 2005 Bombay high court (HC) order that banned constructions within 50m of the mangroves. Objecting to the move, NGO Watchdog Foundation demanded an explanation from chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and the state forest department on Wednesday as to why Ghodke needed to be transferred. In view of the high stakes involved with the likes of Kapil Sharma and other celebrities at fault in the matter, the transfer is clearly unjustified, Godfrey Pimenta, trustee of the Foundation said, adding that the NGO will monitor the progress of the case using right to information (RTI) act. Officials from the state forest secretarys office said the state mangrove cell had taken the decision. However, mangrove cell officials refused to comment on the matter. Read | HC stays demolition of illegal portions of Kapil Sharmas residence Meanwhile, a state government official, on condition of anonymity, told HT that several posts in the mangrove cell had been reorganised with some designations being eliminated. Earlier mobile squads (field officers) were headed by range forest officers (RFO). To give promotional opportunities to RFOs, it was proposed that the ACF should be in charge of the mobile squad. However, owing to less number of ACFs in the state, the government decided that all the posts, responsible for anti-encroachments, was going to be downgraded, the official said. He said it was an oversight with Ghodkes case and the matter would be discussed. However, as of now, the officer has to take charge of his new designation. Ghodke had gotten 3,500 encroachments removed from mangrove areas in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane, with some cases against local MPs and MLAs. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Construction on the Indian Railways Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project is likely to start in 2017, Mohd Jamshed, member (traffic) of Railway Board, said during his visit to the city on Tuesday. Jamshed further stated that as of now, there are no plans to revise the suburban train fare in the 2017-18 budget. We have no plans to revise the suburban fares as of now, said Jamshed. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train, which will be the first of its kind in India, is a pet project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The bullet train is expected to cover 508km between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in about two hours, running at a maximum speed of 350 kmph and operating at a speed of 320 kmph. For frequent travellers to Gujarat, especially the business class and traders, this could mean a faster mode of transport. Currently, the train travel takes 7 hours between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, which is likely to be halved, once the project is completed. The work on Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train should start next year. The project is already being monitored at the highest level. There is a supervisory committee consisting chairman railway board (CRB), National Institution Transforming India (NITI) Aayog and other government secretaries, said Jamshed. Jamshed was in the city for a half-yearly meeting with chief commercial managers (CCM) from all 16 zones of Indian railways and other chief of public sector undertakings (PSUs). Various aspects like improvement in passenger amenities, improving passenger journey experience, redevelopment of stations and increasing the non-fare box revenue was discussed in the day-long meeting. On the redevelopment of stations and increasing non-fare box revenue, the senior official said that a uniform policy is being finalised at railway board. Over 400 A1 and A category stations are selected by the union government for redevelopment. Eight city stations including Bombay Central, Bandra terminus, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus , Lokmanya Tilak Terminus , Kalyan, Dadar, Thane and Panvel are among these stations SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is in a self-congratulatory mood that his government completes two years in office later this week. The over-riding theme is that his government initiated a slew of development projects, and is transforming Maharashtra before we can blink. This isnt surprising. Fadnavis follows in the footsteps of his idol and boss, Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has set new benchmarks, if not in hard-core governance, then certainly in optics and image management. The deluge of advertisements and the interviews that Fadnavis has given in the last few days would have us believe the government has already notched up significant achievements. This self-fulfilling narrative is useful when elections to local bodies are due over the next few months and their outcomes will be read as a mini-referendum on the government. The most significant of these is the election to the countrys richest civic body, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, which the BJP wants to wrest control of. One area of laudable work, we are told, is urban development and transformation of cities, especially high-profile ones such as Mumbai. Multiple multi-crore projects have been announced. Mumbai now has the coastal road, Trans Harbour Link, metro lines linking its length and width, two elevated rail corridors, opening up of salt pan lands, large-scale digitisation and the Smart Cities Mission initiatives. Mumbai and Nagpur, which is Fadnavis home city, are to be linked by an expressway which will pass through a number of districts making hundreds of acres of land available for industrial development. Two years is too soon to make a comprehensive assessment of such projects; they barely get off the ground. But Fadnavis intent about cities is visible. However, he seems to read urban development as a collection of big-ticket physical infrastructure projects, involvement of corporate power, reliance on technology, and making selective areas attractive for foreign investors. Public participation and poorer areas of Mumbai are not on his radar. Mumbai, he told a journalist recently, was very close to his heart. One of the first things he did as chief minister was to set up a war room in his office to monitor major projects he initiated in the city. The war room nomenclature signifies his aggressive approach. It pushes departments into fast action and ensures that projects are not stalled. With this micro-management of the citys projects, you could say Fadnavis is a minister for Mumbai, hands-on and girded up. But beyond the bridges and metros are the social, political and creative infrastructures of the city. And Fadnavis dealt them a body blow when he mediated between a representative body of Bollywood filmmakers and Raj Thackeray who threatened violence if the film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil was released. Powerful filmmaker Karan Johar was apologetic. Always in search of emotional issues to whip up sentiments around elections, Thackeray objected to the film because it had a Pakistani actor which he said was unacceptable after the Uri attacks. Fadnavis allowed this enterprise of hate, chauvinism and pseudo-nationalism a free run initially when he could have sent a strong message to Thackerays boys. Then, he played broker to an extortion deal when Thackeray allowed the films release after filmmakers agreed to pay Rs 5crore to the Army Welfare Fund. The minister of Mumbai had become, in a jiffy, the broker for Mumbai who used the authority of the chief ministers office to legitimise the threat of violence and an extortion deal. Getting the CM on his side in so brazen a manner is Thackerays victory. It may have a political quid pro quo for Fadnavis who is trying hard to marginalise the Shiv Sena. But in these cynical games, Mumbai lost out. This coupled with the fact that the Mumbai Film Festival pulled down an old Pakistani film, Jago Hua Savera, because it was threatened by a non-descript organisation meant that some of the most powerful people of Mumbai caved in to bullying. And the chief minister helped the bullies. What could be worse for Mumbai that the Constitutional care-taker was unable or unwilling to put the entire might of the State against those who threaten, bully and disrupt? SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Hope of a new suburban railway station near Panvel on the trans-harbour line of the Central Railway has soared with railway minister Suresh Prabhu responding positively to Shiva Sena MP Shrirang Appa Barnes demand for it. Barne, an MP from Maval Lok Sabha constituency which includes Panvel, has been requesting Suresh Prabhu for a new suburban station at Bhingarwadi onthe Panvel-Karjat line, to serve the commuting needs of eleven villages. People from the eleven villages under his constituency Khanavali, Poyanje, Bhingarwadi, Bhingar, Shedung, Vardoli, Bherle, Belavali and Machiprabal have been facing innumerable difficulties due to the absence of a railway station close to them. I therefore, suggested a station at Bhingarwadi, which is accessible to the surrounding villages,said Barne. Prabhu had initially responded to Barne, stating that the proposal was being examined and subsequently, he informed that the chief commercial manager of Central Railway has been asked to study and report it urgently. With the connectivity from Bhingarwadi, the people of my constituency will become part of the rapid urbanization that has been talking place in this area. The national common goal of affordable housing could be effectively met with peripheral developments like suburban rail connectivity, added Barne. Plans for Panvel region A Central Railway committee report has said the traffic on CR has been rising at 4% a year where as it is falling by 1% in the western railway annually due to the real estate boom in the central suburbs. The pressure on CST-Panvel section is more than that of CST-Kalyan line. The committee of railway officers, civic administrators and public representatives has highlighted the need for the acquisition of 150 new trains, increasing the frequency of trains, and stabling lines (parking places for trains) at Panvel, Thane and Kalyan. It particularly stressed on the need for the induction of ten new rakes in trans-harbor section, since no addition has been made during the last ten years. The report pointed out that Navi Mumbai and its surrounding areas have since emerged as the new realty destination, thanks to the infrastructure boom in the area. The committee has been appointed at the insistence of Prabhu himself, who was moved by a video clip showing of a youth falling from a speeding train that went viral. The panel admitted that ten people die daily on an average on the CRs suburban section, and another ten get seriously injured. The committee suggested a Rs 21,000 crore makeover plan for the CR, whose new general manager, Akhil Agrawal, said the report is being studied. He said the CR is looking for constructing stabling lines in areas like Thane, Kalyan and Panvel since space is a major constraint in Mumbai city. The report - which has been signed by MPs Rajan Vichare, Poonam Mahajan and Arvind Sawant, apart from S K Sood, (then general manager of CR), Ketan Goradia (Commuters Association), L R Nagwani (NGO), Ajoy Mehta (BMC Commissioner) and E Ravindran (Kalyan Dombivili Municipal Commissioner) - is now placed on the CR website. The Maharashtra State Wildlife Board (MSWB) headed by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis granted permission to Tejas, younger son of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, to collect live crabs from sanctuaries in the Western Ghats on Wednesday. Tejas claims to have discovered three new species of freshwater crabs and wants to research the species further. Under section 29 of the Wildlife (protection) Act 1972, carrying live samples outside the protected forest needs special permission by the wildlife warden. The proposal, in turn, comes to the board for approval, said an official from the forest department. Forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said Tejas sought permission as he wanted to carry out scientific research on the crabs. The species which Tejas wants to research are found in the Radhanagari, Koyana, Bhimashankar and Kalsubai sanctuaries in the Sahyadris. We were told about Tejas application only when it came up in the meeting, he said. The proposal says Tejas has sought permission to collect live samples of the Ghatiana, Gubernatorana, Ingletelphusa and Barytelphua crabs. Tejas had discovered and described the freshwater crabs that live in the Western Ghats. His paper was published in the Zootaxa journal on February 23. The MSWB has also decided to encourage the conservation of wild buffaloes in the Kolamark conservation reserve in Gadchiroli. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The police rescued on Wednesday two Delhi-based traders from a Naxal-infested hilly area 140 km southeast of Patna, from where the brothers were kidnapped five days ago. Sources said five persons have been arrested in connection with the October 21 abduction of Kapil Sharma, 47, and Suresh Sharma, 42, who flew down to Patna to finalise what they believed was a potential multi-crore contract. The police suspect the involvement of the Ranjit Don gang that is active in Lakhisarai districts Kajra where the brothers were located in the wee hours. Patna senior superintendent of police Manu Maharaaj said the traders were rescued from rugged Shringirishi Dham near Mahua Kol of insurgency-affected Kajra. The arrested persons are being brought to Patna, he added. Kapil and Suresh, who are sons of a south Delhi-based stone trader, were kidnapped from the Patna airport last Friday on their arrival from Lucknow. The brothers, sources said, had come to see a construction site between Fatuha and Bakhatiyarpur. Their father, Babulal Sharma, runs a construction firm, Shrutiyan Construction Limited, in the national capital. Earlier, a Patna police team was sent to Delhi, where it questioned Shrutiyan employees. The cops zeroed in on an employee from east-central Bihars Munger, who reportedly provided vital clues. On that basis, a special investigation team of the police reached Lakhisarai, from where the traders were eventually rescued. The brothers were offered a bait of a high-value tender. Sources said they were called to Patna to clinch a Rs 12-crore deal for supply of marble to IIT-Kharagpur. On landing at the Patna airport, both were driven in a vehicle that did not bear a registration number. The duo was initially taken 45 km southeastward to Bakhtiyarpur. The kidnappers allegedly demanded a ransom of Rs 4 crore and called their family from different mobile-phone numbers. The police denied the claim. On Monday, three police teams raided various places in Barh, Bakhatiyarpur, Mokama and Fahtua in search of the duo. The police, on examining mobile call data record, said it traced the last call to Munger district. Police said Babulal Sharma, who on reaching Patna last Saturday, told them that his sons informed him of the abduction at around 11.30 pm on Friday. Later, their cell-phones were found switched off. It was on his complaint that the police registered a kidnapping case at the airport police station here. Tran Thi Hong Phuong is said to be the restaurant owner who allegedly charged an Australian tourist $39,000 for a single dinner. Photo released by the police The restaurant had disappeared before the Australian man could make a complaint. The search is on for a restaurant owner in Ho Chi Minh City who is accused of charging an Australian man $30,000 for a meal, according to an official statement released by police on Tuesday. Police are searching for 37-year-old Tran Thi Hong Phuong, the owner of downtown restaurant Nightfall on Thai Van Lung Street, District 1, who is accused of credit card fraud. Australian tourist John David Caracciolo earlier this month claimed the restaurant had charged AUD$39,429 to his credit card for dinner. On August 11, a waiter at the restaurant allegedly had John David Caracciolo swipe and enter the PIN numbers on two of his credit cards several times due to technical errors, according to a complaint filed by Le Kim Yen on Caracciolo's behalf. She also accused the restaurant of having failed to present Caracciolo with a receipt detailing the charges to his bank accounts. One month after the incident, Caracciolo, who claimed the credit card charges represented a deliberate effort to defraud him, returned to Vietnam to file a complaint, only to find that the restaurant has already closed. Local police have confirmed that although Tran Tuan Minh, Phuongs 21-year-old brother, was legally registered as the business owner, he was not involved in the alleged fraud. Related News: > Saigon restaurant accused of charging Australian $39,000 for dinner The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) told a Delhi court on Tuesday that it needed at least four months to complete its probe into a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, in which Congress leader Jagdish Tytler was earlier given a clean chit. The probe agency made the submission before additional chief metropolitan magistrate Shivali Sharma who directed it to expedite the investigation and file a final report. You (CBI) file a final report. Tell me how much more time you want to complete the probe. Its an endless process. You file a final report and I will consider it. Expedite the probe and also give me the timeframe, the magistrate said. CBI officials said they were waiting for response of some agencies, which will take time and sought four more months to complete the probe, after which the court fixed the matter for February 16. The CBI superintendent of police, who is supervising the investigation, told the court an official recently spoke to Narinder Singh, son of a prime witness, against Tytler in Canada, but he refused to join the probe. CBI prosecutor NK Srivastava also said the agency was not hiding anything and has disclosed all facts to the court. The investigation agency had earlier claimed they had made all possible efforts to trace Narinder, but he could not be contacted as nobody was picking up his mobile phone when called. However, senior advocate HS Phoolka, who represents the riot victims, had alleged that the CBI was shielding Tytler by giving him clean chit thrice in the case and added that he was ready to provide all assistance to the agency in completing the probe. The court, however, refused to direct the CBI to give such letter written by it to other authorities to the counsel and said it cannot provide copies of letters to them at this stage. The case pertains to riots at Gurdwara Pulbangash in North Delhi where three people were killed on November 1, 1984, a day after the assassination of then PM Indira Gandhi. The CBI had re-investigated the case of killing of Badal Singh, Thakur Singh and Gurcharan Singh near the gurdwara after a court in December 2007 refused to accept its closure report. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) councillor and former senior deputy mayor Heera Negi (52) raised various issues concerning her ward in the municipal corporation (MC) House meetings but failed to move the official machinery to solve the water supply problem in the area. Residents of Sectors 32 and 46 that make ward 21 say besides water problem, poor sanitation, badly maintained green belts and street lights are other issues they are grappling with on everyday basis. Negi, who was elected senior deputy mayor in 2014, however, claims that maximum development work was carried out in her ward during her tenure, be it renovation of the Sector-46 community centre and government schools in the two sectors and installation of a tubewell and a water booster in Sector 46, some of the long-pending demand of local residents. She was vocal in the House meetings, but failed to convince the officials on various issues. She was the BJPs mayoral candidate last year even as partys Chandigarh unit president Sanjay Tandon wanted partys Asha Jaswal to pitch against the Congresss Poonam Sharma who won. She is considered close to local member of Parliament (MP) Kirron Kher with whose support she contested for the post. In January 2015, Negi, who is associated with various religious and social organisations, along with three BJP councillors, was issued show-cause notice by Sanjay Tandon for allegedly indulging in anti-party activities and indiscipline. The four councillors had staged a walkout, when BJP councillor Arun Sood started speaking in the House meeting during the zero hour. Heaps of garbage lying outside Government Model Senior Secondary School in the same sector. (Keshav Singh/HT) Negi, who was chairperson of the municipal corporations apni mandi committee last year, had made some recommendations to streamline the apni mandis, but nothing was done. She also approved installation of mobile toilets and ban on the use of polybags besides regulating traffic near apni mandis. Had share of controversy On May 25, 2014, when Congress councillors Satish Kainth (now in BJP) and Darshan Garg locked MC chief engineer Mukesh Anand and other officers in his room for 30 minutes, BJP councillors asked the then senior deputy mayor Negi to sit the mayors chair to begin the House proceedings, even as the then mayor Harphool Chander Kalyan was around, forcing him to adjourn the meeting. This created a controversy. Tomorrow: Davesh Moudgil Ward 22 SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal went on a three-day whirlwind tour of Punjab this week seeking peoples mandate for the upcoming assembly elections and convincing them that the AAP was the best replacement to the Akali-BJP regime. In an interview to HT, the Delhi chief minister talked on issues that ranged from the partys chief ministerial candidate, his own name for Punjab CM to putting both the Badals and Captain Amarinder Singh to trial in corruption cases. Excerpts: How do you view the Punjab election scenario as of now? These elections will be fought against corruption and drugs. The wave is in our favour as we have promised a corruption-free and drug-free Punjab. I also appeal to the people to contribute financially as our party does not have money. Akalis and the Congress say that the AAP is a party of outsiders. What is your take? The Badals and Amarinder are saying so because they do not have anything else to counter us. The AAP is very much the party of Punjabis as you see the states own people running the show. Both Badal and Amarinder have looted the people and, thus, I am their common target. Will you reopen corruption cases against the Badals and Amarinder? I will put them to trial for corruption. Corrupt politicians of other parties will also face action. Is your party going to announce a chief ministerial candidate or not? It is not important for the people of Punjab right now. The people want to topple the present regime. They are not asking who would be the CM. They want to know how we will curb the drug menace and corruption. There is a buzz that you will be projected as the CM candidate. Is that true? There is no such discussion in the party right now. We are focusing on how to solve the problems of the people. Punjab gave four MPs in 2014. Still the party failed to pick up a CM face. Why so? We have many leaders who have the calibre to become the CM. Naming anyone wont be appropriate at this juncture. How do you see the dissidence in party over ticket distribution? This happens in every party. Its just media hype. What is the fate of the inquiry panel against partys sacked Punjab convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur? What you have to say about the sting on him? He took money for tickets and he admitted this in front of Manish Sisodia and also apologised, saying he would not do this again. Inquiry does not matter now as he is already out of the party. How was your experience with MPs Dr Dharamvira Gandhi and Harinder Singh Khalsa, who are yet to be removed from the AAP after their suspension? Do you want them back? They are good men. I wish they come back after they cool down. They have to shed their personal grudges. They said internal democracy is missing in the AAP. The internal party democracy phrase has become common in every party now. When there is no other reason to fight, the dissidents take this plank. Why was Gurpreet Singh Waraich, who joined the party this year only, was made the Punjab convener when you had old-timers working before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections? Its not a civil services batch that seniors would take top ranks. AAP is a party where the cadres are adjudged for their qualities and personality. Also read | Kejriwal promises tax cut to small-scale industry Why are you still not taking former Congress leader Jagmeet Brar into the party fold after his address from the AAP dais? There is no such move from either his side or our side. Its good he is supporting us and we can consider his inclusion into the party when the right time comes. What is the AAP ideology? The AAP believes in honest politics. BJPs nationalism is goonda nationalism. If you are from the RSS, you can commit a rape or a murder and nobody will say anything to you. Law and order has collapsed in the country due to BJPs faux nationalism. How important is the dera factor in Punjab? I dont want to go into this. We dont believe in using religion or caste for electoral gains. What is your take on evacuation of villagers along the Punjab border after surgical strikes across the Line of Control? I am for peace and open borders in the region, but its for the Union government to decide for the states to follow in case of disturbance at the border. I apprehend it was the Badal governments move to evacuate villagers to divert peoples attention. There should be an inquiry into it. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Amid murmurs of opposition by Congress leaders in Bathinda after Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh said that he would recommend former finance minister Surinder Singlas name as party candidate from Bathinda (urban) seat, senior party leader Manpreet Singh Badal has reiterated that he will contest the election from whichever segment the party will ask him to contest. Manpreet, who was here to meet the protesting employees of the Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant (GNDTP) here on Tuesday, said that he hadnt applied for party ticket from any assembly segment and would go wherever the party would ask him. Manpreets name is also doing the rounds as a probable candidate from Bathinda (urban) assembly segment, while former legislator Harminder Singh Jassi has also staked his claim on the party ticket from this segment in 2017 Punjab assembly polls. After a gap of over nine years, Singla started his political activity in the city on Monday by meeting party workers and people. Though, many party workers went to meet Singla in the circuit house, a majority of city Congress leaders maintained distance from him. Jassi had also questioned Singlas absence from the city for a long time. Jassi, in an indirect reference to Singla, said that Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has made it clear that tickets wouldnt be given to parachute leaders, who dont have connect with the people. Meanwhile, meeting the protesting employees of the GNDTP, Manpreet said that if the Congress formed a government in Punjab, it would fulfil their demands. The employees of the thermal plant, under the banner of the GNDTP Employees Joint Forum, have been staging protests daily against the Punjab governments decision to close the plant for six months from October onward during the winter season, claiming fall in demand. The employees have also been demanding regularisation of contractual workers. The demands of protesters are just and reasonable and the Congress will concede to all these demands. We will review the agreements of the Punjab government with private thermal plants as they favour private plants. The state-owned thermal plants should be run to their full capacity. The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) coal mines in Pachhwara should be made operational and all contractual employees in the PSPCL should be regularised, said Manpreet Badal. On the Congress manifesto for Punjab assembly polls, he said that the manifesto was ready and would be presented to the Congress leadership on Wednesday and a meeting to discuss the same to give it a final touch is scheduled the same day in which all party senior leaders, including Captain Amarinder Singh, would take part. Manpreet is convener of the partys manifesto committee, while former chief minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal is the chairperson of the committee. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A family residing in Manjit Nagar was reunited with their six-year-old son Hartejbir Buttar who was kidnapped by four labourers in front of his house on Monday evening. The child is safe and in sound health. His father Jaspreet Singh Buttar is nothing but relieved. It was a tough time for us. We still cant believe that such a daring act is possible in a residential area. The effort by police is appreciable, he said. Police rescued the child from a religious dera at Kamalpur village near Dirba town of Sangrur district. All four accused were arrested after police laid a trap when two of them came to deliver a ransom letter to the family. Cops nabbed them and the other accused after raiding the premises where the child was being held. The family hugging the child in Patiala on Wednesday. (Bharat Bhushan/HT Photo) The accused are aged between 16 and 21. The mastermind behind the abduction, Sandeep Singh, had worked as a construction labourer in Manjit Nagar in the past and knew the area well. The other accused are Gurpinder Singh, Parkash Singh and Rohi Ram. The accused were identified from CCTV footage recovered from the neighbouring house, said Patiala zones inspector general of police, Paramraj Singh Umranangal, while addressing the media on Wednesday. He added, The accused demanded `30 lakh from the family and warned them to not inform police. According to police, the abductors took the child to Nabha before reaching Dirba on bikes. Umranangal further said they drew a careful strategy since the safety of the child was of paramount importance. Two police teams were sent to separate areas to nab the accused. Police said the accused were involved in cases of snatching and robbery. The motorcycles and mobile phones used in the crime were stolen. Police have started an investigation and are trying to find out more about their past, said Umranangal. With the Shiromani Akali Dal likely to announce newly inducted leader Satpal Mal as the candidate from Kartarpur assembly segment, the sitting party MLA Sarwan Singh Phillaur has put his foot down and declared that he wont contest from any other seat. If I contest, I will do so only from Kartarpur. Ive only heard the media saying Mal will contest from Kartarpur. There is no such communication to me from the party, said Phillaur. Also read | Setback for Congress, another dera Ballan man to join SAD According to sources, when talks of Mal joining SAD were on, a few poll managers had offered Phillaur to shift his base to Jagraon in Ludhiana district. Even Phillaur told HT that he was asked to move to the Jagraon seat. But I refused because I dont have a base in Ludhiana district, said Phillaur. The leader, who resigned as cabinet minister in 2014 after his son Damanjit Singhs name cropped up in the Bhola drug racket, had won thrice from Phillaur assembly. However, in 2012, he was shifted to Kartarpur where he won. Phillaur had also skipped the gathering of Akali leaders at Mals house where deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and revenue minister Bikram Singh Majithia had come to induct the Congress leader into the party. Sources in the SAD said Jagraon MLA Ram Kaler was also interested in contesting from Kartarpur and was lobbying hard to get the seat. Meanwhile, for Mal, contesting from Kartarpur will be a tough task even as he claims to enjoy the full support of politically important Dera Sachkhand Ballan a Ravidassia community dera. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON British actor Hugh Laurie, best known for playing a cantankerous doctor in the TV series House, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday. Laurie, 57, was already well-known in Britain in the late 1980s for his role in the comedy series Blackadder, and A Bit of Fry and Laurie with his friend and former comedy partner Stephen Fry. Actor Hugh Laurie (R) reacts, as actor Stephen Fry speaks. (REUTERS) He crossed the Atlantic in 2004 to play Gregory House in the eight-year Fox TV series, twice winning the Golden Globe award for best actor in a TV drama. I have lost count of the number of times, the number of young people Ive met who are either studying or practising medicine because they saw House, Laurie said at the ceremony in Los Angeles. Hugh Laurie signs autographs after the event. (REUTERS) There are physicians today saving lives, delivering babies and lancing boils because their imagination was ignited by stories and ideas and possibilities that they might not otherwise have considered, he said. Laurie currently stars in Hulus thriller TV series Chance, playing a forensic neuropsychiatrist. Hugh Laurie poses on his star. (REUTERS) Fry, who met Laurie while studying at the University of Cambridge in England, poked fun at his friend during the ceremony. It is the tradition in this marvelous town to reward stars by bringing them down to earth, so far down to earth that now Hugh will spend eternity having chewing gum and dog poo trodden into him and very likely worse, Fry told the crowd. The world was at its feet and now the worlds feet are at him, he added. The Hollywood Walk of Fame said on its website that Laurie received the 2,593rd star on the renowned Hollywood Boulevard. Follow @htshowbiz for more Kevin Curran, best known for writing the popular animated sitcom The Simpsons, has died at 59. The six-time Emmy-winning writer died at his home here after a long illness, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Curran worked on The Simpsons in 1998 as a consulting producer and stayed with the show till 2015, sharing three Emmys for outstanding animated program. In addition, Curran won three consecutive Emmys from 1985-87 as part of the writing team on Late Night With David Letterman. In the 1990s, he worked on Foxs Married With Children and was also an executive producer of the WB Networks Unhappily Ever After. Currans other TV credits included the short-lived ABC comedy The Good Life. Kevin Curran was a sweet and brilliant man, who said many hilarious things, some unprintable, others which will live forever in a childrens cartoon, said The Simpsons showrunner Al Jean. .@TheSimpsons V v sad at the passing of Kevin Curran brilliantly funny and true friend https://t.co/hCoPUEV6xx Al Jean (@AlJean) October 25, 2016 Jean also tweeted the news, calling Curran a brilliantly funny and true friend. @TheSimpsons We are sad at the passing of Kevin Curran brilliantly funny and true friend, he wrote. Curran is survived by a son and a daughter that he had with his former partner, author Helen Fielding. Follow @htshowbiz for more Donald Trump and outgoing US vice president Joe Biden were engaged in a war of words after the latter obliquely said he would have bashed up the Republican presidential nominee had he been in high school. Biden had said that he would like to take Trump to the back of the gym at an election rally in Florida. The press always asks me: dont I wish I were debating him? Biden said. No, I wish I were in high school, I could take him behind the gym. Thats what I wish, he said. The real estate tycoon was quick to respond at his own rally, saying he would love that. Did you see where Biden wants to take me to the back of the barn? Me. He wants to. Id love that. Mr Tough Guy, he said in Tallahassee. If I said that, theyd say: Hes violent. How could he have done that, he said. You know, hes Mr Tough Guy. You know when hes Mr Tough Guy? When hes standing behind the microphone by himself - thats when, Trump said. Some things in life you could really love doing, he added. They are accused of illegally intruding and fishing without permission in Thai waters. Thai naval forces have captured 28 Vietnamese fishermen and seized five boats for allegedly fishing in Thailand's territorial waters, Vietnamplus reported on Tuesday, quoting Thai media. The fishermen, believed to come from Vietnams southern provinces of Ca Mau and Kien Giang, were arrested on Monday and Tuesday off the Thai provinces of Pattani and Nakhon Si Thamarat. Thai authorities are coordinating with the Vietnamese Embassy in Bangkok, but all the fishermen have been sent to Songkhla for trial. On July 8, Thai naval forces opened fire on three Vietnamese fishing boats from Ben Tre Province with 18 crew members on board, injuring two fishermen and leaving another missing. Two of the boats sank after colliding with Thai naval vessels. In September last year, Thai warships also opened fire on a Vietnamese fishing boat, killing one crew member. Related news: > Thai coast guard arrests 20 Vietnamese fishermen Many unorthodox things have taken place in the 2016 race for the White House, but Russia is perhaps the most unlikely guest at the US political dinner table. From US accusations that Moscow hacked emails of Democratic Party leaders to hurt Hillary Clinton, to her charge that opponent Donald Trump is a puppet of Russias Vladimir Putin, one might be forgiven for thinking its 1960, not 2016. The outsized spot for Russia in the campaign is unusual and, experts say, shows how difficult ties are between the former Cold War rivals, especially over Syria, Ukraine and cyber threats -- and how far apart the contenders are on how to fix them. In past elections, candidates positions on Russia were much closer, explains Timothy Frye, chair of the political science department at Columbia University in New York. In this election, Trump has taken a position directly at odds with that of Clinton and at odds with the foreign policy establishment. Mr Trumps position is extreme even by the standard hawk-dove criterion. No respect for Clinton, puppet Trump Moscows arrival on the US election scene first drew attention in late 2015, when relations were already fraught following Russias annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and the launch of its bombing campaign in Syria. At that time, Putin described the Republican Trump as a very bright, talented person. The real estate billionaire returned the compliment, praising the Russian leader as a strong leader, unlike what we have in this country. Russias involvement has grown since then, with what experts believe to be a major hacking campaign that included the leaking of more than 20,000 emails from Democratic Party leaders, as well as alleged Russian links to Trumps former campaign manager Paul Manafort. In her second debate with Trump earlier this month, Clinton lashed out at Moscow. We have never in the history of our country been in a situation where an adversary, a foreign power, is working so hard to influence the outcome of the election, she charged. Russia has flatly denied the hacking accusations, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissing them as flattering but ridiculous. Moscow was, is and will be committed to the principle of the need to fight cyberterrorism and hacking, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov added. Then during the final presidential debate last week, Trump boasted that only he could improve relations with Moscow because Putin has no respect for Clinton. Thats because he would rather have a puppet as president of the United States, the Democrat shot back during a fiery exchange. No puppet. Youre the puppet, he retorted. Using Russia to win swing votes? Such attention to Moscow in an American presidential campaign is unprecedented, said Frye. It is a direct reflection on the state of the relationship, which is at its lowest since the Cold War, he told AFP. For Frye, Clinton may have a pointed interest in pushing the subject of Russia. Hillary sees that as a winning issue, especially among voters of Eastern European descent, he said. Swing states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan all have sizeable Ukrainian, Polish and other Eastern European population for whom Russia is a particularly strong issue. Rigging the election While Russia has insisted it had no role in Democratic party email hacks, its hostility towards Clinton is in no doubt. The Kremlins massive state media machine has covered every scrap of controversy surrounding the former secretary of state -- and highlighted every Trump statement deemed favourable for Russia. Observers trace the Kremlins animosity for Clinton back to Russias parliamentary elections in December 2011, when several mass protests presented Putin with his biggest-ever challenge as Russian leader. Tens of thousands took to the streets to denounce vote fraud. Two days after the elections and before the protests began, Clinton -- then at the State Department -- called for a full investigation into the accusations, citing serious concerns about the conduct of the election. Her criticism deeply riled Putin, who accused her of meddling in Russias affairs and saying she had given opposition activists some kind of signal to act. In that context, Trumps recent warnings about the rigging of the US election are music to the ears of those who have a very cynical view of the United States -- in Russia and elsewhere, Frye said. But as a Clinton victory looks more and more likely, the Kremlin will need to find a way to work with her, according to Stephen Sestanovich of the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. The question is not whether they will be prepared to talk, but what they will talk about, he said. Unlike the situation in the past 25 years, when there would be one disagreement at a time, now its a really full plate of disagreements. c Donald Trump will win the November 8 presidential election, an American professor whose model has successfully predicted all but one White House race result for the past 100 years has predicted despite the Republican nominee trailing in most opinion polls. I think he was the strongest candidate in the primaries and that he will prevail, Helmut Norpoth, a political science professor at state university of New York Stony Brook, told The New York Post. Norpoth developed a model that, applied retroactively in earlier races, would have correctly predicted the winner of every presidential election since 1912, with the exception of 2000, when predicted winner Al Gore barely lost to George W Bush. Gore won the popular vote, but following a disputed result in Florida, Bush was awarded more votes in the Electoral College and thus won the election. The model looks at which of the candidates performed better in the primaries and caucuses and concludes that the stronger performer there will enter the White House. While the political ground has shifted dramatically since Norpoth first made his call, he is not budging on the outcome. The model predicted a Trump win in February and nothing has changed since then. Whatever happens in the real world doesnt affect the model, he said. However, the model does not take into account the changing political landscape. The Trump campaign has been severely damaged by the revelation of a tape earlier this month, where the former reality star is heard bragging about sexually assaulting women and getting away with it because he is a star. Further allegations by at least a dozen women that he sexually assaulted them -- some of whom allege that the incident happened during his marriage to current wife Melania -- have lead to many mainstream Republicans distancing themselves from him and a further drop in the polls. The RealClearPolitics average shows the Republican candidate trailing rival Democrat Hillary Clinton by 6.1 percentage points. The father of a Muslim-American army captain, has come out in support of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and will campaign for her this week, media reports said. Khizr Muazzam Khan, 66, is father of United States Army Captain Humayun Khan, who died while serving in the 2004 Iraq War. Khan will campaign for Clinton in Virginia on Wednesday, meeting with community leaders, veterans and military families at a mosque and a local restaurant during three stops in Norfolk, the Los Angeles Times reported. During the Democratic National Convention held in July, Khan blasted Trump for his divisive remarks and proposal to temporarily ban Muslims from entering the country and implored voters to vote for Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee. Trump responded by implying that Ghazala Khan, who accompanied his husband on stage on the final day of the Democratic National Convention, was forbidden to speak by his husband. Last week, featuring in an emotional 60-second campaign advertisement for Clinton, he shares the story of his sons death and asks Donald Trump: Would my son have a place in your America? Read: Life hasnt been the same for Khizr Khan since his epic speech against Trump The French aid group Doctors without Borders (MSF) said Wednesday that 25 migrants had been found dead aboard an inflatable dinghy in the southern Mediterranean. MSF said its chartered rescue ship, the Bourbon Argos, picked up 107 people aboard the boat 26 nautical miles off Libya on Tuesday. Its crew initially counted 11 corpses on the dinghys floor, which was flooded with a mixture of fuel and seawater. The Bourbon Argos was then called away to another rescue operation nearby, saving 139 people aboard another vessel. The crew returned to the first vessel and found on closer examination that in fact 25 people had died, probably from suffocation, burns or drowning. The bodies were retrieved from the toxic mixture over a period of hours, with the help of a team from the German NGO Sea-Watch. The mixture of water and fuel was so foul that we could not stay on the boat for long periods. It was horrible, MSF project leader Michele Telaro said in a statement. Afghan authorities arrested two men who were planning to attack the Indian consulate in the city of Jalalabad and seized bomb-making equipment, the National Directorate for Security said on Wednesday. The arrests come at a time of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir and after an attack on a police academy in the Pakistani city of Quetta this week in which around 60 people were killed. The consulate, in the eastern region bordering Pakistan, has been attacked before. Islamist militant group al Shabaab took control of a town in southern Somalia on Wednesday after African Union peacekeepers and government troops abandoned it, residents and the group said. Ethiopian troops in the peacekeeping force known as AMISOM, government soldiers and al Shabaab have fought many times this year over control of Tiyeeglow district. When troops secured it, al Shabaab has strived to isolate it. Al Shabaab said it took Tiyeeglow district near the Ethiopian border after the Ethiopian and Somali soldiers moved to Hudur, the Bakool regions capital. Tiyeeglow district is important because it links Bakool to Hiiran region, where al Shabaab have taken over three towns this month. Now we see hundreds of al Shabaab fighters and its banner flapping in the centre of the town. The Ethiopian and Somali troops moved out yesterday and last night, local elder Maamad Nuur told Reuters. There is much fear. Abdiasis Abu Musab, al Shabaabs military operation spokesman, confirmed the take over the town. We entered Tiyeeglow district the minute the Ethiopian troops left early this morning. We now fully control it, he said. Ethiopian and Somali government officials were not available to comment. Al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab, which once ruled much of Somalia, wants to topple the Western-backed government in Mogadishu and drive out AMISOM peacekeepers also made up of soldiers from Kenya, Djibouti, Uganda and other African nations. In a sign of their capability to strike, the group rammed a military base with a suicide truck bomb, shot dead an intelligence officer and killed 12 people in a Kenyan border town in a series of strikes over 24 hours to Tuesday. Pakistan is reeling from yet another deadly assault, after militants wearing suicide vests rampaged through a police academy in the southwestern city of Quetta, battling for four hours before blowing themselves up and leaving more than 60 dead. The ability of militants to breach security and kill with ferocity has confounded the country. Extremists have been carrying out numerous attacks for years, killing military personnel, police, school children and worshippers kneeling in prayer. One reason is the sheer number and variety of extremist groups, some of which have been battling the military in a bid to bring down the government. Another intertwined reason is the states complicated relationship with extremists. The powerful military has a history of using some militants to target neighbour and rival India, and successive governments have sought to win political support from hard-liners by promoting and cultivating extremist ideologies. Then there is also Pakistans connection with generations of militants involved in the more than 30 years of constant warfare in neighbouring Afghanistan. Where it all began When the Soviet Union Russians invaded Afghanistan in 1979, Pakistan became the staging arena for the mujahideen, or Islamic holy warriors, who fought the Russian occupation in one of the last great Cold War battles. These holy warriors were backed by the United States, and some even travelled to Washington to meet the then US President Ronald Reagan. Among those who sat with Reagan were militants who later were declared terrorists by the United States, such as Jalaluddin Haqqani, head of the Haqqani network, now one of the most ferocious militant groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Washingtons ally in the Afghan fight was Pakistans then-military dictator, General Mohammed Zia-ul Haq. Currying the support of hardliners, Zia turned his relatively liberal country into one ruled according to strict interpretations of Islamic law. Public flogging and other measures were introduced. People attend a candlelight vigil for the victims of an overnight attack on the Quetta Police Training Academy, in Lahore, Pakistan. (AP Photo) Militants and hardline religious parties were given government support, including hundreds of millions of dollars used to promote their religious agendas. Zia invited Islamic militants to fight in Afghanistan, including Osama Bin Laden. The Russians withdrew in 1989 and the proxy government it set up collapsed soon after, with Zia then able to tout holy war as a way to defeat a superpower. Militant groups Now a multitude of militant groups are flourishing, championing a variety of causes. Some have declared war on the Pakistan government and military. Examples are the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-e-Taliban, and breakaway factions like Jamaat-ul-Ahrar. They want to overthrow the government and impose their version of Islamic law across the country. Under pressure from military offensives, the Tehrik has been fragmenting, with dozens of smaller groups breaking away and also carrying out attacks, though on a smaller scale. Other groups, like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, focus on fighting Pakistans neighbour and rival India. They have no quarrel with the Pakistani army and often trace their origins to military support and are based in Punjab, Pakistans most populous province. Jaish-e-Mohammed was blamed for an attack last month on an Indian base that killed 17 troops in Kashmir. The Himalayan state of Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both and was at the centre of two of the three wars between the countries. Pakistans military denies aiding militants fighting in Kashmir. But it is widely believed that as long as the Kashmir dispute remains unresolved, anti-Indian militants will remain active and even be assisted by Pakistan. Read | Islamic State claims attack on Quetta police academy that killed 60 The toxic mix of militants does not end there. A variety of Sunni extremist groups have carried out bloody attacks on Shia civilians. The Islamic State group has also claimed a presence in Pakistan, although its strength is still undetermined. State response Despite repeated denials, Pakistans army is still often accused of being selective in which groups it cracks down on. Pakistans government has devised a National Action Plan aimed at curbing militancy but many complain its implementation has been erratic. Pakistan army troops enter in the Police Training College in Quetta, Pakistan. (AP Photo) The army has carried out successive campaigns in the tribal regions, destroying weapons, explosive caches and killing militant leaders. Thousands of soldiers have been killed in the fighting. Their targets have been those groups who have openly declared war on Pakistans military and state. By comparison, the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network are believed to operate relatively freely in Pakistans border regions to carry out operations in neighbouring Afghanistan. The Haqqani group has links to Pakistans military and intelligence dating back to the 1980s, and it has repeatedly said it has no fight with Pakistan. Read | Quetta attack shows ultimate danger of using terrorists to further State policy Also, the leadership of groups attacking India move freely in Pakistan, including a founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba group, Hafiz Saeed, who has a $10 million US-imposed bounty and is one of Indias most wanted men. The issue has been one of the points of contention in Pakistans complicated relationship with the United States. Washington gives Pakistan billions in aid and considers it an ally in the war on terror, but often complains Islamabad is not doing enough to get rid of Afghan militants, particularly the Haqqanis. Sectarian shades After Irans Islamic revolution in 1979, competition for influence revved up between majority Shia Iran and mainly Sunni Saudi Arabia and that was reflected in Pakistan. Saudi Arabia funded hardline Sunnis in Pakistan and built religious schools propagating the kingdoms strict Wahhabi sect of Islam. These schools often encourage discord with Shia Muslims. Many of Afghanistans Taliban studied at these schools while they lived in Pakistan as refugees. Saudi Arabia has also been accused of supporting Lashkar-e-Jhangvim which has attacked Shias. An injured police cadet from the Police Training Centre lies in a hospital in Quetta. (Reuters Photo) Iran, meanwhile, has sent money to Shiite Muslim groups, including the Tehrek Nifaz Fiqah-e-Jafaria, which calls for the implementation of Islamic sharia law. The founder of Scandinavias first female-led mosque is a soft-spoken imama who has riled conservatives with her views on marriage but others say her project is not progressive enough. The Mariam Mosque opened in March and held its first Friday prayer in August, when Danish-born imam Saliha Marie Fetteh spoke to around 60 women -- just over half of them Muslim -- about female scholars in Islam and womens rights. It was fantastic and very moving, said Ozlem Cekic, a Turkey-born Danish commentator and former lawmaker, who attended the sermon. I believe it will strengthen Islam. Christian and Jewish community leaders also attended the prayer. Talking about womens rights is not a Western phenomenon, its an Islamic ideal, Sherin Khankan -- one of the five female imams-in-training -- told AFP in a sparsely furnished room where the weekly prayers are held. Arabic calligraphy and Islamic literature adorn its white walls, but the sounds of a bustling Copenhagen street permeate into the apartment. "Talking about women's rights is not a Western phenomenon, it's an Islamic ideal," Sherin Khankan -- one of the five female imams-in-training -- told AFP in a sparsely furnished room adored with Arabic calligraphy and Islamic literature where the weekly prayers are held. (AFP photo) An anonymous donor is paying the lease of the mosque, located in a building in an area that is one of the most expensive in Copenhagen. The 42-year-old mother of four was born in Denmark. She describes her father, a Syrian political refugee who married a Finnish woman, as a feminist icon. Her Christian mother would fast during Ramadan with the rest of the family, while Muslim family members would join her in church on special occasions. Inter-faith dialogue has always been vital to Khankan who earlier this year publicly met with French female rabbi Delphine Horvilleur in Copenhagen. In 2001 she founded Critical Muslims, a group promoting a democratic and pluralistic approach to Islam. One month later, the 9/11 attacks in New York had a dramatic impact on how Muslims were viewed around the world, and she found herself spending more time defending Islam. The role of Islam in Denmark came under renewed focus last year after a Danish-Palestinian gunman killed a filmmaker and a Jewish security guard in twin attacks in Copenhagen. - Changing power balance - Not everyone is a fan. Khankan said she had received threats from right-wing extremists on social media. Public reaction from conservative Muslims has been muted, possibly because of the fear of wading into Denmarks high-pitched debate on Muslim immigration, which has often dominated political debate over the past 15 years. When you are changing structures in religious institutions, you are changing the power balance. You are challenging mens monopoly, Khankan said. Sherin Khankan of Denmarka, the female-led mosque posing for a photo in Copenhagen, Denmark. (AFP Photo) Of course you will meet resistance, thats obvious and we were aware of that. But I think the opposition we have met has been quite moderate, she added. Representatives from some of Copenhagens major mosques did not respond to requests for comment. After the opening of the Mariam Mosque, Waseem Hussein, an imam from one of the citys biggest mosques, suggested there was no need for it. Should we also make a mosque only for men? Then there would certainly be an outcry among the Danish population, he told the Politiken daily. According to the Koran, men and women are equal spiritual partners, said Khankan, wearing a long, white skirt and a long-sleeved top but no veil, which she said she only wears while praying. We are re-reading the Koran according to our times and our society, she added. The mosque is inspired by Sufism, a mystic form of Islam, and mostly caters to Sunni Muslims, although everyone is welcome. Female imams have existed in China since the 19th century, and are currently active in a handful of countries including Germany, Belgium, Canada and the United States, where The Womens Mosque of America opened in Los Angeles last year. Denmark is home to around 284,000 Muslims, according to an estimate by Brian Arly Jacobsen, an associate professor at the University of Copenhagen specialising in religion. - Islamic feminism - Islamic feminism is at the heart of the Copenhagen project, and a concrete example of that was the mosques marriage contract, Khankan said. The marriage agreement states that women have the right to divorce, polygamy is prohibited, men and women have equal rights to their children in case of a divorce, and that the marriage is annulled in the event of mental or physical violence. Five couples have been married at the mosque, of which two were inter-faith unions. Another three ceremonies are in the pipeline. Khankan admits that she had to compromise on some of her initial plans to avoid burning bridges with the rest of the Muslim community. Both men and women are allowed to take part in the mosques activities, but Friday prayers have been reserved for women, as having a mixed audience would have been more controversial. Burning bridges would only create chaos, she said. Syria-born Danish lawmaker Naser Khader told Danish media that in a country like Denmark, with its high level of gender equality, barring women from preaching to a mixed crowd was simply not good enough. But Khankan said the mosque will appeal to a new generation of young Muslims who feel homeless and who do not feel at home in the existing traditional mosque communities. A group of Ukrainian hackers has released thousands of emails from an account used by a senior Kremlin official that appear to show close financial and political ties between Moscow and separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine. The cache published by Ukrainian group CyberHunta reveals contacts between President Vladimir Putins adviser Vladislav Surkov and the pro-Russia rebels fighting Ukrainian forces. The Ukrainian secret services said Wednesday the emails were real, although they added the files may have been tampered with. Putins spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the published emails as a sham, saying Wednesday that Surkov doesnt use email. Russian journalist Svetlana Babaeva told The Associated Press emails from her in the cache were genuine. Earlier this month, Surkov accompanied Putin to Berlin for talks with European leaders on the Ukrainian crisis. Read | Talks move ahead on Ukraine, Russia criticised for Syria war crimes Fires cut through a swathe of the Calais Jungle on Wednesday, sending migrants fleeing as French authorities prepared to ramp up demolition of the notorious camp. The blazes spread just hours after workers protected by police moved in Tuesday to clear the squalid camp that has been home to an estimated 6,000-8,000 migrants, many with hopes of reaching Britain. Our tents were burning. Someone set fire to them, though I dont know who, said Siddiq, a 16-year-old boy, who was forced by the flames to sleep under a bridge at the camps entrance. I have seen many fires before but not like this. A Syrian man was taken to hospital with injuries to his ear drums after a gas canister exploded in the flames, which ravaged one of the main thoroughfares in the camp. Migrants who claim to be minors wait for their registration and their evacuation on the third day of the dismantlement of the camp. (REUTERS) A local official downplayed the blazes, telling AFP: Its a tradition among communities who set fire to their homes before leaving. On Tuesday workers in hard hats and orange overalls used power saws to reduce shacks to piles of wood and plastic that were removed by diggers. Mattresses, blankets, clothes, pots and suitcases left behind by migrants were also carted away. Located next to the port of Calais, the Jungle has for years been a launchpad for migrants attempting to make it to Britain by sneaking onto lorries or jumping onto trains heading across the Channel. As part of the camps clearance, 3,242 adults have been transferred to centres around France since Monday and 772 unaccompanied minors have been moved to shipping containers converted into temporary shelters in the Jungle, the interior ministry said. A migrant walks past a shack set on fire during the demolition of the " camp. (AFP) The numbers represent around half the camps estimated population before the operation began, according to official figures. The authorities have said those who agree to be moved can seek asylum in France. Those who refuse risk deportation. Vietnam ministry asks for more time to revise bill on associations Le Vinh Tan, Minister of Home Affairs, at a meeting with the National Assembly on Tuesday. Photo by VnExpress Legislators discussed the bill on Tuesday and suggested a number of changes. The Ministry of Home Affairs has requested more time to redraft a bill on associations, which has been put in front of legislators for discussion multiple times over the past decade. Reviewing the latest version on Tuesday, many members of the National Assembly continued to call for many parts of the bill to be changed or improved. The Minister of Home Affairs, Le Vinh Tan, then asked for more time to review all the new suggestions and revise the draft. The first draft of the bill was completed 10 years ago, but after many debates year after year, lawmakers still feel it's not ready. The latest version includes rules about running associations in Vietnam and the local governments management of such associations, including foreign non-government organizations and not religious groups. Many legislators at the meeting said the law should create a better working environment and guarantee peoples freedom. Deputy Duong Trung Quoc from the southern province of Dong Nai said the law should focus on the right to form associations rather than on security for the society, which is guranteed by other laws. The United Nations last Friday issued a note recommending that the law should minimize restrictions to the right to freedom of association because that freedom is international norm. The note said the Law on Associations will be a fundamental legislation to guarantee the right to freedom of association stated in Vietnams Constitution, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international human right treaties ratified by Vietnam. It recommended that the law give everyone the right to form, join or lead an association without any discrimination of age, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, political or other opinion, property, gender, health conditions, birth or other status. Any association should have the right to access funding and resources to help secure their autonomy, the U.N. said. Related news: > Vietnam to scrap controversial online business rule > Vietnam opens first regular media briefings on human rights > Public associations and unions cost Vietnam $630 million in 2016 Gambia has announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, accusing the Hague-based tribunal of the persecution and humiliation of people of colour, especially Africans. The announcement late Tuesday comes after similar decisions this month by South Africa and Burundi to abandon the troubled institution, set up to try the worlds worst crimes. Information minister Sheriff Bojang said in an announcement on state television that the court had been used for the persecution of Africans and especially their leaders while ignoring crimes committed by the West. He singled out the case of former British prime minister Tony Blair, who the ICC decided not to indict over the Iraq war. There are many Western countries, at least 30, that have committed heinous war crimes against independent sovereign states and their citizens since the creation of the ICC and not a single Western war criminal has been indicted. The withdrawal, he said, is warranted by the fact that the ICC, despite being called International Criminal Court, is in fact an International Caucasian Court for the persecution and humiliation of people of colour, especially Africans. The ICC, set up in 2002, is often accused of bias against Africa and has also struggled with a lack of cooperation, including from the United States, which has signed the courts treaty but never ratified it. Gambia has been trying without success to use the court to punish the European Union for deaths of thousands of African migrants trying to reach its shores. The decision will also come as a personal blow to the courts chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, a former Gambian justice minister. Chaos is coming The court at the weekend asked South Africa and Burundi to reconsider their decisions to leave, which came as a major blow to the institution. I urge them to work together with other states in the fight against impunity, which often causes massive violations of human rights, Sidiki Kaba, president of the assembly of state parties to the ICC founding treaty, said in a statement. South Africas decision followed a dispute last year when Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir visited the country despite being the subject of an ICC arrest warrant over alleged war crimes. South African justice minister Michael Masutha gives a press briefing in Pretoria regarding South Africa's decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC). (AFP Photo) Earlier this month, Burundi said it would leave the court, while Namibia and Kenya have also raised the possibility. Kaba said he was concerned that South Africa and Burundis decisions would pave the way for other African states to leave the court. The tribunal is tasked with prosecuting the most serious crimes that shock the conscience of humanity, namely genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes of aggression. The courts former prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo criticised Burundi and South Africa, accusing them of giving leaders on the continent a free hand to commit genocide. Burundi is leaving the ICC to keep committing crimes against humanity and possible genocide in its territory. Burundis president wants free hands to attack civilians. He added that former South African president Nelson Mandela had promoted the establishment of the court to avoid new massive crimes in Africa. Now under the Zuma leadership South Africa decided to cover up the crimes and abandoned African victims. The world is going backward. The chaos is coming. Genocide in Burundi and a new African war are in motion, he said. South African police on Wednesday fired stun grenades to disperse student protesters outside parliament as the finance minister delivered a speech warning of the countrys weakening economy. Pravin Gordhan cut the 2016 growth forecast sharply from 0.9 percent to 0.5 percent as South Africa struggles with political uncertainty, violent university protests and high unemployment. Students and police have clashed regularly on campuses nationwide in recent weeks during protests against rising tuition fees, and Gordhan used his mid-term budget speech to pledge more money for universities. Students run toward South African Police during a protest outside parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. (AP) South African Police fire rubber bullets during a protest outside parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. (AP) But he also delivered grim news over the economy, with South Africa facing the prospect of a damaging ratings downgrade to junk status later this year. Our economic growth will be just 0.5 per cent this year, rising to 1.7 percent in 2017, Gordhan told parliament in Cape Town. It is not just that our economic outlook is distressed, and there is the possibility of downgrades in credit ratings. Much more disturbing, and more difficult, is the rise in our own communities of anger and discontent, spilling over into violence and destructive protests. Gordhan is at the centre of a political power struggle after vowing to cut down on corruption and excessive spending, leading him to clash with loyalists of President Jacob Zuma. Next week Gordhan, who enjoys wide-ranging popular support in South Africa, is due to appear in court on corruption charges that he has said are a politically-motivated attempt to oust him. As riot police fought with about 2,000 protesters outside the national assembly building, Gordhan announced an extra 17 billion rand ($1.2 billion) of funding for university students. A student protestor, right, is hit by a rock thrown by a fellow protestor in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. (AP) South African Policemen spray water with their water cannon, left rear, at burning rubbish that student protestors set alight in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. (AP) Students run after South African Police fired a stun grenade during a protest outside parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. (AP) Violent demonstrations by students in Johannesburg, Cape Town and elsewhere have forced many universities to close temporarily. Many students face financial hardships that undermine their ability to succeed academically, Gordhan said. We will do everything that is possible to regain normality on our campuses. We want the violence to stop. Ahead of his court appearance, Gordhans cause has also attracted backing from Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, some ministers and scores of business leaders. Zuma said Tuesday that he had not acted to stop the prosecution because interfering would drive the country closer to a banana republic. Pakistan on Wednesday conveyed to the US that Indias Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and Afghanistans National Directorate of Security (NDS) are patronising terrorist groups to attack soft targets in the country. National Security Adviser Lt Gen Nasser Khan Janjua (retd) conveyed this message to US ambassador David Hale in a meeting on Wednesday, said a statement released by the NSAs office. The meeting was held to discuss the terrorist attack on the Police Training College in Quetta, counter-terrorism operations and cross-border attacks, Dawn reported. Janjua also emphasised on the need to break the nexus between terrorist groups which he alleged were operating under the supervision of NDS and RAW. Pakistan has asked for US assistance to tackle the situation. The NSA informed the ambassador that the terrorists who attacked the police training college were constantly in contact with their leadership and handlers in Afghanistan. The US envoy was also briefed by the NSA on Pakistans efforts to improve the current security situation in the country through implementation of the National Action Plan. Hale condemned the attack in Quetta and offered his regrets. He also offered American support in countering terrorism in the country. Heavily-armed militants wearing suicide vests stormed a police academy in Quetta, killing at least 61 people and wounding at least 117 others on Monday night, in the deadliest attack on a security installation in the countrys history. Iraqi special forces have moved more than 1,000 people out of villages near the front lines of the battle to retake the Islamic State-held city of Mosul and surrounding areas, where the U.N. says militants have committed a number of abuses in recent days, officials said Wednesday. Special forces Maj. Gen. Haider Fadhil said residents of Tob Zawa and other villages were taken to a camp in the nearby Khazer region for their safety. The International Organization for Migration says around 9,000 people have been displaced since the operation to retake Mosul began on Oct. 17. The special forces were undertaking cleanup operations in areas retaken from the militants to the east of the city, where troops uncovered a vast tunnel network used by IS to shuttle fighters and supplies by motorcycle, Maj. Salam al-Obeidi said. To the south of Mosul, another Iraqi commander said IS has been withdrawing from the town of Shura toward the city, taking civilians with them to use as human shields and leaving behind explosive booby-traps to slow the troops advance. Newly internally displaced boys carry mattresses upon their arrival at Al Khazar camp near Hassan Sham, east of Mosul, Iraq October 26, 2016. (REUTERS) These small villages are secondary to them, Mosul is much more important, said Brig. Gen. Alaa Mehsin, of the Iraqi armys 15th Division. They dont want to waste their energy. He said a small number of fighters and civilians were still inside the town. Iraqi forces have been pushing toward Mosul from several directions since the launch of the wide-scale offensive, which involves more than 25,000 Iraqi soldiers, Kurdish forces, Sunni tribal fighters and state-sanctioned Shiite militiamen. It is expected to take week, if not months, to drive IS from its last urban bastion in the country. The militants have had months to prepare for the long-awaited operation and are believed to have developed extensive defenses in and around the city. Newly displaced Iraqi's who fled from the city of Mosul, Iraq's last major Islamic State (IS) group stronghold, are reunited with their relatives who came two years ago to the refugee camp in the Khazer area, near near the Kurdish checkpoint of Aksi Kalak, some 40 kilometres east of Arbil following their arrival on October 26, 2016. (AFP) Theyve really dug in, literally, and started putting up the berms, the trenches, the tunneling systems, said a U.S. military official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the subject with reporters. And theyre quite extensive tunneling systems, some of them stretching upward of two kilometers (over a mile). He said Iraqi forces have found homes near Mosul where the lights are wired with explosives that detonate if you flip the switch. Inside Mosul, the IS group has set up large concrete barriers known as T-walls, blocking off several streets. The Islamic State group is also believed to have grown increasingly brutal as it seeks to eliminate any potential threats from among the local population, killing alleged spies as well as former members of the Iraqi security forces. Federal police forces members take a selfie in Qayyara, south of Mosul October 26, 2016. (REUTERS) The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights said Tuesday that IS appears to have carried out a number of abuses in recent days in and around Mosul, including killing 50 former Iraqi police officers they had been holding in a building near the city. Spokesman Rupert Colville said Iraqi forces found the bodies of 70 civilians who had been shot dead in the Tuloul Nasser village, some 35 kilometers (20 kilometers) south of Mosul. He said it was not immediately clear who was responsible for the killings, and cautioned that it was hard to immediately verify the reports. He told reporters in Geneva that the U.N. rights body also had reports that the militants gunned down 15 villagers south of the city and threw their bodies in a river. In the same village, IS tied six people to vehicles by their hands and dragged them around because they were related to a tribal leader battling the extremists, he said. A woman talks to an Iraqi army soldier at a checkpoint in Qayara, some 50 kilometers south of Mosul, Iraq, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. (AP) We very much fear that these will not be the last such reports we receive of such barbaric acts, Colville said. The U.N. and rights groups have expressed fears that IS may use civilians as human shields as Iraqi forces converge on the countrys second largest city, which is still home to more than a million people. Colville said IS fighters shot dead three women and three girls because they were lagging behind as the militants were forcibly relocating them to another district south of Mosul. He said they were lagging behind because one of the girls had a disability. Colville also expressed concern over the severe measures taken by local Iraqi Kurdish authorities in Kirkuk following a massive IS assault on the northern city last week. He said they had ordered all internally displaced people living outside established refugee camps to vacate their residences and move into the camps, some of which are already full. We understand that hundreds of families have now been evicted by Kurdish Security Forces, and are worried that if the evictions continue, it could significantly complicate the already alarming situation of mass displacement in the region, he said. Militants linked to the Islamic State group killed around 30 civilians, including children, in the central Afghan province of Ghor, the local government said today. The incident occurred late yesterday north of the provincial capital Firoz Koh, with the government calling it a revenge attack after a local IS commander was killed. Our security forces with the help of locals conducted an operation and killed a Daesh (IS) commander yesterday. Daesh fighters in return abducted around 30 villagers, mostly shepherds, Ghor Governor Nasir Khazeh told AFP. Their dead bodies were found by local people this morning. There has so far been no official claim of responsibility from the group. The killings underscore unravelling security in Afghanistan as the resurgent Taliban continue a push into urban centres 15 years after they were toppled from power by the US invasion. IS fighters are also making steady inroads into Afghanistan, winning over sympathisers, recruiting followers and challenging the Taliban on their own turf, primarily in the countrys east. In March Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced that the Islamists had been defeated after local security forces claimed victory in a months-long operation against the group. But IS militant have continued to launch deadly strikes in the country. In July, IS jihadists claimed responsibility for twin explosions that ripped through crowds of Shiite Hazaras in Kabul, killing at least 80 people in the deadliest single attack in the Afghan capital since 2001. Days before leaving for New Delhi, Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday reiterated Britains position that the Jammu and Kashmir issue was a matter for India and Pakistan, and refrained from committing to raise it during her India visit. May is scheduled to visit New Delhi and Bengaluru from November 6 to 8, when she and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the first Indo-UK Tech Summit in New Delhi. It will be her first bilateral visit outside the European Union since taking over as prime minister. Answering a question in the House of Commons from Pakistan-origin Labour MP Yasmin Qureshi on recent events in Jammu and Kashmir, May said she would continue Britains policy of not intervening in the dispute. I take the same view as this government has since it came to power and has indeed taken previously and that is that the issue of Kashmir is a matter for India and Pakistan to deal with and sort out, May said when asked by Qureshi to discuss the Jammu and Kashmir situation with other MPs and raise the matter with Modi during the India visit. But the foreign secretary has heard her (Qureshis) representation and I am sure will be interested in taking up those issues with her, she added. Foreign secretary Boris Johnson and home secretary Amber Rudd, sitting next to May during Prime Ministers Question Time, nodded in agreement. Qureshis constituency of Boston South East in Greater Manchester includes a sizeable population of people of Pakistan origin. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The law commission has widened its consultation on the uniform civil code, asking all national and state political parties to share their views on the contentious issue. Should the practice of triple talaq be abolished and whether a uniform civil code should be optional, the law commission questionnaire had on October 7 asked the people seeking their response on these sensitive issues, broached perhaps for the first time. The panel now plans to invite representatives of political parties for interaction on the subject and has sought their responses to a questionnaire on the subject by November 21. The election commission has recognised seven parties at the national level and 49 at the state level. The seven national parties are BJP, Congress, BSP, NCP, CPI, CPI(M) and Trinamool Congress. The commission, after several rounds of deliberations, has formulated a questionnaire to understand what does the general public feel about the uniform civil code. Since political parties are the backbone of any successful democracy, their opinion, not only with regard to the questionnaire, but also any other input pertaining to this aspect, is very important, law panel chairperson justice (Retd) B S Chauhan has written to heads of all political parties. In an effort to have maximum consultation on the issue, he has asked them to communicate their views on the subject. The commission has said that it would also invite representatives of political parties at a later date to interact with them on the controversial subject. Your cooperation would go a long way in assisting the commission to bring out an impeccable report on the uniform civil code, he said. A few days ago, Chauhan had urged chief ministers to use their influence to encourage minority groups, political parties and even government departments to respond to its questionnaire. In a letter to all chief ministers, Chauhan had asked them to encourage various stakeholders in their states such as minority groups, political parties, NGOs, civil society initiatives and even government departments and agencies to share their views and interact with the panel. In an appeal issued along with the consultation paper, the commission had said the objective behind the endeavour is to address discrimination against vulnerable groups and harmonise the various cultural practices. It has assured the people that the norms of no one class, group or community will dominate the tone and tenor of family law reforms. Pakistani authorities on Wednesday arrested the famous green-eyed Afghan girl immortalised on the cover of National Geographic magazine in 1985 for living in the country with fraudulent identity papers. Sharbat Gula was arrested with two men, said to be her sons, and it is believed the trio will be deported. An official of Pakistans National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) also said she could face seven to 14 years in jail and a fine of up to $5,000 if convicted by court of fraud. She was taken into custody by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from her home in Nothia area of Peshawar for possessing an illegal Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC), FIA officials said. The FIA is conducting a drive against Afghan nationals illegally living in Pakistan. Officials began investigating Sharbat Gula last year after she was found living in the country with a fraudulent identity card. In February last year, news emerged that Sharbat Gula and two men, said to be her sons, had been issued computerised identity cards. The FIA is also looking for three NADRA officials who issued the cards. Sharbat Gula, now in her forties, appealed to the NADRA chief to form an inquiry committee to expose persons involved in the matter as authorities in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province had failed to act. The committee confirmed the identity cards were fake. In 1984, National Geographic photographer Steve McCurry took the haunting image of Sharbat Gula, then aged about 12, at Nasir Bagh refugee camp on the edge of Peshawar. The photo, which became the most famous cover image in the magazines history, was likened to Leonardo Da Vincis Mona Lisa. After a 17-year search, McCurry tracked Sharbat Gula in 2002 to a remote Afghan village, where she was married to a baker and the mother of three daughters. National Geographic also made a documentary about her life that dubbed her the Mona Lisa of the Afghan war. Some three million Afghan refugees live in Pakistan, especially in the northwestern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province and the semi-autonomous tribal areas. Many Afghans fled their country after the Soviet invasion in 1979 and some obtained identity papers in a bid to stay on in Pakistan. (With inputs from agencies) A New Zealand man, who was invited to submit a paper on nuclear physics despite having no knowledge of the subject succeeded -- using his iPhones autocomplete function! Christoph Bartneck wrote on his blog, Today I received an invitation from the International Conference on Atomic and Nuclear Physics to submit a paper. Since I have practically no knowledge of Nuclear Physics I resorted to iOS auto-complete function to help me writing the paper. I started a sentence with Atomic or Nuclear and then randomly hit the auto-complete suggestions. The text really does not make any sense. I know that iOS is a pretty good software, but reaching tenure has never been this close. A sample from the research paper read, The atoms of a better universe will have the right for the same as you are the way we shall have to be a great place for a great time to enjoy the day you are a wonderful person to your great time to take the fun and take a great time and enjoy the great day you will be a wonderful time for your parents and kids. Bartneck titled his paper Atomic Energy will have been made available to a single source and furnished it with references and an image picked up from Wikipedia. He even crafted a fake identity for the submission: Iris Pear, playing around with the words Siri Apple. His paper was accepted three short hours later. However, Bartneck told The Guardian that hed have to pay US$ 1099 to go to the conference to speak about his research. I did not complete this step since my university would certainly object to me wasting money this way. My impression is that this is not a particularly good conference, he said. The International Conference on Atomic and Nuclear Physics will be held on November 17 and 18 in Atlanta, Georgia in the US. Pakistan on Wednesday summoned the Indian deputy high commissioner for the second consecutive day to protest against what it described as ceasefire violations along the international border and the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir. The Indian diplomat was summoned by the director general (South Asia) in the foreign ministry and a strong protest was lodged against the unprovoked ceasefire violations on 25-26 October by Indian forces, according to a statement from the Foreign Office. The Foreign Office said the ceasefire violations in Chapar and Harpal sectors of the international border and at Bhimber sector of the LoC had killed two civilians and injured nine more. It was conveyed to the Indian side that it should investigate the incident and share the findings with Pakistan, instruct its troops to respect the ceasefire, in letter and spirit, refrain from intentionally targeting the villages and maintain peace on the international border and LoC, the statement said. The Foreign Office had summoned the Indian deputy high commissioner on Tuesday to protest against ceasefire violations along the international border that Pakistan said had killed two civilians. The two countries have been engaged in a war of words since tensions spiked over the unrest in Kashmir triggered by the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani. India, which has accused Pakistan of sponsoring cross-border terrorism, carried out surgical strikes on terrorist launch pads along the LoC last month. A hut of a family affected by the severe flooding in Quang Binh Province in mid-October. Photo by VnExpress/Hoang Tao Households affected by flooding have been forced to hand over donations they had received to have them divided equally among all villagers. Government officials in the central province of Quang Binh have stirred up public anger by taking back money that poor locals have received from philanthropists in the wake of recent floods. A 78-year-old woman who lives alone in a small hut received VND2 million ($90) from a charity group in the province on Saturday. Her house in Tan Dong Village in Quang Hai Commune is still isolated a week after torrential rains triggered by a tropical depression brought water levels up to the roofs of thousands of houses in the province. She was among those affected the most due to close proximity to the raging Gianh River. The philanthropists visited her home based on a list provided by the local government. But a village official also visited her that night and asked her to hand the money over. The official said that the whole village was flooded and everyone had lost something, so anyone who received help should share it, she said. A family of five in the commune also had to give back a VND1 million donation. The donors gave us that money after seeing that all our clothes were gone and all our rice was damaged by the floods, the mother said. The collected money has been split into VND60,000 per person, so her family now has only VND300,000 ($13). In Trung Thon Village in the same commune, 40 families listed to receive donations of VND500,000 ($22) each from Ho Chi Minh City were later asked to give back VND400,000. Some families said they refused but they were told that they would be blacklisted for future donations. Le Van Luan, deputy head of the village, said he just wanted to share the money with other families who were experiencing difficulties in the area. Cao Xuan Ngoc, chairman of Quang Hai Commune, said he is looking into the situation and will order the village officials to give back the money. Donations granted to any family should be kept by that family, Ngoc said. Nguyen Tran Quang, a spokesman for Quang Binh Province, said the authorities will make sure the problem does not happen again. Quang also guaranteed that the officials were merely sharing the money out between people in the area and had not pocketed any of it. A low tropical pressure system made landfall in Quang Binh on October 13, bringing torrential rains of up to 700mm in what was described by many as one the worst disasters to ever hit the province, which is among the poorest in Vietnam. The floods submerged 27,000 houses in the province and killed at least 22 people. Neighboring Ha Tinh Province also reported nine deaths and 5,000 flooded houses. Related news: > Deadly floods blamed on hydropower power plants in central Vietnam > Floods claim 35 souls in central Vietnam > Over 1 million Vietnamese live in hunger Dozens of students at a middle school in a Salt Lake City suburb witnessed a shooting in which a 16-year-old boy was critically wounded by another teenager during an argument, police said. The shooting outside Union Middle School in Sandy occurred just as students were leaving school for the day about 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sandy police Sgt. Dean Carriger said. Police arrested a 14-year-old who they believe was the shooter, Carriger said. The victim was taken by ambulance to a hospital and is in critical condition, Carriger said. He was in surgery Tuesday evening. Nobody else was hurt. Hillcrest High School student Jasen Trotter told the Deseret News that he saw the fight between the two boys from about 15 feet away. The teens appear to have planned their encounter beforehand and met shortly after the school day ended, Trotter told the newspaper . Trotter said one of the boys unexpectedly pulled out a gun, shot the victim and then shot him again while he was on the ground. It just happened so fast, Trotter said. He said that the alleged shooter, who Trotter noted was one of his friends, fell to the ground crying after the shots were fired. Detectives were interviewing students to determine what led to the argument and why the suspect shot the other. The school, about 15 miles south of Salt Lake City, was briefly put on lockdown. The suspected shooter is a student at the middle school. The victim is not, Carriger said. Donald Trumps daughter-in-law celebrated Diwali at a Hindu temple on Tuesday in the key swing state of Virginia as part of the Republican presidential nominees efforts to woo the Indian-American community. Lara Trump, wife of Eric Trump, the second son of Trump, 70, said the relationship between India and the US is destined for a new height if her father-in-law is elected the next president of the US after the November 8 general elections. Lara said Donald Trump has great love and affection for India and its people. As a mark of respect to the Indian culture, she removed her shoes before entering the Rajdhani temple in Virginia. I really like Hindu culture and I respect It, she said. Welcoming the Trump family member to the premises of the temple, Indian-American community activist Rajesh Gooty said her presence has brought in Diwali early in the Fairfax and Loudoun county of the state. It has energised the local Indian-American Community immensely. We will continue to assist and participate with renewed energy in participating with Interfaith, Diversity events, said Gooty, who was instrumental in inviting Lara to the Hindu Temple to celebrate Diwali. Initially, Trumps daughter Ivanka Trump was scheduled to come to the temple but the Trump campaign asked her to go to a different place given the fast-changing dynamics of the polls. Inaugurated in 2000, the temple is the oldest one in Loudon county which has experienced the fastest growth of Indian-American community in the last one decade. This is for the first time that a family member of one of the two top presidential candidates are visiting a Hindu temple. The United States on Wednesday abstained for the first time in 25 years from a vote at the United Nations calling for an end to the US embargo against Cuba. The UN General Assembly adopted the annual resolution by an overwhelming vote of 191 votes in favor -- with only the United States and Israel abstaining in the 193-nation forum. Washingtons abstention was in line with calls from President Barack Obama for the opposition-controlled Congress to lift the decades-old embargo as part of a historic normalization of relations. The United States has always voted against this resolution. Today the United States will abstain, US ambassador Samantha Power told the assembly, drawing loud applause. After 55-plus years of pursuing the path of isolation, we are choosing to take the path of engagement. The United States restored diplomatic ties with Cuba in July 2015 and a month later re-opened its embassy in Havana. Obama made a landmark visit to the communist-ruled island in March. But restoring full trade and financial ties with Cuba would require legislative action by Congress, where the Republican majority has said human rights concerns must first be addressed. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez welcomed the US shift as positive, but said that Washington must take concrete steps that go beyond the vote of one delegation in this forum. The blockade continues to be a massive, flagrant and systematic violation of the human rights of all Cuban men and women and qualifies as an act of genocide, Rodriguez said. Economic damage suffered by Cuba from the US embargo between April 2015 and March 2016 -- coinciding with the time of Obamas first meeting with President Raul Castro to his historic Havana visit -- is estimated at more than $4.68 billion, Rodriguez said. Over the past six decades, the damage from this genocidal policy amounts to $753.688 billion, he added. Cuba still suffering Embargo restrictions have prevented the sale of US medical equipment to treat Cubans suffering from Parkinsons disease and blocked a deal by a Cuban pharmaceutical company that would have allowed it to produce drugs locally, said the foreign minister. There isnt any Cuban family or sector in our country that has not suffered from its effects, he said. This years resolution takes note of steps taken by the Democratic Obama administration to ease the embargo, describing them as positive but still limited in scope. The measure calls on all UN member states to refrain from applying the embargo and to reaffirm the freedom of trade and navigation. Last year, the United States and Israel were the only two countries that voted against the non-binding resolution, but 191 voted in favor -- the highest level of support yet for the measure at the United Nations. Power recalled that the US policy aimed at isolating Cuba was not working and had instead isolated the United States. Abstaining on this resolution does not mean that the United States agrees with all of the policies and practices of the Cuban government. We do not, said Power. After praising Cuba for sending hundreds of doctors to West Africa to fight the Ebola virus outbreak, Power said the United States and Cuba must continue to find ways to engage, despite differences. Today, we have taken another small step to be able to do that. May there be many more -- including, we hope, finally ending the US embargo, she said. The assembly has voted each year since 1992 to approve the resolution criticizing the embargo that was imposed in 1960, at the height of the Cold War. The United States broke off diplomatic relations with Cuba in 1961 after Fidel Castro rose to power and aligned himself with the then-Soviet Union. Armed with sledgehammers, French workers on Tuesday began demolishing the Jungle camp outside the port town of Calais, which has been home to thousands of migrants, many of them seeking entry to Britain. Police equipped with water canon stood guard as hundreds of migrants -- some of whom have lived in the scrubland on the northern French coast for months or years -- waited for buses to take them for resettlement across France. WHY ARE MIGRANTS IN CALAIS? The Calais camp, also known as the Jungle, was home to about 6,500 migrants, though aid workers say the number is closer to 10,000. Most of the migrants are fleeing poverty and war in countries such as Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Syria, Sudan and Eritrea and want to reach Britain, which is connected to France by a rail tunnel and visible from Calais on a clear day. Many wish to reunite with relatives already in Britain, with job opportunities and the more familiar English language also big draws. No one knows for sure how many have made the perilous crossing from France to Britain, sometimes stowed away in the back of lorries or clinging to the undersides of trains. Britain, however, bars most of them on the basis of European Union rules requiring them to seek asylum in the first member states they set foot in. The camp has become a symbol of Europes failure to respond to the migration crisis as member states squabble over who should take the migrants in. In pics: Migrants stream out of Calais Jungle before demolition WHY ARE AUTHORITIES DEMOLISHING THE JUNGLE CAMP? President Francois Hollande said last month that France would completely shut down the Jungle by the end of the year. Ahead of a presidential election next April, Hollande has faced mounting public pressure to dismantle the camp and relocate its inhabitants. Conservative opponents have accused the Socialist president of mismanaging a problem they say is ultimately a British one. Some right-wing opponents of Hollande want all the migrants sent to Britain. The far-right National Front party said the current resettlement plan would create mini-Calais camps across France. The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) has said it welcomed plans to demolish the Calais migrant camp, criticising appalling living conditions, poor security and a lack of basic services. WHERE ARE THE MIGRANTS GOING? The plan is to relocate migrants in small groups to 450 centres across France, largely removing the option of forging a new life in Britain. Yet Hollandes plans are meeting stiff resistance in some towns. Earlier this month, shots were fired at two planned migrant centres, one in the western seaside resort town of Saint Brevin and the other in Saint-Hilaire-du-Rosier in southeastern France, a conservative stronghold. Such resistance highlights the balancing act the government faces upholding humanitarian obligations and pleasing voters as Europe searches for a coherent response to the migration crisis. Read: Its over: Calais jungle camp migrants to give up their British dream WHAT ABOUT CHILD MIGRANTS WITH FAMILY IN BRITAIN? London and Paris have been at odds over the fate of about 1,300 unaccompanied child migrants living in the Jungle. The Red Cross estimates that 178 have been identified as having family ties to Britain, but it has said some of these children have been held back by bureaucracy. The British interior ministry has said 80 children had been accepted for transfer from France so far this year under EU family reunification rules known as the Dublin regulation. Last week, the first busload of 14 children arrived from Calais to be reunited with relatives already living in Britain. On Monday, British Interior Minister Amber Rudd said British officials have interviewed 800 children who claim to have family in the UK. WHAT ABOUT LONE CHILDREN WITHOUT FAMILY IN BRITAIN? Britain has sent out a team to work with the French authorities to identify children who can be brought to Britain under the terms of a change to British immigration law known as the Dubs amendment. It states that Britain will take in vulnerable unaccompanied child refugees who arrived in the EU before March 20, even if they do not have relatives in Britain. March 20 was date of an EU-Turkey deal aimed at limiting the flow of migrants into the bloc, which reached crisis levels in 2015. The Dubs amendment is named after the politician who proposed it, Alf Dubs, who came to Britain as a Jewish child refugee fleeing Nazi persecution. Britains Rudd on Monday said her officials have worked with with French authorities to transfer almost 200 lone children, including 60 girls at risk of sexual exploitation. The LeMat was a self-contained arsenal of devastation. With a revolving cylinder that held a daunting nine rounds and a secondary barrel that contained a load of buckshot or a lead ball, the revolver had few peers; however, the traits that made it so deadly would also prove to be significant shortcomings. Not only was the LeMat relatively complicated and difficult to produce, at 3.1 pounds and more than a foot long it was heavy to carry and unwieldy in the hands of untrained shooters. Given the guns unusual size and features, it is easy to dismiss as poorly conceivedlittle more than a mechanical curiosity. Yet it deserves a second look, especially considering the relatively primitive state of mid19th century gun manufacture and the adverse conditions Southern gunmakers generally faced during the Civil War. In short, there were reasons other than a supposedly flawed design for the LeMats rapid demise. Like so many other products of the Confederate war machine, it faced an uphill battle against the industrially superior North in terms of manufacture and maintenance. The LeMat revolvers unlikely story begins with its namesake, Jean Alexandre Francois LeMat. In contrast to many of his contemporaries, including Horace Smith, Daniel Wesson, Eliphalet Remington and Christopher Spencer, LeMat was trained as a physician. Born in France in 1821, he studied medicine at the University of Montpellier and worked at a military hospital in Bordeaux for a year and a half. In 1844 the doctor immigrated to the United States and settled in New Orleans, where he rose to social and financial prominence following his marriage to Sophie LePretre, daughter of wealthy planter and merchant John Baptist LePretre. In the process, LeMat gained as a cousin-in-law West Pointeducated Army officer P.G.T. Beauregard, an engineer who had served on General Winfield Scotts staff during the Mexican War. In addition to exporting tobacco and cotton to the French government, LeMat boned up on to all things military, informed about the latest weaponry by Brevet Maj. Beauregard. The tactical uses of different firearms fascinated the doctor, as did the engineering that made them possible. He marveled at the Armys ordnance, an array of pistols, rifles, shotguns, artillery and ammunition, each designed to inflict a particular kind of carnage. Such innovations inspired LeMat to draft plans for his own guna weapon he hoped would be worthy of Americas reputation for firepower. On October 21, 1856, the LeMat received its first patent: No. 15,925. Its inventor labeled it an Improved Center-Barreled Revolver, otherwise known as the Grapeshot Revolver. Among its most distinctive traits was a 20-gauge smoothbore shotgun barrel that doubled as the arbor, or central axis, on which the guns cylinder rotated. This gave the shooter nine .42-caliber bullets from the revolver and an extra load of ball or buckshot from the center barrel. Despite LeMats bold assertion that [t]he operation of my revolver speaks for itself, in reality its action wasnt as clear as he claimed. In a design similar to that of other revolving pistols, the rear of the guns cylinder contained a percussion-cap cone for each chamber. Its hammer, however, differentiated it from the others. In order to fire the shotgun barrel, LeMat installed an additional percussion cone situated just below and at a slight angle to the cylinders firing mechanism. To accommodate this setup, he added a hinged striker to the hammer. When flipped downward, the alternate hammer nose would hit the shotguns primer and discharge the barrel. LeMats design was unlike anything in the federal arsenal at the time. The prospect of 10 powerful shots made it a potential marvel, and Beauregard used his connections to garner attention for the ingenious weapon. On March 2, 1859, he arranged for a trial in Washington, D.C., with an armament board composed of high-ranking officers such as Braxton Bragg, Joseph E. Johnston and Winfield Scott. For the range test they loaded each cylinder chamber with approximately 1 gram of gunpowder and a .42-caliber projectile. The shotgun barrel received 2.5 grams of powder and 15 pellets of buckshot or a single 1-ounce ball. Board members fired a total of 25 pistol and 13 shotgun loads into an unspecified target (probably a thick slab of wood) at a distance of between 15 and 35 yards. LeMats revolver performed well on average, with the pistol rounds and the 1-ounce shotgun balls penetrating 2.5 inches, the buckshot loads 1 inch. Still, the board members felt there was room for improvement, mentioning specific concerns about the loading lever affixed to the right side of the pistols frame. To charge the cylinder chambers, the shooter used this hollowed-out pivot rod, which housed a second removable rammer for the shotgun. According to their report, the officers thought the lever was too large and awkward, and that the revolver should be tested with troops in the field to ascertain its overall durability. But aside from those reservations, the boards opinion of the gun was overwhelmingly positive. In a letter of endorsement, the trials participants declared the LeMat a great and important improvement on [Samuel] Colts revolver; containing as it does, three additional pistol shots in the revolving cylinder, and one stationary central barrel.We consider this arm far superior to any we have yet seen for the use of cavalry, acting against Indians, or when charging on a square of Infantry or a battery of field pieces. They likewise noted its value to artillerists in defending their cannons and to naval personnel when boarding enemy ships. In short, they earnestly recommend[ed] that the military adopt LeMats revolver as soon as the government found it practicable to do so. With a semiofficial seal of approval in hand, LeMat and Beauregard formed a partnership and went into business. Notwithstanding his modest 25 percent share in the venture, Beauregard assumed the mammoth tasks of promoting the pistol, building relationships with armories and distributors and managing their mounting expenses. By the end of 1859, they had already spent $5,750 ($158,000 today) but had little to show for it. Thus far they had produced only 100 pistols, through a small Philadelphia-based gunsmith, John Krider & Co. What they needed was a large-capacity armory capable of accurately reproducing the LeMats intricate components. Some of the worlds best gun manufacturers were then located in the northeastern United States. But once the secession crisis unfolded in the spring of 1861, those facilities were off-limits to the Southern-sympathizing LeMat and his revolver. The newly established Confederacy needed weapons, of course, and thanks in part to the influence of Beauregard, now a Confederate general, LeMat won a contract in late July 1861 to furnish Southerners with 5,000 Grapeshot Revolvers. But when he learned that the South lacked the materiel and industrial resources necessary to produce such a sophisticated firearm, LeMat had no choice but to take his operation to Europe, where his pistols would be manufactured in a disjointed production process. To make the parts for his revolvers, LeMat used armories in Liege, Belgium, and Paris. The components were in turn sent to Birmingham, England, for assembly, before being shipped to the Confederacy. As the war went on, the perils of the stormy North Atlantic, combined with the risks of running the Union naval blockade, made delivering the guns increasingly costly and unreliable. Of the 2,900 Grapeshot Revolvers LeMat produced, historians estimate that somewhere from 900 to 1,700 actually made it to the Confederacy. Firsthand accounts from LeMat pistol users are extremely difficult to find today. We do know that the proprietary calibers of the early model (or first series) LeMats were a common source of complaints from soldiers. Army supply chains, North and South, typically delivered .36- and .44-caliber pistol ammunition. That meant shooters armed with LeMats, which were initially chambered in .35 and .42 calibers, had to cast their own projectiles. By the middle of the war, LeMat had rechambered the second series to meet these standards. He also repositioned the loading lever on the left side of the frame, for a stronger mount (although they still frequently broke); reshaped the trigger guard, eliminating the ornate finger rest; and added an easily accessible thumb switch to the hammers hinged striker. But despite those improvements, Southern troops still chose other models over the LeMat. For the conflicts duration his pistols were more prestige items than trusted battle implements. Numerous Confederate commanders possessed them. In addition to Beauregard, Jefferson Davis, Braxton Bragg, Joseph E. Johnston and Henry Wirz each owned at least one. Legendary cavalryman J.E.B. Stuart supposedly loved his. Stonewall Jackson, too, is rumored to have had a LeMat, though his revolvers whereabouts remain a mystery to this day [see sidebar, opposite page]. The challenge facing modern firearms scholars is a shortage of anecdotes chronicling the LeMats combat service. This raises what may be an unanswerable question: Did the LeMat see much use during the war? The clues we have suggest that it didnt. For instance, there are no extant photographs or paintings depicting the notable commanders who owned LeMats with their pistols holstered. In fact, when the guns best-known proponent, Stuart, was mortally wounded at Yellow Tavern on May 11, 1864, he was carrying not a LeMat but a Whitney. Its impossible to say whether this should be seen as tacit commentary on the revolvers quality. In Dr. LeMats defense, his concept was sound and its potential applications manifold. Scott, Bragg and the rest of their armament board colleagues certainly thought so. But regardless of their approval, the Grapeshot Revolver ultimately faded into obscurity. The woefully underequipped South had been unable to produce a gun of such advanced design, and the LeMat never received the meticulous attention to detail that is critical to the evolution of every firearm. It was manufactured in Europe, then secretly slipped back into the Southcircumstances unlikely to engender success. But more than 150 years later LeMats legacy enduresmore so on the auction block than in American arsenals. The scarcity of his revolvers help drive premium sales prices, generally $15,000 to $50,000, depending on condition. Indeed, LeMats failed pistol has captivated countless history buffs and gun enthusiasts, many of them willing to pay big money to own such a rare specimen of an ambitious weapon that wound up on the wrong side of the war. Michael G. Williams is a Maryland-based writer and firearms enthusiast. He cannot afford a genuine LeMat. THE LAST DAYS OF WORLD WAR II, A&E Television Networks, $29.95. The final year of World War II is well documented in this two-volume video presentation, which examines the conflict through expert commentary, black and white and color film footage, photographs, and interviews with American, German, and Russian soldiers, Holocaust survivors, and historians. Volume I, Victory in Europe, follows the decisive ground battles and strategic bombing campaign and features accounts of the Battle of the Bulge, the taking of Berlin, and the death of Adolf Hitler. It also covers the horrific revelations that came to light in the months after the war as the full magnitude of Nazi atrocities became known. Volume II, The Spoils of War, explores the Allies discovery of countless treasures looted by the Nazis, including works of art, gold bars, and coins hidden underground. The storm is passing. The last year and a half has been rough sailing in so many ways. One r OnePlus 3 users may get Android 7.0 Nougat update on their smartphones as a Christmas gift. However, OnePlus 2 and OnePlus X users may have to wait a little bit more to enjoy the features included in the newest version of Android OS released by Google. According to International Business Times, Android 7.0 Nougat would be first released for OnePlus 3 users. The update will be seeded for them by the end of 2016, that is, around Christmas. However, OnePlus 2 and OnePlus X users will have to wait till the start of 2017 for the Chinese smartphone manufacturer to release the Android Nougat 7.0 update for their phone. Clearly, OnePlus 3 users are being given a priority over OnePlus 2 and OnePlus X users. OnePlus' CEO Pete Lau recently shared a photograph of a few engineers working on the all new Android 7.0 Nougat. The photograph, captioned "already hard at work on the latest and greatest," indicates that the team is working hard to release Google's new OS update for OnePlus 3 users. Meanwhile, Motorola Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus users are expected to receive Nougat update pretty soon. The informations about seeding of the new OS on these two phones has been updated on the Motorola's official website. Moto users are, therefore, advised to check regularly for updates and new notifications as one of it could be related to an upgrade to the latest Nougat firmware. According to Gizbot, OnePlus users will get to enjoy multiple new features after they update their phones with the latest Nougat firmware. Multi-Window support, data saver mode and Google daydream support are some of the new features. However, interactive notifications remains one of the most exciting feature. It allows users to tap on a notification and send instant replies, thus eliminating the need to open the app. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. One Syrian landed last year in Germany with his family of four wives and 23 children, in the invited flood of one million refugees. He recently raised shock waves after it was reported that he was receiving an astounding sum of 360,000 Euros as benefits for the year. That tidy sum works out to 392904 USD. His real name is not disclosed. Ghazia A - as he known in the media - has "resettled" in Germany, though one of his daughters shifted back to Saudi Arabia and married. While a financial manager on the Employers' Association website calculated that he was getting a huge sum of 360,000 Euros, there is no official confirmation of the amount. Germany does not legally sanction or recognize polygamy. Yet, it is footing the bill for his "large family." He was given special exemption, so Ghazia had to select a "main wife", with the rest of the family taking benefits as "friends" of Ghazia. In Montabaur, an official had said that it was a situation that could be called an "exemption". The secondary wives shifted to nearby communities almost 31 miles away, while Ghazia lives with the "main wife" Twasif and their five children. Ghazia, who was earlier employed in a garage and car hire service in his homeland, has not worked since he shifted and settled in Germany. Though he said he wanted to work again, he pleaded that he had too many commitments to his family, which made it difficult for him to get employed, he said. He explained this strange situation to German newspaper Bild: "In our religion, it is my duty to visit every family and to be with them. I am practically all the time go to with my family to be together - and I would like to find work again." There is a lot of outrage against Ghazia. The incident immediately roused anger, with one tweet in a social media exclaiming: "Of course, the #Syrian (49) lives with his 4 women & 22 children from #Social benefits, from what else?!" "The Syrian with 4 women and 23 children is now being sold to us as a new normality" fumed another. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. October 26, 2016 | 01:02 am PT Goethe-Institut Hanoi Documentary by Philipp Widmann which tells a family story between Vietnam and Germany. Presented by director Philipp Widmann and co-author Dan Nguyen. In a house in the South of Vietnam, paths cross that separated 40 years ago and branched out as far as Germany. Of three Vietnamese brothers, one went to West Germany as a diplomat in the 1970s where he then stayed with his family. Another brother was lost in the war. The third is the only man living in the house. Then his nephew and niece arrive from Germany to sort some things out, both material and metaphysical. Through the reunion of the relatives and their conversations, the constellation of the extended family becomes visible. A constellation that is fundamentally marked by the course that history took in the second half of the 20th century, by migration and the ghosts of the past. Vietnamese with English and German subtitles Free entrance At least 59 were killed while 117 others were wounded when an ISIS-linked terrorist group attacked a police training academy in Pakistan on Tuesday. The police training center in Quetta, a southwest city of Pakistan faced that horrible terrorist attack. According to an official, there were more than 700 trainees in the camp when the attack happened. The fight against terrorists continued for four hours. Pakistani officials are not getting any exact idea about the number of deaths or injured. They said the number of deaths could increase. According to some officials, a group of three terrorists entered into the compound clad in suicide vests while arm with automatic gun and grenade. After killing the security guard in a watch tower before midnight, they entered into the hostel and occupied the place. Then they held at the police trainees as hostage. A group of the Pakistani army and frontier corps came to the place to rescue the victims. The attack lasted for four and ended up after the death of three terrorists. According to Provincial Interior Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, a sniper shoot one terrorist while his two companions detonated their suicide vests. "We were sleeping in our room when we heard firing, we rushed out, I saw two terrorists were firing at another room, I ran to the roof of the hostel and from there I managed to come out," said one hostage. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that the incident took place to demoralize the nation. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Fans of 'Rick and Morty' could be in for a pleasant surprise as Season 3 might arrive before the March 2017 schedule. The creators have given out positive signals about the release of the show and thus, one can hope to look forward to an early season. Season 3 of 'Rick and Morty' might debut in December and it will see the gang preparing for a trip to Hawaii, reports Ecumenical News. Co-creator Dan Harmon has said that it was time to demand that the network allowed them to draw the characters going to Hawaii. In a recent interview, he also talked about the premiere episode of the third season. He said that they plan to revisit the plot from the last two seasons and include them in 'Rick and Morty' Season 3. According to Harmon, he re-watched Seasons 1 and 2 and now he was excited about revisiting stuff in the next season because he was phobic about doing the same in Season 2. However, now they know that it will work. Notably, the team of 'Rick and Morty' had announced sometime after Season 2 that the series will be renewed for the third season but no release date or plot was hinted at. Coming back to Harmon's comments, his words have led to interesting speculations and it is said that Rick and Morty might be making their way to the Dog World in Season 3 in the premiere episode, claims Mobile N Apps. Also, Beth and Jerry will be seen exploring their problems and it looks like their divorce would be one topic that would certainly crop up. Last but not the least, Vin Diesel's voice could also be heard in the next installment. The team of 'Rick and Morty' had indicated at the San Diego Comic-Con that they would be roping in Diesel. Though it has not been confirmed, there are high chances of his guest appearance. As for the divorce, Season 2 saw Beth and Jerry talking about it and if it materializes in Season 3, Morty will be greatly affected by the separation of his parents. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. October 26, 2016 | 12:41 am PT A Vietnamese film, 'Another City' by Pham Ngoc Lan, will be in the selection mix. As part of the Hanoi International Film Festival, the Goethe-Institut will introduce the best films of Berlinale Shorts 2016, the short film program of the Berlin International Film Festival. The short films will be presented by Maike Mia Hohne, curator of the Berlinale Shorts. Among the 11 films from 13 countries is Another City by Pham Ngoc Lan, who gained filmmaking skills in DocLab at the Goethe-Institut Hanoi. The selection is diverse, ranging from documentaries, experimental films to animations. All in original languages with Vietnamese and English subtitles Free entrance. BERLINALE SPOTLIGHT PROGRAM I 3:15 p.m., November 1, 2016 CGV Vincom Nguyen Chi Thanh, 56 Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, Hanoi 1 p.m., November 3, 2016 Ngoc Khanh Cinema, 523 Kim Ma Street, Hanoi A MAN RETURNED Great Britain/Denmark/Netherlands 2015, 30, director: Mahdi Fleifel After three years in Athens, Reda returns to the biggest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon. Now, he finally wants to get married. With drugs. With war. With confidence. ANOTHER CITY Vietnam 2016, 25, director: Pham Ngoc Lan The protagonists are looking for like-minded people and a community. A well-known Asian pop song connects the protagonists regardless time and space. FREUD UND FRIENDS Portugal/Switzerland 2015, 23, director: Gabriel Abrantes In the dream laboratory of the Champalimaud Centre of the Unknown the dreams of Abrantes turn real. A baroque journey into the world of It and the movie starts. HOPPTORNET Sweden 2016, 17, directors: Axel Danielson, Maximilien Van Aertryck The experimental arrangement of the movie is similar to that of a physical experiment. Swimming pool. Inside. Day. 10 meter tower. What takes more courage to jump or to crawl back down backwards? IN THE SOLDIERS HEAD USA/France 2015, 4, director: Christine Rebet Immediately from the core of imagination, invisible thoughts transform into concrete experiences on the canvas. Synapses of a hyperactive psyche converted on paper. MOMS ON FIRE Sweden 2016, 12, director: Joanna Rytel Two women are sitting on a couch and are scratching their pregnant tummies. Four days are left until delivery. The situation can neither be blandished nor endured. Photo by Pham Ngoc Lan BERLINALE SPOTLIGHT PROGRAMM II 3 p.m., November 3, 2016 CGV Vincom Nguyen Chi Thanh 54A Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, Hanoi 1 p.m., November 4, 2016 Ngoc Khanh Cinema 523 Kim Ma Street, Hanoi BALADA DE UN BATRAQUIO Portugal 2016, 11, director: Leonor Teles Using a fairytale about the relationships in the animal world the director connects the sad destiny of frogs and Roma people. JIN ZHI XIA MAO Taiwan 2015, 16, director: Chiang Wei Liang A young couple and their newborn are trying to get through their daily life in Taiwan with almost no financial means. LOVE France/Hungary 2016, 14, director: Reka Bucsi In a surreal universe, the director illustrates the various forms of love in three phases. In the end, everything shatters within itself. PERSONNE Germany 2016, 15, director: Christoph Girardet Fragmentary images show the protagonists in younger and older years. The gaps in between have to be filled by the audience. RELUCTANTLY QUEER Ghana/USA 2016, 8, director: Akosua Adoma Owusu A young man from Ghana is writing a letter to his mother. He is looking and asking for reconciliation, is hoping for acceptance, even though he loves another man. Haitian drummer Geraud Dimanche will perform at Hope College as part of the Big Read Holland Area on Friday, Nov. 4, at 7:30 p.m. in the Concert Hall of the Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts. The public is invited. Admission is free. Haitian music and dancing will be on display through the performance of drummer Dimanche. The concert is sponsored by the colleges Department of Music. The community-wide Big Read Holland Area is developed around the theme An entire community reading one book together, and this year is focusing on Edwidge Danticats memoir Brother, Im Dying. The Big Read Holland Area is featuring a variety of public events between Tuesday, Nov. 1, and Thursday, Nov. 17, to provide historical, literary and cultural context as well as to engage the community, in addition to including book discussions hosted by multiple community organizations. Danticats parents immigrated to the United States from Haiti when she was two. She initially stayed in Haiti, where she was raised by her Uncle Joseph and his wife Tante Denise in the Bel Air neighborhood of Port-au-Prince until she was able to join her parents when she was 12. As described by the readers guide provided by neabigread.org, when Brother, Im Dying opens, the author is a grown woman living in Miami who learns, over the course of a single day, that her father is dying and that she is pregnant with her first child. Just weeks later, her beloved Uncle Joseph seeks asylum in the U.S. and experiences brutal treatment. Told through Danticats singular voice, these events set the stage for a powerful tale of loss and remembrance. Published in 2007, Brother, Im Dying received the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and was a finalist for the National Book Award. The Big Read Holland Area is funded through a grant to the college through the Big Read initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with Arts Midwest. Area partners with the college include Herrick District Library, Howard Miller Library, Western Theological Seminary, Holland Museum, cultureWorks, Future PREPd Ottawa Area Intermediate School District, and several other area schools, churches, businesses and other community organizations. More information about the Big Read Holland Area events and the book, including a complete schedule, is available online at blogs.hope.edu/thebigread/, facebook.com/bigreadholland/ and twitter.com/bigreadholland. The Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts is located at 221 Columbia Ave., between Ninth and 10th streets Hope College faculty members Dr. William Polik (chemistry) and Dr. Barbara Vincensi (nursing) have each been elected to the Guild of Scholars of the Episcopal Church. Polik and Vincensi were elected during the organizations 2016 annual meeting, which as it happens itself had a Hope connection: it was held at the colleges Haworth Inn and Conference Center on Friday-Sunday, Oct. 14-16. They join two Hope colleagues who were already members of the group: Dr. Edward Hansen (geological and environmental science) and Dr. Charles Huttar (English), the latter of whom is also the organizations corresponding secretary. The Guild of Scholars is a national association of lay Episcopalian academics who meet annually. The membership includes prominent people in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural and applied sciences, as well as in religious studies. Established in 1945, the group offers collegial intellectual exchange within the context of fellowship and prayer. Activities during the annual meeting, which takes place in October or November, include talks by members presenting aspects of their work in various disciplines that are relevant to the broad interests of the guild, followed by discussion, worship, and conversation and fellowship. This year, given the Holland locale, Hansen led a tour of the areas sand dunes, on which he has been conducting research for several years. The annual meeting was held for many years at the General Theological Seminary in New York City, with the locations now varying from year to year and recently including the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., and the retreat center at the Community of the Transfiguration in Cincinnati, Ohio. Polik is the Edward and Elizabeth Hofma Professor of Chemistry and associate dean for research and scholarship at Hope, where he has taught since 1988. Vincensi is an associate professor of nursing at Hope, where she has taught since 2006. Hansen is a professor of geology and environmental science and department chair at Hope, where he has taught since 1984. Huttar is a professor emeritus of English, and taught at Hope from 1966 until retiring in 1996. All four professors are members of Grace Episcopal Church in Holland. Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Freetown, Sierra Leone, is delighted to announce their partnership with a major documentary film production in Sierra Leone by multi-Emmy and BAFTA award winning production company Insight TWI. The documentary, titled Sierra Leone: An Artist's Journey, is the story of Charlie Haffner, the most celebrated theatre director in Sierra Leone a West African nation stricken by poverty and civil war. Charlie is embarking on a mission to stage the most ambitious play in Sierra Leone's history a play he hopes will inspire a renewed spirit of national unity. The documentary, produced by the multi-Emmy and BAFTA winning team at Insight TWI, will follow Charlie as he sets out to create a play unlike anything his people have seen before, a play to inspire those thinking of migrating to Europe to stay and help rebuild their nation. Charlie's play and the documentary about its creation are intended to unite the people of Sierra Leone around a shared sense of their past and a hopeful vision of their future an effort which Radisson Blu Hotel, Mammy Yoko Freetown, Sierra Leone and Carlson Rezidor are proud and honored to support. Radisson Blu Hotel, Mammy Yoko Freetown, Sierra Leone is hosting the film crew and working with the film's producers to enhance the film's cultural and economic impact. Radisson Blu played a critical role in 2014, for which it was globally recognized for its crisis communication plan and the support provided by the teams during the Ebola virus epidemic. A month after the Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel opened its doors in Freetown, Sierra Leone, the first case of Ebola was diagnosed in the country. Rezidor implemented a series of safety and security measures to prevent any of its staff or guests being infected. The Group also ensured transparent, continuous and regular communication with its employees, the media and relevant stakeholders to raise awareness about prevention methods and to clarify the myths surrounding the outbreak. The Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel, Freetown was identified as the safest environment to stay or conduct business during the epidemic. It became the most trusted location in Sierra Leone for key media, international aid workers and government officials. Johan Klang, General Manager of Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko hotel, said, "We are part of Sierra Leonne's history and its future. We feel privileged to support Insight TWI on producing this phenomenal documentary to showcase the best of the beautiful people of Sierra Leonne, their struggles and their strengths and their incredible Yes I Can! spirit which mirrors our own." Jonathan Ossoff, Managing Director of Insight TWI, said, "We're honored to receive such significant support from Radisson Blu Hotel, Mammy Yoko Freetown, Sierra Leone. When most people hear the words 'Sierra Leone', they imagine poverty, war and disease. This documentary will show those people a side of Sierra Leone they've never even imagined. We hope it will bring not only hope and inspiration but also tourism and jobs." The film crew includes renowned Sierra Leonean journalist Sorious Samura of Insight TWI, Nick Fraser of the BBC (executive producer of Oscar winner Man on Wire), Grammy winner Daniel Platzman of the multi-platinum rock band Imagine Dragons, director Clive Patterson of Insight TWI, and executive producer Ron McCullagh of Insight TWI. More information on the documentary is available at SierraLeoneTheFilm.com About Radisson Hotel Group Radisson Hotel Group is one of the world's largest hotel groups with nine distinctive hotel brands, and more than 1,600 hotels in operation and under development in 120 countries. The Group's overarching brand promise is Every Moment Matters with a signature Yes I Can! service ethos. The Radisson Hotel Group portfolio includes Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Radisson Individuals, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, and prizeotel brought together under one commercial umbrella brand Radisson Hotels. Radisson Rewards is our international rewards program that delivers unique and personalized ways to create memorable moments that matter to our guests. Radisson Rewards offers an exceptional experience for our guests, meeting planners, and travel agents at over 550 hotels in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Radisson Meetings provides tailored solutions for any event or meeting, including hybrid solutions placing guests and their needs at the heart of its offer. Radisson Meetings is built around three strong service commitments: Personal, Professional and Memorable, while delivering on the brilliant basics and being uniquely 100% Carbon Neutral. The health and safety of guests and team members remain a top priority for Radisson Hotel Group. All properties across the Group's portfolio are subject to stringent health and safety requirements, as outlined in the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol. More than 100,000 team members work at Radisson Hotel Group and at the hotels licensed to operate in its systems. For more information, visit our corporate website. Or connect with Radisson Hotels on: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube Renu Hanegreefs-Snehi Vice President, Corporate Communications, PR & Reputation Management +32 2 702 9241 Radisson Hotel Group 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 Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte arrives at Haneda international airport in Tokyo Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (2nd R) arrives at Haneda international airport in Tokyo, Japan October 25, 2016. Photo by Reuters/Issei Kato Philippines' leader has softened his remarks about a 'separation' from the United States. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte meets with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to discuss security issues regarding maritime disputes over the South China Sea, which Vietnam calls the East Sea, and economic partnership. Duterte softened his remarks about a "separation" from long-time ally the United States on the eve of a visit to Japan, a country worried about Manila's apparent pivot away from Washington and towards China. "The alliances are alive," Duterte told Japanese media in Manila on Monday, Kyodo News reported. "There should be no worry about changes of alliances. I do not need to have alliances with other nations." Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants to keep ties with the Philippines tight during Duterte's visit to Japan, starting on Tuesday. Duterte, a former prosecutor and mayor who has had a series of outbursts against the United States since taking office in June, jolted the region last week on a trip to China, when he announced Manila's "separation" from Washington and realignment toward Beijing. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (R) is greeted by Japan's Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida upon his arrival at a Japanese restaurant for a dinner hosted by Kishida in Tokyo, Japan, in this photo taken by Kyodo October 25, 2016. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via Reuters Duterte's aides and the president himself later tried to clarify that he did not mean he was cutting ties with the United States and his remarks on Monday were the most conciliatory yet. Duterte told the Japanese media he had been expressing a personal opinion, not speaking for the government when he mentioned separating from Washington, the Nikkei newspaper said. He said he only plans to have an "alliance of trade and commerce" with China, Kyodo reported. Abe, who has sought to strengthen ties with the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries as a counter-balance to a rising Beijing, will be trying to wed Manila to Tokyo's side without prompting a backlash that pushes it closer to China. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (R) meets his supporters outside a hotel in Tokyo, Japan October 25, 2016. Photo by Reuters/Kyung-Hoon "It's certainly unfortunate and we are worried, but such things will not change Japan's commitment to the Philippines," said Narushige Michishita, a professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies and former defense official, referring to Duterte's comments. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is confident after speaking with Philippine Foreign Minister Perfecto Yasay on Sunday that the two countries can "work through" a period of confusion caused by Duterte's remarks, the State Department said. Duterte tells U.S. to forget defense deal Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte lashed out anew at the United States on Tuesday and said it could forget a bilateral defense deal if he stayed in power long enough, in the latest jarring statement from Manila about the future of the alliance. Duterte delivered his new broadside as he was about to board a plane for an official visit to fellow U.S. ally Japan, a big investor in the Philippines that is becoming nervous about its apparent pivot towards rival power China. The volatile, crime-busting Duterte had on the eve of the visit softened his remarks last week about a "separation" from Washington, telling Japanese media he was not planning to change alliances and was only seeking to build trade and commerce with China. But he pulled no punches on Tuesday when he said he hated having foreign troops in the Philippines and told the United States not to treat his country "like a dog with a leash". Commenting on a visit to Manila on Monday by Daniel Russel, an Assistant Secretary of State, Duterte said Washington should forget about an Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the Philippines if he were to stay in charge longer. "You have the EDCA, well forget it. If I stay here long enough," he said. "I do not want to see any military man of any other nation except the Filipino. That's the only thing I want." He did not elaborate on what staying longer meant. In the Philippines, a president is allowed only one six-year term in office. The remarks were another perplexing swing from Duterte, who last week announced in China his "separation" from the United States, before assuring that ties were not being severed and he was merely pursuing an independent foreign policy. U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said Duterte's remarks were "inexplicably at odds" with the relationship the two countries continued to enjoy and Washington was going to "take the long view" on ties with Manila. "We've seen this rhetoric and then we've seen it walked back," he told a regular news briefing. "We're not going to react and respond to every bit of rhetoric. We're going to continue to work at this relationship." Kirby said the United States would continue to meet its obligations in its defense treaty with the Philippines and had not seen Duterte's comments against it translate into policy. "The long view in our mind is a sustained, healthy, vibrant, bilateral relationship with the people and the government of the Philippines. That's what we've had for 70-odd years and that's what we expect to have for 70-plus more years ... so that's where our focus is on," he said. Duterte's latest swipe at Washington could rattle Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who wants to keep ties with the Philippines tight. Abe is to hold rare one-on-one talks with Duterte at his residence in Tokyo on Wednesday evening. Before leaving for Tokyo, Duterte described Japan as a true friend that had played a "preeminent and peerless role" as a big investor and Philippine development partner. "I didn't start this fight" But he quickly became vexed when answering questions and held up the front page of a Philippine newspaper which carried the headline "Duterte sparking international distress - U.S.". Duterte vented at Washington on several fronts, from its bombing of Manila at the end of World War Two to embassy officials once questioning his intentions when he applied for a visa to visit a girlfriend. "You know, I did not start this fight," he said. Director of U.S. National Intelligence James Clapper said Duterte was playing to a domestic audience. "President Duterte has a point of view, I think conditioned quite a bit by his own life and his apparent resentment of the United States and its relationship with the Philippines, so he has reached out to the Chinese," Clapper said at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. Clapper said he had recently had a private meeting with senior Philippine intelligence officials. "They are themselves concerned about the impact on our relationship," he said. "So we will just have to see how it plays out." Duterte's overtures to China and hostility towards the United States have raised questions about what his overall goal is and the extent to which his actions could shake up the geopolitical dynamic of a region wary about Beijing's growing influence and U.S. staying power. Abe has sought to strengthen ties with the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries, particularly Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, as a counter-balance to Beijing. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said on Tuesday that both presidents would have a meeting to "further the strategic partnership with the Philippines". Japanese officials said Abe would not overtly try to mediate between Tokyo and Washington but would probably explain the importance of the U.S. role in the region. Kirby said Washington had no "special expectations" for Duterte's Tokyo visit. Related news: > Philippines' Duterte, in China, announces 'separation' from US > Philippine officials seek clarity after Duterte suggests end of US exercises Maestro PMS Exhibits Latest Innovations for Independent Hotels and Resorts at HX and TribalNet Shows Expanded Guest Data Analysis Tools; Integration with Konami SYNKROS Gaming System; Online Check-In and Digital Signature Capture Strengthen Guest Service In November, Maestro PMS will exhibit its hotel management software solutions specifically designed for independent hotel and resort operators, multi-property groups and gaming properties at two of hospitalitys leading tradeshows, TribalNet and HX: The Hotel Experience. Attention to client service, sophisticated feature set, innovation and integration have paved the way in bringing the Maestro solution to hundreds of discerning properties across the globe since 1978. Maestro delivers personalized guest engagement tools Warren Dehan, President of Maestro PMS, said, Todays independent hoteliers want real-time systems that will personally engage guests at every point of contact. Systems that help their operations be more efficient and their staff more productive. At TribalNet and HX we will demonstrate our new online check-In and digital signature capture for personalized curb-side registration. We will also feature Maestros newest expansion to its Analytics Business Intelligence Module that lets operators see into their business to increase marketing opportunities and profitability. We invite attendees to visit our booths, discuss their needs and current challenges and get insight into how Maestro PMS can meet their needs. TribalNet: Maestro Konami SYNKROS interface At TribalNet, the Tribal Gaming and Hospitality industrys premier technology event, Maestro PMS will announce its upgraded interface with Konamis SYNKROS casino management system. We are committed to keeping our Gaming lodging clients current with industry trends, Dehan said. Many of our Gaming operators use Konamis system on their casino floor. Our new Konami SYNKROS interface enables a patron to pay all or part of their hotel charges with points and comp points. Maestro can also generate free play awards for selected patrons and hotel staff can look up and identify gaming patrons registered in SYNKROS. November 7th to 10th, Maestro will welcome you at TribalNet Booth #3 at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina in San Diego, CA. HX: The Hotel Experience At HX in New York City, November 13th to 15th Booth #2949 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, the Maestro team will be available to discuss your needs and present Maestro PMS. We always look forward to meeting our valued clients at HX and speaking to property operators who are looking for alternative solutions to their legacy systems or platforms they have outgrown. We are proud to serve the independent market and offer a sophisticated suite of hotel management software system modules, coupled with a comprehensive support maintenance and education service package to keep our clients competitive in todays hospitality space, stated Warren Dehan. Maestro is the preferred hotel management software of leading independent hotels, resorts, condos and multi-property groups and continues to be on the cutting edge of technology innovation targeted at the independent hotel and resort market. Click here for more information on how to reserve, engage and socialize with Maestro PMS. Maestro is focused on trusted relationships, educational support services, and long term investment security for hotel operators, qualities that are at the core of Maestros business practices and are the foundation of its long lasting 35+ years of success. Maestros Unparalleled Hospitality Solution, On-Premise or In The Cloud We help centralize operations, enhance guest service, improve efficiency, and maximize online and offline revenue with the industry's most robust and flexible hotel and resort software solution. Maestro PMS empowers leading full-service hotels, luxury resorts, multi-property groups, conference centers, and vacation rental properties by integrating their complex operations with a solution that shares a central guest profile and offers over 20 modules to address each area, many that provide guests a web experience and operators mobile ease and direct booking channels. Modules include Front Office (PMS), Accounts Receivable, Analytics and Business Intelligence, Sales and Catering, Multi-Property Enterprise Management, Condo Owner Management w/Web Portal, Spa and Activities, Internet Booking Engine, Real-Time Yield Management, Dynamic Packaging, Group Management, CRM, Guest Experience Measurement, Loyalty, CRO, GDS/OTA Two-Way Integration, Membership, Housekeeping and Work Order, Fine Dining and Retail POS, Online Guest Pre-Registration, Digital Signature Capture, Passport Scanning, Concierge and much more! Maestro PMS facilitates solutions to address the needs of full-service operations of any size including large scale single or multi-property hotels and resorts with technology that may be deployed on-premise or in the Cloud via Windows, Web Browser and a combination of both. About Maestro Maestro is recognized in the hospitality industry for its standard-setting Diamond Plus Service and robust integrated Maestro PMS resort and hotel software technology. With more than 35 years experience dedicated to developing technology solutions for the independent hospitality market, Maestro is a partner who understands your need for a scalable, sophisticated and flexible PMS that works the way you do. Maestro applications are engineered for operators who need to manage their enterprise in a real-time environment for the utmost operational efficiency, productivity, control, and profitability, while focusing on the guest experience to ensure they stay engaged. Contact: Maestro PMS Macarena Lorenzini 8300 Woodbine Avenue, 5th Floor Markham, ON L3R 9Y7 Canada Phone: 905-940-1923 Toll Free: 1-888-667-8488 Email: info@maestropms.com www.maestropms.com Media Contact Julie Keyser-Squires, APR Softscribe Inc. 609 SW 8th Street, Ste 600 Bentonville, AR 72712 Phone: 404-256-5512 Email: Julie(at)softscribeinc.com www.softscribeinc.com Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi Amidst general spending cuts there is increased evidence of continued government investment in Abu Dhabi's mega tourism projects and overall positive demand in the hospitality market. JLL released its Q3 2016 Abu Dhabi Real Estate Market Overview report which assesses the latest trends in the office, residential, retail and hotel sectors. The latest market summary report discusses ongoing weak demand across the office, residential and retail sectors which has been evident since the decline of oil prices at the end of 2014 and continues to impact government spending and general sentiment. However, amidst general spending cuts there is increased evidence of continued government investment in Abu Dhabi's mega tourism projects and overall positive demand in the hospitality market. Commenting on the hospitality sector, David Dudley, International Director and Head of Abu Dhabi Office at JLL MENA, said: "The general trend for Abu Dhabi's hospitality market has been positive growth of tourism demand being offset by a decline in corporate demand and new supply completions. In balance this has resulted in a slight increase in demand reducing pressure on occupancy rates but a decline in average room rates." The report highlights increased supply with two new hotel openings adding more than 400 rooms to the market this quarter the Marriott Downtown Abu Dhabi at Bloom Central and Gloria Downtown Hotel. Furthermore, the serviced apartments sector witnessed the delivery of the Marriott Executive Apartments at Bloom Central. A further 1,500 rooms are expected in the capital by the end of the year from three large hotel openings - Grand Hyatt Hotel and Residence Emirates Pearl, Millennium Bab Al Qasr and the Marriott Al Forsan. Hotel occupancies in Abu Dhabi have remained largely stable at 70% this quarter with a marginal decline of 2.3% compared to the same period last year. According to the report, the hospitality industry's diversification towards leisure tourism continues to gain traction and has reduced pressure on occupancy rates. Despite increased supply and healthy occupancy rates there is continued pressure on average daily rates (ADRs) which declined by 10% compared to the same period last year. David Dudley added: "The medium term hospitality market outlook remains highly positive due to wide-ranging government initiatives including the expansion of Abu Dhabi International Airport and Etihad Airways, further improvement of Abu Dhabi's leisure offering, the hosting of world-class events and major campaigns by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority to promote Abu Dhabi internationally." Overall, the report highlights the continued decline in performance of Abu Dhabi's real estate market across all sectors. David Dudley, International Director and Head of Abu Dhabi Office at JLL MENA, commented: "Ongoing cost cutting and downsizing in the oil and government sectors have continued to reduce demand across all sectors of Abu Dhabi's real estate market. "While supply remains under control, increasing vacancy rates are placing downward pressure on residential rents and sales prices. Residents in Abu Dhabi are increasingly looking for cheaper and smaller options owing to further job cuts and reduction in employment allowance and benefits. This quarter an additional 1,160 units were delivered in Abu Dhabi. Rents are expected to further decline as supply will continue to increase with another 3,000 units expected by the end of 2016." On the office market David Dudley added: "We are witnessing a similar trend in the office market, rents continue to decline for both Grade A and Grade B buildings as oil and government entities consolidate and downsize and therefore increase vacancy rates. According to the report, the government is considering the merger approach in an effort to further combat economic challenges. "Many of Abu Dhabi's government entities are going through a period of re-structuring in response to tougher economic conditions. Recently announced mergers include sovereign wealth funds (Mubadala and IPIC), banks (NBAD and FGB), ADNOC subsidiaries and government entities. "More mergers are expected to be announced later this year leading to further rationalization of office space. These mergers, combined with general spending cuts have impacted population growth and disposable incomes leading to a decline in residential and office demand and retail spending," added David Dudley. Commenting on the retail market he added: "While real estate rentals are largely declining, retail rents have actually remained stable this quarter and there are minimal mall vacancies. To keep down vacancies, we've seen mall operators continuing to offer incentives to attract retailers but the reduction in consumer retail spending has continued throughout this quarter. "The government's continued investment in Abu Dhabi's leisure tourism offering is expected to boost retail spending in the long run with increased numbers of tourists but in the short term a reduction in corporate hospitality is still affecting retail spend." Sector summary highlight Abu Dhabi Office: This quarter there were no deliveries in Abu Dhabi, keeping the total office stock stable at approximately 3.5 million sq m of gross leasable area (GLA). Approximately 50,000 sq m of GLA is expected to enter the market by the end of 2016 with the delivery of ADIB HQ on Airport Road. The majority of office demand in Abu Dhabi is from oil and government entities. This is seen as the main reason for average Grade A and Grade B rents decreasing by 2% and 5% this quarter reaching approximately AED 1,760 / sq m and AED 1,030 / sq m respectively. The overall vacancy rate has continued to increase marginally over recent months. The decline in demand has generally been mitigated by the lack of new speculative supply and therefore vacancy rates remain slightly lower than a year ago. Residential: The residential market in Abu Dhabi continues to face downward pressure as rents and sale prices registered quarter on quarter (Q-o-Q) declines and annual declines versus Q3 2015. Average prime rents for 2 bedroom apartments witnessed a nominal decline of 2% Q-o-Q reaching approximately 157,000 p.a. Average prime sales prices declined by 3% Q-o-Q to reach approximately AED 14,750 / sq m affected by the continued reduction in transaction volumes throughout 2016. The demand for residential also declined due to the reducing population with a further wave of job cuts within government, oil and gas and financial services sectors. A total of 1,160 units were delivered during Q3, bringing the total residential stock to approximately 247,300 units. Deliveries include Shams Tower and Najmat C21 Tower on Reem Island, Saraya One on Saraya and two residential buildings within Rawdhat. Approximately 3,000 units are expected to enter the market by the end of 2016 mainly within Reem Island, Rawdhat and Saraya. However, some of the developments are likely to experience delays. Retail: Retail: No major completions took place during Q3, with total retail stock remaining at approximately 2.6 million sq m GLA. Approximately 51,000 sq m of retail GLA is expected to be delivered by the end of 2016, primarily within mixed-use schemes. However, supply is expected to increase significantly in the short to medium term with the delivery of Al Maryah Central Mall in 2018 and others including Reem Mall over subsequent years. Gulf Related has announced that 50% of Al Maryah Central has already been leased by major retail groups such as Al Tayer, Chalhoub, Majid Al Futtaim Group and Dubai Holding and is now expected to open in August 2018. On the other hand, Reem Mall has secured a deal with Landmark Group which will occupy approximately 19,000 sq m within Reem Mall. Average line store rents within well-located malls on Abu Dhabi Island remained stable at AED 3,000 per sq m p.a. Average line store rents within malls off Abu Dhabi Island also remained stable at AED 1,860 per sq m p.a. Hotel: Abu Dhabi's hotel performance remained under pressure over the first eight months of the year. ADRs declined by 10% in year-to (YT) August 2016 figures when compared to the same period last year. City wide ADRs stand at $121 in YT August data. Overall occupancy rates stand just slightly below to their YT August 2015 levels at 70% (-2.3 ppt). As a result, RevPAR lost 12% to reach $85 over the first eight months of the year. Abu Dhabi prime rental clock This diagram illustrates where JLL estimates each prime market is within its individual rental cycle at the end of the relevant quarter. Hotel clock reflects the movement of RevPAR. Source: JLL American Hotel Income Properties REIT Buys Six Select-Service Hotels in Florida for US$61.0 Million American Hotel Income Properties REIT LP (TSX: HOT.UN) (OTCQX: AHOTF) announced today that it has agreed to acquire through its subsidiaries, a portfolio of six branded, select-service hotels located in Tampa, Orlando, Sarasota, and Fort Myers, Florida for an aggregate purchase price of US$61.0 million, excluding closing and post-acquisition adjustments. The purchase price does not include approximately US$10.6 million for the completion of brand-mandated property improvement plans. The Acquisition Properties are being purchased at a weighted-average capitalization rate of approximately 8.5% on trailing twelve months net operating income (after inclusion of all hotel management fees, franchise fees, a 4.0% FF&E reserve contribution, and the PIPs). ACQUISITION HIGHLIGHTS The Acquisition Properties consist of six hotels containing 559 total guestrooms that are being acquired below management's estimate of replacement cost. The select-service, branded hotel portfolio has an average age of approximately 13 years and includes the following Florida hotels: a 111-room Holiday Inn Express & Suites located in Fort Myers; a 101-room Holiday Inn Express & Suites located in Sarasota; a 100-room Staybridge Suites hotel located in Tampa; an 86-room Wingate by Wyndham hotel located in Tampa; an 81-room Courtyard by Marriott hotel located in Tampa; and, an 80-room Fairfield Inn & Suites located in Orlando. Tampa, Florida has a metro population of approximately 2.9 million, and is the second largest metro area in Florida. Its economy includes a diversified and growing mix of tourism, several Fortune 500 companies, and the University of South Florida, which is the fourth largest university in the state. Tampa is accessible via Interstate 275, Interstate 4, and Interstate 75. Orlando, Florida has a metro population of approximately 2.4 million, and is the third largest metro area in Florida after Miami and Tampa. Orlando is the "Theme Park Capital" of the world with a number of theme parks including Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld Orlando. Other demand generators in the Orlando area include numerous aviation, aerospace, technology and film-related companies. It is also home to the University of Central Florida, which has a total enrollment of approximately 60,000 and is one of the largest universities in the United States. Orlando is easily accessible via Interstate 4 and the Florida Turnpike. Fort Myers, Florida is located in southwest Florida and accessible via Interstate 75. The Cape Coral-Fort Myers area has a population base of almost 680,000. The area is a major tourist destination and is also home to spring training facilities for multiple major league baseball teams. Sarasota, Florida is located along the I-75 corridor on Florida's west coast and has a metro population of approximately 379,000. The area is also the winter home to several major league baseball teams and is the gateway to miles of beaches, including Lido Beach and Siesta Key. The investment is expected to be immediately accretive to adjusted funds from operations (" AFFO ") per unit. ") per unit. AHIP will fund the purchase price, including the PIPs, using a combination of cash on hand from the July 2016 offering and a new $37.0 million commercial mortgage backed securities (" CMBS ") loan. The new mortgage will be secured by five hotel properties, will have a 10-year term, and is expected to have a fixed interest rate of less than 4.50%. The lender has also agreed to provide an FF&E reserve waiver for two years. ") loan. The new mortgage will be secured by five hotel properties, will have a 10-year term, and is expected to have a fixed interest rate of less than 4.50%. The lender has also agreed to provide an FF&E reserve waiver for two years. This transaction is expected to close on or before November 30, 2016, subject to customary closing conditions and documentation. Ian McAuley, AHIP's president, commented, "This strategic acquisition expands and diversifies both our brand affiliation and geographic presence within the high-performing Florida market, while creating synergies and cost-saving opportunities with our existing Florida hotels." Rob O'Neill, AHIP's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased to be acquiring these high-quality, stabilized assets located in larger secondary markets with strong demand generators near major U.S. highways." Mr. O'Neill continued, "The continued availability of long-term, fixed-rate debt allows us to deliver stable returns to our unitholders." Upon completion of this acquisition, and the previously-announced acquisitions of two Embassy Suites hotels located in Texas and Arizona, as well as the four Marriott-branded, select-service hotels located in Florida and Tennessee, AHIP's portfolio will consist of 92 hotels totaling 8,581 guest rooms with 47 branded hotels totaling 4,792 guest rooms and 45 rail hotels totaling 3,789 guest rooms. The Acquisition Properties will be managed for AHIP by its exclusive hotel manager, Tower Rock Hotels & Resorts Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of O'Neill Hotels & Resorts Ltd. enVision Hotel St. Paul South in St. Paul, MN Joins Ascend Hotel Collection Yesterday, the Ascend Hotel Collection from Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH welcomed enVision Hotel St. Paul South in St. Paul, MN, the newest addition to its growing portfolio. The hotel is located at 701 Concord Street South. Yesterday, the Ascend Hotel Collection from Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH welcomed enVision Hotel St. Paul South in St. Paul, MN, the newest addition to its growing portfolio. The hotel is located at 701 Concord Street South. Building on the success of two enVision properties already members of the Ascend Hotel Collection properties, the enVision Hotel Management Company announced the opening of the enVision St. Paul South to further build out its "mini-brand." This location joins sister properties in Boston Longwood and Boston Everett in Massachusetts. All three hotels are designed for travelers seeking a unique experience with a neighborhood charm. "We are so proud to welcome a third enVision hotel into the Ascend Hotel Collection," said Janis Cannon, senior vice president of upscale brands for Choice Hotels. "It is proof to us that the quiet but powerful backing of the Ascend Hotel Collection is equipping these properties with the right business tools so they can focus on the guest experience. This trio of hotels truly captures the spirit of Ascend and further strengthens our diverse portfolio of distinctive independent hotels and resorts." enVision St. Paul South combines a vintage aesthetic with local neighborhood charm. The hotel boasts an in-house restaurant, "Against the Grain," which offers a well-rounded selection of comfort foods and local favorites as well as an extensive beer, wine and hand-crafted cocktail selection, with the option for dining, takeout and room service. The hotel also offers meeting spaces tailored to fit social gatherings and corporate affairs with rooms that can accommodate up to 380 guests as well as weekly soirees in the lobby bringing guests together. The hotel is located near a variety of attractions to explore in town, including the Como Park Zoo, Conservatory, Science Museum of Minnesota Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing, Cathedral of St. Paul, Xcel Energy Center, Mall of America, Minnesota Museum of American Art and US Bank Stadium. "We're excited to continue our relationship with Ascend with this next endeavor at enVision St. Paul South," said Gautam Sharma, President, Global Vision Hotels. "Our successful partnership with Ascend has given us the opportunity to continue to expand the enVision experience and we feel so fortunate to broaden our offering to travelers seeking a vintage taste of the local surroundings." The 85-room hotel features smoke-free guest rooms with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, robes and slippers, complimentary bottled water and Keurig coffee makers as well as free hot breakfast for every guest. The hotel has an indoor heated pool and exercise room as well as a business center complete with copy, print and fax machines, and a computer with Internet access. Dont fuck with the music, bruh. After attempting to remove a students headphones, Principal Matthew Tossman of Manhattan Early College School for Advertising was beaten to a pulp, according to Fox News. Before physically attempting to remove the headphones, Tossman approached the student (named Luis Penzo, age 18) and asked him to turn down his blaring music. Only once the student refused did the principal attempt to use his hands to take Penzos headphones off his head. At this point, Penzo allegedly began punching Principal Tossman in the face, pouncing on him, causing the administrator swelling and lacerations around both eyes. The student has been arrested, and is being charged with second-degree assault, which is a felony. Principal Tossman has been released from the hospital, and has thus far refused to comment to the press about the incident. Principal Matthew Tossman In a remarkable and wide-ranging interview, to be published in full in Hot Press tomorrow, among a range of intelligent and potentially controversial views, the Junior Minister for Finance has come out against the idea of criminalising the purchase of sex. Eoghan Murphy, Junior Minister for Finance in the current Fine Gael minority government, has come out against the so called Swedish model on prostitution. A bill had been tabled by the Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald, which will criminalise those who pay for sex. However there were no consultations, in the preparation of the bill, with sex workers. The near universal view among those who provide sexual services is that the proposed legislation is a thoroughly retrograde step a view which was also expressed recently in a controversial interview in Hot Press by the independent TD and Minister for Skills, John Halligan. This view has now been repeated, in a wide-ranging and fascinating in depth interview with Fine Gael minister Eoghan Murphy, which will be published in Hot Press tomorrow. I think Eoghan Murphy comes across really well in the interview, Hot Press editor Niall Stokes says. While he is often highly political, there is an honesty in what he says, and and he is nuanced in how he says it. He is genuinely concerned about understanding things and in coming to the right decisions. I think it is fair to say that the interview is full of the right kind of surprises. During the interview, there is a detailed discussion of prostitution, which mixes personal observations with objective analysis. Advertisement "Whats your take on the so-called Swedish model of arresting men for paying for sex? the Minister is asked by Hot Press interviewer, Jason OToole, who adds. "There was an interesting article in Time magazine showing that this system doesnt work." "I know it doesnt work, Eoghan Murphy says. "Ive looked into it. We dont have the resources to police prostitution. We dont have the resources to police the women in prostitution. We definitely dont have the resources to police the people who are purchasing, because its obviously a much larger number. I dont see it as a solution." A very considered exchange follows, during which the Minister discusses issues concerning trafficking, and well as personal rights, and what might be the right response on the part of Government. If a woman is not being trafficked or abused, what is the problem with her being paid for sex? he is asked. "Youve got a liberal instinct to say its a womans body or a mans body and they have a right to do what they want, he acknowledges. "But then you come to the actual reality and that challenges your principles, you know? What I try to do when I think about these questions is to come from a point of view of the individual. The responsibility of the government is to protect that autonomy and responsibility and those persons rights as they want to live them. And he is asked: "So, you basically agree theres no harm in it amongst consenting adults?" "There is potentially no harm in it, the Minister states. "I think there is a need for it in society. But how we get there I dont know. Advertisement Eoghan also is clear that we need to Repeal the 8th Amendment. Asked is he pro-choice, he responds: Yes." These exchanges are part of an interview that should get other members of the Government thinking again on a variety of fronts. What the Minister has to say in a discussion on God, religion and what happens after death, is also likely to spark wider debate. "I dont believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, the Minister says at one point. "But I do believe that we are more than just biological machines. I think theres something else going on somewhere. I dont know what it is. I do (want to) believe that we go to a better place. I would like to but I cant." He also comes out in favour of legislation to deal with end-of-life issues. Acknowledging that it is a tough one he expresses an important aspect of his thinking in relation to all of these matters, as follows: "People should have autonomy and responsibility over their own bodies, he says. "The role of government in society is to protect that freedom." In the interview, Eoghan Murphy also discusses his botched appendix operation in Thailand; his strange entry into politics; his relationship with the Taoiseach Enda Kenny; the fun he had during his college years; drugs in Ireland, including whether or not he inhaled; religion, atheism and agnosticism; the so called five-a-side controversy in Fine Gael; the spinning of what was said at Parliamentary Party meetings to the media and lots more besides. CORK is an interesting city, because its small enough to make you feel welcome and not feel lost. At the same time, its big enough to explore and feel slightly anonymous. First off, its a city of contradictions. For example, I teach on the northside, where youll find the Four-Faced Liar, which is how we characterise the Shandon Bells. Its got four clocks and each one tells a different time. I think that sums up Cork. There are so many different accents, mentalities and personalities. The album Ive just released is all about the experiences I had growing up in the city. The lead single Naivety mentions the moment I kissed my first boyfriend under one of the old elm trees in Fitzgerald Park. You can go to that park, then head over to The Shakey Bridge, which takes you across the River Lee. The bridge shakes vigorously when youre on it, which as a young kid is the scariest thing - as an adult, its still fairly terrifying! "I sort of half thought someone was joking" Best known for is role as Dr. Gregory House, British actor and musician Hugh Laurie received a Hollywood star on Tuesday. Hugh stood beside comedy partner, Stephen Fry, as the ceremony took place on Los Angeles' Hollywood Boulevard this past week. He is among Marlon Brandon, Frank Sinatra, and Marilyn Monroe who have also been honoured with a star. The Hollywood Walk of Fame acknowledges over 2,500 celebrity achievements - including some fictional characters such as Bugs Bunny and Snow White. Advertisement Watch Hugh Laurie's reaction for yourself in the video below. The comedy writer and producer spent 15 years working on The Simpsons and won three Emmy's for his work on this cartoon. During his career Curran was on the writing team of Late Night with David Letterman in the 1980's for which he also won three Emmy's. In 2001, he joined The Simpsons and in recent years had been Co-Executive Producer. With this show, in 2010, Curran was nominated for a Humanitas Award for his episode "The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed". Curran also wrote for Married ... With Children, a US sitcom featuring the fictional dysfunctional family, The Bundys, for which he served as the uncredited voice of Buck the Dog. Advertisement Kevin Curran passed away in Los Angeles yesterday, October 25 of complications from cancer. He is survived by a son and a daughter that he had with his former partner, author Helen Fielding, creator of Bridget Jones. You are here: Home News @hotpress: In recent years, youve started a non-profit organisation called Do It For The Love. @MichaelFranti: Yes, its kind of like the Make A Wish foundation. We bring people with life-threatening illnesses, children and adults with special needs, and wounded veterans to go and see whatever concert they want in North America. Weve sent people to see Garth Brooks, Jay Z, Beyonce, Metallica, Taylor Swift, the opera everything! @hotpress: Is there anything left to say about the current political situation in America? WARNING: THIS VIDEO HAS real life SPOILERS. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED. Seriously though, if you're familiar at all with the real life story of Pablo Escobar, or if you just google him, then you know what happens. But does that change your enjoyment of this show? The second season of Narcos sees the drug kingpin on the run from the authorities, a chase that would span the remainder of his last days. Seriously, this shit was crazy. A US Joint Special Forces group joined Colombian authorities in the search, with rival cartels financing a nascent vigilante group of Pablo's enemies called Los Pepes. The group would go on to kill 300 of Pablo's associates and relatives. The group was assisted by the Colombian Search Bloc and Colombian and American intelligence agencies. Advertisement The first two seasons of Narcos are out now, with plans for a third and fourth season. Niall Breslin already has a CV longer than your arm, but theres no doubt that the newest addition to it means something special. Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Impact Award Winner is now affixed below professional rugby player, multi-platinum artist, bestselling author and whatever else youre having. Bressies mental health initiative A Lust For Life has been recognised for its work in the field and its founder is understandably chuffed. When it comes to social entrepreneurship, its the pinnacle of what youre trying to do, Bressie explains. You go through a serious process in applying, from governance and legalities to social impact and sustainability. It makes Dragons Den look like a laugh. If were honest, we thought we were being way too ambitious in applying were not even 12 months old but we said wed have a go, and if nothing else wed learn more about ourselves and what were doing. Most organisations applying for the award have been on the go for five or six years, so being given the nod after just one amounts to a ringing endorsement. That said, in the beginning they only barely knew what they were doing. This trailer establishes emotional and psychological stakes. Shia LaBeouf stars in Man Down, a post-apocalyptic drama thriller where a veteran returns from a tour in Afghanistan to a world that appears no different than the one he left. The conflict revolves around him searching for his missing wife and child. It's an odd premise, but the trailer sells the bleakness of the scenario, with dramatic cinematography, heart-pounding acting, and a great leitmotif. It's good to see Shia LaBeouf take on serious roles. Advertisement The film made its debut last year at the 72nd Venice International Film Festival, but it will have its first release for wide audiences in the US on 2 December, with UK and Irish releases to follow. Two children are in the hospital after a New Jersey father dies from intentionally jumping off of the bridge with them in his arms, police say. John Spincken, 37, of Pequannock, N.J. jumped from the overpass of Interstate 287 and into the Wanaque River with his 1- and 3-year-old boys following a domestic dispute with his wife, according to New Jersey State Police. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate United Airlines began work on an expanded maintenance facility at Bush Intercontinental Airport on Tuesday, promising about 200 new permanent jobs while emphasizing its commitment to the Houston hub. The $162 million project, paid mostly by United with a $12.5 million contribution from the Houston Airport System, will double the square footage of its existing maintenance facility and provide hangar space for additional wide-body planes when aircraft need more than routine care. "The technical operations center in Houston is going to be the largest we have in our system," said Gavin Molloy, United's vice president of corporate real estate. During a groundbreaking ceremony, Mayor Sylvester Turner said the move shows that "the bonds remain strong" with the airline six years after it merged with Houston-based Continental Airlines and moved the combined headquarters to Chicago. Earlier this year, United shifted some planes away from Houston due to a drop in corporate energy travelers. But in recent visits to Houston, CEO Oscar Munoz reiterated the airline's support for Houston, its largest hub, and said planes would return once the energy sector recovers. "Our commitment to Houston is deep and long-lasting," he said in August. "Period. End of sentence. No new paragraph." The project announced Tuesday, expected to be completed in late 2018, will add 200,000 square feet of hangar space for maintaining wide-body aircraft, including Boeing 767s, 777s, 787s and Airbus A350s. It will also house a new warehouse distribution center, technical services building and administrative offices. The work undertaken here won't be quick, routine maintenance. Molloy said it will be more intensive projects that United schedules periodically for its aircraft. Houston-based airline consultant Pete Garcia was encouraged by United's investment in its operations. He said the new facility could further improve the airline's on-time performance. "The better maintained the aircraft are, the more reliable they are," Garcia said. And since Houston is both a major United hub and a centrally located city, Garcia said the new facility will allow planes to return to operation more quickly. The facility will boost local job security, too, said Bob Clever, president of Teamsters Local 19, which represents United mechanics and flight simulator technicians in Houston. "It's great that we will be bringing in more work for our technicians," Clever said. United works closely with the Houston Airport System on a skilled training course for this type of work, so Molloy said there will be a natural flow of potential job candidates to fill the new positions. Overall, United has more than 14,000 Houston-based employees. "These are well-paying jobs," Mario Diaz, director of the Houston Airport System, said during the groundbreaking ceremony. "These are the type of jobs that drive the economy of Houston, and they are the kinds of jobs cities across the country seek to bring to their communities." Like Turner, he noted the ongoing partnership with United, and previously Continental, in improving Bush Intercontinental. In 2003, the airline helped develop the international Terminal E and a fifth runway. It completed the renovation of Terminal C in 2010, and the Terminal B South Concourse was completed in 2013. United is currently building a new Terminal C North concourse. The $244 million, 265,000-square-foot facility will open early next year. "This city will do everything that we can to make sure that United succeeds," the mayor said. "When United succeeds, Houston does extremely well." McDermott International, a Houston-based engineering and construction firm for oil and gas exploration projects, said Tuesday that third-quarter profit jumped more than threefold. Net income rose to $16.1 million, up from $3.7 million one year earlier. The company finished the quarter with earnings of 6 cents per diluted share, up from 1 cent in the same quarter a year earlier. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Two of the world's largest energy services companies are continuing to slash jobs in large swaths amid financial losses, even as signs of optimism and drilling activity emerge in the West Texas oil fields. Houston-based Baker Hughes said Tuesday it cut an another 2,000 jobs in the third quarter - 1,400 layoffs plus attrition - and Weatherford International axed another several hundred positions as it completed its round of 8,000 terminations for the year. All this comes as companies increase their North American revenues, but losses are continuing internationally and offshore, and there's talk of slow growth in 2017. Many executives and analysts say the industry hit bottom mid-year, and that the worst may be over, but the outlook is hardly rosy. Companies, still contending with heavy debt and low oil prices, face a long and difficult slog that likely will mean more cost-cutting and layoffs, albeit at a diminishing rate, as the recovery begins to gain traction, analysts said. By next year, conditions should improve further as surpluses shrink and prices slowly rise. "They're getting to the point where they're starting to think about a rising environment," said Praveen Narra, an analyst at investment bank Raymond James. "It's difficult today, but tomorrow looks better." The news remains tougher for smaller services companies as the biggest players scoop up more market share. Houston-based Key Energy Services and Fort Worth's Basic Energy Services both filed for bankruptcy protection this week. The world's two biggest energy services companies, Schlumberger and Halliburton, said last week they stopped laying off people after June. However, they combined to eliminate 85,000 jobs in 18 months. During that time, Halliburton expanded its U.S. market share, while Schlumberger gained more ground overseas, showing just how bad it is for the smaller competitors. Baker Hughes is the world's next biggest player - an increasingly distant third after Halliburton - and it's still cutting jobs in part because it was limited in the cutbacks it could make while its proposed acquisition by Halliburton remained pending. That deal fell apart in May after the Justice Department intervened because of anti-competitiveness concerns. Baker, in turn, received a $3.5 billion breakup fee from Halliburton during the second quarter - a generous gift - yet not enough to stop the bleeding. 'We fixed a lot of things' Baker Hughes Chairman and Chief Executive Martin Craighead said Tuesday the company will decide in the coming months whether to sell its hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, business as it focuses more on drilling and equipment sales. Baker Hughes has surpassed its goal of $500 million in annual cost savings, he said, and will now aim for $650 million in reductions by the end of the year. Craighead also painted a pretty picture, internally, despite the layoffs. "We have a lot of smiles on this side of the fence. We feel really good about where our business is going," Craighead said. "We moved extremely fast. We fixed a lot of things. We still have more to do." Baker Hughes posted a quarterly loss of $429 million, but that compares to a $911 million loss in the previous three months. Everything is relative. As such, Baker's stock jumped more than 4 percent Tuesday, increasing by $2.24 per share and closing at $54.39 - its highest point of the year. Baker Hughes employs about 34,000 people globally now, down 28,000 people from a headcount of more than 62,000 employees before the oil bust began in late 2014. While Halliburton, Schlumberger and Weatherford all said the industry can recover more with oil prices stabilized above $50 a barrel, Craighead said he sees a little more conservative outlook. "We continue to believe that oil prices in the mid-to-high $50s are required to sustain recoverability in North America," he said. The benchmark for U.S. oil settled Tuesday at $49.96 per barrel, down 56 cents for the day, as pricing has hovered right around $50 the last couple of weeks, buoyed in part by optimism that OPEC will reach a deal next month to reduce oil production. Rig count climbing In less than two years of the bust, more than 210 North American energy companies have filed for bankruptcy. Oil pricing seemingly bottomed out just above $26 a barrel back in February. Since then, drilling rigs have increasingly been added to the oil patch, especially in West Texas' resilient Permian Basin. The rig count climbed to 553 last week, up from a low of 404 in May. The news was worse on the surface for Weatherford, which has its main operations in Houston, posting a $1.8 billion net loss for the third quarter, even though its North American revenues slowly began to rise. About $1.4 billion of the losses come from the one-time write-downs on the lost values of rigs, equipment and other assets, as well as other tax charges. Weatherford's $1.35 billion in revenues are down almost 40 percent from last year, but that's just a 3 percent dip from the second quarter. The optimistic point of emphasis by Weatherford Chairman and CEO Bernard Duroc-Danner is the company's North American revenues actually grew 12 percent from the previous quarter. "This is the first step towards a recovery," he said. David Hunn contributed to this report. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A civil rights group is rallying small business owners and warning Texas lawmakers that if they pass laws that discriminate against transgender people, the state could find itself facing a boycott like North Carolina. More than 200 Texas businesses from 36 cities and towns signed a letter urging the Legislature not to approve what Lt. Governor Dan Patrick misleadingly calls the "Women's Protection Act." The law would make it illegal for a transgender man to use a woman's restroom. Apparently current laws that forbid anyone from lurking or sexually harassing people in public restrooms are not enough for Patrick. He needs to single out one of society's most vulnerable populations for humiliation and possible prosecution. After North Carolina passed a similar law, investors and corporations cancelled more than $395 million in spending. Last month, nearly 60 investors with $2 trillion in assets under management said the law is hurting North Carolina's economy and urged lawmakers to repeal the law, the Reuters News Agency reported. "North Carolina has written discrimination into state law," said Matthew Patsky, chief executive officer of Trillium, a New York investment management firm with an office in North Carolina. "The unintended consequence has been a backlash that is having material, negative impact on the economy of the state." The small business people who signed the Equality Texas letter asked lawmakers to make sure that doesn't happen here. "We have significant concerns that Texas and San Antonio tourism will suffer as we make headlines for being the latest state to push a discriminatory agenda," said Anel Flores, owner of A&N Realty. "We've seen it happen around the country, and when tourism suffers, it's not just numbers in the news. Real small businesses, real jobs, and real revenues are affected." Beyond the economic impact, the law is simply mean-spirited. "We are firm believers in equality and fairness," said Diana Donatti, president of Houston-based Donatti Translation & Interpreting. "We are a minority, woman-owned business and we are proud of the inclusiveness we enjoy in Texas. Our state legislation needs to reflect that inclusiveness." Patrick would love to make the next legislative session about a bathroom bill to distract from the state's wobbly economy, the government's financial crisis and how badly the state treats children with special needs. The fact is that transgender people have used the bathroom that matches their identity for generations without anyone really noticing. There are no cases where a transgender person was found to have committed a crime while trying to discreetely use the bathroom without someone noticing. Patrick's proposed law would force men dressed as women to use the men's room, which presents its own problems. And that's what makes the law discriminatory; it would prevent transgender people from living their lives as they wish without persecution. The Texas Association of Business, the Greater Houston Partnership and every major corporation in Texas opposes this kind of discrimination. If the Republican majority in Austin really is pro-business, it will listen to them and these small businesses. There is no room for official bigotry in the Lone Star State. 21st century Vikings By: Scott Sumner This Washington Post article caught my eye: REYKJAVIK, ICELAND The party that could be on the cusp of winning Icelands national elections on Saturday didnt exist four years ago. Its members are a collection of anarchists, hackers, libertarians and Web geeks. It sets policy through online polls and thinks the government should do the same. It wants to make Iceland a Switzerland of bits, free of digital snooping. It has offered Edward Snowden a new place to call home. And then theres the name: In this land of Vikings, the Pirate Party may soon be king. The rise of the Pirates from radical fringe to focal point of Icelandic politics has astonished even the partys founder, a poet, Web programmer and former WikiLeaks activist. And thats not the only new party in Iceland: Outsiders may regard the idea of a government run by Pirates as a joke. But the voters think a joke is better than what we have now, said Benedikt Johannesson, leader of another insurgent party that is even younger than the Pirates and has also earned substantial support. Johannesson hastens to add that he doesnt see the Pirates as a joke. His buttoned-down party is made up of technocrats, academics and business executives, a far cry from the punk-rock, hacker spirit of the Pirates. But the two may be in coalition talks after the election if, as expected, no party comes anywhere near the majority needed to govern. He may not agree with the Pirates on many issues, he said, but at least they share a belief in the need for fundamental change. The article is a bit vague on their political views: The Pirates have spelled out their positions on issues from fishing quotas to online pornography to Snowden. (Party leaders offered him Icelandic citizenship if he can find a way to get here.) But on some of the biggest questions facing the country, the official party position is to punt to the voters. Whether Iceland should join the European Union, for instance, is a debate that has raged in the country for years. But the Pirates have not taken a stand, insisting instead that the matter should be decided in a national referendum. Some of the partys signature proposals, meanwhile, are vaguely defined. The Pirates were born in Sweden as a movement to counter digital copyright laws. But the partys proposal to make Iceland a digital safe haven, much like Switzerland is for banking, is hazy on the details. To party devotees, thats fine. The Pirates, they say, are less about any specific ideology than they are about a belief that the Wests creaking political systems can be hacked to give citizens a greater say in their democracy. We are not here to gain power, said Asta Guthrun Helgadottir, a 26-year-old Pirate member of Parliament. We are here to distribute power. But I do like that final sentence. Cool party symbol too: Iceland was a pioneer of democratic governance; lets hope they can also pioneer decentralization. Its also worth noting that theres a rapidly growing movement of young people in Brazil who favor libertarian policies. And look who was just elected mayor of South Africas largest city: Emotions ran hot when hundreds of homeowners from a repeatedly flooded subdivision gathered Tuesday night for a panel discussion hosted by U.S. Rep. Ted Poe. Six months after the Addicks Reservoir hit its highest point on record during the Tax Day flood, swelling up out of its theoretical bank and into the Bear Creek subdivision on its northwestern edge, residents there bemoaned the lingering effects. Beside financial ruin, some said, they still were living out of boxes and replacing appliances. And they were living in terror of the next big rain. RELATED: The trouble with living in a swamp: Houston floods explained Poe gathered an expert panel, which included City of Houston flood czar Stephen Costello, Harris County Flood Control District chief operations officer Matt Zeve, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District natural resources manager Richard Long, plus spokespeople from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other groups. Tension mounted at times as the crowd's frustration with their fate boiled over, prompting Poe at one point to tell and audience member, "Do not yell at me." There were tears, raised voices, and some mild catharsis, but not many substantive solutions. The audience wanted to know why the Addicks reservoir had infiltrated their living rooms, and what could be done to prevent it from happening again. That West Harris County reservoir, like it's sibling, Barker, was built after floods all but destroyed downtown in 1929 and 1935. Addicks, which drains into Buffalo Bayou, is created by an arched berm at its southern and eastern edge. As the water accumulates, it rises against the sloping base toward the northwest, eventually past the dedicated park space and into neighborhoods. It is managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. RELATED: Houston dams are old, beat up and a vital line of defense In urgent situations, Long said the Corps is authorized to store floodwaters on lands beyond the confines of the Addicks Reservoir itself. "Part of that is the Bear Creek subdivision," he said, eliciting gasps from the crowd. A 1930 law, he explained, said the reservoir's sole purpose was to keep downtown dry. If Buffalo Bayou was already full, like it was on Tax Day 2016, he said the Corps could not release water from the Addicks floodgates. So, the reservoir would rise into the subdivisions on its northwestern cusp. "So are you saying," Poe interjected, that the Corps would seal the floodgates "to the detriment of this area?" "That is, unfortunately, correct," Long said. Gasps again. A man stood up in the crowd. "What gives you the right to flood an individual's land?" he shouted. Long reiterated: when Congress authorized the Corps to manage the reservoirs "it said, do A: protect Houston. There is no B." A man in the audience later stood to ask about changing the 1930 law, which was set when Houston was a small urban speck in the middle of a wet wilderness, void of suburban sprawl. That would take an act of Congress, Poe said. The crowd moved to explore options for keeping the flood level low inside Addicks. The crowd alleged that construction of a bridge on Clay Road by the city of Houston was backing up flows on Langham Creek, also forcing water into the northwest. Costello said he would have to see the initial construction analysis done before the bridge was built before he could determine if it was having that effect. Unfortunately, he said, that initial analysis seemed to have been destroyed when Tropical Storm Allison flooded a trove of documents in Houston's City Hall. People alleged that the raising of Clay from a ground-level thoroughfare to a road atop a long berm amounted to creation of a levee, bisecting the reservoir and forcing water into the northwestern subdivision. "Let the water out of the reservoir and get it out of our homes," shouted an audience member, garnering cheers from the crowd. RELATED: Lots of anger, few solutions at Brays Bayou flooding town hall No one on the panel denied the effect from the road and bridge was real, but said a study must be commissioned to investigate. How about starting a program to remove the half century of silt that has been deposited at the base of the reservoir? That would make it deeper and able to hold more water. Long said that also would require a study. How long would that study take? the audience asked. About three years, Long said to sarcastic laughter. First, he said, Congress would have to appropriate about $1.5 million, which means a spending bill would have to pass the House and Senate and be signed by the president. "We will make that request as soon as we go back into session," Poe said. "We'll try to do it this year. I can't promise anything." Kanani Hoover, 35, said she was a newcomer to the neighborhood. She'd bought a house there in March her first house and it flooded in April. She stopped to wipe a sudden welling of tears. "Since this is going to take forever," she said, referring to the study to improve the reservoir, "we need something else." She said she had applied for a FEMA grant to raise her home so it could be spared the next time waters inevitably rise in Bear Creek. She was denied the grant, which was only available to residents of the City of Houston. A FEMA spokesman said that limited grant money was managed by state and local authorities. "They set priorities for which areas they want to target," he said. This time, it seems they targeted Houston. The spokesman also promised to personally explain to Hoover how to have her application reevaluated. Poe raised a hopeful possibility: federal legislation providing $500 million in relief for 2016 floods in Texas, Louisiana, West Virginia and Maryland has passed the Senate, and now awaits passage by the House and a signature from the president. That money would cover some home improvements, although the majority would go to Louisiana, which took the biggest hit. When the meeting concluded, a few residents stormed out angrily, frustrated with the lack of solutions. Many, however, stayed for personal conversations with the panelists, and many expressed appreciation for the opportunity to vent. Karen Meyer, a Bear Creek resident whose home did not flood, offered thanks to Poe for calling the meeting. "These people have been ignored for so long that they're happy with this meeting because they finally got to talk with someone," she said. "This was very healthy for our community." She also voiced gratitude to the Bear Creek United Methodist Church, which had donated the space for the meeting, and which had provided care to flooded neighbors in the aftermath of the springtime storms. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The judge overseeing a $400 million divorce case in Galveston County on Tuesday ordered a sanction against the wife in the case, Winnie Stacey Alwazzan. The move holds her responsible for paying more than $200,000 in legal fees for the attorneys who represent her estranged husband, Isa Alwazzan, and his family's company. In its findings, the court ruled that Winnie "never established residence in Galveston County at anytime before January 2015," and that her filing in that county "constituted impermissible forum shopping, which was done in bad faith for the improper purpose of attempting to bring the same claims against the same parties in a different County for a different result, after a final trial on the merits was held and adjudicated in Harris County." No jurisdiction to rule Winnie and Isa, who'd lived in Montgomery County, first brought their divorce to a court there. In November 2011, the Alwazzans signed a mediated divorce settlement, agreeing that Isa would pay a lump sum of $168,000 into a trust and provide $3,500 a month in child support. His interest in his family company, International Agencies Co. Ltd. - or Intercol - which Winnie says is worth about $5 billion, wasn't addressed. Winnie's lawyer, Jared Woodfill, asked the court "nonsuit," or cancel, that settlement, arguing that it only addressed half the case. Then Woodfill filed a new divorce claim in Harris County, where he says Winnie had recently moved. She was awarded $3.4 million, plus property. But only Isa was held liable, not Intercol; Woodfill says he erroneously used the wrong address for notifying Intercol. They nonsuited again, filing in Galveston, where Woodfill and Winnie Alwazzan said she had since moved into a beachfront condo. In June 2014, she was awarded a $416 million settlement, in which Intercol and Isa Alwazzan were held jointly liable. That was overturned. Because of the mediated settlement agreement in Montgomery County, the Galveston court said it did not have juridiction to rule. In early October, Intercol's lawyers motioned to sanction Winnie's legal team, asking for repayment of more than $700,00 in attorney fees. 'Continue to fight' Tuesday, though the court ruled in Intercol's favor, but awarded a smaller amount: Winnie is ordered to pay $100,000 to Intercol and $50,000 to Isa for this lawsuit, with additional fees should any be awarded in post-judgment actions, reviews or appeals. "We respectfully disagree with this opinion," Woodfill said Tuesday afternoon. "It's one judge's opinion, and we'll continue to fight this." He has already filed an appeal on the dismissal of the divorce, and plans to appeal the sanctions as well. That could come at an added cost; the judge's ruling also orders that Winnie would have to pay $85,000 to both Isa and Intercol's legal teams for any appeals in the court of appeals. "The judge also tried to tack on another $85,000 with the appeals, and we don't believe you can do that," Woodfill says. "We think that's inconsistent with the law." Kathleen Collins, an attorney for Intercol, said Tuesday that her team wasn't surprised that Winnie's side continues to fight. "It's exactly what they've done throughout this process, beginning in Montgomery County," she said. "From their past actions, I fully expect to see this to go to the Supreme Court - I don't see them stopping." Who: Antonio Gianola, manager and sommelier at Houston Wine Merchant What: Scarpetta Brut Rose "Timido" Why: Roses, still or sparking, are almost always splendid pairings with smoked meats, especially in a festival setting like Southern Smoke, Chris Shepherd's Nov. 6 block party on the grounds of his Montrose restaurant Underbelly, Hay Merchant beer bar and Blacksmith coffee house. Gianola says of Scarpetta's Timido: "In my love of all things Italian, I cannot get enough of this Prosecco-style sparkling wine from Friuli that is made from franconia (Blaufrankisch) and pinot nero (pinot noir). Aromas of fresh cut flowers and strawberries leap from the bouquet, crisp and pleasantly fruity it begs to pour a second glass. Like the wild flowers of spring, it is a perennial favorite at our house as a delightful aperitif, perfect with frequent Vietnamese take-out, always carried to our favored BYOB spots and of course great with barbecue. Find me at Southern Smoke and this will surely be in my glass." Price: $20 for a bottle at Houston Wine Merchant, 2646 S. Shepherd Dale Robertson "The Demagogue" lyrics At the edge of the world Where the factories are There's a burning of hatred That's crossing the lines There's a blue-eyed devil man Thinks he's king of the world He's a bully, a salesman Selling fear and hate Who do you think you are? He plays us with his hate Turns man against man But it's really not a game And I pray to the ancestors' love Do not be fooled by this man's foolish talk The serpent woke again In different times and places There's a burning cross Leading the mob People in chains He's a quack circus act creeping from the past He's the symbol of the monster we no longer want to be (what we used to be...) The earth trembles with these names Mussolini, Adolph Hitler, Pinochet No respect for woman, no respect for race No respect for anything that lives, the human race But he cannot buy our soul (CHORUS:) NO A ESE MURO Voy cortando el odio Voy sembrando amor NO A ESE MURO De la explotacion Pero es mi casa NO A ESE MURO La luz de la manana El lugar de mis ancestros Las flores del desierto NO A ESE MURO Gonna show that my love Is much stronger than hate I'm gonna call to the four winds I'm gonna change my fate I'm gonna rise up singing I'm gonna stand for this place It's a long time, mi gente There's no turning back There's no turning back There's no turning back It's that time of year again. The Cleveland Advocate is hosting its Facebook Halloween costume contest for kids 11 and under and pets of any age. Just send us a photo of your entry, along with the child or pet's name, child's age and hometown. If you would like to include a few details, such as if the costume is homemade (made by grandma, etc.), please do so. The prestigious group of North America's top research universities selected Rice University President David Leebron chairman of its board of directors on Tuesday, making him responsible for representing the Association of American Universities to U.S. lawmakers on issues of higher education policy. Known as the preeminent higher education organization for the United States and Canada, AAU's 60 U.S. member universities produce several billions of dollars of federally funded research a year and convey nearly 60 percent of the nation's doctoral degrees in engineering, the physical sciences, math and computer science. Two Canadian colleges also are group members. The appointment, Leebron said in an interview, "is a recognition that Rice is regarded as a very significant research university in the U.S., even though it's a comparatively small institution." He's been leading Rice since 2004 and formerly was the dean of the Columbia Law School in New York. As chair for a year, Leebron, previously the vice chair, will serve as spokesperson for the AAU, help develop national policy positions connected to research and higher education and oversee the association's strategic direction. Leading the nonprofit university association's board holds special significance during and after a presidential election. Leebron will have to adapt to a new presidential administration and the partisan priorities of a newly elected Congress. In a political climate that's been critical of higher education, this presents a particular challenge, Leebron said, adding that regardless of whether Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump is elected president, the higher education group will push for policies that would strip away regulations making it more challenging for universities to access federal funding. "The regulatory environment has, generally speaking, become increasingly onerous and expensive," he said. After the election, a top priority for Leebron and the AAU will be to establish how new federal legislative leadership will approach academic research and higher education funding, said Barry Toiv, an AAU spokesman. "It's going to change regardless of who wins and which (political) party controls the House and Senate, but we don't know exactly how," Toiv said. Despite tensions between higher education institutions and the federal government, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle "can seem to agree on the need for basic research," said James Savage, a politics and public policy professor at the University of Virginia who worked in governmentrelations at the University of California System and at the University of Virginia, which are both AAU members. "At the end of the day, the federal government relies on these institutions to do the work," he said of high-level research universities. With limited membership and its rigorous academic qualifying standards, the AAU's exclusive reputation places it on a pedestal of sorts. Membership requires a university to meet high benchmarks in categories like the number of doctorate degrees granted annually and its volume of academic research. A committee led by the chair of the outgoing board of directors evaluates non-members seeking entry to the group. "There's a view in the AAU that it's very important to be able to sit around a very large conference table around the periphery of the room and have a single conversation," Leebron said of the group's intended academic exclusivity. Rice has been an AAU member since 1985 and is one of three Texas universities in the group, along with Texas A&M University and University of Texas at Austin. Former UT President Bill Powers was AAU board chair from October 2013 through October 2014. The University of Houston has pushed for AAU membership over the last few years, with President Renu Khator explicitly lobbying for UH in her most recent fall address. Khator has said that membership would raise Texas's profile as a whole in higher education. While UH meets or exceeds the minimum threshold for membership, she said in a speech earlier this month, the AAU holds incoming members to stringent standards in its evaluation. Leebron said he does not expect to play a role in new membership decisions, but that he would "be happy to sit down with President Khator or anyone else from Texas to talk about what their aspirations might be." A Texas woman in prison for one of the more notorious crimes in the state wrote a Christmas card thanking someone for showing her "kindness" and expressing appreciation for the "soft" words. That card ended up for auction through an online site dealing in memorabilia from famous killers. Now, state officials are investigating whether any prison rules or regulations were broken. The card was written by Genene Jones, who was convicted of killing one infant, but suspected in 40 other babies' deaths during her time as a pediatric nurse in Bexar and Kerr counties. READ MORE: Another fight ensues to keep killer locked up "Talk about ringing a hollow note," City of Houston victims' rights advocate Andy Kahan told KPRC-TV. "Proving once again what a narcisstic psychopath she truly is." While the card and sale aren't illegal, Kaham also found an inmate trust-fund form bearing Jones' name on a different site for sale for $45. Kahan asked the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to look into how the form was sent out and ended up for sale. State prison officials told KPRC they are investigating whether Jones violated any prison policies, which could effect her scheduled release date in March 2018. Jones was sentenced to 99 years in prison, but qualifies for earlier release under a now-defunct law that allowed her to earn good time towards getting out of prison. READ MORE: Why Genene Jones could go free in 2018 Officials with the Bexar County District Attorney's Office said they are still working to determine if Jones can be prosecuted for another child's death. I am hoping that somehow she did violate prison policy, Kahan said. It's a long shot, but at this point we have absolutely nothing to lose." When it rains, it floods, at least in Texas. The National Weather Service in La Crosse, Wisconsin, recently tweeted that Texas is leading the nation this year in the number of flood fatalities. Unfortunately, this is not the first time Texas takes the number one spot: Data from the National Weather Service reveals Texas has lead the nation in flood-related deaths for the past 50 years. As a result, flooding is the number one cause of weather-related deaths in Texas. New Yorks campaign to attract businesses claims the state is open for business! This is comical coming from a government that has the nations second-worst business-tax climate, bans fracking, keeps ride-sharing out of upstate, and now criminalizes short-term rental advertisements. With Gov. Cuomos signing of the anti-Airbnb bill last Friday, the message is clear: New York is closed for business. New Yorks 2010 ban on whole-apartment rentals of less than 30 days is already antiquated in todays on-demand economy, but this law makes matters far worse. People offering short-term rentals when theyre not in their apartments can be fined up to $7,500 simply for listing their properties on sites such as Airbnb. The bills supporters claim that limiting short-term rentals will increase access to affordable housing. But theres no way that an online platform that didnt launch until 2008 is the culprit when it comes to the citys decades-long struggle with high rents. The 41,000 active Airbnb listings in New York City come out to just over 1 percent of the citys 3 million housing units. Such a small fraction of available housing cant possibly boost rents in any noticeable way. And even these listings arent taking housing options from New Yorkers 90 percent of Airbnb posts are for residents permanent homes. This crusade was never about protecting New Yorkers from illegal hotels, but about protecting the hotel industry from competition. As Vijay Dandapani, the chairman of the Hotel Association of New York City, stated, the new law is also protecting one of New Yorks most vital economic contributors the hotel and hospitality industry. Dandapani fails to note that Airbnb and other home-sharing options dont simply poach hotel guests. Start with the cost: The average New York City hotel room comes to about $270 a night, far above many travelers budgets. Yet a quick search on Airbnb returns hundreds of options under the average price of a hotel, including a shared room in Williamsburg for $53 a night. Sure, many of these rentals lack the amenities that hotels usually provide, but thats the point. Not all travelers want a hotel experience. Airbnb listings are scattered all over the five boroughs and upstate. This creates opportunities to live like a local (an Airbnb slogan) and brings travelers into neighborhoods that usually dont benefit from tourism spending. In other words, short-term rentals expand the proverbial pie of lodging options by offering travelers lower prices and more choices. Nor is this an isolated incident of the state fighting innovation: New York officially banned fracking in June 2015. Technological advances had turned natural-gas deposits that were too costly to reach a decade ago into job-creating machines. Yet the Empire State continues to pass on the chance to gain the fracking-driven economic development that parts of neighboring Pennsylvania have seen. Then, too, ride-hailing services like Uber are still unavailable outside the New York City area. This clearly harms residents, but benefits established taxi cartels. On these innovative services, Cuomo is all talk, no action. He claimed he believed Uber is one of these great inventions, startups, of this new economy, and even said, I dont think the government should be in the business of trying to restrict job growth. Yet thats precisely Albanys mode of operation. Uber alone could create 13,000 work opportunities if allowed statewide, while fracking could add tens of thousands of new jobs. And short-term rentals provide a way for hosts to afford sky-high rents. The $5,500 in average income from Airbnb is why more than three-quarters of New York hosts say that this extra income helps them stay in their homes or apartments. Tech continues to change the economy for the better. Uber, Airbnb and other online platforms open opportunities that simply werent feasible a decade ago. Fracking has proven to be a low-emissions way to spur energy production and create jobs. In the face of this progress, New York policymakers have consistently shown their unwillingness to bring the state into the 21st century. This attitude harms New Yorkers and does not bode well for the states economic future. While Cuomo and his allies in Albany may talk about creating a business-friendly environment, their anti-competitive actions show that New York is no place for innovators. This article originally appeared on the New York Post. Jared Meyer is a fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. Follow him on Twitter here. To the red-and-blue map of U.S. politics, it may be time to add green. The movement to legalize marijuana, the country's most popular illicit drug, will take a giant leap on Election Day if California and four other states vote to allow recreational cannabis, as polls suggest they may. The map of where pot is legal could include the entire West Coast and a string of states from the Pacific Ocean to Colorado, raising a stronger challenge to the federal government's ban on the drug. In addition to California, Massachusetts and Maine both have legalization initiatives on the ballot next month that seem likely to pass. Arizona and Nevada are also voting on recreational marijuana, with polls showing Nevada voters evenly split. The passage of recreational marijuana laws in Alaska, Colorado, Oregon and Washington over the past four years may have unlocked the door toward eventual federal legalization. But a yes vote in California, which has an economy the size of a large industrial country's, could blow the door open, experts say. "If we're successful, it's the beginning of the end of the war on marijuana," said Gavin Newsom, the lieutenant governor of California and a former mayor of San Francisco. "If California moves, it will put more pressure on Mexico and Latin America writ large to reignite a debate on legalization there." Legalization puts pot-legal states in direct conflict with the federal government, particularly the Drug Enforcement Administration, which in August defied calls for a softening of regulations on marijuana and reaffirmed its classification as a Schedule 1 drug, the same category as heroin. Legalization also reinforces a jarring dysfunction between state and federal legal systems over how to handle financial transactions related to marijuana. The federal government, which in 2013 announced it would not prosecute states for legalizing marijuana under certain conditions, accepts taxes from marijuana companies. But the same companies have trouble opening bank accounts or accepting credit cards because of the federal marijuana ban. The market for both recreational and medicinal marijuana is projected to grow to $22 billion in four years from $7 billion this year if California says yes, according to projections by the Arcview Group, a company that links investors with cannabis companies. "This is the vote heard 'round the world," said Arcview's chief executive, Troy Dayton. "What we've seen before has been tiny compared to what we are going to see in California." And yet scholars who have studied these legalization measures say that to a large extent they are very much a shot in the dark, a vast public health experiment that could involve states that hold 23 percent of the U.S. population - and generate a quarter of the country's economic output - carried out with relatively little scientific research on the risks. In addition, there are 25 states that already permit medical marijuana. To hear proponents of legalization in California tell it, a yes vote here would allow the same benefits seen in Colorado - a sharp reduction in drug arrests and a large increase in tax collection - but on a scale many times larger. Legalization would also further transform parts of the California countryside into pot-growing farms, and it would legitimize and perhaps help consolidate an industry that, once out of the shadows, will likely have the same lobbying power as tobacco and alcohol companies. According to Marijuana Business Daily, a trade publication, the recreational marijuana industry would be larger than the wine industry if use was legalized nationwide. The enthusiasm for pot legalization - 57 percent of Americans believe it should be legal - has spurred experts to push back against what they say is a widespread public perception that marijuana is a mild drug and less harmful than tobacco or alcohol. Jennifer Tejada, chairwoman of the law and legislative committee of the California Police Chiefs Association, said she is not against legalization but argues that the measure is ill thought out. California should first develop laws to determine when a marijuana user is too impaired to drive, she said. "It's like putting a 12-year-old behind the wheel of a car and saying, 'Go for a drive! Let's study the safety issues later,' " she said. "It's ludicrous." "We are teaching our kids more and more that living in an altered state is a societal norm," said Scott Chipman, the Southern California chairman of Citizens Against Legalizing Marijuana, which is campaigning to persuade voters against passage of the measure. "This is not about a war on drugs - it's a battle to protect the human brain, the mind, our futures, our kids." Proponents cite the tens of thousands of marijuana arrests in recent years as a powerful reason for legalization. But Tejada said the police in California no longer make arrests for possession or use of small amounts. "Go to any county jail and find someone who is in there for possession of marijuana," she said. "It hasn't happened for two decades." Stanton Glantz, a professor at the School of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, says marijuana regulations, which were formulated like laws for alcohol, should instead be modeled after the measures passed in recent decades that discourage tobacco use. Cigarette smoke and marijuana smoke have similar harmful chemical profiles, he said. The ballot initiatives in California and elsewhere are written "in a way to maximize business potential without seriously considering the public health impact," Glantz said. Legalization lowers arrests, but "this is exchanging a criminal justice crisis for a public health crisis," he said. A number of recent studies, while acknowledging the limits of research under the federal ban, warn that marijuana's harmful effects - especially on adolescent development, to the cardiovascular system and to fetuses - have been understated. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that marijuana was more addictive than alcohol but less so than tobacco. "The addictiveness of cannabis has been underestimated," said Jesse Cougle, lead author. The finding "definitely contradicts a lot of opinions on the topic," he said. Among weekly users, the study found a 25 percent risk of dependence for marijuana compared with 16 percent for alcohol and 67 percent for tobacco. Proponents of legalization play down the potential dangers of marijuana, saying generations of Americans have used it in what they describe as a type of real-time experiment for harmful effects. "People die from alcohol every day," said Adam Bierman, the co-founder and chief executive of MedMen, a cannabis investment firm. "People don't die from marijuana." Data from Colorado, still incomplete, provides a picture of what might be in store for California and other states. A report by the Colorado Department of Public Safety found both a 46 percent drop in the number of marijuana arrests in 2014, the first year commercial marijuana was available, and a rise in marijuana use among young people. It also highlighted a "significant increase" in overall rates of emergency room visits from 739 per 100,000 in the three-year period before legalization to 956 per 100,000 in the first year and a half of legalization. Newsom, the lieutenant governor of California, concedes that legalizing marijuana has many challenges, among them staving off the prospect of powerful marijuana monopolies and keeping what he termed a "dangerous drug" out of the hands of children. "It's on us to prove we can do this responsibly," he said. "I grant that there are those who don't believe we are up to it. We have to prove them wrong." IRBIL, Iraq - As security forces bear down on Mosul, the Islamic State has moved hundreds of civilians from villages around the city to use as human shields, and the United Nations said the militants may have executed nearly 200 people. To the east, near the Kurdish-controlled city of Kirkuk, Sunni Arabs who fled there to escape violence are being forcibly displaced as local officials worry about terrorist sleeper cells. The toll of an intensifying war does not end there: A sulfur plant set on fire by the Islamic State has sent dozens of people for treatment for respiratory problems, and several journalists have been hurt, and two killed, covering the fighting. Just 10 days into the long-awaited offensive to retake Mosul from the Islamic State, the campaign has unleashed a fresh set of horrors across a wide stretch of the country. Although the government's military operation itself is largely meeting its goals, the turmoil surrounding it is a sign of just how difficult it would be to secure a lasting peace across Iraq's many divisions. The human toll and factional distrust are early examples of the complex humanitarian crisis that many believed would unfold once the fight to oust the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, from its last major Iraqi stronghold began in earnest. U.N. officials said Tuesday that Islamic State fighters had killed close to 200 people, including civilians and children, in and around Mosul in the past week. Among them were said to have been 50 former Iraqi policemen held in a building outside Mosul on Sunday, Rupert Colville, the spokesman for the U.N. human rights high commissioner, told journalists in Geneva. The statements coming from Geneva track broadly with what local Iraqi officials and residents said in recent days as the military operation around Mosul intensified. Colville said that in one case, several women and children, including a 4-year-old, who were being held as human shields by Islamic State fighters were suddenly gunned down by the militants, possibly because they were lagging behind the group. He also said that last week the Islamic State was reported to have executed 15 civilians in the village of Safina, about 28 miles south of Mosul, supposedly to terrify other residents. "ISIS has lost hundreds of its members from airstrikes when they withdraw, so now they are forcibly displacing the residents of villages they are leaving and using them as human shields," said Abdul Satar, a former Iraqi army general. This election season has also become conspiracy season for right-wing pundits and GOP nominee Donald Trump. Amid cries of a "rigged election," there were two instances of a GOP ballot being flipped to cast Democratic votes in Tarrant County on Tuesday, the second day of early voting. But, elections officials there say, there's nothing nefarious, just simple "voter error." Typically, weve found its voter error with the equipment, Tarrant County Elections Commissioner Frank Phillips told The Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Sometimes they vote straight party and then click on other candidates ... or do something with the wheel. There is not an issue with the equipment. READ MORE: Voter roll issues don't equate to a 'rigged election' Fox News pundit and major Trump supporter Sean Hannity cited two other unconfirmed cases in Potter County in the Texas Panhandle. Hannity tweeted on Tuesday: "UH OH: Texas Republicans reporting their early votes are being changed to Clinton-Kaine" Gary Coronado/MBI Potter County Judge Nancy Tanner issued a statement saying there was nothing wrong with the voting machines. READ MORE: Stanart: Local elections cannot be hacked or 'rigged' "They do not flip your vote. They do not flip parties. Humans do that." Trump has been calling the election "rigged" for several weeks as his poll numbers have slipped following the release of the infamous "Access Hollywood" recording, allegations of sexual misconduct from 11 women and poor debate performances. But, much like the cases in Potter County, no one has produced any evidence to support the idea that something is rigged. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Edward Johnson is terrified at the prospect of a Donald Trump presidency. The billionaire businessman's campaign has an energy of hate and domination, the 21-year-old says, especially toward minorities. He scoffed at Trump's recent question for black voters: "What do you have to lose?" "What do we have to lose?" the Texas Southern University junior responded. "Everything and more." National polls show that upward of 4 out of 5 black voters support Democrat Hillary Clinton over Trump. Many cite the Republican presidential nominee's inflammatory comments about women and minorities, as well as his law-and-order campaign theme launched against the backdrop of police shootings of black men. Then there was his widely panned shout-out to a black supporter last spring, "Look at my African American over here." But interviews with black voters in the Houston area suggest that while few intend to pull the lever for Trump, they're hardly "fired up" and "ready to go" for Hillary as they were for Barack Obama, the nation's first African-American president. And though Bill Clinton's appeal to black voters earned him the moniker of "first black president," his wife doesn't appear to generate the same enthusiasm in a campaign that has been more about personalities than issues like poverty and education. "I'm disgusted with the whole thing," said Val Taylor, 59, as she waited in line at an early voting location in Houston. "The debates weren't even for the people - they were just insulting each other. I didn't hear what I wanted (to) hear about what they would do about education and the economy." She's particularly concerned about education because of her special-needs grandson. Another main concern is addressing police brutality and improving relations between law enforcement and the communities they serve. She said she planned to vote for Clinton but was more interested in local races. More black voters undecided in Texas While polls show that black voters nationwide overwhelmingly support Clinton, those in Texas seem somewhat more conflicted. A Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston poll of 1,000 likely state voters conducted Oct. 7 to Oct. 15 found that 22 percent of black voters in Texas were undecided. This compares with about 8 percent of undecided black voters nationally, according to one poll. The UH poll showed that about 68 percent of African-American voters in Texas planned to vote for Clinton, compared with 3 percent for Trump. The survey found Clinton had greater support among black voters in Harris County -- 73 percent. Meanwhile, an ABC News poll of likely voters released Sunday found that 82 percent of black voters nationally said they would vote for Clinton, versus just 3 percent for Trump. The Republican nominee argues that he's doing well with people of color, who he says have borne the brunt of the weak economy. "The Democrats have taken advantage of African-Americans," he told Fox News. "We will rebuild our cities and provide safety and peace to all of our citizens." Those arguments, however, appear to have done little to win over black voters in the Houston area. Jessica and Jenessa Hardin said they planned to vote for Clinton, but the Texas Southern University students say they are mainly motivated by their opposition to Trump. The 21-year-old twins say his bombastic demeanor and comments about black people scare them. In this year's Democratic primary, both voted for Bernie Sanders, the liberal Vermont senator who was runner-up to Clinton. Neither is enthusiastic about voting for Clinton, but Jenessa Hardin said, "A Clinton presidency will be less tense than Trump. And in two years, we can elect people in the House and Senate who can challenge her agenda" from the left. Turnout could affect down-ballot races Michael Adams, a professor of political science and interim dean of TSU's College of Public Policy, said voter uncertainty in the 2016 presidential election may stem from dissatisfaction. "The Millennials who are African American were certainly big on Bernie Sanders" during the primaries, Adams said. "There has been some indication turnout could be lower (among African American Millennials) because people are not buying into the Clinton campaign." Adams said the 2016 presidential election begs the question: How much will black voter turnout fall off without Obama on the ballot? Obama's candidacies in 2008 and 2012 galvanized black voters. In fact, 2012 was the first time that nationwide black turnout - or the percentage of eligible voters who cast ballots - in presidential elections exceeded white turnout, according to a 2013 Census report. About 66.2 percent of eligible black voters cast ballots in that election, versus about 64.1 percent of eligible white voters. Obama's candidacy and the enthusiasm it created among the African-American community helped propel down-ballot Democrats to victory, Adams said. He said a high black voter turnout could boost local and state candidates in Texas this year, but he said he expects to see some ticket splitting as well. "There will be a lot of (straight) ticket voters, but I think a lot of voters would consider voting for a moderate like Ed Emmett for example," Adams said, referring to the Harris County judge, a Republican. "Voters might say, 'I know him, he's not a bad guy.'" But Louis Butler, 18, said it's hard to learn about down-ballot races when the latest exchanges in the heated presidential race grab the headlines. "I don't even know much about the running mates," Butler said as he sat outside Brown Chapel AME Church on Sunday. "It's hard to pay attention to anything else with those two running. They're so controversial that it takes attention away from everything else." Key issues, including poverty, not discussed Other black voters agreed, angry with the lack of serious discussion about issues such as economic equality and policing. For 49-year-old Walter Robinson, raising the minimum wage and creating more pathways out of poverty are the most important issues. He said it's nearly impossible for people to make ends meet with Texas' minimum age of $7.25 an hour. "I hope in a year's time, no matter who is president, that they'll raise the minimum wage," Robinson said. "Poverty to me is like quicksand. The world is based on money, and it's so hard to make it out (of poverty) because bills like rent just keep putting you further back." Robinson said he will vote for Clinton and other Democratic candidates. But he's not overly concerned about what will happen if Trump is elected. "If she doesn't win, the world goes on," Robinson said. "We survived Bush and Reagan." Other black voters were eager to cast their ballots. About 57 people, most of whom were black, were in line when the doors of the Palm Center polling site in the South Third Ward opened for early voting at 8 a.m. Monday. Cean Cotton, 44, was the first in line at about 7:20 a.m. He said he was excited to vote for Clinton. "I try not to listen to the media because they make her seem not as trustworthy as Trump, which is ridiculous," Cotton said. He said "many things have changed for the better in Obama's presidency, and I think she can continue that work." When a Chronicle reporter asked if anyone in line planned to vote for Trump, many laughed. None said they would vote for the Republican. Attitudes were similar at TSU's campus on Friday, as students and staff members prepared for Homecoming weekend. TSU is one of nine historically black colleges and universities across Texas. Opinions about Trump may harm state GOP Both Nikia Branch-Minix, 18, and Demitric Hamm, 19, said they voted for Sanders in the Democratic primary, inspired by his position to institute free tuition at public colleges and universities, among other things. Hamm said he's upset about what he views as Trump's generalizations about people of color living in inner cities surrounded by crime and with little education. "He automatically assumes all black people act and think the same," Hamm said. "He wants us to be statistics, but he needs to talk to us and see what we're all about." Hamm and Branch-Minix also worry about the volatile Trump serving as commander in chief and potentially starting conflicts abroad. "My boyfriend is in the military, so I'm very worried about what could happen," Branch-Minix said. Johnson is concerned that if Trump were elected, the African-American community would lose gains made under Obama. "I believe he can wage a war and make life for people of color even worse," Johnson said. "America was always great for white people, but this is the best America has been for black people." Such strong, negative opinions about Trump will cast a shadow after the election, Adams said. But how long that shadow will stretch is yet to be seen. "The polarizing affect of Donald Trump has provided Secretary Clinton with something she may have lacked: A motivator for black turnout," Adams said. "While reaching 2008 levels may be difficult, there's a strong indication we'll still see very strong turnout in the black community both locally and nationally." Although one poll shows Trump leading Clinton by just 3 percentage points, Adam doubts that even a strong black voter turnout in Texas will move the state into the Democratic column this year. And yet Adams said Trump's alienation of different groups could have long-term repercussions for the GOP in Texas. "We may be seeing a realignment, that shifting in party allegiance away from the Republican Party," Adams said. "Maybe not this election, but down the road, if we see this alienation continue, then certainly that could come to fruition." AUSTIN - As Texas faces a foster care scandal with thousands of children locked in a system already declared unconstitutional by a federal judge, Senate budget writers on Wednesday are expected to grill officials in charge of the troubled system over skyrocketing costs and questions over how many additional children are being victimized. With the state budget already facing a multibillion-dollar shortfall over growing needs, the spiraling costs of a foster care fix are expected to come front and center. Current estimates show more than a half-billion dollars may be needed to get Texas' foster care system back on track. For his part, Henry "Hank" Whitman Jr., commissioner of the Department of Family and Protective Services that runs the state's embattled foster care system, has been clear. "Texas children remain at risk," he said in a letter last week to top state officials. "This is unacceptable." Adding to the pressure to resolve the current crisis of having too few places to house foster care children, or to investigate claims of abuse and neglect in a timely manner, special masters appointed by a federal court in Corpus Christi are slated next week to issue a report on the entire system, an action that some state officials fear could be a prelude to a federal court mandate to fix the problems. U.S. District Judge Janis Jack last December issued a blistering 360-page opinion that said the state for years had ignored internal failures in the system, leaving children in its care exposed to physical, sexual and psychological abuse. 'The court does not understand, nor tolerate, the systemic willingness to put children in moral harm's way," Jack wrote in her opinion, which found deliberate indifference to the roughly 12,000 children placed in the Permanent Managing Conservatorship Program and essentially held in state custody until they were released on their own when they turned 18, many into more tragic circumstances. Willing to act Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus already have signaled their willingness to find extra state funding quickly to address increasing caseworker turnover, a shortage of staff to quickly investigate abuse and neglect, and an ongoing shortage of places to house scores of foster kids who instead have been forced to sleep in motels and state offices. "We need to better understand what investments are working and what improvements are needed," Senate Finance Committee Chairman Jane Nelson, a Flower Mound Republican who previously has been critical of state privatization of foster care services that failed to solve problems, said in a statement. "We need an action plan that will keep children safe." Last week, to address the continuing placement crisis that legislative leaders insist is victimizing foster care children after they were removed from their families and making their lives worse, Whitman sought permission to hire more than 800 new employees - including 550 front-line investigators. That is on top of nearly $500 million in additional funding the agency has requested in the new state budget to correct decades-old problems. Advocacy groups support the call for additional funding, but also have urged the agency to increase caseworker pay as a way to reduce turnover rates that have reached 30 percent in Dallas and Houston. In addition, they have cautioned that hiring hundreds of new workers and properly training them could take up to a year. As an alternative, agency officials have been urged to hire former caseworkers on emergency contracts to help alleviate the paperwork overload on initial investigations, much as the federal Veterans Administration did to solve a pending claims crisis. "Competitive salaries are an important part of this, but we also have to have some long-term fixes for this system," said Lee Nichols, a spokesman for TexProtects/The Texas Association for the Protection of Children, a statewide advocacy group. Seeking permanent fix In their letter to Whitman earlier this month, Abbott, Patrick and Straus made it clear they are impatient for a permanent cure, not just a Band-Aid. "We also will not tolerate inferior residential foster care operations," the state leaders wrote in the letter. "The state's residential providers must be held to the highest standards while caring for our most vulnerable or no longer operate in our system." Officials said that as a result of that order, and limitations placed on the agency by Jack, the federal judge, the agency has lost some beds. In addition, it has lost several hundred more residential-treatment beds in recent weeks "due to facility closures or poor performance," Whitman told state officials in a letter. The result is even few places for foster care children to stay. The story of how "Patient Zero" and AIDS arrived in New York in 1979 and triggered the epidemic in North America has been told so many times in so many different ways that for many people it's become an accepted truth of our modern history. It begins with a single man, a young flight attendant named Gaetan Dugas, who presumably became infected abroad and then unwittingly gave it to some of his sexual partners. His sexual partners in turn gave it to their sexual partners and so forth until the whole continent was full of clusters of people dying of the mysterious disease. In journalist Randy Shilt's 1987 book, "And the Band Played On," and in various media reports, he was described as sexually adventurous and said to have told Centers for Disease Control investigators he had approximately 250 sexual partners each year. It's a compelling narrative, but it's not quite right. In a study published Wednesday in the journal Nature, researchers used genomic sequencing of blood samples from that era to go back in time and reconstruct the "family tree" of the virus in unprecedented detail. The findings are stunning, debunking many popular beliefs about the virus's origins and spread and filling in holes about how it made its way to the United States. The work, led by Michael Worobey from the University of Arizona and Richard McKay from the University of Cambridge, confirms the controversial theory that the virus crossed over from the Caribbean (rather than going from the United States to the Caribbean, as some have argued). The researchers also found that it was New York City, not San Francisco, that was the location of the initial outbreak. And they pinpointed that the AIDS virus appeared to have been circulating in our borders for much longer than was previously known, and made the jump in or around 1970 - about a decade before it was officially recognized to be in the United States in 1981. "Geographically there is an unmistakable signal that this lineage did diversify in the Caribbean before it moved into the U.S.," Worobey said in a conference call with journalists on Tuesday. However, he added, how the virus got to the United States remains an open question. "It could have been a person of any nationality. It could have even been blood products. A lot of blood products used in the United States in the 1970s actually came from Haiti," he explained. The analysis involved looking at archived serum samples, many nearly 40 years old, from studies that were discontinued long ago. One involved men who have sex with men in New York and San Francisco and two were of men at risk of contracting hepatitis B. A significant percentage of the samples - from 3.7 to 6.6 percent depending on the study - showed HIV antibodies, and the researchers randomly selected 20 to try to attempt to sequence. Unfortunately, many were degraded due to having been in long-term storage, so researchers spent years trying a number of new techniques to reconstruct and "amplify" the viral fragments. Finally, using a technique the researchers described as borrowing from the one scientists use to look at DNA from our Neanderthals ancestors and other ancient creatures that no longer roam the earth, they were able to complete the sequences for eight. These were of five patients from New York and three from San Francisco in 1978-79, which are among the oldest viral samples ever recovered in the world. Researchers separately sequenced the virus found in Patient Zero and found that his HIV-1 genome appeared "typical" of U.S. strains of the time and that there was extensive genetic diversity around the time he appears to have been infected, indicating that the virus had likely been in the country and evolving several years earlier. "He was evidently just one of many thousands infected prior to the recognition of HIV/AIDS," they wrote in a supplementary discussion also published by Nature. They explained that public health investigators at the time had dubbed him "Patient 'O'" meaning the letter O and not the number zero because he came from 'Out(side)-of-California'," but that the letter became confused with the number in the medical literature and popular media and over time became part of the mythology of AIDS despite numerous attempts by some scientists to clarify his role in the epidemic. Worobey, whose expertise is in virus evolution, and McKay, a science historian, wrote that their work shows there is "neither biological nor historical evidence for the widely held belief that he was the primary cause of the HIV epidemic in North America" "This individual was simply one of thousands infected before HIV/AIDS was recognized," McKay said. The two spoke of the danger of the public's instinct to want to assign blame in infectious disease outbreaks, and noted that, in the case of the United States, the instinct has often been to look to foreigners as the cause. This dates back to Irish-born Mary Mallon who was accused of spreading typhoid fever when she continued to work as a cook after she was identified as a healthy carrier. In the early days of the AIDS epidemic it wasn't just Canadian-born Dugas - written about in stories with headlines, such as 'The man who gave us AIDS' -- who was vilified. In 1989, the CDC listed people from Haiti as being among the four "high-risk" groups for HIV, along with homosexuals, heroin users and hemophiliacs - a designation that sparked some horrible discrimination that involved denying people from the country or even their children and grandchildren employment, housing and schooling. "One of the dangers of focusing on a single patient zero when discussing the early phases of an epidemic is that we risk obscuring important structural factors that might contribute to its development - poverty, legal and cultural inequalities, barriers to health care and education. These important determinants risk being overlooked if we focus too readily on a Patient Zero," McKay said. Worobey added that an important distinction to make is that their work tracing the origins of the AIDS is not the same as placing blame on any individual or group. "The pandemic virus ultimately comes from nonhuman primates, probably circulating in sub-Saharan Africa for probably 100 years at this time point today," Worobey said. "The lineage of the virus we're talking about in this paper, so-called subtype B of HIV-1 group M, is just one of many branches on that evolutionary tree." "No one," he emphasized, "should be blamed for the spread of a virus no one even knew about." When cars crash on Houston's freeways, you can bet that firefighters will speed through traffic, as the seconds mean the difference between life and death. When homes burst into flames, you know that the closest ladder crew is ready to rush into the fuming smoke. But when it comes to reforming Houston's unsustainable pensions, those hurried public servants have a way of becoming uncharacteristically frozen in place - like someone pulled the parking brake on a big red fire truck. Who knew that Mayor Sylvester Turner would be the man to get out and push? This week, after years of refusing to budge, the Houston Firefighter Relief and Retirement Fund board finally voted to move forward on Turner's pension deal. They've joined two other unions on a plan designed to get our city out of a $8.3 billion hole. Don't pop the champagne just yet, but Turner is undeniably closer to the long-elusive goal of pension reform than any of his predecessors. Ever since a benefit increase in 2001 caused pension costs to skyrocket, Houston's mayors have tried to negotiate deals to bring expenses back in line with the city's limited budget. Accounting and actuarial tables are a part of that challenge, but it isn't enough to get the numbers right. You have to get it passed. And so far, Turner has demonstrated the political finesse necessary to bring all three pension boards to the table and agree on moving a reform plan to the state Legislature, which unfortunately holds the reins on our local pensions. City Council is supposed to vote on this framework today, but outside politicians like state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, are calling for a delay until third-party experts get a look at the hard numbers. So far, the public has only seen a general outline. Even that outline raises plenty of concerns. The presumed 7 percent rate of return - down from 8.5 percent - is still overly optimistic. And taxpayers deserve a guarantee that the so-called "corridor" and "thermostat" rules will effectively cap the city's burden if pension obligations grow beyond expectations. Houston has been hurt before by pension deals that promised one thing and delivered another. The fact that all three public unions backed Turner's campaign for mayor is enough to garner some justified skepticism. If we've learned anything from the 2001 pension disaster, City Council should demand an expert analysis of the specific numbers to ensure that we're getting real reform. The devil is in the details and Houstonians shouldn't have to wait until the bill is written in Austin to know what we're getting. But hiring accountants to check the numbers is easy. Politics is hard. Unlike in the private sector, Mayor Turner can't just insist that Houston switch to a 401(k)-style plan. Any change to the overall frame would lose support from unions. Trying to fight this on the floor of the Legislature could transform a Houston-specific deal into a statewide battle. Any real delay practically guarantees that we'll have to wait for another Legislative session to get the job done. Meanwhile, Houston taxpayers would get stuck paying into an unsustainable pension system for another two years. Demanding the perfect is the enemy of the good. So is this a good deal? That's the real $8.3 billion question that we're waiting for the experts to answer. Houston ISD voters now casting early ballots and on Nov. 8 will have an opportunity to strike a double blow for transparency and for property rights. State-mandated ballot language that voters will see asks them to approve authorizing the HISD board to "purchase attendance credits." The obtuse wording is asking voters to sign off on HISD paying local property tax dollars to the state because it's now deemed a "property wealthy" district and is subject to a provision in state law known as "Robin Hood," or "recapture." Next year, that provision would mean HISD has $162 million less to work with in addressing the needs of more than 200,000 students, most of whom are economically disadvantaged and cost more to educate. Since our first editorial, "Robbing HISD" (Page A35, Sept. 25), in which we recommended a vote of "no" or "against" recapture, an animated debate has erupted. Some arguments have questioned our stance, with more than one community leader or policy expert calling our recommendation irresponsible. They've offered a host of reasons for the criticism, but a key one is this: Voters rejecting recapture would trigger another provision allowing the state education commissioner to detach HISD's most valuable commercial property from the district's tax rolls and give it to a property-poor district. Critics of our position are right that a "no" vote is a gamble. But a stand against recapture could have a lasting legal impact that we believe is worth the risk. It could finally force state lawmakers to confront and fix a school funding mechanism that doesn't actually do what it's billed to do. Despite changes in school finance law over the past four decades, school district taxpayers still expect that their taxes will be used to fund education and, in the case of recapture, that revenues from property-rich districts will be redistributed to poor ones. But this is not how it works now. Recaptured tax revenues - in HISD's case, estimated to be nearly $1 billion in the next four years if voters say "yes" - allow the state to reduce its funding to schools and then spend the "savings" on highways, prisons and other state budget items that have nothing to do with education. Recapture funds were never intended to free the state from its primary obligation, calling into question the mechanism's constitutionality, as have some school finance experts. The Texas Supreme Court in 1995 ruled that recapture didn't violate the Texas Constitution. Back then, however, recaptured funds were mostly applied to fund education. Now, diverted local property taxes have become a primary funding source for the Legislature - notable for its growth as oil and gas tax collections have precipitously dropped by $1.6 billion less than anticipated this year. What budget writer wants to give that up? This year, 238 districts were required to forfeit local funds under the recapture process, quadruple the number in 1996. Recapture payments make up a sizable chunk of what the state spends on public education, with more than $2 billion in payments expected in 2017, according to the Texas Tribune. Another possible constitutional issue: The Legislature needs district voters' approval to send the funds to the state. But even if Proposition 1 passes, the state-mandated ballot language is too indecipherable to provide that approval. Bob Stein, a Rice University political science professor, told Mellon the recapture ballot measure is so confusing he gave up on trying to poll Houston voters on their views about it. If voters need an additional reason to vote "no" or "against," they need only look to Austin's experience. Voters in the Austin Independent School District approved the recapture measure in the mid-1990s. For the past 14 years, AISD has been on the hook for more than $1.5 billion in recapture payments, all of which comes from taxes paid on Austin real estate. AISD is the single-largest payer of these tax transfers, representing nearly 12 percent of the recapture revenue that the state collects. During the next five years - between fiscal years 2016 and 2020 - AISD is projected to pay to the state almost $2.6 billion collected from district taxpayers, according to AISD Chief Financial Officer Nicole Conley, who testified last month before Texas House of Representatives committees on appropriations and public education. By 2019, more than half of every tax dollar collected in the Austin school district will go to the state. As Austin's resources are being siphoned off, the district is facing increasing costs of operating its schools, including the salaries of teachers. Can't Austin simply compensate for the lost revenues by raising property taxes? That would be a hard sell to voters. If AISD were to increase its tax rate, the district would send more than 60 percent of any new revenue to the state, according to Conley. Recapture provides cover for elected state officials to avoid voting for new taxes and facing up to the fact that some school districts have more costly needs than others. But the funding method is not right or fair, and it may even be unconstitutional. That's why we continue to say no is the right vote on this proposition. Utilizing talent Regarding "College paved path to American dream" (Page A35, Sunday), thank you for presenting the inspiring story of Julissa Arce, one of the first beneficiaries of the Texas Dream Act, which made undocumented immigrants eligible for in-state tuition and financial aid (Outlook, Sunday, October 23). Perhaps the most important line in the excerpt is what Arce's uncle told her: "Congratulations, but remember that you earned this." She was in the top 5 percent of her high school class. No doubt the usual suspects will be writing in protesting that state funds should be reserved for "Real Americans." They forget that Texas obtains much of its revenue from regressive sales taxes, paid by undocumented students and their parents such as Arce's family and just like everyone else. If they're working on fake Social Security cards, they're subsidizing a system they're unlikely to collect from. The conservative Heritage Foundation estimates that unauthorized immigrants pay in $7 billion a year to Social Security; other estimates run much higher. Mexico doesn't send anyone to the U.S.; they come of their own volition, and lately as many have been going back as are coming in. If we fail to utilize talents like Arce's, who graduated with honors from UT but only obtained a green card through marriage, we have no brains. One more reason why this fall's election is so important. Walter D. Kamphoefner, Bryan Rule of law While I think that children who are brought to this country illegally by their parents should have a path to citizenship, it does not excuse Julissa Arce from having used illegal documents that allowed her to work after she finished college. People who come here illegally or over-stay their visas should be deported. One of the things that makes the United States great is its adherence to the rule of law. There are many laws that I do not agree with, but I choose not to break them because I know that there will be consequences if I do. I am not against legal immigration. Three of my grandparents were immigrants. However, every country has a right to control who and how many people can come into its country. That is a sovereign right of a country. Reggie Teer, Houston Just reinstate recess Regarding "Schools use fidgety furniture to get students active, focused" (Page A1, Tuesday), so much money and so much energy (at least on the teachers' part) - all to get children to attend to lessons. What will middle schools, high schools, colleges and offices of the future have to look like if kids think this is the norm for work? What if schools just reinstated recess? It is not rocket science that children need to be active, at least sometimes to learn better. The 30 minutes of free play that has been taken out or pared down costs nothing, and the classroom can once again be a place of interesting lessons with good texts, discussions where ideas are exchanged and engaging activities. Pansy Gee, Houston Artistic property Regarding "Unwanted exposure" (Page B1, Tuesday), the story spotlights the dilemma many artists face when not only trying to protect, but also profit from their own, original work. Jim Olive deserves every penny he asked for. Unfortunately, this is only another example of how too many artists are treated in this modern world. The University of Houston should pay up, but I don't believe it will. And watch - no one will care enough about the artists to change laws that might help protect their work from thieves. It's a sad commentary on how artists and their work are valued in society. Jae F. Harris, Houston Efficiency matters Regarding "Early voting: Harris, other Texas counties set records on first day" (Page A1, Tuesday), I just voted this morning (Tuesday) at Baldwin Boettcher Branch Library, and it took 45 minutes after I got in line to complete my vote. The line behind me was more than 100 feet long when I entered the building. I saw similarly long lines Monday. When I got inside the voting area, I could see fewer than half of the voting booths were occupied. The problem is apparently in the slowness of being processed in to get your pin number so you can vote. There were two separate computer stations so two voters could be checked in at a time. Seems like the county needs to provide more check-in capacity to make the flow more efficient and to respect the voters. Curt Gibby, Spring With record-breaking early voting turnout, and a tremendous upswing in the number of Latino Texans registered to vote, it might seem counterintuitive to argue that Texas still is in need of U.S. Department of Justice civil rights monitoring in election matters. But Texas unfortunately continues to discriminate against Latinos and African Americans in voting. Texas implements discriminatory policies, suffers their overruling in court, complains about court and national overreach, and then designs new ingenious ways to re-institute the discriminatory policies. Because of this historical pattern, Congress in 1975 applied Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act to Texas. Section 5 of the federal Voting Rights Act required states with a history and pattern of discrimination against minorities in voting to have changes in their election systems precleared by the U.S. Department of Justice or a federal court before the change could be implemented. Texas deserved to be covered by this preclearance requirement when Section 5 was applied to Texas in 1975-2013. Even though the U.S. Supreme Court overruled Section 5 in 2013, Texas deserves to be covered by the same provision now as it, along with many other states, is setting the same discriminatory patterns again. Some historical and more recent examples demonstrate why Texas deserves to have preclearance re-imposed. The U.S. Supreme Court had to declare Texas laws discriminatory in 1927, 1932 and 1944 to open the election primary process to African Americans. In the 1960s and 1970s, the Supreme Court declared that Texas had the most restrictive registration practices in the country. In its first case declaring multimember districts unconstitutional in 1973, the Supreme Court declared that the Texas system of electing state representatives from county multimember districts rather than single-member districts discriminated against African Americans and Latinos. This sad and continuous history of discrimination, combined with the Texas policy of using English-only ballots in places where many voters could not understand English, led Congress to apply Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act to Texas in 1975. The first Voting Rights Act cases in Texas are good examples why the Voting Rights Act was so needed here. After the Raza Unida Party won 6 percent of the vote for Texas governor in 1972, Texas changed its primary financing system in 1973 to prevent state funding for Raza Unida primaries. The same year, Texas purged the voting rolls of all registered voters and required everyone wanting to vote to re-register. Latinos and African Americans had a legitimate historical fear of the voting process; that purging of the rolls would have decimated minority voting rolls. Texas could not show these laws were not discriminatory and, based on the Voting Rights Act, federal courts enjoined those laws. Both Republican and Democratic Justice Departments enforced the Voting Rights Act in Texas from 1975 to 2013, and Texas had more "objections" to its discriminatory plans than any other state during this period. In 2011, Texas passed discriminatory redistricting plans for the U.S. Senate and U.S. House, and one of the most restrictive voter ID bills ever passed. Texas could not show that these plans did not discriminate, and Section 5 led to their rejection. Tragically, the Supreme Court declared the preclearance provisions unconstitutional in June 2013. The next day, Texas and the other states previously covered by the Voting Rights Act began to implement their existing discriminatory voting laws. Even though Section 5 is no longer in effect, minority plaintiffs and the Justice Department have brought suit against the Voter ID bill. Texas has lost the battle to uphold Voter ID three consecutive times. Texas continues to fight in federal court in San Antonio to preserve its discriminatory election districts for Congress and the Texas House. A San Antonio federal court could decide not only that Texas discriminated, but also that Texas must again be subject to preclearance. The Texas court should use its statutory powers to require Texas again to preclear voting changes. Alternatively, Congress could pass a new Voting Rights Act to meet the specific objections expressed by the U.S. Supreme Court. The U.S. Fourth Court of Appeals held this year that North Carolina's new voting laws "target[ed] African Americans with almost surgical precision" and "impose[d] cures for problems that did not exist." That is an accurate description of so much of Texas voting history. The preclearance system actually reduces litigation by reviewing voting issues administratively and more quickly than the court system. Preclearance also has a very strong prophylactic effect. States, counties, cities, school districts and other governmental bodies understand they must show that any new voting rule does not discriminate. This leads to many fewer discriminatory changes. And, ultimately, this understanding by governments leads to a more equitable and fair election systems at all levels. Stop the pattern of discrimination. That would be good for Texas. Kauffman is a law professor at the St. Mary's University School of Law in San Antonio. He has litigated and taught civil rights issues for 40 years. The Texas County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) is asking for the publics participation in serving on the local board. As a business owner or citizen you play an integral part in the development of plans that addresses any HAZMAT issues in the county. The LEPC is mandated by the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (also known as Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act.) Any business or agency that uses, holds or stores any type of hazardous material is obligated to report the quantity and type of material they use. Through Tier II reports, they must pay a sum of money to the state that is then refunded back to the county, in portion, for training of the local Fire Departments that are required to respond to HAZMAT spills and exposures. The money can also be used for equipment and supplies to aid in the initial spill response process. The next meeting of the Texas County LEPC is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Nov. 1, at the Justice Center in Houston. As Presiding Commissioner of Texas County, I respectfully request your presence at this meeting, to support our efforts in making our county safer. Respectfully, FRED STENGER, TEXAS COUNTY PRESIDING COMMISSIONER KEITH FOLLIN, LEPC CHAIRPERSON The clamor for change fueling Republican Donald Trumps presidential campaign may help a little-known Democrat upset a powerful GOP senator in red-state Missouri on Election Day. And with just a handful of competitive races around the country, the outcome in Missouri could help determine control of the Senate. The contest between Missouris Secretary of State, Democrat Jason Kander, and Sen. Roy Blunt did not start out high on either partys list of competitive Senate races in a state Trump is likely to win. But Kander, a 35-year-old veteran, has proved to be a smart and aggressive campaigner, challenging Blunts attempts to brand him a liberal by running an ad in which he assembles an AR-15 rifle blindfolded and describes his combat service. Kander also has sought, unapologetically, to exploit the outsider mood thats propelled Trump to the fore, criticizing the 66-year-old Blunt as a Washington insider who is part of a failed system. Really Donald Trumps entire message is that people like Sen. Blunt are the problem, Kander said before a recent rally in Kansas City where Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren appeared on his behalf. Washingtons broken and were not going to change Washington until we change the people we send there, Kander added, and here in Missouri folks recognize that and theyre looking for a new generation of leadership. Missouri is one of three GOP-friendly states, along with North Carolina and Indiana, that have emerged as top battlegrounds as Democrats fight to gain a Senate majority. Democrats need to pick up five seats to accomplish that, or four if they hang onto control of the White House, because the vice president casts tie-breaking votes in the Senate. Trumps slide in the polls has sparked growing fears among Republicans that he could cost them majorities in the Senate and even the House. Yet operatives on both sides say the top Senate races remain very close, and thus far, at least, GOP candidates have not cratered in the polls as a result of Trumps problems. Blunt counters Kanders attacks by tying the Democrat to Hillary Clinton, who is highly unpopular in the state, and painting him as too liberal. Blunts ads describe the Clinton-Kander agenda and they hit Kander for supporting President Barack Obamas health care law and policies on immigration and taxes. An ad released Saturday in support of Blunts campaign goes even further, portraying Clinton and Kander as identical on issues such as liberal Supreme Court justices. The ad by the Senate Leadership Fund acknowledges Clinton is likely to be elected, and argues: One Hillary in Washington would be bad enough. Reject Jason Kander. An ad on the air for GOP Sen. Kelly Ayotte in New Hampshire contains a similar message. The strategy of arguing in favor of GOP congressional candidates as a check against a President Clinton could become widespread if Trumps loss looks inevitable. This is really an important time. You look at how much is at stake, Blunt, who backs Trump, said at a rally in the St. Louis suburb of OFallon. Were going to live with this for a long time. Blunt served seven terms in the House before his election to the Senate in 2010, and hes a member of the Senate GOP leadership. Yet he seemed to be caught unawares in a volatile election year in which Missouri voters also nominated a Republican candidate for governor whos a young outsider with little political experience. In recent weeks Blunts sagging poll numbers have forced GOP campaign committees to start spending millions to bail him out, to the annoyance of some Republicans. And now Blunt is talking like hes the underdog. It is not easy in our state, Blunt said. Were in a fight. Its one we can win but nobody needs to take anything for granted here. Republicans have tried all year to insulate their Senate candidates from disruptions at the top of the ticket, running races focused on local issues and trying to avoid getting drawn into the controversy of the day with Trump. But as Trumps poll numbers worsen with the election just over two weeks away, the limits of that strategy may start to show. Democrats have a financial advantage going into the end stretch and intend to use it in part by running more ads that tie GOP incumbents and candidates to Trump. As Clinton pulls away from Trump nationally, that is freeing up even more money for Democratic candidates in the top Senate races: New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Indiana, Missouri and Nevada. Republicans have essentially given up on incumbents in Illinois and Wisconsin, while GOP Sens. John McCain in Arizona and Rob Portman in Ohio are considered to be safe. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida is also looking strong, though for him and other Republicans there is probably a limit to how far they can outrun Trump if the mogul goes down to a major loss. Most concerning to Republicans of late is Trumps rhetoric about the election being rigged, which some fear could keep GOP voters from coming out to the polls. If his supporters actually think the election is rigged than you have to wonder if they will think its worth coming out to vote, said Brian Walsh a GOP consultant and former official at the National Republican Senatorial Committee. And that could have real consequences down ballot because we need everyone on the GOP side to vote. ASSOCIATED PRESS An online exclusive is an article or story that does not run in the print edition of the Houston Herald. Typically 2-3 are posted online every Wednesday morning. Its another feature designed for users who purchase full web access from the Herald. Click here to subscribe for print, digital or both. 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! OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those. Environmental and wellness factors that can benefit organizations Inactivity and unhealthy habits cost employers billions of dollars yearly. With chronic diseases on the rise and with an aging workforce, employers are increasingly footing the bill, mainly in the form of insurance payments, absenteeism and lack of productivity. According to Workplace Safety & Prevention Services, employees with multiple health risk factors spend 50 per cent more days absent and incur three to four times more healthcare costs than employees with no risk factors. Similarly, a research study by Tsai et al1assessed the link between the number of health risk factors and the number of workdays lost. The findings ranged from 4.1 days for employees with zero risk factors to 12.6 days for those with four or more risks. So whats stopping employees from adopting healthier behaviors? The most common barriers are lack of willpower and time, a lack of money, and the absence of health education and activity-based programming at the worksite. This is where wellness programs step in to make it easier for employees to make healthier lifestyle choices. Organizations are turning to workplace wellness programs to address the rising costs of poor health in their employees, as well as to boost recruitment and retain their best staff members. While a workplace wellness program might seem like it requires a lot of planning, it doesn't ha... A 2015 survey showed that employers were on track to spend $693 per employee on wellness-based incentives throughout the yearup from $430 five years ago. But for many businesses, those types of resources just arent available. That doesnt mean youre out of luck, though. There are plenty of affordable incentives you can use for your wellness program. All you need is a little outside-the-box thinking. Which is good because incentivizing your wellness program can really help you improve employee engagement. Now your incentive shouldnt be the end goal of your program, and it definitely shouldnt be the focus. In fact, incentives work best when they help further your employees healthy lifestyles. Check out these nine incentives that help build up healthy lifestyles without breaking the bank. Build Partnerships Your local community offers a variety of incentive opportunitiesand a way to support local businesses in the process. Try reaching out to businesses near you to develop partnerships your employees will enjoy. That might include discounted gym memberships, tickets to movies or shows, or even coupons for healthy grocery options. Recognize Success Recognizing your employees and pointing out their successes are some of the simplest ways to incentivize their engagement with your wellness program. When employees make progress, reach certain milestones or even sign up to participate, recognize them... A lot of new advances are being made in wearable technology, helping companies track and measure employee activities. Theres also new legislation related to controlled substances that may have a profound effect on the workplace. As the workplace continues to evolve, can your wellness program adapt to survive these changes? Wearable Fitness Technology Wearable fitness technology has become quite popular lately, with some forward-thinking companies implementing such technology into their workplace wellness efforts. For instance, Qualcomm and United Healthcare have teamed up to launch an initiative that involves a wearable device where employees can earn up to $4 per day toward their out-of-pocket health insurance deductible. The device, called the Trio Tracker, is part of a health insurance program with financial rewards, and spouses can sign up too. The initiative has launched in 12 states where it received approval from insurance regulators: Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington. The Trio Tracker, which was custom built for UnitedHealthcare, is provided to employees at no cost and Qualcomm provides two-way connectivity that has met federal HIPAA privacy and security requirements. While Qualcomm is leading the way toward health and innovation, companies who want to implement wearable technology into their workplace wellness programs should consult legal... It is not just an HR initiative. Its a business growth plan The business case is simple. Diverse and inclusive organizations have more highly engaged employees, demonstrate greater innovation, and, not surprisingly, have greater financial success. In fact, according to a recent McKinsey report there is a linear relationship between racial and ethnic diversity and financial performance. One would expect then, that with such clear cut data, most organizations would have made diversity and inclusion a priority. Unfortunately, this is not yet the case. Despite the good efforts of many companies to create change through policy, practice, and training, a lack of diversities is still prevalent in many organizations. In an article in the latest issue of Harvard Business Review (July-August 2016), authors Frank Dobbin and Alexandra Kalev write that most diversity programs arent increasing diversity. The article argues that while companies are investing in initiatives, they are essentially using the same approaches that theyve used since the 1960s. These approaches simply arent moving the needle on diversity (and, according to Dobbin and Kalev, are in some cases making matters worse). What can you do that will move the needle at your organization? Start attracting and retaining a diverse workforce with these 4 tips: Tip#1. Have a clear definition of diversity and inclusion In a re... ELKO Coldwell Banker Algerio/Q-Team Realty is dedicated to helping out in different areas of the community. For the month of October, Coldwell Banker has has focused on the needs of the local animal shelter. The shelters biggest need right now is milk bones and soft treats for dogs to aid in training and socializing the dogs that are brought in. We are asking for the support of the community in helping bring in treats for these dogs. Dog treat collection boxes have been set up at both Coldwell Banker locations; 700 Idaho St. in Elko, and 114 Tonka Lane in Spring Creek. If you can help, you may drop off soft treats and milk bones to either location. With each package of treats that is donated, your name will be entered into a drawing. The prize for the drawing includes your choice of: a pet to adopt from the local animal shelter free of charge (must be 18 to adopt animal, application required) or a cozy fall gift basket consisting of a large afghan, books, and other items. Given the number of HRIS available today, there is more employee-related data collected than ever before. From payroll and performance to training and recruiting, the HR function is constantly swathed (some would say sinking) in a myriad of data. However, despite being data-rich, HR is unable to pinpoint where their investments in human capital have paid off or where they are falling short. Human Resources can describe whats happening within the organisation with standard reports and metrics but they tend to stall there, unable to move beyond the why? or get to the how? of their workforce. Workforce Analytics presents itself at an opportune moment as HR looks for ways to be more strategic with managing the workforce. Aberdeens research shows that organizations using workforce analytics experienced a 14% year-over-year improvement in revenue per employee, compared to just 5% for those companies that do not. The power of workforce analytics as a key driver to the success of the organisation is undeniable but whats the first step to take? How do I move from workforce metrics to analytics? For that, you will first need to understand the difference between metrics and analytics. Metrics V. Analytics Metrics provide information from one data source, for example, number of employees, total annual revenue and annual turnover rate. Metrics delivers stats from the past to guide your business operat... Mobile Technology: How does it impact the HR industry? Posted on 10-26-2016, by: Currently 3.5/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5 3.5 from 4 votes We use mobile devices for nearly everything, from shopping and researching to scheduling our daily lives. In fact, more than 85 percent of U.S. Millennials own a smartphone and use it frequently throughout the day. Businesses are already optimizing their use of mobile technology to reach their customers, and to make their employees work lives more efficient, but theres one area where theyre overlooking a huge opportunity: Human resources. Mobile Use for HR Needs Considering how tethered many of us are to our smartphones, it should come as no surprise that employees appreciate mobile access to information as much as customers. A recent study by ADP found that 37 percent of mobile users rely on their smartphones to access pay information through an HR app. Thats a significant chunk of the workforce already turning to mobile solutionsand those numbers will only continue to grow. Ive said for years that the world is growing evermore global and mobile and HR has to be, too. To reach the right talent, you need to be mobile-friendly in design and ease of usage. HR should always go where the talent is and these days its on mobile. Harnessing the power of mobileand cloud technologywill provide business with opportunities to make huge changes for the better. Use Technology to Attract a Younger Workforce Baby Boomers are quickly rea... HR professionals understand that creating a strong, united workplace culture while building an engaged employee base has a direct benefit on company performance. Companies that perform in the top quartile of employee engagement outperform bottom-quartile peers across a number of key business outcomes, according to Gallup. So, it should be no surprise that striving to make employee engagement a top priority is in a companys best interests and recognized by many business, large and small. Businesses certainly seem to be connecting the dots. Deloittes 2015 Global Human Capital Trends survey found that employee engagement and culture issues exploded onto the scene in 2015, rising to become the no. 1 challenge companies face around the world. In fact, the survey highlights that 87 percent of organizations cite culture and engagement as one of their top challenges, and 50 percent call the issue very important double the proportion in the prior years survey. At HomeServe, the creation of our People Promise, which lives side by side with our Customer Promise, was the result of prioritizing the value of an engaged, rewarding workplace environment for employees. However, while arranging team-building sessions or similar activities can serve as a means to improve engagement, their process and purpose are plainly evident meaningful employee engagement. For some companies, these initiati... Managing time is a big part of managing people. Creating work schedules is not an easy task. Its rare that everyone will get the shifts they want. Predicting busy times and arranging for staff accordingly doesnt always go smoothly. When creating shift schedules, theres a lot to consider. You have to know who can work, how many people you actually need, and how to find the balance between providing excellent customer service and staying within budget. Youve probably already got some sort of system for creating work schedules. And while your technique may work, there is always room for improvement. There are some major things to consider when sitting down to write a shift schedule the business needs and the employee needs. Lets take a look at some factors that affect scheduling. Consider Business Needs when Creating a Schedule Template Your employees are important, theres no doubt about it. Without them, your business wouldnt be where it is today. But the reverse is also true your employees need the business to be successful. Here are some business needs to think about when making a schedule. Busy times - You know when your peak hours are. If you run a bakery, the business is probably pretty busy in the morning. If you run a bar, your customers wont stop by until later in the day. Whos available to work - The employees you have should be able to cover all the ... Australian woman has negotiated a six-figure settlement with her former employer after being subjected to aggressive and unfair treatment in the workplace.The New South Wales woman who must remain anonymous as part of the agreement was awarded more than A$1 million (NZ$1.07m) as compensation for her ordeal.The initial incident occurred five years ago when supervisors at the government agency called a meeting to offer the woman feedback on an internal job application.The woman, who worked in middle management and was 41 at the time, had accidentally duplicated an answer to one question in response to another. She accepted the error would void her application and said the meeting wasnt necessary because she understood the mistake. Her bosses, however, insisted.Once the meeting began, two supervisors accused the employee of having an inappropriate relationship in the office and passing off a colleagues ideas as her own an allegation she denies."I was blindsided by it. I couldn't understand where the allegations were coming from," she told the Sydney Morning Herald. Had they given me some sort of notice or asked me in a less hostile environment, I could explain it. It was just incorrect. But they just kept going and going.The woman claims she was sobbing and doubled over but bosses wouldnt stop making allegations.At one point they said, we can put you in contact with the counselling service. I said I will absolutely need it after this meeting and still they went on. I don't know why I didn't walk out. It went on for ages."When the meeting was finally over, the public servant went on annual leave but when she returned to work, she says she was forced to work with one of the supervisors who had bullied her."I asked to be moved out of that department. But they felt the need to humiliate me further by sitting me outside their office and the team I used to manage," she said.The unnamed woman says she was no longer allowed to contribute and felt useless at work.It got to the point where I would sit in the bathroom for six hours and no one would notice I was there, she said. I didn't do any work because I couldn't."Eventually, the employee was sent to a mediation meeting with one of the supervisors but says she was verbally attacked once again."The woman attacked me again to the point where the mediator told her to stop. It was horrible," she said.Now, a number of psychiatrists have provided evidence that the employees mental injury has rendered her unable to return to work.The woman's lawyer, Lucinda Gunning, said pay-out was comprised of two components one for total and permanent disablement, which was paid out by a private insurer, and a workers compensation payment, for past and future earning capacity."In my experience, this is the highest sum that I have seen paid for a workplace bullying claim," she said. Donald Trump would have you believe he's a savvy businessman who has made sacrifices and seen "tremendous success." But it was his grandfather Friedrich Trump who set the family on a course for business success, which he enjoyed early on by selling booze and sex to gold miners in northern Canada. Advertisement Bloomberg reported Wednesday on the Arctic Restaurant and Hotel, an establishment that offered food, alcohol and sex workers to miners seeking riches amid the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 19th century. But Trump, who left Germany at the age of 16 before making his way to New York and eventually B.C., didn't go looking for gold in any mountain. He was more focused on "mining the miners," biographer Gwenda Blair told the news agency. Trump and partner Ernest Levin initially established the Arctic Hotel in Bennett, B.C. in 1899, in a place that was once a thriving hub for prospectors. Advertisement The Arctic Restaurant advertised itself as the "best equipped" place in Bennett, offering "every delicacy in the market" including "oysters in every style," said an ad in the Bennett Sun newspaper. The venue also offered "elegantly furnished private boxes for ladies and parties." It made most of its money from "liquor and sex," Blair wrote in her biography, The Trumps: Three Generations That Built an Empire. Men could pay for sex using scales that allowed them to weigh gold nuggets. "Respectable women" were urged to avoid sleeping at the establishment, as they were "liable to hear that which would be repugnant to their feelings and uttered, too, by the depraved of their own sex." Advertisement Trump worked as a waiter, bouncer and cook at the Arctic, though Blair stopped short of calling him a pimp. And offering sex was common in restaurants in towns like Bennett. He eventually shut down the Bennett establishment and moved his business to Whitehorse, Yukon, as mining activity began to concentrate further north. Trump returned to Germany having made US$582,000 in today's currency, though he was later deported. So he made his way to New York with his pregnant wife in tow. There, she would give birth to Fred Trump, Donald's father. Today, Bennett has become a ghost town, and the Carcross Tagish First Nation is working to turn it into a tourist attraction thanks to a "wilderness lodge experience" it's building in partnership with Parks Canada, Postmedia News reported earlier this year. Advertisement It will have a cookhouse that replicates the front of the Arctic Restaurant, and all-inclusive packages are expected to cost $1,675 per person. The First Nation is targeting an opening for next summer, Bloomberg added. In the meantime, Friedrich's grandson Donald continues to campaign for the U.S. presidency. The latest polls show that Trump has less than a 15 per cent chance of taking the White House, according to Fivethirtyeight.com. With files from The Canadian Press Also on HuffPost ELKO Young students around Elko will be receiving backpacks filled with school supplies as an early gift this holiday season. The Elko County School District has partnered with the United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra to donate backpacks, school supplies and a reading engagement kit to keep children reading while they enjoy their winter break. United Way Director of Community Impact Lulleen Lamar said the United Way conducted a survey and decided to work on ways to address literacy issues in young students. We found that grade level reading is the biggest social issue we can address, she said. Students that are not prepared to read by third grade are less likely to graduate high school, less likely to go to college and less likely to be prepared for the work force. Lamar went on to say 70 percent of the youth in Nevada are not reading at grade level and is hoping giving second graders across Elko County a fun book to read over winter break will help keep their reading skills sharp while they are out of school. United Way volunteers worked for four hours at the school districts central office stuffing over 200 backpacks that will later be distributed to the schools in the area that need them the most. Director of Elementary Education Todd Pehrson said he will try to find out where the supplies are needed the most. This is a great resource for our children and families that are struggling at home to give them a little boost with some reading supplies and other supplies that will help them through the winter months, he said. We are going to contact all the schools in our district and find out where the need is to target those students that need that extra boost. Pehrson also mentioned that this is the first time the school district has worked with United Way though the district has worked with Communities in Schools and Soroptimist International of Elko to give backpacks to young students before the start of the school year. Even though some students already received backpacks this year, Pehrson said he wants to continue to explore all avenues when it comes to getting students what they need. We know we have kids out there in need and we want to continue to give our kids whatever we can get for them if they need specific items, he said. The United Way was also involved in a similar project in Winnemucca last week where they filled backpacks with school supplies. Lamar said that putting these academic and reading materials in the hands of children heading into winter break is key to helping young students retain what they learned in the classroom. In the winter time theres whats called a winter reading loss. Because the kids arent in school they arent as engaged in their education, she said. When theyre not doing that theyre not actively engaged in academics and when they come back into the classroom theyre kind of behind. Lamar also noted that the activities related to the books included in the supply packets will help students better comprehend the content they have consumed during the reading. Pehrson said he was thankful for the help of the United Way and the corporate sponsors said he hopes to work with them on other volunteer efforts in the future. This is a great opportunity for the kids and I said yes to Lulleen really quickly and Im glad we got this rolling, he said. Canadians may find themselves living in smaller homes as the countrys population grows, says a new report that also predicts the countrys hottest markets Toronto and Vancouver won't return to affordable levels anytime soon. The forecast comes as the countrys government-run mortgage insurer, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC), said it sees evidence of trouble brewing in nine Canadian housing markets. Advertisement In its outlook for 2017, auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers noted that Canadians, on average, own the worlds third-largest houses, behind only the U.S. and Australia. Significant increases in immigration over the next five years will continue to keep demand high and put even more pressure on affordability unless more supply is made available, the report said. Also, those arriving in Canada may not have the same size expectations, creating demand for smaller units, the report added. Advertisement In more expensive Canadian markets like Toronto, condo sizes have already been shrinking for years. Despite signs of a slowdown in Vancouvers housing market, the report suggested that the city, along with Toronto, likely wont return to affordable levels in the foreseeable future, due to a lack of housing supply. With no real factors reducing the demand for real estate in Toronto and Vancouver, developers and builders will continue to face supply-side issues, the report said. The PwC report suggested the supply of housing is being held back by government policy. It said Ontarios Greenbelt around Greater Toronto, municipal densification requirements and longer wait times for project approvals all may have contributed to a lack of housing supply. Advertisement Potential trouble in 9 Canadian housing markets: CMHC Overpriced homes and/or overbuilding are becoming a nationwide problem, the countrys government-run mortgage insurer, CMHC, said in a pair of reports issued Wednesday. Home prices have risen ahead of economic fundamentals such as personal disposable income and population growth, resulting in overvaluation in many Canadian housing markets, CMHCs assessment stated. However, the combination of overvaluation and overbuilding should help slow the growth in resales and house prices and lead to a moderation in the pace of housing starts. The CMHC found strong evidence of overheating in: Calgary Hamilton Saskatoon Toronto Vancouver It found moderate evidence of overheating in: Edmonton Montreal Quebec City Winnipeg CMHC sees a moderate slowdown in housing starts and home sales nationwide next year, thanks to rising prices and declining affordability. Vancouver will experience some moderation in housing starts and resales due to new policies like the federal governments tighter new mortgage rules and the foreign buyer tax. Advertisement Toronto will see a slow-down in home price growth in 2017 and 2018 as factors such as rising mortgage rates and modest job growth ... lead to resales moving off their record highs, CMHC said. Click for full size. Also on HuffPost H&M's designer collaboration with Kenzo may be loud and bold, but that doesn't mean it isn't suitable for the masses. The collection, which hits selected stores and the web on Nov. 3, captures the vibrant and colourful essence from the world of Kenzo, making it accessible to a wider audience, which is exactly what the Paris-based luxury brand was going for. Advertisement According to Kenzo creative directors Humberto Leon and Carol Lim, the collaboration was an "opportunity to tell [founder, Kenzo Takada's] story through our own eyes, mixing his ideas and themes with our own." "He really broke all the rules in fashion, and we want everyone to take pieces from Kenzo x H&M, to experiment with their look and have fun with their style," Leon told HuffPost Canada Style via email. A photo posted by H&M (@hm) on Oct 19, 2016 at 8:39pm PDT Advertisement Another aspect that was important to Leon and Lim? Bringing diversity to the forefront, especially when it came to choosing the stars of their lookbook. Rather than selecting only "traditional" models, the design duo picked a diverse group of individuals, including writer and activist Amy Sall, photographer Youngjun Koo, and musician and performance artist Oko Ebombo, to star in the lookbook photographed by Oliver Hadlee Pearch. Introducing the vibrant and colourful world of KENZO x H&M, starring Oko Ebombo. #KENZOxHM A photo posted by H&M (@hm) on Oct 10, 2016 at 4:08am PDT Its campaign cast was just as eclectic, with Iman, Chance The Rapper, Rosario Dawson and more joining the #KenzoTribe in the images photographed by Jean-Paul Goude. Meet the #KENZOxHM tribe here to bring a unique, youthful energy to everyone around the world! How good of a crew? A photo posted by H&M (@hm) on Sep 12, 2016 at 4:06am PDT "Weve always seen fashion as part of a wider cultural dialogue," Lim explained to HuffPost Canada Style. "When we were discussing how we would represent Kenzo x H&M, we wanted to show the diversity and positivity of the collection by bringing together a mix of people from different walks of life. Advertisement "We love it when fashion feels inclusive, and its great to show the collection not just on models, so that everyone can see how they can wear Kenzo x H&M their own way." Leon added, "Diversity is something that is a natural part of everything we do ... Fashion has become so much more diverse in the 21st century, and for the younger generation, diversity is a normal part of their lives. People in fashion should look to this new generation as an example of how to live, and to make fashion open and inclusive to everyone." People in fashion should look to this new generation as an example of how to live, and to make fashion open and inclusive to everyone." Humberto Leon. Advertisement "We believe that fashion should be for everyone and at the same time we want to excite and inspire our customers around the world," Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M's creative advisor, told HuffPost Canada Style via email. "Diversity is something very important to us in everything we do, so its great to be able to inspire and encourage our customers all around the world with our campaigns." And as for the collaboration? Well, it fits right into this mindset. "Kenzo x H&M is a collaboration that speaks to the whole world," Johansson said. Kenzo x H&M will be available Nov. 3, with prices ranging from $14.99 - $549. You can check out more images from the lookbook below: Kenzo X H&M See Gallery If you're lucky enough to be different, don't ever change. #bts @thecgirlinc #melaninpoppin #black #skin #blackgirlmagic #makeup #hair #blackgirlsrock #beauty #melanin #darkskin A photo posted by Khoudia diop (@melaniin.goddess) on Oct 3, 2016 at 3:11pm PDT OTTAWA Conservative leadership candidate Maxime Bernier is reaching out to gun owners, saying that when hes prime minister, they wont have to worry anymore that their firearms can be reclassified or taken away. Liberals hate guns, Bernier asserts in a fundraising note sent to Conservative party members on Tuesday. We know [the Grits are] going to change the law. But we dont know how, the Tory candidate states. Advertisement Maxime Bernier is seen in Toronto on Sept. 20, 2016. (Photo: Colin Perkel/CP) The Liberals say they are letting the RCMP decide how guns should be classified. "The position of the government of Canada is that this judgment needs to be left in the hands of the professionals in the police authorities, who are by far in the best position to make these judgment calls based upon their expertise," Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said earlier this year. The police forces decisions should not be second-guessed by politicians, Goodale added. Days before last years federal election, the Conservative government reversed a decision the RCMP had made two years before and announced that the Ceska Zbrojovka (CZ) 858 rifle and certain Swiss Arms rifles would no longer be prohibited. Gun owners praised the move. Advertisement Ralph Goodale arrives to a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill on May 31. (Photo: Sean Kilpatrick/CP) Back in 2014, then public safety minister Steven Blaney now also a Conservative leadership candidate had given rifle owners a two-year amnesty from the RCMPs decision, which prevented them from hunting with their weapons. Blaney expressed shocked at learning of the decision by unelected bureaucrats to ban the controversial semi-automatic Swiss Arms Classic Green rifle and other PE90 models. But as the CBC found, through the Access to Information Act, the Mounties had informed Blaney at least twice about their investigation into a complaint that the semi-automatic rifle could be easily converted into a fully automatic weapon. This week, Bernier asked the Liberal government whether it is planning to reclassify any firearms and whether the RCMP currently has any firearms under a review that could lead to a reclassification of their status in Canada. Bernier also asked to know how many Canadians are really considered too dangerous to own firearms, how many have been prohibited from obtaining firearms, prohibited from hunting, or have had their firearms licences revoked. "Without changing any laws, the Liberals could steal our property and make people criminals overnight." Without changing any laws, the Liberals could steal our property and make people criminals overnight, Bernier wrote in his fundraising note. Its not fair, and it doesnt make Canada any safer. Bernier, the 53-year-old former cabinet minister in prime minister Stephen Harpers government, added that he doesnt believe public safety means taking guns away from law-abiding citizens. I dont believe that owning firearms makes you a criminal, or dangerous, or violent person, he wrote. When Im prime minister, firearms owners wont have to worry anymore. Last year, the Conservatives passed legislation allowing the cabinet to overrule the RCMPs firearms classification and to redesignate restricted or prohibited firearms as non-restricted. Liberals won't create federal registry: Goodale staffer Goodales spokesman Scott Bardsley said the Liberals plan to repeal some elements of bill C-42, for example, a section that allows restricted and prohibited firearms to be transported without a permit, but not, specifically, cabinets overrule provisions. Advertisement Still, Bardsley said, the Liberal government will not interfere in the polices decision-making about weapons classifications. Our government believes in balanced, effective gun control that prioritizes public safety while ensuring law-abiding firearms owners do not face unfair treatment under the law, he wrote in an email. The Liberals want to make it more difficult for criminals to acquire and use handguns and assault weapons, he said. The government is also focused on reducing gang violence and making investments to tackle the social roots of violence, he said. And while, the government is willing to assist Quebec create a firearm registry, Ottawa will not recreate a federal long gun registry, he added. Bernier has raised more than $500K Berniers fundraising note ends with a call for supporters to donate $5 to help his campaign. His campaign has raised more than $500,000 so far, spokesman Maxime Hupe told HuffPost. Advertisement The Conservative leadership contenders face off in a first official debate on Nov. 9 in Saskatoon. Eight Tories have so far as registered as candidates. They include, aside from Bernier and Blaney, Michael Chong, Kellie Leitch, Deepak Obhrai, Erin OToole, Andrew Scheer and Brad Trost. With files from the Canadian Press Also on HuffPost OTTAWA An independent senator says three fellow senators acted inappropriately and without proper authority when they decided among themselves to direct the upper chamber to claw back close to $17,000 from Sen. Mike Duffys paycheques. The Senates internal economy committee should now do the right thing and return the money seized so far from the PEI senator, New Brunswick non-partisan Sen. John Wallace writes in a letter addressed to the Senates leadership and obtained by The Huffington Post Canada on Wednesday. Advertisement Sen. Mike Duffy leaves an Ottawa courthouse on April 21, 2016. (Photo: Adrian Wyld/CP) The right thing, according to Wallace, is for the committee to: immediately revoke and rescind a decision that Duffy received an overpayment of $16,955 for ineligible expenses; immediately revoke and rescind any further seizure from Duffys paycheques; and immediately reimburse and return to Duffy all the amounts that have been seized so far. Earlier this month, Wallace, a new member of the committee, asked its chair, Conservative Sen. Leo Housakos, how the decision to seize funds from Duffy had been made. Was it taken by the full committee, Wallace asked. Or by the three-person subcommittee, on which, of course, the majority, two of three members, are of the same political caucus. Wallace noted that he had not been called to a meeting with the other members to decide what to do about Duffys expenses, and he suggested Housakos had not followed the proper procedure. Advertisement The subcommittee seems to exercise a lot of authority, he said during a section of the Oct. 6 meeting that was open to the public. Housakos was defensive, saying the subcommittee is administrative. Its not a body that takes decisions, the chair of the subcommittee said. Sen. Leo Housakos is shown at a 2015 press conference in Ottawa (Photo: CP) Just to clarify in your comments that it is a committee that has considerable powers, I can assure you that Senator [Jane] Cordy, and myself, and Senator [David] Wells, dont feel by any means [that we] have any considerable power other than the power that this committee gives us. Housakos said he wanted to assure Wallace that we take no decisions, nor in terms of fiscal spending, or policy decisions without consulting this committee without getting guidance from this committee. Advertisement A number of Duffys expense claims flagged by the Senates finance branch were not presented in the courtroom as they had been initially presented and approved by the upper chamber, Housakos said. It was brought to this [internal economy] committees attention that there were a number of those expenses. This committee determined what those next steps were and they gave us guidance in taking those next steps, Housakos said. Former prime minister Stephen Harper is given a tour of the Saint John harbour by John Wallace in 2006. (Photo: CP) Wallaces letter states, however, that Housakos subcommittee received no such guidance. In July, the three-person subcommittee Housakos; Cordy, the Liberal deputy chair; and Wells, another Conservative, informed the other 12 members that Duffy had received an overpayment of $16,955 for ineligible expenses and instructed the Senate to reduce Duffys allowance by 20 per cent until the funds were recovered. Advertisement The subcommittee explained its decision by saying Duffy had refused to reimburse the money and had communicated that he did not plan to use the arbitration process set out to resolve such disputes. The $16,955 represents seven claims Duffy made to the Senate, from a makeup service to an exercise trainer who, Duffy said in court, also served as a policy consultant. The Senate said $3,142 was for ineligible travel expenses and $13,813 was for other inadmissible expenses. In this artist's sketch, Sen. Mike Duffy responds to defence lawyer Donald Bayne at his trial in Ottawa, Monday, Dec. 14, 2015. (Photo: Greg Banning/CP) Duffys lawyer, Donald Bayne, wrote to the Senate in June saying all those expenses had been reviewed in court and found to be in compliance with the Senates administrative rules, policies and guidelines. Justice Charles Vaillancourt had fully exonerated Duffy, Bayne said. Advertisement Wallace wrote in his letter Wednesday that it should have been the full committee 15 senators, representing nine Conservatives, four Liberals and two independents that decided Duffys case. The subcommittee, Wallace stated, should have submitted a written report to the full committee with its recommendations for thorough and thoughtful consideration. I have been a member of the Internal Economy Standing Committee since June 8, 2016, and at no time have I received a copy of any such written report from the [subcommittee], nor was one provided to me by the Clerk following the October 6th Internal Economy meeting, he wrote. The three-person subcommittee, Wallace noted, is authorized to act only in specific and limited ways. The Parliament of Canada Act allows the subcommittee to exercise the powers of the Internal Economy Standing Committee only when the chairs deems there to be an emergency. Mike Duffy arrives for his trial in 2015. (Photo: The Canadian Press) In Senator Duffys case, and quite rightfully so, no such emergency ever existed, nor was one ever declared by the chair, Wallace wrote. Advertisement This subcommittee, Wallace added, is empowered to make decisions on behalf of the full committee members only with respect to agenda and meeting schedules, or to resolve immediate administrative matters if the full committee is unable to meet. The issues at stake in Senator Duffys situation most certainly are not those that concern the administrative organization of agendas and meeting schedules. Wallace also noted that there was no request or attempt to convene a meeting of the full committee over the summer to discuss the matter. "The issues that are raised by the seize and set-off of Senator Duffys sessional allowance, the issues behind that are of extreme importance to myself, and, I think, should be to all senators." Consequently, the steering committee/sub-committee had no authority to order the repayment by Senator Duffy of the disputed expense claims totalling $16,955 and the seizure or set-off of that amount from his sessional allowance, Wallace concludes. Advertisement Wallace told HuffPost Wednesday that his letter raises concerns that are much broader than Duffy. Notably, that a three-person subcommittee could impose financial penalties on a colleague without broader approval of the Senate or a large committee of their peers. The issues that are raised by the seize and set-off of Senator Duffys sessional allowance, the issues behind that are of extreme importance to myself, and, I think, should be to all senators, he said in an interview. At this point, it is Senator Duffy who finds himself in this very unfortunate and difficult situation, but it is a situation that highlights broader issues that can impact any senator. What does all of this add up to? What does all of this add up to? How does it affect rights of senators? How should it affect rights of senators in particular as we move forward to create a new modernized Senate in the years ahead? The issues are raised in a broader context, he said. Questions posed to the Senate on Oct. 6 were responded by Housakos spokesperson, Jacqui Delaney, who wrote in an email on Oct. 7 that the offsetting of Senator Duffy's salary is in strict accordance with the independent dispute resolution process adopted by the committee on internal economy, budgets and administration in 2015 to ensure senators were no longer sitting in judgment of other senators when it comes to senators' expenses. Delaney said the subcommittee had followed the proper procedures. While she did not provide a copy of any written report presented to the full committee with the subcommittee's recommendations regarding the Duffy case, she did forward a copy of an email, dated July 28, that communicated the subcommittees decision to all members. Advertisement Immediate administrative problem In an email, on Wednesday, Delaney said the subcommittee was fully within its rights to act over the summer, because this was an immediate administrative problem. The rules state that if the full committee is unable to meet, the subcommittee on agenda and procedure (steering committee) [is] authorized to deal with and resolve immediate administrative problems, but that it must report its decisions at the next full meeting, she noted. In his letter, Wallace also noted two perhaps equally troubling matters that were also raised by Independent Sen. Anne Cools in conversation with HuffPost this month. The dispute resolution process was never presented to the Senate to be debated and approved to become part of the upper chambers rules, Wallace observed. Senate can do what it wants The internal economy committee also has no express right or authority under the Parliament of Canada Act to seize or set off the amount of any disputed expense claims against a sessional allowance, he said. Advertisement The law currently allows the Senate only to deduct $120 a day beyond 21 days that a senator does not attend a sitting of the Senate. The Senate, as a whole, of course, can decide to do what it wants. Also on HuffPost Actual U.S. presidential nominee Donald Trump took the high road after Vice President Joe Biden said he would engage in good ol' fashioned fisticuffs if the two were still in school. Just kidding. Advertisement On Tuesday night, Trump said he'd love to put his dukes up against Biden, CNN reports. "I'd love that. I'd love that. Mr. tough guy," Trump said. "He wants to bring me to the back of the barn." "You know, he's Mr. Tough Guy. You know when he's Mr. Tough Guy? When he's standing behind a microphone by himself," Trump added. Trump was responding to comments Biden made last Friday at a rally for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. The VP blasted the billionaire after a leaked tape from 2005 revealed remarks Trump made about being able to do whatever he wants to women because he's famous. Biden described the comments as "the textbook definition of sexual assault," according to NBC News. Advertisement At the rally, the VP said he keeps getting asked by the press if he would relish a chance to debate Trump. Biden said he instead wished he "were in high school, and I could take him behind the gym." Barn or gym? Both? Trump somehow managed to remember Biden's comments differently, however. USA Today reports the Republican flagbearer said Biden wanted to take him back behind a "barn," which differs slightly from a gym. "He wants to bring me to the back of the barn. Ooooh. Some things in life you could really love doing," said Trump. Also on HuffPost ELKO Justice for Stephanie Gonzalez a victim of a five-year-old domestic violence murder was given to her family and friends, following a verdict of guilty of first-degree murder in the Eduardo Estrada-Puentes trial. Her mother Lidia Cortes thanked her family and friends as well as law enforcement and the Elko community, who were there for and supportive of the family through these times. Its been rough, but we have succeeded in getting the verdict that we wanted, she said. Now my baby girl can be at peace. We have Justice for Stephanie. Cortes told the media she would not be able to see Gonzalez be a grandmother or her three children get married, but the family has the justice they want. Stephanie was a good mom. She was a kind person. Shes always smiling, said Cortes. She wasnt perfect, but she was a good person and she didnt deserve what she got. The mother acknowledged that she has been rough on people in the past when it came to the case, but I just wanted justice for my daughter, she said. Cortes will continue to advocate against domestic violence because of the devastating aftermath. It leaves you with a big hole in your heart that will never heal, she said. Cortes implored the community to not give up on a victim of domestic violence, just continue to be there no matter how many times they leave their abusers. When they are ready theyll leave, but they need to get out safely and not let their guard down. She asked the community to help one another, because violence and murder isnt the answer. Elko Police Chief Ben Reed said this is the culmination of approximately five and a half years of unceasing work on the case. Very early on we knew who was responsible for Stephanies death, he said, explaining it was a matter of following procedure, securing a warrant for Estrada-Puentes arrest, finding him and extraditing him. Reed said he was brought into custody with assistance from the FBI and the Mexican Federal Police. The police chief praised the work of the Elko County District Attorneys Office and the excellent case presented by Chief District Attorney Chad Thompson and Deputy District Attorney David Buchler. When a jury, in a murder case, is able to render a verdict within a short two or three hour timeframe it means that the evidence was solid that all 12 of them were able to come to some sort of agreement fairly early on, said Reed, explaining the department is happy for the family to begin its closure process. Reed also praised the dedication and hard work of the detectives. First and foremost, its a huge sense of relief. Its a sense of relief for all of us who had any part of this, regardless of how big or how small, said Lt. Rich Genseal. He discussed the continuous questions running through peoples minds throughout the case: when will he be caught, was something missed in the case? We know the emotion theyve (the family) gone through, weve gone through the same emotion with them ... This case is huge because it has so much impact, said Genseal. It has so much impact to us because she worked at the police department. Gonzalez worked at the police department as a summer student. She was described as having been great to have around, being bubbly and smiling. He said its important for those who worked there when Gonzalez did to remember her like that. Genseal asked the public to be courteous to one another, regardless of his or her views on the case. Every Halloween, Ryan Miller transforms his sons wheelchair into something epic. But this year, the California dad outdid himself when he turned his eight-year-olds chair into a Ghostbusters Ecto-1 car. The incredible costume features all the details of the films signature vehicle, including the Ghostbusters logo, a working siren and ghost-hunting equipment strapped to the roof. Millers son, Jeremy, is even wearing his very own Ghostbusters suit. Advertisement Watch the video above for a 360 view and to see how it moves. In the past, Miller has built some pretty incredible costumes for his son, from a Star Wars snow speeder to the ship from Jake and the Never Land Pirates. Just take a look below: 2015: Star Wars snow speeder Jeremy's Snowspeeder in action! A video posted by Ryan Scott Miller (@ryansmiller) on Oct 28, 2015 at 6:44pm PDT 2014: Captain Americas motorcycle Jeremy in his wheelchair as Captain America on his motorcycle! #halloween A video posted by Ryan Scott Miller (@ryansmiller) on Oct 25, 2014 at 8:56pm PDT Advertisement 2013: Mickey Mouse mobile We took Jeremy's Main Street Electrical Parade costume to Disneyland's Main Street! A photo posted by Ryan Scott Miller (@ryansmiller) on Nov 28, 2013 at 8:47am PST 2012: Never Land pirate ship Jeremy and the Neverland Pirates! A photo posted by Ryan Scott Miller (@ryansmiller) on Oct 20, 2012 at 5:51pm PDT Jeremy was born with spina bifida, a birth defect where the spinal cord fails to develop properly, and has been using a wheelchair since the age of three. That's why his dad decided to create these elaborate costumes to give Jeremy some positive attention. When hes out at school and things like that, he has his friends, but sometimes they run and they just leave him behind, Miller, 37, told Today.com. Part of the reason we do this is because people come to him, so hes the center of attention, and he loves it. This year, Miller decided to go with a Ghostbusters theme because his son is a huge fan. Speaking to Mashable, the dad explained: He's seen all three [Ghostbusters] shows and watches the cartoons on Netflix. He loves the music, he loves that it's a comedy with some pretty cool gadgets and adventure. Advertisement Also on HuffPost With Halloween right around the corner, you may be itching to find something spooky to do. That might mean watching scary movies or visiting haunted houses, but why not kick things up a few frightening notches and book yourself a haunted hotel room? Yes, there are hotels and specific hotel rooms, purported to be haunted, that you can actually stay in. Curious? Here are Cheapflights.ca's picks of seven ghostly hotels where you can spend the night -- if you dare. The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado, United States Advertisement The Stanley Hotel is over 100 years old and boasts a stunning location and beautiful architecture, but that's not all it's known for. Anyone who has read or seen the movie version of Stephen King's "The Shining" knows just how scary that story is. If you're curious as to what could have inspired such a spine-tingling tale, you might want to pay a visit to the Stanley Hotel. Rumour has it that King stayed in room 217 back in 1974 on a night when the hotel was nearly deserted as the property was just about to close for the winter. Though the entire hotel is known for paranormal occurrences, room 217 seems to see the most ghostly action. According to the hotel's history, countless guests have seen and heard strange things like lights turning on and off, doors opening and closing, strange laughter and footsteps, drafts and unexplained chills. Russell Hotel, Sydney, Australia Russell Hotel is located in The Rocks, the oldest area of Sydney and one of the most convenient for checking out many of the city's best known attractions. The boutique property also has a reputation for being haunted, thanks to the area's storied and somewhat seedy past. Advertisement Now a favourite location among visitors to Sydney, The Rocks was once known as a crime-filled area that attracted some shady characters, as well as sailors looking for adventure in port (with many getting more than they bargained for once they found themselves in the neighbourhood's dark alleys). One such seafarer is said to haunt the halls of the Russell Hotel, taking particular interest in room 8. Some guests have reported waking to find him staring at them from the foot of the bed. Battery Carriage House Inn, Charleston, South Carolina, United States Located across from Charleston Harbor, the historic Battery Carriage House Inn has just 11 guestrooms and is known as one of the most romantic inns in Charleston. However, it is also reputed to be one of the most haunted. So if you like your romantic getaway with a side of the spooky, this might be the place for you. The property is said to be home to several ghosts. Over the years, many guests have reported strange and spooky sightings, all of which are well documented on the inn's website. Rooms 3, 8 and 10, in particular, have been known for their paranormal presences and unexplained happenings, including a sighting of a headless torso in room 8 and a congregation of ghosts in room 3. Chillingham Castle, Chillingham, England Advertisement If you've ever wanted to stay in a haunted medieval castle, you can get your chance in Chillingham, England. Given that Chillingham Castle dates back to 1344, when it was fully fortified, it's no surprise that ghosts are part of its history. There are ghost tours available for anyone interested in getting to know more about the castle's past and just what kind of presences might be waiting in the shadows. Some spooky sightings or happenings include a ghost in the pantry, voices in the chapel, ghosts in the courtyard and a ghostly presence in the torture chamber (go figure). For an especially chilling experience, stay in the Pink Room, said to be favoured by a ghost known as the "blue boy." Guests of the room have reported flashes of blue light and loud, wailing noises. Fort Garry Hotel, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Winnipeg's Fort Garry Hotel is over 100 years old and, as such, you wouldn't be wrong for assuming there might be some haunting going on in the storied hotel's hallways. Guests have reported seeing and hearing a number of strange things, including the sighting of apparitions at the ends of beds, unexplained talking and crying and, in room 202, the ghost of a woman who is said to have hung herself in the closet after getting word that her husband had died. Queen Mary Hotel, Long Beach, California, United States Advertisement Does the thought of staying on a haunted ocean liner sound intriguing? If so, book yourself a stay at the Queen Mary Hotel in Long Beach, California. The floating hotel is known for its history, its amenities and unique accommodations, but it's equally known for its paranormal activity. On board, you might find yourself face-to-face with such ghosts as a sailor who died in the ship's engine room, a "lady in white" and children who drowned in the ship's pool. Book one of the ship's tours to learn more or check in to a stateroom for your own research. HI Ottawa Jail Hostel, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada There's a hostel in Canada's capital city that is housed in a 150-year-old former Carleton County jail -- meaning your room will be an authentic jail cell (albeit with free Wi-Fi). HI Ottawa Jail Hostel is conveniently located in downtown Ottawa and, in addition to letting you sleep in the slammer, offers free breakfast. All these perks and quirks aside, though, what makes this hostel stand out are the numerous ghostly encounters guests report. Our advice to those looking to stay here: sign up for the daily free tour to learn more about the history of the jail and its former inmates. Best to be forewarned as the hostel is purported to be one of the most haunted buildings in all of Canada. To read about more spooky lodgings where you can spend the night, if you dare, go here. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook Rick Wilking / Reuters Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Hillary Clinton walks off the debate stage as Republican U.S. presidential nominee Donald Trump remains at his podium after the conclusion of their third and final 2016 presidential campaign debate at UNLV in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., October 19, 2016. REUTERS/Rick Wilking Scientists worldwide accept that Earth is warming at an unusually rapid rate, that humans are primarily responsible, mainly by burning fossil fuels, and that the consequences for humanity will be disastrous if we don't take immediate, widespread action. The U.S. Defense Department calls climate change a security risk "because it degrades living conditions, human security and the ability of governments to meet the basic needs of their populations." People in the U.S. and around the world are already experiencing the costly impacts: more frequent and intense extreme weather, prolonged droughts, flooding in coastal areas, contaminated water, ocean acidification, growing refugee crises and more. Every month this year has become the new hottest on record, and the past three years have also broken records. Advertisement Considering the magnitude of the threat, you'd think global warming would merit an entire debate between the two contenders for president of what is still the world's most powerful and influential country. At the very least, it's significant enough to warrant numerous questions from debate moderators and thorough policy discussions from the candidates. So, in three debates, how many questions have moderators asked about climate? How much time have candidates devoted to discussing it? The answer to the first question is zero. They've been asked about email usage, abortion, Muslims and taxes, but not about an issue that overwhelms all the others. The answer to the second question is "barely five minutes", mostly about energy rather than climate. One candidate extolled the virtues of fossil fuels and mythical "clean coal" while the other promoted the misguided notion of natural gas as a "bridge fuel" to help us transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. But for much of the three debates, one candidate threatened and called the other names and discussion centred on issues such as tweets about a former Miss Universe and who has the required "stamina" to lead. Advertisement That doesn't mean both candidates and their parties are equal on climate change. One talks about the need to shift to renewable energy and has a party platform that outlines solutions. The other calls climate change a "hoax" perpetrated by the Chinese, and believes in promoting fossil fuels at the expense of renewables. But even their differences on this critical issue aren't getting airtime. "I've been shocked at the lack of questions on climate change. It really is fiddling while the world burns," Massachusetts Institute of Technology climate scientist Kerry Emanuel told the Guardian, calling it "collective cowardice." Although the U.S. joined 194 other countries and the European Union in December 2015 in agreeing to keep global average temperatures from rising more than 2 C above pre-industrial levels, and has now ratified the Paris Agreement, the country's oil industry is booming. In Canada, which also ratified the agreement, governments continue to approve, promote and subsidize fossil fuel projects like pipelines, LNG development, coal exports and oil sands expansion. Although we've known about climate change and its causes and consequences for a long time, and we have a wide range of viable solutions, with more and better ones developed daily, our political representatives -- and, to be fair, many people they were elected to represent -- don't appear to understand the gravity of the situation or to have the courage to address it. A complacent public and compromised media mean the topic is all but ignored during one of the most important, albeit bizarre, political campaigns in recent history. Solutions and opportunities could and should be included in these debates, as well as in media coverage and everyday conversation: carbon pricing to provide incentives for clean energy and disincentives for outdated, polluting technologies; increasingly efficient and cost-effective clean energy and storage technologies; protecting natural carbon sinks; and changing agriculture practices. Advertisement We've ignored the problem for so long that a smooth transition is becoming more challenging every day. For those hoping to head a country that has shown leadership in so many ways to ignore or outright deny the problem is a punch in the face to humanity. Let's hope that, whatever the outcome on November 8, the U.S. government will heed its experts at the Pentagon, NASA, NOAA and every other scientific and policy department and get serious about climate and the measures needed to ensure citizens' well-being and survival. Written with contributions from David Suzuki Foundation Senior Editor Ian Hanington. Learn more at www.davidsuzuki.org. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook By Ramnath Subbaraman & Madhukar Pai Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading infectious cause of death globally. In 2015, WHO estimated that there were 10.4 million new TB cases worldwide. Six countries accounted for 60 per cent of the total burden, with India accounting for 27 per cent of the global cases. The WHO highlighted that about 4.3 million TB patients globally are "missed" by health systems annually and remain either untreated or unreported to national governments, which may undermine global efforts to combat TB. India alone has more than one million of these missing TB patients every year. A study we contributed to, published in the journal PLOS Medicine this week, provides insight into gaps in care where TB patients in India's government program go "missing." The researchers use an analysis called the "cascade of care," which estimates the number of patients who successfully reach each step in diagnosis and treatment required to achieve the ideal patient outcome, which is one-year recurrence-free survival in the case of TB. Advertisement The TB community has lagged behind in using the cascade analysis for monitoring programs and setting public health targets. Over the last decade, the HIV community has very effectively used the cascade of care analysis to identify and plug gaps so that more patients receive effective treatment. UNAIDS recently endorsed an ambitious "90-90-90" global target based on the cascade. The TB community has lagged behind in using the cascade analysis for monitoring programs and setting public health targets. To our knowledge, this study is the first published national TB care cascade. The study finds that, out of about 1.9 million TB patients who reached government TB diagnostic facilities in India in 2013, only about 1.6 million were successfully diagnosed with TB (figure below). Most of the approximately 300,000 undiagnosed TB patients had either sputum smear-negative or multidrug-resistant TB -- two forms of TB disease that cannot be diagnosed using sputum microscopy, the most common TB test currently used in the government program. Advertisement In addition, the study estimates that, out of the 1.6 million diagnosed TB patients, about 1.4 million got started on TB treatment in the government program. About 212,000 patients were successfully diagnosed but did not get started on TB treatment. Previous studies suggest that the government TB program is unable to find some of these diagnosed patients because of poor recordkeeping. Missing phone numbers and addresses and unreadable handwriting in patient registers make it impossible to track some of these patients. Taken together, these two gaps suggest that about half a million TB patients in India reach government TB diagnostic facilities but are either not successfully diagnosed, or not started on treatment. The study also highlights gaps that occur at the end of the cascade. India's government TB program currently only reports statistics on the number of patients who complete TB treatment; however, the study points out that a considerable percent of these patients will suffer from relapse of TB disease within the first year after completing TB treatment. What can be done to plug these gaps? Diagnosis of TB patients remains the biggest weakness in the cascade, and this will not change unless India upgrades from testing with sputum microscopy to routine use of rapid molecular tests that have been shown to considerably improve diagnosis of smear-negative and multidrug-resistant TB patients. While the government has developed an electronic system for notification of TB patients, this needs to be expanded into an electronic medical record system that can be used at the ground level to improve the quality of patient information and help healthcare providers to track TB patients. Finally, routine one-year follow-up of all TB patients who complete treatment in the government program might help healthcare providers to quickly detect patients who suffer from relapse of TB. Advertisement For the first time, this cascade of care study provides an end-to-end view of what happens to TB patients in India as they try to navigate the Indian government's TB program. The government urgently needs to commit considerably greater funds to modernize TB services in India and to track each TB patient, to ensure that all patients make it to the finish line. India is aware of the need and is starting to address them. Earlier this month, The Lancet published a comment by the Indian Health Minister Mr Jagat Prakash Nadda and Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, head of India's WHO Regional Office for South East Asia. In their Comment, they acknowledged that TB is a bigger problem than imagined in India and other Asian countries, and suggested that TB should be made a top priority on national agendas. They also argued that political commitment should be translated into a comprehensive national TB control plan, and such a plan must be fully funded and implemented promptly by an empowered body that reports to the highest levels of government. We strongly endorse this plan and hope India's new National Strategic Plan for TB (2017-2023) that is under development will be ambitious, bold, and full funded by the government. That will be a critical investment in India's health and future. Ramnath Subbaraman is an Associate Physician in the Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. He is also an Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, and a Research Advisor, Partners for Urban Knowledge, Action, and Research (PUKAR), Mumbai, India Madhukar Pai is a Canada Research Chair in Epidemiology & Global Health at McGill University, Montreal. He is the Director of McGill Global Health Programs, and the Associate Director of McGill International Tuberculosis Centre. (@paimadhu) Advertisement Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook red_buffon via Getty Images Girl power vector illustration in flat style. Feminism symbol. The rate of violent victimization is 2.5 times higher for Canadians who identify as gay or lesbian, as opposed to those who identify as straight. For those who identify as bisexual, it's four times higher, according to Statistics Canada. While there's been increased media attention to stories of sexual violence recently, queer women's stories are often left out of the picture. Advertisement We spoke with Kim Katrin Milan to learn more about media coverage of sexual violence against queer women and creating consent culture. A daughter of the diaspora, Afro Caribbean, Venezuelan Arawak, Indian and Scottish, hailing from Trinidad and living between Toronto & New York. Kim Katrin Milan is an award-winning internationally acclaimed educator, writer & artist. Interviewer: What conversations have you heard in your community about media reporting on sexual assault and rape? Kim:"Corporate media versus social media have very different stakeholders and goals in terms of the kind of reporting that they're doing... I think it's something like 97 per cent of corporate media is controlled by white men. So that really means that is who is controlling the images and representations and the political conversation about women and about sexual violence. There is definitely a lot of victim blaming that comes out of those spaces. But out of social media, the people who I follow are actually incredible supportive." Advertisement "I have seen a lot of amazing initiatives and... solid tools and resources being developed for survivors of sexual assault. I, myself, co-admin a blog for women of colour survivors of sexual violence. That really brings together thousands and thousands of women to receive different resources and to get a lot of support in an environment that's not triggering. So I think it really depends on where you look." "As a woman of colour... I'm told that I'm supposed to say 'yes' all the time. When a man approaches me, even when I don't want to speak to him, I'm supposed to be nice to him. When a stranger comes up to me on the plane and tells I should smile more, I'm supposed to smile... Recognize that our culture predisposes women to having to say 'yes' and to having to give our 'yeses' even when we don't want to. It's really important that we make this space for people to say 'no.'" Interviewer: What are the challenges you have seen in mainstream media reporting on sexual violence and rape enacted against queer women? Kim: "A couple of years ago they started reporting on 'corrective rapes' happening in South Africa where queer and lesbian women were being targeted by mobs who wanted to, through this violent act, somehow 'make everyone straight.' I know personally, two queer women in my life who were violently raped for that exact reason: specifically to punish them for their queerness and to somehow bring them to the 'other side.' And I've never seen any corporate media report on that kind of violence with the sensitivity and the respect that it deserves." "When someone is using 'corrective rape' as a rape, when someone is yelling out things like 'dyke' and 'faggot,' that makes this a hate crime and... [yet] we see corporate media's reticence to actually name those things as they are." Advertisement Interviewer: Often survivors are portrayed as white, straight, cisgender, able-bodied women. How can the media avoid minimizing stories about sexual violence against queer women? Kim: "The primary way would be actually to have queer women working in newsrooms... One of the most important ways to transform this is by hiring media directors and news directors that are black and of colour and are Native and are queer and are trans. If we don't see a difference in the people who are producing the media then we are not going to see a difference in the quality of that media and the bias. Everybody is subjective." "Queer women have to be actively involved in producing their own media. That... is why I look towards social media. And I'm not actually looking towards corporate media to better reflect my stories." Interviewer: Statistics show most survivors don't report. Why is it important to have diverse representations of survivorship in media reporting? Kim: "In the experiences of sexual violence that I've had, when I reported on them, they were not dealt with in ways that held anybody accountable... The process of telling and disclosing does not often lead to anything meaningful or supportive for the survivor. I give any individual much respect and support in whatever way they decide... to heal. Some people really want to take a lot of time and go to therapy. And some people really need the support of their friends and family. And some people find those resources through helplines. But I have never found meaningful support offered through victim services, the police system, or the justice system. I think that the reason why people are choosing not to report is because the system is failing patently in many different ways." Advertisement Interviewer: There has been a swell in media coverage of rape culture in recent months. What conversations are you glad to see happening, and what do we still need to address? Kim: "I'm glad to see the beginning of some discourses that say, as opposed to, 'don't get raped' - 'don't rape'... Really pushing that discourse further and making sure we recognize that, if men are getting raped, and women are getting raped, and children are getting raped, then we have to stop this idea of saying it has anything to do with what people were wearing or what they were doing or what they were drinking." "But again, we're not actually getting to hear the stories of women... [or] nuanced stories and experiences. We're barely getting to hear women speak on corporate media in meaningful ways about anything. So I think that there's still so much that needs to go." This blog is part of a series of interviews femifesto is publishing on media reporting and sexual violence in diverse communities across Canada. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook Also on HuffPost: By Si Si Penaloza Seattle is quickly gaining a reputation as the best city to be a dog lover. Case in point, Seattle has more dogs than children. The city's now infamous dog-to-kid ratio has nabbed headlines in the likes of USA Today, the New York Times and the National Post. While perhaps not as famous as its coffee or penchant for precipitation, Seattle's uncanny canine distinction makes it an ideal place to visit with your dog. These stats go all the way back to at least 1997, when the Seattle Timesfirst published a feature that noted that the scales had officially tipped in favour of dogs. Advertisement (Photo: @tinkandbent at Magnuson Park) Where to Stay W Hotels' recent completion of its highly anticipated $18 million renovation of W Seattle is an absolute coup, sealing their footprint in the thriving Emerald City scene. It's the ultimate crash pad for you and your pup, strategically located to the waterfront, Pike Market and the expansive ferry system. W Seattle is intrinsically connected to the city's thriving business empires of tech, music and design, alongside the pristine wilderness that the city is renowned for. All 415 guest rooms and nine stylish suites have been transformed, completing the multi-phase renovation that included the hotel's signature Living Room and Trace restaurant. (Photo: W Seattle) At the W Seattle, Pets are more than welcome. In fact, the hotel was voted one of the "5 Best Pet Friendly Hotels in America" by Travel + Leisure. They welcome pets of all sizes and weights, so you can enjoy a vacation or business trip with your most loyal best friend. This attitude illustrates how the evolving wish and whimsy of the contemporary pet parent has become implemented in the "family" life of W Hotels. They realize that for many millennials and older movers and shakers, pets are the only "children" they may ever have. Where to Spa Elaia Spa Your journey to moisturized bliss begins with a genuinely warm welcome at this celebrated spa within the Hyatt at Olive 8. Hedonists flock to Elaia, for healing and culinary arts, both of which are renowned here (the spa lunch menu is as drool worthy as the treatment menu). Expertly led by Spa Director Serene Sanders, Elaia offers guests a creative, cohesive approach to wellness. Advertisement (Photo: Hyatt Spas) Renew Day Spa Eco-friendly and respectful of its milieu, Renew is a sweet sanctuary tucked away in the courtyard of Bainbridge Island's Winslow Building. The spa's raison d'etre is to provide guests with soul-shatteringly delicious treatments; you'll be glad you made a day of it. Where to Dine Lola Sundays in Seattle are best anchored by brunch at Lola. Book a table during the magic hours when they're serving both breakfast and lunch; you can get their made-to-order doughnuts, one of the big draws of this dining hotspot. Garlic smashed fried potatoes are total flavour bombs; the usual diner home fries seem impoverished in comparison. Lola succeeds at all the little details that add up to a masterpiece. (Photo: Lola) Hitchcock Brendan McGill, chef and owner of Hitchcock on Bainbridge Island, reigns supreme as Washington's oracle of regional cookery. His hearty yet refined dishes combine French flair with local ingredients. The multicourse tasting menu shows off his virtuoso techniques -- smoking, pickling, sous vide -- across a panorama of star ingredients. Front of house service is top notch, fixing Hitchcock firmly on the must-try map of destination dining. Advertisement (Photo: Hitchcock) Shuckers Ensconced in downtown's Fairmont Olympic Hotel, this classic seafood venue impresses international guests and locals alike with perfectly seared fish entrees and a dizzying array of raw bar offerings. The cozy wood-paneled resto-bar is perfect for kicking back after strolling Pike Market. If you enjoy feasting on the day's local catch on the merits of its freshness alone, then Shuckers is the reservation to make! (Photo: Shuckers, Fairmont Olympic Hotel) Scout Josh Henderson's new restaurant at the Thompson Seattle is a date night win. A gastro ode to romantic, woodsy charm. The decor conjures the feeling of a National Park rangers' lodge, but with a much heftier budget. The food is on the mark; think curated selections of fresh oysters sublimely paired with an inventive cocktail menu. Advertisement (Photo: Scout, Thompson Hotels) Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook Also on HuffPost: Joel Carillet via Getty Images The appearance of B'Tselem Director Hagai El-Ad at the UN last week caused a healthy furor. While European and other politicians supported his testimony, Israel's right-wing leaders went so far as to accuse El-Ad of treason. Yet this tiny Israeli human rights organization did what international diplomacy has failed to do for years: it held Israel to account -- just briefly -- for important violations of international law. Advertisement El-Ad argued something that most Canadian politicians have thus far been unwilling to accept: that you can like Israel, yet still criticize it. More importantly, El-Ad clearly implicated the international community in the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "The occupation isn't an internal Israeli issue, but a major international issue. There's no such thing as a democratic occupation. This can't be an [Israeli] internal matter." Canadian politicians should learn from B'Tselem. Unfortunately, the only position that many Canadian politicians are comfortable with is something like: "We support an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a negotiated two-state solution." The problem is, it's meaningless. For the Canadian politicians who might've missed it, Israel withdrew from US-sponsored negotiations on April 24, 2014 -- two and a half years ago. And if that wasn't convincing enough, Israel's current PM Benjamin Netanyahu won re-election in 2015 based on the promise to never allow a Palestinian state in the West Bank. Advertisement The logic is pretty simple: No negotiations -- no negotiated solution. The fact that every party across the Canadian political spectrum proclaims the same position was probably a tip-off that a commitment to a "negotiated solution" means little. Sure, everyone wants peace -- who doesn't? In parliamentary discussions earlier this year, it was amazing how many times words like "dialog" and "peace process" were bandied about. But repeating platitudes which are detached from the day-to-day reality makes one naive at best, and complicit at worst. It's a bit like commenting on a married couple who have severe marital problems, complete with shouting matches and physical abuse. While all their friends may agree that the marriage is in trouble and that the couple should get counselling, no true friend would allow the husband to repeatedly beat his wife as they wait for counselling. But Canadian political leaders seem perfectly willing to allow the "beating" to continue as they await the ever elusive negotiated solution ("counselling") between Israel and Palestine. "The whole world desires peace between Israelis and Palestinians, but only active engagement -- not wishful thinking -- will facilitate a solution." Brazilian philosopher Paolo Friere argued that, "Washing one's hands of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral." Yet that is exactly what Canadian politicians do with each passing year as they smugly declare their devotion to the long-awaited "negotiated solution." How to stop the beating? Regardless of which side in the conflict they may favour, Canadian politicians could follow the simple example of B'Tselem from last week at the UN: Hold human rights violators to account. First, like B'Tselem, Canadian politicians must condemn Israeli settlement building: As frequently and forcefully as possible. A form of colonization, settlements violate international law, and -- according to chief Israeli negotiator Tzipi Livni -- were the chief reason that negotiations failed in 2014. Beyond settlements, Canadian politicians should also be ready to condemn the other insidious on-the-ground realities of the conflict. In recent months, Palestinian knife attacks on Israelis have been regularly reported in Canadian media, but only rarely do we hear of the hundreds of Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli jails, the Israeli demolition of Palestinian homes, or the onerous Israeli military restrictions on Palestinian movement around the West Bank and Gaza. Advertisement Second, Canadian politicians must not hesitate to call out indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks from either side. Canadian politicians already seem comfortable condemning Hamas rocket attacks from Gaza, but they must also be sure to condemn indiscriminate Israeli attacks. In the 2014 Gaza flare-up, for example, 65% of Palestinian fatalities were civilians. Finally, Canadian politicians and parties should be prompt to call for a ceasefire the moment violence erupts between Israelis and Palestinians. Not only is armed violence between states in violation of core precepts of the UN Charter, but the disproportionate victims of such aggression are inevitably civilians. Beyond all logic, the Harper government repeatedly opposed international calls for ceasefires, as if the conflict could be assuaged by allowing either side to pursue its goals militarily. While these suggestions for Canadian politicians barely scratch the surface, they start to respond to B'Tselem's assertion that the conflict is more than just an internal Israeli issue. The whole world desires peace between Israelis and Palestinians, but only active engagement -- not wishful thinking -- will facilitate a solution. In the meantime, Canadian politicians should do everything they can to stop the beating. Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook The five things you need to know on Wednesday, October 26 1) ZAXIT ON THE SPOT Zaxit does indeed sound like a spot cream. But Zac Goldsmiths exit from the Tory party, and the Commons, last night could cause a lot more trouble for Theresa May than the localised pimple of Heathrow expansion. Advertisement As Ive written in detail HERE, the Lib Dems are determined to turn the Richmond Park by-election into a verdict on Mays stance on Brexit as much as on aircraft noise and pollution. The yellow hoardes will descend on the seat in even bigger numbers than Witney as they seek to retake the south west London seat lost in 2010. The Libs want to give the Remainers of Richmond their very own second referendum on Brexit. And you can see why, given the June statistics. Richmond borough voted 69% and Kingston borough voted 62% to stay in the EU, but the party locally suggests ward-by-ward figures show the constituency itself (made up of upper-middle class bits of both boroughs) is even more Remainiac: with 72% voting against Brexit. Zacs own pro-Brexit views will be targeted as ruthlessly as his controversial London Mayoral campaign tactics, his Bollywood brain fade and unfamiliarity with using the Tube in central London. Hes very popular locally, so the Lib Dem hopes of getting a Witney swing (where they were not facing any incumbency factor) may be overdone. Zacs wealth, like his former non-dom status, doesnt much bother his constituents, even though he will need lots of his own lolly (240k on one estimate) to defend the seat. Yet the Lib Dems most powerful weapon of all is the message to voters that axeing Zac will slash Mays slender majority - and his replacement would use any Parliamentary vote to oppose hard Brexit. Jeremy Corbyn may or may not relish the fact that defeat for Zac would give Theresa May real pause for thought about a snap election next year. Advertisement Lib Dem candidate Sarah Olney will be delighted that shes on the front page of the Times today, protesting against Heathrow alongside former Richmond Park MP Susan Kramer. Still, Im not sure it was wise for the local party to tweet pix of Olney alongside Kramers predecessor Jenny Tonge (who no longer takes the Lib Dem whip after remarks about Israel). Amid all the Zac focus, its easy to forget Boriss muted response to the Heathrow news. On Brexit, hes already facing the charge that he put personal ambition above the national interest. On airports, he is now being accused of putting his job of Foreign Secretary above the local interest of his constituents (and his own previous opposition). Will Corbyn risk a PMQs joke about Boris not needing to lie down in front of bulldozers because he's already been lying down the side of his 350m-for-the-NHS Brexit bus? Chris Grayling confirmed on the Today prog that the third runway plan may include a "ramp" over the M25 for planes to take off from. Questions remain about whether flights will start at 5am or 6am. The Transport Secretarys vague plan yesterday to combat pollution may be more of a problem. In a nutshell, he seems to think more electric cars in the next 10 years could get Heathrow off the air quality hook. Meanwhile, David Cameron has unveiled a new book deal, promising to be frank about his time in No.10. Will he be frank on Frank Zacharias Robin Goldsmith? And on May and Gove? As hes left the Commons, at least he wont have to declare publicly his income from the autobiography. 2) MIGRANT PHILIP All ministers are told to stop giving us a running commentary on what Brexit may mean. But Big Phil Hammond couldnt help himself yesterday. He told Treasury Questions that the Government will put the needs of the City at the heart of our negotiation with Brussels, as we understand their needs for market access. Advertisement But he wanted to send a signal about not just passporting, but passports too. And the Chancellor said he saw no likelihood that highly skilled workers would be barred after Brexit. The problem that people are concerned about is people taking entry-level jobs. I see no likelihood that we will use powers to control migration into the UK to prevent companies bringing highly skilled, highly paid workers here. Ahead of his Autumn Statement, Hammond faces the separate challenge of the Brexit impact on his coffers. The Resolution Foundation think tank warns that Osbornes 10 billion budget surplus in 2020 is on course to be a 13 billion deficit. And by then, the UK would have borrowed 84 billion more than was predicted in March. Not good for the Tory attack on Labour deficit deniers. Meanwhile, the bush telegraph is alive with more worries about firms pulling out or suspending investment decisions. The Times Business section leads with Vauxhalls American chief warning that I look at the situation in the UK as, you know, a speed bump on our path to where we want to take the business. That will worry British car workers. GM has not yet decided where to build the new Vauxhall Astra, which is currently assembled at Ellesmere Port in Cheshire, one of the UKs big six car plants with 2,000 employees. No.10 is not surprisingly scathing about the Guardian story on May's remarks to Goldman Sachs in the referendum, pointing out she really said much the same thing publicly about the risk of firms wanting to quit the UK. 3) STAB IN THE DARK Michael Gove has been widely ridiculed within his own party and without it, after telling Radio 4s World At One that he hadnt knifed Boris Johnson. I wouldnt say I stabbed him in the back.. It is not treacheryI absolutely reject the idea of betrayal. I think a shrink would say hes in denial. He even told Wato that he realised Boris was not PM material in the immediate aftermath of the referendum campaign - it took him seven days to communicate that immediate thought. Advertisement Surely the quicker Gove admits he betrayed Bozza and apologises, the sooner his career can rehabilitate? Gove said hed happily serve in a May government, but anyone who knows the new No.10 knows theres currently as much chance of Jake Berrys pit of hell freezing over as there is of the PM giving him a ministerial job. Still, the former Justice Secretary has a Times column, a new role on a juvenile crime body andthe chance of getting elected to the Brexit Select Committee. Yes today sees the election of the 10 Tory MPs (and 10 from other parties) to the 21-strong body. Gove, along with fellow Brexiteers Dom Raab, Peter Lilley and John Whittingdale have all put their names forward. But so too have Tory Remainers Anna Soubry and Alistair Burt. Many Labour MPs like Soubers, but she may not get too many Euroscep votes. One Tory last night sent me her emailed plea that It is time to put aside our differences and come together as Conservatives.. For some strange reason they thought that was very funny indeed. BECAUSE YOUVE READ THIS FAR Watch Donald Trump declare at a rally: Theres going to be a lot of Brexit happening in two weeks [ie on US Presidential election day]. 4) COMPASSION WAGON The Calais refugee camps slow dismantlement continues, but the controversy is unlikely to diminish. And on ITVs The Agenda last night, UKIP leadership contender Suzanne Evans got it in the neck for her insistence that incomers from the camp should face stricter age checks. Jeremy Paxman boomed at her Do you have no compassion? Advertisement Evans said Parliament did not back the Dubs amendment on minors in order to bring in youngsters who buy razors and shave. Shes the moderate candidate in the UKIP race, by the way. I wonder if Jeremy Corbyn will raise David Davies dental checks in PMQs, and defend Diane Abbott in the process? 5) THE APPRENTICE The deafening political noise of the Heathrow row gave the perfect cover for the Government to quietly slip out a U-turn on cuts to apprenticeships. A written ministerial statement from the Department for Education announced that the cuts, which were themselves announced on a Friday afternoon during Parliaments summer recess (without a statement or press release) would not go ahead. Full marks to David Lammy, who led the campaign to help 16 to 18-year-olds and those from poorer backgrounds. If youre reading this on the web, sign-up HERE to get the WaughZone delivered to your inbox. Photo by Stuart Gleave via Getty Images It's 6.17 on Wednesday morning. It's dark and quiet. Yesterday Prime Minister Theresa May gave the go-ahead to the third runway at Heathrow. "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can And the wisdom to know the difference' Last night a rare thing happened; there were no planes in the skies directly above our home. Last night I enjoyed the peace and quiet. I came home from a day's work, played with my kids and put them to bed. I made dinner, watched TV and went to bed before 10pm. I slept right through to 5.25am. 7 and a half hours. Absolute luxury. This morning as I sit here quietly writing I wonder when the next plane will come. Although it's been peaceful I've also been anxious about when the next plane will thunder and whirr across the skies of our once quiet suburb. Not quite Stockholm Syndrome but certainly a strong sense of Chinese water torture. Advertisement Life is a challenge, right? It's meant to be. Nothing wrong with that. Taking on daily challenges gives us daily growth. In life there are many situations where we need to 'step up to the plate'. Where we exercise the courage to change the things we can. And then there are other situations where the opposition is so unreasonable and abusive that despite the injustice the only option is to remove yourself from harm's way. As Mr Miyagi famously said "Best way to avoid punch is not to be there". I just heard a tweet of birdsong. I can't remember the last time I heard such a thing. That's what my kids should be waking up to, not the thunder and roar of planes rattling the window frames in our house. It's really hard to encapsulate and explain what this all means. I work hard in a capitalist system. I put in the hours, I sell my expertise to the highest bidder, I put my litter in the bin and I pay my mortgage. When our twins were born we pulled out all our savings and increased our mortgage to refurbish our house to ensure we could stay in our community and be within the catchment area of the local school. Advertisement And yet somehow over the last 5-7 years the plane noise has become louder and more frequent, starting earlier in the morning and running till later at night. A typical day in my life now means being woken up at 6.17 by a plane flying directly overhead. And it's not just flying. It's climbing, and whirring. It's flying low and slow. I've always been a good sleeper but this early plane wakes me up in the morning before I want to get up, and that's an imposition. Imagine if a neighbour stood outside your house and beat a metal bin lid with a length of wood. You'd tell them to clear off, right? You'd be rightfully furious. If they did it the next day you'd call the police and expect them to be removed and contained. How then is it acceptable for these planes to wake up what must be hundreds of thousands of people who didn't ask for it? The truth is that I would normally get up around 6.30 anyway, but the issue here is that I want to be the person who chooses when I wake up. And that's not the worst of it. It's the evenings that are so unbearable. Last night there were no planes so when my TV programme had finished I quietly went up to bed, shut my eyes and slept for 7 and a half hours. That's probably the longest I've slept for weeks. No kidding. Advertisement The usual scenario is that planes run until 11.30 or so, and quite often there are a few stragglers through till past 1am, which gives me a window of precisely 5 hours to get my night's sleep in. Should it be a luxury to have quiet evenings and mornings in my own home? Should it be the exception to the rule that I can occasionally clock up seven and a half hours sleep? I'm no politician but I saw a quote from Theresa May in which she said "the third runway would undermine climate targets and seriously damage the health of the local community." Obviously she no longer cares about climate targets or the local community. What do you do when that's your country's leadership speaking? Is that the time to ask God to grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change? Do the people making these decisions live under the flight path? Or are they able to choose when to go to sleep between the end of one working day and the beginning of another. Advertisement The near-constant noise is a major issue. And no, you can't just put ear plugs in because then you can't hear your children if they cry in the night. And why should you have to take measures anyway? Is it not a basic human right to be able to get a good night's sleep? And you want to use my taxes to build another runway? Is everyone here crazy? The race to fill the U.S. Senate seat of retiring Sen. Harry Reid offers voters a marked contrast in candidates, especially rural voters. Reid has handpicked former Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto to be his Democratic heir apparent, while Republicans have nominated Congressman Joe Heck, an emergency room physician by profession and a brigadier general in the Army Reserve. The issue of what to do about federal public lands alone finds the two candidates pegged on opposite ends of the political spectrum. Rep. Heck argues that far too much of Nevada more than 86 percent is controlled by federal government land agencies, which restrict productive uses. I believe that the best stewards of our precious lands are the people closest to it, who understand Nevadas Western way of life, not bureaucrats in Washington, Heck says on his website. I opposed the presidents recent unilateral, executive land grab designating the Basin and Range Monument because it went well beyond the intention of the Antiquities Act and it did not have the support of local residents. I also cosponsored legislation called the Nevada Land Sovereignty Act of 2015, which prevents the president from taking executive action designating or expanding national monuments without Congressional approval or local support. In Congress, Heck boasts that he has fought to stop the listing of the greater sage grouse as an endangered species because of how it would harm the states economy. As your Senator, I will fight to transfer more of our public lands back to our state so that Nevadans can decide how to best utilize the land, the congressman says. In sharp contrast, Cortez Masto is cut from the same cloth as Reid, who applauded the presidents unilateral designation of Basin and Range Monument and has generally opposed handing over greater control of public lands to the state. She has said on her website, I will fight to ensure that future generations are able to experience the incredible natural resources Nevada has to offer, just like I did, meaning leaving it in the hands of federal bureaucrats who have failed to manage the range to prevent wildfire and have failed to control the overpopulation of feral horses that are starving from overgrazing and jeopardizing other wildlife as well. She also embraces Reids blind allegiance to the not-ready-for-free-market green energy acolytes. As U.S. senator, I will work to ensure we are fully utilizing Nevadas abundance of wind, solar, and geothermal energy resources and increase investments in renewable energy technology to create green jobs here in Nevada, she says. I will also work to preserve and protect Nevadas incredible public lands a unique, valuable resource in Nevada that creates thousands of jobs and brings in millions of dollars into our states economy every year. We must safeguard our natural resources and stop big oil from receiving unnecessary tax subsidies unlike subsidies for green energy? When it comes to ObamaCare and its skyrocketing premiums and deductibles and disappearing providers, Heck has already worked to pass legislation that would exempt residents of counties that have only one ObamaCare provider from the requirement to pay a tax penalty if they fail to maintain minimum health coverage under the so-called Affordable Care Act. Ten rural Nevada counties this next year will have only one provider. As an emergency department physician, one of the reasons I ran for Congress was the passage of the disastrous Affordable Care Act, Heck says The law has failed to meet its stated goals of increasing access to healthcare and reducing costs. Recent events suggest the law is having the opposite effect. Major insurers are leaving the exchanges and others are predicting significant premium hikes for their customers, making it anything but affordable. For her part, as attorney general, Cortez Masto refused then-Gov. Jim Gibbons directive to file suit to challenge the ObamaCare law, even though she was required to do so by state law a dereliction of duty. Heck recently voted to delay an Obama administration Labor Department rule that would vastly increase the number of workers who would have to be paid overtime and thus cripple many small businesses and result in job losses. Meanwhile, Cortez Masto is advocating that Congress should raise the minimum wage, another job crushing move. When it comes to the Second Amendment, Heck has an A rating from the National Rifle Association, while the NRA has spent $1 million on ads opposing Cortez Masto. Ed Freeman via Getty Images Police officers wield unique and significant powers in society, and it is right to have oversight of those powers to prevent misconduct and deal with issues if they arise. Since its introduction in 2004, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), has provided that oversight to our civilian police, and in doing so has improved police operations and public relations across the country. However, the various branches of the military police, including the Royal Airforce Police, Royal Military Police and Royal Navy Police, currently have similar powers as the civilian police, but without any independent scrutiny. My amendment to the Policing and Crime Bill this week, supported by Liberty, would change that, and give the IPCC the ability to scrutinise military police as well. Advertisement The existing discrepancy means that when mistakes happen during investigations, there is no vehicle for victims or their families to ask questions or raise their concerns. Just last week the Royal Military Police finally apologised for the mishandling of the case of Anne Marie Ellement, who was sexually assaulted by two of her colleagues, but had her claims dismissed and the case closed. Anne Marie later took her own life, and only after her family threatened legal action was the case reopened and two individuals were eventually prosecuted for the assault. Mistakes can happen in any organisation. Both intentionally and unintentionally, bias or prejudice can creep in and blinkers can prevent the truth from being seen as it really is. Even if no mistakes were made, without external scrutiny many will not believe that to be the case. This means that errors or corruption cannot be addressed and that honest officers cannot be validated. The National Crime Agency, the British Transport Police, the Ministry of Defence Police, the UK Border Agency, Police and Crime Commissioners, the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs all fall within the jurisdiction of the IPCC. It is deeply unfair that the same oversight does not extend to other military police. Advertisement As more and more people are going to university and competition for jobs is heating up, for those who haven't been to university a high-paying job can seem as far away as the moon. There are many professions, however, that don't require a degree in order to succeed, just as having a degree does not guarantee well-paid success. The current UK average salary is at 27,600. We've put together a list of careers that are well within the reach of those who don't have a degree, and that pay above the national average. Whether it's the unappealing debt, or other personal/financial reasons, university isn't for everyone. We want to prove that success is not limited to university graduates and to show that many skills are gained through other means. Recruitment Consultant The plethora of jobs that are coming onto the market every day require a bit of organisation and interpretation. That's what Recruitment Consultants are for. The recruitment market is worth 30 billion in the UK, and is only getting bigger. To get involved you will need good sales skills and a quality customer service attitude. In-depth knowledge of a particular career will help you to specialize and increase your worth. Base salaries average around 38,000, but you can expect large commission pay outs on top of that. Advertisement Hairdresser Hairdressing may not sound lucrative in terms of salary, but if you work hard at your skills and technique then you could be highly sought after senior stylist, earning upwards of 30,000. Owning your own salon or working on TV and film sets could bring you much more. You will get little reward for many years, but once you've gained notoriety you can take your profession anywhere. Fire Fighter Fire Fighters are the heart and muscle of any community. As well as putting out fires and attending every emergency, Fire Fighters teach, inspire and care for the people of their community. A patient and authoritative nature is good for this role, with good fitness and the ability to stay calm in a crisis. Fully trained Fire Fighters start at around 28,000 a year and can rise to 55,000 for Area Managers. Stone Mason Stone Masons build the very foundations of our cities and civilisations, from the Egyptian Pyramids to the Bank of England. To join their ranks you will need to be fit and good with your hands. Find a college that offers courses in masonry or construction and keep developing those skills. Once you're a professional you could be earning upwards of 40,000 a year. Air Traffic Controller A career as an Air Traffic Controller doesn't require a university degree, but you will need to gain some more specific qualifications. They're certainly not far-fetched, however, you will just need good maths skills and sharp reflexes. It's a highly valued job that requires hard concentration, and this is reflected in the salary which averages at around 80,000. Advertisement Fashion Designer The fashion world is fast-paced and highly competitive, but experience is worth far more than qualifications. Alexander McQueen, for example, had no qualifications after leaving school at 16. Fine-tune your talents and create as much as you can and you will show employers, designers, buyers and journalists that you are serious at your craft. There is little reward for untested newcomers, but there is big money in the market available to be unlocked after prolonged hard work. Truck Driver Becoming a Truck Driver allows you to roam up and down the country, listening to whatever music you desire and dreaming whatever sweet dreams please you, every day, for up to 35,000 a year. To access this lifestyle you simply need a full driving license and will need to pass an LGV and/or HGV test. There's a national shortage of Truck Drivers at the moment so this salary could potentially rise if you time it well! Journalist Journalism is as varied as the stories of the world are. As such, it is achievable for anyone with good writing skills, a unique perspective and a razor-sharp commitment to deadlines. The salary is also dependent upon the type of publication you work for, whether it be TV, digital, newspapers or magazines. Prominent journalists at the top of their game can expect a minimum salary of 38,000. Police Constable Police Officers are another body of leaders that bring peace and respect in the community. If you're a just leader who enjoys listening to and learning about people around them then you should fully consider joining the police force. A clear head, good judgment skills and a kindly character will help you to rise through the ranks and earn a salary of 41,000+. Security A career as a Security Officer is another that emphasizes the need for good character and fitness. Patience, politeness, a clear, calm mind and a quick wit will help you excel in this job, not to mention being happy with standing up for long periods of time. Companies of higher worth that require top-level security will offer higher salaries of around 40,000 upwards. Advertisement Sales and Marketing Manager These roles are found in many different professional sectors, the requirements for the job are the same. Strong motivational and leadership skills alongside a proactive attitude and you will be able to rise up through the ranks of your workplace, with on-the-job training supplementing your enthusiasm. Senior management roles can offer a salary over 50,000. Public Relations Working in Public Relations demands an authoritative, shrewd individual who sees opportunities wherever they look. You will need to be able to listen and understand the needs of the others, and have a good knowledge of a variety of media. The salary reflects your own ability really, but big businesses will pay upwards of 100,000 for your hard work. Still unsure? Don't stress about you career choice. There's a lot of choice and there's always something that will fit your character, even if you haven't found it yet. Our tips to you are: 1.What are your interests and skills? There is always a practical side of hobbies that can be applied to the workplace. Maybe you like quizzes and have quite a quick-witted, logical mind. Write them down see what jumps out at you. 2.Once you have some ideas do some research. Look online, ask peers. What jobs are available that relate to your ideas? What kind of training do they need? What kind of pay does it offer? Advertisement 3.Keep in mind that you are not signing away your life to your choices. You can change your career as often and whenever you like. It takes time to find the right fit for your strengths and interests. A careers test could help to reveal some of the right and wrong careers for you. The National Careers Service website is great resource for your online research, with advice on CVs, interview skills and a library of career profiles. Shutterstock Warning: this post contains descriptions of a graphic nature. Currently a fund for the complainant in the Ched Evans case and for Rape Crisis England and Wales stands at around 23,000. I started it on behalf of a number of feminists and I have been working very hard to promote it so that as many women as possible are helped. I do this against a very difficult backdrop. Most women who are working to help other women do. We can't do a single good act of feminist work without experiencing the dark side of male violence online. Advertisement In 2012 a man appeared on my Twitter notifications. He was a striking looking man and he had a long white beard in his avatar. His face has stayed with me because when I read his tweet I had to throw my phone far away from me. He informed me that my daughter, who was ten years old at the time, would be raped, many times, by numerous men. The men would have penes of different shapes, sizes and colours. I wasn't sure why race was an issue. The gang rape was still gang rape. He was a racist misogynist rather than "just" a misogynist. Men who abuse women on the internet are a growing and pernicious problem. Most women have experienced some level of abuse online. Those who put "feminist" in their bio will have experienced a lot more than most and it will have been a lot more extreme. I have experienced a high level of online abuse from thousands of men for quite a few years due to my feminist activity. Barely a day goes by without some man coming along to abuse me. A lot I don't see because I block very quickly and they continue to target me but I forget them instantly. I honestly can't remember all the rape threats and death threats. Though I do remember some, like the man with a very poor grasp of biology who wanted to rape me in my anus until I was pregnant and had a miscarriage. Or the one who wanted Ched Evans to rape me. Or the one who wanted me dead before he raped me. Some of them stick for different reasons. I think the one where I was dead was the most preferable. One particular troll is quite something else though. I laugh at many of them as a way of coping. This one goes beyond the possibility of being a joke. Advertisement The "troll", or as I prefer, "woman abuser" has repeatedly harassed and stalked me. For more than two years. Every day. The intensity has been increasing and it has been life-changing. He once posted a comment on his blog about how it would be good if someone turned up on my doorstep, waited until I smiled and then stabbed me to death in front of my daughter. He frequently posts that he is coming to see me. That he has walked past me in the street. That he is taking a plane and will be visiting my City very soon. He talks of his Stanley knife being at the ready. He writes about my pets, my children, my ex-partner. He tries to name things that he thinks are relevant to my location and my family. He repeatedly posts pictures designed to harass me. He has made fun of friends who have died by saying they are burning in hell or "frying tonight". He joked online when in a weaker moment I expressed my emotion about a friend who has been diagnosed with inoperable cancer. She is the woman dearest to me in the whole world. It nearly broke me in two that night. I was bereft at the news and he made it so very much worse. I know that he picks over everything I say. That he watches. That I can't possibly risk a picture of anything intimate to my life or he will "enjoy" it. He has talked of how he would rape me but my breasts are too small. He talks of a night where I apparently attempted suicide and suggests I am mentally ill and neglect my child. He has said that I pass out drunk on my sofa and leave her crying alone. None of this is true. I am a very caring and very able mother and I drink very little. I am very lucky indeed not to suffer with poor mental health. Especially after enduring a violent relationship. Many women are left with poor mental health after a man has abused them. I am very fortunate. Advertisement This man starts up to five Twitter accounts a day deliberately to harass me. Twitter tries to keep up with him and removes them but the effort of reporting is too much hassle and pointless these days. He has simultaneously run at least three blogs. All of them mention me. If I post anything online, or if anyone writes anything about me at all, he pounces on it immediately and starts trying to reveal my identity to them. He constantly tries to encourage others to come and harm me. I long ago blocked the comments on my blog because he would appear there and post the name of a rape victim. He finds anything I post within minutes and will try to post something beneath it that threatens to reveal my identity or reveal the identity of others who for safety reasons want to be anonymous. The catalyst for this extreme and obsessive behaviour was my objection to Ched Evan returning to Sheffield Utd before his conviction for rape was overturned. This man himself was once accused of rape though the case did not get to court. Even Ched Evans distanced himself from this troll publicly when it was clear that the media had linked them together. He has repeatedly named complainants in rape trials. He has posted their names and photographs and has harassed the complainant in the Ched Evans trial relentlessly for the past five years. His blog was suspended during the recent trial of Ched Evans. He simply moved to another one. I do laugh at him because in some ways he is laughable. Until you think of the dark side of him and the potential threat he is. I don't really know him or what he is capable of. He sounds dangerous and he might be. Advertisement I do try to laugh at all of the trolls. If you see my Twitter account I very rarely scream back. I screenshot and giggle at the most ludicrous comments. I don't know what else I can do. Many of their comments reveal a total hatred of women. Many of them deny this and will offer up a shield if challenged. That shield will be a woman. "I can't be a sexist. See? I have this wife here under my arm!" I have been to the police about the stalker man. The case has been passed forward to the CPS. There is a wealth of evidence against him. All carefully gathered and presented in the correct way. Let's see what the CPS does with a man that is this extreme. Meanwhile what of the fund to help women? Well. How would I have time to look? Yesterday I was busy trying to promote it and gather more money for women and I arrived home late and tired and promising my partner I would put it to one side for a while and try to repair myself a bit. I said I would rest before battling on. What happened? Today I turned on my computer mid-morning to find a Men's Rights Activist had targeted me and there were 563 notifications. The vast majority were abusive. The vast majority were harassing me for my feminist action. The man had directed his 16,000 followers to harass me. They enjoyed doing so in very graphic terms. Advertisement I wanted to thank the people donating to the fund. I wanted to tell them how grateful both I and the complainant and Rape Crisis are. I was unable to do that. Faced with hundreds of men screaming in my face about how terrible I am left me pretty weak for a while. Then I got back on my feet. Women are always having to get back on their feet. Wouldn't it be lovely if one day we were safe in the knowledge that no man would try to knock us down? Image Credit: Judith Lewis Dubai is often lauded as the friendliest emirate for westerners in the UAE but as anyone with a family or a desire to sunbathe knows, there is little space and sky-high prices, making a family visit to Dubai out of reach for many people. I'm here to show you why I've fallen in love with Sharjah as a vacation spot for families. Advertisement Image Credit: Judith Lewis Travelling on a budget often means not being able to afford a foreign vacation or compromising but the low flight costs combined with deals and a whole culture geared towards entertaining children means that Sharjah can actually offer more value for family travellers. One bonus in my eyes which may seem strange at first is the lack of alcohol in this dry emirate. This means sadly no evening glasses of wine but it also means that no matter where your family may roam there is no risk of them getting in to trouble and no mobs of drunken yobs cruising the city centre. Image Credit: Judith Lewis I stayed at the Hotel Holiday International which unlike some other hotels I was looking at, has frequent deep discounts and offers. This means that one of the most expensive parts of a holiday away with the family - accommodation - can be brought down in price significantly by checking sites like Groupon. Also the breakfasts are buffet and so kids can eat as much (or little) as they wish without worrying about the cost of ordering more. This is not, of course, how they themselves advertise their accommodation. Advertisement Image Credit: Judith Lewis Sharjah itself is easily reached from this particular hotel, as can Dubai. I recommend making your very first stop the Al Noor mosque very close to the hotel. The woman I met there who was the official greeter helped explain everything to me which was amazing. She went through everything from prayer times and Islam to places to shop and traditional dress. By making this the first stop on your family vacation, not only will you learn about the culture, it will also set you up with loads of ideas of other places to visit within Sharjah. While slightly more conservative, it is OK to wear shorts and a t-shirt around Sharjah without worry. I wouldn't recommend a bikini top and Daisy Dukes as you might not be comfortable with the stares but it would be the same down at my local Waitrose ;-) Image Credit: Judith Lewis I recommend renting the inexpensive services of a driver while in Sharjah (there was a desk within Hotel Holiday International where you could hire one) and that way you can investigate the old town while others investigate the airplane museum with interactive exhibits for younger children. The planetarium has absolutely stunning exhibits and a long movie about astronomy and the night sky. The aquarium and maritime museum are sure to keep the family busy for most, if not all day and the Al Noor butterfly sanctuary is great for a quick visit - but was one of the more expensive places to visit so perhaps bring a picnic and enjoy the island. There is an area next to the bay with great places to eat (though this can get pricey so check menus first) and there is the most amazing waterpark right across from the Hotel Holiday International. Advertisement Image Credit: Judith Lewis In addition to these attractions, there is also the Sahara mall with a large indoor amusement park right within the mall. Designed for shopping and entertaining children, this mall in Sharjah is somewhere you can wander for hours shopping and take the kids for rides and to have fun. Besides traditional tourist targets, it is always worth a visit to the new vegetable market which recently opened. It is an absolutely gorgeous pristine indoors market where fruit, vegetable, meat and fish sellers gather to sell their wares. The gold market, actually intended for women only as men do not traditionally wear gold, is fascinating to visit to see not only gold but some of the highest quality carpets in the world. Image Credit: Judith Lewis Of course in addition to getting out and about, the Hotel Holiday International has a private pool and sunbathing area although I recommend not staying in the sun for too long as one person I saw there was as red as a lobster! As the sunbathing area and pool are private it is completely safe to wear just a bathing suit in these areas. The hotel has a teahouse with Turkish coffee and a cake that people come specifically to the hotel for. Last Saturday, I went to see a film called "I, Daniel Blake". It focuses on a man who suffered a major heart attack and yet was still deemed fit to work by a "healthcare professional" from the company running Work Capability Assessments. He has to appeal to get his disability benefit whilst in the meantime claim Jobseeker's Allowance and try to find work his doctor tells him he is not well enough to do. He befriends a single mother who gets her benefits stopped because she was slightly late to a job centre interview due to being lost in a city she didn't know. She is then driven to get food from a foodbank. It is heart-breaking to see how desperate her and her family become and is sadly too common in a country in which the usage of foodbanks are steadily increasing. During the majority of the Coalition government years many of us heard horror stories of how people being declared fit for work after their work capability assessment (WCA) subsequently died. We also saw how many people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance were being made to work for their benefits with the infamous "workfare" scheme. Many people campaigned against all of this and we made sure that people on the workfare scheme were then paid the minimum wage for their work. Furthermore the company ATOS who were in charge of the WCA lost their contract because of pressure from campaigners. However, instead of the government making sure doctors were at the forefront of assessing people's fitness to work, the WCA contract was instead awarded to another private healthcare company, Maximus. Since the Conservatives' general election victory in 2015, there have been even worse things happening in the benefits system. ESA claimants had their benefits cut by 30 a week. Disabled people lost their Independent Living Fund which helped them function in everyday society. Some of that money was then given to local councils so they could administer the support. However this money was not ring-fenced so many people have now lost the support they previously got. The previous Work and Pensions Secretary Ian Duncan Smith even resigned supposedly because he felt the planned cuts to disability benefits were a step too far. Many of us doubted his sincerity in the reason for his resignation as he was a well-known advocate for leaving the EU. Subsequently he became one of the poster boys for the official leave campaign. Advertisement Given the Tories promise of a Referendum on the EU, the attention of the media and many of us became focused on the debate surrounding it. Given that were also local council elections, London, Scottish and Welsh Assembly elections at the same time, the cruelty of the benefits system sadly got side-lined. The closest we got to this issue in the national news since the 2015 general election was IDS's resignation and Jeremy Corbyn pressuring the government to abandon their planned cuts to Working Tax Credits. Not that there wasn't anybody campaigning on this. Indeed, Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) have been doing vital work on this and in his researching on the film, Ken Loach has been travelling around the country in the last few years to see the devastating impact of benefit sanctions and austerity. Just a personal take on this now. After I graduated from University, I claimed Jobseeker's Allowance for two years on and off whilst only finding temporary work. However since the summer of 2013, I have luckily been in steady full-time employment. Whilst I was claiming JSA, I was subjected to the "workfare" scheme and was made to work in Tesco for four weeks with just my benefits and travel expenses paid. If I had refused to do this, they said it could have affected my benefit payments because I would be refusing an offer of employment despite the fact that this job was paying far less than the legal minimum wage. Tesco got free Labour and there was not a paid full-time job at the end of it. Going back to the film, it shows the main character being forced to do a CV workshop despite the fact he wasn't fit to work yet. This particularly resonated with me as I was put on a couple of pointless courses that were genuinely of no benefit to me. Indeed in the CV writing course I went on, they used my CV as a template for others to do theirs. I did do further education courses whilst I was unemployed but these were ones I found myself. Every job I applied for on the government's Universal Jobmatch website led to nothing. I eventually found a full-time job but only due to my friend recommending me at his workplace. Advertisement My point being that for the most part, the Job Centre barely helps you. An investigation has shown that the Job Centre advisors actually have targets to meet in terms of sanctioning claimants. Anyone of us could end up in a similar situation to Daniel Blake. Being made redundant, suffering major illness, being denied disability benefits and being forced to look for work despite the advice from your doctor. Whilst "I, Daniel Blake" has stirred up my anger again towards the government's disgusting treatment of our most vulnerable, it has also given me hope. Not only did the film shine a light on the degrading way benefit claimants are treated by the system, it showed that fellow citizens will help each other. Whether that is a neighbour, a Job Centre employee, a foodbank volunteer or indeed a stranger you meet in who is in a similar predicament. I urge you and anyone you know to see the film if you haven't and if it riles up a sense of anger and injustice, then good. Channel that anger in activism. If you know a friend that is being treatment awfully in the system, help them. If you see that a local foodbank needs volunteers or more food, do what you can to help. Even if you just share this blog or write to your MP or the Department of Work and Pensions, we can all play our part. Theresa May will continue her hollow rhetoric on creating a society "that works for everyone". Don't believe it for a second. The incredibly flawed Universal Credit system is being spread to more parts of the country and the Work Capability Assessments are continuing to play havoc and wreck people's lives. The next four years at least are going to be grim for many of our poorest and most vulnerable citizens. A few years ago, Cameron talked about creating a "Big Society". Well you know what, let's create that. Let's show the Tories that we will not continue to accept their appalling treatment of our fellow citizens and that they are not " just National Insurance Numbers or Statistics" as Daniel Blake puts it. For the first time in 8 years, Syria's first lady Asma al Assad has given a rare interview with Russian state television. Intelligent, caring and elegant, Mrs Assad draws on Princess Diana's humility and glamour as she talks of her devotion to the Syrian people. But beyond the designer clothes and talk of citizens' empowerment, Asma al Assad is the luxurious face of the despotic Syrian regime. With the click of her Louboutin heels, Syria's Lady Macbeth has long courted the attention of the media in an effort to obscure the reality of life under her husband's rule. For Asma al Assad, it has been a short road from London schoolgirl to First Lady of a rogue Arab state. Born Asma Akhras in well-to-do West London, ambition ran in the Syrian immigrant family. Her father left Syria in the 1950s to chase his dream of a British education, while her mother served as the First Secretary in the Syrian embassy. At university, Asma took on the male-dominated computer science faculty and graduated with top marks. She later joined the cutthroat world of investment banking, and was well on her way to an MBA at Harvard before joining the Assad clan (a fact she is keen to publicise). Advertisement Unlike Asma, her future husband was anything but ambitious. As the awkward second son of the late dictator Hafez al Assad, Bashar al Assad lived in his elder brother Bassel's shadow. Born shortly before his father gained control of the nation, Bashar was content studying medicine while his politically ambitious brother took charge. But that all changed in 1994, when Bassel was killed in a car accident and Bashar was thrust into the role of heir apparent. At this point, the fortunes of the Akhras family changed. They had been friendly with the Assad clan for decades, and Asma's friendship with the then-heir Bashar was the perfect opportunity for the middle-class West London family to climb the Syrian social ladder. Although their courtship was unpublicised, the pair married in 2000 shortly after Bashar ascended the throne. In Syria's regal dictatorship, like medieval matchmakers, the Akhras family successfully cemented their position with a marriage. Now the First Lady of a state sponsoring terrorism, Asma took it upon herself to charm the Western media. Characterising herself as a woman of the people, Asma employed international PR firms to promote her image as the moderniser of a country blighted with grinding poverty. Despite Asma's lavish lifestyle akin to Marie Antoinette, Vogue wrote that the "rose in the desert" ran her household on "wildly democratic principles", while The Guardian described her "not as the submissive consort [...] but as an equal partner of her husband". However dictators are rarely remembered for their actions during fair-weather. Despite being lauded as the bridge between the Arab and Western worlds, Asma's credentials were called into question with the advent of the Arab Spring. As her husband ordered troops to torture teenagers and open fire on protesters, Asma saw her 'Lady of the People' profile evaporate before her. Vogue subsequently removed any trace of the article from its website and Asma, the Western-educated reformer, became Mrs Assad, the wife of a Middle Eastern despot. As Bashar began to ruthlessly slaughter his victims like Sweeney Todd, London-born Asma embraced her role as Mrs Lovett. Advertisement The UK press' unfavourable coverage of the unfolding crisis raised eyebrows in the London Syrian community, and the Akhras family swung into action to protect their social capital. In private emails leaked by the Syrian opposition, Asma's father is shown to have personally counselled Bashar and Asma on how to counter the negative publicity. Despite the chaos, Mrs Assad continued her gilded lifestyle. Other leaked emails reveal how, like Imelda Marcos, she seems more preoccupied with luxury shoes than the suffering and oppression that has characterised her country. The other week I interviewed an old friend, Stig Abell, Editor of the Times Literary Supplement and LBC radio host, for my Media Focus podcast. During our chat he mentioned the rise of the niche publication, alongside the demise of the mainstream newspaper, and this got me thinking. We all know that the UK press are struggling. But what, and who, is really driving this movement away from the mainstream media? I've explored these issues before, looking at content creation, the rise of Facebook news and other online platforms. But over the last few months I've come to believe that we're on the edge of a huge change, one that is not driven by media corporations but by consumers. The most recent and comprehensive report on the media was published by the Pew Research Center in June this year. Entitled The State of The News Media 2016, it only covers the US media but I think it's a fair reflection of the UK too. In the report, alongside all the expected gloom for newspapers - profits and circulation down, cuts and closures up - there are a few unusual findings: Advertisement People are getting bored with online news sites First, while desktop and mobile traffic to the US top-50 online news websites rose overall, the number of minutes spent on these website by people using a smartphone actually fell for 34 of them. This might seem like small beer. An anomaly even. But mobile traffic to news sites makes up the largest proportion of visits by quite a large margin. So you could argue that rather than a blip this is actually a very big warning sign: people are getting bored more quickly with online news sites. But why are they getting bored? It could be that the mainstream media is turning people off; alienating them with dumbed-down highly politicised articles; pinning their colours to Left or Right and producing evermore hysterical and aggressive content. Or maybe it's just easier to read comments or headlines on Goole News, Twitter or Facebook, or on your favourite blog rather than visiting a news site. My personal favourite reason is that the need to advertise and create media-rich content means that when you click a link on Twitter you're faced with pop-ups you can't get rid of, videos that won't load, screens that jump around because they're not properly coded for mobile, and in the end you just give up and can out. But who really knows why people aren't staying on news sites? Advertisement People love niche news magazines While people are slowly getting bored with online newspapers, they're starting to fall in love with news magazines, and they're prepared to pay for this love affair. So much so in fact that this sector is actually growing in the US, a remarkable feat in the context of the media landscape today. According to the report: 'Sales of digital copies of single issues [news magazines] increased by an average of 30% in 2015 to more than 12,000 average sales per title. As a result, digital single copy sales now account for nearly three-in-ten of all news magazine single copy sales'. Why do people love niche news media? Possibly because they want to read something that's straight; something that isn't all sound and fury, is slightly longer form, is a calm reflection of their own views but has the space to develop ideas. Maybe it's just that they want to learn more about a subject so that they can win more battles on Twitter? But they love news channels even more In the US, TV news is a fast-growing sector, and it is by far the most popular way to consume news. And these statistics are mirrored in the UK, although the growth is, at present, slower. According to Deloitte, 56% of 35-44 year olds in the UK get their news fix from the TV, rising to 75% for the 55+ age range; and OFCOM research shows that television is by far the most-used platform for news, with 67% of UK adults in 2015 saying they use TV as a source of news. Advertisement So who is going to win this media war? If we simplify the whole argument we're left with the following: when all is said and done, we'd actually prefer to just watch the news on the telly, delivered by professional broadcasters; we are getting bored with online newspapers, and we want the kind of in-depth and thoughtful insight provided by niche publications. If this is true then what does that mean for the future of media consumption? The one thing that's becoming clearer is that the media organisations are not driving change; they are not leading the way anymore - they're playing catch-up. And 'catch-up' is possibly exactly where we're going to be in 10 years' time. The massive rise in VOD and steaming means that people can now watch whatever they want, wherever they want. And boy, do they love that! Being in control of content - there's no bigger high! So if I had to predict, I'd say we're looking at a future with two silos. First, mainstream news broadcasts, watched on any smart device and streaming TV inside and outside the home, delivered by a growing number of established and new, yet-to-be-launched broadcasters. Delivering the hard-hitting, on-the-spot news we all want. DAVID FURST via Getty Images Lesbian, gay, bi and trans people face persecution, harassment and violence all over the world. In many countries the law does not sufficiently protect LGBT people, and in 72 countries sex with someone of the same sex is illegal. The constant fear and experience of violence and rejection by family and society forces some LGBT people to flee countries as a last resort to survive. Many come to the UK looking for safety, and to lead a life where they are free to be themselves. Advertisement Sadly, the reality often looks very different. Detention centres in the UK, as our new report shows, offer little respite or refuge. While there is no doubt the UK asylum system has improved for LGBT people, especially since our report No Going Back in 2010, this report demonstrates there is still a long way to go. UKLGIG and Stonewall's new report - No Safe Refuge - provides a unique insight into the experiences of LGBT asylum seekers in detention. Its findings are extremely distressing, exposing unacceptable treatment of LGBT people, with detention centre staff ill-equipped to provide them with a safe refuge. Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 22 LGBT asylum seekers and this report is the first of its kind to provide evidence of the unique experiences of LGBT people in detention. Advertisement Some participants were too afraid to be open about their sexual orientation or gender identity while in detention. Those who were open either faced isolation or abuse from other detainees. They also felt staff did little to protect LGBT detainees. Some said they even faced direct discrimination from guards. The trans asylum seekers we spoke to said they felt particularly vulnerable while in detention. Having to share bedrooms and communal showers with other detainees forced them into situations that are unsafe, so much so that one trans asylum seeker didn't wash for two weeks. What this report clearly demonstrates is that detention, in its current form, is not safe for LGBT asylum seekers. There are some urgent steps that the Home Office must take to ensure all LGBT people who are seeking refuge from violence and persecution in their own country can be safe during their claim for asylum in the UK. Firstly, we are calling on the Home Office to ensure all staff are trained in identifying and tackling homophobia, biphobia and transphobia. Many of the detainees we spoke to said they felt staff failed to protect them from discriminatory abuse. LGBT detainees were also reluctant to talk to staff about problems they were experiencing, and some heard inappropriate remarks and behaviour from staff based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. This is simply unacceptable. Training for detention staff to understand the wider impact of their actions and language, and to be able to spot homophobic, biphobic and transphobic abuse is imperative as it is this exact abuse that have forced these LGBT people to seek asylum. In addition, the Home Office must ensure that all private firms contracted to run detention centres provide robust training, and have a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination and abuse. Solitary confinement is also a totally inappropriate way of ensuring the safety and protection of LGBT people, and this should be stopped immediately. Advertisement Ultimately, we believe that the UK needs to develop and implement alternatives to detention as a matter of priority, drawing on international best practice. Holding LGBT people detention centres that do so little to protect them from the very abuse and discrimination that they are fleeing is wholly inappropriate. The interviews we conducted all led to the same conclusion - that the Home Office should end detention of LGBT asylum seekers. Newsletter sign-up HuffPost UK Daily Brief Sign up and we will email you daily with the best of our political and news coverage while also giving you a taste of our most-popular lifestyle, opinion and personal blogs. Spaces Images via Getty Images Thousands of gay and bi men throughout the 20th century were prosecuted under unjust and discriminatory sexual offence laws. Of this fact, there is no disagreement. However, last week, at a debate in the House of Commons, a Bill that has come to be known as the Turing Bill, was filibustered by the Minister of Justice. This was done in favour of an alternative proposal that the Government prefers, but we don't feel goes far enough. The Turing Bill, sponsored by John Nicolson MP, argued for the UK Government to issue a general pardon to all gay and bi men who were prosecuted under these unjust laws. Advertisement However, while this aim is broadly supported by MPs of all parties, the scope of the Turing Bill, and the pardon, was deemed too wide for the Government. Instead of taking the Bill to the next stage, where it would have been possible to iron out differences, parliamentary procedures were used to force the Bill to fall. This is an underhanded political tactic, and, regardless of intention, it is deeply hurtful and offensive to the thousands of gay and bi men who have been affected. More than 75,000 men were persecuted for their sexual orientation, including some right up to 2003 when these laws were repealed. Each one of them deserves the same pardon that Alan Turing so rightly received in 2013, as well as a clear acknowledgement from the Government that their prosecution was unjust. The Turing Bill sought a blanket pardon for all gay and bi men - living or deceased - in recognition of this injustice; the Government's current proposal does not. It instead offers only an automatic posthumous pardon, leaving out thousands of gay and bi men who are still living. In addition, the current law includes a loophole, which does not allow for any convictions under Section 32 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956 to be removed. Section 32 was often used in a discriminatory way right through to the 1980s and 1990s, allowing the police to arrest men often for simply chatting up other men, and now prevents many gay and bi men from applying to have their criminal records deleted. The Turing Bill sought to right this wrong; the Government's proposal does not. This is unacceptable. So what next? There is still time for the Government to improve what they plan to do on this issue, and to ensure that those 75,000 gay and bi men, who have been wrongly accused, receive justice. Advertisement The amendment to the Policing and Crime Bill that will issue the posthumous pardon will be debated in the House of Lords tomorrow, Wednesday 26 October. It will be moved by Lord Sharkey and has Government support so is likely to be passed. However, we are urging the Minister of Justice, Sam Gyimah MP, to reach out to other MPs to discuss how the concerns aired in the debate on Friday - and voiced by MPs of all parties - can be addressed in the final Bill. We are also urging the Government to incorporate Section 32 into the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, so that men unjustly prosecuted under that law are not excluded from being able to have their criminal record deleted. In addition, we continue to urge the Government to consider a blanket pardon. This would of course exclude anyone convicted of offences that would still be illegal today, including non-consensual sex and sex with someone under 16, but would go some way to righting a significant wrong for many thousands of people. Finally, this is a clear opportunity for the Government to unequivocally make amends for the actions of past governments who instituted these laws. It is time for the Government to apologise to all those affected, those convicted, and their loved ones. This would help many to draw a line, once and for all, under a dark period in our history. One of the questions I'm asked quite a lot as Chief Executive of international NGO, Lepra, is why we provide support to India. The inference behind that is the more general question of why some middle income countries still need aid from the UK. This is a question I fully understand, especially when it comes to India. Their economy is fast becoming the second largest in the world and they have a space programme, so why would we dedicate our money and resources to help those living there? Advertisement Well, while things are certainly improving, India hasn't yet caught us up. Yes, India's annual income is bigger than ours but their population also is around 15 times larger. When you divide India's income by its population, it only works out that each person has on average $3 per day. That's in stark contrast to the UK where we average out at $113 per person per day, and we all know the further disparities that averages can conceal. India is home to 17% of the world's population and one third of the world's extreme poor. Although people believe it to be a rich country, the scale of poverty is vast. The states in which we work are amongst the poorest areas in the world, like Bihar. This Indian state has a population of more than 100 million - if it were a country, it would be the third poorest in the world because 80% of people live below the poverty line. As a country with a history of generous giving, why would we not help those less fortunate than ourselves? Not to do so feels to me a bit like not providing support to a family in need in the UK because there are rich people living in the same street. Of course that can mean donating more money and offering aid, but it can also mean providing knowledge. Our government can offer insight from our own experiences to developing economies and governments so that they are better equipped to tackle the global issues of disease, poverty and prejudice. Advertisement When it comes to our work in neglected diseases that's exactly what we do. We identify solutions to problems, strengthen the local government health systems by training local staff to detect the various signs of disease and encourage the government to eventually take over the services we provide. This year alone in Bangladesh, three of the referral centres we set up are being taken over by government. They have recognised the importance of the diagnostic services and physiotherapy we have been providing to those affected by diseases like leprosy, and are able to now fund and run those facilities themselves. This was always our intention when we established the project and it shows that there are methods of helping others that are sustainable and don't just require a never-ending monetary hand out. Looking at India and specifically at leprosy, for us it's very simple. 60% of the global burden of leprosy lies in India. The country also accounts for 24% of the world's total number of people with tuberculosis and 30% of lymphatic filariasis. Therefore it makes sense that we, as a charity tackling neglected diseases, work there. We believe, as I'm sure most of the British public do, that no one should be doomed to a miserable life because they live in the 'wrong' country, are from the 'wrong' caste or ethnic group or the 'wrong' gender. Just because a country is doing better than it once was does not mean that all those issues of poverty, inequality and disease are gone and as long as such problems do exist, we should be working together to tackle them. That's why we at Lepra will continue to work there and ensure that we push the government to provide necessary basic services to all. Clown sightings, the world's current epidemic of excitable rumour and panic - which seems to be gaining more and more momentum just in time for Halloween - began when a young boy, the son of Donna Arnold, and a small group of children, spotted two clowns in the woods in Greenville, South Carolina. According to Arnold, the clowns dressed in bright colours and frightful makeup tried to lure her son into a house hidden away behind woodland. Since this bizarre incident of the first clown sighting in August this year, many have adopted the white-faced red-nosed persona to chase and terrorise unsuspecting civilians across America and beyond. So far, around 48 states in America have reported clown sightings and several arrests have been made. The craze has even spread to the UK where the authorities are condemning the pranksters for wasting police resources and have even issued a teenager with a fine of 90, the first person in the UK to be fined for scaring children. There seems to be a common thread of unease with almost everyone: we just don't like clowns. But why are we so scared of them? Why is it so terrifying to see someone who we know is just a person playing a hoax in oversized multi-coloured clothes and silly makeup? How does something we know is irrational, absurd and, most importantly, not real, become so unsettling? Advertisement The fear of clowns, coulrophobia, was epitomised in public consciousness by Tim Curry's iconic portrayal of Pennywise the Clown in the 1990 film Stephen King's It. Since then, the standard image of clowns has transformed from a comic performer associated with laughter, tricks, slapstick, mime and children's parties into a terrifying, almost otherworldly entity who stares mindlessly with dead eyes and a wide devilish grin. Although there could be many possible explanations behind our collective dislike of Pennywise lookalikes, the crippling fear caused by this creepy craze could be due to uncanny valley, a term first coined by Japanese roboticist Masahiro Mori. The uncanny can be defined as the psychological concept, thought to be first established by Sigmund Freud in his journal Das Unheimliche, whereby something is strangely familiar rather than just mysterious. Uncanny valley, however, is a hypothesis which is widely disputed among scientists and refers to a dip of negative emotional response caused by the anthropomorphism of robots, 3D computer animated characters, lifelike dolls and, in this particular case, clowns. Mori hypothesised that these forms of human duplicates which appear to be almost exactly but not quite identical to humans evoke a feeling of unease, eeriness and even disgust among viewers, particularly when the creations begin to move in an unnatural or mechanical way. During his research, Mori found that as a robot or humanlike creation appeared more human, some observers had an empathetic and positive emotional response. This was the case until the point where the creation began to look too similar to a human and then a response of revulsion and unease was recorded. On the flip side, Mori also found that as a robot's appearance became less similar to that of a human being, the viewer's response became positive again. Advertisement Part of the reason it is thought that uncanny valley causes a sense of revulsion is because we are unsettled by the notion of 'the other'. The other is a concept very prominent in today's mainstream and social media with the uncertainty and otherness associated with terrorism and even Donald Trump (is he really human?). And it is this mix of something that appears both human and not human simultaneously that seems to worry us the most. Guardian writer Matthew Teague recently summarised Charles Dickens thoughts on clowns by saying that 'what fascinates us is not the exaggerated painted face, or the dull face of a man underneath. It's the tension between the two. The dissonance between what is and what appears to be.' Thinking along the same lines as the Jekyll and Hyde ideology of the duality of human nature, clown expert David Kiser recently theorised that: '...clowns hold up a mirror on society, so we can see the absurd in ourselves. So to be afraid of them is ultimately to be afraid of yourself.' runeer via Getty Images If by some unfortunate mishap the UK were to find itself under my control, I doubt I'd last a week. With unfettered power a reckless series of knee-jerk policies would follow until a widely backed coup restored order. That would put an end to severe tax hikes, the abolition of private education, and the general crushing of all who have the temerity to revel in profit. Business would, for the briefest of moments, cower beneath my steel boots, most likely ill-fitting and several sizes too big after I've removed the customer focused efficiency of a market economy. In short it would be a mess, as I suspect it would under anyone given the keys to the kingdom with no requirement to compromise. Right now compromise is out of vogue, a dirty word not to be so much as muttered in public. To do so is to betray principle. It's the ultimate heresy for any good and proper political soul. In the UK triumphalist Brexiters within the Tory ranks march like lemmings to the clifftop in step to the sweet tune of hard-line orthodoxy, while Labour couldn't agree on a sandwich spread for a local branch meeting, never mind an election-winning strategy. The only change Jeremy Corbyn's leadership seems likely to enact is constant rotation within the Shadow Cabinet. The idea of working together with allies that dare think a different thought is bad enough, never mind fraternisation with anyone else. Advertisement Rigid refusal to step outside clannish group-think is hardly a UK specific problem. The US is undergoing a bitter election campaign that has fired partisan feeling to bizarre levels. Despite one party - supposedly a mature, professional party with a proud reputation - fielding a mean-spirited, thin-skinned, bullying, hectoring, incoherent buffoon, far too many Republicans have rallied to the flag. Democrats are hardly blameless, many willing to tear strips off their own candidate for being the relative economic moderate she has been her whole life. In a heated environment that sees politicians ripped apart for straying from narrow political convention, it's no surprise to find the ability, and indeed the desire to work with those of opposing views, an undervalued and poorly received trait. When everyone who doesn't think the same is painted as the enemy, a move to bridge the divide will be derided. This view of compromise is inherently short-sighted and extremely damaging. Beyond our natural desire to close ranks against a common foe, an admittedly powerful drive, it doesn't even make sense. Each and every one of us compromises countless times daily. We weigh up decisions and make trade-offs on what to spend our money on, how to allocate time and how to behave. It's part of living in human society. Margaret Thatcher might once have told us there's no such thing as society, but that can only be true if we choose to ignore the entire history of our species. And still we look for our leaders to be the paragons of unbending virtue we know no human could, or ever should be. The world is full of individuals each with a unique set of desires that must be blended, mixed and moderated into a greater mass. Were I allowed to do anything with no checks on my power, I would embark on a series of policies that matter to me, but in reality will be of no consequence or actively opposed by many. Some I might push through but I could not get away with acting like I can do whatever I want. The same would occur were any other person handed similar scope. Knowing this does not make me reject my vision of the world, it simply allows me to recognise I can't have everything I want because everything I want is not going to be shared by others. It may be similar in some cases, far different in others, but never exactly the same. Advertisement So what we do now is look for compromises. This does not mean giving up on principle. It's not a betrayal. Compromise isn't bad, only bad compromise is bad. We work through priorities and trade off those that matter less to get those that matter the most. There will be issues that are intractable and there will be plenty that are not. Sometimes agreement proves impossible, at least for a while. That shouldn't shut down all dialogue. There are of course views that are too horrendous to bow to. Unpleasant fringes exist everywhere. Compromise in such cases does not have to mean conceding to aggressively bigoted positions. It could mean working with others to stamp out such views and improve the circumstances that lead people to back them. "What ever happened to being fingered round the back of the cinema?" That was the hilarious but very blunt reply from my friend's 65 year old mother when he was talking to her about his trouble with meeting women on dating websites, and their expectations of a first date. I think it's quite a good observation about modern dating. Eventing has to be so perfect and the pressure to impress is immense. My friend Luke is kind, considerate, funny and can drink more guinness in one evening than I thought humanly possible. He's got an amazing, soft Dublin accent which makes women swoon and he's not in bad nick for a thirty-five year old. He has been on ten first dates so far this year and actually got to date three with a woman, before she dumped him by text for 'not trying hard enough' on their third date. The date where he should have taken her to the cinema and fingered her after, according to his (slightly drunk) mother. Advertisement Instead he took her to our (very nice) local pub and suggested they get something to eat there - a plan which sounded perfectly fine to me and the rest of his friends. It wasn't good enough in her opinion as he hadn't put enough thought into it. She said didn't want to see him again, despite him being one of the kindest, gentlest men she will probably ever meet. All because the poor bloke suggested pie and mash and a pint for a third date. And that is why Luke usually never gets past a first date: He likes to keep things simple and so many women expect more from a first internet date and tend to go for men who want to do flashier things than just have a quiet drink. I have never used internet dating myself, as there was no such thing before I married for the first time at age 22. I did the old tried and tested, 'meet someone in a pub through friends' thing that everyone did back then. Before internet dating and Tinder, you met people through friends, on nights out or at work. Advertisement These days, finding a partner is a horrifying conveyer belt of disappointment and self loathing. I have lost count of the friends who I have sat with - male and female - while they are trying to chat to people via dating site messages. Most of them have found it tedious. The men have found that women tell them to fuck off for the slightest fault - My friend Simon said to a woman he was chatting to that if they went to dinner he knew a great restaurant they could go to; the woman said that was a red flag and he seemed controlling and promptly blocked him. My female friends are usually inundated with messages asking how big their breasts are and the occasional photo of erect genitalia. When they actually meet up for a date, more often than not, it doesn't go well. Most of these internet dates seem like hell to me, mainly consisting of a quick first meet up to see if you are 'compatible', i.e. would you fuck each other. Dress it up how you want, but dating comes down to attraction, and when you meet someone online, no matter how much you like them as a person, you really can't tell if you will be attracted to them until you see them in the flesh. They might smell of B.O, have an annoying physical habit that you can't get past, or they may just not look as good in real life as they do in their photos. That's the thing with relationships - if you don't want to jump their bones when you meet them, then there is not much point in continuing, no matter how much of a wonderful person they are. You may have met a really good friend, but if you aren't immediately physically attracted to them, it doesn't bode well for a relationship. Advertisement The dates themselves are sometimes awkward. So many people seem to favour the 'lunchtime coffee and a walk date'. Now, if I was dating and a man suggested that to me, I would laugh. I think the acid test to see if we were mentally compatible would be how he responded to me saying: "Nah, that's crap. Lets go to the pub tonight and see how many pints we can drink before we fall over. Or if it has to be lunchtime, lets skip the coffee and the walk and go and stuff our faces with Big Macs and chocolate shakes instead". If you can't say what you really think to someone when you first meet them, then what is the point of continuing if you are pretending to be someone you aren't? And what if you meet up and you don't feel any physical attraction? The best bet for both sexes is just be honest, especially if you get on personality wise. No one likes the sort of person who will take you out, spend the evening with you and then just ghost you afterwards, dropping off the face of the earth. Life is far too short to treat people with no dignity, so if the spark isn't there, just be honest and either have a great night out as potential friends or cut the evening short and go home and watch the Walking Dead in your pants. Ghosting is a real problem with Internet dating. With everything arranged by text or private messenger services, it's really easy (if you are rude) to ignore people and pretend they never existed. This can be massively upsetting to be on the receiving end of. I have been through this with a lot of my friends. They have a couple of dates, think all is fine and then one day, they other person stops responding and never contacts them again. Why not just be honest and say it wasn't what you wanted rather than ghosting and being a wanker about it? It really doesn't take long to call someone and say "I thought you were a really lovely person, but I can't see us being together. Good luck". I am helping a single friend write a bio for a dating site this afternoon, the poor woman has asked for my help as she has been getting nowhere and wanted to write something that was a bit more honest. Advertisement Wells Fargo is still reeling in the aftermath of a major scandal, the latest news being that the banking behemoth lost its accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. While perhaps not an extinction level event, think of this as getting panned by Ben Brantley of the New York Times on the opening night of your $50 million Broadway show. So here's a question right up there with jelly bean jar guesses at the number of lawsuits Donald Trump will be filing on November 9: In today's world of finance, is it plausible, or even conceivable, that this practice is unique to Wells Fargo? As The Donald might say, leaning toward his microphone--his short index finger jabbing at the ceiling: "Wrong." Advertisement The Comptroller of the Currency, Thomas Curry, said as much during a hearing when he announced that the OCC was investigating whether employees at other banks created fake accounts. Since you can't know until a news story breaks, the smart money is on assuming the worst and taking all necessary precautions. Why Worry? The reason consumers should be concerned that their bank might have done the same thing has everything to do with the culture at most financial institutions where "too big to fail" is a partial thought, the rest of the sentence ending "to hit impossible revenue goals." Do you honestly believe that Wells Fargo is the only bank that pushes its employees to turn water into wine on a daily basis? There is an immense amount of pressure to both increase the customer footprint and grow the bottom line anywhere financial products are made available. Advertisement What Happened On September 8, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Los Angeles City Attorney announced they had levied a $185 million fine on Wells Fargo for "ghost" accounts opened by the bank's employees to increase revenue and sales figures at the expense of consumers. The CFPB portion of the fine--$100 million-- represents the largest penalty ever assessed against a financial institution by that agency. The problem: Millions of unauthorized bank and credit card accounts were opened by Wells Fargo employees between May 2011 and June 2015 (a timeline that may grow longer as the investigation evolves). According to reports, the shady practice of opening these unauthorized accounts, known as "sandbagging," was rampant as a direct result of the corporate culture at Wells Fargo where, like other banks, there is a tremendous amount of pressure to show constant and robust growth. According to the CFPB, "Wells Fargo employees secretly opened unauthorized accounts to hit sales targets and receive bonuses." In their statement, the regulators allege that these ghost accounts racked up an assortment of fees and charges that hurt consumers while enriching Wells Fargo employees and appeasing management. Consequences When news of this debacle hit the press, both houses of Congress convened hearings--the most noteworthy was held by the Senate Banking Committee on September 20th, where Elizabeth Warren took Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf to the woodshed. She demanded his resignation and the forfeiture of any compensation or benefits he had received during past few years and suggested that he be criminally investigated. Within a couple of weeks, he agreed to forfeit at least $41 million in unvested stock options and "retired." And, it's now old news that the head of the department where all the mischief occurred, Carrie Tolstedt, left the company earlier this year. Advertisement A little background on Tolstedt: She got a $124.6 million platinum parachute, but in the harsh glare of the public disclosures has given up some $19 million in retirement benefits. The company has said it fired over 5300 employees implicated in these schemes over the past few years. But so what? This "sandbagging" included actions that should really be categorized as identity theft--right down to the creation of bogus email accounts, PIN numbers and pulling credit reports for new credit cards without the knowledge and consent of the consumer--the type of fraudulent activity that should count as "big league" crimes. Indeed, California Attorney General Kamala Harris is now looking at bringing precisely these charges against Wells Fargo. While it was great tv for many to watch Senator Warren grill Mr. Stumpf, it's not going to be much fun if you learn that your bank was doing the same thing and you've been the victim of what I'm going to call Institutional Identity Theft. Don't Get Got For every cockroach you see, there's a thousand in the walls. One has to assume a similar situation in the realm of bankers behaving badly. As I detail in my book, Swiped, the smartest way to navigate this fraud-filled world we live in is to practice the 3 M's to the best of your ability. They are: Minimize your exposure, monitor your accounts, and manage the damage when you discover you've become a victim. Advertisement Here are a few precautions you should take today: Check your credit report, which you can do for free once a year. Note that while credit cards will appear on that report, a new savings or checking account or IRA won't. Check your bank statements for penalty fees (ghost accounts are always low-balance and can thus incur charges), and consider setting up transaction notifications, which can be set to alert you whenever any activity occurs in your account. But in order to be certain you have not been sandbagged, you still need to do more: contact your bank and ask them to provide you with a list of all your accounts. We've seen some tremendous improvements recently in the ability of machines to understand and interpret human speech. Indeed, there has even been tremendous progress in making machines sound more human than they currently do. For this post however, I'm going to touch on some of the projects that are progressing our ability to interpret human speech. First up is a study from the start of this year that was looking to develop an algorithm that could detect empathy in live therapy sessions. A simple level of speech recognition allowed the system to automatically identify key phrases that would signal a level of empathy in the speech. These included things like "do you think", and "it sounds like" for high empathy, or "you need to" and "during the past" for low empathy. Advertisement "Technological advances in human behavioral signal processing and informatics promise not only scale up and provide cost savings through automation of processes that are typically manual, but enable new insights by offering tools for discovery. This particular study gets at a hidden mental state and what this shows is that computers can be trained to detect constructs like empathy using observational data," the authors say. Improving conversations Along similar lines is an MIT spinout, called Cogito, who apply their smarts to try and improve conversations between customer support staff and their clients. The system is designed to offer real-time assistance on how the conversations can be improved. This could be something like adjusting the speed of ones speech so that it mirrors the customer, or maybe even changing our tone if the customer is becoming emotional. The system even notifies supervisors if it thinks more seniority would help matters. There are perhaps the most significant improvements being made in healthcare however. A MIT team have developed a wearable device that aims to help people who suffer from speech disorders. Advertisement "When a patient comes in for therapy, you might only be able to analyze their voice for 20 or 30 minutes to see what they're doing incorrectly and have them practice better techniques," the team explain. "As soon as they leave, we don't really know how well they're doing, and so it's exciting to think that we could eventually give patients wearable devices that use round-the-clock data to provide more immediate feedback." Early warning Another fascinating project in healthcare is from a new startup called Canary Speech. The company are headed by Henry O'Connell, CEO and Jeff Adams, CTO, and Adams was previously boss at Yap, who were bought by Amazon to underpin their subsequent Echo project. The technology is designed to help both identify and diagnose a number of cognitive diseases, such as Dementia, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. It does this by analyzing what we're saying, and indeed how we're saying it to try and detect potential signs of the conditions. I spoke with Adams ahead of his presentation at AI Europe, where he explained how the system works. "By examining large amounts of speech recordings from patients with a particular condition, even recording from before they were diagnosed, we use machine learning to identify patterns and markers in the words they use, their phrasing, and the quality of their speech. Our goal is to identify warning signs much earlier so patients can get treatment early enough to make a real difference." Advertisement The system has already been trialed with an American healthcare company, with data captured and then analyzed in real-time as patients communicate with their clinician. Suffice to say, the technology will only get better as more data is made available for them to use to fine tune their algorithms. Traditional healthcare settings offer scant optimism, but with areas such as telehealth becoming more popular then it seems inevitable that data will not be an issue in future. Steven Wong is CMO and Derek Slater is content director at Ready State, a digital-marketing agency in San Francisco Scene: Its 2017, and your CEO calls you in. She asks about your market segmentationyou have five personas, based on demographic data. Then she hands you a report from the data scientist. Hes identified nine distinct segments, based on purchase intent and customer behavior, for which there is an opportunity to increase margin by better targeting service offerings and marketing messages. You sneak a peek at the methodology, and see statistical and technical gobbledygook: unsupervised machine learning clustering and classification K-NN and K-Means algorithms. I thought our data scientist was focused on optimizing our media mix, you mention. Weve improved the performance of our ad spend by 10 percent this year. Advertisement Thats what you were focused on, the CEO says. I asked him about new revenue. Well, this definitely is a great opportunity for the company, you say, handing back the report. Ill get started on this right away! She sits back. Take a moment, and convince me you know enough about data science to lead this charge. End scene. Years of experience have caused us to develop an allergy toward selling ideas with fear and hype. However, a few technology advances have seismic impact on the business world and specifically on marketing. We think machine learning is going to have that kind of impact. What machine language can do for you Researcher Tom Mitchell of Carnegie Mellon University famously describes machine learning as the capability of systems that improve automatically with experience. The system gets better at its assigned task without requiring any new programming. It learns from the data itself. Advertisement Analyst firm MarketsandMarkets says machine learning will be the biggest component in the explosive expansion of the artificial-intelligence market, projected to reach $5.5 billion by 2020, with 50 percent compound annual growth. Based on our own interviews with experts in academia, at commercial research labs, and in product groups at Silicon Valley giants and startups, we think machine learnings near-term effect on marketing is greatly underappreciated, in terms of both opportunity and threat. Marketers today mostly think of machine learning in relation to recommendation engines and marketing-mix modelingif they think of it at all. Its much more than that. As in our scene above, it can parse your customer base in ways you havent considered. It may be the secret to restarting stalled big-data projects that havent shown value. It will begin to automate tasks now considered at least somewhat creative, such as writing press releases. Machine learning can also help provide a holistic view of the true efficacy of your marketing efforts, and improve results in specific endeavors like predictive lead scoringlook at Salesforces Einstein as an example. And it will ultimately turn chatbots from todays FAQ parrots into the actual ambassadors, often the first line of contact between customers and your brand. These arent idle speculations. Theyre based on real experiments and developments under way today. What it might do to you Of course, riding shotgun with opportunity, there is disruption to the marketing profession. Every major technology follows a predictable pattern of development. First comes substitution, then augmentation and modification, then redefinition. Think of the evolution of smartphones: First they replaced simpler landline phones, then adapted with the addition of a camera, and ultimately redefined phone altogether, replacing cameras, pagers, and PCs for many functionsnot an outcome you foresaw when you were toting around your Motorola MicroTAC flip phone. Advertisement Expect machine learning to go along the same path. First it will substitute for repetitive, calculation-like activities. In media, there is a lot of mechanical lifting to replace; thats why programmatic advertising is already machine learnings first impact crater. The next phase is augmentation and modification. As media planners and strategists are freed from mechanical tasks, they can focus on understanding how media mix can inform creative work. Right now, all the creative work is done up front; once a campaign launches, it becomes a matter of optimizing placement and timing. Down the road, machine learning may help recognize when the content itself is the problem, and also campaign workflows that are more responsive to news events, for example stopping a programmatic run to lead on-the-fly creative that resonates with a stunt that just went viral at Burning Man or an October surprise in the political world. The redefinition phase is most exciting, and also most dangerous. Machine learning hasnt hit creative functions yet, but people are certainly experimenting. As it matures, machine learning may redefine creative-marketing work in a way similar to how Photoshop has changed photography. Its hard to foresee all the specific applications that will arise in the redefinition phase, but thats what makes machine learning exciting. On the flip side, the threat is that your job might not exist in five yearsor that you wont be the right person to do the job, because you dont understand machine learnings implications. With the internet in our pockets, buyers relationship to products (and the world at large) is different. Some marketers made it through the past decades rise of ecommerce, showrooming, search engine optimization, and conversion rate optimization; many did not. Advertisement Does this mean that every marketer needs to become a data scientist? No. But its critical to understand much more about the underlying ideas so you can use machine learning to your companys advantage. Nik Rouda, an analyst at the 451 Group, says its a huge mistake to leave it all to the data scientist, who may not understand your business demands. There is also an early mover advantage. The faster you apply machine learning in the marketing context, the sooner your systems start learning, and the sooner you start reaping the rewards. As a small agency, were riding this learning curve ourselves. We dont sell machine learning, and we dont consider ourselves experts in it. But with our backgrounds in journalism and marketing in the technology industry, we do know how to talk to them. This column is the first in a series well publish, as we interview machine-learning experts, striving to stay ahead of the curve on understanding how this technology is going to affect everything we do as marketers. We believe that we will benefit from understanding the technology and riding the wave, rather than being dragged along by it. Next up: a short glossary of machine learnings most critical terminology, viewed through a marketing lens, to help make your discussions with data scientists more productive and precise. Advertisement Stay tuned. About the Authors I am attending a workshop in Norwich, Connecticut these last two weeks of October. Here at the Norwich Spa and Inn, walking past historic red brick buildings and a bee aviary along stone pathways, I have had the privilege of seeing the fall leaves at their true peak, literally exploding. The beauty of the red, green, and yellow leaves is so great that just stepping outside causes me to involuntarily catch my breath. I am compelled to walk nearer to them and gather a few acorns for my pocket before I enter the course room. The color of these leaves also means that it is, finally, time to vote. For me, the last sixteen months of the election have been the antithesis of the beauty of these leaves. The competing challenges ring out daily about "crooked Hilary" and "racist, misogynist Trump." People are choosing sides, building personal walls against opposing views, defriending people on Facebook, and worrying. Anxiety and mistrust is up nationwide about the future and safety of our country. I can feel it, too. Here at this conference, I had an opportunity that I wouldn't have had, if I was still at my home in California. I watched the third Presidential debate on television with Mike, a Chicagoan and Trump supporter. Normally, I wouldn't have done that, the true blue Democratic voter that I am. Watching the Democratic National Convention, I was moved by many the speakers on the convention stage honoring the diversity of who we all are and the hope for our future. I was proud of the young women leaders I saw speaking so confidently, moved by the humanity of the Khan family, and clear that the voices and stories of the LGBTQ community, the handicapped, and of all race/ethnicities should be represented in both words and sign language. Advertisement Working in the field of kidney donation at UCLA School of Medicine, I have learned at the most biological level that there is no option to build a wall against each other. I watch the kidneys of White donors be transplanted into Black and Hispanic kidney patients. And vice-versa. It takes community and generosity of people who donate kidneys upon death or while they are alive as living donors to help the 100,000 people awaiting kidney transplants of every race and ethnicity have a chance for a longer life. In my field, we are truly "Stronger Together." The night of the debate, Mike gathered dead leaves and twigs from outside and lit a fire in the fireplace. He brought a carefully constructed plate of crackers, and a variety of cheeses and dried meats. I was impressed as I donated my meager contribution, a bag of dried apricots, that I had brought with me on the plane. As each candidate began to answer questions, he opened a bottle of wine and poured two glasses for each of us, a true gentleman. As each candidate began to challenge the other person's competency and policies on the television, I asked Mike to explain to me why he has decided to vote for Trump. We both stopped listening to the vitriol and challenges on the split-screen television. I listened as he explained his concerns about big government and whether the Democratic party could have the ability to pay for what needed to be done. He expressed his concern about where the world and the country was headed, how fast it is all moving now and the need to shake things up to survive and stay competitive. If he had posted something about Trump on Facebook, I would have immediately scrolled past it, but, here in the firelight, I saw his worry for our country, which I also shared, and heard his interpretation about what he thought a possible solution could be. Advertisement In spite of the television debate and our own defenses of our preferred candidates, we left the debate both unchanged in our voting plans on. Today, I will complete my California mail-in ballot from Connecticut to vote for the first female President of the United States, Hillary Clinton. As a woman, this is a quiet moment of joy and victory for me and other women leaders that have come before and afterwards. And, Mike will vote for Donald Trump for President of the United States. Here is something else I know, working in the field of kidney donation. Inside of each of us, our kidneys are the same color. Whether you are White, Black, Hispanic, Democrat, Republican, or Independent, our kidneys are all pink. Mike and I are the same. And the answer of the Presidential Election is not one answer, or even two answers, this is a collective answer, as a country of millions of voters. I hope to be relieved on November 9th. So does Mike. My Vote I went down to the town clerk's office in Woodstock today to cast an early ballot. I decided to pretend that my vote makes a difference in this pseudo-democracy where decisions are molded by corporate donations and media bias. It was surreal to see Donald Trump's name actually on that ballot. But there it was right under Hillary Clinton. In third place was Jill Stein, followed by Gary Johnson. Now I understand Clinton being first on the ballot because she is first in alphabetical order but why is Trump in second place. It should be Clinton, Johnson, Stein and Trump. So I'm not sure how it is decided who gets top place. And it does make a difference because a certain percentage of voters, (not the brightest crayons in the box type of voters) simply vote for the first name on the ballot. Anyhow I had to vote for one of the four so I asked myself, which candidate opposes fracking? Which candidate opposes Monsanto? Which candidate opposes war? Which candidate is supporting the Standing Rock opposition to Big Oil? Which candidate is not being funded by Wall street. Which candidate can I trust to keep their word? Which candidate will be strongest on climate change? Which candidate will not be insane enough to go to war with Russia? Only one of the four qualified and so I voted for Jill Stein. Not that my vote matters much. Vermont is hardly a swing state. Vermont will go for Clinton and that's a given. My hope is that the Green Party will garner at least 15% of the national vote to qualify participation in future debates. I support the Greens in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the U.K. I ran for office for the Greens in Canada (for mayor of Vancouver and twice for Member of Parliament and once for Vancouver Parks Board. So it seems right to support the Greens in America and quite truthfully the Green Party internationally is the only real sane and compassionate political party on the planet. Now for those who say that my vote for Jill is a vote for Trump, I could not care less because my vote for Jill is a vote for Jill and the Green Party. When children are slaughtered in Syria and who knows where else in 2017, when oil contaminates the drinking water of communities across the nation, when Monsanto bullies its way into our lives, my conscience will not bother me as much as it would if I voted for a person who has been and will be responsible for so much death and suffering. I had a choice to vote for 1. a mass murdering psychopath. 2. A narcissistic sociopath. 3 A guy so dumb he thinks the sun revolves around the Earth or 4. a woman who actually represents my values and principles. I made the only logical choice with my vote for Jill Stein. Now today I may make some Clinton and Trump supporters angry but I could not care less. They can vote for their choices and I don't care so I expect the same in return. I predict that Clinton will be President and the thought of that sends chills down my spine. I remember her laughing at the murder of Gadafi with her "we came, we saw, he died" comment. I have seen the devastation she oversaw in Libya, Syria, Iraq, Honduras, Haiti etc. But the most recent concern is her threatening to go to war with Putin and that my friends is absolute and total insanity. If I had voted for her my vote would make me an accomplice in the killing of thousands of people over the next four years. I refuse to be an accomplice to mass murder. As for Trump, he has not actually killed anyone - yet but every time he opens his mouth, he sounds like an uneducated idiot and his two trigger happy serial killing sons who he supports are enough to not vote for him along with his racism, sexism, ecological stupidity and greed. I believe I made the right choice. [This column was originally published by Truthdig.com] The highlight of the third and, thankfully, final presidential debate last Wednesday came roughly at the midway point, when Donald Trump refused to say that he would accept the results of November's election. Since then, Trump has doubled down on his position, declaring he would accept the outcome only if he wins and invoking the example of the contested presidential vote in 2000 to reinforce his right not to concede. His rationale--articulated with increasing vigor as his poll numbers have plummeted--is that the vote is "rigged" as a result of electoral irregularities. Like most of the loathsome rhetoric he's spewed since announcing his candidacy back in June 2015, Trump's pre-emptive refusal to recognize the election's outcome is an incendiary mix of personal pathology and magical thinking, racism and xenophobia, facts and legal distortion. Advertisement In a column published in July, I discussed the Republican standard-bearer's personality, as analyzed by several leading mental-health experts who have followed his career closely. Their view is that Trump is a malignant narcissist--that he suffers from a well-defined psychological disorder marked by an exaggerated sense of self-importance and entitlement, an overinflated belief in the quality of his achievements and talent, a preoccupation with fantasies about success and power, and a lack of empathy for others. As a narcissist, Trump cannot countenance actual defeat or even the possibility of losing in an election that hasn't happened yet. His signature axiom is that he's a "winner." Hence, if he fails, it must be the fault of a rigged system--and the deceit and/or stupidity of those responsible for his undoing. The scapegoats in Trump's confabulated thinking include not only powerful forces such as the mainstream media and the Clinton campaign but also some of the nation's most vulnerable populations, particularly black and Hispanic voters. Such voters, he has charged--with allusions to inner-city neighborhoods in Philadelphia and elsewhere--will cast multiple ballots with fake or no identification documents. Illegal aliens, he's added, will beat a path en masse to polling booths around the country, while hordes of dead people who have not been purged from voting rolls somehow will manage to resurrect themselves and pull their levers or punch their chads for Hillary. In reality, of course, in-person voter-identification fraud virtually is nonexistent. A comprehensive 2014 study conducted by professor Justin Levitt of Loyola Law School Los Angeles found only 31 incidents of polling-place ID impersonation anywhere in the country since 2000. Advertisement The total number of ballots cast nationwide, in general and primary elections during the 14-year period Levitt reviewed, exceeded 1 billion. The Bush administration reached similar findings regarding the incidence of in-person fraud in a five-year Justice Department probe completed in 2007. Much the same can be said for postmortem balloting. Dead men don't wear plaid, as comedian Steve Martin taught us in one of his funniest movies, and they don't vote, either. Nor do the living impersonate the dead in order to cast ballots, at least in any appreciable numbers. As Levitt concluded in another study, this one funded by the Brennan Center for Justice based in New York City, nearly all allegations of dead people voting have stemmed from mismatched death records and voter rolls, with ballots cast by living individuals whose names matched or were similar to the names of people who had passed away. Nonetheless, millions of Trump supporters have bought into their leader's lunacy. According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released last Friday, only half of Republicans are prepared to accept Clinton as their commander in chief if she is elected. Worse, nearly 70 percent of GOP respondents indicated that a Clinton victory would come about because of illegal voting or vote rigging. It would be a different situation if Trump had decided to take up the mantle of Bernie Sanders and educate the nation about the many ways our electoral process actually is rigged. But he hasn't--and he can't--because he's part of the very rigging he condemns. Advertisement Although he's long fulminated in public about the stranglehold big-money donors have on other, less-wealthy candidates, Trump has been an active fundraiser in his own right. According to the Washington Post, through the end of September the Trump campaign, its affiliated committees and super PACs had amassed a war chest of $712 million--less than the $1.1 billion raised by and on behalf of Clinton but still a staggering sum. The reason the system is rigged, as Sanders told us time and again throughout the primaries, is that our campaign-finance laws have opened the floodgates to corruption. Fueled by growing economic inequality and a series of pro-corporate Supreme Court decisions, beginning with Buckley v. Valeo in 1976 and extending to Citizens United v. FEC in 2010 and McCutcheon v. FEC in 2014, money dominates our electoral process as never before, at both the state and national levels. The oligarchy wields undue influence--whether in the form of billionaire candidates like Trump or billionaire surrogates like Clinton. At the same time, with its 2013 ruling in Shelby County v. Holder, the Supreme Court has gutted the Voting Rights Act, accelerating already-existing suppression techniques such as voter ID, racial gerrymandering and restrictions on early voting and same-day registration. Far from telling the truth about such tactics, Trump has been a fervent advocate for them. In an August rally in North Carolina, a state with arguably the most onerous record of suppression in the aftermath of the Shelby case, Trump told supporters that without voter ID, fraud would be rampant and people would head to the polls "15 times" for Clinton. Fortunately, Trump's threat not to concede electoral defeat is empty. Although the loser in American presidential elections typically concedes as soon as the results are clear, there is no legal requirement mandating formal capitulation. Advertisement Nor is there any legal basis for demanding a national recount of the vote. As we were reminded in 2000, when Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore outpolled the Republican George W. Bush, the popular vote doesn't determine the outcome of presidential elections. Under Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution, the presidency is determined by the vote of the states' representatives to the Electoral College. The candidate receiving the highest number of electoral votes becomes the president, as tallied in a joint session of Congress in January. The Electoral Count Act of 1887, as subsequently amended over the decades, gives the states 35 days (known as the "safe-harbor" period) after the presidential election to certify their respective slates of electors to Congress. Any challenges to the selection of electors or to popular vote counts must be made at the state level--and resolved within the safe-harbor time frame for each state's electors to be recognized by Congress. What threw the 2000 presidential election into doubt was the razor-thin margin of the popular vote count in Florida, which then had 25 electoral votes. Given the overall closeness of the national race between Gore and Bush, the winner of Florida would carry the Electoral College and gain the presidency. After the election, Gore filed suit in Florida to contest its certification of the election in Bush's favor. The state's supreme court ordered a recount. But before the recount could be completed, the U.S. Supreme Court stepped in and halted the process, effectively giving Florida to the GOP in its notorious Bush v. Gore decision. As a result of the court's ruling, Bush won the Electoral College by a score of 271-266 (with one abstention). Advertisement The only way Trump realistically could hope to mimic the litigation and delays of 2000 would be for him to challenge the results in a state in which the popular vote was uncertain and whose electoral votes would be decisive in the overall Electoral College totals. The chances of that happening, however, are slim to none--and growing dimmer with the release of each new opinion poll. Sanmao and her husband Jose Maria Quero. There is a grave at the cemetery on the Canarian island of La Palma that is always garlanded with fresh flowers. This is the final resting place of a Spanish diver named Jose Maria Quero, who drowned off the island on September 30, 1979. During my time in the desert, I became an uncomplicated, laid-back woman who enjoys solitude Sanmao The flowers on his grave are not left by his relatives, who live on the Spanish mainland. Instead, they are brought by Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean and Japanese tourists who refer to him familiarly as Jose. They know him through the books written by his wife, Chinese author Sanmao. A celebrity in Asia, Sanmao, whose real name was Chen Ping, committed suicide in 1991, but her work continues to top the bestselling charts, with 10 million copies of her books sold in the last five years. Chen Ping retains a cult following in Asia even after death, in part because her books have fueled the dreams of millions of readers with their accounts of exotic worlds, and also because of her own life, which could have been taken from a novel. Sanmao has come to represent the epitome of the cultivated, liberated woman; someone who traveled the world in her thirst for learning, and was then prepared to settle down in the loneliness of the desert, then later in the Canary Islands, to be with the love of her life. Sanmao during a visit to Segovia. It was precisely this isolation that helped her focus on what would become her best-known work, The Story of the Sahara (available only in its original Chinese edition), a collection of essays about her life between 1974 and 1975. Many Asian readers still travel to the places she describes in her account. Why has nobody published this in the Western world? wondered Iolanda Batalle when she first came across Sanmaos work two years ago. At the time, Batalle was setting up a new publishing house, Rata, and looking for authors who write with their heart, their guts and out of need. I found this woman who wrote about what she saw in the simplest way, without filters. It was exactly the kind of thing I was looking for, she says. Unable to remain in Spain without her love, Sanmao returned to Taiwan Batalle decided to turn The Story of the Sahara into Ratas first title, which is being released in Spanish and Catalan simultaneously. It will be the first time that Sanmaos work is available in a Western language. So what was a cultivated Chinese woman doing in the poverty-stricken, politically volatile Spanish Sahara of the 1970s? Sanmao was born in mainland China in 1943, but at the age of six, fleeing the Communist Party takeover, her family moved to Taiwan. One day, in 1967, she showed up at our upstairs neighbors apartment in Madrid. He was the chef at the Taiwanese embassy in Spain at the time, recalls Carmen Quero, one of Joses seven siblings. We were living in the barrio de la Concepcion, a very modest neighborhood in those days. It was very unusual to see Chinese people there, says Carmen. I was 19 and Jose was 16. She was already 24, and she had arrived from Germany after traveling in the United States and other countries. She had studied philosophy, languages, literature. We were fascinated by her. He fell in love with her at first sight, continues Joses sister. Sanmao posing in the Sahara desert. And so began a love story that would end in tragedy. Jose proposed, but she considered him too young and moved on. Sanmao returned to Taiwan, taught at a university, fell in love with a German teacher and became engaged to be married. But the groom died shortly before the wedding. This would be the first tragedy Sanmao would have to deal with. It was also the first time she attempted suicide, cutting her wrists. In 1973 she returned to Madrid. Jose had just completed his military service and had trained as a diver. He had not forgotten her. This time, she returned his advances. Two months later, the couple met with Carmen at a cafeteria to let her know that they meant to be married. Soon after that, Jose was offered a job in Laayoune, in modern-day Western Sahara, which at the time was still a Spanish colony. I found this woman who wrote about what she saw without complications, without filters Iolanda Batalle, publisher That is where they celebrated their wedding and lived until 1975, when Spain relinquished the territory to Morocco. The couple then moved to the Canary Islands. But tragedy entered Sanmaos life again. I was told that if her parents had not been with her when Jose drowned, she would have hurled herself into the sea. She was a very cheerful woman, we used to laugh a lot in her company, but at the same time she was a very tragic person, says Carmen. Unable to remain in Spain without her love, Sanmao returned to Taiwan, where her thousands of followers were sometimes too much for her. During the time I spent in the desert, I became an uncomplicated, laid-back woman who enjoys solitude. That is why the constant dinners and events that now fill my life make me feel like someone who is arriving for the first time in a wonderful place and is feeling confused and dizzy, as though under a spell, she wrote. Sanmao continued to publish, while keeping up a busy lecturing and traveling schedule. But despite her special relationship with Spain, she never saw her work published in Spanish. In 1991, after being diagnosed with cancer, Sanmao committed suicide while undergoing treatment in a Taipei hospital. In all these years, we were only able to read a small selection of her work that Readers Digest translated into English and Spanish for sale in the United States and Latin America, says Carmen Quero. We are really excited about this. English version by Susana Urra. Can anything good come out of this appalling presidential campaign? Actually, yes. It's already happening. We are witnessing a rare consciousness-changing moment in public life. Men and women have suddenly become conscious of the shocking reality of sexual assault. Consciousness-changing moments are the events journalists live for, when a vivid experience transforms public awareness virtually overnight. I have witnessed several in my career. One happened in 1991 during the Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Clarence Thomas. Until Anita Hill gave her testimony, men regarded sexual harassment as something of a joke. They thought of it as "flirting." They failed to comprehend women's anger and humiliation at being treated as sex objects. Advertisement While Thomas ended up on the court, Anita Hill's testimony had an enduring effect. After she testified about her degrading experiences, sexual harassment was transformed from a joke to a crime. I grew up in the segregated south where I witnessed first-hand the transformation of a society. In 1955, when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama, her action released the pent-up anger and frustration of millions. Southern whites, who had allowed themselves to believe that segregation worked, suddenly saw how outraged black people were to live under Jim Crow laws. Consciousness changed. And eventually, a social order was overturned. I was teaching at Harvard University during the student strike of 1969. At first, most students saw the anti-Vietnam war protesters as crazy radicals acting out. Then in the early morning of April 10, university authorities called in the police to forcibly remove students occupying the administration building. The resulting bloody confrontation roused student consciousness. What had been something of a joke on April 9 turned into a deadly serious cause on April 11. I could see it in my classes: career-minded students were transformed overnight into political activists. In 1991 Rodney King, an African-American taxi driver, was brutally beaten by the Los Angeles police following a high-speed car chase. The incident was captured by a witness with a video camera. The footage shocked viewers because they could see graphic evidence of police brutality with their own eyes. The episode raised public consciousness of abusive police treatment of minorities -- something that minorities had long been aware of but whites had to see with their own eyes. Advertisement When Matthew Shepherd was brutally murdered on a Wyoming fencepost in 1998, the public began to understand the violence and hatred gay people face. Previously, many Americans saw gay rights as a solution for which there was no known problem. But consciousness suddenly changed. Now same-sex couples have the constitutional right to marry. This month, the country heard Donald Trump's vulgar boasts about sexually assaulting women: "When you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything.'' People saw and heard the words coming out of Trump's own mouth. The result was to heighten public awareness of what women have experienced for ages. Trump's boasts had a powerful impact on women who had long suffered in silence because they felt shame or because they were reluctant to accuse male authority figures. The New York Times reported, "Couples say they are talking to each other about the degradation of women in new ways and revealing assaults that had been buried for years." All over the country, wives are telling their husbands and children about experiences of sexual assault they had kept hidden for decades. Experiences of being groped and flashed and heckled and followed -- exactly what Trump was boasting about. "We're having a national conversation about new rules," a Stanford University historian observed. "We are nationally trying to rethink issues of sexuality, consent, autonomy, relationships." Trump tried to dismiss his remarks as "locker room banter" and claimed never to have acted on them. But women started to come forward and put names behind the accusations. First Lady Michelle Obama gave voice to the outrage when she said, "This is not normal. This is not politics as usual. This is disgraceful. This is intolerable." Advertisement Will the change in public consciousness have consequences? Last summer, the chief executive of Fox News was ousted after female staff members charged him with improper sexual advances. And Trump? Women are solidifying their opposition; Hillary Clinton now leads Trump by 20 points in the ABC News-Washington Post poll. Men are unlikely to save him. For the first time this year, men, too, are tilting against Trump (by three points in the ABC-Post poll). Trump's abusive remarks belong to a different world -- an Old America that Trump and his supporters are nostalgic for. In a survey just released by the Public Religion Research Institute, 72 percent of Trump supporters say American culture and way of life have changed for the worse since the 1950s. Seventy percent of Hillary Clinton supporters say things have changed for the better. It will be difficult for Religious Right leaders to position themselves as the principled guardians of "family values" after tying their political fortunes so closely with those of Donald Trump. They have given their blessing to a candidate who regularly berates and demeans women, people with disabilities, and racial and religious minorities, who in the past has mocked Jesus and boasted that he never seeks forgiveness, and who seems to completely lack any sense of decency, humility or morality. Even after a tape revealed that Trump once bragged about sexually assaulting women, Religious Right leaders stood by him. The only prominent defector eventually re-endorsed the candidate. Some have gone so far as to refer to Trump as God's anointed candidate, and at least one prominent pastor has actually hailed him for ignoring Jesus' teachings. It's almost as if there is nothing Trump can do that would shock his defenders in the Religious Right movement, who are counting on a President Trump to appoint hard-right Supreme Court justices and sign conservative legislation. They even seem ready to forfeit years of work attempting to paint the anti-abortion cause as a feminist initiative and to use social issues such as marriage to attract African American and Latino voters. Trump has fallen far behind Hillary Clinton among women and nonwhite voters, including nonwhite evangelicals. But getting in bed with Trump wasn't as big of a jump for the Religious Right as some might think. The GOP presidential nominee's appeals to racial resentments and immersion in the world of far-right conspiracy theories line up quite nicely with the Religious Right's worldview. While the movement has told its supporters that it started as a response to abortion rights and the separation of church and state, the modern Religious Right movement actually started as a reaction to integration. Decades before the current paranoia about LGBT and women's rights somehow contributing to anti-Christian persecution, right-wing activists employed rhetoric about religious liberty and government overreach to defend their private segregated academies and deride efforts to "redefine" marriage to include couples of different races. Facing major headwinds even stronger than the recent hurricane, the new president must act quickly to satisfy voters who are hungry for action and assurance that this is truly our government, and a government we can be proud of. When we think about what needs to be done right away, Americans of all political backgrounds agree on the central importance of work, service and learning. And when we think about how, all of us are for cost-effective solutions that are proven to work. These ideas are uniters, not partisan fodder. The most troubling of our nation's problems are rooted in the fact that our modern economy has not provided sufficient opportunity to all. While many individuals and groups have made educational and economic progress--notably women, African-Americans and immigrants--too many people continue to struggle. They live in areas of concentrated poverty from Appalachia to Oakland, with limited education, as despair replaces hope. Many voters express concern that when we try to do something about these problems, we don't appropriately balance government support with individual initiative. The economic challenges that many are experiencing, and division over how to address these challenges, block progress and erode our optimism and sense that we have the grit and smarts to take on our greatest problems and vanquish them. A divided public is increasingly frustrated--with some arguing that government is incompetent, others that government must do more, and many beseeching the private sector to step up. The U.S. will never be Europe, with a huge public sector providing giant subsidies. We believe in ourselves, in private initiative and using more limited taxpayer dollars well. Advertisement Let's focus here on the essential issue of getting more people to work, and ensuring that they succeed. . Much unemployment results from technological change that allows factories that once employed hundreds to be operated by a few; and those few need more skills than a regular high school education alone provides. Low wages accompany many of the service jobs that do exist and are growing, exacerbating income gaps. What is the solution? Decent work for all who want it. Use the bully pulpit of the presidency to set the bar: Every American who wants to work should have the chance to do so. Employers--public and private sector alike--should do their part to open up the possibility of working to those who may have been routinely excluded in the past, so that their employees and their employees' children can have the stability they need to prosper. When making new investments in small business, infrastructure and improving the environment, target these investments to companies that will not only perform but also provide livable wages, family-friendly benefits and good working conditions. Include the growing number of social enterprises and other businesses that have made explicit commitments to include in their workforce people from the lowest income neighborhoods--men and women who are overcoming histories of incarceration or homelessness, young people who have dropped out of school, and people who struggle with mental health, addiction issues or other disabilities. Service. Expand the opportunity to serve the country to all young Americans who want to join up. The military, the national AmeriCorps program and the Peace Corps are avenues for service that can reduce high rates of unemployment among young adults, offer a disciplined way to interact with people who come from different backgrounds, practice citizenship and personal responsibility, and get work experience, while delivering tremendous value to communities and people in need throughout our country and the world. Advertisement Anti-discrimination enforcement. Enforce the existing anti-discrimination employment laws, wage and benefit, health and safety laws. While Americans continue to differ on their view of how much discrimination exists, objective tests verify its pervasiveness. So let's enforce the rules we have on the books. Learning. Make opportunities to learn more accessible and available to all by addressing the cost of higher education and its relevance to the workforce, so that the pathways between work and learning are clearer and easier to navigate, and training programs are more relevant to employers. This is essential to meeting the workforce needs of American employers today and in the future, and to enabling lower-income workers to up-skill and advance in their careers. Back to basics. Lastly, invest with efficiency and effectiveness as a starting point. Over the past eight years, programs like the federal Social Innovation Fund have arisen to fund intermediaries like REDF. The point is to leverage private dollars, fund local solutions and build the base of evidence about what really solves problems. This is an approach that has delivered real results for people's health, education and employment. Double down on this model. Efficiency. We should not turn to government programs as the first solution to our problems, but to private initiative. The best ideas bubble up from entrepreneurs, working people, teachers, first responders--scrappy men and women at the local level who have no choice but to make things happen. However, we should not be afraid to harness technology and government's vast resources and national oversight to create a more level playing field and scale up impact by subsidizing, providing incentives and even regulating when there's clarity about the result. Effectiveness. A national movement is afoot, bubbling just below the surface of the public's view, to make decisions about where and how to invest government dollars and private philanthropy by considering the results of social impact programs. The greatest possible good at the lowest possible cost. This is encompassed in ideas like social impact investing, pay for performance, social return on investment and outcomes-based funding. Efforts like the Evidence-Based Policy Commission that was set up via a bipartisan effort of Senator Patty Murray and Speaker Ryan offer the critical underpinning. Advertisement Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas has called Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine a "cafeteria Catholic." He called out Kaine, a practicing Catholic who has spoken very seriously about his spirituality, for distinguishing between his duties as a public official - and his support for a woman's right to choose -- and his personal views about the morality of abortion. "Cafeteria Catholic" is the one sobriquet that Catholics fear. It is a taunt, implying you are not serious about your faith, or its obligations. That you are a spiritual dilettante with elastic moral values, not ready for the rigors of "true" religious belief. But I would contend that Jesus was a cafeteria Jew. After all, He boiled down all the Jewish rules and regulations into two precepts: Love God and Love Your Neighbor as Yourself. Advertisement He had no problem with his apostles evading rules on ritual hand washing. When the sick needed curing, He didn't mind doing it on the Sabbath. He spoke to women and to Samaritans, people that a devout Jewish man would have avoided at all costs. And he delivered forgiveness, not condemnation, to the woman caught in adultery, cleverly asking that an accuser without sin cast the first stone. Jesus seemed to have little tolerance for merely following the rules, or for the hierarchy who would insist on it. As Latina theologian Teresa Delgado put it, "those who are voiceless, those who are abused, those who are oppressed" have the clearest insight into Christ's message. Almost every parable Christ told, she says, "was a critique of those who think they know who God is and He's suggesting, 'No, you don't have that right.' Who are we going to listen to?" Advertisement Cafeterias permit us to choose. There is nothing wrong with Catholics, informed by the teachings of the church, the gospels, and their own consciences, making moral choices. Indeed, that's what Vatican II upheld. In its Declaration on Religious Liberty, Vatican II affirmed that the human person "perceives and acknowledges the imperatives of divine law through the mediation of conscience." Choice does not give us a free pass to do what we want. Indeed, it makes life more difficult, because we have to continually examine our conduct. The gospels were pretty definitive about what "neighbor" means; it means just about everyone in the world. I can't turn my back on those who are poor and marginalized, whether they are at my back door or half a world away. I can't shrug my shoulders when war ravages Syria or Afghanistan. I can't be indifferent to the suffering of millions of refugees. Advertisement As a "cafeteria Catholic," I can't just assume that if I don't skip weekly Mass, check the box and agree with all the bishops' positions on sexual morality and abortion, that I'm a good Catholic. I have to evaluate whether my life is making a difference, helping to bring about a more just world. I understand that Catholics who try to live moral lives can disagree about many issues. I would not call any Catholic who disagreed with me a "lock-step Catholic" because I don't know how they've made their ethical decisions. I would just like equal respect for me as Yes, a "cafeteria Catholic." To paraphrase Pope Francis, "Who are you to judge?" Watching the Australian Government try to navigate the difficult shoals of energy policy in the 21st century is like watching a ship adrift without a compass, or perhaps a map provided by the fossil fuel industry back in 1950. While major emitters in Europe, North America and Asia are setting out structured plans to transition their economies away from the dirty, polluting energy sources of the 19th and 20th centuries - coal, oil and gas - the Australian Government appears to be engaging in a debate that many thought would not still be underway in 2016. The ALP and Greens have acknowledged the challenge facing Australia as we look to phase out our coal power stations - by announcing a national Senate Inquiry into coal closure. Yet, the Coalition seem to be living with their heads firmly in the sand. Advertisement Indeed, rather than talking about the inevitability of the transition, Malcolm Turnbull and the Federal Government have instead taken to lobbing opportunistic potshots at renewables in an attempt to discredit and delay our shift to clean energy and. This was on clear display after the SA storm and subsequent blackout. The irony of using a freak storm that buffeted the state and destroyed critical power infrastructure to scapegoat renewables wasn't lost on most Australians. Climate change will only make these 'freak' storms more common. All of this has not gone unnoticed by the rest of the world. Recent data from the UN shows that Australia has fielded more questions than any other country over its climate policy (or lack thereof) to deliver on its international commitments to reduce emissions. This includes countries like China, Brazil and the US, who have expressed deep concerns over Australia's inaction. Left without a plan in a world that is increasingly stepping up its climate action, Australia risks becoming an international pariah - made all the more embarrassing because Australia is a developed country rich in both sun and wind. Advertisement This leaves the question: when not bashing renewables, or lashing out at states like South Australia, Queensland and Victoria for committing to taking climate action, what is the Australian Government's plan for your energy future? It is hard to tell, but listening to our leaders, it seems they are betting on gas as an energy source to meet Australia's Paris climate commitments. What an incredible disappointment from a country that was once showed real promise on tackling the greatest moral challenge of our time. And all of this in a year destined to be our hottest yet - beating both 2015 and 2014 respectively; a year when floods, droughts, freak storms and the destruction of our natural wonders like Tasmania's ancient forests and the Great Barrier Reef is becoming normalised; a year when the true impacts are too obvious to be ignored by even former climate deniers - such as our Deputy PM, Barnaby Joyce. The time for playing politics with climate change is long over. The problem with science is that you can blame whoever you want and play politics, but the outcome is the same: more CO2 in the atmosphere means an ever warmer planet. And that is the biggest problem with Minister Frydenberg's insistence that gas is a climate change solution. Put simply, gas is a dirty fuel that warms the planet. How dirty? Research shows that methane leakage makes gas at least as bad as coal. And a new report suggests it could be even worse. Advertisement A study by the Melbourne Energy Institute, using US data, suggests that Australian gas emissions could be 170 times higher than industry reporting. We have to use US data because the Australian industry is not required to measure its fugitive emissions - methane -- one of the most potent greenhouse gases known -- that goes into the atmosphere during the process of gas production. This means the maths used to calculate Australia's emissions is completely off. It is even worse when you consider that methane is 86 times more powerful than CO2 at causing climate change. Of course, the gas industry will loudly claim that they are clean and tidy thank you very much and that comparing them with the US is not fair. But given our industry is not required to report its fugitive emissions, and efforts by civil society groups to publish accurate data on these rogue emissions have been suppressed, it seems very fair, if not generous, to draw comparisons with an industry that is probably even cleaner than ours. Scarily, when contrasted to the US, the report suggests that Australia's fugitive emissions could be even higher because of the shallowness of the seams that our coal seam gas is drawn from. This could mean Australia is under-reporting its gas emissions by as much as 300%. This could be having an enourmous impact on the climate and at a time when climate impacts not expected until 2030 are being felt right now this is bad news. Australia simply can't afford to continue playing politics with the global climate. Advertisement It is now overtime for the Turnbull Government to show leadership, honour its international commitments and begin the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, not a dirty damaging fuel like gas. The truth is that the transition away from a predominantly fossil fuel energy grid to one based on renewables poses challenges. There will probably be hiccups along the way. Technology is democratizing the way media is produced, distributed and consumed. Today, teens in remote rural villages of Timor-Leste regularly access Facebook on their smartphones. But what kinds of interesting and relevant content are being produced and shared with them? Our recent trip to Timor-Leste, sponsored by the innovationXchange at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, pushed the LAUNCH Food team to reconsider old information through new perspectives and to better contextualize the ideas surfaced through the 'Virtual Reality Development Hack' that we hosted in Canberra, AU, on October 6, 2016. Timor-Leste is a young country: it became a sovereign state just 14 years ago. Its striking natural beauty contrasts sharply against its staggering rates of poverty, undernutrition, and stunting. By sourcing breakthrough development innovations, LAUNCH Food seeks to help improve stagnating nutrition outcomes both in Pacific and Southeast Asian nations, where malnutrition is an especially acute problem. Advertisement LAUNCH's growing global reach provides a tremendous opportunity to expand, engage, and fortify networks of changemakers. But this also means that we must be innovative in our methods to inspire them. We need to effectively synthesize the intimate and far-reaching effects of complex international challenges, and communicate those challenges in a way that emotionally resonates with people. For their ability to artfully and realistically simulate an artificial user experience, emerging immersion technologies like 360 video and virtual/augmented reality present an interesting value proposition to social development storytelling. Never before have we been able to visually and audibly transport the human mind to experience daily life in the farthest corners of the globe. Now we can and now we should make it accessible to all. LAUNCH Food held a storytelling workshop in Timor-Leste, in which participants explored collaborative storytelling as an agent for change. Innovators from Timor-Leste and other countries across the Pacific, including Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, and the Solomon Islands, joined us to discuss the value of new methods for story creation and delivery including 360, VR and gamification. We considered how social media has given us unprecedented access to new information and ways to create human connections, and how grassroots storytelling could help surface more authentic and nuanced renditions of human experiences across cultures. Our #LAUNCHFood online campaign for example, helped broaden people's understandings of what healthy eating can look like. Audiences were invited to contribute photos or videos of healthy meals in their homes and/or communities to a 'Global Food Diary.' Today the #LAUNCHFood hashtag has reached more than 2.8 million people across Twitter, Facebook, web and email. Advertisement Key findings from the rural village of Tiriloca, Timor-Leste, where some 52% of the children under the age of 5 have stunted growth: Internet access is available via smartphones, of which Androids are the most widely used, but feature phones still exceed smartphones by a significant margin. Most users appear to be connecting via free, basic offerings such as Facebook and WhatsApp, but YouTube is not as popular. Several teenagers already possessed smartphones and regularly use Facebook, WhatsApp and SMS to share photos, but Twitter is less popular. Timor-Telecom does not support MMS (images shared via SMS). It does offer free access to Wikipedia. The community's matriarchal leader in Tiriloca expressed interest in organizing regular Facebook film nights. The regional mobile network operators (MNOs) are slow and have low technical capacity. More expensive packages will offer faster access. Negotiating access to a free data service could be time-consuming. Local file sharing would be difficult, as there aren't libraries and most established retailers are Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), and are run out of the district capital. Bluetooth file sharing is possible, as Mercy Corps has previously shown. Some national SMS broadcasts through the MNOs, focused on some key nutrition messages. A coordinated series of these could be broadcast to every mobile phone (more than 500,000 people). Post and boost content on Facebook. Telemor has its own streaming service for video content, but may not be free of charge depending on what package you have. Content placements could be negotiated. One method could be requiring users to watch a video, or consume a piece of content, before having access to an allocation of data. Together with the innovationXchange and journalism technologist Ben Kreimer, we are collecting our field observations ahead of a content creation phase that will allow us to better understand how 360 video, virtual reality, and augmented reality can be accessed and leveraged by individuals in non-western and developing nations, which have unique challenges, needs, and interests. We will be working on delivery systems that will make such content accessible to people who don't have high speed internet access, or own the necessary mobile device or computer. By fostering content creation and the development of delivery platforms that cater to these audiences, we hope to help democratize access to 360/VR/AR technologies while helping create crowdsourced movements in the service of development and social good. Advertisement Ben Kreimer, Cara Philbin and David Roach contributed to this story. This article originally appeared at Dissent. The controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will likely come up for a vote during the "lame-duck" session of Congress--that is, after November's election but before the next government is seated at the beginning of January. The TPP would establish a free trade area with twelve Pacific Rim countries representing an estimated 40 percent of the global economy. Supporters laud its projected economic benefits, although a report by the U.S. International Trade Commission forecasts negligible gains for the U.S. economy over the coming decades. The gains are also expected to be unevenly spread: U.S. agriculture will benefit the most from reduced tariffs, while many manufacturing sectors will see further declines. Regardless of the uncertain economic benefits, supporters claim the TPP is a critical part of the "pivot to Asia" in U.S. foreign policy. Critics, meanwhile, call it NAFTA on steroids. Most controversial is the TPP's proposed expansion of investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) provisions. ISDS allows foreign corporations to bring claims against the U.S. government for regulations that reduce their bottom line, if these regulations can be construed as violating any of several vaguely defined standards. Moreover, disputes are decided by arbitral panels of private lawyers, appointed on an ad-hoc basis, not full-time judges. In addition to spirited street protests from New York to New Zealand, the ISDS provisions in the TPP have prompted hundreds of professors of law and of economics to sign a public letter denouncing the trade deal as a threat to democratic sovereignty and the rule of law. Advertisement But beyond ISDS, which has gotten the lion's share of attention, there are many reasons that progressives are worried about the TPP, from the risks it poses to internet freedom to a possible regulatory "race to the bottom" on core issues such as labor rights to the way it was negotiated behind closed doors with outsized attention to the demands of powerful corporations. Even before this unusual election season, the TPP was a tough sell on both sides of the aisle. It is now widely reckoned that the lame-duck session remains its best and maybe only chance to pass in Congress. On a recent state visit to Singapore, President Obama admitted that he expects the TPP to go through "after the election is over and the dust settles." He added, "We've got a pretty good record of getting stuff done when I think it is important." The problem is that what President Obama thinks is important should count for very little "after the election is over," when he will have a newly elected successor. The legitimacy and constitutionality of lame-duck legislation is called into question every time another lame-duck session arrives, when the country faces the awkward gap of time between the exit of one set of legislators and the formal seating of their elected successors. The lame-duck session allows yesterday's lawmakers to rule without representing the current will of U.S. voters. It is when governmental accountability is at its lowest level. This legitimacy problem is particularly acute when politicians who were defeated or are retiring give their support to legislation that the newly elected government would likely oppose. This would be precisely the case with lame-duck passage of the TPP, given that neither presidential candidate supports it and many representatives don't dare voice support for it before the election. This is one thing that the Republican Party platform gets right in declaring that significant trade deals "should not be rushed or undertaken in a Lame Duck Congress." In fact, no significant legislation of any kind should be passed by yesterday's representatives. Lame-duck legislation is precisely the wrong way to restore the radically eroded public trust in government, which this election cycle has revealed like nothing else. Yet advocates of the new trade agreement are counting on lame-duck passage because they need legislators willing to act against both public opinion and their own successors. Advertisement After the Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution, we weren't supposed to be in this mess any longer. That amendment, as Yale law professor Bruce Ackerman explains, was meant to eliminate the lame-duck session, by moving up the beginning of the presidential, vice-presidential, and congressional terms of office from March to January. When it was ratified in 1933, it was widely assumed that legislators would simply go home for the holiday season after the November election, rather than rush to make new laws, and that their successors would take office soon afterward. The Twentieth Amendment was meant to deprive a departing government of the chance to secure a final agenda behind the backs of the American people. Just as lame-duck governments may be required to respond to national emergencies--which they did, even after the Twentieth Amendment, during both the Second World War and the Korean War--there are reasons to distinguish Congress's enactment of new legislation from its performance of routine administrative functions. The Senate's confirmation of presidential appointments, including to the judicial branch, may fall into the latter category. But the TPP is neither a routine matter nor a national emergency. Creating a new free trade area covering almost half the world economy could mean major changes to our country's laws--not just on tariffs but a vast array of administrative regulations. It's no emergency either: the TPP has been under negotiation for almost a decade, in active debate for several years, and available in final negotiated draft form for almost a full year. The reason to push it through during the lame-duck session is simply that a group of departing politicians reckon they want it more than the American people do. And the lame-duck period allows for the kind of corruption--institutionalized and otherwise--that will smooth its otherwise uncertain passage. There will be a lot of trips for wavering congressmen on Air Force One come later November. Advertisement Moreover, the TPP will enjoy a reduced threshold for congressional approval under the "fast-track" authority that President Obama narrowly secured last year. If pushed through in the coming months, it will be both a lame-duck and a fast-tracked trade agreement. It will be passed using special procedures unavailable for other legislation, by yesterday's government, and in the face of a newly elected one that would likely oppose it. It's disappointing that a former constitutional law professor, President Barack Obama, wants to operate against the spirit of the Constitution--within what amounts to a legal loophole--in signing a lame-duck TPP into law. To be clear, the TPP wouldn't be the first lame-duck, fast-tracked trade agreement in our history. In fact, U.S. membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) was passed on December 1, 1994, the only day of the lame-duck Congress of that year. It was much less controversial than the TPP and would likely have passed in the next Congress, but its implications were no less far-reaching. The WTO and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) inaugurated the transition to so-called "next generation" trade issues--away from reducing tariffs, already historically low, and into contentious issues of cross-border regulatory convergence and global governance. This is not a popular agenda, having been widely criticized as too favorable to multinational corporate interests. The TPP doubles down on the "next generation" push with its expansion of ISDS and its emphasis on regulatory harmonization. Only lame-duck passage seems likely to secure it--and, once secured, it will generalize the NAFTA model to a large portion of U.S.-Asian trade. The consolidation of this global economic order now awaits only a handful of lame-duck congressional votes--a final, essentially undemocratic step in what has already been a minimally democratic process. There is time enough beginning in January 2017 to continue the national debate on trade policy. Come November, President Obama will be nearing the end of his two terms in office and the American people will have already chosen his successor. He should not mar his record by pushing through lame-duck legislation of dubious constitutionality. And Congress should help him do the right thing by declaring this lame duck a dead one. Once upon a time, there was a princess. She was blonde and feisty and, like many other children around the world, she was blessed with everything she needed for a healthy life: Two sparkling eyes, a healthy heart, a lovely head (filled with the will to fight), two hands, two arms, two legs and two feet. One day, she fell prey to a sickness that might as well have been a curse sent by a wicked witch. When she woke up, she found that she had lost her hands, arms, feet and legs: Everything had been amputated to save her life. The princess was only 11 years-old when she had to learn to live without her limbs. She had lost everything that most people take for granted: Two hands, two arms, two feet and two legs. The story goes that as soon as she left the hospital, she pursued physical therapy with enthusiasm and, as soon as her prosthetics were ready, returned to her great love. Her love wasn't a handsome prince (many princesses know how to make do without one), but a sport: Fencing. She picked up the sword with her prosthetic arm, and it was like a magic wand, breaking the spell that had left her with a disability, and replacing it with another. Advertisement Bebe Vio has once again lifted herself out of the wheelchair she had transformed into a throne to teach us all a lesson. That magic spell that made all of this possible was something the princess pulled forth from her heart, her stomach, her brain and her kidneys: From every fiber of her new body. The spell was made of determination, courage and strength. It was so powerful that it carried her to the top of the world and helped her capture the heart of her prince once and for all. She arrived at the peak of Olympus boasting a wide smile that spread from her lips to her eyes. It was a smile so open and sincere that it could only belong to someone who had traveled to the very edges of hell. As mere mortals who deal only with life's everyday annoyances, we could never produce such a smile. It is the smile of a survivor, of someone left for dead after a shipwreck only to battle through waves and sharks. Advertisement The princess in this story (which is certainly no fairy tale) is Bebe Vio. She beamed when she met President Obama, dressed in a stunning Christian Dior gown earlier this month. It is a dress made for a princess and at 19 years old, Bebe has the undisputed right to be happy and enthusiastic. There is no one in this world who would dare dampen Bebe's joy on such a day. Like anyone who has shaped their own destiny, she is magical and wonderful. There is not a single argument, nor bitter social media post that could interfere with Bebe's happiness upon meeting Obama: There is nothing in the world that could interfere with that. She travelled by plane with Fabio Gianotti and Giorgio Armani, two fantastic people who, if I may be permitted to say so, have got nothing on Bebe. I love Bebe Vio exactly as she is; she is the type of girl you could leave in rags on the edge of the forest and she would come out moments later dressed in a ball gown. She is someone who always pulls through, no matter what. It would be worth taking the time to learn to clone her. She would not let the Great Wall of China itself stand in her way; she would simply examine it for a moment then start to climb. With her significant physical disabilities and mental capabilities, she has faced many setbacks, but in the end, she scaled Olympus. Bebe Vio has once again lifted herself out of the wheelchair she had transformed into a throne to teach us all a lesson.Bebe has shown people who have all their arms, legs, hands and feet, yet sometimes become discouraged because their goals seem too difficult, as well as people who like her, are differently abled, that it is not your body that matters, but your heart and mind. Advertisement This is a magic spell that any of us can cast, with a good dose of courage, two pinches of stubbornness, and plenty of big smiles. Best of luck Bebe Vio! On October 7th, the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) issued a fact sheet from and blog by the FCC Commissioner Tom Wheeler outlining the revisions made in its prior proposal for privacy rules covering Internet Service Providers (ISPs). The proposal was revised based on public, industry and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) comments and will be voted on by the full Commission on October 27th. While the revised proposal is better than the original, it still has fundamental flaws that will undermine its laudable purpose. The proposed privacy rules will only cover ISPs and not websites and apps such as Google, Twitter, Facebook and Amazon. It also does not advance a consistent, coherent and comprehensive framework for consumer online privacy. Websites and apps are being excluded based on the FCC's interpretation of its regulatory authority limits. Commissioner Wheeler sites the FTC's regulatory authority over, and privacy framework for, websites and apps to counter arguments that their exclusion could harm consumer privacy protections. Yet that very exclusion creates the very real potential for conflicting rules and gaps in online privacy protections for consumers. I discuss these issues in more detail below but first, briefly, what has changed from the original proposal to this revised version? Advertisement The fundamental change is the revised proposal's change from a focus on the ways in which a consumer's information would be used to a focus on the sensitivity of the consumer's information. Under the revision, consumers would have to affirmatively agree (opt-in) before ISPs could use and share sensitive information defined as covering "geo-location, children's information, health information, financial information, Social Security Numbers, web browsing history, app usage history and the content of communication". However, consumers will have to be pro-active (opt-out) if they don't want non-sensitive information to be used and shared by their respective ISPs (FACT SHEET: CHAIRMAN WHEELER'S PROPOSAL TO GIVE BROADBAND CONSUMERS INCREASED CHOICE OVER THEIR PERSONAL INFORMATION; October 7, 2016). But even the new focus raises issues as there is a strong argument to be made that some of the non-sensitive information might include online activities that consumers would not want used or shared without their affirmative consent. More importantly, the revised proposal does not reflect the reality of the scope of consumers current and future online activities. While Commissioner Wheeler contends that a consumer's "...ISP handles all of your network traffic[.]" (Commissioner Wheeler's October 7, 2016 blog) what neither he nor the proposal acknowledge is that Google, Twitter, Facebook, Amazon and myriad other websites and apps have access to, collect, use and share extensive, granular consumer information. Here are just a few facts underscoring that reality: Google's Display Network "...spans over two million websites that reach over 90% of people on the Internet[.]" giving businesses the ability "...to connect with customers with a variety of ad formats across the digital universe" (https://support.google.com/adwords/answer/2404190?hl-en; At least 75% of the world's 500 most popular websites contain web trackers with Google's DoubleClick appearing on over 15% of all sites (www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2016/08/16/web-trackers-cookies-third-party-doubleclick-google-university-of-washington/88864172); Advertisement Facebook's Analytics for Apps has been used by over 800,000 unique apps since being launched in 2015 and is being integrated directly into Facebook's pixel, which is a tool that helps advertisers target ad campaigns to specific audiences (http://www.zdnet.com/article/facebook-adds-cross-platform-metric-to-its-free-analytics-tool); and Facebook's Like Button (a cookie-based tracking device) is its most popular social plug-in and is present on 32% of the top 10,000 sites -- sites that include almost every type of website including health and government websites (Facebook Tracking Through Social Plug-ins, Technical Report Prepared for the Belgian Privacy Commission, June 24, 2015, https://securehomes.esat.kuleuven.be/~gacar/fb_tracking/fb_plugins.pdf). Excluding those, and other, websites and apps not only doesn't reach a significant amount of consumer information. Moreover, the proposal will produce rules resulting in unintended downstream consequences --confusing and conflicting, not complementary, consumer online privacy protections. Why? In part, due to the very reason that Commissioner Wheeler sites as a safety net for consumer privacy protection. Websites and apps that are owned by an ISP will remain covered by the FTC's privacy frameworks. Consumers could end up ping ponging between and among the FCC and the FTC and who knows how many other agencies as they try to figure out which agency has jurisdiction for their privacy problem. Or worse even, the Commission's expanded privacy scope coupled with the FTC's decreased privacy scope could create a coverage gap --a consumer problem which neither can address. There many people, organizations and federal agencies involved in animal care in the United States and around the globe. For example, free ranging marine mammals are under the watchful eye of the Office of Protected Resources at NOAA Fisheries, a service of the Department of Commerce. NOAA Fisheries is also the federal agency that conducts the nationwide Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Network (MMHSN) program. This is the primary source of federal support for Rescue and Rehabilitation programs (for marine mammals) in the US. Most rescue and rehabilitation (for all animals) is conducted by volunteer organizations, most often non-profits that are supported largely through the philanthropy of concerned citizens, in addition to accredited zoos and aquariums around the country. Marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation programs that provide hands-on care to stranded marine mammals must be permitted by NOAA Fisheries. We are fortunate to be able to provide personnel, equipment and expertise as support to a number of these permit holders. I've had the amazing experience of visiting and spending time at many MMHSN participant locations and even worked for the largest one for a few years. Sometimes those visits were conducted to accompany a newly adopted member of Shedd Aquarium 's family on their ride to their new home. When a stranded animal is deemed 'non-releasable' meaning it cannot care for itself in the wild and it would be therefore inhumane to turn it loose back into the wild, there are two alternatives. One is to find a suitable qualified forever home with all the needed dedicated resources and expertise to provide the life-long daily care and attention to the animal that it will need and deserves. The other option is euthanasia. So it has been incredibly heartwarming for me to be involved in transporting quite a few non-releasable animals to Shedd and other forever homes. One of my early experiences with this was traveling along with an orphan baby sea otter on my lap from Alaska in May of 2005. I had been in Alaska for the annual meeting of the International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine when it was agreed Shedd would be able to provide a forever home for her. Her round-the-clock care had been provided up until that point by the Rescue and Rehab team at the Alaska Sea Life Center in Seward, Alaska. I remember vividly the first time I saw another of the current Shedd family members when he presented as a skinny wounded sea lion pup to The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CA where I was then working as the Director of Veterinary Services. This sea lion named Cruz was a gunshot victim. Many, many of the animals that present to marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation centers end up there due to obvious direct negative human interaction. They show up entangled in marine debris like trash and derelict fishing gear; they show up having been injured by passing boats, and they sometimes show up after having been intentionally shot as in Cruz's case. When we have the opportunity to give rescued animals forever homes, we have the chance to discover answers to questions we don't even know we have yet. We have the chance to better understand nature. In all these situations, the ocean trash, the boat strikes, it is never the fault of the animal that gets them in trouble. The animals are just there doing what they've been doing forever. People are usually the root cause of the conflict. And in every case the animals bring with them their story. The story of where they came from and how they got to be there. And it is in these stories that lie a richness of information that we cannot and should not ignore. They are all telling us about the condition of their home, the ocean. They all come with amazing information. They are enlightening us about how they survive (or try to) in an environment that is pretty harsh (and getting harsher) for a marine mammal. Furthermore, even in those situations where the cause of the stranding is not obviously directly due to human activity, if we look close enough we often find that humans are in fact behind the cause. No fish to eat? Perhaps the fish populations have been decimated by unsustainable fisheries practices. Or perhaps the fishes are suffering because they cannot find food either, because their food has been poisoned by polluting chemicals. Regardless though, people are unique among all the animal kingdom in their ability to solve problems. To creatively work together and to implement change; to forecast conditions and strive to make them better. We alone are gifted in our ability to do these things and we owe it to the rest of the animals to listen to their stories, to learn the lessons they teach us when we are gifted with the privilege of spending time with them, getting up close to them and getting to understand them better; when they show up on our beaches and at the doors of our hospitals. At a time when an alarming number of species around the world are facing critical threats produced by human activity such as overfishing, habitat degradation, plastic pollution and increasing warmer waters, Shedd Aquarium is reaffirming its commitment to helping animals in need around the globe. To support the Animal Response Team's mission to protect the health and well-being of animals in need, visit www.sheddaquarium.org/sheddvocate to pledge, give, share or visit today. The Admiral Kuznetsov is Russia's only aircraft carrier. EFE Spain is considering withdrawing permission for a fleet of Russian warships to take in supplies in its North African exclave of Ceuta after pressure from NATO allies. We are looking at the latest [supply] stops requested based on information requested by Russian authorities, said a Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Tuesday. We are concerned by the potential use of battle group to increase air strikes on Aleppo NATO Secretary General The statement came just hours after NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg repeated concerns that the fleet headed up by the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov could play a support role in a final assault on the Syrian city of Aleppo by troops loyal to the regime of Bashar al-Assad military action that has been heavily criticized by the European Union. NATO has been keeping a close eye on the battle group since it sailed out of the Arctic port of Severomorsk several days ago. The fleet is being monitored by two NATO Standing Maritime Groups, the first of which is led by Spanish frigate Almirante Juan de Borbon. The Russian ships were also shadowed by two Spanish patrol boats as they made their way along the Spanish coast and passed through the Strait of Gibraltar on Wednesday morning. Despite NATO concerns about the fleet, which includes a nuclear-powered battle cruiser and two anti-submarine warships, the Spanish government has also authorized boats escorting the Admiral Kuznetsov to stop at Ceuta and take on water, provisions and fuel. We are concerned by the potential use of that battle group to increase the number of air strikes on civilians in Aleppo, Stoltenberg said. He went on to add that it was up to each nation to decide whether these vessels may obtain supplies and refuel at different ports along the route to the eastern Mediterranean. The Russian Navy regularly docks at Ceuta: more than 60 of its vessels have used the port since 2011. It provides a boost to the local economy, but the policy has drawn criticism from right-wing groups in the United Kingdom and the United States. The Spanish Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday that permission for such stops was granted on a case-by-case basis, depending on the nature of the ship involved and any possible security risks. The approval process was completely transparent and allies were informed, the spokesperson added. But on this occasion, the authorization has generated controversy. The leader of the Liberal group in the European parliament, Guy Verhofstadt, tweeted: Spain signed EU statement on Russian war crimes in #Aleppo last week; today helps refuel fleet on way to commit more atrocities. Seriously? The EU statement of last week called for an immediate ceasefire in eastern Aleppo, held by rebels, where several hundred people have been killed in a campaign backed by Russian air power since the breakdown of a truce brokered by Moscow and Washington. Since the beginning of the offensive by the regime and its allies, notably Russia, the intensity and scale of the aerial bombardment of eastern Aleppo is clearly disproportionate, the EU said in a statement. The EU condemned the deliberate targeting of hospitals, medical personnel, schools and essential infrastructure and the use of barrel bombs, cluster bombs and chemical weapons in the conflict, saying the use of such arms may amount to war crimes. English version by George Mills. Co authored with Helen Berger, Resident Scholar Brandeis University Women's Studies Research Center Hillary has been accused of being too cautious, of not taking risks, of saying what everyone wants to hear and therefore saying nothing clearly. However at the debates, both candidates very clearly stated their position on women's health, gun control, and immigration. Hillary, made a direct statement--she believes women have the right to control their own reproductive choices. Including making the agonizing decision to choose a late term abortion, to protect their own live. She does not believe the state should have the power to put women's lives in jeopardy. She outlined limits on purchasing of firearms. She noted that she is not for taking away gun rights from law abiding citizens but stating clearly and directly that criminals, wife's abusers, and terrorists shouldn't be allowed to buy guns. She also stated that she was for a path to immigration and for well vetted Syrian refugees entering our country. She spoke of her work through the decades for women and families and her continued commitment to it. She also committed to support Medicare and social security. Trump also told us where he stood. He wants to eliminate safe and legal abortions. (Would this apply to the woman he might impregnate, or because he "is a star", the law wont apply to situations in which he's involved?) He is happy to claim the endorsement of the NRA. He wants to round up immigrants and use force to take them out of the country. Advertisement Hillary noted the need for a New New Deal --a new deal for American workers and families in the 21st century. Trump wanted as Hillary said, "Trickle down economics on steroids." He wanted more money for the upper echelon, for himself, and he told us he was sure it would create jobs. We of course have heard this "Trickle down" story before and seen the poor results. The contrast is important. Much of this campaign has justifiably been focused on how unprepared Trump is emotionally and intellectually for the challenge of the presidency. But, in this debate we saw a clearly presented difference in policy between Democrats and Republicans. Not just for the presidency but for Senate and House of Representatives. Each voter must decide what image of America they want. Do they want a new gilded age with the rich getting even richer and the rest of us poorer, with social security being diminished, the elderly returned to poverty, schools under funded, and few laws to protect our environment or our health, and a return to women dying from back alley abortions? Hillary provides a different image, women and their doctor's making the decisions that are the best for their health, the rich paying more taxes to help the society do what all societies need to do--provide food, education, health care, and create jobs and infrastructure for its populace. Trump wants us to feel unsafe to believe the inner cities are out of control. Yes, there are problems and yes there are people both who are raised here and who come here who do bad things. There always have been and always will be--but voters need to ask themselves if more guns will stop crime or make them more dangerous. Research says more dangerous. Even trained police miss more often than hit when they shoot a gun. The fantasy of having all these civilians shooting the bad guy is reassuring until you watch actual people shoot actual guns. Advertisement At the end of June, I found myself running through the streets of Geneva with two other brain mappers--all three of us sweaty from trying to catch the bus. Even though I live in New Jersey and am used to muggy weather in the summer, I couldn't help but recognize how humid it was. We nearly missed the bus that would take us to the World Health Organization (WHO) to talk about how the Organization for Human Brain Mapping (OHBM) and WHO can work together to improve international public health through brain imaging research. Thankfully, we made it on board and were able to get on with the important work of the day. On July 1st, 2016, I joined a diverse group of behavioral neurologists, radiologists, psychiatrists, neuroscientists and public health professionals from around the world who gathered in that building for a joint meeting between the WHO and OHBM. The WHO building opened its doors in 1966 and carries the stamp of time. Interestingly, we were all there to discuss something that could not have even been imagined in 1966 - applications of brain imaging research to matters of public health. On July 1st, 2016, the WHO (left) and OHBM (right) joined forces to discuss how the two organizations, in conjunction with the many brain initiatives, can work together to improve international public health through brain imaging research. The gathering was led by Dr. Shekhar Saxena, the Director of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse from the WHO, and Dr. Pedro Valdes-Sosa, the Vice-Director for Research of the Cuban Neuroscience Center. The multi-cultural and multi-national group of people who attended the meeting consisted of medical doctors, professors, researchers, and students. They all gathered with the goal of finding 'low hanging fruit' in brain imaging research applications. The joint meeting focused specifically on neurological disorders, mental health, and substance abuse. One of the key questions was: How do we enhance translation of brain imaging research for the betterment of public health so that it's accounted for in policy making? While many topics were discussed to answer this question, the topic of improving access to rehabilitation programs rang particularly true to my heart as I work with people who directly benefit from cognitive rehabilitation. These programs are essential in promoting brain plasticity and increasing usage of skills that have become impaired due to a neurological or mental illness. Brain imaging research visualizes the plasticity in brain function that comes with rehabilitation, increasing awareness and acceptance of this important treatment. Unfortunately, as mentioned by Dr. Valdes-Sosa, a significant number of people in low and middle-income countries lack access to hospital and clinical facilities to participate in such programs. That's where the use of telecommunication technology to diagnose and treat patients remotely shows promise. Known as telemedicine, it was a topic discussed by Katrin Amunts, a professor at Julich Research Centre and the director of the Cecile and Oskar Vogt Institute for Brain Research at the Heinrich Heine University. Telecommunication can help monitor rehabilitation adherence, cut on travel costs, and alleviate lack of physical access for a person with disability and thus, holds great promise for improving the quality of life of people with disabilities and overall public health. Advertisement Two interesting sounding books were recently reviewed in the venerable TLS under the title "Human action within, Digging up the Ancient Greek sex trade": Athenian Prostitution: The Business of Sex by Edward E. Cohen and Houses of Ill Repute: The Archeology of Brothels, Houses and Taverns in the Greek World by Allison Glazebrook and Barbara Tsakirgis. With all the talk about political correctness in universities it's nice to know that there's a bastion of calm amongst classics scholars who are not worried about students being triggered by things that happened 2500 years ago. Of course, discussions of Sophocles Oedipus Rex have provoked complaints from some who have found the material too provocative. Barbara Graziosi, who wrote the essay/review, comments, Living in the US, I get to meet lots of Americans who all proudly tell me that they have all visited England and that they loved it. When I ask them where they visited most of them, say I went to London, and when I try and dig a little further, to see where else they visited, I quickly find that London was both the start and end of their England experience. This would be like a Brit coming to the US and only visiting New York and then thinking they had the complete American experience. Advertisement Now while the UK could easily fit into 11 US states without touching sides, it does have a huge diversity from North to South and from East to West. I am from Leeds which is 200 miles due north of London residing in the county of Yorkshire, and compared with London we are culturally almost as different as New York and Texas, almost. To get the full experience of England here are five destinations that I recommend anyone coming to England to try and visit. York As a Yorkshireman, you might think I am a little bit biased when I say this, but York is my most favorite city to visit in the whole of the British Isles. I love the history of the place. It's a Medieval wall city that was founded by the Romans nearly 2000 years ago; it was the Viking Capital of Northern England and houses many, many museums including the British Railway Museum. The place itself is like a walking museum as much of the city can be toured on foot. If you can only visit one city outside of London, then let York be it. Lake District There are few places in England that can match the natural beauty of the Lake District. It's a great place to go walking or hiking, and the scenery makes for wonderful photographs. From cruising on Lake Windemere to visiting the houses of Beatrix Potter or William Wordsworth, there are few places that are as peaceful, or as beautiful. Advertisement Bath There is nowhere quite like Bath, with its honey-stone Georgian crescents and terraces, it's one of the most picturesque cities in England, as well as a World Heritage site. You can visit the Roman Baths, the Jane Austin Center and many other museums, and just like York much of it is easy to enjoy on foot, given its compact nature. Warwick There are many Castles worth visiting in England, but for me, Warwick Castle is the best and is well worth the detour. There are many tours that be taken including the dungeon tour, but if you get the chance to visit when they are holding one of their lives events, then I highly recommend it. And with Warwick only being 10 miles from Stratford-upon-Avon yo can also easily pay a visit to the birthplace of William Shakespeare. The Potteries England was the birthplace of the industrial revolution, and the Potteries a collection of six towns in Staffordshire was the center of ceramic pottery production, which includes many famous names such as Woodward, Spode, Doulton, etc. Gladstone Museum is the last fully working Pottery Factory in the region and is an excellent reminder of the past glories, and a glimpse into what it was like during the industrial revolution. One cannot really pinpoint where Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf stands ideologically. Not that it is easier to identify the ideological standpoint of other political parties, with the Pakistan People's Party incorporating feudals into its socialist party and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz trying desperately to project itself as a more liberal and secular party in recent years compared to its right-winged past in the 1990s. On the one hand, the Tehreek-i-Insaaf caters to the youth, who imagine themselves to be liberal saviours of the country but are extremely nationalist and religious in their political outlook. And on the other, the party is in coalition with the Jamaat-i-Islami, a religio-political party, in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and continues to respond to its moralistic requirements regarding laws in the province. Perhaps the dichotomy within the Tehreek-i-Insaaf can be highlighted through the example of Khan at his jalsa in Lahore on October 30, 2011, which heralded his arrival as a mainstream political rival to the established parties of the country. As popular musicians played in front of a crowd of hundreds of thousands, the music stopped at the time of evening prayers and Khan offered his prayers on stage. Advertisement Over and over again, members of his party have put forward absurd demands that represent its political blindness. In August, one of its parliamentarians, Malik Taimoor, submitted a resolution in the Punjab Assembly seeking a ban on the popular Japanese cartoon Doraemon. The resolution also demanded that the number of hours for cartoons on television be limited. One of the main reservations of the respected MPA (Member Provincial Assembly) was that cartoons were dubbed in the "Indian language" and, hence, detrimental to societal norms. Using a similar logic, another party MPA from the Sindh Assembly, Khurrum Sher Zaman, objected to the alleged compulsory inclusion of dance classes in some private schools in Karachi. It is alleged because there is no evidence to suggest that dancing is compulsory in any school in the city. The lawmaker said dancing was against Islamic principles and teachings. In an environment where militant Islamic organisations like the Islamic State and Al Qaeda dictate their interpretation of Islamic principles and teachings, neither the lawmaker nor the party provides any alternate interpretation. Given its ideological chaos, it is no surprise that the Tehreek-i-Insaaf is gradually emerging as one of the most dominant political forces in the country. It has been able to capture the political mood of the country in a way that no other party has been able to in a long time - of utter political confusion. In pursuit of dancing girl While a Tehreek-i-Insaaf MPA asks for a ban on compulsory dance classes in school, how is one expected to respond to news that a Pakistani barrister, Javed Iqbal Jaffery, has petitioned the Lahore High Court seeking the return of a 5,000-year-old statue of a dancing girl? Excavated at Mohenjo-Daro, now in Pakistan, in 1926, this statue is one of the two most iconic symbols of the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation, the other being that of a priest king. The barrister claims the statue was taken from Pakistan 60 years ago on the request of the National Arts Council in Delhi but never returned. However, there is another version of events that suggests the statue was taken to Delhi before Partition by Mortimer Wheeler, director-general of the Archaeological Survey of India and one of the pioneering scholars of the Indus Valley Civilisation. Advertisement Perhaps not a very strong one, but Pakistan can still make a case for the return of the statue under Unesco's Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. Adopted in 1970, the treaty reflected the post-colonial milieu of its time where archaeological items were claimed by host countries from former colonial masters who had taken these away. The treaty, however, focuses on items transferred to another country illegally. In this case, therefore, Pakistani diplomats, who tend to be retired generals, would have to stretch their imagination and present the former British government as an illegal government and, hence, the transfer as illicit. But since the Pakistani state is a direct descendant of the colonial set-up, challenging its legitimacy would be akin to challenging its own legitimacy. Adding to the mystery of how the dancing girl got to India in the first place, there is a story that suggests that at the time of the Simla Agreement in 1972, President Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto requested the Indian prime minister, Indira Gandhi, to return the figurine to its home. Bhutto comes from Larkana district where the ancient city of Mohenjo-Daro is. Tapping on Sindhi nationalism, he was conscious of the significance of the city in the history of the country. A similar attempt was made by his grandson, Bilawal Bhutto, at the launch of his political career when he decided to organise a Sindh festival at the site of the ancient city, quite insensitively putting the archaeological site in danger as thousands flocked to it. Mohenjo-Daro was being propped up as a symbol of the ancientness of the Pakistani civilisation, an embracive civilisation in contrast to the monolithic, intolerant society the country has become. Advertisement It is stated that given a choice between the priest king and the dancing girl, Bhutto chose the former, perhaps rightly so, reflective of the cultural environment of his country. The land where once the priest king ruled is even today dictated by the priest and his kings. Women and anyone who do not fall within the definition of his piety become victim to his tyranny. How would the dancing girl survive in this environment, her very existence oozing impiety, her naked body, her bold posture, her profession, and her defiance? Let her remain where she is. There is no space for dancing in an Islamic society. At a time when Indians and Pakistanis - politicians, sportsmen, entertainers, media persons and regular civilians - are hurling abuses at each other, it probably renders me unpatriotic to say that Glimpses of World History by Jawaharlal Nehru is one of my favorite books. When on his death row, deposed Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, whose regime had been overthrown by a military coup, wrote a letter to his daughter in which he expressed his admiration for the aforementioned book. Does that exonerate me of daring to admire the writing of the first prime minister of India and the nemesis of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of my country, Pakistan? Probably not - because Bhutto does not fall within the patriotic standards, one that invokes a unique amalgamation of chauvinistic nationalism, disdain for democracy, an unquestioned love for the army, and a vague concept of pan-Islamic nationalism. Advertisement Of course, with the coming to power of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the tussle between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party to bear the standard of Indian nationalism, Nehru too has been interpreted and re-appropriated to fit the needs of the changing times. He is no longer the larger-than-life figure who is above criticism. However it is not Nehru's role as a politician or his importance in the contemporary Indian nationalism that I am interested in. It is one of his messages reiterated throughout the book that I cannot help but reflect on as Indians and Pakistanis engage in a new kind of a war, one fought via their respective media. Media wars In Glimpses of World History, a compilation of letters written by Nehru to his daughter, Indira Gandhi, from 1930-'33, while he was in prison, Nehru time and again tells his daughter that the country's struggle is against British imperialism and government and not the people of England. He reminds her that our hatred for British rule should not lead us to hate the British. This message is as pertinent today as it was more than 80 years ago. Before elaborating on this, let me stress that there is no way India and Pakistan were going to wage an all out war, even at the height of hostility about a week ago, after India claimed to have struck terror camps across the Line of Control on September 29. Advertisement While the Indian government evacuated gullible citizens from the border villages and the Pakistani state blocked its major highway to use as an emergency landing strip for air-force, it was clear that rather than preparation for battle, these were just political manoeuvres by both countries. The only combat that had begun was on private media channels on both sides of the border. This is the new face of war in the 21st century. We saw the first signs of it on the Indian side 1999, during the Indo-Pak Kargil conflict, as private news channels had begun to mushroom there. There wasn't much of a response on this side of the border because there were hardly any private news channels in Pakistan at time. In 2016, however, there are about 100 such channels in Pakistan, all of which think it their duty to serve this nationalistic agenda in the media war with India - as is the case across the border. Years later, when writers and analysts will look back at 2016 as a time when both the nuclear powers were on the brink of war, perhaps it will be forgotten that the war was actually fought - not between soldiers or governments but between citizens of the two countries through private and social media. This was a cultural war from which both of sides believed they emerged victorious, but none did. The need to otherise The India-Pakistan conflict, like other major political conflicts around the world, is one between two states. However, every time the situation escalates, it takes the form of a civilisational conflict between opposing world views. In the popular Indian imagination, this becomes a conflict between a democracy and dictatorship, between a pluralist secular state and a theocratic state and between a civilized country and a barbarian terrorist state. Advertisement It is seen in the framework of a historical battle that has continued for at least 1,000 years between the invading barbarian Muslims and an all-embracing Indian society that accommodated this new civilization but was eventually betrayed by it. On the Pakistani side, an escalation of this kind reinforces the popular sentiment that justifies the creation of a separate Muslim country, which would have never been able to survive under the tyranny of a Hindu majority now represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his bhakts. It is seen as a battle between a bully and a proud nation that is not afraid to punch above its weight. It becomes a battle between right and wrong, between an oppressive community and a persecuted one and between Hindu and Muslim. Perhaps all conflicts in the world are interpreted in this civilisational framework, stripped off their political agendas. The American war on terrorism, from the US perspective, is one between the freedom-loving world and intolerant Islamists. And not so long ago, Israeli lobbyists put up posters in New York presenting the conflict between Palestine and Israel as a one between barbarians and the civilized. It becomes easier for a state to exonerate itself from the crimes of a war by casting the other as inhuman and barbarian. Normalcy will return to India-Pakistan ties (the kind of normalcy one can expect between the two) and it will be business as usual - Pakistani actors will work in India, and Indian movies will be shown in Pakistan. However, the concept of the barbarian other will continue to linger in minds of ordinary Indians and Pakistanis, till the next time both these states find themselves purportedly on the brink of another imminent war. Advertisement The conflict between India and Pakistan is no longer confined to the two states but has now become one between ordinary Pakistanis and Indians. Haroon Khalid is the author of the books In Search of Shiva: a study of folk religious practices in Pakistan and A White Trail: a journey into the heart of Pakistan's religious minorities By Bonnie Hayman, InternationalLiving.com Since arriving in the beach town of San Juan del Sur this year, Marisa Francis has come to appreciate life's simple pleasures. She loves riding bikes with her kids to the pulperia (convenience store) down the street to buy candy. "I have such fond memories of my sister and me doing the same thing when we were kids and visiting our grandparents," she says. "I love that Nicaragua feels like the 'old days.'" Hilltop View of San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua Nicaragua opened up a whole new world for Paul, Marisa, their two kids Owen, 11, and Abigail, 8, and their three dogs...not least in slashing their cost of living. "Comparing our expenses in the U.S. with Nicaragua is pretty comical," says Marisa. "Back home, our mortgage including taxes, two leased vehicles, and school tuition cost us $2,600 a month. Our electric bill was $400 a month. We paid about $200 a month for two cell phones. We spent about $5,000 to $7,000 a month in the States. "Living in San Juan del Sur is easy. We withdraw $1,100 each month from the bank, pay our rent, electric bill, and internet. The remainder is divided evenly by four and that is what we use for food and any other expenses. We rent a two-bedroom, one-bathroom home for $550 a month. That includes water. We pay about $60 for electric and $57 for internet monthly. Advertisement "We spend about $50 to $60 on food each week. That covers us for mostly fresh produce from the central market and meat from the Pali supermarket (Walmart). We spend $32 for a bag of dog food, which lasts about two months. We also pay a Nicaraguan neighbor $10 a month to collect our trash twice a week." San Juan del Sur Beach in Nicaragua It's quite a change from home in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Paul's pizza shop was doing well. Marisa's job at the Pennsylvania Medical Society was rewarding. They owned their own home and the children attended a great private school. It was the proverbial American Dream. But something was missing. "We always talked about selling everything and moving to a tropical place," says Marisa. "But we assumed it was just a fantasy we would never be able to afford. One night we were commiserating over the $12,000 we spent on real estate taxes for our home, for the business location we rented, and business sales tax. At that point, we had the option to sign another five-year lease for our pizza shop, find another location, or put the business up for sale. "We decided to sell. Less than a week after it was listed, we had a buyer. So we were ready to move." Advertisement Since moving down, the family has not lacked for friends. They have met their neighbors and, through them, have been introduced to others. They also meet friends through their kids. "I hardly knew my neighbors in the States, and really enjoy the personal relationships I already have here in such a short time," says Marisa. Earlier on Huff/Post50: Angelenos face a blizzard of ballot measures, but ratepayers with persistent billing problems at LA's Department of Water and Power are speaking up about how local Charter Measure RRR is a wolf in sheep's clothing. It's ballot label seems benign but the measure removes the last bits of the unaccountable bureaucracy's accountability to the City Council and Mayor for rate hikes, contracts, and billing problems, like the ones that have plagued ratepayers for years without lessening. If you want to know why you should vote against RRR on the LA city ballot, meet 73 year old Velma Mathews, who went to the ER because of LADWP's ongoing billing fiasco. Advertisement Columnist Steve Lopez told Velma's story in the Los Angeles Times weeks ago, suggesting that if DWP cannot fix her bill, maybe it should at least pay for her ambulance ride. DWP still hasn't addressed the problem and Velma's still losing sleep! We've been fighting DWP's inability to fix its billing problems for years and Velma's story reminds us there are tragic human consequences when bureaucracies go awry and politicians look away. Now the management at DWP wants more power over rate hikes, contracts and billing decisions through LA Charter Measure RRR -- which consumer advocates are calling a "Rotten Ratepayer Ripoff." The city fathers are going along because they want to wash their hands of the mess. But more accountability and transparency is what's going to fix DWP, not less. Advertisement Consumer Watchdog and Food and Water Watch are urging LA voters to vote no on RRR and render their own verdict on DWP's mismanagement. If DWP cannot get its billing right, how can we trust it with more power and no oversight. Velma Mathews is just one of many ratepayers who have come to Consumer Watchdog with horror stories about the unaccountable and indifferent bureaucracy at DWP. DWP's management is a big part of the problem and they cannot be trusted with the unchecked powers RRR gives them. We are engaged in asymmetrical warfare: telling a lie is easy, while disproving a false claim is difficult. But disprove we must. According to Fox News and other conservative media, Hillary Clinton is a criminal who makes Richard Nixon look like Mother Theresa. Hillary paid off the FBI to avoid conviction, incited violence at Trump rallies, jeopardized national security and obstructed justice with deleted emails, promoted massive voter fraud, irresponsibly neglected security in Benghazi (remember Benghazi?), and accepted foreign donations through the Clinton Foundation. That cake of paranoid and false accusation is frosted with endless claims of Obamacare's failure. The problem is that every one of these stories is either completely false or so pumped full of selected half-truths and misdirection as to create a myth with no connection to reality. The right wing has attacked Hillary with the equivalent of "Chinese water torture" using the slow drip of unsubstantiated innuendo to drive sane people mad. Let's together dive into this deep and troubled ocean of conservative misrepresentation, fable and fabrication to see how it all works. This is our burden when we find ourselves in a war fought so disproportionately on one side. Advertisement Lost and Deleted Emails With conservative attacks on Clinton's emails we have the political equivalent of a Turducken: a terrible case of false equivalency wrapped in phony indignation stuffed uncomfortably into affected righteous indignation. Nothing offers a better example of conveniently differential partisan outrage than the email "scandal" that Fox News has tried to pin on Hillary. To understand how outrageous this entire episode is, we need to look at recent history to gain perspective as we evaluate Hillary's alleged crime. We do so by first noting the inconvenient fact that Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice also used a personal server for government emails. In fact an internal investigation revealed that , "the State Department found that emails handled on private email accounts associated with Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice contain "information classified at the Secret or Confidential levels.'" Yet only Clinton is singled out for this practice in an astonishing demonstration of double standards. But Rice and Powell are just a tease. Karl Rove and Dick Cheney used almost exclusively a private server at the Republican National Committee for their official email. In fact, 95% of all the emails of Bush's chief advisers' (including Cheney and Rove) were housed on a private email system. Where was right wing outrage? Did Fox News cover this story? Were there unending congressional investigations? But wait, stay tuned: there's more! Between 2003 and 2009 the Bush White House deleted 22 million emails (compare that to Hillary's thousands). This is a violation of the Presidential Records Act, unlike in the case of Hillary who violated no such law as Secretary of State. Yet Karl Rove, who extensively used a private email server for government business, and whose emails were deleted by the millions in a clear obstruction of justice, is one of the loudest critics One can hardly imagine a more outrageous example of raw hypocrisy. Advertisement Even more damning, these Bush White House emails were deleted during active criminal investigations, including an unseemly episode of politically-motivated firings of eight U.S. attorneys. Worse, Bush refused to comply with a congressional subpoena to review emails relating to the case. But even more egregious, the period covered by the deleted emails includes the run-up to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq during which the American people were misled about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Conspicuously absent was any indignation from bloviating pundits on Fox News. In fact there was essentially zero press coverage of this issue in conservative media. Compare that paucity of coverage of Cheney and Rove to saturation reporting on Clinton: according to media analysts, between March 2015 and September 2016 there were just under 561,000 articles on Clinton's emails. True, of course, one wrong does not justify another, but some rational perspective is needed. We rightfully condemn a slap to the face as violence that can never be tolerated; but that does not mean that such violence is equivalent to murder just because we condemn that too. With this faux outrage about Clinton's emails Fox News is doing just that, by making a slap equivalent to murder, and then ignoring the murder completely and reporting only on the slap. With saturation coverage the slap is all that is remembered. Obstructing the FBI There is no story here, only innuendoes plied by Fox News to smear Clinton with hyped allegation she illegally influenced an FBI investigation. Here is what really happened, as summarized in the Wall Street Journal, not exactly a hotbed of Clinton support. Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, central to the story, is a prominent Democrat with close ties to the Clintons. McAuliffe's PAC donated about $500,000 to the 2015 state senate election campaign of Dr. Jill McCabe. In addition, another $207,788 was donated to McCabe's campaign via the Virginia Democratic Party. This total of $675,000 represents about 35% of the total that McCabe raised. McCabe ultimately lost to Republican Richard Black. Nothing about these donations is unusual or in any way out of the ordinary. For example, candidate Dan Gecker benefited to the tune of $781,500 from that same PAC and $214,456 from the state party. Jeremy McPike received $803,500 from the PAC and $535,162 from the state party. Advertisement So why any fuss? Because McCabe's husband is Andrew McCabe, who is now Deputy Director of the FBI. At the time of the campaign, he was an Associate Deputy Director. He had no role in the senate campaign and no ties to Clinton's presidential election efforts. Month after Jill McCabe's campaign ended (in defeat), Andrew was promoted to his current position, giving him an oversight role in investigating Clinton's emails. Yet given those fact, here is the Fox News headline: "Clinton ally helped fund campaign of key FBI official's wife." The story concludes with, "Given all we know about how the corrupt Clinton machine operates, it's hard not to see this as anything other than a down payment to influence the FBI's criminal investigation into Hillary Clinton's private email server." Fox News makes much of the fact that Jill McCabe is married to FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, neglecting to mention that he was not in that position at the time of the election. A lie by omission is a lie. So let's recap: McAuliffe's PAC (not Clinton or her campaign) and the Virginia state Democratic Party donated transparently to a Virginia senate campaign according to long-standing tradition and legal practice in amount consistent with all past campaigns. This was done long before the candidate's husband would later have any role investigating Clinton's emails. But Fox News notes darkly that somehow Clinton must have commanded Virginia Gov. McAuliffe to donate to the Virginia senate campaign knowing with prescience that someday the candidate's husband would investigate Clinton's emails. I could not make this up. But Fox News did. Inciting Violence We are told in large font boldface print that a "Video shows Clinton coordinated with liberal group to incite crowds." The National Review posted this headline: "Undercover Video: Hillary Clinton personally directed plan to incite violence at Trump rallies." Advertisement Well, no, not quite. This is a fabrication, untrue, an outright falsehood. Clinton did not personally direct nor did she coordinate nor was she aware of any such plans. These major news organizations simply lied. The video in question comes from none other than James O'Keefe, a discredited activist paid by the Trump Foundation. Here is the story from right wing sources: "O'Keefe claims that his lawyers have informed him that there's 'strong evidence' of 'criminality' on the explosive video. As noted by Red Alert Politics, O'Keefe even shows independent consultant (who he labels "black hat operatives") who work for Bob Creamer, the husband of Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, admitting on camera that they've trained people to provoke violence outside of Trump rallies. Such 'consultants' admit to paying mentally ill people to protest and make 'shit' happen." As an aside, no mention is made that rally attendants would be so easily incited after a rousing round of "build a wall - kill the all" and "kill her" - which needed no incitement at all. No condemnation of this hatred on Fox News. Let us not overlook the fact that O'Keefe has a history of doctoring video with heavy editing to create misleading impressions. For example, O'Keefe put out a video of NPR commentator Ron Schiller calling Tea Party activists racists - conveniently editing out the fact that Schiller was in fact quoting a Republican. In another, O'Keefe portrayed an employee being a willful participant in an underage prostitution scheme even though the employee was part of a sting operation to expose the prostitution scheme. Given this history of dishonest manipulation of video, Creamer has called for the release of the full, unedited video of him talking about rally violence. But the bottom line, no matter what did or did not happen on that video, in spite of those fiery headlines, there is in fact no evidence at all tying Clinton or anyone managing her campaign to the actions of Creamer or his associates. The headlines are a lie. But that is what people remember. Voter Fraud Advertisement The GOP's overt attempts to disenfranchise voters with onerous demands and closed poll booths is not enough to secure victory, so they resort to scare tactics about voter fraud. There is virtually none, as every study continues to report. The Brennan Center's ongoing examination of voter fraud claims reveals, as all previous studies have, that "voter fraud is very rare, voter impersonation is nearly non-existent..." But that does not stop the lies. James O'Keefe is at it again, again paid for by Trump, unleashing a video purporting to show that Clinton is promoting massive voter fraud. Well, no, she is not. Here is what the NY Magazine says about his claims: "The second video... revolves around a hypothetical scheme for getting illegal votes cast that O'Keefe seems to think of, which is then batted around by Foval [Scott Foval, formerly of Americans United for Change], turned down by his alleged co-conspirator from the first video, and batted around some more by a third operative who is himself an undocumented alien. So whereas someone sympathetic to O'Keefe's case might conclude it turns up shady talk worthy of investigation, a smoking gun it is not." More important: nowhere is Clinton anywhere involved, even if the video showed anything interesting, and it does not. But the lie that Clinton is promoting voter fraud is the story remembered. Benghazi During George Bush's presidency, the U.S. suffered 13 attacks on embassies and consulates in which 60 people died (some put the total at 87). What is important here: Fox News (or any conservative media for that matter) mentioned not at all or only in passing any of these attacks and deaths. Compared to the never-ending coverage of the deaths of four Americans in Libya, I can find not one single Fox News or conservative media reports on the 8 Americans killed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; not one story of Jim Mollen's murder, and none on the murder of Edward Seitz. Are their lives less worthy than those who died in Libya? The deaths in Benghazi were covered in saturation nearly non-stop for almost two full years after the attacks. According to MediaMatters, Fox News ran 1,098 segments on the Libya attacks, at least 20 per month, with a peak of 174 in October 2012. Of these, 281 segments alleged a "cover up" by the Obama administration, without offering any evidence for the claim, and pushing the story long-past when the claim was proven false. There is and was no cover up. The House Armed Services Committee report concluded that the Obama administration was "not guilty of any deliberate, negligent wrongdoing." The GOP panel confirmed that "no one was deliberately misled, no military assets were withheld and no stand-down order" was given to the military. This is a Republican majority report. The bi-partisan Senate report on Benghazi came to the same conclusion that there was no cover up. Advertisement Equally corrupt, Fox aired 100 segments pushing the blatant lie that the Obama administration issued a "stand-down order" before there was any evidence for the claim and even after the accusation was known to be false. So Fox aired hundreds and hundreds of segments on an alleged cover up and stand-down order that they knew to be wrong. Compare this blitzkrieg of false accusations concerning four American deaths to the complete lack of coverage or investigation into the 60 deaths suffered during 13 attacks under Bush. There is simply nothing remotely equivalent to this onslaught of blatantly biased coverage and accusations fabricated from thin air in liberal media. Fox manipulated news with the intent of harming Hillary Clinton in collaboration with allies in Congress. During an interview with Fox News, then-House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) admitted that the committee investigating Benghazi had set out with the clear purpose of damaging Hillary Clinton. Fox News gleefully covered the Benghazi hearings with no filter. Bradley F. Podliska, a staffer to the committee, openly stated that the investigation was designed to harm Clinton politically. (Conservative media predictably subsequently tried to minimize this damaging admission). Rep. Richard Hanna (R-NY) reiterated this claim. You simply cannot point to something this outrageous on the left. Obamacare Hillary is a staunch supporter of the Affordable Care Act, and this is used against her with the idea that Obamacare is a disaster. Failure by association. The recent Fox News headline about Obamacare is "Death Spiral" with breathless conclusions that the program is doomed, gasping its last breath. The reality is quite different. The truth is that, yes, in some cases, premiums will rise as much as 25% -- but that is not the whole story. What Fox News does not tell you is that "80% of people shopping on Healthcare.gov will pay less than $100/month for premiums once tax credits are included." The sky is hardly falling. More to the point, "more than 70% of people will pay less than $75/month after tax credits." The other story touted by Fox is that insurers are dropping out of the program like rats off a sinking ship - and again reality is no match for this fantasy. Obamacare in this open season will offer the average consumer a choice of 30 plans, with each insurer offering 10 plans from which to choose. To put this in perspective, remember that when health insurance was primarily secured through one's employer, most offered far fewer options. Advertisement By every objective measure, Obamacare is a huge success, even in its current state, which everybody acknowledges needs substantial tweaking (just as Social Security did when first implemented). Here is the bottom line from Census Bureau data: "The uninsured rate fell sharply from 13.3 percent in 2013 to 10.4 percent in 2014 and the number of uninsured Americans dropped from 41.8 million to 33.0 million." This is the largest single year reduction in uninsured on record. Nearly 30 million people have obtained insurance under Obamacare, and the uninsured rate is now the lowest ever recorded in our history. More than 3 million young adults have insurance now because under ACA they can stay on their parents' insurance until the age of 26. In total, 6.1 million young adults who previously had no health insurance are now covered under ACA. No matter: ACA lives in spite of the House forcing more than 60 unsuccessful votes to repeal Obamacare, even as the program helps more people than ever. This is hardly the "death spiral" so proudly trumpeted by Fox News. But what will people remember: that pithy but false headline or the positive and real impact of Obamacare on American lives? Smear Stains Are Hard to Remove Racism Throughout this election, Republicans like Donald Trump and professor/filmmaker Dinesh D'Souza have attempted to link Hillary Clinton to the longtime past sins of the Democratic Party. Is it a valid criticism? And how do Republicans really feel about these old Democrats? D'Souza created a film titled "Hillary's America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party," which links Hillary Clinton to every negative element of the Democratic Party, even those back in the 1800s, including the Trail of Tears under Andrew Jackson, slavery under several Democratic administrations, and Reconstruction under Democratic rule. Advertisement Donald Trump continued the refrain from the movie, linking Hillary Clinton to the Democrats of the 1800s, and himself to the Republicans of the 1800s, according to Steve Benen of MSNBC. "The Republican Party is the party of Abraham Lincoln. Not bad," said Trump, outside of Seattle, Washington. "Not bad. It's also the party of freedom, equality and opportunity. It is the Democratic Party that is the party of slavery, the party of Jim Crow and the party of opposition." He actually meant to say oppression, but botched the line. But if we play the historical record game, and Hillary Clinton is connected to every sin that the Democratic Party is accused of, does this mean that she should also be credited with all of the successes that the Democratic Party achieved throughout history? By that logic, she should be credited for bringing in the Louisiana Purchase, defeating the British in the War of 1812, annexing Florida and Texas, defeating Mexico and winning Southwestern states like California, New Mexico and Arizona, while negotiating the Oregon territory incorporation. Advertisement And if Bob Dole's 1976 vice-presidential debate assertion that "All wars are Democratic wars," is right (and Dole was the only living GOP nominee to attend Trump's RNC Convention), that would mean that the party of Hillary won World War I, World War II, and saved South Korea (in addition to the Vietnam loss). But of course she isn't responsible for those war wins any more than she bears any culpability for the Trail of Tears, the KKK or eugenics. It just shows how ridiculous the premise of the film is. Supporters of the film "Hillary's America" crowed about the opening day numbers for the film, which Donald Trump insisted Americans go see, though it made less than the much-maligned film Nine Lives where Kevin Spacey gets transformed into a cat named Mr. Fuzzypants. Backers bragged that the film made more money in its opening than Al Gore's "A Beautiful Planet," and Michael Moore's "Where To Invade Next." Of course, the film has a long way to go before it comes close to topping the subtle environmentally-conscious "March of the Penguins," or Moore's "Bowling for Columbine." Then again, if Clinton wins, maybe critics may increase their film viewership as a matter of civil disobedience. Yet the most amusing part of this historical analogy film is how Donald Trump's campaign embraces or tolerates several of the villains of the Dinesh D'Souza movie. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a Donald Trump ally, said that while Trump's temperament is different from most presidential candidates, he's as good as President Andrew Jackson, a D'Souza film villain for his role in the Trail of Tears. "Sure. I mean, he is at least as reliable as Andrew Jackson, who was one of the most decisive presidents in American history,' Gingrich said to The New York Times for their podcast "The Run-Up" when asked for a president who resembled Trump's temperament. Advertisement King Felipe VI (l) and acting PM Mariano Rajoy. Chema Moya (EFE) Barring any last-minute surprises, Spain will have a new prime minister on Saturday. Acting PM Mariano Rajoy, of the Popular Party (PP), will submit to an investiture vote in Congress this week after the main opposition Socialist Party (PSOE) agreed to abstain, rather than voting him down again as it has in the past. Socialist dissenters could be expelled from party ranks. But doing so would deprive the PSOE of necessary seats The session is scheduled to begin today and will run into Thursday. That evening, Congress will hold a first vote that Rajoy is expected to lose. A second vote will take place on Saturday, when Rajoy will only need a simple rather than an absolute majority to win. This is when Socialist deputies will presumably abstain from voting, thereby delivering Rajoy a second consecutive term in office. His nomination will secure 170 yes votes: 137 from his own party, 32 from the emerging center-right Ciudadanos, and one from the small regional Canaries Coalition. Rajoy will then be sworn in on Sunday, ending a nearly year-long political stalemate during which Spain has functioned under a caretaker government. Pedro Sanchez resigned as PSOE leader in early October over the abstention issue. Reuters But he will be heading a minority government with no guarantees of stability. This weaker administration will have to seek vote-by-vote arrangements instead of ramming legislation through parliament, as Rajoy did during his first term in office, when he enjoyed an absolute majority. In the meantime, a deeply fractured PSOE and an increasingly divided Podemos will be fighting one another for supremacy as the main opposition group in Congress. At the same time, Ciudadanos stands ready to withdraw its own support if Rajoy does not honor the pledges of reform that he made during negotiations this summer with its leader Albert Rivera. The PSOEs decision will facilitate another Rajoy administration, but not its day-to-day operations during a term that is set to be very difficult, said PP sources on Tuesday, after Rajoy announced that he was officially submitting to an investiture vote. Conscience votes? The decision to abstain on Saturday has split the Socialist Party. For the first time, it is expected that several deputies will break with party guidelines and vote with their conscience. The seven representatives from the Catalan branch have already announced that they will vote against Rajoy despite the leaderships instructions to abstain in the second round. New ministers The new prime minister might unveil the names of the members of his new cabinet right after taking the oath of office before King Felipe VI on Sunday. The new ministers could take up their portfolios as early as Monday. They will not be alone. At least eight more deputies who are close to Pedro Sanchez, the party secretary general who resigned over this issue in early October, are expected to vote against Rajoy as well. In theory, these dissenters could be expelled from the party, but doing so would deprive the PSOE of necessary seats to remain the second largest force in Congress, delivering that position to the anti-austerity Podemos. English version by Susana Urra. The stunningly vibrant colours and twisting shapes of the Spanish architect Gaudi's famous Parc Guell in Barcelona, Spain. Pro-independence political forces have declared their intention to use the institutions of the Catalan regional government, the Generalitat, to organise a referendum on secession in September 2017. This proposal is yet another step forward on the futile and ineffectual journey begun four years ago, when the President of Catalonia at the time, Artur Mas, decided, in a serious abuse of power, to use all resources available to him to force the creation of a new state. This undertaking was unfeasible from the start, but no society is invulnerable to the tantalising call to start out anew, especially in times of crisis. Thankfully, the people of Catalonia, and of Spain in general, have proven themselves to be level-headed and have, by and large, resisted the political tension and divisive policies of the Generalitat, a public institution that no longer appears to serve the interests of the people as a whole and that has undoubtedly forgotten the meaning of the word "pluralism." Advertisement The sovereigntist movement is clearly relentless. Instead of opening itself up to the possibility of reaching fair, common-sense agreements, the movement prefers to use up all of our energy and keep the flame of this process alive, borne on the shoulders of an active and persistent minority--a broad group but still a minority. Faced with this insistence, it is my duty and responsibility to reaffirm that secession is unviable. Firstly, it is unviable from a legal standpoint. No democratic constitution in the world recognises the right to self-determination (except that of Ethiopia and that of Saint Kitts and Nevis, two West Indian islands that form a single state). Despite providing in its treaties for member states opting to leave, the European Union does not recognise the possibility of a region becoming a sovereign state and then automatically a fully-fledged member of the organisation. As a result of the Brexit referendum, we are seeing that EU legislation must be met, with no political shortcuts or legal flights of fancy. Lastly, in international law, accepted doctrine in peace time is that the UN rules regarding self-determination are intended for colonial scenarios and instances of serious abuses of fundamental rights. This premise cannot be applied to Spain, a democratic country with elements of federalism. The pro-independence movements know all of this, but fantasise about bringing about irredentist situations in which the legislative force of the circumstances bursts over the banks of constitutional, EU and international law. I am sorry to also put these dreams to rest. Spain is a consolidated democracy, with undeniably strong institutions. As a Spanish Socialist Minister of the Interior said, not so long ago, he who challenges the State, loses. Nor is Spain like the USSR or a moribund Yugoslavia, quite the opposite: Spain is a relevant member of the United Nations, NATO, the OSCE and the Council of Europe, and a significant contributor to all of these organisations, as well as being a signatory of the most important international treaties on legal matters and human rights; in short, Spain is a respected country and I would go so far as to say a nation that is well loved around the world. Irrespective of their size, no member of the international community, which in itself already opposes secessions, would favour the recognition of an independent Catalonian state. Advertisement Nonetheless, we must not limit ourselves to legal matters. We must also underscore a certain lack of what might be called "democratic morality" in the agenda the pro-independence movement is pushing. It is difficult to accept that it would merely be a case of repeating regional elections and unlawful consultations until the outcome is what the secessionists want. In the twenty-first century, it is not morally acceptable--when all democratic debate centres around how to ensure that differences are taken into account--that the discussion in Catalonia concerns how people can be separated according to their culture, language or feelings of nationhood. As my colleague, the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, the great federalist Mr. Stephane Dion, has said on numerous occasions, secession is an anomaly in a democracy, as it would force us to decide which of our colleagues, friends and relatives would become foreigners and which would remain part of our own political community. No society should have to suffer such an upheaval. Therefore, if any Generalitat-run body should insist on going back down this path, the Spanish Government will act with the certainty that it is supported not only by the law itself, but also by the democratic morality on which systems of law are based. Spain is indivisible, a democratic community that allows rights to be exercised equally and offers all of its citizens the opportunity of a standard of living commensurate to comparable nations. No party, institution or newly formed body can supplant the sovereignty entrusted to the people of Spain in article 1.2 of the Spanish Constitution: because only the people of Spain may decide their future, through formally established channels. No Spaniard may be stripped of their rights of citizenship in Catalonia and no Catalan may be deprived of their Spanish citizenship. Even so, in 2017 we should not be inevitably destined to repeat the disputes, tensions and frustrations experienced since 2014. We must therefore call for a renewed dialogue. The Spanish Government, once it is formed and whatever its makeup, will remain open to discussing matters on which agreements may be reached, with tangible results for the people of Catalonia and of Spain as a whole. However, for this change to take place, the Generalitat government must abandon its challenges to the democratic rule of law and adhere to the provisions of the Spanish Constitution of 1978, under which Catalonia--and Spain in general--have prospered as never before. What I am proposing, in summary, is to follow the spirit of the verses of the Catalan poet, Salvador Espriu, calling for heartfelt cordial understanding: "Keep the bridge of dialogue secured / and try to understand and love / the different minds and tongues of all your children". Advertisement The day after Donald Trump promised to keep us in suspense about whether he would accept the election results, I spent several hours talking to people waiting in line for the first day of early voting in North Carolina. I passed out cards with the Democratic slate and explained the state's voting rules, which haven't been easy to keep track of. Less than two months ago, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to restore a law passed by the Republican legislature that a lower court overturned, deciding it was enacted "with almost surgical precision" to suppress African-American voting. However, a provision to eliminate straight-party voting was left intact. In the 2012 elections, more than half of North Carolinians voted a straight-party ticket, so quite a few voters were not pleased when I told them they couldn't do it this time around. But, for the most part, the people waiting in line on Thursday evening were happy, enjoying the balmy weather. I chatted with millennials wearing "Google Fiber Coming to NC" and "Keep Durham Dirty" T-shirts. I spoke to many people getting off from work, still wearing their medical scrubs or corporate badges from jobs in nearby Research Triangle Park. Advertisement Young parents carried babies or pushed strollers. A toddler asked what the chalk-drawn line on the sidewalk was for. "I'm not allowed to step over it," I explained. I wanted to tell him that we live in a democracy where we are lucky to have a free, fair vote without intimidation, but his parents were already giving him that lesson. Mostly I saw women, middle-aged and older, with smiles on their faces. One woman literally ran to the line, exclaiming, "I can't wait to vote for the first woman president!" Several dozen members of an African-American sorority waited in line together and chatted afterwards, upholding their tradition of coming to the poll on the first day of early voting. Advertisement Nearly everyone took my blue Democratic slate, especially after I told them they couldn't vote straight party. A few people shook their heads no, with a frown. But no one, absolutely no one, was rude. Many thanked me for the information and for being there. I asked a number of people what brought them out on the first day of voting, despite the long line. Most said, "I'm just ready." Today, I went back to the polls - after a week of temperatures in the 80s, it was barely in the 50s at 9 a.m., with a stiff wind. And the line was even longer than Thursday evening. Some people were dressed in parkas and scarves, others in shorts and flip-flops. But not one single person left the line in the two hours I stood there. I was joined by a young woman passing out a Republican slate of candidates. We talked about the change in the weather and jointly complimented several children on their Halloween costumes. Many more people took my blue card than hers, but everyone was polite. We were even joined today by an official poll observer, sent by the Democratic Party. He happened to be a Dutch native and I teased him that he should be wearing a United Nations badge or maybe he could pretend he was Russian. When I left at noon, I asked him how the morning had gone. Advertisement "No riots," he said from his lawn chair. "I thought I might need my cane to keep the peace." This is what democracy looks like--people happy to wait in line to make their voice heard, politely accepting or refusing campaign literature from someone they disagree with. Clinton will no doubt win big in Durham--a highly-educated area with a high proportion of African-Americans (Obama won 76% of Durham County votes in 2012.) Not all Americans know what that E-10 sticker on the gas pump means. A new documentary "The Ethanol Effect" which can be seen on PBS or online is a welcome addition to the sometimes technical news coverage of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Passed in 2005 and expanded in 2007, the RFS mandate for biofuel consumption has driven a massive shift in our agriculture system to produce energy. This has harmed our food, water, biodiversity, grasslands, and forests - and not just in the United States. Host David Biello speaks to many stakeholders who are on different sides of this issue. But I do wish they had investigated some of the claims a little more. For example, one speaker claimed that corn ethanol provides better air quality which is simply not true. The testimony of the Nebraska farmers was particularly compelling, because while I do oppose the corn ethanol mandate and advocate for reforming the RFS, I don't blame U.S. farmers for growing corn ethanol. The government set the farm and energy policies - including the RFS. Advertisement The farmers are only trying to do their best for their families given the current situation. But those misguided government policies have driven them to mono-cropping huge amounts of corn for fuel, which causes some of the problems discussed in the documentary such as water quality, loss of bees and hunger. Unfortunately, the documentary focused only on the impacts in the U.S. and did not spend much time considering the impact of biofuels in developing countries. After all, not all of our biofuels are made in America. We import from places like Brazil, Guatemala and Indonesia. There is a brief mention of the tortilla price crisis in Mexico, triggered by spiking U.S. corn prices. What isn't mentioned in the documentary is that poor families in developing countries spend most of their income on food, and so even small increases can hurt their ability to feed their families. Demand for biofuels also drives land grabs around the world. A land grab is what happens when family farmers are kicked off their land, usually to make way for much larger, industrial style farms where only one type of crop is grown. For the farmer, being kicked off their farm means not only losing their home, often a home that has been passed down from generation to generation, but their ability to feed their family and their investments in the future. I would have liked to see a farmer from Brazil, like the ones I met in 2015, join farmers from Nebraska in having their issues represented. What struck me most, though, was the discussion about "Big Agriculture" and "Big Oil" fighting it out in Congress, with "consumers stuck in the middle." It's a depressing representation of the debate over the RFS, but sometimes that is what it feels like. As someone who is not a fan of either Big Ag or Big Oil, this is a big problem. Advertisement The documentary says that as consumers we have more choices to make. And there are consumer choices (E-10? E-85? Electric? Transit? Biking?), but one point "The Ethanol Effect" makes clear is that our farms, food, water, landscapes, biodiversity and energy are all tied together. Ethanol policies such as the RFS impact all of them - here and abroad. So this isn't just about consumers, it's a choice for citizens. We need to decide how we are going to combat climate change. Will we pursue emissions cuts to put us on the path to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement? Do we want a transition to a truly clean, renewable energy that is sustainable, good for communities, and that protects the jobs and livelihoods of workers? Do we want a farming system that protects farmers, in this country and around the world, but also ensures access to food, ending hunger by 2030 - something our leaders have committed to doing? As the world continues to evolve, it is important that as business owners, we don't remain static. And seeing as a lot of this evolution has to do with the web, it is essential that we start to take our businesses online and create a strong presence. However, if you've not always been web-savvy, building an online presence can be tiring, confusing and frustrating, even with the numerous options available; from creating different profiles and numerous accounts, to building your website and finally figuring out the best medium through which to engage your target audience. But if you know how and where to start, building your online presence can be less frustrating. To help, let's break the steps down so you can start building your presence immediately. Advertisement 1. Set your goals. So you believe being online is the next best thing for the growth of your brand, but how do you intend to go about this? Write your plan, make it plain. Itemize your set goals, aims and objectives and carefully strategize on how you intend to achieve your goals. After setting the goals, break it down. Think of it in smaller bits. Maybe your big picture is, "I want my beauty blog to be among the top 5 most viewed blogs of all times by June 2017." Then Write your plan, make it plain. Itemize your set goals, aims and objectives and carefully strategize on how you intend to achieve your goals. After setting the goals, break it down. Think of it in smaller bits. Maybe your big picture is, "I want my beauty blog to be among the top 5 most viewed blogs of all times by June 2017." Then break it down into actionable steps that will help you to achieve your goal. I will blog every day. I will do product reviews. I will offer my services to 5 loyal readers every month for free. By itemizing your steps, it makes your goal seem attainable and gives you a boost of confidence along the way, which in turn makes it more likely for us not to give up on the bigger picture. Advertisement Don't build an online persona for the sake of it, or because that's what all your competitors are doing right now, build it to a level where it can help your overall business goals. 2. Get SEO Being solid starts with your website. It should be the central place where your audience can learn more about your brand and what you have to offer and how people can contact you for your services. However, this won't have any impact if your webpage is drowned amidst a sea of content on the web. And this is where SEO comes in. You're not an SEO expert? That's okay. We all aren't. Ask for help from experts like Houston SEO Company or others around you with enough expertise to keep you ahead. Excellent application of SEO techniques can literally take your website from zero to ranking on the front page of Google. Beyond hiring an expert, it's also important to understand basic SEO practices so that you can channel your efforts towards creating sellable content. 3. Be consistent and create value Once you decide on the one habit that will help you start moving toward your goal, make sure you do it every day, says Ag Agrawal, Ceo Lumify. Is it going to be blogging? Or is it going to be YouTube? Do it every day. Whether it's your Instagram or your WordPress account, always provide consistent value first. This would help you to attain credibility and then, you slowly become an authority in your field, hereby carving a niche for yourself, which is very important for your online growth and visibility. Advertisement 4. Focus on a tool It may be okay for one or two people to be everywhere online and it may have worked for them, but I'll rather you not. Ryan Hanley, Content Marketing Speaker and Author says in a blog post that this strategy of being everywhere online could destroy your business rather than build it up. How you may ask? Being inactive on social media could have negative impacts on your brand as your followers see your inactivity as disregard for the platform's ability to communicate with them, he says. And because it's almost difficult for you to give equal amount of attention to all your accounts, hence the importance to focus on a few. 5. Comment on forums Be an active participant on online forums associated with your niche. You could even guest blog. Over time, after sharing practical advice and contributing intelligently to conversations on these forums with larger audience than yours, you slowly build a wider reputation as a force to be reckoned with in your industry. 6. Give freebies! Everybody loves a freebie. Simple. A free coupon or service charge among other goodies will improve your online image positively. 7. Keep track How do you know whether all this hard work is paying off? Keep track. Don't just seat in front of your screen day in and out and expect that your plan is falling into place just because you're following the process. Keep track. Check the number of likes your posts garner daily. Is your presence growing daily on Facebook while twitter seems not to? Keep track. This would inform you on whether or not to change strategy or keep you satisfied that you seem to be doing the right thing Advertisement 8. Be patient Having asked you to keep track, it is also important to ask you to be patient. It may sound contradictory, but they are two different concepts that both have their places in this journey. If you've been able to do all the aforementioned points, having a strong presence on social media is imminent. However you must be patient enough to see it happen and not set unrealistic expectations. You can experiment. Since there is no hard and fast rule to these things, don't be afraid to play around with your methods in the beginning to see what works best for you and your audience. To live in this world You must be able to do three things... Museum of Broken Relationships lures with an irresistible tag... ...completed with a "found object" from the rain soaked cobblestone streets. 1. To love what is mortal After shedding your skin in Berlin, you arrive in Zagreb at dawn with no money, no camera and a mesothelioma lawsuit on your mind. Taking a rest on the steps of the bus station, a crippled poet spontaneously gifts you with nectarines...and Zagrljaj! 2. To hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it. You insist that Tomislav autograph his book, and when he hands it back, you hold it to your heart, as if your life depends on it.. As dusk falls, you discover that tagging MISSING JAMES FRANCO 3.0 ...has become a habit, even without a recording device. "Can I have a sticker?" The request comes from Luka Didnak, who stops before you to discuss James Franco: "He does what he wants and doesn't care what anyone thinks." He has the best bicycle and you tell him that you hope he will tag it when you hand him the sticker. Advertisement You mourn your gadget loss again and make tags in your head like scenes in a film that will have to be retraced with a new apparatus. The next day, in a state of GADGET LOVE MOURNING, you are reduced to pressing your face against the glass... Windows offering MS Office Tools to keep your Love always close to your heart drive..and so you find a remedy -- a digital camera! The award-winning Museum of Broken Relationships invites a Franco crossing of boundaries via its mission statement: Advertisement Museum of Broken Relationships is a physical and virtual public space created with the sole purpose of treasuring and sharing your heartbreak stories and symbolic possessions. It is a museum about you, about us, about the ways we love and lose. A visit on the rainy night of your departure from Zagreb seems to be the ideal manifestation of the Mobius Strip. A boutique offers material comforts from the wounds of heartbreak... Salt is a purification material essential to healing negative patterns of attachment. ...a cozy cafe... . You linger for hours over tea and honey liquor listening to music about heartbreak and reading literary texts about lost love. ...and four exhibition galleries with donated objects. Here are some favorites: This strategically placed "Red Dress" blasted you with the LIFE FORCE. (Photo by Mare Milin) A literary gift recounting a LOVE propelling the writer into Gotham heights. A Berlin woman's "ex-axe" is the coldest DEATH piece on display. She weilded the instrument to chop up her ex's furniture as retaliation for being dumped for another woman: "Two weeks after she left, she came back for the furniture. It was neatly arranged into small heaps and fragments of wood. She took that trash and left my apartment for good. The axe was promoted to a therapy instrument". How many times did this wisdom come through your MOURNING? A "Rabbit Fur" gift accompanied by poetry mirrors your RESURRECTION into a comforting new skin by way of this posting. Your Zagreb dream of that fertile creature manifested as a vintage coat catching your eye in the Sunday flea market. Advertisement "Four Discs" made you happy that you resolved your Office Tools issues to be able to share the LIFE/DEATH/MOURNING/RESURRECTION of the quantum leap into the THREE to get to the stability of the FOUR. Your Quest to resolve the opposites through tagging remains forever in the paper archives. 3. And when the time comes, The key to having a baby... ...is getting the timing right... ...for the Great Leap! And so you depart from Zagreb, the City of Love, spreading some MISSING JAMES FRANCO 3.0 LOVE with profound new insights... TO LET IT GO. Croatian beauties: Viktorija Pralas (R), from the heart-centered Croatian family hosting The Dots resurrection in the City of Love, with her friend Tea Koritar. Lisa Streitfeld is a Kulturindustrie philosopher out to prove Adorno wrong while on a new adventure in the Balkans. Advertisement The Missing James Franco tagging project is a Web 3.0 prototype for collaboration between art and commerce. Participate on Twitter: #MissingJamesFranco3.0 Mary Oliver's quote from "in Backwater Woods" was written on a gallery wall. To contribute an object to the museum collection, please refer to the contributor page. Business is one of the areas that requires constant movement forward, self-improvement, creativity, and innovation. A lot of business companies or foreign trade corporations often rack their brains to exploit the market internationally. According to the market analysts, China has become one of the leaders in the world market , and, thus, play an important and influential role in the world's economy. That's why the top priority of expanding a global business may be having a niche among Chinese markets. Besides, these days more and more Chinese are also interested in foreign products. To understand the market better, expand one's business or just get an idea of what's new in the world's market today, one should consider attending business events, which facilitate communication between the sellers and buyers and act as a way of providing a platform for new opportunities. There are many business events or exhibitions in China, such as CHTF, China import and export fair, Air Show China, CIIF etc., among which China import and export fair, also known as the Canton Fair, is the comprehensive exhibition with the longest history, highest level, largest scale and largest number of products, as well as the highest business turnover in China. Canton Fair is held biannually in Guangzhou every spring and autumn and has a history of 60 years since its establishment in the spring of 1957. It's important both, for Chinese and international business owners who are involved in trading of different goods and are looking for new opportunities. Recently, 120th Canton Fair is taking place from October 15th-19th and phase three from October 31st- November 4th. The Canton Fair is an opportunity for international companies to get a closer look at Chinese goods on the one hand, and to offer overseas goods for Chinese buyers and expand one's business in such a way, on the other hand. The International Pavilion, divided into several sections, is a perfect place for business opportunities for global exhibitors in China. With 10-year continuous improvement, the International Pavilion has accumulated almost ten thousand quality resources for global exhibitors and collected a large number of professional audience as well as high-end purchasing channels. It's one of the biggest fairs not only in China, but in the world, and has already established a high-quality reputation becoming a must-attend event for all the people who are serious about their business. Besides, it's a great opportunity to interact with sellers and buyers directly, to negotiate some important business-related issues and, of course, to get to know what's new on the market today and how it's changed within the last year. With the new energy exhibition zone, one could learn more about alternative sources of energy, new energy products and the application of solar energy, which is an important issue today. Viewing all the products, interacting with different people at the fair is also a way of finding out new ideas for one's business development; it's also a good place to attend when one is thinking of starting one's own business, as it's a place, where new ideas are developed and discussed. Do you know why Halloween is so fun? Sure it has a unique way to bring out the kids in all of us and every year, now as adults, it brings back the memories of going door to door to start hoarding all those treats. "Free candy? Are you kidding me? Let's do it!" Come the end of October now as grownups and we often see our fun and expectations shift towards Halloween Parties. Every year we get to wonder if we should follow a pop culture trend for our costume, or choose a more solemn theme like a Presidential Campaign candidate... After all, colorful costumes always seem to steal the votes. As Love Guides, we tend to always look at seasonal events with a different set of glasses. And although Halloween is not as emotionally charged for singles as the Holidays are, we can't help to draw a parallel with what we'll call the "disguise factor." Too often we see single people so desperate for companionship that they will go to great lengths to try to impersonate someone that they're not. Often unbeknownst to them, they unconsciously wear a disguise that's burying their true gift: their "love-worth." With that in mind, allow us to push the allegory a little. Advertisement Here are three disguises that could be good for your Halloween party but harmful to help you find a fulfilling relationship. 1. The Pleaser Disguise When we hide our true self at the beginning of a relationship we tend to do it for two reasons: we want to please the new partner with our phoney charm, and we want to hang around without totally engaging. So let's question the veracity of our intentions here. What are we really after? 2. The Lonely Freak Disguise That's the Fear of Being or Staying Alone disguise. It is nothing more than a lack of faith and a lack of confidence. The irony with this one is... we wear it, but... we are seldom alone! We typically jump from one relationship to another without ever questioning why we can't seem to find a lasting relationship. Yet, from one time to another, we expect different results... 3. The "Rejectee" Disguise This is a very popular costume. Many of us have been wearing it since childhood. Others have tried it on later in life. But in either case, the scars often look fresh. Many experts say that if you once experienced an "emotional rejection," you are very likely to try to avoid it at all costs in your new relationships. This of course includes our love life. FEAR of Rejection victims would rather give up and stay alone than even try to find a suitable mate. It's a lethal disguise. Sadly, when we build a relationship on a faulty foundation, it's destined to collapse. We need to reconcile who we are with the fake personas we are putting on from time to time. What's the purpose behind our disguises? Manipulation? Fear? Low self-esteem? Remember, there's a big distinction to be made between wearing a gaudy costume on Halloween and covering up one's true identity for the rest of the year. Advertisement With that in mind, we hope you'll enjoy the sight of smirky faces, friendly ghosts and 3-foot tall witches on October 31st! We sure will. * * * * * * * * I have long felt that the baby boomer generation, my generation, did not fulfill its potential after a promising start in the late 1960s. Whichever side we were on, we learned who we were and what we wanted our country to be during the Vietnam War. The Beatles were our soundtrack. Apocalypse Now was our reality. Star Trek was our fantasy. There were some student leaders at the time who spoke about our goals and dreams. This is Hillary Clinton's student speech from Wellesley College from 1969, her graduation commencement address.She spoke for a generation. The baby boomer generation. My generation. Advertisement With peace, justice and freedom as a rallying cry, we marched, we sat-in, we loved, we protested. We married and formed families. We fought and some of us died. But eventually we went our separate ways to follow our dreams. It seemed we were sidetracked in the 1980s and 90s by conservative elements that focused on fears and 7th century foes instead of reaching for the stars. They were intent on limiting our freedoms by their beliefs. Supreme Courts changed and constitutional rights were under attack. The 1990s and 2000s were times of war, a coarsening of the culture, of impeachment, of guns, of terror. of 9/11. Iraq. Abu Ghirab. Al Qaeda. ISIS, elementary school shootings and a fear of the "other". Darkness. We've had some successes, albeit limited. Bill Clinton. Barack Obama. It hasn't been easy. For more than 40 years forces of darkness kept us from achieving our generational potential. We still fight the darkness, but now, with Hillary Clinton's candidacy we are one day away from achieving our goal: election day. Advertisement In 1992, First Lady, Hillary Clinton returned to Wellesley to give the commencement speech for the second time. Here is a video: Here is a link to the complete video, carried at the time by c-span. Whether you've heard Hillary's speeches before or not, please listen again. Her speech is a reminder of what we were seeking then, and a realization of how close we all are to fulfilling our collective potential with her election. Electing Hillary can bring a revolution. But she'll need two things: our votes and legislators with the vision and wisdom to enact a liberal / progressive agenda. If Hillary is elected but she faces a congress opposed to her every move, then her success and our success will be limited. Light. Fortunately, there are more democrats than republicans. If we all vote, we can change the course of America. But we must give Hillary the mantle and the tools to do her job. We then need to follow up, and make sure she pursues the liberal, progressive agenda. Advertisement It'll be our day in the sun. Here comes the sun. Today, the Earth got a little hotter, and a little more crowded. Check for National Geographic venues (including youtube and other online opportunities) here ! Spread the word! Saving BUB, Beautiful Unique Biodiversity, as in this family of Amazon tree frogs, is another reason to preserve carbon storing forests. Source Alamy Forests: the cheapest way to store carbon Will You Help Protect This Child's Way of Life? Sign the petition below urging Brazil to enforce its laws that protect his home and family. Advertisement OO Cry From The Amazon Forest: HelpThe Paiter Surui People! Their homeland and way of life are being destroyed because Brazil refuses to enforce its own laws to protect them from brutal forests destroyers: greedy resource exploiters. Please lend your voice to a crescendo of international outrage here, and demand that Brazil enforce its laws. Then spread the word! Murdered For Protecting Forests Luiz Alberto Araujo was gunned down in front of his family for doing his job: enforcing environmental laws that protect forests. Source Mongabay.com OO Brazilian Environmental Official Murdered: The Debate Over Saving Rain Forests Is Now A War - gunmen executed the man, known for strongly enforcing environmental laws in a Brazilian state where conflicts over ongoing, wide-scale Amazon deforestation have led to murders and bloody fights. Araujo's work led to the 2016 arrest of a major illegal logging operator; Araujo also uncovered the illegal 2016 fish kill by an energy company setting up a new megadam; Previous 2014 work uncovered large scale deforestation elsewhere in the Amazon. Forests - And Their Protectors - Are Being Murdered - as greedy farmers, ranchers and international corporations exploit the Amazon under a corrupt government. Araujo was shot to death in front of his wife and stepsons. 448 environmentalists were killed in Brazil between 2002-2013 -- half the total murdered worldwide. When will the world sanction Brazil for these deaths, and a major crime against humanity: allowing the destruction a major global carbon storing system? When we harm forests, we harm ourselves. * * DANGER: TOO MUCH HOPE IN SEQUESTERING CARBON Forests, A Proven Method of Large-Scale Carbon Storage are far cheaper to maintain, and supply far more important services than any man-made system could devise. Source www.huffingtonpost.com OO We're Placing Far Too Much Hope In Pulling Carbon Dioxide Out Of The Air scientists warn. arguing that relying on the uncertain concept of negative emissions as a fix could lock the world into a severe climate-change pathway. Advertisement The take-home? Don't spend a carbon allowance you don't have yet. Think this unlikely? Read on, my friends... Believing in Unproven solutions is just as bad as ignoring the problems. Source joyoftech.com MEH: A Personal OMG Moment: After my husband gave a talk in 2011 to Statoil (Norway's Big Oil) execs on climate change - which they totally got - we overlapped slightly as they started their company meeting. I was shocked as I heard them discuss climate impacts of future activities in terms of needed units of sequestered carbon - as if it was already available and affordable. OMG. * * FIXING CLIMATE CHANGE @@ A Simple And Smart Way To Fix Climate Change given by Dan Miller in 2014 at a Ted talk suggests a way to profit as we tackle climate change, by finally charging those who sell and use fossil fuels - and distributing the revenues back to all of us. Advertisement The strategy is sure to speed transition to clean renewable energy. What's not to like? Check it out! * * RUNNING OUT OF EARTH TO LIVE ON OO We're Running Out Of Earth To Live On says the Global Ecological Footprint Report. Takeaways: For more than 40 years, humanity's demands have exceeded what our planet can regenerate. This year, people are using natural resources equivalent to 1.6 times that found on Earth. Every year, people are using up our yearly replenishable resources more quickly. That is, we are robbing our children's future. Human lifestyles tend to waste resources, and use dirty energy. Such lifestyles are depleting fisheries, forests, biodiversity, and driving climate change. Source capsweb.org This is a significant imbalance between Earth's biocapacity and our ecological footprint. As resources dwindle, competition and conflict escalate among nations. The solution? build economies that fit within the budget of one planet. Not mentioned: without bringing our populations down to sustainable levels, our children face a harsh future and far worse lifestyle. Advertisement * * A SWEET SPOT IN CREATING SUSTAINABLE POPULATIONS Triple Win: Using Profits to Provide Needed US Family Planning - Medicines360.org is key to creating a sustainable US population and bright futures for women - AND saving taxpayers many billions yearly in community costs by preventing unintended pregnancies. Source medicines360.org * * HOT NEWS Like a Climatic Yo-Yo Earth has undergone at least 2 dozen abrupt heating spikes lasting 1000-2,000 years, within the past 100,000 years, likely due to changes in atmospheric CO2 levels interacting with ice sheets in the last glacial period (Ice Age). Here are the last dozen or so, verified by several different independent data sets from around the world. Source www.ces.fau.edu OO Recent Past Shows The Earth Can Get Hot Fast - And We're Doing So Now - Takeaways: the interplay of air, ice, and energy that causes climatic heat spikes can be as complex as clockworks; at least 25 such climatic heat spikes (D-O events) in the last Ice Age show they can occur fast and last 1000+* years, (Within those spikes, sea levels probably changed dramatically.) these D-Os were probably linked to changing CO2 levels (e.g. volcanic activity can do that); the temperature rise can produce enough polar melt freshwater to disrupt the oceanic conveyor belt, the major distributor of heat worldwide, and cause worldwide climate change; And Then, Suddenly, It Got a Lot Hotter... Source xkcd.com the difference between these past and present events? We're adding far more CO2 into the atmosphere, FAR FASTER. simultaneously, it is worsening an already catastrophic extinction of life on Earth from human activities, as this abnormally fast pace of change outstrips species' ability to adapt. From an ethical perspective, our greed is destroying paradise. * * WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Advertisement @@ Climate Change 101: Why Care? What You Need to Know - Bill Nye tells it all in five minutes amid graphic, dynamic, engaging, compelling imagery. Check it Out! * * MELTDOWN When The Ice Melts removing weight from the volcano, it can allow magma to move more freely, and possible trigger an eruption. OO How Climate Change Can Triggers Earthquakes, Tsunamis And Volcanoes Takeaways: Main ideas: When substantial weight above seismic faults, this can release tension, causing earthquakes; conversely, increased weight might inhibit such activity. Links have been observed between storms & melting ice, and changed volcanic & seismic activity. For example: Prehistoric data link melting ice to increased volcanic and seismic activity, as the weight of frozen water was removed. In Alaska, vast ice melting is correlated with increased seismic activity. First A Hurricane, Then An Earthquake hit Haiti in 2010. Source Britannica.com Storms decrease air pressure - literally removing the weight of air - above the surface. Scientists have linked typhoons to small earthquakes beneath the sea. But small earthquakes can prevent buildup of large earthquakes. If seismic tensions have built up to hair trigger levels, a "slight" decrease in weight can trigger it. If torrential rains are absorbed deeply by land, they increase its weight, possibly tamping down seismic activity. Such a correlation is seen in Nepal. Earthquakes sometimes produce tsunamis. Be prepared, then, for the unexpected. Melt From Above forms lakes on the giant Greenland ice sheet, which can suddenly empty, as the water finds its way to the bottom of the sheet, where it leaks out and helps erode coastal glaciers. Credit Sam Doyle at Aberystwyth University OO Greenland Melting From Above And Below -- and scientists say they're linked. Takeaways: Melting ice forms glacial lakes on the surface of the Greenland ice sheet; These lakes can suddenly disappear as the water leaks down through the sheet. Falls Into the Sea, the meltwater erodes glaciers as it does so, sometimes as waterfalls, but mostly as hidden underwater plumes that incorporate warm ocean water, further speeding glacial breakup. Credit Dustin Carroll The leaked water emerges at the base of coastal glaciers, either falling into the sea or pluming beneath it. Pluming tends to incorporate warm ocean water and undercut big glaciers, speeding their breakup into the sea. Starving and Dangerous polar bears are victims of human driven climate change, and their decline is tragic. Credit Kerstin Langenberger at Facebook Advertisement OO Polar Bears, Growing Desperate For Food, Threaten Native Alaskans * * GOOD CLEAN NEWS More of These EVs Please - Germany will want, presumably, to replace its gas guzzlers - and lots more bicycles! OO Germany Wants To Ban Fossil-Fuel-Powered Cars by 2030, says its parliament. OO Nations Reach Landmark Deal On Powerful Refrigerant That Warms Planet 170+ countries reached a legally binding accord to counter climate change by cutting its worldwide use in air-conditioners and refrigerators. OO Half Of Scotland's Energy Could Be Produced By Wind And Sunlight Within 15 Years new report says. OO $85 Million Raised To Scale Up Home Solar Storage Batteries which can sell power back to the grid when needed, turning them into grid assets, as well. OO Wal-Mart Leads The Nation In Corporate Solar Deployments What Will It Do With Storage? My guess: make money. Lots of it. OO Something We Can All Agree On: Support For Clean Renewable Energy is widespread, and bipartisan. Some of Germany's Many Power Producers Source www.telegraph.co.uk OO Germany: Drowning In Wind Power and not a rapid enough expansion of its power grid to distribute it is behind its plans to temporarily scale back expansion of its wind power capacity. Advertisement OO Texas: Coal Is Getting Killed By The Market of cheap natural gas and renewables. * * SOCIAL REPERCUSSIONS OO Climate Change Behind Surge In Western Wildfires report leading scientists. OO North Carolina: Flooding So Deep That Rescuers Need Sonar To Locate Cars, Victims OO The Next Zika - Four little known insect-and tick-borne viruses are now worrying researchers. Source cajnewsafrica.com OO 'Climate Change A Big Threat To Food Security says a UN official The world's poorest, many of whom are farmers, fishers and pastoralists, are hit hardest by higher temperatures and an increasingly frequent weather-related disasters.. OO Coffee And Climate Change: In Brazil, A Disaster Is Brewing for its coffee belt after 3 years of drought. * * CLIMATE CHANGE, THE DESTROYER Imagine a Giant Blender - that grinds everything up, then pours it back down from the sky. Imagine more of this as climate change continues wreaking destruction, especially in poor places like Haiti. Credit Logan Abassi at the UN OO Reducing Mega-Storm Risks Is Hard - Takeaways: with better warning systems, deaths can be reduced, but better urban planning for poor countries is too expensive, and not likely; future storms will continue mass destruction of poor areas; Source Deutsche Welle post-storm, many people will continue to die from disease, hunger, and ever more frequent, intense storms combined with rising sea levels, worsening flooding from storm surges, and surging populations putting more people in harm's way. Related Headline: Haiti Storm Peril exposes climate burden in poor nations - characterized by larger death tolls, larger infrastructure damage and longer recovery rates. Source AP Images OO Haiti: About 1.4 Million People Need Assistance, Entire Towns,Villages Have Been Wiped Out and flood survivors are going hungry. No More Bananas for 10 Years - destroyed by Hurrican Matthew, fruiting trees will need a decade to regrow and produce. Credit Rebecca Blackwell at Associated Press OO Haiti 'There's Nothing Left': Farmers Left Devastated After Hurricane Matthew nearly 100% of crops and 50% of livestock destroyed in one region, that had just started recovering from a drought that had cut food production by half. "Everything is gone here," a farmer said. "People are going to just leave." * * GOOD IDEAS Source earthday.net OO Inspiring Students: Pathways To Green India a new free downloadable and viewable online book describes many projects developed by Indian students that are making a difference. Advertisement OO Border Carbon Tax Could Cut Emissions - not a tariff so much as paying for the carbon footprint. Global Warming Will Change The Clothes We Wear - especially as temperatures rise, and new clothing becomes more expensive. Thrift shops can become your place to create new fashion, and unearth treasures. Credit Bruce Stambaugh OO How Global Warming Is Leading People To Re-Use Their Clothes Takeaways: one company buys old clothes, re-fashioning them into new ones; The majority of fashion purchases are worn just seven times; Not mentioned: you can find truly sustainable clothing at various recycling events: Yard sales, flea markets, thrift shops, ebay, etsy, etc. OO Google Is Using Big Data To Protect The Environment - with a wide-range interest in sustainable fishing, green buildings and renewable energy. It is also: Creating vast databases to monitor and reduce environmental impact and problems, Increasing company energy efficiency and conservation Envisioning a Hyperloop Train Credit Hyperloop Transportation Technologies OO Efficient Transport: Hyperloop Demo Planned For Early 2017 The Hyperloop One company just raised $50 million, and plans to bring Elon Musk's ultra-fast transport concept to life with a full-scale demo in early 2017. OO Why Insurance Companies Want To Subsidize Your Smart Home - to prevent expensive accidents (the iron you left on when you left on vacation...) and burglaries. The possible side-effect? Saving energy and encouraging the spread of clean renewable energy. OO Time To Stop Subsidizing People Who Live In Hurricane-Prone Areas * * NATURAL REPERCUSSIONS The Fastest Ever Recorded Hurricane: Patricia Source NOAA OO Fastest Hurricane Ever Tied To Climate Change - Takeaways: 2015's Hurricane Patricia (HP) winds peaked at 213 mph It got its energy like Hurricane Matthew From abnormally hot surface AND deeper waters. As global warming heats oceans, they're getting hotter, deeper. Hurricanes stir deep waters. Formerly, those cool waters would "cool off" the storm. Now, those hot waters are fueling hurricanes.* *HP peaked over fresher water (local river outflows) - heavier water that effectively prevented it from churning up even deeper, cooler water - but this was a minor effect. Advertisement OO Sandy's Surge Was Extreme. It Could Become Normal says recent research, showing that the risk posed by future storms like Sandy is only going to increase due to climate change. * * SPEAKING OUT Shut It Down, Baby! As these activists opted for direct action recently on an oil pipeline. Source Climate Direct Action via Reuters OO Activists Disrupt Key Canada-US Oil Pipelines Climate-change activists disrupted the flow of millions of barrels of crude in a rare, coordinated action targeting several key pipelines simultaneously. Related Headline: Arrested for Arresting Climate Changing Fuels these activists posed for the occasion: Emily Johnson, Annette Klapstein, Leonard Higgins, Ken Ward, and Michael Foster. Courtesy of Climate Direct Action OO Northwest Activists Arrested After Shutting Down Canada-To-US Oil Pipelines at five sites across the northern U.S. where pipelines deliver oil from Canada's oil sands to American refineries. Credit Wasserman at the Boston Globe Debate Journalists, Evening News Programs Have Failed Americans by not questioning candidates on the most important challenge to human survival in the 21st century, climate change, nor showing how Hurrican Matthew is linked to climate change. Journalists who cover such weather without noting this are equally at fault. Credit Wasserman at the Boston Globe Advertisement OO Debates Pitch Climate Change Shutout "most Americans haven't even noticed the absence of virtually any high-level campaign discussion of environmental issues, let alone what many have called the biggest challenge of the 21st century." Those journalists who remain silent on climate change are failing us, and the rest of humanity. More... OO Evening News Programs, USA Today Ignore Climate Change Context Of Hurricane Matthew even as they reported on Hillary Clinton and Al Gore explaining the role that climate change played in worsening the storm's damage. Fueling Our Planes With Rainforests? That's no answer to climate change. Credit Rettet den Regenwald at Rainforest Rescue. OO Aviation Deal To Cut Aircraft Emissions Won't, Says Rainforest Rescue - the deal depends on the International Civil Aviation Organization's proposed solution, "carbon-neutral growth", based on trade in CO2 offsets, the use of biofuel, and aircraft with greater fuel efficiency. The problem? CO2 offsets do not actually reduce emissions. Allowing airlines to only buy the "right" to pollute, this practice is doubted by experts to actually help. vast areas would have to be dedicated to plantations to produce the biofuel necessary to replace only a few percent of the 260 million tons of fossil fuel that the aviation industry burns annually. Source treesleeve at pinterest.com Palm oil is the most likely biofuel to be used; ever more carbon-storing rainforests are being destroyed to cultivate it, releasing vast amounts of climate changing gas into the air. Other proposed biofuel sources are algae, wood and organic waste, yet production methods on a suitable scale have not yet been developed. >> Better solutions? Avoid unnecessary air travel - and sign the petition to the ICAO to scrap their plan. Related Headline: OO Important Global Warming Pollutants Excluded From 'Historic' Aviation Pact aviation is also responsible for emissions like nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur oxide and soot -- climate change-inducing emissions the ICAO's market-based measure doesn't cover. Advertisement Source www.thegazette.com OO As Tensions Rise, Tribes Protesting Pipeline Dig In: "We're Staying." As dozens more protesters were arrested, Native Americans in North Dakota prepared for a long fight over the Dakota Access pipeline. OO Florida: Show Utilities You're Not Suckers - ballot item Amendent 1 is a power grab by FL utilities over cheap solar options, notes the author. * * FOSSIL FUEL FOLLIES After The Fire, Incurable Illnesses are surfacing in locals from the resulting pollution. Photo Source Wikipedia OO Deepwater Horizon Oil Disaster Extends Its Toxic Reach - Health experts believe it created a toxic mix that sickened thousands of locals with chemically induced illnesses that doctors are unable to treat. Another Beautiful Ecosystem Polluted by Oil spilled by a grounded barge. Credit Paul Nicklen OO Petroleum Disaster In The Great Bear Rainforest Part of the largest coastal temperate rainforest in the world. After a fuel barge crashed on rocks on October 13, it leaked nearly 60,000 gallons of diesel fuel into the sensitive marine ecosystem, and continues to leak. Advertisement OO Leading Fossil Fuel Companies Fail Climate Responsibility Test says a comprehensive study of the eight top producers - Exxon and coal firms ranked at the bottom. OO Study Finds About 100 Super Polluters Are Fouling The Air We Breathe The Bergen Generating Station is the largest producer of toxic air emissions in North Jersey -- and one of the state's top producers of greenhouse gases. href="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2016-10-26-1477458959-734008-methaneleakcartoonJan2015CreditTomTolesattheWashingtonPostccr318.jpg"> Prescient in 2015 Credit Tom Toles at the Washington Post OO Fossil Fuel Production Emits More Methane Than Previously Thought NOAA says. The exhaustive global study found emissions from oil, gas and coal sites are 20-60% higher than many earlier estimates. * * CLIMATE LEADERSHIP OO Hillary Clinton And Al Gore Reunite, Campaigning On Climate Change and used Gore's electoral history to convince Florida voters that every vote counts. Credit Rick Wilking at Reuters OO The Difference Between Trump And Clinton On Climate Is Really Quite Simple Climate change is one of the most important issues facing humanity for, oh, the next 10,000 years, but you never hear about it in the presidential debates. Moderators don't bother asking. So let's rehash the difference between Trump and Clinton on climate. Because it's really quite simple: Advertisement Clean Energy and CE Jobs are also goals of Hillary Clinton - but can she deliver without Congress? Hillary Clinton wants to: use various presidential regulatory levers to nudge down US greenhouse gas emissions; tighten fuel-efficiency standards for vehicles here; plug methane leaks from natural gas infrastructure there, and more. That is, everything she can do without Congress - and it's laughably inadequate. Credit Nate Beeler at the Columbus Dispatch, modified Trump's plan? He doesn't have one. OO Three Cheers For The Real Hero Of The Presidential Debate, Ken Bone who asked an important question about energy policy. One hour after the debate ended, there were 56,400 tweets about Ken Bone, compared to 21,500 about Justice Scalia. Moderators, are you listening? OO When It Come To Climate Leadership, Don't Forget The Children ELECTION YEAR: If You Don't Vote For Climate Action, You Can Forget The Rest - in a climate-changing world of famine, drought, rising seas, giant storms and heat waves, there will be no security in jobs, health, wealth, or national safety. There will be chaos ensuing from increasing crises and disasters. Vote. OO Global Warming Policies We Set Today Will Determine The Next 10,000 Years - of global warming, a new study shows -- and whether our civilization survives or not: history shows that harmful climate change has destroyed civilizations before. This time, it could be worldwide. Let's keep "The Hunger Games" in the realm of fiction. * * SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS, AND SAVE HUMANITY Worsening Weather Threatens Humanity Credit Shannon Dizmang at Flickr OO Solve Five Of The WorldS Biggest Environmental Problems, And Save Humanity and many other species, many of which we depend on for survival. The problems and solutions are: Air Pollution & Climate Change - Switch to clean renewable energy which is feasible; only political will is stopping us. Deforestation - Conserve the remaining and regrow more - but this requires strong governance in many poor nations where poverty and corruption drive forest loss. Species Extinction - collaboration on protecting and restoring habitats, as well as preventing illegal trade needs to develop internationally. This also means battling international conglomerates that profit from habitat-destroying activities. Advertisement An Ancient Way to Conserve Soil is still used in China and many countries: terracing. Source picture-alliance, ZUMAPRESS.com Soil Degradation - all nations need to adopt a broad array of soil conservation and restoration techniques that already exist. Overpopulation - Experience shows that giving women control over their reproduction works best, achieved through access to education and family planning resources. * * If we do not live sustainably, Our children will die inhumanely. @@ How Parents Can Help Prevent Teen Pregnancy Teen childbearing cost US taxpayers $9+ Billion in 2010 And the costs of raising a child usually ensures decades, if not a life, of poverty for its mother. - US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention WHAT YOU CAN DO Help prevent unintended pregnancies in your community: publicize where women can access affordable contraception. Advertisement They can go here to find locations: And there are many more actions you can do, right here. * * * SOLAR KEEPS SMILING OO How A US Company Is Tapping Into The State-By-State Community Solar Market - NRG Energy exploits each state's advantages. Community solar projects allow customers: to get a lot more power than from their rooftops; longterm savings on their energy bills; invest in truly clean, renewable energy development, key to slowing climate change. 24 states have community solar projects running; 20 states are starting to enact community solar projects; 5 states - NY, CA, MI, MA and CO - are major community solar players. OO $7 Million Raised To Cut The Costs Of US Residential Solar For Customers - lowering soft costs by providing every residential solar buyer with big data and competitive pricing. Check it out here, right now! * * * WHY WE SHOULD ACT NOW: RISING RISKS Daily Climate Change: Global Map of Unusual Temperatures, Oct 25, 2016 How unusual has the weather been? No one event is "caused" by climate change, but global warming, which is predicted to increase unusual, extreme weather, is having a daily effect on weather, worldwide. Looking above at recent temperature anomalies, much of the US and the waters surrounding it are experiencing warmer than normal temperatures: the eastern Pacific warm spot continues and so does the drought in California. Advertisement Much of the areas surrounding the North Pole are experiencing much warmer than normal temperatures - not good news for our Arctic thermal shield of ice. Hotter than usual temperatures continue to dominate human habitats. * * * There is, of course, much more news on the consequences and solutions to climate change. To get it, check out this annotated resource list I've compiled, "Climate Change News Resources," at Wordpress.com here. For more information on the science of climate change, its consequences and solutions you can view my annotated list of online information resources here. To help you understand just what science does and does NOT do, check this out! Few American companies know about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and even fewer know how to leverage the power of global partnerships to help both promote a sustainable planet while growing their bottom-line. Those in the know are becoming the biggest influencers and tapping into global growth opportunities faster than possibly imaginable. Leading the pack is Unilever (UL) and its CEO Paul Polman, a U.N. SDG sustainable ambassador. Unilever, a company that has been driving business growth through its well-known 'sustainable living brands' strategy, was among the early ones to leverage the power of collaboration and partnerships to improve its sustainability. Polman describes the company as a "place of purpose." Much of the company's 'purposeful' activity is performed in collaboration with organizations outside the company. Unilever continues to add new partners specializing in different areas of expertise. Just to pick three very recent examples, the company has partnered with a consultancy called 2degrees to achieve zero-waste in its supply chain; International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. to enhance the livelihoods of Haitian smallholder farmers; and the environmental charity Hubbub Foundation, and food waste specialist Wrap, to help cut food waste in the UK. Advertisement So what are the SDGs? At the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit on 25 September 2015, world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change and infrastructure issues by 2030. The last goal in the list of 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 refers to creating "Partnerships for Sustainable Development." This 17th goal is meant to help in the achievement of the other 16 goals. Therefore, a company committed to aligning its business strategy with the SDGs must recognize the value of this most essential 17th goal. For most companies with limited resources, the key to success would be to invest deeply in fewer partnerships and to focus on building strategic relationships and trust with them. Dan Henkle, Senior VP of Social Responsibility at Gap (GPS) says that there was a time when the company had 3,500 factories and thousands of vendors, but fewer partnerships. By consolidating its supplier base, the company has increased leverage and the ability to share knowledge and conduct more thorough monitoring. Starbucks contributes to economic development by hiring locally and sourcing local products. To this end, the company has partnered with YouthBuild USA, an NGO that helps low-income youth gain the skills they need for employment, and the Shultz Family Foundation, to create a career development program for at-risk youth. Advertisement Large companies often do not have the natural advantage of serving disparate communities that require a highly customized on-the-ground presence. Therefore, Barclays (BCS) partners with local NGOs with a better understanding of the needs of customers, including rural farmers, in its inclusive business activities. Essilor relies on a partner network to implement its inclusive business initiatives at scale. Greater awareness of vision-correction issues is essential to promoting Essilor's eye-care products to new demographics. Therefore, it works with NGOs and other organizations to raise awareness of access to eye-care as a key health issue. 1-800-PublicRelations is working with PVBLIC, #oneforall, UNCTAD and various UNDP departments and other SDG initiatives across the board to drive viability and media coverage to further public/private partnerships and accelerate the international go-to-market strategies of participating companies. These early-stage Fortune 500 adopters have created the stability for emerging growth companies to now enter the market, and the opportunities from medical to agriculture to consumer product companies and even development work on the ground have presented nearly limitless ways to engage and accomplish the sustainable development goals. Reference Sources: Forbes & UNDP To stay up to date on SDG opportunities for emerging growth businesses be sure to follow Matthew Bird and check back for weekly updates. Matthew Bird was appointed Director of Public Relations for UN SDG Media Zone during the 71st United Nations General Assembly in Sept 2016. Matthew Bird is also the Chief Executive Officer at 1-800-PublicRelations (1800pr) a leader in Public Relations, content marketing and advocate in for social business. Advertisement Luis de Guindos and Cristobal Montoro, economy and finance ministers. ULY MARTIN Following the prospect of a second term in office for acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, Brussels has called for the incoming government to approve a new budget as soon as possible. This budget should include cuts of some 5.5 billion, equivalent to 0.5% of GDP. Brussels missive comes as no surprise to the government of acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy The European Commission has told Spain, along with seven other EU members, that its 2017 budget doesnt meet the countrys commitments. In a letter sent on Tuesday, Brussels warned that next years deficit goals were not assured, adding: There are risks to the necessary and tough correction of the excessive deficit between now and 2018, by which time another 5.5 billion will need to be cut. EU member states sent their budget proposals to the Commission on October 15. This body has responded by once again including Spain among those it says are at risk of not meeting their objectives. The letter sent on Tuesday accepts that an interim government doesnt have full budgetary powers, but nevertheless urges Spain to come up with a new budget as soon as possible, which means before the end of the year. EU Economic and Financial Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici (l) chats with Spanish Economy Minister Luis de Guindos. ERIC VIDAL (REUTERS / Cordon Press) Brussels missive comes as no surprise to the government of acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who will almost certainly resume a second term in office this weekend. Spain was forced to roll over its 2016 budget plan instead of presenting a new one for 2017, putting it on course to overshoot a deficit target set by Brussels for next year. It is expected to come in at 3.6% of national output, missing the 3.1% deficit goal. The gap implies that savings worth 0.5% of GDP will be needed to get the deficit back on track, requiring an agreement between the new government and the opposition on cuts or reforms to improve waning tax and social security revenues. Last year, Brussels warned Spain of the serious risk that it wouldnt meet its commitments, prompting a defiant response from Spains Finance Minister, Cristobal Montero, who said: Spains economy is growing fastest and of course it will meet its commitments. In a letter sent on Tuesday, Brussels warned that next years deficit goals were not assured Economy Minister Luis de Guindos added: We always end up meeting our commitments. De Guindos has since had to apologize: he promised that the deficit for 2016 would be below 3%, a figure he now puts at around 4.6%, and which may rise. Successive failures to meet its deficit targets nearly saw Spain fined. The gradual shift towards less strict monetary policy began in 2015, although in public Brussels insists that rules are rules, even if nobody plays by them. The eurozone may not be in the midst of an increase in government spending, but neither is it in the grip of austerity either. Germany has approved tax reductions. Brussels looks the other way when France takes unilateral measures. Nobody is going to tell Italy what to do, and Spain is finally emerging from years of austerity: when Rajoy took his foot off the brake in the run up to the June elections, there were no consequences. But the Commissions letter is nevertheless a warning, and particularly to Spain, which after Greece, still has the highest unemployment and the largest deficit in the EU. English version by Nick Lyne. The Mormon Church came out yesterday with a new website www.mormonandgay.lds.org, which replaces the former website www.mormonsandgays.org, which many Mormons did not know how to find or did not believe was approved information. While the website is a step forward in some ways, including being easier to find and more obviously church-approved, there are good reasons that LGBT advocates are rolling their eyes at some parts of it. First of all, if you haven't seen the parent tip section on the site, https://mormonandgay.lds.org/articles/ten-tips-for-parents, you haven't seen one of the best resources ever for Mormon parents, many of who have grown up believing that if they did everything right they would never have to deal with their kids coming out. Some parents do great. Others don't do as well, even if they are loving, out of pure shock. Here are some of the best ideas: 1.Say "I love you." 2.Don't pray for an answer to "Why?" 3.Your child is a precious soul. 4.It's never too late to say "I'm sorry" if you blurted out the wrong thing. Advertisement The header on the website is "God Loves His Children," which is great. There are also videos on the website of Mormons who are gay. Using the word "gay" is in itself an enormous step forward, in my opinion. However, there is a tendency to revert to the "same-sex attraction" phrase, which is code for an attitude of pathology, no matter how often the church insists that's not the case. The website stories insist that we don't know why some people are born with same-sex attraction. This is an improvement over stories that insisted it was caused by masturbation or by child sex abuse, equating homosexuality with sexual perversion. It's also an improvement over the insistence that God would never cause someone to be born this way, therefore it has to be a choice. It's also problematic, in my opinion, that there is still a tendency to push gay Mormons into mixed orientation marriages, while insisting that that isn't what they're doing. Since this is the only institutionally approved way of having a temple-sealed family and therefore of being part of Mormon heaven, it seems a bit disingenuous. Finally, there is a pervasive sense of sorrow over people who are LGBT. While we're being told that God loves "even gay people," as if that is someone more difficult than loving heterosexual people. Advertisement Along with the new website, there is an attached essay titled "Same-Sex Attraction" that is part of the series of "Gospel Topics" essays being added to periodically on the church website. Some thoughts on this essay, which has many of the similar good/bad moments as the new website. While it's great that the essay says "identifying as gay is not a sin" and that members who identify as such are still worthy to hold temple recommends and be called to serve in the ward, the section on "sexual purity" return to the theme of sin. Only heterosexual married sex is pure, while homosexual sex (including holding hands, kissing, etc) is "immoral" and "sinful and will "get in the way of our eternal progress." The teen suicide rate in Utah is among the highest in the nation, and while no one factor can be pointed to as the cause of this, the attitude toward the LGBT community may be a significant factor. While Mormons often congratulate themselves on being kind and tolerant to all, and even in showing love to their gay friends and family members, I think that more Mormons need to give some thought to the reality of being gay and Mormon. What is the place of gay Mormons in heaven? Before you answer that they will be there with everyone else, consider the terms of this placement. If no one who continues to identify as gay is in heaven because they have been "healed," what message does this send to gay members of our community? President of Log Cabin Republicans Gregory Angelo at Quicken Loans Arena on July 21, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images for SiriusXM) The Log Cabin Republicans (LCR), the gay GOP group that for almost a year had claimed Donald Trump was the most "pro-LGBT" Republican presidential candidate ever, has now decided that Trump is in fact a danger to the rights of queer people -- so much so that the group can't endorse him. This decision, and its timing, exposes how completely soulless and deceptive the group is, lacking backbone while engaging in rank hypocrisy. The non-endorsement is stunning since the group endorsed both Mitt Romney in 2012 and John McCain in 2008, both of whom its spokespeople had described as more opposed to LGBT rights than Trump. And those endorsements came (as all LCR decisions on presidential endorsements) on the weekend of the Republican National Convention (RNC), meant to help get attention and help elect the candidates heading into the general election campaign. Advertisement But by telegraphing that LCR was likely backing Trump, saying over and over for more than a year that he was so "pro-LGBT" -- including in an interview with me at the RNC -- only to decline to officially endorse him two weeks before the election, Log Cabin's leader, Gregory T. Angelo, still helped Trump throughout the election. The non-endorsement at this point in time has minimal negative impact on the sinking Trump. It comes when Trump looks like he'll lose the election, so it's a cowardly action -- far from standing up to a bigot who has a strong shot to win and declaring the group will do what it can to stop him from becoming president. Far from it, LCR, in its statement discussing the group's declining to endorse Trump, in fact notes it "welcomes the opportunity to work with" Trump should he still win, and said that it will still help to elect Republican to Congress -- to the same Republican-controlled Congress that has blocked LGBT rights throughout the Obama years. "Mr. Trump is perhaps the most pro-LGBT presidential nominee in the history of the Republican Party," LCR still claimed in explaining the vote of its board members not to endorse Trump. But, the statement went on, "Rhetoric alone regarding LGBT issues does not equate to doctrine." This is of course preposterous. If Trump is the "most pro-LGBT" nominee, after all, why not endorse him, especially if you had endorsed candidates you're admitting were less "pro-LGBT" and whose "doctrine" you believe was far worse? What Log Cabin really meant to say is that Trump attempted to seem as if he was the most pro-LGBT, while, in his stated positions, he in fact is as anti-LGBT as every other GOP presidential candidate. Trump has consistently opposed marriage equality since 2001, and has promised to appoint justices to the Supreme Court who will overturn the historic Obergefell decision. Trump several times, including recently, said he would support the First Amendment Defense Act, a bill in Congress introduced by anti-LGBT members and which would allow discrimination against LGBT people. Advertisement But that positive "rhetoric" LCR points to even had The New York Times sucked in initially, when the paper published a piece back in April that declared in a headline that Trump had "more accepting views on gay issues." The bizarre piece by political reporter Maggie Haberman pointed to Trump having congratulated Elton John on his civil union 11 years ago and having "nuzzled" Rudy Giliani while the latter was in drag as proof that Trump was more pro-gay than other candidates. The only LGBT group quoted in the piece, backing Haberman's assertion, was LCR. While Haberman's assertion was completely in opposition to the views of much larger, mainstream LGBT groups like the Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD and The Task Force (not quoted in her article), and while the piece was criticized by LGBT commentators -- including, strongly, by me -- Haberman's piece, and others by the Times' Jeremy Peters and other Times reporters, set a narrative in much of the media that Trump was supportive of LGBT rights. When Trump stated at the GOP convention that "LGBTQ" people should be protected from a "hateful foreign ideology," that statement was used further by many in the media to support the belief that he was "more accepting" of LGBT rights. But reporters didn't offer the context of Trump having publicly made promises to domestic enemies of LGBT people to help them to continue to discriminate against LGBT people based on their own religious bigotry. So, again, if Trump is so "accepting" of LGBT rights, why is even the gay Republican group not endorsing him now? The Times (and the rest of the media that followed it) looks foolish, another among some examples of bad election coverage by the paper (amid some very good coverage) that we'll be talking about for some time to come. Peters, for one, tried to clean up the previous sloppy reporting in his report on LCR's non-endorsement this week: Mr. Trump has gone further than any Republican nominee in publicly declaring his personal view on the issue -- at the Republican National Convention he announced his belief that "L.G.B.T.Q. citizens" should be protected from persecution. But he has also pledged to name Supreme Court justices who would overturn the decision legalizing same-sex marriage, embraced activists from the religious right who want to reverse many of the more recent legal protections put in place and did little as social conservatives pushed through a party platform that is deeply disapproving of gay and lesbian families. That statement included, finally, two weeks before the election, the strongest assertion we've seen in the Times' reporting -- its own admission -- that Trump is, in his positions, anti-LGBT. But Peters, by claiming Trump declared LGBT people should be protected from "persecution," obscured the fact that Trump never stated he was against domestic "persecution" of LGBT people by groups like the Family Research Council -- categorized as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center -- whose endorsement Trump accepted and to whom he made promises to uphold "religious liberty," which is code for opposing LGBT rights. Trump's only offer of protection was against a "foreign ideology" -- he never used the word "persecution" -- as he attempted to pit LGBT people against Muslims after he'd called for a ban on Muslims coming into the U.S. and after the Orlando massacre at the LGBT nightclub Pulse. Even if Trump actually were "pro-LGBT," LCR should have opposed Trump based solely on his racist attacks on immigrants (who include LGBT people), and Muslims (who include LGBT people), and for his misogynistic attacks on women (who comprise more than half the LGBT population, just as in the general population.) The group should have been opposed to Trump for his attacks on other marginalized groups -- and for his promotion of sexual assault in a leaked tape, followed by accusation after accusation by women over the past month. By Kelsey Sheehy NerdWallet Before a chance meeting in 2013 with Accion, a nonprofit microlender, Kris Schoenberger pulled in $20,000 to $30,000 annually through his mobile catering company, BBQ'd Productions. Catering was his side gig at the time. A little more than a year later, Schoenberger's business in Third Lake, Illinois, north of Chicago, had grown to include a full-service restaurant. His revenue from July 2014 to July 2015, the first year of business for the restaurant, soared to $2 million. Schoenberger gives a lot of the credit to Accion, which lent him about $7,500 to help upgrade his catering operation from a grill in the back of his truck to a fully equipped catering trailer. He says an Accion loan officer helped him save nearly $6,000 on the trailer. Advertisement 'They also teach you' "Not only do they give you the money," Schoenberger says, "they also teach you how to make the most out of that money. I would not be where I'm at today if it weren't for them. Any time I have a problem or question, I can always call them." This type of financial and business education is central to the mission of most nonprofit microlenders. Rather than lending money and leaving borrowers to fend for themselves, microlenders provide counseling and mentoring to help entrepreneurs succeed. Nonprofit microfinance organizations also help people in underprivileged and underrepresented communities access the capital they need to start businesses, buy homes or build credit, often when they can't get financing through a traditional bank. In recent years, microlenders have become more visible as traditional lenders, such as banks, pulled back on small-business lending during and after the recession. Microlending has been growing in the U.S., according to the latest information from the Aspen Institute, whose FIELD program collects data on microlenders across the country. Total microloans disbursed in the U.S. jumped to $209 million in 2014, up 47% from $142 million the previous year. The total number of microloans rose to 56,351, a gain of 49% from 37,927. Advertisement Germaine Seufert took out an $18,000 loan from Accion, after being declined by a bank, to buy a bus to help expand her organization's summer camp. Seufert is the director of Consultants for Children, a Colorado company that provides in-home and small-group services for children with autism and other developmental disabilities. Before approving the loan, Accion made a site visit, called business references and looked over the organization's books. The whole process took about four weeks, Seufert says. When she went to Accion to refinance the loan to buy a second bus, the process went much more quickly. 'They immediately approved' "It took more time for me to pick out the vehicle," she says. "But once we had the appraisal done, they immediately approved the loan." Founded in 1961, the global nonprofit Accion helps millions of people in more than 20 countries secure financing. Among those countries: the United States. The organization offers microloans and general small-business loans in the U.S. in amounts ranging from $200 to $750,000. Accion offers loans to help businesses in specific industries -- including child care, food and beverage, spa and salon -- as well as those that are in the nonprofit sector or aiming to go green. Accion's lending activity in the U.S. is committed to helping underserved entrepreneurs, including women, veterans, people with disabilities, Native Americans and other minority business owners. Advertisement Many nonprofit lenders are local, serving specific regions or communities. California-based Opportunity Fund is one. The microlender has been serving residents of the state since 1994, with more than $100 million in microloans. Laura Hanson, a co-owner of Watershed Nursery in Point Richmond, California, was one of those people. In 2008, Hanson borrowed $10,000 from Opportunity Fund to expand the nursery, which she and her co-owner started in the backyard. 'They were there to help' "They were offering better rates. It felt more attractive and straightforward and helpful," Hanson says. "We had a person who was on our account who was accessible and answered questions. I felt like they were there to help us." In addition to microloans to small businesses, Opportunity Fund also promotes microsavings. This program matches every dollar saved by low-income clients with $1 from Opportunity Fund and $1 from donors. Opportunity Fund doesn't simply give money, though. The organization provides basic financial literacy education to clients to help them learn to budget, save and spend wisely. Kelsey Sheehy is a staff writer at NerdWallet, a personal finance website. Email: ksheehy@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @KelseyLSheehy. Advertisement AKRON, OH - AUGUST 22: Supporters hold up signs during a campaign rally of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump at the James A. Rhodes Arena on August 22, 2016 in Akron, Ohio. Trump currently trails Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in Ohio, a state which is critical to his election bid. (Photo by Angelo Merendino/Getty Images) Barring an unprecedented collapse at the finish line, Hillary Clinton is about to make history as the next President of the United States. Democrats are a better-than-even bet to take the Senate and have a small outside shot at the heavily-gerrymandered House. Even deep-red states like Arizona and Utah are in play. After this wretched 18-month root canal of a campaign, during which the terms of our national civic dialogue were set mainly by Donald Trump's toxic Twitter feed, there is a certain grim satisfaction in watching the GOP dramatically implode. Never has a party more richly earned and deserved defeat, and Democrats can be forgiven a little gleeful anticipation in the home stretch. Advertisement But we are wrong to take pleasure or solace in the Republican collapse, because the GOP's grave illness will continue posing a frightening risk to American institutions long after November 8th. When one of America's two major political parties rejects the norms of liberal democracy, then liberal democracy itself is threatened. The origins of the GOP's illness are no mystery. For two generations, the Republican elite treated their alt-right, White Nationalist supporters like a restive racehorse to be ridden to victory and then sent to munch on oats in the stable between elections. Meanwhile, the jockey enjoyed cocktails in the clubhouse. If you spend years stoking racial populism to scare up votes, while simultaneously pursuing high-end tax cuts, free trade agreements, and entitlement reductions, don't be surprised when your political coalition turns angry and unstable. Trump has been a catalyzing agent. Upending this whole cynical game in spectacular fashion, he exposed the agenda of the Republican elite as completely lacking mass support and exposed the Republican elites themselves as outnumbered by (and politically non-competitive without) their White Nationalist base. Indeed, more than just exposing, Trump has inverted the relationship. The horse has become the rider. This fully explains the neutered paralysis of top GOP officeholders, who privately acknowledge that Trump is an unqualified monster, yet cannot disengage from him. By openly presenting to the world a face that repels a whole lot of people in the political middle, Republicans squandered their chance to win the presidency this year, and they will remain a debilitated party going forward. But here's what's important: they are not fatally debilitated. Advertisement In a two-party political system like ours, a major party nominee is never out of contention. That's the unmistakable lesson of this election, in which strong partisan loyalty has kept things close for the most flagrantly unfit candidate in history. Moreover, nearly every presidential election comes down to a contest of "Change" vs. "More-of-the-Same," meaning that the party of "Change," even if hobbled, is always just a single bad recession or a single lurid scandal away from victory. If the present contest were unfolding in the midst of a deep economic downturn, or if President Obama's approval rating were in the 30s instead of the 50s, it seems likely that Trump would be leading. Finally, in future elections, it is entirely possible that the alt-right, White Nationalist plurality within the Republican Party will find a more appealing delivery vehicle for its views: a strong-fisted champion of the Fortress America entho-state, but without any of the unpleasant groping and grifting of You-Know-Who. So don't believe for a second that this new incarnation of the GOP can't win a national election. It can win, and given enough time and enough rolls of the historical/economic dice, it eventually will win. This makes the Republican Party, in its current injured, squalid form, the most dangerous political organization on Earth -- not, to be clear, because it somehow rivals ISIS, or Hamas, or the North Korean regime, or other such murderous entities in the malevolence of its intent; rather, because its sheer proximity to power gives it vastly greater capacity to inflict harm. No other group on the planet is a single election away from controlling the world's largest economy, strongest military, and loudest megaphone. No other group could plausibly usher in a dark age on a global scale. Advertisement Prior Republican leaders may have advocated and implemented lousy and cruel public policy, but at least they believed in the fundamental norms of democratic governance, frowned upon overt racism and misogyny, and proved capable of peacefully, even graciously, transferring power. It was all crudely comforting, because as long as the White Nationalists never had any chance of directly calling the shots - as long as the horse and rider maintained their positions - there wasn't any real threat to the essential fabric of America's institutions. That's over. And now for however long one of our major parties is dominated by White Nationalism, every Presidential election will be an existential crisis for democracy. It will be 2016, over and over and over again. Diagnosis is often easier than treatment, and there's no obvious cure for this patient. It is wishful thinking to believe that Trump is a one-off who won his nomination primarily because of a fractured field. Combine the dwindling band of Republican main street moderates, national security realists, and boardroom free marketeers, and they still don't add up to a viable, competitive party - not without the alt-right. They can't put enough troops in the field; there's not a big enough traditional-right and center-right constituency in America. That's why the Republican political calculus depended on alt-right, White Nationalist support in the first place. But those who care about the health and endurance of American democracy, including Democrats with a partisan interest in weak opposition, should still earnestly pray for the success of capable, sane GOP leadership. The GOP needs to be healed. To a degree that may be galling for the triumphant Democrats and unprecedented in our history, it is the losing party that holds the future in its hands. The fate of the Republic and the fate of the Republicans have become one and the same. Advertisement The world is so preoccupied with its daily race forward, that it seems not to notice the worst human crisis in decades: the Syrian city of Aleppo is dying with its remaining, besieged inhabitants. Bombed Aleppo. Photo: Wikipedia/Voice of AmericaThe leaders of European Union nations condemn the attacks and their perpetrators, especially Russia, who, supporting the forces of the Syrian regime of Bashar el-Assad, has been bombing the city for several weeks. Every week international humanitarian organizations appeal to perpetrators of attacks to stop. They call for the immediate and absolute cessation of hostilities. The Secretary-General of Caritas Internationalis, Michel Roy, sent an official note informing about the tragedy of the Syrian residents of the city. He emphasizes that "more than 275 thousand people every day are bombed in the eastern part of the city, and more than 100 thousand children are trapped in the zone under the control of rebels." This week the attacks are intensifying. Listening to dreadful news on the radio, I am saddened by realization, that these numbers and news don't really matter that much to most of us in the western world. They are mere repetitions of news heard before, dry numbers. However, if we stop to think about it for a while, maybe we can change the world. If we imagine a hospital with no basic medical equipment, staff and space for treating the wounded, maybe we can become more caring. Advertisement When I watched TV images of the city that resemble images of Warsaw in 1944, shortly after the uprising, I thought of history and how it repeats itself. Just as then so today the world is watching and waiting. Only for what? The old town in Warsaw during the uprising of 1944. Photo: Ewa Faryaszewska, Wikipedia, CCPeople of Aleppo living in basements and the ruins try to save the remnants of normalcy. They try to send children to school, resume some duties... Unfortunately, after a brief "humanitarian ceasefire", during which illegal armed groups controlling the eastern part of Aleppo opened fire on civilians trying to leave the city, Russian and Syrian government forces resumed bombardment. During the three-day truce, despite cessation of fighting, residents did not dare to leave the besieged city; nor has there been the evacuation of the wounded and sick from the districts infested by rebels. It's been nearly four years since the Newtown Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting: 26 dead, 20 at age 6, and the memory is still green. Documentarians Kim A. Snyder and Maria Cuomo Cole went to Newtown, Ct. shortly after the event, and spoke to family, friends, and survivors to get a picture of how a community grieves. Their film Newtown barely mentions the shooter, a young man of no particular politics who was armed with an assault rifle that he took from his mother's house after killing her. Newtown focuses on the community, detailing the aftermath for three families; we take in this tragedy's particularity: Newtown stands out from other horrendous shootings that followed. This could be our town, our school, children we know and love. As one bereaved father asks, what did we do wrong that morning sending our children off? Nothing. The children were where they should be, safe at school. At a luncheon at Le Cirque with John Slattery, Christine Ebersole, Delia Ephron, Mary Stuart Masterson, Donna Dees, who sparked the Million Mom March for tighter gun control in 2000, and many others in attendance, Roseanne Scotto led a Q&A with the filmmakers, and one brave father, Mark Barden, a prominent voice from the film who still sees his son Daniel's place at the breakfast table. Yes, the parents are vocal, trying to get the simple legislation for background checks for guns. 90% of Americans want that, and still on the national level the proposed action is overturned, although Connecticut has paid attention. While making the film, Maria Cuomo Cole dealt with her father, Mario Cuomo, who was not well. He urged her to work on this project: "It's important." Advertisement Rather than focus on the politics, Newtown shows the ripples such a cataclysmic event can produce over time. "It doesn't get easier," says Mark Barden. He tells the filmmakers about a recurring dream, that the event happened and Daniel didn't die. Eschewing all fears, he skydives. In some serendipitous way, "the world's best skydiving photographer shot the sequence," said Snyder, and they added Mark's dream in a voiceover. "We wanted to honor the fact that there is no closure." Less than twelve months have passed since U.N. Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change, Mike Bloomberg and I welcomed 1,000 mayors at Paris City Hall, at the height of the COP21 Climate negotiations. The progress made in those months to tackle the global threat of climate change has been amazing to watch. The collective voice of cities was essential in showing the way to national leaders to deliver the bold Paris Agreement on climate change. Having waited 20 years for such a global commitment to tackle climate change, it is inspiring to see that it will come into force less than a year after it was agreed. This is a genuinely ambitious agreement that offers the best possible hope of averting climate change. Just as they were key to securing the Paris Agreement, cities will be central to the efforts to deliver it. For more than a decade, mayors have been providing global leadership on climate change through common platforms and networks for declaring commitments and joining action like the C40 and the Global Covenant of Mayors. This year I was honoured to be elected chair of C40 and you can count on me to put everything in my power to deliver this key agreement to our future. We know that cities are responsible for more than 70% of global emissions. By 2050, more than two thirds of the world population will live in cities. C40, represents 86 of the world's greatest cities such as London, New York, Tokyo, Mexico and Beijing, and more than 650 million citizens, is the right network to lead the effort to tackle climate change. C40 cities have already taken more than 10,000 actions since 2009 and by continuing on a low carbon path, can avoid locking in 45 GtCO2 by 2030. That is equivalent to the annual emissions of the United Kingdom! Advertisement From flooding to heatwaves, mayors are responding to the effects of climate change every day. This is why mayors are such crucial leaders. As mayors, we understand what actions need to be taken to deliver a sustainable, equitable and healthy future for our citizens. In Paris, we are banning the most polluting cars from the city and pedestrianised the banks of the river Seine as part of our bold plans to tackle air pollution. Paris is building on its world famous cycle hire scheme to further creating a city that prioritises sustainable transports. Let's also consider something instrumental: [cities are uniquely adept at sharing ideas and data that works, which is at the heart of the success of the C40 network.] Since Paris introduced the Velib cycle hire scheme, 43 C40 cities have now launched cycle hire programmes! But cities cannot tackle climate change alone. Several barriers to effective action are highly relevant to the interaction of cities with the media and the private sector, including the challenge of securing investment for sustainable projects and the challenge of communicating their benefits to our citizens. Paris is proud to be amongst the most welcoming cities in the world for start-ups and innovation and we recognise the pivotal role that organisations have to play in helping us secure a sustainable future. Chinese cities such as Wuhan and Nanjing have some of the largest electric bus fleets anywhere in the world. I am determined to share our lessons with cities across the C40 as well as learn from others. Advertisement The financial media and the private sector have a crucial role to play in holding national governments and international financial organisations to account for their assurances to empower city authorities. Cities, particularly in the global south, often struggle to secure financial investment for sustainable infrastructure that is crucial in securing low carbon development. C40 recently launched a call to finance urban projects, calling for six urgent reforms that if implemented would help create a sustainable future for millions of citizens. These include reforms to development banks and direct access for cities to international climate funds. The media also has a key role to play in reframing climate change as an issue that affects every aspect of life in cities. It is increasingly clear that action on climate change is also directly linked to social equity, public health and economic growth. The most successful cities of the future will be those that transition first to low carbon development. And those stories have not yet been properly told. Part I Puppet Masters of Media Propaganda In this day and age of vast amounts of news and media that bombard and compete for public attention fewer and fewer are able to discriminate fact from fiction. Shocking tabloid headlines, once reserved for amusement at grocery store line checkout, are now used by the mainstream press to bait the hook to get the consumer to bite and read/watch more. Journalists and reporters, if you can now call them such, are woefully compromised in the bias they take in propagandizing issues that ultimately serve the agenda of the media giants and hidden elite (owners of these media conglomerates) for whom they work and shape the perceptional lens of the masses. Is there a intentional agenda behind all this and if so, whose masterminding it and for what purpose? The answer, I believe, is YES. One of the greatest known masterminds of media propaganda and tactical distraction was Dr. Edward L. Bernays. He is considered the founding Father of Public Relations and was also the nephew of famed psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. Some twenty-five years ago I spent an afternoon with Dr. Bernays picking his brain on the subject of PR strategies to promote humanitarian concerts I envisioned could promote world peace. Advertisement In his late 90's at the time, he was kind and considerate with me as he served coffee and crumb cakes and showed photos of himself with Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and numerous US Presidents of this era that he had worked with. Over the course of the next 25 years I would experience great pushback from various power structures in achieving my goals towards peace. I went to great lengths to educate myself about why this could be occurring and ultimately learned of the real power and philosophies that drove the manipulative skills use of Bernay's. Edward's agenda of herding society in specific directions, on behalf of those who envisioned a new world order, is apparent in his quote: "We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of... If we understand the mechanism and motives of the group mind, it is now possible to control and regiment the masses according to our will without them knowing it... ...The conscious and intellectual manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country." Advertisement Towards bringing a spotlight to the elite few who orchestrate the monstrous intent of mind-controlling society, consider this excerpt from a speech from John F. Kennedy before the American Newspaper Publishers Association on April 27, 1961 (some two years before his assassination) : "We are opposed around the world by a monolithic and ruthless conspiracy that relies on covert means for expanding its sphere of influence ---on infiltration instead of invasion, on subversion instead of election, on guerrillas by night instead of armies by day. It is a system that has conscripted vast human and material resources into the building of a tightly knit, highly efficient machine that combines military, diplomatic, intelligence, economic, scientific and political operations... Its preparations are concealed, not published. Its mistakes are buried, not headlined. Its dissenters are silenced, not praised. No expenditure is questioned, nor rumor printed, no secret revealed. It conducts the Cold War, in short, with a war -time discipline no democracy would ever hope or wish to match... ...That is why the Athenian lawmaker Solon decreed it a crime for any citizen to shrink from controversy. And that is why our press was protected by the First Amendment -the only business in America specifically protected by the Constitution --- not primarily to AMUZE and ENTERTAIN not to emphasize the Trivial and the sentimental, not to simply "give the public what it wants" -but to inform, to arouse, to reflect, to state our dangers and our opportunities, to indicate our crises and our choices, to lead, mold, educate and sometime even anger public opinion." In order to place the agenda and motive of mind-controlling society through the modern media machine lets consider a few historic quotes that point to people behind such actions. Advertisement "All Wars are fought for money" - Socrates (469 BC) "When one with honeyed words but evil mind persuades the mob, great woes befall the state." -- Euripides (406 BC) from his play "Orestes" The means of defense against foreign danger have been always the instruments of tyranny at home. Among the Romans it was a standing maxim to excite a war, whenever a revolt was apprehended. Throughout all Europe, the armies kept up under the pretext of defending, have enslaved the people." James Madison "Experience has shown, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny." -- Thomas Jefferson "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty or safety." - Benjamin Franklin "In every age it has been the tyrant, the oppressor and the exploiter who has wrapped himself in the cloak of patriotism, or religion, or both to deceive and overawe the People." -- Eugene Victor Debs, Voices of a People's History of the United States Advertisement "For PEOPLE to rule themselves in a REPUBLIC, they must have virtue; for a TYRANT to rule in a TYRANNY, he must use FEAR."-- William J. Federer "Those who are capable of tyranny are capable of perjury to sustain it." -- Lysander Spooner" "A democracy which makes or even effectively prepares for modern, scientific war must necessarily cease to be democratic. No country can be really well prepared for modern war unless it is governed by a tyrant, at the head of a highly trained and perfectly obedient bureaucracy." -- Aldous Huxley, Oxford graduate, English writer, novelist and philosopher. Do you want to get into the monster spirit of Halloween, but you just can't cope with wrangling a costume? Don't despair! Why not bring out your bad self? After all, Halloween is a night where all hell breaks loose and witches celebrate their dark rituals - so why not join in the fun and tell off all the people that irritate you most! Most of the time we walk around politely, trying to maintain a peaceful aura, while deep inside we are longing to spit out how we feel. But All Hallows' Eve is our night to reveal our inner witch. Haven't you quietly craved to tell your bestie she's annoying the crap out of you by constantly talking about her boyfriend? Or have you been dying to tell your work colleague that he's neurotic and you're sick of it? If so, go for it! Tell everyone what you think; after all, it can't be any weirder than dressing up as Cruella Deville. Telling your own truth, with black kohl eyes and bloody lips, is a gothic kind of sexy. And as you exorcize your toxic thoughts by expressing them out loud, you'll find yourself roaming with the rest of the ghouls. I suggest you speak your foul thoughts with blackened teeth and a huge smile. And as you climb onto your broomstick (for a quick get-away) it doesn't hurt to offer them a goodie-bag of spider nest cookies. Most folk would rather succumb to your dark joke than look humorless; nobody wants to show a bad spirit of play on Halloween. Advertisement In all seriousness, we do hold onto strong and sometimes nasty thoughts about others. And until it's expressed, they will never know the truth about how we see them, just like we'll never know the truth about how someone else sees us. I recommend you take this moment to express yourself, even just half-heartedly. How many times have you spoken about your friends behind their backs? Or held a secret grievance against them? Well, this is your chance to air your feelings, without the ramifications of a back fire. Take a leap of boldness and let your inner witch do the talking. Judy Gold once said, "Halloween is an opportunity to be creative." But it also provides us an opportunity to be a tad naughty! What's the worst thing that can happen? While the dead of the earth roam free, you can have a blast being bad. How bad is up to you, as long as you remember it's all tongue-in-cheek. And at the end of the night, you can pour yourself a nice Jekyll and Hyde and celebrate with ghoulish confidence. "I love horror. I love 'The Shining,' 'Friday the 13th,' 'Halloween,' all those kinds of things. I love zombies, especially '28 Days Later' and '28 Weeks Later,' where the zombies are going faster than the George Romero ones. I love being scared; there's something that's awesome about your heart rate going up like that." -- Ricky Schroder * * * * * Suzannah's work is about giving individuals (like you!) dynamic insight into what agonizes them most and offering breakthrough solutions. She offers instant, real-time solutions to what troubles her clients -- all delivered with a large shot of compassion. Schedule an Appointment Today. Members of Hindu Sena, a right wing Hindu group, celebrate Donald Trump's birthday June 14, 2016. Cathal McNaughton/Reuters One strange US election fact is becoming clear: Donald Trump has become the favoured presidential candidate of some American Hindus. How and why are more complex questions. In June, I wrote about a small gathering of the Hindu Sena (Hindu Army) in Delhi performing a havan puja (religious offering) to Donald Trump. The erstwhile relatively unknown group attracted widespread media attention with its highly vocalised support of the Republican presidential candidate, in particular emphasising Trump's views on combating "Islamic terrorism". Advertisement While the Hindu Sena remains a fringe phenomenon within India, I pointed then to the growing influence of Hindus for Trump, a small movement based in the US. The emergence of Trump support among some Hindus makes sense. As the newest "model minority", Indian Americans enjoy high socioeconomic status. This was originally due to a specific US immigration policy that encouraged highly skilled labour from India. And although roughly half of Indian Americans are Hindus who mostly lean towards the Democratic Party, there are prominent members of the diaspora, particularly in the US and UK, who are strong proponents of key issues on Trump's platform. At the Republican Hindu Coalition event in New Jersey, the "Humanity United Against Terror Charity Event" featured a "family fun" programme with Bollywood performances and keynote speaker Donald Trump. Arriving on stage, the Republican presidential candidate proceeded to symbolically light a diya (oil lamp traditionally found in Hindu temples) before taking the podium. Advertisement Entrepreneurial success At the event, Trump stressed entrepreneurial success, both in India and among American Hindus. The candidate described how "[Hindu] values of hard work, education, and enterprise" have contributed to US society. Trump also promoted core Republican principles of lower taxes, especially for small businesses, in order to benefit middle-class families. Hindus constitute one of the most educated demographics and hold one of the highest average household incomes in the US. And Trump's appeal to neoliberal conservative values strongly resonates with this demographic. More significantly, he referred to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's economic schemes as a model for the US, prompting much applause. Launched in 2014, Modi's "Make In India" initiative spurs job creation by encouraging foreign direct investment. It eliminates tax regulations and bureaucratic red tape in order to create more business-friendly sectors, particularly in manufacturing and production. Its aim is to cultivate India as a 21st-century economic powerhouse. For many American Hindus, Trump's vision to "Make America Great Again" relies on similarly favourable neoliberal policies. By projecting the myth of the American Dream, Trump attracts an audience beyond his core voters by embodying American capitalist ideals. Advertisement Illegal immigration and the wall Trump also received applause for his call to build a wall on the US-Mexico border, which echoes similar proposals by right-wing Hindu nationalists to build a wall along the India-Bangladesh border. Described as India's "Mexican problem", the arrival of low-wage Bangladeshi migrant labourers to Indian cities is often portrayed in terms of illegal immigrants threatening local (that is, Hindu) jobs, despite much larger migratory flows from Bangladesh to the Arab Gulf states and Southeast Asia. In the United States, Hindu migrants add labour market value in specific industries (engineering, IT, medicine) that require highly educated and skilled workers. Indian-American Republican politician and endorser of Trump, Bobby Jindal, best exemplifies these views with his message that "immigration without assimilation is invasion", and likewise strongly advocates for a wall to be built on the US-Mexico border. Fighting 'radical Islamic terrorism' Trump praises India's role in fighting "radical Islamic terrorism". Although discourse of Islamist extremism in the West centres on the Islamic State and jihadism, in his speech to American Hindus, in his speech, Trump praised India's foreign policy relations with Pakistan. Advertisement By doing so, Trump strikes at the heart of the Hindu nationalist narrative: anti-Muslim anxiety, where Islam is viewed as a foreign threat to Indian security. Since partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, Muslims have constituted 14% of India's total population (approximately 172 million people), and represent the country's second largest religion. Yet, their minority status has been continuously undermined by Hindu nationalists as "anti-national", ultimately reinforcing the idea that India is a Hindu nation and Pakistan a Muslim one. The aforementioned Bangladeshi migrant workers are also stigmatised for promoting Islamist activities. Stories of such "radicalised" migrants have prompted reactionary responses to increase border security with the Muslim majority nation. Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Anti-Muslim prejudice on the subcontinent towards Pakistanis and Bangladeshis has carried over in the form of Islamophobic views in post-9/11 America. Although the younger generation of American Hindus are challenging this divide and attempting to build solidarity across all forms of racial and religious discrimination, there is a sizeable cohort that continues to hold negative stereotypes. Advertisement Anti-establishment wave and corruption Lastly, Trump calls out on "crooked Hillary" with her links to the "politically correct" establishment. A recent anti-establishment wave has been well documented in global politics, but there is something distinctly familiar about Trump's platform that resonates with Hindu supporters. By describing Modi as a role model "who has been very energetic in reforming India's bureaucracy", Trump signals his appreciation of the Indian prime minister's initiative to root out corruption. Modi's 2014 campaign was an overwhelming success due largely to his cultivated persona as an anti-establishment figure. The son of a chai wallah (tea seller), Modi is an inspiration that outsiders can affect change. Prior to his assuming office, the incumbent National Congress Party had dominated India's political landscape since independence. Many of the electorate desired a fresh perspective that came with the charismatic Modi. At the RHC event, a poster surfaced that showed Hillary Clinton, with devil horns, as being in cahoots with Congress leader Sonia Gandhi to eliminate Modi in a "witch hunt". Advertisement There's a clear linkage of the conspiracy theories regarding political elites and establishment connections. Social media sites have largely propelled these constructed fallacies, reaffirming narrow-minded worldviews. Hindutva Hindus for Trump best exemplifies how Hindutva ("Hindu-ness") operates as an ideological phenomenon that affects the Indian diaspora. Adopted by Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party as its official ideology, Hindutva provides the theoretical grounding for Hindu nationalist projects both in India and abroad. The Hindutva movement within the diaspora contributes key financial support to affiliate organisations in India. What the current US election cycle displays is a development in American Hindu identity that centres on distinct frames of belonging. We need to recognise how this will create a deeply transformative effect in politics, both in the US and back in India. Eviane Cheng Leidig, PhD candidate, Center for Research on Extremism, University of Oslo Emma Coronel, wife of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman. The worlds biggest drug trafficker, Joaquin Guzman Loera, aka El Chapo, will be dead by December. Thats according to his wife, Emma Coronel, who made the claim after visiting the head of the Sinaloa cartel inside the Ciudad Juarez penitentiary in northern Mexico, near the border with the United States. The warning heralds what will be El Chapos latest line of defense after all of his appeals against extradition to the US have so far failed. El Chapos era has come to an end, all experts agree While awaiting a new judicial review that everyone expects to be unfavorable to the drug lord, his lawyers are now focusing the battle on the issue of human rights violations and abuse. What do I want to know about the extradition for, if they already tell me that I wont be around next year? El Chapo reportedly told his wife. If they dont look after my health, by December I wont be alive. According to Coronels story, her 58-year-old husband is not the same man he used to be. He has broken down, suffers from memory loss and has trouble sleeping at night. With every visit, I see him in worse shape: he forgets things, he suddenly zones out. He is a different person, even in the way he talks. I know perfectly well that he is not the way he used to be when he was healthy, said Coronel in an interview on Milenio Television. Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman was recaptured in January following a prison escape. ALFREDO ESTRELLA (AFP) However, the former beauty queen admitted that the drug lord has not lost any weight and will never contemplate suicide. All we ask is for him to receive humane treatment, she said. This is not the first time that El Chapos family has complained about his prison conditions. While behind bars at El Altiplano penitentiary a maximum security prison that he escaped from in July 2015 there were constant protests over alleged abuse, which, according to El Chapos family, included keeping him awake to weaken him. Authorities have denied all accusations. National Security Commissioner Renato Sales has reiterated that El Chapo is in good health, receives medical attention and gets visits from his relatives and lawyers. With his brother behind bars, Aureliano has gained prominence within the Sinaloa cartel. Many of us should be so lucky as to live in El Chapos conditions, he added. After recapturing him in January, President Enrique Pena Nieto has made El Chapos extradition to the US a matter of state. The drug lords daring escape through a 1.5-kilometer-long tunnel represented a public humiliation for the president, who until then had defended the notion of keeping El Chapo in a Mexican prison as a symbol of the states might against the drug cartels. Before that, in 2001, he had already escaped from Puente Grande penitentiary in Jalisco state, allegedly inside a laundry cart. After the governments boast about its ability to keep El Chapo behind bars was so eloquently pulverized, authorities switched strategy and began putting all their efforts behind the extradition drive. The only thing that could prevent Guzmans transfer to the US would be a third escape. To prevent it, 75 officers have been tasked with watching El Chapo around the clock, and he is under permanent electronic surveillance. The news trickling in from the outside world will not help boost his morale. El Chapos capture has triggered a turf war between drug cartels in northern Mexico. His children have been abducted, and even his mothers house was recently breached by intruders. El Chapos era has come to an end, all experts agree. He is playing the health card as a last resort, but the extradition is just a matter of time. English version by Susana Urra. I've been fascinated with the story of the Headless Horseman ever since I was a little girl watching the somewhat frightening animated Disney short. My young interest grew as I learned, through the Judy Blume classic Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, which takes place in Tarrytown, New York, that the location of the original story is real. But although I lived just an hour away, I never visited the area until recently. My journey to Sleepy Hollow started in the morning as my family and I drove from New Jersey across the Tappan Zee Bridge to the Hudson Valley of New York. As we came into Tarrytown, the traffic increased and the sidewalks became filled with families like ours, searching for fall fun. My husband found public parking near our planned dinner spot, Horsefeathers, and loaded our toddler son, Sam, and all our gear into the stroller. Unsure where to head to next, we walked along Broadway, the main road. Our first stop was the Sleepy Hollow sign--it's cliche, but how could you pass and not snap a picture? We continued walking until we reached the Sleepy Hollow Street Fair, which was filled with the usual foods, music and booths. At this point Sam wanted out of the stroller, which made me nervous in the crowd. But with a vice grip on his wrist, I tried to enjoy the festivities. Ultimately, there's not too much to do at a street fair with a toddler besides eat funnel cake, so we moved along. Advertisement We passed a book fair at the library and a craft fair at the park, neither of which would hold much appeal for our son, so we kept going. At this point the walk started to get a bit long, especially pushing the stroller up a fairly large hill. But now we were getting closer to the real Sleepy Hollow--or rather, the Sleepy Hollow I'd constructed in my head since childhood. Here it was: The bridge immortalized by Washington Irving in his story, or at least the spot where the bridge once spanned. A newer bridge now stands there, erected in the author's memory. And up on a hill just past the bridge, the Old Dutch Church. We had to pay a small fee to enter the churchyard, which was brimming with activity for such a macabre spot. Our first stop (because it was on the way in, not because we needed a drink--really!) was the beer tent. Brews in hand, we explored the cemetery. "Nothing like drinking beer in a graveyard!" I remarked to my husband. Sam again asked to get out of the stroller, and I figured the cemetery, since it was enclosed, was a fairly safe place to run around--until I realized that many of the gravestones were short and stubby, a perfect spot for my son to trip and bash his head on. My husband gulped the last of his beer so that he could chase him around, and I ventured into the church, where the history of the building was being recounted by candlelight. An old stove burned as I looked up to the pulpit, remembering the gruesome fate of one character who stood there in Tim Burton's film adaptation of the legend. Back outside, I found my husband and son, as well as an unexpected visitor: the Headless Horseman himself! Posing for pictures while atop his black steed, he was accompanied by a young man in period garb. After taking our own pics with the ghoul, I followed him around the cemetery, trying to get another glimpse. Even for an adult, it was thrilling. Advertisement Continuing to explore the graveyard, with final resting places of note marked on a handy map distributed at our arrival, I came upon revolutionary war gravestones and other colonial figures. One that gave me a shiver was the grave of Eleanor Van Tassel, thought to be the inspiration for Irving's character Katrina Von Tassel in his legendary story. Further up the hill, in a family plot surrounded by an iron fence an under a large tree, was Irving himself. It was an oddly cozy spot to be buried. The cemetery seemed to go on forever, and we meandered as our son, back in the stroller, dozed off. One could spend a whole day in the place, exploring the hidden mausoleums and little paths. But we had planned on an early dinner before our big event for the evening (more on that later), so we headed back. We passed Philipsburg Manor, a historic mansion that's now the site for Horseman's Hollow, a haunted landscape "ruled by the undead, the evil and the insane," the event's website announces. It looked lovely from the road, but the event was not appropriate for kids (much less for grownup scaredy-cats like us), so we made our way back to Tarrytown proper. Our son woke up as we approached Patriot's Park, so we took a quick break to have him run around the playground. Eventually we lured him back into the stroller and up the road to Horsefeathers. I had heard that this was the family spot to eat in Tarrytown, but due to its popularity it was full inside even at 5 pm, so we ate outside. The fall sun had made the day warm, but as it dropped in the sky it started to get chilly although not unbearable. The food was decent, although it did not live up to the recommendations I'd received. After dinner, we loaded up the car and drove to Van Cortlandt Manor, about 20 minutes north, for The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze. We had gotten the first time slot of 6:30 pm, and a line of cars was waiting at the entrance. When we were let in, we were well-directed to parking just outside the temporary tent that served as the entrance. There, a man was expertly carving pumpkins (to prove the jack o'lanterns are all real, no doubt), which fascinated my son and his toddler friends who we had met up with. Our group got on line to enter (tickets must be purchased in advance as they usually sell out), and entered the grounds of the historic house. Advertisement For all the hype I had heard about this event, it did not disappoint. It was well-organized, with one path that kept the crowd moving along, and the artistry of the carvings was jaw-dropping. Mood lighting and scary music added to the ambience. I realized that we didn't have any glow sticks or brightly colored clothing for my son, probably my only regret--if we had lost him in the dark grounds it would have been very hard to find him. So we held on to him tightly, or had him ride on our shoulders, as we didn't bring the stroller. The pumpkins were carved and then formed into giant shapes, both Halloween-themed and not: dinosaurs, trains, skeletons, ghosts. A walk-through tunnel of jack o'lanterns created an other-wordly atmosphere that exceeded my expectations. It took about 45 minutes to an hour to meander through the entire thing, marveling at the sight and snapping pics (picture-taking tip: Don't use a flash). Back in the tent, we had snacks and hot cider. Just a little past bedtime, I changed Sam into his pajamas in the car and then drove off as he fell asleep. We arrived back to our northern New Jersey home at 9 pm. Sam was still asleep as we placed him in bed, no doubt dreaming of pumpkins and fall festivals and a none-too-scary Headless Horseman. To plan your visit to Sleepy Hollow, The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze and other events in the Hudson Valley, visit hudsonvalley.org. Tina Donvito is a freelance writer. Her work has appeared online in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping and many others. She was selected by author Elizabeth Gilbert to be included in the anthology Eat Pray Love Made Me Do It. She blogs at foggy mommy.com. Advertisement This article isn't about the candidate Donald Trump. It's not about his platform or policies. In fact, this article isn't about politics at all. It's about Donald Trump the bully, and the effect his bullying is having on me. I'm suffering from "The Trump Effect," a phenomenon coined by the nonprofit Southern Poverty Law Center, an organization that tracks hate groups. In their new report "The Trump Effect: The Impact of the Presidential Campaign on our Nation's Schools," the SPLC shows the election is inflaming racial and ethnic tensions, and producing alarming levels of fear and anxiety among children of color. Advertisement Whether it's schoolchildren taunting "Build that wall!" or "Go back to Mexico!" Trump's xenophobic rhetoric on the campaign trail is being played out in ugly playground spats and classroom exchanges all across America. I'm not a kid, but I feel their pain. I've been the victim of bullying too -- not in a schoolyard when I was a kid -- but as an adult, just a few years ago. Two former close friends of mine -- both grown women with children -- bullied me after we had a falling out. They tormented me by text, email, and on social media. I spoke about this at length in my post "When Your BFF Becomes A POS." It was a horrible time of my life, and it feels like I'm reliving it all over again thanks to Donald Trump. Just a few weeks ago, an irate Trump supporter on Facebook wished me some horrific things -- including rape -- in a comment thread. Now, anyone who knows me, knows I'm not opposed to some online political jousting, but wishing me physical harm because we disagree is taking it to a whole other disturbing level. Advertisement Trump's habit of demonizing people because of their race, religion, gender, profession, and appearance, is hitting a very sensitive spot for me. Whenever he humiliates and shames, it's like he's doing it to me personally. Whenever he hurls an insult or demeans someone, my heart hurts a little. Muslims, Mexicans, immigrants, women, minorities, POWs, the disabled, the media, I feel their pain too. I even feel sorry for members of Trump's own party who get bullied on a daily basis. Trump's mean-spirited tweets and inflammatory language are triggering a trauma in me I thought was healed, but as I've discovered, the wound is still open and the pain is very real. I feel like I have bully-induced PTSD, if there is such a thing. Worst of all, Trump is inciting a mindset in his supporters that feels like a collective threat to my soul. They remind me of an angry mob with pitchforks and torches, but instead of marauding through towns, they hide behind computers trying to destroy you with their words. Actually, the angry mobs are no longer just hiding behind their computers. They're now threatening polling places, newspapers, politicians, and our democratic way of life with armed resistance and violence--the ultimate bullying. Advertisement The Trump Effect is everywhere. There are scores of people -- young and old -- who are being threatened and harassed by haters, internet trolls, and online bullies. Here are just a few: Female Reporters When Donald Trump suggested that Fox News moderator Megyn Kelly might have been on her period because she was tough on him during a Republican primary debate, his supporters jumped all over her with an avalanche of online hatred. They called her every name in the book including "bitch, slut, whore," amongst other things. Olivia Nuzzi, a reporter with the Daily Beast, also knows a thing or two about online bullying. After she posted a story on Marla Maples on Facebook, Mike Krawitz, a Trump supporter and Republican candidate for the West Deptford New Jersey, township committee, wrote this on her page: "Fuck. You. Olivia, I. Hope. Somebody. Rapes. You. Today." Jewish Journalists When Observer writer Dana Schwartz complained about Donald Trump's tweeted image of Hillary Clinton in front of raining money with a six-sided star, declaring she's the "Most Corrupt Candidate Ever!" she had no idea the shit storm of anti-Semitic abuse she would get. His supporters attacked her with hundreds of tweets that ranged from mocking her nose, to applauding the Holocaust. Jewish political reporters who cover Trump, say they are regularly subjected to anti-Semitic harassment by Trump fans online. Advertisement Just ask journalist Julia Ioffe. After she published a profile of Donald Trump's wife Melania earlier this year, she was inundated with angry, anti-Jewish tweets, emails, and even death threats. People of Color When Fox News online reported that President Obama's daughter Malia had elected to attend Harvard University after taking a year off, their readers didn't hold back. The comments on their website were so racist, Fox News had to shut down the comments section. Here's an example of one of the "nicer" comments: "Probably staying out for a year so she can help her parents carry out the furniture and dinnerware when they leave the White House." After Donald Trump won the Nevada Republican primary, Huffington Post civil rights reporter Julia Craven tweeted her concerns about the possibility of a Trump presidency: In response, Craven received tweets like this: So How Do You Deal With Bullies? In my case, because the harassment was so extreme, I had to hire a lawyer to make it go away. My situation was eventually resolved, and the truth became clear: bullies are really just insecure cowards who feed off the hope you'll never stand up to them. Don't be afraid to take a stand. Advertisement As for the Facebook bully from a few weeks ago, he ended up apologizing to me after being reported to Facebook by friends and others who were also offended by his comments. The bullying may be over for me, but I worry about rest of our country. I worry about the long-term damage of Trump's words and actions. I want to believe the "Trump Effect" is just a passing fad; I want to believe that civility and kindness aren't things of the past, and that bad behavior is not the new normal. Regardless of what happens on Nov. 8, we must make sure that bullying never wins. To find out more about how you can fight bullying, please visit: Earlier on Huff/Post50: The Frankfurt Book Fair is over, but if you're looking for something to do before heading home, or want to think about making plans for next year, I have some suggestions. Zara Home. I live in New York, where every luxury and down market store is available--with the exception of Zara Home. I found one in Frankfurt in Rathenauplasse, the main pedestrian shopping area near the Old Opera, and only a short walk from the Book Fair convention center. My friends and I went in and coveted the faux fur blankets, cozy bedding, soft flannel PJs, and charming Christmas decorations. If you're a Zara fan, it's worth a special trip. Tiger Palace Cabaret. One night, we went to the Parisian style restaurant in the Tiger Palace's brick bunker-like basement, and then up to the ground floor theater for a variety show featuring quirky, funny and terrifying acts from all over the world. My faves: The Grynchenko Brothers acrobatics from Kiev (above), Domitil Aillot, a super sexy pole dancer (male) from Paris, and Duo Giurintano, a couple of roller-skating dare devils from Italy. Thrills and chills, even better with many Campari and sodas. Advertisement Rheingau. The Rheingau, a celebrated wine region in Hesse along the Rhine river, is only a twenty-five minute drive on the autoban from Frankfurt. The Riesling Route winds through quaint medieval villages between the vineyards. Americans have the misconception that Rieslings are sweet. The German palate prefers acidic wine, and make their varietals that way. We visited the 150-year-old Prince von Hessen vineyard (owned by the royal family of Hesse) in Johannisberg, and toured the caves. The bubbling of gas escaping from German and French oak barrels through glass tubes reminded me of Frankenstein's lab. Our guide called it "the sound of fermentation." I left with two bottles: the golden pink rose, and the award winning Winkeler Hasensprung. Baiken. For dinner, we went to Baiken in Eltville am Rhein to sample the Domane Rauenthal wines, bask in the incredible views of vineyards as far as the eye can see (photo above), and enjoy the rustic cuisine in a farmhouse atmosphere. From the first bite--an amuse-bouche of green cabbage sauerkraut, discs of pork sausage and spaetzle--it was a heady dining experience. My main dish was curried sauerkraut with pork belly, plenty of crackling, and dumplings, aka comfort food heaven, perfect for the crisp fall evening with a savory Merlot. Jimmy's Bar. We finished the night at Jimmy's Bar, right across from the convention center, in the five-star Grandhotel Hessischere Hof where we were staying. During the week, the American and British Book Fair goers crowded the underground piano bar, perhaps because it's one of the few places in Frankfurt where smoking is still permitted. The day after the fair, my friends and I scored leather seats at the curvy bar for cocktails while we listened to a Billy Joel clone play the classics. Four years ago I was at the tether end of my endurance after 10 straight hours of interviewing prospective Stanford School of Medicine applicants. Our interview process is so designed as to make it as objective as possible and minimizing the subjective bias. The process involves presenting the applicant with a printed scenario describing a complex psychosocial problem with a medical context, and ambiguous by its nature, no correct answer. For example: a Jehovah's Witness patient with bleeding, or an ill immigrant who believes in voodoo's charms and refuses medical contact, or the patient with obvious abdominal pain who refuses examination. The candidate has these scenarios presented on the outside of the examination room and given five minutes to survey them, then invited into the examination room. After introductory pleasantries for 10 minutes the examiner, me, tests the candidate's grasp of the problem and tries to get a handle on the candidate's generic capabilities. We receive 6000 applications per year, we interview 400, and admit 80, so the process is very stringent, and seemingly all candidates are smarter than the interviewers, and with compelling resumes. Advertisement Interviewing is really tiring, so it was at the conclusion of a long day of these sessions when Margaret came in as my last interview. Having spent six months in Nairobi in 1980 studying with Richard Leakey with an amateur anthropology background I had recognized the ring in Margaret's voice. I blurted out "You're from Nairobi." "Yes, I have just gotten off the plane from East Africa". I sat bold upright. Margaret is tiny, maybe 90 pounds, is black as coal, with piercing eyes, and a surreal regal presence. She possesses a dignity that would make Socrates proud. Somehow she, an orphan, had found her way from the back alleys of Nairobi to Palo Alto. I was overcome by her presence and the power of the encounter that I was witnessing. After our 15 minute interview I'm sure that I rated her with the highest number that I possibly could. Obviously other interviewers shared my enthusiasm because she was admitted as a freshman candidate to the medical school. I was thrilled. We spent a fair amount of subsequent effort arranging scholarship money for her because despite all of the billions of dollars floating around the Stanford campus there is sparse support for foreigner scholarship money, buckets for locals. In any case I had lunch with her yesterday. She is within several weeks of receiving her MD from Stanford. From here she is headed to Boston and the Harvard School of Public Health for a career in public health. With much deference she asked if I were willing to write her a recommendation to this next chapter in her gilded life. I seized upon this request with great enthusiasm. Advertisement By Tania F. Cohen From the embers of an election season rife with negativity rises an unlikely phoenix: reminders of the potential for bipartisanship in U.S. politics. Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton's proposals for fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and their beliefs that ISIL presents a greater threat to American security than Syrian President Bashar al-Assad are strikingly similar. Consequently, they each prioritize defeating the terrorist organization over a political transition in Syria. Clinton and Trump also believe that nuclear weapons are the world's greatest threat, although their proposed strategies for fighting that threat differ significantly. The similarity in their stances--and in the case of fighting ISIL, in their strategies for accomplishing those objectives--reminds us that bipartisanship in policy-making, for which establishing common ground and compromise are key, is possible. From their central point of agreement on the threat that ISIL poses, both Clinton and Trump favor establishing no-fly zones in Syria, increasing air strikes, and fighting ISIL through a coalition of Western and Arab countries. Additionally, they have expressed interest in working with Kurds in the region and noted the importance of fighting digital radicalization and extremism. There is no doubt that a President Trump approach to fighting ISIL would look very different from a President Clinton approach, even if these approaches incorporated the same basic policies. But the resemblance between policy proposals is not insignificant and demonstrates the potential for further compromise between parties. Advertisement Unlike their proposals for fighting ISIL, Clinton and Trump's policy proposals for combatting nuclear threats differ significantly. Clinton supports the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, known colloquially as the Iran nuclear deal. She has proposed using the Iran nuclear deal as a model to restrict North Korea's nuclear program. In contrast, Trump's proposed nuclear strategy is unclear. He has vacillated in his answers about whether he would change the United States' policy on "first use" of nuclear weapons, an issue on which Clinton did not take a stance when it was mentioned during the first presidential debate. On North Korea, Trump has implied that he would try to have China exert its influence over Kim Jong Un to end North Korea's nuclear ambitions, but has not provided details. Similarly, he strongly criticizes the Iran nuclear deal, but has not shared his alternative proposal other than saying he would be willing to walk away from the negotiating table. Despite their differences in specific policies on this issue, the candidates' shared belief about the significance of the global nuclear threat reminds us that there is often more similarity in candidates' beliefs than expected, even if their strategies for accomplishing those goals differ. Although the differences in policy between the candidates on these issues are significant, they do not dilute the similarities in proposed strategy or belief that exist. Their simple existence demonstrates the potential for bipartisanship in politics, even during an election cycle as toxic as the 2016 presidential election. Bipartisanship is a willingness to engage substantively with people who hold different political beliefs and compromise for the greater good. Politicians may implement and rationalize their conclusions differently, even if the conclusions themselves are similar, but acknowledging that they have a common goal of defending American interests--and may even agree on how to accomplish that goal--is crucial to repairing our gridlocked political system. The similarities between Trump and Clinton when discussing how to fight ISIL and the threat posed by nuclear weapons are important reminders that repairing our system is possible--that it should encourage politicians at all levels to seek compromise, especially when it seems impossible. Advertisement If Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton can propose similar solutions to some of the most controversial foreign policy issues, other politicians can find spheres of agreement, too, and with effort, cultivate those spheres to reduce the gridlock that has pervaded our government in recent memory. The Pope ordered the archives to be opened after pressure from human rights groups. GIUSEPPE LAMI (EFE) More information La Iglesia abre sus archivos sobre la dictadura argentina The Catholic Church of Argentina and the Vatican will soon open their archives on the South American countrys brutal military dictatorship. The documents, which cover the period from 1976 to 1983, will be made available once they are fully digitalized and organized, the Argentine Episcopal Conference and the Holy See said in a joint statement, without providing a final date for when that would happen. The archive includes around 3,000 letters from people seeking assistance from the Catholic Church in their bid to find missing relatives or loved ones the so-called disappeared who were secretly abducted by authorities during the country's Dirty War, which saw thousands of executions, baby kidnappings and other atrocities. The Church did not always do everything it could have and we ask forgiveness for that Archbishop Mario Poli After years of pressure from human rights groups, Pope Francis ordered the partial release of documents that also include the replies of the Church to families, outlining any action taken. Adolfo Perez Esquivel, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in fighting the dictatorship, called the opening of the archives an important step but criticized the fact they are not being made available to a wider public. For now, the documents will only be open to victims of the dictatorship and their families, with historians and the press being left out. A dark stain The role of the Catholic Church during Argentinas right-wing dictatorship remains a dark stain on its past, as various military chaplains and members of the organizations hierarchy publicly supported the countrys military leaders. Four decades after the end of a regime during which as many as 30,000 people are thought to have been killed or made to disappear, documents held by organizations such as the Argentinean Episcopal Conference and the Vatican Secretariat of State are starting to see the light of day. But other more sensitive material, including files involving the clergymen attached to the military, remain under lock and key. As far as we know they havent destroyed anything, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires Mario Poli said at a press conference, explaining that each diocese has its own archive. Pope Francis ordered the archive to be opened due to pressure from human rights groups Poli attempted to defend the role of the Church during the dictatorship. We did what we had to do. We are not afraid of the archives, he said. The archbishop also defended the 40-year-wait by noting that Vatican files are usually kept closed for 70 years before being made public. The Catholic Church in Argentina has already asked for forgiveness for its role during the dictatorship, Poli went on to say. In 2000, the Church apologized for its sins during the rule of the military junta, admitting responsibility for the participation of some of its members in political persecution and torture. But Poli said that the soon-to-be-released documents will show that the Church worked closely with those seeking justice [during the dictatorship]. Constitutional guarantees had been suspended. But a lot was still done, he said. The files are only available to victims of the dictatorship and their families, with historians left out in the cold We cant speak about complicity. Its true that in some cases the Church did not do everything it could have, and we ask forgiveness for that. But these documents are going to provide more light than shadows. The Church in Argentina didnt leave: it stayed here and there were a lot of wounds within the Church itself, the archbishop said in reference to leftist priests who suffered political persecution during the period. At least one major question mark hangs over the opening up of the archive: will it shed any light on the role of Pope Francis during the dictatorship? Jorge Mario Bergoglio has been accused in the past of having allowed two Jesuit priests to be handed over to military authorities. The leftist priests Francisco Jalics and Orlando Yorio, who were under his protection, were kidnapped and tortured. This accusation was a major issue when Bergoglio was elected Pope, but Jalics went on to issue a statement denying the claim that he and Yorio were turned in by Bergoglio. There was a trial in Buenos Aires in relation to this issue, and it was resolved, said Jose Maria Arancedo, the head of the bishops. English version by George Mills. The Admiral Kuznetsov is Russia's only aircraft carrier. EFE The Spanish government has canceled the authorization that had been granted to a fleet of Russian warships, headed by the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, to make a stop at the Spanish exclave city of Ceuta on its way to the eastern Mediterranean. The ships had been due to refuel and to take on water and supplies at the North African port. The Russian embassy in Madrid retracted at midday today the request to make a stop According to a statement from the Office of Diplomatic Information (OID), the Russian embassy in Madrid retracted at midday today the request to make a stop after the Spanish Foreign Ministry requested clarification on whether the three vessels were going to be taking part in support or conflict actions over the Syrian city of Aleppo. Hours earlier, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg repeated concerns that the fleet could play a support role in a final assault on the Syrian city of Aleppo by troops loyal to the regime of Bashar al-Assad military action that has been heavily criticized by the European Union. NATO has been keeping a close eye on the battle group since it sailed out of the Arctic port of Severomorsk several days ago. The fleet is being monitored by two NATO Standing Maritime Groups, the first of which is led by Spanish frigate Almirante Juan de Borbon. The Russian ships were also shadowed by two Spanish patrol boats as they made their way along the Spanish coast and passed through the Strait of Gibraltar on Wednesday morning. The Russian Navy regularly docks at Ceuta: more than 60 of its vessels have used the port since 2011. It provides a boost to the local economy, but the policy has drawn criticism from right-wing groups in the United Kingdom and the United States. The Spanish Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday that permission for such stops was granted on a case-by-case basis, depending on the nature of the ship involved and any possible security risks. But on this occasion, the authorization had generated controversy. The leader of the Liberal group in the European parliament, Guy Verhofstadt, tweeted: Spain signed EU statement on Russian war crimes in #Aleppo last week; today helps refuel fleet on way to commit more atrocities. Seriously? English version by Simon Hunter and George Mills. Copyright Office Shakeup Possible Preview To Fight Over Copyright Reform The suspicious removal of the Maria Pallante from her position as head of the Copyright Office by freshly minted Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, could well be indicative of further conflict surrounding copyright reform and who will helm the office next. __________________________ By Mike Masnick of Techdirt As you may have heard, last Friday, the brand new Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden, removed the head of the Copyright Office, Maria Pallante, from her job. The press release from the Library of Congress tries to spin this as a "new appointment" for Pallante, to advise Hayden on digitization projects at the Library, but pretty much everyone sees this as Pallante being fired rather abruptly. From the Billboard article linked above: U.S. Register of Copyrights Maria Pallante was removed from her job Friday morning (Oct. 21) by the Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden, who has authority over the Copyright Office. Officially, Pallante has been appointed as a senior adviser for digital strategy for the Library of Congress, although its clear she was asked to step down. Karyn Temple Claggett, currently associate register of copyrights, has been appointed the acting register. Pallante was locked out of the Library of Congress computer system this morning, according to two sources who spoke with Library employees. Earlier, Hayden had called several members of Congress to tell them about her decision. Later, she called the heads of several media business trade organizations to give them the news, according to one who received such a call. There are all sorts of rumors flying about this. Pallante has, apparently, been advocating strongly for moving the Copyright Office out of the Library of Congress, and either making it an independent agency or linking it up with the Patent & Trademark Office under the Commerce Department. That would be a big mistake, frankly, because copyright is not supposed to be about "commerce" and "industry" but about benefiting the public. That's why it makes sense to leave it as part of the Library of Congress. Still, when Hayden was first announced, basically all of the copyright maximalist front groups put out statements vaguely suggesting that they'd support Hayden if she promises to leave the Copyright Office alone. It would appear that Hayden has decided not to take that advice. Of course, there are some concerns about what Pallante will do in advising on digitization at the Library of Congress, but it does seem odd that at basically the same time this news leaked, I received notice that the the Library of Congress was going to start archiving Techdirt (yes, this is 100% a coincidence, but a funny one): That said, I should admit that I don't think Pallante herself was as bad as some critics made her out to be (though she did surround herself with a lot of people with really bad ideas). She at least seemed marginally better than some of the previous heads of the Copyright Office, and was actually at least slightly open to some good ideas on copyright reform (and plenty of bad ones). But it does seem like today's Copyright Office needs someone who isn't just representing Hollywood's viewpoint and recognizes that copyright itself is supposed to benefit the public first and foremost something Pallante denies. Pallante's temporary replacement, Karyn Temple Claggett, is unlikely to change very much. Beyond it just being an interim position, Claggett came to the Copyright Office after working for many years at the RIAA, where she helped in the litigation against Grokster, Limewire, XM and Usenet.com. This is not exactly someone who recognizes the changing nature of the internet and says "let's embrace it." So now the big question is really what happens next. Lots of people are gearing up for a fight over who will take over the Copyright Office on a permanent basis. Is it going to be someone who comes from that world where copyright is supposed to only benefit the big copyright gatekeepers? Or will it be someone with a more nuanced view on how copyright works, how it's supposed to benefit the public by providing tools for creators. Either way, it seems like the fight over this is going to get messy. You already have lobbyists whispering to the press about how awful all of this is: That executive, and others who represent creators and media businesses in Washington, D.C., expressed surprise and dismay that Pallante, who had the job since 2011, had been removed. The people in the creative community are furious about the fact that this was done, says a lawyer who works for organizations that support strong copyright laws, but especially about the way it was done. Wait just a second here. How the hell can the RIAA/MPAA's of the world claim that they represent "the creative community"? That's bullshit. They represent a few large gatekeepers, who have a long history of screwing over the actual creative community any chance they get. More and more of theactual creative community these days have found that the internet is a wonderful tool for creating, promoting, distributing and monetizing their works and they recognize that the legacy industries and overly oppressive copyright laws get in the way of that, rather than helping. But, no matter what, you can bet that when a new Copyright Register is announced, we'll see more of this kind of misleading language and attacks and it will be something of a preview for the eventual fight over actual copyright reform bills that are expected to show up in the relatively near future. Share on: One of the largest federal lobbying bodies for the property/casualty industry does not take a position in presidential politics, but at least one among its leaders believes either outcome of the 2016 contest will be a mixed bag for the insurance business.Regardless of the outcome, there are very serious issues with both candidates, Nat Wienecke, senior vice president for federal government relations with the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, told Insurance Business America. Its no secret that with regard to the importation of international capital standards, a President Clinton would continue policies put in place by Obama, while Donald Trumps proposed changes to the McCarran-Ferguson Act seem to confuse the property/casualty and health spaces.Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has indeed been forward regarding her plans to further scrutinize the insurance industry, publicly stating she is very skeptical of some of the biggest mergers and acquisitions among companies in the industry.Too often, the companies end up pocketing profits rather than passing savings to consumers, Clinton said, additionally promising to strengthen antitrust enforcement arms of the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission and appoint aggressive regulators to take on M&A in the industry.Republican nominee Donald Trump, meanwhile, has pushed for the repeal of McCarran-Ferguson in an effort to promote the sale of insurance across state lines. Yet repeal of the act would also remove US provisions that exempt the business of insurance from most federal regulation, including antitrust laws to a limited extent. Much education would be necessary if Trump was elected, Wienecke said.The PCI does believe, however, it can work with either one of the candidates on some issues important to the industry, including highway safety and more robust weather prediction.Weve begun a dialogue with representatives of both campaigns and see new opportunities with either candidate, Wienecke told IBA. The challenges will just be different.The PCI PAC, lobbying arm for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, has spent more than $960,000 on both Republican and Democratic candidates for the House and Senate in 2016. The Board of Selectmen set the tax rate Monday night. Lanesborough Approves Large Increase In Tax Rate LANESBOROUGH, Mass. A significant decrease in value of the Berkshire Mall and the onset of the bills for construction of the new Mount Greylock Regional School are leading to nearly an 8 percent increase in tax bills. The Board of Selectmen adopted a single-rate of $20.89 per $1,000 of assessed property value on Monday, which is a $1.53 increase over the previous year. The increase is mostly driven by a $12 million decrease in value for the Berkshire Mall plus another $360,000 or so for the first round of payments for the school. "This is the first of three years," Town Manager Paul Sieloff said. "It is a tough couple of years." Both the mall's value is expected to decrease over the coming years while the payments for the school pick up. Luckily, this year is seeing the largest jump at once, but the school payments are expected to increase more over the next two years before the cost plateaus. That increase in cost for the school is coinciding with the decrease in value at the Berkshire Mall, which had once been valued at $60.4 million just eight years ago but which has dropped by two-thirds. Assessor Kelly Tolisano said overall commercial values dropped by 19 percent. In total commercial values dropped by a $10.5 million. The Berkshire Mall had dropped in value from $31.5 to $19.5 million as of Jan. 1 before the Macy's closure even impacted the mall's income. That $12 million drop was offset somewhat by a group of apartments transferring to commercial uses. Meanwhile, the single-family home values remained stagnant. "The increase in value in the house, a single-family house, is $1,117, which is minimal. In '16, there was a decrease in the value by $164. So there was little movement, but not a lot," Tolisano said. In setting the tax rate, the Board of Selectmen only had the consideration of whether or not the town should use a split rate. Lanesborough typically keeps a single-rate, meaning both commercial and residential pay the same rate, and the Selectmen continued that tradition. With the drop in commercial value, residential rates are already picking up a larger share of the increase a total of 81.7 percent of the town's assessed value comes from residential properties. Tolisano said the board could have picked a shift to keep the residential rate around the same as last year, but that would have resulted in a commercial rate of $27.57, which she did not recommend for economic development reasons. The rate increase now means the typical residential home is paying $354.98 more in taxes than last year. "The average single family home value for fiscal year '17 is $217,878. That makes the average tax bill $4,551.47," Tolisano said. The rate is set to fund the budget, which is voted on in the spring, and other expenses. Voters chose to exclude the debt for the Mount Greylock building from Proposition 2 1/2, which separates it from the levy limit. In combination with the payments on the elementary school rebuild from a number of years ago, $414,174 is excluded. In all, the tax rate will generate $8,102,492 to pay for operations. That number leaves the town with $391,101 in levy capacity. That $8.1 million is coupled with $3.5 million in other revenue including state aid, payments from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, and local receipts to add up to $11.6 million in appropriations. Town officials expected a large increase this year and further jumps over the next two years as they navigate through the financial turmoil. The Berkshire Mall has recently been sold so its future is still cloudy, but with the loss of Macy's the next evaluation is expected to decrease the value even more in the next year. The school project bills will increase over the next two years. In 2018, it will be another re-evaluation year. "This is the really big year," Sieloff said. The $1.53 jump in the rate is somewhat expected by taxpayers as well, who voted in favor of the Mount Greylock renovation with projections of raising the rate by $1.61 or so. But, the full payments for that project haven't hit the rate just yet. The ZBA unanimously approved a special permit on Tuesday that it had initially balked at over concerns of an oversaturation of Asian food. Adams ZBA Backtracks to Approve Asian Cuisine Restaurant ADAMS, Mass. The Zoning Board of Appeals backtracked on a special permit it balked at a month ago, allowing an Asian restaurant to open as planned. The board had latched onto a problematic clause in the bylaws that allowed it to dismiss a special permit if approving it would lead to "deterioration of properties" because of a saturation of similar commercial activities. But on Tuesday, it unanimously approved the special permit for Xing Li to operate a restaurant at 131 Columbia St. a building away from a similar proposed eatery. Meeting board member Michael Mach, who was not at last month's meeting, questioned the interpretation of the regulation and said it should really come down to competition. "I don't care if there are five Chinese restaurants and five steak houses right next to each other," Mach said. "It's called competition and the strong survives and the weak don't. It is as simple as that. There are hardly any restaurants coming into town and when we do have one, I think it behooves us have them open." Board member Francie Anne Riley felt the regulation was "scary and misleading." Acting Chairman Peter Gutmann agreed it was misleading and perhaps out of date, but said the board still must consider it because it is on the books and could open a decision up to an appeal. But other town leaders were firmly against considering it at all. Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco said town counsel had reviewed the regulation and reported that it should not stop the board from granting a permit and he did not believe it would leave any room for appeal. Selectman Jeffrey Snoonian, saying he was speaking as a citizen, saw it in reverse and felt if the board denied the permit because of the regulation, the applicant would have a strong case against the town. "The idea that that bylaw was interpreted that way is such a leap I can't believe that we are here again even looking at this," Snoonian said. "If I were this gentleman and was not allowed to open because of that interpretation I would take it to the highest court this bylaw is unconstitutional." Myra Wilk, a former selectman, said Adams should open its arms to both potential Asian restaurants. "We should be supporting anyone that comes in with a good solid business plan who want to buy property and contribute to the tax base," she said. "We should be supporting both of them." Haiti - Justice : DR alongside Haiti in tracking down escapees Following the spectacular escape, on Saturday afternoon in Haiti of 172 inmates of the civil prison of Archaie https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19015-haiti-flash-mutiny-in-arcahaie-172-escaped-many-victims.html whose 162 are still at large, the Dominican Republic has responded positively to the request of collaboration from Haiti. Sigfrido Pared Perez, the Director of the National Department of Investigations (DNI), confirmed that all the intelligence agencies, including the Ministry of Defence and the Dominican National Police, responded positively to the request for cooperation from the Haitian government, for tracking down and capturing the 162 escaped prisoners including twenty are particularly dangerous criminals. He stated that the escapees captured in the Dominican Republic, will be placed at the disposal of justice in Haiti. Following the escape, the Dominican Republic has strengthened its surveillance and military controls at the various crossing points along the border https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19023-haiti-prison-break-rd-strengthens-the-military-border-controls.html See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19037-haiti-flash-escape-of-172-detainees-official-version-of-the-pnh.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19015-haiti-flash-mutiny-in-arcahaie-172-escaped-many-victims.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19023-haiti-prison-break-rd-strengthens-the-military-border-controls.html SL/ iciHaiti Nicolas Maduro heads to a meeting with Pope Francis. More information El dialogo en Venezuela anunciado por el Vaticano naufraga antes de empezar The latest attempt at dialogue between the Nicolas Maduro administration and the opposition has failed even before it began. A few hours after the Vatican announced on Monday that the first round of talks would be held the following Sunday on Margarita Island, the process broke down completely. The political crisis in the country deepened after the administration stacked bureaucratic roadblocks to stall an opposition-led recall referendum to remove Maduro. They are implementing new tactics for a soft coup Pedro Carreno, chavista congressman Meanwhile, regime supporters stormed the National Assembly where the opposition, which holds a majority, opened a political trial against the president on Monday. The political crisis, made worse by court decisions to nix the recall referendum, threatens to spiral into attacks and counterattacks between the government and the opposition. After a five-day tour of four oil-producing countries in Central Asia and the Middle East, Maduro rushed home. Meanwhile the opposition, which began a political trial to oust the president, has accused him of neglect of duty and summoned him to appear in Congress next Tuesday. Opposition leader Henrique Capriles has rejected Vatican-mediated talks with the government. EFE Still, Maduro made two stops on his journey back. He and Pope Francis met on Monday in Rome, where the pontiff asked him to be courageous and take the path to dialogue. The Vaticans efforts had seemed fruitful: on Monday, Emil Paul Tscherrig, the popes special envoy to Venezuela, announced that the first round of talks would be held this coming Sunday. But opposition leaders, including Henrique Capriles, rejected the offer just a few hours later. Maduro also visited newly appointed United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres in Lisbon. Meanwhile, the regime organized a massive demonstration in Caracas to welcome back the president and to reject the attempts of the right to carry out a coup detat. The opposition is trying to incite a Brazilian-style parliamentary riot, the chavista administration said. Loss of rights The opposition, which holds a majority in the National Assembly, has begun a congressional investigation to determine the responsibility of President Nicolas Maduro in the crisis. Several speakers took the floor on Monday to argue in favor of the process that seeks to impeach Maduro. Opposition member and Merida Deputy Williams Davila said the people do not conspire, the people recall. Deputy Juan Mattheus opened the debate, saying: By abandoning the Constitution, he became a despot; he turned the rights of all into the rights of a few. They are implementing new tactics for a soft coup, Pedro Carreno, a chavista congressman, argued. Its about criminalizing and demonizing the government, making it look like a dictatorship, he added. Edwin Rojas, a fellow chavista, reminded the room of the Supreme Court ruling in September that held parliament in contempt, invalidating all moves by the National Assembly. These events are a preamble to the massive march dubbed The Taking of Venezuela that the opposition is planning to hold today. Capriles, governor of Miranda and a two-time presidential candidate, underscored that the protest is only the beginning of a process that may last days. But then he seemed to soften his resistance to dialogue by saying that if a photo was enough to resolve this crisis, he would be willing to meet with the devil himself. But, he explained, any future talks must take place in Caracas, near public opinion and the press. English version by Dyane Jean Francois. STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH SUBSCRIBERS OF UCOMS ALL TIME BEST OFFER TO ENJOY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS Armenia-Azerbaijan: EU sets up monitoring capacity along the international borders PACE co-rapporteurs on Armenia concerned by reports of alleged war crimes or inhuman treatment perpetrated by Azerbaijans armed forces Google Ad There is still 35% gender pay gap: Sona Ghazaryan Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans provided 136 million AMD support for the overhaul of the Myasnikyan statue, which was in unsafe state of disrepair Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan I really look forward to having answers from the Azerbaijani side for these alleged gross human rights violations: Secretary General I call on Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians to use this Assembly as an agora of opportunities President Tiny Kox UCOMS SPECIAL OFFER OF THE UNLIMITED INTERNET IS NOW TERMLESS There is no place for the death penalty in a State that respects human rights: PACE General Rapporteur EU and CoE call on two Member States that have not yet acceded to this Protocol Armenia and Azerbaijan to do so without delay An urgent debate requested on "The military hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan". UCOM AND PES-PES CONTINUE COOPERATION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF EDUCATIONAL PROJECT The statement of the meeting between Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Aliyev, President Macron and President Michel of October 6, 2022 Google Ad Largest Corporate Bond Program at the Securities Market of Armenia Completed Successfully The statement of the Defender on the video of the execution of Armenian PoWs by the Azerbaijani armed forces LEVEL UP ONLY FOR STUDENTS: UCOM OFFERS X2 AND X3 MORE INTERNET STATEMENT BY SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN This criminal act is another proof that the Armenophobia policy. Tatoyan Nikol Pashinyan, Nancy Pelosi discuss a number of issues related to the Armenian-American agenda and regional developments Delegation by Nancy Pelosi Accompanied by Alen Simonyan Visits Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi Arrives in Yerevan Armenian Revytech, global technology leader SAP and financial services software specialist SAP Fioneer sign a cooperation agreement With 120 million drams donated by Mikael Vardanyan, the defenders of the homeland will be treated in a new building OSCE Chairman-in-Office and OSCE Secretary General call for immediate cessation of hostilities along Armenia-Azerbaijan border Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh USA Embassy Message for U.S. Citizens Mexicos wide-ranging energy reform, which began in 2013, is expected to reverse the countrys declining oil production, increase the share of renewables in the power sector, and slow the growth in carbon emissions, providing a solid foundation for robust economic growth in the coming decades, according to the International Energy Agency. Mexicos energy sector is being completely recast by the Reforma Energetica. The reform ends the longstanding dominance of Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) in oil and gas, and of the Comision Federal de Electricidad (CFE) in the electricity sector, opening up key parts of the energy sector to new players, investment and technology. As a result of this major effort, Mexicos total oil production, which has been on a sharp decline in recent years, is projected to turn a corner around 2020 and then rise to 3.4 mb/d by 2040, up almost 1 mb/d from today. The increase comes in large part from new offshore developments, including deepwater drilling, and helps restore Mexicos position as a major global oil producer and exporter. These findings are in the Mexico Energy Outlook, part of the IEAs World Energy Outlook (WEO) series, which examines the long-term impact of the Reforma Energetica on the energy sector as well as its economic and environmental consequences. The report also finds that Mexicos innovative auction system provides a substantial boost to Mexicos clean energy efforts in the power sector. More than half of the countrys new power generation capacity installed between now and 2040 is renewables-based, tapping Mexicos large wind and solar resources. New investment in electricity is essential to meet rapid growth in electricity demand, and allows Mexico to reach its target of producing 35% of electricity from clean sources by 2024. This is not a reform, its a revolution on an unprecedented scale, said Dr Fatih Birol, the executive director of the IEA. This transformation touches every sector of the Mexican energy industry and goes well beyond. However, lets not underestimate the task ahead. It is a huge undertaking and there will be challenges but the reform has made remarkable progress. The governments path forward is the right one and the IEA stands ready to assist. The report comes a year after Mexico took the first steps in November 2015 to join the IEA. The accession of Mexico would be a major step forward for the IEAs new open door policy and allows deeper cooperation in coming years. The Mexico Energy Outlook motivates us to continue in the path traced by the Energy Reform and to double our efforts, expressed Pedro Joaquin Coldwell, Mexicos Secretary of Energy. The challenge for Mexico is to turn into reality the positive predictions presented by the IEA. The report includes some very convincing findings on what Mexico would have faced if the reform has never been enacted. Without these energy reforms, the report finds that oil production would be 1 mb/d lower in 2040, electricity costs would be higher, and household spending would be hit. Also, the cost to the economy would be substantial, reducing the size of Mexicos GDP by 4% in 2040, resulting in a total economic loss of $1 trillion over the period of the outlook. View the slides of Dr Birol's launch presentation STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH SUBSCRIBERS OF UCOMS ALL TIME BEST OFFER TO ENJOY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS Armenia-Azerbaijan: EU sets up monitoring capacity along the international borders PACE co-rapporteurs on Armenia concerned by reports of alleged war crimes or inhuman treatment perpetrated by Azerbaijans armed forces There is still 35% gender pay gap: Sona Ghazaryan Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans provided 136 million AMD support for the overhaul of the Myasnikyan statue, which was in unsafe state of disrepair Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan I really look forward to having answers from the Azerbaijani side for these alleged gross human rights violations: Secretary General I call on Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians to use this Assembly as an agora of opportunities President Tiny Kox UCOMS SPECIAL OFFER OF THE UNLIMITED INTERNET IS NOW TERMLESS There is no place for the death penalty in a State that respects human rights: PACE General Rapporteur EU and CoE call on two Member States that have not yet acceded to this Protocol Armenia and Azerbaijan to do so without delay An urgent debate requested on "The military hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan". UCOM AND PES-PES CONTINUE COOPERATION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF EDUCATIONAL PROJECT The statement of the meeting between Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Aliyev, President Macron and President Michel of October 6, 2022 Google Ad Largest Corporate Bond Program at the Securities Market of Armenia Completed Successfully The statement of the Defender on the video of the execution of Armenian PoWs by the Azerbaijani armed forces LEVEL UP ONLY FOR STUDENTS: UCOM OFFERS X2 AND X3 MORE INTERNET STATEMENT BY SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN This criminal act is another proof that the Armenophobia policy. Tatoyan Nikol Pashinyan, Nancy Pelosi discuss a number of issues related to the Armenian-American agenda and regional developments Delegation by Nancy Pelosi Accompanied by Alen Simonyan Visits Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi Arrives in Yerevan Armenian Revytech, global technology leader SAP and financial services software specialist SAP Fioneer sign a cooperation agreement With 120 million drams donated by Mikael Vardanyan, the defenders of the homeland will be treated in a new building OSCE Chairman-in-Office and OSCE Secretary General call for immediate cessation of hostilities along Armenia-Azerbaijan border Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh USA Embassy Message for U.S. Citizens The content you are trying to view is exclusive to our subscribers. To unlock this article: Acting Assistant Secretary Mari Carmen Aponte Travels to The Bahamas Washington, DC - Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Mari Carmen Aponte will travel to Nassau, The Bahamas, October 2728, to assess hurricane recovery efforts and meet with senior government officials on a range of bilateral and regional issues. Acting Assistant Secretary Aponte will also participate in events to underscore the importance of civil society and to promote youth empowerment. This Isnt Our Last Love Letter Dear Don Don, Way back in 92 I walked into the room and knew Never felt this way before I shook your hand while gazing into your eyes And the feeling grew As I took a seat I knew A love that would have my heart Forever I knew Way back in 92 They say love at first sight doesnt always last or isnt true We were the exception to that rule Our love had no where to hide A spark set fire As if this is how the universe started I never doubted our love or what we could do Together we grew Forming a bond everlasting That became our glue My euphoria was YOU Im eternally grateful for the love and life we shared For how fortunate we were : to have and to hold through sickness and in health Til death do us part Until we are together again This isnt our last love letter I love you with all my heart and soul Yours forever, Deirdre (Mrs. Hank Snow) Im fortunate to have fallen in love with, marry and make a life with the sharpest, coolest, funniest, most rare, bad ass, tender loving, loyal man on the planet, my husband Don Imus. A True American Hero I dont know why it has been so hard for me to write about my dear friend Don Imus. I certainly know what he meant to me, my family, my charity, my hospital and the millions of fans that listened and loved him for so many years. I keep reading all the beautiful condolences that people are writing about how much a part of their lives were effected by listening to him over the years. But what most people dont talk enough about is what he did for all of us. In every sense of the word, he was an American Hero. His work with children with so many different illnesses and his dedication to their future was unmatched by anyone I have ever known or heard about. Besides raising over $100,000,000 for so many causes, he took care of young people for over 20 years in a state where he could not breathe. Along with his incredible wife Deirdre, he created a world where children were not defined by their disease. That was a miracle! He was a miracle. I will miss him ever day for the rest of my life. I was blessed to be a part of his and Deirdes life. No one will ever do what he did. I love you Don Imus - A TRUE AMERICAN HERO David Jurist IMUS IN THE MORNING FIRST DAY BACK! Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the IndyArts email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Hot on the heels of news that Rachel Weisz and Rachel McAdams are in negotiations to star in a screen adaptation of her successful first novel Disobedience (2006), Naomi Alderman publishes her fourth book, The Power, this week. She has had a busy few years, and not just as an author: a game designer and professor of creative writing at Bath University, Alderman also broadcasts for BBC Radio 4. Her polymath interests are reflected in her fiction. Disobedience is a character-driven, insightful story about an orthodox Jewish woman who tests her social and religious constraints when she rekindles a repressed love for her best friend a woman now married to her cousin. The Power conjures up a world where women are physically more powerful than men; it has a game-like quality in its fast pace and dystopian, sci-fi overtones. Rachel Weisz is set to star in a film adaptation of Naomi Aldermans novel Disobedience (Getty) (Getty Images) London-born and raised in the Jewish faith, literature was an everyday source of personal growth for Alderman. I was reading the Bible in Hebrew from a very young age, so that'll shape ideas about how words can move the world, she says. My parents are both intellectuals and readers; my mother would take me to the library every few days from before I was one year old. She attended Oxford and then the University of East Anglia to study creative writing before becoming a novelist. Disobedience was an immediate success, if (or perhaps because of) a little controversial for its subject matter. Translated into 10 languages, it earned her the 2006 Orange Award for New Writers, the 2007 Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year, and a place among Waterstones' 25 Writers for the Future. Her novels Lessons (2010) and The Liars Gospel (2012) soon followed and in the meantime, she co-created a top-selling smartphone game called Zombies, Run! and wrote the Doctor Who tie-in novel Borrowed Time (2011). Her numerous strands of work often feed each other directly: game design taught her that you have to leave room for your player. You can't write a thing that is hermetically sealed; there has to be a way for the audience to get in and participate. I think thats a massively valuable discipline for any artist. Working on a programme about electric eels for the BBC while writing The Power provided creative inspiration, too: the supernatural element to the novel is that girls generate and channel their own destructive electricity. Named one of Grantas Best of Young British Novelists in 2013, she was spent that year mentored by Margaret Atwood. Although Aldermans own authorial voice is clear, it isnt hard to see why this mentor-pupil relationship seems so right. Alderman's latest work, with a recommendation from her illustrious mentor However, books and radio are a different ballgame to the Hollywood machine. Every writer feels protective of their original work; Alderman looks at developments on the film adaptation of Disobedience with excitement and interest. I've been a fan of Rachel Weisz since I saw her in Design For Living at the Donmar about 20 years ago. That play (it's about a love triangle) informed Disobedience in some deep way. So it all feels very appropriate and perfect. She is also very accepting of what other creative people make of her work: It's not mine anymore, the rights are sold. Ive seen the script and it's beautiful. Her only qualm would be incorrect depictions of Orthodox Jewish life - she will be advising the filmmakers there. Before that, Alderman will be promoting her latest, The Power a sci-fi/dystopian novel about gendered violence and the fetishisation of power in social and gender relations as a whole. In the story, women begin to use their newfound abilities to occupy all ranks of power; God becomes a she; and men are frightened to walk alone at night. Alderman describes how the idea came to her while going through a break-up: I got onto the Tube and saw a poster for some movie, a thriller, where the main image was a beautiful woman crying. It was also what I was doing: waking up crying, feeling that I might break into pieces. It felt like the culture we live in was saying: Good. That's what you should be doing. We like it. We find it sexy." Like a combination of the survival drama of The Hunger Games, and the inverse of the gender politics in Margaret Atwoods The Handmaids Tale, The Power is savvy about patriarchy, societal shackles and sexual double-standards. Despite the busy year ahead, Alderman is brimming with ideas for future projects. Perhaps, she says, a novel, titled for now in my head, Why Is My Mother Like That? Maybe a young adult novel, or a book of short stories. Clearly a native in multiple media, she is already looking to see where her next screen adaptation could be: Hopefully, she says, a TV version of The Power watch this space. We definitely will. The Power by Naomi Alderman is out on 27 October, published by Penguin Books Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the IndyArts email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Lou Reed and Bettye Kronstad met in the hallway of a New York hospital in 1968. She was an 18-year-old student at Columbia and he was frontman of The Velvet Underground. Hey, you! Beautiful! Kronstad recalls his catcall, before he slapped her on the bottom. In the building, coincidentally, to visit the same mutual friend, Reed hotly pursued this normal-looking girl, and they became a couple for the next five years. They were even married briefly in 1973, before divorcing, reconciling, then finally parting ways for good later the same year. By Kronstads own account they were a fairly mismatched pair from the start. She wasnt involved in the music scene, not even as a groupie, and she didnt really drink, let alone take drugs, before Reed came along. They fell in love though, that much is clear, and she does an admirable job in presenting Reed as a misunderstood genius. He wanted to be appreciated for his writing, but could only find success as a songwriter and performer. He left the Velvets, for example, to pursue a career as a poet, taking a job as a typist in his fathers company and moving back into the family home on Long Island in order to fund his dream: the lost years to Reed aficionados, but for Kronstad the best in their relationship. He also struggled with drug and alcohol addictions, and soon became dependent on Kronstad herself being around to get him through the day. His refrain of I need you, Bettye runs through the book: each time Kronstad reminds her readers that she didnt want to be needed, she wanted to be wanted. Theirs was a relationship of increasing strife and too few perfect days. Though even when filing for divorce after discovering that Reed had begun shooting up (she always said shed walk if she found him with a needle in his arm) she takes solace in the fact his song Perfect Day had been written about and for her. Its not a perfect book either. Im suspicious, for example, of the reams of conversation Kronstad supposedly remembers word-for-word 40-odd years after the fact, and she has a tendency to repeat herself. All in all, the intimacy of her approach is both what appeals and what weakens the project. Kronstad cites the expected setting the record straight aims with bigger ambitions about throwing light on what its like to live with someone with an addictive personality and the problems associated with a world that doesnt value or support the arts enough she sees Reed as someone who was forced down a path he never should have taken. I suspect many of his fans will bristle at this, but then again any memoir written about a sidelined authors famous partner inevitably runs the risk of being accused, by fans of the celebrity in question, of, at best, having an agenda, and at worst, an out and out attempt to destroy the myth. Perfect Day: An Intimate Portrait of Life With Lou Reed by Bettye Kronstad (Jawbone, 14.95) 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 }} Roger Mainwood, 95 mins, voiced: Jim Broadbent, Pam Ferris, Luke Treadaway, Brenda Blethyn, Roger Allam, June Brown This is a wonderfully evocative and well observed animated feature that plays like a cartoon equivalent of Noel Cowards This Happy Breed. Adapted from Raymond Briggs graphic novel, it tells the story of Briggs parents Ethel and Ernest over a 50-year period from the late 1920s onward that encompasses Raymonds birth, the Second World War, the creation of the welfare state, the post-war age of austerity and the relative affluence of the 60s. The film deals with often seismic events in British social history from the very down-to-earth perspective of Ethel (voiced by Brenda Blethyn), a former ladys maid, and her milkman husband Ernest (Jim Broadbent). Devoted to one another, they live in a terraced house in London. Ethel is already in her late 30s when she gives birth to Raymond. The doctor tells Ernest that she is lucky to be alive and that she must never have another child. Many of the events depicted here are familiar from old documentaries and Ealing movies. There are scenes of street parties, VE bombs, Churchill speeches and wartime refugees. Ethel & Ernest buy their first TV and their first car. What stops the film from sinking into mawkish nostalgia is the humour and level of detail. The voice work by Blethyn and Broadbent is tremendous. They make their characters every bit as memorable as Robert Newton and Celia Johnson in This Happy Breed. Bleythn captures Ethels prudishness (squawking in alarm when Ernest suggests they share a bath together to save water in wartime) and her social pretensions. She is inordinately proud when Raymond gets into grammar school and goes to extreme lengths to protect his reputation when he gets into trouble with the police (he is assisting their inquiries, she tells the busybody neighbour, as if this is something to be proud about). Broadbent voices Ernest in the same cheery and sometimes waspish way as he plays many of his characters in Mike Leigh films. The film touches on some dark subject matter - neighbours whose sons have been killed in the war, the schizophrenia of Raymonds girlfriend but does so with a very British restraint. It is also quietly satirical about the British class system and changing social attitudes but it never patronises its characters. In adapting Briggs graphic novel, the filmmakers are fully alert to the eccentricities of the British and their sometimes bizarre behaviour. In one scene, tinged with both comedy and pathos, a near neighbour tries to invite Ernest to have sex with his wife, as if that is a service that any decent British milkman ought to provide. Ethel and Ernest are undemonstrative sorts who accept misfortune with stoicism and dont show off about it when luck is on their side. The animation is as unfussy as they are. There are no Pixar-like flights of fantasy here and the faces of the characters remain unchanging whatever confronts them. Even so, in its own understated way, the film is deeply moving. WikiLeaks reveals Hillary Clintons rmail exchanges on Armenian issues By Harut Sassounian Publisher, the Cailofornian Courier www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com The whole world is following with great interest the flood of internal emails released by WikiLeaks: over 400,000 emails of the Turkish ruling party (AKP), 2.8 million U.S. diplomatic emails, over 30,000 emails sent or received by Hillary Clinton while she was Secretary of State, and 27,000 emails and attachments hacked from the Democratic National Committee. I will single out a fewout of the hundreds of leaked emails that touch upon Armenia or Turkey: 1) On April 19, 2015, Jake Sullivan, Hillary Clintons foreign policy adviser, sent an email to a half dozen senior campaign staffers, including Chairman John Podesta, asking if they should issue astatement on the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Sullivan also wanted to know if Clinton would use the term genocideas she did as Senator and presidential candidate eight years ago, or will she avoid that term as she did as Secretary of State? Sullivan pointed out that the White House studiously avoided using genocide so far, and would probably continue to do so. Sullivan wondered whether Clintons campaign should proactively issue a statement on the Armenian Genocide or wait until asked todo so by Armenian groups. Sullivan ended his email by acknowledging that the Armenian Genocide issue matters enormously to Armenian-Americans. Within hours, Podesta suggested that a quotation from Pope Francis acknowledging the Armenian Genocide be included in the genocide statement which ultimately the Clinton Campaign decided not to issue! 2) Ismail Cobanoglu, First Counselor of the Turkish Embassy in Washington, D.C., sent an email on September 9, 2015 to Campaign Chairman John Podesta, asking if Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu could pay a courtesy call on Mrs. Clinton, in New York, between Sept. 26 and 30. Strangely, Cobanoglu stated that he had first written to the State Department, but was told that Mrs. Clinton was no longer Secretary of State! Cobanoglu told Podesta that Davutoglu is making this request in light of his prior friendship with Secretary Clinton dating back to the time when they were colleagues as Secretary of State/Foreign Minister. On the same day, Podesta told Cobanoglu that Mrs. Clintons schedule is quite difficult, but this would be a priority meeting if at all possible. Huma Abedin, the campaigns Vice Chair, will follow up. Podesta then asked Ms. Abedin: How do you want to handle? She responded the next day to Cobanoglu informing him that Mrs. Clinton would be happy tomeet with the Prime Minister but we arent certain that she will be in NY anyof days you suggest. We will let you know as soon as we are more clear on her schedule. We will be in touch soon. It is not known if the requested meeting ever took place. 3) On December 17, 2010, Huma Abedin, who at the time was Secretary of State Clintons Deputy Chief of Staff, forwarded her news about a ruling by the Federal Appeals Court, allowing heirs of Armenian Genocide victims to seek compensation from three German life insurance companies. Interestingly, and ominously, the subject line of Abedins email stated that Foreign Minister Davutoglu referred to this court case in his earlier phone call to Clinton. The next day, Harold Koh, Legal adviser of the State Department, sent a copy of the court verdict to Jake Sullivan, ClintonsDeputy Chief of Staff, and Joe MacManus, Executive Assistant to the Secretaryof State, asking them to forward this important document to Secretary Clinton.Koh added that since FM [Foreign Minister] Davutoglu mentioned it in his phonecall to her on Friday, we wanted to get this to her ASAP. Sullivan sent the court verdict to Secretary Clinton with the following note: Importance: High.In my opinion, this was an unwarranted and blatant interference by the Turkish Foreign Minister in the US judicial system, seeking to enlist the Secretary of State in pressuring the courts to reverse the verdict! It is not known if Mrs.Clinton took any action in this regard. However, the Federal Court of Appeals subsequently struck down the earlier decision! Finally, in a March 17, 2016 email, Campaign Chairman John Podesta listed 39 individuals as potential Vice Presidential candidates for Mrs. Clinton. One of the surprising names on the list was Muhtar Kent, a Turkish-American who is Chairman of The Coca Cola Company. His father, Necdet Kent, was Consul General of Turkey in New York City, where Muhtar was born. He attended high school in Mersin, Turkey. As we know, Mrs. Clinton ended up picking Tim Kaine as her running mate, not MuhtarKent! Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This 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 Roisin OConnors email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Returning from a tour around the world, Lucy Rose has recorded a live album set for release in December. It's a collection of tracks from her first two albums recorded at Urchin Studios in London, in front of a live audience of fans that Lucy invited via social media. The album includes a live version of 'Nebraska' - the stunning video starring Danny Dyer of which we premiered earlier this year. We're now premiering the video of one of these live performances - 'Our Eyes' - taken off her album Work It Out. Watch the video below: Lucy Rose says of the track: "After making 'Live at Urchin Studios' I was thinking about playing an album launch to celebrate its release but I wanted to do something a bit different. "As some of you may already know I'm never without a book and songs like 'Nebraska' have been heavily inspired by books I've read, so when my booking agent suggested a library tour with Get it Loud in Libraries I jumped on the idea. "It's only a small run of 5 shows but I'm excited to see what sort of atmosphere a library makes for a gig and hopefully they will be memorable shows for everyone who comes along. "I'm especially excited about playing at Barrow library in Cumbria as it's somewhere I've always wanted to go visit but have never had the chance. I'm currently looking for local female supports for each show, so keep an eye out for that." Tickets for Lucy Rose's library tour are on sale from 10am today. The album Live At Urchin Studios is due for release on 9 December and available for pre-order now Sign up to our free weekly newsletter for insider tips and product reviews from our shopping experts Sign up for our free IndyBest 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 IndyBest email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} 2016 has been a fruitful year in literature, with readers being treated to dozens of new novels from established authors, as well as a few newcomers. Many are coming straight from the Man Booker pantheon, with Paul Beatty, Howard Jacobson, Zadie Smith, Margaret Atwood, Yann Martel, Ian McEwan and Julian Barnes all featuring in this article. The imperishable Don DeLillo has also published his latest, the utopian-dystopian Zero K. From novels about foetuses to novels about race, here is some of 2016s best in fiction. 1. Nutshell by Ian McEwan: 16.99, Jonathan Cape In this bizarre but brilliant novel, the acclaimed McEwan loosely re-tells the story of Hamlet through the perspective of a foetus a fluent, thoughtful foetus who matches the Danish prince in his fickleness and verbosity. Taking Hamlets existential anxieties literally, the foetus spends the early chapters recounting his embryonic origins to the reader my idea was to be. Or, if not that, its grammatical variant, is. Later, while eavesdropping on his mother from the sanctuary of the womb, he uncovers a murderous plot that she devises with her lover (the foetuss uncle) against his fathers life. What follows is a tragedy in which the foetus, bound in his nutshell, proves as helpless as his Danish counterpart. McEwans latest is a tour de force in language and literary intrigue. Buy now 2. The High Mountains of Portugal by Yann Martel: 8.99, Canongate Books In his latest novel, the author behind Life of Pi tackles themes of loss, heartbreak, solitude, travel and healing. The novel is separated into three thematically connected stories: the first part follows the lonely Tomas in the year 1904; the second, three decades later, follows a pathologist Eusebio Lozara, and the third follows Peter, the Canadian senator who retires to Portugal (with a chimpanzee). The books pathos and strangeness are rooted in the untranslatable concept of saudade something Martel defines as that peculiar form of Portuguese melancholy. At once sombre and hopeful, The High Mountains of Portugal is a very cleverly written novel. Buy now 3. Zero K by Don DeLillo: 16.99, Picador The prolific DeLillos chosen theme in his novel is death the mystery of death, the pursuit of eternal life (or the ineffable hereafters as one character calls it) and the interplay between life and death. Set in a dreary laboratory in Kazakhstan, the novel follows Ross Lockhart, a visionary billionaire who is seeking to push cryogenic technology to its utmost, and his wife who will be one of his first patients. The novels narrator is Ross son: sceptical and inquisitive, he asks unanswerable questions like Isnt death a blessing? and What does it mean to die? The questions he poses are interesting, but a large part of the novels charm lies in its language. DeLillo writes with a scientific terseness that suits the novels sterile scenery. Zero K is a fascinating, unsettling novel about the uncertainties of humanitys future. Buy now 4. A Girl in Exile by Ismail Kadare: 16.99, Harvill Secker Kadares A Girl in Exile was first published in Albanian 2009, only translated and published in English this year. In his novel, Kadare born in Albania in 1936 and winner of the English PEN and the international Man Booker prizes deals principally with the theme of exile. Feelings of loss and remoteness pervade this novel, which is set in the communist-governed Albania of the 1980s. Kadare obviously draws much of the bleak imagery of life under tyranny from his own life under the dictator Enver Hoxha, making the author especially adept at illustrating the absurd and horrifying realities of life under an absolute dictatorship. Buy now 5. Shylock Is My Name by Howard Jacobson: 8.99, Hogarth Press As he was finishing his novel J a few years ago, Hogarth Press approached Jacobson and asked whether he would write a novel for its Shakespeare series. After suggesting Hamlet, Macbeth, Coriolanus and others, Jacobson acquiesced and agreed to re-write The Merchant of Venice. He recasts the play, which tells the story of Shylock the Venetian moneylender, who famously demands his pound of flesh for unpaid loans, in the affluent golden triangle of modern-day Cheshire. Instead of a pound of flesh, however, the protagonist is after a few grams of foreskin from his daughters gentile suitor. The Merchant of Venice is a notoriously difficult play to navigate: for some, Shylock is a subject of sympathy, and for others a subject of ridicule and contempt. (The Nazis broadcast the play not long after the tragedy of Kristallnacht.) Jacobsons deft handling of the multiple, often paradoxical themes in the Shylock story is admirable and makes for an intelligent, funny and enjoyable novel. Buy now 6. Hag-Seed by Margaret Atwood: 16.99, Hogarth Press For the latest novel in Hogarth Presss Shakespeare series, Atwood rewrites Shakespeares The Tempest. Shakespeares play is vivacious and bold, featuring many of his most memorable characters such as the magician Prospero and the half-man half-beast Caliban. It is also among his most enigmatic plays, with critics interpreting it variously as a commentary on empire, a portrait of contemporary drama, or just Shakespeares farewell to theatre or all three. Atwoods novel reflects the plays multifaceted nature: in Hag-Seed, Felix Philips takes Prosperos place as the duke deposed from his dukedom (for Atwood, a theatre rather than an actual dukedom) and instead of an uncharted island we have modern Canada as the novels backdrop. A fun and imaginative novel, Atwood retells The Tempest with all the zest that the play demands. Buy now 7. The Noise of Time by Julian Barnes: 14.99, Jonathan Cape Barnes most recent work is a 180-page novel following the Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich through one of the most perilous career blips a composer can face: denunciation by Stalin. After Pravda publishes an unfavourable review of his 1936 opera Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District a Muddle Instead of Music read the headline, with a sinister warning that, if Shostakovich didnt amend his style soon, it might end very badly the Communist Party routinely attempts to humiliate Dmitri into submission. Based on true events, The Noise of Time is a poignant and thoughtful portrait of the persecuted artist. Buy now 8. The Sellout by Paul Beatty: 12.99, Oneworld Beattys most recent novel won this year's Man Booker Prize, and with good reason. The Sellout tells the story of a nameless African-American narrator who encounters trouble with the law for striving to reinstate slavery and racial segregation in Los Angeles. A satire in the tradition of Catch-22 (which Beatty has cited as one of the few perennially funny books), Beattys America is self-consciously absurd, profane, violent, cruel and funny. Like Catch-22, The Sellout has the dual attraction of being both a timely satire as well as a hugely entertaining and memorable novel. Buy now 9. Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh: 8.99, Vintage Moshfegh is an American writer who has made a name for herself through her contributions to the literary magazine The Paris Review. With her debut (and Booker Prize-shortlisted) novel Eileen, Moshfegh tells the story of a young and chronically anxious woman trying to get by in the cruel and miserably cold town of X-ville, a fictional New England town. Moshfeghs prose in Eileen is clever but sullen. The novels eponymous narrator a cynic and pessimist to the point of misanthropy spends a great deal of energy fluently describing her contempt for most of the people around her, especially her father whose cruelty and alcoholism drive her to thoughts of murder. Eileen is a clever, eloquent and captivating debut novel. Buy now 10. All That Man Is by David Szalay: 14.99, Jonathan Cape In his Man Booker-shortlisted novel All That Man Is, Szalay ponders the nature of masculinity in all of its guises. Similar to Martels The High Mountains of Portugal, Szalays novel is a collection of loosely tethered short stories. Instead of one continual narrative, Szalay chooses to depict man at all stages of life in separate stories: the novel starts with a couple of young, broke and sexually frustrated interrailers arriving in Berlin, and ends with an elderly man living a lonely life in Italy. Each story is told from a different part of Europe London, Berlin, Italy, Cyprus and the surroundings are invariably bleak and lonely. All That Man Is makes for an interesting and solemn study of what manliness can be. Buy now 11. Swing Time by Zadie Smith: 18.99, Penguin In a talk with Ian McEwan, Smith once cited Martin Amis as one of her principal literary inspirations. (To use her own words: Meeting Martin Amis for me, at 19, was like meeting God.) As with Amis, Smiths talent as a writer lies in her perceptiveness and her ability to tease out the small, almost unnoticeable details in a character or place to ultimately make the whole novel all the more believable. Swing Time begins in 1980s London and follows the narrator as she recounts her relationships with her mother, who spends her time studying revolutionary politics; her boss Aimee, the Australian pop-star who tries to drag the narrator into a life of promiscuous flamboyance; and Tracey, her lifelong friend who happens to share the narrators dark skin tone. Like her celebrated debut novel White Teeth, the novel encompasses several divergent themes, from race and ambition to the struggles of girlhood and poverty. Swing Time is an expertly crafted novel exhibiting the thoughtfulness, humour and exquisite prose for which Smith is justly famed. Buy now Verdict: Best new fiction of 2016 All of the novels on this have their own particular attractions. Don DeLillos Zero K naturally appeals to readers with a taste for science fiction, whereas slower and more introspective novels like Eileen, All That Man Is and The High Mountains of Portugal resonate with the more meditative among readers. Novels like Paul Beattys The Sellout and Ian McEwans Nutshell benefit from eccentric narrators. Much of the The Sellouts verve flows from the narrators flippant style of storytelling, taking the reader from topic to topic, from place to place so briskly that we never know where were going next. Similarly, in McEwans novel it is the foetus-narrator, with his Hamlet-like tendency to drift into philosophical daydreaming, that becomes the novels main attraction. The high quality of these novels, by turns innovative, fascinating and terrifying, attests to the good health of literature in 2016. Sign up to our free weekly newsletter for insider tips and product reviews from our shopping experts Sign up for our free IndyBest 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 IndyBest email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} From lattes to cereal, just when you thought Autumn couldnt get any more pumpkin spiced, Americas favourite gourd has started cropping up in craft beers across the UK. Pumpkin ale, or beer brewed with pumpkin meat and flavoured with pumpkin pie spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, is a style still in its infancy in British brewing. It commands an industry of its own in the US, where the pumpkin spiced season stretches from before Halloween through Thanksgiving and well into December. Seattle-based Elysian Brewery hosts an annual pumpkin beer festival at the beginning of October - from lagers to stouts, this years sold-out event hosted more than 80 different pumpkin beers. In the UK, however, asking a beer aficionado for their thoughts on pumpkin beer can still provoke a reaction as severe as if youd offered them a can of Budweiser. Its generally viewed as tacky and a bit gimmicky - the pumpkin spiced latte of the beer world. We dont sell any pumpkin ales, one bearded London barman told me, because theyre all rubbish. But for all the criticism, pumpkin beer has a relatively solid pedigree. The idea of adding body to beers with fruit or vegetables is old as brewing itself; in Lithuania, for example, there is a whole strata of traditional ales made with peas. Pumpkin beer specifically has been around since at least the 17th century when, in the US, pumpkins represented a readily available form of sugar with a relatively neutral flavour. Unfortunately, its this neutrality that has earned the beer the ire of present-day hipsters. Pumpkin is, in practice, pretty inoffensive, so brewers amp it up with the infamous pumpkin spice blend: nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves. Done well, this results in a beer that pours a glowing amber and is warming, spicy and reassuringly boozey. Done badly, its cloyingly sweet and tastes like an out-of-date mulled wine sachet fell into your pale ale. Thankfully, a number of UK brewers have nailed the former - and, in response to growing demand - online stores are beginning to carry some of the best US imports. Here are some of the best home-grown and import pumpkin beers to see you through to winter stout season. 1. Beavertown, Stingy Jack, 7.2%: 2.70 for 330ml, Beavertown Stingy Jack, a pumpkin beer so outstanding its driven most other London brewers out of the pumpkin spiced market, regularly features in lists of the worlds best pumpkin beers - not bad for a brewery based in Tottenham. Its gently spiced on the nose but outrageous to drink: sweet, boozy, slightly savoury and incredibly perfumed. The meaty pumpkin adds a body that thickens and supports the Christmas cake spices. It pours a thick, burnt orange and is dangerously and enticingly drinkable - unfortunate, because its also 7.2 per cent. Buy now 2. Wicked Weed, Xibalba, 8.2%: 12.50 for 500ml, Beer Gonzo An import from North Carolinas Wicked Weed brewery, Xibala tastes like a mug of cocoa laced with booze and nutmeg. A thick and abundant imperial (aka strong) ale, its relatively high alcohol level is sharpened by three different kinds of chillies; also present are the ubiquitous fall spices for sweetness and cacao nibs for bitterness. Rich and velvety with generous, complex levels of spice and the toasty warmth youd expect from a stout, it pours a nutty dark brown and at 8.2 per cent is one to savour, slowly. Buy now 3. BrewDog, Pumpkin King, 5.4%: 1.95 for 330ml, Brewdog With Pumpkin King, BrewDog has managed to achieve a rare thing among pumpkin beers - subtlety. At 5.5 per cent, its got the body of a respectable pale ale, but with an added layer of nutmeg, cinnamon and sweetness. Peppery notes add an enjoyable herbiness without overwhelming the beer. It's a good introduction to savoury flavours in beer and a great choice for people who arent ready to go full pumpkin or who are looking for an autumnal session beer - because unlike many pumpkin beers, you can drink pints of this without slipping into a Halloween coma. Buy now 4. Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, La Parcela, 5.9%: 17.95 for 750ml, Beer Gonzo A truly artisanal pumpkin beer for people who think they hate pumpkin beer, La Parcela, by Michigans Jolly Pumpkin Brewery, is unique (and has the price tag to match): a sour, oak-aged ale made with real pumpkin meat and cacao. Extremely acidic, it has the refreshing drinkability and hazy yeast of a farmhouse ale with a spicy, creamy finish. The lemony bite might disappoint hop-heads and pumpkin pie fans, but its a clean drink that slices through the usual nutmeg haze and doesnt hide behind syrupy sweetness. Buy now 5. Brooklyn Brewery, Post Road Pumpkin Ale, 5%: 2.59 for 355ml, Beer Hawk Malty and drinkable, a great balance between fruity, fragrant hops and bitter pumpkin is struck in Brooklyns offering. It is heavy on the nutmeg, but thats counterbalanced by the solid earthiness of the pumpkin - hundreds of pounds of pumpkin meat is blended into the mash of each batch. All this means that Post Road sits at the more accessible end of the pumpkin spiced spectrum - so it would be great paired with hearty autumn stews, roasts and casseroles. Buy now 6. Hobgoblin, Pumpking, 3.8%: 1.25 for 500ml, Morrisons Significantly lighter than most pumpkin beers, Pumpking is a decent - and cheap - pumpkin beer. Best suited to fans of Hobgoblins ubiquitous ruby ale, it doesnt exactly reek of pumpkin spice, but it pours an earth-y, apricot glass with a surprising punch. It lacks some of the sweetness of stronger pumpkin ales, but that can be a good thing - after the initial, vanilla and spice overload the milder, biscuit-y ale flavours take over. In stores in November The Verdict: Pumpkin beers For price, availability and pumpkin punch, you cant do better than Beavertowns Stingy Jack. The beer is also available on keg and makes an amazing Autumn pint. Juicy and accessible, its a great introduction to some of the more complex offerings on this list. 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 }} Last week Tesla announced all its new cars would come with full driverless capability. So I felt slightly paranoid that on the same week I a human was being given a Tesla to test drive. Had I been specially selected from a shortlist of idiots to prove how much better transport would be without drivers? Temporarily shelving these disturbing thoughts, I headed to the Tesla centre at Heathrow to pick up my new Model S, Teslas fully electric luxury saloon. My hands felt sweaty on the steering wheel of my tiny Hyundai at the prospect. Sweaty hands turned to sweaty other parts as I walked towards the sleek beast waiting for me outside the minimalist-chic Tesla showroom. From the moment you first approach a Model S, and the door handles automatically pop out to meet you, you know youre in for something special. Once inside the first impression is confirmed, amidst all the leather trim and mahogany that you might expect is a giant tablet-style touchscreen computer the size of a small coffee table or large family Bible. Everything in the car is controlled from this screen, from the seat adjustments (personalised in your own driver profile) to the navigation system and all the usual dashboard controls. While the Tesla woman overloaded me with information about what the car could do (did she really just say it can withstand chemical and biological attacks?) my mind was endlessly repeating the simple formula let me play. Fortunately it wasnt long before I could. A quick lesson on how to use the autopilot and I was free to take the car on the hour-and-a-half trip back to my hometown, Poole. Cruising down the M3 in my newly-acquired Model S I began to feel like a rock star. A rock star with a conscience. I basically felt like Bono. Safety fears after Tesla driver dies in autopilot crash Once Id managed to get over this, I was able to relax and try out some of the features like autopilot and auto-steer. To engage autopilot you pull a paddle on the steering wheel towards you twice and suddenly the car is in control, the wheel turning itself to follow the curve of the road and keeping itself a set (but adjustable) distance from the vehicle in front. To change lanes automatically you simply flick the indicator in the desired direction and the car moves itself, once clear, into the correct lane. Im sure both these features make long journeys ultimately more comfortable but at first they are bum-squeekingly unnerving, especially the auto-lane change. I also found that it is unable to cope with twats who roar up behind you, tailgate you aggressively then try to undertake you just as youre telling the auto-steer to pull back in. As the twat roared off, I reappraised the benefits of fully driverless cars. The Model S really is a blessing while on daddy duty, but Lee Williams daughter would need a license to drive it The next day was back to real life and its humdrum concerns, a good chance to test out the practical aspects of the car. It was a day of pootling about town. This was fun in a shiny new car with tonnes of gadgets, but Im not sure how long that would last. You see the Model S isnt really a pootler. Its just too damn big. Another issue, at first, was the automatic locking. Supposedly you just walk away and the car locks itself. Yet never has a single feature induced such instant OCD, especially as you have to walk quite a distance before it locks and the only way of telling is the door handles sinking back into the bodywork quite hard to spot from a distance. For several minutes I dilly-dallied, peering over my shoulder, dithering like some overprotective ostrich leaving its eggs for the first time. Fortunately Tesla has placed enough faith in humanity to allow you to lock the car manually by double clicking the car-shaped key fob. One of my pootly chores of the day was charging the car itself. Teslas usually come equipped with home chargers, enabling you to power them overnight thus overcoming so-called range anxiety. Having it only for the week I was not afforded this luxury and had to use public charging points. I headed off to my nearest one handily pointed out on the cars Google Map-based navigation system. It took the best part of two hours and a cost of 12 to charge from half to full battery, time which I spent happily playing with the various functions on the computer. But its easy to see how this would quickly become tedious. Tesla has its own superchargers dotted around the country which take nearer half an hour to fully charge but the nearest to me was an hours drive away, so not much use. This was a shame because, in a way, its these superchargers that give Tesla the real leap over any of its rivals. With two-hour plus charging and significantly lower ranges, long-distance trips in other EVs dial the clock back to pre-combustion engine times. When friends of mine asked a dealer of another popular EV how long it would take to get to Scotland, they were told theyd be lent a petrol car instead. A nice gesture but one that begs the question, whats the point in buying an electric car in the first place? The Tesla Model S has a range of more than 250 miles plus the benefit of its supercharger network. A similar trip from Poole to Edinburgh in the Tesla would take ten hours with three 20-to-40-minute charging stops between. Not the fastest trip ever but certainly manageable and with no more or lengthier stops than you would probably take in a petrol car. And the route is handily mapped out for you by the Teslas navigation system, providing waypoints at each Tesla supercharger, estimates of charge left on arrival at each waypoint and charging time required. Car fully charged and mind at ease, I ceased my pootling and went home to rest up for the next days Tesla challenge daddy day care with my eight-month-old daughter. With children the Tesla really comes into its own. Theres space on the backseat for three child seats. And despite being a saloon, the boot is so spacious I could literally fit her buggy inside without folding it. The boot can also be modified, on purchase, to provide two extra child seats, turning the standard saloon into a seven-seater. Theres also extra storage space under the bonnet next to the engine, which I put the shopping in. Not because I had to but because I could. The auto-locking suddenly makes sense with a child in tow too no more scrabbling about for your keys while trying to hold a flailing toddler. The cars Google Map-based navigation system leads the way On the way back from the supermarket I tried out some of the other features. Auto-parking is something that few car manufacturers have managed to get right, but the Tesla does it perfectly. You just find a spot, put it in reverse, take your hands off the wheel, press auto-park and the car does the rest to millimetre perfection. Its a handy feature because the sheer size of the car does make reverse parking daunting. But I did have a problem with it although the auto-park itself is perfect, the system for finding parking spaces is less so. In its mania for all things automated, Tesla has equipped the car to detect parking spots for you. The only problem is, this function didnt work a lot of the time, completely missing parking spots that were ample enough for several cars. And without the car sensing a spot, you cant use auto-park, which is annoying. Undeterred I pressed on, trying out bio-weapon defence mode (yes the woman really had said the car can withstand biological and chemical attacks). Basically it seals the cabin from outside contaminants (99.97 per cent of all exhaust pollution and all allergens according to Tesla). In practice its pretty unimpressive, just blasting you with a load of air, but it must be a godsend for people who suffer with hay-fever. It does make you wonder though if Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, is cooking up some apocalyptic plot to repopulate the world with middle class, vegan, tech geeks. Also minor gripe time why does a car that can withstand a biological or chemical apocalypse not have a rear windscreen wiper? Yes I know it has a rear-facing camera that pops up helpfully on the touch screen whenever you reverse. But perhaps, just perhaps, I might want to look out the back window myself sometimes when its raining. And no CD player? Yes it has a built-in Spotify app but what if I dont want to spend hours creating playlists of my favourite tracks? What if I want to spend just seconds putting in the CDs I already bloody have? But in the grand scheme these are very minor issues. The truth is I fell in love with the Model S. Its almost literally an unbelievable car, a game changer in every sense. If I won the lottery a Tesla Model S is the only car Id buy. Unfortunately thats one of the problems at prices from 57,900 to more than 100,000 most people would have to win the lottery to afford one. The one I tested cost 95,180, but luckily for those of us stricken with the Tesla bug, the company is building up to the release of an affordable version. The Tesla Model 3 is set to launch next year at a price of around $30,000 (25,000) and will include full driverless options. I probably wont be able to afford one of those either but itll be good to know more people will have access to such amazing technology. And, of course, that more people will survive the imminent bio-chemical apocalypse. Those pioneering geeks will live on to tell tales of the savages who drove machines fuelled by dead plants, who had to look over their shoulders to reverse and who didnt have access to Spotify from their cars good luck to them. 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 }} Googles ad tracking data has been extended potentially to watch over much of your life. Until recently, the site had important restrictions on the way that it could use your data. And perhaps one of the most important ones was the fact that Google worked hard to keep a massive database of web-browsing records separate from the personal information that it stores about people. Because of its huge range of products, Google knows a lot about specific people: for most internet users, it likely has their name, their addresses and a range of other personal information. And through its DoubleClick advertising network it has a huge set of information about peoples web browsing history. Gadget and tech news: In pictures Show all 25 1 /25 Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gun-toting humanoid robot sent into space Russia has launched a humanoid robot into space on a rocket bound for the International Space Station (ISS). The robot Fedor will spend 10 days aboard the ISS practising skills such as using tools to fix issues onboard. Russia's deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin has previously shared videos of Fedor handling and shooting guns at a firing range with deadly accuracy. Dmitry Rogozin/Twitter Gadget and tech news: In pictures Google turns 21 Google celebrates its 21st birthday on September 27. The The search engine was founded in September 1998 by two PhD students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, in their dormitories at Californias Stanford University. Page and Brin chose the name google as it recalled the mathematic term 'googol', meaning 10 raised to the power of 100 Google Gadget and tech news: In pictures Hexa drone lifts off Chief engineer of LIFT aircraft Balazs Kerulo demonstrates the company's "Hexa" personal drone craft in Lago Vista, Texas on June 3 2019 Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures Project Scarlett to succeed Xbox One Microsoft announced Project Scarlett, the successor to the Xbox One, at E3 2019. The company said that the new console will be 4 times as powerful as the Xbox One and is slated for a release date of Christmas 2020 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures First new iPod in four years Apple has announced the new iPod Touch, the first new iPod in four years. The device will have the option of adding more storage, up to 256GB Apple Gadget and tech news: In pictures Folding phone may flop Samsung will cancel orders of its Galaxy Fold phone at the end of May if the phone is not then ready for sale. The $2000 folding phone has been found to break easily with review copies being recalled after backlash PA Gadget and tech news: In pictures Charging mat non-starter Apple has cancelled its AirPower wireless charging mat, which was slated as a way to charge numerous apple products at once AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures "Super league" India shoots down satellite India has claimed status as part of a "super league" of nations after shooting down a live satellite in a test of new missile technology EPA Gadget and tech news: In pictures 5G incoming 5G wireless internet is expected to launch in 2019, with the potential to reach speeds of 50mb/s Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Uber halts driverless testing after death Uber has halted testing of driverless vehicles after a woman was killed by one of their cars in Tempe, Arizona. March 19 2018 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures The giant human-like robot bears a striking resemblance to the military robots starring in the movie 'Avatar' and is claimed as a world first by its creators from a South Korean robotic company Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi and Kaptain Rock playing one string light saber guitar perform jam session Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway resembling the giant panda is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway, resembling a giant panda, is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A concept car by Trumpchi from GAC Group is shown at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A Mirai fuel cell vehicle by Toyota is displayed at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A visitor tries a Nissan VR experience at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A man looks at an exhibit entitled 'Mimus' a giant industrial robot which has been reprogrammed to interact with humans during a photocall at the new Design Museum in South Kensington, London Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A new Israeli Da-Vinci unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by Elbit Systems is displayed during the 4th International conference on Home Land Security and Cyber in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv Getty Those two things were until now kept completely separate. But the company has made a new change that could make its ad tracking far more intrusive. The change has been made to the way that Google uses the data it has from DoubleClick, an advertising network that it owns. It bought that company in 2007, but committed that privacy would be the central concern in any new products and that the two pots of information would never be mixed. Recommended Read more Google records and stores conversation people have around their phones That was until now, and the new change that was made over summer but revealed this week by ProPublica. Now Google has removed that line in the sand, getting rid of the part in the terms that kept those two bits of information separate. The old message read: We will not combine DoubleClick cookie information with personally identifiable information unless we have your opt-in consent. The same part now reads: Depending on your account settings, your activity on other sites and ads may be associated with your personal information in order to improve Googles services and the ads delivers by Google. The company does make clear that it wont use that information in a way that isnt set out in the companys privacy policy. But that policy permits most of the uses that you might imagine, including using personal data for ads. Its possible to opt out of the personalised ads though that wont stop ads altogether and might only work temporarily. Its done by heading to Googles ad settings page and turning off the Ads Personalisation setting. You should also untick the option that allows Google to Include Chrome browsing history and activity from websites and apps that use Google services. 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 }} If youre still undecided on whom you should vote for in the coming election, Tinder is offering a solution to your presidential dilemma. On Wednesday, the mobile dating company announced Swipe The Vote, a worldwide poll to help users decide the lesser evil between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Users in more than 15 countries can now take a break from searching for a potential hookup and swipe on the most vital issues facing the American public. The dating app will also hook you up with the nearest polling station in your area. 10 Famous People You Could Date On Tinder Show all 10 1 /10 10 Famous People You Could Date On Tinder 10 Famous People You Could Date On Tinder Hilary Duff A year after splitting from her husband Mike Comrie, the newly single Lizzie McGuire child star has started a profile on Tinder so she can date normal folks, like you or I. 10 Famous People You Could Date On Tinder Leonardo DiCaprio OK, so the days of Titanic poster boy Leo might be dead in the water, but that hasn't stopped famous lady's man Mr DiCaprio from making himself publicly available. According to "a source" he's been swiping away as a "Leonard". Getty Images 10 Famous People You Could Date On Tinder Katy Perry "Im really deep on Tinder so I dont have a whole lot of time," the pop singer told one radio station following her split from John Mayer for the umpteenth time last year. Getty 10 Famous People You Could Date On Tinder Shane Warne Lock up your mothers - Shane Warne is just 13km away, according to his profile. The former cricketer landed himself in hot water via the dating app when a mother-of-two from Adelaide cashed in on their apparently steamy Tinder hookup. 10 Famous People You Could Date On Tinder Lindsay Lohan Imagine Lindsay Lohan's face when she was happily swiping through Tinder one day and came across her own brother? Look who I just found on @tinderapp ... hey bro, she tweeted. 10 Famous People You Could Date On Tinder Chris Pine Whether he's actually on there RIGHT NOW, at this VERY MOMENT, remains unclear. But Chris Pine did tell Cosmopolitan recently: I have a couple of buddies who use Tinder. Whatever eases the process is great, since it can be awkward or uncomfortable meeting someone. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth 10 Famous People You Could Date On Tinder Lily Allen Is very much married to a builder. But that hasn't stopped her enjoying the contagious swipe action in her spare time. Just discovered tinder, the singer wrote on Twitter. *waves goodbye to life* 10 Famous People You Could Date On Tinder Ed Sheeran What do you mean you wouldn't want to date pop music's favourite Fraggle, Ed Sheeran? Well you can't. "I got offered the first verified Tinder account," he admitted. However, he added: "I did say no. I haven't got time to go on loads of dates." He wants to play music, or something. No idea. Getty Images 10 Famous People You Could Date On Tinder Britney Spears Jimmy Fallon added the singer to the app himself in September 2014 after she split up from David Lucado. Whether she used it or not... Getty Images 10 Famous People You Could Date On Tinder Samuel Preston OK, so we've swung down market somewhat. See also Calum Best and the entire cast of Made In Chelsea. They're all on there. Happy swiping. Tinder teamed up with Rock The Vote to encourage millennials to hit the polls on November 8. Users were first introduced to the feature back in March but its back in action between October 26 and November 1. Sean Rad, the companys CEO, recently explained that the feature began as a side project within his company. "We look at Tinder as a broader platform to do good in the world and not necessarily just a business," he recently told Business Insider. Tinder built the experience with Wedgies, known for its real-time surveys. Its available in the US, UK, Argentina, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Russia, and Spain. 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 }} Vodafone has been hit with a 4.6m fine for failing to adequately handle customer complaints and providing poor service to pay-as-you-go customers. Telecoms regulator Ofcom found that 10,452 pay-as-you-go customers lost out when Vodafone failed to credit their accounts after they paid to top-up their mobile phone credit. The affected customers collectively lost 150,000 over a 17-month period. The company also breached billing rules because top-ups that consumers had bought did not show up in their pay-as-you-go credit balances. Recommended Read more Vodafone could move group HQ outside UK because of Brexit To compound the problem, Vodafone failed to identify or address the problems and only acted after Ofcom intervened, the regulator said. Vodafone, the UK's most complained about mobile phone network, offered its profound apologies for the failures. The second part of the probe found that Vodafones customer service agents were not given sufficiently clear guidance on what constituted a complaint. Processes were insufficient to ensure that all complaints were appropriately escalated or dealt with in a fair, timely manner, Ofcom ruled. Vodafones procedures also failed to ensure that customers were told, in writing, of their right to take an unresolved complaint to a third-party resolution scheme after eight weeks. The company blamed the issues on a new IT system and said it had fully refunded or re-credited 10,422 pay-as-you-go customers out of the 10,452 affected. It said it was unable to track down the remaining 30. In a statement, Vodafone said: Everyone who works for us is expected to do their utmost to meet our customers needs. Biggest business scandals in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Biggest business scandals in pictures Biggest business scandals in pictures Volkswagen emissions scandal VW admitted to rigging its US emission tests so that diesel-powered cars would looks like they were emitting less nitrous oxide, which can damage the ozone layer and contribute to respiratory diseases. Around 11 million cars worldwide were affected. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Martin Shkreli and Turing Pharmaceuticals Martin Shkreli became known as the most hated man in the world after his drug company, Turing, increased the price of a 62-year-old drug that treated HIV patients by 5,000% to $750 a pill. He was charged with illegally taking stock from Retrophin, a biotechnology firm he started in 2011, and using it pay off debts from unrelated business dealings. Shkreli, who maintains he is innocent, and says there is little evidence of fraud because his investors didn't lose money. Biggest business scandals in pictures Panama Papers: Millions of leaked documents expose how worlds rich and powerful hid money - April 2016 Millions of confidential documents have been leaked from one of the worlds most secretive law firms, exposing how the rich and powerful have hidden their money. Dictators and other heads of state have been accused of laundering money, avoiding sanctions and evading tax, according to the unprecedented cache of papers that show the inner workings of the law firm Mossack Fonseca, which is based in Panama. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Google's tax avoidance Google reached a deal with the HM Revenue and Customs to pay back 130 million in so-called back-taxes that have been due since 2005. George Osborne championed the deal as a major success. But European MEPs have since called for the Chancellor to appear in front of the committee on tax rulings to explain the tax deal. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Rogue trader A French court cut the damages owed by rogue trader Jerome Kerviel from 4.9bn (4.2bn) to just 1m (860,000). The court ruled on that Kerviel was partly responsible for massive losses suffered in 2008 by his former employer Societe Generale through his reckless trades. Kerviel has consistently maintained that bosses at the French bank knew what he was doing all along. AP Biggest business scandals in pictures Barclays CEO under investigation for trying to identify whistleblower - Monday Paril 10 Authorities have launched an investigation into Barclays chief executive officer Jes Staley for trying to identify a whistleblower, the bank said on Monday. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) are both investigating Mr Staley after the bank notified them that Mr Staley had tried to identify the author of two anonymous letters, which were sent to the board and a senior executive in June 2016. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures UK to crack down on bank money laundering after reports of 65bn Russian scam, City minister says - March 2017 The Economic Secretary to the Treasury has vowed that the Government will crack down on money laundering practices, after several of the UK's biggest banks were accused of processing money from a Russian scam, believed to involve up to $80bn (65bn). Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures Former HBOS bankers convicted of bribery and fraud over 245m loan scam - February 2017 Two former HBOS bankers were among six people found guilty of bribery and fraud that cost customers and shareholders hundreds of millions of pounds, the BBC reports. Lynden Scourfield, 54, a manager at HBOS, forced struggling clients to use the services of his friends David Mills, 60, and Michael Bancroft, 73. In return, the two businessmen arranged sex parties, cash and lavish gifts. On Monday, the three were convicted at Southwark Crown Court on accounts including bribery, fraud and money laundering. Mark Dobson, another manager at HBOS, Alison Mills, and John Cartwright were also convicted. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Lloyds chief apologises for damage caused by affair allegations - August 2016 Antonio Horta-Osorio, the chief executive of Lloyds Bank, has broken his silence over allegations about his private life admitting he regrets any "damage done to the group's reputation". In a message sent to the bank's 75,000 employees, the banker said that anyone can make mistakes while insisting that staff had to maintain the highest professional standards. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Christine Lagarde faces court over 340m Bernard Tapie payment - July 2016 The head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde, must stand trial in France over a payment of 403 million (now 340m, then 290m) to tycoon Bernard Tapie, a France's highest appeals court has ruled. The court rejected Ms Lagarde's appeal against a judge's order in December for her to stand trial over allegations of negligence in her handling of the affair. Ms Lagarde could risk a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a fine of 15,000 euros if convicted. Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures HSBC senior manager arrested in FX rigging investigation at JFK airport in New York - July 2016 A senior executive at HSBC has been arrested at New York's JFK airport for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to rig currency benchmarks, according to reports. Mark Johnson, global head of foreign exchange cash trading in London, was reportedly arrested on Tuesday. He will appear before a federal court in Brooklyn on Wednesday charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, Bloomberg said. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Former PwC employees found guilty in 'Luxleaks' tax scandal - June 2016 Two ex- PricewaterhouseCoopers staffers were found guilty in Luxembourg of stealing confidential tax files that helped unleash a global scandal over generous fiscal deals for hundreds of international companies. Antoine Deltour and Raphael Halet face suspended sentences of 12 months and 9 months and were ordered to pay fines of 1,500 (1,230) and 1,000 (822) for their role in the so-called LuxLeaks scandal. Despite the minimal sentences, the ruling was described by Deltours lawyer as shocking and a terrible anomaly. The ruling puts on guard future whistle-blowers, Deltour told reporters.The LuxLeaks revelations sped beyond Luxembourg, causing European Union regulators to expand a tax-subsidy probe and propose new laws to fight corporate tax dodging, while EU lawmakers created a special committee to probe fiscal deals across the 28-nation bloc. Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures Goldman Sachs dealmakers lavished Libyan officials with prostitutes to win contract - June 2016 A former Goldman Sachs dealmaker trying to persuade Gadaffi-era Libya to invest $1 billion with the investment bank procured prostitutes and invited Libyan officials to lavish parties in the hope of winning the business, the High Court heard on Monday June 13.The Libyan Investment Authority sovereign wealth fund is suing Goldman Sachs for inappropriately coercing its naive staff into giving its sovereign wealth fund cash to the bank to invest in products they did not understand. The products were designed to generate big profits for Goldman, the LIA claims.Goldman denies wrongdoing and says the LIA was treated as an arms-length customer Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures Former boss of BHS said his life was threatened - June 2016 Darren Topp, the former boss of BHS, has said former owner Dominic Chappell threatened to kill him when he challenged him over a 1.5 million transfer out of the business. MPs on the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee asked Mr Topp about a 1.5 million transfer Mr Chappell made from BHS to a company called BHS Sweden. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley admits paying workers below the minimum wage - June 2016 Mike Ashley admitted paying Sports Direct employees below the minimum wage at a hearing in front of MPs. The company founder said that workers were paid less than the statutory minimum because of bottlenecks at security in an admission that could result in sanctions from HMRC. Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures Mitsubishi admits improper fuel tests - April 2016 Mitsubishi has admitted to using false fuel methods dating back to 1991. The scale of the scandal is only just coming to light after it was revealed in April that data was falsified in the testing of four types of cars, including two Nissan cars. AP Biggest business scandals in pictures Quindell, the scandal-ridden insurance firm Quindell was once a darling of AIM but its share price fell in April 2014 when its accounting practices were attacked in a stinging research note by US short seller Gotham City. In August the group was forced to disclose that the 107 million pre-tax profit it had reported for 2013 was incorrect, and it had in fact suffered a 64million loss. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Toshiba Accounting Scandal The boss of Toshiba, the Japanese technology giant, resigned in disgrace in the wake of one of the countrys biggest ever accounting scandals. His exit came two months after the company revealed that it was investigating accounting irregularities. An independent investigatory panel said that Toshibas management had inflated its reported profits by up to 152 billion yen (780m) between 2008 and 2014. Biggest business scandals in pictures FIFA Corruption Scandal Fifa, football's world governing body, has been engulfed by claims of widespread corruption since the summer of 2015, when the US Department of Justice indicted several top executives. It has now claimed the careers of two of the most powerful men in football, Fifa President Sepp Blatter and Uefa President Michel Platini, after they were banned for eight years from all football-related activities by Fifa's ethics committee. A Swiss criminal investigation into the pair is ongoing. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Libor fraudster City trader Tom Hayes, 35, has become the first person to be convicted of rigging Libor rates following a trial at London's Southwark Crown Court. Hayes worked as a trader in yen derivatives at UBS before joining the American bank Citigroup in Tokyo. He was fired from Citigroup following an investigation into his trading methods. He returned to the UK in December 2012 and was arrested following a two-and-a-half year criminal investigation by the SFO. Getty It is clear from Ofcoms findings that we did not do that often enough or well enough on a number of occasions. We offer our profound apologies to anyone affected by these errors. Lindsey Fussell, Ofcom consumer group director, said: Vodafones failings were serious and unacceptable, and these fines send a clear warning to all telecoms companies. Phone services are a vital part of peoples lives, and we expect all customers to be treated fairly and in good faith. We will not hesitate to investigate and fine those who break the rules. Alex Neill, a director at consumer group Which? said: It's right that Ofcom has hit Vodafone with a fine for such poor behaviour and affected customers have got their money back. Vodafone has repeatedly performed badly in our satisfaction survey, failing on the basics of customer service. It must swiftly address the issues repeatedly highlighted by its customers and the regulator and introduce a complaints system that actually works. Vodafone came joint second bottom with EE in Which?'s mobile customer satisfaction survey this year. Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: Vodafone let down its customers leaving many out of pocket. It is good that as a result of Ofcom's action Vodafone customers have got money back after the firms failures. Our recent study found people had 27.6 million problems with TV, mobile and internet services in the last year more than any other market. And people lost an average of 80 per problem. Its crucial companies like Vodafone take swift action to improve the way they handle complaints. And with mobile phones now so essential to people's lives, it's also important that consumer protections catch-up to where there are in other vital services like energy or water. This action from Ofcom today sends a strong message to other mobile providers that they cannot get away with failing their customers. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} After an unrelenting stream of bitterly exchanged words, the most ferocious presidential debate in recent history is finally drawing to a close. In a fortnights time, Barack Obama will be able to kick back and wear his "mom jeans" and dance to "Hotline Bling" in peace and America will have a new president. But it is not over yet. As such, Emma Watson has urged US citizens to vote on 8 November. The Harry Potter actor, who is also the UN Women Global Goodwill Ambassador, argued the votes of women could change the course of the election outcome. Watson encouraged voters not to be disheartened by the fact politics can seem disillusioning and shrouded with rhetoric and smokescreens. Instead, she emphasized the impact the election result would have on the wider world and peoples everyday lives and concrete reality. Feminist quotes from the icons to inspire you Show all 22 1 /22 Feminist quotes from the icons to inspire you Feminist quotes from the icons to inspire you Katharine Hepburn I have not lived as a woman. I have lived as a man. I've just done what I damn well wanted to, and I've made enough money to support myself, and ain't afraid of being alone Getty Images Feminist quotes from the icons to inspire you Betty Friedan No woman gets an orgasm from shining the kitchen floor Getty Images Feminist quotes from the icons to inspire you Maya Angelou I want to be representative of my race - the human race. I have a chance to show how kind we can be, how intelligent and generous we can be Getty Images Feminist quotes from the icons to inspire you Emmeline Pankhurst I want to say to you who think women cannot succeed, we have brought the government of England to this position, that it has to face this alternative: either women are to be killed or women are to have the vote Creative Commons Feminist quotes from the icons to inspire you Patricia Arquette "To every woman who gave birth, to every taxpayer and citizen of this nation, we have fought for everybody elses equal rights, its our time to have wage equality once and for all, and equal rights for women in the United States of America." AFP PHOTO / Robyn BECKROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images Feminist quotes from the icons to inspire you Nawal El Saadawi They said, You are a savage and dangerous woman. I am speaking the truth. And the truth is savage and dangerous Getty Images Feminist quotes from the icons to inspire you Margaret Fuller "It is a vulgar error that love, a love, to woman is her whole existence; she is born for Truth and Love in their universal energy" Creative Commons Feminist quotes from the icons to inspire you Germaine Greer All societies on the verge of death are masculine. A society can survive with only one man; no society will survive a shortage of women Getty Images Feminist quotes from the icons to inspire you Naomi Wolf A cultural fixation on female thinness is not an obsession about female beauty but an obsession about female obedience Getty Images Feminist quotes from the icons to inspire you Rebecca West "I myself have never able to find out precisely what a feminist is. I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat" Creative Commons Feminist quotes from the icons to inspire you Margaret Atwood Does feminist mean large unpleasant person who'll shout at you or someone who believes women are human beings. To me it's the latter, so I sign up Getty Images Feminist quotes from the icons to inspire you Susan B. Anthony "I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand" Creative Commons Feminist quotes from the icons to inspire you Sylvia Plath "Apparently, the most difficult feat for a Cambridge male is to accept a woman not merely as feeling, not merely as thinking, but as managing a complex, vital interweaving of both" Creative Commons Feminist quotes from the icons to inspire you Hillary Clinton "I suppose I could have stayed home and baked cookies and had teas, but what I decided to do was to fulfill my profession, which I entered before my husband was in public life" Getty Images Feminist quotes from the icons to inspire you Lena Dunham "The idea of being a feministso many women have come to this idea of it being anti-male and not able to connect with the opposite sexbut what feminism is about is equality and human rights. For me that is just an essential part of my identity. I hope [Girls] contributes to a continuance of feminist dialogue" Getty Images Feminist quotes from the icons to inspire you Bette Davis When a man gives his opinion, he's a man. When a woman gives her opinion, she's a bitch Creative Commons Feminist quotes from the icons to inspire you Jane Austen I hate to hear you talk about all women as if they were fine ladies instead of rational creatures. None of us want to be in calm waters all our lives Creative Commons Feminist quotes from the icons to inspire you Gloria Steinem A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle Getty Images Feminist quotes from the icons to inspire you Anais Nin I hate men who are afraid of women's strength Creative Commons Feminist quotes from the icons to inspire you Elizabeth Warren I have a daughter and I have granddaughters and I will never vote to let a group of backward-looking ideologues cut womens access to birth control. We have lived in that world, and we are not going back, not ever Getty Images Feminist quotes from the icons to inspire you Malala Yousafzai In Pakistan, when we were stopped from going to school, at that time I realized that education Is the power for women, and thats why the terrorists are afraid of education Getty Images Feminist quotes from the icons to inspire you Virginia Woolf "As a woman I have no country. As a woman my country is the whole world" Getty Images Regardless of our personal beliefs, it cant be denied that the result of the upcoming US presidential election will have ripple effects around the world and impact, in one way or another, the lives of millions and millions of people, the 26-year-old wrote in a statement posted on her Twitter account. America is my second home. I have friends that I think of as family. She said it had been excruciating to be forced to sit on the sidelines in the run-up to the election and said she wished she was able to cast a vote. Watson went on to say one of the most reliable indicators of peace and prosperity in a country is how it treats women and girls. The next president will be able to make decisions about women, about their bodies, about how they are treated at work, on university campuses and at school, about how men treat women and about their rights as citizens. Watson refrained from mentioning the names of either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump in her letter but urged voters to recognise the power they have to dictate the future of generations to come. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A man who attempted to break into the home of supermodel Miranda Kerr and allegedly stabbed a security guard in the face has been charged with attempted murder. Shaun Anthony Haywood, from Australia, was charged with attempted murder, aggravated mayhem and assault with a deadly weapon on Tuesday by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. The 29-year-old allegedly broke into the multi-million-dollar mansion owned by Kerr, which she purchased after splitting with Orlando Bloom in 2014, in an attempt to give her a letter. Haywood is accused of grabbing the knife from the security guard and slashing his face before being shot three times by the guard. Kerr was not in the property at the time. Both men were taken to hospital for treatment after the incident and prosecutors have recommended bail is set at $1 million. Kerr, 33, is engaged to the SnapChat founder Evan Spiegel, 26. The pair bought a Los Angeles property worth an estimated $12 million in May. The worlds highest-paid models 2016 Show all 20 1 /20 The worlds highest-paid models 2016 The worlds highest-paid models 2016 Gisele Bundchen ($30,500,000) Getty Images The worlds highest-paid models 2016 Adriana Lima ($10,500,000) Getty Images The worlds highest-paid models 2016 Karlie Kloss ($10,000,000) Getty Images The worlds highest-paid models 2016 Kendall Jenner ($10,000,000) Getty Images The worlds highest-paid models 2016 Gigi Hadid ($9,000,000) Getty Images The worlds highest-paid models 2016 Rosie Huntington-Whiteley ($9,000,000) Getty Images The worlds highest-paid models 2016 Cara Delevingne ($8,500,000) Getty Images The worlds highest-paid models 2016 Candice Swanepoel ($7,000,000) Getty Images The worlds highest-paid models 2016 Liu Wen ($7,000,000) Getty Images The worlds highest-paid models 2016 Miranda Kerr ($6,000,000) Getty Images for The Huffington The worlds highest-paid models 2016 Lara Stone ($5,500,000) Getty Images The worlds highest-paid models 2016 Natalia Vodianova ($5,500,000) AFP/Getty Images The worlds highest-paid models 2016 Kate Moss ($5,000,000) Getty Images The worlds highest-paid models 2016 Alessandra Ambrosio ($5,000,000) Getty Images for Coca-Cola The worlds highest-paid models 2016 Doutzen Kroes ($5,000,000) Getty Images The worlds highest-paid models 2016 Joan Smalls ($4,500,000) AFP/Getty Images The worlds highest-paid models 2016 Lily Aldridge ($4,000,000) Getty Images for Victoria's Secr The worlds highest-paid models 2016 Jasmine Tookes ($4,000,000) Getty Images The worlds highest-paid models 2016 Taylor Hill ($4,000,000) AFP/Getty Images The worlds highest-paid models 2016 Barbara Palvin ($4,000,000) Getty Images Kerr moved into the Malibu property with her five-year-old son after a decade of living in New York and it was featured in a shoot for Harpers Bazaar magazine in September 2016. Ive had the house feng-shuied, Ive had it blessed, Ive had it doused, Ive had it checked for electromagnetic fields, I sage all the time, she told Vogue in 2015. I wanted it to be like a private little oasis where I could come and feel like I could escape from the world and rejuvenate, because I travel a lot. When I come home, I really want to be able to disconnect from everything outside of these walls. In 2013, it emerged the Australian former Victoria Secrets model was targeted by a group of teenage thieves dubbed the bling ring who also targeted Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. Goverment reconsidered its decision and is against bill on Nairit Plant (video) At the start of todays parliament sitting, Head of the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) faction, Naira Zohrabyan, said that the Standing Committee on Foreign Relations of the National Assembly had discussed and adopted a statement on the genocide of Yazidis in northern Iraq. I call on the National Assembly to discuss the statement and express its position on the issue, she said. I am aware of everything and I shall decide myself when to start discussions on the given issue. With regard to the bill concerning the Nairit plant, I must say that the government has expressed a negative opinion about it, said Galust Sahakyan, Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly. In response to him, the head of the BHK faction said, I have spoken to the minister and he expressed a positive attitude. If he has changed his mind, then the problem does not lie with the BHK, but with the government. It would be much better if they said whether they are for or against the initiative. I also think that the problem lies with them. Judging from the information that they have provided one gets the impression that your work has not been fully appreciated, Mr. Sahakyan said. 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 president of an international beauty pageant has admitted staff suggested the winner of Miss Iceland needed to lose weight if she wanted to do well in the contest. Arna Yr Jonsdottir, 20, announced she would not be competing in the Miss Grand International pageant in Las Vegas on Sunday because organisers asked her to lose weight just days before the finals which were held on Tuesday. Jonsdottir claimed she was informed there was too much fat on her body and her shoulders were too big. The President of Miss Grand International, Nawat Itsaragrisil, told The Independent staff advised her to lose weight in order to improve her chances at winning. He said everyone should show their improvement in the three weeks building up to the final. Itsaragrisil said Jonsdottir looked slimmer and more beautiful in her previous photos than she did in real life. Inspiring body positivity quotes Show all 12 1 /12 Inspiring body positivity quotes Inspiring body positivity quotes Ashley Graham "And cellulite, I have not forgotten about you. I'm going to choose to love you even though you want to take over my whole bottom half. You're a part of me and I love you." Inspiring body positivity quotes Danielle Brooks "Sometimes I don't like what I see, but I have the power to change the way in which I relate to my body both physically and mentally." Inspiring body positivity quotes Iskra Lawrence "Stop comparing yourself to anybody else. The [pictures of] movie stars, even the Disney characters, thats not real. Thats not attainable. You cant be anybody else. You are you. You cant be them. So you really just have to start embracing yourself and accepting so-called flaws that society has given the name flaws. Its just our body, our patchwork quilt. Inspiring body positivity quotes Beyonce "The most alluring thing a woman can have is confidence." Getty Images Inspiring body positivity quotes Kate Winslet "Nobody is perfect. I just don't believe in perfection. But I do believe in saying, 'This is who I am and look at me not being perfect.' I'm proud of that." Getty Images Inspiring body positivity quotes Rihanna "You just want something that someone else has, but that doesn't mean what you have isn't beautiful, because people always want what you have and you always want what they have - no one is ever 100 per cent like, 'Yes, I'm the bomb-dot-com - from head-to-toe!" REUTERS Inspiring body positivity quotes Tess Holliday "Never compare yourself with others and celebrate what makes you, you." Inspiring body positivity quotes Demi Lovato "Instead of looking in the mirror and focusing on your flaws, look in the mirror and appreciate your best features... everyone has them." Inspiring body positivity quotes Kim Kardashian-West "See this little dimple of cellulite here? It was so worth it for that cookies 'n' cream ice cream!" Inspiring body positivity quotes Jennifer Lawrence "It should be illegal to call someone fat." Inspiring body positivity quotes Mindy Kaling "Insults about the way I look cant be the thing that harms me and my heart the most. It has to harm me the least. If I have a daughter, Im going to tell her that. Far too many women are much more hurt by being called fat or ugly than they are by being called not smart, or not a leader." Rex Features Inspiring body positivity quotes Selena Gomez "Im learning that you can be comfortable and still look beautiful. AFP/Getty Images She asked some questions and for suggestions from our staff which theyve replied according to what they think, she may be a little bit fat and they recommended her, in good way, to try to lose some weight in order to improve her chance to win, Itsaragrisil, who is also a Thai TV host, said. This is a normal process for the three weeks during the pageant, everyone should show their improvement. Similarly, the staffs give the same advice for others who asked them what should they do to improve in order to win which each of them would get different advice, he continued. Since the start of the pageant she is one of the delegates who shown herself to be interesting and to have a great personality. All my staff have loved to work with her and she made great impression on the team." There was an incident that she shows her photos from her previous international pageant to me which she looks slimmer and more beautiful which I do not understand the purpose as what we are looking in the competition is the present not what she used to look like. Recommended Read more Miss Teen USA beauty pageant scraps swimsuit competition Jonsdottir, who was crowned Miss Iceland in 2015, told Iceland Monitor a spokesperson for Itsaragrisil advised her to stop eating breakfast, only eat salad for lunch and drink water every evening until the finals. Jonsdottir announced the news she would be dropping out on her Facebook on Sunday. She said she was determined to stand up for herself, women worldwide and the Icelandic nation. She also posted a handwritten goodbye letter on her Instagram which she addressed to Itsaragrisil. I am a very strong woman but sometimes my strength isnt enough, she wrote in the letter. Your staff told me that I had to loose weight for the finals because I have to much fat on me and also to [sic] big shoulders. They told me to eat less and then you would like me more. If anyone tells me that Im too fat or whatever, they just dont deserve me, she concluded. Jonsdottir, who is a trained pole vaulter, demanded the organisers "open their eyes" and wake up to the fact it is 2016. In the message posted on Jonsdottirs Facebook, she also claimed organisers told her to say the comments about her weight were a misunderstanding and apologise. Itsaragrisil expressed his shock at learning she had left the hotel, claiming she only informed them of her departure in a letter addressed to him at the reception. One of our conditions of the pageant for security reasons we do not allow anyone to leave the hotel without our acknowledgement, he said. She seems to have her own imagination and do whatever she pleased without obeying any rules and regulations which she read and signed accepting before entering the pageant. A representative for Jonsdottir did not immediately respond to request for comment. 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 }} Stone Age humans may have hunted what is believed to have been the largest species of lion ever to have walked the Earth to extinction so they could use their pelts to make rugs. The cave lion would have been a fearsome creature, growing up to 3.5 metres (about 11.5 feet) long, but the species died out about 10,000 years ago. The reasons why are unclear, but a new study suggests that humans may have been at least partly responsible. Researchers analysed nine fossilised lion toe bones that had been found in a cave at La Garma in northern Spain. They discovered that most of the bones showed signs of having been modified by stone tools. And the way this had been done was similar to a technique used by modern hunters when they skin an animal but want to keep the claws attached to the fur pelt. The cave is believed to have been a place where human rituals were carried out and it is thought the cave lion skin may have been used to line the floor. Stone Age paintings of cave lions (HTO/Wikipedia) Writing in the PLOS One journal, the researchers, led by Marian Cueto from Cantabria University, suggested the nine toes were all from one cave lion. If we assume that a unique cave lion is represented, the fur could have had a function related to covering the floor or the structure due to its spatial distribution, they said. The hypothesis of the presence of a single lion would suggest a sporadic, isolated and rare event of large carnivore hunting (although other scenarios cannot be excluded, like scavenging). However, the well-defined pattern inferred from the locations of the cut-marks and scraping traces permits us to infer an experienced procedure and a high knowledge of animal anatomy. Linking the cave lion skin to a ritual cave site allows us to infer a probably important role of the cave lion during the Magdalenian period [about 17,000 to 12,000 years ago] among human groups, the researchers wrote. Upper Paleolithic [Stone Age] graphic expression clearly places lions in a prominent hierarchic position in the early humans symbolic world, giving this animal an important role in human culture as a motif. Modern ethnographic sources also connect lions with symbolic beliefs, especially through manhood rituals and prestige hunting activities. This mythification of dangerous prey could explain the evidence in the Upper Paleolithic cave of lion hunting and pelt exploitation as it could have been motivated by ideological considerations that justify its presence in a context interpreted as the practice of ritual activities. 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 The need to hunt and kill cave lions for religious reasons may have added to the animals other problems, such as changes in the weather as the world emerged from an Ice Age, a fall in the number of its prey and competition from more efficient predators. Although these remains are not sufficient to allow conclusive statements to be made, they sum the data to highlight the role of human activity in the extinction of carnivores in addition to other factors such as climate change, prey numbers or species replacement, the researchers wrote. 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 Government has confirmed it is reviewing regulations surrounding genetically modified crops in preparation for Brexit. Agriculture minister George Eustice said in a parliamentary written answer that as part of preparations for the EU exit, the Government is considering possible future arrangements for the regulation of genetically modified organisms. He added that Government policy and regulation in this area should be science-based and proportionate. Only one GM crop has ever been grown commercially in Europe a type of maize, MON 810, with resistance to pests - due to concerns about GM technology among member states. What experts have said about Brexit Show all 11 1 /11 What experts have said about Brexit What experts have said about Brexit Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond The Chancellor claims London can still be a world financial hub despite Brexit One of Britains great strengths is the ability to offer and aggregate all of the services the global financial services industry needs This has not changed as a result of the EU referendum and I will do everything I can to ensure the City of London retains its position as the worlds leading international financial centre. Reuters What experts have said about Brexit Yanis Varoufakis Greece's former finance minister compared the UK relations with the EU bloc with a well-known song by the Eagles: You can check out any time you like, as the Hotel California song says, but you can't really leave. The proof is Theresa May has not even dared to trigger Article 50. It's like Harrison Ford going into Indiana Jones' castle and the path behind him fragmenting. You can get in, but getting out is not at all clear Getty Images What experts have said about Brexit Michael OLeary Ryanair boss says UK will be screwed by EU in Brexit trade deals: I have no faith in the politicians in London going on about how the world will want to trade with us. The world will want to screw you that's what happens in trade talks, he said. They have no interest in giving the UK a deal on trade Getty What experts have said about Brexit Tim Martin JD Wetherspoon's chairman has said claims that the UK would see serious economic consequences from a Brexit vote were "lurid" and wrong: We were told it would be Armageddon from the OECD, from the IMF, David Cameron, the chancellor and President Obama who were predicting locusts in the fields and tidal waves in the North Sea" PA What experts have said about Brexit Mark Carney Governor of Bank of England is 'serene' about Bank of England's Brexit stance: I am absolutely serene about the judgments made both by the MPC and the FPC Reuters What experts have said about Brexit Christine Lagarde IMF chief urges quick Brexit to reduce economic uncertainty: We want to see clarity sooner rather than later because we think that a lack of clarity feeds uncertainty, which itself undermines investment appetites and decision making Getty Images What experts have said about Brexit Inga Beale Lloyds chief executive says Brexit is a major issue: "Clearly the UK's referendum on its EU membership is a major issue for us to deal with and we are now focusing our attention on having in place the plans that will ensure Lloyd's continues trading across Europe EPA What experts have said about Brexit Colm Kelleher President of US bank Morgan Stanley says City of London will suffer as result of the EU referendum: I do believe, and I said prior to the referendum, that the City of London will suffer as result of Brexit. The issue is how much What experts have said about Brexit Richard Branson Virgin founder believes we've lost a THIRD of our value because of Brexit and cancelled a deal worth 3,000 jobs: We're not any worse than anybody else, but I suspect we've lost a third of our value which is dreadful for people in the workplace.' He continued: "We were about to do a very big deal, we cancelled that deal, that would have involved 3,000 jobs, and thats happening all over the country" Getty Images What experts have said about Brexit Barack Obama US President believes Britain was wrong to vote to leave the EU: "It is absolutely true that I believed pre-Brexit vote and continue to believe post-Brexit vote that the world benefited enormously from the United Kingdom's participation in the EU. We are fully supportive of a process that is as little disruptive as possible so that people around the world can continue to benefit from economic growth" Getty Images What experts have said about Brexit Kristin Forbes American economist and an external member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England argues that the economy had been less stormy than many expected following the shock referendum result: For nowthe economy is experiencing some chop, but no tsunami. The adverse winds could quickly pick up and merit a stronger policy response. But recently they have shifted to a more favourable direction Getty New rules introduced by the EU last year allowed individual member states and regions to ban farmers from growing GM crops. More than half of the 28 countries in the European Union, including Germany, France, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, chose to ban cultivation. Mr Eustice's comments have led to suggestions that English farmers may get the go-ahead to grow GM crops after Brexit. According to The Times, a move to a system requiring companies and scientists to prove traits used to improve GM organisms are not damaging to human health in England is likely. A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesman told The Independent that in the wake of the Brexit vote everything is under discussion, but added that concrete regulations surrounding GM crops had yet to be drawn up. Following Scotlands decision to ban GM crops, farmers and scientists expressed concerns that the ability of farmers to compete with European rivals would be harmed. Professor Huw Jones, of the agricultural science group Rothamsted Research, said banning GM organisms serves to remove the freedom of farmers and narrows their choice of crop varieties in the future. However, those in favour of the ban said the move fitted with long-standing concerns about GM crops. The SNP rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead said these "concerns are shared by other European countries and consumers, and should not be dismissed lightly. There is overwhelming scientific evidence that improving crops by molecular biotechnology techniques is safe, and the practice is widespread across the Americas and Asia. In May, a major review of GM crops by scientists in the US tentatively concluded that they pose no risk to human health. GM crops have nonetheless divided opinion in Europe, but the UK government is among those in favour. 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 }} Two LGBT charities have called on Home Secretary Amber Rudd to end the detention of lesbian, gay, bi and trans asylum seekers in a damning report on conditions in immigration removal centres. A joint report by Stonewall and the UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group (UKLGIG) has accused Home Office staff of being ill-equipped to meet the needs of LGBT people who are bullied, harassed or even physically attacked by other detainees. They also accuse the government of holding people who have suffered rape and torture in their country of origin, against Home Office rules, and denying detainees access to medication, including HIV drugs and anti-depressants. Paul Dillane, Executive Director at UKLGIG, said: Our research finds that LGBT asylum seekers are particularly vulnerable in immigration detention and face significant disadvantages and dangers. In detention they experience discrimination, harassment and violence from other detainees and from members of staff. The detention environment has serious long-term effects on their mental and physical well-being. According to the report, based on 22 in-depth interviews of LGBT asylum seekers, many detainees are given no information about the length of their stay, and because Britain practises indefinite detention this can cause severe stress in detainees. They are regularly prohibited from working outside of detention and can often only work inside their facility for 1 per hour, an environment which according to the charities makes many detainees feel like they are suspected criminals. One trans participant in the report claimed they were put in a male detention centre, despite making clear they identified as a woman. The report further criticises the lack of private spaces for detainees to shower and get changed. The Home Office reportedly makes available the use of Equality or LGBT Officers, usually detention staff taking this on as an additional task to their regular work. However, report participants rarely knew whether these services were available or detention officers were reluctant to provide details on how to access the service. Many interviewees were detained under a fast track system, rapidly expanded during Theresa Mays time at the Home Office, but ruled unlawful last year. According to the report, LGBT asylum seekers are often returned to their country of origin even where there is a threat they will be persecuted, as long as there are no laws which specifically criminalise their gender or sexuality. 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 }} One in four local councils have refused to accept refugee children evacuated from the 'Jungle' migrant camp in Calais since its demolition. Prime Minister Theresa May's own local council, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, is one of more than 38 local authorities that have not yet taken part in the government's voluntary National Transfer Scheme for minors. The scheme was introduced to help ease the burden on "gateway communities" such as Dover where the unaccompanied refugee children are currently arriving. A spokesperson for Windsor and Maidenhead stated the council was already taking four children as part of the resettlement programme and has promised to house another eight Syrian refugee families. Leicestershire County Council undertook a report earlier this month that found that as many as 76 - and at least 38 - of the 152 councils are not taking part in the National Transfer Scheme. Leicestershire itself is not engaging in the scheme as it could cost the authority up to 2.05 million - even with the extra funding made available to local government by the Home Office to cope with the situation. A spokesman for the council said: "[We are] currently caring for around 54 unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people who have arrived in the county, including seven under the national scheme. "We have set up a specialist social work team to look after asylum-seeking young people and started a campaign to recruit specialist foster carers. "Reluctantly, the council has decided to pause its involvement in the national scheme until the Government can resolve the serious funding and practical issues involved." Young refugee reunited with his brother after months in Calais Jungle Councillor David Simmonds, chairman of the Local Government Association's Asylum, Refugee and Migration Task Group, said British councils have a "strong track record" of supporting unaccompanied children. Mr Simmons said: "Those arriving from the Calais camp will require care and support packages directly from councils and their partners. "For those children relocated with existing family living in the UK, councils will still want to be assured that arrangements put in place can meet the child's needs and that they are safe and well." 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 teenager killed herself hours after watching a TV drama in which the main character attempted suicide, an inquest has heard. Rebecca Haley, known as Becca, was found dead in her room at Gresham's boarding school in Norfolk in April after she failed to appear following the morning bell. The 18-year-old had suffered from depression since the age of 13, previously made two attempted overdoses and had a long history of self-harm. The inquest heard the night before Ms Haleys death she had been watching a Channel 4 programme Flowers starring Olivia Colman who was herself a former Gresham's pupil with a friend where the main character attempts to kill himself in the opening scene. But the series - which was shown on consecutive nights - ended on a much more positive note. In a statement to the inquest Hannah Rice, who had been watching the programme with Ms Haley, said they had both been upset by it. She said her friend had hugged for longer than usual as she said goodnight but stressed that she did not indicate in any way she wanted to take her own life. Staff at the school and medical professionals both agreed that Ms Haley had been a very private person and did not disclose the reasons for her depression. Mental Health Awareness: Facts and figures Show all 10 1 /10 Mental Health Awareness: Facts and figures Mental Health Awareness: Facts and figures Mental Health Foundation: Living With Anxiety report 30 per cent of people deal with anxiety by talking to a friend or relative, or by going for a walk. Getty Mental Health Awareness: Facts and figures Mental Health Foundation: Living With Anxiety report Almost one in five people feel anxious all or a lot of the time. PA Mental Health Awareness: Facts and figures Mental Health Foundation: Living With Anxiety report 22 per cent of women feel anxious a lot or all of the time, compared to 15 per cent of men. Roman Levin/Flickr Creative Commons Mental Health Awareness: Facts and figures Mental Health Foundation: Living With Anxiety report 45 per cent of people who feel anxious in everyday life cite financial issues as their biggest cause of worry. Getty Mental Health Awareness: Facts and figures Mental Health Foundation: Living With Anxiety report And 26 per cent of people who feel anxious say fearing for the welfare of their children and loved ones leaves them burdened with worry. And 26 per cent of people say fearing for the welfare of their children and loved ones leaves them burdened with anxiety. Mental Health Awareness: Facts and figures Mental Health Foundation: Living With Anxiety report 27 per cent of people who suffer from anxiety say work issues, such as long hours, are the source of the problem. Getty Mental Health Awareness: Facts and figures Mental Health Foundation: Living With Anxiety report But 16 per cent use alcohol to cope, while 10 per cent turn to cigarettes in the face of anxiety. Unemployed people are more likely to resort to these harmful strategies: 27 per cent use alcohol and 23 per cent use cigarettes. AFP/Getty Mental Health Awareness: Facts and figures Mental Health Foundation: Living With Anxiety report Only seven per cent of people who say they suffer from anxiety seek help from their GP. Getty Mental Health Awareness: Facts and figures Mental Health Foundation: Living With Anxiety report People are thought to be more anxious than they were five years ago. Alessandra/Flickr Creative Commons Mental Health Awareness: Facts and figures Mental Health Foundation: Living With Anxiety report The stresses of modern life are thought to have created "The Age of Anxiety". Getty The Eastern Daily Press reported she had been seeing Patrick Draper, a caseworker for the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trusts youth team since May 2014. Mr Draper said she had missed an appointment with him and said she no longer needed help when he called her. The inquest did not find the trust in any way responsible for her death. Recording a narrative conclusion, Coroner Yvonne Blake said she was not able to definitely say Ms Haley had intended to take her own life. She said: I have to say Im not satisfied to the criminal standard that Rebecca appreciated the consequences of her actions. She had seen an emotional programme with her friend on the same subject. Her friend had mentioned she was sad about leaving school. She was a highly intelligent girl. There was no note, no evidence of any planning, it was a very sudden act. Im inclined to think she acted impulsively. Anyone needing confidential support can call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 90 90 90. 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 }} Boris Johnson has been urged to back a United Nations initiative to restart efforts to rid the world of nuclear weapons. Groups including Greenpeace UK, CND, and Quakers in Britain wrote to the Foreign Secretary to ask him to back tomorrows UN general assembly motion on multilateral disarmament. In August this year a UN working group recommended the setting up of a a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their total elimination. Recommended Read more The map of where you need to go to survive a nuclear war In September Austrias government announced that it would sponsor a UN resolution recommending such a conference, with a general assembly vote now due on the subject. The groups, organised by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, say it is not clear which way the UK will vote. Activists delivered a letter to the Foreign Office urging Mr Johnson to direct the UK to back the motion. The existence of nuclear weapons poses a dangerous threat to global security; any intended or unintended detonation will have catastrophic humanitarian and environmental consequences, the signatories say. The international community has already outlawed other inherently inhumane and indiscriminate weapons, from chemical and biological weapons to antipersonnel landmines and cluster munitions. A ban on nuclear weapons is long overdue and the UK must be part of that process. 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 Dr Matthew Rowland, the UNs permanent ambassador at the UN in Geneva, has said earlier this month that countries should adopt a principle of do no harm with regards to nuclear weapons rather than pushing for a ban, however. The signatories said they were alarmed and disappointed by this statement. The international push for multiliateral disarmement comes after MPs voted to renew the Trident nuclear weapons system rejecting unilateral disarmement in the UK. The full list of NGOs to sign the letter is: the Acronym Institute for Disarmament Diplomacy, Article 36, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, Christian Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, Greenpeace UK, Medact, Movement for the Abolition of War, Nuclear Free Local Authorities, Nuclear Morality Flowchart Project, Pax Christi British Section, Quakers in Britain, Scientists for Global Responsibility, Strategic Concept for Removal of Arms and Proliferation (SCRAP), and Womens International League for Peace and Freedom UK. A Foreign Office spokesperson told The Independent: The UK is committed to a world without nuclear weapons, in line with our obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. However, we firmly believe that the best way to achieve a world without nuclear weapons is through gradual multilateral disarmament negotiated using a step-by-step approach and within existing international frameworks. 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 }} Access to information in Europe-wide security databases, including the European Arrest Warrant, is mission critical in fighting terrorism, one of Britains most senior policewomen has said. Helen Ball, the deputy assistant commissioner at the Metropolitan Police, also indicated that citizens in Europe would be at a greater threat from terrorism if Britain failed to work with its allies on the continent after Brexit. Ms Ball, who has been with the police force for over two decades, also ranked the European Arrest Warrant as ten out of ten in combating international terrorism. When asked by the Lords EU Home Affairs sub-committee about the importance of the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) on a scale of 1-10, Ms Ball replied: At the moment we have very low usage of the European Arrest Warrant and there are very good reasons for that and as I look to the future I suspect we will have greater use of it. So if I must answer your number question, Id probably say on low usage at the moment about an eight and if Im looking to the future I think its a 10. We must not be in a position where a terrorist can think, 'okay, there is a safe haven where its going to take a very long time to be extradited and come to meet justice.'" She added if the European Arrest warrant was not to go forward, she would expect a replacement to bring justice swiftly. In 2015 alone European countries made almost 13,000 arrest requests for individuals in the UK using the warrant, including 320 on alleged terror related offences, 433 for murder and manslaughter and 191 for rape. In the same year the UK used the EAW to make 228 requests for arrest from other EU countries, including four on terror charges, 19 for murder and manslaughter and 20 for rape. Brexit Concerns Show all 26 1 /26 Brexit Concerns Brexit Concerns Brexit will put British patients at 'back of the queue' for new drugs Brexit will put British patients at the back of the queue for vital new drugs, the Government has been warned forcing them to wait up to two years longer A medicines regulator has raised the alarm over a likely decision to pull out of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), as well as the EU itself. ealth Secretary Jeremy Hunt dropped the bombshell , when he said he expected the UK would quit the EMA because it is subject to rulings by the European Court of Justice. Getty Images Brexit Concerns London to lose status as 'gateway to Europe' for banks One of Germanys top banking regulators has warned that London could lose its status as gateway to Europe for the banking sector after Britain quits the European trading bloc. Andreas Dombret, who is an executive board member for the BundesbankGermanys central banktold a private meeting of German businesses and banks earlier this week in Frankfurt that even if banking rules were equivalent between the UK and the rest of the EU, that was still miles away from [Britain having] access to the single market, the BBC reports. Jason Hawkes Brexit Concerns Exodus The number of financial sector professionals in Britain and continental Europe looking for jobs in Ireland rocketed in the months after the UK voted to leave the European Union Shutterstock Brexit Concerns Brexit is making FTSE 100 executives richer Pay packages of many FTSE 100 chief executive officers are partly tied to how well share prices are doing rather than the CEOs performance -- and some stocks are soaring. ritish equities got a boost since the June vote because the likes of Rio Tinto, Smiths Group and WPP generate most sales abroad and earn a fortune when they convert these revenues back into the weakened pound. Sterlings fall also made UK stocks more affordable for overseas investors. Rex Brexit Concerns Theresa May: UK to leave single market Theresa May has said the UK "cannot possibly" remain within the European single market, as staying in it would mean "not leaving the EU at all". Getty Brexit Concerns Lead campaigner Gina Miller and her team outside the High Court Getty Brexit Concerns Raymond McCord holds up his newly issued Irish passport alongside his British passport outside the High Court in Belfast following a judges dismissal of the UK's first legal challenges to Brexit PA wire Brexit Concerns SDLP leader Colum Eastwood leaving the High Court in Belfast following a judges dismissal of the UK's first legal challenges to Brexit PA wire Brexit Concerns Migrants with luggage walk past a graffiti on a wall as they leave the 'Jungle' migrant camp, as part of a major three-day operation planned to clear the camp in Calais Getty Brexit Concerns Migrants leave messages on their tents in the Jungle migrant camp Getty Brexit Concerns The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (Adra) which distributes approximately 700 meals daily in the northern Paris camp states that it is noticing a spike in new migrant arrivals this week, potentially linked the the Calais 'jungle' camp closure - with around 1000 meals distributed today EPA Brexit Concerns Migrant workers pick apples at Stocks Farm in Suckley, Britain Reuters Brexit Concerns Many farmers across the country are voicing concerns that Brexit could be a dangerous step into the unknown for the farming industry Getty Brexit Concerns Bank of England governor Mark Carney who said the long-term outlook for the UK economy is positive, but growth was slowing in the wake of the Brexit vote PA Brexit Concerns The Dow Jones industrial average closed down over 600 points on the news with markets around the globe pluninging Getty Brexit Concerns Immigration officers deal with each member of the public seeking entry into the United Kingdom but on average, 10 a day are refused entry at this London airport and between 2008 and 2009, 33,100 people were detained at the airport for mainly passport irregularities Getty Brexit Concerns A number of global investment giants have threatened to move their European operations out of London if Brexit proves to have a negative impact on their businesses Getty Brexit Concerns Following the possibility of a Brexit the UK would be released from its renewable energy targets under the EU Renewable Energy Directive and from EU state aid restrictions, potentially giving the government more freedom both in the design and phasing out of renewable energy support regimes Getty Brexit Concerns A woman looking at a chart showing the drop in the pound (Sterling) against the US Dollar in London after Britain voted to leave the EU Getty Brexit Concerns Young protesters outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, to protest against the United Kingdom's decision to leave the EU following the referendum Getty Brexit Concerns Applications from Northern Ireland citizens for Irish Passports has soared to a record high after the UK Voted in favour of Leaving the EU Getty Brexit Concerns NFU Vice President Minette Batters with Secretary of State, Andrea Leadsome at the National Farmers Union (NFU) took machinery, produce, farmers and staff to Westminster to encourage Members of Parliament to back British farming, post Brexit Getty Brexit Concerns The latest reports released by the UK Cabinet Office warn that expats would lose a range of specific rights to live, to work and to access pensions, healthcare and public services. The same reports added that UK citizens abroad would not be able to assume that these rights will be guaranteed in the future Getty Brexit Concerns A British resident living in Spain asks questions during an informative Brexit talk by the "Brexpats in Spain" group, about Spanish legal issues to become Spanish citizens, at the town hall in Benalmadena, Spain Reuters Brexit Concerns The collapse of Great Britain appears to have been greatly exaggerated given the late summer crowds visiting city museums, hotels, and other important tourist attractions Getty Brexit Concerns The U.K. should maintain European Union regulations covering everything from working hours to chemicals until after the government sets out its plans for Brexit, said British manufacturers anxious to avoid a policy vacuum and safeguard access to their biggest export market Getty Speaking to peers on the committee, she added: I think the way that terrorists are currently operating and the way I see them operating in the future that means we have an enormous amount to lose from diminishing our ability to work with European police forces and to share our intelligence with them. We are all safer because we can work together across Europe and share information with each other that genuinely is helping to keep citizens of Europe safe. Ms Ball also emphasised the importance of Europol, the EUs law enforcement agency. Last week the National Crime Agencys David Armond warned an immediate and urgent decision is needed on Britains membership of the organization or the UK would be forced out. The Home Office said a decision would be made in "due course". The senior counter terrorism official added access to Europe-wide security databases is mission critical in protecting both the citizens of the UK and citizens of Europe that the UK policing effort is able to access that information "I'm not going to say it has to be through a particular formal mechanism, that's for the negotiations to decide." 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 }} Australia has ruled out starting negotiations on a free trade deal with the UK until after Brexit. Steven Ciobo, Australias trade minister, said he has been told that starting talks before Britain formally cuts ties with the European Union would not be legal. Current EU rules state members cannot sign their own agreements with non-European nations but Britain had hoped to have a deal with Australia ready for 2019. Mr Ciobo did however say he was keen on securing an agreement promptly. That is the legal advice we have had. But when Britain formally leaves we hope to be in a position to secure an agreement as efficiently and promptly as possible, Mr Ciobo said according to the Times. Australian officials apparently want any trade deal with the UK to include measures to allow access to Britains labour market for Australian workers. The Australian trade minister also encouraged young Britons to consider working holidays. I'm delighted to be in the UK, Australia's biggest market for working holiday maker travel, to encourage more young Brits to travel down under. With recent changes announced to the program, a working holiday in Australia is now easier and affordable, Mr Ciobo added. Most experts believe any trade deal is likely to take a year to negotiate. 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 Mr Ciobo also suggested that Australia may scale back plans to secure a deal with the EU following the collapse of a European trade deal with Canada (Ceta). Ceta requires ratification from all member states and the regional government of Wallonia in Belgium has refused to pass the bill. We need to inform our discussions about the best way forward, Mr Ciobo told the Australian. This will form no part of the scoping study, but it is important in deciding with the EU the core competencies and what is outside an agreement. It goes to how deep a deal we can do. 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 }} Brussels will be able to dictate what the British government can and cannot tell the British Parliament about Brexit negotiations, the Government has claimed. EU minister David Jones told the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee that he could not say how much information MPs would be given about the talks until the European Council had laid down its rules about secrecy. The claim comes after Theresa May and Brexit Secretary Davis Davis both said there would be a limit to how much they would tell the UK Parliament about negotiations. The Prime Ministers lack of clarity over Brexit was branded unsustainable by the influential chair of the Commons Treasury Select Committee, Andrew Tyrie, earlier this week. He told the Prime Minister in the Commons that the lack of even a simple statement by the Government about what it was trying to achieve in negotiations was in danger of spooking businesses with uncertainty. Speaking to the European Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday, the minister Mr Jones said the UK was awaiting Brussels say-so on what British MPs could be told. The negotiations that we will be entering into will be subject to guidelines that will be published in due course by the European Council and they of course have not published those guidelines yet simply because the process of negotiation has not yet been commenced by the service of the article 50 notice, he told MPs. I think its fair to say that at present were working out how that would be translated into practice. Brexit Concerns Show all 26 1 /26 Brexit Concerns Brexit Concerns Brexit will put British patients at 'back of the queue' for new drugs Brexit will put British patients at the back of the queue for vital new drugs, the Government has been warned forcing them to wait up to two years longer A medicines regulator has raised the alarm over a likely decision to pull out of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), as well as the EU itself. ealth Secretary Jeremy Hunt dropped the bombshell , when he said he expected the UK would quit the EMA because it is subject to rulings by the European Court of Justice. Getty Images Brexit Concerns London to lose status as 'gateway to Europe' for banks One of Germanys top banking regulators has warned that London could lose its status as gateway to Europe for the banking sector after Britain quits the European trading bloc. Andreas Dombret, who is an executive board member for the BundesbankGermanys central banktold a private meeting of German businesses and banks earlier this week in Frankfurt that even if banking rules were equivalent between the UK and the rest of the EU, that was still miles away from [Britain having] access to the single market, the BBC reports. Jason Hawkes Brexit Concerns Exodus The number of financial sector professionals in Britain and continental Europe looking for jobs in Ireland rocketed in the months after the UK voted to leave the European Union Shutterstock Brexit Concerns Brexit is making FTSE 100 executives richer Pay packages of many FTSE 100 chief executive officers are partly tied to how well share prices are doing rather than the CEOs performance -- and some stocks are soaring. ritish equities got a boost since the June vote because the likes of Rio Tinto, Smiths Group and WPP generate most sales abroad and earn a fortune when they convert these revenues back into the weakened pound. Sterlings fall also made UK stocks more affordable for overseas investors. Rex Brexit Concerns Theresa May: UK to leave single market Theresa May has said the UK "cannot possibly" remain within the European single market, as staying in it would mean "not leaving the EU at all". Getty Brexit Concerns Lead campaigner Gina Miller and her team outside the High Court Getty Brexit Concerns Raymond McCord holds up his newly issued Irish passport alongside his British passport outside the High Court in Belfast following a judges dismissal of the UK's first legal challenges to Brexit PA wire Brexit Concerns SDLP leader Colum Eastwood leaving the High Court in Belfast following a judges dismissal of the UK's first legal challenges to Brexit PA wire Brexit Concerns Migrants with luggage walk past a graffiti on a wall as they leave the 'Jungle' migrant camp, as part of a major three-day operation planned to clear the camp in Calais Getty Brexit Concerns Migrants leave messages on their tents in the Jungle migrant camp Getty Brexit Concerns The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (Adra) which distributes approximately 700 meals daily in the northern Paris camp states that it is noticing a spike in new migrant arrivals this week, potentially linked the the Calais 'jungle' camp closure - with around 1000 meals distributed today EPA Brexit Concerns Migrant workers pick apples at Stocks Farm in Suckley, Britain Reuters Brexit Concerns Many farmers across the country are voicing concerns that Brexit could be a dangerous step into the unknown for the farming industry Getty Brexit Concerns Bank of England governor Mark Carney who said the long-term outlook for the UK economy is positive, but growth was slowing in the wake of the Brexit vote PA Brexit Concerns The Dow Jones industrial average closed down over 600 points on the news with markets around the globe pluninging Getty Brexit Concerns Immigration officers deal with each member of the public seeking entry into the United Kingdom but on average, 10 a day are refused entry at this London airport and between 2008 and 2009, 33,100 people were detained at the airport for mainly passport irregularities Getty Brexit Concerns A number of global investment giants have threatened to move their European operations out of London if Brexit proves to have a negative impact on their businesses Getty Brexit Concerns Following the possibility of a Brexit the UK would be released from its renewable energy targets under the EU Renewable Energy Directive and from EU state aid restrictions, potentially giving the government more freedom both in the design and phasing out of renewable energy support regimes Getty Brexit Concerns A woman looking at a chart showing the drop in the pound (Sterling) against the US Dollar in London after Britain voted to leave the EU Getty Brexit Concerns Young protesters outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, to protest against the United Kingdom's decision to leave the EU following the referendum Getty Brexit Concerns Applications from Northern Ireland citizens for Irish Passports has soared to a record high after the UK Voted in favour of Leaving the EU Getty Brexit Concerns NFU Vice President Minette Batters with Secretary of State, Andrea Leadsome at the National Farmers Union (NFU) took machinery, produce, farmers and staff to Westminster to encourage Members of Parliament to back British farming, post Brexit Getty Brexit Concerns The latest reports released by the UK Cabinet Office warn that expats would lose a range of specific rights to live, to work and to access pensions, healthcare and public services. The same reports added that UK citizens abroad would not be able to assume that these rights will be guaranteed in the future Getty Brexit Concerns A British resident living in Spain asks questions during an informative Brexit talk by the "Brexpats in Spain" group, about Spanish legal issues to become Spanish citizens, at the town hall in Benalmadena, Spain Reuters Brexit Concerns The collapse of Great Britain appears to have been greatly exaggerated given the late summer crowds visiting city museums, hotels, and other important tourist attractions Getty Brexit Concerns The U.K. should maintain European Union regulations covering everything from working hours to chemicals until after the government sets out its plans for Brexit, said British manufacturers anxious to avoid a policy vacuum and safeguard access to their biggest export market Getty In a related development, the minister also pledged that the Department for Exiting the European Union would match the European Parliament when it came to disclosing information to British MPs meaning the Government could potentially be bounced into revealing information it had not planned to. He said Brexit Secretary David Davis had committed to provide British parliamentarians with at least as much information as European parliamentarians receive. Theresa May has said Brexit negotiations will last two years or more after she triggers Article 50 in the first quarter of 2017. She has refused to give Parliament a vote on the opening terms of Brexit but Downing Street has said a vote on the end Brexit deal is likely. PS Retro: Sergey Badalyan was encouraged by Russian fighters (video) Sergey Badalyan, First Secretary of the Armenian Communist Party, accused the United States and Great Britain of bombing Iraq allegedly for the chemical weapons that Iraq possessed. This is an expression of terrorism, this is aggression and brigandage at the global level. Before starting the bombardment, they [the US and Great Britain] could have asked the opinion of Iraqi people. Sergey Badalyan was ready to protest and submit bills for the salvation of the Iraqi people but he believed that the authorities would reject them saying, You know Americans will not understand us. The Communist MP did not understand what could connect Armenian authorities with the US. He did not like Saddam Hussein, who had killed a lot of communists. But there are always interstate relations to consider Sergey Badalyan believed that the bombardment was not linked to the Lewinsky scandal that involved U.S. President Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky, a 22-year-old White House intern. On the other hand, we see that Russia is strengthening again. I think some forces want to exert pressure on Russia. Still in spring 1999, Mr. Badalyan predicted that America would plunge into unsolvable problems in the next decades. But he did not have illusions that it would take us back to the Soviet Union. I am sorry to say this but Russia is our only real ally. In those days, Russia brought to Armenia several fighters which encouraged the Communist MP. Many countries do not wish us good because of Russia. They want Russia to leave us alone. Some naive politicians think once Russia withdraws its presence from our territory, we will appear under the feet of the West. But Armenia will lose its political weight in that case. The communist member was preparing for the 1999 elections. We know what we have, what we have achieved and what problems there are. Let people forget that the days of Communists are counted in Armenia." On November 25, 1999, only 7-8 months after these words, Sergey Badalyan died suddenly in Moscow at the age of 52. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Government has been forced to pay out millions of pounds in compensation to innocent people who were illegally locked up in Britain under immigration powers, The Independent can reveal. Almost 14m was paid to hundreds of individuals who were incorrectly detained by officers for immigration offences they never committed. The 573 people who received pay-outs over three years may include those the authorities thought had failed to leave the country on time, or who were wrongly accused of breaking the terms of their visa or obtaining it by deception. After the detention numbers emerged critics accused the Government, which under Theresa May has announced plans for even tougher immigration powers, of leaving a "stain on our society". It comes after an inspector's report found earlier this year that Europes largest immigration detention centre near Heathrow was "dirty and run down", with areas that were "overcrowded" and with "seriously insanitary" toilets and showers. Home Office statistics show that the total number of people being detained for immigration offences is growing hitting 32,400 last year. Data released to Parliament by immigration minister Robert Goodwill shows that in 2012/13, 5m was paid in compensation to 195 people wrongly locked up by the authorities. The following year the Government paid 4.8m in unlawful detention compensation payments to 199 individuals. In 2014/15, 4m was paid to 179 innocent people. Over the three years the average pay-out was more than 24,000 per person. Amber Rudd launches immigration crackdown Liberal Democrat Leader Tim Farron, who uncovered the data, said: "It is outrageous that the Government is wasting taxpayers money on huge pay-outs for their mistakes. Locking innocent people up for administrative convenience is a huge stain on our society and this adds insult to injury. "The Government should be finding ways to shrink the immigration detention estate but instead they are pouring money down the drain keeping this failing system alive." The Migration Observatory at Oxford University states that the UK immigration detention estate is one of the largest in Europe. From 2009 until the end of 2015, between 2,500 and 3,500 migrants have been in detention at any given time. In 2015 32,400 people entered detention compared to some 30,400 in 2014. Theresa May on immigration in conference speech The largest category of immigration detainees is people seeking asylum, around 45 per cent of those detained in 2015. Data from early 2016 shows that about 81 per cent of immigration detainees are held for less than two months, but it is not uncommon for detention to span two to four months, with a small number held for longer. A March report by the HM Inspectorate of Prisons into Harmondsworth detention centre, which has room for 661 people, found it to be overcrowded, with people being held for too long, sometimes in insect-ridden rooms. Steve Symonds, Amnesty UKs refugee programme director, said: "The millions of pounds in compensation paid out every year by this Government reflects the fact that immigration detention has become the norm, when it should only be used in exceptional circumstances. MP calls for child refugees from Calais to have teeth checked to verify age "Detention causes women, men and children to suffer serious and lasting harm, as this compensation attests, but the suffering of so many goes unnoticed and unseen. The awful truth is that people locked up in these detention centres are not being treated as human beings with rights, needs and vulnerabilities. As a matter of urgency, the Home Office should be significantly reducing its use of detention and its detention estate. At Conservative conference Home Secretary Amber Rudd was forced to deny that she was a racist after announcing an unexpectedly tough new regime of immigration controls for consultation. They included English tests for foreign students, mandatory checks for foreigners wishing to become taxi drivers and, initially, a suggestion that businesses could be forced to publish the proportion of foreign workers they employ, something ministers eventually backed down on. Italian coastguard rescues thousands of refugees off coast of Libya The Cabinet has been at odds over what kind of immigration system to bring in after Brexit, with Chancellor Philip Hammond raising concerns over the impact of shutting out low-skilled workers and backing removing foreign students from net migration data, something Ms May opposes. The Government remains committed to bringing down net migration to the tens of thousands from its current level of more than 320,000. Asked about the detention compensation figures, a Home Office spokesperson said compensation is paid at the end of litigation proceedings, a process that can last several years after the detention has ended. They said decisions to detain are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain justified and reasonable, but also underlined that the government has a responsibility to protect the public from those who might pose a risk of harm. The spokesperson said: Detention is an important part of a firm but fair immigration system, helping to ensure that those with no right to remain in the UK are returned to their home country if they will not leave voluntarily. Decisions to detain or maintain detention are taken after careful consideration and we are committed to treating all detainees with dignity and respect. The fact that a court may subsequently rule that an individual has been unlawfully detained does not necessarily mean the original decision was taken in bad faith. The court's findings may only relate to part of the detention. They added that the Government is now taking forward reforms it expects to lead to a reduction in the number of detainees and the length of time they spend in detention. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Transport Secretary has defended the Governments plan for Heathrows new runway to span the M25 using a ramp, arguing that the solution will be cheaper and quicker than alternatives. Chris Grayling said that the new runway had to be affordable for passengers and that the ramp over the 12-lane motorway would only be a gentle slope. Ministers yesterday gave their backing for the new runway, the design of which suggests using an 8m ramp to span Britains widest motorway at its widest point. Mr Grayling said the proposal was sensible, seeking to assuage safety and security concerns of having sensitive infrastructure just metres in the air over a busy road. Weve been very clear not just to [Heathrow] but to the other promoters of the schemes is that what they do has to be affordable for passengers as well. Its not simply about landing extra costs on the shoulders of passengers, Mr Grayling told BBC Radio 4s Today programme One of the things that Heathrow has been looking at is doing what many airports have done around the world and building their runway over the top of the road rather than tunnelling the road underneath it. Its a cheaper and quicker way of doing it and Im of course very concerned to make sure that whilst this runway is built it doesnt cause massive disruption on the M25. Chris Grayling, the Transport Secretary (PA) I think this is a sensible way, its a gentle slope. Its a hill, a very gentle hill upwards that the planes would take off rather than a flat service and its what happens at very many other airports around the world. Other proposals considered include putting the M25 into a tunnel, building the runway at a different alignment, or building it elsewhere. In pictures: 70 years of Heathrow Show all 22 1 /22 In pictures: 70 years of Heathrow In pictures: 70 years of Heathrow Inside one of the terminal tents in 1946 The year the airport opened. Comfortable armchairs and flowers try to distract from the conditions Graham Bridges collection In pictures: 70 years of Heathrow An aerial view of the airport in 1949 Construction of the runway layout and Central Area are under way In pictures: 70 years of Heathrow A Pan Am crew checks out the Boeing Stratocruiser N1029V Clipper Golden Eagle in 1954 During the early 1950s, Pan Am and American Overseas Airlines operated Statocruisers into London Airport in direct competition on the North Atlantic route operated by BOAC In pictures: 70 years of Heathrow One of the first official London Airport guidebooks C.1953, priced 1s In pictures: 70 years of Heathrow In 1950 a permanent concrete terminal building was built This replaced the tents previously used at London Airport North and is seen still in use for charter and cargo flights in this 1959 view via Graham Bridges In pictures: 70 years of Heathrow BOAC check-in desk in 1954 Inside the new London Airport North terminal building, just before the move to the Central Area Graham Bridges collection In pictures: 70 years of Heathrow Air traffic control tower in the 1960s Inside the visual control room CAA Archives via Pete Bish In pictures: 70 years of Heathrow Rear cover of the 1956 guidebook Showing a plan of the airport at the time, with entrance prices to the spectators viewing terraces and for airport coach tours In pictures: 70 years of Heathrow Spectators in 1958 How close can you get? As soon as the Central Area was open, spectators were afforded unprecedented views of the airliners In pictures: 70 years of Heathrow Terminal 3 was opened as the Oceanic Terminal on 13 November 1961 It was built to handle flight departures for long-haul routes. Renamed Terminal 3 in 1968, it was expanded in 1970 with the addition of an arrivals building In pictures: 70 years of Heathrow Inside Terminal 3 in 1969 Check-in desks for BOAC and QANTAS airlines In pictures: 70 years of Heathrow Plane spotting on Heathrows viewing terraces in the 1960s Wrap up warm, take your spotting logbooks, pen and binoculars and get your mum to pack your sandwiches In pictures: 70 years of Heathrow No 1 Passenger Building Also called the Europa Building. In this photo, taken on 22 June 1963, flags of the many airlines it serves are flown Lee Holden In pictures: 70 years of Heathrow Luggage-trailer-towing Routemaster buses When BEA and BOAC merged to form BA on 1 April 1974, both fleets had to be repainted in the new livery, but so did all the ground support equipment In pictures: 70 years of Heathrow The entrance to the traffic tunnel in 1974 A Lufthansa Boeing 737 is seen on the runway In pictures: 70 years of Heathrow A 40 per cent scale model of Concorde In September 1990 it was erected on the roundabout at the entrance to the tunnel that passes under the northern runway at Heathrow Airport. It was built in four main parts, with an 80ft-long central fuselage section, to which the wings and tail fin were attached. The completed model was placed on the roundabout in September 1990 and was monitored by CCTV and surrounded by an infrared perimeter alarm that was connected to the local Heathrow police station to ensure it was not vandalised In pictures: 70 years of Heathrow Heathrow Airport's 50th anniversary On 2 June 1996, Heathrow marked its anniversary with a flypast of representative airliner types that have served the airport over the years. This culminated in a formation flypast by Concorde with Hawks of the RAF Red Arrows aerobatic team In pictures: 70 years of Heathrow The roof of Terminal 3s car park One of the last bastions for plane spotters and spectators was here. This is the unfriendly notice that greets anyone who attempts this today Richard Vandervord In pictures: 70 years of Heathrow On 24 October 2003 BA withdrew its Concordes from service The final scheduled commercial flight was BA002 from JFK operated by G-BOAG. Here we see three of the Concordes parked together outside the BA hangar on 8 November 2003 following withdrawal John Hughes In pictures: 70 years of Heathrow The new control tower Costing 50 million to construct, it gives controllers an excellent 360-degree panoramic view NATS photograph In pictures: 70 years of Heathrow The new Terminal 2 The Queens Terminal In pictures: 70 years of Heathrow Looking due west down Runway 27L MPs will vote on the new runway in 2017-18 following a public consultation. The third runway is expected to be operational not before 2025, with construction slated for 2020-2021, barring any further roadblocks. 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 }} Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said other countries would "happily supply arms" to Saudi Arabia if Britain were to succumb to pressure to stop doing so. The government has been heavily criticised in recent months over constant reports that British made weapons are being used in alleged war crimes in Yemen conducted by the Saudi-led coalition that has intervened in the conflict. But Mr Johnson said that suspending sales would end Britains diplomatic influence in the conflicy "at a stroke." Recommended Read more Theresa May stands by Saudi on Human Rights Council despite bombings Labour and the SNP have called for an independent UN-led investigation into the allegations, with the suspension of arms sales while it takes place. In a commons debate on the matter, Johnson said Saudi Arabia should conduct its its own investigation first. "The Saudi government has approached this matter with great seriousness, and the seriousness it deserves, he said. "But the House should be in no doubt that we in this country are monitoring the situation minutely and meticulously, and will continue to apply our established criteria for granting licences with fairness and rigour, and in full accordance with UK law." He added: "To those who say, as apparently they now do in this motion, that we should simply disregard those legal procedures, be in no doubt that we would be vacating a space that would rapidly be filled by other Western countries who would happily supply arms with nothing like the same compunctions or criteria or respect for humanitarian law. "And more importantly, we would at a stroke eliminate this country's positive ability to exercise our moderating, diplomatic and political influence on a crisis where there are massive UK interests at stake." The motion in question proposed suspending the sale of weapons to the kingdom, which is the UKs key strategic partner in the region, despite ongoing reports of human rights abuses, beheadings and the continued refusal to allow women to drive cars. Mr Johnson said the shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry had herself "substantially retreated" from the motion that had been put forward, specifically over whether to suspend weapons sales. And Labours front bench was attacked by its backbenches over it. "As to whether or not she would support the immediate suspension of arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Arabian-led coalition forces, as is specified in this motion in her name, she refused to say that she would, Mr Johnson said. "I think that she was very Labour rebel John Woodcock said the withdrawal of support could lead to further civilian deaths in Yemen. Mr Woodcock, intervening, told Ms Thornberry: "I agree with your calls for an independent investigation into this matter. "Can you explain to me though why you feel that actually withdrawing the UK's support to the coalition - which is precisely focused on training Saudis to better able to be in compliance with international humanitarian law, therefore our interventions, if they are effective, will create fewer civilian casualties - why you have insisted, despite a number of us asking, in keeping that in the motion making it very hard for many of us to vote for it?" Ms Thornberry quoted Californian congressman Ted Lieu, in which he questioned if Saudi Arabia was either not listening to the US or did not care. She later said there are major questions about the coalition's command structure. Ms Thornberry explained: "All sides will have spoken to experts on the conflict who say there is essentially two coalition forces operating in Yemen. "One, from the capital which carries out pre-planned operations based on strong intelligence under the direction of the Americans and UK advisers. "And the other - this answers (Mr Woodcock's) point - there is another centre operating out in southern Saudi Arabia, which carries out dynamic, reactive operations often on the basis of sketchy evidence, often without thinking through the so-called 'collateral damage' and inevitably often with significant civilian casualties. "Of course, if this is the case that any coalition forces are acting in a reckless or indiscriminate manner when it comes to air strikes in civilian areas, it would itself be a clear violation of international humanitarian law and cause this whole House grave concern." Ms Thornberry said Foreign Office Minister Tobias Ellwood's explanation of a funeral bombing, which killed more than 140 people, as a "deliberate error" raises the prospect there has been "intentional targeting of civilians by elements of the coalition forces". She later said: "When we say one thing about Russia and Aleppo but we say another thing about Riyadh and Yemen, what the rest of the world hears is hypocrisy and double standards. "But today's motion gives us an opportunity to send the opposite message to the world, to show how we hold all countries - friend or foe - to the same high standards that we aspire to ourselves. "And that while Saudi Arabia will remain a valued strategic security economic ally, our support for their forces in Yemen must be suspended until alleged violations of international humanitarian law in that conflict have been fully and independently investigated, and until the children of Yemen have received the humanitarian aid they so desperately need." 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 }} Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has condemned Spain for planning to help Russian warships refuel on their way to bomb Syria just hours after Theresa May refused to. Mr Fallon said no Nato member should be caught up in bombing Syrian civilians, after Britain accused Russia of committing war crimes in the countrys civil war. The comment came after the Prime Minister was criticised for ducking the controversy, when questioned in the House of Commons earlier today. Recommended Read more Theresa May refuses to condemn Spanish help for Russian bombers For years, Russian naval vessels have stopped at the Spanish port of Ceuta, on the North African coast, to refuel. In September, permission was granted for three Russian ships to dock over the next week, part of a battle group that been sailing to the Mediterranean, including through the English Channel. Arriving at a meeting of Nato defence ministers in Brussels, Mr Fallon said: We would be extremely concerned if any Nato member started to assist a Russian carrier group that ended up in the eastern Mediterranean, bombing Syrian civilians. On the contrary, Nato should be sticking together and reassuring its members. Thats one of the reasons why we are deploying Typhoons to the Black Sea region to provide exactly that kind of reassurance and solidarity. Nato needs to stick together. Yet, a few hours earlier, Ms May refused to be drawn into the gathering row, when it was raised by the SNPs Westminster leader Angus Robertson. He said: Its widely expected that the onslaught on Aleppo will be unleashed by Russian air power which is currently steaming across the Mediterranean aboard the Admiral Kuznetsov [aircraft carrier] and its battlegroup. In recent years, more than 60 Russian naval vessels have refuelled and resupplied in Spanish ports. Will the Prime Minister join me EU and Nato allies in unequivocally calling on Spain to refuse the refuelling? The Prime Minister responded that Russian vessels could move as they wish on the high seas, without mentioning Spains involvement in the refuelling. Instead, she said: The EU agreed that, should the atrocities continue, then we will look at all available options for taking action to put pressure on Russia to stop their indiscriminate bombing of innocent civilians. What we have seen, sadly, is that the Russians are already able to unleash attacks on innocent civilians in Syria. What matters is that we are able to put pressure on Russia to do what everybody agrees is the only way that we are going to resolve this issue, which is to ensure that we have a political transition in Syria. As the Nato defence ministers met, Russia withdrew its request for three warships to dock and the Spanish foreign ministry said the stopovers had been cancelled. Aleppo, once Syrias largest city, has been engulfed in bloody battle since 2012, with thousands of civilians and combatants killed, millions displaced from their homes, and untold physical damage to buildings and streets. Russian air power is intervening in the country on the side of the Syrian government, led by Bashar al-Assad, who has himself been accused of committing war crimes. 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 }} Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of today's Prime Minister's Questions. Here are the latest updates: It is possible Mr Corbyn will press Theresa May on her decision on Tuesday to give the green light to airport expansion at Heathrow. Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, also dismissed Ms Mays plan for a third runway at the airport undeliverable". However, Labour itself is divided on the issue. The party, officially, supports the move on the basis of it meeting pollution and other environmental targets. But John McDonnell, the Shadow Chancellor, whose constituency Hayes and Harlington is near the airport is one of the schemes vocal opponents. It also comes as recordings of the Prime Minister warning of the economic peril of leaving the EU to investment bankers at Goldman Sachs was leaked to the Guardian. But what is interesting is not that Ms May was advocating a pro-EU stance as that was her official position throughout the referendum but that she decided to press for membership in a private capacity. I think the economic arguments are clear, she said in audio. I think being part of a 500-million population trading bloc is significant for us. I think, as I was saying to you a little earlier, that one of the issues is that a lot of people will invest here in the UK because it is the UK in Europe. If we were not in Europe, I think there would be firms and companies who would be looking to say, do they need to develop a mainland Europe presence rather than a UK presence? So I think there are definite benefits for us in economic terms." 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 May has accused anyone questioning her Brexit strategy of frustrating the will of the British people, in a heated Commons clash. Jeremy Corbyn accused the Prime Minister of carrying out a shambolic withdrawal process, which was threatening jobs and investment including dangerous uncertainty in Northern Ireland. The Labour leader told MPs the only way he could decipher what Ms May was trying to achieve in her EU talks was to consult the great philosophers. Recommended Read more Jeremy Corbyn made a joke about Theresa May and even she had to laugh And he joked: The only one I could come up with is Baldrick, who says, Our cunning plan is to have no plan. But Ms May hit back, provoking laughter from her MPs as she said: Of course, the actor playing Baldrick was a member of the Labour Party, as I recall. Earlier, Mr Corbyn warned Mrs May: Every day you dither over this chaotic Brexit, employers delay investment and there are rumours circulating about relocation. And he said he feared that any answer from the Prime Minister on her ambitions for Britain outside the EU would include her famous mantra: Brexit means Brexit. In reply, the Prime Minister said: You try to poke fun at the phrase Brexit means Brexit but the whole point is this it's this Government that's listening to the voice of the British people. Brexit means Brexit that means we're coming out of the European Union. What you try to be doing is frustrating the will of the British people by saying that Brexit means something completely different. To the surprise of some, Mr Corbyn failed to raise the revelation that Ms May warned that companies would quit the UK if the country voted for Brexit, during a secret audience with investment bankers. In a recording leaked to The Guardian, she told Goldman Sachs of her fears about the economic price to be paid for leaving a 500 million-strong trading bloc. The comments, less than a month before the EU referendum, left the Prime Minister open to the charge that she was issuing a dire private warning while barely campaigning, in public, for Remain. One of former Prime Minister David Camerons closest aides has since suggested her muted position helped her career in the aftermath of the Leave vote. But Downing Street pointed out Ms May had made a big speech during the campaign in which she raised the risks and opportunities of Brexit. In April, she said: If we do vote to leave the European Union, we risk bringing the development of the single market to a halt, we risk a loss of investors and businesses to remaining EU member states driven by discriminatory EU policies and we risk going backwards when it comes to international trade. Asked if Mrs May stood by the comments, her spokeswoman said: "The point now is that the British people have voted to leave the European Union and the Prime Minister is focused on how we make that work in the best interests of Britain. 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 }} Theresa May has refused to condemn Spain for providing refuelling support to Russian ships on their way to join a brutal bombing campaign in Syria. Russian aircraft carriers and warships moving to reinforce the countrys force in the Levant have been refuelling in Spanish ports, with dozens of naval vessels thought to have taken on supplies in recent years. Britain has accused Russia of committing war crimes in Syria, with indiscriminate bombing of civilian targets but Ms May on Wednesday refused to back a plan to frustrate the Russian war effort by refusing them refuelling support. Its widely expected that the onslaught on Aleppo will be unleashed by Russian air power which is currently steaming across the Mediterranean aboard the Admiral Kuznetsov [aircraft carrier] and its battlegroup, the SNPs Westminster leader Angus Robertson said at Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday. In recent years more than 60 Russian naval vessels have refuelled and resupplied in Spanish ports. Will the Prime Minister join me EU and Nato allies in unequivocally calling on Spain to refuse the refuelling? Ms May responded that Russian vessels could move as they wish on the high seas and said that if alleged atrocities continued Britain would look at other options along with other EU nations. She did not call for Spain to stop supporting Russian forces. The EU agreed that should the atrocities continue then we will look at all available options for taking action to put pressure on Russia to stop their indiscriminate bombing of innocent civilians, she said. HMS Richmond (front), a Type 23 Duke Class frigate, observing aircraft carrier, which is part of a Russian task group, during transit through the North Sea (Dez Wade/MoD/Crown Copyright/PA Wire) Of course, on the high seas they are able to travel as they wish, though when they went through the English Channel they were accompanied by Royal naval vessels as we went through. What we have seen sadly is that the Russians are already able to unleash attacks on innocent civilians in Syria. What matters is that we are able to put pressure on Russia to do what everybody agrees is the only way that we are going to resolve this issue, which is to ensure that we have a political transition in Syria. In pictures: Aleppo bombing Show all 14 1 /14 In pictures: Aleppo bombing In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo Smoke rises after airstrikes on the rebel-held al-Sakhour neighborhood of Aleppo, Syria April 29, 2016. Reuters In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo A Syrian family runs for cover amid the rubble of destroyed buildings following a reported air strike on the rebel-held neighbourhood of Al-Qatarji in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, on April 29, 2016. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo A man reacts as he stands on blood stains at a site hit by airstrikes in the rebel held area of Aleppo's al-Fardous district, Syria, April 29, 2016. Reuters In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo The damage of the airstrikes in the rebel-held area of Aleppo on April 28 Reuters In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo The damaged the Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)-backed al-Quds hospital after it was hit by airstrikes, in a rebel-held area of Syria's Aleppo Reuters In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo Syrians evacuate an injured man amid the rubble of destroyed buildings following an air strike on a rebel-held of Aleppo on April 29, 2016. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo People inspect the damage at a site hit by airstrikes, in the rebel-held area of Aleppo's Bustan al-Qasr AP In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo A man leads a woman in tears and child out of the scene after airstrikes hit Aleppo AP In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo Civil defence members search for survivors after an airstrike at a field hospital in the rebel held area of al-Sukari district of Aleppo Reuters In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo A Syrian boy is comforted as he cries next to the body of a relative who died in a reported air strike in the rebel-held neighbourhood of al-Soukour in the northern city of Aleppo Getty Images In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo A Syrian family walks amid the rubble of destroyed buildings following a reported air strike in the Bustan al-Qasr rebel-held district of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo Getty Images In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo Syrian civil defence volunteers and rescuers remove a baby from under the rubble of a destroyed building following a reported air strike on the rebel-held neighbourhood of al-Kalasa in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo Getty Images In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo Syrians help a wounded youth following an air strike on the Fardous rebel held neighbourhood of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo Getty Images In pictures: Aleppo bombing Bombing in Aleppo Syrian civil defence volunteers evacuate people from a damaged building following a reported airstrike in the rebel-held neighbourhood of Tareeq al-Bab in the northern city of Aleppo The refusal to call for the withdrawal of EU aid to Russian forces jars with recent comments by the Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who said earlier this month he believed public opinion was moving towards supporting some kind of intervention to stop the bombing. The Prime Minister also refused to take action to stop Saudi Arabian bombing in Yemen. Britain has been supplying billion of pounds in weapons to its brutal ally, which has also been accused of indiscriminately bombing civilians, including schools, international hospitals, and food factories. A protest in London this weekend supported by some interventionist Labour MPs called for a no fly zone around Syria to stop Russian bombings. Critics of the plan have pointed out that the policy would risk escalating into a shooting war with Russia as it would involve shooting down jets that broke the zones rules. A Downing Street spokesperson told journalists after PMQs that Britain had "raised concerns" about refuelling but refused to say Britain had asked for the practice to end. Aleppo, once Syrias largest city, has been engulfed in bloody battle since 2012, with thousands of civilians and combatants killed, millions displaced from their homes, and untold physical damage to buildings and streets. Russian air power is intervening in the country on the side of the Syrian government, led by Bashar al-Assad, who has himself been accused of committing war crimes. US-led coalition bombers are intervening against the Isis militant group in the country. 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 }} Theresa May has refused to say if she will withdraw backing for Saudi Arabian membership of the UN Human Rights Council, despite the kingdom being accused of civilian atrocities in Yemen. The Prime Minister was confronted by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn who demanded to know if the UK will vote for continued Saudi membership at a crucial ballot later this month. It comes amid renewed bombardment of Yemen by Saudi-led coalition forces and news reported by The Independent that the UK is training the Kingdoms pilots. Earlier this month the Saudi-led coalition admitted responsibility for the bombing of a funeral that killed 140 people and wounded 600 more blaming the wrong information. Raising the issue at Prime Ministers Questions Mr Corbyn said: Three years ago the United Kingdom backed Saudi Arabian membership of the UN Human Rights councils. On the 28th of October, there are elections again for the UN Human Rights Council. A UN panel has warned that Saudi Arabias bombing of Yemen has violated international law. He then cited concerns from Amnesty International over executions, discrimination against women and torture, before adding: Will her government again be backing the Saudi dictatorship for membership of that committee? Video footage shows moment air strike hits funeral in Yemen Ms May refused to answer the question directly, only saying that where there are legitimate human rights concerns over Saudi Arabia, then the UK would raise them with the country. She added: "In relation to the action in Yemen, we have been clear that we want the incidents that have been referred, to be properly investigated. We want the Saudi Arabians, if there are lessons to be learnt from those, to learn lessons from those. But I reiterate a point that Ive made in this House before, that our relationship with Saudi Arabia is an important relationship. Its a particularly important relationship in relation to the security of this country and counter-terrorism. 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Show all 10 1 /10 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In October 2014, three lawyers, Dr Abdulrahman al-Subaihi, Bander al-Nogaithan and Abdulrahman al-Rumaih , were sentenced to up to eight years in prison for using Twitter to criticize the Ministry of Justice. AFP/Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In March 2015, Yemens Sunni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi was forced into exile after a Shia-led insurgency. A Saudi Arabia-led coalition has responded with air strikes in order to reinstate Mr Hadi. It has since been accused of committing war crimes in the country. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Women who supported the Women2Drive campaign, launched in 2011 to challenge the ban on women driving vehicles, faced harassment and intimidation by the authorities. The government warned that women drivers would face arrest. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Members of the Kingdoms Shia minority, most of whom live in the oil-rich Eastern Province, continue to face discrimination that limits their access to government services and employment. Activists have received death sentences or long prison terms for their alleged participation in protests in 2011 and 2012. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses All public gatherings are prohibited under an order issued by the Interior Ministry in 2011. Those defy the ban face arrest, prosecution and imprisonment on charges such as inciting people against the authorities. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In March 2014, the Interior Ministry stated that authorities had deported over 370,000 foreign migrants and that 18,000 others were in detention. Thousands of workers were returned to Somalia and other states where they were at risk of human rights abuses, with large numbers also returned to Yemen, in order to open more jobs to Saudi Arabians. Many migrants reported that prior to their deportation they had been packed into overcrowded makeshift detention facilities where they received little food and water and were abused by guards. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses The Saudi Arabian authorities continue to deny access to independent human rights organisations like Amnesty International, and they have been known to take punitive action, including through the courts, against activists and family members of victims who contact Amnesty. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Raif Badawi was sentenced to 1000 lashes and 10 years in prison for using his liberal blog to criticise Saudi Arabias clerics. He has already received 50 lashes, which have reportedly left him in poor health. Carsten Koall/Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Dawood al-Marhoon was arrested aged 17 for participating in an anti-government protest. After refusing to spy on his fellow protestors, he was tortured and forced to sign a blank document that would later contain his confession. At Dawoods trial, the prosecution requested death by crucifixion while refusing him a lawyer. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Ali Mohammed al-Nimr was arrested in 2012 aged either 16 or 17 for participating in protests during the Arab spring. His sentence includes beheading and crucifixion. The international community has spoken out against the punishment and has called on Saudi Arabia to stop. He is the nephew of a prominent government dissident. Getty A report by the Saudi-led coalitions Joint Incidents Assessment Team into the funeral bombing admitted responsibility this month, but blamed wrong information from allies. The Independent has reported that the Saudi Air Force is still being trained by the British Government amid the accusations of atrocities. Yemen descended into full-blown civil war between the Saudi-backed exiled government and Iranian-allied Shiite Houthi rebels in March 2015, when Houthi fighters took control of the countrys capital. Since then, more than 10,000 people have died, the UN says, more than three million people have been displaced and the country is on the brink of famine thanks to the Saudi closure of Yemeni airspace and port blockades in the Gulf of Aden. Theresa May can't give assurances that no civilians have been killed by British arms in Yemen Saudi-led air strikes from March 2016 onwards have escalated the conflict and resulted in a sharp increase in civilian deaths. The Campaign Against Arms Trade reports that the UK has licensed 3.3bn worth of arms to the Saudi government since last March. In April this year the number of beheadings in Saudi were on course to be more than double those that took place in 2015. In the first three months of 2016, 82 people were sentenced. In January the state put 47 people to death for terror offences on a single day, mainly individuals convicted of involvement in deadly attacks. 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 Afghan girl whose piercing eyes made her famous when her photo appeared on the cover of National Geographic magazine has reportedly been arrested on suspicion of corruption. Sharbat Gula, photographed as a 12-year-old inhabitant of a refugee camp in 1984, now faces the possibility of spending 14 years in jail, it was reported. She was arrested at her home in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Wednesday by Pakistans Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the Dawn newspaper said. Quoting FIA sources, the Pakistani newspaper said she was suspected of forging a computerised national identity card. The extraordinary twist in Ms Gulas story was, some commentators suggested, an episode which highlighted the desperate measures many Afghans are willing to take to avoid returning to their war-torn homeland as Pakistan cracks down on undocumented foreigners. Ms Gula first caught the worlds attention after National Geographics Steve McCurry took a photo of her at a refugee camp near Peshawar in 1984. The haunting image, showing her staring at the camera with startlingly bright green eyes, appeared on the cover of National Geographic in June 1985. It went on to become the most famous cover image in the magazine's history. Her name initially unknown, Ms Gula became known to the world as Afghan girl, or more poetically as the Mona Lisa of the Afghan war which at that time involved the country being occupied by Soviet, rather than Western-backed forces. Facebook U-turn: 'Napalm girl' photo permitted Her parents had been killed during Russian bombing of Afghanistan when she was about six years old. In 1992, eight years after being photographed by Mr McCurry, Ms Gula, who had no idea that her face had become so famous, left the Peshawar area and crossed the border back into Afghanistan to try to rebuild her life. Meanwhile, Mr McCurry travelled back to the region 10 times in the intervening years, each time carrying the girl's photograph in the hope of finding someone who knew who she was and where she might be found. Finally, in 2002, 18 years after photographing her, he tracked her down to a remote village in eastern Afghanistan. Her eyes still piercing, but her face showing the ravages of time, she was married to a baker and the mother of three children. Another child had died in infancy. She expressed hopes that her children would be able to get an education. When asked if she had ever felt safe, she replied "No. But life under the Taliban was better. At least there was peace and order." Asked how she had survived, she responded that it was "the will of God". Until McCurry found her again, Ms Gula had never seen the photo of herself as a child. Afghanistan: Between Hope and Fear Show all 16 1 /16 Afghanistan: Between Hope and Fear Afghanistan: Between Hope and Fear 2001 Afghans at the Killi Faizo refugee camp desperately reach for bags of rice being handed out to the thousands who escaped the bombardment in southern Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. (Chaman, Pakistan, December 4, 2001) Paula Bronstein Afghanistan: Between Hope and Fear 2002 Mahbooba stands against a bullet-ridden wall, waiting to be seen at a medical clinic. The seven-year-old girl suffers from leishmaniasis, a parasitical infection. (Kabul, March 1, 2002) All photos Paula Bronstein Afghanistan: Between Hope and Fear 2003 A mother and her two children look out from their cave dwelling. Many families who, fleeing the Taliban, took refuge inside caves adjacent to Bamiyans destroyed ancient Buddha statues now have nowhere else to live. (Bamiyan, November 19, 2003) Paula Bronstein Afghanistan: Between Hope and Fear 2007 Students recite prayers in a makeshift outdoor classroom in the Wakhan Corridor, a mountainous region in northeastern Afghanistan that extends to China and separates Tajikistan from India and Pakistan. (Northeastern Afghanistan, September 2, 2007) Paula Bronstein Afghanistan: Between Hope and Fear 2007 Bodybuilders in the 55-60 kg category square off during a regional bodybuilding competition. Many Afghan men, like others around the world, feel that a macho image of physical strength is important. (Kabul, August 6, 2007) Paula Bronstein Afghanistan: Between Hope and Fear 2008 A woman in a white burqa enjoys an afternoon with her family feeding the white pigeons at the Blue Mosque. (Mazar-e-Sharif, March 8, 2008) Paula Bronstein Afghanistan: Between Hope and Fear 2009 Addicts inject heroin while trying to keep warm inside the abandoned Russian Cultural Center, which the capital citys addicts use as a common gathering point. Heroin is readily available, costing about one dollar a hit. (Kabul, February 9, 2009) Paula Bronstein Afghanistan: Between Hope and Fear 2009 An elderly man holds his granddaughter in their tent at a refugee camp after they were forced to flee their village, which US and NATO forces had bombed because, they claimed, it was a Taliban hideout. (Surobi, Nangarhar Province, February 7, 2009) Paula Bronstein Afghanistan: Between Hope and Fear 2009 Seven-year-old Attiullah, a patient at Mirwais Hospital, stands alongside an X ray showing the bullet that entered his back, nearly killing him. Attiullah was shot by US forces when he was caught in a crossfire as he was herding sheep. (Kandahar, October 13, 2009). Paula Bronstein Afghanistan: Between Hope and Fear 2010 US Army Sargeant Jay Kenney (right), with Task Force Destiny, helps wounded Afghan National Army soldiers exit a Blackhawk helicopter after they have been rescued in an air mission. (Kandahar, December 12, 2010) Paula Bronstein Afghanistan: Between Hope and Fear 2010 An Afghan National Army battalion marches back to barracks at the Kabul Military Training Center. (Kabul, October 4, 2010) Paula Bronstein Afghanistan: Between Hope and Fear 2014 Eid Muhammad, seventy, lives in a house with a view overlooking the hills of Kabul. He and millions of other Afghans occupy land and housing without possessing formal deeds to them. (Kabul, November 21, 2014) Paula Bronstein Afghanistan: Between Hope and Fear 2014 Razima holds her two-year-old son, Malik, while waiting for medical attention at the Boost Hospital emergency room. (Lashkar Gah, Helmand Province, June 23, 2014) Paula Bronstein Afghanistan: Between Hope and Fear 2014 Young women cheer as they attend a rally for the Afghan presidential candidate Ashraf Ghani. (Kabul, April 1, 2014) Paula Bronstein Afghanistan: Between Hope and Fear 2014 Burqa-clad women wait to vote after a polling station runs out of ballots. (Kabul, April 5, 2014) Paula Bronstein Afghanistan: Between Hope and Fear 2015 Relatives, friends, and womens rights activists grieve at the home of Farkhunda Malikzada, who was killed by a mob in the center of Kabul. Farkhunda was violently beaten and set on fire after a local cleric accused her of burning a Quran. (Kabul, March 22, 2015) Paula Bronstein She came to public attention again last year when Pakistani newspapers reported that the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) had cancelled national identity cards issued to her and two men listed as her sons amid claims the cards had been issued illegally. At the time a Nadra source told Dawn: "They may not be her sons but this is a common practice among Afghan refugees whereby they list names of non-relatives as their children to obtain documents. On Wednesday Shahid Ilyas, a Nadra official, told AFP: "FIA arrested Sharbat Gula, an Afghan woman, for obtaining a fake ID card. Mr Ilyas said the authorities were also seeking three Nadra officials found responsible for issuing Pakistan's national identity card to Gula, who have been at large since the alleged fraud was detected. He said that Gula faces seven to 14 years in prison and a fine of $3,000-$5,000 dollars (2,460-4,100) if convicted. Pakistan has for decades provided safe haven for millions of Afghans who fled their country after the Soviet invasion of 1979. The country hosts 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees, according to the UNHCR, making it the third-largest refugee hosting nation in the world. But refugees are increasingly worried about their futures in Pakistan as the country cracks down on those who have obtained fake ID cards. Officials say Nadra has so far reverified 91 million ID cards and detected 60,675 fraudulent cards. A Nadra official told AFP that 2,473 foreigners, mostly Afghans, had voluntarily surrendered ID cards which were obtained fraudulently. Some 18 Nadra officials were under investigation for issuing ID cards to foreigners, and eight were arrested, the official said. 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 }} Gambia has announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing the Hague-based tribunal of the persecution and humiliation of people of colour, especially Africans. The announcement late Tuesday comes after similar decisions this month by South Africa and Burundi to abandon the troubled institution, set up to try the world's worst crimes. Information Minister Sheriff Bojang said in an announcement on state television that the court had been used for the persecution of Africans and especially their leaders while ignoring crimes committed by the West. He singled out the case of former British prime minister Tony Blair, who the ICC decided not to indict over the Iraq war. There are many Western countries, at least 30, that have committed heinous war crimes against independent sovereign states and their citizens since the creation of the ICC and not a single Western war criminal has been indicted. The withdrawal, he said, is warranted by the fact that the ICC, despite being called International Criminal Court, is in fact an International Caucasian Court for the persecution and humiliation of people of colour, especially Africans. The ICC, set up in 2002, is often accused of bias against Africa and has also struggled with a lack of cooperation, including from the United States, which has signed the court's treaty but never ratified it. Gambia has been trying without success to use the court to punish the European Union for deaths of thousands of African migrants trying to reach its shores. The decision will also come as a personal blow to the court's chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, a former Gambian justice minister. The court at the weekend asked South Africa and Burundi to reconsider their decisions to leave, which came as a major blow to the institution. I urge them to work together with other States in the fight against impunity, which often causes massive violations of human rights, Sidiki Kaba, president of the assembly of state parties to the ICC founding treaty, said in a statement. South Africa's decision followed a dispute last year when Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir visited the country despite being the subject of an ICC arrest warrant over alleged war crimes. 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 Earlier this month, Burundi said it would leave the court, while Namibia and Kenya have also raised the possibility. Kaba said he was concerned that South Africa and Burundi's decisions would pave the way for other African states to leave the court. The tribunal is tasked with prosecuting the most serious crimes that shock the conscience of humanity, namely genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes of aggression. The court's former prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo criticised Burundi and South Africa, accusing them of giving leaders on the continent a free hand to commit genocide. Burundi is leaving the ICC to keep committing crimes against humanity and possible genocide in its territory. Burundi's president wants free hands to attack civilians. He added that former South African president Nelson Mandela had promoted the establishment of the Court to avoid new massive crimes in Africa. Now under the Zuma leadership South Africa decided to cover up the crimes and abandoned African victims. The world is going backward. The chaos is coming. Genocide in Burundi and a new African war are in motion, he said. AFP 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 }} Gambia has declared its intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, amid growing fears of a mass African exodus from the world body designed to prosecute those who commit the gravest atrocities. The west African nation described the ICC as a racist organisation which is involved in the persecution and humiliation of people of colour, especially Africans. It comes just a few days after South Africa began the formal process of withdrawal from the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the ICC. Burundi has also announced its intention to withdraw in due course. Recommended Read more ICC finds jihadist guilty of war crime over desecration of Timbuktu The perception that the ICC is only used to punish African leaders has gained traction across the continent. Namibia and Kenya have raised the possibility of pulling out, while Uganda said it was sure to be a hot topic for the African Unions next meeting in January. All six ICC cases that are ongoing or about to begin involve people from African states. That said, all but one of those cases were brought by African nations themselves or the UN Security Council, and preliminary ICC investigations have opened elsewhere. Gambias decision to withdraw is a particular blow to the court, as its chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, is herself a former Gambian justice minister. Its information minister, Sheriff Baba Bojang, said in the statement late on Tuesday that the court was involved in "the persecution of Africans, and especially their leaders. He said at least 30 Western countries had committed war crimes with impunity since the creation of the ICC in 2002, singling out the actions of UK prime minister Tony Blair in the Iraq War as an example. Withdrawal was warranted by the fact that the ICC, despite being called International Criminal Court, is in fact an International Caucasian Court for the persecution and humiliation of people of colour, especially Africans, he said. South Africa, once one of the ICCs staunchest supporters, announced its decision to withdraw after a row over the governments decision to grant free passage to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted for arrest by the court. Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, one of Africa's longest-serving leaders, is accused by rights groups of various abuses including a clampdown on political opponents. Burundi has been dogged by recent reports of state-sponsored violence along ethnic lines. Its president approved legislation on leaving the ICC last week. Former ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo said that by undermining the court, countries were giving the continents leaders free rein "to commit genocide". He told the AFP news agency Burundis president in particular wants free hands to attack civilians. 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 world is going backward, he said. The chaos is coming. Genocide in Burundi and a new African war are in motion. In a statement on the ICCs website, the president of the assembly of member states Sidiki Kaba said he feared the path Africa appeared to be taking. The ICC relied on global cooperation in order to ensure the right to universal justice to all victims of mass crimes, he said. He said he regretted the decisions of those leaving, which risked leading others to do the same, adding: I urge them to work together with other states in the fight against impunity, which often causes massive violations of human rights. Under the terms of the Rome Statute, a country completes its withdrawal one year after it formally notifies the UN secretary-general of its desire to do so. Burundi and Gambia both said they had begun the process of leaving, though the UN said it had only received South Africas formal notification. 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 campaign trail has been one long photo opportunity for both the candidates, but it has also been a very long marketing campaign for the opening of the Trump Hotel in Washington DC. Consistent talk at rallies about the use of the finest marble at the new hotel has been thrown at supporters from Las Vegas to New Hampshire. While voters wanted proof that Mr Trump was a powerful and successful businessman, all they apparently needed to hear was that the new hotel was under budget and ahead of schedule. Two years after the initial announcement, the ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Wednesday 25 October at the site of the old Post Office on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Mr Trump lined up on stage alongside his eldest daughter, Ivanka, and his two sons, Donald Jr and Eric. Ivanka Trump, an executive at the Trump Organisation, was first of the family to take the stage, elaborating on the "intricate stone work", the "marble wainscoting throughout", the 16 to 24 foot ceilings and the 1200 windows, each of which had been painstakingly restored. My father trained me not to see things as they are, but for what they can be, she said. She insisted that, despite Mr Trumps critics attempts to discredit [her] fathers business, she said there were thousands of people who worked for her father and still stood by him. It was a long and fine introduction to the man himself, her "inspriation" and the much admired businessman. Yet his first comment to the crowds seemed to knock the wind out of their sails. It [his real estate business] seems very insignificant compared to what were doing now, were Mr Trumps opening words on the stage, alluding to the presidential election. He said the hotel, nonetheless, was an example to the government of how to get things done. He used the stage as a prime opportunity to continue his presidential message, pointing to infrastructure, schools, Obamacare and hospitals being in a state of disrepair - all contrary to his new hotel. When I travel the country, all I see is untapped potential waiting to be set free, he told the room, which was packed with reporters. The Trump Organisation has a lot to prove after speculation arose that the Trump brand was suffering due to Mr Trumps campaign. Before the meetings of the World Bank and the IMF, all hotels in downtown Washington were fully booked except the Trump DC, which had to flog rooms at heavily discounted rates. Mr Trump also thanked former house speaker and ally Newt Gingrich for an incredible interview with Fox News Megyn Kelly the previous evening, where Mr Gingrich had accused her of being fascinated with sex after Ms Kelly called Mr Trump a sexual predator. Mr Trump recently told Ms Kelly on Fox News that if he lost the election, running for president would have been a total waste of time, energy and money. He has previously said that, one way or another, he would get to Pennsylvania Avenue, as the new hotel was opposite the White House. Yet if Mr Trump had been wearing a t-shirt at the ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, it would say: "I ran for president and all I got was 'the best hotel in Washington'". 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 }} Donald Trump said he would love to go to the back of the barn with Joe Biden, responding to the vice presidents wish that they were both in high school so he could fight the Republican behind the gym. Speaking at a rally in Tallahassee, Florida, the party nominee claimed that Mr Biden was always campaigning for Hillary Clinton, who he couldnt stand. Mr Trump also accused him of knowing about Ms Clinton using her private email server when she was secretary of state. He then could not resist the temptation to respond to the vice presidents threats to fight it out behind the gym. Recommended Read more Biden wants to take out Donald Trump behind a gym Did you see where Biden wants to take me? To the back of the barn? Take me. He wants to. Id love that. Id love that! Mr Tough Guy. You know, Mr Tough Guy. You know when hes Mr Tough Guy? When hes standing behind a microphone. Thats when he he wants to bring me to the back of the barn. Oh. Some things in life you could really love doing. The remarks come a few days after Mr Biden said he was routinely asked if he would like the chance to debate Donald Trump one-on-one. His response was: No, I wish we were in high school, and I could take him behind the gym. Mr Trumps remarks about fighting the vice president come the same week that the New York Times released an archive of interviews that the real estate mogul did with reporter Michael DAntonio in 2014, in which he revealed he loved to fight when he was younger. All types of fights. Any kind of fight, I loved it, including physical, he said. 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 professor who developed a model which successfully predicted all but one presidential election result for the past 100 years has claimed Donald Trump will win the election. Professor Helmut Norpoth, of New Yorks SUNY Stony Brook University, said the Republican candidate was likely to triumph in two weeks time because he was the strongest candidate in the primaries. The political scientist developed a model which, when applied retroactively, accurately predicted every presidential election since 1912 with the exception of the 2000 election, when it said Democratic candidate Al Gore would win. Donald Trump calls US leaders 'stupid' and mocks 'tough guy' Joe Biden Mr Gore won the popular vote, but following a disputde result in Florida, George W Bush was awarded more votes in the Electoral College and thus won the election. The model suggests that the candidate who performs better in their parties primary race will go on to win the presidency. Professor Norpoth told the New York Post: I think he was the strongest candidate in the primaries and that he will prevail. The model predicted a Trump win in February and nothing has changed since then. Whatever happens in the real world doesnt affect the model. However, the model does not take into account the changing political landscape. Every woman to make sexual assault claims against Donald Trump Show all 16 1 /16 Every woman to make sexual assault claims against Donald Trump Every woman to make sexual assault claims against Donald Trump E Jean Carroll Author Carroll alleges that Trump pinned her against a wall and forced himself upon her in the changing rooms of a Manhattan department store in the mid-90s Getty Every woman to make sexual assault claims against Donald Trump Kristin Anderson Anderson alleges that Mr Trump touched her genitals while at a club in the early 1990s Every woman to make sexual assault claims against Donald Trump Jessica Leeds Leeds told the New York Times that Mr Trump groped her on an airplane in the 1980s BBC Every woman to make sexual assault claims against Donald Trump Natasha Stoynoff Stoynoff alleged that Mr Trump forcefully kissed her before an interview at his Mar-A-Lago estate in 2005 Everipedia Every woman to make sexual assault claims against Donald Trump Karena Virginia Virginia alleges Mr Trump groped her in 1998 outside of the US Open tennis tournament BBC News Every woman to make sexual assault claims against Donald Trump Temple Taggart Taggart claims Mr Trump gave her a kiss without consent during a rehearsal for a 1997 Miss USA pageant Every woman to make sexual assault claims against Donald Trump Summer Zervos The former Apprentice contestant alleged that Mr Trump kissed and groped her at a Beverly Hills hotel in 2007 Every woman to make sexual assault claims against Donald Trump Alva Johnson A former staffer for Trump's campaign, Johnson alleges that Trump forcibly tried to kiss her after a rally in August 2016 MSNBC Every woman to make sexual assault claims against Donald Trump Jennifer Murphy The former Apprentice contestant said Mr Trump "surprise kissed" her - but she said it did not bother her Every woman to make sexual assault claims against Donald Trump Jill Harth The makeup artist accused Mr Trump of "attempted rape" while in his daughter's room in 1997 Every woman to make sexual assault claims against Donald Trump Mindy McGillivray McGillivray alleges Mr Trump groped her at Mar-A-Lago in 2013 AP Every woman to make sexual assault claims against Donald Trump Rachel Crooks Crooks says that kissed her on the cheeks and mouth when she introduced herself to him in 2005 Every woman to make sexual assault claims against Donald Trump Mindy McGillivray McGillivray claims that Trump grabbed her backside at Mar-a-Lago in 2006 CNN Every woman to make sexual assault claims against Donald Trump Cassandra Searles The former Miss Washington alleges that Trump repeatedly grabbed her backside and invited her to his hotel room Getty Every woman to make sexual assault claims against Donald Trump Jessica Drake Drake claims that when she and two other women arrived to Trump's hotel room at his invitation, he arrived at the door in pyjamas and tightly hugged and kissed each of the woman without permission Getty Every woman to make sexual assault claims against Donald Trump Ninni Laaksonen The former Miss Finland claims that Trump squeezed her behind before they appeared together on the Late Show with David Letterman in 2006 EPA The model does not consider how events influence the later stages of the race or the fact that the two parties are less and less representative of the country at large. Increasingly important voter demographics such as women and ethnic minorities are peceived to be more likely to back the Democrats and white men more likely to back the Republicans. The Trump campaign has been severely damaged by the revelation of a tape earlier this month, where the former reality star is heard bragging about sexually assaulting women and getting away with it because he is a star. Further allegations by at least a dozen women that he sexually assaulted them some of whom allege that the incident happened during his marriage to current wife Melania have lead to many mainstream Republicans distancing themselves from him and a further drop in the polls. Donald Trump poses with employees of his National Doral golf club near Miami as he tries to win over the battleground state (AP) ((AP)) Similarly, although Mr Trump polls highly among white working class men who have perhaps lost out on globalisation, he performs poorly among college educated women and ethnic minorities. Non-college educated women are also less enamoured of the Republican than their male counterparts, according to the Brookings Institute. A state by state breakdown from Nate Silver, the pollster who correctly predicted how all 50 states voted in 2012, showed Mr Trump losing the key swing state of Florida which has been so crucial to presidential fortunes in the past and has a large Hispanic population. Even Ohio, another swing state with a large proportion of Mr Trumps white working class base, looks like a toss up, with Mr Silver predicting Hillary Clintons chances of winning its 18 electoral votes at 54.3 per cent. Overall, his 2016 election forecast predicts Ms Clinton has an 85 per cent chance of winning. A poll which has predicted the result of the last three presidential elections, the Investors Business Daily/TIPP tracking poll, currently has Mr Trump at two points but this is within the margin of error. A similar ABC News poll has Ms Clinton 12 points ahead and a Reuters/Ipsos electoral-vote analysis gives her a 96 per cent chance of winning. 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 }} It's a hard scene to imagine, a Saudi Arabian king answering before a New York court for the 9/11 attacks, but a new US law threatens to become a Pandora's Box of diplomatic crises. Congress passed the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), overcoming President Barack Obama's veto, to help the relatives of victims of the September 2001 outrage seek compensation. But in doing so they struck a blow against sovereign immunity, a previously sacrosanct principle in international relations, and disturbed diplomatic ties with US allies and foes alike. If Saudi monarchs can be pursued in US courts for alleged support of bombers, could American officials or soldiers face justice abroad for past or future actions in the field? And if an old ally like Saudi Arabia could find itself in a US judge's crosshairs, what of other friends with even closer diplomatic, military and economic ties in Europe or Asia? The law, however, is now the law even if just last week US Secretary of State John Kerry said it unintentionally, I think... puts our country at great risk. Kerry, who was speaking after talks with Saudi Arabian foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir, said they had discussed ways to fix this without going into detail. His spokesman later said the administration would work with Congress to advise how the law could be reformed in letter or application - but it is far from clear how this would work. Where sovereign immunities are diluted, the international system becomes chaotic, and no country and no government is able to conduct its official business, Jubeir warned. Meanwhile some British, French and Dutch lawmakers have threatened retaliatory legislation to allow their courts to pursue US officials, threatening a global legal domino effect. The text of the JASTA law does not mention Saudi Arabia, but the law's champions made it clear that its intent is to allow plaintiffs to seek damages for the September 11 attacks. Official US investigations into the attacks ordered by Saudi-born Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden found no evidence that the kingdom had directly sponsored the onslaught. But 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudi, some - coincidentally or otherwise - met with Saudi officials before taking part, and some Saudi private citizens have donated to Al-Qaeda. Some of the relatives of the dead think they have a case, and some US lawyers and politicians are keen to give them their day in court - whatever the international fall out. Saudi interests lobbied hard against the JASTA legislation but, even with Obama and Kerry also firmly opposed to its passage, lawmakers sided with public support for the victims. Saudi Arabia, which sees itself as the US partner in a hostile region, was outraged. Saudi Arabia is a victim of terrorism as much as the United States is, and by the same terrorist groups, said Prince Turki al-Faisal, who was head of Saudi intelligence until 10 days before the attacks. By passing JASTA, Faisal told a Washington conference last week, Congress has accomplished the terrorist aim of hammering a wedge into the heart of the US-Saudi relationship. Faisal reassures himself the 70-year-old US-Saudi alliance is too big to fail, but JASTA is on the books and some here have begun to imagine extreme but now plausible scenarios. It means the king of Saudi Arabia can be hauled into court in New York and interrogated by an attorney, said Bernard Haykel, professor of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton. So you can imagine the problem. If he does not show up, there would be some judgment against the kingdom, he warned the conference at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. In pictures: President Bushs immediate response to 9/11 Show all 12 1 /12 In pictures: President Bushs immediate response to 9/11 In pictures: President Bushs immediate response to 9/11 11 September 2001 President Bush was visiting Emma E Brooker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida as news of the attack on the World Trade Center broke In pictures: President Bushs immediate response to 9/11 11 September 2001 The president and his staff, including Press Secretary Ari Fleischer (L) were then brought to a holding room at the school, where he prepared to address the nation In pictures: President Bushs immediate response to 9/11 11 September 2001 President Bush was then rushed onto Air Force One and was flown to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. He watched television coverage of the attacks from his office on the plane In pictures: President Bushs immediate response to 9/11 11 September 2001 President Bush talks on the telephone at the General Dougherty Conference Center at Barksdale Air Force Base In pictures: President Bushs immediate response to 9/11 11 September 2001 President Bush is seen with his senior adviser Karl Rove at Barksdale Air Force Base In pictures: President Bushs immediate response to 9/11 11 September 2001 The president with White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card at Barksdale Air Force Base. Before leaving the base, the president held a press conference at which he said, Make no mistake: The United States will hunt down and punish those responsible for these cowardly acts In pictures: President Bushs immediate response to 9/11 11 September 2001 The president was consoled by Lt Col Cindy Wright of the White House Military Office aboard Air Force One. After leaving Louisiana, the president was flown to Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska before he headed back to Washington In pictures: President Bushs immediate response to 9/11 11 September 2001 President Bush arrived at the White House Presidential Emergency Operations Center around 7 pm. Here he is shown with his wife, First Lady Laura Bush, Vice President Cheney and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice In pictures: President Bushs immediate response to 9/11 11 September 2001 At 8:30 pm, the president addressed the nation from the White House. In his speech, he set the tone for the wars to come in Afghanistan and Iraq In pictures: President Bushs immediate response to 9/11 11 September 2001 Ive directed the full resources for our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and bring them to justice, the president said. We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbour them In pictures: President Bushs immediate response to 9/11 11 September 2001 The presidents speech on the teleprompter In pictures: President Bushs immediate response to 9/11 11 September 2001 Immediately following the speech, the president had a national security meeting with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Vice President Dick Cheney, National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card and others Such a result would be a blow to relations at any time, but US-Saudi ties are at a low, fed by Obama's hands-off approach to Syria and his nuclear accord by Saudi foe Iran. And this legislation seems to be the icing on the cake, said Haykel, warning that the kingdom and other US allies would see JASTA as confirming Washington's abandonment of its friends. And the crisis could spread beyond the already chaotic Middle East should JASTA provoke retaliatory legislation elsewhere. The European Union has already warned that some of its members are thinking this way, and reports suggest the Gulf monarchies, Turkey, Japan, Jordan, Pakistan and Iraq may follow. It's very, very close long-term allies of the United States who are disturbed, scholar Hussein Ibish told the conference, dubbing the law a Pandora's Box of diplomatic disasters. AFP 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 }} Donald Trump has said Hillary Clinton could bring about "World War Three", claiming her plan for Syria will create conflict between the US and Russia. In an interview on Tuesday, Mr Trump said defeating Isis is more important for him than persuading Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to resign. "What we should do is focus on Isis. We should not be focusing on Syria," Mr Trump said. "You're going to end up in World War Three over Syria if we listen to Hillary Clinton." "Assad is secondary, to me, to Isis," he said, adding that the Syrian President was far stronger than he had been three years ago. "You're not fighting Syria any more, you're fighting Syria, Russia and Iran, all right? Russia is a nuclear country, but a country where the nukes work as opposed to other countries that talk." Mr Trump also slammed Ms Clinton's handling of US-Russian relations, questioning her ability to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin after heavily criticising him. What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Show all 9 1 /9 What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Mr Trump denying claims from a number of women that he sexually assaulted them This is all fiction, all fictionalised, probably or possibly started by her and her very sleazy campaign. I didn't even apologise to my wife who is sitting right here because I didn't even do anything Getty What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Mr Trump claiming the Russian leader had no respect for Mrs Clinton She doesn't like Putin because Putin has outsmarted her every step of the way. He has no respect for her. He has no respect for our President." Getty What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Mr Trump interrupting Mrs Clinton with one of his most scathing personal attacks yet as she explained her policy on social security Such a nasty woman Getty What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Mr Trump claiming Mrs Clinton shouldn't have been allowed to run for presidency and that the election is rigged She should never have been allowed to run. Shes guilty of a very very serious crime. She should not be allowed to run. And just in that respect, I say its rigged. Getty What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Mr Trump voicing his pro-life stance during the abortion debate Based on what she's saying ... you can take the baby and rip the baby out of the womb in the ninth month, on the final day, and that's unacceptable Getty What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Mrs Clinton suggesting this is not the first time Mr Trump has claimed results against him have been rigged There was even a time when Trump didn't get an Emmy for his TV programme three years in a row and he started tweeting that the Emmys were rigged Getty What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Mrs Clinton responding to Mr Trump's lewd comments about women Donald thinks belittling women makes him bigger. He goes after their dignity and self-worth Getty What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Mrs Clinton implying Mr Trump is a puppet of Russian president Vladimir Putin He'd rather have a puppet as president of the United States Getty What did Donald Trump say during the third presidential debate? Mrs Clinton comparing her political experience to Mr Trump's former television role On the day I was in the situation room monitoring the raid that brought Osama Bin Laden to justice he was hosting the Celebrity Apprentice Getty "How she is going to go back and negotiate with this man who she has made to be so evil?" he said. Ms Clinton has supported the creation of a no fly zone and safe zones on the ground in Syria, which in the third presidential debate she said would "save lives and hasten the end of the conflict". Responding to Mr Trump's comments, a spokesman for Ms Clinton said both Republican and Democratic national security experts have criticised Mr Trump as unfit to be commander-in-chief. "Once again, he is parroting Putin's talking points and playing to Americans' fears, all while refusing to lay out any plans of his own for defeating Isis or alleviating humanitarian suffering in Syria," Clinton spokesman Jesse Lehrich said in a statement. Ms Clinton's no fly-zone policy would significantly increase US involvement in the Syrian conflict and has been rejected by US President Barack Obama. Chris Wallace, moderator of the third presidential debate, raised warnings about the no-fly zone from critics, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Marine Gen Joseph Dunford, that it could bring about a military conflict with Russia. If you impose a no-fly zone, how do you respond to their concerns? Mr Wallace asked. Secondly, if you impose a no-fly zone and a Russian plane violates that, does President Clinton shoot that plane down? Ms Clinton argued that protecting civilians in areas of Syria under air strikes from Syrian and Russian forces would help us in our fight against Isis, but did not directly say what her actions would be if a Russian aircraft breached the zones parameters. Mr Trump's remarks come just two weeks before the 2016 presidential election as he trails in the national polls against Ms Clinton, following widespread allegations of his involvement in sexual assault. In recent weeks, Mr Trump has claimed there was widespread voter fraud and the election was rigged against him, suggestions Mr Obama has called dangerous and damaging to democracy. Additional reporting by Reuters For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Convincing North Korea to abandon nuclear weapons is a lost cause, America's top intelligence official said Tuesday, causing concern in the State Department and ally South Korea over an issue of long-standing US policy. The United States has always maintained it cannot accept North Korea as a nuclear state and, under President Barack Obama, has made any talks with the North conditional on Pyongyang first making some tangible commitment towards denuclearisation. But in remarks to the Council on Foreign Relations think-tank, US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper suggested such a policy was based on wishful thinking. The notion of getting the North Koreans to denuclearise is probably a lost cause. They are not going to do that. That is their ticket to survival, Clapper said. They are under siege, and they are very paranoid. So the notion of giving up their nuclear capability, whatever it is, is a nonstarter with them, he added. His comments reflected an opinion widely-held among North Korea experts but one only expressed in private by senior US administration officials who feel a policy change on North Korea is overdue. While Clapper may have been seeking to shore up arguments to support the imminent deployment of the US THAAD missile defense system in South Korea, his remarks add a high-profile voice to the growing debate over how the next US president should handle North Korea. State Department spokesman John Kirby rebuffed Clapper's position, stressing that nothing has changed with the Obama administration's policy of pushing the North - through a toughened sanction regime - to give up its nuclear weapons. We want to continue to see a verifiable denuclearisation of the (Korean) peninsula, Kirby said. Critics of the policy say sanctions and non-engagement have done nothing to prevent the North's accelerated drive towards a credible nuclear deterrent that could directly threaten the US mainland. South Korea, which has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the US hardline on Pyongyang, also stressed there would be no change of course. The determination of not only South Korea and the US but of the international community to end North Korea's nuclear program is stronger than ever, a foreign ministry official told AFP. We will work with the international community to impose stronger sanctions and pressure on the North so it will have no other choice but to denuclearise, the official said. North Korea trading despite nuclear sanctions - Inside the country's special economic zone Show all 13 1 /13 North Korea trading despite nuclear sanctions - Inside the country's special economic zone North Korea trading despite nuclear sanctions - Inside the country's special economic zone AP North Korea trading despite nuclear sanctions - Inside the country's special economic zone AP North Korea trading despite nuclear sanctions - Inside the country's special economic zone North Korea trading despite nuclear sanctions - Inside the country's special economic zone AP North Korea trading despite nuclear sanctions - Inside the country's special economic zone AP North Korea trading despite nuclear sanctions - Inside the country's special economic zone AP North Korea trading despite nuclear sanctions - Inside the country's special economic zone AP North Korea trading despite nuclear sanctions - Inside the country's special economic zone AP North Korea trading despite nuclear sanctions - Inside the country's special economic zone AP North Korea trading despite nuclear sanctions - Inside the country's special economic zone AP North Korea trading despite nuclear sanctions - Inside the country's special economic zone AP North Korea trading despite nuclear sanctions - Inside the country's special economic zone AP North Korea trading despite nuclear sanctions - Inside the country's special economic zone AP Although there is no official dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang, there are regular, so-called Track 2 discussions involving former US diplomats and North Korean officials - most recently in Malaysia last weekend. In July, the North cut off its only remaining official channel of diplomatic communications with the United States in retaliation for American sanctions against its leader, Kim Jong-Un. North Korea has been hit by five sets of UN sanctions since it first tested a nuclear device in 2006. After Pyongyang carried out its fourth nuclear test in January, the Security Council adopted the toughest sanctions resolution to date, targeting North Korea's trade in minerals and tightening banking restrictions. Council members are currently debating a fresh resolution after the North's fifth nuclear test in September. According to Security Council diplomats, the negotiations are focused on closing loopholes and zeroing in on North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile technology industry. AFP 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 Philippines' police chief has reprimanded officers and some senior generals for raising concerns with journalists about the country's war on drugs, telling subordinates to talk to him instead if they were brave enough. Asked to comment on a report published on Monday that highlighted widespread discrepancies in statistics related to President Rodrigo Duterte's drugs crackdown, Ronald Bato dela Rosa appeared irked at police and took a swipe at journalists for what he called unfair reporting. Talk to me, but don't go to the media to talk about those things, Mr dela Rosa told reporters. Tell our men, the officers who had said this, if they had balls, they should talk to me. Dela Rosa, whose nickname means rock, said officers with grievances should tell their commanders or go to a panel dedicated to hearing internal complaints. They're undermining the efforts of the president, he said, warning of possible charges of insubordination for not using approved channels. The Reuters report reviewed official government data and compiled interviews with Duterte's top anti-drug officials, who said numbers on police deaths, total drug users, those needing treatment, the types of drugs consumed and the prevalence of drug-related crime were exaggerated, flawed or non-existent. The same officials noted, however, that problematic statistics were not an issue, because the campaign focused attention on a long-neglected crisis in the Philippines. Dela Rosa also lashed out at the media for using anonymous sources in stories. That's the problem with you, you don't want to say who the source is, he said. It's unfair if you work that way. Police commanders met today to evaluate the country's war on drugs, the president's spokesman said, thrashing out what law enforcement sources have described as a shift in strategy to increase arrests and cut down on bloodshed. Spokesman Ernesto Abella said a command conference was being held to evaluate Project Double Barrel, as the narcotics crackdown is called, to assess whether there was a need to make adjustments to what he described as a successful campaign. People at a detention cell in a police station in Manila (Reuters) Reuters reported exclusively on Monday that police chiefs around the country would be briefed on the new plan. Two sources with knowledge of the matter said under the plan, dubbed Project Double Barrel Alpha, more resources would go into arresting prominent people tied to the drugs trade, such as police, politicians and celebrities. Intense discussions had previously taken place among law enforcement officials about the killings of drug suspects under President Rodrigo Duterte's anti-drugs crusade, one source said. Mr Abella confirmed the meeting was taking place and said the drugs war had raised awareness of the deadly extent of the problem. The purpose of the conference is to assess and if necessary to recalibrate the campaign, Mr Abella said. He did not elaborate on how the approach might be recalibrated and said the war on drugs had always adhered to police action carried out with caution and regularity, but with single minded determination. Since his inauguration in June, almost 2,300 people have been slain in Mr Duterte's crackdown, according to police, lower than an earlier estimate of 3,600. That was revised down after many deaths were found to be homicides unrelated to drugs. It is not immediately clear what triggered discussion of a change in tack, but it follows concerns by Western governments and rights groups about the high death toll and the circumstances behind many of the killings. One source who earlier spoke to Reuters under the condition of anonymity said the rethink was because of implications of the EJK issue, referring to extrajudicial killings. Police officials from across the country were in talks at Camp Crame, the police headquarters north of Manila, and the meeting was still going on after four hours. Attempts to reach law enforcement officials attending the meeting were unsuccessful. Mr Duterte initially gave police six months to suppress drugs and crime, warning the country was on the verge of becoming a narco state. He extended the crackdown to make it a year. Recommended Read more Philippines police van rams protesters outside US embassy in Manila He pegged most of his election campaigning to the drugs and crime problem, tapping into concerns among Filipinos that methamphetamine usage was tearing apart families and causing crime rates to balloon. This is a problem hidden all these years. Until I became president and squeezed it all out, Mr Duterte said in a speech in Manila on Tuesday. Earlier this month, a prosecutor at the Hague-based International Criminal Court said the tribunal may have jurisdiction to prosecute perpetrators of thousands of alleged extrajudicial killings in the Philippines. Most deaths more than 1,600 were during police operations, drawing sharp international criticism and in turn, inflammatory rebukes by Mr Duterte of US President Barack Obama, the United Nations and the European Union, among others. The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Show all 9 1 /9 The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte On killing drug addicts These sons of whores are destroying our children. I warn you, dont go into that, even if youre a policeman, because I will really kill you. If you know of any addicts, go ahead and kill them yourself as getting their parents to do it would be too painful The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Message to China I will go there on my own with a Jet Ski, bringing along with me a [Phillipino] flag and a pole, and once I disembark, I will plant the flag on the runway and tell the Chinese authorities, Kill me AP The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Christmas message to law-breakers If you do not want to stop, and just continue committing crimes, then this would be your last Merry Christmas AP The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte On sex life I was separated from my wife. Im not impotent. What am I supposed to do? Let this hang forever? When I take Viagra, it stands up AFP/Getty Images The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte On the drugs trade None of my children are into illegal drugs. But my order is, even if it is a member of my family, kill him'" AP The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Insulting the Pope We were affected by the traffic. It took us five hours. I asked why, they said it was closed. I asked who is coming. They answered, the pope. I wanted to call him: Pope, son of a wh**e, go home. Do not visit us again AFP/Getty Images The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Joke about rape I saw her face and I thought, 'What a pity... they raped her, they all lined up. I was mad she was raped but she was so beautiful. I thought, the mayor should have been first AFP/Getty The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Insulting Barack Obama "Mr Obama should be respectful and refrain from throwing questions at me about the killings, or son of a bitch, I will swear at you in that forum" REUTERS The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte On Abu Sayyaf Islamic militants "If I have to face them, you know I can eat humans. I will really open up your body. Just give me vinegar and salt, and I will eat you. If you annoy me to the fullest... I will eat you alive. Raw" EPA Speaking to the Filipino community upon arrival in Japan on Tuesday, Mr Duterte took a swipe at his foreign critics and invited anyone who could prove his wrongdoing to take him on. He said he was willing to rot in jail for the Filipino people. If you have the evidence go ahead and file the case, he said. I am not a Filipino for nothing. You do not f*** with our dignity. Reuters For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The world's largest ecosystem is under threat as corals in the Great Barrier Reef continue to die out six months after a severe underwater heatwave earlier this year, scientists have warned. Marine biologists surveying the continuing aftermath of the worst coral bleaching ever recorded on the Great barrier reef have said corals are still dying six months on due to coral predators and disease, and that their decline will have a widespread and damaging effect. Millions of corals bleached in the northern third of the 2,300-kilometre (1,429-mile) long biodiverse site off the Queensland state coast died after an unprecedented bleaching earlier in March as sea temperatures rose. "Bleaching" occurs when the water warms and leads the coral to expel the algae that lives inside it. The event in March was caused partly by the strong El Nino weather system that has swept across the world in the last year - but the underlying cause was said to be global warming. Only seven per cent of the reef escaped the bleaching, and scientists warned at the time that half of the Great Barrier Reef was dead or dying. Now scientists from the Coral Reef Studies in Australia who are assessing the reef warn corals are still dying from the impact, with the proportion of live coral falling from 40 per cent in March to just five per cent at present. Dr Andrew Hoey, of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University, said the continuing death of corals and the growing frequency of bleaching events due to global warming is likely to impact the Great Barrier Reef's entire ecosystem, and in turn affect the fishing industry as well as tourism. Mr Hoey told The Independent: "It's changing the whole system. Once those corals die they become quickly covered in algae, if the fish don't eat that algae that can turn into a seaweed bed, and once you get to that stage you're really going to struggle to get back. Recommended Read more New pictures show Great Barrier Reef is not repairing itself properly "The frequency of these bleaching events is getting more and more common, so the outlook's not great. While the reefs might start to recover, they'll likely be hit by another major disturbance. It's inevitable that this is going to happen. Any corals that recover, or new corals that start growing, we'll get another period of elavated seawater temperatures and they'll die as well. "Unless we prevent the current disturbances happening the reef is going to be changhing dramatically in the composition and what it can support. You lose the corals, you're going to lose a lot of the small fish, then there's nothing for the bigger fish to feed on. It will have an impact on the whole ecosystem, and could put the fishing and tourism industries in danger. There are a whole lot of things that are going to change." Dr Greg Torda, whose team recently returned from re-surveying reefs near Lizard Island, said: Millions of corals in the north of the Great Barrier Reef died quickly from heat stress in March and since then, many more have died more slowly. The Great Barrier Reef - In Pictures Show all 9 1 /9 The Great Barrier Reef - In Pictures The Great Barrier Reef - In Pictures Satelite image of the Great Barrier Reef NASA The Great Barrier Reef - In Pictures The Agincourt reefs are a small group of reefs known as ribbons that run parallel to the continental shelf on the very outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef Rex The Great Barrier Reef - In Pictures The Great Barrier Reef - In Pictures Soft corals in the Great Barrier Reef Rex The Great Barrier Reef - In Pictures Air view of the Agincourt Reefs which are a small group of reefs known as ribbons that run parallel to the Continental Shelf on the very outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Port Douglas in north-eastern Queensland, Australia Rex The Great Barrier Reef - In Pictures Helicopter cockpit and aerial view of Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Queensland, Australia Getty Images/iStockphoto The Great Barrier Reef - In Pictures Bat fish and Parrot fish in Great Barrier Reef Getty Images/iStockphoto The Great Barrier Reef - In Pictures Green Turtle with Diver Underwater in Great Barrier Reef iStockphoto The Great Barrier Reef - In Pictures The great Barrier Reef Getty Images/iStockphoto Six months after the peak bleaching, the corals now have either regained their algal symbionts and survived, or they have slowly starved to death without the nutrition the algae provided to them. On the reefs we surveyed close to Lizard Island, the amount of live coral covering the reef has fallen from around 40 per cent in March, to under five per cent now." The bleaching in March marked the third time in 18 years that the World Heritage-listed site, which teems with marine life, has experienced mass bleaching after previous events in 1998 and 2002. The final death toll from the bleaching in the north will not be known until all surveys are completed in mid-November, but it is already clear that this event was much more severe than the previous two. 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 island of comfort in the squalid Calais Jungle, the Khyber Pass Cafe is one of the few still serving customers even as migrants heed an eviction order and camp residents move out. Open since April, the cafe has been housed in a large forest green-coloured tent. Inside, migrants and aid workers sip tea and coffee, and eat succulent-looking traditional Pakistani dishes, including beans soaked in a spicy sauce and saffron rice. Temporary restaurants in the Calais camp have offered comfort to those living in the squalid camp (Getty) Our menu is limited today. We are hours from closing down, said Soheil, its 33-year-old owner, who did not reveal his last name for security reasons. When Soheil arrived in the Jungle on 7 April , he was shocked by the state of the camp, which migrants have used as a launchpad for dangerous attempts to reach Britain. Recommended Read more Unaccompanied children left in limbo as Calais Jungle evacuated I decided the only way forward was to set up this cafe. I go to work the very next day, said the former sales executive, who spent several years in Dubai and speaks good English. It took Soheil two weeks to build the Khyber Pass Cafe, named after his native region, which borders Afghanistan. Its flimsy walls are covered in silver and gold paper, with flags of Egypt, Sudan and Syria pinned up, as a welcoming gesture to guests from all over the world. In some ways it serves as a symbol for the community spirit some see in the Jungle. In Pakistan, Soheil was an influential member of his tribe. But after an assassination attempt by the Taliban last year, it was the elders of his own tribe who advised him to flee, he says. Asked whether he dreams of returning to Pakistan, he says his priorities have changed now. I used to put my tribe first. My dream is to end up somewhere in Brittany. I have never been, but I have seen pictures, and it is beautiful. I want to open a restaurant, a proper one this time, and I want to help others who are less fortunate, he says, sitting back on a green couch. I will also call the new restaurant Khyber, just like this one. Nearby, Jaan Sina, a 26-year-old from Afghanistan braves the chilly Calais weather as he stands by his stall, looking for buyers for the last of his merchandise. He sells shoes, cell phone battery packs, plastic cutlery, umbrellas, padlocks, washing up liquid and cigarette filters an odd mixture of goods that are all vital for day-to-day survival in the Jungle. But Sina, who used to be a taxi driver before he came to the Jungle, is now advertising discounted rates, as he too gets ready to leave. As soon as everything is sold, I am getting out of here, said the young man, wearing a grey scarf around his head to keep out the cold, but only flip flops on his feet. These shoes used to cost 17 euros. Today, Ill give them to you for 10! said the keen salesman, holding up a pair of black and fluorescent green trainers. Like many others in the Jungle, Sina fears being separated from the community he has built here. These shops and shelters will all be torn down, as the Jungle is set for demolition (Getty) Here in the Jungle, all Afghans are one. But from now on, each of us will go our own way. That is what makes me sad, he says. As the end of the first day of the evacuation draws near, most of the shops, restaurants and cafes that were once bustling with life here are already shut. But even now, music still blasts in the background from a loudspeaker as a group of men sit around a camp fire for a last night in what, for better or worse, has become home for several thousands. One group of Afghans gather around another stall a short walk away along a muddy alleyway, sharing tea. Everything you see here, even the shoes, you can have them at one or two euros, said Muman, a 23-year-old also from Afghanistan, pointing at all that remains on sale at this bare-looking street stall. Were leaving the Jungle. We dont want trouble with the police, said the young man, in a brown leather jacket and grey trousers, who used to work as a farmer. All hes waiting for is to sell off a pair of black trainers, two phone covers and a few battery packs. Its over. No more UK for me. Im staying in France. AFP 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 demolition of the Calais Jungle camp has begun as a team of workmen and riot police began dismantling empty tents and huts in a small section of the shantytown, amid fears that many of the residents who remain are unwilling to leave the camp. A group of members of the CRS (French riot police force) and a team of around 40 workmen wearing helmets and overalls entered the Jungle at around 3pm on Tuesday, as social workers went from door to door encouraging people to leave. Meanwhile the processing of refugees for departure was reportedly slower than it was on Monday, with the queues for queues for registration stopped during the afternoon, prompting concern that many of those remaining in the camp will not go to register and are unwilling to leave. According to the French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, 1,636 people were processed and moved to alternative accommodation on Tuesday. Among them were 1,264 adults who left the camp on buses to reception centres in nine different French regions, and 372 minors, who were moved to the temporary shipping container shelters in the camp while their cases are processed. In total, 3,242 adults and 772 minors have been processed and left their makeshift home in the French shantytown since the start of Monday. One trusted volunteer working on the ground said things were peaceful for the moment, but warned that there is a lack of communication informing refugees when their homes will be demolished, risking clashes when it does happen. Calais refugee camp evacuation Show all 15 1 /15 Calais refugee camp evacuation Calais refugee camp evacuation Refugees run past a fire in the makeshift migrant camp known as 'the jungle' in Calais, October 2016 AP Calais refugee camp evacuation French authorities say the closure of the slum-like camp in Calais will last approximately a week in what they describe as a "humanitarian" operation, October 2016 AP Calais refugee camp evacuation A painted message saying 'Bye Jungle' on a tent in the camp in Calais, October 2016 Getty Calais refugee camp evacuation Refugees set rubbish bins alight as a protest in the makeshift camp 'the Jungle' in Calais, France, October 2016 EPA Calais refugee camp evacuation French riot police advance through tear gas and smoke from a fire to disperse refugees throwing stones and lighting fires at the Jungle migrant camp Getty Calais refugee camp evacuation French CRS riot police secure an area on the eve of the evacuation and transfer of refugees to reception centers in France Reuters Calais refugee camp evacuation Journalists run away from smoke during clashes near a makeshift refugee camp known as 'the jungle' in Calais AP Calais refugee camp evacuation French CRS riot police secure an area on the eve of the evacuation and transfer of refugees to reception centers in Franc Reuters Calais refugee camp evacuation Migrants queue for transportation by bus to reception centres across France, from the 'Jungle' refugee camp in Calais Getty Calais refugee camp evacuation Refugees line-up to register at a processing centre in the 'jungle' near Calais, northern France, as the mass exodus from the migrant camp begins PA wire Calais refugee camp evacuation Refugees with luggage walk past a graffiti on a wall as they leave the 'Jungle' migrant camp, as part of a major three-day operation planned to clear the camp in Calais Getty Calais refugee camp evacuation French far-right Front National (FN) party's member of parliament Marion Marechal-Le Pen (L) delivers a speech next to a banner reading "They arrive in Vaucluse, no migrants in our place" as she attends a rally against the hosting of refugees in La Tour d'Aigues Getty Images Calais refugee camp evacuation French police forces secure the area near the 'Jungle' refugee camp in Calais Getty Calais refugee camp evacuation Refugees leave messages on their tents in the Jungle migrant camp Getty Calais refugee camp evacuation Refugees carry their belongings and transfer to reception centers in France The volunteer, who asked not to be named, told The Independent: "Around one third of people have gone from the camp, but registration was a lot slower today. People still in the camp are fairly relaxed at the moment. Theres no plan as to which areas will be demolished first, so they're not feeling pressure. The authorities should be giving the refugees proper notice so they can prepare for their departure. Theres a real lack of communication. Police have so far played a passive role. But tomorrow will be an important day, because as the demolition continues people will start having to leave, and some will not want to. The walk up to the registration tent is difficult for many of the people here. It feels like a walk of shame to them, because they wanted to get to the UK but haven't managed to. There are also fears that refugees have begun to seek refuge in areas surrounding the camp, in order to continue their pursuit for the UK after the demolition is complete. Recommended Read more The Calais Jungle should never have existed A spokesperson for Doctors of the World, Pippa Hatton, told BBC news: Weve seen people before who have escaped into the forest where they won't be seen. I think people will try and disappear, at least at first, and then maybe go onto other places like Normandy that have ports close by. As the demolition crews and the CRS entered the camp to begin the dismantling of the camp, charities expressed concern about the safety of the refugees still on the site, particularly the children. In a public statement, Help Refugees, a charity working in the camp, wrote: "We are concerned about the presence of a water cannon, particularly considering there are still young children on site. We hope the authorities carry out their planned work today with respect for the residents, many of whom still remain in the camp as instructed as they await their turn to register and leave. Many of the residents are vulnerable and will have experienced forced displacement at least once in their lives before so this will be a stressful time for them as they see the homes and community they have built destroyed. The first group of under-13-year-olds residing in the Jungle who had been identified as eligible to come to the UK under the Alf Dubs amendment boarded UK-bound buses during the afternoon on Tuesday, taking the number of children who have been brought from Calais to the UK since 17 October to 217, according to the French Minister. While the move prompted relief from charities in the camp and the processing of unaccompanied minors appeared more organised than the chaotic situation on Monday, there were still concerns that many youngsters were still unaccounted for as the demolition began. Refugee Info Bus, a charity working within the camp, said an unaccompanied minor approaching him who had been turned away from registering. In a Facebook post with an unidentifiable photo of the child, the charity wrote: We found this unaccompanied minor earlier who queued to register from early this morning but was then turned away. He didn't know where he would sleep tonight, but thanks to our volunteers he has now been registered by OFII (the French Office for Immigration and Integration). On Tuesday morning it was reported that unaccompanied minors were made to sit on the floor while waiting to register. Global charity Doctors of the World wrote in a tweet: Unaccompanied minors in Calais are made to sit on the wet, muddy floor and wait to register so they can sleep in containers rather than tents. Two fires broke out within the camp during the course of the day, but they were said to be caused unintentionally from bonfires created by refugees in an attempt to keep warm. Women and girls living in the Jungle, who have so far remained largely out of the public eye during during the evacuation process, made a stand during the afternoon, protesting for their rights and asking for more support from the UK. Before the demolition crew began their operation, teams of volunteers are reported to have removed useful structures and materials from the Jungle, which they hope to transfer to refugee camps in Greece. Mr Cazeneuve issued a statement on Tuesday thanking those involved with the operation, adding that it had taken place methodically and calmly and will continue over the following days. 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 Danish MP was banned from Facebook after posting two images on his page featuring female nudity. Uffe Elbk, a former Minister of Culture, uploaded a picture showing a female nude sculpture alongside a famous 1969 shot of Danish artist Lene Adler Petersen walking nude through the Copenhagen Stock Exchange. He subsequently posted them to Twitter without incident. Mr Elbk, leader of the centre-left Alternative Party, told TV2: "I think they are fantastic photos because they are about nudity and power. Following the ban being issued for breaching the site's rules on naked images, Mr Elbk commented: "They [Facebook] can of course say that I can just refrain from using [the photos]. But Facebook has gotten so big that it is almost a monopoly." The politician's ban from the social network proved to be only temporary, however. Last month, Facebook overturned a decision to censor a famous 1972 photo of a naked Vietnamese girl escaping a napalm attack after a ground swell of protest in Norway. Responding to the protests, Norway's Prime Minister Erna Solberg posted the historic image on Facebook stating: "Facebook is making a mistake when it censors these types of photos. It contributes to limiting the freedom of expression "I support a healthy, open and free debate online and elsewhere. But I say no to this type of censorship." Facebook U-turn: 'Napalm girl' photo permitted The social network explained its decisions in a statement: "An image of a naked child would normally be presumed to violate our Community Standards, and in some countries might even qualify as child pornography. "In this case, we recognise the history and global importance of this image in documenting a particular moment in time." 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 }} Two suspected Isis recruiters have been arrested in Ibiza as part of a crackdown on supporters of the terror group in Spain. Police detained the suspects, both Moroccan-born imams, on the Mediterranean island famous for its clubbing scene on Tuesday. The Spanish interior ministry said another Moroccan man was arrested on Wednesday on charges of spreading Isis propaganda and glorifying terror attacks. The suspect, identified only by the initials AB, was detained in the northern town of Calahorra and had links to another Moroccan man called Salim Aghmir, who was arrested in Pamplona in December. They are among at least 157 alleged Isis supporters arrested in Spain since the country raised its security alert level following the Paris attacks. Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo y Marfil, the foreign minister, has raised fears that jihadis fleeing advances on their territories in Syria and Iraq will cross into Libya and onwards into Europe. Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Show all 9 1 /9 Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Policemen outside Rouen's cathedral during the funeral of Jacques Hamel, the priest who was killed in a church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray in Normandy on 26 July during a hostage-taking claimed by Islamic State group Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Two jihadists, both 19, slit Hamel's throat while he was celebrating mass in an attack that shocked France as well as the Catholic Church Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Muslims place flowers and hold a minute of silence in front of the church if Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, western France, where French priest Jacques Hamel was killed on 26 July Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Two people hold each other by the new makeshift memorial in Nice, in tribute to the victims of the deadly Bastille Day attack at the Promenade des Anglais Valery Hache/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the truck attack that killed 84 people in Nice on France's national holiday. Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, 31, smashed a 19-tonne truck into a packed crowd of people in the Riviera city celebrating Bastille Day Valery Hache/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Police work at a site where a Syrian migrant set off an explosive device in Ansbach, southern Germany, on 25 July, killing himself and wounding a dozen others Daniel Roland/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis A Syrian migrant set off an explosion at a bar in southern Germany that killed himself and wounded a dozen others in the third attack to hit Bavaria in a week. The 27-year-old, who had spent a stint in a psychiatric facility, had intended to target a music festival in the city of Ansbach but was turned away because he did not have a ticket Friebe/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Police officers walk along train tracks in Wuerzburg southern Germany on 19 July, a day after a man attacked train passengers with an axe. German authorities said they had found a hand-painted IS flag among the belongings of the man, an asylum seeker from Afghanistan, who seriously injured four members of a family of tourists from Hong Kong in his rampage Daniel Roland/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis German police killed a teenage assailant after he attacked passengers on a train in Wuerzburg, southerg Germany with an axe and a knife on 18 July, seriously wounding three people Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/AFP/Getty Images As terrorists lose ground there they will move to Libya, on our doorstep, or commit terror attacks in Europe, he said during a visit to Egypt on Sunday. More than 200 extremists are believed to have travelled from Spain to fight for Isis in Iraq and Syria far lower than the numbers for the UK, France and Belgium. 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 }} Two strong earthquakes struck Italy on Wednesday night damaging buildings and causing people to evacuate their homes. A 5.4 magnitude quake was followed two hours later by a larger quake measuring 6.0 on the richter scale, according to the US Geological Survey. The area affected is in central Italy 66km to the east of Perugia, The tremors caused the collapse of several old structures, including ancient churches. No one is reported to have been killed, but Civil Protection department chief Fabrizio Curcio told Reuters one person had been injured. The two earthquakes were felt in Rome, shaking centuries-old buildings in the capital, reports AP. The mayor of Castelsantangelo, which is close to the epicentre, said "there have been collapses" and they are "under a deluge" as relief effort get underway. The Foreign Ministry in Rome has been evacuated as a precaution. Evacuated people spend the night in a temporary shelter, in Camerino, Marche Region, central Italy (EPA) It comes just two months after a powerful quake killed nearly 300 people in central Italy and destroyed the hilltop village of Amatrice. Wednesday's quake struck at 7.10pm local time near the province of Macerata at a depth of just 9km. It was initially measured at 5.6, but was later revised down. "The earthquake only happened a few minutes ago. It's dark here, so impossible to determine if there has been any damage outside," a local resident in Macerata told the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre. "All services are still working normally." Another local close to the epicentre reported "normally stoic dogs" were "showing anxiety". Citizens as far away as Slovenia and Croatia reported feeling tremors just seconds after those felt in Italy. The quake was also felt in Aquila, which was struck by devastating tremors in 2009. 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 }} Nato is preparing to station some 4,000 troops on the Russian border in its biggest military build-up since the Cold War. With no end in sight for the current quarrel between Moscow and the West, the military alliance was contacting allies on Wednesday to ask for commitments to send forces to the Baltic states and eastern Poland from early next year. Russia has been engaged in its own shows of force in recent weeks, deploying nuclear-capable missiles to its Kaliningrad enclave on the Polish border and dispatching a carrier fleet to the eastern Mediterranean - making a tour of European shores on the way. Recommended Read more Anger as Spain allows Russian warships to refuel en route to Aleppo And its actions already appear to have sowed division among Nato members, after Spain agreed to refuel the Russian fleet at its north African naval base of Ceuta. Thats despite Spain being a signatory of an EU statement condemning Russias actions in Syria. Natos response is in part a result of Russias annexation of Crimea in 2014, as well as a bid to reassure Europes ex-Soviet states who fear Moscow could try a similar tactic again. Four battle groups will be stationed to Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, with forces ranging from armoured infantry to drones. The US, Germany, Canada and the UK will led the groups, and Nato is looking for support from other allies including France, Italy and Denmark. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the commitments would be "a clear demonstration of our transatlantic bond." Diplomats said it would also send a message to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who has complained that European allies do not pay their way in the alliance. Which countries have nuclear weapons? Show all 14 1 /14 Which countries have nuclear weapons? Which countries have nuclear weapons? USA Have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? Russia Have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? UK Have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? France Have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? China Have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? India Say they have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? Pakistan Say they have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? North Korea Say they have nuclear weapons EPA/Rodong Sinmun Which countries have nuclear weapons? Israel Believed to have nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? Belgium Nations hosting nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? Germany Nations hosting nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? Italy Nations hosting nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? Netherlands Nations hosting nuclear weapons Getty Which countries have nuclear weapons? Turkey Nations hosting nuclear weapons Getty The strategy is part of an emerging new deterrent that could eventually be combined with missile defences, air patrols and defences against cyber attacks. However, the alliance is still struggling for a similar strategy in the Black Sea region, which Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has said is becoming a "Russian lake" because of Moscow's military presence there. Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey are expected to soon come forward with a plan to increase naval and air patrols in the area, as well as a multinational NATO brigade in Romania. EU leaders met last week to consider fresh sanctions over Russian bombing of civilian areas in Aleppo and NATO's Stoltenberg said he fears the Russian warships heading to the Mediterranean could launch new attacks on the Syrian city. But even before the break down of the Syrian ceasefire, Russian President Vladimir Putin suspended a treaty with Washington on cleaning up weapons-grade plutonium, signalling he was willing to use nuclear disarmament as a new bargaining chip in disputes with the United States over Ukraine and Syria. Additional reporting by agencies For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The first of 1,500 refugees Norway promised the EU it would accept are due to arrive in the country this week. Norways parliament decided in December it would contribute to the EU refugee programme, which as a non-EU country it is not obliged to take part in. An initial 20 refugees out of a total of 750 permitted this year will be flown into the country from Italy, although others will come from Greece. Another 750 will be accepted in 2017. The agreements with Greece and Italy were established in April, but it has taken months for the refugees to arrive. The first round of 20 refugees are expected to be Eritrean and will arrive to the stfold Arrival Center in Rade, South of Oslo, on Thursday and will be held there for several days for registration and medical checks. But although the refugees have been flown into the country, none are guaranteed asylum. They are treated like everyone else who comes to the country, stfold Arrival Center manager Helge Ekelund told the Norwegian version of The Local. Refugees welcome here: Protesters demand UK resettle more migrants in response to refugee crisis Show all 7 1 /7 Refugees welcome here: Protesters demand UK resettle more migrants in response to refugee crisis Refugees welcome here: Protesters demand UK resettle more migrants in response to refugee crisis The Solidarity With Refugees group said Saturdays protest aimed to show our Government and the world that Britain is ready to welcome more refugees. Rex Features Refugees welcome here: Protesters demand UK resettle more migrants in response to refugee crisis People march through central London as they take part in a protest rally organised by Solidarity with Refugees in a bid to urge the Government to take more action on the migrant crisis Press Association Refugees welcome here: Protesters demand UK resettle more migrants in response to refugee crisis The protest comes days before world leaders meet to discuss crisis at UN General Assembly Press Association Refugees welcome here: Protesters demand UK resettle more migrants in response to refugee crisis Demonstrators made their way from Park Lane to Parliament Square in London on Saturday afternoon Press Association Refugees welcome here: Protesters demand UK resettle more migrants in response to refugee crisis Marchers chanted refugees are welcome here and waved banners reading no-one is illegal and lets help people Press Association Refugees welcome here: Protesters demand UK resettle more migrants in response to refugee crisis The march was supported by charities and groups including the Red Cross, Asylum Aid, Save the Children, Hope Not Hate, Oxfam and the UN Refugee Agency Rex Features Refugees welcome here: Protesters demand UK resettle more migrants in response to refugee crisis In the wake of Alans death, David Cameron pledged to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees in the UK over the coming five years but there have been additional calls to re-home those who have already reached Europe, as well as asylum seekers coming from other conflict zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan Rex Features At the start of this year the number of asylum seekers arriving in Norway plummeted by 95 per cent. The country has adopted strict border checks and introduced financial incentives for migrants to leave voluntarily. 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 }} More refugees are dying in desperate attempts to reach Europe than ever before as boat disasters in the Mediterranean Sea hit a record high. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said the number of migrants drowning and suffocating on sea crossings so far this year has almost surpassed the death toll for the whole of 2015. It has recorded 3,740 deaths in the Mediterranean and fears the figure will continue to rise as conditions worsen at sea. Italian coastguard rescues thousands of refugees off coast of Libya This is the worst we have ever seen, said UNHCR spokesperson William Spindler. From one death for every 269 arrivals last year, in 2016 the likelihood of dying has spiralled to one in 88. The controversial EU-Turkey agreement has caused a dramatic decrease in boat crossings over the Aegean Sea since coming into effect in March, seeing any asylum seekers arriving in Greece detained under the threat of deportation. But smugglers have continued using the more dangerous Central Mediterranean route from Libya towards Italy, which has become the most deadly sea crossing in the world. On Tuesday, rescue workers with Medecins Sans Frontieres discovered 25 men and women dead at the bottom of an overloaded rubber boat carrying more than 130 people. A spokesperson said 23 of those rescued had horrific chemical burns and seven passengers needed to be evacuated to the Italian mainland for urgent medical treatment, adding: Sea rescue operations are becoming a race through a maritime graveyard and our rescue boats are powerless to stop the loss of life. Rescue operations have been racing to save as many people as they can (AFP/Getty) The passage between North Africa and Italy has been the scene of some of the deadliest disasters during the refugee crisis, seeing more than 1,100 people drowning in a single week in April last year. Recommended Read more Bodies of 25 refugees found at bottom of boat in Mediterranean Smugglers were cramming up to 900 migrants on to wooden fishing vessels during the period, often locking African migrants who paid less for the journey below decks, but have since changed tactics to use smaller and even less seaworthy boats to avoid detection. People smugglers are today often using lower-quality vessels flimsy inflatable rafts that often do not last the journey, Mr Spindler said. Several incidents seem to be connected with travel during bad weather and the tactics of smugglers are switching too, with several occasions when there have been mass embarkations of thousands of people at a time. The move has sparked influxes of dozens of vessels being launched into the Mediterranean within hours, leaving naval and humanitarian rescue ships struggling to rescue those on board. Sumaya, a Sudanese refugee, told how she tried four times to cross from Egypt to join her husband in Europe. After being intercepted and detained by authorities on the first three attempts, the fourth saw her depart on a fishing trawler packed with 500 other asylum seekers. Shortly after departing on 21 September, the boat overturned in rough seas off the Egyptian coast, causing more than 300 men, women and children to drown. Sumaya, one of the few with a life jacket, said: I cannot forget the people dying in front of my eyes. They tried to catch me, grabbed me, and they died. And (in the water) a body came, I am swimming and the dead body is floating with me. I will never forget this for the rest of my life. In 2015, there was one death for every 269 refugees who reached European shores, but now the figure stands at one in 88. For the treacherous Central Mediterranean route, it is one in 47. The refugee crisis - in pictures Show all 70 1 /70 The refugee crisis - in pictures The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict A Syrian refugee holding a baby in a lifetube swims towards the shore after their dinghy deflated some 100m away before reaching the Greek island of Lesbos The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict A refugee raises a child into the air as Syrian and Afghan refugees are seen on and around a dinghy that deflated some 100m away before reaching the Greek island of Lesbos The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Syrian and Afghan refugees fall into the sea after their dinghy deflated some 100m away before reaching the Greek island of Lesbos The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict A refugee cries as he holds a child on the Serbian side of the border with Hungary in Asotthalom Reuters The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Refugees stand in front of a barrier at the border with Hungary near the village of Horgos, Serbia Reuters The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict A refugee from Syria prays after arriving on the shores of the Greek island of Lesbos aboard an inflatable dinghy across the Aegean Sea from from Turkey. Greece sent troops and police reinforcements to Lesbos after renewed clashes between police and migrants, the public broadcaster said, while Syrian refugees on the island were targeted with Molotov cocktail attacks The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Police try to stop refugees going under a fence to board a train at a station near Gevgelija, Macedonia. Several thousand refugees in Macedonia boarded trains to travel north after spending a night in a provisional camp. Macedonia has organised trains twice a day to the north border where they cross into Serbia to make their way to Hungary The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Refugees push each other as they try to board a bus following their arrival onboard the Eleftherios Venizelos passenger ship at the port of Piraeus, near Athens, Greece The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Refugees are welcomed by locals after their arrival at the main railway station in Frankfurt, Germany. Over 1,000 more refugees arrived in Germany to cheers and "welcome" signs, but calls grew for a European solution to its worst refugee crisis since World War II The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict A young Syrian boy arrives on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing in a dinghy with other refugees from Turkey AP The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Refugees walk on the railway tracks between Bicske and Szar, some 40 kms west of Budapest, trying to reach Germany EPA The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Hungarian policemen stand by the family of refugees as they wanted to run away at the railway station in the town of Bicske, Hungary The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict A family is arrested by local police after their local train coming from Budapest and heading to the Austrian border has been stopped in Bicske, west of the Hungarian capital The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict A man is arrested by local police after his local train coming from Budapest and heading to the Austrian border has been stopped in Bicske, west of the Hungarian capital The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict More than 2,500 refugees have died trying to reach Europe this year and the struggle continues as they travel through the continent Getty Images The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Refugees protest in front of a train at Bicske railway station. Hundreds of people, were stranded on a train in Hungary for a second, demanding passage to Germany in a standoff with riot police The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Syrian refugees arrive on the shores of Lesvos island Getty The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Syrian refugees on the Greek Macedonian border Getty The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Refugees storm into a train at the Keleti train station as Hungarian police withdrew from the gates after two days of blocking their entry The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Refugees storm into a train at the Keleti train station in Budapest The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Refugees cross the border between the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Greece, near the town of Gevgelija, Macedonia. The Gevgelija-Presevo journey is just a part of the journey that the refugees, the vast majority of them from Syria, are forced to make along the so-called Balkan corridor, which takes them from Turkey, across Greece, Macedonia and Serbia to Hungary, the gateway to the European Union, September 2015 The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict A refugee helps up an exhausted fellow refugee as they cross the border between Macedonia and Greece, near the town of Gevgelija, September 2015 The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict People breaking through a police cordon and crossing the border between Macedonia and Greece, September 2015 The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Refugees pass the border between Macedonia and Greece, September 2015 The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict A Macedonian policeman carries a child across the border between Macedonia and Greece, September 2015 The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Syrians sleep on railroad tracks waiting to be processed across the Macedonian border in Idomeni, Greece, September 2015 The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict A Czech police officer marks a refugee with a number after more than than 200 refugees were detained, mostly from Syria, on trains from Hungary and Austria at the railway station in Breclav, Czech Republic, September 2015 AP Photo, CTK/Igor Zehl The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict A baby is lifted on to the Norwegian vessel Siem Pilot during a search-and-rescue mission off the Libyan coast, September 2015 AP The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Budapest's main international railway station ordered an evacuation as hundreds of people tried to board trains to Austria and Germany, September 2015 The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict People wave their train tickets and lift up children outside the main Eastern Railway station in Budapest, September 2015 The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict People protest at the Eastern (Keleti) railway station of Budapest, September 2015 The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Refugee children sleep in the surrounding green area of the Keleti railway station in Budapest, September 2015 The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Syrians cross under a fence into Hungary at the border with Serbia, near Roszke, August 2015 Reuters The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Refugees who have just crossed the border from Serbia into Hungary walk along a railway track that joins the two countries, August 2015 Getty Images The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Police arrest refugees at Cobham Services on the M25 in Surrey, August 2015 Twitter: @bigwheeluk The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Men hold a boy as they are stuck between Macedonian riot police officers and fellow refugees during a clash near the border train station of Idomeni, August 2015 AFP/Getty The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict A Syrian father holds his children close as his arrives on the Greek Island of Kos, August 2015 Eyevine The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict A tourist offers water to Iranian refugees as they arrive by paddling an engineless dinghy from the Turkish coast (seen in the background) at a beach on the Greek island of Kos, August 2015 Reuters The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict A Syrian holds his 30-day-old baby on an overcrowded train as they travel through Macedonia. Tens of thousands of refugees, mainly from the Middle East and Africa, use the Balkans route to get into the European Union, passing from Greece to Macedonia and Serbia and then to western Europe, August 2015 The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict A man rests on a platform at the train station in Gevgelija, on the Macedonian-Greek border, August 2015 Getty The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Refugees react after boarding the Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) ship MV Phoenix some 20 miles (32 kilometres) off the coast of Libya. Some 118 refugees were rescued from a rubber dinghy off Libya. The Phoenix, manned by personnel from international non-governmental organisations Medecins san Frontiere (MSF) and MOAS, is the first privately funded vessel to operate in the Mediterranean, August 2015 The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Authorities are being overwhelmed as they try to fight off hundreds of refugees, prompting France to beef up its police presence, July 2015 AFP The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict People escape from the French Police as they try to catch a train to reach England, July 2015 EPA The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict A man jumps over a fence as he attempts to access the Channel Tunnel, in Calais, northern France, July 2015 PA/Thibault Camus The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Two men cling to the roof of a freight truck as it leaves the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone, July 2015 Getty The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict A man climbs a security fence of a Eurotunnel terminal in Coquelles near Calais, July 2015 The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Men help a man squeeze through a gap in a fence near the Eurotunnel terminal in Coquelles in Calais, July 2015 Getty The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Desperate for entry to the EU, the group of people risked being washed away by the sea at Ventimiglia rocks, June 2015 The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Stranded refugees spend night on rocks - they were supplied with emergency blankets after a cold night next to the sea, June 2015 The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Refugees climb in the back of a lorry on the A16 highway leading to the Eurotunnel in Calais, June 2015 Getty Images The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict A police officer sprays tear gas to men trying to access the Channel Tunnel on the A16 highway in Calais, northern France, June 2015 PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Men jump out of a lorry after being discovered by French gendarmerie officers, June 2015 AP The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict A man sits under the trailer of a lorry, June 2015 AP The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict A Belgian navy sailor passes life vests to refugees sitting in a rubber boat as they approach the Belgian Navy Vessel Godetia, June 2015 AP The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict People on the Belgian Navy vessel Godetia after they were saved during a search and rescue mission in the Mediterranean off the Libyan coast, June 2015 AP The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Iraqis wait as they are detained by Hungarian police after crossing the Hungarian-Serbian border illegally near the village of Asotthalom, Hungary, June 2015 Reuters The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Syrian refugees walking on train tracks through Macedonia on the Western Balkans migration route, after entering Europe through Greece, June 2015 Reuters The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict A group of people huddle together during an operation to remove them from the Italian-French border in the Italian city of Ventimiglia. Italy and France engaged in a war of words as a standoff over hundreds of Africans offered a graphic illustration of Europe's migration crisis. Italian Interior Minister Angelino Alfano described images of refugees perched on rocks at the border town of Ventimiglia after being refused entry to France as a "punch in the face for Europe", June 2015 The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict A man is carried by Italian police in Ventimiglia, Italy. Police reportedly removed refugees from under a railway bridge, June 2015 EPA The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict People queue after disembarking from the Royal Navy ship HMS 'Bulwark' upon their arrival in the port of Catania on the coast of Sicily, June 2015 GIOVANNI ISOLINO/AFP/Getty Images The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict A Syrian child holds a drawing as he waits to disembark from Belgian Navy vessel Godetia at the Augusta port, Italy. Around 250 refugees from Syria arrived at the Sicilian harbour from a Damascus refugee camp, June 2015 The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict A dinghy overcrowded with Afghan refugees arrived on a beach on the Greek island of Kos, May 2015 The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict An Afghan child is helped off a rib on the Greek island of Kos, May 2015 The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict An Afghan girl holds the hand of a woman as they arrive on a beach on the Greek island of Kos, after crossing a part of the Aegean Sea between Turkey and Greece, May 2015 The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Refugees crossed part of the Aegean Sea between Turkey and Greece, May 2015 The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Afghan refugees arrive on a beach of Kos, May 2015 The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Rescuers help children to disembark in the Sicilian harbor of Pozzallo, Italy in April 2015 The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict A boat transporting refugees arrives in the port of Messina after a rescue operation at sea, April 2015 Getty The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Armed Forces of Malta personnel in protective clothing carry the body of a dead man off Italian coastguard ship Bruno Gregoretti as surviving refugees watch in Senglea, in Valletta's Grand Harbour, April 2015 The refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees fleeing conflict Rescued people talk to a member of the Malta Order after a fishing boat carrying refugees capsized off the Libyan coast, is brought ashore along with 23 others retreived by the Italian Coast Guard vessel Bruno Gregoretti at Boiler Wharf, Senglea in Malta, April 2015 The UNHCR is among the groups urging European nations to do more to save lives by expanding legal routes for refugees, rather than forcing them into the hands of smugglers. It is calling for enhanced resettlement schemes, family reunification, private sponsorship and the granting of humanitarian, student and work visas. Britain is among the countries taking part in the EUs Operation Sophia, which has been criticised for focusing on people and arms smuggling rather than humanitarian rescues. A Parliamentary report released earlier this year found the mission was failing to disrupt criminal gangs, arresting only low-level targets, and had directly caused smugglers to switch from wooden boats to more unsafe dinghies. Concerns have also been raised over reports of partner authorities in Libya intercepting migrant boats, shooting refugees and beating and torturing those detained. In 2015, a record of 1,015,078 refugees and migrants made sea crossings to Europe, with the figure standing at 327,846 so far this year. Just over a quarter of those arriving are Syrian, followed by Afghans, Iraqis, Nigerians and Eritreans. 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 bodies of 25 refugees have been found at the bottom of an overloaded rubber boat in the latest disaster in the Mediterranean Sea. Rescue workers with Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said people smugglers crammed around 130 people into the dingy before launching it from the Libyan coast. More than 100 men, women and children were taken to safety, with photos that are too graphic to publish showing bodies of the dead lying face-down in seawater at the bottom of the boat. Italian coastguard rescues thousands of refugees off coast of Libya A MSF spokesperson said 23 of those rescued had horrific chemical burns and seven passengers needed to be evacuated to the Italian mainland for urgent medical treatment. Among the dead was a woman whose eight-month-old baby and husband survived the journey and were taken to Italy. Michele Telaro, the field coordinator on the Bourbon Argos, said they were believed to be victims of fuel inhalation. It took us three hours to retrieve 11 bodies because the mixture of petrol and water is so potent that we just couldnt risk being in that boat for long periods of time, he added. It was horrific. MSF suspended the operation when darkness fell on Tuesday night, calling for assistance from another rescue boat run by Sea-Watch to recover the remaining 14 corpses in the morning. Refugee crisis - in pictures Show all 27 1 /27 Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugee crisis - in pictures A child looks through the fence at the Moria detention camp for migrants and refugees at the island of Lesbos on May 24, 2016. AFP/Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Ahmad Zarour, 32, from Syria, reacts after his rescue by MOAS (Migrant Offshore Aid Station) while attempting to reach the Greek island of Agathonisi, Dodecanese, southeastern Agean Sea Refugee crisis - in pictures Syrian migrants holding life vests gather onto a pebble beach in the Yesil liman district of Canakkale, northwestern Turkey, after being stopped by Turkish police in their attempt to reach the Greek island of Lesbos on 29 January 2016. Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees flash the 'V for victory' sign during a demonstration as they block the Greek-Macedonian border Refugee crisis - in pictures Migrants have been braving sub zero temperatures as they cross the border from Macedonia into Serbia. Refugee crisis - in pictures A sinking boat is seen behind a Turkish gendarme off the coast of Canakkale's Bademli district on January 30, 2016. At least 33 migrants drowned on January 30 when their boat sank in the Aegean Sea while trying to cross from Turkey to Greece. Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures A general view of a shelter for migrants inside a hangar of the former Tempelhof airport in Berlin, Germany Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees protest behind a fence against restrictions limiting passage at the Greek-Macedonian border, near Gevgelija. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Macedonia has finished building a fence on its frontier with Greece becoming the latest country in Europe to build a border barrier aimed at checking the flow of refugees Refugee crisis - in pictures A father and his child wait after being caught by Turkish gendarme on 27 January 2016 at Canakkale's Kucukkuyu district Refugee crisis - in pictures Migrants make hand signals as they arrive into the southern Spanish port of Malaga on 27 January, 2016 after an inflatable boat carrying 55 Africans, seven of them women and six chidren, was rescued by the Spanish coast guard off the Spanish coast. Refugee crisis - in pictures A refugee holds two children as dozens arrive on an overcrowded boat on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugee crisis - in pictures A child, covered by emergency blankets, reacts as she arrives, with other refugees and migrants, on the Greek island of Lesbos, At least five migrants including three children, died after four boats sank between Turkey and Greece, as rescue workers searched the sea for dozens more, the Greek coastguard said Refugee crisis - in pictures Migrants wait under outside the Moria registration camp on the Lesbos. Over 400,000 people have landed on Greek islands from neighbouring Turkey since the beginning of the year Refugee crisis - in pictures The bodies of Christian refugees are buried separately from Muslim refugees at the Agios Panteleimonas cemetery in Mytilene, Lesbos Refugee crisis - in pictures Macedonian police officers control a crowd of refugees as they prepare to enter a camp after crossing the Greek border into Macedonia near Gevgelija Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures A refugee tries to force the entry to a camp as Macedonian police officers control a crowd after crossing the Greek border into Macedonia near Gevgelija Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees are seen aboard a Turkish fishing boat as they arrive on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing a part of the Aegean Sea from the Turkish coast to Lesbos Reuters Refugee crisis - in pictures An elderly woman sings a lullaby to baby on a beach after arriving with other refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures A man collapses as refugees make land from an overloaded rubber dinghy after crossing the Aegean see from Turkey, at the island of Lesbos EPA Refugee crisis - in pictures A girl reacts as refugees arrive by boat on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees make a show of hands as they queue after crossing the Greek border into Macedonia near Gevgelija Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures People help a wheelchair user board a train with others, heading towards Serbia, at the transit camp for refugees near the southern Macedonian town of Gevgelija AP Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees board a train, after crossing the Greek-Macedonian border, near Gevgelija. Macedonia is a key transit country in the Balkans migration route into the EU, with thousands of asylum seekers - many of them from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia - entering the country every day Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures An aerial picture shows the "New Jungle" refugee camp where some 3,500 people live while they attempt to enter Britain, near the port of Calais, northern France Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures A Syrian girl reacts as she helped by a volunteer upon her arrival from Turkey on the Greek island of Lesbos, after having crossed the Aegean Sea EPA Refugee crisis - in pictures Refugees arrive by boat on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey Getty Images Refugee crisis - in pictures Beds ready for use for migrants and refugees are prepared at a processing center on January 27, 2016 in Passau, Germany. The flow of migrants arriving in Passau has dropped to between 500 and 1,000 per day, down significantly from last November, when in the same region up to 6,000 migrants were arriving daily. Stefano Argenziano, the charitys manager of migration operations for MSF, said the Mediterranean had been turned into a maritime graveyard. This is a tragedy but we cant say that today is an exceptional day at sea, he added. The past weeks have been horrific with our rescue teams and other boats involved in almost continuous rescues and far too many men, women and children dyingour rescue teams are overwhelmed by a policy made crisis where we feel powerless to stop the loss of life. MSF is among the groups calling for the EU to open up safe and legal pathways for refugees to prevent them being forced into the hands of ruthless people smugglers. The disaster came as the UN warned that more refugees are dying in desperate attempts to reach Europe than ever before, with the Central Mediterranean route from Libya to Italy now the deadliest in the world. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said the number of migrants drowning and suffocating on sea crossings so far this year has almost surpassed the death toll for the whole of 2015. With 327,846 refugees arriving in 2016, it has recorded 3,740 deaths in the Mediterranean and fears the figure will continue to rise as conditions worsen at sea. 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 Russian embassy in London posted a cartoon on social media which appears to depict Europeans as gay pigs. The bizarre image shows a large, muscular bear in a tight, pink and white Russia t-shirt, hulking over dozens of cowering piggy banks, confined to a concentration camp adorned with a pride flag, a eurozone sign, and stars. The drawing was posted from the diplomatic mission's official Twitter account on Saturday, with the accompanying message: "If Russia is in decline, why worry? Maybe, real worry is West's decline and that we manage things better?" Twitter user Gary Spedding, who works in UK parliament, quickly retweeted the post. This is a genuine tweet from the Russian Embassy depicting Europeans as pigs flying gay pride flags," he said. "It's well-known that Russia has gone backwards in terms of LGBTQi rights in recent years and here Russian Embassy confirms that hatred. In addition to suggesting the image was homophobic, Mr Speeding and other people on social media said the cartoon had fascist connotations. "Not sure if the stars in the image are meant to mean something either but this tweet from Russian Embassy is full of all kinds of fascism," Mr Speeding said. Pink News, who first reported on the post, pointed out the resemblance of the camp depicted to Auschwitz and other Nazi-run concentration camps that operated during the Second World War. Other people found it difficult to believe that an official diplomatic mission would share an offensive and puerile cartoon. One Twitter user called the picture disgusting, and another suggested the embassy should fire the person responsible for managing their social media account. A number of people asked if the staff could be drunk, on drugs, or if the account had either been hacked or was parodic. Russian Twitter users said they were embarrassed by the tweet. Some people responded by mocking the embassy. Tensions between Europe and Russia have heightened in recent weeks, with Russia sailing warships down the English Channel on Friday in an apparent show of military power. Within the country, human rights have been eroded with further repressive measures enacted on the LGBT community. In early October the Kremlin attempted to force an LGBT support site for gay teens to close, as part of a clampdown. Yelena Klimova, the founder of the website, had previously been fined under the countrys "gay propaganda" law, which bans the publication of any media content which "promotes" homosexuality. Authorities forced Russian social network VK to restrict the group's activities and state media watchdog Roskomnadzor was reportedly set to blacklist the Deti-404 site for spreading banned information. The country's stance appears somewhat confused, however. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently attacked laws in the United States which he said were homophobic, and claimed Russia ensures LGBT people have equal rights to heterosexual, cisgender people. He claimed homophobia in Russia has been deliberately exaggerated in the Western media, before referencing US laws that were actually abolished more than a decade ago. In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Show all 19 1 /19 In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Syrian boys cry following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Aleppo Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian defense ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov speaks to the media in Moscow, Russia. Konashenkov strongly warned the United States against striking Syrian government forces and issued a thinly-veiled threat to use Russian air defense assets to protect them AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Syrians wait to receive treatment at a hospital following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Alepp Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov speaks at a briefing in the Defense Ministry in Moscow, Russia. Antonov said the Russian air strikes in Syria have killed about 35,000 militants, including about 2,700 residents of Russia AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Jameel Mustafa Habboush, receives oxygen from civil defence volunteers, known as the white helmets, as they rescue him from under the rubble of a building following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Aleppo Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civil defence members rest amidst rubble in a site hit by what activists said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force in the town of Douma, eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A girl carrying a baby inspects damage in a site hit by what activists said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force in the town of Douma, eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civilians and civil defence members look for survivors at a site damaged after Russian air strikes on the Syrian rebel-held city of Idlib, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civilians and civil defence members carry an injured woman on a stretcher at a site damaged after Russian air strikes on the Syrian rebel-held city of Idlib, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Volunteers from Syria Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, help civilians after Russia carried out its first airstrikes in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria The aftermath of Russian airstrike in Talbiseh, Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Smoke billows from buildings in Talbiseh, in Homs province, western Syria, after airstrikes by Russian warplanes AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian Air Forces carry out an air strike in the ISIS controlled Al-Raqqah Governorate. Russia's KAB-500s bombs completely destroy the Liwa al-Haqq command unit In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy firing Kalibr cruise missiles against remote Isis targets in Syria A TASS/ITAR-TASS Photo/Corbis In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russia claimed it hit eight Isis targets, including a "terrorist HQ and co-ordination centre" that was completely destroyed In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A video grab taken from the footage made available on the Russian Defence Ministry's official website, purporting to show an airstrike in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A release from the Russian defence ministry purportedly showing targets in Syria being hit In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russia launched air strikes in war-torn Syria, its first military engagement outside the former Soviet Union since the occupation of Afghanistan in 1979. Russian warplanes carried out strikes in three Syrian provinces along with regime aircraft as Putin seeks to steal US President Barack Obama's thunder by pushing a rival plan to defeat Isis militants in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy firing Kalibr cruise missiles against remote Isis targets in Syria, a thousand kilometres away. The targets include ammunition factories, ammunition and fuel depots, command centres, and training camps A TASS/ITAR-TASS Photo/Corbis Along with the pig and bear cartoon, the Russian embassy in the UK also tweeted a drawing and message on Saturday claiming Russia faced down terrorists in Syria when other countries were too afraid to intervene. Russia has been condemned in Europe for airstrikes on civilians in the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo, which have killed innocent people including babies and children. The Russian Embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Russia has withdrawn its request for warships to refuel at a Spanish port on their way to bomb Syria amid international outrage. Spain previously announced it would review its decision to allow a naval fleet headed by the Admiral Kuznetzov aircraft carrier to stop in the North African enclave of Ceuta. The group, which passed through the English Channel last week, was expected to dock this morning to take on supplies. But on Wednesday afternoon, the Spanish foreign ministry said Russia had withdrawn the controversial request, automatically cancelling the stop-overs.The Russian embassy confirmed the move but did not give a reason for the abrupt change. Russian warships move through English Channel under Royal Navy watch Nato, the British Government and EU politicians voiced their shock at the move just days after Spain signed a European Council statement saying it was appalled at the escalating violence in Aleppo and called on the Syrian government and its Russian allies to stop its excessive and disproportionate attacks on civilian areas. The Russian ships are on their way to the eastern Mediterranean to boost Vladimir Putins campaign supporting Bashar al-Assad, loaded with fighter jets, reconnaissance and combat helicopters and cruise missiles. Asked about Spains role in supplying the fleet, Jens Stoltenberg, the Nato Secretary-General, said he was concerned. I have expressed that very clearly about potential use of this battle group to increase Russias ability and to be a platform for airstrikes against Syria, he added. I repeat those concerns today and I believe that all Nato allies are aware that this battle group can be used to conduct airstrikes against Aleppo and Syria. Guy Verhofstadt, president of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament, called Spains decision scandalous. He wrote on Twitter: Spain signed EU statement on Russian war crimes in Aleppo last week today [Tuesday] helps refuel fleet on way to commit more atrocities. Seriously? The UK said that although access to Spanish ports was a matter for local authorities, concerns had been raised. A Russian Naval vessel passes a ferry in the English Channel (Getty) Her Majesty's government has previously expressed concerns to the Spanish government about its hospitality to the Russian navy when we have concerns about Russia's military activity, a British Government spokesperson said. As news of the planned stop spread, activist group Avaaz launched a campaign directing people to voice their opposition to the Spanish foreign ministry and the Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, sparking a flood of phone calls and tweets. Patricia Martin Diaz, an Avaaz campaigner, said: If Spain had allowed this Russian death fleet to dock, they would have literally been fuelling war crimes in Syria. Facing a massive public outcry in Spain, the Russians are now looking for new ports to refuel, and citizens across the Mediterranean are ready to call on their governments to refuse any help to Russian warships. The convoy was expected to continue its journey past Malta, the Greek islands and Cyprus and it was unclear what stops if any it would make. Amnesty International urged other countries to refuse any requests for refuelling stops or any other assistance. The groups campaign manager for Syria, Kristyan Benedict said: The Russian militarys record of attacks on schools, hospitals and civilian homes in Aleppo and elsewhere in Syria is notorious. "Third-party countries must avoid becoming complicit in any future Russian attacks on Syria carried out in the eastern Mediterranean. 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 Spain, a Nato member, regularly allows Russian war ships to stop in its enclave of Ceuta, which borders Morocco at the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea. A spokesperson for the foreign ministry told El Pais that permission was granted on a case-by-case basis depending on the ship in question and possibly security risks. We are looking at the latest [supply] stops requested based on information requested by Russian authorities, he added. Intense international media coverage has followed the fleets progress from the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean, with Royal Navy ships tracking it through the Channel. Keir Giles, an expert on Russian security issues, told The Independent that bolstering the countrys firepower in the Syrian conflict may not be the deployments only objective. The biggest thing that worries me is that while there is all of this intense media focus not just in the UK but in Europe on this one action in one place, what are they [Russia] doing somewhere else? he asked. They have achieved complete media and public opinion focus on one bright, shiny object that is being held up to potentially distract from more important things happening elsewhere. The deployment includes the Admiral Kuznetsov, Pyotr Veliky (Peter the Great) battlecruiser, the Vice-Admiral Kulakov destroyer, Severomorsk destroyers and several supply vessels. 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 }} Residents in the Isis-controlled northern Iraqi city of Mosul said that jihadis were shaving off their beards and changing the locations of headquarters to evade detection, as the sounds of artillery fire and gun battles reached the outskirts of the city in a sign the battle proper is imminent. Despite fierce counterattacks from Isis - including the use of car and suicide bombs - slowing down elite Iraqi forces on the southern front, Kurdish troops and the Iraqi army have managed to advance to around three miles (five kilometres) of Mosul on three different sides on Wednesday. I saw some Daesh [Isis] members and they looked completely different from the last time I saw them, east Mosul resident Abu Saif said. They had trimmed their beards and changed their clothes, the former businessman said. They must be scared... they are also probably preparing to escape the city. Officials confirmed reports from residents that fighters within the city had moved resources to the western side, close to the Tigris river and possible escape routes to Isis' de facto capital of Raqqa in Syria. US-led air strikes have pounded Isis targets in recent days, and the sound of ground fighting is now audible on both the north and eastern fronts, residents said. Despite signs that fighters are tensing ahead of the assault, coalition forces are prepared for for what is likely to be a sustained and bloody battle. As Iraqi forces move closer to Mosul, we see that [Isis] resistance is getting stronger, Major Chris Parker, a coalition spokesperson said. Dramatic footage shows Elite Iraq forces battle on road to Bartella in fight for Mosul Approximately 28,000 Kurdish Peshmerga, Sunni tribal fighters, Shiite militias and Iraqi army forces are poised to retake the city - Isis last major Iraqi stronghold - from the 4,000 fighters thought to be embedded inside. The offensive, launched October 17, is likely to be closely followed by an operation to push into the so-called caliphates heart: the northern Syrian city of Raqqa. Both US Defence Secretary Ash Carter and his British counterpart Michael Fallon said on Wednesday that they expect an offensive on Raqqa to be launched within weeks. Mosul is the most complex military operation carried out in Iraq since US troops left the country in 2011. The battle for Raqqa is likely to be even harder, as coalition troops lack a strong ally on the ground in Syrias multi-sided and brutal five-year-long civil war. 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 US-backed operation to oust Isis from the Syrian city of Raqqa could begin within weeks, Americas defence chief has claimed. As a coalition of forces advance on Mosul in Iraq, Ash Carter has said that the groundwork is being readied to switch their aim to Raqqa, the second of Isiss de facto capital cities. Speaking to NBC in Paris, the US Defence Secretary suggested the second operation was imminent. Ash Carter said the special operations force will launch clandestine missions in Iraq and Syria (AP) It starts in the next few weeks, he said. That has long been our plan and we will be capable of resourcing both. He added: Its been long a part of our plan that the Mosul operation would kick off when it did. This was a plan that goes back many months now and that Raqqa would follow soon behind. Mosul and Raqqa are the two main strongholds of the Islamic State group, acting as the capitals of their so-called caliphate and providing a source of revenue and territory. The Iraqi military, supported by US and coalition air power and military advisers, began the push to retake Mosul on October 16. The Associated Press said the battle for the city, which has a large civilian population, is expected to take months and follows successful campaigns this year to retake the main cities in Iraqs western Anbar province. At a press conference with French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian after a meeting with 11 other defence chiefs, Mr Carter said there has been no delay in the intended start of the Raqqa operation, and that there will be overlap with the Mosul fight. The collapse and destruction of [Isis] in Iraq and Syria will destroy both the fact and the idea that there can be a caliphate based upon this ideology, he said. However, there will continue to be, and there are now, those there or elsewhere who aspire to either coordinate or inspire attacks on our homeland. Yet not others have warned that the US and other nations should not underestimate the challenge confronting the forces trying to dislodge Isis from Mosul and Raqqa. Kurdish-led forces launch offensive on Syria's Raqqa One senior military official told the AP that conducting major operations in the two cities Raqqa and Mosul at the same time would stretch the coalition. He says the Raqqa campaign should wait until the Iraqis have made more significant progress in Mosul, where resistance from the militants has been described as heavy. The senior military official said that if the Mosul and Raqqa operations were launched simultaneously, the biggest strains would be on fighter jets and reconnaissance aircraft. The coalition should be able to start the Raqqa operation in the near future, the official said, but declined to give a more precise timeline. When asked whether US special forces or other troops would be sent inside Mosul or Raqqa to gather intelligence or hunt high-value combatants, Mr Carter replied: They are not near [Mosul] at this time ... Our forces do accompany .... the Iraqi security forces and the Peshmerga. So they will get nearer to the city as those forces get nearer to the cityWe are not going to be part of the occupation or hold forces. Iraqi security forces and the Kurdish militia have faced Isis suicide attacks, car bombs and other attacks in their march toward Iraq's second-largest city which the extremists captured in 2014. Isis is expected to give ground gradually on the outskirts of Mosul but then stiffen their resistance as the fighting moves closer to the center of the city. 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 Saudi Arabian man has asked for a divorce from his new bride just two hours after the wedding after it emerged she had posted pictures of it on social media. The unnamed groom broke up with his wife after learning she had sent pictures of the wedding to her friends on Snapchat in violation of a strict clause in their prenup which forbade sharing the images on social media. The brides brother told Saudi newspaper Okaz: There was a prenuptial agreement she would not use social-media applications such as Snapchat, Instagram or Twitter to post or send her pictures which she did sign. It was included in the marriage contract and became binding. Unfortunately, my sister did not honour the pledge and used Snapchat to share pictures from the wedding ceremony with her female friend. The brides family reportedly argued that the husband was being too harsh but his family said he was entitled to call for a divorce. Under Saudi law, men have the unilateral power to divorce their wives without any legal grounds effectively immediately. Women on the other hand need the consent of their husbands or the judiciary before dissolving a marriage and lose custody of their children if they are over a certain age. 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Show all 10 1 /10 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In October 2014, three lawyers, Dr Abdulrahman al-Subaihi, Bander al-Nogaithan and Abdulrahman al-Rumaih , were sentenced to up to eight years in prison for using Twitter to criticize the Ministry of Justice. AFP/Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In March 2015, Yemens Sunni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi was forced into exile after a Shia-led insurgency. A Saudi Arabia-led coalition has responded with air strikes in order to reinstate Mr Hadi. It has since been accused of committing war crimes in the country. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Women who supported the Women2Drive campaign, launched in 2011 to challenge the ban on women driving vehicles, faced harassment and intimidation by the authorities. The government warned that women drivers would face arrest. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Members of the Kingdoms Shia minority, most of whom live in the oil-rich Eastern Province, continue to face discrimination that limits their access to government services and employment. Activists have received death sentences or long prison terms for their alleged participation in protests in 2011 and 2012. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses All public gatherings are prohibited under an order issued by the Interior Ministry in 2011. Those defy the ban face arrest, prosecution and imprisonment on charges such as inciting people against the authorities. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In March 2014, the Interior Ministry stated that authorities had deported over 370,000 foreign migrants and that 18,000 others were in detention. Thousands of workers were returned to Somalia and other states where they were at risk of human rights abuses, with large numbers also returned to Yemen, in order to open more jobs to Saudi Arabians. Many migrants reported that prior to their deportation they had been packed into overcrowded makeshift detention facilities where they received little food and water and were abused by guards. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses The Saudi Arabian authorities continue to deny access to independent human rights organisations like Amnesty International, and they have been known to take punitive action, including through the courts, against activists and family members of victims who contact Amnesty. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Raif Badawi was sentenced to 1000 lashes and 10 years in prison for using his liberal blog to criticise Saudi Arabias clerics. He has already received 50 lashes, which have reportedly left him in poor health. Carsten Koall/Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Dawood al-Marhoon was arrested aged 17 for participating in an anti-government protest. After refusing to spy on his fellow protestors, he was tortured and forced to sign a blank document that would later contain his confession. At Dawoods trial, the prosecution requested death by crucifixion while refusing him a lawyer. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Ali Mohammed al-Nimr was arrested in 2012 aged either 16 or 17 for participating in protests during the Arab spring. His sentence includes beheading and crucifixion. The international community has spoken out against the punishment and has called on Saudi Arabia to stop. He is the nephew of a prominent government dissident. Getty The divorce rate in Saudi Arabia is high with over 50 per cent of marriages falling apart. Around half of these divorces occurred among newlyweds, according to one Saudi legal expert. Ahmad Al Maabi told the Daily Mail: Misunderstandings, differences in views and the easy approach to marriage without a deep appreciation of the responsibilities are among the major causes for divorce among young people. Recommended Read more Couple divorce after bride too busy texting to have sex after wedding Marriages are bound to fail when there are no robust foundations or trust. Unrelated men and women are keep apart under the strict morality rules of the Wahabist theocracy so couples rarely get to know each other or sometimes even meet before marriage. There have been numerous reports in the past of a man divorcing his new wife in front of the wedding photographer after she removed her veil for the first time and another who divorced his wife of two years after she failed to respond to his WhatsApp message. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Russia has announced that it will extend its suspension of air strikes on besieged east Aleppo, but independent monitors as well as residents in the rebel-held area say that several parts of the divided city have been hit in recent days. Rebel-occupied areas outside the city limits have also been targeted, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said, although they were not included in the original truce. Activists said and SOHR confirmed that at least 17 children were killed in a regime or Russian air strike that hit a school in the village of Haas on Wednesday, sending pictures too graphic for publication of children of around 10 years of age in bodybags with their arms and legs blown off. Russian Defence Ministry spokesperson Major-General Igor Konashenkov said on Tuesday that in Aleppo itself, Russian and Syrian warplanes had stayed more than six miles (10 kilometres) away from the city limits since Moscow announced a humanitarian pause in hostilities on October 18. There have been no reconnaissance flights over rebel neighbourhoods, let alone bombings, he added - although SOHR as well as city officials and activists in the city say that there have been several strikes, mostly on the southwest frontline. Ibrahim Abu al-Laith, a civil service defence official, also said that air strikes and shelling had hit the rebel-held half of the city In the past week, although no casualties had been recorded. There was artillery shelling... and there were planes, the city was hit by several strikes, he said. Last Tuesday Russia announced a three-day-long humanitarian pause later in the week in which both bombings and ground offensives by its Syrian allies on the neighbourhood during daylight hours would stop, in order to allow civilians and rebels to escape the siege barricades under an amnesty, and for UN aid deliveries to enter the desperate side of the city. The rebels did not accept the terms of the deal, and very few people have left, both Syrian state media and rebel sources say. Last week, rebel mortar fire was caught on camera hitting a checkpoint into government-held west Aleppo, in an indication of the danger leaving the eastern side holds. For their part, rebels say government snipers have targeted anyone approaching the siege barricades. Revealed: The 12 Most Dangerous Countries in the World Show all 12 1 /12 Revealed: The 12 Most Dangerous Countries in the World Revealed: The 12 Most Dangerous Countries in the World Egypt Getty Revealed: The 12 Most Dangerous Countries in the World Mexico Getty Revealed: The 12 Most Dangerous Countries in the World Kenya Getty Revealed: The 12 Most Dangerous Countries in the World Guatemala Getty Revealed: The 12 Most Dangerous Countries in the World Colombia Reuters Revealed: The 12 Most Dangerous Countries in the World Mauritania Getty Images Revealed: The 12 Most Dangerous Countries in the World Honduras Getty Revealed: The 12 Most Dangerous Countries in the World Pakistan Getty Revealed: The 12 Most Dangerous Countries in the World Chad Getty Images Revealed: The 12 Most Dangerous Countries in the World Venezuela Reuters Revealed: The 12 Most Dangerous Countries in the World Yemen Reuters Revealed: The 12 Most Dangerous Countries in the World El Salvador Reuters East Aleppo - home to 250,000 people - has been under siege conditions since July, and food, fuel and medical supplies are running dangerously low, aid agencies say. President Bashar al-Assads new air and ground campaign to oust the rebels from the city, which began last month, has caused unprecedented damage in the six-year-old conflict, killing more than 500 people and decimating medical infrastructure. Several western governments have accused Moscow and Damascus of war crimes for the brutal assault on the built-up area. Speaking late on Tuesday the US State department urged Russia to use the extension to meet UN safety requirements to allow the passage of aid to east Aleppo. We obviously welcome any reduction in the violence, but it has to be met with a commitment and an actual delivery of humanitarian assistance, which was the purpose in the first place, State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a briefing. Drone footage of Aleppo German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter also urged a renewal of the ceasefire in separate telephone calls with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday, German officials said. A Russian defence ministry official said that while the moratorium is being extended, he could not specify for how long. Fighting is expected to step up for control of east Aleppo in the next few weeks: Russia has sent a massive deployment of ships to Syrias coastline, including the countrys only aircraft carrier. Retaking the whole city would be a significant victory for Mr Assad. Observers expect that the gain would bolster the regime sufficiently for Russia to begin a military exit from the conflict. 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 }} At least 300 civilians have been killed in just 11 air strikes by the US-led coalition, a report has found amid concern for families trapped in Isis stronghold of Mosul. Amnesty International urged the Pentagon and its allies to come clean about the full extent of deaths in operations against the so-called Islamic State, with official inquiries so far acknowledging only dozens of casualties. Assessing reports from the ground, eyewitness interviews, satellite imagery, photos and video footage, investigators said US Central Command (Centcom) may have failed to take necessary precautions to spare civilians and carried out unlawful attacks in Syria. Airstrike on weapons facility in Mosul, Iraq The 11 coalition attacks reviewed by Amnesty include strikes during operations to drive Isis out of Manbij over the summer, when more than 100 civilians, including children, where reportedly killed in the villages of al-Tukhar, al-Hadhadh and al-Ghandoura in their homes and at a market. Lynn Maalouf, deputy director for research at Amnesty Internationals Beirut office, said: Its high time the US authorities came clean about the full extent of the civilian damage caused by coalition attacks in Syria. We fear the US-led coalition is significantly underestimating the harm caused to civilians in its operations in Syria. Analysis of available evidence suggests that in each of these cases, coalition forces failed to take adequate precautions to minimise harm to civilians and damage to civilian objects. Some of these attacks may constitute disproportionate or otherwise indiscriminate attacks. She echoed concern raised by the United Nations and other groups for more than 1 million civilians trapped in the Iraqi city of Mosul, Isis largest remaining stronghold in the country, as it is targeted by an international ground and air advance. It is even more pressing that Centcom be fully transparent about the impact of their military actions on civilians, Ms Maalouf added. And it is crucial that they adhere scrupulously to international humanitarian law, including by taking all feasible precautions to spare civilians and to minimise harm to civilian homes and infrastructure. British jets prepare for air strikes in Syria Show all 10 1 /10 British jets prepare for air strikes in Syria British jets prepare for air strikes in Syria A Tornado jet takes off from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, as RAF Tornado jets carried out the first British bombing runs over Syria British jets prepare for air strikes in Syria Pilots and ground crew prepare combat aircraft Panavia Tornados at RAF Marham at RAF Marham, UK Getty British jets prepare for air strikes in Syria A Eurofighter Typhoon jet takes off from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, as RAF Tornado jets carried out the first British bombing runs over Syria British jets prepare for air strikes in Syria A RAF Tornado arrives at RAF Akrotiri to begin operations in Akrotiri British jets prepare for air strikes in Syria A Tornado jet ahead of taking off from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, as RAF Tornado jets carried out the first British bombing runs over Syria, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. The air strikes were carried out within hours of a vote by MPs in the Commons to back extending operations against Isis from neighbouring Iraq British jets prepare for air strikes in Syria Personnel work on a British Tornado after it returned from a mission at RAF Akrotiri in southern Cyprus British jets prepare for air strikes in Syria Two RAF Tornado GR4's, both with remaining weapons ordnance, approach RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, as they return to the base after carrying out some of the first British bombing runs over Syria British jets prepare for air strikes in Syria A RAF Tornado takes off from RAF Akrotiri, on the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus British jets prepare for air strikes in Syria A Tornado jet leaving RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland British jets prepare for air strikes in Syria AKA RAF Tornado arrives at RAF Akrotiri to begin operations in Akrotiri, Cyprus. The RAF has sent two further Tornado aircraft and six Typhoons to bolster aircraft now flying sorties to both Iraq and Syria The group has sent a memorandum outlining its questions and concerns to the US Department of Defence but said it has not yet received a reply. A survivor of an air strike that hit two houses where civilians were sheltering in Ayn al-Khan, al-Hasaka governorate, on 7 December last year described being woken by a huge explosion. The house shook and began to crumble, the windows shattered, he said. I ran outside and saw my neighbours house completely destroyed. I could hear people calling out from beneath the rubble. As he helped dig out survivors, a helicopter gunship launched a second attack. At this point I had a two-month-old baby boy in my arms who I had rescued, he said. The hit caused me to fall and drop him. I fell into the hole made by the air strike. That was what saved me. My mother, aunt, wife and children - a daughter who was four-years-old and a son who was two-and-a-half were all killed. The woman and her son who Id rescued were killed. Everyone but me was killed. The attack is believed to have been targeting a group of Isis fighters who had moved into a house on the edge of the village five days earlier and were later joined by reinforcements. In another incident on 11 August, an air strike targeting a mortar factory in Atmeh, Aleppo governorate, destroyed two adjacent civilian homes and killed eight civilians including six children. Smoke rises from the the Syrian town of Ain al-Arab, known as Kobane by the Kurds, after a strike from the US-led coalition as it seen from the Turkish-Syrian border in the southeastern village of Mursitpinar, Sanliurfa province, on October 14, 2014. (AFP/Getty Images) Talha al-Amouri, an eyewitness, told Amnesty his sister-in-law, mother of five of the children killed, was eight months pregnant at the time of the attack and had a stillbirth as a consequence. How could they have known that there was an ammunitions factory but not that there were homes with civilians nearby? he asked. Since the start of its air campaign in 2014, the US has acknowledged at least 55 civilian deaths in Iraq and Syria and says more reports are under investigation. Colonel Patrick Ryder, a spokesperson for Central Command, said the casualties were deeply regretted but claimed forces were carrying out the most precise air campaign in the history of warfare. Incidents confirmed by internal investigations include civilians being killed while overtaking or passing targeted cars carrying Isis fighters or standing near legitimate targets, although monitors have recorded incidents of alleged mistaken identity including an operation that killed more than 70 civilians in July. Research by organisations including the Syrian Network for Human Rights, Airwars, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Violations Documentation Centre have put the number of civilians killed in US-led air strikes at more than 1,000. A spokesperson for the US military said: Centcom has extensive processes and techniques in place to avoid or minimize civilian casualties. Every report of civilian casualties, from either internal or external sources, is scrutinised regarding possible casualties and collateral damage. Assessments that are determined to be credible are reviewed as to whether the actions comply with the principles of the Law of Armed Conflict. Amnesty and other groups have also accused the Syrian government and its Russian backers of killing hundreds or thousands of civilians in indiscriminate bombing. Isis and other militant groups are also responsible for killing civilians and committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Syrian civil war. 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 }} Between now and the prospective opening of a new runway at Heathrow at some time between 2025 and 2030, the great airport debate will continue even more noisily. Here are the key questions and their answers. When do the bulldozers move in? Certainly not in the year ahead, when a public consultation will take place. Expansion at Heathrow will then be put to parliamentary vote. Only then can the planning process properly begin. Work to flatten much of the village of Harmondsworth is unlikely to start before 2020. But much could happen between now and breaking ground. Assuming the Government wins support from a majority of MPs, can it simply push the project through? The Government will certainly demand faster progress than Terminal 5 at Heathrow, which took about 20 years between the submission of the planning application and the opening. But four local authorities that oppose expansion, together with the environmental group, Greenpeace, will mount challenges in the High Court that could derail the proposal. There are a range of issues on which they might seek a judicial review of the decision, with the most likely candidates increased air pollution and noise. If there is no successful challenge, and as expected the parliamentary vote supports Heathrow, then the Government will issue a National Policy Statement and invite Heathrow to begin the planning process. That in turn could be challenged legally. But if it proceeds smoothly, the new runway could conceivably be ready by 2025 though the associated works, particularly on a new Terminal 6, could take several years longer. Will the number of flights increase the moment the runway opens? No. How the growth from 480,000 movements a year to 740,000 is handled is one of the key questions that has not been properly addressed. Airlines will simply not countenance being asked to expand their operation by 50 per cent overnight. Instead, it may be that operations at Heathrow are gradually increased with the use of mixed mode landings and take-offs from both runways, simultaneously. That could add around 15 per cent of capacity, to 550,000 a year, though it would be extremely politically contentious. Instead, Northolt (a military airfield to the north of Heathrow) could be used for some short-haul links with road connection between the two. Flybe, the UKs largest regional airline, says: The Government should allow scheduled commercial flights to and from RAF Northolt to fast-track the benefits of regional connectivity. The new capacity at Heathrow will take a decade or more to build and Northolt is available right now. Another option is to persuade airlines to start new services from Luton or Stansted with the promise of guaranteed slots at Heathrow when work is complete. Assuming it goes ahead, will the new runway guarantee connectivity to more cities in the UK and emerging markets? One of the sweeteners offered by all three of the shortlisted projects is significantly to increase the range of destinations served in the UK, with airports such as Liverpool, City of Derry and Dundee holding out the hope of links with the expanded airport. It is likely that the policy statement will demand slots ring-fenced for services to and from regional airports. Flybe has demanded that some of the new capacity should be reserved for operators of regional aircraft at affordable prices. Links to overseas destinations, though, cannot be prescribed by Government. Instead, airlines will decide where to fly. Just this week, British Airways has cancelled its link from Heathrow to Chengdu in western China (an archetypal emerging market), and replaced it with flights to New Orleans. Will fares rise or fall? The short answer is: no one knows. Heathrows third runway is by far the most expensive option of the three on the shortlist, with a current price tag of 17.6bn. The short-term question is: should current passengers pay for future development? That practice is common at a number of airports which levy a development fee on all passengers. Airlines are firmly against that prospect, and are demanding that Heathrows charges are capped at the present level. But deferring the airports reward for expansion would involve Heathrow taking on a vast amount of debt which, if charges were constrained, could take decades to pay back. So there is likely to be some kind of compromise, which may allow for a modest increase in charges during the construction. Once the new runway is up and running, the number of passengers should soar, providing much more revenue for Heathrow. If low-cost airlines such as easyJet, and the long-haul operators Norwegian and WestJet, are able to compete with incumbent carriers, fares should fall, even allowing for extra charges. Are Gatwicks plans now in tatters? Not according to Stewart Wingate, the Chief Executive of the Sussex airport. If the Government needs to call on us, then they can. I personally dont think another runway will be delivered at Heathrow in my lifetime. Heathrows been in this situation twice before. However, he conceded that Gatwick would need Government support through the planning process. 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 }} Extreme. Alarmist. Unvarnished. Yes, its another Donald Trump statement on diplomacy. Mr Trump, who may or may not be growing more desperate as he falls behind in the opinion polls he is, after all, extreme, alarmist and unvarnished even when relaxed now claims that Hillary Clintons plan for Syria would lead to World War Three. That is quite something, even for him. The insidious aspect of this remarkable intervention is that there is something in it. Many Americans, and many across the world, believe that Isis is indeed a more potent and evil force than President Assads Syrian Arab Republic could ever be. Bashar al-Assad hasnt beheaded any Western aid workers, for example, or fomented terrorism in Paris, or blown up ancient monuments, and has no ambition to invade his neighbours and impose extreme sharia law upon them. Therefore, the argument runs, the Americans should cooperate with the Russians in propping up Assad. The US and Russia could, it is argued, act together to obliterate Islamic State. That is what Mr Trump says he would do. Hillary Clinton, it is correctly observed, would not. She would be much more likely to confront and challenge Russia than Mr Trump over Syria and across other disputes too, notably Ukraine. Her relationship, like Barack Obamas, with Vladimir Putin is cold, and the fear is that a President Hillary Clinton would spark a second Cold War, if not World War Three. There are critical flaws in this superficially compelling case. First, President Assad has his own brand of evil, gassing his own people, bombing civilian sites and, with assistance of the Russians, humanitarian aid convoys. Whether he is more dangerous than Isis is debatable, for it is he who has helped create the conditions in which they flourished. What is important is that the choice for Syria, and the world, is not between Assad and Isis; there are other forces and factions capable of forming a restively civilised and peaceful government. It was those groups that the original US-Russian ceasefire proposal a few weeks ago was designed to help. Its failure has left us in the false position of having to choose between Isis and Assad. That is no choice at all. Second, we have to consider the wider price President Trump would pay to secure his friendly relations with Russia; allowing the Russians to do more or less as they like in what would be their modern-day sphere of influence. In President Trumps semi-isolationist policy, America would have its vital interests, and the Russians theirs, and they would carve up the globe accordingly. Yet there is no guarantee that that carve-up would actually be sustainable and that there would never be any turf wars, leaving aside the immorality of condemning entire peoples and nations to Russian hegemony. America, with varying levels of success but consistent bravery, resisted Russian domination of Eastern Europe and it is unthinkable that Washington would now stand idly by while President Putin re-establishes Stalins empire. It would certainly not be in the interest of anyone in Europe. Third, even if Hillary Clinton confronted the Russians, so did some of her predecessors in the White House, and, while it frightened the world to have a nuclear stand-off and imminent Armageddon, presidents such as John F Kennedy and Ronald Reagan did win their Cold War battles with the USSR. Mr Trump wouldnt even try to resist Russian aggression; and in the long run that would make the world a much more dangerous place. Oisin Coughlan said it would be an obvious contradiction if the Government ratified the Paris Agreement and on the other hand delayed a ban on fracking The Government has been accused of contradicting international commitments on climate change by stalling a proposed ban on fracking. Denis Naughten, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, has agreed to the reform but it has been put on hold for at least eight months. The legislation was put forward by Tony McLoughlin, Fine Gael TD for Sligo Leitrim, one of the areas identified for potential shale gas exploration. It aims to ban energy companies from using high-pressure water and other additives to extract raw fuels from rocks, sands and coal seams. While Mr McLoughlin said it has been accepted by ministers, it will not come under committee scrutiny until after June 30 next year following an intervention by the Government, potentially delaying an outright ban until 2018. Oisin Coghlan, director of Friends of the Earth Ireland, said: "Our concern with the Government amendment is that it looks like an attempt to delay the progress of that bill by a year or more. "There's no need for a delay that long." Fracking is banned in France, Germany and New York among others. Scotland has a moratorium on it and the Welsh parliament has voted against it while licences have been granted in England. The proposed legislation is being raised in the Dail on the same day as a debate is held to ratify the Paris Agreement on climate change which aims to keep global temperature rises to 1.5C. Mr Coghlan said: "It really would be a positive symbol of Ireland's intention to act on climate change if, on the same day, it progressed without delay a bill to ban fracking. "But it would be an obvious contradiction if they ratified the Paris Agreement and on the other hand delayed a ban on fracking." Hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, involves drilling into the earth before a high-pressure water mixture is forced into rock to release gas. Three exploratory licences were granted in Ireland but no extraction has taken place. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) commissioned a report on the impact of the controversial gas extraction on the environment and human health. It is due in the coming months. Mr McLoughlin explained the reasons for the eight-month delay. "I believe that this is in order to allow due process to take place with regard to the EPA research process and to allow the department time to consider its findings before the committee stage commences," he said. A pilot who died with his friend when their light aircraft crashed into a mountain may have misjudged how high he should have been flying, investigators have said. Paul Smith, 57, from Rathmore near Athboy, Co Meath, was with 69-year-old Bryan Keane, from Williamstown, near Kells, and their two dogs, on May 24 2015 when the collision happened in poor visibility. They were flying a US-registered Cessna 182 to a breakfast fly-in at an airfield near Taghmon in Co Wexford when it crashed on the southern ridge of Blackstairs Mountain on the Carlow border. Experts with the state's Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) said other pilots making trips to the same airfield either changed their flight paths or diverted to another airfield after spotting low cloud, drizzle, rain or poor visibility. "The pilot may not have appreciated the extent and elevation of the southern ridge of Blackstairs," the report found. It added: "The safest and simp lest course of action was to deviate around the high terrain and maintain Visual Meteorological Conditions." The light aircraft crashed on a steep rocky slope near the top of the ridge - about 2,150 feet up but around 300 feet lower than the summit. Other pilots making similar journeys reported cloud as low as 800-1000 feet in the area of the crash. The AAIU said a map covering the flight was found among the wreckage of the Cessna but it did it not include data on the height of the peak at Blackstairs. "An estimate of the height of Blackstairs Mountain can only be made by reference to the colour coding of elevation contours," the report said. Investigators found the pilot had put the Cessna into a climb - about 150 feet a minute - about 10 nautical miles from the southern ridge of Blackstairs and about five minutes before the crash is suspected to have happened. They said the rate of climb was below the Cessna's capability and was done at a faster airspeed than recommended. The AAIU said it was an "unsafe flight path". "The rate of climb selected was not sufficient to provide safe terrain clearance and all evidence indicates that the aircraft impacted terrain in controlled flight and under normal control and that there was no attempt to alter the aircraft's flight path prior to impact," it added. Both men were experienced pilots, AAIU investigators said. The wreckage of the Cessna was discovered by chance by a hillwalker about four hours after the crash, the AAIU report said. Other pilots who had made their way to the airfield near Taghmon raised the alarm after they realised Mr Smyth and Mr Keane were late. No safety recommendations were made in the AAIU report. Taoiseach Enda Kenny has told the EU's chief Brexit negotiator that there is "strong support" in Ireland for membership of the EU. Mr Kenny used a meeting with Michel Barnier on October 12 to "emphasise and explain in some detail Ireland's unique set of concerns" arising from Brexit". "My exchange with Mr Barnier was open and constructive. "He is well-known to us in Ireland, given his various roles at national and EU levels," the Taoiseach told the Dail. "Consequently, he understands our close historical, political and economic ties with the UK." Mr Kenny said he briefed Mr Barnier on the "various strands" of work taking place here to prepare for Brexit. "Given the critical role of Mr Barnier and the commission, it was also useful to hear his thoughts about the process and how negotiations might be handled in the next critical phase," Mr Kenny said, adding they would work closely together in the months ahead. The Food Wise 2025 target of doubling Irish food and drink exports to 19bn over the next decade has been put in the firing line by Brexit. The stark warning was issued by food sector economist Jim Power who said the ambitious growth projections for the industry were in real jeopardy now that Britain had decided to depart the EU. Describing Brexit as "the biggest speed bump the food industry has faced since BSE", Power said the disruption and uncertainty the move had provoked would undoubtedly hit exports. "We have seen a 30pc drop in sterling since the vote to leave the EU; and this is in a market which took 41pc of our food and drink exports last year. This is not good news for Ireland at any level," he said. Power, who is chairman of Love Irish Food, said the "odds were stacked against a soft Brexit" and he predicted that there would "be barriers on the Border" within two years of Britain triggering Article 50. "Bord Bia should now get a significant increase in resources because we are going to have to find alternate markets and that needs to be done at a global level," he added. He also described as "fanciful" suggestions that the common travel area between Britain and Ireland could survive a hard Brexit. On a more positive note, Power claimed the "amount of trade displacement" as a result of sterling's fall on the money markets would be "limited" since its value had dropped against all currencies. Meanwhile, it is understood that sterling's collapse against the euro provoked some sharp exchanges at a meeting convened by the Department of Agriculture to discuss the impact of Brexit on the farm sector. Representative of all the major stakeholders in the food and drinks industry attended the meeting. However, while food processors said the cost of sterling's fall would have to be borne by exporters, farmer representatives insisted that this burden could not be carried by primary producers. The Department's move to agree a sector-wide strategy on Brexit are in contrast to the financial services industry, where the head of the Irish Stock Exchange, Deirdre Somers, complained she had not seen any "cohesive or co-ordinated" plan for Ireland in the wake of the Brexit vote. Giant Brazilian meat processor JBS has scrapped its plans to move its international HQ to Ireland. JBS, the world's largest beef exporter, announced today that it is cancelling a corporate reorganisation plan due to opposition from one of its major shareholders, the Brazil government's BNDESPar investment bank. BNDES Participacoes SA, the investment arm of Brazil's state development bank BNDES, exercised its veto power over the plan by JBS to move its international division headquarters abroad, the company said in a statement. Following the announcement JBS shares tumbled 14pc in early trading on the Sao Paulo stock exchange, after the company announced the cancellation of the plan. In May, Sao Paulo-based JBS said it would create JBS Foods International, an Ireland-based company whose assets will encompass global operations. The company processes beef, lamb, pork and chicken as well as leather. JBS had an annual turnover of around 45bn last year and the company has a presence in over 20 countries and exports to over 150 countries. More than 600 tonnes of hazardous wastes have been removed from dark corners of farm yards, sheds and veterinary cabinets over the last three years, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The removed waste included 275t of waste engine and hydraulic oil, 158t of batteries and waste electrical equipment, 46t of pesticides, 32t of paints, and 27t of veterinary medicines. The toxic wastes have been voluntarily contributed by an estimated 5,000 farmers at nationwide collection points organised by the EPA, Teagasc, Department of Agriculture, local authorities, farm organisations and mart owners since 2013. At least 26t of empty contaminated containers, 15t of oil filters, 10t of biocides, aerosols, adhesives, grease cartridges, brake fluids, creosote, sealants, oily rags and two tonnes of needles and syringes have also been dropped off. Expand Close Alan Ennis sorts through syringes to be recycled at the EPA/ ENVA hazardous waste collection in Carnew Mart, Co Wicklow. Photo: Garry ONeill / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Alan Ennis sorts through syringes to be recycled at the EPA/ ENVA hazardous waste collection in Carnew Mart, Co Wicklow. Photo: Garry ONeill According to the EPA, an estimated 8,000t of hazardous or potentially hazardous waste is currently stored on Irish farms, along with a further 4,600t of electronic equipment and batteries. Last Friday, the scheme launched its latest collection drive at Carnew Mart in Wicklow - nine other centres, mostly at marts, will host collection days over the next five weeks. Jane Brogan, EPA scientific officer, has played a crucial part in rolling out the scheme which is getting busier every year. "It provides farmers with a solution for the difficult waste that they have sitting on their farms. They willingly come, they have everything separated and identified and they contribute to the cost of running these centres," she said. It costs 4/kg for all plastic and metal containers - whether contaminated or not - and 2/kg for pesticides, veterinary medicines, doses, dips, wormers, mastitus tubes, brake fluid adhesives and others. There is no charge to dispose of waste engine and electrical equipment or batteries. However, Ms Brogan is calling on the veterinary medicines and pesticides industry to "chip in" with funding. "The industry really should be contributing to this by providing a voluntary amount of money each year to help fund the collections. It is through the use of their products that these wastes are generated," she said. "We would like to see that they contribute financially to a centralised fund. That money could be used to set up an organisation where they manage and run 26 farm hazardous waste collections on an annual basis," she said. Although Ms Brogan acknowledges that there is a "legacy issue" when it comes to the disposal of hazardous wastes on farms, she says all farms generate waste every year. On average each farmer who used the centres in 2013, 2014 and 2015 - mostly dairy and beef farmers - had 34kg of pesticides, vet medicines, paints, contaminated containers, oil filters, corrosives, needles and syringes; 57kg of waste engine and hydraulic oils; 33kg of batteries, waste electronic and electrical equipment, and 0.25kg of POPs - persistent organic pollutants like DDT, endosulfan and lindane. These are extremely toxic to both human health and the environment. Ms Brogan said an accidental spill of a 5l container of DDT into the reservoir at Poulaphouca, Wicklow would pollute the reservoir twice over and destroy the freshwater ecosystem. The use of POPs is no longer permitted. Mixed farmers must be particularly cautious. "A beef farmer might have some tillage as well and they decide not to plant barley or wheat and they will have some pesticides left. That will be generated as a waste or become deregistered over time," she said. Data from the 2016 collections will inform authorities of a longer term, nationwide solution for a farm hazardous waste collection scheme. Despite relatively strong economic headwinds such as weak commodity prices, unfavourable exchange rates and political uncertainties, John Deere remains optimistic about the company's progress in its core businesses. "With our ongoing efforts to provide our customers with advanced technology and innovative intelligent solutions, we are confident about addressing all the important market segments," says Helmut Korthober, John Deere's Marketing Director for Europe. "We are continuing to enhance our product range by relaunching smaller tractors and balers, by updating our professional lines of combines and sprayers and by adding a new 8R Series flagship to our large horsepower tractor range." Many of these innovative products, says Korthober, are the result of John Deere's commitment to research and development, reflected in expenditures of more than $1.4bn or 5.5pc of equipment net sales in 2015 (more than US$6m per working day). According to Korthober, John Deere was well advised to have completed the consolidation of its dealer network as part of the firm's controversial 'Dealer of Tomorrow' strategy in recent years, "a process that some of our key competitors still have to undergo," he warned. Within the past 10 years, John Deere dealers around Europe have reduced in number but those remaining have in some instances more than doubled their businesses. The move was designed to bring about a large scaling up of average dealer size and spare parts capacities. In Ireland the process was perhaps best demonstrated by Templetouhy Farm Machinery, which now haa six branches with parts in stock worth an estimated 3.4m. Irish engineering firm PM Group is to hire an additional 500 staff by 2020 and says it has seen no real impact yet from the UK's decision to exit the European Union. The Irish Independent believes that a deal late last year to buy back a near 25pc stake in the business owned by multinational Amec Foster Wheeler valued PM Group at over 60m. It's thought that Amec Foster Wheeler received about 15m for its stake. But PM Group chief executive Dave Murphy declined to comment on the sale price, citing a confidentiality agreement inked as part of the transaction. PM Group - whose blue-chip clients include firms such as AstraZeneca, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Google, Dell and Glanbia - said yesterday that its operating profit jumped last year by 21pc to 10.9m. While revenue fell to 297.3m from 349.4m in 2014, the company said this was a result of a reduction in so-called "pass through" revenue associated with the variance of construction contracts. Mr Murphy said that underlying revenue was up, however. PM Group generated 119.2m of its revenue in Ireland last year, 85.3m from the UK, 4.4m in the US, and 42m from continental Europe. An additional 46m was generated in other regions, primarily Asia. The company has offices in Singapore and Shanghai. Chief financial officer Larry Westman said that the impacts for the group from June's Brexit vote have largely been confined to PM Group's own accounting, with the sterling slump having a negative translation effect into euros. "We're supplying services out of Ireland, so the costs go up for those in the UK," he said. "There's some uncertainty on the ground in the UK. There's nothing drastic. There's still great buoyancy in the pharma sector." He said that GSK - a client - remained "very bullish" about its own plans, for instance. Mr Murphy said that other regions, including Asia, also remained strong. The company now employs 120 people in Singapore and 100 in Shanghai. "Asia was very good for us both last year and this year," he said. He added that med-tech and pharmaceuticals were helping to drive business in the region. While Mr Murphy declined to discuss the sale price agreed with Amec Foster Wheeler, he said that the deal meant PM Group was now entirely owned by staff. About 150 executives and managers own a combined 75pc of the business, with about another 400 staff owning the remaining 25pc. The group employed 2,150 people in 2015. The company has already hired 100 graduates from the 500 it intends to hire by 2020. Of the 500, PM Group said 250 will be based in Ireland. The EU has launched a corporate tax clampdown that could hit Ireland's tax revenues. The proposed consolidated corporate tax base (CCCTB) is the latest salvo in Brussels' battle against multinational tax avoidance. It contains a new system for calculating corporate taxes in Europe and a formula to decide where those taxes should be paid. Tax rates will not be affected - the Taoiseach has said repeatedly that Ireland's 12.5pc is "not up for grabs" - but the rules could affect our corporate tax take. EU tax chief Pierre Moscovici said the Commission is "addressing the concerns of both businesses and citizens in one fell swoop". "The many conversations I've had as Taxation Commissioner have made it crystal clear to me that companies need simpler tax rules within the EU. At the same time, we need to drive forward our fight against tax avoidance, which is delivering real change," Mr Moscovici said. The proposal resurrects a 2011 scheme that foundered during talks between EU finance officials, who found the draft too complex and feared it strayed too far into national tax sovereignty. The Commission estimates the rules could add 1.2pc to EU growth and boost total investment in the bloc by 3.4pc, via incentives such as cross-border loss relief, a R&D tax credit and deductions for equity injections. But Peter Vale, a tax partner in Grant Thornton, said the rules would have "a significant impact on a small economy such as Ireland as they would see a major reallocation of taxable profit and erode the benefit of our low 12.5pc tax rate". Tax matters are always a sore subject for Ireland abroad, with the Taoiseach last week recalling how he was bawled out by France over the 12.5pc tax rate at his first EU summit in 2011. The proposals also come at a difficult time for the Government, following the Commission's decision on Apple. Read More: German MEP Burkhard Balz, a member of Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling Christian Democratic party, said countries who oppose the new rules are dishonest. "States who oppose these new rules want to base their economies on taking bread out of the mouths of others," said Mr Balz, who sits in the same EU parliamentary grouping as Fine Gael. The proposals require the unanimous sign-off of all EU countries, and the Government will not be alone in its opposition. Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands and Poland were sceptical last time around, while Belgium has just begun a separate overhaul of its corporate tax rules that it won't want to complicate. Malta, which will take over the EU's rotating presidency in January, was also opposed to the 2011 draft, as was Slovakia, which holds the current six-month presidency. It remains to be seen how the UK, which opposed the 2011 proposals, will react. Pierre Moscovici appealed to EU finance ministers yesterday to "look at this ambitious and timely package with a fresh pair of eyes". CCCTB goes much further than the OECD's Beps (base erosion and profit shifting) rules, which targeted individual tax loopholes and is supported by Ireland. "Crucially, this goes to the core issue of the tax base for countries, probably more substantially than Beps does," said Fergal O'Brien of the Irish business and employers' federation, Ibec. GARDAI are investigating a forestry investment company amid suspicions it could be a pyramid scheme, the High Court has heard. Arden Forestry Management is involved in investment in forests in Ireland and registered here - although most of its 132 investors are based in the UK. Mr Justice Robert Haughton agreed to appoint a provisional liquidator on the application of the directors after hearing it was insolvent and unable to pay its debts. The judge said, arising out of the Garda investigation, there had been a blocking order on its main bank account with AIB in Ireland which meant it was effectively unable to operate. He was satisfied to appoint Declan Delacy as provisional liquidator and directed the appointment be advertised. Earlier, Declan Murphy BL, for the directors, said gardai were conducting an investigation amid "suspicions this is a pyramid". A liquidator could get in and investigate what has happened, he said. America's largest pilot union has said it will drop its opposition to a plan by Norwegian Air International to use Ireland as a base to serve America - if the carrier formally tells the US Department of Transportation that it will only hire crew on US or Irish contracts. "They're willing to say that to the Irish people, so they should be willing to say it to the US Department of Transportation (DOT)," union president Tim Canoll told the Irish Independent in Dublin. "If they do that one final step, the resistance of airline pilots' unions would melt away." The union - Air Line Pilots' Association (ALPA) - is the world's biggest pilot union, with over 53,000 members. Dublin-based Norwegian Air International (NAI) - a subsidiary of Norwegian Air Shuttle - has publicly committed to using only US or European crew on its planned NAI transatlantic services. That's part of an effort to appease concerns in the US that it would hire crews based in Asia, or offer staff less lucrative contracts than they would if they were NAI employees. "They just need to tell that to the DOT in a filing so that they're committed to it," said Mr Canoll. He said ALPA had encouraged NAI to make that commitment, but it had "refused". "That gives us pause," he said. ALPA has opposed NAI's plans to use Ireland as a base to avail of the Open Skies agreement between the European Union and the United States. That agreement allows airlines from the EU to fly to any destination in the US, and vice versa. NAI initially plans to launch low-cost transatlantic services from Cork to Boston and New York. It had hoped to launch the Boston service last summer. Norwegian Air Shuttle already flies from Europe to the US. "I want Norwegian Air International to succeed and go forward," said Mr Canoll. "I think competition is a great thing." ALPA is concerned that NAI would gain an unfair economic advantage over US airlines if it used workers from outside the US or EU. For three years, the US DOT has been sitting on an application from NAI to secure a foreign carrier permit to allow it to operate between the EU and the US. The DOT said in April that it intended to grant the permit, but it has still not been issued. It could be some time before it is. The delay has provoked the ire of the European Commission, which has said that wider trade agreements between the US and the EU could now be threatened. Hillary Clinton is opposed to NAI's plans. One of the largest members of ALPA, representing over 12,000 pilots, has publicly endorsed her presidential bid. The executive council of the American Federation of Labour-Congress of Industrial Organisations (AFL-CIO), of which ALPA is a member, has also endorsed her. Mr Canoll sits on the AFL-CIO executive council. If she's elected, the Clinton administration would have to sign off on the NAI permit being issued. Mr Canoll said ALPA would consider legal action if a permit was issued without its concerns being addressed. A spokesman for NAI was uncontactable. Two-thirds of those employed in the Irish Information, Communication and Technologies (ICT) sector are over the age of 35, according to latest data released by Eurostat. The figures, from the EU's statistical office, show that 67pc of all ICT professionals are over 35, offering a strong pool of experienced talent to potential employers here. The Irish ICT sector has grown by 40pc since 2010 and currently provides 105,000 jobs. That includes indigenous firms who employ over 12,000 people, and whose revenues top 2bn annually. Ireland is also ranked first in the EU when it comes to the availability of skilled workers capable of filling ICT roles. Paul Sweetman, director of the ICT Ireland, said: "Globally, the availability of talent for technology companies is a key challenge. While there is considerable demand for talent in Ireland - as with other technology jurisdictions - Ireland moved first and fast to turning this challenge into a competitive advantage. Our joint industry/government ICT Skills Action Plan is a major achievement for the sector which goes a long way to addressing the issue. The plan puts Ireland head-and-shoulders above other countries in meeting the demand for talent." The report also shows that the ICT sector has been one of the most resilient areas of employment over the past decade across the EU. Expand Expand Previous Next Close / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp While most sectors suffered major contractions in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, the ICT sector remained robust, posting steady growth of 3pc between 2006 and 2015. That figure is eight times higher than the average growth rates in other sectors during the past decade. Since 2012, there has been a sharp spike in the number of ICT professionals across the continent. There was growth of 9pc in the sector in 2012, 5pc in 2013, followed by 3pc. This year, the EU launched the Digital and Jobs Coalition, an initiative set up to address IT shortfalls. The scheme will focus on establishing national digital skills coalitions that connect public authorities, business, education, training and labour markets In addition, the Coalition aims to develop measures aimed at bringing digital skills and competences to all levels of education. Ireland has attracted some of the world's largest IT firms to set up offices in the country in recent years, with nine out of the top 10 US technology companies based here. The Eurostat report also underlines gender inequalities in the sector, however. The sectoral composition across the 28 EU member states is 84pc men and just 16pc women. In Ireland, 81pc of all ICT specialists are male, with 19pc female. While Ireland's ratio of women to men is slightly better than average, more can be done. Mr Sweetman said that although the figures surrounding gender inequality were a concern for the industry, the Irish authorities were taking action to address the problem: "The gender imbalance in the sector is a concern and one faced by technology companies globally. "Early this year, we called for government to establish a diversity action plan, backed by a commitment from the highest levels of government that Ireland will be the first to successfully tackle this issue. "I am happy to say that we are working very positively with government and other organisations in pushing this issue forward." Businessman Denis OBrien has rejected the findings of a Sinn Fein commissioned report into media ownership in Ireland while warning the future of traditional media is bleak. In a lengthy statement this evening, Mr OBrien is heavily critical of the report and the coverage it was afforded in a variety of media outlets. He cast doubt over the independent nature of the report given it was commissioned by Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan on behalf of the European United Left/Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL) Group of the European Parliament. He adds that Gerry Adams party is very diligent and adept when it comes to pushing its agendas, overtly and covertly. The report claimed Ireland has "one of the most concentrated media markets of any democracy" and says it is "imperative that urgent action is taken, and seen to be taken, to reassure journalists, media organisations and the wider public". It cites RTE and Mr OBrien, who is a shareholder in the publisher of this website Independent News & Media, as the two most important controlling entities in the Irish media landscape. And it recommends a Commission of Inquiry into media ownership in Ireland. However, the businessman said today that it fails to put any focus on the fact RTE is the largest media entity in Ireland, the only entity involved in TV, radio and print and is subsidized by license fees amounting to 178.9m. He makes reference to Sinn Feins position on the Apple tax judgement, noting that on the eve of the Budget, Sinn Fein TD Eoin OBroin said: Budget Day is all about choices. For decades, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, have looked after the big guy whether that be Denis OBrien or Apple. In response, Mr OBrien says: I am absolutely convinced that the contribution that Apple has made in this country is unquantifiable in financial and social terms. What about the thousands of young women and men who did not have to emigrate and who got a chance to work, live and raise families in Cork? I have said that Apple should not be punished for its tax arrangements in Ireland. The statement describes Sinn Feins stance on Apple as both anti-enterprise and anti-Irish. He also takes issue with a section of the report which lists him as the chairperson of Communicorp which owns Newstalk and Today FM. It maybe a rather inconvenient truth, but I am not. I suppose why let the facts interfere with the agenda and the messaging Mr OBrien said., before acknowledging that he is the owner of Communicorp which which like RTE, TV3, The Irish Examiner and The Sunday Business Post operates in a very challenging environment. He goes to question whether members of the media are objective when talking and writing about the industry. The media industry in Ireland is in decline. This decline has been ongoing for many years and it threatens an industry that has served this country exceptionally well, providing high levels of employment and spawned a number of writers who have deservedly achieved international acclaim, he says. The statement says that Independent News & Media was days from forced closure back 2011 and over 2bn in shareholder value had been lost. Shares had collapsed from 27.30 to 41 cents. Mr OBrien notes that he became a substantial minority shareholder in the company but is not on the board. He adds: I understand The Irish Times is currently considering various funding options. I believe that some media companies will not survive this decade without radical structuring including substantial funding. In his statement, Mr O'Brien said RTE and other media outlets did not seek a comment from him in response to the report. But maybe the powers that be in Montrose felt that they had been given a free pass in the report that they chose just to quote from it?" Tonight, RTE Head of News Kevin Bakhurst claimed RTE had contacted Mr O'Brien's representatives. However, a representative for Mr O'Brien again claimed they were not contacted. I do not believe the Irish media is objective in relation to matters relating to itself. The prime reason is survival. Every media executive and journalist knows that the future of traditional media is bleak. It makes one entity undermining another easier to justify, he said. Mr OBrien concludes: The report references the words chilling effect and the law in the same sentence. I bow to Sinn Feins superior knowledge on these topics. Maybe instead of commissioning reports Sinn Fein would commit just some of its vast resources and support an ailing industry - become a fully-fledged broadcaster and publisher and create some jobs for a change? The Government's new help-to-buy scheme will push up prices next year and the following year, according to a stockbroker. An analysis by Davy sees prices rising by 7pc next year. This would mean a 300,000 home would be 21,000 more expensive next year. The stockbroker had expected prices to rise by 5pc next year, but is now predicting higher growth due to the new first-time buyer incentive and a tighter housing market. Davy expects prices to rise by 6pc in 2018, and then by 5pc after that. Housing Minister Simon Coveney has been repeatedly forced to defend the help-to-buy initiative since it was announced in the Budget earlier this month. And he has defended changes to the scheme, describing them as worth implementing and "relatively minor". The changes mean applicants must take out a mortgage of at least 70pc of the value of a home to qualify, instead of the original figure of 80pc. Economist Conall Mac Coille of Davy said in the report on the property market that the help-to-buy scheme would push up prices next year. "This follows stronger-than-expected price movements in 2016, a tighter housing market and the new help-to-buy scheme, which provides home buyers with a 5pc tax rebate," he said. The economist predicted that the first-time buyer tax rebate will have a broader take-up than a similar UK scheme. Mr Mac Coille said that the incentive would average around 10,000 for first-time buyers availing of it to purchase or build a new home. He estimated 5,000 borrowers would avail of the scheme. Davy also expects growth in the mortgage market. It is forecasting lending of 5bn this year. This will rise to 6.2bn in 2017 and 10.2bn by 2020, provided that home building rises towards the 25,000 units a year. This figure is seen as necessary to satisfy demographic demand. Figures from the Central Statistics Office last week showed prices rose by 7.2pc in the year up to August. This was the sharpest annual increase since June of last year. The new research comes after Governor of the Central Bank Philip Lane hit out at the help-to-buy scheme. He said it could end up serving as a subsidy for builders. Prof Lane said that unless there was a big increase in the number of new builds, the scheme would benefit builders more than borrowers. He also says the scheme runs the risk of helping households that do not need assistance to pull together the deposit for a home. Meanwhile, a survey among first-time buyers done for Bank of Ireland shows that most of them believe the new help-to-buy scheme introduced in the Budget will make it easier for them to buy their first home. A third said it would not help, and 16pc were unsure. The survey was conducted among more than 200 prospective first-time buyers countrywide, in the 25 to 45 age group, by Red C for Bank of Ireland. The vast majority of those surveyed are currently renting, paying an average of 840 per month, with 32pc paying more than 1,000 per month in rent. When asked about the single biggest challenge facing first-time buyers, 46pc said it was the cost of property, 30pc said it was the ability to save for the deposit, and 15pc said it was the lack of availability of supply in the areas in which they would like to buy. Most first-time buyers are already saving to buy a home and of these half have been saving for more than two years. Some 22pc have been saving for one to two years, while the remainder have been saving for less than one year. Q: What is the CCCTB? A: The EU's common consolidated corporate tax base, a single set of tax rules for large multinationals operating within the 28-member EU. The idea is to eliminate national tax loopholes and treat companies in a group as one entity in the EU for tax purposes. Q: How would it work? A: First, it sets out a single definition of taxable profits (including deductions, reliefs and credits) for multinationals with global revenues over 750m. Second, it says companies should pay their final tax bills in countries where they have their sales, assets and payroll (known as "consolidation"). The second phase would only apply once the first is agreed. Q: Is it anything to do with corporate tax rates? A: No, it targets how corporate taxes are calculated. But experts - and even the Commission - say it could have an indirect effect on tax rates if countries find they are losing out on corporate tax revenues. Q: Why does it sound familiar? A: This is the second time around for the CCCTB. A first draft, published in 2011, was officially withdrawn by the EU this week after getting bogged down in technical wrangling and political infighting. Q: So what's different now? A: The Panama Papers and other tax rows are pressuring governments to clamp down on multinationals over tax, making the EU more confident it can win support for the proposal now. The EU has also changed the 2011 proposal slightly, making it mandatory for large companies (it was optional before) and leaving the more controversial "consolidation" bit till later. Q: What are the benefits? A: Companies would only have to file a single tax return, and would get EU-wide deductions for R&D and equity injections, and relief on cross-border losses. The Commission estimates it would boost growth by 1.2pc, investment by 3.4pc, employment by 0.6pc, and cut administrative costs for companies by 2.5pc. Q: Why is it controversial? A: It has a formula to decide where multinationals should pay taxes, cutting close to the bone on sovereignty and potentially eating into some countries' corporate tax revenues. Q: Who is in favour of it? A: France, Germany and Italy, as well as many companies, large and small, as it simplifies tax returns. Small firms, who can't afford to shop around the bloc for tax deals, back it. Q: Who is opposed to it? A: Sweden, the Netherlands, Poland, the UK, Denmark and others had problems with the 2011 draft. Malta and Slovakia, who will steer initial talks on the 2016 version, were also sceptical in the past. Other low-tax countries, such as Cyprus and Bulgaria, are likely to have issues. The Irish business and employers' federation is not keen on it. Q: Does Ireland have a veto? A: Yes. Tax matters require the unanimous approval of all 28 EU countries. An airplane takes off over the rooftops of nearby houses at Heathrow Airport in Harmondsworth. Photo: AP Britain has backed an 18bn (20bn) expansion of Heathrow Airport that ends 25 years of indecision and promises to boost global trade links following the vote to leave the European Union. Europe's busiest airport defeated a proposal from smaller rival Gatwick and will secure the first new full-length runway to be built near London in 70 years. Environmental and political protests scuppered previous attempts. British prime minister Theresa May, a former critic of Heathrow expansion, said she had opted for a plan that would boost the economy, create jobs and provide access to global markets. But her decision put her on an immediate collision course with senior politicians, including Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who oppose the plan. "After decades of delay we are showing that we will take the big decisions when they're the right decisions for Britain," she told London's 'Evening Standard' newspaper. The decision to jump-start one of Europe's biggest infrastructure projects is one of Ms May's most significant moves since she took office in July and follows her approval in September of a $24bn nuclear power plant at Hinkley Point. By choosing to build a third runway at Heathrow, which will require rebuilding parts of the motorway circling London, Ms May opted for the more expensive and complex option over cheaper plans to extend a Heathrow runway or build a new one at Gatwick. According to a three-year study by Britain's independent Airports Commission, a new runway at Heathrow would create 70,000 new jobs by 2050 and increase gross domestic product by between 0.65 and 0.75pc over the same period. It will also enable Britain to keep pace with Europe's biggest airports in Paris, Amsterdam and Frankfurt, which boast greater capacity, while Heathrow's established links with emerging markets were seen to strengthen its case in the wake of Britain's June vote to leave the EU. But, within hours of the decision, politicians were lining up to denounce it. Foreign Secretary Johnson said a third runway was "undeliverable". London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he would oppose the expansion, and MP Zac Goldsmith is expected to leave the Conservative Party over the issue. The project is now likely to face legal challenges and a final vote by politicians in a year's time, meaning the runway can only open by 2025 at the earliest. (Reuters) Author Cecelia Ahern has credited panto queen Twink for instilling a good work ethic in her. In 1998, Cecelia performed in Twink's panto at the Olympia, Rockin' Hood: Prince of Thieves, as part of a mock girl-band called B'wildered. "I learned a lot from Twink about work ethic, she's an incredible force, super talented. I really only have good things to say about her," she said. Cecelia also shared the stage with other panto veterans including Dustin the Turkey and Samantha Mumba. Expand Close xxxxx / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp xxxxx "Dustin was the biggest diva - he was constantly going off script," she said. The writer also spoke about her brief pop career with four-piece band Shimma. The band formed in 2000 and tried to get through to the Eurovision with single When You Are Near. "For a long time I cringed, but now I show my kids and say 'Look mummy's in a belly top'. I wish I could wear that now," she said. Cecelia says she is glad that Shimma disbanded. "I wouldn't be writing if we had gone on to be the next Abba," she said. "Rejection is good because it makes you realise what your path should be." The author was speaking at the launch of the Bord Gais Energy Irish Book Awards. Read More Graham Norton, Jilly Cooper, Pippa O'Connor, comedian Jason Byrne and Louise McSharry have all made the cut for this year's Bord Gais Energy Book Awards. Video of the Day Norton's debut novel, Holding, has been nominated in the Irish Independent's Popular Fiction Book of the Year and will go up against Cecelia for Lyrebird and rugger bugger Ross O'Carroll-Kelly's Game of Thrown-ins. Broadcaster Louise McSharry's memoir Fat Chance has been listed in the Popular Non-Fiction Book of the Year. McSharry is in a tough category with comedian Jason Byrne also getting the nod for Adventures of a Wonky Eyed Boy. Kathleen Watkins' book Pigin of Howth has been nominated for Children's Book of the Year alongside father-and-daughter writing team Fatti and John Burke's Histropedia. Viewers' first look at the man holding Katy O'Brien (Amilia Clarke Stewart) It seems that Fair City resident Katy O'Brien's terrifying ordeal at the hands of her kidnapper is far from over. Tensions on the Carrigstown soap cranked up a notch this week as viewers had a first look at the man holding her. Sadly, her captor had his face covered with a mask, meaning the suspense is set to continue. Feeling frustrated and alone, Katy can't take it any more and lashes out, furiously trashing her room while roaring in rage at her captor. Expand Close Fair City's Katy / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Fair City's Katy Shortly afterwards, exhausted after her outburst, Katy falls asleep on her bed. While she is sleeping the door silently opens and her captor, wearing a balaclava, enters, surveys the wreckage of the room and watches an exhausted Katy sleep. Wearing a black mask, jeans and check shirt, her mysterious abductor leans over her menacingly. The youngster went missing from Carrigstown last May after finding out about her mother Debbie's affair with Tommy. Expand Close Fair City's Katy / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Fair City's Katy After she failed to keep in touch with her family, her dad Eoin became more and more worried. However, guilty wife Debbie was convinced that Katy was just staying away to punish her for her dirty deed with Tommy. Soon, concern reached breaking point and her desperate family got the gardai involved, convinced some ill fate had befallen her. In the show's 4,000th episode last month, things took an even more sinister turn when Katy was seen to be alive, but being held captive in a small cell. Video of the Day In recent episodes, she got increasingly frustrated at her situation, refusing to eat and erupting in rage at her imprisonment. The kidnapper has also been taunting Katy with information about her family - leaving a newspaper article for her that told how her father, Eoin, had been cleared of causing the death of her brother, Michael, last year. Since Katy's disappearance, her parents have split up and Eoin learned of his wife's infidelity with Tommy leaving the ex-couple at logger heads. In other Fair City happenings, tonight sees long suffering wife Niamh ramp up her campaign to get revenge on cheating husband Paul. Dermot, who is hiding a cancer battle and scheming with friend Niamh to rid Paul of all his money, tells her that their plan is ready to go. Niamh however is concerned when she sees Dermot leaning on his desk for support. Just when accountant Dermot calls on Paul to get him to sign the paperwork which unknowingly would relinquish him of his assets, Paul begins to get cold feet about the deal. A soldier and garda at the scene of the an incident in Dublin The Army will not step in to cover for gardai when they strike for the first time in their history, according to the defence force's union. As a strike looms on Friday week, the deputy general secretary of Pdforra, Gerard Guinan, said the Justice Minister had made it clear there were no plans for the Army to be involved, so it had not issued any instructions to members. "This is not unprecedented," he said. "The defence forces were not called on when the blue flu took place." Government sources agreed that such a move is unlikely as Army personnel cannot make arrests and do not have the power to "stop and search" individuals. A union representing airport police in Dublin, Cork and Shannon said they will resist any attempt to get them to carry out Garda duties when gardai fail to report for duty for four days next month. Siptu warned that its 280 members will not provide any backup by carrying out functions like checking passports when gardai take industrial action in pursuit of faster restoration of pay cuts suffered during the financial crisis. "Airport police are probably logical candidates for the immigration work, but our members will be carrying out their duties, and not other people's duties," said sector organiser, Greg Ennis. "No one has approached us to do anything else outside that, and if they did, we won't be accepting that." He refused to say whether the union's position was taken in support of the stance of gardai. A second union representing hundreds of Garda civilian staff said it has also instructed them not to provide cover. The Public Service Executive Union's warning came as the Civil, Public and Service Union told its members to reject any management attempt to get them to cover for colleagues. With little evidence that much backup will be available, pressure is mounting on Tanaiste and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald to give full details of her department's contingency plan if the unprecedented industrial action goes ahead. A spokesman for the Justice Department said Ms Fitzgerald has made it clear that her focus has been on resolving the dispute. "Of course, background contingency planning is ongoing. The Tanaiste and the department will continue to liaise closely with the Garda authorities about all aspects of the dispute," the spokesman said. "The Garda authorities will take whatever measures possible to ensure the best possible policing service remains in place whatever the circumstances. "There have been public comments already about the association's willingness to provide cover in emergency circumstances. So the question of contingency arrangements is being addressed. However, the focus remains on resolving the dispute." The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors said it had made "no progress" at talks with department officials to avert further industrial action. It is due to attend talks today, its third meeting in six days. It has already embarked on a campaign of industrial action after lodging a claim for a 16.5pc pay rise, despite signing up to the Lansdowne Road Agreement. This Friday, members will not use the Pulse computer system or carry out administrative duties. "We entered two days of talks last week and gave certain commitments which we fulfilled. However, it is disappointing that we are not in a position to report any meaningful progress," said president Antoinette Cunningham. Independent TD Clare Daly has launched an unprecedented attack on the judge who issued a bench warrant for her when she failed to appear before a court hearing on a speeding charge. In her extraordinary comments, Ms Daly labelled Judge Desmond Zaidans decision to issue a warrant as ludicrous and claimed he was causing huge problems with regard to the administration of justice. She claimed the judge singled her out for a bench warrant after she left Naas District Court three weeks ago. Earlier on Wednesday, she was fined 300 for the speeding offence and was accused of showing a total disrespect for the law by Mr Justice Zaidan. The judge said he issued the warrant because Ms Dalys solicitor did not offer a reason for his client leaving the court. He also accused her of abusing the court process by changing her plea to not guilty while not having the courtesy to tell the courts why. During the hearing Mr Justice Zaidan told the TD to "stand up straight". On Wednesday night, during a Dail debate on judicial appointment, Ms Daly then attacked Mr Justice Zaidan saying her case was an example of the outrageous decisions taking place in the courts Ms Daly said she received a summons to appear before Naas District Court for allegedly breaking the speed limit. She said the case was not down for a full hearing the day she appeared and was listed as 188 on the court schedule. Ms Daly said the judge is known for religiously hearing cases in the order they appear on his list. On the day, she watched the cases being heard until lunch time before instructing her solicitor and leaving. She claimed the judge reached the 175th case by the end of the sitting but then jumped to her case and called her solicitor before the court to explain his clients absence. I watched how the judge had dealt with the cases there before me, saw cases were people had not turned up on similar charges, did not have a solicitor on similar charges and no bench warrants or any proceedings were dealt with, she said. I had to listen to the same judge lecturing me about respecting his court, not giving me an opportunity to say anything about his irrational decision, she added. Yesterday, when her case was called, her solicitor Cairbre Finan told Judge Zaidan that his client wished to convey to the court that there was no insult intended or implied in her actions on the last occasion. He also said Ms Daly wished to change her plea to not guilty, but Judge Zaidan said he would require a reason for this change before he would allow it. Today the case is listed for sentencing, he said. When the case was called again, Mr Finan said the position remained that Ms Daly wished to plead not guilty, and he admitted he would have to excuse himself from the case following the change of instructions. Judge Zaidan reiterated that the case was in for sentencing and refused to allow her to change her plea. Inspector Patsy Glennon told the court that on January 1 last, Ms Dalys car was detected travelling at 59kmh in a 50kmh zone at Ballymany, Newbridge. Insp Glennon said the defendant has two previous convictions dating back to the same incident when she breached the perimeter of Shannon Airport. Ms Daly interrupted court proceedings to say that it was very unfair on Mr Finan when the judge invited him to address the evidence that had been presented against her. The judge told her she could have her say, and instructed her to stand up straight. He outlined the history of the case and the issuing of the bench warrant which, he clarified, was because Mr Finan had been unable to give a reason for why she had left. He reiterated that he thought it was disrespectful to the court. He also took issue with comments which he said were attributed to her in the Irish Times, to the effect that the bench warrant was rubbish. If every citizen took that view, one would have to seriously question where it leaves the administration of justice, he said. Mr Finan said his clients comments referred to media reaction to the bench warrant rather than the courts action. He added that she had not spoken to the Irish Times. Judge Zaidan suggested that if your client thinks the Irish Times has misquoted her, she should take it up with the paper. He described Ms Dalys attempt to change her plea as a total abuse of court process when she didnt have the common courtesy to tell the court why. Ms Daly said she hoped she would have an opportunity to speak, to respond to several inaccuracies in what youve said. The judge said that she would have, although once he had finalised his comments by fining her he closed the case and called for the next case. Recognisances were fixed at a cash bond of 100 should Ms Daly decide to appeal. Garda Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan was openly challenged at a meeting of her senior management team after she proposed to "name and shame" under-performing Garda districts at an upcoming summit of superintendents. The proposal to effectively single out certain Garda districts was shot down at a meeting in Garda Headquarters last Friday amid fears it would cause further divisions within the force. It was argued that now is not the time to risk alienating gardai of superintendent rank in light of the threatened industrial unrest by rank-and-file and middle-ranking officers. But later in the meeting, the Commissioner significantly toned down her proposal with sources insisting she recognised that she may have used the "wrong choice of words". One source insisted that at no point did the Commissioner intend to do anything that would upset superintendents. Nonetheless, the clash illustrates the strained relations at the moment within Garda Headquarters. Another meeting between Garda management and superintendents is scheduled to take place at the Garda Club in Westmanstown, West Dublin, on Tuesday. Commissioner O'Sullivan has now personally written to all superintendents, stating that the meeting next week will be to discuss issues about crime statistics detailed by the CSO. In the letter, the Commissioner stressed the need to move from a "blame to a learning culture". The meeting is expected to hear of contingency plans ahead of the first day of strike action by members of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) three days later. GRA sources said they widely anticipate the strike action to go ahead - unless the Government tables a radically improved set of proposals relating to pay tomorrow. There was also widespread dismay among GRA members following the decision by the Commissioner to fly to San Diego for a policing conference, despite the threat of industrial action. Sources said it showed a level of "detachment" between senior management and rank-and-file gardai. In a statement last night, a spokesman for the Commissioner said the meeting on November 1 will focus heavily on "data quality". "The Commissioner wrote to all of An Garda Siochana's senior leadership team on Monday requesting that any issues regarding systems, data or processes relating to data quality be identified in advance of the meeting," the statement said. "In keeping with the renewal of our culture, the Commissioner stressed in her letter the need to move from a blame to a learning culture. The meeting on November 1 2016 will focus on how Garda management can encourage proper and accurate data recording among personnel, and ensure the proper supports, systems and processes are in place to support continuous improvement in this area." The news comes as a senior officer in the force puts the finishing touches to a protected disclosure that will urge the Justice Minister to take "immediate action" to tackle what he describes as a "dysfunctional" environment within the force. It's expected the disclosure will be sent to retired High Court judge Iarfhlaith O'Neill, who is examining claims of a smear campaign against whistleblowers. A Central Criminal Court jury has found a Waterford man guilty of murdering a fellow Cork Prison inmate following an argument over switching television channels. Brian Veale (31) of Dominic Street, Cork had pleaded not guilty to murdering Graham Johnson at Cork Prison, Rathmore Road in Cork City on May 16, 2015. Expand Close Brian Veale found guilty of murder / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Brian Veale found guilty of murder Today a jury of seven men and five women found Veale guilty by unanimous verdict of murdering Mr Johnson in Cork Prison kitchen. They had deliberated for one hour and 56 minutes. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy thanked the jury for their time and exempted them from jury service for a period of 15 years. Thank you for your care and attention throughout the trial. It was very apparent you concentrated hard on the evidence, she said. Expand Close Graham Johnson, who was murdered in a prison kitchen / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Graham Johnson, who was murdered in a prison kitchen The court adjourned sentencing until November 7. Ms Justice Kennedy remanded Veale in custody until that date when a victim impact statement will be before the court. The four day trial heard that Veale stabbed Mr Johnson in the kitchen of Cork Prison after an argument over switching television channels. Both men were inmates at Cork Prison and they knew each other. Expand Close Cork Prison where the incident happened / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Cork Prison where the incident happened The verbal altercation between the two men took place at around 3pm on May 16 and then finished but sometime after 5pm that same day Veale came across the kitchen with a knife and stabbed the deceased in the chest area. State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy gave evidence in the trial and told the jury that Mr Johnson died from a single stab wound to the front of the chest. A middle-aged man who attempted to save his marriage by blackmailing his sister-in-law for 10,000 with false claims her husband was having an affair with a pornographic model has been remanded in custody. Pat ODwyer (52) hatched the bizarre blackmail scheme in an apparent bid to save his own marriage. Judge Dave Riordan at Cork Circuit Criminal Court warned that the offences had "doubly-victimised" the defendant's innocent sister-in-law, Ria Burgoyne, and her devoted husband. O'Dwyer received a three year suspended sentence last June for using an article (a sock) in an attempt to hide his fingerprints after planning to collect 10,000 in blackmail money from Mrs Burgoyne in an isolated Cork shed. The father of two, from Wolfe Tone Place, Thurles, Co Tipperary, had also pleaded guilty to demanding money, namely 10,000, with menaces from his sister-in-law between October 20 and 23 last. He was due to be sentenced on the demanding money with menaces charge but was remanded in custody for a week by Judge Riordan with a sentence due to be imposed next Wednesday. Judge Riordan previously queried whether O'Dwyer had anything to say to his sister-in-law and her husband? "I am sorry for what happened," O'Dwyer replied. Judge Riordan noted that Mr and Mrs Burgoyne had been "doubly-victimised" - firstly by the offence itself and secondly by details of it having been aired publicly. He noted that O'Dwyer was described as having "narcissistic" tendencies with one psychiatrist saying he needed further evaluation for possible chronic psychotic disorder. The judge described the offence as being at the mid to upper range. Judge Riordan was told by Det Sergeant Sean Leahy that ODwyer apparently blamed his sister-in-law for the recent failure of his own marriage. He also hoped that if he managed to get 10,000 it might help him persuade his wife to give their marriage another chance. Judge Riordan described the victim impact statement of Mrs Burgoyne as harrowing. The court heard that ODwyer sent a package to the woman who was stunned, on opening it, to discover explicit photos of a pornographic actress. Det Sergeant Leahy said the package, which was received by the victim on October 9 2015 at her place of work, also contained a detailed hand-written note. That note falsely claimed the womans husband was having an affair with the model depicted in the photos and further claimed that some of her husbands underwear and semen samples were in the writers possession. Immediately upon receipt of the shocking package, Mrs Burgoyne contacted the Gardai. All the allegations in the letter were false and Mrs Burgoyne was advised to wait until the individual made contact again. Suspicion fell on the defendant from a very early stage of the investigation. Mrs Burgoyne received two further letters one of which detailed exactly how the 10,000 demanded in cash was to be handed over in return for the underwear and DNA samples. Det Garda Leahy explained that a major garda intelligence operation was mounted which included placing lengthy surveillance on an old barn outside Whitegate. Some time later, the defendant was viewed entering the barn and he was detained by officers hidden outside. Gardai found him to be in possession of a balaclava and an old sock. He was apparently using the latter as a make-shift glove so he wouldnt leave fingerprints at the scene. Judge Riordan was told ODwyer co-operated fully with detectives, made detailed admissions and pleaded guilty at the earliest possible opportunity. He is now deeply remorseful over what happened. The bizarre extortion scheme was apparently partly aimed at trying to restore his own marriage while also targeting Mrs Burgoyne whose strong marriage he was very envious of. The court was told that ODwyers entire motivation was to try and portray himself in a good light with his former partner. Judge Riordan was told by defence counsel, Ray Boland BL, the defendant had a very confused outlook on matters and was very upset by his marital problems. The court heard the defendant had also suffered a series of severe personal blows including the tragic loss of a baby boy, the deaths of his parents, severe business difficulties and then his own marriage problems. Judge Riordan adjourned sentencing on the demanding money with menaces charge until November 2. A former nursing home manager has been jailed for 15 months after she stole 45,000 from a patient. Maeve Bell (38) was the clinical manager at Elmhurst nursing home in Glasnevin, Dublin when she began siphoning off money from the comfort account of a resident. The court heard that Highfield Nursing Home, which runs Elmhurst, have in place a system of comfort accounts which are used to pay for the resident's upkeep and any other personal needs. They are funded by money paid from the resident's main bank account. Bell, a qualified nurse, stole the money by making requests on behalf of the resident to withdraw money from her comfort account. The court heard that the victim was not elderly but had serious medical difficulties and had moved into the home in 2013. The thefts came to light when the resident became distressed about the low level of funds in her account. A 'resident advocate' then inspected the account and saw that a concerning level of activity had reduced the funds from 17,000 to 600 in a four month period. After passing sentence Judge Martin Nolan said he was surprised to hear that the resident was still out of pocket and that the nursing home has not compensated her. He asked the gardai to consider bringing the matter to the attention of a relevant Ombudsman. I'm not sure the nursing home should be allowed to walk away in such a cavalier fashion. They had care and custody of the money. They had responsibility to ensure no mishaps happen, he said. Bell formerly of Inniskeen, Co Monaghan and with an address at Shanmullagh, Hackballscross, Dundalk, Co Louth pleaded guilty to 15 counts of stealing money at Highfield nursing home on various dates between July 2013 and October 2014. The amounts stolen increased in value as the offending continued, ranging from 600 up to 1,800 in regular monthly requests. A total of 38,000 was taken from the nursing home account. On a number of occasions Bell took the victim's bank card and used it steal cash amounts, totalling 7,000 from her Bank of Ireland account. She would withdraw money for the victim as well as additional cash which she kept herself. Bell told gardai she intended to use the money to pay her mortgage and bills while she was out on maternity leave. My house was being repossessed, my husband wasn't working, I was going on maternity leave, she said. At the time she owed money to moneylenders and was trying to look after her two elderly parents in Longford. Judge Martin Nolan said he accepted that Bell had committed the crimes out of financial distress. He said that while Bell was a very sympathetic character and had a very difficult life he had to impose a jail sentence. She was in a position of almost total power, he said, adding that it is a fact of modern living that a lot of people were in the vulnerable position of the victim. In a statement Highfield Healthcare said they have "worked closely" with gardai in relation to the case. "Highfield Healthcare had to await the decision of the Criminal Court so that it could ascertain the level of monies stolen without its knowledge, as well as whether Ms Bell was in a position to pay. "In circumstances where these monies are no longer recoverable from Ms Bell, Highfield Healthcare will now immediately pay its resident these monies. "Highfield Healthcare has revised its internal practices and procedures to ensure that a similar incident does not occur again and has apologised to its resident that this incident occurred. Barrister Lorna Lynch told the Circuit Civil Court Kate Deegan was five years old on December 10, 2013, when the incident happened at Mourne Road National School, Mourne Road, Drimnagh, Dublin (Stock picture) An eight-year-old girl who suffered anxiety after she was accidentally locked in a classroom for 25 minutes has been awarded 20,000 damages. Barrister Lorna Lynch told the Circuit Civil Court Kate Deegan was five years old on December 10, 2013, when the incident happened at Mourne Road National School, Mourne Road, Drimnagh, Dublin. She said Kate was leaving the classroom for a break when she was asked by her teacher to leave a book. The court heard that after she had done so, Kate tried to leave the room and realised the door was locked. The windows were also locked and the lights switched off. Kate had remained in the room for 25 minutes. Ms Lynch said Kate missed several days of school and developed an adjustment disorder. Through her mother Andrea Deegan, of Devoy Road, Inchicore, Dublin, Kate sued the trustees and board of management for negligence. Ms Lynch said the defendant had made a 20,000 settlement offer and she was recommending its acceptance to the court. Judge Groarke approved it. A coroner has criticised our binge culture after hearing that a 19 year old girl died after ingesting a cocktail of illegal drugs mixed with alcohol. Sligo Coroners Court heart that Ava Roddy a native of Church View, Boyle Co Roscommon was found unresponsive on a mini bus outside the 360 nightclub in Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim in the early hours of September 30 2013. She and a group of friends had been invited to a Christening party in Boyle earlier that day and the jury heard one of them had bought Ecstasy tablets through a contact on Facebook. Inspector Ray Mulderrig who led the investigation told Coroner Eamon MacGowan that following a lengthy investigation, Gardai had identified the two men who had supplied drugs to the young women, and had submitted a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). But because of a Court of Appeal ruling which had identified a defect in the law, they were unable to prosecute the suppliers. He said that anomaly had since been corrected. The jury heard that a group of five friends including Ava and her older sister Enya were invited to a Christening party in Boyle on September 29, 2013. They decided that they would take some ecstasy, and one of the group, Cliona Dooley, also from Church View, said she approached someone from Carrick on Shannon on Facebook. The next day he pulled up outside her door and handed her five tablets wrapped in tissue which were blue/grey in colour and in the shape of a ghost. They met up in the home of one of the friends and were drinking Heineken. The ecstasy was distributed and later they went to the Alley bar in Boyle where they talked about getting more ecstasy. Ava took an ecstasy tablet in the bar, the jury heard. She told her friends she could get more off someone in the pub and she was later seen with 10 tablets wrapped in a paper like sweets . She told one friend that they cost 60 and they had to pay for them by the following Friday. Later they went to the 360 nightclub in Carrick and witnesses saw Ava barefoot and sitting on the floor. Two staff members said they had escorted her outside to get some fresh air and after seeing her embrace another young woman, apparently her sister, they assumed she was okay. Another staff member Alino Abramian said she had seen the young woman falling while she was either trying to sit on or get off a high stool. She had fallen on her back and when she got up she asked for water. The witness said Ava fell down some steps in the club. The driver of the minibus Seamus Furey from Boyle who described it as the worst night ever working on the bus said when she was helped back on, the young woman was agitated kicking and banging and putting her feet up on the window. Some of her friends were saying she was okay but he called an ambulance. When paramedics arrived she was unresponsive The jury heard that people were shouting and roaring at paramedics when they tried to help her on the bus. Consultant pathologist Dr Malcolm Little who outlined the post mortem results said toxicology results showed evidence of quite a significant number of drugs including paramethoxamphatamine, Ecstasy, and BZP (Benzylpiperazine) as well as alcohol. It was impossible to say how much the deceased had taken as they could have been ingested over a long period. He said the amount of alcohol was moderate, the equivalent of about two pints, but the problem was the combination of drugs and alcohol. The jury returned a verdict of death by misadventure. The cause of death was acute pulmonary congestion and oedema. They recommended that the message go out that the effects of illegal drugs can be magnified when taken with even moderate amounts of alcohol. Referring to peer pressure, the coroner said he did not want to lecture society but he believed we suffer from a binge society especially in relation to alcohol. But Mr MacGowan said that at least there were measures with alcohol but with illegal drugs you do not know what you are doing. He extended sympathy to Avas father Noel Roddy who had been at home that night in Boyle when he got the call from Gardai which is every parents worst nightmare. A Dublin nightclub has been held to be as responsible for a heinous assault on a student as the private army it employed to mount security on its premises, a judge has decided. Circuit Court President Mr Justice Raymond Groarke said Triglen Holdings, trading as Krystle Nightclub, had engaged and let loose a private army, a member of which had assaulted the 28-year-old student. Judge Groarke had already awarded student Elaine Bennett 15,000 damages for personal injuries she received at the club on New Years night 2014 but had been asked to decide if P&B Security Services Ltd (now in liquidation) or Krystle Nightclub should pay. Bennett claimed she was punched and kicked by female bouncer Dawn Cleary whose evidence, the judge said, he could not believe. Judge Groarke today ruled that both defendants were jointly and severally liable to pay Ms Bennetts damages and legal costs bill. He said the nightclub had a responsibility to supervise the security company staff. He said CCTV footage showed that Ms Bennett, who was intoxicated, had pushed Ms Cleary down the entrance stairs of the nightclub at Harcourt Street, Dublin, but the bouncers heinous assault had been out of order. Expand Close Student Elaine Bennett from Cork, who will be scarred for life after an assault, leaving court Pic: Collins Courts / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Student Elaine Bennett from Cork, who will be scarred for life after an assault, leaving court Pic: Collins Courts Bennet, from Cork, had earlier told the court she had been celebrating the new year with friends when they decided to go to Krystle Nightclub. She had stayed outside for a smoke and when she had wanted to get in, she was refused by the bouncers on grounds she was too drunk. She told her barrister Mark OConnell that she left the area but came back half an hour later as her friends were still inside and she was alone on the street. She was again refused entry. When she had asked again to be let in Ms Clearyr had suddenly attacked her, pulling her to the ground by her hair. She had beenpunched and kicked on her body and face before another security guard separated them. She had gone to her GP a few days later, complaining of bruising on her face and body. Her wounds had left a permanent scar under her right eye. Bennett, of Glenary, Glencoo Park, Boreenmana Road in Cork, sued Triglen Holdings Ltd and P&B Security Services Ltd (now in liquidation), with a registered address at Newhall, Naas, Co Kildare, for negligence. The defendants had denied liability and claimed Bennett had been racially abusive towards security staff, pushing Ms Cleary down the stairs and calling her a bitch and a Polish lesbian. She had called another bouncer a Polish bastard. Judge Groarke said that although the bouncers had an obligation to refuse Ms Bennett entry because she was intoxicated, he was satisfied she had been viciously assaulted. She can now seek to recover damages and costs from either of the two defendants. Susan McCarthy, (22), said she "lost it" and attacked Leanne Delaney, (21) (Stock picture) A Limerick woman who repeatedly stabbed a Clare woman in the head with a broken bottle looked into her victim's eyes and told her: "I hope you f*****g die". Susan McCarthy, (22), said she "lost it" and attacked Leanne Delaney, (21), after claiming she heard the victim and a man arguing in an apartment on Parnell Street, in the early hours of October 25th, 2015. McCarthy had consumed a cocktail of anti-depressants and alcohol, the court heard. At 2.30am in the morning in question, McCarthy followed Ms Delaney out of the apartment block on Parnell Street, before smashing a beer bottle, and lunging at her victim with the sharp glass. After knocking Ms Delaney to the ground, McCarthy "sat on top of her" and stabbed and punched her about the head and body, said John O'Sullivan, senior state prosecuting counsel. "It was a frenzied attack. Ms Delaney was passing in and out of consciousness," he continued. Witnesses told gardai they heard McCarthy shout at Ms Delaney "I hope you f*****g die" as she repeatedly jabbed her with the broken bottle. At one point McCarthy stepped back, leaving Ms Delaney on the ground in a pool of blood, however she returned moments later, stabbing her again and again. The court heard McCarthy also delivered several kicks to Ms Delaney as she lay unconscious on the ground. Gardai, alerted by a taxis driver, found Ms Delaney "unconscious" and with "blood pouring out of her" on a footpath, outside Limerick Animal Welfare's premises. Witnesses said that following the brutal attack, they heard McCarthy say, "I hope she fuc**** dies, she's only a fuc**** junkie". McCarthy then told Ms Delaney, "you won't be doing that again". McCarthy was still at the scene when gardai arrived. She told officers: "I bottled her...the head, the body, I don't know." When asked if she was sorry for what she had done, she told gardai: "No". The horrific attack was captured on a number of CCTV cameras in the area. Mr O'Sullivan, prosecuting, said McCarthy later told gardai she "intended on giving (Ms Delaney) a fair go, but 'kept on going'. McCarthy told gardai: "I got her into the side of the stomach too." When asked if she was aware she had seriously injured Ms Delaney, McCarthy told gardai: "Yeah, I knew that, but I kept going. If only for (male acquaintance) getting in the way, I would have kept going until she was dead." McCarthy added: "When I saw the blood coming down her f*** if she did." Mr O'Sullivan said "divine providence" may have prevented Ms Delaney, from Shannon, suffering "consequences more horrific". "It is surprising how well she has recovered," agreed Detective Garda Gary Laide, Henry Street garda station. Ms Delaney declined to give a victim impact statement, however gardai said the attack had been "traumatic" for the victim. Detective Garda Laide described how one of Ms Delaney's stab wounds "protruded through her ribs and into her right lung". Mr O'Sullivan said the victim had made a "miraculous recovery". As well as sustaining a punctured lung, she suffered cuts, bruising, and light scarring to her face and torso. McCarthy, who is unemployed, has previous convictions for engaging in abusive, insulting or threatening behaviour, the court heard. She initially told gardai she saw Ms Delaney holding "a big knife" but this was accepted by her defence as been a "bogus story". "Whatever her reasoning was, she lost control. It was a disgraceful," Mark Nicholas, defending, said. He told the court a psychiatric evaluation on McCarthy found that she "may be suffering from a personality disorder". Judge Tom O'Donnell will pass sentence on Thursday. Gardai have issued an appeal for information about the alleged abduction of a businessman who was rammed off the road and bundled into a car. Gardai received a number of calls on the emergency line at about 5.30pm yesterday saying that a man was being forced into the back of a Toyota Avensis car by three other men in Co Louth on Tuesday. The man, believed to be a Northern Irish businessman, was found unharmed but physically shaken three hours after the incident. The incident took place at the Ardee Link Road (n33) which leads to the M1. In a statement gardai said: From witnesses Gardai have established that a silver Mercedes car was travelling towards the M1 when the car was struck from behind by a second car, a grey Toyota Avensis. Three males then forcefully removed the driver of the Mercedes into their vehicle. The grey Toyota Avensis left in the direction of the Motorway. The injured party in this case was released a short time later and did not require any medical attention. Gardai have appealed for anyone who was travelling on the Ardee Link Road between five and six oclock yesterday evening to contact Ardee Garda Station at 041 685 3222 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111. A man is recovering and in shock today after being attacked with a cricket bat and knife by two burglars who broke into his home in broad daylight. The violent incident happened on the main street in Celbridge, Co Kildare, on Tuesday afternoon. Alokh Thomas (22), who is studying for a Masters degree in Dublin, said he heard a loud noise downstairs and when he came down to investigate he was set upon by the men. I heard a bang, and I didnt know what it was, so when I came downstairs I saw one man climbing through the kitchen window and another one coming in after him, Alokh told Independent.ie Expand Close Alokh Thomas who was attacked in agravated burglary in Celbridge County Kildare. Pic:Mark Condren / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Alokh Thomas who was attacked in agravated burglary in Celbridge County Kildare. Pic:Mark Condren One of them ran at me and hit me with the bat, he went to hit me again and I raised my arm to block him, and he hit me a second time. Then he attacked me with a knife and it got me deep in the wrist. I asked what do you want? And they were shouting for money, he added, saying he told them he had no money. Expand Close Alokh Thomas who was attacked in agravated burglary in Celbridge County Kildare. Pic:Mark Condren 26.10.2016 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Alokh Thomas who was attacked in agravated burglary in Celbridge County Kildare. Pic:Mark Condren 26.10.2016 Alokh said he was trying to escape but the men kept coming at him. Two glass panels were broken in an internal door during the struggle, and eventually Alokh made it out onto the main street and ran into the Centra store next door where he works to raise money for his education. I alerted the manager and the men escaped out the window again and ran through a car park and got away, said Alokh. The student, originally from India and living in Ireland for the last eight months, was brought to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown by ambulance where he was X-rayed and had stitches inserted in his wrist wounds. I was very frightened. I could not believe it would happen in the middle of the day and they would attack me unprovoked, Alokh explained. Yesterday new data was released from the Garda Analysis Service which showed that front doors are the most common entry point in 29pc of burglaries. Read More Burglars also commonly target back doors (26pc), back windows (24pc) and front windows (8pc), with one in five cases involving a burglar getting access through an unsecured door or window. Burglars most commonly use their body to force entry into homes through doors and windows. As the evenings become dark, the most common time for home burglaries is between 5pm and 11pm when people may be out. Garda figures, which are based on an analysis of burglaries from July 2015 to June 2016, show jewellery and cash remain the most common objects stolen, with 600 being the average value of goods taken. Computers, mobile phones, TVs and games consoles are also among the top items stolen. ASTI members protest outside the Dail last week following a vote on industrial action. Photo: Arthur Carron About 500 second-level schools are now certain to shut tomorrow as secondary teachers go ahead with plans for a one-day strike. There is no hope that talks taking place today between leaders of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) and senior officials in the Department of Education will avert the stoppage. With about two in three second-level schools facing closure, it means up to 250,000 teenagers will be locked out. Schools have been notifying parents not to send their children in tomorrow because of the industrial action. They will reopen for the day on Friday, and then close for the week-long Halloween break - and the main concern now is what will happen after that. School management bodies believe about 500 schools - of 730 nationwide - will not be able to re-open on Monday, November 7, if the ASTI dispute is not resolved. On November 7, ASTI members are threatening to withdraw from supervision and substitution duties, which will force schools to close indefinitely on health and safety grounds, if they cannot get alternative cover. The Department of Education and school management bodies have been working on a contingency plan, involving the recruitment of external supervisors, but there is little hope it will work. The amount of time involved in recruiting, training and vetting external supervisors, along with the ASTI ban on their principal members helping to put any alternative arrangements in place, effectively scuppered the initiative. The Joint Managerial Body (JMB) which represents 380 schools - generally those under the control of the religious - believes that only a handful of them will open on November 7, if the ASTI action goes ahead. The ASTI is the only union representing teachers in those schools. JMB general secretary John Curtis said they were in an impossible situation and "we are very perturbed at the fact that the vast majority of our schools will not be in a position to open". The situation is less clear cut in other sectors, where there are many dual-union schools, with the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) also representing teachers. Most of the 97 community and comprehensive schools are expected to close tomorrow, and also from November 7, if the ASTI withdraws from supervision and substitution on that day. In the Education and Training Boards (ETB) sector, about 25 to 30 community colleges are expected to close tomorrow and again on November 7, in the absence of a resolution, while about 210 other TUI-only ETB schools will be unaffected. After a meeting with school management bodies yesterday, the Department of Education confirmed that it was still its view that "widespread school closures are expected" from November 7. The department has issued a circular to school authorities advising of arrangements that need to be made to prepare for tomorrow's closure, and of how to deal with staff payroll issues. The department said it was a matter for individual school managements to decide whether to open tomorrow, or not. The circular also advises schools they must record the attendance, or absence, of both teaching and non-teaching staff tomorrow. Schools have been told that absences from work, for reasons other than a work stoppage, should be recorded in the normal way. The ASTI is alone among public service unions in rejecting the Lansdowne Road Agreement (LRA), which began the process of restoring austerity-era cuts, which is at the root of its campaign of industrial action. The union is demanding a Government commitment on pay equalisation for newly-qualified teachers, and is objecting to having pay restoration measures, such as payment for supervision and substitution duties, linked to LRA acceptance. Rebecca Hemeryck with her sons Sam (15), who is studying for his Junior Cert, and Tom (18), who is preparing for his Leaving Cert, at their home in Coolquay, Co Dublin. Photo: Arthur Carron Teaching strikes will ramp up pressure on students to complete Leaving Cert projects in even less time, according to a mother of two boys undertaking State exams. Rebecca Hemeryck from Coolquay, Co Dublin, said her son Tom has lost between two and three designated classes to complete a Design and Communications Graphics (DCG) project which is due by Christmas, because of strikes by ASTI members. Tom (18), along with his brother Sam (15), are studying at Ashbourne Community College, in Leaving Cert and Junior Cert years respectively. Ms Hemeryck said the whole thing is a major disruption to the school year, which students may not notice at first but will become more apparent later on in the year. "If you look at my sons in both Junior and Leaving Certs, they have to have stuff handed up by Christmas and my older son's DCG project is done on two of the days the strike will be on," Rebecca said. "That's two days where he should be working on a project to hand up for his Leaving Cert, that's pressure on him and the other children who are in the same situation as he's in. That really has me annoyed to be honest with you. "The first day of striking seems to them like a break or day off school, but I had to explain to them that it's not just one day, it's seven days before Christmas that they could miss with the strike," she added. Tomorrow will be the first day of strike action, though the remaining strike days may become void, with ASTI members threatening to withdraw from supervision and substitute work in a vote on November 7, leaving the prospect of the majority of schools remaining closed after the mid-term break. Pupils will also be missing out on after-school study groups that have already been paid for in advance by parents, while many parents will have to take time off work in order to accommodate the strike action. Despite having sympathy with the teachers, Rebecca said the whole ordeal is frustrating for everyone. "If you think about it, when the schools are closed they can't do their homework and they can't do their after-school study class, and parents are paying for that," she added. With more hope than any sign of confidence, the Taoiseach urged gardai and secondary teachers to settle rather than strike. Most people around Leinster House felt there was little hope the secondary teachers' first stoppage tomorrow can be stopped. But Enda Kenny came under sustained Dail pressure from Fianna Fail, Sinn Fein and Labour on the prospect of closed schools and communities without police in the near future. Mr Kenny said negotiations in both disputes were now "at a very sensitive stage". And, in not so many words, signalled he must choose his own words with care. He was conscious the teachers' union, the ASTI, and the two garda groups, the GRA and ASTI, were locked in negotiations. "I do hope representatives of the three groups involved will sit again with ministers and their officials and work out, within the constraints of Lansdowne Road, a way forward,'' Mr Kenny added. ASTI's first one-day strike is followed with the real threat of schools being permanently closed from November 7. Gardai in both the GRA and AGSI are expected to hold the first of four one-day strikes on Friday week, November 4. It is grim news for any government and easy for opposition TDs to criticise. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin asked if it was Government policy to commit to full pay restoration to newly-recruited teachers eventually. He warned there was a temptation to "punish" the ASTI, which should be resisted. "The strike is unnecessary and should be avoided because thousands of students will suffer," Mr Martin told the Dail. Mr Kenny said the two other unions, TUI and INTO, had negotiated good deals on pay restoration. "Those benefits are there tomorrow for the ASTI. And I would say to members to reflect very carefully on what their losses are because of failure to agree and negotiate a settlement which two other very substantial unions have put in place,'' the Taoiseach said. Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams stressed that gardai as well as teachers are in dispute and he believed doctors and nurses would soon follow suit. Mr Kenny said the Government would do everything it could to avoid strikes going ahead. Speaking about the garda pay issue, Mr Kenny said nobody wanted to see 12,500 gardai withdraw from policing the streets across the country. Mr Kenny said the Government is committed to giving gardai access to the Workplace Relations Commission. As with the secondary teachers, the Taoiseach hoped responsibility would prevail. Was there a hint of buck-passing when he added that the threatened strikes were the subject of "absolute attention'' from the relevant ministers, Richard Bruton and Frances Fitzgerald? "Everything that can be done, will be done. Nobody wants this to happen," the Taoiseach told Labour leader Brendan Howlin. Schools across the country are preparing to close tomorrow as secondary teachers prepare for a one-day strike. Talks are taking place today between leaders of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) and senior officials in the Department of Education, but there is little hope the work stoppage will be averted. As over 500 schools are expected to close, here's everything you need to know: 1. What will ASTI members do? About 500 schools are in the process of telling parents that they cannot open because of the stoppage by members of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI). The one-day strike is due to take place tomorrow, Thursday October 27, with up to 250,000 teenagers unable to go to school. Schools will reopen for the day on Friday, and then close for the week-long Halloween break - and the main concern now is what will happen after that. Read More 2. What will happen if talks aren't resolved? School management bodies believe about 500 schools - of 730 nationwide - will not be able to re-open on Monday, November 7, if the ASTI dispute is not resolved. ASTI members have threatened to withdraw from supervision and substitution work, forcing most schools to close because of lack of cover. The Department of Education is meeting school management bodies today to discuss contingency plans, but accepts that widespread schools closures are inevitable. 3. What is the contingency plan? The contingency plan - involving the recruitment of external supervisors - seemed to be doomed from the beginning. This is because the ASTI would not allow its principal members to help with the process and did not give sufficient time for schools to recruit, train and vet external supervisors. Even if schools were in a position to recruit, it would take until the end of November to complete the process. 4. Why are they striking? The ASTI is alone among public service unions in rejecting the Lansdowne Road Agreement (LRA), which began the process of restoring austerity-era cuts, which is at the root of its campaign of industrial action. The union is demanding a Government commitment on pay equalisation for newly-qualified teachers, and is objecting to having pay restoration measures, such as payment for supervision and substitution duties, linked to LRA acceptance. A driver has been jailed for two years following a 10km chase by Gardai through Cork city at rush hour while under the influence of alcohol. Anthony Quilligan, 21, was pursued by Gardai through the east of Cork city in a chase in which he reversed his car at speed towards a Garda motorbike, collided with a womans car and drove through a pedestrian crossing where there were children getting off a bus. The incident happened around 8am on December 18, 2015, the Evening Echo reports. Despite numerous attempts by several Garda units to stop him, Mr Quilligan continued to evade Gardai. He was driving on the wrong side of the road for much of the incident but eventually crashed, which allowed Gardai to arrest him. Mr Quilligan pleaded guilty to all charges against him and was given a sentence of three years with the last suspended at Cork Circuit Criminal Court yesterday. He is required to undertake an alcohol treatment programme upon release and has been banned from driving for five years. Gangland mob boss Christy Kinahan has relocated to Hong Kong while the gangland feud continues in his native Dublin. The 58-year-old was pictured by the Irish Daily Star walking through the streets of one of Asia's wealthiest cities earlier this year. The newspaper is reporting that the mobster, nicknamed the Dapper Don, is hiding out at the 5,000 per night Peninsula Hotel in the city. The photos emerged as rival crime boss Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch was spotted in the Turkish city of Istanbul. Expand Close Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch It is believed that Hutch has been staying there "on and off" in Turkey for the last number of months. Read More Both men have been locked in a bitter gangland feud that has already claimed the lives of ten men including two innocent bystanders. Most recently father-of-three Trevor O'Neill was shot dead in a case of mistaken identity in August. The hitmen were attempting to kill Hutch's nephew Jonathan but shot the wrong man. Kinahan moved from his base in Marbella, Spain earlier this year and had been living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for some time. Expand Close Peninsula hotel Hong Kong Photographer: Justin Chin/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Peninsula hotel Hong Kong Photographer: Justin Chin/Bloomberg via Getty Images When photographed he was staying at the Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong - a hotel previously featured in the James Bond movie The Man With the Golden Gun. His son Daniel remains in Spain. The first batch of the new-look Priory Hall apartments were snapped up in just four days as Dublins housing market continues to look more and more like it did during the boom years. The once-notorious apartments, synonymous with the Celtic Tiger in many ways, have undergone an extensive refurbishment and refit at the taxpayers expense. Expand Close Priory Hall bedroom / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Priory Hall bedroom It took just four days to sell the first 43 units, after hundreds of people turned out to view the show units in the development located on the Hole in the Wall Road in north Dublin. REFURBISHED The sales come five years after the complex was condemned by fire safety inspectors and evacuated by court order. However, it seems the refurbished homes, which have been fitted out with state-of-the-art fire detection systems, have become hot property for the second time in their short history. Expand Close A new priory unit enjoys floor-to-ceiling windows. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A new priory unit enjoys floor-to-ceiling windows. Ken MacDonald, Managing Director of Hooke and MacDonald, who were looking after the sale, said that the majority of those who snapped up the new-look homes were first-time buyers. Dublin City Council (DCC) have done a fantastic job on the project, the units are as good as new, he told Independent.ie. It has been a success and it was great to see so many young couples coming to buy. Over the four days we had between 200 and 250 groups come to view. It is a fabulous location, overlooking Fr Collins Park, he said. It is good to see a new chapter in its history. Expand Close External areas have been landscaped / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp External areas have been landscaped DUBIOUS The auctioneer said that the buildings past was no longer a concern for prospective buyers, as the council have gone 100pc on the safety measures. The units sold this weekend were one and two-bed units costing between 145,000 and 195,000. The first owners could be in their new homes as early as Christmas. Priory Hall was built in 2007 and developed by boom-time developer Tom McFeely. Following the evacuation order, DCC took on the task of refurbishing the 187-unit complex. It is estimated that the total refurb will run to around 30m. Expand Close The extensive programme of works included the replacement of all floors, ceilings, fixtures, skirting boards and architraves / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The extensive programme of works included the replacement of all floors, ceilings, fixtures, skirting boards and architraves The next phase of apartments (around 100 units) will not be ready for another nine months. The new complex has been completely transformed and has essentially been rebuilt to rectify the safety failings. The upgrades include high-performance insulation, fire-stopping, newly laid footpaths, roads and parking areas, new roofing, new walls and windows and fully-fitted bathrooms and kitchens with new appliances. Included in the fire safety measures are emergency lighting, automatic smoke ventilation and fire fighting equipment. Gardai have issued a warning after two men, claiming to be tree surgeons, targeted a elderly pensioner living on his own. Radio Kerry is reporting that neighbours contacted gardai after two men called to the home of the elderly man, who is in hie 90s, in Annascaul on the Dingle peninsula on Tuesday. The men reportedly claimed to be tree surgeons and the elderly man invited one of them into his home at around midday. However, concerned neighbours called Dingle gardai. Officers went to the mans house and found one of the men with him. Sergeant Martin Allen told the station that both men were asked to produce evidence that they were tree surgeons but they were unable to show this. Sergeant Allen explained that no offence occurred but said both men left the house after speaking to gardai. The radio station is reporting that last Friday, in two separate incidents, homes in Killarney and Tralee were ransacked by men; one said he was a plumber while the other said he was checking the sewerage system. This is the first look at the so called booze curtains currently at the centre of intense debate in the Seanad. Minister of State for Health Promotion Marcella Corcoran Kennedy came under fire in the Seanad this afternoon over her proposals to introduce structural separation in shops so that alcohol is not visible to customers. The proposal is contained in the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill which is currently being debated at committee stage. Our exclusive pictures show images supplied by the Department of Health which are aimed a illustrating how the new law will work in practice. Expand Close An illustration of the suggested 'booze curtains' / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp An illustration of the suggested 'booze curtains' This includes covering bottles of wine with a curtain or building a beer cave which acts as separate refrigerated area for alcohol. Senators from all parties have been subjected to intense lobbying from small business owners who fear the impact the introduction of a booze curtain will have on their shops. Expand Close The proposed 'booze curtains' / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The proposed 'booze curtains' Alcohol abuse groups have also been urging senators to allow the legislation pass through the chamber. One senator said the legislation will make people "feel like they are going to a peepshow when they are just buying a bottle wine". The Department of Health briefing for senators warned that alcohol is not an ordinary consumer product but rather is psychoactive substance with dependence producing properties. The general availability of alcohol is an important indicator when assessing alcohol related harm, it stated. The Public Health (Alcohol) Bill provides for restrictions of the display and advertisement of alcohol products in mixed trade retail outlets. The aim is to reduce visibility, accessibility and availability of alcohol, it added In the Seanad, Fine Gael senator Paudie Coffey called on Ms Corcoran Kennedy to give a clear definition of what she meant by structural separation as the lack of clarity was leading to concern among small business owners. The minister said she is asking business owners to visually separate alcohol form the visibility of children and young people. She said she is not asking that alcohol be kept in an area of the shop which would be separate by a wall or door. Ms Corcoran Kennedy clashed with Fianna Fail Seanad chief whip Diarmuid Wilson when she urged members to stop filibustering and allow the legislation to pass through the upper chamber quickly. Mr Wilson said the minister should respect the members of the Seanad and allow every senator have their say on the bill if they wished. Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar is urging members of the ASTI to consider the impact of its looming strike on parents and children. Speaking as talks continued today in a last-ditch effort to avert tomorrows strike by secondary school teachers, the minister said he hopes teachers will consider the severe impact of the action. Around 500 second-level schools are poised to close tomorrow during the first one-day strike that will see up to 250,000 students locked out of their classrooms over seven days. The government is working towards averting those strikes today, he said of the 11th hour negotiations between the Department of Education and the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland (ASTI). But what I would be particularly concerned about and I think everyone would be concerned about is the impact on children losing school time and the impact on parents who may have to take time off work or who may have to fork out for child care. As for the impending strike by gardai, scheduled to take place over four Fridays next month, Mr Varadkar said he is also hopeful the strike will be averted. However, he said the Government cannot intervene in the dispute that will see 10,500 rank and file gardai and 2,000 garda sergeants and inspectors withdraw labour on November 4, 11, 18 and 25 as they seek pay restoration of 16.5pc and other concessions. What the Government wants to do is to avoid the strike happening at all, he told reporters this morning at an event in Temple Bar. A lot of concessions have been made, including restoration of rent allowance which is worth 4,000 a year to younger gardai and also giving gardai access to the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court and in addition to that the new Public Sector Pay Commission, he said. A lot of concessions have been made by (Justice) Minister Fitzgerald in her effort to avert this strike. But one thing we have to be very clear about as a government is anything that happens in public sector pay has to be done within the confines of the Lansdowne Road Agreement. One thing I would love to do is to restore the weekly social welfare payments back to what they were before the crisis, for the carers, the disabled, widows and others. But to do that right away would cost about 700m. To restore public sector pay to what it was before the crisis would be another 1.4bn and to take away the extra taxes that were imposed, mainly on private sector workers during the crisis, is another 2bn on top of that, so there is no way the Government can come up with 4.1 in any one year, he explained. So what we have to do is restore living standards for everyone, not just gardai and secondary school teachers over a period of time in a way thats affordable and sustainable, he said. Thats why we cant have a special deal for any one group or allow any one group to put themselves at the front of the queue. The Catholic Church has banned the scattering of ashes of the dead, insisting that, in some circumstances, those who request it for themselves should even be denied a "Christian funeral". Strict new Vatican guidelines forbid a list of increasingly popular means of commemorating loved ones - from scattering ashes at sea to having them turned into jewellery or put in a locket - dismissing them as New Age practices and "pantheism". A formal instruction, approved by Pope Francis, even forbids Catholics from keeping the ashes of loved ones in an urn at home, other than in "grave and exceptional cases". It also rules out the increasingly common practice of dividing people's ashes between members of the family. The document issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) claims cremation practices increasingly reflect non-Christian ideas about "fusion with Mother Nature". For centuries the Catholic Church forbade cremation altogether, until the ban was finally lifted in 1963. The new guidance accepts cremation in principle but signals restrictions on increasingly varied uses for ashes, insisting that they should only be kept in a "sacred place", such as a cemetery. "[The Church] cannot ... condone attitudes or permit rites that involve erroneous ideas about death, such as considering death as the definitive annihilation of the person, or the moment of fusion with Mother Nature or the universe, or as a stage in the cycle of regeneration, or as the definitive liberation from the 'prison' of the body," it argues. It goes on: "In order that every appearance of pantheism, naturalism or nihilism be avoided, it is not permitted to scatter the ashes of the faithful departed in the air, on land, at sea, or in some other way; nor may they be preserved in mementos, pieces of jewellery or other objects." It then adds that if someone has asked for their ashes to be scattered "for reasons contrary to the Christian faith" then "a Christian funeral must be denied to that person". Four years ago the ashes of actor James Doohan, who played 'Scotty' in 'Star Trek', were blasted into space, along with those of more than 300 others. Earlier, the remains of journalist and writer Hunter S Thompson were fired from a cannon on top of a 150ft tower in Colorado. Others have requested their ashes be mixed into fireworks, ground into gems for loved ones, or even turned into items such as a frisbee. Legal costs reform will be top of the agenda when the board of the long-awaited Legal Services Regulatory Authority meets for the first time today. The board has been mandated to prioritise the roll-out of measures to increase transparency surrounding legal costs. An outline agenda for the coming months, seen by the Irish Independent, includes the issuing of a set of legal costs principles to solicitors and barristers. This will place extensive obligations on them to keep clients informed. New protocols will also be introduced to cut down on the number of medical negligence cases going to court and encourage out of court resolutions. A new Legal Costs Adjudicator office is also planned to be in place by the end of March next year, replacing the current Taxing Masters Office, which decides on legal costs where there is a dispute. The new office will keep a public register of its legal costs determinations. However, reform of the manner in which complaints against solicitors and barristers are investigated is expected to take longer to implement. Misconduct The introduction of a new independent system for investigating allegations of misconduct is unlikely to be in place until next summer. Today's board meeting comes five years after a bill to reform legal services regulation was initially introduced by then Justice Minister Alan Shatter. The legislation encountered significant delays and aspects of it were changed following lobbying by the legal professions. However, Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald has insisted this did not amount to "caving in" to the professions and that changes made the legislation better. Ms Fitzgerald has said she hopes the new measures would help increase transparency and bring down legal costs. High legal costs in Ireland were repeatedly cited as a cause for concern by European Commission officials during the bailout. Earlier this year, High Court judge Mr Justice Max Barrett also called for a systemic solution to tackle the "crushing cost" of High Court litigation. Miriam OCallaghan has paid tribute to the founder of the Irish Hospice Foundation Miriam OCallaghan has paid tribute to the founder of the Irish Hospice Foundation, her former lecturer, as the woman she most wanted to be like when she was a teenage girl. Dr Mary Redmond, a lawyer, author and social entrepreneur, died on Easter Monday last year at the age of 64 having founded the Irish Hospice Foundation 30 years ago. Miriam OCallaghan, RTE Prime Time presenter, last Friday said: I was a law student in UCD and I always remember the first day in my lectures, this exquisitely beautiful woman walked into the room. I was 16 and she was probably no more than 24 or 25, it was Mary Redmond, she was lecturing in UCD in law and she wasnt just the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, she was the most intelligent, she was the most brilliant and at that moment, I thought; I want to be like Mary Redmond. I could never be that, but she was one extraordinary woman. She shaped me as a young woman, as a 16 year old. Miriam OCallaghan made her tribute at a gala dinner honouring Dr Redmond and 30 years of the IHF, of which she is now an ambassador. Miriams own sister Anne died of caner at the age of 33. She said: In a way death has touched us all. Thats why the Irish Hospice Foundation and what Mary Redmond did matters so much. Dr Redmonds son Patrick Ussher also spoke at the event, saying: She said there were three important things in life; to love, to live and to leave a legacy. Of these, love for her father from whom this advice originally came drove her to found the Irish Hospice Foundation. Dr Redmond set up the IHF in 1985 after the death of her father. At the time, there were only three hospices in Ireland. Dr Redmond taught law at UCD from the age of 19, and also studied at Oxford and Cambridge. She published extensively on the subject of labour law. Ann Lenihan and her husband Brian Snr at the launch of a book she co-wrote in 1990 (Independent Newspapers Ireland/NLI Collection). Ann Lenihan, wife and mother to two of the country's most senior political figures, has died, aged 79. Ms Lenihan married Brian Lenihan Senior in 1958 and was a major support to him in his long political career in Fianna Fail, which saw him serve in many ministerial jobs, including Tanaiste and Minister for Education, Justice and Foreign Affairs. Expand Close Ann Lenihan holding flowers while canvassing for her husband during the presidential campaign in 1990 Picture: John Carlos / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ann Lenihan holding flowers while canvassing for her husband during the presidential campaign in 1990 Picture: John Carlos At the time of their marriage, Ann Devine, as she was then known, was just 19, and he was 24. Her sister-in-law and close friend, Mary O'Rourke, recalled she was a renowned beauty known as "the belle of Athlone". "Through her husband Brian's long career she was his rock and a continual help and support. She had a great capacity for friendship, a real aura of friendship about her, and this helped him in his various posts," Ms O'Rourke said. When they first met, she was studying medicine at University College Galway, and planning to follow in the footsteps of her mother, Joan, who was a medical doctor. But her marriage ended her studies, though in later life she did a BA degree in history and archaeology. Expand Close Ann Lenihan at the funeral of her son Brian Jnr in 2011, with Mary ORourke, Brians aunt (second left), and Conor Lenihan (right) Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ann Lenihan at the funeral of her son Brian Jnr in 2011, with Mary ORourke, Brians aunt (second left), and Conor Lenihan (right) Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin The Lenihan family lived firstly in Athlone and Brian Lenihan was a TD for Roscommon from 1961-1973. After electoral defeat in 1973 the family moved to Castleknock in west Dublin and Ms Lenihan set up home, for an eventual family of five children, while her husband served as a Senator. In 1977 he was returned as a Dublin West TD and appointed again to the Cabinet. In 1989 she accompanied her husband, who was stricken by cancer, to the Mayo Clinic in the USA, where he underwent a liver transplant. The visit was catalogued in a book co-written by Ms Lenihan called 'No problem: To Mayo and Back'. She wrote it in collaboration with Irish Independent social diarist, Angela Phelan, who sadly died in 2009. Expand Close Mrs Lenihan greets mourners at the funeral of Brian Lenihan Jnr in 2011 Picture: Tom Burke / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mrs Lenihan greets mourners at the funeral of Brian Lenihan Jnr in 2011 Picture: Tom Burke He got a new lease of life and even stood unsuccessfully for the Irish Presidency amid much controversy. But the illness eventually defeated him and he died in 1995, aged 64. Later Ms Lenihan would be inadvertently dragged into controversy about money raised by Charlie Haughey to help fund her husband's treatment in the USA. In 1999 she briefly gave evidence to the Moriarty Tribunal on the issue. In 2006 Mr Justice Moriarty found that Haughey "personally misappropriated" a large amount of the funds raised for the transplant in the United States for the man he described as his "closest political friend". In 1996, Ms Lenihan's son, Brian Junior, won the Dublin West Dail seat. He went on to serve as Finance Minister through the financial crisis from 2008-2011 but was also stricken with cancer in 2009, and died in 2011 aged 52. Expand Close Ann Lenihan pictured in 2001 Picture: Donal Doherty / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ann Lenihan pictured in 2001 Picture: Donal Doherty Ms Lenihan was last night described as having a keen interest in politics all her life. Another son, Conor, was elected a TD for Dublin South West in 1997, and went on to serve as a junior minister. Her sister-in-law, Mary O'Rourke, was also a long-time senior politician serving in several ministerial posts. Recently, Ms O'Rourke wrote lovingly about Ms Lenihan in her memoir, 'Letters of My Life', and described her as "my best woman friend". Ms Lenihan's last public outing was for her sister-in-law's book launch earlier this month. She was taken to the Mater Hospital on Monday by her daughter, Anita, and died there yesterday. Ms Lenihan had a number of health reverses in recent years and had recently taken to using a wheelchair for outings. But friends said she remained very cheerful and engaged in life and maintained a keen interest in politics and current affairs. Apart from the tragic loss of her husband and son, Ms Lenihan and the rest of the family had to endure another great tragedy. In 1965, Brian Junior's five-year-old brother, Mark, died of leukaemia when the future finance minister was just six. Brian Junior had never talked about the death but it came out when he was being interviewed with his aunt, Mary O'Rourke, by RTE's Miriam O'Callaghan in 2010. He recalled the Christmas beforehand, where his brother could tell he was quite sick and lamented the lack of advances in medical science at the time, which would have saved that young life. In the Dail last night Fianna Fail's Dara Calleary paid a warm tribute to Ms Lenihan. Party leader Micheal Martin said she had passed on a sense of civic duty to her family. Motorists have been warned to expect delays in the city centre after a two car collision. The accident occurred around 11 am at the Five Lamps, on the corner of Amiens Street and Portland Row. Emergency services were called to the scene. Gardai said there were no life-threatening injuries. Truck has struck bridge on Amiens St, delays to Dart/Commuter services as a result Iarnrod Eireann (@IrishRail) October 25, 2016 A Dublin fire truck was put out of service last night after youths smashed the passenger side window with stones. The truck was en route to an incident in Neilstown, Clondalkin at the time. Dublin Fire Brigade confirmed that nobody was injured and that the truck was withdrawn from service for three hours. A replacement truck was subsequently sent to the Neilstown incident. It is a very busy time of year for us and we would ask people to please respect our work, a spokesperson told Independent.ie. Gardai have been informed and are currently looking into the matter. at it smashing a window. Luckily no crew members were injured. We remind everybody that we are here to help the whole community. pic.twitter.com/SfDjQ04UTB Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) October 26, 2016 Unfortunately one of our Tallaght appliances was unable to respond to emergencies last night for almost 3 hours after stones were thrown 1/2 pic.twitter.com/9KYsOjoaZr Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) October 26, 2016 South Dublin County Council, Dublin Fire Brigade and gardai are appealing to communities to work together in promoting safety over the Halloween period. They have asked people to report the collecting of bonfire materials to the council by calling 014149000. Peugeot's new 3008 SUV gets here in late January with a lot more than just its strong looks to talk about. In many ways the story of the new compact crossover is about the inside, and how they've transformed the way it conveys and displays key information. I haven't come across a better example of a digital dash - except perhaps Audi's virtual cockpit. The exceptional use of graphics and positioning creates one of the best display/interface packages around. And they've used it in a cabin that would not be out of place in the so-called premium segment. It is that good; much better than I anticipated. Expand Close The latest generation i-Cockpit with digital dash / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The latest generation i-Cockpit with digital dash This is now a proper challenger in the Crossover stakes (rivals include the Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Qashqai etc). No doubt about that. Especially when you take some of the more technological driver assist/safety equipment that's standard into account. They've turned the 3008 from people carrier to muscular motor to meet demand for crossovers - and it has been done with boldness. The front is in-your-face, take it or leave it. I'd take it. The rear is BMW X3-like. And the flanks are strong modern SUV. This is a substantial change of focus all through: from digital dash to bumper skirts, wheel arches, large wheels, shaped roof bars, and a 22cm lift in ground clearance. It is 8cm longer (4.45m; good rear-seat room) but slightly lower (1.62m but loads of head room) and the same 1.84m width. The seating was firm and sturdy (some nice materials); I quickly got a good driving position and settled easily after trying out those buttons and keys that help make the digital dash. It's all part of the latest generation i-Cockpit (standard) and involves a small steering wheel (now even smaller and flattened on top and bottom - and great fun especially on sharp bends) so you can easily see the instruments. Only, they've gone much further this time. The instrument panel is now a hi-res 12.3ins screen. And in the middle of the dash there is an 8ins touchscreen 'tablet' with six toggle switches ('piano keys') for access to the main functions. You can choose from five different display modes, from the steering wheel controls. Even I found no difficulty 'getting' how easy it was to interchange and prioritise what you want to see (speed, nav, music etc). All in front of your eyes. The main engines for Ireland will be the 1.6-litre 120bhp diesel (excellent drive in this) and the 1.2-litre 130bhp petrol (impressed us big time). There is also a 2-litre diesel (150bhp) and a 100bhp 1.6-litre. All are in or around the 180/190 road tax mark. Pricing has yet to be announced. The current 3008 starts at 26,000 on-the-road. With a plethora of spec accompanying the new car on its fresh platform (EMP2), it is only to be expected prices will rise but I was told not by that much at all - that I'd be (pleasantly) 'surprised'. Great. There will be five trim levels: Access, Active, Allure, GT Line and GT. The price steps between them are: 2,000 from Access to Active; 1,500 from Active to Allure and 3,300 to GT Line. GT itself will have a 2-litre diesel 180bhp with auto transmission (disappointing). All the others come with 6spd manual/automatic boxes. Standard spec is a good indication of the level of safety/driver aid stuff on board. It includes driver attention alert, lane departure warning, intelligent speed adaption, 17ins wheels, cruise control (speed limiter), semi auto air con, several airbags. Active adds NCAP safety Pack (advanced Emergency Braking system + front collision warning etc), front fogs, bi-zone air con, rear parking sensors, Mirror Link, 8ins touchscreen. Allure adds 18ins alloys, Safety Plus Pack (+ high-beam assist, driver attention alert etc). And GT Line adds sunroof, park assist, full LED headlights. They plan on getting a car to each dealer shortly so people can sit in and try it out. They're also getting virtual reality headsets so customers can sample to their hearts' content. Virtual or real, they'll find the cabin roomy and tastily laid out with a large, unusually-shaped central console. Boot space is up 90 litres to 520 (1,580 with the rear seats folded). Grip Control gives it off-road ability of sorts. It is an enhanced traction control system with five grip levels (Normal, Snow, Mud, Sand, ESP Off) which you choose via a central console knob. It comes with 18ins Mud & Snow tyres and Hill Assist Descent Control (HADC) and costs 375. On the basis of my first drives, I've no doubt the 3008 SUV puts down a real marker for Peugeot as it pushes for major change in a world dominated by SUV demand. It also precedes many new models: a new 5008 arrives in April while the Expert 9-seater is due soon (from 31,375). And we'll see petrol hybrids and plug-ins from 2019. A report has found that woman are angrier behind the wheel Frankly, I don't believe it, but new research suggests women drivers are angrier than men. How can you quantify that? The researchers say women are 12pc angrier when they're behind the wheel. The recent study of 1,000 drivers reveals women reacted with more ire when undertaken, shouted or beeped at - or had to deal with a back-seat driver. The researchers say: "In all test scenarios, women were more likely to respond with anger than male drivers." The experiment was conducted by Patrick Fagan, behavioural psychologist from Goldsmiths University London in conjunction with Hyundai. Using data from the research and technology they created what they claim is the first Driving Emotion Test (DET). This involves facial coding technology, eye tracking analysis, galvanic skin response and a heart rate monitor. The results were fed into special software and that's what produced the results. I still don't think it's representative - from what I've seen on our roads anyway. But there were other nice insights. For example, men find it easier to talk when driving, with 14pc saying a chat made them a better driver More than half (54pc) said that singing in the car made them "really happy". Other things that make us happy, apparently, include empty roads (84pc), countryside (78pc) and seaside (69pc). Music also makes us happy; 80pc often listen. Meatloaf's Bat out of Hell and Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody top the driving charts. * The country's parents have spoken: the car they like most is the Renault Scenic. It has just won the Family Car of the Year award at the Maternity & Infant Awards for the second time in three years. The award is the only one based on votes and tests for, and by, parents. * Volvo's newest engine is the front wheel drive in the S90 saloon 150hp D3 which they claim is capable of 64.2 mpg and 115g/km. Prices start at 43,900. * Bit disconcerting to hear Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn say they will decide next month whether or not they will build the new Qashqai in the UK following the Brexit decision. * The Skoda Superb is 15 years old, believe it or not, and 900,000 have been bought. Meanwhile the new Kodiaq 7-seater SUV has gone into production. * Reports suggest the next Opel Meriva people carrier will not copy others and look like an 'SUV', though it will be a lot more stylish than the current one. It will use a PSA group (Peugeot/Citroen) platform. That's possible because of the industrial partnership between General Motors and the French group. * Phew! Someone ISN'T going mad trying to make a car that drives itself. Toyota say they are in no hurry at all to join the stampede. Automotive News Europe quotes Seigo Kuzumaki, Toyota's assistant chief safety technology as saying: "A completely autonomous car is not what we're looking for. Our priority is to reduce the number of accidents." Your views are always welcome: ecunningham@ independent.ie WOW air is to expand its services from Ireland with direct flights between Cork and Reykjavik next year. The Icelandic budget carrier, which already operates direct flights between Dublin and Iceland, will commence its route from Cork next May. WOW air will operate four scheduled flights a week between the cities, using narrowbody A320/A321 aircraft, from May 19. One-way fares will start from 59.99 each way, the airline said. The new route will also link passengers with WOW air's eight North American destinations via onward connections from Reykjavik. Fares to US and Canadian destinations including New York, Boston, San Francisco, LA, Miami and Toronto will start from 149 each-way. Stopovers in Reykjavik last an average of around two hours. Were absolutely delighted to welcome WOW air to Cork as our latest airline partner," said Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director at Cork Airport. Expand Close Northern Lights over Jokulsarlon, Iceland. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Northern Lights over Jokulsarlon, Iceland. "The new service is fantastic news for outbound and inbound visitors, especially as it will offer very affordable transatlantic travel between here, the US and Canada." "As a significant business and leisure hub in Ireland, we have ambitious targets for our Cork services and we look forward to working with Niall and his team to develop these exciting new routes," added Skuli Mogensen, founder and CEO of WOW air. "This new WOW air route will see an extra 66,000 seats available from Cork Airport next year," said Pat Dawson, CEO of the ITAA, welcoming the service. The route is also expected to boost inbound tourism. Not only will it help grow visitor numbers from Iceland, but this new service will also offer connectivity between North America and Cork," said Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, welcoming the new flights. The announcement is a major coup for Cork Airport, which has seen passenger numbers grow by some 8pc in the first six months of 2016. WOW is one of a number of new, nimble 'ultra-low-cost' airlines disrupting the industry, although its baggage fees are among the highest in Europe. Checked 20kg bags cost from 31.99 for short flights, and from 54.99 each-way for connecting flights between Europe and North America. Another low-cost airline, Norwegian, has booked transatlantic slots from Cork, but the delivery of its proposed direct routes to Boston and New York has been held up due to opposition from aviation unions and other interests in the US. Cork-Reykjavik flights are now available for booking on wowair.ie. Read more: What should we do with the iconic Central Bank building in Dame Street? Imagine if we did something creative. Rather than sell it off to be turned into a hotel (which is the plan), why not turn this fantastic site into a start-up hub offering extremely low rents to start-up companies, right in the centre of the city? If we are serious about being seen as a start-up nation, the State has to make some big statements. And what better statement than offering the symbol of a failed old Irish institution (a central bank that missed a massive property/credit bubble) to new Irish companies about to make their mark on the world? It is a brilliant building to work in. I know because I worked in it. The views from the upper floors out across the city, past Trinity and on to Howth, are breathtaking. It is right in the centre of the city, close to buses and trains. It could be a symbol of what Dublin could be. Symbols matter. Branding matters. The state that prioritises helping new companies which will drive the Irish economy in the future over yet another typical property deal is a state that is serious about business. Buildings can be more than bricks and mortar, they can stand for something and they have potential to generate a life of their own by being the centre of a living, breathing, 24/7 commercial ecosystem rather than yet another expensive city hotel. The Central Bank owns the building, but as the Central Bank is an arm of the State, transferring the building over to start-ups would be as simple as one part of the State, the Central Bank, debiting another part of the State, let's say Enterprise Ireland. As we, the people, own both of these public institutions, there doesn't have to be any actual transaction. There is just a debiting and crediting of State accounts and the deal is done. The Central Bank doesn't need the 60m quoted for the building because the Central Bank has loads of money. It makes its money through charging interest on money that it prints for free. Imagine, printing money for free (which is what it does) but charging real interest to banks on that money? It's like creating income out of thin air, a sort of monetary magic, if you will. By converting the Central Bank into a start-up hub, it would lower rental costs for new businesses and create a vibrant place for young companies to work together. Already Ireland has a huge multinational presence, and world-class multinationals engage with start-ups. In fact, almost all multinationals have programmes for start-ups. Wouldn't it be a great signal to send to these multinationals that the State is supporting start-ups in a real and meaningful way? Irish start-ups are blessed with lots of talent here on our doorstep. For example, nine out of the top 10 global software companies are in Ireland, as are all 10 of the top 10 'born on the internet' companies, 15 of the top 20 medical technology companies, and nine out of the 10 biggest global pharmaceutical companies. The start-up scene is vibrant. From medicine to music and semi-conductors to security, Irish entrepreneurs have built a broad spectrum of businesses that explore new ideas and disrupt stagnant industries. In the last six months alone, 344m has been invested in Irish companies, with a total of 1.5bn in investment over the last three years. In 2015, the total amount of money raised by Irish start-ups increased by 30pc to 522m. This was split almost evenly between Irish and foreign investors. In the first nine months of this year, over 540m has been raised by Irish start-ups. Right now, there are 2,250 start-ups in Dublin. There are the same number in Amsterdam - but Amsterdam has three times the population of Dublin. So all this is positive - however, there is no space for start-ups. Rents are high and a staggering 40pc of start-ups are operating from home. This means that there are no economies of scale. Each company has to do almost everything in terms of management and infrastructure costs. If there was a dedicated 'hub' based in the centre of the city, lots of small companies could share these costs, bringing down overheads dramatically. This is where the Central Bank building on Dame Street comes in. Can you imagine what making this available to new companies could achieve? In addition, think of what doing something like this does to the brand of Ireland as an enterprise-friendly place to do business? Ireland's brand is crucial to investment. Brand Ireland is what I call Ireland's 'soft power'. Soft power is the power of persuasion, not force. Soft power is all about getting people to do what you want, without forcing them. So hard power is the heavy traditional powers of, for example, the military. Soft power, however, is the light, novel power of the imagination. It is the hidden economic power of the arts, of bold statements from a government, like handing over an iconic building to start-ups, rather than flogging it to the highest bidder. We should never underestimate soft power. For example, it is now well known that the bosses of Google and Facebook sought out Bono's opinion before investing a huge amount of money here. Why was this? It was because of the soft power that U2 created for this country over the years. This is incalculable. Bono's connections and U2's soft power was crucial. Soft power is the power of the imagination and, for small countries trying to compete with the big boys, it is an essential part of our image. You build a brand in small steps, over time. But you need to begin somewhere. Wouldn't using the Central Bank building, the scene of past policy failure, to launch a new Ireland, a start-up nation, seem like an excellent place to start? David McWilliams hosts the Kilkenomics festival from November 10-13 A question that might once have merited being burned at the stake was asked some time back: "Does God act like the Church, or does the Church act like God?" Of late, the Vatican has been castigated for the latter. A succession of scandals have left it accused of being cold and aloof: laying down doctrine setting it in an opposite direction to its followers. The latest announcement from Rome that Catholics who wish to be cremated cannot have their ashes scattered, divided up, or kept at home will upset and confuse many. Placing a loved one's ashes at a cherished beauty spot was regarded for years as paying homage to God's wonders in an act of loving harmony with His creation. But the Church has decreed that cremated remains must now be kept in a sacred, Church-approved place. Yet since 1963, the Vatican explicitly allowed cremation and there were no restrictions on how ashes were scattered. But the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has now decided that the scattering of remains would be seen as a manifestation of "new ideas" which are "contrary to the Church's faith". So ashes cannot be scattered in the air, land or sea. The new instruction carries an 'August 15 date', it also says Pope Francis approved it on March 18. But the guidelines do not make it clear if they were retroactive, or what people are to do if they have disposed of their loved ones in ways now deemed wrong. If this was an oversight, it is one that does not reflect well on a caring church. It is an extraordinary way to behave, given the sensitivities involved. Pope Benedict once said that the slogan 'Jesus yes, Church no,' is totally inconceivable with the intention of Christ. He also said that the individualistically chosen Jesus is an imaginary Jesus." That is his wont. But as for keeping in touch with its followers? At one time a woman who gave birth had to undergo a ritual called 'Churching' because she was deemed unclean. At another, babies who died before they were baptised were deemed to go to Purgatory, not Heaven. Saint Paul wrote to the people of Corinth in an effort to help them to understand the true meaning of Christianity: "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." A little less doctrine, and a little more humanity, and compassion, would be more in keeping with St Paul's message, what ever about the Vatican's. KBC fires first shot in a war that will benefit borrowers The French are famous for their varieties of cheese, Italians for pizza. In Ireland we distinguish ourselves with the varieties of mortgage rates; unfortunately, most are higher than those available to our eurozone counterparts. Finance Minister Michael Noonan has done all but use a battering ram to get a better deal for struggling homeowners, but to little effect thus far. However, the lenders will now find themselves on the rack thanks to new cuts by KBC, which is reducing a range of rates. Big guns such as AIB and Bank of Ireland will now feel the heat as the battle is on to win a greater slice of the pie. Borrowers here are notoriously slow to move, but as the competition gets keener, the inducements to make the switch will get more attractive, which should finally result in a better shake across the board. Some customers could be up to 170 a month better off thanks to the KBC cuts. Given that rates here are about 1.5pc higher than in many other eurozone countries, the reductions will be welcome even if they are long overdue. It sometimes looks as if we have to learn to live with the persistent problem of crime. Some parts of our cities continue to be seen as no-go areas. Recently, I spoke to some Dubliners, who told me that it was not safe to walk at night beyond Upper O'Connell Street. Barefaced, gang-inspired turf warfare leads to regular killings. Mugging has become almost recreational. Not to have been mugged or burgled will soon become a rare badge of honour. Politicians regularly proclaim their passion for ridding the country of crime and the causes of crime. The criminal justice system does its job well, rightly priding itself on its integrity. However, it is not in a strong position to deal with the elusive causes of crime. City planners have a lot to answer for. Over the years, they have managed to create hell holes in which we expect people to thrive. There are pockets of deprivation and poverty that bring shame to us all. If the world around us does not respond to our basic needs, we build our own world, determine our own purposes and cease to engage with either Church or State, no longer expecting anything from them. Into this moral vacuum comes the next generation, at an early age internalising the values that ensure survival, nurtured by the camaraderie of gang life. I am but moderately assured that, given the circumstances of those who live on the margins, I would act differently. The desire to be a cause in the world, to be a somebody, runs deeply through our veins; it is a defining feature of our humanity. Philip O'Neill Oxford, UK Look out for Jack-o'-lantern Next Monday is the October holiday, which often falls in the same week as Halloween. Hence, it's sometimes called the Halloween holiday. As it happens, winter time also begins on Sunday at 2am when clocks go back to 1am. So as well as a day off on Monday, there's an extra hour in bed on Sunday - but it will get dark an hour earlier. The amount of darkness each day gradually increases until the winter solstice on December 21. Summer time begins on Sunday, March 26, at 1am, when clocks go forward to 2am. As the Americans say: "Spring forward to summer time and fall (autumn) back to winter time." Halloween, derived from All Hallows Evening, the night before All Saints' Day, November 1, will be celebrated on Monday night. It originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which paid homage to roaming spirits of the night. People lit bonfires and wore costumes to ward off wandering ghosts. The evening meal was colcannon, consisting of boiled potatoes, curly kale and raw onions. The Irish traditionally carved out a turnip on Halloween night, placed a lit candle inside it and put it on the window sill to ward off passing souls. Irish emigrants to America replaced the turnip with the native pumpkin, which is softer, larger and easier to carve than a turnip. Halloween is nowadays celebrated as a night of scary fun in Ireland. But any person courageous or foolish enough to be out and about at the witching hour of midnight on a lonely Halloween night might well encounter Jack-o'-lantern, the "tormented soul denied entry into both heaven and hell". Jack made a pact with Satan and so was refused entry to heaven when he died. Keeping his promise, Satan refused to let Jack into hell and threw a live coal straight from the fires of hell at him. It was a cold night, so Jack placed the coal in a hollowed-out turnip to stop it from quenching. Since then Jack and his lantern have been roaming the land looking for a place to rest. It's probably just another tall tale. But are you daring enough to risk it? Billy Ryle Tralee, Co Kerry Honouring Anthony Foley A truly fitting and lasting memory to Anthony Foley would be the naming of the Munster headquarters at UL in his honour. Martin Clancy Qatar History won't be kind to Kenny Concetto La Malfa (Letters, Irish Independent, October 24) states: "This is a country which is sitting on a gold mine, but its Government's political choices keep it under undue strain." Tragically, this sentence hits the nail on the head. Is there something in the atmosphere of the Cabinet room in Leinster House, which stultifies the brains of each and every Cabinet member? Nous and common sense appear to have been removed in their entirety from Fine Gael Cabinet members since March 2011. Since the last election, the entire story has been solely about the survival of Enda Kenny and his lacklustre supporters, as the nation sinks lower and lower into harsher difficulties. The great tragedy is that there are innumerable opportunities out there to create employment throughout Ireland. Alas, the absolute lack of vision in the older Fine Gael czars, allied to the dismissal of any erudite FG TD, means that whilst Kenny is clinging to the leadership, and office of Taoiseach, Ireland can go to hell in a handcart. For a man so desperate to have his name etched in Irish history, Kenny has learnt nothing from Irish history. He will indeed go down in political history as the man who had glorious and golden opportunities to make Ireland a great and proud nation; alas, his narrow-minded political bigotry took precedence. But worse are those who surround him, who treat the man as if he was a tin god, whilst he is merely a man of straw to be patted on the head by the leaders of the EU. Declan Foley Berwick, Australia Interpreting the US election Recently, I visited a number of cities in Romania. Our tour guide frequently reminded us that during the Communist period, and especially under the regime of Nicolae Ceausescu, the population was allowed access only to what he termed 'interpretative' history and newscasts. The partisan coverage of the US presidential election by most of our media outlets could be described as 'interpretative' reporting! One can only regret the damage this is doing to their professional reputations. J Anthony Gaughan Blackrock, Co Dublin The president of an international beauty pageant has admitted staff suggested the winner of Miss Iceland needed to lose weight if she wanted to do well in the contest. Arna Yr Jonsdottir, 20, announced she would not be competing in the Miss Grand International pageant in Las Vegas on Sunday because organisers asked her to lose weight just days before the finals which were held on Tuesday. Jonsdottir claimed she was informed there was too much fat on her body and her shoulders were too big. The President of Miss Grand International, Nawat Itsaragrisil, told The Independent staff advised her to lose weight in order to improve her chances at winning. He said everyone should show their improvement in the three weeks building up to the final. Itsaragrisil said Jonsdottir looked slimmer and more beautiful in her previous photos than she did in real life. "She asked some questions and for suggestions from our staff which theyve replied according to what they think, she may be a little bit fat and they recommended her, in good way, to try to lose some weight in order to improve her chance to win," Itsaragrisil, who is also a Thai TV host, said. "This is a normal process for the three weeks during the pageant, everyone should show their improvement. Similarly, the staffs give the same advice for others who asked them what should they do to improve in order to win which each of them would get different advice," he continued. "Since the start of the pageant she is one of the delegates who shown herself to be interesting and to have a great personality. All my staff have loved to work with her and she made great impression on the team." "There was an incident that she shows her photos from her previous international pageant to me which she looks slimmer and more beautiful which I do not understand the purpose as what we are looking in the competition is the present not what she used to look like." Jonsdottir, who was crowned Miss Iceland in 2015, told Iceland Monitor a spokesperson for Itsaragrisil advised her to stop eating breakfast, only eat salad for lunch and drink water every evening until the finals. Read More Jonsdottir announced the news she would be dropping out on her Facebook on Sunday. She said she was determined to stand up for herself, women worldwide and the Icelandic nation. She also posted a handwritten goodbye letter on her Instagram which she addressed to Itsaragrisil. Video of the Day "I am a very strong woman but sometimes my strength isnt enough," she wrote in the letter. "Your staff told me that I had to loose [sic] weight for the finals because I have to much fat on me and also to [sic] big shoulders. They told me to eat less and then you would like me more." "If anyone tells me that Im too fat or whatever, they just dont deserve me," she concluded. Jonsdottir, who is a trained pole vaulter, demanded the organisers "open their eyes" and wake up to the fact it is 2016. In the message posted on Jonsdottirs Facebook, she also claimed organisers told her to say the comments about her weight were a misunderstanding and apologise. Itsaragrisil expressed his shock at learning she had left the hotel, claiming she only informed them of her departure in a letter addressed to him at the reception. "One of our conditions of the pageant for security reasons we do not allow anyone to leave the hotel without our acknowledgement," he said. "She seems to have her own imagination and do whatever she pleased without obeying any rules and regulations which she read and signed accepting before entering the pageant." A representative for Jonsdottir did not immediately respond to request for comment. Justin Timberlake took a selfie while voting in the US presidential election in Memphis (AP) Justin Timberlake appears to have avoided a possible criminal investigation into a selfie he took while voting in the US presidential election. The American pop star posted a photograph on Instagram showing him casting a ballot in Memphis, Tennessee, with a message encouraging people to vote ahead of the November 8 poll. Under Tennessee state law which came into force earlier this year, it is illegal to take photographs or shoot video while inside a polling location. A statement released by the Shelby County District Attorney's office said it had been "made aware of a possible violation of state election law" and the matter was "under review". But later District Attorney General Amy Weirich said her office's statement was "incorrect" and released without her knowledge. "No-one in our office is currently investigating this matter nor will we be using our limited resources to do so," she said. A spokesman for the District Attorney's Office said that for a review to be launched "law enforcement officials would have to present facts to us". The misdemeanour crime of taking a photo inside a polling station is punishable by 30 days in jail or a 50 dollar (41) fine, or both, the spokesman added. In an Instagram post to his 37 million followers on Monday, Timberlake said he had flown from Los Angeles to Memphis to cast his early vote. "No excuses, my good people!" he wrote. "There could be early voting in your town too. If not, November 8th! Choose to have a voice! If you don't, then we can't HEAR YOU! Get out and VOTE! #excerciseyourrighttovote." Video of the Day Tennessee Secretary of State spokesman Adam Ghassemi said officials were "thrilled Justin can't stop the feeling" - a reference to one of Timberlake's songs - but reminded voters to only use their phones inside polling locations to help them vote. Timberlake, 35, lives in California but grew up in the Memphis area and owns property near Nashville. Strictly Come Dancing contestant Laura Whitmore is facing a "painful" experience as she returns to the competition on Saturday following an ankle injury. The television presenter, 31, made a last minute decision to sit out of the show last weekend as the damage caused by rigorous dance training left her unable to walk. Speaking to Zoe Ball on Strictly's spin-off chat show It Takes Two on Wednesday, she said: "It's very painful, it's going to be painful on Saturday, but it's not going to do any damage." She added that she and her partner Giovanni Pernice had "only just" started training for this weekend's Halloween-themed round of the competition, where they will be dancing a tango dressed as Mr and Mrs Death to Paint It Black by The Rolling Stones. She told Ball: "I'm trying to think positive and the tango is quite stern-faced, so I can use the emotions and work it to my advantage." Whitmore also revealed that she was "devastated" at having to miss last week's competition, as a friend of hers had come all the way from Ireland to sit in the audience and watch her. Pernice told Ball how Whitmore had been on the programme set last Saturday and wanted to go on stage, until he pointed out to her: "You can't walk." Professional dancer Brendan Cole is also making a comeback this weekend after missing last week's show due to illness. He and his partner Anastacia will be performing a jive to Bat Out Of Hell by Meat Loaf. After watching all the contestants in training for the next round of the competition, dancer Ian Waite predicted that Louise Redknapp will be the judges' favourite. Video of the Day Commenting on her charleston - which she will be dancing with partner Kevin Clifton to Emeli Sande's version of Crazy In Love - he said: "She comes from a bit of a hip-hop background and it suits that charleston. "It's the first time we've really seen her engaged in her face. "I think it's going to be their best dance and we could see them at the top of the leaderboard. Just putting myself out there." Miranda Kerr and her Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel arrive at the state dinner in honor of President of Finland and the Prime Ministers of Norway, Sweden Australian model Miranda Kerr arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, California February 28, 2016. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok HOLLYWOOD - NOVEMBER 16: Model Miranda Kerr walks the runway during the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show held at the Kodak Theatre on November 16, 2006 in Hollywood, California. The show will be broadcast December 5, 2006 on CBS. (Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images) Miranda Kerr is seen upon arrival at Haneda Airport on March 15, 2016 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Jun Sato/GC Images) Model Miranda Kerr attends the "Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology" Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images) Miranda Kerr attends the La Koriador show during the Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2016 on September 24, 2015 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jacopo Raule/Getty Images) Miranda Kerr attends the Louis Vuitton show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2017 on October 5, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) Miranda Kerr attends the Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images) A man has been charged with the attempted murder of a security guard who was stabbed at the home of supermodel Miranda Kerr. Shaun Anthony Haywood, 29, allegedly slashed the guard's face with a knife after breaking into the Australian model's Los Angeles property to deliver a letter, prosecutors say. Haywood, from Australia, was then shot by the armed security guard, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said. Haywood, also known as Esra, is charged with wilful, deliberate and premeditated attempted murder, aggravated mayhem and assault with a deadly weapon, a knife. If convicted, he faces a possible life sentence. Expand Close Miranda Kerr attends the Louis Vuitton show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2017 on October 5, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Miranda Kerr attends the Louis Vuitton show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2017 on October 5, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) Kerr - who was previously married to British actor Orlando Bloom and is currently engaged to Snapchat co-founder Evan Spiegel - was away from the property during the incident on October 14, police said. Haywood is accused of grabbing the knife from the security guard after being confronted on Kerr's Malibu property on the morning of October 14. Read More He was due to appear before the Los Angeles County Superior Court on Tuesday to face the charges. Deputy District Attorney Elizabeth Dickinson is handling the case, which includes an allegation that Haywood inflicted "great bodily injury" on the victim. Expand Close Evan Spiegel, Chief Executive Officer, Snapchat and model Miranda Kerr arrive for the state dinner in honor of the Nordic Summit at the White House / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Evan Spiegel, Chief Executive Officer, Snapchat and model Miranda Kerr arrive for the state dinner in honor of the Nordic Summit at the White House Bail will be recommended to be set at more than one million dollars, the District Attorney's Office said. Following the incident, police said both men were taken to hospital, where the security guard was in stable condition and the intruder was described as critical with non-life threatening injuries. Video of the Day The incident took place on Kerr's property but not inside her house, which was empty at the time. Kerr, 33, was married to Bloom from 2010 to 2013, and the pair have a five-year-old son, Flynn. Expand Close HOLLYWOOD - NOVEMBER 16: Model Miranda Kerr walks the runway during the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show held at the Kodak Theatre on November 16, 2006 in Hollywood, California. The show will be broadcast December 5, 2006 on CBS. (Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp HOLLYWOOD - NOVEMBER 16: Model Miranda Kerr walks the runway during the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show held at the Kodak Theatre on November 16, 2006 in Hollywood, California. The show will be broadcast December 5, 2006 on CBS. (Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images) The former Victoria's Secret star is regularly listed among the world's highest paid models. Miranda Kerr rose to fame as a model for Victoria's Secret and was married to actor Orlando Bloom (AP) A man has been charged with the attempted murder of a security guard who was stabbed at the home of supermodel Miranda Kerr. Shaun Anthony Haywood, 29, allegedly slashed the guard's face with a knife after breaking into the Australian model's Los Angeles property to deliver a letter, prosecutors say. Haywood, from Australia, was then shot by the armed security guard, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said. Haywood, also known as Esra, is charged with wilful, deliberate and premeditated attempted murder, aggravated mayhem and assault with a deadly weapon, a knife. If convicted, he faces a possible life sentence. Kerr - who was previously married to British actor Orlando Bloom and is currently engaged to Snapchat co-founder Evan Spiegel - was away from the property during the incident on October 14, police said. Haywood is accused of grabbing the knife from the security guard after being confronted on Kerr's Malibu property on the morning of October 14. He was due to appear before the Los Angeles County Superior Court on Tuesday to face the charges. Deputy District Attorney Elizabeth Dickinson is handling the case, which includes an allegation that Haywood inflicted "great bodily injury" on the victim. Bail will be recommended to be set at more than one million dollars, the District Attorney's Office said. Following the incident, police said both men were taken to hospital, where the security guard was in stable condition and the intruder was described as critical with non-life threatening injuries. Video of the Day The incident took place on Kerr's property but not inside her house, which was empty at the time. Kerr, 33, was married to Bloom from 2010 to 2013, and the pair have a five-year-old son, Flynn. The former Victoria's Secret star is regularly listed among the world's highest paid models. Coolio was a contestant in Ultimate Big Brother in 2010 Rapper Coolio has avoided jail after he admitted carrying a concealed gun at Los Angeles International Airport. The US musician was arrested after the handgun was discovered in his bag during security screening on September 17. Coolio, whose real name is Artis Leon Ivey, pleaded guilty to carrying a concealed firearm as a felon when he appeared at Los Angeles' Airport Courthouse on Wednesday. He was sentenced to 45 days community service and banned from owning or possessing guns during a three-year probation period. Speaking outside the courtroom, Coolio said: "A mistake was made. It was a misunderstanding. "I don't condone the use of firearms, illegal or legal. "Thanks to the court and the attorneys for handling this for me. "I was very worried. "I don't do crime. I'm not into anything illegal." Coolio had faced a maximum three-year prison sentence after he was originally charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a felon with two prior convictions. Video of the Day The charge was waived by prosecutors after Coolio agreed to enter a guilty plea to the lesser charge. The 53-year-old has previous convictions for carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle in 2001 and possession of cocaine base in 2009, prosecutors said. Police said at the time of his arrest that the confiscated gun was loaded. Coolio is best known for his 1995 hit Gangsta's Paradise. He also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2009 and Ultimate Big Brother in 2010. Judge Keith Schwartz said Coolio had appeared in front of him before, commenting that the rapper's distinctive hairstyle was "different". "It suits you I guess," the judge said. A list of weapons that Coolio was banned from owning or possessing while on probation included handguns, rifles, shotguns, machetes, tear gas, pepper spray and ammunition, the court heard. Addressing the rapper, Judge Schwartz said guns seemed to "follow you around". "You need to stay away from these things," he added. "One bullet is a violation of your probation. "Having illegal guns is not something you need. "Please do value your probation because if you don't, you will be making a lot of new friends." Coolio had already served one day in a county jail following his arrest, the court heard. His conviction will be reduced from a felony to a misdemeanour if he completes his first year of probation successfully. Everything Sherlock fans know will be "tested" as the detective thriller series returns to screens at the beginning of next year. A first trailer for show's fourth season, broadcast on BBC1 on Wednesday, revealed that it will begin on January 1 2017. The teaser, featuring Benedict Cumberbatch as the contemporary adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, gave glimpses of upcoming scenes with the mysterious lines: "Everything they know will be tested...Everyone they know is under threat." It comes the day after Cumberbatch himself hinted that the next series will be so dramatic fans might require a break from the show afterwards. But the British star, 40, revealed there could be a longer gap than normal between instalments after the forthcoming episodes. He told the Press Association on Tuesday: "I think there will be a lull. I don't think it will be in a year and a half necessarily but we will wait and see and maybe it will be. "First and foremost we have got a fourth series for people to watch and understand and when they watch it they might go 'Oh yeah, maybe there does need to be a break now' because of what happens in it. No spoilers!" However, Cumberbatch was adamant that his new role as superhero Doctor Strange in Marvel's new film of the same name will not impact on his future in Sherlock. He said: "Let me put that one straight, that is nothing to do with this. "They moved the schedule to accommodate Sherlock, there is a lot of mutual love between those two enterprises and there is no reason why one cancels out the other." Video of the Day The comic book giant was so keen to cast Cumberbatch in the blockbuster movie they shifted the filming schedule and release date, he said. "You have a lot of responsibility, especially to them, because in this instance they did something they had never done before because I was doing Hamlet (at The Barbican in London) and that is when they wanted to film after offering me the role and I had to turn it down. "They went to other places with the part but kept coming back to me and eventually went 'Oh all right, we will change our filming schedule and release date' which is a huge, huge honour." Doctor Strange is in UK cinemas now. Rosanna Davison and Irish designer Paul Costelloe walk down the runway at the Paul Costelloe fashion show as part of London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2005 at the BFC Tent, Duke of York's HQ, Kings Road on September 23, 2004 in London. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George and Princess Charlotte attend a ceremony to mark their departure at Victoria Harbour seaplane terminal in Victoria during the Royal Tour of Canada. The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at County Hall on the Southbank in London, as they mark World Mental Health Day. Irish designer Paul Costelloe was less than impressed with Kate Middleton's Vogue cover. Irish designer Paul Costelloe has said that he was less than impressed with Kate Middleton's Vogue cover. The Duchess of Cambridge appeared on the June cover of the fashion bible in casual, country-style attire that had mixed reactions around the world, with some saying it was underwhelming. Irish designer Paul Costelloe, who was personal designer to Princess Diana from 1982 to 1997, agrees with this statement. "I was very disappointed with Kate's Vogue cover," said the famously outspoken designer to Independent.ie. Expand Close The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at County Hall on the Southbank in London, as they mark World Mental Health Day. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at County Hall on the Southbank in London, as they mark World Mental Health Day. "It wasn't like Princess Diana at all." Costelloe, whose work has been shown at London Fashion Week since 1991, feels that the cover didn't do the mother-of-two justice. "She's still stunning, but they could have done a lot more for the cover," he said, "Kate's not as individual as Princess Diana. She's not offering the excitement, unexpectedness and vulnerability that Princess Diana did." Expand Close The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George and Princess Charlotte attend a ceremony to mark their departure at Victoria Harbour seaplane terminal in Victoria during the Royal Tour of Canada. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George and Princess Charlotte attend a ceremony to mark their departure at Victoria Harbour seaplane terminal in Victoria during the Royal Tour of Canada. "She's filling the perfect daughter-in-law role," he added. Costelloe (71) believes that Kate's mother, Carole Middleton, is a huge influence in her daughter's life. Video of the Day "She's her mother's daughter, and it's clear her mother plays a very important role in her life, which is good." "Kate has a very different background to Princess Diana. Diana's mother was an aristocrat while Kate's was an air hostess." Expand Close Diana, Princess of Wales. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Diana, Princess of Wales. "She's very obedient." While Costelloe worked closely with Princess Diana, he hasn't yet worked with the Duchess, although it is something he would like to do. "It would be amazing if she could wear my collection, although she has worn Orla Kiely and we should be very proud of her," he said, speaking of the Irish designer fondly. As for Princess Charlotte and Prince George, Costelloe agrees that the children are "absolutely gorgeous." Expand Close Rosanna Davison and Irish designer Paul Costelloe walk down the runway at the Paul Costelloe fashion show as part of London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2005 at the BFC Tent, Duke of York's HQ, Kings Road on September 23, 2004 in London. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Rosanna Davison and Irish designer Paul Costelloe walk down the runway at the Paul Costelloe fashion show as part of London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2005 at the BFC Tent, Duke of York's HQ, Kings Road on September 23, 2004 in London. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) "It's almost as if they're too perfect." Paul Costelloe is celebrating the launch of his eighth jewellery range, The Phoenix Collection. The Phoenix Collection is made up of over 50 feminine pieces and features rose gold and yellow toning. Syrian Civil Defence workers at the damaged buildings after air strikes in the village of Hass (Syrian Civil Defence White Helmets via AP) Air strikes in Syria have killed up to 22 people, mostly children, when war planes struck a residential area housing a school complex in the northern rebel-held province of Idlib, activists and rescue workers said. A team of first responders, the Syrian Civil Defence in Idlib, said 22 people were killed and at least 50 wounded in the raids on the village of Hass. Most of those killed were children, the group said in a posting on its Facebook page. Another activist group, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, gave the same death toll and said 14 children and a woman were among those killed. The activist-operated Idlib News network, which gave a lower toll of 17 people killed, said the strikes hit as the children were gathered outside the school complex. It said the death toll could rise as some of the wounded were reported to be in a critical condition, the network added. Idlib is the main Syrian opposition stronghold, though radical groups also have a large presence there. It has regularly been hit by Syrian and Russian war planes as well as the US-led coalition targeting Islamic State militants. Footage posted by activists online shows a huge plume of smoke rising from the area of the strikes and rescuers rushing casualties away along a dusty road lined with destroyed buildings. A woman's body is seen being carried on a stretcher while other bodies, covered in cloth and one with only a hat, are lying under shrubs in what could possibly have been a garden among the buildings. Other casualties are seen being ferried in pick-up trucks. An activist at the scene, Muaz al-Shami, said as many as 10 air strikes are believed to have hit the residential area. "I don't want to go to school anymore," a young girl said, weeping. Earlier in the day, the northern Aleppo province saw a new escalation as a helicopter believed to belong to Syrian government forces dropped barrel bombs in a deadly attack on Turkey-backed opposition forces in the border area, Turkish officials said. A statement attributed to the field commander of Syria's pro-government troops said any Turkish advances in northern Syria under the pretext of fighting IS militants would be dealt with "forcefully and appropriately". The barrel bombing was said to have occurred in the village of Tal Madiq, in a part of northern Aleppo where rival groups have been operating, mostly to rout IS militants. If confirmed, the attack would be the first by Syrian government forces on the Turkish-backed fighters. Turkey's state-run news agency did not say when the attack happened and said at least two Syrian opposition fighters were killed and five others wounded. A Syrian opposition spokesman said it took place on Tuesday. The observatory's chief, Rami Abdurrahman, said helicopters struck as intense clashes were under way between Kurdish-led fighters and Turkey-backed forces in Tal Madiq and that 11 Syrian opposition fighters and five Kurdish fighters were killed. The Kurdish-led forces are now in control of the village, about 10 miles from the highly prized IS-controlled al-Bab town. A senior Kurdish commander, however, denied Syrian government bombings of the Turkey-backed fighters, saying it was an attempted explanation for battlefield losses. "They are trying to find a pretext for the loss. No aircraft were involved," Mahmoud Barkhadan of the main Syria Kurdish militia, the People's Protection Units, said. A spokesman for the Syrian fighting group Nour el-Din el-Zinki Yasser al-Youssef said the Kurdish-led forces attacked them while they were fighting IS militants in the area. Then Syrian government helicopters followed, he said. The complex terrain is a powder keg where confrontation among rival groups can break out anytime: US-backed Syrian Kurdish fighters, Turkey-backed Syrian rebels and Turkey. Ankara sent tanks, troops and aircraft into northern Syria in August in an unprecedented incursion that it said was part of efforts to help the Syrian opposition clear the border area of IS fighters. But Ankara is also seeking to contain the US-backed Syrian Kurdish forces fighting IS, putting it at odds with its key ally, the United States. Ankara sees Kurdish fighters in Syria as an extension of its outlawed Kurdish militants and designated as a terrorist organisation. Syria's military threatened last week it would shoot down any Turkish war plane that enters Syrian air space, after Turkish jets raided villages in northern Syria in an escalation of Ankara's offensive against Kurdish fighters. On Wednesday, a statement attributed to the field commander of pro-government troops said Turkish advance under the pretext of fighting IS in northern and eastern Aleppo is an encroachment on the Syrian government's area of operations and would not be tolerated. The fall of the town of al-Bab to Turkey-backed rebels would threaten the government's siege on the rebels in the city of Aleppo, to the west. Meanwhile, Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters on Wednesday that Turkey is determined to push ahead with the offensive in northern Syria - dubbed Operation Euphrates Shield - and liberate the key town of al-Bab from IS militants. It would not be deterred by the bombing of Tal Madiq, he said. "Such attacks will not stop us from combating Daesh," Mr Cavusoglu said, using an Arabic language acronym for IS. "The Euphrates Shield operation will continue. The only goal of the Euphrates Shield operation is to clear Daesh from this area." AP Didier Reynders speaks with the media during a break in a meeting at the Belgium Prime Minister's residence in Brussels (AP) The European Union (EU) has edged closer to being able to sign a free trade deal with Canada on Thursday after Belgium made progress in lifting the veto of one of its regions. However, whether Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would be able to fly to Brussels for the official signature ceremony, seven years after the negotiations started, remains unclear to everyone. EU President Donald Tusk told legislators on Wednesday that "the summit tomorrow is still possible" after days of talks in Brussels between the national government and its regions seemed to be heading for a breakthrough. Belgium needs all its regions to sign on and the EU, in turn, needs unanimity among all its 28 states. Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders said during a break in talks on Wednesday that "all necessary documents" could be sent to EU officials later in the day for a final vetting among member states. Rudy Demotte, leader of the Wallonia-Brussels federation, which is closely aligned with the francophone Wallonia region in Belgium's constitutional structure, said "we still need a bit of time for some verification and political contacts to see if the conditions are respected and if the texts match legally what we want to express politically". Paul Magnette, leader of Belgium's holdout region Wallonia, said some details still need to be clarified, notably in the agriculture sector where he wants his farmers better protected. If the regional leaders agree, the deal would likely still have to go back to the regional francophone legislatures for approval. It makes the deadline for signature ever tighter, making it more likely by the hour that Thursday's EU-Canada summit could be scrapped. Politicians in Wallonia, which has a population of 3.6 million compared to more than 500 million for the whole EU, argue the proposed accord would undermine labour, the environment and consumer standards. Proponents say it would yield billions in added trade through customs and tariff cuts and other measures to lower barriers to commerce. At the same time, the EU says it will keep in place the region's strong safeguards on social, environmental and labour issues. AP A four-year-old girl remains in serious condition in hospital after reportedly being shot in the head by an arrow. The child was left with severe injuries after the incident which occurred at a house in West Yorkshire on Saturday afternoon. After being treated at the scene by paramedics, she was then air lifted to Leeds General Infirmary, reports the Daily Mail. The young girl - who was on life support until Monday afternoon - has had surgery for a head injury. Police have launched an investigation into the incident after being called to the scene shortly before 1pm on Saturday. It is believed that the injuries caused were not intentional. A father who murdered his baby daughter in a fit of temper when she would not stop crying has been jailed for a minimum of 18 years. John Burrill, 31, inflicted grave injuries to eight-week-old Daisy-Mae when he grabbed her by the legs, squeezed her chest, shook her and then swung her in the air. The right side of the youngster's head hit a hard surface, possibly the arm rest of a sofa, which caused a fractured skull and brain damage. The first reaction of heavy cannabis user Burrill was to go outside the family home in Fleetwood, Lancashire and smoke a joint to "calm himself down" before he carried Daisy-Mae's lifeless body upstairs to her mother in the early hours of March 11 this year. Daisy-Mae went into cardiac arrest and died in hospital three days later in the arms of her mother, Ashlee Cox, when the life support machine was switched off. Burrill told his then partner, medical staff and police that Daisy-Mae became limp while downstairs as he went to feed her and he could not explain why. Detectives went on to arrest the couple on suspicion of wounding before Burrill was re-arrested on suspicion of murder and Ms Cox on suspicion of causing or allowing the death of a child. Ms Cox was later released without charge. Burrill maintained his innocence until just before the trial started last week when he finally admitted he was responsible for the unlawful killing of his daughter. Expand Close John Burrill, 31, has been convicted of murder Preston Crown Court, of his two-month-old daughter Daisy-Mae Credit: Lancashire Police/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp John Burrill, 31, has been convicted of murder Preston Crown Court, of his two-month-old daughter Daisy-Mae Credit: Lancashire Police/PA Wire He denied intending to cause really serious harm to Daisy-Mae but a jury at Preston Crown Court rejected his account and convicted him on Tuesday of murder. On Wednesday, sentencing judge Mr Justice Goss, together with Ms Cox and her family, criticised Burrill, of Gordon Street, Fleetwood, for keeping quiet for seven months. Handing out a life term to the B&M Bargains store worker, the judge said: "Although repeatedly asked from the moment the emergency services were called, at the time of the death and thereafter, you professed not to know what had happened. "And you protested that you would not lie about something so serious, thereby adding to the anxiety and grief of her mother and family. "That you persisted in denying responsibility for your actions, thereby casting a constant shadow of suspicion and mystery in relation to Daisy-Mae's death and others, compounded the already immense trauma." Ms Cox's mother, Beverley Swindells, read out her victim impact statement from the public gallery and pointedly explained she would not name her granddaughter's killer. "I will never say his name again," she said. "My daughter was arrested twice, it was difficult to get through each day. "He made a conscious decision to keep quiet about what happened. He has had numerous opportunities to come clean. I will never forgive him for not doing the right thing and making us suffer for so long." Ms Cox added: "I cannot describe how difficult the last seven months have been. I have been stuck in a nightmare that seems as if it will never end. I felt people were judging me. "John has never told anyone that he was struggling to cope with Daisy-Mae. He never reached out at any point to ask for help. "I will never know why John has put us through this hell when all the while he had it in his power to stop it." A teenager has been charged on suspicion of making or possessing an explosive substance following the discovery of a suspicious item on a Tube last week. Damon Smith, 19, from south east London, has been charged over the incident at North Greenwich underground station last Thursday, Scotland Yard said. He is due to appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday morning. Smith is charged with unlawfully and maliciously making or possessing an explosive substance with an intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property, the Met said. He is alleged to have made or acquired the substance between October 18 and October 21 contrary to section 3(1)(b) Explosive Substances Act 1883. A controlled explosion was carried out on the device, which was reportedly handed to the Tube driver and possibly had wires and a clock. Smith was arrested by armed police last Friday on Holloway Road in North London. Last Saturday, another device was discovered at an address in Devon leading to evacuations, however it was found to be not viable. The Met police has said more officers, including armed police, would be seen around "transport hubs" to reassure those with safety concerns. In a statement, the Met said: "Officers continue to encourage the public to remain vigilant and alert at all times, and report anything suspicious to police." Migrants look at burning makeshift shelters and tents in the "Jungle" on the third day of their evacuation and transfer to reception centers in France, as part of the dismantlement of the camp in Calais, France, October 26, 2016. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer People stand on a hill as smoke and flames rise from amidst the tents, after fires were started in the makeshift migrant camp known as "the jungle" near Calais, northern France (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Thick smoke and flames rise from amidst the tents after fires were started in the makeshift migrant camp known as "the jungle" near Calais, northern France (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) Migrants ride past burning shelters set on fire in the makeshift migrant camp known as "the jungle" near Calais, northern France (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) A man stands next to a burning tent as fires were started in the makeshift migrant camp known as "the jungle" near Calais, northern France (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) People walk past as thick smoke and flames rise from amidst the tents after fires were started in the makeshift migrant camp known as "the jungle" near Calais, northern France (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) French government officials have declared the operation to clear the Calais 'Jungle' a success despite charities on the ground reporting that hundreds of child refugees had been left unregistered and with nowhere to go. Pascal Brice, head of the Office for Refugees and Stateless People, said everybody leaving the squalid camp had been registered at the processing centre on the edge of the site. He spoke as firefighters fought to tackle a series of fires blamed by officials on disgruntled refugees and migrants. But charities working with the refugees immediately contradicted the official declaration, claiming the warehouse used to register camp dwellers had been closed before many unaccompanied children living in the Jungle had been processed and transported to alternative accommodation elsewhere in France. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Firefighters extinguish burning makeshift shelters and tents in the "Jungle" on the third day of the evacuation of migrants and their transfer to reception centers in France, as part of the dismantlement of the camp in Calais, France, October 26, 2016. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer Migrants look at burning makeshift shelters and tents in the "Jungle" on the third day of their evacuation and transfer to reception centers in France, as part of the dismantlement of the camp in Calais, France, October 26, 2016. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer Migrants look at burning makeshift shelters and tents in the "Jungle" on the third day of their evacuation and transfer to reception centers in France, as part of the dismantlement of the camp in Calais, France, October 26, 2016. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer Migrants hurriedly remove their possessions from a tent as another shelter burns behind in the makeshift migrant camp near Calais, northern France (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) People stand outside the burning makeshift migrant camp as police officers form a line before letting them back in again once the fires had died down near Calais, northern France (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Migrants, police and media stand on a hill overlooking shelters burning in the makeshift migrant camp near Calais, northern France (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) A migrant looks at the remains of a shop burnt in the makeshift migrant camp near Calais, northern France (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Firefighters extinguish burning makeshift shelters and tents in the "Jungle" on the third day of the evacuation of migrants and their transfer to reception centers in France, as part of the dismantlement of the camp in Calais, France, October 26, 2016. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer And migrants and refugees could be seen still walking with their belongings towards the warehouse, while other groups sat waiting in the sun in the road leading to it. Mr Brice told reporters on Wednesday afternoon: "The operation will be over tonight because all the people who were leaving the Jungle are now welcomed in France, in good conditions in accommodation centres. "It is a matter of satisfaction for the French administration because all those people now are in centres all around France and the Jungle is over." Some 4,404 migrants and refugees and around 1,200 minors have passed through the registration warehouse since the beginning of the operation, the French Interior Ministry said. A spokeswoman for the local prefecture said that the rate of demolition would be scaled up on Thursday with larger machinery moving in. Save The Children said it was "extremely concerned" about minors who had not been registered as the site went up in flames. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Migrants carry their belongings as they walk past burning makeshift shelters and tents in the "Jungle" on the third day of their evacuation and transfer to reception centers in France, as part of the dismantlement of the camp in Calais. Photo: REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer A gas bottle is seen among the flames from a makeshift shelter in the "Jungle" on the third day of their evacuation of migrants and their transfer to reception centers in France, as part of the dismantlement of the camp in Calais, France. Photo: REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer Smoke rises the sky as makeshift shelters and tents burn in the "Jungle" on the third day of the evacuation of migrants and their transfer to reception centers in France, as part of the dismantlement of the camp in Calais, France. Photo: REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer A journalist works sitting in a chair next to burnt tents in a makeshift migrant camp known as the 'Jungle' near Calais, northern France. Photo: AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti Migrants carry their belongings as they walk past burning makeshift shelters and tents in the "Jungle" on the third day of their evacuation and transfer to reception centers in France, as part of the dismantlement of the camp in Calais. Photo:REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer Migrants warm themselves up with a fire next to their burnt tents, before leaving the makeshift migrant camp known as "the jungle" near Calais, northern France. Photo: AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti A sink is seen in the charred debris from fires overnight that destroyed makeshift shelters and tents in the "Jungle" on the third day of their evacuation and transfer to reception centers in France. Photo: REUTERS/Neil Hall A migrant runs past a burning makeshift shelters in the "Jungle" on the third day of their evacuation and transfer to reception centers in France. Photo: REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer France began the mass evacuation Monday of the makeshift migrant camp known as the 'Jungle' a mammoth project to erase the humanitarian blight on its northern border, where thousands fleeing war or poverty have lived in squalor, most hoping to sneak into Britain. Photo: AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti Migrants run past a burning makeshift shelters in the "Jungle" on the third day of their evacuation and transfer to reception centers in France, as part of the dismantlement of the camp in Calais. Photo: REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer Smoke rises the sky as makeshift shelters and tents burn in the "Jungle" on the third day of the evacuation of migrants and their transfer to reception centers in France, as part of the dismantlement of the camp in Calais. Photo: REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer Crews in hard hats and orange jumpsuits on Tuesday started dismantling a makeshift camp in France that has become a symbol of Europe's migrant crisis while thousands of people remained there waiting to be relocated. Photo: AP The remains of shelters smoulder after being set alight in the makeshift migrant camp known as the 'Jungle' near Calais. Photo: AP Photo A migrant looks up to the sky as he stands next to his tent burnt in the makeshift migrant camp. Photo: AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Migrants carry their belongings as they walk past burning makeshift shelters and tents in the "Jungle" on the third day of their evacuation and transfer to reception centers in France, as part of the dismantlement of the camp in Calais. Photo: REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer Around 100 children were waiting to be processed when the warehouse was "swiftly" closed, the charity said, adding that there were hundreds with nowhere to go. The Help Refugees charity estimated that about 300 children were turned away when the registration centre closed and many were standing under a nearby bridge not knowing what to do. "The authorities need to get them into safety now," it tweeted. Several large fires started tearing through caravans, tents and shelters in the centre of the camp a little before midday on Wednesday, the third day of the operation to clear it. Four migrants have been arrested in connection with the fires, said Patrick Visser-Bourdon, the Calais police commissioner in charge of the operation, dismissing suggestions British activists were responsible. The sound of exploding gas canisters could be heard as the flames ripped through what had recently been makeshift homes. Firefighters used hoses to battle the flames gutting the Peace restaurant, which days ago was serving tea to residents. A bus for women and children and a makeshift youth centre were also burned down, according to Help Refugees. As the fires spread, police ushered people out of the camp, many of whom held fabric to their mouths and noses to protect against the thick black smoke. A police officer was killed in a shooting in northwest Hungary early on Wednesday, regional news website kisalfold.hu reported, adding that the suspected assailant has been detained. Spokesmen for police and the TEK counter-terrorism unit declined comment. Andrea Nagy, a spokeswoman for Hungarian prosecutors, could not comment immediately. Kisalfold.hu said the assailant was also injured and was taken to hospital. A French riot police officer stands by a shack set on fire during the demolition of the Calais "Jungle" camp, in Calais Thousands of migrants yesterday vowed to defy orders to quit Calais, saying they would get to Britain "at any cost" as French authorities prepared to demolish the 'Jungle' camp. Hundreds queued to be bussed to accommodation centres across France. Nearly 2,000 migrants joined the exodus on Monday, but charities said another 2,000 were determined to stay in the Calais area and try to slip across the Channel. French immigration chiefs said the price for a passage to England had rocketed since the mass operation to remove asylum seekers from the port town began. People smugglers are reportedly charging Africans 3,900 to put them in lorries bound for Britain, while Syrians are said to be paying up to 11,100 to cross in vans or boats. Jaoued Belmir, the local representative of the French office for immigration and integration, told 'Le Parisien' newspaper it was leading to a situation where "most of them cannot find the money to pay the smugglers". "The border with England has been sealed gradually, so prices have risen," Mr Belmir said. Expand Close Police in Calais / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Police in Calais He warned that French authorities were introducing a zero-tolerance policy towards migrants in Calais. However, officials and charity workers expect about 2,000 migrants to "resist" the demolition of the 'Jungle' camp when bulldozers roll in, which is due to happen this week. "They do not want to leave," said Christian Salome, head of the Migrant Shelter charity. "They will not abandon their dream of England." At least 5,000 or 6,000 people remain at the camp, charity workers estimated, although police put the number at only 4,000. "Right now the operation is going well because they are people who were looking forward to leaving. But we're more worried about the end of the week, when there will be people who do not want to go, and who continue to want to get to England," Mr Salome said. Pierre Henry, head of another French charity, France Terre d'Asile, which has been helping home office staff register unaccompanied children eligible for resettlement in Britain, said: "There are a number who will resist. They want to get to Britain at any cost." After the first day of the camp clearance operation on Monday, remaining migrants began protesting against French riot police and broke into spontaneous chants of 'UK, UK, UK!' French workers began demolishing the 'Jungle' shanty town in Calais yesterday, wielding sledgehammers to tear down makeshift dwellings as former residents - migrants seeking entry to Britain - were moved out. Police equipped with water cannons stood guard as hundreds of migrants - some of whom have lived in the scrubland for months or years - waited for buses to take them for resettlement across France. "The migrants have known for a long time this was going to happen," the Calais region's prefect, Fabienne Buccio, said after arriving at the camp escorted by between 150 and 200 riot police. "We are making sure it is done properly. We define an area, and then we go in." Groups of young men who have fled war and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, kept warm around piles of burning rubbish in the camp, a filthy expanse that has become a symbol of Europe's failed migration policies. A large fire blazed at one point, but then appeared to be brought under control, and there was no repeat of the minor skirmishes with security forces seen over the weekend. Officials said the operation was going peacefully. For many of the migrants from Syria, Afghanistan and other conflict zones, the closure of the 'Jungle' marked the end of a dream to reach Britain. "We know the Jungle is over," said Aarash, a 21-year-old Afghan as he made his way to the hangar where immigration officials were processing the migrants. "We will see if we can get on a bus today, but we want a good city, like one near Paris. If we can't go there we will come back to the Jungle." On Monday, 40 buses took more than 1,900 mainly Sudanese and Eritrean men to accommodation centres across France. Some 400 children are being temporarily accommodated in converted shipping containers in a fenced-off enclosure at the camp which will not be demolished. Police now fear new shantytowns may spring up along the northern French coast. ( Daily Telegraph London) Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022] The Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov passes through the Strait of Dover as a fleet of Russian warships sail through the North Sea on their way to reinforce the attack on the besieged city of Aleppo in Syria Spain was facing international anger last night as it apparently prepared to refuel a flotilla of Russian warships which are due to step up strikes against targets in the Syrian city of Aleppo. Politicians and military figures condemned the support from a Nato member, while the head of the alliance indicated Madrid should rethink the pit stop. Warships from an eight-strong group led by the carrier Admiral Kuznetsov will take on fuel and supplies at the Spanish port of Ceuta after passing through the Straits of Gibraltar this morning, Spanish newspapers reported. Nato officials expect the flotilla to sail onwards to the eastern Mediterranean and escalate air strikes on east Aleppo, which is held by rebels against the Syrian regime. Jens Stoltenberg, the Nato secretary general, said the carrier group, which passed through the English Channel last week, could be used to bomb civilians in the city. He said: "It's for each nation to decide whether these ships can get supplies and be fuelled in different harbours along the route towards the eastern Mediterranean. "At the same time we are concerned, and I have expressed that very clearly, about the potential use of this battle group to increase Russia's ability and to be a platform for air strikes against Syria." Spain regularly refuels Russian warships at the north African port, which it says is not covered by Nato treaties. At least 60 Russian military craft have made technical stops at the enclave since April 2010, when the naval base was opened up to serve ships from other nations. Inappropriate Gerald Howarth MP, a former British defence minister, said it would be "wholly inappropriate" for a Nato member to refuel the vessels. Lord West, a former head of the British Royal Navy, said: "There are sanctions against Russia and it's an extraordinary thing for a Nato ally to do." Guy Verhofstadt, the former Belgian prime minister, said on Twitter: "Spain signed EU statement on Russian war crimes in Aleppo last week; today helps refuel fleet on way to commit more atrocities. Seriously?" Naval sources said the Kuznetsov itself would not dock in Ceuta, but its tanker and escorts could. Spain's foreign ministry said requests from the Russian navy were considered on a "case-by-case basis". A spokesman said: "Russian navy vessels have been making calls in Spanish ports for years." But in an indication that Madrid was feeling the increased diplomatic pressure, the Spanish government said it was reviewing the Russian request. Russia's military visits are estimated to bring in more than 300,000 a time to the city. Lt Gen Evgenny Buzhinsky, who oversaw relations with Nato as a former senior official in Russia's ministry of defence, said the stop in Spain was entirely routine. Meanwhile, the RAF last night scrambled Typhoon jets to escort two Russian Bear bombers off the coast of Scotland. ( Daily Telegraph, London) Ulm Minster towers above the city - but for how long? CREDIT: FOTOLIA/AP Germanys renowned Ulm Minster, the tallest church on the planet, is being steadily eroded by passers-by relieving themselves on its ancient walls. The church in the city of Ulm in the south of the country is at risk, according to custodians, from the acids and salts in urine causing damage to the stone on its lower walls. The minsters stonemasons lament that doubling the fine for those caught mid-stream to 100 has not been enough to prevent people from peeing on the building. Ive been keeping an eye on it for half a year now and, once again, its coated with urine and vomit, said Michael Hilbert, Ulm Minsters head mason. I am not the pee-police, but its about maintaining public order. Mr Hilbert believes that the citys Christmas market as well as a wine festival are in part to blame for the number of people urinating on the building, and wants to see more public toilets in the area. A city spokesperson told Suedwest Presse that police patrols have increased, but no one has been caught in the act. She said the problem is likely to persist for as long as there are people. The 14th century church is famous for boasting the highest spire in the world at 161.53 metres and being the 12th largest church by area, at 8,260 square metres. It is the fourth largest structure in the world built before the 20th century, and survived the Second World War unscathed despite the city around it being heavily bombed by the Allies. Its sandstone base has recently undergone a restoration. Ulm is not the only city to be facing a problem with public urination. Last year, San Francisco introduced anti-pee paint on some of its walls in a bid to put off men caught short. The urine-repellent coating is said to splash the urine back onto the offenders' trousers and shoes. Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022] A third African country, Gambia, has said it will leave the International Criminal Court as fears grow of a mass pull-out from the body that pursues some of the world's worst atrocities. Gambia announced the decision on television, accusing the court of unfairly targeting Africa and calling it the "International Caucasian Court for the persecution and humiliation of people of colour, especially Africans". The move comes after South Africa, once a strong ICC supporter under former president Nelson Mandela, last week notified the United Nations secretary-general it would leave the court. Early last week, Burundi's president signed legislation to leave the court as well. The withdrawal of the African countries has been criticised by human rights groups. "Shameful club of leaders who ignore victims of atrocity crimes," the EU director for Human Rights Watch, Lotte Leicht, tweeted. The court was set up to pursue cases of alleged genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Gambia's decision is also striking because the ICC's chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, is Gambian. The information minister of the tiny West African country, Sheriff Baba Bojang, said in the statement that the court is involved in "the persecution of Africans, and especially their leaders". Only Africans have been charged in the six ICC cases that are ongoing or about to begin, though preliminary ICC investigations have opened elsewhere. Under the Rome Statute that created the International Criminal Court, signatory countries have a legal obligation to arrest anyone sought by the tribunal, but some African states have allowed people wanted by the ICC, notably Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir, to visit, and some say leaders ought to be immune from prosecution. Gambia's information minister accused "at least 30" Western countries of having committed war crimes against their citizens since the ICC was founded more than a decade ago and said none has been targeted by the court. He singled out former British prime minister Tony Blair for his role in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Gambia has begun the process of withdrawing from the ICC, which involves notifying the UN secretary-general and takes effect a year after the notification is received, said the minister. So far, the UN has said it has received notification only from South Africa. Rights groups often accuse Gambian president Yahya Jammeh, one of Africa's longest-serving leaders, of abuses including a clampdown on political opponents. The next presidential election is in December. Officials with other top African critics of the court, including Uganda and Kenya, have said in recent days they have not yet decided whether to leave the ICC as well. Uganda said it will be a "hot topic" at an African Union meeting in January. AP Defendant Wilfried W arrives at the court in Paderborn, Germany (Bernd Thissen/dpa via AP) A couple accused of luring women to their home in western Germany and abusing them so badly that two of them died have gone on trial charged with murder by omission and bodily harm. Wilfried W, 46, and his 47-year-old ex-wife, Angelika W, were brought into the state court in Paderborn separately - the female suspect holding a file in front of her face, but her ex-husband looking at photographers and talking with his lawyers. Prosecutor Ralf Meyer told the court that the couple sought women as slaves for Wilfried W, news agency dpa reported. They aimed to break their victims' will with violence - kicking their legs, scalding their skin and making them sleep in a cold barn, among other things, he added. "The defendants first led the women to believe in Wilfried W's great love, after they had been lured with newspaper ads" to the couple's house outside the town of Hoexter, Mr Meyer said. Authorities started investigating the couple in April when they called an ambulance after their car broke down and rescuers found a woman inside suffering from head injuries and other signs of abuse. She died shortly afterwards in hospital and doctors alerted police to the signs of abuse. Prosecutors say the woman had been held in the couple's house for nearly two months and had been made to sleep in an unheated room on a floor. A post-mortem examination showed she suffered from blows to the head, among other injuries. Police have said that Angelika W then told authorities she had been involved in another woman's death in 2014. That alleged victim's body was cut up and stored in a freezer, and pieces were removed and burned in the couple's fireplace over time, police said earlier this year. The couple allegedly used the woman's phone to continue sending text messages to her mother. Prosecutors believe that at least eight people were abused by the couple in total. Wilfried W's lawyer, Detlef Binder, told n-tv television that his client "was controlled over all the years by his ex-wife". The trial is to resume on November 16 and is expected to continue until at least the end of March. AP Civilians leave their homes as Iraq's elite troops fight against Islamic State militants in the village of Tob Zawa (AP) Iraqi special forces have moved more than 1,000 people out of villages near the front lines of the battle to retake the Islamic State-held city of Mosul and surrounding areas. Major General Haider Fadhil said residents of Tob Zawa and other villages were taken to a camp in the nearby Khazer region for their safety. The International Organisation for Migration said around 9,000 people have been displaced since the operation to retake Mosul began on October 17. The special forces were undertaking clean-up operations in areas retaken from the militants to the east of the city, where troops uncovered a vast tunnel network used by IS to shuttle fighters and supplies by motorcycle, Major Salam al-Obeidi said. To the south of Mosul, another Iraqi commander said IS has been withdrawing from the town of Shura towards the city, taking civilians with them to use as human shields and leaving behind explosive booby traps to slow the troops' advance. "These small villages are secondary to them, Mosul is much more important," said Brigadier General Alaa Mehsin, of the Iraqi army's 15th Division. "They don't want to waste their energy." He said a small number of fighters and civilians were still inside the town. Iraqi forces have been pushing towards Mosul from several directions since the launch of the wide-scale offensive, which involves more than 25,000 Iraqi soldiers, Kurdish forces, Sunni tribal fighters and state-sanctioned Shiite militiamen. It is expected to take weeks, if not months to drive IS from its last urban bastion in the country. The militants have had months to prepare for the long-awaited operation and are believed to have developed extensive defences in and around the city. "They've really dug in, literally, and started putting up the berms, the trenches, the tunnelling systems," said a US military official. "And they're quite extensive tunnelling systems, some of them stretching upward of two kilometres (over a mile)." He said Iraqi forces have found homes near Mosul where the lights are wired with explosives that detonate if you flip the switch. Inside Mosul, IS has set up large concrete barriers known as T-walls, blocking off several streets. IS is also believed to have grown increasingly brutal as it seeks to eliminate any potential threats from among the local population, killing alleged spies as well as former members of the Iraqi security forces. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Tuesday that IS appears to have carried out a number of abuses in recent days in and around Mosul, including killing 50 former Iraqi police officers they had been holding in a building near the city. Spokesman Rupert Colville said Iraqi forces found the bodies of 70 civilians who had been shot dead in the Tuloul Nasser village, some 35 kilometres (20 miles) south of Mosul. He said it was not immediately clear who was responsible for the killings and cautioned that it was hard to immediately verify the reports. He told reporters in Geneva that the UN rights body also had reports that the militants gunned down 15 villagers south of the city and threw their bodies in a river. In the same village, IS tied six people to vehicles by their hands and dragged them around because they were related to a tribal leader battling the extremists, he said. "We very much fear that these will not be the last such reports we receive of such barbaric acts," Mr Colville said. The UN and rights groups have expressed fears that IS may use civilians as human shields as Iraqi forces converge on the country's second largest city, which is still home to more than a million people. Mr Colville said IS fighters shot dead three women and three girls because they were lagging behind as the militants were forcibly relocating them to another district south of Mosul. He said they were going slowly because one of the girls had a disability. Mr Colville also expressed concern over the "severe measures" taken by local Iraqi Kurdish authorities in Kirkuk following a massive IS assault on the northern city last week. He said they had ordered all internally displaced people living outside established refugee camps to vacate their residences and move into the camps, some of which are already full. "We understand that hundreds of families have now been evicted by Kurdish security forces and are worried that if the evictions continue, it could significantly complicate the already alarming situation of mass displacement in the region," he said. AP The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said air strikes killed at least 22 people in a village in Syria's rebel-held Idlib province on Wednesday, seven of them children. The Observatory, a British-based war monitor, said warplanes struck several locations in the Haas village, including an elementary and middle school, killing at least one teacher as well as the children. A report on Syrian state TV quoted a military source as saying a number of militants had been killed when their positions were targeted in Haas, but did not mention a school. Syria's civil war pits President Bashar al-Assad, backed by Russia, Iran and Shi'ite Muslim militias from Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan against an array of mostly Sunni rebel groups including some backed by Turkey, Gulf monarchies and the U.S. Idlib, near Aleppo in northwest Syria, contains the largest populated area controlled by rebels, both nationalist groups under the banner of the Free Syrian Army and Islamist ones including the former al Qaeda affiliate Jabhat Fateh al-Sham. The high death toll from strikes by the Syrian military and Russian air force in rebel-held areas has prompted criticism from Western countries and international human rights groups. Rihanna posted an emotional plea online for information leading to the whereabouts of Shirlene Quigley, who was later found safe (AP) A dancer who went missing has been found after Rihanna made an emotional appeal for information. Shirlene Quigley, from New Jersey, has performed with Rihanna, as well as Missy Elliott, who had also urged people to help the police search, and Beyonce. Officer Alex Vazquez of North Bergen police said that Ms Quigley had been found and her family was en route to see her at an undisclosed location. Missy Elliott said on her Twitter account that Ms Quigley was "safe & being treated". Police say Ms Quigley's landlord saw the 32-year-old on Saturday afternoon leaving her North Bergen Township home. Another person reported seeing her near the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan early on Sunday. Her car and mobile phone were found by New York City police. Rihanna had earlier posted an emotional plea online for information about the whereabouts of the dancer. She posted a video of Ms Quigley on Instagram, and said: "This beautiful soul, and former dancer of mine is MISSING!!! My heart aches thinking of how heavy this is on all who love her!" Ms Q uigley's father told WNBC-TV she left a message with a friend that stated: "Get ready, it's about to happen and I'm going to need you to sub for me." In a video also posted by Rihanna, Ms Quigley speaks about treating people as family. "Imagine if we treated each other like we all really came from the same family," she says. "I know people probably think I'm crazy because I'm always telling everyone 'I love you! I love you!' Because the minute that I meet somebody I do love them because I know in my heart and in my spirit that that's my brother and my sister, that's my neighbour." AP Milo Djukanovic, front, speaks at his headquarters in Podgorica as Dusko Markovic looks on (AP) Montenegro's prime minister Milo Djukanovic is to step down after ruling unchallenged for more than 25 years. The Democratic Party of Socialists has named his deputy Dusko Markovic as a possible replacement. Mr Djukanovic, who led the tiny Adriatic nation to independence from Serbia in 2006, has resigned twice in the past, but returned as either prime minister or president. He was 29 when he became the youngest prime minister in Europe in 1991. He was elected president in 1998, before again assuming the premier's job in 2002, and is the longest serving Balkan leader. The DPS won most seats in October 16 parliamentary elections, but will need to seek a coalition to remain in power. The ruling party did not give a reason for him stepping down. AP Inam Khan, owner of a bookshop in Islamabad, Pakistan, shows a copy of a magazine with the photograph of Afghan refugee Sharbat Gulla (AP) Police in Pakistan have arrested National Geographic's famed green-eyed "Afghan Girl" for having a fake Pakistani identity card, an investigator said. Sharbat Gulla was arrested during a raid at a home in Peshawar, said Shahid Ilyas, from the Federal Investigation Agency. Gulla was an Afghan refugee girl when she gained international fame in 1984 after war photographer Steve McCurry's photograph of her, with piercing green eyes, was published on the cover of National Geographic. McCurry found her again in 2002 in Afghanistan. Gulla surfaced again in Pakistan last year when authorities said she had a fake Pakistani ID card. Mr Ilyas said some officials were later fired for providing Gulla with the fake ID and that she has since been living in hiding to avoid arrest. AP Women are boycotting Ivanka Trump's fashion range in protest at her continued support for her father's presidential campaign. The hashtag #GrabYourWallet has seen women turn against Ivanka after she stood by Donald Trump in the wake of sexual harassment allegations against him and a leaked video, in which he is heard making lewd comments about women. The campaign was started by Sharon Coulter after she saw the now notorious 2005 'Access Hollywood' tape. The technology specialist, from San Francisco, told the 'Guardian' newspaper that Trump's behaviour had reminded her of her own experience of harassment by a male boss. "Suddenly he came up behind me and pressed himself right up against me and said 'Why is it you always look so good?' He had a colleague with him and it was so humiliating," Coulter said. "And when I heard Donald Trump talking on that tape, I recognised in his words the same feeling that I had that day - of being nothing more than an object. No matter how smart you are or how hard you work, they can do that to us." She added: "If Ivanka Trump had distanced herself from the campaign, I would not be boycotting her. But something changed for me when that tape was released." She decided to call the protest #GrabYourWallet in response to Donald Trump's "grab them by the p***y" boast about women. Since Coulter started her campaign earlier this month, her posts have been viewed online more than a million times. Around 50,000 women have contacted her, with thousands backing the boycott of Ivanka's eponymous clothing, accessories and perfume business, which is reportedly worth $100m. They are also calling on US department stores to stop selling the brand, including Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Marcus and Amazon. Coulter has encouraged women to phone retailers who stock the Ivanka Trump Collection and express their anger. She is also curating a list of shops who sell the fashion line. Macy's removed Donald Trump's clothing range from sale in 2015 after he was criticised for saying that Mexico was "sending rapists" to the US. The 26 were from a group of 33 taken by militants near the provincial capital of Ferozkoh Taliban insurgents have killed 26 Afghan civilians after abducting them in the remote central province of Ghor the previous day, officials said. The killed civilians were from a group of 33 taken by the militants near the provincial capital of Ferozkoh, according to Ziauddin Saqib, the deputy provincial police chief. Earlier reports suggested 20 were killed but the death toll rose later in the day. The abductions took place while battles were under way between the Taliban and Afghan security forces on Tuesday that saw two militant commanders killed, Mr Saqib added. Both commanders were infamous figures in Ghor and were involved in many anti-government activities, Mr Saqib also said, adding that the "cowardly insurgents killed innocent civilians in revenge for their commanders killed by security forces". There was no immediate statement from the Taliban on the incident in the largely lawless Ghor. However, Abdul Hai Khateby, the spokesman for the provincial governor, said he is convinced the militants behind the attacks and abductions were a renegade Taliban group that had sworn allegiance last year to Afghanistan's Islamic State affiliate. "The group is former Taliban who just a year ago announced their support to their Islamic State group and changed their white flag to black," Mr Khateby said. Mr Khateby also said he believed the abductions and killings were in revenge for the deaths of the two commanders. The civilians who were abducted are all poor people from the area, mainly villagers and shepherds, and there were even children among those taken, said Mr Khateby. He said that the victims' families and relatives, along with other residents of Ghor, held a protest rally near the governor's office in Ferozkoh, the provincial capital, later on Wednesday. The demonstrators denounced the government, which they said cannot protect the local population. "The locals were so angry and they were throwing stones towards the governor's building," he said. No-one was hurt in the protest, which later ended with the help of tribal leaders who mediated between the crowd and the authorities. Ghor is one of Afghanistan's poorest and least developed provinces, with many areas outside Ferozkoh believed to be under Taliban control. In a report from eastern Paktika province, 17 people, including two children, were wounded when a bomb went off on Wednesday at a marketplace in the provincial capital of Sharan, according to local officials. Dr Wali Gul Kharoti, head of the public health department, said there were also two military personnel among the wounded. He said all of the wounded were in a stable condition. Abdul Raouf Massoud, deputy police chief in Paktika, said the explosive was "placed inside a shop at the city market" in an attack obviously meant to target civilians. No-one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. The Taliban have in recent months stepped up attacks across Afghanistan, taking advantage of the warm weather to wage war against the Kabul government. Many civilians have been caught in the cross-fire and also targeted by roadside bombs, which are among the insurgents' weapons of choice. Recently, the Taliban have attacked Afghan security forces in northern Kunduz province, briefly taking control of a district headquarters. The militants have also overrun a district in northern Baghlan province and in eastern Paktia province. Meanwhile, in eastern Nangarhar province, Taliban militants have fought pitched battles with security forces. Afghanistan's ministry of defence says its forces are waging operations in 15 provinces. In July, Kabul was shaken by a massive suicide bombing that struck a peaceful rally by Afghanistan's minority ethnic Hazara community, killing more than 80 people and wounding hundreds. That attack was claimed by Islamic State, which emerged last year in Afghanistan as an affiliate of the militant group fighting in Iraq and Syria. Analysts believe the Islamic State affiliate in the country is mostly made up of disenfranchised Taliban fighters. The Hazara attack was the IS Afghan branch's first assault in the country's capital and the deadliest attack in Kabul since the US-led invasion to remove the Taliban regime in 2001. AP Civilians leave their houses, as Iraq's elite counterterrorism forces fight against Islamic State militants, in the village of Tob Zawa, about 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) from Mosul, Iraq, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) A member of Iraq's elite counterterrorism forces in a military convoy flashes a victory sign as forces advance toward Islamic State positions in the village of Tob Zawa, about 9 kilometers (5 miles) from Mosul, Iraq, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) Iraq's elite counterterrorism forces collect villagers for preliminary investigation before taking them to displaced people camps in the village of Tob Zawa, about 9 kilometers (5 miles) from Mosul, Iraq, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) A newly displaced woman runs after she jumped over a back wall and rushed to grab humanitarian packages, as smoke rises from a burning oil refinery at a processing centre in Qayyara, south of Mosul, Iraq October 25, 2016. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra Iraq's elite counterterrorism forces advance toward Islamic State positions in the village of Tob Zawa, about 9 kilometers (5 miles) from Mosul, Iraq, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016.(AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) Iraq's elite counterterrorism forces advance toward Islamic State positions in the village of Tob Zawa, about 9 kilometers (5 miles) from Mosul, Iraq, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) Iraq's elite counterterrorism forces advance toward Islamic State positions in the village of Tob Zawa, about 9 kilometers (5 miles) from Mosul, Iraq, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016.(AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) Iraq's elite counterterrorism forces advance toward Islamic State positions in the village of Tob Zawa, about 9 kilometers (5 miles) from Mosul, Iraq, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) A man holds a child while Civilians leave their houses, as Iraq's elite counterterrorism forces fight against Islamic State militants, in the village of Tob Zawa, about 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) from Mosul, Iraq, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) A member of Iraq's elite counterterrorism forces holds his weapon as forces advance toward Islamic State positions in the village of Tob Zawa, about 9 kilometers (5 miles) from Mosul, Iraq, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) Iraqi special forces have moved more than 1,000 people from villages near the front lines of the battle to retake the Islamic State-held city of Mosul. Major General Haider Fadhil said residents of Tob Zawa and other villages were taken to a camp in the nearby Khazer region for their safety. The International Organisation for Migration said at least 8,940 people have been displaced since the operation to retake Mosul began on October 17. The special forces were undertaking clean-up operations in areas retaken from the militants to the east of the city, where troops uncovered a vast tunnel network used by IS to shuttle fighters and supplies by motorcycle, Major Salam al-Obeidi said. Iraqi forces have been pushing towards Mosul from several directions since the launch of the wide-scale offensive, which involves more than 25,000 Iraqi soldiers, Kurdish forces, Sunni tribal fighters and state-sanctioned Shiite militiamen. It is expected to take weeks, if not months, to drive IS from its last urban bastion in the country. The militants have had months to prepare for the long-awaited operation and are believed to have developed extensive defences in and around the city. In recent weeks they are also said to have targeted alleged spies and others they fear may rise up against them. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Tuesday that IS appears to have carried out a number of atrocities in recent days in and around Mosul, including killing 50 former Iraqi police officers they had been holding in a building near the city. Spokesman Rupert Colville said Iraqi forces found the bodies of 70 civilians who had been shot dead in the Tuloul Nasser village, some 35 kilometres (20 miles) south of Mosul. He said it was not immediately clear who was responsible for the killings and cautioned that it was hard to immediately verify the reports. He told reporters in Geneva that the UN rights body had also received reports that the militants gunned down 15 villagers south of the city and threw their bodies in a river. In the same village, IS tied six people to vehicles by their hands and dragged them around because they were related to a tribal leader battling the extremists, he said. "We very much fear that these will not be the last such reports we receive of such barbaric acts," Mr Colville said. The UN and rights groups have expressed fears that IS may use civilians as human shields as Iraqi forces converge on the country's second largest city, which is still home to more than a million people. Mr Colville said IS fighters shot dead three women and three girls because they were lagging behind as the militants were forcibly relocating them to another district south of Mosul. He said they were going slowly because one of the girls had a disability. Mr Colville also expressed concern over the "severe measures" taken by local Iraqi Kurdish authorities in Kirkuk following a massive IS assault on the northern city last week. He said they had ordered all internally displaced people living outside established refugee camps to vacate their residences and move into the camps, some of which are already full. "We understand that hundreds of families have now been evicted by Kurdish security forces and are worried that if the evictions continue, it could significantly complicate the already alarming situation of mass displacement in the region," he said. Evelyn T. Miller is a candidate for Cabarrus County Commissioner. She lives in what is known as Gods Country, near Mt. Pleasant, N.C. Evelyn earned a Bachelor Degree in Education at Barber-Scotia College and a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education from Pfeiffer University. She taught for 25 years in Mecklenburg and Cabarrus counties prior to retiring from Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. Evelyns marriage of 38 years, to Concord native James Bailey Miller, blessed them with four children and nine grand-children. She is an active member of First Missionary Baptist Church, where she is a servant leader for Noahs Ark Nursery Ministry. She also serves as secretary for the Cabarrus County, North Carolina Retired School Personnel, Region 3, and as an advisor/instructor for Multi-Cultural Community Student Union. Evelyn is running for county commissioner to be a voice that will represent all the county residents to improve our overall quality of life, health and wellness. She wants our children to understand that her candidacy represents democracy, and democracy is not a spectator sport. To make it work, you have to participate! Her favorite saying is, When you have a concern or problem, dont complain; ask yourself what am I going to do about it? By running for County Commissioner she wants to be at the table to help find solutions to the concerns and needs of Cabarrus County citizens. There are key areas Evelyn feels are important for expanding growth in our county. Economic opportunities in employment shrank due to our lost jobs in the textile and later the tobacco industries. The county also needs to continue to find ways to invest more in small businesses to sustain local employment. We need to support training programs that prepare citizens to enter, and re-enter, the workforce. Population growth in Cabarrus County has increased due to job transfers as well as the many that just prefer to live here in Cabarrus County. This has increased housing costs, negatively affecting those who live below the federal poverty guidelines. The local job opportunities available for our displaced workers remain static or in decline. The average non-college educated person is making only $7.25 an hournot nearly enough to cover the cost of a two-bedroom residence, which has increased, meaning many Cabarrus County residents are paying an average of $806 monthly for a two-bedroom residence. A recent survey in Cabarrus County revealed that at least one health service had to be skipped because of its cost. The top two skipped services were dental treatments and prescription medications. As a county commissioner, Evelyns top priority would be to advocate for local residents, ensuring they are not marginalized. We need to create favorable opportunities for employment, housing, health care and continuing education programs for Cabarrus residents. Evelyn T. Miller will be a strong commission member who will work for the common good of all our Cabarrus County residents, providing accountability, responsible guidance through research and encouraging citizen input to find workable solutions. Her life experience and professional background, combined with her love for Cabarrus County, have given her the desire to be a willing servant, accepting the commitment it will take to become a member of this important board. Most of all, she wants to encourage community involvement in the process of decision making. Speak to her about your interests, and share your concerns. Evelyn, is ready to work, are you with her? Cabarrus County means business. Lets get to work. Editor's Note: Each candidate was asked to submit an article about their background and qualifications and why they would be the best person for the office. HARRISBURG- The band students of Hickory Ridge are holding a wreath sale to raise money for instruments, equipment and a future trip to China. The fresh, Noble Fir evergreen wreaths can be purchased from a band member until November 4. They will also come with a red, weather-resistant bow. The wreaths will be delivered between November 29 and December 9. Let a band member know you are interested or email tmalmut@gmail.com for more information and an order form. CONCORD- Jumpstart, a national early education organization, will partner with the Greater Cabarrus Reading Association and the Concord Rotary Club), for the 11th anniversary of Jumpstarts Read for the Record, a national campaign that helps address the educational inequities that leave too many children unprepared for kindergarten. On Thursday, Oct. 27 children and adults will join forces for the worlds largest shared reading experience, known as Jumpstarts Read for the Record. Since 2006, this 24-hour celebration has mobilized over 17 million people, and Jumpstart holds the world reading record for the most people reading the same book on the same day. This years official campaign book, The Bear Ate Your Sandwich by Julia Sarcone-Roach (Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers), will not only inspire adults to read with children, but will also spur policymakers and organizations to take action towards transformative change in early education while putting books in the hands of more children across the country. GCRA members, teaching in grades kindergarten through second grades, were offered the chance to have a Rotarian from the Concord Rotary Club to read the book in their respective classrooms. Each participant received a free book for their classroom library. Participating schools are Boger, Beverly Hills, Cannon, Cox Mill, Jackson Park and Rocky River. Schools that had GCRA reps were also given a book to be placed in their school libraries. The books were sponsored by GCRA and the Concord Rotary. To learn more about Jumpstart, visit readfortherecord.org. About Jumpstart Jumpstart is a national early education organization working toward the day every child in America enters kindergarten prepared to succeed. By participating in Jumpstarts year-long program, children develop the language, literacy, and social-emotional skills they need to be ready for school, setting them on a path for lifelong success. Since 1993, Jumpstart has trained 45,000 college students and community volunteers to transform the lives of 95,000 preschool children nationwide. Learn more at jstart.org and follow us on Twitter at @Jumpstartkids. About The Bear Ate Your Sandwich Julia Sarcone-Roachs The Bear Ate Your Sandwich is the tale of a bear, lost in the city, who happens upon an unattended sandwich in the park. The bears journey from forest to city and back home again is full of happy accidents, funny encounters, and sensory delights. The story is so engrossing, that you will not see the surprise ending coming. HARRISBURG- A local Boy Scout needs the communitys help to build something beautiful and useful for Harrisburg. Blake Robinson, a Life Scout in Troop 198 based at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Mint Hill, wants to build a gazebo for the Veterans Park outside of Harrisburg Town Hall for his Eagle Scout project. But he needs donations to make this project a reality. Robinsons mother mentioned that he should build something in the empty area and they settled on a gazebo. I asked the people at town hall and they thought it was a great idea, Robinson said. To complete the gazebo Robinson needs to raise $7,500 and he has set up a GoFundMe account so people can make donations. So far the site has raised $1,495. Robinson said the gazebo will be approximately 25 ft. across and an octagonal shape. He hopes it will be used for summer concerts, Easter egg hunts and as a place for Santa Claus to meet children. Work has already begun on the gazebo and the footings were dug by Richard D. Suggs Construction. Robinson said his troop helped with site prep under the supervision of Jim and Sandy McKeon. "My contributors who have either already provided materials or services have their name on our construction banner and will also be listed in the dedication program when we finish the gazebo," Robinson said. "I will do the same for any other donor services or material." Robinson also needs help with labor and donations for hardware to assemble the structure, a metal roof and metal railings. He is also asking for volunteers to help finish the donated concrete slab to create an accessible handicap ramp. "If I have to pay for all of this I will need to hit my goal of $7,500. If I am able to get the materials or labor donated then my target will be closer to $3,000 to $5,000," Robinson said. He hopes to complete the gazebo before Thanksgiving. "I was originally targeting having the gazebo completed so it could be dedicated on Veterans Day but since that is only 17 days away that chance is slim," he said. "My revised date, if I can't hit Veterans Day will be before Thanksgiving so it can be used for the Christmas tree lighting for a place so Santa can sit." Anyone interested in making a donation for Robinsons project can visit https://www.gofundme.com/74u3guxv. Prevent Unauthorized Transactions in your demat / trading account Update your Mobile Number/ email Id with your stock broker / Depository Participant. Receive information of your transactions directly from Exchanges on your mobile / email at the end of day and alerts on your registered mobile for all debits and other important transactions in your demat account directly from NSDL/ CDSL on the same day." - Issued in the interest of investors. KYC is one time exercise while dealing in securities markets - once KYC is done through a SEBI registered intermediary (broker, DP, Mutual Fund etc.), you need not undergo the same process again when you approach another intermediary. No need to issue cheques by investors while subscribing to IPO. Just write the bank account number and sign in the application form to authorise your bank to make payment in case of allotment. No worries for refund as the money remains in investor's account." www.indiainfoline.com is part of the IIFL Group, a leading financial services player and a diversified NBFC. The site provides comprehensive and real time information on Indian corporates, sectors, financial markets and economy. On the site we feature industry and political leaders, entrepreneurs, and trend setters. The research, personal finance and market tutorial sections are widely followed by students, academia, corporates and investors among others. South Dakota Democratic Party on SoundCloud: Red Dawn Foster Obama Endorsement A small legislative race in South Dakota is getting some attention from a big name. "This election isn't just about defeating extreme Republicans candidates, it's also about electing strong Democrats like Red Dawn Foster," Obama said in an audio announcement Obama's endorsement is an attempt to bring an all-Democratic slate to House District 27. The district's two seats are currently held by a Democrat and a Republican. Red Dawn Foster is running for one of two seats in South Dakota's House District 27. Photo from Facebook Foster, who is Oglala Sioux and Navajo, and fellow Democrat Jim Bradford , who is also Oglala, are among the five candidates on the ballot in the district. The pair are joined by two Republicans: Liz May , who is the incumbent, and Steve Livermont. Everette McKinley, an independent, rounds out the ballot. Only top two vote-getters on November 8 will win the House District 27 seats so Obama's endorsement could help Foster cross the finish line. "I'm humbled and honored to be receiving President Obamas endorsement," Foster said in a press release . "I am committed to working for the betterment of all people in District 27 and will continue working hard to carry my progressive agenda forward. The Democratic incumbent in District 27 is Kevin Killer , who is Oglala and Kiowa, but he is running for the Senate seat in this cycle. The seat is held by Bradford but he decided to run for the House this year. Join the Conversation If you think that acting is one of the easiest jobs in the world, it's time to rethink. Actors have to struggle a lot to get into the skin of characters and sometimes the external environment and the circumstances make the job even more difficult for them. Actors don't really brag about the struggles they go through during their shooting process but sometimes while they spill the beans about their character, it becomes difficult for them to not get into the details. Twitter Talking about Vishal Bhardwaj's Rangoon and how difficult it was for Kangana, Shahid, and the crew, on #NoFilterNeha; Neha Dhupias podcast, Kangana said: Twitter "For Rangoon, we were taken to remote valleys in Arunachal Pradesh. There were literally no villages, nothing, not even rest rooms. I was peeing behind rocks and changing behind rocks. My own people would just cover me. Everyone was so was Shahid. There was nothing, so what do you do?" How I Met Your Mother will always remain one of the most popular sitcoms. The show was perfect in ways more than one. However, in a rather striking conversation about the show, the creators of the show Carter Bays and Craig Thomas revealed that the sitcom has emotional roots inspired by the September 11 attacks on World Trade Centre. Twitter It was after those 11th September attacks in 2001 that Bays and Thomas discussed the show's roots during a New York Television Festival. According to The Hollywood Reporter, both of them were working as staff writers on the Late Show with David Letterman, but wanted to write material with characters and storylines outside of the series' signature format. Bays said, "It really was a 'do it now or never do it' moment. Life is short ? this is something we want to do eventually, we should do it." Talking about the same, Thomas said, YouTube "We have to write something bigger and with emotion, and (that) talks about twists and turns in life." Adding to that, Bays said, "It informed HIMYM in very subtle ways. For two 29-year-olds to be writing something so nostalgic... (Because we learned) Wow, life really is about chapters closing and things coming to an end, and things pivoting on an axis that will never pivot back." Sometimes things are beyond the obvious, right? As a kid she was told by a school that she is a 'Monster'and was denied admission. Now she is a 31-year-old woman and has a class of her own, isnt that amazing? It is a slap on the face of people who denied her admission. She is now the first person with Down Syndrome to work as preschool teacher in Argentina and is also one of the few in the world. metrouk2.files.wordpress.com Noelia Garellas case has set an example for many who questioned the abilities of people with down syndrome, that a person with a cognitive syndrome can handle a group of kids. Her two and three-year-old pupils gather around her lovingly in her classroom in the Jermonito nursery. At her one request the little ones adorably sit down and watch her as she goes on reading stories to them. I adore this. Ever since I was little, I have always wanted to be a teacher, because I like children so much, she told AFP. lvdnena.rosselcdn.net She got immense support not just from the school authorities but also from the parents, they saw no reason that Garella could not teach early-learning reading classes. Rather her determination inspired her colleagues to hire her at the pre-school in the northern city of Cordoba. The principal of the school told that she actually gave the children in the nursery classes most appreciate which is love. Though Down Syndrome is a genetic condition which can typically affect a persons physical and intellectual growth but it has done nothing to reduce her optimism and self-belief. A 64-year-old senior Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) professor, a cancer patient, died at the varsity's hospital after the authorities could not arrange an ambulance for him, for over six hours. twitter/News By Crowd Professor D Murthy's doctors at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC) had advised that he be shifted to a Delhi hospital after his condition deteriorated following surgery on Sunday . Murthy was the chairman of AMU's department of modern Indian languages. Mustafa Zaidi, secretary of AMU Teachers' Union (AMUTA), described Murthy's death as "a blatant case of negligence" and sought strict action against those responsible. Members of AMU's students' union alleged that this was just the latest among "numerous cases of serious medical negligence by JNMC authorities" and demanded action against the erring staff. Last month, five doctors of JNMC were booked for negligence after a student died of dengue during treatment at the hospital. Also Read: After Being Denied An Ambulance, Odisha Man Carried His Wife's Body On His Shoulders For 12 Km BCCL/representational image AMU vice-chancellor Lt Gen Zameer Uddin Shah (Retd) told TOI that he had formed a three-member panel to investigate the case. Vowing necessary action against the guilty, Shah said "prima facie" the delay seemed to be the result of negligence by administrative staff, not doctors. He said it was because of delays in the completion of formalities and paper work that an ambulance could not be arranged in time. amu He said the inquiry report would be submitted to him by November 5. Also Read: Denied Ambulance, MP Man Forced To Carry His Mother's Dead Body On The Motorcycle JNMC principal, Tariq Mansoor said Murthy suffered from an advanced malignancy. He was on ventilator, and could only be shifted to Delhi in a ventilator-equipped ambulance (which is available to AMU employees), he said, and added that there was a "little" delay in completing the paper work. Dr Mohammad Aslam, a surgeon at JNMC, admitted to "procedural delays" in arranging an ambulance. Also Read: Turned Away By Ambulances, Madhya Pradesh Man Carries Mother-In-Law's Body On Bicycle For 20 Km BCCL/representational image But he added that Prof Murthy had not been keeping well for some time, and had ignored doctors' advice that he get admitted to hospital. He said the professor came to JNMC only on Sunday , when his condition was "bad". Jammu & Kashmir reeling under militancy often draws attention during terrorist attacks and civilians stone pelting on the Indian security forces. The India government is often accused a ignoring the needs of the people living in this state. Although the role of the government can be debated, there is no denial that this north Indian state is doing better than the rest of the country in various aspects of life. One example of this work is that Jammu and Kashmir has now surpassed Kerala as the state with the highest life expectancy in India for all ages, barring life expectancy at birth. According a report released on October 19, 2016, by the Registrar General of India (RGI), custodian of census data, the people of Jammu and Kashmir has a reason to smile. AFP How Kashmiris live longer than Keralites Baring, the life expectancy at birth, Kashmiris are living longer than Keralites at all other Different ages. The life expectancy between the 1 and 70, age groups the resident of J&K is living longer than a Keralite. For example, according to the data, at the age of 1 year, a Kashmiri is expected to live for 75 years whereas a Keralite is expected to live 74.8 years. If we see this ratio at the age of 70 years, a Kashmiri is expected live for 14.3 years more where a Keralite is expected to live 12.9 years. Better Health infrastructure/population ratio which has made this possible According to Union Health ministry data, there are 20,306 government hospitals in the country. Rajasthan leads with 3,145 hospitals and Jammu and Kashmir stands at the number two with 2,812 hospitals. Going by the statistics, J&K has the higher number of health institutions in rural and urban areas than neighbouring Himachal Pradesh (160), Punjab (240), and Haryana (159). Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state, has only 831 hospitals. AFP As far as government infrastructure is concerned, J&K has a total of 637 Primary Health Centres, 84, Community Health Centres and 23 district hospitals. Surprisingly, when rest of India falls extremely short on the health infrastructure, J&K has health infrastructure in surplus. According to union health ministry's data (till 31 March 2015), J&K requires a total of 327 PHCs whereas it has a total of 637 PHCs operational. Similarly, the state requires a total of 81 CHCs, but has 84 operational instead. The scarcity of doctors in India is a colossal issue with a national average of seven doctors over 1000 people. But scenario is J&K is better than the national average. For example, in India, every PHC ought to have one doctor and several PHCs in states like Jharkhand and Chattishgarh have shortfall of doctors so colossal that more half PHCs are with doctors. But in J&K, 637 doctors are required, the sanctioned strength of doctors is 1352 whereas 834 doctors are attending patients in PHCs across the state. Life Expectancy in 1970s and Now This hasn't happened overnight as it took more than three decades to reach to this level along with constant efforts from the state. For example, In 1970-75, J&K had a total life expectancy of 56.1 years with 56.9 for men and 55.2 for women whereas Kerala in the same period of 1970-75 had a total life expectancy of 62.0 with 60.8 for men and 63.3 for women. J&K back then was behind Kerala, Punjab (57.9), Haryana (57.5) and even West Bengal (57.4 for 1981-85) which was a relatively underdeveloped state with colossal size of population. But why it's third when it come to Age zero The states such as Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra with better human development score fare equally well in terms of overall health indicators, such as life expectancy or Infant Mortality Rate (IMR). But J&K languish at number three in terms of overall life expectancy at birth; and the reason lies in its IMR, a measure of the children under one year who die for every 1,000 live births, which is relatively higher than other states. Kerala once again has the best record in IMR with only 12 deaths in first year for every 1,000 live birth whereas J&K records death of 34 new born which is quite close to the national average of 39. These two figures separate the two states colossal which is unlikely to bridge in next few years. AFP If we see these figures in percentage distribution of deaths by age group, infant deaths (death before age 1) consisted of 11.3% of overall deaths in J&K, close to the India average of 12.3%. In comparison, Keralas infant deaths comprise 2.6% of all deaths. Except for IMR, J&K is doing well Despite IMR being relatively on higher side,the life expectancy in the toddler age group has been highest in India for J&K. Within the toddler age group (1-4), J&K has the lowest proportion of deaths in India0.1% of all deaths while Kerala has 0.4%. Although it's a matter of probe and study that why despite having highest toddler life expectancy, the IMR in so high. The soon-to-be-released National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-4 results for J&K may address this situation. How J&K is illusive to decrease in life expectancy despite high IMR Except for Kerala, in all other Indian states, life expectancy at birth is lower than life expectancy at age 1. In other words, a high IMR drags down overall life expectancy at birth. J&K is illustrative of this conundrum, as it beats Kerala in terms of life expectancy at every age category other than 0. AFP It still ends up being third overall, behind Kerala, and even Delhi. And the bigger surprise is that women in J&K have a higher life expectancy at birth (74.9) than women in Delhi (74.7). At a time when the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is already witnessing students' outrage following the disappearance of Najeeb Ahmad - a first year M.Sc. biotechnology student who has been missing for the past 11 days, another student was found dead under mysterious circumstances in his room at Brahmaputra Hostel on Tuesday night. english.manoramaonline The body of JR Philemon Raja, son of JR Engpu Cheru - a resident of Senapati district in Manipur, was was found in room no 171. Also Read: Even Without Filing FIR, JNU Seeks CBI, NCRB Help To Trace Missing Student Najeeb The deceased, who was doing PhD from Centre For West Asian Studies, was missing for the last three days. He had joined the university a year back. The family members of the youth has been informed about the incident through the Delhi Police North East Cell. BCCL/representational image When a foul smell started emanating from the room, the student in the neighbouring room called other students and security and forcefully opened door. He was found dead in the room, police said. Also Read: Students Disappearance Opens Can Of Worms. Targeting Muslim Students, Calling Them Terrorists Is Now Common In JNU Though preliminary investigations did not rule out the possibility of a suicide, his body, said the officer, "Has been taken to AIIMS mortuary for postmortem." JNU When asked about the possible reasons of the mysterious death, police said that investigation is on to ascertain the cause of death. Update: In the latest on controversial exits from leading companies, the Tata Group has sought notices asking for the removal of Nusli Wadia as an Independent Director of three Tata companies Tata Motos, Tata Chemicals and Tata Steel. He wrote a 15-page letter to company shareholders where he said he was being targeted for independence of mind and action and added the accusations against were false and baseless. Livemint Cyrus Mistry's ascension to the top of the ladder in Tata Group was much celebrated. When he succeeded Ratan Tata, everybody thought that he was there to stay for a long time. But within less than four years, he was asked to leave the post and make way for his predecessor, this time to succeed him. AP While some may find it surprising to see Cyrus Mistry in this unceremonious manner, such moves are not new in the corporate world. History shows that this is a relatively normal business. Here are some CEOs who were either asked to leave the companies or were sacked by their employers: 1. Cyrus Mistry The announcement of Mistry's departure was reported in media with a statement saying: "Tata Sons today announced that its Board has replaced Mr. Cyrus P. Mistry as Chairman of Tata Sons. The decision was taken at a Board meeting held here today. The Board has named Mr. Ratan N. Tata as Interim Chairman of Tata Sons." There is still some mystery being why Mistry, who was appointed Chairman of Tata Sons in December 2012, was asked to leave but sources say there was growing friction between him and Tata about the way he conducted business. There is much controversy about the manner in which Cyrus was removed. The company maintains that the decision has been taken purely on the basis of the business, while Cyrus and his supporters believe that Cyrus was not given enough time to present a case for himself. The company as well as Cyrus have sent legal notices to each other. ALSO READ: Tata Shares Fall As Shapoorji Pallonji Group Indicates Mistry Will Not Give Up Without A Fight 2. Steve Jobs Flickr It is widely believed that Steve Jobs was fired from Apple but contrary to popular belief, Jobs was never actually asked to leave Apple in 1985. However, the Apple board did ask him to step down from the Macintosh division for being too disruptive in the organisation, former Apple CEO John Sculley said at the Engage 2015 Conference in Prague. Steve Jobs returned, and the rest is a glorious history of iPhones, iPads, iPods and other Macintosh products that Jobs gave to the world. ALSO READ: Steve Jobs Once Dreamed Of An Apple Car 3. Scott Thompson WSJ In 2012, Yahoo's CEO Thompson quit over repeated allegations of a fake computer science degree on his CV. This row started less than six months after he joined the struggling web giant - it was revealed that Thompson's resume claimed he had a Bachelor's degree in computer science and accounting from Stonehill College in Easton Massachusetts but the college confirmed he had only acquired the accounting degree. 5. Anant Gupta Indianceo Gupta was heading HCL as CEO till news of his departure came just a few days ago on October 21, 2016. He left to pursue interests outside of the multinational IT services company. And on October 22, he started his own company called Techcelx that will offer funding worth INR 100 crores to disruptive technology ventures. 6. Mittu Chandilya Livemint In February 2016, AirAsias managing director and CEO Chandilya quit. He was appointed CEO of the low-fare airline company in May 2013. Although the reasons behind his exit aren't confirmed, it is believed he left because the Indian unit of the airlines had limited operational freedom. 7. Coby Brooks alchetron Come on now, everyone knows Hooters, the chain of American restaurants with scantily dressed women. Hooters' head Coby G. Brooks had to leave the company because it got stuck in a legal battle over shares with his wife. And in order to keep the restaurant running, Brooks had to raise funds but instead of sticking it out, the chain to a group of investors in 2009. 8. Bill Gates Flickr One of the richest people in the world and founder of tech giant, Microsoft stepped down as CEO in 2000 but continued to remain an integral part of the company. Gate's is also one of the few people in a position of wealth and power who left his job to pursue more philanthropic causes - he wanted to focus on Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. ALSO READ: Bill Gates Tops Forbes' Richest Billionaires List In an email letter to the Board Members of Tata Sons, former company chairman Cyrus Mistry has written about the terms of his removal. He also spoke in detail "legacy hotspots", including the flop NANO as well as issues with the steel and mobility businesses. Mistry was abruptly removed as Chairman from the company in a shock that shocked businesses, investors, and the general public who consider the Tata empire a paragon of good business practices. 1. Famous 'Afghan Girl' Arrested In Pakistan For Faking Information On Her ID Card Famous 'The Afghan Girl' (Sharbat Gula) held by FIA in #Peshawar for obtaining fake Pakistani CNIC. Sometime you pay price for being famous pic.twitter.com/kjEhiio65B Javed Aziz Khan (@JavedAzizKhan) October 26, 2016 Remember this girl? Briefly famous at the age of after photographer Steve McCurry immortalised the 'Afghan Girl's stunning green eyes for a 1985 National Geographic cover, Sharbat Gula aka Sharbat Bibi, has been arrested by the Pakistan' Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). She was arrested in Peshawar for forging a computerised National Identity Card (CNC). The FIA raided her house in Peshawar, after rejecting the information she provided on her application form, including claims that she had 2 daughters and a son. 2. Saddam's Cousin Found Hiding In Water Tanker! Nabbed For His Jihadi Attack In Iraq Saddam Hussein's cousin, reportedly involving in a terrorist attack on Kirkuk has been arrested. The ISIS militant Nasar Hamoud Abdul Ghani was confirmed arrested by Kirkuk Police after the attack that killed almost 90. Kirkuk police led by brigadier Sarhad Qadir track down Nazar Hammoud cousin of Saddam Hussein & suspect in the Kirkuk terror attacks. pic.twitter.com/wqNoVq65MV Peshmerga News (@PeshmergaNews) October 25, 2016 Kirkuk Police Chief, Brigadier General Sarhad Qadir, said in a press statement: "Police forces carried out extensive raid and search operations in Daquq district (35 km south of Kirkuk), and managed to arrest Nizar Mahmud Abdul Ghani, cousin of former president Saddam Hussein, along with one of the ISIS members who attacked the province recently." Read more here: 3. The iPhone 7 And 7 Plus That Apple Sells In India Are Slower Than Those Sold Abroad! AFP It seems like there's more to Apple's new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus smartphones than meets the eye. For those unaware, the company has launched two versions of iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. While some of iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus handsets use Qualcomm baseband modems, others feature Intel baseband modems. This could mean that the phones being retailed in India are slower than the ones sold in international models. Read more here 4. Russia Unveils New 'Satan-2' Missile With Enough Power To Start And Finish 'World War 3' Sputnik Russia has unveiled its latest Inter Continental Ballistic Missile - the RS-28. When fired from mainland Russia, it can fly half-way across the world to decimate 10 different targets using its Multiple Independent Re-entry Vehicles. That's 10 targets per missile, so you can imagine what an arsenal of, say 100 missiles will be capable of! It can probably lay waste to entire China in a flash. The 'West' is obviously scared. And rightly so. The missile's predecessor, the RS-36 was also a scary proposition. So scary in fact that it was named the Satan. The new one is therefore being called the 'Satan-2'. Built by Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau, its development started back in 2010 and the missile is likely to be inducted into the Russian forces in 2020. Read more here: 5. Andaman & Nicobar To Have More Than Beaches To It, India's First Solar Storage Power Plant To Come Up There BCCL The Andaman & Nicobar Islands - long fabled among holidaymakers for legendary beaches, world-class diving and far-flung location in the middle of nowhere, will soon have something else to boast of -- the country's first city-scale battery storage solar power plants. India's largest generation utility NTPC will set up two solar storage plants with a total capacity of 25 mw (mega watt) in the main island of Port Blair as part of the Narendra Modi government's bid to rid the tourist hotspot of polluting diesel generators, its main source of power at present. The size of the storage solar power plants in Andamans will open a new avenue for bringing 24x7 power supply to remote locations, a key promise made by the Narendra Modi government. At present, some remote villages in Ladakh and other hill states have storage solar power plants but they are miniscule in comparison with capacities ranging between 11 kw (kilo watt) and 125 kw. The storage solar power plan comes in the backdrop of Petronet LNG's ongoing discussions with the Andaman administration for a floating facility to import liquid gas for converting generators to the less-polluting fuel. Read more here This is indeed a good news ahead of Diwali for the commuters between Delhi, Mayur Vihar and Noida as DND Flyway has gone toll-free after an order by the Allahabad high court on Wednesday. The court ordered the Delhi-Noida-Direct (DND) flyway to be toll free with immediate effect. The high court pronounced its order on a PIL filed by the Federation of Noida Residents Welfare Associations (FONRWA). DND "Government is literally looting people. Why should we pay toll for road we use. We already pay life long road tax for the vehicles we purchase. Come on politicians what will you do with all the money," asked the commuters. The DND flyway connects Delhi on the west bank of the Yamuna with Noida and East Delhi. The DND flyway witnessed several protests and demonstrations seeking scrapping of the Rs 28 toll following allegations that the operator of the 9.2-km-long stretch (including the Mayur Vihar link) has already made significant profits Jigisha Ghosh was a 28-year-old Operations Manager with Hewitt Associates Pvt Ltd in Noida. She was the sole bread winner for her family which includes only her parents. She was on her way back home in Vasant Vihar in an office cab after completing her shift on March 18, 2009. She was abducted between the place where her cab dropped her and her doorstep by three individuals. Her mauled body was discovered the next morning near Surajkund in Faridabad. Hindu The police swiftly swung into action arresting three men Amit Shukla, Baljeet Malik and Ravi Kapoor in the case. In June 2009, the Delhi Police had filed chargesheets against the three accused. They were charged with murder, abduction, destruction of evidence and forgery. It was only in April 2010 that the case was first heard in a Delhi sessions court and in July 2016 that the three men were convicted in the case. On August 21, 2016, prosecutors declare that convicts killed Jigisha for pleasure and demand for death sentence. The Saket court orders death sentence for two convicts and a life term for the third. Delivering the judgment, Additional Sessions Judge Sandeep Yadav observed that the convicts committed the crime in an uncivilised and barbaric manner. The level, degree and gravity of brutality makes it fall in the category of rarest of rare, he said. BCCL As per the Indian law, it is mandatory for a trial court to refer a death penalty case to a high court for confirmation of the sentence within 30 days of the pronouncement of the verdict. The Delhi High Court is expected to confirm the sentence today. A senior leader of VHP asked Muslims at a Mangaluru event to "revert" to their original Hindu identity, and offered them protection if they did so. Speaking at the 'Hindu Jaya Ghosh' meeting at a Bajrang Dal event, VHP joint secretary Surendra Kumar Jain called Muslims "violence mongers who kill each other". "There are several groups among Muslims and they hate each other. Sunnis kill Shias and Shias kill Sunnis. There is no peace in Muslim countries. Unfortunately, they are trying to disrupt peace in this country too," he said. Desh Gujarat He then asked Muslims to follow the path of "Sri Ram". Hindu groups like the VHP have held onto the 'ghar wapsi' agenda wherein they demand Muslims and Christians who converted from Hinduism After Gharwapsi And Godse Temple, Now This Hindu Mahasabha Leader Is Asking For Christians And Muslims To Be Sterilized In The State Of Ghar Wapsi, 800 Valmikis Have Been Forced To Convert To Islam To Save Their Homes Hate Crime charges have been filed in the US against a 40-year-old man who racially abused a Sikh and threw a drink at him, mistaking him for a Muslim. bakersfield The Kern County District Attorney's Office filed misdemeanor charges against David Scott Hook from Bakersfield for allegedly accosting Balmeet Singh outside a California Avenue restaurant last month, cursing him, threatening him and drenching him with a drink. Mr Singh, while narrating the incident, had said that he and his friends were out to dinner at the Habit Burger in Bakersfield, California. He decided to step outside of the restaurant to make a phone call and that is when the incident unfolded. Also Read: Sikh-American Brutally Assaulted, Turban Knocked Off, Hair Cut With Knife In Alleged Hate Crime Mr Singh said in the middle of his conversation, a man walked out of Blaze Pizza and headed straight toward him. screen grab "He says you're trying to blow up this country, I should kill you. I'm going to kill you right now. And he used a lot of curse words and he seemed very angry," Singh was quoted as saying by KERO-TV. Mr Singh said he yelled back at the man that he was a racist and he was the problem. Singh said the man continued to yell and then threw a drink at him. According to a statement from the District Attorney's office, Hook was charged on Saturday with one count of interference with the exercise of a civil right and one count of battery. Also Read: After Hate Crimes, Sikhs Raise $135,000 To Educate Americans About Their Religion Kern County District Attorney Lisa Green was quoted by The Bakersfield Californian as saying that the civil rights charge falls under the legal category of a hate crime. "It is alleged defendant David Hook threw liquid on another individual because he appeared to be of a different religion or race," the statement said. The alleged attacker "said I was a threat to the country I grew up in, the country I was born in," Mr Singh had told hundreds who gathered last week at a Gurdwara in southwest Bakersfield. The event, which included several guest speakers, was called a "dialogue against hate." In a conversation with a Bakersfield Police Department investigator, Singh said he was told the man was identified and questioned. The man told police he thought Mr Singh was a Muslim. Pakistan is reeling under yet another deadly assault, after militants wearing suicide vests rampaged through a police academy in the southwestern city of Quetta, battling for four hours before blowing themselves up and leaving more than 60 dead. The ability of militants to breach security and kill with ferocity has confounded the country. Extremists have been carrying out numerous attacks for years, killing military personnel, police, school children and worshippers kneeling in prayer. CNN One reason is the sheer number and variety of extremist groups, some of which have been battling the military in a bid to bring down the government. Another intertwined reason is the state's complicated relationship with extremists. The powerful military has a history of using some militants to target neighbor and rival India, and successive governments have sought to win political support from hard-liners by promoting and cultivating extremist ideologies. Then there is also Pakistan's connection with generations of militants involved in the more than 30 years of constant warfare in neighboring Afghanistan. Where It All Began When the Soviet Union Russians invaded Afghanistan in 1979, Pakistan became the staging arena for the mujahedeen, or Islamic holy warriors, who fought the Russian occupation in one of the last great Cold War battles. Photobucket These holy warriors were backed by the United States, and some even travelled to Washington to meet the then U.S. President Ronald Reagan. Among those who sat with Reagan were militants who later were declared terrorists by the United States, such as Jalaluddin Haqqani, head of the Haqqani network, now one of the most ferocious militant groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Washington's ally in the Afghan fight was Pakistan's then-military dictator, Gen. Mohammed Zia-ul Haq. Currying the support of hard-liners, Zia turned his relatively liberal country into one ruled according to strict interpretations of Islamic law. Public flogging and other measures were introduced. Militants and hard-line religious parties were given government support, including hundreds of millions of dollars used to promote their religious agendas. Zia invited Islamic militants to fight in Afghanistan, including Osama Bin Laden. The Russians withdrew in 1989 and the proxy government it set up collapsed soon after, with Zia then able to tout holy war as a way to defeat a superpower. Militant Groups Now a multitude of militant groups are flourishing, championing a variety of causes. Some have declared war on the Pakistan government and military. Examples are the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-e-Taliban, and breakaway factions like Jamaat-ul-Ahrar. They want to overthrow the government and impose their version of Islamic law across the country. Under pressure from military offensives, the Tehrik has been fragmenting, with dozens of smaller groups breaking away and also carrying out attacks, though on a smaller scale. AFP Other groups, like Lashkar-e-Tayyaba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, focus on fighting Pakistan's neighbor and rival India. They have no quarrel with the Pakistani army and often trace their origins to military support and are based in Punjab, Pakistan's most populous province. Jaish-e-Mohammed was blamed for an attack last month on an Indian base that killed 17 troops in Indian-ruled Kashmir. The Himalayan state of Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both and was at the center of two of the three wars between the countries. Pakistan's military denies aiding militants fighting in Kashmir. But it is widely believed that as long as the Kashmir dispute remains unresolved, anti-Indian militants will remain active and even be assisted by Pakistan. AFP The toxic mix of militants does not end there. A variety of Sunni extremist groups have carried out bloody attacks on Shiite civilians. The Islamic State group has also claimed a presence in Pakistan, although its strength is still undetermined. State Response Despite repeated denials, Pakistan's army is still often accused of being selective in which groups it cracks down on. Pakistan's government has devised a National Action Plan aimed at curbing militancy but many complain its implementation has been erratic. AFP The army has carried out successive campaigns in the tribal regions, destroying weapons, explosive caches and killing militant leaders. Thousands of soldiers have been killed in the fighting. Their targets have been those groups who have openly declared war on Pakistan's military and state. By comparison, the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network are believed to operate relatively freely in Pakistan's border regions to carry out operations in neighboring Afghanistan. The Haqqani group has links to Pakistan's military and intelligence dating back to the 1980s, and it has repeatedly said it has no fight with Pakistan. Also, the leadership of groups attacking India move freely in Pakistan, including a founder of Lashkar-e-Tayyaba group, Hafiz Saeed, who has a $10 million U.S.-imposed bounty and is one of India's most wanted men. The issue has been one of the points of contention in Pakistan's complicated relationship with the United States. Washington gives Pakistan billions in aid and considers it an ally in the war on terror, but often complains Islamabad is not doing enough to get rid of Afghan militants, particularly the Haqqanis. Sectarian Shades After Iran's Islamic revolution in 1979, competition for influence revved up between majority Shiite Iran and mainly Sunni Saudi Arabia and that was reflected in Pakistan. Saudi Arabia funded hard-line Sunnis in Pakistan and built religious schools propagating the kingdom's strict Wahhabi sect of Islam. AP These schools often encourage discord with Shiite Muslims. Many of Afghanistan's Taliban studied at these schools while they lived in Pakistan as refugees. Saudi Arabia has also been accused of supporting Lashkar-e-Jhangvim which has attacked Shiites. Iran, meanwhile, has sent money to Shiite groups, including the Tehrek Nifaz Fiqah-e-Jafaria, which calls for the implementation of Islamic Shariah law. Saddam Hussein's cousin, reportedly involving in a terrorist attack on Kirkuk has been arrested. The ISIS militant Nasar Hamoud Abdul Ghani was confirmed arrested by Kirkuk Police after the attack that killed almost 90. Kirkuk Police Chief, Brigadier General Sarhad Qadir, said in a press statement: "Police forces carried out extensive raid and search operations in Daquq district (35 km south of Kirkuk), and managed to arrest Nizar Mahmud Abdul Ghani, cousin of former president Saddam Hussein, along with one of the ISIS members who attacked the province recently." Kirkuk police led by brigadier Sarhad Qadir track down Nazar Hammoud cousin of Saddam Hussein & suspect in the Kirkuk terror attacks. pic.twitter.com/wqNoVq65MV Peshmerga News (@PeshmergaNews) October 25, 2016 "The detainee confessed during the preliminary investigation that he is a cousin of the former President Saddam Hussein and participated in the latest attack launched by the ISIS on Kirkuk." "Abdul Ghani is a former officer in the private security service, while his brothers are working with the ISIS southwest of Kirkuk," The moment Saddam Hussain's cousin "Nizar Ghani" being arrested by #Kirkuk Security police in south of #Kirkuk. pic.twitter.com/IuSI3bwH1K Lawk Ghafuri (@KawlF) October 25, 2016 The 24 hour attack on Kirkuk All the attackers were killed or blew themselves up. The area around the provincial headquarters. The assault, appeared to be aimed at diverting attention from the IS-held city of Mosul, around 170 kilometers (100 miles) away, where Iraqi forces are waging a major offensive. The militants killed 13 workers, including four Iranians, at a power plant north of Kirkuk, and a local television reporter was killed by a sniper in the city. Also read: 16 ISIS Terrorists Die After Their Explosive Suicide Belt Malfunctions At A Meeting Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party this week announced its own initiative to tackle the increasingly acute issue of indebted businesses and households in the country, with the highlights being a simplification of an out-of-court process for SMEs, faster judicial review for larger enterprises and a reform of Greeces antiquated bankruptcy code. In what could easily pass as a season of rejection of appointments, another nominee of President Muhammadu Buhari for the position of Chairman of Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Prof. Akintunde Akinwande, has reportedly declined his nomination. Akinwandes absence at the Senate session yesterday fueled speculations that the Kwara State-born engineering professor at the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), may have rejected his appointment after all. His absence also threw a spanner in the works as the screening of other nominees into the board of the NERC could not go on as planned. A competent source said Akinwande turned down the nomination because he was not consulted before the nomination was made. In a list of nominees circulated by the Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy, records of date of birth, qualification, specialization, experience and certificate of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) were missing in Akinwandes column. Of the seven nominees for the board appointment, only the NERC Chairman-designate, had no records of his credentials. The source further stated that Akinwande, who is currently working on a project at MIT, refused to avail himself to the Department of State Services (DSS) for security checks. Chairman of the Senate Committee, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, told reporters that there was no way the screening could go on in the absence of the chairman-designate. Abaribe noted that the privatization of the electricity sector was meant to improve the sector. He added that the inauguration of the board of NERC was key to solving the problems in the sector. Regrettably, when members of the committee assembled to screen the nominees made by President Muhammadu Buhari, we were told that the chairman designate was unavoidably absent. The Presidential liaison who brought the nominees informed us that the chairman was unavoidably absent, Abaribe said The senator also said there was no way the committee could go on with the screening without the chairman designate. He noted that since the nomination was made over three months ago, the Presidency ought to have known whether Akinwande would attend the screening or not. He stressed that the commission is vital and cannot function without a chairman. Abaribe, who assured that the committee was ready to screen the nominees, added: We cannot screen them until we have a formal communication from the Presidency. Other nominees for the board appointment included Sanusi Garuba (Vice Chairman), Nathan R. Shatti (commissioner), Dr. Moses Arigu (commissioner), Dafe C. Akpeneye (commissioner), Prof. Frank Okafor (commissioner) and Musiliu O. Oseni (commissioner). The Ondo State All Progressives Congress has condemned the Alliance for Democracys candidate, Chief Olusola Oke, for shedding tears while campaigning in Epe community, Ondo-East Local Government Area on Monday. Oke, who inaugurated his campaign in Epe community, on Monday, shed tears while addressing the people of the community as he lamented the deplorable condition of the roads in Epe. Speaking with our correspondent on the development, the Deputy Chairman, Ondo APC, Mr. Ade Adetimehin, on Tuesday, alleged that Oke was only shedding tears to deceive the people of the state. He alleged that that was how the incumbent governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, shed tears in various communities of the state when he was soliciting for votes in 2007. Adetimehin alleged that Mimiko failed to deliver on the electoral promises he made to Ondo people. He noted that the people of the state would support someone with integrity and who had the love of the masses at heart. He stressed that the APCs candidate, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, was the best of all the candidates participating in the election. Adetimehin said, Okes political gimmick can no longer work in our dear state again. Our people are wiser and they are ready to cast their votes for someone who has integrity. One would wonder why Oke cried? We are no longer mourning and I believe we have enough resources on the ground to change the fortunes of the state. If Oke could cried over the abandoned road project in Epe, Oke needs to answer some questions being raised by his kinsmen on why he abandoned the projects that would have lifted the standard of living of the people in Ilaje when he was representing the state on the Niger Delta Development Commission board and when he was the Chairman of OSOPADEC? He advised the people to reject the AD and Oke, saying the state did not need a governor that would be weeping without acting on critical issues. Reacting, the Director General of Olusola Oke Campaign Organisation, Mr. Bola Ilori, said the APC did not have the love of the people at heart because they were happy with the current condition of the state. He said, Oke cried because he felt bad with the condition of the road to Epe but if the APC people do not see anything wrong with the way our state is, that means they are not concerned with the plight of the people. Ilori called on the people of the state not to vote for the APC in the November 26 governorship election. He said the APC had no plan for the people of the state. Source: Punch Protesters on Wednesday besieged the premises of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, demanding that all judges arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) in a sting operation, step aside, pending the outcome of their trials in court. The DSS had over two weeks ago, arrested seven judges across the country. They are Justice Sylvester Ngwuta and Inyang Okoro the suspended Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division; Justice Mohammed Ladan Tsamiya, who was picked up in Sokoto; Justice Adeniyi Ademola (Federal High Court); the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice I. A. Umezulike; Justice Kabiru Auta of Kano State High Court; and Justice Muazu Pindiga (Gombe State High Court). The Service had accused the judges of engaging in corrupt practices, a claim the National Judicial Commission, NJC, denies. The protesters, who marched on the Supreme Court premises in Abuja, carried placards with various inscriptions such as: Stop corruption before it stops you, Dont get it twisted, Judiciary is not on trial, only corrupt officials are, Justices are to interpret the law, they are not empowered to interpret hard currencies, among others. Details later In a country where there laws criminalize homosexuality, it is somewhat telling that one of its internet sensations is Bobriskky, a popular Lagos cross dresser. Bobriskky is famous for dressing up like a woman as well as his hard to miss made up face. To be sure, Nigerians arent entirely new to cross dressers, considering that we already have Denrele Edun but Bobrisky seems to be an evolution. His Snapchat stories about bae, the mysterious benefactor who gives Bobrisky millions of Naira which he is all too happy to show his numerous followers. Most Nigerians who condemn his eccentric dressing follow him, such is the complexity of the Nigerian moral code. The latest reason why hes on everyones lips again is his inclusion as a panelist for EIEs New Media Citizens & Governance Conference. The moderator of the conference, Subomi Plumptre pulled out of the event via a statement issued on Twitter and it has once again made Bobrisky and his credentials as a panelist a subject of debate; Full statement from Alder Consulting on the invitation of @SubomiPlumptre to the @EIENigeria New Media Citizens and Governance Conference. pic.twitter.com/RMG9wLcPbm Alder Consulting (@AlderConsulting) October 26, 2016 Nigerians celebrate mediocrity , a perfect example is bobrissky Da NieL (@Dannizul) October 25, 2016 The Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (retd.), Tuesday said he is standing by for orders from President Muhammadu Buhari to ban vehicles importation through land borders. The customs boss argued that the ban would curb smuggling along the nations borders. I am waiting for the President, Muhammadu Buhari, to give me the permission to ban importation of cars through land borders to curb smuggling, Mr. Ali said during an oversight visit by the Senate Committee on Customs yesterday in Abuja. During the visit, he threatened to auction seized vehicles belonging to Imo Government, brought into Nigeria without payment of customs duty. According to him, many cars on Nigerian roads use fake customs papers, adding that most of the cars were smuggled. We (customs) are giving Nigerians with fake customs papers grace to pay their duty or risk confiscation of their vehicles, Ali asserted. The Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is a proud grandfather after his daughter, Shahida gave birth to her first child. Princess Shahida is understood to have given birth recently as family members and friends have been posting the babys photos on Instagram, tagging her. Recall, the new mum and her husband Abdulkadir Baba-Ahmed got married in a 7-day grand ceremony last December. Congrats to them. The police in Lagos State have arrested a 39-year-old man for allegedly parading himself as an employee of a telecommunications company to defraud land owners in the Ikorodu area of Lagos. The suspect, Akintunde Abiodun, was said to have presented himself to the victims as a construction engineer, telling them that the company wanted to buy a parcel of land for the installation of a mast. It was gathered that the land was jointly owned by four members of a family Hassan Lukman, Muyinat Abari, Rashidat Abass and Olubunmi Osoko. PUNCH Metro learnt that Abiodun had collected about N1m from his unsuspecting victims under the guise of helping them to process a survey plan that would enable them to sell the land for millions of naira to the company. Our correspondent learnt that Abiodun collected the sum in installment between November and December 2015 to process the purported document, but subsequently disappeared. The alleged fraud was reported to the police at the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, and a manhunt was launched for the suspect. The complainants wrote a petition to the zone, alleging that the suspect presented himself as a telecoms worker and collected N1.080m from them. Based on the petition, he was tracked down and arrested. We later found out that he is a fraudster and was not a worker with the telecoms firm, a police source said. Abiodun was subsequently brought before an Igbosere Magistrates Court on Friday on four counts of fraud and conduct likely to cause breach of the peace. A police prosecutor, Inspector Haruna Ibrahim, told the court that the charges, to which the defendant pleaded guilty, contravened sections 166, 285 (1) 312 and 378 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The charges read in part, That you, Akintunde Abiodun, between November and December 2015, at the Ikorodu area in the Lagos Magisterial District, did obtain a sum of N1.080m from Hassan Lukman, Muyinat Abari, Rashidat Abass and Olubunmi Osoko under the false pretences of issuing a survey for their land to be used by Airtel for the construction of a mast. That you, on the same date, time and place, in the aforementioned magisterial district, did represent yourself as a construction engineer employed by Airtel and defrauded Hassan Lukman, Muyinat Abari, Rashidat Abass and Olubunmi Osoko of N1.080m, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 378 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The presiding magistrate, Mrs. A.O. Komolafe, adjourned the case till December 8, 2016, for facts and sentence. Source: Punch A fresh crisis may soon hit the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) following its decision to appoint a former Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, as its spokesman. Mr. Abdullahi, who was one of the shining lights under the immediate past Goodluck Jonathan administration and a loyalist of Senate President Bukola Saraki, reportedly received his letter of appointment to assume work on his new role in the APC as Director of Publicity. The position of National Publicity Secretary of APC became vacant about a year ago following the appointment of Lai Mohammed as Minister of Information and Culture. However, a legal hurdle may be placed on the path of the APC by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Timi Frank, who has threatened legal actions against the party, should it go ahead to appoint the former minister as spokesman. Although, a meeting of the partys National Working Committee (NWC) to discuss the issue of Bolajis appointment failed to hold yesterday, the former minister was sighted at the partys national secretariat in Abuja. Reacting to the issue, Mr. Frank, who has been vocal in his criticism of the national leadership of the APC and believed to have worked to be appointed as the partys acting spokesman, said the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, lacked the powers to appoint Abdullahi or any other person for that matter, acting National Publicity Secretary. He insisted that going by the constitution of the APC, following the elevation of Mr. Mohammed to Minister of Information and Culture, he automatically assumed the position of acting spokesman of the governing party. If they dont follow due process, I will take the party to court. I will have no other option than to go to court to ask if the party, NWC or national chairman has any power to appoint anybody as acting national publicity secretary, or whatever name they want to call it, to speak for the party, Frank said, adding As far as Im concerned, it is not their business. I understand that they might call him any kind of name. He might be appointed by the national chairman or the NWC. I dont know who will do that. It might take place anytime from now. I want to let you know that Im still in charge as acting national publicity secretary of this party, whether anybody likes it or not. Nobody, appointed by Oyegun in the name of APC, can speak for the APC, he insisted. Gambia has announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court after accusing the tribunal of persecution and humiliation of people of colour, especially Africans. Gambia is the third African to leave the International criminal court after South Africa and Burundi withdrew earlier this month over similar allegations of targeting African nations. One of the biggest criticisms which has dogged the ICC has been its perceived bias against African countries and their leaders. Sheriff Bojang, Gambias information minister, said on state television; There are many Western countries, at least 30, that have committed heinous war crimes against independent sovereign states and their citizens since the creation of the ICC and not a single Western war criminal has been indicted, Bojang said. The withdrawal, he said, is warranted by the fact that the ICC, despite being called International Criminal Court, is in fact an International Caucasian Court for the persecution and humiliation of people of colour, especially Africans. There are reports that Namibia and Kenya will be the next countries to leave the ICC. Mushin area of Lagos State has again erupted in violence as suspected hoodlums engaged one another in supremacy battle, unleashing mayhem on residents of Lawani and Ojelade streets. A worker in a small scale firm in the area, identified as Segun Akube, 30, was said to have been shot dead by the hoodlums. PUNCH Metro learnt that since Akube was killed on Saturday, the area had not known peace. When our correspondent visited the area on Tuesday, the gates to the two streets were locked. A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the hoodlums attacked Lawani and Ojelade streets around 2pm on Saturday. He said, They smashed concrete blocks on Akubes head and one of them shot him dead. They also stole about N70,000 from his boss. A resident of Lawani Street, who identified himself as Toheeb, alleged that the victim was killed by hoodlums working for one Toba, a former member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers. Toheeb claimed that Tobas boys raided the area in a bid to take over the community. He said, Toba controls the Mushin and Fadeyi areas, while I lead the Jibowu area. Toba was in my area on Saturday to take over my street. Toheeb said he prevented the burial of the victim to allow the police conclude their investigation and bring the culprits to book. Around 12pm, our correspondent observed some policemen from the Alakara division in the area. The Divisional Crime Officer, who declined to give his name, said policemen had been patrolling the area since the previous night to forestall further bloodshed. A 68-year-old woman, Alhaja Olamide Shosanya, said the situation was getting worse, adding that her daughter, Abike, was attacked by the hoodlums on Tuesday. She said, Since Saturday, I have not been able to go out in my car because of Tobas boys. The government must do something urgently. Another resident, John, said he always took longer routes to his house to avoid being killed. Toba, however, denied having a hand in the mayhem, saying his accusers were out to destroy his reputation. He said, I dont know these people and I am not involved in their fight. Toheeb and I are not fighting over anything. I dont know why they are after me. A resident of Adewusi Street, who identified himself as Dare Esan, and another resident of Kadiri Street, who identified himself as Saheed, however, said the incident was the aftermath of fallout between Toheeb and his boys. Esan said, Toheeb and one Baba Tawa were formerly OPC guards in the area. When Baba Tawa left the community, he handed over to Toheeb. Toheeb and his boys always collect money from commercial drivers in the Jibowu area. They collect a lot of money every Sunday. However, Toheeb and his boys had issues over money and his boys decided to keep troubling his domain so that he would not enjoy the money he collects. If Toheeb can resolve the dispute between him and his boys, then there will be peace. The police should, however, solve this problem permanently. The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said, Operatives from the Mushin division had a report that there was a man lying dead on the floor in the Fadeyi area. On arrival, a male corpse, whose identity has yet to be known, was seen with gunshot injury in the head. The corpse was taken to a morgue, while investigation is ongoing. Source: Punch An 18-year-old admission seeker, Samuel Omojuwa, is in a critical condition at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, after he was allegedly shot by one of the policemen attached to the Ketu Police Division, Lagos State. PUNCH Metro learnt that Samuels elder brother, David, a businessman, was also attacked with a cutlass by another member of the three-man police team on Omojuwa Street on Sunday. One of the policemen was identified simply as Inspector Gboyega. However, the police spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, denied that the policemen shot Samuel and attacked David with a cutlass, saying the police were not farmers. Our correspondent gathered that the policemen had attempted to arrest a commercial motorcycle rider for allegedly breaking a traffic rule. The rider, whose motorcycle was reportedly confiscated, was said to have struggled with the officers. The policemen allegedly hit the motorcyclist with a cutlass, which drew the ire of his colleagues at the junction, who later intervened. The incident was said to have created confusion in the area. It was learnt that David, the son of a community leader, reportedly approached the policemen. A resident of the area, Abayomi Salaudeen, said, The policemen are well known to us. So, David thought he could mediate. But one of them, who didnt know David, attacked him with a cutlass. His younger brother, Samuel, who witnessed the incident, abused the officers from the front of their house, which was a bit far from the scene. One of the policemen fired a shot, which hit him in the leg. Our correspondent was told that efforts by residents to rescue Samuel and take him to a hospital were resisted by the policemen who insisted on taking him to the station. He was allegedly dragged from the spot to a waiting police van and thrown into the back of the vehicle. A member of the victims family, Emmanuel, said the family and some other residents went to the station to demand an explanation for the action. But the policemen at Ketu division said it was not their division that carried out the operation. When we continued our protest because we saw the operational vehicle they brought in the station, they later brought him out of the cell. He was then taken to the Accident and Emergency Centre at the tollgate area in Ojota, where he was given first aid, he added. It was learnt that the victim was transferred to the NOHI on Monday where he was placed on admission. The police were alleged to have abandoned him despite promising to foot the hospital bill. They didnt release the police report on time. They also didnt pay the hospital bill. The Ketu Divisional Police Officer told us all kinds of lies, saying it was a minor injury and within six days he would walk; whereas the bullet broke the boys bones, Emmanuel added. The victim, who spoke with our correspondent on the telephone from the hospital bed, said he was in pain, adding that the bullet had been removed from his leg. I am in serious pain. I have injuries all over my body. Doctors have removed the bullet today, he said. Bayo Omojuwa, a family member, called for justice. He said, I want the law to take its course. I have seen the Area Commander, who acted promptly and promised to do something about the matter. The case is nothing but an abuse of power and I want the culprits brought to book. The Police Public Relations Officer, Badmos, said, The report from the division was that some hoodlums went on the rampage around Ilele Street, Kosofe, after which two of them, Yusuf Aliu and Yusuf Mojeed, were arrested for being in possession of items suspected to be hemp by operatives of the division. The policemen were attacked. It is not true that the policemen use a cutlass. How can they use a cutlass when they are not farmers? Source: Punch Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday inaugurated the Governing Board of the Office for Disability Affairs to manage the N500million Disability Trust Fund, expressing optimism that it would aid people living with disabilities in Lagos State realize their dreams and live a more comfortable life. Governor Ambode, who spoke at the Lagos House, Alausa, while inaugurating the Board, said it was in fulfillment of his administrations promise to ensure that the affairs of people living with disabilities is managed by people passionate enough to show that there is ability in disability. Describing the development as another milestone in his commitment to run an all inclusive government, the Governor said the Board will, on behalf of the State Government, manage the affairs of people living with disabilities by issuing guidelines for their education, social development and welfare. The Board will also manage the Disability Trust Fund. In fulfillment of the promise I made on May 29th, 2016, this Fund has in its kitty today, N500m with a marching order to solicit from the public and other charitable organisations, additional support for its objectives. We could not have done otherwise, given the array of people with disabilities who possess requisite qualification, experience and character. In addition, we believe in their ability to manage the Disability Trust Fund more judiciously because they have a more personal understanding of the needs and situation of our less privileged people. This fund will give our brothers and sisters a needed boost to make a livelihood for themselves and a chance to fulfill their potentials, the Governor said. The Governor, however, assured that notwithstanding the N500million Trust Fund, people living with disabilities are still eligible to access the N25billion Employment Trust Fund (ETF). Governor Ambode, while congratulating the members of the Board, tasked them to ensure that the principles of transparency, accountability, inclusiveness and fairness are observed in administering the Fund and coordinating all affairs concerning people living with disabilities. It is my belief that the fund should provide infrastructure and facilities required by needed parties to also complement the efforts of our administration, he said. Earlier, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, said that people living with disabilities have the same right as everyone else, noting that with proper planning, a person with special needs can have a more fulfilling, healthier and enjoyable life, hence the fulfillment of the Governors promise of the N500million fund to take care of people living with disabilities. This is an important step towards scaling up efforts to address disability inclusion and further strengthen the fact that social exclusion of persons living with disabilities is unacceptable in the face of economic and social progress in the state, Akinbile-Yusuf said. In his vote of assurance, Chairman of the Board of Trustee, Office For Disability Affairs, Dr. Oki Olabodunrin Waheed, thanked the Governor for reposing confidence in him and his team, just as he assured that they would discharge their duties conscientiously. Other members of the Board are Leila Omawumi Atake, Rose Ekaete Mordi, Abdulwahab Matepo, Deaconess Adedoyin Beyioku-Alase, Dr. Adebayo Adebukola Shehu, Biola Liadi, Bada Emmanuel Oladipupo, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, representing the Ministry of Youth and Social Development; and Dr. Babatunde Awelenje. Militants on Tuesday morning attacked an export line operated by Chevron Nigeria Limited at Escravos in the Warri South West Council Area of Delta State. The attack, which the Niger Delta Avengers, claimed responsibility for, reportedly occurred at about 3:45am. It marks the first attack by the militant group on an oil facility since it announced a ceasefire and nominated the Chief Edwin Clark-led Pan Niger Delta Group to hold talks on its behalf with the Federal Government. A statement sent to our correspondent on Tuesday by the NDA spokesman, Mudoch Agbinibo, warned multinational oil companies to stop repairs on any facility earlier attacked by its strike force. The statement read, Today at about 3:45am, our strike team 06 took down Chevrons Escravos export pipeline at Escravos offshore. This action is to further warn all the IOCs that when we warn that there should be no repairs pending negotiation/dialogue with the people of the Niger Delta, it means there should be no repairs. Any attempt to use dialogue to distract us so as to allow the free flow of our oil will halt the dialogue process. A military source confirmed the attack to our correspondent. Local sources also confirmed the incident, saying that they heard loud explosion from Chevrons Okan field in Ugborodo area in the early hours of Tuesday. An oil industry source, who confirmed the attack, described it as a major setback to oil production in the country, especially now that some improvement in oil production was being recorded. When contacted, the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria, Mr. Deji Haastrup, said, As a matter of longstanding policy, we do not comment on the safety of our personnel or security of our assets. The attack comes barely six days to the long awaited meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and Niger Delta leaders led by Clark slated for October 31 in Abuja. Meanwhile, the Federal Government has said that Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited has resumed crude oil exports from the Forcados terminal eight months after it was shut down following militant attacks. The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday. The Director, Global Upstream, Shell Oil Company, Mr. Andrew Brown, was said to have informed the President of the resumption of oil exportation through the Forcados terminal at a meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Buhari said he was determined to restore Nigeria to the good old days of accountability. Source: Punch Three persons lost their lives in mysterious circumstances yesterday after getting into a well at No. 1 Hanik Street, Trans Nkisi federal Housing, 33, Onitsha, Anambra State. The incident occurred on Monday but the corpses of the victims could not be recovered from the mysterious well till yesterday (Tuesday), Daily Trust reports. According to a witness, the first victim, simply identified as James, was contracted three months ago to dig the well deeper in search of water but the 34-year-old man slipped off into the well about 10am on Monday, and could not be rescued. One of his relations identified as Usai, 32, arrived at about 6pm same day in a bid to rescue him but that would prove costly as he too did not make it out of the well. The witness said a third person, with an undisclosed name was contacted to rescue James and Usai from the well. The lucky fellow, who was let into the well with a rope tied around his waist, quickly re-emerged with bruises on his face and a strange story of how he was slapped and boxed from different angles in the well by mystery hands. Following his failed attempt, a fourth person, who demanded N100,000 to remove the victims, suffered a similar fate as he also did not make it out of the well alive. He had claimed to have black powers (juju) and even refused to have a rope tied around his waist before entering into the well, another witness said. It was gathered that a cock and a ram were brought to a native doctor who was invited to carry out some incantations and spiritual cleansing before the corpses in the well were recovered. Confirming the incident, Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Red Cross in Anambra state, Prof. Peter Katchy, said, We dont know the cause of their death yet, whether it was a gaseous substance that killed them or not. So we call for more investigation to unravel the mystery. The Niger State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service said on Wednesday that 53 illegal immigrants have been repatriated to Niger Republic. Mrs Tamuno Oyedeji, Comptroller of Immigration Service in the state disclosed this in an interview in Minna. Adededji said the state government provided vehicles for the transportation of the illegal immigrants to the border post at Jibia in Katsina state. We successfully handed them over to the Niger Republic Immigration officers at the border post, she said. Adedeji said that the immigrants were repatriated because their presents constitute security threats in the state. She said that most of the illegal immigrants possess expired documents, while others have no legal documents to back their legitimate stay in the country. The comptroller said that the command has taken proactive security measures to ensure only immigrants with proper documents are allowed into the country through Babana border with Benin Republic. Source: Vanguard Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomole on Wednesday commended his Lagos State counterpart, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode for his various interventions in the last 18 months of his administration, saying that it has greatly impacted on the State, especially in the area of traffic reduction. Oshiomhole, who spoke at the closing ceremony of the 16th National Women Conference, organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), commended the wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, particularly for sustaining COWLSO since its establishment, adding that the choice of the theme for this years Conference Strong Family, Strong Nation, was quite instructive. Speaking on the specific challenges posed by modern lifestyle on the family where the parents would have to leave home early and come home late, Oshiomole said Governor Ambode, with his strategic traffic management initiatives was to a very large extent addressing the challenges. Oshiomole said, As I was coming to this place today, I noticed something that I think is worth celebrating because of its impact in helping family unity and family union. Why will you wake up at 5am or 4am just to be at work at 8am devoting all the time to traffic? The reason was because of the huge traffic challenges but when I received the invitation for todays event and I was advised that it was 10am and I know my brother, Governor Ambode keeps to time, I said we have to get up early and I told my wife that we are going to spend about two hours from Ikeja Airport to get to Ikoyi, but I was very pleasantly surprised that coming from Ikeja to this place, it was like flying a first class aircraft from Alausa to the heart of Ikoyi. When I got here, I was asking the Governor on how he did it and he shared with me the interventions put in place within months of his assumption of office that have helped to completely reorder the traffic in Lagos such that when we slow down to about 20km per hour, we noticed people asking what is causing this go slow but things have changed so much. He said the interventions of the Governor was not only reducing traffic and fuel consumption, but was also bringing back the good times of family bonding as travel time has reduced, hence husbands and wives dont have excuse of traffic to get home late or leave very early. Oshiomhole said over the years as Governor of Edo State, he has had cause to learn and borrow from the template Lagos was running, expressing optimism that his successor and Governor-elect, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, would be willing to borrow a leaf from the COWLSO Conference as well as the traffic management strategy of Lagos. We borrowed what is happening in Lagos to make the case for Godwin Obaseki in Edo that Nigeria must move away from a tradition in which you have to be a celebrated politician to become eligible to contest for a political office, and that what we need in times like this are skills and people with managerial acumen and competence and we readily referred to Lagos as an example of what works with a seasoned and indisputable leader like Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu laying the foundation, dreaming big, dreaming clearly and setting the vision and identifying capable young men and women to translate those vision in a manner that is unprecedented in the history of our country, Oshiomhole said. He added that with the achievements of Governor Ambode, so far, he (the Governor) has shown that the only poverty to address is the poverty of ideas, adding that once the brain is creative and imaginative with a Governor that is ready to apply himself, there is no problem that would defer solution. You have shown that our task as leaders is not to lament what does not work but to think through how to make it work and that you are doing; that you have done and I know that you will continue to do, Oshiomole said. The Oyo state government has disclosed that it will host an Amala festival in the state. The festival is aimed at promoting tourism in the state. Mr Toye Arulogun, the state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism on Tuesday in Ibadan publicly presented the Amala Fiesta Logo and Brand Ambassador. The three-day fiesta would hold from Dec. 15 to Dec. 17 at the Trans Amusement Park, Bodija, Ibadan. The Yorabas are indigenous to South-West Nigeria, and Amala is not only indigenous to the Yoruba race but symbolic as the commonality and strong bond of a people. Amala is the Oyo States foremost delicacy which has become a national pride with international presence and worldwide acceptance, he said. The National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has thanked the All Progressives Congress, APC, for accepting responsibility for the nations economic woes. This is just as it advised the APC-led Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the ailing economy. The spokesman of the PDP caretaker committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, made the call in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday. Mr. Adeyeye also advised the government to invite competent hands to manage and revive the countrys economy. The caretaker committee spokesman said the PDP had been vindicated of its positions following the acceptance of responsibility regarding the economic misfortune caused by the APC. He said Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, who spoke with reporters after APC governors meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, accepted the responsibility. Mr. Adeyeye quoted Okorocha, who is chairman of the APC Governors Forum as saying We must take responsibility and we must never shift the responsibility to anybody. We are responsible for everything happening in Nigeria. The good, the bad, the ugly but we are promising Nigerians that we shall fix it. The caretaker committee spokesman said that the declaration came after several months of bulk-passing to previous PDP administration. He, however, called on the APC to also accept other responsibilities as well as correct the impression that previous PDP administrations achieved nothing in the economy, infrastructure and policies in 16 years. For the umpteenth time, let us reiterate that the PDPs achievements cannot be wished away. We therefore appreciate the APCs acceptance. We urge them to accept all other responsibilities for all the wrongs they have plunged the country into and equally apologise for their serial lies. Recently, photographer Henry oji of Bighstudios was a guest at the Hilltop mansion of former military ruler, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida. The celebrity photographer was chosen to create portraits of the former Nigerian leader the first since he returned from his medical trip to Germany. The Minna born photographer narrates his experience with the retired but not tired General via his instagram page. He wrote; Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State yesterday said he would like to be remembered as a factory worker, leader of a textile union and later organized labour, who fought those he described as most feared and vicious godfathers of Edo politics, to win elections as a two-term governor. Oshiomhole, who will be handing over to his successor, Godwin Obaseki, on November 12, made this known to State House correspondents in Abuja yesterday. He said, I want to be remembered as a factory worker who worked and laboured as a daily paid worker in the most subordinates post in textile mill. Rising to become leader of the textile union and eventually spending eight years as NLC president, then going back home to confront the most feared and vicious godfathers that monopolised Edo state. I fought godfathers, which is essential to make way for liberal democracy. On his mission to the State House, the governor said he came to invite President Muhammadu Buhari for a State Visit in Edo before his tenure ends in about three weeks, to inaugurate some people-oriented projects executed by his administration. Oshiomhole stated that the projects expected to be inaugurated by President Buhari would include a five-star hospital in the state. He said that he was not worried of being betrayed by Mr. Obaseki, who he labored to install as successor, after he must have handed over the mantle of leadership of the state to him. According to him, Obasekis allegiance should be to the people, not him. Amid the economic recession and its attendant effect on Nigerians, the Senate on Tuesday, passed a resolution supporting the reintroduction of toll gates on the countrys federal highways. The resolution was sequel to a motion sponsored by Suleiman Nazif (APC/Bauchi North). Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Minister of Power, Works and Housing, had last December, dropped the hint that the Federal Government will reintroduce toll gates where revenue generated can be channeled towards sustaining and maintaining federal roads, which are mostly in a huge state of disrepair. The plan to reintroduce toll gates policy, over 12 years after it was abolished, has been rejected by the House of Representatives and Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC). The Senate, however, in backing the reintroduction of the gate policy, said it would synergize with other relevant bodies to study the policy and find effective and efficient ways to carry out the policy in order to generate more funds for roads maintenance. While arguing for the reintroduction of toll gates, Sen. Nazif noted the deplorable state of Nigerian roads, which he said could be addressed with revenue generated from the collection of toll. The APC senator recalled that the policy was abolished in 2004 by then President Olusegun Obasanjo, who leaned towards the argument that roads should rather be maintained from revenue generated from fuel pump price increase. Nazifs motion was supported by the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, Biodun Olujimi (PDP-Ekiti), Akpan Bassey (PDP-Cross River), and Bukar Ibrahim (APC-Yobe) among others. While Mr. Ndume said he supported the reintroduction of toll to maintain roads, given Nigerias shrinking revenue, Mrs. Olujimi stressed the need for transparency in the management of the toll gates. The Ogun State Police Command has arrested the leader of a kidnapping gang, Wale Ogunbadejo, who allegedly masterminded the abduction of a four-year-old boy, Attairu Amisu, in Ijebu Ode. Amisu, a pupil of Abdul Rahman Academy in Ijebu Ode, was kidnapped on Tuesday October 18, 2016, by a member of the gang who pretended to be a relation of the boy. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the gang member had said he was acting on the instruction of the boys parents to bring him back home from the school. Oyeyemi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said after the boy left with the gang member, the mother came for the boy. It was gathered that the gang later demanded N5m ransom to free the pupil. Oyeyemi said, The case was reported at the Obalende Police Division and the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, dispatched the anti-kidnapping team, led by Olumide Jimoh, a Superintendent of Police, with an order that the boy must be rescued unhurt. The team swung into action and their effort paid off on Friday October 21, 2016, when Ogunbadejo was arrested and the boy rescued unhurt. Oyeyemi said the victim had been reunited with his family. Source: Punch In an ongoing investigation to capture suspected accomplices of the dreaded Boko Haram terrorists, the Nigerian Army says it has arrested nine more collaborators and saboteurs of the insurgent group. The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, revealed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday. Recall that last weekend, the Army was successful in apprehending 21 co-conspirators of the terrorist organization bringing the total to thirty. The ongoing investigation on suspected Boko Haram terrorists collaborators and saboteurs in the fight against terrorism and insurgency has led to the arrest of nine more persons over the last 24 hours, thus bringing the number to 30. This comprises of two officers, two soldiers, two policemen and 26 civilians. Many more suspects would be arrested and prosecuted based on evidences against them and level of culpability, the statement said. A Donald Trump impersonator appeared Tuesday outside New Yorks Trump Tower accompanied by two bikini-clad models, causing a stir in a staged promo event for a British artist. British photographer Alison Jackson became famous for using body doubles of famous people and setting them up in photographs of imagined and unusual situations. Jacksons best-known pictures include Marilyn Monroe undressing in front of President John F. Kennedy, Queen Elizabeth washing dishes, and President Barack Obama on a cigarette break. For a big-bang opening for her new photo exhibit, titled Private, Jackson hired the same Trump impersonator she used her photo shoots. The impersonator began his short trip at Trump International Hotel and Tower, located on the southwest corner of Central Park, and traveled to Trump Tower aboard a chauffeur-driven convertible along with two models in bikinis. After being briefly intercepted by police, the impersonator arrived at Trump Tower, headquarters of the Republicans presidential campaign. A crowd quickly gathered as a dozen bikini-clad women in high heels, as part of the stunt, surrounded the impersonator waving signs with slogans like I am not a slut, and Grab America by the pussy a reference to Trumps brags in a 2005 video that fame lets him grope women without their consent. Respect us!, Dont touch our bodies! then women chanted around the fake Trump, a reference to the women who came forward claiming that the real estate billionaire groped them. After several minutes the fake Trump took off, briefly walking down Fifth Avenue amid a forest of pedestrians taking pictures with their smartphones and cameras, then climbing aboard a taxi. Organisers told AFP that the impersonator then travelled to Times Square, and then went to the HG Contemporary Gallery for the Jackson exhibit. Source: Punch Hidden in Microsoft's announcement of the public beta for its Azure Analysis Service was word of another big data development: the SQL Server 2016 DW Fast Track Reference Architecture. It sounds innocuous and even downright useful. Microsoft has, in its words, "collaborated with a number of our hardware partners on a joint effort to deliver validated, preconfigured solutions that reduce the complexity and drive optimization when implementing a data warehouse based on SQL Server 2016 Enterprise Edition." However, this sounds a lot like the "validated, preconfigured solution[s]" Microsoft has declared its sole delivery method for Azure Stack in hybrid deployments. If Microsoft is building a hybrid cloud future where every significant part, from database to compute, requires specific hardware, that's going to turn off a lot of IT. With Azure Stack, the in-house component of Microsoft's plan to deliver a hybrid Azure experience, you'll get the full-blown version only if you buy a preconfigured box courtesy of Microsoft and a hardware partner. Don't pop out that corporate Amex card yet; Azure Stack won't even be available until mid-2017. The reasoning isn't totally absurd. Microsoft claims it needs tight control over the hardware in order to deliver an experience it feels comfortable stamping with its logo. That says as much about the demands of Azure Stack as it does Microsoft's insistence on delivering a worthy product. The requirement also hints at dedicated hardware for Azure as a good business model. Given Microsoft's talk about revamping its other enterprise products, the hardware-centric strategy might not stop with Azure Stack. Consider SQL Server 2016. One of its most ballyhooed features, the stretch database function, allows data to be remotely echoed (aka stretched) to Azure based on user-established rules. Backup and full-blown migration to Azure are also part of that package. It's a toss-up whether SQL Server is being made "cloud-friendly" or "cloud-first," given how a larger slice of Microsoft's future -- and that of nearly every other major IT vendor -- is cloud-bound with each passing year. In that light, Microsoft could in time promote a reference-hardware implementation of SQL Server 2016 as the prime interface for Azure, alongside other dedicated hardware. The same pitch would apply: Use our certified hardware combo to get the best possible results. Pay upfront for a proven solution, and you'll save more money in the long run. This could be good as long as it's not the only hybrid Azure option. It might even be tolerable if major parts of the Azure hybrid cloud aren't held back from users who don't take the forklift upgrade. The real detail to note isn't whether Microsoft will push dedicated Azure hardware for various aspects of the hybrid cloud. Rather, it's how much will be available for enterprise users who don't go that route. How will Black Sea Situation Play Out Long Term? Banghart Properties - Mon Oct 31, 9:16PM CDT How high or low will the grain markets go from the Black Sea Situation? Cotton Settles Red on Monday Barchart - Mon Oct 31, 4:45PM CDT A wide ranged session from +133 points to -168 points ultimately settled with Dec cotton 11 points in the red at 72 c/lb flat. The other front months traded similarly, but closed weaker with losses of... CTZ22 : 74.28 (+3.17%) CTH23 : 73.75 (+2.95%) CTK23 : 73.64 (+2.49%) Cattle Close Weaker on Monday Barchart - Mon Oct 31, 4:45PM CDT October fat cattle futures dropped $3.60 on Monday to expire at $146.77. The other front months closed firmer with losses limited to 52 cents. Feeder cattle closed Monday down by 25 cents to $1 in the... LEZ22 : 152.475s (-0.34%) LEG23 : 155.825s (-0.32%) LEJ23 : 159.075s (-0.09%) GFX22 : 177.625s (-0.14%) GFF23 : 179.450s (-0.51%) Mixed Monday for Hog Market Barchart - Mon Oct 31, 4:45PM CDT Lean hog futures ended the Monday round of trading with a 40 cent loss in Feb and a $1.17 loss for December. The other front months closed with $0.85 to $1.02 gains. That widened Aprils premium to Dec... HEZ22 : 84.925s (-1.36%) HEJ23 : 93.600s (+0.97%) KMZ22 : 95.475s (-0.68%) Double Digit Gains for Corn Barchart - Mon Oct 31, 4:45PM CDT Corn futures worked lower off their initial strength out of the weekend to close the gaps. July futures met their objective but the nearby contracts left just a little room on their daily charts. The afternoon... ZCZ22 : 693-0 (+0.22%) ZCPAUS.CM : 6.8247 (+1.57%) ZCH23 : 697-6 (+0.14%) ZCK23 : 696-4 (unch) The pension announced it will yank nearly $600 million from seven firms as part of a broader move to go back to basics. Rhode Islands State Investment Commission today announced plans to redeem $585 million from seven hedge fund firms as part of a plan announced earlier to steer its portfolio toward more traditional investments over the next two years. The firms are Ascend Capital, Brevan Howard Asset Management, Brigade Capital Management, Emerging Sovereign Group, Och-Ziff Capital Management Group, Partner Fund Management, and Samlyn Capital. The pension expects the process of redeeming from the funds to be completed by the end of its fiscal year, according to a statement. The firm announced in late September that it wanted to pull back on its hedge fund program, with state general treasurer Seth Magaziner citing performance as the reason for the decision. While our pension system has achieved positive performance and beaten our benchmark since I took office, I believe that we can do better, Magaziner said in a press release at the time. He added that the bulk of the pensions nearly $8 billion in assets would be invested in low-fee index funds and other traditional investments in a plan it dubbed Back to Basics. Rhode Island is the latest in a string of public pension plans to cut back on hedge fund investments or retreat from them altogether. The New Jersey State Investment Council announced in August that it will trim its $71.9 billion pensions investments in hedge funds to 6 percent of assets from 12.5 percent. In April the New York City Employees Retirement System voted to dump its $1.5 billion hedge fund portfolio in favor of traditional assets, also arguing that the performance didnt justify the high fees. The moves come as the hedge fund industry is struggling with several consecutive years of mediocre aggregate performance, along with increasing redemptions and pressure on managers historically high fees. Data tracker eVestment reported earlier today that investors pulled $10.3 billion from hedge funds in September, bringing the third-quarter total to $29.2 billion. Thats the worst quarter for redemptions since the first quarter of 2009, during the global financial crisis, the firm reported. Rhode Island said its pension fund has returned 6.20 percent this year, besting its benchmark by 43 basis points. Among its hedge fund investments, Brevan Howard, one of the pensions largest hedge fund investments, posted an annualized loss of 1.38 percent for the pension over the past three years and was down 2.54 percent for the year through September. Emerging Sovereign Groups ESG Cross Border Equity Fund was down 7 percent through September. The leveraged version of Ascends Ascend Partners Fund II longshort equity fund had fallen 6.3 percent through August. Additional reporting by Stephen Taub. A national crackdown on uninsured driving has been launched but in one metropolitan county alone, thousands of vehicles have already been seized this year due to lack of insurance.The Huddersfield Daily Examiner reported that so far this year, the West Yorkshire police have taken 5,361 uninsured cars that are at risk of being crushed if their owners dont pay the hefty fines.On average, we seize 20-25 cars a day across the county for having no insurance, Sergeant Gary Roper of the West Yorkshire polices roads policing support unit told the publication.Teams across the organisation regularly work closely with partners to tackle this issue, including days of action and proactive operations, he added.According to the report, authorities use Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology with information from the Motor Insurance Database to identify and catch those driving uninsured vehicles.We are aware that drivers using the roads without insurance is something that most law-abiding drivers want agencies to take action against, the Examiner quoted Roper as saying.The Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) has launched a national crackdown on uninsured driving in cooperation with police forces across the UK.The MIB said about 3,000 vehicles without insurance will be seized every week this year as part of the governments efforts to curb uninsured driving.It will see police operations mounted across many areas of the UK targeting potential uninsured drivers, including daily operations in the West Midlands and London where we know the problem is acute in some areas, said detective superintendent Paul Keasey, the National Police Chiefs Councils head of National Roads Policing Intelligence Forum. The city and state of New York said Monday they would hold off enforcing a new law restricting short-term apartment sublets against Airbnb Inc. until the companys lawsuit over the issue is resolved. That was a reversal from earlier indications that the restrictions would be enforced immediately after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed them into law on Friday. The home-sharing company sued to block the measure just hours after Cuomos action. The law prohibits the advertising of accommodations that cant be legally rented out for less than 30 days, with violators facing fines of as much as $7,500. Airbnb said it faced staggering penalties if the law were enforced because its not clear if websites or online platforms might be held liable for the ads. While the city and state agreed not to prosecute Airbnb, officials can still go after apartment dwellers who flout the restrictions in advertising prohibited units on the Internet, including Airbnbs website. The San Francisco-based company, which has a $30 billion valuation and investors including Sequoia Capital Operations LLC and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers LLC, is facing legal headwinds on a number of fronts, as cities and the hotel industry fight against the bite it has taken out of their business and tax revenues. New York, which represents the companys single-largest market in the U.S., is the latest city seeking to block Airbnb from helping apartment residents sublet their units. The laws have been pushed by the hotel industry, which has faced sharp revenue declines as a result of the upstart. Cities, in many cases, rely on hotel occupancy as a source of tax revenue. Bed Taxes New York City, with more than 100,000 hotel rooms, received $560 million in revenue from so-called bed taxes in 2015, according to a report by the state comptrollers office. But revenue has begun to edge lower, with officials citing the effect of companies like Airbnb. New York states law prohibits apartment dwellers from advertising their units for short-term rental while they are away. People are allowed to rent a room as long as the resident is staying there too. San Francisco and Santa Monica, Calif., have passed similar laws. Airbnb has said the law violates the companys free-speech right to advertise its business and conflicts with U.S. laws intended to promote the growth of internet-based companies. Airbnb raised a similar defense in a lawsuit over San Franciscos law, eliciting a skeptical response from a judge at an Oct. 6 hearing. In its filing Monday, New York City said it would continue to take any procedural and administrative steps necessary to enforce the law if it is ultimately upheld. The case is Airbnb Inc. v. Schneiderman, 16-cv-08239, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan). Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. Topics New York Henderson Brothers Inc., a Pittsburgh, Penn., based independent broker in the insurance, employee benefits and financial services industries, has hired Thomas Quealy as a consultative associate in its consultative department. In this role, Quealy will be responsible for providing compliance assistance and training, as well as helping to manage Henderson Brothers online resources. With a team of more than 140 , Henderson Brothers is the largest independent broker in the Greater Pittsburgh region and serves a diverse client base globally. Henderson Brothers product offerings include: property and casualty insurance, employee benefits, retirement planning, wealth management, fiduciary services, captive management, enterprise risk management, loss control, claims management, strategic planning, succession planning and personal lines. Source: Henderson Brothers Inc. Topics Pennsylvania Dominic Casserley, president and deputy CEO of Willis Towers Watson, will leave the company when his employment agreement ends on Dec. 31, 2016, the global advisory and broking company confirmed on Tuesday. Casserley took his present position in January 2016 when Willis and Towers Watson merged. Prior to that he was CEO of Willis Group, a position he had held since he joined the broker in January 2013. I have been honored to lead Willis for three years, and to help build Willis Towers Watson this year, Casserley said in a media statement, which noted that the total return to Willis shareholders was 58 percent during his tenure as CEO. The statement also noted that from 2013 to 2015, Willis advanced its core organic Analytical Broker and Connecting Willis strategies, introduced industry specialization, deepened its broking capabilities and re-engineered many core processes, while at the same time growing inorganically. Highlights of inorganic growth initiatives included executing a partnership with Miller in London, completing the acquisition of Gras Savoye, and expanding health care advisory and brokerage capabilities. Since January, at the merged Willis Towers Watson, Casserley was a member of the board. He co-led the integration process and was head of one of the global business segments, Investment Risk and Reinsurance. At the time of the merger, Casserley opted not to take severance from Willis where was CEO and took a lesser role of deputy CEO at the newly-merged firm. WTW CEO John Haley thanked Casserley particularly for his partnership and tireless efforts in achieving the creation of Willis Towers Watson, starting with their initial discussions in early 2015 through the deal close in January 2016, and for Casserleys efforts this year in driving the integration forward. In the same media statement, Jim McCann, formerly the Willis Group chairman, and now the chairman of Willis Towers Watson, credited Casserley with leading the evolution of Willis into a global, analytical professional services organization, as well as the bold expansion of the Willis franchise around the world, adding that Casserley was crucial to the design, negotiation and success of the Willis Towers Watson merger. One day after confirming Casserleys departure, Willis Towers Watson announced several additional senior management changes. Related: Topics Willis Towers Watson A Lansing, Mich.-area doctor who is a former state lawmaker has been placed on probation for making false statements to an insurer. Judge Robert Jonker on Oct. 24 gave a significant break to Paul DeWeese, whose clinic, NBO Medical, performed nerve block injections. Federal prosecutors wanted a prison sentence. DeWeese was required to tell Blue Cross Blue Shield that he had signed off on procedures performed by nurse practitioners. But he sometimes gave his log-in information to others. DeWeese has repaid $173,000 to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Separately, he agreed to pay $289,000 to the federal government to settle other allegations. Prosecutors say DeWeese ignored professional standards, dismissed a multitude of warnings about his medical practices and engaged in criminal fraud. DeWeese says hes deeply ashamed of his actions. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Legislation Fraud Michigan The ex-wife of former Subway pitchman Jared Fogle filed a lawsuit in Indiana against the restaurant chain for damages, saying the company received at least three reports indicating his sexual interest in children but failed to take proper action and continued promoting him as its spokesm Katie McLaughlin said at a news conference Oct. 24 that she filed the lawsuit in Hamilton County Superior Court because she has questions about Subways actions and inactions and wants to someday have answers for her two children, who are now 3 and 5 years old. Questions like: What did Subway know? When did they know it? What investigations did they conduct? Did they ever notify the authorities? said McLaughlin, who said she was shocked to learn the accusations against her husband. Subway issued a statement saying it could not comment on pending legal action. The lawsuit filed on Oct. 24 seeks unspecified damages and alleges Subway allowed Fogle to spend significant time in elementary schools promoting the chain after learning of allegations against him beginning in 2004. Finding out your husband and the father of your children is a child predator and knowing that his job involved visiting schools on a regular basis is devastating, McLaughlin said. McLaughlin, whose divorce from Fogle was finalized days before he was sentenced last year to spend more than 15 years in prison, said she never would have married him in 2010 if Subway had warned her or reported him to authorities. Fogle pleaded guilty to one count each of distributing and receiving child porn and traveling to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a child. That came four months after FBI agents raided his suburban Indianapolis home in an investigation that ended Fogles lucrative endorsement career with Subway, which started after he lost more than 200 pounds in college, partly by eating Subway sandwiches. McLaughlins attorney, Mike Antrim, said he will recommend what damages she should request only after learning the extent of what Subway knew. The lawsuit alleges McLaughlin and her children sustained injury, pain and suffering because Subway failed to act properly. McLaughlin said Subway touted Fogle as a family man even after it knew about the allegations against him and used my children and my likeness in that campaign. I did not give them consent to do so. The lawsuit contends Subway knew as early as 2004 that Fogle had approached a young girl for a sex act at an event for Subway in Las Vegas. The lawsuit contends Subway sent a senior public relations manager to talk to Fogle and the franchisee about the allegation but never talked to the girl. The lawsuit alleges Subway either failed to have protocols in place to address and investigate such allegations or failed to follow those protocols. The lawsuit also alleges that another franchisee in Florida in 2008 told Subways chief executive officer that Fogle had sex with minors from 9 years old to 16 years old. The lawsuit said Subway again sent a public relations manager to ask Fogle about the allegation. In 2011, according to the lawsuit, a Florida journalist notified Subway about concerns of Fogle being around children. In September 2015, federal prosecutors said they had copies of audio recordings the journalist made of Fogle talking about sexual encounters he had with children. Also in September 2015, Subway said it had received a serious complaint about Fogle but that the complaint did not imply any criminal sexual activity. The company declined to elaborate on the nature of the complaint but said it regretted it was not properly escalated or acted upon. The company said at that time that an internal review found no further evidence of any other complaints of any kind regarding Mr. Fogle that were submitted to or shared with Subway. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits As one part of South Carolina continues to recover from flooding caused by Hurricane Matthew, another area is suffering a drought. The Greenville News reports Upstate residents are being asked to conserve by limiting nonessential use of water, such as irrigating lawns and washing cars. Lake Hartwell is 7 feet below normal; Lake Jocassee is 10 feet below full level and Keowee, 4 feet. And the National Climate Prediction Center forecasts a warmer and drier than normal winter in the South. A Greenville Water System spokeswoman says voluntary conservation measures could become mandatory if drought conditions deteriorate and require limits on the drinking water drawn from Lake Keowee. Its difficult to convince people to conserve water when a significant portion of South Carolina remains underwater from a hurricane, spokeswoman Olivia Vassey said. The states Drought Response Committee is scheduled to meet Wednesday. The western half of the Upstate is classified as being in a moderate drought, while the eastern half is in the incipient, or earliest, stage. The U.S. Department of Agricultures drought monitor shows a drier picture than the states current assessment. The U.S. monitor considers the Upstate area to be in a severe drought, with a small swath in the southern portion classified as extreme. Hurricane Matthew dumped more than 15 inches of rain along some parts of South Carolinas coast. A few areas in the Upstate reported receiving more than an inch of rain from Matthew, but the National Weather Services final tally from Oct. 7-9 showed most of the region receiving less than inch or a trace. The last time the state was left so starkly divided after a major storm dates back to Hurricane Floyd in September 1999, said Hope Mizzell, State Climatologist for the state Department of Natural Resources. Floyd ended drought conditions in the Lowcountry, but the rain largely bypassed the Upstate. This is pretty rare to see these two extremes, said Hope Mizzell said. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Flood Hurricane South Carolina Insurance Networking News / Women in Insurance Leadership conference, W Hotel, Michigan Ave, Chicago IL October 25, 2016. Presented by SourceMedia Matthew Gilson 7773-497-9797 Finding and retaining IT talent starts at a very young age, according to insurance executives from State Farm, CNA Insurance and Travelers. That talent is ultimately swayed to join the insurance industry by opportunities to lead innovation teams at an early age in an agile work environment. Those were among the biggest takeaways from a panel at INNs Women in Insurance Leadership conference in Chicago, discussing how carriers fill IT personnel needs. The panel was comprised of Tacha Gregory, State Farms IT director; Jeff Hughes, SVP of IT transformation at CNA; and Vivian Chow, VP of human resources, technology, at Travelers. At Facebook or Microsoft, you can be one of hundreds of thousands of tech professionals working on a very small and focused project. Or you can enter our environment where we encourage staff to learn new technologies and not stick to one thing, said Chow, adding that the insurer is after individuals with skills in data security, cloud, IBM Watson and robotics. To attract talent, State Farm has set up recruiting offices in Phoenix, Dallas, Atlanta and Silicon Valley in the last three years. The company has also opened offices in those areas. State Farm also partners with universities to create cybersecurity majors within computer science. Unfortunately, universities are finding it difficult to get millennials to major in computer science, Gregory says. Weve begun hackathons where we let children hack phones or their parents iPads to build interest, she said. Kids do not have a lot of guidance so we are trying to get them into technology early. Another challenge in IT recruiting is fighting the stigma that insurance is not a "sexy" career. Hughes, however, says that early on, millenials are looking for a range of experience in their careers. Carriers as a result do not have to sell them on the opportunity, just that insurance is an industry they may never choose to leave. Even if they move on, insurance offers millennials skills they can take elsewhere, such as learning the financial workings of an industry, he said. A more prominent threat to insurers comes from insurtech startups, Hughes added. The industry newcomers are receiving boatloads of investment funding from venture capital firms and are after the same talent insurance companies are, he says. Startups present a challenge and opportunity, said Hughes. We can lose talent to them, but also need to leverage our relationships to adapt to changing times in the industry. Niamh Keogh, of counselT: +353 1 614 5000E: nkeogh@mhc.ie Robert Henson, tax partnerT: +353 1 614 2314E: rhenson@mhc.ie The bill includes proposed changes to the tax treatment of Section 110 companies, and a new regime for transactions involved in Irish real estate funds. Robert Henson, partner, and Niamh Keogh, Of Counsel at Mason Hayes & Curran, break down these tax developments in the bill. Section 110 companies In September, Irelands Minister for Finance released draft legislation to charge tax on profits arising from Irish loan portfolios and related transactions to overseas investors. The proposed measures were not intended to impact bona fide securitisations, but concerns were raised by many professional advisors and stakeholders that the draft legislation would have an impact on unintended transactions. Thankfully, the provisions on the measure in the bill include some welcome changes to clarify that most normal securitisation transactions and market loan origination transactions will not be impacted by the changes. Section 21 of the bill amends section 110 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (Section 110). By way of background, Section 110 includes favourable provisions for qualifying special purpose companies (SPCs) that hold and/or manage, or have an interest (including a partnership interest) in qualifying assets, which includes loans and debt obligations. The provisions within Section 110 charge SPCs corporation tax at a rate of 25%. However, critically, the return paid on certain profit dependent loans (PDLs) is tax deductible. The use of such SPCs has made Ireland a key location for cross-border structured finance transactions. The draft legislation included in the bill targets the use of Section 110 qualifying companies holding and/or managing specified mortgages. For this purpose, a specified mortgage means a loan that is secured on Irish land or an arrangement (e.g. a total return swap) which, in both circumstances, derives its value or greater part of its value (directly or indirectly) from land in the Republic of Ireland. Profits from such activities are to be treated as a separate business and the bill seeks to limit the availability of a tax deduction for profit-dependent returns and non-arms length returns relating to such business, unless the beneficiary of the return meets certain criteria. When the profit dependent element of the return is not tax deductible, a charge at 25% for the SPCs arises. The bill includes welcome amendments to ensure the changes should not impact on: Collateralized loan obligations (CLO) transactions; Commercial mortgage backed securities (CMBS) and residential mortgage backed securities (RMBS) transactions; and Loan origination businesses. This applies in circumstances where the Section 110 company carries on no other activities other than incidental to the above. For those Section 110 companies that are within the scope of the proposed legislation, interest payable relating to such activities should continue to be fully tax deductible where: The beneficiary is an individual within the charge to Irish income tax; The beneficiary is a person who is or will be within the charge to Irish corporation tax; The beneficiary is an approved Irish or European Economic Area (EEA) pension fund; The beneficiary is a resident of an EU or EEA member state (other than Ireland) provided that: (a) the investor is subject to tax in their country of residence without any reduction computed by reference to the amount of such interest or in respect of any deemed or notional deduction; (b) the holding of the PDL is not part of a tax avoidance scheme; and (c) in the case of a company, it carries out genuine economic activities in the EEA relevant to the holding of the PDL. On creation of the PDL, the return represents no more than a reasonable rate of commercial return for the use of that principal and the return is not dependent on the results of the SPC; or Irish withholding tax has been deducted from the payment. The proposed changes will take effect from September 6 2016 once enacted. Irish regulated funds The bill also targets the use of Irish regulated funds, known as qualifying investor alternative investment funds (QIAIFs) which are often structured as ICAVs under the Irish Collective Asset-management Act 2015, holding investments in Irish real estate assets. Before the bill was published, Irish regulated QIAIFs were exempt from Irish tax on all income and gains. Further, all payments, such as distributions and redemptions made to non-Irish investors and certain exempt Irish investors, were not subject to any withholding or exit tax. Under the draft legislation in the bill, QIAIFs will now be obliged to operate an exit tax at 20% on the occurrence of certain taxable events, namely the making of a relevant payment to the investor or on redemption of the investors units in the QIAIFs to the extent that the amount of the redemption is attributable to profits derived from Irish real estate activities. The changes target QIAIFs involved in the acquisition and development of Irish real estate, rents derived from Irish real estate and short-term capital appreciation gains on the holding of Irish real estate. QIAIFs are only within the scope of the proposals if 25% of the value of the relevant fund (or sub-fund) is derived from Irish real estate assets or if it would be reasonable to assume that the purpose or one of the main purposes of the fund was to acquire Irish real estate or engage in the development of Irish real estate. Importantly, for QIAIFs involved in long-term capital appreciation strategies, the redemption proceeds paid to an investor should not be subject to the exit tax of 20% where the proceeds relate to a capital gain arising to the QIAIF on the disposal of property it acquired at market value and owned for a minimum of five years, provided the disposal is to a person unconnected with the fund or any of its investors. Payments to certain categories of investors, including pension funds and, other Irish and EEA regulated funds are also exempted. The new regime will apply to accounting periods commencing on or after January 1 2017. However, if the QIAIFs accounting period was changed after October 20 2016, the new rules will apply to accounting periods commencing on or after October 20 2016. The draft legislation may be amended before it is passed into law, which is expected to be in December. Il Parlamento venezuelano ha approvato lapertura di un processo politico nei confronti del presidente Nicolas Maduro. Il procedimento sara portato avanti dallAssemblea Nazionale e indaghera sulloperato del presidente e sulle sue responsabilita nelle violazioni costituzionali, abusi dei diritti umani, attacchi alla democrazia e nella crisi economica del Paese. In base alla decisione dellAssemblea Nazionale, Maduro sara chiamato a rispondere alle domande dei deputati gia dalla prossima settimana, probabilmente il prossimo 1 novembre. La reazione di Maduro Il presidente venezuelano ha accusato lopposizione di aver tentato un golpe parlamentario contro il suo governo con lo scopo di destituirlo dal suo incarico prima della fine del mandato, che si dovrebbe concludere nel 2019. Dopo essere rientrato da Roma, dove ha incontrato il Papa, Maduro ha indetto una riunione del Consiglio Nazionale di Sicurezza. Inoltre, in un discorso a reti unificate, trasmesso da un palco vicino al palazzo presidenziale, Maduro ha definito la decisione dellAssemblea Nazionale che ha paragonato ad un circo lultimo colpo di coda di Obama, che e ossessionato con la distruzione del Venezuela. La crisi Il Venezuela oramai da mesi e nella morsa di una forte crisi economica, che ha portato anche alcuni cittadini a cercare rifugio nei Paesi vicini. In un primo momento si era cercato di far fronte allemergenza con il razionamento dellenergia elettrica e con black out programmati, ma queste soluzioni hanno spinto ancora piu nella disperazione i venezuelani. La mancanza di energia elettrica ha portato anche alla diminuzione dellorario di lavoro dei dipendenti pubblici, fatto che ha dato via ad una serie di disagi ai cittadini. Inoltre i black out programmati hanno causato gravi problemi ai negozi di alimentari e ai supermercati: senza energia elettrica e stato impossibile garantire il corretto funzionamento dei congelatori e frigoriferi. Il referendum La scorsa settimana Maduro aveva bloccato la raccolta firme con cui si chiedeva di istituire il referendum per chiedere la sua destituzione. Tutto e iniziato quando i Tribunali di quattro stato hanno comunicato che si erano verificate delle irregolarita e quindi avevano invalidato il processo della raccolta. Basandosi su questo fatto il Consiglio Nazionale elettorale, il Cne, aveva sospeso la raccolta firme in tutto il Paese, causando le ire dellopposizione che aveva definito il gesto una soppressione della democrazia. Lincontro con il Papa Nicolas Maduro e volato a Roma, senza preannunciarlo, per un incontro privato con Papa Francesco. A riferire la notizia e stata la Sala Stampa Vaticana, che ha evidenziato come nel quadro della preoccupante situazione di crisi politica, sociale ed economica del Venezuela, il Papa abbia fortemente sottolineato la necessita di portare avanti un dialogo sincero e costruttivo tra governo e opposizione, con lo scopo di alleviare le sofferenze della gente e promuovere una rinnovata coesione sociale. Inoltre, proprio nella giornata di ieri, prima che ci fosse unescalation di tensione tra governo e opposizione, il nunzio apostolico in Argentina, aveva annunciato per il prossimo 30 ottobre nellIsla Margherita lapertura di un tavolo di discussione con i delegati delle due parti, chiamati a cercarte una soluzione per il Venezuela. 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 EV Stock News - Investor Idea Breaking EV Stock News: Overwhelmingly Positive Reactions Pour in From First Leg of Mullen Automotive's (NASDAQ: MULN) 'Strikingly Different' FIVE EV Crossover Tour BREA, Calif. - October 31, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Mullen Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ: MULN), an emerging electric vehicle ("EV") manufacturer, announces today that the Mullen FIVE has received overwhelmingly positive reactions from members of the public, reservation holders and Mullen investors who were able to ride in the vehicle for the very first time on the "Strikingly Different" tour which kicked off last week in Pasadena, California. 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 Press Release IPU study reveals widespread sexism, harassment and violence against women MPs Geneva, 26 October 2016 Zapatos Rojos (red shoes) is a public arts project to denounce violence against women. Lanpernas Laupuntozero. A new study by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) reveals that sexism, harassment and violence against women MPs are global problems that impede gender equality and undermine the foundations of democracy. IPUs study is based on in-depth interviews with 55 women MPs from 39 countries covering five regions of the world. It shows troubling level of psychological, sexual and physical violence. This is a survey of a small percentage of women MPs, but it makes clear that the problem is much more widespread and under-reported than we realize. The parliamentary community must speak out against sexism and harassment and make clear that it cannot be tolerated as the price to be paid for womens political involvement, declares IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong. The study reports that 81.8 per cent of survey participants have experienced some form of psychological violence. Among them, some 44 per cent said they had received threats of death, rape, beatings or abduction during their parliamentary terms, including threats to kidnap or kill their children. Social media is the main channel where psychological violence is perpetrated as the experience of one European MP shows: one time, over a period of four days, I received more than 500 threats of rape on Twitter. Or as one Asian parliamentarian recounts: I receive information about my son his age, the school he attends, his class, etc. threatening to kidnap him. Sexist insults are equally frequent - 65.5 per cent of respondents declared to have been subjected to humiliating comments on repeated occasions during their mandates. Sexual harassment is described as common practice with 20 per cent saying they had been sexually harassed during their term and 7.3 per cent said that someone had tried to force them to have sexual relations. Levels of physical violence are also significant - 20 per cent responded they had been slapped, pushed, struck or targeted by an object that could have injured them, and 12.7 per cent said someone had threatened to use or actually used a firearm, knife or other weapon against them. Women MPs describe daily condescension and sexism expressed through inappropriate gestures or sounds. A European parliamentarian put it this way: if a woman speaks loudly in parliament she is shushed with a finger to the mouth (). That never happens when a man speaks loudly. IPUs study calls upon parliaments to define and apply robust policies and mechanisms to deter such behaviour. Parliaments need to put their own house in order if they want to lead by example and stop discrimination and violence against women in all walks of life. The effectiveness of parliaments, progress toward equality between men and women and the vitality of democracy itself all depend on it, said Martin Chungong. IPUs report concludes that this global phenomenon is creating obstacles for women MPs to carry out their work freely and securely. Its figures also clearly show the resilience of these MPs - 80 per cent of those that have been victims of sexist violence said these acts would not undermine their determination to fulfil their parliamentary mandate, nor would they prevent them from running for another term. The report highlights that solutions exist or can be found, but it all starts by recognizing the existence of the problem, naming it and breaking the silence about it. It calls upon female and male MPs to denounce such behaviour and reject sexist violence wherever it occurs. The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organization of national parliaments. It works to safeguard peace and drives positive democratic change through political dialogue and concrete action. Talks aimed at averting tomorrow's strike by ASTI secondary school teachers resume this morning in Dublin. The union is meeting with officials from the Department of Education. The planned strike is the first of seven days, and is set to close hundreds of schools nationwide. It is also feared many schools will not be able to re-open after the mid-term break, when ASTI members plan to withdraw from supervision and substitution duties. ASTI Vice president Ger Curtin, says it is a problem of the Government's making. He said: "If the schools shut down, it's the Government are shutting them down and they are shutting them down over 6 per teacher, per week. "Our members, if they had paid that 6 a week, our members would have continued on working, there was never a question of us not doing the supervision and substitution. "The only reason we are not doing it, is because we are not getting paid for it." The European Union (EU) has edged closer to being able to sign a free trade deal with Canada on Thursday after Belgium made progress in lifting the veto of one of its regions. However, whether Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would be able to fly to Brussels for the official signature ceremony, seven years after the negotiations started, remains unclear to everyone. EU President Donald Tusk told legislators on Wednesday that "the summit tomorrow is still possible" after days of talks in Brussels between the national government and its regions seemed to be heading for a breakthrough. Belgium needs all its regions to sign on and the EU, in turn, needs unanimity among all its 28 states. Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders said during a break in talks on Wednesday that "all necessary documents" could be sent to EU officials later in the day for a final vetting among member states. Rudy Demotte, leader of the Wallonia-Brussels federation, which is closely aligned with the francophone Wallonia region in Belgium's constitutional structure, said "we still need a bit of time for some verification and political contacts to see if the conditions are respected and if the texts match legally what we want to express politically". Paul Magnette, leader of Belgium's holdout region Wallonia, said some details still need to be clarified, notably in the agriculture sector where he wants his farmers better protected. If the regional leaders agree, the deal would likely still have to go back to the regional francophone legislatures for approval. It makes the deadline for signature ever tighter, making it more likely by the hour that Thursday's EU-Canada summit could be scrapped. Politicians in Wallonia, which has a population of 3.6 million compared to more than 500 million for the whole EU, argue the proposed accord would undermine labour, the environment and consumer standards. Proponents say it would yield billions in added trade through customs and tariff cuts and other measures to lower barriers to commerce. At the same time, the EU says it will keep in place the region's strong safeguards on social, environmental and labour issues. The future of the EBA, which has a role in supervising banks across the EU, has been up for grabs ever since the June 23 vote because it was unlikely the EU authorities and politicians in Paris and Berlin would sanction a key regulator remaining in London. Frankfurt is already home to the European Central Bank. Relocation of the EBA, which has 156 staff, became a racing certainty after British prime minister Theresa Mays government hardened its stance against upholding the principle of the free movement of people to work in the EU in its forthcoming talks with Brussels. The UK government has signalled it expects tough talks when it starts the formal divorce proceedings when it triggers Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty in March. The Irish government has also launched a bid to relocate the European Medicines Agency to Ireland. However, Irelands pitch for the EBA will face stiff competition from other EU countries, who will argue that they too should host the prestigious regulator. Confirming that it expects a tough contest, Finance Minister Michael Noonan nonetheless said it had made a public declaration of interest in Ireland becoming the location for the offices of the European Banking Authority. Mr Noonan said: While the UK continues to be a full member of the EU until the negotiations for their exit have been completed, preparations must be made for eventualities such as the relocation of certain European agencies such as the European Banking Authority. As a country with experience in providing links to banks and companies in the UK market, Ireland provides an ideal new home for the staff of the EBA. The Department of Finance said: A number of other EU member states are interested in hosting the EBA but Ireland, with its significant financial services sector and efficient transport links to other European capitals, is ideally suited for the authoritys relocation. "Ireland has a positive track record with hosting international organisations and has proven to be an attractive location for international staff of these international organisations. A spokesperson for Cork-headquartered H+A Marketing and PR which also has offices in Galway and Dublin said they believe the business has a viable long-term future after receiving court protection this month. Joe Walsh of Baker Tilly Hughes Blake was appointed interim examiner to Healy Design and Advertising Limited, trading as H+A Marketing and PR, on October 7. Jack Hegarty was being breastfed after his delivery when he suffered a collapse but the High Court heard the babys condition was not monitored as staff cared for his mother. A midwife was required to hold faulty lighting in place as a suturing procedure was carried out on Jacks mother, and the court also heard a faulty mechanism in the bed and a malfunctioning stirrup holding the mothers leg meant a delay occurred in the procedure carried out on the mother. Jack mother, Jacinta Collins, became concerned for the wellbeing of her baby and indicated her concerns to the midwife but was reassured all was well. When the suturing was finished, the midwife realised the baby was in a state of collapse. In the High Court yesterday, Ms Collithe told Mr Justice Kevin Cross that mistakes were made but she did not have any bad feeling towards the midwife. She said when her baby was discharged from hospital she and partner Justin Hegarty were told he would be tetraplegic and might only live eight to 10 months, but he has defied all odds. Jack Hegarty, Ardbrack, Kinsale, Co Cork, had sued through his mother, Jacinta Collins, the HSE over his care after his birth on December 10, 2014. It was claimed there was a failure to monitor the baby adequately or at all, in particular the period after his birth and up to the time of his collapse. It was further claimed there was a failure to provide equipment in working order. Jack Hegarty: State of collapse in hospital. Senior counsel Liam Reidy said liability was admitted in the case. A report following an inquiry highlighted the deficiencies in the equipment and he said causation was later withdrawn. The HSE also apologised to the family, the court heard. Jack, he said, was cared for in ICU and, before he was discharged on January 22, 2015, an elderly man who had a relic of Padre Pio came and prayed beside the boy and shortly after that Jack was take off ventilation support. Counsel said Jack is a fantastic boy who can crawl and roll and sing his alphabet, as well as say some words. He said the boy, who has undergone a special type of therapy called Anat Baniel method of neuro movement, will be able to walk and feed himself, and has an impressive cognitive function. Ms Collins told the court that when they brought their son home, they thought it was for palliative care. He later began to eat rather than be tube-fed and now eats us out of house and home. The family she said will move to California for the next three years so Jack can continue his therapy there. Approving the settlement Mr Justice Cross praised the remarkable care Jacks parents had given him. He said this was a happy story and congratulated all sides including the HSE and its attitude to the case. The case will come back before the court in three years to decide on future needs for Jack. Outside court, Ms Collins said what happened to their son was an avoidable accident two hours after birth. No money will ever compensate us for what has happened but it will allow Jack to flow and progress. We are glad to see that the hospital has learned lessons from this and steps have been taken to prevent reoccurrence. She said Jack has has broken all boundaries and they have kept the focus on their son rather than blame. A number of hospitals have already been written to by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) advising them that one-day on-site inspections will take place from next month. The hospitals, not publicly identified by Hiqa, will be given 10 working days notice of the pending inspection. Aoife Lenihan, lead inspector on Hiqas medication safety monitoring programme, said that while most medication errors do not result in patient harm, they have in some instances, the potential to result in catastrophic harm or death to patients. Medication safety has been identified by a number of bodies in Ireland as a key focus for improvement and it is estimated that on average, at least one medication error per hospital patient occurs each day, Ms Lenihan said. This means that there could be up to three million medication errors in Irish public hospitals per year. The new inspection regime, adding to a burgeoning inspection programme conducted by Hiqa, will be conducted in three phases. Ms Lenihan said the phased approach would allow them support hospitals in making incremental improvements in managing medication more safely. Phase one will involve assessing structures in place for medication management and safety with a particular focus on governance. Ms Lenihan said examples of good practice include hospitals having a committee or a designated person for overseeing medication safety. There is research out there around what systems hospitals can employ and we will be looking to see if those structures and processes are in place, Ms Lenihan said. If we come across areas of high risk, we will immediately ask for assurances from the hospital as to how they intend to mitigate that risk. During the second phase, Hiqa will examine in further detail how hospitals have designed, implemented, and are monitoring the ongoing effectiveness of defined medication safety processes and systems. Phase 3 will look at medicine optimisation. The inspection reports will be published on the Hiqa website. Separately, Health Minister Simon Harris confirmed yesterday that Ireland will formally bid to host the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in the aftermath of Brexit. The EMA, responsible for the protection of public and animal health through the scientific evaluation and supervision of medicines, has been based in London since 1995. Mr Harris said that, in light of the British decision to leave the EU, it appears inevitable that the European Medicines Agency will have to be relocated to another EU member state. The Irish Government believes that Dublin would be a very suitable location and that a move to the Irish capital would minimise the disruption to the business of the EMA, thus ensuring continued protection of EU citizens and providing reassurance to the industries which it regulates, said Mr Harris. He said he believes relocation to Dublin should prove very attractive to EMA staff and their families. An interdepartmental/interagency group will be established immediately in an effort to land the agency and the group will develop a detailed proposal by early 2017. The ex-EU ambassador to the US said that he does not envisage passport checks on routes in and out of Northern Ireland once the UK completes the split. But in response to a direct question at the House of Lords EU Select Committee on whether Brexit could be abused and become a smugglers charter, he said: Yes is the answer to that question too. Mr Bruton joined former taoiseach Bertie Ahern to set out their biggest concerns for the Irish and Northern Irish economies and communities post-Brexit. A recent suggestion that Irish ports and airports would become proxy points of entry into the UK and a type of frontier for British immigration checks was dismissed by Mr Ahern. I quite frankly just found that unbelievable, he said. To put that suggestion forward is a total lack of understanding of how people think, north and south, of either tradition. It just would not happen. The idea was floated in recent weeks with Northern Ireland secretary James Brokenshire saying that governments in London and Dublin would work to strengthen the Republics external borders after Brexit. The opinions of the former taoisigh were sought as part of the parliamentary committees inquiry into the impact of Brexit on UK-Irish relations, the peace process, the return of a hard border, and how the common travel area between Britain and Ireland could be affected. Mr Ahern urged the Government to appoint a dedicated minister to deal with Brexit. Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Michael Creed has stressed the need for Irish farmers to reduce its dependency on the UK market. Speaking in the Seanad on the impact of Brexit on product prices in the agricultural sector, Mr Creed said the aim of his department was to develop new markets. He said he would be travelling to North Africa and the Gulf regions to provide as many markets as possible for Irelands agri food exports. The Cork minister said his department is working with the Northern Ireland Agriculture Department on a joint work programme and that he intends to meet with the UK secretary of state in early December. Also, the Government has decided to make a bid to become the location for the offices of one of the agencies set up to deal with the crash the European Banking Authority (EBA). Finance Minister Michael Noonan announced that the Cabinet is to make a public declaration of interest in Ireland becoming the base of the agency. The agency has to move from London as a result of Brexit. A number of other EU states, including Germany, Poland, France, and Sweden, are interested in hosting the EBA. However, the Governments pitch is that Ireland, with its significant financial services sector and efficient transport links to other European capitals, is ideally suited for the authoritys relocation. The cost of public liability payouts is up from just over 3.6m in 2011 to over 4.08m last year despite the number of claims falling from 213 in 2011 to 163 last year. The average amount paid per claim has risen from just over 17,000 in 2011 to almost 25,000 last year. In one case, 51,658 was paid to a person following a footpath incident on St Patricks Street in 2011. It was the only public liability claim on the street that year. In another case on the street in 2013, a person received just under 25,000 after an incident involving a manhole cover. The figures show the average legal expense per claim has soared from just over 8,000 in 2011 to just over 11,000 last year. The details were released in response to a detailed question from Cllr Tim Brosnan (FF). He described the figures as shocking at a time when the city is facing a 1.6m funding shortfall, and is considering an almost 3% hike in commercial rates to plug the gap. The amount of money being paid out, and the consistency with which its being paid out beggars belief, he said. Its perverse at a time when the state hasnt got money to house people that the city is paying out so much money in compensation. There will be genuine cases, of course. But there are a lot of spurious claims in a lot of cases. He called for the publication of the names and addresses of those claimants who receive a compensation payout from the State. A breakdown of figures since 2008 shows there were 22 claims against the council for incidents on the citys main street, St Patricks Street, 16 claims relating to incidents in the Grand Parade and Daunt Square areas, and nine in the Oliver Plunkett St area. The figures also show that between 2008 and 2015, the city paid out: 380,000 for claims from the St Patricks Street area; 137,000 for claims from the Grand Parade and Daunt Square areas; And just over 60,000 for claims from the Oliver Plunkett St area. Footpaths and structures were cited as the cause for most claims from St Patricks Street, with footpaths to blames in eight cases and structures in six. Potholes and manhole covers accounted for six more incidents, with steps and drains involved in two cases. Two cases from 2014 and three from last year remain outstanding. Footpaths (three) and structures (five) accounted for most of the claims on the Grand Parade/Daunt Square area, with three cases involving potholes, slippery surfaces involved in three cases, and steps and manhole covers accounting for two cases. Three cases from 2015 remain outstanding in this area. And while there were no public liability claims in the Oliver Plunkett St area from 2010 to 2013, six claims in this area in 2014 cost the city 56,626. The latest blow comes after the Irish Examiner reported on Monday that the Garda Ombudsman had hit a legal barrier in initiating its public interest investigation because it could not access relevant documents. Last June, GSOC was requested by Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald to carry out an investigation into matters regarding Sergeant Maurice McCabe arising out of the OHiggins Commission of Investigation. Ms Fitzgeralds request followed a call from the Garda Commissioner, Noirin OSullivan, for a GSOC inquiry. However, the Garda Ombudsman was denied access to documentation by the commissioner, who cited legal restrictions on disclosure under the Commission of Investigations Act 2004. GSOC then sent a request to the Department of Justice, which houses the OHiggins records. That request was referred to the attorney general, whose advice was given to GSOC yesterday. A statement from GSOC last night said: The Department of Justice and Equality has confirmed to GSOC that, similarly to the Garda Commissioner, they are not able to release the documentation required to commence this investigation, in light of the provisions of the Commission of Investigations Act 2004. Therefore, a court application will be required to obtain the necessary order. We are getting the relevant legal advice. This advice will examine whether or not any provisions (including under sections 11, 18 and 19) of the act form a basis for accessing the documents, which might supercede the privacy of commissions. University of Limerick professor of law, Shane Kilcommins, said it was difficult to see how it would be possible for GSOC to access the documents. A literal reading of section 11 (3) clearly emphasises that when evidence is given in private to a Commission of Investigation, there is a prohibition on disclosure or publication of the evidence or the contents or any documents produced by a witness giving evidence, he said. Exceptions are provided for under the act, but any application will have to be construed in the light of this privacy principle. Prof Kilcommins cited the sole case law a 2009 High Court ruling which refused disclosure of the MacEntee Commission report into the Dublin/Monaghan bombings, citing the privacy of such inquiries. The limited jurisprudence that exists indicates that the courts take this privacy principle very seriously, he said. Fianna Fails Jim OCallaghan published a bill on Monday to amend section 11 of the act, to allow for the disclosure of evidence and documents necessary for a GSOC investigation. GSOC said: Any legislative measures which would avoid further delay and expense would be welcome. A number of crunch meetings were yesterday held in a bid to ease the worries of senators before the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015 is debated in the Seanad this afternoon. However, Government senators are still concerned that the bill will severely impact on small rural retailers and corner shops. The bill, which is at committee stage, would introduce minimum unit pricing for alcohol, would require health warnings on labels and also further restrict the advertising of alcohol. However, one of the main concerns senators have is the requirement to segregate alcohol in shops. They worry that the cost associated with blocking off sections of stores and perhaps requiring extra staff to monitor areas where alcohol is for sale could put pressure on small businesses. Cork Fine Gael senator Tim Lombard said changes would have to be made to the bill before it is accepted. We want to amend the bill. It is becoming an urban-rural divide. We are in favour of most of the bill but we have concerns and questions. He questioned whether the shopkeeper would be fined if a customer accidentally left a blind up or a curtain open after picking up a bottle from the shelf and called for leeway around this. A meeting between senators and Junior Health Minister Marcella Corcoran Kennedy was held at 1.30pm yesterday and was described as very volatile. There was a second briefing later yesterday afternoon with the chief medical officer. It is understood that senators voiced strong opposition to parts of the bill and strongly indicated that they would not be able to support it if amendments were not made. Another last-minute meeting is due to be held this morning before the Seanad debate. One senator said: The minister and the Taoiseach are trying to push this down the throat of the parliamentary party and most importantly of senators. However, Senator Paudie Coffey said he was hopeful that Ms Corcoran Kennedy could provide the reassurances needed and was confident it would not go as far as Fine Gael senators voting against it. We are looking to her [Ms Corcoran Kennedy] to take account of the concerns or to clarify the impact of structural separation. He will be calling for an incremental introduction to the bill in the Seanad today. I would be asking the minister to bring forward minimum pricing, to introduce the changes around sponsorship especially with regard to children and sporting clubs. But the structural separation requirement should not be introduced until the impact of these measures is evaluated, he said. On a separate occasion David Blackwell, a 52-year-old who lives in a caravan at Cooranig, Dunmanway in West Cork, was found stealing an axe from the garage of a private house. On being arrested afterwards, he told gardai he remembered finding himself in the garage looking for a game of darts in what he described as a flashback situation. A judge yesterday said of Mr Blackwell: He has smoked far too much weed and he has fried his brains, or cooked them to a stage where it is on the well done side. Mr Blackwell, originally from the UK but living in Ireland for 13 years, came before Skibbereen District Court in relation to an incident on October 13 last at Togher Cross, in Dunmanway. Garda Kieran OCallaghan told Judge James McNulty that he responded to calls about a man covered in blood and wandering in front of traffic. Arriving at the scene at 1.20pm, gardai saw Mr Blackwell pacing around and looking agitated. He shouted verbal abuse at gardai, sometimes clenching his fists and growling. As he grew more aggressive, Grda OCallaghan warned Mr Blackwell and when the man came towards him, he issued a first burst of pepper spray into his face. Grda OCallaghan said it had no effect. Gardai monitored Mr Blackwell from a distance as he waded across a stream and stayed in a field. The court heard he came at gardai again, and was again pepper sprayed. Once again it appeared to have no impact, and Mr Blackwell left only to come back with a vengeance, when he was pepper sprayed for a third time. More gardai had arrived at the scene and Mr Blackwell was arrested. Gardai also noticed a knife in his back pocket, in a sheath, although it was not produced in the incident. The man was taken to Bantry Hospital by gardai. There he refused treatment and when a doctor brought over some medical equipment he tried to grab a pair of scissors. He also threw blood at the walls and floor. He was then taken to Bantry Garda Station, following what Garda OCallaghan said was a prolonged episode. Giving evidence Mr Blackwell said he had not wanted medical treatment and denied he was a risk to anyone. He said the pepper spray had hurt and that at the hospital I didnt want to be injected with bits and bobs. The court heard he lived an alternative, often solitary lifestyle and had an anti-authority personality. He told the court his hand was bleeding because he had cut it and that hed gone to that part of Dunmanway to buy a lighter. The court also heard he had 16 previous convictions, predominantly for drugs offences, while a psychiatric report indicated he may be suffering from a condition linked to drug and alcohol withdrawal. Judge McNulty said Mr Blackwells offending was escalating and this episode was a grave matter.This is like a bad night in Temple Bar, but its in West Cork in daytime, he said, sentencing Mr Blackwell to three months in prison for the incident in Togher Cross and another three months for his actions in Bantry Hospital, to be served consecutively. The court also heard that on June 13 last Mr Blackwell was spotted entering a garage at 10.15pm, prompting the householder to tell his wife to lock the door of the house and call gardai. The male householder picked up an imitation samurai sword and spotted Mr Blackwell taking an axe from the garage. The homeowner shouted at him and he dropped the axe, replying no violence, no violence. He was later arrested and told gardai he must have had something, adding: I dont know why I was so trolleyed, to be honest. He was also convicted in relation to that incident, with sentencing deferred until February 9 next. Clyde Keogh, aged 20, pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Court to robbery and attempted robbery. The offences took place on January 21, 2016, when Keogh of Ballyclough Ave, Ballinacurra Weston, was on a bender of alcohol and drugs, the court heard. He was detained by a parent of one of his victims before gardai arrived. The children handed over their phones for fear of being shot or stabbed after Keogh told them that he had a knife and a gun. No weapons were found when he was arrested. He pleaded guilty to mugging two boys, aged 13 and 15, and a teenager, aged 18, and stealing their phones. He also admitted attempting to rob another boy, aged 15. Garda Steven Noonan agreed with Brian McInerney, defending, that Keogh had been abusing drink and drugs following the death of both of his grandparents, who had reared him to the age of 12. Mr McInerney added: He could not be questioned by gardai for six hours because he was so intoxicated. He was so drunk he picked up some staples and tried to eat them. He was a physical wreck. In fact, he was in such a ragged state he couldnt have survived much longer. Today he is a different man. In January, Keogh threw a plastic bottle of Coke at Judge Marian OLeary after he was refused bail on the charges at Limerick District Court. Judge Tom ODonnell remanded Keogh in custody for sentence on December 16. I am fortunate not to have experienced any hate crimes but I have heard stories of prejudice against Muslims in Ireland and it is a very scary thing, she said. She believes the Irish media shares responsibility for perpetuating hatred of Muslims but also feels her fellow Muslims must be more outspoken and visible. I do not feel there is enough media representation of Muslims in Ireland. I also feel, though, that Muslims have to be more proactive, she says. They must get out there. She certainly is out there in more ways than one. Apart from her studies, she is a spoken-word performance artist, reading her own poetry and prose aloud in front of an audience. The second eldest of four daughters, she was born in Canada and lived there for five years before her family moved to Saudi Arabia. I am half Egyptian and half Saudi and most of my family are in Saudi Arabia now. She has many Irish friends, although close friendship is constrained by declining to attend any events where alcohol is served. I am fortunate to have great friends who organise non-alcohol nights, which is fun. Raneem was one of a number of young Muslims attending a seminar in Dublin yesterday organised by the Immigrant Council of Ireland. The seminar on Muslims in the Media: Challenging Misconceptions was aimed at enhancing participants media relations skills. At the event, participants spoke of how they feel Muslims are often misrepresented and negatively portrayed in the media and how, despite being one of the largest minority groups in the country, they feel there is little visibility of Muslims in the mainstream media. Nama executive Ronnie Hanna played a key role in forcing Pimco out of the Project Eagle bidding race after details of a 15m success fee emerged. At a meeting of the Dails Public Accounts Committee (PAC), emails and board minutes relating to Pimcos exit from the process were discussed. The documents, seen by the Irish Examiner, show that in contemporaneous minutes of a Nama telephone call with Pimco, on March 11, 2014, discussions took place about how a fee could be paid in an alternative way which could see them stay in the process. On the call for Pimco were Tom Rice, European legal counsel; and Hugh Mildred, legal counsel; and for Nama were Ronnie Hanna and legal advisor Alan Stewart. During the call Mr Rice said Pimco was disappointed that disclosures were not made by the relevant parties to Nama. The Nama officials asked when Pimco had become aware of the issue. Mr Rice said the [Project Eagle] process had been with Nama for several months. He said this development went back to the origination of the deal with Pimco and the proposal for an acquisition fee, according to the documents. Mr Rice added that the proposed fixer fee split was mentioned some time ago and enquiries were made and it was looked at in more detail in the second half of 2013. Reference was made to a draft letter of engagement. Once the amount was queried it became evident the payment was to be split three ways and clarification was sought from the firms afterwards, the documents show. Mr Rice said they did not want to continue in a process with any degree of impropriety for Pimco or Nama and that Pimco was willing to withdraw completely. Mr Hanna asked whether Pimco considered other options. TR asked what options and RH asked if it could be shaped differently for the arrangement fee to come out, the minutes show. Mr Rice said if there was participation with any partners where there has been an issue [for Nama] then Pimco just would not want look at progressing. Mr Hanna explained that the point was more to do with Frank Cushnahan, the Nama advisor at the heart of the controversy. The conversation referred to the process as it stood and said Pimco was willing to withdraw. Pimco were not forced out of process of Namas sale of its northern loan book, the agency has said. The admission given at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) appears to be at odds with previous testimony given at the committee by senior Nama executives. Project Eagle was the name given to more than 900 loans secured on properties in Northern Ireland, Britain and the Republic, which Nama sold in April 2014 to US firm Cerberus for 1.3bn. While union officials will meet the Department of Education again today to discuss pay grievances, schools have notified parents not to send children in tomorrow, the day of the first of seven strikes by ASTIs 18,000 members planned up to December 7. But hundreds of schools will close indefinitely after the mid-term break, as nearly 400 which are staffed entirely by ASTI members still have not advertised for staff to take over supervision duties. Paul Mooney, president of the National Parents Council-post primary, said he hopes the sides can keep talking until the issues are resolved and avoid disruption to students. There cant be an enormous difference between them. Were hoping that sense prevails, he said. The ASTI and department met yesterday to discuss issues behind the unions refusal to co-operate with junior cycle reforms, with further talks penciled in after little or no progress was made. But they were not scheduled to consider the more urgent question of industrial actions again until this afternoon, having spent several hours on the matters on Monday. The strikes are part of the unions campaign for equal pay for teachers who began their careers from 2011 onward, who continue to earn at least 10% less than longer-serving colleagues. Minister of State Damien English said on RTE TV on Monday night there would be eventual restoration of equal pay for all public servants, but that the Public Service Pay Commission needs to consider all the relevant issues. But the absence of a clear timescale for such restoration has meant no backdown by the ASTI, despite pressure on the Government to avoid concessions that could cause follow-up claims from other public sector unions. Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) members at around 150 dual-union schools are liable to lose a days pay if they do not pass ASTI colleagues pickets tomorrow, but it is unclear how many of those schools will be open anyway. TUI members at dual-union schools were told on Friday not to do supervision or other work which is normally be done by ASTI colleagues, when they withdraw from supervision and substitution from Monday, November 7. The number of schools looking for temporary supervisors to do that work instead of ASTI members has reduced by around a dozen since the weekend to just over 100, either after finding they could cover the duties from among non-ASTI staff or because they have had enough suitable external applicants. Nearly 70 community and comprehensive schools are seeking people for the roles, but only 36 community colleges run by education and training boards advertised vacancies on the Department of Education website yesterday. They are likely to remain closed for at least the first few days after mid-term because of the time needed for training and Garda vetting. Now in its 11th year, the shortlist features a diverse list of authors across 14 categories, including Novel of the Year, Childrens, Cookery, Crime Fiction, Popular Fiction, Nonfiction, Sports, Short Story, and Poetry. Hundreds of books were submitted for consideration this year and the public are now being asked to cast their votes on the best books of the year online at bgeirishbookawards.ie. Votes may be cast until midnight on November 11 and the winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in Dublins Double Tree by Hilton Hotel on November 16. Commenting on this years shortlist awards chairperson Larry McHale said the judging panel was delighted with the quality of writing displayed on the shortlist. As the flagship event for the Irish book industry, the overriding motivation behind the awards is to celebrate the extraordinary quality of Irish writing, to help bring the best books to a wider readership annually, and to promote an industry under severe competitive pressure, he said. Managing director at Bord Gais Energy Dave Kirwan said that the awards were now widely regarded as the highlight of the Irish literary calendar. Year after year, the shortlist features an impressively high standard of Irish writers, and this year is no different. Id like to congratulate all this years shortlisted authors and publishers and wish the very best of luck to each and every one, he said. Alex Barclay and Pippa OConnor at the Bord Gais Energy Irish Book Awards shortlist announcement. Picture: Patrick Bolger Selected titles from the shortlist Eason Novel of the Year All We Shall Know Donal Ryan Days Without End Sebastian Barry Solar Bones Mike McCormack The Lesser Bohemians Eimear McBride The Wonder Emma Donoghue This Must Be The Place Maggie OFarrel National Book Tokens Nonfiction Book of the Year I Read The News Today, Oh Boy Paul Howard Ireland The Autobiography John Bowman The Hurley Makers Son Patrick Deeley The Supreme Court Ruadhan Mac Cormaic Time Pieces: A Dublin Memoir John Banville & Paul Joyce When Ideas Matter Michael D Higgins Specsavers Childrens Book of the Year (Junior) A Child of Books Sam Winston and Oliver Jeffers Goodnight Everyone Chris Haughton Historopedia Fatti & John Burke Pigin of Howth Kathleen Watkins Rabbit and Bear: Rabbits Bad Habits Julian Gough & Jim Field Rover and the Big Fat Baby Roddy Doyle Specsavers Childrens Book of the Year (Senior) Knights of the Borrowed Dark Dave Rudden The Book of Shadows ER Murray The Making of Mollie Anna Carey Needlework Deirdre Sullivan Nothing Tastes As Good Claire Hennessy Flawed Cecelia Ahern Bord Gais Energy Sports Book of the Year Blood, Sweat & McAteer Jason McAteer Coolmore Stud, Irelands Greatest Sporting Success Story Alan Conway My Life in Rugby Donal Lenihan Out of Control Cathal McCarron The Battle Paul OConnell Win or Learn John Kavanagh Full shortlist can be found at bgeirishbookawards.ie Booker Prize - Claire OSullivan A US novel described as a searing satire on race relations is this years winner of the Man Booker Prize for Fiction. The Sellout, written by 54 year old Paul Beatty, was described by The New York Times as a metaphorical multicultural pot almost too hot to touch. Paul Beatty becomes first US author to win @ManBookerPrize, worth 50,000https://t.co/1zK3POupnf https://t.co/W7tgrVEnNF BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) October 25, 2016 It examines race and violence in contemporary America against the background of family drama and a fatal police shooting. This is the first time that a US author has won the 50,000 prize in the 48 years of the Man Booker. US authors became eligible to win the coveted prize in 2014. The 2016 shortlist included two British, two US, one Canadian and one British-Canadian writer. The book is narrated by African-American Bonbon, a resident of the run-down town of Dickens in Los Angeles county, which has been removed from the map to save California from embarrassment. Bonbon is being tried in the Supreme Court for attempting to re-institute slavery and segregation in the local high school as means of bringing about civic order. Announcing the winner at a black-tie event at Londons Guildhall, chair of the 2016 judges, Amanda Foreman said: The Sellout is a novel for our times. A tirelessly inventive modern satire, its humour disguises a radical seriousness. Paul Beatty slays sacred cows with abandon and takes aim at racial and political taboos with wit, verve and a snarl. Previous winners include Salman Rushdie, Margaret Atwood, Iris Murdoch and JM Coetzee. The 2016 Shortlist included Deborah Levys Hot Milk Graeme Macrae Burnets His Bloody Project, Ottessa Moshfeghs Eileen, David Szalays All That Man Is and Madeline Thiens Do Not Say We Have Nothing. LAST Saturday in Dublins Smithfield, aptly outside the Childrens Court, there was a reprise of something that felt like a Trump rally. The ostensible cause was justice for a 15-year-old minor convicted of the false imprisonment of former Tanaiste Joan Burton and her adviser. This was described as an outrage by Socialist TD Paul Murphy. The outrage in question being the conviction of a 15-year-old; not false imprisonment. It is a defining moment for those who will accept the result only, if I win. The mildness of our justice system is underlined by the fact that the youth, who is now aged 17, was given a conditional discharge, meaning he will not have a criminal record. Notwithstanding what the judge characterised as an atrocious series of events he tempered justice with mercy. I doubt if many of our 15-year-old selves could bear our indiscretions into adulthood. The issue, of course, is not the then 15-year-old, it is the politics. That protest last Saturday is a dress rehearsal for the coming trials of adults, including Murphy himself. Believing as I do, in the rule of law, and being what he despises most a liberal I share fully in the presumption of his innocence. The fork in the road, of course, is the rule of law. Like Trump, what the far Left here stand for is a dictatorship of the articulate. Among the many words that are most abused are democracy and community. There is now a newly empowered, self-appointed populism, a protectorate of the people, which in fact is the greatest threat to our democracy in decades. The words so freely bandied, uprooted from all meaning, except that malleable purpose proposed by their authors, are spectacular in their cynicism. In opposition to liberalism, deeply authoritarian, mirroring mirages of left and right have emerged which see actual people as fodder for causes, but not the cause itself. Enabling a 15-year-old to put their schooling and perhaps their future in jeopardy, is a breath-taking measure of contempt. Taking for yourself, the power of the magistrate to deprive another of their liberty, is only a short step from there. You see, the great issue is not our liberty. It is our compliance with precepts, decided on by a cadre who know best. The reason the most feral infighting in Irish politics is between those on the far-Left, is because they can never agree among themselves on who does know best. In that context, the alliance of People Before Profit and Anti-Austerity Alliance is both a relatively new, but remarkable abeyance of decades-old sectarian conflict between the Socialist Workers Party underlying PBP and the Socialist Party underlying AAA. This historic coalescence has magnified both, and put Sinn Fein under considerable pressure, on its left flank. The circumstances of the AAAs Paul Murphys election as a TD in Dublin South West in October 2014 signposts the road travelled. The previous June he lost the European Parliament seat he was co-opted to in Joe Higgins stead thanks to his now PBP ally Brid Smyths candidacy, which split the vote. It was a bitter contest. Paradoxically the profile gained positioned him for the ensuing by-election to replace former Fine Gael TD and newly-elected MEP Brian Hayes. Sinn Fein was heavily favoured to win the seat. Correctly accusing them of being soft on water charges and creeping towards the centre, Murphy upended them and won. It was a decisive moment. Just as Trump is unimaginable without the longer context of Barry Goldwater in 1964 and Richard Nixon in 1968, whence he arrived via the Tea Party as a reality TV cartoon character, the leftward populist pull of politics here enjoyed a critical jolt with Murphys election. Neither Murphy nor his colleagues in leadership positions in AAA-PBP are cartoons of anything. They are the real thing, it is just they are not the thing they purport to be. Whether he will enjoy the durability of his mentor Joe Higgins remains to be seen. But he typifies a small group of highly articulate, self-possessed and powerful politicians who single-mindedly have had more direct and indirect influence on the political conversation, than others far larger in number, have had in decades. Increasingly, they are the scrabble set from which others pick their letters to make their words. It is arguable there has never been an Irish republic. Powerful authoritarian corporatism, first from the Church, and latterly from corporations more powerful than countries, not to mention the partial antidote of the European Union, means we have ever only partially established a res publica, or real public place. If the deficit in the ideal is glaring, all the alternatives are far worse. A lack of effective accountability cannot be countered by those who, like Trump or AAA-PBP, openly despise the very mechanisms of accountability itself. For them, accountability is for others, on the terms they decide. As Joan Burton discovered, even the fundamental right of habeas corpus against illegal detention, counted for nothing. Those who surrounded her were judge and jury. It was mob rule, fuelled by demagoguery. The true text of every right is its application to people and causes you disagree with. It is a new fascism of the highly articulate and deeply disciplined, leading from behind, larger numbers who share neither in those qualities nor the true regard or confidence of those who so stridently address them. It is not a new phenomenon, however. For those who choose their words so carefully for effect, and understand their currency, the association with the term Jacobin after the group who established a revolutionary dictatorship under Robespierre is noteworthy. The spring issue of the American magazine of the same name is insight into the thinking of some, associated especially with PBP. As the reign of terror of the original Jacobins unfolded, Edmund Burke wrote that they everywhere engage the poor by holding out to them as a bribe the spoils of the rich. The term Jacobin is now an intellectual tattoo, an insiders moniker, for a would-be elite. It is hardly surprising to learn how many most prominent among them do come from relatively elite backgrounds. It is in the self-indulgent throwing off of obligations that facilitates the trampling of rights. It is the inversion of words that allows meaning to become infinitely malleable. This, in our time, is a new liquid politics. There are no structures, so meaning gathers as puddles within cracks. The effect of demagoguery in all societies is to solidify a primitive core group. It is a frightening day in the school yard, revisiting your adult self. If you are not in the gang, you will not be safe. Last Saturday in Smithfield there was a real sense of the globalisation of Trump. There was an autocracy of the articulate and an underclass of followers. Business Business Community Casts Optimistic Eye to the Future From left to right: U Khin Shwe,U Tay Za, U Nay Aung, Steven Law, U Win Aung, U Aung Ko Win, U Chit Khine,U Zaw Zaw,U Htay Myint and U Tint Hsan shake hands with Snr-Gen Than Shwe, prior to 2011. / Khin Maung Win / Shwe Inn Thar RANGOON If the government follows through with its promise of economic reform, Burmas business community says, there is hope to be had that the economy will be primed for growth. At a meeting in Naypyidaw on Oct. 22 between State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and 158 of the countrys top-listed tax payers, the de facto leader addressed concerns over what would happen to cronies. In a move that will surely find favor among Burmas tycoons, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said that, looking ahead, past behavior can be forgiven. I welcome what Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said, that they wont look back, only forward. However, in the future, there should be no more cronies in this country, U Thein Tun, chairman of the Tun Foundation Bank and MGS Distribution, told The Irrawaddy. He added that the government should also favor Burmas local business community and give it a chance to succeed in an ever-globalizing world. There shouldnt be any opportunists under the new government. If the government doesnt follow the reforms it said it would, the gap between rich and poor will only grow, he said. In the meeting, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said that she is not against some citizens being rich, as long as they become so fairly. When it came to tycoons who struck it rich by exploiting links with Burmas repressive military rulershelping to line their pockets in turnshe said, We cant mend the past. But I would like to request that they act fairly at present. U Myat Thin Aung, chairman of the Hlaing Tharyar Industrial Zone, told The Irrawaddy that he can see a new, rejuvenated business atmosphere for the country if the government can persuade skittish cronies to trust in and follow the new governments economic policies. There are two types of cronies. The first just takes risks with no forethought. The other also takes a chance but has the wherewithal to create more. If the second type of crony can do business the right way, Burmas economy will only get stronger, U Myat Thin Aung said. If not, some cronies will ruin this opportunity for growth by engaging in money laundering and playing the market. The government must know how to handle this situation, he added. Indeed, Burma has a history of cronies manipulating the marketin sectors including banking, government infrastructure, and real estatefor their own gain. An anonymous businessman told The Irrawaddy that the ex-military junta allocated special projects to some 10 to 20 cronies while the new capital of Naypyidaw was being built, pointing out that many of those same cronies are approaching the new government as they did the old one. U Ye Htut, former minister of information, echoed these sentiments, adding that while some former cronies have withdrawn from business, they have merely been replaced by family members. I see it as a rebranding of cronies, U Ye Htut said. Many of Burmas top tycoons have been succeeded by their sons and daughters. Tay Zas son Pyae Phyo Tay Za, KBZs U Aung Ko Wins daughter Nang Lai Kham, U Aik Htuns son and daughters, as well as former junta supremo Than Shwes grandson Nay Shwe Thway Aung, were among who attended the meeting in Naypyidaw. Im curious whether they [cronies] really want to use their money for Burmas development, especially if their money was acquired through money laundering, U Ye Htut said. I think that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi welcomes them because she wants to use them for economic development. Theyve already made large investments. But Burma has a history of money laundering, so the government ought to check this money carefully. In Person Repatriated Refugees Have Mixed Feelings: UNHCR The first group of Burmese refugees, from Nu Po camp in Thailand, were repatriated via the Myawaddy-Mae Sot friendship bridge on Wednesday by officers of the UNHCR, the IOM, and the Thai and Burmese governments. / Zahan Mon Thailand has begun the process of repatriating Burmese refugees who have been living on its soil for more than two decades. With the help of the United Nations refugee agency, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as well as the International Organization for Migration, an initial group of 68 refugees were returned to their homes in Karen State and Tenasserim Division on Tuesday, on an ostensibly voluntary basis. Irrawaddy senior reporter Saw Yan Naing interviewed Vivian Tan, the UNHCRs spokesperson in Asia, about the returneesincluding their hopes and their fears. Since this is the first official repatriation, what are your thoughts? This is an important first step that we hope can pave the way for further returns, eventually ending one of Asias longest-running refugee situations. It was the refugees who first approached the UNHCR to seek support to return, prompting both governments [Thai and Burmese] to organize this movement. The process will continue to be driven by the wishes of the refugees and the prevailing environment to support safe and dignified voluntary return. Are the refugees content with the process? Understandably, they have mixed feelings after spending so many years away. Most say they are happy and excited to go back to the country where they were born. Some are naturally worried about the unknown, though they feel reassured that they have family waiting to receive them in Myanmar. Why do these refugees want to return home? Ive spoken to a number of the refugees returning home from Nu Po camp [near the Thai-Burmese border]. Some say they are returning because they feel confident in the reforms in Myanmar. Others say they dont want to be refugees forever, and think they will have a better future back home. Where will the returnees be placed in Burma? They are voluntarily returning to places including Yangon, Bago, Kayin and Tanintharyi [divisions and states]. Who will be providing them with food, shelter and security? As with any refugee return operation, the country of originin this case Myanmarmust assume full responsibility for protecting the rights of returning citizens and helping them rebuild their lives. We hope that the peace process will gain strength and we remind all parties of their responsibility to ensure that refugees can return home in safety and dignity. Where we have access, the UNHCR will also provide support in the areas of return, supporting local communities in coordination with the government, non-state actors, and humanitarian and development partners. For food, the UN World Food Programme will provide three months of food assistance in cash value, in addition to return and reintegration assistance from the Myanmar government, the UNHCR and others. News Arakan State Parliament Forms Commission to Investigate Maungdaw Attacks Burmese Border Guard Police patrol the fence along the border with Bangladesh in Maungdaw Township. / Hein Htet / The Irrawaddy RANGOON The Arakan State parliament has formed an investigation commission with 11 regional legislators of different political parties on Monday in order to address the recent Maungdaw Township border police post attacks on October 9. Six commission members are from the Arakan National Party (ANP), two are from the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), and one is from the National League for Democracy. There is also a military appointee present and the legal advisor for the regional parliament. One of the purposes of the commission, according to member U Tun Hla Sein of the USDP, is to help the indigenous people who fled from the clashes. The ANP has in the past used the term indigenous to refer to the Arakanese Buddhists in the region, excluding the Muslim population, many of whom self-identify as Rohingya and are labeled as interlopers from Bangladesh, despite also claiming roots in the area. The Irrawaddy reported that Buddhist Arakanese civilians have fled rural areas of Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships, taking shelter in towns and the state capital of Sittwe; the government has been providing them with food relief. Muslim Rohingya, who have also been reported to be fleeing their homes, have not been able to take advantage of this aid, and have been restricted from entering regional townsa community leader told The Irrawaddy that they have instead sought refuge in jungle areas. U Tun Hla Sein said that the commission also aims to present the real scenes of the attacks on the police outposts. These skirmishes, along with the manhunt that followed, led to the death of nine police officers, five soldiers, and 32 alleged attackers. As of Monday, 51 suspects had been arrested. The commission will deliver its initial report to the state parliament within two weeks and the tenure of commission is regarded as ending on December 31. When the state parliament has completed its discussion of the report, it will encourage further engagement at the Union level, said ANP lawmaker U Kyaw Zaw Oo. The commission is not related to the Kofi Annan-led Arakan State Advisory Commission formed by Burmas State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to explore the root causes of interreligious tension and episodes of violence in the region. News Burma Listed in Top Ten 2017 Travel Destinations A Buddha carving sits among ruins at Innwa, an ancient city near Mandalay. / Zaw Zaw / The Irrawaddy RANGOON Burma has been listed in the top ten countries to visit in 2017 by renowned travel guide the Lonely Planet. The country ranked ninth in the Top Countries category of the Best in Travel 2017 list. Canada was named the best country to visit in 2017, followed by Colombia, Finland, Dominica, Nepal, Bermuda, Mongolia and Oman. Ethiopia ranked tenth. Lonely Planet states that Burmas election of the first civilian government in half a century has all eyes on the future Southeast Asias most secretive country is poised to receive an influx of travelers. Burma was ruled by a military junta for half a century, isolating the country from the international community and transforming one of Asias most prosperous nations into one of its poorest. The countrys first fully elected government took office in March this year and the tourism sector is expected to boom. Tourist arrivals have surged since a quasi-civilian government took power in 2011, from 800,000 in 2011 to 4.68 million in 2015, according to official statistics. The ministry of hotels and tourism is reportedly predicting 6 million tourist arrivals for 2016. Visiting [Burma] comes with its challenges, where the difficulties of travel are part of the appeal, and where life moves to the timeless rhythm of chanting monks and monastery bells, Lonely Planet said on its website. Ma May Myat Mon Win, chairwoman of Myanmar Tourism Marketing Committee, said that there are many beautiful tourist attractions and unique destinations in the country but that some places lack infrastructure to meet the travel needs of tourists. She said the countrys major tourist destinationsBagan, Mandalay, Inle Lake, and Rangoonwould still be popular sites and that river cruises would also gain popularity in the coming year. As we are entering the tourism market last in the region, we need to learn from neighboring countries and ensure that tourism does not have a negative impact on locals she said. She mentioned that education and awareness programs will need to be offered in areas expecting an influx of foreign tourists and that other risks associated with increased tourism must be addressed. News Comedy Group Defend State Counselor Joke Har Style comedy troupe / Har Style Supporter Group Facebook Footage of a comedy skit criticizing Burmas de facto leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has gone viral and prompted the group responsible to defend the performance as not an insult but a bridge between the government and the people. Local comedy group Har Styles performance at a pagoda festival in Mandalay Divisons Kyaukse Township depicts Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as caring more about international travel than the concerns of everyday Burmese citizens. It has been both celebrated and denounced online. It is normal that jokes draw criticism, Ko Kaung Htet, one of the groups four members told the Irrawaddy, adding that Burmese comedians, including the renowned Zarganar, often made satirical jokes under previous governments. Ko Kaung Htet said it is a comedians job to criticize the governments shortfalls and that they had no intention of making a personal attack. We just want to reflect the countrys happenings, he said. This is the first well-publicized instance of a comedy group explicitly criticizing the National League for Democracy (NLD) government since it came to power in April after winning last Novembers general election by a landslide. The video footage shows a comedian dressed like Daw Aung San Suu Kyi answering questions from other comedians in the troupe playing the part of civilians. The skit presents the State Counselor as having no regard for the difficulties civilians are facing, and only concerned with visiting foreign countries. Despite the controversy, Ko Kaung Htet said that state broadcaster Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV) had invited them to perform on one of their TV channels. Zarganar, a well-known comedian who was subjected to frequent imprisonment for his criticism of previous military regimes, said the group did nothing wrong. Comedians will criticize, Zarganar told The Irrawaddy. The government needs to perform well if they dont like criticism, Zarganar said. He said that the most striking feature of comedians in successive periods of Burmese history was their freedom of expression. Even in the time of monarchy, comedians could criticize the monarchs and were exempt from punishment, he said. No comedian was arrested under British rule, he added. Chit Sayar, a well-known Mandalay-based comedian who has made jokes critical of previous governments, said that the new government was doing a difficult job. This government was elected by us, he said. What the government is handling now is the legacy of the previous government. Chit Sayar accused Har Style of poor political awareness. He added that he himself would criticize the government if he found faults. Former Information Minister U Ye Htut shared a post about the joke on Facebook. Blindly supporting a leader or a government in spite of its actions harms a government, he argued. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko. News NLD Tribunal Starts Investigating Controversial Shan State Purge Senior NLD member U Win Htein speaks to the media after the second day of tribunal hearings, at a private home in Naypyidaws Zabuthiri Township on Tuesday. / Htet Naing Zaw / The Irrawaddy NAYPYIDAW The National League for Democracy (NLD), Burmas ruling party, began hearings on Monday in Naypyidaw for an ad hoc tribunal charged with investigating the dismissal and demotion of leading members of the NLDs Shan State chapter by U Win Htein, a leading party member known for his abrasive style. U Win Htein, who sits on the NLDs central executive committee (CEC) and frequently acts as a party spokesman, expelled the NLD Taunggyi District chairperson U Tin Maung Toe in a verbal order and demoted Shan State NLD chairperson Daw Khin Moe Moe and two others during his visit to Shan State in September. The expelled and demoted members were accused of disloyalty to the partyfor instance by failing to campaign adequately for the NLD during the 2015 general electionand of violating party regulations. They subsequently filed an appeal, prompting the partys CEC to launch an internal investigation. After hearings from both sides in each case are completed, the three-member tribunalconsisting of NLD auxiliary CEC member U Kyaw Ho, Mandalay Division NLD chairperson U Tin Htut Oo and CEC member Daw Lei Leiwill submit their verdicts to the partys CEC for approval. On Monday and Tuesday, tribunal hearingswith the participation of U Win Hteinwere held for the case concerning Shan State NLD chairperson Daw Khine Moe Moe, and then for the joint case concerning members Daw Mee Mee and Daw Yuumi Zaw. Mondays session took place at the Unison restaurant in Naypyidaw, and Tuesdays was held in a private home in Naypyidaws Zabuthiri Township. Hearings for the case concerning NLD Taunggyi District chairperson U Tin Maung Toe will begin on Friday. Testimonies from the disputing parties will be followed by witness testimonies in later sessions. Witnesses to be presented by U Win Htein include lawmakers in the Upper and Lower houses of the Union Parliament representing Shan State, and a former candidate for the Shan State parliament. U Tin Maung Toe told reporters that these witnesses are all new members of the party, holding junior internal positions. After Tuesdays session concluded, the appealing NLD members told reporters that U Win Htein had acted alone in ordering their dismissals and demotions, without the approval of the partys CEC. When we asked for proof of whether he was acting in line with a CEC decision, he said there wasnt any [proof], said Daw Khin Moe Moe. She told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday that U Win Htein refused to answer a question as to whether State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyiwho still leads the partyallowed him to use her name when dismissing and demoting the members. According to these members, he had claimed to be acting under her permission at the time. U Win Htein was circumspect while talking to reporters on Tuesday, saying, The NLD works in accordance with its rules and regulations, which we are now demonstrating. He said, I believe the tribunal will decide without prejudice, therefore I answered honestly. Daw Khin Moe Moe claimed that U Win Hteins actions against them were aimed at smoothing the way for opportunists to get more senior positions within the party. If any of the disputants are unhappy about the verdicts reached by the tribunal, they can appeal them at a national-level party conference, according to tribunal head U Kyaw Ho, who is also a practicing lawyer. Wednesday, October 26th, 2016 (7:52 am) - Score 918 The telecoms regulator has today hit failing UK mobile and broadband provider Vodafone with a record fine of 4,625,000 after they were found to have breached a series of consumer complaint handing rules. Ofcoms investigation of the case uncovered a variety of serious mis-selling, inaccurate billing and poor complaints handling procedures. Anybody paying attention to Ofcoms quarterly consumer complaints report will know that Vodafones mobile business has been going through a particularly rough period and consistently managed to attract more gripes than any other UK network operator (example). In keeping with that Ofcom has been busy conducting two investigations into Vodafone, one of which was looking at flaws in their complaints handling procedures (here) and another of which had been examining the operators selling and billing practices for their pay-as-you-go services (here). Today was judgement day for both of those. Lindsey Fussell, Ofcom Consumer Group Director, said: Vodafones failings were serious and unacceptable, and these fines send a clear warning to all telecoms companies. Phone services are a vital part of peoples lives, and we expect all customers to be treated fairly and in good faith. We will not hesitate to investigate and fine those who break the rules. In short, Vodafone was found to have taken money from PAYG customers without providing a service in return, which was as a result of problems that occurred after they moved customers to a new billing system. Overall some 10,452 PAYG customers lost out when Vodafone failed to credit their accounts after they paid to top-up their mobile phone credit. The affected customers collectively lost 150,000 over a 17-month period. Ofcom said that Vodafone also failed to act quickly enough to identify or address these problems and only sprang into life after the regulator intervened, which they say promoted Vodafone to finally take effective steps to stop pay-as-you-go customers from paying money for nothing, and to reimburse those affected. The operator also breached Ofcoms billing rules, because the top-ups that consumers had bought in good faith were not reflected in their credit balances. The result was a fine of 3,700,000. On the subject of customer complaints handling, Ofcom found that Vodafones customer service agents were not given sufficiently clear guidance on what constituted a complaint, while its processes were insufficient to ensure that all complaints were appropriately escalated or dealt with in a fair, timely manner. The operators procedures also failed to ensure that customers were told, in writing, of their right to take an unresolved complaint to a third-party Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme after eight weeks. The result was a fine of 925,000. A Spokesperson for Vodafone said: We fully appreciate the consequences for our customers of various failures in the migration process over the last three years. We have sought to remedy these through an additional 30 million investment this year in customer service and training including hiring an additional 1,000 new UK-based call centre personnel and more than 190,000 hours of training to improve how we identify and resolve individual customer problems. We are also working with the Ombudsman to ensure that customers are able to escalate problems more effectively if we are unable to resolve these within our own systems quickly. This has been an unhappy episode for all of us at Vodafone: we know we let our customers down. We are determined to put everything right. We are also confident that our customers are already beginning to see the benefits of our substantial investment in new systems designed to meet their needs much more effectively in future. The penalties, which must be paid to Ofcom within 20 working days (this must be passed on to HM Treasury), incorporate a 7.5% reduction to reflect Vodafones agreement to enter into a formal settlement, which requires them to admit the breaches and reimbursed all customers who faced financial loss (except for 30 people it could not identify). Vodafone will also have to make a donation of 100,000 to charity. In terms of the fine, on the surface 4.6 million is a hefty figure, although its unlikely to give Vodafone too much pain given that theyre a global company and one that works in the tens of billions territory. However the negative publicity is likely to be a lot more damaging, although Vodafone may well point to a recent investment of 15 million into improving their customer service related training and systems as evidence of their effort to remedy the situation (here). Weve pasted a longer summary of Ofcoms investigation outcome below and you can read Vodafones own take on the situation here. "Running Man" fans will need to bid final goodbye to the Monday Couple. The SBS variety show announced on Tuesday, Oct. 25 that Gary will be leaving "Running Man" after being a regular member for six years. The staff and cast members reportedly tried to change his mind but Gary has decided to go and focus on his music. "We sincerely thank Gary for putting everything into the show for [six] years, as one of the original members of 'Running Man.' Gary wishes to focus on his career as a musician, and we wish him the best," the production staff of "Running Man" said in a statement, according to Soompi. The rapper has been a regular cast member of one of the longest running variety shows in South Korea, "Running Man," since July 2010. He rose to fame with his loveline with Song Ji Hyo in the show called "Monday Couple" which earned him a high ranking on the cast members' popularity polls. Despite Gary's image as the most gullible but honest member, he is also dubbed as "Dark Horse" and "Random Mr. Capable" in the variety show. He is able to win against the members in very "random" cases even when he's at a serious disadvantage or facing against the show's strongest member, Kim Jong Kook. Gary is also the record holder as the winner of the most expensive prize in "Running Man" history -- an all expense paid Europe trip which he won in the "Super Power" Christmas special in episode 74. Gary, also known as Kang Hee Gun, is a member of the hip-hop duo Leessang which was formed in 2002. The group has since released eight albums with several hits. Gary had a solo debut with the mini album "Mr.Gae" in 2014. Despite being deemed unfit for broadcast by the three major TV stations, SBS, MBC and KBS due to explicit lyrics, the album's title track, "Shower Later," ranked number one in eight music charts. Gary's final filming on "Running Man" will be on Monday, Oct. 31. The Black Sea Maritime Archaeology Project has been on a mission to map out the floor of the Black Sea. The study was geared towards understanding how quickly sea levels rose at the end of the last Ice Age, some 20,000 years ago. So it was to the researchers' surprise when they stumbled upon a Byzantine shipwrecks that's been remarkably preserved by the ocean itself, with some of the vessel belonging to the Ottoman period. Byzantine Shipwrecks Found At The Black Sea's 'Dead Zone' The find was located at the Black Sea's "dead zone" which begins 150-meters blow the water's surface. The region is named like so because at this depth no life is capable of surviving as light and oxygen doesn't exist here, which means that there is nothing that would feed on organic materials such as wood and flesh. Hence, the wreckage's exceptional preservation. The maritime archaeologists said that there are 41 of the said ships lying on the ocean floor which were identified to have belonged to the Byzantine and Ottoman Empire. "The wrecks are a complete bonus, but a fascinating discovery, found during the course of our extensive geophysical survey," said Jon Adams, a professor at the University of Southampton and principle investigator of the project. To be precise on the location, the team found the Ottoman and Byzantine shipwrecks off the coast of Bulgaria, according to the Digital Journal. Archaeologist To Collect Data And Move Retrievable Items From Byzantine Shipwrecks They spotted and analyzed the ancient ships using two remotely operated underwater (ROV) vehicle as they were scanning the sea bed. One of the ROV is outfitted with a high-resolution camera capable of producing a 3D image of the environment. The other vehicle has lights and laser scanner designed to travel at a record-breaking 6 knots underwater, four times the speed of conventional ROVs. Adams said that the two underwater vehicles were able to record astonishing 3D images without disturbing the sea bed. What really fascinated the researchers, however, was that the ships they uncovered were present in historical sources, but were never seen before. That is, of course, until now. The next step for the archaeologists is to analyze as much as they can about the wreckage while leaving the vessels in place, reported the Independent. Following that, they will carefully take whatever they can move from the ship and transport it back to the surface. The discovery of the Byzantine shipwrecks will add new information regarding how the empires used the sea thousands of years ago. Missouri has recently filed a lawsuit against Volkswagen. The German automaker was found to have cheated on its diesel emissions. 16 other US states had already sued Volkswagen for the same reason. Now, a US District Judge in San Francisco has approved Volkswagen's $14.7 billion settlement with California regulators and consumers. Volkswagen's $14.7 Billion Settlement The Wall Street Journal reports that the $10.03 billion of the $14.7 billion settlement is for the consumers. Volkswagen will also offer an additional $5,100 to $10,000 cash payments for each person. The automaker had admitted that is has installed "defeat devices" in its diesel-powered cars. This will cause an unsafe amount of emissions. The German automaker has to fix or buy back 85 percent of the 475,000 affected vehicles by June 2019. Otherwise, Volkswagen will have to face additional costs. According to The Wall Street Journal, around 340,000 owners have taken part in the settlement. The said owners have to submit paperwork until Sept. 2018 to sell back vehicles. The approval of US District Judge Charles Beyer is welcomed by Volkswagen. The Chief Executive of its North American operations Hinrich Woebcken has said that it's an important milestone to make things right with the US. He reiterated that the company is committed to implementing the program for consumers. Indeed, the affected US consumers are pleased that the settlement has been approved. Lead lawyer Elizabeth Cabraser mentioned that it has made Volkswagen accountable for its illegal behavior. More importantly, the automaker has to face the consequences of breaking consumer trust. It may take some time before Volkswagen is able to earn back their consumers' trust. The Cost Of Volkswagen's Emission Cheating Scandal According to Reuters, Volkswagen will have to pay billions more to cover 85,000 affected 3.0-liter vehicles and the Justice Department fines. The automaker has clearly violated clean air laws. Not to mention the other lawsuits filed against Volkswagen by at least 16 other US states. It was also reported that a Volkswagen engineer had pleaded guilty in Detroit last month. The said engineer had helped the company to evade US emission standards. Reuters added that his lawyer revealed his client will cooperate with federal authorities. With all the issues that have been thrown at Samsung after their fiery Note 7s were discontinued, it seems like the Korean tech company is not ready to go down just yet. After the Note 7's failure, it seems like Samsung is now moving on and is now focusing on the production of their upcoming phones, The Samsung Galaxy S8, and the Note 8. According to some reports, it appears that both the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 are now currently being readied for launch next year. This would also indicate that the Galaxy Note series will still be going on, despite the issues with its battery after the Note 7 incidents. About the Galaxy Upgrade Program As of now, Samsung is still currently making up for its Note 7 failure by launching a program in its home country of South Korea. Entitled, the "Galaxy Upgrade Program," this latest Samsung promo encourages Note 7 customers to exchange their faulty phones for an S7 or S7 Edge, which in turn, they are going to receive a discounted Galaxy S8 or Note 8 next year. Right now, the promo is still available within South Korea, with no indications to whether it will come to the US or other countries affected by the Note 7 issue. Samsung Galaxy S8 and Note 8 expectations With all things said, the main goal for Samsung would be to revive its reputation as a very credible tech-producing company. Samsung's comeback story will begin when it will finally launch the Galaxy S8. Rumors have been saying that it will happen on February 28 at the Mobile World Congress. Recent rumors also say that the Galaxy S8 might be delayed by up to two weeks, as the Samsung engineers are still trying to solve the Note 7s overheating battery problem. However, when it does come out in the open, the S8 is going to be a lot thinner, in favor of a more curvy design, a much-boosted RAM, and two camera features on the back. Samsung is giving away an extreme promo that will grant Galaxy Note 7 owners the opportunity to trade in their faulty devices to get either a Galaxy S8 or Galaxy Note 8 for next year at a discounted price. This just means that Samsung has also unofficially announced the upcoming arrival of the next generation in the Note series. As of now, the promo is still available to customers in South Korea, and it's still uncertain whether it will be launched in other countries affected by the Note 7 issue. As of now the company is still keeping itself quiet about further details about the program. Samsung has learned its lesson As per reports, Note 7 owners who will participate will only have 50% of the costs for the Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge returned when turning in their Note 7s. But when the Galaxy S8 or Galaxy Note 8 rolls out, they will then be eligible to exchange their defective devices for either one of the upcoming new flagships. Although things seem unclear, it looks as if Samsung has finally learned its lesson and will be showing confidence in showing to the world that they are still one of the leading smartphone producers in the world. Along with that, it would also confirm that the Note series will not be discontinued anytime soon. Samsung is going to get back on top anytime next year This could probably be Samsung's major plan towards making up and encouraging Galaxy Note 7 customers to finally turn in their phablets, since there are still reports that a lot of people are still holding on to their Note 7s despite all the issue that lead to the global recall in order to prevent any more risks of explosion. As for the release dates of Samsung's upcoming new phones, the Galaxy S8 is rumored to be launched in February or March, while the Galaxy Note 8 is going to be released in August or September of next year. Google is trying to redefine meetings. The company just released the Jamboard which Google describes as a "collaborative, digital whiteboard". The Jamboard "makes it easy for your team to share ideas in real-time and create without boundaries". Users can easily pull up documents; grab images and research data through Google Search. It also brings the G Suite on board for some real-time collaboration. G Suite product manager, TJ Varghese, posted on a blog last Tuesday that Google is "moving the whiteboard to the cloud". The 55-inch 4k display digital whiteboard is useful when meeting are held among people in different places. They can still show and discuss Docs, Sheets and Slides. If necessary, photos can be added into the Drive. To make the Jamboard feel like a real whiteboard, users also have the option to use their handwriting. Even shapes and drawing can be recognized by this new device. And just like in the traditional office, workers can use stencils and sticky notes. The Jamboard also has a built-in HD camera, Wi-Fi, and speakers. The touchscreen's response time is impressive and can differentiate the sketch and erase option of its stylus. Jamboard will be available sometime in 2017 at a price expected to be lower than $6000, according to CNN. The Jamboard will cost a lot cheaper than Microsoft's 55-inch Surface Hub which sells for $9,000. Google has been very busy as of late. Just this year, the tech company has released a couple of new smartphones including the Google Pixel, the first phone exclusively made by them. They also unveiled the Google Home smart speaker, their version of the Amazon Echo and SoundHound's recently released Hurricane. Google is also currently focusing on expanding their business to the lucrative enterprise market. Its purchase of Apigee for $625 million is seen as a step towards that direction. Just a couple of days away from Microsoft and Apple's supposed hardware events, the Surface maker is offering MacBook users a good deal in getting a Surface device. Apparently, Microsoft isn't over the Apple war yet as it gives discounts amounting to $650 for buyers who would trade in their MacBook Pro for a Surface Pro 4 or a Surface Book. It was said that people can send in almost any kind of Apple's Air or Pro laptops regardless of value and receive a Microsoft Store discount. How To Exchange You MacBook To A Surface This deal is offered in the US and Puerto Rico through online and retail stores, Win Beta reported. In participating through the online store, all you need to do is to select your current device from the web page and you're ready to start the trade-in process. Needless to say, Microsoft requires all the traded Macs to be fully functional and not in any way broken. Meaning, the battery should be working properly (i.e. doesn't require consistent plugging in to work), the whole laptop need to have complete parts and the warranty seal should remain as intact as it first arrived. Furthermore, Microsoft also requires participants to make sure that their Macs aren't password-protected and that their original chargers and accessories are also included in the trade-in. The source says that this incentive will last until November 7 or until supplies last. But if you have already gotten a redemption code, it will not expire until December 15. You can check on Microsoft's trade-in page to get more info. Microsoft And Apple To Hold October Events Microsoft and Apple are both expected to release new devices at their upcoming October events. This means that there is a good chance that Microsoft is doing this promotion program not only to take some Apple users away from MacOS but also to dispose its last year's Surface devices. It's worth noting that once MacBook users shift to the Surface Pro 4 or Surface Book, they would most likely not purchase the supposed MacBook Pro 2016 anymore. There are also reports saying that Microsoft will be releasing new Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book devices with upgraded internals, hence the enthusiasm to dispose older models. General Motors announced that its income during the third quarter was $2.77 billion. The figure is more than double than the previous net income and is, in fact, up by 104 percent. Automotive News reported that the high figure is the result of the company's efforts to focus on U.S. retail sales. The company also saw an increase in sales in China thanks to a government tax incentive. GMC bolstered the transaction prices of their vehicles in North America particularly their SUVs and big pick-ups. The company's net income during the same period last year was $1.36 billion. The revenue increased by 10 percent to $42.83 billion which is higher than what analysts expected. The analysts pegged General Motors' revenue to be around $39.3 billion. The increase in net income is the highest since the company's bankruptcy controversy of 2009. The company estimates their end-of-year earnings to be at the "high end" stressing that it is possible to achieve $6.00 a share as compared to the forecast of $5.50 per share. This they believe despite the declining sales in Europe and the impeding effect of the Brexit fallout which may dampen the sales in Europe even more. Before Brexit, GM was on pace to earn money according to Chief Financial Officer Chuck Stevens. He assured everyone, though, that the company is taking certain steps to avoid such issue. Another concern is that the share price actually dropped 4.2 percent to $31.60 per share. Reuters report, however, that other brands suffered the same fate. Shares of Ford Motor Co. fell 1.6 percent to $11.85. Delphi Automative also fell 1.6 percent. GM Chief Executive Mary Barra responded to the concerns by stating that the company is "working hard to make sure the core business, is operating in a very disciplined fashion". Despite how dominant Apple is in the tech industry, it is surprising how it can't seem to figure out the further decline of iPhone sales. But the tech giant has been trying to work its way into the market in China. It has been reported recently that Apple's App Store largest revenue comes from China. This is a boost to Apple's overall revenue. The App Store, Apple Music and Apple Pay sales have increased contrary to the iPhone, iPad and Mac. However, Apple may need to work harder in breaking out in the Chinese market. If they could do that, it will be a huge help in iPhone's case. Apple's Dilemma In The Chinese Market China is probably one of the largest markets for any company. A thriving business in China is definitely worth a lot. It's not enough for Apple to be dominant in the US market. Chinese consumers are willing to spend on the App Store as evident with the recent data by the research firm App Annie. Apple has to capitalize on this with its other products. Particularly, it could think of a better strategy to convince Chinese consumers to buy iPhones. But that has not been easy for Apple. With such competitions like Xiaomi and Huawei, Apple might end up eventually giving up on its Chinese market. The Issue With iPhones In China Apple should have realized that the cost of its iPhones is not helping in China. This is even a bigger issue now since the Chinese economy's growth has become slower. According to Seeking Alpha, Chinese smartphone brands Xiaomi and Huawei offer products that are cheaper. The quality of these smartphones is no push-over. Naturally, consumers will purchase a more affordable one. At the same time, the product should provide decent performance too. Seeking Alpha explains it best that Apple needs to make an impressive change to its iPhones in a strong competitive market and slowing Chinese economy. iPhone 7's Fate In China According to MSN, UBS analyst Steve Milunovich has said that the iPhone 7 sales in China are weaker than the iPhone 6s. He added that strong competitions in the said market may have also hurt the iPhone 7 sales. For Apple to resolve this issue, the tech company might be left with two options. It can lower the price of its iPhones in China. Or Apple should produce a new iPhone with an exciting innovation that is not present in any other smartphones. Amid numerous speculations circulating regarding the cancellation of "The Big Bang Theory" season 11 pointing to Kaley Cuoco as the primary reason, new reports now have surfaced that all these rumors were false. In fact, CBS has confirmed already that contract negotiations are already underway. "The Big Bang Theory" Season 11 In The Works Following the confirmation of CBS that contract negotiations with "The Big Bang Theory" stars have already been in the process, the sitcom's season 11 is officially pushing through. Earlier reports first pointed out that Kaley Cuoco might not reprise her role on the show as Penny after a string of hints. This was blown out of proportion, dragging the entire show with rumors of cancellation. On a Reddit post last Tuesday, Oct. 25 by chainboost, the discussion thread revolved around the show's season 11. It noted that "The Big Bang Theory" is officially happening despite expensive actor salaries. Salary Increase Demand With regard to speculations about Cuoco not renewing her contract, it is reportedly because of the demand to increase her salary. It can be noted that Cuoco is now the highest comedy actress for American television alongside co-stars Jim Parsons and Johnny Palecki. The actors are paid $1 million dollars each. For now, CBS is making sure that salary increase demands do not go beyond the budget. Kaley Cuoco Leaving As for the string of hints Cuoco has been dropping, she is likely referring to her character as Penny and not the entire show. In fact, it can be noted that screen time of co-star Melissa Rauch, who plays Bernadette, has fared well with Cuoco's which suggests that showrunners are in transition to let go of the actress. There are no exact details as of now to confirm all the speculations. "The Big Bang Theory" season 10 now airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. on CBS. The famous business social media platform LinkedIn could have reached its end in Russia, after it was known that the Russian states federal media regulator Roskomnadzor is planning to limit it in the country, after the worlds largest professional network didn't transfer its servers, and apparently used citizens information -even of those who doesn't use it- without their consent. Users' Data Were Leaked Since 2010 According to the International Business Times, these kinds of activities are in violation of Russian privacy legislation, which was enacted on September 25, and requires all Russian user information to kept on Russian soil. Also, it was known that there was several LinkedIn users data leaked since 2010, which could be related to the series of cybersecurity incidents reported this year. Considering that the professional social network doesn't have an official representative office in the country, Roskomnadzor - also known as the Federal Service for Supervision in the Sphere of Telecom, Information Technologies and Mass Communications - took legal action requesting the court to block access to the site, as reported by Russia Beyond The Headlines. "This is, undoubtedly, a high-profile decision, as it concerns one of the best known global online resources. The court, thus, evaluated the evidence presented by the Federal Service and passed the ruling on its basis," member of the law firm, Tiling Peters LLC, Yekaterina Tilling, told to the media. LinkedIn Ban As Retribution For Russian Hacker's Detention? Meanwhile, Russian Presidential Adviser for Internet Issues, German Klimenko, stated that "if the Federal Service... wins and blocks (LinkedIn), that will be a signal for those companies that did not transfer (Russians' personal data). This also concerns Facebook, Twitter and all foreign companies." According to the International Business Times, it is possible that this actions against the LinkedIn could be related to detention of the Russian hacker Yevgeniy Nikulin, which was an operation ruled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Interpol. Soon after his apprehension, Russian foreign minister Maria Zakharova explained that this was a politically motivated move, which showed that the U.S. was "hunting Russian citizens around the world." The radical transparency organization WikiLeaks, revealed through an email of Hillary Clintons campaign chairman John Podesta, that hi-tech company Apple gives their customers data information to the U.S. government "thousands of times every month." The message was sent by Apples vice-president of environment, policy and social initiatives, Lisa Jackson. Apple VP to Clinton chief: "Thousands of times every month we give governments information on Apple customers" https://t.co/xzbukwld9F pic.twitter.com/k8Xxnw3FpJ WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) 26 de octubre de 2016 Apples Message To Podesta Although this could be seen as something that could hurt its image, the details showed in Jacksons email are in concordance with Apples transparency report in the second half of 2015, in which it was explained how the company received 4009 law enforcement requests linked to its devices, and it provided information in 80 percent of those cases. "Thousands of times every month, we give governments information about Apple customers and devices, in response to warrants and other forms of legal process. We have a team that responds to those requests 24 hours a day. Strong encryption does not eliminate Apple's ability to give law enforcement meta-data or any of a number of other very useful categories of data," Jackson told in the email. The message was sent as the company was preparing to speak out against the U.K. Investigatory Powers Bill that would require Apple to hold a key to encrypted smartphones and services such as iMessage and FaceTime, as reported by the International Business Times. Although it may seems as an incredible surprise, considering Apples stance on encryption and privacy, the email only shows Jackson reaching out Podesta to thanks Clinton for her position on the matter. What remains a mystery in the letter is what type of data Apple can provide to the Federal Bureau of Investigation or any spy agency, giving the fat that the definition of "meta-data" varies. For instance, a subject field or even an email address could be easily described as "meta-data", so it is unknown which exact information is given. The Entire Email Google Pixel's camera lens flare problem will be fixed by Google. Owners are happy about it and hope that other issues of the phone will also be fixed. According to Digital Trends, the Google Pixel smartphone has been released to some pretty excellent reviews. However, despite from all that and its camera being one of its selling points, there have been some complaints from the users regarding about the camera lens flare. Upon hearing the complaints, Google has decided to fix the issue by developing a downloadable software patch that will somehow apply some magical mathematics to solve the problem. Aside from Google Pixel's camera lens flare issue, there are still other issues that Google has to take notice of and fix. Here are some of the issues listed at Trusted Reviews: Microphone problem One of Google Pixel's selling features is the Google Assistant. Given that this is one of the updates that Google focused on for their Google Pixel, it is a wonder why will there be an issue about this. Many users reported that the Google Pixel's microphone will stop working at random time, which makes the Google Assistant useless. Initial Wi-Fi connectivity Users of the Google Pixel sometimes have a hard time in connecting to a Wi-Fi. With this issue, users reportedly tried to fix this issue by turning the Wi-Fi symbol on and off until it connects. When that doesn't work, some users restart their phone which can be really bothersome if you're in the middle of doing something. Finally, some just restarts the Wi-Fi's modem, which is not only troublesome for the user but also for the other users connecting to the Wi-Fi. Overheating With the shocking revelation of Samsung's fire-prone phones from its users, it is not a wonder if people may tend to worry or overreact with overheating problems. Thankfully, there are no reports about Google Pixel users getting burned or anything related to that. But still, this is an issue that Google must fix. Google Pixel Switching Between Wi-Fi And Mobile Data If your Google Pixel keeps switching between Wi-Fi and Mobile Data at random times, then that is because of its "Smart Network Switch" feature. To fix this, users must uncheck the "Smart Network Switch" button at the setting. Though this is not really a big issue and can be easily fixed, there are reports from users that it can't be unchecked. In the likely event it doesn't work, users can try wiping the cache partition. Battery Life Problems While the Google Pixel's battery is an upgrade from its predecessors, there are reports from users that the Google Pixel's battery life not that great. With some of its apps draining massive amount of battery life, it is not a wonder. To fix this problem, users must to "Force Stop" some applications which can be annoying if you constantly need to do this. Spotify Widget Not Working Properly Some Pixel users are reporting problems with Spotify when they unplug their headphones - the music apparently keeps playing, but the Spotify widget stops working. There are more issues that need to be fixed by Google regarding the Google Pixel's feature. Thankfully, Google seems to care about its consumers and is working to fix some of the issues. Get unlimited access to all content and features at ivpressonline.com with our Full Online Access Subscription. Read our E-Edition, the digital replica of the print newspaper online, access content in exclusive sections including Family, Teen, Business, Databases, Farm and more. This option does not include daily home delivery of the Imperial Valley Press newspaper. For home delivery service, please select Premium or Premium Plus. This Week in Review A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. Breast is best theory wins recognition TUESDAY MAY 23. Alexandra Hospital has been rated Baby Friendly by UNICEF. Its maternity department is one of 69 in the country to receive the UK Baby Friendly Initiative Certificate of Commitment from the international children's welfare organisation in recognition of its successful support for breastfeeding mothers. Health experts say breastfeeding offers the healthiest start to a baby's life, yet the UK has one of the lowest rates in the whole of Europe. The hospital's breastfeeding coordinator Chris Argent said: 'With the right advice and encouragement mothers can start to learn about the benefits of breastfeeding.' The hospital used National Breastfeeding Awareness Week, which ended on Monday, to ensure women knew about the benefits of natural feeding. Those benefits include a lower risk of gastro-intestinal, respiratory, urinary tract and ear infections, less likelihood of developing allergic diseases and the prevention of some forms of diabetes. Mrs Argent said: 'We are now providing practical training for management of breastfeeding for all of our midwives and district nurses working in our communities. 'By encouraging breastfeeding we are making the world more welcoming for our new arrivals.' What is a Jew? Israeli museum attempts an answer JERUSALEMI was on a short visit to Israel and spent time with a friend with whom I have been engaged in a 30-year argument. Elli... When anti-Semitism rears its head, we must be ready to fight it Anti-Semitism is a force that is persistent as well as pernicious. When it occurs, it must be fought both by being confronted in real time... Google Fiber's quest to cover the country with high-speed internet has been put to a momentary pause as per management's decision. This in turn leads to the inevitable move of laying off around 9 percent of its staff concerned with this would-have expansion. According to The Verge, current Access CEO Craig Barratt indicated in his blog post that those employees affected will come from cities where Google Fiber initially aimed to deliver Fiber internet service. Barratt mentioned that this decision to halt rollout is meant to give them time to think of ways to provide cheaper, more affordable internet access. Along with this pause, Barratt has also decided to step down from his post as per USA Today. He will, however, remain with the company as an adviser. The cities where Fiber has been in exploratory discussions and would be in a standstill are as follows: Oklahoma, San Jose, San Diego, Phoenix, Portland, Jacksonville, Tampa, Dallas and Los Angeles City. Such will be the case until an approach to reliable and inexpensive internet delivery is achieved. In June 2016, Access successfully acquired Webpass, a San Francisco-based internet service provider that works with wireless antennas and transmitters on top of buildings. In theory, a combination of Fiber's technology, Webpass' innovative approach and leasing of existing fiber and municipal broadband networks, may lessen the burden of cost, thus accelerating the expansion to consumers in affected areas. The bottom line is that there is no clear indication as to whether this halt is only meant to rethink the approach and strategize costs or if the deployment is to stop altogether. One factor leading to this line of thinking is the fact that "more companies are already building fiber broadband rapidly," which in a way was orchestrated by Google, as is stated by Jan Dawson, chief analyst at Jackdaw Research. Another is the scenario illustrated above regarding Google's acquisitions, paving the way to discovering other internet delivery methods with lesser hurdles. Email Links to our top local news stories of the day, Monday through Saturday. F.N.B. Corp. said in a regulatory filing Tuesday that Scott Custer would be Yadkin Financial Corps representative on F.N.B.s board of directors if the $1.4 billion deal is approved by regulators and shareholders. Custer has served as chief executive and president of Yadkin since its $299 million purchase of VantageSouth Bancshares Inc. of Raleigh in July 2014, as well as on its board. He came to Yadkin from his role as chief executive of VantageSouth F.N.B. said it would nominate Custer for re-election to the board at its next annual shareholders upon completion of the deal, which is projected by March 31. F.N.Bs planned deal for Yadkin would be the largest deal in its history, representing 16 percent of its total asset size. The deal would give FNB its first presence in the Carolinas, nearly $30 billion in total assets and more than 400 branches. The banks have said Custer would serve in a consultant role for up to three years with F.N.B. According to an Oct. 17 filing, Custer would receive a golden parachute of $6.55 million: $2.8 million in cash, of which at least $600,000 is consulting pay, along with restricted stock valued at $1.52 million on Sept. 16, $2.11 million from the Yadkin pension and other retirement compensation, $22,275 in perks, and $106,019 in other compensation. By comparison, the top executive of NewBridge Bancorp, Pressley Ridgill, qualified for a golden parachute compensation package of $3.25 million and an annual $1 million consulting fee for three years as part of the $456 million sale to Yadkin. Custer, as a F.N.B. board member, would be paid an annual retainer fee of $55,000 and an annual stock award worth $40,000. He could receive an additional $3,500 annually for serving on the nominating and governance committee and $7,500 each annually for serving on the executive, audit, compensation and risk committees. Custers consultant duties were listed as focusing on retention and recruitment of employees, and customer relationships. He would receive directors and officers liability insurance, and fiduciary liability insurance policies covering current and former Yadkin directors and officers for six years after completion of the deal. Yadkin said on Oct. 19 that the overlap of being a buyer and a planned seller likely means its brand will not appear on the 44 NewBridge branches in North Carolina it acquired in February. Yadkin mentioned briefly in its third-quarter earnings report that it will not conduct a systems integration with NewBridge. The integration had been scheduled for completion in September. Instead, Yadkin said the integration will take place once F.N.B. takes over Yadkin. Systems integration typically coincide with signage changes at branches. The bank said that postponement of the NewBridge systems integration means that some of the cost savings originally anticipated following the NewBridge merger will not be realized in 2016. However, the company believes that this decision will minimize customer impact and will better position the upcoming FNB integration. Yadkin disclosed in a regulatory filing Oct, 17 that its board and management began discussing on Dec. 16 their next strategic step just more than a month after announcing its deal for NewBridge and 2 months before closing that purchase. Analysts have said that Yadkin management acquired community banks, particularly VantageSouth and NewBridge, with the purpose of gaining enough asset scale to be bought itself by a regional bank. A while back, Norma Brown of Lexington discovered some old cooking-school programs among her familys belongings. She was nice enough to send me copies. The two programs are from 1928 and 1931. These cooking schools were individual presentations, performances of a sort, that the Winston-Salem Journal and its then sister publication, the Twin-City Sentinel, sponsored. They are similar to the Twin City Cooks programs that the Journal has sponsored the last two years in association with dash magazine. In short, they represent a couple hours of cooking demonstrations, often highlighting recipes and techniques. The cover of the 1928 program announces The Journal-Sentinel Electric Cooking School in the Auditorium Theatre on Tuesday, May 1, 1928, at 10:30 a.m., featuring Miss Clara E. Dean, a noted home economist. A picture shows Dean, presumably, in front of an electric stove. This was around the time that electric stoves were replacing gas stoves in many households. The Auditorium Theatre, which was around as early as 1918, was at 453 North Liberty St. It later became the State Theatre, and then a furniture store called State Furniture. The second program promotes the Journal and Sentinel Cooking and Home Makers School under the direction of Miss Fannie Hamilton at the Carolina Theatre at 10 a.m. Friday, April 10, 1931. The Carolina Theatre is now the Stevens Center, and it still stands on Fifth Street, next to the Journal. Both programs are filled with recipes, and this is where they really got interesting for me. The 1928 program has recipes for orange cake; ginger muffins; cauliflower and almond sauce; veal loaf with pimento; broiled grill of steak, potatoes and tomatoes; and apricot delight. The 1928 program was promoting the Hotpoint electric range. The cake and muffin recipes specifically call for Hotpoint ovens. The recipe for veal loaf calls for using a Thrift cooker, a Hotpoint feature that was like a steamer pot that could be set down in a well of the stove, and it was used in ways that we now use slow cookers. Also, a Kelvinator is mentioned in the recipe for apricot delight, a chilled, layered dessert of apricots, whipped cream and crushed nut brittle. The Kelvinator was an electric refrigerator named after Lord Kelvin, a British physicist who discovered absolute zero. Supposedly, the Kelvinator company had an 80 percent share of the U.S. electric refrigerator market in the 1920s. The cake and muffin recipes are much like any modern recipe, though the cup of Snowdrift among the cake ingredients might confuse modern cooks. Snowdrift, it turns out, a popular brand of shortening. The almond sauce for the cauliflower is simply buttered bread crumbs warmed with shredded which Im guessing means ground almonds. The veal loaf is much like any meatloaf recipe, though it does call for cooks to grind their own veal and beef. The broiled grill is barely a recipe in that it mainly calls for broiling porterhouse steak and tomatoes and serving them with mashed potatoes. The neat part is the Spanish butter sauce for the steak. Today, we would call it a compound butter or flavored butter, the result of mixing softened butter and finely chopped pimentos. The second program has a tip for getting clothes whiter in the laundry, plus about a dozen recipes. These run the gamut from the ordinary to the exotic at least from my 21st-century perspective. Among the former are recipes for a pot of tea and for Italian meringue that havent changed a drop in 80 years. Recipes for a gelatin honey fruit salad and cheese ring will be familiar to anyone who has looked through a community cookbook from the 1950s or even more recently. The program also has a recipe for apple cinnamon waffles and a baked steak that is much like a Salisbury steak. A Christmas tree cake with candied red and green cherries is reminiscent of fruit cake. More curious is a peach cake made by shaping peach pulp and cooked rice into cakes, then coating it in breadcrumbs and frying. Directions call to dot the cakes with jelly before serving as a side dish with the baked steak. A delicious sandwich filling is a take on PB&J that adds raisins and pecans to the mix. A Lighthouse sandwich is a six-layer affair held together by toothpicks, with each of six pieces of bread being layered before being stacked: currant jelly cottage cheese and finely chopped almonds tomato, lettuce and mayonnaise white meat chicken, lettuce and mayonnaise cut green peppers, lettuce and mayonnaise cottage cheese topped with caviar and a stuffed olive. Most curious of all is the recipe for ox heart Grenadier. This is beef heart stuffed with prunes, crushed graham crackers and baked with lemon and prune juices. A recipe for the stout-hearted, for sure, I couldnt help but think its name came from the stout Grenadier soldiers of yore. For me, these programs were fun and informative peeks into Winston-Salems culinary past. Accompanying this column are a couple of the recipes to try, adapted slightly for modern cooks. > Apricot Delight 1 No. 2 can (20 ounces) apricots in syrup pound nut brittle cup heavy cream 4 tablespoons sugar teaspoon vanilla 1. Drain apricot syrup into a saucepan and cook the syrup for 10 minutes. Add the apricots and cook 5 minutes. Remove from heat and chill thoroughly in the refrigerator. 2. Divide apricots and syrup among chilled serving dishes. Pound the nut brittle into fine particles and sprinkle a little over each dish of apricots, reserving half of the brittle for the next layer. 3. Beat the cream until stiff. Add the sugar and vanilla. Divide the cream among the dishes, then sprinkle with the remaining crushed nut brittle. Keep chilled until ready to serve. > Baked Steak with Peach Cakes 2 pounds sirloin steak Shortening (or oil) Salt Pepper 1 lemon, thinly sliced 1 green pepper, finely chopped 2 large Bermuda onions, thinly sliced 2 cups catsup Peach Cakes (recipe below) 1. Heat oven to 425 degrees. Place steak in a baking dish, and lightly coat with shortening or oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with lemon slices, then green pepper, then onion. Pour the catsup over all. 2. Cover dish and place in oven and bake 20 minutes. 3. Reduce heat to 325 degrees and bake about 40 minutes more, or until beef is tender. If desired, uncover dish in last half to thicken the sauce. Serve with peach cakes. Note: Mushrooms, about 1 cup sliced, may be added to the dish if desired. > Peach Cakes 1 cup peach pulp (puree) 2 cups cooked rice (chilled) 1 cup cracker crumbs 2 tablespoons melted shortening or oil Jelly Mix peach pulp with rice; form into flat cakes. Dip into cracker crumbs to coat on both sides. Heat shortening over medium to medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add cakes, without crowding the pan and cook until brown on both sides. Dot with jelly before serving. The big bird soars silently overhead in ever-wider circles. Half a dozen crows take notice and pursue, cawing loudly to alert all that will listen, "There's a danger present! Beware!" They fly close by the hawk, occasionally making a feint, trying to drive the big predator away. Crows are agile, so they usually get away with this risky behavior. But sometimes one makes a mistake. It underestimates the hawk's quickness; it gets too close for a split second. Talons flash, black feathers scatter in the wind and a crow becomes a meal. This time, the hawk seems not to care. As it turns lazily through the sky, the sun illuminates its wide-fanned tail feathers, rust-colored or brownish red. The red-tailed hawk is the most common raptor in the eastern United States. It likes forest edges where it can perch high in a tree and survey fields for rabbits and rodents. It often is seen perched along highways, especially in winter, when it stands out against the bare trees. A closely related bird, the red-shouldered hawk, has become comfortable with suburban neighborhoods. A pair nested in my backyard last year, just one of several pairs nesting within Winston-Salem. Red-tails don't usually nest close to people. Most red-tailed hawks, that is. A bird known as Pale Male and his mate Lola have adopted the peculiar habit of nesting in the middle of one of the largest and busiest cities in the world New York and in doing so have become the most famous hawks in the world. Pale Male chose Fifth Avenue across from Central Park as early as 1991. He has had a succession of mates, some becoming victims to the hazards of big-city life. First Love was injured, rehabilitated and returned to resume her partnership with Pale Male. But she died after eating a poisoned pigeon. Chocolate was killed by a car on the nearby New Jersey Turnpike. Blue disappeared about the time of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Lola came on the scene in 2002, when she and Pale Male built their nest on the ornamental stonework of a top-story window of a residential cooperative on Fifth Avenue. They raised seven chicks. In December 2004, the management of the co-op decided the hawks were too messy for their upscale residence. They tried to destroy the nest. What they hadn't counted on was birders and nature lovers. Some of them, including actress Mary Tyler Moore and residents of the building, had taken quite a liking to this natural drama. By the end of the month, efforts to evict the birds were stopped. Pale Male and Lola have nested each year, but no eggs have hatched since 2004. The notoriety of the birds has spread, garnering a legion of followers. They have inspired a documentary on "Nature"/WNET, songs, children's books and a film, "The Legend of Pale Male." According to the film's producers, it documents the mysterious power possessed by a red-tailed hawk to open the eyes and hearts of city dwellers to the wonders of nature. The "Legend of Pale Male" will be shown Feb. 6 and 7 at a/perture cinema, 311 W. Fourth St., with a portion of the proceeds going to the Audubon Society of Forsyth County. * * * * * The next Audubon meeting is Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Historic Bethabara Park Visitor Center. The guest speaker will be Simon Thompson, who will discuss Birding New Frontiers and Familiar Destinations. A Forysth County Sheriffs deputy was killed in a single-vehicle crash near Ronda in Wilkes County on Sunday morning. Investigators said his pickup truck flipped three times. Hayden Wesley Wes Church, 35, was driving north on U.S. 421 near Clingman Road when he veered left into the median of the road around 6:15 a.m., Trooper K.W. Dean of the N.C. Highway Patrol said. Church overcorrected as he came back onto the four-lane highway, and his 2002 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck overturned, rolling three times before going off the right side of the road, over an embankment and into a wooded area, Dean said. Church, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the vehicle and suffered massive injuries, Dean said. Church, who lived in Millers Creek, was pronounced dead at the scene. Church joined the county sheriffs office in January 2015 and was a full-time deputy assigned to the Judicial Services/Courtroom Division. He was off duty at the time of the wreck. Wesleys sudden and unexpected death has shocked those he worked with, along with those who knew him in the communities of Forsyth and Wilkes counties, former Deputy Sheriff Tim Wooten, who knows Churchs father, posted to Facebook on Tuesday. We are very fortunate that someone of this young mans caliber and character chose to put on a badge and a uniform and go out to serve and protect others. Church, born in Watauga County, was the son of retired Wilkes County deputy Hayden Ray Church, who is now a private investigator and operates his own agency, Track Um Investigations in Wilkesboro. A funeral service was held for Church at Welcome Home Baptist Church in North Wilkesboro on Wednesday. Courts were shut down early Wednesday, so judges and attorneys could attend Churchs funeral, Major D.L. Carter said. He was a good deputy, he worked hard over there at the courthouse and he was well-respected, Carter said. Its been hard. The agency has never suffered two losses like this so close together. Churchs death comes on the heels of the loss of another Forsyth County sheriffs deputy, John T. Isenhour, who died Sept. 28. Isenhour, 38, a Salisbury native, died after being struck by a car while directing traffic on Clemmons Road near the entrance to Tanglewood Park on Sept. 18. With the death of two deputies less than a month apart, and both at such a young age, it has been hard on the department, Carter said. Its very hard for me to understand why these two have been taken from us, said Tony Deweese with the sheriffs department. As one of (Wesley Churchs) friends and one of the ones who trained him, he was a great person and he will be missed. ROCKY MOUNT Former President Bill Clinton kicked off a two-day campaign bus tour of Eastern North Carolina on Tuesday, denouncing Republican Donald Trump and his slogan without once mentioning the billionaire by name. Im a white Southerner I know what Make America Great Again means, and all of you of a certain age know exactly what it means, Clinton told a mostly African-American crowd gathered in a Rocky Mount parking lot. I didnt fall off this truck yesterday, Ive heard this song a long time. It means first, Ill give you the economy you had 50 years ago, and second, Ill give you the society you had 50 years ago: Ill move you up and move somebody else down. Clinton introduced as Americas next first gentleman by attorney general and gubernatorial candidate Roy Cooper promoted Hillary Clintons economic and education proposals during the stop, which was followed by rallies in Goldsboro and Greenville. Hell continue the visit today with stops in Pembroke, Wilmington and Fayetteville as Hillary Clintons campaign ramps up its schedule of high-profile speakers coming to North Carolina. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren was scheduled to speak at Meredith College in Raleigh, and former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean will be at UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. State today. Hillary Clinton will be joined by first lady Michelle Obama on Thursday for a rally at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem. With presidential polls tight in North Carolina, Trumps campaign is busy here too this week. Trump returns to Charlotte today for an unusual, invitation-only event at Spirit Square. He is scheduled to speak at 4 p.m. in McGlohon Theatre. The event is open to the media but closed to the general public. Trump also plans a rally in Kinston this evening. Vice-presidential candidate Mike Pence was in Salisbury and Greensboro on Monday. Bill Clinton stumps in Eastern N.C. President Bill Clinton kicked off a two-day campaign bus tour of Eastern North Carolina on Tuesday, denouncing Republican Donald Trump and his slogan without once mentioning the billionaire by name. Im a white Southerner I know what Make America Great Again means, and all of you of a certain age know exactly what it means, Clinton told a mostly African-American crowd gathered in a Rocky Mount parking lot. I didnt fall off this truck yesterday, Ive heard this song a long time. It means first, Ill give you the economy you had 50 years ago, and second, Ill give you the society you had 50 years ago: Ill move you up and move somebody else down. Clinton introduced as Americas next first gentleman by attorney general and gubernatorial candidate Roy Cooper promoted Hillary Clintons economic and education proposals during the stop, which was followed by rallies in Goldsboro and Greenville. Hell continue the visit today with stops in Pembroke, Wilmington and Fayetteville. With pesidential polls tight in North Carolina, GOP nominee Donald Trumps campaign is busy here too this week. Trump returns to Charlotte today for an unusual, invitation-only event at Spirit Square. The event is open to the media but closed to the general public. Trump also plans a rally in Kinston this evening. Refugee kills former co-worker, self ROANOKE, Va. A refugee from Kenya killed one former co-worker, wounded three others and then killed himself Tuesday in a workplace shooting that authorities are still trying to unravel in Virginia, police said. Getachew Fekede, 53, had entered the U.S. through a refugee immigration program and worked for the railcar manufacturer FreightCar America before being fired in March when he stopped showing up for work, Roanoke Police Chief Tim Jones told reporters. A neighbor told the Associated Press that Fekede quit his job over being harassed by a co-worker. The Associated Press Today Areas of patchy fog early. Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. High 73F. Winds light and variable. Tonight Partly cloudy during the evening followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 49F. Winds light and variable. Tomorrow Overcast. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 69F. Winds light and variable. Dorchester Paws features two felines in their Pets of the Week update, starting with Denice, a 2-year-old domestic shorthair. She is known as a shy cat who is looking for the perfect person or family who will make the effort to really know her and see just how wonderful she is. Denise came t Read morePets of the Week On October 25, the Summerville/Dorchester Chamber hosted a forum that offered November 8 election candidates for SC House Districts in Dorchester County an opportunity to address the crowd that filled the large multi-purpose room of the Faith Sellers Senior Center in Summerville. The event w Read moreLocal residents hear from SC House of Representatives 10/25/2016 By Kaitlin Fleming The JSU Department of Kinesiology will host the Kickin Katie 5K Glow Walk/Run on Nov. 10, 6:30-9:30 p.m., beginning at Dillon Field. The entry fee is $15 and all proceeds will benefit the Katie Beth Carter Scholarship Fund. Freshman Katie Beth Carter, a Marching Ballerina, died in an automobile accident on Sept 5 just weeks into her college career and days after her first performance with the Marching Southerners. Lori Galloway, a kinesiology instructor and event coordinator, said the 5K has been organized to bring the whole campus together to celebrate Carters life. Whether you are a Marching Southerner, a Gamecock athlete, a member of a Greek organization, faculty or staff, or a member of the community the Department of Kinesiology hopes you will help light up the night in memory of Carter. The Student Government Association has been working alongside Galloway and the kinesiology department to help make the event as memorable as possible. I told Jesslan Sharp, the SGA President, that I wanted Dillon Field to look like it does on game day, Galloway said. We want tents up and people having a good time. Participants are asked to come dressed in their craziest glow-in-the-dark costumes and bring a flashlight. Music students will be lined up at different points along the race route playing jazz music to encourage the runners and walkers. Greek organizations will pass out water. Directly following the race, there will be an after-party with a live band featuring Aaron Hudgins and Carters siblings, Jacob and Kimi Carter. All participants will receive a bracelet and race day T-shirt. Those who register before Nov. 1 are guaranteed a shirt prior to the day of the race. Shirts will be available on a first-come, first-served basis on race day. When registering, please make all checks payable to the Katie Beth Carter Scholarship Foundation. To register for the event or for more information, visit the Facebook page or call Galloway at 256-452-2580. Reddit Email 50 Shares By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | Donald Trump alleged on Tuesday that if elected, Hillary Clinton would start World War III with Russia over Syria. He wondered how Clinton would be able to negotiate with Putin, whom she has demonized, and said that her plan for a no-fly zone over Syria would bring her into military conflict with the Russian Aerospace Forces flying missions over that country. To be fair, as the BBC points out, the US generals do share Trumps concerns in this regard. Joseph Dunford, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Marine General Joseph Dunford, told the Senate Armed Services Committee, Right now, senator, for us to control all of the airspace in Syria it would require us to go to war, against Syria and Russia. Trump pointed out that Russia has a nuclear arsenal, making brinkmanship with it extremely risky. Trump is not reckoning, however, with Clintons extensive experience as Secretary of State, a job that is all about negotiation and horse trading and compromise. In fact, the position has pragmatism so baked into it that its incumbent often offends ideologues in Congress. It is no wonder that the office has not been a springboard to the presidency since the early decades of the republic. Superpowers dont fight one another in the nuclear age. If Russia brandishes enough threats and weaponry, it will simply dissuade Clinton from her proposed no-fly zone. Ike Eisenhower backed down over Hungary in 1956, and Johnson did nothing about the crushing of the Prague Spring in 1968. Russia is claiming Syria as a sphere of influence, and while the US is contesting that claim, it is unlikely to go mano a mano with Moscow over it. Superpowers fight proxy wars like Vietnam and Afghanistan. So is it possible that Clinton will give Syrian rebels shoulder-held missile launchers to use against Russian fighter jets? Sure. Although one reason that hasnt been done is that they could end up being used against the Israelis. In any case, that Clinton will engage in a proxy war with Russia over Syria with far more vigor than President Obama is fairly obvious. That it will spiral out of hand is actually fairly unlikely, though it cant be ruled out. Interestingly, many high Russian officials and commentators in the Russian press, according to BBC Monitoring, do not agree with Mr. Trump, and indeed see Clinton as the pragmatist: Moskovsky Komsomolets (popular Moscow daily) www.mk.ru The Russian leadership hopes that pragmatism will prevail in US foreign policy after the presidential election And Hillary Clinton is the one whom the Kremlin sees in the role of this main foreign policy pragmatist Trump would, of course, be a more convenient partner than Clinton but the Kremlin has realised: no matter what its wishes and preferences are, Trump will not become president The article continues that it is the Kremlin that is playing brinkmanship, not Clinton, saying that Moscow has deliberately made relations so tense that Clinton may be forced to back down rather than risk a hot war. Editorial writer Mikhail Rostovsky does admit that if Clinton instead ratchets up tensions, things could get out of hand. Russian journalists and officialdom seem largely to have written off Trump. Victoria Zhuravleva, senior researcher at the Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of International Relations and World Economy, wrote in Lyubov Glazunova that the campaign for Trump is most likely to be over. Stanislav Ivanov, Carte blanche. Storming Mosul: what is next?; bit.ly/2e5JL0b in Nezavisimaya Gazeta (centrist daily) www.ng.ru , says that Washingtons policy is to turn the Middle East into an arena of conflict between the Gulf monarchies and Iran. He expects the Mosul campaign to be prolonged, but for the Baghdad government to win in the end: Under this scenario, Iraq and Syria may remain hostages to this confrontation for years to come and turn into a ground of permanent armed conflicts. The overseas puppet masters will try to take advantage of the existing ethnic and religious conflicts in the region. The Russian press is also not concerned that Russia will be sanctioned over its air campaign against fundamentalist rebel forces in East Aleppo. So, rather than the chicken little hysteria of Trump about a world war and nuclear exchanges, many in the Kremlin see him as less pragmatic than Clinton and are expecting to work with her. They have already discounted the possibility of a Trump presidency, and so are readying themselves for a Clinton administration. The Russians met with Clinton a lot when she was Secretary of State and so know her well. They think she will blink rather than take US-Russian relations to the boiling point, and they admit that the Kremlin as the one playing brinksmanship. Trump cant even get support for his wild charges from the the Kremlin itself, which sounds positively even-handed and practical in comparison. Related video: Wochit News: NATO Diplomat Says Russia is Preparing Naval Fleet for Syria Reddit Email 0 Shares London (Informed Comment) Saudi Arabia has long been accused of needlessly hitting civilian targets during its air campaign in neighbouring Yemen. Most commentators have put this down to a mixture of indifference and military incompetence on the part of the Saudi armed forces. Their capabilities against hardened fighters like the rebel Houthis were long questioned by outside observers before the Kingdom intervened in its neighbour early last year. While the southern theatre of a large war games exercise held in 2014 featured fighting against Yemeni Shia rebels suggests that the Kingdom had established practical contingency plans ahead of its attack on the Houthi movement in March 2015, the Saudi coalition and their Yemeni allies have indeed proved unable to overcome the rebels. The futile conflict has already resulted in 10,000 dead, including an estimated 4,000 civilians, while the United Nations estimates that 80 percent of the Yemeni population is now in need of humanitarian assistance. But now academics from the London School of Economics, who have been working in Beirut on data from the Yemen Data Project and statistics from the Yemeni agriculture ministry, have pointed to a grim possibility about the Saudi-led airstrikes which have been battering their southern neighbour. According to a report in the Independent newspaper the air campaign has deliberately sought to undermine Yemens undeveloped agricultural sector in a country where more than half the population relies, in part or in whole, on agriculture and rural husbandry to survive. The $250 million a month cost of the war effort and an oil slump have caused a hole in Saudi Arabias finances and created pressure on the Saudi monarchy to declare a quick victory and return home. But with the war at a stalemate the Kingdoms military planners may be looking beyond withdrawal to creating a situation in post-war Yemen that gives them the strongest hand in the peace negotiations to come. Riyadh has always considered Yemen to be in its backyard, and insisted that foreign countries, including the United States, follow the Saudi lead when making deals with its troublesome neighbour. Former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh was a key ally for years until his overthrow in the Arab Spring, though for now he is now fighting alongside the Houthis. But before Yemens fragile political order began to breakdown earlier this decade Saudi money did much to keep the countrys distorted economy afloat with subsidies. The suspicion now is that Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies are deliberately destroying the foundations of rural life in Yemen so that whoever takes over at the end of the war finds their country faces a total reliance on food imports, the bulk of which presently come through the Gulf states. This seems part of an emerging Saudi strategy of economic warfare against the Houthis to increase the Kingdoms leverage over its Houthi enemies, but which directly threatens a humanitarian catastrophe in the Arab worlds poorest country. The influence welded by the Kingdom behind the scenes initially allowed it to escape much open international condemnation over the issue of its human rights violations in the Yemeni civil war. But a recent massacre of mourners at the funeral of a top Houthi leader by coalition airplanes was probably what prompted a sudden wave of missile attacks by Houthi forces against ships in the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a major shipping lane between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The Gulf of Aden leads into the Indian Ocean and traffic along this trade route ultimately connects the Gulf region and Asia to Europe and North America through the Suez Canal. Any disruption to the passage of international shipping along it carries massive financial implications for logistics and insurance companies involved in the maritime sector, not to mention the fragile global economy. The attack on the funeral and the Houthi response, which also included failed strikes on US naval vessels, therefore pushed the war and the Saudi handling of it abruptly back into global headlines. The unwelcome gaze of the international media may cause the Saudis to moderate their behaviour while the attention lasts but it is unlikely to sway them from their aim of subordinating their southern neighbour back under Saudi hegemony. Calls are now being made for the US to increase its involvement in the conflict with the objective of bringing about a political solution that favours Saudi Arabias interests. While they are unlikely to be heeded by the outgoing Obama administration, the Saudis know that the presidents successor may be keener to listen. Even Obama has studiously avoided pressing the Saudis too hard on their actions in Yemen, whilst speeding up arms sales to the Kingdom and its Gulf allies. But the US and the UK should instead reconsider their unwise involvement on the Saudi side of this unnecessary conflict. As long as they back Saudi actions in Yemen, and supply the Kingdoms forces there, these two Western countries are undermining their own credibility whenever they condemn war crimes in conflicts elsewhere. The Russian and Iranian backers of Syrias Bashar al-Assad now have an example of hypocrisy they can point to whenever Western critics of the Syrian regime call out its nasty habit of starving besieged rebel areas of food aid for example. The upcoming change in American administrations provides a key chance for a policy reset however. Whoever becomes the next US president should review Americas current joint military operations with Saudi Arabia and cut off those related to its war in Yemen. They should also encourage the UK government to reconsider its support for the Saudi adventure and stop enabling the Saudis by supplying them with intelligence, arms and ammunition. This will likely enrage Riyadh but by putting an additional burden on the Saudi economy America will probably speed up the day the Saudi government realises it can no longer afford to try and bomb its smaller neighbour into submission. Neil Thompson is a freelance writer who has lived and travelled extensively through East Asia and the Middle East. He holds an MA in the International Relations of East Asia from Durham University, and is now based in London. - Related video added by Juan Cole: AFP: Deadly cholera outbreak spreads in Yemen Reddit Email 0 Shares By Shalom Goldman | (Patheos) | In the current presidential campaign, Republicans and Democrats seem to be competing with each other to proclaim their pro-Israel stances. In a March address to AIPAC Hillary Clinton said, I feel so strongly that America cant ever be neutral when it comes to Israels security or survival. Clinton was not introducing a new idea into the presidential campaign; pro-Israel statements are a necessary part of many, if not most, political campaigns in the U.S. And these statements reflect what pollsters tell politicians: the majority of their constituents, wherever in the country they are, have a positive view of the State of Israel. And, as a corollary, they express a negative view of the Arab states. This majority may be larger or smaller depending upon the location; but overall, and consistently over the past fifty years, 60 percent or more of Americans express support for the Jewish State. We might call this long term political phenomenonshared by most Americans and by both major political partiesIsrael admiration. But the Trump campaign, as it channels the deepest fears and aspirations of many Americans, has tapped into potent and related American phenomenon: Israel envy. In this mode of thought, the U.S., a weakened world-power, has lost its political will and the ability to deploy its unparalleled military power. America can only recover its will and power by emulating a small and spunky nation, Israel. While American power is sapped by dissent and liberalism, Israel unified and determined grows stronger. While Israel envy was expressed by a few American political and military figures in the 1950s and early 60s, it became a widespread phenomenon in the second half of the 1960s. The escalation of U.S. involvement in Vietnam and the Israeli victory in the 1967 War were the major factors. Approving mention of Israel was often deployed when military hawks called for an Israeli approach to the war in Vietnam. What that Israeli approach was and how it might work was never articulated clearly. In its crudest form it was simply that the U.S. must kick ass. But as some of LBJs advisors were frustrated by U.S. military failures in Southeast Asia and enraged by domestic opposition to the war, they saw Israel as a potent counter-example to American frustration and failure. And if invoking the Israeli example could dampen opposition to the war, it might be worth the effort. LBJ himself, a life-long admirer and supporter of Israel and its policies, was encouraged in this Israel-envy by his close friend the novelist John Steinbeck. Unlike most American writers, artists, and academicians Steinbeck was a supporter of Americas war in Vietnam. Concerning Israel, Steinbeck, unlike LBJ, had no strong opinions. But that was to change when Steinbeck accepted an invitation to visit the country. In March 1966, Steinbeck and his wife Elaine spent a few weeks in Israel as a guest of the government. In Israel, he wrote, I see no sign of weariness. He contrasted Israels energywith which it boils and burbles, squirms and gallopswith the lassitude he found among Americas youth. When I left the U.S., he wrote in a letter from Tel Aviv, American youth were burning draft cards because the war in Vietnam was intolerable. Steinbeck contrasted this draft-dodging with the eagerness for military service he reported encountering among Israeli youth. When he returned to the U.S. and met with LBJ at the White House, Steinbeck was even more determined to stiffen LBJs resolve to get tough in Vietnam. His trip to Israel, Steinbeck said, had made him even more of an American patriot. In 1966, the same year that the Steinbecks were wowed by Israel and its military preparedness and martial spirit, one of the avatars of that spirit, General Moshe Dayan, went to Vietnam as a correspondent for Maariv, the largest circulation Israeli newspaper of the time. Contrary to the illusions of American pundits besotted with their notions of Israels military prowess, Dayan, after spending two weeks with American and South Vietnamese forces, saw no way for the U.S.or any other forceto win the war. This was before the 1967 War, the war that changed the Middle East. After the Israeli victory, Israel admiration grew even greater, and with it a sense of Israel envy among those disappointed in American policies. The half-century anniversary of the 1967 war is fast approaching, and in the intervening decades Israel envy has increased to the point where it has become a staple of American political discourse, especially, but not exclusively, among social and political conservatives. And that brings us back to the current moment in the presidential campaign. On September 26th, in a speech that sought to justify his often-ridiculed call to build a wall with Mexico, Trump invoked the successful Israeli wall that seals off the Palestinians. Trump reported that in his private, but highly-publicized, conversation with Prime Minister Netanyahu, they discussed at length Israels successful experience with a security fence that helped secure its borders. In the same spirit of invoking the use of force without considering its military efficacy or long-term consequences, Trump has said that if elected president, he would bomb the shit out of ISIS. Like a lot of what Trump says about his plans, this doesnt strike intelligent observers as a clear statement of foreign policy. But like the phrase kicking ass, bombing the shit of of ISIS seems to resonate with many in the U.S., and perhaps not surprisingly, it resonates with many who call themselves pro-Israel. As Politico noted a few months back, these Trump statements resonate with those Israelis polled about who they would vote for if they could participate in the U.S. elections. As reporter Gregg Carlstom wrote, this might be the most surprising poll from a wild, unpredictable 2106 campaign: One in four Israeli Jews would vote for Donald Trump and, noted the Politico reporter dryly, Trumps negative comments about Muslims dont hurt him in Israel either. Shalom Goldman is professor of religion at Middlebury College. He has authored numerous books, including Zeal for Zion: Christians, Jews, and the Promised Land and Gods Sacred Tongue: Hebrew and the American Imagination. His most recent book, Jewish-Christian Difference and Modern Jewish Identity, has recently been featured in the Patheos Book Club. Reprinted with authors permission from Patheos Reddit Email 0 Shares By Pat Hynes | ( Truthdig ) | As secretary of State, Hillary Clinton was visibly shaken by sexual crimes against women and girls when she visited the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2009. Sexual crimes in this central African country, known as the rape capital of the world, include the sexual exploitation of tens of thousands of girls abducted and trapped as child soldiers. Nonetheless, since 2010, President Obama has waived a congressionally mandated ban on military aid to countries known to exploit child soldiers, among them the DRC. The DRCs eastern region is exceedingly rich in rare minerals and exceedingly rife with decades of brutal war over those minerals. This country and three othersNigeria, Somalia and South Sudaneach of which exploits thousands of child soldiers, will receive more than $161 million in U.S. military aid in fiscal year 2016. The Child Soldier Prevention Act of 2008 bans the U.S. government from providing military resources and aid to countries that use soldiers younger than 18; it allows a presidential waiver in cases of national interest, however. But what possible national interest can override the lives of tens of thousands of children shattered in the worst of childhood nightmareslives of being forced to torture, kill and rape, and in the case of girls, lives of being serially raped and impregnated? The Reality At any given time, about 300,000 children between the ages of 8 and 18 are exploited as child soldiers in scores of civil and international conflicts in Africa, Asia and Colombia. In Sierra Leones civil war (1991-2001), 80 percent of fighters were between 7 and 15 years old; in Liberias conflict (1989-2003), up to 70 percent of government and rebel troops were children. Forty percent of soldiers slain in Colombia were children; the Lords Resistance Army in Uganda is mainly composed of children. They are abducted from agricultural fields, or taken en route to school or market, or when their village is attacked. Others join for reasons of extreme poverty and hunger; fleeing family abuse; revenge for enemy brutality upon their family; being drawn to a popular cause; and, in the case of some boys, as a way to garner respect from male elders. In-depth investigators of child soldiers conclude, never before in the history of warfare have children been so exploited on such a vast scale. What most people do not realize is how many child soldiers are girlsan estimated 40 percent, who are exploited, like boy soldiers, as servants, cooks, porters, spies, human shields, suicide bombers and fighters. In Sri Lanka, more than 43 percent of 50,000 children in armed groups were girls, a finding determined during peace talks between warring parties and UNICEF and documented by journalist Jimmie Briggs. Deepening their trauma, girls are taken into sexual slavery by boy soldiers, adult soldiers and commanders and, in some cases, sold in exchange for weapons. Given the popular image of boys as child soldiers, hundreds of thousands of girls constitute an invisible army and forgotten casualties of war in the rehabilitation process following the cessation of armed conflict. Armed groups target children for wars because childrenand particularly girls, because of sex discriminationare obedient, vulnerable and malleable. Children can be more easily indoctrinated into being the next generation of armed rebels and terrorists. Child soldiers are cheap because they are unpaid and eat less than adults; and they provide functions such as cooking, cleaning and portering, thus freeing up adult soldiers for more rigorous fighting. With the prevalence of light but deadly weapons, both girls and boys are trained for combat. In a 2002 survey, nearly half the interviewed girls in armed groups described their primary role as fighter. Despite their utility as fighters and servants, girl soldiers are raped, prostituted, mutilated, infected with sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS, and made pregnant by soldiers. Many are permanently injured and will suffer lifelong pain as a result of multiple rapes and untreated infections. Returning to their villages and homes, numerous girls have reported that they are rejected as filthy and immoral, and they are blamed for disgracing family and community honor. Even more shunned are girls who return pregnant or with children born of rape. Losing family and social support, they are compelled to turn to prostitution or stay with an abusive ex-soldier husband in order to raise their child and survive. Moreover, even after commitments to release child soldiers, armed groups often refuse to give up girls, holding them captive as wives. Thus, the full cycle of misogyny entraps girls: ruthlessly violated as child soldiers, ostracized when returning home and often not released in the peace process. Fifteen-year-old Grace Akallo was abducted in 1996 with 29 other high school girls from her boarding school dormitory at St. Marys College Kisubi in northern Uganda by warlord Joseph Kony and rebel soldiers of the Lords Resistance Army. Physically, the girls were pushed to the point of death, walking barefoot, given little food and water and beaten with sticks and the butts of rifles. And spiritually, they were driven to the point of death, forced to torture and kill other childrensometimes a siblingin a seasoning process designed to dehumanize them, extinguish their consciences and break their wills. Kony forced the girls to train with AK-47s. He also distributed them among his commanders as wives. They were expected to fight even with babies strapped to their backs. Akallo was given to a man older than her father, who on first encounter seized her and raped her. I felt like a thorn was in my skin as my innocence was destroyed, she wrote of his sexual violence. In her community, the stigma of rape is so extreme that ex-girl soldiers will admit to murder before they will admit to having been raped. In contrast to the outcast plight of girl soldiers, many boy soldiers earn a manly status in their communities. Leymah Gbowee, the Liberian Nobel Peace Prize laureate, works with ex-child soldiers from Charles Taylors army during Liberias civil war. Joseph, a boy she counseled, explained that he became a child soldier because boys who joined the rebellion came back and were really respected and were often seen in the company of the elders and community leaders. Gbowee is convinced that the nexus between violence, weapons and manhood is responsible for drawing many former boy soldiers into the brutal, macho cycle of war. Many of the girls she assisted were child wives of the ex-soldiers and had been abducted, raped and beaten into submission. With no exit, each girl was caught up in a spiral of one individual trying to prove his maleness. The abuse women suffer during conflict is a reflection of the interaction between men and women, boys and girls, during peace time. Compounding the excruciating burdens of girl soldiers is the failure of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programs of the United Nations and international nongovernmental organizationsprograms intended to help former child soldiers with education, job skills and fitting back into society. Save the Childrens 2005 report, Forgotten Casualties of War: Girls in Armed Conflict, concludes that girls are caught between recrimination from the armed group if they leave and from the community if they return home and are invisible in the reintegration programs. The misogyny and neglect on all sides has sent many of them into prostitution for survival or resulted in their suicides. Former girl soldiers are more than twice as likely to commit suicide as their male counterparts. The Fiction For an exercise in unreality and moral depravity, Google images of girl soldiers. You will find a garbage heap of pornographic pictures: cartoons of large-breasted women with big thighs and some muscles, barely clothed, wielding a gun in each hand, looking like (so-called) happy hookers costumed for Armed Services Day. Sprinkled among these are photos of young female soldiers, hanging out passively, like decorations, among male soldiers. Of the first 200 images I perused, a handful portrayed real girl soldiersserious beyond years with sad-to-death eyes. Yet even these photos lacked the gruesome reality of the tens of thousands of girls entrapped in armies and militias. For contrast, Google images of child soldiers. Ninety-five percent of these images are boys. All are realistic war photos: children carrying, aiming and shooting weapons sometimes taller than they are; roaming streets in search of prey; poised to kill, faces deadly serious, some hardened, some older than their years, others still bearing traces of their stolen childhood. No airbrushed or pornographic reality on this site. Only a crucial omission: Real girl soldierswho constitute up to 40 percent of child soldiers and suffer the most vile sexual violation and rejectionare missing. We in the United States need a national floodlight on the issue of child soldiers. Employing children, by whatever means, in armed conflict is an crime against humanity recognized by the International Criminal Court. Forty percent of funding available for the rehabilitation of child soldiers should be dedicated to the reintegration of girls within their communities. Leaders who use child soldiers should be prosecuted and indicted. We need to research countries that traffic in arms and whose businesses invest in or conduct trade with countries that use child soldiers. And violators should be publicized, stigmatized and boycotted. We need to frame and shame the hypocrisy of passing a law to protect children caught in conflict and then violating it for that morbid excuse of national securitya coverall for American militarism, xenophobia, torture, erasure of civil rights and sexual exploitation. Otherwise, political statements that womens rights are human rights are a sham. Pat Hynes, a retired professor of environmental health from Boston University, directs the Traprock Center for Peace and Justice in western Massachusetts. She writes and speaks on issues of feminism, climate justice, U.S. militarism and peace. Reprinted with authors permission from Truthdig Related video added by Juan Cole: Euronews: The Kurdish Peshmerga women soldiers who are fighting on the frontline A federal judge on Tuesday ordered [order, PDF] Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio to be tried on a charge of criminal contempt. Judge Susan Bolton of the US District Court for the District of Arizona [official website] made the order after determining that Arpaio disobeyed a court order in a racial profiling case. This comes after Judge G Murray Snow requested [JURIST report] that the US Attorneys Office file criminal contempt charges against Arpaio. The criminal contempt charges are a result of a 2007 lawsuit claiming that Arpaio discriminated against Latinos in his enforcement of his immigration patrols. Bolton found [CNN report] that Snow had prohibited Arpaio from enforcing his immigration patrols where they detained persons without state charges, but Arpaio continued to detain such persons and deliver them to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement [official website] when there were no charges to bring against the detainees. Bolton ordered Arpaios trial for December 6 in Phoenix. The charges against Arpaio could result in fines or jail time if he is convicted. In May Arpaio was found in contempt [JURIST report] for disobeying orders to stop his immigration patrols. Last July the DOJ and county officials in Phoenix agreed to settle [JURIST report] parts of a discrimination lawsuit filed against the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office in 2012. The DOJ filed charges against the Sheriffs Office for discriminatory practices in traffic stops, work and home raids, and in county jails, as well as claims of retaliation. The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled in April of last year that Arpaio engaged in practices of racial profiling when conducting traffic stops, and in June a judge for the US District Court for the District of Arizona issued [JURIST reports] a pre-trial order accepting the other courts finding of racial profiling. In October 2014 a federal judge ordered [JURIST report] Arpaio to undergo the same training as his deputies to assist in the prevention of racial profiling and unlawful detention in the Sheriffs Office as part of the ongoing case against Arpaio for racial profiling. In 2013 a federal judge ruled [JURIST report] that Arpaio and his department engaged in unconstitutional racial profiling during the execution of immigration patrols. A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit [order, PDF] that was filed by a former Guantanamo detainee seeking to clear his name of the accusations of terrorism. The former detainee, Shawali Khan, was returned to Afghanistan in 2014 [JURIST report]. One of Khans complaints [NYT report] is that while he was detained at Guatanamo, the government introduced evidence against him that it did not reveal to his lawyers. Since then, the government has changed its stance on the credibility of that evidence. Mr. Khans defense team used this evidence to seek a decision by Judge John Bates of the US District Court for the District of Columbia [official website], that Khan had never been lawfully detained and to absolve him of the former charges against him. Khan has stated that after his capture, the Afghan government seized his land, and that being cleared of the charges may help him secure the deeds to his land back. He also cited his inability to obtain a passport due to the charges of terrorism against him. Bates found that the case was moot as Khan was no longer in American custody. He also cited previous case law that found that reputational harm were not enough to open such a case. Further, he found that the issues Khan is complaining about should be remedied by the Afghan government and not the US. In 2010 Bates ruled [opinion, PDF] that the US government could indefinitely hold Khan [JURIST report] at the detention facility in Guantanamo. Lawyers for Khan have argued that he was a shopkeeper in Kandahar and not involved with fighting against American forces. They contended that Khan was captured by corrupt Afghans who turned him over to American forces and lied about his involvement with insurgents. The defense also presented evidence that the Hezb-i-Islami party (HIG) had no presence in the Kandahar region when Khan was captured. The case against Khan relied heavily on intelligence concurrently gathered by US intelligence collectors through several informants, some of whom are disaffected members of HIG. According to the courts opinion, such intelligence ultimately led to a decision by US military officials to neutralize the HIG cell, including the execution of an operation to capture Khan at his shop. The operation was a success, and Khans home and shop were searched after his arrest, yielding a variety of physical evidence in the form of notebooks and letters. Heavily redacted classified intelligence reports state that the search of Khans properties uncovered further, particularly incriminating evidence that confirmed his role in the Kandahar HIG cell. The Gambian government announced on Tuesday that it will be leaving the International Criminal Court (ICC) [website]. During the televised statement, Information Minister Sheriff Bojang criticized the court for ignoring western atrocities [Reuters report], referring to the ICC as an International Caucasian Court. Gambian President Yahya Jammeh had previously called [Reuters report] upon the court to investigate the death of African migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea to access Europe. Instead, Gambia alleges, the ICC has been disproportionately scrutinizing African leaders. Gambias intended departure will be the third by an African nation. Earlier this month South Africa and Burundi [JURIST reports] similarly announced their withdrawal from the ICC. The South African government originally expressed [Reuters report] such intentions last year when the nation refused to act on the ICCs arrest warrant for visiting Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir. The nations Justice Minister stated that the countrys ICC membership conflicts with South Africas Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges Act (DIPA) [text, PDF]. Vice President Gaston Sindimwo of Burundi previously announced the countrys decision to withdraw from the ICC amid criticism the court only prosecutes African nationals. [JURIST] Human Rights Watch (HRW) [advocacy website] on Tuesday released a report [text] criticizing Turkeys emergency decrees have weakened human rights safeguards, resulting in at least 13 instances of abuse including sexual abuse, beatings and sleep deprivation. Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia HRW director, warned: by removing safeguards against torture, the Turkish government effectively wrote a blank check to law enforcement agencies to torture and mistreat detainees as they like. The cases we have documented seem to indicate that some have done just that. Turkeys government should reinstate these crucial safeguards now. The decrees, adopted under a nationwide state of emergency following a failed coup earlier this year, absolve government officials of crimes committed under certain circumstances. The aftermath of the failed coup attempt continues as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed [JURIST report] that those involved in the coup would pay a heavy price. Last month Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said that approximately 32,000 people have been arrested [JURIST report] in relation to the recent coup attempt, and 70,000 have been questioned. In August a group of human rights experts for the UN called upon [JURIST report] Turkeys government to uphold its international human rights obligations, despite declared emergency following failed coup. Also in August an Istanbul court issued an arrest warrant [JURIST report] for Gullen on charges of orchestrating the attempted coup. Earlier in August Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjrn Jagland traveled [JURIST report] toTurkey to meet with a variety of Turkish officials to urge for respect for the rule of law. In July Amnesty International condemned [JURIST report] Turkeys decision to issue arrest warrants for 42 journalists. Also in July Erdogan ordered[JURIST report] the closure of thousands of private schools, charities and other institutions. [JURIST] Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta [BBC profile] on Monday commuted the sentences of all death row inmates to life in prison. The last execution in Kenya took place in 1987, though there were 2,655 male and 92 female death row inmates at the time of the commutations [The Star Kenya report]. He also invoked the constitutional Power of Mercy [text] to pardon and release 102 long-term convicts. However, critics have alleged that Kenyatta commuted the sentences in an attempt to gain popularity for the upcoming election. Capital punishment remains a controversial issue worldwide. In August a UN rights expert expressed outrage [JURIST report] regarding Irans execution of 12 people for drug-related charges. In July Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that he would approve reinstating the death penalty [JURIST report] so long as the measure had sufficient support in the Grand National Assembly. In May a spokesperson for the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights condemned [JURIST report] Iranian authorities for the sentencing of Nargis Mohammadi, an anti-death penalty activist. Also in May UN rights chief Zeid Raad Al Hussein welcomed [JURIST report] the measures being taken by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to prevent the use of its drugs in state-sponsored execution by lethal injection. [JURIST] The UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID) on Monday called on [press release] all governments to make a concerted effort to fight against enforced disappearances. Noting the increasing prevalence of disappearances, Houria Es Slami [official website], head of the working group, said every year we make similar calls expressing serious concern about the persistence of this horrific practice. In spite of that, the reality on the ground is alarming [as the number of reported disappearances grows]. Es Slami warned against the relatively new practice of temporary enforced disappearances, and encouraged all states to undertake the long and winding road toward eradicating the practice by working with the WGEID. While enforced disappearance has been a worldwide problem, the most well-documented recent case of disappearance took place in Mexico in 2014. Earlier this year a panel of experts released [JURIST report] its second and last report on its inquiry into the 43 undergraduate students from a teachers college in Ayotzinapa who went missing in Iguala, Guerrero, Mexico, in 2014, stating that the Mexican government has hampered the investigation. In January three men were arrested [JURIST report] for their possible connection to the disappearance as part of the governments story. In November Mexicos own National Human Rights Commission criticized [JURIST report] the Mexican Attorney Generals Office and other government offices involved in the investigation for failing to comply with its recommendations. Last October Human Rights Watch reported [JURIST report] that there was evidence of unlawful police killing in the country. Also last October Mexican Attorney General Arely Gomez Gonzalez released [JURIST report] a 54,000 page file detailing the Mexican governments investigation. [JURIST] The UN Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR) [official website] issued a report [materials] on Tuesday documenting the systemic discrimination of minorities in Myanmar [BBC profile] and calling for concrete steps end these human rights violations. The report focused on particular concern of the treatment of Rohingya Muslims in the Rakhine region. The Rohingya face restrictions of movement, denial to health care, denial to education, and limitation of political rights. The report stated: The human rights situation of the Rohingya and other minorities in Myanmar is a cause of utmost concern. The scope and patterns of violations and abuses reported cannot be ignored; systematic and systemic discrimination and policies of exclusion and marginalization are all too often at the root of future conflicts. High Commissioner Zeid Raad Al Hussein recommended that the Rakhine state abolish all arbitrary discriminatory local orders. Human rights have been on the forefront of Myanmars new democratic government since ending a decades-old military rule. Earlier this month Myanmar abolished [JURIST report] a law from 1950 that was used by the military to jail dissidents within the country. The OHCHR released a report in June stating that human rights abuses against the Rohingya in Myanmar may amount to crimes against humanity [JURIST report]. Also in June UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed [JURIST report] shock at the increasing number of children recruited and killed in armed conflicts in several countries; the government of Myanmar alone released [JURIST report] 46 underage child recruits from the military in March as part of a UN join action plan made in 2012. In May Human Rights Watch urged [JURIST report] the Myanmar Parliament to reconsider a proposed law that they say has the advocacy organization says has the potential to limit free expression and peaceful assembly. French friends watching documentary film "Back to Hell" (Photo: VNA) This activity aimed to express support for the lawsuit of Ms. Tran To Nga, an AO/dioxin victim suing US chemical companies at the Crown Court in the city of Evry, suburbs of Paris. The meeting began with a screening of the film named "Back to Hell," a documentary which had been broadcast on several TV channels in France recently. The film denounced the brutality of the war along with the pain stretching through generations of many Vietnamese families when their children, born many years after the war, still have congenital malformations due to AO/dioxin. It caused strong emotion for those at the event, leaving unforgettable impressions about the will to live and overcome difficulties of the victims, as well as immense affection, sharing and community connection in the country and globe. During the discussion at the event, Secretary General of France-Vietnam Friendship Association Jean-Pierre Archambault introduced Vietnams achievements in the fields of politics, economy, culture, society and international integration after 30 years of innovation. Mr. Raphael Vahe, Head of the Van Canh Friendship Village and Chairman of French Veterans Association, recalled the process of building the Van Canh Friendship Village, a symbol of reconciliation and cooperation to overcome the consequences of the war in Vietnam and strengthen the friendship between the two peoples. He also affirmed that French National Committee continues to support activities of the Village to repair and upgrade buildings, practically contributing to helping veterans and AO/dioxin victims receiving care there. As a lawyer of half-Vietnamese blood, being prompted by a desire to find her origins and the fire of her love for justice, lawyer Sandrine Le Pironnec has conducted deep research on the issue of AO/dioxin used by the US military in Vietnam. In her talk, the lawyer gave basic information on AO/dioxin, its dangerous and persistent harmful effects for Vietnams humans and environment, as well as the courage of victim Tran To Nga in the legal fight to demand justice for Vietnamese AO/dioxin victims. The speech touched the hearts of French friends loving peace and justice, and the young female lawyer received warm applause from the audience. Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Nguyen Ngoc Son expressed his emotion before the hearts and affection of French friends for the people of Vietnam. He also expected to continue to receive solidarity and support of the French people in the cause of building the country, and overcoming the consequences of the war today. At the event, a lot of billboards, posters and photos introduced the process of building the Van Canh Friendship Village were hung on the wall of the hallway leading into the large hall. The organizing board also sold Vietnams handicraft products to raise funds, financially contributing to building a playground and repairing some houses in Van Canh Friendship Village./. Representatives of the overseas Vietnamese in Slovakia present money and safe water to people in Central region (Photo:baoquocte.vn) The movement quickly spreads through the whole Vietnamese community in all regions of Slovakia and has received the support of the Vietnamese Embassy in the country. In particular, a number of local people who are friends of overseas Vietnamese have also actively supported this activity. Thanks to the generosity and spirit of sharing among overseas Vietnamese, the Nghe Tinh fellow - countrymen association has collected EUR7,515 and 300,000 liters of safe water for people in Vietnam. The amount of money will be quickly transferred to the provinces of Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Quang Binh, which have suffered the most severe damage during the recent flood. The movement is still taking place. Besides, each member of the Vietnamese Embassy in Slovakia has donated a minimum of one salary day./. Dallas, TX, USA, 10/26/2016 /SubmitPressRelease123/ In many federal drug cases, a defendants best option is to cooperate with the Government in order to try to earn a reduction in their sentence for substantial assistance to the Government, reports drug trafficking lawyer John Helms. The reduction occurs if a prosecutor asks the judge to sentence the defendant below the range called for by the federal Sentencing Guidelines and if the judge agrees to the request, which they usually do. Substantial assistance is a phrase that comes straight out of section 5K1.1 of the Sentencing Guidelines. That is why the Governments request for a reduction in the sentence based on substantial assistance is often called a 5K or a 5K motion. Many defendants, however, cannot realistically qualify for a substantial assistance reduction. Substantial assistance usually means either testifying in court against another person or giving law enforcement information about someone else that actually helps to arrest or prosecute them. A lot of defendants may not be able or willing to testify against another person. For example, all of the people against whom the defendant could testify may plead guilty so that they do not go to trial. Or, a defendant may have a legitimate fear that testifying against someone could endanger them or their family, adds federal drug defense attorney Helms. As far as information goes, a defendant may give law enforcement information about other peoples crimes, but if the Government already knows about it from their own investigation or from another defendant who talked to them first, then the defendants information probably will not substantially assist the Government. Even if the Government does not already know it, if the defendants information is not important enough or cannot be verified, it still may not be enough to get credit. If a defendant cannot get substantial assistance credit, is there any reason to cooperate with the Government? In many cases, the answer is, Yes. This is because cooperation may qualify the defendant for the Safety Valve. The Safety Valve is a federal law at 18 USC section 1335(f). It is also in section 5C1.2 of the Sentencing Guidelines. It allows a judge to sentence a defendant below a mandatory minimum sentence if the defendant meets five criteria: 1. The defendant has no more than one criminal history point under the Sentencing Guidelines. This is technical, but it generally means either no past criminal convictions or one conviction with a sentence of less than sixty days in custody. 2. The defendant did not use, or encourage anyone to use, violence, a credible threat of violence, a firearm, or a dangerous weapon. 3. The crime did not result in death or serious bodily injury to anyone. 4. The defendant was not an organizer, leader, manager, or supervisor of others who were involved in the crime. 5. Before sentencing, the defendant truthfully provides all information to the Government that the defendant has about the crime and the same criminal course of conduct and scheme. Number 5 is about cooperation. It does not require testimony at trial. It also does not require that the information must be unknown to the Government or actually helpful to the Government. In fact, the law and the Sentencing Guidelines specifically state the fact that the defendant has no relevant or useful information to provide or that the government is already aware of the information shall not preclude a determination by the Court that the defendant has complied with this requirement. 18 USC section 3553(f). This means that someone who has no useful information about other peoples crimes can still get a benefit. For example, in situations where a defendant is so low on the totem pole that he is kept in the dark about the other members of a drug organization and knows almost nothing, I have heard federal agents refer to a defendants information as safety-valve information, rather than 5K information. It is important for defendants to realize that they still have to tell the Government everything they know. Some defendants think they can cooperate, but keep damaging information about others a secret. Federal agents will almost always test someone who is claiming to cooperate. I have seen it happen over and over again that they know much more about the criminal activity than the cooperator thinks they do. I remember one meeting in which agents asked a defendant if he had ever been to a store owned by a member of the drug organization. Trying to protect that person, he said he had not. The agents casually asked if he was sure. He said he was. They then pulled out a surveillance photo of the defendant going into the store and put it on the table. Is this you? they asked, and it clearly was. So much for being truthful and complete. The benefit of the Safety Valve is that the judge can sentence below a mandatory minimum sentence. Many federal drug crimes have a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years. Yet in many cases, especially for people with no criminal history, the Sentencing Guidelines call for a sentence of less than ten years. In this situation, the mandatory minimum trumps the Sentencing Guidelines, and the judge has to give a sentence of at least ten years, unless there is an exception to the mandatory minimum. The Safety Valve is an exception. When it applies, the judge can sentence below ten years, in this example. Anyone accused of a federal drug crime should consult an experienced federal drug defense attorney about whether the Safety Valve applies to them, and what benefit they might receive if it does. More importantly, a skilled drug defense attorney, especially one who has been a federal prosecutor and knows how Government agents think, can prepare you so that you do well in your meetings with the Government. Even if you cannot qualify for a substantial assistance reduction, the Safety Valve might save you from the harsh effects of a mandatory minimum sentence. If you or a family member have been charged with a federal drug crime or any other drug related crime in Dallas or the nearby counties and have any questions about drug laws, contact drug trafficking lawyer John Helms at 214-666-8010 or fill out this online contact form. We can talk about the situation, how the law could apply in your case and the best legal options to protect your rights and maintain your freedom. Media Contact Dallas Criminal Lawyer John Helms 214-666-8010 https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-helms-69172699 Photo courtesy of Heather Smith http://alloy-valves.com/ source: http://johnhelms.attorney/drug-trafficking-lawyer-explains-get-sentence-reduction/ Social Media Tags:Drug Defense Lawyer Near Dallas, Attorney John Helms criminal defense lawyer for Collin county, federal drug trafficking cases, Federal Drug Defense Attorney, state drug defense lawyer, drug sentence reduction Newsroom powered by Online Press Release Distribution SubmitMyPressRelease.com Like Us on Facebook It's only fair to share... Pinterest Linkedin email Print Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia speaking at the event (Photo: VNA) Speaking at the event, Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Son called upon staff of the Vietnamese Embassy, agencies besides the Embassy and the Vietnamese community in Russia to contribute to support the people in the Central region. According to the Ambassador, it is time for the people of Vietnam to express emotion, solidarity and attachment with people in the Central provinces who are now meeting trouble and difficulties, while promoting the good traditions of Vietnamese people. Mr Son expressed his hope that through the contributions of the people throughout the country, overseas Vietnamese people all over the world as well as overseas Vietnamese in the Russian Federation will help flood victims overcome losses to stabilize their lives and restore production. The program continues in the coming time./. Overseas Vietnamese raising funds to support the Central region (Photo: VNA) The Ambassador's call has been sent to associations and benefactors in the overseas Vietnamese community to join hands to support and encourage the people affected by the flood to soon overcome difficulties and stabilize their lives. Based on the results of the program launch, the embassy will summarize and report to local authorities and report support channels to overseas Vietnamese people so that they can transfer their contributions to the people affected by the flood. The Ambassador also noted that a number of associations and benefactors of the community have recently launched programs to raise funds to support the people. Each official and staff member of Vietnams representative agencies in Germany have donated a minimum of one salary day. Meanwhile, donations and support of the overseas Vietnamese community in Germany are taking place very excitingly, with the initial statistics of nearly EUR150,000. Dozens of associations, enterprises and overseas Vietnamese in Berlin have agreed to establish an organizing board to raise funds, with Mr. Nguyen Van Hien, General Director of the Dong Xuan Trade Center, as the chairman. The campaign will last until October 31st, however, the organizing board has so far collected nearly EUR80,000. A charitable music night "For Central region" was also organized on October 25th at the Dong Xuan Trade Center. Meanwhile, the international company Haiky, headquartered in the city of Munich, has collected over EUR50,000 to help people in need in the provinces of Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Quang Binh. In Leipzig, on the first day of conducting the campaign, which will continue until October 29th, the overseas Vietnamese Association has raised nearly EUR14,000. In addition to the above units, trade centres, many fellow-countrymen associations and the Overseas Vietnamese Association in the Federal Republic of Germany have also called for and raised funds to support flood victims./. Some people believe that Europe is undergoing a process of Balkanisation, although the continents regionalisation might in fact be something positive, combining unity and diversity. Politicos Matthew Karnitschnig recently warned about Europe becoming what he called EUgoslavia, hastened by Brexit. In a Union of 28 (27 without the UK) very heterogeneous states, however, such regional groupings seem not only inevitable, but even laudable, as long as they partake in a significant shared base (an internal market, trade policy, competition, cohesion policies, a minimal shared social policy, some shared elements of foreign and security policy, democratic standards, European citizenship, etc, and an inspiring joint project that is currently absent). It also needs to be grounded in a general sense of solidarity, and not on a confrontation between north and south, or east and west, debtors and creditors or those with a trade surplus against those with a deficit, to mention just a few of the fault lines. This is part of the complexity inherent to this Union, which is to some extent self-conscious about having failed to become the United States of Europe given its inability to build itself into a federation. But it has nevertheless achieved a great deal. The size and diversity of the EU, which has done nothing but grow geographically and in terms of competences, requires a greater flexibility. For instance, in the way it operates, as in enhanced cooperation and other mechanisms, such as that paving the way to the Schengen regime. The latter extends beyond the EU into Norway and Switzerland, although excluding the UK and Ireland, and is now being questioned by certain Europhobes. But the Europe of joint defence, like other new Europes, will not be achieved by all 27 member states, but rather by those who are both willing and able. There are other relevant dimensions, but the geographical one is important and favours alliances. The others should not, nevertheless, induce fear. Underlying Ortega y Gassets Meditation on Europe (originally a lecture delivered in Berlin in 1949), as well as The Revolt of the Masses, where he had previously broached the topic in 1929-30, was the idea of Charlemagnes Europe, and hence (and because they lay at the root of three wars: in 1870, 1914-18 and 1939-45) the importance of the so-called Franco-German axis. The latter is not what it once was, but it does remain necessary, although it is not strong enough to lead the EU into its new phase. We are no longer in Charlemagnes Europe. Over the course of the continents history, regional subgroups have emerged in what is today the EU. First there was Benelux, comprising Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. That union persists, but its vision of Europe is no longer coherent given the differences that have arisen with the Netherlands, where enthusiasm for Europe has waned. At the outset of what became the EU a clause was designed for the fledgling union, the so-called Benelux clause (now Article 350 of the Treaty of Functioning), allowing regional associations on condition that their goals go beyond those of the Union. It gave rise to anomalies, however: Luxembourg lacked a central bank (the Belgian central bank filled the bill) and it had to create one to join the euro. It is also clear that Belgiums internal structure has become a problem for Europe, as we have seen from the action taken by the parliament and Minister-President of Wallonia, the socialist Paul Magnette, which has halted the CETA deal between the EU and Canada. Not even the European Council has been able to twist their arms, due to the powers possessed by the region in a country that has gone from being a federation to a quasi-confederation. Nevertheless, it should be borne in mind that the federal German government had to consult the federated regions, the Lander, about the treaty. But a Europe of regions, the emergence of groupings among the countries of Europe, is not the same thing as internal regionalism within countries, which is perfectly understandable and reasonable. However, when taken to the extremes of Wallonia, it can end up paralysing an EU that is already complex enough. Although they share a certain amount of terminology, they are completely distinct phenomena. There are other regional groupings in the EU, both formal and informal: between the UK and Ireland (which will be affected by Brexit); between the countries of the Visegrad Group (Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia), now with a more Eurosceptic stance and outside the euro; France, Germany and Poland, that make up the Weimar Triangle, with regular summits; the Nordic countries, including Norway and Iceland (outside the EU), and Denmark, Sweden and Finland (all inside the Union, the latter in the euro), which coordinate with each other constantly and have their own Nordic Council; there is even backing for the Baltic States, which form another clear group. A new forum emerged from the meeting of Greece, Italy, France, Spain and Portugal held in Athens in September, the UEMed, although the countries of the south are reluctant to recognise themselves as such, despite that fact that it would be useful in the reconfiguration of Europe. For its part, China occasionally convenes the countries of the EUs eastern flank. More diversity requires more flexibility and, above all, more solidarity, both internal and external. And this is sometimes found wanting, as in the distribution of refugees. But Spain and others as full members of NATO send aircraft to patrol Baltic airspace, and similarly those in the north should be much more concerned about the risks and threats that loom from the south, not just out of solidarity but also because it will end up affecting them. It is true that in this context it is much more difficult to reach broad consensuses. But this is a much more complex Europe than that of the six founding members. According to Anne Marie Slaughter, the EU should see itself as the world leader in creating a new political form: a regional co-operative order that provides unity and flexibility, an organism that can act simultaneously together and apart. E pluribus unum (one from many and hence unity from diversity) was the motto that the US chose to feature on the first dollar bills and that the EU should not only have appropriated for itself, but should have interpreted and implemented after its own fashion. Andres Ortega is Senior Research Fellow at the Elcano Royal Institute. He is also an independent consultant and director of the Observatorio de las Ideas. He tweets under @andresortegak. This article was originally published on Andres Ortegas blog Global Spectator in Elcano Royal Institute. The chief executive of Nebraskas largest health care system said Tuesday that he doesnt expect discussions between its parent company and a San Francisco-based health system to affect local employees or its partnership with Creighton University. Catholic Health Initiatives, parent of CHI Health in Nebraska and western Iowa, and Dignity Health announced Monday that they had signed a nonbinding letter of intent to explore aligning their organizations. Industry-watchers have taken the announcement as a sign that the systems are in merger talks. When asked by The World-Herald whether such talk of alignment meant an eventual merger of the businesses, a Catholic Health Initiatives spokesman said the organizations are in preliminary stages of discussions. He wouldnt comment specifically on a merger. CHI operates CHI Health Good Samaritan. Dr. Cliff Robertson, the chief executive of CHIs Omaha-based operation, CHI Health, said he and other leaders have been told that the boards and leadership of the two national organizations are looking at how they could bring them together in a partnership. You can probably define that in multiple ways, he said. Its too early to speculate, Robertson said of talk of a full merger. It could be, and if that ends up being the right thing for both organizations to create a stronger organization, I dont think thats an issue, personally. CHI Health was formed by melding Alegent Creighton Health in the Omaha area and CHI Nebraska across the state. That union, Robertson said, created great synergies that ultimately improved patient care and allowed people across the organization to work together, share best practices and reduce costs. CHI Health operates Bergan Mercy, Creighton, Immanuel, Lakeside, Midlands and Mercy hospitals in the metropolitan area, and other hospitals across Nebraska and southwest Iowa. The Rev. Daniel Hendrickson, Creighton Universitys president, said in a letter to faculty and staff Monday that he was very pleased with how the alignment could benefit current and future students by enhancing clinical opportunities for those in its health science programs. The discussions between CHI and Dignity come as health systems seek to adjust to a changing health care landscape. Everybody in the health care industry is trying to figure out how to be successful in a world where were paid less, not more, and were paid for outcomes and quality and not just activity, Robertson said. The health care industry is in a mode of aggregation and consolidation because were all trying to find more ways to be effective and efficient. Often, such consolidations can affect employees. But Robertson, who participated in a national conference call Monday, said no one involved in the discussions predicted any real effects at the local level. Omaha-based CHI Health employs about 11,000 people, including about 2,500 in Iowa. It is one of Omahas largest five employers. The two organizations national markets do not overlap. Were two separate organizations in two separate geographies, he said, so Im not worried theres going to be an impact at all at the local level. Chuck Olson, chief executive of OCi Insurance and Financial Services, an Omaha company that provides support services for health insurance agents, said aligning with a partner probably makes sense for the companies. I dont think its going to affect the general consumer at all, he said. I dont know that youd see much difference as far as using the hospitals. Olson agreed that the possible alignment and merger is another sign of the health care times. People are learning that health care is changing, drastically, and if they want to save money, they have to change, too, Olson said. Robertson noted that CHI Health itself will continue to evolve as an organization as it focuses on delivering higher quality care at lower costs. CHI, the nations third-largest nonprofit health system, is based in the Denver area and operates 103 hospitals in 18 states. Dignity Health, one of the nations largest health care systems, operates 39 hospitals and spans 22 states. A joint statement issued by the companies outlined ways that the organizations complement each other: CHI focuses on clinical care and home health services, as well as research and education. Dignity Health has been successful in taking initiatives across its system to ensure consistent practices and is known for innovative partnerships. Locally, in addition to its partnership with CHI Health in Omaha, Creighton has an affiliation with Dignity Healths St. Josephs Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, sending a portion of its third-year medical students to the Arizona hospital for their final two years of training. The joining of the two organizations should also result in improved economies of scale and create a stronger, unified health care system, Creighton President Hendrickson wrote. Further expanding the universitys presence in the west and southwest would provide additional outreach of its educational mission in a rapidly growing region, he wrote, and could lead to an expansion of Creighton programs and help in recruiting students. Nationally, CHI has been financially challenged as of late: CHI reported $34 million in net income from $15.7 billion in revenue in fiscal 2015 following two years of losses that totaled $146.8 million. For the first nine months of CHIs 2016 fiscal year, it lost $556 million, including $259 million from operations. Part of that loss at the national organization was from a dispute with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, which resulted in many patients switching to non-CHI doctors and hospitals. In June, the company reported that its strategy includes acquisitions, listing seven hospitals or hospital groups that it either acquired or strengthened affiliations with since 2014. But it also said it planned to sell $725 million worth of office buildings that it owns to reduce debt. In July, Fitch Rating Service downgraded its ratings on CHIs $7 billion in long-term and short-term debt, citing heightened concerns as the system struggles to rein in the losses throughout a substantial part of its operations. Fitch said CHI needs to find savings from recent acquisitions so it can start growing in its new and existing health care markets. Dean Swindle, CHIs chief financial officer, told the Denver Business Journal in April that CHI was facing problems common to the industry, including declining patient volumes, lower payment rates and higher pharmacy and labor costs. Standard & Poors also lowered CHIs credit ratings this year, saying that its move to nearly double its size in the past four years has contributed to its financial challenges. Moodys Investors Service downgraded CHIs ratings in May, citing weak operating performance across multiple markets. But locally, CHI Health continues to be one of the best-performing organizations within CHI, Robertson said. The Nebraska operation, including its Council Bluffs hospitals, accounts for about 12 percent of CHIs revenue and, out of its 10 regions, is third-highest in profitability, according to CHI. We are former Nebraska judges united in our call to retain LB268, which was passed by the Nebraska Unicameral in 2015 repealing the states death penalty and leaving in place life imprisonment. Each of us is intimately familiar with our states legal system, and committed to seeing it function in an effective manner that protects Nebraskans. Our legal experience has led us to conclude that the death penalty is an unworkable and failed policy. In the four decades since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976, states have tinkered with death penalty statutes, repeatedly promising that they can fix them. The evidence is clear that they cannot. Here is the reason why: You cannot design an efficient system of capital punishment, which delivers punishment swiftly, while also avoiding the risk of executing the innocent. States that hold onto the death penalty end up with a government program that fails on both these fronts it is inefficient and makes mistakes. The death penalty prolongs and adds uncertainty to the legal process, often harming murder victims families. More death sentences are overturned than end in an execution. For those few death sentences ending in an execution, the average wait between conviction and execution is more than 15 years, and sometimes much longer, as we have seen in Nebraska. Despite promises to the contrary, politicians cannot dramatically expedite this process. Because of past mistakes, death penalty cases must go through a complex federal appeals process, which state lawmakers cant change. Death penalty cases thus force murder victims families to endure a prolonged and uncertain legal process. For them, the death penalty is a false promise. The death penalty wastes resources that should go to measures that actually reduce crime. Death penalty cases are more complex, take more time, require more lawyers, and therefore cost more money. There is no valid evidence that the money spent on the death penalty impacts murder rates. It is imperative, then, to dedicate our law enforcement dollars to measures that unlike the death penalty actually reduce crime. The death penalty puts innocent lives at risk of execution. As judges, we strove to ensure that the innocent were protected and the guilty held accountable. At the same time, we recognize that judges and others in the criminal justice system are fallible. It is simply too much to expect perfection in any human institution which is what the death penalty demands, since it is impossible to bring back the wrongfully executed. The more than 155 death row exonerations nationwide, and wrongful convictions of the Beatrice Six here in Nebraska, make clear that the death penalty should have no place in our fallible justice system. The Nebraska Unicameral recognized the problems inherent in capital punishment and a bipartisan super majority wisely voted to end it. It is important to respect and retain this decision, and not bring back a costly and broken government program. Judge William Connolly Nebraska Supreme Court Justice, retired We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form In this April 29, 2016, file photo, a woman sits near a display showing the dangers of hackers breaking into mobile devices during the Global Mobile Internet Conference in Beijing. Chinese electronics maker Hangzhou Xiongmai Technology has issued a recall on Monday, Oct 24, 2016, for millions of products sold in the U.S. following a devastating cyberattack, but has lashed out at critics who say its devices were at fault. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File) Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration expects to receive UAH 1.2 billion from the European Investment Bank (EIB) for the reconstruction of 50 facilities of social infrastructure in the area. "Dnipropetrovsk Regional Administration uses all the ways to develop. Each European project is seen as an opportunity to improve the lives of people. Dnipropetrovsk region submitted 50 projects for financing by the European Investment Bank: modernization and reconstruction of schools, hospitals, water mains. The budget of these projects is UAH 1.2 billion," Dnipropetrovsk Region Governor Valentyn Reznichenko told reporters. Projects for the EIB's Ukraine Early Recovery loan program were shortlisted from the entire region - both cities, towns, regions could participate. To help participants prepare all the documents for the projects properly, the regional administration engaged design and engineering firms, leaders on the market of housing and construction consulting, which analyzed each project and helped prepare necessary documentation. Reznichenko said that among the submitted projects were the reconstruction of hospital No. 4 in the city of Dnipro, the surgical department building of Mechnikov regional hospital, hospitals of Rudnev specialized medical center for children and young mothers, the water supply system in Kamyanske and several dozens schools, kindergartens and other socially important facilities in cities, towns, and districts of the region. The Ukraine Early Recovery loan focuses on investments in the Ukraine government-controlled Donetsk and Luhansk regions and the surrounding areas of Kharkiv, Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia. It will back undertakings to re-establish and improve public service delivery of water and sanitation, electricity, and heating. It also covers repairs to roads and railways and the reconstruction of destroyed bridges and the refurbishment of damaged public buildings, including administrative buildings, schools, health centers and hospitals, postal services, and other social infrastructure. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up to our daily newsletter for all the latest Kent stories and breaking news delivered straight to your inbox. A violent mechanic who murdered two people after a row over a cold shower at a house in Sturry has been jailed for 30 years after a judge told him he had shown no remorse. Foster Christian, 54 and of Dickens Avenue, was convicted on Friday of the murder of Natasha Sadler-Ellis, 40, and Simon Gorecki, 48, following a three-week trial at Maidstone Crown Court. He is likely to die in prison after the judge, Mr Justice Stuart-Smith, said he would serve the full term. There were cheers and claps from the gallery at Maidstone Crown Court today (October 26), and cries of "monster" as Christian was led away from the dock. He gestured with his middle finger as he left. Earlier in the hearing, Naomi Toro, 36, of Keyworth Mews, has been jailed for one year after admitting to assisting an offender, while Samantha Groombridge, 19, has been jailed for 10 weeks, after the court heard she has a 14-week-old baby. Christian was also found guilty of seriously injuring Natasha's 20-year-old son, Connaugh Harris, and a 16-year-old boy following the trial. He received two sentences of life imprisonment with a minimum term of 30 years for the murders of Mr Gorecki and Ms Natasha Sadler-Ellis, 12 years for wounding the 16-year-old with intent, and 18 months for unlawfully wounding Mr Harris. The sentences will be served concurrently. Mr Stuart-Smith did not make any reduction or additions to the starting point of the sentence, after balancing the aggravating factors, such as how Christian arranged for the removal of the knife, and mitigating factors, including that the murder was not pre-meditated. He also has a long record of offending, including aggressive and violent behaviour. The two most serious offences were in the 1980s so did not influence the sentence today. In his sentencing remarks this afternoon Mr Stuart-Smith said: "On the evidence I have heard I accept there were tensions in the house. They were made worse when other residents had been drinking and became argumentative. "I accept that you had taken some steps to move out of the house because of those tensions, and they sometimes spilled over into physical incidents. 'Nothing at all begins to justify what you did later' "Those tensions may explain why, when you made his shower go cold, Mr Gorecki swore at you and you swore back at him, instead of both of you reacting more calmly. "Drink may have explained why Ms Sadler-Ellis got involved in the argument. But nothing nothing at all begins to justify what you did later." He said when Mr Harris entered the room to try and calm things down, Christian stabbed him and "things went wild". "You had reason to feel trouble and that your home was being invaded," he added, "But what you did was way over the top. It was, literally, a murderous attack on not just Mr Gorecki, who had a cider can but not a knife, and on Ms Sadler-Ellis, who was also unarmed. "What you did went way beyond any possible bounds of reasonable self-defence." Christian inflicted a life-threatening stab wound on the abdomen of the 16-year-old boy, as well as fatally stabbing Ms Sadler-Ellis in the head and the heart, and fatally stabbing Mr Gorecki five times in the back and side. Mr Stuart-Smith said he was unable to accept Christian intended to cause serious bodily harm rather than to kill. He then spoke of the impact the deaths of Mr Gorecki and Ms Sadler-Ellis had on their families. 'You have put the family through hell on earth' "I don't know if you have ever stopped pitying yourself or deludedly thinking you can justify what you did for long enough to consider the impact your knife attack has had," he said, "Not just on the people you killed and wounded, but on those affected by the loss of life you caused. "You have blown apart the life of Ms Sadler-Ellis' mother. It is an outrage when a child dies before her parents, and the manner in which Mrs Ellis lost her daughter is particularly outrageous. "Her three children have lost their mother. Her five year old cries for his mum every night. "You have put the family through hell on earth, and it continues. "For Mr Gorecki's mother, the world is now a dangerous and frightening place. She cannot sleep and has continuous nightmares. His three children are traumatised. "Although you have previously sent a message to her sons expressing regret for what happened to Ms Sadler-Ellis, I have seen no sign of remorse at all in relation to what you did to Mr Gorecki." The fateful day During the trial, the court heard how Mr Gorecki had been taking a shower at 7pm on March 29 when Christian, a mechanic, turned on a tap in the kitchen, causing the temperature to change. Mr Gorecki, a fishmonger at the Goods Shed in Canterbury shouted out, and Christian responded, "F*** off you mug". The disagreement boiled over into a blazing row. Mr Harris overheard sounds of abuse while he was on the phone with his mother Ms Sadler and went with the 16-year-old boy to the house in Dickens Avenue. When they arrived, Christian was upstairs in his room and mum-of-three Ms Sadler and Mr Gorecki were downstairs. Christian then shouted further abuse, and Ms Sadler-Ellis went to his room. She was followed by Mr Harris, Mr Gorecki and the 16-year-old. Christian struck Mr Harris, and the 16-year-old punched Christian in the left cheek. Then Christian retaliated by using a knife covered by a plastic bag. Christian stabbed Mr Gorecki, who was 5ft 6ins tall, five times, with four of the inflicted wounds in his back. Ms Sadler, who was the same height, received several stab wounds. One pierced her heart and another penetrated her left eyebrow and 'followed down' to her lower jaw. Mr Harris was taken to William Harvey Hospital in Ashford with two wounds to his right arm and a small wound to his thumb. The 16-year-old was also taken to William Harvey with slashes to his abdomen, right forearm and thigh. Ms Sadler and Mr Gorecki died at the scene. Ms Sadler of a stab wound to the heart and Mr Gorecki of a penetrated right lung. Christian called the police who arrived at 7.40pm. In the call, he claimed the knife was his. He later said it was "their knife" he grabbed. Kent Police officers found the injured teenager lying at the top of the driveway. Mr Harris had given him first aid. Mr Gorecki died on the floor of the kitchen and Ms Sadler died on the floor at the base of the stairs near the front door. Mr Harris had carried out CPR on Simon and tried to help his mother. Halloween customs from around the world Halloween is derived from some of the oldest customs in the world. The culture of these traditions are 2000 years old during an age... Spindle Items ..FUN WITH WORDS Have you heard of the saying, to appear smart, be silent. It means if you dont open your mouth, people may... Out of the Past 25 Years AgoOct. 29, 1997 A light industrial park is planned for the site of the abandoned grain mills on Military Road after their expected... Make a plan to vote this November Election Day is less than two weeks away. Have you made a plan to vote yet? Midterm elections are often overlooked, but I urge everyone... Ukraine seeks to borrow $9 billion on the foreign market in 2017, Ukrainian Finance Minister Oleksandr Danyliuk has said in an interview with Bloomberg. He said that the Finance Ministry seeks to issue the fourth tranche of U.S. secured $1 billion eurobonds, raise $5.3 billion in cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and enter the international loan market. Ukraine could issue eurobonds first in the past three years, he said. It is not urgent for the country to enter the international loan market and Ukraine plans to issue a small volume and investors can get used to the presence of Ukraine on the market and they could be ready for a more serious placement later, he said. As reported, in October 2015 after the talks, which lasted for about half a year, the holders of 13 out of the 14 issues of Ukrainian eurobonds totaling $14.36 billion and EUR 600 million supported their restructuring. It involves the exchange of 80% of the sum for new eurobonds with maturity prolongation for four years, 20% for state derivatives, repayments on which in 2021-2040 will depend on the pace of GDP growth in the country. Ukraine only failed to reach a restructuring agreement on the eurobonds bought by Russia, which it financed from the National Welfare Fund at the end of 2013. Russia refused to discuss restructuring on general terms, insisting that the debt was sovereign rather than commercial. In December 2015, the Ukrainian government introduced a moratorium to pay the debt on these eurobonds. Ukrzaliznytsia Board Chairman Wojciech Balczun has said that there are facts of a smear campaign against him and members of the company's board. The remarks were made in Kyiv on Tuesday when Balczun spoke at a panel discussion of the new transit strategy, prospects and risks for Ukraine. "The smear campaign against me and the board is not linked to the fact that we are working badly. It is linked to the fact that we are working well," he said. Balczun headed Ukrzaliznytsia on June 6, 2016. Earlier he was Board Chairman of Poland's Cargo. Society and media from time to time criticize his work at Ukrzaliznytsia, often pegging this to his official salary UAH 463,000 a month. He several times pointed some problems in the operation of Ukrzaliznytsia. In an interview with Interfax-Ukraine Balczun said tat the scale of problems he faced at Ukrzaliznytsia is enormous. "I would say that I have not worked so hard before my working day lasts 14-15 hours," he said. Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers at a meeting on Wednesday approved changes to the nation's budget, customs and tax codes. "Tax loopholes providing opportunity for corruption have been tightened. Business regulations and procedures for administering taxes have been simplified," Ukrainian Finance Minister Oleksandr Danyliuk said about the measures. As earlier reported, on October 24 Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman said the positive performance demonstrated by Ukraine's Customs Service was not enough. He added progress would be accelerated by a necessary additional reform that may be launched on January 1, 2017. Ukraine reports over 30 attacks on its army positions in Donbas in past 24 hours Ukrainian army positions came under 34 attacks in the Donbas operation zone in the past 24 hours, the press service of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) headquarters said. Most shelling incidents, 24, were observed in the Mariupol sector, the report said. According to the ATO HQ, large-caliber machineguns, grenade launchers and small arms were fired near Starohnativka, Lebedynske and Pavlopil, while 82mm mortars continued to be used in Vodiane, Krasnohorivka and Taramchuk. "The hostiles fired 120mm mortars on Ukrainian army fortifications in Shyrokyne, and sniper rifles, machine guns, grenade launchers and small arms were used in addition to mortars in Maryinka," the ATO HQ said in the report posted on Facebook. Five attacks on Ukrainian army positions were seen in the Luhansk sector: small arms and grenade launchers were fired on Stanytsia Luhanska and Novo-Oleksandrivka, while 122mm tube artillery bombarded the vicinity of Bohuslavske, the report said. In the Donetsk sector, the vicinity of Avdiyivka came under five attacks by use of machine guns, grenade launchers and mortars of both calibers, the press service said. The Houston Chronicle released an investigation on Texas schools that have denied special needs courses to students. The Texas Education Agency has been implementing an 8.5 percent enrollment target for special needs students. Laredo Independent School District's number stand out in the second part of the investigation. L.I.S.D. Is among several Texas schools that has felt the pressure from TEA to meet the enrollment benchmark of 8.5 percent. The schools have been removing children with autism, learning disabilities, stuttering and other mental disabilities from special education courses. In the investigation by the Houston Chronicle, L.I.S.D. Is reported to have removed over 700 of its students from special education courses in 2007, when only 78 new students entered the program. Former L.I.S.D. staff say in the articles that they were instructed to pick kids to be taken out of the courses to help the district stay below a certain percentage. L.I.S.D. says they are making sure the students who need special services are receiving the proper services. L.I.S.D. also adds that the district offers alternative programs to facilitate some kids that might not qualify as special needs. Ukraine insists on suspending the leaders of the self-proclaimed republics in Donbas from power before local elections take place in separate areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine Kostiantyn Yeliseyev has said. "It's a matter of principle and we believe that all structures created in separate areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the period since 2014, including illegal, pseudo-legislative and executive structures, and also the heads of these pseudo-state formations should be dissolved even before the local elections," Yeliseyev said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine. He said that "a myth is now being disseminated that it's impossible to get rid of the fake administration because it will allegedly lead to a vacuum in the administration." "It's not true. From a legal viewpoint, the only legitimate local self-government structures in the separate areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions are local self-governance bodies elected in 2010. In accordance with the Ukrainian Constitution and the law on local self-governance, they ensure the exercise of their powers until the new elections," Yeliseyev said. Yeliseyev said the authorities that were legally elected in 2010 should resume their work and function to the full extent of their abilities. A woman who admitted theft and handling stolen property was sentenced to six months in prison. Leanna Hughes, Garryduff, Paulstown admitted stealing from the Bishop of Cloyne, William Crean. The court heard that on May 28 the bishop parked his car at St Mary's Cathedral carpark and left it unlocked. On the morning of May 29 the Bishop's attire was discovered stolen from the boot of his car. This included two crosses and chains, white robes and a signet ring. On May 30 the defendant was searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act and the signet ring and the two chains were found on her person. The defendant also told gardai where the bishops attire and other property was. Some of the property stolen included two parochial crosses which have been in the Diocese of Cloyne for over 100 years. The defendant also admitted stealing stolen property at Mac Donagh Junction on May 30. Hughes was seen with a suitcase, full of clothes, that was taken from a bus. The property was not recovered. Hughes has 43 previous convictions including 32 under The Theft and Fraud Offences Act. The court heard that the 22-year-old was in the 'throes of heroin addiction' at the time and has been addicted to alcohol and drugs since the age of 13. She is currently in custody. Judge Colin Daly sentenced Hughes to six months in prison. Over 100 jobs will be created when a new nursing home is completed in the north of the county. And it also means that after years of campaigning, one of the worst eyesores in Kilkenny will be removed in the next few weeks. It will make way for a new 85 bed nursing home on the site of the abandoned hotel on the outskirts of Urlingford, on the old road to Thurles. Up to 5 million is to be spent on the development which will begin before the end of November. This follows a grant of planning permission to Blockstar Building Ltd, C/o Ray Connolly, fire and risks solutions Limited, Crosshaven, Co Cork. The new facility will be known as the Blackstone Nursing Home. And there will be 50 construction jobs created over 12 to 18 months and where possible the developers have promised to employ local people. The area has been decimated since the opening of the Dublin-Cork motorway and the bypassing of Urlingford. There are behind the scenes negotiations to develop other idle areas within the environs of Urlingford. Cllr Mick McCarthy has been working closely to help bring about what he described as a notable economic boost. This new development will bring an immediate, positive impact he said. The existing site is a legacy of the economic crash and is an obvious eyesore on the outskirts of Urlingford. This rejuvenation will restore the visual aesthetics, create employment with obvious financial spin-offs. This is a great, positive story for North Kilkenny and the people of Urlingford and it offers a choice for those seeking a state-of-the-art purpose built care facility in country surroundings, he added. Approximately 300 entrepreneurs from across the South East descended on County Kilkennys Lyrath Estate Hotel on Thursday last v for the biggest networking event in the South East: Bizfest Inspiring Success. The aim of Bizfest is to provide an opportunity for owner/managers and their key staff across Ireland to make connections, while immersing themselves in the experience, entrepreneurial spirit and stories of entrepreneurs. Bizfest 2016 was hosted by Kilkenny, Carlow, Wexford, Waterford and Tipperary County Councils (Local Enterprise Offices), in association with Enterprise Ireland, the South East Action Plan for Jobs and Bank of Ireland. Speaking about the event, Orla Battersby, Head of Enterprise Irelands High Potential Start-up Division said she was delighted to be a partner in Bizfest 2016 and the success of the event goes to show that the South East business community believe that forming strong relationships and making connections is an essential part of their business. Opening the event, Kilkenny County Councils Chief Executive, Colette Byrne said the fastest and surest way to build solid business contacts today is through networking, however, networking is not only about making new connections, it is also about building lasting and mutually beneficial business relationships. Byrne outlined that since the establishment of the Local Enterprise Offices, we have been involved in many projects aimed at engagement of our local business community at local, national and international level. Byrne concluded by saying County Councils in the South East continue to look at ways to improve their supports to enterprise and acknowledged the contribution they make to the wider business community in the South East. This is and always will be, an important part of the Local Authoritys strategy to strengthen and facilitate the success of our private sector, today and beyond, by following the three principles of strategy, synergy and success. The panel event was kicked off by Richard Curran who outlined the achievements , challenges and opportunities of the companies assembled on the panel which included Rachel Doyle of The Arboretum; Michael Hoyne of Merlyn Showering; Mark Cradock of Maven TM; Cian O Maidin, nearForm; Ann O Brien, Kent Stainless and Philip Martin of Blanco Nino. Closing the event, David Merriman, Head of Enterprise at Bank of Ireland said we all share the common aspiration of building a world-class local eco-system, with various strategic initiatives such as Bizfest, which are aimed at helping shape and nurture the countrys future business leaders. A rescue dog who was stolen from his new home in Cuffesgrange almost three weeks ago has been re-united with his owner today after Gardai managed to locate him. Seamus, a brown and white lurcher/saluki, was taken from his dog pen on October 14, and his heartbroken owner Tara Roche has been at her wits end looking for him. There was a huge response on social media to a Kilkenny People story looking for information about him. Tara received phone calls from all over the country from people offering their support, sympathy, and possible sightings. Gardai found Seamus this morning, and it's understood that there is an ongoing investigation into how the dog came to be in the possession of the individuals with whom he was found. Tara, who is a veterinary nurse at Callan Veterinary Clinic, was overjoyed to be reunited with her beloved pet. He is in reasonably good condition he has lost some weight and has a nasty gash under one eye, but is otherwise fine. I have been everywhere trying to find him, a delighted Tara told the Kilkenny People. Thankfully, in this case, it was a happy ending. I cant thank everyone enough for all the publicity and help he probably wouldnt have been found by the Gardai otherwise. They took it very seriously. I had calls from all over the country people telling me they were looking for him, people conveying their best wishes. One lady in Wexford rang me everyday and put up posters all over Wexford. People are great. Horrible people took him, but people have just been great. Tara now says she is not sure how safe she feels leaving her dogs at home when she is away. Seamus pen had a high fence, a roof and was re-inforced and double locked. The people who took him tore it apart in their efforts to get him. Seamus is now safely back home and looking forward to a long nap beside the fire. (Adds Shell has no comment) By Felix Onuah ABUJA, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Royal Dutch Shell has resumed crude exports from the Forcados terminal in Nigeria's restive Niger Delta following repairs after a militant attack, the Nigerian presidency said on Tuesday. A spokeswoman for Shell declined to comment. "The Shell Director, Mr. Andrew Brown, informed the President of the resumption of oil exportation through the Forcados terminal following its restoration," the presidency said after a meeting between Brown and President Muhammadu Buhari. Brown is in charge of Shell's upstream business. Forcados crude has been under force majeure from operator Shell since a militant attack on the subsea pipeline in February, part of a wave against oil facilities in the Delta. Forcados exports were between 250,000 and 300,000 barrels per day prior to the strike claimed by a militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers. The Nigerian oil ministry had earlier said in a tweet the OPEC member's oil output had risen to 1.9 million bpd, up from the previously reported 1.4 million bpd. It did not explain why. "Brown commended the anti-corruption posture of the Buhari administration as well as the efforts to streamline and stabilise the economy for long term projects, saying all the efforts will go a long way to reinforce Shell investment plans in Nigeria," the presidency statement said. Brown also called for a "continued protection by the Nigerian navy in view of repeated threats of attack by militants". (Reporting by Felix Onuah, Ulf Laessing and Libby George; Writing by Ulf Laessing; Editing by Ruth Pitchford) (Kitco News) -Mixed U.S. economic data from the housing sector, is unable to prop gold up as prices fall into negative territory. Wednesday, the U.S. Commerce Department said that sales of new homes in September rose 3.1% to a seasonally adjusted rate of 593,000 units, up from Augusts revised sales rate of 575,000 homes. However, the sector is not as strong as the headline would suggest as Augusts initial report pegged the rate at 609,000 homes. The data was also slightly worse than expected as economists were forecasts a sales rate of 601,000. Ahead of the sales numbers, gold prices were relatively unchanged on the day, managing to shake off stronger-than-expected preliminary U.S. manufacturing data; however the report has pushed gold to session lows, last trading at $1,270.30, down 0.26% on the day. Gold prices have now fallen below the 200-day moving average, which comes in at $1,272.40 an ounce. Royce Mendes, senior economist at CIBC World Markets, dismissed the weaker than expected housing data, saying that the sector is still expanding. The report noted that Septembers sales rate was almost 30% higher compared to last year. While this number came as a disappointment, the overall momentum in both new and existing home sales continues to suggest healthy growth, he said. The report noted a rise in new home prices. Last month the median sales price was $313,500, up compared to August price of $284,000; at the same time the average prices in September was $377,700, up compared to the previous months average price of $353,600. The inventory of new homes for sale was 235,000 as of the end of September, presenting at 4.8-month supply at the current sales pace. By Neils Christensen of Kitco News; nchristensen@kitco.com Follow @Neils_C A roadmap for the implementation of the Minsk peace agreements on Donbas should contain clear conditions for the Verkhovna Rada to consider a draft bill on elections in separate districts in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, a representative of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's administration has said. "Let me return to the draft roadmap. It is the [document] that should stipulate that the implementation of number of security-related conditions should be the imperative for tabling this draft law in parliament in Ukraine," Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine Kostiantyn Yeliseyev has said. The parliament will be able to appoint a date for local elections in Donbas only after there is a guarantee that the Russian forces and weapons are not being smuggled to Ukraine, after the implementation of other conditions in the security sphere, he said. "After that, 90 days will be given for preparations for the elections in keeping with OSCE standards. And during that period, the Ukrainian media should resume work and actively perform in those districts amid free campaigning by Ukrainian political parties," he said. In his words, there should be not a single shot in Donbas during those 90 days, the ceasefire should be fully observed. "OSCE/ODIHR should arrange an evaluation million, following which they should conclude whether all the conditions required for democratic elections have been observed and whether they could be held within the set timeframe," he explained. "In short, all the necessary conditions must be fulfilled for the elections to take place along with the observance of OSCE democratic standards and in accordance with the Ukrainian legislation," he said. Describing the mechanics of the draft law on Donbas elections, Yeliseyev said: "The draft law itself must come from the Ukrainian Parliament, debated and voted within the walls of Parliament." Therefore, according to him, only Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada, as a legislative body, should decide on this electoral process. "Experts in accordance with the agreements in Minsk and within the Normandy format only work on modalities of the elections in accordance with OSCE/ODIHR standards and on the basis of Ukrainian legislation, but it is the Ukrainian parliament to decide," he explained. "So, I'd like to reassure those who claim about voting on an allegedly unknown bill on elections tomorrow it will be a genuine act of parliament," he added. Oct 26 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories from selected Canadian newspapers. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. THE GLOBE AND MAIL ** The proportion of Metro Vancouver homes left vacant or not used as a primary residence has almost doubled since 2001, a time when the region's residential real estate sector increasingly became a magnet for both local and foreign investors, according to a new study based on 30 years of census data. ** Three divisions of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce have reached a settlement deal with the Ontario Securities Commission after revealing they overcharged fees to clients for up to 14 years. ** Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says financial donation limits in federal politics are too low for wealthy donors to buy influence with his cabinet ministers. NATIONAL POST ** Cord cutting took a bigger bite out of Canada's broadcast industry last year as younger audiences increasingly listened to music and watched television over the Internet, according to the federal broadcast regulator. ** The use of short-term payday loans - where charges in some provinces can be equivalent to an annual percentage rate of 500 per cent - has doubled recently to include 4 percent of Canadian households, according to the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada. The survey of 1,500 payday loan users showed that many Canadians are unaware of the high cost compared to alternative sources of funds. (Compiled by Vishal Sridhar) By Sandhya Sampath Oct 26 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets were lower on Wednesday tracking regional peers, led by the Philippines after President Rodrigo Duterte lashed out anew at the United States. Philippine shares declined more than 1 percent, in a fifth straight session of losses, dragged down by consumer staples and financials, with conglomerate Ayala Land Inc losing 1.2 percent. Investors continue to be jittery as Duterte expressed his resentment at having foreign troops in the Philippines and told the U.S. to forget the bilateral defence deal if he stayed in power long enough. The comments came right before his trip to U.S. ally Japan, a big investor in the Philippines that is becoming nervous about its apparent leanings towards rival power China. Duterte's delegation to Japan expects to bring home private-sector deals worth around $2 billion, the BusinessWorld daily reported online on Tuesday, citing the Philippines' trade secretary. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slid 0.8 percent. "Oil prices are softer and U.S. markets closed on the back foot which also makes Asian equity markets look not particularly upbeat," said Vishnu Varathan, a senior economist with Singapore-based Mizuho Corporate Bank. The Singapore Index fell 0.7 percent, in a second session of losses, weighed down by energy and industrials. Oil rig builders Sembcorp Industries Ltd and Keppel Corp Ltd fell 3.5 percent and 1 percent, respectively, as crude oil prices fell more than a percent on a report showing a surge in U.S. inventories. Sembcorp Industries was the biggest loser on the index. Singapore's industrial production in September grew much better-than-expected, led by increases in electronics and pharmaceuticals output, but market reaction to the growth was muted. Thai shares , which fell 0.3 percent, were also hurt by lower oil prices, with oil and natural gas refiner PTT Exploration and Production Public Co Ltd falling 1.5 percent, while Airports of Thailand Public Co Ltd fell 0.3 percent. Malaysian stocks and Indonesia lost marginally, while Vietnam stocks were 0.4 percent lower. For Asian Companies click; SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS Change at 0520 GMT Market Current Previous Close Pct Move Singapore 2831.23 2854.05 -0.80 Bangkok 1502.82 1506.47 -0.24 Manila 7499.73 7580.22 -1.06 Jakarta 5391.944 5397.821 -0.11 Kuala Lumpur 1674.27 1677.43 -0.19 Ho Chi Minh 673.49 676.18 -0.40 Change on year Market Current End prev yr Pct Move Singapore 2831.23 2882.73 -1.79 Bangkok 1502.82 1288.02 16.68 Manila 7499.73 6952.08 7.88 Jakarta 5391.944 4593.008 17.39 Kuala Lumpur 1674.27 1692.51 -1.08 Ho Chi Minh 673.49 579.03 16.31 (Reporting by Sandhya Sampath in Bengaluru; Editing by Amrutha Gayathri) HANOI, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Here's a snapshot of Vietnamese dong exchange rates in the official and unofficial markets, indicative SJC gold prices in Hanoi and interbank offered rates at 0411 GMT. Oct 26 Oct 25 USD/VND mid-point 22,030 22,033 USD/VND interbank 22,335/22,337 22,305/22,370 USD/VND unofficial 22,330/22,345 22,350/22,360 SJC gold (mln dong/tael) 35.55/35.80 35.46/35.72 Interbank offered rates Overnight 0.4-0.9 0.3-0.9 1 week 0.5-1.0 0.3-0.9 1 month 1.4-1.8 1.3-1.8 3 months 3.2-3.7 3.2-3.7 NOTES: As of Jan. 4, 2016 the State Bank of Vietnam has begun setting the mid-point rate on daily basis, allowing dollar/dong transactions to move in a band of +/- 3 percent around the mid point. The dong's exchange rate against other currencies is not restricted by a band. Interbank offered rates are the latest indicative bid/ask prices, quoted from market sources. One tael is equivalent to 37.5 grams or 1.21 troy ounces. SJC gold prices are quoted by state-owned Saigon Jewelry Co. For more interbank rate fixings released at 0400 GMT, click on . For Vietnam market overview click on: Vietnam's bonds market auctions: Bonds auction results: (Compiled by Hanoi Newsroom) SHARE By Christina Henry of the Kitsap Sun PORT ORCHARD The Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual gala Saturday in Bremerton for lack of a venue in South Kitsap. Matt Murphy, executive director for the chamber, has fielded some complaints about the decision to hold the Masquerade Ball and Gala at the Kitsap Conference Center in downtown Bremerton. "People have expressed disappointment, but it kind of is what it is," he said. The fact is the chamber's options are limited for the type of affair planned: more than 125 people in cocktail attire out for a night on the town. The chamber at its gala will present the annual "Gully Awards" to South Kitsap businesses in several categories. Last year the first year of the gala the chamber rented out the upstairs of the Port Orchard Eagles hall. It was a little tight. The downstairs of the venue is adequate in size but "eclectic" in decor, not quite the ambiance the chamber is after. The cost to rent the conference center is nearly a wash, given the chamber had to supply its own tables, linens, silverware and sound system at last year's gala. Those items are covered in the Kitsap Conference Center's services, Murphy said. The conference center is a member of the Port Orchard chamber, according to Murphy. The Clubhouse at McCormick Woods is classy, but space is a factor. The chamber would have had to put its silent auction baskets in a separate room to make space for guests. Murphy praised both the Eagles and McCormick Woods as venues for smaller or less formal occasions. The chamber holds regular meetings at both. The closure last winter of the Port Orchard Pavilion on Bay Street eliminated an option for the gala that would have been attractive to the chamber, Murphy said. He hopes someone will step in to lease the 14,850-square-foot, two-story building in which Delilah Rene ran the Port Orchard Pavilion event center for nearly seven years. Rene closed the business in March, saying she had been subsidizing operations and could no longer afford the rent. Abadan Holdings LLC, representing property owner Mansour Samadpour, had extended financial concessions to the Pavilion on several occasions, including reducing the monthly rent of $5,000 established in 2009 to $4,000 per month in 2012, according to Mary Ogborn, Abadan's corporate counsel. Negotiations over a one-year lease extension stalled late last year. Abadan had proposed $4,000 per month for a year, Ogborn said, and if the Pavilion wished to lease month to month, the price would be $6,000. The property is listed with Reid Property Management for $6,000 per month. Murphy said the Pavilion would make a good venue for weddings, service club meetings and other community events. "It wouldn't take a lot to make a go of it," Murphy said. "Mansour is not being unreasonable in his requirements." Last year's gala and awards ceremony was a first for the chamber. Many chambers host installation dinners. "Quite honestly, I'm not sure most of our members want to go to an installation dinner," said Murphy, with the chamber for two years now. "It started out in my mind as an appreciation." The chamber in the past has given a "business of the year" award. Last year, awards were expanded into separate categories, including restaurant-hospitality, professional services, retail, rising star, small business, health care, nonprofit, trades and construction, and young professional. Nominations come from the community. Nominated businesses submit a profile, and profiles are judged by committees of chamber members for each category. The response from members was enthusiastic. "We found a lot of people were really interested in the social aspects of it," Murphy said. SHARE In a solemn moment at the Al Smith dinner, Hillary Clinton said, "(W)e need to get better at finding ways to disagree on matters of policy while agreeing on questions of decency and civility how we talk to each other, treat each other, respect each other." And she's right. She absolutely needs to salute that flag. The dinner, we know, is mostly a joke fest. Every four years, with some exceptions, the two principal presidential candidates show up in formal dress. Each has self-deprecating humorous moments, slinging just a few funny lines at the other side, and everyone is happy. The Catholic Church, sponsoring the affair, gets lots of money to help needy children, and people leave with good feelings. This year was different. Donald Trump told some great jokes on himself and Clinton and then seriously hit Clinton, rightly earning boos. Clinton then did much the same, going after him with some pretty tough zingers, getting a few boos, too, and then, at the end getting preachy in a semi-disguised diatribe. It may have sounded to some like a general statement of ideals, but it was clearly meant to smear Trump as she discussed those who appeal to "fear and division" in contrast to the godly command of loving one's neighbors. To underline Trump's position on immigration, she talked about Catholics as the descendants of immigrants who had to fight their way up. She pointed to all the prejudice Catholics have faced as a way of knocking his once calling for a ban on Muslims coming here. She talked about a need "to build bridges, not walls," as a not so hidden reference to you know what. She cited Pope Francis as warning against a "mindset of hostility," meaning Trump's hostility, of course. So here is question one. Is it civil, reflecting a mindset of love, to spend a fortune on TV ads depicting Trump as a woman hater, a vulgar and rotten human scarring children with his talk, a Ku Klux Klan sympathizer, and falsely as someone who would nuke our allies in Western Europe? That's just for starters because there are scads of other such ads, plus Cher calling Trump Hitler at a Clinton rally. Well, you say, he deserves it, but isn't that a way of saying two wrongs make a right, and what about the millions of his followers Clinton described as racists, sexists, xenophobes, homophobes and otherwise deplorable? Is that what she thinks of as building bridges? Is that her idea of how to end division? In the discussion about police shooting blacks, Clinton has also said that cops are racist, at least "implicitly," which merely means their actions show as much. That's no way to bring people together, and, when pushed on it, she said, well, the whole country is racist. In other words, it is not just the cops and half of Trump's supporters but all of us, apparently including Hillary herself. Clinton's campaign honchos have also discussed Catholicism in a dismissive way, leading one archbishop, first describing her as "a scheming, robotic liar," to add that she has an "entourage riddled with anti-Catholic bigots." He was not warmhearted about Trump, either, it should be said. Trump did once say a protester should be punched in the face. Some of Clinton's supporters, including Vice President Joe Biden, have talked about punching him. It bears repeating by me and others that, as secretary of state, Clinton once said that a drone should be used to take out Julian Assange. Our Democratic candidate, who is almost sure to win the election, is also known as being rude to the point of slinging curse words at Secret Service agents and others trying to serve her. Trump is unquestionably indecent and uncivil, but Clinton is no sweetheart, either, despite her deceptions to the contrary. Jay Ambrose is an op-ed columnist for Tribune News Service. Readers may email him at speaktojay@aol.com. SHARE Ed Habecker, Poulsbo Fast-ferry plan yields too little Proposition 1, if passed, authorizes Kitsap Transit to commence operating a passenger only ferry between Kitsap County and Seattle. As proposed, the system will benefit relatively few individuals while increasing the sales tax for all Kitsap residents. The boats assigned to the Bremerton run will carry 118 passengers. Three sailings during the peak AM/PM commute periods will serve less than 400 passengers. And most of these are already being served by the existing Washington State Ferry system at a significantly lower cost. Fares charges by Kitsap Transit will cover only 28 percent of the planned operating costs. A round-trip ticket on the Bremerton to Seattle run will cost the rider $12; the county will pay $30 to subsidize the round trip fare. Total subsidy will require a $50 contribution per year by every man, woman and child who resides in Kitsap County. The plan is heavily dependent on obtaining federal and state grants to purchase the vessels needed. There is no guarantee that these funds will be available. What happens if the grants don't materialize? It is optimism bordering on arrogance to thinks that Kitsap County's 250,000 residence can support a foot ferry system that is redundant to, and in competition with the Washington State Ferry system. This proposal yields too little benefit to the county at too great a price. SHARE Mary Gleysteen, Kingston Gun initiative will prevent tragedy I write in support of Initiative 1491, which will help keep a person who demonstrates "a significant danger to himself/herself or others from possessing or accessing firearms." While this initiative alone will not solve the epidemic of gun violence in our society, it carries the potential to reduce the incidence of death, injury and suffering caused by firearms in Washington state. Currently, a person who knows that a family member experiencing mental illness is dangerous and has a gun is powerless to prevent that person from possessing firearms. Law enforcement officers are also powerless to remove weapons from such a person despite a family member's report of threat of violence and intention to harm self or others. In cases like these, Initiative 1491 will allow family members or law enforcement officer to ask a judge to issue an order restricting access to fire arms for a period of one year. Studies have shown that the majority of mass shooters and as well as those attempting suicide have previously exhibited signs of their intention to cause harm. When family members clearly foresee the danger and are unable to effectively intervene, the tragedy is compounded. Not only the shooting victims and their loved ones are affected, but also the impaired shooter and his family and friends who must live with the consequences of a senseless act which might have been prevented. Please vote for Initiative 1491. The Dom Post editorial: Police raids on elderly people associated with the voluntary euthanasia movement are surprising and disturbing. So are suggestions that police officers are staking out meetings, taking down number plates, and paying such people a visit to probe them on their intentions. Its true that the police are charged with upholding the law, and that the law bans assisted suicide, as well as the importation of drugs commonly used to achieve it. But the police also make decisions all the time about how to divide their time and resources. They have only recently committed to attending all burglaries, for instance, even though they solve only a fraction of them. Community police stations have been phased back. In 2014/2015, there were nearly half a million fewer drink-drive tests than the year before. In that straitened environment, it is especially odd that the police are running an operation, codenamed Painter, that targets elderly people concerned about the end of their lives. Even if the police had endless resources, it would still be a troubling investigation. The thought of officers interrogating octogenarians seeking to make decisions about their own lives is an unwelcome one. Fears of intimidation are rightly at the heart of objections to legalising euthanasia. But here the situation might be reversed it is not hard to imagine elderly people feeling harassed by officers. The keys to the country have been handed down the ranks five places. On Thursday, Paula Bennett is Prime Minister. Shes taken up the reins because John Key is in India, Bill English and Steven Joyce are across the ditch, and Gerry Brownlee is in Paris meaning the Social Housing Minister is officially the acting Prime Minister. I am the acting Prime Minister for I think all of 24 hours. The boys are leaving it to me, Ms Bennett told Newshub. Its the first time a woman has been in power since Helen Clark. So what does one do with such power? Change all the laws? Settle in for a bubble bath at Premier House? A parade perhaps? Well I was told that a parade was a step too far, Ms Bennett said. But I was slightly tempted. The five crucial issues Ukraine wants to include in the roadmap for the implementation of the Minsk agreements were announced by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko at a recent 'Normandy Four' meeting in Berlin, Deputy Head of the Ukrainian Presidential Administration Kostiantyn Yeliseyev has said. "During the Berlin summit, the Ukrainian president clearly defined five key redlines, which are crucial to Ukraine and should be included in the future roadmap," Yeliseyev told Interfax-Ukraine in an interview. The first issue is the currently uncontrolled sector of the Ukraine-Russia border, he said. "The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission should finally receive unhampered access to the entire temporarily occupied territory, including the border. As prescribed by Clause 4 of the Minsk Protocol dated September 5, 2014, constant monitoring of the Ukrainian-Russian state border and verification should be provided, in addition to a security zone in border areas of Ukraine and Russia," he said. The roadmap should also clearly say how Ukraine would retake full control of the Ukrainian-Russian border consistent with the Package of Measures dated February 12, 2015. The second issue is the withdrawal of Russian troops and armaments from the Donbas territories uncontrolled by Kyiv: it should be clear when and how it is to happen, he said. Thirdly, security at possible local elections should be provided with international assistance, he said. "The fourth is the issue related to the disbanding all the fake structures of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic, created after 2014. Just imagine that 24 pseudo-ministries and departments, including the so-called 'foreign ministry', are currently functioning in Donetsk. The number is even larger in Luhansk. All of them were created to imitate the so-called statehood of those territories," he said. The fifth issue is the immediate release of all Ukrainian hostages held in the uncontrolled territories and Ukrainian prisoners kept in Russian jails, Yeliseyev said. There are a number of other important areas, such as economic and social matters, but the aforesaid five issues are the key demands of Ukraine for preparations of the future roadmap, he said. He said Ukraine had presented its proposals to the 'Normandy format' partners. Poroshenko, Biden agree on importance of U.S. engagement in facilitating Minsk implementation Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko informed U.S. Vice President Joe Biden about a recent meeting in the Normandy format in Berlin during a telephone conversation. Poroshenko and Biden "particularly acknowledged the importance of continuing the policy of actively engaging the U.S. in facilitating the implementation of the Minsk agreements and the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity," the Ukrainian presidential press service said. The parties also discussed the course of Ukrainian reforms and their further support by the U.S. Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman says his e-declaration of assets is ready, but he could not finalize the process due to a possible system malfunction. "I'd like to announce that my e-declaration is ready. [I'll finalize the process] after the government meeting, as soon as I can, and if there are no technical issues I tried to get access to the system until three o'clock in the morning, but it was impossible. But the main thing is that we found a final solution to the minimum official wages right before half past two in the morning, and it was the right time," he said at a government meeting in Kyiv on Wednesday. Knox County lawyer censured OCTOBER 26, 2016 at 12:34 p.m. KNOXVILLE -- On October 25, 2016, Chadwick Barry Tindell, an attorney in Knoxville, received a Public Censure from the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Tennessee Supreme Court. According to the Board, Tindell demonstrated a lack of competence and diligence by repeatedly violating procedural rules and filing requirements when representing debtors in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding. Tindell violated Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1 (competence) and 1.3 (diligence). A Public Censure is a rebuke and warning to the attorney, but it does not affect the attorneys ability to practice law. Published October 26, 2016 Ukraine intends to continue defending the division line in Donbas that was registered in Minsk on September 19, 2014, the Ukrainian presidential administration said. "We constantly insist on going back to the division line of September 19, 2014. There is a considerable difference between the line of September 19, 2014 and of February 15, 2015, by which point almost 1,500 square kilometers had been taken over by Russian militants," Deputy Head of the Ukrainian Presidential Administration Kostiantyn Yeliseyev said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine. He said it is important that the sides in Berlin recognize that all three agreements earlier achieved within the Minsk framework are fundamental for the Donbas settlement. "It is vital to us because Russia has urged a revision of this policy and its non-recognition. We will seek the beginning of demilitarization on the example of Debaltseve, restoration of the functioning of all self-government bodies there, the start of normal life there. It's our territory, which should be under Ukrainian control according to the September 19 line," Yeliseyev said. "Of course, this issue drew a negative reaction from the Russian side because this issue will not be easy during the debate," he said. Free teen defensive driving program comes to Knoxville OCTOBER 26, 2016 at 2:11 p.m. Chilhowee Park in Knoxville, Tennessee, will host Free Teen Defensive Driving Program Nov. 19-20, led by drag racing champion Doug Herbert, on a mission to save lives. KNOXVILLE Knoxville teens and their parents will have an opportunity to have free defensive driver training soon. The training sessions will be led by drag racing champion Doug Herbert. From November 19-20, B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe) will hold classes at Chilhowee Park. Classes are four hours, beginning with a classroom session followed by behind-the-wheel driving exercises including panic braking, crash avoidance and car control, and distracted driving avoidance, all free of charge and taught by professional instructors. Vehicles will be provided by Kia Motors America. Car crashes are the number-one cause of death among teens in this country, and we started B.R.A.K.E.S. eight years ago to try and do something about that, said Doug Herbert, who founded B.R.A.K.E.S. after losing his two young sons, Jon and James, in a tragic car crash in 2008. During our first year we trained about 50 kids. By the end of 2016 we hope to have instructed over 30,000 teens. B.R.A.K.E.S. has instructed over 20,000 teens since its inception. Space is limited and seats are filling quickly. Online registration is available at www.putonthebrakes.org. Published October 26, 2016 A member of the organization Right Sector, which is banned in Russia, has been detained in Donetsk, the press service for the State Security Ministry of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) said. "The DPR State Security Ministry has detained Liliya Romanivna Kots, 28, a citizen of Ukraine, a native of the village of Novy-Rozdil, Lviv region," the press service told reporters on Wednesday. "It has been determined that citizen Liliya Romanivna Kots, being an active member of the [] Right Sector and OUN, arrived in the territory of the republic on an assignment from these organizations to organize the abduction of a serviceman of the DPR Armed Forces," an official with the DPR State Security Ministry said. By Choi Sung-jin The Chinese government has reportedly decided to control the number of tourists visiting Korea, throwing related industries into an emergency. Some analysts here say the Beijing government is retaliating against Seoul for its decision to deploy a U.S. antimissile system in Korea, which Chinese officials say is aimed at spying on their missile bases. The Chinese government has told Korean tour agencies of its decision, industry sources said Tuesday. More specifically, Beijing wants to cut Chinese visitors to Korea by 20 percent from last year's level and restrict their shopping here to once a day. Violators will face a fine of up to 300,000 yuan, or 50 million won ($44,200). Industry watchers say the move reaffirmed their concerns that the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system could develop into the "second garlic shock." In 2000, the government slapped 10-times higher import duties on Chinese garlic to protect Korean farmers, and Beijing hit back by banning imports of Korean mobile phones and polyethylene. Seoul played hardball in defiance of international laws to protect the domestic farming industry at the time but had to cut the tariff to previous levels in the face of strong protests from the local business community. If the Chinese government curbs travel to Korea, the damage to duty-free stores, cosmetics makers, retailers and tour agencies is more than obvious because the Chinese account for 40 percent of Korea's tourism revenue, the sources said. As news spread of Beijing's decision, the share price of related businesses fell more than 10 percent. At 2 p.m. Tuesday, the shares of AmorePacific, a major cosmetics maker, were trading at 345,500 won, down 36,500 won from Monday. LG Household and Health Care saw its share price fall 72,000 won to 851,000 won. The situation was little different for two major tour agencies -- Hana and Mode -- which also experienced drops of 4,100 won and 1,050 won, respectively. Other Korean exporters to China may likely suffer damage, too. Many Korean companies are focusing on the Chinese market, diversifying from saturated markets in the United States and Japan under the extensive financial support of the government. If Beijing takes retaliatory steps in the economy, it will deal a serious blow to the export industry and the overall economy, the watchers said. "China's latest move is aimed in part to root out cheap package tours and to send a warning to Korea with respect to Seoul's military siding with the U.S.," said a researcher at Hanwha Investment and Securities. "In any case, a sudden drop in Chinese visitors will inevitably strike a blow to Korea's tourism sector." Noting that the regulatory impact will begin to be felt after China's national holiday season, the researcher said domestic tour agencies will have to lower their expectations beginning next month. By Lee Hyo-sik KOTRA CEO Kim Jae-hong Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) will mobilize all its resources to help prop up the nation's faltering exports, the company CEO said Wednesday. The state-run export promoter initially plans to organize trade fairs at home and abroad over the next two months to bolster demand for made-in-Korea products in foreign markets. "We just received an additional 25 billion won ($22 million) from the government and plan to use it to expand our overseas marketing and other activities to increase overseas demand for Korean products," KOTRA CEO Kim Jae-hong said during a press conference at the company's headquarters in southern Seoul, Wednesday. "We will hold the Boom-up Korea Week here in November and other events to help local exporters meet with foreign buyers. We will also host trade exhibitions in the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and India to raise buyer interest in a range of Korean products." Kim expressed concern over the deteriorating global trade environment, stressing that domestic exporters should double their efforts to maintain market share. In the first nine months of 2016, Korea's exports declined 8.5 percent from the same period a year earlier. China's declining demand for intermediate goods from overseas is the main culprit for Korea's falling outbound shipments this year, according to Kim, who said local firms should shift their focus to cosmetics and other consumer goods sought by increasingly wealthy Chinese people. "I believe the time is over for Korean exporters to sell intermediate goods to China as the world's second-largest economy has invested significantly to produce many parts and components on its own," he said. "In addition, increasing protectionism in the United States, India and China has also hit Korea's export sector hard. But nonetheless, we have to tide over unfavorable conditions and expand our global market share." Domestic firms should focus more on the United States, India and Southeast Asia where consumer demand has been relatively strong, the CEO said. "At the same time, they should target China's rapidly growing consumer market," he said. "Iran and Myanmar, which recently emerged from isolation, could also be lucrative markets for us." Kim projected that Korea's exports will grow in 2017, mostly on a technical rebound, stressing that KOTRA will spare no effort to enable exporters to expand their presence abroad. The Netherlands is expected to table by November 1, 2016, its proposals for the ratification of the Association Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine, Deputy Head of the Ukrainian Presidential Administration Kostiantyn Yeliseyev has said. "The situation is uneasy, but not hopeless. After the meeting of the Council of the European Union in Brussels on October 20-21, the situation has improved to the extent that the EU leaders called on the Prime Minister of the Netherlands to intensify work and submit proposals, if possible, before November 1, as for ratification of the Association Agreement," Yeliseyev said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine. According to him, the EU leaders proceed from the fact that it will be a disaster both for Ukraine and the EU if this important document has not been ratified. "Therefore, the EU leadership has motivated the Dutch government to submit the proposals," he said. In addition, a Ukrainian delegation led by Ukraine's Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin will go to The Hague soon, as was instructed by President Petro Poroshenko, to hold consultations with the Dutch Parliament and try to reach a compromise for the ratification of the Agreement, Yeliseyev said. POSCO Co., South Korea's largest steelmaker, said Wednesday it swung to a net income in the third quarter thanks to brisk steel sales in the overseas market and cost-cutting efforts. Its consolidated net income came to 475.5 billion won ($419.8 million) in the July-September period, compared with a 658.2 billion-won net loss from a year earlier, the company said in a regulatory filing. Operating profit also turned to the black to reach 1.03 trillion won in the period, surpassing the 1 trillion-won mark for the first time in four years. The figure far exceeded the market consensus of 911.4 billion won compiled by Yonhap Infomax, the financial news and information arm of Yonhap News Agency. Sales fell 8.9 percent on-year to 12.74 trillion won, it said. POSCO said strong demand for premium steel products improved the overall profitability, led by robust revenue from Mexico, Vietnam, India and Indonesia. Its operating profits from overseas branches soared 1,148 percent compared with the previous quarter, it noted. The steelmaker said its debt ratio was 70.4 percent on a consolidated base as of the end of September, shedding 5.5 percentage points from three months earlier, thanks to its restructuring efforts. POSCO has streamlined its affiliates over the past year to cut costs amid the global supply glut and tougher competition with Chinese rivals. Shares of POSCO edged down 0.4 percent to 248,000 won on the Seoul bourse, versus KOSPI's 1.22 percent loss. The earnings results were disclosed after the market closed. (Yonhap) Songdo citizens stage a protest against the Incheon Metropolitan Government in front of Incheon City Hall, west of Seoul, Wednesday. / Courtesy of Songdo International City Citizens Coalition By Park Jae-hyuk Incheon Metropolitan City has allegedly sold land in Songdo International Business District (IBD) to pay off its debt amid financial difficulties, the biggest resident group in Songdo said. Hundreds of members of Songdo International City Citizens Coalition held a rally in front of Incheon City Hall, Wednesday, claiming the city government is annihilating Songdo. Rep. Min Kyung-wook of the ruling Saenuri Party joined the rally, along with members of the city and district councils. Residents claimed that several development works have been delayed or canceled, after Songdo development funds being transferred to the city government caused a budgetary deficit. Designated as one of three districts of the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ), Songdo has been operated through the special funds on a self-paying basis. Residents said the city government has weakened the competitiveness of Songdo, as it has invested development gains from Songdo into the old downtown, even though Songdo must cover business costs to build infrastructure with investors' own money and no support from Incheon. They see such a problem has been caused by Incheon illegally transferring assets from special IFEZ accounts to the general accounts of the city government. As the budget of the IFEZ Authority decreased from 1 trillion won ($882 million) in 2009 to 420 billion won this year, infrastructure construction projects, such as the Water Front, 151 Incheon Tower and foreign hospitals, have been delayed, the Songdo residents said. Lacking living spaces for investors has also prompted the city government to sell off the land, according to the residents. They worry the city government will not be obligated to pay the outstanding liabilities, after the IFEZ Authority's dissolution between 2020 and 2030. The development of the IFEZ is expected to be completed by then. During the rally, the residents required Incheon to prohibit the transfer of Songdo development funds and required to separate Songdo District from the city. An Incheon City Hall official said, "Some residents seem to hold a different view on selling of assets, but the assets have been transferred to the city government according to the related law." He said the city government and IFEZ are not separate bodies, but both are under the control of the Incheon city government. By Park Jin-hai The missionary radio station Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC) Korea held a forum on the unification of Korea, Tuesday. At the 41st Far East Forum under the theme "Christian Responsibilities for the Reunification of Korea" in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, former Korean Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik gave a special lecture on what the faithful should do to unite the two Koreas into one nation. Kim said the fast and sudden unification of Germany would not have been possible if the church had not been at the center. "The biggest locomotive for the German unification has come from the Monday demonstrations, which were also called a religious protest. It began with the Christians in East Germany leading Monday prayers and then taking to the street to conduct peaceful political protests against the government," he said. "Hundreds grew into hundreds of thousands German unification proceeded, gathering momentum at an unrelenting rate, breaking down the Berlin Wall in 1989 and finally bringing unification to Germany the following year." Over 500 people, including ruling Saenuri Party Chairman Lee Jung-hyun and People's Party leader Park Ji-won, attended the forum. Calling German unification not the work of humans but that of the God, Kim drew parallels between the economic woes of North Korea of today and those of East Germany prior to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Kim said reunification requires consistent policies aimed to win the hearts of North Koreans. "Once we figure out in detail what our compatriots in the North are confronting, we should continue the dialogue with the North, and push forward the unification policies consistently, instead of blowing hot and cold depending on administration changes. That way we can win the hearts of North Koreans and inch ourselves closer to unification," he said. Kim closed the lecture asking the audience not to become too conscious of the costs of unification but to think what it did for the good of East Germany, which experienced a sharp decline in its suicide rate and over a five-year period following unification extended the average lifespan. "We Christians should pray for the agonizing North Korean citizens and do what we can to extend our help. Germany did it and we can make it happen, too," said Kim. FEBC Korea has been hosting the forum since 2003 to discuss the issues of the times in the perspective of Christianity, inviting experts from politics, economy and international relations. Beginning with the former USFK Commanding General Leon LaPorte, renowned guests including the late President Kim Young-sam and former President Lee Myung-bak have given speeches at the forum. South Korea's ruling and opposition parties urged President Park Geun-hye on Wednesday to properly tackle allegations that her close confidante has been involved in state affairs, adding that her options include giving up her party ties and the appointment of a special prosecutor to probe all allegations raised. Since the news broke earlier in the week, the political discourse has been engulfed by the so-called Choi Soon-sil scandal, which even compelled Park to apologize to the people. Local reports revealed Choi had received and edited dozens of presidential speeches before they were made public, as well as other confidential documents, despite holding no official post in the Park administration. Broadcaster JTBC found the speeches on a computer that was thrown away at Choi's office in southern Seoul. "South Korea's Constitution stipulates the country has only one president. But it turned out two presidents led the nation," said Rep. Choo Mi-ae, the head of the main opposition Democratic Party, claiming Choi virtually acted as the other president. "Testimonies showed Choi received presidential reports from Cheong Wa Dae every day and gave orders. Other reports showed Choi heads a secretive organization and imposes influence on state affairs, as well as the business community," Choo argued. Choi is the fifth daughter of Park's late mentor Choi Tae-min who died in 1994. Observers said Park built a friendship with the Choi family after her mother and then-first lady Yook Young-soo was assassinated in 1974. On Tuesday, Park admitted that Choi Soon-sil "offered me personal comments" on her speeches and campaigns, adding that the woman in question had provided her with help when she was going through hard times. After the death of her mother, Park's father, former President Park Chung-hee, was killed by his own spy chief in 1979. "If the allegations continue to rise and stay unattended, the public outcry will be directed towards the president. We urge Park to have a deep self-reflection and make a prompt decision," the lawmaker added. Rep. Woo Sang-ho, the opposition's floor leader, added although the president cannot be prosecuted, it does not mean that she is immune from the obligation to reveal the truth. Some in the opposition demanded the resignation of the Cabinet over the incident. Lawmakers of the ruling Saenuri Party also expressed deep concerns over the allegations being raised, with some of its members demanding Park give up her Saenuri membership. During her interview with SBS Radio, Rep. Na Kyung-won of Saenuri said Park would have no choice but to leave the party, adding other top staff members of the presidential office should resign. Rep. Kim Young-tae of Saenuri echoed the view, adding there must be a thorough investigation on the matter, and that having Park linked to Saenuri will emerge as a heavy burden for the party going forward. Other lawmakers, on the other hand, expressed concerns over the possible secession, adding Saenuri also cannot avoid criticism. "Asking Park to leave the party is a mere act of evading responsibility," said Rep. Choung Byoung-guk of Saenuri during an interview with PBC Radio, adding the ruling party should also focus efforts on mending the situation. Since 1987, former President Lee Myung-bak was the only head of the country to maintain his party membership throughout his term. The remaining presidents had dropped their memberships due to their involvement in corruption and other strife within the parties. (Yonhap) By Ko Dong-hwan Driver's licenses issued in Korea and Pennsylvania State have become exchangeable. Consul General of Korea in New York Kim Ghee-whan and Leslie Richards, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (DOT), signed the reciprocal license agreement on Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday. The commonwealth state acknowledged that Korea and Pennsylvania share "comparable knowledge and driving skills requirements" for non-commercial drivers. And the agreement "streamlines" the exchange of non-commercial driver's licenses for applicants from Korea living in Pennsylvania and applicants from Pennsylvania living in Korea, according to the DOT. The agreement allows Korean citizens to obtain a Pennsylvania driver's license when they establish legal residency in the state. It is the same for Pennsylvanians who claim legal residency in Korea. "This agreement not only symbolizes the mutual trust our governments have in one another, but also illustrates the concern we both have for the safety of our citizens," Richards said. "This action will help make life easier for our citizens making important transitions in their lives." With the deal, Pennsylvania became the 19th American state to have a reciprocal driver's license agreement with Korea. Over 20,000 Korean residents and 17 Korean companies are in Pennsylvania. A Korean version of the Eiffel Tower will be built in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, by 2019. This file photo shows the real Eiffel Tower in Paris. / Korea Times file By Lee Jin-a The southern port city of Pohang plans to build a Korean version of the Eiffel Tower by 2019. Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, held a meeting with 20 experts on Tuesday and decided to erect a steel tower as a city landmark. It hopes the tower will attract more tourists and revive the city's stagnant economy. The tower will be 300 meters high, which is similar to the Eiffel Tower (324 meters), Tokyo Tower (333 meters) and Macau Tower (338 meters). The city is considering several sites -- Yeongildae Beach, Busan Songdo Beach or Pohang Canal, where visitors can enjoy a view of the town and beach. The estimated budget is 150 billion won ($130 million). By Yi Whan-woo Lawmakers of the ruling Saenuri Party unanimously adopted a plan, Wednesday, to push for an investigation by an independent counsel into the scandal surrounding President Park Geun-hye's long-time confidant Choi Soon-sil. The party is expected to start talks with the opposition parties soon on appointing an independent counsel. The opposition have already been calling for a special investigation, showing their distrust in the ongoing probe by the prosecution. Saenuri Party floor leader Rep. Chung Jin-suk said the inter-party talks should begin "right away." "Our party unanimously gave its support for the special investigation at an emergency meeting and I offer to begin bipartisan dialogue over the case," he said. The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said in a statement that the probe will be "the most effective way to reveal the truth" behind "Choi gate." Calling Choi "the regent" of the Park Geun-hye administration, DPK Chairwoman Choo Mi-ae said a special investigation will be critical for stern punishment of those who are linked to the affair. The party's vice floor leader Rep. Park Wan-joo said a special investigation will effectively "press the prosecution" to carry out a thorough probe into the scandal. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office has been under criticism for being tardy in its investigation since Oct. 5 on a series of irregularities concerning Choi and Cheong Wa Dae officials. The Saenuri Party floor leader also referred to the embattled senior presidential secretary for civil affairs Woo Byung-woo in underscoring a need for the special investigation. Woo is suspected of embezzlement and abuse of power, in a case separate from Choi gate. "The people will not trust the prosecution under the command of Woo," he said. By Kim Bo-eun University students across the country have condemned President Park Geun-hye over the widening scandal surrounding her close confidant Choi Soon-sil. They issued statements, Wednesday, a day after Park apologized to the public and acknowledged that Choi had access to her speeches and edited them, alleging that she influenced state affairs. Choi is the daughter of the President's mentor Choi Tae-min and ex-wife of her former aide Chung Yoon-hoi. Students at Ewha Womans University, where controversy broiled over the controversial enrollment of Choi's daughter Chung Yoo-ra, were the first to speak up. "Not only the President's speech scripts but also diplomacy and security files and even the content of telephone calls with foreign heads of states were reported to Choi," the students said in a statement. "This is a clear violation of the constitutional order. "In the U.S., Hillary Clinton has been criticized ahead of the election for having posed a threat to national security by using her personal email account instead of the account provided by the state. But in Korea, the President is providing classified state information to an individual unrelated to the government." They said a thorough investigation must be conducted and the President must take full responsibility for the matter. By Jun Ji-hye Choi Soon-sil attends a medal ceremony for winners of dressage events at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games at Dream Park, Sept. 20, 2014. Her daughter Chung Yoo-ra, then 18, was a member of the South Korean dressage team that won the gold medal in the team event. / Courtesy of SisaIN President Park Geun-hye has maintained a close relationship with Choi Soon-sil, her scandal-ridden 60-year-old confidant, for the past 40 years. Choi, who is four years younger than Park, is now the center of controversy after the revelation that she reviewed Park's speeches ahead of their delivery dates and had access to classified material related to national security, which critics argue violates the law governing the security of confidential presidential records. Choi, the daughter of the President's late mentor, Choi Tae-min, first met Park when she was in her early 20s and apparently has played the roles of companion as well as personal secretary. She apparently used the relationship because of Park's power and influence to extend her business and social activities. Observers say it seems Park and Choi have been closer than real sisters. In the mid-1970s when Park was acting as first lady to fill in for her late mother who was assassinated in 1974 late Choi introduced his daughter, Soon-sil, to Park. He selected Park as an honorary president of a social organization he set up to "save the nation." Choi developed the organization by enrolling students from middle and high schools and universities nationwide as well as people from the religious and financial sectors. In 1979, Choi made his daughter, who was at the time studying at Dankook University, president of the organization's university students. When President Park Geun-hye acted as first lady in the 1970s following the assassination of her mother, her mentor Choi Tae-min, a pastor and reportedly the founder of a religious cult, always accompanied her to social and political events. / Choi is father of Choi Soon-sil. / Korea Times file The organization mainly provided "moral education" to people and ran volunteer activities, but it also had commercial interests, receiving a large amount of "donations" from conglomerates including Hyundai Group. This seems very similar to the fund-raising method used to establish the Mir and K-Sports foundations in October of 2015 and in January this year, respectively. The two foundations, which are allegedly controlled by Choi Soon-sil, received nearly 80 billion won ($71.8 million) from conglomerates. Why the foundations were established is not yet clear, but the opposition parties claimed that they were apparently intended to be the home base for Park's post-retirement activities. Park and Choi reportedly became very close friends after the former lived in seclusion after her father, President Park Chung-hee, was assassinated by his own intelligence chief in 1979. One serviceman hit a mine and was injured in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) zone in eastern Ukraine in the past 24 hours, Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman for ATO issues Andriy Lysenko said. "No Ukrainian servicemen were killed but one soldier hit a mine and was injured during the day. That happened in the Donetsk sector," he said at a press briefing in Kyiv on Wednesday. By Kim Hyo-jin An increasing number of ruling Saenuri Party lawmakers are urging President Park Geun-hye to leave the party, which is reeling from the backlash to an influence-peddling scandal involving her long-time confidant Choi Soon-sil. Park is also under growing pressure to reshuffle her Cabinet and her secretariat to hold them responsible for the snowballing scandal. The ruling party was thrown into chaos following media reports that presidential speeches were edited by Choi, who has no official government position. She also allegedly intervened in the appointment of key officials. Lawmakers who are not affiliated with Park said that her apology, Tuesday, fell short of clarifying the suspicions, calling on her to leave the party as part of efforts to deal with the situation. They also called on the party leadership to resign to take responsibility of failing to support the President in state management. "Park should drop her party membership and distance herself from party politics," Rep. Na Kyung-won, former chairwoman of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a radio interview. "This is now inevitable." She added an independent counsel and a full-scale reshuffle of the Cabinet and presidential secretariat should follow. Kim Yong-tae, another anti-Park lawmaker, echoed a similar view, saying Park leaving the party was a "basic duty" in the current situation. "An independent counsel, if appointed, must conduct an exhaustive investigation into the scandal. Her membership of the ruling party could be a burden during this," he said. Joining in the criticism of Park, Gyeonggi Governor Nam Kyung-pil, a potential ruling party presidential candidate, claimed that Chairman Lee Jung-hyun should hand over his leadership to an emergency committee. "The country needs newer leaders. We should make form an emergency committee to play this role as soon as possible," he said in a Facebook post. Rep. Lee Jong-ku agreed, accusing the pro-Park leadership of clouding the President's judgment with a lack of conservative criticism. Chairman Lee, however, refused to step aside, saying that he would lead the party in dealing with the situation. "I will lead the party until the situation is settled while staying at the party's headquarters," Lee said in a press conference held after an emergency meeting of the party's senior members. He said that they had decided to request the President to conduct a full overhaul of the presidential office, a Cabinet reshuffle and a thorough investigation into the scandal. This was delivered officially to Kim Jae-won, the senior presidential secretary for political affairs, Lee said. The call for the President to drop her party membership is nothing new, according to political commentators. Since 1987, no president has maintained their party membership until the end of their term except the previous President Lee Myung-bak. They were forced to leave the party as they entered into a lame duck status following ethical lapses or corruption scandals. "Parties inevitably worry that issues with the incumbent president could damage the image of its next presidential candidate," said Choi Chang-ryol, a politics professor at Yongin University. "In the face of Park's record-low approval rating, the ruling party is seeking to widen its distance from her." The Ming brothers / Courtesy of The Ming Thing By Hong Dam-young Seoul plans to promote the city to Muslim tourists by featuring YouTube stars from an Islamic nation in a promotional video that is due out next month. The city, aiming to brand Seoul as a familiar and comfortable city for Muslim tourists, will use the Ming brothers from Malaysia -- Ho Ming Han, 28, and Ho Ming Yue, 27 -- local YouTube stars and content directors. The brothers are visiting Seoul's major tourist spots, such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, N Seoul Tower and Lotte World, from Oct. 25-27. They also will visit the city's Muslim venues, including halal restaurants and oratories. N, the leader of K-pop boy band Vixx and a Korean Wave celebrity in Malaysia, also features in the videos. "We hope Muslim tourists can perceive Seoul as an attractive and comfortable city after they see the videos," a city official said. Meanwhile, "The Ming Thing" has been earning global popularity, featuring Malaysian talent in lighthearted and comical videos. The channel has recorded more than 320,000 viewers. By Kang Seung-woo President Park Geun-hye is falling deeper into a swirling scandal involving her long-time confidant Choi Soon-sil as public sentiment is rapidly turning against her, triggering concerns that she may become an early lame duck. Park's term ends in February 2018. In the wake of media reports that Choi, who has no official job in the Park government, had prior access to presidential speeches and edited them, the President offered a public apology, Tuesday. However, this was not enough to put a lid on the political firestorm. As a result, Park is facing growing pressure to replace those "responsible," including three key aides and the chief secretary for civil affairs, which may immobilize her administration and hasten the arrival of lame-duck status. "The scandal exemplifies that Cheong Wa Dae's system is broken. Although we have seen previous presidents grappling with scandals near the end of their terms, this sort of case involving a secret heavyweight meddling in state affairs is unprecedented," said Chung Goon-gi, a professor at Hongik University. Bae Jong-chan, the chief director of political pollster Research and Research, said Park's apology failed to ease the growing furor because she did not come up with any solutions. "People wanted to hear from her about how to settle the problem surrounding Choi along with the apology," he said. The ruling Saenuri Party urged Park, Wednesday, to carry out an extensive reshuffle of her senior secretaries and Cabinet to assume responsibility for the controversy. "This should not just end with an apology," Chairman Lee Jung-hyun said following a Supreme Council meeting. By Lee Han-soo Busan Metropolitan Police are investigating an international marriage scam ring that has swindled four Korean men. The scam was exposed when one of the victims got suspicious and told police. This led to the capture of the ring's alleged money collector from Cameroon. The alleged rings four criminals swindled more than 130 million won ($114,780) from the men after promising to marry them. The swindlers approached the men through chatting application Baboo and Facebook and said they were medical officers from the U.S. or the U.K. They sent purported pictures of themselves to the victims and said they had no families and wanted to settle in Korea. Police said that when the victims were hooked, the criminals asked the men to send money they said was needed to be deployed as a U.N. peacekeeper in Syria. The criminals also requested money so they could to wire to Korea a secret stash of cash found in Syria during a covert operation. The criminals also made up elaborate stories about how they needed money to bribe a French diplomat and a British transport company to send the money to the victims, police said. One of the men became suspicious after discovering that a safe sent by the criminals that was supposed to contain money was full of black paper about the size of $100 bills. Whenever the victims tried to call the swindlers, they told them they could not take the calls because they were inside a military base. After receiving a tip that the alleged French diplomat and British transport company employee are living in Korea, police opened an investigation to arrest them. "The scam ring sent numerous photos of beautiful medical officers through email or Facebook to the victims," a police official told News1, a Korean media outlet. "However, we have not verified if the con artists are actually women or not." Senior foreign ministry officials from South Korea, the United States and Japan will meet in Tokyo this week to discuss cooperation in dealing with North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, the foreign ministry said Wednesday. The trilateral meeting will be held on Thursday, bringing together South Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam and his American and Japanese counterparts, Tony Bliken and Shinsuke Sugiyama. The vice minister-level meeting will be the fifth of its kind following the first gathering held in Washington in April 2015. Lim left for Japan earlier in the day. He plans to hold bilateral meetings with his American and Japanese counterparts on the sidelines of the event, the ministry said. The meeting comes as the North appears to be stepping up its drive to come out of isolation as seen in the recent Kuala Lumpur meeting between its diplomats and former U.S. officials last week. This meeting was followed by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin's visit to the North earlier this week. Since North Korea conducted its fifth and most powerful nuclear test to date in September, the United Nations Security Council is working on a fresh resolution to punish the country for defiantly pursuing the development of weapons of mass destruction. Despite repeated warnings and condemnation from the international community, the North has carried out tests on various types of missiles. (Yonhap) By Kim Jae-kyoung SINGAPORE North Korea is not likely to enter into official talks with the United States anytime soon, according to Joseph DeTrani, a former U.S. government official who had the behind-the-scene meetings with North Korean diplomats in Malaysia last week. DeTrani, a former U.S. special envoy for the long-stalled six party talks aimed at denuclearizing the Korean peninsula, is said to have considered the informal meetings as "friendly" but really broke no new ground. He believes that the two-day talks might help in longer run get official talks going again but certainly nothing in the near future. "It appears that North Korea is unlikely to enter into official talks with the U.S. in the near term," DeTrani was quoted as saying by William Brown, a professor at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in their conversation after the talks. "In the longer term, however, they may be willing to enter into exploratory denuclearization and security assurances talks." Brown previously worked together with DeTrani at the U.S. government for North Korean issues. According to Brown, DeTrani described the unofficial talks as "professional, candid and friendly," saying that North Korea joined the Track 2 dialogue to learn about current U.S. concerns over North Korea and its nuclear programs." At the talks, U.S. discussions centered on the Sept. 19, 2005 agreement and nuke testing, whereas the North side worries about military exercises. Under the 2005 agreement, signed by the U.S., South Korea, North Korea, Japan, China and Russia, the North agreed to give up all nuclear weapons in return for security assurances and a more normal official relationship. The North Korean team raised issues about the South Korea-U.S. military exercises and the introduction of strategic bombers in these exercises. It is said to speak about their need for a nuclear deterrence, given the soured relationship with the U.S. From Oct. 21 to 22, U.S. delegation, including former Clinton administration negotiator Robert Gallucci and North Korea specialist Leon Sigal as well as DeTrani, met with North Korea's five-people delegation led by Vice Foreign Minister Han Song-ryol. These talks have raised questions over the possibility of opening an official dialogue between the two nations ahead of U.S. presidential election. "I'd say this is just another small placeholder in the tortured, sixty-seven year-long litany of Washington-Pyongyang diplomacy," Brown told The Korea Times, noting that the Obama administration quickly dismissed the whole effort. He added that they (U.S. negotiators) might have spoken about what Hillary Clinton, or even Donald Trump, might be thinking but not in an authoritative or even useful way. "Given their age, at least you can say the U.S. delegates aren't looking for jobs in the new administration," he added. "Rather they are conscientiously trying to make something positive happen between whoever wins our election and North Korea." Brown pointed out that what is worthy of notice is whether the North Korean side paid for its travel and expenses. "As far as I know, they never pay their way and Track 2, up to now, has been unrelentingly useless," he said. "If North Korea was really interested in solving a problem, they would pay their way like any other country's delegation, and we might have reason for optimism." Tony Michell, managing director of Euro-Asian Business Consultancy, said that the motivation of the North for the informal meetings is different from that of the U.S. "The North seeks a peace treaty and no doubt it would like a recognition of its nuclear status," Michell said. "The U.S. side is not in a position to negotiate until after the elections, but must be looking for a minimal agreed position presumably an agreement not to test more weapons in conformity with UN resolutions." He pointed out that since the South has consistently refused talks with the North on the grounds of lack of sincerity, perhaps the U.S. can offer proposals for talks with the South in return for a gesture of sincerity. "The value of Track 2 conversations is that they can proceed without reference to ongoing tests and explore potential positions for serious negotiations," he said. By Young Hoy Kim Kimaro In the U.S. the presidential campaign is raging. We got caught up in the daily unfolding of Trump drama, his bragging on a 2005 tape that he can grope and do whatever to women because he was a "star." The tape went viral on American TV, astonishing the electorate and party operatives alike. Trump dismissed it as "locker room talk" and nothing more. No, not so, claim a steady stream of women, nearing a dozen now. Spurred on by Trump's categorical denial, they felt compelled to step forward to tell their stories to set the records straight. Some accusations date back over 30 years, others more recent. Their accusations were met with categorical denial, of course, and questions were raised about the character and intentions of the accusers Why had they remained silent for so long? Why did they choose to break their silence now, so close to the election? Why? Harrowing as their experiences have been, these women are still much more fortunate than women in similar or worse situations on Mount Kilimanjaro and in many other places around the world. At least they are able to pour their hearts out to close friends, coworkers and family without fear or shame and blame. They could count on their understanding and support. Several years ago, news of an impending public stoning to death of a 13-year-old girl in Somalia, a victim of gang rape, shocked the world. Perhaps you heard about it in Korea too? Public stoning of women found guilty of adultery is still practiced in some Muslim countries. But stoning to death of a victim of rape? Pleas poured in from around the world, interceding with Somali authorities to spare the life of an innocent. Those pleas went unheard; the stoning proceeded as planned, and probably it was a close male relative of the girl who was made to throw the first stone, as usual. Perhaps the barrage of stones that brought her death was a merciful one. Those stones put an end to the terror of rape. They put an end to her paralyzing fear of the consequences that awaited her. They silenced her heart that was torn to shreds from her family's denunciation of her. Maybe, for her, death was merciful. It freed her from it all and gave her the peace that was denied her in life. As they wiped dust off their hands, the men who threw the stones undoubtedly felt righteous. They had done their duty. They rid the society of impurity lest it contaminate others. They had upheld its morals. But did they? Can punishing the victim protect society from crime? Would jailing the one who was burglarized prevent further burglaries? There is no such public stoning in Tanzania, but punishment inflicted on a rape victim by family and society is no less cruel. When our daughter Eli went about interviewing people on Mount Kilimanjaro for "A Lot Like You," a documentary on her Chagga roots, she unexpectedly came across a dark reality that neither she nor I had been aware of. That reality unfolded in response to an innocuous question How was your courtship and what was your wedding like?" She found the men were vague and incoherent in their answers while women recalled every detail. Two sisters in their 70s who were interviewed together told their stories which they had not even shared with each other before. Their stories and those of other women were variations on a theme. A young man rounds up friends to help win over a girl whom he fancies and this is a scenario that unfolds time and again. Friends kidnap her, bring her to him where he keeps her locked up for several days, repeatedly forcing himself on her. Thus violated, the girl is trapped for good. Unlike Trump's accusers in America, returning home is not an option. There she is unlikely to be met with understanding or sympathy, only the full brunt of blame and shame. She may even be thrown out of home for sullying her family's name. Even if her family takes her back and embraces her, she still has to face constant finger pointing, insults and rumors. The only way out for her would be for her to agree be her rapist's wife. In one stroke, all her girlish dreams are shattered and a dark tunnel opens up before her of lifelong servitude to a man that she may hate from her guts. A social worker, familiar with victims of violence and herself a rape victim, adds that this is like condemning a girl to a life of festering hatred and living death. Nevertheless, the resilience of the Chagga women who entered into marriage thus is still nothing short of amazing. They may barely tolerate their husbands, but they are selfless, fearlessly protective and loving of their children. They so often remind me of Korean mothers What if a girl manages to escape her captor and returns home, keeping the incident all to herself? She will return to life as usual, but the fear of pregnancy will constantly hover over her. If she is found pregnant months later, her sky will fall. No amount of explaining will save the day. No matter how brilliant a student, she will be summarily thrown out of school, putting an abrupt end to her education, her chance for a better future. And there would be consequences to face from her family. No wonder men were hesitant to talk about their courtship and marriage. No wonder the word rape is never uttered in the open. Perhaps breaking this silence will be the first step toward breaking the practice of enslaving women in lifelong servitude to a man she hates! The writer resides on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. She worked for the World Bank for nearly 30 years and her email is youngkimaro@gmail.com. By Hwang Hae-won Last May, a volunteer club at my boarding school screened the movie "Spirits' Homecoming," a drama describing the tragic history of Korean comfort women. When the movie ended, the club accepted orders for donation bracelets, whose profits would be contributed to the Heeum Museum of Sexual Slavery by the Japan Military and to helping the victims. It was surely a worthy cause. Within two days, the club had sold 300 bracelets, collecting a total of 600,000 won. About half of my classmates wore the bracelets. However, since the event ended, I have not heard any serious discussions about the topic, and when the second semester started last month, I saw only three classmates wearing those bracelets. The campaign felt like a one-time, quickly forgotten event. The trend of donation has changed: the era of crude collection boxes has given way to fancy, fun campaigns inviting citizens to join. Now donation campaigns use creative visual aids or other installations to draw potential contributors' attention or to make them feel worthwhile, such as UNICEF's "Roly-Poly" campaign, where contributor's coins would make a roly-poly toy with a child's picture stand upright. Also, charities are using social network services or symbolic accessories--like the bracelets sold at my school--to promote the campaign in a friendly way. Hae-Jung Choi, the director of marketing for Save the Children, explained this in an interview with the Hankyoreh; "Traditional campaigns haven't disappeared, but different campaigns are carried out depending on their purpose." The merging of donation campaigns with advertising may be positive as it can gather spontaneous interest. But if people join the campaign based on slacktivism lazy behavior involving plenty of words but lack of actual action or "dramatic conceptual consumption," where consumers spend their money to exhibit morality or other admirable qualities, it may result in unstable support for the foundations because these motives are ephemeral. If the donation foundation face difficulty in consistently gathering money, meaningful changes will be hard to achieve as the projects done by such fountains often require consistent research and fundamental aid. Some may argue that slacktivism and donations motivated by pursuit of pleasure are better than nothing. In the short term, that may be true. Yet long term, donation without sincerity may cause serious side effects. If people think that they have done their share by giving money, and are indifferent to what their money actually does, their donation may result in a quite different ending from what they expected. For example, we should not forget what happened in 2006. Some workers of Community Chest Korea a famous charity community known for its "Thermometer of love" and "Fruit of love" used 33 million won at karaoke rooms and bars, and manipulated tax documents. Although the board of directors all resigned to take responsibility for the situation, no one can guarantee that charities will remain free of corruption if there aren't any watchful eyes. Even without such deception, donations may have negative effects. For example, Toms Shoes' "Buy one give one" model in which the company donates a pair of shoes to an impoverished child every time a pair of shoes is sold seems to be a great idea. Yet economists have shown that receiving Toms shoes had a negative impact on future shoe purchases, thereby affecting local businesses. Greg Dees, professor of social entrepreneurship at Duke University stated, "There are local shoemakers that may not have much of a business if [a B1G1 company] comes and gives away shoes for free." In this cruel capitalistic world where self-interest has shoved altruism aside, donation is an ideal solution to make a better world. The public's increased interest in donations is a positive change, but to prevent being distracted from the real meaning of the campaign by splendid adornments, the public should care how their donations are used. Actually, this concern seems to be widely shared among the public: nearly 70% of people replied in an Embrain (an online research agency) survey that mistrust of foundations holding donation campaigns was the reason why they are not happy with the status quo of donations in Korea. To help donating become a strong and healthy culture here, we should not just fall for marketing but instead look over the reliability of the foundation. In addition, we should not consider donation campaigns as one-time events but have long-standing interest to what the campaign ultimately seeks. Lastly, we should not forget the real meaning behind the event as many students in my school did. The writer is a junior at Hankuk Academy of Foreign Studies. Reach hear at monica06244@gmail.com. By Lee Hyon-soo North Korea's nuclear program is a challenge to the global nuclear nonproliferation regime. So the international community condemns North Korea and imposes sanctions aimed at inducing this rogue state to abandon its nuclear program. Nuclear arsenals are supposedly for deterrence purposes. But North Korean leaders surprised us by indicating publicly that they may launch nuclear weapons against not only South Korea but also the United States, if they so choose. From the U.S. perspective, for North Korea to carry out an attack on the U.S. would be to cross the red line. If North Korean leaders think they can get away with crossing the red line, they obviously do not know what they are up against. I would like to cite two incidents which demonstrate how the United States responded in the past when its security was violated. The first incident took place in 1941. I am talking about Japan's ill-advised decision to bomb Pearl Harbor. In order to build what it called the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, Japan planned to seize Southeast Asia to procure iron, oil, rubber, rice and other raw materials and transport them to Japan. And it was necessary to protect the Japanese flank from any threat of U.S. naval action in the Southwest Pacific. So Japan decided to smash the U.S. Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor. The rationale for the preemptive strike was that it would remove the United States from all possibility of interference and further hostilities altogether. It was a gross miscalculation on the part of Japan. Many historians believe that Japanese attack on Dutch, British or French colonies in Asia may not have brought the United States into the war because Americans were strongly isolationist at the time. But the Japanese attack on their own territory united the Americans and motivated the whole nation for war. Japan gave its opponent the one blow necessary to bring it into determined belligerency. We all know how the Pacific War ended. The second incident took place in 2001. There were a series of coordinated terrorist attacks by al-Qaeda on the United States on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. The attacks killed almost 3,000 people and injured over 6,000 others and caused about $10 billion in property and infrastructure damage. The United States responded by invading Afghanistan to dispose of the Taliban which had harbored al-Qaeda. Also, after a 10-year manhunt, American special forces located and killed Osama bin Laden, who had orchestrated the 9/11 attacks, in Pakistan in May 2011. Unlike Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor and al-Qaida's 9/11 attacks which took the United States by surprise, North Korea's nuclear threat has been around for some time and looms larger with each passing day. So the United States would not just wait for North Korea to cross the red line. Most likely the United States would exhaust all options to eliminate this security threat before North Korea succeeds in developing nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles with the range to reach the continental United States. North Korea's nuclear threat is a matter of grave concern not only to South Korea and the United States but also to the whole world. For the sake of world peace, the international community would never allow a rogue state like North Korea to become a nuclear power. The more advanced North Korea's nuclear program gets, the more tightly the screws will be turned by the international community and the more isolated and impoverished North Korea will become. The UN will have to do everything in its power to force the North Korean leaders think through the consequences that their nuclear program will ultimately bring, if they are unable to do so for themselves. The writer is a retired international banker who lives in Toronto, Canada. His other writings are posted on http://blog.daum.net/tom_hslee. The visiting head of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has advised Korea to reform its labor market to revitalize the economy. During a meeting with Labor Minister Lee Ki-kwon, Tuesday, Angel Gurria, secretary-general of the economic club of rich countries, said Korea needs to make its labor market flexible. "Labor reform will not only strengthen Korea's fundamentals but also make it easier for the country to counter external impacts," Gurria was quoted as saying. Gurria even said he was willing to meet with Korean lawmakers to convince them of the need for the National Assembly to approve major labor reform bills. It is unusual for the OECD secretary-general to mention the employment problem of a specific country. This highlights the urgency of pushing for the structural reform of our labor market. The key point of the reform is to curtail privileges granted to regular workers and raise the flexibility of the market. That's because it's impossible to narrow the wage gap between regular and non-regular workers while laws and systems intended to overprotect regular workers remain intact. Just looking at the dual structure of the labor market makes one sense the urgency of labor reform. The monthly pay of regular workers at large companies with militant labor unions averages 4.17 million won. This figure is nearly treble the monthly pay of non-regular workers at union-free small and medium-sized firms. Given that regular workers at large companies with unions account for only 7 to 8 percent of total wage earners, the stark reality is that much of the fruits from economic growth go to the establishment. As long as this polarized structure persists, it's difficult to expect the working class to enjoy the virtuous circle of higher income leading to increased consumption. Since the nation's democratization in 1987, union workers at large companies such as Hyundai Motor have received wages in excess of their productivity improvements thanks to strikes and other militant struggles. These excess wages, in fact, have been reaped at the expense of non-regular workers at smaller companies. The solution to all these problems is to make the labor market flexible by spreading the merit-based salary system and the peak wage system, as Gurria suggested. True, the government's passion for labor reform appears to have gone up in smoke as President Park Geun-hye is mired in the snowballing Choi Soon-sil gate scandal. Therefore, it is imperative that leaders from the ruling and opposition parties cooperate to approve the pending labor reform bills. Almost 500 Ukrainian women and 68 children have been killed and over 150 children have been wounded amid Russian aggression in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, in over two years, Chairperson of Ukraine's Vekrhovna Rada and Ukrainian envoy for humanitarian issues at Minsk peace talks Iryna Gerashchenko said at a UN Security Council meeting on Tuesday. "Over the past two years, 495 Ukrainian women were killed in Donbas. Let me mention a young woman, Olena Lafazan, who was killed in an attack on [the Ukrainian-controlled city of] Mariupol while she was trying to cover the daughter with her body. I'd like to mention Klym Klymenko's young mother, who saved the boy, having shielded him with her body during an attack on [the Ukrainian-controlled town of] Kramatorsk in February 2015. Some 68 children have been killed and 152 children have been wounded since the beginning of the armed conflict," she said in her speech prepared for UN Security Council debate on women and posted on Facebook. In her words, women and children are most vulnerable at this war. According to recent data, there are 1.7 million internally displaced persons in Ukraine. Of them, there are about 900,000 women and 236,000 children. Gerashchenko also said that 2,130 members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been killed since the beginning of Russian aggression, among them were two women. What is more, 1,937 children have been orphaned, 1,213 women have become widows, 1,975 women have lost their sons. Another 142 women have still been waiting for the release of their family members from captivity in the occupied areas in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. "This is symbolic of the war in Donbas Russian men have been fighting against Ukrainian women and children, killing and maiming them, taking them captive. Conflicts are always accompanied by outbreaks of violence against women and girls, and sexual violence is used as a weapon of war. We are aware of the facts of human trafficking in the temporarily occupied territories, as well as sexual abuse and exploitation, the use of minors in military actions that are incompatible with human rights standards and are not acceptable in the modern world," she said. LG Hausys employees work on a production line for its phenolic foam (PF) insulation boards, at its manufacturing facility in Oksan, North Chungcheong Province. The company said Wednesday that it will triple its production capacity by 2018. / Courtesy of LG Hausys By Lee Min-hyung LG Hausys plans to establish an additional insulation board factory here, tripling its manufacturing capacity of phenolic foam (PF) insulation to meet growing demand due to the substance's outstanding fire resistance. In a board meeting Wednesday, the company agreed to invest a total of 54 billion won ($47.69 million) to build a plant in Oksan, North Chungcheong Province. The project will end in early 2018, increasing its annual production capacity of some 30 million square meters to 90 million, the company said in a statement. This comes about three years after the company first started on October 2013 to manufacture the insulation materials here. With the government tightening its building regulations on fire safety, demand has grown steeply, the company explained. The local insulation market is worth 1.2 trillion won, 80 percent of which uses fire-vulnerable plastic or urethane materials, according to LG Hausys. "As the government is expected to further strengthen safety standards for building insulation materials, high-quality and fire-resistant insulation will raise its market share from 20 percent now to more than 40 percent by 2018," LG Hausys Vice President Kim Myung-deuk said. "The capacity expansion will allow us to expand our presence in PF insulator markets here and abroad," he said. "LG Hausys will also continue to contribute to helping save energy by launching more energy-efficient products." In recognition of the performance, LG Hausys' PF insulators have been used for new apartments in Seoul and its surrounding areas, the company said. The company also said its insulators are gaining more traction for luxurious villas and industrial purposes for many companies including the IKEA store in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi Province. An overview of Singapore's southern island of Semakau. LSIS said Wednesday that it has won a license for a renewable energy-powered island project by the government of Singapore. / Courtesy of LSIS By Lee Min-hyung LSIS has won a license to establish a renewable energy-powered island in Singapore, raising its global profile as an independent microgrid operator. Under the project, the Seoul-based energy solutions and electrical equipment manufacturer will provide its energy management system (EMS), energy storage system (ESS) and solar- or wind-powered renewable energy solutions for Singapore's southern island of Semakau. The microgrid is often dubbed a combination of next-generation energy technology, as it requires renewable energy sources and the ESS. Renowned energy systems operators here and abroad are pushing for the next growth areas amid growing calls for a more sustainable supply of electricity. The recent achievement came as part of the government of Singapore's renewable energy integration demonstrator (REIDS) project under which LSIS, along with GE-Alstom and Schneider, will establish four separate microgrid sectors and connect them into a single, small-scale power network. The REIDS project will last four years, including a pilot test. The government of Singapore and LSIS will share the cost of its operation, the company said. "The growth potential for the Southeast Asian market is massive, with Indonesia consisting of some 17,000 islands and the Philippines comprising some 7,000 islands," LSIS Vice President Kim Won-il said after signing a memorandum of understanding with Kristen Sadler, research director at the Energy Research Institute (ERI) that oversees the project. The island is hot and humid year round, which is not favorable for establishing large-scale electricity networks. LSIS said this means that the island is the optimum venue to test an independent microgrid operation and other ESS. Expectations are that the REIDS will help the operators improve their technological expertise, as this is the first project to connect various microgrids into a unified network system, it added. This is not the first time that the company has won a license for other microgrid contracts. In February 2010, the company led the Korean government-led microgrid project for three years, demonstrating its electricity management systems on the nation's southernmost island of Marado. Meanwhile, in recent years the company has focused on raising awareness of the massive potential of microgrid systems, with its Chairman Koo Ja-kyun delivering a keynote address at last year's Asia Clean Energy Forum (ACEF) about the importance of energy-independent microgrid systems as an alternative for various Asian countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines which consists of large numbers of islands. He said electric power management is the key challenge for sustainable growth of Asian countries, as they are growing rapidly in population and technological infrastructure. By Lee Min-hyung Samsung Electronics plans to launch Samsung Pay in Russia, Thailand and Malaysia no later than this year, in a bid to grow its share in the Asian mobile payment market, the company said at the world's largest financial technology conference Money 20/20 in Las Vegas, Wednesday (local time). The mobile wallet industry is promising, given the skyrocketing of its annual transaction values, as global technology giants _ including Samsung and Apple _ aggressively expand into the industry which is still in its infancy. As of this August, Samsung Pay topped 2 trillion won ($1.76 billion) in total transaction volume here, a huge jump since its August 2015 launch. The company said a quarter of Samsung Pay transactions are carried out online. According to the firm, more than 11 million cards had been registered to access the service in Korea. To raise its global profile, the company has signed partnerships with industry-leading card companies around the world _ including American Express, Union Pay, MasterCard and Visa. Samsung has also recently clinched a strategic alliance with Alipay in China. The company is partnering with around 500 banks here and abroad to expand the presence of Samsung Pay. Starting November, the company added Samsung Pay will support in-app payments in the U.S. market, allowing users to search for discounts and coupons for nearby restaurants by using GPS. Romantic comedy drama "Fantastic" ends with happy ending for both So-Hye and Hae-Sung in its Episode 16 aired last Saturday, Oct. 22. So-Hye is finally cured from her breast cancer after years of battling the disease. The final episode is an emotional roller coaster ride for the viewers, as there are many occassions which suggested So-Hye live would end. However, she finally cured from breast cancer and ET News took note that she had to fight the cancer for five years, exactly the same length of time as her friend Hong Jun-Gi. Its ending suits the drama title according to Top Star News. "Fantastic" is a drama about battling the terminal disease and shortcomings and the success of the characters to overcome both problems suit its title. Joo Sang-Wook and Kim Hyun-Joo are cast as main characters in the drama "Fantastic" that follows the story of Hae-Sung (Joo), a successful Korean actor in China. He had a terrible shortcoming, which is his acting is really bad, as he couldn't get into the character. He returned to Korea to star in drama 'Hitman' written by a famous playwright So-Hye (Kim). So-Hye was diagnosed with a terminal breast cancer with only six months to live. She expected 'Hitman' to become her last monumental drama before she passed away. Therefore, she opposed the producer's idea to use Hae-Sung as main cast. Hae-Sung and So-Hye had a romantic relationship in the past that ended sour. Hae-Sung soon learned that cancer medication which So-Hye took, gave her a side effect of temporary delirium. He patiently stayed by her side as their romance began to rekindle. So-Hye also helped Hae-Sung to develop his acting skill and get into the character. Watch official footage from jTBC in the "Fantastic" episode 16, when Hae-Sung finally manage to get into character below: France will continue to take steps to restore the territorial integrity of Ukraine, French Ambassador to Ukraine Isabelle Dumont assured Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff Chief Viktor Muzhenko. According to the Directorate of Public Relations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in the course of the scheduled meeting on Tuesday, the French side learned the current situation in the ATO zone (antiterrorist operation) and the practical implementation of the agreements on the disengagement of forces and equipment in certain areas on the sides of the contact line in Donbas. In particular, the ambassador of France to Ukraine said that over the past day the violation of the "ceasefire regime" happened again in one of these areas on the part of the occupied territories. In turn, Dumont stressed that "France has initiated negotiations in "Normandy format" and will make every effort to restore peace and territorial integrity of Ukraine." Also, during the meeting the sides discussed issues of reforming the Armed Forces of Ukraine and some areas of bilateral military cooperation. In conclusion of the meeting Muzhenko expressed gratitude to the French side for their support and said: "Prospects of Ukrainian-French military cooperation have significant potential for the growth. I am convinced that we need to work harder on the development of both existing mechanisms, as well as searching for new mutually beneficial cooperation formats." Russian Supreme Court upholds legality of verdict to Ukrainians Karpiuk, Klykh accused of fighting in first Chechen campaign The Russian Supreme Court has recognized legal the judgment to Ukrainian citizens Mykola Karpiuk and Stanislav Klykh, who were sentenced to 22.5 and 20 years in prison, respectively, for alleged involvement in the hostilities against the federal forces during the first Chechen campaign as members of the UNA-UNSO organization. "The Chechen Supreme Court's verdict is left unchanged, the appeals by the lawyers are declined," the judge has pronounced the judgment. The General Prosecutors Office (PGO) of Ukraine has commented about the suspension of the extradition check by the Panamanian authorities on the former head of Ukraine's State Agency for Investment and National Projects Management Vladyslav Kaskiv. "At this stage the extradition check on Kaskiv has been suspended until the completion of the examination of his application for political asylum," PGO deputy head Yevhen Yenin told journalists in Kyiv on Tuesday, answering the question of the Interfax-Ukraine agency about extradition procedures involving Kaskiv. He explained that according to the formal procedure it lasts for a month and a half, if Kaskiv doesnt challenge the decision of the competent authorities of Panama (with respect to asylum). "We expect that the process will last for six months (with respect to the granting of asylum), followed by the three-month procedure of extradition check," Yenin said. In turn, Prosecutor General of Ukraine Yuriy Lutsenko said that all documents for the extradition of Kaskiv were very quickly given to the Panamanian side. "But, as in every similar case, the person that we demand to extradite, has the right to judicial protection, judicial review in the territory where he was detained," he said at a briefing in Kyiv on Tuesday. Currently, according to the prosecutor general, there are ongoing judicial procedures, in which Kaskiv and his lawyers are appealing the possibility of extradition, where even the possibility of granting political asylum is considered. "These court proceedings are ongoing. We keep track of them," Lutsenko said, adding that he can not predict any terms in this respect. As reported, on September 8, The Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine (PGO) received confirmation from INTERPOL on the arrest of former head of the State Agency for Investment and National Projects Management Vladyslav Kaskiv in Panama. Yenin then told that within 48 hours after the detention hearing is held, it will be known of the procedure of his extradition to Ukraine. In case of consent on the part of Kaskiv, this procedure could take 30 days. On September 12, Panama court ordered a $600,000 bail for ex-head of the State Agency for Investment and National Projects Management Vladyslav Kaskiv and he filed a political asylum petition. Kaskiv was put on the international wanted list pursuant to Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (embezzlement of property in excessive amounts by means of official status in a premeditated act involving a group of people and Part 2 of Article 366 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (forgery of official documents). It became known in early October that Kaskiv managed to make bail and leave the Panamian jail. Ukrainian ombudsman gives reasons why Sentsov and Kolchenko convicted in Russia should be extradited to Ukraine Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada human rights ombudsman Valeria Lutkovska has asked Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova to intervene in the situation with the handover of Ukrainian citizens Oleh Sentsov and Oleksandr Kolchenko and look into the legal grounds for the decision to grant Russian citizenship to them. According to a report posted on the official website of the Ukrainian ombudsman, Lutkovska has contacted Moskalkova regarding the forced granting of Russian citizenship to Ukrainian citizens who had lived in Crimea and could not contact the migration services on time to reject Russian citizenship, including because they were in detention at the time. Lutkovska said this issue is becoming increasingly vital because Sentsov's and Kolchenko's Russian citizenship, which was granted to them automatically, is the reason why the Russian Justice Ministry refused to extradite them to Ukraine to serve their jail sentences there. "Automatic acquisition of Russian citizenship by persons who could not deny it for various reasons is in effect forced," the Ukrainian ombudsman said in her letter. She said Sentsov and Kolchenko could not file a statement refusing Russian citizenship with the migration services while in custody. Lutkovska also said Part 1 of Article 6 of the European Convention on Nationality provides that citizenship can only be acquired ex lege by children and no convention envisages possibilities of forced granting of citizenship, which the automatic granting of Russian citizenship to residents of Crimea essentially is. Lutkovska said she is convinced that automatic acquisition of citizenship by Sentsov and Kolchenko not only contradicts the international standards on citizenship issues, but also violates their right to return to their homeland. In the meantime, the case materials included Sentsov's passport, which indicated that he had Ukrainian citizenship, and Sentsov has said more than once that he had never changed his Ukrainian citizenship and had not taken Russian citizenship. "I once provided to your predecessor evidence that Sentsov and Kolchenko are citizens of Ukraine, and the fact that a Ukrainian consul was allowed to visit them confirms that the administration of the Russian Federation has admitted that Oleh Sentsov and Oleksandr Kolchenko have Ukrainian citizenship. Moreover, Ella Pamfilova said, in the human rights commissioner's report for 2015, that the actions taken by the Commissioner on the complaints filed by Sentsov and Kolchenko had eliminated legal uncertainty regarding their civil affiliation and their Ukrainian citizenship was recognized," Lutkovska said in her report. In August 2015, the Northern Caucasus District Court found Sentsov and Kolchenko guilty of creating a terrorist community in Crimea, the commission of two terrorist attacks and the preparations for another one, and also an attempt to acquire explosive devices and illegal weapons storage. Sentsov was sentenced to 20 years in a penal colony, and Kolchenko was sentenced to ten years in prison. A manhunt is underway in Texas County after a deadly shooting. The sheriff's department says one man was killed, another is in critical condition. It happened around 7:00 Tuesday night near Boiling Springs Road and Jack Tar near Success in the Mark Twain National Forest. The Sheriff's Department said in a news release that investigators are looking for Daniel Campbell, 39, who was charged on Wednesday morning with first-degree murder, first-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. Deputies believe he may be driving a 1997 black Ford Ranger with Missouri license 6UX 841. Campbell is considered armed and dangerous. Detectives also say the shooter and the victims are "familiar" with each other. The man who is in critical condition was airlifted to a hospital in Springfield. Names of the victims were not released. Investigators say a man from rural Texas County shot two other men on Tuesday evening after making several unusual remarks. They also say Daniel Campbell shot both men while they were standing and then shot them again after they fell to the ground, and then threatened to shoot a witness. Campbell, 38, is charged with first-degree murder for the death of Billy Bishop II, 38, and first-degree assault for injuries to William Dumboski, 55. Bishop died at the scene. An air ambulance took Dumboski from the Roby fire station, about six miles from the shootings, to a hospital in Springfield. He was in critical condition when he left. Campbell fled and was still on the run on Wednesday, despite a manhunt that lasted through the night. The Missouri State Highway Patrol is helping sheriffs deputies with the search for Campbell. Sheriff James Sigman said late Wednesday afternoon that he and his deputies had been following leads all day long in the search for Campbell. He said he believes Campbell is still in the county, and asks residents to call his department with any leads on where he might be hiding. Most business owners and residents near the shootings were reluctant to talk to reporters on Wednesday because they feared they might say something that would anger Campbell. One couple who own a resort down the road from the shootings said they don't know Campbell but are close friends with the victims. They said they'll continue to be on edge until Campbell is caught. The shootings happened about 7 p.m. at 15152 Boiling Springs Road, in the Mark Twain National Forest east of Success and southwest of Licking. Court documents say Campbell lives at 15150 Boiling Springs Road. Witnesses told sheriffs deputies that Campbell approached the victims and said several unusual remarks before firing one shot at Dumboski. After Dumboski was lying on the ground, according to the witnesses, Campbell fired another shot at him. He then fired one round at Bishop, hitting him in the left side of his head, killing him. After Bishop was on the ground, he fired another shot at him. The details of the shootings are in the probable cause statement used as the basis of the charges against Campbell. Hes charged with first-degree murder, first-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. After the shootings, the witnesses told deputies, Campbell walked to a pickup in the driveway and placed something inside. Campbell then returned and placed a pistol underneath the chin of one of the witnesses and held it there for a few seconds. Witnesses said that Campbell then made several more unusual statements before fleeing in Bishops black Ford Ranger. Witnesses stated that Campbell had a firearm in each of his hands when he approached them from the darkness, according to the probable cause statement. That black Ranger pickup has a Missouri license plate of 6UX 841, a green grille and green front bumper. The witnesses said Campbell identified himself by name. They also were able to identify him from a current photograph, according to the probable cause statement. Texas County Prosecuting Attorney Parke Stevens said Campbell has a conviction from last year for tampering with a motor vehicle. If hes convicted of the new charges, he could face a death penalty or a a life prison sentence without parole for murder, a 10- to 30-sentence for assault, three years or more for each count of armed criminal action, and between two and seven years for unlawful possession of a firearm. Representatives from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) mission were again denied access to the captives despite the agreements reached at Normandy Four talks in Berlin, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said. "Today, we received an official denial of a visit by representatives from the humanitarian mission - the International Red Cross organization. They were again denied access to our hostages," Porosohenko said while receiving the credentials from Poland's Ambassador to Ukraine Jan Pieklo in Kyiv on Wednesday, the Ukrainian president's press office said. The president pointed out to the ambassador that "Russia, despite the agreements reached in Berlin at the Normandy-format meeting, is not allowing ICRC representatives access the Ukrainian hostages," the press office said. "It is categorically unacceptable when agreements do not get implemented," Poroshenko said. Earlier on Wednesday, ICRC spokesperson Sanela Bajrambasic in Kyiv said that the Red Cross representatives have no proper access to the areas where people are being held captive in the breakaway parts of the Donbas region. On Thursday, October 27, at 12.30, the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency's press center will host a press conference by Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee for Fiscal Policy and Banking Activities Serhiy Rybalka on the stabilization of the financial and banking sector and need to adjust the exchange rate by the National Bank of Ukraine (8/5a Reitarska Street). Registration requires press accreditation. 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... President Maithripala Sirisena arrived in Goa on 15 October 2016 to participate at the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) - BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multisectoral Technical Cooperation) Outreach Summit. The President was met by the Minister of Labour of the State Government of Goa Shri Avertano Furtado and the Union Minister of State for External Affairs Shri M J Akbar and received a ceremonial welcome at the Naval Airport. A retreat of India - BIMSTEC leaders was held prior to the BRICS - BIMSTEC Outreach Summit on 16 October. On the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leaders of BIMSTEC countries were invited for an interactive Summit with BRICS leaders. Highlighting that BRICS - BIMSTEC countries comprises nearly half of the world's population, the leaders at the outreach summit were unanimous in their commitment to jointly explore possibilities of expanding trade and commercial ties, and investment cooperation between BRICS and BIMSTEC countries, while advancing common goals of peace, development, democracy and prosperity. Addressing the Outreach Summit, President Sirisena emphasised that the 20th Anniversary of BIMSTEC in 2017 provides an opportunity to effect the much needed transformation of the organization, to help it realize the full potential of regional cooperation and called for the early finalisation of the BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement. The President held a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed matters of bilateral importance including Indian projects implemented in Sri Lanka. He also held a bilateral meeting with the Chinese President Xi Jing Ping. Both leaders renewed their commitment to enhance cooperation and commemorating the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations and the 65th anniversary of the Rubber-Rice Pact in 2017. President Sirisena met Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal of Nepal, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan and the State Counsellor of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi. During discussions with these leaders President Sirisena highlighted the importance of the shared Buddhist heritage and invited their participation at the United Nations Vesak Celebrations in Sri Lanka in May 2017. President Sirisena was accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Harsha de Silva, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in India Chitranganee Wagiswara, Director General for South Asia of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Asoka Girihagama and Consul General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai Saroja Sirisena. Consulate General of Sri Lanka Mumbai 17 October 2016 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 PRESS RELEASE Duterte Declares that U.S. Defense Pact Will Be Rescinded Eventually Oct. 25, 2016 (EIRNS)Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has finally made explicit that he will eventually rescind the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States, signed in 2014 by former President Corazon Aquino as an Executive Order, which allows the United States to set up military bases around the country in preparation for a war with China. On his way to Japan, Duterte told the press: "You have the EDCA; well, forget it. If I stay here long enough, one day that EDCA will if its an executive agreement then I will just...," signaling its end. "I look forward to the time when I no longer see any military troops or soldiers in my country except the Filipino soldiers," he said. "There will be no more wars. Who will wage war against us? They [the United States] want to talk about the bogeyman war; stop that shit," he added, according to ABS-CBN. Responding to Assistant Secretary of State Danny Russels threats over the weekend, Duterte said: "Leave the country, we will persevere. We will recover; I assure you we will live," he said. "I am not also a tuta [puppy] of any country. Mind you." PRESS RELEASE After Election, Expect Saudi Megabucks Effort To Repeal JASTA Oct. 25, 2016 (EIRNS)Leaders of groups supporting the 9/11 families in the passage of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) are warning that after the presidential election, the Saudis will launch a multi-million-dollar public-relations campaign to reverse JASTA. And the John Brennans and James Clappers of the military intelligence apparatus, together with Obama, will attempt to create fear that our soldiers will be at risk because of JASTA. The passage of JASTA gives American courts the authorization to award civil claims against a state for physical injury or death that occurs as a result of an act of international terrorism. In the McGill International Review of Oct. 20, Anna Sibal reports that the Arab Project is pushing the Iraqi government to seek compensation for the killing of civilian targets and destruction of property during the 2003 U.S. Iraq invasion. Though these questions on the U.S. invasion of Iraq have been raised before, no action has resulted. The strongest objection to JASTA arises from the supposed violation of "sovereign immunity" that it allows. Sibal writes that the concept that "the sovereign state can do no wrong" has been used historically by governments to remain free of tort liability, and in more recent history, to declare themselves legally untouchable in cases of criminal prosecution by other states. "Weakening sovereign immunity may prevent it from being used as a deflection whenever states engage in a dubiously legal action in other states," Sibel writes, but "a full suspension of sovereign immunity is not practical, and will most likely never occur. However, a weakening of the principles power may force states to consider before using violence in foreign policy. States should fear the consequences of JASTA and the newly-affirmed vulnerability of their absolute state immunity rights." In the lead-up to the passage of JASTA, Rep. Peter Kings legal counsel wrote a memorandum on the subject on his website, stating: "JASTA does not apply to military activities of a foreign state. JASTA is expressly unavailable in relation to any act of war, as defined under existing law. This limitation, coupled with JASTAs requirement that the claim arise from an act of international terrorism on U.S. soil, as also defined under existing law, precludes JASTAs invocation in relation to any military activities of a foreign sovereign. "The enactment of reciprocal legislation poses no risk to our military personnel. Given the limitations described above, the enactment by a foreign government of legislation mirroring JASTA would present no risk of lawsuits against U.S. military personnel. To the extent the issue is instead the potential that a foreign government might enact different laws that allow claims against U.S. personnel, it would not be reciprocating, but rather engaging in a transparent and unjustifiable act of aggression, and the U.S. would be expected to respond by making clear the economic, diplomatic, social, and military consequences of such aggression, as it would in any other case. "The United States Already is Subject to Claims Abroad for Civilian Casualties of Drone Strikes and Pays Compensation to Unintended Casualties of Those Strikes. The United States already responds to claims in foreign jurisdictions for civilian casualties of drone strikes in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Yemen, and has a program in place to pay compensation to the families of unintended casualties of those strikes..." [Memo by Jamie Tricarico Matese, Office of Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.)] JASTA is a U.S. law which allows American citizens to seek judgments in U.S. courts that Saudi-British sponsored terrorists killed American citizens on U.S. soil on 9/11. The only problem with JASTA is that it doesnt allow Americans to sue Obama for killing Americans. The history ofthe Silk Road sparks numerous aspirations for the ancient route. Hadrian, the Roman Emperor depicted by French writer Marguerite Yourcenar, was fascinated with the flourishing commerce and trade along the ancient Silk Road. TheBelt and Road initiative put forward by Chinese President XiJinping has amazed the world. There have been three highlights of the initiative. First of all, the markets of Asia, Europe and Africa will be integrated into a community of common interest thanks to the initiative. As the marginal effect generated from globalization has lessened, the world economy has come to need a new growth engine.The connectivity created by the initiative will present Asia with new growth opportunities. By helping with the infrastructureprojects of countries along the Belt and Roadroute, China will further open itself to the world and accelerate its development as well. Whats more, China has been making efforts to internationalize the RMB and transform its economic growth towardsa focus on higher quality and more inclusiveness. As all countries live on the same planet, none can survive like an isolated Robinson Crusoe. China-Europe cooperation will bring the latter economic growth and job opportunities, whileEurope, Asia and Africa will turn into a community of shared interests, responsibilities and destinies in terms of geopolitical strategy. Though globalization led by Western countries did bring prosperity to cities and coastal areas, villages, inland areas and Oriental countries were left behind. By calling for a global rebalance, the initiativepoints to a brighter future for globalization. Second, new driving forces are emerging in Asia. Asia is becoming a global engine for structural reform by reforming and opening up to the world.Its vitalitywill bolster European growth as well. Since Asian countries have always believed that Europe is the key to globalization, it is more of an imperative for them to focus on the European market, especially considering that, at present, the US is neglecting Europe after pivoting toward the Asia-Pacific region. Europe-Asia cooperation will bring balance to the future world. Europe should take this opportunity to return to the center of the world stage, and in this way, reshape the transatlantic relationship between Europe and the US. Third, the initiative highlights both cultural and economic development. Western dominated globalization, while bringing in competition,also introduced some destructive effects: retrogression of civilization, prevailing individualism and irrational behavior. The recent chaos in the Western world, including a resurgence of populism, a chaoticUS presidential election and Brexit, have shaken the world. Given this backdrop, the geopolitical and strategic entity of Europe, Asia and Africa, which is represented by Egypt, Greece, India and China,needs to shoulder the responsibility of rejuvenating human civilization. Right now, cultural exchanges within the framework of the Belt and Road are blossoming. For example, the second China-France culture forum, themed the Belt and Road: Cultural Communication and Integration, will be held in Lyon, France in 2017. TheBelt and Road initiative is more than just a theory,it is a new model for governance thanks to itsplentiful financial instruments and multilateral mechanisms. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB),that was proposed by Xi Jinping and established in 2013, now holds over $100 billion of subscribed capital, which will allow it to effectively propel development. The establishment of AIIB, the New Development Bank and the Silk Road Fund sends a message to the world that China is more than capable of implementingthe initiative. While the initiative is sure to test the French governments wisdom and judgment when it comes to deciding how to respond to and dovetail development strategies with the Belt and Road initiative, France welcomes and supports the initiative, because it is directly linked to its interests and strategic plans. (The author is the former French prime minister and chairman of the Senate Committee for Military, Defense and Foreign Affairs) A loan officer who peddled bad loans to churches across the country a scam that nearly took down L.A.s last black-owned bank was sentenced this week to federal prison, ending a lengthy saga for Broadway Federal Bank. Paul Ryan, 49, of Torrance pleaded guilty two years ago to running a scheme in which he approved loans to churches that were on shaky financial footing in exchange for bribes of $354,000. As part of his 18-month sentence handed down Monday, Ryan will have to pay that same amount in restitution to Broadway Federal. Ryan worked for the bank from 2007 through 2010, years during which Broadway dramatically expanded its portfolio of loans to churches. That expansion nearly bankrupted the lender once those loans started to sour. Advertisement The bank, founded in 1946 by black entrepreneurs including architect Paul R. Williams, had long provided loans to local houses of worship, but in 2007, with Ryans help, it started lending to churches across the country. In 2006, the year before Ryan started at Broadway, the banks church loan portfolio amounted to $17.7 million, or about 7% of all loans. By the end of 2009, that number had jumped to $101 million, representing 22% of all loans. But many of those loans soon went bust. At the end of 2011, more than half of the banks bad loans were church loans. At the time, the bank blamed the poor performance on the recession and a decline in church offerings. That was probably a contributing factor, but perhaps not the leading cause of the banks problems. As it turns out, Ryan was working with loan brokers to provide loans to churches that should not have qualified in the first place. In his guilty plea, Ryan admitted to accepting kickbacks from loan brokers and approving loans using doctored financial information that made churches appear more creditworthy than they were. Federal prosecutors said loans approved by Ryan resulted in losses of more than $5 million to Broadway, but Wayne-Kent Bradshaw, the banks chief executive, said the figure is probably much higher. He estimated that Ryan originated about $90 million in loans, many of which were made with doctored financial information, resulting in losses of as much as $30 million. It was by far the major basis for problems at the institution. It was a big and bad operation, said Bradshaw, who joined the bank in 2009 and became chief executive in 2012. Broadway had a large church portfolio, and it fell apart. We found out it was the making of a rogue lender. Federal regulators and investigators, not Broadway, uncovered the scheme, Bradshaw said. The investigation into Ryan and another participant in the scam, loan broker Chester Peggese, was handled by the FBI, IRS, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP. Peggese pleaded guilty to bank fraud last year and in February was ordered to pay $4.2 million in restitution and serve a year and a day in federal prison. Broadway received a $15-million loan from TARP to shore up its balance sheet after incurring big losses driven mostly by church loans in 2009. The bank was never able to repay that loan. The U.S. Treasury in 2013 agreed to swap its debt for Broadway stock and remains the largest shareholder in the bank, which is partly owned by Koreatowns Bank of Hope but is still considered a black-owned institution by regulators. Broadway stopped making church loans in 2010 after federal regulators ordered it to cease the practice. Though that order was lifted last year, Bradshaw said he has no plans to get back into that business. The bank still has $43 million in church loans on its books. Bradshaw said thats more than enough for Broadway, which has total assets of $408 million. A church loan can be a good loan, he said. If someone wants to make that decision, thats fine. Its not one that I want to make. The bank, which is headquartered in Mid-Wilshire and has branches near USC and in Inglewood, now focuses on making loans for apartment-building acquisitions by small investors. james.koren@latimes.com Follow me: @jrkoren The Southern California Flower Market, a downtown Los Angeles institution, hopes to transform its property into a mixed-use community of offices, apartments and restaurants while still selling the roses, carnations and snapdragons it has for more than a century. The plans, recently filed with the city, are meant to fund the redevelopment of the markets aging home at 755 Wall St. and enable the 104-year-old business to stay in an increasingly luxurious and residential city center. Ultimately, we want to stay in downtown Los Angeles, said Scott Yamabe, the markets executive vice president. Our objective is to improve the area and maintain the Flower Market. Advertisement The solution, Yamabe says, is development. Specifically, plans call for the demolition of one building to construct a 15-story residential tower with around 320 units, 10% of them below market rate, Yamabe said. At the base of the tower would be shops and restaurants that would spill out onto a paseo connecting to the other Flower Market building, which will be renovated. There, flowers would be sold on the ground floor, and creative offices on the second story could be leased to technology firms and others. 1 / 12 Jazmin Vivar carries flowers from the Southern California Flower Market for her mothers birthday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 12 Designer Melinda Brownstone, left, selects flowers sold by David Carcamo at the Southern California Flower Market. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 12 Cathy Ball, left, a floral designer, speaks with Julio Barajas at the Southern California Flower Market. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 12 Designer Manuel Acosta selects flowers at the Southern California Flower Market. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 12 Julio Barajas moves a load of flowers to the cooler at the Southern California Flower Market. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 12 Jose Munoz carries flowers from the Southern California Flower Market for his wife. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 12 Jose Lopez moves bundles of flowers at the Southern California Flower Market. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 12 Claudia Zavala helps her nephew Thiago Zavala, 4, pick flowers at the Southern California Flower Market. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 12 Thiago Zavala, 4, helps select flowers at the Southern California Flower Market. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 12 Diane Villarreal, left, and Karen Neilan carry plants at the Southern California Flower Market for a housewarming. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 12 Julio Barajas works with flowers at the Southern California Flower Market. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 12 Victoria Perez, left, carries flowers from the Southern California Flower Market for a Halloween party. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) The market is part of the larger Los Angeles Flower District that covers multiple blocks around Wall between 7th and 8th streets. It draws flower retailers, event planners and others who arrive in the pre-dawn hours to purchase cut flowers at wholesale prices. The district is only a short walk from the heart of skid row, and the $100-million plus Southern California Flower Market project is the latest investment in an area that until recently was left out of downtowns development boom. Last month, developers filed plans to build a 33-story residential tower across from the flower market. On Wednesday, the Los Angeles City Council took the first step in giving the market a shot at its plans. It approved a motion from area Councilman Jose Huizar to start the approval process, which will require a general plan amendment since housing on the property is currently prohibited. Such general plan changes can be initiated only by the City Council, Planning Commission or the director of planning and have become increasingly controversial in todays development boom. They are the subject of two upcoming ballot measures, one in November that would impose additional hiring and affordability requirements for such projects, and another in March that would impose a two-year moratorium on them, while making future changes far more difficult. In an email, Huizar spokesman Rick Coca said the councilman believes in the transformative nature of this project and looks forward to it going through a robust public process. The Flower Market is a city of Los Angeles institution, but they face challenges, Coca said. We are taking the lead on this because these kind of applications often get bogged down in bureaucratic malaise, and we want to make sure that this has the proper public review, while not taking any more time than necessary. Yamabe said the Flower Markets problems stem from the age of its structures, one built in the 1960s, the other in the 1980s. Problems include outdated refrigeration systems and freight elevators. Unfortunately our buildings are so obsolete, we are spending tons of money maintaining them, he said. The market a collection of around 50 individual tenants has also had to contend with a changing industry. In 1912, when Japanese American farmers opened the market in another location nearby, the industry was dominated by California flower growers. In the following decades, the Southern California Flower Market and the competing Los Angeles Flower Market dominated the wholesale business in the region. But in the 1980s, imports particularly from Central and South America started flooding the market. The imports started showing up and bypassed the flower market. In the old days when 100% of flowers were California grown, everyone came here because there were no alternatives, Yamabe said. Companies can now simply buy directly from importers; refrigerated warehouses have popped up around LAX to handle the perishable goods. Kasey Cronquist, chief executive of the California Cut Flower Commission, said imports surged after 1991. Thats when the U.S. enacted a trade pact that made it cheaper for flowers to be imported from a handful of South American countries, including Colombia, in the hopes of supporting industries other than drug production. You have seen a massive change in where flowers came from, Cronquist said. Today you are approximately over 80% being imported, primarily from Colombia and Ecuador. Even the competition along Wall Street has increased. Today, the Los Angeles Flower District includes not just the Southern California and Los Angeles flower markets, but a handful of smaller sellers located in the surrounding blocks, as well as the large California Flower Mall on San Pedro Street. Despite the changes, Yamabe said the market has fared pretty well and the main reason for the redevelopment is to repair the aging buildings. He acknowledged, though, that the new project would help beyond that goal. Additional revenue from apartments and shops would support the business, while the revamp would reduce space to sell flowers. It will tighten up the market and make it a little stronger and really position ourselves hopefully for the next 40 to 50 years. Yamabe said he hopes construction can start in two years. andrew.khouri@latimes.com Follow me @khouriandrew on Twitter Casino operators know there are no gamblers quite like the Chinese. With their affinity for baccarat, the most lucrative game in Las Vegas, Chinese gamblers have long commanded special treatment be it with private Chinese gaming salons, Lunar New Year festivities or performances from pop stars flown in from Hong Kong and Taiwan. No one in Las Vegas, however, has built a casino and hotel strictly for Chinese visitors until now. Advertisement The Lucky Dragon Hotel & Casino is billing itself as Las Vegas first Asian-themed resort, funded in large part by Chinese investors. The property, set to open Dec. 3 with a traditional lion dance, will offer bilingual staff and signage, a luxury tea bar and a host of restaurants with food that wouldnt look or taste out of place in Guangzhou or Shanghai. No General Tsos or egg rolls here, said David Jacoby, chief operating officer for the resort, which left no Chinese superstition unturned. The rose-colored resorts front entrance is designed in a dragon motif. A feng shui master blessed its kitchens. The main bar is eight-sided for good fortune. And its hard to find a No. 4 on the property. The unlucky digit is absent from room numbers and the phone directory. The nine-story hotel even skips a fourth floor. This place is heavily feng shuied Jacoby said. The Lucky Dragon Hotel & Casino is scheduled to open Dec. 3 with a traditional lion dance. (Isaac Brekken / For The Times ) With all that attention to detail, youd think Lucky Dragons brain trust was born in Beijing. But the idea behind the 203-room boutique resort off the northern end of the Las Vegas Strip was largely conceived by an American veteran gaming executive, Bill Weidner, the former president and chief operating officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp. Weidner, an advisor to Lucky Dragon, is no neophyte to the Chinese market. He worked with some of Chinas most powerful government figures to lead Sands expansion into Macau when the former Portuguese colony relaxed its monopoly on gaming licenses in 2002. Macau now generates nearly five times the gambling revenue of the Las Vegas Strip, forever changing the fortunes of the global casino industry. Weidner was also involved in the development of the $5.5-billion Marina Bay Sands in Singapore before leaving the company in a bitter dispute in 2009. Weidner and Jacoby know major Las Vegas gaming resorts like the Sands Venetian, MGM or Wynn already cater to Chinas high rollers with VIP parlors and relationships forged in Macau. Lucky Dragon, though tiny compared with those properties, addresses what they see as a gap in the market: middle-class Chinese gamblers, Chinese Americans as well as the broader Asian American community. Let them fight over the 1% and let us fight over the remaining 99%, said Jacoby, who previously worked for Weidners firm, Global Gaming Asset Management, opening a casino resort in the Philippines. That pool of Chinese gamers will almost certainly grow. On Dec. 2, Hainan Airlines will fly the first direct flights from China to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (Lucky Dragon guests are confirmed to be on that flight, Jacoby said). Already, a record 206,743 visitors from China traveled to Las Vegas last year, nearly double the number in 2010, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Meanwhile, ground was broken on another Asian-themed resort, this one much bigger than Lucky Dragon. Resorts World, a Malaysian hospitality and casino giant with decades of Asian gaming experience, is spending up to $4 billion for a 3,200-room property on the North Strip that will feature Chinese architecture such as an ersatz Great Wall. Its slated to open in 2019. Plans are also underway to build a $2-billion resort on the Strip called Alon Las Vegas. The project is owned by Australias Crown Resort, who count Chinese gamers as a major source of business. Its going to be even more of a competitive market, said John DeCree, an analyst at Union Gaming in Las Vegas. Everyones coming for the same customer. Its going to be a challenge. With 203 rooms, the hotel is small compared with many on the Strip. But with five restaurants, it offers more dining options than many its size. (Isaac Brekken / For The Times ) Competition could also be fierce for Chinese high rollers, whose gambling activity has been curtailed by a slowing Chinese economy and an anti-corruption campaign at home that, until recently, sent Macau gambling revenue into a two-year slump. Las Vegas isnt immune to those headwinds. After years of explosive growth, casinos on the Strip experienced a decline in the amount of money bet on baccarat to about $10 billion in 2015. Thats nearly $2 billion less than 2014, according to the Nevada Gaming Control Board. The casino industry uses the card game as a proxy for Chinese gambling activity because of its massive popularity within the culture. Thats both for practical and superstitious reasons. Baccarat has the best statistical odds of beating the house compared with other games. And as a game of chance over skill, baccarat also plays into Chinese fatalistic attitudes toward luck. The vast majority of baccarat play comes from the Asian market, said Jacoby of Lucky Dragon. Jacobys casino will offer seven VIP baccarat tables on a second-floor terrace with access to a vast menu of authentic Chinese food. In addition to live seafood flown in from all over the world, the property will serve staples like congee, wonton noodles and dim sum. Food is expected to be a big draw because Chinese vacationers overwhelmingly prefer their native cuisine over others. Las Vegas has a number of well-regarded Chinese restaurants such as Ping Pang Pong at Gold Coast Hotel & Casino, China MaMa in Chinatown and an outpost of Chengdu Taste, the San Gabriel Valley stalwart for Sichuan cuisine. High-end Chinese food is also served at high-roller rooms such as the Venetians Paiza Club. No casino, however, boasts the concentration of Chinese restaurants that Lucky Dragon will, with five altogether. The hope is Chinese tourists staying at other properties will choose to eat and gamble at Lucky Dragon when they venture off the Strip. The emphasis on food means Lucky Dragons owners can eschew things that arent particularly important to Chinese tourists, like a whiskey bar or nightclub. And because Chinese tourists often dont like to sunbathe, Lucky Dragons pool isnt much bigger than the backyard variety. Jacoby says his competitors on the Strip offer Chinese gamers a diluted experience by operating a handful of Chinese restaurants and parlors in mega-casinos that have to serve all manner of people, not just Chinese. By comparison, visitors to Lucky Dragon can start conversing in Mandarin with staff as soon as they walk in, he said. Were trying to take [the Asian gaming experience] and bring that front and center instead of hiding the most valuable customer in a segregated portion of a large building, Jacoby said. Though Lucky Dragon will rely heavily on Asian American customers at first, its funding was largely drawn from mainland Chinese investors through the federal EB-5 visa program. The visa allows foreigners and their immediate family to gain permanent U.S. residency in exchange for a minimum investment of $500,000 that also creates American jobs. Rather than focusing on bars and nightclubs, the casino is prioritizing dining options. That includes a tea room, still under construction. (Isaac Brekken / For The Times ) Chinese investors have dominated the program nationwide, accounting for 80% of applicants awaiting EB-5 visas. Though occasionally subject to fraud, the program has successfully funded a handful of mixed-used projects in New York, the JW Marriott hotel at L.A. Live and the SLS Hotel & Casino across from Lucky Dragon. Jacoby declined to say how many Chinese investors are involved in Lucky Dragon, which is expected to employ 800 people. Jacoby also declined to disclose how much the project cost, adding that earlier media reports pegging the price tag at about $370 million were inaccurate. The company hit a snag last year when it unsuccessfully sought tax subsidies from the city. But financial commitments from Weidners family and others put the project back on track. Lucky Dragon isnt the first Las Vegas resort to target a specific demographic. The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and the Palms Casino Resort opened years ago catering to young partygoers and clubbers before eventually being overshadowed by larger competitors on the Strip such as the MGM Grand and the Cosmopolitan. Lucky Dragons early backers even considered building an LGBT resort before settling on their current strategy, one they say will live and die on being able to deliver an authentic Chinese gambling experience. We set out trying to put together a place that would stand alone in Shanghai if you dropped it off down there today, Jacoby said. We didnt want to [have] just gongs, Asian tapestries and caricature-stuff like that. david.pierson@latimes.com Follow me @dhpierson on Twitter ALSO Gambled and lost: Normandie Casino ordered to pay millions after hiding high-roller winnings For victims of tour bus crash, $20 bought them a ride, friends, laughs and the excitement of the casino Hawaiian Gardens gambles on a $90-million overhaul of its casino as rivals invest in their own upgrades Sumner Redstone says ex-girlfriends made off with $150 million, leaving him in debt On the afternoon of the final presidential debate, jewelry and accessories designer Jacquie Aiche stood in the backyard of her Beverly Hills showroom with a leafy cannabis-plant crown atop her head, a 14-karat gold-and-diamond pinkie ring on her right hand, and a solution to the ugly campaign season on the tip of her tongue. Honestly, Trump and Hillary just need to sit down together and smoke a joint! Aiche said. It makes people happy. It could heal the nation! Donning blue-jean skirts and makeshift habits, Sister Kate and Sister Darcy are orderless and self-proclaimed nuns who have been reverently growing and producing cannabis-based tonics and salves in their Merced operation known as the Sisters of the Advertisement The comment drew a wide smile and a high-five from Bianca Green, founder of a marijuana education and awareness campaign called Spark the Conversation and co-host of an exceedingly cannabis-friendly event that drew friends and supporters from both camps, including models Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner, author and filmmaker Liz Goldwyn, Stillhouse whiskey wunderkind Brad Beckerman, Mother denim label co-founder Lela Becker and the stars of MTVs Mary + Jane, Jessica Rothe and Scout Durwood. The purpose of the party (start time was 4:20 p.m.) was two-fold. First, it was to officially celebrate the launch of an expansion of Aiches pot-leaf-emblazoned Sweet Leaf jewelry and apparel collection. Second, it was an effort to de-stigmatize the social use of cannabis by adults and raise awareness about Californias Proposition 64 (the Nov. 8 ballot initiative to legalize recreational use of marijuana in the state for those age 21 and over). Aiche, who describes herself as an enthusiastic consumer of cannabis (Ive been an avid pot smoker my whole life, she said. It helps my creativity) and has designing many a pot-themed piece over the years, says she first connected with Green a few years back when the latter was frantically searching for just the right statement piece to carry to Snoop Doggs birthday party. I was going to Snoops birthday party and I wanted something that night, Green remembers. So [Jacquie] opened her showroom on a Sunday for me, and I got a snakeskin clutch with [a] black [pot] leaf on it. I liked it so much I slept with it that night. Aiche says shes created so many cannabis-themed pieces over the last five years that it more or less organically grew into a standalone collection, which she promptly dubbed Sweet Leaf. Today, the collection features an assortment of high-end items emblazoned with the seven-pointed cannabis leaf, including a black snakeskin and leather backpack ($6,250), the aforementioned snakeskin clutches ($2,000), denim shirts created in collaboration with Mother ($750) and pieces of jewelry that range from $440 (for a pair of pave diamond and 14K gold earrings) to $5,500 (for a gold-and-diamond choker necklace bearing 10 tiny pot leaves). What Aiche rolled out at the Oct. 19 party were a few smoking-specific additions to the range available via her website starting today. They include clutches designed to securely store credit cards (as well as that medical marijuana patient identification card) on one side and combustibles and a lighter on the other ($2,400 for a snakeskin version, $7,000 for crocodile), snakeskin blunt travel cases ($440) and snakeskin-clad lighters tagged with a pave pot-leaf charm ($400). Those pieces werent the only thing on display in and around Aiches La Peer Drive showroom, though. There was also a noticeable, unabashed enthusiasm for cannabis culture. In one corner of the yard, a brand called Evoxe was demonstrating its vape pens. In the opposite corner, a handful of attendees were firing up the old-fashioned way and leafing through literature about Spark the Conversation, which would head to Humbolt County the next morning to start a pre-voting-day bus tour through the state. In the middle was a bar serving up themed cocktails like the Peach Dont Kill My Vibe (Stillhouse peach tea whiskey and lemonade) and the Pineapple Express (Stillhouse coconut whiskey and pineapple juice). Inside, a doctor was on call to offer Skype consultations to prospective medical marijuana patients. Spark the Conversations Green sees benefits to cannabis-meets-couture efforts like Aiches. With Jacquie making these [pieces] in such a high-end manner, it really helps change the stigma, she said. Were able to see change when people come out and normalize [marijuana use] and speak about it. and especially when its pieces that resonate with what youd call an elevated lifestyle. Thats a really good demographic. Honestly, Trump and Hillary just need to sit down together and smoke a joint! It makes people happy. It could heal the nation! Jewelry designer Jacquie Aiche For more musings on all things fashion, style and cannabis couture, follow me @ARTschorn. ALSO ClubM, a Birchbox-type service for the pot-smoking set, turns 1 These 76-year-old pot-growing twins oppose legalization. Heres why Tommy Chongs birthday wish? Make it an annual pot holiday After much anticipation and maybe even more very real hunger, Jonathan Golds new 101 list is finally here. The fourth edition of his 101 Best Restaurants is now available for subscribers and the print edition will be out on Sunday. Here are Golds top 10 for 2016: 1. Providence Providence is again No. 1 on the 101. (Mariah Tauger / For The Times ) Advertisement Once again, Providence embodies what a restaurant should aspire to be. Michael Cimarusti still operates within the context of a modernist seafood chef who embraces flavors from across the globe, but the fish he uses is increasingly local and sustainable. The dining room is lovely and unfussy; the wine list is appropriate to the cuisine. Is the fourth year at No. 1 anticlimactic? Think of it more as a dynasty. 2. Shibumi (Harrison Hill / Los Angeles Times ) David Schlosser, slicing abalone, pureeing wasabi root with a tool made from sandpaper-rough sharkskin, fussing over the placement of a sliver of jellied fish skin on an arrangement of sea bream sashimi, presides over his dining bar, fashioned from a single 400-year-old cypress trunk, with the intense concentration you find in the very best chefs. His marquee dishes include seared A5 Japanese beef and salmon hot-smoked over smoldering cherry bark, but the real pleasures at Shibumi may lie in the crunch of the lightly salted cucumbers stuffed with shiso leaf. 3. Lukshon Sometimes I think Sang Yoon may be the most underachieving chef in America, a man who will spend a thousand hours developing a perfect dan dan mian and then dump it from his menu because he got bored, or tinker on his fermented XO sauce the way your cousin Gabe works on his old Corvette. It may be beyond easy to underestimate the food at Lukshon. Someday, though, Yoon may decide to streamline all this into a $150 tasting menu. Until then, its almost a bargain. 4. Spring (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times ) Spring is one of the loveliest restaurant spaces in Los Angeles: an old courtyard, dotted with pepper trees and high-end lawn furniture, under a century-old canopy of cast iron and glass. It is a serious restaurant, its flavors influenced by Provence and California, whose kitchen has achieved an almost fanatical level of execution. 5. Taco Maria (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times ) Taco Maria may be the most unlikely great restaurant in Southern California; a mall place, descended from a food truck, with a scattering of rough-hewn tables, a comfortable patio and piles of Mason jars. It would be easy to mistake Taco Maria for a genteel enchilada place instead of a restaurant with a $75 prix-fixe tasting menu and a young chef, Carlos Salgado, esteemed by some of the finest culinary minds in both California and Mexico. 6. Spago (Mariah Tauger / For The Times ) Although an almost unimaginable number of people flow through the restaurant now, and it sells a lot of meat and potatoes, Wolfgang Puck, executive chef Lee Hefter and chef de cuisine Tetsu Yahagi manage to keep Spago relevant year after year in an environment where it is not enough to cook fish well, the fish must have meaning whether it be a take on chirashi sushi served in a rustic crate or steamed loup de mer with a spot of shad-roe cream. Like the elevated pizza, pasta and salad with which the restaurant originally made its reputation, Spagos cooking flickers around the edges of memory and desire while never quite succumbing to them. And when your desires are more concrete, those meat and potatoes grilled cote de boeuf with potatoes aligot are awfully good. 7. Cassia (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times ) Cassia a busy, bustling megabistro loved for its clay-oven flatbreads with snails or chickpea curry, its grilled lobster with Vietnamese herbs and its versions of Singapore classics like seafood laksa or the coconut braised beef called rendang. There may not be an Instagram account in Santa Monica that hasnt included at least one snap of the egg custard with uni. But Ng, trained at the Cordon Bleu in Paris, is claiming the essence of French cooking as his own: colonizing the colonizers at last. 8. Mozzaplex (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times ) Nancy Silverton presides over the complex of restaurants at the corner of Melrose and Highland avenues. Pizzeria Mozza ranks among the best pizzerias in the United States. Osteria Mozza goes from strength to strength, from the mostly Emilia-Romagna-style fresh pastas to rabbit with sausage. Mozza2Go is the takeout arm, a counter with a small specialty in Puglia-style focaccia, among other things. Chi Spacca is an Italian meat restaurant, famous for mammoth steaks, slow-grilled tomahawk pork chops massaged with fennel pollen, and house-cured salumi. 9. Trois Mec (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times ) Ludovic Lefebvre is probably the buzziest chef in a city filled with buzzy chefs, the telegenic inventor of the pop-up restaurant; a chef capable of running grand kitchens who prefers to cook for 24 people at a time. Will the tasting menu include mustard creme brulee, truffled grilled cheese sandwiches with charcoal ice cream, or cold smoked eel with white chocolate mashed potatoes? Or pork and cabbage? They just might. 10. Q Sushi (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times ) Los Angeles is blessed with a large contingent of fine sushi chefs, and it is possible to explore more styles of sushi here than in any city outside Japan. But the most transformative sushi meals I have had here have come from Hiroyuki Naruke at the omakase-only Q Sushi downtown, who seems to have the ability to distill all the wonders of nature into careful mouthfuls of rice, vinegar and fish. From oak to fruit woods, the flavor of smoke can add complexity and character to bacon, barbecue and even beer. Before the industrial revolution changed how beers raw ingredients were processed, almost all beer was subtly smoky. Malted barley was dried over wood fires and inadvertently flavored by the smoke. The sweet and woody essence wasnt a defining flavor of those old brews, but it was unavoidable. Today, maltsters and brewers have much more control, sometimes developing a background note of wood smoke to a stout, or crafting a brew thats as intensely smoky as todays IPAs are hoppy. Smoky beers are a niche flavor but its easy enough to find examples. And its a realm worth exploring if youre looking for something new. Traditional German Rauchbier from Autsch Schlenkerla Advertisement Germany is a traditional home of the smoked beer, and Bamberg is the capital of the classic rauchbier style. The rauch German for smoke in this case, is the clean and bright smoke of beechwood, and the malt smoked by traditional German maltsters finds its way into many of the lager styles in the German brewing tradition. Malt is smoked in-house at the Schlenkerla brewery in Bamberg and used in a line of beers from marzen to dopplebock. The squat bottles of Schlenkerla beers are readily available at beer retailers. Test the waters with the Original Marzen, a caramely and crisp lager with an unmistakable smoky finish. The first sip might be off-putting, but the beer develops as you work towards the bottom of the glass, and by the second half, you might be surprised just how enjoyable the pint can be. Wheat beer fans can go for the Schlenkerla Weizen which marries the typical banana and spice flavors of the style with the signature beechwood smoke. Schlenkerla also brews a light and crisp helles bier that doesnt use any smoked malt, but the pale golden brew retains the faintest suggestions of smoke lingering in the finish. Smoked Porter from Alaskan Brewing One of the first commercially available American smoked beers is this often imitated seasonal brew from Alaskan Brewing. A straightforward porter, rich in roasted malts and burnt caramel undertones, is crafted with a dose of malt specially smoked with Alaskan alder wood. The alder smoke is sweet and herbaceous like cedar, and the brewers integrate it deftly into the full flavored porter. The beer has won countless awards, and it is released from the brewery annually on Nov. 1. Look for it at Whole Foods, BevMo! and Total Wines in November. Cowboy Curtis from Arts District Brewing Co. A locally-made example of a smoked beer, Cowboy Curtis was envisioned by brewmaster Devon Randall as a tribute to Alaskan Brewings Smoked Porter. Randall uses beechwood smoked malts because of its more neutral smoke flavor; she says fruitwoods can be too sweet and distracting. I didnt want it to taste like a campfire, she says. Cowboy Curtis hits the sweet spot of being smoky without being eye-watering, and the brew was recently awarded a silver medal at the prestigious Great American Beer Festival. Cowboy Curtis is available on draft at the Arts District Brewing Co. brewpub while it lasts. Wholly Smoke from Beachwood Brewing Another local option, Wholly Smoke mixes oak smoked wheat malt in with the more common beechwood smoked malt for a complex smoke flavor that is assertive and lingers. Its full-bodied with a firm hoppy finish from woodsy and herbaceous English hops that match the character of the smoked malts. A pint at the Long Beach brewpub offers some interesting pairing possibilities, but be careful when matching smoked beers with smoky BBQ foods: its all too easy to overdo the smoke flavors. Try Wholly Smoke with the smothered steak fries instead. Cherrywood Smoked Brown Ale from Scholb Another local example is this light and quaffable brown ale from year-old Scholb Premium Ales in Torrance. The brew features a restrained flavor of sweet and delicate cherrywood smoked malts. Toasted bread and the light chocolate flavors of a brown ale are at the forefront with just a wisp of smoke flavor presenting at the end of a sip. The subtle smoke serves to balance the brown ale for a pint that goes down easier than youd expect. The beer isnt currently available at the Torrance tasting room, but it might make an appearance as the weather begins to cool off. Rex Attitude from the Yeastie Boys Finding this beer might be a tall order, but if you happen to see a bottle of Rex Attitude imported from New Zealands The Yeastie Boys brewers (and you like scotch) its worth grabbing. The golden ale is brewed with a large proportion of peat-smoked distilling malts, and like the Islay whiskies that also use malts dried over peat fires, Rex Attitude is intensely flavored. Some say it tastes like a medicine cabinet or like Chloraseptic mouth spray while others love the lingering bite. Love it or hate it, you wont soon forget it. ALSO: Where to celebrate Diwali in Los Angeles Jonathan Golds 101 Best Restaurants, 2016: The top 10 New event celebrates underground hip-hop artists of the food scene Dia de Muertos or Day of the Dead home decor now has an aisle on the holiday section of major American retailers and although its not the same as Halloween, they both happen during Fall season. In Mexico and other Latin American countries, people celebrate by making altars to their loved ones or visiting their graves to decorate with Mexican marigold flowers, votive candles, pan de muerto (bread of the dead) and sugar skulls as well as food and drinks that the dear departed loved in life. The Day of the Dead is a colorful celebration of life and death. It is not meant to be macabre, remembering the dead as part of an endless cycle, a cultural practice passed on from Mesoamerican cultures. The belief is that dead relatives return on this occasion to celebrate with their live family. Advertisement The holiday used to be celebrated for two Aztec months, 20 days each, beginning in summer. The first month, Miccailhuitontli, honored the deceased children and the second, Hueymiccailhuitl, honored the dead adults. In an attempt to combine with Christian holidays after Spanish influence in Mexico, the celebration was shortened and moved to two days, Nov. 1, All Saints Day, for the children and Nov. 2, All Souls Day, for the adults. Day of the Dead events and celebrations in Los Angeles and other areas of the U.S. have increased every year, and with them, decorations are also showing up even in major retailers like Walgreens and Bed, Bath and Beyond. Many of the decorations have evolved from the sugar skulls and the Catrina, the dapper skeleton popularized by Mexican cartoon illustrator Jose Guadalupe Posada. Whether you choose to go with the traditional ofrenda (offering) or altar to remember and honor your loved ones who have passed away, or you are enjoying the new twist on home decor with Dia de Muertos, here are some ideas: Candles are a big part of most altars. Traditionally, the candle light will guide the dead relatives back to the world of the living and start the celebration. Sugar skull figurines, $5.99, Michaels. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times ) For altars, sugar skulls represent the souls of the dead. You can have actual sugar skulls or you can buy figurines like these ones from Michaels, $5.99. Day of the Dead paper cutouts, $3.95 - $11.95 at Hecho con Carino. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times ) Tissue paper sugar skulls and Day of the Dead cutouts, the more colorful the better. You place this on top of your altar, the mantle or any area you are decorating for the holiday. $3.95 - $11.95 at Hecho con Carino, W-7B Olvera St., Los Angeles, 90012. (213) 625-0065 www.hechoconcarino.com Add some color to your living room with this handmade in L.A. Sugar Skull Fiesta Pillow, $17.99 from Mi Vida Boutique, 5159 York Blvd. Los Angeles, 90042, www.shopmivida.com South L.A. couple Jacqueline Ortiz and Hannibal Garcia make these prints on wood as Ninoska Arte. Many of their prints feature not just Latino icons as skeletons, you can also find David Bowie and Mario Bros. at their Etsy shop and Hecho con Carino, W-7B Olvera St., Los Angeles, 90012. Take your love of sugar skulls with you with this tumbler, which can hold hot or cold drinks. From Target. Day of the Dead coasters, Bed,Bath and Beyond, $2.99 each. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times ) These coasters from Bed, Bath and Beyond are a variation of Day of the Dead artwork, $2.99 each. Concha (Mexican sweet bread called shell) coin purse, $5.95 at Hecho con Carino. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times ) Sweet bread, specifically Pan de muerto or bread of the dead is a staple of most altars, but also sweet bread like conchas (shells) are welcome, especially if it was a favorite of the deceased. This concha-shaped coin purse can be placed if youre weary of leaving sweet bread out, $5.95 at Hecho con Carino, W-7B Olvera St., Los Angeles, 90012. (213) 625-0065 www.hechoconcarino.com denise.florez@latimes.com @deniseflorez U.S. District Judge William Hayes on Tuesday sentenced Victor Emilio Cazares Gastellum to 15 years in prison, calling him the leader of a significant organization involved in the wide-scale importation of drugs into the United States. Aligned with the powerful Sinaloa cartel, Cazares was in the business of shipping tons of cocaine from producers in Colombia and Venezuela to Mexico and distributing the drug throughout the U.S. A Drug Enforcement Administration investigation into his organizations vast network of smugglers and distributors code-named Operation Imperial Emperor turned into one of the largest U.S. investigations against the Sinaloa cartel, resulting in about 400 arrests in the U.S. and Mexico and the seizure of $45 million in cash and tons of drugs, prosecutors said. Advertisement Family ties solidified Cazares connections to the cartel; his sister is a former mistress of Sinaloa drug lord Ismael El Mayo Zambada and his nephew is married to the sister of Sinaloa co-leader Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, the U.S. attorneys office said. Cazares, 53, spent much of his childhood in the Sierra Madre range, a drug-trafficking stronghold. He moved to the Los Angeles area in the 1990s and eventually became a naturalized U.S. citizen. His time in the U.S. included two arrests on suspicion of methamphetamine possession charges reduced to misdemeanors under Californias Proposition 47, his attorney said. He later moved back to Sinaloa, where he oversaw his cocaine business from his ranch outside Culiacan that included a mansion, twin-towered church and stables for his dancing horses. Cazares, known as the Gatekeeper and El Licenciado, used cells of truck drivers, pilots and others to smuggle cocaine across the U.S.-Mexico border, typically in the Calexico area, and move it to cities across the U.S. In 2007 he was indicted in San Diego along with 18 others. A $5-million reward was offered for information leading to his arrest. But Cazares eluded capture for many years and underwent plastic surgery for a more youthful look. He lived in a self-imposed home confinement in Mexico for a while, saying he was afraid of venturing out and being arrested. I was a fugitive of justice at that moment, Cazares told the judge Tuesday. I was closed in my home like someone in jail, afraid Id be arrested. He said he suffered from stress, illness and paranoia of being persecuted, and didnt risk telling his family where he was. Until I got to the point where I just wanted to go into public without caring if Id be arrested. I was so tired of being locked up in that house. He was arrested on a U.S. warrant in April 2012 at a highway checkpoint near Guadalajara. He has been jailed ever since. He was extradited to the U.S. in March. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import drugs in June, admitting his role in moving more than 450 kilograms of cocaine. As part of the plea, he agreed to forfeit $10 million. On Tuesday, he made his first payment of $150,000. Im very sorry for my actions of my past life, Cazares told the judge through an interpreter. When I get out, Im going to live here and join a church and work for God. I want to live in a house surrounded by my children and grandchildren the rest of my life. kristina.davis@sduntiontribune.com Davis writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune Four years ago on a sweltering afternoon, Bakersfield Police Det. Damacio Diaz was sitting in his car alongside informant Guillermo Memo Magallanes. About $15,000 stuck out of Magallanes shorts. When the informant left, the narcotics detective found just under $1,000 in the passenger-side door pocket. For the record: A previous version of this article said the district attorneys office reviewed 108 cases involving the detectives. It reviewed 87 cases. He told me to take my wife out on a date or buy my kids something, Diaz would later recall in court papers. It is a day I truly regret and a decision that has changed my entire life. Advertisement That decision also rocked the Kern County criminal justice system, marking the beginning of an ugly police corruption scandal involving cash, drugs and protection. Diaz and his partner, Patrick Mara, later admitted to ripping off drug dealers of their methamphetamine during traffic stops. Diaz then began cooperating with federal investigators and named other cops he said were corrupt. Now, local prosecutors say the scandal jeopardizes other criminal cases. Kern County Dist. Atty. Lisa Green is sending letters to defendants in 64 potentially tainted criminal convictions after her office examined scores of convictions involving the work of the disgraced pair. The disgraceful and criminal behavior of Diaz and Mara has gravely impacted the Bakersfield Police Department as well as our community as a whole, she said. Prosecutors are specifically reexamining cases from 2011 to 2014, when the partners were committing crimes. If they took statements, seized evidence or wrote reports, we will be sending letters to defense attorneys or defendants that represented themselves, she said. Two misdemeanor prostitution cases in which Diaz as an undercover detective was the only witness have already been dismissed. It was a huge fall from grace for Diaz, who was well known in the Central Valley as being a member of the high school cross-country running team portrayed in the 2015 Disney movie McFarland, USA. Greens office reviewed 87 cases of the detectives involving 123 defendants before deciding to send the letters. Diaz, a 17-year Bakersfield cop, worked on 32 cases involving 53 defendants, with 20 requiring letters, she said. Mara, a 13-year veteran, had 55 cases involving 70 defendants. Forty-four of his cases will result in letters. Defendants could seek motions for a new trial or to withdraw pleas in some cases. The district attorneys office is prepared to retry the cases if necessary, Assistant Dist. Atty. Scott Spielman said. The ramifications of the corruption scandal could be large. How is the district attorney going to oppose any motion for a new trial when these investigators have admitted to such rogue behavior? said Ben Meiselas, who is representing several families suing the Bakersfield police, included a man shot while allegedly an informant for Mara. Defense attorneys compared the Bakersfield situation to the Los Angeles Police Departments Rampart scandal in the late 1990s, in which corrupt officers tainted cases. More than 100 convictions were overturned as a result. What is going on here is really outrageous, said criminal defense attorney Mark Geragos. Acting U.S. Atty. Phillip A. Talbert said the two detectives were specially selected for a joint drug task force in a region plagued by methamphetamine. They became the drug traffickers themselves, he said. Their actions risked their fellow officers safety for greed. Both officers have expressed remorse. Diaz said that his time as a narcotics detective drove him to a life of drinking and that Magallanes, a drug dealer and a prominent member of the Mexican Mafia, became more friend than informant. Mara said that when he partnered up with Diaz in spring 2012, Diaz walked out of a bedroom and handed him a few hundred dollars, while he stuck a large amount of money into his own pockets, according to court papers. That year, Mara filed for bankruptcy and said he was drinking heavily. Soon Diaz and Mara were getting into other illegal activities, authorities said. Federal prosecutors in court sentencing documents said Mara had two patrol officers stop a vehicle the detectives knew was carrying 5 pounds of methamphetamine. They pocketed 4 pounds and turned in just a pound as evidence, officials said. This behavior became common, prosecutors said. Diazs loyalty to Magallanes would be his downfall. The detective tipped him off about a Drug Enforcement Administration wiretap that captured him chatting, advising him to lay low, according to documents. Magallanes then told another drug dealer to dump his phone. Assistant U.S. Atty Brian Delaney said Magallanes was arrested in a separate case and told officials about Diaz. Diaz would quickly implicate Mara and then suggest others were making money too. He gave them information to clean up the department, said his lawyer, David Torres, in an interview. But U.S. Atty. Talbert said that we concluded no officers were complicit in joining Diaz and Mara, and that no further prosecutions were planned at this time. During the investigation, five other officers were placed on administrative leave related to the investigation and one recently resigned. But Bakersfield Police Chief Greg Williamson said the federal and internal inquiries after 18 months cleared them all. They investigated every name that came up, uncovered every rock, and no one elses name came to light in their scandal, the chief said. We have also done internal investigations on many allegations that were made and once again they have been unable to uncover anything. Still, Williamson said, the corrupt detectives had eroded trust with the community. Diaz this summer pleaded guilty to bribery, drug trafficking and tax evasion, and Mara admitted to selling methamphetamine. Both are about to begin five-year federal prison sentences for their crimes. richard.winton@latimes.com Follow @lacrimes on Twitter To read the article in Spanish, click here ALSO Insider is sentenced to prison in scam that nearly took down L.A.'s last black bank Man accused of threatening to kill people at Islamic center because of hatred for Muslims Man is charged with attempted murder after break-in at Miranda Kerrs Malibu home All lanes of the northbound 405 Freeway in Mission Hills were closed for about one hour late Tuesday after multiple vehicles crashed and blocked traffic, authorities said. The collision was reported just before 9 p.m., according to California Highway Patrol Officer Elizabeth Kravig. At least five vehicles were involved in the crash, including a Chevrolet Cruze, a Nissan Xterra, a Volkswagen Passat and a Nissan 300, Kravig said. Advertisement As of 10 p.m., only minor injuries were reported. All lanes of the 405 Freeway reopened by 10:30 p.m. During the closure, traffic had been rerouted on the northbound 118 Freeway. This story will be updated as more information becomes available. matt.hamilton@latimes.com Twitter: @MattHjourno. UPDATES: 10:40 p.m.: This story was updated with all lanes reopening. (Xinhua) 19:28, October 25, 2016 BEIJING, Oct. 25 -- Development driven by China's Belt and Road Initiative will help the reconciliation of ethnic divisions and the calming in regional conflicts of countries involved in the initiative, observers have said. "The role that the Belt and Road Initiative has played in promoting regional peace is likely to be a brand new one and is contrary to the palliative approach that the West has traditionally proposed," said Ding Yifan, a researcher with the Development Research Center of the State Council. RESULT EXCEEDS EXPECTATION The initiative, comprising the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinpingin 2013, has brought together over 100 countries and international organizations in Asia, Europe and Africa, via land and maritime networks. The move is also part of China's efforts to provide public goods and honor international responsibilities that are commensurate with its status as a global power. "Although the Belt and Road Initiative was not a political initiative, promoting close economic and trade cooperation among the (participating) countries will definitely help enhance mutual political trust," said Chen Xiaochen, a researcher with the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University. The initiative's results have exceeded expectations as over 30 countries have since 2013 inked agreements with China to jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative and more than 20 countries along the routes have conducted industrial cooperation with China. However, threats posed by conflicts and upheavals remain, and hinder global peace and economic sustainable development. Some 50 million people worldwide have been displaced due to rising regional conflicts in recent years. Among the participating countries, there are still considerable political and military confrontations. Since the end of the Cold War, the international security situation has become more complex amid mounting hotspot issues, and traditional security threats have intertwined with non-traditional threats in East and West Asia. "Under the Belt and Road Initiative, it is possible to change the state of conflicts through economic means in the background of economic globalization," said Xue Li, a researcher with the Institute of World Economics and Politics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. DEVELOPMENT KEY TO PEACE China is committed to building a new type of international relations featuring mutually beneficial cooperation. In June 2014, President Xi proposed the "Silk Road Spirit" featuring "peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit" at the sixth Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum. "The initiative has not only provided an opportunity to address regional tensions, but also can help gather organizations that love peace," said Tao Jian, president of the Beijing-based University of International Relations. Aside from religious reasons, the concentration of poverty and high unemployment among youth have led to growing calls for national secession, as well as increasing religious extremism and violent terrorism in countries along the routes, Ding said. As the world's second biggest economy, China has played an important role in global trade, investment and development, moreover, it plays an increasingly significant role in foreign aid, regional security and international relations. As China develops, boosting economic development will be a priority of the initiative, which should help alleviate poverty and eradicate the fertile soil that breeds extremism and terrorism. A communique, issued at a G20 summit held in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou last month, noted that the benefits of economic growth should be shared equally. The communique also pledged to eradicate poverty, solve inequality of economic development and make sure no country falls behind. "As a long-term plan, the Belt and Road Initiative will be a promising way to help promote regional reconciliation gradually by boosting development," Chen added. Police said they are searching for a man who tried to abduct a 13-year-old girl in a Simi Valley neighborhood earlier this week and was thwarted by a honking car. Detectives released photos of the man from a bus surveillance camera in hopes that the public could help identify him. The attempted kidnapping occurred about 3:45 p.m. Monday, according to the Simi Valley Police Department. Advertisement The girl entered a city bus near Tapo Street and Township Avenue, then got off about 15 minutes later at Stearns Street and Cochran Street. The man, who was also riding the bus, got off and followed her, police said. As she walked toward her home, he suddenly grabbed her and tried to force her to come with him, according to police. A driver traveling through the neighborhood saw the attempted kidnapping and honked. The girl managed to escape the mans grasp and fled home. She then reported the attack to her father, authorities said. Police searched the area, but did not find the man. Detectives said they are looking for the driver who witnessed the incident and honked, and are hoping to talk to the person about what he or she might have seen. Anyone with details about the attempted kidnapping is urged to call Det. Jeff Quartararo at (805) 583-6956. veronica.rocha@latimes.com For breaking news in California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA on Twitter. State prosecutors have charged an Agoura Hills man with making criminal threats after police say he called the Islamic Center of Southern California and threatened to kill people there. Investigators allege that Mark Feigin, 40, called the center twice last month, at one point threatening to kill its members because of his hatred for Muslims and his belief that Muslims will destroy the United States, LAPD Cmdr. Horace Frank said Tuesday at a news conference. The LAPD launched an investigation into the calls and arrested Feigin during a traffic stop Oct. 19, Frank said. Police then searched his Agoura Hills home and found several guns rifles, shotguns, handguns and thousands of rounds of ammunition, the commander said. Advertisement When people make threats of this nature and they have the means to carry out those threats, its a very serious matter, Frank said. Feigin faces an additional allegation of committing a hate crime and a misdemeanor count of making annoying telephone calls, according to documents filed in court last week. He is scheduled to be arraigned Nov. 10. Feigin, who posted bail and was released from jail a day after he was arrested, could not immediately be reached for comment. The first call to the Islamic Center came Sept. 19, when a man left a voicemail that was peppered with vulgarity and espoused hatred toward the Muslim faith, Frank said. The next day, Frank said a man called again, threatening to kill the person who answered the phone along with other members of the center. Unfortunately, in todays political climate, such hate is not uncommon, said Omar Ricci, a spokesman for the Islamic Center of Southern California. We get a call every once in a while. This particular call rose to a different level. Frank did not specify how police identified Feigin as their suspect, saying only that police were able to connect the voice to the person who called. Investigators obtained warrants to arrest Feigin and search his home last week. Though Feigin has a constitutional right to free speech, Frank said, that right does not extend to making statements that threaten the well-being of others. People make those calls all the time, he said. Where you cross the line is the threat to kill them. Thats where free speech ends. Police are also looking into Facebook posts and tweets that may be connected to Feigin, Frank said. Many of the tweets shared by the LAPD include disparaging, profanity-laced remarks about Muslims, calling Muslims filthy Islamic beasts and saying they should be quarantined. The tweets also included remarks against Muslim refugees drowning them is best, one read. The Islamic Center has increased security in the wake of the calls and the arrest, which Ricci said had shaken the community. When Ricci saw photos of the guns and ammunition police found in Feigins home, he said he feared a Columbine-type event, referring to the Colorado high school shooting massacre in 1999. He could have very easily barged into our facility, with the innocent parishioners, constituents, Ricci said. The worst comes to mind. kate.mather@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter: @katemather A man was charged Tuesday with attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon after he broke into the Malibu home of Australian model Miranda Kerr and slashed a security guards face, authorities said. Shaun Anthony Haywood, a native of Australia, faces one felony count each of attempted willful, deliberate and premeditated murder, assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated mayhem, according to the Los Angeles County district attorneys office. The charges allege that Haywood inflicted great bodily harm on the security guard. If Haywood is convicted, he faces up to life in prison. The attack was reported about 11 a.m. on Oct. 14 after Haywood broke into the Victorias Secret models property to deliver a letter, prosecutors said. Advertisement The security guard saw Haywood and confronted him. Haywood, 29, charged at the guard and grabbed his knife, according to the district attorneys office. Haywood slashed the guards face, prosecutors said. The guard then shot Haywood, said Los Angeles County Sheriffs Sgt. James Braden. Paramedics arrived to find Haywood had been shot in the head and the guard stabbed in the eye, said Inspector Richard Licon, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Both were taken to area hospitals for treatment. Prosecutors recommended that Haywoods bail be set at $1 million. veronica.rocha@latimes.com For breaking news in California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA on Twitter. A police officer shot and killed a man Tuesday after he allegedly pointed a knife and advanced toward him outside a McDonalds restaurant northeast of Sacramento. The deadly shooting occurred just after 11:20 a.m. at 3rd Street and Lincoln Boulevard in the city of Lincoln, said city spokeswoman Jill Thompson. A resident called police to report a man with a gun and described the suspect in detail, she said. Advertisement When officers arrived at the scene, the suspect identified as 37-year-old Brandon Wayne Millard was gone. Due to witnesses descriptions, officers were able to identify Millard, who was known to them, as the suspect, Thompson said. Officers searched for his car and found it in the McDonalds parking lot. After spotting the car, Lincoln police Officer Peter French got out of his patrol cruiser and encountered Millard, she said. Millard pulled out a knife and pointed it at French, Thompson said. French reportedly ordered him to drop the knife, but Millard ignored commands and advanced toward the officer, she said. French then shot him. Millard was pronounced dead at the scene. The Placer County Sheriffs Department is investigating the shooting. The department does not have body cameras for its officers. French is an 11-year veteran of the Police Department. veronica.rocha@latimes.com For breaking news in California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA on Twitter. ALSO Honking car stops man from kidnapping 13-year-old girl, police say Someone took a sledgehammer to Donald Trumps Walk of Fame star Man shot by LAPD near Sunset Boulevard bar is charged with assault One teen was killed and two were injured in a shooting Tuesday afternoon near a Los Angeles high school, police said. The shooting was reported about 3:15 p.m. in the 1500 block of Lakme Avenue in Wilmington, according to LAPD Officer Sal Ramirez. The attack occurred near Banning High School, but its unclear whether the victims all teenagers were connected to the school. Advertisement The gunman stepped out a gray vehicle before firing multiple rounds at the three teens, LAPD Officer Tony Im said. Police initially reported that the three victims were wounded but alive. Im later confirmed that one of the teens had died in the hospital, but no further details were released. The two others were undergoing medical treatment and expected to survive, Im said. The gunman was seen running west on Pacific Coast Highway toward Avalon Boulevard, Ramirez said. The shooter remained at large as police canvassed the area for witnesses, Ramirez said. Its unclear what motivated the shooting. This article will be updated as more information becomes available. matt.hamilton@latimes.com Twitter: @MattHjourno. ALSO Two corrupt cops joined forces with drug dealers. Now, dozens of criminal cases could be in jeopardy Tour bus in crash that killed 13 did not comply with safety standards, officials say Fighter pilot survives landing mishap at Marine base in Southern California desert UPDATES: 5:30 p.m.: This story was updated with a more precise address and additional details on the gunmans actions before opening fire. 5:15 p.m.: This story was updated with confirmation that one of the victims had died. This article was originally published at 4:55 p.m. A person was arrested Wednesday in connection with a shooting near Banning High School that left one teen dead and two others injured, police said. The suspect was described as a juvenile, but other details of the arrest were not available, said Officer Tony Im, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department. The shooting was reported about 3:15 p.m. Tuesday in the 1500 block of Lakme Avenue in Wilmington near Banning High School, according to LAPD Officer Sal Ramirez. Advertisement A gunman got out of a gray vehicle and fired multiple rounds at the teenagers, police said. He was last seen running west on Pacific Coast Highway toward Avalon Boulevard, Ramirez said. The teens were taken to area hospitals, where one later died. Its unclear what motivated the shooting and whether the victims were connected to the school. Los Angeles Unified School District officials said they had no comment about the shooting. veronica.rocha@latimes.com For breaking news in California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA on Twitter. James Otis arrived at the Hollywood Walk of Fame before the sun broke over the horizon Wednesday morning with his tools of choice: a sledgehammer and a pick. Then, wearing a hard hat and construction vest, he got to work laying waste of Donald Trumps star. His assault on the pavement was caught on video, but Otis didnt care. He spoke openly by phone later of his disdain for the Republican presidential candidate, business mogul and reality TV star. Advertisement I just sort of had enough with Mr. Trumps aggressive language toward women and his behavior, his sexual violence with women and against women, Otis said of recent accusations, which Trump has called false. Ive had personally in my own family four people who have been assaulted or have had sexual violence happen to them. It all became very personal. Trumps star near the Hollywood and Highland complex on Hollywood Boulevard has had a rough go of it since he became a leading presidential candidate. It has been stomped on and people have spray-painted a swastika and mute icon on it. Someone else built a miniature border wall around the star. But Wednesdays vandalism trumped anything that had come before it. Los Angeles police received a call at 6 a.m. reporting the sidewalk defacement. They later recovered a sledgehammer, a pick, a construction hat and a construction vest, said LAPD Officer Sal Ramirez. The offense would be considered felony vandalism, Ramirez said. Damage to the star was estimated at $2,500, Ramirez said. There are no suspects in custody, police said. 1 / 7 A new Donald Trump star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is installed after it was vandalized. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 7 A crowd of media and tourists watch as a new Donald Trump star is installed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame after it was vandalized. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 7 A new Donald Trump star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is being installed after it was vandalized. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 7 People gather at Donald Trumps star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame after it was vandalized. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 7 LAPD Det. Meghan Aguilar talks to the media near Donald Trumps star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which was vandalized Wednesday morning. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 7 Mitch Fong, right, takes a photo of Donald Trumps star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame after it was vandalized. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 7 Gregg Donovan places a Donald Trump bumper sticker at the GOP presidential nominees star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Watch Donald Trumps Hollywood Walk Of Fame Star Get Destroyed https://t.co/eMdX7kwYg1 pic.twitter.com/mAdz4QMwmC Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) October 26, 2016 Otis, who identified himself as the culprit in a report by Deadline, said he spent weeks planning his nonviolent action, even going as far as spending a couple of nights in Hollywood to scope out the area to pick a time where he could do it, safely, carefully and successfully. Otis said he originally intended to remove the brass star outline intact, but could not get the actual star because the concrete was too strong. He ended up taking the TV emblem, some of the letters of Trumps name and a little piece the star, which he said he plans to auction off on election day to raise money for the women who have accused Trump of sexual assault, as well as for a college campus organization that is working to stop sexual violence. I did the action and I fully will comply with the law once I set a time up with my attorney to [turn] myself in, Otis said. I will gladly pay the damages to the site. Trump has called the accusations against him that have piled up in recent weeks false, vowing to sue the women who have leveled them. Trump, who starred in the reality shows The Apprentice and The Celebrity Apprentice, received his star in 2007. Officials previously have said there were no plans to remove it. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which operates the Walk of Fame, is working with police and will seek to have the offender prosecuted, the chamber said in a statement. Repair of the star was already underway Wednesday, said Leron Gubler, the chambers president and chief executive, but it will require, several days of seasoning before it is polished. There has been at least one similar incident in the past, when someone took a sledgehammer to the star of Carmen Dragon, an American conductor, composer and arranger, several years ago, Gubler said. That person was caught and required to pay restitution, Gubler said. Unfortunately these things happen, Gubler said. It is rare. Its only happened one or two other times. While Trumps star has endured its fair share of abuse in the past, including having garbage thrown on it, theres been, nothing this significant, done to it, Gubler said. We live in a pluralistic society that requires people to work out issues and discuss issues, not to take out their frustrations in this manner, Gubler said. Democracy requires respect for the law. Most people I think would be very dismayed by this type of vandalism, no matter who they support for the election. Times staff writer Joseph Serna contributed to this report. brittny.mejia@latimes.com Twitter: @Brittny_Mejia ALSO Peak rainfall Friday morning could make a tough commute miserable Obama weighs in on plans to take bonuses from California Guard veterans Lawyers allege poor conditions at Northern California jail after a spate of suicide attempts UPDATES: 1:15 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from James Otis, who claimed responsibility for vandalizing the star. 11:04 a.m.: This article was updated with a statement from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. 8:55 a.m.: This article was updated with details on estimated damage to the star and items recovered by police. This article was originally published at 8:15 a.m. Robert A. Bob Hoover, a World War II fighter pilot who became an aviation legend for his flying skills in testing aircraft and demonstrating their capabilities in air shows, has died at age 94. Hoover, who lived in Palos Verdes Estates, died early Tuesday, said Bill Fanning, a close family friend for many years and fellow pilot. He was every pilots icon, Fanning said, recalling his friend as one of the premier test pilots of the 1950s and 60s. Bob tested everything. He flew them all. Advertisement When the National Air and Space Museum conferred its highest honor on Hoover in 2007, the museum noted that Jimmy Doolittle, leader of the famed 1942 bomber raid on Japan, had once described Hoover as the greatest stick-and-rudder man that ever lived. We lost an aviation pioneer today, Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second man on the moon, said in a Twitter post. He could do magical things with an airplane. He was the best. Hoover, who began flying in 1937 at Berry Field in Nashville, almost came to an early end. While serving in the Armys 52nd Fighter Group in Sicily, Italy, during World War II, he flew more than 50 missions before being shot down. He survived and spent months in a prisoner-of-war camp before he escaped, stole a German fighter plane and flew to safety in the Netherlands. Early U.S. jet-powered warplanes such as the P-80 and F-84 were tested by Hoover, who then became a backup pilot in the Bell X-1 program and flew the chase plane when Chuck Yeager became the first to break the sound barrier in 1947. Hoover also tested the XFJ-2 Fury, which was developed for the Navy and Marine Corps, and the F-86 Sabre, an Air Force fighter, among more than 300 types of aircraft he flew in his career, according to the National Air and Space Museum. He later brought his flying prowess to the public in aerobatic performances using such aircraft as North American Aviations P-51 Mustang and Aero Commanders. His Shrike Commander 500S, now ensconced in the Air and Space Museum, changed from an ordinary business-style propeller plane into an aerobatic star with Hoover at the controls during a so-called energy management routine. With both engines off he would do a loop, roll and 180-degree turn and land. In the early 1990s, the Federal Aviation Administration pulled Hoovers medical certificate for failing a neurological exam that followed a performance at Aerospace America air show in Oklahoma City. Hoover fought the decision and even went to court, and in 1995 he received a restricted medical certificate. That year he returned to the skies and delivered his signature performance at Daytona Beach, Fla. It felt good to be performing in front of my countrymen again, he said at the time. Im just glad all that is behind me and that justice and fairness prevailed. A recipient of numerous honors, Hoover was among the 100 heroes of aviation honored in 2003 at the First Flight Centennial celebration. Its fair to say that anyone who ever had the privilege of flying with Bob, saw him perform at an air show, or who heard him speak, was affected tremendously by the experience, said Andrew Broom, executive director of the Citation Jet Pilots Assn. The association, in conjunction with the Bob Hoover Legacy Foundation, provides scholarships in Hoovers name to students attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. (Xinhua) 20:33, October 25, 2016 BEIJING, Oct. 25 -- With every passing meeting of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), a chart of China's future, designed by the nation's top leaders, unfolds. Deepening reform, advancing rule of law, and building an all-round moderately prosperous society were the focus of the third, fourth and fifth plenary sessions of the 18th CPC Central Committee. Strict Party governance is the focus of the sixth plenary session, which started Monday. This focus, known as one part of the "Four Comprehensives," is widely viewed as the strategic outline and key governance thought of the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinpingas general secretary. Tasked with studying and implementing the top-level designs for strict Party governance, the sixth plenary session will take the strategic vision of the "Four Comprehensives" to new heights. Yet, strict Party governance is not new. Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the CPC leadership has pledged to unswervingly implement comprehensive and strict Party governance. This included an "eight-point" guideline against bureaucracy and extravagance, and a "mass line" campaign to bring officials closer to the public. The leadership has also taken great pains to address corruption, which it believes could threaten the very survival of the Party and the state. It is natural that people may wonder why Party governance has been elevated to such a height that it is an integral part of the overall strategy. For the CPC - with more than 88 million members, larger than Germany's population - staying true to its mission and keeping constantly invigorated is a tough challenge. To many observers, the CPC is Asia and even the world's most vigorous political Party. This can be attributed to a serious and meticulous approach to political life taken by the 95-year-old CPC, a fine tradition and political advantage of the CPC. Strict governance must begin within the Party itself. Over the years, the CPC has formulated basic norms of intra-Party political life, featuring principles such as to "seek truth from facts," linking theory with reality and maintaining close links to the people. Historical lessons from the former Soviet Union and the CPC's own history highlight the importance of intra-Party political life. Paralysis through bureaucracy, abandoning democratic centralism and no longer following Marxism as its guiding theory, brought the communist party in the Soviet Union to its end. Abnormal intra-Party political life also led to political mistakes in the CPC's history, such as the Cultural Revolution. New circumstances call for new criteria in the political life of the Party. By the end of 2015, CPC membership exceeded 88 million, and over 70 percent members had joined after the reform and opening up. Drastic and profound social transition subjected CPC members to negative influences such as money worshipping, hedonism and extreme individualism. The sixth plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee seeks to stipulate norms for intra-Party political life under new circumstances, revise documents on intra-Party supervision and solidify the political foundations of strict Party governance. Designing the overall strategy, the meeting will consolidate the CPC's leadership, upgrade the CPC's governance capacity, and lay the institutional foundations to complete the overall tasks, blueprints and objectives set at the 18th National Congress of the CPC. The United States abstained Wednesday for the first time from an annual vote at the United Nations calling for lifting the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba, a resolution Washington had always adamantly opposed. The abstention was another step marking the end of more than 50 years of official U.S. hostility to Cuba. Washingtons annual vote against the resolution had seemed increasingly anachronistic and isolated to the White House. The final vote was 191 votes in favor of the nonbinding resolution, with the U.S. and Israel abstaining. Advertisement U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Samantha Power announced the abstention to the U.N. General Assembly ahead of the vote and received sustained applause, including from members of the Cuban delegation. The resolution voted on today is a perfect example of why the U.S. policy of isolation toward Cuba was not working or worse, how it was actually undermining the very goals it set out to achieve, Power said. Instead of isolating Cuba, as President Obama has repeatedly said, our policy isolated the United States, including right here at the United Nations, she added. Students cheer after hearing the United Nations vote result on the Cuba embargo resolution, in Havana, Cuba on Wednesday. (Ramon Espinosa / Associated Press) The U.S. abstention was not unexpected since Obama announced the reopening of diplomatic and economic ties with Cubas communist-led government in December 2014. In March, he became the first sitting U.S. president to visit the island nation since the 1920s. The White House has repeatedly urged Congress to lift the embargo, most recently in a speech this month by the presidents national security adviser, Susan Rice. She called the embargo an outdated burden on the Cuban people. But only Congress can take that step, and Republicans especially have resisted, arguing that Cuba should be made to offer more concessions, especially in the realm of human rights.. Obama has steadily eased restrictions on travel, commerce and other exchanges to widen the opening between the former enemies. He lifted regulations this month, for example, to allow American visitors to bring rum and cigars back from Cuba. The two countries reopened their embassies last year. Cuba now has an ambassador in Washington while his potential American counterpart in Havana awaits Senate confirmation. The U.N. resolution opposing the embargo has been up for a vote every year since 1991. It always was widely supported except by the U.S. and a handful of allies, and it served to inflame Cubas anger. On Wednesday, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez welcomed Washingtons reversal as a promising signal. We hope it will be reflected in reality, Rodriguez said from the General Assembly floor. Cubas President Raul Castro has slowly reciprocated some of Washingtons gestures, playing host to Obamas visit and allowing limited ventures in private enterprise on the island. But progress in democracy, press freedoms and human rights remain elusive. Power, speaking at the U.N., criticized Cuban security forces crackdowns on peaceful protest marches, detentions of dissidents and censorship of much outside information. We are profoundly concerned by the serious human rights violations that the Cuban government continues to commit with impunity against its own people, she said. But, ultimately, she said, the two countries must continue to find ways to engage, even as our differences persist. The U.N. abstention, Power said, was a small step, adding, May there be many, many more including, we hope, finally ending the U.S. embargo once and for all. For more on international affairs, follow @TracyKWilkinson on Twitter ALSO Seeking justice and millions for families of people killed by police Congress and State Department at odds over $55 million in aid for Honduras Defense secretary orders Pentagon to stop collecting California National Guard bonus repayments President Obama has told the Defense Department to expedite its review of nearly 10,000 California National Guard soldiers who have been ordered to repay enlistment bonuses improperly given a decade ago, but he is not backing growing calls for Congress to waive the debts, the White House said Tuesday. The comments by White House spokesman Josh Earnest suggest the administration is running into legal and policy roadblocks as it struggles to handle a public relations headache for the Pentagon, the National Guard and members of Congress who were caught off guard by the scope of the problem. For the record: An earlier version of this story said the bonuses in question were paid between 2007 and 2009. They were mostly paid from 2006 to 2008. US defense chief orders Pentagon to stop seeking repayments of enlistment bonuses from California National Guard members Advertisement Appeals filed by some soldiers to waive repayment of the bonuses, which frequently exceeded $15,000 per soldier, have dragged on for too long, Earnest told reporters in Beverly Hills while Obama attended a fundraiser for Senate Democrats. Were not going to nickel-and-dime them when they get back, and were not going to hold service members responsible unfairly for unethical conduct or fraud perpetrated by someone else, Earnest said. But he said the president was not yet backing bipartisan calls in Congress to fully forgive the overpayments of an estimated $70 million total that recruiters awarded to meet their enlistment quotas. I dont think hes prepared to go that far at this point, Earnest said, adding that it might not be necessary to ensure fairness. His first priority is making sure that our men and women in uniform who signed up to fight for our safety overseas are treated fairly when they come home, he said. When we make a promise to our men and women in the military, we need to keep it. The White House response came after a Los Angeles Times report on Saturday said the Pentagon was demanding repayment of enlistment bonuses given to about 9,700 soldiers, mostly from 2006 to 2008, as the military was scrambling to fill its ranks. Many troops served multiple combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Tuesday that the repayment program has got its complexities to it, but that the Pentagon was going to look into it and resolve it. Anybody who volunteers to serve in the armed forces of the United States deserves our gratitude and respect, period, Carter told reporters in Paris on the sidelines of a meeting of counter-Islamic State coalition countries. Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work, the second-ranking official at the Defense Department, convened a senior-level meeting at the Pentagon early Tuesday morning to examine the repayments, officials said. The Defense Department is looking at ways appeals can be expedited for soldiers on an individual basis, but it cannot issue blanket forgiveness of the debts, said Laura Ochoa, a Pentagon spokeswoman. That may require action by Congress, which engaged in a bout of fierce finger-pointing Tuesday. Members of the California delegation blamed California Guard officials in Sacramento for not alerting them to the scale of the problem in 2014 when the GOP-led House considered but did not pass a provision that would have allowed the Defense secretary to waive the repayments. Guard officials did not make clear the vast scale of the repayments sought from soldiers, and did not make waiving the debts a congressional priority, several lawmakers said. If they would have come and said, Youre going to have thousands of combat veterans having their wages garnished and tax liens being put on them, we would have been all over this, said Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine). That was never communicated to us. Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-Los Angeles) said neither the Pentagon nor State Guard officials told him about the large number of soldiers ordered to repay bonuses, though his office had received complaints from individual soldiers. I have no record of receiving any formal notice of this widespread issue from any department federal or state. The only record I have is of individual cases of service members who approached my office to get help, and we are working with these individuals who have served our country to make sure they are treated fairly, he said. California Guard officials say they informed California lawmakers about the scale of the debts in 2014, telling them in a list of legislative priorities sent to each House office and the House Armed Services Committee that thousands of soldiers have inadvertently incurred debt, through no fault of their own because of faulty Army recruiting or accounting practices. Unfortunately, no official process exists to adjudicate debt relief for Army National Guard soldiers, which has caused years of hardship for them and their families, the document said. The California Guard also sent members of Congress a draft provision to be included in the 2015 defense authorization bill to allow debt waivers for the affected soldiers. Reps. Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) and Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) initially pushed the provision but later abandoned the effort, and it didnt appear in the final bill. Why the provision was not put into the bill was a subject of dispute Tuesday. Cook said he abandoned the effort after being told the Pentagon already had the power to waive the debts. I co-introduced an amendment that would specifically provide the authority for the Secretary of the Army to waive debt payments, Cook said in a statement. During this process, it was made clear that the Secretary already has this authority. But Guard officials said they were told that the provision was discarded because waiving the debt would have cost the Pentagon money, requiring the estimated costs to be offset with cuts elsewhere in the defense budget. Denham declined to comment on why the provision was dropped in 2014. Our office has assisted every veteran who has called in requesting help, said Jessica McFaul, Denhams spokeswoman. It is a protracted process, and we have one success story so far of the debt being forgiven, and another story in progress that is going well. The congressman is committed to follow through for every constituent who needs his help. Denham is locked in a close reelection race, and his Democratic opponent, Michael Eggman, blasted the incumbent Tuesday, saying the failure of Congress to respond to the 2014 warnings was outrageous. Congress needs to halt bonus collection efforts immediately and vote on legislation that will fix this, Eggman said. House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) on Tuesday also called for the Pentagon to immediately suspend efforts to recover enlistment bonuses. When those Californians answered the call to duty they earned more from us than bureaucratic bungling and false promises, Ryan said, urging the Pentagon to suspend collection efforts until Congress has time ... to protect service members from lifelong liability for DODs mistakes. Ryan noted that a bill passed earlier this year by the House would establish a 10-year statute of limitations on the militarys ability to recover overpayments. That provision offers little immediate help to California Guard members since it would not take effect until 2027. The House Oversight Committee announced that it had started an investigation into the repayment program. It asked the California Guard to turn over all documents and audits of the payments. Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), the committee chairman, and three other Republicans said in a letter that officials who mismanaged the bonus programs must be held accountable. The lawmakers said Guard officials must turn over relevant documents by Nov. 7. Former soldiers tell stories of bonus repayments to Pentagon On Now Anatomy of a story | Behind the National Guard enlistment bonus investigation On Now 'I felt like the wind got knocked out of me' | Ex-California Army National Guard captain recounts her student loan repayment nightmare 2:10 On Now After he fought for the country, the U.S. is asking him to give back his enlistment bonus On Now Video: Susan Haley, a former Army master sergeant who served in Afghanistan On Now Video: Retired California National Guard Master Sgt. Bill McLain On Now Video: Christopher Van Meter, former California Army Reserve captain and Iraq veteran Staff writers Christi Parsons and Sarah D. Wire contributed to this report. david.cloud@latimes.com Twitter: @DavidCloudLAT ALSO No, there is no evidence that thousands of noncitizens are illegally voting and swinging elections Liberated civilians or militants in disguise? The challenge of freeing a village from Islamic State Too many mothers stop breastfeeding too soon, and task force says doctors should change that A judge overseeing the trial of seven defendants who took over a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon dismissed a juror Wednesday after questions arose about his impartiality. U.S. District Judge Anna Brown said she would replace the juror with an alternate and then placed deliberations on hold until Thursday so the replacement juror could travel to Portland from central Oregon. Defendant Ammon Bundys defense attorney filed a court motion early Wednesday asking the judge to dismiss the juror over allegations of bias or to declare a mistrial entirely. In court papers, attorney Marcus Mumford said the court had not adequately investigated concerns about the jurors impartiality, which emerged Tuesday afternoon in a note sent to the judge by another juror. Advertisement In the note, Juror No. 4 wrote: Can a juror, a former employee of the Bureau of Land Management, who opens their remarks in deliberations by stating I am very biased ... be considered an impartial judge in this case? The jury had been deliberating three days when the note was sent. Brown said during a hearing on the matter late Tuesday that the juror in question was Juror No. 11, who worked as a range tech and firefighter for the BLM more than 20 years ago. Thats relevant because another federal land management agency the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service oversees the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, which Bundy, his brother Ryan and five others took over last winter in a 41-day armed standoff near Burns, Ore. The Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Land Management are both under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Interior. The jury is considering charges against the Bundy brothers and the others of conspiring to impede federal workers from doing their jobs at the refuge. They took over the bird sanctuary Jan. 2, objecting to federal land policy and demanding the U.S. government turn over control of the public range to local officials. During jury selection, the man said his past employment would not prejudice his views in the case. Brown questioned the man again Tuesday in her chambers and ruled that he could remain on the jury. However, she told defense attorneys they had until Wednesday to file motions citing specific case law if they wanted to press for more jury questioning. A second note sent Tuesday by jurors read: If we are able to agree on a verdict for three of the defendants, but are at a standoff for the others, does our decision for the three stand? The note does not identify the three. Before sending the jury home, Brown sent back a note that instructed them to consider each count for each defendant separately. ALSO Even Nevadas Clown Motel is creeped out by scary clown craze Seeking justice and millions for families of people killed by police Defense secretary orders Pentagon to stop collecting California National Guard bonus repayments Remember all that speculation about millennials not backing Clinton? Wrong Gary Johnson lost 6 points with young people in 2 weeks before and after the Aleppo moment. #IOPYouthPoll https://t.co/F5CBigRkWB pic.twitter.com/dN5wEDfMA1 Institute of Politics (@harvardiop) October 26, 2016 Remember all the speculation that younger voters wouldnt turn out to support Hillary Clinton in this years presidential election? Wrong, according to the latest, large-scale survey of young voters by Harvards Institute of Politics. The survey contradicts a lot of anecdotes that have provided the basis for campaign stories this fall. Just under half of 18- to 29-year-olds, 49%, said they would definitely vote this year -- almost identical to the 48% at this point in 2012, the poll found. Clintons share of the vote was somewhat higher than Obamas was four years ago. The poll showed Clinton getting 49% of the vote of people aged 18-29, with Trump taking just 21%. Young women, who many analysts said were not excited by Clintons candidacy, were more likely to say they would definitely vote than their counterparts in the last election. Clinton has gained an even larger advantage among them than Obama had in his reelection. By contrast, young men seem slightly less likely to vote than in 2012. So do young Republicans, who were noticeably less likely than young Democrats.to say they would definitely vote this time around. Young Republicans were also less likely to back Donald Trump than their counterparts four years ago were to support Mitt Romney. More than 7 in 10 Clinton supporters said they were enthusiastic about her candidacy -- besting the 65% of Trump supporters who expressed enthusiasm for their candidate. Another oft-repeated piece of conventional wisdom was that Clinton would not do well among young, minority voters. The poll challenged that notion, too. Young Latinos appear more likely to vote than four years ago, although Clinton may be running behind Obamas level among them. The margin of error for that subgroup is large, so the verdict on both points is a bit cloudy. Among young black voters, her margin -- an 85-percentage-point lead over Trump -- is identical to Obamas four years ago, and the share who said they definitely would vote was almost identical to 2012. Almost three-quarters of young Latinos, 72%, and 85% of young African Americans said they believed that people of their race or ethnicity were under attack in the U.S. today. Overall, more than 6 in 10 young Americans polled said that race relations would worsen if Trump were elected president. If Clinton is elected, 36% said they expected race relations to stay about the same, while 23% predicted they would improve and 22% said they would worsen. About 1 in 5 young voters said they planned to vote for a third-party candidate, with 14% saying they would vote for the Libertarian, Gary Johnson, while 5% backed Jill Stein of the Green Party. But 37% of the potential Johnson voters said they were likely to change their minds, something that almost none of the Clinton or Trump voters said. The poll was conducted Oct. 7 to 17 -- covering the period from just before the second presidential debate until just before the final one. In the average of national surveys, Clintons lead has been stable since then. The poll surveyed 2,150 Americans aged 18 to 29 and has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points in either direction. (Xinhua) 08:01, October 26, 2016 British rock band Radiohead will headline the NorthSide music festival in the Danish city of Aarhus in June next year, the festival organizer announced on Tuesday. "We are proud and honored that Radiohead has agreed to play NorthSide this summer. It is a dream come true for us and we look forward to sharing it with our audience this summer," festival spokesman John Fogde said in a statement. Fogde also revealed that the band will play the closing show on Sunday night at the three-day event from June 9 to 11. Founded in 2010 as a one-day music event, NorthSide has gained more and more popularity over the years and now it has grown to a three-day festival over the past three years in Denmark's second largest city on the east coast of the Jutland peninsula. "It will be fantastic end to NorthSide 2017 with such a large international act as Radiohead," Aarhus mayor Jacob Bundsgaard said in a statement. According to Bundsgaard, Aarhus will stage an array of cultural programs next year when the city will celebrate its title as the European Capital of Culture. He said the music event with the combination of renowned bands like Radiohead is a strong contribution to strengthening the city's international music profile and helping support the city's growth, development and tourism. Formed in 1985, Radiohead have sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. In 2005, they were ranked 73rd in Rolling Stone's list of "The Greatest Artists of All Time". We here on The Times editorial board dont condone acts of vandalism, even those that serve to send a political message with which we agree. That said, I cant help but be impressed with the lengths to which one man went to deface Donald Trumps star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this morning. Just before dawn, authorities say, a man clad in construction garb went after the Republican presidential candidates star with a pickaxe and sledgehammer. This being Hollywood, theres a video of the destruction, though it doesnt give a clear shot of the vandals face. (Theres also a surveillance video, which may.) The man said in an interview with The Times that he had planned to auction off the star and use the proceeds to help the women who accused Trump of sexual abuse. Now Otis, who first identified himself to Deadline Hollywood, aims to auction the pieces he was able to take. This is the not the first time someone has used the star to vent their frustration with the outrageously offensive presidential candidate. Since the Donald Trump star was installed in 2007 near the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, it has been spray painted and marked up with insults. Folks have left garbage on it, and some industrious person or persons built a miniature border wall around the star (although its possible that last one might have been an homage to Trumps extreme immigration policy rather than a criticism). Advertisement Never has the Trump star been so badly damaged that it needed replacing. Leron Gubler, president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, said it will cost thousands to repair the site and replace the star. Workers were dispatched Wednesday morning to restore the tribute and to send a message that messing with the Hollywood stars will not be tolerated. Good for them. The repaired star will be covered for a few days while it seasons. And if it were me, Id perhaps hold off on the re-unveiling of the Donald Trump star until Nov. 9. The man does drive people to violent extremes. Even three middle-aged suburban moms in Maine were induced to steal Trump property (in their case, several dozen campaign signs). One of the sign-removing women wrote about it in a Washington Post op-ed piece and explained she was so fed up with Trumps predatory behavior toward women that she just snapped. Look, I get it. I also feel like smashing things when Trump says something obviously and demonstrably not true. And that is often. But vandalism is wrong, even and lets be honest here when it feels a tiny bit right. Besides, it doesnt quite make sense to remove Trumps name from Hollywood Boulevard. He might not belong in the White House. But here, among the legendary entertainers who also portrayed loudmouths, louts, creeps and cretins on screen, Trump is right at home. mariel.garza@latimes.com Follow me @marielgarzaLAT To the editor: Public schools belong to the taxpaying public. The campus across the street from me belongs to the residents of the community. (L.A. Unified takes a harder look at its charter schools. Critics blame politics, Oct. 24) Although I no longer have children at the school, I am still welcome to participate in its programs. If Im not happy with the school, I can attend board meetings and voice my complaints. I can vote for the board member of my choice and advocate for the defeat of another. If this school becomes a charter, I will still pay my share of the taxes to support it but no longer have a voice in its governance. It would become a perfect example of taxation without representation. Advertisement If citizens want charter schools, they should have them, but these schools should be strictly accountable to the people who pay for them. Anyone who wants a school with total autonomy needs to raise his or her own money, because those schools are called private schools. Linda Mele Johnson, Long Beach .. To the editor: Last week, the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education voted to shut down several charter schools for reasons that, according to an Oct. 18 Times article, have nothing to do with academics and may not be made public. Teachers unions have school boards in their pockets, and the boards march to the tune of union bosses. Our children are poorer for it. John Jaeger, Irvine Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook To the editor: Many people voting for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump are simply voting against his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton. Now Henry Weinstein, feeling bad about his 1968 write-in vote, is using similar logic to guilt third-party voters toward Clinton. (In the Nixon-Humphrey election, I refused to vote for the lesser of two evils. That was a mistake, Opinion, Oct. 21) Yes, Trump is terrible. But Clinton, with her Senate vote to invade Iraq and her subsequent dissembling about it, failed this most deadly leadership test. Accordingly, I feel that Green Party candidate Jill Stein, unlike Clinton, will not generate more coffins for our soldiers. If Trump wins, Weinstein should turn his scorn on those who voted for Trump, not the Stein voters. Your vote does not belong to anyone. You do your duty and choose the most qualified candidate on the ballot, no write-in required. Advertisement Perhaps Weinstein would prefer a moratorium on third parties. I say we need them now more than ever. Tim Clark, Los Angeles .. To the editor: Weinsteins piece is a welcome reminder of how voting for third-party candidates can produce regrettable consequences. As a UCLA graduate student in the 1980s, I and many of my friends voted for Ralph Nader, not so much because we agreed with his utopian politics, but mostly because knowing that he didnt stand a chance to win, we thought that at least we could contribute to the 5% necessary to ensure his eligibility for the Presidential Election Campaign Funds grant in the next electoral cycle. It wasnt until 2000 that I came to a full understanding of the so-called vote-splitting effect that probably brought the victory of George W. Bush over Vice President Al Gore, which was the most undesirable outcome for Naders supporters. With so much at stake in this election, voting for a third-party nominee is irresponsible. Berta Graciano-Buchman, Beverly Hills .. To the editor: I was traveling in Europe, the U.S. and Canada for much of 2000 and did not bother to send in an absentee ballot. I did not think it would really matter. Most Americans did not know much about George W. Bush (myself included). The world knows a lot about him now. I spent 16 months in Iraq with the Army. I never found any weapons of mass destruction. To this day (as we retake Mosul, 13 years after the invasion), I wonder how my single vote could have affected the world we live in today. John Kirkland, Oceanside Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook A surprise was in store for Marlon Marshall, a top Hillary Clinton aide, as he arrived to brief President Obama at a campaign stop in Philadelphia recently. Marshall would lay out the days schedule in the Beast, the presidents heavily armored limousine that serves as a rolling Oval Office. It was a rare pinch-yourself moment for Marshall, a perk afforded the man tasked with the more prosaic assignment of locating and assembling, motivating and deploying an army of staff and volunteers across the country on the mission to elect Clinton. Marshall had to be goaded into showing a photo of his ride with Obama as he ended a more typical workday the next day. His final stop: a Manhattan hotel where he would address volunteers who will make calls and travel to swing states. Advertisement Barely in the door, he was in demand. A volunteer focused on New Hampshire urged him to ensure a particular member of Congress visited as a surrogate. Another came up to offer his suggestions on other ways to engage voters. Election 2016 | Live coverage on Trail Guide | Sign up for the newsletter | The race to 270 Were feeling really good about where were at in the battleground states, Marshall told the crowd later in what was part pep talk, part debrief of shifting polls. It doesnt matter. If we do what we need to do, and we execute our strategy, were going to win. If Clinton secures a historic victory in the presidential race, Marshall can be credited with implementing the plan that got her there. Marshall, 37, oversees the largest division of her campaign and interacts with just about every other aspect of it. Officially, hes the director of states and political engagement, but staffers toss out any number of descriptions of his job one called him an overgrown community organizer. A common refrain is to say hes in charge of everything from the grass roots to the grass tops strategizing with supporters from that New Hampshire volunteer to those as high-ranking as the president. Its a high-intensity position for the low-profile Marshall, but his adeptness has earned him trust from the campaigns highest levels, and the loyalty of his staff and field army. Its like the Beatles are coming to town when Marlon comes, said Corey Dukes, the Clinton campaigns Pennsylvania director. Marshall was a state-level organizer for Clinton in 2008 and would become one of a handful of key staffers who joined Obamas campaign after Clinton conceded a bitter primary loss to him. He was a White House liaison to the State Department in 2009 before joining the Democrats congressional campaign committee, and later the presidents reelection campaign before a return stint at the White House, until he was one of the first hires Clinton made in 2015. Bringing on Marshall signaled to many in the party what kind of race she intended to run: adapting the Obama playbook that paired an expansive team of local organizers with the most sophisticated data and technological tools, helping to identify likely supporters and ensuring they voted. Democrats are counting on that formula to blunt the angst-fueled candidacy of Donald Trump. And with 13 days to go and Clintons lead steady in polls, a stream of voter registration, ballot request and early turnout data are starting to prove that Marshalls battle plan, devised over months, is working. Party leaders are also looking to the formula to sustain Democrats into the future. We both really believe in this organizing work, not just its power to influence the outcome of an election but its power to leave something behind when the election is over, said campaign manager Robby Mook, who worked with Marshall several times before hiring him for Clintons campaign. There are a lot of really talented, well-developed leaders in our party and in the progressive community playing really important roles in this campaign and other campaigns because of him. Mook and other campaign officials credit Marshall and his top deputies for a strategy in the Democratic primaries that staved off the insurgency from Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. It was as much about shrewd delegate targeting as it was ensuring a Clinton strength overwhelming support among African American voters remained so amid a rapidly unfolding and at times thorny debate over issues of race and criminal justice. A St. Louis native, Marshall is the most senior African American on either presidential campaign. He has helped navigate Clinton through uncharted territory, as the Black Lives Matter movement emerged and challenged politicians of both parties to demonstrate how they were addressing systemic biases. Marshall accompanied Clinton on visits to places that have become synonymous with unrest sparked by racially tinged violence: one trip near Ferguson, Mo., outside Marshalls hometown of St. Louis; and others to Charleston, S.C., and last month to Charlotte, N.C. Marshalls office makes clear his loyalties to his hometown and his beloved Kansas Jayhawks. It is there, the day after his presidential perk, he is overseeing a typically breezy end-of-day meeting with his top deputies. He ticks off the key to-do items: planning for an upcoming Bill Clinton bus tour; reallocating staff to states where theyre most needed; and finalizing state-by-state get-out-the-vote budgets. Over cheese and chips, with a Marles In Charge sign nearby, Marshall also oversees a daily ritual of handing out awards, to both honor a staffer for success on behalf of state teams and playfully admonish those who fell short. A common refrain among Marshalls colleagues both past and present is to praise his steadiness and his ability to inspire co-workers. Mook credited Marshall for forcing him to take a victory lap at campaign headquarters after they returned to Brooklyn on the night Clinton scored five key primary victories in March. I was so focused on what we had to do next and I remember that night he was really good about just getting me to take one or two hours just to savor this winning streak, Mook said. One of Marshalls most common expressions, applicable both in response to good news and bad, is to say: Please believe. Mitch Stewart, who held a similar position to Marshalls on Obamas reelection campaign, recalled the sense of foreboding the day after Obamas disastrous first debate against Mitt Romney in 2012. Marshall, then one of his deputies, was a solitary voice bucking up his colleagues. He seized on a suggestion of a state director to initiate a challenge among Florida staff to see who could register the most voters, making it a national competition between the states to turn what was a negative into a positive. It resulted in the campaigns biggest voter registration weekend to that point. Those type of personalities are so critical in a campaign because its full of ups and downs, Stewart said. The people that can remain somewhat constant and level and grounded are really, really important. michael.memoli@latimes.com For more 2016 campaign coverage, follow @mikememoli on Twitter ALSO Boosting black voter turnout is key to Clinton campaigns North Carolina strategy Obamas campaign mission: Protect his legacy, pummel Republicans oh, and elect Hillary Clinton No, there is no evidence that thousands of noncitizens are illegally voting and swinging elections With less than two weeks until the election, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has amped up charges that the election is rigged against him. His running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, has warned at rallies about voter fraud around the country. While voter fraud is rare one study found just 31 credible claims of fraud amid more than a 1 billion ballots cast since 2000 a few instances of voter fraud and voting irregularities have been found ahead of the election. At the same time, there have been accusations of voter suppression across the U.S., as civil rights groups have said Trumps instructions to supporters to go check out polls in certain areas are a call to monitor minority votes. Heres a recap of reports of possible election interference that have surfaced so far. Advertisement Election 2016 | Live coverage on Trail Guide | Sign up for the newsletter Police said they found evidence of voter fraud in Indiana The most prominent recent example of alleged voter fraud has been in Indiana, where the head of state police said last week that an ongoing investigation of a voter registration project turned up evidence of fraud. The group under investigation, the Indiana Voter Registration Project, submitted 45,000 voter registration applications this year from citizens who are racial minorities. Indiana State Police Supt. Douglas Carter said authorities had found examples of fraud. Carter did not share details of the nature of the alleged fraud nor how many instances of it had been found. The group, which does nonpartisan registration but is affiliated with Democrats, says the investigation is a Republican-led political hit job. Carter is a Pence appointee, and tensions heightened last week when Indianas GOP Secretary of State Connie Lawson said thousands of name and date-of-birth changes on voting records could point to fraud. Lawson said she turned findings over to the state police, who are currently conducting an investigation into alleged voter fraud. Days later, she said the changes the office found could be legitimate. On Tuesday, TargetSmart, a Democratic-affiliated group hired by Patriot Majority USA, said an analysis it ran of the Indiana voter file kept by Lawsons office found 837,000 voters with out-of-date addresses, 4,556 double registrations, 3,000 records without birth dates and 31 registered voters who are too young to vote. There is clearly bad, missing and incomplete data, TargetSmart Chief Executive Tom Bonier told the Associated Press. So if youre seeing a lot of names changing or dates of birth changing, thats likely because the information she had on the file is incorrect. The FBI is investigating reports that dead people were recently registered to vote in Virginia Local police and the FBI launched an investigation in late September into 19 dead Virginians who had been re-registered to vote in Harrisonburg, Va. The investigation came after a clerk recognized the name on a registration as the recently deceased father of a well-known local judge. In another case, relatives of a dead man who was registered to vote received mail congratulating the man on registering. All the registrations were submitted by a group called HarrisonburgVOTE, which focused on getting voters signed up in the area of James Madison University, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Oftentimes we hear our [Democratic] colleagues suggest that voter fraud doesnt exist in Virginia or is a myth, state House Speaker William H. Howell said on a conference call about the investigation last month. Well, it does indisputably exist. Democrats rebutted. Nobody cast a vote. Theres still no evidence of that going on in the state, Virginia House Minority Leader David J. Toscano told the Washington Post. But there is evidence every time you turn around that the Republicans are trying to make it more difficult for citizens to vote in elections. Allegations of fraud have surfaced in Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado Cases of proven voter fraud in 2016, particularly those related to the presidential election, are few. But voting irregularities have led to accusations of fraud on several occasions in Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado, among other states. In a Missouri state House race this summer, incumbent Penny Hubbard won the Democratic primary nomination by 90 votes, boosted by a wave of absentee ballots even though her opponent, Bruce Franks Jr., won the contest among in-person votes. A judge later ruled that more than 200 absentee votes were improperly counted because they were not sealed in envelopes. In a do-over of the election, Franks won decisively. Jay Ashcroft, a Republican nominee for secretary of state the office that oversees elections pointed to the case as voter fraud, though the judge who called for a second election had blamed election officials for the botched process. Separately, the FBI is also investigating possible voter fraud in Berkeley, a suburb of St. Louis where the mayor and his supporters have been accused of interfering with the absentee voting process. Trump erroneously said a Pew study found widespread voter fraud In recent weeks, Trump has cited a Pew report as evidence of widespread voter fraud. If you look at your voter rolls, you will see millions of people that are registered to vote millions this isnt coming from me, this is coming from Pew report and other places millions of people that are registered to vote that shouldnt be registered to vote, he said at the final presidential debate. The report did not allege the 1.8 million deceased people actually voted.... Pew said that it is evidence of the need to upgrade voter registration systems. FactCheck.org on Trumps comments about voter fraud Trump was referring to a 2012 Pew study that said 2.4 million voter registrations were no longer valid or significantly inaccurate. More than 1.8 million dead people were listed as voters, the report said, and 2.75 million people were registered to vote in more than one state. According to FactCheck.org, a nonpartisan watchdog group, Trump has been incorrectly citing Pews findings as indicative of voter fraud. The report did not allege the 1.8 million deceased people actually voted. Rather, Pew said that it is evidence of the need to upgrade voter registration systems, FactCheck says on its website. Meanwhile, the Justice Department can no longer deploy as many election observers On Tuesday, the Justice Department released part of its election plans, which include email and phone hotlines as well as a website complaint form to report voting issues. Employees will be dispatched to polling places to monitor elections, though the department said it would not disclose those monitors locations until closer to election day. In 2012, the Justice Department sent observers to voting sites in 13 states that were required to allow them entry into polling places. This year, the department plans to send observers to four states where there are specific court orders in place that allow observers. The reason for the cutback: a 2013 Supreme Court decision that struck down a major portion of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. In the past, we have relied heavily on election observers, specially trained individuals who are authorized to enter polling locations and monitor the process to ensure that it lives up to its legal obligations, Atty. Gen. Loretta Lynch said to a Latino civil rights group this summer. Our ability to deploy them has been severely curtailed. U.S. Atty. Gen. Loretta Lynch (Michael Reynolds / EPA ) The department still plans to send hundreds of monitors to the polls in around 25 states, but those monitors will have less power. They wont be allowed through the doors of polling sites unless election officials invite them. But voting rights advocates are winning in court against restrictive voting laws. On Oct. 19, a panel of three judges in Kansas issued a unanimous ruling saying eligible voters should be able to vote without giving proof of citizenship, following an appeals court ruling in September that blocked proof-of-citizenship voting provisions in Kansas, Alabama and Georgia. Civil rights groups have filed lawsuits over voter identification laws and other laws they say promote voter suppression, racking up several wins as well as a few losses against laws that have passed since the Supreme Court eased federal control over the ability of certain states and jurisdictions many in the South to change voting rules. Several states have since pushed voter ID laws and increased other restrictions on voting, saying new laws are needed to prevent fraud. Democrats have countered that voter ID rules and related laws suppress the votes of minority groups such as African Americans and lower-income voters, who tend to vote Democratic. Many suits are still pending, including a case against Alabamas photo ID law that goes to trial in 2017. The most notable victory for civil rights advocates came this summer in North Carolina, where a federal appeals court struck down the states voter ID law and other restrictions because they target African Americans with almost surgical precision. The Supreme Court refused to intervene. Recent cyberattacks raised fears over the security of U.S. voting systems After cyberattacks brought down major U.S. websites last week and WikiLeaks published hacked Democratic Party emails, tech experts say that worries about election day hacks arent unwarranted but that the chance of them happening is unlikely. Thats the takeaway from Bruce Schneier, chief technology officer at the IBM-owned security company Resilient, who runs the blog Schneier on Security. In an interview with Journalists Resource, a project based at the Harvard Kennedy Schools Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy,he said hacking concerns focused on voting rolls, touch-screen voting machines and tabulation system through which machine votes are combined into final results. All of those three areas are vulnerable to hacking, although the practical problems of pulling off a successful hack are much more complicated than is generally reported. My primary concern surrounding election day is not that the election will be hacked, but that it will be claimed to be hacked and we will have no way to verify that it wasnt, he said. jaweed.kaleem@latimes.com Jaweed Kaleem is The Times national race and justice correspondent. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. ALSO Media figures and officials are suckered by a trolls Ohio voter fraud joke Latinos in California have one big reason to go to the polls: Donald Trump Donald Trump declines to say hed accept the results of the election, but voter fraud almost never happens Two weeks from today, the nation will be shaking off the presidential campaign and assessing the person who will be the 45th president of the United States. With all the data pointing to that being Hillary Clinton, theres been a seismic shift in attention from the battle for the White House to the contest for control of Congress. Welcome to Essential Politics. Im Christina Bellantoni. Advertisement The indications are coming in multiple forms, from parties shifting money to down-ballot races across the country to analysts seeing increasing trouble for Republican incumbents once thought to be safe. As weve been reporting, a number of California Republicans are seeing their races become more difficult. On Tuesday the nonpartisan analysts at the Cook Political Report said they now consider the 10th Congressional District race between Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) and Democrat Michael Eggman a toss-up. The change comes on the heels of rating changes in a handful of other races involving House seats held by Republicans, including the 49th District seat held by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) and the 25th District seat held by Rep. Steve Knight (R-Palmdale). We also learned a group led by Ron Nehring, the former state GOP chairman who was a top aide in Sen. Ted Cruzs presidential bid, is asking thousands of Californians who volunteered for the Texas senators presidential bid to help turn out Republican voters and help a slew of GOP candidates in hotly contested congressional and legislative races. In Florida on Tuesday, it was no accident that Clinton was introduced by Senate hopeful Rep. Patrick Murphy when she took the stage in Broward County. Sen. Marco Rubio, the incumbent against whom Murphy is running, was nowhere to be seen while Donald Trump was in town. Their decisions represent divergent calculations about how to win one of the countrys most closely watched races. At the same time, two fundraising developments Tuesday highlighted the vulnerability of down-ballot Republican candidates, Seema Mehta reports. Trump cut off a major cash source for the Republican Party, while a super PAC dumped $25 million into six races in the hopes of preserving the GOPs majority in the Senate. Were tracking the Senate landscape here and will keep up our coverage of the races that matter most. SEARCHING FOR FRAUD IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES The question of the elections legitimacy has been another theme in recent weeks. Joseph Tanfani took a look at one element of those worries: people in the country illegally casting votes. He reports that records in these fights show that small numbers of non-citizens do end up registered, and a few have cast votes. However, no one has uncovered evidence of thousands of non-citizen voters and no evidence has emerged to support Trumps theory of a coordinated effort to throw an election by stuffing the voting rolls with ineligible immigrants. Were with both the Clinton and Trump campaigns as they travel the country for the final stretch. Get the latest from the campaign trail on Trail Guide and follow @latimespolitics. You can check our daily USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times tracking poll at the top of the politics page. THERES A GOP DESERT IN LOS ANGELES When 818,000 voters in Los Angeles County fill out their ballots, they will find themselves in strange political territory: the only Republican candidates listed will be Trump and Mike Pence. Thanks to Californias top-two primary system, in this GOP dead zone spanning parts of five Congressional districts, five state Assembly seats, and one state Senate district not a single Republican candidate made it onto the November ballot, Javier Panzar reports. CELEBS PUSH FOR POT Celebrities including Common, Tim Robbins and the author of the Orange Is the New Black memoir are joining forces in what they are calling Artists for 64 the effort to legalize recreational use of marijuana in California. Patrick McGreevy reports that the show of force announced Tuesday also includes music producer Russell Simmons; hip-hop artist Ty Dolla $ign; actors Danny Glover, Olivia Wilde, Shailene Woodley of the Divergent series, Jesse Williams of Greys Anatomy and Michael K. Williams of the HBO series The Wire; and Piper Kerman, author of Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Womens Prison. Dont miss our ballot box guide to Californias 17 propositions, and keep an eye on our Essential Politics news feed for updates on those measures. WHATS IN YOUR MAILBOX? Have you received a barrage of campaign mailers this election season? Are you bombarded with information about local races and propositions? We want to hear from you. Send images of campaign mailers and door-hangers, mp3 recordings of robo calls or links to web ads to politics@latimes.com. Include your name, city, state and age, and tell us about the material youre sharing. Your submissions may be featured on our site. TODAYS ESSENTIALS There have been more than half a million Californians who either registered to vote or updated their registrations online. Elections officials said on the final day to register, the number broke the record for online registration transactions. Sophia Bollag reports that California Latinos overwhelmingly negative views about Trump will spur them to vote in record numbers in November. A California congressman in a tough reelection battle has joined the chorus of lawmakers criticizing the Defense Department for demanding soldiers repay enlistment bonuses. In a letter, Rep. Ami Bera (D-Elk Grove) called on the Pentagon to waive the soldiers debts. A White House spokesman said President Obama has told the Defense Department to expedite its review of the debts, but he is not backing growing calls for Congress to waive them. Heres a snapshot of the campaign money situation in Californias U.S. Senate race. A battle of ads continues, as the Yes on Prop. 62 campaign released two new online videos featuring crime victims speaking in opposition to the death penalty. The FPPC, Californias state ethics watchdog, has asked a court for help in obtaining documents from the campaign of Assemblyman David Hadley (R-Manhattan Beach). The commission says the documents are crucial to an investigation into whether Hadleys campaign illegally coordinated with an independent expenditure thats supporting him. Despite issuing a subpoena on Aug. 12, the FPPC says in court documents, it has not received all of the records it requested. Trump had a chance to attack Clinton on Obamacare, but he seemed to get a little distracted. Colin Powell is voting for Clinton. Justin Timberlakes voting booth selfie could have landed him in legal hot water. Who will win the November election? Give our Electoral College map a spin. Learn more about the propositions on the ballot at the SeePolitical BallotCon event Saturday. Its free. Sign up here. LOGISTICS Miss yesterdays newsletter? Here you go. Did someone forward you this? Sign up here to get Essential Politics in your inbox daily. And keep an eye on our politics page throughout the day for the latest and greatest. And are you following us on Twitter at @latimespolitics? Please send thoughts, concerns and news tips to politics@latimes.com. When 818,000 voters in Los Angeles County fill out their ballots this election, they will find themselves in strange political territory: The only Republican names theyll see will be presidential nominee Donald Trump and his running mate Mike Pence. In this GOP dead zone spanning parts of five congressional districts, five state Assembly districts and one state Senate district not a single Republican candidate made it on to the November ballot. Instead, all but three of the candidates in those races will be Democrats. In two races voters can choose Libertarian Party candidates who mounted successful write-in campaigns during the primary. And in an East Los Angeles congressional race, an Air Force medic is mounting a bare-bones campaign as an independent against Lucille Roybal-Allard. This scenario is the result of Californias relatively new, voter-approved primary system in which the two candidates who finish with the most votes in the June election go on to the general election even if they are from the same party. For the first time in a statewide contest, voters have two Democrats only to choose between in the open U.S. Senate contest between California Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris and Rep. Loretta Sanchez. Advertisement But for those 818,000 voters in parts of Los Angeles County, such as the San Fernando Valley and Central Los Angeles, the dearth of GOP options stretches much further down the ballot, according to an analysis of voter registration conducted for The Times by Political Data Inc. For the most part the local Republican parties have given up on this territory, focusing instead on defending seats in the Antelope Valley and the Palos Verdes Peninsula along the Pacific Coast, where Republicans Tom Lackey and David Hadley picked up two Assembly seats from Democrats in 2014. Those incumbents are in danger of losing the seats because Democratic voters turn out in higher numbers during presidential years a factor Democratic campaigns are attempting to exploit by painting every down-ballot Republican as a miniature version of Trump. We are concentrating on races that we can win, said Mark Vafiades, chairman of the Los Angeles County Republican Party. We dont want to spread ourselves too thin. We have to hold on to what we have. That means the party pretty much ignores parts of the San Fernando Valley such as Sylmar, Pacoima and Van Nuys. Republican voter registration is stuck between 12% and 16% in three of the legislative districts that cover that area, whereas roughly 25% of voters are registered as having no party preference. Democrats claim more than 52% of voters in each of these districts. Chances for Republicans are so bad that between the three races, only one Republican even competed in the primary. The other 13 candidates were Democrats. That means a voter in Sylmar will have to decide whether to send Rep. Tony Cardenas back to Washington or replace him with former L.A. City Councilman Richard Alarcon, who is set to be retried on perjury and voter fraud charges later this year. Both are Democrats. And when it comes to picking a representative in the state Assembly, that same voter will choose between incumbent Patty Lopez or former Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra. Both are Democrats. In nearby Van Nuys, in addition to the Cardenas and Alarcon race, voters have two more Democratic choices for the state Assembly: incumbent Adrin Nazarian and attorney Angela Rupert. Republican Roxanne Hoge, an actress and mother of four who runs a maternity clothing business, said she started her write-in campaign for that Assembly race about a month before the June primary when she realized zero Republicans were on the ballot. I found it kind of shocking, she said. It is unconscionable that there is a monopoly on either side. Then we all suffer. She finished with 88 votes, behind Ruperts 131 votes. Nazarian took 99.6% of the vote. Updates on California politics Hoge is upbeat about her loss, aware that her late candidacy was not a top priority for the party. But the ballot-box futility is still disheartening for some Republicans in the dead zone. I am definitely past the point of worrying, said Zachary Taylor, a GOP activist who lost a 2014 race to Nazarian by 40 percentage points. What are the different phases of acceptance? Im at sadness now. Initially it was denial. Outside of the San Fernando Valley, Republicans have also abandoned a large chunk of central Los Angeles that stretches across gentrifying neighborhoods including Eagle Rock, Highland Park and Boyle Heights; small cities such as Vernon and Huntington Park; and dense neighborhoods such as downtown, Exposition Park and Koreatown. No Republicans are on the ballot in any of the down-ballot races there either. There will be Republicans in some local races, such as for county supervisor, but voters wont know it from looking at their ballot. Those races are nonpartisan and dont list party affiliation. Usually some perennial GOP candidates offer themselves up as sacrificial lambs, such as longtime Radio Shack employee Stephen Smith, who lost a 2010 race against Democratic Rep. Xavier Becerra The results were 86% to 14%. Smiths 2014 race against Jimmy Gomez for a state Assembly seat went slightly better: He lost with 16% of the vote to Gomezs 84%. The ones that used to run kind of got tired of running and losing, said William Morrison, a Republican who lost a primary election in 2014 for a state Senate seat in the area and plans to run for mayor of Los Angeles in 2017. The 59th Assembly District, which covers the neighborhoods around USC, is the heart of the dead zone. The district has the lowest Republican voter registration of any Assembly, state Senate or congressional district in the state, according to the latest voter registration data from the California secretary of state. Just 5.24% of the 183,675 voters there are registered with the Republican Party. Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer is running for reelection unopposed, just as he did in 2014. Some of his constituents wont see a Republican when they choose a state senator either: Democrat Ricardo Lara is up for reelection against Libertarian Honor Mimi Robson. On the congressional level, some of those voters in Jones-Sawyers Assembly district will pick between Rep. Karen Bass and fellow Democrat Chris Blake Wiggins. Excluding the U.S. Senate race, 27 of 153 down-ballot contests across California will have candidates from the same political party. During state elections in 2012 and 2014, there were 28 and 25 same-party contests, respectively, according to data compiled by the nonpartisan election guide California Target Book. But during those years, at least seven of the intraparty contests were between Republicans. This year there are only four Republican-on-Republican battles all Assembly races. This is new territory for us, said Raphael J. Sonenshein, executive director of the Edmund G. Pat Brown Institute of Public Affairs at Cal State L.A. The idea behind Proposition 14, the voter-approved measure that created the top-two primary, was to elevate moderate candidates in districts where a single party dominated, Sonenshein said. But research on the moderating effects of the top-two system has been mixed. And the Harris-Sanchez contest has shone a bright light on the issue, with critics saying California is approaching one-party rule. After this election there is going to be a lot of discussion and evaluation of the system, Sonenshein said. Roman Gabriel Gonzalez, the Air Force medic who is running without a party affiliation against Roybal-Allard, suggests his candidacy is a good example of where those ideals meet reality. The Cal State Long Beach graduate is going door-to-door preaching his outsider status. So far, he says, he has piqued the interest of some former supporters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders as well as Republicans. They like that I am a veteran, he said. They obviously like I am running against a Democrat. But without a party behind him, Gonzalez said he has raised less than $5,000 for his campaign. Still, Gonzalez said, We have to give the people a choice. Times staff writer Ben Poston contributed to this report. javier.panzar@latimes.com Twitter: jpanzar ALSO: Hurting for support in her own party, Rep. Loretta Sanchez tilts her Senate campaign to the right Ted Cruzs old gang called into action to help California GOP Race, oil and the environment all play into this L.A. congressional race between two Democrats How a congressional race in Santa Barbara became one of the most expensive in the country Updates on California politics UPDATES: 7:26 a.m: This article was updated to include information about nonpartisan county supervisor races. This article was originally published at 12:05 a.m. Woodbury University is looking to showcase the alumni of its architecture school through an art exhibit called Range: Alumni Exhibition. Drawings, photos and models built by 70 graduates of Woodburys School of Architecture are on display at the Woodbury University Hollywood Outpost Gallery through Nov. 27. Some of the featured alumni and architects include Sonny Ward, who several years ago updated a traditional Hollywood bungalow to look more modern, and Ignacio Rodriguez, who designs high-end contemporary homes. Join the conversation on Facebook >> Ingalill Wahlroos-Ritter, interim dean for the school, said she believed it was about time that something was done to bring together the alumni and showcase what they have done since graduating. --------------------- FOR THE RECORD 10/26, 4:50 p.m.: A previous version of this story misidentified the name of the exhibition as ""Rage: Alumni Exhibition. It is called Range: Alumni Exhibition. --------------------- Were trying to build a community and really highlight the spectacular work that our alumni are doing, she said. My husband teaches architecture at USC, and they have a very deep resource base that comes from their alumni and we do not. So this was a way to give back to our alumni and recognize the work that theyre doing, but to start to develop a culture around Woodbury pride. Wahlroos-Ritter said the university is focused on ensuring that its students find work after graduating and developing a support system for alumni when they are out in the real world. We are totally about education and knowledge, she said. Our roots are in practical training. Our students have to be able to leave here and get work right away. -- Anthony Clark Carpio, anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com Twitter: @acocarpio While saying priests should never turn away transgender Catholics, Pope Francis this month lashed out at what he called the nasty tendency of schools to indoctrinate students with the idea that gender can be changed or chosen, the Associated Press reports. Its one thing if a person has this tendency and also changes sex, Francis said. Its another thing to teach this in school to change mentalities. This is what I call ideological colonization. As an example, Francis decried donors who condition their support for schools that they use textbooks that promote gender theory, which he said was one of the sources of a world war against marriage. Q. What do you think about Pope Francis comments? Is gender theory the threat that he makes it out to be? If the Pope is referring to teaching gender theory as a threat to marriage, he must mean that the only goal of marriage is the first commandment to Adam and Eve to be fruitful, multiply and fill out the land. However, the Hebrew Scriptures, also in Genesis, point to another possibility for parenting, that of a non-DNA type. Joseph, in his second dream, refers to mother and father as bowing down to him. Jacob, infuriated, speaks how you dare speak to your mother that way. Rachel is long dead. Who is Jacob speaking of? Leah of course. Here the Scriptures, the divine guide for families, shows us that creation is not the only way to be a good parent. Caring and loving an orphaned or abandoned child does! So, if a transgender person, who has made a positive effort to find his or her true self but cannot procreate decides to marry, let the couple adopt. We are commanded in the Book of Deuteronomy, chapter 6:7, Make an impression on your children and speak of them about it (it being love of God and each other). Loving who you are will help you better love others. Being confused and frustrated with yourself helps no one to love. Bahava (with love), Rabbi Mark Sobel Temple Beth Emet Burbank .. Is gender theory a threat? Gender theory is just one particular manifestation of the larger errant idea that man can change what God has decreed. For example, God has revealed that he alone is divine. Man vainly makes idols. God urges us to seek him first for our ultimate good. Man vainly seeks ultimate good in power, possessions and pleasures instead of him. Our gender is assigned by God and is unchangeable. Genesis 1:27 says God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. This passage teaches distinct gender identity irrevocably assigned by God. Our God-given gender identity is woven into our deepest genetic identity. While clothing, hairstyle and plastic surgery may alter our exterior appearance, our God-given DNA cannot be changed. It will always undeniably identifiable which gender we are. Deuteronomy 22:5 further enlightens us that we are not to externally change our gender appearance: A woman shall not wear mans clothing, nor shall a man put on a womans clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God. Yes, fellow Bible scholars, this is Old Testament and not New Testament, and yes, this was revealed in the Law of Moses and not from the lips of Jesus. But morality does not change because it is rooted in our unchangeable God. Moses also revealed that theft, murder and adultery were wrong in the Old Testament age and they as well are wrong in the New Testament age too. So, how should the church respond to this threat? We should continue to focus on the most important issue: the salvation of the lost through proclaiming faith in the blood of Jesus Christ shed for the full payment of all of our sins, whichever sins they may happen to be. We should love sinners as Jesus did, and not attack them, realizing that we were saved from the same stock. And we should never compromise our proclamation of Scripture, for it is only the truth that will set people free from captivity to deception, depravity and a culture of denying what God has eternally decreed. Pastor Jon Barta Burbank .. The relationship between Catholicism, indeed most religions, and gender identification is so backwards. The latter is something genetically and biologically predetermined, irrespective of choice. The former is something chosen devoid of concrete proof or evidence. Yet, the former attempts to dictate what the latter does and what rights are accorded people based on their very identity. When religious groups are persecuted because others believe differently and attempts are made to deny them equal rights, hackles are raised and foul is called. Yet, the very same religious groups think they can decide anothers fate based on their mistaken belief of what constitutes sin. If you consider something a sin, dont do it. If its something that hurts others or society, work to stop it. But, in this case, identifying as LGBTQ and living a lifestyle true to your own identity, not only does none of those things but serves to create a more loving and inclusive society. I dont care what your holy book says. What bothers me even more is that homosexuality is considered a sin by some simply because the Bible says so. There is no proof, no explanation, no reasoning anywhere in the text. So, gay and trans youth are hurt, loving couples are being denied equal rights, children are taken from loving homes because of a few sentences with null to back them up. I could at least have some modicum of sympathy for the popes misguided position if there was an ounce of here is why this is sinful. But, if its just because my holy book says so, thats just insulting to the millions of people who have alternative gender identities. The pope is right that gender cannot be picked and chosen and changed. But, he doesnt get to decide what gender means to each individual. Gender is not as simple as male and female and when someone is trans, it is not something they just picked or chose. It is who they are, how they feel and how they were born. Even if it wasnt; if it indeed was a choice, what business is it of the popes, someone who chose his belief system? I dont care whether the pope blesses trans or not. Putting him on a pedestal for compassion toward gays is premature because he, and his religion, still consider them sinners and therefore, unequal. I do, however, care whether generations of youth are taught to be open-minded, tolerant and accepting of all humans or whether they are inculcated with religious absolutism and close-mindedness. The ideological colonization is happening but, its happening in private religious institutions. They are the ones with, as the pope puts it, a nasty tendency to indoctrinate. Joshua Lewis Berg Humanist Celebrant Glendale .. Italians are getting married and and having babies at rates lower than at any time since the founding of modern Italy in 1861. Immigration restrictions keep their populations growth down, and because of Italys continuing series of economic recessions, immigrants already there are not reproducing much either, and many youth must go to other countries to find work. This approaches a situation which Italys Health Minister calls non-renewal. She says, That means we are a dying country. Pope Francis may have the wrong culprit. I would need to see some evidence to back his assertion of indoctrination in schools causing changes in gender identity. What we do know in reality is that Italy provides little support for child care, and that women there as all over the world nowadays must work outside the home to keep a family afloat. But traditional sex roles still dominate. Many Italian men expect wives to be like their mamas, providing meals, laundry and other household essentials, and quite often they just stay at home instead of marrying, happy to let their mothers care for them. Francis bragged of cooking his own meals as a Cardinal. Maybe he should up his game now that he is Pope and model an image of male behavior even more encouraging of reproduction. I know that I am not the only woman turned on by the vision of a man wielding a dish cloth, diaper or broom, never mind that in this case he is likely to be wearing a skirt. Roberta Medford Atheist Montrose .. I believe so. Human beings come in two denominations: male and female; thats it. So when a man or woman who possesses all the gender-specific biology of their particular category, insist that they are actually the exact opposite, we should not applaud this bizarre mental quirk and call it healthy, let alone, teach it as optional to elementary children. We should prescribe them counseling, and work to restore their common sense, while helping them embrace the truth of what they were born to be. Psych wards are full of people who think they are reincarnated royalty or characters from fiction books, or even animals inhabiting human forms, yet none of these would we normally coddle and say they are just fine and normal. No, we call the men in white suits, and treat them for return to sanity. Once, while moonlighting for Uber, I picked a guy up who was either transvestite or transgender. He wasnt fooling anyone, he looked ridiculous, but I didnt treat him with anything but professional respect. We pulled up to a guard shack in a gated community and I made the apparently egregious mistake of telling the guard that he, the passenger, was looking for his friends house. Thats when the passenger threw a hissy fit. He started repeating he?! several times in anger, as if I should have respected the fantasy and not the fact that he was obviously a man. He slammed the door open and stumbled away in his high heels. The guard and I looked at each other and just shook our heads. Listen, there are men who simply dress like women, and others that mutilate their bodies in a feeble attempt to more resemble the gender they are not but wish to be. Is this what you want schools teaching your kids, that even though they are boys and girls, that maybe they are really girls and boys? What a scatterbrained trip to lay on vulnerable kids. The Bible says, Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their life (Proverbs 22:6 GNT). Teach them that God made them male and female and that he didnt mistakenly put their souls in wrong bodies. The Church should not be unlike the aforementioned Uber case with regard to its passengers. It should treat all with the same respect befitting anyone made in Gods image, but the Church should not promote what is clearly antithetical to divine will and the biblical worldview. No sinner of any stripe should expect to enter a church and have their fetishes baptized, but they ought to be welcomed to come and learn of why that is so. While mental illness may be the cause of some of this, wrong thinking accounts for the rest, and the growing ignorance of God is why society can no longer tell its mens room on the right from the womens room on the left. Rev. Bryan A. Griem Tujunga File Photo shows Qiao Guanhua (L, front), then vice foreign minister of the People's Republic of China, and Huang Hua, then Chinese representative to the UN, reacting at the 26th United Nations General Assembly on Nov. 15, 1971. Oct. 25, 2016 marks the 45th anniversary of the restoration of the lawful seat of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations. (Xinhua) by Xinhua writer Gu Zhenqiu Oct. 25 is a day to be remembered in the history of China and the United Nations. On this day in 1971, the 26th session of the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 with a landslide majority, restoring the lawful seat of the People's Republic of China in the world body with all its legitimate rights, and immediately expelling representatives of the Kuomintang clique from the United Nations and all its affiliated agencies. Upon the victorious adoption, a jubilant Tanzanian UN ambassador, Salim A. Salim, did a triumphant dance in the aisle of the hall of the General Assembly. The scene has gone deeper into the memory of the Chinese people. The historic resolution, sponsored by Albania, Algeria and 21 other countries, solved once and for all, in political, legal and procedural terms, the issue of China's representation in the United Nations. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the restoration of China's rightful seat at the United Nations. Ever since 1971, stupendous changes have taken place in the world, in China and in the United Nations. China's commitment to the UN Charter, however, remains unchanged. Its pursuit of world peace and development has been firm, its involvement in the UN cause has become deeper. Before adoption of the resolution, China's seat in the United Nations had been occupied by the Chiang Kai-shek clique overthrown by the Chinese people 22 years previous. The government of the People's Republic of China made unremitting efforts to regain China's lawful seat in the United Nations. Restoration of China's lawful rights also represented a major breakthrough in China's diplomacy and opened up a new chapter in the UN-China cooperation. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and many other senior UN officials repeatedly praised China for its strong support for and active contribution to the United Nations. There is a consensus between China and the United Nations that "China needs the United Nations, and the United Nations also needs China." Without China, the world's most populous country, the United Nations cannot be called the most universal international organization in the globe. And without the United Nations, China loses the most important platform of the multi-lateral diplomacy. Over the decades since, China strove to build a new type of relationship with other countries in accordance with the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence on the basis of international law. It broke isolation, blockade and military threat imposed by imperialism and hegemonism, regained its lawful seat in the United Nations, started reform and opening-up programs, became fully integrated in the international system, and made remarkable achievements in development. China is committed to resolving hotspot issues through political means, advocate dialogue and consultation, address both the symptoms and root causes and give full play to the central role of the United Nations. China, which is committed to rule of law at home, will naturally act as a strong defender and active builder of the international rule of law. At the same time, China, one of the five permanent members of the Security Council and the largest developing country in the world, will continue to be a firm UN supporter, vindicator and participant. China is a firm UN supporter. China, a developing country as it is, now is the largest contributor of UN peacekeeping funding among developing countries, and also the largest contributor of peacekeepers among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. Currently, China is the second-largest country to share United Nations' peacekeeping costs from 2016 to 2018, just behind the United States. China's contribution to the UN peacekeeping operations budget rose from 6.6 percent to 10.3 percent, surpassing Japan for the first time. China is an active contributor to the United Nations. According to the UN Millennium Development Goals Report 2015, the proportion of people living in extreme poverty in China fell from 61 percent in 1990 to 4.2 percent in 2014, with the number of people China has raised from poverty accounting for 70 percent of the world's total. Over the past 30-odd years since the launch of the reform and opening up drive, more than 700 million Chinese people have been lifted out of poverty. The more China develops, the greater its needs to cooperate closely with other countries and the more it desires a peaceful and stable international environment. As China grows stronger, it will make greater contribution to the maintenance and promotion of the international rule of law, as it works with other countries to build a fairer and more reasonable international political and economic order. Seal Beach residents congregated in the City Council chamber Monday night to show support for Police Chief Joe Stilinovich, who has been on paid administrative leave since Sept. 29, pending the results of a confidential investigation. Many held paper signs reading "#ReinstateChiefJoe in red letters. It was the first council meeting since City Manager Jill Ingram released a statement Oct. 4 announcing that the city had received a formal complaint against Stilinovich. She did not elaborate. Ingram declined to comment Monday, saying the investigation is continuing. Cmdr. Joe Miller has been named acting chief. Residents stood against walls and sat on the floor in the packed chamber. Many had prepared through social media by creating a Facebook page encouraging people to attend the meeting and bring friends to show support for Stilinovich. Thomas Stretz, president of the Seal Beach Police Foundation, told the council he was disappointed to see that transparency, credibility and thoroughness were not the hallmarks of the investigation. We are loyal to him not because he asked us, because you cant ask for loyalty. It has to be earned, Stretz added. Stretz released a letter earlier this month saying the chief is being investigated by a third party under the direction of Assistant City Manager Patrick Gallegos. Findings from the investigation will be sent to Ingram, who would have up to 300 days to determine whether to take action, Stretz added in his letter. Amid a tense national climate heightened by a spate of police-involved shootings, Stilinovich has built a trust for police and a love and friendliness that residents have grown to appreciate since he began working for Seal Beach in 2012, resident Kerry Logan said. I would feel so much better having him back at the helm, Logan said. Other residents spoke of how Stilinovich is seen with his family shopping and playing in the city, showing he is accessible to the community. Another speaker recalled how Stilinovich helped place sandbags during a flood at 2 a.m. while off duty and in street clothes. One resident asked others to raise their hand if they support the chief. Hands shot up amid cheers and applause. I believe in Joe and Ive had a good relationship with Joe, resident Seth Eaker said. I believe there is integrity there. ... We need a faster investigation and to reinstate Chief Joe until the investigation is complete. A new mayor took control of the Newport Beach City Council dais Tuesday night, outlining a vision for the city that includes fixing deteriorating seawalls, selecting a new police chief and reviving aging commercial districts. Diane Dixon, who was elected in 2014 as part of a slate of four candidates known as Team Newport, took over as mayor from council member Ed Selich, who had served in the post for the past year. The council unanimously selected Dixon as mayor and Councilman Kevin Muldoon to replace Dixon as mayor pro tem. Muldoon, who represents District 4, known as the Eastbluff and Belcourt areas, also was a Team Newport candidate elected last year along with Marshall Duffy Duffield and Scott Peotter. Dixon, who represents District 1, which includes the Balboa Peninsula and Lido Isle areas, outlined five goals she hopes to accomplish in her year as mayor: Create a master plan for Newport Harbor to deal with issues related to eelgrass, trash removal and seawall restoration or replacement. Work with City Manager Dave Kiff on the selection of a police chief to replace Jay Johnson, who has said he plans to retire this month. Find ways to simplify permits for small businesses in an effort to improve commercial districts. Continue her monthly town hall meetings and expand them from the District 1 area to include the rest of the city. Work toward those goals while maintaining a conservative city budget. We are all prepared to work together to nurture and protect our shining city on the water, she said. Our finest days are ahead. After giving up his seat in the center of the dais, Selich wrote notes to each of the other council members to publicly and at times sarcastically thank them for their contributions to council meetings. In the style of Jimmy Fallons comedy skit on The Tonight Show, he thanked Councilman Tony Petros for his bow ties, Dixon for her long monologues that caused him to miss Dancing With the Stars, Duffield for keeping his comments brief so he could get home in time to watch Dancing With the Stars, Peotter for not blowing up the bunny statues in Civic Center Park and Councilman Keith Curry for keeping his true feelings on issues under wraps during council meetings. In a more serious tone, Selich, a councilman since 2005, reflected on his third stint as mayor, saying he was honored to lead the council during a year when four new members joined and tensions sometimes ran high among old and new members. Its time to turn the leadership over to Team Newport, Selich said. They have a year of seasoning and theyre ready. When we get down to doing the work, the new and the old council really arent that much different. Marche Moderne, a regular on Los Angeles Times food critic Jonathan Golds 101 Best Restaurants list, will move from its current location inside South Coast Plaza to the Crystal Cove Shopping Center next year. Chef Florent Marneau will continue the restaurants French, market-inspired menu, with signature dishes such as foie gras, coq au vin and grilled octopus. The new location is slated to open next spring at 7862 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Newport Beach. Senior care center sold Villa Rose Memory Care, a 98-bed center in Eastside Costa Mesa, has been sold for $6.5 million, according to Seniors Housing Business magazine. San Diego-based Pacifica Senior Living, which also operates the Pacifica senior facility on Bear Street in Costa Mesa, acquired the 31,900-square-foot community at 2619 Orange Ave. It was last renovated in 2011. Sandvig named to Island Hotel sales position Ron Sandvig has been named the director of travel sales for the Island Hotel in Newport Beach. Sandvig will leverage his extensive industry connections, concentrating on working with the hotels top travel partners ... to build lasting client relationships to bolster market share and drive revenue streams, according to a news release. Sandvig, a graduate of the University of Hawaii, last served as vice president of travel industry sales for the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes. Pelican Hill lauded by Conde Nast Traveler Conde Nast Traveler magazine named The Resort at Pelican Hill as No. 3 in its Top 25 Resorts in Southern California as part of the publications 29th annual Readers Choice Awards. The Newport Coast resort was also recognized by the magazine in 2012 and 2013. Costa Mesa bridal store to close Erin Cole, a bridal salon in Eastside Costa Mesa, is closing. The store at 298 E. 17th St. is having a closing sale through Nov. 5. For more information, visit erincole.com. Police were searching Tuesday for two people who stole items from a Fountain Valley home, authorities said. Police responded to a report of a burglary in the 18000 block of Santa Ramona Street at 12:52 p.m. Oct. 17, police said. The burglars were gone by the time police arrived. Police said the two entered the residence through a window. Police described both burglars as Asian males in their late teens or early 20s with short black hair. One was wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and black sneakers. The other was wearing prescription glasses, a red hooded sweatshirt, tan pants and black Nike shoes and carrying a black Nike bag. benjamin.brazil@latimes.com Twitter: @benbrazilpilot The Costa Mesa Sanitary Districts board president is asking the California Fair Political Practices Commission to investigate whether the Mesa Water District improperly used public money to advocate in favor of a local ballot measure. In a letter sent to the FPPC on Monday, Mike Scheafer alleges recent mailers and advertisements from Mesa Water could unfairly bias voters on Measure TT an advisory question the water district put on the Nov. 8 ballot to ask voters if the two agencies should pursue a merger. Mesa Water District, in its ongoing effort to take over control of Costa Mesa Sanitary District, recently sent out two mail pieces to voters, paid for with public funds, Scheafer said in a statement. Mesa Water also took out a full-page advertisement in The Current, a weekly publication of the Orange County Register, that Scheafer said merits the FPPCs investigation regarding potential violations of state law. The tenor, timing and style of this full-page ad clearly suggests advocacy, and the use of public funds for its publication bears further investigation, he wrote in his complaint. The same ad appeared in Sundays Daily Pilot. Mesa Water External Affairs Manager Stacy Taylor said the districts legal counsel reviewed and approved all informational materials distributed by Mesa Water as an accurate, fair and impartial presentation of the facts. To date, Taylor said Mesa Water has spent $10,796 on informational materials related to Measure TT. The district has approved spending up to $88,000 for educational outreach efforts on the measure. FPPC spokesman Jay Wierenga confirmed that the complaint has been filed and is under review to see whether it has merit. Scheafers complaint is the latest salvo in an inter-agency dispute thats morphed into a pitched political battle. In June, Mesa Water commissioned a study that showed the financial benefits of combining the two districts operations could be significant roughly $15.6 million in one-time savings and an additional $2.7 million annually. Those savings could result in a $650 rebate for each customer and up to a 28% reduction in wastewater rates, according to the study prepared by consultant Arcadis U.S. Inc. These savings are after the costs of consolidation, an investment that Mesa Water believes is well justified, given the substantial cost savings that could result for customers, Taylor said. In his FPPC complaint, Scheafer objected to the fact that Mesa Waters ad in The Current displays those possible savings in a bold font, clearly distinguishing it from the remainder of the text and contrary to how it appears in the voter information pamphlet. Sanitary district officials have also repeatedly claimed the possible savings calculated in the Arcadis study are flawed and inaccurate. Taylor said Mesa Water stands by the findings. The two agencies have also been at loggerheads over Measure TT in recent months. Mesa Water officials say ratepayers should get a chance to weigh in on the concept of a merger, given the level of possible savings, but the sanitary district has blasted the measure as a political stunt. Ratepayers in either district can vote on Measure TT. luke.money@latimes.com Twitter: @LukeMMoney Jetpack America, which fought for nearly a year to secure permission to continue strapping water-propelled jetpacks onto customers so they could fly high above Newport Harbor, says it will shut down operations in the city next month. Jetpack America President Dean OMalley said he made the decision to leave Newport Beach because of what the company considers overly restrictive conditions on its permit. Nov. 13 is expected to be Jetpack Americas last day in the harbor, he said. It will continue to operate in Las Vegas and San Diego. Join the conversation on Facebook >> The cost of operations simply cannot be covered by the revenue were able to bring in in Newport Beach, OMalley said. This stems from the fact the city has placed very tight restrictions on our operation. OMalley said he had hoped that after a year of good operations, the company would have a chance to revisit the regulations when it applied to renew its permit in November. However, city staff did not seem receptive to loosening the restrictions, OMalley said. Harbor Resources Manager Chris Miller said staff is simply executing what the City Council asked. This was all done in an effort to balance the needs of Jetpack America and the needs of the harbor community and the neighbors, Miller said. Jetpack America has operated water jetpacks in Newport Harbor for five years. The backpack-style devices use seawater to propel riders into the air while tethered to an instructors watercraft via a long hose. Newport officials years ago considered banning the activity in the harbor after fielding noise complaints from some waterfront homeowners. In June 2014, the City Council agreed to a six-month moratorium on permits for such businesses while the Harbor Commission studied the issue. The commission eventually recommended banning the activity. But in May 2015, the council instead approved an ordinance allowing one jetpack business in the harbor. The operator would have a year-to-year revocable permit, with operations limited to the turning basin between Lido Marina Village and West Coast Highway. The city ultimately selected Jetpack America over two other applicants. However, the permit included additional requirements such as increased insurance coverage, a restriction on operating hours and a limit to one jetpack in the harbor at a time. Before those restrictions, Jetpack America would operate two jetpacks at once to keep up with customer demand during busy summer months, company spokesman Eric Longabardi said. The restrictions made it impossible for us to turn a profit, he said. Theyve essentially regulated us out of business. Miller said there are no plans to open a request for proposals for another jetpack operator to move into the harbor. hannah.fry@latimes.com Twitter: @HannahFryTCN Newport Beach City Council candidate Jeff Herdmans treasurer is asking the city attorney and the Orange County district attorneys office to investigate a groups campaign contributions to rival candidate Lee Lowrey. In a complaint filed last week, attorney Mark Rosen on behalf of the treasurer, Dick Weaver asked that a special prosecutor investigate $1,250 in contributions to Lowreys campaign from the Southern California Coalition of Businesses and Taxpayers. The contributions, the complaint alleges, exceed the $1,100 a candidate can legally accept from a person or group during an election under the citys municipal code. City Attorney Aaron Harp did not return a call seeking comment Tuesday. Lowrey denied the allegation, saying it was simply an accounting error by his campaign treasurer, Lysa Ray. He said Ray refunded the excess $150 about two weeks ago when she caught the error. Im not worried about it at all, Lowrey said. They wanted to make a big deal out of this, but its not. I understand people are grasping at straws toward the end of the campaign season. Ray did not return a call seeking comment. Herdman, Lowrey and Mike Glenn are vying for the District 5 seat on the City Council in the Nov. 8 election. The district includes Balboa Island and the Fashion Island area. Councilman Ed Selich, who currently occupies the seat, is termed out. Lowreys campaign disclosure forms show that on June 30 he received a $250 contribution from an entity listed as SCCBT. On Sept. 13 he received a $1,000 contribution from the same group, this time listed as the Southern California Coalition of Businesses and Taxpayers. Mr. Lowrey tried to cover up this amount on the Sept. 13 contribution by listing a cumulative total of $1,000, ignoring the first contribution of $250, Rosen wrote in his complaint. He also spelled out SCCBTs full name on the Sept. 13 contribution but only identified it by its initials in the June 30 contribution. The Southern California Coalition of Businesses and Taxpayers has made contributions to several Orange County campaigns this election season, according to filings with the California secretary of states office. The group has contributed money to county supervisors Todd Spitzer and Andrew Do, county prosecutor Mike Murray and county judge Scott Steiner, who was reelected in June after being censured two years ago for having sex with two of his former law students in his chambers. In past years, the group has contributed money to council candidates in other Orange County cities. It did not contribute to individual candidates in the 2014 Newport Beach council election. During that election cycle, the coalition donated $17,000 to Residents for Reform, a group led by Balboa Island resident Bob McCaffrey that took issue with the citys $142-million Civic Center project and what it believes are excessive taxes on residents. Residents for Reform supported the Team Newport council candidates Diane Dixon, Kevin Muldoon, Marshall Duffy Duffield and Scott Peotter all of whom were elected. Its not clear who created the Coalition of Businesses and Taxpayers. Calls to a phone number listed on the groups filings with the secretary of states office go to Rays voicemail. Ray is listed as the treasurer for Lowrey and fellow council candidates Will ONeill, who is running for the District 7 seat, and Brad Avery, who is running in District 2. Lowrey said Tuesday that hes unfamiliar with the coalition. Dave Ellis, campaign consultant for Lowrey, ONeill and Avery, said Ray has hundreds of clients, and this is just another client. I have no idea who it is, Ellis said. hannah.fry@latimes.com Twitter: @HannahFryTCN A long-awaited dredging project for the Semeniuk Slough, adjacent to Newport Shores, is moving forward. The Newport Beach City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve a $1.6-million contract with Innovative Construction Solutions of Santa Ana to dredge 8,500 cubic yards of the slough. Crews also are expected to remove non-native vegetation along the waterways east bank. The California Department of Transportation has agreed to contribute $500,000 to the dredging project. The city will cover the remainder of the cost. For decades, Newport Shores residents have gone swimming in the waterway, which was once connected to the Santa Ana River. In recent years, however, sediment build-up has made recreational activities in the area more challenging. Residents also have raised issues with an odor stemming from murky silt being exposed during low tide. Officials said removing the silt will improve tidal flow and promote a healthier environment in the water. Councilman Tony Petros, whose district includes Semeniuk Slough, has been working for four years to move the dredging project forward. He said hes pleased its coming to fruition. This simple project of just removing sediment from a waterway seems to have had every possible roadblock thrown in front of it, he said. The city has long believed the area needed to be dredged, but securing funding and permits, concerns about potential toxins in the soil and other issues delayed the process. The material at the bottom of the waterway is more silt and mud than sand, so it cannot be used to replenish local beaches. Instead, crews will have to dry it out and take it to a landfill, which drives up the cost of the project, said Public Works Director Dave Webb. Its a little more challenging operation than your typical dredging project, he said. City staff expects the work to begin in December and last through the spring. hannah.fry@latimes.com Twitter: @HannahFryTCN While presidential candidates were reacting to yet another school shooting, and HBO talk show host John Oliver was exposing the mental health problem in the United States, key national leaders in school mental health recently met at the University of Maryland to conduct a training to improve the quality and sustainability of mental health in schools. While school mental health has improved in the last 100 years, there is still a long way to go. Introducing universal mental health screenings is one way to improve this issue. The scope of this issue is startling and important to understand. Currently, over 714,000 students in California schools are experiencing mental health issues, according to the California Department of Education. What is more startling is that most of these students are not receiving services. Nationally, research studies report 10% to 20% of students experience mental health issues, while only about 5% to 6% receive mental health services. This issue can be complex and controversial. Opponents to universal mental health screenings have some valid concerns. First, they argue that universal school mental health screenings are intrusive and would prefer to keep government out of this area. Second, they argue implementation would be a logistical nightmare. It is difficult to get some students to simply attend school. Third, they find screenings will be too expensive. If surveys proved what research has proved, there may be a moral responsibility to do something and no funds to do it with. Supporters argue that universal mental health screenings will help destigmatize mental health. Generally there are no objections to schools conducting vision and hearing screenings to help students succeed in the classroom, so why not mental health? Universal screening promotes equality. Some families cannot afford or do not receive adequate mental health services. While not a primary reason for implementing change, universal screenings could improve school safety. I find the pros outweigh the cons on this issue; with a will, there is a way. While there is no shame in having mental health issues, it is shameful to see this need for services and to do nothing. It seems attention to this issue comes and goes with large scale disruptive events (mass shootings), which does not need to be the case; the fact that this many students are suffering should be enough. There needs to be a way to bridge the gap between mental health needs and services, and improve the future quality of life for the children who will not be suffering and unnoticed. DANIEL BENJAMIN is enrolled in the masters of social work program at USCs Irvine campus. . Wedding to help support Glendale Humane Society An unusual wedding ceremony will be held on Nov. 4 when two dogs will tie the knot to help support the Glendale Humane Society, from which they were adopted. Molly, a poodle mix, and Martin, a cocker spaniel, were adopted at separate times by Jeannie Flint and Dave Werbelow and formed a bond thats being celebrated. The event, which will go from 6 to 9 p.m., will be held at Pirch in the Glendale Galleria, 100 W. Broadway. The pair will exchange vows at 7 p.m. Join the conversation on Facebook >> To help support the Glendale Humane Society, a $75 donation is requested from guests to help care for and feed adoptable pets in the societys care. For more information about making a donation and attending the wedding, visit glendalehumane.org. Local YWCA to host Community Fair An event called the Prevention is Possible Community Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at the YWCA of Glendale, 735 E. Lexington Drive, Glendale. At the free family-friendly event, there will be food, games, community resources and a rummage sale. Proceeds from the sale will support the YWCAs programs for women and children. For more information, visit glendaleywca.org. -- Mark Kellam, mark.kellam@latimes.com Twitter: @LAMarkKellam (Xinhua) 08:07, October 26, 2016 A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called on the international community to pay high attention to combating sexual violence in conflicts and protect women's legitimate rights. Wu Haitao, China's deputy representative to the UN, made the appeal at a Security Council debate on women, peace and security. Wu said the international community should combat the heinous actions by terrorist and extremist forces of violating women's rights and respond to terrorist threats by advancing counter-terrorism cooperation. He highlighted the need to promote political settlement of regional hotspot issues to create a favorable environment for protection of women's rights. "In all stages in peace process, it is necessary to ensure the full participation of women in decision making so that they can leverage their unique advantages and become a positive force in peace making," said Wu. Wu also called on the international community to help countries concerned in carrying out post-conflict reconstruction to support them in promoting economic and social development and to better protect women's rights and interests. "China is willing to work with the rest of the international community to continue to push for the implementation of the goals in women, peace and security and making tireless efforts for the further progress of global women' s cause," he said. With a public hearing expected to draw hundreds of people to the La Canada Unified headquarters Wednesday to speak in favor or against transferring the Sagebrush area of La Canada into that citys school district, some Glendale school officials are encouraging parents to speak out against the transfer. In an email Glendale Unified Supt. Winfred Roberson Jr. sent to Glendale residents last week, he said losing the students who live in the Sagebrush area to La Canada schools would be devastating, particularly for Mountain Avenue Elementary, Rosemont Middle School and Crescenta Valley High School. The loss of state funding that Glendale Unified receives to serve Sagebrush students could potentially result in Glendale Unified laying off 10 full-time teachers six at the elementary level and four at the secondary level, Roberson said, when reached by phone on Tuesday. Join the conversation on Facebook >> While school officials have stated Glendale Unified could lose as much as $3.6 million in state funds per year, this marks the first time they have pointed to the potential of teacher layoffs as a result of losing Sagebrush students. Unite LCF, the citizens group seeking to transfer the Sagebrush territory, said Robersons messages amount to scare tactics, according to a statement by Tom Smith, chair of Unite LCF. The statements by this superintendent are reminiscent of the scare tactics and disinformation used in prior petition efforts. Inciting fears and causing undue anxiety is exactly what we have been trying so hard to avoid, Smith said. The Sagebrush territory in La Canada encompasses 385 acres, with about 1,000 homes, representing roughly 2% of Glendale Unifieds tax base. Glendale school officials have estimated that roughly 350 school-age students live in the Sagebrush area. About 100 Sagebrush students currently attend La Canada schools, according to Unite LCF. The recent mention of teacher layoffs marks the first time in years Glendale Unified has cited them as a potential outcome of lost funding. Even during the most difficult years of the recent economic recession, Glendale Unified avoided laying off any teachers, which school officials have since discussed with pride. Burdened with a $15-million structural deficit in late 2012, school officials pondered laying off anywhere from 75 to 125 employees in a move to save $6 million. By then, Glendale Unified had not received $150 million school officials had expected to get from the state over the previous five years. Ultimately, however, school officials asked teachers and classified employees to participate in an early-retirement plan. More than 110 employees, 61 of them teachers, took the deal, and officials ditched layoff plans in February 2013. That retirement deal, coupled with the states passage of Proposition 30 in late 2012, has since restored school funding in Glendale, allowing the district to fill vacant positions and issue cost-of-living pay hikes. Even as Glendale Unified has made significant funding restorations, losing Sagebrush students could result in a reduction in financial resources used to provide students with technology, expanded programs and extracurricular activities, according to Robersons email. In another letter penned by Glendale school officials, they summarized the transfer as unnecessary and misguided. The latest effort by Unite LCF to transfer the territory will have the 11-member Los Angeles County Committee on School District Organization weigh in on the matter before voting on it next year. As part of the committees process, members will hear input from residents who reside in both school districts during two public hearings. Leading up to Wednesdays hearing, the La Canada Unified School Board unanimously passed a resolution Monday supporting the transfer, which also stated that the school district would work with La Canada city officials and Unite LCF to develop a strategy to relieve impacts to La Canada Unified tied to the increased number of students in that district. Wednesdays hearing will begin at 6 p.m. in the La Canada Unified School District headquarters, located at 4490 Cornishon Ave. in La Canada. The second public hearing will occur at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 2 at Crescenta Valley High School, located at 2900 Community Ave. in La Crescenta. -- Kelly Corrigan, kelly.corrigan@latimes.com Twitter: @kellymcorrigan Dignity Health-Glendale Memorial Hospital hosted Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) Tuesday for an update on the current political climate in Washington, D.C., heading into the tail end of the presidential election. Co-hosted by the Womens Civic League of Glendale, the luncheon gave Schiff an opportunity during House recess to address his district on issues including Russian interference in the general election, political progress in Iraq and a stagnant congress. Schiff also took the opportunity to once again condemn the current efforts by the Pentagon to collect repayments from California National Guard service members who were given unauthorized reenlistment bonuses, calling on Washington to halt collection and reimburse soldiers. Join the conversation on Facebook >> Its outrageous that the guard or the Pentagon would go after these soldiers who deployed, saw combat many of whom were injured to get them to pay back incentives they had every reason to expect were completely legit, Schiff said. We ought to forgive the debt. We are going to take up a defense bill when we get back from the election. [The debt forgiveness] should be a small part of that bill, Schiff said. In the scale of the defense bill, this is a small amount of money and its so patently unfair and unethical to go after them for it. I find it shocking that this is even the case. The debt collection against soldiers began after audits in California revealed unauthorized payments doled out around a decade ago as reenlistment incentives during wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The repayments often totaled more than $15,000 and were given to nearly 10,000 soldiers, many of them combat veterans. Schiff also forecast some of Washingtons most pressing issues after the general election, such as the ongoing fight over filling a vacant Supreme Court seat, the struggle over the Affordable Care Act and whether the economy is recovering quickly enough. Two functional parties are needed for the government to work and its still unclear how a loss in November would affect Republicans, argued Schiff. A Trump loss, I dont know how the GOP would interpret. Conservatives will say we lost because for the third time we nominated someone who wasnt a true conservative ...We need to be more conservative, Schiff said. Mainstream will say they lost because their nominee wasnt mainstream enough. I dont know where that leaves the party. -- Jeff Landa, jeff.landa@latimes.com Twitter: @JeffLanda Ten Years Ago With a series of lectures and a film depicting its early history, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory celebrated its 70th anniversary in the fall of 2006. JPL retold the story of how in 1936 a few Caltech students and some of their friends found an out-of-the-way area north of the Rose Bowl to test their experimental motor, so that if things went awry and an explosion ensued, no bystanders would be injured. Unknown to them at the time, that section of the Arroyo Seco would later become home to the jet lab. Twenty Years Ago An alleged drunk driver being pursued by the California Highway Patrol drove his car into a turnout on Angeles Crest Highway above La Canada and just kept going, plunging 400 feet over the side and into a canyon. Surviving his crash, the 32-year-old El Monte resident was rescued by the Montrose Search and Rescue Team and transported by sheriffs helicopter to Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena to be treated. Join the conversation on Facebook >> Thirty Years Ago The La Canada Flintridge City Council voted unanimously to approve a one-year contract with the city of Glendale to administer a Dial-a-Ride service in the Foothills, with the fare set at $1. Forty Years Ago Local residents were facing a historic ballot in 1976, when they were asked to choose whether or not La Canada and Flintridge (the latter of which then carried a Pasadena Zip Code, but was part of La Canada Unified School District), should unite and incorporate as one city. At the same time, they were asked to vote for five of the 15 candidates vying for a seat on the first La Canada Flintridge City Council, assuming the cityhood vote was favorable. Fifty Years Ago Kathy Macy of La Canada won the Pacific Quarter Horse Assn. High Point Youth Rider award in competition held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. The La Canada High School senior was presented a hand-carved saddle as her prize. Another thrill for her family came when their yearling filly, Thunders Trina, placed first in her class out of 36 entries. Sixty Years Ago Chiquita, a 5-year-old ocelot from Peru, was featured in a Valley Sun article in 1956. The exotic cat was the pet of Mr. and Mrs. J.V. Thomas of Madison Road. She reportedly had the run of the house during the day, but at night slept in an outdoor enclosure. Compiled from the Valley Sun archives by Carol Cormaci. Dr. Mark Labberton, president of Fuller Seminary, will be the keynote speaker at the annual Community Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, Nov. 3 at the Crescenta-Canada Family YMCA, 1930 Foothill Blvd. Doors open at 6:30 a.m. and the program will begin at 7 a.m. More than 400 community members are expected to turn out for the morning of praise and fellowship. The event helps raise funds in support of the YMCA of the Foothills Chaplain Services Program. One hundred sixty years ago, the Y was founded as a refuge of Bible study and prayer for young men seeking to escape from the hazards of life on the London streets. At the Y, we believe that faith and the power of prayer are at the heart of a strong community, stated Tyler Wright, president and chief executive of YMCA of the Foothills, in a news release announcing the event. Join the conversation on Facebook >> Prior to joining Fullers faculty in 2009, Labberton held a variety of pastoral positions, including 16 years as senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley. The author of three books, his most recent title is Called: the Crisis and Promise of Following Jesus Today and includes his vision for the future work of Fuller Seminary. The Rev. Dr. Chuck Osburn, pastor of La Canada Presbyterian Church, will serve as master of ceremonies during the event. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door, available on www.ymcafoothills.org. For more information, contact Lucinda Guarino at lguarino@ymcafoothills.org. -- Carol Cormaci, carol.cormaci@latimes.com Twitter: @CarolCormaci Skip the magnets and T-shirts to take home when you go to Hawaii. Small businesses on the islands of Maui, Lanai and Molokai make cool artisan and handcrafted gifts, and they will be on display next month at the Made in Maui County Festival. The event runs Nov. 4 and 5 and brings together 140 vendors who sell everything from crafts to jewelry to potato chips at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului. As the festivals name implies, all products must be made in Maui County, which includes not only the island of Maui, but also Lanai and Molokai. Advertisement Among the offerings: Barking Deer Farm. In addition to growing organic vegetables, this family-run farm also produces meat rubs made with Molokai-grown coffee. Owner Jamie Ronzello recommends the Original Spiced Coffee Rub for steak and venison and the Sweet N Spicy variety for chicken and pork. Jennifers Gourds. Artist Jennifer Throne creates clever pieces by starting with dried, ornamental gourds and then adding polymer clay and acrylic paint. Her designs include porpoises, turtles and even surfers atop their boards. Pacifica Hawaii Salt. Creator Nancy Gove is reintroducing the ancient Hawaiian tradition of sea salt farming. Her products come in flavors such as Hot Black Lava, Koloa Rum and Red Hot Cinnamon. Gove said she got the idea after tasting the salt that had dried on her arm during an ocean paddle. If you are visiting Maui, get a shopping preview of the festival from 1:30 to 6 p.m. Nov. 4 . Tickets cost $35 and include light refreshments. The main festival, complete with food trucks and a fashion show, runs 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 5. It costs $5 per person at the gate; children 12 and under are free. Info: Made in Maui County Festival, (808) 270-7710 ALSO Heres why you may not get free drinks in Las Vegas anymore Canada tops Lonely Planets list to visit in 2017, see who else made the top ten A look at the L.A.-themed makeover at LAXs Terminal 6 If youre studying in Europe, you may not have to worry about a visa. Until you do. Heres what to know. The British governments support for expansion of Londons Heathrow Airport after decades of delays has immediately generated outrage from politicians and residents who point to the expected loss of hundreds of homes, increased air pollution and other environmental damage. British Prime Minister Theresa Mays Conservative Party saw lawmaker Zac Goldsmith resign in protest and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson brand the plan undeliverable, while other opponents threatened to mount a legal challenge. Johnson, the former mayor of London, has said he would lie down in front of bulldozers to prevent expansion at the airport, Europes busiest. Critics have said the expansion would bring increased air pollution and noise. Advertisement No other great city would do this to its inhabitants, Johnson said after Transport Secretary Chris Grayling announced the governments decision Tuesday. New York is going to be the city of beautiful skyscrapers, Paris the city of lights and London in the future, if we go ahead with this project, will be known as the city of planes. A decision on whether to expand Heathrow Airport has long been a subject of intense political debate but a resolution has eluded previous governments, which became bogged down in legal, political and planning issues. Graylings announcement about a decision to build a third runway begins a process that is expected to lead to a parliamentary vote next year. The projects estimated cost is about $22 billion and it would require the demolition of about 800 homes, officials said. Advocates of the expansion emphasize the airport has been operating at 98% capacity for a decade and soon will be unable to compete with other international hubs unless a third runway is approved. May and Grayling told lawmakers that the expansion would create 77,000 local jobs and bring a $75-billion boost to the economy, which has been faltering after a June referendum in which 52% of British voters favored leaving the 28-nation European Union. After decades of delay we are showing that we will take the big decisions when theyre the right decisions for Britain, and we will ensure theyre right for ordinary working people too, May said. If the project ultimately receives final approval, it is unlikely that any new runway would be operational until 2025. Goldsmith, who in May failed in a bid to become London mayor, represented a constituency in leafy West London that lies directly under the Heathrow flight path. Boyle is a special correspondent. Forced to resign after he allegedly shot a friend while reaching for a beer, the former police chief of Portland, Ore., is now facing criminal charges and potential jail time for his role in the ill-fated camping trip. A Harney County, Ore., grand jury indicted Larry ODea on Tuesday on one misdemeanor count of negligently wounding another. On April 21, the indictment states, ODea, 53, did unlawfully, and by failing to use ordinary care under the circumstances, wound Robert Dempsey with a bullet from a firearm. ODea and Dempsey, 54, were on a hunting and camping trip in southeast Oregon with five other friends, mostly law enforcement officers. At the time of the shooting, the campers were sitting in a semicircle of lawn chairs, drinking beer and shooting at sage rats running along a dirt bank, according to a Harney County Sheriffs Office investigator. Advertisement There was a steady amount of gunfire, one witness said, when Dempsey, seated in one of the chairs, suddenly began yelling profanities, saying hed been shot. He was airlifted to a hospital in Boise, Idaho, where he was treated and later released. ODea glassy-eyed and shaking, authorities said told the investigator that Dempsey had shot himself. The police chief called it a case of negligent discharge. But an Oregon Fish and Wildlife follow-up investigation quoted Dempsey who was shot in the back as saying ODea later personally admitted to shooting him. The chief had gone to a nearby beverage cooler, and while reaching for a beer, reportedly fired his .22-caliber rifle by accident. ODea, whod been chief for just a year, was placed on paid administrative leave and then resigned in June amid furor over the alleged cover-up. He receives an annual pension of $170,800. The former chiefs lawyer, Derek Ashton, said at the time that ODea was not impaired or intoxicated at the time of the shooting. He did not purposely point his gun at any person and did not knowingly discharge a firearm in the direction of his lifelong friend. An investigation of the shooting by state police and the Oregon Justice Department looked into why none of ODeas assistant chiefs called for an internal investigation and why Mayor Charlie Hales who early on learned what happened from ODea initially kept them secret. It wasnt until May that the public learned of the shooting from a report in Willamette Week. So far, the Harney County indictment which carries a potential six-month jail sentence and a $2,500 fine if ODea is found guilty has been the only result of the investigations. Hales did appoint a captain to take ODeas place rather than any of the four higher-ranking assistant chiefs, whose lack of action was called into question. Portland Police Bureau spokesman Sgt. Pete Simpson said an internal investigation into the matter is ongoing. Anderson is a special correspondent. ALSO For first time, U.S. abstains in U.N. vote to lift Cuba embargo Defense secretary orders Pentagon to stop collecting California National Guard bonus repayments Seeking justice and millions for families of people killed by police Gunmen kidnapped and killed 26 civilians, including children, in an isolated central province in the latest violence attributed to loyalists of Islamic State in Afghanistan, officials said Wednesday. Officials in Ghor province said the civilians were abducted Tuesday outside the provincial capital of Ferozkoh during fighting between the gunmen and Afghan security forces. The gunmen were Taliban insurgents who now claimed allegiance to Islamic State, the militant organization based in Iraq and Syria that has carried out several bloody attacks in Afghanistan, officials said. Advertisement Ghulam Nasir Khadeh, the provincial governor, said by phone that authorities in Ferozkoh had received 26 bodies of more than 30 who were abducted on Tuesday. The whereabouts of the others were not immediately known. The Taliban denied involvement in the incident. Qari Yusuf Ahmadi, a spokesman for the insurgent group, called it shocking. Fazlulhaq Ehsan, head of the provincial council in Ghor, said the civilians were shepherds and farmers who were ethnic Tajiks. The leader of the gunmen, whom officials identified as Faruq, was killed in the fighting with security forces, and reports suggested the hostages were taken in retaliation. Faruq was a well-known outlaw in the province, one of Afghanistans poorest, who swore allegiance to Islamic State about a year ago, officials said. Islamic State in Khorasan the militant groups branch in Afghanistan and Pakistan has been blamed since last year for a series of kidnappings of members of the Hazara ethnic minority, who are targeted by the Sunni Muslim extremists because they are Shiites. Earlier this year, Islamic State claimed responsibility for bombing a massive Hazara protest in the capital, Kabul, which killed more than 80 people. This month, the group also attacked a Shiite mosque in Kabul, killing at least 18 people. Even as Islamic States bases in Iraq and Syria come under pressure by government forces in both countries, the militant group has shown its ability to carry out massive violence, particularly in South Asia. On Monday it claimed responsibility for a raid on a Pakistani police academy that left more than 60 people dead in the northwestern city of Quetta. The United Nations mission in Afghanistan condemned the deliberate targeting of civilians. I am outraged by these senseless and brutal killings, Pernille Kardel, acting head of the U.N. mission, said in a statement. This is an atrocity and the perpetrators must be held accountable. The human rights group Amnesty International called on the Afghan government to investigate the killings and hold the perpetrators accountable. The abduction and killing of nearly 30 civilians, including children, is a horrendous crime, said the groups South Asia director, Champa Patel. There can be no justification whatsoever for targeting and killing civilians under any circumstances. Special correspondent Faizy reported from Kabul and staff writer Bengali from Mumbai, India. shashank.bengali@latimes.com Follow @SBengali on Twitter for more news from South Asia UPDATES: 7:45 a.m.: This article was updated with reaction from the United Nations and Amnesty International, and to correct the day that officials spoke to Wednesday. 3:35 a.m., Oct. 26: This article was updated with a higher death toll and details from government officials. This article was originally published Oct. 25 at 11:45 p.m. (Xinhua) 08:18, October 26, 2016 Greater cultural exchange between Mexico and China allows to build "closer, brotherly and lasting ties", said Diego Prieto, director general of Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History, in a recent interview with Xinhua. The federal official highlighted that a series of academic, scientific, artistic and literary exchanges in recent years had allowed commercial and economic relations to blossom in parallel. "Ties cannot only be reduced to the economic and commercial spheres. If we want to build closer, brotherly and lasting ties, we must also use the road of cultural exchange," he laid out. From Oct. 23-29, the International Nao Festival is being held in Acapulco, with China as the guest of honor, while other Asian delegations from Indonesia, Japan, and the Philippines are also present. For its tenth edition, the festival will show the best of China's art, history, music, gastronomy and more. Traditional Chinese lanterns line a portion of Acapulco's waterfront and beaches as well as the alleys of the historic Fort of San Diego, where artistic and cultural performances are being held. Prieto said that China's invitation as guest of honor recalled the ship, which first established trade between Mexico and parts of Asia 450 years ago, which was popularly known as "La Nao de China" (The Chinese Ship). China's invitation also comes during the China-Latin American and Caribbean Year of Cultural Exchange. "It is worth intensifying cultural events, exhibitions and exchanges of cultural and artistic expressions," said the director, who is responsible for the conservation of Mexico's thousands of monuments, museums and archaeological sites. Prieto said that the Nao festival shows how cultural ties help commercial relations, since Acapulco is aiming to become a destination for Chinese tourists. "Acapulco is a well-known destination in the North American market. The possibility of opening Acapulco to Asia, especially to China, is very important," he said. Four people, including a young mother and her brother, were killed Tuesday after a river rapids ride malfunctioned at a popular theme park on Australias east coast, officials said. Two men and two women died while on the ride at Dreamworld, a park on Queensland states Gold Coast, Queensland Police Officer Tod Reid told reporters. Two children who were in the raft at the time of the accident were hospitalized, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said on Wednesday. Advertisement She did not detail the childrens condition or explain their relationship to the victims. The Thunder River Rapids ride whisks people in circular rafts along a fast-moving, man-made river. A malfunction caused two people to be ejected from their raft, while two others were caught inside the ride, said Gavin Fuller, an officer with the Queensland Ambulance Service. He did not know whether the two victims who were caught in the ride were trapped under water, or caught up in the machinery. Park staffers administered first aid to the victims, but their injuries proved fatal, Fuller told reporters. Kim Dorsett, of Canberra, confirmed that two of the victims were her children: Kate Goodchild, 32, and Luke Dorsett, 35. I have three children and have lost two of them today my whole family has been wiped out, she told the Courier-Mail newspaper on Tuesday. Kim Dorsett was on a family vacation with her children and Goodchilds daughters from Canberra. I have two granddaughters an 8-month-old and a 12-year-old and it truly breaks my heart to know that my 8-month-old is never going to get to know her mom, she said. Police have declined to identify the other two victims, a 38-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman. Media reports say the man was Luke Dorsetts partner from Canberra and the woman was a New Zealand citizen who lived in Sydney. Reid said he was not aware of any previous problems with the ride. Police were interviewing witnesses and reviewing closed-circuit television footage of the incident while crews worked to remove the bodies from the scene on Tuesday night, he said. It is a complex retrieval involving heavy equipment and that will take several hours, Reid said. Dreamworld CEO Craig Davidson said the park was working with police to try and determine what went wrong. We are deeply shocked and saddened by this, and our hearts and our thoughts go out to the families involved and to their loved ones, Davidson told reporters. The park was closed following the accident and was expected to remain closed on Wednesday. A witness, Lia Capes, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that she was just about to go on the ride when she saw people running out, crying. I was speaking to one of the guys and he said it was the raft or the boat thing in front of him, the whole thing flipped and everyone was screaming, Capes said. Thunder River is considered one of Dreamworlds tamer, family-friendly rides, and is open to children as young as 2. The park, which has been open since 1981, also features several roller coasters and the free-fall ride The Giant Drop, in which passengers plunge from a height of nearly 400 feet. In April, the parks Rocky Hollow Log Ride was temporarily shut down after a man fell from the ride. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said there would be a thorough investigation into the cause of Tuesdays accident. Theme parks are a place for family fun and happiness, not tragedy, he told reporters. ALSO: A South Korean scandal with overtones of Clintons emails The worlds saddest polar bear is trapped in a tiny cage at a shopping mall in China Iran sentences another American, a 46-year-old from San Diego, to prison for collaborating with the U.S. Britains government gave the go-ahead Tuesday to build a new runway at Londons Heathrow Airport despite concerns about air pollution, noise and the destruction of hundreds of homes in the capitals densely populated western neighborhoods. The decision comes after years of discussion, study and outrage over the building of the first full runway in the southeast of the country since World War II. Theresa Mays government, reeling from a vote to leave the European Union, was anxious to prove the country was open for business. Detractors described it as catastrophic for the environment, local community and the owners of 783 homes that are slated to be razed. Advertisement The step that government is taking today is truly momentous, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said. After years of discussion and delay this government is taking decisive action to secure the U.K.'s place in the global aviation market. The government rejected other options to expand airport capacity, including the extension of an existing runway at Heathrow or building a second runway at Gatwick Airport, south of London. The decision is only the first step, though. The governments recommendation will be studied further and Parliament will vote in about a year. Even if approved, it will take years before construction begins, as residents have threatened to sue to block the project. Entire communities will be leveled. Compensation and mitigation could cost $3.2 billion. But the government said the wider good was at stake. This is an important issue for the whole country, Grayling said. That is why the governments preferred scheme will be subject to full and fair public consultation. London Mayor Sadiq Khan pledged to explore involvement in any legal process, as he said Heathrow already exposed the city to more aircraft noise than Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Munich and Madrid combined. Air quality issues were among Greenpeaces concerns. But it is the fury of residents that had stalled the project until now. Outraged homeowners argued they had been betrayed by politicians who pledged to block expansion before being put into office only to change their minds later. Anti-expansion groups gathered in the village of Harmondsworth, a quintessential English village that traces its history to the 6th century. The third runway is slated to traverse the village, leveling the ivy-covered brick walls of local landmarks like Harmondsworth Hall guest house as well as two-thirds of its homes. Nowhere else in Europe do they build their runways directly in the heart of residential areas over their cities, said Neil Keveren, who has campaigned against Heathrow expansion for years. The runway grounds would be just across the road from his home, he said. London and southeastern England need more airport capacity to meet the growing demands of business travelers and tourists, aviation officials said. Heathrow and rival Gatwick, 30 miles south of central London, had offered competing projects that will cost as much as $29.1 billion. A furious public relations battle saw placards all over London extolling the virtues of one airport over another. The issue was so toxic that politicians created an independent commission to weigh the options and it recommended expanding Heathrow. The commission had already rejected other options, such as one backed by former London Mayor Boris Johnson to build a new airport in the Thames Estuary. A new runway at Heathrow is really fantastic news, especially as the country has waited nearly 50 years for this decision, said Paul Drechsler, the president of the Confederation of British Industry. It will create the air links that will do so much to drive jobs and unlock growth across the U.K., allowing even more of our innovative, ambitious and internationally focused firms, from Bristol to Belfast, to take off and break into new markets. But in Harmondsworth, the community gathered at the local Five Bells pub to watch the news in disbelief. Some were in tears. The fight is only just beginning, said Robert Barnstone, a Stop Heathrow Expansion campaigner. We will see the government in court and see off this threat this time for good. ALSO A South Korean scandal with overtones of Clintons emails The worlds saddest polar bear is trapped in a tiny cage at a shopping mall in China We dont know where they will take us now. French authorities clear migrant camp called the Jungle U .S. military officers watched grainy video feeds at a small operations center in Baghdad on Tuesday as Predator drones tracked and killed three reputed Islamic State leaders one after another in the offensive on Mosul. The targeted air strikes were due in large part to intelligence extracted from cellphones, computer hard drives, memory cards and hand-written ledgers recovered from battlefields and towns taken from Islamic State fighters. Recently captured intelligence also has proved useful in providing clues to detecting potential terrorist plots, tracking foreign fighters and identifying Islamic State supporters around the globe, U.S. officials said. Advertisement The largest data trove was recovered when U.S.-backed Syrian rebel forces recaptured Manbij, an Islamic State stronghold in northern Syria, in mid-August. Intelligence agencies recovered more than 120,000 documents, nearly 1,200 devices and more than 20 terabytes of digital information, officials said. Brett McGurk, the special presidential envoy for the coalition fighting Islamic State, said the Manbij data trove has been especially invaluable. In particular, the intelligence from Manbij and other sources has led to arrests or broken up plots in 15 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America and in Canada, McGurk told a news conference on Oct. 7. If we get a phone off of a dead ISIL fighter in Manbij and it has a number of telephone numbers into a particular capital or city around the world, we share that information with the coalition members so that they can conduct their own investigation, McGurk said, using an acronym for Islamic State. Intelligence specialists are still combing through the data, but it has led to new details on how fighters are organized within the groups hierarchy. That has helped military planners prepare the ground assault on Mosul that began last week. The Pentagon recently sent about 100 additional special operations analysts, linguists and technicians to exploit information taken from towns around Mosul as Iraqi and Kurdish ground forces advance through concentric belts of booby traps, snipers and suicide bombers. The goal is to make sure we take advantage of the captured enemy material that is coming off of places like Manbij and will come out of Mosul, said Gen. Joseph Votel, commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, who was in Baghdad on Tuesday with McGurk. The intelligence has allowed U.S. commanders to understand what [Islamic State is] doing, what it might mean for foreign fighters that have been through there, what it might mean for future plans, he said. Its a lesson we learned the hard way the last time we were in Iraq. U.S. forces were slow to break into militants communications and electronic devices during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, when Votel commanded the 75th Ranger Regiment, the Armys premier light infantry and special operations unit. He indicated they may have missed opportunities to find clues about the fierce Sunni insurgency that erupted after the invasion and ultimately gave rise to Islamic State. Now U.S. special operations commanders may forbid launching an airstrike at houses or compounds even if known militant leaders are inside for fear of destroying a useful cache of information and electronics. Islamic State leadership includes former Iraqi military officers and others who served under ousted ruler Saddam Hussein. They tend to keep detailed records, officials say, which has helped analysts understand the groups structure and map its hierarchy with tiers and rows. The expertise and senior leader cadre sets the pace of sustaining the organization, a U.S. defense official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal assessments. They fashion themselves as a pseudo-governmental structure where you have financiers and ministers and all these other components. You need to take that all away from them. Targeting by Joint Special Operations Command has killed 39 Islamic State leaders in and around Mosul since July 1, U.S. officials said. No one is yet sure how Islamic State will fight once Iraqi Security Forces and the Kurdish fighters known as peshmerga break through the groups defensive perimeter around Mosul, or how they will leave the city. Before they abandoned Ramadi earlier this year, militants planted booby traps in baby cribs and closets so people could not return to their homes, McGurk said Tuesday. The coalition campaign to wipe out the groups leadership has taken a growing toll on the groups ability to control territory and to conduct sustained offensives, according to U.S. officials. Small groups of militants launched surprise attacks last week in Kirkuk and Rutba, but coalition forces quickly fought back. Kirkuk was recaptured, and Iraqi ground troops, backed by a U.S. B-52 bomber, were pushing them back in Rutba, officials said. Theres no more leadership for them, said Iraqi Brig. Gen. Tahseen Ibrahim Khafaji. Who do they have to follow? Its chaos. During the advance on Mosul, for example, Iraqi forces had to retake Sharqat, a rural town less than a hours drive to the south. Islamic States local leader was killed in an airstrike. When a replacement was dispatched to govern the town and direct fighters, his vehicle also was hit with an airstrike. Iraqi forces recaptured the town in just two days. ALSO Even the badly wounded are itching to return to the battle for Mosul: Im fighting for my land Liberated civilians or militants in disguise? The challenge of freeing a village from Islamic State Iran sentences another American, a 46-year-old from San Diego, to prison for collaborating with the U.S. Convicted drug kingpin Joaquin El Chapo Guzman is depressed and suffering hallucinations and memory loss because of harsh conditions in the Mexican prison where he is jailed, according to his lawyers and a psychiatrist who recently visited him. Guzman, the head of the powerful Sinaloa drug cartel, who famously escaped two high-security Mexican prisons before being recaptured this year, complained to the doctor about psychological torture inflicted on him by guards, according to a report made public Wednesday. In the doctors report, Guzman described a prison cell where the lights are kept on 24 hours a day and his only human contact is with masked guards. He complained of being awoken every four hours to appear on camera for an inmate roll call. Advertisement They do not let me sleep, said Guzman, who is fighting extradition to the United States. There is probably no more closely watched inmate in Mexico than Guzman, a notorious escape artist whose two daring flights from prison have made him something of a folk hero here. Since he was moved from a high-security prison in Mexico City to a different facility in Juarez earlier this year, everything has become hell, Guzman told the doctor. He doesnt know when is day and when is night, said his attorney, Jose Refugio Rodriguez, who has filed numerous appeals to stop Guzmans extradition to the U.S., which Mexican officials hope to carry out as soon as January. He lives in constant anguish. Who is El Chapo and how did he become a dark legend in Mexico? Refugio said he received a desperate message from Guzman on Friday saying he was suffering hallucinations and felt he was going to die. The message prompted Guzmans wife, Emma Coronel, to file a complaint Monday with the National Human Rights Commission. Coronel complained that Guzmans conditions, which include complete isolation from other prisoners and limited outside visitors, are inflicting irreparable psychological damage. She said conditions could kill him or make him go crazy in a matter of months. She also complained that her conjugal visits with her husband had been reduced to two hours a week, from four. Mexican officials deny Guzmans rights are being violated, and have suggested the reports of his bad treatment are part of a strategy to slow his extradition. View of a latex mask depicting Mexican drug trafficker Joaquin El Chapo Guzman in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico on October 25, 2016. (AFP/Getty Images ) National Security Commissioner Renato Sales Heredia told a radio journalist Tuesday that Guzman has had 35 visits from family members and 33 visits from his lawyers since being transfered to the Juarez prison. The truth is he has not been subjected to torture, of course, or any degrading or inhuman treatment, said Sales, who said Guzmans isolation from other prisoners is typical of the countrys most highly guarded inmates. Keeping Guzman behind bars has been a priority for the government of President Enrique Pena Nieto, who suffered a major embarrassment in July 2015 when Guzman broke out of Altiplano prison near Mexico City via a milelong tunnel. Guzman was captured in January, but not after he conducted a secret interview with actors Sean Penn and Kate del Castillo, another humiliation for Pena Nieto. It was Guzmans second daring escape. 1 / 17 A newspaper shows a picture of drug lord Joaquin Guzman, aka El Chapo, shaking hands with actor Sean Penn, left, as seen at a newsstand in Mexico City on Sunday. (PEDRO PARDO / AFP/Getty Images) 2 / 17 Drug kingpin Joaquin El Chapo Guzman is escorted to a helicopter at Mexico Citys airport on Friday following his recapture during an intense military operation in Los Mochis, in Sinaloa State. (ALFREDO ESTRELLA / AFP/Getty Images) 3 / 17 Marines stand guard outside the house where five gang suspects were killed in the military operation which resulted in the recapture of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman in the city of Los Mochis, Sinaloa State, Mexico, on Friday. (- / AFP/Getty Images) 4 / 17 Forensic experts document the scene where one man was killed by security forces during the firefight that ensued to capture Joaquin El Chapo Guzman in a house under construction in Los Mochis, Mexico, Friday, Jan. 8, 2016. (Christian Palma / AP) 5 / 17 Federal police patrol on the perimeters of the Altiplano maximum security prison in Almoloya, west of Mexico City, on Saturday, where Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, head of the Sinaloa drug cartel, is being held after his recapture on Friday. Guzman was sent back to the maximum-security prison from where he escaped last July 11 through an elaborate tunnel. (Marco Ugarte / AP) 6 / 17 Mexican marines inspect a manhole where high-powered weapons were found to be abandoned, in the neighborhood where special forces had located the worlds most-wanted drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, in Los Mochis, Mexico, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016. (Christian Palma / AP) 7 / 17 An abandoned weapon is propped against a storm drain wall in the neighborhood where special forces had located the worlds most-wanted drug lord, Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, in Los Mochis, Mexico, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016. (Christian Palma / AP) 8 / 17 Mexico Atty. Gen. Arely Gomez, second from right, looks at the end of a tunnel through which Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman is believed to have escaped at a house in Almoloya de Juarez, Mexico. (AFP/Getty Images) 9 / 17 Handout picture released by the Attorney General of Mexico (PGR) showing the alleged end of the tunnel through which Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman could have escaped from the Altiplano prison. (-- / AFP/Getty Images) 10 / 17 Mexican officials believe a tunnel that has an opening in this home could have been used by Mexican drug lord El Chapo Guzman to escape from an Altiplano prison. (Yuri Cortez / AFP/Getty Images) 11 / 17 Federal policemen inspect a pipeline under construction by the Altiplano prison in Almoloya de Juarez, Mexico, after Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman escaped. (Yuri Cortez / AFP/Getty Images) 12 / 17 Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, head of Mexicos Sinaloa Cartel, is escorted to a helicopter in Mexico City after his February 2014 capture in Mazatlan. (Eduardo Verdugo / Associated Press) 13 / 17 A policeman searches outside the Altiplano prison in Almoloya de Juarez, Mexico, after Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman escaped. (Yuri Cortez / AFP/Getty Images) 14 / 17 Police inspect a vehicle as they search for escaped drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman around the Almoloya de Juarez prison in Toluca, Mexico. (Marco Ugarte / Associated Press) 15 / 17 The Altiplano prison in Almoloya de Juarez, Toluca, Mexico, which Joaquin Guzman escaped. (Yuri Cortez / AFP/Getty Images) 16 / 17 Mexican soldiers search for drug trafficker Joaquin Guzman along the highway between Mexico City and Toluca. (Yuri Cortez / AFP/Getty Images) 17 / 17 Federal police stand outside the Altiplano prison in Almoloya de Juarez, Toluca, Mexico, after Mexican drug trafficker Joaquin Guzman escaped. (Yuri Cortez / AFP/Getty Images) In 2001, he escaped from another high-security Mexican prison hidden in a load of laundry, probably with help from bribed prison staff. During his years on the lam, he helped build the Sinaloa cartel into one of the worlds most powerful drug trafficking organizations. Earlier this year, a Mexican judge granted approval to extradition petitions from federal prosecutors in San Diego and southern Texas. In California, Guzman faces charges of conspiracy to import and possess cocaine for the purpose of distribution. In Texas, Guzman faces various charges including criminal conspiracy, crimes against public health, organized crime, firearms violations, murder and money laundering. Appeals by his lawyers have so far been denied. In the doctors report, Guzmanwhose cartel is responsible for countless deaths and other brutality--said the psychological conditions were worse than any physical violence. They have not beaten me, but I would prefer that, he said. ALSO: A Mexican police chief is finally arrested in the disappearance of 43 students. But will he talk? What it was like to watch Trump talk about bad hombres in a Mexican BBQ joint Why Mexico is giving out half a million rape whistles to female subway riders Islamic State militants came early in the morning, riding atop trucks that lumbered into this northern Iraqi oil town. Masked and bristling with weapons, they were inghimasis, fighters instructed to immerse themselves in the enemys ranks, shoot till the last bullet and then detonate an explosives vest with their dying breath. Hours before Fridays attack, they had gathered for a solemn ceremony outside Kirkuk and vowed to do just that. Islamic State posted video of the event on YouTube. Advertisement We pledge to God that we will immerse in the enemies of God, several men shouted, repeating after a commander who exhorted them to enter Kirkuk and not turn or run away until God conquers through us, or we die. They died, but not before they had executed a coordinated blitz into 10 neighborhoods of this key Iraqi city an important oil and gas production zone including several districts housing vital government and security headquarters. Islamic State loyalists kill 26 Afghan civilians after kidnapping dozens, officials say As part of the attack, the militants also seized control of a power station 19 miles north in the town of Dibis, and raided other outlying areas the group described as Kirkuks first defensive lines. The attacks ultimately were pushed back, but they demonstrated an advanced level of training and discipline that belies any expectations that driving Islamic State out of northwestern Iraq will be either quick or painless. The jihadis showed that they are well-equipped enough to force a standoff that lasted more than 24 hours and killed more than 99 civilians and security personnel. The counterattack was launched in the midst of a major drive by Iraqi and Kurdish troops, aided by U.S. airstrikes, to drive Islamic State fighters out of the city of Mosul. Four days after the militant groups counter-assault on Kirkuk, the fighters who led the operation were still being hunted Tuesday by thousands of government troops, Kirkuk Gov. Najmaldin Karim told the local Sumariyah TV network. The brazen operation started about 3:30 a.m. Friday, when a detachment of fighters arrived in a Kia pickup truck on a side street near the Hotel Snobar, which overlooks Kirkuks provincial headquarters building and a small park. Another attack had commenced almost simultaneously on the police directorate in a nearby neighborhood. The fighters got out of the Kia and stormed the governorate building, shooting at a Humvee parked in front. They threw a grenade on a guard sleeping in a hut at the edge of the park, then shot him in the head. The guards at the gate ran for cover behind the blast walls as the jihadis hauled up a machine-gun and opened fire at the watchtower. The noise woke up Commissioner Abdul Jalil Fateh Allah, an officer with the Emergency Police. He and three others were stationed on top of the Snobar. They had planned for everything. They had scoped out the area, but they didnt know about us, he said. We knew they wanted to bring down the Iraqi flag on the governorate building and raise the Daesh banner to say to the media that the province had fallen. We couldnt let that happen. It was the start of a gun battle that lasted well into the evening of the next day, according to security personnel and residents. The policemen opened fire, scattering the militants. One ran to the front door of the Snobar Hotel. It was locked, so he called in two others to break it down. Fateh Allah took aim and fired, injuring two of them. Inside the Snobar, Mahmoud Abdul Razzaq, the 30-year-old receptionist on duty that night, was hiding behind a column after hearing the gunfire. He saw the three militants approach and run away after being shot. I then saw 20 of them or more pass into the side street, he said. Iraqi police patrol Kirkuk after driving off a counterattack by Islamic State fighters. (Marwan Ibrahim / AFP/Getty Images ) Five of the fighters ran to an open-air car showroom adjacent to the Snobar that had armored SUVs on display. One of the jihadis kicked in the office door to look for the keys, said Mohammad Shaheen, a Bangladeshi worker who had hidden inside an office when he heard the gunfire. I thought initially it was police or army, but then I saw the masks and knew they were Daesh, he said, using the Arabic acronym for Islamic State. Behind him were the remains of a Dodge sedan, with globules of melted plastic where its dashboard used to be; wire innards were all that was left of the tires. Muthafar Jalal, the brother of the showrooms owner, gazed at an armored Toyota Land Cruiser that was also left behind. Large-caliber holes had penetrated the engine block. A powerful blow to the windshield had caused a bulge yet it had not shattered. If they had taken these cars, Kirkuk would have fallen, Jalal said. Imagine the damage they could have done and the attacks they could have withstood. At some point, Officer Fateh Allah and his colleagues each had fewer than 10 rounds of ammunition left, yet they managed to shepherd the hotel guests to the Snobar dining hall. A SWAT team didnt get to the hotel until noon. Even after government reinforcements arrived, the militants showed no hesitation. They sniped at the policemen from a half-finished building down the street; others clambered up the fire escape on the side of the Snobar. Another wave had reached the roof of an adjacent building and threw a bomb, a gas grenade and two sticks of TNT at the police. We were lucky. The TNT sticks didnt explode or we wouldnt be here right now, said police officer Munther Razooqi. Behind him was a pool of dried blood where one of his colleagues, SWAT operator Ihsaan Ali, had fallen after a sniper shot him through the head. They were well trained. They were good fighters, and all in shape no big bellies, said Fateh Allah, smiling as he looked at a portly colleague. It was a view echoed by Wajdi Hassan, a former army general who manages a construction site where the fighters had holed up. He displayed a photo of the corpse of a militant with long black hair, congealed blood on his nose and lips. This one was top-notch. He went from building to building, shooting at the security services, said Hassan. They also appeared to be well equipped. In the unfinished building where the jihadis had congregated were various syringes and medical supplies, and some of the militants appeared to have the kind of explosives used for car bombs. At 1:30 p.m., 10 hours after the initial attack, a number of Islamic State fighters ran into the house of Najaati Mardan, a 69-year-old retired military officer. They demanded the keys to his new Land Cruiser. I gave them the keys, and then they started loading three disks of explosives into it to booby trap it, he said. They left soon after and it was blown up. Even those fighters who were wounded fought to the last. When Monaly Najeeb and her six flatmates heard the initial explosions at 4 a.m. they hid in a bedroom closet. Twelve hours later, Imad Matti, their supervisor at the construction site where they live and work, informed them there would be an airstrike on the site and told them to relocate to a room farther away and hide under the bed. The Daesh fighters came in and sat on the bed. Two of them were injured, Najeeb said, speaking later from the Iraqi city of Irbil, where she fled after the attack. Three and half hours later, some fighters left to continue the assault while the wounded stayed behind. One, who was hit in the stomach, went to the bathroom, cleaned himself up, and headed to another room along with his comrade, Najeeb said. Mr. Matti called us. He had sneaked with nine other policemen to an alley beside the house. He signaled to us with a cellphone light, and we came out, one by one, she said. It had been more than 15 hours since they had first gone into hiding. It was a miracle we waited so long. We were thirsty, cold, wanted to go to the bathroom but divine strength helped us, she said. Later, she said, the wounded fighter detonated his vest. In the room, blood stains splattered the walls and chunks of human flesh could be seen in the door frame. The rest of the fighters were simply gone. Bulos is a special correspondent. ALSO Liberated civilians or militants in disguise? The challenge of freeing a village from Islamic State Even the badly wounded are itching to return to the battle for Mosul: Im fighting for my land Why Islamic State wants to destroy the treasures of the ancient world All material is subject to strictly enforced copyright terms & conditions and cannot be repurposed or reproduced. 19882022 Latin American Financial Publications Inc. The government plans to make $12.5bn in infrastructure investments over the next five years, ranging from hospitals and eduction to railways The Pirate Bay (TBP) became inaccessible once again. Although the main reason is not known, it is said that TBP's server is the issue of the sudden obstruction. A report from Counsel & Heal, the site is allegedly an illegal provider of downloadable content. After the shutdown of torrentsite Kickass Torrent (KAT) earlier this year, TPB emerged as a popular alternative. Yet, since 2014, TBP has been suffering from sudden ups and down. Digiarty provided a timeline of the website's ups and downs: 02/13/2015: Website down 02/14/2015: Website up 05/05/2015: Website down 05/19/2015: Website up 10/24/2015: Website down 08/09/2016: Website up In the meantine, the following alternatives to TBP can work to satisfy users' needs for various downloadable content. 1. RARBG - This website is surely worth trying. It has all the content anyone can expect from TPB. However, this is blocked in countries like Saudi Arabia, the UK, Denmark, Portugal and many others. It provides torrent files and magnet links with P2P file sharing, which is fast and secure. 2. Extra Torrent - With almost all content anyone can find on TPB, this website has several categories for its downloadable contents. 3. 1337x.to - Proving to be a good option as well, this website feels and looks like an IMDb clone with its simple and user-friendly interface. 4. YTS or YIFY.ag - This is another TPB-like website that hosts several kinds of downloadable content. (Xinhua) 08:19, October 26, 2016 Defense chiefs of international coalition against the Islamic State (IS) during a meeting here on Tuesday vowed to intensify the fight by putting on track a military offensive to retake Reqqa, IS bastion in Syria. "Daesh (the Islamic State) did not fall but it is weakened. Now, there is a need to increase our effort," said French Defense Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian. Le Drian added that operation to uproot IS insurgents in Iraq's second largest city "was held to our planning." With the support of the U.S.-led coalition, Iraqi army and Kurdish Peshmerga launched a military offensive to eradicate IS fighters. They have retaken about 90 villages and towns around Mosul held by Daesh so far, according to media reports. After a meeting on Mosul operation, Le Drian said preparation was underway to conduct a similar action in Syria without giving a schedule. In a joint press conference with his French counterpart, U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter expressed the coalition determination to contribute to the fall of IS in Raqqa. "There will be overlap (in the Mosul and Raqqa assaults) and that's part of our plan and we are prepared for that," he added. Le Drian and Carter co-chaired a ministerial meeting in Paris on the situation in Iraq. Addressing the gathering, French President Francois Hollande warned that the Mosul battle would force insurgents to flee to their bastion in Syria. "In these columns of people leaving Mosul will be hiding terrorists who will try to go further, to Raqqa in particular," he said, calling for better intelligence cooperation to "clearly identify them." "If Mosul falls, Raqqa will be Daesh's last bastion... We must ensure that Daesh is destroyed and eradicated everywhere," he stressed. France was one of the first European countries to join the U.S.-led coalition against IS. Its fighter jets have joined the bombing against the group in Iraq in 2014. Chinese people believe that a strong central leadership is indispensable for the rise of the country, and highly anticipate further confirmation of the role of the core leadership by President Xi Jinping during this period of historic significance, according to a poll recently released by a magazine affiliated with the People's Daily. The survey, conducted by the People's Tribune, a magazine affiliated with the newspaper, through questionnaires, face-to-face and telephone interviews, as well as online polls between April 15 and September 8, interviewed 15,596 people living in cities and rural areas. The survey results were released earlier this month. The main findings were that a strong central leadership as well as a pioneering figure is especially critical for a rising world power, and that as president and general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Xi, with full leadership qualities, is supported whole-heartedly by a wide range of officials and people. To the question of why a country in a transitional period needs a strong central leadership, most respondents strongly agreed that it is vital to safeguard a country's sovereignty and national security, putting the approval rate at 4.50, on a 5-point scale from disagree to complete approval, the survey found. This is followed by the number of respondents who think that core leadership is as important to "guide the nation toward a lofty goal" or that it was "particularly important for a populous and multi-ethnic country." This year, the necessity for strong leadership has been a theme expounded by many media organizations. The Guangming Daily on October 9 published a commentary by Fan Dezhi, a senior official at the Party History Research Center of the CPC Central Committee, which asserted that "A strong core leadership is needed more than ever before to achieve the great dream of the renewal of the Chinese nation." To promote the core leadership of the Party, the priority is to "conform with the CPC Central Committee, with General Secretary Xi Jinping as well as with the Party's theories, guidelines, principles and policies," read a commentary in the Qiushi Journal in March, the flagship magazine of the CPC Central Committee. Social and political stability, which can be realized by a potent government backed by public support, is the prerequisite for a smooth transition and reform of any country, said Zhi Zhenfeng, a legal expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. "Both the rise of great Western powers and the rapid development of developing countries needed a strong core leadership and powerful government," Zhuang Deshui, deputy director of the Research Center for Government Integrity-Building at Peking University, told the Global Times. Zhuang cited the examples of Otto von Bismarck who unified Germany in the 19th century and the strong Japanese government that carried out Meiji Restoration to bring about its modernization and Westernization. China should unwaveringly uphold the CPC's leadership if it hopes to realize a stable and sustainable development, Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, said in March, adding that everyone should conform to the ideology and actions of the CPC Central Committee with Xi as general secretary. "Since China faces complicated situations in different areas, coupled with a huge population, only a strong core leadership is able to coordinate the interests of different groups while taking full account of the majority of its nationals," Zhuang noted. Zhi said a lack of consciousness of "the core" has made a few local officials and Party members fail to follow or strictly implement the policies issued by the CPC Central Committee. Charismatic leadership The People's Tribune poll found that the Chinese people are drawn to the charisma of Xi. The survey found that most respondents believe that Xi has leadership qualities, namely "strategic willpower with full confidence," "bravery to tackle problems head-on" and "intelligence to cure both the symptoms and root causes of problems." The list is rounded out by "top-level design with wisdom and philosophy" and "personal charisma to set an example for others." When asked which trait is essential for a core leadership to give full play in reality, 79.13 percent of those surveyed said a "leader of integrity and ability." In addition, the poll results showed that people from all walks of life highly anticipate the further confirmation of Xi's role as the core of the leadership. Without releasing the specific data, the survey found that most respondents believe that officials that lacked "the consciousness of the core" would go astray and lose their sense of responsibility or discipline. "Only by establishing authority in the CPC Central Committee can the Party and the nation be forceful. In this sense, firmly espousing Xi as the core is a matter of direction, principle and realistic needs," the magazine quoted anonymous officials who participated in the poll. Therefore, we should further strengthen the consciousness of the core in the Party and across the country, improve intra-Party political life and the leadership system of the Party and the State, and further confirm Xi's core role in the critical rise of China, said the survey report. Public concerns over possible corruption and poor management were raised after China said it would invest part of the over 3 trillion yuan ($442 billion) retirement pension fund to prevent it from losing value. Li Zhong, the spokesman of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS), told a press conference Tuesday that the ministry has signed an investment contract for the funds, according to the MOHRSS official website. Li said that the MOHRSS is also working on relevant policies, including where to invest the funds and prevent risks. At the end of 2015, the pension fund had a surplus of more than 3 trillion yuan, Bai Jingming, deputy director of the Research Institute for Fiscal Science under the MOF, was quoted by people.cn as saying. The announcement has triggered public concerns, with many fearing poor investment management and possible corruption. The fund would lose value if the government fails to invest it, Peng Xizhe, dean of the School of Social Development and Public Policy at Fudan University, told the Global Times on Tuesday. But Peng said preserving the fund is more important than profiting from it. "After all, senior citizens need it," said Peng. "Diversifying the investment channels could further reduce the risk," said Peng, noting that overseas stock markets could also be a good choice, and that the government can likewise take a small portion of the money for high-risk, high-yield investments and put the rest in low-yield but safer investments. But managing the pension could be a problem since the funds are currently in the hands of local governments, so the central government must set clear guidelines to get local governments involved, Peng said. Li also said the central government will come up with detailed plans on how local governments should invest the funds. Since 2014, more provincial-level regions have reported pension fund deficits because of higher requirements set by the central government and the growing senior population. In 2015, Li said that the number of citizens over the age of 60 is projected to reach 19.3 percent of China's population by 2020, and will rise to 38.6 percent by 2050. To ease the pressure on pension payments, the MOHRSS will diversify and improve pension investments, and coordinate surplus and deficits across regions to balance supply and demand, Li said in 2015. Work to remove air quality monitoring stations from local government control is almost complete, the Ministry of Environmental Protection said after officials in northern China were accused of tampering with pollution data. The plan is to separate all 1,436 monitoring stations nationwide from provincial, city and county bureaus and place them under the operation of companies that will report directly to the central government. Preparation work to become independent has been completed at 92 percent of stations nationwide, while all stations in 18 areas, including Beijing and Sichuan and Henan provinces, have transferred to third-party companies, the ministry said on Monday. The independent monitoring network will be expanded to cover water and soil by 2018, the ministry said, adding that China plans to build a comprehensive environmental monitoring and information sharing network by 2020. The network is intended to prevent inference from local authorities and guarantee authentic data, the ministry said. Three senior environmental protection officials in Chang'an district of Xi'an, Shaanxi province, were detained on Friday on suspicion of altering monitoring data. The officials are accused of having a duplicate key made without authorization so they could gain access to air quality monitoring equipment. They are accused of masking the equipment with cotton yarn to filter the air and lower pollution data to avoid punitive actions, according to city police. "It is important to keep monitoring data accurate to better serve the government to make measures to effectively control air pollution," Chen Jining, the minister of environmental protection, said earlier this year. The ministry has had 10 inspection teams in 20 provinces since Friday. The teams are reviewing and comparing monitoring data from official, public and corporate sites as well as checking whether construction sites have the necessary permits and targeting companies that produce excessive emissions. The ministry exposed several companies on Tuesday that had falsified monitoring data to avoid fines after discharging excessive pollutants, including Yutai Coking Co in Handan, Hebei province. "The independent and authentic monitoring data can help the public better assist authorities in supervising companies' emissions, which is necessary for supervising pollution," said Ruan Qingyuan, an expert in monitoring at the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, an NGO in Beijing. Allentown arson K-9 Judge may not be top dog in the nation, but he's no less a hero. Friday night at 8, on the Hallmark Channel, canine connoisseurs will learn which of eight finalists came in first in the sixth annual American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards. But the secret's out, after the award shows was recorded Sept. 10 in Beverly Hills, California, said Allentown fire Chief Lee Laubach Jr., Judge's handler. Hooch, a French mastiff, was selected as the winner in online voting paired with the decision of a panel of judges. The same format earned the rescue dog a berth in the finals, representing what is called the emerging hero category. Judge, a 7-year-old yellow Lab, represented the nation's 250-odd arson K-9s, by Laubach's count. "Just winning the top arson dog was the biggest thing," Laubach said this week, comparing the final round to choosing between different Grammy Award winners for best musical act: "I could never pick between them." The American Humane Association contest awards $2,500 to each of the eight finalists' charity partners, with Hooch winning an additional $5,000 for his charity. Sponsored in the Hero Dog Awards by the State Farm Arson Dog Program, Judge's charity was Paws with a Cause. That's the assistance dog program for people with disabilities where Laubach and Allentown got Judge, who has been in service to the city since 2011. State Farm paid for airfare and accommodations at the Beverly Hilton for Judge, Laubach and the fire chief's wife, Melissa. The awards were also held at the Hilton, the venue for the Golden Globe Awards, as well. Judge is trained to find 61 different types of accelerants, such as paint thinner or diesel fuel, Laubach said in a promotional video for the awards. (Fast-forward to around the 2:40 mark to see Judge and Laubach below.) One of five arson dogs in Pennsylvania, Judge works for a food reward, which translates into demonstrating his skills for every morsel he eats. "He'll never get fed out of a bowl until he's retired," said Laubach, with whom Judge lives full time. "So he has to work for his food all the time." Among the benefits to working for food is Judge gets a refresher for his job every few hours. "That translates into training him anywhere from three to five times a day, besides doing investigations," Laubach said. Along with helping to crack arson investigations, Judge is a good-will ambassador for Allentown. His duties include helping autistic children who have a phobia of people in uniform, a fear that tends to melt away in the face of the genial Labrador retriever. Laubach was acting fire chief until this month, when he took the oath as Mayor Ed Pawlowski's choice to take on the duty in the long term. The official promotion came with the option to give up Judge for Laubach, who is also the city's emergency management coordinator. No chance, Laubach said. "Judge is my outlet, he's my partner," he said. "He's been my partner for six years no. I don't think I could go to work without him." Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Superior Court special session in Allentown Making their way to the bench Tuesday for a special session of Pennsylvania Superior Court are Judge Jack Panella, at right, and Senior Superior Court Judge William Platt, left. (Jim Deegan | For lehighvalleylive.com) A bit of history was made Tuesday in Allentown. Pennsylvania Superior Court held a special session at the old Lehigh County Courthouse at Fifth and Hamilton streets -- the first of two days of arguments there. On the bench at the start of the day Tuesday at the old Lehigh County Courthouse are, from left, Superior Court Judge Jacqueline Shogan, Lehigh County President Judge Edward Reibman, Superior Court Judge Jack Panella and Senior Superior Court Judge William Platt. (Jim Deegan | For lehighvalleylive.com) The appellate panel usually convenes in Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia but has held special sessions in other parts of the state. Lehigh County Judge Edward Reibman, the county's president judge, invited the court to the Lehigh Valley to the courthouse that dates to the end of the Civil War. A three-judge panel of Superior Court will preside through Wednesday. They are Judge Jack Panella, Judge Jacqueline Shogan and Senior Superior Court Judge William Platt. The history and symbolism of the occasion was not lost on Panella, who served as a judge in neighboring Northampton County before his election to Superior Court in 2004. Panella noted that Platt was back in his old stomping grounds. The 75-year-old judge served as a Lehigh County president judge and former county district attorney, and currently is president of the Lehigh County Bar Association. In a ceremonial move before the special session, Panella traded places with Platt on the bench and switched nameplates so that he could preside in his home county. Platt said he was honored by the gesture. "I really don't want to be doing this because all these clocks confuse me," he joked, referring to the clocks used to limit lawyers' argument times. "The computers I can handle." Over the two days, the judges will hear an estimated 40 criminal, civil and family law cases on appeal from eastern Pennsylvania counties. Panella, a Palmer Township resident, said he was proud to preside so close to home. "The Lehigh Valley and Lehigh County has a very rich tradition that is well known around the state," he said. "Our representatives in our government have to pay attention to the Lehigh Valley and the support they receive because we've become vitally important to the operation of our commonwealth." Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook. An Allentown woman accused of repeatedly abusing a blind man, eventually slashing him on the arm, wept during her court appearance on Wednesday. Tiffany Scott cried off and on as she waived her preliminary hearing on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault and harassment. "Why are you doing this to me," she wept at one point. While Scott initially said she didn't want to waive the hearing, telling her attorney the plea deal offered by prosecutors wasn't good enough, she eventually agreed to have the charges sent to county court without a hearing. Chief Deputy District Attorney Tonya Tharp declined to discuss details of the plea offer. Scott, of the 100 block of South Eighth Street, has been held in county jail since her arrest Sept. 26 on $50,000 bail. As part of her waiver, her bail was changed to unsecured contingent on a mental health evolution and Scott complying with the treatment recommendations. The victim, who is blind in both eyes, was in court on Wednesday. Scott has been ordered not to have contact with him, but she said in court he has been visiting her in the jail. The 38-year-old Scott said the two have been together since she was 16 years old. The victim initially did not cooperate with police, and would not show them the cut on his arm, police said. But the man eventually showed officers the wound, which needed stitches, and the victim was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital for treatment. The victim reported the abuse started at 5 a.m. Sept. 24 "for no reason," at Scott's address, and included Scott slapping him, punching him, putting cigarettes out on him and hitting him with unknown objects, police said. Scott left around 7 p.m., but came back the morning of Sept. 25 and abused the victim throughout the day, police said. "He said he did not call police because he really did not want to get (Scott) in trouble, but he is tired of it," according to police. A neighbor reported hearing the beatings over the weekend, police said. The woman said initially she did not call police because she didn't want to get involved, but eventually called to help the victim, police said. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. A Hellertown man died Monday night of complications from injuries suffered in a fall while deer-hunting last week in Potter County, according to the Lehigh County Coroners Office. Stanley R. Smith Jr. and his wife, Melody Smith, are seen at the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. (Facebook photo | For lehighvalleylive.com) Stanley R. Smith Jr., 65, was injured while dragging a deer out of the woods the evening of Oct. 19 in Coudersport, Pennsylvania, Lehigh County Chief Deputy Coroner Andrew Kehm announced Tuesday night. Smith died Monday night at St. Luke's University Hospital, Fountain Hill, said Kehm. The death was ruled an accident. Smith leaves behind his wife, Melody Smith, two stepchildren and two grandchildren. "He was a truly avid hunter," Melody said Tuesday night. He'd been archery hunting alone when he fell and hit his head, Melody said. He drove himself home and seemed fine. Smith had been taking a blood thinner, however, and developed a subdural hematoma. Sunday night, Melody found him incoherent and rushed him to the hospital, she said. A lifelong Hellertown area resident, Smith worked for the former Bethlehem Steel Corp. and retired as a Saucon Valley School District bus driver and custodian at Saucon Valley Elementary School. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Members of the Bethlehem Police Department's Special Operation/Vice Unit allegedly seized methamphetamine and various drug paraphernalia following the search of a city apartment. Armed with a search warrant, officers at 6:46 p.m. Tuesday raided the home of Mark Reeser Jr., 37, in the 500 block of Jackson Street. Police were tipped off to alleged drug-dealing by anonymous complaints, they said. The investigation included surveillance and controlled purchases of drugs from the Jackson Street home, according to police. Seized were an unmarked pill bottle containing 7 grams of crystal methamphetamine with a street value of $700; a digital scale with heroin residue; several hypodermic needles; a metal spoon with heroin residue; glass pipes, $100 in cash and documents. Police arrested Reeser, who was home during the search. He is charged with possession with intent to deliver drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia. Reeser was arraigned before District Judge Antonia Grifo, who set bail at $35,000. In lieu of bail, Reeser was taken to Northampton County Prison. The judge ordered Reeser to enroll in Pretrial Services and submit to random drug and alcohol screenings. The judge allowed 10 percent of $35,000 bail if Pretrial Services approved it. Bethlehem Police Chief Mark DiLuzio praised the public for bringing information to light that led to Reeser's arrest. "This investigation was possible because of citizen complaints and citizen information," the chief said. "Drug crimes and drug-dealing are quality-of-life crimes in any neighborhood. They invite violence, violent criminals and other non-civil issues to the neighborhood." Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. China has sent its vice-foreign minister as an envoy to visit North Korea, the first visit to the country by a high-ranking Chinese official since February, as tensions over Pyongyang's nuclear agenda show no signs of cooling down. Foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said Tuesday that Liu led a Chinese delegation to the third meeting of the Sino-North Korean border joint committee in Pyongyang. Liu arrived in Pyongyang on Monday. Lu Chao, a research fellow at the Institute of China's Borderland History and Geography Studies of the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times that this kind of engagement between the two countries is normal, because the China-North Korea border is riverine, and with changes in weather and the hydrologic environment, the border and some islands change as well. "Therefore, both sides need regular meetings to deal with these changes, and this is the main goal," Lu said. "But due to the timing, both sides will take this meeting as an opportunity to talk about the Korean Peninsula crisis." "The timing is sensitive because first, the UN Security Council is discussing possible additional sanctions against North Korea after its nuclear tests in September; second, the US presidential election; and third, South Korean president Park Geun-hye faces domestic challenges," Wang Junsheng, a researcher on East Asian studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Tuesday. China encourages US-NK talks A few days before Liu's visit, two high-ranking North Korean officials held a secret meeting with former US officials on Friday and Saturday in Malaysia, South Korean newspaper JoongAng Ilbo reported on Sunday. JoongAng reported that the talks were attended by North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Han Song-ryol, North Korean Deputy Ambassador to the UN Jang Il-hun, and former US officials Robert Gallucci, who was part of a US team in 1994 that negotiated a landmark deal with Pyongyang to stop its nuclear program in exchange for economic assistance, Joseph DeTrani, a former deputy US envoy to the six-party talks on North Korea's weapons program, and Leon Sigal, director of the Northeast Asia Cooperative Security Project at the Social Science Research Council. Lu said China always encourages the US and North Korea to hold bilateral talks, whether secret or not, as "they are the main parties involved in the crisis, and as long as they want to talk and exchange ideas, military conflicts could be avoided." "This meeting also showed that some US think tanks want to influence the next US president's foreign policy, since the presidential election is close and Barack Obama's isolation policy on North Korea has been unsuccessful in the past few years," Wang added. The US Department of State's official website announced on Monday that Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Beijing on October 29 to meet with Executive Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui for the third interim Strategic Security Dialogue, continuing discussions between the two sides on strategic security issues, including North Korea and maritime issues. Japan mulls sanctions for firms Kyodo News Agency reported on Tuesday that the Japanese government is considering blacklisting companies in China and other countries for engaging in trade with North Korea. In order to contain North Korea's ballistic missile and nuclear programs, Japan hopes to take a "more efficient approach to cutting off the country's financial resources by targeting its biggest gateways of foreign income, a government official said Monday," Kyodo reported. "The Japanese government's plan to impose unilateral sanctions on Chinese companies would be totally illegal and provocative, as it violates UN resolutions and international law, and China will surely oppose Japan on this," Wang said. Lu stressed that "if Japan has any problem with Chinese companies, they should talk to the Chinese government, otherwise unilateral sanctions against Chinese companies might indirectly hurt Japanese companies in China." File photo China will start to invest its massive pension fund, managed by local governments, in the nation's A-share markets this year, Chinas Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security said during a press conference on Oct. 25. China Securities Journal reported that the ministry will organize the first batch of provinces to entrust investment to the National Council for Social Security Funds (NCSSF), who will in turn lead the work to select fund managing organizations. The first investments will be made this year, said Li Zhong, a ministry spokesperson, at the press conference. Dong Dengxin, a securities researcher at Wuhan University of Science and Technology, guessed that the first batch of provinces to carry out the investment will be three to five provinces or municipalities with higher balances. He estimated that the total investment will go up to 200 billion ($31 billion) or 300 billion RMB at most, said the report. By the end of 2015, seven Chinese provinces and municipalities Guangdong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shandong, Shanghai, Beijing and Sichuan had basic old-age insurance funds exceeding 100 billion RMB. In August 2015, China's State Council published investment guidelines allowing local pensions to be invested in a wider range of riskier assets, with the maximum stocks and equities ratio set at 30 percent of total net assets, equivalent to around 600 billion RMB. Previously, Chinas pension funds, which account for 90 percent of the countrys social security funds, were only allowed to be invested in safer assets like bank deposits and treasuries. In 2012, with the approval of the State Council, NCSSF managed 100 billion RMB of pension funds from China's Guangdong province for two years, in a pilot project for pension fund investment. The yield exceeded 6 percent within the two-year term. NCSSF now manages social security funds that are raised from the sale of shares in State-owned enterprises and from central government grants. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Subscribe today to get the latest headlines straight to your inbox with our free email updates Ikea has responded to rumours that it may open a store within the planned extension to Fosse Park. The Swedish homeware giant says there is nothing to report at present - but it is considering Leicester as a potential location. Responding to the speculation about a store in Leicester, an Ikea spokesperson has said: In the ever changing, fast-paced retail environment we want to provide our customers with a more simple convenient and enjoyable shopping experience both online and in-store. "As such, we are reviewing our expansion strategy on an ongoing basis. (Image: Chris Gordon) "This includes the rebuilding and adaptation of our stores to better serve their local customers, developing our multi-channel offer and choosing new Ikea locations. "We are considering Leicester as a potential location for Ikea, however we have nothing to confirm at this point in time. A 150 million retail park - called Castle Acres Shopping Park - is planned for the site currently occupied by Everards. The brewery intends to relocate to the Everards Meadows site, where there will be a new brewery along with offices, a pub, restaurants, and an innovation centre. The current Castle Acres site is set to be redeveloped, in partnership with Next, as an extension to Fosse Park. Construction is hoped to start next year. The development would be home to 26 shop units, with Debenhams, TK Maxx and Next all intending to open branches at the site. Fosse Park attracts around 10 million shoppers a year and, at 560,000 sq ft, is already one of the largest out-of-town shopping centres in the UK. The Treacy family from Portarlington are still trying to cope every day with the horrific damage Finbarr O'Rourke did to them after he ploughed into Gillian's car killing her son Ciaran and leaving her with life changing injuries. Ciaran, aged 4, died in a head on collision in April 2014 caused by O'Rourke's decision to drink and drive. Ciarans parents Ronan and Gillian Treacy are still coping with the aftermath of the road crash, and the grief of losing their little boy. Last October, ORourke began his seven and half year sentence for dangerous driving causing the death of Ciaran., handed down by Judge Keenan Johnson, who also banned him from driving for 20 years. Gillian told the Leinster Express that they found out soon after that he would appeal, preventing any sort of closure for the family. We found out last November that he was appealing, so we have spent the whole year waiting. We had no piece of mind, just wondering when the appeal would be, and how it would go. You are still trying to put your life back together, she said. The appeal to try and shorten the prison term was an insult. No sentence is ever going to be long enough, but to appeal it is an insult that has opened up that wound for us again, she said. ORourkes barrister said that he has utterly changed his relationship with alcohol. Of course that has changed because there is no alcohol in prison, that was a stupid thing to say, she said. The drunk drivers offer to do a campaign with the Road Safety Authority was another blow to the family. The Treacy family themselves are long committed to a winter road safety campaign, soon to be aired. Since last December we are involved with a campaign. I was stunned when I heard that. I got on the phone to the RSA and they assured me they wouldnt entertain him, she said. Public support has again been a comfort. We have had loads of messages from people all over the country, and from New York and Australia, hoping things go in our favour. The response from people is fantastic and it is a help. Last night was a bad night, but we got messages that gave us comfort, just knowing people are supporting us, she said. Gillians leg was badly damaged in the crash and despite further operations, still remains at risk of amputation. I have had two surgeries this year. The first was in March in St James to prepare my leg. On August 4 I had major surgery that took eight hours. They basically had to reconstruct my leg, they broke the leg and ankle and inserted wires and put an external frame on my leg. That has been the toughest surgery to date, she said. Still in a wheelchair, her husband Ronan remains her full time carer, helping to keep the wounds clean from infection. It has been quite tough. I hope and pray that this works, if not, there will be a question over my quality of life and amputation will still be in the air, said Gillian. Their son Sean has started fourth class, and Caoimhe started school. They are doing great. We still have those questions every day, can they set a place for Ciaran at the table, and Caoimhe still asks when is he coming back, the heartbroken mother said. Nearly 200 people slept rough in OMoore Parks GAA grounds in Portlaoiose to raise awareness and much needed funds for the Midland Simon Community. Well over 20,000 was raised for the Portlaoise branch of the Midlands Simon Community with reports that at least 6,000 more has been pledged for the event held last weekend. We have already 20,000 raised and lodged. With sums pledged on line and cards not in we calculate there is about another 7,000-8,000 still to come. We are delighted with result, both in terms of raising awareness and fundraising, said Michael Martin of Laois Simon. On standby and providing lessons in CPR were a team of seven people from the Order of Malta who continued to patrol the grounds all night to ensure the safety of the volunteers. Music was provided by Portlaoise Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann who received a big round of applause for doing so. People began bedding down for the night from 11pm onwards in sleeping bags and cardboard sheets. The CEO of the Midlands Simon Community Tony ORiordan was impressed. The results and the support was just fantastic. Its great that nearly 200 people in Laois have a deeper understanding of homelessness. We dealt with 30 people in Laois this week alone and managed to re-house just one. This region only receives 1.5% of the governments expenditure on homelessness; we feel that we are being punished for trying to do good. We deliver our services to those who need them on a shoestring budget. You would think that the government would be rewarding us with more funding instead of penalising us. It is extremely frustrating. Cardboard sheets along with a multitude of sandwiches were provided by prison staff at the Midlands Prison. The prisoners made the sandwiches for the volunteers. Pat OSullivan is the assistant governor at the midlands prison. Homelessness is unfortunately a reality for many of the lads in the prison. We give them as much as we can inside but when they get out the supports arent there. They have no one to love, nowhere to stay and nothing to do. Nothing is being done in advance of their release by Laois County Council, only on the day of release. Thats why we try to let them out at the beginning of the week so that they can access services. We even have to re-apply for prisoners medical cards because they are means tested. Surely their means are well known while they are in prison. he said. Portarlington man Ronnie Ridgeway said, I am thrilled to be a part of this fundraiser. Its great to see so many young folk here. They will be very important in raising awareness. Nobody, nobody should be homeless in todays society. Its disgraceful. The organisers wish to thank everyone who helped in any way. Should you wish to donate to the Laois friends of Simon you can make a lodgement directly into its Portlaoise AIB bank account. The account number is 27834015 and the sort code is 93-32-79. Funds raised in Laois stay in Laois. Thousands of Laois pupils will loose a day of education this week as around 250 secondary school teachers take to the picket line in their battle with the Government to get equal pay for younger teachers. Community schools in Heywood, Mountrath and Mountmellick look set to close as will Scoil Chriost Ri and St Mary's CBS in Portlaoise shut their doors. Colaiste Iosagain will close while Laois students attending Knockbeg College will also be off this Thursday. Eamon Dennehy, a teacher in Heywood Community School, is ASTI branch secretary for Laois, Carlow and KildareI. Mr Dennehy said the decision was taken this Spring to take industrial action because of the unfairness of salaries paid to newly qualified teachers. We regret very much having to take this drastic action. It has been flagged for an awful long time, he said. It has short term ill effects but in the long term equality and fairness has to be established for new recruits to the education system. In the long term we will be doing the education system a favour because we will be trying to ensure that standards are kept high. Pay and conditions are part of that, he said. He 'trusted' that parents would speak their minds on the dispute but he had received no negative reaction from them to date. I imagine that they know by now the reason behind the strike. Some of those parents who would aspire for their children to go into education or get a job in the public service would like their children to have equality of pay, he said. He said pupils and teachers have lost out an awful lot due to cuts such as bigger class sizes and abolition of guidance counselling. It is time to try and make sure the sector is properly funded and that a job in that sector is properly paid and resourced, he said. Mr Dennehy said he had met Laois' Government Minister Charlie Flanagan and urged him to take a message to the Taoiseach and the rest of the Government. The guiding principle in any democracy should be equality and fairness and there is a bit of that missing. That is the message. Equality how can you stand against, he said. Mr Dennehy said he had been heartened by the response of all teachers to the newly qualified of lesser paid teachers. There is nothing in this for me. I am a senior teacher. I do believe that everybody that I work with should be treated equally and I hope that the Ministers will condiser that when they sit around the table, he said. He added that there are many underpaid younger teachers around the country but that Laois may have a high proportion because of the number of new schools and growing population of recent years. Portlaoise College, St Fergal's Rathdowney, and Clonaslee College will not close because their staff are TUI members who are not on strike. This is the full text of a plan published in September 2016 by hospital consultants and GPs in Co Laois as an alternative to HSE downgrade and loss of A&E, paediatrics, ICU, maternity The Future of Acute Services at MRH Portlaoise The Local Stakeholder Perspective Medical Board Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise Laois Faculty ICGP MIDOC Members September 2016 Contents: Foreword i Executive Summary ii 1. Background 1 2. Sustainability of Services 1 3. Policy Background 2 4. Previous Communications with the Hospital Group: Key Issues 5 5. Policy Formation: Community Involvement 6 6. Guiding Principles 8 7. Departmental Plans 7.1 Critical Care 9 7.2 Emergency Department 10 7.3 Obstetrics & Gynaecology 14 7.4 Paediatrics 16 7.5 Acute Medicine 18 7.6 General Surgery 20 7.7 Diagnostic Radiology 21 8. Conclusion 23 List of Recommendations 24 List of Signatories 28 Foreword We, the undersigned members of the Hospital Board of Midlands Regional Hospital at Portlaoise, the Laois Faculty of the Irish College of General Practitioners and members of MIDOC, set out in this document our shared vision for the future of services at Midlands Regional Hospital at Portlaoise. We do so in response to a draft plan for the future of services at MRH Portlaoise, that has been submitted to the Department of Health by the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group. This plan was formulated without meaningful consultation with service users or regional health care professionals, and we believe, will result in severe curtailment of acute services in this part of the Midlands. In the light of what we know of this plan and the risks it presents for our patients, and in light of the community concerns that have been articulated at recent public meetings in Laois and KIldare, we, as Hospital Consultants and General Practitioners, see it as our obligation to set out our perspective on the future of acute services at MRH Portlaoise. Executive Summary The Dublin Midlands Hospital Group senior management team, in conjunction with a number of national clinical leads, has submitted to the Department of Health a draft plan for the future of acute services at MRH Portlaoise. This draft plan, if implemented, would downgrade MRH Portlaoise to a Model 2 hospital and result in the closure of acute services including Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Accident and Emergency and Intensive Care. Additionally, if implemented, the plan would severely curtail Acute Adult Medicine and General Surgery. If implemented, services that can effectively and safely be provided at MRH Portlaoise will cease to be provided there, and patients who currently rely on MRH Portlaoise will be forced to look elsewhere, in an already overcrowded hospital system, for care. Such a plan does not provide for safe, effective or patient-centred care. Rather it repeats past mistakes. There is an ongoing crisis of capacity within the Irish health system. There are neither sufficient beds available for patients currently attending MRH Portlaoise elsewhere in the hospital system, nor sufficient ambulances to safely transport them to alternate hospitals. Additionally it is recognised internationally that attempting to centralise high volume essential services produces risks for patients and does not achieve cost savings or improve care. For patients in the Midlands, where the bed-stock is already low by national standards, and where there is no Model 4 or hub hospital, the risks of down-grade outweigh any argument that might be put forward in its favour. We recognise the pioneering work of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group in fostering the managed clinical network between MRH Portlaoise and the Coombes Womens and Infants University Hospital. This initiative provides a template for safe, sustainable, and patient-centred care at MRH Portlaoise and should be extended across the range of clinical specialties. We believe that the safe and correct way to proceed is to continue to provide acute services at MRH Portlaoise with appropriate support from the hospital group. We do not make an argument for the status quo. People in this area of the Midlands have seen their health care under-resourced. They deserve just provision for their healthcare. 1. Background The Midlands Regional Hospital at Portlaoise is a Model 3 hospital. It is one of seven hospitals in the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group. It provides Emergency Medicine, Adult and Paediatric Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Diagnostic, and Allied Health services. In addition, there is an Acute Psychiatry Admissions Unit on site. The hospital serves Laois and surrounding counties. Laois residents account for over 60% of inpatient discharges with the remainder of inpatient activity coming primarily from Kildare, but also including Offaly, Tipperary and Carlow. The nearest alternative Obstetric and Paediatric units are at a distance of greater than 50 Km from Portlaoise. The Dublin Midlands Hospital Group senior management team, in conjunction with a number of national clinical leads, has over the last two years engaged in a process with the aim of setting out a plan for re-configuration at MRH Portlaoise. This process has been conducted at a remove from local stakeholders. We understand that a process of meetings and consultations concerning MRH Portlaoise has concluded with a plan that remains in draft format. This draft has been submitted to the Department of Health. We understand that this draft envisages a significant downgrade to services at MRH Portlaoise, including a cessation of Emergency Medicine, Intensive Care, Paediatric, Obstetric and Gynaecology, and Acute Surgical services. 2. Sustainability of Services The sustainability of services at Portlaoise has been a concern for the CEO Dublin Midlands and the National Clinical Leads. Some services provided at regional level may require re-configuration due to low frequency of demand. Low demand for services may result in levels of service provision that are either too limited to justify continuance or to facilitate maintenance of an adequate skill-base. In certain situations technological developments in healthcare may favour centralised provision of care. Such provision is in place nationally largely on a sub-specialty basis, for example patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction are transported to one of the primary PCI centres rather than to a regional unit. The sustainability of services, however, may also be threatened by a lack of investment and a failure to provide adequate resources. When we examine statistics for MRH Portlaoise we see clinical activity that matches or exceeds that of many Model 3 hospitals. We also see funding levels that fall short, in some cases considerably short, of these comparable hospitals. For patients, there is further injustice if past failure to invest in services is offered as a reason to deny future investment in their care. There is a risk of real harm to patients if services are disbanded without the provision of viable alternative options. We believe that the vast bulk of care currently provided at MRH Portlaoise is sustainable into the future with appropriate resourcing and proper network support from the hospital group. 3. Policy Background: The need for new thinking. In preparing this document we have reviewed: The reconfiguration of clinical services. What is the Evidence, The Kings Fund, 2014 National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare, Health Information and Quality Authority, 2012 Report of the investigation into the safety, quality and standards of services provided by the Health Service Executive to patients in the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, Health Information and Quality Authority, 2015 Report of the National Acute Medicine Programme, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, 2010 A strategy to improve safety, quality, access and value in Emergency Medicine in Ireland, National Emergency Medicine Programme, 2012 Securing the Future of Smaller Hospitals: A Framework for Development, Department of Health & HSE, 2013 National Adult Critical Care Capacity and Activity Census 2015, Acute Hospitals Division. Critical Care Programme & Health Service Executive, 2016 A National Model of Care for Paediatric Healthcare Services in Ireland, National Clinical Programme for Paediatrics and Neonatology, HSE, RCPI, December 2015 Performance Diagnostic. Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise. HSE Dublin Mid Leinster, Acute Hospitals Divison, 2014 Creating a better future together - National Maternity Strategy 2016-2026 Department of Health 2016 The Medicine Needed for the Emergency Service. Royal College of Emergency Medicine & Royal College of Nursing 2016 The National Standards for Safer and Better Healthcare speaks of quality dimensions including: patient-centredness, safety, effectiveness, efficiency, access, and equity. Re-configuration of acute general services within the Irish health service has focused on achieving centralisation. While there is scope within the documents provided by the clinical programmes for a more nuanced approach, reconfiguration to date has seen units that have provided a range of general services as Model 3 hospitals downgraded to Model 2 units. Services users who relied on these units are now required to look elsewhere for care. The proposed downgrade to Model 2 status for MRH Portlaoise would result in a cessation of acute services including Paediatric and Maternity services. The downgrade would force patients who are currently managed safely and effectively at MRH Portlaoise to seek care elsewhere in a system that does not have capacity to meet their needs. We do not see how such centralisation of itself advances the values set out in the national guidelines. Of grave concern to us are reports in the international literature highlighting the considerable risks for services users inherent in such centralisation of essential high-volume services. Closer to home we note the problems of overcrowding and trolley-waits that have bedevilled health-care here in Ireland. Furthermore a policy of centralisation that is built on a concept of sustainability that depends in turn on historic under-funding will exacerbate inequality in health care. If this policy is accepted, communities who endure under-resourced healthcare will find that a failure to provide adequate funding in the past becomes the reason to deny adequate funding in the future. The documents from the Clinical Programmes do not address the challenges of centralisation for a hospital with the scope and throughput of MRH Portlaoise. Experience to date with centralisation is limited to units smaller than Portlaoise (Roscommon, Navan, Nenagh and Ennis), none of which offered paediatric or obstetric services. There is no blueprint and no national experience to help us predict and manage the fallout from the proposed down-grade. The concept of sustainability has been invoked to make an argument for this down-grade. Sustainability is however critically dependent on resourcing. The past failure to provide resources at MRH Portlaoise cannot be put forward as the reason to justify not doing so now. The issue of under-resourcing highlighted in the HIQA report of May 2015 must be addressed. It would however be a perverse response to a communitys needs, to suggest a further withdrawal of healthcare resource as a solution to the problem of under-resourcing. Such a policy, should it be generally adopted, would exacerbate the inequalities in healthcare funding across the state. New thinking is needed nationally, along with a new set of solutions to support acute services in regional hospitals. This issue is not unique to MRH Portlaoise. We believe that the pioneering developments at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at MRH Portlaoise provide a template as to how the hospital network generally can be re-configured to strengthen and support patient care in regional centres. A managed clinical network is in development, under the guidance of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group, merging MRH Portlaoise and Coombe Womens and Infants University Hospital. This arrangement aims to ensure that resources and expertise in both units can be drawn on to the benefit of patients. Under the auspices of this clinical network shared protocols, pathways of care and shared appointments have been implemented at MRH Portlaoise. This pioneering model ensures that access to care for patients attending MRH Portlaoise is on an equal footing with patients directly attending the tertiary unit. This model of managed clinical networks provides a way forward for communities who rely on the regional hospital network for care. Among the deficiencies in the current conceptualisation of Model 3 and Model 2 units is the lack of integration between these units and tertiary centres. A hospital model which is based on managed clinical networks offers the best way to ensure that patients have access to safe, high-quality and nationally-consistent care. Such arrangements, in addition to augmenting the delivery of care at regional hospitals, can also drive efficiency in the health system nationally. When regional expertise is developed, the ability of regional units to provide subspecialty care will expand. As a result fewer patients will need transfer to tertiary units, and patients can return to regional units earlier after intervention at tertiary level. In this way, such arrangements can help to maximise the efficiency of tertiary hospitals. We explain in this document how such clinical support within the hospital network combined with a linked-up approach to the individual clinical care programmes should be applied to plan a safe, effective and sustainable regional service at MRH Portlaoise. 4. Previous Communications with the Hospital Group: Key Issues. We, the Laois Faculty ICGP and the Medical Board at MRHP, have communicated independently on a number of occasions with the CEO of the DML group and the relevant national clinical leads. The Paediatric National leads have engaged in dialogue with the Paediatric team at MRH Portlaoise. In a series of previous communications we have returned to three key issues: The Accident and Emergency department at MRH Portlaoise is the busiest department outside the major urban centres. 12000 children and 24000 adults present each year to the department. Demographic trends suggest that this demand is likely to increase. Portlaoise has the highest proportion of children under 18 in the country. According to census figures the population of Laois has risen by 20% since 2006. There is no alternative capacity within the health service to care for people who currently rely on MRH Portlaoise for acute care, neither is there ambulance capacity to transport patients to alternative locations for care. MRH Portlaoise provides care across a range of clinical specialities. No other paediatric nor obstetric unit exists in this region. In the event of a downgrade, women and children would need to seek care in maternity and paediatric units in Dublin - at some distance from home and in units that are already over capacity. While there exists regional adult units, each lacks the capacity to meet its current demands and people attending each endure trolley waits and severe overcrowding. In the event of a downgrade to a model 2 hospital, acute services at MRH Portlaoise would cease. No paediatric or obstetric admissions can take place at a Model 2 unit. Additionally, ICU or A&E services cannot be provided at a Model 2 Unit. In the absence of ICU and A&E, acute medical or surgical services cannot be safely provided. A Model 2 hospital cannot safely admit patients who are ill and must transfer out patients who exhibit any level of clinical risk. Such an institution cannot contribute effectively to the acute care needs of this community. 5. Policy Formation - Community Involvement HIQA in its national standards for Safer Better Healthcare stresses the need for person-centred care. The obligation this places on those who plan services is set out in Standard 1.1: The planning, design and delivery of services are informed by service users identified needs and preferences, Planners are reminded that among the key features of services that meet this standard are: 1.1.3 Involvement of service users at key stages in the planning and design of healthcare services. Service users are kept informed of key decisions during this process and how their needs and preferences have been considered. 1.1.4 Provision of services at a time and place which takes into account the expressed preferences of service users, where this provision can be achieved safely, effectively and efficiently. The process of formulating this draft plan has not shown regard to these obligations. There has been no service-user or local stakeholder involvement in the formulation of the draft plan. The process has been characterised by a deficit of transparency. A consultation process is promised, but this consultation is to begin only after the plan has been finalised. There has been no consultation process with the communities in Laois and surrounding counties that will be impacted by the proposed down-grade. 6. Guiding principles HIQA and the clinical programmes have set out principles to guide the provision and planning of healthcare. A key distinction must be drawn between re-configuration and rationalisation of services. In a re-configuration process, the structures of care delivery are examined to see how they might better be arranged to improve outcomes and experiences for patients. This evidence-based consultative process has as its central concern the best interests and the preferences of service users. Rationalisation of services is pursued for other reasons, most typically to drive down cost or make resource savings. Rationalisation may be required at times of financial constraint. We submit that any rationalisation of healthcare should be shared equally across society rather than fall disproportionately on any section of the community. In any event, international experience tells us that rationalisation of essential services does not produce a financial benefit for national health care organisations. Any cost savings accruing from a downgrade at MRH Portlaoise would be exceeded by the financial costs of ambulance transport and the costs of providing care elsewhere within the health system. The starting point for reconfiguration must be the needs of the individual service user. Plans for healthcare in the Midlands need to answer the basic question: how is the individual who requires care to access that care? It is essential that capacity be in place within the service to accommodate and care for that individual and to provide emergency transport when it is necessary. Clinical programmes recognise that healthcare capacity should be in place as near as possible to the communities they serve and that the care provided must reach an appropriate standard. Where care cannot be provided locally, pathways need to be in place to support access to specialist care. When planning the future of service provision, it must be recognised from international and national experience that the process of reconfiguration itself carries significant risks for service users. We recommend that a code of practice be developed to guide the planning of reconfiguration within the hospital service. We recommend that the views of service users and local stakeholders be sought and demonstrably taken into account when reconfiguration is considered. We recommend that concepts of clinical justice and fairness are considered when planning access to health services. We recommend that re-configuration should occur only where it can be shown to be in the interests of patients. We recommend that where reconfiguration is required to improve the health resource available to a community then that reconfiguration should involve the least change possible from established services in order to minimise the risks inherent in the process. 7. Departmental Plans 7.1 Critical Care Critical care helps people with life-threatening illnesses. In the absence of contingency for safe and effective critical care, acute clinical care cannot be provided. The MRH Portlaoise Critical Care Unit is a Category 2 ICU. The unit can accommodate either 4 HDU or 2 ventilated patients. The critical care unit is staffed by the anaesthetic department. The anaesthetic team also support the obstetrics, general surgery, cardiology and mental health services at MRH Portlaoise. In MRH Portlaoise between 40-50 patients annually require the life-saving intervention of invasive ventilation. A further 200 adult patients receive ICU/HDU care. The critical care team also carry out the initial stabilisation of critically-ill children prior to the involvement of the Paediatric Intensive Care retrieval team. This critical care resource is an essential safeguard; were it to cease, acute care could no longer take place on site. The throughput of ventilated patients may be low by national levels, but few post-operative patients require ventilation in Portlaoise and these cases would account for most of the patients requiring such care in many units with similar overall activity to MRH Portlaoise. The Acute Medicine Programme sets out two options for critical care support for a Clinical Strategy Programmes Division (HSE) Model 3 Unit (Section 17.9): Category 1 ICU: Invasive ventilatory support (48-72 hours), earlier transfer if severe critical illness Category 2 ICU: General critical care, multi-organ failure support incl. CRRT' (CRRT - Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy) The Acute Medicine Programme further recommends: For the safe and prompt regional or supra-regional transfer of critically ill patients within the hospital models system, a critical care retrieval team service is required. We recommend that the current Critical Care unit at MRH Portlaoise be re-configured as a Category 1 ICU. As a Category 1 ICU, the unit would continue to provide life-saving treatment on a 24/7 basis, for patients who become critically unwell while in hospital or who present critically ill to the hospital. However the focus would change. No longer would the patients ICU stay in its entirety be expected to be completed at MRH Portlaoise. Rather, initial care, including stabilisation and establishment of ventilatory support, would take place at MRH Portlaoise with subsequent care taking place after transfer to a Category 2 or 3 ICU unit. This transfer would be sought should invasive ventilatory support be required for longer than 24 hours, or immediately if complex or interdisciplinary intervention was required or deemed likely to be required. The anaesthetic team would continue to fulfil its current service commitments, in particular, for example, to the operating theatres, the surgical, maternity and paediatric departments. We recommend that functioning reliable networks and pathways be established through shared appointments and protocol-led seamless patient transfers with a regional Category 2 or 3 ICU. 7.2 Emergency Department The Emergency Medicine Programme describes the role of the Emergency Department (ED): Emergency Medicine (EM) provides an essential service for patients and communities and fulfils a unique and crucial remit within the national healthcare system. EDs provide 24/7 access for undifferentiated emergency and urgent presentations across the entire spectrum of medical, surgical, trauma and behavioural conditions. The programme highlights the critical interdependencies between the ED, the in-house hospital teams and the wider network. EDs require the on-site presence of core supporting specialties and services and must have seamless access to regional medical and surgical specialties and more complex diagnostic imaging facilities within an Emergency Care Network. The Emergency Medicine programme acknowledges that there is great uncertainty as to what might be seen as an optimum configuration for provision of Emergency Medicine services. The authors recommend centralising: only those services for which a benefit can be demonstrated, while providing as much care as can be provided safely as conveniently as possible for patients. The authors acknowledge that a safety benefit cannot be demonstrated in the literature for centralisation of services generally. There is however, an important exception in terms of major trauma (a trauma bypass both for adults and children is in operation for Portlaoise for some time now). The authors quote The College of Emergency Medicines guidance on ED configuration for England. It states that: Where the next nearest ED is more than 20 km away there is a strong argument for retaining an emergency service. (The Way Ahead 2008-2010 Strategic Guidance for Emergency Medicine in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.) (The closest ED is at MRH Tullamore 40 Km from Portlaoise. Naas Hospital is 52 Km from MRH Portlaoise) The authors point to international evidence indicating that hospital restructuring comes with the risk of increased ED overcrowding. The overcrowding crisis in the Mid-West region, St Vincents University Hospital, the Saolta Group and OLOL Drogheda have followed the closure of much smaller ED units than the one apparently under threat at MRH Portlaoise. The reliance on Accident and Emergency departments for urgent care has, in response to this over-crowding crisis, been questioned and alternative methods for patients to seek acute care have been proposed. International experts have concluded however that re-organisation of urgent care is confusing for the public and may make it difficult for patients in crisis to find the services that they need. In Scotland, The Report of the Auditor General on Emergency Departments 2010 warns that: the distinction between the role of EDs and Minor Injury Units is not always clear, making it difficult for staff and the ambulance service to know where to bring patients. The number of EDs per head of population is similar in the Republic of Ireland to that found in Scotland. Numbers of EDs per head of population in Northern Ireland exceed that in the Republic. The Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Emergency Medicine in the United Kingdom offer this advice for health-care planners who attempt to curtail Accident and Emergency in the hope that patients might be directed to other services: After more than twenty years of unremitting growth in attendances, the power of the A&E brand shows no sign of weakening. Instead of mounting endless initiatives in the hope rather than expectation that demand might in some way be curbed, the government of the day would be better served by planning for the reality of higher attendances and admissions. (The Medicine Needed for the Emergency Service. Royal College of Emergency Medicine & Royal College of Nursing) The ED at MRH Portlaoise is a high-volume service. Attendance levels at 36,000 per annum are among the highest of any of the hospitals outside the major urban centres. In formulating a strategy for patients in the Midlands, planners must have regard for these figures and ensure that there is capacity to meet this demand. There is however, no capacity within the region to accommodate people elsewhere who currently attend ED at MRH Portlaoise. TrolleyGAR figures for the first 6 months of 2016 show a crisis of capacity with trolley figures at MRH Portlaoise, MRH Tullamore, and Naas General Hospital all increasing. The ED at MRH Portlaoise has suffered historically from under-resourcing. Under-resourcing that threatens the viability of this unit, notwithstanding the clear demand for the service. The National Emergency Medicine Programme recommends that a type A2 ED be located at a DCSP Model 3 hospital. The core specialities and diagnostics recommended by the Programme are established on site at MRH Portlaoise to support a type A2 unit. An A2 unit provides care 24/7 for patients with unselected undifferentiated emergency problems who self present or are brought by ambulance to the unit. According to the Programme Unstable or higher acuity patients, whose care needs cannot be met at this unit can be transferred according to national protocols and by appropriate means to a designated networked hospital. Paediatric patients can attend A2 EDs and each should employ at least one Consultant with sub-specialty training in paediatric emergency medicine among the departments staff. In terms of staffing resource, the programme recommends: Consultant in emergency medicine staffing levels should be such that it is feasible and sustainable to provide a Consultant presence in the ED from 08:00-20:00hrs on weekdays with a sessional commitment at weekends. There will be 24/7 Consultant in EM on-call cover for this ED. There will be a full range of appropriate therapy and Medical Social Worker services for this unit. We recommend that the ED at MRH Portlaoise be resourced and staffed to provide a type A2 Emergency Department in keeping with the DCSP Model 3 hospital. We recommend that the ED is supported by a AMAU in keeping with the DCSP Model 3 plans for acute hospitals. We note that key interdependent services as outlined in the Emergency Medicine Programme are available on site. We recommend that these services be developed as set out in sections 7.1, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, & 7.7 of this document. We recommend that the ED at MRHP be integrated in the Emergency Medicine Network. We recommend that protocols are developed to allow seamless access to services not available on-site at MRH Portlaoise. 7.3 Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology The obstetric department at MRH Portlaoise comprises a 29-bedded ward, an Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit, OPD, and a Special Care Baby Unit. The department is supported by the anaesthetic team. HDU care for obstetric patients is provided in the ICU at MRH Portlaoise. Key interdependencies for the obstetric & Gynaecolgy department are with paediatric, surgical and medical units. As there is no Obstetric & Gynaecology service in either Naas or MRH Tullamore, there is a large geographical catchment area for the service (Laois, Offaly, South Kildare, North Tipperary and parts of Carlow). In all, 1606 babies were delivered at the unit last year. There is no capacity in the region or in units in Dublin to absorb these numbers in the event of a downgrade. Creating a better future together - national maternity strategy 2016-2026 outlines a vision for maternity services in Ireland where: Women and babies have access to safe, high quality care in a setting that is most appropriate to their needs; Women and families are placed at the centre of all services, and are treated with dignity, respect and compassion; parents are supported before, during and after pregnancy to allow them give their child the best possible start in life. The realisation of this vision requires that: A health and wellbeing approach be adopted Women have access to safe, high-quality, nationally-consistent, women-centred maternity care Womens choice be facilitated Maternity services be appropriately resourced, underpinned by strong and effective leadership, management and governance arrangements, and delivered by a skilled and competent workforce in partnership with women. MRH Portlaoise womens services are attempting to realise this vision by participating in Irelands first Managed clinical network with the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital (CWIUH) under the guidance of the Dublin Midlands Hospital group. This clinical network envisages a women-centred approach locally with streamlined access to more specialised care in the tertiary centre. The Managed clinical network has a steering group consisting of the CEO of DML hospital group, the Master /CEO CWIUH , the General Manager MRHP and the Clinical Director for Integration. Appointments made to date under the auspices of this network have included; Clinical Director for Integration, Director of Midwifery, Two Consultant Obstetrician /Gynaecologists with joint appointments with MRHP and CWIUH, and two Consultant Neonatologists again with Joint appointments with MRHP/CWIUH/OLHC. To date, access to ultrasound services has been greatly enhanced for women attending MRHP and a training programme for Midwives in MRHP in Ultrasound scanning is in progress in CWIUH. Such services will be provided locally in the future with access to specialised Fetal Medicine consultants using the NIMIS system. Patient pathways in both hospitals have been developed and they have been reviewed by women attending the services and are in the process of being implemented. Womens services will be ultimately under the governance of CWIUH. This first managed clinical network using the womens services as a pilot offers an alternative to centralisation of services. We recommend that this clinical network continues to be pursued at the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology MRH Portlaoise. We recommend that this template for healthcare delivery be extended to other clinical departments at MRH Portlaoise to help ensure safe, high-quality, nationally-consistent services locally in addition to streamlined access to tertiary services. 7.4 Paediatrics The hospital has a 25-bedded paediatric ward and an 8-bedded special care baby unit (SCBU). Approximately 12,000 children present for emergency, unscheduled care each year to the hospital, 7,000 of whom are cared for directly by the paediatric medical team. The remaining 5,000 children are cared for by the ED and surgical teams. This overall figure has doubled in the past 15 years. There are four Consultant Paediatricians who provide 24/7 on call to; the labour ward, Special Care Baby Unit, paediatric ward and the emergency department. Subspecialist interests of the paediatricians include: diabetes and endocrinology, respiratory medicine, neurodisability and neonatology. As there is no paediatric service in either Naas or MRH Tullamore, there is a large geographical catchment area for the service (Laois, Offaly, south Kildare, north Tipperary and parts of Carlow). Paediatric services rely on anaesthetic (critical care), ED, radiology and surgical support. A neonatal transport team is available 24/7 to ensure the safe transport of babies requiring tertiary neonatal care. The Paediatric retrieval team is currently available 9-5, Monday-Friday for assistance in the transfer of children to Paediatric Intensive Care Units in Our Ladys Childrens Hospital Crumlin or Children's University Hospital, Temple Street. The Paediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS) and Irish Childrens Triage System (ICTS) have been implemented in MRH Portlaoise. The department has formal academic links with both University College Dublin and University of Limerick medical schools. It plays a vital role in the training of junior doctors including; General Practice, Paediatric (SHO and SPR) and emergency medicine trainees. Downgrading Portlaoise hospital to a model 2 hospital will mean that safe acute paediatric services can no longer be provided or sustained. As a consequence there will be no maternity service. We believe that families and children who use the paediatric service deserve a well-resourced, safe and effective service so that care can be delivered locally and as close to home as possible, as per the paediatric model of care. Two Consultant Neonatologists have been appointed to take up position in November 2016. The appointments are structured as part of the Managed Clinical Care Network with the Coombe Hospital. These specialists will divide their time on a structured basis between the Special Care Baby Unit in MRH Portlaoise, the Coombe Womens and Infants University Hospital and Our Ladys Childrens Hospital Crumlin. Challenges for General Paediatrics at MRH Portlaoise include: Consultant numbers remain below that recommended by the paediatric clinical programme / model of care. Two separate points of access remain for children presenting acutely. Those with surgical issues are triaged in the main ED and those with medical paediatric problems are triaged on the paediatric ward There is no social worker available in the hospital: this causes particular problems relating to child protection cases We recommend that the general paediatric department at MRH Portlaoise be resourced according to the Paediatric Model of care. We recommend that the paediatric team continue to provide 24/7 cover to the ED, Special Care Baby Unit, Paediatric ward and the labour ward. We recommend that key supporting specialities of Critical Care Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, General Surgery, Emergency Medicine and Radiology be developed as set out in sections 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.6 and 7.7 of this document. We recommend that the paediatric ED be co-located with the adult ED to enable all children, whether presenting with a medical or surgical problem to have a single point of access and triage. We recommend the commissioning of a paediatric assessment unit (PAU) to manage children who require a short stay admission (<12 hours). We recommend that formal links between the National Paediatric Hospital Group continue to develop to allow shared care of sick children with complex medical problems and to enable more of that care to be delivered locally. We anticipate that the appointments of consultant neonatologists as part of the Managed Care Network with the Coombe Womens and Infants University Hospital will strengthen and extend the level of care that can be delivered at MRH Portlaoise, facilitating both the return of children earlier from intensive care in major centres to the local unit and the transfer of children to those central units. 7.5 Acute Medicine The hospital has a 39-bedded medical unit. This includes a 4-bedded CCU. There are five consultant physicians, who provide a 24-hour on-call service admitting unselected medical patients. Support services include cardiac diagnostics, cardiac rehabilitation, nurse-led heart failure, valvular heart disease, diabetes including rapid access diabetes, and general medicine clinics. The national early warning score, and the national sepsis protocol have been implemented in MRH Portlaoise. Medical inpatient attendances have increased from 3024 in 2008 to 4000 in 2015. Occupancy rates for the medical unit at MRH Portlaoise exceed 100 percent. TrolleyGAR figures show that unacceptably high numbers of patients requiring general medical care are accommodated on trolleys in ED. This year to date on average between ten and fourteen patients were boarded overnight on trolleys in ED at MRH Portlaoise (the corresponding figures in 2015 ranged between 4 and 9). A bed-utilisation review in 2014 found that a complement of 46 medical beds minimum was required at MRH Portlaoise (current complement 39). Challenges for general medicine at MRH Portlaoise include: Workload exceeds available resources. MRH Portlaoise did not share in the expansion in consultant numbers in the Celtic Tiger years. The units funding has been cut from an already low base in recent years. These years of cut-back have coincided with a sharp increase in activity. There is a concentration of sub-specialty resource in the major urban centres. Beds in these centres are difficult to access for in-patients elsewhere in the system as ED patients at those units take precedence. An AMAU awaits commissioning on site. ICU care for complex medical patients is provided by in-house medical teams. The range of disciplines available in larger centres to care for people with complex illness is not available at MRH Portlaoise. No consultant specialising in care of the elderly is in post at MRH Portlaoise. We need to support this unit to provide a service for the patients it can efficiently and safely care for, while ensuring that patients have access to appropriate subspecialist care when required. We reject the solution set out in the draft plan for acute medicine at MRH Portlaoise. Large numbers of patients rely on MRH Portlaoise for care, which can be provided there safely and effectively. In the unwelcome event that the hospital is downgraded, our patients will find themselves reliant on distant units that do not have capacity for them. We recommend that the acute medicine at MRH Portlaoise be resourced according to the Acute Medical Programme (AMP). We recommend that the in-house acute medicine team continue to provide 24/7 cover for the ED department at MRH Portlaoise. We recommend that consultant numbers be expanded in keeping with the AMP. We recommend that the commissioning of the AMAU be advanced. We recommend that key supporting specialties of Critical Care Medicine and Emergency Medicine be developed as set out in sections 7.1 & 7.2 of this document. We recommend a protocol-driven transfer policy for appropriate patients escalated to ICU level care, as set out in section 7.1. We recommend that the pioneering managed clinical network between MRH Portlaoise and the Coombe Womens and Infants University Hospital be adopted as a template for sub-specialty care at the Department of Acute Medicine (See Section 7.3). This pioneering model ensures that access to care for patients attending MRH Portlaoise is on an equal footing with people directly attending the tertiary unit. Adoption of this template for healthcare delivery will help ensure safe, high-quality, nationally-consistent services at MRH Portlaoise. In addition the managed clinical network concept can streamline access to services at tertiary level. We recommend that a strategy of shared appointments and shared governance be pursued with a range of tertiary centres in general medicine. We recommend that physicians appointed to such positions have the bulk of their commitment at a tertiary unit. This tertiary unit would in turn provide network support for patients attending MRH Portlaoise in terms of access to diagnostics, treatments and MDT support. These physicians would attend MRH Portlaoise on a sessional basis to assist with the development of protocols, to provide consultation and OPD services, in addition to supporting the AMAU. Services such as respiratory medicine, dermatology, neurology and gastroenterology could all be augmented significantly for the benefit of patients attending MRH Portlaoise in this manner. 7.6 General Surgery The surgical department at MRH Portlaoise provides emergency cover for patients presenting to the ED, in-patient, day-case and OPD services. The team of consultant surgeons provide a 24-hour on-call service. In addition to admitting adults and children who require acute surgical care, the surgical teams provide a consultation service for the medical, obstetrics and paediatric teams. The surgical unit comprises a 24-bedded inpatient ward and a 15-bedded day ward. There are 3 operating theatres which are shared with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and an Endoscopy suite. Over 4,000 procedures are performed annually by surgeons at MRH Portlaoise General Surgery at MRH Portlaoise is supported by the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group and patients requiring complex care have access to surgical services elsewhere in the network. In common with all other centres that are not part of the cancer program, patients who require surgical resection of tumours identified at MRH Portlaoise are transferred to a cancer centre. We recommend that the surgical unit be resourced according to the surgical programme. We recommend that key supporting specialties of Critical Care Medicine and Emergency Medicine be developed as set out in sections 7.1 & 7.2 of this document. We recommend a protocol-driven transfer policy for appropriate patients escalated to ICU level care, as set out in section 7.1. 7.7 Diagnostic Radiology The department of diagnostic radiology at MRH Portlaoise provides 24-hour access to plain films, ultrasound and CT. MRI scanning is provided within the hospital group. Images taken at the department are stored on the National Medical Image Management System (NIMIS). This system allows images taken at Portlaoise to be accessed by teams based elsewhere within the health system. A rota of four consultant radiologists provide diagnostic support for the clinical departments at MRH Portlaoise, including the emergency department, on a 24 hour basis. The diagnostic radiology department is in this way configured to meet the requirements set out for Type A2 EDs in the emergency medicine programme: 24/7 immediate access to plain XR in a co-located, dedicated suite. Immediate 24/7 access to CT and US. Emergency MRI and Interventional Radiology access 24/7 within the HSE region via protocolised transfer/retrieval. Additionally the department provides direct access scanning for General Practitioners. There are a number of challenges: Consultant numbers remain below levels required to meet the workload at MRH Portlaoise. This workload is likely to increase with the commissioning of the AMAU. At present with 40,000 studies per year the recommended complement is 5 full time radiologists. MRI scanning is provided off-site at MRH Tullamore. The single scanner at MRH Tullamore serves Longford Westmeath General Hospital in addition to MRH Portlaoisr and MRH Tullamore. The MRI provision for the region is not sufficient to meet demand and the waiting times for out patient scans are not acceptable. In addition off-site scanning complicates access to acute MRIs for hospital inpatients at MRH Portlaoise. We recommend an expansion in consultant radiology numbers at MRH Portlaoise. We recommend that this be pursued through shared appointments. We recommend that this policy of shared appointments in radiology be developed in tandem with shared appointments in other clinical specialties. These appointments should be configured to facilitate access for patients attending MRH Portlaoise to subspecialty Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) opinion. We recommend on-site MRI scanning facility be developed at MRH Portlaoise. 8. Conclusion This document sets out our vision for services at MRH Portlaoise. We do so in response to a process which has resulted in a draft report which has yet to be shared or discussed with stakeholders and service users. The proposal that consultation with local stakeholders and service user should start after the report has been finalised is neither an adequate nor a reasonable method of ensuring that the voice and needs of service users guide the future for MRH Portlaoise. Reconfiguration of health services in Ireland has involved the centralisation of services. The downgrade of MRH Portlaoise from a Model 3 to a Model 2, if implemented will result in the closure of the hospitals acute services, including the centralisation of paediatric and obstetric services to Dublin hospitals. It will force patients who currently rely on care at MRH Portlaoise to look elsewhere within an already over-crowded system. International evidence can be found to support centralisation of services only for patients with certain illnesses that require specific interventions. Centralisation of services otherwise creates many risks for service users. These risks are compounded in a context where there is no alternative capacity to care for patients who currently rely on MRH Portlaoise for care. We believe that the safe and correct way to proceed is to continue to provide acute services at MRH Portlaoise. We have emphasised the interdependencies that are critical for maintenance of safe acute services at MRH Portlaoise. We recommend that the managed clinical network between MRH Portlaoise and the Coombes Womens and Infants University Hospital provide the template for development across the range of specialities at MRH Portlaoise. We believe that our plan provides for safe, sustainable and effective care. We do not make an argument for the status quo. People in this area of the Midlands have seen their health care under-resourced. They deserve just provision for acute and sub-specialty care according to the values of patient-centredness, safety, effectiveness, efficiency, access, and equity, as espoused in the National Standards for Healthcare. Recommendations A code of practice must be developed to guide the planning of reconfiguration within the hospital service. The views of service users and local stakeholders must be sought and demonstrably taken into account when reconfiguration is considered. Concepts of clinical justice and fairness must be considered when planning access to health services. Re-configuration must only where it can be shown to be in the interests of patients. Critical Care We recommend that the current Critical Care unit at MRH Portlaoise be re-configured as a Category 1 ICU. We recommend that functioning reliable networks and pathways be established through shared appointments and protocol-led seamless patient transfers with a regional Category 2 or 3 ICU. Emergency Department We recommend that the ED at MRH Portlaoise be resourced and staffed to provide a type A2 Emergency Department in keeping with the DCSP Model 3 hospital. We recommend that the ED is supported by a AMAU in keeping with the DCSP Model 3 plans for acute hospitals. We note that key interdependent services as outlined in the Emergency Medicine Programme are available on site. We recommend that these services be developed as set out in sections 7.1, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.7 of this document. We recommend that the ED at MRHP be integrated in the Emergency Medicine Network. We recommend that protocols are developed to allow seamless access to services not available on-site at MRH Portlaoise. Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology We recommend that the clinical network between MRH Portlaoise and the Coombe Womens and Infants University Hospital continues to be developed. We recommend that this template for healthcare delivery be extended to other clinical departments at MRH Portlaoise to help ensure safe, high quality, nationally consistent services locally in addition to streamlined access to tertiary services. Department of Paediatrics We recommend that the paediatric department at MRH Portlaoise be resourced according to the Paediatric Model of care. We recommend that the paediatric team continue to provide 24/7 cover to the ED, Special Care Baby Unit, Paediatric ward and the labour ward. We recommend that key supporting specialities of Critical Care Medicine, General Surgery, Emergency Medicine and Radiology be developed as set out in sections 7.1, 7.2, 7.5, 7.6 and 7.7 of this document. We recommend that the paediatric ED be co-located with the adult ED to enable all children, whether presenting with a medical or surgical problem to have a single point of access and triage. We recommend the commissioning of a paediatric assessment unit (PAU) to manage children who require a short stay admission (<12 hours). We recommend that formal links between the National Paediatric Hospital Group will continue to develop to allow shared care of sick children with complex medical problems and to enable more of that care to be delivered locally. Acute Medicine We recommend that the acute medicine at MRH Portlaoise be resourced according to the Acute Medical Programme (AMP). We recommend that the in-house acute medicine team continue to provide 24/7 cover for the ED department at MRH Portlaoise. We recommend that consultant numbers be expanded in keeping with the AMP. We recommend that the commissioning of the AMAU be advanced. We recommend that key supporting specialties of Critical Care Medicine and Emergency Medicine be developed as set out in sections 7.1 & 7.2 of this document. We recommend a protocol-driven transfer policy for appropriate patients escalated to ICU level care, as set out in section 7.1. We recommend that the pioneering managed clinical network between MRH Portlaoise and the Coombe Womens and Infants University Hospital be adopted as a template for sub-specialty care at the Department of Acute Medicine. General Surgery We recommend that the surgical unit be resourced according to the surgical programme. We recommend that key supporting specialties of Critical Care Medicine and Emergency Medicine be developed as set out in sections 7.1 & 7.2 of this document. We recommend a protocol-driven transfer policy for appropriate patients escalated to ICU level care, as set out in section 7.1. Diagnostic Radiology We recommend an expansion in consultant radiology numbers at MRH Portlaoise. We recommend that this be pursued through shared appointments. We recommend that this policy of shared appointments in radiology be developed in tandem with shared appointments in other clinical specialties. These appointments should be configured to facilitate access for patients attending MRH Portlaoise to subspecialty Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) opinion. We recommend on-site MRI scanning facility be developed at MRH Portlaoise. List of Signatories Dr Averil Atkinson, General Practitioner, Portlaoise Dr Derry Bergin, General Practitioner, Mountmellick Dr David Booth, General Practitioner, Portlaoise Dr Annette Brennan, General Practitioner, Mountmellick Dr Sinead Burke, General Practitioner, Portlaoise Dr Michelle Byrne, General Practitioner, Portlaoise Dr John Paul Campion, General Practitioner, Rathdowney Dr Maria Carroll, General Practitioner, Portlaoise Dr John Connaughton, Clinical Director, Consultant Physician, MRH Portlaoise Dr Eamon Cosgrove, General Practitioner, Mountrath Dr Julie Cunningham, General Practitioner, Clonaslee Dr Michael Cushen, Consultant Palliative Care, MRH Portlaoise, MRH Tullamore Dr Miriam Doyle, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, MRH Portlaoise Dr Ethelda Ellis, General Practitioner, Portarlington Dr Hosam El Kininy, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, MRH Portlaoise Dr Seamus Fitzgerald, General Practitioner, Borris In Ossory Dr Sean Fleming, Chair Medical Board, Consultant Physician/Cardiologist, MRH Portlaoise Dr Paul Gallagher, Consultant Paediatrician, MRH Portlaoise Dr John Geraghty, General Practitioner, Portlaoise Dr Ligia Gherlea, General Practitioner, Mountmellick Dr Oxana Gradinar, General Practitioner, Mountmellick Dr Conor Grimes, General Practitioner, Stradbally Dr Rizwan Gul, Consultant Paediatrician, MRH Portlaoise Dr Anna Gullane, General Practitioner, Portlaoise Dr Adrian Honan, General Practitioner, Portarlington Dr Deirdre Honan, General Practitioner, Portlaoise Dr Simon Honan, General Practitioner, Portlaoise Dr Roberta Jianu, General Practitioner, Mountmellick Mr Shahid Kaimkhani, Consultant Surgeon, MRH Portlaoise Dr Anna Kavanagh, General Practitioner, Abbeyleix Dr Peter Kemple, General Practitioner, Abbeyleix Dr Asad Khan, Consultant Physician, MRH Portlaoise Dr Huma Khosa, Consultant Radiologist, MRH Portlaoise Dr Pyeh Kyithar, Consultant Physician, MRH Portlaoise Dr Robert Lawlor, General Practitioner, Portlaoise Dr Andrew Lavin, General Practitioner, Portarlington Dr Maeve Lee, General Practitioner, Portlaoise Dr Sinead Lynch, General Practitioner, Mountmellick Dr John Madden, General Practitioner, Abbeyleix Dr Vivek Mahadev, General Practitioner, Mountmellick Dr Suvarna Maharaj, Consultant Emergency Medicine, MRH Portlaoise Dr Masud Ur Rehman, Consultant Anaesthetist, MRH Portlaoise Dr Jacqueline McBrien, Lead Department of Paediatrics, Consultant Paediatrician, MRH Portlaoise Dr Sharon McDonald, General Practitioner, Portlaoise Dr Caitlin McFadden, General Practitioner, Portlaoise Dr Conor Meehan, Consultant Radiologist, MRH Portlaoise & MRH Tullamore Dr Anne Marie Miller, General Practitioner, Stradbally Dr Sean Montague, General Practitioner, Portarlington Dr Shonagh Mooney, General Practitioner, Portarlington Dr Judith Murray, General Practitioner, Portarlington Mr Farrukh Naseem, Consultant Surgeon, MRH Portlaoise Dr Ciara O'Boyle, General Practitioner, Portarlington Dr Michael OConnell, Clinical Director for Integration, Coombe Womens and Infants University Hospital, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Coombe Womens and Infants University Hospital Dr Patrick ODwyer, General Practitioner, Mountrath Dr Frank O'Hara, General Practitioner, Portarlington Dr Ailish Phelan, General Practitioner, Mountrath Dr David Rabinowicz, General Practitioner, Durrow Dr Nagabathula Ramesh, Lead Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Consultant Radiologist, MRH Portlaoise Dr Jayant Sharma, Lead Department of Medicine, Consultant Physician/Endocrinologist, MRH Portlaoise Dr Mary Sheehan, General Practitioner, Clonaslee Dr Shoba Singh, Clinical Director Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, MRH Portlaoise Mr Amir Siddiqui, Lead Department of Surgery, Consultant Surgeon, MRH Portlaoise Dr Olive Strumble, General Practitioner, Portarlington Dr Muhammad Tariq, Consultant Paediatrician, MRH Portlaoise Dr Barry Warde, Lead Anaesthesia, Consultant Anaesthetist, MRH Portlaoise Dr Nora Whelan, General Practitioner, Stradbally Dr Gerald White, General Practitioner, Portlaoise Dr John White, General Practitioner, Portarlington Dr Anne Whitford, Consultant Anaesthetist, MRH Portlaoise A young Clane girl has landed a role in a new Irish short film. Isabel Connolly, who many will now know as the face which starred in an Expressway advert, is to play a new role. It could be the start of a career on the silver screen for Isabel (7), who lives with her sister, Ruby (4), and parents, Mandy and Peter on Clanes Kilcock Road. She has already starred alongside Big Red in the Expressway ad. Her face has been seen by thousands on the Bus Eireann advert. The campaign started in earnest in June and ran intensively to September. It has also opened other doors for Isabel who is in second class at Scoil Bhride. Her mother, Mandy, who runs her own craft business from home, Izubee.ie, said that there has been lots of interest in her from casting agents. As a result she has been called to take part in a short film, A Timely Gift, which is due to start filming on October 27 and 28, in Offaly. Mandy was not at liberty to reveal the plot line of the film, which is to last 11 minutes, but it is aimed at film festivals. Mandy told the Leader that Isabel has been allowed two days off school but still has to do her homework. Meanwhile, Isabels sister, Ruby, will appear on an RTE Junior programme, Pop Goes the Weekend, in November. Several small houses for stray dogs were recently built in a residential community in Kunming, Yunnan province. Although the structures have been praised by many citizens, some people have also voiced safety concerns. The houses were built in a variety of sizes. A security officer for the community acknowledged that the houses have already become a great place for residents to feed stray dogs in the area, and that they will serve as great accommodations for the strays in the cold autumn and winter months. An elderly woman, surnamed Zhang, believes that the houses are a reflection of society's love for animals. But not everyone agrees. One man living in the community, surnamed Ma, said he was worried about the stray dogs' hygiene, arguing that the bacteria carried by the animals may be a potential danger for residents. TD Clare Daly was today fined 300 at Naas District Court for speeding despite an attempt to plead not guilty to the charge. And she was accused of a total abuse of court process in the course of the hearing by judge Desmond Zaidan. A bench warrant with discretion was issued for the arrest of Ms Daly by Judge Zaidan after she did not appear before him on Thursday, October 13. She had been present in court that morning, but with her case at the end of the list, she left her solicitor Cairbre Finan with make her excuses and to plead guilty to the charge on her behalf. At the time, the judge was unhappy with this course of action, saying it showed a total disrespect for the law. The following Tuesday she appeared at Swords District Court in relation to the execution of that warrant. Today, when her case was called, Mr Finan told Judge Zaidan that his client wished to convey to the court that there was no insult intended or implied in her actions on the last occasion. He also said that his client wished to change her plea to not guilty, and was seeking a hearing date. However Judge Zaidan said he would require a reason for this change before he would allow it. Today the case is listed for sentencing, he said, before adjourning the matter briefly to allow Ms Daly to confer with her solicitor. When the case was called again, Mr Finan said that the position remained that she wished to plead not guilty, and he admitted that he would have to excuse himself from the case following the change of instructions. Judge Zaidan reiterated that the case was in for sentencing and refused to allow her to change her plea. The case proceeds, he added. Garda Inspector Patsy Glennon told the court that on January 1 of this year, Ms Dalys car was detected travelling at 59kph in a 50kph zone at Ballymany, Newbridge. Deputy Clare Daly is originally from Newbridge but now has an address in Swords. Inspector Glennon said the defendant has two previous convictions dating back to the same incident when she breached the perimeter of Shannon Airport. Deputy Daly interrupted court proceedings to say that it was very unfair on Mr Finan when the Judge invited him to address the evidence that had been presented against her. The judge told her she could have her say, and instructed her to stand up straight. He outlined the history of the case and the issuing of the bench warrant which, he clarified, was because Mr Finan had been unable to give a reason for why she had left. He reiterated that he thought it was disrespectful to the court and to the people who had turned up on the day to meet their cases. He also took issue with comments which he said were attributed to her in the Irish Times, to the effect that the bench warrant was rubbish. If every citizen took that view, one would have to seriously question where it leaves the administration of justice. Mr Finan said his clients comments referred to the media reaction to news of the bench warrant rather than the courts action. He added that she did not speak to the Irish Times. Judge Zaidan suggested that if your client thinks the Irish Times has misquoted her she should take it up with the Irish Times. He described the attempt by Ms Daly to change her plea as a total abuse of court process when she didnt have the common courtesy to tell the court why. Deputy Daly said she hoped she would have an opportunity to speak, to respond to several inaccuracies in what youve said. And the judge said that she would have, although once he had finalised his comments by fining her he closed the case and called for the next case to be called. Recognisances were fixed at a cash bond of 100 should Deputy Daly decide to appeal. Fianna Fail TD for Roscommon/Galway Eugene Murphy has expressed his utter shock and is stunned at the confirmation through a leaked document that the Boyle, Ballaghaderreen and Strokestown psychiatric day centres will be closing and amalgamating. Deputy Murphy said the fact that it is a leaked document that has brought out the truth of the situation of the impending changes to mental health services is Co Roscommon is shocking and the veil of secrecy and lack of transparency around this subject is totally unacceptable. After seeking clarification on this matter initially and been told that the initial report was a draft report and that there was nothing to worry about, by the Minister of State for Mental Health Helen McEntee and Tony Canavan of the HSE, I feel that we have been misled in a hope that the changes would be set in stone and it would be too late to save the services. I have had many phone calls to my offices in relation to this matter. The clients who avail of these services are very worried about the changes and what they will mean to them personally. A lot of the clients are worried about where they will end up and weather they will be in a situation away from their families, friends and support networks. I do not know what benefit the closure of these facilities will have except upsetting the people availing of these vital services and putting other already overloaded services under much more pressure. The Fianna Fail Deputy has called on the Minister of State for Mental Health Helen McEntee and Health Minister Simon Harris to immediately intervene and offer a statement of clarification in relation to the matter. Deputy Murphy said that the proposed changes to mental health services were not grounded in the ethos of the Vision for Change but was a nonsensical approach which was a recipe for disaster. The mantra from the Vision for Change is all about community care but these outrageous changes would fly in the face of a model which is based on community care. This is about a focus on money and cost saving measures rather than a focus on people. I am calling on the HSE and the Minister to be up front and honest about the changes and stop causing more anxiety to already vulnerable people. I would like the minister to address this situation now and stop it in its tracks. A Longford man has been convicted of possessing an explosive substance and making bomb threats during the state visit of the UK Queen five years ago. Donal Billings (66) of St Bridgets Court, Drumlish, County Longford was found guilty today (Wed) by three judges at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin of the unlawful possession of an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park on May 16th, 2011. He was further found guilty of four offences under the Criminal Law Act of 1976 of knowingly making false reports tending to show that an offence had been committed. Billings was found guilty of making a false report within the State on May 16th, 2011, that bombs had been placed at Busaras in Dublin and at Sinn Fein's headquarters. He was also convicted of making a false report on May 18th that two mortars were set for Dublin Castle, and with making a false report on May 20th that two bombs had been placed in the toilets at Cork airport. Billings had denied the five charges. He was remanded in custody until November 30th, when he will be sentenced. Fianna Fail TD for Sligo-Leitrim Marc Mac Sharry says he will oppose a Govt amendment to a Bill which bans fracking. The Bill would prohibit all fracking activity in Ireland, however the Government wants to water down the legislation, which could see the door left open for potential fracking in the future, he claims. Deputy Mac Sharry explained, I want to commend Deputy Tony McLoughlin for bringing this Bill forward. The legislation, in its original state, would have seen fracking banned outright and would have been fully supported by me and my party colleagues. I have been a long-time critic of fracking and want to see the practice banned outright. Unfortunately the Government has now tabled an amendment to the Bill, which completely goes against the wishes of people living in the North West, which is earmarked for some fracking projects. Fianna Fail is completely opposed to fracking, because of the potential risks to the environment and our drinking water sources. This is a seriously contentious issue in Leitrim, as the area has been identified as having potential for fracking, however local opposition groups have been extremely vocal about the health risks associated with it. I am extremely disappointed with the Governments decision to table this amendment, which effectively rows back on the original premise of the Bill, and fails to put in place a concrete ban on fracking. Other countries including France, Scotland, Wales and New Zealand have banned the practice I cant understand this Governments reluctance to follow suit. This is a major health and environmental issue and the Government should not be swayed by exploration companies. Fianna Fail is happy to support an outright ban on fracking, which was the original intention of Deputy McLoughlins Bill. I will continue to work to ensure that legislation to outlaw this dangerous practice is brought forward and passed. Over 3 years ago Drumsna woman Edwina Guckian became involved with Adi Roche's Chernobyl Children International and this November she will return to work in Vesnova's Mental Asylum for sick children. She will be joined by Kilmore woman Aideen Burke that works with Edwina at Sean Nos ar an tSionann Dance Club. "It's 30 years this year since the Chernobyl nuclear disaster occurred and its hard for the rest of the world to imagine the devastation this disaster has visited on the people, the children and the land. Those 30 years have passed and we think these areas have recovered. But they haven't. Radiation lives on in every sense: in their water, their soil, their animals, their fauna, themselves. "These people now carry a genetic marker passed down from one generation to the next and its effects are catastrophic. 85% of children born since 1986 in Belarus are affected by a 200% increase in birth defects and deformities. These are some of the children I work with in Vesnova. When one passes away there's a huge list of children waiting to take their place in the asylum. "Each child living in an institution, such as Vesnova mental asylum, is allocated just 1 per day to live. Once institutionalised you are there for life. You lose all citizenship rights. Even when you turn 18 you are just moved on to an adult institution. I have worked closely with these children in Vesnova. There are some that if were given half a chance, an education, a family, a future, they would thrive. "While many others are bed bound and have malignant tumours, blood circulatory illnesses and disorders of the bone, muscle and connective tissue system these children are full of positivity and smiles knowing nothing of a better world, only the one they live in. At the end of the day, regardless of illness, mentality, mobility or communication, they are all children that crave love, attention and hope." Since 2013 Edwina has organised an annual Halloween fundraiser, raising over 20,000. This year she holds a Chernobyl Draw with raffle cards in local shops and online through www.everydayhero.com Prizes have been kindly donated by businesses & artists across Ireland including tickets to Mrs. Browns' Boys, Tommy Tiernan, Olympia Christmas Panto, Tommy Fleming, Christmas Concert at the National Concert Hall, Sean Keane, The Saw Doctors and prizes from Lough Rynn Castle, The Landmark Hotel, Newbridge Jewellery, Jennifer Wrynne, Arigna Mining Experience, Cliffs of Moher Retreat, VOYA Seaweed Baths, The Lough Allen Hotel and much more. The draw takes place on 27th November in Taylor's Bar, Drumsna. "Thank you so much to the people of Leitrim, Sligo & Roscommon for all your support to date. Your generosity and donations have helped employ more nurses in Vesnova, employ teachers and add a school to the asylum, as well as much need medical equipment, food, wheelchairs and sensory rooms. Thank You!" Renowned Sligo Pianist and Composer Kieran Quinn returns to King House on Friday, October 28. In between his now legendary theme nights in Sligo and other musical projects, renowned piano player Kieran Quinn has been busy in 2016 writing a brand new collection of songs and is looking forward to showcasing these on his return to King House on Friday, October 28. Kieran last visited Boyle during his successful 32 Pianos Tour in 2015, where he brought music from second album, 'The Next One', to a piano in each county of Ireland. Throughout his 32 Pianos Tour, Kieran was featured in the Irish Times, Sunday Independent, on RTEs Sean ORourke Show and Arena, Newstalks Sean Moncrieff show, Lyric Fm and TG4. He received several positive album reviews, including an impressive 7 Star review from Hotpress Magazine. Kieran commented that My 32 Piano Tour got a fantastic reaction and I really enjoyed the chance to showcase my music to a completely new audience all over the country. Im really looking forward to returning to King House now with some brand new music that Ive been working on over the last few months. As always, Kieran enjoys collaborating, and he will be joined by special guests on the night. See www.kieranquinn.ie for further information, tickets and bookings. Yesterdays announcement has confirmed what we have long suspected. That Theresa May would bow down to external pressures from big business and the foreign owners of Heathrow Airport to give expansion the green light disregarding her own constituents and MPs in the process. This is a green light that will see 800 homes and parts of the M25 demolished to make way for a development that even in its current form exceeds EU laws on emissions and is the cause of 28% of all those affected by aircraft noise in Europe. Despite their protestations, Chris Graylings statement yesterday gave no details on how they would achieve reduction targets. But above all, the Government are touting a short-sighted vision of an undeliverable proposal. Four councils are already planning legal action, so on top of a Judicial Review and what will be an undeniably lengthy planning process, the proposed opening of a third runway in 2025 is incredibly unrealistic. What should be the priority of the Prime Minister is the rebalancing of the economy, the promotion of regional airports like Birmingham and Manchester, putting investment where it is needed and wanted most, where construction could be shovel ready in a fraction of the time it will take Heathrow. It is a myth that what is good for the overseas owners of Heathrow Airport, who make up 90% of its board, is good for the UK economy. In the last decade, they have paid just 24m in corporation tax to the UK but handed out 2.1bn in dividends to its shareholders over the previous four years. And still they refuse to make any promises on how much they will contribute to the 3rd runway project, with as little as 1bn of the 20bn currently being touted as a likely figure, exposing a massive funding black hole, undoubtedly to be picked up by the taxpayer. Even British Airways, who make up the clear majority of Heathrows business, have called the plans outrageous. Liberal Democrats welcome the chance to fight a byelection in Richmond Park, no matter how many Conservatives we end up competing against. In contrast to them, we are a party that is united, united in its opposition to Heathrow expansion and their Londoncentric attitude to growth. Heathrow expansion is bad economics, bad for the environment and bad for residents. It is a predictable decision that is symptomatic of a Government that have run out of ideas. Who are pandering to businesses that have been rapidly losing confidence in the UK due to the fallout from the EU referendum, most notably the shrinking pound. The Conservatives have forgotten the No ifs, No buts pledge of their former leader and the promises that they made to communities in West London but we have not. We will continue to oppose this decision, all the way through the voting lobbies. * Jenny Randerson is a Liberal Democrat member of the House of Lords, and is the party's front bench spokesperson on transport. A TRIAL date has been set in the case of a Limerick man who is charged with threatening to kill his sisters father-in-law. Larry McCarthy Jnr, aged 38, who has an address at Towerlodge, Old Cork Road, is accused of threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Noel Moore during an incident at his home on the outskirts of the city on July 28, 2015. The defendant is also accused of threatening to cause damage to Mr Moores home on the same date. Mr McCarthy, who gardai allege is a senior figure in the Dundon-McCarthy criminal gang has been in custody since he first appeared in court a number of days after the alleged incidents. Last December, the case was sent forward to the non-jury Special Criminal Court after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) certified the ordinary courts are inadequate to deal with the administration of justice in the case. Following a preliminary hearing earlier this week, a trial date of June 19, 2017 was fixed by the Special Criminal Court. Chief Superintendent David Sheahan gave evidence during a bail application as did Detetive Garda NIall Fitzgerald who said he had concerns the defendant will commit further serious offences if released. Mr Justice Robert Eagar, presiding, sitting with Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain and Judge James Faughnan, said the court will deliver its decision regarding bail this Thursday. GARDAI are investigating a daylight attack on an elderly couple who were walking their dog on a river footpath at University of Limerick earlier this week. According to gardai, the two victims, aged in their 60s, were attacked by a man on a mechanised skateboard with an unleashed ginger Boxer dog on Monday at 2.10pm. Gardai said that the couple were walking towards the city along the river walkway at the university, on the UL side of the river, between the Living Bridge and the Road Bridge. In what was an unprovoked attack, the male victim was pushed by the suspect, falling into a bush and narrowly missed being pushed into the river. Following that the suspect took both phones from the couple throwing one into the river and smashing the other phone, a garda spokesman said. The victims were said to be very shaken by the incident and were fortunate not to have sustained more serious injuries. Mayor of Limerick City and County, Cllr Kieran OHanlon, who has called for more policing in the area, said that he will speak to gardai in relation to the incident. I am very sorry to hear it. Usually, it is a safe area to walk because there are a lot of people in that area. With the university, itself, they have actually cameras around the campus. So, hopefully, the gardai will be able to identify the individual and take him to court. Obviously, their resources are limited. I do think we do need a garda presence along the river walk. It is just open now and there are cameras there, as well. We should have gardai on bicycles, occasionally at least, for reassurance for the people in the area. And, particularly, for elderly people who would be walking, he said. Gardai are appealing to the public for information in order to identify the attacker. He is described as male, wearing a grey hoodie, travelling on a mechanised skateboard with a red or ginger Boxer dog. People with information can contact Henry Street garda station at 061-212400, or the garda confidential telephone line at 1800-666-111. The second meeting of the US-China Space Dialogue took place in Washington DC last week, as part of efforts to work around a US Congressional block to cooperation between the two countries space agencies. The meeting was hosted by the US Department of State, involving representatives from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, US Geological Survey, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Department of Defense meeting with officials from the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on October 20. The two sides exchanged updates on space policies and programs, discussed Earth and space science, space and terrestrial weather, tackling space debris and the long-term sustainability of outer space activities, according to a State Department media note. Established in 2015, the dialogue, enhances cooperation between the two countries, promotes responsible behavior in space, and encourages greater transparency and openness on a variety of space-related issues, but few details of the meetings have been released. Notably NASA Administrator Charles Bolden was in attendance, despite Congressional barriers to engaging Chinese state entities, with the Dialogue offering a way of working around such road blocks. On the content of the dialogue, Mr Bolden stated in a blog piece posted on October 20 that he congratulated CNSA representative Tian Yulong on behalf of the NASA family on the recent launches of the Tiangong-2 space lab and Shenzhou-11 crewed mission which later rendezvoused and docked in orbit describing them as major milestones in Chinas human space flight program. From there, Mr Bolden went on to stress that NASAs apparent human Journey to Mars requires collaboration with many nations, without specifically noting China. Earlier public statements indicate that he is a proponent of cooperation with China. 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. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Nigeria is not a member of the 58-member-state Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). But last week, the AIIB mainly championed by China appointed Nigerian renowned economist, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to the advisory body of the bank. The development gets commendations from the Nigerian business community. The President/CEO of the Beloxxi Industries, the largest biscuits company in Nigeria, Obi Ezeude said the appointment is a sign of Chinas belief in Nigerian experts and their openness country to choose the best notwithstanding their nationality. He also said China and the AIIB have through that demonstrated the seriousness they attach to their relationship with Nigeria as true friend beyond the diplomatic level. He sees Okonjo-Iweala appointment to the AIIB as better business opportunity for China and Nigeria. Okonjo-Iweala has been a consultant and senior expert with the World Bank for about 30 years and contested for the president position of the bank and lost in second position to the present president Dr. Jim Yong Kim. She has been a Vice President over the years and worked in two sessions in Nigeria as the first woman economy minister, a position she held till May last year for about nine years. The Asian continent with the fame of the Asian Tigers is the issue in the world economy today. And there is every reason for it to be because nobody can reasonably overlook a continent whose three top economies China, Japan and South Korea have economic volume more than the entire European Union with about 31% of the world GDP. Their weight is enough to tilt the world economic scale in any direction it wants. China for instance is the second largest economy in the world with an economy volume of about $13tr in 2014, just $3tr behind the number one, USA and very wide gaps up ahead of the rest immediately behind it. These heavyweight countries incubated the idea of the AIIB essentially championed by China and domiciled in Beijing. It took off just on Christmas Day 2015 but has already garnered 57 members, with 21 non-Asian states, with the 58th member being Canada that joined in September after a visit by the Canadian Prime Minister to Beijing prior to the Hangzhou G20 Summit hosted by China. The AIIBs formidable standing derives from some factors including the large capital base (CB) of $100b that is about 50% of that of the World Bank, and also the membership that excludes only two members of the G7 which are the US and Japan. At a meeting with some Nigerian journalists in Beijing on tour of China in the first week of May, a very senior Chinese diplomat revealed that China and indeed the AIIB wants more members from all parts of the world, and so far, only South Africa is an African member. Actually, about 10 of the founding member states own 50% of the assets of the bank, but the diplomat told the team of journalists which included the Daily Sun that China and the rest are ready and willing to yield and reduce their stake holding pool when more countries join as the body wants a larger house. To underscore the importance of China today in the world economic order, on October 1, her currency, the Renminbi, was included in the in the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Special Drawing Rights (SDR) basket. That made the currency one of the mediums of international transaction and in which countries Foreign Reserve (FR) would be domiciled. (Xinhua) 13:37, October 26, 2016 PHILADELPHIA, the United States, Oct. 25 -- "Some day, someone will write the full epic of this exciting expedition," thus wrote Edgar Snow, on his pages of Red Star Over China, a historical account of the birth of Communist Party of China published in 1937. Snow never had the chance to write about the expedition in its entirety. That went to another American reporter, Harrison Salisbury, with his book titled The Long March: the Untold Story. The book was published in 1985, over 50 years after this turbulent part of history. "And 30 years later, it is still an in print, it is still read, it is still an incredibly exciting story," said Stephan Salisbury, son of the author, when Xinhua interviewed him in the year commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Long March. "A LIFELONG LOVE AFFAIR WITH THINGS CHINESE" "My father was interested in China since he was a small boy in Minneapolis Minnesota," Stephan said. At that time, there was one store in the city run by a Chinese immigrant, and it sold Chinese delicacies of all kinds, like candy ginger and caramelized lilac flowers, items that fascinated his father. "It kind of started a lifelong love affair with things Chinese," said Stephan. By the time Harrison went to college, he was convinced that he would become a reporter. It was then he had decided that he wanted to travel to China and report on events there. Harrison came of age during the time of the Russian Revolution and the first and second World Wars. "Anybody who was a reporter and was interested in the war would have to have an interest in the Soviet Union, the Communism, and the revolution," said Stephan. "That was sort of a background interest." Harrison Salisbury spent nearly 20 years with United Press, and later worked as the New York Times' Moscow bureau chief from 1949-1954. It was during this time that his interest in the Soviet Union and Communism was sparked. According to Stephan, Harrison knew and admired Edgar Snow, who interviewed Chairman Mao in the caves in Yan' an, the cradle of the Chinese Revolution. Snow wrote in his book that he hoped someone would be able to tell the story of the Long March in detail. "So my father got that idea, and once he got an idea, he couldn't let go of it, he kept pressing it," said Stephan. "He wrote letter after letter and importuned every official he could get his hands on, that he wanted to come to China, he wanted to take the Long March." In August 1983, word finally came from Beijing. The door to the Long March was open for Harrison. In March 1984, Harrison and his wife Charlotte flew to Beijing. A LIFETIME VENTURE From April to June 1984, the Salisbury couple travelled 7,500 miles by foot, by car, by minibus, by jeep, by horse, and by donkey, following the entire route of the Long March. "He did have a heart problem then, he had a pacemaker," Stephan says, recalling his father's health at the time. "What he suffered was what many of those in the Red Army suffered during the Long March due to lack of oxygen, over-exertion, dehydration," Stephan said. "Especially when he was that old, it can take a real toll." Harrison suffered a heart attack during an 11-mile footpath in the mountains to get to the Golden Sands River, where Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai and Zhu De miraculously crossed in 1935. Harrison' s heart was beating irregularly; fortunately though, the Chinese he was traveling with were able to get him to a hospital in Chengdu, where he recoverd. The route of the Long March remained elusive back in the 1980s, and the Salisburys were some of the first foreigners to explore it. Still, they managed to get a round of interviews with surviving senior generals, widows of Party figures, archivists and historians. "My stepmother was very reluctant to take this trip," said Stephan. "But in the end she said, it was a venture of a lifetime." And at the end of the trip, Harrison got the story he wanted, all the drama, the heroism, and the treachery, the human aspects of it, all contained in the book. "I think it is truly an epic," said Stephan of his father' s book. "So I think his lifelong dream of seeking to understand and report on China was completely fulfilled and beautifully so." "The story is an epic. Not only because of the heroism of the simple soldiers and their commanders but because it became, in effect, the crucible of the Chinese Revolution," Harrison writes in the preface to the book. "It forged the brotherhood that fought Chiang Kai-shek to a standstill and came to power under Mao' s leadership." THE STORY AS IT WAS The Long March: the Untold Story was published in 1985 during the Reagan years, toward the final years of the Soviet Union and turbulence in the East. "There could be many different views and many different political forces," recalled Stephan. "So you can' t have one mentality promoted by the government on the one hand, and a reporter that comes in with the very heroic story about the same people on the other." "The two don't go together." Still, the book received favorable reviews and was considered one of the great epics of human history. Harrison had a great influence on his son, who later became a reporter too, with the Philadelphia Inquirer. "His example is something I can' t ignore," said Stephan. And there were lessons from his father about getting the right story. "If you persist, and you are open, you are straightforward with people - "this is what I want to do, I want to tell your story, I don' t want to impose my story on you ..." Then ultimately, if you are fortunate, they will believe you. You can get the story." (Xinhua) 13:39, October 26, 2016 BEIJING, Oct. 26 -- An all-round strict governance of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is foreseen to inject fresh impetus into the 95-year-old party's political success and ensure a faster growth in China that will contribute more to the global economy. With new disciplines and rules for intra-party political life and supervision to be its focus, the sixth plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee being held on Oct. 24-27 has drawn close attention from around the world. The political wisdom and determination shown in the Chinese ruling party's latest move to improve its own health and leadership in state governance have been hailed by experts from different countries. Dmitry Novikov, vice chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, praised the CPC's anti-corruption efforts to consolidate its leadership in state rule. It is expected to help China stay on the path it has chosen to succeed and has led to new achievements in its drive to develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, said Novikov, who is also member of the Russian State Duma or the lower house of parliament. The CPC's bid to strengthen party governance will push forward China's anti-corruption drive and create an environment that is conducive to the country's development, Ahmed Wali, a former Egyptian foreign minister assistant and an economic expert, told Xinhua. "China's Belt and Road Initiative has brought new development opportunities for countries' along the routes, including Egypt. We hope the Communist Party of China will continue its anti-corruption work, ensure the continued rapid development of the Chinese economy and propel global economic growth," he said. The CPC's intra-party democracy and capability to advance with time have long helped make it a success and a mainstay in China, rallying widespread support from the Chinese people, Wali said. Noticing the link between the CPC's self-improvement and China's economic achievements under its leadership, Indonesian political analyst Li Zhuohui said that it has been the Chinese ruling party's good tradition to keep a strict party governance. In his opinion, a ruling party has to advance with time, as any party would face new challenges in its course of development. The ongoing conference enables the CPC to lift the institutionalization and rule of law in party governance to a new height, said Zheng Yongnian, director of the East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore. Zheng thought an all-round strict party governance is the CPC's priority in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects as well as comprehensively deepening reforms and enhancing the rule of law in China. Phosy Chanhming, director of China Studies Center under the National University of Laos, hailed the CPC effort towards tougher self-discipline, saying strict supervision is important for keeping a party and its members clean and trusted by the public. Professor Macharia Munene, a Nairobi-based diplomacy scholar, said the CPC has scored a unique achievement to have grown from less than 100 members to more than 80 million in size. As a result of its strict governance, the CPC has managed to maintain a positive and rapid development since its birth, he said, believing that new disciplines and rules adopted in light of the new situation will make the party stronger. The CPC's efforts to combat corruption and uphold party values are key to winning the hearts and minds of the Chinese people, he said. By Dang Qi (Xinhua) 13:40, October 26, 2016 SAN JOSE, Oct. 25 -- Costa Rica-China cooperation has transformed into concrete projects in the Central American nation, President Luis Guillermo Solis has said. The projects, which have been completed or are underway, have been cited by the president to underscore the benefits of Costa Rica's cooperation with China in a recent interview with Xinhua. Costa Rica's new 35,000-seat National Stadium project is a case in point, said Solis. Described by the San Jose-based English-language daily The Tico Times as the first modern sport and event arena to be built in Central America, "The 100 million-U.S.-dollar stadium was wholly financed by China, and inaugurated in 2011." Among the projects are what Solis hailed as the "best" police academy in Central America, as well as a "first world" highway linking San Jose with the country's Caribbean coast. "There have been many other contributions in the area of economy and culture that China has made since the two countries established diplomatic relations," said Solis. In the lead up to the 10th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Costa Rica and China, to be celebrated in 2017, Solis assessed the relations as being "very positive." One of the emblematic projects Solis' government has been most eager to develop in conjunction with China is the creation of special economic zones. Ties with China, he said, have helped strengthen Costa Rica's economic structures and social well-being, particularly through infrastructure building. "That's where China has a lot of experience," said Solis. "Within a few months we will begin the construction of Route 32, which will be one of the most important roadways Costa Rica has ever built toward the Caribbean." The project is set to improve connectivity with Costa Rica's main port. "The route, along with highway 257 that accompanies it, is perhaps the project with the highest priority and the one we believe will be the most enduring in Costa Rica-China ties, in terms of its effect on the country's economy and development," said Solis. "I am certain we will be able to develop other infrastructure projects in the future." However, he noted that Costa Rican bureaucracy, or its "historic logjam" in approving or processing permits and other paperworks for projects, has hampered more fruitful cooperation with China. As to the ecological impact of the potential projects, Solis said both China and Costa Rica have increasingly prioritized environmental sustainability, and both have rich experience in renewable energy production through hydro and geothermal power. Costa Rica, he added, has pledged to become a "carbon neutral" economy by 2021, a goal China could help the country to meet if a proposed electric rail project gets the green light. Two areas where Solis would like to see greater cooperation are investment and tourism. The two countries have signed a double taxation agreement to promote investment, the president said. While tourism provides a great opportunity to generate foreign income, Solis said the country needs to overcome barriers, such as long distance, lack of direct flights and lack of knowledge of the Chinese language in the country, to attract more Chinese tourists. The president said he would continue to strengthen ties between China and Latin America as a whole, as he did when Costa Rica served as president of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). "I will continue to do everything I can to expand ties," he said. [File photo] The cause of death of over 200 migratory birds in northern Chinas Inner Mongolia has been confirmed by local police as poison. Police have offered a reward for information about the poachers who set the poison. According to an announcement on Oct. 24, the corpses of 259 water birds were found in a local lake, which is a migratory stop for the wild fowl. The birds were killed with carbofuran, a lethal pesticide. I have worked alongside the local forest police to retrieve dead swans from the lake. There are too many corpses, I cannot even count the number, remarked Uliji Bathu, a local forest ranger, in an interview with Beijing Youth Daily. Many local residents have heard gun shots at night in the past few days. It seems that poachers do not dare to shoot the birds during the day, though no wounds were found on the dead birds. Maybe they transferred some of the corpses already, Bathu added. Poison is a common method used by poachers to kill birds. The poachers seem to be fully aware of the migratory route of the swans, as the birds must stop for food during their trip south, normally around lakes and wetlands, said Zhou Haixiang, director of the ecological research office of Shenyang Ligong University. According to the list of endangered and protected species in China, swans are a Level 2 protected species, meaning they cannot be killed or sold. People who illegally kill swans may face up to five years in prison. The Altiplano-Puna plateau in the central Andes features vast plains punctuated by spectacular volcanoes, such as the Azufre volcanic complex in Chile seen here. A massive magma chamber in South America that pumps melted rock into the Earth's crust created an enormous dome in the central Andes, within the second-highest continental plateau in the world, according to a new study. Researchers studying the seismology and topography of the Altiplano-Puna plateau have connected the existence of a huge, underlying magma body to the plateau's great heights. The Altiplano-Puna plateau, which has an altitude of 13,000 feet (4,000 meters), includes parts of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile, and encompasses vast plains punctuated by volcanoes. The study reveals how magma that was injected into the crust from below contributed to the plateau's uplift, and it offers insight into the creation of continental crust as well as the region's supervolcanoes massive volcanic centers that are capable of producing volcanic eruptions that are thousands of times larger than normal eruptions. [The 11 Biggest Volcanic Eruptions in History] Study author Jonathan Perkins, who led the research as a graduate student at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and is now a researcher at the U.S. Geological Survey, explained that the Altiplano-Puna plateau's unique plate tectonics are what drew scientists to study it. The Andes were formed from a subduction zone, when two tectonic plates collided and one plate sank into the mantle underneath the other plate. "The plateau is the second-largest continental plateau in the world," Perkins told Live Science. "The biggest is the Tibetan plateau, but the Tibetan plateau formed from two continents crashing into each other, whereas the Andes formed in a volcanic arc, which is a subduction zone, so there the whole plate tectonic configuration is different." Traditional tectonic models could not account for the entire thickness of the crust beneath the plateau. To determine the source of the plateau's height, Perkins and his team combined seismological and topographical studies of the area. Using the seismological research of the magma body which is more like a mush of crystals with some liquefied areas versus an ocean of molten magma the researchers were able to determine the magma body's size, but not its connection to the plateau. "We analyzed the topography in that area and found this big dome in the plateau," Perkins said. "By doing some topographic filtering techniques, we were able to show that this large zone of uplifted topography correlates really well with where we see the magma body." About 3,300 feet (1 kilometers) high and hundreds of miles across, the dome's uplift from the magma chamber beneath accounts for about one-fifth of the height of the central Andes, the researchers found. [Photo Timeline: How the Earth Formed] In these volcanic arcs, the subduction zones are like the factories of continental crust, Perkins said. The big magma bodies make rocks that are seen in the continents today. While much of the continental growth occurred millions of years ago, when such magma chambers underwent a period of rapid melt generation called a magmatic flare-up, Perkins said that the chamber beneath the Altiplano-Puna plateau is still active. "Whats really neat about this area of the central Andes is that it's one of the only places we know of in the world right now thats actively undergoing one of these flare-ups," Perkins said. "So were using the topography and seismology in tandem to sort of get a real-time view about how fast magma gets pumped into the crust, creating new continental crust during one of these big flare-up events." The activity of the magma chamber that was determined in this study can also be connected to research on the area's supervolcanoes, which have been relatively inactive in the last 3 million years. Perkins explained that this massive magma body is a sort of "mother chamber," in that its magma is genetically related to the supervolcanoes that have been created over the past 10 million years. "We know that this magma body is still active, but we cant tell from the data whether or not this flare-up is actively ending, or if it's just a lull and there could be another pulse that triggers supervolcano activity," Perkins said. "But, it doesnt look like theres evidence for any potential supereruptions right now." The study was published online Oct. 25 in the journal Nature Communications. Original article on Live Science. Rare scroll (Image credit: Shai Halevi, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority.) Archaeologists have gotten their hands on a rare papyrus that may be the earliest extra-biblical source to mention Jerusalem in Hebrew writing. The papyrus was illegally taken from one of the Judean Desert caves by a band of antiquities robbers, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority. It was seized by the IAA's Unit for the Prevention of Antiquities Robbery. [Read the full story on the Hebrew papyrus finding] First Temple period (Image credit: Shai Halevi, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority.) Professor emeritus Shmuel Ahituv and Eitan Klein, deputy director of the IAA's Unit for the Prevention of Antiquities Robbery, examine the rare papyrus. Carbon dating and an examination of the writing, which is in Hebrew text, on the scroll suggest that it dates back to the seventh century B.C. Papyrus preservation (Image credit: Shai Halevi, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority.) The papyrus is preserved in the Israel Antiquities Authority's Dead Sea Scrolls laboratories. "This unique papyrus joins the thousands of scroll fragments for which the Israel Antiquities Authority established dedicated conservation and photographic laboratories where the scrolls are treated using highly sophisticated means and the most advanced documentation and photographic technology available today," Pnina Shor, curator and director of the Dead Sea Scrolls project at the IAA, said in a statement. "With a state-of-the-art camera that was developed based on technology used by NASA which records the Dead Sea Scrolls at a level that replicates the original, it is even possible to see the texture of the plant, skin or parchment on which the ancient documents were written." Holy heritage (Image credit: Shai Halevi, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority.) Here, the papyrus is preserved at the laboratories of the IAA. "The discovery of the papyrus shows that there are other artifacts of tremendous importance to our heritage that are waiting to be found in the Judean Desert caves," Israel Hasson, director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, said in the statement. [Read the full story on the Hebrew papyrus finding] High-tech photos (Image credit: Shai Halevi, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority.) Scientists used a highly sophisticated camera to photograph the rare papyrus in the Israel Antiquities Authority's laboratories. Though archaeologist Eitan Klein, the deputy director of the Unit for the Prevention of Antiquities Robbery, says there is no doubt the papyrus is authentic, others show a little skepticism. For instance, scholars have expressed concern that some of 70 newfound "Dead Sea Scrolls" fragments may be forgeries. Cave of the Skulls (Image credit: Guy Fitoussi, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority.) During the past year the Israel Antiquities Authority, with the help of volunteers, has been excavating in search of ancient artifacts in the Cave of the Skulls in the Judean Desert. "Every day, robbers go into the desert in order to search out and plunder ancient documents, such as the papyrus that was exposed," Hasson said in a statement. "The state has to mobilize and allocate the necessary resources in order to embark upon a historic operation together with the public, and carry out systematic excavations in all of the Judean Desert caves." [Read the full story on the Hebrew papyrus finding] Excavating caves (Image credit: Yoli Shwartz, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority.) Here, another look at the Cave of the Skulls in the Judean Desert. Hasson says that a massive operation is needed to excavate all of these caves in order to save their antiquities from looters. Dry climate (Image credit: Yoli Shwartz, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority.) The dry climate of the Judean Desert helped to preserve the Hebrew papyrus, as it has other delicate documents that would otherwise degrade over time. Such papyri "provide invaluable information regarding the way of life in antiquity and the early development of religions," Amir Ganor, director of the IAA's Unit for the Prevention of Antiquities Robbery, explained in a statement. "The rarity of the finds and their importance are the reasons why the antiquities robbers risk their lives coming to dig in the caves in the desert cliffs." Saving a papyrus (Image credit: Yoli Shwartz, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority) "I am glad that we were fortunate to have a role in saving the papyrus, which is an important and special find that bears witness to the historical relationship between the Land of Israel and Jerusalem, and the Jewish people," Ganor added in the IAA statement. Shown here, volunteers and IAA archaeologists excavate at the Cave of the Skulls in the Judean Desert. Catching looters (Image credit: The Israel Antiquities Authority's Unit for the Prevention of Antiquities Robbery.) The IAA's Unit for the Prevention of Antiquities Robbery apprehends a band of antiquities robbers and its equipment in the Judean Desert. [Read the full story on the Hebrew papyrus finding] Basking Ridge's iconic white oak tree next door to the Presbyterian church that's been its neighbor for almost 300 years. The tree is estimated to be 600 years old. Basking Ridge, N.J. is a quintessential small town. It's the type of place where red, white and blue bunting gets draped on storefronts on the main drag during the Fourth of July and carolers wander the streets with hot cocoa in December. Like all good small towns, it has a defining feature. Or at least it did. This summer, heat stress and heavy rain conspired to fell a 600-year old oak tree at both the town's literal the tree sits at the point where West Oak Street turns into East Oak Street, hanging over the Presbyterian Church's graveyard and cultural center. The town flag features twin oak leaves in an homage to the tree, which is rumored to have provided shade for a picnic between George Washington and General Lafayette, and guarded the final resting place of Betsy Ross. It survived countless hurricanes, hot spells, cold spells, dry spells and wet spells until searing heat followed by deluge finally sapped its will to live. "It's been here since before any of us or any of our ancestors were on the scene," said Jon Klippel, a longtime Basking Ridge resident who chairs the planning council at the church. "If you were able to go back and pull some survey maps when they first determined they would put a church house here in Basking Ridge in 1717, this thing was on the maps. It was a landmark even back then." 'Ghost Forests' Appear As Rising Seas Kill Trees New England is Wicked Dry Right Now Wet Times Are Masking New York's Real Drought Risk Since announcing that it had died and would be cut down next year, Klippel said there's been an outpouring of support and grief as well as more than a few tears shed as the community deals with losing a fixture that's been around for centuries. What precipitated the oak's rapid decline was a two-week stretch when the average temperature was higher than 90 degrees Fahrenheit in late July. The heat stress made the tree's pores essentially go on lockdown during the hot, dry period to keep its water availability up. Unfortunately the stretch of hot weather was followed by two separate days where heavy rain fell in mid-August. Rob Gillies, an arborist in Basking Ridge who has tended to the tree, told the New York Times that "the roots were soaking because it couldn't process the water," ultimately dealing the fatal blow. Climate change likely played a role in increasing the likelihood of the type of heat that led to the tree's demise. To examine if the odds have changed for this type of heat event, members of Climate Central's World Weather Attribution team culled through data from a weather station at Canoe Brook at 10 miles away, the closest long-term weather station to the oak that has records dating back to 1931. A historic postcard from the early 20th century shows what the oak tree looked like in healthier days. (Image credit: The Historical Society of Somerset Hills) When recordkeeping began at the station, a 15-day stretch of similarly sweltering days occurred once every 27 years on average. In 2016, the odds increased to 1-in-4 years on average, a nearly sevenfold increase. Other weather stations nearby show similar trends of extremely hot weather becoming more common. "This (analysis) can show that there was a trend, but not what caused the trend," said Geert Jan van Oldenborgh, a climate scientist at the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute who did the analysis. "I know of only one cause for 100-year trends so it is a fairly safe bet that it was caused by the CO2 emissions, but it has not yet been formally shown that this is the case." In mid-October, with a riot of colors on the trees around it nearing their peak, Basking Ridge's white oak had a few measly patches of brown leaves clinging to its branches. The brown leaves had appeared more than two months earlier at the start of August. By Aug. 14, the tree's foliage was completely dead and it was clear something was amiss. Now, the remaining limbs of the once stately oak are bound together by wire to keep them from falling and crushing the centuries' old headstones or anyone happening to wander through the ancient graveyard below. The church has indicated the tree will officially come down in July 2017 its 300th anniversary, no less and the wood will be used for a to-be-determined project to honor the tree's life and history. As with any symbol, it's a bit of a challenge to separate fact from fiction. The 1410 birth year, for example, is based on a book published in 1717. The tree was filled with 3 tons of modified concrete in 1924 making it nearly impossible to get an exact estimate of its age. (Also for reference, the tree's branches spread 125 feet from its center at that time.) But even if the purported 600-year age is off by a bit, there's no doubt the oak tree is pretty old and its loss is a major blow not just for the town but for old-growth forest aficionados across the region. Wires hold together the crown of the Basking Ridge's white oak tree. (Image credit: Ted Blanco) The Northeast was heavily logged following European settlement, with trees being felled for firewood, construction or clearing land for farms. As a result, only a few truly ancient trees remain in the region, but Basking Ridge's oak stands out even among its fellow multi-centenarians. "There are also a few old-growth oaks growing in remote areas in West Milford, N.J., that date back to the 1500s," said Nicole Davi, a tree ring expert at William Paterson University. "These don't look anything like the stunning oak tree in the news right now. These are gnarly and stunted looking, likely why they were never logged to begin with." How these reminders of a pre-colonial Northeast do in a warming world remains to be seen. Daniel Druckenbrod, a tree ring and forest modeling researcher at Rider University, said oak forests could actually thrive in the region as the climate warms and rainfall patterns change. Other factors like pests, diseases and changes in animal and bird species are wildcards that will also help determine what future forests look like. "Combined with the ongoing changes in species interactions, it's difficult to know though how effectively trees will be able to respond to these changes in habitats," he said. Basking Ridge's oak tree is a reminder that nothing is insulated from the impacts of climate change or the other ways humans are altering the planet. Though the tree's legacy will live on through whatever the church decides to do with its wood, the town and congregation are losing a physical reminder of existential life lessons. "For every minister that's occupied the pulpit, you had that tree right outside the window, readymade for a sermon," Klippel said. "Perseverance, patience, continued growth, life and just about anything you wanted to talk about, you could weave in that tree." You May Also Like: Warm Ocean Water Takes Toll on Antarctica's Glaciers Renewables Poised for Rapid Growth Worldwide Shipping Industry Mulls Modest Steps to Slow Warming Carbon Dioxide Passed Critical Threshold in 2015 Originally published on Climate Central. The rare papyrus from the time of the First Temple, or the seventh century B.C. A rare, 2,700-year-old papyrus with Hebrew script that had been looted from a cave in the Judean Desert has been seized in an elaborate operation by the Israel Antiquities Authority, archaeologists announced today (Oct. 26). However, a professor at George Washington University has provided information to Live Science indicating that the papyrus may be a sophisticated modern-day forgery. The papyrus' Hebrew text translates as: "from the king's maidservant, from Na'arat, jars of wine, to Jerusalem," the capital city of the Kingdom of Judah, according to a statement from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA). The document indicates "payment of taxes or transfer of goods to storehouses in Jerusalem, the capital city of the kingdom at this time," the IAA statement read. "This is the most ancient mentioning of Jerusalem outside of the Bible in Hebrew script," said Eitan Klein, who holds a doctorate in archaeology and is the deputy director of the Unit for the Prevention of Antiquities Robbery, which seized the papyrus. [See Images of the Rare Hebrew Papyrusfrom the Judean Desert] Carbon dating and an analysis of the writing on the papyrus suggest it dates to the seventh century B.C., Klein said. The operation carried out to save the papyrus revealed that the looters found it in a cave located in the Nahal Hever valley, Klein said. He added that he can't reveal the cave's name in order to keep looters away. If authenticated, this papyrus would be one of only two Hebrew papyri that date as far back as the seventh century B.C., said Shmuel Ahituv, a retired professor at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, in the statement. The suggestion in the writing that a woman ("the king's maidservant") held an administrative post that allowed her to oversee the transport of wine to Jerusalem is also interesting, Ahituv said. Tracking the looters Klein told Live Science how the elaborate operation to seize the papyrus was carried out. The IAA's Unit for the Prevention of Antiquities Robbery apprehends a band of antiquities robbers and its equipment in the Judean Desert. (Image credit: The Israel Antiquities Authority's Unit for the Prevention of Antiquities Robbery.) "We got information about a Palestinian group of looters from the southern Hebron Hills who were digging at the Nahal Hever in the Judean Desert," said Klein, adding that his unit "got reliable information that they found a scroll." This occurred about three years ago, Klein said, declining to give a specific date when the tip first came in. However, Christopher Rollston, a professor of Northwest Semitic languages and literatures at George Washington University, told Live Science that he saw the scroll three years ago however it was not in a cave. "I [saw] some good images in Jerusalem about three years ago. Nice images. It wasn't in some cave three years ago," he wrote in an email. In a post on his blog, he said that the papyrus "is from the antiquities market and it has been floating around on the market for a few years now." [Photos: Israeli Police Seize Stolen Ancient Coffins] Klein said that three years ago his team was tracking the looters through the Judean Desert. "We succeeded to track [the] group of looters from the Judean Desert until the point that they tried to sell it to someone in the antiquities market in Jerusalem," Klein said, declining to say when his team first encountered the scroll in Jerusalem. Even though the looters hadn't succeeded in selling it, they had passed the scroll to intermediaries who were trying to facilitate the sale, he said. Live Science heard a rumor that the IAA had paid someone to give the papyrus to the team so that the scroll would not be harmed during a raid. When asked whether this rumor was true, Klein said: "I cannot specify exactly how we got it, but it was very complex and eventually, no [we didn't pay them]." Klein didn't deny, however, that money had changed hands, at least at one point during the operation. "I cannot specify about that," he said. Klein's team continued to track down the looters, ultimately arresting them in the Judean Desert. "We caught the group of looters in the field when they excavated at other caves," he said. During the operation to seize the scroll, Klein's team identified two other groups of looters who were also from the southern Hebron Hills and caught them, seizing more ancient texts in the process. The unit identified three caves in three separate valleys in the Judean Desert where looting activities were underway. Rescue operations were carried out to excavate the remaining artifacts, including two scroll fragments dating back around 2,000 years, in those caves. Is it authentic? "There are some palaeographic anomalies and inconsistencies in this papyrus inscription that suggest it may be modern, not ancient," Rollston said. He added that "the fact that the papyrus itself has been carbon-dated to the seventh century BCE certainly does not mean that the writing on the papyrus is ancient. After all, ancient papyrus is readily available for purchase online, thus, no modern forger worth his salt would forge an inscription on modern papyrus. Rather, he would purchase some ancient papyrus online and then write a text on it. It happens fairly often." Sometimes even the most authentic-looking scroll can be a forgery. For instance, Live Science recently reported on 70 new "Dead Sea Scroll" fragmentsthat had appeared on the antiquities market over the last 15 years. Scholars have expressed concern that some of the new scrolls could be forgeries, while others could be from looting in the Judean Desert. [See Photos of the Dead Sea Scrolls Fragments] Klein said that he has no doubt this 2,700-year-old papyrus is authentic, partly because his team knows exactly where it was found three years ago. It's possible that the Israel Antiquities Authority was fooled by forgers who managed to throw them off the scroll's true origins, Rollston said. "Forgeries are often reported to have been found here, or there, at some specific location," wrote Rollston on his blog. Klein says he will need to talk to Rollston and compare notes before he can comment further. He said that he is interested in hearing what Rollston knows about the papyrus. Original article on Live Science. A new study of cut marks found on 14,000-year-old cave lion claws suggests that humans may have hunted and skinned the big cats for their pelts. Early humans may have hunted cave lions for their sleek pelts, which could have pushed the big cats in the region to extinction, new research suggests. Cave lion fossils were found in a Spanish cave called La Garma, which contains well-preserved artifacts from tens of thousands of years of human occupation. Cut marks on the claws looked similar to marks seen on the bones of animals after they have been skinned for their pelts, the researchers found. "We have found claw fossils that belong to one individual and can be related with the skinning process in a ritual context," study co-author Marian Cueto, an archaeologist at the University of Cantabria in Spain, wrote in an email to Live Science. [6 Extinct Animals That Could Be Brought Back to Life] Ancient beast The Eurasian cave lion (Panthera spelaeus) was one of the largest lions to ever stalk the Earth. The cave lion's ancestor split off from its smaller African lion cousin about 700,000 years ago and at its peak, the cave lion ranged throughout much of Europe and Alaska. It went extinct in Europe about 14,000 years ago, and the last cave lion died in Alaska about 1,000 years later, according to a 2011 study in the journal Quaternary Science Reviews. The new fossils came from a cave in the Cantabrian Mountains. The site, La Garma, is a vast, multilevel cave with human burial sites in the upper levels and animal bones in the lower level. Archaeologists have found some traces of human habitation going back 70,000 years, as well as painted depictions of animals. A rock collapse blocked the entry to the cave's lower level, preserving it from changes over the millennia. "It's like a time machine. When you walk into the cave it is like traveling back in time to a specific moment in our evolution," Cueto said. The lower level of La Garma cave in the Cantabrian Mountains of Spain. Scientists have unearthed 14,000-year-old cave lion claws that bear distinctive cut marks. The cut marks suggest that ancient humans may have skinned the animals for their pelts. (Image credit: Pedro Saura) The team found the cave lion claws, which date back about 14,000 years, in this lower level. When they analyzed them closely, they found the claws had cut marks typical of the process used to separate the claws from the rest of the foot, the researchers reported today (Oct. 26) in the journal PLOS ONE. This same process is used today to declaw house cats in veterinary procedures, the researchers wrote in the paper. The marked cat claws suggest humans hunted the animals and displayed or used their pelts. One possibility is that the pelts had some ritual significance, Cueto said. The "lion is a difficult and dangerous animal to hunt, and it probably had an important role as [a] trophy," Cueto said. In many historical societies, wearing or using a carnivore pelt was a symbol of power, she added. Another site in Germany has yielded cave lion teeth that were used as ornaments or tools. The date of the claws suggests they may have come from one of the last cave lions to have prowled the area. That in turn may implicate human activities, such as hunting, in the animals' extinction, the researchers wrote in the paper. "Humans could have played a much more active role in the extinction of this animal. It is not the only cause for the cave lion extinction, but it is a determinant one," Cueto said, referring to human activity. However, other clashes between humans and cave lions may have also pushed the animals toward extinction. For instance, cave lions like to rear their cubs in the same caves that humans increasingly occupied in the thousands of years before the animals' disappearance, Cueto said. That may have hurt the animal's reproductive success. Original article on Live Science. They were three days of brainstorm with the worlds top political minds, economists, academics, journalists and other experts on political governance from all the continents of the world assembled in the Southwest China city of Chongqing. The pool of experts filled the vast city and shared ideas on a vast array of in-depth details of how important the political party is in the leadership of nations. They argued on how best to manage power and deliver leadership to the countries of the world by various political platforms and ideologies. It was akin to a gathering to distill and create a line between politics and leadership and yet marry the two and deliver the best and most potent positive impact on world leadership. That was actually not the first time the Communist Party of China (CPC) was hosting political parties of the world and styles of leadership to compare notes and exchange ideas on the best way out and to remain on top its game. To the party such event has become an annual ritual that serves to keep the power managing body that has been in power in China since 1949 on track and in touch with the outer world. For political parties from African countries, the exclusive session on China Africa Political Dialogue was the second annual event. Time was when the CPC was insular and on its own, but since its policies that led to the Reforms and Opening Up of China in the past 38 years that actually spawned the wonder the country has become, the CPC has been on constant self diagnosis and adaptation for better fitness into the realities of the time. And with the array of experts from various political divides, styles and ideas, the CPC set the tone for its further intention and poise for more change and adjustments in the globalized world. A better managed world economic, political and social order At the event: CPC in Dialogue with the World, the composition of the attendees tallied with the objective of meeting the world. On the commencement day, October 14, there were 10 sessions kicking off with the opening ceremony. During the second and concluding day, the bodies fanned out into 16 sub groups that deliberated on world economy, globalization, politics, world peace, poverty and crises, Chinas economy and new IMF status of the Chinese currency, Renminbi, in the world economic agencys Special Drawing Right (SDR) basket from October 1. It seemed every issue that nags the world was on focus in the meetings at the various levels. They were later wrapped up with communiques and conclusions from the sub groups on how best the world would be managed through political governance in a globalized world. They endorsed a better managed world economic, political and social order and also that shelving globalization and enthroning protectionism would be counterproductive. Beyond the economies of China and the world and how to handle the challenges of poverty among the struggling economies, another issue that dominated discourse was the future of globalization as the prevailing world order. With the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union in June better known as Brexit and the political gains the opposition parties in France, Germany and Italy make today for their anti migration stance against the pro-migration policies of their governments, globalization seem to have started waning or at best now living with questioned and questionable influence and future. But with the views of several experts, they agreed that while globalization would not have a ready replacement, the signs today point in the direction of adjusting and adapting the order to the trends of the times to remain relevant and solve the worlds most nagging needs, especially poverty. They agreed that in most places in the world, whereas globalization has helped many grow, especially China and some other Asian nations, it has not been a dream or most effective way to evenly allocate resources to meet the majority of the people of the world. As a result, there is the need for the world to think of the most adequate way to adjust the system. And that is where the role of the political class and political bodies come handy to fix those puzzles thrown up by the system that was initiated by political leadership still. With the clear role of the political organizations in directing the course of world leadership, they had a convergence in the need for constant dialogue and evaluation of how things would be made better and put into the best shape at any era of leadership especially in todays world challenged by the shrinking lines of communication through fast paced interconnectivity and the ambivalence of growing poverty and man-made calamities. 'African countries feel a deep sense of friendship with China' Another pressing issue thrown up by the CPC forum was the call on China to be ready to embrace and champion a new normal economic order with the inclusion in the IMF international transaction currency list, the recent hosting of the G20 Summit wherein China introduced a new dimension to the normal agenda of the body of 20 top economies which was the need for the G20 to see the healing of the world economy beyond themselves and to include the lesser economies. When the political leaders addressed the opening session, they weighed in on what ails the political system and what galls the victims or beneficiaries of the dividends of power tussle such as poverty, indifference of the leadership, corruption and the odd political art of using power to create crises among the nations of the world. Abatement of world problems remains the duty of the political leaders to address their conscience and do things right, they stated. The leaders also left the larger world with the task to stay on watch to direct the leadership. During his address, the Secretary General of the South African Africa National Party (ANC) Gwede Mantashe called for a review of the world economic order. As an instance, he explained that no African country loves aids and prefers to live on stipends and handout. We need trade relationships. We need assistance to grow our own economies and stand on our feet. We need investments rather than aids to process our raw materials rather than exporting them and being exploited. The intervention of China led by the CPC is the reason African countries feel a deep sense of friendship with China. French former Prime Minister, Dominique De Villepin challenged world leaders and political parties to find a more prudent way of managing their countries leadership admitting that through inadequate leadership, globalization over the years has not done so well in the allocation of political and economic benefits. As a solution, De Villepin called for the creation of a new political bloc he called the G3 that will include China, US and the EU to drive a new order that would renew the sagging verve in world political leadership. He said there is no need to question globalization or ask for replacement as what the world needs is making it work better. He praised Chinas new economic order, the Belt and Road Initiative commenced three years ago by President Xi Jinping which he had declared in September had got at least 52 countries signed on to it and poised to link 60% of the worlds economies at full swing. He also discountenanced the phobia for the influence of China and dismissing fear that the initiative is Chinas subtle way to colonize the world as unfounded. His assures that only such economic alliances would inject new life into the worlds system. The host CPC at the opening ceremony decried the growing trend of populism in world political slant and protectionism in the economic order. Addressing the opening ceremony, high-ranking CPC official said political leadership of the world should not be averse to an open world, rather it should leverage on the challenges and shape a better world and better problem fixing methods and pilot world economies and leadership in the right direction sustaining orders that encourage a more integrated world. Justin Yifu Lin: China is on the right track In an exclusive interview, I spoke with former World Bank Vice President and professor of economics of the Peking University, China, Justin Yifu Lin on the prospects of the inclusion of the Chinese Renminbi in the Special Drawing Rights of the IMF. He dispelled the fears that the exposure of the currency to the vagaries of international trade trends would make is vulnerable and deal counter blow on the economy of China. Prof. Lin sees the inclusion rather as a clincher for China. It is to him a way to announce Chinas arrival and influence. He envisages no problem for the Chinese economy in the development, and loves a more open world that offers alternatives in the mediums of trading and doing business as the currency would be admitted as legal tender in international trade and domiciliation of countries foreign reserves. However, he would not be specific on whether that acceptance signals Chinas final transition to a pure market economy in line with the WTO directive for it to make a clean sweep into the new order by December this year. Prof. Lin perceives economic reforms as always in progress and would not be pigeonholed into specifics on what tomorrow must bring in definite terms. He said one thing certain is that China is on the right track and shows signs of not slowing down yet especially with growth this year so far that is still within or a little above the projected GDP rate for next five years of the countrys 13th Five Year Development Plan announced in March at the Two Sessions of the NPC and the CPPCC. Chinas growth trajectory over the years under the watch of the CPC has been commendable with so much progress in every facet of the society and all parts of the growth. The growth and influence makes the party that has kept power under several leaders a good example of a party in sustained power, as against an individual that morphs into a party and perpetuates self in power like in some African countries. Emewu is senior editor of The Sun Newspaper, Nigeria, Fellow of the China Public Diplomacy, Beijing and former intern at the Peoples Daily ([email protected]) October 17th marks the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, an opportunity to remind us that ending poverty in all its forms everywhere by 2030 is an ambitious but achievable goal.Marking the day, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon stressed we are approaching the end of the first year of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a universal vision for peace, prosperity and dignity for all people, achieving this objective is inconceivable without fulfilling the mandate of SDG 1 to end poverty in all its forms. Having joined the UN30 years ago and enjoyed over 20 years working in the Asia-Pacific region, I have watched China grow and develop into the worlds second largest economy. This year marks the third year China has also adopted today as the National Poverty Reduction Day. There is no doubt that China has made remarkable strides in reducing poverty levels. Once a country with over 942 million living in poverty, it hasnow reduced this to 55 million. Additionally,with a targeted poverty alleviation strategy in the13th Five-Year Plan (FYP), poverty will become a history for China by 2020, leaving no one behind. The figures certainly highlight an impressive achievement but what further intrigues meis what actions have made this possible. Looking back we can see that China has evolved through varied stages of development. As social-economic and environmental contexts have developed, the drivers of poverty have changed, and so have the approaches toaddressing it.Broadly speaking, poverty reduction has become increasingly institutionalized, more targeted and multi-dimensional.This means going beyond seeing poverty as merely a lack of income or what is necessary for material well-being such as food, housing and land and exploring other essential factors such as access to education, healthcare and inclusiveness in society. At the same time China has needed to address accompanying rapid economic growth, industrialization and urbanization. Looking towards the future, Chinas newly devised targeted poverty alleviation strategyhas again demonstrated Chinas resilience in tackling poverty issues. Adopted at a time when China is confronted with the urgency to transform for further economic growth, the strategy has laid out different approaches ecological conservation, education, social protection and industrial development, that all highlight the importance of sustainability, particularly in social and environment spheres, when it comes to reducing poverty. These efforts are also well in line with the globally-adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and if the strategy is effectively implemented, it will contribute to realizing job creation, public services provision, sustainable urbanization and natural resources conservation, just to name a few. However the challenge still remains to make poverty reduction inclusive, while considering the integration of the SDGs and this is where the UN system can play a vital role in supporting China. First, the UN can continue bringing international perspectives and experience for China but it also providesa platform, through south-south cooperation, to disseminate Chinas experience and help other countries with poverty reduction efforts. Second, the success of poverty elevation and the broader SDGs agenda will happen at the local level. The UN has been supporting implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) locally, and has a vast experience to apply to the SDG era. Local governments play a leading role, and the UN will provide an integrated and long-term solutions for success. Third, the UN can help monitor the poverty achievements to support long-term strategies for sustainability of the efforts. Poverty is dynamic, and using innovative approachesto help identify and track the poorin a more real-time and real-place manner will be vital. The UN has experience globally, and can assist in China to experiment with alternative instruments, such as using Big Data, to complement the traditional household surveys that feed the national database. Moreover, with more and more financial resources being allocated for poverty reduction, the UN can assist with effective implementation, including through assessing the cost-effectiveness of public spending, via setting up an overarching appraisal system. Chinas progress towards eradicating poverty is unprecedented. Soon I will start my tenure in China and together with the UN system,I look forward to China continuing to move along the development path to achieve sustainable development economically, socially and environmentally. (The author is Designated United Nations Resident Coordinator in China) Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar is coming under increasing pressure to clarify his belief in suggesting the vast majority of 170 Cameron job losses can be reassigned locally. The Dublin West TD made the claim during a day long visit to the county last week where he met local groups and departmental staff. In an interview with this newspaper in Ballinalee, Mr Varadkar said work was going on behind the scenes involving various state agencies to help those affected. The Enterprise Agencies and government agencies want to make sure that there is going to be alternative employment, he said. Deputy Varadkar said there were many possibilities currently being explored and even went as far as to suggest locally based multinational Abbott as a potential beneficiary from the fallout. We have looked at their skills profile and what's positive is that most of them are very well skilled in operative roles,manufacturing and engineering roles so we would think that with a little bit of help the vast majority of them would be able to get good employment elsewhere even in Abbott or other companies, he said. They were comments which drew sharp criticism from Fianna Fail TD Robert Troy. The Longford-Westmeath representative issued an appeal to Mr Varadkar to verify what prompted his decision to make such a claim. If what the Minister is saying then is true, of course, that would be most welcome but I would urge him to substantiate what he is saying with factual evidence, said a hesitant Deputy Troy. One reason for harbouring suspicions over Varadkar's claim, he said, centred on a meeting of Longford County Council's Corporate Policy Group (CPG) earlier this month. Deputy Troy, who attended that meeting, said he was taken aback by the somewhat discommoded approach taken by various state officials during those talks. And he launched a broadside at Jobs Minister Mary Mitchell O'Connor who declined to attend the meeting, opting instead to attend a Center Parcs media briefing in Ballymahon seven days previously. Don't get me wrong, I am not denouncing Center Parcs but do we really need it to be reannounced? My question is did the Minister say what he said on Friday with some knowledge? If he was that would be most welcome and I would encourage him and the relevant department to put every resource in place to make it a reality. Deputy Troy, however, warned that should those claims prove to be inaccurate, the mooted front runner to succeed Enda Kenny as Fine Gael leader would have questions to answer. If it isn't (true) he (Minister Varadkar) shouldn't be deflecting away from the real issues and giving people false hopes, he added. See www.longfordleader.ie for more on Minister Varadkar's visit to Longford. Family & Parenting, Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases, Seasonal & Current Events By Long Island News & PR Published: October 26 2016 The free workshop is led by presenter Giokazta Molina-Schneider, director of Education of Planned Parenthood of Nassau County. This workshop was developed by Planned Parenthood to teach parents, grandparents and caregivers with children of all ages. Roslyn Heights, NY - October 24, 2016 - Join for a free T.A.L.K. workshop for parents of children of all ages on Parent & Child Communciation About Sex and Sexuality. The free workshop will be held on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 from 7 pm - 9 pm at the North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, located at 480 Old Westbury Road in Roslyn Heigts, NY. The presenter will be Giokazta Molina-Schneider, director of Education of Planned Parenthood of Nassau County. Sexuality is an essential lifelong aspect of being human. Negative messages about sex can discourage us from understanding sex as a natural, healthy and positive experience and prevent families from talking openly about sex and sexuality. This workshop was developed by Planned Parenthood to teach parents, grandparents and caregivers with children of all ages. Concepts like how to answer a question posed by a young person and making use of teachable moments, as well as exploring personal family values around sexuality will be discussed. Always remember - talking about sex doesn't give kids permission to engage in sexual activity, instead, family communication empowers young people to make safe and healthy decisions. Food, Wine, & Dining, Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases, Seasonal & Current Events By Don Miller Published: October 26 2016 Veterans Day Food-Collection Event on Friday, November 11 in Farmingdale to help veterans, military families struggling with economic uncertainty. To help our veterans and the families of active-duty military personnel who are struggling to make ends meet, New York Community Bank (NYCB) and Island Harvest Food Bank are teaming up for a Veterans Day Holiday Turkey & Food Collection Drive. Bethpage, NY - October 24, 2016 - They have served with honor and pride to protect our nation, yet, sadly, many veterans return from active duty only to face uncertain economic conditions. Veterans of the United States armed services often face financial hardship, and have problems finding jobs; some even find themselves wondering where their next meals will come from. Families of service members currently deployed are often confronted with similar challenges. And, while the problems persist throughout the year, they are often amplified during the holidays. To help our veterans and the families of active-duty military personnel who are struggling to make ends meet, New York Community Bank (NYCB) and Island Harvest Food Bank are teaming up for a Veterans Day Holiday Turkey & Food Collection Drive. The event will be held on Veterans Day, Friday, November 11, 2016, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at NYCBs Roslyn Savings Bank, 14 Conklin St, Farmingdale, NY. Among the items needed for the food drive are frozen turkeys, nonperishable food items (except products in glass containers), and supermarket gift cards. Monetary donations are also welcome. Proceeds will benefit Island Harvest Food Banks Operation: HOPE program, which provides direct service to local veterans and military families. The all-day event is expected to be attended by local veterans groups, elected officials, NYCB and Island Harvest Food Bank staff and volunteers, community-based service organizations, and hunger-relief advocates. Those unable to travel to NYCBs Roslyn Savings Bank branch in Farmingdale on November 11 can visit any of NYCBs participating locations in Nassau and Suffolk counties to make donations. For a complete list of participating NYCB branches, go to www.myNYCB.com. We are relying on the generosity of Long Islanders to help our veterans by donating what they can at NYCBs Veterans Day Holiday Turkey & Food Collection Drive, said Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO, Island Harvest Food Bank. The men and women who have served, but now find themselves facing hard times, deserve a traditional holiday-style meal to help ease their struggles, and were grateful to partner with NYCB in offering our help to bring a little cheer to and make their holiday season a bit more hopeful. New York Community Bank is privileged to partner with Island Harvest Food Bank to support veterans and military families. NYCB is honored to have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those that have served our country. We invite employees, customers, neighbors and neighborhood businesses to take part in the food drive and help make a difference, said Kelly Maude Leung, SVP Corporate Communications, New York Community Bank. Island Harvest Food Banks Operation: HOPE was established on Veterans Day in 2011 to meet the growing need for food support and social-services-referral information for Long Islands veteran and military families. Operation: HOPE is a direct-service program that operates out of a refrigerated Sprinter van, and delivers supplemental food and personal-care items directly to the homes of in-need Long Island veterans and their families. The mobile resource, staffed by volunteers who are themselves veterans, also provides vital information about services, referrals, and assistance accessing benefits to help servicemen and -women, and the families of those on active duty, get through tough economic times. New York Community Bank and its Roslyn Savings Bank Division New York Community Bank was established more than 150 years ago to meet the financial needs of those who lived and worked in New York Citys Queens County. Since then, NYCB has become part of the local landscapeacross Long Island and in hundreds of communities throughout the five states we are in. New York Community Banks Roslyn Savings Bank Division has been serving Long Island since 1875. We are committed to excelling in all we do for the communities we serve. As part of the NYCB Family of Banks we provide customers with the best in strength, stability and service. As a community bank committed to being a good corporate neighbor, we not only engage in sound and ethical business practices, but also by giving back in various ways. We are proud to enhance the quality of life in the communities we serve. To learn more about NYCB visit any of our branches or www.mynycb.com. About Hunger on Long Island Hunger is a state in which people do not get enough food to provide the nutrients for active and healthy lives. It can result from the recurrent lack of access to food. More than 316,000 Long Islanders face the risk of hunger every day, according to Island Harvest Food Bank and Feeding America, a national hunger-relief organization. Those facing hunger include adults (often working two jobs), seniors and veterans. Unable to make ends meet, they (and their children) are often forced to go without food. Approximately 70,000 individuals seek food assistance in Nassau and Suffolk counties each week through soup kitchens, food pantries and other feeding programs served by Island Harvest Food Bank. About Island Harvest Food Bank Island Harvest Food Bank is a leading hunger-relief organization that provides food and other resources to people in need. Always treating those it helps with dignity and respect, its goal is to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island through efficient food collection and distribution; enhanced hunger-awareness and nutrition-education programs; job training; and direct services targeted at children, senior citizens, veterans, and others at risk of food insecurity. As a result of Island Harvest Food Banks dynamic business model, more than 94 percent of expended resources go directly to programs and services that support over 316,000 Long Islanders facing hunger. Island Harvest Food Bank is a lead agency in the regions emergency response preparedness for food and product distribution, and is a member of Feeding America, the nations leading domestic hunger-relief organization. Island Harvest is a four-star-rated nonprofit by Charity Navigator, an independent charity watchdog organization. More information can be found at www.islandharvest.org. School & Education, Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases, Seasonal & Current Events By Long Island News & PR Published: October 26 2016 In conjunction with the event, Suffolk County Community College and ACS have established the Breast Cancer Survivors and Caregivers Scholarship. Riverhead, NY - October 24, 2016 - Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, the American Cancer Society's (ACS) premier event to raise awareness and funds to fight breast cancer, was held for the first time at Suffolk County Community Colleges Eastern Campus in Riverhead on Sunday October 23. The event attracted 3,500 participants and raised thousands for cancer research. In conjunction with the event, Suffolk County Community College and ACS have established the Breast Cancer Survivors and Caregivers Scholarship. We're coming together to support women battling breast cancer, to remember those who've lost the battle, and to push for continued advances in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, Suffolk County Community College President Dr. Shaun L. McKay said. We are proud to host this event for the first time on our Eastern Campus, and look forward to a long and successful relationship with the American Cancer Society and the search for a cure. I urge everyone who can to visit our beautiful campus to take part in this important event, McKay said. The Suffolk Community College Foundation is celebrating this event and raising awareness of breast cancer on Long Island with the establishment of the Breast Cancer Survivors and Caregivers Scholarship, explained Dr. Sylvia Diaz, Suffolk Community College Foundation executive director. This is the first of its kind scholarship at Suffolk and we are delighted to provide this critical and humane support to students and families impacted by breast cancer in hopes that their studies will make a difference in the fight against this cruel disease. Scholarship donations: here Local News, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: October 26 2016 State Senator Todd Kaminskys re-election campaign has been endorsed by Governor Andrew Cuomo. Long Island, NY - October 25, 2016 - State Senator Todd Kaminskys re-election campaign has been endorsed by Governor Andrew Cuomo. While representing the South Shore, Kaminsky has led the fight to keep Long Island affordable and advocated to extend the property tax cap, voted over 175 times against raising taxes, and brought back an additional $20 million in school aid for Southwest Nassau schools. Kaminsky is running for re-election following his historic, April 19th Special Election victory to replace convicted former Senator Dean Skelos. "Long Island families and seniors have been overtaxed by Albany for years and it's refreshing to know that Governor Cuomo has heard our call, Said Senator Todd Kaminsky. In Albany, I voted against over 175 tax hikes and passed a tax cut for Sandy victims because we need relief immediately. I was proud to join the Governor by passing an historic $4 billion middle class tax break and I look forward to working with him to extend the property tax cap and finally bring wholesale ethics reform to Albany. Im honored to have Governor Cuomos support and together well make Long Island a more affordable place to live and raise a family. In endorsing Todd Kaminsky, Governor Cuomo said: "Todd Kaminsky is an exemplary public servant who always puts the South Shore of Long Island first and I'm proud to support his campaign for re-election. A former federal corruption prosecutor, Todd does what's best for Long Island - not a political party or special interest group. That's why he has stood up to defend the property tax cap, worked to boost school funding in Southwest Nassau by $20 million, and is fighting to pass wholesale and comprehensive ethics reform." About Todd Kaminsky Senator Kaminsky has spent his career fighting for Long Island families and working to end government corruption. As a federal prosecutor representing Long Island, Brooklyn and Queens, and as acting deputy chief of the Public Integrity Section, Todd took down corrupt elected officials, drug kingpins and other major felons. In April, 2016, Todd won a Special Election to replace Dean Skelos and immediately began serving the South Shore in the State Senate. During his time in the Senate and State Assembly, Todd fought for and won ethics reforms, one of the largest middle class tax breaks in state history, aid for Sandy victims, and a historic $20 million increase in funding for South Shore school districts. Justice Department Releases Information on Election Day Efforts to Protect the Right to Vote and Prosecute Ballot Fraud Local News, National & World News, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: October 26 2016 The Justice Department provided information about its efforts to ensure that all qualified voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots and have their votes counted free of discrimination, intimidation or fraud in the election ... On Election Day, Nov. 8, 2016, the Civil Rights Division will implement a comprehensive program to help protect the right to vote. Washington, DC - October 25, 2016 - In anticipation of the upcoming general elections, the Justice Department today provided information about its efforts, through the Civil Rights Division and Criminal Division, to ensure that all qualified voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots and have their votes counted free of discrimination, intimidation or fraud in the election process. Civil Rights Division: The Civil Rights Division is responsible for ensuring compliance with the civil provisions of federal statutes that protect the right to vote and the criminal provisions of federal statutes that prohibit discriminatory interference with that right. The Civil Rights Divisions Voting Section enforces the civil provisions of a wide range of federal statutes that protect the right to vote including: the Voting Rights Act, the National Voter Registration Act, the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, the Help America Vote Act and the Civil Rights Acts. Among other things, collectively, these laws: prohibit election practices that have either a discriminatory purpose, based on race or membership in a minority language group, or a discriminatory result, with members of racial or language minority groups having less opportunity than other citizens to participate in the political process; prohibit voter intimidation; provide that individuals who need assistance in voting because of disability or illiteracy can obtain assistance from a person of their choice; provide for accessible election machines for voters with disabilities; require provisional ballots for voters who assert they are eligible but whose names do not appear on poll books; provide for absentee ballots for service members, their family members and U.S. citizens living abroad; require states to ensure that citizens can register through drivers license offices, public assistance and disability services offices, other state agencies and through the mail; and include requirements regarding maintaining voter registration lists. The Civil Rights Divisions Criminal Section enforces federal criminal statutes that prohibit voter intimidation and voter suppression based on race, color, national origin or religion. On Election Day, Nov. 8, 2016, the Civil Rights Division will implement a comprehensive program to help protect the right to vote, including: The Civil Rights Division will conduct monitoring in the field at polling places around the country (locations for monitoring will be announced closer to Election Day). Civil Rights Division attorneys in both the Voting and Criminal Sections in Washington, D.C., will be ready to receive election-related complaints of potential violations relating to any of the statutes the Civil Rights Division enforces. Attorneys in the division will take appropriate action and will consult and coordinate with local U.S. Attorneys Offices and with other entities within the Justice Department concerning these complaints before, during and after Election Day. Civil Rights Division staff will be available by phone to receive complaints related to voting rights (1-800-253-3931 toll free or 202-307-2767) or by TTY (202-305-0082). In addition, individuals may also report complaints, problems or concerns related to voting by fax 202-307-3961, by email and by complaint forms that may be submitted through a link on the departments website Complaints related to violence, threats of violence or intimidation at a polling place should always be reported immediately to local authorities by calling 911. They should also be reported to the department after local authorities are contacted. Criminal Division and the Departments 94 U.S. Attorneys Offices: The Departments Criminal Division oversees the enforcement of federal laws that criminalize certain forms of election fraud and vindicate the integrity of the federal election process. The Criminal Divisions Public Integrity Section and the departments 94 U.S. Attorneys Offices are responsible for enforcing the federal criminal laws that prohibit various forms of election fraud, such as vote buying, multiple voting, submission of fraudulent ballots or registrations, alteration of votes and malfeasance by election officials. The Criminal Division is also responsible for enforcing federal criminal law prohibiting voter intimidation for reasons other than race, color, national origin or religion (as noted above, voter intimidation that has a basis in race, color, national origin or religion is addressed by the Civil Rights Division). The U.S. Attorneys Offices around the country designate Assistant U.S. Attorneys who serve as district election officers (DEOs) in the respective districts. DEOs are responsible for overseeing potential election-crime matters in their districts and coordinating with the departments election-crime experts in Washington, D.C. On Nov. 8, 2016, the U.S. Attorneys Offices will work with specially trained FBI personnel in each district to ensure that complaints from the public involving possible voter fraud are handled appropriately. Specifically: In consultation with federal prosecutors in the Public Integrity Section in Washington, D.C., the DEOs in U.S. Attorneys Offices, FBI officials at Headquarters in Washington, D.C., and FBI special agents serving as Election Crime Coordinators in the FBIs 56 field offices will be on duty while polls are open to receive complaints from the public. here . A list of FBI offices and accompanying telephone numbers can be found here . Election-crime complaints should be directed to the local U.S. Attorneys Offices or the local FBI office. A list of U.S. Attorneys Offices and their telephone numbers can be found at. A list of FBI offices and accompanying telephone numbers can be found Public Integrity Section prosecutors are available to consult and coordinate with the U.S. Attorneys Offices and the FBI regarding the handling of election-crime allegations. Again, complaints related to violence, threats of violence or intimidation at a polling place should be reported first to local police authorities by calling 911. Both protecting the right to vote and combating election fraud are essential to maintaining the confidence of all Americans in our democratic system of government. The department encourages anyone who has information suggesting voting discrimination or ballot fraud to contact the appropriate authorities. Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: October 26 2016 The Wantagh Chamber of Commerce will honor Nassau County Police Department medic Timothy Jaccard with its "Good Guy Award." Wantagh, NY - October 25, 2016 - The Wantagh Chamber of Commerce will honor Nassau County Police Department medic Timothy Jaccard with its "Good Guy Award" for his tireless work saving infants and newborn babies with a dinner on Thursday, November 3, 2016 beginning at 6 pm at Oheka Castle, 135 West Gate Drive in Huntington. The tribute is honoring Jaccard, founder and director of the AMT Children of Hope Foundation, a non-profit 501c3 corporation he established to prevent newborn abandonment. Since 1998, he has been a driving force in Nassau County and across the U.S., helping to get laws passed to protect the precious lives of newborn children. "Police paramedic Jaccard is a living example of what it means to protect and serve," said Nassau Police Benevolent Association President James Carver. "He brings credit each and every day to our department, our county and our country." Affectionately called Uncle Tim by the mothers and children who have been saved by the Children of Hope program, Jaccard is a trained police medic with the Nassau County Police Department. He created the foundation to provide dignified burials for infants in Nassau who were abandoned and perished, often paying for it himself at the Cemetery of the Holy Rood in Westbury. Emergency workers in nearby jurisdictions have asked him to bury the abandoned newborns found dead in their communities. Jaccard reached out to local legislators and politicians to support a "Baby Bill," providing unwanted newborns a safe haven. The bill became law in 1999, giving mothers the options to leave their newborn at hospitals, firehouses and police stations without being prosecuted. The Infant Abandonment Protection Act is adopted by all 50 states with medical staff who transfer the babies via ambulance to the hospital. There are approximately 5,900 ambulances in 31 states that participate in the Safe Haven program. Jaccard's work has expanded far beyond just burials with the goal of eliminating infant abandonment through counseling, prenatal care, hospital fees and adoption services for expectant mothers. Jaccard and his wife Aedan, a retired nurse, live in Wantagh where they raised three children and have five grandchildren. It is only fitting that he be honored for all of his work, not just nationwide, but in our local community, said Wantagh Chamber of Commerce President Chris Brown. As a former volunteer Paramedic, I cant think of a more deserving person to receive this award. Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases, Seasonal & Current Events By Long Island News & PR Published: October 26 2016 The Nassau County Bar Association (NCBA) provides free monthly legal consultation clinics for Nassau County residents 65 or older. Mineola, NY - October 26, 2016 - The Nassau County Bar Association (NCBA) provides free monthly legal consultation clinics for Nassau County residents 65 or older. Seniors have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with an attorney who volunteers to provide a half-hour private consultation on any topic of concern. The next Senior Citizen Free Legal Consultation Clinic will be held Thursday, November 17, 2016, 9:30 a.m. 11 a.m. at NCBA, 15th and West Streets, Mineola. This popular free program regularly fills up quickly. Registration is required by calling 516-747-4070. Founded in 1899, the Nassau County Bar Association is the leader in providing legal information and community service on Long Island. NCBA consists of private and public attorneys, judges, legal educators and law students who demonstrate their commitment to the community by offering a variety of services for the public, including lawyer referral services, mortgage foreclosure, Sandy recovery and senior citizen legal clinics; judicial screening and public education programs. The Nassau Academy of Law provides the largest program of continuing education for the legal community. We Care, part of the Nassau Bar Foundation, NCBAs charitable arm, assists children, the elderly and others in need, through countless projects and donations. For more information, call (516) 747-4070 (language translation available), email, or visit nassaubar.org. 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 Xia Shuqin, the only survivor of the Nanjing Massacre to witness the successful legal ruling against Japan and collect compensation, went to the U.S. to film a testimony for a project being curated by the USC Shoah Foundation. Founded in 1994 by renowned film director Steven Spielberg, the University of Southern California's Shoah Foundation works to preserve historic accounts, recording the memories of survivors of massacres all over the world. The foundation has been cooperating with the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall since 2012, recording oral histories provided by survivors. On Oct. 21, the second day after Xia arrived in the U.S., the elderly woman visited the headquarters and studio of Shoah Foundation. Xia spoke with staff members to learn about the interviewing and filming process. At a welcome ceremony held by an overseas Chinese association in Los Angeles on Oct. 23, Xia recalled the experience of her parents and four siblings being killed by Japanese invaders on Dec. 13, 1937, when she was just 8 years old. Xias two elder sisters were raped by the invaders before they were killed. Xia managed to survive after losing consciousness due to three stab wounds. During the ceremony, Xia expressed her gratitude to the Americans who had assisted her. That afternoon, Xia arrived in Los Angeles to speak with survivors of massacres in other countries. The formal testimony collection starts from Oct. 24, and is expected to continue until Oct. 28. The video will be broadcast at the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall to illustrate the personal side of the horrific event. (Xinhua) 16:31, October 26, 2016 TOKYO, Oct. 26 -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday that he wanted foreign military troops out of his country "probably in the next two years." Duterte, who is on a three-day visit to Japan, made the remarks before his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe later in the day. Mentioning the U.S. colonial control of the Philippines over half a century, Duterte said he would pursue an independent foreign policy and the Philippines will "survive" without U.S. assistance. Former Philippine president Benigno Aquino III signed an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the U.S. in 2014, which allowed the return of U.S. troops to the Philippines after the country expelled U.S. soldiers in the 1990s. Duterte, who took office in June, has reportedly talked about abrogating defense agreements with the U.S several times over the past two months. Earlier, he also called for the expulsion of about 100 U.S. Special Forces posted in Zamboanga City on Mindanao, who were tasked to help the Philippine military fight against terrorism. (Xinhua) 16:37, October 26, 2016 BEIJING, Oct. 26 -- Taiwan is an indispensable part of China and has never been a country, said a spokesperson of the Chinese mainland on Wednesday. It is a basic fact and the legal basis for cross-Strait relations, and it has never been and cannot be changed, said An Fengshan, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, at a regular press conference. An made the remarks in response to a question concerning a Taiwan official's recent remarks saying that relations across the Taiwan Strait are special state-to-state relations. The Chinese mainland and Taiwan belong to one and the same China, and the false "two states" theory has already been rejected by the people of both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, as well as the international community, according to An. No body or organization will succeed in seeking Taiwan independence through any form, said An. The US military warned today that the Islamic State continues to plot attacks against the West from its headquarters in Raqqa, Syria. We know this plot and planning is emanating from Raqqa, Army Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend said, according to the Associated Press. Townsend didnt provide any specifics, but the Islamic State has orchestrated multiple attacks from its safe havens in the past. American and European officials are constantly working to disrupt the groups logistical support networks and uncover cells. We arent sure how pressing it is. We know they are up to something, Townsend said, according to FoxNews.com. Townsend added that weve got to get to Raqqa pretty soon because of this anti-Western plotting. US officials have indicated in recent days that the battle for Raqqa will commence soon, but the details are murky. It is unclear when the offensive against Raqqa will get underway. During a press briefing on Oct. 23, Lt. Gen. Townsend and Secretary of Defense Ash Carter connected the so-called caliphates leadership in Mosul and Raqqa to Western attack planning, or external operations. In the top tier of the Islamic State, Townsend said, theres an overlap between leadership in Mosul, leadership in Raqqa and external operations. The top tier of leaders do all those and are involved in all of those things. So by killing those individuals, Townsend argued, we affect both sides of this theater and external operations, as well. The US militarys assessment illustrates that there is no firm dividing line between the jihadists warfighting over there and planning attacks over here. The US government has been inconsistent on this point in the past. For instance, in Nov. 2014, CENTCOM claimed that there was some clear demarcation between al Qaedas guerrilla warfare in Syria and its plotting against the West, even though senior al Qaeda figures have been involved in both. [See LWJ report, Analysis: CENTCOM draws misleading line between Al Nusrah Front and Khorasan Group.] But American officials are not trying to draw the same misleading distinction with respect to the Islamic State. Instead, they are emphasizing the connectivity between the jihadists various operations. Secretary of Defense Carter said earlier this week that preventing external operations is our highest priority. He said the assault on Mosul will lead to more intelligence, more information about how theyre operating and therefore get new opportunities to attack external plotters. Also, as they get squeezed down in their territory, they get more concerned about their own security and are less free to orchestrate complex attacks against either this country or externally, including, very importantly, obviously, to me and to all of us, the United States, Carter said. He added that the offensive against Mosul will give us yet more opportunities to thwart the Islamic States external operations. The Islamic States leaders wear multiple hats, just as Townsend and Carter claim. For example, the Defense Department said earlier this year that Abu Ali al Anbari, one of the groups most senior figures, had a hand in external attack planning prior to his demise. Similarly, the Islamic States spokesman, Abu Muhammad al Adnani, oversaw external operations in addition to his other duties. Adnani was killed in an airstrike in August. The US has repeatedly targeted the Islamic States external attack planners in both Iraq and Syria. The UK has bombed operatives in this wing of the group as well. The external operations arm orchestrates plots involving professionally-trained terrorists, such as the Nov. 2015 assault on Paris, and also oversees remote-controlled attacks in which Islamic State supporters and members are guided by online handlers. Thomas Joscelyn is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Senior Editor for FDD's Long War Journal. Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here. Abdulqadr Mumin, the Islamic States leader in Somalia The Islamic States branch in Somalia is reportedly in control of the northern port town of Qandala after fighting with the local Puntland forces. Qandala sits in Somalias northeastern Bari Province, but is under the rule of the autonomous region of Puntland. African Union forces are not deployed in that region. Amaq News Agency, the Islamic States news outlet, claimed control of Qandala earlier today, but did not provide much information. However, the district leader for Qandala said in an audio statement that the town had indeed fallen after the Puntland troops were forced to retreat. Local civilians, as quoted by Reuters, said that the jihadist group cut the towns communications off before moving into the city. This marks the first time that the fledgling Islamic State branch has been able to take control over any substantive territory. The branch, which officially formed in Oct. 2015, is led by Abdulqadr Mumin, a former Shabaab commander. When Mumin defected, it was initially reported that only 20 of the 300 Shabaab fighters based in Puntland joined him. It is highly likely the small cadre of militants under his control is higher now. In the US State Departments designation of Mumin as a global terrorist, State noted that Mumin expanded his cell of Islamic State supporters by kidnapping young boys aged 10 to 15, indoctrinating them, and forcing them to take up militant activity. [See LWJ report, US adds Islamic State commander in Somalia to list of global terrorists.] The Islamic States Somali branch has highlighted at least one training camp in its propaganda. The camp, which is likely in Puntland, does not seem to be a permanent facility. It was named after Bashir Abu Numan, another Shabaab commander who defected to the Islamic State. Numan was killed by Shabaabs Amniyat, or security service, in 2015. Additionally, the Somali branch has claimed fewer than one dozen attacks thus far. Several of these were in Somalias capital of Mogadishu, indicating that the group is able to operate in various places around the country. Its first claimed attack involved an improvised explosive device (IED) targeting African Union forces in Mogadishu. [See LWJ report, Islamic State highlights first camp of the Caliphate in Somalia.] The Islamic State has struggled to gain a foothold in Somalia despite a concerted effort to woo Shabaab fighters into its ranks. Shabaabs Amniyat has been tasked with hunting down and killing any members who seek to or have defected to the Islamic State. Last December, the Amniyat gunned down Mohammed Makkawi Ibrahim, a veteran jihadist who was responsible for killing a diplomat for the US Agency for International Development and his driver in Khartoum, Sudan in Jan. 2008. [See LWJ reports, Shabaabs leadership fights Islamic States attempted expansion in East Africa and American jihadist reportedly flees al Qaedas crackdown in Somalia.] Todays claim comes as the Islamic State is currently losing ground near Mosul, its largest remaining stronghold in Iraq. This could be part of a larger strategy to deflect attention away from that and preserve the idea of its expansion and global territorial control. Elsewhere in Somalia, Shabaab al Qaedas official branch claimed it also captured a town. Shabaabs Shahada News Telegram channel reported that its forces entered the town of Tiyeglow in the Bakool Region of southwestern Somalia. Quoting Shabaabs military spokesman, the news outlet said that Shabaabs forces only entered the town after Ethiopian troops withdrew. This fits a larger trend occurring in central and southern Somalia, where Shabaab has been able to regain control over several towns and cities after Ethiopian troops desert their posts. Caleb Weiss is a research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal and a senior analyst at the Bridgeway Foundation, where he focuses on the spread of the Islamic State in Central Africa. Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here. The post on Tianya.cn The education authority in Liangshan, Sichuan province has refuted rumors about the quality of life experienced by students in the region, after reports of poor living conditions began to circulate online. On Oct. 24, an article about students "poor life" in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture was published on Tianya.cn, a popular website in China. The storys detailed narration and images caused it to be reposted many times over on various social media platforms and news sites. According to the post, a group of young volunteer teachers was shocked by the impoverished life in Daliangshan. "Children have been eating [nothing but] cold, hard potatoes and steamed buckwheat bread for lunch for a decade. They dont have meat to eat at all. Their dormitories are shabby, the quilts are dirty and there are flies in their rooms," the post stated. "A 7-year-old boy has never in his life taken a bath. There is no toilet in his home, and he has never seen toilet paper," it continued, supplementing the text with a few images of a school in Puge County. Students in a rural school in Liangshan. (Photo provided by the Education Bureau of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture) A statement released on Oct. 24 by the Education Bureau of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture called the post pure rumor, adding that it even fabricated names of places and schools. The statement said the school in the article does not exist, nor does the township in which it is supposedly situated. Whats more, the teaching facilities and dormitories described in schools that do exist are much better than the posts author acknowledged. The statement also refuted the articles claim that children in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture dont have meat to eat. In fact, the children often eat meat at school, and the Yi people slaughter pigs on the occasions of Spring Festival and weddings, the bureau said. Jin Zihei, a teacher who has worked in the deep mountains of Liangshan for 20 years, said that the posts descriptions were inaccurate, and that every Yi family raises livestock and poultry. It is actually easier to access meat in the region than vegetables, as vegetables are difficult to grow in the high-altitude conditions. Although his school is not the most advanced, Jin said that he and his wife cook enough rice for his students every day, assisted by the countrys Healthy Lunch Program. A reporter managed to contact Mr. Li, the owner of the Tianya account that first published the article. Li said the post described the situation in the area a few years ago, and it is not fresh news. An editor of his WeChat account put the content online. After they discovered the post circulating, they deleted the article from Lis WeChat and offered an apology on Weibo. Lifestyle / Travel Lonely Planet has selected the French city of Bordeaux as the hottest urban destination for 2017 but it has long been on our list of excellent places to visit. Oct 26, 2016 | By Madelaine Angelina Lonely Planet has selected the French city of Bordeaux as the hottest urban destination for 2017 but it has long been on our list of excellent places to visit. The city has the largest number of preserved historical buildings in France, outside of Paris, and it plays host to that Dionysian spectacle called Vinexpo. Bordeaux is also home to some of the biggest names in French wine such as Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Latour and Chateau Mouton-Rothschild. Anyway, the famous travel guide has dubbed Bordeaux as A sleeping beauty [that] has awoken, clearly a reference to the citys nickname, La Belle Endormie. A high-speed rail line is currently being built to link the aforementioned city to Paris, which will definitely boost tourism appeal of Bordeaux. The city also houses the Cite du Vin wine museum, where visitors can savor the culinary specialties of the region. Tourists will be able to enjoy the urban, cultural space that overlooks the Garonne river. Cape Town of South Africa ranks second in the best cities category, followed by Los Angeles at number three. The list also features lesser-known travel gems of Ohrid in Macedonia (fifth) and Pistoia in Italy (sixth), which we honestly know nothing about! On to the less city-specific lists, it seems like the 2017 trend will be Pacific destinations. Who hasnt dreamed of dipping into the turquoise waters of the worlds largest ocean, anyway? Seriously, theres enough room in the Pacific to fit all the landmasses of the world Taranaki, New Zealand leads the pack as the first runner-up of the 2017 best regions to visit list. South Australia ranks fifth, and the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia ranks seventh. As for countires, Lonely Planet named Canada in the top spot for 2017, followed by Colombia and Finland for second and third place, respectively. A roundup of all Lonely Planets hottest destinations for the coming year will be compiled in its Best Of 2017 guidebook, due out October 27. Lonely Planets full list of best destinations for 2017 By country 1. Canada 2. Colombia 3. Finland 4. Dominica 5. Nepal 6. Bermuda 7. Mongolia 8. Oman 9. Myanmar (Burma) 10. Ethiopia By region 1. Choquequirao, Peru 2. Taranaki, New Zealand 3. Acores, Portugal 4. North Wales, UK 5. South Australia 6. Aysen, Chile 7. Tuamotu Islands, French Polynesia 8. The Georgia coast, USA 9. Perak, Malaysia 10. Skellig Ring, Iceland By city BEIJING, Oct. 26 -- The preparation has been smooth for an upcoming forum on cross-Strait peaceful development, which will see over 240 attendees from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, a Chinese mainland spokesman said Wednesday. Participants will come from all walks of life, including leaders of social organizations from across the Taiwan Strait, and more than 280 reporters will cover the event, said An Fengshan of the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office. The forum, held in Beijing November 2-3, will be co-hosted by 20 social organizations from both sides of the Strait, including the Cross-Strait Relations Research Center, the National Society of Taiwan Studies, the China Federation of Industrial Economics from the mainland and the Taiwan-based 21st Century Foundation, An said. A 'Service-Giving' Thanksgiving at The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City In partnership with The National Military Family Association (NMFA), a nonprofit that works to help honor The United States' military families, five families will be selected to receive a complimentary Thanksgiving Brunch and overnight accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City for a holiday escape together.Additionally, The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City's Service-Giving' Brunch will donate $10 from each adult reservation to benefit The National Military Family Association's advocacy programs. Since 1969, NMFA has worked to strengthen and protect millions of families through its advocacy and programs.Thanksgiving Brunch is offered at $84 for adults and $40 for children ages 4 through 12. Thanksgiving Brunch will be held in the hotel's Grand Ballroom and feature traditional Thanksgiving accompaniments, special carving stations and special child-heigh, kids only' buffet.Visit website: Annual meeting of cross-Strait entrepreneurs summit to be held in Kinmen, Xiamen (Xinhua) 18:59, October 26, 2016 BEIJING, Oct. 26 -- The 2016 annual conference of the summit for entrepreneurs across the Taiwan Strait will be held on November 6 and 7 in Kinmen County in Taiwan and Xiamen City on the Chinese mainland, a mainland spokesperson said Wednesday. An Fengshan, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a regular press conference that innovation, cooperation and the integrated development of industries will be the theme for the event. The event will kick off in Kinmen while the closing ceremony will be held in Xiamen, according to An. He said the summit is an important platform for entrepreneurs and economic observers across the Taiwan Strait to discuss the macro-economy and industry development. It is also an important occasion to promote cooperation among companies across the Taiwan Strait, he added. According to An, seven forums will be set up as part of the annual meeting to cover issues including exchanges between small and medium-sized enterprises and young people's employment and entrepreneurship. The business summit was first held in 2008 in Nanjing, capital city of Jiangsu Province. So youre the CEO of one of the worlds most successful companies. Youve just dotted the is and crossed the ts on all the paperwork for the latest quarterly financial reports. What to do for an encore? You spend an hour talking to a collection of Wall Street analysts, thats what! But between requests for more color (hmm) and questions for your CFO about OpEx and FX and basis-point deterioration, youll need to do a good job setting the table for where youll be taking your company in the 2017 fiscal year, which is already underway. So without further delay, here are four weird tips to having a solid call with analysts if youre the CEO of Applejust as Tim Cook discovered on Tuesday. Fight the conventional wisdom about Googles advantages Looking into Apples future growth potentialwhich is what Wall Street analyst types always dobrings some concern that Apple will be competing on Googles home turf. If youre Tim Cook, you need to push back on all the assumptions that people make about Apples artificial-intelligence abilities and its commitment to user privacy. You need to give people confidence that Apples on the case when it comes to AI and machine learning, and that its famous commitment to privacy isnt an albatross around its neck. iOS 10 uses machine learning to predict which apps you might want to use at any given time, among other things. Cook did this a couple of times, first in his prepared statement that opened the quarterly back-and-forth with analysts, which really pumped up Apples use of machine learning, one of the hot buzzwords in tech today. Machine learning is making our products and services smarter, more intuitive, and even more personal, Cook said. Weve been using these technologies for years to create better user experiences, and weve also been investing heavilyboth through R&D and acquisitions. The message there is clear: Apples using machine learning now, its been using it for a while (even if you didnt know it), and its spending money to make sure it stays on the cutting edge. To make the point, he also cited a bunch of examples of where machine learning is currently used in Apple products, including proactive app suggestions, face recognition in camera and photo software, object and scene recognition in Photos, fitness features in the Apple Watch, and even optimizations to power usage that help extend battery life in mobile devices. Then there was a question from Simona Jankowski of Goldman Sachs, who brought up Google and Amazon and their forays into intelligent assistants. Jankowski framed the question as one of Apple struggling to balance privacy and functionality, which couldnt have teed it up more perfectly for Cook to jump on as a false equivalence. I think its a false trade-off that people would like you to believethat you have to give up privacy in order to have AI do something for you, Cook told Jankowski. We dont buy that. It may take a different kind of work, it might take more thinking, but I dont think we should throw our privacy away. Its sort of like the age-old argument about privacy versus security: We should have both! It shouldnt be making a choice. And so, that, at a high level, is how we see it. Go global for growth Investors want to see growth potential, even in a company as huge as Apple. One of the ways Apple has driven growth is by going into new markets, most notably an aggressive expansion into China. But its been a rough year in terms of the Chinese marketnot just for Apple, but for just about everyone. Still, if you want to get analysts excited about future avenues for growth, its always a good idea to discuss China and India and how theres a lot of room for future iPhone buyers in those markets. Cooks been laying this groundwork for several years, talking up emerging markets at every opportunity during these calls. Which is why when it comes to China hes been a bit on the defensive for the last year or so. In his own prepared statements, Apple CFO Luca Maestri specifically forecast that the next quarter will be a major improvement over this quarter on a year-over-year basis in the companys Greater China region. Then came Cook, with more positivity about China, in a response to a question on the topic by Shannon Cross of Cross Research. To hear Cook tell it, Apples year in China is very much a magnified version of its year overallthat the surge of upgraders during fiscal year 2015 for the new, larger-screened iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus was so unusual that it made fiscal 2016 pale in comparison. We had a surge of upgraders that came into the market for the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus, and the upgrade rates increased relatively more in Greater China than elsewhere around the world, Cook said. The result was magnified by Apples mistake in expecting that the iPhone 6s upgrade cycle would be similar, which it wasntleaving the company with too many phones that its had to keep unloading for the rest of fiscal 2016. The iPhone 6s wasnt quite the hot seller as the iPhone 6. But the iPhone 7 brings a ray of sunshine, according to Cook, and he remains a China optimist. From a longer-term point of view we are very bullish on China, he said. We continue to see a middle class thats booming there. There might be some sort of a new normal in the [Chinese] economy, but a new normal there is still a good growth rate. And so with the number of people growing into the middle class and the LTE adoption rate being still fairly lowaround 45, 50 percent or soI think we continue to have a really good opportunity there. And so we continue to focus significantly in China. Then theres India, where Apple has not moved as aggressively into and has a very small share of the smartphone market. Based on a question from Jim Suva of Citi, Cook got to promote the potential for the India market while also making it clear that its going to take a bit longer than China. On India, I think its important to look not only at per-capita income [but] the number of people that will move into the middle class over the next decade, Cook said. Indias population is large, young, and largely hasnt been able to take advantage of speedy wireless networking. There are enormous investments going in on 4G, and we couldnt be more excited about that because it really takes a great network working with iPhone to produce that great experience for people, he said. In the long run, the population of India is expected to eclipse that of China. The truth is, theres going to be a lot of people there, and a lot of people in the middle class that will really want a smartphone, Cook said. I think that we can compete well for some percentage of those. And given our starting point, even though weve been growing a lot, theres a lot of headroom there, in our mind. And so were working very hard to realize that opportunity. Sell products as fast as you can make them Apple doesnt really know what the demand looks like for the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, because they cant make them fast enoughtheyre in short supply, even now, around the world. Cook told analyst Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray that he thought Apple would reach equilibriumable to meet demandon the iPhone 7 by the end of the current quarter, but couldnt say it authoritatively about the iPhone 7 Plus. The underlying demand looks extremely strong on both products, but particularly on the iPhone 7 Plus versus our forecast going into the product launch, Cook said. So what we know about the iPhone 7 Plus is that theyre selling better than Apple expected. (This happened with the iPhone SE, by the way.) It doesnt necessarily mean that Apples selling anywhere as many Plus models as standard iPhone 7 modelswe just dont know what the product mix is, though one analyst pegged it pre-release at 40 percent. But it does mean that demand for the iPhone 7 Plus surprised Apple, so much that they need to work very hard to make that model faster. The black iPhone 7 Plus is hard to see in this photo, and even harder to find in Apple Stores. Not being able to make enough products to fulfill demand isnt the worst problem to have, but its still a problem. Between the pleasant surprises of the iPhone SE and the iPhone 7 Plus and the unpleasant surprise of the lack of strong upgrades to the iPhone 6S models, Apple seems to need to do a better job of forecasting iPhone sales. Because you know whats better than selling every phone you can make? Making even more of them and selling all of those, too. Promise a record quarter Heres a fun trick to perform on an analyst call: Have your CEO casually announce that you expect your current financial quarter, the first in a new fiscal year after one in which you had to repeatedly report year-over-year revenue declines, will set an all-time record. Thats what Luca Maestri got to do, because Apples guidance for the first fiscal quarter of 2017for those of us using the Gregorian calendar, thats the holiday quarter of 2016, right nowis for revenue of between $76 billion and $78 billion. To put that in perspective, Apples all-time record quarter was last years holiday quarter, with $75.9 billion. This represents a return to growth over the all-time revenue record set in the December quarter a year ago, Maestri said. He kept talking, so I guess he didnt drop the mic at that moment. So, next quarter: A return to growth for Apple, on the basis of an all-time-record holiday quarter. Thats a pretty good way to have a good analyst call. (Xinhua) 19:00, October 26, 2016 BEIJING, Oct. 26 -- French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault will pay an official visit to China from October 29 to November 1, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson announced Wednesday. Lu Kang said Chinese leaders will meet with Ayrault, who was invited by his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi. This is Ayrault's second time in China this year. His anticipated destinations include Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu, where he will attend the opening ceremony of the fifth Sino-French regional cooperation forum. With frequent high-level exchanges and deeper political mutual trust, China-France relations have witnessed healthy and steady development, and increasingly active people-to-people exchanges have laid a solid foundation for the bilateral friendship, Lu said. "Pragmatic cooperation in traditional areas such as nuclear energy and aviation is progressing steadily," Lu said, adding that the two countries' cooperation in industries such as finance and sustainable development also achieved new breakthroughs. Maintaining good communication and coordination in major international and regional hotspot issues, China and France play a leading role in dealing with climate change and improving global economic governance, Lu said. Lu said China believes Ayrault's upcoming visit will further nurture the China-French comprehensive strategic partnership. Also on the blog in the past week were: Concern and confusion at the US Copyright Office Brexit and the Unitary Patent: where are we now? Weve also posted the following articles in the past week (log in via subscription or free trial): US acting register of copyrights announced as Pallante given new role Interview: Time Inc assistant general counsel, Jennifer Chung Pure Storage agrees $30m patent litigation settlement with Dell Samsung v Apple analysis: design patents put to the test at Supreme Court Where to get free advice concerning IP disputes in the UK Eight finalists shortlisted for DesignEuropa awards AliceStorm blows over? September was the first time since Alice that the number of federal court decisions finding eligible subject matter exceeded those finding ineligible subject matter, according to BilskiBlog. Robert Sachs of Fenwick & West tracks Section 101 decision on the blog and has called the wave of patent invalidations on 101 grounds AliceStorm. Sixteen decisions in September found eligible subject matter compared with 13 finding ineligible. Source: BilskiBlog Source: BilskiBlog Those sixteen decisions also mark the highest number of eligibility decisions in a single month, said Sachs. The most significant contribution to the switchover is that only two motions to dismiss under 101 were granted in September, compared to nine that were denied, the largest gap since March 2016 (6 granted, 10 denied). This pushed the overall invalidity rate from Federal Circuit and district court decisions to 68%, the first time it has dropped below 70%. The success rate on motions on the pleadings has dropped below 67% for the first time, to 64.9%. At best, this data may be interpreted as indicative of a shift in eligibility within the federal district courts, but I would prefer to see these numbers hold for several months, said Sachs. My caution is occasioned by the Federal Circuits recent Section 101 decisions. While the McRO decision has been widely viewed as a positive development, the Court continues to affirm more invalidity decisions than it reverses. Compared to the single McRO decision in September, the Court affirmed seven lower court ineligibility decisions, including reversing a lower courts finding of eligible subject matter in the Intellectual Ventures v Symantec case." The FTCs missed opportunity The Federal Trade Commission released its long-awaited PAE report earlier this month. Reactions are still coming out to the almost 270-page report, including from PAEs. Peter Detkin, founder of Intellectual Ventures, in a blog post said the report has some interesting statistics but was also a missed opportunity. He says the key finding of the report was that not all PAEs are created equal, with the FTC distinguishing between portfolio PAEs and litigation PAEs. The Report is disappointing in many respects for example, it offers legislative recommendations not supported by the evidence in the report, and it misses a key opportunity to analyse the fundamental issue of how to value the mission and impact of PAEs, says Detkin. But overall the in-depth analysis of the different models of PAE should provide useful insights in the ongoing discussions of patent policy. He said the FTC highlighted a flaw in other studies that rely only on publicly available data. Instead, the FTC used its subpoena power to gather private data to get a deeper understanding of PAE business models. More broadly while the FTC did a great job analysing different business models, it missed an opportunity to analyse the larger market in which these models operate, said Detkin. Despite the reams of data collected in the course of this study and the many resources devoted to it, the Report disappointingly fails to address fundamental questions about the impact of PAE activity on innovation and patent generation. Redskins timeout granted The Washington Redskins case has been stayed until after the Supreme Court has ruled in Lee v Tam, reports The Washington Post. Both cases involve the issue of disparaging trade marks. Oral arguments in the Redskins case were scheduled in the US Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit for December 9. Cuban cigar concerns Two US Congressman have criticised President Obamas decision to ease restrictions on Cuban cigars, raising IP concerns, reports The Hill. Senator James Lankford and Representative Mario Diaz-Balart, both Republicans, said in a letter: What steps is your administration taking to ensure that trademarks belonging to US companies are not adversely affected, or possibly further exploited or expropriated, by your policy of allowing imports of rum and tobacco products? SCOTUS petition in Flanax case The Flanax trade mark case is being appealed to the US Supreme Court, reports the Likelihood of Confusion blog. The Question Presented is: Whether Sections 14(3) and 43(a) of the Lanham Act allow a foreign business that has neither used nor registered its trademark in the United States to sue the owner of a US trademark for conduct relating to the owners use of its US mark. The petition, filed by Ronald Coleman of Archer & Greiner, states: In Lexmark International Inc v Static Control Components, Inc, 134 S. Ct. 1377, 1388-90 (2014), this Court held that the Lanham Act does not extend a cause of action to every plaintiff with Article III standing, but instead only to plaintiffs whose interests fall within the zone of interests protected by the statute, and only to plaintiffs whose injuries are proximately caused by violations of the statute. It continues: Section 14(3) of the Lanham Act, 15 USC 1064(3), allows certain aggrieved persons to seek cancellation of a US trademark. Section 43(a) of the Lanham Act, 15 USC 1125(a), creates causes of action for false association and false advertising. The courts of appeals are divided over whether these provisions extend a cause of action to foreign plaintiffs who have neither registered nor used their trademarks in the United States. In March, the Fourth Circuit reversed the Eastern District of Virginias dismissal for lack of standing and found that use of the Flanax mark is not a prerequisite to sue for unfair competition or false advertising under Section 43(a) of the Lanham Act or for cancellation under Section 14(3). The case was remanded to the district court. Bayer had used the Flanax mark for naproxen sodium pills in Mexico going back to the 1970s. In 2004, Belmora started selling Flanax pills in the US in similar packaging to that used by Bayer in Mexico. Belmora registered the Flanax trade mark with the USPTO in 2005. In 2014, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) sided with Bayer and cancelled the registration. However, the Eastern District of Virginia the following year dismissed Bayers false association and false advertising claims based on its reading of the Supreme Courts Lexmark decision and ruled that an owner of a foreign mark that is unregistered is not allowed under the Lanham Act to assert priority rights in the US. Lexmark set out a two-prong test for assessing standing under the Lanham Act. Apple says Amazon is selling fake products Apple has complained that a flood of counterfeit goods claiming to be Apple products are being sold on Amazon.com, reports the BBC. The claim concerns items sold through Amazons fulfilment scheme, where third parties list their goods. The technology giant is suing vendor Mobile Star. "Mobile Star has been deceiving Apple customers and putting their safety at risk by selling counterfeit power adapters," an Apple spokesman told the BBC. The company said it bought more than 100 iPhone devices, own-brand power adapters and charging cables and found almost 90% of them were fakes. "These counterfeits have the potential to overheat, catch fire and deliver a deadly shock to consumers while in normal use," said Apple. US Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden dropped a bombshell on Friday with the news she had appointed Maria Pallante who had served as US register of copyrights since 2011 as senior advisor for digital strategy with Karyn Temple Claggett becoming acting register of copyrights. The register of copryrights runs the Copyright Office. The news has not gone down well in many quarters, not least with Pallante herself. She has reportedly refused the role and resigned from the Library of Congress. According to Billboard: But Pallante wasnt told about the appointment before it was announced, according to several sources, and she never accepted it. She was locked out of the Library of Congress computer system, a step that several former Copyright Office staffers say is extremely unusual. (The Library of Congress did not comment and attempts to reach Pallante were unsuccessful.) Pallante submitted her resignation on Monday, October 24. U.S. Register of Copyrights Maria Pallante reassignment https://t.co/ktvNkYi41h and subsequent resignation letter https://t.co/ld1uoSSyMc Eriq Gardner (@eriqgardner) October 25, 2016 Surprised and concerned The decision from Hayden who was confirmed as Librarian of Congress in June has led many to express concern. The Billboard story quoted Marybeth Peters, resister of copyright from 1994 to 2010, as saying: People I know who care about copyright are very disturbed. Nothing like this has ever happened there before. Ive researched all Registers. Pallante is first to leave office other than by retirement, resignation https://t.co/KVLfciJN1d #copyright Dr K Matthew Dames (@kmdames) October 24, 2016 Copyright Alliance CEO Keith Kupferschmid thanked Pallante for her service, praised her commitment to evidence-driven policymaking and said her public involvement in the policy process should serve as a model. We are surprised and concerned by todays news, which comes at a time when the Office and others are considering many potential changes to the copyright system and law, said Kupferschmid. We thank Ms. Pallante for her service pic.twitter.com/uammWKzH6x GRAMMY Advocacy (@GRAMMYAdvocacy) October 25, 2016 House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte and Ranking Member John Conyers issued a joint statement. We are saddened to learn that Maria Pallante, who served with distinction as only the 12th Register of Copyrights and the Director of the Copyright Office for the last five years, will be leaving the Copyright Office. This will be a tremendous loss for the Copyright Office and for Americas creators, innovators, and users of copyrighted works. They highlighted working closely with Pallante over the last few years as the House Judiciary Committee conducted a comprehensive review of US copyright law to determine whether the law is still working in the digital age to reward creativity and innovation. As Maria transitions from the Copyright Office, it is the perfect opportunity to examine the selection process for the new Register, they said. The new Register of Copyrights should be dedicated to protecting creative rights and modernizing the Copyright Office. The Authors Guild also said it was disappointed to see Pallante go. Now attention turns to what happens next. The Billboard article included some speculation. Some Washington insiders cautioned that Pallantes removal may have less to do with an ideological battle than a turf war. Pallante has advocated moving the Copyright Office out of the Library of Congress and making the Register a presidential appointee which would have taken away one of Haydens most important oversight responsibilities. And in Pallantes reassignment memo (a copy of which was obtained by Billboard from a Washington insider), Hayden gives Pallante jobs that have little to do with her copyright expertise, including identifying retail and licensing opportunities for the Library. Hayden also writes that I do not anticipate that this assignment will require any communications with Members of Congress or congressional staff, an unusual point to make. The Patently-O blog noted that the move would renew calls for a unified US intellectual property office. In a huge relief to senior BJP leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, a special CBI court here today acquitted him along with his two sons and son-in-law in a Rs 40 crore illegal mining case. In a judgement delivered at a packed court hall, Judge R B Dharmagouder also exonerated nine other accused in the kickback case which had cost Yeddyurappa his Chief Ministership in 2011. In a huge relief to senior BJP leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, a special CBI court here today acquitted him along with his two sons and son-in-law in a Rs 40 crore illegal mining case. In a judgement delivered at a packed court hall, Judge R B Dharmagouder also exonerated nine other accused in the kickback case which had cost Yeddyurappa his Chief Ministership in 2011 following indictment by the then Lok Ayukta Santosh Hegde. Satyameva Jayathe. Justice is done. I stand vindicated," a relieved Yeddyurappa tweeted shortly after the verdict. "I am happy that false allegations and politically motivated charges have been dismissed," the state BJP strongman, who has returned as the state BJP chief earlier this year, told reporters. PTI Why some black voters prefer Trumps indifference to Clinton and the lefts self-serving benevolence. Black conservatives are as conflicted as the rest of the political right over the candidacy of Donald Trump. Some are supporting the Republican nominee out of partisan duty, while others have decided that he lacks the intelligence and judgment that the presidency demands. The reality is that blacks were entering the skilled professionsnursing, teaching, law, medicine, social workat unprecedented rates prior to the widespread implementation of affirmative action policies on college campuses in the 1970s. And then there are the black conservatives who are not unbothered by the New York billionaires well-documented character flaws but dont consider them disqualifying. These are blacks who find themselves on the political right not because of the Donald Trumps but notwithstanding them. Theyre well aware that racism taints the history of both major political parties, which have evolved dramatically over the decades, but are more interested in what todays politicians are proposing for the future. These voters are under no illusions that Mr. Trump has given any serious thought to the socioeconomic concerns of millions of black Americans. And yet, as one conservative black friend phrased it over dinner recently, Ill take Trumps indifference over Clintons paternalism. Last weeks passing of former Princeton President William Bowen recalls one of liberalisms favorite vehicles for black paternalism: racial preferences. In 1998 Bowen published his most celebrated work, The Shape of the River, which was co-written by former Harvard President Derek Bok. The book was a full-throated defense of race-conscious admissions policies at elite colleges at a time when attacks on affirmative action were increasing. Affirmative action in practiceholding different groups to different standardshad long been unpopular in the U.S. Polls showed that the more specific the description of a race-preference program, the lower the level of support. In 1996 the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals had ruled in favor of four plaintiffs who alleged that they were denied admission to the University of Texas Law School because they were white. The Supreme Court declined to review the decision, which effectively left in place a ban on racial preferences in universities in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. That same year, residents of the nations most populous state, California, approved Proposition 209, which prohibited public institutions, including the University of California system, from discriminating on the basis of race. Messrs. Bowen and Bok set out to show why colorblind admissions policies should be avoided. They argued that black students admitted to elite schools with lower qualifications than other students fared just fine, and they insisted that racial double standards were essential to creating and maintaining a black middle class. Unfortunately for the authors, the evidence they presented substantiated neither claim, and instead of making their raw data on college admissions available to any scholar who wanted to check the books conclusions, the data were made available only to scholars who were likely to already agree with those conclusions. The books considerable shortcomings, detailed most persuasively in a blistering 1999 UCLA Law Review article by the scholars Stephan and Abigail Thernstrom, didnt stop its publication from becoming a news event. The New York Times said that its findings provide a strong rationale for opposing current efforts to demolish race-sensitive policies in colleges and that the evidence collected flatly refutes many of the misimpressions of affirmative-action opponents. The Los Angeles Times said the authors prove with facts, not anecdotes, that affirmative action works. Freshman college students who dont meet the academic credentials of the average student at an institution tend to have lower grades than their peers and are less likely to graduate. After California banned race-conscious college admissions, and more black students began attending schools based on their abilities instead of their skin color, black graduation rates increased by more than 50%, including in the more demanding disciplines of math and science. Messrs. Bowen and Boks book didnt compare outcomes of black students admitted to elite schools with preferences and those who were admitted without them. If you dont do that, youre not even addressing a central criticism of affirmative action, let alone refuting it. The authors condescending claim that the black middle class owes its existence to racial preferences in higher education is even more bizarre, but its consistent with the political lefts belief that black people would be nowhere without its interventions. The reality is that blacks were entering the skilled professionsnursing, teaching, law, medicine, social workat unprecedented rates prior to the widespread implementation of affirmative action policies on college campuses in the 1970s. Between 1930 and 1970, the number of black white-collar workers quadrupled. Earnings for black males rose 75% in the 1940s and another 45% in the 1950s. In the era of affirmative action, the black middle class has continued to expand, but at a slower rate than it was growing before. At the remove of nearly five decades, the case for racial-preference paternalism is weaker than ever. Its no wonder that some blacks prefer Mr. Trumps indifference to more of the same self-serving benevolence from Mrs. Clinton and the left. This piece originally appeared in The Wall Street Journal ______________________ Jason L. Riley is a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, a columnist at The Wall Street Journal, and a Fox News commentator. Good news for shoe lovers with a penchant for modern sophistication PAZZION has just revealed some exciting new plans for expanding into West Malaysia. They have announced the launch of a brand new store in the heart of the key shopping district in Kuala Lumpur, set to throw open its doors mid-December this year. Those familiar with the Singaporean shoe brand, which launched 14 years ago, will know that PAZZION has long been committed to bringing delightfully trendy and effortlessly stylish footwear to the millennial women of today. Whether they be ballerina flats, platform sandals, or elegant heels, PAZZION pays great attention to the minute details and craftsmanship of each piece. As far as its presence in Malaysia is concerned, PAZZION currently has a store located in Kuchings Wisma Atria, though with the end-of-year expansion into West Malaysia this December at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, we can hopefully expect the brand to further introduce more outlets to the country. PAZZION has eight retail outlets in Singapore, and can also be found in countries such as Japan, South Korea, Brunei, Cambodia, and Thailand. Mark your calendars, the new PAZZION store will open on 17 December 2016 at Level 4, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. Angela Goh Photo: PAZZION Read more: Online Style: 5 Malaysian fashion & beauty bloggers worth following Biker Chic: 10 Ways to look style-savvy in a leather jacket Wedding Prep: The best hair & makeup artists in Kuala Lumpur (Xinhua) 19:05, October 26, 2016 CHENGDU, Oct. 26 -- Ambassadors to China of four Latin American countries have expressed hope for more cooperation with western China at an ongoing conference. At the Pacific Alliance's investment forum held in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, ambassadors of Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru all agreed that China's western areas have high economic vitality. "We look forward to establishing more cooperation relationships with the region in energy, infrastructure, agriculture and tourism," said Jorge Heine, rotating president of the Pacific Alliance and Chile's ambassador to China. "We also welcome more companies from western China to invest in Latin America." Established in 2012, the Pacific Alliance is a trade bloc uniting these four Latin American nations that border the Pacific Ocean. China is an observer state of the bloc. The ambassadors also briefed investors on agriculture, infrastructure, and manufacturing in their countries. Oscar Rueda, Colombia's ambassador to China, said that his country plans to build a series of airports, ports and roads. "I hope that more Chinese companies will invest in the projects," he said. Jorge Heine said that the four embassies will create more opportunities for companies from western China to invest in Latin America, as well as provide consulting services and information. "We will also actively engage in economic activities in China's west," he said. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 26 Trend: Over the past 24 hours, Armenias armed forces have 22 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, Azerbaijans Defense Ministry reported Oct. 26. The Azerbaijani army positions located in Qushchu Ayrim, Kemerli and Farakhli villages of the Gazakh district underwent fire from the Armenian army positions located in Voskevan, Berdavan and Shavarshavan villages of the Noyemberyan district of Armenia. The Azerbaijani army positions took fire from the Armenian positions located near Chilaburt village of Azerbaijans Tartar district, Sarijali, Qaraqashli villages of the Aghdam district, Gorgan village of Fizuli district, as well as from the positions located on nameless heights of the Goranboy and Fizuli 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. Details added (first version posted at 10:13) Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 26 Trend: The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (ambassadors Igor Popov of Russia, James Warlick of the US, and Pierre Andrieu of France), together with the personal representative of the OSCE chairperson-in-office, ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, traveled to Azerbaijans occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region October 23-25, 2016, according to the statement by the OSCE MG posted on its website Oct. 26. The co-chairs met with the presidents and foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia [the sides of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict], and discussed current working proposals to advance substantive negotiations towards a lasting peace, said the statement. The purpose of the co-chairs' visit was to discuss the situation after the unprecedented violence on the contact line of the two countries troops in April 2016, and to clarify positions on the negotiation process. On the night of April 2, 2016, all the frontier positions of Azerbaijan were subjected to heavy fire from the Armenian side, which used large-caliber weapons, mortars and grenade launchers. The armed clashes resulted in deaths and injuries among the Azerbaijani population. Azerbaijan responded with a counter-attack, which led to liberation of several strategic heights and settlements. Military operations were stopped on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian armies on Apr. 5 at 12:00 (UTC/GMT + 4 hours) with the consent of the sides, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry had said. Ignoring the agreement, the Armenian side again started violating the ceasefire. During the meetings with the OSCE MG co-chairs Oct. 23-25, Azerbaijan and Armenia confirmed that the situation on the ground remains relatively calm. The co-chairs underscored that respect for the ceasefire provides a critical foundation for ongoing negotiations, and stressed the importance of fully implementing decisions taken in Vienna and St. Petersburg, according to the statement by the OSCE MG. The presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia expressed their views on how to move the settlement process forward. The two presidents also reaffirmed their agreement to expand the Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, and operational details are still being discussed, the statement said. The co-chairs plan to meet with the ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia including on the margins of the December 2016 OSCE Ministerial Council meeting in Hamburg to discuss a possible meeting of the two countries presidents at the earliest opportunity. Such a dialogue at the highest level is necessary to make progress towards a settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the statement said. 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. The weekend of 21-23 October saw the most successful school ever for the Marxists in Britain, as over 250 revolutionary activists came to London from across the country and Europe to take part in the REVOLUTION! festival, hosted by Socialist Appeal and the Marxist Student Federation. Alongside the record high numbers in attendance, of particular note was the equally impressive high level in terms of the political discussion over the course of the three-day event. All of those who came spoke enthusiastically about all the sessions, not only in terms of the talks by the speakers, but also in relation to the plethora of interesting and insightful contributions from those in the audience. This high political level on display was all the more impressive given the relatively youthful age of the attendees, with the vast majority of those who came being young students who have been drawn into revolutionary activity recently through the 30-or-so Marxist societies that now exist in universities and schools across the country under the umbrella of the Marxist Student Federation. And as Lenin, the great Russian revolutionary, was fond of saying: he who has the youth has the future! Trotskys Stalin a Marxist masterpiece The weekend began in an inspiring manner with a rousing introduction by Esteban Volkov, the grandson of Leon Trotsky, who joined a 175-strong audience via video link from Mexico on the Friday evening for the official launch of the Well Red publication of Trotskys biography of Stalin. Esteban began by offering his thanks to the comrades from Well Red and the International Marxist Tendency for their work in restoring his grandfathers magnum opus. Volkov then went onto explain the importance of Trotskys Stalin, discussing the authors vital leading role in the Russian Revolution and importantly in analysing the causes of the later degeneration of the Soviet Union. Most importantly, Esteban ended by saying, we must use Trotskys writings and ideas as inspiration in the fight today for genuine socialism. Needless to say, Estebans words were met with thunderous applause. Esteban was followed by Rob Sewell, editor of Socialist Appeal, who explained the history of the new Well Red publication, and how the missing elements of Trotskys masterpiece were pieced together from the archives and painstakingly reinserted into the book with the help of much blood, sweat and tears. It was clear to those listening that the final product, which has taken years of work to carefully reassemble, is the result of a tremendous labour of love. The book launch was completed with an in-depth contribution from Alan Woods, the editor of the Well Red Stalin release, who explained the historical context to Trotskys work. Alan gave an overview of Leon Trotskys analysis about the role of Stalin and how this seemingly mediocre individual had risen to power as the representative of the cancerous bureaucratic caste which grew out of the isolation of revolutionary Russia. Alan summed up his speech by stressing that, whilst Trotskys life may have been brought to an early end by a Stalinist assassin, his revolutionary ideas cannot be killed. These live on today in the form of the International Marxist Tendency. The task ahead is to turn these ideas into a material force capable of transforming society. Quantity and quality The Saturday of the weekend school saw a number of political discussions on a broad range of subjects from a talk on what will socialism look like? to an introduction to the Marxist view of history. Particularly popular were the sessions on women, the family and the Russian Revolution, in which Emily Cosentino of the Bristol Marxists explained the gains made by women as a result of the Bolshevik revolution of 1917, and on the dialectics of nature, in which Ben Curry of the Leeds Marxists took the audience on a rollercoaster ride through a history of scientific thought. Thomas Soud from the Warwick Marxists gave this report of the session on dialectics, science, and revolution: "Perhaps one of the most surprising aspects for some newcomers to the study of Marxism and revolutionary thinking would have been hearing the Marxist perspective of Nature, science and change. Why bother to consider the relationships between solid and liquid, space and time, life and death whilst capitalism is dying around us? Yet, these questions were exactly what Revolution! was unafraid to discuss. How can one envisage the natural sciences using the Marxist method of dialectics? What conclusions can we draw? "The discussion was led by comrade Ben Curry, who eloquently explained the key concepts of Marxist philosophy - dialectical materialism. Ben explained that whilst the formalistic schools see the world as static, comprised of individual parts that are as a whole nothing more than their sum, dialectics abandons such a point of view. Everything is in motion, in a process of evolution and change. The world is not understood by its discrete parts, but by the interaction between these. Heraclitus said No one steps into the same river twice and Hegel demonstrated the power of the dialectical method; but it was Marx and Engels, basing themselves on the accumulated scientific knowledge of previous generations, who put the philosophy of dialectics on a materialist basis. "With this revelation we saw dialectics change to dialectical materialism; to a philosophy which saw history not as a clash of ideas or of great men, but of class forces, bounded by their material and economic conditions. As many noted in the discussion, only under socialism will we see a society where human potential and scientific discovery can be revolutionised once again." Meanwhile, Maciej from the Swansea Marxists, gave this report from the session on "Corbynomics, Keynesianism, and capitalist crisis": "I was really excited to go to my first Revolution! festival. I decided to attend a range of seminars on topics which I was interested in, as well as those I still had a bit to learn about. I was especially impressed with the level of discussion - I've attended many similar events in the past, but these were definitely the most educational and interesting. The knowledge of theory from the speakers and those involved in discussion was incredibly impressive, and what followed was an inspiration - not only to learn more about Marxism, but also to use this knowledge to build the forces of Marxism in our areas. "The session about Keynesianism and social democracy was especially interesting and productive. During the discussion, the speaker and contributions completely debunked the tactics and ideas of reformism, and the session was very successful at reassuring my curious friends about Marxism. One said it was the final nail in the coffin in relation to his confidence in social democracy; and he ended up buying several Marxist works at the Well Red bookshop straight after!" Ending Saturdays discussions was a plenary in which Fred Weston, editor of www.marxist.com, gave an overview of British political situation, including the splits and crises facing the ruling class following the Brexit vote, and the perspectives for the Corbyn movement and the civil war in the Labour Party. Numerous speakers from the floor added to Freds analysis, with contributions on the forces behind the rise of the far-right across Europe, the prospects for the class struggle in Scotland, and the real meaning of the purge of socialists from the Labour Party by the Blairite bureaucracy. After Freds summary, the packed room decanted to the bar for a revolutionary social and a relaxing discussion over a few drinks about the days events. Sessions resumed on Sunday with yet more variety of discussions, spanning from a talk by Hans-Gerd Ofinger of the German Marxists Der Funke on the rise of fascism under Hitler, to an overview of Trotskyism by Jorge Martin of the IMT. Popular sessions on the Sunday included Hamid Alizadehs introduction on the philosophers of Ancient Greece and Daniel Morleys talk on workers democracy, control, and power. Luke from Brighton provided the following report of the very interesting discussion about the race against the machine: automation and technology under capitalism: The race against the machine talk given at the Revolution! festival was an extremely good summary of exactly how capitalism had at first acted as a catalyst for innovation, but had then become, as Marx himself put it, a fetter on technological development. We see this in many different aspects of life that we now consider normal for example, different phones having different (incompatible) chargers, to larger things such as private research teams not being allowed to share their research notes; both of which are a direct result of capitalist competition The discussion also highlighted the underlying inherent contradictions within capitalism. As technology continues to advance and productivity increases, the amount of labour from the working class is reduced; on the face of it, this sounds like a wonderful thing less work to do, more time for leisure! But under capitalism, this results in economic collapse, with a massive rise in unemployment, and the workers themselves no longer having the wages to buy products from capitalists! A number of examples were given showing how we have the means to abandon manual labour, but since it is not profitable to do so, we are forced to continue to toil away. Only with the elimination of private property and markets can we make full use of the fruits of our own scientific achievements. Build the forces of Marxism! Build the IMT! The weekends closing remarks were given by Alan Woods, who discussed how we are seeing ever greater symptoms appearing across the world of the system breaking apart. All of these signs, Alan stated, are an indication that a fundamental change is needed in how society is run. The process will not be a smooth one, Alan explained, but will be turbulent and volatile, with swings to the Left and to the Right, as the masses search for an alternative to the crisis-ridden capitalism system. Above all, Alan stressed, it is the missing subjective factor that is leading to this drawn out and turbulent process; that is, the absence of a revolutionary leadership that can provide a real explanation for societys ills and offer a way forward. That is the primary task facing us in the period ahead: to fight for revolution; to build up the forces of Marxism; to build the IMT. Best Of Mass judges Nick O'Malley, Michelle Williams and Alex Parnicky visited The Ninety Nine in Westfield in the ongoing quest to crown the best restaurant chain in Massachusetts. The judges ordered a 16-ounce plate of steak tips, a plate of boneless gold fever wings and an All-Star Burger (plus fries). You can watch the judges' taste test above, and peruse photos from the visit below. The Ninety-Nine, which was founded in Boston in 1952, is one of four final contestants in the Best Of Mass Restaurant Chains contest. The other three finalists include Wings Over, Dunkin' Donuts and Antonio's Pizza by the Slice. Keep up with the latest from the Best Of Mass Restaurant Chains contest at masslive.com/bestofmass. Best Of Mass judges' travels to crown the best restaurant chain in the commonwealth brought Michelle Williams, Alex Parnicky and Nick O'Malley to Wings Over in Westfield. The judges ordered a plate of waffle fries and one and a half pounds of boneless wings in three flavors: Honey Barbecue, West Texas Mesquite and Garlic Parmesan. You can watch the judges' taste test above, and see photos from the visit below. Wings Over, which is headquartered in Hadley, is one of four final contestants in the Best Of Mass Restaurant Chains contest. The other three finalists include The Ninety Nine, Dunkin' Donuts and Antonio's Pizza by the Slice. Keep up with the latest from the Best Of Mass Restaurant Chains contest at masslive.com/bestofmass. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 26 By Anakhanum Hidayatova Trend: The diplomatic activity is observed around the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Herbert Salber, EU special representative for the South Caucasus on a visit to Baku, said in an exclusive interview with Trend October 26. Salber positively assessed his visit to Azerbaijan. He added that the situation around the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement was discussed during a meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev October 25. "During this visit, I would like to visit another place close to the line of contact of Azerbaijan and Armenian troops and meet with internally displaced people living in that area, he added. During my previous visits, I met with internally displaced people living in Baku and near the city." He went on to add that Russia is very active in drawing proposals and discussions on the Karabakh issue, although it has not yet resulted in a breakthrough. On the other hand, we can see that the speaking process is going on." 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. SPRINGFIELD -- Three buyers paid nearly $92 million earlier this month for F.L. Roberts, the venerable Springfield-based chain of gas stations, convenience stores, car washes and Jiffy Lube franchises, according to a document on file at the Hampden County Registry of Deeds. The document is called a waiver of corporate excise tax liens and it allows the Massachusetts Department of Revenue to facilitate transactions like this by certifying that all state taxes have been paid, said Hampden County Register of Deeds Donald Ashe. It's similar, Ashe said, to documents signed at a closing for a house that prove taxes are up to date. The document refers to the purchase prices as "approximate." Other documents -- all of them deed transfers on file at registry offices in Springfield, Northampton, Greenfield and Pittsfield -- detail the more than $64.8 million in real estate that changed hands as part of the deal. All told, there were 35 properties sold in Massachusetts and one in Hartford, Connecticut, for which the deed had not been recorded as of this week. In a set of deals announced last week, F.L. Roberts sold its retail operations -- the car washes, stores and gas stations -- to Nouria Energy Corp. of Worcester, which runs similar businesses throughout New England. In the waiver document, this transaction is valued at $81.3 million. F.L. Roberts also sold off its nine Jiffy Lube locations to Atlantic Coast Enterprises, a Jiffy Lube franchise holder owned in Connecticut but with locations around the southeastern U.S. In the waiver document, this transaction is valued at $7 million. Frank Roberts, the great-grandson of the F.L. Roberts founder, has created a new company called Roberts Energy to run the remainder of the company's business supplying motor fuels, heating fuels and lubricants to commercial and wholesale customers and to branded retailers. The old F.L. Roberts sold those businesses and inventory to the new Roberts Energy for $1.8 million. There was no real estate included. F.L. Roberts & Co. was a fourth-generation generation family-owned business founded in 1920 with an automotive and tire store at the corner of Main and Adams streets in Springfield. The Roberts family added Texaco gas and oil soon thereafter. Deeds on file at the registry offices detail the real estate transactions. Hampden County gas stations and car washes: F.L. Roberts sold 18 locations in Hampden County to an arm of Crown Holdings Enterprises, a Dallas real estate investor, for $44.7 million. This list includes the gas stations, stores and car washes Nouria will operate. Hampden County Jiffy Lubes: F.L. Roberts sold three Jiffy Lube locations in West Springfield, Agawam and East Longmeadow to CAR Properties, part of Atlantic, for $3.3 million. Hampshire County locations: F.L. Roberts sold three Hampshire County retail locations to the unit of Crown Holdings Enterprises for $9.01 million and one Golden Nozzle Car Wash at 304 King St. in Northampton to Nouria for $1.4 million. Franklin County locations: F.L. Roberts sold six locations in Franklin County, including the Whately Diner, to the unit of Crown Holdings Enterprises for $6.35 million. Berkshire County location: F.L. Roberts sold one location at 1046-1050 South St. in Pittsfield to Nouria for $1.12 million. F.L. Roberts sale documents by Jim Kinney on Scribd With a mix of music, apparel and other items, Phoenix Records and Tapes has brought a slice of the Caribbean to the city of Springfield and has been doing so for the last 20 years. Kirby "Phoenix" Carter and his wife Donna opened their store, located in Mason Square at 811 State St., in 1996. They have continued to evolve to keep customers coming back for more. "We have been here serving the community for over 20 years, and we carry the kind of stuff you would look for as a gift for your friend or relative, and a lot of cultural history," said Carter. "You can come and look and see what we have here, and you'll realize we have some cultural stuff ... and they have a history behind the items we have. We are happy to serve and answer any questions you have." In its early years, the store was most known for selling records and music from popular and iconic island artists and would attract customers and DJs with its selections of reggae, soca and calypso music. In those days, the store had stacks and shelves filled with vinyl records that, in many cases, were hard to come by in any other stores. This pulled in music lovers from all over to the area. According to Carter, while the record business was very good to his family and helped to build the store's reputation and loyal customer base, the store had to change with the times. "Over the years with the change in methods of how music was played, (it) moved from vinyls to CDs," said Carter. "Music started to move to MP3s and downloads, so gradually we had to shift slightly from albums." As music evolved so did the store, stocking CDs and DVDs of concerts, parties and films from Jamaica, maintaining their island cultural theme. Along with the change of music, Phoenix Records and Tapes began branching into different product areas. To stay competitive and relevant through the years, the store began selling clothing, accessories and organic hygiene products inspired by Caribbean, African and African-American culture. Walls that were once filled with music are now stocked with clothing or posters of influential black leaders and popular Caribbean artists. Within the glass cases customers can find a variety of items from organic soaps and lotions to hats and flags. Although it has adapted over the years, the Phoenix name and reputation has stood strong. The store has become a point of interest for Caribbean musicians, artists and citizens visiting the New England area. Many visitors make their way to Carter's store for a taste of home while in the states. Along with its cultural items, Phoenix Record and Tapes helps bring culture to the community in the Springfield Carnival Parade, which draws people in to celebrate the island heritage. The store is located at the starting location for the annual parade and provides customers with a parade packs. This year's pack included a water gun, water bottle, dye powder and a parade T-shirt that read, "Ready Ta Get Dutty." Carter and his wife also travel around the east coast to other carnival parades where they purchase items and accessories that they then bring back to their store to sell. Many of the products can only be bought at those annual parades, thus adding to their unique value and appeal. "That's all a part of our culture, and that's what we do when we open the store here," said Carter. "We try to introduce some of that culture to America because America has been very good to us, so we try to let them in to some of our side, and we very much appreciate it because we are still here after all these years and are still going strong." Hampton Beach Beach goers walk by the newly renovated Seashell entertainment complex and visitor center at Hampton Beach, Friday, June 1, 2012 in Hampton, N.H. The state is celebrating the completion of the $14 million dollar renovation project. (AP Photo/Jim Cole) (Jim Cole) After traveling approximately 1,400 miles over 50 years, an message in a bottle made its way back home to Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. The bottle belonged to Paul and Tina Tsiatsios, who purchased Beachcomber Motel on Hampton Beach in the 1960s, Fox 25 Boston reported. Paul Tsiatsios decided to put a message in a bottle into the ocean shortly after the hotel purchase. Paula Pierce, the daughter of the owners, knew nothing about the bottle launch but her husband Mark did. "I kept it close to my heart and I kept my mouth shut," Mark told FOX 25 Boston. In May 2011, Clint Buffington, a man from Utah, was on vacation in Turks and Caicos stumbled upon the old glass Coca-Cola bottle. Once the message was decoded, Buffington decided that he wanted to return the message and five years later, Buffington traveled by plane, train, and bus to return it to the Pierces in person. "I kind of didn't know what to say, I just held it very gently and looked at it," Pierce said to Fox 25 Boston. "How did it end up back in my hands?" Read more and see pictures from the day Buffington found the bottle in Turks and Caicos on his blog, www.messageinabottlehunter.com. Halloween in New England isn't complete without stories about ghosts, haunted forests and mysterious individuals engrained in local folk history. WGBY-TV, Channel 57 will take aim at uncovering the lives of a number of eccentric individuals during the latest episode of "New England Legends," airing Thursday at 10 p.m. It will air again on Saturday at 7 p.m. and Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Titled "Eccentrics and Mad Scientists," the show will find author, adventurer and host Jeff Belanger traveling across New England's foliage-lined roadways in search of the stranger-than-fiction tales behind some of the area's most eccentric individuals. The episode will begin at the shores of the Atlantic Ocean at the Hammond Castle, located in Gloucester. Once home to inventor - and noted prankster - John Hays Hammond Jr., views will be able to get a glimpse into the life of the inventor, who held seances at his home to study psychic phenomena. Belanger will then travel to Brattleboro, Vermont to explore the story of Madame Sherri, a New York-based costume designer who held lavish parties within a purportedly haunted forest, at a site known as "Castle Ruins." From there, Belanger travels to a rural Connecticut cave to discuss the life of leather worker who spent much of his life traveling between the Hudson and Connecticut Rivers, sleeping in barns and caves. The series, a joint venture between Belanger and producer Tony Dunne, debuted on WGBY in 2013. Massachusetts. The series earned Emmy nominations for the "Magazine Program/Special" category in 2014 and 2015. Cuba Hemingway Tourists walk around the home that once belonged to author Ernest Hemingway, known as Finca Vigia, in Havana, Cuba. The home is among the sites in Cuba which is visited in a travel program offered through the Springfield Jewish Community Center and the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts. (ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO) SPRINGFIELD - Adult travelers in the Pioneer Valley, seeking to quench their thirst for Cuban adventure, will have a chance to in 2017. The Springfield Jewish Community Center and the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts are co-sponsoring two trips next year, one from April 19 through 26 and the other from Oct. 17 through 24,that will explore Cuba's vibrant culture through a special lens: Miriam Levinson. Levinson, whose parents moved to Cuba to escape the Holocaust, is a Cuban Jew who grew up in a communal neighborhood she reveres for its welcoming soul. "I love to take people to my neighborhood- that's where I come alive. The island itself is an expression of survivorship," Levinson notes proudly. "I have always felt I could say I'm Jewish in Cuba. I've never worried about anti-Semitism." Levinson currently resides in Chicago, but leads on average 25 trips a year to Cuba. Currently, she says there are approximately 1,000 Jews living in the country. "People often ask me, how safe is Cuba? And I say safer than many of your neighborhoods," Levinson said. "There are no guns in Cuba. Very little drugs. Cubans have very little money to buy drugs. Many Cubans don't understand some of our social issues, like metal detectors in school." Levinson describes her childhood community as a sort of oasis where neighbors could be found asking one another for a cup of coffee. She says Cuban culture is a "society that takes care of its own." The trip's itinerary will include perusing the streets of old Havana and the Jewish Quarter with Levinson, hearing a briefing by a former diplomat on U.S. and Cuba relations, visiting a cigar factory and Ernest Hemingway's former house, as well as the location where the first mobster meeting was held during U.S. prohibition. One of Levinson's favorite parts of the trip will include dining in paladars, the independent, state-sanctioned family restaurants of Cuba born out of the government's move to bring democratized economic reform and business enterprise to the country. Levinson notes that Cubans creatively invented the equivalent of "an Airbnb concept" with paladars. The unique dining experience is one where visitors eat directly in the kitchens of Cuban homes-turned restaurants. Of course, the trip would not be complete without cruising in a vintage pastel 1950s American convertible down the street Levinson says Cubans call 5th Avenue of Miramar. Though not mandatory, she also encourages travelers to participate in Sadaka (the Hebrew word for voluntary charity). She hopes trip participants will think about bringing with them needed essentials that help "keep the Jews of Cuba alive today." She says needs range from over-the-counter drugs such as Tylenol to diapers, insulin, and special attire for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. To date, 32 people have registered for the April trip with only a few spots remaining. According to Beverly Nadler, director of adult life at the JCC, 29 folks wrote checks directly after hearing a presentation Levinson gave in East Longmeadow on Sept. 22. For more information, visit springfieldjcc.org/adults/lifelessons/trips or call Nadler at 413-739-4715. j0.JPG A memorial to Jose "Joselito" Rodriguez, who was shot in killed at Southpoint Apartments in Amherst. (Diane Lederman / The Republican) AMHERST -- Two men believed to be brothers have been arrested in Arizona in connection with a fatal shooting at Southpoint Apartments earlier this month. The U.S. Marshals Service arrested Soknang Chham, 33, of New Salem, on a warrant in Flagstaff, Arizona, according to the Northwestern district attorney's office. He is charged with one count of murder and one count of armed assault with intent to murder in connection with the Oct. 15 fatal shooting of Jose M. Rodriguez, 31. Another 28-year-old man was shot multiple times in the same incident. He was treated at UMass Medical Center in Worcester and eventually released, authorities have said. Soksot Chham, 35, also of New Salem, was also taken into custody in Arizona on a warrant charging him with being an accessory after the fact to murder. The arrests came after investigators learned the duo had left Massachusetts on a bus bound for Phoenix, according to Mary Carey, a spokeswoman for the district attorney's office. Both men will appear in an Arizona court to see whether they intend to challenge their extradition back to Massachusetts, she said. The incident remains under investigation by the Amherst Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police Detectives Unit attached to the Northwestern district attorney's office. Authorities have not released a possible motive for the shootings. However, the marshals service said in a statement announcing the arrests that information suggests the victim had "laughed" at one of the brothers, the Associated Press reported. A funeral for Rodriguez was held Tuesday in Hadley. mc.jpg Worcester Congressman Jim McGovern joins a panel Wednesday night at the Amherst Survival Center to address hunger. (Republican file) AMHERST -- Congressman Jim McGovern is joining local activists Wednesday night at the Amherst Survival Center for a discussion about hunger. The event, called, "Fighting Hunger in Our Kitchens & in Our Congress: A Community Conversation," will also feature radio personality Monte Belmonte and writer Leanne Brown. The event is sponsored by the center, the University of Massachusetts School of Public Policy and the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. Belmonte has led six annual long-distance walks to raise money for the food bank. Brown is the author of "Good and Cheap: Eat Well on $4 a Day." She will teach a cooking class at 4 p.m. Thursday at Whole Foods Market in Hadley. McGovern, a Worcester Democrat, frequently addresses the issues of hunger and food insecurity. One of his signature campaigns is End Hunger Now. The program at the Amherst Survival Center begins at 6:30 p.m. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 26 By Anakhanum Hidayatova Trend: Herbert Salber, EU special representative for the South Caucasus, hopes that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict peace talks, connected by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, will lead to an agreement on a meeting of presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia. The EU respects very much that the Minsk Group is the lead, Salber, who is on a visit to Baku, said in an exclusive interview with Trend October 26. He added that the EU wants to be informed about the negotiation process regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts settlement. Thats why I am here last week I was in Yerevan for the same purpose, he said. I guess that messages that I get from the visit to the region first to Yerevan and now to Baku, are somehow giving hope that things are going on, Salber noted. If my impressions are right, something can be achieved. At the end of the day it has to be a compromise solution. He noted that the EU has been promoting the European Partnership for the Peaceful Settlement of the Conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh (EPNK) program for years. The EPNK is a unique initiative funded by the EU that seeks to positively impact the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement process. The EU works with local partners in the South Caucasus on a wide range of peace-building activities to contribute to lasting peace in the region within this initiative. We are now starting the first phase, he said, adding the EPNK aims to bring people together, people on both sides of the contact line. We are ready to speak about living peacefully together, about prospects for achieving this, Salber added. The EU has allocated new budget for the EPNK and the Union has suggestions to implement projects focused on bringing people together, and these projects should ideally start in late 2016, Salber said. Salber went on to add that he met IDPs in Baku and it was interesting to talk to these people concerned by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, to learn what their feelings are, what their expectations for the future are. 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. Regarding the Azerbaijan-EU relations, Salber said they are certainly in promising period since High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini visited Azerbaijan in early 2016. Preparations for new agreements between Azerbaijan and the EU are going on in Brussels, Salber noted and expressed hope that negotiations will start early next year. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Anahanum Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 26 Trend: Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Herbert Salber discussed the Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts resolution, Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry told Trend Oct. 26. The Azerbaijani minister informed Salber on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts settlement process. The parties also exchanged views on the development of strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and the European Union. 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. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 26 By Seba Aghayeva Trend: Labor Center of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will be located in Baku, as confirmed by the centers charter adopted at the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Tashkent, according to a joint statement by Azerbaijans foreign ministry, as well as ministry of labor and social protection of the countrys population. The proposal to establish the center was initiated by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev within the Second Session of the Islamic Conference of Labor Ministers (ICLM) held April 2013 in Baku. He said at the conference that the reforms being held by Azerbaijan are aimed at eliminating unemployment and the countrys experience could be useful for the OIC member states. He added that the creation of such a structure in Baku may strengthen cooperation of the organizations member countries. The proposal of Azerbaijani president received the unanimous support of the OIC member states. During the subsequent events, the draft charter concept of the structure was prepared and submitted to the OIC member states for consideration. After the charter is ratified by ten countries, it will enter into force. Joining efforts to solve issues of employment, social protection of citizens, and coordination of work in this sphere will become the main purpose of the OIC Labor Center. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Asebaa A University of Montana economist pointed beyond the windows of the University Center on Tuesday while describing Mount Sentinel as both an attraction and a problem. While the citys surrounding landscape helps contribute to Missoulas high quality of living, it also constrains the ability to grow, making it one of the most expensive places in the nation to live. The outlying factor, Bryce Ward added, are local wages. By Martin Kidston Full Story: http://www.missoulacurrent.com/headline/2016/10/wages-housing-future/ Since the 2008 financial crisis, one obscure federal agency has succeeded in doing what many thought was impossible: sending bankers to prison. The agency has charged 85 bankers from across the country with a crime over the last few years and already sent 36 to prison. The former chief executive of Virginias Bank of the Commonwealth, who was accused of contributing to the 2008 financial crisis through the banks "brazen greed and dishonesty," was sentenced to more than 20 years. By Renae Merle Full Story: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2016/10/26/this-obscure-government-agency-has-a-plan-to-put-wall-street-ceos-in-prison/?hpid=hp_hp-more-top-stories_sigtarp-1025am%3Ahomepage%2Fstory Join the AE team, a small, locally owned and operated IT firm. We provide computer support, maintenance and consulting services. We are actively growing our business on a daily basis. This creates a fast paced and changing environment. We are continually learning more about our business, clients, employees and products and we ask the same of our employees. We often provide training outside of the office however we also learn as we go. We are looking for individuals who are adaptable and open to change. We strive to offer the best customer service every day, all day both internally and externally. As Alter Enterprise provides complete computer services for more and more organizations, from design and implementation to administrative support to allow clients to focus on running their business, our technical consultant staff is crucial to help businesses develop IT strategies to maximize their staffs time and productivity. Alter Enterprise is looking to hire a technician staff member who will provide administrative support to Alter Enterprises clients and employees. In addition to answering calls/emails, data entry and scheduling technicians, he/she will also perform duties such as invoice reconciliation, obtaining supplies, and working on special projects. He/She also assembles highly confidential and sensitive information, as well as deals with a professional group of important external callers and internal contacts at all levels of the organization. Independent judgment is required to plan, prioritize and organize diversified workload, recommends changes in office practices or procedures. We are looking for a customer service orientated professional with three to five years experience in computer network maintenance, who is passionate about helping our organization succeed, has strong communication and problem solving skills, and who thrives in working as part of a team in a fast paced environment where attention to detail matters. This full time position will report to the CEO and COO and will be based in Missoula, MT. Essential Duties and Functions Proactive monitoring of WAN/MAN/LAN networks using network management systems. Open trouble tickets and test with vendors or ISPs. Delivery, minor training and installation of patches and hot fixes will be required. Occasion performance or health checks of customer systems will also be required. Replicate customer environments to troubleshoot and resolve problems, file defects, etc. Demonstrate the ability to keep technical, communications, and business skills current with an emphasis on understanding emerging technologies and their impact on AE customers and their business. Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of DNS, Mail Flow, Spam Filtering. Demonstrate a willingness to be hands-on, both answering the phones and resolving tickets in the queue. Demonstrate experience supporting different Network Topologies, Protocols and Routing/Switching. Demonstrate experience using network management software, packet sniffing utilities and protocol analysis software. Demonstrate experience troubleshooting and configuring VPN, IPSEC and GRE tunnels. Demonstrate experience designing, configuring, installing, supporting Cisco?s CM, CME, IPCC and Unity. Demonstrate experience with Telecommunications infrastructure and VoIP. Develop an understanding of AE?s products, capabilities and limitations in sufficient detail to be able to develop offerings that meet customer needs. If interested, please email a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. Stephanie and Ryan Alter Alter Enterprise MonTEC Building 1121 East Broadway Street Suite 101 Missoula, MT 59802 406-214-3977 Le Premier Ministre a mis le Cabinet au courant de son prochain voyage a Rodrigues dans le cadre des 20 ans de laautonomie de lile et les 50 ans des vols dAir Mauritius. Cabinet has taken note that the Prime Minister would effect an official visit to Rodrigues from 09 to 13 October 2022 in the context of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Autonomy of Rodrigues. On that occasion, he would also proceed with the inauguration of the Green Space in Port Mathurin to be named after Late Sir Anerood Jugnauth, GCSK, KCMG, QC and also the Commemoration of 50 years of operations of Air Mauritius in Rodrigues. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Articles similaires Details added (first version posted on 11:56) Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 26 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received the credentials of newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Djibouti Mohamed Ali Kamil on Oct. 26. Ambassador Mohamed Ali Kamil reviewed a guard of honor. Mohamed Ali Kamil presented his credentials to President Ilham Aliyev. President Ilham Aliyev then had a conversation with the ambassador. The head of state hailed bilateral relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Djibouti. Noting that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to cooperation with Islamic countries, President Ilham Aliyev said Azerbaijan and Djibouti are friendly countries. The head of state stressed the importance of the fact that the two countries successfully cooperate, especially within international organizations by demonstrating solidarity, adding both countries have always supported each other. Praising the level of political ties between the two countries, the head of state underlined the necessity of expanding the relations in other areas. Noting the role of ambassadors in developing the bilateral ties, President Ilham expressed hope that Ambassador Mohamed Ali Kamil will hold discussions with Azerbaijans relevant authorities to explore opportunities for economic cooperation. Ambassador Mohamed Ali Kamil conveyed greetings and best wishes of President of the Republic of Djibouti Ismail Omar Guelleh to the head of state. Mohamed Ali Kamil noted that he met with the president of his country before coming to Baku. Mr. President, I met with Mr. Ismail Omar Guelleh before coming to Baku. He personally told me that Azerbaijan is an important country for us, noted the envoy. The head of state thanked for the greetings of President Ismail Omar Guelleh, and asked the ambassador to extend his greetings to the Djiboutian president. President Ilham Aliyev also received Oct. 26 the credentials of newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Allama Siddiki. Ambassador Allama Siddiki reviewed a guard of honor. Siddiki presented his credentials to President Ilham Aliyev. President Aliyev then had a conversation with the ambassador. Saying Azerbaijan and Bangladesh enjoy very good political relations, the head of state hailed the importance of the two countries' mutual support within international organizations. President Ilham Aliyev underlined the two countries' close cooperation within the UN and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and expressed his gratitude to the Bangladeshi government for supporting the establishment of the Contact Group on Armenia's aggression against Azerbaijan at the OIC Summit held in Istanbul this year. Pointing to Azerbaijan-Bangladesh economic cooperation, the head of state hailed lots of opportunities to increase the volume of bilateral trade. He noted the significance of relations between the two countries businessmen and pointed to the necessity of exploring opportunities in this field. President Ilham Aliyev underlined the significance of establishing regular contacts in order to develop cooperation between the two countries. Ambassador Allama Siddiki conveyed the greetings and best wishes of President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Abdul Hamid to President Ilham Aliyev. Describing Bangladesh and Azerbaijan as two fraternal countries, Ambassador Allama Siddiki pointed to his country's love to Azerbaijan, its people and culture. He noted that they are aware of Azerbaijan's ancient history, as well as the country's historical role. Ambassador Allama Siddiki paid tribute to Azerbaijani national leader Heydar Aliyev, and highlighted his role in the formation of the national spirit of the people of Azerbaijan. He noted that the years of Heydar Aliyevs leadership marked a remarkable period in the history of Azerbaijan. On the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Bangladeshi ambassador underlined his countrys support for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Ambassador Siddiki expressed his confidence that under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan will continue to develop, strengthen its geo-strategic position, and play a more important role. President Ilham Aliyev thanked for the greetings and best wishes of President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Abdul Hamid, and asked the ambassador to extend his greetings to the Bangladeshi head of state. President Ilham Aliyev also received the credentials of newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa Pule Isaac Malefane on Oct. 26. Ambassador Pule Isaac Malefane reviewed a guard of honor. Pule Isaac Malefane presented his credentials to President Ilham Aliyev. President Ilham Aliyev then had a conversation with the ambassador. Hailing political relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of South Africa, the head of state stressed the necessity of expanding cooperation in economic and trade spheres. Saying that the Embassy of Azerbaijan operates in the Republic of South Africa for several years, President Ilham Aliyev noted the role of the embassies in defining areas of cooperation between the two countries and creating opportunities for business representatives. Ambassador Pule Isaac Malefane said that he will spare no efforts to strengthen relations between the two countries. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev also received the credentials of the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Yakupitiya Kuruppu Arachchige Rohanajith on Oct. 26. Ambassador Yakupitiya Kuruppu Arachchige Rohanajith reviewed a guard of honor. Yakupitiya Kuruppu Arachchige Rohanajith presented his credentials to President Ilham Aliyev. President Ilham Aliyev then had a conversation with the ambassador. Ambassador Yakupitiya Kuruppu Arachchige Rohanajith extended the best wishes of President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to the head of state. Pointing to cultural ties between the two countries, the ambassador noted the importance of developing cooperation in this field. Saying that Azerbaijan and Sri Lanka are friendly countries, President Ilham Aliyev noted that the two countries are cooperating within international organizations. The head of state underlined the significance of developing the bilateral ties in a number of areas of mutual interest. Touching upon the economic cooperation, President Ilham Aliyev said increasing the bilateral trade was the primary goal. The head of state expressed his confidence that the new ambassadors activity will be successful in terms of the development of Azerbaijan-Sri Lanka ties. President Ilham Aliyev thanked for the greetings of Maithripala Sirisena and Ranil Wickremesinghe, and asked the ambassador to extend his greetings to the president and prime minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 26 Trend: The government of Vietnam considers opening its embassy in Azerbaijan in order to give additional impetus to the development of the bilateral cooperation, a diplomatic source told Trend Oct. 26. The source said that this issue will be resolved in the near future. Azerbaijan opened its embassy in Vietnam in 2013. Azerbaijan and Vietnam established an intergovernmental commission on cooperation in economy, trade, science and technology with the aim to intensify the relations between the two countries, and the first meeting of this commission is scheduled for late October. Currently, Azerbaijan-Vietnam relations are coordinated by the countrys embassy in Russia, which is also accredited in Azerbaijan. The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Vietnam in January-August 2016 amounted to $65.394 million, according to the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 26 Trend: A meeting of teachers and fifth-year students of Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS) and Rena Huseynova, a representative of the German Academic Exchange Service DAAD in Baku, was held at BHOS. Greeting the attendants, BHOS Rector Elmar Gasimov said that this meeting would provide the students with new opportunities for continuing study abroad. He expressed his confidence that graduates of BHOS, which is one of the best higher education schools in the country, can successfully study and honorably represent Azerbaijan at the most reputable universities abroad. Speaking about future prospects of study and employment opportunities for BHOS graduates, the rector informed that some of the fifth-year students already received job offers, including those from SOCAR. He noted that this success is the recognition of the high quality of education at BHOS. In the meantime, said the rector, pursuing Master degree at various universities in Azerbaijan and other countries gives the students an option to gain new skills and deeper knowledge in the chosen profession. This program is just a first step in our efforts to encourage our students to continue their studies, and there will be more programs in the future, said Gasimov. Huseynova told the meeting attendants about DAAD activities worldwide and in Azerbaijan including development of cooperation with national universities. The major aims of the DAAD in Azerbaijan are to promote international exchange, to provide information, and to award scholarships to students and scientists, she said. She added that the German Academic Exchange Service unites 238 German participating universities and has 15 representative offices abroad. In total, DAAD provides nearly 100,000 scholarships every year. She emphasized that DAAD, among other programs, awards competitive, merit-based grants for use toward MA study and/or research in Germany at any of the accredited German institutions of higher education and provided detailed information about application process and requirements for admission. At the end of the meeting, Huseynova answered numerous questions. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 26 By Elena Kosolapova Trend: Tajikistan is interested to connect with the future Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Turkmenistan railway with Azerbaijans railways, said Tajik Ambassador to Azerbaijan Zohir Saidov in his interview with Trend. The connection of these railways could contribute to the future connection of routes of Central Asia with Europe, he noted. The memorandum on construction of the Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Turkmenistan railway was signed in March 2013 by the three countries presidents. It was planned to put the railway into operation in 2018. The construction of the railways Turkmen section is already completed. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) planned to help in the construction of the railways parts in Tajikistan and Afghanistan, but later, it suspended the support for this project due to the tense situation in Afghanistan. Saidov also noted that the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, which is being built, is of interest to Tajikistan in order to diversify the countrys transit and transportation directions and the country intends to take advantage of these opportunities. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway is planned to be put into operation in late 2016. The peak capacity of the railway will be 17 million tons of cargo per year. At the initial stage, this figure will be one million passengers and 6.5 million tons of cargo. The ambassador said that the cooperation in the transit and transportation sphere, the use of Azerbaijans transit opportunities and organization of transit transportation of cargos from Tajikistan via the Trans-Caucasus corridor are of great importance for mutual economic relations between Tajikistan and Azerbaijan. He recalled that the biggest Tajik Aluminum Company TALCO transports its goods using Azerbaijans waterways and railways. Moreover, Tajikistan is one of the active participants on the revival of the Great Silk Road as part of the TRACECA project and the Permanent Secretariat of the intergovernmental commission, which is located in Baku. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @E_Kosolapova Its easy to forget about the hardworking individuals behind the scenes at schools when so much of the focus is on students and teachers. But a custodian has changed that at North Cove Elementary and he is making his mark in a unique way. My preacher was preaching on what a good, positive thing you could leave behind and I got to thinking about what I could do, head custodian Dwayne Moore said in an interview with the newspaper. So he decided this year he was going to wear a necktie to school every day to show pride, responsibility and respectwords North Cove students strive to live by. The first week (of school) I got some heads turning, and some of the parents asked me if I was trying to get the principals job. And I said, No, Im just going to wear ties this year, he said. There were some kids that never spoke to me, and now they say good morning and want to talk. It seems like it has put everybody in a better mood. Its really been shocking. The impact it has made on students now only 40 days into the school year has been overwhelming, he said. Its been more positive than I would have ever thought. Its been good for me personally. The (students) stop me in the hall all of the time wanting to look at my tie and see whats on it. I wore a tie with pizza on it one day, and before the day was out, I knew where everybody bought their pizza and the ones they liked best. He started out with 10 ties and hasnt had to buy any additional ones yet. The students are taking pride in their custodian by bringing him ties, and the community has even stepped in and donated dozens of ties. If they donate a tie and leave their name they will get it announced over the intercom in the mornings and get their picture taken with me. The goal is to teach respect, responsibility and pride and I feel like its doing that, he said. Moore asked fourth-grader Trinity Swofford to be a part of the interview with him as he sported the tie she gave him. He said Swofford has been one of his biggest supporters. Hes important because he helps everybody do the right thing and he shows pride and responsibility by cleaning the school, she said. He always helps the teachers, he talks to them and he helps our school. Even Superintendant Mark Garrett, known for wearing a bowtie daily, stopped by the school to encourage Moore. That was saying a lot. Mr. Garrett gave me good encouragement and said he supported it and said he would be coming throughout the year and bring me ties, Moore said. Principal Deserae Kirkpatrick said Moore is a vital piece of the North Cove team. We are very proud of Mr. Moore and the fact that he took the initiative. It goes to show that its all about the pride you put in your job. You should see the pride the children have when they bring in a tie that he can wear, she said. It seems like such a simple gift, but you see a bond begin to grow and its very amazing. On Tuesday, students wore ties in honor of National Necktie Day, and fourth-graders at North Cove Elementary honored Moore Thursday night at the PTO meeting. They raised money to purchase a light-up, motion-sensitive tie and an engraved tie clip reading, We Love You Mr. Moore. We did a skit about how he shows us pride, respect and responsibility. We sang songs about him and they danced with him at the end using the chicken dance to get his tie to light up. He was very surprised and honored, said fourth-grade teacher Holly Sills. Kirkpatrick said this movement has brought a new spirit to the school year, and has tied together the whole theory of teamwork, school family and having pride in their school. The school belongs to all of us and it is all of our responsibility to take care of it as a team. I think this has given him an outlet to make a difference with our students, she said. Ive seen a change in him and hes got such a big heart. The students recognize him as a part of our educational community and he is just as important as anybody else. Moore says he challenges all custodians in McDowell County Schools to make an impact where they work. To see what tie Moore is wearing today, visit him on Facebook at North Cove Elementary Custodial Leader. To see a short video, visit http://tinyurl.com/hcnwnuz. Details added (first version posted on 16:54) Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 26 By Maksim Tsurkov Trend: A contract worth 132 million manats has been signed in Azerbaijan for construction of two new unique Ro-Pax (roll-on/roll-off passenger) ferries. The ferries will be built at Baku Shipyard LLC by the order of the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping CJSC. The projects designer is Ukraines Marine Engineering Bureau. The contract was signed by the Head of the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping CJSC Rauf Valiyev and General Manager of Baku Shipyard Khee Chong Lam. The signing ceremony was attended by Azerbaijans Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev, Head of State Maritime Administration Gudrat Gurbanov, representatives of Marine Engineering Bureau and Baku Shipyard, as well as by Rovnag Abdullayev, president of Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR, which owns a controlling share in the shipbuilding plant. The ferry is designed for freight and passenger traffic. The vessel with deadweight of 5,540 tons will be able to carry up to 56 tanks, 46 gondola cars, 44 freight cars, 50 trucks and will have 100 passenger seats. Currently, Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping CJSC has 13 ferries, two of which are RO-RO type ferries. Seven of those ferries can carry up to 28 cars, while other six ferries can carry 52-54 cars. Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev told reporters that the construction of the new ferries will take two to three years. Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping CJSC is the customer, but, a part of expenses for the construction will be covered by the government, added the minister. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @MaksimTsurkov Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 26 By Maksim Tsurkov Trend: The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) has kept Azerbaijans status in the organization as a candidate country, the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) said in a message Oct. 26. The message says that the decision was adopted during the 35th session of the EITI International Board in Astana. The Azerbaijani delegation led by SOFAZ Director Shahmar Movsumov also took part in the session, according to the message. The EITI Board, taking into account Azerbaijans progress within the second evaluation and on a number of requirements, decided to keep the countrys candidate status. EITI is a special multilateral and voluntary initiative for improving transparency in the oil, gas and mining sectors. Azerbaijan joined the EITI in 2003. Azerbaijan was awarded the 2009 EITI Award for its commitment to EITI principles and criteria and achievements in EITI Implementation. In 2015, EITI lowered the status of Azerbaijan in this structure. The decision was made at the 29th meeting in Brazzaville held April 14-15 after the discussions on a report on Azerbaijan. Following the discussions, the EITI Board decided to lower the membership of Azerbaijan to the candidate status. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @MaksimTsurkov Baxter is launching its new dialysis technology, HDx enabled by THERANOVA, in a global release of the new technology. HDx stands for expanded hemodialysis and, as the name implies, the THERANOVA dialyzer that powers it is able to filter a wider range of molecules compared to traditional dialysis. The company claims that the filtering ability of THERANOVA more closely mimics healthy kidneys. The new dialyzer filters out larger mid-sized molecules that conventional dialysis tends to leave back in patient blood. Outcomes should be improved for patients with kidney failure, potentially lowering the incidence of cardiovascular and other types of conditions. THERANOVA is compatible with most existing dialysis systems and does not require any changes in equipment, procedures, or processes, allowing clinics to adopt the technology with almost no upfront costs. HDx enabled by THERANOVA is not yet available in the U.S. From Baxter: Led by Alexander R. Rosenkranz, M.D., Clinical Division of Nephrology, Medical University of Graz, Austria, and Detlef H. Krieter, M.D., Division of Nephrology, University Hospital Wurzburg, Germany, researchers conducted two prospective, randomized, crossover pilot studies in three dialysis centers in Austria and Germany. A total of 39 patients were included. The studies focused on clearance of free immunoglobulin light chains (FLC), as FLC levels have been associated with increased mortality risk in chronic kidney disease6 and high-flux dialyzers are limited in their ability to remove these molecules. The study found that THERANOVA had higher clearance of middle molecules including FLCs, compared to both HD and HDF. Via: Baxter Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 26 Trend: Gazprom expects a reduction in supply of gas to Turkey by 9.2 percent to 24.5 billion cubic meters in 2016, said the Russian companys deputy chairman, Alexander Medvedev, RIA Novosti reported Oct. 26. The supply in 2017 is expected to hit 25.1 billion cubic meters of gas Turkey is the second foreign market for Gazprom after Germany. We exported 27 billion cubic meters of gas to that country in 2015, Medvedev said. He added that Gazprom does not operate in the end consumer market in Turkey. We supply gas abroad and then it goes to local companies, including gas distribution enterprises. The work with end consumers is under their jurisdiction, Medvedev said. He added that Gazprom is interested in participating in Turkeys power generation projects on certain terms. Error 404 Not Found You may have mis-typed the URL. Or the page has been removed. Actually, there is nothing to see here... Click on the links below to do something, Thanks! Take Me our of here by Gord Hotchkiss , Featured Contributor, October 25, 2016 The first time I went to Washington D.C., I was struck by the extreme polarity I saw there. That day, the Tea Party was staging a demonstration against Obamacare on the Mall in front of the Capitol building. But this wasnt the only event happening. The Mall was jammed with gatherings of all types, from all political angles: the right, the ultra-right and left, the rich and poor, the eager and entitled, the sage and stupid. The discourse was loud, passionate and boisterous. It was -- in a word -- chaos. That chaotic polarity is, of course, defining the current election. After the second presidential debate, commentator Bob Schieffer said, with a mixture of incredulity and disgust, How have we come to this? The presidential debates may have hit a new low in presidential decorum, but if you dig deep enough, there is something great here. advertisement advertisement Really. A recent PR campaign has asked Canadians to tweet why America is great. Im going to do it in a column instead. Youre great because you argue loudly, passionately and boisterously. You air out ideologies in a very messy and public way. You amplify the bejeezus out of the good and the bad of human nature and then put them both in a cage match to battle it out in broad daylight. You do this knowing there will be no clear winner of this battle, but you hope and trust that the scales will tip in the right direction. There is no other country I know of that has the guts to do this in quite the way you do. You personally may not agree with Donald Trump, but there are many that do. He is giving voice to the feelings and frustrations of a sizable chunk of the U.S population. And as much I personally dont like how hes doing it, the fact is, he is doing it. Your country, your constitution and your political system has allowed a man like this to take a shot at the highest office of the land by questioning and attacking many things that many Americans hold to be inviolable. Its scary as hell, but I have to admire you for letting it play out the way it has and trusting that eventually the process will prevail. And it has for 240 years. Candidates and elections and campaign rhetoric will all eventually disappear, but the process -- your process -- has always prevailed. The polarization of the U.S .is nothing new. It defines you. For a quick history lesson, watch "The Best of Enemies" on Netflix; a documentary on the televised debates of William F. Buckley and Gore Vidal clashing on left vs. right during the 1968 Nixon vs. Humphreys vs. Wallace election. What started as an intellectual duel ended with Buckley threatening to smash Vidals face in after being called a pro-crypto-Nazi on live TV. If you look at the U.S. from the outside, you swear that the whole mess is going to end up in a fiery wreck. But youve been here before. Many times. And somehow, the resilience of who you are and how you conduct business wins out. You careen toward disaster, but you always seem to swerve at the last minute and emerge stronger than before. I honestly dont know how you do it. As a polite, cautious Canadian, I stand simultaneously in awe and abject terror of how you operate. You defy the physics of what should be. Youre fundamentally, gloriously flawed -- but you are unquestionably resilient. You are an amazing example of emergence. You are, in the words of author Nassim Nicolas Taleb, "antifragile": "beyond resilience or robustness. The resilient resists shocks and stays the same; the antifragile gets better." You are discordant, divided and dysfunctional -- and somehow, youre still the most powerful and successful nation on the planet. I suspect you got there not in spite of your flaws, but because of them. Perhaps youre embarrassed by the current election cycle. I understand that. It has been called unprecedented many, many times by many, many commentators. And that may be true, but I would say its unprecedented only in the vigor and volume of the candidates (or, to be frank, one candidate). The boundaries of what is permissible have been pushed forcefully out. It may not be what certain constituents think is proper, but it is probably an accurate reflection of the diverse moods of the nation and, as such, it needs to be heard. You are a country of many opinions -- often diametrically opposed. The U.S.'s unique brand of democracy has had to stretch to its limits to accurately capture the dynamics of a nation in flux. I dont know what will happen Nov. 8. I do know that whatever happens, you will have gone through the fire yet again. You will emerge. You will do what needs to be done. And I suspect that, once again, youll be the stronger for it. by Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, October 26, 2016 Millennial-haters, this is your show. And Joel McHale is your patron saint. I could hardly believe my eyes and ears when I watched the first two episodes of this new CBS sitcom called The Great Indoors in advance of its premiere this Thursday night (Oct. 27). Instead of slavishly catering to Millennials -- just like every other sector of the media these days -- CBS decided to make a comedy series that totally hammers them. And thats something we can all get behind. In The Great Indoors, McHale, 44, plays a globetrotting adventure journalist named Jack who is the star writer on an outdoors magazine called Outdoor Limits. In the series premiere, he pays a rare visit to the magazines Chicago offices and learns that the magazines staff and operations have changed dramatically. For openers, the mag is ceasing print publication and going Web-only, effective immediately. He learns this from Roland, the magazines aging publisher and owner, played by Stephen Fry, whose presence here is a casting coup for a network sitcom. Suddenly, the office is populated by new Millennial hires with names like Emma and Mason. And Roland informs Jack he wants him to cease his outdoor adventuring in favor of a deskbound job as the editor/supervisor of these new hires. The problem is, Jack thinks these Millennials are idiots with whom he has nothing in common. For one thing, they have job titles that boggle Jacks mind such as online content curator (a title Jack immediately derides as obviously made up), social influencer and digital conversation specialist. Everything these Millennials do rankles Jack. One of them, Emma, complains that she hasnt been promoted yet, although she has only worked at the company for eight weeks. Another one of them insists on bringing her dog to work because its not just a pet, its an emotional support animal. In one scene, they all receive trophies -- not for any real achievement but for trying real hard. When Jack talks to his young charges about his encounter in the wild with a she-bear and her cubs, they show him a viral video on YouTube of a family of bears swimming in someones backyard pool. You guys always expect work to be fun, he lectures them. You cant just post animal videos and call it journalism. You cant take a word, remove some vowels and think its a great app! Jack soon learns that one of the staffers, Clark, does a podcast from the magazines offices. But so far, the podcast consists of Clark interviewing co-worker Mason about Masons podcast. When Jack scolds Clark for this obvious waste of time and effort, Clark cries and runs out of the room. Those Millennials what a bunch of crybabies, right? But wait, theres more. Following the crying incident, the companys HR rep calls a meeting with Jack. Young adults today are a very delicate group, she tells him. We offer an entire class on how to deal with them. Is this class called I Was Born in the 90s -- Waah!? Jack asks derisively. The HR lady then reveals her true feelings about Millennials. Says she: Sometimes I want to beat them senseless with their selfie sticks, but theyre the only reason many of us are employed right now, so get used to it! And so it goes -- 22 minutes of Millennial abuse. And it continues in Episode Two. Watching both episodes, I felt like Flounder in Animal House when he exclaimed: Oh, boy, is this great! This shows relentless attack on Millennials was so refreshing that I loved this show in spite of a number of characteristics I have been known to rail about in reviews of other sitcoms. For example, the word penis turns up in the script a mere minute and a half into the pilot episode of The Great Indoors. That might be some sort of record, but it didnt bother me. And this wouldnt be a network sitcom if the script didnt contain the now-obligatory references to poop, urine and masturbation. Raise your hand if youre bored by now with the TV Blog mentioning this in every sitcom review lately. Even my hand is up. The good news here is that these elements do not fatally mar this show because its heart is in the right place. Its timely assault on Millennial culture makes The Great Indoors the most relevant new show of the fall season. The Great Indoors premieres Thursday (Oct. 27) at 8:30 p.m. Eastern on CBS. by Richard Whitman , Columnist, October 25, 2016 At 2:45 a.m. Sunday, three woman who work for Chicago ad agencies were killed while riding in an Uber. On their way to their hotel in Milwaukee, the Uber the three woman were riding in was hit by a Lexus SUV that was speeding and ran through a red light. The three women -- Ashley Sawatzke, 30, Amy Taylor, 32, and Lindsey Cohn, 35 -- were killed on impact. The Uber driver, Tim Snyder, was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The 2015 Lexus R350 slammed into the side of the Uber vehicle, a 2013 Ford Fusion. The three woman had worked together in account service at Chicago's Energy BBDO. Sawatzke left Energy BBDO this past summer to take an account supervisor position at Leo Burnett. Of the tragic accident, Energy BBDO President Tonise Paul said in a statement: "We are absolutely devastated by the loss of these three incredible, exuberant young women who were taken from us far too soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones at this tragic moment. The grief of their absence is felt deeply across our Energy BBDO family." As reported in the Chicago Tribune, there were two men in the Lexus, both of whom fled from the vehicle after it collided with the Uber vehicle. One of the men, described as a 23-year-old man, turned himself in to authorities Monday afternoon. Uber company spokesperson Kayla Whaling said> "We are devastated to hear of this tragic accident and extend our deepest thoughts to all those grieving for the loss of their loved ones. We will support the police investigation in every way we can." advertisement advertisement Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct.26 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: Russia produced an estimated 11.03 million barrels of petroleum and other liquids per day in 2015, according to the Country Analysis Brief of the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). The country exported more than 7 million barrels per day in 2015, including roughly 5 million barrels per day of crude oil and the remainder in products and other liquids, according to the report. EIA analysts said that Russia had roughly 7.6 million b/d of petroleum and other liquids available for exports, including almost 5 million b/d of crude and condensate exports. The majority of Russian crude oil exports (70 percent) went to European countries, particularly Germany, the Netherlands, Belarus, and Poland, according to the report. The revenues from crude oil and products exports in 2015 accounted for 46 percent of Russias total export revenues, said the EIA. Additionally, 43 percent of Russia's federal budget revenue in 2015 came from oil and natural gas activities. Asia and Oceania accounted for 28 percent of Russian crude exports in 2015, with China and Japan accounting for a growing share of total Russian exports, according to the report. However, Russias crude oil exports to North America and South America have been largely displaced by increases in crude oil production in the US, Canada, and, to a lesser extent, in Brazil, Colombia, and other countries in the Americas, said the EIA. Russia is a major producer and exporter of oil and natural gas. Its economic growth is driven by energy exports, given its high oil and natural gas production. by Chuck Martin , Staff Writer, October 26, 2016 Once a consumer starts researching products on their smartphone, the actual purchase of a product is pretty closely behind. In the U.S., the final purchase is most likely to occur in a physical store, which is not the case in some other countries. While different countries have varying degrees of penetration, the smartphone is considered the most important device for retail research by almost a third (30%) of all retail shoppers, according to a new report. The Global Mobile Path to Purchase study was conducted by xAD and Millward Brown and examined shopping behaviors in five countries (U.S., U.K., Germany, China and Japan). The importance of the smartphone as a research tool for retail purchase varies by country, with the device taking on more importance than desktops in China. Heres the breakdown of where mobile is the most important device for shopping: 50% -- China 44% -- Japan 32% -- United Kingdom 31% -- United States 29% -- Germany advertisement advertisement There are a wide range of items that people are shopping for on phones. Consumers in Japan and China use phones for grocery shopping way ahead of other countries. In China, 88% of consumers use phones for grocery shopping and 63% of consumers in Japan. By contrast, just over half (57%) of U.S. consumers use their phones for grocery shopping, with clothing and apparel talking the top spot. Heres what consumers in the U.S. use their phones for when shopping: 58% -- Clothing and apparel 57% -- Grocery 41% -- Electronics 39% -- Home goods and improvement 37% -- Beauty and wellness 31% -- Games and entertainment 23% -- Sports and leisure While more consumers in Japan make purchases on their phones, U.S. shoppers head to the store for that final purchase. For example, 67% of consumers in the U.S. make a trip to the store to complement their mobile research compared to fewer than half (45%) in Japan. The real key in all of this is that once consumers start researching on their phones they are in the market to make a purchase relatively soon. Mobile research is the beginning of the intent to purchase cycle. Chinese and U.S. consumers are the quickest to convert while Japanese consumers tend to take a bit more time. When shoppers start their mobile researching, heres the breakdown of how many make a purchase within the day or sooner: 86% -- China 78% -- United States 78% -- United Kingdom 73% -- Germany 49% -- Japan After they start their mobile research, more than half (54%) of U.S. consumers end up making the purchase in a physical store. In China and the U.K., more consumers make their final purchase via mobile rather than in person or via desktop. This may be a factor in the adoption of mobile payments, at least in stores. In the U.S., in-store mobile payments account for only 2% of all retail transactions, according to new research form GfK. In China, it accounts for 24% of transactions. Shoppers in the U.S. may pass on mobile payments and prefer to make most of their purchases in a physical store, but that doesnt leave mobile out of the process. Smartphones are used all the way to the final purchase, for comparing products and checking prices of competitors. The consumer may end up buying at the store, but they likely used their smartphone to determine the product, the store and the timing of the buy. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, October 26, 2016 BloomReach took a leap into content management Wednesday, announcing the acquisition of Hippo, which allows companies to manage apps and Web properties. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Hippo will continue to operate primarily from Amsterdam, with a location in Boston, as an independent business unit of BloomReach focusing on content management. As part of the agreement, Hippo CEO Jeroen Verberg will remain with the company and will join the BloomReach Board of Directors. Hippo, founded in 1999, was bootstrapped funded, as opposed to taking funds from venture capitalists. The Web content management market is expected to reach more than $8.25 billion by 2021, growing at a compounded annual growth rate of about 16.2%, according to Markets and Markets. advertisement advertisement Hippo's 100 employees, who mostly support government, insurance and educational markets, will join Bloomreach's more than 200 employees. Hippo's clients include Kohler, REI, University of Maryland, and U.K. National Health Service. The company works with more than 150 customers in 13 countries. Bloomreach focuses mostly on commerce supporting Neiman Marcus, Sears Outlet, Staples, Williams-Sonoma, and many others. There is very little overlap in clients, said Raj De Datta, CEO and cofounder of BloomReach. "When you put the two companies together you get a pretty good global footprint," he said. "Prior to this transaction the majority of the clients were in the U.S." The combined companies will give an alternative to rules-based experience-management vendors that cause significant integration and management expenses. De Datta wants this to become the first "digital native experience platform" by combining the data that lives in bucket A with the content that lives in bucket B. by Erik Sass , Staff Writer @eriksass1, October 26, 2016 Its becoming a grim holiday tradition. With the end of the year looming and third-quarter results coming in, the halls of many a newspaper publisher are echoing with the all-too-familiar sound of axes swinging (figuratively, of course), as top brass look to reduce costs with new rounds of layoffs. This week, Gannett, the nations largest newspaper publisher, announced plans to lay off roughly 350 employees, or around 2% of its total workforce of about 18,700. The layoffs are companywide and include staff at the companys corporate headquarters, as well as its flagship national newspaper USA Today and over 100 local publications. The company cited continuing declines in print advertising and the need to shore up the bottom line as it continues its sometimes-painful transition into a primarily digital media company. Gannett president and CEO Bob Dickey explained in a memo to employees announcing the cuts: These moves are central to our transformation into a leading, next-generation media company. The positive impact of these efforts will take time, which in the near-term requires us to assertively manage our costs. Looking ahead, Dickey wrote: Over the next 18 months, we will continue to build our scale and invest in important digital capabilities and experiences such as critical e-commerce infrastructure and significant upgrades to our digital content platforms. As noted, Gannett is hardly alone in cutting its headcount as the year winds down. Last week Wall Street Journal editor in chief Gerard Baker announced in a memo Friday that the publisher is seeking a substantial number of buyouts to limit the number of layoffs it will otherwise have to make. WSJ sibling Barrons is also preparing for layoffs, according to an email mistakenly sent to employees last week. The New York Times revealed that around 80 employees had recently accepted voluntary buyouts. by Wendy Davis , Staff Writer @wendyndavis, October 26, 2016 Google is retreating from an ambitious program to extend its Gigabit fiber service to new neighborhoods. The company reportedly is laying off around 9% of workers in the division, and says it will pause work in markets where it held "exploratory discussions." Craig Barratt, who had served as CEO of the unit, is stepping down. "Were ever grateful to these cities for their ongoing partnership and patience, and were confident well have an opportunity to resume our partnership discussions once weve advanced our technologies and solutions," Barratt said in a blog post. advertisement advertisement He added that the company will remain in areas where it's already launched or has started construction. It's not yet clear whether Google will ever think it's feasible to resume its Fiber project. That's unfortunate, because Fiber brought much needed broadband competition to neighborhoods where it rolled out. Google Fiber not only appeared to spur other broadband providers to roll out Gigabit service, but it also resulted in lower prices, according to DSLReports. News of Google's move comes nearly two months after reports emerged about planned cutbacks at Google Fiber. Those reports spurred an AT&T executive to pen a blog post gloating over the situation. "Building reliable, ubiquitous high-speed broadband connectivity is tough," AT&Ts vice president Joan Marsh wrote at the time. "Welcome to the broadband network business, Google Fiber. Well be watching your next move from our rear view mirror. Oh, and pardon our dust." Marsh didn't add that AT&T has done its best to thwart Google's entry into some new markets, like Louisville, Kentucky and Nashville, Tennessee. Lawmakers in those cities passed measures aimed at making it easier for Google Fiber to create networks. AT&T promptly sued to block those laws. New research reveals fresh clues on the infection-fighting properties of cranberries. Researchers in Canada showed how cranberry extract rich in a particular type of compound successfully disrupted cell-to-cell communication in bacteria responsible for hard-to-treat infections. Share on Pinterest The study shows cranberry extract rich in a particular group of compounds may help stop the spread of a bacterium that causes infections in hospital patients and people with weak immune systems. The team from McGill University in Montreal and INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier in Laval, both in Canada reports the discovery in the journal Scientific Reports. Previous studies have already shown that cranberries contain proanthocyanidins (PACs), a class of compound that fends off illness through various antibacterial properties. For example, they can stop certain bacteria from sticking onto the wall of the bladder and causing a urinary tract infection. However, the team behind the new study also wanted to find out if cranberry compounds can control the virulence of bacteria, and therefore reduce the severity of an infection. They suggest their findings not only give fresh clues on how PACs in cranberries fight bacteria, but they could also lead to new approaches to infection control. Cranberry compounds disrupt bacterial cell communication For their study, the team used fruit flies a useful model for studying human infections at the level of cells and molecules. They found severity of bacterial infection was reduced in fruit flies fed on cranberry extract rich in PACs, compared with cranberry-free fruit flies. The cranberry-fed flies also lived longer. Further investigation revealed the cranberry PACs disrupt a cell communication process called quorum sensing that forms an essential link in a chain of events involved in the spread and severity of chronic bacterial infections. The research focuses on a bacterium called Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause infections in hospital patients and people with weak immune systems. Patients on breathing machines, fitted with catheters, or with burns or surgical wounds are potentially at risk for serious, life-threatening infections. Just 2 days of sleep loss may trigger changes in gut microbiota that are associated with poor metabolic health. This is the finding of a small study published in the journal Molecular Metabolism. Share on Pinterest Researchers suggest sleep loss may alter gut microbiota. For optimal health and well-being, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommend adults aged 18-60 years get at least 7 hours of sleep every night. However, earlier this year, a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that more than a third of adults in the United States are not meeting these recommendations. Lack of sleep has been linked to increased risk of numerous health problems, including high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Previous research has also associated changes in gut microbiota the community of microorganisms that reside in the digestive tract with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Whether sleep loss plays a role in this relationship, however, has been unclear. According to the researchers of the new study including first author Christian Benedict of the Department of Neuroscience at Uppsala University in Sweden some studies in mice and humans have suggested that gut bacteria have a circadian rhythm that might be disrupted by sleep loss. However, to date, there are no studies that have investigated the impact of insufficient sleep on the composition of the human gut microbiota, they add. Studies are therefore lacking that assess whether important adverse metabolic changes that may increase the risk of [type 2 diabetes] and obesity, such as impaired insulin sensitivity, are associated with changes in the gut microbiome and associated SCFAs [short chain fatty acids] that could result from recurrent sleep loss. The superbug MRSA uses decoys to evade a last-resort antibiotic, reveals new research. The findings, from scientists at Imperial College London, suggest potential new ways of tackling the bacteria, such as interfering with the decoys. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is responsible for thousands of deaths around the world each year. However, because the bacteria are resistant to many different antibiotics, treatment options are limited, and often ineffective. One of the few antibiotics that can be used against MRSA is a drug of last resort known as daptomycin. However nearly a third of MRSA infections are not cured by this drug, leaving patients with a poor prognosis. But until now scientists didn't know how MRSA managed to survive daptomycin treatment. In the latest findings, published in the journal Nature Microbiology, a team from Imperial discovered that MRSA releases decoy molecules that allow them to escape being killed by the antibiotic. The decoys are made of the same type of fat that make up the outer layer of MRSA cells. The antibiotic usually latches onto this fat layer, before drilling a hole through the outer shell and killing the bacteria. However, when MRSA releases these fatty decoy molecules the antibiotic latches onto these instead, and is deactivated. Dr Andrew Edwards, lead author from the Department of Medicine at Imperial, explained: "These fat molecules act in a similar way to the decoy flares released by fighter planes to avoid a missile. The antibiotic mistakenly targets the decoys, allowing the bacteria to evade destruction. This is the first time this decoy system has been seen in MRSA." Using bacterial cells in the laboratory and mouse experiments, the scientists discovered that only some MRSA bacteria can use this decoy system. The team believe this is why around 30 per cent of infections are not cured by the antibiotic daptomycin. In these resistant infections, the MRSA bacteria turn off a communication system they normally use to 'talk' to each other. This communication system allows the bacteria to release toxins that damage human cells. However, this system also seems to interfere with decoy production. Dr Edwards, who is based at the Medical Research Council's Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection at Imperial, explained: "These MRSA bacteria 'go dark' and stop all communication. It is the switching off of this communication system that allows the decoys to work so effectively." He added: "Our focus now is on understanding more about how these decoys are made and how they can be shut off completely to help daptomycin work better in patients." Dr Edwards said that a similar decoy mechanism has been seen in E. coli bacteria. "Our findings suggest we may have underappreciated the importance of this decoy system, and that it probably exists in many other bacteria." Further experiments revealed the release of decoys can be partially prevented using a second antibiotic, similar to penicillin, called oxacillin. Although MRSA is resistant to oxacillin, using it alongside daptomycin may allow the latter antibiotic to kill the bug more effectively. Previous research has suggested penicillin-type antibiotics help daptomycin to kill MRSA - although scientists didn't know why. A clinical trial using the two antibiotics, led by an Australian team, is currently now underway. Furthermore, tests revealed that a next generation antibiotic, currently in clinical trials, seems to stop production of the fatty decoys. "This suggests this new antibiotic may also help daptomycin kill MRSA - which could provide another treatment option for patients" added Dr Edwards. Dr Jonathan Pearce, head of infections and immunity at the Medical Research Council, which supported the work, said: "In the fight against antimicrobial resistance, we are desperately searching for new ways to treat bacterial infections like MRSA as they dangerously start to become resistant to even last resort antibiotics. This study has uncovered a rather cunning tactic that these and possibly other bacteria use to evade current treatment, and armed with this new knowledge, we can begin to develop new and improved treatments to help tackle what is one of the biggest threats to global health." Professor Melanie Welham, Chief Executive of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, added: "This demonstrates the value of research that explores the frontiers of chemical biology in bacteria. Finding the biological mechanisms behind why antibiotics do and don't work is crucial in the fight against anti-microbial resistance." The work was supported by the Medical Research Council, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Wellcome Trust. A University of Melbourne researcher has found that over one-third of Americans report health problems - from asthma attacks to migraine headaches - when exposed to common fragranced consumer products such as air fresheners, cleaning supplies, laundry products, scented candles, cologne, and personal care products. The study also found that fragranced products may affect profits, with more than 20% of respondents entering a business, but leaving as quickly as possible if they smell air fresheners or some fragranced product. More than twice as many customers would choose hotels and airplanes without fragranced air than with fragranced air. In the workplace, over 15% of the population lost workdays or a job due to fragranced product exposure. Over 50% of Americans surveyed would prefer fragrance-free workplaces. And over 50% would prefer that health care facilities and professionals were fragrance-free. The research was conducted by Professor Anne Steinemann, from the University of Melbourne School of Engineering, who is a world expert on environmental pollutants, air quality, and health effects. Professor Steinemann conducted a nationally representative population survey in the United States, using a random sample of 1,136 adults from a large web-based panel held by Survey Sampling International (SSI). The results are published in the international journal Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health. When exposed to fragranced products, 34.7% of Americans suffer adverse health effects, such as breathing difficulties, headaches, dizziness, rashes, congestion, seizures, nausea, and a range of other physical problems. For half of these individuals, effects are potentially disabling, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. "This is a huge problem; it's an epidemic," says Professor Steinemann. Fragranced products are pervasive in society, and over 99% of Americans are regularly exposed to fragranced products from their own use or others' use. Reports of adverse health effects were as frequent and wide-ranging across all types of fragranced products. "Basically, if it contained a fragrance, it posed problems for people," Professor Steinemann said. Professor Steinemann is especially concerned with involuntary exposure to fragranced products, or what she calls "secondhand scents." She found over 20% of the population suffer health problems around air fresheners or deodorizers, and over 17% can't use public restrooms that have air fresheners. In addition, over 14% of the population wouldn't wash their hands with soap if it was fragranced. Over 12% of the population experience health problems from the scent of laundry products vented outdoors, over 19% from being in a room cleaned with scented products, and over 23% from being near someone wearing a fragranced product. More generally, over 22% of Americans surveyed can't go somewhere because exposure to a fragranced product would make them sick. "These findings have enormous implications for businesses, workplaces, care facilities, schools, homes, and other private and public places," said Professor Steinemann. For instance, a growing number of lawsuits under the Americans with Disabilities Act concern involuntary and disabling exposure to fragranced products. Professor Steinemann's earlier research found that fragranced products - even those called green, natural, and organic - emitted hazardous air pollutants. However, fragranced consumer products sold in the US (and other countries) are not required to list all ingredients on their labels or material safety data sheets. Nearly two-thirds of the population surveyed were not aware of this lack of disclosure, and would not continue to use a fragranced product if they knew it emitted hazardous air pollutants. Professor Steinemann's research continues to investigate why fragranced product emissions are associated with such a range of adverse and serious health effects. In the meantime, for solutions, Professor Steinemann suggests using products that do not contain any fragrance (including masking fragrance, which unscented products may contain). She also recommends fragrance-free policies within buildings and other places. "It's a relatively simple and cost-effective way to reduce risks and improve air quality and health," she explains. Professor Steinemann has also completed a survey of the Australian population, with results expected to be published soon. "The numbers are similarly striking," she said. Article: Fragranced consumer products: exposures and effects from emissions, Anne Steinemann, Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health, doi:10.1007/s11869-016-0442-z, published online 20 October 2016. A new microscopic technique is enabling scientists to observe the antibiotic daptomycine live in action. This marks an exciting first, because even though doctors have been prescribing this antibiotic for over a decade, its precise mechanisms have remained unclear. Researchers at the University of Amsterdam (UvA), Bonn University and Ruhr University Bochum have now described this mechanism in PNAS. Antibiotic resistance is a serious threat to public health. Bacteria are constantly adapting to the antibiotics that we use, and finding new antibiotics is vital, emphasises Leendert Hamoen, professor of General Microbiology and one of the current study's leaders. 'Without antibiotics, we may as well give up doing open-heart surgeries and administering cancer treatments, because most people will simply die of infections, just like in the old days.' Hamoen and his German colleagues deployed cell biology to develop a way to study the activity of new antibiotics up close. Using this technique, they homed in on daptomycine, a so-called 'last-resort antibiotic' that is prescribed in cases where all other antibiotics fail. First, the scientists tagged the antibiotic so it would light up under a microscope. Comparable florescent labels were then attached to selected functional proteins in bacteria which they though might be inactivated by the antibiotic. Watching through a microscope, the research team were subsequently able to observe in detail just how the antibiotic killed the bacteria. The scientists saw daptomycine clump together at specific regions of the bacterial cell membrane, where they caused a protein needed for cell wall synthesis to disappear from those areas of the membrane. Hamoen explains, 'This means daptomycine drives a vital protein away from the spot where it is active so that the cell wall breaks down and the bacterium dies'. This is the first time that such a mechanism has been observed for antibiotics. With this new imaging technique, the scientists want to investigate other antibacterial compounds. 'If you want to discover truly effective new antibiotics and chemically enhance them, you've got to know exactly how they work', concludes Hamoen. 'We have now a new tool to study this.' Article: Daptomycin inhibits cell envelope synthesis by interfering with fluid membrane microdomains, Anna Muller, Michaela Wenzel, Henrik Strahl, Fabian Grein, Terrens N. V. Saaki, Bastian Kohl, Tjalling Siersma, Julia E. Bandow, Hans-Georg Sahl, Tanja Schneider, Leendert W. Hamoen, PNAS, doi:10.1073/pnas.1611173113, published online 24 October 2016. Hospital admission rates are 55 per cent higher in some areas than in others because of a greater prevalence of conditions such as diabetes, alcoholism, dementia and socioeconomic deprivation. According to published research, those admission rates could be reduced if GPs were better supported to provide more specialist care for chronic conditions and difficult-to-reach groups. The study, carried out by the University of Bristol's School of Social and Community Medicine, measured how much admission rates varied between the 8,000 general practices in England during 2011/12, and included 1.8 million admissions. This study focused on ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) such as diabetes, alcoholism, asthma and dementia, where the provision of better care outside hospital, by GPs and other healthcare professionals, can potentially reduce the need for admission. Overall, researchers found that admission rates in some practices were 55 per cent higher than others. Chronic conditions such as diabetes, schizophrenia and hypertension tended to be much more variable than acute conditions such as strokes and hip fractures, as were those that disproportionately affect deprived communities, such as alcoholism. Dr John Busby, lead author of the study, published in The British Journal of General Practice, said: "Admission rates for some of the conditions in our study, including alcoholism, schizophrenia and diabetes, were over three times higher in some practices than others. Clearly, this raises important questions about why these differences exist and what can be done to standardise care around best practice. "Existing mechanisms, such as the quality and outcomes framework and NICE guidelines, aim to ensure that patients receive a consistent quality of primary care across all practices in England. Our results suggest that these might not be working effectively and that new strategies are required." Previous studies have looked at the variation in admission rates for some of these conditions. However, they have tended to focus on a small number of health conditions and have used different methodologies, making it almost impossible to draw comparisons across studies. This latest study from Bristol applied the same methods to a broad range of conditions, enabling researchers to make more accurate comparisons and to identify which conditions the NHS could focus on in order to improve care. "Substantial differences in admission rates among general practices could mean that some patients are receiving suboptimal care," added Dr Busby. "Our research suggests that differences in the way GP care is delivered across England could have an important impact on patient health. This could include sub-optimal management of chronic disease which puts patients at higher risk of hospital admission, but also overly-cautious referrals to hospital, or a lack of alternatives to treat patients in the community. Clearly this matters to patients as most would prefer not to be admitted to hospital if it can be avoided, but it is also extremely important to the NHS finances as unplanned hospital admissions are expensive and can disrupt other care." Researchers now intend to explore why such large variations exist between practices for some conditions, and how those reasons might help improve care. A follow-up investigation is being carried out to assess how the characteristics of a general practice are related to admission rates. This includes factors such as the distance to the nearest A&E, how easy it is to see a GP, how often patients can see their preferred GPs, and how many hospital beds are available in the local area. Dr Busby added: "Given the results of this study, it will be interesting to see if the importance of each of these factors differs by condition. The way in which primary care is delivered is evolving rapidly, it is important that these changes are informed by good-quality evidence." The research was supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care West (CLAHRC West) at University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. Article: Opportunities for primary care to reduce hospital admissions: a cross-sectional study of geographical variation, John Busby, Sarah Purdy and William Hollingworth, The British Journal of General Practice, doi: 10.3399/bjgp16X687949, published 25 October 2016. Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Oct. 26 By Demir Azizov Trend: Lukoil Uzbekistan Operating Company LLC, which is an operator of Lukoils projects in Uzbekistan, has announced open tenders: - the tender LUO/000/10-16/089 for the supply of spare parts for Cameron control head; - the tender LUO/000/10-16/004 for the supply of spare parts for ignition system; - the tender LUO/000/10-16/011 for the supply of switch device. Envelopes with bids should be sent until 14:45 (UTC/GMT +5 hours) November 11, 2016 to: 1A, Olmazor Street, Lukoil Uzbekistan Operating Company, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 100027. Phone: (+99871) 140-40-40 Fax: (+99871) 140-40-41 Email: [email protected] The bids will be opened at 15:00 (UTC/GMT +5 hours) November 11, 2016 at the abovementioned address. Babies born to severely overweight mothers have a greater chance of developing conditions such as ADHD, research has found. Public health strategies that help women planning pregnancies to reach and maintain a healthy weight could help address the risk, researchers say. Recognising severe maternal obesity as a risk factor could also lead to development of prevention strategies and early interventions to support affected children. Previous studies have shown that children born to obese mothers face a higher risk of developmental issues such as attention deficit hyperactive disorders (ADHD), and neurodevelopmental problems, such as autism. Researchers looked at the likely impact on children born to severely obese mothers with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above. They studied symptoms of mental disorders linked to the nervous system in 112 children aged three to five, who had been born to obese mothers. Those children born to severely obese women had a significantly higher likelihood of hyperactivity, sleep problems and conduct issues, the research found. They were also more likely to suffer problems such as anxiety, depression and aggressive behaviour, and to have problems linked to development of the brain. The results, by a team from the universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Helsinki, suggest that the risks are higher for children of severely obese mothers. This may mean that maternal weight is a strong indicator for whether children are likely to develop brain-related psychiatric disorders. The risk remained higher even when other factors were taken into account, such as the mother's mental health, social status, and whether or not she was a smoker. Conditions such as ADHD and disruptive disorders have a devastating impact on families and are a major public health issue. Some 3.4 per cent of children worldwide are diagnosed with ADHD and 5.7 per cent with disruptive disorders. Children with these disorders face problems at school and in social situations. Some conditions persist into adulthood. The research is published in the journal Psychological Medicine, and funded by the charity, Tommy's. Professor Rebecca Reynolds, of the University of Edinburgh's Centre for Cardiovascular Science and Tommy's Centre for Maternal and Fetal Health, said: "This research underlines the importance of finding ways of helping women plan for pregnancy by optimising their health, including reaching and maintaining a healthy weight." Article: Prenatal exposure to very severe maternal obesity is associated with adverse neuropsychiatric outcomes in children, Mina TH, Lahti M, Drake AJ, Raikkonen K, Minnis H, Denison FC, Norman JE, Reynolds RM, Psychological Medicine, doi: 10.1017/S0033291716002452, published online 25 October 2016. 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. Advertisement "We hope it will have the same effect for eradicating rabies."he added.Recommendations by the World Health Organization are for vaccines to be transported and stored in a "cold chain" at between 2C (35.6F) and 8C (46.4F). Lankester and his colleagues found that Nobivac, a commonly used rabies vaccine, produces the same level of protective antibodies in dogs after being stored for six months at 25C (77F) and for three months at 30C (86F). "The ability to distribute vaccines widely outside the cold chain will allow for more consistent coverage across communities," said Lankester. "It could be a quantum shift in how vaccines are delivered.""Human rabies from dog bites has the highest fatality rate of any human infectious disease," said Guy Palmer, WSU's senior director of global health. "But rabies is easily preventable with regular dog vaccinations.Felix Lankester, left, WSU clinical assistant professor, takes a blood sample to test whether a rabies vaccine stored at warmer temperatures is effective against the disease.Each year roughly 60,000 people, mostly children, die from rabies. Globally, more than 99 percent of human rabies deaths are caused by dog bites -- almost all in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Millions of people are saved by costly post-exposure prophylaxis - a series of post-bite vaccinations, the first of which must be administered within the first 24 hours after a person is bitten by a rabid dog. But once symptoms appear, the disease is fatal.Vaccinating 70 percent of the dog population will protect humans and wildlife, such as endangered African wild dogs, from the disease.WSU, in collaboration with the Serengeti Health Initiative, has been working to control rabies in areas of northern Tanzania through annual mass dog rabies vaccination campaigns. But rabies continues to be prevalent, in part because of the challenges of transporting vaccines to remote areas where vulnerable people live in resource-poor communities."If a team-led vaccination campaign misses a village because it is very far or because rain washed out a bridge, then there will be pockets where vaccination coverage is low," said Lankester. "With a community-led initiative, we are hopeful we would improve the coverage levels."Mass vaccination teams generally only visit communities once a year, if they can get there at all. When new dogs are born or move into the community, the level of protection against rabies drops. In community-led programs, thermotolerant vaccines could be stored in the community where local coordinators would vaccinate the entire dog population."Through community-led programs, coverage could be kept relativity consistently high, which would reduce the likelihood of rabies returning to a community," said Lankester. "These findings also give confidence to those working to control rabies that if vaccines are kept outside of the cold chain for a small time, they don't have to be thrown away."In the next phase of the research, Lankester and his colleagues will test the effectiveness of using low-tech cooling options for storing rabies vaccines in rural communities.Source: Eurekalert Advertisement "The main goal of our work was to design a system that can detect the emotional state of primary school children interacting with educational software and make pedagogic interventions with a robot tutor that can ultimately improve the learning experience," says Luis Imbernon Cuadrado.Rather than focusing on specific emotions, the researchers first identified three cognitive states (concentrating, distracted and inactive) known to influence the course of learning. Keyboard strokes and mouse actions of children using educational software were used to predict which of these cognitive states the child is experiencing and subsequently linked to an algorithm that chooses the correct form of pedagogic intervention. These could be words and gestures of encouragement or attempts to raise interest and motivation for a specific learning objective, all of which can be delivered by a robot tutor.In the Frontiers research article, Dr. Imbernon Cuadrado and co-workers describe an example of a robotic tutor platform, MONICA, which integrates the educational software Scratch to a commercially available robot through the computational architecture developed in their paper.MONICA was tested out on two primary school volunteers known to have different cognitive learning states. Whilst the children enjoyed having a robot guide their learning, and preferred it to working alone, they both felt they would have learned more with their normal teacher, despite feeling more relaxed in the presence of a robot tutor."Our first prototype was designed to demonstrate that the architecture works in detecting simplified emotional states," says Dr. Imbernon Cuadrado. "The next step will be to implement methods for detecting a more complex range of emotions with cameras and microphones and to test the longer term impact of robot tutors on children's learning curves."It seems however that robot tutors are not ready to replace school teachers just yet. "We consider that robot tutors could have an effective support role to play in the primary school classroom in helping children reach their specific learning objectives," concludes Dr. Imbernon Cuadrado.Source: Eurekalert Yoga relieves pain and eases traumatic memories. It helps cope with pain by disassociating with the actual pain, focusing on positive thoughts and experiences. Yoga is a traditional system that does not limit a persons existence to merely the body. According to the Upanishads, a person has 5 interconnected layers - Annamaya kosha (made of food); Pranamaya kosha (the prana); Manomaya kosha (the mind and emotions); Vijnanamaya kosha (intellect, wisdom); Anandamaya kosha (bliss, happiness). Every emotional disturbance manifests as diseases. However through prana, knowledge, and yoga one can release the emotional trauma and pain. According to yoga fraternity, hearts can be opened through backbends, and one can surrender through forward folds. Pelvic area is associated with second or Sacral Chakra which is considered the storehouse of stuck emotions. The spine holds our emotional world and every cell radiates the energy of the mind, body and intellect matrix. As per Dr. Candace B. Pert, author of Molecules of Emotion the frequency of healthy body is 62-68 HZ. A cancerous body has energy of 42 Hz and less. Positive thoughts can increase energy by 10 Hz & negative thoughts by minus 12 Hz. Pigeon pose or Eka Pada Rajakapotasana is considered a hip opener which releases tension from muscles around the pelvic region. Stuck emotions find vent through hip openers. Advertisement Instructions Come onto your hands and knees and start on all fours. Bring right knee forward and outward. Then take your left leg backwards and straight. The position of two legs will look similar to L shape. You can come to this position from downward dog pose or from a lunge too. Place your palms on the floor in front of you, lengthen your spine and glide the torso ahead, so that your straightened arms and head touch the floor or mat. Your torso will rest over your right thigh. Your weight should be equally balanced on both hips, and the knee should feel no pain. Continue for 5 breaths or as much as you are comfortable. Slowly with the help of your arms raise the torso and come back on your fours or the downward dog pose. Other popular hip openers are Bound Angle Pose (Baddha Konasana); Childs Pose (Balasana); Reclining Bound Angle Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana) and Padma Asana. They help to balance hormones as well. Bow Pose or Dhanurasana is a back bend. Back bends helps to open hearts and release pain. It releases stress and fatigue. Instructions Lie on your stomach with your arms resting by the side of your body. Keep the feet hip-width apart. Fold the knees and try to hold on to your ankles. As you breathe in raise your chest and simultaneously pull your legs up from the ground as much as you can. Always look straight and take deep breaths for about 20 seconds. As you exhale, gently bring back the legs and torso to the ground. Release the ankles and relax in the starting position. Other popular back bends are camel pose and cobra pose. Forward bends help one to surrender to higher force or the unknown. It helps to disassociate with the experiencer. Instructions Sit with the legs stretched straight in front of you. The spine should be erect. Raise your arms above your head as you breathe in. Bend forward from the hip joints, bringing the arms down to touch your toes. The spine should remain erect. Resting your hands on your legs, lengthen your spine and touch the toes. Bring the head towards the knees, trying to keep the knees as straight as possible. After about 20 secs, straighten back to the sitting position and lower the arms. Other forward bends are Standing Forward Fold Pose, Downward Facing Dog and Child Pose. Spine is the nerve network and stores the memories. Spine twists whether sitting, lying or standing help to release experiences. It opens the heart as well. Instructions Sit with the legs stretched straight in front of you. The spine should be erect and the feet should be together. Bend your left leg such that the left foot heel rests besides the right hip and the left knee rests on the ground. Alternatively you can keep your left leg straight. Bend your right knee and take it over your left leg. The positions of your two legs will look similar to standing triangle. Place the right hand behind you and the left hand on the right knee to balance yourself. Twist from the waist up, the shoulders and the neck, to the direction in which the folded legs heel faces. In this case twist to your right. Keep the spine straight and take gentle deep breaths. Gently release the position and relax in the starting position. Repeat on the other side. Advertisement Other spinal twists include Bharadvaja''s Twist, Revolved Triangle Pose, Revolved Side Angled Pose and Lying-down Body Twist. Garland pose is a wide-footed, deep squat which is also a hip opener. Instruction Come to the squat position with your feet as close together as possible. Kneels should rest on the ground. Widen your thighs more than the torso width. Lean ahead in anjali mudra and rest your elbows against your inner knees. Corpse Pose helps to non-identify with the body, thoughts and pain emanating from loss, heartbreak, broken relationships and abuses. In this position attention is taken to different body parts one by one, and the entire body is relaxed. Instructions Lie flat on your back with legs slightly apart and arms along the body with palms facing the sky. Take the awareness to right foot, then move to right knees and then the hips. DO the same with left leg. Gradually move your awareness through each part of your body up to the head. Relax and move your awareness from head to foot and vice versa. After about 20 minutes, turn to your right side for about a minute. Gently sit in the ease pose. After few deep breaths become aware of your surroundings and body and open your eyes. Yoga is not just about physical exercise. It includes art of living, wisdom, health of mind and elevated prana. Yoga activates the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) that helps one to dissociate from the event and the associated pain. It teaches us that we are much more than the mind-body complex. Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional. You are Bliss, untouched by workings of world. Yoga poses help you to become aware of your body, breath and emotions. With practice one learns not to identify with the body, thoughts or pain. During the practice of the poses, no matter how intense the pain, or rapid the thoughts are, do not resist or fight them. Dissociate and become aware of the pain and the thoughts, as they rise and vanish or diminish. Also note that pregnant woman and people suffering from any kind of ailment have to take advice from their doctors before starting the practice. Those suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), fibroids or other hormonal imbalance may face heavy bleeding if the poses are practiced during menstruation. Thus expert advice should be taken to know whether these poses can be continued during periods. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 26 Trend: Azercell has successfully represented Azerbaijan in international area again. The company received International Business Award Stevie in the nominations of The Telecommunications Company of the Year and The Corporate Communications Department of the Year. At the same time, Sumax company, established and operating under Barama Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center of Azercell, received a silver medal in The startup of the Year nomination. The official presentation ceremony took place in Rome, Italy. Nigar Shikhlinskaya, head of Corporate Communications Unit and Imran Baghirov, head of Innovations and Entrepreneurship Unit at Azercell Telecom LLC, joined the gala night. Nigar Shikhlinskaya gave a speech in the event pointing out that all Azercell personnel played a great role in the achievements of the company. She added that the company is striving for making the lives easier by applying new technologies and innovations. Ms. Shikhlinskaya expressed deep gratitude to the board of judges for selecting Azercell in 3 nominations. The board of judges took into account a range of important projects and initiatives launched by Azercell and awarded the company. According to the statement by the Board: Due to military situation in the west borders of the country Azercell worked hard to provide its subscribers with stable connection and was able to expand its 3G coverage by 30% in the territories near the front line within a week during the intense fighting. This fact proves Azercell to be an exemplary mobile operator. The startup company of Sumax operating under Barama Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center of Azercell won a silver medal for Innovative Automax project and the projects aimed for controlling various day-to-day processes. Automax, the first device of its kind in Azerbaijan, is designed to ensure safety of the vehicle and facilitate the work process through remote control. The international board of judges is comprised of over 200 world-known business experts, entrepreneurs and businessmen. Stieve is aimed to increase the profile of successful companies in different countries all over the world. Back in 2011 Azercell received Stevie award in the nomination of "The PR Campaign of the Year" for its Corporate Social Responsibility projects, in 2012 in the nomination of "The Creative Team of the Year" for the environmental project entitled "Carbon Calculator". The Company received the prestigious award again in 2014 and 2015 in the nominations of The best product of the Year (Bolge tariff), The Telecommunications Company of the Year (for achievements in the field of telecommunications) and The Best Customer Service of the Year (Subscriber's Loyalty Index measurement project launch). The leader of the mobile communication industry of Azerbaijan and the biggest investor in the non-oil sector Azercell Telecom LLC was founded in 1996. With 48% share of Azerbaijans mobile market Azercells network covers 80% of the territory and 99,8% of population of the country. Currently, 4,5 million subscribers choose Azercell services. Azercell has pioneered an important number of innovations in Azerbaijan, including GSM technology, advance payment system, 24/7 Customer Care, online customer services, GPRS/EDGE, M2M, MobilBank, one-stop- shop service offices Azercell Express, mobile e-service ASAN signature, etc. Azercell deployed first 4G LTE services in Azerbaijan in 2012. According to the results of mobile network quality surveys of Global Wireless Solutions company and international systems specialized in wireless coverage mapping such as Opensignal and Testmy.net, Azercells network demonstrated the best results among the mobile operators of Azerbaijan. Whether you are a fresher, a recruiter or a working professional with a good amount of experience; LinkedIn is one platform that almost every individual is aware of and has taken help from at least once in their career. After all, it isnt called the worlds largest professional network for nothing. Since LinkedIn paved its way in India in the year 2009, the company has grown remarkably here, making it the second largest market outside the US. It seems that even LinkedIn understands the potential of the Indian market and is trying to push for larger growth by introducing interesting initiatives. Flickr Discussing the budding opportunities in India, Akshay Kothari, LinkedIn India head and Chief Product Officer, said in an exclusive interview with Quartz, we wanted to figure out a way to level the playing field and provide a democratized opportunity in a way where it shouldnt matter if you went to the IITs or you went to some college that nobodys heard of. Well, we couldnt agree more since in India, even today, a lot of students are concerned about the college name more than they are focused on the course they want to enroll in. Akshay further added, What we also noticed was that in most colleges there were at least a couple of people who were quite brilliant. They were self-learned, and, regardless of the college and the location, they had figured out a way to be strong in their fields. flickr/Harsha K R Akshay further emphasized on the fact that India produces nearly 8 to 10 million graduates every year with 1.5 million being engineers alone, but out of those, there are many who arent aware of the job opportunities available in metropolitan cities like Delhi and Bengaluru, especially the ones who are in tier II and III towns. What's more, there are several companies who dont go to these places to hire and hand pick students. They only do so from a few elitecolleges. So, LinkedIn is kind of trying to become a catalyst for those intelligent students who might be missing out on great opportunities. When asked about the ever growing competition coming from other job portals, Akshay stated that they dont call themselves a job hub; they are rather here to help individuals find the best opportunity and hone the skills of the employees. Considering India is a strategic point and one of the fastest growing markets, LinkedIn launched three major products in September a job platform for fresh engineering graduates, a service pack for startups and a lite version of its website that can work even on slow internet speed. Source: Quartz India Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 26 By Elena Kosolapova Trend: Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia signed more than 10 agreements worth over 60 billion tenge ($181.55 million) within the official visit of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev to Saudi Arabia on Oct. 24- 25, the presidential press-service reported. At the briefing on the results of the visit Nazarbayev announced that the agreements had been signed in in the energy sector, mining industry, agriculture, trade. The president also noted that as much as 17 Saudi Arabian enterprises are operating in Kazakhstan. Moreover, Nazarbayev said that Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to create a bilateral intergovernmental commission and working groups in different economic spheres in order to develop fruitful cooperation in future. Moreover the parties agreed to establish a joint investment fund to finance joint projects in Kazakhstan, the president said. Nazarbayev also invited Saudi companies to invest in innovative projects in Kazakhstan. Moreover within the visit to Saudi Arabia a current policy in oil and gas sphere was discussed. Follow the author on Twitter: @E_Kosolapova West Virginia University (WVU) will receive $730,000 per Vice President Joe Bidens Cancer Moonshot Initiative. Biden released the first report on the initiative establishing the Cancer Moonshot Taskforce on Monday, October 17. The Task Force was created to focus on making private sector and federal investments, and to provide other incentives to support cancer studies and speed up progress in care and treatment development. Technology, prevention, treatment, and public-private partnerships were discussed as the most notable project areas. However, the Cancer Moonshot still faces a lack of funding. Some congressional reps have predicted the House will come back with between one half and two thirds of the $10 billion being asked for. Hillary Clinton expressed her support for the Cancer Moonshot Initiative, saying, We know more than we ever have about the biology of cancer, how to prevent it, and how to treat it. We need to do more to build on these developments, advance our understanding, and develop more effective treatments. Cancer does not discriminate and I believe leaders of both parties can come together to tackle this disease as part of a comprehensive effort to improve medical research, said Clinton. The $730k was awarded earlier this week to the WVU Cancer Institute and three other partnerships to implement and evaluate an innovative model of comprehensive, coordinated care to better meet the needs of lung cancer survivors and their caregivers. The Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center (MBRCC) at WVU is comprised of health facilities and practices offering a variety of services for patients in the state. Its nationally recognized for its exceptional healthcare in cancer treatment, prevention, and research. MBRCC is focused on lung, breast, prostate, and colon/rectal cancer. Its multidisciplinary team of physicians, researchers, and other healthcare experts collaborate to devise treatment plans that are individualized to best suit each patient and to achieve the most favorable results. The physicians at MBRCC base their plan of action on factors such as diagnosis, staging, and test results. Board-certified thoracic surgeons are specially trained to perform various surgical procedures for mesothelioma and several thoracic cancers and diseases. WVUs program offers interdisciplinary, patient-centric survivor care services to lung cancer patients who finish active treatment. Its called Bridge to Good Living: Thriving beyond Lung Cancer. The program will be implemented with the help of co-investigators Dr. Patrick Ma, Associate Professor and Eminent Scholar in Lung Cancer Research, and Anne Swisher, Professor in the Division of Physical Therapy. The Norwegian metal musicians of Suplhur have released this year their third full length, Omens of Doom, a disc which amazes all those devotees of blackened creations through its innovative compositions and wretched atmosphere resembling some Emperor and Dissection touches along with plenty of other genuine details extracted from death metal, thrash, heavy or even some ambient-like styles. The choruses are pretty epic and that whole compressed sound manages to offer an encyclopaedia of the most intense metal approaches. Romanian fans have the privilege to catch them live during the first edition of Guest Metal Night, which is held on the 29th of October. Metalfan had the chance to get a few captivating words from Sulphurs frontman Thomas Skinlo Hyven and guitarist yvind Madsen. They told us some facts about this groups history, including the period when they were making music under the name Taakeriket before the 2000s, a period when they were even more black-oriented. Besides this, there are more and more interesting aspects to be discovered in the following lines such as the post-apocalyptic visions and messages conveyed by Suplhur. &lt;a href="http://sulphurnorway.bandcamp.com/album/omens-of-doom"&gt;Omens of Doom by Sulphur&lt;/a&gt; Metalfan: Hello and welcome to the pages of Metalfan.ro! Bergen is a rainy city with an average of 242 days with rain every year. Isn't that depressing? Thomas: Hello and thanks for that wet welcome! It is nice to be reminded of the rain as the sun has been shinning for two weeks now. It is of course tiresome with the amount of rainy days here in Bergen, but I think it is nice to have something to complain about from time to time. Anyway, when the sun first comes out here in Bergen we really enjoy it so I think the contrast makes us more grateful for the nice sunny days. Bergen is probably the nicest city in the world when the sun is shining. Metalfan: Speaking about the rainy time in Bergen, back in 1973, the blues & soul musician Ann Peebles have recorded the song "I Can't Stand the Rain". Even if it was later covered by Tina Turner, have you think to make a cover for that song of your own? [Ed. Note: laughs] Thomas: As funny as that might have been I would prefer to cover Its raining men by The Weather Girls. It has a bit more spark to it. [Ed. Note: winks] Metalfan: How did your "love affair" with the extreme metal start? Which were the records that made you want to be an extreme metal musician? Thomas: It started out with the 80s-90s rock bands and it worked its way forward from there. First Guns n Roses, Metallica, Pantera, Sepultura. Then I discovered the awesome cover art to Dissections Retribution / Storms of the lights bane and with that followed a path towards the darker and black metal. Metalfan: When it comes to extreme music and Norway, I have to say that Sulphur is not such a well-known name like Aura Noir, Darkthrone, Mayhem or Ulver for example. For those of our readers who don't know too much about Sulphur, it would be great if you could tell them the story of your group... yvind: It all started back in 96 under the name Taakeriket, back then our music was more straightforward black metal. During the years between 1996-1999 our music slowly started to take a new direction, getting more progressive and experimental. Therefore we had to change our name to Sulphur to describe our music in a better way. We released our first demo-tape under the Sulphur name in 2000 and our second in 2005 which, led to a record deal with Osmose Productions. They did only release our first album "Cursed Madness" before we left the label and signed with Dark Essence which we have been since the Thorns in Existence album. Metalfan: So, the first name of the band was Taakeriket, then in 1999 you've changed it to Sulphur. Now in 2016, do you think that this name still represents you and your music? Please, tell us more about it... Thomas: Taakeriket is a name that was inspired by the Norwegian black metal scene and was probably very fitting at that time. Sulphur it fits better now, when the music is more complex compared to what it was in the start. The music that has been composed under the name Sulphur is inspired by a wider variety of genres than only by the Norwegian black metal. It has elements of rock, prog-rock, death metal, trash metal and probably some other genres as well, next to the black metal that is the root of the music. I dont think there is any need to change the name again. We have released three albums under this name and I think we have been able to make something special that our listeners know. I believe they can hear the link between the three albums even though it is 10 years between the first and the third one. I think the name Sulphur represent our music just fine. Metalfan: Some time ago I've seen a new documentary made by Sam Dunn (Metal: A Headbanger's Journey, Global Metal, Metal Evolution, etc.) regarding the album "Slaughter of the Soul" of At the Gates. In this documentary someone from the band said that they are very lucky to have released a classic album back in the '90s and at this time there is a huge struggle for new bands to get their music to the public. Do you agree or disagree? Could you please tell us more? yvind: Today its very easy to get your music to the public, but it does not mean its easier to get noticed. Back in the 90s there was no Spotify or Youtube so, yes, I think it was much harder back then. Another problem of today is that there are too many bands out there and its a real challenge to get noticed amongst this jungle of bands. Metalfan: This year you have released the third full-length album with Sulphur, "Omens of Doom". Could you please tell us more about the title of the record and the story that you are telling on the seven songs that are present on this album? Thomas: The title of the new album is inspired by the dark days we are living in Where omens of death and destruction is all around us Where just watching the news is terrifying as we can see the evil deeds done by humans, to humans and towards our once so fertile earth, on a daily basis. The lyrics on the album are inspired by post-apocalyptic books, movies, paintings and such and their stories is about different ways the world could end. Some of them are about natural disasters whilst others about a world after a nuclear disaster where plague and desperation rule the land. Every lyric is one omen of doom. Metalfan: So the devastating effects of natural disasters, nuclear wars are the main themes of this album. For the future do you see possible to compose an album inspired by the song "Imagine" by John Lennon, not by the music, but by the lyrics? Thomas: I see that as being very plausible. There are, of course, great lyrics and if I could write something that is nearly as good, I would be extremely happy with myself. I think that in a way the lyrics to Alt Svartner could be said to be inspired by Imagine, without that being the intention when that lyrics were written. The lyrics to Alt Svartner are about the world ending after we have destroyed everything around us, killed our brethren and poisoned our fertile earth. You might say that when the message in Imagine is not heeded, the doom in Alt Svartner is more likely to become real. Metalfan: Costin Chioreanu from Twilight13media (At the Gates, Arcturus, Sigh, Vulture Industries, etc.) has designed the artwork of your new album. How did the collaboration between you and Costin evolve? What is the thing that you like most regarding the Costins work? Thomas: We have seen many of Costins artworks, so we knew much of his style. We wasnt sure though, if his artwork would work with the musical expression and the lyrics of Sulphur. I am really glad we contacted him and asked him for a go on the cover art. We had tried a couple of others before, but most of the band disagreed upon those outcomes. When the artwork Costin did for us showed up in the email, we were amazed. I think he overcame everything we expected. The colours were very red, something I dont think we expected. My mind was always on the darker and blacker path when I thought of what it would end up like. I am very happy it ended up as it did and so are the rest of the band. A great artwork from a great artist... The cover-art is currently on the first place as the best metal album covers 2016 in And Justice for Arts cover artwork competition. I think that says it all. What I enjoy the most about Costins artworks is his way of implementing so much different symbolism and elements that means more than two things into one artwork. When you look at his artwork you might just find something new every time. Metalfan: Which were your expectations regarding the music on "Omens of Doom" and what do you feel about the final result? Could you please tell us more on this subject? yvind: There is always a struggle to make a better album than your previous one, because you want your band to grow musically after each album release. I must say we were really satisfied with the Thorns in Existence album when it was released so this time it had to be even better. Before we entered the studio to record Omens of Doom I had a good feeling that this was going to be our best album so far. I think the album has a more thin red line to it than our previous releases; its like the songs belong to each others. Bjrnar Nilsen also did a great job with the production and I think it sounds amazing. Metalfan: As I see things from outside, Norway has been a progressive country when it comes to human rights if we compare it with other countries not only from Europe but from the whole world in general. Am I wright or wrong? How do you see this kind of things as a Norseman? yvind: I think you are right about that. Im not that deep into politics when it comes to human rights, but as far as I know things are working out here in Norway. I do of course think that every human being should have the same rights everywhere, but I guess there is still a long way to go. Metalfan: Last year when Vulture Industries have played at Rockstadt Extreme Fest from Rasnov, Romania, Costin Chioreanu featured as a special guest. I have to say, that was a hell of a show. Would you like to develop a show of that kind for Sulphur sometimes in the near future? Will this work or not? Why? Thomas: I dont think that would work as well for Sulphur. I think that, because of Vulture Industries theatrical expression, it works well for them. With Sulphur we are more focused on the music and not so much the visual expression. The riffing and the solos of the guitars, the blasting of the drums and the rest of the band is more than enough for us. We just want the regular expression of a band playing and with the complexity of our music, that is more than enough to handle. Metalfan: On the 29th October 2016 Sulphur will perform at Guest Metal Night 1.0 in Bucharest, Romania along with Vulture Industries and AlithiA. What should the audience expect from Sulphur and what do you expect from Vulture Industries and AlithiA? Thomas: Yes, we are and we are looking very much forwards to it! We have played in Romania once before and I think it was one of our best shows to this date, and then I am thinking about the audience. They were amazing. We really enjoyed that show! This time we will play four different shows in Romania and hopefully every one of them will be as great! From our side I think you will get a blast of a show musically. By this time we have already played a couple of shows and are getting good and warm. Hopefully we are all at our very best! From the other two bands I have heard and seen Vulture Industries many times and they never seem to stop impressing me. I dont think they will stop now. When it comes to AlithiA, I havent heard of them yet, but I am really looking forwards to do so. It is always interesting to listening to new bands! Metalfan: Here at Metalfan.ro we are big fans of mix-tapes. Even if it sounds a little bit old and we actually don't use tapes that much these days the way we did back in the '90s, it would be fun if you could pick 12 songs from 12 different bands / artists that have influenced you in a way or another. Which it would be the name of this "virtual mix-tape"? yvind: I dont know how to call it, there are so many different bands and genres on the tape... 1. Guns N Roses, Nightrain 2. Metallica, Master of Puppets 3. Pantera, Mouth for War 4. David Bowie, Life on Mars 5. Anathema, Fragile Dreams 6. Nirvana, Territorial Pissings 7. Satyricon, Mother North 8. System of a Down, B.Y.O.B 9. Dissection, Nights Blood 10. Pink Floyd, Us and Them 11. Emperor, Into the Infinity of Thoughts 12. Beatles, Happiness is a Warm Gun Metalfan: Thank you for your time and for your answers! In the end would you like to add something or to send a few words to our readers? Check out our new album Omens of Doom, and hope to see you at our upcoming shows this fall! Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct.26 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: Kyrgyzstans President Almazbek Atambayev has signed a decree Oct.26 on the governments resignation, according to the presidents website. Kyrgyzstans government resigns due to the collapse of the coalition of the parliamentary majority, said the decree. The coalition was formed Nov.2, 2015 between the factions of the Social-Democratic Party, the Kyrgyzstan party, Onuguu-Progress and Ata-Meken. The prime minister, first deputy prime minister, deputy prime ministers, government members, as well as heads of administrative bodies have been instructed to continue performing their duties until approval of members of the new government and heads of administrative bodies, according to the decree. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Oct. 26 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a telephone conversation exchanged views on a number of topical issues of regional and global agenda, the Turkmen government said in a message October 26. The conversation was initiated by the Turkish side. President Berdimuhamedov stressed the strategic nature of the Turkmenistan-Turkey relations, the message said. According to the message, the presidents also discussed the prospects of bilateral cooperation. "In this regard, the sides stressed favorable opportunities existing for intensification of mutually beneficial cooperation on a number of areas, which corresponds to the mutual long-term interests," the message said. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Oct. 26 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov welcomed Chinas new ambassador Sun Weidong on Oct. 26, Turkmen government said in a message. In recent years the parties have successfully implemented significant joint projects, including construction of Eurasias longest Turkmenistan-China pipeline. This transnational gas pipeline, having become a modern embodiment of the Silk Road, which used to link peoples of the continent in ancient times, has immense geopolitical and social importance, the diplomat stated. The ambassador pointed to the topicality of the proposals on energy security and ensuring of reliable and stable transit of energy resources to world markets, put forward by Ashgabat. The role of the China-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway, which was used for the first test run of a container train in early 2016, was also mulled in the meeting. Chinese ambassador noted the significance of the project to construct the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Tajikistan railroad, which will be extended to China. China completely supports this important initiative of the Turkmen leader and is ready to take an active part in its realization, the diplomat said. The sides also said the fuel and energy sector, trade, economy and construction, as well as the agricultural sector are the key areas of partnership. China is one of the largest foreign trade partners of Turkmenistan. Beijing expects to increase annual purchase of Turkmen gas to 65 billion cubic meters. The China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) buys gas from the Central Asia region since 2009. Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Oct. 26 By Demir Azizov Trend: US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon, Jr., will arrive in Uzbekistan for bilateral talks October 27, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry said in a message October 26. The Uzbek leadership will receive Shannon during his visit, the message said. Shannon will also hold some other meetings." Shannon will visit Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan October 24-29. According to the US Department of State, Shannon will visit the Central Asian countries for the first time, where he will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the independence of the Central Asian countries. The purpose of the trip is to strengthen the partnership among the Central Asian countries and the US government through C5 + 1 format, as well as discuss joint regional actions on the issues of mutual interest. Shannon is expected to visit Uzbek cities of Tashkent and Samarkand. He will get acquainted with the architectural monuments of ancient Samarkand and visit the grave of the first President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 26 By Fatih Karimov Trend Iran and Finland signed four documents to boost mutual cooperation, the state-run IRINN TV reported Oct. 26. The deals were signed on the sidelines of a meeting between Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and Finlands President Sauli Niinisto in Tehran. The signed documents include three MOUs for cooperation in energy, communications and management of forests as well as a cooperation document between the Organization for Investment, Economic and Technical Assistance of Iran and the official Export Credit Agency of Finland (Finnvera). Heading a big trade delegation, Niinisto arrived in Tehran on Oct. 25 or an official visit. He officially welcomed by Rouhani in Saadabad Historical-Cultural Complex on Oct. 26 morning. The visit is aimed to take major steps to develop trade relations between the two countries. Earlier Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a meeting with President Niinisto in Helsinki in July 2016 extended a formal invitation of President Rouhani to his Finnish counterpart. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 26 By Farhad Daneshvar, Dalga Khatinoglu Trend: The Islamic Republics giant car manufacturing company, Iran Khodro (IKCO), has exported 26,500 cars to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) over the past 10 years, Iran Khodro told Trend. Sabina Nobari, the director of America, Asia, Europe and CIS region at IKCO, has said that 5,000 cars out of the total number went to Azerbaijan through a local company. According to Nobari, Azerbaijans AzEuro car LLC has purchased about 5,000 Iran Khodro-made cars including Samand, Soren and Runna brands as CBU (Complete Built Up) units over the mentioned period. However, AzEuro cars purchase of Iran Khodro cars dropped significantly following last years national currency devaluation in Azerbaijan as international oil prices took a sharp tumble, she added. In the meantime, Iran Khodro has developed a plan to invest in Azerbaijan by launching a joint venture as the Iranian manufacturer has already carried out an in-depth study on the neighboring countrys car market. The car factory jointly founded by the two countries in Azerbaijans Neftchala industrial park is expected to produce its first cars as of late-May 2017, Nobari noted. The joint venture will produce 1000 cars including Iran Khodro brands of Samand, Soren, Runna and Dena in its first year of activity and the factory is projected to increase its annual output to 10,000 cars within three years. According to the official, there are talks underway to export the joint ventures products to regional countries such as Georgia and Ukraine. Iran Khodro owns 25 percent of the shares of the joint venture and the rest belongs to the Azerbaijani side. IKCO is Iran's major automaker, producing about 600,000 cars a year. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 26 By Farhad Daneshvar Trend: Incumbent President Hassan Rouhani will run for next presidential election in Iran, expected to be held in May 2017. Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani-Fazli has said that Hassan Rouhani will run for presidential election and the incumbent president has instructed the government to organize a legal and healthy election, Fars news agency reported. President Rouhani has urged the government to remain impartial regarding the upcoming election, Rahmani-Fazli added. According to Iranian constitution, the president is elected for a four-year term by the direct vote of the people and his re-election for a consecutive term is permissible only once. President Rouhani assumed office in August 2013 promising to sort out the nuclear problem in order to improve living standards in the Islamic Republic. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 26 By Khalid Kazimov Trend: Iran is ready to contribute to the UN peacekeepers missions by providing personnel and logistic equipment, an Iranian envoy said. The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that creating any mechanism by the UN aimed at hindering obstacles against peacekeeping operations, the deployment of peacekeepers, extending the period of mission and operations must be carried out within the goals and principles written in the UN charter, IRNA news agency quoted Irans ambassador to the UN, Gholamali Khoshrou, as saying at the UN general assembly in New York. Khoshrou further called on the international body to confront the peacekeepers who are involved in illegal actions such as the sexual abuse of locals. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 26 By Fatih Karimov Trend: Iran and Finland agreed to connect their railways through Azerbaijan, says the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. We approved connecting the countries through the railways and we are going to connect Iran to Finland through Baku and Moscow, Rouhani said during a joint press conference with his visiting Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto in Tehran, Oct. 26, the state-run IRINN TV reported. He said the two parties also agreed to organize direct flights between Iran and Finland in the near future. Rouhani added that Tehran and Helsinki can boost cooperation in several fields, including energy, transport, environment and agriculture. He said the two sides are willing to improve ties in tourism and banking sectors. Regional issues, including the latest developments in Iraq, Yemen, Syria and Libya were also discussed, Rouhani said, adding that the two parties agreed to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the needy people in the region. Rouhani added that the capacity of the Iran-EU relations in post-sanctions era also was discussed during the meeting. We underlined that after JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action aka nuclear deal) both Iran and the EU are interested in boosting relations in various sectors, including science, technology and trade, the Iranian president said. The two parties also expressed interest in expanding cooperation in issues of citizenship rights, human rights, fighting against drug-trafficking, terrorism and extremism, Rouhani said. He added that Niinistos visit would mark a good beginning for expansion of bilateral relations. Iran and Finland signed four documents to boost mutual cooperation in energy, communications and trade on the sidelines of the presidents meeting. Heading a big trade delegation, Niinisto arrived in Tehran on Oct. 25. He was officially welcomed by Rouhani in Saadabad Historical-Cultural Complex on Oct. 26 morning. The visit is aimed at taking major steps to develop trade relations between the two countries. SunTrust Banks, Inc. operates as the holding company for SunTrust Bank that provides various financial services for consumers, businesses, corporations, institutions, and not-for-profit entities in the United States. It operates in two segments, Consumer and Wholesale. The Consumer segment provides deposits and payments; home equity and personal credit lines; auto, student, and other lending products; credit cards; discount/online and full-service brokerage products; professional investment advisory products and services; and trust services, as well as family office solutions. This segment also offers residential mortgage products in the secondary market. The Wholesale segment provides capital markets solutions, including advisory, capital raising, and financial risk management; asset-based financing solutions, such as securitizations, asset-based lending, equipment financing, and structured real estate arrangements; cash management services and auto dealer financing solutions; investment banking solutions; and credit and deposit, fee-based product offering, multi-family agency lending, advisory, commercial mortgage brokerage, and tailored financing and equity investment solutions. This segment also offers treasury and payment solutions, such as operating various electronic and paper payment types, which comprise card, wire transfer, automated clearing house, check, and cash; and provides services clients to manage their accounts online. The company offers its products and services through a network of traditional and in-store branches, automated teller machines, Internet, mobile, and telephone banking channels. As of December 31, 2018, it operated 1,218 full-service banking offices located in Florida, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, South Carolina, and the District of Columbia. SunTrust Banks, Inc. was founded in 1891 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Tehran, Iran, Oct. 26 By Mehdi Sepahvand Trend: The 47th meeting of the Working Group on Determining the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea wrapped up in Tehran. During the two-day convention, special representatives and deputy foreign ministers of Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan negotiated over issues related to the legal status of the sea among littoral states, IRNA news agency reported October 26. The issues of discussion included the exploitation of resources, aquatic resources, navigation, transit, source lines and other issues of interest. Ebrahim Rahimpour, deputy foreign minister of Iran for Asia and Pacific, said preliminary agreements were made between the sides. The location of the next round of talks was also agreed to be Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. This is a current list of the top 250 companies by market capitalization on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Learn more . The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is one of the largest, and most recognizable, stock exchanges in the world. The NYSE is in New York City, New York at 11 Wall Street. The NYSE has been in existence since the earliest days of the United States becoming a nation, in 1792 and is primarily made up of blue-chip companies with large market capitalizations. In fact, many of the stocks that make up the Dow Jones Composite Index (i.e. The Dow) are listed on the NYSE. This article gives a brief history of the New York Stock Exchange. In addition, it covers topics such as what kind of stocks trade on the exchange, what are the listing requirements, how trading is performed, and what the daily price movement of the NYSE tells investors about investor sentiment. What Were the Origins of the NYSE? Today, the New York Stock Exchange is known as the center of the financial universe. However, the exchanges origin is far more humble. On May 17, 1792, 24 stockbrokers signed the Buttonwood Agreement creating a centralized exchange to help provide order to the securities market in what was still a young nation. The "Buttonwood Agreement comes from the tree of the same name under which the founders signed the agreement. An initial benefit of the exchange was how it removed the need for auctioneers when trading commodities like wheat and tobacco and to set a commission rate. The exchange initially focused on government bonds. However, the exchange had no formal home. Business was usually conducted informally in the local coffeehouses. In 1817, the exchange changed its name to the New York Stock & Exchange Board which later became the New York Stock Exchange. At this time, the exchange adopted a constitution that set the rules for trading. A group of stockbrokers met twice a day at 40 Wall Street to trade 30 stocks and bonds. Over time, the exchange moved became the financial hub of the country and moved to its current location in 1865. What Kind of Stocks Trade on the NYSE? As of June 2022, the NYSE includes approximately 2,400 companies with a market capitalization of over $28.2 trillion. Although the NYSE trades stocks of all market capitalizations, its best known for trading the stocks of large cap companies. These have the benefit of being mature companies in mature industries. And many of these companies reward shareholders with dividends. However, that also means that many of these companies are better suited for value investors as opposed to growth investors. In bear markets this stability can be a benefit for investors as these stocks tend to perform less bad than more volatile stocks. But in a bull market, these stocks are not likely to provide investors with the growth that they look for. An interesting fact about how the NYSE and NASDAQ operate is that the companies with the five largest market caps on the NYSE are also listed on the NASDAQ exchange. What Are the Listing Requirements For the NYSE? The NYSE has strict guidelines that govern the types of companies that can list on the exchange. Here are the major requirements that all companies must meet: The company must have at least 2,200 shareholders The company must trade over 100,000 shares per month The company must have a market valuation of over $100 million The company must generate more than $75 million in annual revenue However, there is at least one advantage of having such stringent requirements. That is the companies that meet the requirements generally find it easier to get more investors funds when they hold their initial public offering (IPO). Once a company begins trading on the NYSE, it must continue to meet these requirements. If it doesnt it can be delisted. In addition to these requirements, the stock must continue to trade above $1. If the price of a stock drops below $1 for more than 29 consecutive trading days, the stock receives an Initial Price Violation Notice. At that point, the company has 10 days to provide the exchange with a plan for bringing their shares above $1. How are Trades Executed on the NYSE? For over a century, the floor of the NYSE was the place for investors to be. This meant trades were conducted by traders who ran buy and sell orders across the trading floor looking to broker a deal for their clients. But with the birth of the NASDAQ exchange in 1971, the New York Stock Exchange began conducting electronic trading. However, the NYSE continues to conduct trades in an auction style. Brokers purchase stocks on behalf of their clients or firms. Every order features a broker who will enter the order electronically and a specialist who serves as the market maker for that stock. The specialist posts bid and ask prices and manages the actual execution of the trades. And there are still a handful of stockbrokers who still traffic buy and sell orders physically on the floor of the exchange. How Does the NYSE Signal Investor Sentiment? Like its counterpart, the NASDAQ, the NYSE measures the risk appetite of investors. When the NYSE is moving higher over a length of time, it signals that a risk on environment. Conversely when the NYSE moves lower over a significant period, it signals that investors are moving to a risk off position. Some Final Thoughts on the NYSE Financial news networks plan their programming schedule around the opening and closing bell of the New York Stock Exchange. Its still considered a distinguished honor when individuals or groups are invited to ring the opening bell. In fact, Warren Buffett is attributed with saying that in the short term, the stock market acts like a voting machine. A fact that many U.S. presidents will attest to. The NYSE is the oldest and most recognizable of all the stock exchanges. It also has the most stringent requirements for inclusion. And those requirements must be maintained even after a stock begins publicly trading on the exchange. Although the NYSE still has a small in-person Trading Floor, much of the trading is done electronically to provide traders with the speed to execute trades. Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc., an offshore energy services company, provides specialty services to the offshore energy industry primarily in Brazil, the Gulf of Mexico, North Sea, the Asia Pacific, and West Africa regions. The company operates through three segments: Well Intervention, Robotics, and Production Facilities. It engages in the installation of flowlines, control umbilicals, and manifold assemblies and risers; trenching and burial of pipelines; installation and tie-in of riser and manifold assembly; commissioning, testing, and inspection activities; and provision of cable and umbilical lay, and connection services. The company also provides well intervention, intervention engineering, and production enhancement services; inspection, repair, and maintenance of production structures, trees, jumpers, risers, pipelines, and subsea equipment; and related support services. In addition, it offers reclamation and remediation services; well plug and abandonment services; pipeline abandonment services; and site inspections. Additionally, the company offers oil and natural gas processing facilities and services; and fast response system, as well as site clearance and subsea support services. It serves independent oil and gas producers and suppliers, pipeline transmission companies, renewable energy companies, and offshore engineering and construction firms. The company was formerly known as Cal Dive International, Inc. and changed its name to Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. in March 2006. Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. was incorporated in 1979 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 26 By Fatih Karimov Trend: Iran and Finland agreed to connect their railways through Azerbaijan, says the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. "We approved connecting the countries through the railways and we are going to connect Iran to Finland through Baku and Moscow," Rouhani said during a joint press conference with his visiting Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto in Tehran, Oct. 26, the state-run IRINN TV reported. He said the two parties also agreed to organize direct flights between Iran and Finland in the near future. Rouhani added that Tehran and Helsinki can boost cooperation in several fields, including energy, transport, environment and agriculture. He said the two sides are willing to improve ties in tourism and banking sectors. Regional issues, including the latest developments in Iraq, Yemen, Syria and Libya were also discussed, Rouhani said, adding that the two parties agreed to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the needy people in the region. Rouhani added that the capacity of the Iran-EU relations in post-sanctions era also was discussed during the meeting. "We underlined that after JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action aka nuclear deal) both Iran and the EU are interested in boosting relations in various sectors, including science, technology and trade," the Iranian president said. The two parties also expressed interest in expanding cooperation in issues of citizenship rights, human rights, fighting against drug-trafficking, terrorism and extremism, Rouhani said. He added that Niinistos visit would mark a good beginning for expansion of bilateral relations. Iran and Finland signed four documents to boost mutual cooperation in energy, communications and trade on the sidelines of the presidents meeting. Heading a big trade delegation, Niinisto arrived in Tehran on Oct. 25. He was officially welcomed by Rouhani in Saadabad Historical-Cultural Complex on Oct. 26 morning. The visit is aimed at taking major steps to develop trade relations between the two countries. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 26 By Fatih Karimov Trend: President of the House of Representatives of Cyprus Demetris Syllouris is slated to visit Iran on Oct. 30 at the invitation of Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani. During his three-day visit, Syllouris will meet senior Iranian officials, including his counterpart, Larijani, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and head of the Expediency Council, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, IRNA news agency reported Oct. 26. Last year, Iran and Cyprus signed a double tax treaty agreement on the avoidance of double taxation on income and on capital. Earlier this year, Iran and Cyprus also signed a memorandum of understanding to expand cooperation in transportation sector. 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. The Army Reserve has reopened an investigation into whether a reservist's heart attack during a PT test should be considered "in the line of duty" and the medical bills paid by the government, a family member said. Army Reserve Capt. Shane Morgan had a heart attack during his PT test in November 2015. But a line-of-duty investigation completed early this month by the Army determined that it was not triggered by the test, so the Army will not pay the medical bills. That has left Morgan and his spouse, Jaime, with $10,000 in medical costs, including the ambulance fee, after private insurance through Morgan's civilian employer kicked in. But a media campaign by the family to highlight what they say is the Army's incorrect conclusion about the cause of the heart attack has led the service's investigation to be reopened, Jaime Morgan said. "They're playing with people's lives," she said. "Shane had a heart attack just about a year ago now, and the ambulance bill has not been paid yet. It's been frustrating." Morgan is assigned to the North East Cyber Protection Center and did his PT test at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, his wife said. Army Reserve officials, citing privacy rules, said they cannot confirm whether any investigation into Morgan's heart attack has been reopened. "The Army Privacy Act Program prohibits us from discussing a soldier's medical history or medical records," said Maj. Adam Jackson, an Army Reserve spokesman. "However, the physical and financial well-being of our soldiers and their families is a top concern for Army and Army Reserve leaders at all levels. We take all line of duty investigations seriously and will take all possible steps to ensure they are completed accurately and in a timely manner." The line of duty investigation findings, shared with Military.com by Jaime Morgan, stated that although Morgan's heart attack occurred during the PT test, it was not caused by the test. "The mere fact that the soldier was in an 'authorized status' does not support a determination of 'line of duty' in and of itself," states the document, signed by Michelle Palmer, chief of the Reserve's health branch services. "There is a chance this may have occurred in or out of duty status." Supporting that finding, Palmer notes in the document, was an abnormal blood test result two months before the incident. But Jaime Morgan said a blood test done the day of the heart attack was normal. And the investigation's finding that Morgan's heart attack was not caused by his service ignores the fact that his heart problems could have started during his 10 years of active duty in the Army and Coast Guard. Jaime Morgan said they won't stop fighting the ruling until it is reversed and the bills are paid by the military. "This has been a horrible year, and I'm done. Your husband had a 'widowmaker' heart attack and you're just grateful he survived," she said. "I want the Army to know I am serious, and they will fix this or I will continue to fight." -- Amy Bushatz can be reached at amy.bushatz@military.com. A Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion collision off the coast of Hawaii in January that left all 12 Marines aboard dead was the result of an epidemic of low flight hours and subpar readiness rates across the fleet, the head of Marine Corps aviation told Military.com on Wednesday. Speaking the day the Marine Corps was expected to release its full investigation into the tragic crash, Lt. Gen. Jon Davis said the probe found the aircraft themselves were in fine condition to fly for the Jan. 14 night training mission. "I would actually say there shouldn't have been a mishap," Davis said. "If you read the investigation report, it's pretty clear that there were a lot of things that could have happened to stop it from happening and didn't happen, to include the recommendation of the safety officers involved not to fly the mission." The pilots themselves were current on their training to fly the mission, but not as proficient as they would have been due to widespread shortfalls of available aircraft, leading to cutbacks in monthly flight hours. Davis said the decision to relieve Lt. Col. Edward Pavelka, commander of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, three days before the crash was tied to these key readiness concerns. Both of the aircraft involved in the collision were from the Hawaii-based squadron. "Even though the whole '53 fleet was suffering, they were suffering more than others," Davis said. In a statement, a Marine Corps Forces Pacific spokesman, Lt. Col. Curtis L. Hill, confirmed that crash was the result of pilot error. "Investigators believe that the low light conditions made it difficult for the aircrew to recognize the rapid decrease in separation between the aircraft, which led to the collision," he said. "Investigators found that all pilots and aircrew were qualified in accordance with regulations and standards and medically fit for duty Investigators found the main contributing factors were low aircraft readiness leading to inadequate pilot proficiency, human factors, and the squadron's lack of focus on basic aviation practices." Since the crash and the arrival of the new commanding officer, Lt. Col. Eric Purcell, the squadron's average pilot flight hours have more than doubled, due in significant part to a two-and-a-half-year effort to improve the readiness rates of the CH-53 and the Navy's MH-53E Sea Dragon. Across the entire CH-53 fleet, Davis said, pilot flight hours have more than doubled. Meanwhile, he said, key equipment reset and maintenance has been completed, including replacement of aging wires and new fuel pipes. "I've got a high degree of confidence that the material condition of these airplanes, and frankly these airplanes -- even the ones in the collision -- we don't believe there's anything wrong with them," he said. "We have better readiness now -- still not good enough, but we're working on it." At their readiness nadir in 2015, only 23 percent of CH-53s were available to fly. The same year, pilots of the aircraft logged the fewest number of flight hours of any aviation platform since 1988, according to an investigation by the Virginian-Pilot. The commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Robert Neller, told a congressional panel in March that commanders had kept the heavy-lift helicopters in theater "a little big too long" in Iraq and Afghanistan, leaving the platform overworked and badly in need of reset. Ultimately, the Marine Corps plans to replace all its CH-53s with the brand-new CH-53K King Stallion now in testing. The first aircraft will be delivered to the service in 2019, and the transition is expected to happen over the next decade. -- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at@HopeSeck. The U.S. defense chief has ordered the Defense Department to suspend the collection of bonuses improperly awarded to California National Guard members. In a statement on Wednesday, Carter said he ordered the Pentagon's Defense Finance and Accounting Service "to suspend all efforts to collect reimbursement from affected California National Guard members, effective as soon as is practical. This suspension will continue until I am satisfied that our process is working effectively." The announcement came a day after President Barack Obama told the department to expedite its review of the matter. Roughly 10,500 service members, mostly from the California National Guard, improperly received bonuses of as much as $15,000 and other incentives to serve in the ranks a decade ago during the peak of the U.S.-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, officials have said. Thousands of troops were later ordered to pay back the money or face such penalties as interest charges and tax liens, according to a story first reported by David Cloud, a reporter for The Los Angeles Times. Carter acknowledged soldiers "may have received incentive bonuses and tuition assistance improperly as a result of errors and in some cases criminal behavior by members of the California National Guard. While some soldiers knew or should have known they were ineligible for benefits they were claiming, many others did not." He added that about 2,000 Guard members "have been asked, in keeping with the law, to repay erroneous payments." Since the story broke on Saturday, lawmakers and members of the public have reacted with outrage over the Pentagon's bonus repayment policy. Members of Congress have criticized the repayment policy as "boneheaded" and called on the department to forgive the debt. "It remains my firm belief that even the simple request of asking soldiers to repay money contingent on reenlistment is disgraceful and insulting," Rep. Duncan Hunter, a Republican from California and former Marine who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, wrote in a letter on Monday to Carter. "In fact, I find it difficult to believe that either you or your leadership team was aware that such a boneheaded decision was made to demand repayment." Rep. Jeff Miller, a Republican from Florida and chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, on Wednesday blasted Carter's announcement as "a weak and ham-handed attempt to shift the focus away from the Obama administrations shameful treatment of service members and veterans." The Obama administration "had no problem recouping bonuses from soldiers who served honorably but has time and again let misbehaving Department of Veterans Affairs employees keep lavish cash rewards they didnt deserve," Miller added. "Once again, it seems Congress will be forced to fix a problem that the Obama administration created but refuses to fully address on its own. Pentagon and Guard officials have said there is no quick fix to the problem because current laws and regulations don't authorize them to grant a blanket waiver. They have also pointed the finger at Congress, saying they first requested legislation to help deal with the issue in 2014. Similar language was included in the fiscal 2017 defense bill, which hasn't yet been approved. Carter cited his responsibility to honor troops' "service and sacrifice" in announcing his steps to address the controversy. "I want to be clear: this process has dragged on too long, for too many service members," he said. "Too many cases have languished without action. That's unfair to service members and to taxpayers. The steps I've outlined are designed to meet our obligations to both, and to do so quickly. A team led by Peter Levine, Carter's senior personnel official, by Jan. 1 will create a new process "that ensures the fair and equitable treatment of our service members and the rapid resolution of these cases," with the goal of concluding the work by July 1. In a press conference at the Pentagon later in the day, Levine said the department doesn't intend to alter the process for review and appeals of the cases of those service members affected, but rather will speed up the process itself. "Each case is going to need to be evaluated on its own merits," he said. The department will devote the resources to resolve cases more quickly, so a process that could take years will be completed in months, Levine said. "What we're envisioning is a temporary process" to handle existing cases and provide "one-stop shopping for service members affected by this," he said. The intent was to make whole "those who were caught up in this through no fault of their own," he added, and the department will "lean in favor of the soldier" in deciding difficult scenarios. While the bulk of the affected service members were in the California National Guard, "dozens" of cases exist in other states, Levine said. He didn't provide an initial estimate on how many cases were outside California and didn't name the other states. Andreas Mueller, the chief of federal policy for the California Guard, has described the problem as "a national issue and affects all states," the Los Angeles Times reported. Meanwhile, the Pentagon won't seek legislation to create a blanket waiver for all cases, Levine said. "We dont believe we need legislation," he said. "It would set a bad precedent if we don't recoup" money from service members who abused the system to get bonuses, he said. "There are cases where we need to recoup." It stil wasn't clear how cases will be resolved. As it stands now, the options include fixing the record, obtaining an exception to policy, getting the debt waived, or repaying. It also wasn't clear how or whether the soldiers and veterans who either repaid the money or started the repayment process will be reimbursed. Speaking to defense reporters earlier Wednesday in Washington, D.C., Air Force Gen. Joseph Lengyel, chief of the National Guard Bureau, acknowledged the existing process for an affected service member to navigate can be cumbersome. Indeed, a single case could involve a service member filing paperwork with at least four entities, including the Army National Guard, Defense Finance and Accounting Services, Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals, and Board for Corrections of Military Records, Lengyel said. "There is a process to deal with erroneously awarded" benefits, but it takes time partly because the incentives ranged from enlistment bonuses to school repayment programs, which involve different types of contracts and in some cases are paid directly to financial institutions, Lengyel said. Problems with the Guard bonuses first surfaced in 2008 after former Army Master Sgt. Toni Jaffe took over management of the Guard's bonus and incentive programs, Lengyel said. Jaffe in 2012 was sentenced to 30 months in prison after pleading guilty to filing $15.2 million in false and fraudulent claims, according to the Justice Department. Eight onetime Guard members were indicted on charges in 2014 of fraudulently obtaining recruiting referral bonuses, the Associated Press has reported. Lengyel said the Guard reviewed about 13,000 cases and estimated the total amount of bonus money involved at between $40 million and $50 million. While that's higher than previous estimates, it amounts to less than one-hundredth of 1 percent of Pentagon's proposed fiscal 2017 budget of $583 billion. Lengyel blamed the scandal on the lack of oversight, which has plagued other military recruiting efforts. The Pentagon in 2015 was criticized for "paid patriotism" after paying the NFL and other sports organizations millions of dollars to recognize troops during events, according to Bloomberg News. And the National Guard in 2014 suspended its sponsorship of NASCAR events after spending tens of millions of dollars on the effort with questionable recruiting results, according to USA Today. The department has forced other recipients, including civilians, to repay bonus money. Earlier this year, the Pentagon's bomb squad team was saddled with debt due to an accounting error. One member of the team committed suicide. The department agreed to forgive the debt after Military.com and The Washington Post reported on the case. -- Richard Sisk contributed to this report. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. -- Brendan McGarry can be reached at brendan.mcgarry@military.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Brendan_McGarry. Joseph V. Micallef is a best-selling military history and world affairs author, and keynote speaker. The Syrian cease-fire has disintegrated. At best, it survived 48 hours. In reality, it was stillborn. Washington has now officially suspended further talks with Moscow over re-establishing a Syrian cease-fire. Secretary of State John Kerry has called for an investigation of Syrian and Russian war crimes. The U.N. Security Council is expected to take up a resolution calling for a new cease-fire, but given Russia's veto on the Security Council, the deliberations will go nowhere. Perhaps it's time for John Kerry to pull out his really big guns -- yes, send Taylor Swift to do a concert at the Kremlin. The Russians tried to blame the collapse of the cease-fire on the White House's inability to identify and segregate so called "moderate" Syrian rebel forces from the radical jihadist Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (formerly the Al-Nusra Front). It was a hopeless task, one that was impossible to achieve given the fluidity in the composition of the various Syrian rebel and jihadist groups, as well as the ever shifting battlefield alliances. The fact that the U.S. even consented to somehow take on this responsibility only underscores how completely inept the Kerry-led State Department has been in conducting negotiations with the Russians. As noted intelligence analyst John R. Schindler of the XX Committee (who largely inspired this particular column) put it, to the KGB-schooled "hard men" of the Kremlin, dealing with the Obama administration is akin to taking candy from a baby. In the meantime, Syrian ground troops, backed by Hezbollah and Iraqi Shiite militias and Russian air forces, have unleashed a new brutal campaign on the remaining rebel stronghold in east Aleppo, using deep penetration bombs, so called "bunker-busters," to target hospitals, schools and shelters underground. East Aleppo's largest underground hospital, referred to as M10, was hit three times in one week and, according to eyewitnesses, was completely destroyed. Similarly, though less extensive attacks have been carried out against Hama and other rebel-controlled areas, Syrian forces have also been specifically targeting the "White Helmets," the Syrian rescue organization credited with saving countless victims trapped in the rubble of bombed buildings. The mounting death toll in east Aleppo is staggering. The city, whose population still numbers between 250,000 and 300,000 people, is now surrounded by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. According to U.N. observers, the city is desperately short of food and medicine. In the meantime, Russian air forces drop bombs with abandon. The Kremlin demonstrated a long time ago, in Afghanistan, in Chechnya and everywhere else that has experienced the Russian jackboot, that containing collateral damage to civilian areas is simply not a very large priority -- if even one at all. To add insult to injury, on Oct. 3, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that any attempts by the United States to attack Syrian troops would be met by instant reprisals and would lead to "total war," and would produce "tectonic shifts" throughout the Middle East. There is little chance that the U.S. would attack Syrian ground forces at this time knowing that it could lead to an armed confrontation with Russia. Lame duck presidents do not provoke international showdowns with a nuclear-armed opponent in the waning weeks of their presidency. For the Kremlin, knowing that the challenge will go unanswered, the warning is an easy opportunity to make propaganda points at the expense of the White House. Not that this administration ever showed much backbone in standing up to Putin and his gang but, in the waning days of its presidency, the Obama administration has become even more feckless and irresolute. Putin has effectively thrown Obama out of Syria. At best, they have relegated the U.S. to a minor role. Not since the ignominious retreat from Saigon has the United States been so humiliated by what is otherwise a second-rate power. In the meantime, the Kremlin keeps expanding its provocations of the U.S. and NATO forces. Russian overflights over the Baltic Republics are now a common feature, and have escalated from incursion of unarmed planes to overflights of fully armed combat aircraft operating with their transponders turned off. Russia has also announced that it is reactivating long-range bomber squadrons over the western Pacific. With a range as far east as Hawaii, these aircraft are a direct threat to American naval assets in the central and western Pacific. In addition, the Kremlin has indicated that it is again seeking foreign bases in Cuba and Vietnam and has already activated an intelligence gathering facility just outside of Havana. In perhaps its most provocative move to date, Russia announced that it will be deploying the Iskander-M (SS-26) missile system in the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. These missiles, the latest generation of the original Scud missile system, have a range of about 300 miles and can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads. Make no mistake, this is an offensive weapons system that is designed to pose a threat and to intimidate a large area of eastern Europe and Scandinavia. The unwillingness of the Obama administration to even acknowledge, much less deal with the fact that the United States and Russia are in a new Cold War is inexplicable. Cold War 2.0 will not be a rehash of the first Cold War. It will be fought in cyberspace and social media just as much as it will be fought in the shadows and the inevitable proxy wars that lie ahead. The complete collapse of Obama's Syrian policy is symptomatic of the one enduring and unmistakable legacy of the incoherence of his administration's foreign policy -- a world that is far more dangerous, chaotic and disordered than the one that existed in 2008. Oh, and one more thing, Mr. President. If you happen to run across that Nobel Peace Prize you received while you are packing away your personal effects, you might give some thought to sending it back. If there is one thing that eight years of Obama foreign policy have demonstrated, it is that it was wholly undeserved. Tehran, Iran, Oct. 26 By Mehdi Sepahvand Trend: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said his government is prepared to engage in talks with the European Union over social and legal issues. In the meantime, he added that familiarizing European countries with Islamic laws will help them arrive at a good understanding of his countrys legal system, IRNA news agency reported October 26. Speaking in a meeting with the visiting Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, Rouhani said he welcomes mutual understanding and development of friendly bonds. He underlined that Tehran and Helsinki can develop relations in economy, environment, banking and technology. Cooperation on fighting extremism and drugs as well as regional disputes was also stressed by President Rouhani. The Finnish president, for his part, praised last years nuclear deal between Iran and world powers as a victory for the global community. He also said his country can use Irans experience in handling Afghan refugees to tackle the refugee crisis that has hit Europe in the wake of the Syrian conflict. Niinisto also stressed that his country endorses Irans accession to the World Trade Organization. He further expressed interest in opening direct flights and train voyages between the two countries. Tehran, Iran, Oct. 26 By Mehdi Sepahvand Trend: Turkey is against the idea of the United Arab Emirates taking over Irans three islands in the Persian Gulf, Turkish Ambassador to Tehran Reza Hakan Tekin said. My country has backed Iran in international arenas more than it appears, he told ISNA news agency October 26. We are interested in expanding our relations with Iran in all areas, including our regional cooperation, he said. Some countries smile in the face of Iran but say contrary things behind its back. We say what we want in the face. During the recent Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) meeting we diluted the anti-Iranian statement a bit, which used to have very strong statements against Iran over the triple islands, Tekin stated. In the last decades, there has been tension over three islands in the Persian Gulf: Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb. UAE challenges Iran's sovereignty over three islands in the Persian Gulf, while Iran considers them as its inseparable parts. The islands have been in Iran's control since 1971 following the departure of British forces from the Persian Gulf and few days before UAE's declaration of independence. Mariners center fielder Leonys Martin has changed agencies and will now be represented by Wasserman, according to a tweet from his new representation. Martin, 29 next March, slumped badly over the final two months of the 2016 season but still enjoyed a nice all-around year in his debut campaign with the Mariners. Acquired from the division-rival Rangers in a trade that sent Tom Wilhelmsen to Texas (Wilhelmsen would return to Seattle after being designated for assignment mid-season by the Rangers), Martin hit .247/.306/.378 in 576 plate appearances. That slash is below the league average overall, but Martin clubbed a career-best 15 home runs despite moving to a pitcher-friendly ball park and also swiped 24 bags while making strong overall contributions on the basepaths (4.6 runs above average, per Fangraphs). His typically outstanding defense took a step back, per Ultimate Zone Rating and especially according to Defensive Runs Saved, but he was still a serviceable defender out there that comes with a strong enough reputation that a rebound in those metrics next season wouldnt be a surprise. The agency switch for Martin will come on the brink of his second trip through the arbitration process. The Cuban defector played the final season of his initial five-year, $15.5MM contract in 2015 but remained arbitration eligible and signed for a salary of $4.15MM. He now stands to earn a raise over that figure for the 17 season, as MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projects him to earn $6.3MM next year. The Mariners can control him through the 2018 season. Martin will now join an agency that, as can be seen in MLBTRs Agency Database, represents a large number of notable clients. Kendrys Morales, Bartolo Colon, Mark Trumbo and Edinson Volquez are among Wassermans free agents this offseason, and the agency also reps the likes of Giancarlo Stanton, among others. Martins shift is already reflected in our database, which features representation information on more than 2,500 Major League and Minor League players. If you see any errors or omissions, please let us know via email: mlbtrdatabase@gmail.com. ANN ARBOR, MI - Ann Arbor's newly repainted water tower off Washtenaw Avenue has been named the 2016 "Tank of the Year," beating out more than 240 others from across North America. Tnemec, a Kansas City-based company specializing in high-performance protective coatings, bestowed the award, choosing Ann Arbor's water tower from 12 finalists, including a railroad-themed water tower in Durand. A water tower in Houston County, Georgia, received the most votes in Tnemec's online contest, making it the winner of the People's Choice award. This marks the 11th year that Tnemec has recognized the aesthetic, creative and innovative uses of its coatings on water storage tanks. The Ann Arbor water tower just west of County Farm Park was repainted this year to feature a swan, sandhill crane, woodpecker and a bird of prey in flight, along with bluegill fish down below swimming in the Huron River. The artwork was completed using an exterior coatings system from Tnemec, including a fluoropolymer finish. Bill Burgard, an Ann Arbor-based freelance illustrator and designer, came up with the artwork design, which won the city's Art in the Sky contest as chosen by the public in an online poll. The contest, which came with a $500 prize for the winner, elicited nearly 600 entries from residents of all ages. "I really felt what was up there should reflect what's local and what we think of when we think of our water system," Burgard, a University of Michigan Stamps School of Art and Design lecturer, said earlier this year. "Also, I really liked the idea that the water tower is up in the sky, where the birds are, and they hang out in the river, too, so I thought it was a nice kind of natural combination." The city recoated the 500,000-gallon steel tank on Manchester Road as part of a $771,978 scheduled maintenance project this year. Including a public art component cost the city an extra $62,000 above what it would have cost to do a plain coat of paint, according to the city. plume_map_2016.jpg An estimate of the extent of the Gelman dioxane plume. Plume boundaries shown here are based on a map created by Washtenaw County in February 2016. (MLive) ANN ARBOR, MI - Two townships surrounding Ann Arbor and an environmental group have decided to petition the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, seeking to declare the Gelman dioxane plume a federal Superfund site. Ann Arbor Township and Scio Township, along with the Sierra Club's Huron Valley Group, have announced plans to jointly file a petition next month, asking the EPA to conduct a preliminary assessment for Superfund designation. They argue court remedies and state regulatory oversight under the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality do not adequately protect public health, so they're turning to the EPA for help to address the toxic plume of pollution that has been spreading through the area's groundwater for decades, coming from the former Gelman Sciences property on Wagner Road. Dan Bicknell, a former EPA Superfund enforcement officer, speaks in favor of Superfund listing for the Gelman plume at a Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners meeting on June 1, 2016. Dan Bicknell, an environmental remediation professional and former EPA Superfund enforcement officer, is credited with discovering the Gelman plume as a University of Michigan graduate student in 1984. Bicknell, who has continued to advocate for a better cleanup and better monitoring in his role as a citizen activist, is working with the townships and the Sierra Club on the petition, which he authored, and joined them in circulating a news release announcing the effort Wednesday, Oct. 26. "The dioxane groundwater plume, which currently is about four miles long and one mile wide, has polluted local lakes, creeks, residential drinking water wells and a city of Ann Arbor municipal water supply well," the news release states. "The dioxane plume continues to migrate in all directions with no effective off-site hydraulic control. Numerous Scio Township and Ann Arbor Charter Township private residential drinking water wells are down-gradient of the plume in east, west and north directions. The city of Ann Arbor's main drinking water supply comes from the Huron River at Barton Pond, which potentially could be impacted as the dioxane plume expands. A large portion of the off-site dioxane plume is greater than 1,000 ug/L, while the USEPA dioxane drinking water criterion is 0.35 ug/L (parts-per-billion) at a 1 in 1,000,000 excess lifetime cancer risk level." The city of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County have been considering petitioning the EPA for a Superfund cleanup. They haven't made the move yet, though the county board has approved a resolution in favor of going that route. Bicknell, who strongly believes it's the best option, said the petition will be submitted to the EPA by the townships and the Sierra Club in mid November regardless of what the city or county decide to do. Any area residents who want to support the petition are encouraged to sign it online. The actual petition document can be found here. To sign it, go here. Leaders from Ann Arbor Township, Scio Township and the Sierra Club's Huron Valley Group voiced support for the petition in statements on Wednesday. "Local governments and community groups long have worked with the DEQ on remediation options for the Gelman site and a dioxane cleanup standard that protects human health and is consistent with EPA policy," said Ann Arbor Township Supervisor Mike Moran. "Unfortunately, DEQ has not demonstrated the capability or willingness to obtain a protective remedy in court that places the burden for cleanup squarely on the potentially responsible party." DEQ officials have said they're limited by Michigan law and court orders on what they can do from an enforcement standpoint with regard to addressing the Gelman plume, though they're working to investigate people's concerns, doing additional monitoring in some areas, and proposing stricter exposure criteria for dioxane in drinking water, as well as screening levels for vapor intrusion risks. Scio Township Supervisor Spaulding Clark said many Scio Township drinking water wells have been contaminated with dioxane. He argues the DEQ and a consent judgment resulting from past litigation in Washtenaw County Circuit Court allow the plume to expand toward many more township wells, and he believes the EPA can do a better job of ensuring a cleanup. The group submitting the petition believes the EPA will work to restore the polluted aquifer so the groundwater is safe for drinking again, provide a contingency plan for Barton Pond, provide alternative water supplies now to potentially impacted homes, and use scientifically sound drinking water criteria. The Gelman site is owned by Pall Corp., a subsidiary of Danaher Corp., and there are no active plant operations at this time. Historically, the plant manufactured filter devices and used dioxane as a solvent. It is estimated that 850,000 pounds of dioxane were used between 1966 and 1986, with most being discharged to soil, surface water and groundwater through seepage lagoons, land spray irrigation, and direct discharges at the site. Serra Club Huron Valley Group Chairwoman Nancy Shiffler said the club believes -- similar to the water crisis in Flint -- that due to lax DEQ enforcement, the EPA is needed to assist the local community with the Gelman plume. She considers it an imminent and substantial threat to public health and the environment. The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners voted 7-0 on Aug. 3 to approve a resolution directing the county administrator -- subject to the advice of the county's water resources commissioner -- to draft a "request, petition or otherwise lawful communication" to the EPA to have the Gelman plume placed on the National Priorities List for further action under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act and Superfund. Commissioner Yousef Rabhi, D-Ann Arbor, said he's all for pursuing Superfund designation for the Gelman plume and the board was decisive in its Aug. 3 resolution. However, the county hasn't submitted a petition yet. "I think we should go the Superfund route," Rabhi said. "We have had decades of inaction from the DEQ. And I would add that the DEQ's goal is not to clean up the mess. The DEQ's goal is to contain, whereas the EPA's goal is to clean up." Rabhi said he's not sure if the county will sign on to the petition drafted by Bicknell, as the two townships have done, or if it will leave it to county staff to draft. The board recently appointed Gregory Dill as the county's new administrator, after he served several months as interim administrator. Bicknell said he has been working through the local Coalition for Action on Remediation of Dioxane to get the DEQ to do more, but he doesn't have confidence the state could win in court even if it fought for a better cleanup. "Clearly after 30 years, the DEQ has failed to obtain a remedy in court that protects public health," Bicknell said, adding the townships and the Sierra Club aren't willing to wait any longer, and the city and county still can join the petition if they want. Bicknell, who is familiar with the Superfund process, said the DEQ and the governor would have to agree to the Superfund designation, but he said that's the last step in the process after the EPA determines the plume is eligible for listing. Bicknell argues the state's attorneys are out of their league dealing with Pall Corp. and can't seem to win in court, while the EPA has the power of the U.S. Department of Justice to compel polluters to do environmental cleanups. He suspects the state might happily give the Gelman plume over to the federal government to handle, though the EPA will have to determine the existing consent judgment is not protective of public health in order to move forward with Superfund designation. That's an argument Bicknell is ready to make. DEQ officials have weighed in on the possibility of a Superfund cleanup for the Gelman plume, saying there are advantages to Superfund listing sometimes, but federal law requires the EPA to review the state's cleanup criteria and what Michigan's environmental laws say about using techniques to manage risks to the public in lieu of cleaning up the contamination. "They're going to come back to (the state's cleanup rules) to see whether they're appropriate, applicable and relevant for the site, and they would have to determine that somehow they're not, and that's just part of the process," Bob Wagner, a DEQ representative, told a crowd of local residents in April. Following the recent discovery of dioxane and other contaminants in shallow groundwater on Ann Arbor's west side, local and state officials are planning to meet with residents to discuss concerns about the Gelman plume and the recent findings during another town hall meeting from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, at Eberwhite Elementary School, 800 Soule Blvd., in Ann Arbor. 21096079-mmmain.jpg U-M announced a fall enrollment of 44,718 -- a 2.5 percent increase from 2015 -- while its undergraduate enrollment this fall is 28,983. The total enrollment is an increase of 1,071 students compared to last fall. MLive file photo ANN ARBOR, MI -- More students are on the University of Michigan campus this fall, while the school has seen an increase in its underrepresented minority population. U-M announced a fall enrollment of 44,718 -- a 2.5 percent increase from 2015 -- while its undergraduate enrollment this fall is 28,983. The total enrollment is an increase of 1,071 students compared to last fall. Underrepresented minorities make up 12.3 percent of the undergraduate student body and 13.8 percent of the freshman class, an increase from 11.4 percent and 12.8 percent from last fall's numbers, respectively. Underrepresented minorities include black, Hawaiian, Hispanic, Native American, or a combination of two or more underrepresented minorities. The black student population increased from from 4.82 percent in 2015 to 4.94 percent this fall, representing a total of 1,874 students. Hispanic student population grew from 2,028 to 2,277, while Asian student numbers grew from 4,903 to 5,309. First-generation students make up 14.2 percent of the freshman class, up from 8.5 percent last fall. First-generation students are those who are United States citizens or permanent residents whose parents or guardians did not earn a bachelor's degree. The numbers represent solid progress from deliberate efforts to increase enrollment of underrepresented minorities, said Kedra Ishop, associate vice president for enrollment management, while acknowledging that there is still work to be done. "After carefully fine-tuning our enrollment process last year, we set out to intentionally grow the freshman class," Ishop said in a release. "We hit our target this fall and now expect to have a stable and consistent freshman class size while continuing our admissions outreach and enrollment efforts." In-state students account for 23,095 of U-M's Ann Arbor campus, a decrease of 254 students from last fall, while out-of-state students increased from 20,302 in 2015 to 21,623 this fall. U-M's freshman class came in with 6,689 students, representing an intentional increase of 618 students (10.2 percent) over the fall 2015. Erica Sanders, director of undergraduate admissions, said her staff reviewed 55,504 applications -- a 7 percent increase over the previous year. U-M offered admission to a total of 15,871 students. Of those offered admission, 6,689 enrolled for a yield of 42.1 percent. In-state freshmen come from 528 different high schools in Michigan -- 38 more Michigan high schools than last year's class. "We continue to see strong interest from students throughout the state and across the nation in the world-class education that Michigan offers students," Sanders said in a release. U-M continues to make efforts to increase outreach to underrepresented minorities, unveiling an $85 million diversity, equity and inclusion strategic plan, which includes funding for a new $10 million multicultural center at the heart of campus and funding for the new Wolverine Pathways program, which will help increase the critical mass of under-represented students as it creates a pipeline to the university for students from the Ypsilanti and Southfield communities. The program will expand to Detroit in fall 2017. Also within the past year, the university launched the HAIL Scholars initiative. HAIL (High Achieving Involved Leader) is a two-year pilot effort that is testing a new approach to reaching - and enrolling - high-achieving, low-income students from across the state. It provides resources that remove some of the barriers proven to stop some students from applying to the university. For students who apply and are accepted, the HAIL Scholarship provides four years of free tuition - a value of about $60,000. More racist fliers found U-M's efforts to create a more inclusive campus culture continues while black students have protested in response to racist fliers that appeared on campus last month. Fliers were once again spotted inside on Friday, Oct. 21 by U-M freshman Kori Thomas. The fliers were displayed outside South Quad Residence Hall and included headlines like "Black and White IQ Distributions," as well as text that portrayed differences in rates of sexually transmitted diseases, intelligence and welfare usage between white and Black men and women, according to The Michigan Daily. In both instances, the fliers have been attributed to the "alt-right" movement. U-M has condemned the fliers, while President Mark Schlissel met with students on Oct. 2 to address the issues in a showing of solidarity. Around 400 people including residential advisers, peer academic success specialists, diversity peer educators and other staff members participated in three collaborative marches across Central Campus, North Campus and the Hill neighborhood on Monday, Oct. 24, in a showing of solidarity against most recent fliers, the Michigan Daily reported. Former Fox 2 News anchor and Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh, who's accused of having sex with a teen boy, is expected in court Wednesday. Pugh's attorney tells WJBK-TV, Fox 2 News all parties reached a "fair resolution" in the case, indicating a plea deal announcement is likely Wednesday. If a plea deal isn't reached, trial is scheduled for Nov. 7. Pugh has been jailed since July 12 on a $150,000 bond, which he argued unsuccessfully to have reduced in late August. Pugh's accuser, now 27, testified at a preliminary examination that Pugh, while working as a reporter for Fox 2 News, hired him as a personal assistant when he was 14. The first sexual encounter occurred in September of 2003 and the relationship continued until the victim was 16. During the preliminary examination in August, the man talked about giving Pugh oral sex, mutual masturbation while watching pornography and sex in Pugh's downtown Detroit apartment. Pugh's attorney, Delphia J. Burton, said the victim was making up the claims, "hoping to get a pay day." Pugh was sued last year in a federal civil lawsuit after allegations arose that he groomed and sexually harassed another 18-year-old he mentored in 2013. A jury awarded the plaintiff $250,000 from Pugh and a $300,000 settlement from Detroit Public Schools, which ran the mentoring program. The victim in the criminal case said he asked Pugh about a possible internship when Mosaic Detroit, his performing arts group, visited the Fox 2 News offices in early 2003. Pugh hired the teen as a "gopher" to do odd jobs and accompany Pugh on occasional news assignments that sometimes concluded with sex, the man claims. He spoke about Pugh picking him up at his mother's home in September 2003 to go cover a Martin Luther King march. During their time, Pugh began to touch him in a sensual manner, the man testified. The victim, who at the time knew he was gay and suspected Pugh was, said he respected Pugh and was eager to take advantage of their relationship, so he didn't say anything. The sexual advances continued another day when Pugh took the 14-year-old to purchase a desk at Art Van Furniture. They returned to Pugh's apartment where the assistant put the furniture together. While in the apartment, they had their first sexual encounter, although there was no penetration, the man testified at the preliminary examination. They would proceed to have sex at least five times, including following a VIP meeting with B2K, an R&B boy band, at Joe Louis Arena and covering a meeting between ex-Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and the Detroit LGBT community. The victim said he came forward to an attorney and later Detroit police based on coverage he saw during Pugh's civil trial. He felt especially compelled to speak publicly after hearing Pugh deny claims he'd ever had inappropriate sex. The former council president abandoned his post in 2013 and moved to New York after allegations of inappropriate contact with an 18-year-old student in a mentorship program surfaced. After criminal charges were filed against Pugh related to the 14-year-old, he was arrested in New York and extradited to Detroit. First-degree criminal sexual conduct is a felony punishable by up to life in prison. Former Detroit Council President Charles Pugh learned he'll spend at least 5 1/2 years in prison after admitting to sex with an underage teen he mentored while working as a Fox 2 News anchor beginning in 2003. The 45-year-old's past indiscretions finally caught up with him, says Austin Williams, 28, the victim, who was between 14 and 16 while the illegal relationship lasted. "I hope that it sends to every person who has a fetish for or a liking for anyone under the age of 18 that they need to not follow through," Williams said after Pugh admitted guilt and was sentenced to up to 15 years in prison Wednesday. "You might have those feelings, but it's your actions, it's your actions that you can control, so don't do it. Stop. Think. "Because they may be 14, 15, 16, but one day they'll be 28, 29, 30, and if you have sex with them, it's their right to let it be known." William talked about how he once admired Pugh, who seemed like a happy, well-liked openly gay man in the public eye. That changed forever the day Williams says he was working with Pugh as an assistant or apprentice of sorts. They went to Art Van Furniture, bought a desk, and while Williams was assembling it in Pugh's downtown Detroit apartment, Pugh made a move. They didn't have sex, Williams insists, but there was illegal sexual activity. A line had been crossed. "Wow, I can't believe I just did that with Charles Pugh," Williams, who lives in Michigan and testified at the preliminary examination, said he thought afterward. Williams testified to having sex with Pugh at least five times, giving Pugh oral sex and mutual masturbation while watching pornography together. Hearing Pugh admit to the public what he's done gave Williams "satisfaction." " ... Knowing that's what he wanted to keep secret, knowing that he had to admit and recognize the truth, because the truth is the truth," Williams said. "And just because you want to to be something different doesn't mean that it is." Williams said he was not the only underage boy to be seduced by Pugh and he wants to the world to be aware of Pugh's predatory ways. Pugh was sued last year in a federal civil lawsuit after allegations arose that he groomed and sexually harassed another 18-year-old he mentored in 2013. A jury awarded the plaintiff $250,000 from Pugh and a $300,000 settlement from Detroit Public Schools, which ran the mentoring program. Pugh's attorney, Delphia J. Burton, said at the preliminary examination that Williams was just "looking for a pay day." When asked about plans for a future civil lawsuit, Williams said: "I have no plans for money." "I think it's justice because the most important thing is that people know that he is a sexual predator, that parents and people are aware of what happened," Williams said. "Personally I have a problem with the industrial prison complex that we hold in America, so prison for me isn't the ultimate justice. "The shame that he put on myself, the countless other young men that have dealt with him, he now has to feel that for the rest of his life and that's going to be justice." In exchange for pleading guilty to third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person between 13 and 15, counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct were dismissed. Pugh has been in jail since July awaiting trial, which was scheduled to begin Nov. 7. There were a lot of other people who would have been called to that stand," Williams said. " ... If they didn't have to go through this, then I wasn't going to make them go over this just for (me). "This was a long-held secret that I know a lot did not want to admit to, admit to knowing about, admit to hearing about ... ". Pugh is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 9. He'll also have to register as a sex offender, undergo counseling and is banned from unsupervised visits with minors. The former council president abandoned his post in 2013 and moved to New York after allegations of inappropriate contact with an 18-year-old student in a mentorship program surfaced. After criminal charges were filed against Pugh related to the 14-year-old, he was arrested in New York and extradited to Detroit. DEM 2016 Convention Henrietta Ivey, a home care worker from Detroit, Mich., speaks during the final day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia , Thursday, July 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) (Paul Sancya) Henrietta Ivey, a Detroit resident who's fighting to have minimum wage increased, is featured in an online Michigan campaign advertisement for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. The footage, which also features footage from throughout Detroit, is produced by the Hillary for Michigan (HFM) campaign and will be unveiled to the public on Wednesday afternoon. New video from Hillary for Michigan Posted by Hillary for Michigan on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 Ivey is a member of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), a 2-million-member labor union. She spoke before the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia this July and made it known that her minimum-wage job as homecare worker barely makes ends meet. "It's just a natural thing for me to care, I don't like seeing people hurting," Ivey says in the campaign ad. "We don't get into this because it's glamorous, we don't definitely get into it for the money, we do what we do because we love it." Minimum wage in Michigan is currently $8.50 per hour. Ivey is helping lead the fight to increase it to $15 per hour. "We love our patients and we fight for our patients, because one day somebody is gonna have to love and fight for us," Ivey says in the ad. She met Clinton during a speech to SEIU members in May. Ivey's passionate backing of Clinton stems from the nominee's support of living wages. "I want to keep moving forward, she wants to keep this country moving forward ... and I'm going to be a changemaker in my community," Ivey said. Not only is Ivey advocating for policy change, she stresses the importance of people using their right to vote because: "You only get one vote." "To live in a country as rich as the United States, and you have people working and living in poverty, it's not right," she added. "The fight for 15, man oh man, the fight for 15 is a movement on behalf of homecare workers, fast food workers, childcare workers, airport workers, anybody who is making under $15 an hour as a wage," Ivey said. Suspected robber of 77-year-old man.jpg Suspect in Oct. 10, 2016, robbery of 77-year-old outside a Detroit store on the 13500 clock of Schoolcraft. DETROIT, MI -- Detroit police are looking for a woman suspected of robbing a 77-year-old man shortly after noon Oct. 10 outside a party store on the 13500 block of Schoolcraft in west Detroit. The suspect, "who was begging for money, approached the 77-year-old male victim and knocked him to the ground," Detroit police said in a statement. "The suspect rummaged through the victim's pockets and took his wallet, which contained an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency. "The victim suffered minor injuries." The suspect is described as a 5-foot-8, 190-pounds black woman between the ages of 30 and 40. She has a medium-length afro. Anyone with information is asked to call police, 313-596-5240; CRIMESTOPPERS, 800-SPEAK-UP; or anonymously via the DPD Connect phone app. genesys.jpg (MLive.com File Photo) GENESEE COUNTY, MI - A complaint has been filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of a Genesee County woman over claims she was refused medical treatment at Genesys Regional Medical Center based on the provider's religious stance. An Oct. 25 complaint was lodged by the ACLU of Michigan with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Civil Rights against Genesys and its parent company, Ascension Health, on behalf of Flushing resident Jessica Mann after she was previously refused a postpartum tubal ligation procedure. The complaint alleges the health systems are in violation of provisions in the Affordable Care Act, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in any health care program or activity receiving federal funds. Ascension and Genesys both receive funds through Medicaid and Medicare, the complaint alleges. Genesys officials could not be reached for comment on the complaint. However, officials from its parent company issued a statement on the allegations. "As a Catholic healthcare system, we follow the ethical and religious directives of the Church," Ascension officials said in a statement. "Beyond that, we can't comment on this patient's particular case." Mann's doctors recommended she undergo the procedure after the 2015 delivery of her third child, due to a pre-existing brain tumor that could be life-threatening, according to the complaint. The complaint claims doctors explained it was the time "when the sterilization procedure is safest and most effective." Genesys, a Catholic health system based in Grand Blanc Township, made the move to limit the procedure in November 2014, which eventually led to an ACLU of Michigan complaint filed with the state licensing and regulatory agency. An exemption of the hospital's policy was requested by Mann's OB/GYN. However, the exemption was denied in September 2015 by Genesys -- less than two months before Mann's due date by Caesarean section. "In refusing the request, the hospital administrator recommended that Mrs. Mann deliver her third child at Genesys and have the tubal ligation at a later time in a different hospital," the complaint states. "This option was highly disfavored by Mrs. Mann's physicians because it would require Mrs. Mann to undergo a second surgery under general anesthesia." Another complaint was filed in October 2015 by the ACLU of Michigan with the licensing and regulatory agency on behalf of Mann. "The agency responded, stated that it is authorized to investigate complaints against accredited hospitals only if the complaint alleges a Condition-level deficiency warranting removal from the Medicare program, and closed the complaint," according to the ACLU of Michigan. Mann gave birth and had the procedure completed at a different hospital, but the complaint alleges Genesys's denial "caused her significant harm" in multiple ways. "At a time when I should have been focused on getting ready to bring my baby into the world, I instead had to frantically search for a new doctor and a new hospital to get the care I needed to protect my life, because the local hospital where I had been a patient for fifteen years forbid it," Mann said in a statement. "I don't want other women to be turned away from hospitals that let their religious views trump their patients' serious medical needs." Dan Korobkin, deputy legal director for the ACLU of Michigan, noted around 25 percent of hospital beds in Michigan are in Catholic hospitals "The federal government must enforce anti-discrimination laws so that these hospitals don't endanger the health of the women who walk through their doors," Korobkin said. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will pay an official one-day visit to Russia for talks on the Syrian crisis, PressTV reported. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Wednesday that the top diplomat is due in Moscow on Friday. He said that Zarif is scheduled to attend a trilateral meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, and Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem on regional developments, including the conflict in Syria. According to Qassemi, Zarif will also hold a separate meeting with Lavrov to discuss Tehran-Moscow relations. Meanwhile, Russia's RIA news agency, citing the Russian Foreign Ministry, reported that Zarif and Lavrov will also discuss the situation in Iraq. Muallem's scheduled visit on Friday had earlier been announced by the Russian Foreign Ministry. Iran and Russia have similar stances on the ongoing deadly crisis in Syria. Moscow and Tehran reject any foreign interference in the affairs of the war-hit country, stressing that only the Syrians are entitled to decide their own fate. Iran has been providing military advisory assistance to the Syrian government in its campaign against terrorism. Russia has also been carrying out airstrikes against terrorists' positions in Syria since September last year at the official request of the Damascus government. Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March 2011. Over 400,000 people have so far been killed in the conflict, according to estimates by UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura. In neighboring Iraq, the Arab countrys army is also pressing ahead with a massive operation aimed at recapturing Mosul from Daesh Takfiri terrorists, who captured the strategic city in June 2014. The army has been liberating more areas around Mosul, with the Iraqi Joint Operations Command announcing that counter-terrorism units were only two kilometers away from the city. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 26 By Orkhan Quluzade Trend: Turkeys Armed Forces will continue military activities as part of the Shield of Euphrates operation until the liberation of Syrias Al-Bab city from the Islamic State terrorist group (IS, aka ISIS, ISIL or Daesh), the Sabah newspaper reported Oct. 26 citing the countrys Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. Cavusoglu said that Turkeys aim is to cleanse the region from the IS terrorists. The region should become safe for refugees to return to their homes, added the foreign minister. On Aug. 24 morning, the Turkish Air Force, with the support of the coalition aircraft, launched an operation to liberate the city of Jarabulus from the IS militants in northern Syria, near Aleppo. The operation was dubbed the Shield of the Euphrates. 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 IS, YPG and PYD are the most active terrorist groups in Syria. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @o_quluzade Israel on Wednesday recalled its ambassador to UNESCO for consultations after the U.N. culture body adopted a second resolution in two weeks that Israeli leaders said ignored Judaism's connection with one of Jerusalem's holiest sites, Reuters reported. According to a text provided by Palestinian officials, the resolution adopted by UNESCO's World Heritage Committee in Paris refers to the compound - revered by Jews as Temple Mount and by Muslims as the Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary) - only as a "Muslim holy site of worship", just as a similar motion did on Oct. 13. The latest vote, like the first, deals with the safeguarding of the city's religious heritage. "The theater of the absurd continues," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a speech in Herzliya, near Tel Aviv. "We'll decide what to do, what our next steps will be, vis a vis this organization." UNESCO, the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, is regarded by many Israelis as hostile. Arab members of UNESCO and their supporters frequently condemn Israel. The Director General in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of India Sunil Kumar met the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Republic of Azerbaijan Huseyngulu Baghirov in Baku and conveyed Indias keen desire to strengthen relations with Azerbaijan in all areas, including in bilateral trade, investment and their cooperation in the fields of trade, economic, scientific and technology. Sunil Kumar is leading an Indian delegation for the 4th Meeting of the India- Azerbaijan Inter-governmental Commission in Baku on 25-26 October 2016. After the meeting of the two delegations, Sunil Kumar and Gulmammad Javadov, Deputy Minister of Energy, signed a Protocol for further expansion of their cooperation in trade, investment, transportation, energy, industrial production, agriculture, tourism, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, education and Information technology. Sunil Kumar said that India appreciates the efforts being made by Azerbaijan for development of the International North-South Transport Corridor which is being developed jointly by Azerbaijan, Iran, India and Russia. He said that INSTC will give a big push to regional economic and commercial exchanges and transform the regional transportation in the coming years. He also said that India has supported establishing greater coordination among all stakeholders to streamline the customs and other procedures so that cargo could move fast and efficiently on this route. India has close and friendly relations with Azerbaijan. India was among the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan and establish diplomatic ties. Ambassador of India Sanjay Rana said that India- Azerbaijan relationship has been growing stronger based on their strong political ties and growing mutual cooperation. The bilateral trade between India and Azerbaijan during 2016 has increased by more than 28 % as compared to same period in 2015. Indias ONGC Videsh is a shareholder in AzeriChiragGunashli oilfield and Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC). As the Government of Azerbaijan is taking steps aimed at developing the non-oil sector, the Indian companies are keen to make use of opportunities in non-oil sectors, like agriculture, industrial production, pharmaceuticals and information technology. Indian pharmaceutical products and medicines were known for their high quality at affordable prices and the availability of Indian medicines in Azerbaijan will be a win- win situation for all. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 26 Trend: Belarus is an important participant of the regional integration processes, said Deputy Economy and Industry Minister of Azerbaijan Sahib Mammadov who participates in the conference titled Laying the Foundations in the UNECE Region for Economic Integration and Sustainable Development Towards 2030 held in Minsk. The conference has become a good platform for discussing modern challenges which are increasing in number, said Mammadov. We need to work together on development of a strategy for joint activities in these changing conditions. For Azerbaijan, these issues are also very significant, he told the Belarusian agency BelTA. The deputy minister said Azerbaijan actively participates in regional integration associations and expresses its point of view on all relevant issues. The conference, which takes place in the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs October 26-27, is attended by over 130 guests from the Eurasian Economic Commission region, including representatives of parliaments, foreign ministries, various integration structures and international organizations. Visitors take a break at Starbucks Coffee at the Forbidden City on Sept. 6, 2005, in Beijing, China. (Photo : Getty Images) Starbucks is eyeing to double its stores in China over the next five years, targeting 5,000 branches by 2021. The Seattle-based coffee shop giant is looking to open more than one new store a day in the world's second-largest economy, CNN reported. Advertisement "I think if you look at the 45-year history of our company . . . one of the things that we've done really well is that we've always played the long game," Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz told CNN. Starbucks unveiled its first store in the country in 1999. Seventeen years later, the company believes that China could outstrip the U.S. as its biggest market. Currently, Starbucks has more than 13,000 stores in the U.S. "We had to educate and teach many Chinese about what coffee was--the coffee ritual, what a latte was," Schultz recalled the company's initial struggles in the country. "So in the early years, we did not make money." Schultz also told CNN that some critics on Wall Street said that Starbucks "was never going to succeed in China," but the company later proved them wrong. "If you look five years ago, most of our business, believe it or not, was expats and tourists in China," Schultz said. To cement its expansion plans, Starbucks has appointed Belinda Wong as the first CEO of its unit in China. Wong, who was former president of Starbucks China, has been with the company for 16 years. In 2015, Starbucks had a 74 percent market share in mainland China, according to Euromonitor via CNBC. "Among the company's closest competitors are McDonald's Corp.'s McCafe and Whitbread PLC's Costa Coffee, both of which had market shares slightly above 9 percent," said CNBC. Aside from expanding its branch networks, Starbucks is also set to unveil a 30,000sqm store in Shanghai, called the Starbucks Roastery and Reserve Tasting Room. This space is said to be similar to the one in Seattle where customers get tp have a full view of how coffee beans get roasted while sipping their drinks. [October 25, 2016] MISSION BBQ Opens Doors at The Shoppes at Parma PECO (News - Alert) Real Estate Partners (PREP) is pleased to announce that MISSION BBQ is opening at The Shoppes at Parma on November 7, bringing delicious barbecue along with several charity preview events to support members of the Armed Forces and local police and fire services. The new restaurant fronts West Ridgewood Drive, in front of Dick's Sporting Goods, Gordmans and the Walmart Supercenter. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161025006633/en/ MISSION BBQ features great food in a fast casual dining atmosphere. (Photo: Business Wire Founded by BBQ enthusiasts Bill Kraus and Steve Newton in 2011, MISSION BBQ now has 39 locations in 11 states offering authentic BBQ made from the freshest ingredients. The Shoppes at Parma is just the second location in Ohio, the first being in Canton. Cleveland Browns starting left tackle Joe Thomas is a partner in both Ohio locations. In advance of the official opening, MISSION BBQ is holding several private preview charity events where 100 percent of all sales will be donated to local organizations. The charity night celebrations will include military vehicles, police vehicles and fire department trucks on site with festivities to show gratitude to first responders in Parma. Charity plans include Appreciation Night for the Parma Fire Department and their family and friends on November 2, where all sales at this private event will be contributed to Local 639 of the International Assciation of Fire Fighters. An Appreciation Night for the Parma Police Department and their family and friends will take place on November 3, where all sales at this private event will be contributed to the Parma Police Department's charity, Friends of the Parma Police. Friday, November 4 from 5 - 9 p.m. is Military Appreciation night. The public is invited to this event but must RSVP to the restaurant to attend. RSVPs should be sent to [email protected]. All sales will be contributed to the USO of Northern Ohio. The local community and media are invited to attend the official MISSION BBQ Grand Opening, which will be held on Monday, November 7 at 12 noon. The celebration will begin with a performance of the National Anthem and presentation of colors by a Color Guard, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony. "We are proud to open our 39th store and second location in Ohio, the Midwestern state where I was born and raised that shares our core American values and love for BBQ," said Steve Newton, co-founder of MISSION BBQ. "Our mission is to serve, honor and support those who serve our community and our country and we look forward to doing that here in Parma." About The Shoppes at Parma The Shoppes at Parma is in the midst of an exciting transformation through its $95 million, multi-phase redevelopment. The 750,000 square-foot open air center is anchored by J.C. Penney, Dick's Sporting Goods, recently opened Gordmans, Walmart Supercenter and Marc's grocery store and features specialty retailers, services and a wide variety of dining options. Located just eight miles southwest of downtown Cleveland, at the intersection of Ridge Road and West Ridgewood Drive, The Shoppes at Parma has become a town center for the community due to its proximity to University Hospitals Parma Medical Center, Parma City Hall, the Parma branch of the Cuyahoga County Library, and Parma City School District's multipurpose Byers field. New to The Shoppes at Parma in 2016: Aspen Dental, FITWORKS, Gordmans department store, PetValu, PIZZAFIRE, Pulp Juice & Smoothie Bar, Rally House, T-Mobile (News - Alert) Opening soon: ULTA, Shoe Dept. Encore, rue21, Five Guys, Pearle Vision, MISSION BBQ, Kay Jewelers, American Commodore Tuxedo About PECO Real Estate Partners (PREP) PREP has incorporated Phillips Edison & Company's former development and strategic retail divisions and will focus on the acquisition, repositioning and management of power and lifestyle centers, enclosed malls, mixed-use retail projects and single-tenant developments. PREP is a fully integrated real estate operating and asset management company. The company has expertise in every discipline of retail shopping center operation and management. Through the execution of a focused investment strategy, PREP identifies optimal target locations and leverages its management team's long-standing relationships with brokers, property owners and retail tenants, to identify and capitalize on development and redevelopment opportunities. For more information about PREP, please visit www.pecorep.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161025006633/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Face of War (Photo : Daria Marchenko) Russia is ready for a nuclear showdown with America and there are glaring proofs that should a shooting war erupts between the two 'superpowers', Moscow is all geared up for a thermonuclear confrontation. In contrast, the United States appears to be distracted by its pivot to Asia, specifically in dealing with the supposedly growing threats coming from China and North Korea. Advertisement There are just too many signs that Russian President Vladimir Putin is readying his nation for war with America. The Wall Street Journal reported that up to 40 million military personnel and civilians have been mobilized to participate in country-wide emergency drills. The synchronized exercise has one clear objective - to prepare the Russians on the specter of both nuclear and chemical attacks. The same WSJ report was picked up by Business Insider and noted of clips that showed "Russian civilians practicing along with officials and workers in hazardous-material protective suits." If the moving images are not ominous enough, the same report pointed to other evidences that the U.S.-Russian Cold War that ended in the early in the 1990s will reappear soon but this time likely involving actual intercontinental ballistic missiles or ICBMs. For one, Moscow is repositioning its nuclear assets where they will serve enhanced strategic purpose. Business Insider said the Kremlin has relocated nuclear missiles to Kaliningrad, supposedly to bring them within striking distance of the United States' Western allies and even of the continental America, specifically the East Coast. Putin also ditched Russia's nuclear-nonproliferation agreement with Washington, saying that the pull out was triggered by America's unfriendly gestures. In the past few years, the relations between the nations, already strained, further deteriorated as U.S. President Barack Obama increased his criticisms on Moscow's policy regarding Ukraine and Syria. The threat of imposing economic sanctions against Russia over Syria did not sit well with Putin. In such an event, Washington can expect "asymmetrical and painful" reactions from Moscow, Business Insider said. And the same report took note of the increasing anti-American rhetoric that state-sanctioned Russian media outlets have been producing lately. The Russian mindset seems to be that war is already on and it's just a matter of which side will fire the first shot. If the United States will launch first, Moscow is ready per the report by WSJ. As indicated by the nationwide defense drills, Russia is making sure that its population is ready and will survive nuclear attacks by the U.S. military. Meantime, both Washington and the Pentagon appear to be blindsided by the happenings in Asia. As America is being held up by the tantrums of North Korea and Beijing's rising influence in South China Sea, Russia going in a warpath with the United States seems to be left unchecked. you are here: The aim of the price change is to increase the flow of foreign currency into the country EgyptAir has increased its prices for tickets purchased from Egypt for flights taking off from abroad by 10-20 percent, a source at the airline told Ahram Arabic news website. The aim of the price change is to increase the flow of foreign currency into the country, as many Egyptians prefer purchasing tickets for their relatives abroad. The new price increase also aims to limit the exploitation of tourism companies and individuals who buy the ticket in Egypt using local currency and collecting its price in dollars to benefit from the exchange rates. Egypt has been suffering a dollar shortage in recent years. The Egyptian pound was devalued in March by 13 percent in an effort to close the gap between the official and black market rates, but the move has failed to boost dollar liquidity or close the gap. Search Keywords: Short link: Sudan's irrigation minister Moataz Mousa arrived in Cairo late on Tuesday for talks on the mega dam Ethiopia is building on the Nile River, Egypt's state news agency MENA said. During his two-day stay, Mousa will hold talks with top Egyptian government officials on ways to "boost Egyptian-Sudanese cooperation on the renaissance dam project." They will also discuss cooperation between both countries on a joint technical authority regulating the Nile waters. The 6,000-megawatt Grand Renaissance Dam, which is not 70 percent complete, is situated close to Ethiopia's border with Sudan. In September, Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia signed contracts tasking two French firms, BRL and Artelia, with carrying out studies on the environmental and economic impact of the $4 billion dam. Officials say the studies will start in late 2016 and take 11 months. The leaders of the three countries signed a cooperation agreement in Khartoum in March 2015 to pave the way for a joint approach to sharing the regional Nile waters. Egypt has sought assurances the dam will not significantly diminish the flow of the river, its near-exclusive source of irrigation and potable water. Ethiopia has maintained that the projectwhich is 70 percent completewill have no effect on Sudan or Egypt and should benefit all sides. Search Keywords: Short link: A passenger tried to smuggle 41 peregrine falcons to Bahrain through Cairo airport Related Egypt security forces transfer 10 endangered animals from ranch to Giza Zoo A Cairo prosecution ordered a four day detention for a police officer and three low ranking officers suspected of taking bribes to smuggle falcons to Bahrain, pending investigation. According to the prosecution, an Egyptian passenger bribed a police officer in Cairo security directorate and three low ranking police officers working in Cairo international airport to smuggle 41 peregrine falcons to Bahrain to be sold to princes in the Gulf region. The security forces arrested the passenger and the police officers after a security x-ray machine at Cairo international airport exposed the falcons bundled up and drugged inside his bags. According to Egypt's environment and wildlife law, Article 28, it is forbidden to trade in wild animals without a permit from the Egyptian environmental affairs agency. Despite the law, there is an active market for buying and selling live falcons in Egypt. The value of a peregrine falcon can reach EGP 300,000 in Egypt. It is one of the most popular birds of prey in the country. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCU) the species is not qualified as threatened or near threatened. Falcons and falcon hunting are popular in annual festivals and competitions held across the Gulf states. Search Keywords: Short link: This is the first final ruling against the former Muslim Brotherhood Supreme Guide who is still standing multiple other criminal trials Egypt's Court of Cassation upheld on Wednesday a life imprisonment sentence for Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie on incitement of deadly violence charges, in a first final ruling against the 73-year old in a series of retrials in various criminal cases. The Court also upheld life sentences in the same case against 36 other defendants, including top Brotherhood leaders Mohamed El-Beltagy, cleric Safwat Hegazy, former youth minister Osama Yassin, and former supply minister Bassem Oda. On 30 May, a lower court convicted Badie, the group's former supreme guide, and the 36 others of inciting violence that led to the killing of two people in the Nile Delta governorate of Qalyoubia in July 2013. Badie and his co-defendants appealed that ruling. The case dates back to the violent attacks on security forces in the days and weeks following the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in the summer of 2013. The case is one in a string of trials involving members and supporters of the now-banned Brotherhood group. Earlier this week, the same court upheld a 20-year sentence for ousted president Morsi in the 2012 Ittihadiya Palace case, in what was the first final verdict against the ex-president, who is also appealing other verdicts in other criminal cases. Search Keywords: Short link: Elections are serious business, especially in a year with a United States presidential race. But it appears some folks are crossing the line and taking matters and political signs into their own hands. Officials from both the Burke County Republican and Democratic parties say political candidate signs have been stolen or damaged in the past few weeks. Chuck Parris, first vice chair of the Burke County Republican Party, said the local GOP office first noticed the signs going missing about two weeks ago. Parris said over the weekend of Oct. 15-16, every sign the party had placed in Morganton for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump disappeared. To date, Parris says that between 300 and 400 Republican candidate signs have been stolen or damaged in what he believes to be an organized effort. Along with Trump, signs for North Carolina General Assembly incumbents Warren Daniel and Hugh Blackwell and incumbent North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory have been the hardest hit amongst Republicans, Parris said. Mark Vitrone, a volunteer at the Burke County Democratic Party headquarters, said that around 150 Democratic signs have been stolen, knocked down or damaged. He said that N.C. House candidate Tim Barnsback and Democratic governor candidate Roy Cooper have been targeted most often. Parris said the Republicans have lost signs from Lake James to Icard. He said the small yard signs cost about $5 apiece while the larger signs cost anywhere from $50 to $100. Parris estimates the local GOPs losses from the stolen or damaged signs to be about $800. Parris said that damaging or removing signs goes beyond political gamesmanship and into the realm of criminal activity. To me, its so irritating that someone would stoop to this low, Parris said. Theyre not just pranksters or whatever, theyre thieves. Most recently, the Republicans found that a large 4-feet-by-4-feet sign for Congressman Mark Meadows that was placed outside the Morganton Burke Senior Center on South Green Street an early voting site had been broken down and damaged. The bad thing is people are stealing (political signs) just for the purpose of vandalism because theyre against something, Parris said. If you steal something just to be mean or a criminal, you should actually be subject to the maximum penalty thats there. Parris said the Burke County Republican Party has reported the stolen and damaged signs to the Morganton Department of Public Safety. Maj. Tony Lowdermilk with MDPS said no arrests have been made yet in Morganton and the investigation is ongoing. Were conducting extra patrols and letting officers know to be on the lookout for anybody damaging or stealing any of the political signs that have been erected, Lowdermilk said. Its a Class 3 misdemeanor for someone who steals, defaces, vandalizes or unlawfully removes a political sign. A misdemeanor is two years or less of potential confinement and/or fines. Obviously, that depends on someones criminal history. Vitrone said the Burke Democratic Party has not filed an official report for its stolen or damaged signs in an attempt to take the high road. However, he said the message has been sent out to those who work with the party that tampering with signs wont be tolerated. When (those who tamper with signs) go low, we go high, Vitrone said. Our supporters have been told that any messing with anyone elses signs is uncalled for. Burke County Sheriff Steve Whisenant said that reports of political sign tampering have been made to his office as well. In particular, complaints have come from the Hildebran area. I talked with somebody last week and they were telling us where some of both parties signs are being stolen, Whisenant said. So, weve been doing extra patrol in (Hildebran). Arrests connected to the matter already may have been made in Caldwell County. The Caldwell County Sheriffs Office along with the Lenoir Police Department on Tuesday arrested and charged three high school students with stealing political signs advertising for the Donald Trump and Mike Pence campaign. Aurora Elizabeth Solis, 17, of Hickory, 16-year-old Yamied Vasquez Rueda of Newton and 16-year-old Brandon Alonzo Castorena of Conover were each charged with stealing political signs and possession of stolen property. They were each released to the custody of their parents Tuesday afternoon. All three are students at Newton-Conover High School in Catawba County. Officers received an anonymous tip around noon Monday that someone driving a silver Ford Focus was stopping and pulling up Trump/Pence political signs along U.S. Highway 321 in Caldwell County. Sgt. Jonathan Kirby with the Caldwell County Sheriffs Office spotted the car in Valmead and, with assistance from a Lenoir Police Department officer, pulled the vehicle. According to the reports, the three admitted to stealing numerous political signs across the Unifour area and officers found 12 signs in the vehicle at the time of the arrest. Parris said he hopes that anyone who sees someone removing or damaging political signs will take action and alert their local law enforcement agency. Parris said he believes police agencies are waiting to hear from citizens on the matter. To contact the Burke County Sheriffs Office, call 828-438-5500 or visit 150 Government Drive. To get in touch with the Morganton Department of Public Safety, call 828-437-1211 or visit 304 S. College St. Justin Epley can be reached at jepley@morganton.com or 828-432-8943. GRANITE FALLS - The suspect in a recent bank robbery has turned himself in to police. Dewey Lee Gentry Jr., 32, of Pearl Street, Granite Falls, was charged with common law robbery after he voluntarily surrendered to police Wednesday around 10 a.m., according to a press release from Granite Falls Police Department. A warrant was issued for Gentry on Tuesday after hed been identified as a suspect in the robbery of the First Citizens Band and Trust in Granite Falls on Oct. 3. He turned himself in to Det. Clint Ferguson at the Granite Falls PD without incident, according to information in the release. The Granite Falls Police Department worked closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation during this investigation, the release said. Assistance from citizens and the media helped investigators generate Mr. Gentry as a suspect. All assistance is greatly appreciated. The investigation into the robbery is still ongoing and anyone with additional information in the case is asked to call Det. Ferguson at 828-396-3358, or email ferguson@granitefallspolicenc.com. Russia's transport minister says all but a couple of items on a list of required airport security improvements have been met Cairo International Airports new Terminal 2 is now compliant with all aviation security requirements, Russias transport minister, Maxim Sokolov, said in interview with Rossiya 24 TV Channel. "Certain items have not yet been implemented, but [alot] has been done, particularly in the new terminal of Cairo airport, which is nearly fully in line with all international aviation and transport security requirements, except the automatic control system of staff access to airside," the minister said Tuesday in statements reported by Russian news agency TASS. Cairo International Airport has three main terminals. Terminal 2 was re-opened for flights after renovations in late September. Sokolov added that Russia has not asked for any new additional requirements from the Egyptian side. The statements by Sokolov come only a few days after Hisham Bastawi, an aide to Egypt Interior Minister, said authorities have implemented most airport security measures demanded by Russia with the remaining ones to be put in place in the coming weeks. According to Bastawi, a biometric system of employee access to airports, which monitors the time of arrival and departure of staff, is among the measures to be implemented. Russia grounded flights to and from Egypt after an Airbus A321 en route to St Petersburg crashed soon after taking off from Sharm El-Sheikh on 31 October 2015. All 224 people aboard died as a result of the crash that was classified by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) as a terrorist attack. Moscow has demanded Egypt implement tight security meassures at all its airports. Negotiations between the two countries to resume Russian flights to Egypt have been ongoimg for months, with multiple visits by Russian security to Egyptian airports to monitor changes implemented by Cairo at its airports. The return of Russian flights to Egypt would mean the country could once again receive large numbers of Russian tourists to boost its ailing tourism industry, which is a major source of much needed foreign currency for Cairo. Search Keywords: Short link: A decision by Brussels in May to lift a flight ban of Sharm El-Sheikh has paved the way for the airliner to return, the latest of European airlines Belgian Jetairfly will resume flights to Egypts Sharm El-Sheikh starting on Sunday following a one-year suspension, Egypts tourism ministry announced on Wednesday. The ministry described the decision by Brussels as one that reflects the Belgian governments trust in all security procedures undertaken by the Egyptian authorities to secure all tourist outlets and Egyptian airports. Belgiums Jetairfly are set to operate two flights per week on Sundays and Tuesdays to and from the Egyptian resort during the winter season. The Belgian airliner, one of the six proprietary airlines in the German-based TUI Group, is the latest among European airlines to announce a resumption of flights to Sharm El-Sheikh. The decision comes following a decision by Brussels in May 2016 to lift a flight ban to Sharm El-Sheikh imposed since November 2015. Other TUI group airlines have not yet been given the green light for the resumption of flights to the resort in South Sinai. TUI Groups Thomsan Airways and First Choice confirmed the cancellation of all flights up to and until 8 February, 2017 as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) continues to advise against all but essential travel by air to or from Sharm el-Sheikh. Egypt's tourism industry has been hit hard since the October 2015 Russian airliner crash in Sinai that killed all 224 people on board. The crash led Russia to suspend all flights to Egypt, and several European countries, including the UK, to suspend their flights to the popular Sinai resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh, all citing security concerns. Since the crash, Cairo has worked to improve airport security in an effort to regain the confidence of foreign governments. In September, Turkish Airlines resumed flights to Sharm El-Sheikh following 10 months of suspension, while Poland resumed flights to the resort city in early August and Germany eased restrictions on flights to and from the resort in May. Russia, which is currently negotiating airport security measures with Cairo, has not yet set a date for the resumption of flights to Egypt. The number of tourists visiting Egypt dropped by 50 percent in the first half of 2016 compared to the same period last year, according to Egypt's Tourism Authority. Tourism revenues during that period witnessed a drop of 60 percent compared to 2015. Egypt has been seeking billions of dollars in loans to address a severe hard currency shortage. Search Keywords: Short link: A suspected Syrian army helicopter dropped barrel bombs on Turkish-backed rebels on Tuesday, the Turkish military said, in what appeared to be the first direct clash with Syrian forces since Turkey launched a cross-border incursion in August. A helicopter "assessed to belong to regime forces" bombed the rebels in a village near Akhtarin, a town 5 km (3 miles) southeast of Dabiq, the Turkish military said in a statement. Dabiq is a former Islamic State (IS) stronghold which the rebels seized from the Islamist militants this month. Two Turkish-backed rebels were killed and five wounded, the statement said. The Syrian military could not immediately be reached for comment. The Syrian military said last week the presence of Turkish troops on Syrian soil was a "dangerous escalation and flagrant breach of Syria's sovereignty". It warned it would bring down any Turkish warplanes entering Syrian air space. Turkey launched "Operation Euphrates Shield" two months ago, sending tanks and warplanes into Syria in support of the largely Turkmen and Arab rebels to push IS militants from the border and prevent Kurdish militias taking ground in their wake. President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday the Turkish-backed forces would press on to the IS-held town of al-Bab, around 15 km (9 miles) from their current position. The Kurdish YPG militia is also seeking control of the town. Search Keywords: Short link: Forces allied to President Bashar al-Assad in Syria warned Turkey on Wednesday against any advance towards their positions to the north and east of Aleppo, saying any such move would be met "decisively and with force". The field commander of the forces allied to Damascus made the comments during a tour of frontlines to the north of Aleppo in a written statement sent to Reuters by an official from the same alliance. The commander, who was not identified by name, nationality or affiliation, said any such advance would be seen as a breach of "the red lines". "We will not let anyone use the excuse of fighting Daesh (Islamic State) to advance and attempt to draw near to the defences of the allies forces," he said. The alliance fighting in support of Assad includes the Lebanese group Hezbollah, Iraqi militias, and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. Search Keywords: Short link: Russia stocks offer attractive dividends that could be a sustainable source of income for UK investors, according to Gary Greenberg, head of emerging markets for Hermes. However, investors looking for growth should steer clear, as the market offers low profitability and capital could be at risk. It is appropriate and sensible for Russia companies to pay high dividends as they do not have particular great capital expenditure projects, Greenberg told Morningstar this week. But I do not have an overweight position in Russia because it remains too government controlled, and there is always potential for war in the region. Hugo Bain, senior investment manager at Pictet Asset Management said that dividend yields of Russian stocks are extremely attractive relative to the US market. While the Moscow Exchange MICEX index offers a dividend yield of 5.8%, S&P 500 offers just 2%. Oleg Biryulyov, manager of the Bronze Rated JPMorgan Russia fund echoes Greenbergs views, saying that he saw an encouraging trend with regards to the sustainability of pay-out ratios in Russia equities. The aggregate pay-out ratio for the Russian equity market is still below 50% today, but it was below 20% just three years ago. So there is a clear positive trend, said Biryulyov. We also see that the Russian government has pressed state-controlled companies to increase pay-outs. Investors in Rosneft (ROSN) and Gazprom have therefore been the major beneficiaries of this move. Despite oil production at historic highs and the Russian government raising corporate taxes for the energy and mining sectors, these stocks are doing well reaping the rewards of the depreciation of Russian currency, the ruble. As a result, Bain thinks energy and mining companies should still have plenty of cash leftover to pay attractive dividends. Will Russia Stock Market Rally Last? The Russian stock market is up nearly 35% since the start of the year in both US dollar and local currency terms. As the Russia economy is heavily dependent on oil and other natural resource exports, the rebound in commodity prices this year has benefited the Russia economy. Although this year was preceded by two years of poor performance, investors should consider whether they have missed the bulk of the rally. Greenberg expects the Russian economy to continue to recover next year, pulling itself further out of the recent recession and for stock market gains to continue too. In the short term, the outlook for Russia is positive thanks to a recovery in the oil price, he said. The investment on oil production has lagged a lot in the last couple of years. Its entirely possible for the oil price to go up to $65 per barrel in the short term. Oil price prices sit at $49 currently, but have been as low as $24 in February. Bain agreed, saying that as long as oil stays above $40 a barrel, any economic growth in Russia should benefit Russian equities. What About Geopolitical Risks? Geopolitical risks in the region abound. Global investors and politicians alike hoped that Russia would become more cooperative politically in international affairs in exchange for other nations lifting sanctions on Russia. But recent activity suggests this will not be an easy negotiation. Why do they care about Syria? It gives them absolutely nothing, said Greenberg. So they could say in return for pulling out and being collaborative about Syria, the US might agree to life sanctions. This could end up a win-win and Russia economy could then recover. This could be entirely possible. But that solution might not be possible if the Democratic presidential candidate Hilary Clinton is elected to be the US President in November, as Clinton less amenable than Donald Trump in her attitude towards Russia, Greenberg added. Rob Drijkoningen, co-manager of the Silver Rated Neuberger Berman Emerging Market Debt Hard Currency fund pitched in, saying It is unlikely sanctions will be lifted in the near term, especially when Clinton is in charge. However Biryulyov does not believe the outcome of the US election will be a major factor in the performance of the Russian equity market over the next two years. Very few Russian companies have significant presence of investments in the US, as such the outcome will be neutral. Domestically, post the parliamentary elections which were largely a non-event, Russian politics are likely to be more predictable for the 24 months, and global perception is unlikely to get much worse from current very low levels, said Biryulyov. Russia is High Risk Investing Biryulyov reminds investors that Russia remains a high risk, high return asset class as it is volatile and cyclical, due in large part to the high representation by cyclical commodity sectors. The market is still down -14.7% over the last five years. However, it is up 8.1% over the past ten years, and 12-fold since 1994. For long-term investors, patience has been rewarded, Biryulyov said. However, looking forward, Greenberg cast doubts on the future growth of Russian economy, and indeed stock market returns, as Russia seems to be falling behind of technology development to compete with the rest of the world. There will be some positives sanctions are lifted, but so what? Russias policies are not focused on competition, improving quality of education or opening up economy for idea investment. Therefore in todays hyper competitive connective digital world, Russia is falling behind quickly. It has little hope of catching up because in essence they are not even trying, said Greenberg. Drijkoningen added that that if Russia remained disengaged with the international world, the impact of technology improvement in Russia would probably be limited as the country would be constrained by the international players. The United States on Wednesday praised Qatar's role in the fight against the Islamic State group and its "positive efforts" to deny the militants funds. A senior Treasury Department official, Daniel Glaser, is in Qatar and has held talks with Prime Minister Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani on the issue, the statement released by the US embassy added. Washington's public backing comes just weeks after leaked emails alleged that presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton believed Qatar was "providing clandestine financial and logistic support" to IS. "Glaser discussed the Government of Qatar's recent positive efforts to counter terrorist financing with Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser," the statement from the embassy said. "The United States Government enjoys a close and ongoing relationship with the Government of Qatar in combating terrorist financing and supports Qatar's efforts to deny terrorist financiers access to its financial system. "The United States appreciates Qatar's role as a coalition partner in the fight against (IS)." Qatar has long been accused by some in the West of funding militants groups, charges Doha has repeatedly denied. However, the recent Wikileaks publication of Clinton's emails brought the issue back into the public eye ahead of the bitterly contested November 8 presidential election in the United States. Qatar has yet to comment officially on the latest allegations. Despite the continuing concerns, Doha and Washington remain firm allies. Qatar is home to the Al-Udeid airbase, which houses some 10,000 US troops. It is the largest US airbase outside of America. The Clinton emails also surfaced around the same time as the strong economic ties between the two countries were emphasised when Qatar Airways announced it was buying up to 100 planes from US manufacturer Boeing, in a $18.6 billion deal. And last month, Qatar's emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani made a "working visit" to California. In the alleged emails, Clinton also raised concerns about clandestine funding and Saudi Arabia. However, earlier this month, Glaser also praised Riyadh's efforts to block funding for extremists. Search Keywords: Short link: France said on Wednesday it would prolong until mid-December the operations of the French naval group including the Charles-de-Gaulle aircraft supporting the operation to take the Iraqi city of Mosul from Islamic State. The decision was taken at a meeting of the French defence council held at the Elysee French presidential palace earlier in the day to review "military, humanitarian, political and security-related issues tied to the reconquest of Mosul," an Elysee statement said. "The President has decided to prolong the activities of the aero-naval group contributing to the operation until mid-December", it added. The group was due to leave the region in mid-October. Search Keywords: Short link: 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 Superintendent of Financial Services issued a cease and desist order against Tier 1 Transaction Advisory Services Inc. It has also suspended the licenses of Tier 1 Mortgage Corporation, First Commonwealth Mortgage Corporation, Bhaktraj Singh, Jude Cassimy, and Dave Balkissoon for allegedly violating the Mortgage Brokerages, Lenders and Administrators Act, 2006 through the selling of a number of syndicated mortgages. The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) believes these activities pose a risk to investors, lenders and borrowers. The entities named in the orders must immediately stop conducting any mortgage-related business, FSCO said in an action notice. They have 15 days to request a hearing before the Financial Services Tribunal. If they do not request a hearing within that time, the orders may become permanent. The statement comes following a number of claims brought forth against a developer that uses syndicated mortgages, Fortress Real Developments. In late September, a claim was brought against Fortress Real Capital, Fortress Real Developments, Jawad Rathore, Vincenzo Petrozza, Empire Pace (1088 Progress), Olympia Trust Company and a number of other entities and individuals, including the appraiser responsible for valuing the development. That suit was filed a month after it was reported two investors were suing Fortress Real Capital among others following the bankruptcy of the Maddy Collier Centre in Barrie. Those cases are ongoing and are not related to the action notice for Tier 1 Mortgage et al. The offensive to drive the Islamic State group from its Raqa stronghold in Syria will begin in the next few weeks, top US and British defence officials said Wednesday. US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter and his British counterpart Michael Fallon made the predictions nearly 10 days into a US-backed Iraqi offensive on Mosul, the last major Iraqi city under IS control. "It will be within weeks, not many weeks," Carter told reporters at a two-day NATO defence ministers meeting in Brussels. During a visit Sunday to Iraq's autonomous region of Kurdistan to review the Mosul offensive, Carter said an operation to isolate IS in Raqa should begin in conjunction with the assault on its Iraqi bastion. Arriving for the defence ministers meeting, Fallon said: "We hope a similar operation will begin towards Raqa in the next few weeks." The United States leads a 60-nation anti-IS coalition that has provided key support for the Iraqi army offensive launched last week. It comes in the form of thousands of air strikes, training for Iraqi forces and advisers on the ground. The loss of Mosul -- where IS leaders declared their "caliphate" -- would leave Raqa the last major city still under the group's control. Carter said the idea of simultaneous operations against Mosul and Raqa "has been part of our planning for quite a while." Later Wednesday, he said the United States would likely work with key NATO ally Turkey to retake Raqa when asked about tensions between Baghdad and Ankara over its role in the attack on Mosul. "We already are working extensively with the Turkish military in Syria" and this had produced "significant" results, including the seizure of the "very important city" of Dabiq. Earlier this month, Ankara-backed rebels seized the emblematic northern town of Dabiq from the extremist group, having already taken Al-Rai. "So we are looking for other opportunities including further within Syria, to include Raqa. That's been part of our discussions," Carter added. Turkey's positioning of troops in northern Iraq and its insistence that it has a role in the Mosul offensive have led to sharp exchanges with the Iraqi government, creating a headache for Washington as it tries to keep both of its allies on-side. Iraq on Monday insisted that Turkey was not participating in the Mosul attack, rejecting Turkish claims that it was. Search Keywords: Short link: Mount Pleasant, SC (29464) Today Partly cloudy skies. High around 80F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to cloudy skies overnight. Low 59F. Winds light and variable. When Jeremy Page and his partner, Kip Warzon, took over the Greenfield, Wis., branch of Inlanta Mortgage in February of 2015, the branch was underperforming. In less than 6 months, Page and Warzon turned the branch around, transforming it into one of Inlantas most successful branches. The secret, according to Page, was smart staffing decisions and plain old hard work. Page, who entered the mortgage business when he was a teenager, said, I was running the day-to-day operations as well as producing, and my partner, Kip, was one of our top producers. It was a natural progression for us to step into leadership positions. Making the transition After becoming co-branch managers, Page and Warzon set to work on turning the branch around. At the time, the branch wasnt doing enough production, Page said. But from the moment that we took over and that will be two years in February we started on a plan to right the ship. We have gone from one of the bottom branches in the company to number three in October 2016, and year-to-date overall we are fourth in the company. So what does it take to transform an underperforming branch into one of the top branches in the company? A lot of hours, to be honest, and hard work, Page said. The reason Kip and I agreed to partner up is that we had a very similar work ethic. Were the kind of guys that arent afraid to put in long hours when we have to. Also, just leading by example. When your staff sees youre the first ones in and the last ones out when they see how much youre putting into your branch and your employees it gets reciprocated back, and they work harder too. Employee relations Gaining buy-in and simply making employees feel that their work is valuable also helps the bottom line. We do appreciation events for our team, such as taking them on the companys rewards trip. We try to find ways to say thank you to our employees. Those kinds of things really make a difference. And, not least, Page and Warzon took a hard look at their employees strengths and weaknesses, and tailored their workflow accordingly. We position our structure and our file flow, and we put peoples strengths in the right areas, Page said. We have the right people in the right places, and we have those people do what theyre good at; we play to their strengths. Thats also been a big help. According to Page, that kind of smart staffing paid dividends in more than just increased success it made attaining that success less stressful than it might have been otherwise. Clashes and air raids across Yemen killed dozens of people in 24 hours since a UN peace envoy presented a roadmap to end the county's conflict, military sources said Wednesday. In the Nahm region, east of the capital Sanaa, forces loyal to the government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi traded artillery fire with Shiite Huthi rebels. The sources said at least 15 rebels and five pro-Hadi fighters were killed in the exchange, which was punctuated by air strikes by the Saudi-led Arab coalition supporting the government. Six loyalist fighters and five rebels were killed in clashes around Al-Buqah border post with Saudi Arabia, they said, while four rebels and two loyalists were killed overnight in the central region of Baida. In Sanaa on Tuesday, UN envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed submitted a proposal to the Huthi rebels and their allies on advancing prospects for peace. The rebels would give their response to the written roadmap on political and security arrangements in the coming days, the envoy said. His visit was marred by a protest as hundreds of people demonstrated outside his hotel in the rebel-held capital, accusing the envoy of siding with the Saudi-led coalition. The government has so far been non-committal on the proposal, with spokesman Rajeh Badi telling AFP it had not received any roadmap for a political settlement. Nearly 6,900 people have been killed in Yemen's conflict since March 2015, more than half of them civilians, while an additional three million are displaced and millions more need food aid. Search Keywords: Short link: Courtesy Midland-headquartered Clayton Williams Energy announced Monday that it had agreed to sell its Giddings area assets for $400 million. The Giddings area is located in eastern Central Texas. The sale is expected to close in December, according to a company press release. Proceeds from the sale will fund development in the Delaware Basin, located in the western portion of the greater Permian Basin. The company will focus on 70,000 net acres in the southern Delaware and will become a pure Permian player. Decision Resources Group Opens in Singapore US-based pharma researcher Decision Resources Group (DRG) has expanded to the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, with the establishment of a consulting office in Singapore. DRG offers data, analytics and insights products and services to the healthcare industry, delivered by more than 1,000 employees across seventeen offices in North America, Europe and Asia. The firm says its expansion will enable it to serve its core global biopharma clients that are expanding and growing in Asia Pacific markets, while helping APAC-headquartered companies that need local expertise and advice on market assessments and product and market strategies. DRG Consulting APAC will be led by former Strategy and Leadership Consulting execs Robin Arnold and Ravi Visweswara, who join with a background in life sciences industry consulting across the APAC region. Mark Olson, President of DRG Global Consulting Services, states: 'DRG Consulting is proud to be deepening our local commitment to the Asia-Pacific region, where we have covered these markets for many years. Now, with local presence and expertise in place, we can fully meet the needs of our global biopharma and medical technology clients, while also directly serving our clients headquartered in China, India, and other high growth markets'. Web site: www.decisionresourcesgroup.com . All articles 2006-22 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated. Air strikes on Syria's rebel-held Idlib province hit a school and the surrounding area on Wednesday, killing at least 35 civilians including many children, a monitor and activists said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said "warplanes -- either Russia or Syrian -- carried out six strikes" in the village of Hass, including on a school complex. Eleven schoolchildren were among the dead, said the Britain-based monitor. The White Helmets civil defence group released pictures of four rescue workers clambering over a mound of rubble in search of survivors after what it said was a "double-tap" strike on the school. The raids hit Hass around 11:30 am (0830 GMT), an activist with the opposition Idlib Media Centre told AFP. "One rocket hit the entrance of the school as students were leaving to go home, after the school administration decided to end classes for the day because of the raids," the activist said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Other activists from the province circulated a photograph on social media of a child's arm, seared off above the elbow, still clutching the strap of a dusty black rucksack. Shaky video footage depicted rescue workers sprinting towards the site of the raids and pulling a frail, elderly man out of a collapsed building. The authenticity of the pictures and footage could not be independently verified. The latest attacks took to 89 the number of civilians killed in air strikes on Idlib province in the past seven days, said the Observatory. Syrian government forces and their Russian ally have been accused by rights groups of carrying out indiscriminate attacks on civilian infrastructure. Search Keywords: Short link: Islamist militant group al Shabaab took control on Wednesday of a town in southern Somalia after African Union peacekeepers and government troops abandoned it, residents and the group said. Ethiopian troops in the peacekeeping force known as AMISOM, government soldiers and al Shabaab have fought many times this year over control of Tiyeeglow district. When troops secured it, al Shabaab has strived to isolate it. Al Shabaab said it took Tiyeeglow district near the Ethiopian border after the Ethiopian and Somali soldiers moved to Hudur, the Bakool region's capital. Tiyeeglow district is important because it links Bakool to Hiiran region, where al Shabaab have taken over three towns this month. "Now we see hundreds of al Shabaab fighters and its banner flapping in the centre of the town. The Ethiopian and Somali troops moved out yesterday and last night," local elder Maamad Nuur told Reuters. "There is much fear." Abdiasis Abu Musab, al Shabaab's military operation spokesman, confirmed the take over the town. "We entered Tiyeeglow district the minute the Ethiopian troops left early this morning. We now fully control it," he said. Ethiopian and Somali government officials were not available to comment. Al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab, which once ruled much of Somalia, wants to topple the Western-backed government in Mogadishu and drive out AMISOM peacekeepers also made up of soldiers from Kenya, Djibouti, Uganda and other African nations. In a sign of their capability to strike, the group rammed a military base with a suicide truck bomb, shot dead an intelligence officer and killed 12 people in a Kenyan border town in a series of strikes over 24 hours to Tuesday. Search Keywords: Short link: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Wednesday he wants US troops out of his country in the next two years and is willing to scrap defence pacts with longtime ally Washington if necessary. The comments follow a series of anti-American tirades by the firebrand leader, who has repeatedly attacked the US while cosying up to Beijing, upending his nation's foreign policy in comments that have sometimes been quickly retracted. "I want, maybe in the next two years, my country free of the presence of foreign military troops," Duterte told an economic forum in Tokyo, in a clear reference to US forces. "I want them out and if I have to revise or abrogate agreements, executive agreements, I will," he added. The US, which once operated sprawling bases in the country, now has a small number of Special Forces on the southern island of Mindanao to aid in counter-terrorism operations. Duterte has previously said he wants US troops out of Mindanao because their presence stokes tensions on the island where Islamic militants have waged a decades-long separatist insurgency. Duterte's aides frequently attempt to walk back his controversial comments, and Wednesday was no exception. Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay, asked at a subsequent press conference to clarify the remarks, said that Duterte did not mean US troops would be ousted, stressing that "our national interests still continue to converge". The acid-tongued leader arrived in Tokyo Tuesday on his first visit to Japan since taking office June 30, looking to persuade executives his country is "open for business", after overturning Manila's traditional diplomatic alliances. The 71-year-old has also slammed Washington for questioning his violent crime crackdown, which has claimed some 3,700 lives and attracted widespread international criticism. Duterte has also insulted President Barack Obama, calling him a "son of a whore" and announcing a "separation" from the US during a visit to Beijing last week. Although he quickly walked back from his comments, saying that "separation" did not mean he would "sever" ties, he reiterated his calls on Wednesday for an end to all joint war games with the US. "This will be the last manoeuvre war games between the United States and the Philippines' military," he said of an event hosted in recent weeks by the Philippines. Duterte later began a summit with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and will also meet with Emperor Akihito on Thursday. Although his Japanese hosts depend on the US for security, Tokyo has so far not responded to Duterte's diatribes, while Washington has taken a calm approach. "We're going to take the long view," State Department spokesman John Kirby said Tuesday. "We're not going to react and respond to every bit of rhetoric," he added. Abe had worked to improve bilateral relations with Duterte's predecessor, Benigno Aquino, providing patrol boats to support Manila in its territorial row with Beijing over rival claims to the South China Sea. The Philippines took Beijing to an international tribunal over its extensive claims in the region and won a resounding victory in July. But Duterte has not pressed the issue with Beijing, instead working to improve ties and attract billions of dollars in Chinese loans and investments. Duterte also attempted to calm worries in Japan over his trip to China, assuring his audience that he was not seeking military ties with Beijing, just a closer economic relationship. "We did not talk about arms, we did not talk about stationing of troops," he said. "We avoided talking about alliances, military or otherwise." Search Keywords: Short link: Pakistan Wednesday accused India of killing two civilians and wounding eight others after allegedly opening fire over their border. The incident occurred near the frontier dividing Indian-held Kashmir from Pakistan's Punjab province, known as the working boundary, Pakistani officials said. "Two civilians embraced shahadat (martyrdom) in Chaprar Sector on the working boundary due to India's unprovoked firing today," the military said in a statement. It added "eight civilians were also injured by the Indian fire". The military added: "Another civilian... who was injured by the Indian firing at Line of Control (LoC) Monday, succumbed to injuries today." The latest incident came as Pakistan summoned a senior Indian diplomat to its foreign ministry to lodge a protest "over the unprovoked firing by India on the LoC and the working boundary on October 25 and 26". The foreign ministry called on India to "instruct its troops to respect the ceasefire" and "refrain from intentionally targeting the villages and maintain peace". Relations between the two countries have plummeted in recent months, with India blaming Pakistani militants for a raid on an army base in its part of disputed Kashmir in September that killed 19 soldiers. Search Keywords: Short link: Akufo-Addo should have apologised over hardship ... Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said on Tuesday evening that the size of the armed forces' economic activities ranges "from only 1 to 1.5 percent of Egypt's GDP, not from 20 to 25 percent as some people claim." In the televised National Youth Conference, El-Sisi refuted that the armed forces are competing with the private sector for profit, saying that they are mainly responsible for national security but have had to intervene in some projects because the amount of work required in the economy is "huge." The president added that the armed forces will deliver 1,350 projects before the end of 2018. "The economic projects of the armed forces are monitored by the Accountability State Authority; its financial statements are reviewed and they pay taxes [for such projects] just as other institutions and companies do," he said. El-Sisi added that eight million packages of basic food commodities, produced by the armed forces, will be sold at half market price in the coming period, to help supply eight million households. On Monday, Prime Minister Sherif Ismail said in an interview with Egyptian privately-owned channel CBCs Lamees El-Hadidi that the armys role in the economy will diminish within two to three years. Ismail said that the army maintains a role in managing national projects "due to the accumulation of crises in recent years," stressing that the actual work is mainly executed by private sector companies. The presidents and the premiers statements come nearly a month after the army announced it would intervene to solve the baby formula crisissaying it would provide milk formula at a lower-than-market pricedays after dozens of parents protested price hikes and shortages of the subsidized milk powder. The move sparked a debate over whether the army had become overly involved in the economy at the cost of its main duty to secure the country. Egypt has been struggling to tackle an economic crisis since the 2011 uprising, which was followed by political and security turbulence that spooked foreign investors and tourists, both major sources of hard currency. Search Keywords: Short link: The government facilitated the launching of businesses "by merging procedures at the one-stop shop by introducing a follow-up unit in charge of liaising with the tax and labor authority on behalf of the company," the report said. Egypt rose four places in the Doing Businesses index for 2017 compared to the last year's report to be placed 122nd out of 190 countries, the World Banks group said in its annual report released on Tuesday. Last year, the published report said that Egypt's overall rank was 131st out of 189 countries; however earlier this year, the rank was revised to 126th, meaning that the 2017 ranking is five spots higher than the original 2016 ranking. Egypt took the fifth place among comparator economies in the MENA region in terms of the ease of doing business, scoring 56.64 points and was preceded by UAE, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Egypt was among the reports top countries which have improved in the category of Starting a Business, rising 31 spots from the year before to register rank 39th. The government facilitated the launching of businesses "by merging procedures at the one-stop shop by introducing a follow-up unit in charge of liaising with the tax and labor authority on behalf of the company," the report said. The country also climbed 41 spots to rank 88th in the category of "Getting Electricity" and ranked the same as 2016 as 162nd.in the "Paying Taxes." Egypt rose 15 places to rank 114th in Protecting Minority Investors by increasing shareholder rights and role in major corporate decisions and by clarifying ownership and control structures, said the World Bank Group. However, in the field of Trading Across Borders and Getting Credit Egypt retreated noticeably down to 168th from 157th and from 78th to 82nd respectively. The process of obtaining and processing documents became more complex after the government imposed restrictions on foreign exchange deposits and withdrawals for imports, according to the report. In August, Egypt's cabinet approved a draft law allowing individuals to start one-person companies, as part of its efforts to encourage new SMEs. Egypts central bank announced last January the launching of a four-year programme to increase financing of SMEs - which the government considers key contributors to the states investment and production sectors. Women and businesses Nonetheless, the MENA region continues to lead in gender disparities, as women entrepreneurship lags in 70 percent of the region's economies. This year's report titled "Equal Opportunity for All" introduces a gender perspective to a number of indicators (Starting a Business, Registering Property and Enforcing Contracts) to assess business friendly economies. While Egyptian women enjoy some rights to property and maternity leave, they encounter a number of barriers in access to business and employment. The report stated that there is no equal remuneration to women compared to men for work of equal value, and added gender discrimination in hiring persists. Husbands continue to enjoy the right to stop wives from leaving homes, according to the Personal Status law of 1985, the report said. The annual report examines regulations and regulatory processes involved in setting up and operating a business in economies worldwide, measures factors like the time it takes to start a business, the ease of registering property, and access to credit, among others. Search Keywords: Short link: Pack your sleeping bags and head to the most serene spot on Egypt's Red Sea, Ras Mohammed, between Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab The reality of most camping trips is, it doesnt matter what time you end up falling asleep. The sun will seep through the thin walls of your tent shortly after sunrise, tickling you into consciousness. So you sit up, slither out of your sleeping bag and, in my case, grab the gas stove and the coffee maker. Earlier this month, a 36-hour stop at Ras Mohammed National Parkthe narrow peninsula that marks the southernmost part of Sinaiturned into a weeklong stay at arguably one of Egypts most precious protectorates. Where to stay and what to eat We pitched our tents in a quiet bay unexplored by most visitors, overlooking a small stretch of water along Marsa Bareika --the only authorized camping ground inside the park. Between food and drink, we had brought supplies to last us two days, so on day three we hop scotched to Sharm El Sheikh, about 18 kilometres north, for a restock. The citys Old Market, a predecessor of the overly-commercial Neama Bay had everything we needed: fresh bread, nuts, fruits, vegetables, pasta, ful, tuna, ice and beer. Although many regard Ras Mohammed as a daytrip destination, there are several sites that will welcome you overnight. Camps along Marsa Bareika run a slightly different operation than those along the Taba-Nuweiba coastline, however. Meals need to be ordered a day in advance. All visitors to the park share one main bathroom: a composite of three toilets and a sink, situated at the tip of Marsa Bareika. The toilet stalls sub for showers. The bathroom is supplied with toilet paper and in some instances an old bottle of soap, both signs of upkeep, albeit minimal. Past the bathroom, the first campsite appears to your right, operated by Am Gemei. More a meeting point than a camp, the beating heart of this spot is its restaurant: a shaded area with tables and chairs. At 70EGP per person, you get rice, grilled chicken, potatoes cooked in tomato sauce, tehina, green salad, soda, mineral water and a cup of Sinais signature tea spiced with habaq (a culinary herb similar to basil). The food is delicious and the portions generous. Beyond the restaurant, a few teepee-like tents line up down the beach. Despite their basic, almost flavorless set-up, a single night stay with full board is EGP 300 and EGP 250 if you only sign up for two meals. Further down the bay at Bidawi, where a nights stay and three meals a day are also priced at 300EGP, the air is different. Unlike its neighbours, this is a full-on camp, boasting a central hang out area, four showers and one dry toilet, kept in order by a group of warm, welcoming staff led by Halabi. The camp is comprised of 12 tents, facing the bay in a v-shape. Each tent comes with its own kilim (woven rug), mattresses and bed sheets. We ended up spending a whole morning at Bidawi, lazing in the shade and sipping spiced tea. In the background, a group of chatty Italian women munched on homemade cake as they shared travel stories with Halabi and his crew. The sights Ras Mohammed was declared a national park in 1982. It presumably gets its name from the cliff on its southernmost tip, a weathered mountaintop that resembles the face of a man. The area harbors dozens of types of coral and attracts travelers hoping to spot sharks, which are said to appear around May and June. Diving is only allowed in designated areas along the parks coastline. On our first day, we headed to Shark Observatory, a secluded, cove-like beach that houses two gorgeous viewpoints, revealing the entire east side of the park. It is also home to the liveliest reef on this small peninsula and is famed for its caves; one moment youre snorkeling in shallow water, and the next you are at the edge of a reef wall that drops to what feels like 100 metres. Close by is Yolanda Beach, a wide stretch of sand suitable for shore divers and snorkelers alike. To maneuver between the sites, you need to have a car. The Mangrove Channel is also worth checking out, although the lush tree blossoming in the salty water of El Qulaan in Marsa Alam puts these ones in second place. While the reef of Marsa Bareika may not be one of the parks prized diving spots, it is not unusual to come across a menagerie of fish while snorkeling casually. This spot is a haven for those not interested in swimming in the deep end. You have to bring your snorkeling gear, however. Water shoes also make for a more comfortable swim. We had planned to dive around Tiran, a rich diving site some six kilometres offshore, but unluckily for us the African and Arab Parliamentary Unions were holding meetings in Sharm El Sheikh at the time of our visit, so the island was closed to visitors. Although on most weeks the militarys operations against militants in northern Sinai are of no concern to vacationers in the south, we got to see three apache planes fly a few metres off the ground (to mark the occasion of the meetings, we presumed). Politics aside, it was an odd sight flashing across a quiet sky that ordinarily bears seagulls and stars. Diving Ras Mohammed If you are staying in Ras Mohammed, you have two options for diving: drive to Sharm El Sheikh and join a diving cruise, or sign up for shore dives. To do the latter, you will need to arrange with a dive centeralso in Sharmto meet you at the park in the morning with the necessary gear and permits. For boat dives, Sharks Bay comes highly recommended. The center charges EGP 600 for two dives a day, in addition to a meal. Boats depart from Sharm El Sheikh at 8am and return at 4pm, giving you ample time to drive back to your campsite before sundown. Their options for dive sites are plentiful. We opted for shore dives with Blue Ocean Dive Club, exploring the reef at Marsa Ghozlania rich inlet suitable for both certified divers and first timers. We paid EGP 250 per dive. Ashraf, our dive guide, was calm both above and underwater. He was always keen to point out the names of the different fish we saw on each dive, and never shy to give us tips for improving our diving technique. Our last dive in Ras Mohammed was on a sunny afternoon. As we put on our gear and walked to the water, Ashraf said: Let this one be a journey. Dont rush. Some 20 metres underwater, I met a lone puffer fish and wondered where it was headed. A large stingray lounged in the sand, conquering the stillness at the far bottom. Fleets of goldfish flashed brightly, some black and white with crazy protruding eyes. A sea turtle paced steadily, like a king, and slender eels peeked through rocks. They were so peaceful that I forgot they might bite. Everything seems friendly and untroubled. For a moment, you feel like youve disrupted the peace, which seems to come freely along the seafloor. These reefs are a wonder world, and they left me awestruck. But the feeling that lingers way past the forty-minute dive is that of sweet anxiousness, the one that hits you when you cannot wait to do something all over again. Practical info: Entrance fee is EGP 5 per person and EGP 10 per car. To spend the night you have to pay an additional EGP 5 per night. The park closes at 5pm. Cars are not allowed in or out past curfew. All sites within the park close by 4pm. The nearest gas station is at the gates of Sharm El Sheikh, 15 minutes away. Am Gemei +201005093743 Captain Ashraf of Blue Ocean: +201009793108 For camping equipment, visit Alfa Markets Zamalek branch. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypt's minister of antiquities meets with UNESCO representatives and others to discuss the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation, partially completed but largely on hold since the 2011 revolution Minister of Antiquities Khaled El-Enany met on Wednesday with representatives of the UNESCO office in Egypt and a special international agency to discuss preliminary suggestions on making use of the visitors centre of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC) in Fustat, as well as its cultural and commercial sections. Mahrous Saeed, supervisor general of the NMEC, said that UNESCO's Egypt office asked a special international agency to carry out a feasibility study on getting the best use out of the NMEC visitor centre as well as finding additional finance to restart suspended work on the museum. The cultural section of NMEC houses a 332-seat cinema, a 486-seat theatre, and lecture and conference halls equipped with state-of-the-art projectors, media, sound and lighting systems. The commercial section has 42 shops, cafeterias and restaurants. The museum's main building, overlooking Ain Al-Sira Lake in the heart of Egypts first Islamic capital, Fustat, is near completion, including galleries, corridors and exhibition sections. Work was all but halted in the aftermath of the 2011 revolution due to budgetary shortfalls. Selection of the site for the NMEC was made in 2000. In 2002, the pyramid-shaped foundation stone of the building was laid, and in 2004 the first phase of the project was completed. An extensive pre-building inspection was carried out to determine if any ruins or antiquities lay buried below ground. An up-to-date storage space, similar to that of the Louvre Museum in Paris and the British Museum in London was built on site. This is the first time that such a storage facility has been built in Egypt and includes a high-tech security system that is directly connected to the police commissariat. A laboratory to restore pieces in the museums collection is also among the achievements of the first phase. The second phase started in 2007 but has not yet completed. Tarek Al-Nagaawy, the NMEC projects engineer, told Al-Ahram Weekly that work at the museum has been slow, but the team has completed the buildings commercial and cultural section. The museums glass pyramid-shaped roof will display a multimedia show of the different eras of Egyptian civilisation. Search Keywords: Short link: A Bay area man with family ties to Haiti has been collecting donations to send to the hurricane-ravaged island next month. Bay area friends are asking for donations for Haiti They still need tents, tarps, bottled water and non-perishable food If you'd like to donate, email Anthony Pinnock at tonyp727.ap@gmail.com The hurricane came through and totally just messed up everything, said Anthony Pinnock, 31. Thank you for everyone who is donating stuff. Pinnock is a Seminole resident whos storing many of the donated items in his garage. Hurricane Matthew hit Haiti three weeks ago as a Category 4 storm, leaving hundreds dead and a trail of destruction. Pinnock said his mom was on the island visiting relatives at the time. Once she found out that the storm was coming they already shut down the airports, he said. She was kind of stuck there until after the hurricane came through. Pinnock said Haiti residents are in desperate need of many items. The number one thing we really need is tents. Theres still a lot of people living on the streets, he said. Kitchen equipment, clothing, tarps, doors, anything that has been blown away or messed up by the hurricane. Non-perishable food and generators are also needed. The owner of TB Roofing and Construction, Lincoln Sziranko, 41, answered the call for help by donating more than 400 tarps. Send it all. They need it more than we do, Sziranko said. Whats a couple of thousand dollars to us, when it makes a world of difference down there? Sziranko also donated a pallet of water and appliances. Extra supplies TB Roofing and Construction had left over from repairing homes damaged by Hurricane Matthew on Floridas East Coast. We were over there doing tarping and tree removal for most of the insurance companies, he said. We have over 200 roofs that we have to go back and start doing already. Were expecting to do around 800 or 1,000, when its all said and done. Sziranko, a friend of Pinnock, also offered up his warehouse to store donated items from the public. Anybody that wants to donate anything at all, dont be afraid. We have plenty of room, he said. You can drop it off, well take it, well inventory it, get the information over to Tony and get it sent down to Haiti. Szirankos warehouse is located at 7000 Bryan Dairy Rd., units A2, A3, & A4 in Seminole. If you'd like to donate items, you can contact Pinnock via email at tonyp727.ap@gmail.com. The Seminole man said hes going to drive all the donated items to Miami in mid-November and load up a shipping container thats bound for Haiti. Those hit hardest by Hurricane Matthew can get some help Wednesday. A family claims they were denied FEMA assistance Shelter struggles to help those left homeless by Matthew Federal and state representatives will be on hand for two events, hoping to help those impacted by the storm. U.S. Republican Congressman Ron DeSantis is hosting a workshop at the Nova Community Center Gym in Ormond Beach to help those who need help. Just this week, a Volusia County family claimed they were denied FEMA assistance, even though the storm pushed a large tree through the roof of their house. If you have damage to your property, lost your job or something else happened because of Matthew, DeSantis recommends you go to this workshop. Representatives from the following organizations will be on hand to help residents go through the process of applying for assistance: FEMA The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development U.S. Small Business Administration American Red Cross United Way Catholic Charities Florida SBDC Network Florida Department of Children and Families Florida Department of Elder Affairs Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Florida Division of Emergency Management Florida Department of Financial Services Volusia County Animal Control CareerSource Flagler Volusia Its from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Wednesday. Meanwhile, if you want to learn more about the emergency repairs being made to A1A in Flagler County, theres an open house going on Wednesday. The close to $4 million project will take 45 days to complete in Flagler Beach. Florida Department of Transportation representatives will be on hand from 2:30 p.m. afternoon until 7:30 p.m. at the Flagler Beach City Hall. (Beijing) Five local environmental protection officials in Xi'an are accused of altering air samplers to manipulate air-quality readings and are being investigated for criminal offenses, the official Xinhua news agency reported Wednesday. The officials, including the former head of the Environmental Protection Bureau in the city's Chang'an district, were taken into police custody in March after they were found to have stuffed air-sampling devices with cotton yarn to improve the readings, the China Business View newspaper reported earlier this week. The air-quality monitoring station in the district is one of over 1,300 such facilities around the country under the direct control of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, according to China Environment News, a newspaper affiliated with the ministry. The site and another station in Xi'an in the northwestern province of Shaanxi had been in the care of a local contractor the ministry hired, Xinhua reported. But the accused officials secretly obtained a backup key to the site, as well as password to computers connected to the ministry's servers, when they assisted with the relocation of the monitoring station and the testing of the new air sampling devices in February, China Business View said, citing police investigators. Colluding with each other, the officials would occasionally sneak inside the facility to stuff cotton yarn into the air-quality detectors' pipes, among other acts of sabotage, to manipulate air quality readings, the local newspaper said. The investigation is the latest in a string of scandals that have implicated Chinese environmental protection officials for falsifying air-quality data. Many are motivated to alter the data because their performance appraisals are tied to whether pollution readings improve. The environmental protection bureau in Hanzhong, also in Shaanxi, made national headlines in late January 2015 when it reportedly deployed tanker trucks to spray water in areas around air-quality monitor stations, imitating the way rain can lower pollution levels. The scandal in Xi'an came to light after staff at the ministry's air-quality monitoring headquarters in Beijing noticed abnormal changes to air quality readings in Xi'an in March. An inspection revealed that local officials even deleted surveillance camera data at the station in an attempt to cover up their activities, according to China Business View. A spokesperson from the Xi'an Environmental Protection Bureau, which administers the district authorities, told Xinhua that the five officials are now in the hands of prosecutors and might face criminal charges. Officials guilty of massaging pollution data should face tougher penalties because such misconduct is worse than illicit emission of pollutants or the discharge of wastewater, said Wang Can, a law professor at China University of Political Science and Law. "The practice can do more damage by compromising decision-making in environmental protection policies at the national level," he said. Contact reporter Li Rongde (rongdeli@caixin.com); editor Ken Howe (kennethhowe@caixin.com) This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate James F. Colaianni, a Catholic lay theologian, Bay Area political activist and religious reformer, died at his home in Galloway, N.J., on Oct. 5. He was 94 and had been in declining health for some years. Mr. Colaianni was a man of many parts. Trained as a lawyer, he became a theologian, then a magazine editor and writer with San Franciscos Ramparts magazine. He was an activist who campaigned against napalm manufacturing in his then-hometown of Redwood City, an executive with an ecumenical religious group and later a businessman who provided research for the clergy. He also was an accomplished jazz pianist and dabbled in producing musical shows. His two books, Married Priests & Married Nuns, which raised questions about celibacy in the Catholic clergy, and The Catholic Left: The Crisis of Radicalism in the Church, produced considerable critical comment. Mr. Colaianni was born in Paterson, N.J, in 1922 and went to local schools. He served in the Army in North Africa and Europe during World War II. After the war, he graduated from Seton Hall University and earned a law degree from John Marshall Law School in New Jersey. However, his conscience would not let him practice the law, said his son Louis. He thought the law corrupt. He moved to the West Coast with his family to attend the Institute of Lay Theology at the University of San Francisco. He served as a religious education director at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Redwood City, but his liberal views of Catholic theology got him into difficulties with his more conservative religious superiors. Mr. Colaianni then went to work as religion editor of Ramparts magazine, and he later became managing editor and assistant publisher. His article Napalm: A Small Town Diary, published in Ramparts in 1966, drew attention to a plan by United Technology Center to produce 100 million pounds of napalm at the Port of Redwood City. He described the use of napalm in Vietnam as a military adventure that includes roasting babies alive. It was the first major piece on the use of napalm and drew national media attention. Mr. Colaianni appeared on network television as a spokesman for antiwar and antinapalm activism. He went to court in an attempt to stop construction of United Technologys napalm plant, but the efforts failed. Mr. Colaianni rose to managing editor of Ramparts, but left after an editorial dispute between Edward Keating, the magazines founder, and Warren Hinckle, who became editor. He left the Bay Area in 1967 to return to the East Coast as director of the Liturgical Conference, a religious ecumenical organization in Washington, D.C. He kind of went in a different direction, Louis Colaianni said. Starting in 1970, Mr. Colaianni was publisher and the main writer at Sunday Sermons, which supplied resource material for the clergy. He wrote more than 2,000 sermons on assorted topics enough sermons for 400 years of Sundays. He also published books on clinical nutrition and other subjects. He was passionate about music, played jazz piano and produced two successful musical shows. Mr. Colaianni is survived by Patricia, his wife of 66 years, and by children Karen Johnson of Galloway, N.J.; Janice Sosebee of Washington, D.C.; James F. Colaianni Jr. of Ventnor, N.J.; Louis Colaianni of Chicago; and John Colanni, a jazz pianist in New York, who spells his last name differently. Services have been held. Carl Nolte is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cnolte@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @carlnoltesf UC Berkeleys Greek organizations agreed to new rules they say will keep students safer as they lifted an unprecedented self-imposed party ban at fraternities and sororities that was implemented after two woman reported being sexually assaulted at off-campus fraternity houses. Under the new agreement, trained members will be required to hold brief consent talks with groups entering parties, Daniel Saedi, president of the Interfraternity Council, said Wednesday. At least three sober monitors will be required at every party, Saedi said, and the council is now mulling over a proposal to require one sober member for every 10 to 20 guests. The council is also considering something more drastic: closing off parties to non-Greek students altogether. The rules resulted from conversations and then a formal meeting between the student-led governing bodies for Greek organizations, the Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic Council. But many of the new rules are only reaffirmations of polices that have been on the books and often flatly ignored by Greek groups for years along Frat Row, where fraternity and sorority houses line sections of Piedmont, Prospect and Durant avenues, among other places near campus. A lot of the changes are just a change in the social norms, Saedi said. Saedi, however, said the party ban, which lasted about a week, and the development of the rules has pushed to the forefront the conversation Greek members are having about sexual assault. I think that is really the biggest change, he said. Student Greek leaders at UC Berkeley met in a closed-door meeting over the weekend to hammer out the details following blowback from the back-to-back sexual assaults that occurred Oct. 14 and 15 in fraternity houses off campus. During a meeting Sunday, attended by about 100 Greek students, a consensus was reached to put some teeth back in those existing polices, like banning hard alcohol from parties and ensuring theres only one central location per party that doles out cups of frothy beer. Many of these rules have been routinely flouted, Saedi acknowledged, but he said the recent formation of a student-led Greek standards board and an existing group of student party monitors that look for infractions have been reducing the amount of cases that go to the university and instead are handled by us internally. Meghan Warner, the former co-chair of the student group Greeks Against Sexual Assault, called the sober monitor requirements and consent talks a step in the right direction. But having Greek leaders take on more responsibility to regulate themselves as Saedi supports is a step in the wrong direction, Warner contends, pointing to a long history of fraternities making such promises and failing to follow through on them, like the hard alcohol ban. These changes sound like theyre going to make a difference, but I dont really have faith that theyre actually going to enact them, said Warner, who graduated from UC Berkeley in May. Students, staff and faculty reported 80 incidents of sexual violence through August, according to records. Thats up from 70 reports during all of 2015, and 56 the year before. The planned agreement, Saedi said, was designed as a proactive step for students in Greek life to solve our own problems before school administrators shut things down and did that for them. Id like to believe all of this is 100 percent preventable if we are all vigilant and aware, Saedi said. But people like me cant be everywhere on the ground any given night. UC Berkeley Chancellor Nicholas Dirks praised the steps the Greek organizations were taking to improve student safety, saying last week that he has great respect for this bold and important step undertaken by our fraternities and sororities. Michael Bodley is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mbodley@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @michael_bodley (Shanghai) Education authorities in Shanghai have sought to reaffirm a government rule that bans international schools attended by Chinese students from using imported curricula in their entirety. The action comes amid official concerns over the erosion of Chinese values and national identity. The Shanghai Municipal Education Commission summoned principals from 21 international and bilingual schools from across the city and representatives from district education bureaus to an Oct. 19 meeting, where the commission told the schools to tighten oversight of their respective curricula. Education authorities also told administrators at international schools and public schools that have international units to comply with government rules on "national education" the teaching of Chinese history, constitution, law and morals. However, city education officials didn't say what was behind the renewed push for more China-specific subjects at international schools. But the move comes amid growing concerns among policymakers over the rising number of international schools and public schools that have units using Western curricula, which some warn could encroach on the party-led school system and its values. In a commentary published on Oct. 13, the state-run Xinhua News Agency criticized some international schools for violating Chinese law and government regulations by failing to include China-specific subjects in their curricula. The news agency also took a swipe at school regulators for their lack of oversight of the curricula at international schools. As Chinese families become increasingly wealthy, more parents perceive international schools as a better alternative to the rigid curricula and rote learning styles used by government-run schools, and see the international schools as a springboard for their children to continue their studies overseas. News about the meeting, which broke on Monday, sparked heated debate on social media, with many parents expressing worries that the upcoming changes could make international schools no different from mainstream schools. In a microblog post on Monday, the Education Commission confirmed the news and sought to reassure the public, asking parents not to read too much into the move while reiterating that international schools were required to comply with Chinese law and government regulations on education. The policy toward international schools that operate exclusively for children of foreigners remains unchanged, the commission said. An education consultant who provides parents with advice on school selection told Caixin that schools that provide a Primary Year Program and an International Primary Curriculum, two imported curricula for students aged 3 to 12, would be the most affected by the move. Schools that have already made changes to their curricula for Chinese students may be required to further cut back on imported subjects in their curricula, the consultant said. Contact reporter Li Rongde (rongdeli@caixin.com); editor Calum Gordon (calum@caixin.com) When a Greenwich Republican tweeted a false story that First Grandma Marian Robinson (mother of Michelle Obama) would get a $160,000 annual government pension, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes was ready to pounce. The only real news story here is that key @CTGOP fundraiser/leader is posting false stories from fake news sites, Himes, D-Conn., wrote in one tweet. When, oh when, will the loyal opposition rejoin us in the reality-based universe? he wrote in another. The tweet in question came from Leora Levy, of Greenwich, an active Cuban-born GOP contributor and fundraiser, as well as a philanthropist. The news site she cited, the Boston Tribune, is a fake new site that masquerades as the online arm of a legitimate big-city newspaper in order to lure readers with fabricated clickbait stories, according to Snopes.com. Snopes founder, David Mikkelson, was himself subjected to a false story that hed been arrested for corruption and fraud. Its Twitter, man, its Twitter, said J.R. Romano, Connecticuts GOP party chairman. We have serious problems in this state (and) country, and we have a congressman who is more interested in Twitter than actually dealing with serious problems harming average citizens. Romano said he was pretty sure he knew the Marian Robinson story was false, but I dont sit there and tweet. For her part, Levy tweeted: If this is so, then I apologize for falling for it. When will @jahimes apologize to CT voters for his votes for Obamacare & Iran Agreement? Industry credentials When Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-Conn., talks about fostering an industrial renaissance in Connecticut, its personal. Grandpa Jim Henderson founded Deco Products Co., a zinc die-casting business in Decorah, Iowa. And Estys father, Tom Henderson, was CEO and chairman of Guy F. Atkinson Co., which acquired Deco, and oversaw construction projects including the Oakland (Calif.) Coliseum. These are issues Ive been talking about for a long time now, Esty said. We need people who are hands-on learners smart with their hands. We need to push back against elitism about these careers. These are good jobs that dont require a big debt from a four-year degree. But her Republican opponent, Clay Cope, says he takes a back seat to no one on manufacturing bona fides. Cope, the first selectman of Sherman, said he spent 28 years producing womens evening wear and fine apparel, either as a direct manufacturer or subcontracting. I worked in industry and not just observed someone else working in it, he said. You have to create a business-friendly environment in order to survive. Home cooking Alex Ginis has never read the novel, You Cant Go Home Again. But if he were writing his own life-version, it might be titled: You Cant Go Home Again ... At Least Not Now! Ginis, Trumbull High School Class of 2006 and UConn Class of 2010, joined a flood of bright college grads in migrating to Washington for significant work if not fame and fortune. He interned with Himes and worked a succession of jobs on Capitol Hill with various lawmakers until 2013, when he shifted to the Credit Union National Association as political programs director. The following year, after pow-wows with his dad, Tom, and sister, Katie, Ginis joined them in incorporating Poppys Cheesecake. The name springs from grandfather Harry, also known as Poppy, who obsessed over cheesecake baking in the familys Queens, N.Y., apartment. Today, Poppys Cheesecake operates out of a commercial kitchen in Bridgeport. Tom does the baking and Alex, 27, does the back-office work website, social media, invoicing, paying taxes and so on. But the thing is, he never went home. He kept his day job at the credit union trade organization and juggles his work schedule with his Poppys chores. What happened? When home beckoned, why didnt he respond? Washington is a great city, and Ive met some of the smartest people I know here, Ginis said. But that being said, Connecticut is home, and I see myself being back there eventually, even though Im not sure when that will be. So, to put a bow on the Thomas Wolfe title, can you or can you not go home again? If I had pick one or the other, I would pick You Can Go Home Again but just not yet, Ginis said. dan@hearstdc.com; @danfreedma This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate COLONIE Colonie, Waterford and Halfmoon residents spoke in one strong voice on Tuesday night, calling for the closing, not expansion, of the Colonie town landfill along the Mohawk River. At a public hearing convened by the state Department of Environmental Conservation, residents, environmental engineers and attorneys representing the Saratoga County towns of Waterford and Halfmoon complained of mounds of garbage that block the sun, smells that wake them in the middle of the night and the fear that their ground water is being contaminated. Most of the people who spoke at the meeting at Shaker High School said they tolerated the landfill because they were told that it would be closed in 2018. But now, Colonie Supervisor Paula Mahan and the landfill's operator, Waste Connections, are seeking to expand the 212-acre facility by 132 acres and keep it open for another 20 years. Mahan said that it's "a continuation process that's been going on." Although the proposal calls for adding an estimated 87 feet of vertical trash, Saratoga Associates Vice President Matt Allen said that the visual impact exceeds all DEC requirements. Dave Engel, an Albany lawyer representing Halfmoon, said: "The existing landfill is a nuisance. It's a visual and odor problem. The landfill does not call for enlargement and enhancement, it calls for redress." Residents, who applauded every speaker who condemned the landfill expansion, were not buying that assertion. They said the town sees the landfill as a "cash cow" that Colonie has come to depend on. "The town is taking the side of the landfill operator over the people," said Tim Nichols. "I'm vehemently opposed to its expansion. This is outrageous." Some residents said they feared that truck traffic would increase, that wetlands would be destroyed and property values near the landfill would plummet. Other residents said the landfill's expansion would tarnish people's enjoyment of the Mohawk and the scenic Erie Canal towpath and walking trails. Several people accused the town of not considering options like transporting trash to the Finch landfill in Northumberland. The attorneys called for an "adjudicatory" hearing to bring out the facts. DEC is accepting written statements and comments from residents through Tuesday, Nov. 1. They can be emailed to R4DEP@dec.ny.gov or mailed to Angelo Marcuccio, NYS DEC, Region 4 Office, Division of Environmental Permits, 1130 North Westcott Road, Schenectady, NY 12306. wliberatore@timesunion.com 518-454-5445 @wendyliberatore RIDGEFIELD School officials have frozen discretionary spending to offset the ballooning cost of legal settlements in disputes with parents of special education students. This is the second straight year that the district has limited discretionary spending to 75 percent of the remaining budget, which Superintendent Karen Baldwin said is necessary because the schools have already surpassed the $950,000 budgeted for special education settlements. The school board must also free funds to pay for three new teaching positions not included in the 2016-17 budget but filled last month when enrollment in some elementary classes was higher than expected. That cost was somewhat offset by savings from teacher retirements, which were greater than expected. Those positions were filled by less experienced teachers who earn lower salaries, but Business Manager Paul Hendrickson said the account is still $55,000 over budget. In a conservative, cautionary posture, as we continue to strengthen controls on this budget, a budget freeze will go into effect, Baldwin said. It will mean that all of those sort of discretionary accounts, school-based accounts . . . well take whats left in the budget and up to 75 percent of whats in there, can be spent. Baldwin said that the freeze is expected to save about $300,000. The district ended the last fiscal year with a surplus of more than $200,000, though Baldwin has not said whether that was a result of capping discretionary spending. Kim Hapken, the assistant superintendent for special services, said the district has already spent about $1.1 million on 10 special education settlements this year and that seven pending cases might soon add to that total. The settlements have been a recurring problem for the Board of Education, which has shelled out more than $1 million in each of the previous three school years. The settlements stem from disagreements about the level of service the district provides. They often pay for students to obtain special services outside of the district for one or two years. At the school board meeting on Monday, Hapken said she hopes to reduce the cost of the settlements by limiting the outstanding cases to one-year agreements in the hope of those students return to the district the following school year. With some of these children, it may be possible we can bring them back if we have the right program for them, Hapken said. So were working on trying to slow these down a little bit. She is also working to revamp the special education program, including creating a more comprehensive evaluation process, better communicating with parents and providing teachers more training. Baldwin said that the freeze will delay some maintenance projects and require schools to put off purchasing classroom materials and office supplies and updating collections in school libraries. She also said equipment repairs for the music and physical education departments could be put on hold. Theres a saying that, You dont know what you dont know until you know it, and we are learning that in real time, Baldwin said. We have to get a handle on this budget and we have to be able to strongly project what is not happening with the budget freeze, she added. awolff@newstimes.com; 203-731-3333; @awolffster Five people have been arrested in Fort Bend County following a uncover operation in the Tara subdivision. The Fort Bend County Narcotics Task Force, a Houston HIDTA Initiative (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area), conducted an operation targeting the sale and distribution of illicit substances in the Tara subdivision of Fort Bend County. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NORWALK For the first time in its quarter-century history, the annual Mayors Community Ball will be held outside Norwalk. In a letter to residents, Mayor Harry W. Rilling announced Wednesday that his office had reluctantly looked outside Norwalk and chosen the Italian Center in Stamford for the 2017 ball after the Continental Manor in Norwalk the usual venue for the annual event closed as a banquet facility earlier this year. Since it was the only location in Norwalk large enough to accommodate the 500 or more guests who attend the Ball each year, my staff and I went to work right away to look for alternatives, Rilling wrote. We researched and priced potential locations, and left no stone unturned. When a thorough search confirmed that none of Norwalks facilities had the capacity needed, we asked for ideas, and considered a number of other options. Rilling said most of those other options would have more than doubled the ticket price. He deemed that unacceptable given that the annual ball is a charitable event whose proceeds go to support Norwalk-based nonprofits. We are committed to keeping costs for space rental, music, and dinner reasonable in order to donate the greatest amount of the proceeds possible, Rilling wrote. After struggling to balance these priorities, we decided, reluctantly, to look at options in our neighboring towns. We found that the Italian Center in Stamford will enable us to meet all three critical objectives. He identified those priorities as accommodating 500 guests, keeping ticket prices as reasonable as possible and maintaining the balls charitable purpose. The Italian Center offers sufficient parking, easy access and good space, and is well-known among Norwalkers, according to Rillings office. The 2017 Mayors Community Ball will be held Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, at the Italian Center of Stamford at 1620 Newfield Ave. Rilling labeled the decision a difficult choice and imperfect solution we really wanted to hold the Ball in Norwalk but added his office is exploring ways to ease the discomfort. One might be offering limited bus transportation between Norwalk City Hall and the Italian Center on a first-come, first-served basis. With a grand ballroom seating up to 600 people, the Italian Center of Stamford boasts itself to be Fairfield Countys Premier Banquet and Conference Facility and the ideal location for weddings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs and other special events. The Mayors Community Ball will not be the first such event there, according to catering sales manager Tom Ormand. We do a lot of municipal parties, Ormand said. Sally Johnson, Rillings executive assistant, said the city considered, among other options, moving the ball to May and renting tent space at Stepping Stone Museum for Children or the Longshore Pavilion. Weather concerns and competition with spring graduation parties ruled both out, she said. Karen Doyle Lyons, Norwalks Republican registrar of voters, recalls preparing decorations for the first Mayors Community Ball, which was held under Mayor Frank J. Esposito in 1993, and many community balls thereafter. I fully understand, without having a large enough facility in Norwalk, having to go to the Italian Center, Doyle Lyons said. It is a shame that it cant be in Norwalk but we just dont have the venue. In his letter, Rilling said he hopes to see the ball return to Norwalk in the future. We hope that some of Norwalks new development will provide additional hometown options in the following year, he wrote. For now, attention is focused on Jan. 27. We are looking forward to a very enjoyable, successful event and are counting on your support to make it a wonderful evening, as always. We are planning a raffle, and both a silent and live auction with great prizes, Rilling wrote. More information will follow. Please plan to join us for an evening of good food, dancing, and fun on Friday, January 27, 2017. I look forward to seeing you there! Following an eight-month process, Plainview City Council members on Tuesday formally accepted a compensation and classification study performed by the firm Public Sector Personnel Consultants. Its the first comprehensive review of job descriptions and duties, and compensation both salaries and benefits for the City of Plainview in more than 20 years. Matt Weatherly, representing Public Sector Personnel Consultants, said the template is now in place to review and update the study on a more reasonable 5- to 7-year cycle. While the council approved the report, City Manager Jeffrey Snyder said council and staff will be working over the next couple of months to look at the various options it contained before taking steps to actually implement it. Weatherly said his organization looked at the work done by 180 city employees working under more than 60 different job titles, and sought to compare their salaries with both the private sector and public sector based on actual job duties and not job titles. For comparison purposes, the firm looked at 18 cities and compiled both private and public sector data. Many of the cities are within a 75-mile radius of Plainview, with others included based on similar population. The study determined that Plainviews pay structure for about 80 percent of its employees is behind the market by at least 5 percent. On the other hand, the citys benefits are generally on par with most other cities. While this compensation study does not include department heads, Weatherly said Plainviews salaries were closer to market averages for them than for its rank-and-file workers. The study recommends adding three more steps to the existing six steps for Plainviews non-civil service positions, and setting pay grades nearer to actual market levels. At this point, he said, 43 civilian employees fall below the minimum pay levels suggested for their current positions. Bringing them up to the new levels will cost the city about $73,000. The remaining between-step adjustments are projected to cost about $24,000. Total implementation of the plan for non-police and fire employees will cost $121,621, with increases averaging about 3 percent. In anticipation of the study, the newly-approved budget did not include any cost-of-living raises for city employees this year. For police and fire, Weatherly said the plan offers three options, all designed to improve recruitment and retention. The first option calls for setting the starting pay for police officers and firefighters at $38,000 and later moving it to $40,000. Current starting salary is about $34,000. That would have a ripple effect with increased pay through the ranks of about 5.5 percent, and cost $165,187. The second option calls for a 5 percent increase to all existing pay levels, while adding an additional step. Police and firefighters would see about a 3 percent increase, with a cost to the city of about $91,000. The third option suggests a 7.5 percent increase to existing pay scales, along with an additional step. That plan would boost actual pay for police and fire by about 4 percent and cost the city $119,000. Weatherly noted that while the citys current pay structure falls below the averages based on the study, actual pay for most citys employees are closer to the norms. In other action Tuesday, the council: --Recognized the efforts of Rotary International and the Plainview Rotary Club in their work to eradicate polio with a proclamation from Mayor Wendell Dunlap recognizing Oct. 24 as World Polio Day. --Approved a request from Plainview YMCA in coordination with Main Street to host the 2016 Turkey Trot 5K walk and run. --Approved on final reading amending the Citys Fire Prevention and Protection Code to adopt the 2015 International Fire Code, with a limited number of exceptions. --Authorized the mayor to sign the $159,780 construction contract with Plainview Construction Services for interior renovations to the Plainview Civic Center to repair damage caused when an overhead fire sprinkler system burst in February. Most of the repairs will be paid with proceeds of an insurance claim. Three councilmembers had excused absences from Tuesdays meeting, Dr. Charles Starnes, John Gatica and Oliver Aldape. All other members were present. NORWALK The city and state will have a more streamlined way of doing business on property easements and acquisitions following passage of a master agreement, according to officials. On Tuesday evening, the Norwalk Common Council approved a 10-year Master Municipal Agreement for Right-of Way Projects with the Connecticut Department of Transportation. Its a contract that we can invoke and the state can invoke on projects that are dealing with federal or state money where we need to have easements and property takings, Norwalk Director of Public Works Bruce J. Chimento said Wednesday. The state then does a project authorization agreement per project and it goes to the council for approval through the DPW committee. Such latter authorization would allow the DOT to perform the engineering, mapping and appraisal work for right-of-way work on local projects involving state or federal money. It just streamlines everything and makes it a lot easier, Chimento said. Im not using my own personnel, the state is doing it. In the long run, its saving me money. The agreement concerns some residents amid the debate over the upcoming reconstruction of East Avenue. The city plans to widen and enhance the busy thoroughfare in conjunction with the states replacement of the Metro-North Railroad bridge over East Avenue. East Norwalk resident Deb Goldstein wrote council members on Wednesday, thanking them for their extended discussion the night before. She noted that a DOT representative was present to answer council members questions about the agreement. While I disagree with the conclusion that you will have the same kind of control over projects in the future that you've had in the past, and disagree with the ultimate vote to sign the agreement, I applaud the fact that you made the vote from a position of being as fully informed as possible, Goldstein wrote. Goldstein predicted that the real test concerning local control will come as the East Avenue project advances. She and other East Norwalk residents have challenged the DOTs plan to increase the clearance height of the new railroad bridge. They maintain it will bring trucks and more traffic through East Norwalk. When the previously rejected Rights-of-Way for the East Avenue Roadway project comes before the Council again as a Project Authorization Letter, it will be interesting to see whether your control over the project will extend to the discrepancy between the council's resolution regarding the bridge clearance height, Goldstein wrote. She expressed hope, given Tuesday evenings discussion, that the residents of East Norwalk will be permitted to control their own destiny on this project for the first time in decades. The council approved the master agreement on an 11-1 vote with Republican Richard J. Bonenfant voting No and Democrats Steve Serasis and Faye Bowman abstaining. Councilman Douglas E. Hempstead, an at-large Republican, said Wednesday that he voted in favor of the agreement after being assured the city will not lose control over local projects. We were (told) that every project would have its own separate agreement, Hempstead said. We approve for the mayor to enter into a contract and that still holds true under the new master agreement. So we dont lose control locally. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate STRATFORD Angel Cadena Jr. cant afford lawn signs. The young Marine Corps veteran from Shelton serves as his own handler, which takes the guesswork out of his Harley-Davidson rides from campaign stops to karaoke bars, where hes been known to sing Runaround Sue. But this GOP underdog for Congress is a truck driver who packs heat, revealing a Heckler & Koch VP9 pistol in a holster beneath his suit jacket. Just in case, he said, anyone gets any ideas like the culprit who recently firebombed a Republican Party office in North Carolina. The magazine holds 10 rounds, plus one more in the chamber, the maximum allowed under the law in Connecticut, which was tightened after the 2012 school shooting in Newtown. It has the smoothest trigger, like butter, Cadena, 35, said one recent afternoon outside Stratfords Republican headquarters. If only this was central Ohio, the Texas panhandle or Gulf Coast of Florida, the race for the 3rd Congressional District, which is dominated by New Haven and includes Stratford, Milford and the Naugatuck Valley, might be easier for Cadena. But this isnt. The district hasnt gone Republican since Ronald Reagans 1980 landslide, and Cadena is facing Rosa DeLauro, the Democrat who has held the seat for 13 terms. Im like the meat in the sandwich, Cadena said, describing his standing compared to the dominant incumbent. Its Rosa DeLauro, me and Rosa DeLauro. More Information Angel Cadena Jr. Age: 35 Hometown: Shelton Military background: Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan Political experience: former legislative intern for state Sen. Michael McLachlan, R-Danbury; veterans' liaison for Linda McMahon's unsuccessful campaign for U.S. Senate; competed for 2014 GOP nomination for state comptroller Personal: father of three; Southern Connecticut State University graduate; truck driver See More Collapse Cadena spends afternoons calling would-be voters from GOP offices throughout the district, including a Main Street storefront in Stratford festooned with streamers and a cardboard cutout of Trump. Several boxed varieties of wine were on a countertop, along with a sleeve of Ritz Crackers. Angels kind of on his own, said Lou DeCilio, Stratfords Republican chairman. Hes obviously the longshot. He hasnt asked us to do much either. Latino, veteran, Trump supporter While many Republican candidates have retreated from Trump, Cadena, an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran who is of Mexican, Puerto Rican and Native American descent, has an unwavering fealty to the controversial nominee. Republicans, at the first sign of water, theyre in the f- lifeboats like that a- from Titanic, Cadena said, using profanity in every other sentence. Being a Marine, when you go into combat, you want to make sure they have your back. Like Trump, Cadena is unfiltered, unscripted and unapologetic. On a the bombshell Access Hollywood footage of Trump in 2005 bragging about groping women, Cadena said the comments were horrible, but people talk like that all the time in private. This is the second run for office for Cadena, an Illinois native who said he gravitated to the Republican Party as a youth after seeing what he characterized as Mao Zedong-like mural for Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daly. Cadena acknowledged that most Republicans dont look like him. It could be more diverse, Cadena, who has two daughters and a son, said of the Republican Party. In 2014, Cadena stepped forward to compete for the GOP nomination for state comptroller after serving as a legislative intern for state Sen. Michael McLachlan, R-Danbury. He was also a veterans liaison for Linda McMahons unsuccessful bid for U.S. Senate. The nomination for comptroller ultimately went to Sharon McLaughlin, who lost to Democratic incumbent Kevin Lembo. The invisible people in the background Like DeLauro, Cadena opposes the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal between the U.S. and 11 other Pacific Rim nations. But thats where the similarities end, said Cadena, who supports Trumps proposal to build a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico. Cadena also wants to scale back the reach of the federal government and return more control to states and local jurisdictions. The current regulatory environment is stifling businesses and opportunities for job growth, he said. As an overnight truck driver for Lily Transportation Corp., which delivers to Whole Foods locations in New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Massachusetts, Cadena said he has firsthand experience with cumbersome regulations. Some drivers will have to pull off the road minutes away from their destination so they dont go over their shift, which he said can trigger fines or points from the Department of Transportation for driver fatigue. Theres got to be a little balance and more common sense, Cadena said, adding that truck drivers get a bad rap. Theyre the invisible people in the background making people work. Every single thing you see in this room, it got moved by a truck. On the lapel of Cadenas suit jacket, the candidate wore a pin with the U.S. and Marine Corps flags on it. Above that, was another pin with a red capital A against a blue background, Cadenas campaign logo. It was the size of a postage stamp. When I ordered it, it looked a lot bigger on the computer, Cadena chuckled. neil.vigdor@scni.com; 203-625-4436; http://twitter.com/gettinviggy This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A Conroe jewelry store owner may rest easier knowing that police believe they have the remaining men who tried to rob his store Oct. 3 behind bars. U.S. Marshals arrested the fourth and final man suspect charged with the attempted robbery of Jeff's Jewelry Tuesday. Santo Stephens, 20, was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon. Stephens, Kadarius Royston, 23, Sedrick Townsend, 36, and Coredarian Bailey, 20, face aggravated robbery charges for their alleged involvement in the failed heist that turned deadly during a shootout. One robber, 21-year-old Javian Jackson, died on scene after exchanging gunfire with store owner Jeffrey Turner Jr. "(Turner) definitely has a better sense of security that these individuals have been captured," Turner's attorney E. Tay Bond said. Bond said Turner has been cooperative with law enforcement since the day of the robbery. "The owners of the jewelry store are pleased with the District Attorney's Office and law enforcement for making this a priority and dedicating their resources to have an adequate investigation," Bond said. The Heist The five men met at Jackson's mother's apartment in Houston on the morning of the robbery before departing to Conroe in two vehicles, according to court documents. After meeting up again at a Conroe gas station, the five allegedly discussed the robbery. Jackson, Stephens and Royston got into a white Dodge Charger and headed to the Conroe West strip center in the 4800 block of Texas 105 West, which is where Jeff's Jewelry is located. Court records show Townsend stayed behind as the four headed to the store. Early that Monday afternoon, police allege Jackson, Stephens and Royston entered the jewelry store as Bailey held open the door. Jackson, armed with a gun, went straight to the register and demanded the cashier fill a duffle bag with cash. As an employee fired shots at the robbers, police say Bailey, Stephens and Royston fled to the Charger parked out front, but Jackson stayed behind waiting for the duffle bag to be filled with cash. Once the bag was full, court records show Jackson started firing at Turner, who returned fire with his AK-47 rifle. Jackson died on scene. Bailey, Stephens and Royston met up with Townsend at the Walgreens at the corner of FM 3083 and Texas 105 immediately after the robbery, according to court records. The four drove around, and as Townsend learned they did not get the money, he left them on the side of the freeway, detectives said. Townsend made his way back to the crime scene, parking his car at the same Walgreens and walking the roughly 400 feet along Texas 105 to Jeff's Jewelry, according to law enforcement. Conroe police questioned Townsend, who said he knew Jackson was dead before police had identified him. He reportedly told police a friend in Houston called him and told him of Jackson's death, but was not able to substantiate that claim, court records show. The next day, he told police he was in Houston at that friend's house buying drugs when he heard of Jackson's death and drove straight to the crime scene. Police say witnesses told them they saw Townsend at the Walgreens prior to him arriving at the crime scene. Townsend was arrested Oct. 10. Royston was arrested two days later, and Bailey turned himself into authorities Oct. 14. Conroe Police Chief Philip Dupuis on Tuesday thanked the U.S. Marshals for their assistance on the case and commended the "old-fashioned, good police work" performed by Conroe detectives. "The detectives who had been working this case have been working pretty much nonstop since the day of the incident," said Dupuis, who confirmed the U.S. Marshals and Montgomery County Sheriff's Office helped track down the suspects. "They've done outstanding work following up on leads, chasing down leads and different suspects to come to the conclusion that we've come to." Dupuis also confirmed Tuesday that law enforcement knew early on in the investigation that five individuals, including Jackson, were involved in the attempted armed robbery. However, he said that information was kept confidential, even after three suspects were arrested, so the remaining suspect would not be tipped off. All four are sitting in the Montgomery County Jail on a $150,000 bond. Glen Carbon Police Officer James Sarge Jones was honored for his 40 years of service at the last regular meeting of the Glen Carbon Board of Trustees. With the board chambers packed with family, friends and past and present members of the Glen Carbon Police Department, GCPD Chief Todd Link recapped Jones career. "Anytime someone puts 40 years into a profession, it is a tremendous accomplishment, Link said. But to do 40 years in law enforcement is a herculean feat. Link said Jones started his career with the GCPD as an auxiliary officer in 1972. In 1976, Jones became a full-time police officer and in 1977 was promoted to the rank of Patrol Sergeant. In 2009, Sarge was assigned to the motorcycle patrol which everyone knows, he loves that motorcycle, Link said. Over the past year Jones has served as the departments administrative sergeant. In his current position he assists the Chief of Police and Lt. Wayne White with the maintenance of police vehicles and assisting with traffic complaints. More importantly, he helps in addressing neighborhood complaints throughout the community, Link said. He does a great job and is an asset to the community. Jones said he has enjoyed his service to the community. I really appreciate this and want to say that Ive enjoyed my whole 40 years, he said. No I wont get 40 more, maybe five I want to thank everyone for this. Prior to his service to Glen Carbon, Jones served in the United States Marine Corps and in 1975 was assigned to Saigon, Vietnam, and participated in Operation Frequent Wind. Operation Frequent Wind was the final phase in the evacuation of American civilians and at risk Vietnamese from Saigon. It was carried out in April of 1975, and more than 7,000 people were evacuated by helicopter from various points in Saigon. NEW CANAAN Police arrested two New York men after they allegedly stole from a local Walgreens. On Oct. 20 at 7:57 p.m., police responded to 36 Pine St., on reports of a suspected larceny. Officers located two suspects on Park Street. Based on surveillance video, statements from the suspects and evidence found at the scene, including marijuana and drug paraphernalia, police placed the two suspects under arrest. It took Plainview police less than 90 minutes Wednesday morning to apprehend a suspect and recover some of the money taken in the theft of a bank bag from outside the Donut Shop in the 600 block of West 24th Street. Although the scenario the theft of dough from a doughnut shop is rich fodder for late night TV comedians, the crime was no laughing matter for those involved. According to police radio broadcasts, officers were notified of the incident about 8:15 a.m. The dispatcher told responding units that a male suspect grabbed a money bag containing an undisclosed amount of cash from a store employee in the parking lot outside the business. The suspect then fled the scene on foot. A news release from Capt. Manuel Balderas Jr., police spokesman, picks up the story from there. Officers arrived and spoke to a male victim who gave them a description of the suspect and where he ran, Balderas explains. Officers along with detectives from the Police Department searched the area and found a money bag in the 2200 block of Houston. Officers followed the trail of physical evidence to 2213 Houston where they arrested a 20-year-old Hispanic male. He was charged with theft of property, a Class B misdemeanor, as well as on unrelated warrants, and was transported to the Hale County Law Enforcement Center to be booked into jail. Balderas explained that the suspect was charged with theft of property rather than a felony charge of robbery since the crime did not involve bodily injury or threat. Rather, the bag was snatched away from the victim without a physical confrontation. When the suspect was arrested, Balderas reports, he still possessed some of the money taken in the heist. Officers did an amazing job utilizing all witness descriptions and other pieces of evidence to track this suspect down, Balderas observed. We would like to thank the witnesses who were alert enough to give us a good detailed description of the suspect. Beaumont councilman Mike Getz on Tuesday opposed a compensation package for City Attorney Tyrone Cooper, declaring that Cooper's actions during the past year don't warrant a pay increase. Getz cited a federal lawsuit against the city over group homes that cost almost $700,000 to settle and for which the city paid about $225,000 in fees to a San Antonio law firm that council hired to represent Beaumont in the suit. Getz said Cooper "should have known" the lawsuit was coming and could have reduced the city's exposure to it or guided council more effectively. Each October, council evaluates its direct employees and approves salaries and benefits for them apart from city employees. Council's direct employees include the city manager, city attorney, city clerk and chief magistrate. Cooper's proposed new salary would be $15,833 per month, or almost $190,000 per year. Getz called it a 24 percent pay increase for Cooper, which he said was unwarranted. Getz said other Texas cities with roughly similar populations paid their city attorneys an average of $150,000. Getz, who is a lawyer, previously criticized the federal lawsuit and Cooper's handling of it. "We were forced to capitulate to the Department of Justice," Getz said. "What bothers me is the city attorney has not taken responsibility for it." Mayor Becky Ames said council had voted to retain outside counsel and examined the settlement in executive session and approved it in public session. "I agree it was a tough case," she said. "Not too many cities have had to fight the federal government." Ames and council members Audwin Samuel, Robin Mouton, W.L. Pate and Get Williams-Wright supported Cooper's compensation. Getz voted no and Council member Claude Guidroz abstained, citing the new information that Getz supplied regarding the other cities. Cooper called Getz's statement full of "misrepresentations" but said he couldn't respond without violating attorney-client privilege. DWallach@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/dwallach This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate After setting a record for opening day, early voters in Bexar County turned out in even bigger numbers Tuesday, part of a South Texas phenomenon. Along with huge poll numbers, Bexar County election officials said the voter registration rolls have swelled to a record 1,049,000 and counting for the Nov. 8 election. Adding to Mondays historic 35,431 Bexar County early votes were 38,603 more cast Tuesday, officials said. Early voting resumes today and ends Nov. 4. Mondays busiest local poll, at Brookhollow Library, was even busier Tuesday, with 1,632 voters. But second-day voting was busiest at Wonderland of the Americas mall, where 1,725 votes were cast, compared with 1,407 the previous day. While pleased by the high turnout so far, Bexar County Elections Administrator Jacque Callanen issued a plea for civility at the polls amid scattered reports of unruly voters who had verbal clashes with others waiting in line. On Monday, law enforcement officers were summoned to two polls to quell disturbances and in a third case responded to a claim of an impending terrorist attack. Were facing high emotion, high energy, high passion, Callanen said. Thats bringing the voters in. But along with that energy have come a few complaints over voter conduct, she acknowledged. Bexar County Early Voting Numbers for 2016 General Election Bexar County residents cast a combined 436,731 early votes for the Tuesday, Nov. 8 General Election from Oct. 24-Nov. 4. Click on each polling place below to the total voters at the location for the last day of early voting, and the entire 12-day period. Wheres respect? Wheres our manners? Wheres our humanity? she said, citing an incident at Castle Hills City Hall, where voters said a man in line made vulgar, racist and sexist remarks. Callanen noted that poll site officials have authority within the voting area and up to 100 feet from the entrance. Beyond that distance, any concerns should be brought to the polls host location, such as library staff or city hall workers. It may not be an election infraction, but its a humanitarian infraction, and we really have to get control, Callanen said. More Information Early voting In-person turnout on first day Bexar: 35,431, up from 30,087 in 2012 Cameron: 6,581, up from 4,027 in 2012 Dallas: 58,337, up from 32,266 in 2012 El Paso: 15,125, up from 8,243 in 2012 Harris: 67,471, up from 47,093 in 2012 Hidalgo: 18,526, up from 11,977 in 2012 Tarrant: 43,149, up from 30,137 in 2012 Travis: 35,066, up from 16,378 in 2012 Source: Texas secretary of state See More Collapse Addressing other concerns raised so far, Callanen said officials were working to reduce poll bottlenecks and have removed outdated signs about photo ID requirements from the few sites that posted them. The staff visited every poll when they opened (Tuesday), she said. Every sign up there is correct. Responding to national reports of vote-switching software, allegedly capable of changing votes from one candidate to another or of casting a straight-ticket vote that resulted in a vote for a candidate from another party, Callanen said there have been no incidents reported here and that there are several security checks in place to prevent it from happening. Bexar County Democratic Chairman Manuel Medina said the surge in voters includes a rising number of Latinos. The partys analysis of first-day voting trends in Bexar County found 39 percent of the voters were Latino, compared with 29 percent on the first day of early voting in 2012, when Democrats made a strong showing. Other parts of South Texas also were recording high turnout numbers. Phenomenal, said Ricardo Ric Godinez, chairman of the Hidalgo County Democratic Party. Godinez said early voter turnout was up about 70 percent, and he was cautiously optimistic that Democrats are outpacing Republicans in early voting. Obviously that's a great number, but in my experience there are pockets of the county with a strong Republican early vote, he said. Even as the presidential race has been driving increased voter registration and record early voter turnout, Godinez said, a hotly contested hospital tax district vote voters rejected a similar proposal in 2014 is also contributing to Republican turnout in the Valley. If this pace keeps up, the idea that South Texas doesnt vote will finally be swept into the dustbin of history, said Cameron County Elections Administrator Remi Garza. We have seen lines sustain themselves throughout the day at each of our polling locations. We were able to move the voters through quickly, but they just kept showing up, Garza said. The voters have all been patient and understanding, Garza added. An official in Hidalgo County said there had not been any major issues there, either. However, they have seen long lines in some polling stations. Early voting was high across the state, with records broken in Dallas, Tarrant, El Paso, Travis and Harris counties. jgonzalez@express-news.net Twitter: @johnwgonzalez This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NEW BRAUNFELS Two women have filed separate lawsuits against Renew Ministries, Celebrate Life Church and its former senior pastor, Terry Knighten, accusing him of engaging in unwanted and nonconsensual sexual relations with them. A person who answered the church phone Tuesday said Knighten was no longer its pastor and referred inquiries on the suits to a Dallas law firm. Knighten, whose Facebook page says he founded the church a decade ago with his wife, Michelle, could not be reached at home. The church takes the allegations seriously and is committed to ensuring the safety of all of its members, attorney Katari Buck of Dallas later said in a prepared statement. RELATED: Driver in crash that killed parents was Fort Sam police supervisor Pastor Mike Foster has replaced Knighten, who resigned Friday as church pastor and president and from its board, Buck wrote, adding Michelle Knighten also resigned from the board. Both of the suits were filed last week by attorney Scott Braden of Austin and seek damages in excess of $1 million for their respective plaintiffs, Amy Arp and Kristen Harvey. Both said they suffered severe emotional distress due to the alleged misconduct by Terry Knighten during marital counseling sessions. Arp, 32, was a church volunteer, employee and member of the churchs 300-person congregation, and had regular sexual relations at the church with Knighten for 10 years, ending in October 2015, her suit says. RELATED: Jury convicts former gang member in killing of nightclub owner The suit by Harvey, 27, says Knighten forced himself on her at his Wilderness Way home a year ago. Each accuses Knighten of breaching a fiduciary duty, assault by offensive physical conduct, negligence and gross negligence, intentional infliction of distress and sexual exploitation by a mental health services provider. Plaintiff will show that the conduct of defendant Knighten was so harassing, outrageous in character, and so extreme in degree, as to go beyond all possible bounds of decency, and to be regarded as atrocious and utterly intolerable in a civilized community, both suits state. Reached by phone, Braden said he didnt know if either plaintiff had reported Knightens alleged conduct to law enforcement authorities. The suits assert other officials with Renew/ Celebration of Life knew or should have known of the alleged sexual misconduct but failed to take steps to protect the plaintiffs. The causes of action against the church and ministry are gross negligence, sexual exploitation by a mental health services provider and negligent hiring, supervising, training and retention. Knightens profile on Facebook describes him as a Florida native who is a gifted communicator, plays guitar, rides a Harley-Davidson and has 20-plus years experience working in churches in various capacities. It says he presents the unadulterated message of Gods Grace and Agape Love in a fresh and liberating format. zeke@express-news.net This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Militia groups along the U.S.-Mexico Border consider themselves to be the wall, taking matters into their own hands and fighting to keep undocumented immigrants from entering the country, until Donald Trump is elected president, they said, an investigation by Mother Jones published Tuesday revealed. Shane Bauer, a reporter for Mother Jones who previously went undercover as a private prison guard, joined the Three Percent United Patriots (3UP) Operation Spring Break in April in Arizona along the U.S.-Mexico Border. RELATED: Anti-government citizen militia groups want to 'secure the border' in Texas The operation, put on by the 3UP militia group, according to Bauers report, required an extensive list of supplies, including weapons, medical supplies, and body cameras all to look for undocumented immigrants trying to enter the country. Mother Jones found that the number of militia and anti-government patriot groups spiked in the '90s during the Clinton administration and then quickly declined during the Bush years, only to surge again after the election of President Barack Obama. To prepare to police the border, in no official capacity, one of the militia members told Bauer the group created the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape (SERE) school for incoming recruits. In the course, recruits are waterboarded, Captain Pain, one of the militia members told Bauer. You know those little water bottles we have at camp? Ill pour it around their nose and around their mouths, but not a lot of it gets in there, Captain Pain said. Showtime, another militia member, said when the recruits then try to hold their breaths during the waterboarding, we Tase em in the armpit. Hahaha! During the course, Captain Pain says the recruits are taught the vital things they need to know when out on the border. RELATED: Photos show border militias moving across Texas If they snatch you up out here, its really gonna be f---ed up, Captain Pain said, adding that recruits are woken up early in the morning from their cars and train until they fall out, before they are told to imagine they have been captured by a drug cartel. Well put a bag on their head, cuff em, strip em down, Showtime said. They just got a big-ass T-shirt on. So it gets pretty cold in January. Hahaha! From there, recruits are put into a stall in a horse barn where they are sleep-deprived. Then, they are cuffed to a table and asked questions about the militia, like the number of members or what radio frequency the group is on. We got a stress box, Showtime said. We put em in there. Stick a cattle prod through the holes. One guy, he tried to turn around and we got him right between his legs in the ball sack. Later, when Bauer was no longer undercover, he asked Mike Morris who goes by Fifty Cal, the founder of 3UP and its commanding officer, about the training. RELATED: 3 militia men accused of plotting to bomb Somalis in Kansas "Stories of SERE are greatly exaggerated. Yes, we have a version of SERE; it's more of a gauge of mental awareness than anything to do with torture," Fifty Cal said. During his time undercover, Bauer said he contacted a militia in Texas who told him that they prepare by practicing ambush tactics and shooting blanks at each other. kbradshaw@express-news.net Twitter: @kbrad5 This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Along with the assault charge she turned herself in for last week, interim state Rep. Laura Thompsons record includes a series of criminal charges for bad checks dating back to 1991. Thompson, 58, is an independent candidate seeking to permanently replace Democrat Ruth Jones McClendon, the longtime representative in District 120 who stepped down due to health issues this year. In a phone interview this week, Thompson reiterated what she said last week, that she didnt do it and this was a family matter. According to a probable cause affidavit, in September 2012 Thompson scratched and struck her niece, Mercedes Robinson, when Robinson came into her office to pick up a paycheck which Thompson said wouldnt be ready until the following Monday. Thompson denied this, saying Robinson apparently had something against her, and said Robinson stole her laptop and iPad. When asked about the check charges, Thompson at first strongly denied these claims, saying she didnt know who the complainants were listed in the court documents and had never heard of them. In 1991, Thompson tried to pay for car repairs with a check from an account with insufficient funds. The case was dismissed in 1994 after Thompson paid the full restitution and completed 20 hours of community service, according to court documents. In 1994, Thompson was sentenced to one years probation after she pled guilty to theft between $20 and $200 for writing a check from a closed account. In an arrest affidavit from the following year, Thompson was said to issue bad checks again, this time charged with theft from $20 to $500. She pled guilty and was given probation again, required to pay back more than $5,000. The case eventually expired, records show. In 2003 and 2006, two more charges for theft by check were dismissed after she paid the amount back in full. She later said she has written checks, but I paid them. Cases have been dismissed, I kept the documentation. Late Tuesday afternoon Thompson emailed a picture of the signed order to dismiss the 2006 case. Records also showed a $2,004 federal tax lien in 2010 against Thompson, which she said over the phone wasnt accurate and should be removed, as shes current in all of her tax payments. If I had a tax lien from the IRS, I would have received it in the mail too, she said. But that's taken care of. If I had done all that stuff, I wouldn't be walking around here today, Thompson said. I take care of stuff, as I find out about it. Thompson almost didnt make it to the election ballot, after the Texas Secretary of State initially declared she didnt have the required 500 signatures to contend as an independent, and the Bexar County Democrats filed a motion with the court to review the signatures. A state district judge later ruled to keep Thompson on the ballot. Her challenger, Democrat Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, said during their debate last week that fraud did occur, to which Thompson replied if that was the case, she wouldnt still be on the ballot. Gervin-Hawkins called Thompsons actions last week a publicity stunt. To which Thompson replied, Why would I do that? Thats stupid. Why would I put myself in a position to be embarrassed, to be publicly humiliated? Thompson has an arraignment set for Nov. 14, less than a week after Election Day. frahman@express-news.net This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Since record turnout for early voting began Monday, Bexar County officials said they have not needed to ask voters to leave a voting station for snapping a selfie, which is illegal in Texas. According to Texas Election Code, voters cannot use a wireless communication device within 100 feet of a voting station. So, that means no selfies, photos, or videos can be taken at the ballot box during early voting or on Election Day. If a voter cant curb their need to snap a selfie, the presiding judge may require a person who violates this section to turn off the device or leave the polling place, meaning one would be told to leave the voting station. RELATED: Everything you need to know to vote in San Antonio in the 2016 General Election Jacquelyn Callanen, Bexar County elections administrator, said since early voting began Monday, no one has been kicked off the premises of a voting station due to selfies, photos, or videos. She said that although it is illegal in Texas, she has never heard of anyone who has been questioned or prosecuted for taking a photo at the ballot box. At the more than 40 polling stations in the county, Callanen said there are big signs posted out front reminding voters that using a device to take photos or videos is prohibited. With the invention of selfie sticks, Callanen said it is possible to get a view of the person in the voting booth next door, which is totally against the law. RELATED: 10 polling stations with the shortest lines in Bexar County (Its the) bedrock of American democracy everyone gets their private vote, their private ballot, and thats what (Texas is) trying to ensure, Callanen said. Inside of taking a photo inside the voting booth, Callanen suggested snapping a selfie with an I voted sticker outside. In Tennessee, many thought Justin Timberlake broke state law after he posted a ballot box selfie. Tennessee Secretary of State spokesman Adam Ghassemi said officials are "thrilled Justin can't stop the feeling" but reminded voters to use their phones inside polling locations only to help them vote. Timberlake has since deleted the Instagram photo. RELATED: Early voting underway in San Antonio for 2016 General Election Across the country, however, some states allow a ballot selfie, or two. The Associated Press looked into the matter and found more than 15 states do not have a ban on ballot selfies. Early voting in Bexar County lasts until Nov. 4, and registered voters may vote at any polling location of their choice within the county they are registered. On Election Day on Nov. 8, voters in Bexar County must vote within their specific precinct. For more information on how to vote and where, click here. The Associated Press contributed to this report. kbradshaw@express-news.net Twitter: @kbrad5 This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate For some, chicken fried steak is just an item on a menu. But for Texans, its a reason for a statewide holiday. Today, Texans celebrate a food that reflects the history and diversity of our state:" chicken fried steak. In May 2011, during the 82nd Legislative Session, Oct. 26 was legally declared Texas Chicken Fried Steak Day after state House Resolution 1419 went into effect. The resolution reads: Texans are renowned for their love of chicken fried steak, that exceptional dish that elevates the hearty flavor of beef to new heights by coating it in batter and breading and frying it until the ingredients are melded in a blissful union. RELATED: Where to get delicious chicken-fried steak around Texas According to the text, Texas needed a day just for chicken fried steak because, while chicken fried steak can be enjoyed at any time, the dishs popularity justifies the celebration of an observance in its honor. And so it was. The fried holiday is the brainchild of Jeffrey Yarbrough, CEO of bigInk, a public relations firm. Yarbrough told Crave DFW last year that he felt Texas was left out when it came to days honoring food. RELATED: Miranda Lambert hangs in New Braunfels with Buc-ee's, chicken fried steak, Texas' oldest dancehall It was something that stuck in my craw that there were so many national holidays that celebrated different things like Mango Day, there was Peanut Day, but there wasnt anything really Texas, he said. But making the day official wasnt easy. He was turned down by the Restaurant Association, the Beef Council and when he went to the states Agricultural Department, they wanted to collect fees, something Yarbrough didnt want to do. Then, Yarbrough found former state Rep. Ralph Sheffield, R-55, who owns Las Casa Restaurant in Temple. RELATED: S.A.'s best spots for chicken fried steak Ralph had just become freshman State Representative, and I was telling him how I was so freaking tired of trying to make this day happen. The government wants to collect fees, the associations didnt know what to do. I just didnt understand what could be done, Yarbrough told Crave DFW last year. Sheffield told Yarbrough he could write the resolution as a promotional bill that would benefit Texas, Crave DFW reported. Now, five years later, Texans have an excuse to eat chicken fried steak. If they even needed one. If you're looking for a place to celebrate Texas Chicken Fried Steak Day, click through the gallery above. kbradshaw@express-news.net Twitter: @kbrad5 A 28-year-old woman found dead on a North Side roadway may have been dragged to death while chasing her car as it was being repossessed, according to the San Antonio Police Department. SAPD Sgt. Martin Landgraf said its still not clear exactly how the woman died at about 10 p.m. just past the on-ramp of Wurzbach Parkway from Vista Del Norte near Blanco Road. Investigators so far believe the woman was either dragged or struck as she was chasing the tow truck up Vista Del Norte as it carried away her vehicle. This is a strange one, Landgraf said, noting that witnesses in the nearby apartments heard her screaming. The womans body was found lying by itself in the street because the tow truck had left the scene. Landgraf said the investigation into the incident may take several hours into early Wednesday because the length of the scene detectives were examining stretched almost half a mile. The womans lighter and car keys could be seen at the bottom of Vista Del Norte near an apartment complex where the incident began. The only eyewitness to the incident only speaks Spanish, and had to be taken downtown to speak with a translator, police said. Landgraf confirmed that investigators are reaching out to local towing agencies and running the description of the womans vehicle to see who was in charge of taking it. Police said the woman had her 10-year-old boy with her when the incident began. The on ramp and right two lanes of the parkway at that section were shut as Traffic Investigation detectives examined the scene. jbeltran@express-news.net Twitter: @JBfromSA This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Workers in east Kerr County found female human remains Tuesday in a grisly discovery off Interstate 10, according to the Kerr County Sheriffs Office. Deputies responded to the scene at about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday while a crew was clearing brush on a property near Interstate 10 and Cypress Creek Road near Comfort, said Kerr County Sheriff Rusty Hierholzer in an interview with mySA.com. RELATED: Manhunt underway for gunman who fled bloody scene in S.A. "We have no idea how the body got there," Hierholzer said. "We dont know if it is a homicide or possibly a homeless person who died of exposure to the elements. The woman was wearing a black Chick-fil-A uniform polo-type shirt with a red pin stripe and investigators believe the body has been there for about eight months due to the extent of the decomposition, the sheriff said. He said the clothing and shoes at the scene show the body was female. She was also wearing black shoes that were size 5.5, size 4 Calvin Klein pants and a Snoopy Christmas sock, according to the sheriff and the news release. The woman appeared to have shoulder-length brown hair in a ponytail and had metal braces on her upper and lower teeth, Hierholzer said. RELATED: Police: Man stabs daughter's boyfriend in S.A. The remains, mostly skeletal, were transported to the Texas State University forensic anthropology lab to determine if the persons death was a homicide. Test results will also provide a DNA profile and dental molds to help determine the victims identity, the sheriff said. Somewhere, someone is missing this person, Hierholzer said. We hope to find closure for this victims family and if the death is determined to be caused by foul play, we will work to find the suspect. RELATED: S.A. man sentenced to 12 years in prison following 6th DWI arrest Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the Kerr County Sheriffs Office at 830-896-1216 and ask for Capt. Carol Twiss. You can also call Kerr County Crime stoppers at 830-896-8477. Text "NEWS" to 72727 to sign up for breaking news from mySA twhite@mysa.com Twitter: @tylerlwhite This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A man is in life-threatening condition after a shooting Tuesday night on the Northeast Side. San Antonio Police Department Sgt. Paul Mendoza said the man, 29, was struck by gunfire at about 8:30 p.m. in the parking lot of The Right Choice Food Mart, 8011 Midcrown Drive. Witnesses told police it was quiet until a single gunshot rang out. The man was struck behind his right ear, Mendoza said. EMS transported the man to San Antonio Military Medical Center in life-threatening condition. A few people saw a red Mustang and a silver Mercedes drive away quickly after the shooting, he said. No one heard any arguing before the incident, police said. Mendoza added that people often gather at the store in large groups, but not that night. As police were investigating the scene, a woman approached officers in distress, possibly shouting for the man shot. She was asking where the man was taken before leaving the scene. No suspects were named by police as of Tuesday night. jbeltran@express-news.net SAN ANTONIO A man allegedly stabbed his daughters boyfriend in the back Tuesday night before being shot at by the victim on the Southeast Side. The stabbing and shooting occurred at about 11:24 p.m. Tuesday in the 5900 block of Lake Victoria Street, where an argument between the father and the boyfriend occurred. AUSTIN -- Angry members of the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday demanded that law enforcement be marshaled to immediately locate and interview more than 2,800 children statewide who are at risk of abuse and neglect, but have not been contacted, some for weeks. "Get the National Guard or the Texas Rangers or whoever out to each house to see these kids now," demanded Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, along with several committee members who expressed outrage that so many children had potentially been left in abusive situations. News Story not available This story has been published on: 2022-11-01. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. This story is no longer available on our site. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate When Charles Kenneth Barrows married a Thai immigrant he met while serving in Laos during the Vietnam War, he acquired a large family. Bringing his wife to the United States in 1975, he also arranged to bring her parents and 12 siblings, settling everyone on 85 acres he had purchased in South Bexar County. Growing up in foster homes, he didnt really have a family structure, his son John Michael Barrows said. He wanted that environment; family was very important to him. Going on to sponsor more than 100 more families over the years, Barrows and his wife helped those new to the country get settled, providing housing and helping them obtain employment. We had so much land, we had houses built where they would live until they got on their feet, his son Billy Don Barrows said. My parents always pushed them to get their GED, go to school, get their drivers license. Barrows died Tuesday at 77. Raised in Arkansas, Barrows and his twin brother had little stability growing up. Enlisting in the military as soon as he could, Barrows served in the Air National Guard and the Marine Corps before switching to the Army, where he stayed for the remainder of his career. More Information Charles Kenneth Barrows Born: Jan. 13, 1939, Seminole, Oklahoma Died: Oct. 25, 2016, San Antonio Preceded by: Parents Charles Hamilton and Veena Barrows. Survived by: Wife Dockeo S. Barrows; sons Billy Don Barrows and daughter-in-law Rosi, and John Michael Barrows and daughter-in-law Claudia; daughters Brenda L. Turner and son-in-law Robert, Kathy L. Johnson and son-in-law Robert, and Cheryl A. Barrows; a sister; a brother; and 17 grandchildren. Services: Visitation from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday at Mission Park Funeral Chapels South, 1700 S.E. Military Drive. See More Collapse Earning a bachelors degree in English from the University of Arkansas, Barrows also learned Thai as a second language with the Army, which was useful during his time in Vietnam. He was fluent, so they had him help out at the embassy, to direct those fleeing the country, John Barrows said. Barrows met his future wife while in Laos, where she was working as a bank teller. She and her family, who were rice farmers, had left Thailand during a drought, John Barrows said. In Texas, Barrows helped the Asian community he helped establish thrive, donating land for his in-laws to build Wat Buddhamahawanaram Meditation Center, which was among the first Buddhist temples in Texas. Barrows also helped his wife open Keos Kitchen, a restaurant close to their home that she operated from the late 1990s to the mid-2000s. After retiring from the Army in 1981, Barrows worked in law enforcement, including for the Somerset and Northside school districts. My dad was a really strong man, Billy Barrows said. A perfect dad. mheidbrink@express-news.net Working at Kelly AFB in the 1950s could have turned into a good career for Martin C. Garcia, but he wanted something more. He was the type of person who liked to serve, to give part of himself to help others, his daughter Laura Lewis said. Becoming a firefighter in 1959, Garcia worked his way through the ranks, retiring as a captain 35 years later. Garcia, 84, died Oct. 23 after years of battling prostate cancer. Raised on the near West Side, Garcia graduated from what is now Fox Tech High School before enlisting in the Air Force to fight during the Korean War. Discharged in 1954, Garcia returned home, falling in love with the girl next door, who was almost 10 years his junior. I was 15, he was 24, his wife JoAnn Garcia said. My mother didnt approve; we had a secret courtship for two years, and then we began a public courtship. Marrying in 1960, when she was 18, the couple started a family right away, and, though Garcia was already working for the the San Antonio Fire Department, money was scarce. We were so poor, we had cereal for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Lewis said. But we never knew how poor we were; we thought it was great that we could have cereal all the time. Working 24-hour shifts, Garcia was not always able to be home with his family over the holidays. More Information Martin C. Garcia Born: Jan. 14, 1932, San Antonio Died: Oct. 23, 2016, San Antonio Preceded by: Parents Martin and Hortencia Garcia; a sister. Survived by: Wife JoAnn Garcia; sons Martin Garcia and daughter-in-law Judy, Mike Garcia and daughter-in-law Velma, and James Garcia; daughters Laura Lewis, Joan Hohman and son-in-law Paul; and nine grandchildren. Services: Visitation at 5:30 p.m., rosary at 7 p.m. Thursday at The Angelus Chapel, 1119 N. St. Mary's St.; Mass at 10 a.m. Friday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 8134 Blanco Road, followed by burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, 17501 Nacogdoches Road. See More Collapse On Christmas Eve when my dad would work, my mom would pack us all up and go to the fire station, Lewis recalled. Girls werent allowed in the station, so he would come to the car to be with the family. Opening Fire Station #35 on Culebra Road, Garcia had the first crew there and was its first captain, Lewis said. Being a captain was sometimes difficult. One of his crew members died in a water rescue, Lewis said. It was so hard for him to go to tell the family; that was one of the hardest things he had to do as a firefighter. Although he never returned to school himself, Garcia believed in education above all else. The most important thing for my dad was that we all got a degree, Lewis said. And every one of his five children have a degree. He also helped his wife get her degree, taking care of their children while she attended classes. There were nights when mom was in school and he would load us in the car and take us to St. Marys (University) to wait for her to get out of class, Lewis said. mheidbrink@express-news.net Poll watching is a healthy, legal and democratic tradition a way of holding election officials accountable by providing another set of independent eyes. If done correctly. That caveat is important. It would be foolish not to recognize that in the darkly false claims of rampant voter fraud, there lies the potential for disruption and intimidation. Election officials, including the judges at polling sites, and the groups providing the poll watchers must ensure this doesnt happen. Casting a ballot is a sacred part of the democratic process. And this country has had a sordid history of, at times, allowing sacrilege to democracy to occur by suppressing the vote of many with Jim Crow laws or intimidating voters at the polls. More recently, the attempts to suppress are embodied in the spate of voter ID laws throughout the nation, Texas version fortunately rejected by federal courts. In a recent Express-News article, reporters David Saleh Rauf and Bobby Cervantes wrote of a spike in the number of people requesting to be poll watchers. Both Republicans and Democrats are doing a lot of the requesting, likely to watch one another. This has powder-keg potential, and we urge scrupulous training of watchers. There are strict rules governing the process. These rules are contained in the Poll Watchers Guide, a publication of the Texas Secretary of States Elections Division. They prohibit disruption, including talking to voters at all or election officials (unless to point out an irregularity). In other words, the point is to watch that election officials are doing their jobs, which includes not allowing ineligible voters to vote but, also, if this is done correctly, making sure everyone who is eligible to vote gets to. And whats important in this regard is that poll watchers must be aware that the rules have changed specifically on this. Before two federal courts found Texas voter ID law discriminatory, the state was only allowing those with one of seven specific types of photo IDs to vote. These included drivers licenses, military IDs, concealed weapon permits and state-issued personal identification cards. But, after the finding of discriminatory effect, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans directed a lower federal court in Corpus Christi to issue new rules to the state. Now, those without these forms of ID sign a form that they had a reasonable impediment to obtaining one of these. Then, they can vote if they have a valid voter registration certificate or a birth certificate, a copy or original of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other document that shows the voters name and address. A government document with the voters photo must be an original. And heres also an important part: Election judges may not question the reasonableness of the voters claim of impediment. If this happens, voters must be savvy enough to challenge the judge. This has been an election for the ages. Both major party presidential candidates inspire passions good and bad that have made this campaign more divisive than weve ever seen. But thats the campaign trail. The roiling rhetoric and the uber-invective that has marred it must not be allowed a place at polling sites. In our democracy, these sites are sacred ground. We urge caution, care and strict adherence to the rules for all involved. Poll watchers are there to watch, not to disrupt. They must not be allowed to. Too many people have fought and died for the right to vote for it ever to be so tarnished. 1 Refugee deaths: The U.N. refugee agency said Wednesday that at least 3,800 refugees have died in the Mediterranean Sea this year in an attempt to reach Europe, making 2016 the deadliest year on record. The Geneva agency had warned this years death toll was likely to exceed the 3,771 deaths reported in 2015. Scores of refugees have been drowning each week as fragile and overcrowded boats they travel on capsize or sink, the U.N. agency said. It blamed bad weather, flimsy boats and the fact that refugees fleeing war and poverty are increasingly taking the hazardous central Mediterranean route from Libya to Italy in an attempt to reach Europe. 2 NATO uproar: Russia on Wednesday withdrew a request to refuel a fleet of Russian warships in Spain, as Britain and NATO allies piled pressure on Madrid over concerns that the ships could be used to ramp up air attacks in Syria. The Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov and a task group of support vessels have steamed through the North Sea and English Channel in recent days heading to the Mediterranean Sea. Some of the ships had been due to take on supplies and fuel in Spains North African enclave of Cueta. Government is using unorthodox tactics including political intimidation to force striking doctors to abort their industrial action, the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) has claimed. Following recent claims by government that the industrial action which has gone for over a month now was politically motivated, ZHDA secretary-general Mthabisi Bhebhe told the Daily News yesterday that doctors were now fearing for their lives as they were being followed by people in unmarked vehicles. Our members and some leaders are receiving intimidatory messages from unknown individuals to force us to abort the industrial action but we cannot, however, say if these are State security agents or not because this has been happening since the strike began but such tactics dont work. Only dialogue is the way, Bhebhe said. President Emmerson Mnangagwas administrationbarely six months after the disputed elections held last yearis currently battling to contain a potentially explosive labour unrest with virtually all civil servants including teachers and nurses engaging in a crippling labour action demanding to be paid salaries in American dollars. Responding to claims that spy agents were being set on the striking doctors, deputy Information minister Energy Mutodi said it is governments belief that far from being a labour issue, the doctors strike is political. If the doctors want to be treated as professionals they must desist from associating with hostile opposition political elements because that would be tantamount to attempting to subvert a constitutionally-elected government, Mutodi said. While denying that State security agents were spying on the doctors, Mutodi said it was clear that the health professionals were taking instructions from MDC leader Nelson Chamisa who recently backed their demands to be paid in United States dollars. Government is not spying on anyone but we have gathered evidence that there are some underground activities taking place and that is why you heard Chamisa publicly supporting them because he wants to use the labour unrest to destabilise the government, he said urging doctors to be patient with their employer. The doctors must realise that they are in a third world country and all is not well. Government is trying to rebuild the economy that is coming from a long period of recession. ZHDA has accused government of deploying a joint taskforce of the countrys security forces to deal with industrial action. The threats have been piling every day. Recently we heard about the deployment of a joint operations task force to handle the situation as it is. Why the task force has been deployed to deal with a labour dispute that can be resolved by a simple one day discussion and signing agreements is shocking, the ZHDA doctors said yesterday. They also alleged that individual doctors were also being threatened by suspected State security agents. This, we perceive as a disproportionate and uncalled for response to the real matter at handthe situation is getting increasingly difficult for the doctors to go to work in such a threatening environment, they said. The doctors also maintained that there was nothing political about them asking for better conditions of service from their employer. They said it was unfair to accuse them of being political on account of individuals who comment on their job action as they have no power to do so. Government has since started inviting applications from candidates who have completed five years in the Medical School to fill in vacancies left by the 500 junior doctors it suspended over the strike. This comes as senior doctors, nurses and teachers have also thrown their weight behind the junior doctors, plunging the health delivery system into chaos. DailyNews Breaking News via Email CINCINNATI What is one advantage most convenience stores have over an Amazon.com convenience store? One industry expert summed it up in one word: fuel, the Cincinnati Business Journal reports. When Amazon announced a few weeks ago that it would be opening convenience stores and drive-thru grocery pick-up sites, some credited it as a publicity stunt, while others predicted it might cause upheaval in the grocery industry. Walt Doyle, CEO of GasBuddy, sees one major disadvantage for such a venture: the fact that Amazon wouldnt be selling gasoline. People want a one-stop shop to get all of their necessities, which means fuel for their cars as well as their stomachs, Doyle said. This is evident in the year-over-year growth of the convenience store space. Consumers who need gas will stop to get it no matter what. Stores like Kroger, which offers gas and other necessities, save consumers time, which puts them at an advantage. Doyle pointed out that 80% of U.S. convenience stores also have gasoline pumps, which gives them a competitive edge over any Amazon store. However, Jeff Lenard, NACS vice president of strategic industry initiatives, said in a USA Today story on the proposed stores that Amazon convenience stores would look very different from what most U.S. c-stores are today. But he cautioned, Its not to say that theyre not inventing their own category. Yves here. Note the comment at the end about how economic analyses or recommendations that dont fit neatly into the stance of either party often wind up in a wasteland. My colleague Amar Bhide wrote a clever book, A Call for Judgment: Sensible Finance for a Dynamic Economy, that reasoned from Hayekian principles to conclude that financial markets needed to be regulated. It apparently made neither the right nor the left very happy. By Mike Kimel. Originally published at Angry Bear In this post, I will explain the annualized growth rate in real GDP per capita using tax rates and the percentage of the population that is foreign born using data for the United States. The data shows the following: A. the tax rate that maximizes economic growth is higher than you think B. immigration from countries with advanced economies whose population resembles the US correlates with faster economic growth over subsequent years C. increasing rates of immigration from countries with diverse populations does not correlate with faster future economic growth You can skip ahead to the results of the regression if you want. Otherwise, if you care about the details, here goes I used to occasionally write posts where I would build models based on fitting models of the following form: growth in real GDP per capita, t to t+1 = f(tax rate at t, tax rate squared at t) In that formulation, tax rate = top marginal income tax rate. The quadratic form allows us to find a tax rate that maximizes growth rates if the real world has such a thing (which, happily, it does as we will see below). More recently, I have been looking at how immigration has affected the economy. In particular, I had a few posts looking at this relationship: job growth, t to t+10 = f(foreign born % at t) Why the ten year look-ahead? To be frank, I just got tired of arguing with readers about causality. Comparing X today to Y over the next ten years puts a halt to chicken and egg arguments tout suite. Ive also had a few essays speculating about the effect of changes in immigration law in 1965 on the economy but in those posts, I relied only on logical and not on data. In this post, I want to combine those three (well, really two and a half) issues. I will fit the following model: 1. Dependent variable: annualized growth in real GDP per capita, t to t+10 2. Explanatory variables i and ii are tax rate and tax rate squared, both at time t 3. The next explanatory variable is the % of the population that is foreign born at time t. But if immigration, and its impact on the economy, changed as a result of the 1965 Immigration Act as Ive stated in earlier posts, what we really need is two variables: 3a. Foreign Born as a % of the Pop Until 1965 (and zero otherwise) 3b. Foreign Born as a % of the Pop After 1965 (and zero otherwise) Tax rates came from the IRSs historical table # 23. The foreign born percentage was obtained from the Migration Policy Institute (MPI). The MPIs data originated with the Census, but they organized it a bit better so I downloaded it from them rather than the Census. Data is available in ten year increments from 1850 to 2010, and annually from 2010 to 2015. I annualized the decennial data by simply assuming a linear annual change between every tenth years figures. The entire set of data was organized in Excel, but the regression itself was run in R. The output (click on figure for larger size) appears below: The first thing to note is that the model explains about half of the variation in the ten year economic growth rate. Not bad for tax rates and immigration alone. Next, the coefficient on tax rates is positive, the coefficient on tax rates squared is negative, and both are significant. (Thats the quadratic relationship mentioned earlier.) If you do the math, it turns out that the rate that maximizes the ten year annualized growth in real GDP per capita is 55%. This is about what most of my previous estimates over the years have come up with as well. Moving on, the next variable is the percentage of the population that is foreign born in years prior to 1965. That variable is positive and significant even at the 1% level. In plain English, before 1965, more immigrants -> faster economic growth. But the next variable is problematic, and spits out a result that is, at a minimum, politically incorrect. That variable, the percentage of the population that is foreign in years after 1965 is negative though not quite significant. If we are worried about being reported by the neighbors, we could with a straight face, stop here and state from this that immigration has not not affected growth since 1965. For the moment, lets do that. The coefficients and relative significance of the last two variables essentially restate what I have been writing in the last few weeks. As a result, I can explain what is going on by more or less plagiarizing myself. So, at a high level, why does pre-1965 immigration clearly boost economic growth and post-1965 immigration clearly not? As I noted in earlier posts, from 1921 to 1965, about 70% of the immigrants came from Germany, Great Britain and Ireland. The 1965 Immigration Act was designed to allow more immigration from the rest of the world. Before 1965 immigrants would have fit in more seamlessly. After all, the US had been strongly shaped by previous immigrants from the very same countries where the new immigrants had just left. Furthermore, most of the people the immigrants would encounter in their new land would have experience with other immigrants from the same culture. Additionally, in the last century technology was an important driver of growth, and the countries which supplied the most immigrants before 1965 also happened to be fairly technological advanced countries. One more thing to keep in mind the percentage of the population that was foreign born shrunk steadily from close to 12% in 1929 to about 5% in 1965. Since 1965, of course, the story is very different. The foreign born population has been increasing, reaching 13.5% in 2015. Post-1965 immigrants have been far more heterogeneous in ethnic composition and skillset than the earlier group. May have come from poorer, less technologically advanced societies. Some have cultural traits that are not entirely compatible with accepted norms in the US which results in a variety of frictions. My guess, from the results, is that if more granular data was available on post 1965 immigration (say, by country of origin, or better still, by education level and education quality), it would turn out that some subsamples of post 1965 immigration had positive and significant effects on growth, but proportionately larger subsamples would have negative and significant coefficients. I will dig a bit harder to see if I can find data that can confirm or repudiate my guess. A few closing comments. Given the election is coming up, it is worth noting that Hilary and Trump are on opposite sides of both the tax and immigration issues. Hilarys proposed tax changes are likely to generate faster economic growth, Trumps proposed tax changes are likely to slow the economy. On the other hand, Trumps immigration proposals (to the extent that they can be coherently defined) suggest an interest in pre-1965 style policies. Hilary, though, will probably accelerate the path we are already following. For what it is worth, both tax and immigration policies have consequences. However, it is easier to change direction, or to reverse the effects of earlier policies if those relate to the fiscal rather than the immigration arena. Thats why the Roman Empire could survive crazy behavior by madmen like Caligula and Nero, but one mistake by a dry technocrat like Valens led inexorably to the sacking of Rome. In future posts, I will try to understand what some of the impediments have been to integration of post-1965 immigrants. I am also interested in whether and how those impediments can be reduced. Finally, as always if you want my data, drop me a line at my first name (mike) dot my last name (kimel and thats with one m, not two) at gmail which of course is followed by a dot com. Id be happy to share my Excel spreadsheets and if you want it, the trivial amount of R code that went into this. If you contact me within a month of this post going up, Ill send it to you. Beyond that, I will probably send it to you but no guarantees. I reserve the right to have my computer stolen, go into a coma, move on with my life, etc. But of course, the data is pretty easy to recreate. One postscript This post kind of reminds of me of Presimetrics, the book I wrote with Michael Kanell. I like to think the book never found an audience because we went where the data took us, rather than towing either the Republican or the Democrat Party lines. As a result, some of the results we presented were in line with Republican beliefs, and some with Democrat beliefs, but neither side could embrace the results. Had we been smart enough to be partisan hacks, perhaps the book would have sold much better. Cashel Community School Choir has been invited by the County Tipperary N&B Association of New York to help them commemorate the 1916 Rising in a once off concert. Early next week the group will be taking to the skies - next stop the Big Apple! The choir is one of Irelands best youth ensembles with a distinguished record as award winners in all major national youth choir competitions including the prestigious Cork International Choral Festival, Galway Choral Festival, Limerick Church Music Festival as well as the choirs acclaimed broadcasts for RTE television and Lyric FM. The choir has participated in major community celebrations as well as performances at Dublin Castle and in the Dail. One of the choirs highlights was the historic performance for Queen Elizabeth during her official visit to the Rock of Cashel. In front of a unique gathering of government officials and royal visitors, Cashel Community School Senior Choir presented the positive energy of the young people of Cashel in a broadcast viewed across the globe. 44 students, past students and teachers will depart Cashel early on Wednesday, November 2, for Yonkers, New York. The commemoration concert will take place on Sunday, November 6, in St Barnabas Elementary Auditorium in Yonkers. Cashel Community School Choir will headline the concert which will also include guest speakers and The Erin Loughran School of Irish Music. The choir will perform a wide repertoire of music including such favourites as Danny Boy, Mo Ghile Mear, The Impossible Dream, The Holy City, Hallelujah Chorus, New York, New York and Isle Of Hope, Isle Of Tears. Members of the traditional music group will also perform a selection of tunes. The choir will sing at mass at St Barnabas High School Chapel earlier in the day where Mass will be celebrated by Fr Bernie Moloney, former chaplain of Cashel Community School. As well as the official performances, students will have an opportunity to visit the many historical and cultural sights that New York City has to offer and soak up the atmosphere in Broadway. This unique trip will be a valuable international experience for our young people as key stepping stones on their journey to becoming positive and contributing adults. They would like to thank parents, staff and the community for supporting this prestigious venture and they look forward to representing Cashel and Ireland in New York this November. Forty eight hours after Health Minister Simon Harris visited South Tipperary General Hospital to see at first hand the extent of overcrowding there, the daily Trolley Watch report shows that there are 33 patients on trolleys in the Clonmel hospital this Wednesday. That is the second highest in the country after Limerick, which has 50 on trolleys. That figure also has a significant Tipperary impact with the Limerick hospital catering for many patients from the north of the county. None of the Dublin hospitals has as many patients on trolleys as Clonmel. The next highest is Cork with 28, followed by Tullamore with 27 and Drogheda with 24. On Monday Minster Harris walked the corridors and spoke to patients on trolleys who described the totally unsatisfactory conditions they were enduring. He agreed with their complaints but later said that a decision on tackling the crisis won't be taken immediately. He said it would be made before the end of the year. The options are to provide temporary accommodation in the hospital over the CT Scan area, a new modular unit and a patient hotel pilot project. Minister Harris also visited Our Lady's Hospital in Cashel on his visit but made no commitment on using the vacant facilities there as an overflow from Clonmel. He said he wanted the HSE to examine ways that the Clonmel and Cashel facilities could work together to improve the situation. Last week South Tipperary General Hospital had to advise the public not to attend the Emergency Department except in case of genuine emergency because of the severe overcrowding. She is also becoming something of a trendsetter. When Park visited a farmers' market in southern Seoul on March 13, she pulled out a quilted purple wallet that immediately set tongues in some quarters wagging. It was made by a small company called Sosandang and cost just W4,000 (US$1=W1,113). The wallets started selling like hot cakes and the company was deluged with phone calls from prospective customers. Fashion experts of one stripe or another are busy trying to ferret out the meaning of the clothes Parks wears. Some propose that although her clothes look like the standard global female politician's outfits, they send distinctive messages through their colors depending on the situation and that these choices are intentional. President Park Geun-hye's fashion style is generating more than the usual amount of buzz, perhaps because she is Korea's first female president and old gender stereotypes die hard. Image consultant Kang Jin-joo guesses that when Park attends events designed to stimulate the economy, she wears brightly colored clothes. Thus she wore a red jacket when she visited the Korea Exchange a day before the presidential election and vowed to boost it to half its size again. But when she visited an elementary school in central Seoul last week, she opted for a light grey jacket with pink standing collar. "When she wishes to deliver a message of hope to the public, she tends to favor lighter colors," said one aide. When it comes to projecting a serious, decisive image in some manly domain like the military, Park favors darker clothes. She wore an olive green coat with gold buttons to a graduation ceremony at the Korean National Police University last week, the same she wore on her inauguration day. "She seems to have chosen a green outfit to display a stable and calm image," speculated Kan Ho-sup at Hongik University. She also tends to favor achromatic colors when she seeks to deliver a serious message about issues like North Korea. The grey jacket with black lapels Park wore at a ministerial workshop over the weekend was the same she had on when she met the heads of the ruling and opposition political parties in February, just after North Korea conducted its third nuclear test, and looked suitably solemn. Then there are the accessories. Pundits have seized particularly on her brooches. If the butterfly brooch she wore on her inauguration day symbolized regeneration, the floral brooch with pearls she had on when greeting Burmese democracy activist Aung San Su Kyi in January appears to have carried a message of peace. Park buys them in Namdaemun market for just W9,000 each. "Former U.S. state secretary Madeleine Albright wore a sun-shaped broach when she met former president Kim Dae-jung," said image consultant Kang. It apparently symbolized her support of the Sunshine Policy of rapprochement with North Korea. The human cost of the war on drugs Who profits from the failed war on drugs? (NaturalNews) The war on drugs has continued for nearly half a century in the United States, despite the indisputable fact that it has been a complete and utter failure.A recent report by the American Civil Liberties Union and Human Rights Watch explored in depth the cost in human lives and wasted resources associated withand enforcement practices and it's not a pretty picture.At any given time, 137,000 men and women sit behind bars on charges of simple drug possession, most of them awaiting trial in jail because they can't afford bail.From the report:"Around the country, police make more arrests for drug possession than for any other crime. More than one of every nine arrests by state law enforcement is for drug possession, amounting to more than 1.25 million arrests each year. And despite officials' claims that drug laws are meant to curb drug sales, four times as many people are arrested for possessing drugs as are arrested for selling them."Many of those arrested were charged with possession of marijuana a plant that continues to be classified as a Schedule I drug on a par with heroin and meth. Despite the fact that half of U.S. states now allow the use of, and that the vast majority of Americans favor legalization, the incarceration of marijuana users has not ceased.In fact, there are more arrests for marijuana possession alone than for all violent crimes combined. This is costing taxpayers billions of dollars and creating a criminal class out of ordinary citizens.Drug possession enforcement in general places an enormous burden on our society, trapping people in a legal system that doesn't solve anything, but instead destroys lives:"Each day, tens of thousands more are convicted, cycle through jails and prisons, and spend extended periods on probation and parole, often burdened with crippling debt from court-imposed fines and fees. ..."The cost to them and to their families and communities, as well as to the taxpayer, is devastating. Those impacted are disproportionately communities of color and the poor."Although there has been a slow realization that the war on drugs has been ineffective and costly, the report concludes that merely changing some aspects of drug policy such as decriminalizing marijuana or handing out shorter sentences for drug possession is not enough.Rather, there needs to be a complete shift away from criminalizing drug use and towards education and treatment.Criminalization of drug use has not produced any benefits. Despite aggressive policing policies, the amount of drug use has remained more or less constant in the United States.Since the drug war began, we have spent more than $1 trillion and have not only failed to curb drug use, but have destroyed countless lives in the process by jailing people and denying access to treatment.To put it bluntly, the war on drugs is a racket; the only people who profit from it are those who make a living arresting, prosecuting and jailing American citizens. The DEA profits from the drug war . In 2014 alone, the agency seized more than 3.9 billion in civil asset forfeitures. Drug testing companies profit from it, private prisons profit from it and state and local law enforcement agencies profit from it.And of course, Big Pharma profits from the drug war in a big way. In fact, the biggest drug problem in America today is the, which kills tens of thousands of Americans each year, and Big Pharma is almost single-handedly responsible for creating it.Big Pharma is the biggest and most dangerous drug dealer in America if anyone should be behind bars for drugs, it should be the CEOs of the major pharmaceutical companies. The aptly-named 'ghost pepper' How hot is too hot? (NaturalNews) Consuming ultra-hot peppers has become something of a craze , but the potential consequences of doing so might be worse than you ever imagined.According to the, a 47-year old man was recently admitted to a San Francisco emergency room, after eating a hamburger topped with a puree made from one of the world's hottest peppers: the "ghost pepper."Bhut Jolokia, or, are considered among the most painful to eat, registering around 1,000,000 Scoville units (Scoville units are the measurement used to rank "heat" in peppers).In this case, the man who ate the fiery hamburger during a ghost pepper-eating contest at a local restaurant ended up with a life-threatening hole in his esophagus.From"Upon arriving at the ER, doctors noted that he was experiencing severe abdominal and chest pain after the challenge had left him violently 'retching and vomiting.' For whatever it's worth, the patient had successfully finished the burger."Finishing that burger turned out to be a really bad idea:"Six glasses of water had done nothing for his pain, unsurprisingly. A medically administered 'gastrointestinal cocktail' also failed to alleviate his symptoms, including a heart rate of 106 beats per minute. The doctors write that he continued to grow more and more hypoxic, meaning that not enough oxygen was reaching his organs."While performing surgery (I'll spare some of the gory details), the doctors noticed a one-inch tear in the unfortunate ghost pepper victim's esophagus.Three chest tubes and one gastric tube later, the patient began to recover. He spent 14 days connected to chest tubes and was released from the hospital after 23 days, still requiring a gastric tube to eat.The man's severe vomiting was the cause of the esophageal tear, triggering a condition called, which, if untreated, kills nearly 100 percent of those who suffer from it. Even those who are diagnosed and treated face a 20 to 40 percent risk of dying.Although this was a rare case, eating extremely hot peppers can cause severe if not usually life-threatening reactions.Paul Bosland, the man who discovered the ghost pepper (which was once considered the hottest pepper in the world; there are now even hotter ones, apparently), is a professor of horticulture at New Mexico State University and the director of the Chile Pepper Institute.Bosland notes that peppers can indeed kill you, but it would take three pounds of powdered extreme chilis to actually cause direct death by pepper overdose. It's unlikely that anyone could eat anywhere near that amount, but eating even a modest amount of ghost peppers or other super-hot varieties can cause vomiting, fainting, chest pain, extreme pain in the mouth and throat, and inflammation of the stomach and intestines.Eating hot peppers in moderation is actually good for you. Capsaicin the active ingredient that makes peppers hot has germ-killing and health-boosting properties. Hot peppers are a great source of vitamin C , can help burn fat, keep the heart healthy and even help to prevent cancer.All things in moderation, of course, and not everyone can handle hot and spicy food. If you do like the occasional jalapeno or even a fierypepper, by all means enjoy it it's basically a healthy thing to do but it's not a good idea to test the limits of your pepper endurance.Habaneros are challenging enough at around 350,000 Scoville units, but peppers with names like Carolina Reaper and Trinidad Moruga Scorpion (both ranked at more than 2,000,000 Scoville units) probably should be avoided altogether, unless spending three weeks hooked up to tubes in the hospital sounds like fun to you. (NaturalNews) Only the sickest, most warped and ideologically polluted minds would secretly hope for greater death and destruction to their own people and country, but such is the case with "climate change" zealots As pointed out by(IBD), it was former President Obama crony and current Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel who once infamously remarked that political leaders should never let serious crises "go to waste," because they can use them to advance a political agenda where they could not do so before.As for the recent Hurricane Matthew, it appears as though a number of political operatives and true believers in the global warming religion likely wanted it to be worse than it actually was (which, to many people, was bad enough).Why? Because that would be consistent with their history.For the record, the storm killed 30 Americans and more than 1,000 people in total. Early damage estimates were put at about $5 billion. Yet that is not enough death and destruction for the global warming hoaxers.For the record, the hoaxers have tried advancing the narrative that in this day and age, thanks to man-caused actions, the weather is getting worse and more severe . Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton enlisted the assistance of the hoaxer-in-chief, Al Gore, her husband's vice president and today's chief global warming liar, to use Matthew to advance the phony narrative.Only, before the hurricane actually made landfall days ago in South Carolina, it had beensince a hurricane actually struck the United States. That's 10 years, 11 months and some change.Alarmists were "itching for a large-scale disaster,"reported, because every day that passed that didn't herald a major weather event, especially one on an epic scale, meant that their dire predictions of more and bigger storms made them look like clueless, silly con artists (which they are).Their sick impatience for a major weather-related crisis was summarized very well a couple of years ago when a guy named Greg Blanchette announced that since the weather is getting worse and more severe , that he "kind of" hoped that North America "gets it's a** kicked this hurricane season. It would motivate us on climate action."Like we said,This may or may not be the same Greg Blanchette who advocated placing scary global warming warnings on gasoline pumps which is now law in North Vancouver, British Columbia. That doesn't matter, though, because if it's not the same person, that only means there are two global warming hoaxer cranks out there sharing the same name.Then, asnoted, a couple of years before this Blanchette dude was hoping for weather-related death and destruction, British naturalist David Attenborough noted that a "disaster" was required to wake people up to the massive threat of climate change.Up to that point, the "disasters" that the U.S. had experienced "with hurricanes and floods ... [didn't] do it." So, a cataclysmic event was needed in order to scare enough people into demanding some sort of action, which of course would come in the form of costly government regulations that are not based on sound, demonstrable and replicable scientific data.Then, as Matthew tore up Florida's Atlantic Coast, Marshall Shepherd, an atmospheric sciences professor at the University of Georgia, outed the sick hoaxers , tweeting that he was hearing "ridiculous complaining" that the hurricane was actually less powerful than anticipated."Some seem disappointed there isn't tragic loss of life/apocalyptic," he noted, adding: "I am thankful."summed up the facts: While the environmental movement contains sincere people, it is also replete with idiots and lunatics who yearn for a planet devoid of humans (with the exception of themselves, of course). Attenborough himself has complained to the British press that human beings are a "plague on the Earth." (We assume he is counting himself as well, which if he is seems even less rational, if that's possible.)There are nothing but theories claiming that man-caused activity is responsible for changing weather patterns. There is no hard evidence and there is no replicable data, which there should be if such claims were provable. If this was a real issue the language would not have changed from "global cooling" in the 1970s, to "global warming" in the 1980s and '90s, to "climate change" today. Michigan officials not keeping TB data required by law One-third of the rest of the world has latent TB (NaturalNews) More Americans might be accepting of President Barack Obama's zealous push to flood the country with refugees from war-torn parts of the world, if only he, along with federal and state officials, were more transparent about the entire process.Like for instance being up front with Americans about the health threat posed by many of these refugees. is reporting that officials at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, county health departments throughout the state and local offices of refugee resettlement agencies all of whom are working closely with the Obama administration have taken to hiding the latent tuberculosis infection rates among refugees from the general public.The website noted further that the "culture of concealment" in Michigan contrasts with how several other states deal with latent TB infection rates among refugees.As has reported in the past , the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services doesn't collect latent TB infection rate information from county health departments or local resettlement agencies it hires to perform initial medical screenings of newly-arrived refugees. Also, the state agency obviously does not honor its legal obligation to do so under provisions of the Refugee Act of 1980.When the news service asked MDHHS officials for data about latent TB infection rates based on the full population of refugees screened, a spokesman for the agency, Bob Wheaton, said, "We do not have that data."Breitbart noted that the agency has hired a number of county health departments, and in some counties private refugee health screening services, all working in cooperation with local resettlement officials for the purpose of conducting initial medical screenings of all new refugee arrivals.Under guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and MDHHS, all refugees who complete initial health screenings are tested for latent TB infection. However, MDHHS officials said that neither the counties nor private agencies are sharing screening data. What's more, the counties and private refugee health screeners whohave the TB data will not make that information available to the public.Asnoted further:"In the case of at least one private refugee health screening service, the Arab American and Chaldean Council, which MDHHS has hired to conduct refugee health screenings in Wayne County, Macomb County, and Oakland County, that data is also not being shared with health departments in those counties."Again, the provision of the data is a requirement of federal statutes regarding the health screening status of refugees.Many states have made this information public in annual reports. They include Minnesota, where the latent TB infection rate among newly-arrived refugees in 2014 was 22 percent; Indiana (26 percent); Arizona (18 percent); Utah (18 percent), Texas (15 percent); California (12 percent) and Florida (12 percent).In addition,noted, other states made information available to the news service after repeated requests. They include Tennessee (27 percent); Vermont (35 percent); and Idaho (21 percent).It is vital to identify refugees coming into the United States with latent TB infections, because treatment must begin immediately in order to prevent the spread of the disease. Also, studies including one from the University of California, San Diego in 2013 have shown that higher rates of latent TB infection among resettled refugees pose a greater health risk to the general public in regions where they have been sent.Latent TB turns into a public health risk when it activates into infectious TB, a process that is generally associated with lower levels of immunity among those with latent TB. In the U.S., 4 percent of the general population has latent TB; 10 percent of those develop active TB at some point during their lives.By contrast, fully one-third 33 percent of the rest of the world has latent TB,reported. A Culture of Growth: The Origins of the Modern Economy Joel Mokyr Princeton University Press: 2016. 9780691168883 | ISBN: 978-0-6911-6888-3 What is modern economic growth? Going by the best available measure (it might be more honest to say 'guess'), today's average material living standards and economic productivity levels are some 20 times what they were in the agricultural era (about 6000 BC to AD 1500). And the efficiency with which humanity uses technology and organization to transform resources into useful commodities is currently growing at 2% per year perhaps 100 times the rate common before the Industrial Revolution. Adolph Menzel's 187375 The Iron Rolling Mill (Modern Cyclops). Credit: Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Some think that the current rate will slow down. But very few see it coming to a rapid end, unless there is a nuclear war or an equivalent catastrophe. The slowing will come as low-hanging fruit is picked and resource scarcities bite; but resource exhaustion followed by crash, as described in Jay Forrester's 1971 World Dynamics (Wright-Allen Press), is likely only in systems in which scarce resources are not rationed by high prices. What set the stage for industrial expansion and unleashed the virtuous spirals that drive growth? One school of thought sees the causal origins of modern economic growth in Europe as the emergence, from the late fifteenth to the mid-eighteenth centuries, of an elite dominant group focused on applying the cumulative increase of knowledge to human betterment. This school has plausible arguments, but is far from being a rough consensus, a majority opinion or even a plurality. Now one of its leaders, the economic historian Joel Mokyr, has written A Culture of Growth his most successful brief thus far. The axis around which Mokyr's argument turns is the Republic of Letters: the market for ideas that spanned Europe from the era of exploration to the end of the Enlightenment. In it, the continent's intellectuals competed for reputation and patronage. Reputation was gained by creating and disseminating ideas, valued according to their empirical validity. Most patronage followed a beneficiary's reputation, not his or her prowess at flattery. Meanwhile, the political fragmentation of Europe created bolt-holes for rebels whose views offended their rulers often gaining them the patronage of those rulers' potentially hostile neighbours. Ideas leaked back across borders, so rulers could not suppress thought even within their own realms. This created an ideological unity that spanned the continent among intellectuals of the 'republic'. In Mokyr's view, the Dutch humanist Desiderius Erasmus launched the republic, in the late fifteenth century. Later, the English philosopher Francis Bacon focused on the value of empirical testing, or experimental philosophy, as the best way to generate knowledge. His utopian 1627 New Atlantis provided a template for those who aspired to join the 'republic' and was the first key that would unlock the door to modern economic growth. The emphasis on mathematics as an analytical tool, championed by Johannes Kepler, Galileo Galilei and Isaac Newton, was the second key. Perhaps 10,000 educated Europeans thought of themselves as participants in the search for useful knowledge. But more important than any individual even Newton was that perhaps 10,000 well-educated Europeans thought of themselves as participants in the search for useful knowledge. Knowledge flowed between them and the tens of thousands of trained engineers, capable mechanics, and dextrous craftsmen, the (rather few) industrialist-inventors such as Josiah Wedgwood, and the (rather more) entrepreneurs who had little abstract interest in science or innovation, but found that in a competitive market economy, the dynamic few drag along the inertial many. As Mokyr shows, no other civilization had ever developed a set of institutional practices such as academies, or disputes resolved by appeals to experiment that had been adopted by an intellectual cadre so effective at generating incentives to create, discuss, modify, test, disseminate and use ideas. Before 1500, European intellectuals had not outstripped their counterparts in China, India or the Arab world in terms of numbers, or of ferocity in knowledge acquisition. (Rather the reverse, as English words derived from Arabic, such as algorithm, show.) Yet by 1800, Europe was far ahead in the amount of valid scientific or applicable technological knowledge generated over those three key centuries. Not all economic historians agree with Mokyr's analysis. Robert Allen's impressive The British Industrial Revolution in Global Perspective (Cambridge University Press, 2009) places the origins of the Industrial Revolution in the British Midlands in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. In Allen's view, the only route to modern economic growth required an array of elements never seen together before in Britain. Among them were high, imperialism-driven wages; cheap coal next to an ample canal network; and an open trading network allowing for a vast expansion of textile exports. There are other well-argued views. Michael Kremer holds that the roots of economic growth lie in the drift of the long run of history: growing populations intent on improving productive efficiency added to the accumulated knowledge behind technological innovation, adaptation and deployment. Avner Greif, Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson and James Robinson maintain that a virtuous circle of growth was set in motion by British institutions that emerged between 1500 and 1800, making economic cooperation and exchange more attractive than extracting wealth at the point of a spear (or a writ). It might have been luck. Or it might have been a combination of factors that do not correspond neatly to how subdiscipline-focused historians and social scientists have conceptualized the issues. Is Mokyr's argument correct? For me, the balance of probabilities favours Allen's explanation above. Yet I do not think there will be consensus on this issue. And I would not be greatly surprised if I were wrong, and Mokyr's brief for it is a brief, and not a balanced presentation of the live possible theories turned out to be the most broadly correct analysis. Efforts in reducing food wastes have become an important campaign across the globe. This is to properly secure more food available for the people and reduce risks of accumulating waste. But a study tried to raise a different light to food waste reduction: if food wastes are largely reduced, what will happen to animals that depend on it? In a research led by James Cook University, findings on the projections about efforts on food waste reduction have provided another way to view the situation. Quoting Hector J.F. Campbell (1980) on Popular Tales of the West Highlands, "one man's rubbish is another man's treasure" seemed to be the team's base concept. According to the study's corresponding author, Iain Gordon, a professor at James Cook University and deputy vice chancellor at Tropical Environments and Societies, we waste 40 percent of the food that we produce. So what is the implication of removing that waste from the system? There may be some species then that face a significant decline in their populations, Gordon pointed out. Read Here: Reducing agricultural loss and food waste: How will nature fare? The group cited different cases of animals that depended on our food and agricultural wastes. For example, migratory birds are highly dependent on overspills of farms along the way. The team noted that increasing agricultural efficiency with less food waste may pose hunger to these birds that have been traveling the skies for long periods. The bald eagles and seagulls in the U.S. were also mentioned, wherein reduction of food waste that ends up in landfills can greatly reduce the food source of these species. Meanwhile, in Europe, the population of vulture has dramatically decreased, as associated with the mad cow disease, since carcasses were buried by farmers instead of left in the open. But based on the statement of Environmental Management Professor Martine Maron of the University of Queensland, the paper's idea is quite interesting enough to reconsider food waste management but has focused on the bigger picture of food insecurity for the people. Its a no-brainer. Reducing food waste reduces the amount of food we have to produce and producing food creates a lot of problems for our wildlife, Maron said, as cited in the Conversation. We just need to make sure we arent having any unintended consequences. And if we are, that we can come up with solutions to help any species that might suffer as a result. This is not a hoax nor a false Halloween story to startle you. The mightiest spider you'll probably ever see can be found in Australia. According to United Press International, an Australian man named Jason Womas of Coppabella, Queensland shared on Facebook a video of a spider carrying its meal -- a full-grown mouse. "So I am just about to leave for work... and me neighbor says 'You want to see something cool' and I say 'Hell yeah.' So we proceed to his place and he shows me this. Huntsman trying to eat a mouse," Womas wrote. The clip shows the hungry spider, which they named "Hermie" carrying the big mouse all the way up on the fridge of his neighbor. The Guardian reports that the arachnid clutched the mouse on its head using its chelicerae. To have an expert opinion about the behavior of the huntsman spider, The Guardian also interviewed Graham Milledge, the manager of the Australian Museum's arachnology collection. According to Milledge, it is unusual but not unheard of for spiders to target vertebrates. "This is the first time I've seen one catch a mouse, but I have seen huntsmen catch geckos. I've seen a redback spider catch a snake in its web, I've seen a golden orb spider catch birds," he said. Live Science reports that a huntsman spider is the world's largest spider by leg span. They are often mistaken as tarantulas because of their size. "Huntsman spiders usually have legs that are splayed out to the sides, crablike," said entomologist Christy Bills, Invertebrate Collections manager at the Natural History Museum of Utah. The report added that these spiders are notorious for the unique way they catch their prey. Unlike other spiders which use their webs to trap their prey, they hunt down their prey; thus the name "huntsman spider." CBS news notes that these spiders are not just found in Australia but also in southern areas of the United States, including Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico. In a horrifying incident that occurred in Hyberabad, an Indian man was arrested after brutally killing a pregnant dog and raping its carcass. According to India Today, the man was identified as Amir Khan, a native of Delhi who had came to the city few days back to meet his friends and work as a daily wager. Giving details about the ghastly incident, the report added that Mohammed Jahangir, a resident, ordered her sons to check what was happening outside after hearing some unusual noise at around 7:00 a.m. Jahangir's sons found the 22-year-old man sexually abusing the dog that is already dead. Inquirer notes that the dog was a stray and was fed by different families living in the area. The report added that Khan tried to flee from the incident, but the neighbors were able to beat him and catch him. "Aslam Khan confessed that he and a friend throttled the dog before performing the sexual act. We have sent the carcass of the pregnant canine to the government veterinary hospital at Rajendra Nagar for post-mortem," a police officer told the Times of India. Narrating the events the night before they did the crime, Khan said he was drinking with some other ten friends. After drinking, they slept near the liquor store at Katedan. Whereas Khan's friends went to work the next day, Khan and his "other friend" went on to do the crime. Khan also confessed that his "other friend" raped the dog before him. The police has filed a case under section 429, 374 and section 11 of Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act is and they are also investigating whether the man killed the animal before the wicked act or if the dog died during the act. Khan was taken to a government hospital for medical examination. If your pet gets ill or simply does not feel well, you would most likely go to a veterinarian for some pills or anything to help them get better. We believe that they can provide the right medicine, but recently, experts claimed that animals can get well too without the real drug and just placebos. Culling several studies in the past, very few accounts have discussed the effect of placebo on animals. It works well for humans due to our psychological capabilities, but it was contested that animals can also experience the placebo effect. For humans, placebo effect happens when a patient who was made to believe that he or she is taking a certain type of medicine becomes well after the "medication." Since we eventually put our faith to doctors and to the medicines that they provide, our body works as if it heals itself even if the drug given is not a drug at all. Since animals have no tendency to have this type of expectations and understanding, fuzzy statements on the placebo effect for animals are greatly outnumbered. But Edzard Ernst, a professor emeritus in complementary medicine at the University of Exeter in the UK, placed his statement into a simple sentence: "Placebos work in animals. In principle, they're the same, but I think there is a different emphasis. Animals don't always have a conscious expectation or they rarely have a conscious expectation of things happening. Humans do have that, for instance, when they go to the doctor or the dentist," Professor Ernst told BBC. Meanwhile, it was also raised that probably, the placebo effect is not affecting the animals but the pet owners themselves. Karen Munana, a veterinary neurologist, gave light to this possibility. "When we're dealing with animals, pets that are owned by people and cared for by people, I think the owner's perceptions can play into things. But I do think there is also the potential for a physiological basis for the placebo effect in the animal itself." Martha Henriques of BBC Earth also mentioned that owners may be playing a crucial role in the treatment of their pets. "The owner who anxiously monitors their pet throughout its time in the trial might in fact be helping the pet get better by paying more attention to its symptoms and needs and responding accordingly," Henriques said in her report. President Park Geun-hye models herself on former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as the "iron lady" of South Korea, the Wall Street Journal speculated Wednesday. "Ms. Park, like Mrs. Thatcher, is known for not being intimidated by totalitarian regimes or men in power," the paper said. "When her father, President Park Chung-hee, was assassinated in 1979, Ms. Park was quoted as saying 'Is the border secure?' -- sparking admiration by worrying primarily about the possible threat of a North Korean invasion." "In her first televised address from [Cheong Wa Dae] she sharply chastised opposition politicians -- almost all men --for blocking her government reorganization plans," the paper added. The paper believes these are conscious similarities. Park "made her fondness for Mrs. Thatcher clear in a 2007 speech in which she said that the 'leadership that can revive South Korea from crisis is Thatcherism'." Maggots may be disgusting and creepy to most people, but these small icky larvae could actually provide solution to the antibiotics-resistant bacteria. Researchers from Swansea University have found out that green bottle fly maggots, Lucilia sericata, have superbug-killing secretions. "We knew, anecdotally and from past studies, that maggots were working to kill bacterial infections in wounds," Dr. Yamni Nigam, lead researcher of the Swansea Maggot Research group told Reuters. As reported by Science Daily, maggots have long been a wonder for scientists for its ability to heal wounds by secreting antimicrobial factors. Laboratories have been using maggot debridement therapy (MDT), in which sterile, lab-raised green bottle fly larvae are applied to non-healing wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers. Now, the maggots are once again under the telescope to see if their healing power could combat antibiotics-resistant bacteria such as the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). "We are quite in a desperate state at the moment. The world is really running out of antibiotics because of the evolution of resistance," Nigam told Global News in a separate interview. Global News added on its report that Nigam and her team identified a molecule in the maggot secretion which they called Seraticin. The molecule, which can be extracted by leaving sterile maggots in clean water overnight could be the key to killing the superbug. "Within those collections, which are quite dark brown in colour, there is a very active tiny antibiotic. Then we go into the process of filtering that out," she explained. The team's aim is to separate the molecule from the secretion to study it further. Once the structure of the molecule is identified, they will go on and test it against species of bacteria. The team is now eyeing on working with a leading British university to take the research to the next level. World Health Organization notes that by 2050, 10 million people would have died from the superbug. On Sunday, Tropical Depression 20 formed in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. By Monday it turned into a new hurricane which was named Seymour. Now, NASA-NOAA Suomi NPP satellite suggests that Hurrican Seymour will explode into a major hurricane. According to Eurekalert, the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument aboard NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite captured an image of the storm which showed Hurricane Seymour was a Category 2 hurricane with a maximum sustained winds rapidly increased to near 100 mph (155 kph). Hours later, NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite found that Hurricane Seymour is rapidly intensifying. An animation to showing the development of Tropical Depression 20 from October 21-24 was created at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. By Tuesday, its maximum sustained winds increased to 115 mph and it become a major Category 3 hurricane in the Pacific. Quoting National Hurricane Center Forecaster Kimberlain, Phys.org reported: "Seymour's cloud pattern continues to increase in organization. The cyclone's small central dense overcast has become circular and increasingly symmetric since the last advisory, with plenty of cold-topped deep convection, particularly near the center." Houston Chronicle reported that Hurricane Seymour is centered about 565 miles (909 kilometers) south-southwest of the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California peninsula and is moving west near 15 mph (24 kph). While Hurricane Seymour will remain offshore and isn't threatening any land, it could feed into a system expected to impact Southern California Thursday into Friday. According to NASA, hurricane is formed over warm ocean waters near the equator when the warm, moist air over the ocean rises upward from near the surface. Only tropical cyclones (general scientific term,) that form over the Atlantic Ocean or eastern Pacific Ocean are tagged as "hurricanes,' others are called typhoons or cyclones, depending where these storms occur. Students at China's Southwest Petroleum University in Sichuan Province could now easily buy testing kits for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in vending machines throughout the campus. The HIV diagnostic kits are displayed alongside several snack and drinks and can be bought for only $4.4. Students could easily use the testing kits. They just need to take a urine sample and send it to a lab to be tested. The whole testing process can be done anonymously and can be checked online. According to the report from Fox News, the availability of HIV testing kits at the vending machines was made as part of China's battle tactic in waging a war against the dreadful disease. Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) reported that over half a million people living in China are diagnosed with HIV. Furthermore, about 43 percent year-over-year in infection rates among students were recorded between 2010 and 2014. Sichuan Province has a high prevalence of HIV patients and was among the top three provinces in China that contributed to the country' overall cases. The testing kit being sold in Southwest Petroleum University is a lot cheaper than the regular testing kit. Similar kits can be bought online for $45, $40 more expensive than the $4.4 testing kit in the vending machines. Quartz noted that the testing kits available in the vending machines were subsidized by a charity. Despite being relatively low compared to the total population of China, about 0.37 percent, the number of Chinese being diagnosed with HIV is still on the rise. Between 2010 and 2014, approximately 200,000 new cases were reported. In Beijing, at least 100 new cases of HIV among young students were reported every year, while at least 92 cases of young students contacting HIV were reported in Shanghai annually. About 81.6 percent of the increased cases of HIV among young students were caused by men to men activity. Scientists have found an evidence that the mystifying "dark energy' may not exist at all. A study conducted by researchers at Oxford found out that the universe is continuously expanding at a constant rate and not an accelerated rate, which possibly suggests that there is no such thing as dark energy. Space.com defines dark energy as "a mysterious quantity that makes up, along with dark matter, most of the mass of the universe." The term came from the theory that there is some strange kind of energy-fluid that filled space and creates cosmic acceleration as the universe ages. According to Space Daily, this theory was further fueled when three astronomers analyzed Type Ia supernovae - the spectacular thermonuclear explosion of dying stars - picked up by the Hubble space telescope and large ground-based telescopes and concluded that the universe is expanding at an accelerating pace. Their study conducted in the 1990s was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics five years ago. Until now, that is what remains to be the most popular and accepted theory about our Universe. The team lead by Professor Subir Sarkar of Oxford University's Department of Physics looked into a much larger dataset to counter the widely accepted theory. Science Alert says that the team applied different analytical models to the 740 Type Ia supernovae that have been identified so far. "We analysed the latest catalogue of 740 Type Ia supernovae -- over 10 times bigger than the original samples on which the discovery claim was based -- and found that the evidence for accelerated expansion is, at most, what physicists call '3 sigma'," Sarkar said. "This is far short of the '5 sigma' standard required to claim a discovery of fundamental significance." The team also said that the techniques used by the 1900s team are too obsolete as it was devised in the 1930s and cannot account for the already growing database set. Since other evidence, such as faint afterglow of the Big Bang, that support the theory of dark energy was based on the 1930s framework, the researchers are also suggesting that these are flawed. The research has been published in Scientific Reports. The discovery of strange signals detected by two scientists has brightened the day of alien enthusiasts and researchers. The scientists claim that the strange light pulses coming from hundreds of stars can be explained by the presence of Extraterrestrial Intelligence trying to convey some sort of message. However, scientists at UC Berkeley SETI Research Center remained skeptic of the discovery, advising people to be cautious of the newest alien claim. "The one in 10,000 objects with unusual spectra seen by Borra and Trottier are certainly worthy of additional study," UC Berkeley wrote in a statement. "However, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. It is too early to unequivocally attribute these purported signals to the activities of extraterrestrial civilizations." The study that rekindled the possibility of aliens communicating through strange signals was published in the journal Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. The findings of the researchers were based analysis of 2.5 million spectra in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Read: Astronomer Say Strange Messages From Stars Could Be From Extraterrestrials The researchers observed that 234 of the stars surveyed have signals in the form of light pulses. Two French-Canadian scientists by the name EF Borra and E Trottier interpreted the light bursts to be rotational transitions in molecules, rapid pulsations, Fourier transform of spectral lines and signals generated by Extraterrestrial Intelligence (ETI). The duo found that the existence of ETI sending some sort of message is the most likely explanation of the strange light burst. SETI scientists, despite being skeptical, noted that additional studies are needed to further understand the source of the light burst. They are planning to observe some of the stars that generated the strange light burst using eight-foot optical telescope called the Automated Planet Finder. Additionally, candidates for evidence of advance life beyond Earth should be first confirmed by two or more independent detections. All natural explanation of detected anomalies should also be exhausted first before being qualified as evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence. A microsatellite dubbed "selfie stick" has taken a new image of the Chinese space station Tiangong 2 and the docked Shenzhou-11 spacecraft. The Banxing-2 satellite, which is about the size of a desktop printer, was released from the space station on Sunday. The Chinese astronauts who boarded the station have been taking pictures using the satellite's 25-megapixel camera with wide-angle and infrared imagers. "The companion satellite monitors the conditions of Tiangong II and Shenzhou-11 all the time, which is helpful in detecting failures," Chen Hongyu, chief engineer of the satellite program and a researcher from the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Microsatellite Innovation Institute, said in a report by Universe Today. Banxing-2, which was developed and built at the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST), is tasked to photograph Tiangong 2 in orbit and perform a rendezvous exercise with the orbiting laboratory. It is composed of three solar panels, which could generate enough power to capture images of the station and the spacecraft. The 47-kilogram satellite is also equipped with an ammonia-based propulsion system and achieves a thrust of 85 Millinewtons and a specific impulse of 102 seconds, Spaceflight 101 reports. Its predecessor, Banxing-1, completed the same mission with the Shenzhou-7 spacecraft in 2008. While Banxing-1 is bigger, the new Banxing-2 microsatellite has a higher capacity. Astronauts Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong launched on Monday, Oct. 17 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert aboard the Shenzhou-11 spacecraft powered by a Long March 2F rocket. The spacecraft successfully completed an automated approach and docked to the space lab on Tuesday, Oct. 18. The duo is well into their 30-day mission, the longest Chinese mission in space to date. During this period, the astronauts will be performing scientific experiments inside the space lab, including biology, space life science and technological demonstrations. The crew will also help prepare for future longer missions on a larger, modular space station, which is said to be launched by 2018. Carbon dioxide (CO2) levels surged past the 400 parts per million climate change benchmark for the first time in 2016. The increase is a continuation of the rising CO2 levels in 2015 when some months even passed the threshold for the first time in history. According to World Meteorological Organization's (WMO) Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, 2016 would likely be the first full year to exceed the mark, largely to due to this year's strong El Nino event. Carbon dioxide emissions have since remained fixed between 2014 and 2015. But the onset of El Nino--a weather phenomenon characterized by warming, nutrient-poor ocean waters--caused a dramatic spike in the levels of gas in the atmosphere. El Nino has caused drought in tropical regions, which reduced the capacity of forests, oceans, and vegetation to absorb excess CO2. Apart from this, wildfires sparked by the dry weather have also contributed to carbon emissions. WMO said that these conditions caused CO2 levels to grow above the average for the last 10 years. "The year 2015 ushered in a new era of optimism and climate action with the Paris climate change agreement. But it will also make history as marking a new era of climate change reality with record high greenhouse gas concentrations," WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas said in a statement. "The El Nino event has disappeared. Climate change has not." According to the report, the greenhouse gas monitoring station at Mauna Loa in Hawaii predicted that CO2 concentrations will stay above 400ppm for the entire 2016 and will remain so for many generations. The last time carbon dioxide levels reached more than 400ppm was three to five million years ago, BBC reports. Before this, atmospheric levels remained at 280ppm. The report also highlights the growing levels of other greenhouse gases, including methane and nitrous oxide. According to the report, atmospheric methane had reached about 1845 parts per billion (ppb) in 2015, 2.5 times greater than in the pre-industrial era, while nitrous oxide was at 328ppb, 1.2 times above historic levels. "Without tackling CO2 emissions, we cannot tackle climate change and keep temperature increases to below 2 degrees C above the pre-industrial era," Taalas said. "It is therefore of the utmost importance that the Paris Agreement does indeed enter into force well ahead of schedule on 4 November and that we fast-track its implementation." In November, 200 nations who signed the Paris Climate Agreement will be meeting in Morocco to discuss the next steps. A secret meteorogical station from the time of Hitler's Germany has been uncovered by researchers in Alexandra Land in the Arctic Circle. Dubbed the Arctic Treasure Hunter or Schatzgraber station, the site unearths hundreds of artifacts, some of them revealing new facts about the Nazi era. According to a report from RT News, the video was released by Russian researchers. It offered an account that explains the Germans' presence on the island of Alexandra Land during the World War II. The expedition, which lasted until October, yielded about 500 separate artifacts. The haul consisted of various items such as military uniforms, weapons, meteorological devices, household objects, and personal stuff, some of which have significant historical and cultural value. Some of the newly discovered items are shown to bear the Nazi insignia, ultimately proving the presence of the Hitler-led party in the island in Franz Josef Land. "Before it was only known from written sources, but now we also have real proof," Evgeny Ermolov, a senior researcher at the National Park, explained in a report translated by RT News from the TACC website. "Relying on authentic historical sources, including the memoirs of one of the members of the German meteorologists' group, we have conducted a study of the station. Now we can reconstruct events and dispel false myths." The Germans were in the Arctic to collect weather data during the war in an effort to provide useful intel to their men patrolling and raiding the Northern Sea Route. Thus, the Treasure Hunter was born and became operational from September 1943 to July 1943. The artifacts uncovered in Alexandra Land are on its way to northern Russia for further study, but a public exhibit for the collection is in plans to be held later this year. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte lashed out at the United States again Tuesday, throwing new uncertainty into relations between the longtime allies. Speaking to reporters in Manila as he was preparing to leave for an official visit to Japan, the combative Duterte warned that the Philippines would not be treated "like a dog with a leash" by Washington, and said the U.S. could "forget" about the decades-old bilateral defense treaty if he stayed in power "long enough." "I look forward to the time when I no longer see any military troops or soldiers in my country except the Filipino soldiers," said Duterte. San Francisco users of the short-term accommodation site Airbnb will only be allowed to post listings at one address starting Nov. 1, the company announced Tuesday. Since announcing in April that commercial operators were not allowed on the site in San Francisco, Airbnb has removed 213 entire-unit listings and 525 shared spaces, or "hacker hostels," from the site. In addition, 180 entire-unit listings were voluntarily removed by hosts with multiple listings. "The vast majority of Airbnb hosts in San Francisco are hard-working, middle-class residents who use their extra space to address economic inequality," Airbnb officials "Home sharing is also an economic boon to the city, driving over $338 million in economic impact to the city, including $107 million spent by guests at restaurants, mostly in neighborhoods outside downtown," the statement said. The city of San Francisco has battled to regulate Airbnb, including requiring registering short-term rental properties with the city and imposing time limits on rentals. Board of Supervisors president London Breed and Supervisor Aaron Peskin on Oct. 12 introduced new legislation that would impose a 60-night annual cap on short-term rentals, regardless of whether the host is on-site or not, a sharp reduction from the current 90-night limit for un-hosted rentals and 365-night limit for hosted rentals. After hearing from advocates from UC Berkeleys law clinic, The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a moratorium on administrative fees levied against the parents of juvenile offenders. The moratorium will start on Nov. 1 and will also block the probation department from collecting on past due and outstanding fees, which have mushroomed to $8.55 million total since 1990. Parents of incarcerated children have been charged up to $30 per day of lockup and $17 per day for an electronic monitoring system during probation, often totaling thousands of dollars by the time the sentence is completed. Although those fees were assessed on a sliding scale based on ability to pay, parents and advocates at the meeting said it still placed an added financial hardship on many families who were already struggling to make ends meet. Mariana Cuevas, who has a child in the Contra Costa juvenile detention system, spoke through an interpreter to the board about the burden of the fees, saying she felt cut in half by the absence of her children and associated costs. The temporary moratorium, which will be reconsidered in February, does not affect juvenile restitution fees, which go toward the victim of a crime to compensate for economic loss. The Probation Collections Unit, which was assigned to collect on current and past due fees, operated at a cost of $500,000 per year and brought the county $230,000 in revenue. Without the money coming in, that four-member unit will likely be disbanded and moved to other departments, the board said. Several other counties in California have approved similar moratoriums, including Alameda County and Santa Clara County, following research that shows the fees disproportionately affect people of color and low-income families. These fees harm kids and families and they undermine the rehabilitative purpose of the juvenile justice system, said Jeff Selbin, a law professor at UC Berkeley. The poverty law clinic at the university published an exhaustive analysis of the fees earlier this year. Until Tuesday, Contra Costa County had some of the highest fees in the state. In the coming months, the board will continue to analyze the fees affects on families and the impact dropping them will have to the juvenile justice system. I think this county is moving toward the right direction, said Jerry Elster, who advocates for the formerly incarcerated. If you want to address risk behavior, delinquent behavior, the best way is through implement things that are going to be proactive towards teaching life skills and vocational skills. Gillian Edevane covers Contra Costa County for NBC Bay Area. Contact her at Gillian.Edevane@NBCuni.com. Department of Motor Vehicles offices across California are slowly returning to normal operating status Wednesday after the agency was plagued by in-house technical difficulties earlier in the week, according to its website and outgoing phone message. More than 100 DMV locations across the state of which 16 are in the Bay Area have been affected by a massive computer outage. DMV officials hoped to reestablish full operations statewide, but people were encouraged to check the DMV website to see if their neighborhood office is up and running before heading out of the door. By Wednesday, DMV officials managed to get about a dozen locations back online, but Santa Clara was not on that list. Many frustrated drivers were asked to visit one of the San Jose locations, which was back online. There, however, long lines were just as discouraging as a computer failure. Department of Motor Vehicles offices across California are slowly returning to normal operating status Wednesday after the agency was plagued by in-house technical difficulties earlier in the week, according to its website and outgoing phone message. Bob Redell reports. Matthew Knoll of Mountain View visited a DMV office in Santa Clara Tuesday only to be told that he would have to return the following day. That second trip turned into another bout of frustration. "The DMV said that the computers would be back up this morning and they're not so another wasted trip," he said Wednesday morning. The headache at the agency's offices kicked into high gear Monday, but some Twitter users complained about the issues as far back as Oct. 19. Jackie Garcia tweeted on Tuesday morning that she was having problems in Culver City. Angela Bo Bangela seemed desperate when she tweeted the Stanton office in Orange County was closed. "How can I get proof of license ASAP???" she tweeted. Anand Sudhini of Santa Clara has showed up to his neighborhood's office every day since the beginning of the week, but hasn't been able to successfully complete his paperwork. "Super frustrating," he said. "It's been three straight days at the DMV and you know how the DMV is. It's not a pleasant experience for anyone." Gary Leslie was told on Wednesday that he should return to the DMV on Thursday. Problem is, he says, he received the same message yesterday. "Getting in line today, they say the systems are still down," he said. A woman who answered the phone at the DMVs technical support line said that the glitch was affecting its internal computer operations, but customers could still use the agencys online services. That wasnt helping all of those customers, however, waiting in line. The DMV did issue a brief statement saying that offices would still continue providing driving tests, making return appointments, helping with paperwork, and answering customers' questions. There was no estimated time for restoration of services. The DMV asked those with problems to call its technical support services at 877-563-5213. To find out if a local field office is up and running customers can visit the DMV website for the complete list or call 1-800-777-0133. Facebook is quietly expanding its reach into the real estate business, with sights on adding corporate housing for its worker bees as well as the possibility of building a Facebook hotel. The Silicon Valley social media giant is currently hoping Menlo Park will rezone a swath of land to allow the company to build 1,500 units of housing for its employees at 1 Hacker Way Facebook's first foray into corporate housing. According to the agreement with the city, only Facebook employees could live there, meaning that spouses who don't work there and children would not be allowed. "I think it's great that Facebook would provide on-campus dorms," architect and planning commissioner Henry Riggs said, who added that he believes transportation is a bigger issue than housing in Silicon Valley. "Some people want Facebook to do more. But I think they're really stepping forward." As to fears that Facebook is building an evil "Company Town" where the boss controls where employees work and play, Riggs emphatically said "no." "There's a huge difference," he said. "When you worked for Pullman, that's pretty much the only place there was to live. The general store was the only place to buy. Here, it's flipped the other way around. Facebook units are a very small unit of housing; they're just providing an alternative." The planning commission discussed Facebook's desire to have the general plan amended on Monday night. It was in the context of a larger conversation about the overall vision of Menlo Park. Nothing was decided upon, commissioners said, as there was plenty of debate about how to address the balance of housing, jobs and transportation. Providing housing to employees is not common in this day and age. Google, Apple and Microsoft don't offer it, for example. But in the past, companies such as Hershey's in Pennsylvania and George Pullman in Chicago provided places to live for its employees, giving rise to the phrase "Company Town." These towns were built with the idea of being industrial utopias, but often were criticized for being places where workers could never escape the boss's watchful eye. At the same time the corporate housing plan is moving forward, Facebook is also hoping the zoning changes will be made to accommodate a piece of land it owns on Willow Road that was once owned by Prologis. Facebook is hoping the property could become a mixed-used development with offices, up to 2,000 residential units and stores, although Menlo Park City Planner Deanna Chow said on Wednesday there are no official Facebook projects "on the books" at the moment because the city's general plan is still being considered. Facebook wouldnt say much about this mixed-used project, either. Still, the company issued this general statement to NBC Bay Area: Menlo Park is a great place to live, and work and we're invested in the communitys future. The City of Menlo Park's General Plan Update has the potential to provide community benefits including new housing, solutions to alleviate traffic, and additional services and retail options that will benefit everyone. With the General Plan Update, the City is providing solutions to regional challenges, which will strengthen our community and improve quality of life in the area. But housing isn't all that Facebook is interested in. On Tuesday night, the Menlo Park City Council will consider the company's hopes to build two 75-foot-tall office buildings, a 200-room hotel and bike path. In March 2015, Hibiscus Properties, on behalf of Facebook, submitted an application for those plans to be built on the former TE Connectivity Campus to campus along Constitution Drive between Chilco Street and Willow Road. If history is any indication, Menlo Park has given the thumbs up to Facebooks other real estate proposals. In 2013, the city council approved all requested land use entitlements and agreements for the Facebook West Campus Project, including the companys rezoning requests. As a requirement of that approval, Facebook had to provide the city with a certain amount of affordable housing. The result was 15 units of Facebook-provided affordable housing units at Anton Menlo, on Haven Avenue. The complex, which is still being built, offers a total of 394 units studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments just two miles from company headquarters. Menlo Park Mayor Richard Cline, who works in public relations, said this "work-live-play" ethos of Facebook is a model for what other companies should be doing. "Facebook is a hyper-growth company, and they're building a modern-day 'Company Town,' where they are supplying their young workers with a great level of service. They should be creating these "Facebook Villages" in Fremont, Oakland and around the Bay Area. That would change everything. That's the future of the 'Company Town.'" U.S. Justice Department officials in Northern California on Tuesday announced procedures for looking into any allegations of either voter intimidation or voter fraud that may arise in the Nov. 8 election. U.S. Attorney Brian Stretch said in San Francisco that he appointed Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Kane to serve as district election officer. The Northern California federal court district includes the Bay Area and stretches along the coast from Monterey County to the Oregon border. Kane will oversee the handling of any complaints of election fraud or voting rights violations, in consultation with lawyers at the Justice Department's headquarters in Washington, D.C. She will be on duty while the polls are open and can be reached by the public at (510) 637-3680. In addition, the FBI's field office in San Francisco will have agents available to receive allegations of fraud or abuse. They can be reached at their office at (415) 553-7400. The local efforts are part of the Justice Department's nationwide and longstanding Election Day Program for monitoring presidential elections. Federal law makes it a crime to intimidate or bribe voters, buy or sell votes, impersonate voters, alter vote tallies, stuff ballot boxes, and mark ballots for others against their will. Actions that may violate federal voting rights law because they intimidate voters include questioning or challenging voters at polling places or photographing or videotaping them under the pretext that the actions are aimed at uncovering illegal voting. Federal law also protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice, the Justice Department said. Complaints about alleged voting rights law violations can be also be submitted directly to the Voting Section of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division by phone at 800-253-3931. The department said in a statement, "We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice." An award-winning filmmaker who was arrested Monday in connection with a fatal shooting in San Francisco was released Tuesday, according to the San Francisco District Attorney's Office. San Francisco-based filmmaker Kevin Epps, 48, was taken into custody Monday by investigators on suspicion of homicide and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was booked into county jail Monday evening. The DA on Tuesday said it decided against filing charges, citing insufficient evidence. The homicide was reported just after 1:30 p.m. at a home in the 100 block of Addison Street in the city's Glen Park neighborhood, police said. When officers arrived on scene, they found a man in his 40s suffering from a gunshot wound. Paramedics who responded to the scene declared the victim dead. Epps rose to fame after producing and directing the documentary "Straight Outta Hunters Point." The critically acclaimed film painted a bleak picture of life in San Francisco's roughest neighborhoods. He appeared on NBC Bay Area's "Today in the Bay" in 2011. Epps also is a board member of the Bay Area Black Journalists Association. Civil rights advocates filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Alameda County Court seeking to prevent the California Department of Motor Vehicles from suspending driver's licenses for people who can't afford to pay traffic fines. The suit alleges that the DMV can suspend licenses only when a driver has "willfully'' chosen not to pay a traffic fine or appear in court. The plaintiffs argue that an inability to pay does not constitute a willful failure. They say for many people, a driver's license is essential to get to work, child care or a medical appointment. The remedy, the suit offers, is to stop suspending licenses for a failure to pay a traffic ticket unless the court can adequately determine that the driver has the ability to pay the ticket. "No one should be forced to choose between keeping their driver's license and putting food on the table for their family," Rebekah Evenson, director of Bay Area Legal Aid's litigation and advocacy, said in a statement. "The DMV must stop punishing people for being poor." The DMV declined comment on Wednesday citing pending litigation. Tuesday's suit follows other lawsuits targeting what the civil rights advocates call other unfair license suspension practices of traffic courts in Solano and Los Angeles Counties these cases are still pending. The lawsuit also comes after a demand letter was send to the DMV and the California State Transportation Agency on Aug. 1. As an example of what happens to people when they get their licenses suspended, the lawsuit portrayed the downward spiral of Guillermo Hernandez, of Contra Costa County, one of the four plaintiffs in the suit. Hernandez received a traffic citation in 2013 for failing to update his address on his driver's license and not having valid registration, according to the suit. He went to court twice to try to address his ticket, and both times he was told he was "not in the system," the suit states. Despite these attempts, his license was later suspended. Lawyers said that Hernandez has been unable to find steady work since he lost his small business in 2013 after a robbery, and he was never afforded the opportunity to explain his financial circumstances to the court. Yet, the suit alleges, he was told he had to pay more than $900 to get his license reinstated. The suit alleges that each plaintiff in the suit couldn't pay the "exorbitant fines" associated with routine traffic tickets, and had his or her license suspended without an assessment of their ability to pay. The DMV estimates that more than 600,000 Californians have suspended driver's licenses for failure to pay or failure to appear. Also, whether or not a driver is an undocumented immigrant or not, shouldn't matter, according to American Civil Liberties attorney Christine Sun. "Immigration status does not affect a persons rights in traffic court, and criminal court generally," she said. "Undocumented immigrants have the same right to due process in traffic court and criminal court as all other people in the United States." California does allow undocumented persons to obtain drivers licenses. In 2013, Gov. Brown signed into law, AB 60, which allows for any resident of California to obtain a license, regardless of immigration status. The plaintiffs are being backed by the ACLU of Northern California, Bay Area Legal Aid, Clare Pastore of the University of Southern California Gould School of Law, the The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area, the Western Center on Law & Poverty, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP and the East Bay Community Law Center. President Park Geun-hye on Tuesday admitted letting a crony with no official position edit some of her key speeches and made a brief apology before rushing out of the room. But even while saying sorry she claimed she only asked for advice on "some materials," rather than admitting charges that Choi Soon-sil in effect told her what to say and do. No sooner had she made the statement than a torrent of media reports came out suggesting that Choi's undemocratic entanglement in government went much deeper and reached into every corner of Park's opaque administration, from the trivial to the very serious indeed. Documents related to the appointment of key Cheong Wa Dae officials and even North Korea policy were discovered in the offices of Choi and her aides. A government vice minister regularly delivered resumes to a Choi aide asking for advice on the appointment of key officials. Another aide was interviewed alleging that Choi headed several unofficial entities that served as de-facto advisory groups on state affairs. At the other end of micromanagement, a video clip obtained by TV Chosun showed Choi with a Cheong Wa Dae official as she oversees the tailoring of an outfit the president is to wear on formal occasions, raising doubt whether Park made any decision at all without Choi. Park for the longest time dismissed the allegations, but now that Choi is gone she seems completely headless, trying to muddy waters by suddenly proposing a constitutional revision to allow presidents to be elected for a second term, and lying even as she made her apology. No wonder calls for Park's impeachment are growing. The public has lost all confidence in the president, and her authority now seems to have been compromised beyond repair. Even a former presidential secretary voiced his shock at the state of affairs, which he said was "unimaginable." The legitimacy of Park's command over government ministries has also been compromised. This is no ordinary lame-duck phenomenon. This is a complete collapse of a president's ability to run a government. Yet the country faces a complex set of security and economic challenges, and Park has more than a year left in her five-year term. A power vacuum would be catastrophic. The president, ruling party and opposition must think hard what they can do to overcome this crisis. They must look at every measure at their disposal under the Constitution. Park may have to back out of domestic politics completely and relinquish her membership in the ruling Saenuri Party to demonstrate her resolve. She must also distance herself from any attempts to influence next year's presidential election. Unfortunately, the Constitution permits only the president to oversee matters of national security, which means that Park will have to focus solely on dealing with the North Korean nuclear threat for the rest of her presidency. Perhaps that way she can salvage some public support. Her entire secretariat must resign. Park has only herself to blame for her demise, but if even one or two aides had had the guts to speak up, they could perhaps have saved her. Their craven attempts to cover up for her and stand with her against the public cannot be forgiven. They must go. The opposition is demanding the mass resignation of Park's Cabinet, but it is both impossible and unwise to hold another round of National Assembly confirmation hearings when the nation is in crisis. This is not the time to discuss the abilities of individual Cabinet members. Instead of reshuffling her Cabinet, Park should appoint a premier to oversee government and entrust him or her with economic and internal affairs for the remaining year of her term. There is not enough time left to initiate new policies. The focus must be on salvaging the ailing shipbuilding and shipping industries, dealing with other economic sectors that are in trouble, and managing the volatile real estate market. In appointing a caretaker premier, Park must seek the support of the opposition, and the opposition must realize that this is no time to score political points. Excessive politicking will only alienate the public further. Whether Park is aware of the scale of the disaster is an open question. Judging by what she said on Tuesday, she appears to have a weak grasp of reality. But the only way open to her is to pull out of government and put the public good first. Many people are ashamed for her. It is time she was too. A California Highway Patrol officer was injured in an officer-involved shooting that sent the suspect to a hospital in critical condition on the border of San Francisco and Daly City early Tuesday evening, according to San Francisco police. The CHP said the officer suffered minor head and road rash injuries after being struck by the suspect's car. Sources told NBC Bay Area the officer also was dragged by the suspect's vehicle. A San Mateo County vehicle theft task force was pursuing a stolen vehicle, a Honda, when the shooting happened, police said. It is unclear whether the suspect was carrying a weapon. Three officers from three different agencies were involved in the incident. Both the San Francisco District Attorney's Office and SFPD homicide detectives were on the scene investigating the shooting. The CHP officer is currently recovering at San Francisco General Hospital. The suspect is being described as "critical," SF police said. Police did not identify the suspect, but family and friends say his name is Notorious Dickerson, and he grew up in the Oceanview neighborhood. He was in the area to visit friends, they said. The incident took place in the area of Capitol Avenue and Montana Street, which is near the city's Ingleside neighborhood, SFPD said. Police were asking people to avoid the area as the investigation continued. Witnesses who spoke to NBC Bay Area reported hearing multiple gunshots. Footage from the NBC Bay Area chopper showed the scene outside a two-story house on Montana Street, where two cars - a four-door Honda sedan and a black SUV - and a pick-up truck were rammed into each other. It looked like the sedan, which has a sun roof, had crashed into the garage and sustained considerable damage. Pieces of garbage and paper was strewn on top of the sedan and around it. The cars had the front passenger side door wide open. Neighbors, including children, could be seen at the scene, some trying to get back into their houses. Investigators could also be seen combing through the scene and putting up yellow police tape to cordon off several blocks. A series of Facebook Live videos posted by a neighbor, Gregory Elarms II, also shows the scene, including police officers on the ground talking to people. Elarms can be heard telling a little boy: "He was my friend." Elarms' Facebook post says: "Police tries to kill an unarmed man...And he was unarmed." Another video posted by Elarms shows him saying: "His wife is on my stairs crying." The camera then pans to a woman in a white blouse sobbing, her face in her palms. "They just killed my friend today," Elarms can be heard saying in one of the Facebook Live videos, as he lashes out at SFPD officers standing behind yellow police tape. "They killed Notorious." At one point he says, "I was looking out of the window, and all I heard was pat, pat, pat pat pat pat. ... We were just sitting inside the house talking." One woman told NBC Bay Area that she heard six shots. Heavy police presence could be seen at San Francisco General Hospital. A CHP patrol car was seen parked outside the hospital. Under the glow of chapel lights, more than a dozen people gather in a circle to say in public what most people talk about in private. The discussion tonight, and every Thursday night, is racism. Racists Anonymous, or RA, is a support group for individuals who want to be more conscious of racist behaviors. What divides them is what brings them together. Pastor Ron Buford of Congregational Church of Sunnyvale created the group in October 2016. We have people who meet here at the church for Alcoholics Anonymous every day, and Overeaters Anonymous eats here too, Buford said. Sitting in my office I would hear them saying the serenity prayer and the Lords prayer and I thoughtI wonder if we used this to apply to the racism problem maybe it could make a difference. Racists Anonymous is modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous. Group members are given 12 steps to use in the fight against judgment of people of different races. Christianity is also a part of the group. Each session starts with a serenity prayer and ends with the Lords prayer. I come to combat racism, said Casey Ream, 26, who is a member of the church. And to reflect and take moral inventory of the things that Ive done throughout the week that may have been racist. No one who joins the group is called a racist. Yet, group members are free to call themselves racist as a way to understand and confront their own behaviors. No group members can interrupt another person or try to "fix" another person's problem. Rather, everyone is encouraged to listen and provide personal comments. Professions and other personal information is asked to be left outside the group. In AA for example, an alcoholic is always an alcoholic. The same is true in RA, Buford said. I believe were always a racist and our goal of being mindful of it is to express less of it. Buford says there is no measurement of when someone is no longer racist. Being aware of and changing racist behaviors is a continuous task. Anyone can attend RA. Jews, Muslims, Christians, Agnostics, men, women, young and older adults currently attend the one-hour weekly meeting. About 12 to 15 people attend regularly. The groups meets in the heart of Silicon Valley, one of the most diverse regions in California. Nearly 47 percent of Santa Clara county identifies as white, 32 percent Asian, 26.9 percent Hispanic or Latino, 2.6 percent African American, 0.7 percent Native American, and 4.9 percent two or more races, according to 2010 US Census Bureau Data. RA member Ian Greensides says he believed such a diverse environment would welcome his multicultural family. He is white, his wife is Filipino, and his five children are of both races. Yet, he has joined the group because of the anger and frustration he has developed against liberal, white friends who he says would question Filipinos intellect. Even though she [his wife] has two advanced degrees, took a class to get rid of her accent, people still dont see her as an American, Greensides said. So what do you do with the frustration? You know why cant people just see people as people? Hes having trouble helping his children answer that question as well. His teenage son was pulled over in Idaho while driving with his white grandfather. He says the police officer asked his son why he was driving so slow, yet he was driving 72 in a 75 miles per hour speed limit zone. Greensides says he requested dash camera video from the encounter. I didnt realize I had to have the talk that a lot of Black fathers have to have, Greensides said. Group member May Wang likes the spiritual approach RA provides to fight racism. What attracts me is the look inside of me, said Wang. Its inside out. It has nothing to do with being Asian. What attracts me is looking inside of me. Buford hopes other churches and organizations will begin their own RA circles. More than fifty groups have contacted the church in the last year to request a copy of the curriculum in order to start a new group. I happen to believe that all of us have an addiction to racism, particularly in America. We can no less be racist than I think a fish can be in the water without getting wet, Buford said. Our hope is by reducing our own expression of racism and the group growing and spreading, more people will be mindful of their own racism. The man shot and killed Monday in San Francisco, allegedly by filmmaker Kevin Epps, was a registered sex offender with a two-decade history of domestic violence and drug abuse and who had just been released from custody after serving jail time on a parole violation, according to documents reviewed by NBC Bay Area. Epps was arrested in the fatal shooting of Marcus D. Polk on Monday, but he was released Tuesday after the District Attorney's Office cited insufficient evidence to charge him with homicide. Polk, 45, was freed on Oct. 19, after serving 12 days for a drug-related violation of his parole, court records show. Polk has a criminal history that dates back to 1995, including lewd acts with a child, attempted robbery, domestic violence and auto theft, court records show. Those records show that since 2012, Polk allegedly violated his release conditions about 30 times, including repeated allegations of drug use, removing his tracking device and failure to take part in sex offender therapy. NBC Bay Area On Oct. 5, Polk told probation officials that he was under the influence of methamphetamine at the parole office in San Francisco. Court records show that the next day, his sex offender program clinician told parole officials that she was concerned that the subject might pose a risk to public safety if he remained in the community, due to his substance abuse." The following day, Oct. 7, Polk was arrested at the parole office in San Francisco for parole violation due to drug use. After a hearing on Oct. 19, he was freed by Judge Gerardo Sandoval, given credit for time served. The parole agents report concluded that Polks parole adjustment has been dismal and frequently sabotaged by his repeated use of methamphetamine. Polk has demonstrated he is unwilling to comply with his terms and in response to his behavior, poses an unreasonable risk to the safety of the public, his parole evaluator concluded, asking that he sent back into custody for 60 days. In the end, the judge freed him with more parole restrictions after he was jailed for 12 days. Polks son, Marcus Polk Jr., said he was not there when his father was killed. I think based on history, there was a lot of anger in the person who did this, Polk Jr. said. My dad, he made a lot of jokes at other peoples expense. There was never any hostility; he was going to point out the uncomfortable truths, and that happened, according to what Ive been told. And the person who did this, he had enough, I guess. And, while the guys back is turned to him, from what Im told, he shot a man in the back. He said Epps is a relative, the father of his cousin. Polk Jr. said his father had been homeless for a while, "so he comes by, eats, doesnt put money in or anything. ... But if you dont like that, call the cops, have the guy exited from the building, but you dont kill him, man. He went on to say his father, wasnt exactly living here, but he was here frequently. On what happened before the shooting, Polk Jr. said his father "showed up out of the blue ... and from what I was told, he made a comment of 'She doesnt really like you.' I think thats what did it. ... 'She doesnt even like you.'" Supervisor Malia Cohen on Tuesday called for the city to look into better security measures for a vacant former police station in the city's Dogpatch neighborhood where a fire occurred on Monday. Cohen called for a hearing to get an update on the building's status and condition and also requested a cost estimate on what it would take for the city to adequately secure the building. "The Potrero Police Station is a beautiful historic asset that deserves to be savored and protected," Cohen said today. "I am committed to ensuring the City provides the appropriate resources needed to secure this facility." The one-alarm fire on the building's second floor was reported at 1:26 p.m. Monday and brought under control seven minutes later, according to fire department spokesman Jonathan Baxter. There was no one found inside the building requiring evacuation and no injuries or displacements were reported, Baxter said. The fire, the cause of which remains under investigation, is not the first to occur in the former Potrero Station, which dates back to 1915 and was vacated by the police department in the 1990s. In May of 2012 a two-alarm fire caused around $200,000 in damage, according to fire officials. The Department of Building Inspection has three complaints dating to 2012 and 2014 listed as active for the building, and a new one filed Tuesday. A department spokesman was not immediately able to provide further information on the status of those complaints Tuesday afternoon. Students, parents and school officials are concerned after racist graffiti was found written in the restrooms at California High School in San Ramon, even as one of the incidents apparently was resolved Tuesday. Police and school officials were investigating the incidents in which the N-word was used in the girls restroom and the words "whites" and "colored" were scribbled above separate stalls in the boys restroom on the campus. On Tuesday, a student came forward and confessed to the boys restroom incident that occurred last week, according to school officials. It's still not clear who is behind the girls restroom incident, and it is still being investigated. Cal High student Alanah Winston, 17, says although she has seen racism regularly, she had never felt it on campus - until Monday. "I deal with racism on a daily basis as a kid of color, as a minority," said Winston, who is one of about 100 black students at the school of 1,200. "And then just to see blatant hatred written there for you to see," she added, has stripped away that feeling of safety. On Monday, when Winston saw the racist graffiti written in the girls bathroom, it made her extremely uncomfortable. When she went to ask school administrators to do something, she wasnt happy with their response. "I was somewhat dismissed," she said. Elizabeth Graswich, spokeswoman for the San Ramon Valley Unified School District, said the initial report of the graffiti in the boys restroom last week was taken very seriously. School officials began an investigation immediately. She said the only evidence found from the boys restroom graffiti were photos. "It was a challenging one to investigate because it was shared via social media, with no indicators other than that they said it was at California High School," Graswich said. After the second incident, an email alert was sent out to parents. "Not OK, not tolerated in this area," said parent Jacqui Gerbracht. "So I am actually pretty shocked that that would be put in our bathrooms." Student Cherag Keswani said the actions of one make the students and their school look bad. "Because we dont know who that one person is, and we are kind of ashamed because we feel like, you know, we are better than that, really," Keswani said. Winston said she just wants a resolution. "I just want action to be taken," she said. "I want this to be prevented." Police and school officials said those found responsible for the graffiti could face criminal charges and expulsion from school. It had not yet been determined how the student who came forward Tuesday would be punished. Scientists with the University of California, Santa Cruz have detected a liver-damaging toxin in Bay Area shellfish. The toxin, called microcystin, is produced by freshwater algae and is plaguing local lakes and rivers, including the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers, which flow into the San Francisco Bay Delta, and other area lakes. "We found that this freshwater toxin accumulates in shellfish, both mussels and oysters, and that in San Francisco Bay, the toxin levels in some mussels exceed the recommended guidelines for consumption by quite a bit," Raphael Kudela, a professor at UC Santa Cruz, said in a statement. Researchers also detected low levels of the toxin in Tomales Bay oysters. "There is monitoring of shellfish for marine-derived toxins, but because this is a freshwater toxin no one has been looking for it, said Corinne Gibble, an environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Now it seems microcystin is something we should be monitoring as well. State officials typically dont allow mussels to be harvested for human consumption from May through October. They are now testing this freshwater toxin to determine the best way to respond to it. "There is potential for this toxin to affect humans, but most of our samples are still below the recommended limits for human consumption, so people shouldn't panic and think they can't eat shellfish, Kudela cautioned. A larger concern, he said, is the potential impact on marine mammals such as sea otters, which consume large amounts of shellfish. The production of microcystin has in the past forced officials to close public swimming areas at Lake Anza in Berkeley and Lake Temescal in Oakland. According to Kudela, Californias historic ongoing drought has worsened the problem. "The rains help by flushing things out, he said. Warm, dry conditions favor these blooms, so we've been seeing more of them lately than we would without the drought. A new genetic study confirms theories that the global epidemic of HIV and AIDS started in New York around 1970, and it also clears the name of a gay flight attendant long vilified as being "Patient Zero." Researchers got hold of frozen samples of blood taken from patients years before the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS was recognized, and teased out genetic material from the virus from that blood. They used it to show that HIV was circulating widely during the 1970s, and certainly before people began noticing a "gay plague" in New York in the early 1980s, NBC News reported. "We can date the jump into the U.S. in about 1970 and 1971," Michael Worobey, an expert on the evolution of viruses at the University of Arizona, told reporters in a telephone briefing. "HIV had spread to a large number of people many years before AIDS was noticed." Their findings also suggest HIV moved from New York to San Francisco in about 1976, they report in the journal Nature. Police say an airline pilot in Rapid City, South Dakota, was arrested Wednesday and charged with attempting to fly while drunk, NBC News reported. Authorities were called when the pilot, Russell Joseph Duszak, 38, showed up to Rapid City Regional Airport smelling of alcohol Wednesday morning. He was supposed to fly SkyWest Flight 4574 to Salt Lake City, but was taken off the plane, and arrested on a charge of operating an aircraft under the influence of alcohol. The flight was delayed for more than two hours until a replacement pilot was found. A statement from the airline apologized for the incident, and said the pilot is barred from flying, pending investigation. Duszak could spend up to a year in jail and face a $20,000 fine if convicted. The United States abstained for the first time in 25 years Wednesday on a U.N. resolution condemning America's economic embargo against Cuba, a measure it had always vehemently opposed. The U.S. was joined in abstaining by Israel, the only other country to vote against the embargo resolution in the General Assembly last year. When the vote 191-0 with two abstentions was shown on the electronic board, diplomats from the 193 U.N. member states burst into applause. U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power announced the abstention just before the vote saying that the U.S. policy of isolation toward Cuba had "isolated the United States, including here at the United Nations." "After 55-plus years of pursuing the path of isolation, we are choosing to take the path of engagement," she said. The U.S. decision to change its vote follows President Barack Obama's restoration of full diplomatic relations with Cuba and his support for lifting the embargo, which the Republican-led Congress is against. Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro announced on Dec. 17, 2014, that they were restoring diplomatic ties, which were broken in 1961 after Fidel Castro took power and installed a communist government. On July 20 last year, diplomatic relations were restored and embassies of the two countries were reopened, but serious issues remain, especially the U.S. call for human rights on the Caribbean island and claims for expropriated property. The U.S. abstention in the General Assembly vote was certain to anger both Republican and Democratic opponents of lifting the 55-year-old embargo, but it reflects President Barack Obama's belief shortly before he leaves office that it's time to move ahead in normalizing U.S.-Cuban ties. Indeed, there were immediate protests in the U.S. Congress. Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez from New Jersey, the son of Cuban immigrants, tweeted that the U.S. decision not to defend the "long-standing, bipartisan, human rights-based US law ... is shameful." Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz tweeted that the act that imposed sanctions on Cuba "isn't a 'failed policy' ... (and) is the law of the United States, which should always be defended and upheld." Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, the last speaker before the vote, said Cuba is "grateful" for Power's efforts and words and thanked her for the U.S. abstention. "A change in vote by the United States is a promising signal," he said. "We hope it will be reflected in reality." Rodriguez said the embargo is still in force and being implemented by U.S. agencies, and while the executive measures taken by Obama were positive, they have "very limited scope and effect." "Lifting the blockade is the key to be able to advance towards the normalization of relations with the United States," he said. "The blockade is unjust, inhuman, immoral and illegal and should unilaterally and unconditionally cease." General Assembly resolutions are nonbinding and unenforceable. But the 25-year-old exercise in which the world body has overwhelmingly voted to condemn the embargo does reflect world opinion and has given Cuba a global stage to demonstrate America's isolation on its Cuba policy. Before the vote, more than 20 speakers from all over the world denounced the embargo and urged the U.S. Congress to quickly lift the ban on trade and financial dealings. The U.S. administration had considered abstaining in the vote last October, but concluded it could not do so because the resolution did not reflect what it considered to be the spirit of engagement between Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro. Power made clear that the United States "categorically" rejects statements in Wednesday's resolution suggesting the embargo violated international law. She also said that abstaining "does not mean that the United States agrees with all of the policies and practices of the Cuban government." "We do not," Power said. "We are profoundly concerned by the serious human rights violations that the Cuban government continues to commit with impunity against its own people." She cited Cuba's detention of government critics, threats and intimidation of participants in peaceful marches and meetings, and severe restrictions on outside information. In Havana, Cuba organized a vote-watching party on the campus of the University of Havana, where students and government supporters followed the events on an hours-long special live state news broadcast projected onto a giant screen. The tone of the coverage was triumphant, calling the U.S. abstention a historic victory for Cuba but cautioning that it was meaningless without Congressional action. "The blockade is still in force but this means that there's been a change in attitude at the highest levels of U.S. government and politics," said Raul Palmeiro, a 21-year-old law student and president of the university's official Student Federation. In last year's vote, the assembly approved a resolution condemning the commercial, economic and financial embargo against Cuba with the highest vote ever 191-2. Only Israel joined the United States in opposing that resolution. Associated Press writers Josh Lederman in Washington and Michael Weissenstein in Havana contributed to this report. Cook County will soon join Chicago in increasing its minimum wage to $13 an hour. The Cook County Board of Commissioners voted to approve the increase Wednesday, one day after a finance committee passed the measure. Earlier this year, Chicagos minimum wage increased to $10.50 an hour, with plans for it to grow to $13 per hour by 2019. The Cook County plan will now similarly raise the minimum wage incrementally by 2020. Its estimated that by 2019, the wage bumps will have brought hundreds of thousands out of poverty and added $860 million to the citys economy. While some believed the county should wait for the state to approve a minimum wage increase, the Cook County Board said it decided to take on the issue because the federal government and General Assembly have failed to act. The fact is that the City of Chicago has already committed to a minimum wage increase. Since then, the drumbeat for a countywide wage increase has grown louder, Commissioner Richard Boykin said in a statement. If there is one trend that is more harmful to our Cook County economy more than any other, it is uncertainty. Boykin noted that while he sympathizes with "the arguments presented in opposition to this measure," he is "mindful of the challenge to our small businesses that is presented by a lack of uniformity in our wage laws." "The overwhelming majority of employees in our regional economy are employed by small business," he said. "When small business suffers, the entire economy suffers, and the number of employment opportunities for our workers shrinks." Rep. Tammy Duckworth cast an early ballot for the November election Wednesday in Chicago. The congresswoman, who is locked in one of the nations tightest U.S. Senate races with incumbent Republican Mark Kirk, voted Wednesday at the Cook County Clerks Office downtown. "It's never been easier or more convenent to vote, and Tammy was eager to take advantage of the opportunity to cast her ballot this morning," Duckworth campaign spokesman Matt McGrath said in a statement. "It's also exciting that Illinois is approaching record-high voter registration, and since the early voting period began, our campaign has been treating every day like [get out the vote] weekend." "The stakes in this election are extraordinary, and no matter whom you intend to vote for, our campaign encourages all Illinoisans to make a plan to vote, and exercise this fundamental freedom," McGrath added. Early voting for the Nov. 8 general election was expanded Monday throughout Chicago and the citys neighboring suburbs. Heres a full list of early voting sites in Chicago and a full list of early voting sites in the Cook County suburbs. Illinois early voting technically started on Sept. 29, but voters were only able to cast ballots at pre-approved locations, like county election offices. Dont tell Donald Trump, but Chicagos infamous cemetery vote just aint what it used to be. Trump has openly questioned the integrity of the upcoming presidential vote, pointedly citing Chicago as a city with a very checkered electoral past. Voter fraud is all too common, he told a crowd earlier this month in Colorado. Take a look at Chicago, take a look at St. Louis. Take a look at some of these cities, where you see things happening that are horrendous. But is Chicago merely paying for the sins of the past, rather than present day chicanery? In the last ten years weve had 9 million votes cast, says the Chicago Election Boards James Allen. Weve had ten instances that weve had to refer to the states attorneys office, but weve been through exhaustive recounts and weve never seen any votes reversed as a result of any kind of mishap or fraud. Indeed, just as the one-time might of Chicagos Democratic machine is largely a relic of the history books, good old fashioned vote-stealing in Chicago has not been documented for decades. I had to fight the old machine of Chicago--I knew the kind of things they could do, said County Clerk David Orr, who as an independent alderman in the seventies and eighties, was a constant thorn in the flesh of hard line machine stalwarts. Part of my job is I want to prove that whether youre a Democrat or Republican, we want to do the right thing. For weeks, workers at both the Chicago and Cook County election boards have been preparing machines and software for the upcoming votes. At a warehouse on Pershing Road, NBC 5 Investigates watched as Chicago technicians tested the citys machines and prepared them for shipment. Each machine was checked to make certain that screens worked, scanners scanned, and paper magazines were loaded and ready. And that no votes were pre-stored in memory. To make certain of that, memory packs are secured inside the machines behind doors with numbered seals. And each machine produces what is called a zero tape when it is switched on election morning, to demonstrate that no candidates have any votes when the day begins. That same tape backup rolls off a copy every time someone votes. We have a paper trail for every ballot cast in the City of Chicago, Allen says. So we feel reasonably safe about our system. Orr noted that one of the greatest safeguards against allegations of Democratic tampering, is the vigilance of the opposition. Everything were trying to do is transparent, he said. We have thousands of Republican judges--- they set up the equipment. Theyre there. And they dont buy all that stuff." And those dead voters who made Chicago so famous? Its not confined to Chicago. The Pew Charitable Trust estimated earlier this year that nearly two million dead voters are still listed on the rolls nationwide. Chicago election board officials insist they are doing everything they can to maintain rosters with only living, breathing voters. A statewide death-record database helps us cancel more than 500 registrations every month in Chicago alone, Allen said. We also send an annual canvass notice to each voter. The postal service and the recipients may mark deceased and drop it in the mail. Whenever we receive information (on deaths), we check the Illinois Vital Records System and cancel if we can find confirmation. Officials insist that when someone does slip through the cracks, it usually isnt because of real fraud. In some cases, experts note, widows sometimes vote recently deceased husbands absentee ballots, suggesting thats what he would have wanted. Not with ill intent, but without knowing its not allowed. Orr noted that there have also been documented cases of citizens taking part in the early voting process, then dying before election day. We dont claim perfection, Allen said. But were getting closer to it every day. Eight inmates and one officer were taken to the hospital from Cook County Jail after fights broke out in the facility, Chicago fire and sheriff's office officials confirmed Tuesday night. Multiple injuries were reported, including stab wounds, at the jail and ambulances had been dispatched to the facility, Chicago fire officials said. "None of the injuries appear to be serious. A correctional deputy was struck with a food tray, thrown during a fight," said Sophia Ansari, a spokeswoman for the Cook County Sheriff's Office, in an email. "The deputy is being evaluated, but was not seriously injured." Two people were taken to St. Anthony Hospital, officials said, adding that their conditions were "non-life-threatening." Mt. Sinai and Stroger hospitals were also receiving people transported from the jail, officials said. In an exclusive Ward Room interview Tuesday, Raja Krishnamoorthi, the Democratic candidate running for the 8th Congressional District House seat currently held by Rep. Tammy Duckworth, positioned himself as an advocate for middle class families. Im offering fresh ideas and perspectives on a number of issues of importance to the middle class and I think that having kind of a depth and specificity to our plans and proposals allows me to engage the other side in constructive movement toward soving those problems, Kirshnamoorthi said. I mean thats the reason why a lot of people are supporting us. During the interview, Krishnamoorthi championed a federal minimum wage hike, bolstered Social Security and Medicare programs and increased college affordability as ways to strengthen the middle class. However, the Democrat said a college affordability plan would require good old fashioned cutting to oil and gas industry subsidies and certain military programs, among other things. He specifically credited the college affordability plan put forth in Tennessee, a decidedly red state. That plan ensures that every high school student who receives a minimum GPA and meets other standards has access to a free community college education. That program is funded by the state lottery. That is the biggest no-brainer Ive ever heard of and that's a Republican state that's leading the way, Krishnamoorthi said. And so if a Republican state is leading the way in that particular way, Ive got to believe America can move forward on this issue. Krishnamoorthi also wants to create jobs in renewable energy and tech spaces, something hes familiar with from his work as president of Sivananthan Labs & Episolar Inc., which develops and sells products in the national security and renewable energy industry. Aside from his work at Sivananthan, the Democrat has served as Illinois deputy treasurer and was appointed by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan to serve as Special Attorney General in her Public Integrity Unity in 2006. In 2012, Krishnamoorthi lost to Duckworth in the 8th Congressional Districts Democratic primary. Krishnamoorthi claimed his experience in both the private and public sectors is a great benefit to his campaign. Additionally, Krishnamoorthi was critical of his opponent, Pete DiCianni, claiming the Republicans positions lack specificity. DiCianni is the former mayor of Elmhurst and a current DuPage County Board member. Theres a couple differences, Krishnamoorthi said. One is that if you look at our ideas and proposals, theres kind of a depth and specificity to my positions and proposals that youre not going to find with my opponent. And I think that matters because, as I mentioned, the challenges that face the middle class and working families are complicated and so you have to have some understanding of those challenges and different approaches in order to be a constructive member of Congress." Krishnamoorthi and DiCianni have debated a federal minimum wage hike during the campaign, according to the Daily Herald. DiCianni has said that hes open to raising the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $10, while Krishnamoorthi is actively pushing an increase to $10.10 or higher. Nevertheless, Krishnamoorthi credited some members of the GOP for supporting a minimum wage increase. "Believe it or not, a majority of Republicans support increasing the minimum wage, Krishnamoorthi said. And so we have to figure out where can we find common ground with Republicans on this issue and take those first steps as soon as possible. With just two weeks until Election Day, Krishnamoorthi is in full campaign mode, riding a wave of notable endorsements from the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, the Daily Herald, President Barack Obama and Rep. Duckworth, his former opponent. The DiCianni campaign did not respond to Ward Room's request for comment on this story. Its been nearly nine years since a 15-year-old honor student went missingand her family says the case has gone coldbut theyre still asking authorities to keep the investigation into her disappearance open. Relatives of Yasmin Acree held hands and prayed at a vigil outside the missing teens family home Tuesday in the citys South Austin neighborhood. Our family has hope that one day she will return, Shakelia Johnson said. Acree went missing from that same home on Jan. 15 in 2008. Her adoptive mother, Rose Starnes, who died in 2014, said at the time she believed Yasmin had been abducted. Chicago police did not respond to questions about the investigation. We started thinking then, maybe somebody got her, Starnes said. A few years ago suspicions fell on accused child rapist Jimmie Terrell Smith who lived in Acrees building and, according to the Chicago Tribune, had been mentioned in her personal diary. The Rev. Ira Acree said he was in a 2013 meeting with Smith in Cook County Jail where Smith confessed to helping Yasmin Acree commit suicide. He said I didnt want to get blamed for it, Ira Acree said. For her death, she committed suicide, so I took her body and I put it in a garbage canset it on fire. Her family is still not certain if she is dead or alive. Every day kids are getting killed, every day, but what about the missing kids, what about the families that are still hurting because they have no answers, Johnson said. Acrees family is offering a $10,000 reward in exchange for new information. Lincoln Park Zoos red panda bears are adorable, and now Cubs fans have yet another reason to love them. That's because the cubs picked the Cubs to win the World Series. Waveland and Sheffield were born on June 24 and named after Wrigley Field's cross streets. Just ahead of Game 1 on Tuesday, they were given two boxes, each with a hand-painted logo of both teams in the World Series, the Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians. Guided by their dad Phoenix, both cubs chose Chicago to win it all, according to the zoo, "cheering on (and chewing on)" their choice for the best of seven series. Even though their pick wasn't quite scientific, one 14-year-old did use statistics to predict the outcome of the World Series several months ago. Cubs fans will be delighted to know that despite dropping Game 1, that whiz kid predicted the Cubbies will win their first World Series in 108 years. Former congressman Gary Condit is set to discuss the 2001 disappearance and death of Washington intern Chandra Levy on the "Dr. Phil" show. Levy vanished 15 years ago, and her body was found the next year in Washington's sprawling Rock Creek Park. Condit had been romantically linked to Levy. He was at one time a prime suspect in her death but was later cleared by police. Another man, Ingmar Guandique, was convicted in Levy's death in 2010. He won a new trial on appeal, and prosecutors announced they wouldn't retry him. Condit's attorney says prosecutors have said the former Democratic congressman from California is neither a subject nor a target of the Levy investigation. Condit's appearance on "Dr. Phil" is set to air Thursday. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has responded to the New Haven Register building because of white powder that was mailed to them, according to New Haven police. New Haven Register Publisher Kevin Corrado told NBC Connecticut that two employees who came into contact with the white powdery substance had to be quarantined inside the building while everyone else was evacuated. The two employees then went through a decontamination process and were taken to the hospital as a precaution. As of 5:30 p.m., employees were allowed back into the offices. NBC Connecticut reached out to the FBI, but they said at this stage they had no information to release and had not identified the substance. No additional information was immediately available. Check back for updates. New Haven Mayor Toni Harp is urging voters to register before the Connecticut deadline next Tuesday Nov. 1 because she does not want a repeat of Election Night 2014 at City Hall. The state allows same day registration at designated locations, not necessarily a voters normal polling place. But if you are in line here and havent registered yet and its 8 o clock, youve got to go home, Mayor Harp said at a Tuesday press conference. Two years ago, City Hall election officials had to turn away about a hundred would-be-voters who tried to register at the last minute. Many of them were college students. New Haven has literally thousands of new residents this fall at local colleges and citywide and we want to be sure everyone has a chance to participate, Harp said. Yale University sophomore Lucas Kirby is participating in his first election. He is from Los Angeles, but on Nov. 8 he said hell be voting in New Haven. I think most of my classmates have already registered, Kirby said, I think that I have a lot of suite mates that are doing absentee ballots so maybe Im in the minority of those who are from other states but are registered in Connecticut. Yale freshmen Ananya Parthasarthy and Rebecca Chong said they are opting to vote absentee in their home states. Chong is from swing-state Virginia. I had registered through my high school a while ago and figured it would be easier to do an absentee ballot, Chong said. Both students say they have seen social media posts encouraging young voters to make sure their voices are heard in this election. Theres a lot of talk about this upcoming election and I really think thats encouraging more people to vote that maybe wouldnt have voted in a different election, Parthasarthy said. Voters have until next Tuesday to register in person at a DMV or town registrars office. Or you still can register online. There have been three fires in the last week in downtown Norwich and authorities are investigating whether they were arson. Norwich officials said fire happened in a vacant building. On Oct. 19, a mattress was found on fire next to a shed behind a home on East Main Street. Then on Oct. 23, the second floor of an old mill on Chestnut Street went up in flames. Most recently, this past Sunday, firefighters battled flames on the second floor of the vacant YMCA building on Main Street. There is no electricity in either of the vacant buildings and fire officials believe a group of people may have started the fires. But they do not know if they are related. Fire officials are hoping downtown's camera system can help clarify that. Were able to see many of the streets 24 hours a day and it has become a very important part of our investigation we do have people on camera but thats under investigation right now, said Norwich Fire Chief Kenneth Scandariato. Scandariato said they have even created a task force between Norwich firefighters, fire marshals and police officers. As the investigation continues, many vacant buildings are being re-secured. The buildings where the three fires happened have been boarded up and signs of a $2,500 reward has been posted for those who have information leading to an arrest. "Were not going to qualify it as Arson yet, but you know its incendiary and chances are it will be prove to be arson as well," said Scandariato. If you have information call the Norwich Police Department or the Connecticut Arson Hotline 1-800-842-7766. West Haven Police are continuing to search for a man whos accused of trying to carjack his ex-girlfriend at knifepoint last night. Police officers responded to Second Avenue and Elm Street around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday to investigate a domestic dispute and the victim said her ex-boyfriend, 38-year-old Brian Heyward, had with a knife, got into her vehicle and wanted her drive, but she escaped and called 911. Heyward was last seen in a gray 2014 Toyota Camry with Connecticut registration OAJ-DT0 and police said they found it several miles away in New Haven. That prompted lockdowns as a precaution at six schools in the Fair Haven section of New Haven, including four New Haven public schools, St. Francis and St. Rose of Lima. A private memorial service was held at St. Anthony Church in Hartford for a Middletown woman who was lost at sea during a fishing trip with her son a month ago. Linda Carman has been missing since September, when the boat she and her son were on sank during the weekend of Sept. 17. Her son, Nathan Carman, was rescued by a freighter about 100 miles off the coast of Martha's Vineyard eight days later. "I wish desperately that my mom was rescued. I hope that she will be found," he said after the church service. "As difficult as this is, I'm glad that family and friends had a chance and that friends came together to remember my mom to support each other in this very difficult time." Carman said he's grateful to the friends and family members who attended the service." "I'm glad that many of my mom's friends chose to attend. And I think the service was a good time for us to come together and support one another," he said. An attorney for Carman told the Hartford Courant that friends and family were invited to a private service on Wednesday morning. But Linda Carman's sisters released a statement questioning the memorial service with the sinking still under investigation by multiple police agencies and did not attend the services on Wednesday. "I wish very much that my whole family would have come together to pray for my mom and I made sure that they were invited, that they had an opportunity," Nathan Carman said. A memorial Mass was originally scheduled at a church in West Hartford, but church officials said it was canceled. Four public schools in the Fair Haven section of New Haven, as well as St. Francis School and St. Rosa of Lima, were locked down as a precaution this morning as New Haven Police worked together with West Haven police in the search for man who is accused of trying to carjack his ex-girlfriend at knife point. West Haven police have been searching for 38-year-old Brian Heyward, who is wanted in connection with a domestic violence case and car theft. He's accused of getting into his ex-girlfriend's car with a knife at Second Avenue and Elm Street around 11:30 p.m. The victim said he wanted her drive, but she escaped and called 911. Heyward fled in a gray 2014 Toyota Camry with Connecticut registration OAJ-DT0, according to police and that car was located on Ferry Street in Fair Haven. The school lockdowns have been lifted, but it's not clear if there has been any sign of Heyward. Tunisian authorities arrested two American brothers on suspicion of belonging to a terrorist organization, two local sources told NBC News. A senior police official said the brothers, both aged in their 30s, are originally from Michigan. The source said one of the men was carrying a U.S. passport that identified him as Patrick Alan Lawwill. NBC News has seen a photocopy of the passport, which was apparently issued in July 2015 and lists Lawwill's place of birth as Michigan. The brothers had recently converted from Christianity to Islam and one of them was married to a Tunisian woman who was also arrested, the source said. A source in the governor's office also confirmed the arrests. A State Department official said it was aware of reports the pair had been arrested "on suspicion of terrorist activities" but declined to comment further because of "privacy considerations." In this final week of breast cancer awareness month, we are sharing a part of the story you rarely see: a man who received the diagnosis. Avist Owens can often be found taking care of his horse, Sandy, at his property in Dallas. He says the animal is part of his family, and like family, she helped him through some of his darkest days, including two bouts with cancer. "It was hell to pay," he said. Owens overcame bladder cancer in 2006. The cancer returned in 2015 when he was diagnosed with breast cancer. Owens said he felt a small lump in his right breast. "It's not in the nipple, it's under the nipple and you could just feel it in the muscle part," he explained. Right away, Owens told his doctor about the lump. The doctor ordered a mammogram and a biopsy. Three days later, he learned he had breast cancer. "I was shocked because I felt like I was healthy," he said. Owens found taking care of his horse therapeutic. "She's been like an inspiration. I can talk to her and she doesn't talk back," Owens said. Owens finds the same sense of understanding at a support group called Men for Men. The group meets every month at Methodist Charlton Medical Center in Dallas to share stories about a battle too many fight in private. "To them, that's something that they conceal so to have a support group where they can come in and openly talk about it to other men who also have breast cancer really opens the door for them," said breast cancer nurse navigator Vicki Hallum. "I will tell anybody you need a friend, you can't go through this by yourself," Owens said. Breast cancer is about 100-times less common in men than women. The American Cancer Society estimates about 2,600 men will be diagnosed this year in the United States. An air ambulance made an emergency landing Wednesday afternoon after the pilot reported a fuel leak west of Dallas. The PHI Air Medical ambulance landed in the Trinity River bottoms at about 2:45 p.m., not far from the intersection of Westmoreland Road and Irving Boulevard, west of downtown. No injuries were reported. It is not yet known if the ambulance was responding to a call or transporting a patient at the time. The FAA is investigating the incident. Dallas police are investigating after an officer shot a man who allegedly pulled out a gun Wednesday afternoon near Fair Park.[[398764941,R]] The shooting was reported before 5 p.m. in the 3000 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Police say officers were in the area searching for the suspect later identified as 18-year-old Tradareon Choice on an aggravated robbery warrant from a recent carjacking. The man began running from the DPD officers, but after noticing Dallas ISD police officers across the street he turned and ran back in the direction of the DPD officers. Choice then pulled a handgun from the waist band of his pants, police said. Officer Zachery Helm shot Choice once in the leg, and the man was taken to a hospital, where he is expected to be OK. None of the officers were injured. Details on the charges Choice faces have not been released. The Dallas County District Attorney's Office will conduct an independent investigation of the shooting. Prosecutors said a former Southeast Texas middle school teacher must serve five years in prison for sharing child pornography with an undercover agent. Gary Alan George was sentenced Tuesday by a federal judge in Beaumont. The 56-year-old Beaumont man in April pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography. Records show George taught in the Beaumont Independent School District from 1999 until September 2014. He resigned amid the investigation. A 2015 indictment said George, during the summer of 2014, distributed child porn images to an undercover officer. Prosecutors say a search of George's home turned up personal electronic devices with thousands of child pornography images. Tenants facing eviction and the Texas Organizing Project are scheduled to speak at Wednesday's Dallas City Council meeting. West Dallas HMK tenants will support the more than 300 residents being able to stay in their homes at the 9 a.m. meeting. State District Judge Ken Molberg extended a restraining order Monday brought by residents seeking to prevent landlord HMK Ltd. from imposing an Oct. 31 deadline to move the tenants from their homes. It's believed HMK wants the tenants out so that it can benefit from lucrative redevelopment plans for a part of Dallas just west of downtown and the Trinity River. An attorney for HMK, Charles McGarry, told The Dallas Morning News that the company simply no longer wants to be in the business of low-income property rentals. Residents have complained that HMK did not follow through with requests to fix electrical and other problems. They say they're being forced to find other places to live in a city with few affordable housing options. The city has been pushing to address the number of derelict properties in Dallas, targeting eight landlords who own properties considered to be in poor or unsound condition. Six of the landlords pledged to improve their units while two others, including HMK, did not respond. City officials hope an agreement can be reached with HMK before a Nov. 7 court hearing. What to Know Shirlene Quigley's father says she was last seen at Port Authority Bus Terminal early Sunday The father, who lives in California, says his daughter always calls him at 6 p.m. each day; he was concerned when he hadn't heard from her Quigley's phone was found at a bridal store in Manhattan Police in New Jersey say they've found the 32-year-old backup dancer from New Jersey who vanished near the Port Authority Bus Terminal over the weekend after making a cryptic comment to friends. North Bergen Police said in an Instagram post Tuesday evening that Shirlene Quigley has been found safe with the help of NYPD. She was at an undisclosed medical facility, and her father was en route from Los Angeles to reunite with her, police said. Rihanna and Missy Elliot had posted emotional pleas on Instagram for information on the whereabouts of Quigley, who has also performed with Beyonce. Calling Quigley a "beautiful soul," Rihanna wrote, "My heart aches thinking of how heavy this is on all who love her!" The Instagram post included a video of the missing woman contemplating peace and love. "Those who have met her know her spirit is always bubbly and kind & uplifting energy! Sending countless prayers," wrote Missy Elliot. Quigley, who lives alone in North Bergen and teaches dance at Peridance Capezio Center and Broadway Dance Center in Manhattan, according to her Facebook page, was last seen getting on a bus at Port Authority around 1 a.m. Sunday, her father said. Police are looking for 32-year-old Shirlene Quigley, a dancer from North Bergen. She has danced with Beyonce and Rihanna, among others. Missy Elliott posted photos of Quigley on her Instagram account and called her a sweet, caring spirit. Quigleys father, who last spoke to her on Friday, said shes everything to me, shes why I live. Her father, who lives in California, said Quigley normally calls him every day around 6 p.m., and he became concerned when he hadn't heard from her. "I just want her to come home, or if someone has her to let her be," the father said. "She's everything to me. She's why I live." Police say Quigley's phone was found at a bridal store in Chelsea; her father says she could've been there to pick up something for a show. Quigley's father said his daughter made a strange comment to her friend recently along the lines of "Get ready, it's about to happen and I'm going to need you to sub for me." Quigley attended Liberty Church in Brooklyn; her father says that she is very religious, and that lately she has seemed "euphoric." Her landlord saw her leave her New Jersey home Saturday afternoon and later called a friend to say Quigley did not seem well, the friend said. According to her personal website, Quigley's dance career launched when she was 18 and earned a role as one of the "uhh ohh girls" on Beyonce's "Crazy in Love" music video. She has performed on an array of awards shows, including the VMA's, Grammy's and ESPY Awards. Quigley created the first high heel dance class at a studio in her hometown of Los Angeles and later brought the workshop to New York City. She has also taught at dance studios around the world, her website says. Family members of two law enforcement officers slain in recent weeks have come out against Proposition 57, accusing Gov. Jerry Brown of attempting to deceive voters about the measure that would enable some inmates to be paroled sooner. "Governor Brown, I'm calling you out on this," said Tania Owen, widow of Los Angeles Sheriff's Sgt. Steve Owen, who was shot to death on Oct. 5 while pursuing a burglary suspect in Lancaster. The accused killer, Trevon Lovell, was on parole. Proposition 57 is entitled the "Public Safety and Rehabilitation Act of 2016," but opponents contend releasing some inmates sooner would have affect public safety negatively. Tania Owen, herself a sheriff's detective, called Brown a "deceiver." Other members of the Owen family, and David Kling, the father of slain Palm Springs Officer Lesley Zerebny and himself retired law enforcement, gathered Tuesday in the San Dimas office of the Professional Peace Officers Association to speak at a news conference organized by the No on 57 campaign, which is largely driven by members of law enforcement and prosecutors. In a chilling moment, David Owen revealed that before his brother's death, Sgt. Owen had texted him a message about Prop 57. "'And before I forget, tell all your friends: No on Prop 57. If that passes, crime is going to skyrocket. Bad'-- with three exclamation points," David Owen read. "Don't let my brother die in vain." The Yes on 57 campaign maintains the proposed reforms to parole eligibility and added emphasis on rehabilitation would benefit public safety. "It allows carefully screened non-violent offenders, who've completed their primary sentence, to apply for parole--not necesssarily get it," the Governor says in a radio spot now airing. Opponents contend that the definition of "non-violent" as used in Prop 57 does include dangerous crimes including assault with a deadly weapon, hostage taking, human trafficking and a number of sex crimes. "Incarcerating people who do bad things is a waste?" asked Millie Owen, mother of the late Sgt. Owen. "Give me a break!" California remains under a federal court order imposing a cap on the prison population to limit overcrowding. "Proposition 57 will reduce crime by allowing the state to focus prison spending on keeping these dangerous inmates locked up and prevent a court order forcing us to arbitrarily release prisoners," reads a statement issued by the Yes on 57 campaign in response to the criticisms voiced at the San Dimas news conference. Prop 57 is the latest in a series of measures attempting to reduce the state prison population, including 2010's AB109, which shifted some of the prison responsibility to counties, and 2014's Prop 47, which reduced some drug possession offenses and certain other property crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. Many in law enforcement, including Los Angeles Sheriff Jim McDonnell, see a connection between those earlier measures and the upturn in crime since 2014. In January, during a teleconference, Governor Brown revealed his plan for what became Prop 57. He was joined by Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck, who spoke approvingly of the Governor's goals, but said he could not publicly support it unless the leadership of the city of Los Angeles took a position, which it has not. Brown has emphasized the rehabilitation goal of Prop 57. It would also require a judge's approval for the prosecution of a juvenile as an adult, taking that decision away from the discretion of prosecutors. Prop 57 supporters include Dionne Wilson, whose police officer husband Dan Nieme was shot to death in the line of duty in 2005 in the Bay Area city of San Leandro. She now works with Californians for Safety and Justice. From her experience with inmates at San Quentin, she has seen the power of rehabilitation programs, she said. Brighten a young boy's or ghoul's day. You can now send ailing children in the hospital Halloween grams with notes of encouragement, and along with that, Delta Air Lines will donate $1 for each card to Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Childrens Hospital Los Angeles is asking for your spooky grams for sick kids before Oct. 28. You can go to this link and pick from three designs. Then you add a note. They also have examples if your creative Halloween juices just arent flowing at the moment. Delta will donate a dollar per card up to $25,000, so get cracking. A 47-year-old sheriff's sergeant who died after his patrol car crashed in Compton had suffered a heart attack, the coroner's office reported Wednesday. The crash occurred around 5:20 a.m. Monday at Myrrh Street and Willowbrook Avenue. Sgt. Al Lopez, a 26-year veteran of the department, died at St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, according to the sheriff's department. An autopsy determined that Lopez had suffered a heart attack, and his death was listed as the result of natural causes, said coroner's Assistant Chief Ed Winter. Lopez, who had transferred to the sheriff's Compton Station about a year ago, is survived by a wife and two adult children. Funeral services were pending. "It is a tremendous loss to all of us," Sheriff Jim McDonnell told reporters gathered outside the hospital following Lopez' death. Lopez had gotten into his patrol car to assist other deputies who were involved in a pursuit of a stolen car, McDonnell said. However, the pursuit was called off about the time that the sergeant was pulling out of the parking lot of the Compton Station, McDonnell said. A short time later, about 100 yards away, the patrol car crashed into a wrought-iron fence, McDonnell said. The chase had been called off for safety reasons, in part because of the rainy weather, the sheriff said. The loss was another blow for a department still reeling from the Oct. 5 on-duty killing of Lancaster Station Sgt. Steve Owen. "Mourning the loss of one fallen brother is hard enough," said Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Association President Brian Moriguchi. "But two in the span of three weeks seems unbearable." "This is when the department and this union truly feels like a close-knit family. We'll grieve together but we'll also stand firmly for those left behind ...," he said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Lopez family, including his wife and children, along with many colleagues and friends on the department." The Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs also issued a statement mourning Lopez's death. "All of our ALADS members will be grieving the loss with Sergeant Lopez's family members, friends, and fellow deputies. We would ask everyone to keep the men and women in law enforcement in your thoughts and prayers." A man whose viral YouTube videos captured harrowing jumps from high places into private pools and the ocean in Southern California is now in hot water he's facing trespassing charges. Anthony Booth Armer, 28, of Laguna Niguel, was arrested on Wednesday in Laguna Beach, according to a news release from the Orange County District Attorney's Office. He faces two misdemeanor counts of unauthorized entry of a dwelling and one misdemeanor count of trespassing with intent to interfere with business. Armer, who allegedly uses the YouTube handle 8Booth, is accused of jumping into the ocean and private pools in Laguna Beach and Newport Beach in July, September and earlier this month, prosecutors said. It wasn't immediately clear if Armer had an attorney to respond to the accusations. The person seen jumping from rocky outcroppings and buildings in the 8Booth videos has his face obscured. On July 21, Armer allegedly climbed over a retaining wall into gated property in Laguna Beach, then jumped into the ocean near Table Rock Beach. Police began investigating the case after the video gained media attention. The homeowner told police Armer didn't have permission to be on the property, prosecutors said. On Sept. 29, Armer allegedly struck a hotel, climbing over a wall into employee-only areas of Laguna Beach's Surf and Sand Hotel. "The defendant is accused of climbing to the fifth floor of the hotel and jumping into the gated, guest-only pool," prosecutors said in the news release. "Armer was not a guest of the hotel." Hotel employees notified police. On the morning of Oct. 6, Armer allegedly ran up several flights of stairs at the Newport Towers, a private residential building in Newport Beach, and jumped from the roof into the harbor. Video shows a man jumping off a more than 10-story high building into the Newport Harbor. Vikki Vargas reports for the NBC4 News at 6 on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016. The first-person footage shows someone climbing the stairs and plunging into the water, barely missing a boat dock similar to the other videos posted in the YouTube channel. The Newport video, posted Oct. 14, has over six million views. The Board of Supervisors approved a plan Tuesday to build a 142-acre park in Puente Hills on what was the second largest landfill in the country. The project amounts to "turning trash into treasure," said John Wicker, director of the Department of Parks and Recreation. The master plan for the park on the 1,365-acre landfill site features hiking, biking and horse trails, stair climbs, running loops, a dog park, and outdoor performance and picnic and play areas. More than two-thirds of the park will remain as open space. A zip line is also being considered, but Supervisors Hilda Solis and Don Knabe called for more environmental analysis and amended the plan to dictate that no zip line would be built for at least 20 years. Knabe was a key player in working to close the landfill in 2013. The site's original permit, issued in 1983, envisioned a park as the final use of the land and Knabe said residents were overwhelmingly in support of the plan. "It has truly been a collaborative effort with numerous county departments, stakeholders and community members," Knabe said. "This master plan provides the roadmap for the region's newest park." Solis, who said she grew up in the "park-poor" San Gabriel Valley, also praised the project. "We want to provide a unique regional destination that encompasses accessibility, safety, nature and fun for the whole family," Solis said. "I never thought in my wildest dreams I would be sitting here ... to see that this gift has been returned to the community." Neighboring communities include Whittier, Hacienda Heights, La Puente, City of Industry, Pico Rivera, West Covina, Avocado Heights, El Monte, South El Monte and Baldwin Park. Construction of the park is set to begin in 2018 and take place in three phases over 30 years. The landfill remains the largest landfill gas-to-energy operation in the country, according to the sanitation district's director of solid waste management. The site is expected to continue to supply electrical power to residents through Southern California Edison for another 10 years. The board unanimously certified the Final Environmental Impact Report for the park and approved the master plan. After the heartbreaking news emerged that two officers had been killed in the line of duty, a police department and Huggies teamed up Tuesday to donate diapers to the baby girl of one of the officers. Palm Springs Officer Lesley Zerebny, 27, was gunned down responding to a family disturbance call at a Palm Springs home. One of the most heartbreaking revelations released by the Palms Springs police chief was that Zerebny had just returned to work after giving birth, leaving her 4-month-old daughter behind. Her husband, a deputy, is now left to care for their child. To help out, the Chino Hills Police Department teamed up with Huggies to donate a bundle of diapers to the family. The amazing gesture comes days after officers reached out to the other slain officer's family. Officer Jose Gilbert Vega, 63, was gunned down alongside Zerebny Oct. 8. More than a dozen of fellow officers from the Palm Springs Police Department escorted 8-year-old Vanessa Vega, his daughter, to school, giving her hugs and encouragment along the way. Kim Kardashian West is slowly returning to normal life in the wake of her Paris robbery. The "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" star was spotted backstage at husband Kanye West's concert at The Forum in Los Angeles Tuesday night. Kris Jenner, Jonathan Cheban, Kendall Jenner, Kourtney Kardashian and Corey Gamble joined Kardashian, who looked dressed down for the occasion. The concert turned out to be a star-studded event, with Katy Perry, Amy Schumer, Kaia Gerber and more heading out to see West perform his new and oldest hits. Perry, who was celebrating her 32nd birthday, managed to get up close and person to West while he soared above the crowd on his floating stage. Kim Kardashian West &Kanye West's Cutest Photos Attendees were treated to songs such as "Mercy", "All of the Lights," "Flashing Lights," "Heartless," "Only One," "Stronger," "Good Life" and "Can't Tell Me Nothing." Before launching into "Runaway," the eyewitness tells us Kanye told the crowd, "If you're here tonight with someone you love, hold onto them extra tight." Yeezy also performed his headline-making "Famous." "Hold on, hold on, welcome to Saint Pablo. I'm at a loss for words. I appreciate y'all so much," he told the crowd before launching into the song. "As y'all know, I went through a lot to write this song and put out how I really felt after seven years of people talking about me." The "Jesus Walks" rapper also rapped "Stretch My Hands" because "this hit No. 1 this week." He also dedicated "Beautiful Morning" to Kid Cudi and had the audience sing along so he could hear. After about an hour and 45 minutes, West ended his show with "Ultralight Beam." With less than two weeks to go until Election Day, the two major party candidates for one of Floridas U.S. Senate seats met on the debate stage for the second and possibly final time before November 8th. Republican Sen. Marco Rubio and Democratic challenger, U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, went head-to-head on the campus of Broward College in Davie Wednesday night, where they accused each other of being ineffectual and accomplishing little in Washington. The Republican incumbent accused Murphy of never sponsoring a bill that passed during his four years in Congress and of doing little to help Florida. Murphy attacked Rubio's attendance record during his unsuccessful run for the Republican presidential nominee. The Palm Beach-area Democrat pointed out that Rubio missed 40 percent of the Senate's votes during his campaign. Both attacked the other as being an embellisher. Rubio went after Murphy for saying when he ran for Congress four years ago that his experience as an accountant would be beneficial, but said Murphy didn't have his Florida CPA license. He also disputed Murphy's claim that he got $2 billion for the Everglades and his work to save Medicare Advantage, saying Murphy did nothing and those bills would have passed without him. "Why does he make things up? You make things up because you don't have anything real to point to," Rubio said. Murphy shot back, "Senator, if you voted as much as you lied, you might actually be a decent senator." He said fact checkers have backed his claims. Murphy, who is trailing in the polls, also repeatedly tried to tie Rubio to GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump while Rubio tried to attach Murphy to Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama. HEALTH CARE When asked about how they would deal with the expected 25 percent increase in premiums under Obama's Affordable Care Act, Murphy said he would work to improve the program while Rubio said he would scrap it. Murphy called the act "a huge step forward for our country but the emphasis now has to be on getting it right'' and making the plan more affordable. He called for an expansion of Medicaid to cover more low-income Americans and for the government to negotiate lower prices for prescription drugs. He accused Rubio of wanting to "take us back to the days where you could get dropped from your health insurance plan if you got sick. You could be denied coverage if you had a pre-existing condition. Where women were being charged more than men because they were women. Where seniors were being charged more for their prescription drugs.'' Rubio said he would allow companies to give their employees tax-free money to buy their own insurance and allow taxpayers who don't receive employer subsidies to get a full tax credit to pay for private coverage. He said the government's only role should be to create a high-risk pool for people with pre-existing conditions who otherwise couldn't get insurance. SUPREME COURT Murphy attacked Rubio and the Senate's Republican majority for refusing to vote on Obama's Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland, who was nominated in March to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia. "Merrick Garland, by all accounts, is as qualified as anybody to be on the Supreme Court but there hasn't been a hearing. In fact, Sen. Rubio hasn't even taken the time to meet with Merrick Garland. I guess he is too busy running for president," Murphy said. Rubio said he would support any nominee who follows the Constitution as its writers envisioned. "I want a record that they understand what the proper role of the Supreme Court is," Rubio said. "The Supreme Court's role is not to write laws. That is the role of the legislative branch." LAW ENFORCEMENT Rubio and Murphy both agreed that more needs to be done to improve relations between police officers and the nation's minority communities. While both praised police officers, both called for them to be equipped with body cameras as a way to protect them and the public as encounters would be videotaped. "It is impossible to ignore that there are many communities in this country, primarily minority communities, who do have a terrible relationship with police departments and a huge level of distrust," Rubio said. Murphy agreed. "There is no question there has been a breakdown in trust in many of our communities," Murphy said. "Not only does this tear apart a community, it tears apart an entire family. We have to do more." The hour-long debate at Broward College near Fort Lauderdale was sponsored by the Florida Press Association and Leadership Florida, a group founded by the state chamber of commerce. CUBAN EMBARGO Normalizing relations with Cuba struck a nerve, with Rubio staunchly opposed and Murphy in favor. "Would we rather see our own cruise ships, Royal Caribbean and Carnival, there in Havana, or would we rather see Russian spy ships there and we can do more to not only protect our country on a national security basis but help the Cuban people out," Murphy said. "Basically an invasion of cruise ships is going to bring democracy to Cuba? It is not because the Cuban government is a dictatorship," Rubio said. "We have now made over two years concession after concession to the Castro regime, they have taken not even a quarter step towards democracy." The Miami native Rubio, who announced he was running for re-election after initially saying he would not during his run for the GOP presidential nomination, finds himself in a tougher than expected race against Murphy, who represented a district in Congress including the Treasure Coast and parts of Palm Beach County. The debate at Broward College was sponsored by the Florida Press Association and Leadership Florida, a group founded by the state chamber of commerce. Its unknown if this will be the final debate between the candidates as both campaigns have battled over potential dates and who wants how many debates. A Miami Beach man was arrested on a video voyeurism charge after police say foreign students who rented a room from him found hidden cameras in clocks in their bathroom. Winston Vargas, 45, was arrested Tuesday night and booked into the Miami-Dade jail, where he was being held Wednesday on $5,000 bond, records showed. No attorney information was immediately available. According to a Miami Beach Police arrest report, the students answered a Craigslist ad to rent a room from Vargas, who lives in the 1600 block of Euclid Avenue. The students moved in Monday, and on Tuesday they found three portable clocks in the bathroom and discovered a hidden camera with a video card inside the clocks, the report said. The students called police and when an officer showed up, Vargas said he would return their rent money if the victims did not prosecute him, the report said. Vargas denied placing the cameras in the bathroom and said a man from England placed them there, the report said. When asked about the identity of the man from England, Vargas asked to speak to a lawyer, according to the report. Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez and two others had a "strong odor" of alcohol at the time of the crash that killed all three last month, according to a search warrant affidavit released Wednesday. The seven-page affidavit, prepared by an investigator with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, did not say what if any charges could be filed in the case since boating while intoxicated and vessel homicide were listed. Fernandez is listed as the boats owner. The affidavit says an associate medical examiner told the FWC investigator that "all three bodies, individually, had a strong odor of alcohol emanating from them." The boat, named Kaught Looking, crashed into the north jetty off Government Cut shortly after 3 a.m. on September 25th. All three were declared dead at the scene. Autopsy and toxicology reports are complete, but have not been released. The FWC investigator said the scene "is consistent with a high speed collision at a location and at a time when such speed was reckless because of the jetty and darkness," according to the affidavit. Fernandez and 25-year-old Eduardo Rivero were seen before the crash at American Social Bar in Brickell, where they went after leaving the Coconut Grove dock where the pitcher kept his boat. Before 3 a.m., they left the restaurant with Riveros friend, 27-year-old Emilio Macias. Officers from Miami Beach heard the crash and responded to the scene. The bodies of all three men were recovered by 4 a.m. The Florida Highway Patrol is searching for a man who apparently fell out and was run over by his pickup truck while leaving a strip club. Troopers say the pickup truck continued on, crashing into a house near Orlando on Tuesday. In a news release, troopers said the 28-year-old man made it less than a block from the Dancers Royale strip club when he fell from the truck, which rolled over his leg before crashing into the home, injuring a 58-year-old woman. The man left the area before troopers arrived. But they found his identification inside the truck. Witnesses told investigators the man appeared intoxicated before he left the club. Investigators went to the man's address but didn't find him. An investigation continues. The woman was treated for minor injuries. Donald Trump's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was in pieces Wednesday morning after it was destroyed overnight by a man with an ax and sledgehammer. The Republican presidential candidate and former "Apprentice" host received the star in January 2007 for his role on the NBC show. The star in the 6800 block of Hollywood Boulevard, a prominent location on the Walk of Fame not far from the Hollywood and Highland Center, was broken into pieces overnight by the vandal, according to a boulevard street performer. Deadline Hollywood posted video of what appeared to be a man dressed as a construction worker in work boots, a high visibility safety vest and helmet smashing the star. The man took a few swings at the star with the sledgehammer, then went to work on it with a pick ax -- chipping away pieces, letters of Trump's name and the TV plaque embedded in the sidewalk star. The video, shot by a Deadline Hollywood employee, shows several LA Department of Transportation signs and bright orange construction cones around the star. Los Angeles police confirmed they are investigating the vandalism report, received at about 6 a.m. No arrests were reported Wednesday morning. James Otis told Deadline Hollywood Wednesday morning that he is responsible for the damage. Otis later spoke with NBC4 and called the vandalism an act of civil disobedience. He said his intent was to remove the star and sell it to raise money for 11 women accusing the presidential candidate of groping them. Aerial video later Wednesday morning showed people taking photos of the damaged star, which was roped off by repair crews. A pick axe and sledgehammer were recovered at the scene, according to the LAPD. One of the boulevard's street performers, a man painted gold and dressed head-to-toe in shiny gold clothes, described a bizarre early morning scene at the popular tourist spot. The man said the he saw a man dressed as a construction worker hammering the star with the sledgehammer. "He was banging on the star," Gregory Howie said. "He took Donald Trump's name out and he took his round plaque out." Gregory said the man told him he intended to remove the star and sell it, then donate the money to organizations that support sexually abused women. Trump has faced accusations from 11 women of sexual misconduct in recent weeks as the presidential campaign enters its final stages. He has denied the accusations. The Walk of Fame is administered by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which said in a statement that the star will be repaired immediately. The repairs will take several days, and the star will be covered to protect it during that time. "The Hollywood Walk of Fame is an institution celebrating the positive contributions of the inductees," said Leron Gubler, President-CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. "When people are unhappy with one of our honorees, we would hope that they would project their anger in more positive ways than to vandalize a California state landmark. Our democracy is based on respect for the law. People can make a difference by voting and not destroying public property." The Hollywood star belonging to the New York business magnate and reality show personality has become a target during the presidential campaign, ever since Trump announced his candidacy last year. It has been defaced with spray paint and surrounded by a miniature wall in protest of Trump's plan to build a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border. Walk of Fame star recipients are selected by a committee that considers hundreds of applications each year. The stars ane purchased for a $30,000, rather than gifted. What to Know The man allegedly helped the woman when she fell getting out of the subway station, then followed her to her apartment building Police say he trailed the woman inside and up the stairs, then grabbed the woman between floors Residents say a faulty entrance door leaves them vulnerable to such attacks A 19-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly following a woman seven blocks to her apartment after she tripped coming out of a subway station and trying to rape her in the stairwell of her building. Police say the 19-year-old suspect, Sammy Bensabeur, initially helped the 38-year-old woman after she tripped and fell as she walked out of the 25th Street R station Saturday night. After helping her up, Bensabeur allegedly followed the woman seven blocks to her building near Fourth Avenue, trailed her inside and up the stairs, then grabbed her between the first and second floors. A struggle between two ensued, until the victim fell on the stairs and Bensabeur sexually abused her, police allege. He ran off after the attack and was taken into custody Tuesday. Bensabeur was charged with attempted rape, attempted criminal sex act and unlawful imprisonment, among other crimes. Information on an attorney for him wasn't immediately available. The victim sustained minor injuries and refused medical attention at the scene. The woman told authorities that she did not know her attacker. Some residents complained that a faulty entrance door left them vulnerable to attacks like the one the victim endured. Jennifer Pereira, a resident in the building, said that doors were a problem prior to the attack. "[The attack] doesn't surprise me because the doors over here don't even have a lock," she said. "I tried to tell the landlord about that." The building's landlord told NBC 4 New York that he feels bad for the woman, but he's fixed the door about a dozen times, only for it to be broken again. What to Know Ahmad Khan Rahimi is accused of planting bombs in New York and New Jersey that wounded 31 people last month The 28-year-old Afghan native was captured after a shootout with police in New Jersey two days after the bombings He has been hospitalized since he was shot multiple times in the gun battle The man accused of setting off bombs in New Jersey and New York last month initially told police who found him sleeping in the doorway of a building that he was homeless before getting in a gun battle with officers responding to the scene, newly-released police body camera footage shows. Footage released by prosecutors in New Jersey shows Ahmad Rahimi -- the man accused of setting off bombs in Chelsea and on the Jersey Shore on Sept. 17 -- curled up the temporary vestibule of a bar in Linden as the rain fell just moments before he fired on officers on Sept. 19. The video begins with the officer in his patrol vehicle. He sees Rahimi inside the vestibule and shouts from the car "You can't be sleeping on somebody's door" at the suspect. He then gets out of the vehicle and begins asking Rahimi why he's there. Rahimi responds by giving a false name and adds that he had been homeless since losing his job and being evicted from his apartment in Perth Amboy. "I lost my job and couldn't pay my rent," Rahimi says. The officer doesn't appear to buy the story, and can then be heard telling other officers to come to the scene shortly before the footage ends. "705 and any other units, you can just head this way, standby," the officer says. Sometime after the video cuts out Rahimi allegedly began firing on cops before being shot and wounded. He faces attempted murder charges in the case, but has pleaded not guilty. Rahimi also faces federal charges in connection with the bombings, but he would have to be moved to New York before he can be arraigned on those charges. It's not clear when he would be transported to the Empire State. Rahimi's public defenders have a policy of not commenting on cases. What to Know Manuel Israel admitted to robbing five Chinese women and trying to rob a sixth in the span of a month last year All of the robberies were in Brooklyn; three of the victims were injured Israel faces 12 years in prison when he is sentenced next month A 21-year-old man faces more than a decade in state prison for robbing five women of Chinese descent and attempting to rob a sixth in Brooklyn in a span of a month last year, targeting the victims because of their race. Manuel Israel, of Manhattan, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Brooklyn court to second-degree robbery as a hate crime. The judge indicated he would sentence Israel to 12 years in prison at his hearing next month. Israel admitted that he robbed five Chinese women, ages 21 to 43, in Borough Park in March and April of 2015, prosecutors said. All of the robberies happened around Fort Hamilton Parkway between 55th and 71st Streets. In each case, Israel approached the victim from behind and knocked her to the ground by pulling on her handbag. He then demanded the victim give him all her money, grabbed her handbag and ran off. Three victims were injured. The investigation revealed Israel selected Chinese women because he perceived them to be vulnerable to attack. "This defendant specifically robbed Chinese women because they walked alone and he believed they wouldnt fight back or be able to identify him, said Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. Hate crimes based on a persons race, gender, sexual identity or ethnicity destroy the fabric of our communities and will not be tolerated." What to Know An attorney for Joseph Percoco, Cuomo's former executive deputy secretary, says his client is innocent He resigned as Cuomo's executive deputy in 2014 to lead Cuomo's re-election campaign, rejoined the team and quit again in 2015 According to state financial disclosures, Percoco made as much as $125,000 by becoming a consultant for COR Development and CHA Consulting A recently arrested former top aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo is in discussions with federal prosecutors for a possible plea agreement, according to court filings, although the man's attorney disputes that. A court order filed in federal court in Manhattan Tuesday afternoon revealed the government is in discussions with Joseph Percoco and several others recently arrested and charged in connection to a bribery and corruption probe. The magistrate judge assigned to the case noted that federal prosecutors "have been engaged, and continue to be engaged in, discussions concerning possible dispositions in this case with counsel for the defendants." In other words, a plea agreement. But Percoco's lawyer, Barry Bohrer, said in an email, "Any suggestion is negotiating a possible plea deal is unfounded. There have been no such discussions." He could not explain why the court documents suggest otherwise, or why his client was granted an extension on a first appearance if he was not in talks with prosecutors. Percoco served as Cuomo's deputy executive secretary, acting as his gatekeeper, and ran his re-election campaign in 2014, according to a complaint filed in federal court. Percoco left the governor's office in January. The charges stem from state-funded projects incubated by the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute, designed to take advantage of Cuomo's $1 billion program to revitalize the economy of Buffalo, New York. In two schemes, the government says, Percoco and his wife allegedly took $315,000 in bribes. At the time of his arrest Percoco's attorney, Barry Bohrer, said in a statement that the case "is an overreach of classic proportions." What to Know The Laundry Workers Center apparently staged the protest on the bridge from New Jersey to New York Delays on the upper level of the bridge into the city topped 90 minutes The Port Authority said 10 people were arrested; no injuries were reported The inbound upper level of the George Washington Bridge was closed by an immigrant rights protest on Wednesday morning, snarling traffic on one of the region's most important crossings at the height of rush hour. Delays at the bridge for traffic heading into New York from New Jersey were up to nearly 90 minutes; traffic cameras showed bumper-to-bumper traffic barely inching along. The protesters apparently chained themselves across the roadway to block traffic, unfurling large banners in an attempt to spread their message. One banner appeared to read "Resist, Organized, Act Up!" Drivers were clashing with the protesters in an effort to get the bridge open, according to witnesses. Police quickly detained the small group and traffic began moving again about 15 minutes. The Port Authority said 10 people who were blocking the eastbound lanes were arrested. No injuries were reported. The agency said it is investigating. Protesters Block Upper Level of George Washington Bridge The protest organization, Laundry Workers Center which was using the hashtags #WeAreVisible and #SomosVisible on social media was already planning a rally in Union Square Park Wednesday night. "We are a Grassroots Autonomous Movement campaigning for the right of every member of our communities to be visible, to be able to take part in the decision making process that affect our communities in our 'democratic' system, and for the ability to determine our destinies," the New York-based nonprofit said on its Facebook page. Also according to its Facebook page, the group works to improve the living and working conditions of workers in the laundry and food service industries. "Our work aims to combat abuses such as landlord negligence, wage theft, and hazardous and exploitative working conditions, all of which are endemic in low-income communities in New York City and New Jersey," the page says. [NATL] Top News Photos: Pope Visits Japan, and More A federal prosecutor grilled a former aide to Gov. Chris Christie on her words and deeds surrounding the 2013 George Washington Bridge lane-closing scandal Tuesday, seeking to poke holes in her portrayal of herself as unaware of the alleged political retaliation plot and too frightened of her superiors to come forward. The daylong cross-examination of Bridget Kelly pitted the former deputy chief of staff to the Republican governor against what amounted to an electronic version of herself: emails and text messages she sent and received before and during the September 2013 lane realignment at the bridge connecting New Jersey and New York, which caused epic gridlock in the town of Fort Lee. Kelly and Bill Baroni, a former executive with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the bridge's operator, are charged with crimes including misusing Port Authority property to create traffic jams to punish Fort Lee's mayor, Democrat Mark Sokolich, for not endorsing Christie's re-election. Of the two, Kelly gained more notoriety when emails surfaced in 2014 because she sent the now-infamous "Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee'' message to former Port Authority official David Wildstein. Wildstein, a former political blogger and high school classmate of Christie's, pleaded guilty and testified against Kelly and Baroni. Christie has consistently denied any knowledge of the plot or the lane closures while they were going on and has not been charged, though Kelly testified Monday she told him a month before they happened that they were to be part of a traffic study. She also testified that she talked to him about them twice while they were ongoing. On cross-examination, Kelly repeated her direct testimony from Friday that she used a poor choice of words in the email to Wildstein. Kelly testified she believed it was a legitimate traffic study that would eventually improve traffic flow over the bridge, considered the country's busiest. "'Problem' doesn't mean study, does it?'' pushed back Assistant U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna. "It meant that would be the effect'' of the traffic study, Kelly said, adding, "David had told me the benefits were going to outweigh the inconvenience.'' Khanna said: "If you are creating problems in Fort Lee, you are making things worse in Fort Lee.'' Kelly also defended a text exchange with Wildstein on the second of four days of the lane realignments in which she wrote, "Why is it wrong that I am smiling?'' She said she was referring to a conversation she'd had with Wildstein when he told her the traffic study was going well. "Nowhere did you say anything about a traffic study,'' Khanna said. Khanna also punctuated his questions about the text and emails by eliciting that Kelly deleted them on her own. Kelly has testified that she deleted them months later when it appeared others who had knowledge of the closures weren't being truthful. "I was scared and I didn't know what was happening,'' she said. "When everyone started forgetting what they knew, I started deleting, yes.'' Khanna also sought to demonstrate Kelly and Baroni collaborated to retaliate against a different Democratic mayor before allegedly using the same tactic against Sokolich. Kelly testified she was told by superiors- "screamed at,'' in her words- on orders from Christie, to cancel scheduled meetings with Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop in the summer of 2013. Fulop was seen as a potential Christie endorser, Kelly testified, but when it became clear it wasn't going to work out, she was told to cancel the meetings and have no more contact with him. Prosecutors contend Kelly, Baroni and Wildstein employed the same phrase- "radio silence''- in describing how both mayors would be ignored. Striking a defiant tone, Kelly said Wildstein's "radio silence'' email, sent during September 2013 as Sokolich made increasing desperate pleas for help, "didn't make a whole lot of sense to me.'' "Mayor Fulop was 'iced,' you are correct, on orders from the governor,'' Kelly told Khanna. "There was no reason to ignore Mayor Sokolich. To compare him to what was going on with Mayor Fulop is just wrong.'' A New Jersey man who bought at least 200 weapons from other firearms dealers and sold them to a Camden drug dealer and other criminals is now headed to prison. Federal prosecutors say 36-year-old Joshua Jackson, of Willingboro, received a 70-month sentence on Tuesday. He had pleaded guilty in June 2015 to conspiracy, dealing firearms without a license and possession of firearms by a convicted felon. Jackson admitted selling or brokering the sale of dozens of weapons between December 2009 and September 2010. Authorities say Jackson bought most of the weapons at gun shows from unlicensed gun sellers who were not subject to background checks. Other firearms were bought at Columbus, Ohio gun stores by straw purchasers working for Jackson, who transported the handguns to New Jersey and resold them. While secrecy in the voting booth has become a thing of the past for those ready to share their views and daily lives on social media, laws nationwide are mixed on whether voters are allowed to take pictures of themselves voting and their ballots. When Justin Timberlake flew from California to Tennessee to vote early, he posted a picture of himself at the voting booth on Instagram. This 'ballot selfie' began raising questions about whether he was breaking the law. A Tennessee law that took effect earlier this year bars voters from taking photos while theyre inside a polling location. Other states like New Hampshire and Indiana have struck down proposals for bans. On Monday, a judge in Michigan blocked enforcement of a ban on ballot selfies, saying it violates free speech. So, what do the laws say in our region? If youre voting in New Jersey, ballot selfies are out of the picture. Law prohibits voters from showing their ballot to others, at least in this upcoming election. A pending legislative measure would allow voters to take photos of their own ballots while in the voting booth and share it on social media. As for Delaware and Pennsylvania, the line is blurred. Delaware has a policy against cellphones in voting booths, but elections Commissioner Elaine Manlove says, "I dont know that we can control what happens behind the curtain." In Pennsylvania, the law prohibits someone from revealing their ballot "letting it be known how" theyre "about to vote." However, officials recently released guidance on electronic items in polling places that noted the recent court cases that "found a First Amendment right to take 'ballot selfies.' Bottom line? Snap at your own risk. Audiences around San Diego will once again get the chance to see free performances of one of William Shakespeare's beloved plays in their own community as part of The Old Globe's "Globe for All" program. The program, now in its third year, brings free and low-cost performances of a Shakespeare play to communities around San Diego from Nov. 1 to Nov. 20. The performances offer many San Diego residents the chance to see theater, and Shakespeare, performed live for the first time. Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure" will be performed this year. The play mixes comedy and drama as it tells the tale of a newly appointed leader (Angelo), who wants to ride the city of its moral decay. That is, until Angelo falls for a young nun who is pleading for the life of her brothers. This year, the program added an additional week of performances and eight new, diverse venues across the County. Prior to the performance, the Globe will offer a Bard Basics workshop to enhance the public's understanding of Shakespeare's work. The workshop will be taught by Globe teaching artists. The performance will start with an introductory pre-show warm up and end with a talk-back with the Globe's Master Teaching Artist Lisel Gorell-Getz. Free, public performances of the play will be held at: Friday, Nov. 4 at 1:30 p.m. - Fourth District Senior Resource Center , located at The George L. Stevens Senior Center at 570 S. 65th St., San Diego, 92114. , located at The George L. Stevens Senior Center at 570 S. 65th St., San Diego, 92114. Saturday, Nov. 5 at 1:30 p.m. - The Old Globe Technical Center , located at 5335 Market St., San Diego, 92114. , located at 5335 Market St., San Diego, 92114. Sunday, Nov. 6 at 1 p.m. - The Central Branch of the San Diego Public Library , located at the Joan Irwin Jacobs Common, Shiley Special Events Suite at 330 Park Blvd., San Diego, 92101. , located at the Joan Irwin Jacobs Common, Shiley Special Events Suite at 330 Park Blvd., San Diego, 92101. Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. - Lemon Grove Academy/Lemon Grove Historical Society/Lemon Grove Branch Library . The performance will take place in the Roberto Alvarez Auditorium, located at 3171 School Ln., Lemon Grove, 91945. . The performance will take place in the Roberto Alvarez Auditorium, located at 3171 School Ln., Lemon Grove, 91945. Thursday, Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m.: Chaldean Middle-Eastern Social Services, located at St. Michael Chaldean Catholic Church (799 E. Washington Ave., El Cajon, 92020). located at St. Michael Chaldean Catholic Church (799 E. Washington Ave., El Cajon, 92020). Saturday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. - City Heights/Weingart Branch Library & Performance Annex, located at 3795 Fairmount Ave., San Diego, 92105. located at 3795 Fairmount Ave., San Diego, 92105. Sunday, Nov. 13 at 12:15 p.m. - The Linda Vista Recreation Center , located at 7064 Levant St., San Diego, 92111. , located at 7064 Levant St., San Diego, 92111. Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. - The Anchors Catering & Conference Center at the Naval Base San Diego , located at Yama St., 2375 Recreation Way, Building 3210, San Diego, 92136. , located at Yama St., 2375 Recreation Way, Building 3210, San Diego, 92136. Friday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. - A Reason to Survive at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, located at 140 E. 12th St., Suite B, in National City, 91950. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, located at 140 E. 12th St., Suite B, in National City, 91950. Saturday, Nov. 19 at 12 p.m. - The Escondido Public Library, located at 239 S. Kalmia St., Escondido, 92025. Additionally, two low-cost performances of the show will round out the tour on Sunday Nov. 20, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets will cost $15 for the general public and $10 for subscribers. Tickets for that performance will go on sale on Friday, Oct. 28 at 12 p.m. For more information, click here. For the first time, were seeing video of the daring and emotional rescue of two children from a house fire in Mount Hope. The fire was so intense the children suffered critical burns and their older brother perished. Video captured by a GoPro on one firefighters helmet shows just what fire crews were up against that early Monday morning last November. It was just after midnight when flames roared to life inside the home on J Street. Engine 12 rolled into the Mount Hope neighborhood within minutes of the 911 call. When firefighters got to the house, they say it appeared that flames were shooting out of every window. Immediately, a woman can be heard yelling to Firefighter Dallas Higgins, There's three kids still in the house!" NBC 7s Catherine Garcia spoke with local firefighters that received the Medal of Valor this year, after saving two children from a blazing house fire in Mount Hope. The kids were in a room with a ladder sticking out of the window and they werent coming out. Firefighter Joe Zakar was close behind. "I came around the corner and I just see Dallas taking off in between the two houses, he recalled. "I just ran straight for the window, you know time, time is our enemy," Higgins said. Thats when Higgins jumped through the window and entered the bedroom. At this point in the video, the image is black. The room is so thick with smoke, the firefighter couldnt see his hands. Within seconds, he felt his way to a top bunk bed. "Deep in that bunk I was able to find Nano, who was the oldest brother, Higgins said. It was too hot and too much time had elapsed for him. NBC 7 Then, Higgins heard moaning from the bunk below. He had found 5-year-old Luis Junior. "At that point he was so close to me and I'm holding him and I remember he was wearing a little blue shirt and grey shorts and he was sitting right next to me and breathing and I could make out his face and mouth and I could hear him breathing," Higgins said. Zakar remembers the moment he learned there was one survivor. "Within I would say about 20 seconds of Dallas being inside I heard him go, Hey I got one, Zakar said. Zakar carried Junior to the street so he could be treated. "I still can feel how warm Junior was, in my hands, Zakar said. That's the one thing that has stuck with me." NBC 7 Higgins was still inside the room, looking in the dark for a third child. "You know you're burning but you know you have a job to do so you just keep trying I kept trying to spend more time in there, spend more time looking for her," Higgins said. The extreme heat was burning right through his protective gear so Higgins asked for help. Zakar took over the search from there. Thanks to other crews fighting the fire, the smoke began to lift, just a bit. "I'm leaning in the window my light goes down, his light comes back and you just sort of see a flash of pink," Higgins said. It was 3-year-old Esmerelda. Zakar scooped her up and passed her through the window to his partner. Watch the full video of the rescue here. Heartbroken parents soon learned Nano did not make it out of the fire alive. Esme and Junior were placed in medically-induced comas. She suffered burns over 60 percent of her tiny body. Junior was burned over 90 percent of his. Almost a year later they children are still healing but they are not alone. Images: Mount Hope Deadly House Fire The family has allowed Higgins and Zakar to be a part of the healing process because not only are they healing, the firefighters are healing as well. Little Esme has visited the fire station twice. They say they just let her take over the place. She's now well enough to go to preschool. Her brother, Junior is at a hospital in Northern California. He needs more specialized care but he's walking now, even riding a tricycle. The children's survival, their bravery is what these firefighters focus on. "Seeing them where they were and to see them today just gives us that validation of you know what we did our job and we were at our best," said Zakar. Higgins and Zakar have since been promoted to engineers and now, they're using that helmet camera video to help train other firefighters. Firefighters Dallas Higgins and Joe Zakar talk about the rescue of two children from a Mount Hope fire and how crews met standards each step of the way. They received this years Medal of Valor from the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. The Fire Rescue Foundation handed out the awards Friday at the annual Service Award Honoree Luncheon. NBC 7s Catherine Garcia emceed the event which recognizes firefighters, paramedics, lifeguards and ordinary citizens who have done extraordinary things to help others in their time of need. Higgins and Zakar also wanted to make sure we reported that the rescue was the effort of many very dedicated first responders that night. As for the cause of the fire it was an accident. An old heating unit malfunctioned and set a mattress on fire. Police say a man wanted for felony domestic violence surrendered to authorities in Chula Vista, police confirmed. The incident began Tuesday afternoon on the 400 block of F Street when officers found the man. Authorities say the man was wanted for felony domestic violence. He allegedly tried to strangle a woman. The man, who was initially reported to be alone inside the building, eventually surrendered, CVPD Lt. Fritz Reber said. The woman, inside the home, was checked out and declined further treatment. Police questioned her, but after several questions, she told officers she did not want to further talk. Neighbors and police said authorities have been to the house at least three times recently. No other information was immediately available. The San Diego City Council has approved a plan on Tuesday to redevelop the North Park and Golden Hill area. The Community Plan, which has been 9-years in the making, is focused on developing more affordable housing, a cleaner environment while preserving the historical charm of the areas in the next 20-30 years. "These plan updates add new housing capacity to both of these communities, allowing new units to be built to address San Diego's housing affordability crisis," said council member Todd Gloria. "I thank and commend the volunteers on our Community Planning Groups for their eight years of effort on these plans and for productively working on solutions to address San Diego's housing needs." On Tuesday, the City Council voted unanimously approved to move forward with the planwhich had previously faced opposition from some community members in September. Some were concerned redeveloping the areas would lead to gentrification. But many people NBC 7 spoke to Tuesday said they approve of the plan. "There is a lot of good stuff going on around here, parking is definitely an issue maybe it would help clean the streets up a bit," said North Park visitor Curtis Babb. "But honestly, it is just a good all around neighborhood." A North Park resident said what he is looking forward to is better parking. "It took me 20 minutes to park my bike," said resident Chris Delaluz. "I couldn't find any right now so I would definitely change that." The plans also focuses on improving transportation and preserving the historical resources. It still requires a second reading and a 30-day period before it goes into affect. A Sinaloa Cartel trafficker was sentenced to 12 years in prison on Tuesday for trafficking narcotics through Central America, Mexico and the United States. Victor Emilio Cazares Gastellum, 53, also known as El Licenciado, admitted that he had been the leader of a drug distribution organization in Mexico which bought and imported narcotics from Mexico to the U.S. The Cazares Organization shipped drugs from Columbia and Venezuela to Mexico and eventually distributed them throughout the U.S. Cazares is believed to have worked for Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, a drug lord and former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Guzman escaped from maximum-security prisons in Mexico on two occasions. The recent escape in 2015 led to a man-hunt by Mexican and U.S. authorities. Guzman was recaptured in January and is currently behind bars in the northern border state of Chihuahua. Cazares was indicted in 2007 and arrested at a highway checkpoint in Guadalajara, Mexico in 2012. According to his plea agreement, Cazares admitted to distributing more than 450 kilograms of cocaine within the Southern District of California through his organization. He was sentenced on Monday to 180 months in prison by U.S. District Judge William Q. Hayes and ordered to forfeit $10 million Police say they've arrested a man dressed as a tree for blocking traffic in Maine. They say the man didn't respond to officers when they warned him against obstructing traffic in a busy intersection in downtown Portland. NBC affiliate WCSH-TV posted video of the man being arrested after he blocked traffic again. A friend of the man, identified by authorities as 30-year-old Asher Woodworth, says he was trying to study the city's traffic patterns. Woodworth, who was charged with obstructing a public way, appeared to be dressed as a pine tree or other type of evergreen. Portland police hasn't provided additional details. With less than two weeks to go before Election Day, Donald Trump mixed business and politics on a visit to Washington, D.C. Wednesday morning for the grand opening of the Trump International Hotel. Trump spoke about the luxury hotel he said was completed under budget and ahead of schedule and then pivoted to comments on politics. "Today's a metaphor for what we can accomplish for this country," he said. Speaking in an introduction, Ivanka Trump thanked Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton for her support of the Pennsylvania Avenue hotel project. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who attended the grand opening of the hotel, was notably absent on Wednesday. "I don't want to be involved in Donald Trump politics," she told reporters at an event elsewhere in the District. Bowser said she wants the luxury hotel to benefit the city. "We also want to make sure that they're paying their fair share of taxes. I always root for D.C. businesses being successful," she said. Hundreds of protesters that included individuals, organized labor groups and anti-war activists demonstrated outside the hotel with signs, drums and flags. Trump supporters also had a presence outside. Protesters briefly blocked a side entrance to the hotel. U.S. Park Police let protesters stay close to the hotel, though their location was in violation of their permit. The Trump campaign defended the decision to spend precious campaign time promoting his business as his poll numbers sink. Campaign manager Kellyanne Conway argued that Trump's stops at his properties highlight his business experience, and that Hillary Clinton also took time off. "Hillary Clinton took five days off to prepare for one debate and everyone looked at that as some kind of noble exercise," she said on the "Today" show. "He's got the most active campaign sked of the two candidates by far." Trump visited his Trump National Doral golf course in Florida on Tuesday. The hotel, which opened for business in September, already has been the subject of controversy. Protesters have demonstrated outside the building and graffiti was found sprayed on a wall. Bowser, who is a Democrat and supports Hillary Clinton for president, has previously spoken out about Trump. In a July interview with News4s Tom Sherwood on WTOP radio, Bowser called Trumps statements on immigration idiotic. She said that while the hotel would be important for the economy, she hoped Trump would apologize for his comments. In September, Bowser criticized Trump for insulting Washington at the second presidential debate. "Smh at DT who comes to DC for profit on the 1 hand, badmouths it on the other. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but here are the facts," she wrote on Twitter, using the abbreviation for "shaking my head." Chipotle will abandon its Thai chain ShopHouse to focus on its other fast-casual restaurants, the company said. That means it will look for "strategic alternatives" to get out of its D.C.-area locations, including Bethesda, Silver Spring, Chinatown, Dupont Circle, Georgetown and Union Station. CEO Steve Ells said that the company will focus instead on its Chipotle restaurants, Pizzeria Locale pizza chain and Tasty Made burger chain, which will be opening soon. "After operating in three diverse markets, we have determined ShopHouse hasn't demonstrated an attractive unit economic model," Ells said on an earnings call, CNBC reported. Ells said the company will no longer be investing in Shophouse locations. A Chipotle spokesman said no decisions have been made about what will happen to the current Shophouse locations. "We have impaired the asset value of Shophouse and are exploring strategic options," Chris Arnold said in an email. Police in Washington, D.C., are asking the public for help locating a missing 11-year-old girl. Breaniya Todd was last seen at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 1500 block of Kingman Place NW. Todd is 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighs 190 pounds. She has short, black hair and brown eyes. Todd was last seen wearing an orange jacket, tan pants and brown boots. Anyone with information that can help police should call 202-727-9099. A Maryland nanny has been charged in the death of a baby girl after she was allegedly caught on surveillance camera forcefully feeding her two bottles, police said. Eight-month-old Enita Salubi of Glenarden died Monday afternoon after she was rushed to a hospital, Prince George's County Police said. Authorities said video camera footage shows the events that led to the little girl's death. The nanny, 66-year-old Oluremi Oyindasola, was asleep on a couch inside the house Monday when the baby, who was in a walker, began crying and woke the nanny, police said. Police said a video surveillance camera shows the nanny tried to feed the baby, but without success. Oyindasola then pulled the baby from her walker, removed the nipple from her bottle and forcefully fed her, police said. "She forcefully poured the two bottles of what looks to be milk down the baby's mouth, causing her to not be able to breathe, suffocating her, and eventually she died at the hospital," said Col. Harry Bond of Prince George's County Police. Charging documents say tha nanny appeared "to pour a large amount of white liquid directly inside the [v]ictim's mouth." The baby appeared to squirm and resist while being fed the first bottle, and then Oyindasola forced the contents of a second bottle into her mouth, the documents said. The baby became unresponsive, and Oyindasola called the baby's father, who dialed 911 as he raced home. Clifton Wanzer, a neighbor, said he saw the little girl's father carry her to an ambulance. She was rushed to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. More than one neighbor told News4 they'd been concerned about the baby for some time. "That baby just cried [and] cried," said neighbor Walker. "Every time I came outside, I'd hear that baby cry." Police said an autopsy revealed Salubi's cause of death was asphyxiation, and the manner of death was homicide. Oyindasola, of Glenarden, is in custody, police said Wednesday. She is charged with second-degree murder, first-degree child abuse resulting in death, and related charges. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call police at 301-772-4925. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), text "PGPD" plus your message to CRIMES (274637), or go to www.pgcrimesolvers.com to submit a tip online. Those who might be awake after midnight could hear aircraft in the skies over the Washington, D.C. area, but those planes and helicopter are part of a military exercise to test a warning system and personnel at the Joint Air Defense Operations Center at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling. The North American Aerospace Defense Command and the Continental United States NORAD Region will conduct exercise between midnight and 2:30 a.m. Wednesday morning. Called Falcon Virgo, the exercise will use a U.S. Air Force C-21 aircraft, Civil Air Patrol C-182 aircraft, and a U.S. Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter. The U.S. Air Force C-21 aircraft is the military version of a Lear Jet 35A, the Civil Air Patrol C-182 aircraft is a Cessna plane, and the U.S. Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter is a search and rescue helicopter. The exercise is designed to test a visual warning system and training personnel at the JADOC. NORAD has conducted exercise flights of this nature throughout the U.S. and Canada since the start of Operation Noble Eagle, the commands response to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Sorry, were stuck in traffic again this week. No need to read farther (further?) if you havent been stuck in traffic (ha!). Stop reading if youre a pedestrian who has never risked your life crossing the street. Turn the page if you are a cyclist comfortable with being clipped by a car, a truck driver who always finds a legal space to unload, or an office worker who has no trouble emerging from a downtown garage during rush hour. This city is growing, and thats a good thing. But most any observer will tell you this city is losing control of its streets. In a city famous for parking tickets, the District seems overwhelmed with moving traffic. And now, Transportation Department Director Leif Dormsjo agrees there are problems despite many longtime efforts to improve things. On Connecticut Avenue NW in particular, the closing of Beach Drive in Rock Creek Park has created a nightmare. Its day to day, Dormsjo told NBC4s Mark Segraves this past week. We had traffic pretty well stabilized the first few weeks, but over the last week things have been thrown out of balance because of other situations with Metro, police activity, crashes. So its a very fragile system; we dont have a lot of extra capacity out there, so youre only as good as your previous rush hour. We just wake up every day and try to be sure we manage things that come up as best we can. Dormsjo is overseeing changes to city traffic lights and lanes to improve traffic, but the short-term problem is that many people are ignoring rush-hour and other restrictions. Last week, outbound traffic on Wisconsin Avenue NW came to a virtual standstill when a work crew set up in rush hour just north of Van Ness Street. The backup stretched back to Massachusetts Avenue. Your Notebook tweeted about it. Dormsjo told Segraves, If you call 311, we can get an inspector out there quickly [but] keep in mind they have to fight through the traffic as well. But we were aware of that one when Tom Sherwood made sure through Twitter [we had] a minute-by-minute reporting of whats going on. Weve also tweeted about New York Avenue and North Capitol Street, the one-way 12th Street through downtown and the near-ridiculous backup along most any street you can name. This city cannot accommodate all of the vehicles trying to get somewhere in rush hour. But it seems there could be more coordinated enforcement during rush hours. Some suggestions: Increase rush-hour fines. Too many drivers arent intimidated by $100 fines and up. Just a cost of business, one cavalier commercial driver told me one morning on 12th Street as he blocked a lane of slow-moving traffic. Hire more transportation control officers and train them better. In too many cases they cant control the streets when frustrated drivers bully through. Enlist city police officers during rush hour. Somehow, when theres a presidential motorcade forming, there are literally dozens of police cars stationed at intersections for blocks and blocks of the route. Why couldnt that be done during critical rush-hour times on major roadways? Its worth repeating: This growing city cannot accommodate every car or other vehicle that wants to be here. But why isnt there a more urgent effort to enforce the rules and traffic we have? One good thing: Theres lots of time to ponder that question sitting in traffic. Bethesda bottlenecks? Just up Wisconsin from the District, Bethesda is facing its own traffic worries. The good news is the Marriott Corp. is moving to Bethesda. The bad news: Many of its thousands of employees may want to drive. Bethesda is not an office park. Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett told the WAMU Politics Hour last Friday that hes acutely aware of the potential problems in Bethesda as it seeks to add millions more square footage. Hes also trying to figure out how to reconfigure suburban office parks that are losing popularity fast. Leggett said the national trend of people wanting to live near where they work and play is growing in Maryland, too. As of this writing, the exact location of the new Marriott world headquarters is not certain, but it is certain to affect Wisconsin Avenue and other roadways though the once-sleepy bedroom community that is now long gone. Inaugural traffic? Come January, well be inaugurating a new president. Its uncertain what kinds of crowds (and protesters) would come for a President-elect Donald Trump. Democrat Hillary Clinton would have the added interest of being the nations first female president. We repeat our suggestion that the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority close down the week of the Inaugural to show the federal government it has to get serious about funding operations for Metro, a system that carries many of the federal workers. About a woman president. Theres a long history of women being denied equality in America. It continues today in pay differentials, in boardrooms and the marketplace. But women are making inroads in politics. The news website fivethirtyeight.com explored the gender bias over the weekend and reported interesting numbers: As of 2016, there are 262 women mayors in the U.S. and 1,815 women serving in state legislatures. Eighty-four women are in the U.S. House of Representatives, 20 are U.S. senators, seven hold Cabinet-level positions and three are justices on the U.S. Supreme Court. The article notes that American women were granted the right to vote only 96 years ago. Read the whole article here at tinyurl.com/538-women-politics. Tom Sherwood, a Southwest resident, is a political reporter for News 4. Editor's Note: This article was originally published in 2011. But a sales representative at the Omni Shoreham says guests can still reserve the Ghost Suite. Think blood-stained carpets and spectral little girls roaming hotel corridors can only be found in Stephen King novels? Maybe you havent heard the stories circulating at the Omni Shoreham in Woodley Park, D.C.s own haunted hotel. Built in 1930, the Omni Shorehams art deco halls and stately rooms have held maybe as many ghosts as high profile guests over the years -- at least according to legend and the hotel's Director of Sales Handan Bas-Bailey. After the hotel's construction, a minority shareholder and wealthy businessman, Henry Doherty, moved with his family to an exquisite eighth floor apartment with the executive housekeeper of the hotel, Juliette Brown. Brown woke up ill one morning and reached for the phone to dial a doctor, Bas-Bailey said. A few hours later, an engineer noticed a phone line was off the hook, and he discovered her dead, with a phone hanging just inches from her hand. The coroner reported she died of natural causes, but a short time later, the Doherty family's daughter also died in the suite, leading to rumors of suicide or a drug overdose. The family left the suite in 1973, after four decades of residence. For a number of years, the suite remained empty and shut off from the rest of the hotel. Despite this, the hallway around the suite had a number of minor disturbances, like moving carts and unexplained breezes, said Bas-Bailey. Noise complaints consistently came in from other guests on the floor, according to Steven Polli, the chief engineer of the hotel. Director of Security Ralphaello McKeython remembered a particularly strange complaint involving loud piano playing on the floor. The guests didnt know the history, but every complaint was logged to hotel staff who knew the truth -- the suite where the sounds were coming from had been empty for years, and there was no piano on the eighth floor. In 1997, the hotel decided to renovate the suite. During renovations, a worker fell to his death from the balcony, according to Dollie Robinson who cleaned the suite for almost five years. Some of the more superstitious staff members refuse to even go up there alone, and complaints from neighbors still come in frequently. Weve had several cases where guests... called in some sound complaints on the floor, said Bas-Bailey, who has only worked at the Omni Shoreham for about five months. Robinson never witnessed anything out of the ordinary while managing the room. She did mention, however, that some cleaners had an experience with flickering lights and sounds that scared them so much they refused to come back. Polli had one of the most dramatic experiences in the renovated suite when he brought some people to look at it. "All the dresser drawers were pulled out and the cabinets were opened, Polli said. He ran into the head housekeeper of the floor after locking the door and asked about the strange setup, wondering if it was undergoing a new type of cleaning. The housekeeper denied knowing anything, and when they walked back into the suite, the drawers had all been shut again. All I can say is I know what happened to me that day with the people I was showing, Polli said. Theres not an explanation. Things happen that you cant explain. McKeython mentioned that many times guests claimed a little girl was running around the halls and an older woman in a long, old-fashioned dress roamed the halls. He said he's seen the older woman multiple times. You always think it is just a guest, McKeython said. You see the long dress going on to the elevator. You can actually catch the same elevator she gets on, and theres no one there... When people from all over the world are seeing and hearing the same things, there must be something to it." In another complex of the hotel called Parkview, staff have had even stranger experiences. Maintenance worker Art Perry was a fixing a carpet in one of the rooms in Parkview. As he was bending over, he felt someone flicking the antenna of his walkie-talkie onto his back. I thought it was a homeless man whod somehow gotten in and was playing a trick on me or something, he said. When Perry turned around, there was no one directly behind him but he saw a person peering from around a door. He ran to the doorway and followed footsteps down to the elevator, but there was no one there when he turned the corner. When he returned to the suite, he made an ominous discovery. There was a big stain on the floor. It looked like blood, Perry said. He called one of the higher-ups about it that day. When someone was sent to clean it, there was no sign of any stain on the carpet. He swears to this day he saw a man [in that Parkview room] and the blood on the carpet, Polli said. Polli and McKeython both mentioned that Perry refuses to go back to the room at night. People come and go in hotels, but McKeython admitted that sometimes people never check out. Hotels have more than their share of suicides. McKeython mentioned a fairly recent suicide occurred in Room 667. Hotel management had to bring in a priest to bless the room before the cleaning staff would work in there. Is the Omni Shoreham Hotel haunted? Maybe you can spend a night there and decide for yourself. Standard room rates apply -- but the Ghost Suite can only be booked if the hotel is sold out or if you request an upgrade when you've checked into the hotel. Families of military members killed in the line of duty currently get a property tax exemption in Virginia. But should families of first responders get the same privilege? That decision will be up to Virginia voters. A referendum on this year's ballot could extend the tax exemption to surviving families of all first responders as long as it is the primary residence, and the surviving spouse does not remarry. The measure would help surviving family members, like Suzanne Garbarino. In May 2006, a gunman with a high-powered weapon opened fire, killing Garbarino's husband, Fairfax County police Officer Michael Garbarino, and Detective Vicky Armel in the parking lot of the Sully District Station in Chantilly, Virginia. Though Suzanne Garbarino received financial help from community fundraisers as she raised her two daughters alone, she realized other survivors were struggling. She wants the tax exemption to cover families like hers. If passed, the measure would allow individual counties in Virginia to decide whether or not to allow the tax breaks, according to Delegate Tim Hugo (R). "It doesn't mandate it upon the localities, but it allows them to do it, and I'm hoping all will exercise it in respect to the families and in respect to the fallen," Hugo said. Michael Finn, an early voter at Sully Station, said he supports the measure. "I think if we think about what those individuals have done for us, this is a pittance to say thank you," Finn said. "They put their life on the line every day for us," said Karen Lowe, another early voter at the station. The ballot question is one of two certified to appear on the November ballot. The other is a "Right to Work" amendment that would make it illegal for workplaces to require labor union membership for employees. A man and woman wanted by Delaware State Police was fatally shot on a Maryland motel balcony Tuesday after emerging from their room with BB guns raised toward police who were there to serve warrants, officials said. No officers were hurt during the confrontation Tuesday at the New Eastern Inn in Elkton, a city of 15,000 about 45 miles northeast of Baltimore, state police spokesman Greg Shipley said. Maryland State Police say the Dover couple, identified as Brandon Jones and Chelsea Porter, was on the run from gun charges when police approached them at a Cecil County motel to serve arrest warrants. "The Delaware State Police had contacted Maryland State Police yesterday, requesting assistance in the location of these two fugitives," Shipley told reporters. "And the state apprehension team took that investigation over and tracked them to this location." Shipley said the couple, both 25, pointed what police believed were handguns at the officers and repeatedly refused to follow orders to drop them and surrender. Authorities later said the pair was armed with BB guns. He said uniformed officers from two agencies went to the motel about 10 a.m., knocked on the door of the second-floor room and announced themselves as police officers. As they shouted at the room's occupants to surrender, one of the officers saw through a window that a man was approaching the door with a handgun, Shipley said. He said the officers retreated from the door but the man came out and refused to obey their commands. The man raised the gun at officers and they fired, Shipley said. He said the woman came out a few seconds later with a handgun that she raised. She was also shot after refusing to drop the weapon, Shipley said. He said investigators don't yet know which officers fired the fatal shots or how many times they fired. The shooting brought a large number of police to the area and prompted road closures. Reporters at the scene could see what appeared to be a body on the balcony, covered by a yellow sheet. Delaware State Police Cpl. Jeffrey Hale said his agency had asked Maryland State Police to help find a man and woman, who were wanted in connection with an incident on Oct. 18. The man had fired one round from a handgun into the air after threatening to shoot someone, Delaware State Police said in a press release Sunday. The press release said officers had found about 2,100 small bags of heroin and more than two pounds of marijuana at the man's home, along with $2,700 in cash, a .22-caliber rifle and three handguns, one of which had been reported stolen in 2016. A Massachusetts community is asking stores not to sell certain items to kids under the age of 18 ahead of Halloween. Police in Abington sent a letter to businesses with a list of items which included spray paint, eggs, shaving cream toilet paper and soap. Abington's Chief of Police David Majenski said the voluntary ban is all in an effort to crack down on Halloween pranks. "It's a voluntary program and they don't sell any items that may cause any type of disruption to kids under the age of 18," said Majenski. Some teenagers necn spoke to said they don't engage in that type of disruptive behavior. "I'm in middle school right now but we don't really do that stuff," said Alexus Mitsiopoulous, of Abington. Police say they've been cracking down on mischievous teens for years. "There were neighborhoods that had issues cars were getting soaped or shaving creamed, or toilet paper or spray painted and business as well," said Majenski. Resident Barbara Gifford says she thinks this crackdown every Halloween works. "It's safe and I haven't been egged shaving creamed, of course I give the big candy bars so they better not egg me," Gifford said. "I don't think I would like it done to my house no, I have seen kids do it when I was growing up." Some residents say hearing about the ban brings back childhood memories. "It's Halloween it's a rite of passage, they have to do something you know, if you can't do something when you're young and stupid, they're just going to to do it worse when they're older," said Chris Maynard. The ban starts on Friday and lasts until November 1. A student at Framingham State University in Framingham, Massachusetts, has tested positive for mumps, according to university officials. Officials at the university said they were notified by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health after the student was tested for the disease. As a precaution, the student was housed in an isolation room on campus immediately after being seen in the campus Health Center. "The student has remained in isolation for 5 days in adherence with the Department of Public Health guidelines," university officials said in a statement. The student, who has not been identified, was immunized with two doses of MMR vaccine which are 88 percent effective in preventing mumps according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Although rare, someone can still can get the disease if they have been in very close contact with someone who is infected. University officials are urging students who have had symptoms of jaw swelling, fever, headache, stiff neck or loss of appetite to notify the health center or their doctor as soon as possible. "We are checking the immunization records of all roommates and students in the affected students classes to make sure they have submitted documentation of the required immunizations and will be contacting those who have not," school officials said. Facing a public outcry, Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Wednesday ordered the Pentagon to suspend its effort to seek repayments of enlistment bonuses given to thousands of California National Guard members who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Carter's decision comes in the wake of angry reaction from congressional Republicans and Democrats who demanded he relieve the burden on Guard members following a news report that soldiers were being asked to repay debts that in some cases totaled more than $25,000. The announcement does not end the reimbursement process, but postpones collection efforts while the Pentagon and Congress look for a long-term solution. The White House said earlier this week that President Barack Obama had warned the Defense Department not to "nickel and dime" service members who were victims of wrongdoing by overzealous recruiters. In a statement issued during a meeting of defense ministers in Brussels, Carter said efforts to collect reimbursement from Guard members should stop "as soon as is practical." Carter said he has ordered the department to set up a streamlined process by Jan. 1 to help troops get relief from the repayment obligation, because the current program has moved too slowly. "This process has dragged on too long, for too many service members," he said. "Too many cases have languished without action. That's unfair to service members and to taxpayers." The Los Angeles Times reported over the weekend that the Pentagon demanded that thousands of soldiers repay their enlistment bonuses after audits revealed overpayments by the California National Guard. Recruiters under pressure to fill ranks and hit enlistment goals at the height of the two wars improperly offered bonuses of $15,000 or more to soldiers who re-enlisted. If soldiers refuse to pay the bonus back, they could face interest charges, wage garnishments and tax liens. While some soldiers "knew or should have known they were ineligible for benefits they were claiming, many others did not," Carter said, adding that the new process will put "as little burden as possible on any soldier who received an improper payment through no fault of his or her own. At the same time, it will respect our important obligation to the taxpayer." The Pentagon hopes to complete all cases by next July 1. As many as 6,500 California National Guard soldiers have been asked to repay the enlistment bonuses. "I'm glad the Pentagon came to its senses," said House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., who had pressed the Pentagon to suspend the program. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., also welcomed the development, saying he spoke with Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work Tuesday night and told him that veterans "have already given more than what they owe to this nation. Today's swift action demonstrates that the department agrees." McCarthy said he will work with other members of Congress to provide a legislative solution so the repayment issue does not recur. McCarthy planned to host a bipartisan conference call with Work on Wednesday night to discuss the issue. Paul Rieckhoff, founder and CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, called Carter's announcement a "good step" but "long overdue and far from enough." Thousands of veterans have seen their lives "turned upside down" and are "now in financial ruin through no fault of their own," Rieckhoff said. "The Pentagon needs to do more than just halt" the collection efforts from soldiers, Rieckhoff said: "It needs to pay them back with interest." Carter told reporters Wednesday that "under the law" he has to leave open the possibility that some soldiers may end up having to pay back their bonuses or other aid. But he said "there's definitely discussion which involves not only the ... paramount issue of fairness but there is also the law, and so I think we need to look at that simultaneously." Two Massachusetts men have been arrested in Arizona in connection to a deadly double shooting. The Northwestern District Attorney's Office says Soknang Chham, 33, of New Salem was arrested by U.S. Marshals Tuesday evening near Flagstaff on a warrant charging him with murder and armed assault with intent to murder. Soksot Chham, 35, also of New Salem, was arrested on a warrant charging him with being an accessory after the fact to murder. Investigators say they learned the men, who are believed to be brothers, had left on a bus for Phoenix. Thirty-one-year-old Jose M. Rodriguez died after being shot multiple times on Oct. 15 in an apartment in Amherst. A second man was seriously injured, but has since been released from UMass Medical Center in Worcester. Both men are due in Arizona court to face extradition back to Massachusetts. It's unclear if they have attorneys. The deadly shooting is still under investigation. The Maine supreme court has rejected the appeal of an Ellsworth man sentenced to 47 years in prison for murdering his wife on Christmas Day of 2013. Christopher Saenz, who maintained his innocence, was convicted of fatally beating his wife over a period of days, inflicting head-to-toe injuries, and then delaying seeking medical assistance when she fell unconscious. Saenz contended the evidence was insufficient to convict. He contended his wife, Hilary Saenz, suffered a seizure and struck her head when she fell. In a unanimous decision, the court ruled Tuesday that "unrelenting and horrific abuse" along with a delay in dialing 911 supported the conclusion that Saenz murdered his wife and acted with "depraved indifference" to the value of human life. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump will be attending a rally in Manchester, New Hampshire on Friday. The event at Radisson Armory gets underway at 12 p.m. Doors open at 9 a.m. Trump will also speak later in the day in Maine. He'll be at Open Door Christian Academy in Lisbon for an event at 4 p.m. Police are searching for a suspect following a report of a burglary with possible shots fired in Auburn, New Hampshire, and add they found a small grow operation in the home where it happened. Auburn police say officers responded to the area of Wood Hill Drive and Massabesic Drive around 8:30 Wednesday morning, where a resident there said he fired a shot at a male intruder after confronting him in the basement. The intruder fled the scene, but police have not been able to locate him. Residents on an Auburn community Facebook page said they received calls from the Auburn Village School saying it was in "shelter-in-place" mode, but that has since been lifted. Auburn Police said they do not believe that the man is a threat to the general public. Later, back at the scene on Wood Hill Drive, police executed a search warrant and found a small grow operation. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call Auburn police at 603-483-2922. The grandmother of a slain Quincy man told a judge that images of her dead grandson still haunt her dreams before one of his killers was sentenced to serve 16 years behind bars for the crime. The Cape Cod Times reports 31-year-old David Evans will spend 16 years in prison for manslaughter with a 10-year term for armed assault running concurrently for the killing of 27-year-old Andrew Stanley. Police found Stanley bound, beaten and shot in the back at his Hyannis home in July 2012. Evans pleaded guilty last week in Barnstable Superior Court to charges of manslaughter, armed assault in a dwelling and carrying a firearm without a license. Three other men were also charged in the killing. Two were each convicted of murder last month and handed a life-sentence. The retired Hartford police officer purportedly seen kicking a handcuffed suspect laying on the ground in a dashcam video linked to an investigation into possible excessive force said the man refused to stop spitting blood, according to reports. Sgt. Sean Spell said Emilio Diaz had been spitting blood that was leaking from a forehead wound onto another officer during his arrest, Spell wrote in his incident report. "Diaz was spitting out blood out of his mouth towards me," Spell wrote in the report, filed the day after the arrest of Diaz and Ricardo Perez. Diaz was kneeling and handcuffed when Spell approached the suspect, the report said. "I told Diaz to stop spitting blood and to lay down prone, or I would force him down, which he refused to comply," Spell wrote in the report. "Not being in possession of latex gloves, I used my right foot forcefully onto the back side of Diaz's head, and forced him to the ground." The incident reports details the accounts of all officers involved in the arrest of two men who had stolen a Toyota Camry and led police on a chase from Hartford to West Hartford on June 4. The driver sped off after loudly honking his horn on Zion and Glendale Streets, ran stop signs and led officers through several residential streets before the chase ended on Flatbush Avenue in West Hartford when officers deployed "speed sticks," according to Deputy Police Chief Brian Foley and a Hartford police report. A dashcam mounted in a West Hartford Police cruiser appears to show Hartford officers kicking or stomping one of the suspects, who was in handcuffs, according to police. Spell said he "detected a strong, distinct odor of PCP emanating from Diaz, which usually involves violent behavior." Officer Stephen Barone wrote in his incident report that after the arrest, police found PCP and marijuana while searching the Camry. Hartford police obtained the dashcam videos from the state's attorney, who is investigating the incident to avoid any conflict of interest. Police identified the driver they arrested as Perez, 34, of Hartford. As officers approached the car after the chase, Perez hit a Hartford detective with the car, according to police, and hit four Hartford Police vehicles during the pursuit of the vehicle. Perez and Diaz, 38, of Hartford, had to be hospitalized and Hartford Police said they launched a preliminary investigation the next day when the suspects' bruised and cut faces appeared in mugshots and raised concerns in the department. The report from Hartford Police said Perez violently struggled with officers and a West Hartford officer, Carlo Faienza, used a stun gun, but it did not affect the suspect, so an offer punched Perez in the torso. Faienza wrote that Perez "appeared to be under the influence of something and was showing signs of enormous bursts of strength by keeping his hands underneath his body." Perez's mug shot shows a swollen eye and bandages, while Rivera's shows a gash in his head. Police also said the car Perez was driving was stolen and they found PCP and marijuana inside. The state attorney has not determined whether criminal charges are warranted but an investigation is ongoing, Hartford police said. Later in June, attorney Corey Brinson filed notices on behalf of Perez and Diaz the two men, alleging police used excessive force when arresting Diaz and said they were physically beaten and mentally traumatized. Brinson told the Hartford Courant that his "client denies spitting blood at anybody." Spell was part of the department for 20 years retired following the pursuit. Foley said there are no laws in place to prevent an officer involved in a case like this from retiring. A large crowd gathered Monday night at Harwood Union High School in Duxbury, Vermont, to remember the lives of five teenagers killed earlier this month in a highway tragedy. Students, educators, and community members from the Harwood Union school district honored Eli Brookens, Janie Chase Cozzi, Liam Hale, Mary Harris, and Cyrus Zschau in a celebration of life at the high school. "We will remain stronger together," school superintendent Brigid Nease told the packed gymnasium. The teens died Oct. 8 in a fiery crash on I-89 in Williston. Steven Bourgoin, 36, of Williston, the suspect prosecutors described as a mentally erratic wrong- way-driver, has pled not guilty to five second-degree murder charges and is being held in jail without bail. The Vermont State Police is still actively investigating the circumstances that led up to the crash. During Monday night's public memorial at Harwood, which followed a series of private family services, the teens' friends and teachers honored their lives, one by one. "Eli impacted many lives and will be truly missed by all," said Zinn Wolfe, a friend and ski buddy of Eli Brookens. "She'd hate to see us go through our days sad and broken just because we think shes not here," student Anna Jarecki said of Janie Chase Cozzi, who attended Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire but remained in close contact with Harwood friends in her hometown. "But she's in the wind. She's in the river, she's in the mountains, and she's in our hearts." "We all need to remember and celebrate that we all were lucky to have spent the 16 years we did have with Liam," Anna Fortier said of Liam Hale. "What happened two weeks ago was a tragedy, but in the midst of the tears and the hugs, I'd like to think of the life that boy lived, and how many lives of others he made better including mine," Cyrus Zschau's friend Eli Hammond told the audience gathered at the school. "Mary was the friendliest, sweetest, most intelligent, and outgoing person I ever met," recalled Lauryn Green, describing Mary Harris. Musician Grace Potter, who graduated from Harwood in 2001, attended the memorial service and performed her hit song, "Stars," dedicating it to her fellow Harwood Highlanders. After she sang, Potter wrote a message on Instagram, asking Vermonters to remember to be gentle and compassionate as the community continues healing. Potter implored people to keep sharing love and to stay "Harwood Strong." Surgery requires steady handsand power. How do hospitals make sure they always have life-saving power? Or that standby generators and switches kick in when needed? How can patient safety be preserved during a power outage? Sprawling hospital campuses, large power needs and zero downtime tolerance make it difficult. Its so important, though, that there are even federal regulations for hospitals to ensure theyre prepared for potential outages. With IoT-based facility management, though, hospitals concentrate on saving lives and worry less about power issues. The challenge: maintaining equipment Emergency power supply systems (EPSS) are the critical power infrastructure that supports hospitals during a power outage. This standby network of generators and switches ensures critical, life-saving power for equipment is always available. The systems have to be regularly tested and monitored to make sure they are in good working order. Manually testing and reporting on equipment spread across a large campus is both difficult and expensive. Generators and automatic transfer switches may be located on the top of one building and in the basement of another building across the campus. Facility managers often have to walk across acres, through tunnels and up and down stairs to get from one generator to the next. Inspecting and testing just one generator often takes over an hour. Manual inspections dont scale with dozens of power generators and switches in a hospital system. Other challenges Integrating EPSS equipment from different manufacturers regardless of make, model, vintage or protocol Developing custom supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) interfaces for every piece of EPSS equipment isnt feasible Support for both current and future energy systems Compliance requirements EC.02.05.07 in the Joint Commission code defines whats needed for hospitals to stay in compliance. Rigorous and regular testing is required because emergency electrical power supply systems may fail during a power disruption, leaving the hospital unable to deliver safe care, treatment and services to patients. Testing these systems for sufficient lengths of time at regular frequencies increases the likelihood of detecting reliability problems and reduces the risk of losing this critical resource when it is most needed. Compliance is especially challenging for hospitals with sizeable campuses. Designing the solution for Houston Methodist US News and World Report ranked Houston Methodist Hospital the No. 1 hospital in Texas stating: It scored high in patient safety, demonstrating commitment to reducing accidents and medical mistakes. Its located amidst several leading medical centers and hospitals on the Texas Medical Center campus. It has over 800 beds and 6,000 employees. It manages nearly 400,000 visits and admissions every year. Houston Methodist chose Blue Pillar to automate its EPSS compliance testing, monitoring and reporting. The first step to achieving this was connecting the hospital's equipment to a secure network. Aurora gateways transmit the data to Blue Pillars Energy Network of Things platform providing real-time equipment visibility and control. Hospital staff now get real-time data from connected equipment and can manage them remotely. Equipment testing and compliance report preparation is now automated. About 70 man-hours are saved annually on EPSS testing for each connected system. Preparing for accreditation audits is streamlined. Integrating legacy equipment Older equipment that cannot communicate natively is integrated into Aurora through "retrofit kits." The equipment's make, model and nameplate rating is used to produce a Build of Materials (BoM) for the retrofit kit. The kit is connected to the asset, and it transmits readings to the Aurora cloud platform. Aurora integrates with equipment using both IP and serial connections. It also supports building protocols such as BACnet, Modbus, OPCUA, DNP3.0, LonWorks and SNMP. Integration with utility systems are through RESTful APIs and ICCP. Load creep The load on circuits increases as equipment ages and new generators are added. The Aurora platform can be utilized to quantify load creep. This enables the hospital to order right-sized generators to meet the true projected demand for power. Replacing generators is always costly, and in an urban setting such as the Texas Medical Center, it may even require shutting down streets to allow the cranes to remove old generators and install new ones. By accurately sizing generators, the hospital saves costs by doing it right the first time. Hospitals save on fees for engineering studies, as the Aurora platform automatically profiles load conditions. Depending on hospital size and construction activity, this can provide a annual savings between $50,000 and $100,000. Savings Utility provider programs Houston Methodist saves money by participating in their utility providers Automated Demand Response (ADR) program. This enables the local utility to tap on the hospitals qualified power generation when there is a surge in power demand. Hospitals often save $100,000 or more annually, depending on how many kilowatts theyve enrolled in the ADR program. Fewer truck rolls The Aurora system automates manual processes that required site visits or trips. Remote monitoring of generators reduces frequency and often the need for expensive truck rolls to generators. Energy consumption reduction Facility managers reduce power usage with real-time energy data. They analyze power consumption trends to identify which buildings are consuming and potentially wasting energy and might be scaled back. Power consumption can often be reduced 10 percent to 20 percent. Security Aurora incorporates security from sensors to the cloud. It encrypts all data and authenticates all devices with keys that rotate every 30 minutes. The platform logs access records, enabling companies to quickly monitor and respond to any threats. Blue Pillar ensures hospitals meet their power needsand that doctors never operate in the dark. A few months ago at the OpenStack Summit in Austin, Texas, Don Rippert, IBMs general manager of cloud strategy, challenged the various players involved in the OpenStack initiative to demonstrate that OpenStack distributions are, in fact, interoperablebetween each other and across on-premises, public cloud and hybrid cloud deployments. The Interop Challenge had a very good basis, since one of the major criticisms of OpenStack has been that there is very little consistency between distributions, and as a result, users need to chose their flavor of OpenStack and stick to it. So, it is interesting to hear that IBM will announce the results of that challenge from back in Aprilexperiments at running unmodified applications on any OpenStack cloud. The headline of the findings is that 17 individual OpenStack cloud vendors successfully completed the interoperability challenge. Names such as IBM (of course), but also AT&T, Canonical, Cisco, Deutsche Telkom, DreamHost, Fujitsu, Huawei, HPE, Intel, Linaro, Mirantis, OSIC, OVH, Rackspace, Red Hat, Suse and VMWare have successful proven interoperability. This is no small feat. OpenStack was created back in 2010, and since then, thousands of individual developers, dozens and dozens of different companies and, perhaps most important, many discrete and often opposing commercial drivers have come into play. In this environment of complexity, building a product that is consistent across vendors is incredibly hard. Add to that the fact that the project has swung around the place over the years (the year of OpenStack PaaS!, the year of OpenStack for Telco!, the year of OpenStack for enterprise!), and you have a pretty impressive result. Of course the foundation spins that as a good thing, saying OpenStack is ever evolving and ever improving. But with this evolution comes complexity. As IBM stated in its announcement: The potential of OpenStack was limited by the lack of proof of interoperability among various OpenStack environments. Rippert focused in on this issue: For successful open-source projects, customers need three things: innovation, integration and interoperability. Until now, we had innovation and integration, but interoperability was a gaping hole. We at IBM understand that there will never be one single cloud, and customers need to be able to use the combination of cloud solutions that best meets their needs. To enable them to do that in a painless, seamless way, we needed to be truly interoperable with other providers. Today at this deadline and culmination of the Interop Challenge, weve achieved that interoperability. In terms of how it was actually structured, the Interop Challenge uses deployment and execution of an enterprise workload with automated deployment tools, demonstrating the capabilities of OpenStack as a cloud infrastructure that supports enterprise applications. It also needs to be pointed out that this is not the first effort at interoperability among the OpenStack community, but previous interoperability initiatives focused on the use of API tests (e.g., OpenStack RefStack) and governance initiatives (OpenStack Defcore committee). Those previous efforts arguably moved the community closer to interoperability, but they were limited in their success because they were unable to achieve true scenario-level interoperability. In announcing the successful challenge, there is a seemingly unprecedented level of consistency with half a dozen or more vendors being quoted in the release. This in itself is a significant achievement given the aforementioned commercial drivers that everyone faces. This challenge, and the success that it has seen, is a good thing. Of course, there is some detail around the complexity of the reference application that needs to be answered, and interoperability is, of course, a continuing story. But giving credit where its due, this marks a significant milestone for the OpenStack project. Twenty-three years after Adobe Systems introduced the Portable Document Format (PDF), the format is finally getting a significant makeover. The new release will be available some time next year. So, what can expect after all this time? PDF was designed as a way to make formatted documents, such as contracts, available as electronic images without requiring them to be printed. What started as merely a static image when introduced in 1993 has grown into an industry standard that is modifyable, so people can PDF-fill forms on their computers, and capable of being generated by a wide variety of applications. A BPI Network report called "Dealing With Document Deluge and Danger" (available as a PDF, of course) states some 2.5 trillion PDFs are generated every year, and about 90 percent of survey respondents describe themselves and their co-workers as "PDF-dependent." So, PDF has become integral in the lives of many people and businesses. Adobe turned over ownership of the PDF specification to the International Organization for Standardization in 2008, which is probably why it's taken so long for a new version. There's no better way to hamstring a standard than to turn it over to a standards body (see USB, SATA, PCI). PDF 2.0 was supposed to be released in 2013, and there is a video from 2013 that talks about the effort to create PDF 2.0, with plans to publish the standard in 2015. The Mad File Format Science blog states, "The biggest task right now is removing ambiguities. The specifications language will shift from describing conforming readers and writers to describing a valid file." Included in PDF 2.0 Some features of PDF 2.0: Rich media annotation, which was developed by Adobe. Currently, audio and video are separated from 3D, so they cannot be combined. With the integration into a single annotation, you can now combine audio, video and 3D. The integration of Adobe Navigators, which was based on Flash, but the PDF 2.0 version does not use Flash. A new, simplified tagging model A new extension system for other tags Geospatial data for 2D and 3D Measurement properties in 3D and 2D Improvements to digital signatures, using a European standard called PAdES AES-256 encryption and a new scheme for hash generation The ISO PDF committee had a Sept. 30 deadline for accepting other suggested enhancements for PDF 2.0, which will be discussed at the next meeting in late November. With luck, that will finalize the spec for a 2017 release. The FBI today said it had arrested a group of men in connection with the theft of 23,000 Apple iPhones from a cargo area at the Miami International Airport in April. The stolen iPhones were worth approximately $6.7 million and the arrests of Yoan Perez, 33; Rodolfo Urra, 36; Misael Cabrera, 37; Rasiel Perez, 45; and Eloy Garcia, 42 were all made at the suspects residences throughout Miami Dade County, the FBI said. These subjects are in federal custody and are facing federal charges. Their initial appearances are expected to be in federal court in Miami. +More on Network World: US Senator wants to know why IoT security is so anemic+ According to the Miami Heralds coverage of the arrest, an indictment stated that one of the men used a fake ID, doctored up a trailer to look like it came from another business and drove off the airport lot with $6.7 million of Apple iPhones on April 2. The thieves stored the stolen goods in rental storage units. The Herald said the suspects waited and sold off the phones slowly. On May 25, the men sold 100 of the phones for $12,500. A month later, another 80. They picked up the pace afterward, unloading 90 a week later, then 50 more four days later. In total, they managed to sell 600 cellphones before they were caught. Now they face counts of conspiracy to steal goods from an interstate or foreign shipment, theft, possession and conspiracy to receive said goods. While this group obviously had big ambitions, there have been a couple of large scale thefts of iPhones across the country in recent months, including: Near Boston this week: (from Boston.com)Seven people rushed an Apple store in Natick evening and stole 19 iPhones that were on display, according to police. The group, made up of males and females, were wearing hoodies and hats to hide their identities when they entered the Natick mall and went directly to the Apple store and surrounded the area where the smartphones were on display, police said. In orchestrated fashion these individuals cut the security cords and exited the store with 19 phones, police said. Apple placed a value on the loss in excess of $13,000. Hartford, Ct. police (from Fox 61 News)said Three men, one of them a UPS driver, were arrested in connection with what police called an elaborate iPhone theft ring last week. West Hartford Police said fraudulent cell phone accounts were set up using the address and personal information of a West Hartford residents. When the iPhones were delivered to those addresses, some were stolen by the suspects following the UPS truck, according to police. Police said some packages were declared delivered by a UPS driver but, in fact, were not. That led to the arrest of at least one UPS driver who police believe was involved. Police said over 200 phones valued at over $177,000 are missing. Since May, over 360 phones were ordered to the addresses in West Hartford and 122 are still missing. Check out these other hot stories: DoJ: What does it take to prosecute federal computer crimes? White House: Small satellites bring Moores Law into space Your robot doctor overlords will see you now SDN groups shack-up to promote standards, open software development Gartner Top 10 strategic technology trends you should know for 2017 Microsoft speech recognition technology now understands a conversation as well as a person Air Force gets space telescope that can see space objects like no ground-based system before it Gartner: Artificial intelligence, algorithms and smart software at the heart of big network changes Cisco bolsters Spark collaboration with Worklife acquisition Residents to have their say on developer's plans, including demolishing old Blue Circle offices RESIDENTS can now have their say on plans that, if approved, would treble the size of Aldermaston village. Praxis Real Estate Management wants to convert the 19th-century Aldermaston Manor into 23 apartments. Additional homes are proposed through a change of use for Bridge Lodge and converting the stable block into two properties, while extending three other lodges. The manor, used as a hotel until it entered administration in 2012, and its listed parkland have been placed at risk by English Heritage. Praxis paid 4.7m for the 140-acre estate in 2014 and said it had tried marketing the manor house for a range of uses, including a house, offices, a private school or hospital and even a religious retreat. It now wants to restore the house and grounds to their former glory at a cost that some villagers feel is too high. The developer wants to build 227 homes within the grounds in order to cover the cost of the refurbishment. Praxis wants to demolish Blue Circles distinctive office block, Portland House, and Oxford House, which lie in the grounds. Praxis, on behalf of site owner Dove Crag, submitted the proposals in August, and these have now been validated by West Berkshire Council. Residents have already lodged objections to the plans. Natalie Bartlett said, while converting the manor house was not a bad idea, the hundreds of homes would damage the beautiful village. Our village simply cant withstand the amount of extra traffic this would bring and the local village school would suffer considerably, she said. Unfortunately it just feels like a multi-million pound company from London have just purchased the manor house and surrounding area and plan to bulldoze through our village to maximise their profits, without any consideration to the village and its existing residents. Michele Fraser added that the idea was preposterous and that Aldermaston lacked the infrastructure to cope with the development. Ms Fraser said that she did not oppose the renovation of the manor house and lodges. However, she questioned why Portland House could not be converted into housing. This development company is very greedy trying to acquire 227 new houses on its land, when they purchased the whole site for just over 4m. she said. Praxis previously told the that 227 homes was the minimum amount needed to fund the restoration and that no alternative was viable. It added that the development would provide much-needed housing in the district. Aldermaston Parish Council will finalise its response to the 20 individual applications at its meeting on Tuesday, November 8. Residents can also attend a public meeting on Thursday, November 24, in the parish hall, where the parish council hopes to have representatives from Praxis, West Berkshire Council and the Atomic Weapons Establishment present. The meeting will be held before the parish council submits its view on the application at its December meeting. The full planning application can be viewed by entering 16/02286/FULEXT. Applications for the lodge conversions and stable block can also be viewed. Newbury-based telecoms giant hit with fine for mis-selling and poor complaints handling NEWBURY-based telecom's giant Vodafone has been fined 4.6m for inaccurate billing and poor handling of complaints. Two investigations into the company by industry watchdog Ofcom found "serious and sustained breaches of consumer protection rules". The company, which has its UK headquarters in Shaw-cum-Donnington, was fined 3.7m for failing to credit the accounts of 10,452 customers' pay-as-you-go accounts after they paid to top up their phones. The affected customers collectively lost 150,000 over a 17-month period, Ofcom said. Ofcoms 18-month investigation also found that Vodafone failed to comply with rules on handling customer complaints, which resulted in a fine of 925,000. The fines must be paid to Ofcom within 20 working days and will be passed on to HM Treasury. The penalties incorporate a 7.5 per cent reduction owing to Vodafone entering a formal settlement, which Ofcom said would save public money and resources. Ofcom consumer group director, Lindsey Fussell, said: Vodafones failings were serious and unacceptable, and these fines send a clear warning to all telecom's companies. Phone services are a vital part of peoples lives, and we expect all customers to be treated fairly and in good faith. We will not hesitate to investigate and fine those who break the rules. Ofcom found that Vodafone failed to quickly identify or address the problems, which the company said resulted from a complex IT migration at the end of 2013. This resulted in some people being incorrectly migrated and showing as disconnected on Vodafone systems. The error lead to a sharp increase in the volume of customer complaints, which triggered the Ofcom investigations. But it was only after Ofcom intervened in June 2015 that Vodafone started dealing with the issues effectively and reimbursing customers. In a second investigation, Vodafone failed to comply with our rules on handling customer complaints. Staff were not given clear guidance on what constituted a complaint, and processes were insufficient to ensure that they were dealt with in a fair and timely manner. Customers were also not informed in writing about their right to take unresolved complaints to a third-party. Vodafone said that it had refunded 10,422 customers out of the 10,452 affected. The average refund per customer was 14.35. The company said that it was unable to track down the remaining 30 customers affected. As we cannot refund those customers and have no intention of profiting from this issue in any way, we have instead made a donation of 100,000 to a number of UK charities. Vodafone said it had conducted a full internal review of the failure and overhauled its procedures as a result. The company said in a statement: This has been an unhappy episode for all of us at Vodafone: we know we let our customers down. We deeply regret these system and process failures. We are completely focused on serving our customers: everyone who works for us is expected to do their utmost to meet our customers needs, day after day, and act quickly and efficiently if something goes wrong. It is clear from Ofcoms findings that we did not do that often enough or well enough on a number of occasions. We offer our profound apologies to anyone affected by these errors. Award winning journalist Leyla Santiago joins CNN as a correspondent based in Mexico City, it was announced today by Terence Burke, senior vice president for national news. She will contribute across CNNs television and digital platforms, highlighting the relationship between the two countries; Mexico and the United States. Leyla is an insightful communicator, as evidenced by her range of award winning journalism, said Burke. Leylas versatile skill set, and her appointment in Mexico City gives us the opportunity for strong and in-depth coverage across CNNs platforms. Prior to joining CNN, Santiago was an anchor and reporter for WRAL in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she and her team won the prestigious Alfred I. DuPont award for the documentary The Journey Alone, about the surge in illegal immigration of unaccompanied minors from Mexico. Santiago traveled to the Rio Grande Valley, and traced the path of the children and investigated how the crisis impacted North Carolina. Santiago has also served as a morning anchor for KBAK/KBFX in Bakersfield, California; and as a reporter for KTUU in Anchorage, Alaska, and for NBC29 in Charlottesville, Virginia. She has won Emmy awards for her coverage of wildfires in California in 2010 and the crippling winter storm in Raleigh in 2014. In 2011, the Associated Press presented her with the Mark Twain award for best anchor. Santiago earned a Bachelors degree from the University of Florida and she is bilingual in English and Spanish. Chips are down in battle with bike thieves From:Shanghai Daily | 2016-10-26 03:45 A chip has come to the rescue of electric bike owners, fed up with having their vehicles stolen. Residents in rural Shanghais Sijing Town have been beset by rising e-bike thefts. But in the past two weeks, about 1,000 residents have had a chip installed in their bikes at no charge as a government service. If suspiciously removed, the chip should lead to the bike being quickly tracked and found. If successful, the service is expected to be offered elsewhere in Shanghai. Wireless correlation of the chip into the e-bike owners WeChat account creates an identity for the bike that is then known to the police. Police in Sijing, which is located in Songjiang District, told Shanghai Daily yesterday that 200 radars detecting movements of the chips will be in place within two weeks. At 855 Sikai Road, one of the two venues for registration and installation of the service in the town, an employee surnamed Ding of BoCoom, the developer of the technology, was busy installing the chips in e-bikes yesterday afternoon. Ding was working alone in a tent and bike owners were not allowed to watch. The chips are coated in white plastic cards roughly the size of credit cards and are placed in the bikes with thin black plastic wires. They are powered by batteries that theoretically last for five years. Under the seat, on the battery, I get to determine the safest and most secret spot for each bike, said Ding, adding that the chips could not be easily removed. The chip marks the bike as locked once its owner, taking his mobile phone with him, is 10 meters away from his vehicle. If the bike is moved off its parking spot, police will then call the owner to check whether the bike is stolen, and if so, can track the bike via the chip. Chen Liang, a resident of Zhongxiuyuan, had the chip installed on his bike. I dont even know where this chip is hiding in my bike myself, so I dont expect any thief to guess it easily, he said. Zhu Jian, Sijings police chief, said this service was a battle cry to the bike thieves who had stolen more than 2,000 e-bikes from the town in the past two years. By Reuters NEW DELHI: India's biggest cigarette maker ITC on Wednesday criticized the government's decision to impose bigger health warnings on cigarette packets, saying there was little evidence to link smoking to diseases depicted in those pictures. India earlier this year ordered manufacturers to cover 85 percent of their tobacco pack's surface in health warnings, up from 20 percent. The rules, still being challenged in a state court, were implemented on orders of the Supreme Court. The $11 billion tobacco industry protested against the rules for weeks and even resorted to a brief factory shut down that cost them more than $800 million. "There is no evidence to suggest that cigarette smoking would cause the diseases depicted in the pictures or that large GHW (graphic health warnings) will lead to reduction in consumption," ITC said in a statement filed to the Indian stock exchanges. It also said higher taxation and the new health warnings were hurting the business of the organized cigarette industry. ITC, which is part-owned by British American Tobacco, said the health warnings were "excessively large, extremely gruesome and unreasonable". ITC's cigarette packs sold in India currently carry the picture of a man with a diseased throat with a message that says "smoking causes throat cancer". Health activists and the Indian government say bigger warnings create awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption and help reduce consumption. Smoking kills more than 1 million people a year in India, according to BMJ Global Health and the World Health Organization says tobacco-related diseases cost India $16 billion annually. ITC also said the new warnings would encourage smuggling of illegal cigarettes into the country that do not comply with packaging requirements. The company said it was in talks will with government officials for reasonable regulations. Officials at the health ministry could not immediately be reached for a comment. NEW DELHI: India's biggest cigarette maker ITC on Wednesday criticized the government's decision to impose bigger health warnings on cigarette packets, saying there was little evidence to link smoking to diseases depicted in those pictures. India earlier this year ordered manufacturers to cover 85 percent of their tobacco pack's surface in health warnings, up from 20 percent. The rules, still being challenged in a state court, were implemented on orders of the Supreme Court. The $11 billion tobacco industry protested against the rules for weeks and even resorted to a brief factory shut down that cost them more than $800 million. "There is no evidence to suggest that cigarette smoking would cause the diseases depicted in the pictures or that large GHW (graphic health warnings) will lead to reduction in consumption," ITC said in a statement filed to the Indian stock exchanges. It also said higher taxation and the new health warnings were hurting the business of the organized cigarette industry. ITC, which is part-owned by British American Tobacco, said the health warnings were "excessively large, extremely gruesome and unreasonable". ITC's cigarette packs sold in India currently carry the picture of a man with a diseased throat with a message that says "smoking causes throat cancer". Health activists and the Indian government say bigger warnings create awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption and help reduce consumption. Smoking kills more than 1 million people a year in India, according to BMJ Global Health and the World Health Organization says tobacco-related diseases cost India $16 billion annually. ITC also said the new warnings would encourage smuggling of illegal cigarettes into the country that do not comply with packaging requirements. The company said it was in talks will with government officials for reasonable regulations. Officials at the health ministry could not immediately be reached for a comment. By Express News Service BENGALURU: The state unit of the BJP has demanded a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which deals with terror cases, into the brutal murder of RSS swayamsevak Rudresh in the heart of Bengaluru last week. The party has also warned of a Karnataka bandh if arrests arent made in three to four days in the case. BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa said an NIA probe is necessary as the investigative agencies of the state are not trustworthy. Be it Rudresh, Prashanth Poojary or Raju, justice has not been done. Karnataka is turning into a state of murders. Members of Hindu organisations (read RSS/BJP) are being hunted down and killed. I request D V Sadananda Gowda to request Rajnath Singh to initiate an NIA probe in this case, he said. BENGALURU: The state unit of the BJP has demanded a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which deals with terror cases, into the brutal murder of RSS swayamsevak Rudresh in the heart of Bengaluru last week. The party has also warned of a Karnataka bandh if arrests arent made in three to four days in the case. BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa said an NIA probe is necessary as the investigative agencies of the state are not trustworthy. Be it Rudresh, Prashanth Poojary or Raju, justice has not been done. Karnataka is turning into a state of murders. Members of Hindu organisations (read RSS/BJP) are being hunted down and killed. I request D V Sadananda Gowda to request Rajnath Singh to initiate an NIA probe in this case, he said. By Express News Service BENGALURU: A gang of nine people, who honeytrapped people and robbed them, was arrested on Tuesday. The accused are Shivanand, Dileep, Sharathkumar, Guruprasad, Vikas, Vinod, Rathan, Raviraj and Jyothi. All the accused are residents of Bengaluru and aged between 19 and 28 years. They were earlier daily labourers and turned to crime over the last two years. According to Byatarayanapura police, the gangs modus operandi was revealed when they confessed to honeytrapping the victims. The accused were arrested in a dacoity case in Girinagar. During interrogation, they confessed to robbing people after sending a woman to the victims house, police said. A police officer said the accused posed as pimps and would send one of their accomplices to the victims house. The woman would then set up a hidden camera and later use the recording to blackmail them. Meanwhile, she would find out where the valuables are kept and inform the gang, police said. The accused would then ransack the house. They would also threaten to make the video public if the victim approached the police. The accused told the police that the gang was involved in similar cases reported from JP Nagar, Varthur and Sunkadakatte. A police officer said, The prime accused Shivanand, along with his associates, would find people who are interested and would then collect `2,000 as advance after introducing Jyothi to them. Jyothi would then gather the victims contact number and later get in touch with them. However, when Jyothi would be with the victim, other members would barge into the victims house claiming that Jyothi had been kidnapped and brought to the house. They would then extort the victim. We are ascertaining if they were involved in other cases in the state. Three bikes, a car and 11 mobile phones were seized from them. BENGALURU: A gang of nine people, who honeytrapped people and robbed them, was arrested on Tuesday. The accused are Shivanand, Dileep, Sharathkumar, Guruprasad, Vikas, Vinod, Rathan, Raviraj and Jyothi. All the accused are residents of Bengaluru and aged between 19 and 28 years. They were earlier daily labourers and turned to crime over the last two years. According to Byatarayanapura police, the gangs modus operandi was revealed when they confessed to honeytrapping the victims. The accused were arrested in a dacoity case in Girinagar. During interrogation, they confessed to robbing people after sending a woman to the victims house, police said. A police officer said the accused posed as pimps and would send one of their accomplices to the victims house. The woman would then set up a hidden camera and later use the recording to blackmail them. Meanwhile, she would find out where the valuables are kept and inform the gang, police said. The accused would then ransack the house. They would also threaten to make the video public if the victim approached the police. The accused told the police that the gang was involved in similar cases reported from JP Nagar, Varthur and Sunkadakatte. A police officer said, The prime accused Shivanand, along with his associates, would find people who are interested and would then collect `2,000 as advance after introducing Jyothi to them. Jyothi would then gather the victims contact number and later get in touch with them. However, when Jyothi would be with the victim, other members would barge into the victims house claiming that Jyothi had been kidnapped and brought to the house. They would then extort the victim. We are ascertaining if they were involved in other cases in the state. Three bikes, a car and 11 mobile phones were seized from them. Sadaf Aman By Express News Service HYDERABAD: As a communication manager with Sathguru Management Consultants in the city, Aditya KV did number-crunching for a project called AIP-Malawi. From a cushy chair, several thousand miles away, it was easy to look at the numbers and judge the progress of the project. If the numbers looked good, life and work both moved on. For two years since the inception of the project a collaborative tri-partite effort led by Cornell University, USA, Sathguru and Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources this is what Aditya did. Things changed a month ago when he visited Malawi, the ninth poorest country of the world according to the Human Development Index, to document the progress of the project. Visiting Malawi, talking to villagers, students and those working at grassroot level opened up an entirely different aspect of not just the project but about Malawi too, says Aditya. During his two-week-long stay in Malawi, the 29-year-old realised that the world has a very skewed perception of Africa and Malawi in particular. My perspective of the country as a poor, diseased, agrarian and poverty-ridden country changed. I realised all this was a myth, he shares. Touted as the country that is in dire need of a rural revolution, with 80 per cent of its population is dependent on agriculture, and only 15 percent of its citizens residing in cities, one things that caught his attention was that everyone was always smiling. Despite their problems they are always happy. They seek happiness in what they have and are quite content, he recalls. Probably this is why Malawi is called the Warm heart of Africa and has never experienced a civil war. Another interesting observation that he made was that one can not guess their ages. Everyone is married and almost everyone is a parent! He continues, Now I dont know if there is a correlation between happiness and marriage and looking ageless but everyone I met seems to be married and with kids. Quiz him on the challenges he faced, Aditya says he missed greenery. Victim of large scale deforestation, the countrys ecosystem has gone for a toss. It is extremely cold, dry and dusty. We had to wipe dust off the camera every few minutes to be able to shoot properly, he says. Additionally, he was also asked to drink only packaged water. A self-proclaimed climate change advocate, Aditya says that Malwai reiterated his belief that climate change is real. Being an agrarian country like India, Aditya feels the two countries have several other similarities. Like us, Malawi too is rooted in family, farming and villages. And much like our villages, these too have the problems of water, electricity and technology. Any similarity with Hyderabad? Oh yes! It was like I was in Old City, where everyone exchanged pleasantries with everyone, he signs off. HYDERABAD: As a communication manager with Sathguru Management Consultants in the city, Aditya KV did number-crunching for a project called AIP-Malawi. From a cushy chair, several thousand miles away, it was easy to look at the numbers and judge the progress of the project. If the numbers looked good, life and work both moved on. For two years since the inception of the project a collaborative tri-partite effort led by Cornell University, USA, Sathguru and Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources this is what Aditya did. Things changed a month ago when he visited Malawi, the ninth poorest country of the world according to the Human Development Index, to document the progress of the project. Visiting Malawi, talking to villagers, students and those working at grassroot level opened up an entirely different aspect of not just the project but about Malawi too, says Aditya. During his two-week-long stay in Malawi, the 29-year-old realised that the world has a very skewed perception of Africa and Malawi in particular. My perspective of the country as a poor, diseased, agrarian and poverty-ridden country changed. I realised all this was a myth, he shares. Touted as the country that is in dire need of a rural revolution, with 80 per cent of its population is dependent on agriculture, and only 15 percent of its citizens residing in cities, one things that caught his attention was that everyone was always smiling. Despite their problems they are always happy. They seek happiness in what they have and are quite content, he recalls. Probably this is why Malawi is called the Warm heart of Africa and has never experienced a civil war. Another interesting observation that he made was that one can not guess their ages. Everyone is married and almost everyone is a parent! He continues, Now I dont know if there is a correlation between happiness and marriage and looking ageless but everyone I met seems to be married and with kids. Quiz him on the challenges he faced, Aditya says he missed greenery. Victim of large scale deforestation, the countrys ecosystem has gone for a toss. It is extremely cold, dry and dusty. We had to wipe dust off the camera every few minutes to be able to shoot properly, he says. Additionally, he was also asked to drink only packaged water. A self-proclaimed climate change advocate, Aditya says that Malwai reiterated his belief that climate change is real. Being an agrarian country like India, Aditya feels the two countries have several other similarities. Like us, Malawi too is rooted in family, farming and villages. And much like our villages, these too have the problems of water, electricity and technology. Any similarity with Hyderabad? Oh yes! It was like I was in Old City, where everyone exchanged pleasantries with everyone, he signs off. By Reuters It's 5 p.m. on the Caribbean island of Trinidad. Dusk is near, and tourists at the famed Maracas Beach are packing it in for the day. A few miles away, in the community of Maraval, Antoinette George meets friends for mezes of tabbouleh, hummus, olives and shankleesh at Adam's Bagels, the Syrian-Lebanese eatery owned by her son-in-law Adam Abboud. The women -- an extended network of grandmothers, aunts, cousins and in-laws -- move from small plates to Arabic coffee and pastry, stopping to greet visitors to the shop for Middle Eastern groceries. They are the matriarchs of the Trinidad's Syrian-Lebanese community, descendants of generations of refugees from what was once known as Greater Syria, comprising comprising people of Iraqi, Syrian, Palestinian and Lebanese descent. Their forebears arrived in Trinidad more than 100 years ago, and their cuisine -- revised to the ways of their adopted home -- has been their bridge to Trinidadian society. "In the days when our parents and grandparents came, there weren't the things we needed for our cuisine," George said. "So they adapted." Some of those adaptations included substituting local Mexican culantro (recao) for cilantro and instead of spinach using locally popular patchoi (bok choy), brought by Chinese indentured laborers to the island nearly 200 years ago. The popular fresh sheep's milk cheese called shankleesh is made in Trinidad using cow's milk. The first Arab immigrants came to Trinidad from Beirut in 1898, believing they had boarded ships bound for the U.S. The door-to-door peddlers, hauling suitcases filled with sundries, eventually prospered, earning enough to bring wives and families to the island. The tide of Syrian-Lebanese immigration to Trinidad continued following the regional conflict after World War II and again in the 1980s and now from the war in Syria. Influencing the cuisine in Trinidad In Trinidad, like America, immigrants have made their home both by force and by choice, and Syrian-Lebanese immigrants made their home among descendants of Spanish, French and English conquerors; enslaved Africans; indentured Chinese and East Indians of Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim faiths; and Venezuelan cocoa laborers. Of these groups, the Syrian-Lebanese community has remained the most insular, holding fast to tradition and doing business with and marrying each other almost exclusively. Their impact on island cuisine is keenly felt, however. The most recent example: the gyro stands run by the newest Syrian immigrants that have cropped up along major boulevards the island over. "People line up for gyros every night," said Zuher Dukhen who, along with his brothers, arrived in Trinidad in the past few years. Like their countrymen, the Dukhens remain extremely close-knit but have proved themselves eager new Trinidadians. Nothing exemplifies this more than their love of a full table a "good lime" -- the local term for easy companionship featuring food, laughter and chatter. Bridging the cultural gap Adam Abboud exemplifies a man who easily straddles these two worlds. Proud of his Syrian-Lebanese roots, he is also "Trini to the bone" -- as locals describe someone whose Trinidadian nature is more than skin deep. Abboud is a master limer, happy to sip coffee and chat for hours. Like any good Trinidadian, his catchphrase is "relax," but he watches his establishment with an expert eye toward service and works the dining room like the local food celebrity he is. Between shaking hands with male patrons and dispensing kisses and compliments to the ladies, Abboud gestures to his staff to demand extras for customers -- a taste of the newly made shankleesh salad, a nibble of a mamoul date pastry, a bottle of pepper sauce. At Adam's, the Arabic tradition of lavish hospitality is in full effect. Attention to detail The delicacies here are all made in house, and the bagels give Lower East Side New York bagel shops a run for their money. Other Arabic pastries baked onsite include pita bread, sesame bread, baklava and various cookies using aleb molds from the Middle East. They are prepared by a United Nations of workers -- pita made by a recent Venezuelan immigrant and puff pastry and dough for Arabic cookies made by Haitian pastry chefs all under the watchful eye of the native Trinidadian master baker. During Sunday lunch, a Trinidadian staple, Abboud gathers with family at his in-laws, the Georges, to munch on goodies baked at Adam's as well as full table of meze prepared by Antoinette George. Another table of Trinidadian staples -- stewed chicken, beans and rice -- round out the meal and all-day "lime." Extras like olives, stuffed grape leaves, Arabic coffee, dates, olive oil, sumac, mahlab and other items are imported after initially coming through the United States. Years ago Syrian and Lebanese Trinidadians depended on visiting relatives or those making trips home to bring foods for which there are no suitable local substitutes. The newfound availability of Middle Eastern goods is a boon to Abboud -- both in terms of business and personal happiness. "I love my heritage, but I love my Trinidadian things too," he said, taking a bite of his favorite breakfast, a Trinidadian-Syrian bagel of his own devising: smeared with labneh and topped with Trinidadian buljol, a cold salted codfish salad. Adam's Morning Bagel With Labneh, Buljol & Scotch Bonnet Pepper Prep time: About 30 minutes Yield: 4 bagels Adam Abboud fully embodies his Syrian-Lebanese heritage and multi-generational Trinidadian nationality. This is his favorite morning meal, and it is truly a multicultural experience on a plate. Bagels made in the New York style are topped with labneh (yogurt cheese) and buljol, a cold salad made from salted cod that is a common and beloved local breakfast food. Abboud indulges his Trinidadian nature by topping the salad with thin slices of Scotch bonnet pepper -- a fiery final touch that is not for the faint of heart. Ingredients 3/4 pound salted cod 1 small onion, minced 1 clove garlic, minced 1 pimento pepper (aji dulce) stemmed, seeded and minced 1 medium tomato, diced 1 tablespoon minced shado beni (Mexican cilantro) or 2 tablespoons minced cilantro 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 4 bagels, any style 1 cup labneh 1 small Scotch bonnet pepper, stemmed, seeded and sliced very thinly (optional; see note) Directions 1. Place the cod in a large pot with enough cold water to cover it. Bring it to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes. Drain the water and repeat two more times to soften the fish and remove most of the salt. 2. Drain the fish and place it in a large bowl. Using a fork, pull the fish into shreds. 3. Add the onion, garlic, pimento pepper and tomato and mix very well. 4. Mix in the shado beni and ground pepper and mix well. Set aside in the refrigerator until chilled, about 1 hour. 5. Slice the bagels in half and smear each side with equal portions of labneh. Top each with 2 tablespoons to 3 tablespoons of the chilled buljol salad. Top with thin slices of Scotch bonnet pepper, if desired. Serve open faced. Note: Wear gloves when handling Scotch bonnet peppers, which are extremely hot. If you get the pepper on your hands, wash them immediately with vinegar and cold water. Wash down your cutting board and any other surface with vinegar and cold water as well -- this will remove the volatile oils that cause the extreme burn. It's 5 p.m. on the Caribbean island of Trinidad. Dusk is near, and tourists at the famed Maracas Beach are packing it in for the day. A few miles away, in the community of Maraval, Antoinette George meets friends for mezes of tabbouleh, hummus, olives and shankleesh at Adam's Bagels, the Syrian-Lebanese eatery owned by her son-in-law Adam Abboud. The women -- an extended network of grandmothers, aunts, cousins and in-laws -- move from small plates to Arabic coffee and pastry, stopping to greet visitors to the shop for Middle Eastern groceries. They are the matriarchs of the Trinidad's Syrian-Lebanese community, descendants of generations of refugees from what was once known as Greater Syria, comprising comprising people of Iraqi, Syrian, Palestinian and Lebanese descent. Their forebears arrived in Trinidad more than 100 years ago, and their cuisine -- revised to the ways of their adopted home -- has been their bridge to Trinidadian society. "In the days when our parents and grandparents came, there weren't the things we needed for our cuisine," George said. "So they adapted." Some of those adaptations included substituting local Mexican culantro (recao) for cilantro and instead of spinach using locally popular patchoi (bok choy), brought by Chinese indentured laborers to the island nearly 200 years ago. The popular fresh sheep's milk cheese called shankleesh is made in Trinidad using cow's milk. The first Arab immigrants came to Trinidad from Beirut in 1898, believing they had boarded ships bound for the U.S. The door-to-door peddlers, hauling suitcases filled with sundries, eventually prospered, earning enough to bring wives and families to the island. The tide of Syrian-Lebanese immigration to Trinidad continued following the regional conflict after World War II and again in the 1980s and now from the war in Syria. Influencing the cuisine in Trinidad In Trinidad, like America, immigrants have made their home both by force and by choice, and Syrian-Lebanese immigrants made their home among descendants of Spanish, French and English conquerors; enslaved Africans; indentured Chinese and East Indians of Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim faiths; and Venezuelan cocoa laborers. Of these groups, the Syrian-Lebanese community has remained the most insular, holding fast to tradition and doing business with and marrying each other almost exclusively. Their impact on island cuisine is keenly felt, however. The most recent example: the gyro stands run by the newest Syrian immigrants that have cropped up along major boulevards the island over. "People line up for gyros every night," said Zuher Dukhen who, along with his brothers, arrived in Trinidad in the past few years. Like their countrymen, the Dukhens remain extremely close-knit but have proved themselves eager new Trinidadians. Nothing exemplifies this more than their love of a full table a "good lime" -- the local term for easy companionship featuring food, laughter and chatter. Bridging the cultural gap Adam Abboud exemplifies a man who easily straddles these two worlds. Proud of his Syrian-Lebanese roots, he is also "Trini to the bone" -- as locals describe someone whose Trinidadian nature is more than skin deep. Abboud is a master limer, happy to sip coffee and chat for hours. Like any good Trinidadian, his catchphrase is "relax," but he watches his establishment with an expert eye toward service and works the dining room like the local food celebrity he is. Between shaking hands with male patrons and dispensing kisses and compliments to the ladies, Abboud gestures to his staff to demand extras for customers -- a taste of the newly made shankleesh salad, a nibble of a mamoul date pastry, a bottle of pepper sauce. At Adam's, the Arabic tradition of lavish hospitality is in full effect. Attention to detail The delicacies here are all made in house, and the bagels give Lower East Side New York bagel shops a run for their money. Other Arabic pastries baked onsite include pita bread, sesame bread, baklava and various cookies using aleb molds from the Middle East. They are prepared by a United Nations of workers -- pita made by a recent Venezuelan immigrant and puff pastry and dough for Arabic cookies made by Haitian pastry chefs all under the watchful eye of the native Trinidadian master baker. During Sunday lunch, a Trinidadian staple, Abboud gathers with family at his in-laws, the Georges, to munch on goodies baked at Adam's as well as full table of meze prepared by Antoinette George. Another table of Trinidadian staples -- stewed chicken, beans and rice -- round out the meal and all-day "lime." Extras like olives, stuffed grape leaves, Arabic coffee, dates, olive oil, sumac, mahlab and other items are imported after initially coming through the United States. Years ago Syrian and Lebanese Trinidadians depended on visiting relatives or those making trips home to bring foods for which there are no suitable local substitutes. The newfound availability of Middle Eastern goods is a boon to Abboud -- both in terms of business and personal happiness. "I love my heritage, but I love my Trinidadian things too," he said, taking a bite of his favorite breakfast, a Trinidadian-Syrian bagel of his own devising: smeared with labneh and topped with Trinidadian buljol, a cold salted codfish salad. Adam's Morning Bagel With Labneh, Buljol & Scotch Bonnet Pepper Prep time: About 30 minutes Yield: 4 bagels Adam Abboud fully embodies his Syrian-Lebanese heritage and multi-generational Trinidadian nationality. This is his favorite morning meal, and it is truly a multicultural experience on a plate. Bagels made in the New York style are topped with labneh (yogurt cheese) and buljol, a cold salad made from salted cod that is a common and beloved local breakfast food. Abboud indulges his Trinidadian nature by topping the salad with thin slices of Scotch bonnet pepper -- a fiery final touch that is not for the faint of heart. Ingredients 3/4 pound salted cod 1 small onion, minced 1 clove garlic, minced 1 pimento pepper (aji dulce) stemmed, seeded and minced 1 medium tomato, diced 1 tablespoon minced shado beni (Mexican cilantro) or 2 tablespoons minced cilantro 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 4 bagels, any style 1 cup labneh 1 small Scotch bonnet pepper, stemmed, seeded and sliced very thinly (optional; see note) Directions 1. Place the cod in a large pot with enough cold water to cover it. Bring it to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes. Drain the water and repeat two more times to soften the fish and remove most of the salt. 2. Drain the fish and place it in a large bowl. Using a fork, pull the fish into shreds. 3. Add the onion, garlic, pimento pepper and tomato and mix very well. 4. Mix in the shado beni and ground pepper and mix well. Set aside in the refrigerator until chilled, about 1 hour. 5. Slice the bagels in half and smear each side with equal portions of labneh. Top each with 2 tablespoons to 3 tablespoons of the chilled buljol salad. Top with thin slices of Scotch bonnet pepper, if desired. Serve open faced. Note: Wear gloves when handling Scotch bonnet peppers, which are extremely hot. If you get the pepper on your hands, wash them immediately with vinegar and cold water. Wash down your cutting board and any other surface with vinegar and cold water as well -- this will remove the volatile oils that cause the extreme burn. By PTI JAMMU: Pakistan Army today violated the ceasefire by targeting Indian Army positions with mortar and small arms fire in Noushera sector of Rajouri district, prompting the army to give a "befitting response". "From 10 AM, Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation in Noushera sector of Rajouri district by targeting our positions with mortar bombs and small arms fire", an army officer said. He said the army was giving a "befitting response" to the ceasefire violation from the Pakistani side. "The army is giving a befitting response to the Pakistani army," the officer said. There was no report of any loss of life or the property on the Indian side as the firing from both the sides was still going on. A 6-year-old boy and a BSF Jawan were killed and 10 people including 8 civilians were injured in the shelling yesterday when Pakistan Rangers targeted over 25 Border out Posts in the border hamlets along International Border. There have been over 40 ceasefire violations from the Pakistani side since the Indian side carried out surgical strikes inside Pakistan occupied Kashmir targeting terror launching pads, post the attack on an army camp in Uri on September 18. JAMMU: Pakistan Army today violated the ceasefire by targeting Indian Army positions with mortar and small arms fire in Noushera sector of Rajouri district, prompting the army to give a "befitting response". "From 10 AM, Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation in Noushera sector of Rajouri district by targeting our positions with mortar bombs and small arms fire", an army officer said. He said the army was giving a "befitting response" to the ceasefire violation from the Pakistani side. "The army is giving a befitting response to the Pakistani army," the officer said. There was no report of any loss of life or the property on the Indian side as the firing from both the sides was still going on. A 6-year-old boy and a BSF Jawan were killed and 10 people including 8 civilians were injured in the shelling yesterday when Pakistan Rangers targeted over 25 Border out Posts in the border hamlets along International Border. There have been over 40 ceasefire violations from the Pakistani side since the Indian side carried out surgical strikes inside Pakistan occupied Kashmir targeting terror launching pads, post the attack on an army camp in Uri on September 18. By PTI NEW DELHI: Businessman Kalanithi Maran today charged the Enforcement Directorate with cooking up an "incomplete and malicious story" to prosecute him in the Aircel-Maxis money laundering case as he was the brother of former Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran. He made the submissions before Special Judge O P Saini while advancing arguments on framing of charge against him. He is accused in the case along with his wife Kavery Kalanithi, brother Dayanidhi Maran, Managing Director of South Asia FM Ltd (SAFL) K Shanmugam, SAFL and Sun Direct TV Pvt Ltd (SDTPL). "I (Kalanithi) am being prosecuted because I am the brother of Dayanidhi Maran. The ED filed a case against Dayanidhi and just because Kalanithi is his brother, he is also made an accused in the case," senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Kalanithi, said. The counsel said that "Kaveri is the wife of Kalanithi, and therefore she is damned", adding that "it's an incomplete and malicious story cooked by ED." He also took strong objection to ED's claim that "there were money transactions which allegedly showed that SDTPL and SAFL had received Rs 742.58 crore as 'proceeds of crime' from Mauritius-based firms in the Aircel-Maxis deal." "It was a business transaction. All the transaction was done under the careful watch of government agencies. How can it be 'proceeds of crime'," the counsel asked. The court had summoned the six accused after taking cognisance of ED's charge sheet against them under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), saying there was "enough incriminating material" to proceed against them. ED has chargesheeted the six accused under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). NEW DELHI: Businessman Kalanithi Maran today charged the Enforcement Directorate with cooking up an "incomplete and malicious story" to prosecute him in the Aircel-Maxis money laundering case as he was the brother of former Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran. He made the submissions before Special Judge O P Saini while advancing arguments on framing of charge against him. He is accused in the case along with his wife Kavery Kalanithi, brother Dayanidhi Maran, Managing Director of South Asia FM Ltd (SAFL) K Shanmugam, SAFL and Sun Direct TV Pvt Ltd (SDTPL). "I (Kalanithi) am being prosecuted because I am the brother of Dayanidhi Maran. The ED filed a case against Dayanidhi and just because Kalanithi is his brother, he is also made an accused in the case," senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Kalanithi, said. The counsel said that "Kaveri is the wife of Kalanithi, and therefore she is damned", adding that "it's an incomplete and malicious story cooked by ED." He also took strong objection to ED's claim that "there were money transactions which allegedly showed that SDTPL and SAFL had received Rs 742.58 crore as 'proceeds of crime' from Mauritius-based firms in the Aircel-Maxis deal." "It was a business transaction. All the transaction was done under the careful watch of government agencies. How can it be 'proceeds of crime'," the counsel asked. The court had summoned the six accused after taking cognisance of ED's charge sheet against them under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), saying there was "enough incriminating material" to proceed against them. ED has chargesheeted the six accused under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). By PTI MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court today rejected an intervention application filed by Bilkis Bano, a 2002 Gujarat riots victim. A division bench of Justices V K Tahilramani and Mridula Bhatkar ruled that the application cannot be allowed under the Criminal Procedure Code, but as the court was inclined to hear Bilkis, she may convert her application into an appeal. The appeal, however, cannot challenge the life sentence awarded to the eleven convicts (to seek bigger punishment) in the case by the trial court and only challenge the acquittal of five personnel of Gujarat Police, the judges said. The HC asked Bilkis's lawyer Vijay Hiremath to inform about her decision tomorrow. The bench is hearing appeals filed by CBI seeking enhancement of the sentence awarded to three of the eleven convicts. Also, the convicts have appealed against the trial court's order of conviction. Hiremath had argued that Bilkis, being the victim and an eyewitness, had the right to become an intervenor as per a 2008 amendment to the CrPC. However, advocate Harshad Ponda, the counsel for the convicts, opposed it, saying that the amendment only allowed the victim to file an appeal and not intervention application. CBI lawyer Hiten Venegaonkar argued that the victim, if allowed to participate in the hearing, must bring additional information, something omitted by the prosecution. However, he said, in cases like the present one where "grievous crimes had been committed" the court should consider granting a hearing to the victim in the "interest of justice". On March 3, 2002, Bilkis Bano's family was attacked by a mob at Randhikpur village near Ahmedabad during post-Godhra violence and seven members of the family were killed. Bilkis, who was five-month pregnant, was gang-raped. MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court today rejected an intervention application filed by Bilkis Bano, a 2002 Gujarat riots victim. A division bench of Justices V K Tahilramani and Mridula Bhatkar ruled that the application cannot be allowed under the Criminal Procedure Code, but as the court was inclined to hear Bilkis, she may convert her application into an appeal. The appeal, however, cannot challenge the life sentence awarded to the eleven convicts (to seek bigger punishment) in the case by the trial court and only challenge the acquittal of five personnel of Gujarat Police, the judges said. The HC asked Bilkis's lawyer Vijay Hiremath to inform about her decision tomorrow. The bench is hearing appeals filed by CBI seeking enhancement of the sentence awarded to three of the eleven convicts. Also, the convicts have appealed against the trial court's order of conviction. Hiremath had argued that Bilkis, being the victim and an eyewitness, had the right to become an intervenor as per a 2008 amendment to the CrPC. However, advocate Harshad Ponda, the counsel for the convicts, opposed it, saying that the amendment only allowed the victim to file an appeal and not intervention application. CBI lawyer Hiten Venegaonkar argued that the victim, if allowed to participate in the hearing, must bring additional information, something omitted by the prosecution. However, he said, in cases like the present one where "grievous crimes had been committed" the court should consider granting a hearing to the victim in the "interest of justice". On March 3, 2002, Bilkis Bano's family was attacked by a mob at Randhikpur village near Ahmedabad during post-Godhra violence and seven members of the family were killed. Bilkis, who was five-month pregnant, was gang-raped. By ANI NEW DELHI: A Manipuri student was found dead in his hostel room in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) here, police confirmed on Wednesday. The deceased identified as J.R Philemon, 31, who was pursuing his Ph.D in West Asian studies, was found dead by students and security guards on Tuesday evening when some students noticed a foul smell coming from his room. "Philemon was residing in Room No-171 of Brahmaputra Hostel and was not seen from last three days. Police was informed by security control room about his death," a senior police official told IANS on Wednesday. "The deceased had a history of alcoholism. There seems no foul play done, prima facie, and it seems like a natural death," another police official added. The case is under investigation and the postmortem report is awaited, the officer added. NEW DELHI: A Manipuri student was found dead in his hostel room in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) here, police confirmed on Wednesday. The deceased identified as J.R Philemon, 31, who was pursuing his Ph.D in West Asian studies, was found dead by students and security guards on Tuesday evening when some students noticed a foul smell coming from his room. "Philemon was residing in Room No-171 of Brahmaputra Hostel and was not seen from last three days. Police was informed by security control room about his death," a senior police official told IANS on Wednesday. "The deceased had a history of alcoholism. There seems no foul play done, prima facie, and it seems like a natural death," another police official added. The case is under investigation and the postmortem report is awaited, the officer added. Santwana Bhattacharya By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Having established his dominance over the Samajwadi fiefdom in Uttar Pradesh, Mulayam Singh Yadav sought to put a cap on the all-consuming, debilitating family feud with this pithy pronouncement. Also, the Samajwadi Party supremo ruled out the possibility of him replacing Akhilesh as the chief minister just a few months away from the elections. You have to ask him (Akhilesh Yadav) why he made them ministers and why he sacked them, Mulayam said when asked about the possibility of reinstating the sacked ministers. As an attempt at humour, he said, Ill not make any single controversial statementwhatever you may ask (try to get out of me). If Akhilesh maintained suspense by not uttering a word on Tuesday, Mulayam too stuck to his guns as far as his controversial friend and Rajya Sabha member Amar Singhs status in the party goes. Despite Akhileshs disapproval of Singhs role in the family feud, Mulayam told the media at his press conference, Why drag him in all this? Whose role Netaji was disapproving of was clear when he said, My family and party are united. All workers are united. There are some conspirators, who do not have any mass base. It was on Monday that Mulayam had hailed his favourite brother Shivpal as the mass leader of the party and Prof Ram Gopal Yadav-always a Rajya Sabha member-is known as the intellectual. So, Mulayams allusion was obvious. Meanwhile, Amar Singh broke his silence in Kolkata in praise of Rahul Gandhi, as the most misunderstood man of Indian politics whose depth of knowledge and understanding and lack of arrogance has impressed him. If Akhilesh Yadav was the tangential reference, it was not missed. As for Ram Gopal Yadav, he reiterated on Tuesday that Samajwadi Party can win elections only under the leadership of Akhilesh. In other words, Mulayam was past his sell-by date. The Yadavs of Uttar Pradesh thus hardly looked like the great Indian undivided family. NEW DELHI: Having established his dominance over the Samajwadi fiefdom in Uttar Pradesh, Mulayam Singh Yadav sought to put a cap on the all-consuming, debilitating family feud with this pithy pronouncement. Also, the Samajwadi Party supremo ruled out the possibility of him replacing Akhilesh as the chief minister just a few months away from the elections. You have to ask him (Akhilesh Yadav) why he made them ministers and why he sacked them, Mulayam said when asked about the possibility of reinstating the sacked ministers. As an attempt at humour, he said, Ill not make any single controversial statementwhatever you may ask (try to get out of me). If Akhilesh maintained suspense by not uttering a word on Tuesday, Mulayam too stuck to his guns as far as his controversial friend and Rajya Sabha member Amar Singhs status in the party goes. Despite Akhileshs disapproval of Singhs role in the family feud, Mulayam told the media at his press conference, Why drag him in all this? Whose role Netaji was disapproving of was clear when he said, My family and party are united. All workers are united. There are some conspirators, who do not have any mass base. It was on Monday that Mulayam had hailed his favourite brother Shivpal as the mass leader of the party and Prof Ram Gopal Yadav-always a Rajya Sabha member-is known as the intellectual. So, Mulayams allusion was obvious. Meanwhile, Amar Singh broke his silence in Kolkata in praise of Rahul Gandhi, as the most misunderstood man of Indian politics whose depth of knowledge and understanding and lack of arrogance has impressed him. If Akhilesh Yadav was the tangential reference, it was not missed. As for Ram Gopal Yadav, he reiterated on Tuesday that Samajwadi Party can win elections only under the leadership of Akhilesh. In other words, Mulayam was past his sell-by date. The Yadavs of Uttar Pradesh thus hardly looked like the great Indian undivided family. TV pundit arrested for stock tips From:Shanghai Daily | 2016-10-26 03:45 ZHU Weiming, a popular stock analyst, has been arrested for allegedly rigging the stock market. Police said a suspect had touted certain stocks on local TV and then profited by selling his shares once their prices had soared. Sources told Shanghai Daily that the suspect in question is Zhu Weiming, who had regularly appeared on CBNs Money Talk program. Police said the total volume of transactions from March 2013 to August 2014 of the stocks, run through three of the suspects relatives accounts, amounted to 40 million yuan (US$6 million), and he had made a profit of about 700,000 yuan. China Securities Regulatory Commission, which banned Zhu from securities business for life last July, said he had recommended 10 stocks during the period concerned. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court declined to hear a plea seeking to check the devastating consequences of its 1995 judgment on Hindutva or Hinduism. The decade-old judgment defined Hindutva as a way of life and said it had nothing to do with narrow fundamentalist religious bigotry. The court clarified that it was now only examining as to what constitutes corrupt electoral practices and would not go into the larger issue of religion. We will not go into the larger debate as to what is Hindutva or what is its meaning. We will not re-consider the 1995 judgement and also not examine Hindutva or religion at this stage, a seven-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur said. At this stage, we will confine ourselves to the issue raised before us in the reference. In the reference, there is no mention of the word Hindutva. If anybody will show that there is a reference to the word Hindutva, we will hear him, the bench said. Last week, social activist Teesta Setalvad sought to intervene in the matter, requesting for a direction to be passed to de-link religion from politics. Theatre activist Shamsul Islam and journalist Dilip Mandal are the other applicants in the case. The hearing is scheduled to continue on Wednesday. NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court declined to hear a plea seeking to check the devastating consequences of its 1995 judgment on Hindutva or Hinduism. The decade-old judgment defined Hindutva as a way of life and said it had nothing to do with narrow fundamentalist religious bigotry. The court clarified that it was now only examining as to what constitutes corrupt electoral practices and would not go into the larger issue of religion. We will not go into the larger debate as to what is Hindutva or what is its meaning. We will not re-consider the 1995 judgement and also not examine Hindutva or religion at this stage, a seven-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur said. At this stage, we will confine ourselves to the issue raised before us in the reference. In the reference, there is no mention of the word Hindutva. If anybody will show that there is a reference to the word Hindutva, we will hear him, the bench said. Last week, social activist Teesta Setalvad sought to intervene in the matter, requesting for a direction to be passed to de-link religion from politics. Theatre activist Shamsul Islam and journalist Dilip Mandal are the other applicants in the case. The hearing is scheduled to continue on Wednesday. By Express News Service New Delhi: Taking umbrage to a resolution adopted by the worlds largest Muslim bloc - Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) on Kashmir during its recently concluded session, India on Wednesday said that it has no locus standi to comment on its internal matter and asked it to refrain for commenting on it future. OIC has been used by Pakistan to rally international opinion against India on the issue of Kashmir. The OIC countries, which includes Pakistan, have been proving to be a diplomatic challenge for New Delhi seeking to isolate Islamabad on international forums. During its 43rd session of its Council of Foreign Ministers in Tashkent, they adopted a resolution toeing Pakistans line. We note will extreme regret that the OIC has again chosen to comment on Indias internal affairs during the 43rd session of the Council of Foreign Ministers held in Uzbekistan on 18-19 October, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said on Wednesday. The OIC has no locus standi on Indias internal affairs. We further advise the OIC to refrain from making such references in future, Swarup added. The OIC resolution, while invoking the UN Charter regarding the sanctity peoples right of self-determination, asked for implementation of UN Security Council resolutions. It also called for plebiscite in the state. This has not been the first time that OIC has commented on Kashmir, which it contends to be the core issue between India and Pakistan. The OIC has considerable political influence as most of the countries have rich energy resources and have permanent delegation to the United Nations and the European Union. Swarup said that certain portions of the resolution was incorrect. Certain resolutions adopted at the conclusion of the Session contain factually incorrect and misleading references to matters internal to India, including the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral part of India. We out rightly reject all such references, the MEA Spokesperson said. OIC has 57 member states and some of the Islamic countries have strong bilateral ties with India. And this has been baffling for New Delhi as it sees a gap between what some of these member countries tell it in private and the stance of the organisation. India had raised the issue with President of Egypt Abdel Fattah Al Sisi when he visited India in September. But President Sisi refrained from commenting anything on Kashmir and did not break the consensus of OIC. New Delhi: Taking umbrage to a resolution adopted by the worlds largest Muslim bloc - Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) on Kashmir during its recently concluded session, India on Wednesday said that it has no locus standi to comment on its internal matter and asked it to refrain for commenting on it future. OIC has been used by Pakistan to rally international opinion against India on the issue of Kashmir. The OIC countries, which includes Pakistan, have been proving to be a diplomatic challenge for New Delhi seeking to isolate Islamabad on international forums. During its 43rd session of its Council of Foreign Ministers in Tashkent, they adopted a resolution toeing Pakistans line. We note will extreme regret that the OIC has again chosen to comment on Indias internal affairs during the 43rd session of the Council of Foreign Ministers held in Uzbekistan on 18-19 October, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said on Wednesday. The OIC has no locus standi on Indias internal affairs. We further advise the OIC to refrain from making such references in future, Swarup added. The OIC resolution, while invoking the UN Charter regarding the sanctity peoples right of self-determination, asked for implementation of UN Security Council resolutions. It also called for plebiscite in the state. This has not been the first time that OIC has commented on Kashmir, which it contends to be the core issue between India and Pakistan. The OIC has considerable political influence as most of the countries have rich energy resources and have permanent delegation to the United Nations and the European Union. Swarup said that certain portions of the resolution was incorrect. Certain resolutions adopted at the conclusion of the Session contain factually incorrect and misleading references to matters internal to India, including the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral part of India. We out rightly reject all such references, the MEA Spokesperson said. OIC has 57 member states and some of the Islamic countries have strong bilateral ties with India. And this has been baffling for New Delhi as it sees a gap between what some of these member countries tell it in private and the stance of the organisation. India had raised the issue with President of Egypt Abdel Fattah Al Sisi when he visited India in September. But President Sisi refrained from commenting anything on Kashmir and did not break the consensus of OIC. Fayaz Wani By Express News Service SRINAGAR: Police on Wednesday said it has arrested four persons including two active members of a militant group for fueling and sustaining the present unrest in Sopore area or North Kashmir while the shutdown continued for 110th day in the Valley. A police spokesman in Srinagar said cops arrested four persons including two active members of a militant group, who had got money from Pakistan for fueling and sustaining the ongoing unrest in Sopore area of North Kashmirs Baramulla district. Police arrested two persons namely Gowhar Ahmed Bhat and Hilal Ahmed Gojri of Baramulla, who are active members of militant group Tehreek-i-Jehad-i-Islami (TJI) based in Pakistan, a police spokesman said. He said the duo had visited Pakistan during the ongoing unrest in the Valley. During their questioning, names of two more persons Showkat Ali Gazi and Zahoor Ahmed Shagoo, both residents of Sopore, surfaced. Incriminating documents were recovered from their possession, the spokesman said. He said during questioning, the duo revealed that during their visit to Pakistan, they received Rs 50000 each and were promised more funds for fueling the current unrest. Both of them have been arrested and further investigations are going on, the spokesman said. Meanwhile, shutdown continued for the 110th consecutive day in Valley today. All shops, business establishments and educational institutions remained closed while public transport was off the roads. Kashmir has been observing shutdown and witnessing unrest after the killing of 21-year-old Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8. At least 92 people including two policemen have been killed and over 13000 civilians injured and more than 8000 including separatist leaders, youth and government employees arrested in over three month long unrest in the Valley. At Hari Singh High street in city centre, some youth pelted stones on some vehicles and also tried to ransack some vendors. A police official said adequate deployment of police and security forces was made at vulnerable points in Srinagar city and other towns. BSF officer injured in Pakistan firing A BSF spokesman told Express that Pakistani troops fired from automatic weapons and mortar shells towards their posts in Arnia, R S Pura and Akhnoor sector along IB in Jammu district. He said the firing started last evening and continued till 8.30 am. Our men also effectively returned the fire and targeted the Pakistani troop positions and posts, the spokesman said. He said BSF ASI A K Upadhayay sustained minor injuries when a shell exploded near him in RS Pura sector. He sustained splinter injures in the hand and has been hospitalized. The official said border guards are on highest mode of alertness along the IB to foil any misadventure by Pakistani troops or infiltration attempts by militants. SRINAGAR: Police on Wednesday said it has arrested four persons including two active members of a militant group for fueling and sustaining the present unrest in Sopore area or North Kashmir while the shutdown continued for 110th day in the Valley. A police spokesman in Srinagar said cops arrested four persons including two active members of a militant group, who had got money from Pakistan for fueling and sustaining the ongoing unrest in Sopore area of North Kashmirs Baramulla district. Police arrested two persons namely Gowhar Ahmed Bhat and Hilal Ahmed Gojri of Baramulla, who are active members of militant group Tehreek-i-Jehad-i-Islami (TJI) based in Pakistan, a police spokesman said. He said the duo had visited Pakistan during the ongoing unrest in the Valley. During their questioning, names of two more persons Showkat Ali Gazi and Zahoor Ahmed Shagoo, both residents of Sopore, surfaced. Incriminating documents were recovered from their possession, the spokesman said. He said during questioning, the duo revealed that during their visit to Pakistan, they received Rs 50000 each and were promised more funds for fueling the current unrest. Both of them have been arrested and further investigations are going on, the spokesman said. Meanwhile, shutdown continued for the 110th consecutive day in Valley today. All shops, business establishments and educational institutions remained closed while public transport was off the roads. Kashmir has been observing shutdown and witnessing unrest after the killing of 21-year-old Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8. At least 92 people including two policemen have been killed and over 13000 civilians injured and more than 8000 including separatist leaders, youth and government employees arrested in over three month long unrest in the Valley. At Hari Singh High street in city centre, some youth pelted stones on some vehicles and also tried to ransack some vendors. A police official said adequate deployment of police and security forces was made at vulnerable points in Srinagar city and other towns. BSF officer injured in Pakistan firing A BSF spokesman told Express that Pakistani troops fired from automatic weapons and mortar shells towards their posts in Arnia, R S Pura and Akhnoor sector along IB in Jammu district. He said the firing started last evening and continued till 8.30 am. Our men also effectively returned the fire and targeted the Pakistani troop positions and posts, the spokesman said. He said BSF ASI A K Upadhayay sustained minor injuries when a shell exploded near him in RS Pura sector. He sustained splinter injures in the hand and has been hospitalized. The official said border guards are on highest mode of alertness along the IB to foil any misadventure by Pakistani troops or infiltration attempts by militants. By Express News Service MUMBAI: Politicians from all parties, expect the BJP, came together on Tuesday to pass a no-confidence motion against commissioner of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) Tukaram Mundhe. Mundhe is known as an upright officer and has been transferred eight times in 10 years of his career. Before coming to Navi Mumbai, Mundhe was collector of Solapur, where he took on many powerful politicians along with the sand and land mafia. There too people supported his action even as politicians complained against him. The BJP-led Maharashtra government is likely to suspend the no-confidence motion. However, in a statement to the police, NMMC mayor Sudhakar Sonavane urged them not to let Mundhe enter the premises of the Corporation headquarters. If he (Mundhe) enters the Corporation headquarters, there would be a law and order situation, the mayor told the city police chief during a meeting. The no-confidence motion, proposed by the NCP, Shiv Sena and Congress, was passed 105-6. Only six members of the BJP, of the total 111, opposed the motion. The Shiv Sena was in two minds over the motion. However, in a meeting at party president Uddhav Thackerays residence on Monday evening, it decided to support the motion. The corporation is controlled by the NCP. Meanwhile, a senior State government official said that section 451 of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act gives the State the power to rescind or suspend any resolution of any corporation in certain cases, including for the larger public interest. We think the municipal commissioners work is on the right track. He has given us enough evidence of there being a clutch of properties where no property tax has been levied for years, of irregularities in housekeeping contracts and other basic tenders. According to the state, he is doing everything that a municipal commissioner is expected to do. Even the citizens are in his favour, the official said. MUMBAI: Politicians from all parties, expect the BJP, came together on Tuesday to pass a no-confidence motion against commissioner of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) Tukaram Mundhe. Mundhe is known as an upright officer and has been transferred eight times in 10 years of his career. Before coming to Navi Mumbai, Mundhe was collector of Solapur, where he took on many powerful politicians along with the sand and land mafia. There too people supported his action even as politicians complained against him. The BJP-led Maharashtra government is likely to suspend the no-confidence motion. However, in a statement to the police, NMMC mayor Sudhakar Sonavane urged them not to let Mundhe enter the premises of the Corporation headquarters. If he (Mundhe) enters the Corporation headquarters, there would be a law and order situation, the mayor told the city police chief during a meeting. The no-confidence motion, proposed by the NCP, Shiv Sena and Congress, was passed 105-6. Only six members of the BJP, of the total 111, opposed the motion. The Shiv Sena was in two minds over the motion. However, in a meeting at party president Uddhav Thackerays residence on Monday evening, it decided to support the motion. The corporation is controlled by the NCP. Meanwhile, a senior State government official said that section 451 of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act gives the State the power to rescind or suspend any resolution of any corporation in certain cases, including for the larger public interest. We think the municipal commissioners work is on the right track. He has given us enough evidence of there being a clutch of properties where no property tax has been levied for years, of irregularities in housekeeping contracts and other basic tenders. According to the state, he is doing everything that a municipal commissioner is expected to do. Even the citizens are in his favour, the official said. Akram Mohammed By Express News Service BENGALURU: Over half the convicts housed in Karnatakas jails are youths. NCRB data on prison statistics shows that the state has 53.6 per cent convicts aged between 18 and 30, much higher than the national average of 31.2 per cent, and ranking second only after Mizoram (65.7%) in the country. In terms of undertrials too languishing in state jails, over half of them are under 30. According to 2015 data, there were 3,904 convicts (3,702 men, 202 women) serving sentences in different prisons. Of these, 2,094 persons (2,000 men, 94 women) were aged 18-30, which is 53.6 per cent of the total convicts. The figure is much higher in comparison to other states in south India: Tamil Nadu (21.4%), Kerala (34.9), Andhra Pradesh (25.4 per) and Telangana (37.7%). The number of convicts aged between 30 and 50 years was 1,699 (1,599 men, 100 women), or 43.6 per cent. As for undertrials, the percentage in the 18-30 age group in Karnataka (52.7) was much higher than the national average of 47.5 and highest among south Indian states. Of the 9,314 undertrials, 4,909 were under 30, while 4,030 were in 30-50 age group. The demographic profile explored by the survey also showed a correlation between education level and prison sentence. Of the convicts, 32.5 per cent were illiterate (national average 27.5 per cent), while 41.2 per cent had studied till SSLC or less. The number of convicts with a degree was less than one per cent (0.57 per cent). Similarly, among undertrials, 32.6 per cent (3,038) were illiterate, while 49.6 per cent (4,624) had studied till Class 10 or less. Speaking to Express, retired DG&IGP S T Ramesh said thorough research was necessary to understand why there has been a spurt in convicts who are in 18-30 age group. Karnataka is a booming state and it attracts a lot of people due to job opportunities. Along with it, the opportunity for crime is also high, he said. Another expert said that the phenomenon was due to an increase in the migrant population. BENGALURU: Over half the convicts housed in Karnatakas jails are youths. NCRB data on prison statistics shows that the state has 53.6 per cent convicts aged between 18 and 30, much higher than the national average of 31.2 per cent, and ranking second only after Mizoram (65.7%) in the country. In terms of undertrials too languishing in state jails, over half of them are under 30. According to 2015 data, there were 3,904 convicts (3,702 men, 202 women) serving sentences in different prisons. Of these, 2,094 persons (2,000 men, 94 women) were aged 18-30, which is 53.6 per cent of the total convicts. The figure is much higher in comparison to other states in south India: Tamil Nadu (21.4%), Kerala (34.9), Andhra Pradesh (25.4 per) and Telangana (37.7%). The number of convicts aged between 30 and 50 years was 1,699 (1,599 men, 100 women), or 43.6 per cent. As for undertrials, the percentage in the 18-30 age group in Karnataka (52.7) was much higher than the national average of 47.5 and highest among south Indian states. Of the 9,314 undertrials, 4,909 were under 30, while 4,030 were in 30-50 age group. The demographic profile explored by the survey also showed a correlation between education level and prison sentence. Of the convicts, 32.5 per cent were illiterate (national average 27.5 per cent), while 41.2 per cent had studied till SSLC or less. The number of convicts with a degree was less than one per cent (0.57 per cent). Similarly, among undertrials, 32.6 per cent (3,038) were illiterate, while 49.6 per cent (4,624) had studied till Class 10 or less. Speaking to Express, retired DG&IGP S T Ramesh said thorough research was necessary to understand why there has been a spurt in convicts who are in 18-30 age group. Karnataka is a booming state and it attracts a lot of people due to job opportunities. Along with it, the opportunity for crime is also high, he said. Another expert said that the phenomenon was due to an increase in the migrant population. By Express News Service ALAPPUZHA: Kerala began culling of flu-infected ducklings in Cheruthana in Alappuzha on Wednesday after about 3,000 ducks died in Thakazhi, Edathua and a few areas in Upper Kuttanad earlier this week. Culling is also in progress in the Thakazhi panchayat. Around 180 ducklings with symptoms of bird flu were culled early on Wednesday, said V Gopakumar, district officer of the Animal Husbandry Department (AHD). The culling is being done by 20 Rapid Response Teams constituted by AHD under the Kerala's Agriculture Ministry. During the initial examination, around 2,000 ducks were found to have signs of infection, officials said. They will be culled if further tests confirm bird-flu symptoms. Meanwhile, the Animal Husbandry Department officials said there was no need to panic. The breakout is reportedly common in the Kuttanad region, especially during summer. There is no chance the flu will get contracted to human beings, said an official. He, however, added that steps have been taken to help prevent the spread of the disease from one area to another, and the poultry farmers are directed to not move the ducks from one area to another. On Tuesday, district collector Veena N Madhvan after a meeting with AHD officials had informed the media about 20 rapid respomse teams who have started prevention activities in the affected areas. According to the officials, the virus in the latest outbreak is not as deadly. In November 2014, there was a major bird flu scare in the region, and nearly 2 lakh ducks and about 50,000 chickens were infected by H5N1 virus had to be culled. Also, over three lakh people were examined for the virus at the time, recall officials. ALAPPUZHA: Kerala began culling of flu-infected ducklings in Cheruthana in Alappuzha on Wednesday after about 3,000 ducks died in Thakazhi, Edathua and a few areas in Upper Kuttanad earlier this week. Culling is also in progress in the Thakazhi panchayat. Around 180 ducklings with symptoms of bird flu were culled early on Wednesday, said V Gopakumar, district officer of the Animal Husbandry Department (AHD). The culling is being done by 20 Rapid Response Teams constituted by AHD under the Kerala's Agriculture Ministry. During the initial examination, around 2,000 ducks were found to have signs of infection, officials said. They will be culled if further tests confirm bird-flu symptoms. Meanwhile, the Animal Husbandry Department officials said there was no need to panic. The breakout is reportedly common in the Kuttanad region, especially during summer. There is no chance the flu will get contracted to human beings, said an official. He, however, added that steps have been taken to help prevent the spread of the disease from one area to another, and the poultry farmers are directed to not move the ducks from one area to another. On Tuesday, district collector Veena N Madhvan after a meeting with AHD officials had informed the media about 20 rapid respomse teams who have started prevention activities in the affected areas. According to the officials, the virus in the latest outbreak is not as deadly. In November 2014, there was a major bird flu scare in the region, and nearly 2 lakh ducks and about 50,000 chickens were infected by H5N1 virus had to be culled. Also, over three lakh people were examined for the virus at the time, recall officials. By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The attack of the stray dogs is continuing in Kerala. In the latest episode, a 90-year-old lost his life after being severely mauled by a pack at the popular beach town of Varkala, on Wednesday morning. In a similar incident in the same town, separated only by a few hours, a foreign tourist suffered minor injuries after being attacked by dogs at the beach. The incidents came even as the shocking case of an old woman being mauled to death by dogs at another beach in the capital district is fresh in public memory. Raghavan from Charuvila Veedu in Varkala was fast asleep on the bed in the verandah of his house when he came under attack from a pack of about seven dogs. The dogs managed to drag the frail nonagenarian a few metres before his loud cries brought neighbours and family to his rescue. Local public told Express that the old man suffered severe injuries to his head and face, and that the skin on his legs was almost bitten off by the canines. He was immediately rushed to the government hospital at Varkala, from where he was referred to the Medical College Hospital where he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Within a few hours, he succumbed to his injuries. As Raghavans condition was critical, he was subjected to an immediate surgery and was being kept under observation in the ICU but he did not survive. Meanwhile, a foreign tourist also suffered minor injuries after a few dogs at Varkala beach attacked him on Wednesday morning. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he underwent treatment. The details, including his name, are yet to be disclosed. Two months ago, a 65-year-old woman was mauled to death by at least 30 stray dogs at Pulluvila beach near Poovar in Thiruvanthapuram. Though civic authorities came up with several programmes to control the stray dog menace by sterilising the aggressive stray dogs, their efforts have not been successful so far. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The attack of the stray dogs is continuing in Kerala. In the latest episode, a 90-year-old lost his life after being severely mauled by a pack at the popular beach town of Varkala, on Wednesday morning. In a similar incident in the same town, separated only by a few hours, a foreign tourist suffered minor injuries after being attacked by dogs at the beach. The incidents came even as the shocking case of an old woman being mauled to death by dogs at another beach in the capital district is fresh in public memory. Raghavan from Charuvila Veedu in Varkala was fast asleep on the bed in the verandah of his house when he came under attack from a pack of about seven dogs. The dogs managed to drag the frail nonagenarian a few metres before his loud cries brought neighbours and family to his rescue. Local public told Express that the old man suffered severe injuries to his head and face, and that the skin on his legs was almost bitten off by the canines. He was immediately rushed to the government hospital at Varkala, from where he was referred to the Medical College Hospital where he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Within a few hours, he succumbed to his injuries. As Raghavans condition was critical, he was subjected to an immediate surgery and was being kept under observation in the ICU but he did not survive. Meanwhile, a foreign tourist also suffered minor injuries after a few dogs at Varkala beach attacked him on Wednesday morning. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he underwent treatment. The details, including his name, are yet to be disclosed. Two months ago, a 65-year-old woman was mauled to death by at least 30 stray dogs at Pulluvila beach near Poovar in Thiruvanthapuram. Though civic authorities came up with several programmes to control the stray dog menace by sterilising the aggressive stray dogs, their efforts have not been successful so far. Unnikrishnan S By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The oil crisis in the Gulf region has cast a long shadow over Keralas economy. But small and medium IT companies in the state have found a sliver of hope - an opportunity to tap into the $212 billion West Asian IT market which is looking for ways to cut cost to manage fiscal deficits. Group of Technology Companies (GTech), the industry body of IT companies in Kerala, attended the annual GITEX Technology Week in Dubai and assessed that the current economic environment in Gulf countries presented huge opportunities for SMEs in the state.Corporates are moving from expensive solutions provided by large conglomerates to cost-effective steps offered by SMEs. If our companies are able to deliver economic and scaleable solutions, there will be takers, said Rafeek K Mohammed, CEO of PIT Solutions. Banking, e-governance, oil and gas, retail and defence are some of the major sectors the IT companies in the state are looking to gain entry. Offshoring of banking sector has started recently. We expect more sectors will be opened for state-based IT companies. The biggest advantage we have is that the companies and government in UAE have experience working with Keralites, said Vijay Kumar CEO of Testhouse in Technopark. The IT companies are aiming for the next financial year to engage more with Gulf companies. According to Vijay, GTech would make a comprehensive market understanding before the January. The strategy to support small and medium companies in the state and help them tap into the West Asia markets more effectively will be jointly prepared by the state government and GTech. Government support The IT industry stands to benefit from the partnership between state government and the United Arab Emirates Government in the SmartCity project at Kochi which is expected to be completed by 2020. Kerala and most countries in the West Asia region are natural partners. We should leverage the relationship with TECOM in Dubai, and SmartCity - Kochi - to benefit the UAE and Kerala, said Secretary for Information Technology, M Sivasankar who led the IT delegation that attended GITEX. Often small and medium companies face fund constraints while trying to make innovative products. To address this issue apart from the buyer and the company getting into a co-ownership model, the government should also consider a fund to support companies that create prototypes with market potential, he said. The IT Secretary is a member of the three-member committee appointed by the government to sort out the pending issues of the SmartCity project. Hrishikesh Nair, chief executive officer of Technopark and Infopark, said the state was ready in both infrastructure and technology to meet any future demands. He said many countries have started seeing the state as a technology partner. However, some industry experts felt that the Gulf slowdown would have a negative impact on IT industry. SMEs typically get projects in mobility, gaming etc. During slowdown, these not-so-essential spends will be curtailed. Offshoring opportunities have not yet come because currency exchange rates are not attractive, said Joseph C Mathew, who served as IT adviser to former Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The oil crisis in the Gulf region has cast a long shadow over Keralas economy. But small and medium IT companies in the state have found a sliver of hope - an opportunity to tap into the $212 billion West Asian IT market which is looking for ways to cut cost to manage fiscal deficits. Group of Technology Companies (GTech), the industry body of IT companies in Kerala, attended the annual GITEX Technology Week in Dubai and assessed that the current economic environment in Gulf countries presented huge opportunities for SMEs in the state.Corporates are moving from expensive solutions provided by large conglomerates to cost-effective steps offered by SMEs. If our companies are able to deliver economic and scaleable solutions, there will be takers, said Rafeek K Mohammed, CEO of PIT Solutions. Banking, e-governance, oil and gas, retail and defence are some of the major sectors the IT companies in the state are looking to gain entry. Offshoring of banking sector has started recently. We expect more sectors will be opened for state-based IT companies. The biggest advantage we have is that the companies and government in UAE have experience working with Keralites, said Vijay Kumar CEO of Testhouse in Technopark. The IT companies are aiming for the next financial year to engage more with Gulf companies. According to Vijay, GTech would make a comprehensive market understanding before the January. The strategy to support small and medium companies in the state and help them tap into the West Asia markets more effectively will be jointly prepared by the state government and GTech. Government support The IT industry stands to benefit from the partnership between state government and the United Arab Emirates Government in the SmartCity project at Kochi which is expected to be completed by 2020. Kerala and most countries in the West Asia region are natural partners. We should leverage the relationship with TECOM in Dubai, and SmartCity - Kochi - to benefit the UAE and Kerala, said Secretary for Information Technology, M Sivasankar who led the IT delegation that attended GITEX. Often small and medium companies face fund constraints while trying to make innovative products. To address this issue apart from the buyer and the company getting into a co-ownership model, the government should also consider a fund to support companies that create prototypes with market potential, he said. The IT Secretary is a member of the three-member committee appointed by the government to sort out the pending issues of the SmartCity project. Hrishikesh Nair, chief executive officer of Technopark and Infopark, said the state was ready in both infrastructure and technology to meet any future demands. He said many countries have started seeing the state as a technology partner. However, some industry experts felt that the Gulf slowdown would have a negative impact on IT industry. SMEs typically get projects in mobility, gaming etc. During slowdown, these not-so-essential spends will be curtailed. Offshoring opportunities have not yet come because currency exchange rates are not attractive, said Joseph C Mathew, who served as IT adviser to former Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan. By Express News Service PARADIP (ODISHA): The manager of an Andhra Pradesh-based stevedoring agency was shot dead at Paradip in Jagatsinghpur district on Wednesday. Police said Mahendra Swain, manager of Seaways Shipping and Logistics Pvt Ltd (SSL), was fired at by unidentified miscreants from a close range at Madhuban near Central School while he was going to his office. Four unidentified motorcycle-borne miscreants hurled petrol bombs on the Scorpio vehicle in which Swain was going to office. He was accompanied by his PSO and driver. When he tried to flee the vehicle, the miscreants fired one round which hit his neck. They then shot him at close range on his head and ear, killing him on the spot, said a police official. Listening to Swain screaming, locals gathered and rushed him to Biju Memorial Hospital at Atharbanki, but doctors declared him brought dead. A team of police officials led by SP Jaynarayan Pankaj visited the spot and seized unused cartridges and the Scorpio vehicle. Police have launched a man hunt to nab the fugitives and sealed all the routes going out of Paradip town. Officials of nearby police stations have also been alerted. SSL officials and family members of Swain say he had previous rivalry with local stevedoring agencies and dumper associations, which could be the reason behind his murder. PARADIP (ODISHA): The manager of an Andhra Pradesh-based stevedoring agency was shot dead at Paradip in Jagatsinghpur district on Wednesday. Police said Mahendra Swain, manager of Seaways Shipping and Logistics Pvt Ltd (SSL), was fired at by unidentified miscreants from a close range at Madhuban near Central School while he was going to his office. Four unidentified motorcycle-borne miscreants hurled petrol bombs on the Scorpio vehicle in which Swain was going to office. He was accompanied by his PSO and driver. When he tried to flee the vehicle, the miscreants fired one round which hit his neck. They then shot him at close range on his head and ear, killing him on the spot, said a police official. Listening to Swain screaming, locals gathered and rushed him to Biju Memorial Hospital at Atharbanki, but doctors declared him brought dead. A team of police officials led by SP Jaynarayan Pankaj visited the spot and seized unused cartridges and the Scorpio vehicle. Police have launched a man hunt to nab the fugitives and sealed all the routes going out of Paradip town. Officials of nearby police stations have also been alerted. SSL officials and family members of Swain say he had previous rivalry with local stevedoring agencies and dumper associations, which could be the reason behind his murder. A smoke inside the airport? Not any more From:Shanghai Daily | 2016-10-26 03:45 SHANGHAIS two airports will ban smoking inside terminal buildings from this Sunday. Shanghai Airport Authority said yesterday all indoor smoking rooms will be closed. The authority has set up outdoor smoking areas and smokers will be guided to these designated areas. The new ban is accord with the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control as well as the citys new smoking control regulation, an airport authority official said. The citys legislative body is evaluating stricter rules that will extend smoking bans to all indoor public venues, including hotels, restaurants, offices, airports and public transport. Two outdoor smoking areas have been set up at Pudong airports T1 terminal, and three have been placed at the T2 terminal at Pudong. Hongqiao airport has two outdoor smoking areas at both its terminal buildings. The citys railway stations have also shut down all indoor smoking rooms. By Express News Service BHAWANIPATNA: Left wing extremists on Tuesday killed one villager and kept two others hostage in connection with an encounter that had taken place last month. The Maoists had reportedly abducted eight persons from three villages in Kalahandi district. Police said five villagers have been freed. The Maoists had forcibly taken five residents from Katlang village under Bijepur police limits, two from Salpang village and one from Karli village under Bhawanipatna Sadar police limits. One body has been recovered, and the deceased has been identified as Chena Harijan of Katlang. Harijans throat was found slit. The fate of two other persons kept in captivity is yet to be ascertained. Kalahandi SP, Brijesh Rai said combing operation has been started in the area by the anti-Maoist forces to trace the villagers but there has been no further information. Bijepur is a remote hilly area and there is no mobile network. The kidnap came just hours after a joint operation by Andhra Pradesh and Odisha Police on the border between the States that killed 27 Maoists, including three top cadres on Monday. Suspecting the role of villagers in tipping off police about their movements last month which led to an encounter at Bijapur area on September 15, Maoists had kidnapped the villagers, including a village guard of Salpang, the police claimed. A lady operative of the group had been killed in the Bijapur encounter. BHAWANIPATNA: Left wing extremists on Tuesday killed one villager and kept two others hostage in connection with an encounter that had taken place last month. The Maoists had reportedly abducted eight persons from three villages in Kalahandi district. Police said five villagers have been freed. The Maoists had forcibly taken five residents from Katlang village under Bijepur police limits, two from Salpang village and one from Karli village under Bhawanipatna Sadar police limits. One body has been recovered, and the deceased has been identified as Chena Harijan of Katlang. Harijans throat was found slit. The fate of two other persons kept in captivity is yet to be ascertained. Kalahandi SP, Brijesh Rai said combing operation has been started in the area by the anti-Maoist forces to trace the villagers but there has been no further information. Bijepur is a remote hilly area and there is no mobile network. The kidnap came just hours after a joint operation by Andhra Pradesh and Odisha Police on the border between the States that killed 27 Maoists, including three top cadres on Monday. Suspecting the role of villagers in tipping off police about their movements last month which led to an encounter at Bijapur area on September 15, Maoists had kidnapped the villagers, including a village guard of Salpang, the police claimed. A lady operative of the group had been killed in the Bijapur encounter. B Anbuselvan By Express News Service TIRUVANNAMALAI: One after the other, seven persons, including two children, have fallen victim to a mysterious fever gripping Thandarai village in Tiruvannamalai district in a span of mere 20 days. All the deceased had complaints of vomiting and stomach pain. 80-year-old Joseph of Thandarai colony was the latest victim on Tuesday. He too started vomiting around 10.30 pm the previous day and was rushed to the Tiruvannamalai Medical College Hospital (TMCH), where he died. The village is about 19 km from Tiruvannamalai town on Vettavalam road and has 160 families in the colony. The series of deaths started on October 5. Around 2.30 pm, Christopher (13), a Class VII student hailing from the colony, developed vomiting at his house. He was taken to Tiruvannamalai Government Hospital the next day, but was declared dead on arrival. Christopher and Joseph It was followed by the deaths of Vinodh Kumar (23), Nelson (6), Krithika Merlin (8), Munusamy (70) and Amudha (27) in the next to three to four days. While the two children were studying in schools, three others were daily wage workers. TMCH doctors, who initially thought these were natural deaths, woke up only after the death of Amudha four days ago. After they alerted the Health Department, the district administration has opened the medical camp in the village with three doctors, eight nurses and assistants. Blood samples have been collected from the locals. However, officials said they were unable to ascertain the exact cause of the death. V Govindhan, Deputy Director of Health Services, Tiruvannamalai, told Express that they were awaiting for the laboratory report on ground water and drinking water in the colony. Before dying, Munusamy was injured in the head, while Amudha had already underwent brain surgery at Vellore Medical College hospital a year ago. However, we are yet to come to any conclusion on the death of the other five. There was nothing unusual in their blood samples, he said. While ruling out any possibility of communicable diseases in the village, he said this could possibly be due to food poisoning. Medical College sources said Josephs body has been sent for autopsy. The other six persons were brought dead, hence their bodies were returned without autopsy. Officials expect that the autopsy report could unravel the mystery over the sudden deaths in the village. TIRUVANNAMALAI: One after the other, seven persons, including two children, have fallen victim to a mysterious fever gripping Thandarai village in Tiruvannamalai district in a span of mere 20 days. All the deceased had complaints of vomiting and stomach pain. 80-year-old Joseph of Thandarai colony was the latest victim on Tuesday. He too started vomiting around 10.30 pm the previous day and was rushed to the Tiruvannamalai Medical College Hospital (TMCH), where he died. The village is about 19 km from Tiruvannamalai town on Vettavalam road and has 160 families in the colony. The series of deaths started on October 5. Around 2.30 pm, Christopher (13), a Class VII student hailing from the colony, developed vomiting at his house. He was taken to Tiruvannamalai Government Hospital the next day, but was declared dead on arrival. Christopher and JosephIt was followed by the deaths of Vinodh Kumar (23), Nelson (6), Krithika Merlin (8), Munusamy (70) and Amudha (27) in the next to three to four days. While the two children were studying in schools, three others were daily wage workers. TMCH doctors, who initially thought these were natural deaths, woke up only after the death of Amudha four days ago. After they alerted the Health Department, the district administration has opened the medical camp in the village with three doctors, eight nurses and assistants. Blood samples have been collected from the locals. However, officials said they were unable to ascertain the exact cause of the death. V Govindhan, Deputy Director of Health Services, Tiruvannamalai, told Express that they were awaiting for the laboratory report on ground water and drinking water in the colony. Before dying, Munusamy was injured in the head, while Amudha had already underwent brain surgery at Vellore Medical College hospital a year ago. However, we are yet to come to any conclusion on the death of the other five. There was nothing unusual in their blood samples, he said. While ruling out any possibility of communicable diseases in the village, he said this could possibly be due to food poisoning. Medical College sources said Josephs body has been sent for autopsy. The other six persons were brought dead, hence their bodies were returned without autopsy. Officials expect that the autopsy report could unravel the mystery over the sudden deaths in the village. By Express News Service MADURAI : Stating that improper monitoring of rules violations by firecracker factories and shops led to most of the fire mishaps, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday warned the State government that it might order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the issue. Hearing a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on a recent fire disaster at two firecracker shops in Sivakasi, wherein nine persons were killed, a division bench of Justices S Nagamuthu and M V Muralidaran observed, Whenever such incidents are reported, the State government officials (Revenue Department and law enforcement agencies) and the Central government officials (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation PESO) blame each other. But the real solution would not be arrived at to avoid such accidents in future. Explaining the present case, Joint Chief Controller of Explosives A K Yadav said that licence was given to one Sudhanthirarajan, but he illegally sub-contracted the work to two persons Shenbaga Raman and Anand. The licence was renewed on September 9, 2015, and it was valid till 2020. When the court asked how the licenses of the firecracker shops were renewed, Yadav said that the department received fees, checked the applications and then renewed the licence. Under the Explosive Rules, 1983, it is not mandatory for the officials to visit the spot before renewing licence, he said, adding that at a time there would be around 300-400 renewal applications, making field visits impractical. The judges pointed out that the preliminary investigations revealed that rules prescribed at least 15 metre gap between two firecracker shops. However, the outlets, where the incident took place, had illegally partitioned a shop, thereby running two stalls adjacently. Moreover, the floor area was larger than the one mentioned in the original licence. Had the officials visited the spot, they could have found out those violations, they added. The official did not have any answer for this poser. However, the official contended that they now had ensured that all the cracker shops in Sivakasi followed the guidelines. The judges quizzed whether the officials were ready to accompany them (judges) to verify that the rules were not flouted, as claimed. It is unacceptable if accidents occur and the police register cases against laymen and arrest them. They never bring the officials, who issued licence to the shops, despite being aware of violations, to book, said the judges, while summoning Virudhunagar Superintendent of Police. The hearing was adjourned for Wednesday. Meanwhile, the court also came down heavily on the State government for failing to provide compensation to families of 10 people killed in the explosion at a fireworks factory at Kumbakonam in 2013. They were given a little monetary assistance under Farmers Protection Scheme and even the police had not filed chargesheet in the case. In case the government did not announce relief, the court would order an interim compensation for them on Wednesday. MADURAI : Stating that improper monitoring of rules violations by firecracker factories and shops led to most of the fire mishaps, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday warned the State government that it might order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the issue. Hearing a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on a recent fire disaster at two firecracker shops in Sivakasi, wherein nine persons were killed, a division bench of Justices S Nagamuthu and M V Muralidaran observed, Whenever such incidents are reported, the State government officials (Revenue Department and law enforcement agencies) and the Central government officials (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation PESO) blame each other. But the real solution would not be arrived at to avoid such accidents in future. Explaining the present case, Joint Chief Controller of Explosives A K Yadav said that licence was given to one Sudhanthirarajan, but he illegally sub-contracted the work to two persons Shenbaga Raman and Anand. The licence was renewed on September 9, 2015, and it was valid till 2020. When the court asked how the licenses of the firecracker shops were renewed, Yadav said that the department received fees, checked the applications and then renewed the licence. Under the Explosive Rules, 1983, it is not mandatory for the officials to visit the spot before renewing licence, he said, adding that at a time there would be around 300-400 renewal applications, making field visits impractical. The judges pointed out that the preliminary investigations revealed that rules prescribed at least 15 metre gap between two firecracker shops. However, the outlets, where the incident took place, had illegally partitioned a shop, thereby running two stalls adjacently. Moreover, the floor area was larger than the one mentioned in the original licence. Had the officials visited the spot, they could have found out those violations, they added. The official did not have any answer for this poser. However, the official contended that they now had ensured that all the cracker shops in Sivakasi followed the guidelines. The judges quizzed whether the officials were ready to accompany them (judges) to verify that the rules were not flouted, as claimed. It is unacceptable if accidents occur and the police register cases against laymen and arrest them. They never bring the officials, who issued licence to the shops, despite being aware of violations, to book, said the judges, while summoning Virudhunagar Superintendent of Police. The hearing was adjourned for Wednesday. Meanwhile, the court also came down heavily on the State government for failing to provide compensation to families of 10 people killed in the explosion at a fireworks factory at Kumbakonam in 2013. They were given a little monetary assistance under Farmers Protection Scheme and even the police had not filed chargesheet in the case. In case the government did not announce relief, the court would order an interim compensation for them on Wednesday. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: Irrigation minister T Harish Rao has urged Union water resources minister Uma Bharti to give Rs 2,000 crore for completion of Devadula irrigation project. Harish Rao called on Uma Bharti in Delhi on Tuesday and requested her to release Rs 2,000 crore more for Devadula project. The Centre had so far released Rs 300 crore under first instalment and assured to release another Rs 300 crore as second instalment for Devadula. Stating that there were special conditions like drought and other problems under Devadula ayacut area, Harish Rao requested the Union minister to release Rs 700 crore Central government grant towards Devadula, Rajiv Bhima and SRSP-2 irrigation projects as a special case. Speaking to reporters later in Delhi, Rao said the state government is planning to release more funds for the irrigation projects in backward areas and complete them on a priority basis. Harish Rao was in Delhi to attend the Prime Minister Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) meeting chaired by Uma Bharti. Of the 99 irrigation projects sanctioned under PMKSY, 11 projects were in Telangana state. In the PMKSY meeting, Harish Rao requested the Central government to see that the loans obtained for PMKSY projects under Nabard should be outside the purview of Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, so that the states borrowing capacity would increase. Rao also reiterated states demand to release Rs 5,000 crore Central aid for Mission Kakatiya. Harish Rao further told reporters that the second meeting of the Cabinet sub-committee on Brijesh Kumar Tribunal order would be held on Oct 29 in Hyderabad. Senior counsel Vaidyanathan was invited for that meeting, the minister said. After eliciting the views of Vaidyanathan, the irrigation department would decide the future course of action on the order of Brijesh Kumar Tribunal. Meanwhile, in a press release on Tuesday, Harish Rao termed state BJP president K Laxmans statement that farmers were not getting remunerative prices for their produce as absurd. He said that the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) would open 45 purchasing centres by October end and another 45 centres in the first week of November. Farmers were getting more than the minimum support price for their produce. All BJP leaders are blind to this, Harish Rao said. HYDERABAD: Irrigation minister T Harish Rao has urged Union water resources minister Uma Bharti to give Rs 2,000 crore for completion of Devadula irrigation project. Harish Rao called on Uma Bharti in Delhi on Tuesday and requested her to release Rs 2,000 crore more for Devadula project. The Centre had so far released Rs 300 crore under first instalment and assured to release another Rs 300 crore as second instalment for Devadula. Stating that there were special conditions like drought and other problems under Devadula ayacut area, Harish Rao requested the Union minister to release Rs 700 crore Central government grant towards Devadula, Rajiv Bhima and SRSP-2 irrigation projects as a special case. Speaking to reporters later in Delhi, Rao said the state government is planning to release more funds for the irrigation projects in backward areas and complete them on a priority basis. Harish Rao was in Delhi to attend the Prime Minister Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) meeting chaired by Uma Bharti. Of the 99 irrigation projects sanctioned under PMKSY, 11 projects were in Telangana state. In the PMKSY meeting, Harish Rao requested the Central government to see that the loans obtained for PMKSY projects under Nabard should be outside the purview of Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, so that the states borrowing capacity would increase. Rao also reiterated states demand to release Rs 5,000 crore Central aid for Mission Kakatiya. Harish Rao further told reporters that the second meeting of the Cabinet sub-committee on Brijesh Kumar Tribunal order would be held on Oct 29 in Hyderabad. Senior counsel Vaidyanathan was invited for that meeting, the minister said. After eliciting the views of Vaidyanathan, the irrigation department would decide the future course of action on the order of Brijesh Kumar Tribunal. Meanwhile, in a press release on Tuesday, Harish Rao termed state BJP president K Laxmans statement that farmers were not getting remunerative prices for their produce as absurd. He said that the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) would open 45 purchasing centres by October end and another 45 centres in the first week of November. Farmers were getting more than the minimum support price for their produce. All BJP leaders are blind to this, Harish Rao said. By Associated Press ISTANBUL: A human rights group said Tuesday that Turkish police have tortured or abused detainees following the failed coup attempt in July, a claim that Turkish officials deny. In a 43-page report published Tuesday, Human Rights Watch said that a state of emergency adopted after the coup attempt which is still in effect has weakened safeguards against torture. It details 13 alleged abuse cases, including sleep deprivation, severe beatings, sexual abuse and rape threats. "The prohibition of torture in international law is absolute and cannot be suspended even in times of war or national emergency," the report said. "And yet, the emergency decrees remove crucial safeguards that protect detainees from ill-treatment and torture." It called on the authorities to "immediately rescind those provisions of the emergency decrees that enable abuse." Turkey launched a massive crackdown on suspected followers of U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who has been accused of masterminding the failed July 15 coup. At least 32,000 people have been arrested, among them soldiers, policemen, judges and teachers. Human Rights Watch said the emergency decree provisions, which include denying lawyers access to medical reports, have made documentation and corroboration of ill-treatment and torture allegations difficult. Still, the New York-based group said it was able to gather evidence of abuse in ad hoc facilities set up after the coup attempt. It quoted one police officer telling a detainee: "Because of the state of emergency, nobody will care if I kill you. I will just say I shot you while you tried to run away." It said those words were overheard by the relative of another person in detention. There was no immediate reaction from the government to the report. But Turkish authorities have for months been facing allegations of rights violations and have denied them. Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag tweeted Sunday that there is no abuse or torture in Turkey's prisons, arguing that Turkey was being unfairly accused and that a special unit was established to investigate all claims. ISTANBUL: A human rights group said Tuesday that Turkish police have tortured or abused detainees following the failed coup attempt in July, a claim that Turkish officials deny. In a 43-page report published Tuesday, Human Rights Watch said that a state of emergency adopted after the coup attempt which is still in effect has weakened safeguards against torture. It details 13 alleged abuse cases, including sleep deprivation, severe beatings, sexual abuse and rape threats. "The prohibition of torture in international law is absolute and cannot be suspended even in times of war or national emergency," the report said. "And yet, the emergency decrees remove crucial safeguards that protect detainees from ill-treatment and torture." It called on the authorities to "immediately rescind those provisions of the emergency decrees that enable abuse." Turkey launched a massive crackdown on suspected followers of U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who has been accused of masterminding the failed July 15 coup. At least 32,000 people have been arrested, among them soldiers, policemen, judges and teachers. Human Rights Watch said the emergency decree provisions, which include denying lawyers access to medical reports, have made documentation and corroboration of ill-treatment and torture allegations difficult. Still, the New York-based group said it was able to gather evidence of abuse in ad hoc facilities set up after the coup attempt. It quoted one police officer telling a detainee: "Because of the state of emergency, nobody will care if I kill you. I will just say I shot you while you tried to run away." It said those words were overheard by the relative of another person in detention. There was no immediate reaction from the government to the report. But Turkish authorities have for months been facing allegations of rights violations and have denied them. Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag tweeted Sunday that there is no abuse or torture in Turkey's prisons, arguing that Turkey was being unfairly accused and that a special unit was established to investigate all claims. By PTI DUBAI: A man in Kuwait almost ended up going to jail after the family parrot accidentally exposed his alleged affair with the housemaid as it mimicked flirtatious exchange of words between them in front of his wife. The alleged affair came to light after the parrot started to repeat flirty phrases in front of his wife, the Arab Times reported. The wife then lodged a complaint with officers at Hawally police station in Kuwait and accused the husband of cheating, noting she had been suspecting the man for a while, the report said. She said the husband was surprised when he saw her returning from the office before time and became nervous. However, the prosecution officer said the case could not be regarded as crime based on lack of credible evidence and could not be admitted in court, as it could not be proved that the bird had not heard the intimate conversation on TV or the radio. Adultery is illegal in the Gulf state, carrying a potential prison sentence or even hard labour. DUBAI: A man in Kuwait almost ended up going to jail after the family parrot accidentally exposed his alleged affair with the housemaid as it mimicked flirtatious exchange of words between them in front of his wife. The alleged affair came to light after the parrot started to repeat flirty phrases in front of his wife, the Arab Times reported. The wife then lodged a complaint with officers at Hawally police station in Kuwait and accused the husband of cheating, noting she had been suspecting the man for a while, the report said. She said the husband was surprised when he saw her returning from the office before time and became nervous. However, the prosecution officer said the case could not be regarded as crime based on lack of credible evidence and could not be admitted in court, as it could not be proved that the bird had not heard the intimate conversation on TV or the radio. Adultery is illegal in the Gulf state, carrying a potential prison sentence or even hard labour. By AFP KABUL: Militants linked to Islamic State jihadists killed around 30 civilians, including children, in central Afghanistan, officials said Wednesday, raising concerns about the group's expanding presence beyond its eastern strongholds. The incident occurred late Tuesday north of Firoz Koh, the capital of Ghor province, with the local government calling it a revenge attack after a local IS commander was killed. "Our security forces with the help of locals conducted an operation and killed a Daesh (IS) commander yesterday. Daesh fighters in return abducted around 30 villagers, mostly shepherds," Ghor Governor Nasir Khazeh told AFP. "Their dead bodies were found by local people this morning." Abdul Hameed Nateqi, a Ghor provincial council member, gave a similar account to AFP. IS, which controls territory across Syria and Iraq, has so far not officially claimed responsibility for the attack. The killings underscore unravelling security in Afghanistan as the resurgent Taliban continue a push into urban centres 15 years after they were toppled from power. IS fighters are also making steady inroads into Afghanistan, winning over sympathisers, recruiting followers and challenging the Taliban on their own turf, primarily in the country's east. In March Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced that the Islamists had been defeated after local security forces claimed victory in a months-long operation against the group. But IS militant have continued to launch deadly strikes in the country. The latest devastating attack in Ghor represents a major escalation for IS, which so far has largely been confined to the eastern province of Nangarhar where it is notorious for brutality including beheadings. The Afghan government is currently in the middle of an operation backed by NATO airstrikes against IS in Nangarhar. NATO recently said the group's influence was waning as it steadily lost territory, with fighters largely confined to two or three districts in the province from around nine in January. In July, IS jihadists claimed responsibility for twin explosions that ripped through crowds of Shiite Hazaras in Kabul, killing at least 85 people and wounding more than 400 others. The bombings marked the deadliest single attack in Kabul since the Taliban were toppled from power in a 2001 US-led invasion. The killings sparked an avalanche of global condemnation, with the United Nations labelling the direct assault on civilians a "war crime". The Taliban, who are in the middle of their annual summer offensive and are more powerful than IS, have so far not officially commented on the Ghor killings. The militant group, which has stepped up nationwide assaults on the Western-backed government, is not generally known to launch attacks directly targeting civilians. KABUL: Militants linked to Islamic State jihadists killed around 30 civilians, including children, in central Afghanistan, officials said Wednesday, raising concerns about the group's expanding presence beyond its eastern strongholds. The incident occurred late Tuesday north of Firoz Koh, the capital of Ghor province, with the local government calling it a revenge attack after a local IS commander was killed. "Our security forces with the help of locals conducted an operation and killed a Daesh (IS) commander yesterday. Daesh fighters in return abducted around 30 villagers, mostly shepherds," Ghor Governor Nasir Khazeh told AFP. "Their dead bodies were found by local people this morning." Abdul Hameed Nateqi, a Ghor provincial council member, gave a similar account to AFP. IS, which controls territory across Syria and Iraq, has so far not officially claimed responsibility for the attack. The killings underscore unravelling security in Afghanistan as the resurgent Taliban continue a push into urban centres 15 years after they were toppled from power. IS fighters are also making steady inroads into Afghanistan, winning over sympathisers, recruiting followers and challenging the Taliban on their own turf, primarily in the country's east. In March Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced that the Islamists had been defeated after local security forces claimed victory in a months-long operation against the group. But IS militant have continued to launch deadly strikes in the country. The latest devastating attack in Ghor represents a major escalation for IS, which so far has largely been confined to the eastern province of Nangarhar where it is notorious for brutality including beheadings. The Afghan government is currently in the middle of an operation backed by NATO airstrikes against IS in Nangarhar. NATO recently said the group's influence was waning as it steadily lost territory, with fighters largely confined to two or three districts in the province from around nine in January. In July, IS jihadists claimed responsibility for twin explosions that ripped through crowds of Shiite Hazaras in Kabul, killing at least 85 people and wounding more than 400 others. The bombings marked the deadliest single attack in Kabul since the Taliban were toppled from power in a 2001 US-led invasion. The killings sparked an avalanche of global condemnation, with the United Nations labelling the direct assault on civilians a "war crime". The Taliban, who are in the middle of their annual summer offensive and are more powerful than IS, have so far not officially commented on the Ghor killings. The militant group, which has stepped up nationwide assaults on the Western-backed government, is not generally known to launch attacks directly targeting civilians. By The Daily Telegraph ISIL shot dead a disabled girl and five others who were lagging behind a group being forcibly marched out of their village south of Mosul, the UN said yesterday (Tuesday). The jidhaists reportedly fired on the group as it was moving slowly due to the girl's disability. Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) fighters are believed to have carried out execution-style killings of dozens of Iraqi civilians and former police officers as the group is forced to retreat from territory around Mosul. The bodies of 15 civilians were discovered dumped in a river in the village of Safina, about 30 miles south of Mosul, according to a UN report issued yesterday. The bodies were apparently placed in plain sight in an attempt to spread fear among other villagers. In the same village, Isil reportedly tied six civilians to a vehicle by their hands and dragged them around, apparently because they were related to a tribal leader fighting alongside Iraqi government forces. Their fates are unknown. Iraqi security forces found another 70 bodies riddled with bullet wounds on Oct 20 in the nearby village of Tuloul Naser, and 50 police officers who had been held hostage by Isil were reportedly executed in a building outside Mosul on Sunday. The reported incidents, which the UN cautions should be treated as "preliminary and not definitive", strengthen fears Isil might use civilians as human shields as they retreat from Mosul. The coalition offensive to retake the city and surrounding villages is now in its second week and the situation on the ground has become increasingly unstable. "We fear we are just at the beginning," said Rupert Colville, of the UN's human rights organisation. "These villages are 35-40km (22-25 miles) outside Mosul. The closer you get to the city, the worse it could get. "We've had reports Isil are moving people, and we don't know where, but with their history of barbarism, you fear it's somewhere with strategic value for them." Isil has suggested on social media that it will temporarily retreat into the deserts of Anbar province, where it plans to rebuild and inflict further atrocities on Iraqis. Scores of Kurdish peshmerga and Iraqi security forces have been killed and injured during the offensive, and one US serviceman was killed last week. Isil has studded the roads and hills around Mosul, its largest stronghold in Iraq, with IEDs and dispatched snipers as the coalition approaches. ISIL shot dead a disabled girl and five others who were lagging behind a group being forcibly marched out of their village south of Mosul, the UN said yesterday (Tuesday). The jidhaists reportedly fired on the group as it was moving slowly due to the girl's disability. Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) fighters are believed to have carried out execution-style killings of dozens of Iraqi civilians and former police officers as the group is forced to retreat from territory around Mosul. The bodies of 15 civilians were discovered dumped in a river in the village of Safina, about 30 miles south of Mosul, according to a UN report issued yesterday. The bodies were apparently placed in plain sight in an attempt to spread fear among other villagers. In the same village, Isil reportedly tied six civilians to a vehicle by their hands and dragged them around, apparently because they were related to a tribal leader fighting alongside Iraqi government forces. Their fates are unknown. Iraqi security forces found another 70 bodies riddled with bullet wounds on Oct 20 in the nearby village of Tuloul Naser, and 50 police officers who had been held hostage by Isil were reportedly executed in a building outside Mosul on Sunday. The reported incidents, which the UN cautions should be treated as "preliminary and not definitive", strengthen fears Isil might use civilians as human shields as they retreat from Mosul. The coalition offensive to retake the city and surrounding villages is now in its second week and the situation on the ground has become increasingly unstable. "We fear we are just at the beginning," said Rupert Colville, of the UN's human rights organisation. "These villages are 35-40km (22-25 miles) outside Mosul. The closer you get to the city, the worse it could get. "We've had reports Isil are moving people, and we don't know where, but with their history of barbarism, you fear it's somewhere with strategic value for them." Isil has suggested on social media that it will temporarily retreat into the deserts of Anbar province, where it plans to rebuild and inflict further atrocities on Iraqis. Scores of Kurdish peshmerga and Iraqi security forces have been killed and injured during the offensive, and one US serviceman was killed last week. Isil has studded the roads and hills around Mosul, its largest stronghold in Iraq, with IEDs and dispatched snipers as the coalition approaches. By PTI JERUSALEM: Israel recalled its ambassador to UNESCO for consultations today, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced, after a second resolution accused of denying the Jewish connection to Jerusalem. "The theatre of the absurd continues and I decided to recall our ambassador for consultation," Netanyahu said in a statement. "We will decide what the next steps will be." The UNESCO World Heritage Committee adopted a resolution earlier today saying it was "deeply concerned" by Israeli building works and archeological excavations in the Old City of Jerusalem. It refers throughout to the Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif religious complex, without using the Israeli name "Temple Mount," according a copy seen by AFP. The site is the third holiest in Islam and the most holy in Judaism. Senior Palestinian figure Saeb Erekat hailed the resolution, saying it "aims at reaffirming the importance of Jerusalem for the three monotheistic religions, Christianity, Judaism and Islam." The heritage committee, made up of 21 member states, adopted by consensus the text proposed by Kuwait, Lebanon and Tunisia. The vote comes eight days after a resolution of UNESCO's Executive Council on the same theme that infuriated Israel. JERUSALEM: Israel recalled its ambassador to UNESCO for consultations today, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced, after a second resolution accused of denying the Jewish connection to Jerusalem. "The theatre of the absurd continues and I decided to recall our ambassador for consultation," Netanyahu said in a statement. "We will decide what the next steps will be." The UNESCO World Heritage Committee adopted a resolution earlier today saying it was "deeply concerned" by Israeli building works and archeological excavations in the Old City of Jerusalem. It refers throughout to the Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif religious complex, without using the Israeli name "Temple Mount," according a copy seen by AFP. The site is the third holiest in Islam and the most holy in Judaism. Senior Palestinian figure Saeb Erekat hailed the resolution, saying it "aims at reaffirming the importance of Jerusalem for the three monotheistic religions, Christianity, Judaism and Islam." The heritage committee, made up of 21 member states, adopted by consensus the text proposed by Kuwait, Lebanon and Tunisia. The vote comes eight days after a resolution of UNESCO's Executive Council on the same theme that infuriated Israel. P K Balachandran By Express News Service COLOMBO: The President of the Jaffna University Arts Faculty Students Union ,K.Rajeevan, on Wednesday returned a letter sent to him by the Northern Province Governor, Reginold Cooray, because it was written in Sinhalese, the language of the majority in community in Sri Lanka. It was a copy of a letter the Governor had written to Sri Lankan President Maithipala Sirisena requesting the latter to conduct an inquiry into the incident on October 20, in which two Jaffna University students were killed. Earlier in the day, teachers and students of the university had submitted a memorandum to the Governor calling for an impartial inquiry. The memorandum was in three languages, English, Sinhalese and Tamil. When the Arts Faculty Students Union President Rajeevan received the copy of the Governors letter to the President, he promptly sent it back to the Governor with the following scribbled on it in English: We could not understand what you are saying here. We are trying to say that Sri Lankan official languages are Sinhala and Tamil. The returned letter carries the seal and signature of the Students Union President. Commenting on the incident, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP from Jaffna,M.A.Sumanthiran said that the Governor had only sent a copy of the Sinhalese letter he had written to the Sri Lankan President . If he was writing to the students union President he would have written in English. However, given the sensitivity over the language issue, the Governor could have attached an English translation of the letter, Sumanthiran said. Meanwhile, in Colombo, the Police Minister Sagala Ratnayake would not comment on the rights and wrongs of the incident on October 20, in which two students in their early twenties riding a motorcycle were shot at by cops at a checkpoint because they did not stop when asked to. One boy died of bullet wounds and the other died when the vehicle crashed. All that Ratnayake said was that the situation could have got exacerbated had the President, Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader not intervened to calm the agitators. The police tried to cover up their act by saying that the deaths were the result of an accident. But the government medical officer reported that one of the boys had bullet wounds and that he had been shot in the chest. Jaffna society reacted very strongly to the bid to cover up of what seemed to be murder. All political parties called for and observed a total Hartal on October 25. President Maithripala Sirisena called for an impartial inquiry and the police arrested the five constables involved in the shooting and a Jaffna court remanded them till November 4. COLOMBO: The President of the Jaffna University Arts Faculty Students Union ,K.Rajeevan, on Wednesday returned a letter sent to him by the Northern Province Governor, Reginold Cooray, because it was written in Sinhalese, the language of the majority in community in Sri Lanka. It was a copy of a letter the Governor had written to Sri Lankan President Maithipala Sirisena requesting the latter to conduct an inquiry into the incident on October 20, in which two Jaffna University students were killed. Earlier in the day, teachers and students of the university had submitted a memorandum to the Governor calling for an impartial inquiry. The memorandum was in three languages, English, Sinhalese and Tamil. When the Arts Faculty Students Union President Rajeevan received the copy of the Governors letter to the President, he promptly sent it back to the Governor with the following scribbled on it in English: We could not understand what you are saying here. We are trying to say that Sri Lankan official languages are Sinhala and Tamil. The returned letter carries the seal and signature of the Students Union President. Commenting on the incident, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP from Jaffna,M.A.Sumanthiran said that the Governor had only sent a copy of the Sinhalese letter he had written to the Sri Lankan President . If he was writing to the students union President he would have written in English. However, given the sensitivity over the language issue, the Governor could have attached an English translation of the letter, Sumanthiran said. Meanwhile, in Colombo, the Police Minister Sagala Ratnayake would not comment on the rights and wrongs of the incident on October 20, in which two students in their early twenties riding a motorcycle were shot at by cops at a checkpoint because they did not stop when asked to. One boy died of bullet wounds and the other died when the vehicle crashed. All that Ratnayake said was that the situation could have got exacerbated had the President, Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader not intervened to calm the agitators. The police tried to cover up their act by saying that the deaths were the result of an accident. But the government medical officer reported that one of the boys had bullet wounds and that he had been shot in the chest. Jaffna society reacted very strongly to the bid to cover up of what seemed to be murder. All political parties called for and observed a total Hartal on October 25. President Maithripala Sirisena called for an impartial inquiry and the police arrested the five constables involved in the shooting and a Jaffna court remanded them till November 4. The latest economic data, released on Oct 19, shows that Chinas economy has maintained stable growth with improving quality, and added value of the service industry accounted for 52.8 percent of GDP. As China moves toward becoming a nation with modern agriculture and IT-based industry, the service industry is becoming a major employer, contributing more than 60 percent to increased tax revenue in the past three quarters. Premier Li Keqiang said in May 2013 that the service industry was still lagging behind, and would be one of the main directions of Chinas industrial restructuring in the years to come. Premier Li visits a working station of an express company in Yiwu, East Chinas Zhejiang province, Nov 19, 2014. In 2015, the service industry took half the share of GDP for the first time, and maintained rapid growth in 2016, becoming the main powerhouse of Chinas economic growth. As Premier Li said, protection will not help the service industry. Opening up to competition is the right way to push the industry to a higher level. Currently, with pilot programs being conducted in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone, the service industry will be opened up to both private and foreign capital across the nation. Premier Li inspects a new tech lab of Huawei in Shenzhen, South Chinas Guangdong province, Jan 4, 2015. By Associated Press LOS ANGELES: A Los Angeles man found with multiple weapons and hundreds of pounds of ammunition in his home was charged with making terrorist threats to the Islamic Center of Southern California, authorities announced Tuesday. Mark Lucian Feigin was arrested last week on the charge, which has been designated as a hate crime, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Feigin, 40, has been released on bail. A message left at a number listed under his name was not returned Tuesday and it was unclear if he has an attorney. Feigin first called the Islamic center Sept. 19 and left a hate-filled voicemail, police said. The next day, they said, he called and threatened to kill people at the center. Police also believe Feigin was posting threatening and hate-filled posts on his social media pages. When police served a search warrant at Feigin's home last week, they found at least nine guns and 250 pounds of ammunition, LAPD Cmdr. Horace Frank said at a news conference. Some of the weapons are registered to Feigin while some are registered to others, Feigin said, adding that some of the ammunition clips had been modified to shoot at high capacity. He declined to say whether police believe Feigin was planning an attack or making empty threats. "When people make threats of this nature and they have the means to carry out those threats, it's a very serious matter," Frank said. Frank acknowledged that the Islamic center regularly gets negative phone calls, but said Feigin's threats stood out. "When he crossed the line is when he threatened to kill them," Frank said. "That's where free speech ends." The Islamic center has obtained a restraining order against Feigin. Omar Ricci, a spokesman for the center, said Feigin's first call was filled with expletives, and included calling its members "rats" and telling them to leave their religion. The second one included death threats, he said. He said the center was pleased with Feigin's arrest but concerned that he had been released on bail, so much so that they've increased the number armed security guards who protect the facility, which includes an elementary school. Ricci said the center typically gets an increase in angry phone calls after a high-profile terrorist attack, including San Bernardino and Orlando. "People call and hang up or get out what they have to say and don't bother to engage in conversation," Ricci said. "This guy called multiple times, the vitriol in his voice, and the hate in how he was saying things he was really, really in a rage." LOS ANGELES: A Los Angeles man found with multiple weapons and hundreds of pounds of ammunition in his home was charged with making terrorist threats to the Islamic Center of Southern California, authorities announced Tuesday. Mark Lucian Feigin was arrested last week on the charge, which has been designated as a hate crime, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Feigin, 40, has been released on bail. A message left at a number listed under his name was not returned Tuesday and it was unclear if he has an attorney. Feigin first called the Islamic center Sept. 19 and left a hate-filled voicemail, police said. The next day, they said, he called and threatened to kill people at the center. Police also believe Feigin was posting threatening and hate-filled posts on his social media pages. When police served a search warrant at Feigin's home last week, they found at least nine guns and 250 pounds of ammunition, LAPD Cmdr. Horace Frank said at a news conference. Some of the weapons are registered to Feigin while some are registered to others, Feigin said, adding that some of the ammunition clips had been modified to shoot at high capacity. He declined to say whether police believe Feigin was planning an attack or making empty threats. "When people make threats of this nature and they have the means to carry out those threats, it's a very serious matter," Frank said. Frank acknowledged that the Islamic center regularly gets negative phone calls, but said Feigin's threats stood out. "When he crossed the line is when he threatened to kill them," Frank said. "That's where free speech ends." The Islamic center has obtained a restraining order against Feigin. Omar Ricci, a spokesman for the center, said Feigin's first call was filled with expletives, and included calling its members "rats" and telling them to leave their religion. The second one included death threats, he said. He said the center was pleased with Feigin's arrest but concerned that he had been released on bail, so much so that they've increased the number armed security guards who protect the facility, which includes an elementary school. Ricci said the center typically gets an increase in angry phone calls after a high-profile terrorist attack, including San Bernardino and Orlando. "People call and hang up or get out what they have to say and don't bother to engage in conversation," Ricci said. "This guy called multiple times, the vitriol in his voice, and the hate in how he was saying things he was really, really in a rage." By The Daily Telegraph Spain was facing international anger last night (Tuesday night) as it apparently prepared to refuel a flotilla of Russian warships which are due to step up strikes against Aleppo. Politicians and military figures condemned the support from a Nato member, while the head of the alliance indicated Madrid should rethink the pit stop. Warships from an eight-strong group led by the carrier Admiral Kuznetsov will take on fuel and supplies at the Spanish port of Ceuta after passing through the Straits of Gibraltar this morning, Spanish newspapers reported. Nato officials expect the flotilla to sail onwards to the eastern Mediterranean and escalate air strikes on east Aleppo, which is held by rebels against the Syrian regime. Jens Stoltenberg, the Nato secretary general, said the carrier group, which passed through the English Channel last week, could be used to bomb civilians in the city. He said: "It's for each nation to decide whether these ships can get supplies and be fuelled in different harbours along the route towards the eastern Mediterranean. At the same time we are concerned, and I have expressed that very clearly, about the potential use of this battle group to increase Russia's ability and to be a platform for air strikes against Syria." Spain regularly refuels Russian warships at the north African port, which it says is not covered by Nato treaties. At least 60 Russian military craft have made technical stops at the enclave since April 2010, when the naval base was opened up to serve ships from other nations. Sir Gerald Howarth MP, a former defence minister, said it would be "wholly inappropriate" for a Nato member to refuel the vessels. Lord West, a former head of the Royal Navy, added: "There are sanctions against Russia and it's an extraordinary thing for a Nato ally to do." Guy Verhofstadt, the former Belgian prime minister, said on Twitter: "Spain signed EU statement on Russian war crimes in Aleppo last week; today helps refuel fleet on way to commit more atrocities. Seriously?" Naval sources said the Kuznetsov itself would not dock in Ceuta, but its tanker and escorts could. Spain's foreign ministry told The Daily Telegraph requests from the Russian navy were considered on a "case by case basis". A spokesman said: "Russian navy vessels have been making calls in Spanish ports for years." But in an indication that Madrid was feeling the increased diplomatic pressure, the Spanish government said it was reviewing the Russian request. Russia's military visits are estimated to bring in more than pounds 270,000 a time to the city. Lt Gen Evgenny Buzhinsky, who oversaw relations with Nato as a former senior official in Russia's ministry of defence, said the stop in Spain was entirely routine. Meanwhile the RAF last night scrambled Typhoon jets to escort two Russian Bear bombers off the coast of Scotland. Spain was facing international anger last night (Tuesday night) as it apparently prepared to refuel a flotilla of Russian warships which are due to step up strikes against Aleppo. Politicians and military figures condemned the support from a Nato member, while the head of the alliance indicated Madrid should rethink the pit stop. Warships from an eight-strong group led by the carrier Admiral Kuznetsov will take on fuel and supplies at the Spanish port of Ceuta after passing through the Straits of Gibraltar this morning, Spanish newspapers reported. Nato officials expect the flotilla to sail onwards to the eastern Mediterranean and escalate air strikes on east Aleppo, which is held by rebels against the Syrian regime. Jens Stoltenberg, the Nato secretary general, said the carrier group, which passed through the English Channel last week, could be used to bomb civilians in the city. He said: "It's for each nation to decide whether these ships can get supplies and be fuelled in different harbours along the route towards the eastern Mediterranean. At the same time we are concerned, and I have expressed that very clearly, about the potential use of this battle group to increase Russia's ability and to be a platform for air strikes against Syria." Spain regularly refuels Russian warships at the north African port, which it says is not covered by Nato treaties. At least 60 Russian military craft have made technical stops at the enclave since April 2010, when the naval base was opened up to serve ships from other nations. Sir Gerald Howarth MP, a former defence minister, said it would be "wholly inappropriate" for a Nato member to refuel the vessels. Lord West, a former head of the Royal Navy, added: "There are sanctions against Russia and it's an extraordinary thing for a Nato ally to do." Guy Verhofstadt, the former Belgian prime minister, said on Twitter: "Spain signed EU statement on Russian war crimes in Aleppo last week; today helps refuel fleet on way to commit more atrocities. Seriously?" Naval sources said the Kuznetsov itself would not dock in Ceuta, but its tanker and escorts could. Spain's foreign ministry told The Daily Telegraph requests from the Russian navy were considered on a "case by case basis". A spokesman said: "Russian navy vessels have been making calls in Spanish ports for years." But in an indication that Madrid was feeling the increased diplomatic pressure, the Spanish government said it was reviewing the Russian request. Russia's military visits are estimated to bring in more than pounds 270,000 a time to the city. Lt Gen Evgenny Buzhinsky, who oversaw relations with Nato as a former senior official in Russia's ministry of defence, said the stop in Spain was entirely routine. Meanwhile the RAF last night scrambled Typhoon jets to escort two Russian Bear bombers off the coast of Scotland. By Associated Press HANOI: Three Vietnamese sailors who were held hostage by Somali pirates for more than four years returned home Tuesday, with one father expressing happiness at seeing a son he hadn't heard from in three years. They were among 26 Asian sailors who were released Saturday after being held since their fishing vessel was seized in March 2012. The sailors appeared in good health when they emerged from a flight from Nairobi, Kenya, to Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi on Tuesday and were greeted by relatives before having their health checked at a hospital. Phan Xuan Linh, father of sailor Phan Xuan Phuong, said his son only called the family three times in the first year asking for help and then did not have any contact with him. "(We were) worried, but did not know what to do," Linh told the Associated Press while waiting for his son's return. "They were pirates, they were lawless and we just prayed for him and did not know who to call for help, because the pirates are similar to terrorists. We had faint hope that my son would return home. Today we are very happy." The sailors did not speak to journalists upon their arrival at the airport. The crew from Vietnam, Taiwan, Cambodia, Indonesia, China and the Philippines had been among the few hostages still in the hands of Somali pirates. The sailors were the crew of the FV Naham 3, a Taiwan-owned fishing vessel seized in March 2012, pirate representative Bile Hussein said Monday. The ship later sank. Hussein said $1.5 million in ransom was paid for the sailors' release. That claim could not be independently verified. One member of the crew died in the hijacking and two died of illnesses in captivity. Piracy off Somalia's coast was once a serious threat to the global shipping industry. Attacks dropped off dramatically after NATO counties, China and India, sent their navies to patrol the waters. Most hostages held by Somali pirates have been sailors on merchant ships, although European families also have been kidnapped from their yachts while traveling in the dangerous waters. HANOI: Three Vietnamese sailors who were held hostage by Somali pirates for more than four years returned home Tuesday, with one father expressing happiness at seeing a son he hadn't heard from in three years. They were among 26 Asian sailors who were released Saturday after being held since their fishing vessel was seized in March 2012. The sailors appeared in good health when they emerged from a flight from Nairobi, Kenya, to Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi on Tuesday and were greeted by relatives before having their health checked at a hospital. Phan Xuan Linh, father of sailor Phan Xuan Phuong, said his son only called the family three times in the first year asking for help and then did not have any contact with him. "(We were) worried, but did not know what to do," Linh told the Associated Press while waiting for his son's return. "They were pirates, they were lawless and we just prayed for him and did not know who to call for help, because the pirates are similar to terrorists. We had faint hope that my son would return home. Today we are very happy." The sailors did not speak to journalists upon their arrival at the airport. The crew from Vietnam, Taiwan, Cambodia, Indonesia, China and the Philippines had been among the few hostages still in the hands of Somali pirates. The sailors were the crew of the FV Naham 3, a Taiwan-owned fishing vessel seized in March 2012, pirate representative Bile Hussein said Monday. The ship later sank. Hussein said $1.5 million in ransom was paid for the sailors' release. That claim could not be independently verified. One member of the crew died in the hijacking and two died of illnesses in captivity. Piracy off Somalia's coast was once a serious threat to the global shipping industry. Attacks dropped off dramatically after NATO counties, China and India, sent their navies to patrol the waters. Most hostages held by Somali pirates have been sailors on merchant ships, although European families also have been kidnapped from their yachts while traveling in the dangerous waters. By The Daily Telegraph Supporters of Donald Trump are engaging in a "voter suppression" strategy under which pro-Clinton "African Americans and suburban mothers" are being persuaded not to vote, a campaigner told undercover Daily Telegraph reporters. A senior figure involved in funding efforts to support the billionaire's campaign against Hillary Clinton boasted of how activists had adopted a scheme to "try to drop her turnout two or three points" in key areas of the country. Jesse Benton, who described himself as a "consultant" to the Great America PAC, one of the leading "independent" groups financing campaign work for Mr Trump, said the strategy involved "trying to take their taste for her away". The disclosure appears to confirm suspicions that pro-Trump campaigners have been deliberately focusing on dissuading groups of Clinton supporters from voting. Separately, Mr Trump's own claims that the election is "rigged" and that his supporters should monitor specific areas on polling day for potential fraud have been alleged by Democrats to be intended to create a climate of harassment to prevent Clinton voters "from showing up". On Monday, the tycoon directed a similar claim at the Clinton campaign, accusing it of "oversampling" Democrats in polls in order to skew the results. "It's called voter suppression because people will say, 'oh, gee, Trump's down'," he said. Today's disclosures come after The Daily Telegraph revealed how Mr Benton contacted reporters to arrange a donation after being given their contact details by Eric Beach, the co-chairman of Great America PAC. One of the reporters had approached Mr Beach to explain that a Chinese client wished to contribute. It is illegal for foreign nationals to donate in connection with a US federal election. Mr Benton - a senior figure at the PAC until his conviction in May in connection with buying a senator's endorsement during the previous presidential election - met two reporters posing as representatives of the would-be donor. During the conversation he said that the group was "focusing very tightly" on four states: Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Colorado. At the meeting in a New York hotel on Oct 13, he added: "In Cleveland [in Ohio], if we can return Hillary to normal turnout levels ... we can turn her to regular turnout levels she's gonna lose about 60,000 votes in that area - that's dead heat. "So we have a voter suppression campaign quite frankly, targeting African Americans, and uh, and sort of, suburban mums, just bad stuff about Hillary, just trying to take their taste for her away." "I see," one of the reporters replied. "So that they don't turn out [to vote]?" "Yeah just keep them - just try to drop her turnout two or three points. And then in south-eastern Ohio, there are about 19 counties where it's just - you know counties, you guys have counties in England - it's just run up the score, run up the score, run up the score. "And we think we are on our way there. Pennsylvania has a similar story." Mr Benton said a proposed illicit $2 million (pounds 1.6 million) donation by the fictitious client would be used to fund pro-Trump campaign work. This week, following a series of questions from The Daily Telegraph about his actions, Mr Benton said he was not "an agent of Great America PAC", while the PAC also denied he had carried out any work for the organisation since May. Mr Benton said he may have been "overselling my stature and connectedness" and denied any "unethical" behaviour. Dan Backer, counsel to the PAC, said Mr Benton "does not speak for the PAC" and that Mr Beach had simply made a "professional referral" to him. He had "no idea what Mr Benton is talking about" in relation to voter suppression and found the suggestion "reprehensible". He added: "It is common knowledge that moving African American [sic] and suburban moms from the Democrat to Republican column would be good for the Republicans, and of course the PAC - and many others - tries to do so." He said the PAC had never "solicited or accepted contributions from a foreign national or entity" and that "the conduct of the PAC and Mr Beach's conduct was appropriate, ethical and legal at all times". Supporters of Donald Trump are engaging in a "voter suppression" strategy under which pro-Clinton "African Americans and suburban mothers" are being persuaded not to vote, a campaigner told undercover Daily Telegraph reporters. A senior figure involved in funding efforts to support the billionaire's campaign against Hillary Clinton boasted of how activists had adopted a scheme to "try to drop her turnout two or three points" in key areas of the country. Jesse Benton, who described himself as a "consultant" to the Great America PAC, one of the leading "independent" groups financing campaign work for Mr Trump, said the strategy involved "trying to take their taste for her away". The disclosure appears to confirm suspicions that pro-Trump campaigners have been deliberately focusing on dissuading groups of Clinton supporters from voting. Separately, Mr Trump's own claims that the election is "rigged" and that his supporters should monitor specific areas on polling day for potential fraud have been alleged by Democrats to be intended to create a climate of harassment to prevent Clinton voters "from showing up". On Monday, the tycoon directed a similar claim at the Clinton campaign, accusing it of "oversampling" Democrats in polls in order to skew the results. "It's called voter suppression because people will say, 'oh, gee, Trump's down'," he said. Today's disclosures come after The Daily Telegraph revealed how Mr Benton contacted reporters to arrange a donation after being given their contact details by Eric Beach, the co-chairman of Great America PAC. One of the reporters had approached Mr Beach to explain that a Chinese client wished to contribute. It is illegal for foreign nationals to donate in connection with a US federal election. Mr Benton - a senior figure at the PAC until his conviction in May in connection with buying a senator's endorsement during the previous presidential election - met two reporters posing as representatives of the would-be donor. During the conversation he said that the group was "focusing very tightly" on four states: Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Colorado. At the meeting in a New York hotel on Oct 13, he added: "In Cleveland [in Ohio], if we can return Hillary to normal turnout levels ... we can turn her to regular turnout levels she's gonna lose about 60,000 votes in that area - that's dead heat. "So we have a voter suppression campaign quite frankly, targeting African Americans, and uh, and sort of, suburban mums, just bad stuff about Hillary, just trying to take their taste for her away." "I see," one of the reporters replied. "So that they don't turn out [to vote]?" "Yeah just keep them - just try to drop her turnout two or three points. And then in south-eastern Ohio, there are about 19 counties where it's just - you know counties, you guys have counties in England - it's just run up the score, run up the score, run up the score. "And we think we are on our way there. Pennsylvania has a similar story." Mr Benton said a proposed illicit $2 million (pounds 1.6 million) donation by the fictitious client would be used to fund pro-Trump campaign work. This week, following a series of questions from The Daily Telegraph about his actions, Mr Benton said he was not "an agent of Great America PAC", while the PAC also denied he had carried out any work for the organisation since May. Mr Benton said he may have been "overselling my stature and connectedness" and denied any "unethical" behaviour. Dan Backer, counsel to the PAC, said Mr Benton "does not speak for the PAC" and that Mr Beach had simply made a "professional referral" to him. He had "no idea what Mr Benton is talking about" in relation to voter suppression and found the suggestion "reprehensible". He added: "It is common knowledge that moving African American [sic] and suburban moms from the Democrat to Republican column would be good for the Republicans, and of course the PAC - and many others - tries to do so." He said the PAC had never "solicited or accepted contributions from a foreign national or entity" and that "the conduct of the PAC and Mr Beach's conduct was appropriate, ethical and legal at all times". By The Daily Telegraph The failure by the United Nations to admit responsibility for a devastating cholera outbreak in Haiti was condemned as a disgrace yesterday (Tuesday) by one of its own experts. Philip Alston, an Australian academic who is also a Special Rapporteur on human rights and poverty for the world body, has issued a highly critical report that squarely blames UN blue helmets for a cholera epidemic that has killed almost 10,000 people in Haiti. Most experts now accept that cholera was first introduced there in 2010 by troops sent from Nepal to help aid efforts after the massive earthquake that devastated the country. Cholera is endemic in Nepal but, until then, it was unknown in Haiti, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. Within days, as Haitians reeled from the quake, they were swept up in the largest cholera epidemic in modern times. Up to 800,000 people were infected, and cases continue to present. The UN acknowledged its operation had played a role in the outbreak in August, but it stopped short of admitting guilt for fear of being sued. A New York court upheld its immunity from claims on Aug 18, leaving plaintiffs 90 days to appeal to the Supreme Court. But Mr Alston said UN lawyers gave flawed advice and that "abdicating responsibility is morally unconscionable, legally indefensible and politically self-defeating". His report comes a day after the out-going UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon announced a compensation scheme. Half of the $400 million (pounds 328 million) he promised on Monday will be spent on cholera eradication schemes and improved sanitation. The rest is destined for "material assistance" which could see each victim's family receive around $21,000 (pounds 17,000), according to Dr David -Nabarro, the British medical expert serving as the UN's anti-cholera chief. However, Dr Nabarro said the UN was yet to announce where the money would come from. The failure by the United Nations to admit responsibility for a devastating cholera outbreak in Haiti was condemned as a disgrace yesterday (Tuesday) by one of its own experts. Philip Alston, an Australian academic who is also a Special Rapporteur on human rights and poverty for the world body, has issued a highly critical report that squarely blames UN blue helmets for a cholera epidemic that has killed almost 10,000 people in Haiti. Most experts now accept that cholera was first introduced there in 2010 by troops sent from Nepal to help aid efforts after the massive earthquake that devastated the country. Cholera is endemic in Nepal but, until then, it was unknown in Haiti, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. Within days, as Haitians reeled from the quake, they were swept up in the largest cholera epidemic in modern times. Up to 800,000 people were infected, and cases continue to present. The UN acknowledged its operation had played a role in the outbreak in August, but it stopped short of admitting guilt for fear of being sued. A New York court upheld its immunity from claims on Aug 18, leaving plaintiffs 90 days to appeal to the Supreme Court. But Mr Alston said UN lawyers gave flawed advice and that "abdicating responsibility is morally unconscionable, legally indefensible and politically self-defeating". His report comes a day after the out-going UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon announced a compensation scheme. Half of the $400 million (pounds 328 million) he promised on Monday will be spent on cholera eradication schemes and improved sanitation. The rest is destined for "material assistance" which could see each victim's family receive around $21,000 (pounds 17,000), according to Dr David -Nabarro, the British medical expert serving as the UN's anti-cholera chief. However, Dr Nabarro said the UN was yet to announce where the money would come from. By AFP WASHINGTON: It's a hard scene to imagine, a Saudi Arabian king answering before a New York court for the 9/11 attacks, but a new US law threatens to become a Pandora's Box of diplomatic crises. Congress passed the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, overcoming President Barack Obama's veto, to help the relatives of victims of the September 2001 outrage seek compensation. But in doing so they struck a blow against sovereign immunity, a previously sacrosanct principle in international relations, and disturbed diplomatic ties with US allies and foes alike. If Saudi monarchs can be pursued in US courts for alleged support of bombers, could American officials or soldiers face justice abroad for past or future actions in the field? And if an old ally like Saudi Arabia could find itself in a US judge's crosshairs, what of other friends with even closer diplomatic, military and economic ties in Europe or Asia? The law, however, is now the law even if just last week US Secretary of State John Kerry said it "unintentionally, I think... puts our country at great risk." Kerry, who was speaking after talks with Saudi Arabian foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir, said they had discussed ways "to fix this" without going into detail. His spokesman later said the administration would work with Congress to advise how the law could be reformed in letter or application -- but it is far from clear how this would work. "Where sovereign immunities are diluted, the international system becomes chaotic, and no country and no government is able to conduct its official business," Jubeir warned. Meanwhile some British, French and Dutch lawmakers have threatened retaliatory legislation to allow their courts to pursue US officials, threatening a global legal domino effect. The text of the JASTA law does not mention Saudi Arabia, but the law's champions made it clear that its intent is to allow plaintiffs to seek damages for the September 11 attacks. Official US investigations into the attacks ordered by Saudi-born Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden found no evidence that the kingdom had directly sponsored the onslaught. But 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudi, some -- coincidentally or otherwise -- met with Saudi officials before taking part, and some Saudi private citizens have donated to Al-Qaeda. Some of the relatives of the dead think they have a case, and some US lawyers and politicians are keen to give them their day in court -- whatever the international fall out. Victim of terrorism Saudi interests lobbied hard against the JASTA legislation but, even with Obama and Kerry also firmly opposed to its passage, lawmakers sided with public support for the victims. Saudi Arabia, which sees itself as the US partner in a hostile region, was outraged. "Saudi Arabia is a victim of terrorism as much as the United States is, and by the same terrorist groups," said Prince Turki al-Faisal, who was head of Saudi intelligence until 10 days before the attacks. By passing JASTA, Faisal told a Washington conference last week, Congress "has accomplished the terrorist aim of hammering a wedge into the heart of the US-Saudi relationship." Faisal reassures himself the 70-year-old US-Saudi alliance is "too big to fail," but JASTA is on the books and some here have begun to imagine extreme but now plausible scenarios. "It means the king of Saudi Arabia can be hauled into court in New York and interrogated by an attorney," said Bernard Haykel, professor of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton. "So you can imagine the problem. If he does not show up, there would be some judgment against the kingdom," he warned the conference at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. Icing on the cake Such a result would be a blow to relations at any time, but US-Saudi ties are at a low, fed by Obama's hands-off approach to Syria and his nuclear accord by Saudi foe Iran. "And this legislation seems to be the icing on the cake," said Haykel, warning that the kingdom and other US allies would see JASTA as confirming Washington's abandonment of its friends. And the crisis could spread beyond the already chaotic Middle East should JASTA provoke retaliatory legislation elsewhere. The European Union has already warned that some of its members are thinking this way, and reports suggest the Gulf monarchies, Turkey, Japan, Jordan, Pakistan and Iraq may follow. "It's very, very close long-term allies of the United States who are disturbed," scholar Hussein Ibish told the conference, dubbing the law a "Pandora's Box" of diplomatic disasters. WASHINGTON: It's a hard scene to imagine, a Saudi Arabian king answering before a New York court for the 9/11 attacks, but a new US law threatens to become a Pandora's Box of diplomatic crises. Congress passed the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, overcoming President Barack Obama's veto, to help the relatives of victims of the September 2001 outrage seek compensation. But in doing so they struck a blow against sovereign immunity, a previously sacrosanct principle in international relations, and disturbed diplomatic ties with US allies and foes alike. If Saudi monarchs can be pursued in US courts for alleged support of bombers, could American officials or soldiers face justice abroad for past or future actions in the field? And if an old ally like Saudi Arabia could find itself in a US judge's crosshairs, what of other friends with even closer diplomatic, military and economic ties in Europe or Asia? The law, however, is now the law even if just last week US Secretary of State John Kerry said it "unintentionally, I think... puts our country at great risk." Kerry, who was speaking after talks with Saudi Arabian foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir, said they had discussed ways "to fix this" without going into detail. His spokesman later said the administration would work with Congress to advise how the law could be reformed in letter or application -- but it is far from clear how this would work. "Where sovereign immunities are diluted, the international system becomes chaotic, and no country and no government is able to conduct its official business," Jubeir warned. Meanwhile some British, French and Dutch lawmakers have threatened retaliatory legislation to allow their courts to pursue US officials, threatening a global legal domino effect. The text of the JASTA law does not mention Saudi Arabia, but the law's champions made it clear that its intent is to allow plaintiffs to seek damages for the September 11 attacks. Official US investigations into the attacks ordered by Saudi-born Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden found no evidence that the kingdom had directly sponsored the onslaught. But 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudi, some -- coincidentally or otherwise -- met with Saudi officials before taking part, and some Saudi private citizens have donated to Al-Qaeda. Some of the relatives of the dead think they have a case, and some US lawyers and politicians are keen to give them their day in court -- whatever the international fall out. Victim of terrorism Saudi interests lobbied hard against the JASTA legislation but, even with Obama and Kerry also firmly opposed to its passage, lawmakers sided with public support for the victims. Saudi Arabia, which sees itself as the US partner in a hostile region, was outraged. "Saudi Arabia is a victim of terrorism as much as the United States is, and by the same terrorist groups," said Prince Turki al-Faisal, who was head of Saudi intelligence until 10 days before the attacks. By passing JASTA, Faisal told a Washington conference last week, Congress "has accomplished the terrorist aim of hammering a wedge into the heart of the US-Saudi relationship." Faisal reassures himself the 70-year-old US-Saudi alliance is "too big to fail," but JASTA is on the books and some here have begun to imagine extreme but now plausible scenarios. "It means the king of Saudi Arabia can be hauled into court in New York and interrogated by an attorney," said Bernard Haykel, professor of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton. "So you can imagine the problem. If he does not show up, there would be some judgment against the kingdom," he warned the conference at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. Icing on the cake Such a result would be a blow to relations at any time, but US-Saudi ties are at a low, fed by Obama's hands-off approach to Syria and his nuclear accord by Saudi foe Iran. "And this legislation seems to be the icing on the cake," said Haykel, warning that the kingdom and other US allies would see JASTA as confirming Washington's abandonment of its friends. And the crisis could spread beyond the already chaotic Middle East should JASTA provoke retaliatory legislation elsewhere. The European Union has already warned that some of its members are thinking this way, and reports suggest the Gulf monarchies, Turkey, Japan, Jordan, Pakistan and Iraq may follow. "It's very, very close long-term allies of the United States who are disturbed," scholar Hussein Ibish told the conference, dubbing the law a "Pandora's Box" of diplomatic disasters. Kontakion Icon of St Demetrius by Andrei Rublev (and follower), ca. 1425, from the Trinity Cathedral in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. On October 26, Byzantine Christians celebrate with great solemnity the feast of St Demetrius of Thessalonica, a soldier and martyr of the early 4th century, whose popularity is almost as great as that of another warrior, St George . The traditional story of his life is that he succeeded his father as military commander at Thessalonica, but was imprisoned by the Emperor Maximian (286-305) for not only refusing his orders to persecute the Christians, but openly preaching the Gospel.Maximian had a favorite gladiator, a very large German named Lyaeus, who, at his behest, challenged any Christian to wrestle him on a platform surrounded by spears. A Christian named Nestor, brave, but very small of stature, visited Demetrius in prison and received his blessing, after which he wrestled and beat Lyaeus, hurling him down onto the spears. In his anger at losing his favorite gladiator, Maximian sent his soldiers to the prison, where they speared Demetrius though the chest, while Nestor was killed the following day.This story forms the tropar of St Demetrius feast day.The world has found you to be a great defense against tribulation, and a vanquisher of heathens, O Passion-bearer. As you bolstered the courage of Nestor, who then humbled the arrogance of Lyaios in battle, Holy Demetrius, entreat Christ God to grant us great mercy.God, who has given you invincible might, has tinged the Church with streams of your blood, Demetrius! He preserves your city from harm, for you are its foundation!Devotion to St Demetrius has always been very strong among the Slavs, particularly as a patron of soldiers, as witnessed by the popularity of the name Dmitry. Attempts have even been made to claim him as a Slav, since he was supposed to be originally from the city of Sirmium, now called Mitrovica, in Serbia; this is in fact in the area of the Balkan peninsula where the Slavs first settled in Europe, but only in the 6th century. His patronage of soldiers was reaffirmed in modern times during the First Balkan War (Oct. 1912 May 1913), when Thessalonica was liberated from Ottoman control and united to Greece on his feast day in 1912. He is also honored with the titles Great-Martyr, as one who suffered much for the Faith, Myrrh-gusher from the tradition that streams of scented oil came forth from his relics, and Wonderworker for the many miracles attributed to him.The Byzantine Synaxarion, the equivalent of the Martyrology, also still notes on this day a terrible earthquake which took place in Constantinople in the year 740, which killed thousands of people and did terrible damage to the city and its walls. This was the year before the death of the first iconoclast Emperor, Leo the Isaurian, and it was generally believed that the earthquake was a divine punishment for the iconoclast heresy. By an interesting coincidence, there has been some significant earthquake activity in central Italy today, in the same area where two months ago a major earthquake did so much damage in Norcia and some of the nearby towns. Thus far, the damage appears to be minimal, and no fatalities have been reported, but please remember to pray for the safety of the people in that area Vote now! Who is The Daily News Athlete of the Week for Oct. 24-30? Reporter/Columnist Julie Wurth is a reporter covering the University of Illinois at The News-Gazette. Her email is jwurth@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@jawurth). Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Reporter Noelle McGee is a Danville-based reporter at The News-Gazette. Her email is nmcgee@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@n_mcgee). One of Editor & Publishers 10 That Do It Right 2021 Medical researchers at Indiana University Bloomington have found evidence for a link between prostate cancer, which affects millions of men age 50 and older, and Ewing's sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that affects children and young adults. The results of the study, reported today in the journal Cell Reports, suggest that the molecular mechanism that triggers the rare disease Ewing's sarcoma could act as a potential new direction for the treatment of more than half of patients with prostate cancer. A form of bone and soft tissue cancer that affects about one in 1 million children and young adults age 10 to 19, Ewing's sarcoma is terminal in 44 percent of teens age 15 to 19 and 30 percent of children. Over 100,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year in the U.S, with more than 99 percent of cases occurring after age 50. "This research shows that the molecular mechanism involved in the development of most prostate cancers is very similar to the molecular mechanism known to cause Ewing's sarcoma," said Peter Hollenhorst, an associate professor in the Medical Sciences Program at IU Bloomington, a part of the IU School of Medicine. "It also suggests that this mechanism might be used to explore a common treatment for both diseases, one of which is not often pursued by drug companies due to its rarity." Hollenhorst is also a member of the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center in Indianapolis. Other authors on the paper include Vivekananda Kedage, a graduate student in the IU Bloomington College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, and Travis J. Jerde, an associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the IU School of Medicine in Indianapolis. Kedage is the first author on the study. There are 28 genes in the human body known as ETS genes, four of which are known to produce proteins that cause prostate cancer. These four cancer-causing genes, or "oncogenes," are called ETV1, ETV4, ETV5 and ERG, the last of which has been implicated in over 50 percent of all prostate cancers. The other three combined play a role in about 7 percent of prostate cancers. Ewing's sarcoma results from errors in the chromosome repair process that causes the merger of two separate gene segments into a mutant hybrid gene, also known as a chimeric or fusion gene. One of these genes is called EWS, the other is a gene that produces ETS proteins. Hollenhorst's study is the first to show that the proteins produced by the EWS gene interact with all four ETS proteins known to trigger prostate cancer. Moreover, the EWS protein only interacts with proteins from these four harmful ETS genes, not the other 24 ETS genes not found to play a role in prostate cancer. "A molecular mechanism that sets these four genes apart from the ones that don't trigger cancer has never been identified until now," Hollenhorst said. "This is significant because it suggests that any compound that disrupts EWS-ETS interaction would specifically inhibit the function of the four oncogenes and not the others, which play important roles in the healthy function of the body." The team also found the ETS genes implicated in prostate cancer interact with the un-mutated form of the EWS gene. In Ewing's sarcoma, the small blue tumors that characterize the disease do not occur unless mutation occurs. IU scientists used a combination of laboratory experiments and mouse models to observe the interaction of EWS and ETS proteins in prostate cells. The majority of the experiments involved observing the behavior of ETS oncogenes in prostate cancer cell cultures to reveal interaction with EWS proteins. In experiments at the IU School of Medicine, they also introduced the ERG gene into normal human prostate cells in mice, which triggered the formation of tumors. The scientists then introduced an artificial mutation in the ERG gene to disrupt interaction with the proteins produced by the EWS gene. In these mice, the tumors failed to form. "Together, the results indicated that the interaction between ERG and EWS is important for tumor formation," Hollenhorst said. "We chose to focus our greatest efforts on the ERG protein since it is responsible for over 50 percent of all prostate cancers, and therefore the potential to benefit the greatest number of people." Although cerebral aneurysms affect a substantial portion of the adult population, the risk of treatment including open brain surgery often outweighs the risks associated with rupture. With increasing numbers of unruptured aneurysms detected using noninvasive imaging techniques, there is an urgent need for a reliable method to distinguish aneurysms vulnerable to impending rupture from those that are presently robust and can be safely monitored. An international research team led by the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering recently received a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to improve risk assessment and treatment of this devastating disease. Principle investigator of the five-year, $2,950,622 grant, "Improving cerebral aneurysm risk assessment through understanding wall vulnerability and failure modes," is Anne M. Robertson, PhD, the William Kepler Whiteford Professor of Engineering at the Swanson School. The R01 grant is funded through the NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. "The cells in our blood vessels have a remarkable capacity for rebuilding and maintaining the collagen fibers that give the artery walls their strength. Unfortunately, this natural process can be derailed by the abnormal fluid flow in brain aneurysms, leading to vulnerable walls and rupture," explained Dr. Robertson. "Understanding the factors that discriminate between robust aneurysm walls with well-organized collagen fibers, and fragile aneurysm walls with diverse changes to the collagen architecture, is essential for improving risk assessment and developing new treatments to prevent rupture." To support their work, Dr. Robertson and a multi-disciplinary team of world leaders in aneurysm research from Pitt, Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, George Mason University in Virginia, University of Illinois at Chicago, and Helsinki University Central Hospital and Kuopio University Hospital in Finland, will analyze brain tissue donated from patients with cerebral aneurysms. Using state of the art facilities for biomechanical analysis and bioimaging, the investigators will specifically look at how and why some patients are naturally able to maintain a healthy aneurysm wall while the walls in other patients weaken, leaving the vulnerable to rupture. They will use computational mechanics to explore the possible multiple mechanisms by which hemodynamics alters the wall and study the mechanisms of structural failure. "The diverse expertise in our team and our access to an unprecedented number of aneurysm tissue samples enables us to study this disease in an entirely new way," Dr. Robertson said. "We are also able to leverage computational and experimental tools developed during our prior NIH supported program." "Because of the critical importance and delicate nature of the brain, surgical treatment of cerebral aneurysms is avoided unless absolutely necessary. That's why doctors and surgeons need a more effective way to determine whether a patient with a cerebral aneurysm is at risk for rupture," Dr. Robertson said. "We expect that by understanding the differences in the vulnerable and robust aneurysm wall, we will be able to improve risk assessment, identify biomarkers of wall fragility, and provide essential knowledge for developing pharmacological treatments to harness and augment the natural repair process of the aneurysm wall." Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) may be linked to the build up of carbon dioxide and existing inner ear damage according to a new study in the journal Neuroscience. Author Dr. Daniel Rubens, an anesthesiologist and researcher at Seattle Children's Research Institute, says the finding could help researchers understand the sequence of events and risk factors that lead to SIDS deaths. "This is potentially an important breakthrough in understanding the biological underpinnings of what may be causing SIDS," Rubens said. "We found that exposure to increasing levels of carbon dioxide and inner ear damage in mice resulted in a lack of movement toward safety and fresh air during sleep. We want to fine tune this discovery and study the connection to carbon dioxide in more detail." SIDS is defined as the sudden death of an infant that cannot be explained by any other cause after a thorough autopsy, examination of the death scene and review of the clinical history. According to the Centers for Disease Control, SIDS is one of the leading causes of death in infants 1 to 12 months old. About 2,000 babies born in the United States die each year from SIDS. Research support from a doctor who lost sister to SIDS Dr. Fred Dore, an internal medicine physician in Bremerton, Washington, is energized by research to crack the medical mystery of SIDS, and for good reason: He recalls the day his little sister, Christine, died of SIDS. "I was 3 years old and I recall the fireman coming in to see what had happened," Dore said. "I remember how distraught my mother was to find that the healthy baby she'd put to sleep in her crib had died." His mother, Mary Dore, began to talk to doctors at Seattle Children's about what might have happened and was determined to find a cause. She also began to counsel other families who had lost babies. "She and my dad, Fred Dore Sr., wanted to prevent this from happening to other families," he said. "My dad developed legislation that raised awareness about SIDS as a public health issue. Now, when first responders enter a home with a baby, they look for unsafe conditions like sleeping position or a crib with blankets and toys, and those responders can offer safety education for families right there." His mother founded the Fred H. and Mary S. Dore Foundation as continuing legacy to give back to the community. The foundation supports charitable causes the couple championed over the years, including SIDS research. Neuroscience eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today "If my mom was alive, I know she would talk Dr. Rubens' ear off and learn whatever she could about this research," Dore said. "Research takes time and funding, and we hope that by telling our story that others might be inspired to support the research as well." A fine balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide In the study, Rubens looked at the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the sleeping environment of mice. He and Dr. Nino Ramirez, director of the Center for Integrative Brain Research at Seattle Children's Research Institute, studied combinations of low oxygen and rising carbon dioxide to examine how different levels of the gases impact mice without inner ear damage versus mice with inner ear damage. They identified a novel and unexpected finding: Carbon dioxide was not the stimulus for arousal movements during sleep as one would expect. This was the case under natural sleep conditions as well as light anesthesia. "We observed that a lack of oxygen is the stimulus for the survival movements, and carbon dioxide suppresses that protective response," Rubens said. "This was in addition to the finding that inner ear damage in its own right also suppresses those protective arousal movements." The link between inner ear damage and carbon dioxide could be key to understanding why seemingly healthy babies, who might have ear damage that's not readily apparent, succumb to SIDS. Next steps in SIDS research Rubens recently travelled to Denmark to collaborate with researchers on the next steps that will follow this finding. He is working with Dr. Kasper Kyng and Dr. Tine Brink Henriksen, both clinicians and researchers from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark. "The more we understand these biological mechanisms, the better we can study them and develop ways to identify babies at risk and intervene before a tragic death," Rubens said. Dore says the family foundation supports the research because they want to continue the work his parents started, and it's a way to pay tribute to Christine's life. "We visit her grave from time to time," he said. "There's a little stone with her name and a lamb carved into it. Christine was a baby but she accomplished quite a bit in her life by influencing my family to begin this work, and we're proud to carry it on." How does space travel affect the spine? Astronauts on long missions in space have atrophy of the muscles supporting the spinewhich don't return to normal even several weeks after their return to Earth, reports a study in Spine, published by Wolters Kluwer. The results provide new insights into the elevated rates of back pain and spinal disc disease associated with prolonged spaceflight, report Dr. Douglas G. Chang of University of California, San Diego, and colleagues. "This could provide helpful physiological information to support a manned mission to Mars," the researchers write. The data were obtained as part of a NASA-funded research study, led by Drs. Alan R. Hargens and Jeffrey C. Lotz. Spinal Supporting Muscles May Weaken During Spaceflight; No Change in Disc Height Six NASA crewmembers were studied before and after spending four to seven months in "microgravity" conditions on the International Space Station. Each astronaut underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the spine before their mission, immediately after their return to Earth, and again one to two months later. The goal was to understand factors affecting lumbar spine strength and low back pain during long-duration spaceflight, as well as the spine's response after returning to Earth gravity. Back pain is common during prolonged missions, with more than half of crew members reporting spinal pain. Astronauts are also at increased risk of spinal disc herniation in the months after returning from spaceflightabout four times higher than in matched controls. These changes are accompanied by an increase in body height (about two inches), thought to result from spinal "unloading" and other changes related to the lack of gravity. The researchers used an image "thresh-holding" technique to estimate lean muscle separated from non-lean muscle components. The MRI scans indicated significant atrophy of the paraspinal lean muscle mass which plays a critical role in spinal support and movementduring the astronauts' time in space. The lean muscle, or "functional," cross-sectional area of the lumbar paraspinal muscles decreased by an average of 19 percent from preflight to immediate postflight scans. A month or two later, only about two-thirds of the reduction had recovered. There was an even more dramatic reduction in the functional cross-sectional area of the paraspinal muscles relative to total paraspinal cross-sectional area. The ratio of lean muscle decreased from 86 percent preflight to 72 percent immediately postflight. At follow-up, the ratio recovered to 81 percent, but was still less than the preflight value. In contrast, there was no consistent change in the height of the spinal intervertebral discs. Dr. Chang and coauthors write, "These measurements run counter to previous hypotheses about the effects of microgravity on disc swelling." Further studies will be needed to clarify the effects on disc height, and whether they contribute to the increase in body height during space missions, and to the increased risk of herniated disc disease. Meanwhile, the finding of paraspinal muscle atrophy suggests possible preventive steps to reduce the spinal effects of spaceflight. For instance, core-strengthening exercises, like those recommended for patients with back pain on Earth, might be a useful addition to the astronaut exercise training program. Yoga might be another promising approach, especially for addressing spinal stiffness and reduced mobility. Dr. Chang and his colleagues conclude: "Whether new exercise countermeasures can prevent in-flight paraspinal muscle atrophy, improve spinal pain and function, shorten recovery time, and how such exercise might be performed in a microgravity environment with available exercise equipment need further study." Dr. Chang commented, "Above all this science, what I find is the most unique aspect about space research is the inspiration, curiosity and excitement generated in nearly everyone I talk to in terms of overcoming personal challenges, questioning our place in the Universe, and addressing change here at home." Patients with disseminated advanced cancer who undergo surgery are far more likely to endure long hospital stays and readmissions, referrals to extended care facilities and death, UC Davis researchers have found. Their study, published today in PLOS One, highlights the dilemma physicians and surgeons face when their terminally ill cancer patients are diagnosed with a condition that may benefit from surgery, such as bowel obstruction, as well as the need for substantive discussions about the risks of surgery and implications on future quality of life. "We commonly consult with patients who have acute surgical conditions and advanced cancer, and it has left us to weigh the risks and benefits of surgical intervention," said lead author Sarah B. Bateni, a fourth-year surgery resident. "It's important carefully examine their risks before proposing surgery, and to understand what their goals of care are for their remaining days." For the study, Bateni and colleagues examined the cases of approximately 18,000 patients who had stage 4 (metastatic) cancer who went on to undergo surgery. The cases were matched with patients who had similar characteristics such as age, gender and functional status before surgery and underwent similar operations but did not have stage 4 cancer. They found that the group of patients with stage 4 cancer spent more time in the hospital (32 percent vs. 20 percent), were readmitted to the hospital more frequently (16 percent vs. 10 percent), were more often referred to another facility such as skilled nursing (16 percent to 13 percent) and had higher mortality within 30 days of the procedure (8 percent vs. 2.5 percent) than their counterparts who did not have late-stage cancers. What was most surprising, Bateni said, was that the stage 4 cancer patients who didn't have any complications during their hospitalization ended up staying in the hospital longer, were readmitted more often, were more often discharged to other facilities and had higher 30-day mortality compared to patients who didn't have stage 4 cancer. "This diagnosis really is an indicator of the frailty of these patients and is itself a risk factor for readmission, prolonged stays in the hospital and discharge to other facilities," she said. Bateni and her co-authors conclude that doctors and surgeons need to talk with their terminally ill cancer patients about their end-of-life goals, palliative care and the risks and benefits of surgery. "We all need to clarify the goals of care for patients with advanced cancer prior to providing - or even discussing - the potential surgical interventions," she said. Given that the prevailing wisdom has been that surgery is the only treatment option for these patients, the researchers now plan to analyze the outcomes of stage 4 cancer patients with conditions that are considered operable but who don't have surgery. Each year, about 500,000 North Americans get dental implants. If you are one of them, and are preparing to have an implant, it might be a good idea to start taking beta blockers, medication that controls high blood pressure, for a while. And to stop taking heartburn pills. A body of research from McGill led-teams indicates that in order to raise the odds that dental implants will attach properly, there are clear benefits to taking certain common medications and avoiding others. Bone cell growth, healing and death "The success of procedures like dental implants depends mainly on how the existing bone accepts the implants to create a connection between the living bone and the surface of the implant," says Prof. Faleh Tamimi, who teaches in the McGill Faculty of Dentistry, and is the senior author on a number of papers published on the subject in recent weeks. "Because some medications affect bone metabolism and the way that bone cells heal and multiply or die, they can have an important effect on the success of implants." The McGill research team reviewed data about the integration of dental implants gathered from over 700 patients who were operated on at the East Coast Oral Surgery Clinic in Moncton, New Brunswick between 2007-2015. They then confirmed the results they saw in human patients through studies in rats. Implications for hip and knee replacements "We believe that this research may have implications for orthopedic interventions such as hip and knee replacements, because the same mechanisms of bone cell growth break down, and healing take place in all the bones in the body," says Tamimi. "Our work with implants in rats suggest that this is indeed the case, but further research will be needed to confirm it." Drugs that aid integration of implants - Beta blockers Conclusions are based on 1499 dental implants in 728 patients between Jan. 2007 -- Sept. 2013 at the East Coast Oral Surgery in Moncton, New Brunswick 327 implants were in 142 people who took beta blockers for hypertension 1172 implants were in 586 people who didn't take beta blockers Failure rates of implants for people using beta blockers was 0.6% Failure rates of implants in people who don't take beta blockers was 4.1% More than 640 million patients around the world take beta blockers to control hypertension. "We carried out this study because we knew that beta blockers have been reported to increase bone formation," says Prof. Tamimi from McGill's Faculty of Dentistry. "So we thought it was possible that they would also decrease the risk of failure of dental implants. However we didn't expect that there would be such a clear difference in the failure rates for implants between users and non-users of beta blockers. Randomized clinical trials will need to be carried out as well as other studies of large numbers of patients to investigate this phenomenon in more depth." Drugs that impede integration of dental implants - Heartburn treatment Conclusions are based on 1773 dental implants in 799 patients between Jan. 2007 -- Sept. 2015 at the East Coast Oral Surgery in Moncton, New Brunswick 133 implants were in 58 people who took heartburn medication 1640 implants were in 741 people who don't take heartburn medication Failure rates of implants for people using heartburn medication were 6.8% Failure rates of implants for people not taking heartburn medication were 3.2% More than 20 million Americans, about one in 14 people, take heartburn medication. Heartburn medication is rapidly becoming the third most prescribed pharmaceutical product worldwide, especially for elderly people, who take it either on an occasional or long-term basis. "Scientists already knew that drugs for heartburn reduce calcium absorption in bones and generally increase the risk of bone fractures," says Faleh Tamimi, of McGill's Faculty of Dentistry. "That is why we wanted to look at how it affects the integration of implants and bone healing after this type of surgery. But we didn't expect to find that the negative effects of these type of drugs would be as great as they are. Further work will need to be done to find the appropriate dosages and time periods that people should take or avoid these medications." Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso (TTUHSC El Paso) has received a $6 million grant from the Paso del Norte Health Foundation (PDNHF) to support its new dental school. "We are incredibly grateful to the Paso del Norte Health Foundation for supporting us in this endeavor," said TTUHSC El Paso President Richard Lange, M.D., M.B.A. "Our shared mission of improving the health and quality of life for residents in this bi-national region will only strengthen our cause: to bring a dental school to El Paso that will change the face of health care in West Texas." The multimillion-dollar grant will fund the development of a unique, community-centered curriculum for the Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine (WLHSODM) the first dental school on the U.S.-Mexico border. Unlike traditional rote-based learning, the WLHSODM curriculum will focus on service education, a form of teaching that encourages meaningful community service. The approach results in one-of-a-kind, hands-on experiences that allow students to apply their newfound knowledge and skills to life beyond the classroom, while simultaneously helping the community. "We are excited to be part of a leadership opportunity to bring a dental school to the region," said Jose Prieto Jr., M.D., board chair of the PDNHF. "Poor dental care has been linked to numerous chronic disorders that can be prevented with education and early detection." As part of the community-based teaching approach, a low-cost dental health clinic will be established in central El Paso. There, students will train with WLHSODM faculty and provide affordable dental services to one of the city's most underserved communities. Additional training opportunities will take place at local private practice dentists' offices, as well as clinic sites for organizations that provide affordable dental services to the poor. As part of the school's mission to improve access to oral health care on the border, faculty and students in the WLHSODM will reach out to rural communities in West Texas. These communities which currently have few to no dental health professionals will receive preventive oral health education. "Our new school of dental medicine is just as much about giving back to the community as it is about providing top-of-the-line, innovative education to future health professionals," said Victoria Pineda, TTUHSC El Paso associate vice chancellor. "This unprecedented show of support represents a shared vision of excellence for the border and a dream that all people in our region will one day have access to health care." Once established, the WLHSODM is expected to create 100 new, highly-skilled local jobs, infusing an additional $5 million into the El Paso economy in labor income. "We believe that the health foundation's commitment to the new dental school will increase the awareness of the importance of oral health, support a local supply of future dentists and hygienists, support community dental clinics, provide faculty appointments for local dentists, and contribute to the overall economic growth in the region," says Tracy J. Yellen, CEO of the PDNHF. The first cohort of 20 future dentists will be admitted in 2020. By 2023, the WLHSODM is expected to admit its first class of dental hygienists; the two-year program will educate dental professionals on how to work closely alongside the school's newly graduated dentists. At full capacity, the WLHSODM will graduate 75 dentists and 60 dental hygienists per year. The development of the new dental school is expected to cost between $50 and $60 million. $31 million, however, has already been raised, thanks to a generous gift from the Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation, and now, the PDNHF. Prof. Frank Chinegwundoh THOUGHT LEADERS SERIES ...insight from the worlds leading experts How much of a problem is contamination thought to be in urine sample collection? Contamination is thought to be a significant problem. Depending on which study you look at, the rates of urine contamination can be 17% or upwards. Traditionally, what has been the standard method of midstream urine collection? The standard method of midstream urine collection is for the healthcare professional to give the patient some sort of pot in which to collect their urine. Often, the pot is just given to the patient and they're told to produce a urine sample. However, what should happen is that the patient should be asked to produce the midstream urine. In other words, not to collect the first bit of urine that comes out and not to wait until the very end, but to collect the bit in the middle. Doing that involves the person starting to pass their urine and then holding it after a period of time, releasing the middle bit into a collecting pot and then removing the pot and completing urination. That's difficult for most people to do. In effect, what happens is that if someone is asked to do a midstream urine sample, they start passing the urine, just pass the collecting pot across their stream to collect some and then pass it out again. Inevitably, you get urine down the side of the pot and often on your fingers. It's a bit messy. What feedback do you get from patients on the standard method and how do healthcare professionals feel about it? The feedback from patients is that they are embarrassed about handing the container back to the nurse or doctor because the outside of it is wet with their urine. They often try and wipe it down, which means you then can't write the patients details on the actual bottle because it's wet. The healthcare professionals don't like to receive urine pots back that have got urine down the side because it's just unhygienic. The patients don't like the standard method and neither do the healthcare professionals. I think, because of that, often what happens is that the patients just pass the initial bit of the urine into the bottle and then quickly move it out and we don't get a true midstream urine. I suspect that's what happens much of the time, which is why the contamination rate is so high. Is it always midstream urine that needs to be collected or does it depend on what the urine is being tested for? It depends on what you're testing the urine for. If you're testing the urine to see if there's infection or not, then the midstream urine is what youre after. If you're collecting the urine to see whether there's sugar or any blood cells in it, for example, then it doesn't have to be midstream urine; the patient can just pass urine as they wish. Can you please give a brief overview of midstream urine collection system Peezy and why you decided to trial the device at the Royal London Hospital? We decided to trial Peezy because I came across it some years ago at a conference and it struck me as being an ingenious way of getting a midstream urine without getting urine all over the bottle and also without the patients having to worry whether they are at the beginning of the stream, the middle or the end. When I came across this device, I thought it would serve various purposes. Firstly, you would get a proper midstream urine. Secondly, it would be easier to collect the sample, especially for women who mostly sit down to pass the urine. Thirdly, you wouldn't get urine all over the collecting receptacle, which would be more hygienic for the patient and for the healthcare professional. I thought it would be good to try this device and see if we could improve how the urine samples that are checked for infection are collected. Our microbiologists found that approximately 17% of urine samples come back as being contaminated. The microbiology report would come back saying scanty growth or mixed growth and so on, whereas you want it to say either no growth or that there is growth of a particular organism, which is often E. coli. We get comments such as scanty growths, mixed growths, and mixed contaminants, which means you don't know if there really was an infection there or not. We thought we would look at, historically, how many urine samples going to the lab are deemed to be contaminated and see whether using this collecting device could reduce contamination, so we could get a better representation of what's actually happening within the bladder and whether there's infection or not. What did the trial involve? The trial is still ongoing. So far, weve looked at 66 urine samples and what we found was that the contamination rate was 1.5% compared to our historical contamination rate of 17%. It's small numbers at the moment and we're hoping to get to a bigger sample size, of 200 specimens. Certainly, the indication so far is that you get a better quality of urine sample and the microbiologist is better able to determine whether there's infection or not. How much time did it take to explain how to use the device? It does take some time, because with the traditional method of collecting urine samples, you just give the patient the pot and ask them to urinate in it. You may take a little bit more time to explain that it's the midstream urine you're after, but it's relatively quick. With the Peezy, you do have to have a demonstration model and show how the collecting bottle attaches to the plastic funnel device. You do have to explain that when a person is passing urine into the funnel, they have to stand over a toilet, because the first part of urine is going to run through, the middle bit will be decanted off into a side channel to collect the midstream urine and then any excess urine will just go to the bottom. You do have to spend some time explaining this to the patient because, for them, it's something completely different. If you do spend that time, which admittedly is a bit longer than when you just give someone a pot, it's worth it in terms of getting a decent sample and a clean collecting device. It is important to take time to explain how to use the device. Unfortunately, I had one man who was a little upset when he came to see me in my consultant room, because he was given this new device to urinate into, but he didn't quite appreciate that he had to hold the device over the toilet. I'm sure he was told and the nurse said she had told him but he actually held the device against his trouser leg and, of course, when he urinated into it, the first part of his urine went straight onto his trousers, the middle bit went into the test tube and the end bit also went on to his trousers. It was only when he looked down afterwards that he realized what had happened. As a result, we've made sure to reiterate, especially to the men who stand up while using the device, that they make sure the funnel and the exit to the funnel are actually over the toilet. What other feedback did you receive from patients on Peezy? The feedback has, for the most part, been positive. Since some patients said that they used it correctly, but not enough urine actually went into the side where the collecting bottle is attached, one of the things that we appreciate is that you need a fair volume of urine for this Peezy device to work. Therefore, we now ask the patients to make sure that they've drunk sufficiently, so they can pass a decent volume of urine. Most patients find it easy to use and they appreciate the cleanliness of the device. We did find that some patients had problems with it because they didn't pass enough urine or some patients with perhaps not as good manual dexterity as they would have wished, found it challenging to screw the test tube onto the Peezy device. A few had difficulty unscrewing the test tube and applying the cover to it. The younger patients tended to find the device easier to use than some of the older ones, but, overall, the response from patients to this collecting device has been positive. Also, some patients would comment that they don't have to worry about whether it's their midstream urine they're collecting; all they do is just urinate as they naturally would and the device collects the portion of the urine in the stream that we're interested in. In that respect, it takes the thinking out of it for the patient in terms of worrying about catching the midstream urine, as you have to with the old technique In what ways do you think Peezy could be improved? It's difficult to see how it could be improved. Perhaps for those people who lack hand dexterity, a simple push mechanism could be used rather than the screw top; pushing the test tube so that it clips onto the device. Although, perhaps rather than improving the device, we should be asking our nurses to assemble the kit and hand it to the patient so that they dont have to screw and unscrew the test tube. What do you think the future holds for urine sample collection in general and at the Royal London Hospital? I think that there should be a standard way of collecting urine samples. There are standard ways of collecting many tissue samples such as blood samples, but there seems to be no standard way of collecting urine, which leads to very different rates of contamination. I would like to think that, in the future, there would be a standardized way of collecting urine samples, especially when one is checking for infection. I would like to see the widespread adoption of this device. I appreciate the costs associated with the device, but I think that it is offset by not having to repeat urine samples and by being able to better diagnose and treat a urine infection. If someone has a urine infection, because the urine sample has not been collected properly and comes back showing contaminants, we may be doing that patient a disservice by not giving them the appropriate treatment, due to faulty urine collection. I think we have to offset the cost of the device against the better and more accurate diagnosis of patients. Actually, if you repeat less urine samples and reduce the retest rate that results from the first sample not being collected properly, then I think you end up saving money. I would like to mention how long new innovations take to get adopted widely in the NHS. At a recent conference I attended, one of the speakers, who was a head of innovation, said it takes around 17 years, on average, for an innovation to progress from the inception stage to becoming widely adopted. One of the challenges for the NHS is to shorten that timescale, so that when you do get something that's innovative, such as this, there's a methodology for widespread adoption. With regards to current incentives, are the labs paid based on the number of tests that they do, meaning theres a lack of incentive to want to use the Peezy device? Yes, that's true, although you would hope that professionalism would mean you just want to get the right diagnosis the first time and not have to repeat samples because there's some financial incentive. Perhaps there could be a mechanism whereby labs with lower contamination rates are rewarded or recognized in some way. We should be able to think of an incentive that doesn't actually penalize the lab for processing less samples. At the end of the day, we should be thinking about what is best for the patient: having one decent sample and getting a proper diagnosis or keeping them coming back and repeating urine samples because they've not being collected properly. Where can readers find more information? http://forte-medical.co.uk/ About Prof. Frank Chinegwundoh I am a consultant urological surgeon of 20 years standing, at Barts Health NHS Trust. My experience in the NHS amounts to over 30 years. I have particular expertise in prostate cancer. I published the first paper in the UK demonstrating that black men have a 2-3 fold risk of developing prostate cancer compared to white men. I won a national prize in 2012 - the Quality in Care Excellence (QiC) Award saving lives category, for setting up the Newham prostate mens community clinic. I demonstrated that men of all ethnicities would attend attend a community setting to access information and testing for prostate cancer. The cancers picked up were all early. In 2014 the project won an award in the Civil Service diversity and equality awards. I have an interest in the management of recurrent urinary tract infections. I am co-chair of the Prostate Cancer Advisory Group, which provides advice to Public Health England and the Department of Health on screening, early detection, international initiatives, new treatments and resourcing. My co-chair is the CEO of Prostate Cancer UK. I am also a trustee of the National Federation of Prostate Cancer Support Groups (aka Tackle prostate cancer). This charity is the voice of prostate cancer sufferers and their families. I have the accolade of having been awarded a MBE for services to the NHS in 2013. In December 2014 I was made Honorary Visiting Professor to City, University of London for my research and teaching contributions. I am shocked beyond words at the happenings at the board meeting of October 24, 2016. Apart from the invalidity and illegality of the business that was conducted, I have to say that the Board of Directors has not covered itself with glory," Mistry wrote in his mail. To "replace" your Chairman without so much as a word of explanation and without affording him an opportunity of defending himself in a summary manner must be unique in the annals of corporate history," Mistry added. I cannot believe that I was removed on grounds of non-performance," he further added. : Cyrus Mistry has written an explosive and combative email to the Tata Sons board members and Tata trustees in which he has claimed that he had been reduced to a " lame duck " chairman as Ratan Tata still continued to exert considerable power over the Tata Group.Cyrus Mistry called the move to remove him "unparalleled in the annals of corporate history" and wrote that he had not been allowed freedom of action to manage the affairs of the Tata group because of changes in the articles of association of Tata Sons.Challenging the notion of his removal on the grounds of "non performance", he contended that independent directors Vijay Singh, Farida Khambata and Ronnen Sen who had recently lauded and commended his performance turned against him in the board meeting, according to the confidential email accessed by CNBC-TV18.Mistry said that in 2011 he had been approached by Ratan Tata and Lord Bhattacharyya individually to become Chairman, but had declined. However, as the search committee was unable to find a suitable candidate he overcame his initial "reluctance" and accepted.Mistry said that he had been assured a "free hand" in the running of the Tata group and that Ratan Tata would "step back and be available for advice and guidance".But after the appointment, Mistry said, the Articles of Association were amended, changing the terms of engagement between the trusts, the board and the chairman. This limited the ability of the Tata group to engineer the necessary turnaround.Mistry writes that the change in the Articles of Association created "alternative power centres" without accountability, which invalidated the role of nominated directors like Nitin Nohria and Vijay Singh who were reduced to postmen who obtained their instructions from Ratan Tata instead of exercising their independent judgment.The email further questions whether the board members understood the extent of the problems Mistry had "inherited".The foreign acquisition strategy, with the exception of Tetley and Jaguar Land Rover, left a lot of debt. The European steel business faced potential impairments in excess of $10 billion. Foreign properties of Indian Hotels Company and Orient Hotels were sold at a loss and Tata chemicals still needs tough decisions about its UK and Kenya operations.The companys books required significant cleanup on account of bad loans to the infrastructure sector.Of all the companies in the portfolio, the telecoms business has been continuously hemorrhaging. If this business were exited via fire sale or shut down, the cost would be $4-5 billion. This is in addition to any payout to DoCoMo, which would be in excess of a billion dollars.The losses in 2013-14 alone amounted to 1,500 crore rupees.Non performing assets of Tata Motors Finance are in excess of 4,000 crore rupees, because of extending credit with lax risk assessment. The Nano has consistently lost money, peaking at 1,000 crore rupees. Any turnaround strategy for Tata Motors will involve shutting the Nano project. Emotional reasons alone have kept us away from this."Another challenge in shutting down Nano is that it would stop the supply of the Nano gliders to an entity that makes electric cars and in which Mr Tata has a stake." .@PriyankaChopra has been Miss India and Miss World, and today shes on my show for the first time. I shouldve given her a sash. pic.twitter.com/dbEybDIs8V Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) October 25, 2016 Priyanka Chopra is conquering Hollywood, one chat show at a time. After appearing in Jimmy Kimmel Live and Jimmy Fallon's show where she defeated him in bobbing and chicken wings eating competition, Chopra appeared on The Ellen Show recently and impressed everyone with her wit and charm. She even downed a tequila shot at the behest of host Ellen DeGeneres and then gave the 'smoothest' interview.On the show Chopra talked about her journey as a young 17 year old Miss India and how she at 18 won the Miss World title and how it became awkward to attend college afterwards.Priyanka, who plays an FBI agent on the show Quantico, shared how she did not know about FBI or CIA before she started working on the show. "I mean we have our own acronyms in India, which is CBI, but the only thing I knew about FBI, CIA is what I watched on TV, which is like Homeland, and all the shows that we love.I did not know how to announce myself, but it gives you such a sense of power when you break down a door, and go , FBI, FBI! in that voice. Its really like.you feel really powerful. I enjoy that part the most, in Quantico, added the actress.The snippet of the interview was shared by Ellen herself on Twitter and she added how she forgot to give Priyanka a sash to which Priyanka replied "Lol @TheEllenShow. Next time! See you soon!." Bengaluru: A CBI special court on Wednesday acquitted former Karnataka chief minister and state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa and all others in the Rs 40 crore mining kickback case. Yeddyurappa's two sons, son-in-law and JSW officials have also been acquitted of all charges by the CBI court in Bengaluru. It is being seen as a huge personal victory for him and the BJP in Karnataka which was depending on him to lead the party in the state polls next year. Judge Dharmagouder delivered a 300 page judgement acquitting all accused in the case, said Yeddyurappas lawyer CV Nagesh. Yeddyurappa was asked 473 questions by the judge during the hearing. Yeddyurappa had been sent to Bangalore central jail October 2011 in connection with the case but was released on bail within three weeks. He had also unsuccessfully moved both the Karnataka High Court and the Supreme Court seeking quashing of charges against him. Besides Yeddyurappa, two of his sons, BJP MLA B Y Raghavendra, B Y Vijayendra, his son-in-law Sohan Kumar, JSW Steel and its Bellary-based four affiliates were charge sheeted by the CBI for offering and receiving bribe. They have been charged with criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery and corruption. According to CBI charge sheet, Rs. 40 crore was paid to a trust run by the Yeddyurappa family in 2010 allegedly for the grant of official favours, including mining licenses, when he was chief ministership from 2008 to 2011. The CBI special court had examined 216 witnesses in the case. The CBI said the money had allegedly come from South West Mining Company, an affiliate of the JSW Steel. It also said an additional amount of Rs.20 crore was paid to Prerana Trust run by Yeddyurappa family and that it later transferred Rs.6 crore to Swamy Vivekananda Samsthe, in which Yeddyurappa was a trustee. The Yeddyurappa family was also accused of selling one acre BDA notified land in Bengaluru to a JSW Steel affiliate for Rs.20 crore to cover up the bribe amount. According to investigating agencies the market value of the land at that time was Rs.5.5 crore, and CBI had claimed the money trail was traced. New Delhi: Banaras Hindu University is holding an international seminar on the role of RSS in Nation Building but the central universitys vice-chancellor who calls himself a man of RSS says he will take action against the Faculty of Social Sciences for including his name as chief patron without seeking his permission. The seminar titled Role of RSS in Nation Building: Illusion and Reality will be held in BHU on November 4-5 with sub-themes like Origin and Development of RSS, Nationalism, Education, Tribal and Non-Tribal, Culture, Sanskar, Language, National Security, Concept of Akhand Bharat, and Kashmir & Tibet. Vice-Chancellor GC Tripathi told News18 that although he sees nothing wrong in a central university holding a seminar on RSS, he wondered if the organisers were qualified enough to hold an international seminar. There is no question of distancing or associating myself with it when I dont even know about it. There is nothing wrong with the topic but I am not aware of this seminar. I will take action against the person behind it for mentioning my name without taking my permission, he told News18. The man behind the event, Professor KK Mishra, head of the department of political sciences in BHU, said he will go ahead with the seminar. I will continue with the seminar and extend an invitation to our VC. He has not communicated his displeasure to me directly, Mishra told News18. Preparations are done, his mention is ceremonial and we followed all processes to hold it. There is nothing illegal about the seminar, we had planned 7 national and international seminars, we are done with six and this one is the last to happen, he said. Tripathi called Mishra a hooligan, whom he has not met yet and said that he keeps holding seminars. Mishra told News18 that the idea of the seminar was to remove prevailing illusions about RSS. As far as the role of RSS in nation building is concerned people know more about the illusions than the reality. There are various kinds of views about RSS like it did nothing for national struggle, it is not secular and are rioters Students come to me and say they want to research on RSS, they ask me what is RSS? But they dont have enough material. What should we do? This seminar is purely academic and is focused on coming out of the illusions about RSS and to carve a methodology for researching on RSS, he said. BHU has been in the news ever since Tripathi took charge with critics alleging he was implementing an RSS agenda in the century-old institution. His occasional comments eulogizing the RSS had earned him the wrath of the liberal left, which peaked when he refused to renew the teaching contract of Magsaysay award winner Dr Sandeep Pandey. News18 spoke to Pandey who said the problem was not the seminar, but the fact that the university authorities are not allowing any other discourse. It is alarming how almost every day they are allowing something or the other related to RSS. The kind of people coming and giving talks, there are meetings and shakhas happening. They dont want any other ideology to be discussed on campus. Attempt is to expose student to only one kind of ideology. There is no freedom for democratic rights, daily wage workers have been on dharna for 114 days, he said. JNU faculty member Rajat Datta felt it was the prerogative of BHU faculty to conduct seminars on topics they feel like taking up. A seminar on RSS in BHU is understandable and also inevitable given the current political circumstances in the country. RSS has strong location in BHU. It was bound to happen since university has people supporting a particular ideology and would like to bring that in the national mainstream, he said. However, Datta also felt that the seminar is an attempt at legitimizing an ideology that was on the margins. It has a very clear political agenda. Also, they are entitled to hold seminar on RSS and also term it academic is their prerogative but RSS is not an academic body. They should not resist any other ideological discussion on campus though, he said. Patna: Bihar Police on Wednesday rescued two sons of a Delhi businessman who were kidnapped from Patna airport on Friday. They also arrested four persons connected to the crime, police said. "Police rescued both sons of a Delhi-based businessman -- Suresh Sharma and Kapil Sharma. They were rescued from a village under Karja police station of Lakhisarai on Tuesday night," senior Superintendent of Police (SP) Manu Maharaj said. The father, Babulal Sharma, deals in marble. Majharaj said that the brothers, had arrived in Patna on business. They were kidnapped by Ranjit Don, alias Ranjit Mandal's gang. The kidnappers had demanded Rs 4 crore as ransom. According to the police, Suresh and Kapil were allegedly invited to Bihar by Mandal for a business deal. Mandal had earlier kidnapped a Haryana-based businessman for ransom but the police had managed to rescue him, also. New Delhi: The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday ordered that the Delhi-Noida-Direct (DND) Flyway should be made toll-free, providing relief to thousands of daily commuters. The DND Flyway connects Delhi on the west bank of the Yamuna with Noida and East Delhi. Earlier, it had witnessed numerous protests and demonstrations demanding scrapping of the Rs 28 toll. Just a day before the court's order, DND Director Monisha Macedo claimed the contract for operating the 9.2 km long road could be extended for two more years. "We are trying to recover not only the cost of construction. Under the concessionaire agreement, apart from the cost, we also have to earn a return. After all, it's a private investment that has happened," Macedo had told IANS. Asked if the DND will be handed over to the government after 2031, Macedo said,"There is a clause (in the agreement) which says that up to 2031 even if it has not earned returns then it can be extended for two years of time on requesting the Noida administration." Speaking about some of the company's recent initiatives, Macedo said that CCTV cameras with voice recording has been installed to keep a check on the behaviour of the toll collectors. "All the booths have got the voice recorder cameras. There have been complaints by our users against the toll collectors. We do a lot of training, train our staff to be polite because it is a service industry," said Macedo. According to her, the company is also updating the technology for toll collection. (With inputs from IANS) New Delhi: The ED has issued fresh summons to controversial meat exporter Moin Qureshi for questioning in a money laundering case after he recently managed to go out of the country despite a Look Out Circular (LOC) issued against him by the agency. Officials said the Enforcement Directorate has asked Qureshi to report before its Investigating Officer (IO) next week here in connection with a criminal case registered against him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The agency wants to expedite action against him, even as it is understood that the businessman has not returned till now. The officials said while the ED has questioned him in the past, some more recording of his statement is to be done in the said case. Qureshi had managed to leave for Dubai recently after showing a court order obtained in an Income Tax case, and not in the case for which the ED has issued the LOC. The Delhi-based meat exporter was briefly detained at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport, based on the ED's LOC on October 15, and the Immigration department had informed the agency about it. He then presented a court order in which there was no restriction on his flying abroad. The immigration officer checked for the veracity of the order and allowed him to fly. When the ED team reached the airport to take the meat exporter into custody, they were informed he had been allowed to fly on the basis of the court order. Later, the immigration officer realised that the order was in connection with an Income Tax case and not in the ED matter, prompting the authorities to order an inquiry. The ED had registered a case against Qureshi under PMLA last year. He is under the scanner of probe agencies for alleged tax evasion and hawala-like dealings. Former Supreme Court Judge Markandey Katju writes about the apex court ruling on Hindutva Judgement New Delhi: The Supreme Court judgment of 1995 in Manohar Joshi vs. N.B. Patil, 1995 (see online) was one of the most disgraceful judgments delivered by the Indian Supreme Court, and ranks along with the MISA judgment (ADM Jabalpur vs. Shivakant Shukla) as a huge stain on the Indian judiciary and on our democracy. India has a secular Constitution, as the preamble to it clearly says. Appeals in the name of religion in elections are a corrupt practice vide section 123(3) of the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951. And yet in the Manohar Joshi judgment a 3 judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice J.S. Verma held that an appeal in the name of Hindutva or Hinduism is not an appeal in the name of religion, since according to the judges, Hinduism or Hindutva is a way of life and represents the culture of India, and of all people of India, whether Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, etc. Manohar Joshi, a Shiv Sena candidate, in an election speech said that he will make Maharashtra a Hindu state. If this is not an appeal in the name of religion, one wonders what is ? The Supreme Court reasoning was bogus, sophistic and specious. Words in a speech must be seen in the context in which they are used. It could not possibly have been overlooked by the Court that these words were uttered in election speeches, and the audience would definitely have understood them to mean an appeal in the name of religion. What would one think of an appeal in the name of Islamiyat? Would that not be an appeal in the name of religion, just like an appeal in the name of Hindutva? To my mind this judgement struck a powerful blow at our secular democracy, and gave a handle to all kinds of right wing reactionaries to justify their nefarious activities. The recent 7 judge bench order of the Supreme Court refusing to revisit the Manohar Joshi judgment on a specious reasoning is deeply regrettable, as the Court has missed a golden opportunity of correcting one of its most deplorable and outrageous errors. Disclaimer: This website has the greatest regard for the justice delivery mechanism of the country and the majesty of the Supreme Court and does not necessarily agree with the views of the author, which are personal to him. Islamabad: Pakistan on Wednesday conveyed to the US that India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security (NDS) are patronising terrorist groups to attack soft targets in the country. National Security Adviser Lt Gen Nasser Khan Janjua (retd) conveyed this message to US ambassador David Hale in a meeting on Wednesday, said a statement released by the NSA's office. The meeting was held to discuss the terrorist attack on the Police Training College in Quetta, counter-terrorism operations and cross-border attacks, Dawn reported. Janjua also emphasised on the need to break the nexus between terrorist groups which he alleged were operating under the supervision of NDS and RAW. Pakistan has asked for US assistance to tackle the situation. The NSA informed the ambassador that the terrorists who attacked the police training college were constantly in contact with their leadership and handlers in Afghanistan. The US envoy was also briefed by the NSA on Pakistan's efforts to improve the current security situation in the country through implementation of the National Action Plan. Hale condemned the attack in Quetta and offered his regrets. He also offered American support in countering terrorism in the country. Heavily-armed militants wearing suicide vests stormed a police academy in Quetta, killing at least 61 people and wounding at least 117 others on Monday night, in the deadliest attack on a security installation in the country's history. New Delhi: A Ph.D student was found dead in his hostel room in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), police said on Tuesday. The deceased identified as J.R Philemon, resident of Manipur, was found dead students and security guards on Tuesday evening, when some students noticed foul smell coming from his room. They forcefully opened the door and found him dead inside the room, police said. "Philemon was residing in room no-171 of Brahmaputra Hostel and was not seen from last three days. Police was informed by security control room about his death" a Senior Police officer told IANS. The case is being investigating, the officer added. Mumbai: Bollywood actor Salman Khan's bodyguard Shera has been booked for assault after he allegedly roughed up an acquaintance at DN Nagar in suburban Andheri, police said on Wednesday. The incident took place last night after Shera got into a scuffle with one Attar Umar Qureshi on Link road, with whom he also had a heated argument earlier over the phone, senior police inspector Dhanaji Nalawade of DN Nagar police station said. The altercation turned ugly when Shera allegedly beat up Qureshi. Subsequently, the victim approached the police station and filed a complaint after which Shera was booked under section 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) and 326 of the IPC, the inspector said. The victim has been hospitalised in Andheri. The reason behind the altercation is not yet clear. Also, no arrest has been made so far in the case and further probe is underway. "When Qureshi was passing through the Link Road with his friends, he saw Shera and halted his car", said Mumbai Police spokesperson Ashok Dudhe in a statement. Meanwhile, Qureshi got a call and while he was speaking an altercation broke out between him and Shera, he said. According to the spokesperson, the complainant alleged that Shera hit him with a baton and a but of pistol and fled from the spot. New Delhi: Scrutiny in appointments to the higher judiciary is much more stringent these days and it would have been "inconceivable" for a judge like late V R Krishna Iyer, who flaunted his political activism, to be elevated to the apex court, Chief Justice T S Thakur on Wednesday said. "A politician becoming a judge and that too a judge of the Supreme Court is inconceivable in present context. That too a judge who has been prosecuted in 10 criminal cases. A judge who has undergone sentence for 30 days," he said in his speech at Inaugural Lecture series in memory of Justice Iyer here. "A judge who is a political activist, an agitationist becoming a candidate and becoming a judge is inconceivable today," he further said. While calling himself a die hard fan of Justice Iyer, the Chief Justice said in today's time, if we had an Iyer-type candidate, the collegium would have hesitated in recommending him. "We had a meeting of the collegium today. One of the objection about two of the candidates were that they had obtained a chamber and the allotment was later cancelled as it was found that the allotment was not valid according to rules. "Allottee has gone to the court to challenge the cancellation. Now one of the objection is that this candidate is in litigation. We have even deferred. Times have changed. Today if we had a Justice Krishna Iyer kind of candidate, we would have been very very hesitant in recommending him for elevation," CJI said. Beside the CJI, former Supreme Court Judge K S P Radhakrishnan, senior advocates Fali S Nariman and P H Parekh praised Justice Iyer while addressing the first lecture series organised by Sarada-Krishna Satgamaya Foundation, a charitable trust founded by Justice Iyer, to conduct law lectures and to promote other activities connected with legal education and legal literary works. Senior lawyer Nariman, while delivering the inaugural speech of the lecture series, recalled major judgments pronounced by Justice Iyer like the Ratlam municipality judgment and remembered his toughness in dealing with the issues of social justice keeping away his political affinities. Nariman also hailed Justice Iyer as a jurist who defined bail jurisprudence in favour of undertrials when he laid down that bail, not jail was the rule and was averse to preventive detentions as a general rule. The senior lawyer also referred to Justice Iyer's 1975 conditional stay on Allahabad High Court verdict that unseated Indira Gandhi as MP which led to the events that culminated in the imposition of Emergency. He recalled that once Justice Iyer was denied enrollment in the Kerala Bar Association but he threatened to sue the Kerala Bar Association. "Evidently, it worked," Nariman said while hailing Justice Iyer as "super judge". He also criticised the handling of the recent dengue epidemic in Delhi, as something Justice Iyer would never have done. Endorsing the senior counsel's words praising former apex court judge, CJI Thakur called late Justice Iyer a legend and compared him with Mount Everest. "If we compare the judicial landscape with the Himalayas, Justice Krishna Iyer was the Mount Everest," he added. He further said the presence of such huge gathering of Bar at this hour, on a working day shows there is a great hunger for knowledge, continuing education, to know about the past legends and their contribution. "Why can't we organise such lectures on a regular basis in memory of various other prominent lawyers and jurists? This can be an opportunity to the younger generation of the bar. "Only way we can relieve the memories of such great people is to remember them through the work that they have done and especially through the words of those who have worked with them," CJI said adding Justice Iyer was unique in many respects. "First of all he was the first person who came from politics to judiciary. We know that judges who have retired have a tendency to meddle in politics," he added. CJI also said Iyer's understanding about the constitutional ethos was unparalleled. "I admire his vocabulary. Krishna Iyer's vocabulary was phenomenal. I believe that he has the distinction of coining new expressions. He has made additions to English language. For an Indian to do that, I think it requires only a man from Kerala eating lots of fish, a brainy fellow, who can do all these," he said. New Delhi: A 26-year-old government school teacher was crushed on Tuesday by a speeding truck near Kadipur village of North West Delhi, police said. The teacher, Manish, died on the spot as his Scooty was first hit by a car coming from behind and then a speeding truck, also coming from the same direction, overran the two-wheeler. Manish worked as a teacher in Kadipur village and was known as 'Monu Master' in the area. He was returning home from his school when the incident took place, a police officer said. Drivers of both car and truck, however, managed to escape. "We have registered a case against both the drivers in Jafarpur Police Station and the follow-up action has begun," Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Surender Kumar said. Gujranwala reporter says JuD had scheduled a funeral prayer for Uri attacker, but canceled after @praveenswami story this morning. Asad Hashim (@AsadHashim) October 25, 2016 Further reports posters for the event have been torn or taken down across the Ganda Naala neighbourhood where event was scheduled. Asad Hashim (@AsadHashim) October 25, 2016 Pakistan stood exposed after terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba claims responsibility for the Uri terror attack that killed 20 Indian soldiers in Kashmir in September.The claim assumes significance after Pakistan government's constant and unswerving denial for being responsible for the attack on the Army base camp in Uri.Funeral prayers for one of the Uri attackers, organized by LeT's parent organization Jamaat-ud-Dawa, were scheduled to be held in Gujranwala of Punjab, Pakistan, according to a poster that was circulated widely on social media.According to media reports, the poster also said that an address by JuD chief Hafiz Saeed will be held after the funeral prayers."Funeral prayers in absentia for Mujahid Bhai Abu Siraqa Muhammad Anas martyr for having killed 177 Hindu soldiers in Kashmir," the poster said. The funeral is to be held at Sadabahar Nursery near Bada Nala Nawab Chowk Girjakh Gujranwala.The poster bragged about how LeT's Abu-Saraqa attained "martyrdom" while carrying out attack on Indian Army Camp in Uri, Kashmir. The content on the poster also claimed that LeT terrorists had killed 177 Indian soldiers in the attack.After the poster was widely circulated on social media, JuD claimed that it was a hoax, Pakistani Reuters correspondent Asad Hashim tweeted.However former editor Dawn, Abbas Nasir in a tweet response confirmed that the funeral prayers had been postponed.The terrorist attack on Uri Army base camp on September 18 that claimed at least 20 lives was one of the worst setbacks for the army in Kashmir in over a decade. Pakistan had so far rejected allegations of its involvement in the Uri strike. Lucknow: Amidst reports of a truce between the warring factions in the Samajwadi Party, party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav has left it to the discretion of his son Akhilesh Yadav whether to reinduct ministers sacked by him. "It is entirely up to the chief minister. He has to decide"; said Yadav in Lucknow. Amidst the raging family feud, Akhilesh Yadav had sacked four ministers including uncle Shivpal from his cabinet. The two sides indulged in a ugly spat at a function at party headquarters in Lucknow on Monday in the presence of the patriarch. Mulayam Singh has since been trying to broker a truce between warring factions. There has been a proposal that all sacked ministers will reinducted, and in return Shivpal Yadav revokes expulsion of all Akhilesh supporters. However it is unlikely that Rajya Sabha MP and Mulayam's cousin Ram Gopal Yadav and MLC Udayveer Singh would be taken back. Sources say Mulayam is annoyed with the two for having made personal allegations. "I will not speak about him," said Mulayam on being asked to resend to allegations made by Ram Gopal. One of the reasons why Mulayam refused to comment on the reinduction of ministers is being attributed to the controversy generated the last time when he announced reinduction of minister Gayatri Prajapati from the party forum. Technically, it is always the prerogative of the chief minister to take a call on such matters. On being asked if Akhilesh Yadav would be the chief minister if party wins the elections, Mulayam reiterated his earlier stand that the elected MLAs would elect their leader. "It is true that the last election was won on my name. But we decided to make Akhilesh the CM. The process is the newly elected MLA decide who their leader would be. That is how it is done in every party," said Mulayam. Ahmedabad: Senior NCP leader Praful Patel has decided to camp in Gujarat after Diwali to expand the base of his party in the state in view of the upcoming Assembly polls next year. The move is seen as an attempt by the NCP to expand its base in Gujarat, a neighbouring state of Maharashtra, where the party was in power for 15 years along with the Congress. "I will be camping here after Diwali to expand the base of my party in the state. The party leadership has given me that mandate," Patel told reporters here. "We are not a big party as Congress and BJP here. But there are vast opportunities here," the former Union Minister said. "The Patel quota agitation and the way state government dealt with it by slapping sedition charges on quota agitation leaders is unprecedented. In Maharashtra, Marathas daily take out rallies for reservation," Patel said without naming quota stir leader Hardik Patel. "Dalits have also started agitation here against atrocities on them," Patel said, referring to Dalits flogging incident at Una. Patel, who originally hails from Gujarat, has settled in Maharashtra and has been five times Lok Sabha MP. He is at present Rajya Sabha MP of NCP. NCP has been fighting elections in Gujarat for past several years. In the last Assembly elections held in 2012, the party had won two seats. Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP has also announced to fight the state elections in a big way. Patel said that NCP is ready to have alliance with "like minded parties" like Janta Dal(U), which has one MLA in Gujarat Assembly. "I have met Nitish Kumar and informally discussed about the elections. But all that is too far as elections will be held after one year," Patel said. New Delhi: Former Union minister and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor wrote in an article recently that three factorsthe US-South Korea bilateral relationship, a perception of a lack of conviction on India's part, and the George Bush Administration's desire not to repeat the Kofi Annan experiment of a 'strong' Secretary-General combined to ensure the US veto that scuttled his candidacy to the post of UN secretary-generals in 2006. Tharoor told CNN-News18's Pallavi Ghosh that he didn't want to say anything more on the topic than what he has already written, but answered in detail a range of questions from the surgical strikes to the future of Congress party to his perceptions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Q. Do you think India has given Manmohan Singh the respect he deserves? Do you think Congress party has given him the respect he deserves? Dr Manmohan Singh deserves enormous respect both for his personal qualities the remarkable human being he is and for his professional stewardship of the nation at a difficult time. I believe that he has been unfairly tarnished during the 2014 election campaign, but that in retrospect his accomplishments will shine all the more brightly. The Congress party certainly respects him enormously, and I am convinced that history will be kinder to him than today's India has been. I am convinced that history will be kinder to Dr Manmohan Singh than today's India has been. Q. There is a new version of the Great Game being played out in the Indian sub-continent now with an Indo-US axis being countered by an aggressive Pak-China axis, with projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor at the heart of it. As a foreign policy expert, do you think the US has smartly pushed India to a corner in its larger gameplan to counter China? I don't think that India is that easy to push around! Indias relationships with both the US and China are driven by their own logic, and we have done reasonably well so far in separating our bilateral relations with each, from their relationship with each other. Q. Is the US a reliable ally? An all-weather friend as they call? Well, first of all the US is not our ally. We have been careful not to enter into any arrangement that can be termed as an alliance, and we are inordinately sensitive about using the word "ally". The farthest we are willing to go is "partner". I am not sure that all of the US' allies will in any case use terms like "all-weather ally" for them. Washington is a pragmatic capital where sentiment about allies is rarely allowed to intrude in politics whether domestic political imperatives or geopolitical considerations. Q. Should India pursue an openly pro-US policy at the cost of alienating China? I think each of these relationships has its own significance for us. The US is a valuable partner. But there is not much advantage in being seen as an appendage of a big power far away. At the same time, China is a neighbour we cannot afford to alienate. We have a long-stalemated border dispute with them which we dont want to see flare up. We are trying to improve the balance of trade and to attract Chinese investments. These objectives can and should run on parallel tracks. Q. Trump vs HillaryHad you been a US voter, whom would you choose? Who is better for India? Undoubtedly Hillary, because Trump is manifestly not qualified to lead the US government. As for policies, both will act in their own interests as they perceive them. Those who are carried away by Trump's rhetoric about India don't seem to realize the severe limitations he would face in implementing some of his more controversial ideas. Hillary knows India and will lead an administration that takes mature and responsible decisions. Not all of them will favour India, but at least we know the relationship will be in safe hands. Donald Trump is manifestly not qualified to lead the US govt. Those who are carried away by Trump's rhetoric about India don't seem to realize the severe limitations he would face in implementing his more controversial ideas. Q. Coming back to India, this hyper nationalism narrative is it good for society and nation? No. Patriotism is a fine thing when channelled constructively when it seeks to affirm the best about your country and to take legitimate pride in it. But when it becomes a stick to beat others over the head with, when it becomes reduced to narrow-mindedness and bigotry, when it closes the national mind and stifles public conversation, it should be deplored. That is what is happening now. When patriotism becomes a stick to beat others over the head with, when it closes the national mind and stifles public conversation, it should be deplored. That is what is happening now Q. You maintained a curious silence even when controversy broke on foreign secretary S Jaishankar's briefings to the parliamentary panel on foreign affairs on the surgical strikes. You are the chair of the panel. Is it that you disagreed with Congress playing politics over it? As I explained at the time, the rules of the Committee prescribe, indeed require, confidentiality. At both the beginning and the end of the meeting I assured the witnesses of confidentiality and it was on the basis of this assurance that they testified. This was why I felt I could not break my own word to them; it would undermine my credibility to future witnesses if they felt my promises to them of confidentiality were insincere. I offered to the Foreign Secretary to lift the confidentiality requirement on his own testimony so that he could clarify what exactly he had said, but both he and the EAM felt this was not necessary. Q. As a diplomat who has rubbed shoulders with world leaders, do you think our diplomats are particularly vulnerable to political sensitivities? Shivshankar Menon was hauled over the coals by the BJP for including Balochistan in the Sharm-Alsheikh declaration. Now Congress has put Jaishankar on a spot for reportedly accepting before the parliamentary panel that surgical strikes have taken place before too Are we ruining the legacy of our best diplomats by dragging them into the political muck? I think some of this comes with the territory any high-profile position that involves public engagement on matters of interest to the media, always risks a political backlash as well. Still, our political tradition is that the bureaucrats give advice but politicians take the decisions -- and ultimately it is they who should carry the can for these decisions. Q. Whats your opinion? Personal opinion. Should the government have been more forthright in providing proof of the strikes? At least to the parliamentary panel? I had suggested that though for me personally the word of the DGMO was good enough I do not think our Army would ever lie to the Indian public and though I did not think the calls to release video evidence were wise, since that could compromise national security, I believe that there would have been no harm in releasing the co-ordinates of the places we struck. Since the Pakistanis know where they were hit, we would not be revealing anything secret, but the incontrovertible facts would have given the lie to the Pakistani propaganda that there were no strikes and the whole thing was just an Indian PR exercise. Personally, the word of the DGMO on surgical strikes was good enough for me. I did not think the calls to release video evidence were wise, but I believe that there would have been no harm in releasing the co-ordinates of the places we struck. Q. Was Rahul Gandhi right to say 'Khoon ki dalali'? I honestly think the Indian media is excessively fond of focusing on a word or a phrase rather than looking at its meaning or the political intent behind a remark. I've been a victim of that myself, so my sympathies are with Rahulji. He was clearly saying that the ruling party was trying to make political capital out of the blood of our soldiers. Just look at the hoardings and posters the BJP has put out in UP and you will get his point. Q. The Congress keeps criticising the BJP and the Sangh Parivar for its "authoritarian" tendencies. Doesn't the first family concept or the primacy of a single dynasty make its criticism ring hollow? No, because our criticism is of a style of functioning, and our "first family", as you put it, is much more democratic in its way of work than the ruling party seems to be. Our point is that there's not much virtue is boasting you are not dynastic if what you have is an anointed autocracy that cant be questioned. Whereas our "first family" practices a style of leadership that is inclusive, accommodative, collegial and respectful of different points of view. There's not much virtue in boasting you are not dynastic if what you have is an anointed autocracy that can't be questioned. Whereas our "first family" practices a style of leadership that is inclusive and accommodative. Q. Old Political movements around the world have to go through periodic reinventions to make them relevant. Does the Congress have any big ideas? Many. Reinvention is certainly relevant and it is likely to involve a generational shift in leadership. But many of the party's established Big Ideas don't need to be jettisoned they just need to be reaffirmed and better adjusted and articulated to inspire a new generation of voters. Q. Does Rahul Gandhi consult you? On some issues, yes, from time to time. But I do not have a role in the party that warrants me to be consulted on a regular or frequent basis. Q. What ails the Congress? If you were tasked to fix it, what would you do? I have aired my views both publicly and privately. No further delays in the leadership transition and organizational change; a strong emphasis on revitalizing the party grassroots machinery; revival of the practice of the party workers using the period between elections to perform social work in their constituencies; and more public communication of the partys ideas, are among my recommendations. I had also suggested some years ago the creation of a Professionals Congress to connect the party to the educated professionals around the country, and have been pushing this concept further. Q. Was Modi right to use Balochistan to counter Pakistan's meddling in Kashmir? There's a careful line to be drawn between showing Pakistan that they have a mote in their own eye, and seeming to reduce international politics to a tu-tu-main-main exercise which dilutes our own position which is that unlike Pakistan, we don't interfere in anybody's internal affairs. Our government has come perilously close to crossing that line and I am glad they seem to have drawn back rather than go on banging this particular drum. Q. The government claims it has isolated Pakistan internationally. Would you agree with the assessment? ST: No, because it cant be done. Both China and the US, and many other countries, have significant and substantial reasons for staying engaged with Pakistan. But if by this claim, our Government means that they have won the support of many countries in conveying to Pakistan that its continued sponsorship of terrorism against India is unacceptable, I think that is largely true as it was also true under the UPA government in the aftermath of 26/11. Q. You have said that Pakistan didn't have any opposition to your UN candidature. You had even visited Pakistan and had breakfast with the generals. Do you maintain those friendships? Do they come handy in Track II talks? ST: No, I didnt say that. Of course, Pakistan was opposed to my UN candidature. But their opposition does not appear to have been a factor in the US decision to go against me in the race. The US veto was cast for reasons completely unrelated to Pakistan or Kashmir. Q. PM Narendra Modi praised your speech at the Oxford debate. Would you travel to make India's case internationally if you were to request you to do that? Of course, that goes without saying. One of my predecessors as Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs, Atal Behari Vajpayee ji, was frequently asked by Prime Minister Narasimha Rao to lead delegations and speak for India abroad. I have long argued that there's no Congress foreign policy or BJP foreign policy, only Indian foreign policy, and all of us on the Committee work to uphold India's national interest. So of course I would accept any such request. But I am not expecting any such offer from the present government. I offered to the Foreign Secretary to lift the confidentiality requirement on his own testimony (at the parliamentary panel on foreign affairs) so that he could clarify what exactly he had said, but both he and the External Affairs Minister felt this was not necessary. Q. If you had to pick one attribute, what exactly is it that you would admire in PM Modi? His personal energy. He is seemingly tireless in his domestic and international travels, maintains a punishing schedule of engagements and speeches, and his voice and spirit never flags. Whether you agree with him or not, this is an admirable quality. I admire Narendra Modi's personal energy. He is seemingly tireless in his travels, maintains a punishing schedule, and his voice and spirit never flags. Whether you agree with him or not, this is an admirable quality. Q. Do you enjoy being a politician? Have you ever thought in this last one decade that maybe, just maybe, you shouldn't have stepped into politics and would have been better off in the seminar circuit or in academia? In a democracy, politics remains the best way to make a difference for the people of your country. I enjoy thinking, reflecting, writing and speaking to public audiences, but the impact I could make on a single governmental decision would be negligible. In government and in politics the opportunities to directly influence the direction that India will take are obviously much greater. That's where I think the world of decisions scores over the world of conclusions. I don't always enjoy the political process, and some of the drudgery and nastiness that comes with it, but nothing worth doing is ever easy to do. Chandigarh: The influence of drugs, liquor, money and muscle-power by some political parties and leaders top the concerns expressed before the Election Commission (EC) by various quarters in the run-up to the Punjab assembly elections. "Some political parties have demanded that Special Task Force (STF) be set up for each constituency to check distribution of drugs, alcohol and money before and during elections," Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Nasim Zaidi told media here on Tuesday. "These STFs should be independent of local police and civil administration and should remain on duty till polling process is over," said Zaidi, who completed a three-day visit to Chandigarh with two Election Commissioners, A.K. Joti and O.P. Rawat. The CEC said the electronic voting machines (EVMs) being used for the assembly polls will have photographs of candidates against their names so that there is no confusion regarding candidates having similar names. "The Commission has worked out a detailed strategy to maintain purity of elections and to deliver free, fair and transparent elections," the CEC said. The EC team took stock of assessment of the advance planning and preparations made by the state election machinery for the forthcoming elections. Elections to 117 assembly seats in Punjab are likely to be held in January-February next year. Zaidi pointed out that the issue of 'Halqa in-charges' of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal, who are considered an extra-constitutional authority in assembly constituencies, had been brought to the notice of the EC. "On law and order in the state, several political parties informed the Commission about undue influence of Halqa in-charge over local civil and police functionaries. They also demanded that complete overhauling of the police and administration must be carried out to ensure free and fair elections," the CEC said. "Proclaimed offenders must be booked and the current system of parole be reviewed so that anti-social elements are not able to influence electoral process. The political parties also demanded that the posting of local civic and police officials must be strictly reviewed and officers known to be biased and influenced by local political considerations must be removed," he said. He said the international border in six border districts namely -- Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Fazilka and Ferozepur and also inter-state borders will be appropriately subjected to surveillance. Zaidi said Punjab had 1,92,14,509 (1.92 crore) registered voters till September 7 this year. This included 1,01,62,170 male voters, 90,52,066 female voters and 273 transgenders. "In the recent campaign for Special Summary Revision as per eligibility on 1.1.2017 (January 1, 2017), 6,19,073 new forms for voter registration have been received. Of this, 225,000 are from the first time voters in 18-19 age group and 185,645 forms have been received for deletion of shifted and dead voters from the electoral rolls," Zaidi said. Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday finalised its Vikas rath yatra, which will leave from here to Kanpur on November 3. "Lakhs of youths will participate in the yatra, which will prove to be the turning point of politics. At every halt, Akhilesh will be welcomed by youths, farmers, minority and he will also address the gathering," Cabinet minsiter Rajendra Chowdhury said. "The yatra will be a sort of catalyst for a change in politics. Akhilesh will try to break communalism and casteism through the yatra in which he will be highlighting development works done by his government," he added. Stating that the yatra will estalish new identity of Akhilesh "leadership" and will also ensure success for 2017 assembly polls, Chowdhury said it would reach every corner of the state. A lot of arrangements have been made by Team Akhilesh for the success of the yatra, in which besides video titled 'Kam Bolta Hai' (Work speaks), showing the CM working tirelessly will also be shown. Arrangements are being made to ensure huge success of the yatra, amidst family tussle to establish Akhilesh as "indisputed" political heir of SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav. The Indian telecom regulator may soon come out with recommendations on free data architecture, a top official said here on Tuesday. "on Monday in Hyderabad we had an open house discussion on free data as to how this architecture should be done and telecom industry, startups and number of other people participated. On the basis of that discussion and suggestions received we will come out with recommendations or order," Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Chairman R.S.Sharma said. He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of CII Big Picture event. "We also had an important discussion in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad on the issue of unsolicited downloads and background usage of data. When you visit a website, there are videos in background, several advertisements also running, leading to undesired usage of data," Sharma said. He mentioned that there were participants from Google, Facebook and other companies in the meeting who gave us their views on what could be the way forward to check this menace. "While everybody agreed that advertisement is okay, at the same time fleecing a consumer of data is unwarranted." "I think it is a serious problem , but let me admit that not very clear solution emerged of the discussion. It is one of those problems, of which we have to have some technological solutions," Sharma said. "There needs a solution to find how one can stop such inadvertent usage of data. So an awareness campaign also needs to be done in this regard," he said. He also said it is not the sectoral regulator's mandate to regulate content. "We will prefer to take a road through awareness campaign or technology to mitigate this problem rather than resorting to some kind of regulation." "We have not found a solution to it yet and we will need more consultations with experts to figure out a solution," he added. While the world is still coming to terms with self-driving cars, Otto which is a Uber-owned self-driving vehicle operation on October 20, successfully delivered 50,000 cans of chilled Budweiser beer with the help of a self-driving truck.One of the first commercial delivery by a self-driving truck was a 120-mile trip on Interstate 25 from Fort Collins, Colo., to Colorado Springs.Uber has predicted a future in which you can ride in a self-driving car but this was taking things to another level. It's in a way controversial too as the human element is removed and we are moving towards an automated transportation ecosystem.Uber acquired Otto, a San Francisco start-up which is run by a number of veterans of Googles long-running autonomous vehicle research in August this year for nearly $700 million.The Otto blog said that, in partnership with Anheuser-Busch, and with full support from the State of Colorado, they hauled 51,744 cans of Budweiser from Fort Collins, through downtown Denver, to Colorado Springs. By using cameras, radar, and lidar sensors mounted on the vehicle to see the road, Ottos system controlled the acceleration, braking, and steering of the truck to carry the beer exit-to-exit without any human intervention.In fact, their professional driver was out of the drivers seat for the entire 120-mile journey down I-25, monitoring the self-driving system from the sleeper berth in the back.This delivery was also indicative of Ubers ambitions to become an enormous automated transportation network. The 2017 actress assault case refers to the abduction and sexual assault of a leading South Indian actress near Kochi. Hong Kong: Filming himself torturing and killing a young Indonesian woman, British investment banker Rurik Jutting veered between boasting, remorse and describing the pleasure he derived from sexually brutalising the first of two victims. Footage taken from four hours of recordings on Jutting's mobile phone formed the core of the prosecution opening on the second day of a murder trial in Hong Kong that has grabbed global attention. The 31-year-old Cambridge University graduate has admitted killing Sumarti Ningsih, a 23-year-old single mother, and another Indonesian woman, Seneng Mujiasih, in his luxury high-rise apartment two years ago. But he has pleaded not guilty to murder on grounds of diminished responsibility, while pleading guilty to the lesser crime of manslaughter. The four women and five men on the jury clenched their jaws and, at times, diverted their eyes as they endured an opening 20-minute segment of the torture of Ningsih. Tears welled up in the eyes of one middle aged male juror. Appearing topless, overweight and unshaven, Jutting appeared on camera, at times showing Ningsih's body, and spoke with chilling calm in a series of monologues that he described as "narcissistic ramblings". While the video was not shown to the public in the courtroom, journalists covering the trial could hear the audio. "I just killed someone, first person I ever killed, I cut her throat in the bathroom ... to be precise I cut her throat while she was bending over licking dirty toilet bowl," he said. Jutting, who had held a high flying job at Bank of America in Hong Kong before his arrest, at one point filmed himself taking cocaine as he explained how he tortured Ningsih. "I treated her as a non person, a sex object. And that turned me on." Bespectacled and wearing pale blue shirt, Jutting was flanked by three policemen as he watched what he had done on a video recording a judge said had been found on his iPhone. Jutting, who had attended Winchester College, one of Britain's most prestigious private schools, shut his eyes, sometimes covering his face with his hand rather than look at the screen in front of him. BRITISH SCHOOLGIRLS Jutting used a belt, sex toys, a pair of pliers and his fists to torture Ningsih over three days before eventually slitting her throat with a serrated-edged knife, according to the prosecution. On the recording, Jutting spoke in a relaxed, soft voice as he taunted, bullied and mutilated Ningsih, a single mother who had been visiting Hong Kong on a tourist visa. "Its better than being beaten isn't it? Do not cry, take it like a good girl," Jutting said as he described how he was going to put his fist into her. Jutting called his victim 'Alice' as he tormented her. While threatening to cut off her nipples he calmly said: "This doesn't really hurt does it? You deserve some water don't you? Just one more before some water." After that video, others showing Jutting and Ningsih's mutilated, naked body were screened in an open court room. In one, Jutting spoke of a "fantasy" to kidnap three teenaged girls from Wycombe Abbey, a girls' boarding school in High Wycombe, a town northwest of London. As he listened to that passage, Jutting shook his head in the courtroom while holding a hand over his face. In one scene he urinated into a beer glass as he expressed fears of being jailed in Hong Kong, planning to return to Britain to co-operate with authorities. In another, he played the song Disturbia by pop artist Rihanna as he lays out freshly purchased hardware store "goodies" he plots to use on another victim - a hammer, and nails, pins and sandpaper. DEPRESSED AT WORK Prior to the jury selection on Monday, Deputy High Court Judge Michael Stuart-Moore warned potential jurors that if they were unable to cope with viewing extreme violence they should excuse themselves. The defense and prosecution were largely in agreement over the physical evidence, Stuart-Moore had advised the jurors on the first day of the trial. He told them that the outcome could rest on psychiatric and psychological testimony to determine whether it was a case of murder or manslaughter. Murder carries a mandatory life sentence, while manslaughter carries a maximum of life though a shorter sentence can be set. The women's bodies were found in Jutting' s apartment after he had called police. Ningsih's remains were discovered in a suitcase on the balcony, while the body of the second victim, 26-year-old Seneng Mujiasih, was found inside with wounds to her neck and buttocks, the prosecutor told the court. Mujiasih, a domestic helper, was working in a bar when she met Jutting, according to the prosecution. Jutting, who spoke of his addiction to drugs and alcohol, also alluded several times to paying for sex, and referred to Ningsih as his prostitute. At one point he moved the camera to show his large belly and lowers it to glimpse his genitals. "Killing her may have been kindness, living with that would have haunted her," he is heard saying. As he prepared to hide the body in a suitcase Jutting questions whether he has a problem as he feels excited. Soon after his arrest in November, 2014 Bank of America had said Jutting had worked there until recently, but did not say exactly when or why he left. A spokesman for the bank declined to comment when contacted by Reuters on Tuesday. Jutting spoke of his role as the bank's vice president and head of Structured Equity Finance & Trading (Asia) and expressed job depression". During one section Jutting remarks that after killing Ningsih, he felt most guilty about not being in the office to close a "financing deal for a literally soulless project." "Newly unemployed, soon to be unemployed, part time rapist and murderer," he says after musing over future plans to kidnap, torture and rape young girls. United Nations: The United States on Wednesday abstained for the first time from a vote at the United Nations calling for an end to the US embargo against Cuba, more than a year after Washington restored ties with Havana. The UN General Assembly adopted the annual resolution for the 25th time by an overwhelming vote of 191 votes in favor - with only the United States and Israel abstaining in the 193-nation forum. "The United States has always voted against this resolution. Today the United States will abstain," US Ambassador Samantha Power told the assembly, drawing loud applause. Washington's abstention was in line with calls from President Barack Obama for the opposition-controlled Congress to lift the decades-old embargo as part of a historic normalization of relations. The United States restored diplomatic ties with Cuba in July last year and Obama made a landmark visit to the communist-ruled island in March. But restoring full trade and financial ties with Cuba would require legislative action by Congress, where the Republican majority has said human rights concerns must first be addressed. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez welcomed the US shift as positive, but said the US government must take concrete steps that go beyond the "vote of one delegation in this forum." "The blockade continues to be a massive, flagrant and systematic violation of the human rights of all Cuban men and women and qualifies as an act of genocide," Rodriguez said. Economic damage caused to Cuba by the embargo between April 2015 and March 2016 - when Obama first met with President Raul Castro until his historic Havana visit - is estimated at more than $4.68 billion, he said. Over the past six decades, the damage from "this genocidal policy" amounts to $753.688 billion, he added. "There isn't any Cuban family or sector in our country that has not suffered from its effects," said the foreign minister. Embargo restrictions have prevented the sale of US medical equipment to treat Cubans suffering from Parkinson's disease and blocked a deal by a Cuban pharmaceutical company that would have allowed it to produce drugs locally, he said. This year's resolution takes note of steps taken by the Obama administration to ease the embargo, describing them as positive but "still limited in scope." The measure calls on all member states to refrain from applying the embargo and to "reaffirm the freedom of trade and navigation." Last year, the United States and Israel were the only two countries that voted against the non-binding resolution, but 191 voted in favor - the highest level of support yet for the measure at the United Nations. Power recalled that the US policy aimed at isolating Cuba "was not working" and had instead isolated the United States. "Abstaining on this resolution does not mean that the United States agrees with all of the policies and practices of the Cuban government. We do not," said Power. After praising Cuba for sending hundreds of doctors to West Africa to fight the Ebola outbreak, Power said the United States and Cuba must continue to find ways to engage, despite differences. Washington: The father of a Muslim-American army captain, has come out in support of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and will campaign for her this week, media reports said. Khizr Muazzam Khan, 66, is father of United States Army Captain Humayun Khan, who died while serving in the 2004 Iraq War. Khan will campaign for Clinton in Virginia on Wednesday, meeting with community leaders, veterans and military families at a mosque and a local restaurant during three stops in Norfolk, the Los Angeles Times reported. During the Democratic National Convention held in July, Khan blasted Trump for his divisive remarks and proposal to temporarily ban Muslims from entering the country and implored voters to vote for Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee. Trump responded by implying that Ghazala Khan, who accompanied his husband on stage on the final day of the Democratic National Convention, was forbidden to speak by his husband. Last week, featuring in an emotional 60-second campaign advertisement for Clinton, he shares the story of his son's death and asks Donald Trump: "Would my son have a place in your America?" APPOMATTOX An Appomattox County teenager was sentenced to a suspended prison term Wednesday for shooting and wounding his grandfather when he was 14 years old. Andrew Christian Hamlett, 16, of Spout Spring, pleaded guilty to malicious wounding and maliciously shooting into an occupied building, both felonies, stemming from the October 2015 incident involving his relative. Hamlett was accused of shooting his grandfather four times, but the motive was unclear in a hearing Wednesday in Circuit Court. After pleading guilty and answering numerous yes-or-no questions from the judge, Hamlett offered no comment on the charges. His attorney, Jordan Davies, said Hamlett understands the seriousness of this. Judge S. Anderson Nelson approved a plea deal with prosecutors in which Hamlett got prison time of 10 years on the wounding charge and five years on the shooting into an occupied building charge, all suspended. Along with the suspended prison time, Hamlett must complete a 24-month inpatient mental health program at a facility in Covington. He also must pay costs of that program; complete his high school education; have 20 years of good behavior; comply with four years of supervised probation; stay drug- and alcohol-free during probation; pay court costs; and agree to substance abuse screening. Deputy Commonwealths Attorney Leslie Fleet said the deal holds over Hamlett the possibility of prison time an adult could serve for the same offenses if he doesnt fulfill all requirements of the sentence. Since his arrest in October 2015, Hamlett served time in jail and mental health facilities and will receive credit for time served, but Fleet said the mental health detention ordered Wednesday will last at least another two years. As part of the plea deal, Hamlett agreed to drop his appeal of three earlier, unrelated counts in juvenile court. The prosecutor also agreed to drop a third felony count of use of a firearm in commission of a felony in connection to the shooting. Judge Nelson said he was taking into account Hamletts youth in accepting an agreement below sentencing guidelines and said if Hamlett were two years older, the court would not entertain such a plea deal. He emphasized to Hamlett the two felonies will stay on his record. Its something thats going to be with you the rest of your life, he said. What you did was very serious. According to law enforcement accounts at the time, Hamlett shot his grandfather, Marvin Caldwell, 71, and then ran into the woods behind the victims house on Horseshoe Road in Appomattox. Deputies found Caldwell on the front porch bleeding from multiple gunshot wounds. Search warrant affidavits said Caldwell told deputies he was sleeping and woke to his grandson shooting him. Hamlett later was arrested nearby without incident, authorities said. Fleet told the judge Wednesday one factor in the plea negotiation was Caldwell advocated for a plea deal for his grandson. Caldwell since has died but not as a result of wounds incurred in the shooting, Fleet said. After more than a decade of inactivity, the registration program for Lynchburgs vacant buildings finally is moving toward implementation. During its regular meeting Tuesday, Lynchburg City Council authorized staff to draft amendments to the city code that would increase the registration fee and associated penalties of the Vacant Property Registration Program and to update the code so the program is applied to derelict structures. City Council adopted the Vacant Property Registration Program in 2003 but never implemented it because of constraints on resources, such as staff. Under current city code, properties that are vacant for more than 12 months would be required to be registered with the city for a fee of $25 per building. Failing to register a vacant structure by Jan. 1 would result in a civil penalty of $50 per building or a penalty of $250 per building for properties located in conservation and rehabilitation districts. Although the registration program never was implemented, city staff ensures vacant properties are secure, there are no exterior code violations and lawns are maintained, Lynchburg Director of Community Development Kent White said in an interview earlier this week. Many of the citizen complaints the department of community development receives are related to vacant structures, White said during the meeting. Monitoring such properties pulls resources away from programs serving occupied housing units such as the citys rental inspection program, he said. According to White, the city currently is inspecting only about half of the number of units in the rental inspection program. To model the program after legislation that was passed by the Virginia General Assembly in 2013, city staff recommends the registration fee in the vacant property registration program be increased to $100 and penalties to $200 per building, or $400 per building in conservation and rehabilitation districts. Staff also is seeking to amend the city code to provide a definition of what constitutes a derelict property, which currently is not referenced in city code. After the meeting, White said the citys Vacant Property Registration Program would require buildings be vacant for at least 12 months, be boarded up and not lawfully connected to basic utilities. About 250 structures in Lynchburg meet that definition and are located in older areas of the city, White said during the meeting. According to White, registration fees will provide additional resources to target vacant properties while helping the department focus on occupied housing such as the rental inspection program and housing complaints. We view this registration fee as really a user fee for the service that staff provides to monitor these properties, White said. Council members generally were favorable to the proposed changes. Councilman Randy Nelson said its in the public interest to increase incentives for owners to rehabilitate their properties, but he expressed concerns about increasing fees for people who may be in distress. Saying City Council has made some decisions without much public input appearing to reference a recent decision to vacate a portion of a public street that prompted neighborhood outcry Nelson said he was in favor of a public hearing being held following the completion of the draft ordinance to gather feedback on the changes. While saying he supported the changes, Councilman Turner Perrow said he wished to see justification for the fees. What is the expense that you have per property or some metric that we can understand what the expense is so we know that the fee charged is a reasonable fee for the services provided, Perrow said. Councilman Sterling Wilder said he supported the initiative, but it doesnt go as far as Id like it go but at least its a starting point. Wilder suggested the city continue to explore best practices used by other communities when dealing with vacant and abandoned properties. In a unanimous vote with Mayor Joan Foster absent, City Council authorized the drafting of the amendments to city code. The completed draft amendments will be brought back to council during a public hearing at a later date. In other news: City Council authorized the submission of an application for $300,000 in grant funds from the Transportation Alternatives Program through the Virginia Department of Transportation for the renovation of an abandoned railroad trestle over Langhorne Road and the extension of the Blackwater Creek Trail to Linkhorne elementary and middle schools. The grant would require a local match of $75,000. The total estimated cost of the project is $1.2 million. In recognition of Desmond T. Doss, a Lynchburg native and Medal of Honor recipient, Vice Mayor Treney Tweedy presented a framed picture of Monument Terrace to Stephen Doss, the principal of Desmond T. Doss Christian Academy. Desmond Doss is credited with saving the lives of as many as 75 men in Okinawa during World War II. Doss life is memorialized in the upcoming movie Hacksaw Ridge. The Lynchburg Police Department is looking for a suspect they say stole credit card information. According to a department news release, the suspect used the stolen information at Kroger on Boonsboro Road. Police believe the suspect is involved in numerous other credit card fraud cases in Lynchburg during the past few months. Lynchburg Police Detective R.F. Robinson said these incidents have taken place throughout the summer, and other detectives also are investigating. Robinson said the suspect developed a dummy card with the victims information on it. Anyone who can identify the suspect is asked to call Detective R.F. Robinson, with the Lynchburg Police Department, at (434) 455-6116 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-798-5900. The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to help stock the shelves before the busy holiday season. Many regular donors delay giving between Thanksgiving and New Years Day because of holiday activities, leading to a drop in donated blood available for patients. For that reason, more donations are needed in the weeks leading up to the holidays to ensure adequate blood supply through the winter months. To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to save time when donating. Upcoming blood donation opportunities: Appomattox Nov. 24, 12 to 6 p.m., Liberty Baptist Church, 1709 Church St. Bedford Nov. 14, 12 to 6 p.m., Bedford Baptist Church, 1516 Oakwood St. Moneta Nov. 4, 12 to 6 p.m., Trinity Ecumenical Parish, 40 Lakemount Drive (Virginia 122) Naruna Nov. 22, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., William Campbell High School, 474 William Campbell Drive Rustburg Nov. 12, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., New Chapel Baptist Church, 2084 New Chapel Road (Route 606) A super PAC that announced earlier this month it would direct $400,000 to the congressional campaign of state Sen. Tom Garrett Jr., R-Buckingham, has now doubled that amount and released a TV spot with just two weeks until Election Day. The Congressional Leadership Fund, a sister organization to the American Action Network, released the advertisement Tuesday, according to a news release. The ad features a soundbite of Democrat Jane Dittmar, who is running against Garrett in Virginias 5th Congressional District race, saying the way to defeat the Islamic State is with a counter-[public relations] campaign. That statement already has been used several times by Garrett in news releases and TV spots. Dittmars campaign has called Garretts advertising featuring the claim as deceitful" and misleading and pointed to her positions on her website, according to an Oct. 11 news release. The ad will air in the Charlottesville, Roanoke and Lynchburg areas, and a 15-second version will be deployed online, according to the CLF news release. The ad, titled Tom Garrett: Some decisions are easy, can be seen on YouTube. In addition to the release of the ad, CLF announced it would increase its spending in the 5th District to $800,000. Ruth Guerra, CLF spokeswoman, said funding is being directed to Garrett and other Republican candidates in the nation to maintain the biggest majority in the House. The National Rifle Association has pumped more than $1 million in ads into the presidential race in Virginia in an effort to boost Republican Donald Trump's campaign against Democrat Hillary Clinton. The NRA's ad buys this fall in the Hampton Roads, Richmond and Roanoke TV markets more than double what the gun rights group spent four years ago when President Barack Obama a was re-elected against Republican Mitt Romney. In September the NRA started running an ad called "Nightstand" on national cable TV and regionally in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Nevada, Ohio and Virginia. The ad features a woman who gets out of bed when she hears an intruder. The announcer says the average police response time is 11 minutes and asserts that if Hillary Clinton were president the woman could be left with only her phone for protection. Clinton's website says "she knows that gun ownership is part of the fabric of many law-abiding communities." She also asserts that "as a nation we can no longer allow guns to fall into the hands of domestic abusers, other violent criminals and the seriously mentally ill." This fall the NRA has spent $422,105 in the Hampton Roads market, compared with $194,215 in 2012, according to VPAP, an online tracker of money in state markets. It has spent $275,400 in the Richmond TV market, up from $101,395 in 2012. It has spent $355,750 in the Roanoke TV market, compared with $249,850 in 2012. VPAP also reports that Trump's campaign has boosted its TV ad spending in Virginia by $330,000 in the last week, bringing the total in October to more than $1.1 million. Trump's October TV ad buys in Virginia include $788,475 in the expensive Washington TV market, $172,440 in Hampton Roads, $144,705 in Roanoke and $29,950 in the Richmond market. The Johnson Health Centers six Certified Application Counselors now are offering free, unbiased health insurance enrollment assistance through the Affordable Care Act. Open enrollment on the marketplace runs Nov.1 to Jan. 31. Counseling is available to anyone in the community. Counselors are available in Amherst, Bedford and Lynchburg, and they also can provide general insurance information and health literacy. Those seeking assistance with enrollment should bring household income documentation, identification and Social Security numbers of members applying for insurance to the appointment. To make an appointment, call (434) 929-1400, ext. 1140, or visit the following Johnson Health Center facilities: in Lynchburg at 320 Federal St., in Amherst at 134 Elon Road, or in Bedford at 582 Blue Ridge Ave. GamesRadar+ is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Heres why you can trust us. Home News Sports Social Obituaries Events Letters Looking Back Health Jewels Stitch in Time Superintendent's Scoop Good things are happening! October 25, 2016 By Superintendent Gary Pflueger I have enjoyed writing this edition of the Supt Scoop to our community. Good things are happening! And yes, challenges will keep us striving for ways to improve. Ill begin with the best news Bonners Ferry was awarded the High Five grant sponsored by Blue Cross of Idaho. This will bring up to $250,000 into our community and be dedicated to our youth. I look forward to working with Mayor David Sims, Gary Aitkens Jr., Dennis Weed and the community as we measure the best opportunities for our children. This is wonderful and exciting on many levels! On another level of progress, the Boundary County School District is the main reason a fiber optic connection is headed north, though this news is tentative at this point. We have met with Fat Beam, a company out of Coeur dAlene. The School Board will look into this partnership, as well as other business items at our next meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, November 7, at the District Office. The future is coming, like it or not; lets make sure we are controlling our own destiny. Last week, a Board of Trustees advisory committee, the Executive Council, met to discuss policy and procedures. Of course, student safety is always primary on our minds. To assist and improve instruction we will begin to offer specific and specialized training for our substitute teacher core. With the four day week, there is no time to waste in the classroom. The days of busy work and baby sitting are over. I look forward to assisting all our employees and students in becoming more productive. As information is king, another improvement which will help all of us is the new district-wide calendar. Go to our web-site at www.bcsd101.com. The new item we created is on the right hand side of the main page. It is a daily calendar of upcoming events in all Boundary County Schools. I am proud to acknowledge you will see very few, if any, school events on a Wednesday evening after 6 p.m. A promise I intend to keep! This site is also a great location to keep up on your childs academic growth. Just get your PowerSchool login from the teacher or school secretaries to track your childs progress and attendance. Now to address the challenges. I talked with Nurse Moore over the weekend. Head lice are having a banner year. Karen and our volunteers are having a hard time keeping up; it is a real head scratcher! At school we have educated our students in proper etiquette: keep hats, heads and clothing to self; though it is hard to stop hugs and group selfies. We give out RID shampoo and other supplies geared toward control of further spreading. However, unless infested homes take special steps to eradicate the lice, they will continue to catch a ride back into our schools. If we can get enough help, we will complete a district-wide check and maybe get on top of it (so to speak)! Let us know what you can do! Finally, BCSD participates annually in a Free & Reduced Lunch Program. Whether or not your child eats hot lunch, we still benefit from the completed forms being turned in. Financial support through the lunch forms comes into our schools in many ways. All information is confidential. Contact Tammy Schneider or the school secretaries for more info. Thanks for helping! Congrats to all of our fall season athletes! Thanks for the efforts in and out of the classroom! Upcoming Events: 11/3 End 1st Quarter 11/6 End daylight savings time Fall Back 11/20 FREE Community Thanksgiving Supper 3 to 7 p.m., BCMS cafeteria. Sponsored by the Ministerial Association and BCSD. Questions or comments about this article? Click here to e-mail! Venezuela Five still held despite new order Just why the men are yet to leave Caracas despite the October 15 Order by Justice Maria Eugenia Nunez, is becoming a national disgrace, said spokesman for the mens families, Umar Abdullah. Attorney Nafessa Mohammed described the failure of the Caracas authorities to free the men as cause for great concern. She confirmed that on Friday, another Order was issued for the men to be freed. The men, Dominic Pitital, Asim Luqman, Wade Charles, Andre Battersby and Leslie Daisley,were arrested since March 19, 2014. They have been held at the Servicio Bolivariano de Inteligencia Nacional (SE BIN) jail - known as a jail for political dissidents. It is still not known if and what were the charges laid relating to treason, having regard to their arrest at a hotel in Caracas. The Venezuelan policia had allegedly seized their passports, United States dollars and certain electronic devices. Three Imams who had gone to Caracas to obtain visas on behalf of Trinidadian muslims who wanted to travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah, were also arrested. However, following a team appointed by the cabinet in 2014 to travel to Caracas headed by Admiral Richard Kelshall on a fact finding mission, the Imams were freed. AG: LifeSport still alive Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi disclosed yesterday in reaction to a ruling on Monday by a High Court judge which quashed an audit report of the programme, which was taken to Parliament by the Peoples Partnership government under then Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar. Al-Rawi blamed Persad-Bissessar for Mondays court outcome, citing her premature laying of the audit report in Parliament in July 2014. Al Rawi said that a Senior Counsel ought to know that natural justice says an acccused person has the right to be heard. Al-Rawi said the ruling upheld only five out of 14 grounds argued by the claimants. These were: that a breach of natural justice had occurred, that legitimate expectations had been breached, that the claimants had not been informed nor given the right to be heard, a grant of the order of certiorari (quashing the report), and the award of legal costs. Otherwise, he said, other investigations into Life Sport are still alive - including a probe by the police, even as he suggested reporters could ask the Integrity Commission about the probe it is conducting. Al-Rawi neither confirmed nor denied if Government will appeal Justice Mira Dean-Armorers ruling, a written version of which he is awaiting. Al-Rawi recapped that under Life Sport, half-billion dollars was dubiously spent, amid allegations of murder, corruption, bid-rigging and fraud, some issues including several public officials. The Ministry of Finances Central Audit Committee (CAC) had probed all aspects of Life Sport, after which Persad-Bissessar, laid it in the Lower House in July 2014. Al-Rawi said that former Finance Minister, Larry Howai had been specifically told that the allegations must be presented to the alleged wrongdoers. Al-Rawi said Persad- Bissessar should have known that premature publication - without a chance of reply - would result in breaches of the law. She went on to give the claimants the very card that found itself face up, the AG said. The AG said the rules of an internal audit mandate that parties must be told of the possibility of adverse findings and that an exit interview be done, the latter which had been promised to all witnesses for the suspects. The AG alleged that even when former Ministry of Sport Permanent Secretary (PS) Ashwin Creed, later sat as Head of the Public Service as PS in the Office of the Prime Minister under Persad-Bissessar, no action was taken to send the LifeSport report to the Public Service Commission (PSC), until the PNM took office. Al-Rawi said that just because the High Court had quashed the official audit report into LifeSport, that does not stop other investigations from proceeding, as the subject matter that gave rise to the report still exists. He spoke later of over-billing and a doubling up of invoices. There are other matter around Life Sport that are getting attention, the Attorney General said. Al -Rawi warned that certain person(s) should not be so quick to think they can walk away from the LifeSport allegations. Id not be as comfortable as these with their newfound bravery, he said. (See Page 5) Attempts yesterda by Newsday to contact Persad-Bissessar, Howai and several Opposition-linked attorneys for comment on the AGs claims, were unsuccessful. TT/India ties strong So said new Indian High Commissioner to TT Shri Bishwadip Dey as he delivered the feature address Monday night, at his first taste of the Divali Nagar in Chaguanas. Dey said it was very heartening to know that the real strength of the Indian community is in its ability to adapt to the new world and take the best of all traditions. Today I find assimilation of all groups together, yet preserving their own special cultural identity, as a unique feature of the Indian Diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago. The assimilation or integration was not an easy task under colonial rule but it was skillfully done, Dey said. Relations between both countries go back to May 1845 when the first ship - the Fatel Rozackbrought 225 East Indian indentured workers to the shores of Trinidad. Dey charged that people of Indian descent, who came to Trinidad from 1845 to 1917, barely carried any possessions, except the message of goodwill, friendship and religious books such as the Ramayan, Bhagwad Gita and Quran. Dey paraphrased words of this countrys first Prime Minister, Dr Eric Williams, saying: He enunciated on your Independence Day ( August 31, 1962) that a nation was founded, but a society was yet to be formed. I think the late Prime Minister had pontificated about Divali Nagar. Dey applauded the NCIC for its role in showcasing the Indian culture in TT and the Caribbean region. The theme for this years celebration is Ganga Maa - Sacred River. Expressing delight over the theme chosen, Dey highlighted that River Ganga is the most important river of India and is one of the longest rivers in Asia. That river, he added, is used for integration, transportation, hydroelectricity and fishing. Since celebrations began at the Divali Nagars site last week Thursday, scores of Hindu devotees and other persons have visited. Apart from the religious events at the site, several booths have been set up. The Indian High Commission has also established a booth, which Dey said, is to bring the commission closer to the people and serve them in a better manner. Senior officials volunteered to make themselves available to the public and Dey promised that he too will be manning the booth at internals. NCIC officials honoured former Independent Senator Dr Kriyaan Singh for his contributions to social services and animal care. In receiving a plaque, Singh, who operates a Veterinary Clinic at La Romaine, called on the gathering to always see the good in everyone. Panman Sacks passes Sacks was the leader of the Red Army Steelband in the late forties and together with Rudy Two Left Smith, later gave birth to the Merry Makers Steel band, one of the pioneer bands to perform in Switzerland and Sweden in the sixties and seventies. He eventually started Pandigenous and remained playing with bands up to the time of his passing. His pan playing skills saw him visiting many countries including Argentina, and locally, his musical talents took him throughout the length and breadth of the country playing at hotels and the then popular Tavern on the Green, Gaza Strip and Chacacabana. He was among the first to perform on cruise ships. Mayers was awarded the Humming Bird Medal of Merit (Bronze) his contribution to steelpan culture, and was also recognized by Pan Trinbago for his dedication and service to the instrument and movement. Mayers will be laid to rest after a funeral service at Clark & Battoo Funeral Chapel, Tragarete Road, on Saturday at 8.30 am. Pan Trinbago yesterday extended condolences to the family and friends of Sacks. Classes at Cunupia High resume today On Saturday, at about 4 pm, a group of intruders, believed to be students who are part of a gang, entered through the back of the school compound and cut the burglar-proofing at the back of the Principals office. They then set fire to the office . The arsonists then vandalised the teachers staff room and are believed to have stolen some files in the process . On Monday, teachers were called to an emergency meeting at the schools compound which was attended by a TTUTA representative and were told that classes would resume Wednesxday (today) . During the two-day suspension of classes attempts will be made to clean up the staff room while the TT Fire Service gives the clearance for the teachers and students to reoccupy the school . Newly elected President of TTUTA Lynsley Doodhai told Newsday that because Monday was his first official day in office, he was unable to visit the Cunupia High but intended to do so yesterday. He also hopes police apprehend the perpetrators of Saturdays arson attack and bring them to justice . He said he was alarmed by an exclusive Newsday report in which police have been told that the arsonists are part of a gang of schoolchildren . Newsday reported that a suspect is believed to be a Form Four student whose camera phone was confiscated by the schools principal David Ramsundar on Friday . The student is one of a group of students from the Chaguanas North Secondary who were ordered removed from the schools compound and transferred to other schools in the area because of deviant behaviour . Cunupia police told Newsday the main suspect is the son of a police officer who is expected to be questioned shortly about the incident involving the arson attempt and vandalism at the Cunupia High compound . Green Screen November 2 Green Screen 2016 runs from Nov 1 to 12 and includes free screenings, special events and panel discussions. The festival, now in its sixth year, shows international movies dealing with environmental issues such as climate change, conservation and alternative energy. How to Change the World (110 minutes) is a British film which chronicles the adventures of the eclectic group of young pioneers Canadian hippie journalists, photographers, musicians, scientists, and American draft dodgers who set out to stop Richard Nixons atomic bomb tests in Amchitka, Alaska, and end up creating the worldwide green movement. Hunter was married to environmentalist, the late Robert Hunter. She calls How to Change the World a powerful and empowering documentary. The key message is that it doesnt take a lot of people to make change, says Hunter. Change does not need to be led by the powerful people or organisations but often comes from the hearts of the common man. Full details of all film screenings are at . No One Has Done This Before in Billboard's History T20 World Cup: 'Horrible Weather' In Store for IND vs BAN, 70 Percent Chance of Rain Hurt Prithvi Shaw Posts Emotional Insta Story After Snub from Team India; 3 Other Players Follow Suit Twitter Fumes at BCCI For Snubbing 'Once a Generational Talent' Prithvi Shaw Chief Selector Chetan Sharma Opens Up About Non-Selection of Prithvi, Sarfaraz in India's squad for NZ, BAN (Newser) The last time Apple saw its annual sales decline, Friends was still the most-watched show in America. CNN reports Apple's 15-year streakdating back to the debut of iPod in 2001officially ended Tuesday when the tech giant announced sales of $216 billion in 2016, an $18 billion drop from 2015. The decline in sales was mostly due to slumping iPhone sales, as well as tougher competition in China, where Apple's sales fell by 30% in 2016. Apple shares dropped 2% after the figures were released Tuesday, according to Forbes. Regardless, Apple CEO Tim Cook says it was a "very successful fiscal 2016." The company believes it will recover next quarter with the help of holiday sales. (Read more Apple stories.) (Newser) They caught no immigrants or drug smugglers, but it wasn't for lack of trying. A self-described militia group called the Three Percent United Patriots recently staged an operation along the border in southern Arizona, and unbeknownst to the group, an undercover journalist was in their midst. Shane Bauer provides a lengthy first-person account in Mother Jones. Generally speaking, he spends the days-long operation alongside a group of heavily armed white men worried about government overreach or more generally about losing power themselves. Many are vets drawn to the jolt of excitement from the military-style patrols. On his first outing, Baueror "Cali" as he's known to the groupis teamed up with 55-year-old "Doc," who wants to be ready to fight UN troops he thinks will someday be patrolling US streets. It sounds extreme, but for Doc and others, the militia is almost a safety outlet, writes Bauer. "It seems to rein them in by giving them a sense of purpose." Another man Bauer is teamed with calls operations like this a form of "therapy." On Bauer's patrols, the most noteworthy thing that occurs is the discovery of several backpacks filled with water, food, and supplies, likely left by or for migrants. As they're leaving the stash behind, militia member "Iceman" stabs the water bottles and stamps the food into the dirt. "I almost ask him to stopthis water could be someone's lifelinebut it does not seem wise," writes Bauer. Click for the full story, in which racist jokes and war stories are commonbut the only bullet that flies is one chucked into a campfire. Also appearing are cooperative border agents eager to help militia members. (Read more Longform stories.) (Newser) What happens when you push a Canadian professional poker player too far? Apparently you get a stern talking-to. For the Win reports Canadian player Griffin Benger squared off with English player William Kassouf in this year's World Series of Poker. According to Fox Sports, Kassouf is a "very polarizing player in the poker world" because he tries to annoy his opponents into mistakes through constant trash talk. (He even had another player threaten to beat him up once.) On the hand in question, Benger raised Kassouf to $5.6 million and Kassouf kept talking, asking Benger what he should do, the Daily Dot reports. Finally, in a clip that TMZ reports went viral Monday, Benger snaps. "You're just an abusive person, man," Benger tells Kassouf. "It's not funny. It's not a game. You're being abusive. What you're doing to me, you're a bully. It's rude. It's mean." Kassouf defended himself, saying it's just "speechplay," and they both went all in. And, as For the Win notes, "karma was the real winner." Benger's pocket aces beat Kassouf's pocket kings. Kassouf was eliminated (though he'll still take home $300,000), and Benger stands to win at least $1 million as one of the final nine players. (Read more World Series of Poker stories.) (Newser) A backup dancer who has performed with Beyonce, Rihanna, and Missy Elliott has been found after she went missing Saturday, the AP reports. New Jersey police officer Alex Vazquez said Tuesday that Shirlene Quigley had been found and her family was en route to see her at an undisclosed location. Elliott said on her Twitter account Tuesday afternoon that Quigley was "safe & being treated." Police say Quigley's landlord saw the 32-year-old leaving her North Bergen Township residence Saturday afternoon. They say another person reported seeing Quigley near the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan early Sunday. Her car and cell phone were found by New York City police. (Read more missing person stories.) (Newser) As she lay unconscious in a bedroom, her two rapists played "Rock, Paper, Scissors" to determine which one would assault her first. That horrific claim appears in a lawsuit brought against New Jersey's Ramapo College by a student who was sexually assaulted in 2014. The victim, given the alias Jane Jones, claims school officials failed to prevent the crime and created a "hostile educational environment" with its "deliberate indifference" toward underage drinking and sexual assault on campus, reports the New York Daily News. Her five alleged assailants, meanwhile, have been indictedtwo were offered eight years in prison for sexual assault, while three others were offered terms of less than a year for failing to aid the victim and filming her while she was nudecaused lasting emotional distress in addition to physical injuries. Jones says she was called to a party at the college's Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, where a member had been tasked with getting girls drunk, on Nov. 14, 2014. Jones, then 19, says she passed out from alcohol, then was placed in a bedroom while two frat brothers played "Rock, Paper, Scissors" just outside the door. After she was assaulted, Jones was moved to a dorm across campus "without her shoes, underwear, and jacket" and assaulted again while others "watched and celebrated," the suit reads, per the New York Post. The assaults, which caused Jones to drop out of school, have "derailed" her future, the suit states. A Ramapo rep says the college can't comment as it hasn't received the suit, but notes a plan is in place to improve student safety, per Patch.com. (Read more sexual assault stories.) (Newser) It's official: Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Arizona has been criminally charged with federal contempt of court and could face up to six months in jail if convicted. The case stems from December 2011 when a federal judge barred the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office from conducting Arpaio's signature immigration patrols targeting Latinos, solely on suspicion they were in the country illegally, as a racial-profiling case against the Sheriff's Office was playing out. Evidence, however, suggests officers continued with the program for at least another 18 months, reports the Arizona Republic. Lawyers for Arpaio, 84, say he unintentionally violated the judge's order. Arpaiowho may still face a charge of obstruction of justice for allegedly failing to hand in evidencehas previously said a criminal-contempt charge would be nothing more than an effort to prevent his re-election to a seventh term. His Dec. 6 trial date ensures he won't lose any time on the campaign trail, which he apparently needs: Arpaio sits 15 points behind his Democratic challenger, according to a poll released last week, per Reuters. Arpaio's campaign manager, however, says internal polling has Arpaio leading by 7.5 points. (Read more Joe Arpaio stories.) (Newser) If tour bus company owner-driver Teodulo Elias Vides hadn't been one of 13 people killed in a horrific crash on Interstate 10 near Palm Springs, Calif., on Sunday, authorities would probably have some tough questions for him. Authorities say half the tires on the bus he was driving, including both steer axle tires, were worn down to an unsafe level, which would have been enough for inspectors to take the bus out of service, the AP reports. The bus, which was on its way to Los Angeles from the Red Earth Casino in Salton Sea Beach, plowed into the back of a big rig and it's not clear whether Vides attempted to brake first. The full National Transportation Safety Board investigation could take up to a year. Vides, 59, had been sued twice for negligence over incidents involving his USA Holiday company, which is listed as having just one bus, the Los Angeles Times reports. In a 2007 incident, three people died when a USA Holiday bus hit a Honda Civic on a freeway in Riverside, Calif. The company also received at least six "unsatisfactory" ratings from the California Highway Patrol for issues including maintenance, and Vides had several traffic citations on his record. The victims, whose ages range from 50 to 72, were mostly seated near the front of the bus, reports the Press Enterprise. Another 31 people were injured. (Read more tour bus crash stories.) (Newser) Donald Trump is done with holding big fundraisers, meaning the Republican National Committee might find itself short of cash for its get-out-the-vote operation. The Washington Post reports that Trump's final high-dollar event for the Trump Victory Committee, which splits funds between the party and the candidate, was Oct. 19, the day of the final debate. "We are no longer doing formal, sit-down fundraising events," Trump finance chief Steven Mnuchin tells the Wall Street Journal. He says the campaignwhich remains far behind the Clinton campaign in fundraisinghad always planned to spend the final weeks "winning the election" by holding rallies, not by using Trump to raise money. Hillary Clinton held her final big fundraiser in Miami Tuesday night, though surrogates including Chelsea Clinton and Tim Kaine are holding at least 40 events between now and the election, while Mnuchin says there is "virtually nothing planned" by the Trump campaign, the Post notes. Still, Mnuchin and RNC fundraisers say cash is continuing to flow in from various sources, including online fundraising. Trump has vowed to put $100 million of his own money into the campaign, though records show he has only put in $56 million so far, and Mnuchin didn't say whether the candidate plans to donate another $44 million before Election Day. "He has been very supportive of the campaign with his contributions," he says. (Read more Donald Trump stories.) (Newser) The Clinton WikiLeaks keep on coming: In the latest release of emails from hacked campaign chief John Podesta, Podesta and other Clinton aides complain about her reaction to the emerging furor over her private email server. In one message from April last year, Center for American Progress President Neera Tanden complains about how Clinton lawyer Cheryl Mills' fondness for secrecy led to the email mess, reports Politico. "This is a cheryl special," she writes. "This stuff is like her Achilles heal. [sic] Or kryptonite. she just can't say no to this s--t. Why didn't they get this stuff out like 18 months ago?" She goes on to say: "I guess I know the answer. They wanted to get away with it." "We've taken on a lot of water that won't be easy to pump out of the boat," Podesta writes to Tanden in a September 2015 exchange, per the Washington Post. "Most of that has to do with terrible decisions made pre-campaign, but a lot has to do with her instincts." Tanden, who now runs Clinton's transition team, replies: "Almost no one knows better [than] me that her instincts can be terrible." In other emails, aides complained about her reluctance to apologize even after the FBI opened its investigation, though they also praised her strengths and hailed her successes, reports the Post, which notes that the leaked emails offer "an almost unprecedented historical archive" of a campaign's inner workings. (Read more Hillary Clinton stories.) (Newser) Kevin Epps has been making "gritty films" documenting violence in poor San Francisco neighborhoods for two decadesso his arrest Monday after the fatal shooting of a man in his home shocked his friends, who describe him as a gentle community activist, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. "This is one of the last things I would expect to hear," says an Oakland rapper who was featured in Epps' 2006 documentary Rap Dreams. Police booked Epps, 48, on suspicion of murder, but on Tuesday night, the DA's office said it was declining to file charges because of insufficient evidence at this time. Marcus Polk, 45, was found dead of a gunshot wound inside Epps' San Francisco home just after 1:30pm Monday. Police have declined to offer details of what happened, why Polk was in Epps' home, or what a possible motive might be, but Polk's son tells CBS San Francisco that Epps was married to Polk's ex-wife. Polk was a registered sex offender and had a rap sheet dating back to 1995 that included drug offenses, domestic violence, attempted robbery, and auto theft, NBC Bay Area reports. A woman who came to Epps' home to mourn Polk told the Chronicle she had known him for 10 years and that he had fallen into drugs and homelessness after his mother, with whom he lived, died a decade ago. She says he would often show up uninvited at the home where he ultimately died, in which his two children still lived, and cause trouble. Residents at a nearby apartment complex say he had recently been evicted from an apartment there that was believed to be a drug den; the apartment's tenant filed for a restraining order against Polk saying he had no right to live in there and had once gotten violent with him. Polk's son says his father insulted Epps and they got into an argument prior to Polk's shooting. Vic Lee of ABC 7 tweets that sources say the shooting may have been self-defense. (Read more murder stories.) (Newser) One of America's greatest aviation heroes has died, reports Yahoo. Bob Hoover, a World War II fighter pilot who escaped the Nazis by stealing one of their planes, died of congestive heart failure Tuesday near Los Angeles, reports the Washington Post. He was 94. Born in Tennessee, Hoover was flying by age 15 and soon learned how to perform loops and dives, reports CNNMoney. He put those skills to use in 58 combat missions during World War II before he was shot down in 1944 and spent 16 months in German POW camp Stalag Luft I. He eventually arranged for a mock fight to break out, scaled a barbed wire fence while guards were distracted, and jumped into a Nazi plane, which he flew to the Netherlands. He didn't have a map, but "I knew that if I turned west and followed the shoreline, I would be safe when I saw windmills," he once said. His triumphs didn't end there. In 1947, he was Chuck Yeager's wingman as he broke the sound barrier for the first time. He then became a premier test pilot before flying in more than 2,500 air shows around the globe. Among his greatest tricks: pouring a glass of iced tea during a barrel roll. Gen. Jimmy Doolittle once described Hoover as the "greatest stick-and-rudder man who ever lived," but "he was every pilot's icon," a family friend tells Legacy.com. "He has influenced more individuals than probably any single person in aviation," a rep for the National Aviation Hall of Fame adds, per the Dayton Daily News. (This man survived the only mass escape from a Nazi death camp.) (Newser) Megyn Kelly tried to ask Newt Gingrich about the Donald Trump groping allegations Tuesday nightbut she didn't get further than the words "If Trump is a sexual predator ..." before Gingrich blew up. "He's not a sexual predator!" Gingrich told the Fox host, per USA Today. "You can't say that. You could not defend that statement. Now, I'm sick and tired of people like you using language that's inflammatory, that's not true!" said Gingrich, a prominent Trump surrogate. "I think that your defensiveness on this may speak volumes," Kelly told Gingrich, who earlier in the interview accused the media of having Pravda-like bias in its coverage of Clinton versus Trump. As the exchange grew more heated, with Kelly insisting that the Trump allegations are an issue people care about and that Fox had also covered allegations against Bill Clinton, Gingrich said: "You are fascinated with sex and you don't care about public policy." Kelly responded: "I'm not fascinated by sex, but I am fascinated by protection of women and understanding what we're getting in the Oval Office." Gingrich went on to demand that she say the words "Bill Clinton, sexual predator," reports the Washington Post, which calls the showdown "one for the ages." "We're going to have to leave it at that, and you can take your anger issues and spend some time working on them, Mr. Speaker," Kelly said as time ran out. "Thanks for being here." (Read more Megyn Kelly stories.) (Newser) Two Australian children are traumatized but alive after what authorities are calling a miraculous escape in Tuesday's theme park tragedy. The children, a 10-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl, both saw their mothers die on Thunder River Rapids ride at the Dreamworld park and escaped physically unharmed, the Australian reports. The girl's uncle and his male partner were also killed when the six-person raft crashed and flipped on a conveyor belt. "Maybe through the providence of God or somebody, but it seems from what I've seen almost a miracle that anybody came out of that," a Queensland police spokesman says, per the Guardian. "If we're going to be thankful for anything, I'm thankful for that." Police are investigating the history of the 30-year-old water ride and they haven't ruled out negligence charges, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. The conveyor belt broke down on Sunday and again on Tuesday morning, and union official Ben Swan says he raised safety concerns with the park 18 months ago and they were ignored. "We owe it to the deceased and their families, we owe it to the community of Queensland to get to the bottom of what caused this, to hold accountable any person that needs to be held accountable for this occurring," Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner Brian Codd says, "but most particularly ensuring that this can never happen again." (Read more theme park stories.) (Newser) A 49-year-old nurse in Canada is accused of murdering eight of her nursing home patients, a crime string that would make her one of the nation's most prolific serial killers, reports the Globe and Mail. And in a decidedly creepy twist, the National Post reports that she once wrote a poem from the perspective of a serial killer. Police in Woodstock, Ontario, arrested Elizabeth Wettlaufer on Monday and accused her of killing eight patients between 2007 and 2014. The victims ranged in age from 75 to 96, with seven of them in one nursing home, the eighth in another. (CTV has details on the victims here.) Authorities say all were given a drug, but they're not providing specifics or speculating about a motive. "We're living my father's death right now," says the son of one alleged victim. "It's horrific." Wettlaufer posted online as Bethe Wettlaufer, and the Post says she wrote poetry under the pseudonym of BettyWeston, once describing the "sharp thirst" of a serial killer. Her poem "Inevitable" has a line that reads, "Heart beats then sprays/as this next victim pays/her deft dagger's bill." Wettlaufer also posted on Facebook last year of being 365 days sober after a stint in rehab. "She just seemed like a single lady, going in and out with her dog and nothing seemed out of the ordinary," says a neighbor in her apartment building, per the London Free Press. Wettlaufer did, however, give away her beloved dog a few weeks ago, after police began investigating a tip about the killings. (Cops say this "polite" serial killer murdered at least five.) (Newser) Last week Alec Cook was accused of sexually assaulting an acquaintance. But the University of Wisconsin-Madison student's problems have since become much worse after several other women emerged in the days following with similar charges, the Wisconsin State Journal reports. Now the 20-year-old is expected to be slammed during a Thursday court appearance with almost a dozen felony sexual assault charges and 15 misdemeanor ones, as well as charges related to strangulation and false imprisonment30 criminal counts in total regarding four women, the Journal adds. And a Madison Police search warrant notes that "dozens of females have come forward wanting to speak about unknown acts related to Cook." A Madison Police investigator says the junior from Minnesota, now under "emergency suspension" at the college, kept at least one notebook that documented how he groomed and stalked the women, including listing their interests and what he planned to do with them, with statements including "kill" among them, per the Minneapolis Star Tribune. All told, investigators think Cook has been committing these crimes with increasing aggressiveness since March 2015. Cook's lawyer, meanwhile, says the reports are nothing more than a "character assassination" and compares the entries allegedly found in Cook's notebook to his own time as an English lit major in college, when "every single short story could be interpreted 12 ways." (A frat's initiation process reportedly including drugging and raping women.) (Newser) A third African country says it will leave the International Criminal Court as fears grow of a mass pullout from the body that pursues some of the world's worst atrocities. Gambia announced the decision on TV Tuesday, accusing the court of unfairly targeting Africa and calling it the "International Caucasian Court for the persecution and humiliation of people of color, especially Africans," per the AP. The move comes after South Africa last week notified the UN secretary-general it would leave the court; withdrawal takes effect a year after the notification is received. Early last week, Burundi's president signed legislation to leave the court as well. The EU director for Human Rights Watch calls the decisions "shameful." Gambia's decision is striking because the ICC's chief prosecutor is Gambian. However, the country's information minister says the court is involved in "the persecution of Africans, and especially their leaders," rather than those in Western countries. He singled out former British Prime Minister Tony Blair for his role in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Only Africans have been charged in the six ICC cases that are ongoing or about to begin, though preliminary investigations have opened elsewhere. Signatory countries have a legal obligation to arrest anyone sought by the tribunal, but some African states have allowed people wanted by the ICC, notably Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, to visit, and some say leaders ought to be immune from prosecution. (Read more Gambia stories.) (Newser) Sharbat Gulla, better known as the iconic "Afghan Girl" who stared out of a 1985 National Geographic cover with her haunting green eyes, has been arrested. A Pakistan investigator says that Gulla was arrested during a raid Wednesday at a home in Peshawar, Pakistan, during which she was found to have a fake Pakistani identity card, the AP reports. Gulla, who was an Afghan refugee of about 12 years old when war photographer Steve McCurry photographed her in 1984 in a Pakistan refugee camp, has been the target of a two-year investigation, the investigator says. She could face as many as 14 years in prison. USA Today notes that Peshawar, along the Afghan border, has hosted more than a million Afghan refugees, but Pakistan has been cracking down on forged ID cards. When it emerged last year that Gulla allegedly had a fake card, the investigator says, she went into hiding and a few officials were fired for giving her the card. McCurry had actually tracked Gulla down in 2002, finding her living back in Afghanistan at the time with her husband and three daughters. (Read more Pakistan stories.) (Newser) One member of the Nobel academy thinks it's "arrogant" that Bob Dylan won't acknowledge his literature prize. Poet and critic Adam Kirsch thinks it's "wonderful," and he explains why in a New York Times op-ed. He notes that philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre refused his own Nobel in 1964, saying that a writer must "refuse to allow himself to be transformed into an institution." Earlier that same year, Dylan told his lover in the song "It Ain't Me Babe" that she should go because Im not the one you want, babe/Im not the one you need. Kirsch sees a parallel in the two sentiments: "If you love me for what I am, dont make me be what I am not." Sartre wrote of a concept called "bad faith," which amounts to the "opposite of authenticity"the act of playing a role for other people, writes Kirsch. Dylan has long refused to do this. Kirsch sees the Nobel Prize as "the ultimate example of bad faith" in that the panel is acting like God in anointing Dylan "Literature incarnate," and he thinks "all this pretending is the opposite of the true spirit of literature, which lives only in personal encounters between reader and writer." We don't know what the mercurial Dylan is up to, and he may yet accept his prize. "But so far, his refusal to accept the authority of the Swedish Academy has been a wonderful demonstration of what real artistic and philosophical freedom looks like." Click for Kirsch's full column. (Read more Bob Dylan stories.) (Newser) In what one executive calls the fast-food chain's "biggest stretch" yetand what may be the biggest test of gastrointestinal bravery in recent memoryArby's is offering a limited-time-only venison sandwich, MLive.com reports. According to WZZM, the Arby's Bambi Burger* features a "thick-cut venison steak and crispy onions with a berry sauce on a toasted roll." "You simply can't find this at other restaurant chains," Arby's executive Rob Lynch says. Diners at 17 Arby's locations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and Georgia will soon be able to find out if that's for a good reason or not. Arby's is offering the venison sandwich at locations where deer hunting is especially popular. "Hunters hunt the meats, and we have the meats, so it makes sense for us to connect with them," Lynch says. *Ed. Note: Not the actual name. (Read more Arby's stories.) (Newser) The good news for Hillary Clinton: Prominent House Republicans seem to be giving off vibes they've accepted the possibility she'll become president. The bad news for Clinton: Those same GOPers are gearing up for "years" of continued probes into Clinton's record should she win, the Washington Post reports. "Even before we get to Day One, we've got two years' worth of material already lined up," says Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz, who heads up the House Oversight Committee, calling a possible Clinton move into the White House a "target-rich environment." "She has four years of history at the State Department, and it ain't good." And this investigation blitz could be exactly what Clinton will face if and when she moves into the Oval Officeif Republicans retain control of the House on Election Day. Issues that remain a thorn in Clinton's side from a GOP POV: Benghazi, the Clinton Foundation, and her email, among others. Chaffetz notes going up against an unpopular candidate like Trump has helped Clinton evade further look-sees, but that will change as of January if she's elected. "She's not getting a clean slate," he says. Speaker Paul Ryan agrees all hunts should go "where the evidence leads." But Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon says Chaffetz is circumventing "the public's clear desire for the two parties to work together" and prepping to blow taxpayer money on already probed issues. "It's no exaggeration to say that on the first day Secretary Clinton walks into the White House, Republicans will have already investigated her more than any other president in history," says Rep. Elijah Cummings, who's on the Oversight Committee and was on the Benghazi Select Committee. (Read more GOP stories.) One was killed and at least three others were hurt after a scaffolding in Hollywood collapsed. Hollywood's Fire Chief reports that a mural painter fell to his death while two others dangled 40 feet above the ground in their safety harnesses. The fire rescue crews immediately responded to Hyde Resorts and Residence, a luxury 41 story condominium in Hollywood. The incident happened last Monday at 1:30 p.m. while the victims were busy painting the mural on the building. The mural is part of the work of Douglas Hoekzema but it uncertain whether or not he was on the scene at the time of the incident. One of the crews was immediately pronounced dead, while two people were rushed to a hospital, with one of them in critical condition. Another person was safely brought to the ground and was treated for minor injuries right at the scene. Antwan Green, a worker and a witness to the incident, said "We heard a lot of commotion, someone was in distress on the south side of the building," She added, "We saw two guys dangling and one had already fell to his death." The condominium is a project of John Moriarty and Associates. This isn't the first time however that the firm was involved in a tragic incident. Just last Tuesday, broken scaffolding fell from the 60 story Echo Condominiums in Brickell. This caused one man to die from a heart attack while fearfully escaping the falling debris. Right now, the Hollywood Fire Inspectors together with the Hollywood Police are working together to investigate who should be held responsible for the said mishap. On the other hand, folks from Occupational Safety and Health Administration had arrived at the scene to do their own investigations. The rest of the workers on the site were sent home. Yes, it seems that Samsung has not given up on its Galaxy Note just yet. While the South Korean brand has a reputation for smartphones going ablaze, it is attempting to redeem itself after the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 debacle by releasing a much improved version, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8. There are reports spreading around that Samsung offered Samsung Galaxy Note 7 owners in South Korea a proposal they can't refuse. Note 7 owners in the country will be able to trade their phones for a Galaxy S7, and those who make the trade will automatically be upgraded to either a Galaxy S8 or a Samsung Galaxy Note 8 for half the price. Since the permanent discontinuation of the production of Note 7, the company was compelled to issue recalls for the smartphones, which had, in a number of occasion, caught fire and burnt their owners. The offer sounds appealing, but risky nonetheless. "Anyone that agrees will basically be paying for a device they know nothing about - and even though you get it at half the price, the S8 or even the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 might not be to your liking," writes Mashable. In other news, according to an article in Tech Radar, the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 8 S Pen 'might speak to you.' The S pen is one of the latest features that is unique to the Samsung phablet lineup. Users are given the chance to interact with the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 by sketching or writing by hand. In an article by Patently Mobile, the speaker is on top of the pen which allows sound to play through it. The S Pen of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will be slotted in the handset which could double as pen and a speaker for the phone. Considering the losses when Samsung's devices were recalled, the move should affect the company's finances and reputation. In fact, there's a possibility that Samsung doesn't name it Samsung Galaxy Note 8 anymore. In the meantime, Samsung has kept the program hush-hush, for now. The level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere has alarmingly surpassed the 400 parts per million (ppm) in 2015. This year is forecasted to be the 1st full year with over 400ppm of the naturally occurring chemical compound in the atmosphere. According to BBC, CO2 level in the atmosphere has never been this high since 2015. The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) says that the increase of CO2 level, surpassing the benchmark of 400ppm, will continue to increase and is foreseen to not lower down given the current practices of the generation. Researchers and experts said that the El Nino event highly contributed to these numbers. The drought conditions in the tropical regions have caused the decrease of CO2 absorption on the ground. In addition, more emissions were produced because of fires that occur during dry conditions. While human emissions of CO2 remained fairly static between 2014 and 2015, the onset of a strong El Nino weather phenomenon caused a spike in levels of the gas in the atmosphere. Researchers emphasized that while the El Nino event has stopped, the human production of CO2 has not, the impact on climate change still remains. WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas said that "The year 2015 ushered in a new era of optimism and climate action with the Paris climate change agreement." "But it will also make history as marking a new era of climate change reality with record high greenhouse gas concentrations," she added. Aside from the growth of CO2 level, other greenhouse gases like methane and nitrous oxide also increased. In 2015, levels of methane were 2.5 times greater compared to the pre-industrial era. On the other hand, nitrous oxide was 1.2 times benchmark. "Without tackling CO2 emissions, we cannot tackle climate change and keep temperature increases to below 2 degrees C above the pre-industrial era," said Petteri Taalas. According to World Meteorological Organisation's website, the Paris Agreement on climate change is very crucial to address this alarming issue. In November 2016, leaders from around the world will meet in Morocco to discuss the steps on how to collectively lower CO2 emissions. This is a promising event as early in Semtember 2016, the worlds two largest CO2 emitters, China and the United States, has joined the Agreement which will contribute to encouraging more countries as well. U.S. tech firm Microsoft has announced its plan to increase its products including on-premise software and cloud services for UK enterprises in response to the decline of the British sterling that was brought about by the June 2016 referendum, which saw the exit of Great Britain from the European Union. The new prices will come into effect in January 2017 and will affect software programs such as Word, Powerpoint, and Outlook. Microsoft joins other tech companies that have raised prices due to the slump suffered by the British pound following the Brexit vote. These companies include rivals Apple, Dell, and Hewlett-Packard whose profits were hit after the referendum. Microsoft's 22-percent increase is higher than the latter three, which imposed price increases by 10 percent. To be affected by the increase are new purchases and not existing orders. Prices of Microsoft's consumer services are not covered. For resellers of Microsoft products, final prices and currency of sale are determined by them. According to Microsoft, the Brexit-induced price hike will likely to affect thousands of British businesses. The company conducts periodic assessment of the impact of local pricing of its products and services. The referendum has been blamed for the pound's continued decline. Companies affected by the decline are those that make money in Great Britain. The vulnerability of tech companies is attributed to the components used in their products, which are priced in dollars. Microsoft reiterates that UK customers with multi-year agreements with the company will not be affected by the price rise. Existing annuity volume licensing agreements to shield other products from the increase. The tech sector is not the lone victim of the collapse in the value of the pound. Swiss food giant Nestle has announced its plan to raise its prices in Great Britain due to the pound's devaluation. Consumer goods company Unilever also raised its prices on UK supermarket Tesco earlier in October. 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. Mumbai: Ratan Tata on Tuesday followed up the sacking of Tata Sons Chairman Cyrus Mistry by inducting two new directors into the board of the holding company, even as he asked CEOs of group firms to focus on their businesses and enhancing returns to shareholders without being distracted by change in top leadership. A day after boards dramatic decision, the Group also moved various legal forums including Supreme Court, High Court and the National Company Law Tribunal filing caveats against Mistry moving courts seeking relief against the sacking. Jaguar Land Rover CEO Ralf Speth and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) CEO & MD N Chandrasekaran as additional directors. JLR and TCS are the most profitable of the 100 companies in Tata stable. Ratan Tata this morning met chief executives of group companies to talk about ongoing initiatives. READ MORE: ('Don't get concerned about top level changes, focus on business' says Ratan Tata to senior management) We will evaluate and continue to undertake those (steps) that are required to. If there is any change, they will be discussed with you, Tata, 78, told the top executives of the USD 100 billion conglomerate. Sources said he did not discuss the reasons that led to the sudden removal of Mistry. Tata, who was at the helm of the group for 21 years before passing on the baton to Mistry in December 2012, said he has assumed the role of the Interim Chairman for stability and continuity so that there is no vacuum. This will be for a short time. A new permanent leadership will be in place, he added. He asked them to focus on their respective businesses, without being concerned about change in leadership. The companies must focus on their market position vis- vis competition, and not compare themselves to their own past. The drive must be on leadership rather than to follow, Tata told the leaders. An institution must exceed the people who lead it. In a sudden and dramatic turn of events, the board of Tata Sons yesterday sacked Cyrus Mistry as Chairman of Indias largest conglomerate Tata Group and replaced him by Tata. READ MORE: (Cyrus Mistry sacking: Tata Sons files caveat in Bombay HC, Company Law Tribunal; Mistry denies filing caveats) Mistry, 48, who was appointed as chairman in December 2012, was only the sixth group Chairman in nearly 15 decades and the first from outside the Tata family. He will remain a director of the individual companies, though his tenure as Chairman is the shortest so far at the group. Washington: India continues to rank low at 130th position in terms of ease of doing business, with the country seeing little or no improvement in dealing with construction permits, getting credit and other parameters. In the World Banks latest Doing Business report, Indias place remained unchanged from last years original ranking of 130 among the 190 economies that were assessed on various parameters. However, the last years ranking has been now revised to 131 from which the country has improved its place by one spot. The government has been making efforts to further improve the ease of doing business and aims to bring the country in the top 50. Expressing disappointment over no change in Indias ranking in the World Banks index on ease of doing business, Indian government regretted that the report did not take into consideration 12 key reforms undertaken by the government. When it comes to distance to frontiera measurement of the gap between an economys performance and the best practice score of 100 -- Indias score has improved to 55.27 this year from 53.93 last year. India is the only country for which the report has a box dedicated to its ongoing economic reforms. The list of countries in the Doing Business 2017 is topped by New Zealand while Singapore is ranked second. It is followed by Denmark, Hong Kong, South Korea, Norway, the UK, the US, Sweden and former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Neighbouring Pakistan is ranked 144th in the list. On the basis of reforms undertaken, the top 10 improvers are Brunei Darussalam, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Belarus, Indonesia, Serbia, Georgia, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. A record 137 economies around the world have adopted key reforms that make it easier to start and operate small and medium-sized businesses, the report said. Developing countries carried out more than 75 per cent of the 283 reforms in the past year, with Sub-Saharan Africa accounting for over one-quarter of all reforms, it added. What we have seen is a remarkable effort on the part of the government to implement business reforms. It looks like we are going to have to wait for another year or so. But the direction of change is fundamentally a very significant one, Global Indicators Group Director Augusto Lopez-Claros told PTI in an interview. For all the Latest Business News, Economy News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Ajay Devgn and Karan Johar are gearing up for a clash as their upcoming movies 'Shivaay' and 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' both are set to be released on the same day this Diwali.The competion has become more interesting as Cinema Owners and Exhibitors Association of India (COEAI) came to a definite conclusion on Friday that they will not be screening Fawad Khan starrer 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' in four states that was slated for a Diwali release. Ajay Devgn dropped the trailer online on October 24. The trailer has mesmerizing music and shows Ajay as a protective father. Ajay's cute daughter in the movie is sure to win many viewers' hearts. Also Read: Watch trailer 2 of Shivaay to lose yourself in mesmerizing music with Ajay Devgn While both films are making headlines, there was reports that Shivaay has got a clearance from Pakistan and will be releasing in Pakistan.But Trade Expert Komal Nahta just took to Twitter to clarify that the movie is NOT releasing in Pakistan. Heres what he has tweeted, Clarification: #Shivaay will not be released in Pakistan. Shivaay is an action packed film with Ajay Devgan playing the role of a father who is in search of his lost child. Saira Banus niece Sayyesha and Erica Kaar are starring in the movie. The film has some thrilling action sequences in the Himalayan ranges and the music album of the movie is a great hit too. Overall, the movie seems like a brilliant package. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: In a video, Republican nominee for US Presidential elections has been seen copying Narendra Modis campaign slogan, Ab ki Baar Modi Sarkar. This video is a unique style to woo the Indian community for the upcoming US elections. However, the authenticity of the video is yet to be established. The 59 second video starts with a Happy Diwali message and ends with the Republican presidential candidate saying Ab ki baar Trump Sarkar. In another move to woo the Indian American community, Ivanka Trump, Donalds daughter, has announced she will celebrate Diwali at a Hindu temple this weekend. She will attend the festival of lights at Rajdhani Temple at Chantilly, Virginia, with Indian Americans. Earlier also Trump had said that if he is elected President, the Indian and Hindu community will have a true friend in the White House. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Delhi crime branch team and Patna Police have successfully rescued Rajasthan based marble business mans abducted sons in Lakhisarai. Six kidnappers have been arrested and interrogations are underway. Suresh Kumar and Kapil Dev Sharma were kidnapped on Oct 21 from Patna airport. The kidnappers had asked for ransom of 4 crore from their parents. They belong to Karauli district of Rajasthan. The victim were lured to come over to Patna for an order of marble tiles and chips to be used for the construction of an upcoming mall near Patna. The kidnappers even got the air tickets arranged for the duo for date 21.10.16 by Go Airlines at 5 PM. They were kidnapped on reaching Patna airport parking at around 6:45 PM. The kidnapping module seems similar to Mewat modules modus operandi where far off business men from Gujarat have been lured in the past to come to Delhi. The crime branch took leads from Badarpur area of Delhi and further interrogations lead to kidnappers in Lakhisarai. This successful operation was headed by Patna SSP Manu Maharaj. It was carried out on basis of leads and inputs from crime branch Delhi. Crime branch team was deployed to assist the Bihar Police team. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Srinagar: BJP leader Yashwant Sinha on Tuesday created ripples as he led a five-member delegation of civil society members to meet separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in a bid to break the three-month impasse in Kashmir triggered by the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani. BJP distanced itself from the initiative as did the central government, saying it was done at a personal level. It is not a BJP delegation. BJP has nothing to do with this, BJPs National Secretary Shrikant Sharma said in Delhi. A top Home Ministry official said the delegation was touring the Kashmir Valley on its own wisdom and the Central government has nothing to do with it. The delegation led by the former Minister for External Affairs and Finance met Geelani, leader of hardline Hurriyat Conference, at his residence in Hyderpora area of Srinagar. The delegation also met Mirwaiz Farooq, the chief of another faction of Hurriyat Conference. Talking to reporters after these meetings, Sinha said, I only want to say that we had come for talks and the talks happened in a good manner. The other members of the delegation were Wajahat Habibullah, former bureaucrat of J&K government and ex-chairman of National Commission for Minorities, Kapil Kak, former Air Vice-Marshal, journalist Bharat Bhushan and Sushoba Barve of Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation. Habibullah said the meeting took place in a very good atmosphere. Very nice and friendly discussion. This is not track-2 diplomacy because we are not representing anybody. We are here on our own initiative. We are not representing anybody or any government, the former bureaucrat said. We had not come with an agenda. We came with sympathetic relation as Indians here because we saw there is pain in a part of India, he said. Habibullah expressed hope that the current impasse in Kashmir will end. We always hope. World lives on hope, he said. A spokesman of the Geelani-led Hurriyat said the 87-year-old separatist leader apprised the delegation about the historical perspective of the Kashmir issue. Geelani said all the political prisoners, who are languishing in jails for years, should be released so that they can hold consultations for a joint strategy that can pave way for resolution of the Kashmir issue. Geelani told them that it was India which took the matter to the United Nations in 1947. People have rendered great and unparalleled sacrifices for a just resolution of Kashmir issue, the spokesman said. He said on the current unrest in the valley, Geelani told the delegation that 94 persons have been killed and 15,000 others have been injured, while an equal number have been arrested in the past 107 days. After meeting the delegation, Mirwaiz said the separatists were not against dialogue but wanted the issue to be resolved through meaningful tripartite talks involving India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Washington: Actor Bradley Cooper has made a surprise appearance at a family friendas wedding in Washington. The 41-year-old star visited his own alma mater, Georgetown University, where the wedding took place, and congratulated the couple, reported E! Online. A aHereas a sneak peek from Meg and Nickas private ceremony this past weekend! Their friend, Bradley Cooper, was visiting Georgetown and made sure to congratulate the newlyweds as they walked around campus,a the wedding photographer said.A The actor recently surprised pop star Lady Gaga at aSaturday Night Livea (SNL), who was slated to perform as the showas musical guest. aLOOK who showed up to watch me perform! what a guy. Talkina creative and enjoying some backstage fun,a Gaga wrote on Instagram. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Hollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav visited Raj Bhawan in Lucknow on Wednesday to meet governor Ram Naik amid the latest round of sackings in the ruling Samajwadi Party and a bitter power tussle in the famous Yadav clan that has pushed it to the brink of a split. Speculations are rife that the meet could result in a cabinet reshuffle ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. Akhilesh's visit comes a day after party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav attempted a patch-up between his son and brother Shivpal Yadav. During a press conference in Lucknow, Mulayam had claimed that all is well in the party and his family. However, the rift refused to die down on Wednesday after the party expelled Pawan following his spat with MLC Ashu Malik. ALSO READ: (Watch: Shivpal Yadav expels SP leader Pawan Pandey from party) ALSO READ: (Samajwadi Party rift deepens, just political differences or a clash of purported egos?) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. United Nations: India has strongly criticised a "fragmented" UN Security Council (UNSC) for coming up with "unwieldy" and "unimplementable" peacekeeping mandates that put the credibility of the UN and safety and security of peacekeepers at grave risk. Speaking at a General Assembly debate on peacekeeping operations, India's deputy permanent representative Tanmaya Lal said, "Peacekeeping, the signature activity of the UN, is under tremendous stress today." "The multiplicity of tasks and Christmas-tree mandates; a departure from well-established principles of impartiality; an avoidance of the primacy of politics; a focus on mere 'band aid' solutions through peacekeeping, and a near absolute lack of effective consultations amongst the Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs), Security Council and the Secretariat are all part of the existential and philosophical dilemma facing the peacekeeping today," Lal said. He noted that Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Herve Ladsous talked about building new coalitions of support to address collective security challenges in today's multipolar world. "Perhaps this can and should start at home i.e. within the Security Council, which remains divided, even as it comes up with unwieldy and unimplementable mandates putting both the credibility of the UN and the safety and security of peacekeepers at grave risk," Lal said on Wednesday. He said the manner in which peacekeeping mandates, are finalised clearly demonstrates that the problems have their origin at their source itself. Lal cited the example of the recently renewed and "so far unimplemented" mandate for the UN mission in South Sudan. He said even after three months of renewing the peacekeeping mandate in South Sudan, the situation on the ground including for the peacekeepers is no better. Lal strongly criticised the Security Council for not listening to the Troop Contributing Countries regarding the mandate but also failing to secure the consent of the host government for the revision of the mandate. "Further, seeing the way the mandate renewal resolution was adopted, it appears that there was no consensus even among the P-5," he said, referring to the five permanent members of the Council. Lal said the United Nations Mission in South Sudan mandate came out of a "fragmented Security Council, with little or no groundwork of crucial political work especially with the host government, with little agreement within the UNSC itself, and with no effective consultations with the TCCs who, in the end, have to implement this mandate." "Is it any wonder why we are in the situation we are in," Lal said. He said the primary purpose of peacekeeping operations is to prevent conflicts in conflict-prone areas and their relapse in areas emerging from long-drawn conflicts but despite member states having highlighted this repeatedly, many peacekeeping operations today are continuing to operate in a "vacuum of political negotiations". For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Sharbat Bibi, the Afghan girl who was immortalised on a National Geographic magazine cover as a green-eyed 12-year-old girl, was arrested by Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Peshawar on Wednesday, officials said. In a report published in Dawn.com, Bibi was arrested for living in Pakistan on fraudulent identity papers. The report said Bibi has been accused of forgery of a Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC). Authorities recoverd Pakistani and Afghan ID cards from her possession. Country's National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) confirmed the arrest. The report says that Bibi now faces seven to 14 years imprisonment and fine ranging between 3,000 to 5,000 dollar if convicted by court over fraud. The agency is also planning to take action against officials who issued her forged papers. Bibi was dubbed as the 'Afghan Girl' when National Geographic photographer Steve McCurry captured her photograph at the Nasir Bagh refugee camp in Peshawar in 1984 and identified her as Sharbat Gula. Bibi's image was featured on the cover of the June 1985 issue of magazine at a time when she was approximately 12 years old. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Kabul: Militants linked to Islamic State jihadists abducted and killed around 30 civilians, including children, in central Afghanistan, officials said on Wednesday, raising concerns about the group's expanding presence beyond its eastern stronghold. The killings occurred late yesterday north of Firoz Koh, the capital of Ghor province, with the local government calling it a revenge attack after a local IS commander was gunned down. ISIS, which controls territory across Syria and Iraq and is making steady inroads in Afghanistan, has so far not officially claimed responsibility for the attack. "Our security forces with the help of locals conducted an operation and killed a Daesh (IS) commander yesterday. Daesh fighters in return abducted around 30 villagers, mostly shepherds," Ghor Governor Nasir Khazeh told AFP. "Their dead bodies were found by local people this morning." Abdul Hameed Nateqi, a Ghor provincial council member, gave a similar account to AFP, adding that the assailants were Taliban renegades who had sworn allegiance to IS. The killings underscore Afghanistan's unravelling security situation as the resurgent Taliban continue a push into urban centres 15 years after they were toppled from power. IS fighters have been trying to expand their presence in Afghanistan, winning over sympathisers, recruiting followers and challenging the Taliban on their own turf, primarily in the country's east. In March, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced that the Islamists had been defeated after local security forces claimed victory in a months-long operation against the group. But IS militants have continued to launch deadly strikes in the country. The latest devastating attack in Ghor represents a major escalation for IS, which has so far largely been confined to the eastern province of Nangarhar where it is notorious for brutality including beheadings. "(IS) announces its emergence in Ghor by murdering dozens of civilians," said Borhan Osman, a researcher with the Afghanistan Analysts Network in Kabul. Osman added that the IS group in Ghor comprised mainly of former Taliban fighters. The Afghan government is currently in the middle of an operation, backed by NATO airstrikes, against IS in the province. NATO recently said the group's influence was waning as it steadily lost territory, with fighters largely confined to two or three districts in Nangarhar from around nine in January. The Taliban, who are in the middle of their annual summer offensive and are more powerful than IS, denied any involvement in the Ghor killings. The militant group, which has stepped up nationwide assaults on the Western-backed government, is known to distance itself from attacks that result in large civilian casualties. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Hyderabad: Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu is condemned the attack on police academy in Quetta by saying that using terrorism as a state policy is suicidal. "It is like 'Basmasura Hasta'. If you give such a opportunity (using terrorism as a state policy) to Basmasura, at the end of it, it (Basmasura) will also take on you (Pakistan). If you encourage terrorism, you will become avictim of terrorism," the Urban Development and Information and Broadcasting Minister told at a press conference in Hyderabad. Pakistan has not only made terrorism as a State policy, but has been continuously aiding, abetting and funding terrorism against India, he said, adding, it's high time Pakistan realises it's adopting a suicidal and foolhardy policy. Pakistan, he said, has not honoured the promise made by its former president Parvez Musharraf to then prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee at the Agra summit that it won't allow territories under its control to be used for terroristactivities to target India. "It has not walked the talk," Naidu said. "In spite of a number of goodwill gestures and initiatives from India, Pakistan has been adopting double standards by criticising terrorism on one hand and extendingsupport on the other...fighting against terrorism on the west (Afghan border) and encouraging terrorism in the east (Indianborder)," the Minister said. "The entire support for terrorists and militants, who are targeting India, is coming from Pakistan, which is known to the whole world," he said. Naidu said Pakistan has also not cooperated with Indiain bringing to book the terrorists behind the 26/11 terror attack. "Over the years, Pakistan has been waging proxy war against India and trying to cripple Indian economy and also create social tensions by using religion as a weapon to encourage terrorism and unnecessarily dragging Kashmir into the picture," the Minister said. Sixty-one people, mostly young cadets, were massacred and more than 100 others injured when heavily-armed Islamic State militants attacked a police training centre at Quetta in the capital of the restive Balochistan province October 24 night. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Islamabad: For the second day in a row, Pakistan summoned India's deputy high commissioner on Wednesday and lodged a protest over alleged "unprovoked firing" by Indian forces along the Working Boundary and Line-of-Control (LoC). It was second day in succession that Indian envoy JP Singh was summoned by the foreign office over violation of ceasefire. "The Indian deputy high commissioner was summoned by the director general (South Asia & SAARC) today. A strong protest was lodged against the unprovoked ceasefire violations," the foreign office said in a statement. The protest was lodged over violation of ceasefire agreement at the Working Boundary in Chaprar and Harpal sectors and on the LoC in Bhimber sector on 25-26 October, the statement said. Pakistan said that two civilians were killed and nine others were injured in the firing. "It was conveyed to the Indian side that it should investigate the incident and share the findings with Pakistan, instruct its troops to respect the ceasefire, in letter and spirit, refrain from intentionally targeting the villages and maintain peace on the Working Boundary and the LoC," FO said. India had on Tuesday said Pakistan Army violated the ceasefire by targeting Indian Army positions with mortar and small arms fire in Noushera sector of Rajouri district, prompting the army to give a "befitting response". There have been over 40 ceasefire violations from the Pakistani side since the Indian side carried out surgical strikes inside Pakistan occupied Kashmir targeting terror launching pads, post the attack on an army camp in Uri on September 18. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Lucknow: Amid the escalating feud in the Yadav family, Samajwadi Party state unit chief Shivpal Yadav on Wednesday said that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav should respect his father and party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav. Talking to reporters, he also asserted that there was no rift in the party and Yadav family. Here is what all Shivpal Yadav told reporters: #Netaji (Mulayam) made Akhilesh a Chief Minister #No father can feel jealous of his son. Why will he feel jealous when he himself has made him the CM. #A father always wants to see his son succeed #This is a son's responsibility to respect his father. Akhilesh should respect his father and should keep him happy #Akhilesh should consult his father while making decisions. Netaji is very experienced and has been Chief Minister for 3 years. #There is no rift in Samajwadi Party and Yadav family ALSO READ | Samajwadi Party rift deepens, just political differences or a clash of purported egos? New Delhi: Delhi police control room got call from unidentified caller allegedly threatening to shoot Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal upon his return from Punjab on Wednesday, sources said. At present, Kejriwal is travelling from Chandigarh to Delhi via road. He is expected to reach Delhi in next few hours. Delhi police sources have confirmed the death threat call to Kejriwal. Arvind Kejriwal is having Z plus security cover at the moment. The Delhi police has also informed Punjab police about the threat call. It is not first time that Kejriwal has received death threat. Earlier, in February this year, Kejriwals office also received an e-mail threatening to take his life. Children are gearing up to hit the streets on October 31, and while their main concern is which neighborhoods have the best candy, parents will be making sure their little ones are safe out there. The F.B.I. recently released their 2017 annual Crime in the United States report, which breaks down crime rates by a state's individual towns and cities. The report includes reported instances of manslaughter, robbery, aggravated assault, and rape during the year of 2017. Two Connecticut bank robbery suspects were caught asleep at the wheel, just over the New York border. Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith said the two fugitives wanted for bank robbery in Connecticut were captured in the Putnam County town of Southeast on Tuesday. The pair was apprehended after they were found sleeping in a stolen car parked near a reservoir. Vance A. Coffin and Vincent T. Rollins, both 50, and having last known addresses in Norwich, Conn., are facing local stolen property counts in addition to the Connecticut bank robbery charges. Their arrests unfolded after the Connecticut State Police notified the Sheriffs Office at about 11:30 a.m.that the men were wanted for an alleged Sept. 23 bank robbery in Canterbury and that they were believed to be somewhere in the area of Brewster, N.Y. Connecticut authorities provided a description of the fugitives and said that they should be considered armed and dangerous, the Putnam County sheriff said in a release. The Sheriffs Office dispatched about a dozen investigators and plainclothes deputy sheriffs to scour the Brewster and Southeast areas for the suspects. At about 12:45 p.m.., investigators spotted the fugitives in a 2010 Toyota Corolla parked off the side of Old Milltown Road in Southeast, near the East Branch Reservoir. The two men were asleep as investigators and deputies closed in upon the car and took them into custody without resistance. Upon further investigation, it was determined that the car in which the suspects were found had been reported stolen from Colchester on or about Oct. 17. In addition, a North Carolina license plate displayed on the car belonged on another vehicle and that plate had been reported stolen from Newton, North Carolina on or about October 21st. Coffin and Rollins were both charged with criminal possession of stolen property (the car) in the third degree, a class D felony, and criminal possession of stolen property (the license plate) in the fifth degree, a class A misdemeanor. They will also be held to face extradition back to Connecticut on the bank robbery charges there. More Information Turning it down Here are some tips, from the American Psychological Association, for curbing election-related anxiety. Limit media consumption. Read just enough to stay informed. Turn off the newsfeed or take a digital break. Take some time for yourself, go for a walk, or spend time with friends and family doing things that you enjoy. Avoid getting into discussions about the election if they have the potential to escalate to conflict. Channel concerns into making a positive difference. Consider volunteering in the community, advocating for a pet issue or joining a local group. Realize that, whatever happens on Nov. 8, life will go on. The political system and the three branches of government mean that we can expect a significant degree of stability immediately after a major transition of government. Maintain a balanced perspective. Vote. In a democracy, a citizen's voice does matter. Find balanced information to learn about all the candidates and issues on the ballot (not just the presidential race) and make informed decisions. Samsung Galaxy On Nxt Now Available to Buy in India via Flipkart New Delhi, Tue, 25 Oct 2016 NI Wire Looks like there is no stopping for Samsung, the smartphone giant from South Korea is leaving any stones unturned to come up with impressive flagships. At this point, one can also note that Samsung is dealing with the flaks it has been getting for the Galaxy Note 7 failure. The things are expected to change Samsungs market hold in India, buzz states that Apple is gearing up fast to take the number one slot in the Indian market. It is known that Apples iPhones despite having the craze and hype around, dont always make it big in the highly price conscious Indian market. Samsung has played it very smart by introducing flagships catering to each and every budget bracket. With Samsung, you can have devices from various budget segments; be it high-end ones like the note or the mid range devices such as the J and other prominent series. As per the latest news now, Samsung has now released its On-series smartphone. Under this series, we will now have the Galaxy On Nxt releasing in the Indian market at a price of Rs. 18,490. Currently, the device is made available for sale solely via Flipkart. Samsung Galaxy On Nxt Samsung Galaxy On Nxt was unveiled in the country last week, and it looks similar to that of Galaxy On7 (2016). The physical dimensions are pretty same which apparently makes one believe if the Samsung Galaxy On Nxt is just an upgraded or a slightly refined version of the previous device that was released in Chinese market in September. Well, before we predict that let us her have a look at the expected features of the Samsung Galaxy On Nxt. As heard from sources, the device comes with full metal unibody design, which is pretty impressive. Samsung Galaxy On Nxt has a 5.5-inch full-HD display which is sheltered by 2.5D Gorilla Glass. Furthermore, the device comes powered by an octa-core SoC which happens to be clocked at 1.6GHz and has 3GB of RAM. Samsung Galaxy On Nxt comes with an internal memory of 32GB which is further expandable up to 256GB through an out-and-out microSD slot. This new device from the end of Samsung is said to be supporting dual Nano-SIMs. It houses a 3300mAh battery which as per the company claims can last for 21 hours of 3G talk time and nearly 15 hours of Internet over LTE. Moving on to the most sought after feature of any smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy On Nxt comes with 13MP primary camera and for selfies it has 8MP front camera. Both the cameras come with f/1.9 aperture. The main camera of Samsung Galaxy On Nxt also has flash and can easily be used for recording full-HD video. As far as the connectivity options are concerned, the Samsung Galaxy On Nxt extends support to Wi-Fi 802.11n, GPS, Bluetooth 4.1, and Wi-Fi Direct, however it lacks NFC. The fingerprint sensor is placed or say embedded into the home button. Available for a sum of Rs. 18,490, the Samsung Galaxy On Nxt will face tough competition from the likes of other popular brands like the Lenovo Z2 Plus which has been released in the Indian market for a sum of Rs. 17,999. It would be interesting to see how the Samsung Galaxy On Nxt would fare on the charts! UN votes to end Cuban embargo, US abstains United States,Diplomacy, Wed, 26 Oct 2016 IANS United Nations, Oct 27 (IANS) The UN General Assembly voted to adopt a resolution urging an end to the US embargo on Cuba and the United States abstained for the first time in 25 years. On Wednesday, 191 UN member states voted in favour of the resolution, while US and Israel abstained, Xinhua news agency reported. This is the 25th time that the UN General Assembly has adopted the resolution. The resolution welcomed the progress in relations between the two countries and the visit of the US President Barack Obama to Cuba in March 2016. Noting that the steps taken by US towards modifying some aspects of the embargo are still limited in scope, the General Assembly once again urged the repeal of the blockade measures as soon as possible. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla told the General Assembly that blockade imposed by US against Cuba persists, impairing the country's economic development. "Lifting the blockade is the key to be able to advance towards the normalisation of relations with the United States," he said . While ahead of the vote, US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power said that the US abstention is due to Obama's new approach to Cuba. Full diplomatic ties were restored between US and Cuba as an agreement to resume normal relations took effect on July 20, 2015. However, the United States has not repealed the embargo yet. Washington decreed the blockade against Havana officially on February 3, 1962, following the intensification of the political differences between US and the government led by Fidel Castro. --IANS vgu/ Thousands protest in Venezuela demanding President Maduro's resignation Venezuela,Politics, Wed, 26 Oct 2016 IANS Caracas, Oct 27 (IANS) Thousands of people took to streets here demanding a referendum against President Nicolas Maduro and to show support for the opposition leaders, media reports said. Dressed in white and waving banners and signs demanding Maduro's resignation, they gathered at seven points across the city to march through the streets, converging in the east of the capital, the Telegraph reported. Protestors also blocked the main Francisco Fajardo highway, for the first time in many years chanting slogans against the President. "We are absolutely convinced of the need for change - peaceful, but profound change in the government," said Jesus Torrealba, a leader of the opposition. The protests come a day after Venezuela's National Assembly voted to start legal proceedings to remove Maduro from power after his government indefinitely suspended an attempt by the opposition to remove him from power in a recall referendum. The legislature's move was mostly symbolic, because the Supreme Court, which is allied with Maduro, has banned the congress from passing any laws or measures, Wall Street Journal reported. Maduro responded to Tuesday's vote by calling it a "parliamentary coup," and has called all top public officials to an emergency meeting in Caracas on Wednesday afternoon. On October 19, after the National Assembly's plan to hold a referendum to recall Maduro failed, the opposition coalition is now using its power base in congress to begin legal action against the President. Maduro made a trip to the Vatican on October 24, where Pope Francis attempted to reconcile the diametrically opposed factions in Venezuela, but even this seems to have failed as opposition supporters are rallying for "The Takeover of Venezuela". --IANS vgu/ OTTAWA, Oct. 26, 2016 /CNW/ - Today, doctors from across Canada called on the federal government to conduct a Cumulative Health Impact Assessment for the Kinder Morgan pipeline before making a decision on the project. This call to action accompanied the release of a new report that highlights the human health risks of Kinder Morgan's proposal. "The Kinder Morgan pipeline would not only double the number of fuel storage tanks creating an unacceptable risk to peoples' health from fire, but a rupture or spill could spread toxins into the community, causing acute and long term health effects from asthma to cancer," said Dr. Tim Takaro, a doctor and professor at Simon Fraser University. "The cumulative health impacts of the Kinder Morgan pipeline need to be evaluated, and not by the company, before any rational decision can be made." The report outlines potential long and short term health impacts from the proposed pipeline. If approved, the communities along the pipeline and tanker routes would face a triple threat: 1) they would be exposed to routine toxic emissions from the tank farm and pumping station; 2) they would face exposure to dangerous levels of benzene gas and other toxins if there is spill or leak; and 3) they would face climate change impacts that would deteriorate public health as laid out by the World Health Organization. "As a Pediatric Emergency physician, I am concerned about the children who live near the Kinder Morgan pipeline," says Ottawa-based MD Dr. Curtis Lavoie. "Shipping toxic diluent through their neighbourhoods creates an unacceptable health risk. We need an independent, cumulative Health Impact Assessment of the risks before we take this leap." Kinder Morgan's proposal to build a second pipeline through BC will result in an almost 10-fold increase in their transportation of diluted bitumen, and a 7-fold increase in tanker traffic through the Salish Sea. Diluted bitumen contains known toxins that create major health risks within exposed populations, particularly the Burnaby communities closest to Westridge Marine Terminal and Kinder Morgan's tank farm. Yet, as of today, no independent review of health impacts has been completed for this proposal. "As an MD who is serving a patient population coping with temperatures 2-3 degrees warmer than in the 1950s, I can tell you that climate impacts are real. My patients describe dangerous unstable ice, food shortages from declines in caribou, and stress from dealing with the changes they have seen in the landscape," said Dr. Courtney Howard, working in Yellowknife. "Approving the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion would be a dangerous step away from the healthy climate we need to leave our kids." "Human health impacts are distressing and have been overlooked in the assessment of this pipeline proposal. Neither the National Energy Board nor any other independent review has looked at health impacts when considering bringing bitumen through Vancouver's harbour," said Karen Mahon, Director of Stand.earth. SOURCE Village PR For further information: Dr. Tim Takaro, MD/MPH, MSc, Professor, SFU Faculty of Health Sciences, Vancouver, 604-838-7458; Dr. Curtis Lavoie, MD, CCFP, FCFP, Pediatric Emergency physician, Ottawa, 613-852-2904; Dr. Courtney Howard, MD, CCFP-EM, Emergency Physician, Yellowknife, 867-446-7776; Karen Mahon, 604-836-5992, Canadian National Director, Stand.earth EllisDon Recognized for Exemplary Work in Promoting Health & Safety MISSISSAUGA, ON, Oct. 26, 2016 /CNW/ - This past Monday, EllisDon was presented with Canada's Safest Employer Award at the Safest Employer Gala at Arcadian Court in Toronto. The Safest Employer Award is presented by Canadian Occupational Safety in partnership with Workplace Safety and Prevention Services and encompasses 10 industry-specific categories. EllisDon was the Gold recipient in the Building and Construction category. The gala brings together the entire safety community and provides an opportunity to network and discover best practices that are changing workplaces across Canada and fostering a culture of safety. "It is an honour to have our Health and Safety execution and expertise recognized through this prestigious award. Safety is woven into every aspect of our business," said Kari Harris, VP, Occupational Health & Safety. Launched in 2011, Canada's Safest Employer Award recognizes companies across Canada for their outstanding accomplishments in promoting health and safety for their workers. The award boasts 10- industry specific categories and companies are judged based on a wide range of health and safety elements, including employee training, OHS management systems, incident investigation, emergency preparedness, and innovated health and safety initiatives. EllisDon actively participates in several industry based safety committees providing staff, subcontractors, and owners, with the resources to achieve maximum performance. Maintaining standards that exceed government and industry requirements, EllisDon has held an unsurpassed safety record earning a number of recognitions and awards. About EllisDon EllisDon is an employee-owned construction services company with offices worldwide and approximately 2,500 employees, completing over $3.3 billion in new construction work annually. EllisDon effectively takes on client risk with a range of capital; intelligent building; virtual design and construction; and sustainable building services. For more information, please visit www.ellisdon.com. SOURCE EllisDon Corporation Image with caption: "PHOTO: (from left) Ken Tuff, Stuart Long, Dawn Elliston, Rob Ellis, Kari Lynn Harris, Katherine Rossel, Brian Ferguson, Dan Fleming. (CNW Group/EllisDon Corporation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161026_C4522_PHOTO_EN_804575.jpg For further information: Dustin Luchka, EllisDon Corporation, Phone: (905) 896-8900, Fax: (905) 896-8911, 1004 Middlegate Road, Mississauga, Ontario, L4Y 1M4, www.ellisdon.com TORONTO, Oct. 25, 2016 /CNW/ - Mood Media Corporation (ISIN: CA61534J1057) (TSX:MM) ("Mood Media" or the "Company"), will hold its conference call to discuss its third quarter 2016 financial results with the investment community on Thursday, November 10, at 8:30 a.m. EST. Participants will include Steve Richards, President and Chief Executive Officer; Tom Garrett, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; and Ken Eissing, President of In-Store Media. To participate, please dial 416-764-8658 or toll free at 1-888-886-7786. A replay will be available within 24 hours following the teleconference by dialing 416-764-8691 or toll free at 1-877-674-6060 (passcode 405345#). About Mood Media Corporation: Mood Media (TSX:MM) is the global leader in elevating Customer Experiences. With more than 500,000 active client locations around the globe, Mood combines sight, sound, scent, social mobile technology and systems to create greater emotional connections between brands and consumers. Mood's clients include businesses of all sizes and market sectors, from the world's most recognized retailers and hotels to quick-service restaurants, local banks and thousands of small businesses. For more details: http://us.moodmedia.com/. SOURCE Mood Media Corporation For further information: Investor Inquiries: Randal Rudniski, Mood Media Corporation, Tel: +1 (512) 592 2438, Email: [email protected]; North America Media Inquiries: Scott Moore, Mood Media Corporation, Tel: +1 (512) 583 8686, Email: [email protected] ANTIGONISH, NS, Oct. 26, 2016 /CNW/ - St. Francis Xavier University President, Dr. Kent MacDonald, and the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, Canada's 18th Prime Minister, announced today the establishment of the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government and the construction of Mulroney Hall. The $60 million project is the first-of-its-kind in Canada. With the highest quality of academics at its core, the Mulroney Institute of Government will offer a variety of undergraduate programming and research opportunities including a new four-year undergraduate degree in public policy and governance typically only available at the graduate level. A cornerstone of the project includes an endowment that is in excess of $20 million for academic chairs and student scholarships and bursaries. These bursaries include a special $1 million bursary for Aboriginal Canadians. A new facility called Mulroney Hall will provide new teaching, learning and research spaces. It is expected to be approximately 75,000 square feet and built to meet LEED Gold standards. Mulroney Hall will also contain 16 individual teaching/learning spaces made up of classrooms (ranging in size from 40 to 80 seats), computer labs, seminar rooms and a Centre for Teaching and Learning. It will also have one auditorium that will seat a minimum of 300 people and distributed throughout the building will be numerous Informal Learning Spaces. Mulroney Hall will house the Mulroney Institute of Government, which will include an interactive exhibit displaying personal and historical artifacts, including letters from Nelson Mandela and other items chronicling Mr. Mulroney's tenure as Canada's 18th Prime Minister. Known for its distinct culture and storied history of imbuing social justice, leadership and a curiosity about people and the world into its students and alumni, StFX University's values align perfectly to the Mulroney Institute of Government. Mr. Mulroney, who graduated from StFX in 1959 with a degree in political science, is giving back to his alma mater in a significant way. He has raised $60 million for Mulroney Hall, a new building on the campus that will house the Mulroney Institute of Government. The province of Nova Scotia is contributing $5 million. The Institute will be known across Canada and internationally as a leader in higher education for public policy and governance. "I have so many wonderful memories of my time at StFX," said the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney. "It's where I made lifelong friendships - and just as importantly, it set me on a course of lifelong learning, launching my career in politics, leadership, democratic values and public service. In that spirit I wanted to give back to StFX. This new Institute is aimed at teaching those important values, and graduating future generations of leaders." "The Brian Mulroney Institute of Government and Mulroney Hall are outstanding additions - and contributions - not only to StFX, but to students across the province and the country, who have a deep and abiding interest in our democratic system, governance and social justice," said Dr. Kent MacDonald, President of StFX. "From the StFX Class of '59 to Canada's 18th Prime Minister, Brian Mulroney has never forgotten his alma mater. He embodies what it means to be a Xaverian. For that we are truly honoured - this is an outstanding legacy piece for all to share. I also want to thank the government of Nova Scotia for its continued partnership and generous contribution to this new program and building. It will have tremendous impact on the economy of our community and region." Students will begin attending the Mulroney Institute of Government in 2017. Construction of Mulroney Hall will be completed late in 2018. Many graduates of the program will go on to pursue graduate degrees, but the Mulroney Institute of Government will have prepared its graduates for jobs in the fields of politics, public service, social justice and activism, working for an NGO and all types of community leadership. The distinct liberal arts university in Antigonish has a remarkable record of graduating not only a Prime Minister but premiers, senators, judges, indigenous leaders, senior public servants, MPs and members of provincial legislatures across the country. The StFX community was joined by Mr. Mulroney's family, national political, business and community leaders, including the Hon. Frank McKenna, Deputy Chair of TD Group, former Canadian Ambassador to the United States, and former Premier of New Brunswick; also Hon. Randy Delorey, MLA for Antigonish and Nova Scotia Minister of Finance. SOURCE St. Francis Xavier University For further information: Ms. Cindy MacKenzie, Manager of Media Relations, St. Francis Xavier University, 902-867-2401, 902-872-0612, Instagram: stfxuniversity, Facebook: Facebook.com/stfxuniversity QUEBEC CITY, Oct. 26, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Norda Stelo's coastal protection project in Cotonou, Benin received the highest mark of recognition in Canada's consulting engineering industry yesterday evening at the 2016 Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards ceremony. Norda Stelo's expertise in this over $100 M project put a stop to one of the worst cases of coastal erosion on the African continent. "Norda Stelo's team is proud to have helped spread word of Canada's engineering expertise with a project that clearly demonstrates the tangible contribution our profession can make to the safety and quality of life of communities. This award of excellence acknowledges the commitment and hard work of all who dedicate themselves day after day," said Alex Brisson, Norda Stelo's President and CEO. In Cotonou, 13 metres of shoreline were erased each year due to erosion, swallowing up dozens of homes, hotels and other buildings. Thanks to international funding earmarked to fight and adapt to climate change, Norda Stelo and its partners worked for six years to stop the advancing sea and rehabilitate the shoreline. Norda Stelo's project namely received the Award of Excellence for the team's expertise, transfer of knowledge and contribution to the local community. About Norda Stelo Founded in Quebec in 1963, Norda Stelo is an independent Canadian consulting engineering firm with a global presence. It specializes in integrated projects and guides its clients through every step of their project, from planning to operation, including design, execution or construction management. Source: www.norda.com SOURCE Norda Stelo Image with caption: "Paul Picard, Foreign Markets Director ; Alex Brisson, President-CEO and Christian Berube, Transport and Foreign Markets Vice President (CNW Group/Norda Stelo)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161026_C3911_PHOTO_EN_804922.jpg Image with caption: "Logo: Norda Stelo (CNW Group/Norda Stelo)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161026_C3911_PHOTO_EN_804930.jpg For further information: Eymie Labbe, 418-654-9696 ext. 28684, [email protected] WINNIPEG, Oct. 26, 2016 /CNW/ - Boyd Group Income Fund (TSX: BYD.UN) ("the Fund" or "the Boyd Group") will release its fiscal 2016 third quarter results on November 9, 2016 before markets open. Following the release, Management of the Fund will hold a conference call at 10:00 a.m. ET to review the financial results. The call will be hosted by Brock Bulbuck, President and CEO. All interested parties are invited to participate. CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS: DATE: Wednesday, November 9, 2016 TIME: 10:00 a.m. (ET) DIAL IN NUMBER: 647-427-7450 1-888-231-8191 TAPED REPLAY: 416-849-0833 or 1-855-859-2056 Available from Wednesday, November 9 until midnight Wednesday, November 16 REFERENCE NUMBER: 2964476 The call will also be webcast live and archived for 90 days on the Boyd Group's website http://www.boydgroup.com. About The Boyd Group Income Fund The Boyd Group Income Fund is an unincorporated, open-ended mutual fund trust created for the purposes of acquiring and holding certain investments, including a majority interest in The Boyd Group Inc. and its subsidiaries. The Boyd Group Income Fund units trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol BYD.UN. For more information on The Boyd Group Inc. or Boyd Group Income Fund, please visit our website at http://www.boydgroup.com. About The Boyd Group Inc. The Boyd Group Inc. (the "Company"), directly and through subsidiaries, is one of the largest operators of non-franchised collision repair centers in North America in terms of number of locations and sales. The Company operates locations in five Canadian provinces under the trade name Boyd Autobody & Glass (http://www.boydautobody.com), as well as in 20 U.S. states under the trade name Gerber Collision & Glass (http://www.gerbercollision.com). The Company uses newly acquired brand names during a transition period until acquired locations have been rebranded. The Company is also a major retail auto glass operator in the U.S. with locations across 31 U.S. states under the trade names Gerber Collision & Glass, Glass America, Auto Glass Service, Auto Glass Authority and Autoglassonly.com. The Company also operates a third party administrator, Gerber National Claims Services ("GNCS") that offers first notice of loss, glass and related services. GNCS has approximately 5,500 affiliated glass provider locations and 4,600 affiliated emergency roadside services providers throughout the U.S. For more information on The Boyd Group Inc. or Boyd Group Income Fund, please visit our website at (http://www.boydgroup.com). SOURCE Boyd Group Income Fund For further information: Brock Bulbuck, President & CEO, Tel: (204) 594-1770, [email protected]; Craig MacPhail, Investor Relations, Tel: (416) 586-1938 or toll free 1-800-385-5451, [email protected]; Pat Pathipati, Executive Vice President & CFO, Tel: (204) 895-1244 (ext. 33841), [email protected] The US Marine Corps wants to deploy swarms of drones ahead of troops during amphibious operations in coming years. The concept, incorporating Low-Cost UAV Swarming Technology, or LOCUST, developed by the Office of Naval Research, would bring a flotilla of weapons, including underwater drones, unmanned surface vessels and underwater mine countermeasures. Instead of Marines being the first wave in, itll be unmanned robotics sensing, locating and maybe killing out front of those Marines, he said. We see that swarm-type technology as exactly the type of thing it will lower cost, dominate the battlespace, leverage capabilities and be able to complicate the problems for the enemy. In WW2, The Navy shelled Iwo Jima for days prior to Navy Assault Iwo Jima was a tough fight despite Navy shelling for days. Japanese soldiers had dug in and were in caves. Tabbys star has provoked so much excitement over the past year, with speculation that it hosts a highly advanced civilization capable of building orbiting megastructures to capture the stars energy, that UC Berkeleys Breakthrough Listen project is devoting hours of time on the Green Bank radio telescope to see if it can detect any signals from intelligent extraterrestrials The Breakthrough Listen program has the most powerful SETI equipment on the planet, and access to the largest telescopes on the planet, said Andrew Siemion, director of the Berkeley SETI Research Center and co-director of Breakthrough Listen. We can look at it with greater sensitivity and for a wider range of signal types than any other experiment in the world. Breakthrough Listen, which was created last year with $100 million in funding over 10 years from the Breakthrough Prize Foundation and its founder, internet investor Yuri Milner, wont be the first to search for intelligent life around this star. Everyone, every SETI program telescope, I mean every astronomer that has any kind of telescope in any wavelength that can see Tabbys star has looked at it, he said. Its been looked at with Hubble, its been looked at with Keck, its been looked at in the infrared and radio and high energy, and every possible thing you can imagine, including a whole range of SETI experiments. Nothing has been found. While Siemion and his colleagues are skeptical that the stars unique behavior is a sign of an advanced civilization, they cant not take a look. Theyve teamed up with UC Berkeley visiting astronomer Jason Wright and Tabetha Boyajian, the assistant professor of physics and astronomy at Louisiana State University for whom the star is named, to observe the star with state-of-the-art instruments the Breakthrough Listen team recently mounted on the 100-meter telescope. Wright is at the Center for Exoplanets and Habitable Worlds at Pennsylvania State University. The observations are scheduled for eight hours per night for three nights over the next two months, starting Wednesday evening, Oct. 26. Siemion, Wright and Boyajian are traveling to the Green Bank Observatory in rural West Virginia to start the observations, and expect to gather around 1 petabyte of data over hundreds of millions of individual radio channels. The Green Bank Telescope is the largest fully steerable radio telescope on the planet, and its the largest, most sensitive telescope thats capable of looking at Tabbys star given its position in the sky, Siemion said. Weve deployed a fantastic new SETI instrument that connects to that telescope, that can look at many gigahertz of bandwidth simultaneously and many, many billions of different radio channels all at the same time so we can explore the radio spectrum very, very quickly. Stars with transiting planets have brief, regular and blocks just 1 or 2 percent of the light of the star, Tabbys star dims for days at a time, by as much as 22 percent, and at irregular intervals. While Boyajian speculated in her 2015 paper that the irregular dimming might be explained by a swarm of comets breaking up as it approached the star, subsequent observations show the star, which is located about 1,500 light-years from Earth in the constellation Cygnus, is far more irregular than a comet swarm would produce. In fact, it seems to have been dimming at a steady rate for the past century. Speculation eventually arose that the dimming was caused by a Dyson structure: a massive orbiting array of solar collectors that physicist Freeman Dyson once proposed would be a natural thing for a civilization to build as it needed more and more energy to power itself. Theoretically, such a structure could completely surround the star what he termed a Dyson sphere and capture nearly all the stars energy. How likely is that? I dont think its very likely a one in a billion chance or something like that but nevertheless, were going to check it out, said Dan Werthimer, chief scientist at Berkeley SETI. But I think that ET, if its ever discovered, it might be something like that. Itll be some bizarre thing that somebody finds by accident that nobody expected, and then we look more carefully and we say, Hey, thats a civilization. Breakthrough Listen is monitoring many other stars using three telescopes that can peer into all segments of the cosmos: the Parkes Telescope in Australia and the Green Bank Telescope to search for radio transmissions, and the Automated Planet Finder at Lick Observatory in California to search for optical laser transmissions. SOURCES Berkeley University, Youtube, wikipedia Kenya has arrested and detained 26 Nigerians for allegedly flouting visa laws and for not having valid documents for their stay in the E... Kenya has arrested and detained 26 Nigerians for allegedly flouting visa laws and for not having valid documents for their stay in the East African country.Some of the Nigerians, who were apprehended last Saturday, were said to have been indicted for criminal activities, including advance fee fraud, a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday in Abuja said.The statement, by the acting spokesperson, Jane Adams, assured Nigerians that the Nigerian High Commission in Nairobi, had sprung into action by ascertaining the circumstances of the arrest.It noted that the Kenyan authorities acted in accordance with their domestic laws in respect of the arrest.It (Nigerian High Commission in Nairobi) has found that the Immigration Authority of Kenya acted in accordance with their domestic laws regarding the arrest and subsequent removal of illegal immigrants by cracking down on foreigners whose visas had lapsed, but who had continued to remain in Kenya illegally, the statement said.The MFA said the Federal Government did not support, encourage or condone any form of illegal migration, noting that it condemned all acts of criminality in its entirety.It urged Nigerian immigrants to be law-abiding and to desist from any action capable of tarnishing the image of the country.The ministry said it would continue engaging countries of residence of all Nigerians abroad to ensure they were treated with dignity and respect in accordance with international minimum standards.Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested one Elvis Michael, the coordinator of a fraudulent cooperative credit and thrift outfit, known as Best Plan Co-operative Credit and Thrift, which was used to defraud unsuspecting members of the public who were predominantly petty traders.The suspect, who was arrested at Jikwoyi, an FCT satellite town, was in possession of N828,000, proceeds of the days collection, a statement by the FCT Police spokesman, Anjuguri Manzah, stated.It said that the suspect confessed to the crime and had been cooperating with the police in their investigation, noting that efforts were being intensified to arrest his cohorts who were at large.The police said that investigation revealed that the cooperative union deployed its agents at market places and other strategic spots to scout for potential customers who were encouraged to take up its juicy loan offer.The statement said, The customers are then cajoled to register with the cooperative union with the sum of N2,000, sequel to which the customer will be requested to deposit cash of up to 20 per cent of the total loan with the cooperative before the loan will be approved for the customer. Some women on Wednesday stormed the Federal High Court in Lagos, chanting solidarity songs on the freezing order placed on the bank acco... Some women on Wednesday stormed the Federal High Court in Lagos, chanting solidarity songs on the freezing order placed on the bank accounts of ex-First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had on Sept. 22 ordered the freezing of some bank accounts belonging to Jonathan.The Commission had said the action was due to the ongoing investigation into the alleged money laundering charge preferred against her.Meanwhile, Jonathan in a fundamental rights suit instituted against the EFCC, is asking for a court order, directing the unfreezing of her accounts.She is also claiming the sum of $200m against the commission as damages for allegedly infringing on her fundamental rights.On Wednesday, women numbering over 100, who dressed in traditional attire with head gears, stormed the premises of the Federal High Court in Lagos to protest the freezing order.The placard-carrying women chanted songs in Ijaw and English Languages.Some of the inscriptions read: Ijaw people are in solidarity with Jonathan, Unfreeze ex-President Jonathans wifes account, We urge EFCC to abide by the rule of law, Women must be heard.Immediately after the court rose, the women trooped in their numbers toward a vehicle belonging to the EFCC chanting solidarity songs.Meanwhile, Justice Babs Kuewumi has fixed Dec. 7 for the hearing of the suit. Several Nigerian eyebrows have been raised about the inconsistency of President Muhammadu Buhari's anti corruption war, and now the br... Several Nigerian eyebrows have been raised about the inconsistency of President Muhammadu Buhari's anti corruption war, and now the brows are about to get higher.This is due to the abrupt withdrawal of the corruption case against the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Usani.He was charged with fraud 15 years ago, after he was indicted in 2000 by the government of Cross River State where he served as a Commissioner for Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Development.An investigative committee, in its report said Mr. Usani intentionally refused to apply government approved scales when he paid out some money as fees to Gersh Henshaw & Company, a firm of estate surveyors and valuers.The firm handled the contract for the valuation of vehicles, workshops and equipment belonging to the Cross River State Water Board, which was said to be part of the African Development Bank water project in the state.The state state government lost N16.323 million because of Mr. Usanis deliberate action, the report said.Acting on this report, the state government filed a complaint against Mr. Usani at the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).However, no sooner had CCB forwarded the case to the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) for trial, than the state government quickly made a U-turn, and asked for its discontinuation.No reason was given for the decision.But those familiar with the case said the governments action may have been influenced by political consideration.(Premium Times) A Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed December 12, 2016 to decide whether or not to transfer a suit filed by wanted Niger Delta ex-mil... A Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed December 12, 2016 to decide whether or not to transfer a suit filed by wanted Niger Delta ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, against the Federal Government to the Court of Appeal.Justice Mojisola Olatoregun fixed the date after entertaining arguments from the parties on Tuesday.Tompolo, who is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for an alleged N49.5bn fraud, sued the Federal Government through his lawyer, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa.He is seeking an order restraining the Federal Government and its agencies from further proceeding with the N45.9bn fraud charges filed against him.The defendants in the suit are the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of Air Staff.Adegboruwa claimed that sections 221 and 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which prohibited his client from seeking a stay of proceedings in his trial before Justice Ibrahim Buba, were infringing on his constitutional rights to fair hearing.He is urging the court to nullify sections 221 and 306 of the ACJA and restrain the Federal Government and its agencies from deploying those sections of the law against Tompolo.But the Federal Government, through the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), had described Tompolos suit as an abuse of court processes and urged the court to dismiss it.The AGF told Justice Olatoregun that a warrant had been issued for Tompolos arrest after he repeatedly shunned summons by the court to appear and answer the criminal charges filed against him.He failed and bluntly refused to present himself in court, thus leaving the court with no other option but to take measures at compelling him to appear, the AGF said in an affidavit.Malami maintained that sections 221 and 306 of the ACJA did not infringe on Tompolos rights to fair hearing.The sections, he said, were made to ensure speedy and efficient justice delivery and prevent malicious delays and stalling of criminal cases by parties employing frivolous and time-wasting tactics to impede the course of justice. Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has said that what he achieved within the last 11 mo... Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has said that what he achieved within the last 11 months in terms of looted asset recovery surpassed the agencys first 12-year record.Mr. Magu made the fact known when a team of participants at the National Management Course of the Pakistani National School of Policy visited him in Abuja on Tuesday.We have achieved a lot in terms of recovery of looted funds and property in the past 11 months more than was achieved in the last 12 years of the existence of the commission.My men are determined and committed to work. Most importantly, the government is also ever ready to support us, he added.Mr. Magu was appointed acting chairman of the EFCC on November 9, 2015, making him the fourth helmsman of the commission.On June 4, the Federal Government released a list of recovered stolen funds broken down as N78 billion, $185 million dollars, 3.5 million pounds and 11,250 Euros.According to the government, the funds were recovered between May 29, 2015 and May 25, 2016.The leader of the eight-man delegation and director at the NSP, Irum Bukhari, said the visit was to enable the team to learn from EFCC.We want to know your composition, your success stories and the laws that govern your activities as we also strive in our country to fight corruption, extremism and terrorism, he said. The Federal Government has backed Kenyan Government on the arrest of 26 Nigerians in the country on October 22 for flouting visa laws. The Federal Government has backed Kenyan Government on the arrest of 26 Nigerians in the country on October 22 for flouting visa laws.A statement by the acting spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jane Bassey-Adams, yesterday in Abuja, alleged that the arrested persons were not in possession of valid document for their stay in Kenya.Bassey-Adams said that the Immigration Authority of Kenya acted in accordance with its domestic laws regarding the arrest of illegal immigrants.She said that the law enabled the authority to crack down on foreigners whose visas had elapsed, but remained in Kenya illegally.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to state that the Government of Nigeria does not support, encourage or condone any form of illegal migration and condemns all acts of criminality in its entirety.The ministry wishes to inform members of the public that the Nigeria High Commission in Nairobi has since sprang into action to ascertain the circumstances of the arrest, she stated.The ministry, however, called on Nigerians living abroad to abide by the law of the country of their residence. Usman Bugaje, an ambassadorial nominee from Katsina state, has given a reason why he turned down President Muhammadu Buharis offer. Usman Bugaje, an ambassadorial nominee from Katsina state, has given a reason why he turned down President Muhammadu Buharis offer.He has declined to speak to the media on his decision.But on his Facebook page on Wednesday, the northern politician thanked Buhari for the appointment, but he said he could not accept it because his hands were full.Regarding the published nomination for an ambassadorial posting, I have not spoken to the press and may not do so anytime soon, he wrote.I thank those who think me fit for the job, but I have so much in my hands already, especially the Arewa Research and Development Project (ARDP), which is the only broad platform in the north driving development.I have weighed the options and have decided to remain home and continue the struggle for development and good governance.Pauline Tallen, former deputy governor of Plateau state, had also rejected her ambassadorial appointment, citing lack of proper consultation as the reason for her decision.On Monday, governors elected on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform met with Buhari to express their concerns over the list of ambassadorial nominees.But the president told them to put their concerns in writing.Akintunde Akinwande, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has also turned down his appointment as the chairman of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). Manchester United and Ivory Coast defender Eric Bailly has said that he hopes to return from injury in two months.The Elephant centre-back suffered a knee injury in the first half of Uniteds 4-0 whipping at the hands of Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.Manager Jose Mourinho said after the match that he feared Bailly had suffered a really bad knee ligament injury.The player has since taken to social media to thank fans for their support and set a two-month time frame for his return to first team action."I wanted to thank you for all the messages of support that I received since the injury!" Bailly wrote on Instagram on Tuesday."I hope to be able to play again for United and The Elephants before 2 months, God willing. Thanks for always being there!Bailly will miss tonights League Cup match against Manchester City, as well as key Premier League clashes with Arsenal, Everton and Tottenham amongst other matches in his spell on the sidelines, but he is still expected to be included in Ivory Coasts squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors on Wednesday said it had no plan to increase the current tariff being paid by consume... The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors on Wednesday said it had no plan to increase the current tariff being paid by consumers.The ANED Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, Mr. Sunday Oduntan, said that the Distribution Companies had not submitted any proposal to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission on tariff increase.He said, It is not true that we want to increase the tariff by 200 per cent because we do not have any right to do so.When you talk about tariff review or increase, it is the responsibility of a regulator and that work belongs to NERC.We should understand how the system works because it is the work of the regulator to decide whether there should be tariff review and not DISCOs.He urged the National Assembly to reconsider the stoppage of the bond provided by government in order to address the liquidity challenge facing the power sector.We are not asking for subsidy but that government should step in and provide a bond, he said.Oduntan said that the business of electricity distribution were presently not bankable because no bank would lend DISCOs money with the huge deficits in their books. President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to investigate any Nigerian, no matter how highl... President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to investigate any Nigerian, no matter how highly-placed. Here are four prominent Nigerians currently in the net of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission: 1. Reuben Abati: EFCC invited the former Presidential Spokesman to Goodluck Jonathan for receiving N50m from ex-National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki. 2. Bala Mohammed: The immediate past minister of the federal capital territory (FCT): was arrested for alleged land racketeering. EFCC sources said the agency was acting on petitions from the public about how he allegedly sold government lands to some individuals and collected payment in cash. He was also asked to justify his wealth. It was learned that Mohammeds trouble with the EFCC has to do with the controversial N1 trillion Land Swap Programme under which his administration traded large parcels of public land with some selected private individuals and companies to develop housing projects in the FCT. Protesters on Wednesday marched to the Supreme Court of Nigeria asking all judges arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) to st... Protesters on Wednesday marched to the Supreme Court of Nigeria asking all judges arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) to step aside pending the outcome of their trials in court.Reporters, who were at the spot, said the protesters carried placards with various inscriptions such as: Stop corruption before it stops you, Dont get it twisted, Judiciary is not on trial, only corrupt officials are, among others. Afenifere, a Yoruba socio-Political group, Wednesday, asked that the ministers fingered by the judges recently accused of corruption shou... Afenifere, a Yoruba socio-Political group, Wednesday, asked that the ministers fingered by the judges recently accused of corruption should step aside and go through due process of the law to either ascertain their innocence.This is coming as the group equally asked the National Judicial commission NJC to ensure that all allegations against the judges are thoroughly investigated and those who are found guilty should be dealt with accordingly.Rising from its monthly meeting held in Akure, the Country home of its National Chairman Pa Reuben Fasoranti, the group declared that a corrupt judge is worst than a thief and what is on offer is justice and that negate the soul of any society.So we cannot be saying only judges that have accused should be investigated. Ministers too, who have been accused should step aside and face prosecution. The spokesman of the group, Yinka Odumakin in a communique issued after the meeting, however ,expressed worries over the modus operandi of the actions against these judges.We believe that is not the duty of DSS to investigate corruption. Investigating corruption is within the purview of the EFCC, ICPC and the Police and if the DSS come across of any crime that borders on corruption, it is to gathered their evidence and handover to those agencies of government to ensure that they investigate and prosecute those who are involved in the offence.So, we frown at raiding the home of judges, breaking down doors at ungodly hours of the night reserve for armed robbers in the name of fighting corruption.For anybody to go to anybody home around 1:AM, and say am DSS in a country where the wife of CBN governor was kidnapped by soldiers , it beyond it.Therefore, we frown at going to their homes at night and in an attempt to pull a wool over the eyes of Nigerians, the DSS said, it was involved in a sting operations.They are teaching us new words in English. A stings operation is that somebody is in the act of committing a crime, the state security organised to ensure that the person is caught in the act perhaps with those evidence planted.But to say that somebody collected bribe in Ghana months ago and you are now breaking the doors of his house months after in Abuja and said that is a stings operation, they should not teach our children bad words.That is not a sting operation. That is an attempt to cover-up the mistake they made in the unfortunate raids of the judges home. The group said that We also believed as Afenifere, that the judges are not above the laws of the land just because they are judges.If a judge is going to airport and put cocaine in his bag, if he is arrested by the NDLEA , he goes in for trial. If a judge import contraband into the country and custom arrest him , is not a judge, is a citizen.But for offences committed by judges in course of their duty ,is the NJC that law said it should deal with them and not DSS or any other agencies. The group commended the Chief Judge of Nigeria CJN for boldly rising in the defence of separation of powers.For the ministers who have been mentioned for attempting to pervert the course of justice , we are asking that such minister should step aside immediately as minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria.After that, they should go through due process of the law to either ascertain their innocence or if their guilty established, they should be punish according to the laws of the land . Police charged 10 people Wednesday in a protest on the George Washington Bridge that closed lanes and caused extensive delays during morning rush hour. One of the protesters was a New Jersey resident, according to Port Authority police spokesman Joe Pentangelo. The eight were from New York and one was from California. The immigrants' rights demonstration stopped upper-level traffic completely for about 15 minutes before police arrested the protesters, who chained themselves to the bridge, blocking three lanes. The demonstration caused up to 90-minute delays for drivers heading into the New York City. All lanes were reopened by 8:50 a.m. The following people were charged in New York with reckless endangerment and criminal trespass: Christina Fox, 27 , Oceanside, Calif Felix Cepeda, 35, Bronx, N.Y. Diego Ibanez, 27, Brooklyn, NY Karl Kumodz, 25, Brooklyn NY Elana Gold-24, Brooklyn, NY Claudia Palacios, 27, Brooklyn, NY Jeremy Weissman, 22, Jericho, NY Virgilio Aran, 38, East Orange, NJ Juan Romero, 25, Queens, NY Marco Abendano, 31, Bronx, NY The protesters were demanding "equal rights for immigrants" and "political power for marginalized communities," according to a reporter Tweeting from the bridge. The protesters' affiliation was not known, Pentangelo said. However, in a video posted to YouTube, the group was referred to as #WeAreVisible protesters. The Laundry Workers Center took credit for organizing the demonstration Wednesday afternoon in a statement on their website. "The immigrant community is tired of being in the shadows." said Laundry Workers Center co-director Mahoma Lopez. "For many years we are here, we contribute, we pay taxes, we build this country, but in the end, we don't have the right to participate in the decisions at the local and national levels." New York authorities are still considering whether or not to charge the group with additional charges, according to Pentangelo. Lower level traffic was not affected by the demonstration. Craig McCarthy may be reached at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig. Find NJ.com on Facebook. mini-cooper2.jpg Dylan Lutz of Wantage claims he drove his Mini Cooper S into a utility bag and that the airbags did not deploy (Wikipedia Commons) ( ) HACKENSACK - A New Jersey man has filed suit against BMW and several other entities, claiming the airbags in his Mini Cooper failed to deploy when he struck a utility pole, injuring him and his teenage brother. Dylan Lutz, 23, claims in court papers he was driving the car with his brother, Kyle, 15, in the passenger seat about 8:47 p.m. on Sept. 23, 2014 when he drove into an uncovered drainage ditch and struck the pole three feet off Route 23 South in Sussex County. The ditch near Mile Post 45 was more than 18-inches wide, 3-feet long and devoid of a grate or catch basin, the lawsuit claims. After striking the ditch, the Mini Cooper slammed into the pole, breaking the pole in half. The car flipped and "proceeded upside down into the southbound lane of the roadway, where it came to rest on its roof," the lawsuit states. The car's airbags failed to deploy, Lutz claims in the lawsuit. The brothers were injured even though both wore seat belts, the suit states. Dylan Lutz, of Wantage, claims he was knocked unconscious and suffered a concussion, spine and skull fractures, complete blindness in his right eye and contusions. Kyle Lutz also sustained permanent injuries, the suit claims. In addition to BMW of North America, Dylan Lutz is suing the New Jersey Department of Transportation, Sussex County, the Township of Wantage, Jersey Central Power & Light and Ray Price Honda of East Stroudsburg, Pa. Attorneys filed a separate notice of claim on behalf of the younger brother against the state, county and township, according to the suit. The lawsuit states Dylan Lutz purchased the 2003 Mini Cooper S with 84,353 miles from Ray Price Honda three months before the accident. Lutz "understood that the vehicle was equipped with the airbags and that they were designed to deploy in the event of an accident in order to protect occupants of the vehicle from injury," the lawsuit states. The suit accuses BMW and Ray Price of "negligent misrepresentation" and breach of express warranty for selling a vehicle with non-operative airbags. The suit also names JCP&L, the state, county and township, stating those entities failed to warn, and failed to eliminate the "dangerous and hazardous condition." The suit claims the utility pole was too close to the roadway and further created a hazard because it was positioned near a curve in the road. The suit accuses NJDOT, Sussex County and Wantage Township of negligence for failing to make sure the ditch did not pose a hazard to drivers traveling the roadway. In addition to injuries, Dylan Lutz claims he suffered loss of income and other financial and personal hardships. He is seeking unspecified damages and a jury trial. A spokeswoman for BMW of North America did not return a call seeking comment. A woman who answered the phone at Ray Price Honda said the business would have no comment. Representatives for the other entities named in the suit either declined to comment or could not be reached. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. MAHWAH -- A Roman Catholic priest from New Jersey has been arrested on child pornography charges. Kevin Gugliotta Kevin Gugliotta, 54, of Mahwah allegedly uploaded illicit images from a computer in his vacation home in Lehigh Township, Pa. on July 9, the Wayne County District Attorney said in a news release on Wednesday. Gugliotta worked at Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church in Union, but has been removed from the parish, according to a spokesman for the Newark Archdiocese. He faces 40 counts of sexual abuse of children -- 20 counts of possession of child pornography and 20 counts of dissemination of child pornography. Officials in Wayne County learned about the uploaded images in August and began an investigation. They eventually learned the IP address was registered to Gugliotta's vacation home. Gugliotta was taken into custody at a home in Toms River on Thursday. He is in the Ocean County jail awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania. A nationally ranked poker player, Gugliotta also faces a charge of being a fugitive from justice in Toms River because he failed to turn himself in after being notified that he was being charged. Before transferring to Holy Spirit Gugliotta spent almost two years at Immaculate Conception in Mahwah, according to his LinkedIn page. A spokeswoman for the district attorney's office declined to answer additional questions from NJ Advance Media about why Gugliotta was in Toms River or when he is expected be moved to Pennsylvania to answer the charges. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Screen Shot 2016-10-26 at 9.08.26 AM.png Protestors block the eastbound lanes of the George Washington Bridge on Wednesday morning as police arrest one of the demonstrators. Ten people were arrested, according to police. (Twitter user @sosui140) Protesters blocked the upper level of the George Washington Bridge into New York City during the busy Wednesday morning rush hour, causing extensive delays in both directions of the span. The upper level eastbound lane was closed for 15 minutes as police arrested 10 protesters around 8:15 a.m., officials said. Delays continued to build on the George Washington Bridge as a result. Motorists headed to New York who earlier faced a 60 minute delay are now looking at a 90-minute wait as of 9 a.m., according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. A reporter on the bridge tweeted the protesters are demanding "equal rights for immigrants" and "political power for marginalized communities." As of 8:55 a.m., the deomonstration has ended, according to Port Authority police spokesman Joe Pentangelo. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. 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. From licenses and permits to taxes and insurance, learn what you need to do to start a business in Arizona. Here's an overview of the key steps you'll need to take to start your own business in Arizona. 1. Choose a Business Idea Take some time to explore and research ideas for your business. At this stage, take into consideration your own interests, skills, resources, availability, and the reasons why you want to form a business. You should also consider the likelihood of success based on the interests and needs of your community. Read our article for more tips on how to evaluate business ideas. After you select an idea, consider drafting a business plan to evaluate your chances of making a profit. When you create a plan, you will have a better idea of the startup costs, your competition, and strategies for making money. Typically, investors and lenders will ask to review your business plan before providing financial assistance. To learn more about the benefits of business plans and how to create one for your enterprise see Why You Need to Write a Business Plan. 2. Decide on a Legal Structure The most common legal structures for a small business are: sole proprietorship partnership limited liability company (LLC), and corporation. There also are special versions of some of these structures, such as limited partnerships and S corporations. You'll want to consider which business entity structure offers the type of liability protection you want and the best tax, financing, and financial benefits for you and your business. Read our article for information on how to choose the best ownership structure for your business. 3. Choose a Name For LLCs and corporations, you will need to check that your name is distinguishable from the names of other business entities already on file with the Arizona Corporation Commission (AZCC). You can check for available names by doing a business entity search on the AZCC website. You can reserve an available name for 120 days by filing an application to reserve an entity name. You can file online at the AZCC website. There are certain name requirements for LLCs and corporations (like including a word such as "LLC" for LLCs or "Company" for corporations). See How to Form an LLC in Arizona and How to Form a Corporation in Arizona for more information. Is your business a sole proprietorship or partnership that uses a business name that is different from the legal name of the business owner (for a sole proprietorship) or surnames of the individual partners (for a partnership)? If so, you have the option to register a trade name for your business with the Arizona Secretary of State (SOS). To register, use the Trade Names Registration Application available on the SOS website. If you plan on doing business online, you may want to register your business name as a domain name. See Choose and Register a Domain Name for more information. In addition, to avoid trademark infringement issues, you should do a federal and state trademark check to make sure the name you want to use is not the same as or too similar to a name already in use. See How to Do a Trademark Search for more information. 4. Create Your Business Entity 5. Apply for Licenses and Permits Tax Registration. If you will be selling goods in Arizona, you must register with the Arizona Department of Revenue (DOR) to collect the transaction privilege tax (in most other states, this is known as sales tax). If your business will have employees, you must register with the DOR for employer withholding taxes. You can register for both types of tax, as well as other business taxes and licenses, online via the DOR's AZTaxes website. EIN. If your business has employees or is taxed separately from you, you must obtain a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. Even if you are not required to obtain an EIN, there are often business reasons for doing so. Banks often require an EIN to open an account in the business's name and other companies you do business with may require an EIN to process payments. You can get an EIN by completing an online application. There is no filing fee. Regulatory licenses and permits. These cover areas such as: health and safety the environment building and construction; and specific industries or services. The Licensing Guide section of the DOR website includes basic information about several important Arizona business licenses and a link to a guide to Arizona business taxes. Other important regulatory licenses and permits are issued by other state agencies, such as the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and the Arizona Department of Health Services. For information about local licenses and permits, check the websites for any cities or counties where you will do business. 6. Pick a Business Location and Chek Zoning You'll need to pick a location for your business and check local zoning regulations. Before you commit to a location, calculate the costs of running your business in the desired spot, including rent and utilities. You can refer back to your business plan to evaluate whether you can foreseeably afford your desired location during your company's early months. It is important to verify that the spot is zoned for your type of business. You might find zoning regulations for your town or city by reviewing your local ordinances and contacting your town's zoning or planning department. Read our article for more tips on picking a location. One alternative to opening your business at a new location is running your company out of your home. If you decide to run a home-based business, again check your local zoning laws. In addition, review your lease (if you rent your home) and homeowners association rules (if applicable), either of which might ban some or all home businesses. 7. File and Report Taxes Arizona taxes every kind of business. See Arizona State Business Income Tax for more information on state business taxes in Arizona. Sole proprietorships. Pay state taxes on business income as part of their personal state income tax returns (Form 140). Partnerships. Partners pay state taxes on partnership income on personal tax returns. In addition, Arizona partnerships also must file Form 165, Arizona Partnership Income Tax Return. LLCs. Members pay state taxes on their share of LLC income on personal tax returns. In addition, LLCs themselves have to file an additional state tax form. The specific form used will depend on how the LLC is classified for federal tax purposes. See Arizona LLC Annual Filing Requirements for more information. Corporations. Shareholders must pay state taxes on their dividends from the corporation. A shareholder-employee with a salary also must pay state income tax on his or her personal state tax return. Moreover, the corporation itself is subject to Arizona corporation taxes. And, finally, corporations must file an annual report with the Arizona SCC. If you have employees, you must also deal with state employer taxes. And, apart from Arizona taxes, there are always federal income and employer taxes. Check IRS Publications 334, Tax Guide for Small Business, and 583, Taxpayers Starting a Business. 8. Obtain Insurance Business insurance can protect your company and your personal assets from the fallout of unexpected disasters, such as personal injury lawsuits or natural catastrophes. An insurance agent can help you explore the different coverage options, which might include general liability insurance to protect your business against claims relating to bodily injury or property damage. To learn more, see Nolo's article, What Types of Insurances Does Your Small Business Need? 9. Open a Business Bank Account No matter the type of business you form, you should consider opening a separate business account to make it easier to track your income and expenses. For some business types, like LLCs and corporations, a separate bank account is necessary to maintain your liability protection. To learn more, see Opening a Business Bank Account. From licenses and permits to taxes and insurance, learn what you need to do to start a business in Arkansas. Here's an overview of the key steps you'll need to take to start your own business in Arkansas. 1. Choose a Business Idea Take some time to explore and research ideas for your business. At this stage, take into consideration your own interests, skills, resources, availability, and the reasons why you want to form a business. You should also consider the likelihood of success based on the interests and needs of your community. Read our article for more tips on how to evaluate business ideas. After you select an idea, consider drafting a business plan to evaluate your chances of making a profit. When you create a plan, you will have a better idea of the startup costs, your competition, and strategies for making money. Investors and lenders will ask to review your business plan before providing financial assistance. To learn more about the benefits of business plans, and how to create one for your enterprise see Why You Need to Write a Business Plan. 2. Decide on a Legal Structure The most common legal structures for a small business are: sole proprietorship partnership limited liability company (LLC), and corporation. There also are special versions of some of these structures, such as limited partnerships and S corporations. You'll want to consider which business entity structure offers the type of liability protection you want and the best tax, financing, and financial benefits for you and your business. Read our article for information on how to choose the best ownership structure for your business. 3. Choose a Name For LLCs and corporations, you will need to check that your name is distinguishable from the names of other business entities already on file with the Arkansas Secretary of State (SOS). You can check for available names by doing a business entity search on the SOS website. You can reserve an available name for 120 days by filing an Application for Reservation of Entity Name either online or on paper. There are certain name requirements for LLCs and corporations (like including a word such as "LLC" for LLCs or "Company" for corporations). Is your business a sole proprietorship or partnership that uses a business name that is different from the legal name of the business owner (for a sole proprietorship) or surnames of the individual partners (for a partnership)? If so, you must file an assumed name certificate (also known as a Doing Business As or DBA certificate) in the counties where you do business. Check county websites for more information. If you plan on doing business online, you may want to register your business name as a domain name. In addition, to avoid trademark infringement issues, you should do a federal and state trademark check to make sure the name you want to use is not the same as or too similar to a name already in use. 4. Create Your Business Entity 5. Apply for Arkansas Licenses and Permits Tax Registration. If you will be selling goods in Arkansas, you must register with the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) to collect sales tax. If your businesses will have employees, you must register with the DFA for employer withholding taxes. You can register for both types of tax, as well as other business taxes, either online via the Arkansas Taxpayer Access Point (ATAP) or on paper using Form AR-1R, Combined Business Tax Registration Form. EIN. If your business has employees or is taxed separately from you, you must obtain a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. Even if you are not required to obtain an EIN, there are often business reasons for doing so. Banks often require an EIN to open an account in the business's name and other companies you do business with may require an EIN to process payments. You can get an EIN by completing an online application on the IRS website. There is no filing fee. Regulatory licenses and permits. These cover areas such as: health and safety the environment building and construction; and specific industries or services. Different licenses and permits are issued by different agencies. Examples include the Department of Health and the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board. For more details, check the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC) for access to the guide License, Permit, & Tax for Arkansas Small Businesses. For information about local licenses and permits, check the websites for any cities or counties where you will do business Professional and occupational licenses. These cover people who work in various fields. The Arkansas Division of Workforce Service has a list of licensed occupations and professions. 6. Pick a Business Location and Check Zoning You'll need to pick a location for your business and check local zoning regulations. Before you commit to a location, take time to calculate the costs of running your business in the desired spot, including rent and utilities. You can refer back to your business plan to evaluate whether you can afford your desired location during your company's early months. It is important to verify that the spot is zoned for your type of business. You might find zoning regulations for your town or city by reviewing your local ordinances and contacting your town's zoning or planning department. Read our article for more tips on picking a location. One alternative to opening your business at a new location is running your company out of your home. If you decide to run a home-based business, again check your local zoning laws. In addition, review your lease (if you rent your home) and homeowners association rules (if applicable), either of which might ban some or all home businesses. 7. File and Report Taxes Arkansas taxes every kind of business. See Arkansas State Business Income Tax for more information on state business taxes in Arkansas. Sole proprietorships. Pay state taxes on business income as part of their personal state income tax returns (Form AR1000). Partnerships. Partners pay state taxes on partnership income on personal tax returns. In addition, Arkansas partnerships also must file Form AR1050, Partnership Tax Return. LLCs. Members pay state taxes on their share of LLC income on personal tax returns. In addition, LLCs themselves have to file an additional state tax form either a partnership return or a corporation return. The specific form used will depend on how the LLC is classified for federal tax purposes. Arkansas LLCs also are required to file an annual report with the Arkansas SOS which includes payment of the state's franchise tax. Corporations. Shareholders must pay state taxes on their dividends from the corporation. A shareholder-employee with a salary also must pay state income tax on his or her personal state tax return. Moreover, the corporation itself is subject to Arkansas corporation taxes. And, finally, corporations must file an annual report with the Arkansas SOS which includes payment of the state's franchise tax. If you have employees, you must also deal with state employer taxes. And, apart from Arkansas taxes, there are always federal income and employer taxes. Check IRS Publications 334, Tax Guide for Small Business, and 583, Taxpayers Starting a Business. 8. Obtain Insurance Business insurance can protect your company and your personal assets from the fallout of unexpected disasters, such as personal injury lawsuits or natural catastrophes. An insurance agent can help you explore the different coverage options, such as general liability insurance to protect your business against claims relating to bodily injury or property damage. To learn more, see Nolo's article, What Types of Insurances Does Your Small Business Need? 9. Open a Business Bank Account No matter the type of business you form, you should consider opening a separate business account to make it easier to track your income and expenses. For some business types, like LLCs and corporations, a separate bank account is necessary to maintain your liability protection. To learn more, see Opening a Business Bank Account. From licenses and permits to taxes and insurance, learn what you need to do to start a business in California. Here's an overview of the key steps you'll need to take to start your own business in California. 1. Choose a Business Idea Take time to explore and research ideas for your business. At this stage, take into consideration your own interests, skills, resources, availability, and the reasons why you want to form a business. You should also evaluate the likelihood of success based on the interests of your community, and whether your business idea will meet an unmet need. Read our article for more tips on how to evaluate business ideas. After you select an idea, consider drafting a business plan to determine your chances of making a profit. When you create a plan, you will have a better idea of the startup costs, your competition, and strategies for making money. Investors and lenders will want to review your business plan before providing financial assistance, and you can be prepared by drafting a plan before you start soliciting funding. 2. Decide on a Legal Structure The most common legal structures for a small business are: sole proprietorship partnership limited liability company (LLC), and corporation. There also are special versions of some of these structures, such as limited partnerships and S corporations. You'll want to consider which business entity structure offers the type of liability protection you want and the best tax, financing, and financial benefits for you and your business. Read our article for information on how to choose the best ownership structure for your business. 3. Choose a Business Name For LLCs and corporations, you will need to check that your name is distinguishable from the names of other business entities already on file with the California Secretary of State (SOS). You can check for available names by doing a business entity name search on the SOS website. You can reserve an available name for 60 days by filing a Name Reservation Request Form. There are certain name requirements for LLCs and corporations (like including a word such as "LLC" for LLCs or "Corporation" for closely-held corporations). See How to Form an LLC in California and How to Form a Corporation in California for more information. Is your business a sole proprietorship or partnership that uses a business name that is different from the legal name of the business owner (for a sole proprietorship) or surnames of the individual partners (for a partnership)? If so, you must file a Fictitious Business Name Statement in the county clerk's office for the county where your business is located. Check county websites for more information. If you plan on doing business online, you may want to register your business name as a domain name. See Choose and Register a Domain Name for more information. In addition, to avoid trademark infringement issues, you should do a federal and state trademark check to make sure the name you want to use is not the same as or too similar to a name already in use. See How to Do a Trademark Search for more information. 4. Register Your Business Entity 5. Apply for California Licenses and Permits Tax Registration. If you will be selling goods in California, you must register with the Board of Equalization (BOE) to obtain a seller's permit. You can register online at the BOE website. If your business will have employees, you must register with the California Employment Development Department (EDD) for employer withholding taxes. You can register online using the EDD's Employer Services Online. EIN. If your business has employees or is taxed separately from you, you must obtain a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. Even if you are not required to obtain an EIN, there are often business reasons for doing so. Banks often require an EIN to open an account in the business's name and other companies you do business with may require an EIN to process payments. You can get an EIN by completing an online application on the IRS website. There is no filing fee. General Business License. Every California business must obtain a general business license from the city where the business is located. In the case of unincorporated sections of the state, the license is issued by the county where the business is located. Regulatory licenses and permits. These cover areas such as health and safety, the environment, building and construction; and specific industries or services. Regulatory licenses and permits frequently are issued by state agencies. For step-by-step guidance about state licenses or permits you may need, check the state's CalGold website. For information about local regulatory licenses and permits, check the websites for any cities or counties where you will do business. Professional and occupational licenses. These cover people who work in various fields. The state's CalGold website provides information on professional and occupational licensing. 6. Pick a Business Location and Check Zoning Regulations You'll need to pick a location for your business and check local zoning regulations. Consider the needs of your customers, and if you have the kind of business that could benefit from foot or highway traffic. Before you commit to a location, take time to calculate the costs of running your business in the desired spot, including rent and utilities. Refer back to your business plan to evaluate whether you can afford your desired location during your company's early months. It is important to verify that the spot is zoned for your type of business. You might find zoning regulations for your town or city by reviewing your local ordinances and contacting your town's zoning or planning department. Read our article for more tips on picking a location. One alternative to opening your business at a new location is running your company out of your home. If you decide to run a home-based business, again check your local zoning laws. You should also review your lease (if you rent your home) and homeowners association rules (if applicable), either of which might ban some or all home businesses. 7. Register and Report Taxes California taxes every kind of business. This includes imposing a corporate income tax that applies to corporations and other entities that are taxed as corporations, and a franchise tax that applies to corporations, LLCs, and many partnerships. See California State Business Income Tax for more information on state business taxes in California. Sole proprietorships. Pay state taxes on business income as part of their personal state income tax returns (Form 540). Partnerships. Partners pay state taxes on partnership income on personal tax returns. In addition, California partnerships also must file Form 565, Partnership Return of Income. LLCs. Members pay state taxes on their share of LLC income on personal tax returns. In addition, LLCs themselves have to file an additional state tax form. The specific form used will depend on how the LLC is classified for federal tax purposes. California LLCs also are required to file a biennial statement of information. See California LLC Annual Filing Requirements for more information. Corporations. Shareholders must pay state taxes on their dividends from the corporation. A shareholder-employee with a salary also must pay state income tax on his or her personal state tax return. Moreover, the corporation itself is subject to California corporation taxes. And, finally, corporations must file an annual statement of information with the California SOS. If you have employees, you must also deal with state employer taxes. And, apart from California taxes, there are always federal income and employer taxes. Check IRS Publications 334, Tax Guide for Small Business, and 583, Taxpayers Starting a Business. 8. Obtain Insurance Business insurance can protect your business and your personal assets from the fallout of unexpected disasters, such as personal injury lawsuits and natural catastrophes. An insurance agent can help you explore the different coverage options for your business, which might include general liability insurance to protect you against claims relating to bodily injury or property damage, or cyber liability insurance to cover litigation and settlement fees following a data security breach. To learn more, see Nolo's article, What Types of Insurances Does Your Small Business Need? 9. Open a Business Bank Account No matter the type of business you form, you should consider opening a separate business account to make it easier to track your income and expenses. For some business types, including LLCs and corporations, a separate bank account is necessary to maintain your liability protection. To learn more, see Opening a Business Bank Account. From licenses and permits to taxes and insurance, learn what you need to do to start a business in Connecticut. Here's an overview of the key steps you'll need to take to start your own business in Connecticut. 1. Choose a Business Idea Take some time to explore and research ideas for your business. At this stage, take into consideration your own interests, skills, resources, availability, and the reasons why you want to form a business. You should also consider the likelihood of success based on the interests and needs of your community. Read our article for more tips on how to evaluate business ideas. After you select an idea, consider drafting a business plan to evaluate your chances of making a profit. When you create a plan, you will have a better idea of the startup costs, your competition, and strategies for making money. Typically, investors and lenders will ask to review your business plan before providing financial assistance. To learn more about the benefits of business plans and how to create one for your enterprise see Why You Need to Write a Business Plan. 2. Decide on a Legal Structure The most common legal structures for a small business are: sole proprietorship partnership limited liability company (LLC), and corporation. There also are special versions of some of these structures, such as limited partnerships and S corporations. You'll want to consider which business entity structure offers the type of liability protection you want and the best tax, financing, and financial benefits for you and your business. Read our article for information on how to choose the best ownership structure for your business. 3. Choose a Name For LLCs and corporations, you will need to check that your name is distinguishable from the names of other business entities already on file with the Connecticut Secretary of State (SOS). You can check for available names by doing a business entity search on the SOS CONCORD system. You can reserve an available name for 120 days by filing an Application for Reservation of Name. There are certain name requirements for LLCs and corporations (like including a word such as "LLC" for LLCs or "Company" for corporations). See How to Form an LLC in Connecticut and How to Form a Corporation in Connecticut for more information. Is your business a sole proprietorship or partnership that uses a business name that is different from the legal name of the business owner (for a sole proprietorship) or surnames of the individual partners (for a partnership)? If so, you must register a trade name with the clerk of the city or town where you do business. For more information, check the website for the relevant city or town. If you plan on doing business online, you may want to register your business name as a domain name. See Choose and Register a Domain Name for more information. In addition, to avoid trademark infringement issues, you should do a federal and state trademark check to make sure the name you want to use is not the same as or too similar to a name already in use. See How to Do a Trademark Search for more information. 4. Create Your Business Entity 5. Apply for Licenses and Permits Tax Registration. If you will be selling goods in Connecticut, you must register with the Department of Revenue Services (DRS) to collect sales tax. If your business will have employees, you must register with the DRS for employer withholding taxes. You can register for both types of tax, as well as other business taxes, either online via the Connecticut Taxpayer Service Center (TSC) or on paper using Form REG-1, Business Taxes Registration Application. EIN. If your business has employees or is taxed separately from you, you must obtain a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. Even if you are not required to obtain an EIN, there are often business reasons for doing so. Banks often require an EIN to open an account in the business's name and other companies you do business with may require an EIN to process payments. You can get an EIN by completing an online application. There is no filing fee. Trade licenses and permits. These cover areas such as: accommodation and food services agriculture construction retail and wholesale trade the environment, and health and safety. Check with the Department of Consumer Protection for more information. For information about local licenses and permits, check the websites for any cities or counties where you will do business Professional and occupational licenses. These cover people who work in various fields. For more information, check with the Occupational & Professional Licensing Division of the Department of Consumer Protection. 6. Business Location and Zoning You'll need to pick a location for your business and check local zoning regulations. Before you commit to a location, take time to calculate the costs of running your business in the desired spot, including rent and utilities. You can refer back to your business plan to evaluate whether you can afford your desired location during your company's early months. It is important to verify that the spot is zoned for your type of business. You might find zoning regulations for your town or city by reviewing your local ordinances and contacting your town's zoning or planning department. Read our article for more tips on picking a location. One alternative to opening your business at a new location is running your company out of your home. If you decide to run a home-based business, again check your local zoning laws. In addition, review your lease (if you rent your home) and homeowners association rules (if applicable), either of which might ban some or all home businesses. 7. File and Report Connecticut taxes every kind of business. See Connecticut State Business Income Tax for more information on state business taxes in Connecticut. Sole proprietorships. Pay state taxes on business income as part of their personal state income tax returns (Form CT-1040). Partnerships. Partners pay state taxes on partnership income on personal tax returns. In addition, Connecticut partnerships also must file Form CT-1065/CT-1120SI, Connecticut Composite Income Tax Return. LLCs. Members pay state taxes on their share of LLC income on personal tax returns. In addition, LLCs themselves have to file an additional state tax form either a partnership return or a corporation return. The specific form used will depend on how the LLC is classified for federal tax purposes. Connecticut LLCs classified as partnerships are also subject to the state's biennial Business Entity Tax. In addition, Connecticut LLCs also are required to file an annual report with the Connecticut SOS. See Connecticut LLC Annual Filing Requirements for more information. Corporations. Shareholders must pay state taxes on their dividends from the corporation. A shareholder-employee with a salary also must pay state income tax on his or her personal state tax return. Moreover, the corporation itself is subject to Connecticut corporation taxes. And, finally, corporations must file an annual report with the Connecticut SOS. If you have employees, you must also deal with state employer taxes. And, apart from Connecticut taxes, there are always federal income and employer taxes. Check IRS Publications 334, Tax Guide for Small Business, and 583, Taxpayers Starting a Business. 8. Obtain Insurance Business insurance can protect your company and your personal assets from the fallout of unexpected disasters, such as personal injury lawsuits or natural catastrophes. An insurance agent can help you explore the different coverage options, such as general liability insurance to protect your business against claims relating to bodily injury or property damage. To learn more, see Nolo's article, What Types of Insurances Does Your Small Business Need? 9. Open a Business Bank Account No matter the type of business you form, you should consider opening a separate business account to make it easier to track your income and expenses. For some business types, like LLCs and corporations, a separate bank account is necessary to maintain your liability protection. To learn more, see Opening a Business Bank Account. From licenses and permits to taxes and insurance, learn what you need to do to start a business in Delaware. Here's an overview of the key steps you'll need to take to start your own business in Delaware. 1. Choose a Business Idea Take some time to explore and research ideas for your business. At this stage, take into consideration your own interests, skills, resources, availability, and the reasons why you want to form a business. You should also consider the likelihood of success based on the interests and needs of your community. Read our article for more tips on how to evaluate business ideas. After you select an idea, consider drafting a business plan to evaluate your chances of making a profit. When you create a plan, you will have a better idea of the startup costs, your competition, and strategies for making money. Typically, investors and lenders will ask to review your business plan before providing financial assistance. To learn more about the benefits of business plans and how to create one for your enterprise see Why You Need to Write a Business Plan. 2. Decide on a Legal Structure The most common legal structures for a small business are: sole proprietorship partnership limited liability company (LLC), and corporation. There also are special versions of some of these structures, such as limited partnerships and S corporations. You'll want to consider which business entity structure offers the type of liability protection you want and the best tax, financing, and financial benefits for you and your business. Read our article for information on how to choose the best ownership structure for your business. 3. Choose a Name For LLCs and corporations, you will need to check that your name is distinguishable from the names of other business entities already on file with the Delaware Division of Corporations (DOC). You can check for available names by doing a business name search on the DOC website. You can reserve an available name for 120 days by filing a Name Reservation Application either online or on paper. You can also renew (re-reserve) a name reservation after first applying for one. There are certain name requirements for LLCs and corporations (like including a word such as "LLC" for LLCs or "Company" for corporations). See How to Form an LLC in Delaware and How to Form a Corporation in Delaware for more information. Is your business a sole proprietorship or partnership that uses a business name that is different from the legal name of the business owner (for a sole proprietorship) or surnames of the individual partners (for a partnership)? If so, you must file a trade name certificate with the county where your business is located. File with the Prothonotary's office located in the county's Superior Court. If you plan on doing business online, you may want to register your business name as a domain name. See Choose and Register a Domain Name for more information. In addition, to avoid trademark infringement issues, you should do a federal and state trademark check to make sure the name you want to use is not the same as or too similar to a name already in use. See How to Do a Trademark Search for more information. 4. Create Your Business Entity 5. Apply for Licenses and Permits Tax Registration. If you will be selling goods in Delaware, you must register with the Division of Revenue (DOR) and, if liable, pay the state's gross receipts tax. If your businesses will have employees, you must register with the Division of Revenue (DOR) for employer withholding taxes. You can register for both kinds of taxes online using Delaware's One Stop Business Registration and Licensing System. You can also register on paper using Form CRA, Combined Registration Application. EIN. If your business has employees or is taxed separately from you, you must obtain a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. Even if you are not required to obtain an EIN, there are often business reasons for doing so. Banks often require an EIN to open an account in the business's name and other companies you do business with may require an EIN to process payments. You can get an EIN by completing an online application. There is no filing fee. State business license. Every Delaware business is required to get an annual state business license. The license is issued by the Division of Revenue. You can register for the license online at the One Stop Business Licensing and Registration Service. Depending on your specific type of business you may also need other licenses or permits issued by specific state agencies, such as the Division of Public Health within Delaware Health and Social Services. In addition, some required licenses are issued locally, so be sure to check the websites for any cities or counties where you will do business. Professional and occupational licenses. These cover people who work in various fields. The Division of Professional Regulation (DPR) oversees the state's many professional regulatory boards. The homepage of the DPR website lists virtually all of the regulated professions. 6. Find a Business Location and Check Zoning You'll need to pick a location for your business and check local zoning regulations. Before you commit to a location, take time to calculate the costs of running your business in the desired spot, including rent and utilities. You can refer back to your business plan to evaluate whether you can afford your desired location during your company's early months. It is important to verify that the spot is zoned for your type of business. You might find zoning regulations for your town or city by reviewing your local ordinances and contacting your town's zoning or planning department. Read our article for more tips on picking a location. One alternative to opening your business at a new location is running your company out of your home. If you decide to run a home-based business, again check your local zoning laws. In addition, review your lease (if you rent your home) and homeowners association rules (if applicable), either of which might ban some or all home businesses. 7. File and Report Taxes Delaware taxes every kind of business. This includes a special state tax that applies to LLCs and most partnerships. See Delaware State Business Income Tax for more information on state business taxes in Delaware. Sole proprietorships. Pay state taxes on business income as part of their personal state income tax returns (Form 200-01). Partnerships. Partners pay state taxes on partnership income on personal tax returns. In addition, Delaware partnerships also must file Form 300, Partnership Return. LLCs. Members pay state taxes on their share of LLC income on personal tax returns. In addition, LLCs themselves have to file an additional state tax form either a partnership return or a corporation return. The specific form used will depend on how the LLC is classified for federal tax purposes. Unlike most states, Delaware does not require LLCs to file annual reports. However, the state does require LLCs to pay an annual tax. See Delaware LLC Annual Filing Requirements for more information. Corporations. Shareholders must pay state taxes on their dividends from the corporation. A shareholder-employee with a salary also must pay state income tax on his or her personal state tax return. Moreover, the corporation itself is subject to Delaware corporation taxes. And, finally, corporations must file an annual report with the Delaware DOC (which is associated with the payment of the state's franchise tax). If you have employees, you must also deal with state employer taxes. And, apart from Delaware taxes, there are always federal income and employer taxes. Check IRS Publications 334, Tax Guide for Small Business, and 583, Taxpayers Starting a Business. 8. Obtain Insurance Business insurance can protect your company and your personal assets from the fallout of unexpected disasters, such as personal injury lawsuits or natural catastrophes. An insurance agent can help you explore the different coverage options, such as general liability insurance to protect your business against claims relating to bodily injury or property damage. To learn more, see Nolo's article, What Types of Insurances Does Your Small Business Need? 9. Open a Business Bank Account No matter the type of business you form, you should consider opening a separate business account to make it easier to track your income and expenses. For some business types, like LLCs and corporations, a separate bank account is necessary to maintain your liability protection. To learn more, see Opening a Business Bank Account. From licenses and permits to taxes and insurance, learn what you need to do to start a business in Hawaii. Here's an overview of the key steps you'll need to take to start your own business in Hawaii. 1. Choose a Business Idea First, explore and research ideas for your business. At this stage, take into consideration your own interests, skills, resources, availability, and the reasons why you want to form a business. You should also consider the likelihood of success based on the interests and needs of your community. Read our article for more tips on how to evaluate business ideas. After you select an idea, consider drafting a business plan to evaluate your chances of making a profit. When you create a plan, you will have a better idea of the startup costs, your competition, and strategies for making money. Typically, investors and lenders will ask to review your business plan before providing financial assistance. To learn more about the benefits of business plans and how to create one for your enterprise see Why You Need to Write a Business Plan. 2. Decide on a Legal Structure The most common legal structures for a small business are: sole proprietorship partnership limited liability company (LLC), and corporation. There also are special versions of some of these structures, such as limited partnerships and S corporations. You'll want to consider which business entity structure offers the type of liability protection you want and the best tax, financing, and financial benefits for you and your business. Read our article for information on how to choose the best ownership structure for your business. 3. Choose a Name For LLCs and corporations, you will need to check that your name is distinguishable from the names of other business entities already on file with the Business Registration Division (BREG) of the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA). You can check for available names by doing a business entity search on the BREG website. You can reserve an available name for 120 days by filing an Application for Reservation of Name with BREG. There are certain name requirements for LLCs and corporations (like including a word such as "LLC" for LLCs or "Corporation" for corporations). See How to Form an LLC in Hawaii and How to Form a Corporation in Hawaii for more information. If you are forming a Hawaii general partnership you must file Form GP-1, Registration Statement of Partnership, with BREG. If your business is a sole proprietorship that uses a business name that is different from the legal name of the business owner, you have the option to register a trade name with BREG. If you plan on doing business online, you may want to register your business name as a domain name. See Choose and Register a Domain Name for more information. In addition, to avoid trademark infringement issues, you should do a federal and state trademark check to make sure the name you want to use is not the same as or too similar to a name already in use. See How to Do a Trademark Search for more information. 4. Create Your Business Entity 5. Apply for Licenses and Permits Tax Registration. If you will be selling goods in Hawaii, you must register with the Department of Taxation (DOT) to collect the general excise tax (GET; known elsewhere as sales tax). There is a one-time fee to register for the GET. If your business will have employees, you must register with the DOT for employer withholding taxes. You can register for both the GET and withholding taxes, as well as other business taxes, either online via Hawaii Business Express (HBE) or on paper using Form BB-1, Basic Business Application. EIN. If your business has employees or is taxed separately from you, you must obtain a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. Even if you are not required to obtain an EIN, there are often business reasons for doing so. Banks often require an EIN to open an account in the business's name and other companies you do business with may require an EIN to process payments. You can get an EIN by completing an online application. There is no filing fee. Regulatory licenses and permits. Unlike some other states, Hawaii doesn't have a required general business license for all businesses. However, some businesses may be required to obtain permits from state agencies. For example, a business may need a permit related to the environment or health and safety issued by the Department of Health. In addition, some required licenses are issued locally for more information, check the websites for any cities or counties where you will have a business location. Professional and occupational licenses. These cover people who work in various fields. The DCCA's Professional and Vocational Licensing Division (PVL) is responsible for licensing for 49 different professions and vocations. The PVL website lists information for each of these professions and vocations. 6. Pick a Business Location and Check Zoning You'll need to pick a location for your business and check local zoning regulations. Before you commit to a location, take time to calculate the costs of running your business in the desired spot, including rent and utilities. You can refer back to your business plan to evaluate whether you can afford your desired location during your company's early months. It is important to verify that the spot is zoned for your type of business. You might find zoning regulations for your town or city by reviewing your local ordinances and contacting your town's zoning or planning department. Read our article for more tips on picking a location. One alternative to opening your business at a new location is running your company out of your home. If you decide to run a home-based business, again check your local zoning laws. In addition, review your lease (if you rent your home) and homeowners association rules (if applicable), either of which might ban some or all home businesses. 7. File and Report Taxes Hawaii taxes every kind of business. See Hawaii State Business Income Tax for more information on state business taxes in Hawaii. Sole proprietorships. Pay state taxes on business income as part of their personal state income tax returns (Form N-11). Partnerships. Partners pay state taxes on partnership income on personal tax returns. In addition, Hawaii partnerships also must file Form N-20, Partnership Return of Income. LLCs. Members pay state taxes on their share of LLC income on personal tax returns. In addition, LLCs themselves have to file an additional state tax form either a partnership return or a corporation return. The specific form used will depend on how the LLC is classified for federal tax purposes. Hawaii LLCs also are required to file an annual report with BREG. See Hawaii LLC Annual Filing Requirements for more information. Corporations. Shareholders must pay state taxes on their dividends from the corporation. A shareholder-employee with a salary also must pay state income tax on his or her personal state tax return. Moreover, the corporation itself is subject to Hawaii corporation taxes. And, finally, corporations must file an annual report with BREG. If you have employees, you must also deal with state employer taxes. And, apart from Hawaii taxes, there are always federal income and employer taxes. Check IRS Publications 334, Tax Guide for Small Business, and 583, Taxpayers Starting a Business. 8. Obtain Insurance Business insurance can protect your company and your personal assets from the fallout of unexpected disasters, such as personal injury lawsuits or natural catastrophes. An insurance agent can help you explore the different coverage options, which might include general liability insurance to protect your business against claims relating to bodily injury or property damage. To learn more, see Nolo's article, What Types of Insurances Does Your Small Business Need? 9. Open a Business Bank Account No matter the type of business you form, you should consider opening a separate business account to make it easier to track your income and expenses. For some business types, like LLCs and corporations, a separate bank account is necessary to maintain your liability protection. To learn more, see Opening a Business Bank Account. 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. #BTS BTS' RM to make solo debut soon RM, leader of the K-pop juggernaut BTS, will release his first official solo album soon, the band's agency said Tuesday. Big Hit Music said RM is currently preparing for the al... Titans prop Ryan James has opened up about the difficulty of seeing close friend Greg Bird leave the club with a year to run on his contract but says he now has the grounding to become the club's next captain in 2017. The reigning Paul Broughton Medal winner had a breakout year in 2016 but is still coming to terms with the fact that Bird won't be at the club alongside him next season. When an 18-year-old James was 'welcomed' to first grade by Manly hardhead Jason King in his debut game in Round 14, 2010 it was Bird who rushed to his defence and the pair have been virtually inseparable in recent years. They and their young families their respective wives are also close friends were holidaying in Bali together when it was announced that Bird had been granted a release from the final year of his contract in order to take up a five-year deal with Catalans Dragons in the Super League. Privately many Titans players are devastated that on the back of such a strong showing in 2016 that the Origin and Test veteran has been allowed to leave a year early and with Luke Douglas, Nathan Friend, David Mead and Josh Hoffman also departing a serious leadership void has been left in their wake. James won't be anointed Titans captain until after pre-season begins at their new facility at Parkwood International in a fortnight's time and says he will take the lessons he has learned from Bird forward throughout the remainder of his career. "It's still pretty hard to comprehend. He's been there since I debuted and I've learnt a lot from him over the last seven or eight years," James told NRL.com. "He's been great to have around and will be sorely missed. "He's just that person that I watched as I was growing up and you see him play for Australia and play for New South Wales and he's just a great bloke and a great mate. He's one of my best mates so it's hard to see him go. "We see them a lot and seem to be doing everything together and he's just been that person that I can always talk to. He led us all around last year so they're big boots to fill." Getting our bird fix before thou departure, Oui will miss use three @birdman_13 @beckygurl #belisimo #ouioui A photo posted by Ryan James (@dark1991) on Oct 16, 2016 at 8:04pm PDT Describing their relationship as similar to that between a big and little brother, James said that Bird has not only helped him develop into a leader on the field but also a better person off it. "He gives you a smack around the head if you need one and tells you how it is when it needs to be told how it is and then gives you a pat on the back when you need a pat on the back," said James. "If anything he's probably helped me to build as a person and I thank him for a lot of the things he has helped me with, especially off the field. "He's been great and that bloke I always seem to call if I need something and he always answers his phone. "He's a great competitor and you don't really want to lose a player like that but he's really extended his career by going to Catalans. "He'll be 58 by the time he retires!" James is yet to discuss the prospect of captaincy in 2017 with any of the Titans hierarchy but at 25 years of age and with 93 first grade games to his name believes he is ready for the responsibility. "I'd love to do it, to be able to speak to the refs a little bit more often and try to build a better relationship with a lot of them," said James, who has been one of the most penalised players in the Telstra Premiership the past two seasons. "I'm willing to take on the role and I think I can do it. It's something I would love to do. "You look at previous years where I was looking to leaders and you look at everyone who is doing well in pre-season, someone like 'Dougie' (Douglas) who was always good, 'Zilly' (William Zillman) has always been a fit person so they were the people you were looking to try and beat. "Someone like Kane Elgey before he hurt himself last year was smashing pre-season and even though he's still young he had everyone wanting to try and beat him because he was miles ahead in front of everyone. "You just need to go out there and smash the pre-season. I usually come into pre-season feeling all right so just need to make sure and everyone knows that you're up to scratch." MUNSTER A strong cohort of residents at a Tuesday forum about possibilities for development along the South Shore Lines planned West Lake Corridor were more interested in expressing their opposition to the project. Some of the 150-plus at the Centennial Park forum were frustrated their properties will need to be taken; others questioned whether the new line will be used by enough riders to justify it. How about you give up your house? one resident shouted. Others called for a public vote on the project. Were going to help you plan what youre going to do with our property? I dont think so, another shouted, to applause. South Shore officials have said private property will need to be acquired for the project, either by mutual agreement or through eminent domain. But Doug Farr, whose company Farr Associates is planning the so-called transit-oriented development, said he was not in a position to answer those questions. The South Shores Nicole Barker told the gathering three public hearings will be held in January on the specifics of the plan, after publication of a draft Environmental Impact Statement later this year. The sharp set of written and shouted questions was followed by an electronic poll intended to generate information to help with transit-oriented development around the West Lake stations. The poll collected a variety of lifestyle information as well as opinions on desired development. That information will be used to help consultant Farr Associates prepare plans for so-called transit-oriented development around the West Lake Stations. Farr called Tuesday a building blocks meeting. We have nothing drawn, we have no preconceptions, Farr said. By the next round of meetings in February, there will be three really different plans. The West Lake project would include two stations in Munster one southeast of the intersection of Ridge Road and Manor Avenue, the other northwest of Main Street and Columbia Avenue, with a layover yard south of Main Street in Dyer. Most examples of TOD in other communities did not find majority support among Tuesdays participants. Townhomes, four-unit and more condominiums and apartments generally did not, though other types of housing, including one with residences above shops and offices, did. A traditionally styled train station met approval as well. The South Shores operator, the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, hopes to begin construction on the West Lake Corridor project in 2020, and begin operations in late 2022. The project has an estimated construction cost of $615 million, which will require a 50 percent matching grant from the federal government. Farr Associates maintains a website regarding its work at westlaketod.civicpage.com. Even water damage and a few tons of metal smashing through the glass storefront can't stop a good doughnut. Munster Donut reopened shortly after an SUV drove into the building last week for the second time in less than two years just in time to bring back its Cubs playoffs stick doughnuts. An employee said the beloved Region institution at 8314 Calumet Ave. was again open 24 hours a day, though the outer front doors have not yet been fixed. Last Wednesday, an SUV slammed into the doors after seeing a handwritten sign that it was closed for water damage, and putting the transmission in drive instead of reverse, Munster Fire Department Deputy Chief David Strbjak said. No one was injured in the crash, which followed a 2014 accident where a car plowed through the building's brick wall. That time, Northwest Indiana residents had to wait four months to get their glazed doughnut and coffee fix from the Region favorite, which opened as Mister Donut in 1969. Last week's accident sparked a lot of commentary on social media about how Munster Donut seems to be a magnet for car crashes, including "driver nearly created Munster Donut hole," "hello can everyone please stop crashing into Munster Donut," "for the love of God Munster Donut isn't a road," "no Munster Donut is cruel and unusual punishment," and "a question for both candidates ... What is your plan to protect Munster Donut?" It's time for students at Ivy Tech Community College to share their culinary and hospitality expertise with the general public. Beginning this Thursday, Ivy Tech will present its annual weekly dinner series. The series runs through Dec. 8. "We always enjoy the series and encourage the students to make creative dishes," said Beverly Seleb, chef instructor. Students involved in the program are in the school's customer service class. With the help of chef instructors Seleb and Elida Abeyta, the students plan the dinners, choose and create the menus. Additional students help cook the multi-course feast. Seleb said 11 students are currently in the class. In the past, Ivy Tech's special dinner series took place twice a year. "Now we're only running one in the fall," the instructor said. Many of the dinners in past years also had themes, including a popular celebrity chef series. Students have veered away from that theme this time. "We don't have any themes. We told them just to cook good food," Seleb said, with a laugh. She added students were asked to use any of the text books in class to find recipes for highlighted dishes. Some of the dishes featured at the dinners this season will be Lamb Meatballs; Grilled Smoked Iowa Pork Chops; Airline Baked Chicken; Coq Au Vin; and Braised Short Ribs. Call the school to find out more details on recipes featured on specific days. Seleb said the mission of the customer service class is to help students realize the importance of excellence in the hospitality and culinary fields and to instill the importance of how to treat customers. The upcoming dinners will be held on Thursdays, Oct. 27, Nov. 10, Nov. 17, Dec. 1 and Dec. 8. Seatings are at 4:30, 4:45, 5, 6 and 6:15 p.m. LAPORTE Jeffrey Samm must have thought he was walking up the steps of a fun house at the carnival because of how his front porch was swaying after a car struck his house. Despite help from a police dog, LaPorte police were unable to locate the driver, who fled on foot. Samm, 49, was waiting for an insurance adjuster before making arrangements for repairs that could cost as much as $15,000, if not more. The shingled roof above the open porch also appeared to have shifted because the car took out all four of the pillars. Several blocks in the foundation were also knocked into his basement, and one of the exterior windows was broken, Samm said. Its pretty bad, said Samm, who has lived in the 200 block of Holcomb Street for the past 15 years. According to police, officers were responding to a report of a man traveling at high speeds when the driver crashed into the house at about 11:30 p.m. Monday. Fresh shoe prints in the grass indicated the driver ran through a couple of backyards and hopped some fences before police arrived. Samm was not home at the time but was alerted to the damage by a neighbor sending him a text message. He barely managed to get inside because of the instability of the porch and its wooden floors. I went to step on it this morning. I was trying to hang on, afraid it was going to collapse, Samm said. VALPARAISO A 17-year-old girl sat in front of the courtroom Wednesday morning and told jurors David Lazaro began molesting her when she was in second grade and the abuse continued for several years. Most of the time I would fight it and he would fight back, she said. He would force me. The girl testified the abuse became more violent over the years and even left her with bruises. It occurred at homes in Lake Station and Chesterton and only came to an end when she revealed the information to a friend, who convinced her to share the news with her family and authorities. The girls testimony quickly came under attack from defense attorney Susan Severtson, who questioned that the girl came forward with the claim at a time when Lazaro was attempting to thwart her plans to remain with the friend she was visiting. I didnt make the allegations because I was frustrated, the girl said. The girl said she revealed the information because she did not want to continue being abused. Lazaro, 39, of Chesterton, is on trial this week on three felony counts of child molesting. He is charged with molesting the young girl over a period of five years. Severtson told jurors the accusations are a journey from impossible to implausible. The girl is claiming Lazaro carried out the abuse in households full of people, Severtson said. She also questioned why the girl did not reveal the abuse after moving out of the area and well away from Lazaro for more than two years. The girl testified Lazaro threatened her if she ever revealed the abuse. He said if I told, then he would get in trouble and then I would get in trouble, she said. Lazaro also threatened to kill the girls mother if the girl told anyone and said her mothers death would then be her fault, she testified. She said Lazaro would at times turn the abuse into a game of seeing how far up her leg he could reach while she remained comfortable as if I was, she said. Lazaro turned down a proposed plea agreement last week that would have reduced one of the C felony molestation counts to D felony sexual battery. The other two counts would have been dismissed and Lazaro would have been sentenced to three years behind bars with all but time served suspended and served on probation, Porter County Deputy Prosecutor Rebecca Buitendorp said. He, however, would have been required to register as a sex offender and comply with those strict regulations, she said. LAPORTE The LaPorte County Metro Operations Unit on Tuesday announced the arrest of Tony Chops Bankson, aka Tony Pisello, of LaPorte, for the charge of dealing in cocaine or narcotic drug, a Level 5 felony. According to police, Bankson was already on bond from February of 2016 for the pending charges of two counts of dealing in cocaine or narcotic drug, both level 5 felonies. Police said Bankson is awaiting sentencing on those previous felonies. Police, located Bankson Sunday night hiding in a home in the 100 block of Union Street in Union Mills. He was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant filed by the LaPorte County Metro Operations Unit. Bankson is being held without bond in the LaPorte County Jail. Local police officers have deployed to Morton County, North Dakota, to serve as reinforcements as officials try to quell protests against the controversial Dakota Access pipeline construction project. About three dozen officers from Munster, Hammond, Schererville, Griffith, Michigan City and the Lake County Sheriffs Department are among those who responded to the state of North Dakotas request for assistance under an Emergency Management Assistance Compact contract, Munster Police Chief Steve Scheckel said this week. Six states in total have agreed to assist. Scheckel who is the states liaison for the Indiana Department of Homeland Security said officers from the IDHS District 1 Task Force were deployed Saturday and will remain there for about a two-week period under the contract. The task force includes Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Jasper and Newton counties. As unrest continues at the pipeline construction site, the Morton County Sheriffs Department in a news release on Monday stated officials there had reached a point that we need greater manpower to ensure the safety of (all) parties involved. As of Tuesday, more than 260 people have been arrested since demonstrations began in August, according to The Associated Press. Nearly half of those were arrested over the weekend. Many have vowed they will stay put until the project is scrapped, according to AP. They argue that the land, which was recently purchased by Energy Transfer Partners from a rancher, rightfully belongs to Native Americans under a more than century-old treaty. Protesters on Sunday began setting up camp in the direct path of the 1,172-mile long pipeline project with the developer stating they are trespassing. Scheckel said his IDHS District 1 officers have been trained to deal with civil unrest, noting they responded to the climate change protest at the BP Whiting Refinery this summer, when about 40 were arrested. He said he is concerned for officers safety, but that he would be in any emergency situation similar to this. I always worry about them. You want to make sure everything is provided for them, Scheckel said. But I am confident they are in good hands out there. As part of the agreement, all expenses are being reimbursed to the communities that have sent officers, according to Griffith Police Chief Greg Mance. This includes all wages, overtime and cost of benefits to the officers, meals while the officers are on duty, a per diem while they are off duty, lodging for the officers during their time of stay and mileage reimbursement for the communities who sent vehicles, Mance said in an email. Scheckel said officers will abide by the state contract and assist where they are needed. Im not sure what they are going to need, he said. Of course, we always try to respond. Next time, it may be us asking for assistance. Times Staff Writer Sarah Reese contributed to this report. CROWN POINT Guarded by four armed sheriffs officers, Carl Blount appeared briefly Wednesday for a status hearing before Lake Criminal Court Judge Samuel Cappas with two of his attorneys. Blount, 28, is accused of killing Gary Patrolman Jeffrey Westerfield on July 6, 2014. According to police reports, Westerfield was on patrol July 6, 2014, and was searching for Blount, who was a suspect in a domestic dispute. Westerfield, 47, was found shot to death inside his patrol car in the 2600 block of Van Buren Place in Gary. Lake County Prosecutors are pursuing the death penalty. Blounts jury trial is scheduled to begin Feb. 27. During Wednesdays proceedings, a hearing on jury issues for Nov. 17 was reaffirmed. Another status hearing on the case is set for Dec. 2. On Sept. 22, Cappas set Dec. 2 to rule on the constitutionality of Indianas death penalty. Blounts defense attorneys Richard C. Wolter Jr., Robert J. Varga and Thomas Vanes stated during the September hearing that the states death penalty violates the U.S. Constitutions Sixth Amendment. EVANSVILLE, Ind. The candidates for Indiana governor made their final appeals to Hoosier voters Tuesday during a third debate that remained exceedingly civil despite tackling several highly divisive issues. On abortion, Republican Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb and Democratic former House Speaker John Gregg both declared themselves pro-life and indirectly chided Republican Gov. Mike Pence for seeking and approving unconstitutional abortion restrictions earlier this year. Holcomb pledged, if elected, to work with the Republican-controlled General Assembly to temper any future abortion limitations. Gregg said the state should do more to reduce abortion by supporting programs that prevent unplanned pregnancies. The candidates diverged sharply on legalizing Sunday alcohol sales and medical marijuana use, with Holcomb favoring no change in the status quo and Gregg open to acting on both. I would support medical marijuana, Gregg said. If it would be a benefit to a patient they should be allowed to use it. Holcomb insisted, Having any discussion about legalizing drugs at this time seems to be off-key. Both candidates did express support for county needle exchange programs to reduce disease spread by Hoosier heroin addicts that share dirty needles. They also endorsed drug treatment instead of imprisonment for individual users. In terms of Hoosier health generally, debate moderator Mizell Stewart III, former Evansville Courier and Press editor, pointed out that Hoosiers eat more and exercise less than other Americans causing the state to rank 41st out of 50 for overall health. Holcomb proclaimed theres plenty of options already out there for Hoosiers to improve their health and he twice recited the telephone number for states quit smoking hotline. He also said he wants to reduce food deserts and increase bike trails. Gregg asserted that Indiana hasnt sufficiently prioritized the health of its citizens. He pledged not to only improve health education but also funding for public health programs, such as infant mortality reduction. In what was billed as a social issues debate, Stewart did not ask about the Pence administrations 2015 religious freedom debacle that many Hoosiers believed created a license to discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. Nevertheless, Gregg used an open question period to vow that he will enact LGBT anti-discrimination protections and promised he will never embarrass the citizens or the state of Indiana. Holcomb used his open response time to tout his record of public service alongside Pence, former Gov. Mitch Daniels and U.S. Sen. Dan Coats. He said he believes in serving a cause greater than myself. When asked how their Christian religious beliefs would guide their actions as governor, both Gregg and Holcomb said they live their faith privately and respect those with other beliefs or no beliefs at all. They also both committed to preserving open access to public records, finding more employment opportunities for disabled Hoosiers and using their pardon authority more generously than Pence has. Rex Bell, the Libertarian gubernatorial candidate, stuck to a consistent theme no matter the question during the hour-long debate at the University of Southern Indiana. My plan for Indiana is to get government out of your way, Bell said. I want the government to protect you from force and fraud, perform its constitutional duties, but other than that Id like to leave you alone to live your own life. INDIANAPOLIS The Indiana Court of Appeals has unanimously affirmed the murder and robbery convictions of an Alsip, Illinois, man who kidnapped a Griffith businesswoman and left her for dead in a Gary casino parking garage. Ralph Martinez, 61, is serving a 67-year prison term for the March 28, 2013, slaying of 76-year-old Mary Austgen, of St. John. According to court records, Martinez was behind on his rent to Austgen's storage unit business when he decided to confront Austgen at her Griffith office. Records state he hid in the office bathroom for more than two hours until she was leaving for the day and then forced her at gunpoint to drive him to the Majestic Star Casino. Surveillance video showed Martinez left Austgen's parked vehicle alone about 10 minutes after arriving at the casino. Austgen was found dead in the vehicle later that night having been shot once in the abdomen. She also was missing her diamond pinkie rings. In his appeal, Martinez claimed police improperly seized his cellular phone while executing a search warrant at his residence. He also said surveillance video showing him sneaking into Austgen's business should not have been admitted at trial. The appeals court found both of those arguments unpersuasive. It ruled 3-0 that police had permission from Martinez's ex-wife to gather evidence in their shared home, and concluded that the showing of surveillance video to the jury complied with court precedent. St. Mary Catholic Community School hosted their annual Grandparents and Special Persons Day. The St. Mary students and staff first welcomed guests with coffee and doughnuts before each student brought their grandparent or special person to visit their classroom. The special day at school was brought to a close with a musical program led by St. Marys music director, Tony Rossi. EAST CHICAGO The City Council is running out of time to adopt Civil City and Sanitary District budgets to establish appropriations and tax rates for 2017. The council approved both on Monday on second reading, and a special meeting has been scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday so the council can consider them on third and final reading. The timeline described by state statute is that we need to adopt a budget by Nov. 1, said Steve Dalton, the East Chicago City Councils financial adviser. It needs to be signed by the mayor by Nov. 1 so we can certify it to the state. He said if the deadline is not met the state would end up reverting to the 2016 budgets. The proposed Civil City budgets general fund of $27,348,872 represents about a $1 million increase over the 2016 budget and the proposed Sanitary District budget of $10,457,927 is approximately $650,000 more than for 2016. The council voted unanimously to approve the Sanitary District budget on second reading, but needed a unanimous vote to suspend the rules and hear the ordinance on third and final reading. That did not occur because Councilman Richard Medina, D-5th, voted no. The council then approved the Civil City budget on second reading by an 8-1 vote. Councilman Robert Garcia, D-5th, cast the lone vote against it and after the meeting said he wanted to see more fairness across the board. He said the Civil City budget does not include a bonus for Teamsters Union 142 and that either everyone should receive a bonus or no one at all. No motion was made to take the Civil City budget to third and final reading on Monday. We have no capital improvement in the budget, Medina said. Its all coming out of gaming. The council voted unanimously to approve on second reading a salary ordinance for appointed officers and employees of the city. Dalton said the same deadline exists as for the budgets to approve that ordinance on third reading. He said the only changes from 2016 are small increases for a couple of school crossing guards. The council was also not in total agreement when it came to a resolution sponsored by Garcia and Councilwoman Myrna Maldonado, D-1st, that encourages Mayor Anthony Copeland to pursue adoption of a certification of a salary level for police and fire in order to maximize pensions. Garcia said it could help prevent members of both departments from leaving the city. Councilwoman Gilda Orange, D-6th, said she believed the council was blindsided with the resolution and said the matter should have been discussed during an earlier committee meeting. We have to be very careful about pensions, Orange said. Thats why Illinois is in the mess that theyre in. She said the council should not be involved in negotiations. The resolution asks for the mayor to investigate, Maldonado said. It doesnt say that we would be negotiating by any means. It asks for the mayor to investigate an opportunity for this possibility. The resolution passed by a 5-3 vote as Councilmen Lenny Franciski, D-2nd, and Kenneth Monroe, D-at large, joined Garcia, Maldonado and Medina in voting yes. Orange and Councilwomen Brenda Walker, D-3rd, and Christine Vasquez, D-4th, voted no. Councilman Ronald London, D-at large, who is a retired East Chicago police officer, abstained from voting on the matter. The council also heard a report from Mark Johnson, regional director for the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, regarding efforts to help with the lead contamination problem in the area of the West Calumet Housing complex. He estimated that 70 percent of the children from that complex under the age of 7 have been tested to determine lead levels. We would like to make sure that the children get tested before they leave so we would know whether or not they are, have levels that would need what we call case management, where their exposure would need to be monitored and evaluated to make sure that their exposure has been ended by their relocation away from the housing complex, Johnson said. HAMMOND The Hammond Sanitary District Board of Commissioners approved a resolution Tuesday that could raise sewer rates by 160 percent over the next two years. Sanitary District Manager Marty Wielgos said the proposed rate increase will now go before the Hammond City Council and then the Munster Town Council for consideration. He is hoping those bodies can vote on it in November and that the new rate can go into effect in December or at least January. Commercial and industrial customers as well as residential customers in Hammond and Munster would see rates increase about 160 percent over the next two years under the proposal. The first rate increase would be about 70 percent above the current rate. The second rate increase of more than 50 percent is anticipated to take place on Oct. 1, 2017. Commissioner Michael Hawkins Sr. voted against the resolution and said he differed with the methodology used in arriving at the rates. The rates were basically raised across the board. The flow rate for residential and industrial customers would go from $1.55 per thousand gallons to $2.63 with the first increase and then to $4.03 with the second increase. In addition, the bimonthly administrative charge would go from $11.26 to $19.03 later this year and then to $29.10 on Oct. 1, 2017. According to the Hammond Sanitary District, the average family of four uses about 5,000 gallons of water per month. Based on this amount of use, the sewer rate would jump from about $13.40 per month to about $34.70 per month when the administrative charge is included. District officials said the sewer rates are now the lowest in the state and even with the increases the combined sewer and water rates will be lower than most other communities in Indiana. The rate increases are needed to pay for projects tied to a long-term control plan created in conjunction with a consent decree being entered into by the district. The projects, including several large catch basins, are designed to prevent combined sewer and stormwater discharges into the Little Calumet and Grand Calumet rivers. At a public hearing prior to the vote, Hammond resident Tom Chocholek questioned whether rates would go back down once the projects are paid off. City Engineer Dean Button, chairman of the sanitary district board, said he believed they would drop once bonds issued for the work are paid off in 20 years. The district first signed a consent decree with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management in 1999, which required the construction of the 33-million Combined Sewer Overflow Basin near the sewer treatment plant on Columbia Avenue. Future improvements are expected to cost another $190 million over 17 years, according to city officials. Hammond resident Leon Gamino said at the public hearing that the federal government was socking a lot of people really heavily with this thing all at once. Later, though, after hearing discussion how Hammond had been negotiating for about 20 years on the consent decree, Gamino suggested that Hammond officials should have been putting money toward the issue instead of spending it on some other city programs like College Bound. Mayor Thomas M. McDermott Jr. and other officials have indicated they were battling for so long in order to get the best deal for the district. Wielgos said some other communities like South Bend, which entered into a consent decree four years ago that called for it to make $509.5 million in improvements over 20 years to prevent overflows into the St. Joseph River, are paying much more. INDIANAPOLIS The crimes of H.H. Holmes are the stuff of horror movies: A handsome young doctor lures young women to his hotel with promises of work or love, but the hotel is a warren of death, filled with gas chambers, trap doors and chutes that led to subterranean dissection table and crematorium. All this is set against the dramatic backdrop of the "White City" constructed for the 1895 Chicago World's Fair. In all, Holmes born Herman Webster Mudgett is believed to have murdered as many as 200 people from 1886 until his capture in 1894. The exact number is unknown. And while he is best known for his so-called "Murder Castle" in Chicago, Holmes left his mark on Indianapolis. When authorities got wise to Holmes, he fled, staying briefly in Irvington, then a quiet suburb of Indianapolis that then was home to Butler University. The neighborhood has played host to several grisly events and takes a certain pride in its spooky history. The home built on the site where Holmes murdered Howard Pitezel, the young son of a co-conspirator, is featured on ghost walks and books about supposed neighborhood hauntings. Hotel Holmes is a new haunted house, organized by the Bindy Agency and brought to life by Imagination Emporium, University of Indianapolis' experience design student agency. It imagines if Holmes also created a killer hotel in Irvington. That scenario is not so far-fetched as it may sound: Holmes began, though never completed, a second hotel in Fort Worth, Texas. And in 1894, the university offered proximity to young women, who were so often Holmes' prey. "There are a lot of unknowns about what he was exactly doing in (the house he rented in Irvington), because we don't really know. What if he had been constructing another secondary location?" said Piper Voge, co-owner of the Bindy Agency. The haunted house is presented as part of the Historic Irvington Halloween Festival, the largest Halloween fest in the U.S. "We wanted to do something that felt true to the feel of Irvington," Voge said. "Irvington is very proud of their history and lore, and we wanted to do something that fit into that." While Holmes has gained prominence in recent years with the best-selling book "Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson, soon to be a movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio, you don't have to be an expert in 19th-century serial killers to attend the haunt. In the queue, a documentary will outline the true crimes of the doctor, as well as setting up the fictional premise of the house. "There will be some fun reaching out to people who know the history, but we also want it to be accessible for people who don't," Voge said. The walk-through style haunt will be held at Playground Productions, a recording and rehearsal space in Irvington. But visitors will feel like they're stepping into the lobby of a period hotel and into the deadly rooms within. A great deal of research went into the design of the house, much of it conducted by Voge herself. It started with a good old-fashioned Google search, but soon evolved into peeking in the archives of The Indianapolis News and Chicago newspapers from the time. That revealed a treasure trove of information, including a sketch of the hotel that was home to so many deaths. Visitors will find themselves in a hall of doors that open to nowhere, just like the dead-end corridors where Holmes would brick up his still-living victims. They will wander through a laboratory, where the physician and pharmacist conducted experiments, and peek into a study filled with mementos of his victims. Voge describes the house as "more 'American Horror Story' and less 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre.' " In fact, if you've seen "American Horror Story: Hotel," some elements of Holmes' story might look familiar. The character of James March, played by Evan Peters, was directly inspired by Holmes. Expect much more psychological horror, and fewer people jumping out and yelling, "boo!" The house acknowledges the real-life horrors committed by Holmes in Irvington. In a now-demolished house in the 5800 block of Julian Avenue, Holmes murdered Howard, the young son of his accomplice. The child's body was burned in the stove and his remains were buried in the yard. You won't see a depiction of that murder in the house, but Howard will be remembered in a way we won't spoil. "We do deal with the fact that there's this child crime and this sense of fear, but we steer away from doing anything tasteless or offensive visually," said Raphael Hendrix, co-owner of the Bindy Agency. ___ Source: The Indianapolis Star, http://indy.st/2eC8H2I ___ Information from: The Indianapolis Star, http://www.indystar.com This is an AP-Indiana Exchange story offered by The Indianapolis Star. QUETTA, Pakistan Survivors of an overnight attack that killed 61 people at a Pakistani police academy described chaotic scenes of gunfire and explosions, with militants shooting anyone they saw and cadets running for their lives and jumping from windows and rooftops. A Taliban splinter group and an affiliate of the Islamic State group made competing claims of responsibility for the four-hour siege late Monday at the Police Training College on the outskirts of the southwestern city of Quetta. Most of the dead and the 123 wounded were recruits and cadets, said Wasay Khan, a spokesman for the paramilitary Frontier Corps. Of the three militants who carried out the attack, two blew themselves up with explosive vests and the third was killed by army gunfire, he added. As the nation reeled and sought to understand how militants were able to carry out such violence, many Pakistanis were reminded of a bloody 2014 attack by the Taliban on an army-run school in Peshawar in which more than 150 people, mostly children, were killed. Broadcasters on Tuesday showed the aftermath of the attack on the Quetta academy: scorched windows and floors littered with the shoes of the dead and wounded. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif rushed to the scene to meet with survivors, who spoke of the horrors of the surprise attack on about 700 cadets, trainees, instructors and other staff that began about 11:30 p.m. Cadet Asif Hussain said he had been asleep when gunshots broke out. We hid ourselves beneath cots. We had in our mind that if we didnt lock ourselves inside the hall, they will kill us, he said. The attackers kicked at their door but failed to open it, Hussain said. The gunmen instead fired on them from a window, wounding two cadets before moving to a nearby dorm. Shortly after entering, one of the attackers detonated his vest inside a hall after firing at cadets. In the chaos, cadets and trainers ran for their lives, jumping through windows and off rooftops to try to escape. Troops arrived and it gave us confidence that we are safe now, Hussain said. Another recruit, his face covered in blood, told a TV station that the gunmen shot at anyone they saw. I ran away, just praying God might save me, he said. Another witness, Faisal Khan, said he had been chatting with friends when the shooting began. We closed the main door and switched off lights, he said. While most of the casualties were from the academy, some of the soldiers who responded to the assault also were killed, said Shahzada Farhat, a police spokesman in Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province. The Islamic State group posted a claim of responsibility on the groups media arm, the Arabic-language Aamaq news agency. The claim was not confirmed by Pakistani officials and IS did not offer any previously unknown details about the attack. A little-known breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban, called the Hakimullah group, also claimed responsibility. In addition, Maj. Gen. Sher Afgan, head of the Pakistani paramilitary force that is primarily responsible for Baluchistan province, said the attackers had received instructions from commanders in neighboring Afghanistan and were most likely from the banned militant group Lashker-e-Jhangvi Al-Almi, which is affiliated with al-Qaida and the Taliban. The Sunni militant group has mainly targeted minority Shiite Muslims whom its members consider to be infidels. Pakistani officials said they had received intelligence reports that militants had entered Baluchistan province, but there was no indication of possible targets. Earlier, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, without naming Afghanistan, said enemies of Pakistan were planning attacks in Pakistan from a neighboring country. Kabul condemned the attack and dismissed the allegations that the assault was planned from bases inside Afghanistan. Afghanistan is the biggest victim of terrorism and denounces all terrorist attacks, said Mohammad Haroon Chakhansuri, spokesman for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. Ghani himself also condemned the attack, saying, Terrorism is a threat throughout the region, which is reflected in the brutal act today in Quetta. Pakistan maintains that militants fleeing army operations in its tribal regions regularly flee over the border and find safe haven in Afghanistan. For his part, Ghani has criticized Pakistan, saying it has provided shelter to the Taliban, and in particular, the violent Haqqani network. For over a decade, Baluchistan has been the scene of a low-intensity insurgency by nationalist and separatist groups demanding a bigger share in the regional resources. Pakistan has carried out several military operations against militants in its lawless tribal regions near Afghanistan, including a major push that began in mid-2014 in North Waziristan, a militant base. The militants have killed tens of thousands of people, seeking to install their own harsh brand of Islamic law. Later Tuesday, the flag-draped coffins of the slain cadets and troops began being moved from Quetta to their families for burial. One of the dead, army Capt. Rooh Ullah, was given Pakistans fourth-highest military award for killing one of the militants before he was slain. Sharif, the army chief, attended a service for him in Quetta before the body was flown to his hometown in the northwest. Ullahs father told a local TV station that he was proud his son died a martyr. In Islamabad, minority Christians lit candles for those killed. They chanted slogans condemning violence and vowing to support the victims. The Justice Department will reportedly charge an NYPD officer in the death of Eric Garner. Sources tell the New York Post that it'll happen, quote "sooner than later." That news comes a day after the New York Times reported that the federal government replaced the city-based prosecutors working the case with a team from Washington. Garner died in 2014, after Officer Daniel Pantaleo put him in a chokehold during an arrest on Staten Island. His lawyer says he hasn't heard anything about federal charges, and the government isn't confirming either report. Garner's daughter Erica tweeted that the she hadn't heard anything beyond the report in the Times, but that the move to replace the prosecutors would be a step toward justice for her father. My offical statement on todays news on the replacement of federal investigators in the investgation of my father eric garner pic.twitter.com/fZ4pO4I22H officialERICA GARNER (@es_snipes) October 25, 2016 The head of the city's top police union criticized the reported change. Pat Lynch says the government is trying to reach a quote "predetermined outcome" against Pantaleo. A grand jury on Staten Island declined to indict the officer in December of 2014. Protesters on both sides of a new state law that will slap New Yorkers with stiff fines for trying to rent out their apartments through the Airbnb website held dueling rallies in Midtown Wednesday. The law, which targets short-term rentals is one of the toughest in the country against the popular housing site. Our Anthony Pascale was there and filed this report. The battle over Airbnb spilled onto the streets of Midtown. Those on both sides of the contentious issue held dueling protests outside Governor Andrew Cuomo's office. Supporters of Airbnb say they are fighting for their right to continue renting their homes on the popular website. "It has helped me and my family make ends meet," said one opponent of the law. "We are not getting rich we are getting by." At issue, a new law signed by Governor Cuomo that prohibits short-term rentals when the property owner is not present. It allows authorities to fine hosts up to $7,500 if they list their property on Airbnb or other rental websites. Some argue it will not just hurt hosts like Roxanne Hancock who rents her condominium in East Harlem. "Regularly I send guests to coffee shops the local groceries the gourmet delis these businesses wouldn't survive," said Hancock. On the other side, critics of Airbnb argue that many units being rented are supposed to provide permanent affordable housing to New Yorkers that are instead being turned into tourist hotels. Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal sponsored the bill recently signed by the governor, and says that is not the only issue. "So when you live in a building, your neighbor changes every night," said Linda Rosenthal. "That's not safe for the people who live in that building and it's not legal." Airbnb supporters delivered what they say were 80,000 letters asking the governor to change his mind. In the meantime, Airbnb has said it plans to challenge the new law in court calling it unconstitutional. HAMBURG, Germany After a delay of six years and about a tenfold increase in costs, a new classical music performance space here is preparing to open its doors. The Elbphilharmonie, a glass-paneled building mounted atop a former warehouse, includes not just two concert halls but a four-star hotel, a restaurant and residential apartments. On Nov. 4, a foyer carved out between the old and new buildings called the Plaza will open to the public, offering views from 121 feet above the Norderelbe River. The Elbphilharmonie, by the Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron, rises 360 feet above the city like waves of quicksilver and overtakes the Radisson Blu Hotel as its tallest building. The musical program begins on Jan. 11, when the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra (recently renamed to reflect its new residence) and the international soloist Jonas Kaufmann inaugurate the main hall with a world premiere by the German composer Wolfgang Rihm. The Elbphilharmonie is a light tower for this city-in-progress, Jacques Herzog, one of the architects, said in a phone interview from Basel, Switzerland. The hall is part of HafenCity, a development project that is increasing the size of the city center by 40 percent. Mr. Herzog said that along with a revitalized music scene, he hoped the Plaza would create a new meeting place for everyone in the city. AMSTERDAM The Dutch soprano Eva-Maria Westbroek has one primary concern about her performances in the title role of Puccinis Manon Lescaut at the Dutch National Opera this month: She does not want to burst into tears while she is dying in the fourth act. That is what happened during a rehearsal for Simon Rattles production at the Easter Festival in Baden-Baden, Germany, in 2014, when Manon sings her aria Sola, perduta, abbandonata Alone, lost, abandoned. It was so beautiful, and I was so in it that I couldnt stop crying, she said recently in an interview at the opera house here. I lost my voice for four days. It was the highlight of my life, but I can never do it again. This is the third time that Ms. Westbroek has performed the role of Manon, the tragic heroine of Puccinis opera, based on the French 18th-century novella by Abbe Prevost. The first time was under Mariusz Trelinskis direction at La Monnaie opera house in Brussels, conducted by Carlo Rizzi, and the second was Mr. Rattles collaboration with the Berlin Philharmonic, directed by Richard Eyre. Bernstein was rehearsing the Concertgebouw, which was on tour in Berlin in 1990. He wanted to sit in the audience and listen to us play in the hall, Mr. van Zweden said. He handed me the baton and said, You do it. I said, Lenny, I cant do that. Ive never conducted anything in my life. But to say no to Bernstein was dangerous. Bernsteins initial assessment of Mr. van Zweden as a conductor was that he was pretty bad. But he also encouraged the young violinist to pursue the skill, so Mr. Van Zweden started taking lessons on the side. It was a tough 15 minutes, Mr. van Zweden said of his first stab at conducting. But it was also a wonderful moment in my life. It is a very powerful feeling, to be standing in the front of that ensemble. He started conducting full-time in Europe in the 90s, but it was the Dallas Symphony that gave him his first role as a music director in America.They were so impressed with a guest performance he made in 2006 that they gave him the top job in 2008 and paid richly for it. An analysis of tax filings by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra showed that Mr. van Zwedens 2013 salary was $5,100,538, more than the pay for top conductors in Los Angeles and Chicago. Part of that sum was given as a signing bonus to keep Mr. van Zweden through 2019, despite that it will not happen when he starts the New York job. He would not disclose his salary in New York, though it is not expected to reach $5 million a year. Mr. van Zweden made his name, in part, by the work he did overhauling the Hong Kong Philharmonic. When he took over from Edo de Waart, a fellow Dutch conductor, in 2012, he was given an ensemble that was well regarded, but not yet among the worlds best. Rectify begins its final season as Daniel Holden tries to re-enter society. In Lip Sync Battle, Laverne Cox and Samira Wiley take it to the mat. And Documentary Now! spoofs The Kid Stays in the Picture. Whats on TV RECTIFY 10 p.m. on Sundance. This contemplative, slowly building series returns for its fourth and final season to find Daniel Holden (Aden Young) released from prison after 19 years and still uncertain about whether he killed his high school girlfriend. Leaving his family behind in Georgia, he moves to the New Canaan Project, a halfway house in Nashville, after accepting a plea agreement to avoid a new trial. Its a tough adjustment for Daniel, who has become guarded and sullen, and his housemates as they navigate life outside of incarceration. (In prison, at least the rules were defined.) Ray McKinnon, the shows creator, conducts the series like a progressive church ministry, light on the brimstone, heavy on sympathy for the fallen, James Poniewozik wrote in The New York Times. It finds epiphanies in grocery store aisles and drama in conversations, like a remarkable one in which Avery (Scott Lawrence), the New Canaan group leader, urges Daniel to give himself permission to begin again: You have to decide whether you deserve a life or not. LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT 9 p.m. on NBC. A sergeant (Anthony Edwards) pushes Benson (Mariska Hargitay) to choose between loyalty and duty when his son is accused of rape. Her illness became a central focus of her work. In The News (A Manifesto), Ms. Perillo acknowledged that just keeping body and soul together was exhausting. She made a vow to stay vigilant, specifically to keep the meat between ones ribs from being torn, to keep the hard marble of the cranium covered with its own skin. In The Body Mutinies, she remembered simply, I was young for a minute, but then I got old. Ms. Perillos poetry collections also include Inseminating the Elephant, a finalist for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize; Luck Is Luck, a 2005 finalist for The Los Angeles Times Book Prize; and On the Spectrum of Possible Deaths (2012), a National Book Critics Circle Award finalist. She also wrote a book of essays, Ive Heard the Vultures Singing, and a short-story collection, Happiness Is a Chemical in the Brain. In The Los Angeles Times in February, Craig Morgan Teicher praised her fervor and courage, noting, Each dose of hopelessness is met with some kind of call for singing. And in 2000, when she had been named a recipient of a MacArthur Foundation fellowship, the poet Rodney Jones told The Chicago Tribune: Her goal is lucidity. She does not like the idea of writing a poem that people cannot understand. Lucia Maria Perillo was born on Sept. 30, 1958, in Manhattan and grew up in suburban Irvington, N.Y. She was the third of four children of Robert Joseph Perillo, a lawyer, and the former Marie Joan Kucija, a librarian. Her mothers parents were born in Croatia and her fathers in Italy. Because her mother hoped she would become a doctor, Lucia planned to study biology. But by the time she graduated from McGill University in Montreal in 1979, she had narrowed her major to wildlife management. 2. Mr. Trump held a ribbon-cutting at his newest luxury hotel, near the White House in Washington. It was the latest in a series of promotional events hes dragged reporters to in recent days, even as his poll numbers have fallen. He also praised Newt Gingrich, a day after Mr. Gingrich accused Megyn Kelly of Fox News of being fascinated with sex when she grilled him about Mr. Trumps treatment of women. A man with a sledgehammer and a pickax smashed Mr. Trumps star on Hollywood Boulevard, above, saying he wanted to sell it and donate the proceeds to Mr. Trumps accusers. Stanley Silverstein, who designed fashionable but affordable shoes that helped Nina Footwear, the company he founded with his brother, become a force in the international womens footwear industry, died on Oct. 20 in Manhasset, N.Y. He was 91. His death was confirmed by his daughter Nina Miner, Nina Footwears chief creative officer, for whom the company was named. Mr. Silverstein and his brother Mike, who died in 2012, founded the company that became Nina Footwear in 1953. Stanley designed the shoes while Mike handled sales and promotion. In 1962 Mr. Silverstein made a ballerina flat from what he described as leftover scraps of leather. It quickly became one of Ninas early top sellers, and in 1963 he received an American Shoe Designer Award from the Leather Industries of America, a trade group. Article: The Saddest Polar Bear Lives in a Mall in China Before Reading Pizza, the polar bear featured in the video above, lives in a small enclosure in a mall in China. Before you read the article, come up with at least one reason why animal welfare advocates might object to that and then come up with at least one way the owners of the mall might defend themselves. Questions for Comprehension and Analysis 1. What is this polar bears living space like? What other animals live in this mall? 2. Who have called on the governor of Guangdong Province to move him and close Grandview Polar Sea World? Why, according to them, is this part of a disturbing trend in China? They did not challenge her assertion that she had told Mr. Christie, a Republican, about the lane closings before they happened in September 2013 and again as they were continuing. But they pushed back at Ms. Kellys insistence that she did not know that the closings were intended to punish the mayor, Mark J. Sokolich of Fort Lee, N.J., a Democrat. As prosecutors described it, Mr. Christies campaign manager, Bill Stepien, mentored Ms. Kelly. But she took over his job and his role as political enforcer in the weeks before she sent her now-famous email: Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee. Ms. Kelly and her co-defendant, Bill Baroni, once Mr. Christies top staff appointee at the Port Authority, are accused of directing the lane closings to punish Mr. Sokolich, and then covering them up as a traffic study. Both say they were told of that story from David Wildstein, Mr. Christies onetime enforcer at the agency, who has pleaded guilty to orchestrating the shutdown and is now cooperating with prosecutors. Vikas Khanna, an assistant United States attorney, withered Ms. Kellys attempts to explain away seemingly incriminating messages she sent before and during the week of the lane closings, particularly her response when Mr. Wildstein forwarded a text from the mayor about difficulties getting children to school. Is it wrong that Im smiling? Ms. Kelly wrote. I feel badly about the kids. I guess. Ms. Kelly testified on Monday that she had been smiling because Mr. Wildsteins purported study was working to move traffic faster across the main highway on the bridge. You didnt say, David, Im happy for you that the studys working, Mr. Khanna said. And, he noted, she deleted that text, along with others showing her involvement in the lane closings. Updated, 10:18 a.m. Good morning on this frigid Wednesday. It has been a big and architecturally bold year so far for New Yorks municipal buildings. The Spring Street Salt Shed, a stylish sanitation hub that looks like a giant crystal along the West Side Highway, was completed at the turn of 2016. (So stylish that a New York Fashion Week show was held there last month.) The $4 billion World Trade Center Transportation Hub, likened to a slender stegosaurus, opened shortly thereafter. And other architecturally imaginative public buildings will rise across the citys boroughs. A few that caught our eye: The Fire Departments new firehouse in Brownsville, Brooklyn. Itll be the home base and training site for Rescue Company 2, part of a select division that responds to building collapses and other high-risk emergencies. On certain evenings when her husband has left their townhouse, a woman in London notices the gas lights in her parlor flicker and dim for no apparent reason. The husband insists the lights are steady. In fact, unknown to his wife, the husband has been creeping into the attic to search for a trove of jewels, and by switching on the lights there, he causes the ones downstairs to dim. His wife believes she is losing her mind. In the 1944 thriller Gaslight, that husband manipulates his wife by denying the reality of her perceptions. So lights are not flickering. Her brooch was never where she thought she left it. She must have moved a picture that vanished from a wall. Gaslighting has become shorthand to describe the purposeful psychological isolation of people by making them doubt what they see and remember. Anyone interested in a clinical study of the subject ought to take a good look at the trial in the George Washington Bridge scandal, where two former government officials, Bridget Anne Kelly and Bill Baroni, face charges of being part of a conspiracy to create traffic jams in Fort Lee, N.J., by shutting down lanes to the bridge. The motive, prosecutors say, was to punish Fort Lees mayor, a Democrat, for failing to to endorse the 2013 re-election of Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican. It led to a four-day siege of morning rush traffic. It was extraordinary when the Justice Department recently replaced the New York agents and lawyers investigating the death of Eric Garner. But while the new team of agents, revealed on Monday, was the strongest signal yet that federal officials would seek an indictment in the case, it also pushed the long-stalled inquiry into uncharted legal waters, experts said. For nearly two years, the federal government has been trying to determine if Mr. Garners civil rights were violated when he died on Staten Island in 2014 after being confronted by New York City police officers who accused him of selling untaxed cigarettes. One of the officers, Daniel Pantaleo, was seen on a cellphone video subduing Mr. Garner with a chokehold, which is banned by the Police Department. Both the video and Mr. Garners last words I cant breathe almost immediately turned into rallying points for protesters across the country. But even as the case became a touchstone, the investigation of Officer Pantaleo was hamstrung by delays, largely stemming from a dispute between federal agents and prosecutors assigned to the United States attorneys office in Brooklyn and those who worked for the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department in Washington. The Brooklyn contingent was so uncertain that a crime had been committed that it was initially reluctant to present the matter to a grand jury. But the Washington contingent remains convinced that Officer Pantaleo deprived Mr. Garner of his civil rights. The disagreement is notable not only because of the professional rift it has exposed between Brooklyn and Washington, but also because of the highly public way in which it has unfolded. It has had the additional effect of placing Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch, who once ran the Brooklyn federal prosecutors office, in the uncomfortable position of taking a prominent case away from her former subordinates. There is at least one conspicuous object owned by Donald J. Trump in New York City that never carried his name. The enormous silvery globe at the Trump International Hotel and Tower on Columbus Circle in Manhattan a homage to the Unisphere in Mr. Trumps home borough of Queens was originally intended to be girdled by the words Trump International, in letters about three feet high. Instead, the 30-foot-wide sculpture simply shows the worlds land masses silhouetted on a spherical framework of latitudinal and longitudinal struts. Like the original 120-foot Unisphere, built for the 1964-65 Worlds Fair, the Trump globe is encircled by three orbital rings. As such, it is an aesthetic understatement in the Trump canon. But the understatement, it turns out, was enforced. The second failure was a failure of recognition and self-critique, in which the rights best minds deceived themselves about (or made excuses for) the toxic tendencies of populism, which were manifest in various hysterias long before Sean Hannity swooned for Donald Trump. What the intellectuals did not see clearly enough was that Fox News and talk radio and the internet had made right-wing populism more powerful, relative to conservatisms small elite, than it had been during the Nixon or Reagan eras, without necessarily making it more serious or sober than its Bircher-era antecedents. Some conservatives told themselves that Fox and Drudge and Breitbart were just the evolving right-of-center alternative to the liberal mainstream media, when in reality they were more fact-averse and irresponsible. Others (myself included) told ourselves that this irresponsibility could be mitigated by effective statesmanship, when in reality political conservatisms leaders including high-minded figures like Paul Ryan turned out to have no strategy save self-preservation. Both of these errors were linked to the most important failure of the rights intellectuals: The failure to translate the power accrued through their alliance with populists into a revolution within the managerial class one that would have ultimately made conservatism less dependent on the vagaries and venom of populism, made the right-leaning intelligentsia less of a wobbly peak and more of a sturdy spire. Partial revolutions there were. Free-market ideas were absorbed into the managerial consensus after the stagflation of the 1970s. The fall of Communism lent a retrospective luster to Reaganism within the foreign policy establishment. There was even a period in the 1990s and again, briefly, after Sept. 11 when a soft sort of social conservatism seemed to be making headway among Atlantic-reading, center-left mandarins. But the same Bush-era failures that alienated right-wing populists from their own intelligentsia also discredited conservative ideas within the broader elite. And then the progress of sexual individualism and the energy of a renascent left has pulled that elite further left across the last eight years. So it is that today, three generations after Buckley and Burnham, the academy and the mass media are arguably more hostile to conservative ideas than ever, and the courts and the bureaucracy are trending in a similar direction. I hear two observations about the 2016 presidential race so incessantly that theyre like hit songs at peak ubiquity. The lyrics are seared into my brain. One is that the Republican and Democratic nominees leave voters with no real choice. Thats nuts, because it implies that Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are equally unpalatable and it misunderstands choice as profoundly as Trump misreads polls. He and Clinton may not be the political buffet of our dreams. But one entree is perilous, while the other has tired ingredients in a suboptimal sauce. Salmonella or salmon with cucumber and dill: Thats a choice. I know what Im putting on my plate. The other observation is that when Clinton is elected sorry, if Clinton is elected shell have shaky authority and murky marching orders, because shell be the beneficiary of an anti-Trump vote, not a pro-Clinton one. This, too, misses the mark. Even if we grant that voters arent so much rushing to her as fleeing him, theyre fleeing for specific reasons. Theyre expressing particular values. Those reasons and values are her marching orders, and theres nothing murky about them. Id go even further and say that they amount to a mandate, which is this: to safeguard the very America compassionate, collaborative, decent that he routinely degrades. More than two years after police officers fatally attacked Eric Garner on a Staten Island sidewalk, the federal criminal investigation is finally moving forward again. At least it looks that way. Attorney General Loretta Lynch has taken her New York-based lawyers and investigators off the case and replaced them with a team from the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division, based in Washington. According to The Times, the investigation had been stalled by an internal disagreement over whether to charge the officers including Daniel Pantaleo, who used a banned chokehold to take down Mr. Garner, an unarmed black man with violating Mr. Garners civil rights. Federal prosecutors and Federal Bureau of Investigation officials in New York, the article said, opposed bringing charges, while prosecutors in the Civil Rights Division thought there was enough evidence to proceed. Ms. Lynchs decision was immediately attacked from opposite directions, showing what a muddle the case has become. The head of the New York City Patrolmens Benevolent Association, Patrick Lynch, accused her of trying to take a third bite at the apple after two investigations had failed to reach what he called a predetermined outcome implicating Officer Pantaleo. Other critics accused the Justice Department of continuing to drag its feet by not holding officers accountable. A simpler, less cynical conclusion is that there is an honest disagreement among the lawyers and investigators and that Ms. Lynch chose the best way forward. Its messy, but it was unavoidable, given the impasse. Mr. Gingrich wasnt the first to use accusations of sex obsession as a distraction technique. Ted Cruz did the same last year when asked about his opposition to same-sex marriage. Is there something about the left and I am going to put the media in this category that is obsessed with sex? Mr. Cruz asked after taking questions on gay rights from reporters in Beaumont, Tex. For both Mr. Cruz and Mr. Gingrich, painting opponents as perverts is a way to avoid discussing same-sex marriage or the allegations against Mr. Trump. Someone who seems to take a different tack is, oddly enough, Rush Limbaugh. He responded to the accusations against Mr. Trump earlier this month, saying, The left will promote and understand and tolerate anything, as long as there is one element. Do you know what it is? Consent. If there is consent on both or all three or all four, however many are involved in the sex act, its perfectly fine, he went on. But if the left ever senses and smells that theres no consent in part of the equation then here come the rape police. Think about that for Mr. Limbaugh, the problem with the left is a focus on consent. Well, hes right. Many on the left are obsessed with consent when it comes to sex. Many believe that if someone commits a sex act thats non-consensual, thats a crime possibly a matter for the rape police, or, you know, the police. Deborah Ross seemed very much a long shot this year when she began her campaign against Senator Richard Burr, the powerful North Carolina Republican who is chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. How could Ms. Ross, a Democrat, weather the inevitable Republican onslaught that she was Radical Ross the extreme liberal who had been executive director of the state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union? Political handicappers rated her background as prime fodder for Republican attack ads. But Ms. Ross, who also served 10 years in the state legislature, proved to be a sharper politician than expected. She has stood up strongly in the crossfire, never apologizing for her liberal record. She built a positive identity with the public to a point that polls now show her in a tight race with Senator Burr, whose campaign has been somnolent and never seemed to take Ms. Ross seriously. Republican shock and Democratic pride are palpable in North Carolina now that Ms. Ross has become pivotal in the Democrats hope to take control of the Senate from the Republicans led by Mitch McConnell, who has made it his mission to block President Obamas initiatives. Electing Ms. Ross, a superior candidate, could help change the ossified, obstructionist state of Senate politics. The contrast between the two candidates could not be sharper. Mr. Burr is a quiet party wheel horse whose career in the House and the Senate has been supported by significant campaign donations from the fossil fuel and nuclear energy industries. He was appointed to Donald Trumps national security advisory panel, but, like many Republican incumbents, he has been hemming and hawing about Mr. Trumps demoralizing candidacy. I take him at his word, the senator said rather meekly after Mr. Trump denied that he had ever committed the sexual assaults on women that he bragged about in the Access Hollywood tape. Mr. Burr has been trying to convince voters that Hillary Clintons lack of judgment is worse than Mr. Trumps. In the summer of 1964, Bob Dylan released his fourth album, Another Side of Bob Dylan, which includes the track It Aint Me Babe. Go way from my window/Leave at your own chosen speed, it begins. Im not the one you want, babe/Im not the one you need. That fall, the philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre played a variation on the same tune in a public statement explaining why, despite having been awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, he would not accept it. The writer, he insisted, must refuse to allow himself to be transformed into an institution, even if this occurs under the most honorable circumstances. Mr. Dylan was talking to an imaginary lover, Sartre to an actual Swedish Academy, but the message was similar: If you love me for what I am, dont make me be what I am not. We dont know whether Mr. Dylan was paying attention to laffaire Sartre that fall 52 years ago. But now that he has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, he seems to be following in Sartres footsteps. Indeed, Mr. Dylan has done the philosopher one better: Instead of declining the prize, he has simply declined to acknowledge its existence. He hasnt issued a statement or even returned the Swedish Academys phone calls. A reference to the award briefly popped up on the official Bob Dylan website and then was deleted at his instruction or not, nobody knows. And the Swedes, who are used to a lot more gratitude from their laureates, appear to be losing their patience: One member of the Academy has called Mr. Dylans behavior impolite and arrogant. There is a good deal of poetic justice in this turn of events. For almost a quarter of a century, ever since Toni Morrison won the Nobel in 1993, the Nobel committee acted as if American literature did not exist and now an American is acting as if the Nobel committee doesnt exist. Giving the award to Mr. Dylan was an insult to all the great American novelists and poets who are frequently proposed as candidates for the prize. The all-but-explicit message was that American literature, as traditionally defined, was simply not good enough. This is an absurd notion, but one that the Swedes have embraced: In 2008, the Academys permanent secretary, Horace Engdahl, declared that American writers dont really participate in the big dialogue of literature and are limited by that ignorance. Theres a very special energy to this little town, Suarez says. Last summer, the couple whose experience at Brooklyn and Manhattan restaurants includes Gramercy Tavern, The Modern, Frannys and Marlow & Sons opened Gaskins, where the locally sourced menu of seasonal dishes offers up tastes of familiar, home-cooked comforts (which seems appropriate, given that the Suarezes live upstairs above the restaurant). Sarah and Nick have equal hands in their fledging restaurants nightly operations: She runs the front of the house, while he oversees the kitchen, turning out modern riffs on favorite dishes like wood-roasted half-chicken, burrata with toast and kale pesto, and house-made cavatelli. Theres also beer on the menu from Suarez Family Brewery, which Nicks brother recently opened in the nearby town of Livingston. SAN FRANCISCO Apple predicts that strong sales of its new iPhones will soon pull the company out of a yearlong slump. And the misfortunes of its archrival, Samsung, probably deserve a bit of the credit. On Tuesday, Apple said it expects sales to start growing again in the upcoming holiday quarter, driven largely by consumer purchases of the new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, which went on sale in September. The new iPhones hit the market with remarkably good timing. This month, Samsung was forced to recall its Galaxy Note 7, the South Korean companys answer to the iPhone, because the devices were catching fire. That vaporized Apples toughest competition for the most profitable part of the smartphone market. Theres more demand we can supply right now, Apples chief financial officer, Luca Maestri, said in an interview. Interest in the iPhone 7 Plus, Apples largest model and the most direct rival to Samsungs Galaxy Note 7, is so intense that Apple said production could still lag demand even by December. SAN FRANCISCO Alphabet, the parent company of Google, is signaling a strategy shift for one of its most ambitious and costly efforts: bringing blazing-fast web connections to homes across America. The company said on Tuesday that it was curbing the expansion of its high-speed fiber optic internet network and reducing staff in the unit responsible for the work. Alphabet did not provide an exact number for the jobs that will be cut. Craig Barratt, chief executive of Access, the Alphabet division containing Google Fiber, also said he planned to step down because the company was shifting to new technologies and methods of deploying high-speed internet. No replacement was announced. Mr. Barratt, an Alphabet senior vice president, said he would remain an adviser to the company. When Google introduced Fiber in 2010, it was heralded as a sign of the companys ambitions to compete against cable and telecommunications operators who have controlled the market for internet access. But after years of costly investments to dig up roads and lay fiber optic cable, Google started considering alternatives, including wireless and fiber partnerships, that did not necessarily require the company to build a full network. Eternity is downright cozy in Duat, Daniel Alexander Joness hearts-and-flowers-themed exploration of life and what lies beyond. This buoyantly didactic show, a Soho Rep production at the Connelly Theater, takes gentle pains to remind us that our next breath could well be our last. Not that this is necessarily a cause for lamentation. As one character, a sort of cosmic librarian, puts it, she didnt dress for a funeral. (No, shes wearing silver lame.) She offers a benediction: I pray for you that the coming darkness is a womb, not a tomb. Those words are uttered by the actress Stacey Karen Robinson toward the end of the first half of this sui generis performance piece, which has been given a sumptuously homemade production under the direction of Will Davis. Thats in the scene that features a glittering parade of Egyptian gods and the song Supernova, performed by a cherubic 12-year-old (Tenzin Gund-Morrow) who sounds a lot like Bjork. The sequence is defiantly unlike either of the other two parts in Duat, yet it is also thoroughly of a piece with them. Well, in the sense that anything, in any fabric, might be of a piece in a patchwork quilt. For Mr. Jones, theres comfort in eclecticism, because it all comes together in the end. For positive proof that in certain realms of theater, we have moved firmly beyond political correctness, see Vietgone, a raucous comedy by Qui Nguyen that strafes just about every subject it tackles and every character it presents. Sure, sometimes it wobbles uncertainly between satire and sentiment, but Mr. Nguyens fresh and impish voice rarely lets up as he thumbs his nose at our expectations. As the character of the playwright (Paco Tolson) explains at the top of the show, the principals are Vietnamese who become refugees in America. The show is set in 1975, but these characters, he says, wont sound the way you might expect them to. Scanning the audience at City Center, where the play opened on Tuesday in a Manhattan Theater Club production, Tong (Jennifer Ikeda), a 30-year-old Vietnamese woman, observes, Damn, theres a lotta white people up in here. This voice, the playwright reminds us, is more or less the opposite of the Asian one of stereotype, as in: Herro! Prease to meeting you! I so Asian! The Americans in the play, he adds, will speak like this: Yee-haw! Get er done! Cheeseburger, waffle fries, cholesterol! They do indeed. Mr. Nguyen nails, rather smartly, the dissonance of immigration, which runs both ways the Americans and the Vietnamese in the play are almost always misunderstanding one another as well as the hegemony of the majority over the minority, as both are represented in the dominant culture. Robert Anderson Hoover was born on Jan. 24, 1922, in Nashville. His father, Leroy, worked for a paper company while his mother, Bessie, kept house. Bob started to fly as a teenager, working 16 hours in a grocery store to earn 15 minutes of flight time, as he told an audience of young admirers. He soon taught himself the loops and hand rolls of aerobatics, enlisted in the Tennessee National Guard and received orders to Army Pilot Training School. With the onset of World War II, he was sent to England as a flight instructor for the Royal Air Force. The Army Air Forces later assigned him to Casablanca, Morocco, where he tested newly assembled and repaired planes and ferried them to the front. Valued as an operations officer, he was nevertheless hungry to fight and, through persistence, persuaded his commanders to grant him combat duty. I can hit a target upside down or right side up, he said he told a general. As a pilot with the 52nd Fighter Group, based in Corsica, Mr. Hoover, a lieutenant, flew 58 successful missions before his Spitfire fighter was shot down by the Luftwaffe in February 1944. He spent 16 months in Stalag Luft I, a prisoner of war camp in Germany reserved for Allied pilots. Mr. Hoover and a friend escaped from the camp in the chaotic final days of the war, according to his memoir. Commandeering an aircraft from a deserted Nazi base, he flew it to freedom in the newly liberated Netherlands, only to be chased by pitchfork-wielding Dutch farmers enraged by the planes German markings. He remained in the military after the war as a test pilot based at Wright Field in Ohio (now part of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base). There, with jet-propulsion planes replacing propeller aircraft, he took on the dangerous duty of working out kinks in workhorses like the F-80 fighter. The math is simple: California added 544,000 households from 2009 to 2014, but only 467,000 net housing units, and that deficit is set to get worse. The state is on pace to add about a million new housing units at the current rate of construction, but by then the population will have grown by 3.6 million. All this explains why California ranks 49th of 50 (Utah is 50th) for the number of housing units per capita. And the result is that half of Californians cant afford the cost of housing in their markets. That might seem inconvenient and unfair to the volumes of young tech workers who make six-figure salaries and still cant afford their rent. But for the states poorest residents, and even those in the working class, that burden means forgoing necessities like food and medicine. The soaring cost of housing around college campuses was one of the main reasons a recent survey showed that close to half of the University of Californias administrative workers who make an average of $23 an hour - go hungry. It is also a threat to Californias economy. The McKinsey report estimates that onerous housing costs rob California of $140 billion in economic output a year. WASHINGTON A federal judge on Tuesday threw out a lawsuit filed by a former Guantanamo detainee who was repatriated to Afghanistan in December 2014 but has continued to seek a judicial ruling clearing him of accusations that he was linked to terrorism. The case was notable for two reasons. First, the former detainee, Shawali Khan, is no longer in custody but has pursued his habeas corpus lawsuit because he said the allegations that he had connections to a terrorist group have left a cloud over his life. Second, at an earlier stage in the lawsuit, while Mr. Khan was detained at the American naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the government introduced evidence against him that it kept secret at the time from his lawyers. While the courts upheld his detention on that basis, the government apparently later changed its mind about the credibility of that evidence, the details of which have not been disclosed. In 2014, court documents showed, officials provided unspecified information to Mr. Khans defense team, which cited it in asking Judge John D. Bates to reopen the case. The government then transferred Mr. Khan. But his lawyers pressed forward, asking the judge to rule that Mr. Khan had never been lawfully detained in the first place, to correct a substantial injustice related to the previously withheld information. Newt Gingrich, the former speaker of the House, and the Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly got into a televised tiff on Tuesday night in which he accused her of being fascinated with sex for her reporting on allegations of unwanted advances and groping by the Republican presidential nominee, Donald J. Trump. The bizarre exchange played out toward the end of an interview on Ms. Kellys news program, The Kelly File. The discussion turned from who was ahead in the polls Mr. Trump or the Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton when Mr. Gingrich, a Republican and staunch supporter of Mr. Trump, accused Ms. Kelly and the news media of paying a disproportionate amount of attention to allegations by 10 women that Mr. Trump had forcibly kissed or groped them. Mr. Gingrich questioned why a speech Mrs. Clinton had given in Brazil to a bank that had paid her $225,000 was not also worthy of coverage. PORTLAND, Ore. A federal jury indicated on Tuesday that it had reached a partial verdict in the trial of Ammon and Ryan Bundy and five of their followers, who face felony charges stemming from the armed takeover of a federal wildlife sanctuary in Oregon in January. But two separate notes, sent to the judge from the jury room in Federal District Court here, also suggested that the panel was having trouble reaching consensus on all of the defendants apparently agreeing on three of the seven and that one juror, a former government employee, may have expressed bias to at least one other juror. Judge Anna J. Brown questioned Juror 11, who had worked for two federal agencies as a firefighter about 20 years ago, and who had told the court that fact during jury selection and was seated anyway. Judge Brown said she was satisfied with his answers and demeanor and sent him back to the jury to resume deliberations Wednesday morning. She said she was also sending a note to the panel, telling them that the charges and defendants were all to be considered separately, so a finding on three defendants would not affect their verdicts or deliberations on the rest. But the new complications, which came on the third day of deliberations, added another layer of uncertainty to a case that gripped the nation earlier this year with its public debate about government powers, public lands and constitutional rights. Ammon Bundys lawyer, Marcus R. Mumford, told the court he believed more inquiry was needed into whether the jury was affected by potential bias. Judge Brown said that she was satisfied for the moment, but that she would allow further argument on Wednesday morning, out of the jurys presence. CARACAS, Venezuela Venezuelas opposition-led National Assembly voted on Tuesday to put President Nicolas Maduro on political trial, but the legislatures dwindling power means the decision will likely have no practical effect. The vote was an attempt to put new pressure on Mr. Maduro a day before the opposition planned a show of force on the streets. The legislature charged Mr. Maduro with abandoning the presidency and carrying out a coup against the Constitution. Let him respond for the actions that have destroyed, broken, denied the right to choose in a democracy, said Julio Borges, the leader of the Assemblys opposition bloc. KABUL, Afghanistan Afghanistans volatile first vice president, Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum, has unleashed a tirade in which he appeared to issue a veiled threat that he might turn his wrath against his own government if disrespect of him and his Uzbek constituency continued. General Dostums term as vice president had already been marked by emotional outbursts, including vowing that he and his Uzbek militia fighters would lead the northern war against the Taliban if the government would not. At a news conference on Monday at his personal palace in northern Afghanistan, General Dostum accused President Ashraf Ghani and the governments chief executive, Abdullah Abdullah, of favoring the ethnic groups they are identified with Mr. Ghani is Pashtun, and Mr. Abdullah is a leader of Tajik political groups and using their power to suppress other ethnicities. And he complained that he was treated as the enemy rather than a member of the government. The old politics, the failed politics to keep us marginalized and just a formality they are not aware, but we have passed those tests in the past, General Dostum said. I dont need a coup detat or anything. But if the day comes, I will gather my people, I will unburden my heart to them. And after that. he trailed off. Americas top intelligence official expressed deep skepticism on Tuesday about the prospect of persuading North Korea to renounce nuclear weapons, saying it was probably a lost cause. In a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations covering a range of international crises, the official, James R. Clapper Jr., the director of national intelligence, also said he was worried about instability in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul once Iraqi forces recapture it from the Islamic State, which he predicted would take a long time. And Mr. Clapper said that if the United States imposed a no-fly zone or safe zone in parts of Syria where Russian and American warplanes are flying, he wouldnt put it past the Russians to shoot down an American aircraft if they felt their forces were threatened. Many of Mr. Clappers remarks, in a question-and-answer forum with Charlie Rose, were reiterations of what he and his associates have publicly said before. But his assessment of the situation on the Korean Peninsula appeared to diverge from a longstanding American policy: seeking North Koreas return to the so-called six-party talks, suspended for years, which are aimed at verifiably ridding the country of nuclear weapons. AMSTERDAM The painting convinced experts at the Louvre. Top French cultural officials declared it a national treasure. Dutch curators at the Mauritshuis joined the chorus of scholars who decided the enigmatic portrait of a man dressed in black was an undiscovered masterwork by Frans Hals. To many, Portrait of a Man was that rare find, a truly great old master painting that had simply never surfaced. In 2011, Sothebys auction house in New York brokered a private sale to an art collector for about $10 million. This month, though, Sothebys declared the work a modern forgery. The portrait was linked to a lower-profile event back in March, when the French police seized a painting attributed to Lucas Cranach the Elder that had passed through the hands of the same collector who had sold the Hals. The auction house sent the Hals for an in-depth technical analysis that determined that it contained traces of 20th-century materials, which meant that it could not have been painted in the 17th century. Sothebys rescinded the sale and reimbursed the buyer. If Sothebys was right, the question of who may have committed the forgery remains a mystery. Sothebys says an investigation is continuing but declines to discuss it further, as do the French authorities. But no matter who is responsible, the story of how this ostensibly fake Hals managed to pass muster with so many leading experts provides a chilling glimpse into the complex but ultimately subjective process of authenticating art. The EpiPen is about to get some more competition. The makers of the Auvi-Q, an EpiPen alternative taken off the market last year, announced on Wednesday that they would bring it back in 2017. The move is certain to be welcomed by many patients and lawmakers, who have denounced the rising price of EpiPens and the lack of strong competition. But whether the Auvi-Qs return will do much to lower prices is far from clear, especially since it cost more than the EpiPen when it was on the market. And a generic version of the EpiPen, recently announced by the EpiPens manufacturer, Mylan, is expected to be available before the end of the year, which may further lower the price of similar products. In an interview on Tuesday, Spencer Williamson, chief executive of Kaleo, which owns the rights to the Auvi-Q, said the company was working hard to ensure the product would be affordable. But he said the list price had not yet been determined. The Auvi-Q, like the EpiPen, is designed to inject an emergency dose of epinephrine in the event of a severe allergic reaction. We understand that price is central to this conversation, Mr. Williamson said. We believe that patients should be able to obtain the product without insurance barriers or high out-of-pocket costs. Thats our focus. LONDON British banks continue to pay a heavy price for a contentious product they sold to millions of consumers, years after the practice ceased. On Wednesday, the Lloyds Banking Group became the latest firm to take another hefty provision this time 1 billion pounds, or about $1.2 billion, in the third quarter to compensate consumers who were improperly sold payment protection insurance. The lender has so far set aside 17 billion to cover claims. Other British banks could announce additional provisions when they report third-quarter results over the coming days. British banks sold about 45 million of the policies over two decades, through 2010, to consumers taking out mortgages, credit cards or other loans. The insurance was meant to cover monthly payments if a policyholder were unable to make them because of a debilitating illness, job loss or other reason. Early last year, in an article in The New York Times Magazine, I defined what I called a Megyn moment, in a profile of the Fox News host Megyn Kelly: When you, a Fox guest maybe a regular guest or even an official contributor are pursuing a line of argument that seems perfectly congruent with the Fox worldview, only to have Kelly seize on some part of it and call it out as nonsense, maybe even turn it back on you. When I wrote that article, the Megyn moment was notable because it was so unusual. Normally, if guests hewed close to Fox Newss prime-time perspective (President Obama, woefully incompetent or frighteningly efficient; Democrats, bad, especially Hillary Clinton; Republicans good, mostly all of them), they were pretty much safe from challenge. In letting Ms. Kelly break from that orthodoxy here and there, the Fox News chief Roger Ailes seemed to be experimenting with ways to expand his channels audience, which was older, whiter and in danger of atrophying despite its longtime perch atop the cable news ratings. Ms. Kellys youth and divergent approach had the potential to draw in new viewers. The question at the time was, how far would he be willing to let these Megyn moments go? And what did that mean for Fox? It was a few minutes after 7 p.m. on Tuesday when Trump TV conked out. We have to pause, said Avi Berkowitz, the 27-year-old director, as he stared at a black square on his laptop where, moments earlier, Episode 2 of Trump Tower Live the Facebook-only talk show produced by the Donald J. Trump campaign had been streaming. The panelists on the show, standing a few feet away in a makeshift studio inside a bland Trump Tower office, glanced around, confused. A makeup artist hired for the occasion fiddled with her phone. Rudolph W. Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City and the nights special guest, kept criticizing Hillary Clinton, until somebody noted that the camera had shut off. Prime-time news, this was not. The set consisted of two wooden tables pressed together, facing a single camcorder on a tripod. The director, who eventually got the feed working again, was a recent Harvard Law School graduate with no broadcasting background. Yet Trump Tower Live has been seized on as a harbinger of a potential Trump media empire to come. The show, set to air through Election Day, debuted this week with a CNN-style crawl filled exclusively with headlines favorable to Mr. Trump and onscreen graphics borrowed from the cable news playbook. Essentially agitprop presented as news, the program is fueling speculation that Mr. Trump wants to start a network, purveying news and opinion tailored to the candidates worldview. The Hayward designer Marin Hopper will be at Bergdorf Goodman from 3 to 4:30 p.m. to present her luxe handbag designs, including a Venetian brocade shopper ($1,800) that takes inspiration from Golden Age Hollywood. Image Anna Sheffield earrings. And from 5:30 to 8 p.m., the Italian outerwear label Peuterey will host a shopping event at Bloomingdales on 59th Street. The stylist Mary Alice Stephenson will be on hand if youre torn between, say, a taffeta parka ($1,250) and a puffer jacket with a fox fur collar ($1,195). On Wednesday, Warby Parker will open in Grand Central. Metro-North commuters will find smart updates on classics like round-lens glasses in intensely hued acetate ($145). At 25 Grand Central Terminal. Hitting the Racks The model Josephine Skriver has teamed up with the eyewear label Illesteva to make her favorite style, the Palm Beach, a rounded cat-eye in an exclusive creamy marble color ($240). The proceeds will support Keep a Child Alive, which provides treatment and care to children with AIDS in Africa and India. At 814 Lexington Avenue. The ready-to-wear label Sachin & Babi has teamed up with W Hotels on a capsule collection in celebration of the opening of W Goa. It includes an off-the-shoulder ruffle tunic with pompom tassels resembling the marigold flowers ubiquitous at weddings in the region ($660). At whotelsthestore.com. It always comes up at some point, said Wendy Goodman, a design editor at New York magazine who supports Hillary Clinton. But even if people agree, I think this has been the most toxic, deranged campaign year I have ever known in my life. I think everybody is so beaten down by how depressing it is. Christophe Lirola, an investment banker in New York who supports Mr. Trump, has found himself in odd social situations because of his preference. He recalled a party at the Waverly Inn restaurant in Greenwich Village during which his boss sought him out on behalf of a guest who wanted to see a Trump supporter in the flesh, as if he were an exotic creature in the Manhattan wild. Mr. Lirola has also endured the awkwardness of finding himself among fellow party guests who come to realize he does not share their disdain for the Republican nominee. This happened recently, he said, when he was found himself among a group that included the socialite Lucy Sykes. How Times reporters cover politics. We rely on our journalists to be independent observers. So while Times staff members may vote, they are not allowed to endorse or campaign for candidates or political causes. This includes participating in marches or rallies in support of a movement or giving money to, or raising money for, any political candidate or election cause. Learn more about our process. We were outside of the party, just catching some air, and they all started talking about the election, and it had just slipped her mind that I was supporting him, Mr. Lirola said. And then she just stopped herself and said, Oh, my God, Im so sorry. And I was like, Thats O.K. That stuff happens. Asked if he found it difficult, when others in his circle assume he shares their views, Mr. Lirola said: Well, no one wants to be called a racist. Ive been called a racist because of this. Online and in person. Rachel Hruska MacPherson, a founder and the chief executive of the society and fashion website Guest of a Guest, bemoaned the effect of the campaign on the quality of social conversation. In the tortuous mythology of the AIDS epidemic, one legend never seems to die: Patient Zero, a.k.a. Gaetan Dugas, a globe-trotting, sexually insatiable French Canadian flight attendant who supposedly picked up H.I.V. in Haiti or Africa and spread it to dozens, even hundreds, of men before his death in 1984. Mr. Dugas was once blamed for setting off the entire American AIDS epidemic, which traumatized the nation in the 1980s and has since killed more than 500,000 Americans. The New York Post even described him with the headline The Man Who Gave Us AIDS. But after a new genetic analysis of stored blood samples, bolstered by some intriguing historical detective work, scientists on Wednesday declared him innocent. The strain of H.I.V. responsible for almost all AIDS cases in the United States, which was carried from Zaire to Haiti around 1967, spread from there to New York City around 1971, researchers concluded in the journal Nature. From New York, it spread to San Francisco around 1976. How did I end up here? Wed chosen this exact spot, from back in New York, months earlier. A group of editors on the graphics desk and I had sat down with a map of the Tengger, after hearing suggestions from Edward Wong, the Beijing bureau chief. We were looking for communities along the edge that might be affected by the deserts changing footprint. Jeremy White, a graphics editor at The Times, analyzed satellite data to determine three communities where the desert seemed to be encroaching. Our challenge was to find a story there. Was desertification impacting people in these locations? If so, how? What Edward, the writer on the piece, and I found was eye-opening: stories of people having to change their livelihoods, of farmers trying to supplement lost incomes by catering more to tourists, of families resettling and sending their children to cities in hopes that they would succeed in a new industry. One of the ways to capture the extent of the change and the emotional heft of these stories was to rise above the desert with a drone. Thats been true for at least 15 years, when former Prime Minister John Howard prospered so handsomely from his asylum-seeker policies, from which the current program is derived. Repeated polling since 2013 shows that whatever those policies seem to be, somewhere between 20 and 30 percent of Australians think they should be even more severe. Around another 35 to 40 percent think the policy is about right. The view that our policy is too harsh tops out at around 27 percent. These figures scarcely change, no matter how many reports come out from Human Rights Watch, the United Nations or Australias own Human Rights Commission. You see, weve stopped the boats. That quote doesnt come from anyone in particular. Its everyones. Mr. Turnbulls predecessor, Tony Abbott, most relentlessly repeated it, but its on high rotation in every government officials playlist. Whatever the scandal, whatever the latest account of refugee children attempting suicide or detainees setting themselves on fire, its all anyone need say. This is the great sedative of Australian politics: dulling our attention, rendering all else some indecipherable white noise we only vaguely register before we fall asleep. Then we can snooze through any bombshell. Even Amnestys language isnt arresting anymore. Merely a year and a half ago a United Nations special rapporteur found systematic violations of the Convention Against Torture. None of it registers because as long as boats carrying asylum seekers arent making it to Australia, all is justified. So Australias detention regime becomes virtuous, brutality repackaged as compassion. Those languishing in detention centers, even the people who die there thanks to violence or woefully inadequate medical care for simple afflictions, theyre just a warning to others who might be tempted onto a boat. Its true the journey is deadly, but its also true that Australia is using the more than 1,200 other people stuck in limbo in Nauru and Papua New Guinea as a deterrent. These are the starkly utilitarian terms of the policy: We sacrifice the lives of innocent people to dissuade others from risking theirs. RAMALLAH, West Bank In a historic speech in Cairo, just months after he took office, President Obama declared to the world: America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity and a state of their own. His recognition of the undeniable suffering of the Palestinian people as a result of the loss of our homeland over 60 years ago and, as he said, the daily humiliations large and small that come with occupation gave Palestinians everywhere whether living in the refugee camps of Jordan and Lebanon, or in exile in the far corners of the diaspora, or under military occupation on whatever fragments are left of our historic homeland hope that maybe we would finally see justice. Unfortunately, those words did not translate into policy. Instead, time and again, the United States lobbied against Palestinian diplomacy to protect the two-state solution from the efforts of the Israeli prime minister to destroy it once and for all. The United States not only vetoed an otherwise unanimous Security Council resolution condemning settlement construction drafted with language that mirrored Washingtons policy statements, but it even attempted to block the listing of the Nativity Church in the Palestinian town of Bethlehem as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Most egregious of all was that Mr. Obama permitted the continuation of the inhuman blockade and siege of Gaza. Mr. Obama placated Israel while it bombed, invaded and devastated the coastal enclave three times in seven years (using United States-supplied weapons to do so). Despite international condemnation of Israels killing of thousands of innocent Palestinians in Gaza, the United States has not held Israel accountable for this misuse of American military assistance. Instead, Israel recently received the largest military aid package the United States had ever given. To the Editor: Choices Fall in Health Law as Costs Rise (front page, Oct. 25) does not provide adequate context for its figures and intimations. Before the Affordable Care Act, health insurance costs were virtually out of reach already for many people, and rising every year. Obviously, this was a major reason a new system begged for creation. Moreover, in addition to all the people who could never get insurance, there were many who lost their insurance eligibility if they had a pre-existing condition, whether self-employed or changing jobs. Egregious hardship cases abounded. When states stop sabotaging the system by refusing to accept federal aid to expand Medicaid and when the public option is restored to the Affordable Care Act as intended, the differences will become more obvious between where we are and where we would have been, absent a leader who was willing and able to finally tackle the long-feared, monstrous challenge of building a lifesaving health care system. BARRY FELDMAN New York To the Editor: Articles such as this may leave the impression that the only health insurance premiums subject to significant increases are those offered under the Affordable Care Act. In fact, employer-based private insurance premiums are also on the rise. To the Editor: Re From Senator to Employee to Pariah (news article, Oct. 19), about the U.S. Chamber of Commerces efforts to defeat Evan Bayh, a Democrat, in his bid for the Senate, despite the fact that he had worked for the chamber: In 2012, only 0.9 percent of the chambers elections spending supported Democrats. In 2014, only 1.4 percent supported Democrats. And so far this year, the chamber has not spent a single penny in support of Democrats. The chambers partisanship has become so extreme that it is now spending bigly against Mr. Bayh a man it used to employ. Business isnt an inherently partisan endeavor, and many business leaders support a variety of progressive reforms such as raising the minimum wage and transitioning to renewable energy that the chamber steadfastly opposes. The time has come for the big companies that supply the bulk of the chambers money to ask themselves if they want to be part of an organization that no longer represents many of their own interests. Whats more, only 27 percent of Americans identify as Republicans, so these companies should consider that their support for the chamber may offend many consumers. To the Editor: Re The Age of Email Is Nearing an End (State of the Art column, Oct. 20): Farhad Manjoo correctly raises the question about the emails from within Hillary Clintons campaign: Why were all these people discussing so much over email in the first place? Indeed, what were they thinking? Putting this kind of information in an email is particularly surprising as this is not the first time that emails have become public and led to significant problems for prominent government officials. Ever since the 1980s, when copies of deleted emails from John Poindexter, a former national security adviser, and Oliver North, a member of the National Security Council staff, were discovered and showed their role in the Iran-contra affair, people have known that emails have long lives and can become public. What is not clear is how people in a public position didnt remember those lessons. Their actions reinforce the adage never put anything in an email that you would not want to be on the front page of a newspaper. Hopefully, this is an experience that we all can learn from. But the most evocative evidence among conspiracy theorists about Philadelphia today turns on a single data point about the 2012 election. There were 59 voting divisions, or precincts, in the city where President Obama swept 100 percent of the vote. The Republican nominee, Mitt Romney, swayed not one soul in these places. A few conservative pundits have called the pattern statistically impossible. Mr. Trump himself has been incredulous: I mean, like no votes. There is another, more credible, explanation. This is definitely more about math than fraud, said Jeffrey Carroll, an assistant professor of political science at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia who has analyzed those 2012 results. It is math partly of the G.O.P.s own making. In fact, there are predominantly black pockets in Philadelphia where no one wanted to vote for Mr. Romney. (Officials including the citys Republican commissioner have looked at the data and todays hard-to-rig voting machines and concluded the same). Precincts in Philadelphia, Chicago and other heavily minority cities point to a pair of trends that shouldnt be mysterious to Republicans: The party has made little effort to court black voters. And a long history of residential segregation from which Republicans have benefited electorally has concentrated black voters in these places. Those suspect voting divisions in Philadelphia contain, on average, several hundred voters and often encompass just a few city blocks. Theyre small units. And, in a city where Democrats outnumber Republicans by seven to one, in many of these heavily black, lower-income divisions the Democratic advantage is even more stark. Citywide, about a quarter of all voting divisions contain fewer than 20 registered Republicans. In many of the divisions at issue, that number is in the single digits. Air-conditioning is not just a luxury. Its a critical adaptation tool in a warming world, with the ability to save lives. It also warms the world. Which is why the structure of the recent landmark agreement reached in Kigali, Rwanda, on limiting hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) used in, among other things, air-conditioners and refrigerators is so important. The agreement accounts for the trade-offs that the world, especially todays poorest countries, must make in confronting climate change while improving peoples lives. Consider this: While 87 percent of households in the United States have air-conditioning, only 5 percent of those in India do. Any agreement to limit HFCs across the board would greatly reduce opportunities for people in poorer countries to have access to air-conditioners. To deal with these disparities, the Kigali agreement created three tracks of countries. The richest countries, like the United States, are on the swiftest track, freezing the production and consumption of HFCs by 2018 and bringing HFC levels to 15 percent of 2012 levels by 2036. PORTLAND, Ore. A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed one juror accused by another of bias in the criminal trial of antigovernment activists who took over a federally owned wildlife refuge in January. The move brought deliberations in the case, which were in their fourth day, to a temporary halt. The decision came under what Judge Anna J. Brown called extraordinary circumstances after a juror complained in a note to the judge that another member of the panel, known as Juror 11, who had worked many years ago as a firefighter for federal agencies involved in the case, had admitted to being very biased. Judge Brown told the 12-member jury in Federal District Court here that an alternate juror had been summoned, and that the panel would have to start deliberations over. I have determined that the issue that was raised simply cannot be resolved in a way that allows Juror 11 to continue deliberating, Judge Brown told the court. You have to set aside the conclusions you have drawn and start over. In a matter of days, many Americans will find themselves facing an important but risky decision. No, not the election: What to wear for Halloween. In a year of a bitterly divided presidential campaign, a growing divide on matters of race and gender and bizarre news events like creepy clown sightings, it seems harder than ever to find a costume that wont get you into trouble. Some cities have banned or strongly discouraged clown outfits, while costume sellers have faced protests from Native Americans, Muslim Americans and other groups about anything that mimics traditional ethnic or religious dress. The fall ritual of dress-up has particularly haunted American universities, where past problems have led to annual warnings about costume choices. Iris I. Burnell, the manager of a Jackson Hewitt Tax Service office on Capitol Hill, said she met this week with a client in his late 50s who has several part-time jobs and wants to buy insurance on the exchanges. But, she said, hes finding that the costs are prohibitive on a monthly basis, so he has resigned himself to the fact that he will have to suffer the penalty. When Congress was writing the Affordable Care Act in 2009 and 2010, lawmakers tried to balance carrots and sticks: subsidies to induce people to buy insurance and tax penalties to ensure compliance, in the words of the Senate Finance Committee. But the requirement for people to carry insurance is one of the most unpopular provisions of the health law, and the Obama administration has been cautious in enforcing it. The I.R.S. portrays the decision to go without insurance as a permissible option, not as a violation of federal law. The law requires you and each member of your family to have qualifying health care coverage (called minimum essential coverage), qualify for a coverage exemption, or make an individual shared responsibility payment when you file your federal income tax return, the tax agency says on its website. Some consumers who buy insurance on the exchanges still feel vulnerable. Deductibles are so high, they say, that the insurance seems useless. So some think that whether they send hundreds of dollars to the I.R.S. or thousands to an insurance company, they are essentially paying something for nothing. Obama administration officials say that perception is wrong. Even people with high deductibles have protection against catastrophic costs, they say, and many insurance plans cover common health care services before consumers meet their deductibles. In addition, even when consumers pay most or all of a hospital bill, they often get the benefit of discounts negotiated by their insurers. The health law authorized certain exemptions from the coverage requirement, and the Obama administration has expanded that list through rules and policy directives. More than 12 million taxpayers claimed one or more coverage exemptions last year because, for instance, they were homeless, had received a shut-off notice from a utility company or were experiencing other hardships. Amid a furor of criticism, the Pentagon announced on Wednesday that it would suspend efforts to force thousands of California National Guard soldiers to pay back enlistment bonuses and other incentives that were improperly given during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. There is no more important responsibility for the Department of Defense than keeping faith with our people, Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter said in a statement on Wednesday. That means treating them fairly and equitably, honoring their service and sacrifice, and keeping our word. Nearly all of the soldiers took the bonuses in good faith and were unaware of the misspending until notices arrived in the mail years later. Some had to repay more than $20,000 and a few more than $40,000. Many had wages garnished and racked up penalties and other debt trying to pay back the bonuses. LAKE WORTH, Fla. There were the four Twitter reminders, the winking allusions from introductory speakers, the shimmering block letters on a sign held behind Hillary Clintons head. There was an offer of a customized Mexican cake from a radio host, which was revealed to be doughnuts dipped in tequila and beer. (Can you put a little chocolate dusting on it? Mrs. Clinton asked.) And there was, at last, a slightly choppy bit of serenading, eventually finding its rhythm as Mrs. Clinton took the stage Wednesday inside a college gymnasium here. Thank you so much for singing to me, Mrs. Clinton said, before a halting on-message pivot to a down-ballot Democrats cause. One of the best gifts you can give yourselves would be sending Patrick Murphy to the United States Senate! Mrs. Clinton has had problems attracting millennials throughout her campaign. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont outperformed her among young voters in the Democratic primary, and many of them are shunning the two major political parties in the general election. However, John Della Volpe, the director of polling at the Institute of Politics, said Mrs. Clinton had made some gains since the summer because many millennials watched the presidential debates and liked how she handled Mr. Trump. He also said that Mr. Johnsons gaffes about Syria and world leaders had hurt his standing and that Mrs. Clinton had benefited from his troubles. The combination of her performing better than expectations during the debates with Donald Trump, and Gary Johnson disappointing voters, has left her in a position where she has increased the number of people who view her favorably, Mr. Della Volpe said. But she still has progress to make if shes going to unite the most progressive wing of the party, moderates and even Republicans. Signs of that challenge can be seen in the number of young voters concerned that she may not be able to improve crucial parts of society. Just 47 percent of the young Americans Harvard surveyed said they trusted her more than Mr. Trump to improve the economy, and 46 percent said they trusted her more to combat the spread of terrorism. Only 42 percent trust her more than her opponent to reduce the impact of money in politics, as she continues to push back against the perception that she is too closely tied to Wall Street. The Syrian Kurdish Y.P.G. do not truly desire to shed blood to capture a majority-Sunni Arab city far from their vision of their autonomous borders, while Turkey cares about the operation only insofar as the Syrian Kurdish Y.P.G. is not allowed to participate in it, said Christopher Kozak, a Syria researcher at the Institute for the Study of War. Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter said in Brussels on Wednesday that the offensive to oust the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, from Raqqa would begin within weeks. This is, as always, a matter when youre positioning forces and so forth, we have a plan to do that and a schedule to do that, Mr. Carter told reporters. Were going to execute to that plan. Mr. Carter met with the Turkish defense minister, Fikri Isik, and the French defense minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, on Wednesday in Brussels, where he emphasized the need for the coalition to maintain pressure on ISIL on multiple fronts, according to a Pentagon news release. All sides agreed to maintain frequent communication on the full range of security interests, and to continue their close coordination and continued transparency in the coalition effort to deal ISIL a lasting defeat, the statement said. An American military official said the Raqqa operation would take place in roughly three phases. Phase one, he said, is what the American-led coalition fighting the Islamic State has been doing for months: preparatory airstrikes in and around Raqqa to knock out command-and-control and fighting positions. Phase two, to begin in the coming weeks, will be to isolate Raqqa with the available forces mostly Syrian Kurds, with Syrian Arabs, too. Phase three will be the fight for Raqqa itself, which American officials say they hope will be conducted mostly by Syrian Arabs, given that the city is majority Sunni Arab. General Townsend compared Islamic State plotting in Raqqa to planning by the group in Manbij, which was retaken from the Islamic State in August. Manbij was the last stop on the route out of Syria for Islamic State militants headed to Europe. But the actual plotting regularly began in Raqqa. Militants moved from there to Manbij before slipping over the border into Turkey and then onward to Europe. Donald J. Trump interrupted a promotion for his new hotel in Washington to shower praise on Newt Gingrich for confronting the Fox News host Megyn Kelly on Tuesday night, when the former House speaker said in an interview that she was fascinated with sex in her reporting on Mr. Trumps treatment of women. Speaking at a gold-gilded lectern at the Trump International Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue on Wednesday, Mr. Trump pointed a finger toward Mr. Gingrich, who was in the audience at the hotel ribbon-cutting. Congratulations, Newt, on last night that was an amazing interview, Mr. Trump said. We dont play games, Newt, right? We dont play games. Ms. Kelly has been a frequent target of Mr. Trump ever since she was a moderator at the first Republican primary debate in August 2015 and asked him about his past misogynistic comments. A man dressed as a construction worker took a sledgehammer and a pickax to Donald J. Trumps star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame early Wednesday morning, smashing the sidewalk symbol and attempting to remove it, according to a witness and the police. A spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department, Officer Norma Eisenman, said the authorities received a phone call reporting the attempt at about 6 a.m. The defaced site was later secured, and a tent placed over the star, Officer Eisenman said. On Thursday, a suspect was pulled over and arrested on a charge of felony vandalism while en route to the Walk of Fame, where he was planning to explain his actions, said Sgt. Barry Montgomery, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department. Gov. Paul R. LePage of Maine delivered perhaps the strongest defense of business owners who could suffer from higher minimum wages. To me, when you go out and kill somebody, you go to jail, he told a regional radio station. Well, this is attempted murder in my mind because it is pushing people to the brink of survival. In all of the states considering increases, minimum wages already exceed the federal floor of $7.25. Among them, Washington is considered a trailblazer, with Seattle being the first major American city to pay its lowest-earning workers $15 an hour. The proposal on the ballot would raise the state minimum to $13.50 by 2020, from $9.47. Some states are experiencing a crosscurrent, with employers saying the changes are going too far and too fast for them to keep up. In Colorado and Washington, opponents say that the proposed statewide shifts are feasible in cities with vibrant economies, like Denver and Seattle, but that rural areas would suffer. South Dakotas measure to decrease wages for teenage workers would pare down an across-the-board increase that passed in 2014. Should corporate taxes go up? Oregon voters will consider a measure to raise corporate taxes as a way help the state generate more revenue. If approved, the measure is expected to help Oregons general fund grow by almost a third, or about $3 billion a year, through a 2.5 percent tax on corporate gross sales that exceed $25 million. The initiative language says the money would augment state spending on education, health care and senior services, but does not bind the Legislature to a specific plan. NAIROBI, Kenya The black flag of the Islamic State went up over an old, crumbling coastal town in Somalia at dawn on Wednesday, the latest sign of a sharpening duel between Somalias top two militant groups. According to officials and residents, dozens of masked men carrying heavy machine guns, assault rifles and the Islamic State flag marched into Qandala, an ancient trading post on the Gulf of Aden. There was no resistance, the witnesses said. The Islamic State fighters simply walked down the main road into Qandala, a town known in Somalia for its old white castle on the sea. Residents stood back, staring with a mix of awe and fear. Even the fishermen who usually ply the warm waters of the gulf did not go to sea on Wednesday, banned by the militants. Im scared that these men will kill everyone civilians, soldiers, officials, Jama Mohamed Khuurshe, the towns commissioner, said at a news conference. UNITED NATIONS Making a bit of history, the United States on Wednesday abstained for the first time in an annual General Assembly condemnation of the half-century-old American trade embargo against Cuba. The abstention a break from the no vote the United States delegation has always cast was another important signal by the Obama administration of its intention to fully repair relations with Cuba, including an end to the embargo. The reconciliation began two years ago when President Obama abandoned the policy of his predecessors to isolate the Castro government in Cuba and moved to restore diplomatic ties with the island nation of 11 million. The United States and Cuba formally re-established embassies in each others capitals in July 2015, ending more than more than five decades of Cold War-era enmity. But the embargo, which can only be rescinded by Congress, remains in force. He added, We have the evidence now, and we are going to go for prosecution. The arrest came as the Pakistani authorities were cracking down on Afghans with illegal national identity cards. The authorities said Ms. Gula had illegally obtained a Pakistani identity card in 1988 and a computerized identity card in 2014, while retaining her Afghan passport, which she used in 2014 to travel to Saudi Arabia for the hajj. Image Sharbat Gula in a Pakistani police photo after she was arrested on Wednesday. Credit... Pakistan Federal Investigation Agency She faces up to 14 years in prison and a fine of $3,000 to $5,000 if she is convicted, according to the Dawn news agency. Her arrest goes to the heart of an ordeal confronting many Afghan refugees who fled across the border into Pakistan because of decades of war. The Pakistani crackdown on Afghans appears to have intensified since May, when the former Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansour was killed in a drone strike in Baluchistan Province. He had been traveling with forged Pakistani documents, officials said. Gerry Simpson, a senior researcher and advocate for the Refugee Rights Program at Human Rights Watch, wrote online that 1.5 million Afghans in Pakistan have received proof of registration cards, which protected them from deportation. About one million more who did not get the paperwork resorted to using false identity cards. Mr. Simpson wrote that Pakistan was now on a mission to repatriate all Afghans. The Pakistani authorities have revoked or blocked thousands of national identity cards illegally obtained by foreigners. Ms. Gula, who is believed to be in her 40s, was caught up in that dragnet when she was arrested. A court said on Wednesday that she could be kept in custody for two days while the authorities investigated. KABUL, Afghanistan Gunmen who claim to be followers of the Islamic State killed 23 civilian hostages in a remote province in western Afghanistan, officials said on Wednesday. The killings on Tuesday in Ghor Province were the most recent indication that the extremist organization, also known as ISIS or ISIL, has been gaining adherents in new parts of the country, even as the authorities have successfully moved against its strongholds in the eastern province of Nangarhar, which borders Pakistan. Provincial police and government officials in Ghor said the killings were carried out by a former Taliban unit with 150 members who had defected from that insurgent group and declared allegiance to the Islamic State. The Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid quickly disassociated his group from the deaths, posting a message on his Twitter account saying the killings had nothing to do with the mujahedeen, a term referring to Taliban fighters. The Ghor police chief, Mustafa Mohseni, said the former Taliban unit had clashed in recent days with a pro-government militia, which managed to kill the extremists commander, a man known as Farooq, who had led them since before they abandoned the Taliban. MANILA President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines, who nurses a longtime grudge against the United States, has declared he wants a separation and on Wednesday added that he wants American troops out of his country in two years. Speaking in Tokyo, Mr. Duterte said he was willing to revoke the 2014 agreement letting the Pentagon use five Philippine military bases, a critical component of the Obama administrations plan to bolster American influence in Asia. I want them out, he said of the American troops in his country. While his threats have tapped a deep strain of resentment among Filipinos who feel as if they are treated like a second-class ally, the countrys deep cultural, economic and military ties to the United States make it unlikely that they will follow him on the path to divorce. Especially not, as Mr. Duterte suggested in Beijing last week, all the way to China. Practically every family here has a relative in the U.S., said Roilo Golez, who served as national security adviser to former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. They dont dream of going to China and living there. TOKYO President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines, on a trip to Japan, said Wednesday that he wanted all foreign troops out of his country within maybe two years and that he was willing to revoke base-hosting agreements with the United States. The remarks, made to a group of Japanese and Filipino businessmen in Tokyo, are the clearest signal yet that Mr. Duterte wants to renegotiate the 2014 agreement his predecessor reached with the United States to let the Pentagon use five Philippine military bases, a central component of the Obama administrations plan to bolster American influence in Asia. I want them out, Mr. Duterte said of the American troops in his country, adding that he was willing to revise or abrogate agreements. He also repeated a recent assertion that he would withdraw from any joint military exercises with the United States, a treaty ally. This will be the last maneuver, war games, between the United States and the Philippine military, he said, according to a transcript of his remarks. Mr. Dutertes trip to Japan is his first state visit since he said in China last week that he wanted a separation from the United States, a remark he later softened. He told his Tokyo audience on Wednesday that he had discussed only economic matters with Chinese officials, not security or alliances. Spains return to democracy included a 1977 law of amnesty for crimes committed during the civil war and the ensuing dictatorship. (Franco rose to power during the civil war, ruling over Spain from 1939 until his death in 1975.) In Barcelona, however, Ms. Colau is also scrutinizing the officialdom of the Franco government. This month, her administration briefly removed an inscription from a statue within Barcelona City Hall that was dedicated to Juan Antonio Samaranch, the former president of the International Olympic Committee. However, opposition parties eventually forced Ms. Colau to restore the mention on the statue. Mr. Samaranch was widely credited with bringing the Summer Games to Barcelona in 1992, helping transform the city into Spains main tourism hub. But he had been an official in the Franco government. I cant stop anybody who looks into my fathers past and interprets his career one way or another, said Juan Antonio Samaranch, a financier who has followed in his fathers footsteps to become vice president of the International Olympic Committee. There are people who find him marvelous and others who find him bad or not respectable. Some Catalan separatists said that though they would have wanted the Franco statue exhibited elsewhere, they welcomed the opportunity to consider how Catalonia has evolved since the dictatorship and what further changes should be made. I walked past the statue, looked at Franco without his head, saw the large Catalan flag flying behind him, and it felt good to think that, while Franco is no longer, we are very much here, said Josep-Lluis Carod-Rovira, a former separatist politician who now serves as chairman of the department of social diversity at Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona. Yet some major symbols of Francos regime survive even within independence-minded Catalonia. In May, residents of Tortosa, in southern Catalonia, voted to keep a giant Franco monument that stands in the middle of the river that crosses the city and was inaugurated by Franco to mark the 25th anniversary of his victory in the Battle of the Ebro, one of the bloodiest in the civil war. ROME Two powerful earthquakes rattled central Italy on Wednesday, knocking down electrical and telephone lines, damaging buildings and frightening the residents of several towns already unnerved by an earthquake that killed nearly 300 people two months ago. The two quakes one measuring 5.4, the other 5.9, according to Italys national volcanology center were two hours apart on Wednesday evening, and caused damage to a number of buildings in several central Italian towns. They were part of the same seismic activity that began with the Aug. 24 quake in the Apennine Mountains. The epicenters were in the province of Macerata, near the towns of Castelsantangelo sul Nera, Visso and Ussita, but the quakes were felt as far away as Veneto in the north, and even many Romans including employees of the Foreign Ministry, which was evacuated took to the streets after buildings began to tremble. BELGRADE, Serbia Montenegros prime minister stepped down on Wednesday, a transition expected to improve his countrys chances of European Union membership. The prime minister, Milo Djukanovic, had led the country for most of the past quarter-century and managed its peaceful separation from Serbia in 2006. He has been accused of enabling corruption and organized crime, and his departure from the premiership may facilitate Montenegros application to join the bloc. His party the Democratic Party of Socialists, a direct descendant of the Communists who ruled the country from the end of World War II to the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991 came in first in the election held on Oct. 16, but will need to form a coalition to stay in government. On the day of the vote, 20 Serbs, including a retired police general, were arrested in Montenegro and accused of planning an attack on the government. Serbia also made arrests; its prime minister said there was undeniable and material evidence of a plot. In a statement on Wednesday, Mr. Djukanovics office said his decision was carefully planned and has nothing to do with the alleged coup. MADRID Russia abruptly withdrew its application on Wednesday to dock three warships for refueling at a Spanish port, shortly after Spains partners in NATO urged Spain to turn away the vessels. The ships are heading to the eastern Mediterranean Sea to support Russian military operations in Syria. Russias intention to dock the three warships, which were said to include its only aircraft carrier, the Soviet-era Admiral Kuznetsov, at Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on the north coast of Africa, was first reported in the Spanish news media on Tuesday evening. The development set off alarm bells among the alliance defense ministers, who gathered in Brussels on Wednesday for a two-day meeting and warned Spain not to let the Russian ships dock. Wed be extremely concerned that any NATO member should consider assisting a Russian carrier group that might end up bombing Syrian civilians, Britains defense secretary, Michael Fallon, told reporters. On the contrary, NATO should be standing together. I looked down at my wrist and could briefly see the bone through a deep gash before the wound filled with blood. I put my hand over it to apply pressure. One part of me was fixated on moving my fingers and checking the motion in my wrist, while the rest was worried about the possibility of a follow-up attack. Another Iraqi soldier came up to me through the dust and smoke. He pulled off one of the tourniquets I keep on my body armor and started trying to apply it to my arm. I waved him off there was no sign of an arterial bleed. I made my way back to the MRAP, where one of the journalists from ITN helped me apply a compression bandage. I was loaded into the flatbed of a Humvee with Iraqi soldiers who had also been wounded, and we were driven back behind their lines. Id been incredibly lucky, and the wound looked worse than it was. There was no shrapnel lodged inside, no ligaments or tendons torn, and an X-ray at the hospital in Erbil later that night showed no signs of broken bones. It was hard not to think about what could have happened, though. Even a slightly worse alternative would have changed everything: If the shrapnel had hit just an inch to the left, I could have lost my right hand, or the use of it. The fallen commandos were memorialized in a haunting poem, Bab al-Wad, written in Hebrew by Mr. Gouri in the 1950s. Set to music by Shmuel Farshko, it became a hallowed anthem for Jewish Israelis commemorating the 1948 war. In 1995, the wooded area around Shaar Hagai was named Rabin Park, for Yitzhak Rabin, the Harel Brigade commander who went on to become prime minister of Israel, and who was assassinated by an extremist Jew for concessions he made in the pursuit of peace with the Palestinians. The old buildings of the khan were supposed to be renovated and house a rest stop and educational center focusing on the legacy of the convoy escorts and breakers of the siege. Image Rehavam Zeevi in March 2001, months before he was killed by Palestinian militants. He has posthumously been accused of criminal ties and sexual assault. Credit... Zoom 77, via Associated Press Then, in 2001, at the height of the second intifada, Palestinian gunmen assassinated Mr. Zeevi, then Israels minister of tourism, in a Jerusalem hotel. He had been a deeply polarizing figure as the founder of a far-right political party, Moledet, which advocated the transfer of Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza to neighboring Arab countries. Most other Palmach commanders ended up identifying with the Israeli left. His murder shocked the country, Mr. Gouri said, and he suddenly became a tragic hero. A decade after Mr. Zeevis death, in 2011, the government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, of the conservative party Likud, decided to dedicate part of the planned visitors center at Shaar Hagai in honor of the slain minister. The Palmach veterans wrote a letter of protest to Mr. Netanyahu demanding that the decision be reversed. They said they received a laconic reply, which they took as a rejection. The site has lain largely dormant in recent years. But in another twist, Israels Channel 2 television broadcast a documentary about Mr. Zeevi a few months ago accusing him of ties to Israels criminal underworld and of sexual offenses including rape. Mr. Zeevis family denounced the documentary produced by the respected magazine program Uvda like an Israeli 60 Minutes saying its report was immoral and unethical since Mr. Zeevi was unable to defend himself against the allegations. Employees with job-based health coverage are spending a greater share of their income on health insurance costs, even though those costs are growing more slowly in most states, a new report finds. Health premiums for employees, as well as deductibles, rose more slowly on average in a majority of states from 2010 to 2015 than during the previous five years, a study published on Wednesday by the health research group Commonwealth Fund found. But many families are still feeling squeezed. That is because wages, despite a recent rise, havent kept pace with health care costs, said Sara Collins, vice president for health care coverage and access at the Commonwealth Fund. The finding suggested that workers should take time to do their homework, she said, when selecting health coverage for the next year during open enrollment, which is now underway at many employers. Employees should look beyond the plans monthly premium to consider other costs that they might have to pay out of pocket. Im trying to say its time to look at who we really are, the painter Marilyn Minter once said. And for more than 40 years, her gorgeous, grimy, sexy, icky, sparkly, sweaty work the subject of her first New York retrospective, Marilyn Minter: Pretty/Dirty, opening Friday, Nov. 4, at the Brooklyn Museum has held an uncomfortable mirror up to our cultures obsession with a sensuality that seems to deny the human body. In Ms. Minters paintings, based on exuberantly composed photographs, fashion tropes appear as if hauled under a truth-telling microscope, where hairs and pimples and dirt hold equal sway with makeup and bling. Her interest in pornography, and what Holland Cotter in The New York Times called a pathology of glamour, made for tough going in the 1990s, when she was criticized by some feminists as a sexualizer for its own sake. But at 68, she is seeing history come around to her way of thinking. In a video interview for the retrospective, she says: My side won, basically. (brooklynmuseum.org) The work grows out of more than half a century of collaborations between the world of art and the worlds of science and technology, spurred by pioneers like Experiments in Art and Technology, begun in 1967 by the Bell Labs engineers Billy Kluver and Fred Waldhauer and the artists Robert Rauschenberg and Robert Whitman. M.I.T. has been at the forefront of such cross-pollination, which has taken off at schools around the world in recent years. In an interview before I experienced the virtual reality environment, Mr. Ben Khelifa, 44, said the idea emerged from a frustration that deepened over almost 20 years he spent as a photojournalist covering strife often entrenched, interminable warfare mostly in the Middle East. Being a Tunisian growing up in Belgium, I think I always felt like I was wearing two different kinds of shoes, he said. In Iraq and Afghanistan, I could sometimes see things about fighters on both sides of the conflict that some other Europeans couldnt. What he saw there was a culture of warfare that often perpetuated itself through misunderstanding and misinformation, with no mechanism for those of opposing sects or political forces to gain a sense of the enemy as a fellow human being. I began to think, Im meeting the same people over and over again, he said. Im seeing people I knew as kids, and now theyre grown-up fighters, in power, fighting the same fight. And you start to think about your work in terms of: Am I helping to change anything? Am I having any impact? He added: I thought of myself as a war illustrator. I started calling myself that. Visit the exhibition by the Belgian artist Koen Vanmechelen in Detroit this fall and you may never think about chickens the same way again if you think about them much at all. You may never think about art the same way, either. During the past 20 years, Mr. Vanmechelen has gained attention with his Cosmopolitan Chicken Project. He has continually crossbred chickens from different nations to create a hybrid that is ever more robust in health and spectacular in physical attributes. This was not just for the sake of the chickens, though they do roam on a farm in Meeuwen, near the artists studio in Hasselt, Belgium. He shows his chickens in museums and galleries as living art, alongside paintings, photographs, sculpture, video and installations that explore ideas of cultural, biological and aesthetic diversity. His chicken art project has been seen worldwide, including in Shanghai, Beirut and Havana; he has participated in three Venice Biennales, most recently in 2015. What does it mean to be American? As the election season lurches into its final stretch, the New York Festival of Song offers a chance to reflect on the question through music, and from different vantage points. On Tuesday, Nov. 1, and Thursday at Merkin Concert Hall, this cherished institution presents Rodgers, Rodgers & Guettel: A Century of American Musical Theater, a program that takes the temperature of the American dream as expressed in the songs by Richard Rodgers, his daughter Mary Rodgers (Once Upon a Mattress) and his grandson Adam Guettel (known for the score to The Light in the Piazza). The vibrant lineup includes the soprano Lauren Worsham, the mezzo-soprano Mary Testa and the baritone John Brancy. On Wednesday at National Sawdust, the organizations new-music arm invites the Peruvian-American composer Gabriela Lena Frank to design an evening around her own folk-and-mythology-inspired compositions as well as works by the composers Avner Dorman and Derek Bermel. Performers include the soprano Amy Owens; the Momenta Quartet; and the festivals associate artistic director, Michael Barrett, at the piano. (nyfos.org; nationalsawdust.org) As on the day she died, Mr. Oswalt has occasionally entertained the idea that his loss has not been real. One question has popped into his head several times: What if he is actually the one who has died? What if, as my last brain cell died, I imagined a whole other life, that my brain cannot deal with the horror of my body dying, so its made up the next worst thing, which is this person who I wanted to spend the rest of my life with has been yanked away from me? he said, his voice getting ragged, spinning this scenario out, proposing that the interview he was doing at the moment was an invention of his own mind. After comparing his life to a scene from the movie Jacobs Ladder, he stopped: Sorry, I sound crazy. Since Ms. McNamaras death, Mr. Oswalt has made it a ritual to sit with his daughter every night and write down three things they remember about her. It keeps this living portrait of her, he said, choking up. Spending time with Alice provides perhaps the ultimate relief. She has probably helped Patton as much as Patton helped her, Matt Oswalt said. I saw him the first time he saw Alice after Michelle died, and the color just came back into his face. Mr. Oswalt has committed himself to finishing his wifes book, working with a researcher and another journalist. We can finish the book, but it was tangential to the work, which was: She was going to solve this crime, he said. She didnt want credit for it. She wanted him to be locked up. She was close to figuring it out. It would give her bad nightmares. Mr. Oswalt paused briefly to consider the right metaphor. In comic-book terms, he said. I was married to a great crime fighter. I can tell you with complete assurance that 532 miles is not too far to travel for a sandwich. That is the distance between my home in Ridgewood, Queens, and the Skylight Inn in Ayden, N.C., where a man in a black apron fills the cutout between the kitchen and the cash register and wields cleavers as if they were weapons from Game of Thrones, one in each substantial hand. He stands above twin slabs of butcher block that were once flat but which now resemble dugout canoes, from decades of metronomic chopping. We like to say our wood tastes better than most peoples meat, one of the countermen said to me. You could dream this stuff up. Or you could go to jetblue.com, ignore the window that pops up to warn you that youve booked departure and return flights on the same day, and head south. This being North Carolina, the barbecue is pork, cooked low and slow over logs from the mountainous piles out back, with only a few added flavorings. The menu choices are a tray (meat, coleslaw, cornbread) or a sandwich (meat and coleslaw in a bun), the option I had journeyed for. I declined the slaw the Southern humorist Lewis Grizzard once said that God sent North Carolinians Jesse Helms as punishment for the sin of putting slaw on their cue and watched as a handful or two of meat was stuffed into the kind of pillowy bun that would spur a thousand Brooklyn-blog posts on the evils of white bread. I came to my barbecue obsession semi-honestly. Semi meaning I grew up outside of Boston, far from the barbecue capitals of the world. My childhood was rich in many things love, talk (two psychotherapist parents), Red Sox heartbreak but impoverished in pleasures of the porcine variety. There was bacon, occasionally, though the disposal of the resultant grease inspired a level of panic others reserve for nuclear spills. The committee conducting an impeachment investigation of Gov. Robert Bentley has demanded he give a statement under oath. Jack Sharman, the special counsel for the Alabama House Judiciary Committee, sent a formal demand Monday that Bentley schedule a time for the deposition. The demand sets Nov. 9 as the date, but Sharman notes in an email to Bentley's impeachment attorney, Ross Garber, the date is a placeholder and a time can be worked out As we seek to discharge our constitutional duty with regard to this investigation, we want a clear, truthful record from the Governor and his staff," said Rep. Mike Jones, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, in a press release. "The Committees rules authorize our Special Counsel to take this testimony for the Committee, much like a deposition in a civil case. We look forward to the cooperation of the Governor and his staff with our Special Counsel. Twenty-three representatives signed a resolution in April written by Rep. Ed Henry, R-Hartselle, triggering an impeachment investigation by the House Judiciary Committee. Allegations arose against Bentley in March after he fired former Alabama Law Enforcement Agency head Spencer Collier for possible misuse of state funds, according to a press release from the governors office in March. Collier called a news conference on March 23, and said the real reason he was fired was because he violated an unlawful order by Bentley and assisted the team prosecuting former House Speaker Mike Hubbard of Auburn by signing an affidavit saying that ALEA was not investigating the prosecutors. Collier also said Bentley was having an improper relationship with Mason, his top political adviser. Bentley later apologized for saying inappropriate things to Mason after a recording of a phone call between the two was released, but he denied having a sexual relationship. Mason has since resigned from the governors office. Collier filed a lawsuit against Bentley and Mason for wrongful termination. "We are continuing to fully cooperate with that committee, Bentley said during a press conference on Oct. 3. Bentley's office has turned over thousands of pages to the committee, but said the subpoena power the committee voted to itself in its rules for impeachment proceedings was unconstitutional. The committee sent subpoenas to Bentley and Mason on Sept. 29. Garber said in a statement Wednesday that Sharman wants to interview witnesses under oath in private and not give Bentley's attorneys an opportunity to cross-examine witnesses. "The members of the Committee and the House should be outraged and should take immediate action to stop this violation of the Constitution and House Rule 79.1," Garber said. "The Governors attorneys are evaluating the lawyers requests and will communicate directly, as opposed to using a press releases to grandstand. In any event, the Governors Office will continue to provide information and cooperation to the Judiciary Committee, but will also insist on fairness and due process. Sharman also called on other Bentley staff members Monday to give sworn statements, including David Byrne, Bentleys chief legal Advisor, Wesley Helton, director of legislative affairs, and Zach Lee, director of federal and local government affairs. "Although we have not had the transparency and cooperation with the investigation that the Governor promised, the Committee hopes that the Governor will take this opportunity to cooperate in the Houses investigation," Sharman said in the press release. The Opelika City School Board approved five new policies regarding federal funds Tuesday. Superintendent Mark Neighbors said the policies are completely new to the system, and they came from the federal government. Conflict of Interest Policy A conflict of interest policy was implemented, which identifies a conflict of interest when a board member, employee or agent of the board takes part in an event that is likely to have a direct effect on his or her personal and financial interests, according to the policy document. The policy states no board agents, employees or officers should accept or give gratuities, favors or any items of monetary value to contractors, potential contractors or parties. In addition, the Board discourages the act of tutoring pupils by instructors employed by the Board, according to the policy document. It stated teachers cant accept cash for tutoring students attending Opelika City Schools, unless its recommended by the students parents, the teachers principal and with the superintendents approval. According to the policy, teachers are not to take part in political activity that interferes with the educational process of Opelika City Schools. Cash Management for Federal Funds The cash management for federal funds policy states the board will shorten the time between when federal funds from the U.S. Treasury, the Alabama Department of Education or other groups are received. Federal funds will only be requested to meet urgent cash needs for repayment not covered by previous receipts and anticipated disbursements that are usually fixed. Disbursements will be paid within 20 business days after receipt of funds. Determination of Allowable Costs The determination of allowable costs policy states the federal program director and the chief school financial officer or designee will decide if proposed transactions meet the requirements for allowable costs for federal programs. The determination of costs will ensure the proposed expenditure is included in the federal program budget, is reasonable and vital for the program and is consistent with procedures for financial transactions of the board. Procurement Policy The procurement policy states the board will: Avoid gaining unnecessary or duplicated goods and services; use the most efficient approach for acquisitions; grant acquisition contracts only to responsible contractors who can perform successfully under the terms and conditions of the proposed procurement; consider contractor integrity, public policy compliance standards, record of previous performance and financial and technical resources before awarding procurement contracts; maintain records sufficient to the history of the procurement; and conduct procurement transactions in a way that provides full and open competition. Travel Policy The travel policy states the boards travel policy provides for reimbursement and payments for travel expenses of employees paid from federal funds that are consistent with the travel costs for board employees paid from local and state funds. Southern California News Group Editorial Board members devoted hundreds of hours this election cycle researching, meeting with and vetting candidates for public office as well as proponents and opponents of various local and state ballot propositions. Our mission is to support the best and the brightest candidates and to offer our recommendations on ballot measures. Here are our recommendations: United States Senate Loretta Sanchez for U.S. Senate California in November will elect a new U.S. senator for the first time in 24 years. To replace four-term Sen. Barbara Boxer, who decided not to seek re-election, we endorse Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Orange, because she has demonstrated incredible judgment on the most crucial issues of our generation, taking tough stands in the face of tremendous opposition. State Propositions No on Proposition 51 Since the state School Facilities Program began in 1998, California voters have approved a series of statewide school construction bonds totaling about $40 billion. The money from those bonds, which wont be paid off until 2044 and costs the state around $2.7 billion in principal and interest a year, is running out. Guest commentary in favor Guest commentary against Yes on Proposition 52 More than 13 million Californians rely on Medi-Cal, the states health insurance program for low-income residents, but California underfunds the program by paying health care providers less than the cost of providing the care. As a result, hospitals in the state lose a combined $8 billion a year treating Medi-Cal patients, according to the California Hospital Association. Guest commentary in favor >The campaign against Prop. 52 has not yet submitted an op-ed. Yes on Proposition 53 This editorial board likes the idea of letting voters have a say about huge state projects. Thats why we urge a yes vote on Proposition 53, which requires statewide voter approval before any project to be funded, owned or managed by the state can issue $2 billion or more in revenue bonds. Guest commentary in favor Guest commentary against Yes on Proposition 54 Among a number of highly controversial measures on the Nov. 8 ballot, Proposition 54 is pretty straightforward. Prop. 54 would require a minimum 72-hour cooling-off period between the time a new or amended bill is posted online and distributed to legislators and the time a branch of the Legislature votes on the bill. An exception is made for public emergencies. Guest commentary in favor Guest commentary against No on Proposition 55 Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program, economist and Nobel laureate Milton Friedman used to say. We would pose, as a corollary: Nothing is so permanent as a temporary tax increase especially if proponents of Proposition 55 get their way. Guest commentary in favor Guest commentary against No on Proposition 56 Tobacco use is a potentially harmful activity associated with many unfortunate outcomes, especially for those who choose to partake. To help offset some of the harms of tobacco use, it can be appropriate to impose taxes to address those harms. Guest commentary in favor Guest commentary against Yes on Proposition 57 Over the past five years, California has worked to curb the excesses of a tough on crime approach that overemphasized punishment to the detriment of rehabilitation and public safety. Guest commentary in favor >The campaign against Prop. 57 has not yet submitted an op-ed. No on Proposition 59 Proposition 59 is an imprudent mistake, and a familiar one at that. Too strong in its ends and too weak in its means, the advisory-only measure would, if passed, merely request that Congress take the excessive and potentially dangerous step of rewriting the First Amendment. Guest commentary in favor Guest commentary against No on Proposition 60 Proposition 60 is a statewide version of the Los Angeles County ballot initiative that requires the use of condoms in pornographic movies made in California. If the 2012 L.A. County measure was an unwise intrusion on the practices of a legal industry, this Nov. 8 proposition may be worse. Guest Commentary in Favor Guest commentary against No on Proposition 61 Proposition 61, the California Drug Price Relief Act, attempts to reduce the states health care costs by requiring some state agencies to pay no more for prescription drugs than the lowest price paid for the same drugs by the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs. >The campaign in favor of Prop. 61 has not yet submitted an op-ed. Guest commentary against Yes on Proposition 62 Californias death penalty system is an ineffective, failed and wasteful government program. While there might be value in the death penalty in the abstract, in reality a death sentence in California today is effectively, as one judge put it, life imprisonment with the remote possibility of death. Guest commentary in favor Guest commentary against No on Proposition 63 California has the strictest gun laws in the nation, but that hasnt quelled our state politicians need to do something. In this election, Proposition 63 seeks to add yet another layer of rules, especially on the purchase of ammunition, on top of already stringent gun laws. Guest commentary in favor Guest commentary against Yes on Proposition 64 For half a century, efforts to control and prevent marijuana use have relied upon the brute force of criminalization. It is increasingly apparent that marijuana prohibition, much like alcohol prohibition, has been a costly, failed experiment that flies in the face of growing demand for the substance. Its now time we legalize recreational use of marijuana in California. >The campaign in favor of Prop. 64 has not yet submitted an op-ed. Guest commentary against No on Proposition 65 No matter whether California voters are for or against the other statewide proposition dealing with plastic grocery bags on the November ballot, Proposition 67, they should vote against Proposition 65, which also has to do with the bag question. Guest commentary in favor Guest commentary against No on Proposition 66 If there is one thing opponents and proponents of the death penalty in California can agree, it is that the current death penalty system doesnt work. With one of the largest death rows in the world, California has over 740 people awaiting execution, few of whom are likely to be executed. Guest commentary in favor Guest commentary against No on Proposition 67 Since 2007, concerns about plastic litter in the oceans have led nearly 150 California localities to pass ordinances to ban single-use plastic grocery bags and require stores to charge customers 10 cents each for carryout bags made of paper or heavier plastic. Now voters will decide if a statewide ban on the bags, passed in 2014, will go into effect or not. Guest commentary in favor Guest commentary against